![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
iridesenescenceChapter 9
Arthur took a look at Riquet's expression, and his clear blue eyes narrowed as if he was looking at a bright light.
Arthur: It looks like...
You've found lots of things that you love, Riquet.
All by yourself.
Riquet: Ah...
Arthur: ...
... I've experienced what it's like when people say that the things I love are wrong, too.
With Master Oz, and with Cain...
Akira: ......
Arthur: But that doesn't mean I have any intention of giving up on them.
I want to show my uncle, and the people all over the world, just how wonderful and trustworthy they are.
At the same time, I also want to know more about what my uncle and the people of the world each love.
Riquet: What other people love...
Arthur's voice was like a light appearing in the darkness.
As if kindly teaching Riquet, who had forgotten how to turn the lights on...
Or perhaps it was simply helping Riquet notice the light that he already had with him. Arthur's voice carried with it a quiet, steady warmth.
Arthur: So, Riquet. If you're afraid to take on the role of bait, then it's fine to leave it to one of our other companions.
Faust had initially volunteered to take it on, so I'm sure he's still willing to accept.
But if you feel that you want to perform your duty...
I hope you'll also treasure that feeling of wanting to accomplish your mission.
Completing a task that you decided you would take on...
Experiences like that will help strengthen our hearts.
Riquet: Prince Arthur...
Arthur: And when you're out there, fulfilling your duty—
As the one tasked with purifying the Stictra... I ask that you trust in me.
I won't let you end up having to give up on the things you love.
Arthur's embrace of Riquet tightened.
I hugged him tighter as well.
Akira: Arthur's right. We're all here with you, Riquet.
Arthur, and Figaro... All of your comrades. And of course, I am too!
Whatever you decide to choose, you're still you.
Riquet: Prince Arthur, Master Sage...
I heard the sound of a soft exhale from Riquet's lips.
His tense expression having melted away, Riquet raised his head.
Riquet: I...
I will do it. Please let me do this.
As his eyes rippled like the surface of a lake, a single warm drop spilled from their side.
One droplet, marking the storm's end, that left a wet trail on his cheek.
Arthur gently pressed his handkerchief against that spot on Riquet's cheek.
Arthur: Of course. We're counting on you, Riquet.
Riquet: Yes!
Just then, we heard footsteps on the grass behind us.
I turned around to see Figaro and Luchino. Figaro took a look at Riquet, and broke into a gentle smile.
Figaro: Looks like you're fine now.
In those thoughtful eyes, I could sense a calm, protective presence.
He would not extend a hand out, nor would he try to coddle them.
But he was certainly watching out for them.
That was what I felt compelled to believe.
Figaro: Well then. Shall we get everyone over here and start the ritual?
——
We gathered everyone up and assembled at the field of flowers by the church.
Akira: Owen, you came as well.
Owen: Well, I can't miss seeing the aftermath if this fails.
I can't wait to see what sort of expression Riquet will make when he's about to lose the things most precious to him, especially since he was so motivated to save Luchino.
Owen's eyes were fixed on Riquet, who was some distance away.
Riquet: ......
Deep in concentration, Riquet stood with his eyes closed and did not move.
Mitile: Um, Mister Owen!
Owen: What? Did I make you mad?
You say you and Riquet are friends, but all you can do here is help with the barrier.
What will you do if Riquet ends up forgetting all about you, hm?
Tell me, Mitile.
Mitile: ......
If he does...
We'll just become friends all over again, as many times as it takes!
Shino: Well said.
Owen: Hm. What a boring answer full of meaningless fluff.
Shino: Spout nonsense while you can, Owen.
This plan is totally going to work. I'm looking forward to seeing your expression when it does.
Owen: Excuse me?
Rustica: Then I shall perform a song to comfort Owen, and another to celebrate the success of our plan.
Faust: What is all this chaos... That's enough, let's get back to the topic at hand.
Focus, everyone. We're going to put up the barrier.
《Salliuqnart Mullcredo》
Shino: 《Matztzah Sapidus》
Rustica: 《Amores Viesse》
Mitile: 《Ortonik Sealsispilce》
Owen: 《Cur Memini》
Everyone's magic rose to surround Luchino, Riquet, Arthur and Figaro.
It formed a dome-shaped barrier that emitted a faint glow.
Inside the barrier, Figaro lowered himself slightly, bringing himself to Riquet's eye level.
Figaro: Alright, Riquet.
Think hard about the things that you love.
Figaro's voice as he spoke to Riquet was full of warmth.
The look in Figaro's eyes was almost nostalgic as he looked at Riquet. Then he stepped back so that Luchino and Riquet would be face to face.
Akira: (Riquet... You'll be okay...)
Watching as Riquet took a step forward, I prayed with all my heart.
Riquet: ......
Riquet no longer had any reservations.
The air around him was dignified and regal, like the moment that the night sky quietly faded into dawn.
He closed his eyes.
Watching his chest rise and fall, I could tell that he was taking deep breaths.
Riquet: (I...)
(I love Nero's warm cooking.)
(I love sweet foods, and the time that I spend talking with everyone.)
(I love staying up late with Mitile, and sneakily yawning together the next day.)
(I love reading by myself, and imagining worlds that I've never seen.)
(And I love the world that I see from high up in the sky on my broom...)
(This vast world... I love it so much.)
Riquet's long eyelashes flitted upwards.
A soft light illuminated his cheeks, and his green eyes that shone like lakes.
The wind that brushed past his blonde hair, and the flowers that adorned the ground at his feet... It was as if the world itself was showering him in love and affection.
Riquet: (Father Priest... I've found so many more things that I love.)
Riquet: (Father Priest, what are the things that you love?)
(Will you one day be able to understand the things I love?)
(And will you, one day, tell me about the things that you love?)
(There is so much more that I want to know. About this world, and about you.)
Figaro: 《Possideo》
Figaro cast the spell to strengthen Riquet's feelings.
His serene, beautiful eyes were filled with deep affection.
It felt as if simply being around him would allow you to be blessed and put your heart at ease.
He had an air of divinity about him that brought me close to tears.
Luchino: Ah...
Riquet's expression turned into a blissful smile. At that moment, a bright light emerged from Luchino's chest.
The orb of light slowly grew in size.
The next moment, it was as if lightning had struck.
The light dived toward Riquet with terrifying speed.
Arthur: 《Pernoctant Nixzo》 !
Arthur swiftly chanted his spell just as quickly as the orb of light moved.
When he did, the area was bathed in light, as if the orb had burst open.
Akira: ......
Faced with the blindingly bright light, I squeezed my eyes shut.
And when I opened my eyes in the silence that had fallen...
Shino and Mitile: ......
Owen and Rustica: ......
The blinding light had disappeared without a trace, and the four within the barrier had not moved.
Then, Figaro took a step towards Luchino, and asked.
Figaro: Luchino, tell us again. What is your dream?
Luchino's lips parted slightly, and he responded.
Chapter 8 || Chapter 10
Arthur took a look at Riquet's expression, and his clear blue eyes narrowed as if he was looking at a bright light.
Arthur: It looks like...
You've found lots of things that you love, Riquet.
All by yourself.
Riquet: Ah...
Arthur: ...
... I've experienced what it's like when people say that the things I love are wrong, too.
With Master Oz, and with Cain...
Akira: ......
Arthur: But that doesn't mean I have any intention of giving up on them.
I want to show my uncle, and the people all over the world, just how wonderful and trustworthy they are.
At the same time, I also want to know more about what my uncle and the people of the world each love.
Riquet: What other people love...
Arthur's voice was like a light appearing in the darkness.
As if kindly teaching Riquet, who had forgotten how to turn the lights on...
Or perhaps it was simply helping Riquet notice the light that he already had with him. Arthur's voice carried with it a quiet, steady warmth.
Arthur: So, Riquet. If you're afraid to take on the role of bait, then it's fine to leave it to one of our other companions.
Faust had initially volunteered to take it on, so I'm sure he's still willing to accept.
But if you feel that you want to perform your duty...
I hope you'll also treasure that feeling of wanting to accomplish your mission.
Completing a task that you decided you would take on...
Experiences like that will help strengthen our hearts.
Riquet: Prince Arthur...
Arthur: And when you're out there, fulfilling your duty—
As the one tasked with purifying the Stictra... I ask that you trust in me.
I won't let you end up having to give up on the things you love.
Arthur's embrace of Riquet tightened.
I hugged him tighter as well.
Akira: Arthur's right. We're all here with you, Riquet.
Arthur, and Figaro... All of your comrades. And of course, I am too!
Whatever you decide to choose, you're still you.
Riquet: Prince Arthur, Master Sage...
I heard the sound of a soft exhale from Riquet's lips.
His tense expression having melted away, Riquet raised his head.
Riquet: I...
I will do it. Please let me do this.
As his eyes rippled like the surface of a lake, a single warm drop spilled from their side.
One droplet, marking the storm's end, that left a wet trail on his cheek.
Arthur gently pressed his handkerchief against that spot on Riquet's cheek.
Arthur: Of course. We're counting on you, Riquet.
Riquet: Yes!
Just then, we heard footsteps on the grass behind us.
I turned around to see Figaro and Luchino. Figaro took a look at Riquet, and broke into a gentle smile.
Figaro: Looks like you're fine now.
In those thoughtful eyes, I could sense a calm, protective presence.
He would not extend a hand out, nor would he try to coddle them.
But he was certainly watching out for them.
That was what I felt compelled to believe.
Figaro: Well then. Shall we get everyone over here and start the ritual?
——
We gathered everyone up and assembled at the field of flowers by the church.
Akira: Owen, you came as well.
Owen: Well, I can't miss seeing the aftermath if this fails.
I can't wait to see what sort of expression Riquet will make when he's about to lose the things most precious to him, especially since he was so motivated to save Luchino.
Owen's eyes were fixed on Riquet, who was some distance away.
Riquet: ......
Deep in concentration, Riquet stood with his eyes closed and did not move.
Mitile: Um, Mister Owen!
Owen: What? Did I make you mad?
You say you and Riquet are friends, but all you can do here is help with the barrier.
What will you do if Riquet ends up forgetting all about you, hm?
Tell me, Mitile.
Mitile: ......
If he does...
We'll just become friends all over again, as many times as it takes!
Shino: Well said.
Owen: Hm. What a boring answer full of meaningless fluff.
Shino: Spout nonsense while you can, Owen.
This plan is totally going to work. I'm looking forward to seeing your expression when it does.
Owen: Excuse me?
Rustica: Then I shall perform a song to comfort Owen, and another to celebrate the success of our plan.
Faust: What is all this chaos... That's enough, let's get back to the topic at hand.
Focus, everyone. We're going to put up the barrier.
《Salliuqnart Mullcredo》
Shino: 《Matztzah Sapidus》
Rustica: 《Amores Viesse》
Mitile: 《Ortonik Sealsispilce》
Owen: 《Cur Memini》
Everyone's magic rose to surround Luchino, Riquet, Arthur and Figaro.
It formed a dome-shaped barrier that emitted a faint glow.
Inside the barrier, Figaro lowered himself slightly, bringing himself to Riquet's eye level.
Figaro: Alright, Riquet.
Think hard about the things that you love.
Figaro's voice as he spoke to Riquet was full of warmth.
The look in Figaro's eyes was almost nostalgic as he looked at Riquet. Then he stepped back so that Luchino and Riquet would be face to face.
Akira: (Riquet... You'll be okay...)
Watching as Riquet took a step forward, I prayed with all my heart.
Riquet: ......
Riquet no longer had any reservations.
The air around him was dignified and regal, like the moment that the night sky quietly faded into dawn.
He closed his eyes.
Watching his chest rise and fall, I could tell that he was taking deep breaths.
Riquet: (I...)
(I love Nero's warm cooking.)
(I love sweet foods, and the time that I spend talking with everyone.)
(I love staying up late with Mitile, and sneakily yawning together the next day.)
(I love reading by myself, and imagining worlds that I've never seen.)
(And I love the world that I see from high up in the sky on my broom...)
(This vast world... I love it so much.)
Riquet's long eyelashes flitted upwards.
A soft light illuminated his cheeks, and his green eyes that shone like lakes.
The wind that brushed past his blonde hair, and the flowers that adorned the ground at his feet... It was as if the world itself was showering him in love and affection.
Riquet: (Father Priest... I've found so many more things that I love.)
Riquet: (Father Priest, what are the things that you love?)
(Will you one day be able to understand the things I love?)
(And will you, one day, tell me about the things that you love?)
(There is so much more that I want to know. About this world, and about you.)
Figaro: 《Possideo》
Figaro cast the spell to strengthen Riquet's feelings.
His serene, beautiful eyes were filled with deep affection.
It felt as if simply being around him would allow you to be blessed and put your heart at ease.
He had an air of divinity about him that brought me close to tears.
Luchino: Ah...
Riquet's expression turned into a blissful smile. At that moment, a bright light emerged from Luchino's chest.
The orb of light slowly grew in size.
The next moment, it was as if lightning had struck.
The light dived toward Riquet with terrifying speed.
Arthur: 《Pernoctant Nixzo》 !
Arthur swiftly chanted his spell just as quickly as the orb of light moved.
When he did, the area was bathed in light, as if the orb had burst open.
Akira: ......
Faced with the blindingly bright light, I squeezed my eyes shut.
And when I opened my eyes in the silence that had fallen...
Shino and Mitile: ......
Owen and Rustica: ......
The blinding light had disappeared without a trace, and the four within the barrier had not moved.
Then, Figaro took a step towards Luchino, and asked.
Figaro: Luchino, tell us again. What is your dream?
Luchino's lips parted slightly, and he responded.
Chapter 8 || Chapter 10
