Prelude to the Festival and Justice | Chapter 8

[healingbonds]

Chapter 7 << | index | >> Chapter 9


Riquet: How is your stomach?

Oz: .........It’s fine.

Riquet: You’re frowning. You don’t have to force yourself.

Oz: I’m not......

Riquet: Actually, I have a snack from Nero. But since you upset your stomach, you wouldn’t be able to eat it, would you?

Oz: ............You can eat it yourself.

Riquet: Yay! Then I’ll help myself! ......? What’s this rectangular, sponge-like, patterned thing....?

Oz: That’s a pound cake.

Riquet: Have you had it before?

Oz: I’ve baked one. I burnt it, but......

Riquet: So it’s something you make by baking it. Can I ask you something unrelated?

Oz: What is it?

Riquet: What should I do to become strong like you? Will I become strong as long as I train?

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

Riquet: Can I ask you another question?

Oz: I haven’t even answered the first......

Riquet: You’re kind of slow at talking, Oz. I heard that you were like a parent to Sir Arthur, but did he never complain about it to you?

Oz: ......Arthur did not say anything.

Riquet: Sir Arthur sure is tolerant.

Oz: You’re right.

Riquet: Let’s get back to the topic. The second question: why do you not help people willingly even though you possess such strong power?
If I were you, I’d save more people, and help more people. You’re strong, but you’re kind of lazy.

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

Riquet: This pound cake is so yummy! It’s sweet and delicious; the wrinkled black beans taste like grapes.

Oz: Those are grapes.

Riquet: You’re wrong. Have you never seen grapes before? Grapes are round and juicy.

Oz: These are called raisins......

Riquet: What about my questions just now? You haven’t given me any answers yet.

Oz: ......... You change the topic frequently.

Riquet: That’s because you don’t say anything. You just space out and stop listening to what people say, don’t you.

Oz: I’m listening.

Riquet: Then why aren’t you saying anything?

Oz: I’m thinking of what to say.

Riquet: Then please say that next time. So, what’s your answer to the question I just asked?

Oz: I’m thinking of what to say.

Riquet: ............Are you making fun of me?

Oz: ......I’m not, but bear in mind: I was alone for more than a thousand years. I lived with Arthur for only a few years.
I don’t have conversations that flow at the speed of raindrops falling.

Riquet: Are my words like raindrops?

Oz: You immediately say what comes to your mind. You believe that everyone will understand you, and be willing to answer your questions.
But that’s not the case. Even if an act seems like salvation to you, someone else might take it for a tragedy.

Riquet: ......What do you mean?

Oz: It’s my answer to your question.

Riquet: You’re suddenly answering my question? Out of nowhere? Oz, you’re really bad at having conversations, aren’t you?

Oz: That’s what I’ve been saying. Turn this way: you have crumbs on the corner of your mouth.

Riquet: Nn..... Thank you.

Oz: ............
......Like Arthur when he was a child.

Riquet: You were?

Oz: I’m talking about you.

???: ......Oz......

???: Oz......

Riquet: Eh......? It feels like there’s an invisible presence... Are they calling out Oz’s name......?

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

Riquet: ......Hmm.....? That music......
It sounds like the music we heard just before we arrived at the ruins......

✦✧☾✧✦

We stand motionless within the illusion of Mesa. A young man runs past us.

Akira: (Huh...... I feel like I’ve seen that plank of wood that person is carrying somewhere before....)

???: ......Huff, huff.......!

The golden-haired youth carries what resembles a simple zither: a hollowed out plank of wood with string stretched out over its body.
He looks frightened, as if he’s trying to escape from something. The terrifying sound of a whip cracks behind him.

(Whip cracking)

Man: Insolent bard! How dare you sing of tales that stir up unrest in the people! I’ll chop off your head......!

The youth who was called a bard trips and lands on his bottom as he begs for his life.

Bard: Please wait! That song is no tall tale—it’s the truth! I’m trying to warn the people of Mesa!

Man: You liar......!

Cain: Stop!

Cain stands in the way of the man who is bearing down on the bard with a whip in his hand. But the whip just passes through Cain’s body and lands on the bard’s shoulder.

Bard: Hh......! It’s the truth......! I met the king of the spirits, who is now coming to destroy Mesa....
Wizards are the disciples of spirits! The plight of the persecuted wizards has angered the king of the spirits.....!

Akira: (Persecuted wizards......?)

Man: Shut up! Siding with wizards like that — I take it you’re a wizard as well!?

Bard: Wai....... You’re wrong! I’m not a wizard! But, the king of the spirits.....

Man: Get out of Mesa......! Next time we meet, you won’t get away with your life!

Bard: ..........gh.

The bard picks up his zither and starts running.
His back disappears into the throng of people.

(Rustling)

The leaves of the oasis rustle noisily. Then — we hear the screams.

Chapter 7 << | index | >> Chapter 9