Etude of the Solitary Bandit | Chapter 9

[healingbonds]

Chapter 8 << | index | >> Chapter 10


Bradley: Let’s get this show on the road! Here’s the sketch of the hideout from the Western wizards.

Mithra: We don’t need a sketch — we can just flatten the entire building.

Owen: Aren’t we up against humans? We can just kill them straight up.

Bradley: The goal is to capture them without killing them. You might not be used to doing things this way, but take it easy and don’t go too hard. You can handle it so long as you’re not a hot-tempered idiot.
I wonder which one of you will do better. I’ll treat whoever can pull it off.

Mithra & Owen: ............

Mithra: I’m not as stupid as this guy.

Owen: Ahaha. Don’t steal my line. No one better think I’m dumber than Mithra.

Snow in the portrait: Ohoho. Aren’t you all good boys. We’ll keep an eye on you from the sidelines. I’m relying on you to carry us around, Sage.

Akira: Got it. Oh right...... Here, Bradley.

Bradley: What is it?

Akira: This is from Rustica. It’s the cuff button from before...... He said it was a gift for your first mission.

I hold out the cuff button, peering nervously at Bradley in fear that the token might anger him.
But Bradley doesn’t lose his temper: he wraps his hand around my fingers, curling them around the lovely cuff button.

Bradley: Nah, don’t need it. You hold on to it.

Akira: But......

Bradley: I’ll have Mister Groom treat me to something else in return. This is an item of good taste. You should treasure it.

Bradley’s tone is calm, pleasing, and friendly. This is the first time I’ve ever heard him sound like this.
His gentle smiling face, the warmth of his fingertips — I’ve never experienced this Bradley before. I feel exhilarated, as if I’ve discovered a new continent.

Akira: Okay......I got it, Bradley.

(Clap)

He casually claps me on the back, his eyes crinkling into a smile.

White in the portrait: Well then, shall we toast as a celebration of our — the Northern wizards’ — first mission?

Mithra: A toast? We don’t have alcohol or glasses.

Bradley: There must be some in the hideout. When we’ve finished everything, let’s have a drink.

Owen: I don’t like sharp flavors.

White in the portrait: For now, let’s pretend to toast with the palms of our hands in lieu of cups. Mmm......

Snow and White step out of the portrait, and materialize in front of our eyes.



Snow: Cheers!

White: A toast! To the Northern wizards!

The twins thrust out their fists towards their comrades, while miming the action of swirling glasses.
The other wizards, looking irritated, bump their fists against each other.
And then, they dashingly turn on their heels and walk forward.

Bradley: Well, let’s get a move on!

✦✧☾✧✦

Bandit: Ahaha! It’s been another great night!
But something felt off about the other night...... It’s strange how everyone went down drunk like that.
I feel like I smelled something sweet that night...... ......Hmm? Do you hear something......

Bandit: ......! The fuck! Who are you......

Mithra: << Arthim >>

Bandit: Ah....... Suddenly I’m so s, sleepy......

Mithra: Capturing humans is a piece of cake.
Ah...... It’s an unopened bottle of wine. I guess this would be good for our toast. It doesn’t look sweet, but it’ll do.

✦✧☾✧✦

Bandit: Huh? What’s going on outside?

Owen: I wonder what it could be.

Bandit: What the......! You think some feeble, feminine guy like you can barge in and get out of here alive!?

Owen: Oh? What are you going to do to me?

Snow in the portrait: Oh, stop it. Owen......!



Seeing Owen advance on the bandit, Snow and White fly out from within the portrait.
At that sight, the bandits go still, petrified with fear.

Bandit: Eeeeek......! A ghost jumped out from the painting......!

White: No, I’m the ghost here.

Bandit: Watch out! These guys are wizards! They’ve come for the boss’ magical object!

Akira: The boss’ magical object......?

Owen: If you stole it to begin with, isn’t it natural for us to steal it from you as well?
That’s why I’ve been keeping my trunk shut. But I’ll show you as a special treat.



Owen: Here, come closer. I’ll show you my secret treasures.

Bandit: Wh..., What......? A wizard peddling goods......?
A wizard’s......secret treasures......

Owen: Fufu...... Here, come on over.

Snow: Owen! You can’t open your trunk!

White: The rest of you, run away!

Bandits: ............!?

Owen: << Cure Memini >>

(Flash)

Bandit: ............! ......hh, ......Can’t....... My body won’t move......!
P, Please help......!

Owen: Fufu. Nope.

Snow: Whew...... I thought you were going to bring out Cerberus.

Owen: Nope. I’m not Mithra.
It makes me sick, acting like some champion of justice. Can I bully you?

Bandit: Hh, hhh......!

Owen: Don’t worry, I’m not going to make it painful. You just have to talk to me and turn pale with fear, that’s all.
"It’s important to enjoy things in your own way" ......Didn’t a certain someone say that?

Owen gives a faint smile while stroking the bandit’s cheek.
Just as I’m about to say something, a tremendous racket comes from the innermost room.

(Crash) (Gunshots)

Snow: I sense magic! Sage, bring us there!

Akira: Got it!

Chapter 8 << | index | >> Chapter 10