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cainluvr69 · 3 months

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"A World Brimming With Friends" Cain SSR Card Story - The Goal: Pull-Apart Bread!

translated not by me, but by sheeprave, another member of the translation group i'm part of!

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Cain: Come along then, my fair Purin. To commemorate us meeting again, eat all you like.

Purin: Wowie~! Look at all these tasty treats!

Cookies with a buttery scent, elegantly garnished chocolate, cake with generous amounts of whipped cream… The dining room table was laden with the treats Cain had bought.

Purin: Cain, thank you for bringing so much!

Cain: You're very welcome.

The pair looked at each other and smiled merrily. Purin, who had become able to use magic, came to visit this world again through some strange miracle.

Cain: I brought all of my most-recommended items. Since you wanted to try this world's sweets, I did my best to oblige.

Purin: Whee, I can't wait to try them. Let me have a smackerel! Zowie~! This chocolate is jam-packed with jam! Yummy!

Akira: That one's really good! I like it a lot myself.

Cain: Go ahead and have some too, Master Sage. There's plenty to go around.

Akira: Thank you!

Purin: Cain, you should eat too♪ Sharing makes it even tastier.

Cain: Thanks. Don't mind if I do.

We hung around the table with treats in hand and enjoyed a lively conversation upon our reunion.

Akira: Ah, these cookies are from that shop in the capital that's always got a line out front! Purin, try it!

Purin: Thanks! Mm, this one's yummy too! I'm so happy that I get to talk with my friends and eat lots of tasty snacks~

Akira: (S-So cute!)

Purin, with his angelic smile, was just so adorable that I kept suggesting more treats.

Purin: Gee, my tummy's full…

Akira: Same here. It was all so good, I couldn't help stuffing my mouth.

After spending a lovely time together, Purin and I rubbed our full bellies.

Cain: How about we head somewhere our fair Purin didn't get to see last time--say, outside the manor or around town?

Purin: Okay! But I ate a bit too much, so I want to rest a little.

Purin patted his round belly and gave Cain an envious look.

Purin: Cain, you ate lots too, but your tummy's not puffy. That's nice.

Cain: Ahaha. My abs are toned by all the drills I do. You wanna feel them?

Purin: Can I? Then just an itty-bitty touch… Golly gee whiz! Cain, your tummy's like pull-apart bread!

Cain: Like bread…? Not quite sure I understand, but thanks for the compliment! [1]

Purin: I want to work out my body and get slim and fit like you. Cain, what kind of exercise do you do? Can I become like you if I do drills too?

Cain: You don't have to be like me. You're plenty wonderful as you are, my fair Purin. But if I had to say… …Okay. Hey, if you don't mind, can we change plans?

[1] TL note: Cain initially misinterprets "pull-apart bread" (ちぎりパン chigiri-pan) as a synonym for "promise" (契り chigiri) . Given the very specific terms and implications, it was impossible to preserve this pun and still have it sound natural.

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After a short break, Cain brought us to a forest near the manor.

Cain: I do practice drills in this forest a lot. It's well-shaded and has plenty of open space. Perfect for working out, don't you think?

Purin: Uh-huh! The wind feels nice~♪

Cain: How about you try working out a little here today? I'll teach you the stuff I usually do.

Purin: Wowie, are you sure?

Cain: Yeah! I like your squishiness, but if you want to change, then you do you. I'd like to help, if you're okay with that.

Purin: I'll try my bestest! Thank you, Cain!

Cain: You're welcome. How about you, Master Sage?

Akira: I'd be happy to! I want to be shredded too.

Cain: All right! Then all three of us can do it. Although, what parts should we train…? …I know. You complimented my abs earlier. You said they were like pull-apart…pull-apart bread…?

Akira: Um, how do I say it… Pull-apart bread is a kind of food in our world. It's hard to describe it… It's bread that's meant to be torn apart and eaten, so it has furrows that mark each serving. I think what Purin is trying to say is that your abs are furrowed just like that kind of bread.

Purin: Uh-huh! And they looked delicious~♪

Cain: Oh, I see. So, setting a clear goal here, let's try and get you to have abs like that pull-apart bread. Hey, how about we do those Purin Exercises that you taught us before?

Purin: Okey-dokey~ I'm great at Purin Exercises! Want to join us, Mx. Sage?

Akira: Absolutely!

Purin: Purin, Purin~♪ Reach for the sky, then put your hands back at your side~

Purin proudly showed us his Purin Exercises.

Purin: And then you streeech~

Cain: …All right. Both of you, stop moving!

Akira: O-Okay!

Cain: From that position, try leaning over to one side as far as you can do. That should put your abs to work.

Purin: You mean it? Ummm, reach to the side~

Akira: Wow, you're right…! I can feel tension in my abs!

Cain: Ten reps of these on both sides, and that'll count as one set. I'll teach you what you can do alongside the Purin Exercises, just like this. Given the opportunity, I want you to have fun working out.

Purin: Okey-dokey! This'll be bundles of fun~♪

Cain: Glad to hear it! Then next up is…

Purin: 1, 2, 3… 9, 10! I did it! And that's how you do the Purin Exercises!

Cain: Well done! Fair Purin, Master Sage, you both worked hard.

Purin: And if I keep doing these, my tummy might become like pull-apart bread too~♪ Thank you, Cain! I'll teach this adapted version to my friends. But if I keep calling them Purin Exercises, maybe they'll get mixed up with the standard version?

Cain: Hmm. Then how about you add my name to it? It'll be "Purin-Cain Exercises."

Purin: Yippee, that's terrific~! Let's do that!

Akira: (That's a pretty straightforward name… But it suits them both, so it's nice.)

Seeing the two of them in harmonious agreement made my soul feel rejuvenated.

✦✧☾✧✦

After I had a great time working out and enjoying the sights with Purin and Cain… We had Purin bring us to Puroland with his magic.

Cain: Now this is magnificent! I'm getting excited just standing here. I almost want to break into dance.

Purin: Eheheh, don't you~♪ I love it here too!

Akira: Huh? I think I can hear the Purin Exercise music coming from over there…

Purin: You're right~! Maybe my friends are dancing to it. I'll start doing the Purin-Cain Exercises we put together with all of them tomorrow!

Cain: Sure! If you do it with people you're close with, you should feel more motivated and entertained.

Purin: Uh-huh! I can't wait to tell them all about it~ But we all worked out a whole bunch today, so I bet you're both hungry now.

Akira: Now that you mention it, yes… despite all the treats we ate before that.

Cain: It's because of all that good exercise. No wonder you're running low.

Purin: Oh goodie, then let's go out and munch together! I'll bring you to my favorite restaurant. They have meat and veggies and dessert too~

Akira: Purin's favorite restaurant…! I'd love to go!

Cain: Yeah, please! I'm really in the mood for meat. They've got it there?

Purin: Of course they do~! Grilled, simmered, steamed, fried, whatever you care to try! There's steak and pasta, salad and ramen, cake… and pudding too!

Akira: They've got a huge selection…! Just listening to you is making my stomach rumble.

Purin: And I can feel my tummy grumble just by talking about it! …Ah, but if I eat again, will my tummy not be like pull-apart bread?

Cain: It'll be fine. Once you've eaten your fill, we can exercise again. You can't deprive yourself long-term. Just work hard and play hard and you'll feel much better. Besides, you can't build muscle without nutrition. Your abs won't be like pull-apart bread then.

Purin: Ohh! Then I'll eat bunches too~ So my tummy will be like pull-apart bread!

It warmed my heart to see Purin cheerily bouncing along and Cain chatting with him, matching his tiny stride.

Purin: I know! Since you hosted me in your world, I'll host you both at the restaurant.

Akira: Thank you, Purin. I can't wait!

Cain: It's deeply appreciated, my fair Purin.

Purin: You can count on me! After we eat lots of tasty things, let's do the Purin-Cain Exercises again.

Cain: Ahaha, that's an extravagant digestive aid. I'm excited for that too.

I followed a few steps behind Purin and Cain. I could see their cheery profiles best from that angle. That day of unceasing mirth, even more mystical and special than usual, wore on jovially.

After the Purin-Cain Exercises Is…

Akira: Hello, Cain. Are you doing your drills?

Cain: Master Sage. I'm done with my drills and was just doing some stretches. And… hup! …Phew.

Akira: Oh, you did that back stretch during the Purin-Cain Exercises too.

Akira: Now that I'm thinking about it, did you invent the moves you added to the exercises?

Cain: No, those are basically practice stretches I did while I was in the knights. I picked the ones that are easy for beginners and can tone their muscles without stressing them. You could feel the effects even with just light stretching and twisting of the body, right?

Akira: Yes! It loosened up parts that I don't usually move, which felt stimulating. And maybe it's just a placebo, but it feels good for digestion. I'm doing it whenever my stomach's full now.

Cain: Oh, wonderful! The most important thing about exercise is to not quit. Keep doing it at a pace that won't wear you out. Let me know when the exercises become easy for you. Then I'll come up with a Purin-Cain Exercises 2 that pushes you a little more.

#.mhyktl #.cardtl #cain knightley #'why didn't you tl this yourself' i've written too much gore of cain. okay #there's too muhc of his blood on my hands for something this cute do you GET IT do you UNDERSTAND #MY FREAKING PLIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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cainluvr69 · 4 months

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4th Anniversary Event -- Surely, We Can Make Miracles (Complete)

this event is a direct continuation of main story arc 2! if you haven't finished reading that, please do so before reading this one!

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26

#WE'RE DONE HERE

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cainluvr69 · 4 months

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Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 26

Previous Chapter

Hwylryn: …Balthazar…Balthazar…!

Mithra: … Is there a point in continuing our fight if that person has turned to stone?

Hwylryn: …

Mithra: Let's be done. This is enough for tonight…

Hwylryn: Mithra…

Mithra: …Hey, Hwylryn. Isn't this enough?

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Arthur: We need to stop that light, or something terrible is going to befall Borda Island!

Murr: We need to get back to the island to intercept it! Oz…!

Oz: Wait.

Oz was staring at the ends of the sky, and then turned his gaze to Mithra.

Oz: Mithra!

For a moment I'd wondered if he'd heard him, but then Mithra looked down at Oz. He was so far off, I couldn't tell what expression he was making.

Oz: Kill me.

Mithra: …

Oz: We do not have enough time to wait until dawn.

Mithra: …What are you talking about?

Oz: You need not do it with your own hands!

Mithra: …

Mithra silently looked back at Hwylryn. I couldn't see his face, but I could still tell he was bewildered. Hwylryn's huge mouth moved a bit, as if trying to tell Mithra something. Whatever it was Mithra heard, his head fell heavily for a moment, until he looked up again. A strange light began to gather in his crystal skull, though he didn't take his gaze off Hwylryn even for a moment. And Hwylryn flexed his claws and bared his fangs. A blizzard kicked up around them. It was the same snow that fell upon their homeland.

Mithra: Oz. Don't start saying things as stupid as that. I know where my prey is.

Mithra laughed. For a moment, Oz's expression turned bitter. He gripped my hand and examined my face, trying to ascertain what was in my heart.

Oz: I will stop Balthazar's attack. We will depart from here and return to the island. …Is that alright?

But before I could respond, Hwylryn and Mithra, clad in light so harsh it hurt to look at, dove down into my line of sight. I didn't think I'd be able to forget that sight for as long as I lived.

Akira: Yes.

Oz squeezed my hand tightly. I kept my grip on his hand firm, too. I needed to make sure he knew what was in my heart.

Oz: <Vox Nox>

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Nero: …! Hey, somethin's comin' this way outta the ocean!

Bradley: That ain't good… We need t' intercept it!

Mitile: Okay!

Riquet: Look! There's a dragon in the sky…!

Mitile: I see Mithra, too…!

Oz: <Vox Nox>

Riquet: …! Oz…!

Arthur: Riquet!

Riquet: Prince Arthur! And Shylock's here and okay, too!

Shylock: Yes, I am. My apologies for worrying you.

Mitile: My brother and Cain are okay, too! And Lord Snow, and Chloe and Rustica, and all of the other Eastern wizards, too!

Arthur: Thank goodness!

Murr: We can get all emotional later! It's almost here…! <Eanul Lambru>!

Shylock: <Inviebelle>!

Bradley: <Adnopotensum>!

Nero: <Adnodis Omnis>!

Riquet: <Sunrotea Edif>!

Mitile: <Scintilla>!

Arthur: <Pernoctant Nixzo>!

Oz: <Vox Nox>!

Everyone brandished their magical focuses, chanting their spells in unison. A swell of pale light burst forth, wrapping itself around us in an effort to stop the red light from the sea. Its force dwindled, just a bit. But not enough to stop it. Mermaids and dolphins poked their faces out from the waves, having noticed the path the red light was taking. Vivid blue lightning arced across the sky, silhouetting Hwylryn and Mithra's fight in black-and-white snapshots.

Akira: (At this rate, Borda Island will…!)

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Heathcliff: …! Mr. Faust, look!

Faust: What is it?

Heathcliff: There's something that looks like a dragon in the distance, that way!

Shino: I can feel something dangerous approaching us, too…

Figaro: …

Snow: …Fear not… We will have everything under control…

Faust: "We"…?

Figaro: Then, Lord Snow…?

Snow: …Hoho… I found him… Come back to me, White. <Noscomnia>

Figaro: …! Lord White…!

Snow: Let us speak as one. One, two…

Snow & White: <Noscomnia>

Heathcliff: Lord White!

Shino: Thank goodness! I'm happy for you, Snow!

Snow: You came back, dearest White.

White: You brought me back, dearest Snow.

Snow & White: We are one. In life, in death, and forever after--we are one.

Figaro: …Whew… Things are finally back to what I'm used to…

White: Is that Hwylryn?

Snow: Yes, it is. But he's not what we need to be worrying about right now. Spirits from the bottom of the sea are on their way to sink this island.

White: We'll stop them.

Snow: Oh yes, we'll stop them.

Figaro: Thank you, you two!

White: Hoho. All of you can wait right here. Let's be off, my dearest Snow!

Snow: Let's be off, my dearest White!

Snow & White: <Noscomnia>!

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Arthur: …ghh… It's too strong, we can't…!

Oz: …If only the sun would rise…

Oz took a long look at the sky--still dark and full of stars. The red light was carving its way towards Borda Island, slowly but very, very surely.

Akira: (Was I not focused enough?!) (I need to stop thinking about Hwylryn…) (…I can't. I can't do that.) (Not when he's right there in front of me.)

Shylock: Master Sage! Look…!

Akira: Huh…? Ah…! Snow! White!

Sacrificium: …!

Akira: You brought Saku-chan, too…!

Snow: Ohoho! Sorry for making you wait!

White: Ohoho! Sorry for making you worry!

Oz: White…

Arthur: Lord White! I'm so glad you're okay…!

Bradley: Heh. Cheatin' death again, huh? We need you to get to work, so don't get too comfortable!

White: I'm well aware! Now, dear Snow…

Snow & White: <Noscomnia>!

Mitile: …! The red light is getting smaller…!

Arthur: We only need a little more! Let's do this!

A small fleck of light joined with the wave of magic pushing back the relentless red onslaught. More little sparks joined the first, their number increasing bit by bit. I thought that seemed strange, so I looked back over my shoulder. And there they were: the wizards that we'd met in the island market.

Market Wizard: We're here to help.

Market Wizard: We heard the details from the little miss, the new lord. She said they might try sinking the island!

Market Wizard: This island's our livelihood.

Market Wizard: We've gotta put in the effort to protect our home ourselves!

Akira: Thank you, all of you…

Market Wizard: And it's not just us wizards showing up, either! The humans are putting their boats to sea, getting ready for whatever happens!

Market Wizard: Master Sage! Let's all put our backs into it and protect this island together!

Nero: You guys…

Bradley: We've got some serious backbone on display here. Alright, then I'll step up, too. Time to get ourselves in sync!

Owen: Oh, you think you get to take charge?

Bradley: Man, don't argue! Let's do this! Three, two, one…!

At Bradley's command, the wizards in attendance all strengthened their spells. The sparks from the market wizards, the mere flickers of light, turned the wave of my wizards' magic into something bigger, something brighter--something that could gently embrace the spirits that threatened to destroy their home. Embraced by light, the spirits' dreadful red glow slowly weakened, losing force as it faded away. Soon, there was nothing left on the other side but the clear sky, awaiting dawn. And then… The red light that Balthazar had called from the depths of the ocean glittered and vanished into the blue waves.

Mitile: Yes…!

Riquet: We've protected the island…!

All the wizards in attendance, both Sage's wizards and those from the market, started shouting and cheering happily. And then… I thought I heard someone say my name.

—Akira.

Akira: …

I turned and looked up at the sky. I heard Mithra's voice on this aerial stage, backed by the gentle glow of dawn's first light.

Mithra: <Arthim>

It was such a beautiful morning. Blue and red extended off into infinity, past the gentle curve of the horizon, a sash tied neatly around the circumference of the world. Under that beautiful sky, a gem resplendent with all the colors of the rainbow shattered, its crystals raining down upon the sea. They fell into the water, plip, plop, the inauspicious sound of rain heralding those rainbow gems' descent into the depths of the sea. It was a beautiful sight. One better suited for a dream. The mermaids and dolphins watched the crystal rain with a solemnity typically reserved for prayers. And I…knew that I'd just lost a friend.

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Borda Island Resident: What just happened…?! Did the wizards over the ocean save us…?

Borda Island Resident: Ah… Look… There's gemstones falling into the water…

Borda Island Resident: You're right… …It's so pretty… It's the kind of thing they write songs about… Like the one about the lost prince's legacy… The rain of jewels…

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: …

Arthur: Master Sage…

Oz: …

Arthur was looking at me, worry clear on his face. I knew that he was worried and yet, I couldn't get my tears to stop falling. All I could think about was my beloved Hwylryn's innocent smile. The way he spoke so cheerfully.

—Do you want some too, Akira? —It's a promise. —I'm glad we met.

Mithra: …

Mithra was staring at something in the palm of his hand. Hwylryn's stone. He turned and looked at me and then, saying nothing, stepped through one of his doors through space and vanished. I didn't know where he went. And, just like that, the strange incidents plaguing Borda Island were over.

✦✧☾✧✦

Dianne: Master Sage, I sincerely apologize for all the trouble I have caused. And I must thank you as well for saving Borda Island from its imminent catastrophe.

Dianne was very grateful once we returned to the castle. It felt a little bit like the air around her had changed somehow. Before, she'd had a powerful and commanding presence, if an overly rigid one, but now her smiles felt…genuine.

Dianne: I deeply troubled everyone in the castle, and the townspeople as well… I plan on restarting my studies from the beginning to try and avoid doing this again.

Castle Butler: Lord Dianne, are you certain about reinstalling the magical technological oven in the kitchen?

Dianne: Yes. Yes, it's just fine. It's something that needs to be done if I ever want the former head chef to return to his position here.

Castle Butler: I'm sure he will, your Lordship.

Dianne: Thank you… When that time comes, Master Sage, please come visit Borda Island again. We will be eagerly awaiting you!

Dianne smiled a bright and carefree smile. The expressions of all the castle servants seemed more at ease now, too.

Claudia: Master Sage, I'd be delighted if you could return to be Dianne's companion again.

And Claudia was also kind and friendly with us to the very end of our visit. She'd said she'd known Vincent a long time ago, but hearing her stories would have to wait until next time, too.

✦✧☾✧✦

Heathcliff: Goodbye, Vespa. Thank you so much for everything.

Vespa: …

Shino: Hey, she's holding something. Put your hand out for her, Heath.

Heathcliff: What is it? Woah, what pretty shells… You're giving all of these to me?

Vespa: ……

Shino: That's a lot of nodding. Yep, they're all yours.

Heathcliff: Thank you. Let's see, which one should I give to Shino…

Shino: Are you stupid? You don't know the first thing about a girl's heart.

Heathcliff: I…don't think that's true.

Shino: Are you for real? Man, I just know blood's gonna get spilled over you in the human part of the world.

Heathcliff: Don't say scary things like that! Thank you so much, Vespa. I'm pretty good at detailed craftwork, so I'll make you a new accessory for the next time we meet. Like that barrette you're wearing.

Vespa: …! …!

Shino: Ahaha! Look how happy she is! If she keeps smacking the water with her tail like that, she's gonna splash us.

Heathcliff: Ahaha. I'm just happy she's happy. Well then, I'll see you again sometime, Vespa.

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox: I'm sorry for troubling you, Lord Faust…

Faust: No, you didn't do anything of the sort. If you want to say thanks to someone, you should be thanking the others…

Lennox: …

Faust: … This incident has made me reflect on a few things. You have a very strong heart. The fact that you could get possessed like that despite that strength must mean that my…halfhearted demeanor towards you made you falter.

Lennox: …

Faust: So I want to say it again. I have no intention of being happy, and because of that, there isn't a place for you at my side. But…if I were to want something similar to happiness, even just a little bit… I'd want to be able to watch over you being happy. That's all I'd want.

Lennox: Lord Faust… … My happiness is…

Faust: Yes…?

Lennox: My happiness is your happiness.

Faust: …

Lennox: If you can't be happy, Lord Faust, then I can't be happy, either.

Faust: But… You… I…

Lennox: Never.

Figaro: Both of you are so stubborn…

✦✧☾✧✦

Riquet: I learned a lot from this incident. In particular, I now understand just how difficult it is to act as a guide to the people.

Mitile: Yeah.

Rutile: I've learned the same thing from teaching. Trying to gather all my students and their different views and lead all of them is a really difficult thing to do.

Riquet: Yes. For instance, Mitile.

Mitile: Huh, what?

Riquet: If the path that I wanted to lead you down and the path that Rutile wanted to lead you down were different, whose guidance would you follow?

Mitile: Wh--what?!

Riquet: Incidentally, I'd want you to pick my side.

Mitile: That's… Um, well, I… I-I'd want to make my decision based off what you both want from me, instead of just picking you or Rutile.

Rutile: Wonderful. That's a good path for you to take, Mitile.

Mitile: Riquet, would you listen to me if I was the one guiding you?

Riquet: The other way around…?

Mitile: Hehe… Watch out, I might get strict with you.

Riquet: That's kind of exciting, actually.

Mitile: Exciting…?

Riquet: Please let me follow your guidance when we have the chance.

Mitile: I'll do my best!

Rutile: Ahaha! The two of you get along so well. You know, it's almost time for us to go back to the manor, but I haven't seen Mithra anywhere.

Riquet: I wonder if he already returned to the manor without us.

Rutile: Maybe… I hope he's doing okay…

✦✧☾✧✦

Arthur: The Sage doesn't seem to be doing very well right now…

Oz: …This is true…

Arthur: I'm worried about you too, Lord Oz…

Oz: … I want to see…you talking, eating, sleeping, laughing… For another thousand days.

Arthur: … We do still have to contend with <the Great Calamity>, Lord Oz.

Oz: I suppose we do…

Arthur: I'm very happy to have you watching over me. But I'd like to have the chance to watch over you, too. I recently asked Lords Snow and White if they know if you've been getting enough sleep these days.

Oz: So that was your doing…

Arthur: It's quite nice here in the sunlight. Why don't you lay down and take a nap? I'll be right here to protect you.

Oz: Haha… So the opposite of how it has been until now.

Arthur: Ahaha! Yeah, I suppose it is.

Oz: <Vox Nox>

Arthur: Woah, a bed.

Oz: It is daytime. Such a triviality is of no consequence.

Arthur: Alright, time to lay down… Rolling around on a fluffy bed surrounded by sand and sea, listening to the sound of the ocean breeze, feels awfully decadent…

Oz: It does…

Arthur: The sun feels so nice…

Oz: It does…

Arthur: … …zzz…zzz…

Oz: … You must have been exhausted… … I never tire of seeing you so at ease.

✦✧☾✧✦

Chloe: You did soooo much this time, Rustica! It was rough, but I wanna say job well done!

Rustica: Why thank you, Chloe.

Chloe: But I think you should learn how to swim just in case we have to fight underwater again.

Rustica: You have a point. However, I am already fond of myself, unable to swim though I am.

Chloe: I'm already fond of you, too! And so… Tada! I found something just for this.

Rustica: And what would that be?

Chloe: Leather boots that'll keep you super buoyant! I even altered them to fit your legs better. Come on, try them on!

Rustica: Why thank you again, Chloe. Let's see… Like this?

Chloe: They suit you perfectly! Okay, now try walking on top of the water!

Rustica: Alright. I'll give it my best shot. Without further ado… …glub blub blub…!

Chloe: Wahh! The boots are floating, but Rustica's sinking!

Rustica: <Amores Viesse>

Chloe: Rustica, are you okay?!

Rustica: …gasp… Yes, I'm fine. These boots are a bit frightening, however.

Chloe: They areeee! I'll come up with something else!

Rustica: I shall eagerly await your next idea.

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain: How about you be done here?

Owen: Excuse me? I can eat however much I want to.

Cain: Well, I guess so, but… Either way, you really are strong, huh. I was really impressed by how fast you can think on your feet while watching you fight that dragon.

Owen: You do the same when you have a sword in your hands, Sir Knight. But you did only just start using magic, so it's only natural you'd think that.

Cain: I guess so… By the way, why did you turn yourself into Natalie?

Owen: Who?

Cain: The lady you turned yourself into. With the black hair and kind of sexy vibes? Sounds like she was scamming rich folks. They said it was a good thing you identified her.

Owen: Hmph.

Cain: Oh, you've got some coconut on your face. Let me get that.

Owen: Hah?

Cain: I think I'll get a refill on my coffee. Do you want anything to drink? I wonder if there's anything like drinking sweet cream?

Owen: Hah?

Cain: Excuse me. Can I add to our order?

Owen: Don't treat me like you would Riquet.

Cain: Riquet eats way more neatly than you do. Let's see, can we get a coffee, and… What did you want?

Owen: Hot chocolate.

Cain: Won't torta di cocco plus hot chocolate be kind of overwhelming?

Owen: I'm the type to open my trunk when overwhelmed.

Cain: Hmm, well, I guess I'm the type to push my body to the limit, too.

Owen: What? What does that mean?

Cain: A coffee and a hot chocolate, please.

✦✧☾✧✦

Bradley: Good grief. They really made me work this time.

Nero: Hey, Brad… I've got somethin' I wanna talk to you about.

Bradley: Nn?

Nero: 'Bout Figaro and the twins.

Bradley: Oh, yeah…

Nero: You wanna take care of 'em yourself, right? Or should I take the honors if I get the chance?

Bradley: You can't do it on your own. So obviously I'm gonna be doin' it. If you're alone, don't lay a hand on 'em.

Nero: Izzat right…

Bradley: But hey, we're only gonna be goin' after 'em once we beat <the Great Calamity>, yeah?

Nero: …! Damn, I almost forgot…

Bradley: Are you kiddin' me… Can't believe this is the kinda thing you get hasty about…

Nero: Th…that ain't true!

Bradley: Sure it is. But that's why you're my number two. You can be pretty damn scary when you want, Nero. You had the new recruits tremblin' like a leaf. Well, y'sure made me popular with them instead. Heh.

Nero: Now that ain't true. Sorry, but I was way more popular with the new meat than you were.

Bradley: No, I was.

Nero: I'm tellin' ya, it was me.

Bradley: Me.

Nero: It was me.

✦✧☾✧✦

Sacrificium: …

Shylock: …I see… So that's what happened between you and that sea dragon, Master Sage…

Akira: …Yeah… I… …I'm sorry, I'm still… I can't really get the words out…

Shylock: You don't need to force yourself to say anything. Simply being at your side like this lets me know what you're thinking. I've spent quite a long time doing just that… I'm quite proud of that ability.

Akira: …Thank you… …I think…I hurt Hwylryn…

Shylock: Why's that?

Akira: …I had Mithra bring torta di cocco for him. I thought he'd be happy to get it and want to listen to what we had to say, but… …But yesterday, we promised we'd go get some together… I broke our promise… Instead, I took advantage of it to try and negotiate with him… I thought giving him cake would make him happy, I thought I could talk to him, I thought he'd understand where we were coming from…I was being so shallow… …I feel like I…walked all over Hwylryn's feelings, even though I was trying to treasure them…

Shylock: That's not true. I'm sure he understood that you were thinking of him, and that your actions were the result of careful consideration on your part, even if you lacked the words for it. He was a very clever dragon, after all.

Akira: …sniff… If you say so…

Shylock: I am sure that he was grateful that you never gave up on being his friend… I am sure you made him happy.

Akira: …sniffle… …Thank you…

Shylock: I have also…found myself wishing I could have spoken with Balthazar under better circumstances.

Akira: Why did he kidnap you like that?

Shylock: Perhaps it sounds a bit presumptuous given I'm the one saying it, but he was attracted to me.

Akira: Attracted?

Shylock: Yes. I, who could do what he hadn't been able to, sparkled in his eyes the way a hero does. To be attracted to someone in such a way puts the idea that you're "lesser" than them into your head. But that adoration mixes poorly with Northern pride. He couldn't separate it from his envy, his hatred, his possessiveness, or his desire to "conquer" me. Northern wizards aren't the only ones who go through these sorts of things. It can happen to the rest of us, and even humans as well. When one's emotions get all mixed up like that, it can be difficult to make out what is what, like a half-finished painting…

Akira: …Losing track of your feelings…

Shylock: It's very important to keep things neat and tidy in one's own heart, just as in one's own room, so that you do not lose track of such important things. We are just as liable to have our souls shatter to pieces as a certain someone was.

Akira: That's right… How did Murr help you, Shylock? I mean, back when Adams Island sank…

Shylock: Why, he didn't. He was so wrapped up in his research he didn't notice the huge mess I'd gotten wrapped up in at all.

Akira: R…really? Then how did you escape the island?

Shylock: Balthazar simply released me. He didn't kill me. I was what he wanted so badly, after all. I imagine he didn't want to see the world with that desire of his shattered to pieces.

Akira: … That makes sense…

Chloe: Master Saaaage! We're gonna go home soooon!

Akira: Okay…! (Mithra…never came back…) (When we get the time, I want to…) (I want to talk to Mithra about Hwylryn a bit more.)

The sound of the waves drew my eyes back to the sea. I thought about the world of endless blue that surrounded that undersea city. The place that had once been Adams Island. I imagined Hwylryn, Mithra, and myself walking down its stone steps. In a world where Adams Island had never been destroyed. In a world where we were just…people, walking down its streets and waiting to meet up with each other. In that world, I'm sure I would've kept my promise. And we'd be chatting and laughing happily. Beneath the endless blue sky.

✦✧☾✧✦

Shylock: … Welco…

Murr: Shylock!

Shylock: …

Murr: Wheeze…wheeze… …cough…! …Huh?

Shylock: …What's wrong? Did you catch a cold?

Murr: No, I flew here on my broom… Cough…wheeze…! …Adams Island…

Shylock: Oh, yes. You finally heard about that? All of that went down a month ago. And Professor Murr Hart was wrapped up in his work the whole time. Even the City of Nectar itself feels awfully neglected.

Murr: … Are you…

Shylock: Are you asking about how I fared with Balthazar? Don't tell me you came all the way here just because you were worried about me?

Murr: Haha. Of course not.

Shylock: Of course not. Was it because you were worried about your laboratory on Adams Island, then? Unfortunately, it's at the bottom of the sea now. I certainly hope you had notes on all your research materials.

Murr: Well, I have enough. I've still almost certainly lost some things, though.

Shylock: That's good to hear. Now, what would you like to drink?

Murr: …Just water, for now…

Shylock: Water? You?

Murr: No, give me my usual. …cough, cough… …I changed my mind…water…

Shylock: What a strange person you are…

✦✧☾✧✦

Snow: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play!

White: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play!

Snow: We love you! Gwawlyn! Hwylryn!

White: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play again sometime!

Snow & White: Waaahhh! We loooost!

Snow: We hate you! Gwawlyn! Hwylryn!

White: We're never playing with you again! Gwawlyn! Hwylryn!

✦✧☾✧✦

Snow: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play!

White: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play!

Snow & White: Yaaaay! We woooon!

Snow: We love you! Gwawlyn! Hwylryn!

White: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play again sometime!

Snow: Gwawlyn…?

White: Gwawlyn, dear?

✦✧☾✧✦

Mithra: …Hey, Hwylryn. Isn't this enough?

Hwylryn: Mithra. Just because I left the North doesn't change the fact that I was born there. There's nothing more humiliating than being told I'm not worth killing by someone who's acknowledged my strength.

Mithra: …

Hwylryn: Akira decided they're the Sage. Because they treasure all of you.

Mithra: …

Hwylryn: So, what will you do?

✦✧☾✧✦

Dianne: Master Sage, and all the Sage's wizards! Please take care…!

Claudia: Come visit us again sometime!

Akira: Yes! We will!

People waved at us from the ground as we sat astride our brooms--well, I sat astride one of the wizards' brooms. Even the Borda Island townspeople looked up and waved at us as we passed them by. The dazzlingly blue sky and glittering silver clouds reminded me of his white scales. The sound of the ocean breeze suited the sight of white-tipped waves on the horizon. And in the interstice of sea and sky hung the moon--big, white, radiant. <The Great Calamity>. That which had woven the first link in our bonds. The day of our fight against it, one with the fate of the world lying in the balance… Was coming ever closer.

#.mhyktl #.eventtl #.main story tl #4th anni

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cainluvr69 · 4 months

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Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 25

Previous Chapter

The stone steps that Hwylryn led us to were beautiful. His magic, or maybe it was Balthazar's, shined in place of streetlamps, a constellation under the sea. I had a basket filled with sweets. He had the sight of an island destroyed many centuries in the past. I'm sure walking down the cobblestone path with Mithra on one side and Hwylryn on the other was a strange sight. Everyone else was watching us from afar. Balthazar floated in place between the three of us and the rest of my wizards. Oz and Arthur. Murr and Shylock. Owen was a little ways away from them, sitting on top of his trunk. Their clothes and hair floated in the current in the same way they would have in the breeze. Little bubbles danced around them. Hwylryn looked down at me, smiling gently.

Hwylryn: I had a lot of fun with you at twilight. Flying through the sky with Akira was fun. Playing around with Mithra was, too. It's gonna be dawn soon.

I didn't know what to say. I wanted to hold out the torta di cocco that Mithra had brought down all this way and have that somehow stop all the fighting… I really did mean to say something like that. But I had the image of my wizards, covered in injuries, circling in my head. He'd said that the Northern twins were his brother's enemies.

Mithra: I'm not forgiving you.

Mithra spoke before I could even open my mouth. He was wearing a look of disgust I'd never seen on Mithra before. His vividly green eyes were dark, the color of moss in a forgotten city.

Mithra: You put your hands on Rutile. I made a promise to protect him.

Hwylryn: You made a promise, even though you're a wizard?

Hwylryn was surprised, but I could still see a bright smile full of joy on his face.

Hwylryn: That's so wonderful. I'm glad you found someone you felt you could make a promise with.

Mithra: …

Mithra pressed his lips together, like he didn't know what to say in response to that.

Akira: Could you… Um, could you take this?

Hwylryn: More torta di cocco?

Akira: Yes…

Hwylryn: Thank you. I'm really happy. But we already made a promise to go back to the store together tomorrow… Does this mean we're not doing that?

He smiled sadly.

Akira: N… …No, we…

I couldn't get any more than that out. The kind, lonely scent of parting wafted through the air between us. Talking with one another was supposed to let us know each other better so that we could find a solution to our problems together. I wanted to tell him all about how precious each and every one of my wizards was. But the words just weren't coming. Everything I came up with floated up and away from me before disappearing, just like bubbles. Still, I couldn't just give up.

Akira: …Is there any way you can stop working with Balthazar?

Hwylryn: I let Gwawlyn die. I can't let Balthazar die too. What about you, Akira? Can you stop being the Sage?

Mithra: Excuse me?

Hwylryn: Can we play as just you and me, without this whole "Sage" thing getting in between us? I want to stay with you. Can we do that, Akira?

I lifted my head, my breathing trembling. Hwylryn's expression was earnest and genuine; he wasn't bothering to hide what he wanted, not even a little. His sincere, charming gaze told me he hadn't spoken a single untruth. I didn't…want to reject that gaze. I didn't want to hurt him. But…

Akira: …I…can't do that… Because I was only brought to this world so that I could be its Sage… …No… It's because I love everyone who calls themselves my wizards… I can't just stop being the Sage. I don't…want to stop…

I did my very best to convey everything to him, even as my voice shook. Tears spilled from the corners of my eyes, disappearing into the ocean. Hwylryn closed his eyes and mumbled something, as if trying to plead with me.

Hwylryn: I see…

Mithra: …

Mithra's lips were trembling. I wonder if he wasn't able to find the right words right now, either. But Hwylryn grinned, looking like a little kid about to pull a prank.

Hwylryn: Well then, Mithra! How about we pick up where we left off?

Mithra: …I suppose we should.

Hwylryn's smile was infectious, and it had caught Mithra in its trap; Mithra was smiling like he didn't have a care in the world right now.

Mithra: I'm not going to lose.

Hwylryn nodded, and then he held out his arms to us. He embraced us, hugging us as tightly as he could. His skin was as warm as it'd been inside his mouth. He stroked my hair somewhat reluctantly, resting his cheek against the side of my head.

Hwylryn: It only took a single evening for us to become friends. But still, I love both of you. I'm happy we met, Akira.

✦✧☾✧✦

Faust: Figaro!

Figaro: Faust… Leno! And the Eastern kids, too!

Mitile: Leno…! Leno!

Lennox: …Mitile…

Shino: Told you we'd get him back, Mitile!

Heathcliff: Did you get the cintamani stone?!

Figaro: Yep. Lord Snow should be a-okay soon enough. Thank you.

Heathcliff: Thank goodness…

Shino: So now we only need to worry about Shylock.

Riquet: Thank goodness you all came home safe! Don't you think, Mitile?

Mitile: Yes…sniffle.

Lennox: Sorry, Mitile…for making you worry…

Mitile: …I'm so happy… I'm just so happy you're back, Leno!

Figaro: Yep. Thank goodness. Everyone was all worked up, you know.

Lennox: …Sorry.

Figaro: No… I'm the one who should be apologizing here. I'll tell you all the details later…

Lennox: …? Okay…

Figaro: Putting that to the side, those wounds look terrible. Mitile. Can you make some healing potions to help with treatment? Make enough for the Eastern wizards, too.

Mitile: On it! <Ortonik Sealsispilce> …Is that good?

Figaro: Yep. Well done. We've got a lot of people with injuries, so make as many as you can.

Mitile: Alright… I hope my brother is okay…

Figaro: Mithra is with him. He'll be fine.

Mitile: …You're right. Leno, close your eyes and get some rest, please.

Lennox: …Alright…thank you…

Faust: … Figaro. Look after the kids for me. I'm going to meet back up with the Sage.

Shino: Us too…

Faust: No, you're staying here. Both of you should be on the verge of completely exhausting your magic. You wouldn't be able to move after very long.

Figaro: That goes for you, too.

Faust: But…

Figaro: Riquet, could you go grab Nero and Bradley? If things are all settled in the castle, ask them to head into the ocean. I'm worried about the others.

Riquet: Understood.

Figaro: Mitile, Riquet, can the two of you go underwater, too? I imagine we have people down there who are hurt or magically exhausted and can't get back on their own. I'd go there myself, but if someone seriously injured is brought back and I'm not here, I might not be able to make it back in time to treat them.

Mitile: Okay… Hopefully Rutile and everyone will be coming back okay, but we'll go out to greet them anyways!

Figaro: Yep. I'm trusting you guys.

✦✧☾✧✦

Bradley: That damn Figaro, pushing me around like I'm his underling…

Nero: What else were we supposed to do? Oh, Riquet, right there's good. We're gonna be using your lantern as a landmark.

Riquet: Yes! <Sunrotea Edif>

Mitile: How pretty… It's as bright as the last star in the sky at dawn!

Riquet: I hope that it can serve as a proper guide for those who may need it…

Nero: It will. But it might serve to guide our enemies, too. I'll be here to back you up if any weirdos start showin' up.

Riquet: Thank you!

Mitile: So you're with me, Bradley! We're going to search for anyone who might need help from the sky!

Bradley: Damn, guess we gotta. Guess I'll help ya out.

Mitile: Rutile…I hope you're okay…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Chloe: …Gasp… I managed to get up to the surface, but I don't have the strength to fly back…

Rustica: …

Chloe: …I need to pull it together… Rustica can't swim, after all… But… It's super dark, and the waves are so tall, so I don't know which direction to go… … …My arms…are so tired… …Ah… Was that super-bright star…there before…? …No… That's Riquet's lantern…! Riquet's here! Everything's going to be okay, Rustica! If we can just get that far, you're gonna get help! I wonder if he'll hear me from over here?! Heeeey…! Heeeey…! Riiiiqueeeet…! …I guess the waves are so loud he can't hear me… …Someone help…

Mitile: <Scintilla>!

Chloe: …! Wah, I'm floating…! Rustica is, too…?!

Mitile: Chloe! Rustica!

Chloe: Mitile…!

Bradley: See, what did I tell you. I toldja you'd be able to lift two grown-ups at once, and here you go provin' me right.

Mitile: Yeah! …But…I don't know if I can carry them both all the way back to the castle…

Bradley: Leave that part to me. Lil' tailor guy, get on one of our brooms.

Chloe: Bradley!

Bradley: Good work, kid. Hang on tight. Make sure Mister Bridesgroom doesn't fall.

Chloe: Bradleyyyy! It's really bad down there! We ran into a dragon that looked like a human, and…

Bradley: Gimme all the details on the flight back to the castle.

Chloe: Okay…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Borda Island Youth: Why are you taking out a boat in the middle of the night, Miss Natalie? Where are you going? Or are you planning on some morning fishing?

Natalie: Don't be stupid. A bureaucrat is going to be digging into things around here by the time dawn breaks. I'm taking the down payments we got for vacation homes and getting out of here. If the plan had gone the way it should've, we'd have ten times this amount… What a waste… Oh well. Maybe I'll meet a wandering prince with a huge inheritance, like the one those traveling bards keep singing about.

Borda Island Youth: Hn? Miss Natalie, weren't you going to marry me?

Natalie: …?! A door just appeared on the boat?!

Borda Island Youth: There's water coming out of it?! Is this seawater?! There's so much water coming out…! The boat…! It's gonna sink…! We gotta start bailing out the water! What's up with this door?! It won't close…! Aahh! All our money…!

Natalie: The money is sinking into the ocean…!

Cain: …Uwah…!

Rutile: …Wahh…!

Natalie: The playboy from this afternoon?!

Cain: …Cough… O-Owen?!

Borda Island Youth: The boat…the boat is sinking…!

Bradley: <Adnopotensum>!

Natalie: …?! Why is my body floating…?!

Bradley: Am I collecting all'a you guys, or what?

Cain: Bradley!

Mitile: Rutile…!

Rutile: …Mi…tile…

Mitile: …Oh no, these wounds are terrible… But, I'm glad we found you…! Everything's going to be okay now! You too, Cain!

Bradley: Guess we'll cart these freaks that were with 'em back to the castle, too.

✦✧☾✧✦

Owen: … Hey. He said that I'm stronger than you are.

Balthazar: …

Owen: What's up with that dragon?

Balthazar: If I call for him, he'll come.

Owen: Oh, really. So you didn't call for him even though you had a Central wizard and Western wizard wailing on you? Can't believe a Northern wizard like you is being reduced to begging a sea snake like him to save you.

Balthazar: …

Owen: Oz, are you listening?

Oz: …

Owen: Shylock, did you hear that?

Shylock: …

Owen: That's all you amount to as a wizard, Balthazar.

Balthazar: <Mare Praeda>

Owen: <Cuare Morito>

Balthazar: …?! What…?! That trunk is absorbing my magic…?!

Owen: You got it. A wizard who's completely lost his heart has a finite supply of magic. You should be running out pretty soon. You're just not on my level.

Balthazar: …kh…!

Murr: Good one! So you attacked him so you could take his magic for yourself?

Arthur: If all of Balthazar's magic is in Owen's trunk, he won't be able to run away even if he tries!

Balthazar: Urrgh…ghh…! …You're stealing…my magic…

Owen: Just shrivel up and die already!

Oz: …Owen…!

Owen: …?! …Aaahhh…!

Shylock: The dragon is… Hwylryn is eating Owen…!

Murr: <Eanul Lambru>! Woah, he's fast! I missed!

Arthur: …!

Oz: Where are you going, Arthur?!

Arthur: I need to save Owen! Lord Oz, you can…

Balthazar: <Mare Praeda>

Arthur: …! <Pernoctant Nixzo>

Oz: …Arthur…!

Balthazar: Oz! I'll turn you and your disciple to stone together, here and now…!

Murr: …I'm gonna go help out Oz and Arthur!

Shylock: I'll assist Owen!

Mithra: You don't need to do that.

Shylock: Mithra…!

Mithra: I'm going to kill Hwylryn.

✦✧☾✧✦

Owen: …gh…! <Cure Memini>! …Dammit…it's not working… That should've blown those fangs out of his mouth… Open your mouth, you…!

Mithra: <Arthim>

Hwylryn: …!

Owen: …gh, the fangs are out…!

Hwylryn: Mithra…

Mithra: Owen.

Owen: …What?

Mithra: We're swapping off.

Owen: Excuse me?

Mithra: I'm going to kill him.

Hwylryn: …

Owen: Fine by me. I'm going to go get revenge.

Mithra: Who are you avenging?

Owen: Whoever.

Mithra: Did someone turn to stone?

Owen: As if. They had me protecting them.

Mithra: …

Owen: I protected them. Got a problem with that?

Mithra: …No… Take care of the Sage after you kill the other one.

Owen: Sounds like a pain… Sure, fine. I can do that.

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: …I hope everyone's okay…

Shylock: Master Sage, this way!

Shylock was protecting me as we traversed the undersea city. Murr and Arthur were fighting Balthazar right in front of us.

Murr: <Eanul Lambru>!

Arthur: <Pernoctant Nixzo>!

Balthazar: <Mare Praeda>

Arthur was protecting Oz's back, desperately blocking Balthazar's magical attacks. Balthazar was infuriated.

Balthazar: Use your magic, Oz! Are you mocking me…?!

Murr: Freaking duh, Balthazar! Oz is the greatest wizard in the world! Do you have any idea how far beneath him you are?!

Balthazar: How dare you…! <Mare Praeda>

Murr's provocations stoked the flames of Balthazar's fury, and he began a series of attacks, one after the other. There was a terrifying amount of force behind them, but that didn't matter very much if they didn't hit--and they didn't.

Shylock: …I was intending to bring you back to Lord Oz's side, but that seems like it could be a bit dangerous at the moment. …! <Inviebelle>

That same moment, a bitterly cold twister of ice aimed its jaws at us from overhead. Its terrible current threatened to freeze everything around it, but before it could reach us, Shylock exhaled, the smoke from his pipe wrapping around us. That smoke turned into pale pink bubbles as it spread out, protecting us.

Shylock: Everything is okay, Master Sage.

Akira: Okay…

Something massive cast a shadow above our heads. It was Hwylryn and Mithra. The twister of ice had probably been Mithra's magic. There were patches of ice all over Hwylryn's huge tail. But with a sweep of his tail, the ice was gone.

Balthazar: <Mare Praeda>

Murr had been elegantly dodging Balthazar's attacks when Hwylryn's huge body suddenly rushed past him. Without any way to escape, Balthazar's next attack was set to hit home.

Murr: …!

Arthur: Watch out…! <Pernoctant Nixzo>!

Oz: Arthur…!

Arthur threw up a barrier around Murr. But Arthur's barrier wasn't enough to stop the attacks of a Northern wizard like Balthazar. The barrier cracked, a black gash running through it.

Arthur: …!

The crack widened, but right as I thought it was going to swallow them up… A ferocious dog's howling reverberated through the water.

Owen: <Cure Memini>

A dog with three heads crashed through the darkness as it howled, charging towards Balthazar.

Balthazar: …!

The glass bubble floated out of the way--Balthazar avoided Cerberus's charge. Still, Cerberus was faster, and it whirled on Balthazar and chased him.

Owen: Go. You're my dog, right? Tear him apart!

✦✧☾✧✦

Cerberus leapt forward and caught the bubble of glass.

Balthazar: …!

✦✧☾✧✦

Hwylryn: Balthazar…!

Mithra: Where are you looking? Your opponent is me, if you forgot.

Hwylryn: …!

Mithra: <Arthim>

✦✧☾✧✦

Balthazar was glaring daggers at Owen from his vantage point under Cerberus's front paws. But that glare warped into a grin, and he began to laugh.

Balthazar: …Haha…

Owen: …

Balthazar: Haha… I understand…

Owen: Yeah? Tell me what you understand.

Balthazar: I should've just done this from the start, instead of hesitating…

Shylock: … Stop that, Balthazar.

Shylock's expression as he looked at Balthazar was a tense one. I wondered what they were talking about. I was about to ask when I realized something and gasped. I remembered what Murr had said. Balthazar had both the inclination towards and means for sinking an island.

Murr: You're going to sink Borda Island?!

Owen: What?!

Balthazar: Wicked gods slumbering beneath the sea, hear me… Spirits of darkness, primeval souls of creation… I offer…my body and soul to you…

Shylock: Balthazar…!

Balthazar: …Give me the power to rend land and sea apart…! <Mare Praeda>

Balthazar screamed his spell. The next second, his head disappeared inside of the glass bubble.

Shylock: …Balthazar…

A tremor ran through the undersea city. A dreadful red light was born from the bottom of the ocean, filling the area.

Murr: We're getting back up to the surface now!

Arthur: Master Sage! This way!

Akira: What about Mithra?!

Owen: He'll be fine! Hurry!

With Arthur's guidance, I finally took my place at Oz's side again. We held our hands out to one another, our fingers linking.

Oz: <Vox Nox>

And with that, we were in the air again.

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: …! The wind…

It had been so long since I felt air on my skin that for a moment, my body didn't know how to react to it. Owen had been pulled up with us by Oz's spell, and he was mad about it.

Owen: Excuse me? Why did you drag me along with you? I can fly by myself, you know.

Oz: …

Owen: Don't just ignore me. Say something.

Arthur: Master Sage! Look…!

Arthur was looking down, pointing at the ocean we'd just been in. There was…light, or something like light, carving itself a path from the undersea city towards Borda Island.

Murr: That was a forbidden summoning spell!

Shylock: He fed his own body and soul to the spirits…to sink Adams Island, as he did now.

But back then, Hwylryn had saved Balthazar. Left with nothing but his head, he slept for a very, very long time--that was the only way he could've continued to stay alive. But right now, Hwylryn was… Fighting Mithra, tears rolling down his cheeks and scattering in the pre-dawn sky.

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#.mhyktl #.eventtl #.main story tl #4th anni

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cainluvr69 · 4 months

Text

Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 24

Previous Chapter

Murr: Where's Arthur?!

Shylock: I can sense his presence from that direction…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Arthur: <Pernoctant Nixzo>!

Balthazar: …kh…! If only I had a body! A child such as this would pose no threat…!

Arthur: Hahh…hahh… Murr! Shylock!

Shylock: Are you unhurt?!

Arthur: Yeah, somehow! If both of you are okay, then we need to head over to where the sea dragon is! Cain and the others are in danger!

Balthazar: You think I'll just let you walk away?! <Mare Praeda>!

Shylock: <Inviebelle> I don't think this much mist will be enough to stall him for very long, sadly.

Murr: It's fine! As long as he's connected to the abyssal jade, he shouldn't be able to follow us very far…

Balthazar: Wait…!

Arthur: He's following us.

Murr: Woah, don't push yourself! Hey, are you gonna be okay being far away from the jade for this long?

Balthazar: If I take your body, that won't be a problem! <Mare Praeda>!

Arthur: Murr, watch out…! …Aaahhh…!

Murr: Arthur!

Shylock: What a terrible wound… We need to begin treating him as soon as we get a chance to catch our breath!

Murr: A chance to catch our breath?! Like where?! Like at a cafe or something?

Shylock: If you mean a centuries-old one, we should be finding one very soon.

Murr: Oh, you're right! This really takes me back!

Arthur: …gh…I'm fine… We need to hurry!

Murr: Arthur! You do not need to cover for me, okay?!

Arthur: I will anyways!

Murr: Why?!

Arthur: Because you're my comrade, and because you've been very kind to me!

Murr: Wai…

Arthur: …Tsk, this is a dead end! Let's destroy these buildings so we can escape! I know this is a place full of memories for the two of you, though, so is that okay?!

Shylock & Murr: Feel free!

Arthur: <Pernoctant Nixzo>! That made a gap! Let's go! Woah…! That pillar is crumbling! Be careful when going under it!

Murr: … Who raised this kid, again?!

Shylock: Don't let him out of your sight, or else we'll lose track of that rascal!

Balthazar: Wait…! Shylock…! Hwylryn! Hwylryn, come here…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: Where's Arthur's group?!

Oz: They are split between Arthur's location as well as that of the sea dragon. I can feel the presences of both, but they are far from one another. To whom shall we proceed?

Akira: … To Arthur. If he's not in any trouble, then we'll go to meet Hwylryn afterwards.

Oz: Understood.

✦✧☾✧✦

Owen: <Cure Memini>

Cain: …Owen…! (This whole time, I haven't been able to see our enemy.) (But I can see Owen fighting, and that's been more than enough to tell me how strong our opponent is.) (Owen's opening his trunk and calling Cerberus…) (Being underwater isn't doing a thing to stop them… All three huge heads are baring their fangs.) (Ah… They got knocked back so easily.) (Owen isn't just standing around doing nothing, either. He was diverting the water currents while Cerberus was attacking, and…he's getting closer to our opponent!) (I need to make sure Owen's attack succeeds… I need to draw my sword…!)

Cain: <Cure Memini>

Cain: <Gladius Procella>! (Owen's magic is freezing the water in the shape of a spiderweb…!)

Owen: Tch…

Cain: …! That didn't stop him…

Owen: So this is a Northern dragon, huh…

Rutile: Hwylryn! Please, think this over…!

Hwylryn: Hey, don't get any closer! You'll get pulled into things, and that'd make Akira sad.

Rutile: Cain and Owen are both Akira's wizards, too! Hurting either of them will make them sad!

Hwylryn: Oh no…

Cain: (Our enemy's voice is trembling, just a little bit.)

Owen: …

Cain: (Owen's trunk started glowing. I need to time this right…) (Now…!) <Gladius Procella>!

Owen: <Cuare Morito>

Cain: (We're more in sync now!)

Hwylryn: …! …Ahh…my eyes…

Owen: …

Cain: (Owen's smiling. Does that mean our attack did some real damage?) …?! Something's getting closer…

Balthazar: <Mare Praeda>!

Cain: …! Look out…!

Owen: …Sir Knight…!

Cain: Aaaggghhh…!

Arthur: Cain!

Shylock: Cain! Owen…!

Hwylryn: …Don't be mad at me. It hurts and I can't see. I can't hold back like this.

Rutile: …! Waaahhh…!

Hwylryn: …! No!

Arthur: Rutile! <Pernoctant Nixzo>!

Rutile: …ah…uu…

Arthur: Rutile! Hang on, Rutile!

Rutile: …cough… I'm…okay…

Arthur: … Sea dragon…

Hwylryn: I told you this was going to happen. Go back to the shore already.

Shylock: Cain! Cain…!

Cain: …gh…Shylock… I'm glad…you're okay…

Shylock: …

Owen: …Sir Knight…

✦✧☾✧✦

Balthazar: Hwylryn! Surely you can drive these louts off.

Hwylryn: Balthazar… It's dangerous for you to leave the jade's area of effect looking like that.

Balthazar: I had no choice but to expose this wretched form of mine because you weren't where I told you to be!

Hwylryn: I'm sorry…

Balthazar: …Did you get hurt?

Hwylryn: Yeah…

Balthazar: I'll heal you. <Mare Praeda>

Hwylryn: Oh, I can see again. I'm glad I can see you again. Thanks.

Balthazar: Heh.

Hwylryn: …Ah…

Balthazar: …!

Hwylryn: …Akira's presence…

Balthazar: Oz's presence…!

✦✧☾✧✦

The mermaids guided us to the underwater city. But there was a point partway in that they refused to progress past--they were scared.

Oz: …I can sense Arthur. As well as the dragon and Balthazar…

Akira: …

And then, before I could say anything, the faint outline of a door drew itself in front of me.

Mithra: <Arthim>

It opened to Mithra, who had a wicker basket tucked under his arm. I'm pretty sure the basket was for the torta di cocco I'd asked for.

Akira: Mithra…!

Mithra: Sorry to make you wait, Master Sage. Where is Rutile?

Oz: He should be with Arthur and the rest of their group.

Mithra: Oh, can you use your magic right now? If you can't, please vacate the area at your earliest convenience. I'm not going to be protecting you.

Oz: I have no need for you to do so.

Mithra: Hearing you say that is pissing me off…

Oz: … There is no need for you to protect me. But there is still a need for you.

Mithra: …

Oz: We must depart.

Mithra: Hey, hey, say that again. And be a bit more descriptive this time.

Oz: I will not.

Mithra: What did you say? You need me?

Oz: I said nothing of the sort.

✦✧☾✧✦

We continued deeper into the undersea city. The elegantly carved pillars and stone paving had once overseen the livelihoods of countless people, but now, they were traversed only by schools of fish. It felt rather strange to see those fish drifting peacefully through what had once been windows, or diving through what had once been roofs. It was beautiful in the way Wonderland must have been when Alice first stepped through the looking-glass. But for me, stepping into Wonderland meant facing the painful reality that awaited me.

Hwylryn: …Akira…

Hwylryn's clear, silver eyes began to glow with happiness once he saw me. But moments later, that innocent expression of his darkened; it was a place where light couldn't reach for long, much like the bottom of the ocean. It was as if…he'd heard me say goodbye before I had a chance to say it.

Akira: …Ah…

I felt pinned in place as I stood there, Mithra's basket under my arm, saying nothing. I saw my wizards, covered in wounds. All of them were in tatters. Cain and Rutile's wounds looked especially bad. Shylock and Arthur…and even Murr were riddled with injuries. They all looked like they were on the verge of breaking down. Even Owen had a few cuts here and there.

Owen: …Master Sage…

Next to Hwylryn was a man's head with a red coral necklace hovering where his shoulders should have been. The head was inside of what looked like a big bubble of glass. I was staring at a severed head, but for some reason, I didn't feel any fear or unease. He had brown hair that should've dusted the tops of his shoulders, and deep blue eyes… It felt somehow like seeing anyone else's face reflected back at me in a mirror. Maybe it was because his glossy skin was completely unblemished, unhurt, and he could still blink at me.

Akira: (That must be Balthazar…) (The wizard that sank Adams Island…)

Mithra: …

Mithra's face stiffened as he looked at Rutile's limp form, drifting through the water. But he didn't panic or yell. He simply quietly, calmly, took Rutile into his arms. He brushed Rutile's golden bangs aside, his hair floating through the water. Mithra closed his vibrantly green eyes.

Rutile: …Mithra…

Mithra: You're truly such a fool. It should be obvious that being underwater is going to be much more dangerous than remaining on land. Why did you come down here?

Mithra's words were harsh, but the tone of his voice was gentle, as if he were lulling Rutile to sleep.

Rutile: I'm sorry…

Rutile's voice was just an apologetic whisper. Owen turned his back to them and then spoke.

Owen: Don't act like he was being useless. You sure weren't here helping out.

Cain: …Owen…

Owen: Same goes for you, Sir Knight. Mithra, open one of your doors. Send Rutile and Sir Knight back to land.

Cain: Wait, I can still…

Owen: Shut up. There's nothing else you can do after this.

Cain: …

Owen: … …You did well.

Cain: Huh…?

Owen: Hurry up, Mithra.

Mithra: Understood. <Arthim>

Mithra recited his spell, and another door drew itself in the empty space before us. The world on the other side was kind of blurry, but an endless river of seawater started gushing out on that side of the door.

Shylock: Cain. Please take care of Rutile.

Cain: …What about the rest of you…?

Shylock: I, for one, would most certainly like to leave as soon as possible, but I imagine that'll be impossible for the time being.

Murr: It's impossible to know if we'll be able to disappear into the crowd or not.

Balthazar: Of course you can't.

Oz: Arthur. You must also step across the threshold.

Arthur: I don't want to…

Oz: You must withdraw from here.

Arthur: I don't want to! I'm not saying that because I want to make a name for myself as a hero, or anything like that!

Arthur's voice was low, but his gaze was sincere as he made his appeal.

Arthur: If I withdraw, then…there won't be anyone left to protect you, Lord Oz.

Oz: But…

Balthazar: I will not allow that one to withdraw from here. He claimed to be your disciple. Before I turn you to stone, I will make you watch as I eat his.

Oz: …

Oz glared at Balthazar. Before stepping through the door, Cain grabbed Arthur's hand, still supporting Rutile with his other arm.

Cain: …Make sure you come back…

Arthur: Of course. I'll bring everyone else back with me, too.

Their fingertips slowly, reluctantly parted from each other's. The door that crossed through space closed and disappeared. I looked at Hwylryn. Hwylryn looked at me, too. Neither of us moved. His hair, white like seafoam on the waves, danced a drifting, wavering dance through the water. Hwylryn extended an arm and pulled Balthazar towards himself. He drew Balthazar into his arms, maybe to embrace him, maybe to hide all of him including the bubble of glass from our gaze, and then he said something to him.

Hwylryn: Is it okay if I talk to Akira?

Balthazar: Why? So you can betray me?

Hwylryn's eyebrows drew together as he smiled so very, very kindly.

Hwylryn: I won't betray you.

My chest began to ache. The fingers carrying the basket of cake began to tremble.

Hwylryn: Akira, let's go. Let's talk on those stone steps over there. We'll have a nice, unobstructed view from there. If anyone moves, we'll know.

Mithra: I'm coming, too.

Balthazar: I am not waiting for you to finish up your conversation. I'm going to turn Oz to stone.

Hwylryn: No, you aren't. Oz is about as strong as I am, you know? The guy standing there with the red and yellow eyes is stronger than you are, Balthazar.

Owen: …

Hwylryn: Just wait until we're done talking. You guys are fine with that too, right? I won't hurt a hair on Akira's head.

Arthur: … Understood. I trust you.

Hwylryn: Thank you.

✦✧☾✧✦

Heathcliff: …Gasp…!

Shino: Are you okay, Heath?!

Heathcliff: Yeah! Thank you, Vespa! We're gonna fly the rest of the way to the castle on our brooms! We'll be safe there!

Vespa: …

Heathcliff: Ah… This isn't goodbye, Vespa.

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: I'll definitely come see you again! I can even come tomorrow, or any day at all! Thank you, Vespa!

Shino: Thank you!

Vespa: …! …!

Lennox: …This isn't goodbye… Who are we parting with…?

Faust: A mermaid that was a great help to us. …They aren't saying goodbye to you. Don't worry.

Lennox: …

Faust: I'm not going to up and vanish on you without a word.

✦✧☾✧✦

Figaro: …Sounds like things are calming down outside the castle. The local lord went out and said her piece, so I guess that's what calmed them down…? Hard to believe they'd do that after hearing that the wizard that sank Adams Island might be aiming at this one too instead of getting all freaked out about it. Everyone who lives here must love this island. They want to protect their home. … …I should have enough…of the cintamani stone's antidote now… Now I just have to figure out how I can make him drink it… It's almost dawn… … Lord Snow… Please wake up. Pull yourself from that cramped frame with your magic, like you always do… … …Trees, mountains, the ocean, even my homeland changed their forms and disappeared… The two of you are the only other wizards to have lived for as long a time as I have. Lord Snow… Lord White…

✦✧☾✧✦

Snow: Dearest White. Hmm? Dearest White~? Where have you gotten yourself off to, my dearest, darlingest Whiiiite? … No answer… White! White…!

White: Ohoho. I'm here, I'm right here.

Snow: Oh! What were you doing?

White: I was watching the sky to the east. We should be seeing Figaro soon.

Snow: Riding atop his broom, I imagine. We did foretell that that settlement wouldn't last.

White: He's always been fond of humans, he has. He wants to live alongside them.

Snow: He keeps settling down in one settlement after another, living with them, and when it doesn't go well, he comes back to us. He must be tired of it by now.

White: Such is the nature of things. Living alone as Oz does is too lonely for him.

Snow: What a good thing it is that there's two of us.

White: Indeed. What a good thing it is that there's two of us.

Snow: I hope we'll still be together when we turn to stone. I would be lonely dying without you, White.

White: I feel the same. I'd be terribly lonely without you, Snow. I have never wanted to live alone even for a moment.

Snow: Neither have I.

White: Truly?

Snow: Truly. Hm…? Is this a dream?

White: …

Snow: Are you seeing the same dream, White?

White: …

Snow: Please, answer me. Hey, White… …White…! …It'll be okay… …It's just fine… Just like that fateful day, I… …I'll definitely bring you back to me… I'll never let you leave my side… So wait for me, White!

✦✧☾✧✦

Figaro: … …No matter how I call to him, I'm not seeing any reaction… …It's a bit primitive, but…I wonder if…smacking the frame…would work… …

Painting Snow: …

Figaro: Lord Snow…!

Painting Snow: …gh…uu… <No…> <Noscomnia>

Figaro: Lord Snow…!

Snow: ….Hoho… …I can…hear your voice…

Figaro: Don't speak too much. Just drink this medicine.

Snow: …Gulp… Gulp, gulp…

Figaro: …

Snow: …Ohoho… I heard a…terrible, privileged voice… …So I came out to greet it…

Figaro: …Always with the comebacks…

Snow: …Worry not…dearest Figaro… As soon as my magic returns to me… …I'll bring White back… I will…

Figaro: …I know you will.

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#.mhyktl #.eventtl #.main story tl #4th anni

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cainluvr69 · 4 months

Text

Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 23

Previous Chapter

Cain: …kh…

Chloe: I can't…breathe…

Hwylryn: Of course not. This is the bottom of the ocean. Children of man aren't meant to live here. So can you hurry back to land already? Anyway… I guess I should be getting back to Shylock now.

Rustica: …My apologies, but… I'd like you to accompany us for just a bit longer. <Amo…> …gh!

Chloe: Rustica…!

Hwylryn: Nope, you don't get to do that. Your singing makes me start daydreaming. The next whirlpool is going to take you right up to the surface. Don't try to fight it. It's pointless. And it'll only rip you up.

Rutile: …Hwylryn…! Please, listen to what I have to say…

Hwylryn: I'll see you tomorrow. On land. Now withdraw.

Cain: …I won't…let you…! Uwaaahhh…!

Rutile: Aaahhh…!

Rustica: …Chloe…!

Chloe: Rus… Everyone…!

Natalie?: <Cure Memini>

Hwylryn: …Oh, my.

Cain: …You…you're… The lady from earlier…?!

Natalie?: … Excuse me…?

Cain: You were really a wizard?!

Natalie?: Excuse me? The fact that you can see me should give you all the answers you need.

Cain: …Huh? I mean, we got pretty touchy-feely earlier.

Natalie?: We did?

Cain: Huh?

Natalie?: Hah?

Cain: …You're Owen!

Natalie?: Sir Knight. Don't tell me you did something unbecoming of a knight to this woman.

Cain: Of course I didn't! I just didn't have a handkerchief, so…

Owen: You don't even have something like that? Chloe, can you believe this. Cain doesn't have a handkerchief.

Chloe: …sniff…Owen…

Owen: Heh. What, did this guy make you cry? What a wretched sea snake you are.

Hwylryn: Oho. Something interesting showed up.

Owen: I'm going to turn you into dog food. <Cuare Morito>

Hwylryn: I don't think that little puppy's tummy can fit me.

Owen: …kh… (This guy is…strong…!)

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox?: …!

Faust: … (Leno's moving his arms the same way the mermaids with spears did, now that he has one at hand…)

Shino: Faust, watch out! Lennox is good with a lance!

Faust: …I know that…!

Lennox?: …!

Faust: …Waugh…!

Heathcliff: Mr. Faust…! (He forced Faust against the reef, and now he's lifting his spear…!) (He's going to stab him…!) Lennox, stop! Please, don't hurt him…!

Lennox?: …

Heathcliff: …He stopped…

Shino: Lennox…

Faust: … …Leno…

Lennox?: …… …Lord…st…

Faust: …! Leno…!

Lennox?: …!

Faust: …?!

Shino: Stop, Lennox! Don't hurt him…! You'll regret it until the day you die if you do…!

Lennox?: … ……. …

Shino: You can't! Put the lance down…!

Lennox?: …!

Faust: Leno?! Why did you stab your own leg…?! Stop! Stop, let go of it…!

Lennox: …gh…

Faust: Leno! Leno…! Stop it, your leg's already hurt enough…!

Lennox: …Fau…st… …Lord Faust…

Faust: …Leno…

Heathcliff: Mr. Faust! We finished the circle!

Shino: All we need to do is scatter the firstlight salt… Done! <Matzah Sudipas>!

Heathcliff: <Repsev Aivulp Sunos>!

Faust: … <Salliuqnart Mulcredo>!

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox: Hah… …Haah… …

Faust: Leno…!

Lennox: …Lord Faust… Woah…!

Faust: …I'm so glad you're okay… Alec told me your unit might have been completely wiped out…

Lennox: Several others survived as well. Things seemed hopeless, but we still managed to return alive.

Faust: Thank god…

Lennox: …

Faust: …What's wrong?

Lennox: I'm just surprised.

Faust: By what?

Lennox: I didn't think that you'd jump on me the same way Lord Alec does.

Faust: Sorry. Are you hurt anywhere?

Lennox: No. …Haha…

Faust: What…? I don't hear you laugh very often…

Lennox: Haha… I could say the same to you.

Faust: I do laugh. More than you, at least.

Lennox: That's true…

Faust: …Haha…

Lennox: Ahaha!

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox: … …That's right… …I'd forgotten… I found him, Courir. I found the person I'd been looking for. I need to go to him. I'm glad I got to see you again. You always trusted me. And you were always by my side. I never really spoiled you, but you still always slept next to me. I love you very, very much. And having to part with you hurts very, very much. But, I need to… Goodbye. I love you. Goodbye, Courir. I hope you can run freely as far as you want. Thank you.

✦✧☾✧✦

Faust: …Leno… Leno…!

Lennox: … …Lord Faust… Woah…!

Faust: …Thank goodness…

Lennox: …

Faust: …Sorry. I did that when I know you're injured…

Lennox: No… …Haha…

Faust: …Are you okay? He's not controlling you anymore?

Lennox: No… I should be fine now.

Shino: Lennox, are you okay?!

Heathcliff: Lennox! Do you know who we are?!

Lennox: Yes, I do. I do know. … I can't clearly recall what happened, but I'm sorry for putting you through so much trouble…

Faust: Don't say that… Let me look at your wounds. Give me your leg…

Lennox: …

Faust: Lennox…?!

Shino: Did he pass out?!

Faust: He must be completely exhausted. I should get him out of the ocean as soon as possible. The two of you must be at your limits, too.

Heathcliff: You're right… I still feel okay for right now, though.

Faust: Shino, Heathcliff.

Shino: What.

Heathcliff: What is it?

Faust: This was only possible because of the two of you. Thank you.

Shino & Heathcliff: …!

Shino: Heh, yeah!

Heathcliff: It's an honor!

Faust: Let's return to the water's surface. Vespa, can you show us the path up?

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: Let's go, Shino!

Shino: Yeah!

✦✧☾✧✦

Owen: <Cure Memini>

Hwylryn: Ahaha! This is fun!

Owen: …tsk!

Rustica: I'll support you! <Amores Viesse>

Hwylryn: You're kind of annoying.

Rustica: …cough…!

Chloe: Rustica!

Rustica: ……!

Rutile: Rustica…!

Rustica: …

Rutile: Oh no…! Rustica isn't breathing!

Chloe: What do we do…?! Rustica! Rustica!

Rutile: We need to bring him to the surface!

Owen: Then get on with it. Or else your teacher's gonna turn to stone!

Chloe: But…!

Owen: Whatever, just go. You're at your limit.

Chloe: Owen…

Owen: Tch… Yeah, that was stupid. You're going to die here. Just like I thought you would.

Cain: Go, Chloe! I've got things covered here!

Rutile: I'll stay, too! Please look after Rustica for us!

Chloe: …Okay…! Thank you…! (I need to hurry! I need to hurry!) (I'm definitely going to save you, Rustica!)

Owen: Hmph… And what do the two of you think you can do?

Cain: Swordplay and magic.

Rutile: I can heal, and fly very, very fast.

Owen: Lame… Just so you know, if I die, the two of you have exactly zero chance of winning. So if I die, just run.

Cain: … No, I won't.

Rutile: I won't, either.

Owen: Super lame…

Hwylryn: Are you guys ready yet?

Owen: The lamest one here is you.

Hwylryn: I like your dog!

Owen: Shut up. <Cure Memini>

Hwylryn: Let's play.

✦✧☾✧✦

Torta di Cocco Shopkeeper: Here, it's finished baking.

Riquet: Wahh, it looks so tasty!

Mitile: It smelled so good while it was in the oven!

Nero: Hmm… Y'think you could teach me the recipe?

Mithra: Is it done? Can I take it to the bottom of the sea now?

Mitile: N-not yet! It needs the cream and coconut on top first.

Mithra: Then can you hurry, at least?

Mitile: If you could, please!

Torta di Cocco Shopkeeper: Yes, of course.

Claudia: My, what a delicious-looking cake.

Riquet: Yes! Thank you for being willing us to let us have your cake so we could know how it tastes. I'm incredibly grateful.

Claudia: My, what a good boy you are. I'm happy I could meet you boys again, in fact. It sounds like you've helped Dianne out a lot, too.

Riquet: How is Dianne doing…?

Nero: She's talkin' to Bradley right now.

Riquet: Did she ask Bradley to help her?

Nero: Uh, somethin' like that.

Riquet: Thank goodness. She seemed to be having a very difficult time, and Bradley can be a very helpful person.

Nero: …True that.

Claudia: Both I and my sister should have realized how much Dianne was hurting so much faster than we did… No, I'm sure my sister knew. That must be why she tried to turn that story into a heartwarming tale, to try and take her pain away. But instead, that simply made Dianne feel like no one would protect her honor…

Riquet: It's a very complicated problem. Even with so much love and kindness given to her, her pain prevented her from finding her path… Guiding people is a very difficult prospect. It's important to carefully ascertain if what lies at the end of the path you lead them down will truly be good or not… Wanting someone to walk down a path is very similar to forcing them to think and act a particular way. It's frightening. I wonder what Bradley is telling her? Do you think it'd be okay if I listened in?

Nero: Nahh, that's prob'ly not a good idea. I don't think her Lordship would wanna have anyone eavesdroppin'.

Riquet: I suppose you're right…

Mithra: Excuuuuse meeee. We don't have any time to chat like this.

Nero: I know, man. Just wait a lil' bit longer. Actually, speakin' of, Claudia. There was somethin' I wanted to ask you about the disappearances…

Claudia: Yes, I suppose I'll spill the beans. I've seen a door through which I could see the past on the island's shore. I can't help but wonder if that door isn't related to the disappearances.

Riquet: A door to the past… That story we heard was real? Did you really see the past?

Claudia: No, it was just an illusion.

Mitile: What kind of illusion did you see?

Claudia: A man I fell in love with many years ago stepped through it and told me he loved me.

Mitile: I… I see.

Claudia: But he'd never said those words to me before, not even once. It was very obvious it was just an illusion. We had a good relationship, and he was a good friend. But though I fell in love with him, his status was far too high… He already had a fiancee before we even met. And yet, here is what I thought to myself. Perhaps if I open that door, I can see him again… Were it twenty years earlier, I imagine I would've found myself drawn to that door despite myself.

Riquet: Why not now?

Claudia: Because the paint I drew up my dream with has long since dried.

Riquet: You painted your dream…?

Claudia: The things that make your heart tremble and dance are what make your dreams shine so brightly, like light on a freshly-painted canvas. He was the one who said that to me. The paint of my dream has dried, and my heart has calmed down and put itself in its place, and so… I can't go back to such fresh and youthful excitement, not when I'm so afraid of so much as brushing against it, much less taking it into my hands directly. It's like appreciating how a cake is decorated before demolishing it with your fork, to put it another way.

Riquet: I…think I understand…

Claudia: Because the paint of my dream had already dried, and left it calm and quiet, hearing him say that didn't make my heart dance. It was an odd feeling, both lonely and relieving at the same time.

Riquet: Like looking at your plate after you've finished your cake?

Claudia: Yes. It's not like being scared of destroying something, but more like having properly eaten and savored it instead. But Dianne's dreams are still bright. They're delicate, strong, and still gasping for air. Just like fresh paint on a canvas. The idea of touching them before they're ready and smudging their colors into one she doesn't want, polluting her canvas forever, is terrifying. That's how it feels, looking at the beautiful, vivid scenery she's painted. It's as if time has stopped in place.

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox: …ah…

Faust: Leno, are you okay? I'm going to get you to the surface soon. Just hold on tight to me.

Lennox: …Yes…Lord Faust…

✦✧☾✧✦

Dianne: …What do you mean by throwing away my fear? Are you going to cast a spell on me?

Bradley: …

Dianne: Or are you planning on providing counsel? How am I meant to do this without trembling?

Bradley: What do you think? We're here to talk about you, girl.

Dianne: …What is there to talk about…? … …Things always go so well in my imagination. …I can always make the best, safest decision for everyone, without making a single mistake in the process. I've worked ever since I was a child to become that kind of person. And yet, this is what happens instead… I'm sure my grandfather would be disappointed in me. …I'm so pathetic…

Bradley: Y'don't have to change who you are. Y'don't have to be someone you aren't.

Dianne: …But if they knew about the real me, they'd all laugh… I don't want them to laugh at me…I'm weak, and pitiful…and embarrassing…

Bradley: 'Course you don't. Who wants to be turned into a laughingstock? But I won't laugh at you. You're tryin' to fulfill your responsibilities, and that's why you're standin' here.

Dianne: …

Bradley: You good? I've got something I used to say to newbies right after they joined up, to get 'em to throw away their fear.

Dianne: Newbies…? Were you the leader of some kind of organization?

Bradley: Yeah, a bandit gang. That's why I'm a prisoner now. Still wanna hear what I have to say?

Dianne: …Yes… I want to hear you out. Please, tell me.

Bradley: Alright. Everyone's experiences protect 'em, no matter what that experience is. Failures, successes, all of 'em do the same thing. But newbies like you don't have any experience to protect yourself with. And at times like that, when y'don't have any foundation to prop yourself up with, you start doin' weird shit like this. Y'start thinkin' that if you don't protect your honor all on your own, you won't have a place to belong anymore. Even though you don't know right from left yet. So, here's what I tell 'em. You ready to jot this down? I'll protect you. I'll protect your life, your honor, your perspective. So you need to protect your comrades.

Dianne: …

Bradley: Dianne. You're about to walk out that gate and talk to the crowd, yeah?

Dianne: Yes.

Bradley: If for whatever reason you can't do it, I'll talk for you. And I'll hold that position 'til you're ready to take it from me. If anyone tries to jump on you, I'll protect you from 'em. But I've got a feelin' you'll be able to do just fine without me havin' to do a damn thing.

Dianne: …

Bradley: Remember. You're the lord of this whole big-ass castle. That ain't your average job. And you were the one who made it there. Have more faith in yourself. Anythin' else you're scared of?

Dianne: … I…don't think so… Why not…? I was so scared, but now…

Bradley: Don't hold back now. If there's anythin' worryin' you, just say it.

Dianne: … You're not lying? You're not going to betray me…?

Bradley: 'Course not. Hell, if people found out I turned on a little lass like you, that'd just make me more infamous and not in a good way. I'm not gonna betray you, Dianne. On my honor, I'll protect your honor. Now step forward. The first step's always the scariest. The rest'll be a piece of cake. Don't be scared. I'm right next to you.

Dianne: …sniff…okay… …I understand. I'm going now!

Bradley: Hell yeah! You got this!

Next Chapter

#.mhyktl #.eventtl #.main story tl #4th anni

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cainluvr69 · 4 months

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Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 22

Previous Chapter

Arthur: Shylock…!

Shylock: Very well done, Murr, Prince Arthur.

Arthur: I'm glad you're not hurt…! Now we just need to remove these restraints…

Murr: Wait!

Shylock: …ugh…!

Arthur: …! I'm so sorry!

Murr: Looks like the restraints are designed to damage their captive if anything is done to them. Balthazar is pretty infatuated with you, so I don't think it'll hurt you enough to kill you. Plus, we're low on time. Good thing you're great at putting up with this kind of stuff, right?

Shylock: Could you have a few more reservations about this, perhaps?

Arthur: I can't let your dear friend Murr do this to you. I'll do it.

Shylock: Prince Arthur…

Murr: Aww, you're such a good kid.

Arthur: I apologize in advance, Shylock. <Pernoctant…>

???: Stop…!

Arthur: …?!

Shylock: …It's you…

✦✧☾✧✦

Borda Island Youth: Everything's going great, Miss Natalie! There's a mob on the castle's doorstep, and it's too big to be ignored. There's no way they'll keep on letting the wizards have their market now. Thank goodness those weird incidents kept happening, with a dragon showing up, too. The seafood crackers we got that wizard from the Town of Foam to make did great work, too…

Natalie: You're being too loud. Just leave it at that. Kick up too much of a fuss, and the powers that be are going to start cracking down on things. We won't be able to buy the land we'd be able to otherwise.

Borda Island Youth: S-sorry.

Natalie: For crying out loud… We already have arrangements with several nobles to use that land for their island villas. But that meddling little lord just had to butt in… If the wizards' market is allowed to become permanent, all the land and residencies we've worked so hard to acquire will be rendered pointless. I want another order of this.

Borda Island Youth: Miss Natalie, aren't you eating a little too much?

Natalie: It's fine. It's not like I can drink right now.

Borda Island Youth: Not even a single glass? I know this little bar with a great view.

Natalie: Don't be stupid. No one will trust the flattery of a woman who smells of alcohol.

Borda Island Youth: I mean, I would. You're a real beauty, Miss Natalie.

Natalie: Fufu.

Borda Island Youth: If our plan works out, we're gonna get hitched and buy a house somewhere, right?

Natalie: Yeah, sure.

Borda Island Youth: Hehe! Then I'll work hard! Since I'm thinking about it, though, I wonder why that dragon showed up.

Natalie: No clue. If we could make sure it wouldn't actually come close to the island, it'd make for a good tourist attraction. Well, I'm stuffed. Time to get back to work.

Borda Island Youth: You sure are a hard worker.

Natalie: This is nothing more than me valuing the prep work. It's all so that when dawn breaks tomorrow, no one on the island will ever want to see another wizard's face ever again.

Borda Island Youth: Should I go with you?

Natalie: No, no need. You drank some alcohol, didn't you?

Borda Island Youth: Haha… You caught me.

Natalie: I'll be off, then.

✦✧☾✧✦

Borda Island Resident: What is it? What's going on?

Natalie: Oh, things are terrible. What can we do?

Borda Island Resident: Do you know what's going on, lady?

Natalie: There's a group of adults outside the castle, demanding the lord think of the island's children and put a stop to the wickedness of the wizards around here.

Borda Island Resident: That's pretty big… Did something happen?

Natalie: Wizards in the market distributed poisoned snacks and summoned a dragon to the outskirts of the island.

Borda Island Resident: A dragon?! Damn, I wish I could've seen that… Could you see it from here?

Natalie: Yes. It seems like they were planning on kidnapping children in the uproar.

Borda Island Resident: Holy shit!

Natalie: Right? And yet our wizard-loving lord isn't doing a thing about it…

Borda Island Resident: She's not doing anything but screwing us all over!

Natalie: Things just can't stay the way they are right now. Someone needs to do something. Maybe even someone as reliable as you…?

Borda Island Resident: Y…you're right! I'm gonna try to get the guys to hear me out about this one.

Natalie: Good luck. … Hehe…

Owen: Wow.

Natalie: …!

Owen: Looks like a pretty fun game.

Natalie: A game? Whose children are you talking about, playing this late?

Owen: I'm talking about you.

Natalie: …

Owen: I think it's fun, too. Let's talk. I'm sure we can get along.

Natalie: It's quite nice hearing that from someone as lovely as you…

Owen: I know, right.

Natalie: Do you want something from me?

Owen: Sure. What do you think it is? I could feel your intentions all over town. You know that everyone's just pretending to go along with you while laughing at you behind your back, right? So I'm here to watch you make a fool of yourself.

Natalie: … …What are you talking about?

Owen: I said, I'm talking about you. You're the one telling them the right way to jump into Hell. You know what I'm talking about, right?

Natalie: …If you want to talk with me, we should do it over drinks. Everyone's in such a tizzy this evening, the bars should be nice and empty. My boyfriend just broke up with me, so maybe you can help me feel a little less lonely…? (Heh… It should be easy enough to win over a young man like this…) (You just can't get enough of how vulnerable I look, can you?) (And his two-colored eyes are so beautiful, too…) (I think I met another young man with the same color eyes earlier this afternoon, didn't I…?) (I need to look up and make sure he's not the same man. I think I've got him wrapped around my finger enough by now…) …?!

Natalie?: …

Natalie: …Huh?! What?! You're…me?! There's another me…?!

Natalie?: Hey, don't you want to talk to me?

Natalie: What are you talking about…?! Who are you?!

Natalie?: If you don't want to talk to me, I guess I'll just have to find someone else to have fun with instead.

Natalie: …?! You're floating?! Are you a wizard…?!

Natalie?: Heeeey, listen! I was the one who was handing out the magic snacks in the market today. It was so much fun watching you all run around like idiots!

Borda Island Resident: What's going on?! There's a woman floating in the air…!

Borda Island Resident: Wait, I've seen that lady before. I thought she was human, but she was really a witch?

Borda Island Resident: Even if she is a witch, she's not one from our island! I've never seen her before!

Natalie: Wait…! Stop it…! I'm not going to be able to keep working like this!

Natalie?: Ahaha! Come on, panic more! I want to see more and more chaos!

Natalie: I said knock it off…!

Borda Island Youth: Miss Natalie, what's going on?!

Natalie: Tch…! We need to go! We can't do any more business here!

Borda Island Youth: Huh?!

Borda Island Resident: Hey now. Just what did you mean by that?!

Natalie: Shut up! Get out of my way…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Mitile: Look over there! There's a bunch of people!

Riquet: Ah…! The person in the middle of them all is the woman I talked to earlier!

Mitile: The one who was making everyone panic more, right?

Riquet: Yes! …But something seems a bit odd here… There seems to be…two of her…?

Mitile: Huh… The crowd of people looks like it's starting to break up…? The whole fuss looks like it's starting to calm down…

Riquet: You're right…

Mitile: Thank goodness! I'm glad no one will have to call the guards about it. If things aren't going to get any more worked up than this here in the market, then… That means the crowd at the castle gate won't get bigger, either.

Riquet: You're right… Let's go back and tell Nero and Dr. Figaro.

Mitile: Yeah!

Riquet: (Something really does feel different about her from earlier, though…)

Mithra: <Arthim>

Mitile & Riquet: Wah…!

Mithra: Oh, good. I can collect you both at the same time. Where's Rutile?

Mitile: He went down to the bottom of the sea to save Leno…

Mithra: The bottom of the sea?!

Mitile: Yeah, so that they could defeat the Northern wizard Balthazar…

Mithra: Defeat a Northern wizard?! I think I feel faint…

Riquet: Are you alright? I can rub your head for you.

Mithra: I need to bring him back… Oh, but first, I need to make sure Mitile is tucked away somewhere safe…

Mitile: Wa--wait a second! The Sage gave me a favor to ask you!

Mithra: A favor for the Sage…?

Mitile: Yes! After we finish baking torta di cocco, you need to bring it with you!

Mithra: I do…? Do I…need to bake it, too? Because let me tell you, no one's ever asked me to do that before. I mean, I'll do it, but.

Riquet: The first time you bake something, it might not rise properly. That happened to me when I tried.

Mithra: Huh? I can rise just fine.

Mitile: Ah, wait, sorry! No, you don't have to bake anything! You just need to wait for it to finish baking.

Mithra: What? But that's so easy. Anyway, let us return to the castle. <Arthim>

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: Figaro…!

Figaro: Master Sage, Oz…!

Akira: We have the cintamani stone! You can save Snow and White with this, right?!

Figaro: Yes…! Thank you so much, Master Sage, Oz.

Oz: Will you succeed?

Figaro: Just who do you think you're asking? They'll be fine. I'll save them.

Oz: …

Akira: Oz?

Oz: … …I cannot feel White's presence…

Figaro: …Remember, that's Lord Snow's job. Just believe in him.

Oz: Yes. Figaro. Take some of my blood.

Figaro: …You sure?

Oz: Yes.

Figaro: Thanks, that's a real help.

Oz: I am trusting the twins will be safe in your care.

Figaro: And I'm trusting the Sage will be safe in yours. Master Sage, are you planning on meeting with the sea dragon?

Akira: …That's the plan, yeah.

Figaro: Alright. If that dragon finds out that I'm planning on saving the twins and comes here to do something about it, I'm going to kill it. I'm not going to ask you to forgive me for that. But… I did want to apologize in advance, Master Sage. I'm sorry I couldn't only do kind things for you.

Akira: … No… I'm sorry too, Figaro…I'm putting everyone through so much trouble…

Figaro: …Master Sage…

Oz: …

Figaro: …What's that face for? I'm not trying to make them cry or anything. I'm always doing my best to keep from hurting them, but things end up like this anyways.

Oz: I know you are. Do your best.

Figaro: "Do your best"?

Oz: We are leaving, Sage.

Akira: …Okay…

Oz: <Vox Nox>

Figaro: … Thank goodness, Lord Snow… I will be able to save you… I can make an antidote with the stone…

Mithra: <Arthim> Where's the torta di cocco?

Mitile: Dr. Figaro! We found Mithra!

Riquet: Things seem to be okay in town, too!

Figaro: Welcome back. You just missed the Sage, sadly.

Mithra & Mitile & Riquet: Huh?

Figaro: Look. They brought me the cintamani stone.

✦✧☾✧✦

Natalie?: I thought the people of this island would lose their cool and kick up a fuss, and what do you know? They did. You all look so stupid.

Borda Island Resident: Shut up!

Natalie?: You shut up.

Borda Island Resident: Excuse me?! …Damn, you're a cruel bitch! You think we'll let you mess with us?!

Natalie?: Hmph… …It's a good thing I gathered up the rest of those seafood crackers in the market and found their real source. What a pain. It would've been easier to just tear everything here down instead. It was pretty great forcing Bradley to eat a ton of them, though. Hehe… That was fun. … Cain's eye… …What's he doing right now? …I can sense other wizards, and… …And a sea dragon…? Tch… For crying out loud…

Borda Island Resident: Woah… The woman who was just standing here suddenly disappeared! Was she a wizard…?

✦✧☾✧✦

Nero: It's gonna be fine, Dianne. Y'just gotta show your face and talk to 'em, and the mob outside the castle gates will start settlin' down.

Castle Servant: Your Highness, ah, err, your Lordship, we will all protect you with our lives…

Dianne: I fear neither blade nor arrow!

Castle Servant: O-of course, my apologies.

Nero: Hey, simmer down a little. Can y'tell me what you are scared of?

Dianne: E… Everything…

Nero: Well, I feel ya there. Tellin' lies like that is a good way to support yourself, though. How about I say I'm actin' as your substitute, and…

Dianne: Absolutely not! As the lord of this castle, I must be the one who carries out my duties…

Nero: Then sorry, but I gotta make you go out 'n do 'em.

Dianne: …But I'm scared…

Nero: Man, there's no end to this.

Dianne: …sniff…

Nero: Ah, sorry… I went too far…

Dianne: …wahhhh…!

Castle Servant: Your Highness…! Your Highness…!!

Nero: See, it's gonna be fine, like I keep sayin'! You've got amazing charisma!

Castle Guard: Your Lordship, we have a problem! The castle gates are on the verge of breaking…!

Nero: What?! Didn't you guys tell us the crowd was gettin' smaller?

Castle Guard: W-well, all of a sudden, they've started acting like a well-trained army… It seems like someone capable of directing them has appeared. They seem to have outstanding leadership capabilities…

Nero: (Did a higher up from the merchants' guild show up?) Gotcha. I'll go check things out.

Dianne: Nero…

Nero: Don't worry. I'll be back in just a sec.

✦✧☾✧✦

Bradley: Hell yeah, brothers! Keep it up! You're all doin' great!

Borda Island Residents: Yeahhhh…!

Borda Island Resident: Mister Bradley! We've got more logs!

Bradley: Sick. Let's get 'em passed to the head of the crowd and break those gates down. Y'guys hear that?! We're gonna count down and all work together now! We're just gonna go one, two, three, got it? Let's go!

Borda Island Residents: Yeahhhh…!

Bradley: One, two, three…!

Borda Island Residents: Uwoooghhh…!

Bradley: Hell yeah! One more time! One, two, three…!

Borda Island Residents: Uwoooghhh…!

Bradley: Damn, you guys rock! One, two, three…!

Nero: …

Bradley: Yo, Nero! I was feelin' pissed off and wanderin' around the island when I heard people were attackin' the castle! Figured I'd give 'em a hand. By the time the sun rises, that castle's gonna be mine, baby! Hey, once it's mine, you should make me somethin' tasty to eat. How's that sound? Wanna help out?

Nero: Boss, can I have a sec?

Bradley: Huh?! Uh, yeah, sure…

Nero: Sorry, comin' through.

Borda Island Resident: Mister Bradley?!

Bradley: Keep goin'! We got a good thing going here!

Borda Island Residents: Yessir…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Nero: 'Kay, just need you to stand here…

Bradley: Like this?

Nero: I want you to do some work on this side, too.

Bradley: This side? You tellin' me I should be protectin' the castle instead?

Nero: Yep.

Bradley: C'mon, man. You really think I'm gonna help the establishment instead of tearin' it down?

Nero: Man, shut up. Things are already complicated enough as it is without you shovin' your face in them. The local lord's already plannin' on comin' out and givin' a public apology to everyone so we can wrap things up lickety-split.

Bradley: So why ain't she standin' here and doin' that, then? This is the best place for lookin' over the castle gate and below, ain't it? So where is she?

Nero: She's terrified, that's why. She's brand new to the whole role, so of course she is.

Bradley: Hell, of course a newbie's gonna get scared. Ain't she got anyone to kick her ass into gear?

Nero: Well…

Bradley: If there's no one, I can do it.

Nero: Hey…

Bradley: Just leave it to me, partner.

Nero: Hey, wait! Brad! You're gonna come on way too strong for her! Dammit, listen to me, Brad…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Nero: Uh, lemme introduce you… This is my…friend, Brad…ley…

Dianne: …

Bradley: Yo.

Dianne: Who is he…?

Nero: He's another of the Sage's wizards…

Bradley: I'm a Northern wizard and convict.

Dianne: …A convict…

Bradley: Thanks for the food this afternoon. Can't say it was any good, though. Sayin' that made Nero really throw a fit, though.

Dianne: Ah… I… Please let me apologize for that… I was the reason that happened. I was the one who threw the castle staff into chaos, and they were simply trying to move according to my whims.

Nero: Dianne…

Bradley: Heh. You've got a better look on your face than you did this afternoon. C'mon. Walk with me.

Dianne: Wh-where to…?

Nero: Hey, Brad…

Bradley: We're just gonna be throwin' some shit out.

Dianne: Such as? What are we throwing out? I-I… All I can do is keep asking you things. Do I seem stupid to you?

Bradley: Why would you? The ones who actually ask people about what they don't know are the smart ones. Brave, too.

Dianne: …

Bradley: We're gonna go toss that fear of yours in the trash. I'll teach you how.

Dianne: …O…okay…

Nero: Brad!

Bradley: Yo.

Nero: I'm countin' on you. Don't let me down.

Bradley: Yeah.

Nero: Hey, Dianne, if he tries to pull anything, just use some pepper…

Dianne: Pepper?

Bradley: Man, don't listen to him.

Nero: …Jeez… But, well… He's always been reliable at times like this.

Riquet: Nero! The torta di cocco is almost done!

Nero: Gotcha! Mithra's here too, right? I'll come to the kitchen right now.

Riquet: Where's Dianne?

Nero: She'll be okay. I had to go through a pretty similar rite of passage m'self.

Riquet: Huh?

Nero: Oh, uh… What about you, are you okay? Are you scared?

Riquet: No. I'm feeling just fine!

Nero: Good t' hear. Why's that?

Riquet: Because I have you and so many others watching over me.

Nero: …

Riquet: Let's go, Nero!

Nero: Yeah!

✦✧☾✧✦

Figaro: Now, to make the antidote… <Possideo> … Lord Snow… Lord White… … The antidote's been properly refined… I only need to collect as much as Lord Snow needs to drink… And then I'll save him. So please, just hold on until then, Lord Snow…

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox?: …

Faust: What's wrong…? He stopped moving all of a sudden…

Lennox?: …!

Faust: …?!

Heathcliff: How is he doing…?! He looks just like the mermaids under Balthazar's control right now.

Shino: Heath! Focus on the circle!

Heathcliff: S-sorry!

Lennox?: …!

Faust: (What's going on?! His eyes are hollow, and he's attacking in a pattern.) (And he's not saying anything…) (Has Balthazar's control over Leno weakened?) …Leno…! Leno, it's me…!

Lennox?: …

Faust: (He stopped!) Le…

Lennox?: …!

Faust: …ghh…!

Heathcliff: …Mr. Faust…!

Shino: He stabbed Leno's key into Faust's shoulder…!

Faust: …gh, I'm fine…! Focus on the circle…

Heathcliff: Understood!

Faust: …gh… (Lennox…)

Lennox?: …

✦✧☾✧✦

Shylock: It's you…

Balthazar: …

Arthur: …A wizard that's only a head…?

Murr: No… Not just a head… His skull's wrapped up in crystal. He's connected to a huge piece of abyssal jade. It's pretty rare. I've never seen this much in one place. It can only do so much, but abyssal jade can give eternal life. It's amazing seeing it get used like this…

Balthazar: Don't touch me!

Murr: Hey, did you make this?

Balthazar: …Haha… You really think I'd make something in such poor taste as this? You think I'd tie myself to these rocks, forced to live in such a wretched state…

Murr: Hey, those "rocks" are precious gemstones! Abyssal jade is super valuable. Someone's lovingly keeping you alive. It's probably that dragon, huh?

Balthazar: …You're right.

Murr: He must like you a whoooole lot!

Shylock: Balthazar… …So you did turn to stone when you sank Adams Island. Or rather, you should have.

Arthur: You mean, that dragon saved him…?

Balthazar: …That's correct… I was kept alive without my knowledge after the island sank. According to Hwylryn, I slept for a very, very long time. But… I felt <the Great Calamity's> power, and my eyes opened again on a night illuminated by moonlight.

Shylock: …So you awoke because <the Great Calamity> drew close…

Balthazar: And yet, I was still only half awake… What finally woke me up was the sensation of Oz and another Northern wizard and the intense anger I felt from them. I swore an oath. I would acquire a body that would let me move freely, and I would have my revenge on Oz.

Arthur: So that's why you've been capturing people and beheading them…

Balthazar: Correct. But though I could join my head to their bodies with magic, it was never long before they…stopped working. But this latest one was so excellent…

Murr: Hey, Balthazar. This is just a suggestion, but. I can make a body for you. So can you let Shylock and Lennox go?

Balthazar: …You will make my body?

Murr: Sure. And then you can get up to all the vengeance you want.

Arthur: …

Balthazar: Can you really do such a thing? Shylock. Who is this person?

Shylock: …

Balthazar: Shylock.

Murr: I'm Murr!

Balthazar: …Murr… Murr…?!

Arthur: Wh-why are you getting angry?!

Murr: Shyyyylock! What did you tell him about me?!

Shylock: I spoke nothing but the truth.

Balthazar: I'll turn all of you to stone here and now! <Mare Praeda>!

Arthur: Murr, back me up! <Pernoctant Nixzo>!

Murr: <Eanul Lambru>!

Balthazar: … Get out of my sight, you worms!

Arthur: …That didn't work at all!

Murr: That's a Northern wizard for you.

Arthur: We need to hurry, or else Cain and the others will…

Balthazar: <Mare Praeda>!

Arthur & Murr: …!

Shylock: Watch out…!

Murr: …We're not going to be able to get close to Shylock like this!

Arthur: I'll draw his attention! You take care of Shylock!

Murr: Arthur?!

Arthur: Balthazar! I am Arthur Granvelle! Disciple of the Great Wizard Oz!

Balthazar: … Oz's disciple, you say…? Fascinating! I'll eat your stone and tell Oz how it tastes!

Arthur: Oh, but can you? Lord Oz's lightning is much faster than you are. Just try and catch me!

Balthazar: Hold still…!

Shylock & Murr: …

Murr: Let's hurry.

Shylock: Yes, let's. Should anything happen to Prince Arthur, Oz will turn us both to stone. Please pay no mind to my agony while you break these restraints.

Murr: Gotcha! Count down from three!

Shylock: Three…

Murr: <Eanul Lambru>!

Shylock: …gh!

Murr: Aaaand they're off! How was it? Did you pass out?

Shylock: …Why… Why didn't you wait until I'd finished counting down?

Murr: There's a theory that catching someone off guard with something icky causes less mental strain than letting them anticipate something.

Shylock: And who came up with this theory?

Murr: Me.

Shylock: Please record in your paper that I solemnly disagree. Let us be off.

Murr: Okay!

Next Chapter

#.mhyktl #.eventtl #.main story tl #4th anni

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cainluvr69 · 4 months

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Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 21

Previous Chapter

Arthur: We've followed the mermaids a pretty long way…

Cain: Are we coming up on Adams Island yet…?

Rutile: …Oh! I can see something, over that way!

Chloe: …You're right… Are those…buildings…?

Murr: That's Adams Island! I wonder if the beautiful stone staircases it was known for are still in one piece?

Rustica: You've been to the island before, Murr?

Murr: Yep! Aaaages ago, though!

Cain: There are a lot of overhangs around here. Everyone, be careful you don't run into them.

Chloe: Okay… The mermaids are all swimming pretty close to the ground…

Arthur: …Mm, with all the sand swirling around, it's kind of hard to see. Be careful, everyone…!

Cain: Gotcha!

Rutile & Chloe: Okay!

✦✧☾✧✦

Arthur: … …Now that the sand's mostly settled, it's really starting to look like a city…

Rustica: …What a mystical landscape… It's hard to imagine that long in the past, people walked through these streets…

Cain: …I can see something carved into this monument…it's pretty faint…

Rutile: …Coral Road… Is this the street's name…?

Murr: Oh, I'm feeling downright nostalgic! I used to walk through this part of town a lot! I'd sit in the window seat of that cafe there with a book or two… …!

Arthur: …!

Chloe: Wh-what? What is it?!

Arthur: Something's coming closer…

Rutile: "Something"…?

Rustica: We should hide ourselves.

Cain: But…

Arthur: Rustica's right. It's something that we have absolutely no chance of defeating.

Cain: …

Murr: …

Rutile: …

Chloe: …

Rustica: …

Arthur: …

Hwylryn: My, my. A whole flock of wizards.

Arthur: …A young man with a silver bracelet…?

Rutile: Hwylryn…?

Hwylryn: Oh, you were with Akira.

Rustica: <Amores Viesse>

Hwylryn: Wah… What a pretty song…

Murr: Let's move now. We need to get away before Rustica's spell wears off.

Cain: Murr?!

Murr: Or we're gonna get slaughtered.

Chloe: Wh-what…?

Hwylryn: …It's so lovely…

Rutile: He wouldn't…! Hwylryn isn't that kind of person…

Arthur: …gasp… …I forgot to breathe… …He rivals Lord Oz…

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: You can feel the cintamani stone from…this direction…?

Oz: Yes.

Heathcliff: This ship is so big… I wish I could've seen it before it sank.

Shino: There's mana stones here and there… I wonder if they're the stones of the wizard who'd been steering this thing.

Faust: I believe her name was Melissa. Murr's acquaintance…

Oz: It should be here.

Shino: There's nothing but treasure chests in here…

Faust: Should we just start opening them at random?

Akira: …No, wait… Look at that smaller chest…

Heathcliff: This one?

Akira: Yes. If this cintamani stone is the same size as the one on Hwylryn's bracelet, that should be about the right size for it…

Heathcliff: Then I'm going to open this one with my magic. <Repsev Aivulp Sunos> …Huh?

Oz: There is a seal placed on it.

Faust: I guess we're just going to have to force it.

Shino: Hey. That's way more crude than your usual methods.

Heathcliff: It seems like a pretty simple seal… It should come undone pretty easily…

Akira: Do you think you can do it?

Heathcliff: It's not like I'd be able to open any seal you put in front of me, but Nero taught me a bit about it… …Okay… <Repsev Aivulp Sunos> It opened…!

Shino: You did it, Heath!

Vespa: …! …!

Faust: So this is a cintamani stone… I've never seen one before.

Heathcliff: Really, you haven't?

Faust: Nope. Oz, can you confirm that's actually what this is?

Oz: Yes.

I peeked inside the chest. There was a beautiful blue gem inside, one that looked the same as the one that had been set in Hwylryn's bracelet.

Akira: …This is the cintamani stone of medicine… We can save Snow and White with this!

Oz: Correct.

Oz smiled, looking relieved. Even if he'd never said as much, there was no way he wasn't worried about the twins' lives. He took his staff in hand and looked up towards the water's surface.

Oz: Heathcliff. Shino.

Heathcliff: Yes.

Shino: …

Oz: I shall entrust the two of you with the stone, and transport the both of you to Borda Island. I am trusting the both of you to take it to Figaro.

Heathcliff: Wait a second… You mean you're only sending the two of us back to land?

Shino: What about you? You're planning on going to where Arthur is, aren't you.

Oz: Correct.

Heathcliff: What about you, Mr. Faust…?

Faust: I'm going to look for Lennox. I want the both of you to return to shore.

Heathcliff: But I'm worried about you… And Nero told me to watch out for you. I'm staying with you.

Faust: Don't be stupid…

Heathcliff: If Lord Oz stops being able to use magic, the burden you're carrying right now is only going to get heavier. So wouldn't it be much safer to have him and the Sage deliver the stone instead, the way Prince Arthur said they should?

Shino: That's true… As soon as Oz is able to use his magic again, he can just pop right back down here.

Oz: It is difficult to accurately read the location of presences within the water. I am not certain I will be able to transport myself accurately.

Shino: Then just don't come back. Deliver the stone and then the Sage can open negotiations with the sea dragon.

Shino had a bitter look on his face as the words left his mouth.

Shino: To be honest, I don't think it's a good idea. If the dragon eats Oz while he can't use his magic, it's going to become an enemy no one's gonna be able to deal with.

Heathcliff: Shino…

Shino: I'm just speaking the truth.

I saw fear and apprehension in Shino's eyes, but he wasn't looking away. He wasn't a coward, after all; he was cautious because he was an excellent warrior. I was probably putting too much faith in my instincts and saying something stupid, but…

Akira: (That dragon is my friend…) (But I don't know if Hwylryn thinks the same of me. In that case, negotiations are going to be a bust. All I'll have done is make things harder for everyone…)

As my heart began to cloud over, Hwylryn's innocent, guileless smile flashed through my mind. I shook my head, just a little. I couldn't just decide talking to him was meaningless before I even had a chance to try.

Akira: If Hwylryn hurts Oz, then I will truly think of him as our enemy. If he intends to do anything else to Snow and White after what he's already done to them, then I will truly think of him as our enemy. And if I do, then my heart will align with Oz's, and he'll be able to use his magic, so…

Faust: …Sage… …This isn't the kind of thing I want to have to say, but this is a matter of life or death. All your lives, even.

Akira: …What is it?

Faust: It's difficult to think of someone you once called a friend as your enemy.

I looked at him. Faust had been betrayed by someone he'd considered his best friend, and became a curseworker. My judgment now sufficiently clouded, I looked up at Oz. After a moment of silence, he nodded.

Oz: For now, we must prioritize haste. We will take the stone to the castle.

Faust: Got it. The rest of us will follow Arthur's group.

Oz: I pray for your safety.

Heathcliff: Take care, Master Sage.

Shino: Sage. I have one last thing to say first. I've encountered a lot of animals in the Sherwood Forest. I've considered some of them friends, too. But in the end, they're just wild animals. Sometimes they attacked me anyways, and I had to take care of them after that.

Akira: Shino…

Shino: Sometimes you can't be friends no matter how much you try. But you can't blame yourself when that happens. Because it gets to be too much that way.

Heathcliff: …

Akira: …Thank you, Shino.

Shino: That's it. If your negotiations work, be sure to introduce me. I wanna try riding on a dragon.

Akira: Alright… Thank you, everyone!

Oz: Let us depart, Sage.

Akira: Okay!

Oz: <Vox Nox>

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: …

And then, I was in the sky. The sky was clear, and the stars shined brightly. It didn't take long for Borda Island to come into view. Oz seemed relieved he was able to use his magic. He glanced at me, my hand still held tightly in his own.

Oz: We shall arrive at the castle momentarily.

Akira: Okay. Um, Oz… Can I ask you something?

Oz: What.

Akira: …Why did you stop your attack against Hwylryn back then? I know that Snow and White are very important to you… But you listened to me instead…

Oz: … Had I ignored your words and slain the dragon… You would have never trusted me again.

Akira: …

I felt a strange, all-consuming warmth well up inside of me. I…was treasured. My heart was treasured. That's how I felt right then. The moon hung in the sky above the ocean, its golden glow flickering on the waves. I wanted to treasure everyone in this exact same way. I wanted to be capable of noticing people's wishes that had fallen to the wayside and pick them up, cradling them gently in my palms. I wanted to support people's hearts with kind words. As if I could cast spells of my own.

Oz: Let us be off, Akira.

Akira: …Okay!

✦✧☾✧✦

Rustica: <Amores Viesse>

Hwylryn: …It's such a lovely sound…

Cain: …!

Arthur: Cain!

Cain: Let's go, Arthur! Let's save Shylock! I can't see if anything's there, but I'm still getting goosebumps just from the presence of the thing Murr was talking about!

Rutile: W…well, the beautiful, silver-haired young man we met at the torta di cocco shop is in front of us right now. But like the Sage said, his name is Hwylryn. But he's really a dragon…

Arthur: …Then, this would be…?

Cain: If he's strong enough to rival Oz, then we cannot beat this thing. We should find and save Shylock while Rustica's magic is still working on him! I'll stay here to support Rustica!

Chloe: …I'll stay, too!

Rutile: I will as well! Hwylryn remembered who I am! I might be able to talk to him…

Murr: Gotcha! Then I'll get going!

Arthur: Murr!

Murr: Let's go, Arthur!

Arthur: Alright!

Vespa's Sister: …! …!

Arthur: Thank you! Please, take us there!

Chloe: …Be safe, okay…! And please help Shylock…!

Rustica: …Lalala…lalala…

Hwylryn: …Pretty…

Rutile: …

Chloe: …

Cain: C'mon…please… …Don't come back to your senses…

✦✧☾✧✦

Heathcliff: Let's start heading back to Prince Arthur's group. Vespa, can you take us there?

Vespa: …! …!

Faust: …

Shino: Quit worrying, Faust. Everyone in Arthur's group is reliable. Maybe they're taking Lennox back right now as we speak.

Faust: You're right…

Heathcliff: What is Lennox to you, Mr. Faust? I know that he used to be your servant a long time ago, but…

Shino: Man, don't say "a long time ago". He wants to still be serving you. He keeps looking at me and Heath all jealous-like.

Faust: …

Shino: And you've completely lost your cool about him. The two of you were close, right?

Faust: We never had a relationship as significant as all that. It's just… …I worried him for so long. Even though we were only together for a few years, he spent four hundred looking for me. That's a long time for someone to feel the same way, but he's the kind of person who can maintain that kind of loyalty. He's patient, sincere, and very strong at heart. Anyone would be blessed to have him nearby. No matter how much one might hate themself, he'd keep doing what he could for them, affirming them instead of denying them. He's not someone who should be next to me. Someone like him should be serving someone more serene, someone who's at least a little bit blessed. Someone who actually has a future. If he'd just forget about me, he'd find someone else in no time. I just want to bless him somehow.

Shino & Heathcliff: …

Faust: …I shouldn't have said all that. …! Both of you, get back!

Heathcliff: …?! The ocean currents are whipping into a whirlpool…!

Faust: <Salliuqnart Mulcredo>

Shino: Faust!

Heathcliff: Mr. Faust!

Faust: Are you two okay?!

Lennox?: …So this is where it was…

Faust: … Bastard…!

Shino: Lennox…! No, Balthazar…

Lennox?: Where is the cintamani stone. Hand it over without a fuss to save yourselves.

Faust: …That's my line. Give back Lennox's body! Or else I'll make sure your soul rots in Hell for all eternity!

Lennox?: Fascinating. For an Eastern wizard to declare that… I'd like to see you try.

Faust: <Salliuqnart Mulcredo>!

Lennox?: <Mare Praeda>!

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox: … I heard someone call my name…? …Where is this…? I feel like I've walked a long way, and yet… You're right, Courir… I've been to a lot of places. And I've met a lot of people. Just like how I met you… I've been blessed everywhere I've gone. But…he was never there.

✦✧☾✧✦

???: Faust? He's not here right now. What am I doing? I'm cleaning the mud off everyone's boots. We were all clomping around in the rain yesterday. I've got more stamina than most people. And I always wake up early, so I have the time to spare. Wait, aren't you… You're that wizard from the coal mine that just joined up, right? Lennox? I knew it! You're pretty huge even from a distance, but you're even bigger seeing you up close like this. What happened at the mine was terrible… How's your family? Did they make it out okay? …Oh, I see… …I'm sorry. Hey, could you lean over a little? …Hm? What for? It's so I can give you a hug. Thank you…thank you for coming all this way….thank you for continuing to live without ever giving up… … Haha… Yeah, people tell me I'm warm a lot. It's good to be working with you, Lennox. Ah… Sorry for treating you like a kid. …Since Faust isn't here, you want to talk to Sir Alec instead? You're hugging him right now, actually.

Alec: Welcome, Lennox. I'm Alec.

✦✧☾✧✦

Shylock: Mm… My apologies, but I'm afraid I don't know. But if you've been searching for him for this long and haven't found him, then… Perhaps he's changed his name or sequestered himself away from society? It's also possible that he simply does not wish to see you again. Oh, no. I'm not trying to criticize your chasing after him. I am a Western wizard. I'm fond of people who have given themselves up to their desires. However… … Please, sit down. Let me pour you a glass. It's on the house. Take a moment to recover from your long, long journey.

✦✧☾✧✦

Figaro: You're still looking for Faust…? Wouldn't it be better to just give up already? There's no guarantee you'll find him… And even if you do, there's no telling if he'll still be the man you're longing for. Someone who's been betrayed and hurt like that loses everything. Light, kindness, peace, luck, a genuine smile… I've seen more people like that than I can count. Despair is like a poison. It changes people. But you haven't changed, even though you couldn't protect your master and he tossed you away. Oh, don't get me wrong. That's me praising you. I think you're amazing for still being able to cling onto your hope like that.

✦✧☾✧✦

Tiletta: I suppose so. Are you planning on leaving the South at some point, then? I'm planning on staying. I've got a husband, after all, and we've got a kid on the way. The spirits here still seem to be completely baffled by me, but I'm sure it'll work out somehow. When my child grows up, I hope the two of you will get along, provided you're still in the country. You'll be fine. I know you'll find him. Wizards have long lives, after all. Even if you never made a promise to meet again, as long as you stay alive, you'll meet one another again and again and again. So it'll be fine. Both you and the person you're looking for are wizards. You can still meet again. And you will.

✦✧☾✧✦

Vespa's Sister: …! …!

Arthur: So Shylock is down this path…?

Murr: Remember, Balthazar's a Northern wizard! We can't match him so easily! Don't try to attack him head on! Once we save Shylock, it's time to split!

Arthur: Understood! We can't let ourselves take too long here, or the rest of our group will be in danger!

Murr: Nice job, reading between the lines! Arthur! In the unlikely chance things come to blows, I'll be right there to support you! You'll be the cornerstone of our attack. So I'll be in your care!

Arthur: Let's watch each other's backs! Ah…! There's Shylock!

Murr: Shylock!

Shylock: …! Stay back! This area is inside of a magic circle that Balthazar has cleverly hidden away. Setting foot inside of it will make you unable to use magic.

Murr: Sounds like we should be smashing that circle first, then! I'll wipe away the illusions hiding it so we can see it, annnnd…

Arthur: I'll break the pattern enough that it can't keep itself working!

Murr: Got it in one! Good boy!

Arthur: I've got your prudent guidance, after all!

Murr: <Eanul Lambru>

Arthur: (Light is gathering around the circumference of the area…) (I need to break the pattern of Balthazar's circle…!) <Pernoctant Nixzo> Did that get rid of it?!

Murr: You did it! Great job, Arthur!

Arthur: Yeah! Time to save Shylock!

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox?: <Mare Praeda>

Faust: <Salliuqnart Mulcredo>! …gh, I can block his attacks…! Get ready to put up an exorcism circle!

Shino: Got it! Styrax resin, compeil oil, fallen elderleaves…

Heathcliff: We're in the middle of the ocean! You can't just use them as-is! First we need to stabilize the area with white rose quartz… <Repsev Aivulp Sunos>

Shino: <Matzah Sudipas>

Lennox?: How naiive…!

Faust: I'm your opponent right now! <Salliuqnart Mulcredo> Lennox! It's me! Answer me, Leno…!

Lennox?: …This body is mine! I'll rip this head right off its shoulders! I wouldn't mind giving you back just the head. Though it'd turn to stone as soon as I did!

Faust: The only one turning to stone here is you! <Salliuqnart Mulcredo>

Lennox?: Hmph. Was that supposed to do something? …?! Shylock…! …gh…!

Faust: (It worked!) (Something seemed to disturb him for a moment, though…)

Lennox?: …kh… What are you waiting for, Hwylryn?! I told you not to let them get close to him!

✦✧☾✧✦

Hwylryn: …Ah…

Rustica: …! My spell wore off…

Cain: C'mon! Try it again…

Rustica: <Amores Viesse>

Hwylryn: Nope, not this time.

Rustica: …

Hwylryn: Huh… There's less of you than before. How many went further in? Well, you got me… Guess this is how it has to be. I'll take you all on.

Rutile: Hwylryn…! Please return Leno and Shylock! They're very precious people to us!

Hwylryn: I'm sorry. Balthazar seems like he really wants them. You're one of Akira's friends, right? I don't want to have to hurt you. You should get away from here.

Rutile: I won't leave until we have both of them back…!

Hwylryn: … Okay. I'm really not feeling up to this, but…

Cain: (He's coming!) <Gladius Procella>

Rustica: <Amores Viesse>

Cain: …Uwaahh…!

Rustica: …Kh…!

Chloe: Rustica…! …ah, ahhh…

Rutile: Oh no…!

Hwylryn: Just let the current take you far, far away from here. Coming back is a no-no, okay?

Cain: …gh! <Gladius Procella>!

Hwylryn: …You're not listening…

Cain: …! (The current is so strong…!) …gh…! (I'm going to be swallowed by the current…! It's going to rip my limbs apart…!) (I'm wasting so much magic just trying to keep it together…!) (At this rate, I won't be able to breathe…!)

Rustica: <Amores Viesse>

Hwylryn: …

Cain: Rustica…!

Rustica: Cain, are you okay?!

Hwylryn: …La…lala…

Cain: Is it that spell again…?!

Rustica: Yes. Though it won't last long, I fear. Chloe, Rutile.

Chloe: Absolutely not! I am not running!

Rustica: …

Chloe: …I'll use the cloaking magic again…and you can use your song, and…

Rustica: …Alright.

Rutile: Cain, I'll heal you!

Cain: It's fine! Save your magic! If someone's close to death, they'll need it more…

Hwylryn: …nn…

Cain: … He's going to attack again…

Hwylryn: …Hmm? Oh, you got me again…

Rustica: <Amores Viesse>

Chloe: <Suispicibo Voitengok>!

Hwylryn: Jeez… I guess I'll have to make it hurt a little.

Cain: <Gladius Procella>!

Hwylryn: Back off!

Cain: …Waaahhh…!

Chloe: …cough…! I can't…breathe…!

Rustica: Chloe…!

Rutile: …Everyone…!

✦✧☾✧✦

Mithra: …Sigh… Don't piss me off so much, Figaro… Why do you have to make me mad? If you're so worried, then you should've just protected the Sage yourself. I'm already busy enough keeping Mitile and Rutile safe. Because I promised Tiletta I'd protect them… … Uh oh… What were those two supposed to be doing right now? Are they waiting for cake again… … <Arthim>

Next Chapter

#.mhyktl #.eventtl #.main story tl #4th anni

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cainluvr69 · 4 months

Text

Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 20

Previous Chapter

Nero: Miss Dianne, can I have a sec?

Dianne: …

Nero: Right, by the way, y'don't need to fret. The problems happenin' outside the castle walls're all taken care of.

Dianne: …Huh…?

Nero: I wanna explain the details to you. Think you can come out of there?

Dianne: …"All taken care of"…? How…? And more to the point, that was not for you to do of your own volition!

Nero: C'mon, miss. It's not like anything was gonna happen with you lockin' yourself away in here.

Dianne: …ugh.

Nero: Wait, wait, wait! I'm not sayin' you need to never lock yourself away or anythin'. Hell, I've got a shut-in for a friend, even.

Dianne: …You do?

Nero: Yep. So I think it's just fine to keep yourself from standin' on the front lines while your heart's all a mess. If y'say you wanna leave things up to us, we'll figure stuff out.

Dianne: The Sage and Prince Arthur will?

Nero: I will, at least.

Dianne: …

Nero: Can't trust me if I'm not the Sage or the Prince?

Dianne: No, that's not…

Nero: Y'don't know the first thing about the rest of us, after all. My name's Nero. I'm an Eastern wizard. We've got Mitile and Riquet here, too…

Dianne: …I know Riquet.

Nero: Cool.

Dianne: …I studied so much at what would be expected of me as the new lord. But all of this… None of this was in the books I read. I know that famine or heavy taxes can incite riots, but a dragon appearing, much less these serial disappearances…

Nero: An' that's just how it looks to you. To everyone else, this shit's practically the end of the world. Y'made the wizards' bazaar permanent, you made the head chef that's been workin' here for ages quit, and you told everyone to quit usin' magitech.

Dianne: I… I was just acting in accordance with the Sage and Prince Arthur's ideals…! To make a world where wizards and humans can live alongside one another…!

Nero: That ain't true. You were just tryin' to get someone to praise you. Not just you, but your grandpa, too.

Dianne: …

Nero: To be clear, I don't think that's a bad thing.　I got frustrated just hearin' about how you used t'get treated. Havin' someone you respect get insulted like that is the same as havin' your own soul, the one that respected 'em in the first place, get all dirtied up.

Dianne: …

Nero: But while you weren't payin' attention, all caught up in desperately tryin' to protect you and your grandpa's honor… You were doin' the exact same thing to a bunch of other people.

Dianne: …I was…?

Nero: Tellin' people to trash an oven they've been usin' for years just 'cause it's got magitech in it does that, yeah. And tellin' him to go and become a gardener instead's just rubbin' salt in the wound. That's just gonna piss off all the other cooks that looked up to him.

Dianne: …I…never meant to… I thought he would change his mind…

Nero: Expectin' someone to change their mind on this kinda thing is like askin' them to rework themself from the soul up. You may as well tell 'em to go die. I had this guy I kept tryin' to pull that shit on, and, well, it was like we were tryin' to kill each other. Thinkin' someone else's heart is gonna move the way you want it to is the height of arrogance. And stupidity. But y'can always hope, huh. That sharin' your thoughts with someone you care about will change 'em…

Dianne: …

Nero: … …What were we talkin' about, again…

Dianne: About wanting to change the people you care about…

Nero: Right, yeah…

Dianne: …Did he change? The person you were fighting with…

Nero: Nope, not even a little.

Dianne: Am I…going to spend the rest of my life like this…? Is there no way for me to restore my and my grandfather's honor…?

Nero: There's gotta be a way somewhere. But you don't have to try and figure it out all on your own, y'know. Leavin' it to people you trust is a perfectly good method, too.

Dianne: …Can I trust you? If I get tricked by wizards at this point, I'll never be able to live it down.

Nero: No one's gonna be mockin' you for it. I mean, like, you're pretty cute, right? Makin' everyone love you even when you're cryin' is your talent, y'know? You might as well take advantage of that.

Dianne: …sniff…

Nero: Look… Everyone's still here in the castle. That means they're on your side.

Dianne: …hic…sniffle…

Nero: See, it's all okay. It'll work out somehow. C'mon out here with tears all over your face, Dianne. You don't have to force a smile.

Dianne: …hic… …Do you promise?

Nero: Well, can't do that. I'm a wizard, after all. But I've at least got a handkerchief on me.

Dianne: …

Nero: Good girl, Dianne.

Dianne: So you're Nero…

Nero: Yep. Now just leave everything else to me.

Dianne: …No. I will go with you. I am the lord of this castle.

✦✧☾✧✦

Shylock: …gh…

Lennox?: Hmph… Finally opened your eyes again.

Shylock: … …Where is your escort?

Lennox?: Hwylryn left and has yet to return.

Shylock: …I see…

Lennox?: You said you know what's in my heart.

Shylock: I certainly did.

Lennox?: But I don't know what's inside of it. I despise you, and yet, I have never been able to turn you to stone when I should have done so immediately. Why do I not simply manipulate you with magic, if I want you to obey me? You have no particular value. It's true you've lived a long life, but you have nothing another Northern wizard lacks. Even your stone wouldn't be especially good.

Shylock: Yes, I imagine not.

Lennox?: …So why do I not turn you to stone?

Shylock: Because my worth doesn't come from your evaluations of me or the world around you.

Lennox?: …? What does that mean…?

Shylock: My worth is determined by your heart.

Lennox?: …

Shylock: As to exactly why, I'm afraid I do not know, either. Still, when you, a Northern-born wizard, came in contact with my existence… Your heart was moved.

Lennox?: …My heart was…?

Shylock: Yes. And that is why I am special to you. Your heart yearns for me, and yearns for me to yearn for you in return… But I don't need you.

Lennox?: …tsk! <Mare…>

Shylock: Sigh… I'm tired of this. I have no desire for a partner who hurts me as indiscriminately as you.

Lennox?: …Then what should I do? What do you want?

Shylock: I don't believe I'll tell you.

Lennox?: Do not anger me, Shylock.

Shylock: Perhaps you misunderstand what we have here? You are the one who doesn't want to anger me.

Lennox?: That… … I understand.

Shylock: You do?

Lennox?: I understand what you're trying to say. You want me to give you what you want instead of hurting you, correct?

Shylock: Well, I suppose that's a very simple way to put it, yes.

Lennox?: Is that not your despised submission and dependence? If I have to change my form to what you want, and flirt and flatter you the way you want to make you want me… Aren't you committing the same sin as me?

Shylock: You're taking this to quite an extreme. I never said anything of the sort.

Lennox?: You implied it. What other method is there? And yet you still don't want me!

Shylock: …

Lennox?: Shylock. You may pretend to be a victim, but you're a heartless perpetrator. You are trampling on my soul with unseen heels, trying to tear it apart.

Shylock: Oh, Balthazar… Before you talk to me, you should have a proper discussion with your own heart. Why do you want me to submit to you? …No. Why have you left me alive? Both then, and now…

Lennox?: … …Because I…don't want to lose you…

Shylock: …

Lennox?: When I first went to your store… You said that to me. I won't let go of the land I love… …I… I never said that to Oz and Figaro… …So when you said that to me… …I… I felt something…despicable…unforgivable… …arrogant… …in my chest…

Shylock: …Balthazar…

Lennox?: …I… Wanted to be like…you…

Hwylryn: Balthazar.

Lennox?: …

Shylock: …

Hwylryn: …Were you in the middle of something?

Lennox?: …No, it was nothing. So you've returned.

Hwylryn: Yep. I went to check out the mermaids' jail, but no one was there.

Lennox?: …What? Hwylryn. Keep watch over Shylock.

Hwylryn: Gotcha. What are you gonna be doing?

Lennox?: I'll be following the traitorous mermaids. This time I'll know the location of the cintamani stone of medicine, I'm sure of it.

Shylock: Please wait. Balthazar…

Lennox?: Hwylryn. Don't let anyone close to Shylock.

Hwylryn: Aye-aye, captain.

Shylock: …

✦✧☾✧✦

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: …Okay. This way, right?

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: (If things keep going this well, we should find the ship that has the cintamani stone before long…) (It's all thanks to Vespa and her sisters being willing to take us there.) (…The Sage didn't seem like they were doing very well…) (They said they're friends with the dragon that hurt Lords Snow and White so badly…) (The Sage is so kind, being able to call someone they only just met their friend…) (But if I'd been told to kill Vespa right after we first met, I…) (I wouldn't have been able to, either…)

Vespa: …?

Heathcliff: Oh, no, it's nothing. Let's keep going, Vespa!

Vespa: …!

Heathcliff: (It'd be best if nothing that'd hurt the Sage happens, but…)

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: Huh? We're here…? This is our destination?

Shino: There's nothing here.

Faust: But Vespa and her sisters are swimming in a circle in the same area…

Heathcliff: Maybe… It's underneath us…?

I looked down at my feet after Heathcliff said that, and saw a jagged crack across the dim seafloor below the shifting sands. The crevice was pitch dark past the opening, and I had absolutely no idea how deep it went.

Faust: …A deep-sea trench…

Akira: Oz, Faust, have you been in deep-sea trenches before?

Oz: No.

Faust: Me neither. I was told to stay away from them. Murr would be able to give you a better explanation. If I remember right, he's both a geologist and oceanographer.

Shino: Doesn't matter since we gotta go in anyways. Well, it'll be fine.

Heathcliff: You're not scared, Shino?

Shino: The mermaids are fine with this path, so there's no reason wizards shouldn't be fine, too.

Oz and Faust made the same expression at the same time--the "huh, that's true" look.

Faust: It's an environment we're unfamiliar with so we should still stay on guard, but the logic holds. Shino is right.

Heathcliff: Let's follow Vespa closely and make it through the trench together.

Faust: It won't be much, but let's give ourselves some light, too. <Salliuqnart Mulcredo>

Heathcliff: Wah… Having a little bit of light is pretty reassuring.

Shino: Hey, you heard him. Can't you make it any brighter?

Faust: Any brighter would hurt the eyes of the creatures that dwell in the dark.

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: Vespa says she'll guide us. I'll be just fine, Shino.

Shino: Oh…okay.

Heathcliff: Thank you.

Shino: …Yeah.

We carefully, prudently descended ever deeper into the trench. Slowly but surely, all sound was snuffed out. Perhaps this all-consuming silence was what descending into the deepest pits of Hell was like.

Faust: …Shino, Heath. You both okay?

Shino: Yeah.

Heathcliff: I'm okay.

Faust: Oz. How's the Sage?

Oz: We are fine.

Akira: I'm still here.

Shino: …This place is really dark, huh. Faust, make that magic light brighter.

Heathcliff: Wait… I think we found the bottom.

Akira: The bottom? Like, of the sea?

Oz: I, too, have found my footing. Extend your legs, Akira.

Akira: O…okay.

Faust: I'm going to make things bright now. <Salliuqnart Mulcredo>

Akira: … …Woah…

Our dim light brightened, and there before our eyes was a massive structure. It was a sunken ship. Its sails and hull were dappled with algae and crusted with shellfish.

Akira: …Is this the Western witch's ship…?

Melissa's ship, the one she'd built with her friend Murr, was sleeping silently here at the bottom of the sea.

✦✧☾✧✦

Dianne: I'm going to ask Aunt Claudia what those in the castle have told her.

Nero: Alright.

Dianne: Would the person embracing that picture frame over there also be a Sage's wizard…?

Nero: Yeah… Sorry. There's kind of a lot going on right now. Did he startle you?

Dianne: No, I don't mind, but should I perhaps have a place he can rest prepared for him? Or a light meal in the dining hall…

Nero: Thanks. Lemme ask.

✦✧☾✧✦

Nero: … (Isn't right now…) (A pretty good time to take out Figaro and the twins…?)

✦✧☾✧✦

Figaro: …

✦✧☾✧✦

Nero: … (…Nah, let's not.) (He probably wants to finish 'em off himself.) (Attackin' people about to die anyways kinda feels bad, too.) Figaro.

Figaro: …

Nero: The lord's askin' if you want anythin' to eat.

Figaro: Oh, I don't need anything to eat, but some tea would be lovely.

Nero: Gotcha. Lemme take you to the dining hall.

Figaro: Thank you. Nero.

Nero: Hn?

Figaro: You made a very wise decision.

Nero: …Haha. What, did I have good timing? I'll be sure to tell the lord that. (Freaky bastard…)

Figaro: (Yep, he was close to trying to kill me.)

✦✧☾✧✦

Riquet: Nero!

Mitile: Dr. Figaro! …Lord Snow… Are Lords Snow and White okay…?

Figaro: I don't want to take my eyes off them just yet, but you two don't need to worry. Did something happen?

Mitile: The crowd outside the castle suddenly got a lot bigger! The gates might not hold…

Nero: That ain't good… Destroyin' the castle gate's definitely gonna mean people are gonna get punished. And if Dianne metes out any kind of punishment on her people with how hot things are getting, they're never gonna trust her again.

Figaro: There should be a reason why the mob has gotten bigger. Maybe another incident occurred, or maybe an agitator showed up…

Mitile: An agitator?

Figaro: An agitator is a person who deliberately fans the flames of unrest with a specific goal in mind.

Mitile: Is that different from a…mastermind? A leader?

Figaro: If the mastermind is the one who lights the flame, the agitator is the one who feeds it, making sure it gets as big as possible. Sometimes a few smoldering coals can turn into a raging bonfire simply through the presence of someone trying to turn them into that. Though it's usually the mastermind who's held accountable for it all.

Riquet: So they would be…the wind that catches those flames of unrest to make things worse, yes?

Figaro: Exactly.

Riquet: …I saw someone who was doing that earlier on the beach. They were kicking up a huge fuss and driving the unease already in place out of control. They said they were only trying to warn people for their own safety, and to guide them…

Figaro: Riquet. There are people who say that they're guiding people, but are using those words to put them on a path that they've picked out for them in advance.

Riquet: …

Figaro: When people are herded into a labyrinth with no exit and told they're in danger here, they panic, and panic invites nothing but misfortune. Even a baby can cry and scream when they're scared. To stand as a vanguard for the people means to accept responsibility for their lives, and one must be prepared for what that means in full.

Riquet: …Then, that lady was…

Figaro: While I can't know for sure if it was intentional or not, it's probable that she was the origin of the chaos.

Riquet: Then, what is the correct way to lead people? I want to guide the people of Borda Island onto a proper path.

Figaro: That's exactly what Nero and the local lord are working their butts off to figure out right now. Isn't that right, Nero?

Nero: Yeah, that's right.

Riquet: …You're figuring it out? Does no one know what the correct answer to this problem is?

Nero: Yep. I mean, sure, people might've hypothesized about things goin' this way or that, but nothin' specific.

Riquet: …How shameful.

Nero: Ahaha. You got that right. But y'know what, Riquet? Her Lordship over here was tryin' to do everything right, just like you. She studied and disciplined herself properly so she didn't fall to depravity, and became the lord here. But even she doesn't know the right answer all the time.

Riquet: …What should we do when we don't know what to do?

Nero: All you can do is make your own right answer. There's a whole lotta stuff in this world where there's no pre-set right answer.

Riquet: …I like right answers. Knowing the right answer means you can do the right thing without making any mistakes.

Nero: That's how I feel, too.

Mitile: Me too.

Figaro: Me, I've seen the definition of "right" change so many times…

Mitile: But I think leaving a little room for interpretation is good, too. That way, it's okay for kids like you and me to make decisions, too.

Riquet: Mitile…

Nero: Damn, that's good talk… You kids' hopes are so bright.

Figaro: But someone deliberately kicking up a fuss can make things overheat 'til they explode. If not for needing to keep an eye on Lord Snow, I'd go take a look at what's happening, but…

Nero: And I need to talk to Dianne after this. Can't neglect that, either.

Riquet: … I will go.

Mitile: Riquet?!

Riquet: I will go, and I will stop her. I know what the right answer is this time, so this is my specialty. I will silence her words, and then I will calm the island residents as quickly as I can. That sounds good, yes?

Figaro: It's not like I've seen the person you're talking about myself, so I can't say anything one way or the other. So let me double-check things real quick… If there is someone actively leading this insurrection, do we tell the local lord, so she can mobilize her guards?

Nero: Sendin' out soldiers is gonna be the wrong kind of stimulation this crowd needs. We'll end up with a real riot on our hands. I kinda don't wanna send the kids out to get devoured by the wolves bayin' for their blood.

Figaro: It's not going to get that bad. The island residents are just blowing off some of the stress that comes from their daily life. We should just send them out and have them come back before it blows up. How's that sound?

Mitile: I think we can do that. I-if it's both of us…

Figaro: Then fly out on your brooms, check things out, and come back without touching down.

Riquet: Understood.

Mitile: …Okay.

Nero: You sure? Be sure you don't land, okay?

Figaro: It'll be fine. Mitile knows perfectly well how scary people whipped into a mob can be.

Mitile: …Yeah.

Figaro: Be sure to look after Riquet.

Mitile: Yeah!

Riquet: I'll be the one doing the looking after. Nero, tell me to look after Mitile.

Nero: I'm countin' on you, so make sure you both come home safe and sound…

Mitile: (Woah…he hugged us.)

Riquet: (He hugged us!)

Figaro: …

Nero: Woah… Uh, hey, why're you openin' your arms like that?

Figaro: I want to hug the kids, too.

Nero: Ah… S-sorry for gettin' ahead of myself.

Figaro: Take care. Come back safe.

Mitile: Okay…! (He hugged us!)

Riquet: (He hugged us.)

Figaro: Nero, a luck spell.

Nero: Yeah, you got it. <Adnodis Omnis>

Riquet: Thank you very much, Nero.

Mitile: I'll work hard, Dr. Figaro!

Nero: Be absolutely sure y'don't push yourselves!

Figaro: Do not land anywhere! Flying low is also strictly off-limits!

Next Chapter

#.mhyktl #.eventtl #.main story tl #4th anni

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cainluvr69 · 4 months

Text

Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 19

Previous Chapter

Shylock: …nn… … …You are…?

Hwylryn: Hwylryn.

Shylock: …Are you a wizard…?

Hwylryn: Hehe… What do you think?

Lennox?: Hwylryn.

Hwylryn: Balthazar.

Shylock: …

Lennox?: Someone has destroyed the mermaids' jail. Go figure out what happened.

Hwylryn: Don't wanna.

Lennox?: You can't "not wanna".

Hwylryn: Balthazar. I've gotten rid of Gwawlyn's enemies.

Lennox?: The Northern twins, yes?

Hwylryn: Yep. Aren't I great?

Lennox?: Yes, if you actually took them down. I've yet to see their stones.

Hwylryn: They'll die. You know how effective dragon venom is. … I wonder if Gwawlyn would be happy with this. He liked those twins. They were strong, for wizards. They had the same face despite there being two of them, just like us, and that was fun…

Lennox?: Uh-huh, is that right. Hurry up and get moving. Kukuku… I see you've awoken, Shylock.

Hwylryn: Are you listening, Balthazar?

Shylock: Why not listen to what he has to say?

Lennox?: I'll listen later. Kukuku… I see you've awoken, Shylock.

Shylock: You're just trying to start the conversation over?

Hwylryn: Balthazar. I got rid of Gwawlyn's enemies, you know?

Lennox?: And so what?! I never even met that dragon in the first place.

Hwylryn: But… You remind me of him. You're violent, short-tempered, rude…

Lennox?: Hwylryn. You don't need to elaborate.

Hwylryn: Haha… Or maybe it's the other way around. Maybe I'm the one you resemble instead. Drifting down to the West because we couldn't keep living in the North.

Lennox?: … Shylock.

Shylock: Yes?

Lennox?: Wait for a while.

Shylock: Please, take your time.

Lennox?: …Hwylryn, what's wrong. What are you getting so sentimental about?

Hwylryn: A whole lot of things happened all at once. I thought I was going to encounter my most bitter foes, but instead I made a friend.

Lennox?: A friend?

Hwylryn: Yep. Tomorrow, we're going to line up early at that store together. We're going to get cake together…

Lennox?: You're going to get cake? At a time like this…?

Hwylryn: We're going to get torta di cocco. I gave you some too, didn't I?

Lennox?: You did, yes…

Hwylryn: Wasn't it good?

Lennox?: I guess.

Hwylryn: I'm going to be lining up with Akira tomorrow to get more.

Shylock: Akira…?

Hwylryn: You know them?

Shylock: Do you perhaps mean the Sage?

Hwylryn: That's right, they did say something about being the Sage. I made friends with Akira.

Shylock: So you're a friend of the Sage… …Could you tell me what your relationship with Balthazar is?

Lennox?: That doesn't concern you.

Hwylryn: We're old friends. Well, I think we're friends…

Lennox?: Cease this useless prattle!

Hwylryn: …I won't talk about that. I just got intrigued by him, so I decided to help him out. Balthazar told me about you, Shylock. Back before Adams Island sank.

Shylock: … Thank you, Hwylryn.

Hwylryn: You're very welcome.

Shylock: …Balthazar.

Lennox?: …What.

Shylock: Did you not turn to stone when Adams Island sank?

Lennox?: …

Shylock: How did you survive? What have you been doing all this time? Were you lurking here in the ocean depths this whole time?

Lennox?: …That doesn't concern you.

Shylock: This is how you've been planning on sweeping me off my feet?

Hwylryn: He just went and did that without talking to me about it first. He doesn't really care about my…

Lennox?: Silence, Hwylryn!

Hwylryn: … Whatever.

Lennox?: Wait! I didn't mean to offend you! There's still something I need you to do! Hwylryn…! …He's gone… What was he going to say I don't care about?

Shylock: Well, you certainly aren't considering his feelings, for one.

Lennox?: Hmph… And what do you think you know about him? You haven't even realized what he truly is.

Shylock: I know more about him than you do, at least.

Lennox?: You know what he is?

Shylock: I couldn't care less about that. I'm talking about his heart.

Lennox?: His heart?

Shylock: He told you that he's taken down his brother's foes, and he told you that you resemble that same brother. He thinks of you as a stand-in for his brother, Balthazar. That was why he wanted you to say something about how he'd taken down his enemies.

Lennox?: Did you read his mind?

Shylock: I don't need to do something like that to know what he wants.

Lennox?: Have you read my mind as well?

Shylock: Oh, yes.

Lennox?: …

Shylock: …

Lennox?: Then tell me. Tell me what I'm thinking about right now.

Shylock: I will not.

Lennox?: Why not? Do you have no confidence?

Shylock: Balthazar. In the North those who are strong are victorious, while those who are weak are not, yes? But that's not how it works in the West. The West is a country of desires. The one who desires is the one who loses. And you desire me. You want me to surrender myself to you, to be helpless before you, but the very moment you began to want me… Was the moment that you lost. After all, whether I give you what you want or not is all up to me.

Lennox?: … And yet I could turn you to stone here and now. I can make you experience enough fear and pain you'll beg me to turn you to stone! Do you want that, Shylock?

Shylock: Feel free to give me whatever you like. Though I imagine it'll bore me to sleep.

Lennox?: You're bluffing…

Shylock: Oh, my. This is neither a bluff nor an act. You see, I've found my heart set aflame recently.

Lennox?: …tsk. <Mare Praeda>!

✦✧☾✧✦

Mitile: Nero! The torta di cocco shopkeeper is coming here soon! He said he'll make torta di cocco for us with the castle kitchen!

Nero: That's great to hear! I'll have t' go see him later.

Riquet: Nero. Claudia wants to talk to you.

Claudia: I'm so sorry. No matter what I say, Dianne refuses to leave her office… You have something very important to ask of her, and yet she's not conducting herself the way a lord should. Please, let me apologize on her behalf. Is there anything that I could do to help you instead?

Nero: Well, I guess y'can talk with me so we can try to get the people 'round the castle to chill out a little. Why's the new lord refusin' to come out of her room? An' why's she hidin' stuff from us, an' why's she trashin' the castle magitech, an' what's up with her edict with the wizards' bazaar…

Claudia: The reason she won't come out of her office is because she doesn't know what to do. She doesn't know how to deal with what's happening, but once she steps foot out of that room, she'll be expected to deal with it. And so, she's blocked herself inside.

Mitile: But why? If she doesn't know what to do, she should try talking to people to figure it out…

Riquet: Are the other people in the castle treating her coldly?

Claudia: Oh, certainly not. They've all been working here since she was little.

Nero: Right, one of 'em said somethin'. Somethin' about Dianne bein' a crybaby…

Claudia: Dianne's always been a darling little angel ever since she was a child. Everyone adored her. And she had a tendency to burst into tears when faced with just about anything. She'd cry at hearing compassionate stories, when thinking about her studies, or even halfway through introducing herself. Once, when the previous King's cousin, Lord Antonio, visited us here, she burst into tears in the middle of her introduction. Everyone around her went white as a sheet. They were dead certain he was going ask if she'd never learned any discipline, or if no one's ever scolded her before. But Lord Antonio simply said, "What a darling girl she is," and wiped her tears… And he forgave her, just like that.

Nero: That ol' man's got some good in him, huh.

Claudia: Huh?

Nero: Oh, yeah, I know the guy too.

Claudia: Ah, I see. My apologies for speaking so self-centeredly…

Nero: Nah, don't worry about it. Keep talkin'.

Mitile: (I can't believe Nero's calling someone related to the old king "that ol' man"…)

Claudia: That event went from being just a funny story to tell at gatherings all the way to being something to boast about. After all, someone as illustrious as Lord Antonio himself had pardoned our youngest child's adorable tears. My sister wasn't the only one who was so happy about it that she went spreading the story everywhere she went. But it wasn't an incident Dianne herself was proud of. She did her very best to not cry. She didn't want to be called a crybaby anymore.

Mitile: I really understand how she felt…

Riquet: Did you used to be a crybaby too, Mitile?

Mitile: I… I wouldn't say I was that bad. Even though the grown-ups just smiled about it and didn't have any bad intentions behind what they said about me, it was still embarrassing.

Nero: Yeah, I've been there too…

Riquet: You have, Nero?

Nero: Yeah, well… No one had a lick of common sense or basic decency where I used t' be.

Mitile: What did they say?

Nero: I ain't repeatin' that in front of kids.

Claudia: Could you whisper it to me?

Nero: I definitely ain't sayin' it in front of a noblelady!

Claudia: Oh my, how terribly shy you are. Now then, where were we?

Riquet: We were talking about how Crybaby Dianne hated being called that.

Claudia: Ah, yes. Dianne had support during all this from my father--her grandfather--Lord Dionis, a man famous for his military exploits here in the West. He taught her swordsmanship, and he patiently showed her what a brave, wonderful human she could be. Thanks to his guidance, she became the gallant swordsman you see now. She barely resembles who she used to be. But… This is no longer an era where mastery of the sword can carry her; it's an era of magical technology. Someone said that to Dianne and my father. Even a fresh-faced rookie soldier could defeat the famous Commander Dionis with magical technology on their side.

Nero: Ahh… That musta been hard for the lil' missy to hear.

Mitile: (Now he's calling the local lord, Lady Dianne, "the lil' missy"…)

Riquet: But isn't magical technology very widespread in this country?

Nero: Not everyone feels the same about these kinds of things. 'Specially in the lil' miss lord's case, when it's got to do with what saved her heart, her grandpa's martial arts… It's no wonder she ended up feelin' so aggressive about magitech.

Claudia: That's right… Dianne began to hate even just the very sight of magical technology after that. She was so hostile towards it that she began putting her support behind the wizards without properly getting to know them first…

Riquet: So that's what happened. I'd heard that she was very friendly towards wizards, so I'd been looking forward to meeting her. But she didn't seem very friendly when I talked to her.

Claudia: I'm so sorry she let you down like that… She really doesn't have any prejudices against wizards, I assure you. But that description of her isn't an apt one. Still, to pretend to want to be friends despite having no real intention of it…is a terribly lonely thing.

Mitile: How can we get along better with Lady Dianne…? I thought I didn't really like her very much, even though I didn't know much about her until just now… But, after listening to what you've said about her…I don't think she's someone I can hate. I completely understand her frustration with being called a crybaby and with having her grandfather mocked like that. And the people in the castle and the island residents are the same too, aren't they? I do think that throwing out a big magical technology installation and making things hard for the head chef is going a little too far, but… If she could be honest with the people around her about what's making her miserable, or about what she needs help with…

Nero: Yeah, that ain't happenin'.

Mitile: Why not…?

Nero: 'Cause if she talks about what's hurtin' her or says she needs help, she's gonna go back to bein' Crybaby Dianne. And if that happens, she'll be lettin' everyone down. That's what she's thinkin, at least. Did I get that right, ma'am?

Claudia: Yes… I'm sure that's it.

Nero: No matter how people laughed at her or how bad it hurt, she worked as hard as her gramps did at the sword, and used it to change who she was. But y'can't heal wounds that reach all the way down to the soul so easily.

Riquet: …Like the wounds received from <the Great Calamity>?

Nero: Exactly. Mitile's completely right, is the thing. She should let herself get helped out if she's strugglin'. As long as there's people around her that are willin' to help, that is.

Mitile: …Nero…

Nero: But if they see how pathetic she really is, even just once, they'll be disappointed in her… If she says she can't do it alone, they'll say she's incompetent and look down on her. That's what she's been tryin' to avoid, but all she did was trap herself between a rock and a hard place. Even when she's surrounded by people, if she can't trust 'em, it's the same as havin' no one around at all.

Riquet: …

Nero: Even though she wants help so bad she could just explode. But she's so scared of the idea that if she actually says that to anyone, they're gonna laugh at her, mock her, and tell her it's all her fault anyways that she's not gonna say a thing about it.

Riquet: …Saying that you want help is… Something I did not realize could be so difficult for someone. (But I think Oz, Prince Arthur, and Cain are all like that, too…) (If that's true, then the times Oz has spoken with me are all very precious occasions…) (It's not something so simple that everyone can do it…) (It's something that's only possible because a special kind of trust has been formed…)

Nero: There's a lot of people like that. Hell, even I'm not immune to not wantin' to say it…

Mitile: I… I'd want you to ask me for help, Nero. There probably isn't anything I can do for you, but… I won't laugh at you or criticize you for it.

Nero: Thanks. I'm pretty fond of that part of all of you Southerners. It's the kinda thing that can save a guy…

Riquet: Me, too… I won't get upset with you.

Nero: Haha. Don't start tellin' lies, Riquet.

Riquet: It's not a lie! As long as I know the circumstances, I won't get upset with you. I don't want to hurt you by getting mad at you, Nero.

Nero: Hey, it's fine t'get mad. There are times where it's needed, even. Besides, ain't forgivin' people even when you're mad at 'em one of your specialties?

Riquet: I…suppose so…

Nero: Just forgive me as much as you can when that day comes, alright? Anyways… More than anythin', I need to go talk with her Lordship.

Riquet: You're planning on being the one who talks to her?

Nero: I mean… Well… Like… Someone's gotta do it… Even though I think I'd be pretty crap at it… But, well, I think I know what she's goin' through right now. She doesn't know what to do, but she does desperately want someone to help her out. Talkin' about it with one of her relatives or some brat's just gonna make her want to disappear even worse. So I figure I'll be good enough here… …I figure, but…my confidence is slippin' away… Riquet, how about you go instead?

Riquet: You need to make good on what you said you would, Nero. I think you're exactly right about both her and yourself.

Mitile: I'm sure your words will echo in her heart! You've got this!

Claudia: I think so as well! You can do this, Nero!

Nero: Thanks for cheerin' me on, guys… D'ya think y' could take me to her office, ma'am?

✦✧☾✧✦

Figaro: …Hah… …Lord White's presence… … (…I can't feel it anywhere…)

Painting Snow: …gh…

Figaro: …

Painting Snow: …uugh…

Figaro: Lord Snow… Lord Snow, can you hear me?!

Painting Snow: … …Fi…garo… …Where is…White…

Figaro: …

Painting Snow: I can't quite…grasp his presence… Where is he…

Figaro: …He's here. Lord White is right here. He's watching over you, Lord Snow. Don't worry.

Painting Snow: … …Heh…hehe… …Figaro, dear…

Figaro: …Yes…?

Painting Snow: You're such a kind child…

Figaro: … …Oz will be back with medicine before you know it. So stay strong and wait until he is.

Painting Snow: …Alright…

Figaro: You need not worry yourself… I am here, right at your side…

Painting Snow: …That's right… What a truly reassuring…thing to hear…

Figaro: …

Painting Snow: …

Figaro: Lord Snow… …Lord Snow…! … Haahh… He's still…moving a little…inside the frame… … …The moonlight is marking a path over the sea… …Please, don't take him…

✦✧☾✧✦

We split into two groups. The ones headed towards Shylock and Balthazar were… Murr, Rustica, and Chloe, as well as Arthur, Cain, and Rutile. And the ones who were going to be hunting for the cintamani stone were me, Oz, Faust, Shino, and Heathcliff.

Faust: It's highly likely that Lennox is going to be with Balthazar. If you see him…

Rutile: Don't worry, Faust. We won't hurt him.

Faust: Thank you.

Faust was obviously worried about Lennox. But if he joined the Western wizards in saving Shylock… That'd mean leaving the search for the cintamani stone on the shoulders of the younger wizards. And that worried him as well. But he had comrades he could rely on now. Oz was probably feeling something similar, since he was having to separate from Arthur.

Oz: …Are you sure you are prepared?

Arthur: You don't need to worry about us. We're setting out fully prepared to do what we need to do.

Murr: Even if you reel in the sea dragon, it's not like you can fight, Oz. On the other hand, their side would get a special bonus if that happens.

Chloe: A special bonus?

Murr: A powerful wizard's flesh and blood can be used as a medium to perform powerful magic. I don't think even Mithra could win against a sea dragon that's gotten a taste of Oz, if you catch my drift.

Arthur: Lord Oz, when your group locates the cintamani stone, please return to shore and take it to Lord Snow. Faust, it'd be a big help if you could join back up with us, though.

Faust: Got it. I know I'm starting to repeat myself, but please take care of Lennox.

Cain: Lennox is one of our precious comrades. We're not gonna hurt a hair on his head before we take care of Balthazar.

Oz: If both Shylock and Lennox are undamaged… Pursuing a battle against Balthazar and the dragon will be pointless.

Shino: Why.

Oz: For when the day breaks, I shall lay them low myself.

I bit my lip. Did that mean he was going to kill Hwylryn? My heart pounding, I decided to make my intentions clear to everyone one more time.

Akira: Before that happens, I'm going to try to negotiate with Hwylryn.

Faust: Right. Hopefully you'll find the dragon before you find Balthazar.

Murr: But if those negotiations go belly-up and Oz gets eaten, we'll have the single worst-case scenario on our hands. I didn't wanna say it in front of Arthur, but you need to be ready for that eventuality, Faust.

I saw Faust go a little green around the gills at that. He glanced away, hiding his expression. Arthur looked anxious, and Oz said nothing.

Murr: Soooo, time to get this show on the road!

Arthur: Master Sage! We'll definitely return with Shylock and Lennox in hand.

Akira: Yeah! Everyone, be careful!

Cain: You too, Akira! Oz! Be sure you look after them!

Oz: Yes.

And then we parted from one another, following the mermaids' guidance on two separate paths.

✦✧☾✧✦

Mermaid: …! …!

Cain: Looks like it's that way. The moonlight doesn't reach this deep, so I've kind of lost my sense of direction, but I think that's northwest… Is that where Adams Island used to be?

Murr: Yep, you got it! Your military command expertise is shining through!

Arthur: The sunken Adams Island… I never thought I'd see it.

Rutile: I wonder if Leno's there…

Arthur: The mermaids who'd been locked up claim to have seen Balthazar and Shylock there.

Rutile: I hope Leno is okay… Shylock, too……hm? Huh…? When did Chloe and Rustica get so far away…

Cain: Ack, sorry! I got too caught up in following the mermaids… I'll go back to help them right now!

Chloe: We're fiiiine! We can catch up! This way, Rustica. Good job, good job!

Rustica: Why thank you, Chloe.

Chloe: …Hey, Rustica. What did Murr mean by what he said earlier? About something he didn't want to talk about in front of Arthur, but that Faust needed to be ready for…

Rustica: Should it look like Lord Oz is going to turn to stone and thus fall into the dragon's hands, Faust should turn him to stone first so that we may partake of his strength ourselves. I believe that is what he meant.

Chloe: Wh…what…?! There's no way that's going to happen, right?!

Rustica: It won't. They were simply talking about what the proper way to go about things based on addition and subtraction would be. Simple arithmetic.

Chloe: Right… Faust wouldn't do something like that…

✦✧☾✧✦

Shino: (…It doesn't seem like very many people got what Murr was talking about.) (Faust can't attack Oz. His head's too full of Lennox for anything else right now…) (He can't even conceive of sacrificing someone else for his own gain in the first place.) (But I can.) (Sorry Oz, sorry Arthur, but if it's to protect Heath…) (I'll kill Oz before the dragon can if the Sage's negotiations fall through.) (…My hands are already dirty.) (There's no mission I'm not willing to carry out.)

Vespa: …! …!

Shino: …What is it.

Heathcliff: Shino! You started slowing down. Are you okay?

Shino: Sorry. I was spacing out.

Heathcliff: You can't go spacing out at a time like this.

Faust: Are you running low on magic?

Shino: I'm fine.

Akira: But you won't be able to breathe if you run out of magic…

Oz: Will you return to shore, Shino?

Shino: … There's no issue. Let's keep moving.

Next Chapter

#.mhyktl #.eventtl #.main story tl #4th anni

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cainluvr69 · 4 months

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Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 18

Previous Chapter

Akira: …!

The sound of water roared in my ears as I sank down, down, down to the bottom of the deep, dark sea. Countless bubbles filtered up past me, brushing against my skin as they continued their path up to the surface. My wizards were framed by halos of thin and fleeting light, looking like messengers from the moon as they descended through the water. The initial big splash faded into quiet burbling, and then that too faded into a quiet stillness. The nighttime sea was different from the sea during the day; for one thing, it was pitch black. The icy chill of fear and anxiety seeped into my limbs. If not for the feeling of Oz's hand in mine, I'm sure I would've started panicking on the spot. Several of the younger wizards looked scared, too. But with their comrades there to act as examples, they, too, began to calm down. I, on the other hand, had completely stopped breathing in my fear and had to force myself to take a breath.

Akira: (Ah… I can breathe just fine.) (I wonder how it works. Well, as long as it does work…)

Thanks to magic, I was still able to breathe, even this far underwater. As I took deep breaths in and out in wonder, I gradually started feeling calmer. I recalled what Murr had told us just a little earlier. I needed to have fun. I needed to let my world open up more. With those words in mind, I looked around at the night-dark ocean.

Akira: (Woah…)

It was like opening my eyes to a still, quiet paradise. The light of the moon streamed through the surface of the water, as if it were drawing a path for us to follow--and follow we did, tracing its glowing steps deeper into the ocean. There were…I'm not sure exactly what they actually were, but there were what looked like little sparkling grains of sand floating through the water, glittering like stars. There was coral that glowed with a gentle radiance, and vividly colored fish that caught that radiance on their scales.

Chloe: It's so pretty…

Rustica: We've stepped foot into a veritable wonderland.

Rutile: We really have! Any other time, I'd want to go back up and bring Mitile down to see this, too.

Cain: We should come back once everything's all settled! Ah… I can talk normally…

Arthur: What a beautiful world… It's just as Murr said.

Murr: Riiiight?

Everyone's eyes sparkled as they excitedly looked around at the underwater garden that surrounded us. Illuminated by the moonlight above, everyone's hair was floating weightlessly in the water, swaying with the currents. It was as if we'd stepped foot into the canvas of a painting.

Heathcliff: Ah, Vespa?!

Vespa was pulling on one of Heathcliff's arms, spinning him around. Until now, this darling mermaid had been carried in Heathcliff's arms, but now that she was back in the ocean, she was even more animated and quick in her motions.

Shino: Hey! Don't pull on Heath.

Heathcliff: Wah, she's so fast… Wait, hold on a second…!

Vespa: …! …!

Cain: Woah…!

Faust: That's more speed than I was expecting…

Vespa flipped her tail and vigorously swam deeper into the sea.

Heathcliff: …Where are you going? Is that where all your friends are?

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: I think she's going to take us to the cage where the other mermaids have been imprisoned!

At some point, Vespa and Heathcliff, who had been at each other's side since they first met… Had learned to communicate with another no longer through drawings, but simply through the expressions on one another's face. Shino smiled as he watched them, looking like he was recalling some nice memory or another.

Heathcliff: What?

Shino: Nah, I'll tell you later.

Faust: Does everyone think they can keep up?

Chloe: I think so… Rustica, how are you doing?

Rustica: I'm just fine. What do you think, Cain?

Cain: …Yep, things are working out somehow! Alright, this way!

Faust: It's the same as flying through the sky on your broom. Ride the current and reduce drag… Wah…!

Rutile: I've figured out the trick to it! I think I'll be able to catch up to Vespa!

Murr: Let's goooo!

Rutile: Okay!

Faust: Be sure you don't get too far away from the rest of the group! Murr, keep an eye on him!

My wizards swam through the neverending world of blue like a school of fish. Arthur was so deeply moved by the undersea garden that he was smiling like a schoolboy as he looked up at Oz.

Arthur: It's so beautiful down here… There's so many adventures I want to set out on.

A smile finally broke through the stoic expression on Oz's face.

Oz: I can only imagine how much of this world you want to see and investigate for yourself.

Arthur: Oh, all of it. I'm so happy to find out there's a whole new world I don't know a thing about yet.

A school of long, thin fish drifted between Oz and Arthur. I met Arthur's gaze, and smiled. Snow, White, Shylock, Lennox, Hwylryn… Worry was still playing on my nerves, but the fact that I was here, seeing such a wonderful world in the flesh… It was something I never wanted to forget.

✦✧☾✧✦

Faust: Oz. Were the imprisoned mermaids around this area?

Oz: Yes.

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: Vespa is telling us to hide!

Cain: Wh-- How?!

Shino: Won't you have a perfectly good place if you move just a little more forward?

Chloe: Wait! I think I have a spell that'd be perfect for this! <Suispicibo Voitengok>!

Chloe recited his spell, and it was like it rippled out, weaving through the seawater. If I paid close attention, I could see a bolt of fabric the same gentle blue as the water around us spreading through the water, shrouding us from view.

Rutile: Amazing…! No one will be able to see us from far away like this!

Chloe: I'm soooo happy it worked! This is the kind of magic I've been working on lately! I came up with this by using magic cloth I bought at the flea market in the Town of Foam! It was honestly pretty hard to get, but… Ah, sorry! I can talk about that later!

Chloe had gotten caught up in talking, but when he saw Vespa fidgeting nervously, he snapped his mouth shut in a hurry. Heathcliff shook his head, looking even more apologetic than Chloe did.

Heathcliff: I'm sorry. I want to hear more about the magic cloth later when we can take our time with it…

Shino: By the way, since she told us to hide, what's out there for us to hide from?

Heathcliff: Umm…

Heathcliff poked his head out of the magic cloth a little bit, just to peek out at what else was out there.

Heathcliff: I can see something that looks like a cage, but there are mermaids armed with spears swimming just in front of it.

Faust: They sound dangerous. Should we be thinking of them as enemies?

Vespa: …! …!

Vespa shook her head vigorously, a sad look on her face. I didn't think that was all she had to tell us, though. She was trying to make some kind of appeal to us with her big motions and gestures as she darted back and forth in the water.

Akira: We shouldn't attack them…?

Faust: That seems to be the message here.

Oz: I can feel Balthazar's magic. I imagine those mermaids are being puppeteered.

Akira: By Balthazar…

I thought about the mermaids that had deferred to Hwylryn.

Akira: I saw mermaids obeying Hwylryn, too. Is he a tyrant lording over the mermaids, too…?

It was entirely possible that Hwylryn was the reason Vespa and her friends were suffering. I looked at Oz, complicated feelings swirling in my chest. But he just gently shook his head, a delicately small gesture.

Oz: Dragons hold dominion over the natural world. Both spirits and magical creatures are naturally drawn to them. If there is a sea dragon in these waters, then it is only natural that the mermaids that live here would obey it.

Arthur: In the same way that spirits are naturally drawn to and obey you, Lord Oz?

Oz: Yes.

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: …Ah! Vespa!

I turned my head towards Heathcliff's voice, and saw the tip of a spear pierced through the magic cloth. We'd been noticed. The spear-wielding mermaids tore through Chloe's magic cloth, revealing themselves. Their faces were pale, and their eyes were dark, cavernous voids.

Chloe: Vespa, watch out…!

Vespa: …!

One of the spears was aimed directly at her, intent on running her through. Cain caught the edge of the blade before it could touch her.

Cain: Vespa, run…!

Vespa: …!

Cain: Is there any way we can break through the brainwashing or put them to sleep?!

Rustica: Allow me. <Amores Viesse>

Rustica recited his spell, but it sounded more like a gentle song, echoing through the sea like through a music hall. When the song reached the spear-wielding mermaids' ears, it was like they were jolted back to their senses. Slowly but surely, their blank eyes began to refocus on what was in front of them, the melody of the song catching their attention.

Faust: Are they starting to wake up…? Is Balthazar's control being undone?

Rustica shook his head a bit, not once pausing in his song.

Faust: I see…

Faust had obviously been hoping this would be enough to free Lennox. He pressed his lips together in a tight line, frustrated. Rustica, on the other hand, was enjoying himself--his hands were moving as a conductor's would, holding an invisible baton. The mermaids followed his motions as though they were his orchestra. Their long hair floated in the water, bubbles dancing around their seashell barettes. It didn't take long for them to drop their spears. As their weapons sank down to the bottom of the sea, the mermaids closed their eyes, falling into a gentle, peaceful sleep. Chloe gathered up his magic cloth. We had managed to stealthily make our way to a large reef that had been fashioned into something similar to a jail.

✦✧☾✧✦

The reef "jail" was similar in construction to a three-story building. Beyond the many ash-grey pillars--I couldn't tell if they were made of coral or of stone--were the imprisoned mermaids.

Akira: (Woah… There's so many mermaids…)

There was something oddly captivating about them, and I felt my hardened heart dance in my chest. Now that I thought of it, though, I hadn't let myself feel anything for Vespa, and I hadn't even properly introduced myself to her, either. I took a deep breath. It's important to not get so mired in your sadness that you can't pull yourself free from it. We startled the mermaids as we drew closer to the bars of the cage, and they swam in deeper, hiding themselves. Vespa swam right up to the bars, calling out to the fleeing mermaids. Oz took me and advanced behind her, before taking a moment to address her.

Oz: Stand back.

Vespa: …?! …?!

Oz: I am going to destroy their cage.

Vespa: …?! …?!

Shino: Vespa, come here!

Shino beckoned Vespa over to him. Vespa darted towards him, away from the bars of the cage. I squeezed Oz's hand tightly, my heart pounding in my chest. Was his spell going to succeed?

Akira: (It will… I'm sure it will.) (I need to believe in myself… In myself, and in Oz!)

Oz: <Vox Nox>

A weak light trailed out of Oz's staff and made contact with the bars of the cliffside prison--and then those same bars crumbled away as if they were made of sand.

Arthur: Yay! It worked! Master Sage! Lord Oz!

Akira: It did!

Faust: Now we can ask Vespa's siblings about where to find Balthazar and the cintamani stone of medicine.

We exchanged grins as we waited for the mermaids to leave their broken jail. But there was absolutely no sign that they had any intention of leaving.

Shino: … Hey. Isn't it taking the fish a while to come out?

Heathcliff: Don't call them that.

Murr: Hey, Oz, you didn't kill 'em all out of habit, did you?

Oz: …Hmm…

Arthur: I'll go check things out!

Rutile: It might just be that they're scared! Like how little fishies hide themselves even when you're just looking at them…

Heathcliff: That's certainly possible. Why don't we just wait a little farther away and see what happens?

Akira: Good idea! Let's all back off a little… Let's wait for them to come out on their own!

We put a bit of distance between us and their cage, and once we were comfortably far away, we waited for the mermaids to come out of their own accord.

Rutile: Are they out yet? How about now?

Chloe: Everything's okay! You can come out now!

Rustica: Ah, there they come now.

Heathcliff: You're right! Ah…

But the mermaids vacated the area at an impressive speed, scattering to the vast sea as fast as their tails could take them.

Heathcliff: Ah, ah, ahhh…!

Akira: Wa--wait…!

Murr: Speedy…!

Shino: They're so ungrateful…!

Faust: <Salliuq…> Dammit! I bit my tongue…!

Rustica: It makes sense that they'd want to leave in such a rush. I understand completely.

Cain: That's fish for you! I let my guard down because I was thinking of them like women.

Arthur: Lord Oz, what should we do…? If we follow them intending to capture one, we'll only frighten them more, won't we?

Shino: Stop talking like a feral child when you've got the face of a pure-hearted prince.

Vespa was in a tizzy, swimming back and forth in a figure eight--and then Oz recited his spell again.

Oz: <Vox Nox>

Orbs of light scattered in all directions. A few moments later, a number of the mermaids were dragged back to us through the water, wrapped in a soft light. As they drew towards us, they started struggling, clearly scared. Vespa swam in a circle around them, desperately explaining what was going on, but the mermaids were staring straight at the seafloor, and none of them raised their heads to look at her. That was when Rutile spoke up.

Rutile: Oh… They look like they're hurt.

Akira: Huh?

Just as Rutile had said, there were a number of shallow cuts on the mermaids' arms and tails.

Faust: I imagine they hurt themselves in their haste to escape their prison, rather than being injured by a magical attack.

Rutile: Oh, how terrible…

Rutile approached the mermaids unhesitatingly, looking at them with concern. He retrieved his magical focus, his feather pen, and smiled at the fearful mermaids.

Rutile: Just stay still, okay… This won't hurt a bit. <Ortonik Setomaouge>

Rutile chanted his spell, and then the mermaids' injuries were wrapped in a gentle light. At first, they were scared, but as the swelling around their cuts went down, they looked up at Rutile in curiosity. Their painful-looking cuts closed up, one after the other, leaving nothing but the faint outline of where they used to be. They weren't perfectly healed, but it was still enough to free them from their pain and wariness of us. Perhaps in a display of both gratitude and fascination, the mermaids began to swim around Rutile in a circle, spinning around.

Rutile: My… How pretty…!

Vespa smoothly added herself to their circle. She grabbed Heathcliff's arm and dragged him into the circle, too. She swam between Heathcliff and the rest of us, and over the top of us, too--probably explaining to her friends what was going on. While she did that, the mermaids split into two groups. Vespa returned to Heathcliff's side and explained…something to him, using nothing but gestures.

Heathcliff: Erm… The ship is this way…and Balthazar is that way…?

Vespa: …! …!

Chloe: It's amazing that you got all that, Heath…

Shino: It's because he's attentive when it comes to other people. I understand that much. Or at least I think I'm starting to.

Chloe: Shino…

Shino: …He was the same way with me. I used to never have someone who'd check on me when I wasn't feeling well. The most I got was people peeking at me in fear when I attacked them. No one wanted to let a kid as filthy as me dirty up their line of sight. But…

Shino's red eyes were fixed on Heathcliff's back. Heathcliff, however, was looking at Vespa, doing his absolute best to understand what she was thinking. Shino smiled softly, seeing him like that.

Shino: Heath tried to learn things about me. What was I thinking about… What I wanted, what made me upset. That kind of thing. No one had ever cared about those things before. Instead, they just wanted to know what I wanted from them, when I was going to get out of their hair, and how they could get rid of me. Pretty sure that was all they thought, at least. Thinking back on how I used to be, I'm pretty certain of it. But Heathcliff cared about me when everyone else in the world treated me like trash not worth the effort of so much as glancing at. He was serious about it, and polite about it… Even though he was scared, he still cared about me. So, I… I wanted to treasure him just as much… That was how I felt.

Shino's heartrending sighs turned into bubbles, floating up to the water's surface. Across from him, Vespa was gesturing with her arms spread wide. Her blonde hair floated gently in the water, rippling like sunlight. Heathcliff was watching her very seriously, nodding at what she had to tell him. Sometimes he'd look puzzled and frown a little. But when he understood something, he smiled happily. Even though Heathcliff was lit by nothing but moonlight right now, Shino narrowed his eyes when he looked at him, as if he were dazzlingly radiant.

Shino: I remember now. Before I met him, I hated his guts for being the Blanchett heir, always adored and blessed from the day he was born. If Heath… If Heath wasn't the person he is inside, I never could've become friends with him. For the first time, I wasn't being rejected for who I was, and someone really cared about me… That's why I love him.

Shino's voice cracked and faded into the sound of the water around us, so I couldn't quite make out what he'd said there at the end. Faust gently put a hand on his shoulder.

Faust: Well done… You found the words you needed to convey how you feel.

Shino: Can I even say them to him? It's so embarrassing…

Normally Shino couldn't get enough of singing Heathcliff's praises, but right now, I could see a dusting of a blush over his cheeks. But Faust didn't laugh at him. He just spoke softly.

Faust: You should tell people the things you want to when you can. Before you regret not doing so.

Shino: Faust…

Heathcliff: Master Sage, Mr. Faust! I got it!

That was when Heathcliff and Vespa swam back over to us.

Heathcliff: The sunken ship with the cintamani stone and Balthazar's undersea city are in two different directions! Vespa's sisters can lead us to either of them…

Cain: Two different places…

Arthur: So we'll need to split into two groups.

Next Chapter

#.mhyktl #.eventtl #.main story tl #4th anni

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cainluvr69 · 4 months

Text

Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 17

Previous Chapter

Borda Island Resident: Open the castle gate!

Borda Island Resident: Bring out the new lord…!

Borda Castle Guard: Stand down! If you break the castle gate, you'll be arrested for treason!

Borda Island Resident: Treason?! Just for asking her to help us?!

Mitile: … Everyone's in an uproar outside the castle… And when Leno's in so much trouble, too…

Riquet: I'm worried about Shylock, too. And about Lord Snow in his painting… …And Lord White, too…

Mitile: Where is Lord White…? Maybe we just can't see him, and he's right next to us… No, he should be at Lord Snow's side, right?

Riquet: Oz said he couldn't feel his presence anywhere…

Mitile: Oh no…

Mitile & Riquet: …

Nero: It's gonna be fine.

Riquet: Nero…

Nero: None of 'em are that fragile. Once Snow's all healed up, White's gonna show up again, too. That's why Arthur and Rutile are out searchin' for medicine for him. Just believe in 'em and be patient.

Riquet: …Okay.

Mitile: …Alright. Nero, is there anything that the two of us can do? We were told to wait here in the castle because it'll be dangerous in the ocean, but I really did want to go with them, too.

Riquet: Me, too. So if there's anything we can do for our allies…

Nero: … I wanna tell you kiddos you don't need to worry about that kinda thing, but this whole island really is in a tizzy right now… I ain't gonna pretend things aren't real touch 'n go right now. Something bad really might happen.

Mitile: Something bad…

Riquet: Nero… Why are the people at the gate so angry? I can understand being scared of the dragon and the natural disasters it might cause. But neither of those have anything to do with the people in the castle, do they? Why did they come to the castle, and why are they so angry at those within it?

Nero: It's 'cause the new lord ain't listenin' to what her people have to say. No one can trust someone who won't listen to 'em. But even if they don't trust her, they still have to rely on her. So they're all mobbin' her 'cause they're scared she's gonna up 'n abandon them in their time of need. Ignorin' their voices when they're scared and desperate is the same as ignorin' that they exist at all. So they're here to say, "We're here, we're alive." Y'know how Arthur and Rutile listen to whatever people have to say to 'em, even if they don't agree with it?

Mitile: Yeah…

Riquet: They'll even hear out people I think are perfectly fine to ignore…

Nero: Haha… Yeah, I get where you're comin' from. But the people who're spendin' their time listenin' to you on a regular basis… Aren't the people you're gonna be worryin' about up and ditchin' you when somethin' happens.

Riquet: … …I suppose that's true. Oz also didn't talk about himself for a long time. He wasn't someone I thought would come to help me when something happened. I thought it was wrong of him to be unwilling to help others despite holding such great strength. I didn't think he was really seeing me, and so I often made a big fuss about it. "Are you listening, Oz? Make sure you respond! Be sure to say things clearly!" Just like the island residents are doing now. Oz is just bad at talking to people. He isn't doing these things on purpose to spite people. But once Oz began meeting my eyes and listening to me, I stopped feeling the need to make such a fuss about it.

Mitile: … …I understand how they feel, too… I always want to make sure people are listening to what I have to say. I always feel childish and ashamed of myself when I say that kind of thing, so I don't like to, but… When busy grown-ups look back at me and nod and listen to what I'm saying… It feels like my words…and I myself really matter… So I was really happy today. Dr. Figaro really talked with me… It made me feel like he was really acknowledging me and putting his faith in me…

Nero: …Yeah, I know what you mean…

Mitile: You do?

Nero: Back when I was younger, there was someone I wanted to stop and look at me. I don't think I wanted him to praise me, but at the same time, I really wanted him to… I wanted him to see there was value in where we were. I wanted him to think there was somethin' worth keepin' his interest.

Riquet: Are you talking about your father?

Nero: I mean, no, but…

Riquet: Was it someone who guided you?

Nero: …Yeah, I guess you could say that…

Mitile: Did he ever stop and look at you?

Nero: Maybe halfway… But I never let my frustration with that bubble over. Because he did look at me. He was workin' hard and held himself back. He did listen to what I had to say to him. …The new lord here was prob'ly the complete opposite when she was talkin' to the head chef. She didn't listen to what anyone was tryin' to tell her. So everyone, the island residents, the wizards in the market, even the people in her own castle… All of 'em expect her to cut and run at the first sign of trouble.

Riquet: … Dianne said that it's her job to guide the people living on the island. So why doesn't she do that when her people are in so much distress?

Nero: Beats me… Maybe there's some kinda circumstances we don't know about… But anyways, there's way too much bad stuff all lined up in a row out here. Even a single misstep could end up with a full-blown riot on our hands. That guy'd be good at unifying everyone at a time like this, but…

Mitile: Ah… My brother and everyone else are about to leave!

Riquet: Let's go see them off!

Nero: Yeah, let's.

✦✧☾✧✦

We were about to dive to the bottom of the sea, to where Balthazar was lying in wait. The ones meant to wait in the castle--Nero, Riquet, and Mitile--came to see us off. Figaro didn't, but he couldn't let himself pause in Snow's treatment for something like this. Snow had been poisoned, White had vanished, Shylock had been kidnapped, and Lennox was being manipulated… And to heal them, to bring them back, we had to face off against a Northern wizard and a sea dragon. Going against that sea dragon in particular… Thinking about that made my chest ache.

Akira: (…Hwylryn…)

But I could only let myself think about him for so long. We didn't have a moment to waste right now. More than anything else, I didn't want to lose Snow, White, Shylock, and Lennox. We finished up getting ready to depart, and left the castle, standing just before the castle gate. On our way, someone from the castle called out to us. Everyone was in a rush around us, anxiety plain in their movements.

Castle Butler: Master Sage, Prince Arthur, how did your investigation into the disappearances go? In truth, I have something else I wish to pass on to you as well…

Cain: We'll need you to tell our comrades about that later. We've got stuff to talk to your side about too, though. Three corpses were found without their heads, right? Can you tell us why we didn't get informed of that particular detail?

Castle Butler: W-well…

Cain: I'd appreciate it if you could make time with Lord Dianne for us. I'd like to talk to her more in depth…

Nero: I'll take over from here.

Cain: Got it?

Castle Butler: Y-yes, sir!

✦✧☾✧✦

Shino joined our group with his scythe on his shoulder and his bag stuffed full of Rutile's medicinal herbs. Murr turned back to the rest of us while walking towards the front.

Murr: Okaaaay, let's get this show on the road! All of you can use magic that'll let you move freely underwater, right?

Arthur: I can, yes. How about the rest of you?

Shino: Yeah.

Heathcliff: I'll probably be okay. I put a good amount of practice into it during lessons. I haven't been able to put it into practice for a particularly extended period of time, though.

Rutile: Same here. I've played around in rivers and lakes before, but it'll be my first time going this deep.

Chloe: Um, I'm not super confident I can.

Murr: Rustica, can you help him out?

Rustica: I believe I can keep him breathing under the waves, yes.

Chloe: Wh…what else is there to worry about?

Rustica: I cannot swim, you see.

Chloe: Huh?!

Arthur: Really?!

Murr: Have you drowned before?

Rustica: Who knows? But I'm very certain I can't swim.

Chloe: Now that you mention it, we've never gone swimming during our travels…

Cain: Just leave the swimming part to me. As long as you can both breathe underwater, I'll take point and you can follow my lead.

Arthur: There's a big river in your hometown, right?

Cain: Yeah. You should come swimming with me sometime, your Highness.

Murr: So the Sage should be with Oz, Faust, Rustica, or me. We'll make sure they're covered.

Arthur: Thank you. The deep sea is not only dangerous, but also draining to navigate. If you start getting tired, please feel free to separate from the rest of the group and take a break. If you can float up to the surface and get to the sky, it should be simple enough to find land again. If you've completely exhausted your magic, though, you won't be able to fly. Lord Oz's magic will be more than enough to bring us all back to land, but at the same time, that will be difficult to do until dawn breaks.

Faust: That's true. Murr and I should be able to aid the rest of our students, but… We should have contingencies in place, just in case. All of you should keep a close eye on how much magic and physical exertion you're using.

Heathcliff: Understood.

Cain: Gotcha.

Shino: Yeah. Can I ask something?

Arthur: What is it?

Shino: How are we gonna kill the dragon when Oz can't use magic? If the Sage is with him, he should be able to use it, but he failed at killing it just earlier today.

Shino was staring at me, and I kept my mouth shut. I remembered what I'd done only a short while ago. I didn't want to hurt Hwylryn. The moment I'd thought that, the moment I'd let go of Oz's hand, he'd stopped being able to use magic. Eleven of my dear wizards bore an injury from <the Great Calamity>, a burden that restricted them terribly. When I, the Sage, touched them, the weight of that burden was lessened. We'd done this many times over now. Oz, who could no longer use magic at night, could use magic. The sleepless Mithra could rest… But there were also many times it hadn't gone so well. No matter how many times I desperately pray for it to work, those prayers are never answered… I still don't understand why it works some times but not others. But as of this last incident, I had a feeling I'd made the first step towards understanding that mystery.

Akira: (…It's because of my own heart…)

It took me a moment to realize I was clenching my hands.

Akira: (Wizards cast magic with their hearts. This must be the same principle…) (I think that if both I and the wizard in question aren't wanting the same thing, then I can't do anything to heal their injury from the Calamity…)

But even if we said that, there were still some points that didn't cover. For instance, I wasn't very good at letting Oz use his magic again during the Umbra Volans incident, at least at first. Nor when Shylock was suffering from his heart being set aflame, even when he was in so much pain right in front of me…

Akira: (…Even though Nova was able to do it…)

Though I was at a bit of a loss, I still put my thoughts into words.

Arthur: I see… So you don't wish to attack the sea dragon, Master Sage. That's why Lord Oz isn't able to use his magic right now… That's what you're trying to say, yes?

Akira: I mean, that just has to be it, I can't think of any other reason why… That's definitely how it feels to me.

Murr: Then while we're in the water, Oz, you need to keep your desire to protect us in alignment with the Sage's. Normally I'd want to do some proper experimentation to verify things, but we sadly don't have the time for that right now.

Faust: At the very least, we should be able to make sure the younger wizards all stay safe… Oz.

Oz: What.

Faust: If you feel that your heart and the Sage's aren't matching up, take the younger wizards back to shore. Can you do that?

Oz looked at me. I looked away, feeling like I was trying to run away from the intensity of his gaze. It wasn't a comfortable feeling.

Akira: (Oz must be really troubled by not being able to use magic…) (Normally everything works out just fine, but because of me…) (When Snow and White were in danger, I started getting all wishy-washy because of a dragon I'd only just met…) (That's what he must be thinking about me right now…)

I felt terrible that I couldn't meet the expectations everyone had placed on me.

Oz: Sage.

Akira: Yes…

I responded to Oz when he said my name. The voice that spilled from my lips was unbelievably small. But Oz's voice contained no blame or accusation within its thunder.

Oz: I believe I once told you to not let your role confine you.

Akira: …

I looked up at him, startled. He had said something similar to me before. Those words, too, had felt very precious at the time. I mustn't forget my own name. The weight of my role was such that it could blot out my personal identity. And now… I was the one who had begun to forget who I was. I'd started to think that if I couldn't fulfill the role I was supposed to play, then there wasn't any point in me being here in the first place. It wasn't that anyone had told me that. But still, the weight of responsibility had made my heart begin to curl in on itself. Akira didn't need to be here. The perfect, flawless Sage should be standing in their place. I took a moment to once again look around myself. Everyone's expressions were tense, taut as a drawn bowstring. Arthur, Cain, and Faust were staring at me, their gazes focused… As was Murr, with his wandering gaze, as well as Heathcliff and Shino, after they glanced at each other. Rutile and Chloe were too, both looking worried. And then there were Nero and Rustica, who looked like they were watching over me from far away. Riquet and Mitile were holding hands, but they were looking at me, not at each other. I could tell. All of them were desperately thinking about what they could do for me. "It wasn't all you sole responsibility. We can help, too." That's what it felt like they were saying to me. I took a slow, deep breath in, exhaled, and then opened my mouth.

Akira: It's not like I can be 100% about it, but… I think I can work with Oz to let him use magic as long as it's not for violence. If it's to help any of you, then I definitely think I'll be able to help.

Faust: Got it. Thank you.

Shino: I don't want to get dragged back to shore. I'll figure something out on my own.

Cain: I'm pretty confident in my diving ability. I dunno exactly how well that'll hold up in the deep sea, but…

Chloe: But, um, isn't that gonna be pretty bad in the definitely super small chance that we got forced to fight the dragon…? Oz can't use his magic for that, and none of the Northern wizards are here, either… I mean, this is totally hypothetical, okay?! I definitely don't want us to have to fight against a dragon that the Sage is friends with!

Arthur: You have a point… Master Sage, do you think opening a dialogue with this "Hwylryn" fellow would be worth a try?

Akira: A dialogue…

Arthur: Yes. If it's possible to avoid any conflict by talking with him, then…

Arthur's words made me feel a faint sense of hope.

Akira: …I don't think it's impossible, at the very least. Hwylryn didn't strike me as being super into violence. He was more playful and mischievous, if anything…

Chloe: A mischievous dragon…

Rustica: What a wonderful prospect. I hope we can become friends.

Akira: I hope so, too.

My tone had sharpened a bit, though I hadn't meant it to.

Akira: Actually, Hwylryn said a bunch of times that his brother was more predisposed to being aggressive. So I figure that means Hwylryn himself is a lot more mild-mannered than his brother was…

Oz: …I have never heard of a mild-mannered dragon before. Though they may not be needlessly aggressive, their arrogance and wariness are both very defined. I do not believe conversation will be an option.

Akira: H…Hwylryn can definitely be talked to.

Oz: …

Arthur: Your own wariness is entirely understandable, Lord Oz. But the one who has had direct experience in speaking with this dragon named Hwylryn and flown at his side through the sky is the Sage. Can we not have faith in what they say and make an attempt at negotiations?

Akira: Negotiations… That's right, he also talked about wanting to negotiate with me! It was when we first met… You remember too, right, Rutile?

Rutile: Yes, I do. In exchange for gemstones, he wanted us to share our torta di cocco with him…

Heathcliff: A dragon that wants to eat sweets…?

Shino: That's surprisingly humble.

Oz: …I understand. If that is what the Sage wishes.

Murr: So, what about Balthazar? Are we gonna try to persuade him, too? If he wants a proper apology from Oz and Figaro, will he get one?

Murr's words were as sharp as a blade, but I didn't see any intention to pick a fight or start an argument in his eyes. He was just simply trying to get a straight yes or no answer. Arthur hesitated for a moment before turning to Oz. Oz greeted him with a steely gaze.

Oz: I see no reason to. Being unable to control my magic as I desire is putting needless strain upon the younger wizards… For that, I will apologize. However, Balthazar has no understanding of his own sins. Power is everything in the North. Bowing my head to him will do nothing but spark his fury.

There was no hesitation whatsoever in Oz's words. Murr shrugged his shoulders and looked back at Arthur.

Murr: Well, there you have it. So we're not going to be persuading Balthazar to do anything, and instead we'll just take him out. I don't really know very much about him. But I do know he's got a real thing for Shylock, and that he was the one who sank Adams Island. That means he's got both the inclination towards and means for sinking an island. We can't say for certain he won't make the same decision again if he gets pushed far enough!

Chloe: So he might sink Borda Island?

Murr: Full marks!

Arthur: Then it'd be best if we made arrangements for evacuation and rescue operations ahead of time, just in case.

Nero: Gotcha. I'll make sure I talk to the new lord about it.

Faust: Sorry, and thanks.

Arthur: Now for our next point of discussion… What precisely will we be doing once we're underwater? Heathcliff. Can you tell us what you learned from Vespa?

Heathcliff: Yes. Balthazar has taken the other mermaids captive, and rules over them like a tyrant. He works them like slaves, imprisons them in a cage at the bottom of the sea…

Oz: …I have seen this cage.

Heathcliff: You have?! When…?

Oz: Before sunset.

Heathcliff: According to Vespa, several of the mermaids know where to find a sunken ship.

Murr: Is it Melissa's ship?

Heathcliff: She doesn't know for sure, but Balthazar seems to think it is. Apparently he's been trying to threaten the mermaids into guiding him to the ship so that he can get the cintamani stone of medicine.

Faust: And so he confined some of the mermaids to that end. Why are they refusing to show him where it is?

Heathcliff: Vespa told me to keep this a secret, so I can't talk about all of the details, but… It seems to be very close to a location of great importance to the mermaids.

Murr: I see! But she doesn't know where the sunken ship is?

Rustica: Oh my. She raised one of her hands and tilted her head.

Chloe: Maybe she knows…?

Nero: Nah, this is what she does when she doesn't know.

Cain: It'd be pretty bad if we got lost at the bottom of the ocean. Can you introduce us to anyone who does know where the ship is?

Vespa: …! …!

Cain: She raised her right hand.

Heathcliff: Apparently her sisters know. They're some of the mermaids trapped in the cage, though.

Faust: It's probable that one of them knows where Balthazar is, too. We should ask them after we've helped them.

Arthur: Then let's head for the mermaids' cage!

Rutile & Shino & Cain: Yeahhhh!

That was a chorus of voices I knew I could rely on. As we drew closer to the castle gates, we began to hear the voices of angry, desperate people.

Cain: What should we do? Should we take to the sky and fly to the ocean?

Arthur: No, wizards flying off the island right now when Lady Dianne has yet to address the people would only make them more suspicious of her. So we're going to leave through the front gate. I will talk to the island residents.

Arthur's expression grew serious. Cain put his hand on the hilt of his sword, and Shino adjusted his grip on his scythe. Oz and Faust both looked like there was something they wanted to say as they watched Arthur. And then Murr did a somersault through the air with catlike grace.

Murr: One last thing! We all gotta have fun on our upcoming expedition!

Everyone raised their heads to watch Murr as he tumbled through the sky. A golden moon hung in the cloudless sky, as if the torrential rains had all been a bad dream. <The Great Calamity>. It illuminated the darkness of our world just as surely as it would destroy it. And yet, for some reason, it felt like it was watching over us tonight. It was like it knew we were heading to the bottom of the sea, where its light wouldn't reach, its gaze a peaceful and gentle one… Murr narrowed his eyes like a contented cat, though he was embracing the moonlight and not a warm sunbeam.

Murr: It's a lot easier to take it easy when you're having fun. And taking it easy opens up more options than when you're taking things too seriously! The goddess of victory is gonna run away if you've got a frown on your face! Besides, you guys won't believe how pretty the sea is at night!

He was right. I steadied my breathing, and then opened my eyes. My field of vision that had been swallowed up by the darkness slowly began to expand. The moon's light reached out to all of us, all throughout the world, embracing us in its rays. I heard the sound of the waves from the vast, mystical place we called the "ocean" so easily, never considering how little we knew of what lay beneath its waves. And thus, surely we'd see sights we'd never seen before.

Cain: Open the gate.

Castle Gatekeeper: B--but…

Arthur: I will take full responsibility. Please, open the gate.

Castle Gatekeeper: You are…?

Arthur: One of the Sage's wizards, as well as the crown prince of Central Country. Arthur Granvelle.

Castle Gatekeeper: Y-yessir…!

✦✧☾✧✦

There were many people gathered beyond the gate, anger, anxiety, and frustration clear on all of their faces. This mob was clearly motivated by more than just petty irritation. They couldn't just stand around doing nothing, not when they were worried about their families, their coworkers, their friends--and so, their legs had carried them here. But as Arthur took his place before them, their angry yelling was quickly silenced. It wasn't because he looked every inch the noble prince that he was, no. It was because his eyes, the same blue as the sea and sky, were truly pure. He regarded them with the same expression as if he were addressing his friends.

Arthur: People of Borda Island, I cannot apologize enough for having caused you worry. I am Arthur Granvelle. One of the Sage's wizards, and the crown prince of Central Country. The local lord, Lady Dianne, has asked us to look into the strange incidents taking place on this island.

Borda Island Resident: She asked you to…? So she isn't just trying to cover things up for the wizards here.

Arthur: While our investigation has yet to conclude, we have reason to believe that these incidents involve Adams Island, which sank below the waves many centuries ago… And the wizard that sank it, Balthazar.

Borda Island Resident: The wizard that sank Adams Island?! Does that mean this island is going to sink, too?!

Arthur: We won't let that happen. In fact, we're presently headed to the bottom of the sea to prevent exactly that. I want all of you to help each other. I imagine that some of the wizards that do business in the market may be familiar with similar past incidents. Listen to what they have to say. Ask them what you should do to prepare yourselves.

Borda Island Resident: B… But will the market wizards even want to work with us?

Arthur: Of course they will. As long as all of you intend to help them, too.

Chloe: A… And because Shylock's in real big trouble right now! If you tell them it's for Shylock's sake, the older wizards will definitely help you with what's going on! I think!

Borda Island Resident: Alright… Then… We should find this "Balthazar".

Cain: Borda Castle should also be coming up with countermeasures. You should contact them when you've figured out what you want to do.

Nero: Yeah. I'll make arrangements for all that.

Heathcliff was smiling as he watched their exchange. He took a small, nervous breath and straightened his back. When he noticed I was looking at him, Heathcliff told me something.

Heathcliff: I started feeling like Shylock and the others who aren't here are still at our sides somehow… Shylock taught me a lot about how to enjoy myself. Lennox taught me how to be more stubborn… Lord Snow and White taught me how to have the courage to face a strong foe… So, it just feels like they're here with us right now…

Heathcliff gazed at the ocean's dark waters. I was reminded of something. Although Heathcliff was normally a shy and gentle person… It was his desperate plea that had first moved my heart after I'd arrived in this world. Heathcliff's desire to help his comrades and kind feelings had touched me, and made me put my faith in the wizards. I felt like I was seeing the same scene now that I'd seen that night.

Cain: Riquet, the rest is up to you!

Arthur: Please don't push yourselves.

Riquet: I should be the one saying that to all of you. Please take care and come home safe. Lord Arthur, Cain, I'll see you soon! You too, Oz!

Oz: Yes.

Nero: Shino, Heath, take care of Teach for me.

Shino: That's the opposite of what you usually say.

Heathcliff: You can leave him to us.

Vespa: …! …!

Heathcliff: Vespa'll do her best, too!

Faust: I'm already calm and composed. I'll be fine.

Mitile: Rutile, please make sure to get Leno back.

Rutile: I definitely will. Mitile, take good care of Riquet and Dr. Figaro, okay? And be sure to listen to what Nero tells you. …Mitile, let me see your face.

Mitile: …Please be safe, Rutile…!

Rutile: Mhm…!

Arthur: Now then, it's time for us to depart! <Pernoctant Nixzo>!

Cain: <Gladius Procella>!

Shino: <Matzah Sudipas>!

Heathcliff: <Repsev Aivulp Sunos>

Chloe: <Suispicibo Voitengok>!

Rutile: <Ortonik Setomaouge>!

One by one, my wizards chanted their spells and stepped into the water. First were the younger ones, and then the more experienced ones also sank into the water after them. The moon's light shined off the surface of the water. Seeing such a beautiful sight made me remember something with a gasp, and all of the wizards still on the shore turned back to me. I looked at Mitile and shouted to him.

Akira: Mitile! Can you ask the owner of that one shop to bake a torta di cocco, please?!

Mitile: Torta di cocco?!

Akira: Yes! And if Mithra comes back… Tell him to bring it with one of his doors through space, please! Hwylryn really wanted to eat it! So maybe it'll help with negotiations…

Mitile: Okay, got it! I'll find the shopkeeper as fast as I can and ask them!

Riquet: If we get turned down, we'll have Nero make it instead!

Nero: Man, I don't wanna try makin' a cake with so much ridin' on it on the first go… But I'll make it happen somehow! Take care of yourself, Sage!

Akira: Yeah…!

After responding, I turned back around to the ocean. I took Oz's hand in mine and held it tightly. He reciprocated the gesture, his fingertips pressing against the back of my hand.

Oz: <Vox Nox>

And we jumped into the water together.

Next Chapter

#.mhyktl #.eventtl #.main story tl #4th anni

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