Etude of the Solitary Bandit | Chapter 3

[healingbonds]

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At the twins’ admiring gazes, Bradley laughs, pleased.

Snow: It’s the truth, Bradley. Oz grew tired of trying to conquer the world and gave up, but if it had been you, you would have pulled it off.

White: Authority means the power to control others. You, Bradley, are the wizard among wizards. My my, you’re so cool.

Bradley: Hehe...... Naturally.

Snow: Oh, if only a boss as cool as you would lend us a hand......

White: Oh, this is a task we can only ask of our cool big brother Bradley......

Bradley: Fine, fine...... So, what do I have to do?

Snow & White: Yay~!

Akira: (I’m surprised he’s so easy......)

Snow: In the near future, the Sage’s wizards will be dispatched to various regions around the world to solve strange occurrences.

White: The Northern wizards are no exception to this. Before the mission starts, we want you to teach Mithra and Owen how to work together as an organization.

Bradley: You say that, but it’s not like they’re willing to learn. If I force these manners on them, we’d all just end up trying to kill each other.

Snow & White: Naturally.

Bradley: Don’t say that like it’s no big deal....... Who do you think you are, passing off such a life-threatening job — don’t get too full of yourselves, you assholes......

Snow: Of course — then we’ll consider a pardon for you: 100 years for each of them, so two of them means 200 years off your sentence!

Bradley: 200 years is way too stingy for taking care of them. Make it 400.

White: Very well...... How about 300 years?

Bradley: I’ll take that, but add this to the deal: you’ll overlook my old comrades if you ever find them.
It’s been over 100 years. Just let it go already.

Snow: Hmm, that’s hard to guarantee.

Bradley: Then this discussion is over. I won’t have anything to do with this.

White: Fine, we get it. We’ll arrange the deal. In exchange, we’re counting on you for Mithra and Owen.

Bradley: All right. Well then, I’m borrowing this guy.

Suddenly, I feel myself being seized by the back of my collar, and I arch my back like a cat.

Akira: Huh?

Bradley: You’re sitting in on our little discussion. It’ll be all right: just think of yourself as a meaningless decoration. When I give you the sign, just nod along.

Akira: Nod along...... What should I look for?

Bradley: Like when I say I’ll give them high quality mana stones from Oz’s stash, or promise them territory.

Akira: I, I can’t promise that!

Bradley: Since you’re the Sage, you might as well abuse your position. So, where’s it going to be? You got someplace good in mind?

White: How about the dining hall? Should we ask Nero to prepare a feast to call them together?

Bradley: ......Nah. That’s no place for a discussion. Let’s make it Shylock’s bar.

✦✧☾✧✦

Shylock: Oh my. Welcome, Sir Sage.

Akira: Good evening, Shylock.

Mithra: Good evening.

Owen: Good evening.

Bradley: Hey, thanks for having us. Please hang up this portrait somewhere for me.

Snow & White in the portrait: Good evening, Shylock!

Shylock: ............

Looking at the Northern wizards, Shylock sighs, the smile vanishing off his face.

Shylock: .......I’ve just had the interior furnishings done up, too......

Bradley: We’re not going to wreck anything. Right, Mithra? Owen?

Owen: Doesn’t that depend on Mithra? I want the one that tastes like chocolate.

Mithra: I’ll take anything but that. Give me a drink that doesn’t come in one of those tiny triangular glasses, they look too easy to shatter.

Bradley: I’ll take something stiff. I don’t really want to be in my right mind for this.

Akira: I’ll have my usual non-alcoholic cocktail......

Shylock: Certainly. What a lively lineup — what brings all of you together tonight?

Mithra & Owen: Bradley said he’s treating us.

Bradley: Let’s talk while we drink, brothers. Living at the magical headquarters is a first for both of you, right? Have you gotten used to the life here yet?

Mithra & Owen: Nope.

Bradley: Ahaha! I understand how you feel. It’s not somewhere you can relax, not when Oz is around.

As Shylock prepares the drinks, Bradley continues the conversation.
His expansive laughter ricochets like bullets, dispelling the peculiar atmosphere in the bar. Without any notice, the party starts to sound each other out.
Both Mithra and Owen join in the conversation actively; perhaps they’ve been harbouring their own thoughts about living with other people in the magical headquarters.

Mithra: The creepy part is how I feel like I can relax. What happened to Oz and Figaro? They’re both acting like cowards.

Akira: Did the two of them change that much......?

Owen: That’s an understatement. Oz changed so much he’s barely recognizable. He talks soooo much.

Akira: Talk..... Does he talk......?

Mithra: He’s talking up a storm. I think I only heard him speak once every 100 years in the past.

Bradley: That’s because there wasn’t any need for Oz to communicate with other people. All he had to do was take them down, or reject them with his strength.

I look to Snow and White’s portrait for an answer. They smile.

Chapter 2 << | index | >> Chapter 4