Alptraum of the White Funeral Night Chapter 6

[xuebingcode]

Chapter 6

Owen: Pant, pant…Uu, I’m tired…

Cain: …Ha, ha…shit. To think the cucarucca would transform into Chloe…

(We managed to shake them off, but there might be no next time. Owen can’t run anymore.)

(To beat a cluster of cucarucca we have to kill the whole body in one strike. I don’t have that level of magic, though…)

(Relax! Take your time and think. Our goal is to return home with everyone. What we need to make that happen is to reunite the Master Sage and Oz.)

(Okay then, what’s my best move? What is it I should do right now?)

Owen: …Sir Knight…

Cain: (...What can I do to protect a frightened child?)

…

Owen: Sir Knight? Why did you let go of my hand…?

Cain: Owen. Calm down, and listen to my words. 

From here on we’re gonna move separately. 

I’ll stay here, so you go and find Oz. Help him out.

We won’t be able to leave this place for a while, but Oz will protect you.

Owen: N…No…gh! I want to stay with you!

I, I won’t say I’m tired anymore! I’ll be a good kid, so…kh.

Cain: That’s not it. I want you to get away safely so I’m gonna stall the…

Owen: No! Don’t wanna! Sir Knight is a l-liar! 

You said you wouldn’t leave me…!

Cain: …

…You remember that. Even though you don’t have most of your adult memories…

…

Owen.

Owen: W-What…?

Cain: Look at me please. Look straight into my eyes.

Owen. For me to not leave you in the true sense, this needs to happen.

It sucks, but I can’t win against those monsters, and there’s a limit to how much we can run. 

So I’m going to trust you with my hope. That you will survive. 

Owen: …To survive…

Cain: Knights don’t fight alone. Against a tough opponent, we believe in our victory and do our part to the fullest. 

And this is my part. 

I’m going to leave my hope with you, and in the end I will come back for you. 

Owen: …

You’re going to leave your hope, with me…

Gh…!

Cain: Crap, they found us!

Owen, run! I’ll…

Cerberus!? Owen…

Owen: Tear them apart.

Tch…a lot of them got away. These dogs suck at squashing smaller beasts. 

Cain: You’re…back to normal. Honestly, that’s a relief. 

Owen: Hmph. …

Cain: …What? If you’re gonna complain, complain to yourself who stuffed those guys into your trunk. 

Owen: No. Before…

You said you were going to leave your hope with me.

Cain: …Yeah. You remember.

Owen: That’s…no, I…

Cain: …

Owen: …Are you okay with that?

Cain: …

…I’m…

Chloe: Cain! Owen!?

Cain: Chloe…!? Wait…

Chloe: Woahwoahwoah! Don’t point your sword at me! I’m the real one!

Wait, but are you two the real ones? Or fake!?

Oh I know, Owen, can I hug you!?

Owen: What’re you doing, you idiot!

Cain: What’re YOU doing!? He’s clearly the real Chloe!

Chloe: Owie…ouchie ouch…

Cain: You alright, Chloe? Did you hit your head?

Chloe: I’m A-Okay! Sorry for startling you.

But seriously, I’m glad you pushed me away. Thanks, Owen! 

Owen & Cain: Hm?

Chloe: Just earlier, I thought I found Owen. So out of relief I hugged him without thinking, and he just hugged me back like it was normal! 

I was like, wait, he can do that? And then the Owen in my arms turned into caterpillars! It was mega scary! 

The real Owen should push you away if you tried to hug him. That’s the right reaction, yep! I was so relieved~...

Owen: Hey Mr. Knight, are you sure he didn’t hit his head?

Cain: I’m sure…well, either way, it’s good we’re all okay. 

We should move together. That way we won’t be fooled by more tricks. 

And now that Owen’s…in a good mood, we don’t have to run around anymore. Let’s search for Riquet and the others, and protect them.

Then all we gotta do is reunite Oz and the Master Sage, and Oz will end this nightmare. Capisce? 

Owen: I guess. 

Chloe: Mmhmm. I hope the Master Sage and the others are safe…

Akira: Pant, haah…hg…

I took in deep breaths searching for oxygen. 

We had just taken a sneak attack from the cucarucca, and were sent on a massive chase.

Akira: (We shook them off thanks to Riquet and Mitile’s magic but…)

There was still no sign of Oz. All we could find were cucaruccas transformed into our friends.

Riquet: …We must, bring the Master Sage, to Oz, at once…

Mitile: …but, we’re, so…

I could see how pale they were.

Exhausted faces a vivid reminder of when they fought the minotaurus, I understood why even without magic.

Akira: (...They’re almost at their limit…)

I could feel the fear and uneasiness creep up from my toes.

If we were found by a cucarucca without any mana left, we’d have no way of fending them off.

We had hardly any stamina left to keep running until the sun rose or we found Oz. 

Akira: (We have to do something. But what…)

Mitile: …Master Sage.

There’s a small room with a door over there and no webs. Please hide in that room. 

Riquet and I will go find Lord Oz and bring him to you.

Akira: No, I can’t be the only one hiding…

I shook my head right away, but suddenly realized what would lie next. 

Their raspy breaths, the sweat on their foreheads, their hoarse voices from saying their spell too much. The cuts they had all over, stained with blood.

The only reason why I was unwounded out of the three of us was because Mitile and Riquet had been protecting me. 

Akira: (If I stay with them, they’ll have to keep on fighting to protect me.)

(I can’t have them using any more magic than they should…)

…I understand. I’m sorry that I can’t be of help.

Mitile: Don’t be. This is our duty.

Here, go inside. 

Akira: …It’s dark…

Mitile: Even if you’re afraid, please don’t light any flames. Bugs are sensitive to light. 

Riquet and I will cast all the blessing and protection spells we know, so they won’t find you. 

Ortonik Sealsispilce.

Your turn, Riquet.

Riquet: …Sanretea Edif.

Mitile: …Once this door closes, you will be safe. 

The spells will break if you open the door from the inside though, so please do not leave until we come for you.

Riquet, let’s go.

Riquet: …

Mitile: Riquet?

He finally raised his face.

His vacant eyes suddenly held an intense light in them, concentrated on Mitile.

It was an unstable light, like when a cat jumped into the middle of the road, eyes frozen in fear at the car in front of it. 

Riquet: …Mitile, you should stay in there too. I alone will search for Oz.

Akira: What!?

Mitile: Wh…huuuh!? What’re you saying all of a sudden!

Riquet: Do not worry. My magic is stronger than yours, Mitile.

Mitile: Ah…are you trying to tell me I’ll just be deadweight!? That’s mean, Riquet! 

You know I’ve become stronge…

Riquet: That’s why you can’t come!

His shout was closer to a scream.

Small hands gripped Mitile’s shoulders, shaking them.

Riquet: You can’t use too much magic, Mitile! Hasn’t Figaro warned you of this?

Don’t you know what being consumed by a mana stone is?

If you do, then you should understand what I’m saying, right!? Listen to me!

Mitile: But…, …

He looked like he wanted to say something, but swallowed his breath in shock.

Because Riquet was crying.

Pristine tear drops flowed down his cheeks, mixed with the blood from his cuts, and continued without end. 

Pain coloured tears were repeatedly wiped with the back of his hand. 

He didn’t have any magic left to clean his cuts or tears. 

Riquet: …h. The cucaruccas are coming close…




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