Prelude to the Festival and Desire | Chapter 11

[healingbonds]

Chapter 10 << | index | >> Chapter 12


Antonio: What!? You again!?

Murr: Hi Lord Antonio! I just realized we forgot to hand off your birthday present!

Antonio: Birthday present....?



Murr: Ta~da~!

Antonio: Oh....! This is impressive! I’ve never seen mana stones of such size. And diamonds and rubies too....
Well, I suppose I can forgive your discourtesy from last night.....

Murr: That’s not my actual present. Hey, play a game with me. If you win, I’ll give you something even nicer!

Shylock: But in the event you lose, Lord Antonio, you’ll let us use this Heavenly Imperial Palace to perform our ritual.

Murr: Doesn’t that sound like fun?

Antonio: .......Heheh.... All right. You’re going to regret this. I haven’t lost a game in ages.
But I have one condition! You must promise me, before the game begins, that you won’t cheat or use any magic.
Wizards lose their magic when they break promises, right? I can’t trust you lot otherwise.

Murr: Okay.

Shylock: Murr.

Murr: I promise, in the name of the Western wizard Murr: I will neither cheat nor use any magic.

Antonio: All right! Then I agree to your game.

✦✧☾✧✦

Chloe: Now please tell us what makes you happy.

Homeless witch: .....My happiness.....? I don’t know..... I feel like I used to know, once upon a time.....

Chloe: Maybe she’s having trouble remembering because of the fear gorta....?

Homeless witch: Um, if I can do everything I’m told to do, and nobody yells at me or hates me, and I’m useful to someone out there.....

Rustica: Hmm. Why don’t we try this? Close your eyes.

Homeless witch: Like.... Like this....?

Rustica: You’re standing in an airy, open field. A gentle wind blows, and there’s nobody else around you. Now what do you want to do?

Homeless witch: ...........

Rustica: When there’s nobody else around to hand off your fortune to, what kind of happiness will you grant yourself?

Homeless witch: ......A song.......
I want to sing a beautiful song with all my heart..... Not a lonely song, or a lullaby as consolation in my sadness, but.... But a song that makes me..... A song that makes me.....

Chloe: A song that makes you happy!

Homeless witch: I... I’m sorry..... That was really selfish. I’m embarrassed.......



Rustica: It’s not selfish in the least — it’s quite beautiful. Well then, I know what to do next. Let’s borrow a piano from the band.

Homeless witch: Huh.....?

Rustica: I play the harpsichord, you see. So I’m quite familiar with the piano as well. Of course, they’re not entirely the same, but.

Chloe: But you’ll put on a great show nonetheless, Rustica! Because as far as I know, you’re the greatest musician in the world!

Rustica: Thank you. And as far as I know, you’re the greatest tailor.

Chloe: Does that mean we’re the best?

Rustica: It means we’re the best! Can you prepare a lovely dress for the lady?

✦✧☾✧✦

Antonio: Bwahahaha! My win again! The jewels are mine, counterfeit Murr.

Murr: Hmmm.....

Shylock: The fear gorta’s influence has blessed him with some incredible luck.....

Murr: One more shot! This time, I’m betting my ring!

Akira: M-Murr, that’s your magical tool.....

Antonio: Bwahaha! It’s on! I’ll strip you of all your possessions!

✦✧☾✧✦

Chloe: << Suispicibo Voitengok >>!

Homeless witch: Woah.... This is such a fancy black dress......

Chloe: It looks so good on you! Now let’s do your makeup. I’ll make you super pretty! What kind of look are we going for?

Homeless witch: ......Um.....

Chloe: Don’t hold back! Do you wanna be a princess? A goddess? A warrior?

Homeless witch: .....A Western witch..... I want to be a wonderful witch of the West.

Rustica: You already are. You’ve been a wonderful witch of the West since the day you were born.
I wonder how Murr’s doing? Is he winning against Lord Antonio?

✦✧☾✧✦

Antonio: Bwahahahaha! Too bad! Your ring is now mine!

Murr: Dammit~......!

Akira: Th-this is bad.....

Shylock: I can’t believe you lost your magic tool too......

Antonio: Do you have nothing left to offer? If that’s all, get out of my sight!

Murr: Guh......

Shylock: ....I understand. I’ll place my shop on the table. It’s an old bar located in the Town of Nectar’s entertainment district.

Murr: Shylock!?

Antonio: Oh? The entertainment district in the Town of Nectar is a prime location. All right. I’ll demolish your bar and build my next villa there.

Akira: Are you sure about this, Shylock? Isn’t your bar really important to you....?

Shylock: I believe in Murr. ...I’m counting on you, Murr.

Murr: Yeah!

Chapter 10 << | index | >> Chapter 12