The Bonds We Formed, Like Magic | Chapter 22

[healingbonds]

Chapter 21 << | index | >> Chapter 23


Before I know it, the sun starts to set.
Snow gives me an explanation over his shoulder as I sit perched on the back of his broom.

Snow: Listen well, Sage.
Like you said, there’s no one in this world capable of stopping a fight between Mithra and Oz!

White: But we can prevent either of them from dealing a killing strike.

Snow: Let us watch over their fight at a closer distance......

White: And find our timing to quickly tear them apart!

Akira: Can we really pull them apart just like that!?

Snow: The timing is crucial! Even they should be aware that they shouldn’t turn each other into stone!
We’ll look for a moment when they can be persuaded into withdrawing their magic tools: that’s when we’ll jump in!

Akira: Can you two spot that moment when it happens!?

Snow & White: Nope!!

Akira: So you can’t......

Snow: That said, either Oz will nearly torture Mithra to death.....

White: Or Mithra will be on the verge of killing Oz once night falls......

Snow: If we hold out until then, they should calm down enough to listen to us!

White: It’d be great if they listened!

Akira: O-okay......!

To be honest, I wish they would stop fighting earlier than that. I think we should be trying to stop them as soon as possible.
But I don’t know the ages of the world they’ve lived through, or even the current world they live in now.
If I renounced their experiences despite knowing nothing about how they’ve lived thus far, why would anyone listen to me?
They are godlike people who can work miracles and conjure the impossible.

Akira: ......W-where did the two of them go......!?

Snow & White: Over there!

I lift my gaze in the direction of Snow and White’s pointed fingers.
Oz and Mithra stand facing off against each other: they’re back to their usual forms, suspended in the sky diagonally over our heads without their brooms.
Mithra has a hand pressed against his shoulder. To be more precise, he’s gripping his left arm in one hand and trying to force it back onto his left shoulder.
Perhaps that was the tentacle Oz tore off.
Beneath his drenched red hair, a raging storm burns in Mithra’s emerald green eyes.
As the melancholy sunset drapes over his body, only his vivid eyes continue to shine, all at once electrifying and alluringly captivating.
He exudes a wild air of dangerous sensuality, different from his usual languid manner.
Mithra glares at Oz, bellowing angrily.

Mithra: ......A tail should be! A proper tail!

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

Mithra: If you have your head at the front, then the tail goes at the opposite end. That’s how you look cool, you know!?

Oz appears to take no notice at all.
Maybe he’s working magic: his long black hair and clothes flutter and billow with wind.
Water droplets splash everywhere. He points his staff at Mithra.

Oz: This is futile.
You cannot defeat me.

(Thunder)

A faint glow envelops Oz’s staff.
In the blink of an eye, dark clouds close in across the whole sky, cloaking the day in the darkness of the night.
The sky rumbles ominously. Mithra removes his hand from his shoulder with a taunting jeer; his blood-covered arm seems to be in perfect condition again.
His palms glowing faintly, he conjures his magic skull once again.
He tosses it high into the air.

Mithra: I have no intention of losing to you the way you are now.

The waves toss and churn higher and higher, as if drawn towards the magic skull Mithra threw high into the air.

(Splash)

Amidst the churning white seafoam, innumerable malevolent apparitions emerge from the watery ocean depths and float to the surface.

(Ghastly screeching)

The blue-white skeletal warriors rattle and clang their bones, bumping noisily against each other as they rise.
They seize bones from each other, using them as guns, spears, even bows.
Gradually, an army of skeletal forces takes shape.
Oz knits his brows in displeasure.
Mithra laughs fearlessly.

Mithra: << Arthim >>

Mithra chants his spell.
And the skeletons charge at Oz.
So many skeletal warriors emerge from the ocean depths that the sky, which had been swallowed up by dark clouds, now appears almost blindingly white.

Oz: << Vox Nox >>

(Thunderclap)

Oz drives them back with thunderbolts.
But they continue their relentless charge; no matter how many of them Oz obliterates, the skeletal warriors keep replenishing their numbers like maggots feasting on a corpse.
Oz, unbudging up till now, is moved to action. He brandishes his staff, conjuring a vortex to separate himself from the hordes of skeletons.
Behind him, a door opens in space.
The hand that lashes out from the door grabs hold of Oz’s hair.

Mithra: << Arthim >>

Oz: << Vox Nox >>

The gigantic skull spits out an icy blizzard.
Blue lightning erupts from Oz’s staff.
Before these two wizards, the beautiful scenery that had moved me so deeply is vanishing without a trace.

✦✧☾✧✦

Figaro: I really hate the look of these clouds.....

Faust: Figaro.

Figaro: Faust.

Faust: It’s Oz and Mithra. I sense the Sage and the twins’ presence too. I’m headed off to stop them.

Figaro: I don’t think you should.

Faust: Why?

Figaro: Because you can’t do anything.

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

Figaro: I mean, like, it’s not like I can do anything either. My point is.....
It’s probably better to let them de-stress by exercising in the wide seas instead of letting them blow up the magic headquarters....

Faust: Is that how this works.....

Figaro: Did you see Leno?

Faust: No......

Figaro: I see. It wasn’t anything urgent, but it looked like he wanted to speak to you about something.
Maybe you should take the time to sit down and listen to him.

Faust: ....Got it. He was acting strange the other day.

Figaro: Have you seen Mitile and Riquet?

Faust: Yes, just a little while back. Shino and Heathcliff went to speak to them.

Figaro: Then I guess they’ll be fine. ....I’m leaving now. Don’t get involved with Oz and Mithra.

Faust: Wait.

Figaro: ............
Did you......
Just ask me to stay?

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

Figaro: You did, right? You? Asked me? Right? You’re talking to me, right?

Faust: .......If you need to go, then that’s......

Figaro: No. Not at all. You want to talk to me? Should we grab a seat indoors somewhere?
Oh. Wait, no, you just want me to wait. You only told me to wait. Sure. I’m waiting right now.

Faust: .............
I want to speak to you.....

Figaro: I thought so!!

Faust: Why are you mocking me!?

Figaro: I’m not mocking you! Something is troubling you, and you want to consult me about it, right?
So this is my chance to show off. I might be able to regain some of your trust and respect.
That’s why I want you to ask me as soon as possible. Because my experience and knowledge make it possible for me to answer most questions.
Those are my hopes, but I’m trying to act cautiously to avoid offending you.
So, what is it? I’ll hear you out.

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

Figaro: Sorry.... I was rambling...... I just got ahead of myself......

Faust: .............
.....Remember how we went to the sea to train, just once?

Figaro: Yes. I was actually thinking about the exact same thing.

Faust: .....Why are you telling such a careless lie?

Figaro: ............. I wanted to make you happy......

Faust: Were you always like this? You used to have more of a dignified presence; you were more strict and serious.

Figaro: What good does a serious, dignified presence do, if people will dote on a cat far more than they do me?

Faust: You wanted to be doted on like a cat?

Figaro: At least once before I die.

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

Figaro: It’s not like I was forcing myself to act like that when I was with you. This is just a new hobby of mine.
When I was with you, I liked showing off. Because I was happy that you respected me.
Right. Sorry. I ran off topic again. ....So what about the training at sea?

Faust: .....We were not training by the Western sea; we were in the North. The training was rigorous: I almost died on multiple occasions.
You saw all this, and said, this is too much for you.
We are still midway through training, but let’s come back another day.

Figaro: Ah, that’s right. I remember your face from that day.
You looked incredibly apologetic and bitter. I thought, wow, you’re so serious — or rather, you’re indomitably stubborn.

Faust: ............
.......Four hundred years ago. When you left my side.
How much of my training had I completed?

Figaro: .......... I think I taught you enough to keep you from dying easily, but.....

Faust: How much?

Figaro: What is your point?

Faust: .............
Do I still have room for improvement?

Figaro: ............

Faust: Give it to me straight. You don’t need to hold back.

Figaro: Why are you asking......

Faust: .....I want to protect my students.
During the Obsius incident, my students were covered in blood. ....But there wasn’t a single scratch on my body......
.....I don’t want to lose anyone else who trusts me and follows me........

Figaro: ............

Faust: ....Curses or forbidden spells — I don’t care. I’ll do anything..... I want to get stronger.

Figaro: You.....
Will still ask me these sorts of questions, huh.

Faust: .....Because I believe you know me better than anyone. ......I know I’m probably causing you trouble, but.....

Figaro: You’re not troubling me at all. .....You made me happy.
I’m happy that you’re relying on me once more.

Faust: ....You’re happy?
Then why did you leave me behind?

Figaro: ............

Faust: I’m not condemning you. I want to understand you. ....Won’t you tell me why?
Why did you abandon me?

Figaro: .............

Faust: ....I apologize. That was an impudent question. Forget it.

Figaro: Faust!

Faust: I will look for Shino and the others and return to the castle. .....I apologize for depending on your goodwill; I should have known my place.

(Footsteps)

Figaro: .............
I see. All this time I thought I was the one who had been cast aside, but.......
That boy thought I had expelled him out of nowhere.

✦✧☾✧✦

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

Lennox: Cain, I’m going to touch you.

Cain: Leno.

Lennox: Can you see me now?

Cain: Yeah. Where are the other guys from Southern Country? Looks like Mitile and Riquet are out playing together.

Lennox: They’re out shopping. Have you seen Sir Faust?
I couldn’t find him at the bazaar.

Cain: I haven’t seen Faust. The Eastern wizards don’t like crowds, so maybe they’re taking a break somewhere quiet.

Lennox: You might be right. I’ll search for him. Thanks.

Cain: Just look for him from the sky. I can’t do that with the state of my eyes, but you can.

Lennox: ....I didn’t want to make it a big deal.

Cain: Right. He doesn’t like attention.
It’s interesting because their sensibilities are different from mine — not just for the East, but everyone else too.
And they make unexpected faces at unexpected things.....

Lennox: .....There was a wound on Prince Arthur’s face.

Cain: Yeah. It really got me feeling down. I can’t even challenge him on it, because Prince Arthur’s magic is stronger than mine, so....
It makes me wonder, what can I do for him?

Lennox: ....Does it make you depressed?

Cain: It does. Would you take it in stride if the same thing happened to you?

Lennox: Of course not. Why didn’t Prince Arthur heal his wound? Why didn’t you tell him to?

Cain: There was a lot going on, but Prince Arthur chose not to heal it. It would be presumptuous of me to tell him what to do.

Lennox: ..........
Would it be presumptuous?

Cain: It would be. I mean, I still hate it. Because it means I have to face the proof that I failed to protect him.
It forces me to confront my utter powerlessness; it’s so agonizing that I feel like I might pass out

Lennox: ..........

Cain: But I still can’t tell him to heal it. Because if Sir Arthur has made up his own mind — if he has his own pride and beliefs....
Then it’s my job as his vassal to follow him and accept his choices without a word. Am I wrong?

Lennox: ....You’re very stoic. That’s surprising: you two seem so close, like friends.

Cain: That’s what loyalty is. To offer your life for the sake of your master’s beliefs.
I’m from a town that produces many powerful soldiers, you see. I’ve been taught the lessons of chivalry since I was young.

Lennox: ...........
Even if the wound is misshapen? Isn’t it unhealthy to leave a wound when it can be healed?

Cain: It might be a sign of pride. Say that the wound on Prince Arthur’s face was as big as Bradley’s.....
If Prince Arthur said he wanted to leave it, I would follow his orders. Though just looking at it would tear my heart apart.

Lennox: .....It hurts me even without seeing it.

Cain: Well, that’s just your ego, isn’t it? You just want to avert your eyes from your failures.

Lennox: ...... You.....
What would a young sprig like you know?

Cain: ..........
....Are you..... Mad.....?

Lennox: Ma.... Am I mad......?

Cain: Your voice is louder than usual.

Lennox: I’m sorry.....

Cain: You don’t have to apologize. You can get mad. I’d be glad to fight you in any way.
If we can have a heart-to-heart, and......

Lennox: I didn’t want to get mad.

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

Lennox: Because I like you; I want to treasure you as my friend.

Cain: Leno......

Lennox: ......I was raised in the coal mines. I never learned any lessons of chivalry.
But I.... Still wanted to devote myself to him, even if it meant casting my life away.
Yet I escaped death. And the scars from the night where I escaped death continue to haunt me.
Like clouds covering the mountains at daybreak, every last regret stretches out behind me and follows me to this day......

Cain: ....Lennox. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to criticize your way of life.

Lennox: ...... I know.... I’m sorry too......

Cain: I like you. I know there’s a lot I don’t understand about you, but I respect your experience, and your pain.

Lennox: I know. You’re a great guy.
I also wanted to know why I feel this fury.
But I see it now. I just wanted to avert my eyes from my failures.

Cain: Leno.....

Lennox: But let me say one thing, Cain. You said that loyalty is offering your life for the sake of your master’s beliefs, but....
I followed my master’s beliefs. That was why I couldn’t save him when he could have been saved; that was why I made him stand atop the gallows as a criminal.

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

Lennox: When you, and his descendant, face such a choice — which path you will choose? It’ll be quite the spectacle.

Cain: His descendant....?

Lennox: ...........
I’m going to look for Sir Faust.

Cain: Yeah......

Lennox: Thank you for hearing me out. I’m sorry for taking it out on you.

Cain: So you were taking it out on me....

Lennox: I was. I think I understand Dr. Figaro a little better now.
This is how it feels when a fresh face a couple hundred years younger than you offers you their opinion.....

Cain: What was that?

Lennox: Please pray for me — so that I can properly talk to Sir Faust. Because your words are always kind.

✦✧☾✧✦

(Thunderclaps)

Arthur: ......Sir Oz...... So he did go to confront Mithra......
.......I will only be a burden to Sir Oz if I go to his side now.
....... It pains me to admit, but......

(Woosh)

Arthur: ......! Is that Owen and Bradley flying across the sky......!?
Even Sir Oz might not be able to take on Mithra if the two of them show up......
.............
.......If I’m going to hesitate, I should just go! Surely I can be his shield, at the very least!
<< Pernoctant Nixzo >>!

✦✧☾✧✦

Mitile: The weather is acting all strange.....

Shino: Is this the weather? Isn’t it Oz and Mithra?

Mitile: Huh!?

Shino: I might be wrong. It’s fine so long as Heath is safe.
Look at them. He’s building a sand castle for Riquet. Heath is really good with his hands.

Mitile: You’re right. Riquet looks happy too. I’m glad he’s smiling......
.....Mister Shino.

Shino: Hm?

Mitile: You’re Mister Heathcliff’s vassal, right? ....What’s it like, being a vassal?
Is it different from being his friend?

Shino: It’s different.

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

Shino: I’ve only served Blanchett, and I’ve only served in my own way. I don’t know if you can call that loyalty.
But there’s one thing I’ve set my heart on.

Mitile: What is that....?

Shino: When I die, say that there really is a land of the dead, and I meet God, or the Devil......
I’ll tell them: I’ve committed every last wicked deed imaginable upon this earth, but I still treasured Heathcliff.
I can say that with confidence.

Mitile: Is that loyalty?

Shino: For me it is. Because there’s nothing else I can be proud of.

Mitile: That’s not true.... Mister Shino, you’re so strong.

Shino: There are still guys out there stronger than me. I plan on becoming the strongest of them all, but....
I might die before then. That’s why I need something that I can declare with confidence.

Mitile: Why is that?

Shino: Because dying alone is scary.

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

Shino: That’s why you need an anchor for your heart.
Something that tells you: you don’t have to be afraid, even if you die alone. Because you have something you can be proud of.

Shino: Hey, Mitile. I treasure Heathcliff, right?

Mitile: ....You do. You treasure him very much.

Shino: Heh.
That’s something I can tell Master and Mistress, and even the guys I killed. I can say it for sure. It’s a charm stronger than any spell.
So long as a Shino who treasures Heathcliff exists — I can forgive myself.

Mitile: .........

Heathcliff: Shino, Mitile! We need to get walking. The sun will set soon.

Riquet: Look! Our shadows are so long!

Shino: Haha, you’re right. I’m like a beanpole now.

Mitile: You’re right. It feels like I’ve grown up.
I wonder what kind of grown-up I’ll become?

Chapter 21 << | index | >> Chapter 23