healingbonds (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
healingbonds) wrote2020-07-01 11:15 am
healingbonds) wrote2020-07-01 11:15 am
Main Story | Chapter 6 | Set Fire to the Magic Headquarters!
MahoYaku Masterpost & Translator's Notes
Chapter 5 << | index | >> Chapter 7
Chapter 6: Set Fire to the Magic Headquarters!
6.1 After the Summoning Ritual
6.2 Wizards in the Portrait
6.3 Disappearing Bradley
6.4 A Heart on Fire
6.5 Invisible Wounds
6.6 The New Wizards
6.7 Humans and Wizards
6.1 After the Summoning Ritual
The summoning ritual is over; it’s nighttime now.
Akira: (I wonder when the new wizards will arrive.....)
(It must be rough. They were all living their own lives up till today, and now they suddenly have to take on this tremendous role.....)
(I guess the same goes for me, but.....)
(Knock knock)
Heathcliff: May I speak to you for a moment, Sir Sage?
Akira: Ah, I’m sorry. I’m already in my pajamas, so could you give me some time to change?
Heathcliff: Ah.... Excuse me. Of course; I’ll be waiting right here.
I put on a jacket and look for a scarf to keep me warm.
But the only thing I can find is a flashy shawl that seems to be made of bird feathers, so I sigh and wrap it around my neck.
Akira: Thank you for waiting.
(Door opens)
Heathcliff: Sir Sage.... .....Ah-choo!
Akira: S-sorry about the feathers.....
Heathcliff: No no, it’s fine. Are you headed out to a ball?
Akira: This does look pretty flashy, doesn’t it?
Heathcliff: I think it suits you very well. But we may not have time to dance tonight.
Sir Sage. Murr found a strange man sneaking around the magic headquarters.
✦✧☾✧✦
Cock Robin: P-please wait! I’m not suspicious! Please don’t kill me.....!
Akira: (Ah.... He’s the person who was with the bearded guy I met when I first arrived in this world.....)
Murr: He was wandering around looking for the entrance to the magic headquarters!
Cain: We keep the entrance hidden with magic. Those who are officially welcome would be permitted to pass through.
Shylock: And why were you sneaking around the magic headquarters? What business do you have? Which organization do you belong to?
Akira: Please wait! I think he was with the old bearded man!
If I’m remembering correctly — he’s Cock Robin, the secretary of Central Country.
Cock Robin: Yes! That’s right!
Shylock: Now that you mention it.....
Cain: I do feel like I’ve met him before.
Murr: I’m quick to forget things that don’t interest me.
Heathcliff: So what is the secretary of Central Country doing here?
Cock Robin: Ah, I guess I was taking a walk.......
Shylock: A word of advice: lies will get you nowhere with wizards.
Cock Robin: I’m sorry.... Sir Drummond ordered me to lure the sage out from the magic headquarters!
He said, "So long as we have the sage, we can take over the magic headquarters using military force, and make the wizards listen to our commands!"
Cain: What did you just say!?
Cock Robin: I-it wasn’t my idea! Those were just my orders!
I didn’t want to come near the magic headquarters either! You wizards could kill me!
Plus.....
Cock Robin looks down; he sounds like he’s about to cry.
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6.2 Wizards in the Portrait
Cock Robin: I don’t actually want to do this to you all, after everything you’ve done. You fought against the < Great Catastrophe > for us.
But I also understand where the minister is coming from. Wizards possess great power, but we cannot control them.....
Heathcliff: .....Why must we be controlled?
Heathcliff’s eyes reflect disgust and a tinge of sadness.
Cock Robin: Th-that’s.... In order to save the world......
Heathcliff: But we fought to save the world!
Shylock has had enough. He makes his contempt even more apparent.
Shylock: There’s nothing we can do. No matter how great the sacrifices we make; no matter how gently we smile to them....
As long as we possess these unknown powers that make us stronger than them, they will see us as enemies.
This "cooperation" they so insist on is merely a guise.
Cain: Cut it out.
Cain shakes his head bitterly at their words.
Cain: I agree that Minister Drummond and his agency take an overbearing stance towards wizards.
I don’t like their tactics either. But that doesn’t mean all humans are like them.
There has to be another path forward — one where wizards and humans can work together.
Cock Robin: Yes! Yes! That’s the sort of thing I wanted to say!
Murr: So what should we do?
Cain: Let’s consult Sir Snow and Sir White.
Murr: Sure. Here you go.
Cain: .....? What is this frame.....?
Heathcliff: A portrait of Sir Snow and Sir White....?
Snow in the portrait: Sage.
White in the portrait: Sage.
Akira: Woah, they spoke.....
Snow in the portrait: It’s the same as last night.
White in the portrait: We’ve gotten trapped inside this portrait.
Akira: What do you mean!?
Cain: Wait, so that wasn’t a joke!?
Murr: Ahaha, this is neat!
Snow in the portrait: This is no laughing matter, Murr.
White in the portrait: For some reason, we can’t use magic while we’re in here.
Snow in the portrait: We’ve tried to escape the frame, but.....
Snow & White in the portrait: Mmgh.....
The two of them slide out of the frame.
Snow & White in the portrait: But this is our limit.
Shylock: So you can come out of the portrait. Why are you playing around?
Snow: Take a closer look.
White: Our shadows are still stuck within the frame.
Heathcliff: How did this happen....? Were you two cursed....?
Snow: A curse....
White: Perhaps it was.....
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6.3 Disappearing Bradley
Bradley: Hey, you lot!
At that moment, Bradley appears.
He grins widely, aggression written across his face.
Bradley: I removed the barrier around the magic headquarters for you.
Cain: You did what!?
Bradley: And now we’re going to kill those bastards out there. If they attack us, we get to give them what they’re looking for, right?
I didn’t get to have any fun during our battle with the < Great Catastrophe >, so I can’t wait to give them a good fight.
Cock Robin: W-wait! Please don’t do anything violent!
Heathcliff: You were the ones who attacked us first.
Shylock: Oh, dear. I fear that we might have an all-out war between humans and wizards before the < Great Catastrophe > attacks next year.
Murr: Ahaha! Peace never lasts; that’s just how it is!
Portrait still in hand, Murr twirls around up into the air.
Murr: We only get along when we have the leisure to care for others. But the world is in absolute chaos now because of the < Great Catastrophe >!
Neither humans nor wizards can afford to be kind right now, because they’re all so worried about themselves.
Just as I can love the < Great Catastrophe > when it gently illuminates the night sky, but must push it back when it gets too close.
Murr’s eyes gleam like those of a mischievous cat; I can’t tell whether he’s being sarcastic or genuine.
Akira: (A war between humans and wizards...... That would be a complete disaster.)
(That bearded old man might be infuriating, but that doesn't mean we should kill each other.)
(I have to do something about this......)
In my desperation, I look at Bradley.
I shiver at the sight of his combative grin. Up till now, I had thought of him as an older brother type, just with a quick temper.
But the expression on his face is colder, more terrifying, and filled with more beast-like ferocity than the light of the < Great Catastrophe > itself.
Snow: Bradley.
White: Stop. You must not.
Bradley: Shut up, you old geezers. You really think I’m going to listen to you?
Haha...... Seems like your magic really is weaker when you’re trapped inside that painting.
(Sword unsheathed)
Cain: I won’t let you, Bradley.
Bradley: Ahaha! Drawing your sword won’t get you anywhere! Some upstart like you can’t stop me!
I am the great Northern wizard Bradley, leader of the Bandits of Death!
I’ll kill you all — humans and weak wizards alike!
Akira: ......P-please stop......!
Bradley: Shut up! You’ve got some nerve, locking me up like that!
Akira: ............
I draw back in surprise at Bradley’s raised voice. As I do, the feathers on my shawl flutter into the air.
Bradley: I’m never going back to that prison ce......
......Ah, achoo!
(Bradley disappears)
And with that, Bradley disappears.
Akira: .............!?
Cain: ......He disappeared!?
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6.4 A Heart on Fire
Heathcliff: Where did he go!? Did he run away!?
Snow: Bradley was not using magic.
White: He was sent flying by some other force.
Shylock: Some other force.... What a bizarre night this is shaping up to be.
Murr: But of course.
We got so close to the < Great Catastrophe >, after all.
Cain: For now, we need to figure out how to handle the minister and his forces — they’ll be here any moment now.
Heathcliff: Any moment now?
Cain: Yeah. Cock Robin mentioned it earlier, remember? Don’t worry. I’ll handle.....
Heathcliff: Cain, can’t you see?
There are already soldiers gathered in the courtyard.
Cain: No way....?
✦✧☾✧✦
Drummond: No need to hold back! Cock Robin should’ve gotten the Sage out of there!
Soldier: The magic headquarters suddenly appeared out of thin air.....
Soldier: Isn’t this all a trap set up by the wizards?
Drummond: Do not flinch! We must punish the wizards for kidnapping the Sage!
We need to place the Sage under our control so that we can tame those damn wizards before Prince Arthur finds out!
How dare they turn me into a mouse! I’m going to squeakcure — secure my revenge!!
Onwards, troops!
(Soldiers chant)
✦✧☾✧✦
Shylock: I suppose we have no choice but to fight. Let’s go and shake them off, Murr.
Murr: Okay!
Akira: Please wait!
Shylock: Sir Sage.....
Akira: Um, we’re supposed to be fighting the < Great Catastrophe >, right?
Why are we fighting against humans?
Heathcliff: Because they’re attacking us.
Akira: Mister Cock Robin, why are you attacking the wizards?
Cock Robin: We’re not trying to attack them! We simply want to keep the wizards under control, because they’re disturbing the peace.......
Snow: What a convenient definition of "peace" you have.
White: You made us fight the < Great Catastrophe >, and yet you demand even more of us.
Cock Robin: That’s because we can’t fend it off ourselves! But we are grateful to you all!
Murr: Okay, then this is a party!
Cock Robin: It’s certainly not a party, but.....
Akira: (I see.... Humans are afraid of wizards....)
(They believe the strength that protects them is also the power that could potentially hurt them.)
(If wizards existed back in my world, would the same sort of thing have happened....?)
That thought makes me very sad.
Shylock: Well, I’ll head out and calm them down for now. Do not worry—....
Murr: Shylock?
Shylock: ....ugh.... ngh......!
Heathcliff: Shylock....!?
Cain: Shylock’s chest is on fire.....!
Shylock crouches down on the spot, clutching his chest in pain.
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6.5 Invisible Wounds
Flames envelop Shylock’s chest, right around the crest he showed me earlier.
Shylock’s face twists in pain as he forces himself to speak.
Shylock: .....My heart.... ....My heart is on fire.......
Murr: Shylock.....
Shylock: .....gh.... Kuh.....
Murr: Does it hurt?
Shylock: ....You horrible man...... Can’t you tell......
Snow: It seems like we truly are feeling the effects of the < Great Catastrophe >......
White: We got too close to the < Great Catastrophe > — and suffered invisible wounds as a result of last night’s battle.
Heathcliff: We all did....!?
Snow: Indeed. We might not have realized it at the time, but our souls all sustained serious wounds.
White: And each of our wounds manifests itself differently. Take, for example, Cain’s eyes and Bradley’s disappearance. And us, trapped in our portrait.
Cain: ....What should we do.....?
Soldiers: Aaaaaagh.....!
Heathcliff: ....Here come the soldiers. Sir Sage, please stand behind me! I will protect you.
Akira: But.....
Cain: Heath! Take care of Shylock.... And also Sir Snow and Sir White!
Heathcliff: Got it... —Uh, that’s a lot of people!?
Cain: Murr. You come with me. Tell me where the enemy is!
Murr: Got it!
Cain: I’ll leave the rest to you!
(Footsteps)
Heathcliff: Uh.... G-got it!
Akira: Heathcliff, please take care of Shylock. I’ll hold Snow and White’s portrait!
Heathcliff: Thank you! Let’s escape to the magic tower for now! Shylock, are you all right?
Shylock: .....gh.... I wonder.... Would you like to swap places with me and find out?
Heathcliff: No way, I don’t want my heart to burn up..... ....I hope my wound isn’t painful......
Shylock: Heh.... Saying that means you’ll......
Heathcliff: Don’t talk! It hurts, right?
Soldier: There they are! Get them.....!
Heath turns around while supporting Shylock on his shoulder.
His pocket watch is in his hands.
Heathcliff: << Repsevaivulp Sonus >>
Soldier: .......!
Following Heathcliff’s spell, the dining chairs and tables begin to creak and wrap around each other like entangled ivy.
The barricade stops the soldiers from moving forward.
Heathcliff: Hurry, this way! Let’s hide in the tower!
✦✧☾✧✦
Heathcliff leads us to a tower with an elevator, much like the one I saw when I first arrived in this world.
We rush into the tower and come to a halt.
Heathcliff: We should be safe here... ......!
Heathcliff: The courtyard is on fire! Someone must have shot a flaming arrow..... ....Do they hate us that much.....
Snow: That’s not it. They’re simply afraid.
White: Those overwhelmed with fear will do anything to protect themselves and those important to them.
Heathcliff: But that doesn’t mean they should.... ......!
Shylock: .....The fire reached the tower.......
Heathcliff: I’ll extinguish it with magic!
<< Repsevaivulp... >>
(Door opens)
Soldier: There they are! Get them with arrows!
Soldier: We need to attack them before they kill us with their magical fire! Don’t hold back!
Wizards can’t die!
Shylock: Don’t be ridiculo.... Uugh... gh....!
Akira: Shylock!
Soldier: Fire!
Heathcliff: Sir Sage! Shylock!
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6.6 The New Wizards
As Shylock crouches to the ground and I bend down to support him, the soldiers unleash a wave of arrows at us.
Akira: .....!
If those arrows strike their mark, will it hurt? Will I die?
Will I never see my home again?
Countless thoughts race through my head in a single moment.
But right when the arrows are about to strike—....
A tranquil voice echoes across the room.
Faust: << Satillquinart Mullcreed >>
In a flash, the arrows are engulfed in quiet flames and fall to the floor.
The person standing beyond the embers that dance like burning petals is.....
Faust — who had been on the verge of death.
Heathcliff: Mr. Faust!
Shylock: .....gh.... Faust.......
Faust: ....So the humans came to attack us......
It’s clear that he hasn’t recovered yet — Faust’s shoulders heave with pain as he sneers.
Faust: That sounds just like them..... They’re quick to fear, quick to welter, and quick to attack.
I’m sick of playing their games. —If you so dearly desire an eternal slumber, I’ll grant it to you.
Right now.
Soldier: ......!
Snow: Faust. Stop.
White: Hurting humans will only exacerbate the problem. You must hold back.
Faust: I did hold back. In the distant past.
And you know exactly how my story ended. ....Humans simply repeat history, time and again......
That’s when the doors on the other side of the room begin to creak.
Thump, clatter — the sound of something being carried this way.
Akira: (Those doors. Is that an elevator....?)
Shylock: .....The elevator......
White: They’ve been summoned!
Snow: The new wizards are coming!
Heathcliff: The new wizards......
Soldier: More wizards are coming to attack us!?
Soldier: R-run....!
The doors slowly open.
And one by one, the wizards step out.
✦✧☾✧✦
Shino: I’m Shino, an Eastern wizard. I’ll be in your care.
Heathcliff: ......Shino.......
Nero: .......Eastern wizard, Nero. ......Well, nice to meet you......
✦✧☾✧✦
Riquet: I’m Riquet, a Central wizard. I don’t know much about the outside world, but...... Please take care of me.
✦✧☾✧✦
Rustica: I’m Rustica, a Western wizard. Thank you for inviting me here. By the way, has anyone seen my bride?
Chloe: I’m the Western wizard Chloe! I've been travelling the world with Rustica, and I used to be a tailor. Um, I hope we can get along!
✦✧☾✧✦
Rutile: I’m Rutile, a Southern wizard. I was a teacher in the South. I’m glad to meet you all.
Mitile: I’m Mitile, a wizard of the South! I’m the great witch Tiretta’s son. Ahem. Pleased to meet you.
Lennox: ....Lennox. I’m a Southern wizard. Nice to meet you.
Figaro: I’m the Southern wizard Figaro. Please take care of me.
✦✧☾✧✦
Arthur: I’m Arthur, a Central wizard. Sir Sage, I look forward to working with you.
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6.7 Humans and Wizards
Arthur: ......!
What in the world is going on here!?
Chloe: A fire!? And soldiers!? What’s happening!?
Rustica: I put on my best introduction, but it looks like everyone is rather busy at the moment.
Nero: Oh, come on.....
Riquet: ....So this is the outside world......
Mitile: Are the Sage’s wizards being attacked by soldiers? But why?
Shino: Who cares why? I’m here to help the Sage’s wizards.
I’ll put them down right now.
Figaro: Wait a second.
Shino: What?
Figaro: We shouldn’t attack the military using magic — it’ll just complicate things for the future. Leno, can I count on you?
Lennox: Got it.
Rutile: Mister Leno! Let me help you!
Lennox: No. Stand back; it’s dangerous.
(Footsteps)
Mitile: H-he’s kind of cool......
✦✧☾✧✦
One after another, new faces step through the elevator doors.
I can’t really make out what each of them looks like from a distance, but I notice a tall young man approaching us.
Soldier: H-he’s gonna kill us! Fire your arrows!
Soldier: Make a run for it when he flinches.....!
Heathcliff: Stop!
The soldiers prepare their arrows. But before they can even draw their bows, the young man leaps off the ground and lands right in front of them.
Immediately after his feet strike the ground, he delivers a sweeping kick and knocks out the soldiers surrounding him.
Lennox: .....!
✦✧☾✧✦
Rutile & Mitile: So cool.....!
Nero: ....What is that guy? A mercenary?
Figaro: No, he’s a shepherd.
Nero: A shepherd!?
Riquet: ....I don’t know any shepherds like him......
Shino: He’s huge.....
✦✧☾✧✦
Soldier: Aaaaaagh........!
Soldier: Run....!
(Footsteps)
The soldiers flee, pulling their injured comrades along.
The tall young man offers us his hand.
Lennox: Are you all right?
Akira: Thank you......
But as he helps me and Shylock back to our feet, his eyes widen.
His astonished gaze is fixed directly on Faust.
Faust, too, holds his breath.
Faust: You......
Lennox: .....Sir Faust.......
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Chapter 5 << | index | >> Chapter 7
Chapter 5 << | index | >> Chapter 7
Chapter 6: Set Fire to the Magic Headquarters!
6.1 After the Summoning Ritual
6.2 Wizards in the Portrait
6.3 Disappearing Bradley
6.4 A Heart on Fire
6.5 Invisible Wounds
6.6 The New Wizards
6.7 Humans and Wizards
6.1 After the Summoning Ritual
The summoning ritual is over; it’s nighttime now.
Akira: (I wonder when the new wizards will arrive.....)
(It must be rough. They were all living their own lives up till today, and now they suddenly have to take on this tremendous role.....)
(I guess the same goes for me, but.....)
(Knock knock)
Heathcliff: May I speak to you for a moment, Sir Sage?
Akira: Ah, I’m sorry. I’m already in my pajamas, so could you give me some time to change?
Heathcliff: Ah.... Excuse me. Of course; I’ll be waiting right here.
I put on a jacket and look for a scarf to keep me warm.
But the only thing I can find is a flashy shawl that seems to be made of bird feathers, so I sigh and wrap it around my neck.
Akira: Thank you for waiting.
(Door opens)
Heathcliff: Sir Sage.... .....Ah-choo!
Akira: S-sorry about the feathers.....
Heathcliff: No no, it’s fine. Are you headed out to a ball?
Akira: This does look pretty flashy, doesn’t it?
Heathcliff: I think it suits you very well. But we may not have time to dance tonight.
Sir Sage. Murr found a strange man sneaking around the magic headquarters.
✦✧☾✧✦
Cock Robin: P-please wait! I’m not suspicious! Please don’t kill me.....!
Akira: (Ah.... He’s the person who was with the bearded guy I met when I first arrived in this world.....)
Murr: He was wandering around looking for the entrance to the magic headquarters!
Cain: We keep the entrance hidden with magic. Those who are officially welcome would be permitted to pass through.
Shylock: And why were you sneaking around the magic headquarters? What business do you have? Which organization do you belong to?
Akira: Please wait! I think he was with the old bearded man!
If I’m remembering correctly — he’s Cock Robin, the secretary of Central Country.
Cock Robin: Yes! That’s right!
Shylock: Now that you mention it.....
Cain: I do feel like I’ve met him before.
Murr: I’m quick to forget things that don’t interest me.
Heathcliff: So what is the secretary of Central Country doing here?
Cock Robin: Ah, I guess I was taking a walk.......
Shylock: A word of advice: lies will get you nowhere with wizards.
Cock Robin: I’m sorry.... Sir Drummond ordered me to lure the sage out from the magic headquarters!
He said, "So long as we have the sage, we can take over the magic headquarters using military force, and make the wizards listen to our commands!"
Cain: What did you just say!?
Cock Robin: I-it wasn’t my idea! Those were just my orders!
I didn’t want to come near the magic headquarters either! You wizards could kill me!
Plus.....
Cock Robin looks down; he sounds like he’s about to cry.
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6.2 Wizards in the Portrait
Cock Robin: I don’t actually want to do this to you all, after everything you’ve done. You fought against the < Great Catastrophe > for us.
But I also understand where the minister is coming from. Wizards possess great power, but we cannot control them.....
Heathcliff: .....Why must we be controlled?
Heathcliff’s eyes reflect disgust and a tinge of sadness.
Cock Robin: Th-that’s.... In order to save the world......
Heathcliff: But we fought to save the world!
Shylock has had enough. He makes his contempt even more apparent.
Shylock: There’s nothing we can do. No matter how great the sacrifices we make; no matter how gently we smile to them....
As long as we possess these unknown powers that make us stronger than them, they will see us as enemies.
This "cooperation" they so insist on is merely a guise.
Cain: Cut it out.
Cain shakes his head bitterly at their words.
Cain: I agree that Minister Drummond and his agency take an overbearing stance towards wizards.
I don’t like their tactics either. But that doesn’t mean all humans are like them.
There has to be another path forward — one where wizards and humans can work together.
Cock Robin: Yes! Yes! That’s the sort of thing I wanted to say!
Murr: So what should we do?
Cain: Let’s consult Sir Snow and Sir White.
Murr: Sure. Here you go.
Cain: .....? What is this frame.....?
Heathcliff: A portrait of Sir Snow and Sir White....?
Snow in the portrait: Sage.
White in the portrait: Sage.
Akira: Woah, they spoke.....
Snow in the portrait: It’s the same as last night.
White in the portrait: We’ve gotten trapped inside this portrait.
Akira: What do you mean!?
Cain: Wait, so that wasn’t a joke!?
Murr: Ahaha, this is neat!
Snow in the portrait: This is no laughing matter, Murr.
White in the portrait: For some reason, we can’t use magic while we’re in here.
Snow in the portrait: We’ve tried to escape the frame, but.....
Snow & White in the portrait: Mmgh.....
The two of them slide out of the frame.
Snow & White in the portrait: But this is our limit.
Shylock: So you can come out of the portrait. Why are you playing around?
Snow: Take a closer look.
White: Our shadows are still stuck within the frame.
Heathcliff: How did this happen....? Were you two cursed....?
Snow: A curse....
White: Perhaps it was.....
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6.3 Disappearing Bradley
Bradley: Hey, you lot!
At that moment, Bradley appears.
He grins widely, aggression written across his face.
Bradley: I removed the barrier around the magic headquarters for you.
Cain: You did what!?
Bradley: And now we’re going to kill those bastards out there. If they attack us, we get to give them what they’re looking for, right?
I didn’t get to have any fun during our battle with the < Great Catastrophe >, so I can’t wait to give them a good fight.
Cock Robin: W-wait! Please don’t do anything violent!
Heathcliff: You were the ones who attacked us first.
Shylock: Oh, dear. I fear that we might have an all-out war between humans and wizards before the < Great Catastrophe > attacks next year.
Murr: Ahaha! Peace never lasts; that’s just how it is!
Portrait still in hand, Murr twirls around up into the air.
Murr: We only get along when we have the leisure to care for others. But the world is in absolute chaos now because of the < Great Catastrophe >!
Neither humans nor wizards can afford to be kind right now, because they’re all so worried about themselves.
Just as I can love the < Great Catastrophe > when it gently illuminates the night sky, but must push it back when it gets too close.
Murr’s eyes gleam like those of a mischievous cat; I can’t tell whether he’s being sarcastic or genuine.
Akira: (A war between humans and wizards...... That would be a complete disaster.)
(That bearded old man might be infuriating, but that doesn't mean we should kill each other.)
(I have to do something about this......)
In my desperation, I look at Bradley.
I shiver at the sight of his combative grin. Up till now, I had thought of him as an older brother type, just with a quick temper.
But the expression on his face is colder, more terrifying, and filled with more beast-like ferocity than the light of the < Great Catastrophe > itself.
Snow: Bradley.
White: Stop. You must not.
Bradley: Shut up, you old geezers. You really think I’m going to listen to you?
Haha...... Seems like your magic really is weaker when you’re trapped inside that painting.
(Sword unsheathed)
Cain: I won’t let you, Bradley.
Bradley: Ahaha! Drawing your sword won’t get you anywhere! Some upstart like you can’t stop me!
I am the great Northern wizard Bradley, leader of the Bandits of Death!
I’ll kill you all — humans and weak wizards alike!
Akira: ......P-please stop......!
Bradley: Shut up! You’ve got some nerve, locking me up like that!
Akira: ............
I draw back in surprise at Bradley’s raised voice. As I do, the feathers on my shawl flutter into the air.
Bradley: I’m never going back to that prison ce......
......Ah, achoo!
(Bradley disappears)
And with that, Bradley disappears.
Akira: .............!?
Cain: ......He disappeared!?
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6.4 A Heart on Fire
Heathcliff: Where did he go!? Did he run away!?
Snow: Bradley was not using magic.
White: He was sent flying by some other force.
Shylock: Some other force.... What a bizarre night this is shaping up to be.
Murr: But of course.
We got so close to the < Great Catastrophe >, after all.
Cain: For now, we need to figure out how to handle the minister and his forces — they’ll be here any moment now.
Heathcliff: Any moment now?
Cain: Yeah. Cock Robin mentioned it earlier, remember? Don’t worry. I’ll handle.....
Heathcliff: Cain, can’t you see?
There are already soldiers gathered in the courtyard.
Cain: No way....?
✦✧☾✧✦
Drummond: No need to hold back! Cock Robin should’ve gotten the Sage out of there!
Soldier: The magic headquarters suddenly appeared out of thin air.....
Soldier: Isn’t this all a trap set up by the wizards?
Drummond: Do not flinch! We must punish the wizards for kidnapping the Sage!
We need to place the Sage under our control so that we can tame those damn wizards before Prince Arthur finds out!
How dare they turn me into a mouse! I’m going to squeakcure — secure my revenge!!
Onwards, troops!
(Soldiers chant)
✦✧☾✧✦
Shylock: I suppose we have no choice but to fight. Let’s go and shake them off, Murr.
Murr: Okay!
Akira: Please wait!
Shylock: Sir Sage.....
Akira: Um, we’re supposed to be fighting the < Great Catastrophe >, right?
Why are we fighting against humans?
Heathcliff: Because they’re attacking us.
Akira: Mister Cock Robin, why are you attacking the wizards?
Cock Robin: We’re not trying to attack them! We simply want to keep the wizards under control, because they’re disturbing the peace.......
Snow: What a convenient definition of "peace" you have.
White: You made us fight the < Great Catastrophe >, and yet you demand even more of us.
Cock Robin: That’s because we can’t fend it off ourselves! But we are grateful to you all!
Murr: Okay, then this is a party!
Cock Robin: It’s certainly not a party, but.....
Akira: (I see.... Humans are afraid of wizards....)
(They believe the strength that protects them is also the power that could potentially hurt them.)
(If wizards existed back in my world, would the same sort of thing have happened....?)
That thought makes me very sad.
Shylock: Well, I’ll head out and calm them down for now. Do not worry—....
Murr: Shylock?
Shylock: ....ugh.... ngh......!
Heathcliff: Shylock....!?
Cain: Shylock’s chest is on fire.....!
Shylock crouches down on the spot, clutching his chest in pain.
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6.5 Invisible Wounds
Flames envelop Shylock’s chest, right around the crest he showed me earlier.
Shylock’s face twists in pain as he forces himself to speak.
Shylock: .....My heart.... ....My heart is on fire.......
Murr: Shylock.....
Shylock: .....gh.... Kuh.....
Murr: Does it hurt?
Shylock: ....You horrible man...... Can’t you tell......
Snow: It seems like we truly are feeling the effects of the < Great Catastrophe >......
White: We got too close to the < Great Catastrophe > — and suffered invisible wounds as a result of last night’s battle.
Heathcliff: We all did....!?
Snow: Indeed. We might not have realized it at the time, but our souls all sustained serious wounds.
White: And each of our wounds manifests itself differently. Take, for example, Cain’s eyes and Bradley’s disappearance. And us, trapped in our portrait.
Cain: ....What should we do.....?
Soldiers: Aaaaaagh.....!
Heathcliff: ....Here come the soldiers. Sir Sage, please stand behind me! I will protect you.
Akira: But.....
Cain: Heath! Take care of Shylock.... And also Sir Snow and Sir White!
Heathcliff: Got it... —Uh, that’s a lot of people!?
Cain: Murr. You come with me. Tell me where the enemy is!
Murr: Got it!
Cain: I’ll leave the rest to you!
(Footsteps)
Heathcliff: Uh.... G-got it!
Akira: Heathcliff, please take care of Shylock. I’ll hold Snow and White’s portrait!
Heathcliff: Thank you! Let’s escape to the magic tower for now! Shylock, are you all right?
Shylock: .....gh.... I wonder.... Would you like to swap places with me and find out?
Heathcliff: No way, I don’t want my heart to burn up..... ....I hope my wound isn’t painful......
Shylock: Heh.... Saying that means you’ll......
Heathcliff: Don’t talk! It hurts, right?
Soldier: There they are! Get them.....!
Heath turns around while supporting Shylock on his shoulder.
His pocket watch is in his hands.
Heathcliff: << Repsevaivulp Sonus >>
Soldier: .......!
Following Heathcliff’s spell, the dining chairs and tables begin to creak and wrap around each other like entangled ivy.
The barricade stops the soldiers from moving forward.
Heathcliff: Hurry, this way! Let’s hide in the tower!
✦✧☾✧✦
Heathcliff leads us to a tower with an elevator, much like the one I saw when I first arrived in this world.
We rush into the tower and come to a halt.
Heathcliff: We should be safe here... ......!
Heathcliff: The courtyard is on fire! Someone must have shot a flaming arrow..... ....Do they hate us that much.....
Snow: That’s not it. They’re simply afraid.
White: Those overwhelmed with fear will do anything to protect themselves and those important to them.
Heathcliff: But that doesn’t mean they should.... ......!
Shylock: .....The fire reached the tower.......
Heathcliff: I’ll extinguish it with magic!
<< Repsevaivulp... >>
(Door opens)
Soldier: There they are! Get them with arrows!
Soldier: We need to attack them before they kill us with their magical fire! Don’t hold back!
Wizards can’t die!
Shylock: Don’t be ridiculo.... Uugh... gh....!
Akira: Shylock!
Soldier: Fire!
Heathcliff: Sir Sage! Shylock!
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6.6 The New Wizards
As Shylock crouches to the ground and I bend down to support him, the soldiers unleash a wave of arrows at us.
Akira: .....!
If those arrows strike their mark, will it hurt? Will I die?
Will I never see my home again?
Countless thoughts race through my head in a single moment.
But right when the arrows are about to strike—....
A tranquil voice echoes across the room.
Faust: << Satillquinart Mullcreed >>
In a flash, the arrows are engulfed in quiet flames and fall to the floor.
The person standing beyond the embers that dance like burning petals is.....
Faust — who had been on the verge of death.
Heathcliff: Mr. Faust!
Shylock: .....gh.... Faust.......
Faust: ....So the humans came to attack us......
It’s clear that he hasn’t recovered yet — Faust’s shoulders heave with pain as he sneers.
Faust: That sounds just like them..... They’re quick to fear, quick to welter, and quick to attack.
I’m sick of playing their games. —If you so dearly desire an eternal slumber, I’ll grant it to you.
Right now.
Soldier: ......!
Snow: Faust. Stop.
White: Hurting humans will only exacerbate the problem. You must hold back.
Faust: I did hold back. In the distant past.
And you know exactly how my story ended. ....Humans simply repeat history, time and again......
That’s when the doors on the other side of the room begin to creak.
Thump, clatter — the sound of something being carried this way.
Akira: (Those doors. Is that an elevator....?)
Shylock: .....The elevator......
White: They’ve been summoned!
Snow: The new wizards are coming!
Heathcliff: The new wizards......
Soldier: More wizards are coming to attack us!?
Soldier: R-run....!
The doors slowly open.
And one by one, the wizards step out.
✦✧☾✧✦
Shino: I’m Shino, an Eastern wizard. I’ll be in your care.
Heathcliff: ......Shino.......
Nero: .......Eastern wizard, Nero. ......Well, nice to meet you......
✦✧☾✧✦
Riquet: I’m Riquet, a Central wizard. I don’t know much about the outside world, but...... Please take care of me.
✦✧☾✧✦
Rustica: I’m Rustica, a Western wizard. Thank you for inviting me here. By the way, has anyone seen my bride?
Chloe: I’m the Western wizard Chloe! I've been travelling the world with Rustica, and I used to be a tailor. Um, I hope we can get along!
✦✧☾✧✦
Rutile: I’m Rutile, a Southern wizard. I was a teacher in the South. I’m glad to meet you all.
Mitile: I’m Mitile, a wizard of the South! I’m the great witch Tiretta’s son. Ahem. Pleased to meet you.
Lennox: ....Lennox. I’m a Southern wizard. Nice to meet you.
Figaro: I’m the Southern wizard Figaro. Please take care of me.
✦✧☾✧✦
Arthur: I’m Arthur, a Central wizard. Sir Sage, I look forward to working with you.
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6.7 Humans and Wizards
Arthur: ......!
What in the world is going on here!?
Chloe: A fire!? And soldiers!? What’s happening!?
Rustica: I put on my best introduction, but it looks like everyone is rather busy at the moment.
Nero: Oh, come on.....
Riquet: ....So this is the outside world......
Mitile: Are the Sage’s wizards being attacked by soldiers? But why?
Shino: Who cares why? I’m here to help the Sage’s wizards.
I’ll put them down right now.
Figaro: Wait a second.
Shino: What?
Figaro: We shouldn’t attack the military using magic — it’ll just complicate things for the future. Leno, can I count on you?
Lennox: Got it.
Rutile: Mister Leno! Let me help you!
Lennox: No. Stand back; it’s dangerous.
(Footsteps)
Mitile: H-he’s kind of cool......
✦✧☾✧✦
One after another, new faces step through the elevator doors.
I can’t really make out what each of them looks like from a distance, but I notice a tall young man approaching us.
Soldier: H-he’s gonna kill us! Fire your arrows!
Soldier: Make a run for it when he flinches.....!
Heathcliff: Stop!
The soldiers prepare their arrows. But before they can even draw their bows, the young man leaps off the ground and lands right in front of them.
Immediately after his feet strike the ground, he delivers a sweeping kick and knocks out the soldiers surrounding him.
Lennox: .....!
✦✧☾✧✦
Rutile & Mitile: So cool.....!
Nero: ....What is that guy? A mercenary?
Figaro: No, he’s a shepherd.
Nero: A shepherd!?
Riquet: ....I don’t know any shepherds like him......
Shino: He’s huge.....
✦✧☾✧✦
Soldier: Aaaaaagh........!
Soldier: Run....!
(Footsteps)
The soldiers flee, pulling their injured comrades along.
The tall young man offers us his hand.
Lennox: Are you all right?
Akira: Thank you......
But as he helps me and Shylock back to our feet, his eyes widen.
His astonished gaze is fixed directly on Faust.
Faust, too, holds his breath.
Faust: You......
Lennox: .....Sir Faust.......
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Chapter 5 << | index | >> Chapter 7