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The Cuore of Truth Brings Good Fortune - Episode 9
⭠ last episode | Episode 9 | next episode ⭢
Riquet: « sunretea edif »
Riquet: I've cast a magical barrier around all of us. We'll be fine now.
Akira: Thanks, Riquet!
Owen: « cur memini »
Bradley: « adnopotensum »
Arthur: « pernoctant nix zo »
Shylock: « inviebelle »
The Northern Wizards cut through the waves of laoshu in a grand display of might. Behind them, Arthur and the others moved in to vanquish the laoshu in hiding.
Even then, the laoshu continued to pour forth from the dark forest in endless droves. Their numbers were culled, yet not completely eliminated.
Ernest scooped Elmo up and held it close. His grey eyes were wide open with fear.
Like darkened cumulonimbus clouds, packs of laoshu clustered together to form a greater mass.
Ernest: Elmo... have you been fighting these creatures this whole time? Have you been going through this harrowing experience this whole time?
Why would you…
Akira: ... It's so it can revert to being a white kikii. It's for your sake, Ernest.
Ernest: Me...? But why...
... Elmo is fine just the way it is...
Elmo: .........
Murr: « eanul rambul »
Meow, meow! You’re all gonna get gobbled up~!
A purple beam of light from Murr's ring took the form of a large cat. It pounced on the swarm of laoshu on the roof, as if it were hunting rats.
More laoshu were about to emerge from the forest, but they faltered at the sight of the cat.
They turned tail and started running away from Murr — but it was all an act. They intended to divert an attack to us instead.
Riquet: ...! That's foul play! Cowardly behaviour!
Riquet: « sunretea edif » !
... Oof, ahh!?
Akira: Riquet!
[ The barrier shatters. ]
The cracked barrier finally gave way under the force of the laoshu's combined assault. Riquet fell to the ground.
Ernest: ...!
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ernest cover Elmo with his body, trying to shield it from any further harm.
His face was paler than starlight. With his eyes squeezed tightly shut, he held onto Elmo with all his might.
Some distance away, Figaro raised his orb.
And then—
[ Crackle.... Snap! ]
Elmo: Kyuu!!
Elmo shot out from Ernest's arms like a bullet. The magical chains that had bound it down were nowhere to be seen.
It sank its fangs into a laoshu's throat, just as Ernest was about to be bitten.
Elmo exerted force into its bite. Blood started to drip from where the chains had cut into it. Its bandages slowly stained red.
Ernest: Elmo!?
Owen: What? It tore itself free from my chains? By sheer force of will?
In a rare turn of events, Figaro's eyes widened. His orb continued to glow where it was, raised into the air.
Figaro: ...... Ah. So that’s how it is.
Then, he smiled a little smile.
That smile could be interpreted as ridiculing or mocking, but it also could just as easily have been a smile full of praise. It was the sort of expression where you couldn’t know for sure.
Figaro: You ... truly are bad at this.
But if that is what you wish, then I will lend you my strength.
Figaro: « possideo »
Figaro's orb pulsed a bluish-white; Elmo's black fur started to take on a beautiful sheen as its wounds healed up in tandem with the orb’s glow.
It was as if the orb itself held the same qualities as a starlit night, the very same sort of light that would restore Elmo's magic.
Elmo dashed out into the open, right into the swarm of laoshu that had started to encircle us.
Bradley: Hah! Has that thing gone mad, diving head-on into that mob? All that protective magic’s gonna go to waste.
[ Shylock CG ]
Shylock: Still, this reckless behaviour, this foolhardiness, it is something I do not dislike. It is all born out of love.
To love is to hurt yourself, to destroy yourself, to recreate yourself… it is dangerous and foolish, but that is precisely why the act of loving itself is so lovable.
This story of love… I shall see it through to its next chapter.
Shylock: « inviebelle »
Bradley: Hmph. Dying out there would save us some trouble though.
But I agree — I don't hate fools either.
« adnopotensum » !
Murr: It's Shylock's intoxication magic and Bradley's strengthening magic! The laoshu are all topsy turvy! They’re in big trouble now!
Arthur: Now’s our chance — let’s take them out all at once! Riquet! Are you alright over there?
Riquet: It's just a fall! Leave it to me! I'll get it this time!
Mithra: « arsim »
Figaro: « possideo »
[ Squelch! ]
In a burst of speed, Elmo rushed down the drunken, staggering pack of laoshu like a black whirlwind. It went for each of the laoshu’s windpipes, and it bit down hard.
The laoshu panicked, making confused noises now that Elmo had suddenly changed. It was not the easy prey they had expected.
Trembling in fear, the laoshu began to retreat into the forest, but there was no mercy there. The wizards started exterminating the laoshu.
Laoshu: ……!
It seemed like the laoshu had finally realised that the tides were no longer in their favour. They immediately started fleeing for their lives towards the dark forest.
Elmo roared, long and loud, after the scattering laoshu. Its bandages fluttered in the night breeze.
[ No BGM ]
It then turned around to look upon Ernest to check if he was unharmed, and it seemed...
It seemed satisfied with itself, even though it was hurt all over.
Murr: Ah, I sense the laoshu's presence fading away. They're no longer merely hiding this time, they're doing some desperate fleeing with their tails tucked between their legs!
Shylock: They must have realised that Elmo is higher up than them in the food chain. Laoshu are cautious and cowardly, so it's unlikely they'll ever appear to attack the mansion again.
Then Elmo flopped over onto the ground.
Ernest rushed to its side, cradling its body riddled with fresh wounds.
Ernest: Elmo! Elmo, are you alright?
Figaro: Don't worry. It's still conscious. It was just in a weak state previously and then expended what remained of its strength in that flurry of attacks just now.
Ernest: (hic) T-That's good to know......
Why... Why did you start thinking those thoughts, why did you decide to return to your former state... You might have died out there!
Elmo: .........
Elmo eked out a tiny little squeak that was barely audible.
Owen shrugged.
Owen: …… 'I couldn't think of anything else. I didn't know what I could bestow upon the one who had petted me for the first time in my life.'
'I wanted to give you something, just like how you gave me that biscuit.'
[ BGM starts ]
Ernest: .........
Akira: (I’m sure that, ever since they met, Elmo wanted to make Ernest san happy and treat him well. It just didn’t know how to…)
It was that thing — that Owen could not put into words while he was interpreting Elmo's speech, that Elmo itself could not find the right word for, that feeling that was like prayer and like making an offering.
That might be an earnest love that makes you want to treasure someone precious to you.
Figaro's orb remained aloft, shining like a star.
He smiled slightly and placed a hand on Ernest's shoulder.
Then he peered down at Elmo, as if he were telling off a child that had grown up to become quite naughty.
Figaro: As a doctor, firstly, I hope that you refrain from any more reckless and life-threatening behaviour in the future.
Second, I want you to listen and understand this — what matters most is not what you want, or what other people want. What matters most is what Ernest wants.
Ernest, what do you want from Elmo?
Ernest: N-Nothing. There's no way there's anything I'd want...
I just... I just want Elmo to be healthy and happy, and that's enough for me...
Elmo: .........
After giving Ernest's words a bit of thought, Elmo stuck its tongue out. Then it started licking Ernest's hand.
Murr: I think it's trying to say it gets it?
Riquet: I'm glad...
Arthur: Elmo, no more reckless behaviour from you, okay? It's also to grant Ernest his wish.
Elmo: ... Kyuu.
Figaro: Now then, let's patch up all those injuries you got from being so reckless.
And just so you know, your fur won't return to being white without purifying you of the Calamity's influence. Sorry, but no objections allowed.
Everyone, if I may have your assistance.
Arthur: Certainly!
Shylock: Then we shall participate in the purification process. Figaro sama, we shall entrust the healing magic to you.
Shylock: « inviebelle »
Arthur: « pernoctant nix zo »
Figaro: « possideo »
Following the trio, the other wizards chanted their spell-words one after another.
A white light appeared, and Elmo quietly absorbed all of it into itself. Then I saw that Elmo’s body began to glow faintly too, emitting a pure white light.
Arthur: So... This is what Elmo originally looked like. It looks just like the kikii in the bestiary, a pure white...
Akira: It's so beautiful... Just like a messenger of god…
The healing and purification must have gone well, because after nibbling at the sugar Figaro offered it, Elmo slowly got back up on its feet.
Elmo: Kyu......
Ernest: Elmo, so this is what you used to look like...
Murr: It looks like a real auspicious thing, doesn't it? It's no longer the black fur you liked so much though.
Ernest: H-Haha... It doesn't matter what Elmo looks like.
And, um, with this, Elmo's all healed up now. It won't be hurting itself again every night, right?
Figaro: Yeah. It’s case closed for the mysterious noises.
Ernest: ...... (exhale) That's a relief...
Everyone, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.
[ Mansion of Lucky Items ]
After we returned inside, we resumed our discussion that had been on hold due to the laoshu's assault.
The topic was how Elmo was kept as a pet in this mansion and worshipped as a bringer of good luck.
It was likely that its previous master saw that it had turned black and feared that misfortune would soon befall him, so he abandoned the mansion and Elmo with it.
And that was how Elmo lost both someone to turn to and a place to belong.
Ernest: ... Then I'll care for Elmo.
Shylock: Are you certain? Kikii live far longer than any dog. It'll be a lifetime commitment.
Murr: Isn't it too much of a burden for a jobless bum?
Ernest: Guh... Well, no, it'll be fine. I'll double down on finding a job.
I'd already decided some time ago that I'll take Elmo in myself after its wounds were healed, if its master remained nowhere to be found. And Elmo, you said yes too, didn't you?
Elmo: Kyuu.
Arthur: Oh, I see! Then Elmo is in safe hands.
Before we returned to the Magical Manor, Ernest served us the dishes he'd prepped for dinner.
It wasn’t a magnificent spread of dishes, but it was home cooking that came from the heart. The food and the relief after resolving the strange occurrences made this dinner feel like a cosy house party.
We all enjoyed the simple, wholesome dishes while mixing and mingling.
Akira: The bacon sauté and the cheese are really good! Ernest san, thank you for the meal!
Ernest: It's no problem! Serving up plain ol' food is the least I can do to thank you for all you've done.
Shylock: You must have used up all that was left in the larder just for us. That selflessness is in itself an unbeatable flavour.
Figaro: ... Ernest, you still haven't found employment, right?
Ernest: Yes. For now, I think I'll move out to somewhere more urban with Elmo...
Figaro: So, you plan to head out to the capital. Then that works out perfectly — do you remember the medicinal herb stand where you met us?
Ernest: If you mean the place I kept going to buy Elmo's medicine, then yes. There was this generous gentleman with red hair...
Figaro: Yep, that's the one. That gentleman's actually much older than he seems. He's looking for a young chap to help him out with his business.
He has no children of his own, so he's searching for someone that he can gradually teach his trade to, and hopefully take over the business from him someday.
Ernest: ...!
Episode 10 ⭢
Riquet: « sunretea edif »
Riquet: I've cast a magical barrier around all of us. We'll be fine now.
Akira: Thanks, Riquet!
Owen: « cur memini »
Bradley: « adnopotensum »
Arthur: « pernoctant nix zo »
Shylock: « inviebelle »
The Northern Wizards cut through the waves of laoshu in a grand display of might. Behind them, Arthur and the others moved in to vanquish the laoshu in hiding.
Even then, the laoshu continued to pour forth from the dark forest in endless droves. Their numbers were culled, yet not completely eliminated.
Ernest scooped Elmo up and held it close. His grey eyes were wide open with fear.
Like darkened cumulonimbus clouds, packs of laoshu clustered together to form a greater mass.
Ernest: Elmo... have you been fighting these creatures this whole time? Have you been going through this harrowing experience this whole time?
Why would you…
Akira: ... It's so it can revert to being a white kikii. It's for your sake, Ernest.
Ernest: Me...? But why...
... Elmo is fine just the way it is...
Elmo: .........
Murr: « eanul rambul »
Meow, meow! You’re all gonna get gobbled up~!
A purple beam of light from Murr's ring took the form of a large cat. It pounced on the swarm of laoshu on the roof, as if it were hunting rats.
More laoshu were about to emerge from the forest, but they faltered at the sight of the cat.
They turned tail and started running away from Murr — but it was all an act. They intended to divert an attack to us instead.
Riquet: ...! That's foul play! Cowardly behaviour!
Riquet: « sunretea edif » !
... Oof, ahh!?
Akira: Riquet!
[ The barrier shatters. ]
The cracked barrier finally gave way under the force of the laoshu's combined assault. Riquet fell to the ground.
Ernest: ...!
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ernest cover Elmo with his body, trying to shield it from any further harm.
His face was paler than starlight. With his eyes squeezed tightly shut, he held onto Elmo with all his might.
Some distance away, Figaro raised his orb.
And then—
[ Crackle.... Snap! ]
Elmo: Kyuu!!
Elmo shot out from Ernest's arms like a bullet. The magical chains that had bound it down were nowhere to be seen.
It sank its fangs into a laoshu's throat, just as Ernest was about to be bitten.
Elmo exerted force into its bite. Blood started to drip from where the chains had cut into it. Its bandages slowly stained red.
Ernest: Elmo!?
Owen: What? It tore itself free from my chains? By sheer force of will?
In a rare turn of events, Figaro's eyes widened. His orb continued to glow where it was, raised into the air.
Figaro: ...... Ah. So that’s how it is.
Then, he smiled a little smile.
That smile could be interpreted as ridiculing or mocking, but it also could just as easily have been a smile full of praise. It was the sort of expression where you couldn’t know for sure.
Figaro: You ... truly are bad at this.
But if that is what you wish, then I will lend you my strength.
Figaro: « possideo »
Figaro's orb pulsed a bluish-white; Elmo's black fur started to take on a beautiful sheen as its wounds healed up in tandem with the orb’s glow.
It was as if the orb itself held the same qualities as a starlit night, the very same sort of light that would restore Elmo's magic.
Elmo dashed out into the open, right into the swarm of laoshu that had started to encircle us.
Bradley: Hah! Has that thing gone mad, diving head-on into that mob? All that protective magic’s gonna go to waste.
[ Shylock CG ]
Shylock: Still, this reckless behaviour, this foolhardiness, it is something I do not dislike. It is all born out of love.
To love is to hurt yourself, to destroy yourself, to recreate yourself… it is dangerous and foolish, but that is precisely why the act of loving itself is so lovable.
This story of love… I shall see it through to its next chapter.
Shylock: « inviebelle »
Bradley: Hmph. Dying out there would save us some trouble though.
But I agree — I don't hate fools either.
« adnopotensum » !
Murr: It's Shylock's intoxication magic and Bradley's strengthening magic! The laoshu are all topsy turvy! They’re in big trouble now!
Arthur: Now’s our chance — let’s take them out all at once! Riquet! Are you alright over there?
Riquet: It's just a fall! Leave it to me! I'll get it this time!
Mithra: « arsim »
Figaro: « possideo »
[ Squelch! ]
In a burst of speed, Elmo rushed down the drunken, staggering pack of laoshu like a black whirlwind. It went for each of the laoshu’s windpipes, and it bit down hard.
The laoshu panicked, making confused noises now that Elmo had suddenly changed. It was not the easy prey they had expected.
Trembling in fear, the laoshu began to retreat into the forest, but there was no mercy there. The wizards started exterminating the laoshu.
Laoshu: ……!
It seemed like the laoshu had finally realised that the tides were no longer in their favour. They immediately started fleeing for their lives towards the dark forest.
Elmo roared, long and loud, after the scattering laoshu. Its bandages fluttered in the night breeze.
[ No BGM ]
It then turned around to look upon Ernest to check if he was unharmed, and it seemed...
It seemed satisfied with itself, even though it was hurt all over.
Murr: Ah, I sense the laoshu's presence fading away. They're no longer merely hiding this time, they're doing some desperate fleeing with their tails tucked between their legs!
Shylock: They must have realised that Elmo is higher up than them in the food chain. Laoshu are cautious and cowardly, so it's unlikely they'll ever appear to attack the mansion again.
Then Elmo flopped over onto the ground.
Ernest rushed to its side, cradling its body riddled with fresh wounds.
Ernest: Elmo! Elmo, are you alright?
Figaro: Don't worry. It's still conscious. It was just in a weak state previously and then expended what remained of its strength in that flurry of attacks just now.
Ernest: (hic) T-That's good to know......
Why... Why did you start thinking those thoughts, why did you decide to return to your former state... You might have died out there!
Elmo: .........
Elmo eked out a tiny little squeak that was barely audible.
Owen shrugged.
Owen: …… 'I couldn't think of anything else. I didn't know what I could bestow upon the one who had petted me for the first time in my life.'
'I wanted to give you something, just like how you gave me that biscuit.'
[ BGM starts ]
Ernest: .........
Akira: (I’m sure that, ever since they met, Elmo wanted to make Ernest san happy and treat him well. It just didn’t know how to…)
It was that thing — that Owen could not put into words while he was interpreting Elmo's speech, that Elmo itself could not find the right word for, that feeling that was like prayer and like making an offering.
That might be an earnest love that makes you want to treasure someone precious to you.
Figaro's orb remained aloft, shining like a star.
He smiled slightly and placed a hand on Ernest's shoulder.
Then he peered down at Elmo, as if he were telling off a child that had grown up to become quite naughty.
Figaro: As a doctor, firstly, I hope that you refrain from any more reckless and life-threatening behaviour in the future.
Second, I want you to listen and understand this — what matters most is not what you want, or what other people want. What matters most is what Ernest wants.
Ernest, what do you want from Elmo?
Ernest: N-Nothing. There's no way there's anything I'd want...
I just... I just want Elmo to be healthy and happy, and that's enough for me...
Elmo: .........
After giving Ernest's words a bit of thought, Elmo stuck its tongue out. Then it started licking Ernest's hand.
Murr: I think it's trying to say it gets it?
Riquet: I'm glad...
Arthur: Elmo, no more reckless behaviour from you, okay? It's also to grant Ernest his wish.
Elmo: ... Kyuu.
Figaro: Now then, let's patch up all those injuries you got from being so reckless.
And just so you know, your fur won't return to being white without purifying you of the Calamity's influence. Sorry, but no objections allowed.
Everyone, if I may have your assistance.
Arthur: Certainly!
Shylock: Then we shall participate in the purification process. Figaro sama, we shall entrust the healing magic to you.
Shylock: « inviebelle »
Arthur: « pernoctant nix zo »
Figaro: « possideo »
Following the trio, the other wizards chanted their spell-words one after another.
A white light appeared, and Elmo quietly absorbed all of it into itself. Then I saw that Elmo’s body began to glow faintly too, emitting a pure white light.
Arthur: So... This is what Elmo originally looked like. It looks just like the kikii in the bestiary, a pure white...
Akira: It's so beautiful... Just like a messenger of god…
The healing and purification must have gone well, because after nibbling at the sugar Figaro offered it, Elmo slowly got back up on its feet.
Elmo: Kyu......
Ernest: Elmo, so this is what you used to look like...
Murr: It looks like a real auspicious thing, doesn't it? It's no longer the black fur you liked so much though.
Ernest: H-Haha... It doesn't matter what Elmo looks like.
And, um, with this, Elmo's all healed up now. It won't be hurting itself again every night, right?
Figaro: Yeah. It’s case closed for the mysterious noises.
Ernest: ...... (exhale) That's a relief...
Everyone, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.
[ Mansion of Lucky Items ]
After we returned inside, we resumed our discussion that had been on hold due to the laoshu's assault.
The topic was how Elmo was kept as a pet in this mansion and worshipped as a bringer of good luck.
It was likely that its previous master saw that it had turned black and feared that misfortune would soon befall him, so he abandoned the mansion and Elmo with it.
And that was how Elmo lost both someone to turn to and a place to belong.
Ernest: ... Then I'll care for Elmo.
Shylock: Are you certain? Kikii live far longer than any dog. It'll be a lifetime commitment.
Murr: Isn't it too much of a burden for a jobless bum?
Ernest: Guh... Well, no, it'll be fine. I'll double down on finding a job.
I'd already decided some time ago that I'll take Elmo in myself after its wounds were healed, if its master remained nowhere to be found. And Elmo, you said yes too, didn't you?
Elmo: Kyuu.
Arthur: Oh, I see! Then Elmo is in safe hands.
Before we returned to the Magical Manor, Ernest served us the dishes he'd prepped for dinner.
It wasn’t a magnificent spread of dishes, but it was home cooking that came from the heart. The food and the relief after resolving the strange occurrences made this dinner feel like a cosy house party.
We all enjoyed the simple, wholesome dishes while mixing and mingling.
Akira: The bacon sauté and the cheese are really good! Ernest san, thank you for the meal!
Ernest: It's no problem! Serving up plain ol' food is the least I can do to thank you for all you've done.
Shylock: You must have used up all that was left in the larder just for us. That selflessness is in itself an unbeatable flavour.
Figaro: ... Ernest, you still haven't found employment, right?
Ernest: Yes. For now, I think I'll move out to somewhere more urban with Elmo...
Figaro: So, you plan to head out to the capital. Then that works out perfectly — do you remember the medicinal herb stand where you met us?
Ernest: If you mean the place I kept going to buy Elmo's medicine, then yes. There was this generous gentleman with red hair...
Figaro: Yep, that's the one. That gentleman's actually much older than he seems. He's looking for a young chap to help him out with his business.
He has no children of his own, so he's searching for someone that he can gradually teach his trade to, and hopefully take over the business from him someday.
Ernest: ...!
Episode 10 ⭢