B’s-LOG January 2022 Issue - Arthur & Faust Interview

“Wouldn’t you think that hoping for my good health and success has already made you a friend of mine?” —Arthur, about Faust.

“You’re an honest, sensible, and kind wizard. And you’re doing a wonderful job as the Central prince.” —Faust, about Arthur.

Writer: Tsushimi Bunta

Issue: B’s-LOG January 2022 (Ebook: BOOK WALKER/honto)

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Arthur: I am Arthur Granvelle, the crown prince of the Central Country, and one of those chosen to become a wizard of the Sage.

Faust: ...Faust Lavinia, a wizard from the East.

Arthur: I never thought I’d have the chance to be in an interview with Faust. I must say that this is a rather pleasant surprise. And you, Faust?

Faust: I’ll do my best to behave as a proper adult while in front of this teenage boy.

Arthur: Ah, my apologies. You must be nervous.

Faust: I was being sarcastic.

What kind of relationship do the two of you have?

Faust: As if I would know.

Arthur: Being paired with Faust is a bit unexpected, I must say, so kindly give me some time to think. First and foremost, we are both part of the Sage’s Wizards.

Faust: ...Well, you’re right.

Arthur: We came from different countries. I am from the Central Country, while Faust is from the Eastern Country.

Faust: ...That’s right, too.

Arthur: At a glance, it may look like we don’t have much in common, but we do. We actually have quite a strong connection with each other.

Faust: Whatever do you mean?

Arthur: I am Master Oz’s disciple. And Master Oz is a disciple of Lords Snow and White.

Faust: I don’t like where this is going.

Arthur: Aside from Master Oz, Lords Snow and White have one other discipleーLord Figaro. And Faust here is Lord Figaro’s disciple.

Faust: I’m not his disciple.

Arthur: You’re not?

Faust: I’m not.

Arthur: Oh, and I was thinking of wrapping up my answer by concluding that we’re both grand-disciples of Lords Snow and White…

Faust: Sorry to rain on your parade, but I’m not Figaro’s disciple. Who did you even hear that from?

Arthur: From Master Oz, and Lord Figaro, and Lord Snow and Lord White….

Faust: When you’re in a small group of people, you tend to see their sense of the world as the universal truth. But those men are all at least a millennium old.

Arthur: I see. And to think, I was overjoyed by the thought of finding a common thread between us.

Faust: Too bad it’s not true.

Arthur: Then, shall we think about whether we have a special relationship or not? What do you think, Faust?

Faust: Not in the slightest.

Arthur: Hmm… That’s it! In my paternal lineage, there was a person known as Alec Granvelle, who was respected as the hero who established the Central Country. And by his side was a wizard named Faust….

Faust: We only share the same name. I don’t have anything to do with him. And that’s not even an appropriate topic for this setting.

Arthur: You may be correct, but I will feel quite troubled if you keep dismissing what I say…

Faust: I…

Arthur: You told me that you were doing your best to behave as a proper adult while in front of a teenage boy…

Faust: Fine, fine, my mistake. …Well, there was a time when I learned magic from Figaro. It was him who dismissed our relationship.

Arthur: Oh, so we are fellow grand-disciples!

Faust: It only lasted for a short period of time. To a wizard who has lived for two thousand years, it was no different than the time it takes to blink.

Arthur: Lord Figaro once said that the amount of time you spend together with someone doesn’t matter much. I only spent a few years with Master Oz, but Lord Figaro told me that a single wonderful encounter can evoke something that surpasses everything you’ve experienced in a thousand years. His words then encouraged me to be proud of my time with Master Oz.

Faust: You and Oz have built a good relationship between each other. That’s my opinion, at least.

Arthur: Thank you, Faust.

Faust: You’re welcome.

Please tell us about your magic masters.

Faust: I don’t have anyone to talk about. I’ll listen to you instead.

Arthur: To my talk about Master Oz? Do you like Master Oz, Faust?

Faust: That’s a pretty straightforward way to say it. I’m not so cruel as to badmouth Oz in front of you.

Arthur: In other words?

Faust: I like him.

Arthur: I thought so! What do you like about him?

Faust: You’re asking for more? Well…. The fact that he’s serious. He’s a man of few words, and although he’s dense, he never does something just to test someone or laugh at them.

Arthur: What else? What else?

Faust: The amount of power he holds. Whatever the challenge we face at a battle, having Oz on your side is always reassuring.

Arthur: Even a wizard as capable as you thinks so! I’m so pleased to hear that. Is there anything else? I’d like to hear more.

Faust: The fact that he raised a child with a righteous heart like you. You’re an honest, sensible, and kind wizard. And you’re doing a wonderful job as the Central prince, though personally, I don’t think wizards have any obligation to do so much for humans.

Arthur: Fufu, so you’re complimenting me as well.

Faust: If someone seeks praise, it’s as a result of the unease lingering in their heart. With regards to that master of yours, it’s enough if you respect him. You don’t need anything else.

Arthur: Me? Or Master Oz?

Faust: Both of you. Well, at least for now. The problem is, what happened in the past may still linger in the present.

Arthur: The past…

Faust: Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean that you two can’t be happy. Though, I suppose there will be a price to pay for that.

Arthur: I don’t mind. I’m willing to pay whatever price there is for a world that doesn’t condemn him…

Please tell us about your retainer.

Arthur: You may be talking about Cain, but I should clarify that officially, he isn’t my retainer. He was once the Captain of the Order. While it is unfortunate that he had to resign, he is a man capable of holding a high-rank position in a government body. He doesn’t have a private army of his own due to his humble background, but if he did have one, he’d be a great lord. It would be rude to describe such a man with only the word “retainer”. On the other hand, I understand that there is some difference in how masters and their retainers are regarded in other countries. It’s quite heartwarming to see Shino boast about his status as Heathcliff’s retainer, and Lennox sometimes recounts the time during which he served Faust. In essence, Cain is a man of his own, and even without bearing the status as my retainer, he is already commendable.

Faust: Not sure if I could give an answer as rich as Arthur’s, but I can say that the culture is completely different now. Lennox did guard me from potential dangers, but he himself had experience leading the troops, and even took on the delivering of messages. Both he and I had handled tough duties, so the hierarchy between us was never that strict.

Arthur: I see. As of late, when people say ‘retainer’, they mean someone who is more of a bodyguard, or a servant.

Faust: I don’t doubt that. If we were in a royal setting, Lennox would be something like an aide to me. If I had a high social rank, I would have seized some territories easily. Lennox is competent and well-liked, after all.

Arthur: Did a rough battle in the past shatter your dreams?

Faust: I don’t know how I can answer when you ask me with that face. Can we wrap up this question here?

Arthur: Of course. That will be all.

Did you manage to make new friends at the Wizard Manor?

Faust: I found a partner to have drinks with at night, at least.

Arthur: You must be talking about Nero. I find you’re always together.

Faust: Are we…?

Arthur: The two of you always walk side by side, just as Shino and Heath do.

Faust: Do we…!?

Arthur: As for me, I’ve made many new friends. I have spent time playing with Riquet, Chloe, Rutile and Mitile, as well as Shino and Heath.

Faust: Seems like my students have been hanging out with you.

Arthur: We played a game where we must avoid getting caught in Shino’s traps in Sherwood Forest. I played as the wild animal…

Faust: Next time, do something less dangerous.

Arthur: I’d be glad if I could be friends with you too, Faust.

Faust: I’m going to apologize in advance for my inability to behave as a proper adult in front of a teenage boy, but no, I can’t be friends. Not with you. But that’s not your fault. I still hope for your health and success, Arthur.

Arthur: Why, I think we can be friends. Wouldn’t you think that hoping for my good health and success has already made you a friend of mine?

Faust: …To each their own.

Arthur: To each their own, indeed!

TL: yumemory | Proofread: Alle

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