SOUTHERN FANTASIA | CHAPTER 10

[posseoir]

Liam. A blessing here…. Sure, I'd be happy to help.

Lennox. Thank you. That means a lot to me, Liam.

Liam. I should be the one thanking you. To be able to teach someone who cares so much about my master how to make knives …. I'm going to have to put a lot of effort into it so that my master won't laugh at me for still being a novice from the grave.

Figaro. We'll lend a hand, too. Let's give everyone waiting outside a holler.

Thus, we set about making our talisman knives.

Lennox. …I did it.

After several hours of instruction from Liam, we finally succeeded in completing Lenox's knife with the help of the wizards waiting outside. Light shining into the workshop reflected off the carefully polished tips of the blades.

Liam. That's a beautiful knife. Hard to believe this is your first time making one of these.

Lennox. It’s thanks to you and everyone else who helped.

Lennox raises his knife and narrows his eyes dazedly.

His sharp, confident profile was covered in a bead of sweat, and he was smiling brightly.

Mitile. That knife is so cool! I think your friend would be pleased!

Rutile. Yes, surely! Let’s show it to Ethan as soon as possible.

Lennox. I agree. Before the sun goes down, we'll make an offering at Ethan's grave.

After that, Lennox stood in front of Ethan's grave with the finished knife in his hand. As the sun was setting, a soft breeze gently swayed the wild flowers which had been placed along with the knife.

Lennox. ….

Faust, Figaro and I watched from a distance.

The other wizards and Liam had gone inside the store.

Lennox. …Ethan. Be at peace, my friend.

I pray that this knife will never rust, and that it will always protect this place. <Forsettao Meiuvat.>

Then Figaro and Faust stood alongside him.

Figaro. <Possideo.>

Faust. <Satillquinart Mullcreed.>

Through the clouds, a faint light shines on the area where Lennox and his friends are.

Like a smile bidding farewell, quiet and warm.

Lennox. Well, in celebration of your safe return. Cheers.

Figaro + Faust. Cheers.

Lennox. …There is something nostalgic, different, and strange about this.

Figaro. …Yeah. We never used to drink together.

Though, there were banquets where all three of us gathered.

Faust. Occasionally Figaro and I would share a drink, but I think Lennox was more likely to drink with Ethan if we were alone.

Lennox. True, I feel Ethan taught me the limits of drinking.

About fighting, about the world, and everything else.

Faust. You were a little like Shino and Mitile, although a little too young for a proper comparison. Brothers, but not really brothers.

Figaro. I honestly don't know much about Ethan, but the fact Liam adored him so much suggests he wasn't a bad guy. We talked about him throughout his treatment. He’s a good kid who believes in his master with all his heart.

Lennox. Ethan was a wonderful teacher.

I have heard in the artisan community that if the master is good, the apprentice will be good too.

Figaro. I guess that means I was a good teacher then.

Faust. Hah?

Lennox. I'm glad he was able to find something important in his last days.

Figaro. …Lennox. When you opened that door, how were you feeling?

Lennox. …. Right….

It is hard to put it into words….. but I have no regrets.

Faust. …I see.

Lennox. My sincere apologies to both of you for the worry. Thank you for sticking by me all these years.

Rutile. Good evening! I see you are all here.

Mitile. Ah, Dr. Figaro, you're drinking again!

Figaro. Haha, I've been exposed. You guys are all together, what's up with that?

Akira. Well, that’s…

Shino. Nero made way too much food for the night. You guys should come eat too.

Faust. Nero? You didn't have it made in advance?

Nero. No, well ….

I was trying out the new knife, cutting this and that, and it was sharper than I thought it would be….

Faust. I see. So you made a big batch of the cut ingredients for tonight's dinner.

Nero. …Yeah.

Heathcliff. I took a peek in the kitchen earlier and it was a real feast.

We all need to eat it or we may never run out.

Akira. Would you like to join us, too?

Of course, if you want to have dinner with just the three of you, that's fine.

Figaro smiled indulgently and stood up upon my invitation.

Figaro. Guess I'll tag along. And what about you two? I can bring some snacks.

Faust. I'll leave it to Leno.

Lennox. Then, we are coming, too. We were just starting to feel the effects of intoxication.

Rutile. Well then, let's have the party here! We'll bring a lot of food.

With everyone working hard to bring out the food, the common room quickly became a bustling place. The adults opened new bottles of wine, and the young wizards and I poured juice. A delicious evening meal and memories of the day's events were the perfect accompaniments to the party.

Lennox. ….

I looked over at Lennox, who was sipping his glass and watching the wizards with a peaceful gaze. When he notices me staring at him, he smiles modestly in return.

Lennox. It's a nice evening. A little noisy, a little fun, kinda eye-opening.

…I wish such a peaceful night would last forever.

As Lennox mutters this, Faust is receiving an explanation of the dishes from the younger wizards. Surrounded by everyone, he looks a little distressed, but he also looks happy.

Lennox. …Ethan really was a nice guy. He always had consideration for someone else, and had faith in humanity. But the end of the Revolution was so heavy and painful for him that he cursed everything….

Lennox's eyes were downcast. His eyes, like fire and blood, had seen things I could not imagine.

Lennox. …And yet, at the end of the day, he was able to turn his attention toward his own happiness. That is very fortunate. ….I wish, one day, Sir Faust will be able to achieve his own happiness…..

Lennox's quiet voice spins a simple prayer.

It is a momentary prayer, like a crescent moon among the clouds.

Akira. ( ….but….)

Someday, I imagined, Lennox's wish would come true. It could be a night like tonight, a little noisy, a little fun, a little eye-opening. And hopefully Lennox will be there at that time and place. Alongside him … like a talisman knife shining in the setting sun.

End.

CHAPTER NINE

~ TRANSLATION MASTERLIST ~