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yumemory[Location: Lounge, evening]
(Rustling leaves)
The trees swayed along with the strong wind, and the night seemed a little livelier than usual.
In the lounge, Riquet, Mitile, and I intently listened to Snow and White's story. The silence in the room was in stark contrast with all the noise outside.
Mitile, Riquet, Akira: ............
Snow in the Painting: ...This is the story of a mansion that once stood in Central Country.
White in the Painting: At the time, the people assumed it was nothing but ruins. Little did they know that the place kept a terrible secret.
White in the Painting: ...It turns out that the pillars of that mansion were made out of countless human bones.
Riquet: W-Why would someone do that...?
Snow in the Painting: The Nightwalker... Such is the name of the monstrous creature who took residence there.
White in the Painting: Not one of us knows what the Nightwalker was actually like. Some say it resembles a beast, while some claim it has the appearance of a wizard like us.
Snow and White in the Painting: The only thing we know of such a creature is that it was a monster that lurked in the dead of the night.
Snow and White in the Painting: It would take anyone who came near its lair, kill and skin them, and then make them part of the mansion.
Riquet: No way... That monster’s actions are unforgivable!
Mitile: R-Riquet, please calm down...
Mitile: This story took place a long time ago, and that mansion is completely gone now... right?
Snow in the Painting: Certainly. The place was destroyed by a storm many centuries ago.
Snow in the Painting: Oh, but the story does not end there. The mansion was terrifying indeed, but it was also the only place that sealed the Nightwalker.
Mitile and Riquet: T-That means...!
Snow in the Painting: That’s correct. The Nightwalker, the monster who snatched people at night, was released into the world when the mansion fell.
White in the Painting: To this very day, it wanders around during dark nights in search of new victims.
White in the Painting: Especially on an evening like tonight, when the wind is unusually strong. Look, there it is, creeping up behind you...!
Murr: BOO!
Mitile and Riquet: Eek!?
Akira: M-Murr! When did you...!?
After hearing Murr's voice, I looked around and found the Western wizards. They must have gathered in the lounge without us realizing.
Akira: (I was so caught up in the twins' story that I didn't notice them coming in...)
White in the Painting: Murr! It is our job to scare the children.
Snow in the Painting: You must refrain from appearing so suddenly and doing whatever you want. We were looking forward to surprising them!
Murr: Okay, okay! Let’s start again from the beginning, then!
Chloe: Um, I don’t think that’s gonna work...
Rustica: Masters Snow and White's story was very horrifying, but also very intriguing, stimulating, and inspiring.
Rustica: The Nightwalker must have possessed quite a forceful disposition to sweep away someone it fancied so suddenly. However, I feel like I understand such desires.
Shylock: Fufu, that does sound like a remark you'd make.
Shylock: Witnessing the Master Sage become so frightened themselves was a delight to see. Your reaction when you learned the truth of the pillars was especially adorable.
Akira: So you guys have been here since the very beginning...
(Loud rumble)
Suddenly, a deafening tremor and explosion resounded through the lounge.
Snow and White in the Painting: What could that be?
Mitile: .........! Could it be... a real Nightwalker...
Murr: Nope! Look up, you can see the night sky clearly from here!
Chloe: T-There’s a big hole in the wall...
Akira: Don’t tell me, it’s...
[Location: Night sky]
Mithra: 《 Arsim 》
Owen: 《 Cure Memini 》
(Owen and Mithra attack each other)
As we looked up at the sky, Owen and Mithra cast their spells simultaneously. The blinding lights and flames clashed with great force, and another tremor shook through the walls.
(Another loud rumble)
[Location: Lounge, evening]
Akira: It was the Northern wizards who blew up the wall, as always...
Snow in the Painting: The nerve! Those children are ruining our fun.
White in the Painting: Even though we so consistently remind them to cease such mindless violence... They will most definitely receive punishment for this later.
(Door opens)
Faust: There's so much noise tonight. Are the Northern wizards on the loose again?
Oz: ............
Shylock: My, what an unusual pair we have here. Good evening, you two.
Faust: We came to discuss something about our classes. We didn't think anyone would be here at this hour...
Faust: Judging by how things are, this place doesn't seem like one we can use for a serious discussion right now.
Akira: Ahaha… And the wall got blown up, too.
Faust: What are you all doing here at this hour, anyway? Staying up too late is bad for your health.
Akira: Snow and White were sharing a few ghost stories with us.
Akira: And we thought the best time to listen to them would be late at night.
Riquet: Um! Faust, Oz. Have you heard of the man-eating mansion that once existed in Central Country?
Faust: Not at all.
Oz: That is a story fabricated by the twins. There is no need for you to take it seriously.
Snow in the Painting: Ozzy! Don’t spoil it!
White in the Painting: We put our utmost effort to craft the perfect atmosphere for this story, but Oz and the Western wizards simply cannot take a hint.
Faust: Why are you telling ghost stories, though?
White in the Painting: Riquet asked that we share a great assortment of tales with him. These ghost stories are only a portion of that request.
Riquet: Yes. Their stories are full of sights I've never seen, words I've never heard, and dishes I've never eaten.
Riquet: Just imagining the possibility of encountering all of them in person one day makes me so very excited!
Riquet: That's why I asked them to share some of the stories that they know.
The way Riquet’s eyes lit up reminded me of a curious child’s.
Faust: I see... Exposing yourself to stories is a great way to expand your own world.
Faust: Doing so will help you realize how pleasurable some things could be. Keep it up.
Riquet: Ehehe, thank you so much!
Oz: ............
White in the Painting: Oz. How about you praise him, too?
Snow in the Painting: That's right, that's right. You are the Central wizards’ teacher. Now be a dear and do the same thing as Faust.
Oz: Praise...
Oz: Exposing yourself to stories is a great way to expand your world...
Snow and White in the Painting: No, that’s not what we meant by “do the same”!
Riquet: Master Sage, I got lots of compliments from Faust! And Oz too, I think!
Akira: That’s great, Riquet!
A bright smile broke out over Riquet's face—a soft expression, something I had barely seen when he first arrived at the manor.
His entire life, he had lived in his small world simply as he was told: to serve other people within the church... That is, until he was chosen as one of the Sage's wizards.
As he strays from the church and learns about what's beyond the world he knows of, he may be gradually growing out of the frigid and mature atmosphere he was raised to possess, and allowing himself the childish innocence he should have at his age.
Akira: Riquet, I think you've become more expressive since coming here.
Riquet: Do you think so...?
Akira: Yes. You're smiling so much now! I felt like you were a bit cold when we first met, but now I get to see lots of your happy smile!
Snow in the Painting: Now, now, everyone, let’s take a seat and discuss Bloody Mary, the monster that lives in mirrors!
Riquet: Wah, Bloody Mary? This next story sounds so interesting too!
Riquet: I can’t wait to hear it, Master Sage!
