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iridesenescenceChapter 8
Oz: They attack whatever presence is near them. They will surround their target and swallow them up with the light.
As long as the Eastern wizards are drawing their attention, the village will likely be safe. But that also means that they are focused solely on attacking the Eastern wizards.
A long, drawn-out battle is not ideal.
I swallowed nervously listening to Oz's words. Despite the Eastern wizards' efforts in fending the will-o-wisps off, they showed no signs of letting up.
Shino: 《Matztzah Sapidus》 !
Shino swung his scythe at a horde of will-o-wisps.
The cluster of blueish-white lights scattered. But several wisps that had managed to avoid Shino's scythe darted towards Heathcliff.
Shino: Heath!
Heathcliff: 《Repsev Aivulp...》
Heathcliff readied his magical instrument without missing a beat.
But the black dog sitting behind him on his broom was even faster, leaping forward and snapping at the will-o-wisps.
Black dog: Ruff!
The will-o-wisps faded into nothingness upon being bitten. Then gravity exerted its pull, and the black dog began to fall towards the ground.
Heathcliff: ......!
Heathcliff hurriedly steered his broom downwards so he could catch the dog.
Heathcliff: Are you okay?!
Black dog: Woof!
Oblivious to Heathcliff's concern, the black dog licked his cheek while vigorously wagging its tail. It seemed to be seeking his praise.
Heathcliff: Ahaha... Thank you. That was really brave.
Shino: Hmph... Not bad.
Cain: Alright, Shylock and I will split up and light the candles for the lanterns further away from the village square.
Shylock: So we shall.
Cain: Can we leave the area around here to you, Chloe?
Chloe: Sure!
Villager: Hey, is there anything we can do to help? We can't just sit back an' watch when our village is in trouble!
Villager: Of course, those lights are scary... But we can't just keep relyin' on you folks. Please, let us help too!
Cain: You guys... Thanks, you'll be a big help!
Alright, everyone who's got good stamina, come with me. We'll head to the outskirts of the village.
As for the kids and older folk, you guys will be with Chloe, lighting up the lanterns around here. It's safest around the village square since the Eastern wizards and Oz are nearby.
Villager: Gotcha!
Shylock: Fufu, I would expect nothing less of our former Captain of the Royal Knights. Everything from your detailed orders to deployment of personnel is simply flawless.
Cain: Aw, thanks. But it's all thanks to everyone being willing to help out.
Alright, let's get moving and light up those lanterns!
Villager: Quick, let's hurry! We gotta complete the ritual...!
Villager: Oh, how scary... I'm too afraid to look up...
Villager: Shh, less talking and more moving! If we light the lanterns, those beasts will go away!
Chloe: (Everyone's doing their best, but they're super nervous...)
(I have to do my part and light the lanterns too, but I'm worried about the villagers...)
(... Oh, I know! I've used a lot of magic today, but I think I can manage this...!)
Hup!
Villager: W-whoa?! There are little fireworks coming from the lanterns by the roadside...
Villager: Ooh, the lanterns along the path are being lit up!
Chloe: Of course it's important to look up when you're walking, but if you don't feel like looking up, then why not look downwards?
You might find something nice on the ground too. Like a piece of candy in your favourite flavour!
Villager: Oh? There really is candy. Who could've left this...
Chloe: 《Suispi Ius Oitingoc》
Villager: Whoa! It turned into a lantern?! And there's a candle burning in it!
Villager: Hey, that's amazing! Can you do that again?
Chloe: Hehe, sure!
Shylock: Heh, as a fellow Western wizard, I mustn't allow myself to be overshadowed.
Shylock: ... Fwoosh.
Villager: Huh? It smells like wine around here...
Villager: Whoa...! That wizard's lighting the lanterns up just by blowing on them...!
Villager: Huh, I feel a lot better now. Even lighting the lanterns seems pretty fun...
Shylock: Fufu. If you had to choose between a miracle so sweet it melts in your mouth, and a miracle so thrilling you find yourself hooked on it...
Which would be more to your liking?
《Invibelle》
——
Chloe: Shylock!
Shylock: Welcome back, Chloe. This area has become much brighter now.
Chloe: Yeah, now we just have to wait for Cain's group... Oh! Here they come!
Cain: Sorry for the wait, guys! We're all done over there.
Shylock: Splendid. All that is left now is to light the fire on the altar.
Cain: Okay, then Shylock and I will lead the villagers to the square. Can you go ahead of us on your broom and light the altar, Chloe?
Chloe: Huh?! I mean, I can, but...
Um... Are you sure it should be me? I think Shino wanted to be the one to light the fire...
Shylock: All of us here, including Shino, have seen just how much you have done to ensure tonight's ritual would be a success.
On top of that, you were also by Heath's side today. I'm sure Shino will have no objections to you being the one to light the fire.
Chloe: ... Okay then.
Off I go!
——
In the village square, the villagers huddled close to each other, watching fearfully as the battle between the unsettling lights and the four wizards raged above their heads.
They were all waiting anxiously, practically praying, for the ritual to be conducted soon.
Oz: The will-o-wisps have begun to slow.
Hearing this from Oz, I squinted up at the night sky. It did seem like they were moving slower than before.
Oz: ......
Oz had been looking up at the sky, but he suddenly shifted his gaze back down, looking ahead of us.
From the distant darkness, something was approaching us at a high speed.
Akira: Chloe! And behind him is...
The sight behind him surprised me. Without me realising, the village had once again been filled with warm orange lights, as if to repel the will-o-wisps.
Oz: Sage, lend me your hand.
Akira: ... Wha?
Oz had extended his hand out to me, and on reflex, I placed my hand in his. Chloe had just arrived in the village square, and he alighted from his broom.
Chloe: Sorry to keep you waiting, Master Sage and everyone!
Everyone from the village, please don't worry! Everything's going to be okay! We finished lighting up all the lanterns all around the village, so all that's left is...
Chloe readied his magical instrument and looked straight at the altar.
Then, in a steady voice, he chanted his spell.
Chloe: 《Suispi Ius Oitingoc》 !
His sewing kit glowed, thin threads swirled in the air, and flames flew towards the altar.
The next instant, there was a loud roar, and a large pillar of fire burned, tongues of flame reaching for the sky.
Without leaving us even a moment to think, something burst in the skies above, as if the sun had suddenly exploded.
Akira and Chloe: Whoa?!
Shino: Mngh?!
A fierce gust of wind blew into the village square, so strong that it was hard to remain on our feet.
Akira: (Th-this is some crazy wind...)
I was worried about everyone, but between the bright flash and the strong wind, I couldn't keep my eyes open.
I gripped Oz's hand tightly so I wouldn't be blown away.
Just then—
Oz: 《Vox Nox》
I heard Oz's voice chant his spell.
Oz: ......
Akira: Oz!
Chapter 7 || Chapter 9
Oz: They attack whatever presence is near them. They will surround their target and swallow them up with the light.
As long as the Eastern wizards are drawing their attention, the village will likely be safe. But that also means that they are focused solely on attacking the Eastern wizards.
A long, drawn-out battle is not ideal.
I swallowed nervously listening to Oz's words. Despite the Eastern wizards' efforts in fending the will-o-wisps off, they showed no signs of letting up.
Shino: 《Matztzah Sapidus》 !
Shino swung his scythe at a horde of will-o-wisps.
The cluster of blueish-white lights scattered. But several wisps that had managed to avoid Shino's scythe darted towards Heathcliff.
Shino: Heath!
Heathcliff: 《Repsev Aivulp...》
Heathcliff readied his magical instrument without missing a beat.
But the black dog sitting behind him on his broom was even faster, leaping forward and snapping at the will-o-wisps.
Black dog: Ruff!
The will-o-wisps faded into nothingness upon being bitten. Then gravity exerted its pull, and the black dog began to fall towards the ground.
Heathcliff: ......!
Heathcliff hurriedly steered his broom downwards so he could catch the dog.
Heathcliff: Are you okay?!
Black dog: Woof!
Oblivious to Heathcliff's concern, the black dog licked his cheek while vigorously wagging its tail. It seemed to be seeking his praise.
Heathcliff: Ahaha... Thank you. That was really brave.
Shino: Hmph... Not bad.
Cain: Alright, Shylock and I will split up and light the candles for the lanterns further away from the village square.
Shylock: So we shall.
Cain: Can we leave the area around here to you, Chloe?
Chloe: Sure!
Villager: Hey, is there anything we can do to help? We can't just sit back an' watch when our village is in trouble!
Villager: Of course, those lights are scary... But we can't just keep relyin' on you folks. Please, let us help too!
Cain: You guys... Thanks, you'll be a big help!
Alright, everyone who's got good stamina, come with me. We'll head to the outskirts of the village.
As for the kids and older folk, you guys will be with Chloe, lighting up the lanterns around here. It's safest around the village square since the Eastern wizards and Oz are nearby.
Villager: Gotcha!
Shylock: Fufu, I would expect nothing less of our former Captain of the Royal Knights. Everything from your detailed orders to deployment of personnel is simply flawless.
Cain: Aw, thanks. But it's all thanks to everyone being willing to help out.
Alright, let's get moving and light up those lanterns!
Villager: Quick, let's hurry! We gotta complete the ritual...!
Villager: Oh, how scary... I'm too afraid to look up...
Villager: Shh, less talking and more moving! If we light the lanterns, those beasts will go away!
Chloe: (Everyone's doing their best, but they're super nervous...)
(I have to do my part and light the lanterns too, but I'm worried about the villagers...)
(... Oh, I know! I've used a lot of magic today, but I think I can manage this...!)
Hup!
Villager: W-whoa?! There are little fireworks coming from the lanterns by the roadside...
Villager: Ooh, the lanterns along the path are being lit up!
Chloe: Of course it's important to look up when you're walking, but if you don't feel like looking up, then why not look downwards?
You might find something nice on the ground too. Like a piece of candy in your favourite flavour!
Villager: Oh? There really is candy. Who could've left this...
Chloe: 《Suispi Ius Oitingoc》
Villager: Whoa! It turned into a lantern?! And there's a candle burning in it!
Villager: Hey, that's amazing! Can you do that again?
Chloe: Hehe, sure!
Shylock: Heh, as a fellow Western wizard, I mustn't allow myself to be overshadowed.
Shylock: ... Fwoosh.
Villager: Huh? It smells like wine around here...
Villager: Whoa...! That wizard's lighting the lanterns up just by blowing on them...!
Villager: Huh, I feel a lot better now. Even lighting the lanterns seems pretty fun...
Shylock: Fufu. If you had to choose between a miracle so sweet it melts in your mouth, and a miracle so thrilling you find yourself hooked on it...
Which would be more to your liking?
《Invibelle》
——
Chloe: Shylock!
Shylock: Welcome back, Chloe. This area has become much brighter now.
Chloe: Yeah, now we just have to wait for Cain's group... Oh! Here they come!
Cain: Sorry for the wait, guys! We're all done over there.
Shylock: Splendid. All that is left now is to light the fire on the altar.
Cain: Okay, then Shylock and I will lead the villagers to the square. Can you go ahead of us on your broom and light the altar, Chloe?
Chloe: Huh?! I mean, I can, but...
Um... Are you sure it should be me? I think Shino wanted to be the one to light the fire...
Shylock: All of us here, including Shino, have seen just how much you have done to ensure tonight's ritual would be a success.
On top of that, you were also by Heath's side today. I'm sure Shino will have no objections to you being the one to light the fire.
Chloe: ... Okay then.
Off I go!
——
In the village square, the villagers huddled close to each other, watching fearfully as the battle between the unsettling lights and the four wizards raged above their heads.
They were all waiting anxiously, practically praying, for the ritual to be conducted soon.
Oz: The will-o-wisps have begun to slow.
Hearing this from Oz, I squinted up at the night sky. It did seem like they were moving slower than before.
Oz: ......
Oz had been looking up at the sky, but he suddenly shifted his gaze back down, looking ahead of us.
From the distant darkness, something was approaching us at a high speed.
Akira: Chloe! And behind him is...
The sight behind him surprised me. Without me realising, the village had once again been filled with warm orange lights, as if to repel the will-o-wisps.
Oz: Sage, lend me your hand.
Akira: ... Wha?
Oz had extended his hand out to me, and on reflex, I placed my hand in his. Chloe had just arrived in the village square, and he alighted from his broom.
Chloe: Sorry to keep you waiting, Master Sage and everyone!
Everyone from the village, please don't worry! Everything's going to be okay! We finished lighting up all the lanterns all around the village, so all that's left is...
Chloe readied his magical instrument and looked straight at the altar.
Then, in a steady voice, he chanted his spell.
Chloe: 《Suispi Ius Oitingoc》 !
His sewing kit glowed, thin threads swirled in the air, and flames flew towards the altar.
The next instant, there was a loud roar, and a large pillar of fire burned, tongues of flame reaching for the sky.
Without leaving us even a moment to think, something burst in the skies above, as if the sun had suddenly exploded.
Akira and Chloe: Whoa?!
Shino: Mngh?!
A fierce gust of wind blew into the village square, so strong that it was hard to remain on our feet.
Akira: (Th-this is some crazy wind...)
I was worried about everyone, but between the bright flash and the strong wind, I couldn't keep my eyes open.
I gripped Oz's hand tightly so I wouldn't be blown away.
Just then—
Oz: 《Vox Nox》
I heard Oz's voice chant his spell.
Oz: ......
Akira: Oz!
Chapter 7 || Chapter 9
