The Cuore of Truth Brings Good Fortune - Episode 10

[tiletta]

⭠ last episode | Episode 10


Figaro: If it's you, you won't have a hard time telling herbs apart, so how about it? He likes dogs too, so I think he'll happily let Elmo tag along to the market stall as a store mascot.
Murr: At a glance, a kikii looks just like a dog anyway! Elmo’s got too much of an attitude for a dog, but you could just say you raised your dog like a cat, and people'll buy the story.
Shylock: Moreover, it’s highly unlikely that any noble or rich person that might recognise Elmo as a kikii would shop at that marketplace.
Ernest: I... I'd love to work there! What do you think, Elmo? You're not actually a dog, so do you hate the idea of being a store mascot?
Elmo: ...... (long sigh) Kyuu.
Akira: Seems like we have an agreement!
Murr: Congratulations~ Maybe I'll become a regular customer just to observe Elmo! It's something never heard of before, a kikii that's employed as a store mascot!
Shylock: Fufu. With that sort of adorable charm, I'm certain that Elmo will become the marketplace darling in no time at all. Perhaps it’ll even be the reason business starts booming.
Ernest: Figaro san, everyone, thank you very much...! Let's work hard together, Elmo!
Elmo: Kyuu.

Riquet: The jerky and soup and bread are all delicious! I wonder if it's because I'm taking my dinner later than usual? Or is it because I'm watching the stars as I eat?
Arthur: Riquet, you've been doing your best all day long. You even courageously faced down that great number of fiends.
Riquet: I sure have been trying to! But still, the barrier I put up didn't hold, and it broke nearly instantly...
Arthur: Practice makes perfect. But the courage to look fear in the eye when you protect someone is not something that comes with practice.
I thought you were amazingly reliable out there. I saw a Riquet standing his ground to protect Kenja sama, and I also saw a Riquet that bounced back from failure, saying 'I'll get it this time.'
Riquet, out there, you were a picture perfect Central Wizard. I'm proud to be a wizard from the same country as you!
Riquet: Ehehe... I was just doing what a Central Wizard ought to do!
... Oh, there's no more meat soup left... But I'm still a bit... Mmh...
Arthur: Haha, I've got you.
« pernoctant nix zo »
Riquet: Wow, what yummy-looking grapes...!

[ Arthur CG ]
Arthur: Shh. It's a snack left for me in my room back in the castle, so there isn't enough to go around.
It's dessert just for you, Riquet, because you worked up an appetite to match the effort you put in today.
Riquet: Yay! Thank you!

Mithra: As expected, I worked the hardest today. The Lady of Ruin is mine.
Owen: No, it's mine.
Bradley: No matter how you look at it, it's got the Great Bradley's name on it.
Akira: So, um, you three! I was thinking, we could sit down and enjoy this very nice meal in front of us right now…
Bradley: As said, it never sat well with me how Figaro over there gets to call the shots of who gets the reward. Hey, Kenja, you decide who gets it.
Akira: Me!? Nononono, that is too heavy a burden for me to bear...!
Figaro: That’s enough of that. We do not bend the rules to our whims and trouble Kenja sama.
Bradley & Owen & Mithra: Guh...

Figaro: Well, to be honest, it's hard to say who did best and who did worst. Considering it's you three we're talking about, I daresay you've even put in a good amount of effort.
So let's say... we come to a compromise, and each of you can have a glass to drink. How about that?
Bradley: ... Figaro, that was your damn plan all along, wasn't it?
Owen: Shylock, bring it out now. I would like to summon a storm and send Figaro into the stratosphere.
Shylock: Let's keep the mischief to a minimum, hm? If you wish to have yours sweeter, might I suggest adding some duskcloud syrup?
Murr: Heeey, I want some too!
Shylock: Even though the last time I had this in stock, you downed the entire glass like water, and after tossing the glass aside, you declared, 'I prefer Bennett’s wine'?
Murr: Did I do that? Then never mind!

Arthur: Shylock, is this liquor the reward in question?
Shylock: Yes, it is. I was just about to bring up some other rewards besides the whiskey.
We've solved the case, and tonight marks the prelude to Ernest and Elmo's new days ahead. Allow me to treat all of you to something nice.

Shylock: « inviebelle »

Ernest: Wow, that's amazing...! All these colourful glasses just popped up in mid-air like that...
Akira: Thank you, Shylock!

Riquet and Murr cheerfully clinked their glasses together, a glass of juice and a cocktail in their respective hands.
Mithra and Owen downed their share of the Lady of Ruin.

Mithra: I don’t feel like my ability to use strong magic has improved at all. This is just a delicious liquor.
Owen: And here I was hoping to conjure up a storm to blast Figaro into the stratosphere.

Arthur: I suppose it has no effect on those in good health and high spirits, just like how it has no effect on those who were already of great magical strength... It’s such a shame that the liquor wasn’t of any use to them.
... Huh? Bradley, didn't you partake in the Lady of Ruin as well?
Bradley: Nah. I can drink it any time I want at the pipesmoker's bar, so I was a good boy and played along with them. Drinking it here would be a mighty waste, don't you agree?
Arthur: I see... So this is what they mean when they say stylish living! How cool!
Bradley: Heh. You oughta follow in my footsteps if you intend on growing up into a real man.

Ernest humbly accepted an alcoholic drink that was evenly split into two layers, one black and one white. He gingerly took a sip, and then his grey eyes brightened.

Ernest: It's good...! Elmo, this is incredibly good! If only you could take a sip...
Elmo: Kyuu. Kyu.
Owen: It says, 'I can drink. Hand it over.'
Murr: Ooh, it must be used to having wine in its offerings! It used to be treated like a living deity here, after all.
Ernest: T-Then, just a little…

Figaro: .........

Figaro watched the lively proceedings from a distance away. Gracefully, he took his time to savour the dark blue alcohol of his drink.
His calm smile reached his eyes, and that piqued my curiosity. Holding my own glass of juice, I went over to join him.

Figaro: Oh, Kenja sama. What's up?
Akira: No, I just... I was just thinking about how you were looking at Ernest san and Elmo.
Figaro: Ahaha, sorry about that. For some reason, they were simply on my mind.
... I was just thinking about what an idiot Elmo is.

Despite his harsh words, Figaro's gaze was gentle.
The ice in his drink started to melt.

Figaro: Ever since that thing was born, it was pampered as a living god, and yet… it hasn’t the slightest idea how to show its affection for its loved ones.
Even worse, it ended up acting pointlessly, for its own self-satisfaction. In the end, Ernest was nearly breaking down in tears just trying to say that he didn’t want or need Elmo to change.
Akira: But... Even though it had no clue how to, Elmo really did want to show Ernest how much it cares, and it tried its best. It's the thought that counts, and I think that's amazing.
Figaro: I suppose so, if you put it that way. In my opinion — well, I’m sure Elmo would disagree and insist it was all very serious, but…
The way I see it, the Elmo flailing around for Ernest's sake looked like an Elmo that was having fun.

Figaro raised his glass to his lips.
He looked no different from how he usually was, yet something about his demeanour made him look mysterious, and it also made it seem like he was drinking to the two of them.

Elmo tilted its head as it listened to what Ernest was saying to it.
Gazing upon Elmo, Figaro's eyes narrowed as if he were looking at a bright light, and then he said, softly:

Figaro: ... Maybe I hecked up somewhere too.
One day, if our paths ever cross again...

The blue of the liquid in Figaro's glass reminded me of the sea.
A deep, dark blue that would only so much as gently ripple when snow falls upon it.
Even though the snowflakes will melt and disappear into nothing, the sounds of the waves remain unchanging.
And if someday, a single snowflake were to fall into that sea and keep struggling to stay frozen in its own shape...
Though it may be silly, its efforts are earnest, and so I am certain it shall make for a beautiful story.

Riquet: Kenja sama, come over here! Shylock's going to show us a plate that can tell our fortunes!
Shylock: Fufu. I'm glad you're excited for it. But first, shall we cast a blessing of good tidings for Ernest and Elmo?
Arthur: Figaro sama, we'd like you to lead us! Your blessings are always the best!
Figaro: Haha, leave it to me. Blessings are right up the alley of Southern Wizards, after all.
Bradley: Those words ain’t right coming from that mouth.
Owen: More like, torture is right up your alley.
Figaro: Will the peanut gallery remain silent? How about you all take a leaf out of my book and start learning how to cultivate a nurturing heart?

Figaro joined the circle we had formed, like a breeze that suddenly gently blows.
His magical tool, shining ever so brightly, appeared atop his palm.

Ernest, who had been feeling particularly embarrassed, looked happy and bashful as he gazed upon the shining orb.
Elmo trotted up to Ernest's side, and it too looked upwards at the light with its eyes curved contentedly.
Even Figaro wore a similar expression.
It looked like he was gazing upon a faraway shining star of hope.

Figaro: A blessing unto your bond, may you two have many good days ahead, you who have always had each other in your thoughts.

Figaro: « possideo »