Etude of the Sacred Treasured Sword | Chapter 1

[healingbonds]

| index | >> Chapter 2


Akira: Phew...... It’s really taking a while to clean up this room. ......Ah......
A commemorative medal of the Sage’s wizards. What a throwback...... This is from back then.
The Sage’s wizard, Riquet...... Haha, it has a picture of Riquet on it.

I gaze at the twenty-one commemorative medals lined up in their splendid casing and reach back into my memory.
To before we started accepting missions from around the world — when everyone had just started living at the magic headquarters.

✦✧☾✧✦

Riquet is still considering returning to the religious organization, but he has decided to stay at the magic headquarters for now.
He’s been looking forward to starting missions as the Sage’s wizards.
In order to guide people around the world to happiness, through the miracle of wizards.

Riquet: Now is the time for us to use the powers granted to us as disciples of God to guide the people ...... I want to carry out my role as soon as possible.
Even now, Prince Arthur is giving his all so that we — as the Sage’s wizards — can suppress the mysterious incidents happening around the world.
"I hope we can go beyond the borders of Central Country, and act as a magic headquarters for the world." That’s what he said!

Nero and I exchange a smile at Riquet’s enthusiastic chatter.

Nero: You sure like Mister Prince, Riquet.

Riquet: I love him! He’s kind, and he listens to what I have to say.
Oz doesn’t leave his room, and Cain is slightly unrefined. Also......
The holy wizard Sir Faust is my role model as a disciple of God — and he served Alec, the First King.
For his descendant, Prince Arthur, to meet me, a disciple of God...... Don’t you think this is fate?

Nero: You mean...... Mister Prince is King Alec, and you’re the holy Faust, Riquet?

Riquet: Yes. Doesn’t it feel like the legends from the era of the nation’s founding have been revived in this present day?

Nero: Haha. I see.

Riquet: I’ll serve Prince Arthur so that he can create the ideal world. I’m sure that’s my purpose......

Riquet murmurs dreamily. But Riquet, who admires the holy wizard Faust, doesn’t know.
That Alec and Faust’s friendship fell apart and Faust was almost burned at the stake, and that he now works as a curseworker.
Riquet looks up at the windows, and breaks into a brilliant smile.

Riquet: Oh......! It’s Prince Arthur and Cain!

✦✧☾✧✦

(Footsteps)

Riquet dashes out into the courtyard. Arthur and Cain ride their brooms through the sky, landing on the ground.

Riquet: Prince Arthur! I studied with Mitile today. And I helped Nero too!

Arthur: You’re doing great, Riquet. I’m happy to see you in good spirits.

Riquet: Ehehe...... What did you talk about at the castle? Can we start carrying out our roles?

Cain: Before that, can you touch my hand? Is this where you are?

Riquet: Wa—...... Sheesh! Why are you touching my face!?

Cain: I just want some comfort......

Akira: (Want some comfort......? That’s rare coming from Cain. Arthur looks tired too......)
......Did something happen to you two?

Arthur smiles slightly; maybe it’s because he’s tired, but his gaze seems absent.
His clear blue eyes shift wearily, and his movements are dull, like candy spun from a windless sky.

Arthur: In order to swiftly address the mysterious incidents happening around the world, I wanted to establish the magic headquarters as a deployable organization centered around Sir Sage, but......
It’s been considerably difficult to get approval......

Akira: Approval......? Do you mean that the higher-ups in Central Country don’t approve?

Cain: It’s not just Central Country. There have also been official objections and concerns pouring in from the West and the East, one after the other.

Riquet: But why? Isn’t it our role as the Sage’s wizards to bring happiness to people around the world?

Arthur: Of course. It’s just that...... There are too many layers of misunderstanding that have accumulated over the long course of history.

Riquet: Misunderstanding......

Riquet mumbles, looking slightly baffled. Arthur smiles kindly, as if to clear up Riquet’s uncertainty.

Arthur: It’ll be all right, Riquet. I’ll give it my all and prove my sincerity so that everyone will understand us.
Once I do, let’s solve the mysterious incidents around the world as the Sage’s wizards. Do lend me your strength, Riquet.

Riquet: ......I understand. But this means that we still can’t fulfill our roles as the Sage’s wizards for now, right?

Arthur: I’m sorry......

Arthur lowers his brows apologetically at a crestfallen Riquet.

Cain: Prince Arthur, it’s time.

Arthur: Ah, you’re right. We’ll have to return to the castle immediately after I stop by my room in the magic headquarters.

Nero: You’re not even eating before you leave? You should at least take a breather.

Nero appears in the courtyard without us noticing. Arthur shakes his head regretfully.

Arthur: There are still things I have to handle. I apologize if you’ve already prepared my share.

Nero: That’s no big deal, but......

Arthur: ......I wanted to eat the dinner you made, Nero......

Arthur mumbles with some loneliness, almost like a hungry puppy. But he raises his face resolutely, trying to pull himself together.

Arthur: I’ll look forward to it another day. Well then, Sir Sage. I’ll be leaving now. I’ll see you tomorrow, Cain. Riquet, take care!

Cain: Yeah. Take care.

Arthur: Ah...... That’s right. Sir Sage, has Sir Oz shown any signs of leaving his room?

I shake my head. Ever since he came to live at the magic headquarters, Oz has rarely appeared anywhere there are other people around.
I felt something resembling a bond with Oz during the Umbra Volans incident, so this curt attitude makes me feel lonely.
It’s not just Oz, but Faust too. They’re reliable during times of emergency, but they make no effort to interact with other people in their everyday lives.

Arthur: I see...... Sir Oz is not used to living in a place with so many other people, after all......

Riquet: Prince Arthur. Even if Oz isn’t here, I am. Please rely on me.

Arthur: Thank you. Of course I’m relying on you too, Riquet. Well then, I’ll see you another time.

| index | >> Chapter 2