CHAPTER 7 - A Guiding Light for Those Lost in the Night

[yumemory]

[Location: Manor’s lounge, day]

Sukey: I know it’s hard to forgive the others, but please understand that they were just scared.

Sukey: They’re hurt and sad about their missing precious friends, but I’m aware that it doesn’t excuse them from taking out their feelings on you...

Sukey: Again, I’m sorry for upsetting you. I really am! 

Chloe: ...Sukey, you took the courage to come here to apologize even though you’re afraid of wizards, didn’t you?

Upon hearing Chloe’s gentle words, Sukey pursed her lips and fought back her tears. 

Chloe: Hey, Sukey, can you tell me? What do you want us to do?

Sukey: I...

Sukey: I’ve done something cowardly, so I know I’m not in the position to ask this, but...

Sukey: ...But even so, I beg you. Please save Polly.

Riquet: ............

Riquet couldn’t nod straight away like he did the other day.

 

Riquet: Master Sage, Chloe, thank you for the tea. It’s delicious.

Chloe: You’re welcome. I hope it helps you relax.

Riquet: It does. Um, may I discuss Sukey’s request?

Chloe, Akira: Of course!

Riquet: Thank you very much. ...Sukey came to apologize, for herself and on behalf of the other students.

Riquet: But does that mean I have to forgive them and do as she requested once again?

Chloe: ...Well, do you want to? I think it’s best to listen to your feelings.

Akira: Yes, we don’t want you to do something you don’t want to.

Akira: Whether you should accept the request or not... it’s all up to what your heart tells you.

Riquet: My heart...

Riquet closed his eyes, as if searching for the root of his wavering feelings.

Riquet: If I’m shown such disregard as I was yesterday, I will definitely feel sad and hurt.

Riquet: I don’t want to hate anyone more than this. I don’t like being unsure of what I must do, either...

Riquet: But above all... I think I would hate it the most if I were to abandon the people who need my help simply because I want to run away from my own unpleasant feelings.

Riquet: ...I don’t want to become someone like that.

Riquet: I want to avoid taking actions I despise, so that I can remain proud of myself.

Akira: Riquet...

He met our eyes with earnest conviction.

Riquet: Master Sage, Chloe. When I decide to accept the request again, will you— 

Chloe: We will give you our full support! So if we encounter unpleasant things again, we’ll find ways to turn them around into something joyful.

Riquet: ...Yes, thank you, Chloe.

Riquet: ...That being said, I don’t think I can forgive Sukey that easily.

Riquet: But even so...

Riquet closed his eyes, and put his hand on his chest.

Riquet: She was desperate for her friend’s safety, and it’s a feeling I know very well. Because I’ve made so many precious friends ever since I came to the manor.

Riquet: If the people precious to me were to suddenly go missing, I would most definitely want to find them no matter what.

Riquet: I’m sure I’d be just as desperate as she is now.

Chloe: Yeah, me too.

Chloe: If the Master Sage, Riquet, or any of the people I cherish disappeared, I wouldn’t hesitate to go and find you.

Chloe: Because the moments we spend laughing together are something I love very much.

Chloe: I want to cherish you all much more than you cherish me. If you’re facing hardship, I want to do everything I can to help you.

Their transparent, honest words made me a little shy, but they also wrapped my heart in gentle warmth.

Riquet: The feeling of wanting to treasure our friends… It must be the same for both humans and wizards, right?

Chloe strongly nodded in reply to Riquet’s question.

Riquet: Then...

Riquet: ...I’ll believe my feelings. I’ll take this request again.

 

[Location: Oz’s room]

Oz: What do you need?

After Riquet made up his mind, we paid a visit to Oz’s room.

Riquet: I’m thinking of going to Beryl School once again.

Riquet: You’re my teacher, so I came here to report that.

Oz: ...............

Sitting in front of the fireplace, Oz folded his arms and closed his eyes as if to carefully consider something.

Oz: Do you need my help?

Riquet: Actually...

(knock knock)

Mithra: Good afternoon. Please pardon my intrusion.

Owen: Wow, you guys really got the guts to visit Oz’s room so often these days. Master Sage, do you really want to die as badly as Mithra?

Akira: ...Mithra and Owen?

Mithra: Oh, you’re all here? What a coincidence.

Riquet: And why are you two here all of a sudden?

Mithra: I felt the urge to kill Oz, that’s why. 

Owen: And I’m here to observe. If one of them dies, I can just kill the other. How convenient for me.

Akira: Um...

Mithra: Oz, please do me a favor and die.

Mithra: 《 Arsi— 》

Akira: P-Please wait! Let’s not fight right now. It’s crowded here!

Riquet: The Master Sage is right. We came here to speak to Oz first, so it’s only natural that our appointment with him comes first.

Mithra: Sigh, how troublesome... Then, please get it done fast.

Akira: (He’s unexpectedly fine with it...)

Riquet: Ahem. Then, Oz, about the Beryl School request...

Owen: Ahaha, you’re still going to save them after everything that happened?

Riquet: Yes, we are.

Owen: Solving their problem won’t suddenly stop them from being afraid of you. Or could it be that you’re just trying to impress the Sage?

Owen: I’m sure you know what I’m saying is true... You know they’re just taking advantage of you, and using you for their own needs.

Riquet: ...............

Owen: Don’t forget the voices of those students. They’ll only throw stones at you, and no one will ever bother thanking you for your efforts.

Riquet: ......I don’t care.

Riquet: I’ll still do it. I’m a strong wizard, and that is why I’m choosing to forgive their weakness.

Owen, Mithra: ............

Oz: ...I see.

Owen: Strong? You? Did I hear that right?

Mithra: Interesting... Show me your true strength, then.

 

[Location: Beryl School, night]

That night, we returned to Beryl School to investigate the abnormal occurrences.

 

Riquet: Oz, thank you for coming with us.

Oz: ...It's nothing.

Shylock: So this is Beryl School... It’s quite elegant, and known for its rich history. As expected of such a refined place.

Faust: Ensuring good quality education is something I would commend them for, at least.

This time, Shylock and Faust came as support for Oz and the twins, whose powers are limited during the night.

Riquet: Faust, Shylock, thank you for helping us with this mission.

Faust: Don’t worry about it. I know Oz and the twins are here, but we should assure the Northern wizards don’t get the chance to run wild above everything else.

Faust: ...I heard something unpleasant happened to you during your previous visit here. Are you sure you’re well enough to carry out the mission?

Faust: You must have been exposed to human malice. Isn't it eating away at your heart right now?

Riquet: That’s...

Shylock: Fufu, Faust is simply worried about you. You don’t need to look so scared.

Riquet: I-Is that so? It’s hard to understand you, Faust. I thought I was being scolded.

Faust: ...You talk too much.

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TL: yumemory  | Proofread: Alle
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