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The Cuore of Truth Brings Good Fortune - Episode 8
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Elmo: Mmkyu.
Akira: Oh, I haven't ans... It's gone.
Owen: 'No matter. Think nothing of it.'
Arthur: Maybe Elmo left in search of Ernest because it thought that you had no intention of answering its question, Kenja sama.
Still... That was quite the strange question to ask. If it's for Ernest, then asking Ernest himself is best; yet, for some reason, it chose to ask you...
Akira: Yeah. Ernest must be very precious to Elmo, if Elmo thinks it’s worth getting injured to turn white again, but even so…
Figaro: ... I wonder. Is it Ernest that's precious to Elmo?
Akira: Huh...?
Figaro: Elmo turning white again, Elmo getting injured every night for that reason — Ernest obviously doesn’t want either of these things.
Right now, Figaro's lips were curved into the same wry yet troubled smile he had on earlier when Elmo asked its question.
He was composed, unlike the rest of us, who were perplexed.
Figaro: Of course, Elmo does appreciate Ernest in its own way... is what Ernest most likely believes with all his heart.
But — realistically, not only does Elmo not address Ernest directly, it also doesn't bother to understand what Ernest hopes for.
Akira: ... Wait, but...
I was rendered speechless.
Figaro shrugged slightly and mumbled to himself:
Figaro: Well… It's easy to talk about others. Especially when it comes to things like this.
[ Door warp sfx ]
[ No BGM ]
Shylock: Sorry to keep you all waiting.
The sudden voice made me look behind me.
A spatial door had appeared all of a sudden, and the other party of wizards that had split from us earlier filed out of it.
Akira: Oh, it's Shylock and the rest! Welcome back!
Figaro: Welcome back. How'd it go?
[ BGM starts ]
Murr: The mysterious presence in the forest gave us the slip. But we found a room used to worship kikii!
Shylock: There was a luxurious collar and a feeding bowl. That must have been the place where a kikii... or rather, Elmo, was kept.
And it is from that room, that Elmo's nightly…
Ernest: Elmooo, the crispy bits of bacon— Oh, uh, s-sorry, did I interrupt something?
Shylock: Not at all. But if you were searching for Elmo, you won’t find it in this room.
Akira: Weren't you with Elmo?
Ernest: No? No, it didn't come to the kitchen…
[ Evil screeching ]
[ No BGM ]
Riquet: Ahh!? W-What's that horrid voice...!
Akira: Ugh, my head's…
[ BGM starts ]
It sounded like a beast in the throes of death, like the piercing shrieks of a ghost.
The noise echoed over and over in my head, paralysing my ability to even think.
I had no idea where the sounds were coming from, nor did I have a clue as to what could have made them.
I felt like I was about to be crushed by the sounds that felt like they came from every direction.
All I could do was cradle my head in my hands.
The wizards had all narrowed their eyes as well.
Ernest, too, had started cowering on the ground with his head tucked down.
Ernest: These... It's these! The sounds that I hear at night, the eerie ones...!
Bradley: I sense the same presence as the ones from the forest earlier. Guess they really were biding their time, hiding around.
Owen: ... I hear another creature. Isn't it the kikii?
Riquet: What?
Figaro: ... You're right. It's almost drowned out by all the noise, but faintly, there's another cry...
Shylock: The kikii is almost certainly outside, fighting the creatures that are the source of the noises. That was what I was about to tell you earlier.
The worship room for the kikii had an open window. Elmo’s probably been leaving the mansion through that window at night.
Ernest: That means... Elmo's been sneaking out all this while! Every night, Elmo goes to the source of these awful sounds...?
Mithra: That sounds accurate. I'm getting hungry, so let's wrap this up quickly now.
Bradley: Yeah. I'm getting tired of this being a good boy bullshit too.
The trio of Northern Wizards disappeared into a transpatial door.
Still clutching his head, Ernest staggered to his feet.
Ernest: E-Elmo... I... I must go too!
[ Ernest runs off. ]
Riquet: Ernest! It's dangerous out there! Wai—
Akira: He's gone... Let's go aft...
Arthur: Kenja sama, you don't look so good. Please don't push yourself any harder than you already have.
Shylock: These are baneful cries that stir up unease and confusion. We wizards may be able to endure them, but if our Kenja sama, who is human, is exposed to it for extended periods of time...
Figaro: Leave it to me. Once that's done, we'll catch up to the rest of you.
Akira: T-Thank you... I’m counting on you.
Arthur: We’ll leave her in your capable hands, Figaro sama. ... Now, let's go!
Arthur and the others left the room.
I could barely see them leave through my dizziness, and then I felt a palm placed lightly on my head.
[ Figaro CG ]
Figaro: It'll be alright soon. Close your eyes, and think of a quiet place…
Figaro: « possideo »
I felt a warmth emanating from Figaro’s palm that spread down and throughout my body. The noises that had pierced me entirely now sounded distant. I sighed in relief.
Akira: Ah... I feel much better now. Thank you, Figaro.
Figaro: Glad to hear that. I cast a protective spell on you, and another spell to numb your senses. If you still feel sick, eat this sugar.
Now, let's see... Everyone's probably far ahead of us. It would be unnecessarily taxing for you to run after them, too.
This method is a little bit rough, but let's take a shortcut. Kenja sama, hang on tight.
Akira: Okay!
Figaro extended his hand to me, and I held it tightly.
Then, we started to float into the air, even without the aid of a broom. His other hand pushed open a window.
Hand in hand, amidst a whirling mass of noises, we glided down like a hawk.
[ Mansion of Lucky Items - Exterior ]
Akira: This is bad...!
Outside, there were many strange shadows writhing in the darkness.
They were blacker than Elmo, and I could vaguely make out rat-like silhouettes. But these rats were also larger than wolves.
Figaro: So it was laoshu... They’re a real pain to deal with, so this'll be a headache for sure.
To be honest, Mithra's a bad match-up against them since he likes to use brute force. We don't want the mansion and the entire forest gone now, do we?
Akira: We absolutely do not!!
Arthur: Figaro sama, Kenja sama!
It seemed that Arthur and the others had arrived at the scene around the same time as us.
They fought off laoshu as they made their way to us. Ernest was with them.
Ernest: Did either of you happen to see where Elmo went!? I couldn't find it anywhere!
Riquet: Oh... I think I see something on the highest point of the roof!
Ernest: Eeeek!! ELMO!!
Exactly where Riquet pointed, there were countless laoshu gathering up like a swarm of freakish tumours.
In the centre of it all, there was Elmo, bathed in pale starlight. It bared its fangs as it fought back against the swarm of laoshu attacking it.
The three unarmed Northern Wizards tried to chase away the laoshu without any success. Unhappily, they clicked their tongues.
Owen: No matter how many times you chase them away, again and again, they come surging right back. They’re like flies buzzing about a corpse.
Mithra: When I get near them, they scatter in mere seconds. Before I know it, they've regrouped to attack me from the back... I think it may be faster to get things over with by burning down the whole mansion.
Bradley: That just means they'll run away from the burning mansion, and when the fire's put out, they'll come back with a vengeance. Man, that’s why I hate these little shits.
[ Squelch... ]
Sensing an opportunity, a laoshu pounced and sank its fangs into Elmo's thigh. Even from a distance, I could tell that Elmo's left leg wasn’t moving right.
Ernest: Ahh...! Elmo, nooo!
Arthur: Stay away, Ernest, lest you end up their prey too!
Shylock: Elmo must have been coming out here every night to soak up starlight.
Alas, due to the influence of the Calamity, Elmo’s magical power only ends up leaking out everywhere instead of healing it.
Murr: And I guess the laoshu swarmed this mansion even though Mithra's there because they want to turn Elmo to stone and gobble it up!
With all the magical power leaking out of it, the laoshu must think Elmo is super weak even though its magical power is super strong! You can’t ask for better prey! Definitely worth the risk!
Akira: So, every night, Elmo's out here getting hurt the same way...
Ernest: Elmo! Elmo, come down!
Ernest wailed.
But Elmo firmly kept its feet on the rooftop and did not spare Ernest even one glance.
Akira: (It refuses to budge. That's the one spot in this entire mansion where it can take in the most starlight...)
It seemed like the feeling that Elmo could not put into words was linked to its actions. I couldn't find the words for this indescribable feeling.
Ernest did not want to see Elmo hurt. He did not wish for Elmo to revert to white either.
What Elmo was doing for Ernest was not for the sake of Ernest's happiness.
Perhaps what Elmo thought was most precious and wanted to make happy was not Ernest but itself.
Akira: (... But...)
(Can you really subject yourself to such pain and suffering for that feeling alone? Can you do it night and night again, despite the fear of being killed and eaten...?)
Shylock: A brute force victory will take us a long while. Not to mention, things can take a turn for the worse if the laoshu manage to come up with any clever tricks.
Figaro: Then, we shall leave the Northern Wizards to rampage where they are. They'll do to scare the laoshu away. As for us, we’ll lie in wait to exterminate the laoshu as they retreat.
Shylock, Murr, Arthur — come with me.
Let's get those laoshu in hiding.
Murr: Okaaay!
Shylock & Arthur: Understood.
Figaro: Riquet, will you keep Ernest and Kenja sama safe? You've learnt how to put up magical barriers, right?
Riquet: I have! Please leave it to me!
Figaro: Very good. As for Elmo…
No sooner had Figaro said its name, Elmo started wobbling.
Several laoshu clung to its tail. They were intent on knocking it off balance and dragging it down the roof.
Ernest: ELMO!
Owen: « quare moritor »
With a careless wave of his hand, Owen turned the laoshu to dust.
At the same time, a cold ring of light closed itself around Elmo's neck, forming a collar, then a chain, which wound itself tightly around Elmo.
Unable to move due to its restraints, Elmo was then blown off the roof.
Elmo: KYUU!?
Ernest: (pathetic noises) (more pathetic noises)
Murr: Nice catch, Ernest!
Elmo: Kyuu, mkyu, kyuu!!
Owen: If you can’t even undo this chain, then you’ve no right to complain. Shut up and stay out of the way.
Mithra: That's right. You should stay out of the way. I should think that you wouldn't want to die alongside the laoshu.
Mithra: « arsim »
[ Squelch... Crunch... ]
Figaro: Oh, look, there they go again, as flashy as always. At the rate they're going, this mansion's really going to be reduced to ashes.
Alright, everyone, let’s make haste and clean up this mess.
The wizards all summoned their magical tools.
They swiftly took up position behind and at the blind spots around the Northern Wizards.
Episode 9 ⭢
Elmo: Mmkyu.
Akira: Oh, I haven't ans... It's gone.
Owen: 'No matter. Think nothing of it.'
Arthur: Maybe Elmo left in search of Ernest because it thought that you had no intention of answering its question, Kenja sama.
Still... That was quite the strange question to ask. If it's for Ernest, then asking Ernest himself is best; yet, for some reason, it chose to ask you...
Akira: Yeah. Ernest must be very precious to Elmo, if Elmo thinks it’s worth getting injured to turn white again, but even so…
Figaro: ... I wonder. Is it Ernest that's precious to Elmo?
Akira: Huh...?
Figaro: Elmo turning white again, Elmo getting injured every night for that reason — Ernest obviously doesn’t want either of these things.
Right now, Figaro's lips were curved into the same wry yet troubled smile he had on earlier when Elmo asked its question.
He was composed, unlike the rest of us, who were perplexed.
Figaro: Of course, Elmo does appreciate Ernest in its own way... is what Ernest most likely believes with all his heart.
But — realistically, not only does Elmo not address Ernest directly, it also doesn't bother to understand what Ernest hopes for.
Akira: ... Wait, but...
I was rendered speechless.
Figaro shrugged slightly and mumbled to himself:
Figaro: Well… It's easy to talk about others. Especially when it comes to things like this.
[ Door warp sfx ]
[ No BGM ]
Shylock: Sorry to keep you all waiting.
The sudden voice made me look behind me.
A spatial door had appeared all of a sudden, and the other party of wizards that had split from us earlier filed out of it.
Akira: Oh, it's Shylock and the rest! Welcome back!
Figaro: Welcome back. How'd it go?
[ BGM starts ]
Murr: The mysterious presence in the forest gave us the slip. But we found a room used to worship kikii!
Shylock: There was a luxurious collar and a feeding bowl. That must have been the place where a kikii... or rather, Elmo, was kept.
And it is from that room, that Elmo's nightly…
Ernest: Elmooo, the crispy bits of bacon— Oh, uh, s-sorry, did I interrupt something?
Shylock: Not at all. But if you were searching for Elmo, you won’t find it in this room.
Akira: Weren't you with Elmo?
Ernest: No? No, it didn't come to the kitchen…
[ Evil screeching ]
[ No BGM ]
Riquet: Ahh!? W-What's that horrid voice...!
Akira: Ugh, my head's…
[ BGM starts ]
It sounded like a beast in the throes of death, like the piercing shrieks of a ghost.
The noise echoed over and over in my head, paralysing my ability to even think.
I had no idea where the sounds were coming from, nor did I have a clue as to what could have made them.
I felt like I was about to be crushed by the sounds that felt like they came from every direction.
All I could do was cradle my head in my hands.
The wizards had all narrowed their eyes as well.
Ernest, too, had started cowering on the ground with his head tucked down.
Ernest: These... It's these! The sounds that I hear at night, the eerie ones...!
Bradley: I sense the same presence as the ones from the forest earlier. Guess they really were biding their time, hiding around.
Owen: ... I hear another creature. Isn't it the kikii?
Riquet: What?
Figaro: ... You're right. It's almost drowned out by all the noise, but faintly, there's another cry...
Shylock: The kikii is almost certainly outside, fighting the creatures that are the source of the noises. That was what I was about to tell you earlier.
The worship room for the kikii had an open window. Elmo’s probably been leaving the mansion through that window at night.
Ernest: That means... Elmo's been sneaking out all this while! Every night, Elmo goes to the source of these awful sounds...?
Mithra: That sounds accurate. I'm getting hungry, so let's wrap this up quickly now.
Bradley: Yeah. I'm getting tired of this being a good boy bullshit too.
The trio of Northern Wizards disappeared into a transpatial door.
Still clutching his head, Ernest staggered to his feet.
Ernest: E-Elmo... I... I must go too!
[ Ernest runs off. ]
Riquet: Ernest! It's dangerous out there! Wai—
Akira: He's gone... Let's go aft...
Arthur: Kenja sama, you don't look so good. Please don't push yourself any harder than you already have.
Shylock: These are baneful cries that stir up unease and confusion. We wizards may be able to endure them, but if our Kenja sama, who is human, is exposed to it for extended periods of time...
Figaro: Leave it to me. Once that's done, we'll catch up to the rest of you.
Akira: T-Thank you... I’m counting on you.
Arthur: We’ll leave her in your capable hands, Figaro sama. ... Now, let's go!
Arthur and the others left the room.
I could barely see them leave through my dizziness, and then I felt a palm placed lightly on my head.
[ Figaro CG ]
Figaro: It'll be alright soon. Close your eyes, and think of a quiet place…
Figaro: « possideo »
I felt a warmth emanating from Figaro’s palm that spread down and throughout my body. The noises that had pierced me entirely now sounded distant. I sighed in relief.
Akira: Ah... I feel much better now. Thank you, Figaro.
Figaro: Glad to hear that. I cast a protective spell on you, and another spell to numb your senses. If you still feel sick, eat this sugar.
Now, let's see... Everyone's probably far ahead of us. It would be unnecessarily taxing for you to run after them, too.
This method is a little bit rough, but let's take a shortcut. Kenja sama, hang on tight.
Akira: Okay!
Figaro extended his hand to me, and I held it tightly.
Then, we started to float into the air, even without the aid of a broom. His other hand pushed open a window.
Hand in hand, amidst a whirling mass of noises, we glided down like a hawk.
[ Mansion of Lucky Items - Exterior ]
Akira: This is bad...!
Outside, there were many strange shadows writhing in the darkness.
They were blacker than Elmo, and I could vaguely make out rat-like silhouettes. But these rats were also larger than wolves.
Figaro: So it was laoshu... They’re a real pain to deal with, so this'll be a headache for sure.
To be honest, Mithra's a bad match-up against them since he likes to use brute force. We don't want the mansion and the entire forest gone now, do we?
Akira: We absolutely do not!!
Arthur: Figaro sama, Kenja sama!
It seemed that Arthur and the others had arrived at the scene around the same time as us.
They fought off laoshu as they made their way to us. Ernest was with them.
Ernest: Did either of you happen to see where Elmo went!? I couldn't find it anywhere!
Riquet: Oh... I think I see something on the highest point of the roof!
Ernest: Eeeek!! ELMO!!
Exactly where Riquet pointed, there were countless laoshu gathering up like a swarm of freakish tumours.
In the centre of it all, there was Elmo, bathed in pale starlight. It bared its fangs as it fought back against the swarm of laoshu attacking it.
The three unarmed Northern Wizards tried to chase away the laoshu without any success. Unhappily, they clicked their tongues.
Owen: No matter how many times you chase them away, again and again, they come surging right back. They’re like flies buzzing about a corpse.
Mithra: When I get near them, they scatter in mere seconds. Before I know it, they've regrouped to attack me from the back... I think it may be faster to get things over with by burning down the whole mansion.
Bradley: That just means they'll run away from the burning mansion, and when the fire's put out, they'll come back with a vengeance. Man, that’s why I hate these little shits.
[ Squelch... ]
Sensing an opportunity, a laoshu pounced and sank its fangs into Elmo's thigh. Even from a distance, I could tell that Elmo's left leg wasn’t moving right.
Ernest: Ahh...! Elmo, nooo!
Arthur: Stay away, Ernest, lest you end up their prey too!
Shylock: Elmo must have been coming out here every night to soak up starlight.
Alas, due to the influence of the Calamity, Elmo’s magical power only ends up leaking out everywhere instead of healing it.
Murr: And I guess the laoshu swarmed this mansion even though Mithra's there because they want to turn Elmo to stone and gobble it up!
With all the magical power leaking out of it, the laoshu must think Elmo is super weak even though its magical power is super strong! You can’t ask for better prey! Definitely worth the risk!
Akira: So, every night, Elmo's out here getting hurt the same way...
Ernest: Elmo! Elmo, come down!
Ernest wailed.
But Elmo firmly kept its feet on the rooftop and did not spare Ernest even one glance.
Akira: (It refuses to budge. That's the one spot in this entire mansion where it can take in the most starlight...)
It seemed like the feeling that Elmo could not put into words was linked to its actions. I couldn't find the words for this indescribable feeling.
Ernest did not want to see Elmo hurt. He did not wish for Elmo to revert to white either.
What Elmo was doing for Ernest was not for the sake of Ernest's happiness.
Perhaps what Elmo thought was most precious and wanted to make happy was not Ernest but itself.
Akira: (... But...)
(Can you really subject yourself to such pain and suffering for that feeling alone? Can you do it night and night again, despite the fear of being killed and eaten...?)
Shylock: A brute force victory will take us a long while. Not to mention, things can take a turn for the worse if the laoshu manage to come up with any clever tricks.
Figaro: Then, we shall leave the Northern Wizards to rampage where they are. They'll do to scare the laoshu away. As for us, we’ll lie in wait to exterminate the laoshu as they retreat.
Shylock, Murr, Arthur — come with me.
Let's get those laoshu in hiding.
Murr: Okaaay!
Shylock & Arthur: Understood.
Figaro: Riquet, will you keep Ernest and Kenja sama safe? You've learnt how to put up magical barriers, right?
Riquet: I have! Please leave it to me!
Figaro: Very good. As for Elmo…
No sooner had Figaro said its name, Elmo started wobbling.
Several laoshu clung to its tail. They were intent on knocking it off balance and dragging it down the roof.
Ernest: ELMO!
Owen: « quare moritor »
With a careless wave of his hand, Owen turned the laoshu to dust.
At the same time, a cold ring of light closed itself around Elmo's neck, forming a collar, then a chain, which wound itself tightly around Elmo.
Unable to move due to its restraints, Elmo was then blown off the roof.
Elmo: KYUU!?
Ernest: (pathetic noises) (more pathetic noises)
Murr: Nice catch, Ernest!
Elmo: Kyuu, mkyu, kyuu!!
Owen: If you can’t even undo this chain, then you’ve no right to complain. Shut up and stay out of the way.
Mithra: That's right. You should stay out of the way. I should think that you wouldn't want to die alongside the laoshu.
Mithra: « arsim »
[ Squelch... Crunch... ]
Figaro: Oh, look, there they go again, as flashy as always. At the rate they're going, this mansion's really going to be reduced to ashes.
Alright, everyone, let’s make haste and clean up this mess.
The wizards all summoned their magical tools.
They swiftly took up position behind and at the blind spots around the Northern Wizards.
Episode 9 ⭢