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iridesenescenceChapter 6
Riquet made his declaration with unwavering eyes.
Even if a powerful wizard like Oz was nearby, Riquet would try to save someone with his own power. That was the kind of person he was.
And that held true even in this situation.
He desired to save people from the bottom of his heart.
Mitile: But I don't want you to be the only one in danger, Riquet! Doctor Figaro, let me also—
Figaro: If we had two wizards acting as bait, the strength used to draw the spirit out would also be split. Riquet volunteered first, so we'll let him do it, okay?
You too, Faust. Let Riquet handle it this time.
Faust: Wha. Mast— Figaro, explain yourself.
Owen: Ahaha. Letting a child like this take on the role of bait? You're finally showing your true colours.
Figaro: Say what you want. I have my own considerations here.
Riquet will be bait, and I'll act as support. For purification, we'll have—
Shino: It's gotta be Arthur.
Arthur: Please allow me.
Once again, two voices could be heard. This time, they were in agreement.
Figaro: Oh, this is a surprise. I thought you would volunteer yourself, since you're quick and you know it.
Shino: Yeah, if I had to, I'm sure I could ace this role. But...
Shino cast a glance at Arthur.
Shino: You should be the one by Riquet's side.
Arthur: Shino...
Thank you. I'll make sure I do a good job in this role.
——
Figaro: Faust.
What's wrong? I wasn't expecting you to call me over for a private chat like this.
Faust: ... Master Figaro, are you certain this decision is wise?
Figaro: You've gone and slipped into polite speech, you know.
Faust: We are alone right now, so please pardon me.
Although I am about to voice my objections towards your thinking, it is not as if I no longer feel respect for you.
Figaro: Ahaha, you really are so conscientious.
I'm pretty sure I know what you're about to say, but go ahead. I'm all ears.
Faust: Regarding the decision over who should act as bait... I'm aware that Riquet volunteered for the role, but nonetheless, why did you agree to let him do it?
Figaro: Why I agreed, huh...
Well, first, what do you think was my reasoning?
Faust: From an educational standpoint, I can understand wanting to give him the chance to experience a role that involves some danger. It will certainly help him grow stronger.
However, Riquet is currently trying to sacrifice himself to save Luchino.
If we take his future into consideration, are you certain we should be encouraging his propensity for self-sacrifice?
Figaro: I must say, I'm a little surprised to hear that coming from you.
You were someone who dedicated himself to serving others too.
Faust: ... Which is precisely why.
I have clear regrets, and I know that those regrets have had a negative effect on my personality.
I do not want him to end up with the same regrets and personality that I did.
What are your thoughts, Master Figaro?
Figaro: Oh, I don't disagree. You've voiced a valuable opinion, and considered things from an important perspective.
But in Riquet's case, "whether he can save others", and "whether he can be of use to others" is deeply tied to his sense of self.
If we're going to help him build confidence, we have to put him in a position where he can indeed save others.
Faust: I do not want him to think that he becomes worthless if he is unable to save anyone.
If he does, then when he is unable to offer that sacrifice, or unable to save someone, he will feel as if he himself has lost all value.
Figaro: ......
Faust: Even if he is unable to save anyone, even if he is not of use to anyone, he deserves to be reassured.
That there is a place for him in this world.
It's important for him to understand that first.
Figaro: ......
(Even if he's unable to save anyone...)
... I'll admit, the things you just said did resonate with me.
And I suspect the same goes for you.
Faust: ......
Figaro: I see where you're coming from, and it is something important.
But what I want to prioritise here is completing this mission, and letting Riquet feel a sense of accomplishment and relief.
The rest, we can keep an eye out for a chance to tell him without hurting his feelings. How's that?
Just like how it took us a long time to be able to speak face to face like this...
I'm sure Riquet will slowly come to understand, given time.
Faust: ... Very well. I will respect your opinion.
Thank you for providing me with your valuable guidance.
Figaro: Same to you. Thank you, Faust.
......
(Even if he's unable to save anyone, or not of use to anyone, huh...)
(... My, I have myself a good student.)
——
Rustica: ......
Shino: Rustica. I was wondering where you had gone. So you really did come back in here.
Rustica: Oh, Shino.
Shino: Looks like you remembered to put a barrier up. You're always all relaxed, so I wasn't sure.
Rustica: Ah, so you came to check on me because you were worried. Thank you.
Shino: It's nothing. Were you looking at those flowers?
Rustica: Yes...
......
Even broken up into petals, these flowers are beautiful...
But... For every flower here, there was someone in this world who gave up on what they loved.
I... cannot find the words to express myself.
Shino: ......
Rustica: How do you think those people are doing now, Shino?
Shino: ... No clue.
Rustica: At the very least... After they freed themselves from those painful feelings...
I hope they could take flight like little birds, and live in the present.
Wherever their wings took them, I hope they were able to meet many friends and people precious to them...
And perhaps one day, they will once again be able to love even the pain that they had once let go of.
Even if the time that has passed by will never return...
May the story that they spin from here be one of happiness.
Shino: ......
Shino: I... can't understand why someone would give up the things that they love of their own accord.
But there were probably people who let go without even realising it.
Like Riquet, when he agreed to act as the bait.
Rustica: ... Ah, so you did notice. And that's why you let Prince Arthur be the one to conduct the purification, I suppose?
Shino: Yeah. I'm sure Riquet'll realise exactly what he's putting in danger soon.
Rustica: What makes you say that?
Shino: ......
Sometimes, just when you're about to let go of something...
That's when you realise that it's what you really love.
That this is something you can't afford to let go of.
And if he doesn't manage to figure that out... Then, just like a certain painter and model, he'll find himself facing an eternal parting.
No one would want that.
Rustica: Oh, is that perhaps...
You're referring to the story that we heard from the host, Claus, when we visited that exhibition together with Heathcliff and the others.
I see, so that's why... Because you didn't want Riquet to go through the same experience...
You're very kind, Shino.
Shino: Hmph.
With all these skilled wizards here, I don't think there's even the slightest chance that the spirit will get to him...
But when Riquet realises what he's setting himself up to let go of, I bet he'll cry.
And when he does, that's Arthur's time to shine.
Rustica: Prince Arthur's, you say?
Shino: Yeah.
Cos he's always got a handkerchief on him.
——
On a bench near the flowerbeds, we sat waiting for Luchino to regain consciousness.
The ones waiting by his side were myself, Figaro, Arthur and Riquet.
Luchino: Mmngh...
Riquet: Ah, it looks like he's awake.
Akira: Thank goodness...
Arthur: Luchino, how is the pain in your chest? Is it still there?
Chapter 5 || Chapter 7
Riquet made his declaration with unwavering eyes.
Even if a powerful wizard like Oz was nearby, Riquet would try to save someone with his own power. That was the kind of person he was.
And that held true even in this situation.
He desired to save people from the bottom of his heart.
Mitile: But I don't want you to be the only one in danger, Riquet! Doctor Figaro, let me also—
Figaro: If we had two wizards acting as bait, the strength used to draw the spirit out would also be split. Riquet volunteered first, so we'll let him do it, okay?
You too, Faust. Let Riquet handle it this time.
Faust: Wha. Mast— Figaro, explain yourself.
Owen: Ahaha. Letting a child like this take on the role of bait? You're finally showing your true colours.
Figaro: Say what you want. I have my own considerations here.
Riquet will be bait, and I'll act as support. For purification, we'll have—
Shino: It's gotta be Arthur.
Arthur: Please allow me.
Once again, two voices could be heard. This time, they were in agreement.
Figaro: Oh, this is a surprise. I thought you would volunteer yourself, since you're quick and you know it.
Shino: Yeah, if I had to, I'm sure I could ace this role. But...
Shino cast a glance at Arthur.
Shino: You should be the one by Riquet's side.
Arthur: Shino...
Thank you. I'll make sure I do a good job in this role.
——
Figaro: Faust.
What's wrong? I wasn't expecting you to call me over for a private chat like this.
Faust: ... Master Figaro, are you certain this decision is wise?
Figaro: You've gone and slipped into polite speech, you know.
Faust: We are alone right now, so please pardon me.
Although I am about to voice my objections towards your thinking, it is not as if I no longer feel respect for you.
Figaro: Ahaha, you really are so conscientious.
I'm pretty sure I know what you're about to say, but go ahead. I'm all ears.
Faust: Regarding the decision over who should act as bait... I'm aware that Riquet volunteered for the role, but nonetheless, why did you agree to let him do it?
Figaro: Why I agreed, huh...
Well, first, what do you think was my reasoning?
Faust: From an educational standpoint, I can understand wanting to give him the chance to experience a role that involves some danger. It will certainly help him grow stronger.
However, Riquet is currently trying to sacrifice himself to save Luchino.
If we take his future into consideration, are you certain we should be encouraging his propensity for self-sacrifice?
Figaro: I must say, I'm a little surprised to hear that coming from you.
You were someone who dedicated himself to serving others too.
Faust: ... Which is precisely why.
I have clear regrets, and I know that those regrets have had a negative effect on my personality.
I do not want him to end up with the same regrets and personality that I did.
What are your thoughts, Master Figaro?
Figaro: Oh, I don't disagree. You've voiced a valuable opinion, and considered things from an important perspective.
But in Riquet's case, "whether he can save others", and "whether he can be of use to others" is deeply tied to his sense of self.
If we're going to help him build confidence, we have to put him in a position where he can indeed save others.
Faust: I do not want him to think that he becomes worthless if he is unable to save anyone.
If he does, then when he is unable to offer that sacrifice, or unable to save someone, he will feel as if he himself has lost all value.
Figaro: ......
Faust: Even if he is unable to save anyone, even if he is not of use to anyone, he deserves to be reassured.
That there is a place for him in this world.
It's important for him to understand that first.
Figaro: ......
(Even if he's unable to save anyone...)
... I'll admit, the things you just said did resonate with me.
And I suspect the same goes for you.
Faust: ......
Figaro: I see where you're coming from, and it is something important.
But what I want to prioritise here is completing this mission, and letting Riquet feel a sense of accomplishment and relief.
The rest, we can keep an eye out for a chance to tell him without hurting his feelings. How's that?
Just like how it took us a long time to be able to speak face to face like this...
I'm sure Riquet will slowly come to understand, given time.
Faust: ... Very well. I will respect your opinion.
Thank you for providing me with your valuable guidance.
Figaro: Same to you. Thank you, Faust.
......
(Even if he's unable to save anyone, or not of use to anyone, huh...)
(... My, I have myself a good student.)
——
Rustica: ......
Shino: Rustica. I was wondering where you had gone. So you really did come back in here.
Rustica: Oh, Shino.
Shino: Looks like you remembered to put a barrier up. You're always all relaxed, so I wasn't sure.
Rustica: Ah, so you came to check on me because you were worried. Thank you.
Shino: It's nothing. Were you looking at those flowers?
Rustica: Yes...
......
Even broken up into petals, these flowers are beautiful...
But... For every flower here, there was someone in this world who gave up on what they loved.
I... cannot find the words to express myself.
Shino: ......
Rustica: How do you think those people are doing now, Shino?
Shino: ... No clue.
Rustica: At the very least... After they freed themselves from those painful feelings...
I hope they could take flight like little birds, and live in the present.
Wherever their wings took them, I hope they were able to meet many friends and people precious to them...
And perhaps one day, they will once again be able to love even the pain that they had once let go of.
Even if the time that has passed by will never return...
May the story that they spin from here be one of happiness.
Shino: ......
Shino: I... can't understand why someone would give up the things that they love of their own accord.
But there were probably people who let go without even realising it.
Like Riquet, when he agreed to act as the bait.
Rustica: ... Ah, so you did notice. And that's why you let Prince Arthur be the one to conduct the purification, I suppose?
Shino: Yeah. I'm sure Riquet'll realise exactly what he's putting in danger soon.
Rustica: What makes you say that?
Shino: ......
Sometimes, just when you're about to let go of something...
That's when you realise that it's what you really love.
That this is something you can't afford to let go of.
And if he doesn't manage to figure that out... Then, just like a certain painter and model, he'll find himself facing an eternal parting.
No one would want that.
Rustica: Oh, is that perhaps...
You're referring to the story that we heard from the host, Claus, when we visited that exhibition together with Heathcliff and the others.
I see, so that's why... Because you didn't want Riquet to go through the same experience...
You're very kind, Shino.
Shino: Hmph.
With all these skilled wizards here, I don't think there's even the slightest chance that the spirit will get to him...
But when Riquet realises what he's setting himself up to let go of, I bet he'll cry.
And when he does, that's Arthur's time to shine.
Rustica: Prince Arthur's, you say?
Shino: Yeah.
Cos he's always got a handkerchief on him.
——
On a bench near the flowerbeds, we sat waiting for Luchino to regain consciousness.
The ones waiting by his side were myself, Figaro, Arthur and Riquet.
Luchino: Mmngh...
Riquet: Ah, it looks like he's awake.
Akira: Thank goodness...
Arthur: Luchino, how is the pain in your chest? Is it still there?
Chapter 5 || Chapter 7
