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yumemory[Location: Library in painting]
When we returned to the area near the entrance, we found that the other wizards had already discovered other children.
Chloe: These uniforms... They’re the missing students, aren’t they?
Chloe: They seem to be sleeping soundly, but are they okay?
Faust: ...None of them seems to have life-threatening injuries, but they’re all very weak.
Faust: 《 Satillquinart Mulcreed 》
When Faust chanted his spell, the children's bodies glowed faintly, and their expressions loosened into something more peaceful.
Faust: I just cast healing magic. They'll wake up soon enough.
Riquet: That's a relief... But what's this place, anyway?
Oz: ...It used to be a wizard's dwelling.
Chloe: ...A wizard’s?
Adult White: Correct. Judging from the traces of magic left behind, one probably resided here some time ago.
Snow: For whatever reason, it appears that the owner of this house no longer lives here, and this dwelling has been abandoned for quite a long time now.
Adult White: We can take time to investigate those particular details later. Taking these students to a safe place is our utmost priority at the moment.
Faust: ...I agree. And while it might be because we forced the door open, this place is brimming with strong magic right now.
Faust: Staying here any longer could put the young wizards at risk.
As they carried the students out with magic, the wizards opened the library door and went out.
[Location: School corridor, night]
When we got out, Riquet and I looked back at the painting at the same time.
There was no one left on the other side of those open doors. It was just an empty space that waited for its master to return.
Riquet: ...............
Faust: We can't leave that painting as is.
Shylock: I agree. It would be best to close and seal it to prevent students from getting drawn into it again.
Riquet: ...I’ll do it. I don't want to see anyone grieve over the loss of a dear friend again.
Chloe: You’re right... I’ll help you, Riquet!
Mithra: Well, you should be able to take care of something like that. We will be over here, spectating.
Owen: Right, right. Because you're a strong wizard, aren't you, Riquet?
Snow and Adult White: ...You two can invent quite a lot of excuses when you want to forsake your duties.
Oz: Faust, Shylock.
Faust: Yeah, I’m on it.
Shylock: There is no guarantee that our powers are enough to be substitutes, but we have set our hearts on lending our assistance to you.
Shylock: Shall we get this done before the dawn breaks?
Using Shylock's words as their signal, Riquet, Chloe, Faust and Shylock looked at each other before placing their hands over the painting.
Shylock and Faust looked at the two slightly nervous wizards with a gentle gaze, as if watching over them.
Shylock: 《 Inviebelle 》
Faust: 《Satillquinart Mulcreed 》
As soon as the two chanted their spells, the painting started glowing faintly.
It was followed by the door slowly closing with a worn-out sound...
Chloe: 《 Suispicibo Voitengok 》
Riquet: 《 Sunrotea Edif 》
And then with a click, it was finally locked.
Mithra: ...To live in a painting... They’re quite the eccentric wizard, if you ask me.
Oz: The room in that painting was something they created: a room that prohibited humans from entering. Originally, one must have needed a key to enter.
Oz: The excessive amount of magic poured into it by The Great Calamity must have broken the lock on that door, and caused it to gain such power.
Akira: So it was this painting that caused the disappearances in this school...
Oz: Yes.
Oz: The painting itself has no will. It only drew in whoever passed by on a moonlit night.
Shylock: ...But if we shift our perspective, this painting might just be longing for its master, no?
Oz: What?
Shylock: Maybe it drew the students inside because it felt lonely, seeking anyone who could provide even a bit of company, as it waited for a master who might not return for eternity.
A wizard who chose to live near humans. I thought that painting must be lonely, just like its owner.
Listening to Shylock reminded me of the room we were in. Without any inhabitants, that large space held nothing but emptiness.
It made me imagine the wizard who once lived there, listening to the voices of the children running along the corridor.
But he had long disappeared, leaving the painting behind. The loneliness I felt only grew more intense at the thought of it.
Akira: (I understand that this situation may be nothing but trouble to the missing students and their loved ones, but...)
It also felt wrong to simply brush it off as a troublesome magical item that caused a series of incidents.
Riquet: Ah......
Riquet, who had been looking at the painting, seemed to have suddenly remembered something and rushed towards me.
Riquet: ...Master Sage. I'm really glad that the culprit isn't a Nightwalker.
Akira: Huh?
Riquet: Because when Lords Snow and White told me about it, you and Mitile looked terrified.
Akira: Haha, you're right... Thinking about it now, it's a bit embarrassing how scared I was at the time.
Riquet: But even if there’s a real Nightwalker out here tonight, I'll make sure to protect you.
Riquet: Because I'm a strong wizard!
[Location: Beryl School, morning]
The next morning, all the rescued students finally regained consciousness and safely reunited with their friends and families.
Sukey: Polly, I’m glad you’re all right! Are you hurt somewhere?
Polly: Not at all. I’m okay.
Polly: I don't have any memories of what happened... I just feel like I slept a little longer than usual.
Polly: But I’m sorry for making you worry. I’m back, Sukey.
Sukey: Yeah. Welcome back, Polly...
Sukey nodded repeatedly and hugged Polly, letting out a sob.
Riquet simply watched the scene from a distance and chose not to speak to them.
Riquet: I’m glad they were able to reunite...
Akira: Yeah. You did a great job, Riquet! We were able to rescue Polly thanks to you.
Riquet: But... For some reason, I still can't find it in me to make up with Sukey.
Riquet: Is it wrong of me to feel this way?
Chloe: No, you’re not. I think it's only right to take your time and decide at your own pace.
Akira: I agree with Chloe.
Riquet: Master Sage, Chloe... Thank you.
Riquet slowly exhaled and let out the tense breath that he held for a long time.
A lingering sense of hesitation remained on his face, but even so, he looked straight ahead.
Snow: Hohoho. This painting is quite the magical item. We shall keep it in our room.
Owen: What? You're keeping it to yourself? No way, give it to me.
Owen: What do you think I went along with this tiring mission for?
Mithra: I agree. I saw some rare magic tools and spells in that library. I will take the painting.
Mithra: You two have your own already. There's no need to take more.
Snow: No can do. I know how bad things would become if you two were to lay your hands on this.
Mithra: Well, I can simply take it from you by force.
White: ...Oz.
Oz: 《 Vox Nox 》
Owen, Mithra: Huh!?
Shylock: Oh, and where could you have possibly taken them?
Oz: Back to the manor.
Faust: ...Won't they just destroy the place again out of frustration?
White: Alright, then. Shall we all go home as well?
Snow: Riquet did really well this time. When we get back, we shall pamper and praise him as much as we can.
Snow: Oz, make sure you take care of him when we return.
Oz: ...I will.
TL: yumemory | Proofread: Alle
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