Main Story 2 | Chapter 14 | A Wizard’s Stone

[healingbonds]

MahoYaku Masterpost & Translator's Notes

Chapter 13 << | index | >> Chapter 15


Chapter 14: A Wizard’s Stone
14.1 Tell Me Why
14.2 Our Way
14.3 No Matter What You Choose
14.4 The Good Wizard’s Hunt
14.5 Omen of a Falling-Out
14.6 An Unexpected Name
14.7 Bradley’s Manual
14.8 The Sage’s Heart
14.9 Obsession, or Pride?
14.10 Discipline Your Soul

14.1 Tell Me Why

(Flashback)

(Knock)

Mithra: Come on in.

Mitile: Thank you....

Rutile: Thank you for having us.
Mister Mithra, your room is always full of such fascinating trinkets. Did you always have this candle?

Mithra: Ah, hold it. There are lots of dangerous things in here, so don’t go around touching everything.

Mitile: All right. Mitile, you’re so calm. Are you nervous?

Mitile: I’m not. But....

Rutile: But?

Mitile: ....Mister Mithra, why did you invite us to your room?

Mithra: You should tell me why you’re glaring at me first. I’ll kill you.

Mitile: .........!

Rutile: Mister Mithra, don’t threaten Mitile.

Mitile: I.... I’m glaring at you because we’re in a rivalry over my brother.

Mithra: Rivalry?

Rutile: You are?

Mitile: We are.
My brother is a little too easygoing, so I need to keep an eye on him to make sure you don’t drag him into a mess, and get him hurt....
And I also need to make sure you’re not pulling him off the righteous path, Mister Mithra.
That’s why we’re rivals.

Mithra: Huh.

Rutile: Wow, Mitile, you’re so reliable! Did you hear that, Mister Mithra? He said he’s your rival.
Mitile, you’re going to grow up to be a really incredible wizard. I mean, you are already, but you’ll be even more amazing.

Mithra: He’s picking a fight with me because of you. Why do you look so happy?

Rutile: Ah.... Right. I’m sorry, I was just so moved by my little brother’s growth.....

Mithra: There it is. "I was so moved." You say that about the most trivial things, like when the sun sets.

Rutile: Isn’t it better if you’re moved lots and lots?

Mitile: Umm.....

Rutile: Don’t worry, Mitile. Mister Mithra won’t take me down the path of evil.
And I’m the older brother here, so when something comes up, I’ll be the one protecting you, Mitile.

Mitile: But....

Mithra: It’ll be me. It’s my duty to protect you two. Because I promised Tiretta I would.

Mitile: Then... We’re not going to do anything bad today?

Mithra: Anything bad?

Mitile: Yes.... You told us to make sure nobody knew we were coming to your room, so....
I thought you were going to teach us something bad. I thought I had to protect my brother from the path of evil.

Mithra: It’s nothing bad. I’m going to teach you something nice.
Look at this.

Mitile: ....Is this a mana stone....?

Mithra: Indeed.

Rutile: ....The last time I saw one this large and brilliant was when I was a child.....

Mithra: That sounds about right.
A mana stone is a wizards’ stone. There are no wizards in the South with this much power.
When a wizard eats a mana stone, their magical powers will increase.

Mitile: Your magical powers increase..... So you can become a stronger wizard....?

Mithra: Yes.

Mitile: Wow....! I didn’t realize you could do that! Nii-sama, did you know?

Rutile: ..........Sort of.....

Mitile: You should’ve told me! Mister Mithra, does that mean I can get stronger too? Even if I’m a Southern wizard....?

Mithra: Probably. I wouldn’t know for sure, because I’m not a Southern wizard, but I think you’ll be fine.
When the mana stone is of poor quality, or when it’s a poor match for your magic, you might experience little to no change, but this is a high-quality stone.
Powerful enough for even Owen and Bradley to covet it.

Mitile: Why are you showing us something so incredible....?

Mithra: Because I can’t have you two dying. I need you to get stronger.

Mitile: Mister Mithra.... Are you going to make me stronger?

Mithra: Yes.

Mitile: ......I’m so glad...... .....hh.......

Mithra: ....Why are you crying?

Mitile: .....Because I.... I always wanted to get stronger..... But.....
But somewhere in my heart, I thought it might be impossible......

Mithra: .........

Mitile: So when a powerful wizard like you tells me that I can....
Mister Mithra, thank you so much for telling me you’ll make me stronger... It makes me really, really happy.....

Mithra: Haha.... It’s no big deal.

Mitile: Mister Mithra....

Mithra: I see now.... You just didn’t know how to get stronger.
But once you’ve learned, I know we’ll get along. I’ll teach you everything. Because you’re Tiretta’s son.

Mitile: Thank you! I’ll do my best!

Rutile: ...........

Mitile: Mister Mithra. How are you supposed to eat a mana stone?
Are you supposed to crush it up, like dried out wood chips? Or do you put it in water and extract its essence?
I’ve prepared medicinal plants before, but I’ve never eaten a raw mineral, so.....

Mithra: You just put it in your mouth. We say "eat," but it’s more like inhaling its power. First try putting it in your mouth.
Rutile, you too....

(Shove)

Rutile: .............

Mithra: ............

Mitile: Wh-what’s wrong? Why did you shove Mister Mithra’s hand away?

Rutile: ......I... I’m sorry.....
Mister Mithra, I’m sorry.... I can’t do this.....

Mithra: ....What?

Rutile: And I can’t let Mitile do it either. ....Mitile, please don’t put that in your mouth....

Mitile: ....But why....?

Mithra: What are you saying? You won’t come across a mana stone this fine anywhere else nowadays.
All the refined mana stones are gone now — Oz turned all the powerful wizards to stone and consumed them. This is a very rare specimen.
And I’m offering it to you. You should be grateful to me.

Rutile: I’m sorry.......

Mithra: ...... You keep saying that. Can you tell me why?

Mitile: I want to know too.... Why can’t we eat it?
If you don’t want to, can I at least.....

Rutile: No!

Mitile: .........

Rutile: .....Mana stones are wizards’ remains. We learned this from Dr. Figaro, remember? They’re like fossils.

Mitile: ....We did, but....

Rutile: They might be valuable, wonderful things with alluring beauty and mysterious powers, but.....
They’re like human bones.

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14.2 Our Way

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

Mithra: Hah? You’re wrong. They’re completely different.
I can’t explain how, but it’s not what you think it is.

Rutile: ....Mister Mithra.... I’ve heard that there are cultures where it’s normal to eat mana stones.
I don’t want to deny your way of thinking, Mister Mithra.
I’m also not telling you to stop eating stones.
But please understand: I cannot.
Your feelings make me very happy, but we can’t eat this stone.

Mithra: .....You aren’t making any sense....... You’re just a weak Southern wizard.....
If you don’t eat this, is there any way for you to get stronger? Is there a way to keep you from getting murdered?

Rutile: We’ll train our hardest! We won’t cause you trouble, Mister Mithra. So please....

Mithra: You’re already causing me trouble by being so weak!

Rutile: .........

Mitile: .........

Mithra: I’ve had enough.... I’m going to force you to eat it!

Rutile: ........

Mitile: Nii-sama.....!

Mithra: Look at me! Open your mouth!

Mitile: Mister Mithra, please stop! I’ll eat it instead!

Rutile: No!

Mitile: I want that stone! I want to get stronger!

Rutile: No, you can’t! I saw Mother turn to stone. We put her stone in the coffin and buried her!
It’s the same thing, Mitile! That was once somebody’s life.

Mithra: You put her stone in a coffin and buried her? You didn’t eat Tiretta’s stone?
But she must’ve wanted to be a part of you..... .....How awful.....

Rutile: Father and the villagers and I all paid our respects to her in our own way! It was a gentle goodbye full of love.

Mithra: For a Northern wizard, having your stone go undesired is the same as being called worthless.
My stone won’t just sit there by the side of the road. The whole world will vie for the stone that was once Mithra of the North.
Tiretta’s stone should’ve been the same.....

Rutile: Mister Mithra. I understand that you have your own beliefs.
But please do not deny ours. Especially those that have to do with precious memories.....

Mithra: You’re the one who’s denying us! I went through the trouble of preparing this stone for you two....

Rutile: Your feelings make me really happy, Mister Mithra! That much is true! But.... Nngh....

Mitile: Nii-sama.....!

Mithra: Tch.... I was going to put the stone in your mouth while you were yelling.
Open your mouth. Or I’ll force it in.

Rutile: .....! .....!

Mitile: Mister Mithra, please stop! Don’t force my brother!

(Door opens)

Bradley: Pipe down. What’s with the racket before the mission?

Mithra: ......Bradley......

Mitile: Mister Bradley!

Bradley: You guys......

Mithra: Bradley. This is my room.
Surely you don’t think I’ll let you off for stepping into my territory.

Bradley: You sure talk big for a guy who let me walk right in, dumbass.

Mithra: Hah?

Bradley: Who would’ve thought that Mithra of the North, of all guys, would be so caught up in messing with kids and making them cry?
I bet I could finish you off right now.

Mithra: Fascinating...... I’ve just decided to turn you into stone and feed you to these two.

Mitile: Mister Mithra! Mister Bradley!

Bradley: Stay out this, both of you! Go on, you Southern brothers, get out of here.

Rutile: But......

Bradley: You heard me. Don’t get in my way. Southern wizards should mind their own business.

Rutile: ....All right. Let’s go, Mitile!

Mitile: Y-yes!

Mithra: Hold it! Rutile, Mitile....!

Bradley: I’m your opponent.
<< Adnopotensum >>

(Crash)

Mithra: .........
You’ll regret this.
<< Arthim >>

(Crash)

✦✧☾✧✦

Rutile: ...........

Mitile: Mister Luchino seemed like a good person. I hope we can get even closer.

Rutile: I agree.

Mitile: I hope Mister Bradley’s okay..... I wonder if he swung by to save us this morning?
Or was it just the usual Northern wizard scuffle.....
....Are you listening?

Rutile: Ah.... Sorry. I was just lost in thought....

Mitile: ....... Is it about the mana stone Mister Mithra tried to make you eat?

Rutile: Yeah......

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

Rutile: ....I’m sorry, Mitile, for saying that we wouldn’t eat it.....
I ended up deciding for you instead of listening to what you thought. Mitile, what do you want to do?

Mitile: I.... I’m, I’m the same as you. I gave it some thought, and I think I actually don’t want to....

Rutile: Are you sure? You don’t have to deny your own feelings just because they differ from mine.

Mitile: .....But..... I feel like I was wrong. I’m sorry......

Rutile: Don’t apologize, Mitile..... You don’t have to apologize for thinking differently.
I’m sorry. I was shaken; that must’ve made you really anxious.

Mitile: Nii-sama...

Rutile: I didn’t want to reject the way you and Mister Mithra think. I’m sorry I couldn’t explain myself very well.

Mitile: It’s not your fault! Mister Mithra was in the wrong for trying to force you like that. It’s a bad habit of his.

Rutile: But Mister Mithra was trying to offer us one of his treasures, for our sake.

Mitile: ....Why are you so against eating mana stones?
It’s your chance to get stronger. Don’t you want to?
If we become stronger, Mister Mithra won’t make fun of us anymore, and he also won’t be so aggressive towards you.
And you said you’d protect me. If you want to protect me, then......

Rutile: .........

Mitile: I-I’m sorry. I didn’t want to sound like I was blaming you.....
I just think, if we’re preparing to fight the , and it’s better for us to get stronger, and there’s a way for us to get strong fast....
Then why wouldn’t we do it? Do you want to remain weak.....?

Rutile: ....You’re right.....

Mitile: Y.... Yes! At the rate we’re going, we won’t be able to protect Southern Country or your students.
I think we need to stick it out and do some things we might not want to do. Let’s eat the mana stone Mister Mithra offered us together.

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14.3 No Matter What You Choose

Rutile: .....But it reminds me of mother’s funeral.....

Mitile: ........

Rutile: It wasn’t my first time going to a funeral. You know Miss Beth, right?

Mitile: Yes.....

Rutile: I attended her mother’s funeral, and Mister Sean’s wife’s funeral, with Mother and Father.
The person who had passed away lay sleeping in their coffin, and we brought them flowers one at a time, placing them next to the body.
They looked at peace, their eyes closed as they were buried in flowers.... As if they had departed to a quiet paradise.
That’s how we said goodbye.

Mitile: ....Like with Father?

Rutile: Yes..... Even if I was crushed by sadness, it was also a moment filled with gratitude and love.
Mother left behind no body, so we laid her mana stone in the coffin instead.
I remember father shedding tears as he stroked the mana stone that rested in the coffin.
"If she were human, we could’ve gazed at her face a little bit longer...."

Mitile: .......

Rutile: When Mister Mithra offered us that mana stone, my mind immediately flashed to memories of that day.
That’s why I just couldn’t eat it.

Mitile: But.....
But we’ve used the mana stones that Mr. Drummond gave us to travel by elevator...?

Rutile: ....You’re right.... I always thought of them as mysterious, powerful fossils of magical creatures.....
I never considered that there might’ve been stones of deceased wizards too......
....I’m being disingenuous. Wizards and magical beasts were all once living beings.....
But I just can’t forget how father stroked mother’s mana stone, the same way he stroked her hair when she was alive.....

Mitile: .........
I.... I don’t think you’re being disingenuous. I think it’s in line with your way of thinking.
.....But I....

Rutile: Mitile.

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

Rutile: Mitile, be true to your own feelings. Come to your own conclusions.
You don’t have to choose the same answer as me. It’s okay to be yourself.

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

Rutile: Don’t worry. No matter what you choose, our relationship won’t change.
I don’t want to eat mana stones, but I still love Mister Mithra who does.
It doesn’t matter what answer you choose. I love you, Mitile.

Mitile: ....Nii-sama, I’m sorry.... I tried to force you to choose.
I wanted you to feel the same way as me, so I tried to persuade you before listening to your feelings.
I tried to corner you, saying, "Don’t you want to get stronger"...

Rutile: No, Mitile, you’re right. If there’s something you want to protect, you need to be ready to change yourself in order to do so.

Mitile: You’re a strong person. You only became weak because you lost your magic to save me....

Rutile: Mitile, that’s not.....

Mitile: But even if you lost your magical power, your heart remains gentle — you’re a strong, brave person.
Wizards use magic with their hearts.... And I know your words will make wizards’ hearts stronger.
I was really happy when you said you’d love me no matter what answer I choose.

Rutile: Mitile.....

Mitile: Thank you for letting me choose. I’m glad you’re my older brother.....

Rutile: Me too.... I’m glad you’re my younger brother, Mitile.
I’m so happy. It makes me the happiest that we didn’t have to fight, Mitile.

Mitile: ....Me too!

Rutile: Oh, right, Mitile. If you’re struggling to reach an answer, why don’t you try asking Dr. Figaro?

Mitile: Dr. Figaro....?

Rutile: Dr. Figaro knows that you want to become a strong wizard, right?
But he’s never recommended you eat mana stones. Maybe there’s a reason for that?

Mitile: You’re right.... Maybe it’s because mana stones are expensive and Dr. Figaro can’t afford them...?

Rutile: That can’t be the only reason. We get our elevator mana stones from Central Country officials, so....
If you do choose to accept Mister Mithra’s offer, maybe you should talk to Dr. Figaro first.

Mitile: ....Dr. Figaro is always busy, so I feel like he won’t take me very seriously....

Rutile: That’s not true. He’s a busy man, but he will always lend an ear to your concerns.

Mitile: ......But.....
(I feel like Dr. Figaro doesn’t really like teaching me magic....)
(Every time I beg him to teach me, he looks reluctant....)
(Dr. Figaro might know a lot, but in the end, he’s just a Southern wizard....)
(I bet he’s no match for the Northern Mister Mithra when it comes to matters of magical strength.)
(So I....)
(I would rather have Mister Mithra as my teacher — he’s the one who told me he would make me stronger.)
(I don’t want to ask Dr. Figaro and be told, "You can’t do that.")

Rutile: Mitile?

Mitile: .....You’re right. I’ll consider it.

Rutile: ..... Hey, Mitile. I’m a teacher, so...
I know that it’s important to teach things in the right order, at the right time.
When you have too much knowledge that doesn’t match up to your life experiences, or when you undergo certain trials before your heart is prepared, things can turn out pretty badly.
I think Dr. Figaro also....

Mitile: Nii-sama, you told me that our answers don’t have to be the same.

Rutile: Y-yes....

Mitile: So I’m telling you now that our thoughts here are also different.
I won’t rely on Dr. Figaro. ...I’m going to get some fresh air.

Rutile: Mitile!

Lennox: Woah. Mitile, where are you off to? They gave us snacks.

Mitile: I don’t need any! I’m not a child!

(Door closes)

Lennox: ...... What’s going on with Mitile?

Rutile: I thought we avoided getting into a fight, but we ended up fighting.....

Lennox: Grown-ups eat snacks too.....
Did he say something about Dr. Figaro?

Rutile: He did..... Is Dr. Figaro back yet?

Lennox: No, not yet. He mentioned the other man was an old acquaintance, so I’m sure they’re taking their time catching up.
Let’s do what we can in the meantime. Rutile, can you help me out?

Rutile: With?

Lennox: Making this signboard.

Rutile: Oh, for the Wizards’ House! Let’s make it a lovely signboard that’ll draw everyone’s attention!

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14.4 The Good Wizard’s Hunt

Rutile: Mitile, we’re making the signboard! Do you have any ideas?

Mitile: No.... You can just do what you want.

Lennox: Where should we put it?

Mitile: Uh, like.... Over there......

Lennox: I can’t really tell where that is. Could you come over here and show me?

Mitile: .......

Rutile: Come over here, Mitile!

(Footsteps)

Mitile: Here! How about here?

Lennox: I like it. It’s an eye-catching location. Rutile, can we ask you to do the rest?

Rutile: Yes!
<< Ortonik Setomaogue >>

Mitile: Woah... It’s a lovely sign!

Lennox: I agree. I’m sure people will love it.

Rutile: Thank you!
I pray that this house will lead to many friendships between wizards and humans....

✦✧☾✧✦

(Flashback)

Figaro: Hello. It certainly has been a while, Sir Snow, Sir White.

Snow: Oh, Figaro.

White: Oh, Figaro. Good to see you. Have you met up with Oz as of late?

Figaro: No. I’m quite busy with my life in Southern Country; I don’t have time to deal with that gloomy man.

Snow: Don’t be so cold.

Figaro: He’s the cold one. He cut me off.
Not that I thought we were really a team to begin with. I don’t particularly care about him anymore.
But I pity him: he’s so powerful, yet continues to live an idle life in isolation.
I hope he has an opportunity to change, but it’s not like we outsiders have any say in it.

Snow & White: .........

Figaro: ....But I digress. Let’s get to the point: at this rate, we wizards will go extinct.
Humans have overpopulated, and they’ve even created this thing called magical technology. We need to come up with a countermeasure.

White: Hmph. It’s all because of a certain Western wizard.

Snow: Murr Hart.

White: I know that! I didn’t say his name because I don’t want to hear it!

Snow: Sorry! I’m sorry!! Figaro, dear, would you like some tea?

Figaro: If you have a blend that goes well with a discussion about our extinction, then please.

White: Can you maybe not bring up our annihilation so casually?

Figaro: Sir White. You were the one who taught me this, ages ago. While we were drinking tea.
Humans celebrate wizards because humans are weak.
But if humans grow in number and obtain a means of power, wizards will become persecuted heretics.

White: Ohoho. It wasn’t a prophecy, but it looks like we hit the mark.

Figaro: Bit by bit, values change over time. Back when we first met, wizards were like gods.
But as human communities grew and increased in number, weaker wizards struggled to find a place in society.
And after Oz trampled over the world in a massive tantrum, humans came to scrutinize wizards with even more vigilance.
....At some point, there seemed to be an effort aiming to create a nation where humans and wizards would live together in harmony, but.....
Internal divisions tore apart those efforts in no time. Now the country superficially sings of harmony while ostracizing wizards.
And among wizards, there are those who resist human society. They’ll swindle, attack, and even slaughter humans in cold blood.

Snow: I hear that’s the case. Apparently wizards have started hunting humans in some town in Eastern Country.

White: So we now have a second Oz.

Figaro: I don’t think they’re nearly as powerful. The culprits seem to have escaped, anyway.
But the tragic citizens of the City of Rain and all the other humans in the world now loathe wizards.
At this rate, they’ll turn their hatred against the weakest wizards.

White: Right, the Southern wizards that you’ve been raving about lately.

Snow: North, Central, South — you’re a busy man. This is probably just another flight of fancy; you’ll throw them away when you get tired.

Figaro: You’re so rude. I think we’re all prone to a bit of capriciousness here.

Snow: We would never abandon the Northern lands.

White: You heartless man. You know what happens to spirits who abandon their homeland and wander aimlessly.

Figaro: I wish I could’ve loved the lands of the North. But I didn’t want to live a life like you two.

Snow: You’re so uncute.

White: Seriously, so uncute.

Figaro: In any event, wizards need to get along with humans, or else we’ll go extinct.
Extraordinary guys like Oz might manage to survive, but the other children will be shunned as outsiders.
That’s why it’s time for us to be heroes of justice.
You two are professionals at pretending to be good people.

Snow: Oh. So we’re going to pretend to side with the humans.

White: Before they hunt down the weakest wizards among us.

Figaro: Indeed. Not all wizards are terrifying and evil.
Benevolent, holy wizards also exist. We need humans to believe that.

Snow: But how? If we want to claim we are good wizards, we first need an evil wizard.
Oz is obviously already the enemy of all humanity, but we can’t make him burn the whole world down again.

White: Also, could we even hunt Oz down? I don’t think we have enough magical power for that.

Figaro: I know. Oz ate too many powerful mana stones and became a force of nature.
His strength is beyond our capacity. So let’s hunt down a certain man who has everyone’s attention right now.

Snow: Bradley.

White: Bradley Bain.

Figaro: Indeed.
The head of the infamous Bandits of Death, Bradley Bain. Let’s capture him.
He was already pretty well-known in the North, but his public recognition took off when he robbed the gift that was meant to be sent from the Central monarchy to the Northern monarchy.
I guess we can also credit the bards for writing many songs about him.
People love stories about outlaws who strike against the monarchy: they’re both terrifying and satisfying. Bradley is the man of the hour.
The weariness, fear, and hatred that humans feel from the tragedy in the City of Rain is boiling over; in order to keep it from exploding in the worst possible way....
We’re going to make Bradley the villain so that we can play the heroes of justice.
We’re going to capture Bradley alive and throw him in a cell so that the humans can feel at peace.
Humans can’t sense magical power, so there’s no use putting Bradley’s stone on display.

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14.5 Omen of a Falling-Out

Figaro: If we keep him in a cage, humans will believe that society is capable of managing evil wizards.

Snow & White: What a fantastic idea!

Figaro: Right?

Snow & White: (....But he never once mentioned that he couldn’t kill Oz because he was attached to him....)

Figaro: (They never once said, "Don’t kill Oz because we’re attached to him"....)

Snow & Figaro & White: (Well, no wonder Oz never took to you....)

Snow: So we have to capture Bradley alive... It would be easier if we could just kill him. This is going to take some work.

White: I wonder if we can even succeed. He’s very good at commanding his subordinates.

Figaro: You’re both short-tempered, so please be careful; I’m afraid you’ll wind up killing him.

Snow: Can you think of a method to capture him alive?

Figaro: I can. It would’ve been quite difficult just a little while ago, but I think we can handle him now.

White: Oh?

Figaro: The bandit gang is famous because its members share a powerful bond, but I hear Bradley’s been losing some of that prestige lately.
The wizard who acts as his second-in-command seems to be trying to quit the gang.

Snow: So they’re having a falling-out. That’s the perfect opportunity.

White: And what was this wizard’s name?

Figaro: What was it again.... Leo.... Neo.....?
Nemo....?

Snow: ........ That’s not very helpful....

✦✧☾✧✦

After I cleanse him with magic, Isaac looks like a dauntless and reliable man.
The pain in his body also seems to have subsided; he looks healthier than he did earlier.
The crowd now regards him with emotions other than fright and disgust; some of them are admiring and curious.
As Isaac and I stroll through the market, I ask.

Figaro: Where are you staying?

Isaac: An abandoned house at the edge of town. Can we go to the big house from earlier?

Figaro: I already said no. Don’t step foot near that house. Think of it as Mithra’s territory.

Isaac: What were those weak wizards? Mithra’s slaves?
One of them offered me tea. He seemed kind and courteous. I want a slave like him.

Figaro: He’s not a slave. He’s my precious friend’s son. And he’s important to Mithra as well.

Isaac: Is that so. I’m jealous.

I touch his arm and face him. I lock eyes with him in an effort to persuade him.

Figaro: Isaac, this is where we say goodbye. Let me offer you one last warning. Please hear me out.

Isaac: Um.... yes.

Figaro: Just as you feel happy when people are kind to you, others feel happy when you’re kind to them.
If you want to mingle with humans, you need to be kind to them. It’s what you have to do to be loved; to have people be kind to you in return.

Isaac: Do I have to do it first? If they give me things, or act nice to me, I can be nice in return.
I have to be kind first, to guys who won’t do anything for me?

Figaro: You don’t have to. But the fact of the matter is, most people in this world are like you: they simply wait for love to reach them.
But those who grant love are loved in return. Of course, there are times where that love isn’t returned, but I would be happy if you were loved.

Isaac: I would too.

Figaro: Goodbye, Isaac. I pray for your happiness.

Isaac: And I bid you the same, Sir Figaro. Can we meet again?

Figaro: I just said goodbye. But... If necessary, I’ll come to see you.

So that he won’t notice, I cast an obscure spell over Isaac to track his movements.
This will notify me if he causes trouble.
I might not be able to save the first victim, but I can probably help those that come after.

Isaac: Please, do come visit me. I had fun today. Seeing your face puts me at ease.

Figaro: Glad to hear it.

Isaac: May I touch your face?

Figaro: Don’t push your luck.

Isaac: I apologize.

Figaro: Oh, that’s right, Isaac. Where’d you get this necklace?

Isaac: Huh?

Figaro: The fine chain locked around your armlet. Isn’t that a lady’s necklace?

I smile, thinking he’d met someone nice.
Perhaps a witch he met on his journey had wrapped her necklace around his armlet in a sweet goodbye.
Isaac hastily covers up the armlet, a parched smile upon his dry lips.
He snaps the chain and stuffs the blue stones into his bosom.

Isaac: Haha..... Who knows.... It’s nothing.

Something is off. Maybe he stole the necklace by force.
I consider grilling him about it, before realizing we’re in a crowd.
I don’t want to anger him with this many people around.
Under the white clouds drifting through the blue sky, the passers-by all gaze up at Isaac.
A smiling child points at him.

Child: So big!
Did you see that? He’s so big!

The children laugh and rush by him. Their voices are cheerful and welcoming, but Isaac looks irritated.
If he were fond of children, and he lifted these children into his arms with a big smile on his face, he would’ve been a hit in no time.
But the world isn’t made like that. Children might like Isaac, but Isaac doesn’t like children.
If only every last being in this world could experience requited love.
There’d be much less put to waste.

Isaac: Geez... I hate children. They’re stupid.

Figaro: You were once a child. As were Murr and I — people you now regard as intelligent.

Isaac: But Sir Figaro, you and Murr were both intelligent children, were you not?

Figaro: I don’t know. I was, but Murr is a bit strange, so.....

Isaac: I hear Bradley’s right hand was also a smart child.

Figaro: Bradley’s right hand?

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14.6 An Unexpected Name

Isaac: Indeed.

Figaro: When you say Bradley, do you mean the Bandits of Death Bradley? You knew him?

Isaac: Yes.

I act surprised, but I’m not actually that surprised.
Bradley and Isaac are both long-lived wizards from the North.

Figaro: What’s your relationship?

Isaac: We have none. I approached him a long while ago because I wanted to join the bandit gang.

Figaro: Huh. How’d that go?

Isaac: He refused to let me join. ...Now I’m getting annoyed again.

Figaro: Why did he refuse?

Isaac: Because I only think about myself.

Figaro: (He’s right. Isaac is self-centered; he’s not very good at considering what others want.)
(No matter how strong he is, he wouldn’t be very useful in a group.)
(Which means Bradley tried to gather wizards who were suited for working within an organization....)
(Thank god we got rid of him early on. If we let him carry on, he might’ve ended up building his own country.)
(A wizards’ country....)
(....Is that even possible? Wizards aren’t born in any consistent pattern.)
(And even if it were possible, would a country that only considers the happiness of wizards actually be such a wonderful place to live?)

That’s when I shrink back from my own thoughts.

Figaro: (Hang on, that’s fine. Only wizards need to be happy.)
(Since I was little, people always begged me to contribute to society. That’s probably led to some weird, bad habits....)
(I feel guilty thinking about happiness that only belongs to me.)

Isaac: Sir Figaro?

Figaro: It’s nothing. Right, what were we talking about?

Isaac: Bradley’s right arm. But not his physical right arm.
I’m talking about a guy who was so reliable that he was basically his right arm. Like a partner.

Figaro: Yeah. What about him?

Isaac: I hear he was a smart child.

Figaro: Huh. Bradley’s right arm....

Isaac’s words prompt me to probe my memories.
Right. There was a second-in-command who was trying to leave Bradley’s bandit gang.

Figaro: (He had quit the gang by the time we captured Bradley, so I never caught his face....)
(But I wonder if he’s still alive? It might be bad news if he comes into contact with Bradley again.)
(He still hasn’t shown up to save Bradley, so I figure he won’t assist in any jailbreaking after all this time...)
(But I should at least pinpoint his location.)

Figaro: Do you know his name?

Isaac: Yes.

Figaro: Tell me.

Isaac: It’s Nero.

I freeze.

Figaro: .....Nero?

I stare at Isaac’s pale eyes amidst the sea of people.
But I’m gazing at a very different sight in my mind.

✦✧☾✧✦

In the kitchen of the magic headquarters, a man stands next to Bradley, rocking back and forth in a friendly, familiar manner.
The Eastern wizard, a skilled chef.
With golden eyes that lazily sway to and fro, like stalks of wheat tinted by the sunset.
You’ve gotten quite close, I say. Bradley shrugs and sneers.

Bradley: Heh. I haven’t been free in a long while, so I wanna eat anything I'm craving.
That’s why I’m training the Eastern chef to listen to my every command.

✦✧☾✧✦

I didn’t particularly take Bradley for his word.
But I did think there was something about Nero that made people open up to him.
The usually-crotchety Faust is fond of him, and the children also grew attached to him in no time.
I had assumed that he was just so likable that Bradley could laugh off his nagging, but....

Figaro: (.....Nero was Bradley’s second in command...?)
Isaac. Are you certain about this?

Isaac: Yes, Nero. I remember him well. Because I wanted him.

Figaro: You wanted him?

Isaac hastily looks away.

Isaac: Ah, I mean... I was jealous.

Figaro: Do you remember anything else about Nero? His appearance, his magic tool, his spell. Anything?

Isaac: Um, let’s see.... His hair was the color of the sky. His magic tool was a mundane object.
Also, he didn’t seem like a Northern wizard.

Figaro: What do you mean?

Isaac: I’m not sure.... Bradley was the one who said it, not me.
Nero isn’t like a Northern wizard. He doesn’t want to be praised for, erm, his accomplishments. He’s sensitive and lacks confidence.
But that’s what helps the bandit gang move along.
Right.... I remember him telling me after he rejected me and I threw a raging fit.
Now I’m getting angry.... Dammit, Bradley......

I’ve subconsciously covered my mouth.
A man named Nero, with sky-colored hair and a mundane magic tool.
Nero’s magic tool is cutlery.
My shoulders begin to tremble; I have to swallow my laughter.

Figaro: (I see. Bradley.)
(You, too, were a wizard tossed about by the whims of a chance reunion.)
Haha.....
....Ahahaha!

Isaac: Sir Figaro....?

Figaro: It’s nothing.

I laugh bitterly, recalling how Bradley couldn’t push Nero around.
I always thought it was strange. Bradley might be lenient at times, but he’s a man full of pride....
Why did he let Nero from the East say whatever he wanted to him?

Figaro: (Oh Bradley, you poor thing. You’re still sensitive to the feelings of the man who betrayed you?)
(Former partners, huh.... I see.)
(Nero was probably summoned as a Sage’s wizard by chance.)
(But if they reestablish their friendship, they might plot their revenge against me and Sir Snow and Sir White.)
(I’ll need to keep an eye out, just in case.)

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14.7 Bradley’s Manual

Bradley: .............
Ach....... Ach.......
Ach–.......

Snow: Oo~h! Bradley dear!

White: You almost sneezed! That was a close one~!

Bradley: .............
Whew........ It went away.

Snow: Ohoho. That’s a relief!

White: Ohoho. Let us continue treating your injuries.

Bradley: Tsk....... Get off me! I can fix this up myself.

Snow: Honestly, you must have some death wish, challenging Mithra to a fight.

White: Who knows where Mithra has wandered off to now, thanks to you. There’s no sign of Owen either......

Bradley: Who gives a shit? The three of us are more than enough to handle this mission.

Wind blows in from the snowy white plains.
Nothing beats the taste of the air in the North — bitingly savage, the stinging cold tearing at your skin.
Oh, yeah. Now this feels like home.
Forget how badly I got beat up; basking in the temperament of the North puts me right back in a good mood.

Snow: Bradley.

I turn around at the sound of Snow calling my name.
White stands next to Snow. But it’s not like that matters.
That guy’s a ghost. Or a flawless illusion. In any case, Snow’s the one I need to watch out for.
Snow and White’s souls are so close that even their auras resemble each other. How fitting for the disconcerting Northern twins.
Snow smiles, his eyes narrowed. He drops his voice into a coaxing purr.

Snow: We’re counting on you. After all, we turn into a painting when night falls.
If you behave, we might even consider reviewing your prison sentence. You might regain your freedom earlier than you thought.

I laugh scornfully. Snow’s really been getting soft.

Bradley: You don’t have to keep repeating yourselves. I’m not planning on doing anything to you while you’re trapped in that painting.

Snow: Yay~!

White: We were worried about that!

Snow & White: We love you, Bradley dearest!

Bradley: Gross. Cut that out.

I glance witheringly at the twins out of the corner of my eye, scoffing inwardly.

Bradley: (Well......)
(I’m still gonna kill you one of these days, though.)
(Snow, White. And Figaro, too...... Enjoy playing master while it lasts.)
(You think you have the chains in your hands? Well, those chains don’t go around my neck.)

A dark flame flickers to life in the caverns of my heart as I remember the faces of my subordinates who were turned into stone.
Is it a burning desire for revenge? Not really. Vengeance isn’t my style.
All of them — dead, now — lived and died as they wished. There’s no need for trite, useless sentiment.
The savagery of the Northern air raises my spirits. It’s as simple as that.
So many reasons to kill, and they lie right within my reach.
You think you can tell me to sit still, drooling with impatience?
No fucking way. The best part of the chase is staking out the prey.

Bradley: (I’ll put a bullet right through that tiny head of yours, Snow.)
(Take White with you when you go.)

✦✧☾✧✦

A few days ago, I was entrusted with a sage’s manual.
I want to know about the things you see, and learn from your experiences. That’s what he said.
I’m impressed with him. He thought things through on his own, picking out areas he was unsatisfied with and coming up with ways to overcome them.
He readily accepted his lack of experience and knowledge, and looked to learn from other people.
Man, imagine if Akira had been one of my subordinates. I think about it sometimes.
I’d see him trying his best, and I’d get real fond of him before I realized it. Cute.
He’s done a good job of bringing all these different guys together.
The < Great Catastrophe > bearing down on this world.
The wizards going up against the moon.
And the Sage who came from a different world to lead and guide his wizards.
Back when I lived in the North, I couldn’t have cared less about the < Great Catastrophe >.
Sure, it did a number on our bodies and minds whenever it drew closer to our world, but it was nothing a simple ritual couldn’t dispel.
As long as the few unlucky sods who got chosen carried out their roles, the world kept turning year after next year.
It wasn’t until I landed in prison that I started thinking a little more about the < Great Catastrophe >.
This was after my crest appeared, and I became one of the Sage’s wizards.
You know, the people living in this world don’t know anything outside of it.
That’s why they accept the illusion that the world can only be the way it’s always been.
When the moon draws closer, magic overflows, and the wizards led by the sage from a different world retaliate and drive it back.
Rinse and repeat. Cycle after cycle.
Why are there males and females, and why must they copulate to produce descendants.......
What drives the chain of the weak being consumed by the strong, only for the carcasses of the strong to feed the weak in turn.......
Everyone accepts the world as they know it, just like how they swallow up these natural systems without question.

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14.8 The Sage’s Heart

But wouldn’t it be great if we threw out the whole question of male and female, and just let anyone leave behind descendants if they wanted to? It might be great to have ways to survive without needing to eat, too.
It was pretty interesting — questioning and turning over things I once accepted as the obvious truths of the world.
The more solitary hours I spent in prison, the more I thought about all these things to kill time.
This system of fighting against the < Great Catastrophe >, the existence of the sage from another world......
What is the sage?
They have to have some deeper significance.
Even Oz must share the same hunch if he, of all people, is out here going along with the sage.
There’s got to be some meaning behind the sage’s existence.
The sage doesn’t have any power. Well, except sometimes, this one can ease injuries caused by the < Great Catastrophe >, but......
For now, he hasn’t been able to do anything other than that, and summoning new wizards.
If so, the influence that the sage wields over us does not come from any mysterious power.
It’s his heart.
That’s why even the twins, Oz, and Figaro respect the Sage’s wishes.
Maybe they believe that the Sage’s heart will guide them into a just future, like fate written in the stars.
There’s no way in hell I’ll accept being guided by fate or anyone else.
If Akira had tried to play shepherd and tame us, I would’ve torn out his windpipe.
But he didn’t do that.
Despite being stuck in an unfamiliar world full of unfamiliar people, he tried his best to allow us to join our hands together.
Things like prophecies, fate, or the sage’s role: I don’t care about any of it, but that made me want to have his back.
So, I guess......
It wouldn’t hurt to write down things that might be helpful for him.

Bradley: << Adnopotensum >>

Snow & White: << Noscomnia >>

The mission wasn’t much of a big deal — no shocker there.
If I knew it’d turn out like this, I’d rather we went to search for the mysterious wizard named Nova.
The sun sets, slowly turning the snowfields into a sea of red.
Cutting through the wind on my broom, I feel the approach of night.
Suddenly, I pick up another presence. It’s still pretty far ahead, but I can tell it’s another wizard.
I know this presence. Like us, they’re up in the skies too.
On cue, the wind howls, carrying a clear hostile threat from the other wizard.
I break out laughing at that display of flaring temper.

Snow: My, it’s another wizard.

White: A Northern witch.

Bradley: It’s Eva.

The twins turn to look at me simultaneously.
Then, they peer at the horizon in perfect sync.

Snow: Oh, my. Eva, huh.

White: What a familiar name. I seem to recall her vehement hatred.

Bradley: She’s a woman who hates being forced to kneel. You guys are the ones at fault for imposing a hierarchy on anyone you meet.

Snow: How else are people going to know their place?

White: We’re only doing what we have to.

Shrugging, I stand on my broom, shifting my weight onto one foot to trace an arc in the sky.

Snow: Where are you going!?

Bradley: To meet Eva!

White: What are you planning to get out of it?!

Bradley: That’s between me and her. I’ll be back soon!

Snow & White: Bradley dear!

With the twins behind me, I fly towards the nostalgic presence.
I know how I must’ve sounded back there, but I’m not particularly close to Eva.
Eva is an imperiously proud, arrogant, and cold-blooded witch.
I said she had a temper, but that’s not the whole story.
Her pride simply won’t allow her to bear the suffocating feeling of being threatened by someone else for any length of time.
All at once, I feel incoming slashes of frozen air.

Bradley: ............! Ahaha. Scary.
Eva! It’s me!
I’m happy to carry on like this, but why don’t you show me your face? It’s been too long.

The next moment, a shadow materializes directly overhead.



She sits perched on her broom, her distinctive long black tresses trailing behind her in the wind.
Sunlight bounces off the barrette holding the sinuous fall of her wavy black hair, winking blue-white in the light.
It’s Eva.
Her demure, dewy-eyed look might give the impression of a submissive and docile small animal, easy to prey upon, but......
She’s as sharp as the honed edge of a crystal forged in water.

Eva: I see you sold your soul to the twins.

Bradley: What are you going on about?

Eva: I’m looking at you, boy: to think I’d find you here after you were thrown into prison by Figaro and the twins.
So you’ve been reduced to nothing more than the twins’ pet.
Shameless coward.

I’m elated by Eva’s unconcealed contempt.
Now that’s the way a Northern wizard should be.

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14.9 Obsession, or Pride?

Bradley: Don’t yell at me. It makes a guy want to start whistling.

Eva: Is that all you have to say for yourself?

Eva recrosses her legs, making me swerve to dodge getting kicked by the tips of her shoes.
I try to grab at her ankle, but with acrobatic agility, she nimbly retreats to take position beneath me.
Looking down, I call out to her.

Bradley: Haven’t you heard? After I got thrown into prison, I was chosen as one of the Sage’s wizards.

Eva hates being looked down on. Sure enough, she immediately flies up to meet my eyes.

Eva: You were chosen as a Sage’s wizard?

Bradley: Yeah.

Tucking her chin in, Eva looks me up and down.
She tilts her head, tossing her long black hair back with one hand.

Eva: Why did you fail in your attack on the moon?
Were you the one who orchestrated the strange incidents happening around the world?

Bradley: Me?

Eva: And here I thought it was all part of your conspiracy to break out of prison. You were always a cunning boy with all sorts of tricks up your sleeves, after all.

At the look on Eva’s face, I grin and reach for her broom.
Grabbing onto the handle, I pull her closer. The rules of our relationship let me get away with this bit of teasing.

Bradley: I’m honored you think I’d have the guts to smash things up like that.
But I wouldn’t destroy the world — not when it has you in it. What a loss that would be, great witch Eva.

Eva only rolls her eyes at my flirtation.
Then, she finally cracks an exasperated, affectionate smile.

Eva: Silly boy.

Her familiar words are loaded with many meanings.
There’s friendship, vigilance, pity, even respect. The sting of her refusal to play along with any of my overtures feels great.
I draw Eva into my arms.

Bradley: Glad to see you’re doing well. What have you been up to?

Eva: I’m looking for someone.

Bradley: Someone?

Eva irritatedly brushes me off.

Eva: A Northern witch. Her name is Sophie. She was my apprentice.

That’s unexpected. Eva was a solitary witch for a long time.

Bradley: So you took on an apprentice. .......What’s with the past tense?

Eva: She betrayed me.

I hold my tongue.
Her pale purple eyes didn’t so much as flicker when she tried to attack me earlier; now, her gaze burns with intense fury.

Eva: She said she wanted to learn from me, and to carry on my magic.
And yet she disappeared from my sight.
What she has done is unforgivable. I will track her down, and exact punishment on her.

Bradley: And by punishment, you mean......?

Eva: I will turn her into stone, and eat it. I will swallow her into my stomach.

Eva presses down on her stomach, the gesture twisted with venom.
A vague question flits across my mind. Is that really punishment?
Maybe it’s the volatility of emotions warring in her gaze, but the image in front of me looks more like an embrace.
The embrace that Eva shrugged off in irritation just now.
If you place your heart in another’s hands, you’re bound to lose yourself.
Obsession, or pride? The choices sway on an invisible pair of scales.

Bradley: I see. Well, do whatever you like.

Eva: Naturally. And you, Bradley?

Bradley: What about me?

Eva: Have you exacted punishment on your traitor?

I fall silent at the upward quirk of Eva’s gaze.
Honestly, I’m not in the mood to talk about this right now.

Eva: That boy you were always so fond of. He’s the one who betrayed you, wasn’t he?

Bradley: Is everyone a "boy" to you? I guess that’s how it is when you’ve lived a long time.

Eva: Shut up, boy. Ah, wait. I know......

Eva tugs at her hair, curls twisting around her pale wrist.

Eva: That’s right...... Nero. That’s the name of the brat who betrayed you.
Most of your comrades are dead now because of him.
You have no choice but to exact punishment — even if the one who betrayed you was the other half of your own soul.
That’s what it means to be a Northern wizard.

Eva is an incredible woman. She always hits right where it hurts.
Eva thrusts her forefinger at me, her long fingernail stabbing into my chest.

Eva: I know why you were so taken with Nero.

Bradley: I wasn’t, but I’ll play along. Why?

Eva: Because you enjoyed being yelled at and scolded.

She sounds so serious and so ridiculous that I can’t help bursting into laughter.

Bradley: That’s what you think of me?

Eva: Take this seriously, boy. You like getting scolded, because it brings you back to being in the Bain household.
I was taken aback the first time I saw you.
A child with your level of magic, and yet you simply stood there laughing as an elderly human man scolded you soundly.
When I asked, you said he was your older brother.

Bradley: I had a lot of siblings.
My dad was a wizard, so he went around making kids left and right until he got me.
I was his youngest. Yeah, well, I guess that’s why I’m used to all the nagging and scolding.

Flashes of nostalgic memories. When I was a kid, my older brothers and sisters grumbled and nagged at me all the time......
All of them grew up, got older, and slowly became senile, but they still scolded me until their last moments.
They were always saying "don’t do anything reckless," "tidy up after yourself," "treat your elders with respect," "eat your vegetables," and stuff like that......

Bradley: (Nero was the same.)
(He held me in reverence and awe from the bottom of his heart, but that never stopped him looking unamused and fed up with me.)
(Maybe that’s why it was so easy to be with him.)

Eva: Yeah. Nero was that kind of man, too.

Bradley: Don’t read my mind, Eva.

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14.10 Discipline Your Soul

Eva: I don’t need magic to know. You made the mistake of thinking of Nero as your family.
But if he betrayed your organization, you have no choice but to carry through as a leader and punish him for his crime.

Eva’s absolutely right.
That’s what I’ve always done.
It’s not because I couldn’t forgive them. But being too lenient with traitors, disruptors, and rule-breakers only weakens an organization.
I showed mercy on occasion, when there was a benefit or advantage to be gained from it, but I’d never been swayed into forgiving someone because of my emotions.
You need an iron fist to hold together a group of rough guys.

Eva: Bradley. You’ve lived thus far by your own rules, and you will continue to do so.
If you cannot abandon the ways of the North, then you must discipline your soul.
For if you cannot set a path for your soul, you will face a contradiction that will one day rot you from the core.

Eva runs her hand gently along my cheek, her tone admonishing.
For a moment, I think she’s going to pinch my cheeks as if I were a kid again. I almost wish she would.
She continues, gravely staring into my eyes.

Eva: Boy. You have never forgiven a traitor.

Bradley: Yeah.

Eva: I will not forgive Sophie either. Still, it hurts so much that my heart is breaking.
I tried to entrust her with my soul; instead, I am to turn her into stone by my own hands.

At Eva’s words, Nero’s face flashes through my mind, and my heart starts hammering.
Yeah, that’s true. I tried to entrust him with my soul, too.
But that’s just our selfish egos making excuses.
A few days ago, I said this to the Sage.
Give your subordinates a reason to be proud. Hold your head high and face them properly.
As for my partner......
He probably ran away.
In the end, all I gave him could not become his pride.
That’s all there is to the story.
As the head of the gang, and for the honor of the men who died for me.......
I need to punish the traitor.
And what I have to do probably isn’t much different from Eva’s method.

Eva: Take heart, Bradley. Regain your sense of self. Neither of us should have allowed ourselves to regard something as special.
Once I turn Sophie into stone, I will be free again. I’ve had enough of hating, and loving her.
I’ll end her with my own hands.

Bradley: I would’ve liked to meet the witch you chose as your disciple.

Eva: I’ll tell you what she looks like. Let me know if you catch sight of her.

Bradley: All right. What kind of person is she?

Eva: She has short, flaxen hair that falls to the nape of her neck, and intelligent blue eyes......
She’s about a head shorter than me. She wears a necklace with stones the color of her eyes. I gave it to her.

Bradley: A necklace with stones the color of her eyes...... Sounds like you were pretty fond of her. I wonder why she ran away.

Eva: Who knows. What about you?

Bradley: Don’t make this about me.

Eva: There are rumors being whispered amongst the survivors of your gang. They’re saying that if Nero had been there, you never would’ve gotten caught.
If his loyalty for you was genuine, then he should have stormed Central Country to rescue you.
Yet Nero did not. Perhaps it suited his plans for you to remain captured.
Am I mistaken? Boy.

I shake my head, irritated.

Bradley: Get off my back about it. I’m starting to get why the hell your disciple ran away, Eva.

Eva: ............
I’ll kill you.

Bradley: Wait, wait, wait.......!

Eva is serious. Well, she’s always serious about murder. The freezing wind turns arctic.
At that moment, I hear the twins’ voices.

Snow: Bradley dear! Honestly, stop disappearing as you please!

White: Gracious! Is that Eva?

Snow: Oh my, it is Eva! Dear me, it’s been such a long time!

Eva: ......The twins......

White: Ohoho. Hello, Eva. Have you been keeping well?

Eva: Tsk......

Eva is visibly displeased at the sight of the twins.
She’s lived for over a thousand years. Even Oz, in his attempt to conquer the world, never managed to consume her.
Which means she must’ve gotten into it with the twins, too.
Eva’s body starts to glow faintly, her pale wrists and dark curls disintegrating into powdery snow.
She means to disappear.

White: Ah, hold on! Eva dear!

Snow: Don’t be so cold! Chat with us too!

Ignoring the twins’ laments, Eva turns to me.

Eva: Bradley. I’m leaving you with one warning.
Stay away from Western Country.

I blink as I look up at her.

Bradley: Western Country......?

Shrouded in the blizzard, Eve’s pale purple eyes turn scrutinizing.

Eva: A sealed monstrosity has been awakened from its slumber. Before long, order will collapse.
Pray you do not get caught in the madness and chaos.

Bradley: What’s waking up? Hey, Eva......

Eva: Farewell.

Eva vanishes, her still-dazzling figure winking out of sight along with the pure white blizzard.
Only silence remains in her wake.

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Chapter 13<< | index | >> Chapter 15