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May Love Echo Where Snow Falls - Episode 3
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Rustica: What do you think, Kenja sama? Are you still cold?
Akira: I'm all good! Thank you, Rustica.
Clearly enjoying his new outfit, Murr, who was pirouetting above me, spoke.
Murr: Aaaaand? What's up with this town, Snow?
Now that we're all here, no-one's running away! Isn't it about time you spilled the beans?
Snow: Can't you phrase it better? You make it sound like it was part of my intention to prevent any one of you from escaping...
But to be frank, that is the case. Everyone, buckle up.
Owen: Ugh, there it is.
Nero: Yep... I knew it, it's gonna be more trouble than it's worth.
Snow continued on despite the duo backing off like cats before a bath.
Snow: Let us begin with an explanation of what's been happening. In the outskirts of this town, there's a stretch of plains called the Garden of Ice.
There's slides, fountains, and ice sculptures. We made a very fun place for the children of our town to play in.
Nero: ... In a town buried in this much snow? Forget playtime, you'd be too busy freezin' to death.
Snow: Oh, not to worry about that. We've cast magic to prevent anyone from freezing.
Rutile: I'm glad it's a safe and fun place. I think not just the children, but even the adults would be able to enjoy it.
Snow: Naturally so. It's popular with the adults too, because it's relaxing in its own way.
Proud of their creation, Snow cleared his throat and continued his explanation.
Snow: The townspeople hold a bit of an annual festival in the Garden of Ice.
It’s for them to show how grateful they are to the super-kind and super-cute us for protecting them from the harsh elements of the North.
Right now, they're working on the centrepiece — which is of us twins.
Owen: A sculpture of the twins? Everyone here has clearly lost their minds.
Mithra: I get it now. All we have to do is destroy this evil.
Snow: Were you even listening!? You do not get it, and you have it all backwards!
Akira: Backwards? Which, uh, means that...
Snow: Actually, a fiend has been terrorising the Garden of Ice day in and day out.
I want to protect the sculptures from this fiend so that they may be completed.
Lennox: A fiend? That sounds dangerous.
Murr: But isn't this town protected by barrier magic from you two?
Shouldn't it be safe from invasion?
Snow: That's right. It is most certainly protected. The fiend is unable to breach the barrier, but it has large wings and is able to fly.
It often circles above the town, looking down upon the townspeople and making them uneasy.
Progress has been slow because the residents of this town have been so afraid. We received notice that they can't finish sculpting at this rate.
Akira: That makes sense. Even though you know it's safe, it's hard to not be afraid of going out into the open with a fiend like that around......
Being stared at by something not quite human, and not even knowing its intent — if this were back in my world, that was reason enough for it to become something like an eerie encounter with a cryptid creature.
Now that I think about it, we haven't seen a single local out and about. Maybe they're all locked away in their homes out of their fear of the fiend.
Mithra: In other words, you brought us here against our will, so we could chase away that creature.
Good grief. Please do not volunteer us for trouble.
Snow: Ohoho. That's because we have no idea what sort of fiend it is, other than it flies. It's always better to have more hands on board, after all!
Plus, I wouldn't be able to keep this trip a secret from White if I were to do this all by my lonesome. With you guys around, I have plenty of excuses at my disposal.
Akira: Say, you've mentioned that it's a secret from White. Why are you hiding it? It's supposed to be a town that belongs to the both of you...
Snow: Every year, White looks forward to the sculptures on display in this festival.
I would like White to not worry and to simply enjoy viewing the sculpture in all its glory.
Akira: (So it was something like that after all......)
At that moment, applause rang out in the previously silent town.
The person clapping was none other than Rustica, who wore a smile that expressed how touched he was at the sentiment.
Rustica: How heartwarming. It is all for White sama's sake that you go to this extent.
I truly understand, Snow sama. You only wish to see the one most important to you smile with nary a worry in mind.
I will do my best so that such a day may dawn upon us.
Rutile: I agree. Let's all work together to evacuate the creature.
Still, if it's for such a reason, I wish you'd say so from the start without hiding the facts from us.
Owen: Of course there's going to be omissions. There's no way we'd help out if Snow told us he just wanted to use us to score brownie points with his twin.
Well, just because we're brought here doesn't mean we'd cooperate.
Snow: Hey, it's not just for White! It's for the young wizards too!
Lennox: The young wizards?
Snow: That's correct. We planned to invite them to join in the festivities once the sculptures were completed.
Wouldn't you agree that it's important for them to be able to set aside their roles and responsibilities sometimes and just play around as children do?
Also, we love festivals. I'm sure that the smiles of the young would further brighten it.
Owen: What nonsense. You're just pushing the responsibility onto others.
Rustica: I, on the other hand, think it's a wonderful plan.
Thank you for suggesting it, Snow sama. I could see Chloe smiling and enjoying himself here.
Rutile: I'm sure Mitile and Riquet would have lots of fun here!
Lennox: Right, there aren't many opportunities for them to play in snow. Speaking of festivals, Cain and Shino seem like they would enjoy it here too.
Akira: Arthur and Heathcliff have been so busy with their official duties recently, and I'd like them to be able to just take a break and relax.
Nero: ... Well, now we know that the festival prep is held up, and that's no good.
Since we've come all the way out here anyway, there's no helping it. I'll do what I can.
Owen: I don't wanna. I don't care about this town or the young wizards.
[ Owen vanishes. ]
Akira: Wait, Owen...!
Murr: Ahaha, he got away!
Mithra: How irritating. He escaped alone.
... Well, even if that one person isn't around, we have me, so it'll be a piece of cake. Let's leave right away and get this sorted out.
[ Splat! ]
A very angry snowball came flying out of nowhere.
And that snowball hit Mithra right in the head.
[ Garden of Ice ]
Akira: Wow... No matter how many times I see it, the slide here looks so fun!
We quickly made for the Garden of Ice where the fiend was said to frequently appear.
I had been here before with the twins.
Just like before, a giant slide reminiscent of water slides at a theme park stood in the middle of the plains.
Rutile: You can ride a sled and slide on it. Oh, it even seats two! Looks fun!
Murr: Mithraaaa. Push our sled with all your might! I wanna go whoosh! Whooosh, I say!
Rustica: With a wizard as strong as Mithra giving us a great big push off the starting line, I'm sure we'll have a thrilling time.
Mithra: Yes. I am a thrilling man.
Mithra: Ready?
[ Whoosh! ]
Murr & Rustica: WHOOOOSH!
Akira: (Whoa, it's just like bobsledding...)
Past the snowy playground with the slide, there were the many sculptures the town residents had crafted.
From cute animals to little castles, there were many snow sculptures. Even in their half-complete states they made for a beautiful sight.
However......
Snow: It seems like work has completely stalled due to their fear of the fiend.
Not a single person was at work in the plains. The lonely sculptures awaited their completion.
Snow: Ah, our sculptures are nearly complete. This can't be helped in the least, but it still feels rather lonely.
Nero: These are kinda cool. They're well-crafted.
Rutile: Mhm. Look, it's Snow sama and White sama's sculptures!
They're lovely, and — oh, the detailing on even their accessories!
Nero: I guess it's to be expected from a town under the protection of the twins. They've got a knack for crafting.
Heath would be delighted. That kid sure loves his intricate crafts and all.
Lennox: On the other hand, Shino seems like he'd like that giant dragon over there.
Akira: Ahaha, I think so too. It's clear to anyone that he likes things that are strong.
Lennox: The bunnies and birds and little critters over here seem like they'd be Mitile and Riquet's favourite.
Walking around like this makes me want to show them the finished sculptures.
Nero: Yeah.
And to make that possible we've gotta get the residents back to work.
Akira: (He didn't seem in the least down for this at the start...)
(I wonder if Nero also started feeling like he wanted to show these to the younger wizards.)
Episode 4 ⭢
Rustica: What do you think, Kenja sama? Are you still cold?
Akira: I'm all good! Thank you, Rustica.
Clearly enjoying his new outfit, Murr, who was pirouetting above me, spoke.
Murr: Aaaaand? What's up with this town, Snow?
Now that we're all here, no-one's running away! Isn't it about time you spilled the beans?
Snow: Can't you phrase it better? You make it sound like it was part of my intention to prevent any one of you from escaping...
But to be frank, that is the case. Everyone, buckle up.
Owen: Ugh, there it is.
Nero: Yep... I knew it, it's gonna be more trouble than it's worth.
Snow continued on despite the duo backing off like cats before a bath.
Snow: Let us begin with an explanation of what's been happening. In the outskirts of this town, there's a stretch of plains called the Garden of Ice.
There's slides, fountains, and ice sculptures. We made a very fun place for the children of our town to play in.
Nero: ... In a town buried in this much snow? Forget playtime, you'd be too busy freezin' to death.
Snow: Oh, not to worry about that. We've cast magic to prevent anyone from freezing.
Rutile: I'm glad it's a safe and fun place. I think not just the children, but even the adults would be able to enjoy it.
Snow: Naturally so. It's popular with the adults too, because it's relaxing in its own way.
Proud of their creation, Snow cleared his throat and continued his explanation.
Snow: The townspeople hold a bit of an annual festival in the Garden of Ice.
It’s for them to show how grateful they are to the super-kind and super-cute us for protecting them from the harsh elements of the North.
Right now, they're working on the centrepiece — which is of us twins.
Owen: A sculpture of the twins? Everyone here has clearly lost their minds.
Mithra: I get it now. All we have to do is destroy this evil.
Snow: Were you even listening!? You do not get it, and you have it all backwards!
Akira: Backwards? Which, uh, means that...
Snow: Actually, a fiend has been terrorising the Garden of Ice day in and day out.
I want to protect the sculptures from this fiend so that they may be completed.
Lennox: A fiend? That sounds dangerous.
Murr: But isn't this town protected by barrier magic from you two?
Shouldn't it be safe from invasion?
Snow: That's right. It is most certainly protected. The fiend is unable to breach the barrier, but it has large wings and is able to fly.
It often circles above the town, looking down upon the townspeople and making them uneasy.
Progress has been slow because the residents of this town have been so afraid. We received notice that they can't finish sculpting at this rate.
Akira: That makes sense. Even though you know it's safe, it's hard to not be afraid of going out into the open with a fiend like that around......
Being stared at by something not quite human, and not even knowing its intent — if this were back in my world, that was reason enough for it to become something like an eerie encounter with a cryptid creature.
Now that I think about it, we haven't seen a single local out and about. Maybe they're all locked away in their homes out of their fear of the fiend.
Mithra: In other words, you brought us here against our will, so we could chase away that creature.
Good grief. Please do not volunteer us for trouble.
Snow: Ohoho. That's because we have no idea what sort of fiend it is, other than it flies. It's always better to have more hands on board, after all!
Plus, I wouldn't be able to keep this trip a secret from White if I were to do this all by my lonesome. With you guys around, I have plenty of excuses at my disposal.
Akira: Say, you've mentioned that it's a secret from White. Why are you hiding it? It's supposed to be a town that belongs to the both of you...
Snow: Every year, White looks forward to the sculptures on display in this festival.
I would like White to not worry and to simply enjoy viewing the sculpture in all its glory.
Akira: (So it was something like that after all......)
At that moment, applause rang out in the previously silent town.
The person clapping was none other than Rustica, who wore a smile that expressed how touched he was at the sentiment.
Rustica: How heartwarming. It is all for White sama's sake that you go to this extent.
I truly understand, Snow sama. You only wish to see the one most important to you smile with nary a worry in mind.
I will do my best so that such a day may dawn upon us.
Rutile: I agree. Let's all work together to evacuate the creature.
Still, if it's for such a reason, I wish you'd say so from the start without hiding the facts from us.
Owen: Of course there's going to be omissions. There's no way we'd help out if Snow told us he just wanted to use us to score brownie points with his twin.
Well, just because we're brought here doesn't mean we'd cooperate.
Snow: Hey, it's not just for White! It's for the young wizards too!
Lennox: The young wizards?
Snow: That's correct. We planned to invite them to join in the festivities once the sculptures were completed.
Wouldn't you agree that it's important for them to be able to set aside their roles and responsibilities sometimes and just play around as children do?
Also, we love festivals. I'm sure that the smiles of the young would further brighten it.
Owen: What nonsense. You're just pushing the responsibility onto others.
Rustica: I, on the other hand, think it's a wonderful plan.
Thank you for suggesting it, Snow sama. I could see Chloe smiling and enjoying himself here.
Rutile: I'm sure Mitile and Riquet would have lots of fun here!
Lennox: Right, there aren't many opportunities for them to play in snow. Speaking of festivals, Cain and Shino seem like they would enjoy it here too.
Akira: Arthur and Heathcliff have been so busy with their official duties recently, and I'd like them to be able to just take a break and relax.
Nero: ... Well, now we know that the festival prep is held up, and that's no good.
Since we've come all the way out here anyway, there's no helping it. I'll do what I can.
Owen: I don't wanna. I don't care about this town or the young wizards.
[ Owen vanishes. ]
Akira: Wait, Owen...!
Murr: Ahaha, he got away!
Mithra: How irritating. He escaped alone.
... Well, even if that one person isn't around, we have me, so it'll be a piece of cake. Let's leave right away and get this sorted out.
[ Splat! ]
A very angry snowball came flying out of nowhere.
And that snowball hit Mithra right in the head.
[ Garden of Ice ]
Akira: Wow... No matter how many times I see it, the slide here looks so fun!
We quickly made for the Garden of Ice where the fiend was said to frequently appear.
I had been here before with the twins.
Just like before, a giant slide reminiscent of water slides at a theme park stood in the middle of the plains.
Rutile: You can ride a sled and slide on it. Oh, it even seats two! Looks fun!
Murr: Mithraaaa. Push our sled with all your might! I wanna go whoosh! Whooosh, I say!
Rustica: With a wizard as strong as Mithra giving us a great big push off the starting line, I'm sure we'll have a thrilling time.
Mithra: Yes. I am a thrilling man.
Mithra: Ready?
[ Whoosh! ]
Murr & Rustica: WHOOOOSH!
Akira: (Whoa, it's just like bobsledding...)
Past the snowy playground with the slide, there were the many sculptures the town residents had crafted.
From cute animals to little castles, there were many snow sculptures. Even in their half-complete states they made for a beautiful sight.
However......
Snow: It seems like work has completely stalled due to their fear of the fiend.
Not a single person was at work in the plains. The lonely sculptures awaited their completion.
Snow: Ah, our sculptures are nearly complete. This can't be helped in the least, but it still feels rather lonely.
Nero: These are kinda cool. They're well-crafted.
Rutile: Mhm. Look, it's Snow sama and White sama's sculptures!
They're lovely, and — oh, the detailing on even their accessories!
Nero: I guess it's to be expected from a town under the protection of the twins. They've got a knack for crafting.
Heath would be delighted. That kid sure loves his intricate crafts and all.
Lennox: On the other hand, Shino seems like he'd like that giant dragon over there.
Akira: Ahaha, I think so too. It's clear to anyone that he likes things that are strong.
Lennox: The bunnies and birds and little critters over here seem like they'd be Mitile and Riquet's favourite.
Walking around like this makes me want to show them the finished sculptures.
Nero: Yeah.
And to make that possible we've gotta get the residents back to work.
Akira: (He didn't seem in the least down for this at the start...)
(I wonder if Nero also started feeling like he wanted to show these to the younger wizards.)
Episode 4 ⭢