The Bonds We Formed, Like Magic | Chapter 17

[healingbonds]

Chapter 16 << | index | >> Chapter 18


Riquet: Look at this big clam!

Arthur: It really is big! It’s the size of your palm.

Cain: We have to get what we need for tonight’s barbeque.
We’ll probably be all buttoned up for tomorrow’s party, so let’s kick back and have an easygoing dinner tonight.
Drinking our fill while looking up at the meteor shower sounds like a great time. Let’s get some clams too.

Riquet: Can we really?

Cain: Yeah! We need Mitile to try them, too. Um, Mister..... I guess you’re standing around, uh, here? Can I get a bag of those clams?

Shopkeeper: Sure thing. Thank you for your business!

Cain: Thanks! Whoa, they look delicious! Get ready to drink up tonight, Oz.

Oz: ............

Cain: Oz?

Arthur: Sir Oz......

Oz: I have other matters to attend to. I will be back shortly.

Arthur: What kind of matters?

Oz: Well......

Riquet: ......What is it? You’re facing downwards. Are you interested in these clams? We’ll be having them for dinner tonight.

Oz: ............
I am going to catch clams.

Arthur: Catch clams......?

Cain: You’re going to catch clams? Right now? Are you going to go skinny dipping?

Oz: That’s right. I’ll be back soon.

Riquet: Catch some really big clams, okay!

Oz: Got it.
Arthur. Do not go following any strangers.

Arthur: I know that. I’m older than Riquet.
I can tell when grown-ups are lying.

Oz: ............

(Oz disappears)

Cain: He disappeared in a blink.

Arthur: ....... I was too snide. I shouldn’t have said that......

Cain: You? Being snide?

Arthur: I surprised myself too. I try to be considerate, but I just couldn’t help it......

Cain: Arthur......

Arthur: I can hazard a guess as to where Sir Oz went. Hey, Cain, Riquet......
If I had stayed back in the North, instead of returning to Central Country......
Do you think Sir Oz would not treat me like an outsider — do you think he would have put me through harsh training, and allowed me to stay by his side in any battle?

Cain: ............

Riquet: Prince Arthur....... Woah!

(Bump)

Passerby: Ah, sorry! Can you move up so I can pass through?

Riquet: I should be the one apologizing. Please go on your way. I forgive you.

Cain: Sorry, Mister.

Arthur: My apologies...... I shouldn’t make you guys stand around talking in a place like this.

Riquet: That’s true since there are a lot of passersby, but did Oz do something? Do you want me to tell him off for you?

Arthur: Ahaha. Thanks, Riquet. Sir Oz didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just sulking a little, that’s all.

Riquet: Sulking......

Arthur: The rain of meteors might continue to fall without change, but we have changed considerably.

Cain: ......Don’t make it sound like you wish you didn’t return to Central Country. I was saved because I met you.

Arthur: Cain......

Cain: There are so many people who have been saved because you are our prince.
Please, I ask that you do not regret leaving where you once lived.

Arthur: ......Yeah. I understand.

Riquet: ....... Leaving where I lived......

Cain: You too, Riquet.

Riquet: I do not believe that I have changed.

Cain: ..........

Riquet: ......Ah! That’s right. I forgot!
I made plans to meet Mitile. Can I go down to the beach?

Arthur: Yes, of course. Be careful. Do you know the way to your meeting spot?

Riquet: Yes.

Arthur: Off you go, then. If anything happens, get on your broom and fly high, okay?

Riquet: I will! Can I leave these clams behind?

Arthur: I’ll take them for you.

Riquet: Then I’ll head off now.

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain: Seeing Riquet and Mitile together sure warms your heart.

Arthur: Yes, I agree...... It makes me want to build a world where they can be happy.

Cain: You’re not that much older than them, you know.
Well, should we get back to the castle too?

Arthur: Could you head back first?

Cain: Arthur......

Arthur: I don’t get many chances to visit bazaars like this. I just want to look around a little longer.

Cain: I can’t let you do that alone.

Arthur: I want to be by myself.

Cain: ............

Arthur: Ah, that was thoughtless of me. Let me send you back to the castle first in case you get swallowed up by the crowd.

Cain: No need. ......Well then, I’ll head back first. I’ll take the clams with me.

Arthur: Cain...... Thank you for listening to my wilful request.

Cain: Please come back before the sun sets.

Arthur: I will.

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain: ............
......."Let me send you back." That’s not something I should make my lord say to me.
......This injury...... I have to do something about it......

✦✧☾✧✦

Chloe: Yay~! It’s a bazaar! I love this bazaar!

Rustica: So do I.

Shopkeeper: Mister! You, the gentleman with the birdcage! You must be thirsty. Have a cup of fruit-infused water.

Rustica: Oh my, thank you. Gulp, gulp....

Shopkeeper: You’re a good drinker! I like that! I’ll make it cheap for you; that’ll be two silver coins!

Rustica: Thank you for your kindness. Look, Chloe, he made it cheap for me.

Chloe: You just got swindled! H-hey, Mister. If it’s not free, tell us first.

Shopkeeper: My bad. Mister, would you like a cup of diluted fruit liquor instead? It tastes great.

Rustica: It looks delicious! Thank you!

Chloe: I’m telling you, don’t....! Rustica, you too! Don’t fall for the same trick twice!

Shopkeeper: I’ll make that one silver coin.

Rustica: Look at that. He made it cheap.

Chloe: No no, you’re supposed to do it like this: two cups of diluted fruit liquor for one silver coin, please!
How’s that?

Shopkeeper: Heheh, I can’t beat that! Here, take it!

Chloe: Yay!

Rustica: Did he give us extra this time?

Chloe: Yeah!

Rustica: Yay!

Murr: Shylock, look! It’s a beautiful blood coral!

Shopkeeper: Hey now! Be careful, will you! That thing’s more expensive than it looks!

Murr: I know~!

Shopkeeper: Oh, my.... If it isn’t Murr. So the rumors about your soul flying away were true.
You used to be such an attractive man. Shylock — who was madly in love with you — must be inconsolable.

Shylock: I didn’t realize such a contrived rumor was floating about.

Shopkeeper: Shylock....! It’s been ages since we last met! I’m glad to see you again!

Shylock: I feel the same. Oh, it really is such a beautiful blood coral.

Murr: It’s just like your eyes, Shylock! Bring it to your ear, like this!

Shylock: Like this?

Murr: Yeah!

Shylock: Fufu.... How does it look?

Murr: Beautiful!

Shylock: .........
Thank you. But I don’t think I’ll be buying this today.

Shopkeeper: What a shame. If the Western wizards found out that Shylock purchased coral from my shop, they’d come flocking in an instant.

Shylock: No, they would gather because the coral is just that lovely. How is Borda Island doing? I hear a new lord is going to be stepping in.

Shopkeeper: The granddaughter of the Chenon family, was it not? I recall her name being Dianne.... She looked like a prim, square girl.

Shylock: Have you seen her before?

Shopkeeper: She was in the castle busy making all sorts of preparations for the inaugural ceremony. Though she did leave the island in a hurry two days ago.

Shylock: I wonder what happened?

Shopkeeper: Who knows. I hear she headed to the capital, so maybe something happened at the royal palace.
If we’re talking about commotions at the royal palace, it’s usually either a pregnancy, the death of a ruler, or a change in government. Have you heard anything, Murr?

Shylock: This Murr no longer regularly wanders in and out of the royal palace, you see.

Shopkeeper: I see.... Murr. Dear Murr Hart. Would you mind turning around to look at me?

Murr: Meo~w!

Shopkeeper: Haha.... To think I’d live to see you laugh like this. I can’t tell if it makes me happy or sad.

Shylock: I understand how you feel.

Shopkeeper: Do you remember the words you uttered while scornfully looking down at me? I won’t forget them until the day I die.

Murr: I have no clue~!

Shopkeeper: I see.... Open your hand. Take this with you.

Murr: A red beryl! It’s sparkly and gorgeous!

Shopkeeper: I know you don’t remember, but this is the bill from the time I lost to you in a gamble.
You are the only one who can pierce me with the ultimate bitterness and pleasure, like a frozen knife slicing away at the soul.
I pray that we may meet again..... Every last piece of Western Country loves you, Murr. I wish you all the best.

Murr: Okay!

Shylock: Murr. Say goodbye.

Murr: See you!

Shylock: See you again.

Shopkeeper: Thank you. I’ll drop by the Bennet Bar again!

Shylock: I will await your patronage. Let’s go, Murr.

Murr: Okay~!

Chloe: Wow... Murr, you and Shylock are both so famous!

Shylock: Chloe. You were watching all that?

Chloe: Yeah! You guys are like celebrities among the Western wizards! I’m so honored that we get along!

Shylock: I’m sure that will be my line one day: you two are a renowned musician and a future designer, after all.

Chloe: I-I wonder if I’ll ever be like that.

Murr: You can be the person you dream of becoming!

Chloe: .........

Murr: This is something that has already been proven! And you are the one who proved it, Chloe!

Chloe: You might be right..... I might be the person I want to be.
Rustica! I’ve made over one hundred party outfits!

Rustica: That’s incredible, Chloe. Let’s make you a legend to honor your greatness, just like the < Great Catastrophe >.

Chloe: It’ll be a legend about us! Hey, can you say it again?

Rustica: A legend to honor our greatness.

Chloe: Perfect! I’m going to act a little prim as I walk through town with Rustica. And then people will stop us in the streets like we’re famous!
That’s the future that awaits us, right?

Shylock: That’s right.

Chloe: This world won’t just disappear, right?

Murr: Hopefully not!

✦✧☾✧✦

Shopkeeper: Come on, come on! Drop on by!

Shopkeeper: Welcome! Do take a look!

Shopkeeper: You there! You! Yes, I’m talking to you!

Faust: .............

Heathcliff: ...........

Nero: .............

Shino: .....Tch. They won’t stop pestering us.

Heathcliff: Don’t raise your head.... If you make eye contact, they’ll start talking to you.

Faust: I wanted to shop for some curseworking tools, but I don’t think I’ll get to examine anything properly.....

Heathcliff: They start talking to us the moment we stop walking.....

Shino: And five seconds later, they’re either telling us about work or family, or they’re asking us about work or family.

Nero: Western bazaars sure are lively.... Hey, why don’t you buy some candy and take a walk on the beach?

Faust: What will you do, Nero?

Nero: I’m headed to the butcher. I wanna see if there’s any good Borda duck.

Faust: Then I’ll tag along.

Nero: You don’t have to. The liveliness has worn you out, right?

Faust: It hasn’t really worn me out — I just can’t get used to the climate.
I was looking at some terracotta incense burners, and the shopkeeper tried to charge me five hundred gold coins.

Nero: You could literally build a giant mansion with that.

Shino: That’s variety.

Faust: Variety?

Chapter 16 << | index | >> Chapter 18