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Faltering Dreams, or What The Lago Foretold - Episode 9
⭠ last episode | Episode 9 | next episode ⭢
Snow: The numerous visions of the village you all saw reflected on the lake’s surface is most certainly a false vision.
Those visions were sent by a curse that feasted on this village’s fears, and your fears were reflected in the lakewater.
White: But we understand that even if we insist, you may not believe what we say is the truth.
Snow: As such, we, the Great Oracles Snow and White, shall specially divine the future of this village.
Is the fate of this village filled with Hope?
Or will it only bring Despair?
Bear witness with your own two eyes, and you may draw your own conclusions.
Snow and White fell silent after that. They met each other’s gaze. Then, they stepped onto the water's surface.
[ Ripple… ]
[ Event theme song BGM ]
They started to dance, mirror-like in reflection to each other, and reflected again upon the surface of the lake. The way they gestured with their arms, the way their sleeves fluttered in the breeze; it was beautiful and graceful.
With each step, or when their sleeves brushed against the lake’s surface, the water rippled. Each ripple gleamed golden in the light, creating expanding rings of gold in the water.
[ Snow CG ]
Snow & White: « noscommunia »
They chanted their spell-word in unison.
A pale light shimmered over the lake’s surface. It was gentle, unlike the strong light from before.
The leaves of the large tree in the middle of the lake rustled. The rustling grew louder, culminating in the leaves scattering to the wind.
When the first leaf landed on the water’s surface, something appeared in that spot, spreading with the ripples.
[ Sparkle! ]
Villagers: S-Something's surfacing…!
With bated breath, they waited and watched.
What appeared on the lake surface was a vision of the village decked out in a variety of colourful decorations.
Villager I: ….. Oh, isn't this us at the harvest festival?
Villager J: You're right! With so many vegetables on display, it must’ve been a bountiful harvest!
One by one, as each leaf landed onto the water's surface, new visions started emerging for all to see.
There were visions of joyful families celebrating their newborn children. There were other visions of joyous farmers with their flourishing crops. Every vision showed no end of happiness.
Villager K: Look, the child playing in that vision looks just like your son!
Villager L: Fufu, it might just be my grandchild, no, it might even be a great-grandchild…
Villager M: Wow…! There'll be new shops near my house!
They were once afraid, but now the villagers began to smile again as they watched the visions play out across the lake. Soon, they were all wearing bright smiles.
In fact, it looked like they were eagerly waiting for the next leaf to fall, so that they could see another vision of the future unfold.
Mithra: These people haven’t much sense.
Mithra mumbled that to himself, while Chloe and the others watched over the villagers in relief.
Mithra: There’s nothing to be happy about when it’s someone else that divines, dicates, and decides how your future will play out.
What they see doesn’t matter. The best thing to do is what you want, whenever you so desire.
And that's all there is to it. That’s what I think.
Mithra concluded his thoughts on the matter as he ran a hand through his hair, which didn’t have a single drop of water in it. It was still completely dry, even though he’d just been attacked by curse-infested waters.
Akira: (As expected of Mithra, the strong really do have a different mentality…)
I thought it was really cool how Mithra had the absolute confidence to stand strong and clearly declare his stance on the matter.
But at the same time, I did understand how the villagers felt here.
Arthur: I admit that if the villagers were healthy in body, mind and heart, they might have been able to cut open a new path to one's desired future just like Mithra had said.
But the lake had shown them only the darkest and most depressing visions.
To the people of the village, Lake Mizukagami has been a special existence that has given their heart stability and certainty for many years now. I suspect that throughout the years the lake has effectively been a place to unconsciously vent their grief and anxiety.
As a result, the villagers were 'cursed' by the lake in return. All the misfortunes they had seen cut deep into their hearts, because they believed that those visions were of the future, and thus inescapable.
Arthur wore an expression that was wholly gentle as he gazed upon the lake and the smiling villagers.
Arthur: I'm certain that what Snow sama and White sama did just now was just like what the oracle of the past had done for the village. I'd like to think that once upon a time, that oracle too, had danced upon the water's surface…
… freeing the villagers’ forebearers from the curse that bound their hearts, which allowed them to face the future with a smile, because of the visions that act like guiding lights towards the future.
As they believed that a bright future awaited them, they grew confident, and worked towards forging a better tomorrow—
[ Mizukagami Village ]
When we returned to the village, we found the villagers waiting for us with a feast, both to thank us for our help and to celebrate the restoration of the lake.
At the town square, there were many tables laden with food and drink, and I saw stacks of ingredients for a barbeque as well.
Villager N: Come here, you wizards! You’ve got to feast to your hearts’ content!
Villager O: The fire's ready, guys! Just hand me what you'd like grilled!
Chloe: Nice! I'll have the fish, please and thank you!
Akira: Ooh, there's marshmallows too! I'm going to skewer some of them to be roasted…
Mithra: (eating)
Akira & Chloe: Huh!?
Mithra appeared out of nowhere. From behind me, he grabbed my skewer of marshmallows and started stuffing his face.
He chewed with his mouth full of marshmallows, and then he gave me a look of displeasure.
Mithra: It's like I'm eating air. It does not fill the stomach.
Please cease your preparation of these and start grilling me some meat instead. Here you go. Take these.
Akira: Wait, what!? You grabbed those chunks of meat with your bare hands?
Chloe: But there’s plates!?
Mithra: I saw the plates, yes. I don't think there is any need for them.
Akira: I guess that’s manly…… I think it's more convenient to have a plate, so I'll go grab one and be right back!
Chloe: Oh, I'll go with you! The pies over there look absolutely delectable, so I'll get you a slice too, Kenja sama!
Mithra: Pies sound good. I'll go too.
Mithra left with Chloe, with a shank of meat in hand.
Then, I heard someone softly address me.
Arthur: Fufu. Everyone seems to be having such great fun.
Akira: Oh, it's you, Arthur!
Arthur: Kenja sama, thank you once again for coming along today. I'm glad we managed to bring smiles back to the villagers' faces.
Akira: Yeah, me too! We couldn't have done it without you all pouring in all that effort, as well as Snow and White's divination session right at the end.
Arthur, you were so cool protecting the villagers and Mithra!
Arthur: Thank you very much! It’s a delight to hear that from you personally, Kenja sama.
… Oh!
Arthur had noticed something. He looked up, and so did I, and we watched two little leaves float down towards us.
Arthur extended his hand to catch the gently gliding leaves in his open palm.
Arthur: I wonder if it's a present from the tree. There's two, exactly enough for you and I……
Kenja sama, if I may, would you allow me the pleasure of performing leaf divination together with you?
Perhaps we may find the answers we seek in our dreams tonight.
Akira: That sounds like fun! Let’s head over to the lakeside after the festivities quiet down.
At my reply, Arthur smiled.
He placed his other hand over the two leaves on his palm.
[ Arthur CG ]
Arthur: « pernoctant nix zo »
Arthur: Here you go, Kenja sama. I've cast blessing magic onto this leaf, so that it will surely find its way to the roots of the large tree in the middle of the lake.
Village Children: Wizard saaaan! You gotta try a bite of these!
[ Nero CG ]
Nero: Oh, that looks real good!
Village Child B: Right? We planted the veggies used in this dish!
Village Child C: And my ma made these! They're super yummy! And this one! It's my fave, and…
Nero: Whoa there, that's a lotta food you’ve brought over. If you add any more to my plate, my stomach’ll explode.
I appreciate it, though. I’ll start eating now.
Episode 9 ⭢
Snow: The numerous visions of the village you all saw reflected on the lake’s surface is most certainly a false vision.
Those visions were sent by a curse that feasted on this village’s fears, and your fears were reflected in the lakewater.
White: But we understand that even if we insist, you may not believe what we say is the truth.
Snow: As such, we, the Great Oracles Snow and White, shall specially divine the future of this village.
Is the fate of this village filled with Hope?
Or will it only bring Despair?
Bear witness with your own two eyes, and you may draw your own conclusions.
Snow and White fell silent after that. They met each other’s gaze. Then, they stepped onto the water's surface.
[ Ripple… ]
[ Event theme song BGM ]
They started to dance, mirror-like in reflection to each other, and reflected again upon the surface of the lake. The way they gestured with their arms, the way their sleeves fluttered in the breeze; it was beautiful and graceful.
With each step, or when their sleeves brushed against the lake’s surface, the water rippled. Each ripple gleamed golden in the light, creating expanding rings of gold in the water.
[ Snow CG ]
Snow & White: « noscommunia »
They chanted their spell-word in unison.
A pale light shimmered over the lake’s surface. It was gentle, unlike the strong light from before.
The leaves of the large tree in the middle of the lake rustled. The rustling grew louder, culminating in the leaves scattering to the wind.
When the first leaf landed on the water’s surface, something appeared in that spot, spreading with the ripples.
[ Sparkle! ]
Villagers: S-Something's surfacing…!
With bated breath, they waited and watched.
What appeared on the lake surface was a vision of the village decked out in a variety of colourful decorations.
Villager I: ….. Oh, isn't this us at the harvest festival?
Villager J: You're right! With so many vegetables on display, it must’ve been a bountiful harvest!
One by one, as each leaf landed onto the water's surface, new visions started emerging for all to see.
There were visions of joyful families celebrating their newborn children. There were other visions of joyous farmers with their flourishing crops. Every vision showed no end of happiness.
Villager K: Look, the child playing in that vision looks just like your son!
Villager L: Fufu, it might just be my grandchild, no, it might even be a great-grandchild…
Villager M: Wow…! There'll be new shops near my house!
They were once afraid, but now the villagers began to smile again as they watched the visions play out across the lake. Soon, they were all wearing bright smiles.
In fact, it looked like they were eagerly waiting for the next leaf to fall, so that they could see another vision of the future unfold.
Mithra: These people haven’t much sense.
Mithra mumbled that to himself, while Chloe and the others watched over the villagers in relief.
Mithra: There’s nothing to be happy about when it’s someone else that divines, dicates, and decides how your future will play out.
What they see doesn’t matter. The best thing to do is what you want, whenever you so desire.
And that's all there is to it. That’s what I think.
Mithra concluded his thoughts on the matter as he ran a hand through his hair, which didn’t have a single drop of water in it. It was still completely dry, even though he’d just been attacked by curse-infested waters.
Akira: (As expected of Mithra, the strong really do have a different mentality…)
I thought it was really cool how Mithra had the absolute confidence to stand strong and clearly declare his stance on the matter.
But at the same time, I did understand how the villagers felt here.
Arthur: I admit that if the villagers were healthy in body, mind and heart, they might have been able to cut open a new path to one's desired future just like Mithra had said.
But the lake had shown them only the darkest and most depressing visions.
To the people of the village, Lake Mizukagami has been a special existence that has given their heart stability and certainty for many years now. I suspect that throughout the years the lake has effectively been a place to unconsciously vent their grief and anxiety.
As a result, the villagers were 'cursed' by the lake in return. All the misfortunes they had seen cut deep into their hearts, because they believed that those visions were of the future, and thus inescapable.
Arthur wore an expression that was wholly gentle as he gazed upon the lake and the smiling villagers.
Arthur: I'm certain that what Snow sama and White sama did just now was just like what the oracle of the past had done for the village. I'd like to think that once upon a time, that oracle too, had danced upon the water's surface…
… freeing the villagers’ forebearers from the curse that bound their hearts, which allowed them to face the future with a smile, because of the visions that act like guiding lights towards the future.
As they believed that a bright future awaited them, they grew confident, and worked towards forging a better tomorrow—
[ Mizukagami Village ]
When we returned to the village, we found the villagers waiting for us with a feast, both to thank us for our help and to celebrate the restoration of the lake.
At the town square, there were many tables laden with food and drink, and I saw stacks of ingredients for a barbeque as well.
Villager N: Come here, you wizards! You’ve got to feast to your hearts’ content!
Villager O: The fire's ready, guys! Just hand me what you'd like grilled!
Chloe: Nice! I'll have the fish, please and thank you!
Akira: Ooh, there's marshmallows too! I'm going to skewer some of them to be roasted…
Mithra: (eating)
Akira & Chloe: Huh!?
Mithra appeared out of nowhere. From behind me, he grabbed my skewer of marshmallows and started stuffing his face.
He chewed with his mouth full of marshmallows, and then he gave me a look of displeasure.
Mithra: It's like I'm eating air. It does not fill the stomach.
Please cease your preparation of these and start grilling me some meat instead. Here you go. Take these.
Akira: Wait, what!? You grabbed those chunks of meat with your bare hands?
Chloe: But there’s plates!?
Mithra: I saw the plates, yes. I don't think there is any need for them.
Akira: I guess that’s manly…… I think it's more convenient to have a plate, so I'll go grab one and be right back!
Chloe: Oh, I'll go with you! The pies over there look absolutely delectable, so I'll get you a slice too, Kenja sama!
Mithra: Pies sound good. I'll go too.
Mithra left with Chloe, with a shank of meat in hand.
Then, I heard someone softly address me.
Arthur: Fufu. Everyone seems to be having such great fun.
Akira: Oh, it's you, Arthur!
Arthur: Kenja sama, thank you once again for coming along today. I'm glad we managed to bring smiles back to the villagers' faces.
Akira: Yeah, me too! We couldn't have done it without you all pouring in all that effort, as well as Snow and White's divination session right at the end.
Arthur, you were so cool protecting the villagers and Mithra!
Arthur: Thank you very much! It’s a delight to hear that from you personally, Kenja sama.
… Oh!
Arthur had noticed something. He looked up, and so did I, and we watched two little leaves float down towards us.
Arthur extended his hand to catch the gently gliding leaves in his open palm.
Arthur: I wonder if it's a present from the tree. There's two, exactly enough for you and I……
Kenja sama, if I may, would you allow me the pleasure of performing leaf divination together with you?
Perhaps we may find the answers we seek in our dreams tonight.
Akira: That sounds like fun! Let’s head over to the lakeside after the festivities quiet down.
At my reply, Arthur smiled.
He placed his other hand over the two leaves on his palm.
[ Arthur CG ]
Arthur: « pernoctant nix zo »
Arthur: Here you go, Kenja sama. I've cast blessing magic onto this leaf, so that it will surely find its way to the roots of the large tree in the middle of the lake.
Village Children: Wizard saaaan! You gotta try a bite of these!
[ Nero CG ]
Nero: Oh, that looks real good!
Village Child B: Right? We planted the veggies used in this dish!
Village Child C: And my ma made these! They're super yummy! And this one! It's my fave, and…
Nero: Whoa there, that's a lotta food you’ve brought over. If you add any more to my plate, my stomach’ll explode.
I appreciate it, though. I’ll start eating now.
Episode 9 ⭢