darklydivergent

Rutile: Today a great deal of people, came around, huh?

Lennox: More than I thought. I’m grateful they didn’t avoid us.

Figaro: Well, you guys were out there working hard with the restoration, and our own Central prince has put his all in too. It’s thanks to your great efforts!

Figaro: They seem to have more affection for us wizards, right?

Rutile: Yep, that’s right. Although when Mr. Nicholas fell from the balcony, they were afraid of wizards….

Rutile: But the Central Country people are all just kind and happy. Right, Mitile?

Mitile: I guess…

Figaro: Mitile, is something wrong?

Lennox: Seems like he got into a fight with Rutile.

Mitile: That’s not it! Well, our opinions on it are a little different….

Figaro: Mitile. You gotta keep on trying! Why don’t you take the long way home with Dr. Figaro?

Mitile: Eh..?

Rutile: That’s great, Mitile! Since I’m going ahead with Mr. Leno, you can go help Dr. Figaro with shopping.

Mitile: Is that really okay, Doctor….

Figaro: Of course! The evening market has a totally different atmosphere than in the morning-it’ll be fun!

Mitile: Okay, then let’s go together.

Figaro: Yep!

Lennox: .....Dr. Figaro, Mitile seems like he has something concerning him. Please treat him with kindness.

Figaro: I got it, I got it. I’m always kind, don’t you think?

Rutile: You’re very kind. Thank you very much for being so willing to cheer my brother on.

Rutile: Please take care of him!!

Figaro: Kay-kay!!

(Out in the street)

Mitile: …..

Figaro: Many shops will be closing before long, and all the taverns not open during the day will be welcoming customers now.

Mitile: I see…

Mitle: That person a while back, were they an acquaintance of yours? Um, the really tall one…

Figaro: Yeah.

Mitile: Were they also a wizard?

Figaro: Yep, that’s right.

Mitile: I’m glad…he was super strong and sturdy, right?

Mitile: Like Mr. Leno. Then even if his magic wasn’t strong, he can still probably live happily.

Figaro: Isaac…that kid, he said something along those lines. ‘If I was clever, I could be happy.’

Figaro: You were very clever in school, weren’t you, Mitile? How were you then? Happy?

Mitile: …..I don’t get it.

Figaro: Don’t get what?

Mitile: Dr. Figaro, you were a South Wizard long ago, right?

Figaro: That’s right.

Mitile: Have you never been worried about it? Being a strong wizard, I mean…

Figaro: Um…. I’ve thought about it. Like, it’s handy being stronger than the other guy, but…

Figaro: When someone knew a strong wizard, it never seemed like they were happy about it.

Mitile:……..Mr. Mithra, and Mother too?

Figaro: Yeah. Though saying they weren’t happy might not be the best way to put it.

Figaro: That might have been why Mithra also wanted to make a promise; because Tiletta had got engaged to your father.

Mitile: What are you trying to say?

Figaro: I wonder if it would be okay to say…..from what I see, you seem very happy, Mitile.

Figaro: Whatever troubles you have must be painful for you.

Figaro: When I say I don’t understand, I might be unintentionally hurting you too.

Figaro: But from how I see it, happiness goes along with being smart. With all the great effort you put into living, it’s stupid to just become sad.

Figaro: Mitile, you do look happy. You are clever, you are loved, and very good at living.

Figaro: It’s not worth becoming depressed by how strong your magic is.

Mitile: …..

Figaro: Was that too much? I might not have explained it well….

Mitile: Dr. Figaro, are you clever, then?

Figaro: Do I look like I am?

Mitile: ……I don’t really know.

Mitile: Teachers like you know a ton of things. But then you do things and tell me not to follow your example.

Figaro: Ahaha, that’s true.

Mitile: If you’re just trying to keep yourself unhappy, because I know there are times when you do that….

Mitile: Would you be foolish for telling me to keep going?

Figaro: Perhaps.

Mitile: ……. Then…

Mitile: I don’t want to give up. Not yet.

---

Arthur: …..

Vincent: Arthur.

Arthur: Uncle. How have you been doing?

Vincent: There are no attendants here; it’s just you and me. Let's finally talk face to face.

Arthur: Then, a chair…

Vincent: No need. I am going to be frank with you, Arthur. What do you think of this country?

Arthur: It’s a beautiful country. Even with all of its faults, I think it is a wonderful place.

Vincent: Yes, I know. But you are not patriotic about it.

Arthur: I am. I love this country.

Vincent: No, that’s different. You love this whole world. This country is not special to you.

Arthur: ……Is that wrong of me?

Vincent: This isn’t about good or bad.

Arthur: Why separate this country from the rest then?

Vincent: It is not anything I decided. It’s been like this since ancient times.

Vincent: Arthur. You have various opinions on this, but you are a brave and sensible boy.

Vincent: You are more than sufficient to become the successor. Most likely, you will become a wise ruler remembered throughout history.

Vincent: But a feeling like this country is special….if only you have those patriotic feelings.

Vincent: Rather than the Central Country you adore Oz, and your fellow wizards. Speak honestly with me.

Vincent: Do you, truthfully, from the bottom of your heart, have any desire for the throne?

Arthur: ……….

Vincent: A child raised by Oz in the harsh North Country is not something anyone would ever expect to happen in this world.

Vincent:. I don’t intend to be an usurper, but I will take responsibility for the prince’s title if the throne is too much for you.

Vincent: This is not out of pity nor ambition.

Vincent: Well, I cannot in good faith say there is no ambition involved, but I wished to turn over a new leaf.

Vincent: Our country along with the world is going through a time of trial. And Saint Faust is watching over us.

Arthur: Is that why?

Vincent: Yes. Having him so close and yet not noticing at all goes beyond being stupid; it’s borderline blasphemous.

Arthur: If I'm not mistaken, you said Saint Faust. Do you mean our same Faust from the Sage’s Manor?

Vincent: Yes; the one and the same. He is our country’s founding hero, and a savior who helped quell the conflicts troubling their time.

Arthur: Really??

Vincent: Don’t say it like that. As a descendant of Alec Granvelle, you should take this more seriously.

Vincent: Let’s get back on topic. With circumstances like that, I had a change of heart. And now I have a proposal for you.

Vincent: You will become king one of these days; but you do not love and respect this country like you should. And a country’s people not loved by their king is pitiable.

Vincent: If your duties as Prince are too heavy for you, you can cast them aside and return to the North Country.

Vincent: Even in the extreme case you wanted to divide the country in two, I will not raise an objection.

Arthur: …..

Arthur: It would be a lie if I said it does not lie heavy on me. There have been times when I wished I could cast it aside and return to that place I hold in my memories.

Arthur: But, for right now Uncle, I cannot entrust it to you.

Vincent: Why is that?

Arthur: Because of all the concerns about wizards.

Arthur: I would surely love it if you, and all of our citizens became good friends with wizards.

Arthur: But on top of everything else, I have a feeling it will take time. So I want to make sure it happens myself.

Vincent: ……A wizard is not trustworthy. That is, I should say it is not their fault for seeing it as such.

Vincent: They can freely change their form, creep in and assassinate silently without ever having to use poison. They are the masters of dreadful power.

Arthur: Even though we can, that doesn’t mean we will. I’ve never done anything like that, nor tried to steal a glance at any of your secrets.

Arthur: Because I want to become everyone’s comrade.

Vincent: ………..

Arthur: Until my wish is granted, I won’t leave the Central Country behind.

Vincent: ……Understood. Then forget about this talk we just had now.

Arthur: We don’t have to forget about it.

Vincent: Normally, suggesting usurping the throne and causing internal discord would get me dismissed.

Arthur: I won’t dismiss you. I will be in trouble if you are not around. Everyone relies on you.

Vincent: Ha…

Vincent: Well, you are correct, Arthur. There is one final thing I would like to talk to you about, though.

Arthur: What is it?

Vincent: That Rustica Ferch, is he related to the Ferch family?

Arthur: The Ferch family……You mean the same Ferch family who owned the once-lauded Sapphire Castle?

Vincent: Yes, that one.

Arthur: Why ask about that? I’ve only heard things tangentially, but he could very well be a blood relation.

Arthur: It wouldn’t be unusual for such an important family to have many descendants. Did something happen?

Vincent: After the summit of the 5 countries, a message was shortly sent from the West Country to His Majesty.

Vincent: Together with a few bad requests, it also asked for us to take Rustica Ferch into custody.


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