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iridesenescenceChapter 7
Luchino: Your Highness... Everyone...
Right now, I'm alright... Um, what did I...
Figaro: The pain was too much for you, and you lost consciousness.
... Luchino, for us to save you, there are some things we need to discuss.
But we also don't want to see you in pain anymore than we already have.
So I'd like to cast a spell that will temporarily dull your sense of pain. Would that be alright?
Luchino: ... Thank you for thinking of me. Please do.
Ah, but... Before you do, could I have something to write with?
Figaro: Haha, here you go. I suppose you're going to write about how it feels to have magic cast on you?
But watch out. If you get all fired up like that...
Luchino: Urgh...! Ouch, ouch...
Figaro: Alright, I'm going to cast the spell. Ready?
Luchino: Ugh... Yes, please go ahead!
Figaro: 《Possideo》
Luchino: Woah...
... Ah... Wow, the pain has really subsided...
If I were to put this feeling into words...
As Figaro's spell was cast on him, Luchino wrote in his notebook.
Akira: (Luchino is amazing... He really has the soul of a journalist.)
Riquet: Luchino is so determined to write things down accurately, no matter the situation he's in.
Arthur: Even if they have a strong heart, this isn't something that just anyone can do. I have great respect for him.
Akira: It's the perfect job for him. I think it must have been fate that Luchino found his way to being a journalist.
Luchino: The perfect job...
Yes, I would be happy if it was.
This dream is something I don't want to give up on, no matter what...
Arthur, Riquet and Figaro: ......
Arthur: Come to think of it, I don't think we've heard about the reason you started striving to become a journalist.
Was there some incident that sparked your interest?
Upon hearing Arthur's question, Luchino's hands stopped. He turned his head upwards, looking up at the blue sky.
As if trying to follow the breeze that brushed against his cheeks, Luchino slowly began to speak, his gaze gentle.
Luchino: ... It was actually because I happened to meet someone...
I suppose that was the incident that sparked it.
Figaro: And who was this someone?
Luchino: They're the person I owe my life to... The person I want to meet the most...
And they were... a wizard.
Arthur: The person you owe your life to is... a wizard?
Luchino: Yes. They were the first wizard I had ever met.
I had thought of wizards as beings different from us humans, who use strange powers...
They seemed so distant from me, and somewhat scary.
Luchino looked apologetic, his brows pointing downward as he turned to face us.
Luchino: Terribly rude of me, wasn't it? Deciding that someone is scary despite not knowing anything about them.
Arthur: I'm sure you felt fearful precisely because you didn't know. It's perfectly normal to feel that way, and you're far from the only one who does.
Luchino: ... Thank you for saying so.
Meeting them, and having my life saved by them, has led to my world being changed drastically.
They taught me about so many things that I hadn't known.
My perception of "normal" was slowly overwritten, and it was shocking in a way I don't know how to describe.
It felt as if I was being born anew.
The slightly higher pitch of Luchin's voice conveyed the emotions he felt at the time.
Riquet leaned forward, his eyes glittering.
Riquet: I know what you mean.
I've felt the same way since coming to the Magic Manor.
There were so many things about the outside world and even myself that I was learning about for the first time, and I did feel a little scared...
But I also felt very curious and excited.
The smile before my eyes was full of joy, and it made me happy to see.
To me, it was proof that Riquet was enjoying this new world... enjoying his life with all of us.
Seeing Riquet's smile, Luchino's expression relaxed as well.
Luchino: After meeting them, I came to realise.
Most people probably only know the world around them... And I thought that was such a shame.
That's when I learned about journalists, and came to know the head of the Fuerza Paper...
I might still be a beginner right now, but I'm pursuing my dream of being a journalist.
Figaro: ... I see. So that encounter was what shaped you into who you are now.
Arthur: It makes me happy to hear that that person was a wizard.
Riquet: Yes, the wizard that saved your life has done a splendid job as a disciple of God.
They guided you and allowed you to find the path of journalism, the perfect job for you. How wonderful.
Luchino: A disciple of God...
I've been meaning to ask you about that, Riquet. You call wizards "disciples of God", right?
Is that what you were taught at the church that raised you?
Riquet: Yes, disciples of God are those that He has bestowed miraculous powers upon.
Our role as wizards is to guide the lost — all those who were not blessed with powers.
And I am a specially chosen wizard.
That is what Father Priest told me, when he spoke of the truths of this world.
Fufu. Back in the church, I was responsible for guiding many believers.
All of the believers and Father Priest protected and loved me very much...
Arthur, Figaro and Akira: ......
Looking like a child falling asleep in their mother's arms...
Riquet closed his eyes with a relaxed, blissful expression.
—Flashback—
Priest: Riquet. Bestow your light upon the lost today, as you always do.
Riquet: Yes. It is my greatest joy to fulfill this important duty.
Please line up, everyone. I shall bestow you with a miracle.
《Sanretea Edif》
Church believer: Ahh... Master Riquet's light shines in my lantern...
What a beautiful, holy light... Thank you, Master Riquet!
Looking upon this light puts my heart at ease...
The light of this lantern will help my heart remain strong in even the darkest of nights.
Priest: Riquet, look upon their expressions, and remember it well.
They wear expressions of peace and calm because you have used your power for good.
This power granted to you by God is meant to be used to save the lost masses.
You must continue to fulfill your duty as a disciple of God.
Riquet: Yes, of course.
—Flashback end—
Riquet: ......
Though it almost seemed like Riquet was dreaming when he first closed his eyes, when he opened them again, I saw a trace of hesitation.
Riquet: But...
Father Priest said the outside world was "tainted".
Despite having seen and experienced the outside world for myself...
I still cannot understand why he would refer to it in this way.
Perhaps I have not truly understood Father Priest's teachings...
That's why... When the day comes for me to return to the church, I intend to speak to Father Priest.
About the things I have seen in the outside world... And about the path that I should walk forward on...
His green eyes looked to Luchino.
There was a young, fragile strength to them. It was a strength that drew you in.
Riquet: Luchino, when you first told your dear parents about your precious dream, did you feel afraid?
Did you feel anxious?
Did you worry... about whether they would ever accept your dream?
Luchino: That's...
Arthur: ......
I quietly shifted my gaze to look at Arthur's expression.
I knew Arthur had offered words of guidance in response to Riquet's worries and questions before.
But right now, he stood with his eyes closed. It looked as if he was echoing Riquet's words and posing those questions to himself.
Luchino: Whether they would ever accept my dream...
Yeah... In fact, I'm always worrying about that...
Beside Arthur, Luchino's expression, which was usually full of curiosity and optimism, darkened slightly.
As if Riquet's words had managed to pin down the anxiety and sadness that lurked within his heart.
I felt as if I could see the wound in his heart.
Luchino: It hurts. And I do feel afraid.
Of the thought that my parents, who I love and respect dearly, might not approve of my dream.
And the thought that my family's reputation might suffer because of me.
But...
Even so...
The thought of returning to who I was before I found what I love is much more painful and scary than any of that.
Riquet: Huh...?
Chapter 6 || Chapter 8
Luchino: Your Highness... Everyone...
Right now, I'm alright... Um, what did I...
Figaro: The pain was too much for you, and you lost consciousness.
... Luchino, for us to save you, there are some things we need to discuss.
But we also don't want to see you in pain anymore than we already have.
So I'd like to cast a spell that will temporarily dull your sense of pain. Would that be alright?
Luchino: ... Thank you for thinking of me. Please do.
Ah, but... Before you do, could I have something to write with?
Figaro: Haha, here you go. I suppose you're going to write about how it feels to have magic cast on you?
But watch out. If you get all fired up like that...
Luchino: Urgh...! Ouch, ouch...
Figaro: Alright, I'm going to cast the spell. Ready?
Luchino: Ugh... Yes, please go ahead!
Figaro: 《Possideo》
Luchino: Woah...
... Ah... Wow, the pain has really subsided...
If I were to put this feeling into words...
As Figaro's spell was cast on him, Luchino wrote in his notebook.
Akira: (Luchino is amazing... He really has the soul of a journalist.)
Riquet: Luchino is so determined to write things down accurately, no matter the situation he's in.
Arthur: Even if they have a strong heart, this isn't something that just anyone can do. I have great respect for him.
Akira: It's the perfect job for him. I think it must have been fate that Luchino found his way to being a journalist.
Luchino: The perfect job...
Yes, I would be happy if it was.
This dream is something I don't want to give up on, no matter what...
Arthur, Riquet and Figaro: ......
Arthur: Come to think of it, I don't think we've heard about the reason you started striving to become a journalist.
Was there some incident that sparked your interest?
Upon hearing Arthur's question, Luchino's hands stopped. He turned his head upwards, looking up at the blue sky.
As if trying to follow the breeze that brushed against his cheeks, Luchino slowly began to speak, his gaze gentle.
Luchino: ... It was actually because I happened to meet someone...
I suppose that was the incident that sparked it.
Figaro: And who was this someone?
Luchino: They're the person I owe my life to... The person I want to meet the most...
And they were... a wizard.
Arthur: The person you owe your life to is... a wizard?
Luchino: Yes. They were the first wizard I had ever met.
I had thought of wizards as beings different from us humans, who use strange powers...
They seemed so distant from me, and somewhat scary.
Luchino looked apologetic, his brows pointing downward as he turned to face us.
Luchino: Terribly rude of me, wasn't it? Deciding that someone is scary despite not knowing anything about them.
Arthur: I'm sure you felt fearful precisely because you didn't know. It's perfectly normal to feel that way, and you're far from the only one who does.
Luchino: ... Thank you for saying so.
Meeting them, and having my life saved by them, has led to my world being changed drastically.
They taught me about so many things that I hadn't known.
My perception of "normal" was slowly overwritten, and it was shocking in a way I don't know how to describe.
It felt as if I was being born anew.
The slightly higher pitch of Luchin's voice conveyed the emotions he felt at the time.
Riquet leaned forward, his eyes glittering.
Riquet: I know what you mean.
I've felt the same way since coming to the Magic Manor.
There were so many things about the outside world and even myself that I was learning about for the first time, and I did feel a little scared...
But I also felt very curious and excited.
The smile before my eyes was full of joy, and it made me happy to see.
To me, it was proof that Riquet was enjoying this new world... enjoying his life with all of us.
Seeing Riquet's smile, Luchino's expression relaxed as well.
Luchino: After meeting them, I came to realise.
Most people probably only know the world around them... And I thought that was such a shame.
That's when I learned about journalists, and came to know the head of the Fuerza Paper...
I might still be a beginner right now, but I'm pursuing my dream of being a journalist.
Figaro: ... I see. So that encounter was what shaped you into who you are now.
Arthur: It makes me happy to hear that that person was a wizard.
Riquet: Yes, the wizard that saved your life has done a splendid job as a disciple of God.
They guided you and allowed you to find the path of journalism, the perfect job for you. How wonderful.
Luchino: A disciple of God...
I've been meaning to ask you about that, Riquet. You call wizards "disciples of God", right?
Is that what you were taught at the church that raised you?
Riquet: Yes, disciples of God are those that He has bestowed miraculous powers upon.
Our role as wizards is to guide the lost — all those who were not blessed with powers.
And I am a specially chosen wizard.
That is what Father Priest told me, when he spoke of the truths of this world.
Fufu. Back in the church, I was responsible for guiding many believers.
All of the believers and Father Priest protected and loved me very much...
Arthur, Figaro and Akira: ......
Looking like a child falling asleep in their mother's arms...
Riquet closed his eyes with a relaxed, blissful expression.
—Flashback—
Priest: Riquet. Bestow your light upon the lost today, as you always do.
Riquet: Yes. It is my greatest joy to fulfill this important duty.
Please line up, everyone. I shall bestow you with a miracle.
《Sanretea Edif》
Church believer: Ahh... Master Riquet's light shines in my lantern...
What a beautiful, holy light... Thank you, Master Riquet!
Looking upon this light puts my heart at ease...
The light of this lantern will help my heart remain strong in even the darkest of nights.
Priest: Riquet, look upon their expressions, and remember it well.
They wear expressions of peace and calm because you have used your power for good.
This power granted to you by God is meant to be used to save the lost masses.
You must continue to fulfill your duty as a disciple of God.
Riquet: Yes, of course.
—Flashback end—
Riquet: ......
Though it almost seemed like Riquet was dreaming when he first closed his eyes, when he opened them again, I saw a trace of hesitation.
Riquet: But...
Father Priest said the outside world was "tainted".
Despite having seen and experienced the outside world for myself...
I still cannot understand why he would refer to it in this way.
Perhaps I have not truly understood Father Priest's teachings...
That's why... When the day comes for me to return to the church, I intend to speak to Father Priest.
About the things I have seen in the outside world... And about the path that I should walk forward on...
His green eyes looked to Luchino.
There was a young, fragile strength to them. It was a strength that drew you in.
Riquet: Luchino, when you first told your dear parents about your precious dream, did you feel afraid?
Did you feel anxious?
Did you worry... about whether they would ever accept your dream?
Luchino: That's...
Arthur: ......
I quietly shifted my gaze to look at Arthur's expression.
I knew Arthur had offered words of guidance in response to Riquet's worries and questions before.
But right now, he stood with his eyes closed. It looked as if he was echoing Riquet's words and posing those questions to himself.
Luchino: Whether they would ever accept my dream...
Yeah... In fact, I'm always worrying about that...
Beside Arthur, Luchino's expression, which was usually full of curiosity and optimism, darkened slightly.
As if Riquet's words had managed to pin down the anxiety and sadness that lurked within his heart.
I felt as if I could see the wound in his heart.
Luchino: It hurts. And I do feel afraid.
Of the thought that my parents, who I love and respect dearly, might not approve of my dream.
And the thought that my family's reputation might suffer because of me.
But...
Even so...
The thought of returning to who I was before I found what I love is much more painful and scary than any of that.
Riquet: Huh...?
Chapter 6 || Chapter 8
