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iridesenescenceChapter 4
Oz's long hair and the cape he wore swayed in the wind, but his vivid red eyes did not waver as he took a long look at the black dog.
Oz: It was most likely... something that someone held strong feelings for.
Perhaps a doll, or a figure... It bears traces of warding magic.
The Great Calamity must have given it a physical form.
Shino: ... Yeah, I figured it was something like that.
The Eastern wizards nodded, looking convinced of this explanation. I suspected we had all been imagining the same thing after hearing what the villager had told us.
—That the black dog was actually the plush animal that the wizard's son had treasured while he was alive.
We relayed what the villager had told us to the other wizards.
Chloe: Oh... So the little boy...
Heathcliff: ... The villager said the plush animal was something the wizard had made by himself. I'm sure the wards were cast by him too.
Nero: Must've wanted his kid to have a protective amulet of sorts.
Cain: I guess he left that plush behind with everything else in the house when he left...
Shylock: Well, it is a plush animal that was handmade for his child... We can only imagine how much love and care must have been poured into it.
Faust: Memories aren't always something to find solace in. Sometimes they cause great pain instead.
Oz: ......
An abandoned house that had been left behind in the flow of time.
I pictured the black plush dog, with no one remaining to hug and cuddle it, left sitting all alone in the darkness.
It was a terribly sad and lonely sight to imagine.
Akira: ......
Everyone turned their attention to the black dog. Looking at it sat beside Heathcliff, Shino spoke up.
Shino: Looks like you were abandoned.
Heathcliff: Hey, you don't have to put it like that.
Heathcliff had an immediate reaction to Shino's words.
Shino: It's the truth. This guy probably thinks you're the little boy that passed away.
There's no place for him here. He'd be better off if we got rid of him right now.
Heathcliff: Right now...?
Shino: Hey, don't tell me you've gone and gotten attached to it already. He's not the one who's meant to be by your side.
And you're not his master either. You know that.
Heathcliff: I mean, yeah, but...! You don't have to say all that right in front of him! Can't you spare a thought for his feelings at all?
Shino: I'm saying this because I do.
Heathcliff: Oh, really. Well, I'm sorry I didn't realise you were so heartless.
(To the dog) Here, come with me. Let's go over there instead.
Shino: Hey, wait...!
Heathcliff hurriedly led the dog away.
Shino: ... Hmph. Heath just doesn't listen.
Shino also turned away and walked off in the opposite direction.
Akira: Wait, Heath, Shino...!
Faust: Oh, come on... But, well, I wouldn't be too worried. Squabbles like that are nothing out of the ordinary for those two.
Nero: Yeah, just give 'em a bit of time...
Chloe: Um, but I'm still kind of worried about them... I'll try to talk to Heath!
Shylock: Then allow me to join you.
Cain: I'll go check on Shino then. C'mon, let's go, Master Sage!
Akira: Okay!
[Footsteps]
Nero: Huh? Wait a sec...
Faust: ......
Oz: ......
Nero: ......
(Okay, this is hella awkward...)
——
[Footsteps]
Akira: Shino!
When he heard us call out to him, Shino stopped walking. He turned his head to look back at us.
Akira: Won't you come back with us? Chloe and Shylock have gone to get Heath as well.
Shino: ......
Cain: I'm sure you had your reasons for saying all that, right?
'Cos I know you wouldn't normally talk bad about something that Heath's taken a liking to.
Cain's words prompted Shino to turn his head away from us. Then he spoke in a quiet voice.
Shino: ... I don't want that dog to suffer any more than he already has.
Shino spun around to face us. In contrast to his tone, his blazing red eyes were powerful and determined.
Shino: He thinks Heath is his master right now, and he's trying his best to protect him. But...
He's suffered enough as it is. That dog was born to protect his master, but he wasn't able to.
And now his beloved master is gone from this world.
Cain and Akira: ......
Shino: And that's not all. He was even abandoned by the guy who made him.
What do you think he'll do once he realises the truth?
Akira: Ah...
Hearing Shino's words, I finally realised.
Shino: The pain he'll feel in that moment will probably be worse than death. He'll hate himself for being powerless and unable to protect his master.
So it'd be kinder to send him off before that happens.
Shino declared thus while looking straight into our eyes.
It was the same gaze he had had while watching the black dog. His red eyes shone like a resolute blade.
Akira: Shino...
Just like that black dog, Shino had Heathcliff — someone he had sworn to protect.
That was probably why he saw himself in it.
Shino knew exactly what it was like to wholeheartedly devote himself to his master, and the pain of failing to fulfill that responsibility.
Akira: (That's why Shino wanted to get rid of the dog...)
To prevent its affection for its master from being replaced by deep feelings of sadness.
Cain: ......
Cain also looked straight at Shino as he spoke.
Cain: ... I have a master that I serve in Arthur too, so I get what you're trying to say.
And I know how it feels when you're unable to fulfill your mission too.
... 'Cos I lost my position as Captain of the Royal Knights and wasn't able to see that duty through to the end.
Shino: ......
Cain: 'Course, I know it was my own fault. But it was just so frustrating, I still don't think I can put it into words.
I really believed that I should be the one to lead my comrades in protecting the King and our country.
Cain's hand briefly moved to touch the sword hanging by his waist.
Cain: And now, I have the role of protecting Arthur as his knight. If I ever ended up failing at that...
I know I wouldn't be able to live with myself.
Cain spoke in a strong tone as he looked straight at Shino. But a moment later, his expression relaxed.
Cain: So I totally understand your feelings and why you said all that about the dog.
There was a melancholic look in Cain's eyes as he gazed at Shino. Then he gently placed his hand on the younger wizard's shoulder.
Cain: But even if it isn't real, that dog thinks it's currently experiencing the miracle of being reunited with its master.
Don't you think we could enjoy this moment with it too?
Shino: ......
The look in Shino's eyes wavered slightly.
Akira: ... If you explain what you were thinking to Heath, I'm sure he'll understand.
But you know, that dog is just like you, caring deeply for Heath and trying to protect him.
That's why, even though he knows the dog has got the wrong person, I don't think Heath can bring himself to ignore it...
After thinking in silence for a little while, Shino slowly nodded his head. He turned his determined, bright red eyes towards us.
Shino: ... Fine. Just until the ritual ends tonight.
——
Chloe: Heath, are you alright?
Shylock: Would you mind if we joined you?
Heathcliff: Chloe, Shylock...
I'm sorry for worrying you all... I just got so upset over what Shino said.
Ugh, I'm still so childish...
Chapter 3 || Chapter 5
Oz's long hair and the cape he wore swayed in the wind, but his vivid red eyes did not waver as he took a long look at the black dog.
Oz: It was most likely... something that someone held strong feelings for.
Perhaps a doll, or a figure... It bears traces of warding magic.
The Great Calamity must have given it a physical form.
Shino: ... Yeah, I figured it was something like that.
The Eastern wizards nodded, looking convinced of this explanation. I suspected we had all been imagining the same thing after hearing what the villager had told us.
—That the black dog was actually the plush animal that the wizard's son had treasured while he was alive.
We relayed what the villager had told us to the other wizards.
Chloe: Oh... So the little boy...
Heathcliff: ... The villager said the plush animal was something the wizard had made by himself. I'm sure the wards were cast by him too.
Nero: Must've wanted his kid to have a protective amulet of sorts.
Cain: I guess he left that plush behind with everything else in the house when he left...
Shylock: Well, it is a plush animal that was handmade for his child... We can only imagine how much love and care must have been poured into it.
Faust: Memories aren't always something to find solace in. Sometimes they cause great pain instead.
Oz: ......
An abandoned house that had been left behind in the flow of time.
I pictured the black plush dog, with no one remaining to hug and cuddle it, left sitting all alone in the darkness.
It was a terribly sad and lonely sight to imagine.
Akira: ......
Everyone turned their attention to the black dog. Looking at it sat beside Heathcliff, Shino spoke up.
Shino: Looks like you were abandoned.
Heathcliff: Hey, you don't have to put it like that.
Heathcliff had an immediate reaction to Shino's words.
Shino: It's the truth. This guy probably thinks you're the little boy that passed away.
There's no place for him here. He'd be better off if we got rid of him right now.
Heathcliff: Right now...?
Shino: Hey, don't tell me you've gone and gotten attached to it already. He's not the one who's meant to be by your side.
And you're not his master either. You know that.
Heathcliff: I mean, yeah, but...! You don't have to say all that right in front of him! Can't you spare a thought for his feelings at all?
Shino: I'm saying this because I do.
Heathcliff: Oh, really. Well, I'm sorry I didn't realise you were so heartless.
(To the dog) Here, come with me. Let's go over there instead.
Shino: Hey, wait...!
Heathcliff hurriedly led the dog away.
Shino: ... Hmph. Heath just doesn't listen.
Shino also turned away and walked off in the opposite direction.
Akira: Wait, Heath, Shino...!
Faust: Oh, come on... But, well, I wouldn't be too worried. Squabbles like that are nothing out of the ordinary for those two.
Nero: Yeah, just give 'em a bit of time...
Chloe: Um, but I'm still kind of worried about them... I'll try to talk to Heath!
Shylock: Then allow me to join you.
Cain: I'll go check on Shino then. C'mon, let's go, Master Sage!
Akira: Okay!
[Footsteps]
Nero: Huh? Wait a sec...
Faust: ......
Oz: ......
Nero: ......
(Okay, this is hella awkward...)
——
[Footsteps]
Akira: Shino!
When he heard us call out to him, Shino stopped walking. He turned his head to look back at us.
Akira: Won't you come back with us? Chloe and Shylock have gone to get Heath as well.
Shino: ......
Cain: I'm sure you had your reasons for saying all that, right?
'Cos I know you wouldn't normally talk bad about something that Heath's taken a liking to.
Cain's words prompted Shino to turn his head away from us. Then he spoke in a quiet voice.
Shino: ... I don't want that dog to suffer any more than he already has.
Shino spun around to face us. In contrast to his tone, his blazing red eyes were powerful and determined.
Shino: He thinks Heath is his master right now, and he's trying his best to protect him. But...
He's suffered enough as it is. That dog was born to protect his master, but he wasn't able to.
And now his beloved master is gone from this world.
Cain and Akira: ......
Shino: And that's not all. He was even abandoned by the guy who made him.
What do you think he'll do once he realises the truth?
Akira: Ah...
Hearing Shino's words, I finally realised.
Shino: The pain he'll feel in that moment will probably be worse than death. He'll hate himself for being powerless and unable to protect his master.
So it'd be kinder to send him off before that happens.
Shino declared thus while looking straight into our eyes.
It was the same gaze he had had while watching the black dog. His red eyes shone like a resolute blade.
Akira: Shino...
Just like that black dog, Shino had Heathcliff — someone he had sworn to protect.
That was probably why he saw himself in it.
Shino knew exactly what it was like to wholeheartedly devote himself to his master, and the pain of failing to fulfill that responsibility.
Akira: (That's why Shino wanted to get rid of the dog...)
To prevent its affection for its master from being replaced by deep feelings of sadness.
Cain: ......
Cain also looked straight at Shino as he spoke.
Cain: ... I have a master that I serve in Arthur too, so I get what you're trying to say.
And I know how it feels when you're unable to fulfill your mission too.
... 'Cos I lost my position as Captain of the Royal Knights and wasn't able to see that duty through to the end.
Shino: ......
Cain: 'Course, I know it was my own fault. But it was just so frustrating, I still don't think I can put it into words.
I really believed that I should be the one to lead my comrades in protecting the King and our country.
Cain's hand briefly moved to touch the sword hanging by his waist.
Cain: And now, I have the role of protecting Arthur as his knight. If I ever ended up failing at that...
I know I wouldn't be able to live with myself.
Cain spoke in a strong tone as he looked straight at Shino. But a moment later, his expression relaxed.
Cain: So I totally understand your feelings and why you said all that about the dog.
There was a melancholic look in Cain's eyes as he gazed at Shino. Then he gently placed his hand on the younger wizard's shoulder.
Cain: But even if it isn't real, that dog thinks it's currently experiencing the miracle of being reunited with its master.
Don't you think we could enjoy this moment with it too?
Shino: ......
The look in Shino's eyes wavered slightly.
Akira: ... If you explain what you were thinking to Heath, I'm sure he'll understand.
But you know, that dog is just like you, caring deeply for Heath and trying to protect him.
That's why, even though he knows the dog has got the wrong person, I don't think Heath can bring himself to ignore it...
After thinking in silence for a little while, Shino slowly nodded his head. He turned his determined, bright red eyes towards us.
Shino: ... Fine. Just until the ritual ends tonight.
——
Chloe: Heath, are you alright?
Shylock: Would you mind if we joined you?
Heathcliff: Chloe, Shylock...
I'm sorry for worrying you all... I just got so upset over what Shino said.
Ugh, I'm still so childish...
Chapter 3 || Chapter 5
