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The Cuore of Truth Brings Good Fortune - Episode 2
⭠ last episode | Episode 2 | next episode ⭢
I turned around in surprise at the newcomer.
There Figaro was, waving at me amiably with a smile on his face. He was carrying a chunk of ore of a strange colour in his other arm.
Figaro: Hey there, Kenja sama. I was here doing some shopping for my next class, and I couldn’t help but overhear you all.
And I pretty much have the idea of what transpired. Could you describe the person that dropped the key?
Akira: He was a tall, silver-haired man dressed in black. He's kind of gangly and has a slightly hunched posture. His eyes were greyish.
Shylock: A slim young man with silver hair and poor posture...
Riquet: Oh! Is he perhaps that person over there?
Riquet gestured at the roadside a short distance away from us. My gaze followed, and I spotted the gangly young man from before. He was searching the area all around himself, his shopping bags strewn about the ground around him.
Akira: That's him!! Phew, he hasn't left for home yet. I'll go return this to him!
Akira: ...... Excuse me!
I ran right up to him, and the young man nearly jumped out of his skin at the sight of me. His anxious gaze fluttered around before it focused onto me.
Ernest: Y-Yes?
Akira: Oh, um, sorry for startling you. Did you happen to drop this? I picked it up in front of the medicinal herb stand.
Ernest: ......!! I did lose my key!
The young man's face lit up the moment he saw the key. He accepted the key and deeply bowed in thanks to me multiple times.
Ernest: Thank you! Truly, thank you so very much! I was worried it'd been stolen or something... I'm glad a kind person like you found it.
Akira: You're welcome! I’m glad the key's back with its owner, too.
Figaro: All's well ends well, it seems. But I think you might want to keep your shopping bags closer to you. There are pickpockets and people looking to steal from the unwary.
Figaro spoke as he picked up the various shopping bags. He paused when he caught sight of something in one of the bags, and his expression changed to one of mild concern.
Figaro: ...... This is a lot of medicine you've bought. Do you have a loved one that’s been injured?
Ernest: Oh, yes, I do... Well, it's not a person, it's a dog.
Figaro: I see. Then let me give you some professional advice: the herb in this little blue bottle here is too strong for animals. Don't use it on your dog.
Ernest: What!? But.. I heard that this was a magical remedy known as the Tincture of Mist-Veiled Moon, and it's said to be able to heal any injury out there...
Figaro: That tincture does exist, but if it were the real deal, it wouldn't be sold in glass bottles. The moment it's exposed to the sun, it loses all effect.
Anyway, it's not a cure for every single malady out there. It's a convenient remedy meant to heal most sorts of injuries suffered during a cloudy night.
Ernest: ... T-That can't be... It was... so, so, so very expensive…
His gangly frame seemed to slouch further as he helplessly slumped to the ground before us. Shylock glanced at him with something like sympathy.
Shylock: You poor thing. You were scammed. It must be in quite a severe state if you were willing to spend so much in the hopes that magical healing might work.
Ernest: Severe is not how I'd put it... It's more like it's got mild injuries, but in great numbers.
They're not very serious on their own, but the sheer number of these little injuries have taken a toll on it, and it’s growing weaker by the day…
Figaro gave the young man's words some consideration, and then he bent over to look him in the eye.
Figaro: Then, how about I give your dog a look? I'm a doctor from Southern Country. Animals aren't my speciality, but I think I'll be of some help.
Ernest: Huh...?
Riquet: I may not be able to heal, but I am able to offer up a prayer of swift recovery. We, the Sage's Wizards, have a duty to prevent fear and sadness from taking root.
Ernest: The Sage's Wizards, you say...?
Akira: Y-Yes, you heard right. I'm Akira, the Sage.
I bowed in acknowledgement. The young man gasped as he looked at us.
His dry lips parted to say:
Ernest: Wonderful wizards led by the kind Great Sage... I see, so that's who you all are...
I also heard that this generation of Sage's Wizards solve strange incidents related to magic. Is that true?
Shylock: To be precise, we investigate and solve strange incidents that may have arisen from the influence of the Calamity. Well, I suppose it is more or less the same as how you described it.
Ernest: .........
The young man fell silent. He stared at the cobblestones and blinked a few times.
Then he straightened himself up into his full height.
Ernest: I apologise for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Ernest.
The Great Sage, and her Wizards... Could you... I mean. If you are willing to help one such as myself, then please, I beg your aid.
A few days later, we left for the marketplace to meet up with Ernest. We were well-prepared and clad in clothes Chloe made for us.
Several other wizards had volunteered their assistance, so they were with us as well.
Riquet: Look how beautifully the embroidery on this outfit shines in the sunlight! Chloe used a rare type of thread called fortune thread for it.
Shylock: He did. Even though he couldn't come with us, the moment we told him that the request would bring us to a mansion with strange occurrences, he decided that he'd make us something that would bring us good luck.
Akira: Chloe... He's so sweet.
Figaro: Let’s work hard to fix this problem together, and we’ll have to come back safe and sound too. For Chloe’s sake.
Riquet: Yes! Oh, right. Arthur sama, shall we address you as 'Artie' today?
Arthur: No, it's fine. It doesn't seem like Ernest is familiar with the Sage's Wizards, anyway. I’d rather not lie if there’s no need for it.
Figaro: From what you've told me, Arthur, it sounds like the area where Ernest lives hasn't been impacted much by the Calamity.
Arthur: That's right. I checked the relevant reports back at the castle, and the worst it got was some damaged roofs...
Murr: Well, you’d never know! The more rural the place, the more half-assed their reports might be!
Akira: (That means... it’s probably not related to the Calamity? Well, we won't know until we start investigating...)
[ No BGM ]
Suddenly, I was reminded of how anxious Ernest had looked.
His request was for us to investigate the strange sounds that he heard every night at the mansion he was caretaking.
[ Flashback ]
[ BGM starts ]
Ernest: Every night, I hear unearthly noises at the mansion where I live.
It sounds like someone in the throes of death, like piercing shrieks, and the sounds come from all directions at once. It feels like I'm being crushed by the sheer force of all that noise...
But I've no clue where the noise comes from, or even what it's from. I've searched all over the mansion but I'm no closer to the truth.
Shylock: That is quite the hair-raising experience. Speaking of a mansion, surely you have servants? What do they say?
Ernest: Huh...? Umm, well, I don't keep any servants. I don't know how to say this, but the mansion belongs to a very rich relative of mine...
Akira: Oh, so you're a live-in caretaker for the place, or something like that?
Ernest: T-That's it! Yes!
According to Ernest, the noise frightened him so much that they made him shiver. However, there hadn't been any material damage at all.
The only thing of note was how his pet dog would disappear at night, and those disappearances coincided with the start of the noises.
Come morning, the dog would be injured all over.
Ernest: At first, I thought it'd gotten into a fight with some wild dogs outside. But even on nights where I checked every door and window five times to make sure they were locked, it would return bloodied and hurt.
I'd search the mansion all night for Elmo, but I could never find it. I wonder where it could’ve been...
Riquet: What a strange tale... Dogs don't disappear into thin air like spirits.
Ernest: I think Elmo's ... that is, my dog's injuries have something to do with the noise at night. Not that I have any idea how...
Figaro: When did the noise start? What was it like before the < Great Calamity > struck?
Ernest: I was living somewhere else then, so I'm afraid... Wait, don't tell me... You'll turn down requests unrelated to the Calamity?
Riquet: We do not. The Sage's Wizards do not turn a blind eye to those in need.
Figaro: At any rate, we can't say for sure it has nothing to do with the Calamity’s influence either. I'd like to take a look at your dog at the earliest convenience, so we'll be heading over to investigate as soon as time permits.
Ernest's eyes, which were like cloudy skies, started welling up with tears of relief. He bowed deeply.
Ernest: Thank you...!
Please, I beg of you, please help Elmo...!
[ Present time ]
Akira: (Since it was a request we don't have any details for, I asked around for more help... We've amassed a fair number of us.)
Joining us on the investigation was Arthur, who volunteered the moment he heard it was from an area that had suffered less impact from the Calamity.
Then there was Murr, who'd told me he was coming along the same day we received the request, probably because he'd heard from Shylock. 'Sounds interesting! I'm going too!' was what he said to me.
Akira: (And then we have...)
Owen: Eerie noises, more like it's probably the sound of the wind or something along those lines. These requests always turn out that way.
Mithra: In the first place, if the sounds are scaring him, all he has to do is not hear the sounds. How about wearing earplugs to bed?
Bradley: For once you've got a good head on your shoulders, Mithra. And that's case closed, see ya around.
Riquet: Come on, please be more serious about this! Remember, you three are here with us today to learn how to properly behave yourselves.
There was only one reason why the three Northern Wizards were here. It was a part of Snow and White's punishment for them.
It all happened yesterday.
As usual, the three of them started and got into a grand old fight, and as usual, they blew up a part of the Magical Manor.
Episode 3 ⭢
I turned around in surprise at the newcomer.
There Figaro was, waving at me amiably with a smile on his face. He was carrying a chunk of ore of a strange colour in his other arm.
Figaro: Hey there, Kenja sama. I was here doing some shopping for my next class, and I couldn’t help but overhear you all.
And I pretty much have the idea of what transpired. Could you describe the person that dropped the key?
Akira: He was a tall, silver-haired man dressed in black. He's kind of gangly and has a slightly hunched posture. His eyes were greyish.
Shylock: A slim young man with silver hair and poor posture...
Riquet: Oh! Is he perhaps that person over there?
Riquet gestured at the roadside a short distance away from us. My gaze followed, and I spotted the gangly young man from before. He was searching the area all around himself, his shopping bags strewn about the ground around him.
Akira: That's him!! Phew, he hasn't left for home yet. I'll go return this to him!
Akira: ...... Excuse me!
I ran right up to him, and the young man nearly jumped out of his skin at the sight of me. His anxious gaze fluttered around before it focused onto me.
Ernest: Y-Yes?
Akira: Oh, um, sorry for startling you. Did you happen to drop this? I picked it up in front of the medicinal herb stand.
Ernest: ......!! I did lose my key!
The young man's face lit up the moment he saw the key. He accepted the key and deeply bowed in thanks to me multiple times.
Ernest: Thank you! Truly, thank you so very much! I was worried it'd been stolen or something... I'm glad a kind person like you found it.
Akira: You're welcome! I’m glad the key's back with its owner, too.
Figaro: All's well ends well, it seems. But I think you might want to keep your shopping bags closer to you. There are pickpockets and people looking to steal from the unwary.
Figaro spoke as he picked up the various shopping bags. He paused when he caught sight of something in one of the bags, and his expression changed to one of mild concern.
Figaro: ...... This is a lot of medicine you've bought. Do you have a loved one that’s been injured?
Ernest: Oh, yes, I do... Well, it's not a person, it's a dog.
Figaro: I see. Then let me give you some professional advice: the herb in this little blue bottle here is too strong for animals. Don't use it on your dog.
Ernest: What!? But.. I heard that this was a magical remedy known as the Tincture of Mist-Veiled Moon, and it's said to be able to heal any injury out there...
Figaro: That tincture does exist, but if it were the real deal, it wouldn't be sold in glass bottles. The moment it's exposed to the sun, it loses all effect.
Anyway, it's not a cure for every single malady out there. It's a convenient remedy meant to heal most sorts of injuries suffered during a cloudy night.
Ernest: ... T-That can't be... It was... so, so, so very expensive…
His gangly frame seemed to slouch further as he helplessly slumped to the ground before us. Shylock glanced at him with something like sympathy.
Shylock: You poor thing. You were scammed. It must be in quite a severe state if you were willing to spend so much in the hopes that magical healing might work.
Ernest: Severe is not how I'd put it... It's more like it's got mild injuries, but in great numbers.
They're not very serious on their own, but the sheer number of these little injuries have taken a toll on it, and it’s growing weaker by the day…
Figaro gave the young man's words some consideration, and then he bent over to look him in the eye.
Figaro: Then, how about I give your dog a look? I'm a doctor from Southern Country. Animals aren't my speciality, but I think I'll be of some help.
Ernest: Huh...?
Riquet: I may not be able to heal, but I am able to offer up a prayer of swift recovery. We, the Sage's Wizards, have a duty to prevent fear and sadness from taking root.
Ernest: The Sage's Wizards, you say...?
Akira: Y-Yes, you heard right. I'm Akira, the Sage.
I bowed in acknowledgement. The young man gasped as he looked at us.
His dry lips parted to say:
Ernest: Wonderful wizards led by the kind Great Sage... I see, so that's who you all are...
I also heard that this generation of Sage's Wizards solve strange incidents related to magic. Is that true?
Shylock: To be precise, we investigate and solve strange incidents that may have arisen from the influence of the Calamity. Well, I suppose it is more or less the same as how you described it.
Ernest: .........
The young man fell silent. He stared at the cobblestones and blinked a few times.
Then he straightened himself up into his full height.
Ernest: I apologise for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Ernest.
The Great Sage, and her Wizards... Could you... I mean. If you are willing to help one such as myself, then please, I beg your aid.
A few days later, we left for the marketplace to meet up with Ernest. We were well-prepared and clad in clothes Chloe made for us.
Several other wizards had volunteered their assistance, so they were with us as well.
Riquet: Look how beautifully the embroidery on this outfit shines in the sunlight! Chloe used a rare type of thread called fortune thread for it.
Shylock: He did. Even though he couldn't come with us, the moment we told him that the request would bring us to a mansion with strange occurrences, he decided that he'd make us something that would bring us good luck.
Akira: Chloe... He's so sweet.
Figaro: Let’s work hard to fix this problem together, and we’ll have to come back safe and sound too. For Chloe’s sake.
Riquet: Yes! Oh, right. Arthur sama, shall we address you as 'Artie' today?
Arthur: No, it's fine. It doesn't seem like Ernest is familiar with the Sage's Wizards, anyway. I’d rather not lie if there’s no need for it.
Figaro: From what you've told me, Arthur, it sounds like the area where Ernest lives hasn't been impacted much by the Calamity.
Arthur: That's right. I checked the relevant reports back at the castle, and the worst it got was some damaged roofs...
Murr: Well, you’d never know! The more rural the place, the more half-assed their reports might be!
Akira: (That means... it’s probably not related to the Calamity? Well, we won't know until we start investigating...)
[ No BGM ]
Suddenly, I was reminded of how anxious Ernest had looked.
His request was for us to investigate the strange sounds that he heard every night at the mansion he was caretaking.
[ Flashback ]
[ BGM starts ]
Ernest: Every night, I hear unearthly noises at the mansion where I live.
It sounds like someone in the throes of death, like piercing shrieks, and the sounds come from all directions at once. It feels like I'm being crushed by the sheer force of all that noise...
But I've no clue where the noise comes from, or even what it's from. I've searched all over the mansion but I'm no closer to the truth.
Shylock: That is quite the hair-raising experience. Speaking of a mansion, surely you have servants? What do they say?
Ernest: Huh...? Umm, well, I don't keep any servants. I don't know how to say this, but the mansion belongs to a very rich relative of mine...
Akira: Oh, so you're a live-in caretaker for the place, or something like that?
Ernest: T-That's it! Yes!
According to Ernest, the noise frightened him so much that they made him shiver. However, there hadn't been any material damage at all.
The only thing of note was how his pet dog would disappear at night, and those disappearances coincided with the start of the noises.
Come morning, the dog would be injured all over.
Ernest: At first, I thought it'd gotten into a fight with some wild dogs outside. But even on nights where I checked every door and window five times to make sure they were locked, it would return bloodied and hurt.
I'd search the mansion all night for Elmo, but I could never find it. I wonder where it could’ve been...
Riquet: What a strange tale... Dogs don't disappear into thin air like spirits.
Ernest: I think Elmo's ... that is, my dog's injuries have something to do with the noise at night. Not that I have any idea how...
Figaro: When did the noise start? What was it like before the < Great Calamity > struck?
Ernest: I was living somewhere else then, so I'm afraid... Wait, don't tell me... You'll turn down requests unrelated to the Calamity?
Riquet: We do not. The Sage's Wizards do not turn a blind eye to those in need.
Figaro: At any rate, we can't say for sure it has nothing to do with the Calamity’s influence either. I'd like to take a look at your dog at the earliest convenience, so we'll be heading over to investigate as soon as time permits.
Ernest's eyes, which were like cloudy skies, started welling up with tears of relief. He bowed deeply.
Ernest: Thank you...!
Please, I beg of you, please help Elmo...!
[ Present time ]
Akira: (Since it was a request we don't have any details for, I asked around for more help... We've amassed a fair number of us.)
Joining us on the investigation was Arthur, who volunteered the moment he heard it was from an area that had suffered less impact from the Calamity.
Then there was Murr, who'd told me he was coming along the same day we received the request, probably because he'd heard from Shylock. 'Sounds interesting! I'm going too!' was what he said to me.
Akira: (And then we have...)
Owen: Eerie noises, more like it's probably the sound of the wind or something along those lines. These requests always turn out that way.
Mithra: In the first place, if the sounds are scaring him, all he has to do is not hear the sounds. How about wearing earplugs to bed?
Bradley: For once you've got a good head on your shoulders, Mithra. And that's case closed, see ya around.
Riquet: Come on, please be more serious about this! Remember, you three are here with us today to learn how to properly behave yourselves.
There was only one reason why the three Northern Wizards were here. It was a part of Snow and White's punishment for them.
It all happened yesterday.
As usual, the three of them started and got into a grand old fight, and as usual, they blew up a part of the Magical Manor.
Episode 3 ⭢