Prelude to the Festival and Desire | Chapter 4

[healingbonds]

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Guard: Capture those suspicious wizards!

Nero: Hey, so what do we do now?

Shino: I’ll deal with them.

Heathcliff: Don’t, Shino!

Shino: Why?

Heathcliff: Because this palace belongs to a man related to the King of Western Country, and I’m the son of an Eastern noble!

Shino: What’s wrong with that?

Heathcliff: It’ll cause a diplomatic nightmare! What would you do if a Western soldier started a riot in Blanchett Castle!?

Shino: I’d fly all the way to Western Country and execute the guy who dared leave a stain upon Master’s castle.

Heathcliff: See? That’s why we need to resolve things peacefully.....

Faust: << Satillquinart Mullcreed >>

While Heathcliff is busy patiently persuading Shino, Faust steps out from behind Heathcliff’s back and utters his spell.
His mirror materializes and unleashes a brilliant light.
The light envelops the soldiers, freezing them in place like stone.

Noblewoman: Eeeek, the soldiers.....!

Heathcliff is stunned by Faust’s merciless attack.

Heathcliff: M.... Mr. Faust.....

Faust: What? Do you have a problem? I hate humans. I really hate soldiers. And I especially hate people who call me a suspicious wizard.

Shino: Alright. I’ll help you out.

Heathcliff: Wai.....

Noblewoman: Eeeek, a tiny child with a giant scythe.....!

Nero: Agh, geez, what a mess......

Akira: Wh-what should we do....!? Do you think they’ll forgive us if we introduce ourselves properly and say sorry!?

Murr somersaults through the air as I freeze in panic.

Murr: If it were me, I wouldn’t forgive us!

Akira: No way.....

Murr: That’s why we have to make this a real mess!

Murr floats through the air and lands on the sparkling chandelier.

(Rattle)

The decorative glass releases a delicate rattle, and everyone in the salon turns up to look at Murr.

Noble: .....! Someone’s standing on the chandelier....!

Murr glances across the bustling salon and narrows his cat-like eyes in an intrepid grin. He brings his knuckle close to his lips and drops a kiss on his ring.

Murr: People loathe half-hearted chaos.... But they love absolute chaos! Do you know why?
Because that makes it a show!

Noble: Woah.....!?

As the salon plunges into darkness, brilliant droplets of light streak out of Murr’s ring like shooting stars.
The droplets turn into pearlescent petals that float across the salon like milky waves.
The noblewomens’ screams turn to delighted sighs of fascination.
Because pearly flowers begin to blossom on their barrettes, necklaces, and rings.

Noblewoman: ....My, how lovely! What a beautiful pearly flower!

Noble: Amazing! Did they do this? Who are these men?

All the ladies and gentlemen in the room are thrilled. The novel delight before their eyes makes their hearts beat with excitement. Shylock was right.
The residents of Western Country love charming people.

Akira: (And my wizards are absolute stars......)

Amidst the sea of pearly petals, Shylock and the others stroll across the red carpet under the chandelier as it sways back and forth from Murr’s weight.
Nobody can take their eyes off of the wizards’ parade.
When Shylock smokes his pipe, a beautiful lady whispers in a mesmerized haze.

Noblewoman: Ah.... What a lovely aroma..... I want to exchange pipes with that lovely man; we can smoke together in a secret rendezvous.......

Noblewoman: I wonder why that gentleman is carrying a birdcage? I love it; he’s like a book full of mysteries. His gentle gaze is so charming.

Noblewoman: I like that one. He looks a bit nervous — like a little puppy. I love his clothes, too.

Attentive, curious gazes follow the Western wizards as they march on towards the back of the salon.
The Eastern wizards follow from behind.
Faust looks irritated, Nero looks uncomfortable, Shino looks brazen — and Heathcliff keeps his eyes on the ground.
That’s when I catch sight of something strange. We’re indoors, yet... There’s a young girl drenched in water from head to toe.

Girl: ..........

Akira: Huh?

I do a double take. The girl looks normal now: she seems exhausted, and her outfit is too flamboyant to suit her, but she’s just an ordinary girl.

Akira: (What was that....? An illusion....? Huh? Chloe’s looking at her.....)

Chloe: .....The homeless witch......

Before I can ask, "Do you know her?" Shylock's soothing voice cuts across the room.

Shylock: Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Antonio.

Before him stands an elderly noble decorated in gold and silver. His gaze tells me that he’s sizing us up.

Akira: (So this is Mister Antonio.....)

Chapter 3 << | index | >> Chapter 5