Prelude to the Festival and Pride | Chapter 3

[healingbonds]

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The Central wizards listen gravely to Snow and White’s words.

Cain: You’re right...... It goes for any way of life — there must be a reason for someone to choose that way of living.
Even if I can’t agree, I still want to understand them. This might be my chance to do that.

Riquet: ......You want to understand the feelings behind dominating and hurting other people? Doing whatever they please without a single care for anyone else?

Cain smiles gently at Riquet’s bewilderment. He throws open the door, and walks out to the courtyard.

(Footsteps) (Birds chirping)

The refreshing morning sunlight shines down on Cain. He squints up at the birds flying through the sky as if he’s dazzled by the sun.

Cain: That’s right. There must be a reason that birds fly through the sky, just as there is one for fish to swim in the sea.
Why do they live that way? And what for? Once we understand that, then surely we can talk to each other.
I’m dense, you see....... I’m often told that I don’t understand other people’s feelings. That’s what happened with Nicholas too.

Nicholas — that’s the name of Cain’s acquaintance, who died in the Umbra Volans incident in the Central capital.
The man who used to command the Order of Knights — then became the leader of the Magical Technology Corps, tampered with forbidden sorcery, and ended up losing himself......
Cain turns around to look at us and smiles with a trace of loneliness, his bright eyes clouded over.

Cain: I thought Nicholas hated wizards; he was always insulting wizards, after all. That’s why I didn’t like him either.
But, he...... He really wanted to become a wizard. He wanted to become a wizard so badly that he helped bring about a tragedy.
Even now, I don’t understand why you would insult something that you admire. But what if, what if I had understood.......
Maybe I could have properly become friends with Nicholas — then he might still be alive somewhere out there right now.

Riquet: Cain......

(Footsteps)

Arthur: It’s just as Cain says...... I’m sure there are things about Mithra, Owen, and Bradley that we can’t deal with easily, but......
They all possess magical powers that are deserving of respect, and they’re long-lived wizards who have survived countless battles. I’d be glad if we could take this chance to become friends.

Arthur follows them out to the courtyard; hearing his words, Cain and Riquet smile and nod at each other.
At first glance, the Central wizards and Northern wizards seem like completely opposite existences.
But rather than push the Northern wizards away, it seems like the Central wizards are trying to understand them instead.

Akira: (How very like the Central wizards — always fair and friendly. ......Hm?)
What’s wrong, Oz? Is there something......

Oz: ......Put aside such foolish ideas.

Cain: ......Foolish? You mean trying to understand the Northern wizards? But weren’t you a Northern wizard yourself?

Oz: Yes.

Cain: Then why would you say such a thing?

Oz: Because none of you will understand.

Cain and the others’ eyes widen at his words, which are void of emotion. Oz slowly raises his staff.

Oz: It’s time.

Arthur: Are you going to summon Mithra and the others by magic? What if we waited just a little longer......

Oz: They will never gather of their own will.

Oz declares, stubbornly.
But at that moment, we hear footsteps approaching. We turn around, and the three wizards appear before us.
Mithra, Owen, and Bradley: the remaining Northern wizards.

Mithra: Sorry to keep you waiting.

Snow: Oh! You really came!

Bradley: What do you mean? You guys were the ones who told us to come.

Bradley says with a yawn as he casually combs a hand through his hair.

Bradley: This better come with a pardon — that’s the reason I talked Mithra and Owen into this. And now I have to treat them too.

White: Is that so, is that so! Excellent work, Bradley. Mithra and Owen are good boys too!

Owen: I’m counting on you today, Sir Prince; you too, Sir Knight. And are you Sir Religious Founder?

Riquet: No. I am a disciple of God.

Owen: Huh. That’s strange.

Arthur: I’ll be counting on you as well.

Cain: We might have a history, but today I’ll put that aside and give my support to Northern Country’s holy festival. Please show us around the North.

Owen: Okay. Mithra, Bradley. Here, shake hands with Cain.

Snow: Mithra, Owen, Bradley. You three should change into your festival outfits.

White: Chloe entrusted us all with matching outfits. One, two, three......

Snow & White: << Noscommia >>

Snow and White chant their spell, and in an instant, Mithra and the others change into different outfits.

Bradley: Must be a lot of work for the Western tailor every time.

Owen: Huh, these are pretty nice.

We are delightfully surprised by the Northern wizards’ punctuality and their friendly attitudes.

Akira: (Maybe it’s because they’re afraid of Oz. Maybe they’re only doing this for the reward, but still, the Northern wizards are meeting us halfway.)
(Perhaps this holy festival will be a good opportunity to deepen our friendship with the Northern wizards.)

My cheeks curve up at my positive thoughts, when I suddenly feel a powerful gaze on me.
Without my realizing, Mithra has come to stand beside me, looking down at me intently.
His deep green eyes look languid, with a savage air like he might bare his fangs at me at any moment.
Every time I’m faced with Mithra, the overwhelming force of his presence, compounded by his enticing languor and his dangerous sensuality, always makes me nervous.

Akira: Mithra...... I’ll be counting on you today.

Mithra: Huh.

Mithra replies noncommittally, never taking his gaze off of me.

Akira: (I... I wonder what’s going on........)

Chapter 2 << | index | >> Chapter 4