centralgoldstar | Main Story 2 Chapter 9: Departure

Part 8 here     |     Part 10 here

Many thanks to twitter users @/makiharawataru, @/owenchanlovebot, and @/celestialrand for help with japanese and editing!
Part 9.1 Even after I turn to stone
The silver cloud covered the sun and cast a shadow on the face of Owen, who was smiling coldly in front of me. Behind him, the plants in the flowerbed and the branches of the great trees rustled like a beast that was raising its hackles.
The flower petals danced round and round in the wind, as Owen purred with a syrupy voice.
Owen: Come now, make your choice, Mister Knight. Will you keep silent for my sake? Or will you reveal my weakness to everyone to protect your teammates? No reason to hesitate, right? You must have made up your mind already. Enough with your ‘good guy’ act. Come out and admit you don’t care to help someone you hate. No one will judge you, Mister Knight, because everyone would do the same thing. See, Mister Knight?
Owen leaned forward as he whispered, his breath tickling my ear. Owen’s eyes, which had the same colors as mine like the image from a mirror, crooked in self-satisfaction.
‘No reason to hesitate,’ he said, and I would agree with him. I should protect my comrades’ lives. Even so…
Cain: I won’t make any choice.
Owen: ….What did you say?
Cain: I don’t want to tell everyone about your Affliction without your explicit permission.
Owen: Why?
Cain: Doing so would make you happy, it looks like.
Owen’s eyebrows drew together in obvious irritation. His gaze was like the point of a sword.
Wondering if there had been a misunderstanding somewhere, I elaborated on what I had said.
Cain: Don’t take it the wrong way. I’m not saying that I want to spend my whole life refusing to do things that would make you happy. What I’m thinking is that you’d love it if I decide you’re expendable, and that isn’t what I want you to be happy about.
Owen: I know that. I can’t stand what you’re saying precisely because I know that. What’s this yammer about my permission? You think a weakling like you can change my mind and get me to do whatever you say?
Cain: I can, if I talk to you with sincerity from my heart.
Owen: Such useless drivel. Your sincere heart isn’t even fit for feeding my dog.
Floating like a feather in the air, Owen looked down at me. The tips of his shoes were on the same level as my nose.
Owen: So what you’re saying is, o Mister Knight, you’re willing to sacrifice your precious teammates in order to be true to your honor? Odds are the Afflicted me will turn Riquet into dog food when you’re still persuading me, you know.
A bitter feeling rose in me as I heard those words. As my hesitation continued, the urge to tear at myself became deafening. However, I would definitely feel the same if I betrayed Owen and made his weakness public.
That was precisely the problem. I would be a failure no matter what I chose and end up with regret and hatred of myself. Perhaps this was what the malicious Owen was aiming at. No way I should let this situation drag on. I instinctively grabbed Owen’s ankle.
Cain: Hey, Owen…
Owen: Hah, what do you think you’re doing?
Cain: I’m doing what?
Owen: Holding my ankle. Do you want me to kill you?
Cain: You always disappear in the middle of talking. We’re not done yet.
Owen: It’s useless holding my ankle. I’ll disappear anyway. I can go anywhere, while you’re just a worm in the ground.
Cain: Got it, got it! I’ll let go, so please don’t disappear on me!
‘He’s so annoying.’ That was what I thought as I held both of my hands up and asked Owen.
Cain: About what you said earlier, that you know I don’t want to make you happy by betraying you.
Owen: What are you getting at?
Cain: Why would you be happy if I made that choice?
Owen’s lips curled up. He cheerily wagged his finger as he looked down at me.
Owen: Because you would know what a terrible person you really are, Mister Knight, and you would despair at this world accordingly. You would rend your garment and gnash your teeth, as you fume and resent the world that does not let you do your champion of justice act. I want to see you like that, Mister Knight. It’d be even lovelier if I had an artist commit such an image of you to canvas and hanged that painting in a cathedral. It would get more curious visitors to come than icons of heroes.
Cain: (He sure has terrible taste)
Owen: What do you think? That would be delightful, wouldn’t it? Even after you turn into stone, your name would live on under the ‘coward’ entry of a dictionary.
Owen snickered. He really reveled in acting creepy, ill-tempered, misanthropic, cruel. Had he been under my command, I would certainly tell him ‘Your mind is sure full of nasty ideas.’

Part 2: If I did this from the beginning
‘Hey, I don’t know what happened but let’s go for a drink! Let’s sing and dance! Stop dwelling on those dark thoughts!”
That was no way to deal with a Northern wizard. I tried such an approach with him many times before and got nothing but failure. Thinking a little, I decided to change tack.
Cain: You’re a Northern wizard. To you guys, nothing is more important than never losing to anyone.
Owen: Of course.
Cain: In that case, why would you be fine with me telling everyone your weak point? Is making me a coward such a big deal to you, such that it overcomes your distaste for defeat? That isn’t very Northern wizard-like, is it?
Owen: …..
Owen had no reply. He stared fixedly at me with a deep frown. His eyes were full of the kind of hatred and loathing a hurt young man would have for an enemy who burned down his village.
Owen: I hate you.
Cain: I don’t know why you would hate me. I have a different idea about what I would hate. Anyway, it is what it is. Let’s try to understand each other!
Owen: When I’m in the mood, I’ll…
Cain: Yeah yeah, you can kill me anytime you want. I’ve heard that so many times already. Anyway, let’s talk about something else for a change.
Owen: You…
Cain: You must have had enough of that, right? I’m the same. ‘Do you want me to kill you?’ ‘No I don’t’. We’ve had that talk countless times, so we know all too well where the other side stands on this topic. Time to put it aside, I think. Or wind it down to only once a day. That way, we can make use of what little time we have and progress with our conversation, right?
Cain: Get down here. Come on.
As I tried to persuade Owen with my body language too, at the end I pressed on the tip of his shoe a little. That was quite an all or nothing gamble, but Owen stared at me blankly and finally went back down. He summoned his magic focus and sat on it. With veins popping on his forehead, he crossed his legs and rested his chin on his hands.
Owen: This doesn’t mean I’ll do what you say. Is that clear?
Cain: Yeah, I know.
Owen: What do you mean by ‘progress with our conversation’?
Owen glanced at me. Though he was giving off the attitude of boredom, I could sense a tinge of curiosity from him. Was he interested in what I wanted to say even though he didn’t have the child-like personality at the moment? With that unexpected realization, I continued our talk.
Cain: To tell the truth, Owen, I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to see Riquet or Mitile get into a fight with the little you and end up getting eaten by Cerberus. However, I don’t want you to run into trouble with Mithra and Bradley because your weak point is revealed either. I’m in a bind and feeling like my mind is all jumbled up. So I’d like to search for a solution with you.
Owen: Why?
Cain: Eh?
Owen: Why would you think so? Don’t you hate me? You will kill me and take back your eye in the end, won’t you? You’d have a good shot at that if I got weakened, right?
Cain: That’s something different altogether. I want to get my eye back with my own strength. Taking the path you said is just dirty robbery.
Owen: Huh?
Cain: Uhm this is hard. How should I put it? You’re dangerous and a complete terror, but to me, that’s no reason to think that it’s OK to hurt you. That kind of thought would be no different from the rule forbidding wizards to join the Knights, you know?
Fixing his gaze on me, Owen listened to what I said attentively. I was startled to see him like that. So earlier I was the one who behaved rudely to Owen first. Being too worried for Riquet, I ended up talking carelessly about telling everyone his Curious Affliction. With such a course of action, only Owen would get hurt. No wonder he was irritated. If only I had met his eyes and talked to him like this right from the beginning…
Perhaps Owen would have listened to what I wanted to say without acting out.
The soft wind ruffled Owen’s bangs. After a long silence, he spoke up.
Owen: Tell me, why did the me that I have no memory of try to kill you?
Cain: Eh?
Owen: Shino has told me that he gave me eyedrops. I would never let anyone do that to me. Therefore, the me that I have no memory of must be pretty well-behaved. And yet, he tried to kill you. Why?
Cain: …That’s…

Part 3: Unravelling a spell
Owen: Answer me.
Cain: I made the little you angry. I was planning to leave him by himself, so he told me to die.
Owen: ….
Owen: You call the me that I have no memory of ‘the little Owen’, right?
Cain: That’s because you act like a child in times like that.
Owen: You would leave a little child by himself? Even though you were the Captain of the Knights?
Cain: That’s…
Owen’s face was all scrunched up as he aimed his contempt at me with all his might. Suddenly I was strangely anxious to explain myself. Even if Owen put on a mocking smile and put me down on the regular, I could never expect that he got palpably upset when he was disappointed for real.
Cain: Please hear me out. I’ve always thought of you as the Northern wizard Owen.
Owen: People do that, indeed.
Cain: Even though you act and talk like a child, I’m aware that you possess considerable power. That’s why I thought you’d be fine when you were by yourself. Now though, the way I think has changed. I won’t leave you by yourself and go anywhere.
Owen’s eyes widened. He smiled wryly as if to let out a sigh. The expression he was making was incredibly beautiful. Before I knew it, I couldn’t take my eyes off him as my breath was taken away. His face was like that of a dear friend.
Owen: I see. Is that why you told me you wouldn’t let me be left behind? In that case, why don’t you tell Mitile, Riquet, or Chloe something like ‘Don’t leave Owen alone when he acts like a child’? This way, the likes of Mithra will be none the wiser. Are you listening to me, Mister Knight?
Cain: Eh? Uhm, what were you saying again?
Owen: You little…
Cain: Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore you.
Owen shrugged. He gracefully crossed his legs on the top of this suitcase.
Owen: Mister Knight, Mister Knight, it’d be best you hurry up and grow stronger, then go and protect the little guys from the likes of the child me.
Cain: I’m well aware I need to do that. That’s why I try to improve by training every day. But…
Owen picked at his own bang in apparent boredom as his legs swinged to and fro.
Owen: Your spell is the problem.
Cain: My spell? You mean the spell I say when I cast magic?
Owen: That one. It isn’t bad per se, but its words are too grand.
The words of my spell were too grand?
Owen: Because of that, you can’t wield your spell properly yet. Ah well, it does sound just like what a Mister Knight would have though, so don’t mind it.
Cain: H- hold on, Owen. Explain that clearer to me, please.
I hastily asked him for help, because I could tell this could be the spur for my growth. Owen’s mouth made a dissatisfied moue. He seemed to regret bringing up the topic, because he abruptly looked away.
Owen: No. Go ask Oz instead.
Cain: Yeah, I’ll do that too, but sometimes I don’t really get what Oz is trying to say. He himself makes this face like he doesn’t know what to do when I can’t understand him. Perhaps Arthur and Oz understand each other so well because they have known each other for a long time. Occasionally Riquet and I are left behind as they go off to who knows where.
Owen: We don’t understand you lot either. His Highness on the other hand gets us better, probably because our temperaments are similar.
Cain: Your temperaments?
Owen suddenly turned to me and said.
Owen: Just like how you don’t understand Oz, sometimes I don’t understand the words coming out of your mouth either, Mister Knight. So I get why Oz would make that face. If you don’t phrase what you want to say well, you won’t be understood and can’t create the effect you wish in other people. It’s the same with the spirits.
Cain: The spirits?
Owen: What do you think the spell you cast is for? It’s to move the spirits with your words, of course.
The leaves rustled in the faint wind, as I looked around me. The limpid dews that lined the big leaves. The soft scent of the earth with a note of water in it. The sunlight that poured over the trees and shone through the great trunk. I could feel the spirits watching me and unconsciously took a deep breath.
Owen: The words of your spell are too strong for your magical power and age. In any case, it sounds like the spell of a Mister Knight so it’s still pretty nice.
Cain: What happens when the words of my spell are strong?
Owen: The same as when you say it to people. You’ll get laughed at.
Cain: L- laughed at? The spirits have been laughing at me all this time?
Owen: That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You can think of it like a fond smile?
Cain: Wait a sec, I don’t get it yet. I’ve been trying my best to look good to everyone.
Owen: I’m not saying that’s a bad look though.
Cain: But spirits have been laughing at me?
Owen: When a baby chews on their pacifier and babbles that the world belongs to them, no way you’ll take that seriously, right?

Part 4: To become a worthy wizard
Cain: That’s true…
Owen: It’s the same with your spell. You’re a funny baby. The spirits like you but they don’t take you seriously.
Cain: Uuhm.
Owen: Take Figaro as an example. When he says he’ll seize them and subject them to his rule, the spirits gulp and straighten their backs. Thus, they do as he bids without a question. That’s what the words of a spell should be like.
Cain: So that’s how it is.
I had a slight shock. It was the witch sisters from Central Country who taught me about magical spells. They told me to choose the words that I liked or those that I felt would spark my power, so I did accordingly. I was really fond of the spell I picked because it was dashing.
Seeing that I was upset, Owen frowned as if feeling troubled.
Owen: What’s with you? I explained about your spell just as you asked.
Cain: You really did. Thank you, Owen.
Owen: What’s with the gloomy act? Why are you talking like an old horse about to breathe his last?
Cain: You know, I thought my spell was cool and I was having a decent presentation of myself. Say, should I pick a new spell?
Owen: That would indeed help you improve faster. It isn’t a bad idea to stay with your current one though. Give it a try and grow to be worthy of your spell.
Cain: To be worthy of my spell?
Owen: Be a wizard that is the King of Knights instead of a baby, for one.
A wizard that was the King of Knights. Just as I was feeling depressed, those words set my heart ablaze.
Owen: Ah well, that may be too much for you though, Mister Knight.
Cain: No, it’s not. I will train diligently and become a wizard that is a good match for my spell. Just you wait.
Owen: Oh, or so you think. Show me what you have then. You’ll have trouble generating power until you manage what you claim though.
Owen’s lips curled up in a sarcastic smile. It seemed like he was making fun of me, but I had the feeling that he was trying to give me encouragement too. I felt strangely refreshed.
Cain: Thank you so much. I really mean it. With your advice, I think I’ll be of help to Master Sage and everyone even if we run into the wizard Nova.
Owen: …Nova?
Cain: Yeah. I don’t know if we can even find him, but we’re going to search for clues about him.
Owen: Mister Knight, you’re no match for him. He’ll turn you into stone.
My face went blank. Owen didn’t mince his words at all. I was once again made aware of how dangerous Nova must be if that was what Owen, who had had a run-in with him, had to say.
Cain: I’ll have to be very careful, I know. I’ll protect Master Sage and His Highness Prince Arthur.
Owen: Are you a fool?
Cain: Don’t worry. Oz and Shylock will be with us too.
Owen: ….
Owen seemed to be about to say something, but he only clicked his tongue annoyedly. On that note, he turned away and disappeared.

[In Cain’s room]
The next morning, on the day we left for Western Country, I sensed someone’s presence.
Arthur: Oh, looks like I woke you up.
The person in front of me was Arthur. He was glancing at me while touching my left wrist. His silver hair fluttered as he smiled mischievously. Seeing that expression of his, I remembered.
This was an experiment we had done countless times to see whether I could see the person who touched me while I was sleeping when I woke up. If I could see someone after touching them while being unconscious, how the Affliction from the Calamity worked would be obvious. On the other hand, in case I couldn’t see such a person, my vision of people would depend on my consciousness. If I was touched but wasn’t aware of that and ended up not seeing the person, maybe we could come up with some kind of plan.
For this purpose, Arthur had touched me when I was sleeping many, many times. However, I would wake up the moment he came into contact with me. That was because of my soldiering habits. If it hadn’t been Arthur, I would have woken up the moment my door moved.
Arthur: Sorry, I failed again.
Cain: Don’t worry about that. Good morning, Arthur.
The bed creaked as I stirred. I smiled when I looked up at Arthur, which he returned.
Arthur: You seem happy although our experiment failed.
Cain: It feels great to see someone when I wake up, and it’s even better when that person is you, Arthur.

Part 5: Please don’t go anywhere
Arthur: You certainly have it rough, Cain. This makes me want to come wake you up every morning.
Cain: Normally, it’s me who wakes up earlier than you and goes to wake you up. Looks like I overslept today.
Arthur: Maybe it’s because there’s no sun. There was a drizzle just now. Shall I carry your luggage to our rendezvous spot for you while you get ready?
Cain: There’s no need. I’ll get there right away after I change my clothes.
Arthur: Got it.
Arthur opened the window with magic and soundlessly got out of my room from there. On his broom, he flew into the sky. That must have been where he had entered my room from, trying to be as quiet as possible so as to not wake me up.
Cain: Haha.
I laughed to myself. It was just like Arthur to leave with the same route he had used for getting in.
[By the elevator]
When I arrived at the elevator, I only saw Arthur there. However, I could hear the voices of Riquet and Oz.
Riquet: Since we’re travelling to Western Country, I’d like to search for the treat Chloe recommended to me. Apparently it’s a confection that is like a kiss from an aristocrat. Are you listening to me, Oz?
Oz: I am.
Riquet: In that case, there’ll be markets that sell this confection and I definitely, certainly would like to…
Riquet: Oh, you’re here, Cain.
Cain: Hi, Riquet.
There was the sound of little feet running towards me, then my right hand was squeezed tightly. Right away, I could see Riquet, who was looking up at me. His hand never leaving mine, he pulled me in the direction of Oz’ voice.
Riquet: Cain, have you ever tried the confection that is like a kiss from an aristocrat? Do you know where it is available?
Cain: Since we are travelling to the Capital of Western Country, you’ll see it soon. It can be found everywhere there.
Something slightly brushed my fingertips when I was talking with Riquet. It was Oz’ fingers. He was there as I looked up.
Cain: Good morning, Oz.
Oz: ……
Oz wordlessly nodded. He was Arthur’s foster parent and the most powerful wizard in the world. It was incredibly reassuring to be in the same team with a wizard of his caliber. However, it could be unsettling to be around him too. One could see that he was a taciturn person who took things as they came, but once he bared his blade, he was utterly ruthless. Therefore, when the most powerful wizard that was him went overboard with something, no one would be able to stop him.
Cain: (And yet I am to put him under my command. That sounds no different from taming a giant dragon. I don’t know if I could… No, I can’t afford to be whiny. It’s for Akira and Arthur’s sake after all.)
Cain: Oz, chances are that we’ll run into Nova during this mission. I heard that even Mithra was no match for him, so we’ll have to rely on you. I’ll leave him in your capable hand.
I thought I had managed to express the gravity of the threat that was Nova. However, Oz’ expression was unchanged.
Oz: That’s Mithra though.
What he was implying was clear: I’m different from him, no one could defeat me.
Cain: (Wow, that’s so cool).
I genuinely wanted to be like him. No way the spirits would treat him like a baby and watch him while snickering. Arthur too was totally at ease and smiling as he looked up at Oz. In his eyes, there was nothing to worry about if Oz was by his side.
To be honest, I was really envious of Oz.
Owen: Mister Knight!
Out of nowhere came Owen’s voice. From the entrance of the floor where the elevator was, he made a beeline to our direction.
Surprise was all over Arthur and Riquet’s faces, while Oz frowned annoyedly. I swallowed my own startled cry.
His eyes on the verge of tears, Owen immediately looked for me. The way he acted was just like a child. He clung tightly to me.
Owen: Please wait, Mister Knight. Where are you going? Please don’t go *sniffs*
Cain: Owen…
Owen: I heard from Mithra that you’re about to leave for a faraway country, Mister Knight.
Owen anxiously cried out. He held on to me tightly. It didn’t seem that he would let go any time soon.
Riquet: Owen?
Arthur: Owen, what happened? You seem different from usual…

Part 6: The words one looks for when opinions clash
I winced at how confused Riquet and Arthur were. Owen didn’t want anyone to know about the Affliction he got from the Great Calamity. I must find an explanation for the current situation somehow…
Cain: Uhm, looks like he drank too much at Shylock’s bar yesterday.
Riquet: Oh, so he’s drunk?
Cain: Something like that, yeah!
Owen: Uuuh…
Cain: …..
Owen: That’s not true, Mister Knight. I was a proper good boy. I did my best.
Arthur: How unusual. This person who is currently here is certainly Owen, but he is acting like a child.
Oz: It doesn’t seem that this is someone else transforming into him.
Arthur: This reminds me. We still don’t know what Owen’s Affliction from the Great Calamity is. Can it be…
Arthur was too sharp. Once again, I couldn’t help but wince.
Cain: No! I mean, I think we should stop speculating about that.
Puzzled, Arthur looked at me.
Arthur: Is there something you don’t want to tell us?
Cain: No, well…
Riquet: Yesterday too, you looked like you weren’t telling the truth to me somehow. Can it be that you’re hiding something?
Cold sweats broke out on my back. I had to come up with a persuasive lie, but I couldn’t think of anything. When I was in such a state, Owen pulled at my arm and mournfully pleaded.
Owen: Mister Knight, where’re you going? Please take me with you.
Cain: Uhm, taking you with us is…
Owen: Please. I want to go with you, Mister Knight. Don’t leave me alone.
Cain: (Here it comes…)
I had the mother of all winces when faced with those round pleading eyes. Those words were bad news. I had to choose my words and act carefully. In the past, Cerberus had attacked me the moment I said no when Owen asked me not to leave him alone. As I desperately searched for a good way to pacify him in my head, Oz spoke first.
Oz: We won’t take you with us. Stay away from Cain.
Fixing his gaze on Owen, Oz took out his magic focus.
Oz: If you don’t obey, I’ll turn you into a lightning rod.
To Oz, Owen the Northern wizard was an entity who had made countless attempts on his life, so his reaction was understandable.
However, as Oz aimed his fury at him, the childlike Owen gulped, his face white as a sheet. Hiding behind my back, he trembled pitifully.
Owen: Please don’t be mad.
Of course he would be afraid. An angry Oz was really scary, and a child would feel that even more keenly. I couldn’t help feeling sorry for Owen as I looked at him. Apparently, Riquet was of the same mind.
Riquet: Oz, there is no need for you to be so highhanded like that.
Oz: Owen is very good at charade. He would act like he’s hurt to get his opponent to drop their guard then aim at the opening…
Riquet: Maybe he just wants to eat cakes and candies. He has a sweet tooth after all. Right, Owen? Do you want to taste the ‘Noble’s Kiss’?
Owen stared at Riquet. He seemed to be reacting more to Riquet’s smile than actually understanding his words when he nodded repeatedly.
Riquet: It’s just as I thought. If you only want to have some treats, we’ll let you accompany us.
Riquet pulled at Oz’ sleeve in a pleading gesture. Oz’ displeasure was palpable as he said.
Oz: No.
Riquet: Please don’t be so unreasonable. You’re more than 2000 years old already, aren’t you?
Oz: Owen isn’t an opponent I can take lightly.
Oz didn’t relent. He stared at Riquet with his bright, sharp eyes. If that hadn’t been Riquet standing there but another person, they would have burst into tears already.
Riquet: Master Sage said they wanted us to get along with each other. Are you planning to ignore Master Sage’s order, Oz?
Oz: Owen is a Northern wizard.
Riquet: You’ve said that already.
Oz: Don’t let your guard down around him.
Riquet: You’ve said that too.
Arthur: Now, now, please calm down. How about you, Cain? What do you think?
Arthur directed the conversation to me. Looking into his clever blue eyes, I knew that he wasn’t simply asking for my opinion. From how suspicious I acted to Owen’s unusual behaviour, he had noticed all of that and formed his own counsel.
Part 7: I can’t betray my heart
Even so, Arthur trusted me and asked me to tell them what I thought. Understanding that, I felt happy and proud. Owen anxiously looked up at me. I wrapped my arm around his back in a hug and nodded slightly. I had decided not to leave him behind, because I had chosen not to betray my heart. With that resolution, I spoke up.
Cain: Everyone, please listen to me. I know the reason why Owen is acting like this. However, I can’t talk about it since that would mean betraying Owen.
Oz: ….
Cain: He is the one who robbed me of my eye, and someday I’ll settle this quarrel with him. That hasn’t changed. However, in the present, betraying Owen will amount to betraying my heart. That’s why I’d like to take him with us to Western Country, until the original Owen returns.
I noticed that Owen’s back under my arm was slowly getting warmer. The eyes of different colors that were looking at me shined brightly. He was like a child who was given sweets for the first time.
Riquet: Cain…
Arthur: Got it. I agree with Cain’s opinion.
Oz: Arthur…
Arthur: Cain has said that he can’t betray his heart, and I’d like to safeguard it. We wizards use magic from our hearts after all. Besides…
Arthur smiled at Owen. Surprised, Owen looked back at him.
Arthur: I sense no evil from him. Even if he’s lying or putting on an act, to be this convincing at pretending to have an innocent heart means he remembers what it’s like to have one. In that case, I’d like to befriend him.
Oz: ….
Looking like he was sucking on a lemon, Oz didn’t say anything. However, as Riquet pulled at his hand time and time again, he let out a long-suffering sigh.
Oz: I’ll let him be until nightfall. During that time, if he acts up, I’ll expel him to the end of the earth.
Owen: The end of the earth? Where?
Oz: …..
Owen: Is that a scary place?
As Owen innocently asked, Oz fixed his stare on him for a long while. I had the feeling that Oz’ wariness and hostility softened into a more gentle, nostalgia-tinged sentiment. Perhaps he was having a vision of the past, when Arthur had asked him questions a child would ask.
Cain: Don’t worry. As long as you’re a good boy, everything will be okay.
I smiled at Owen to calm him down. He clutched at my arm and nodded happily.
Owen: Yes! That, I can do!
He had the face of a child being praised. Watching such an expression on him, I wanted to make him happy.
It took no time for Arthur and Riquet to warm up to Owen. They chatted about sweets and soon the atmosphere became like that of a festival.
I discreetly approached Oz. As I made a little signal to attract his attention with my fingers, he lowered his head for me. With Oz doing as I wished, I whispered into his ear.
Cain: There’s something I want to tell you and only you. Please don’t leave Owen by himself. If we do that, he’ll release Cerberus to attack us.
Oz took a step back from me. After a long stretch of silence, he muttered curtly.
Oz: That’s what he always does though.
Cain: Ah, yeah. That’s how he typically behaves around you. It must be a pain when someone wants to pick a fight with you every day.
Without thinking, I clapped his back to show my appreciation for him. So powerful people had their own kind of troubles too.
Cain: I can’t tell you the details, but in the present, he’s a good boy and he wants to keep being that. However, if we leave him behind, he’ll get angry and use Cerberus to attack us. I’d like to protect Arthur and Riquet. Can you refrain from blasting Owen to the other side of the world?
Oz looked at me in silence. His gaze seemed to be asking me ‘why would you want to do that?’.
I didn’t know the answer to such a question either. Perhaps this was only a goody-two-shoes act, but my heart had spoken.
Owen was dangerous. However, he was on the same side as us. Furthermore, in the present, he was also a child who deserved protection.
What a mess. I myself was confused. The villain whom I should defeat as a knight and the helpless child whom I should protect were both in the same vessel.
Oz: So things will be fine as long as we don’t leave him alone. I see.
Cain: I think so, yeah.
Oz: Understood.
Cain: I’m glad to hear that. Thank you.
I let out a sigh in relief and clapped Oz’ back. As I was doing that, I heard the voices of the Western wizards. There was Akira’s voice too. I could sense them taking in a sharp breath of surprise as they walked in our direction. Apparently they had noticed that Owen was different from usual.
Akira: Good morning, Cain.
I held out my hand as Akira’s footsteps got closer. Then came the sound of their hand hi-fiving mine. Without saying a word, they asked with their eyes ‘is everything okay?’.

‘All is well,’ I replied by nodding. Looking visibly relieved, they went to have a chat with Owen. They too were aware that Owen didn’t want people to know about his Affliction from the Calamity and were worried about him, so they decided to accompany him during conversation.
Akira was always so helpful like that, even though they arrived in a world they knew nothing of all alone. From time to time, I thought about the world Akira should return to and the day when that would happen. And I thought about me and the way I had completely forgotten how the face of the previous Sage looked like.

Part 8: The Sage and the Sacrificum
[Inside the elevator]
With a clang, the elevator moved.
Earlier, as soon as Owen and I got in the elevator with the Central and Western wizards, it groaned shakily. Therefore, we decided that the Western wizards and I should take the first turn to travel to our destination.
The little Sacri-something perched on my shoulder. From time to time, it floated around or touched my shoulder or leaned against me. As I looked at the little Sacri-something, Chloe got curious about it and smiled.
Chloe: Master Sage, what a cutie! Where is it from?
Akira: Oh, the twins gave it to me. They said it would act as my protective ward and sacrifice.
Shylock: Oh, so it’s a Sacrificum.
Murr: I wonder if the twins would hear us when we gossip behind their backs.
Chloe: A Sacrificum? So it’s a living being? What’s its name?
Akira: Uhm, I don’t plan to name it since it isn’t my pet.
Chloe: Really? But ‘Sacrificum’ is kinda unwieldy, don’t you think? May I call it Sacri?
The deepest corner of my heart tingled with an aching sweetness as I heard Chloe’s suggestion. It was like a thorn was pulled from my flesh. I felt at once pain, a burden being off my chest, regret, and relief.
Akira: …Sure.
Chloe: Yay! Little Sacri, nice to meet you!
Chloe reached out with both his hands and cupped Sacri’s face, then ruffled it affectionately. Sacri stayed still the whole time Chloe petted it, its eyes half-closed like it was smiling. The cuteness was off the charts. I wanted to do the same thing but couldn’t bring myself to for some reason.
As I stayed paralyzed, Sacri lay down and meowed.
Akira: (Aww, that’s so cute. Looks like it loves being petted? Good for you, Sacri).
As I looked up with such a thought in my head, the wall of the elevator was in front of me. Every time I used the elevator, I remembered the first time I came to this world.
Akira: (The first person I met in that mysterious elevator was…)
Murr: Master Sage? What’s the matter?
Akira: Ah… Uhm, it’s nothing.
Chloe: Is Owen alright? Did he become like a child after eating some strange sweets?
Murr: That sounds just like a joke! He ate a candy and then started acting weirdly?!
Rustica: Don’t worry. Lord Oz is with him.
Shylock: Let’s see. Just as one can’t guarantee that there’ll be no problem because he’s an adult, one can’t say it for certain that problem will definitely arise because he’s a child.
Chloe: Huh? Explain it to me again.
Shylock: Riquet and Owen are excited about the confection you recommended to them, Chloe.
Chloe: Ehehe, it’d be nice if everyone loves my favorite treat. Do you like it, Shylock?
Shylock: Yes.
Murr: It’s the ‘Noble’s Kiss’, you know.
Rustica: That’s indeed a confection I enjoy. How about you, Master Sage?
Akira: I think I’ll like it. I love sweets in general.
The Western wizards took how unusually Owen acted in stride without doubts or suspicion. It was just like them to be so comfortable around abnormality. That was what crossed my mind as I joined in the conversation with them.
Akira: (I just remembered. Bradley said he wanted us to search for Murr’s labs. I wonder what will come of that talk. Murr’s labs… Does Shylock know about them?)
As I stole a glance at Shylock’s profile, Murr enthusiastically called out.
Murr: Soon we’ll arrive in our destination!

Part 9: A colourful encounter
Murr: Arri~val! Western Country~!
[In front of the elevator]
We arrived at the Tower of Western Country.
Rustica: The wind feels so nice, doesn’t it? I’m glad that the weather is favorable here too.
Chloe: The clouds are dark over there though. Perhaps it’s raining.
Chloe: Oh? What’s…?
Chloe’s attention was captured by something as he was pointing to the dark sky. Something was flapping about as it crossed the sky.
Akira: Is that a tile from the roof of someone’s house?
The little dot fluttered about wildly then made a sudden dive. Besides the red, there was yellow on it too. What I thought was carried away by the wind was actually something that moved by its own will.
Akira: (It’s going in our direction?)
Rustica: Is that a bird?
Murr: No, a human!
Chloe: A human?!
Shylock: He meant that’s a human magically transformed into a bird, I guess?
That was why the bird wasn’t used to flying. I glanced at Sacri on my shoulder. Bathing in the wind, it casually made itself comfortable. If Sacri had no reaction, then there was likely nothing dangerous to us. I supposed it was the bird whose life was at risk, not ours.
As the colourful bird looked around in apparent panic, it was hit by a strong gust of wind and soared into the sky. Then, with its wings weakly folded away, it made a nosedive onto the ground.
Akira: Oh no…
Chloe: We must help it!
Chloe called up his broom and mounted it. Next to him, Murr raised his right hand.
Murr: Leave it to me! Eanul Lambrul!
As Murr cast his spell, a gentle light wrapped around the colourful bird, which was then carried to where we were standing as it softly floated in the air.
Chloe: What a relief! Thanks, Murr!
Murr: You’re welcome!
I carefully reached out with both my hands towards the colourful bird wrapped in light. The bird was immediately dropped into my arm with a dull thud.
???: …….
The colourful bird was heavier, softer, and warmer than it looked. However, its wings were spread out and its back was getting colder.
Chloe: Is it okay?
Rustica: What beautiful wings of rainbow colours. Maybe this is my bride…
Shylock: It’s likely that this bird is not. Oh look.
The bird slowly opened its eyes. Suddenly it flew up. Flapping its wings wildly, the bird began to chirp.
Akira: It seems that the bird wants to tell us something. Could you please transform it back to human form?
Murr: Sure! Eanul lambrul!
Murr cast his spell. However, the colourful bird stayed the same even as a faint light appeared around it.
Murr: What?
Shylock: Perhaps I should give it a try. Invibelled.
His pipe in hand, Shylock cast his spell. Smoke from the pipe curled around the colourful bird. However, the bird was still a bird.
Shylock: Oh dear….

Part 10: What has reached our ears
Rustica: The magic certainly holds very firmly. It must have been cast by an expert in magical transformation.
Chloe: You can’t lift the spell either, Rustica?
Rustica: If it’s impossible for Shylock then it’s impossible for me. Perhaps even Lord Oz can’t do anything about this.
Akira: Even Oz?
Shylock: The line of magic for transformation or changing one’s appearance is of a different nature from the magic Oz and the Northern wizards have aptitude for. We all know that Chloe has better make-up skills than Oz and Mithra. This is just like that.
Akira: I see… But does this mean this person will have to stay a bird forever?
Perhaps the colourful bird understood what I was saying, because it jolted upright as if in shock.
???: …….!
Right after that, it collapsed like a sack of stones onto my palms.
Rustica: Oh, that’s a citizen of Western Country alright.
Shylock: It does seem to be the case.
Murr: One of the legs is spasming even. Excellent attention to details in self-expression.
Chloe: For some reason I like this bird already. Everyone, is there anything we can do for it?
Murr: Hmmm.
Murr: Eureka! Let me give it a try one more time!
Akira: Please do!
Murr: Here I go! Eanul Lambrul!
A bright light covered the colourful bird just like before. The bird woke up and chirped repeatedly as if to make an urgent plea. Then something extraordinary happened. Within seconds, the mournful cry of the bird gradually made way to…
The voice of a human.
???: …Da—
Chloe: Oh!
???: …Damn…
???: Damn those accursed wizards for turning me into this shape!
The Western wizards: ……
???: I’ll never let this go! What on earth are they planning to do to my Liliana?! I told her it was a bad idea to go to the Royal Palace! Aaah, I must go rescue Liliana….!
???: This lot here seem more tolerable at least. I should use them to turn me back to human somehow.
???: Hey, what are you staring dumbly at? Get back to work! Be useful for once in…
???: What?! I’m talking like normal? But I’ve been chirping all this time?! Does this mean everyone here understood everything I’ve been saying?!
Shylock: Yes.
???: ……
???: Peep… peep…
Chloe: It’s useless to do that, you know. Sorry, we’re just a bunch of accursed wizards like you said.
???: No, no, no, I’m not saying that, I’m not saying that.
Rustica: So, you’re going to make use of us and have us turn you back to human, apparently.
???: I’d never say something so ugly like ‘using’ someone. What I mean is, I would be delighted if you are so generous as to lend me a hand.
Rustica: Unfortunately, I have bad news for you. We can’t return you to normal.
???: Aaah, please don’t play a prank on me like that.
Murr: He’s telling the truth though! Just like how it’s 100% true that we have a friend who loves fried chicken!
???: Stop, stop, stop, don’t talk so cruelly. Oh, the dignitary over here seems full of compassion! May I ask for your name?
As soon as the beak of the bird got close to me, Sacri slowly batted at the bird with its front legs.
???: Hey, cat! Stop being naughty! I’m only asking for their name! Let’s act like gentlemen, shall we?
Keeping a close eye on Sacri, the colourful bird fluttered around me.
???: Understood? Put your claws away! I’m not trying to take your place as their pet.
???: I have kept you waiting. Pardon my rudeness. Allow me one more try. Could you tell me what your name is?
Akira: Uhm, I’m Akira.
???: What a beautiful name! The sound of it gives off such a gentle impression!
Chloe: It isn’t just your impression. Master Sage is really gentle and kind.
???: Master Sage?
Shylock: This is Master Sage, who was summoned from another world. And we are the Sage’s Wizards.
???: What did you say? Looks like I’ve hit the jackpot after all!
The colourful bird flew up and made a gesture like a bow in front of me.
???: O Great Sage, please have mercy on this helpless soul. I’m Gregory Perch, a retainer of the Great Noble House Cortese of Western Country. A great danger has befallen my master Lady Liliana.
Akira: Lady Liliana…
Gregory: Your Eminence, please lend me your strength. I have the misfortune of being turned into a bird. Even so, please aid me in the rescue of Lady Liliana!