The Bonds We Formed, Like Magic | Chapter 20

[healingbonds]

Chapter 19 << | index | >> Chapter 21


Mitile: Wow...... The sand is gathering into piles.

Riquet: Amazing! The door to my small prayer room should be right around here.

Mitile: What’s this......? A door......? Pillars......?

Riquet: This line of pillars forms a wall. It’s like Rustica’s birdcage. They called it a lattice.

Mitile: It’s a cage......

Riquet: What’s a cage?

Mitile: Ah..... No, maybe I’m wrong.....Um, if your room looks like this, doesn’t that mean people can just look in any time they want?

Riquet: The people from the Church and my disciples would feel uneasy if they couldn’t check on me often.
I’ve never done anything that would make me feel ashamed of being seen by others, and not having walls never troubled me.

Mitile: I see......

Riquet: Oh, but look, there is a wall on this side. This one here is a proper wall, and this is the lattice door. That’s where I accept everyone’s greetings.

Mitile: ............

Riquet: Mitile?

Mitile: Are you going to go back here, Riquet? If you do, would you be able to come back to us?

Riquet: ............ I don’t know......

Mitile: You don’t know? But it’s your decision, right? Did Sir Sage say anything about it?

Riquet: He said it was up to me...... But I haven’t decided yet. That’s why I don’t know.

Mitile: I think it’s better if you don’t.

Riquet: Why?

Mitile: ............ Because it doesn’t look like a very nice place......

Riquet: It’s a wonderful place. The organization is sheltered from the depravity of the world at large, and we keep faithfully to the true teachings.

Mitile: What do you mean by true teachings?

Riquet: That this world will be destroyed, and a new world shall be born unto its place.
That to be welcomed into the gates of paradise in the new world, one must live while being mindful of not accumulating more sin than necessary. We teach our followers how to live such a life.

Mitile: ............ But......

Riquet: Mitile. You’re ignorant; you don’t know anything about the world.

Mitile: You said you didn’t know anything either, Riquet. And you couldn’t even read or write...

Riquet: ......Words are..... It’s true that I couldn’t read, but I know plenty of other things.
Like the order of God’s most beloved living beings, and......

Mitile: You mean God ranks species?

Riquet: Naturally. Humans who are enlightened in the truth of the world place at the top, and wizards who have accepted the truth follow behind them.
And humans go below that......

Mitile: Humans go above wizards?

Riquet: The chosen humans are special. People like Father Priest, and Sir Sage......

Mitile: I understand that Sir Sage is a wonderful person, but......

Riquet: I am God’s chosen disciple. That’s why I’m more important than the other wizards.
I love everyone at the magic headquarters because they are kind and easy to talk to, but...... They do treat me with a lack of respect.
I was treated reverently at the religious organization — the way Sir Sage, Oz, or Sir Snow and Sir White are treated here.
So you should also treat me with more respect, Mitile.
Those who are ignorant and foolish will not make it through the gates of the new world. Fufu, but do not worry; I shall illuminate your path there.

Mitile: ............
I.......
I love you, Riquet, but it’s hard for me when you talk about the religious organization.

Riquet: ......Is that so?

Mitile: ............

Riquet: Then you shouldn’t have said that you wanted to see my room.

Mitile: But that’s......

Riquet: You said it first! I showed it to you because you asked!

Mitile: I-I’m sorry. I can’t explain it, but...... I hate the thought of you living in that room.....

Riquet: Why?
Why would you say something so cruel?

Mitile: ............

Riquet: Very well, then. I hate your house too, Mitile. I’ve never seen it before, but I hate the home where you and Rutile live together.

Mitile: Sorry...... I’m really sorry, Riquet. I won’t say it again.

Riquet: See, it makes you mad too......!

Mitile: I’m sorry. I don’t mean it like that. What I wanted to say is that......

Riquet: Don’t hurt me anymore.

Mitile: Yes......

Riquet: Do you want me to forgive you?

Mitile: ......Yes......

Riquet: Then please pray. Fold your hands together like this, and close your eyes......

Mitile: Riquet, are you angry......?

Riquet: Wait. We’re not not done yet. Keep on praying, and repeat after me.
Say, "Mitile promises to never hurt Riquet ever again."

Mitile: ............
I can’t make a promise...... Both my brother and Dr. Figaro said I shouldn’t.

Riquet: I made promises when I was at the Church. I kept all of my promises, no matter what they were.
I hear that we lose our magic if we break a promise. But you’ll keep your promise, won’t you, Mitile?

Mitile: But......

Riquet: Please...... There’s a buzzing in my chest. It makes me feel like I’m floating off the ground.
Please say that you’ll promise me, so I can feel grounded again. Apologize to me. Ask for my forgiveness.

Mitile: ...... Mister Mi—...... A wizard I know made a promise, and it’s causing him a lot of trouble. He regrets it.

Riquet: Why?

Mitile: I think it’s because..... People’s hearts can change.

Riquet: Is yours going to change, Mitile?

Mitile: I don’t know. I really don’t, so I can’t promise you.....
I can’t, Riquet......

Riquet: Say it.
Promise me.

Shino: Stop it.

Riquet: ...........

Mitile: Mister Shino..... Mister Heathcliff......

Shino: Don’t do it. It’ll just cause you trouble later.

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

Riquet: But you two have made a promise.

Shino: That’s why.

Heathcliff: Yeah..... That’s right.

Shino: .....Don’t get the wrong idea, Heathcliff.

Heathcliff: What do you mean? I’m not.

Shino: Don’t lie to me. Look up. I don’t regret it.

Heathcliff: I know. Even though it’s a pain.

Shino: Heath.

Heathcliff: Riquet, Mitile. I don’t know what happened here, but you really shouldn’t do it.
Because even if you fully intend to carry out your promises, you never know what might happen.
It’s a really dangerous thing to do. It’ll change your whole life.

Shino: ............

Riquet: ....... I understand.
I’m sorry, Mitile.

Mitile: No..... I’m sorry too.

Riquet: Shino, Heathcliff. Please, please keep this a secret from Sir Sage and everyone else.
....I was acting strange — rambling off, out of the blue. I’m embarrassed of myself now.
Please don’t tell anyone.

Mitile: I-it’s my fault. Because I said something to hurt him. That’s why he wanted a promise, as a sign that we had made up.

Shino: You don’t have to do that to make up. Here, have some candy. It tastes great.

Mitile: Woah... It looks delicious.

Riquet: We need to wash our hands since we played with sand.

Shino: Go wash them in the water.

Riquet: My hands got all sticky when I did.

Heathcliff: Then I’ll feed you. Open your mouths.

Riquet: Ah.

Mitile: A—h.

Shino: A—h.

Heathcliff: Shino, you already had some.

Shino: Oh, come on. I want you to spoil me.
I want you to be kind to me.

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

Riquet: Maybe I felt the same way......
I wanted you to be kind to me.

Mitile: I think I.... Was trying to be kind.

Riquet: Huh. I didn’t realize that!
That makes me feel better!

Mitile: Ehehe.....

Heathcliff: All right. You guys made up, so I’ll be kind to you. Open your mouths.

Riquet: Ah.

Mitile: A—h.

Shino: A—h.

Heathcliff: Haha.... Looks like the sun will be setting soon.
We’ll get to see the falling stars at night.

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: Wow...... The scenery is gorgeous.....

I lean back into my chair, listening to the sound of the waves.
I’ve become fond of the view from this spot, so I decided to spend my time relaxing here while everyone heads to the bazaar.
An endless expanse of clear, cloudless blue sky greets me as I look up.
With the soothing sound of the waves in the background, I slowly draw in a deep breath and feel the tension leave my body.
As I gaze out across the line of the horizon, I lie back in my chair, feeling as if I’m drifting in the ocean.

Akira: (.......Phew.......)
(This feels amazing......)
(Enjoying a wonderful afternoon breeze and this top-class scenery from such a premium seat......)
(Makes me feel like I’m the king of the world......)
(Crash, followed by splash)

Akira: ......!?

My reign doesn’t last very long.
A tremendous sound echoes through the venue: like the earth being torn apart or the raging rapids of a whirlpool.
I pinpoint the source immediately. The open seas — the very picture of tranquillity up until a moment ago — are now churning and heaving with strange fluctuations.
Whoosh......The surface of the sea splits open, and what emerges from the ocean depths is...
A gigantic, black living creature.

(Roar)

I’ve seen that divine form before.
It’s the Leviathan.
Fiery, sunset-red eyes gleam as pitch black scales glint all over its undulating body.

Akira: (The Leviathan!? Why did it appear here....!?)

The shocking scene before my eyes doesn’t stop there.
Chasing the heels of the Leviathan, I catch sight of yet another gigantic red shadow rising from the depths.
For a moment, the sea looks like it’s been dyed in blood.
With bulging green eyes, the colossal creature draped entirely in red coils twists its fearsome tentacles.
Someone showed me this picture in a book once.
It’s the Kraken.
An eerie, terrifying roar that causes my stomach to plummet splits the sky and sea open.
The Leviathan tries to sink its sharp teeth into the Kraken’s torso.
But the Kraken fends off the attack with a single tentacle.
Abandoning that tentacle, the Kraken uses its remaining limbs to coil around the Leviathan’s body.
Before constricting and strangling its opponent.

Akira: (The Leviathan and the Kraken are trying to kill each other...!?)

Swallowing, I can do nothing but watch and tremble over the unfolding battle.
At that moment, the twins fly in from the sky on their brooms.

Snow: Sage!

White: Oh, Sage!

Akira: Snow! White! What on earth are those monsters....!?

Snow: It’s Oz and Mithra!

I make a dead serious expression.
And ask again, convinced that I misheard the first time.

Akira: What on earth are those monsters....!?

White: It’s Oz and Mithra!

Akira: Oz and Mithra...!?

Snow & White: Yep.

I turn to take a closer look at the entangled monsters, snapping at each other over the tranquil, refreshing expanse of vast sea.
I point at them, just to be really sure.

Akira: That’s them!?

Snow & White: Yep.

Snow: The Leviathan is Oz.

White: And the Kraken is Mithra.

Akira: I s—......... Huh......?

Surprise squeezes my voice into a strange squeak.
The twins land in the courtyard, and fill me in with serious gazes.

Snow: Sage. We have a request for you.

White: Stop their fight.

Akira: I-I can’t.

I reply without a second thought.
There are two monsters fighting in the ocean.
It seems like people on the beach and at the castle have caught sight of them: I hear cries of alarm all around me.

Soldier: M-monsters....! It’s the Leviathan and the Kraken!

Soldier: They’re trying to eat each other!!

The monstrous confrontation before me looks like it comes straight out of a movie.
In front of me, the twins clasp my hands tightly, gazing at me with their adorable faces.

Snow: Don’t say that!

White: Sage dear, you can do it!

Akira: N-no way....! That’s not the kind of fight that a human can stop!
Even in my world, we would send in the armed forces when monsters appeared! We need the military...!

While we quarrel, Oz and Mithra continue their battle.
The Kraken loops its tentacle around the Leviathan’s mouth, sealing off its movements completely.
Unable to continue its assault, the Leviathan has been driven into a corner.
But a few seconds later, the Leviathan’s black body starts to shine faintly, and....
Its long tail transforms into a second neck.
The Leviathan’s second head swiftly bites into the Kraken’s tentacles.
The twins murmur, impressed.

Snow: This really showcases the reasons behind Oz’s strength.

White: 1. He’ll do anything to win.
2. He’s not fussed about aesthetics or design.
3. He has a free and unrestricted imagination.

Snow: We are slightly more particular, you see. We care about things like balance and aesthetic.

White: Mithra is fond of the forms of gigantic creatures too, so that tasteless design is sure to infuriate him.

(Roar)

Snow: Looks like dear Mithra got mad. His movements are becoming sloppy.

White: Oh no, look. Mithra is going to get bitten apart.

The moment White comments, the Leviathan tears off one of the Kraken’s tentacles.
It raises the tentacle high in the air, and a spray of seawater mixed with bodily fluid rains from the dismembered red appendage.
I feel myself turn pale.

Akira: Is..... Is that his arm? His leg!? Is Mithra all right!?

Snow: He probably isn’t.

White: Something definitely got torn off.

Akira: W-we have to stop them....!

Snow: Sage! You’ve finally come around!

White: Then let’s hop onto our brooms to take you closer!

Chapter 19 << | index | >> Chapter 21