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yumemory[Location: Lakeside Town, lake side]
Figaro: ...The strange fish is still nowhere to be seen.
Snow: If a violent magical beast truly resides here, we should be able sense a waft of its power, at least.
White: But even its presence seems to be absent.
Everywhere I looked, there was no sound of splashing water. It truly did not feel like a strange fish would be residing here.
Mithra: I am not sure what’s going on, but it seems like the problem has been solved. Let’s make them begin the wedding ceremony.
Akira: U-Um...!
Bradley: ‘Solved’? You dumbass.
Unexpectedly, Bradley was the one who stopped Mithra. He jerked his chin towards the lake.
Bradley: Look at this creepy color. Anyone in their right mind would know something’s wrong with it.
Bradley: The lakewater is unnaturally altered; it’s a sham. It’s pretty at a quick glance, but slip up and that strange fish ain’t gonna be the only thing you’ll see.
Rutile: You’re right, it does look weird for a lake, like you can’t see what’s underneath...
Akira: (The lake does look pretty, but it gives off a really abnormal impression...)
The water does not even reflect the shining rays of light. It stays completely still.
Figaro, who was also looking at the lake, nodded as if to step in for Bradley’s words.
Figaro: Even if the water’s color changed temporarily, it’s still unthinkable that it naturally happened. There should be a reason behind this alteration.
Figaro: The reports about the odd color comes after the reports of witnessing the strange fish. That fish should be related to this.
Mithra: And so you say, but I don’t see anything resembling a strange fish here.
Snow: Well…
White: You’re not wrong….
Arthur: ...Um, Masters Snow and White. Is the strange fish really not here?
Snow and White: Hm?
Arthur: If not, perhaps another sort of magical being…
Arthur’s question sounded like he was thinking of something, and we tilted our heads in confusion.
Figaro: Do you know something?
Arthur: It may not be related to this mission, but there is a tale about this lake.
Mithra: A tale?
Arthur: Yes. It happened a long time ago….
Arthur proceeded to tell us about the tale passed down in this Lakeside Town.
Arthur: One day, a man slipped and fell into the lake.
Arthur: He nearly drowned, but his life was saved by a beautiful woman.
Arthur: The woman’s true form is Lorelei, who lives in the lake. The man was deeply grateful and offered many gifts to the lake.
Akira: Um, what is this Lorelei…?
Snow: A being that lives in a river or lake that takes the form of a beautiful woman. It is said that half of its body is like a fish.
Akira: (So, like a mermaid...?)
Arthur: It is said that Lorelei has been protecting this town ever since.
Akira: I see, there’s a tale passed down through generations here.
Chloe: That sounds wonderful.
Arthur: Indeed. That is why I briefly thought that Lorelei might have been resurrected, but….
Arthur: I suppose it is nothing more than a legend.
Arthur looked disappointed, and Bradley’s laugh roared in irony.
Bradley: Hah, bullshit.
Bradley: Lorelei is nothing but a monster that beckons men with her songs to the deep water only to kill them. That pretty fairy tale is nonsense.
Chloe: Is that true? So the legend is a lie…?
Rutile: We can’t say that for sure just yet. It’s possible that the Lorelei in this lake is kind-hearted. Don’t you agree, Dr. Figaro?
Figaro: Yes, yes. Like Rutile said, happy endings exist.
Figaro: Besides, Lorelei is not limited to being a fearful monster. In some cases, it is also a figure treated with respect as the water spirit.
Chloe: I see, so the man could’ve been saved by a kind Lorelei!
Mithra: Kind or not kind, I can defeat it either way.
Bradley: Enough with the idle gossip, we got an investigation to do right now.
Bradley: Figaro, Mithra and I will take care of the field investigation. Others should gather information from the townspeople.
Arthur: Understood. I’ll leave that to you.
Mithra: I wish you would not give me orders. I’m going with Rutile.
Rutile: Mister Mithra, I’ll be okay. I won’t be going alone.
Mithra: I cannot say I trust your ‘okay.’ But I’ll go with him, so please do what you need to do around the lake.
Bradley: Oh ho? Then when the strange fish comes out, it’s mine to slay.
Bradley: Today will be my victory again.
Mithra, who just turned on his heels, stopped abruptly.
Mithra: Huh?
MIthra: There’s no way I’ll lose to you. That time and today, it’s my victory.
Bradley: Now we’re talkin’!
Akira: (And here is someone who is good at provoking, and a person who is easily provoked…)
Mithra: Chloe, please watch over this person and don’t let him die.
Chloe: G-Got it! Whatever happens, I’ll protect Rutile.
Rutile: Thank you, Chloe. But Mister Mithra, don’t you think you can trust me a bit more?
Figaro: Quite the spirit you got there, Bradley. Is it going to snow soon?
Bradley: To get years off my penalty, of course. Don’t forget to make this service count.
Snow: Good, good. That saves us the time and trouble of spanking you as punishment.
White: Do your best and work hard at that pace.
The rest of us headed to the town to gather information and parted with Bradley, Mithra, and Figaro for a while.
[Location: Lakeside Town, main road]
Arthur: Witness reports were mostly from the townspeople. It should be best to ask them directly.
Akira: You’re right. Maybe we can get some extra information from them.
Snow: Speaking of witnesses, I heard that the chief’s son was also one of them.
Rutile: Then, should we break into two groups? I’ll ask around the town. Master Sage, Prince Arthur, and Masters Snow and White should head to the chief’s mansion.
Chloe: I’ll go with you, Rutile. Mithra asked me to protect you, and anyway, having extra hands would be more efficient, right?
Rutile: Oh, wonderful! I was thinking about asking you to come with me. Let’s do our best.
Chloe: Yep!
Snow: We shall leave it to you two, then. Good and hard-working children like you shall be rewarded with candies afterwards.
White: Do watch your steps and be cautious of strangers.
Chloe: Ahaha, we’re not kids anymore!
Rutile: Chloe’s right, we’re grown-ups! Now, off we go!
