SOUTHERN FANTASIA | CHAPTER 2

[posseoir]

 

Cock Robin.  Oh,  oo- oh no!!

It was then that Cock Robin crossed the courtyard. The stack of luggage and papers he was carrying in his hands was about to collapse and topple over. Without a second thought, Lennox rushed over and caught the luggage as it was about to fall.

Cock Robin.  Oh, thank you, Mr. Lennox!

Lennox.  No problem. More importantly, are you okay? This is  …  a lot.

Cock Robin.  Honestly, as much as I'd like to say everything is okay, the truth is…  We have packages and papers addressed to the house which were delivered to the castle, but were too much for me alone…

His shoulders slumped. His complexion was pale and he looked exhausted.

Lennox cast a glance back at Figaro and Faust.

Lennox.  Dr. Figaro, Sir Faust. 

Since training is just about over, why don’t we provide some assistance?

Figaro.  Alright. There’s nothing urgent that I need to teach you, so it’ll be okay. Come, Faust.

Faust.  ....Fine. Because of this, we don't even know if we have an urgent request.

Cock Robin.  Thank you very much! Well, if you don't mind, can I please make a personal request that we deliver everything addressed to the wizards specifically? It's not a lot, but the addresses got all mixed up together. I'd really like to ask for some documents as well. There is some confidential information, and Mr. Drummond would be angry if I showed it to anyone other than the royal court….

Rutile.  We'll take care of it! Let's sort it out together and get them delivered to everyone.

Akira.  Since I can't help with the sorting, I'll go make some tea.

Nero.  Lemme tag along. The pound cake I baked yesterday should be ready to eat. 

After we do some sorting, we can take a break and dig in.

Rutile + Mitile + Cock Robin.  Yay!~  Tea from the sage and cake from Nero!

Shino.  Even Cock Robin.

Akira.  Ahaha.  I’ll be off for a little bit!

After taking a break for tea and a slice of Nero's cake, Cock Robin hurried off to run some urgent papers addressed to Arthur. The southern and eastern wizards made their way into the common room to sort through the remaining packages and letters.

Akira.  Everyone, I brewed some more tea. I'm going to put it right here, if you don't mind!

Rutile.  Thank you! Oh, Dr. Figaro. This letter is addressed to you.

Figaro.  Oh, is it a love letter?

Lennox.  I wonder. It seems to be from the daughter of the blue-roofed house. Does that ring a bell?

Figaro.  Ah, the four-year-old? The other day, I fixed her cavity, so I guess this is a thank-you.

Nero.  It's nice to do this kind of work once in a while. Making relaxing easy.

Faust.  You have a point. At least it doesn't look life-threatening.

Like Nero said, a leisurely and peaceful atmosphere was prevailing in the common room. The sound of paper rubbing against paper was pleasant to the ears.

Heathcliff.  Rutile, is this everything?

Rutile.  No, we have a few more! Mr. Leno, this letter seems to be addressed to you.

Lennox.  To me?

He looked at the address column and raised his eyebrows somewhat doubtfully.

Akira.  Did something happen?

Lennox.  No, it's... neither the sender’s name nor the address of the recipient is written. 

Only, "To Lennox. From the city of blacksmiths."

Rutile.  T-That's all......? I wonder how it got here.

Figaro.  Some sort of magic was used in an effort to reach Leno directly. It’s pretty weak, though. Before it could arrive, it must have started fading, so it got mixed in with a package to the royal palace.

Shino.  The city of blacksmiths is what we were talking about earlier, right? 

If you had an acquaintance there, you should have told us.

Lennox.  No....I am sure I don't know anyone in that town. None that come to mind, anyway.

Nero.  If they went to the trouble of sending it by magic, there's no way it could have been a mistake.

Figaro.  For now, why not take a look inside? There’s bound to be some answers.

Without a word, Lennox nodded and slowly opened the letter. 

As he unfolded the ivory-colored paper inside, his eyes widened slightly behind the lenses.

Lennox.  ….

Mitile.  Did’ya find out who wrote the letter?

When approached, Lennox immediately returned to his usual, calm demeanor.

Lennox.  Yeah. An old friend of mine named Ethan. 

Faust.  Ethan…?

Figaro.  ….

Lennox lowered his eyes and carefully brushed the handwriting on the letterhead. As if tracing a memory.

Rutile.  So the letter was from a friend of Mr. Leno's. What kind of person is Ethan?

Lennox.  He was the one who taught me how to handle weapons; I learned how to maintain and care for them, because of him. I knew no braver or stronger man. Because I resembled his late brother, he took me under his wing and cared for me. As my friend, he was also something like a brother. His presence was always comforting and supportive.

Mitile.  A dependable, older friend.... Somehow, Shino comes to mind.

Shino.  Certainly, for you, I am that kind of person.

Heathcliff.  Don’t say it yourself…

Akira.  (...What’s going on,  Lennox?)

He was unusually eloquent in his description of Ethan's personality. 

Nevertheless, I felt a hint of confusion in his downcast gaze.

Lennox.  …apologies for holding up the work. I will deliver what we’ve sorted.

Heathcliff.  Ah,  then,  I’ll carry the letters.

Mitile.  Me too!

Rutile.  And me!

Akira.  In that case, why don't we all go together?

Rutile + Mitile.  Ye~s!

Later that afternoon.

Akira.  Lennox, it's Akira. Do you have a minute?

Lennox.  Yes, go ahead.

When the sorting was finished, I paid a visit to Lennox's room. The letter had been bothering me. As I entered, the first thing I noticed was the ivory-colored paper spread out on the desk.

Lennox.  Supper will be served late today.  To prevent hunger pains, let me make some tea.

Akira.  Thank you very much. Um, the reason I'm here is because of the letter…

Sorry to be so personal;  but I thought maybe you and Ethan had problems in the past…

Lennox.  I see, so I went out of your way to... Sorry for the concern, Sage.

After offering me a cup of tea, Lennox sat down in the chair across from me. 

On the desk, he slowly laced his fingers together.

Lennox.  The letter read:

“Do you remember what happened that day? If so, come visit me. Ethan.”

Akira.  That day…?

Lennox.  Ethan is a wizard friend of mine from my days in the Revolutionary Army. I told you about his personality earlier. He lost his brother, who’d been his only family, to an unjust death, and he saw hope in a revolution which would change this country. He told me I had some resemblance to his brother, and that he loved me..... I looked up to him and depended on him. But…

Lennox breaks off. He continues slowly, as if simultaneously confirming and doubting his own conclusions.

Lennox.  Ethan changed. ...Ever since the day Sir Faust was burned at the stake.

CHAPTER 1 | CHAPTER THREE