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iridesenescenceChapter 9
In the instant that the wind died down, the hand I had been holding suddenly went slack.
I hurriedly grabbed onto Oz's hand and tried to support him as he staggered. Oz recovered his balance, and adjusted his grip on his staff with a grim expression on his face.
Shino: A veil of light... Oz cast a barrier for us! Nice. I thought we were all gonna get blown away.
Heathcliff: Ah... Look, the will-o-wisps...!
On the other side of the barrier, the thousands of will-o-wisps were being reduced to dust as if they had been burnt.
Villager: The fire on the altar is lit!
Villager: Look up in the sky! The magical beasts are disappearing...!
The wind carried the dust off somewhere, and the sight that greeted us was the quiet night sky from before.
Oz let out a quiet exhale, and lowered his staff. The barrier of light disappeared as he did.
Our surroundings were filled with the warm light emanating from the bonfire on the altar and the lanterns.
Akira: (... Uh, did my power not work this time...?)
Um, Oz...
Oz: ... It is alright. It was a very weak barrier, but I am able to use my magic for brief moments, even at night.
Oz declared thus while looking up at the sky. Specifically, I had the feeling he was looking at the black dog that Heathcliff was hugging.
Then he quietly shifted his gaze to me.
Oz: ... The will-o-wisps have been eradicated.
Such weak magical beasts will not dare approach this village for some time.
——
The villagers gathered in the village square looked up at the fire burning atop the altar and the quiet night sky, and let out cries of celebration.
Eventually, they began to lay out food and drinks in the space around the altar.
Villager: The village is safe because of all of you. Thank you...!
Villager: The ritual was a success too, thank goodness!
Cain: Things only went so well thanks to all of you helping us out. It sounds like no one was hurt either, so that's a relief.
Villager: Hey, you're a really good guy. C'mere, eat up!
Villager: We all feast on the night of the ritual. So that goes for you too!
Chloe: Ehe, thank you! There's so much food and dessert, and they all look so good~!
Oh... There's music too. Look, Cain! The villagers all started dancing!
Cain: Yeah, that looks like fun! Apparently if you dance around the bonfire, you'll have a good year ahead of you.
Cain: Which means we gotta join in too, don't we!
Villager: Heh, I like the way you think, Mister!
Cain: Haha, maybe it's 'cos I've had more chances to dance since coming to the Magic Manor!
C'mon, you guys should dance too. Let's celebrate the ritual's success, the village being restored, and everything in this world!
Chloe: Hehe, maybe I'll take you up on that offer. Shylock, let's dance too!
Shylock: Fufu, I appreciate the invitation.
But please, go ahead. If I am to take to the dance floor, it might be best to wait for a slightly later hour.
Cain: Ahaha, that's true. Your dancing should probably be saved for after the little kids have gone to bed.
Chloe: Okay, then let's dance together later! Let's go, Cain!
Shylock: And what about all of you? Do you not intend to dance?
Nero: I think you can tell, but that sorta thing ain't my style.
Faust: I'm not partial to such lively atmospheres. Enjoying a glass of wine in the corner is just right for me.
Shylock: I suppose I should have expected as much from the two of you. Then shall we enjoy a quiet, peaceful talk amongst us adults?
They do say that different strokes are for different folks, after all. Let me see, then how about...
We could discuss topics befitting the atmosphere here, such as tales of horror and stories about love...
Nero: Eurk... Stories about horror and love with a Western wizard...
Faust: I think they would all end up falling under the genre of horror...
Just listening to the laughter of people gathered around the bonfire to eat and drink was enough to fill me with happiness too.
The village square was a strange sight, bathed in the light of countless lanterns and with people clad in majestic outfits and wearing bizarre makeup milling around.
While everyone seemed to be having a fun time, I couldn't find Oz anywhere. Looking around, I noticed him standing alone in a corner of the square.
Following his gaze, I saw that he was staring at the black dog that lay by Heathcliff's feet.
Akira: ... Oz, is there something bothering you about the dog?
Oz: It does not bother me, but... What do you all intend to do about it?
Akira: ......
Shino had said that he would get rid of the dog once the ritual was done. He most likely still intended to do that.
Oz: ... Though it has been affected by the Great Calamity, that dog is weak. It will lose that form before long.
Once it is gone, there will no longer be any chances to speak to it.
Akira: ... Yes, you're right.
Though his words might have seemed cold, I knew right away that this was Oz's own form of kindness.
Because Oz had chosen to burn all of Arthur's belongings from their time spent living together; from his clothes and books to his entire room.
And he had regretted that decision.
Akira: Thank you, Oz. I'll go talk to Heath and the others.
Oz did not reply.
He closed his eyes without a word, and swirled the wine in the glass that he must have been offered by one of the villagers. I watched him for a moment before leaving the area.
——
Akira: Shino, Heath. Are you two enjoying yourselves?
Shino: Sage. Yeah, it's as lively as we heard. And the food's good.
Heathcliff: Somehow, just watching as everyone does whatever they want, from taking it easy to chatting with others, is really fun too.
Shino: I didn't know what to expect from a ritual that isn't all formal and strict, but it really is like a festival.
Black dog: Worf.
Shino: What, you think so too?
From our position in a quiet spot some distance away, we watched as wizards and villagers alike enjoyed themselves around the bonfire.
The black dog was also sitting obediently by Heathcliff's side. Though Shino was nearby, it no longer tried to bark at him.
Shino: I should've gotten more food. I'm still hungry.
Heathcliff: I have some biscuits if you want. The village children gave me a bunch earlier.
Shino: I'll take anything you give me, Heath. It's all a reward to me.
Heathcliff: Jeez, it's nothing that fancy. I'm just sharing it with you. Master Sage, would you like some as well?
Shino: Be grateful he's giving you some.
Akira: Ahaha, thank you Heath! I'll take you up on that.
Heathcliff: Hey, don't be rude to Master Sage. Oh... Would you like some too?
Shino: Hmph, this guy's pretty bold. Don't think I've forgotten about you pulling on my clothes just now.
Heathcliff: Oh, that was...
Heathcliff opened his mouth to speak, looking slightly awkward.
Heathcliff: Sorry, that was... probably my fault. I think he was trying to get us to make up with each other...
Shino's eyes widened just a fraction, and his gaze dropped to the floor. In the light of the flickering bonfire, the shadows cast by his eyelashes wavered.
Then he blinked once, and looked straight at Heathcliff.
Shino: I'm going to get rid of this guy soon.
Heathcliff: ......
Shino: The master that he's meant to protect is already gone. I'm going to purify him so he doesn't end up with any more regrets.
Heathcliff no longer objected to Shino's words.
The black dog was munching happily on the biscuit Heathcliff had given it. He gazed at it not with pity or sadness, but in a way that resembled a gentle breeze.
Heathcliff: You helped me out a lot today. Thank you for working so hard together with me.
Chapter 8 || Chapter 10
In the instant that the wind died down, the hand I had been holding suddenly went slack.
I hurriedly grabbed onto Oz's hand and tried to support him as he staggered. Oz recovered his balance, and adjusted his grip on his staff with a grim expression on his face.
Shino: A veil of light... Oz cast a barrier for us! Nice. I thought we were all gonna get blown away.
Heathcliff: Ah... Look, the will-o-wisps...!
On the other side of the barrier, the thousands of will-o-wisps were being reduced to dust as if they had been burnt.
Villager: The fire on the altar is lit!
Villager: Look up in the sky! The magical beasts are disappearing...!
The wind carried the dust off somewhere, and the sight that greeted us was the quiet night sky from before.
Oz let out a quiet exhale, and lowered his staff. The barrier of light disappeared as he did.
Our surroundings were filled with the warm light emanating from the bonfire on the altar and the lanterns.
Akira: (... Uh, did my power not work this time...?)
Um, Oz...
Oz: ... It is alright. It was a very weak barrier, but I am able to use my magic for brief moments, even at night.
Oz declared thus while looking up at the sky. Specifically, I had the feeling he was looking at the black dog that Heathcliff was hugging.
Then he quietly shifted his gaze to me.
Oz: ... The will-o-wisps have been eradicated.
Such weak magical beasts will not dare approach this village for some time.
——
The villagers gathered in the village square looked up at the fire burning atop the altar and the quiet night sky, and let out cries of celebration.
Eventually, they began to lay out food and drinks in the space around the altar.
Villager: The village is safe because of all of you. Thank you...!
Villager: The ritual was a success too, thank goodness!
Cain: Things only went so well thanks to all of you helping us out. It sounds like no one was hurt either, so that's a relief.
Villager: Hey, you're a really good guy. C'mere, eat up!
Villager: We all feast on the night of the ritual. So that goes for you too!
Chloe: Ehe, thank you! There's so much food and dessert, and they all look so good~!
Oh... There's music too. Look, Cain! The villagers all started dancing!
Cain: Yeah, that looks like fun! Apparently if you dance around the bonfire, you'll have a good year ahead of you.
Cain: Which means we gotta join in too, don't we!
Villager: Heh, I like the way you think, Mister!
Cain: Haha, maybe it's 'cos I've had more chances to dance since coming to the Magic Manor!
C'mon, you guys should dance too. Let's celebrate the ritual's success, the village being restored, and everything in this world!
Chloe: Hehe, maybe I'll take you up on that offer. Shylock, let's dance too!
Shylock: Fufu, I appreciate the invitation.
But please, go ahead. If I am to take to the dance floor, it might be best to wait for a slightly later hour.
Cain: Ahaha, that's true. Your dancing should probably be saved for after the little kids have gone to bed.
Chloe: Okay, then let's dance together later! Let's go, Cain!
Shylock: And what about all of you? Do you not intend to dance?
Nero: I think you can tell, but that sorta thing ain't my style.
Faust: I'm not partial to such lively atmospheres. Enjoying a glass of wine in the corner is just right for me.
Shylock: I suppose I should have expected as much from the two of you. Then shall we enjoy a quiet, peaceful talk amongst us adults?
They do say that different strokes are for different folks, after all. Let me see, then how about...
We could discuss topics befitting the atmosphere here, such as tales of horror and stories about love...
Nero: Eurk... Stories about horror and love with a Western wizard...
Faust: I think they would all end up falling under the genre of horror...
Just listening to the laughter of people gathered around the bonfire to eat and drink was enough to fill me with happiness too.
The village square was a strange sight, bathed in the light of countless lanterns and with people clad in majestic outfits and wearing bizarre makeup milling around.
While everyone seemed to be having a fun time, I couldn't find Oz anywhere. Looking around, I noticed him standing alone in a corner of the square.
Following his gaze, I saw that he was staring at the black dog that lay by Heathcliff's feet.
Akira: ... Oz, is there something bothering you about the dog?
Oz: It does not bother me, but... What do you all intend to do about it?
Akira: ......
Shino had said that he would get rid of the dog once the ritual was done. He most likely still intended to do that.
Oz: ... Though it has been affected by the Great Calamity, that dog is weak. It will lose that form before long.
Once it is gone, there will no longer be any chances to speak to it.
Akira: ... Yes, you're right.
Though his words might have seemed cold, I knew right away that this was Oz's own form of kindness.
Because Oz had chosen to burn all of Arthur's belongings from their time spent living together; from his clothes and books to his entire room.
And he had regretted that decision.
Akira: Thank you, Oz. I'll go talk to Heath and the others.
Oz did not reply.
He closed his eyes without a word, and swirled the wine in the glass that he must have been offered by one of the villagers. I watched him for a moment before leaving the area.
——
Akira: Shino, Heath. Are you two enjoying yourselves?
Shino: Sage. Yeah, it's as lively as we heard. And the food's good.
Heathcliff: Somehow, just watching as everyone does whatever they want, from taking it easy to chatting with others, is really fun too.
Shino: I didn't know what to expect from a ritual that isn't all formal and strict, but it really is like a festival.
Black dog: Worf.
Shino: What, you think so too?
From our position in a quiet spot some distance away, we watched as wizards and villagers alike enjoyed themselves around the bonfire.
The black dog was also sitting obediently by Heathcliff's side. Though Shino was nearby, it no longer tried to bark at him.
Shino: I should've gotten more food. I'm still hungry.
Heathcliff: I have some biscuits if you want. The village children gave me a bunch earlier.
Shino: I'll take anything you give me, Heath. It's all a reward to me.
Heathcliff: Jeez, it's nothing that fancy. I'm just sharing it with you. Master Sage, would you like some as well?
Shino: Be grateful he's giving you some.
Akira: Ahaha, thank you Heath! I'll take you up on that.
Heathcliff: Hey, don't be rude to Master Sage. Oh... Would you like some too?
Shino: Hmph, this guy's pretty bold. Don't think I've forgotten about you pulling on my clothes just now.
Heathcliff: Oh, that was...
Heathcliff opened his mouth to speak, looking slightly awkward.
Heathcliff: Sorry, that was... probably my fault. I think he was trying to get us to make up with each other...
Shino's eyes widened just a fraction, and his gaze dropped to the floor. In the light of the flickering bonfire, the shadows cast by his eyelashes wavered.
Then he blinked once, and looked straight at Heathcliff.
Shino: I'm going to get rid of this guy soon.
Heathcliff: ......
Shino: The master that he's meant to protect is already gone. I'm going to purify him so he doesn't end up with any more regrets.
Heathcliff no longer objected to Shino's words.
The black dog was munching happily on the biscuit Heathcliff had given it. He gazed at it not with pity or sadness, but in a way that resembled a gentle breeze.
Heathcliff: You helped me out a lot today. Thank you for working so hard together with me.
Chapter 8 || Chapter 10
