darklydivergent

Travelers bringing down their luggage are receiving hay across the front counter for, I assume, the stables in the back that held their treasured horses.

Legally speaking, I am obliged to speak to the head of staff about investigating the premises, but that would have made me far too conspicuous.

Instead, while calling to mind an image of a cloudy, pitch black mirror, we made to walk by the front counter.

It was completely opaque, as if saying ‘there is nothing here’ to anyone who perceived it.

Rather than magic, it was better to call it just an ordinary spell that could still affect the East spirits.

With that, we were able to reach the inside of the hotel accosted, and begin the search.

One by one, from the first floor on, we investigated every inch of the building. But still, the two were nowhere to be found.

If they intentionally extinguished their signals, they would be sure to take some kind of action when we entered the hotel.

But there was nothing, no traces at all. They just suddenly...vanished.

Were they kidnapped? Or trapped somewhere between spaces...Either way, they should not have been turned to stone.

Since they were both wizards, we would have found traces of that.

But even though we both knew this in our hearts, Shino’s gaze gradually descended back into impatience.


Shino: ...Let’s go talk to the landlord of this place. We should go question the other guests too. Like right now, before they leave.

Faust: What did I just say about being impatient? That’s too conspicuous.


Shino, indignant, grabbed at my collar.


Shino: And while we’re just waltzing around here, Heath could be getting kill-

Shino: n-gk!!


Before he was able to yell, I covered Shino’s mouth with my hand.


Faust: Shino. Settle down, please. If they really were kidnapped and you make a huge uproar….

Faust: In that case the culprits would try to erase their tracks, and maybe even kill them in the process. I’ve seen it happen before.

Shino: But if it’s like that-then...

Faust: This happened to some of my men once, Shino. The other team made too much of an uproar, and that prompted the enemy to slaughter their captives.

Faust: My troops had only wanted to negotiate with them. They were all just young men and women who were little more than farmers.

Faust: But, the soldiers, desiring revenge, killed them all without exception. They died for nothing.


As I said this, I rummaged through my pockets to pull out a small, circular case. In it was a species of magic herb that was used in incense.

Regardless of his reaction, I dipped my finger in and marked Shino’s forehead and throat with it.

I’d noticed since some time ago his eyes were dangerously wet and bloodshot. His breathing had become shallow, and with that came his narrowed field of vision.

It’s no wonder he’s reacting like this. Heath is everything to Shino.

I’d reacted much like this too, when I wasn’t sure of Alec’s safety. Each time, Figaro almost gently chided me.

'Please settle down.'


Shino: ......w-what the hell??


Lennox too, ever faithfully following, would tell me the same thing.

'Lord Faust. It’s okay.

I’m sure Lord Alec is safe.

That man is surely protected and loved by this world we live in.'


Faust: Please settle down. It’s just incense. It will help calm your heart.

Shino: I’m not a freaking dog!! All it does is stink…

Faust: Well then, next time, remind me to cradle you like a baby and kiss you on the forehead, Shino.

Faust: It’s okay. Heathcliff will not be dying and leaving you behind.


Shino’s gaze was weak and unfocused, twisting his emotions into something almost unrecognizable.

It was like he was a human lost at sea, painfully struggling to keep his head above water. Drowning in the waves, and his own tumultuous feelings.

Until now, I’d never realized how much Heath’s heart was intertwined with his.


Faust: Remember, Nero is also with him. Breathe slowly, okay? In, out. Okay, after you’re calm, take out your magic tool.

Shino: My magic tool?

Faust: That’s right. We need to get to the top floor, and look for signs of a spatial distortion. I need your help with this, Shino.

Shino: Spatial distortion…can I do that?


Shino’s voice sounded unusually timid.

Once more going through my pockets, I take out a small bag and bite the seal off with my teeth. In this one was powdered stone with a simple protection and barrier effect.

Without hesitation, I sprinkle it over Shino’s head. The blue-green powder forms a lovely spiral, then wraps itself up his whole body.


Faust: I need you to do this for me. Magic tool.


Shino nodded, and closed his eyes, reciting his spell.


Shino: 《Matztzah Sapidus》


Meanwhile, I bit my thumb, causing a small wound. I turned Shino around so his back was facing me, and marked the nape of his neck with my blood.


Shino: What’re you doing?

Faust: Marking you.

Shino: Marking...me?

Faust: You are mine. I will not allow anyone to lay their hands on you.


Shino turned his head to look at me.

Maybe, just maybe I thought he might be deeply moved, possibly even thanking me for once, but instead he frowned and shook his head frantically.


Shino: I’m not yours. I’m Heath’s.

Faust: Sure. Whatever you say, Shino.


Honestly, I don’t know what I expected.

Bringing along my ever rude and disagreeable student, I head for the top floor.

---

We arrive at the top floor.

Here, I could finally sense something faintly out of place. The floor creaked as we put our weight on it, cautiously examining our surroundings.

It was very minor, almost imperceptible, like sand from two different places mixed together. On the outside it seemed normal, but on closer inspection, something was....


Faust: (Something…is hiding? )

Traveler: Hello….ah!!


A traveler just leaving their room spotted Shino, with his scythe at the ready, and immediately fled back inside.


Shino: Should we make the guests evacuate?

Faust: We’re just here for the distortion. I don’t think it’s necessary, but just to be safe, let’s get them out of here.

Shino: Got it.


Shino quickly went around to all the doors and knocked, telling them the same thing.


Shino: Soon, people with a grudge against my ancestors are gonna arrive. If you don’t wanna get wrapped up in this, you should head downstairs for a while.


An impressive and well-told improvisation from Shino; he got all of the guests to swiftly evacuate to safety.

Among them, I couldn’t see any signs of distrust.

It made me remember the past; Lennox was always terrible at that kind of thing.

Since I, too, was terrible at it, any time lies or playing a part came up, we either were slow on the uptake or messed it up completely.

It was Figaro and Alec’s specialty -they always thought about questions like ‘what would move this person’s heart the most’ before anything ever happened.


Shino: We got them all to go. Now what?


With a nod, I began to instruct Shino.


Faust: I am now going to look around for the spatial distortion. This is going to take all of my concentration.

Faust: So, to make sure everything stays in order, you need to sustain the barrier I make through my medium.

Shino: A medium?

Faust: My blood. On the back of your neck.

Shino put his scythe back on his shoulder, and lifted the corner of his mouth in a smirk.


Shino: Huh, I didn’t realize how close we’ve become now.

Faust: Seems like you’re back to being a brat. Keep it up, please.


I pushed up my glasses, making the face of my mirror appear in my hands.

I chanted my spell.


Faust:《Salliuqnart Mullcredo》


A pale light began to pour from the mirror, spreading across the entire floor like water.

When I faced the reflection towards Shino, the light then began to gather around his body and scythe.

It concentrates on the back of his neck, where I left my mark. Something I hadn’t told Shino, was that it had another function than just a medium for my power.

It was for protection. If he is within this barrier, any damage he receives will be transferred to me instead.


Faust: Looking for the distortion now. Don’t talk to me until I say so.

Shino: I get it. ....I’m counting on you.

Faust: Leave it to me.


I closed my eyes, and began searching my immediate vicinity.

This place has a lot of history. That meant that something from another time or era could be affecting the spirits.

Like sinking into the depths of the ocean, I abandoned my body and mind and reached out for those grains of sand I’d felt earlier.

While I floated in this unconscious state, more memories began to float up unbidden from the recesses of my mind.

I sharpened my senses. But, the more I searched for the grains of sand, the more my own hourglass tipped over and showed me scenes from the past.

I had never needed to give instructions to Lennox; he’d always understood everything about me.

What I wanted-what I needed-time and time again thinking ahead so I would not be troubled.

Many often said in the past how hard it was to tell what Lennox was thinking, but for me, there was no one else in the world who could be more easily understood.

I always, always, wished for that man’s happiness.

Therefore, for that wish to come true, the people close to him should be happy too.

Rutile, and Mitile.
And surely….
Now, even Figaro, too.

I cannot afford to be with him anymore. To me, I think, Lennox was always a reward.

If we were together, I would unwittingly become happy.

And that is something I abandoned. Reborn instead as a curse-worker, I decided to trample all over the well-wishes and blessings I was afforded.

Never again will our lives overlap.

Still, against my better judgment, I recalled all those same times.

If Leno had found himself with us and looked over the situation, he probably would’ve known what to do.

I wouldn’t have even had to say anything; he would have just given me what I needed.

It’s not-it’s not me saying that Shino is inexperienced and useless-he was just a child, so of course he could not do the same.

It was just….easier this way.

I could breathe so much easier.


Lennox: Lord Faust, this way!

Faust: Yeah!


Entrusted with the backs of my comrades, the only thing I could do was keep heading forward.

Oh, that time, that place…how I desperately longed to go back.

Looking over my shoulder, I saw Lord Figaro, kindly watching over us...


Figaro: Please, be careful.


In the front, Alec raised Caledfwich to the sky, urging the rest of us onward.


Alec: Now!

Alec: Once and for all, we will change our future forever!


Watching him from behind like that always lit an unquenchable fire in my heart.


Faust: (Yeah...)


Swiftly, the loneliness descended.

I can never return home to those bygone days.

And neither will they come back to me.

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