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May. 4th, 2024
Chapter 1
Announcer: Come one, come all! The time has come for the curtains to rise on this bewildering, bemusing, bizarre show!
‘Tis the one day of the year where wizards make the most merry, the night of Walpurgis!
Tonight we present to you a play of laughter and jests, dedicated to this very special festival.
Don’t take your eyes away from the stage, it’s The Lying Pierrot!
???: (...Ah. The curtains are rising. This is it, the final stage.)
(Crumble down. Break to pieces. Take this entire garden with you.)
(...Just you wait, Iris. Tonight it all ends by my hands.)
Now, let the tragedy begin.
Invited by Chloe and Rustica, we were at the flea market.
Chloe: This cup is cute. It’s a bit on the small side, but I like the grip.
Akira: Oh, that is nice! Maybe I’ll get a new cup too.
Rustica: How about this one, Master Sage? From the handle to its face are beautiful drawings etched upon it. Truly an item of refinement.
Akira: Hmmm, it is a pretty design, but…it’s missing the bottom of the cup.
Rustica: Unique indeed. Its only flaw is that it makes it hard to drink!
Chloe: Talk about a big gaping flaw…
On my shoulder sat snugly was Saccy as we made our way through the crowds.
From junk to antiques, anything was sold. It was like treasure hunting to browse through an assortment of items and pick up one that you fancied.
Booth Owner: Come, come! There’s aplenty wares here in stock, begging for your attention! There may be imperfections, but I'm willing to haggle!
Akira: Oh…
Rustica: Master Sage, is there something that interests you?
Akira: I just thought this thing was cute.
Among the items lined up in the small booth were charcoal stained portraits and broken flower vases.
Inbetween them sat a worn out tin doll.
Chloe: Aw, what a lovable face! It’s even got some clown clothes on.
Booth Owner: That’s a good eye you got, young mister! This here’s a strange little doll, y’see. It occasionally sings!
Akira: It sings? Even though it’s a doll?
Chloe: Is it a magic item?
Booth Owner: I dunno. That’s why it’s an oddity.
But I will tell ya, it’s got a lovely voice. ‘Cept it only sings when it wants too.
???: …La la la…
Out of nowhere, a voice suddenly sang.
Vest Wearing Boy: “Let us meet on Walpurgis Night”
Curly Haired Boy: “The night where wizards make the most merry A tale of laughter that will be our little secret”
The voices belonged to a pair of little boys who were passing by.
Their childlike voices sang a strange melody of high and low pitches.
Although it was the first time I’ve ever heard of it, Rustica listened closely as if it was a childhood song.
Rustica: What a nice melody…it does not leave your head once you hear it. Did you kids come up with it?
Vest Wearing Boy: Nope! It’s from the “Garden of Delusions”.
Curly Haired Boy: That’s the name of the theatre troupe near the town beside us! They sing that song there.
Chloe: That’s…
Booth Owner: Hey runts, don’t you go telling my customers any weird stuff.
Go somewhere like that and you’ll turn crazy. Y’know, there’s been some creepy rumours about them recently.
Akira: Like what?
Booth Owner: I dunno the specifics, but a certain performance they’ve been throwing there makes your head all loopy.
Well, not like the place hasn’t always been weird. They got all sorts of performances you wouldn’t see anywhere else in the country, for good reason.
Rustica: Is that so. It sounds like a place where we can watch very thrilling shows.
Booth Owner: Probably. Anyways, these rumours haven’t been here long. Just about started when that Great Calamity visited last.
That darned moon has been making the bizarre get even more bizarre.
Chloe & Akira: …
Hearing that, we all looked at each other.
Booth Owner: By the way, will you folks be buying that doll? Yes? No?
Akira: Ah, uhm…
Rustica: It is an interesting doll. I’m very intrigued by what song it will sing.
Sacrificium: …
Akira: (If it’s got the OK from Rustica and Saccy, I guess it’s not dangerous…)
Chloe: Then…why not, let’s buy it!
Booth Owner: Thank ya kindly!
That night…we lined up the goods we bought at the flea market on the dining table, and were having ourselves a relaxing teatime.
Chloe: Mmmm, what a nice smell!
Akira: Such a soothing and sweet scent. It makes me calm down.
Rustica: I’m glad you like it. It’s going to be perfect for winding down after a long day.
Lennox: Mm, you could fall asleep to this. Thanks for showing it to us too.
Mitile: Yeah, I feel all warm now! These teacups are also so stylish, and…
Where his eyes moved to, we all followed to the centre of the table…
There sat the clown clothed tin doll, with its head tilted the same as before.
Mitile peered at the doll through the steam of the teacups beside it.
Mitile: The booth owner said this little doll can sing, right? I wonder if that’s true.
Rustica: I wonder too. This little one sings whenever it wants, so when it feels up for it I’m sure it will let us hear.
Chloe: Even we hum a tune when we feel like it. Singing when you want to sing is the best!
Lennox: I agree. Perhaps it’s just feeling a bit pressured by our expectations.
Mitile: Me too! Back home, whenever there’s a large gathering we just start making music ‘cuz we feel like it!
Lennox: Yeah. At that birthday party we went to recently, Rutile’s humming influenced everybody, and suddenly the plate and glass clinking turned into a whole chorus.
Mitile: And you sang too, Mr. Leno! When everyone’s voices came together, and you joined in, the harmony made was so nice!
Akira: I’ve never really heard Lennox sing…but you do have a handsome voice, so you must be good!
Lennox: Really?
Chloe: Rutile told me about it too! “Mr. Leno sings super well!” and such.
Rustica: A song with a voice as deep as yours would be most charming to hear indeed. May I request a song?
Lennox: Uhm, here?
Chloe & Rustica: Yes!
Lennox: Hmm…you did treat us to this delicious tea. Then, as my thanks.
He shifted his cup away, took a deep breath, and started singing.
I let out a breath at his singing voice, that sounded as if he were talking to me gently, and coaxing me to sleep surrounded by the quiet night.
Faust: You’re pretty good.
Lennox: Ah…Lord Faust.
Nero: I was wondering who that voice belonged to. So it was you, Mister Shepherd.
Rustica: Hello, looks like we have more friends to join us. Lennox, your voice echoed the same way a high quality instrument would. It was so soothing to hear.
Mitile: Heehee, right!
Akira: Yes! I feel calm all over!
Chloe: Yeah, yeah! I almost swooned!
Lennox: Haha, thank you. Compliment me that much and I’ll get embarrassed.
Nero: You guys’re having a little tea party yeah? Have these, they’re fruits I didn’t end up using.
Mitile: Yay! Thank you, Mister Nero.
Faust: …Hm? …This doll…
Owen: Someone doesn’t belong here.
Chloe, Mitile, & Nero: !?
Akira: Owen!?
Owen, who had suddenly appeared, stretched his arm out to Nero and his plate of cut fruits.
He plopped them into his mouth one by one as he sat down in a chair.
Akira: By that ‘someone’, did you mean this doll…?
Owen: I can sense something strange coming from it. You guys were having tea with this thing and didn’t notice? Birdbrains.
Also, why even bother serving a doll tea? I’ll be taking his.
Chloe: W-Well, Rustica said he didn’t sense anything weird from it.
Rustica: Yes. Though the stranger’s presence on it does add a mysterious flair to it.
This doll must’ve been treasured by its previous owner.
Chloe: So you DID notice something! Wait, erm, if you put it like that it doesn’t sound like it’s a bad thing…
Faust: I don’t sense any malevolence, so it doesn’t seem to be dangerous…
But it may house its previous owner’s will or energy. Old items tend to have that.
Lennox: The booth owner did say it was an odd doll. To think it’d be more than that.
Rustica: It sings whenever it feels like it. Nero, Faust, why don’t you try singing to it in encouragement?
Faust & Nero: No thanks.
Owen: …
Chloe: …Owen, are you interested in the doll’s singing too?
Owen: No. I just came here for some night time snacking. Nero, make something for me.
Nero: I still have the cookies I baked this afternoon…
Owen: That won’t fill me. Make something on the side too.
Nero: Uhh, yessir.
Faust: Well, I’ll be returning to my room. Don’t stay up too late now.
Rustica: My, it’s already this late. We were having such a blast that we missed the time.
Chloe: We sure did. I guess that’s a wrap for tonight.
Lennox: Mm, see you tomorrow. Master Sage, I’ll escort you to your room.
Mitile: I’ll come too!
Akira: Thanks, you two. Goodnight everyone.
Thanks to the tea Rustica poured for me, I felt sleepy as soon I hit my bed.
I pet Saccy who was nestled by my pillow, and closed my eyes…and after a while…
Akira: (Huh…?)
Before me was a room I never saw before.
It seemed to be a dusty and dimly lit storage room. In this blurry scenery I heard two voices talking.
Black Haired Girl: …And then, the crowd went wild! Tonight went great as well.
Gosh, I wish that were me…what do I do to sing as strong and captivating like that?
Male With Long Bangs: …
Their backs were to me so I couldn’t catch their faces, but the young man writing in his book was being talked to passionately by the girl.
Aside from the occasional “hmms” of acknowledgements he made, he barely talked.
Akira: (...I wonder why...I feel like I’ve seen this before.)
Even though I shouldn’t remember this place, something drew me to it in a familiar way. The same way that felt like I was reminiscing on a memory, but someone else’s.
Black Haired Girl: Shoot, it’s already this late! I gotta go rest, or I’ll be late for tomorrow’s prep!
Well then, nighty night!
She waved her hand goodbye and ran off. The young man finally looked upwards, in the direction the girl ran off from.
Male With Long Bangs: …, …
In the silent storage room the young man was muttering something to himself, and it eventually turned from humming into a song.
Male With Long Bangs: La la la…
Akira: (Wait, this song…)
Collecting my memory of where I heard it before, I recognized it as the song the children were singing at the flea market.
Akira: (It’s a strange melody, but still a nice song…)
Male With Long Bangs: …Hey, you.
Can you hear this song? Can you hear me?
If you can…my…wish…
Akira: (Eh…? Is he talking to me…?)
Male With Long Bangs: …Please, that girl,...
That distinct voice grew further and further away, as did the blurry scenery.
Like I had reached the end of the film reel, it all turned to black.
As if I was unearthing myself, I slowly woke up.
Akira: (What was that dream…?)
???: La la la~
In my drowsiness, I heard a voice sing. It was the same song as the one from my dream.
Owen: Wakey wakey Master Sage. Did you have a nice dream?
Akira: Owen?
Index >
Chapter 2
Owen: There happened to be a door left unlocked, so I came in.
This thing can start singing whenever it wants. I kept it since I wondered what song such a shabby doll could even sing.
Bathed in the faint moonlight from my window Owen was sitting on my desk.
I thought it was him singing when I woke up, but it appears that wasn’t him.
Tin Doll: “Let us meet on Walpurgis Night”
“The night where wizards make the most merry A tale of laughter that will be our little secret”
Akira: The doll…
Owen was carrying the tin doll that Rustica should have carried back to his room in his hands.
Shino: Sage!
Akira: Shino!
Shino: Owen…so it really was you. I thought I sensed something and came to check.
Rustica: We’re here too. We were searching for something.
Chloe: This song is…ah, the doll!
Owen: Oh shut up. It’s the middle of the night, don’t be so loud.
From behind Shino’s back, Rustica and Chloe stare at the doll in Owen’s hands.
Smiling pleasantly, Rustica waved his finger with grace.
Rustica: So you were keeping it safe, Owen. I couldn’t find it anywhere in my room, so I figured it went out on a walk.
What a pleasing and attractive voice it has. Just as the booth owner said, how splendid.
Shino: A singing doll…? Don’t bring random junk into the manor or Faust’ll look at you weird.
Akira: (He did…)
Tin Doll: La, la la la~
The doll continued singing. There were some pauses in the middle of its singing, like a phonograph’s needle going off record. Still, I recognized that voice.
Akira: (Its voice is kind of similar to that man in my dream…)
Chloe: This…is the song those kids from the flea market were singing.
Rustica: It is. A unique and mysterious song that makes you want to hum along. I could never forget such an amusing melody.
Especially its refrain “Let us meet on Walpurgis Night”.
Walpurgis Night, the once in a year festival for wizards and only wizards.
The celebrations differ from country to country, and I’ve been to where it originated from, in the Northern Country.
Owen: Not exactly what you’d listen to at night. Well, not bad, dolly.
Rustica: I’m glad he felt comfortable enough to finally sing. Could you tell that it wanted to sing Owen, and brought it out?
Owen: As if. I just…felt that I saw this thing before.
And, this song too. I thought I remembered something…
Umm…
Shino: You’re not making much sense. Well, you have lived a long time, so there’s obviously gonna be things you lose to old age.
Owen: Don’t you treat me like a grandpa. There’s just too much to remember is all.
Owen listened for a little longer, and as if he finally traced his memory, blinked his eyes.
Owen: I remember now…this doll belongs to the pierrot at the “Garden of Delusions”.
Shino: ‘Garden of Delusions’?
Akira: That was…
Rustica: The name of the theatre troupe in the area outside the Town of Foam.
That song was mentioned to be sung there.
Chloe: …The “theatre” stuff is just in name.
He cast his eyes downward, darkening his face. Carefully, he began to speak.
Chloe: The “Garden of Delusions” is a freak show on the outskirts of Western Country.
They take in weak wizards and little kids, and force them to perform tricks.
Akira: Force them to…like the wizards at the Salon we went to for the West Festival?
Chloe: It’s similar, but the treatment at a freak show is much worse. At the Garden of Delusions, wizards and orphans are just tools for profit.
On top of being in the slave trading system, they’re forced to work for low wages, and their owners get rich off their labour.
There’s nothing good about it. Back when I was still with my blood family, they’d sometimes threaten to sell me off to them.
Say to me that it’d suit a slow dimwit like me…
Shino: As long as they get money they’d be fine, huh…there’s worthless assholes everywhere no matter the country.
Owen: Wizards being owned by humans is ridiculous. Tragedies amuse me though so I’m enjoying this.
Hey Chloe, have any more stories for me to listen to? I bet you have a lot of humiliating, miserable, and self-deprecating ones.
Akira: O-Owen, that’s not very…
Rustica: I would like to hear your stories too, Chloe. Though I’m not sure you’ll enjoy them, Owen, as Chloe is a very sweet and sensible person.
Chloe: Rustica…
Rustica: I’m sure that Chloe’s skill for tailoring clothes would be highly valued anywhere, but…
I’m so glad that you weren’t sold off to that troupe, Chloe. For if you had we never would have met.
However, I do believe that we would have found a way to meet each other either way.
Chloe: Hehe…I agree, Rustica. Thank you.
Akira: Chloe…I’m sorry, that was a hard topic wasn’t it.
Chloe: No no, I’m okay! It’s all in the past anyway.
Owen: Ugh, boring.
Chloe: Anyways, Owen. If you know the song, that means you must’ve been there before.
Owen: I have. About ten years ago.
I fought off the Calamity and came to the manor to hear the Westerners talking about it. I thought I could use it to kill some time and went to watch a show.
Akira: Was that Murr and Shylock?
Owen: No, the Western wizards before Chloe and Rustica. It was some gaudy witch talking about it, but I’ve never really chatted with her nor do I even remember her face.
Fiddling with the tin doll that stopped singing at some point, Owen’s shoulders shook as he laughed about the old days.
Owen: It was like a trash heap for nobodies. Every single one of them, donning a shallow mask and fooling themselves into thinking they weren’t unfortunate.
A mask so brittle you could break it apart with a poke. Crazy isn’t enough to call them.
Chloe: …So it’s as I thought. It really is just a place for people to be made into spectacles.
Rustica: There are still people who come and watch them though. If so, then no matter who is laughing, they must be excellent actors.
Wherever you are, being able to lift someone’s spirits up is something you should take pride in. I wouldn’t necessarily say that they don’t have any fortune.
Owen: Airhead. Geez, I could hurl right now.
Whatever. It was a miserable dump, and that was great for me. There was even that dummy pierrot.
No matter what names he was called or objects he was hit by, all he did was laugh.
And the song he sang was that one.
Shino: So this doll really belongs to that pierrot.
Akira: …Huh? There’s something on the side of its body.
Rustica: Ah, there is. In between its clothes I can see a little door. Perhaps it was built with an accessory case inside?
Owen flipped over its clothes, and opened the door.
Owen: Ah…
On his face that sadistic smile slowly came to form.
Owen: I ought to go there once more. There might be something interesting for me to see.
Within Owen’s hands the tin doll’s arms and legs began to slightly move, as if controlled by strings.
As if it were beckoning us over. I could tell Rustica and Chloe felt the same way.
Chloe: Ah, there you are Owen!
Rustica: Good morning. A lovely day isn’t it.
Owen: What. It’s morning, don’t crowd me.
Morning came.
With the doll Owen left in my room last night, we came up to him as he was eating his scones.
Akira: Sorry to bother you during your breakfast, but Owen, you said you wanted to go and visit the Garden of Delusions again, didn’t you?
We talked and well, can we come with you?
Owen: Hell no.
Chloe: But that place is probably a hometown for this doll.
I don’t have very good memories of my hometown, but to this doll it might be a precious place to it.
Rustica: Especially if it sings a song from it. If it has been feeling homesick all this time, then it is only proper for us to deliver it home.
Besides, that theatre troupe is one you’ve taken interest in, isn’t it Owen? We might as well join you since we’ve been wanting to go as well.
Owen: No, I’m not…
As they conversed, I could hear the sounds of numerous footsteps behind us.
Shino: That last moment was close, though. I’ll definitely land another hit on you next time.
Lennox: I accept the challenge. It was good training for me too.
Mitile: Ah, Mister Faust! Good morning.
Faust: Good morning. Having breakfast too?
Lennox: Yes. We just finished our morning training session.
Mitile: I woke up early today, so I asked if I could join them.
Exchanging our morning pleasantries, the wizards joining us in the dining hall eventually turned their eyes to the doll I held in my hands.
Snuggled up against my collar was Saccy, who seemed to be sniffing something.
Shino: Oh, it’s that doll from last night. Not singing today, are we?
Mitile: Wait, it sang?
Rustica: Yes. Owen kindly brought it out for a walk and helped encourage it to sing.
Owen: Don’t say things that never happened.
In contrast to the smiling Rustica, Faust’s expression was sour as he stared at the doll.
Faust: …The presence from before has gotten stronger.
All it did was sing last night? Anything else?
Akira: Uhh, well there was actually…
I told them about the strange dream I had.
Lennox: Someone was talking to you in your dream?
Mitile: And they sang the same song as this doll…?
Faust: I see…the energy left behind in this doll must be stronger than I thought.
Calling out to you in your dreams, drawing your attention with song, it must be trying to tell you something.
Akira: That makes all the more reason for us to bring that doll back then, for that person in my dream too.
Lennox: Do you have a place in mind?
Chloe: We already do. Owen has seen where that doll and its owner were before.
Shino: That freak show you were talking about? The one where they buy and pick people up, make ‘em do tricks.
Owen: Hehe…that’s the one. It’s nothing special though, just amateurish acts by amateurs.
Nero: Doesn’t sound like somewhere you just go strollin’ into.
Coming from the kitchen, Nero set down a bowl of whipping cream onto the table.
Nero: Here, I brought all I could.
Owen: Yay.
Nero: …Those kinds of businesses are rampant in poorer towns. I’ve heard plenty stories about ‘em myself.
They scrape together anybody with tricks, regardless of quality. And they throw on all sorts of borderline dangerous acts, to make ‘em stand out against the competition.
Faust: It sounds like your safety as audience isn’t guaranteed.
And with the normalization of magic science, the perception of wizards has gotten harsher, especially in the Western country.
Though we have the coronation ceremony to thank for our name getting known throughout the capital and its neighbouring cities…
Stepping into anywhere with a strong hatred for wizards might invite unpleasant memories for some of you.
Rustica: Thank you for worrying about us, Nero, Faust.
He accepted their precautions with a warm smile.
Rustica: However, anywhere we go, we can always be ourselves.
Everywhere you go, there are bound to be things you will find fascinating.
Though battered muddy by the rain, and taking in its mud as nutrients, blooming flowers are always beautiful.
I’m sure that theatre troupe will have something captivating to show us as their audience.
Chloe: Rustica…gosh, if it’s you saying so, I can’t help but be convinced!
From the bottom of his heart, Rustica was excited to watch a show from the Garden of Delusions troupe.
And just like Chloe said, hearing the optimistic Rustica put it like that, my impression on the troupe turned a little more hopeful.
Akira: (It’s no good to judge a place just from your imagination, no matter how creepy or suspicious it is.)
(It might not be as bad as we’re making it out to be. The children from yesterday were singing that song happily too…)
…Ah.
And the words of the booth owner flashed into my mind.
Lennox: What’s the matter, Master Sage?
Akira: I just remembered…that theatre troupe has some rumours to it.
Faust: Rumours?
Akira: Yes. We heard it yesterday at the flea market…
< Index >
Chapter 3
Having finished breakfast, we took to the skies after an elevator trip, and flew to the outskirts of Western Country.
The rumoured Garden of Delusions was, as stated, at the end of a road beyond some mix of stores and houses.
Running alongside a river, were numerous tents and small buildings, with signboards of varying sizes.
In the middle of these tents, was a noticeably large one crowded with people.
Announcer: Come one, come all! Have a seat, have a gander! The time has come for the curtains to rise on this bewildering, bemusing, bizarre show!
Mitile: What a crowd…! There’s even booths for drinks and snacks.
Shino: It’s a whole festival in here. I see some people wearing costumes too.
Chloe: I’ve only ever heard about it, so this is my first time coming here…this is what it’s like.
Rustica: It’s a different kind of liveliness than the Town of Affluence. I’m glad we came together.
Akira: Yeah. I’m not really used to this type of atmosphere…thanks for coming along, everybody.
I turned around to see a floating Saccy, who gave me what appeared to be a little nod.
Lennox: There’s a possibility the Calamity is involved, after all. It’s my pleasure to be of help to you.
Shino: And I didn’t have any plans today.
Mitile: I wanted to help too!
Nero: It didn’t feel right to let the Sagey and you kiddos go alone.
Faust: And in the worst case scenario, I don’t think having Rustica as the only adult would be enough.
Owen: I’m here too though?
“a certain performance they’ve been throwing there makes your head all loopy.”
During breakfast, I had told the others of the rumours that started around the time the Calamity last attacked. In addition to our original party, a few more members were added.
Owen: More ants to trail after me.
Whatever. I just came here to make fun of the unfortunate. I don’t have time for babysitting.
Chloe: Owen, are you going already? Let’s watch at least one performance together!
Rustica: You’ve attended a show here before, right Owen? It’s our first time here, so it’d be very reassuring to have someone show us the ropes!
Owen: What ropes are there to show you about attending theatre.
Akira: (This place has a totally different vibe from the Cosmos Circus we saw once before…)
It had the same energy and liveliness to it, but this Garden of Delusions had a more mysterious mood to it.
The colours of the buildings and signboards were gaudy and struck at your eye, like the red light district’s neon lighting.
Announcer: It’s almost time for the curtains to rise! Hurry on to your seats now!
Lennox: Looks like we’re just in time.
Nero: Welp, let’s take our seats, shall we?
The tent was filled with audience members, whose seats surrounded the stage that was luxuriously decorated with blinking lights.
As the excitement hit to a boil, a bell clanged, and signaled the start of the stage.
Chloe: W-Wow, that person’s arm is so twisted and bent…is this an illusion?
Mitile: Over there, somebody’s gulping down balls of fire one after another!
Shino: I don’t sense any magic, and they seem to be human…how is their throat and stomach not burnt after eating that?
Talking Cat Person: Something smells of disgusting beast…could it be there’s a stray dog somewhere?
Talking Dog Person: I’ll shut you up with this catnip!
Akira: They’ve got animal tails and ears on, and are fighting like cats and dogs…
From eccentric street performances, to dance-like acrobatics with props, left and right were mesmerizing acts being performed.
There were wizards amongst the performers, using magic or tricks to deliver us hilarious performances that stood out to the eye.
...And now on stage was a lady in thin clothing, riding on another performer’s back like a horse and riding them around.
Nero: Heh, niiice.
Faust: Hey, we have kids with us.
Lennox: …
Mitile: Mr. Leno, why’re you covering my eyes? I can’t see the stage like this…!
Shino: Haha, he’s not letting you see. Guess you’re still a little too young to see this sorta stuff…
Faust: …
Shino: Ah, hey! Don’t you cover my eyes!
Drunken Person: Hehehe, I wanna go for a ride!
Owen: Sure, I’ll give you one. Should I hold the reins?
Drunken Person: W-What the, who’re you?!
Hat Wearing Person: Hahaha, ain’t you lucky. I’m so jelly.
Rustica: In that case, how about I hold your reins?
Hat Wearing Person: Hic…!? We were talking to the lady, not you!
Drunken Person: Waaait, now that I look more closely, you fellas sure are good-looking…let’s go for a ride.
Hat Wearing Person: Ahahaha! Ya don’t need it pal, all year round you get yer reins pulled on by the wife don’tcha!
The audience members were free to cheer or jeer, drink themselves to sleep, and to leave their seat or take a newly emptied one.
Faust: It’s quite rowdy…doesn’t seem like we’ll be able to watch in peace like this.
Nero: Definitely far from an aristocratic crowd, but this is what a theatre at the edge of town’s gotta be like.
Lennox: For sure. It’s not as dangerous as expected, though.
There are performances aimed at an adult audience…but everyone is honestly here to watch theatre as they like.
Host: Now now, everybody! Next up is your long awaited, pierrot’s comedy act!
It’s this troupe’s main attraction, the play of jests and laughter, “Let Us Meet On Walpurgis Night”. Don’t take your eyes away from the stage!
Akira, Chloe, & Rustica: …!
Along with that familiar phrase was a clown girl clad in flashy clothing who appeared on the stage.
Clown Girl: La la la~
“Let us meet on Walpurgis Night”
“The night where wizards make the most merry A tale of laughter that will be our little secret”
Chloe: This is the song…it’s as those kids said, it comes from this theatre.
Rustica: So this little doll does share some connection to this troupe.
Her airy voice echoed throughout the tent. The audience members who were doing as they liked earlier, were now captivated by her singing, watching intently.
Clown Girl: “The lying pierrot is a popular fellow Able to get a laugh out of anyone”
“Like cackle cackle hee hee hee ah ha ha ha”
Other performers gathered around her as she danced and sang. Bitten by a toy dog, she pretended to be hurt, and joked around comically.
And at the drop of a pin she changed her act, ripping off the cloak around her shoulders and twisting her body. Behind her mask I could see her charming smile.
Clown Girl: “Let me be your partner Do with the jester of me as you like”
Akira & Chloe: W-Wow…
Hat Wearing Person: Phewie! This one’s a sure masterpiece!
I couldn’t take my eyes off the performance and its frequently changing tone and expressions.
The audience was mesmerized, clapping along happily, but…
Drunken Person: Yah yah! Gyaha! Aahahaha!
Freckled Person: Eehee, heehee, hehehe!
Shino: …Hey, is it just me or are these guys acting a little weird?
Mitile: Y-Yeah, I think so too…that movement just now wasn’t that funny…
Nero: They seem to be getting abnormally hyped…
As the play continued, the audience’s laughter became more and more erratic.
Cutting breaths, bending themselves backwards, their laughter became as piercing as broken alarm clocks.
Lennox: …Lord Faust.
Faust: I know. Satillquinart Mullcreed.
When he said his spell, the sound around us became distant, like we were underwater, or had a membrane wrapped over our ears.
Faust: It’s best that you younger wizards and the Sage don’t listen to her singing now. Your consciousness might be taken over.
Akira: O-Okay…
Mitile: What’s wrong with everyone…?
Frightened by the crazed enthusiasm, Mitile and I huddled each other.
Up on my shoulder was Saccy with their furs on end.
Owen: Haha, this is awesome. The entire theatre has gone mad. It's hilarious.
Like they all turned into clowns…pierrots.
Jacket Wearing Person: Hey, you’re performing this weird crap again?!
Someone had come from the entrance of the tent. They were carrying a rolled up ball of scrap paper, and threw it at the stage.
Jacket Wearing Person: My wife has lost it because of this damned performance!
She can’t do a darn thing around the house now. You stop this lunatic song now!
Freckled Person: Gyahaha! Yea yea! Stop it!
At that criticism other members started following along, laughing as they began to throw things at the stage.
Rustica: For being immersed in a performance this is…going overboard.
Chloe: I hope she’s okay…if anything hard is thrown she might get hurt…
Regardless, the girl continued her performance, and so did the audience and their malicious actions.
But when a vase was thrown and its shards littered the back of the stage, the girl finally spoke up.
Clown Girl: …Tch, give it a rest already! If you think you can do whatever just ‘cuz you’re audience members, you’re dead wrong!
Drunken Person: Shaddup! Don’t get cocky with me!
Jacket Wearing Person: The hell d’you think you’re sayin’ to paying customers?! You need a beating!
The theatre grounds turned violent, and the enthusiasm became unbearably uncomfortable.
The enraged man got on stage, and grabbed at the girl.
Mitile: Ah!
Akira: No…!
As I yelped, a large shadow rushed forward.
Lennox: Haah!
Lennox had ran to the stage, covering the girl and blocking the angry man.
He was grabbing the man’s hand, twisting it slightly.
Lennox: Get off the stage. Now. That was too much.
Jacket Wearing Person: W-Who the hell’re you…?! The security guard?!
Lennox’s Sheep: Baa!
Jacket Wearing Person: Uh, huh…? Sheep? If you have animals on you, are you a performer too?
Blue Haired Performer: Iris, are you hurt?!
Small Performer: Mister, I’m so sorry about that! Our dear guests, please calm down!
Owen: Iris…
Aah, so it’s you.
Akira: (...?)
Owen quietly mumbled to himself in a voice like he was brandishing his blade.
But he was soon drowned out by the bustling troupe members entering from the sides of the stage after hearing the commotion.
Even still, the theatre was trapped in a vortex of laughter.
Cackle cackle, heehee, ehehe. Distorted voices of laughter filled up the tent space.
Chloe & Rustica: …
Faust: …Looks like we were right for coming.
Nero: Is this the work of a curse, or some type of spirit? Everything changed when she sang.
Faust: There is an anomaly occurring here, but it’s nothing on her end.
Is there something with the performance that’s affecting the audience…?
Owen: Hehe. This place really is the best.
It’s a gathering of strays at a trash heap, licking each other’s wounds…
Akira: Uhm, Owen. When you came here last was it also like this?
What happened just now was definitely more than “gone loopy”.
Owen: No? Last time wasn’t this chaotic at all. Audience manners have become so polite nowadays.
Anyways, that girl took off her smiley mask even though she’s the pierrot. She’s not worth her salt as an actor.
Tin Doll: *clatter clatter*
Owen: Ow! What the hell? Did this thing just pinch me?
Chloe: Isn’t it mad?
Rustica: It does like her song, so maybe it felt insulted?
Tin Doll: *clatter*
Akira: Was that a nod?
Shino: This thing can communicate now?
Chloe: Hey hey, helloooo. If you can hear me, please do something!
Lennox: I’m back, everyone. Sorry for running off like that.
Mitile: Welcome back! Mr. Leno, are you alri…wait, what?
Faust: You…those clothes…
Shino: You too, Faust. You’re all flashy now.
Nero: Not just him, you, me, and everybody here too.
Owen: …
We all found ourselves in new outfits. They were showy, clown themed clothes, meant for shining on the stage.
Rustica: What wonderful apparel. I would assume we had these commissioned specifically for this outing. Is this someone’s present to us?
Chloe: Don’t look at me! I didn’t have the time!
Akira: Then, who exactly…
< Index >
Chapter 4
Owen: It was you, wasn’t it?
An Owen dressed in clown clothing like the rest of us glared at the tin doll as he asked his question pointedly.
Owen: Hmph…not only do you sing whenever you want, you only answer when you want to too. Selfish tin can.
Nero: But hey, don’t we fit in like this? With these threads we can sneak into the back.
Faust: We should. It’s a bit too dazzling for a shut-in like me, but…I suppose in here this outfit helps stand out less.
Let’s go find that girl and ask her about what happened. Sage, you’re alright with that?
Akira: Of course. Boy, am I lucky to have you guys along…
Rustica: That play had so many layers to it. Though the last act went a little haywire, we got to see all sorts of stimulating and fun scenes.
Owen, thank you for having us with you.
Chloe: Will you go backstage with us? If you don’t feel like it, there’s the booths to hang around…
Owen: I’ll come.
Akira: Are you sure?
Owen: Totally sure. Don’t want me?
Akira: N-No! I’m just surprised, that’s all.
(I thought he’d up and disappear like usual by now…)
(He does seem to like this theatre troupe…and is probably in a good mood too.)
The curtains had already closed on the stage, and the madness that had taken over the tent gradually died down.
The audience members, like waking up from a dream, got up and started leaving the theatre, expressions devoid of that previous enthusiasm.
Among that crowd was an old gentleman in a dapper suit, who seemed to be upset.
Old Gentleman: Oh dear, how awful. Such cruelty to the actors that was.
Even though the little lady was singing beautifully…
Rustica: I feel the same, good sir. Her singing was brilliant.
I could hear the life shining out of her, like the dawn that beckons for the sunrise.
At Rustica’s friendly words, the old man’s face instantly lit up.
Old Gentleman: Hoho, you understand me, young man. Indeed, her voice is bright and strong.
Rustica: My thoughts exactly. Sir, do you come here often?
Old Gentleman: I do. I’m actually quite the regular old patron too if I do say so myself.
It saddens me to see how my fellow audience members’ manners appear to have worsened…if only they could let that girl sing comfortably, the way she wants…
Oh my, pardon me young sir. I must be going now…good day.
After greeting the senior and seeing him off, Rustica came back.
Rustica: Anywhere you go, true art will always be appreciated by somebody…warms my heart.
Now then, shall we find our lady?
Likely because of our outfits, nobody questioned us as we walked backstage with ease.
Lennox: Sorry, do you happen to know where the clown girl is? The one who was just singing…
Troupe Member: Aah, she’s over there. Heeey, Iris!
Iris: Comin’!
The one who turned around was a girl in her mid twenties.
Curly black hair, alluring purple–iris coloured–eyes, even without her clown clothes on, she had an unforgettable presence to her.
Rustica: Hello, Miss Iris. It is a pleasure to meet you.
Akira: We’re…
Iris: Ah…
Before I could introduce ourselves, Iris stared eyes-wide at Owen in shock.
Iris: The Lying Pierrot…?
Owen: …Who is that? You’re not asking me, are you?
He gave a small laugh at her question.
Resting his back on a wall with cracking paint, he tilted his head as if he were assessing her. His odd-eyes traced her figure up and down.
Iris: Ah…sorry. I got the wrong person. There was a performer who wore similar clothes to you before.
Anyways, I haven’t seen your faces before. And you big man, aren’t you the one who jumped on stage earlier?
Despite her questions she had a cheerful smile on her face. Unlike her mysterious get-up, she seemed to be an openhearted person.
Chloe: Uhm, so this and that happened, and now we’re here. Do you recognize this doll?
Iris: T-That’s…! Where did you find it?!
Rustica: So you do know this doll.
It was for sale at a flea market. We just happened to cross paths, and took it in.
Iris: Is that what happened…thank you, and bless your heart for bringing it here!
This doll was the pierrot’s. It somehow gained the ability to sing and got sold for being creepy.
Faust: Then it’s good you’ve reunited. A little late for introductions, but we’re the Sage’s Wizards.
We came here to investigate the strange rumours surrounding this troupe.
Iris: The Sage’s Wizards? Do you mean, the guys who showed up at Her Highness’ coronation ceremony?
Akira: You know about the coronation?
Iris: ‘Course I do! The guests and the kids in town wouldn’t stop talking about it! So you guys’re the famous wizards…
From the portraits you looked to be a smiley bright bunch, but you’re actually pretty refined in person.
Nero: So those exaggeratedly happy pictures of us spread even to here too…
Faust: Well, that’s…fine. We watched your performance earlier, Iris.
When you started singing, the entire mood of the audience began to change. Is it always like that?
Iris: Oh, well first…thank you for watching. I must’ve startled you if it’s your first time.
Before, everyone enjoyed it the same as usual…up until a while ago, when it started getting weird…
Now during my performances, my co-actors have their ears plugged. I’m sorry I didn’t handle that outburst sooner.
Lennox: No, what’s important is your safety. By “a while ago” do you mean around when the Great Calamity visited last?
Iris: You’re a good guesser. Yeah, it was around then.
Akira: Just as we thought…
Faust: This is probably the moon’s fault, then.
Flashy Suited Man: Iris!
An angry voice shouted. It belonged to a man with a deep scowl on his face, furiously walking towards us.
Iris: It’s the Assistant Manager…
Assistant Manager: Startin’ shit with the audience again, have you?! How many more lashings do I gotta give ya ‘til you learn your lesson?!
The man called the assistant manager threw his whip around as he shouted.
Without a second thought, he aimed a strike at Iris.
Chloe & Mitile: …!
Nero: Hey, bastard…!
Assistant Manager: You’re the one begging me to continue throwing on that disgusting performance of yours, so what’s with the attitude?!
Iris: …Tch, shut up! Our sales went up ‘cuz of my act, didn’t they?!
Every one of our guests come to see that play!
Assistant Manager: Silence! You don’t get to talk back to me, you just needa sing!
He raised his arm for another strike, preparing to abuse Iris again.
Until Lennox grabbed his arm.
Lennox: I don’t think it’s good for business to wound your own actors.
That play is the main attraction of this theatre. Your sales will surely be impacted if she can’t stand on stage.
Mitile: Y-Yeah! Please stop with the abuse!
Assistant Manager: Damnit, let go of me! Who the hell’re you guys?! …Huh, there’re more of you than I thought…are you the newbies the traders brought in?
Forget the shrimp, I don’t remember asking for this bean pole…
Akira: Uh, uhm…
Lennox: …I was a bonus. I’ll be in your care.
Assistant Manager: I see…if that’s the case, I’ll look past this only once. Grab my arm again and you’ll be getting a beating in the discipline room.
Newbies have a lot of work to do! Carrying stuff, repairing signs, refilling fuel…and you gotta clean up the props too.
Iris, come to my office. If you wanna keep on singing, you understand, don’tcha?
Iris: …
The assistant manager left, looking like he was about to spit on the floor in contempt.
Nero: I thought it’d be like this on the inside…but man does he piss me off.
Faust: No fear like having a scumbag for a boss.
Shino: Iris. Are you really going to his office? You might get punished again.
Iris: It’ll be fine…it’ll probably be just another one of his annoying lectures.
More importantly, you only just came here, and now I gotta go!
Chloe: Don’t worry about that…but Iris, don’t you think it’s kinda dangerous to perform that play?
Rustica: It’s a shame, since your singing and acting were a delight to witness…
Iris' eyes wavered uncomfortably at the two Western wizards' words.
Seeming completely different from the lively girl before, she spoke in a small voice like a little girl’s.
Iris: …Yeah, I guess I oughta. I don’t think what’s happening to the audience is normal either…
But it was a song someone precious to me sang. I don’t wanna stop…
Owen: Exactly. You want everyone who hears that song to laugh themselves to death.
Akira: Owen, that’s enough…
Owen: I’m not criticizing her or anything. Isn’t it sweet that they can have so much fun?
Why don’t you let them laugh themselves to the afterlife. Give them what it means to have a happy life.
Lennox: Wenny, shh.
Mitile: ?!
Akira: L-Lennox…?!
Lennox: Lords Snow and White told me that if I ever needed to scold Owen, this was the way to do it.
How are you Owen? Do you feel like stopping now?
Owen: Those damn twins…don’t take their jokes seriously. I have goosebumps now.
Faust: …Anyways. Iris, I understand this is your job, but…
From what we’ve seen, the anomaly appears to only occur within the audience.
Yesterday, our friends here heard the doll sing and were fine. So it’s possible that the anomaly is only linked to singing this song on that stage.
Whether you continue singing, or give up that song, it’s our job to get to the bottom of this curse.
Akira: And we just received some orders for work…
While doing our tasks, let’s try and talk to the other troupe members.
Owen: Ehh…?
Shino: Ah, nice idea. Owen, you know the most about this troupe, so we’re counting on you.
Mitile: Looks like there’s a lot to do! It’d be nice if we could be of help, Mister Owen.
Chloe: Let’s go, Owen!
Rustica: This way, Owen.
Owen: Hey. If you’re gonna pull on my sleeves, do it in the same direction!
Nero: Sheeeesh, the kiddos fear nothing…
Faust: You guys, if you value your life don’t push Owen around like that…
Lennox: Nero. Is Rustica considered a ‘kiddo’?
Nero: Err…well more than me?
We split up into different groups, and began working around the theatre.
Lennox: So what you’re saying is…people hear the song, laugh themselves tired, and come back again for another performance.
Red Haired Person: Yep. I dunno if they’re addicted to somethin’ or what, but business is better than usual.
Still gives me the chills to look at though. Everyone turning into a smiling pierrot that can’t take off its own mask…
Mitile: I finished repainting the signboard! I’ll start on this one next.
Red Haired Person: Aah, thanks bud. You sure work fast for a newbie.
Shino: Finished the wall repairs. Should I help out over here?
Red Haired Person: Err, wow. That’s a gutsy attitude you got.
Ponytailed Person: Hey, big boy! Didja clean out the storehouse yet?
Lennox: Yes, I finished it already.
Ponytailed Person: You finished all that?! What about the stage setting…
Lennox: Transported.
Ponytailed Person: W-What in the…thank y’all so much! You guys’ve been a huge help!
Red Haired Person: We’re pals from now on, eh? That assistant manager is a lot to deal with…
Shino: About him, is he always like that? Threatening punishment and whatever while carrying a whip.
Ponytailed Person: Aah, yeah. Iris really is amazing. She can tell him what's up, while we shiver in fright.
Red Haired Person: And her acting and singing skills are top notch! After the Lying Pierrot, she’s our next big name actor.
< Index >
Chapter 5
Mitile: The Lying Pierrot…that’s what Miss Iris called Mister Owen, when she mistook his clothes for another performer.
Ponytailed Person: The Lying Pierrot was a wizard who used to be a performer here. All he did was lie, so that’s why he was called that.
He’d call blue things red, read the newspaper out wrong, drink cold alcohol like it was hot!
Red Haired Person: Just how much was a lie, whether he was merely teasing or not, always threw people for a loop thinking about it.
Shino: Sounds like Owen. Though when it comes to him he’s just being mean.
Red Haired Person: Is this Owen fella your friend?
Lennox: Yes. He’s just a little unhonest, is all.
Mitile: A little, hmph. What’s really honest is that Mister Owen can be a big bully.
He always says mean things straight to your face, breaks things in fights, and doesn’t ever take his missions seriously. He is super strong though…
Shino: And it’s annoying that because he’s strong he gets a free pass. I wanna be able to do that.
Ponytailed Person: Ahaha, sounds like he’s a tough nut to handle. But a guy like that might be suited for this bizarre freak show.
The Lying Pierrot was a strange fellow, but he was our main attraction.
Red Haired Person: Iris admired him too, enough to become an actor. It’s just too bad he went and croaked…
Shino, Mitile, & Lennox: Huh…?
Red Haired Person: Ah, didn’t know didja? He died ten years ago.
Ponytailed Person: During his performance, a chandelier fell on him. Us two weren’t here back then, so this is from what we’ve heard at least….
Mitile: That’s…a terrible accident…
Shino: If it was during a performance, then that means there was an audience watching. Did people panic?
Red Haired Person: They sure did. Right before their eyes someone got reduced to pieces. Crowd was as loud as a raging storm.
Ponytailed Person: That Iris too, she was in a deep depression for awhile, but…after that, she took on performing his play.
That “Let Us Meet On Walpurgis Night” song she sings was his specialty.
Lennox: …That’s why she doesn’t want to stop performing it.
It was a song that someone important to her sang.
Red Haired Person: Iris says this too, that she thinks if she keeps on singing, she might meet him again.
Like he’d just show up on the side of the stage to join her in performing…
If you don’t got some sorta delusion like that to cling onto, you won’t survive here long.
Lennox: …It’s not easy to continue something for someone else's sake.
Especially if that someone is never coming home. If there’s a single thread of hope to hang onto, no amount of recklessness will feel enough.
Shino: …
Mitile: Mr. Leno…
Lennox: Her desires to continue on believing and singing his song have survived to this day, and are kept here in this theatre.
…We’d best solve this anomaly, for her to keep on singing with her hopes and wishes intact.
Chloe: Oh…so the Lying Pierrot that Iris loved is…already gone.
Owen: I was wondering why I wasn't seeing him. So he died.
Kid with Braids: Mmhmm. Sometimes Iris talks about him.
He was a pierrot good at acting and singing, and someone she admired a lot, so she was very sad.
Rustica: He must have been a master of expressions. I wish I could have met him.
Akira: Yeah…a stage performance with those two would’ve been amazing I bet…
While mending costumes, we were talking to some of the troupe children.
There were a lot more members to the troupe than we thought, and in the crammed backstage area with props and noises everywhere, people took their time getting around.
Rustica: Mm…I’ve finished.
The hole has been mended. Now that I look at it, this outfit is rather unique.
Chloe: Rustica you, that sleeve is stitched on backwards! Now we can see the lining…
Hand it to me. This is how you do it…
Kerchiefed Kid: Wooow, it’s just like magic! Your needlework is good, mister.
Chloe: Yours too! I love the frills on this, they’re so pretty!
Kerchiefed Kid: Aw, you think so…? I’m always getting yelled at for being slow…
Kid with Braids: And you get hit for it, and don’t get your meals…
Chloe: …Do you guys like living here?
Kerchiefed Kid: I dunno. I never lived anywhere else to know.
Kid with Braids: I like the songs and plays though! I get to become someone other than myself. Uhm, but I’m still no good yet…
Chloe: …I see. Even though your home is small and dark, you still found something you like. You’re just like me.
Kid with Braids: You like singing too?
Chloe: I actually like making clothes! Back when I was still trapped in a small small world, my love for making clothes was the only thing that kept me going, and what let me dream.
The moment I stepped outside though, my world expanded like crazy. I’d need a million hands to count the things I’ve experienced and people I’ve met…and my love for making clothes became a larger dream.
My dearest friends I’ve met outside. I have people who are good at laughing and good at making others laugh by my side, and they help me blast through the bad times!
He takes some puppets left upon a wooden box, and flaps their mouths open.
Chloe: “Hey, feeling down? Wanna see some fireworks?”
“Murr, do you intend on blowing a hole through the ceiling?”
“A splendid idea. We could teatime under the stars then.”
Kid with Braids: Ahaha!
Kerchiefed Kid: Those guys’re weird!
Rustica: Hehe, splendid acting. You know us so well, Chloe.
The kids raised their voices with laughter as they watched Chloe’s imitation puppet play, who changed voices per character well.
Eventually, we had to say goodbye as the kids finished their repairs, and we watched their backs as they ran off. It was then I heard someone call out from behind me.
Iris: Hey guys…
Chloe: Iris!
Akira: Welcome back! Uhm, are you okay…?
Iris: Yep. Sorry to make you guys work.
Are we mending clothes? Let me help.
Rustica: Your arm…it’s swelling up terribly. That was where he hit you, wasn’t it.
Let me make it better with some healing magic. Amorest Viesse.
Iris: Wow, awesome…the swellings gone, and it doesn’t hurt as much anymore! I didn’t know magic could do this!
Rustica: …Does that man do this to you often?
Iris: Yes…back when the real manager was still active, he was much more strict. So he’s actually better now.
Akira: I was wondering why we still hadn’t met them yet, but is the manager sickly or something?
Iris: It seems that way. I’ve not seen their face for years now.
I’m the type of person who complains right away when there’s a problem, so I got punished way more in the past.
Apart from the spot that just got hit, I could see many other cuts and bruises on her arm.
No, not just her arm…there’s probably plenty more in spots we can’t see…
Iris: Hey, don’t make that face now, Master Sage. I know it’s not easy living here, but…
This is the place where I met him. Not any other stage, this one.
Rustica: It was a fateful meeting. His song lightened up your path to who you are now.
Iris: Yes, exactly! Even offstage he was an enigma. If it wasn’t moments before showtime, you’d never be able to find him anywhere.
The most I’ve talked with him was at the side of the stage…but I still treasure those moments like a mysterious dream.
Whenever his performances ended, I’d go and see Liebe right away.
Chloe: Who’s Liebe? Are they another actor?
Iris: No, he was a playwright. He’d stick in the storage room all day, writing his scripts.
Owen: I’ve met him before.
Chloe: Woah, Owen…?! Right, you disappeared at some point.
Owen: Like I’d ever listen to the orders of some human.
Anyways, that playwright is that sickly pale boy who was always hunched over his desk, right? I bullied him too.
I remember taking a script while he was still writing it, and burning it to ashes in front of his eyes.
Iris: You, how horrible…
Akira: I’m so sorry, he’s always like this! By the way Owen, where did you go?
Owen: I went and made fun of randoms here and there. I also grabbed their candies.
Akira: So you threatened them too…Ahh, no littering here!
Iris: …I thought you were like the Lying Pierrot at first, but you might actually be more like Liebe.
Your bangs are long, and though I didn’t see his face much it was pretty like yours.
Owen: Haha, that’s unexpected…but don’t lump me in with a moper like that.
Iris: Oh he wasn’t just a moper. Liebe sometimes joined me in my practices, and the songs he sang were so good.
The reason I’ve gotten to where I am now is thanks to his scripts and the time I spent with him…
And of course the Pierrot too. I’ve gotta be thankful to be born under the same stars as him.
Owen: Hearing you talk about stars just soured my mood. It’s all just fake glitter anyway.
Iris: You saying my song is a sham?
Owen: Who knows. If that’s what you think though maybe it is?
Iris: You really are cold hearted…
Owen: Haha, why thank you.
He stuffed chocolates into his cheeks as he mischievously smiled.
When it seemed like he was about to stab into Iris again with more criticisms, I quickly waved a glove.
Akira: I-Iris! I can’t find the pair for this glove.
Iris: Oh geez…there might be extras in the storage room.
Here, I’ll take you there.
Nero: You wanna talk to the manager?
Faust: Yeah. You saw what their assistant did to Iris.
The power harassment here may be the root of the curse.
Nero: I getcha. Then it’s faster to just contact the manager and investigate from there.
Alrighty, let’s go find our big guy.
Tall Person: Somebody! I need to put this poster up, so press down the other end please!
Nero: This good?
Tall Person: Oh, just right. Thank you bud. I don’t think I’ve seen you before.
Nero: Just got here. I actually haven’t said my greetings to the manager yet, so would you happen to know where I can find them?
Tall Person: Ah, their room should be in the back. It’s the pretty and small one…but I’d give up if I were you.
You don’t needa give ‘em any greetings. They don’t meet people like us.
Blue Haired Person: It’s been about a year since I’ve come here, but I’ve still not seen their face. Never meeting them is better in my opinion!
If you’re that insistent, you could try and talk to the assistant manager…but that guy is also…
Faust: From what I gathered, the manager hasn’t shown their face in years…are there really people like that?
Nero: Heck if I know…something definitely smells fishy though.
Assistant Manager: What’re you doing sitting on your asses?
Nero: Urk.
Assistant Manager: You got some nerve to be loafing around. If you have that much time on your hands I’ll give you more work to do.
Snobby four-eyes, you clean the stables. And you won’t be receiving a broom to do it. You’re gonna be getting on all fours and cleaning with your hands.
Faust: What?
Nero: Heeey, heeey.
Assistant Manager: And you chucklehead. What do you wanna do? Shine my shoes?
Nero: Hah?
Faust: Heeey you, too.
Nero: Ugh…I mean, we’re just newbies. Super sorry we didn’t greet you before.
Assistant Manager: …Ah. You were with Iris.
Nero: We wanna give our greetings to the manager too. Can we see ‘em?
Assistant Manager: Don’t be stupid. Runts like you can’t just meet the manager.
They’re a terrifying, violent wizard. Get on their wrong side and you’ll be really sorry.
You mess up badly, and you could be left half-dead.
Faust: (The manager is a wizard…?)
Nero: (Seriously…? That’s way too suspicious…)
Assistant Manager: Anyway, if you want to survive here, do whatever the higher-ups say.
The longest one was here for thirty years. He’s long since dead though.
Nero: Huuh. An impressive worker he must have been. What was he like?
< Index >
Chapter 6
Assistant Manager: He was an actor and playwright. The manager really loved him.
Always listened to his orders, had a good-looking face, so easy to make him do what you wanted. Like a doll, actually. Haha.
If you wanna be a favourite too, then don’t ask questions, stay obedient, and earn those coins quietly.
Faust: …Tch.
Nero: Pokin’ our faces like that...urgh, he’s belittlin’ us!
Faust: He penned the book on being an asshole. If that performance is cursed, isn’t it just to ruin him?
Nero: The reason why nobody goes near their room must be because he’s keepin’ an eye out.
So, what do we do now? We’re not staying thirty years here. Wanna sneak in?
Faust: Yeah…
Nero: …This is the room. It certainly stands out from the others.
Faust: Okay Nero, I’ll cast concealing magic on us, so you can pick…
Nero: Open.
Faust: That was fast?!
Nero: It was too easy. C’mon, let’s go in.
…What the…? There’s no one here.
Faust: There’s dust piled up on the furniture. I don’t think they went for a walk.
Nero: Teach, check out these books on the shelf. Think they’re the theatre’s business documents?
Faust: They are. There’s even names and records.
…? This is…
Akira: Ah…
Owen: …
Led by Iris, I let out a gasp as we stepped into the dim light.
Akira: (A narrow room. Props and masks lined up on the shelves. Rugs layered over each other.)
This is the room in my dream…
Chloe: Huh?
Rustica: Is it?
Iris: You know this place?
Akira: Yes…last night I saw this storage room in my dream.
I told her about the dream I had, and how the tin doll likely harboured someone’s will inside it.
She went deep into thought, bringing her hand to her mouth and looking elsewhere.
Iris: I think that dream you saw was me and Liebe’s memories…
How does this doll know about our conversation? It wasn’t Liebe’s, but the Pierrot’s doll…
Rustica: This place is special to the both of you. The doll may not be his, but the feelings within it may be.
Hearing that, she looked down at the little tin doll in her hands.
And gave a tiny smile, like she were remembering the old days.
Iris: …If that’s true, then I guess I feel a little better.
The Lying Pierrot and Liebe both left me after all.
Chloe: Wait, Liebe too…?
Iris: Yeah. The Pierrot died in an unfortunate accident, but because of the chaos that ensued afterwards many troupe members escaped.
Liebe was one of them. I never saw him again. Maybe he secretly grew sick of the troupe life and that’s why he left.
But to leave without saying a word to me…it made me think that I was the only one who thought we were friends.
The Iris before me who squeezed the doll in her arms tight, seemed far more fragile than the Iris I saw on stage.
Having been observing us for a while, Owen walked over to her, a cold smile on his face like he had just come from the North.
Owen: Yeah, I bet it was all in your head. What did you even do for him? All you were was an item strapped around his waist, getting a free ride.
You were the one forcing your wishes on him. Did you ever ask about his wishes?
Iris: …ugh…
For the first time, I saw Iris unable to say something back.
And that’s when a burning question lit up in me.
Akira: (It’s normal for Owen to be mean to someone, but towards Iris he seems to be especially harsh…)
Owen…do you know something about Liebe and the Lying Pierrot?
Owen: Maybe? Even if I do, there’s no way I’m telling you. I enjoy my chaos after all.
Iris’ eyes rested on one corner of the storage room, as if she were seeing something or someone else.
Although no one was using it now, the shabby desk caked in dust was stuffed into the corner of the room.
Iris: …It’s already been ten years. But, it was still just ten years.
Whenever I remember it, it still hurts.
That quivering voice was nothing like the steadfast Iris that made the assistant manager eat his own words before.
Akira: …Liebe might’ve had his own circumstances.
Something that wouldn’t let him say his goodbyes to you…
Rustica: That’s surely it. I don’t believe that he didn’t think of you as his friend.
I think that both Liebe and the Pierrot loved the bright and honest you who loved them.
Chloe: Me too…I mean, we just met but we already like you tons, Iris!
Iris: …Thanks, you three.
Owen: …
Having finished our tasks for a moment, we grouped up with the others sans Faust and Nero, and exchanged what we learned.
Lennox: Even so…it’s incredible that the storage room you saw in your dream was the same one here, Master Sage.
Akira: Tell me about it. What I saw in my dreams was Iris and her friend Liebe’s memories in that room…
Mitile: And the one who talked to you in your dream ended up being this Mister Liebe.
Chloe: Iris was full of questions, wondering why the doll had Liebe’s memories despite being the pierrot’s prop.
Owen: *crunch crunch*
Shino: Owen, did you even do anything? Those snacks you have better not be stolen.
Owen: I never said I was going to do any work. And this place is just very convenient.
I can erase my presence and people watch, or if I feel up for it, appear before them and mess around for fun.
Lennox: …
Mitile: Mr. Leno, what’s up?
Lennox: I was just thinking…from what we’ve heard so far, this playwright and Lying Pierrot…
Nero: Aah, there you guys are.
Faust: Sorry we’re late. This took longer than expected.
Rustica: Welcome back, you two.
Akira: You went to see the manager, right? Did you talk?
Faust: We went to their room only to find dust. There was no signs that anyone had been in there for a long, long time.
Nero: But we did find these.
It’s a member registry for the Garden of Delusion’s troupe members. Look at the entry for this Liebe guy here.
Chloe & Rustica: Playwright, and…actor…?
Akira: But Liebe wasn’t an actor though?
Iris: He wasn’t…I’ve never heard anything about that.
Faust: According to this record, he was an orphaned wizard, and for thirty years worked as both playwright and actor.
Perhaps for that talent of his it says here he was to be sold to another troupe for a high price.
And the day he was to be traded off…Walpurgis Night.
Iris: …! That’s the day the Lying Pierrot died!
Nero: Guessed so. The last thing written on his profile has…
“Let Us Meet On Walpurgis Night” as his final performance.
Confusion erupted on Iris’ face, the same as the rest of us.
Countless secrets were brought to light, and now converged towards one truth.
Akira: (No way…)
Owen: Hahaha…
Mocking the stressed atmosphere of the room, Owen cast a side glance to Iris.
Owen: You knew the truth this whole time.
That the gloomy playwright in the storage room was actually the Lying Pierrot.
Iris: No, I…
Chloe & Mitile: Huh…?
Iris: …I wasn’t sure. Liebe’s singing voice did sound exactly like the Pierrot’s…
And it crossed my mind a lot. But he never gave me an answer when I asked…
The tin doll on the table began to tremble with a clank.
Shaking ever so slightly, the tin doll raised its tiny hand upwards, like a small child pointing to a toy on a shelf.
Lennox: It’s pointing to the corner…
Following the direction the doll pointed in, we found ourselves back in a particular room.
Chloe: …It’s the storage room again.
Rustica: What could there be here?
Faust: Let’s search the room.
We split up around the room, and started our search. I reached for random goods on the shelves, opened boxes…
Mitile: Ough, Mister Owen! If you aren’t gonna help then please move aside! I can’t open this crate if you don’t.
Owen: But it’s the perfect seat to sit and watch you guys work.
Everytime I’ve been in this room I always see dust covered fools.
Shino: Huh?
Owen: Just keep working. You still haven’t checked that corner yet.
Nero: Bossy…
Owen: Hmm?
Nero: Nothin’, sir.
Akira: I’ll take a look.
Owen jerked his chin to a corner of the bookcase, where when I reached my hand out a pile of dust blew into my face like a bag of flour being hit.
Akira: …ck, cough cough…! Ugh, nothing here…
Faust: …Wait.
Noticing something, Faust came over, and reached his hand in the same spot.
He grabbed something, and in his hands was an old bundled up book.
Faust: It was hidden on purpose…I can sense faint magic on it, so humans wouldn’t be able to find it.
Lennox: Is this a draft script? I can see some lines written out…
Beside Faust, Lennox peered into the notebook, eyes chasing the letters.
Lennox: “When I laughed when I was told to laugh, the manager asked what was funny and punched me.”
“When I’m on stage, I’m called the Lying Pierrot. I like that name.”
“Rather than the dump that is reality, I prefer funny lies, exaggerations, and delusions.”
In his deep voice he read aloud the contents of the notebook, turning the pages.
Lennox: “When the Lying Pierrot sings, lies become the truth. I can only truly live in this inverted reality.”
“I’ve decided. This time I will write a story where a fibber tells the truth but no one believes him, and he dies a pointless death.”
“The managers won’t catch this irony probably.”
Chloe: This isn’t a draft script…
Rustica: It’s a diary of Liebe’s time in this troupe. I do spot some memos meant for scriptwriting on the side however.
Scrawled on these yellowing pages were his days at the theatre, which spanned countless years.
Starting with his resentment against management for their terrible punishments, all sorts of things were written out in detail.
How his story about his dream he wrote in his freetime caught the eye of the manager and made him into a playwright, how he became an actor and stood on stage.
While we all made varying expressions on our faces, only Owen who sat on top of a wooden crate relaxed his shoulders and crossed his legs.
Owen: Haha, this is great. It’s a masterpiece about his miserable life. Read the next page already.
Lennox: … “Everyday someone new came, and someone was sold.”
“A smart play on their part. The longer you stay in this garden, the more you realize it’s strange.”
“Everyone who’s been here long enough closes off their own heart and body, in fear of management and their punishments, their will to fight back taken away.”
“I’m the same. I’m filthy.”
He was beaten and kicked by the managers, ordered around, and other things that Lennox wouldn’t read aloud and skipped over.
When Liebe wasn’t on stage, he was in the storage room alone.
He had no one to be with. The days penned down on these pages had no mention of any friends nor coworkers he was close to.
< Index >
Chapter 7
But at one point, a certain name began to be noted down a lot.
Lennox: “‘It was like I was in a wonderful dream’ the girl said again as she showered compliments about the pierrot. All I could do was reply sullenly.”
“I’m sorry Iris. The me who isn’t wearing the Pierrot’s mask can’t smile.”
“But, just as you describe it, the time you spend talking to someone like me is the greatest dream I could ever have.”
Iris: …
His retelling of events in his own writing was expressive.
Like he was talking about someone he admired, he complimented Iris’ singing, wrote about how his heart beat faster whenever she visited, and how angry he felt whenever she was hurt by the managers.
All sorts of things like that were written from corner to corner of every page then on, using that literary skill of his as a playwright.
Mitile: …He lived his whole life like this, harbouring those feelings…
Nero: To him, this ‘garden’ was more like a cage with walls he couldn’t see.
He didn’t have anywhere to run to, and nowhere to belong. Staying here might’ve been easier for him.
Chloe: That’s why Iris was so important to him…
We were sympathetic to Liebe and the matters of his heart, each wizard letting out their own words for him.
And like he was watching a play Owen looked down on us, opening his mouth to speak next.
Owen: When I came here before, I hated that pierrot and his pasted on, boring little smile.
Thinking I could tease him, I followed him to this room’s door, and heard a singing voice inside.
Liebe: …La la la~
“Let us meet on Walpurgis Night The night where wizards make the most merry”
“A tale of tragedy that will be our little secret”
Owen: Hmm. Nice song.
Liebe: …?! W-Who…
Owen: Does it matter who I am? You were that pierrot on stage earlier.
Hey, what’s that script you got there? The lyrics were different from that performance.
Liebe: I-It’s…, …
Owen: Can you finish a word? Geez, once the mask’s off you can’t even smile.
Liebe: …T, Those..
…Those are the next part of the lyrics. This song has a second half, not known to anybody.
This play…”Let Us Meet On Walpurgis Night” isn’t a comedy.
It’s a tragedy, where the Lying Pierrot hated by everyone, gets revenge on those who made fun of him.
Owen: And he’s your self-insert? So you plan on taking revenge against everyone in this theatre troupe.
Liebe: …That was what I wanted to do at first, but, what I want doesn’t matter anymore. I’m used to the abuse now.
There’s someone who I don’t want to, though.
She…Iris, doesn’t deserve to be in a place like this. She should be somewhere where she can shine most…
Owen: Cure Memini.
Liebe: …Hot...?!
My book is burning…!
Ahhh, no. It’s ashes now…
Owen: Hahahaha! That face you made…it’s much better than that boring fake smile of yours!
The you I see right now, is full of life.
Liebe: …Haha…
Owen: Huh…? What’re you laughing at.
Liebe: Thank you. For burning it…
These lyrics were just my selfish wish…that’s why I kept them hidden after I wrote them…
If she found out that the Lying Pierrot performed on stage bearing these disgusting feelings, she’d probably despair…
Owen: Don’t make it sound like I did you a favour. So annoying…
Just perform it. Isn’t being selfish and free the traits of a Western wizard?
Liebe: Huh…?
Owen: Don’t keep the things in your head as writings, turn those delusions into reality.
What lies deep in your heart isn’t a story of love, but a devastating revenge drama…
Accept that you’re a disgusting wizard, and let everybody know. I know it’ll feel so good.
Liebe: But…if I do that, the manager might do something awful to me…to her too…
Owen: So whiny. Even if you hide it, deep down you will always be you. You weren’t meant to be loved.
So if you’re gonna be hated on either way, why don’t you get rid of them all, the stage, the guests, the troupe, tear them all apart.
Liebe: …
Owen: That makes for a much better show.
Akira: (Is the reason why the manager hasn’t shown themselves in years because…)
…Huh…?
I blinked, and the wizards were gone. The only one left was the tin doll sitting on the wooden crate.
With a faint clank, I saw a figure beyond the shredded curtain in the darkness.
Akira: Who is it…?
The one standing there, was a pierrot who wore similar clothes to Owen.
His face was blackened by the shadow of the pillar, but underneath that mask I could see his lips forming a crescent shape smile.
???: “Iris is pretty good! She’s attractive, her singing’s gotten better. In the future she’ll surely become a nice woman.”
“That hardhead of hers is her only flaw, but it’ll just make taming her all the more worth it.”
The voice intonated their words like they were singing, and was full of energy.
Along with their exaggerated actions, they looked to be graceful despite being in a dusty storage room.
???: “She’s much more interesting than a pierrot who doesn’t smile nor cry when you take off his mask. He’s used goods now.”
“It was nice having him do whatever I wanted, but I do regret it a bit.”
…The manager said in bright spirits. I prayed that it was just a drunken joke.
Iris. As if I’d ever let the same things that happened to me happen to you.
Akira: …You’re…the Lying Pierrot…no, Liebe?
He didn’t answer my question.
Just like the dream from yesterday, I saw him talk and perform cheerfully within the dim lighting.
Like I was his audience, and this was his stage.
Lying Pierrot: At long last, they have found me a buyer.
The date I am traded off, will be the day of Walpurgis Night. Isn’t it perfect.
There couldn't be a more fitting moment for the Lying Pierrot to bring this all to a conclusion. I’ve memorized my tragic play down to the last page.
Celebrate with me, the end of this theatre troupe. With the true “Let Us Meet On Walpurgis Night”.
He continued unveiling his plans for the final performance.
Among those, was a plan to kill the manager so that they couldn’t interfere.
Lying Pierrot: Dealing with the manager wasn’t hard at all.
I pretended like I was obediently going to bed with them, just like usual, when I slit their throat.
I bet they never thought I’d oppose them. Not even in their dreams. Cleaning up after a wizard’s death is so quick and easy.
After that…is to successfully complete the performance. I will end it all. I’m going to free her from this garden.
His last words were so earnest that they teared at my heartstrings.
When he drooped his head low, the mask that hung at his eyes fell to the ground with a clatter.
Lying Pierrot: Please, please…
In the darkness, the pierrot hung his head low. It was when that silhouette of his began to take in the wavering light from the candles that…
???: …Sage. ….Master Sage!
Someone was calling for me, with a loud voice.
And like I was waking from being deep asleep, my vision brightened.
Owen: Master Sage.
Akira: Ow?!
I blink rapidly from the hard slap I receive on my shoulder.
Looking around me, I could see my wizards staring at me.
Lennox, who held me in his arms, let out a sigh of relief.
Lennox: Thank goodness…you suddenly fell, like a puppet who got its strings cut off.
Akira: Whuh?! S-So sorry…! I don’t know how, but I was listening to Owen’s story when I started dreaming…?
Owen: Wow, was I that boring?
Akira: No, it’s not that…! I think…in my dream, I met with the Lying Pierrot…with Liebe.
Iris: With him…?
Akira: Yes. I couldn’t talk with him, but it looked like he was acting out what was happening in that book…
Faust: No wonder…when Owen started talking about the past, the doll’s presence must’ve grown stronger.
For those without magic or any natural resistance to it, they can be easily influenced.
Nero: And as proof, while you were sleepin’, you talked about everything that happened in that book.
Akira: I did…? Then…
Rustica: We heard all about the story from you.
I don’t think we got through all of it however…
Lennox: …You’re right.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be forgiven. Even if I somehow escaped with my life, I’m sure I’d spend my days in the darkness cowering in fear still.”
“At the very least, I want to send you to the moonlit forests…”
“My hands are dirty. I don’t think I can ever live with someone as pure as you.”
“So I hope you can forgive me, for only wishing for your freedom.”
…This appears to be the last of Liebe’s writings.
Shino: …He was planning on offing himself with the rest of the troupe.
Nero: That’s why we haven’t been able to meet with the manager. They’ve long left this world.
Faust: And the missing playwright Liebe had turned into stone as the Lying Pierrot…
Owen: It’s all make-believe. This entire theatre troupe. All delusions.
Only Owen’s laugh filled the silence of the room, like a hand knocking at the bottom of an empty pot.
Owen: To think he actually took my words seriously and took someone’s life.
On top of that, he couldn’t fulfill his plan and died in an accident! Just hilarious. Even in death he can still make you laugh.
Mitile: You didn’t have to say that…
Chloe: So it was a song about revenge the entire time…
Rustica: Hatred, sadness, anger…he wrote down his spiraling emotions in his book, covered himself with a mask, and laughed it off…
Those days of suffering caused the creative cogs of his brilliant mind to run with abandon.
Faust: He’d gone blind in his madness. His final performance was supposed to be his grand work, yet it all ended without him acting it out.
It makes sense that with the influence of the Great Calamity, his strong regrets and obsessions to end this theatre troupe with that song were amplified to make those who listened have their hearts and bodies eaten away at.
Iris: But why…
Iris, who had been standing in silence for a while, whispered quieter than a single breath.
Owen: That pierrot despised this troupe. If the higher-ups found out about that, he’d probably break down into pieces.
I thought that this time I would rip that smiley mask off him, but…
He looked at Iris, and smirked at his newfound toy.
Owen: There was still something interesting to be discovered.
The bell had rung with the echo of a scream, signalling the start of the next show.
Still nervous, Iris’ eyes moved towards the sounds of the cheering.
Iris: This is bad…it’s time for our night show.
Owen stretched out his arm in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. He had reached for the tin doll in her arms.
And quietly, kindly whispered to her.
Owen: Wanna know? The ending to his tragedy.
How about I stand on stage instead of that pierrot doll.
Akira: …You, Owen?
Owen: I’m just appeasing his spirits. In place of the poor pierrot who died halfway to his goal, I thought I could act it out for him instead.
So, where’s the script?
Iris: It’s…here…
Nero: Hey hey, you serious? Why’re you getting the itch to act now all of a sudden?
Faust: What are you planning?
Regardless of the questions, Iris took out a bundle of paper and handed it to Owen who snatched it from her hands.
And making it a point to show us, he opened the tin doll’s little door and took out a tiny bottle.
Owen: The script I burnt to ashes is in here. Because of the bits and pieces we heard throughout yesterday and today too, I’ve even remembered how its melody went.
I’m going to complete the stage he dreamed of.
Akira: Wait, Owen…!
< Index >