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yumemory[Location: Figaro’s clinic, morning]
Figaro: The Swamp of Acid is moving beneath the ground as we speak, dragged along by the wizard's curse.
Figaro: The fact that the earthquakes and other strange incidents have been happening here is proof of that.
Figaro: We’ll have a big problem on our hands if it reaches the residential areas, so we need to deal with it before that happens.
Lennox: You might be right, but...
In a state of confusion, Lennox asked solemnly:
Lennox: ...Does that mean you'll destroy this clinic?
Figaro: Yeah.
Akira: ...That’s...
Figaro: There’s already so much damage, and there will only be more if we keep dawdling like this.
Faust and Lennox: ...............
We went speechless after hearing Figaro’s plan.
The warm atmosphere in the room, the same place where we had been so happily chatting about the clinic's future just moments ago, suddenly turned ice cold.
Figaro had a point. We needed to stop this strange occurrence from causing any more problems.
Akira: (But...)
Rutile looked really happy after seeing this clinic after so long, and Mitile had a big smile on his face when he talked about his dream of working with Figaro here.
I also remembered the faces of the couple who came earlier, patting their chests in relief, their eyes crinkled in a smile as soon as they laid eyes on him.
The short time I’ve spent here so far was already enough to prove one thing: that this place is irreplaceable.
Akira: (To lose such a cherished place...)
I wondered if this was really the best idea we could come up with.
I knew it was to solve the problem as soon as possible, but I couldn't help but wonder if he wouldn't regret making such an easy decision.
Figaro: Don’t take it too hard. We’ll just need to give up this clinic, that’s all.
(Door opens)
Mitile: Please wait!
Rutile: Doctor Figaro, what do you mean!?
Lennox: Rutile, Mitile...
Faust: You’re back already?
Heathcliff: Sorry. We were on our way when Shino said he was hungry...
Shino: Yeah. I remembered we hadn’t had lunch yet.
Nero: More than that, what’s going on here? Givin’ up this place and all that...
Figaro: Exactly as I said. We’re getting rid of this clinic.
Mitile: But... why...?
Figaro: We need to stop the curse from mutating the swamp no matter what. I’m sure you guys know I’m just as attached to this place, and that I’ve created many memories here with you.
Figaro: But if we don't do this, something much worse could happen, and more people could be harmed and suffer.
Figaro: This is nothing but a small price to pay to protect everyone.
Mitile: B-But is there really nothing else we can do? This place is home to so many of our memories...
Distress was clear in Mitile’s voice, in a stark contrast to Figaro's calm, reasoned reply:
Figaro: There could be another way to protect this clinic... But it’s dangerous and would take a lot of effort.
Figaro: Mitile, we also came here to let you rest and recuperate, right? I’m sure we all just want to finish this mission as quickly as possible and finally relax.
Mitile: Doctor Figaro...
Mitile's eyes widened in shock after what he just heard.
Figaro has lived for a very long time. For him, losing his home probably isn’t a big deal.
For him, this clinic could very well be only one of the things he gained, and one of the many he knew he'd eventually lose as he continued living his long life.
But for Mitile, this was a place that held countless childhood memories. And even just earlier, this was where we all peacefully spent our time together.
It was only natural to feel bewildered after being told that such an important place would be suddenly taken away from him.
At that moment, I could see a jumble of despair and disapproval in his eyes.
Mitile: After I said that I want to work here as an herbalist with you someday, you said you’d be okay with it...
Figaro: ...Mitile. You’re a smart boy. You understand why we need to do this, right?
Mitile: .........I don’t.
Mitile lowered his brows and fiercely shook his head, feeling terribly heartbroken.
Mitile: I don’t understand. I won’t!
(Mitile runs off)
Shino and Heathcliff: Mitile!
Rutile: Wait, Mitile.
Rutile: Sorry, Doctor Figaro. I’m aware that this is your clinic, but I’m sure you know Mitile also holds a lot of feelings for this place.
The three of them then hurried after Mitile. Their footsteps eventually faded into the distance, and the clinic was enveloped in silence for a while.
Figaro: ......Was I not persuasive enough? Those young Southern wizards sure are attached to this place, aren't they?
Lennox: Aren't you a Southern wizard yourself?
Lennox hurled the question at Figaro with a low voice. And with a sigh, Figaro slowly turned his attention to him.
Lennox: I’m with Mitile on this one.
Akira: Lennox...
Figaro: So even you disagree with me, Leno?
Lennox: It might seem futile to you, but I want to do as much as I can before I decide to give up.
Figaro: If we have the time, sure, I don't mind the hassle. But that's not the case right now.
Figaro: Sacrifices have to be made. I'd rather cut off one sick branch than wait and let a big tree die.
Lennox: That branch could have felt pain as well. Some birds may have been using that branch as a place to rest their wings.
Lennox: You've grown used to losing things because breaking off branches is all you do. And I find that awfully disagreeable.
Lennox’s resistance rang loud and clear even in his quiet voice.
Figaro: You sure talk a lot.
The corner of Figaro's mouth curved into a smirk, like how a king would react when forced to listen to something he’s not interested in.
A terrible atmosphere developed between the two of them.
Nero: ...I'm not all that good at this sorta stuff, but is this really the only way to deal with it?
After speaking up, Nero directed his gaze to Faust.
And Lennox turned his entire body in Faust’s direction.
Lennox: Lord Faust. Do you know if there's another way to dispel the curse?
After pondering for a while, Faust opened his mouth to speak.
Faust: ......There might be.
Faust: We can start by heading to the place where the Swamp of Acid and the wizard were buried, then dig up the land to find the root of the problem.
Faust: Figaro mentioned there’s some kind of grudge left in there, probably something the wizard wore, or maybe a magical tool. Something that’s filled with malice.
Faust: We may be able to solve this another way, if we manage to find that cursed object and successfully purify it.
Akira: Really?!
My heart fluttered after hearing Faust's words. But it only lasted briefly as Figaro's sigh drowned out whatever little hope I had.
Figaro: Listen. I buried that swamp awfully deep in the ground to make sure it wouldn’t cause the surface any further problems. Looking for that cursed object you speak of would take an enormous amount of time and effort.
Figaro: The curse may drag the swamp with it while we’re on the hunt, and we can’t be sure that it’ll stay in place and not hurt anybody in the process.
Figaro: From the looks of it, I’d say we have two days at most to get this job done before everything turns for the worse.
Figaro: Not only is there a very slim chance of this cursed object actually being found, there’s no guarantee we’ll even find one at all.
Lennox: ............
Figaro gave his explanation while keeping his eyes on Lennox.
Akira: (...To think that these two would be so at odds with each other...)
TL: yumemory | Proofread: Alle
