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Faltering Dreams, or What The Lago Foretold - Episode 1
Episode 1 | next episode ⭢
[ Magical Manor - Courtyard ]
Akira: Oh, the weather's lovely today.
Today was a day with clear blue skies. The weather was so inviting, I couldn't help but head out to enjoy it. The wind gently caressed my cheeks as I took my stroll.
As I entered the courtyard, I heard the sound of enthusiastic chatter. That wasn't all that was carried on the wind though — there was also the aroma of something burning.
Arthur: Thanks, Mithra. That was really informative.
Mithra: Well, you are dealing with me after all. This is nothing.
Chloe: So, Faust's up next!
Faust: No, I…
Akira: (Oh, what a rare combination of wizards.)
For some reason, there was a bonfire in the middle of their little circle. As for Mithra, he had a slightly charred bone in his hands.
Akira: (Is that the source of the smell? Were they grilling meat?)
But... Judging from how things looked, it seemed a bit different from a grill-out. While I puzzled over their little gathering, I seemed to have drawn their attention.
Chloe: Oh, it's Kenja sama! Come, come!
Arthur: My apologies for not noticing you earlier! Were you here to fetch us for something?
Akira: Oh, no! I was just passing through.
And I ended up wondering what all of you were doing, gathered around the fire...
Arthur: We're having our fortunes read. We burn some bones, and then Mithra tells us what's in store for our future.
Akira: Bones and fire... By any chance, is that Mithra's divination, bone-reading?
He'd taught me a bit of it some time ago. Mithra would burn some beast bones, and then he’d read the future based on the way the cracks formed in the bones.
Mithra: Yes. Those two over there lowered their heads and begged me to read their fortunes, so I am granting them an audience.
Doing things like this occasionally is a good way to prevent the twins from monopolising the market.
By 'that two over there', I think he must have been referring to Arthur and Chloe. The two of them were nodding and smiling at Mithra's words.
Arthur: I've heard from Rutile that Mithra practises this art.
Chloe: We were both interested in learning more about this type of divination! And Mithra just happened to pass us by, so we decided to ask him for a demonstration. It couldn’t hurt to ask!
Akira: Oh, I see. And you as well, Faust?
Faust: That’s preposterous. I was summoned by Mithra. Without warning.
Akira: W-What, again?
Faust: That's my line.
Mithra: Now, this person seems to be interested in curses and curse implements. I thought he would be dying to see me.
Faust: It's true that Northern curses are characteristically unique, and I don't deny that whatever Mithra says or does will be informative......
Akira: Okay......
That explained the strange assortment of wizards here. Though, I was glad that they seemed to have a good time with this together.
Akira: I must admit, when it comes to divination, Snow and White are the ones who come to mind first. This is kind of refreshing to see.
Mithra: Their era has come to an end. From today on, you may address me as the Great Oracle of the Magical Manor.
???: Oho...... someone's the Great Oracle of the Magical Manor?
Akira: (...... That's...)
I turned around. Snow and White were there, pouting.
Akira: Snow, White...! How long have you been standing there?
Snow: All along. (sob, sob) We had a clear view of Arthur and Chloe having their fortunes read by Mithra.
White: (weep, weep) Even though we, the best diviners and fortune-tellers are right here, they chose to ask Mithra.
Arthur: I-I must apologise. We had no intention of snubbing the both of you, we really meant no ha…
[ Snow and White laugh, delightedly. ]
Snow & White: Juuuust kidding!
We were all flustered, but the twins burst into laughter as if nothing had happened.
White: Ohoho. Sorry, sorry. Flustered youths are truly adorable once you hit old age, so we couldn't help but tease.
Snow: In the first place, the nature of Mithra's divination and our prophecies are completely different.
When it comes to reading what the future holds, it is completely, utterly impossible for anyone to kick us off our throne.
Chloe: O-Oh, phew~...
Snow & White: What's more, the accuracy of our prophecies and the readings from Mithra chan's bones are as different as night and day~!!
Mithra: .........
Suddenly, Mithra shot us a glance.
Mithra: Kenja sama, what sort of future would you like to see into?
Akira: Huh? Me?
Mithra: Go on, hurry up and answer me. I'll tell you what exactly lies in wait for the future you.
Akira: You’re really putting me on the spot here...
Mithra: If you don't give me an answer right now, I'll burn you with the bones.
Akira: (He's being absurd...!)
Uhhh, umm... I sure would like to know what's for dinner~!
Mithra: Very well.
Mithra started heating a bone. A moment later, I heard a sharp crack.
Mithra: There we go. Tonight's dinner is meat.
Snow: I see, I see. Nero's meat dishes make for quite the meal to look forward to. If you have foretold it correctly, that is.
White: Will it be roast pork? Or will it be sauteed venison? It'll be quite the meal to look forward to. If you have foretold it correctly, that is.
Mithra: Quiet. I am about to check if it holds true, so please shut up and watch.
Akira: By 'check', you don't mean...
Mithra: « arsim »
[ Bradley and Nero appear. ]
Bradley & Nero: Guh!
Akira & Arthur & Chloe: Whoa!?
Without skipping a beat, Mithra had summoned Nero, the chef of the Magical Manor. As an added bonus, he had snagged Bradley as well, who Nero had by the scruff of his collar.
Bradley was mid-bite into some bread. At once I was able to figure out what had transpired.
Akira: (He was caught red-handed stealing a bite...)
Bradley: ... Mithra! What’re you summoning me for this time, asshole?
Mithra: I wasn't summoning you. It's your fault for being close by Nero.
Nero: Don't tell me, Mithra, you summoned me?
Mithra: I am telling you that yes, I summoned you. Nero, it's meat we're having for dinner tonight, right?
Nero: Wha—?
Mithra: It is meat we're having for dinner tonight, right?
Nero: I haven't decided on the menu, but if meat's good, then meat's on the menu. I think I have the ingredients lying around anyway...
Mithra: And there we have it. Did you hear that? I was spot-on.
Akira: Ahaha…
There might have been a bit of a persuasion by force, but as Mithra had divined, tonight's dinner was going to be meat.
Faust: Meat dishes for tonight... I thought we were due for a serving of galettes, but I suppose I guessed wrong.
Chloe: If that's the case, maybe asking Nero to make some with ham and chicken would work?
Arthur: Oh, that would indeed allow us to savour both galette and meat.
Nero: Er, I can hear all of you loud and clear. Well, anyway, uh, all your requests have been duly noted…
Snow, to my surprise, was entertained by Mithra's forceful methods. He laughed, brightly.
Snow: Ohoho. So you make the future you foresee come true by your own means.
It seems like you are the type who attempts to bend fate to your will.
White: How very Mithra-like from you, Mithra.
White nodded in cheerful agreement to Snow's quiet words.
Akira: (That's a surprise. I thought for sure these two would have words for Mithra's divination business...)
White: Oh, Chloe, Arthur? How did your bone readings go?
Chloe: Um, right! Apparently, I'll be making clothes in the very near future!
Snow: Hm, I see. That's a safe call to make. Chloe, you do make clothes rather often. It would be unlikely for this reading to be inaccurate.
Mithra: Enough. Who cares, as long as it comes true? The contents of the reading do not matter.
Chloe: But Arthur's reading was kind of ominous. I sure hope it means nothing bad...
Akira: Ominous? What do you mean...
Arthur: There was a sign of black, or so I was told.
Devouring black...... It seems like my future is completely wrapped in pitch-black darkness.
Episode 2 ⭢
[ Magical Manor - Courtyard ]
Akira: Oh, the weather's lovely today.
Today was a day with clear blue skies. The weather was so inviting, I couldn't help but head out to enjoy it. The wind gently caressed my cheeks as I took my stroll.
As I entered the courtyard, I heard the sound of enthusiastic chatter. That wasn't all that was carried on the wind though — there was also the aroma of something burning.
Arthur: Thanks, Mithra. That was really informative.
Mithra: Well, you are dealing with me after all. This is nothing.
Chloe: So, Faust's up next!
Faust: No, I…
Akira: (Oh, what a rare combination of wizards.)
For some reason, there was a bonfire in the middle of their little circle. As for Mithra, he had a slightly charred bone in his hands.
Akira: (Is that the source of the smell? Were they grilling meat?)
But... Judging from how things looked, it seemed a bit different from a grill-out. While I puzzled over their little gathering, I seemed to have drawn their attention.
Chloe: Oh, it's Kenja sama! Come, come!
Arthur: My apologies for not noticing you earlier! Were you here to fetch us for something?
Akira: Oh, no! I was just passing through.
And I ended up wondering what all of you were doing, gathered around the fire...
Arthur: We're having our fortunes read. We burn some bones, and then Mithra tells us what's in store for our future.
Akira: Bones and fire... By any chance, is that Mithra's divination, bone-reading?
He'd taught me a bit of it some time ago. Mithra would burn some beast bones, and then he’d read the future based on the way the cracks formed in the bones.
Mithra: Yes. Those two over there lowered their heads and begged me to read their fortunes, so I am granting them an audience.
Doing things like this occasionally is a good way to prevent the twins from monopolising the market.
By 'that two over there', I think he must have been referring to Arthur and Chloe. The two of them were nodding and smiling at Mithra's words.
Arthur: I've heard from Rutile that Mithra practises this art.
Chloe: We were both interested in learning more about this type of divination! And Mithra just happened to pass us by, so we decided to ask him for a demonstration. It couldn’t hurt to ask!
Akira: Oh, I see. And you as well, Faust?
Faust: That’s preposterous. I was summoned by Mithra. Without warning.
Akira: W-What, again?
Faust: That's my line.
Mithra: Now, this person seems to be interested in curses and curse implements. I thought he would be dying to see me.
Faust: It's true that Northern curses are characteristically unique, and I don't deny that whatever Mithra says or does will be informative......
Akira: Okay......
That explained the strange assortment of wizards here. Though, I was glad that they seemed to have a good time with this together.
Akira: I must admit, when it comes to divination, Snow and White are the ones who come to mind first. This is kind of refreshing to see.
Mithra: Their era has come to an end. From today on, you may address me as the Great Oracle of the Magical Manor.
???: Oho...... someone's the Great Oracle of the Magical Manor?
Akira: (...... That's...)
I turned around. Snow and White were there, pouting.
Akira: Snow, White...! How long have you been standing there?
Snow: All along. (sob, sob) We had a clear view of Arthur and Chloe having their fortunes read by Mithra.
White: (weep, weep) Even though we, the best diviners and fortune-tellers are right here, they chose to ask Mithra.
Arthur: I-I must apologise. We had no intention of snubbing the both of you, we really meant no ha…
[ Snow and White laugh, delightedly. ]
Snow & White: Juuuust kidding!
We were all flustered, but the twins burst into laughter as if nothing had happened.
White: Ohoho. Sorry, sorry. Flustered youths are truly adorable once you hit old age, so we couldn't help but tease.
Snow: In the first place, the nature of Mithra's divination and our prophecies are completely different.
When it comes to reading what the future holds, it is completely, utterly impossible for anyone to kick us off our throne.
Chloe: O-Oh, phew~...
Snow & White: What's more, the accuracy of our prophecies and the readings from Mithra chan's bones are as different as night and day~!!
Mithra: .........
Suddenly, Mithra shot us a glance.
Mithra: Kenja sama, what sort of future would you like to see into?
Akira: Huh? Me?
Mithra: Go on, hurry up and answer me. I'll tell you what exactly lies in wait for the future you.
Akira: You’re really putting me on the spot here...
Mithra: If you don't give me an answer right now, I'll burn you with the bones.
Akira: (He's being absurd...!)
Uhhh, umm... I sure would like to know what's for dinner~!
Mithra: Very well.
Mithra started heating a bone. A moment later, I heard a sharp crack.
Mithra: There we go. Tonight's dinner is meat.
Snow: I see, I see. Nero's meat dishes make for quite the meal to look forward to. If you have foretold it correctly, that is.
White: Will it be roast pork? Or will it be sauteed venison? It'll be quite the meal to look forward to. If you have foretold it correctly, that is.
Mithra: Quiet. I am about to check if it holds true, so please shut up and watch.
Akira: By 'check', you don't mean...
Mithra: « arsim »
[ Bradley and Nero appear. ]
Bradley & Nero: Guh!
Akira & Arthur & Chloe: Whoa!?
Without skipping a beat, Mithra had summoned Nero, the chef of the Magical Manor. As an added bonus, he had snagged Bradley as well, who Nero had by the scruff of his collar.
Bradley was mid-bite into some bread. At once I was able to figure out what had transpired.
Akira: (He was caught red-handed stealing a bite...)
Bradley: ... Mithra! What’re you summoning me for this time, asshole?
Mithra: I wasn't summoning you. It's your fault for being close by Nero.
Nero: Don't tell me, Mithra, you summoned me?
Mithra: I am telling you that yes, I summoned you. Nero, it's meat we're having for dinner tonight, right?
Nero: Wha—?
Mithra: It is meat we're having for dinner tonight, right?
Nero: I haven't decided on the menu, but if meat's good, then meat's on the menu. I think I have the ingredients lying around anyway...
Mithra: And there we have it. Did you hear that? I was spot-on.
Akira: Ahaha…
There might have been a bit of a persuasion by force, but as Mithra had divined, tonight's dinner was going to be meat.
Faust: Meat dishes for tonight... I thought we were due for a serving of galettes, but I suppose I guessed wrong.
Chloe: If that's the case, maybe asking Nero to make some with ham and chicken would work?
Arthur: Oh, that would indeed allow us to savour both galette and meat.
Nero: Er, I can hear all of you loud and clear. Well, anyway, uh, all your requests have been duly noted…
Snow, to my surprise, was entertained by Mithra's forceful methods. He laughed, brightly.
Snow: Ohoho. So you make the future you foresee come true by your own means.
It seems like you are the type who attempts to bend fate to your will.
White: How very Mithra-like from you, Mithra.
White nodded in cheerful agreement to Snow's quiet words.
Akira: (That's a surprise. I thought for sure these two would have words for Mithra's divination business...)
White: Oh, Chloe, Arthur? How did your bone readings go?
Chloe: Um, right! Apparently, I'll be making clothes in the very near future!
Snow: Hm, I see. That's a safe call to make. Chloe, you do make clothes rather often. It would be unlikely for this reading to be inaccurate.
Mithra: Enough. Who cares, as long as it comes true? The contents of the reading do not matter.
Chloe: But Arthur's reading was kind of ominous. I sure hope it means nothing bad...
Akira: Ominous? What do you mean...
Arthur: There was a sign of black, or so I was told.
Devouring black...... It seems like my future is completely wrapped in pitch-black darkness.
Episode 2 ⭢