Flowers for You, Magic for the Sky | Chapter 26

[healingbonds]

​​Chapter 25 << | index |


Apparently, the incident was more or less resolved while I was unconscious.

Oz: << Vox Nox >>

With Oz’s magic, Gravelle Castle returned to normal.

✦✧☾✧✦

Drummond: Yawn, mmm..... Hah......! The opening ceremony!?

Canary: ......Yaawn...... Oh my, what am I doing here......?

The castle’s inhabitants arise unharmed from their slumber.
And the labyrinthine courtyard returns to normal.
The children who sustained terrible injuries were also all right.

Rutile: Mitile......!

Mitile: Nii-sama! Nii-sama.....!

Nero: Riquet! Are you okay!?

Riquet: Yes! I’m all right, but Shino and Heathcliff......

Nero: Are you guys okay!?

Faust: Shino, Heathcliff.... I’m sorry we couldn’t be with you during this horrific incident. I’m so glad you’re safe.

Shino: Hey, don’t feel too bad about it, Faust.

Faust: Why did you push yourself past your limit.....

Shino: Heh. Well, my master demanded that I show off to him.

Heathcliff: Um, well.... Yes. I did.

Shino: I defeated the Minotaur. How’s that? Am I amazing? Tell me, Nero, Faust.

Faust: You are. Well done.

Nero: You’re the greatest warrior ever.

Shino: Hehe. Hear that?

Heathcliff: ........ I want to praise you, but if I do, you’re going to push yourself over the edge again.......

Figaro: Exactly. I’m glad to see you in high spirits, but you need to rest up for a while, Shino. Now who’s my next patient?

Faust: You’ve been healing people all night. Are you hurt anywhere?

Figaro: I’m fine because Mithra did a lot of work for us tonight.

Faust: I see. Thank you for tending to the children’s wounds.

Figaro: You’re welcome.

Mithra: Phew..... I’m so glad Rutile and Mitile are all right.....

Mitile: Mister Mithra......

Rutile: Mister Mithra. Thank you for thinking about us.

Mithra: I was beyond uneasy, you know. My stomach was in pain the entire night......

Rutile: You were that worried about us!?

Mithra: ........ I feel like it still hurts......

Mitile: My stomach hurt all night too..... I didn’t know the same thing could happen to you, Mister Mithra. I’ll pat your stomach for you.

Mithra: Sigh......

Rutile: Mister Mithra, Mitile. I’ll brew you some stomach-easing herbal tea, and then we can all rest up together.
You worked so hard tonight.

✦✧☾✧✦

Snow: Sage. You’ve finally awakened.

White: We’re glad you’re safe, dear Sage.

Akira: Good morning...... I’m glad that everyone is all right.
There’s no trace of their injuries or torn clothes...... Did Figaro and Chloe fix them all up?
Even though there was such a ruckus, the castle is so calm. It’s almost as if nothing happened......

Snow: We decided not to say anything.

Akira: Not to say anything.......?

White: Right, Arthur, Oz?

Arthur: Yes. Once the spell broke, no one seemed to remember what happened in this castle last night......

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

Akira: I see......

Arthur: I considered telling Drummond and Cock Robin what happened, but they don’t seem to have any memories of it at all.
Perhaps I have a duty to tell everyone in the castle the truth, but the thought of subjecting them to such a terrifying story......
It would be unwise to needlessly arouse their fear of wizards......

Snow: Thus we’ve decided to write it off as a night of mysterious happenings.

Akira: A night of mysterious happenings, huh. And everyone’s okay with that?
You all staked your lives and desperately protected the people of this castle, and yet no one will know of your efforts......

Arthur: That’s fine. Right, Sir Oz?

Oz: Yes.

Akira: What do you mean?

Oz: Sage. So long as you remember, that alone is enough. The ones who fought valiantly have all accepted this outcome.
You should convey your appreciation to them later.

As he speaks, I feel an indescribable emotion.
A strange mixture of happiness, grief, warmth, and loneliness......
If I am the Sage, then the ones known as the Sage’s wizards — they are my wizards.

My wizards who battled through this night of mysterious happenings, right till the end.

I am the only one who can shower these unknown heroes of the night with endless applause and celebratory bouquets.

It is my honor, and yet a bit of a shame. Won’t somebody say this to them?

Tell me your story.

The story of that mysterious night.

Please ask them in a gentlemanly and courteous manner. On a calm night, with polite words that will not hurt them.
Please, don’t hurt them.
If we could learn about each other, bit by bit, like hearts growing closer ......

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: Shylock, here.....

Shylock: ....This is a shard of Murr’s soul. Was it in Granvelle Castle?

Akira: I think it was actually within Talia, the castle of roses. He protected me.

Shylock: I see.... I’m glad to hear he was of use to you.

Akira: Are you going to feed that shard to Murr?

Shylock: I plan on it. Why do you ask?

Akira: I thought you might want to meet this shard in physical form before you do. He was....
He seemed to be a Murr who cared about his friends — at least relatively so.

Shylock: Oh my. I see there are all sorts of Murrs. Each Murr is a bit different from the others.....
Yet they all undeniably Murr. They are fragments of the expressions Murr once wore on his face. Soul shards are certainly entertaining.

Akira: What would you do if you met a shard that really loved you or really hated you, Shylock?

Shylock: .....I wonder.
I might feel very good, or incredibly displeased. But it would be a bore if they were not complicated.
I love you, but I hate you, but I still love you.... You are poison, yet you are honey. I want to direct my gaze at something that will stir up my heart.
I like to be thrilled, you see.

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain: Phew, they finally let me go outside! The fresh air feels great!
Looks like they postponed the five countries’ peace conference until tomorrow.
I heard the ambassadors from each country couldn’t make it in time because of all these disasters — landslides and broken bridges left and right. ....Sounds like too much of a coincidence.
Well, in any case, I’m glad the conference is still set to happen.
.....Hm?
Owen.

Owen: Sir Knight.

Cain: ........ Um.......

Owen: It’s me. The one who gouged out your eye.

Cain: What a way to introduce yourself.

Owen: How else am I supposed to? Though you did call me something weird without my permission.

Cain: Something weird?

Owen: I’m not telling you.

Cain: ....... We’re headed out to lunch after this. Wanna join us?

Owen: What?

Cain: A meal. We’re celebrating Shino and Heath’s full recovery. Chloe and Rustica will be there too.

Owen: I’ll never go.

Cain: Why?

Owen: Why?

Cain: ...... I’ll invite you again another day.

Owen: No need.

Cain: Owen. I won’t let you be the one who’s left behind.

Owen: ..........

Cain: That’s what I’ve decided.

Chloe: Cain! We’re all here!

Rustica: Are you talking to someone? Why don’t you invite them along too?

Cain: I did! He said he’ll pass today!

Chloe: Ok, I see!

Cain: ....Alright. Well, see you later.

Owen: Sir Knight.

Cain: Hm?

Owen: I hate you. Don’t go talking to me like we’re friends. I’ll set Cerberus on you again.

Cain: Then I might catch you praying for me this time, Owen.

Owen: What?

Cain: You and Chloe prayed for me together, right? Thank you. See you later.

Owen: And this is why I hate you, Sir Knight.
.............

✦✧☾✧✦

Nero: Huh...... You sold it?

Shop owner: That ring of luck? Yeah. Mister, I told you that you should have just bought it.
Well, it’s not like I sold it, but the head of the merchant’s guild had a customer who asked me for it, so naturally I passed it along.

Nero: ......I see......

Shop owner: But I have other fine items too, so come take a look!

Nero: ............ Nah, it’s fine...... ......Well then......

✦✧☾✧✦

Nero: Sigh...... I guess I should have bought it back then.
There’s no point in saying it now, but...... I sure am an indecisive guy......
............

Bradley: Hey, Nero!

Nero: Brad.....

Bradley: I owe you one for that mess the other day. You know, I was pretty worried how things were gonna go when I sneezed off somewhere!

Nero: Yeah, that was close.

Bradley: What’s wrong? Where’s all your energy?

Nero: It’s with me. I’m doing fine......

Bradley: Nah, it’s totally gone...... Oh, that’s right. Remember this thing?
The ring of luck! It’s one of my favorites — I always wore it on big jobs!

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

Bradley: This merchant I saved in the Forest of Dreams some time back said he wanted to gift me a token of appreciation. When I took a look around the stalls, there it was.
Don’t you think this is fate!? Hey, Nero. Don’t you remember it?

Nero: ............
Who knows, I’ve forgotten.

✦✧☾✧✦

Riquet: I knew I wanted to go on an adventure with you, Mitile....
But I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

Mitile: Y-yes, I agree. I think I’ve had enough adventure for a while. ....Was it the kind of adventure you expected?

Riquet: I can’t say.... I think I expected myself to be capable of a lot more.
I never imagined myself crying or cowering in fear. I didn’t think things wouldn’t go the way I imagined.
But... I’m glad I got to experience it with you, Mitile.

Mitile: Ehehe.... Yes.
Oh, right, Riquet. Please keep it a secret from my brother that I cried so much.
I told him that I only cried a little — because I wanted to show off, just a tiny bit.

Riquet: A secret.... Is something tasteful shared between close friends! Yes, I think this is wonderful.

Mitile: R-really?

Riquet: Yes. So this.... Is a secret between the two of us.

Mitile: Yes; please keep it a secret between the two of us.

✦✧☾✧✦

And the day of the postponed peace conference arrives.

(Fireworks and cheering)

Child: Look! It’s the wizards!
All of the Sage’s wizards are flying in a circle above the castle!

Mother: My, their white outfits look wonderful......! What a lovely sight, a symbol of peace!

Child: Who’s that with his hands raised on the balcony?

Mother: That’s the Sage who came from a different world.

Child: The Sage is so small. He’s only as big as a normal human.

Mother: Oh dear. Did you think of him as a giant who lives above the clouds, like the ones in your picture books?
He’s just as big as a normal human. Wizards, the Sage, even the King — they’re all just like us.
And those people just like us are protecting the world.

✦✧☾✧✦

Cock Robin: Ah...... Everyone looks so lovely......

Canary: What are you crying for? Thank goodness we got to host the opening ceremony for real this time. We have to start preparing for the luncheon!

Drummond: You’ve grown so splendid, Prince Arthur......

✦✧☾✧✦

(Loud cheering)

Akira: The wizards are being welcomed warmly. I’m so glad......

(Woosh)

Murr: Sir Sage!

Akira: Woah, Murr!
What’s wrong? Aren’t you supposed to be flying in a circle above the castle for the people......

Murr: You should join us, Sir Sage!

Akira: I’m fine!

Mithra: Why not? You don’t have to hold back.

Akira: Not you too, Mithra.......

Rutile: Let’s go! The sky is so lovely and warm today!

Akira: You make it sound like we’re going for a bike ride...... I think this whole thing is technically supposed to be a parade......

Shino: Hop on my broom, Sage. You should try waving to the guys looking up at us from below. It feels so good.

Akira: You’re really enjoying this.

Arthur: Sir Sage!

Akira: Arthur! Even the Prince is sneaking out of the procession!?

Arthur: I might be the prince of Central Country, but I’m also a wizard!

Akira: Huh?

Arthur: I can do bad things, too.

I laugh at the prim expression on Arthur’s face and reach out my hand.
Amidst the resounding cheer of the crowd, I lean over the balcony railing, and he pulls me up into the sky.
I gaze at the top of the castle, growing smaller beneath my feet as we soar higher and higher.
A refreshing breeze caresses my cheek.
Twenty-one wizards against the brilliant blue sky.
And so the story of this splintered yet enchantingly beautiful world, and the Sage’s wizards within it, will continue to unfold.

​​Chapter 25 << | index |