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Chapter 10
A little hesitant, Oz managed to get his words out.
In a deep and calm voice that would melt into the quietness of the night.
Oz: Not all children receive unconditional love from their parents.
But you were truly loved.
Not for the power to grant wishes, but because you had people who loved you for you by your side.
If there is a next life for you, I hope that you will be cherished the same.
That is my wish.
Akira: (Oz…)
Oz’s wish was filled with his blessing.
It was a wish not for his personal gain, but for happiness.
What could you call that, if not love?
Sif let off a strong light, as if to answer his wish.
A light unlike before, that bathed the whole area in white.
I had to shut my eyes at the brightness, and heard Sif’s laughing voice.
When I opened them, the quiet of the night stretched out before us again, and in Oz’s palm were two gemstones.
Oz: These are…
Arthur: …Beautiful gemstones. They look like ruby and sapphire.
Akira: A red gem, and a blue one…
I recognized those colours. The vibrant morning sun, and the cloudless vast sky of day.
Akira: Uhm…could these colours be…
Owen: Your eyes?
Arthur: Me and Lord Oz’s?
Shylock: Yes. It’s not just the colours, but that strong glint they carry within them is also like your eyes.
Bradley: Wow. That fairy has good sense in their gifts.
Mithra: You think so? If I was getting a rock, a mana stone would make me ten times happier.
Mitile: But Lord Oz’s wish was that in their next life they would be loved as well. So why these gems…
Shylock: Perhaps we can think of these gemstones as Sif’s new life.
Murr: Yup! Sif used their life to become these gems for Oz.
They couldn’t escape their fate, so they turned those eyes that loved them so dearly into similar coloured gems.
This way they can still be by your sides!
To be by the side of those who loved you.
Bathed in moonlight, the red and blue gemstones sparkled bright. A warmth spread from my chest.
Even if one day, Oz and Arthur had to part from each other…
They can look at these gemstones and remember.
Of the eyes that loved them so.
Oz: Arthur.
This gem is for you.
The gemstone he was handing over was the red one.
Arthur: …Huh…
Puzzled, Arthur stared at the red gemstone he was being offered, and the blue one in Oz’s hand, as if comparing the two.
Arthur: …You’re giving me the gemstone that has the colour of your eyes…?
Oz: Mine…? …Ah, that’s right.
That’s why I wanted to give it to you.
Arthur: …Lord Oz…
Thank you, so much…
Like he was handling his heart, Arthur accepted the gemstone delicately with both hands, wrapping them gently.
The sight of him clasping his hands together at his chest resembled a person praying.
Arthur: Lord Oz. I am grateful to have met Sif.
Even if I can’t ever meet them again…
I am proud of the love I gave them.
Oz: …Is that so.
He stared at the dazzling blue gemstone in his hand.
The night wind brushed his cheek, and swayed his long hair.
Oz: In the future, you will experience many meetings and farewells.
Within them, there will be those who you grow affection for, just like this one.
Those affections become bonds. They grow stronger little by little, and before you know it, have made a place in your heart.
However, the day to part will eventually come.
His grasp on the gemstone in his hand tightened.
Like he didn’t want to lose a single fragment of that pure light.
Arthur: …Yes. But until then, I will appreciate every irreplaceable bond I make.
Which is why I will not shy away from giving my love to others.
I want to give my all to those that I care for.
Even if the day we have to part comes…
Because if I didn’t, I know I’d regret it.
His smile was peaceful, yet resolute.
He then looked at Oz with piercing eyes.
Oz: …Even if that loss becomes unbearable?
Arthur: Even if.
Although such precious bonds may be few and far between in a lifetime’s worth of meetings…
I have already had one meeting that I will treasure.
I am fortunate, Lord Oz. So I will be fine.
Arthur’s hand wrapped around Oz’s fist that protected the blue gem and its light within.
Arthur: Lord Oz, I will become stronger.
I don’t want to just share my happiness with you, I want to shoulder your pain too. So…
It doesn’t have to be now. But I ask that one day you will rely on me instead of protect me.
Oz: …
His expression was like the moonlight. Quiet, kind, obscure, tinged with complex colours.
Moonlight. It was not only the moon’s light, but the shadows created by the light as well.
Oz: …Arthur…
In place of an answer, a large hand ruffled silver hair.
Arthur’s eyebrows drooped and gently smiled, as if accepting that this was enough for now.
Owen: Poor pitiful Prince, for having believed in the cold-hearted Demon Lord.
Hey Arthur. Call me when you don’t need that stone anymore.
I’ll crush it into pieces for you. I bet it’ll feel refreshing like if I squashed Oz’s eyeball itself.
Bradley: What a waste. That’s a good quality gemstone. If you’re gonna break it into pieces might as well sell ‘em all.
Arthur: I won’t be breaking or selling it. This is my treasure.
Oh, Lord Oz. How about we get these gemstones turned into accessories?
They’re perfect as they are now of course, but it would be great if we could pin them to our clothes.
Oz: That’s a nice idea.
Murr: Then you can leave the cutting to me! I’ll make it extra sparkly!
Shylock: How about you ask Chloe for the decoration part? I believe he will be able to make you two a beautiful accessory fitting of a memento.
And when they’re done you can put them on and come to my bar.
Then I will be able to give my adorable and mischievous young master that special drink they deserve.
Mithra: Haaaugh…what am I to do now that my time killer has gone.
Mitile: Time killer…there’s gotta be a better nickname for someone who was so attached to you.
Mithra: Time killers are time killers. Everyone’s asleep at night, so taking care of that fairy was a perfect fit for me.
Mitile: Mister Mithra. Lately you were always playing with Sif.
Then…how about we keep you company next time.
Mithra: You brothers?
Mitile: Yes! Lately the first floor’s been really quiet, so me, my brother, and Riquet felt it was a bit lonely.
Mithra: But you guys will just fall asleep in the middle of it.
…
Well, why not. Then next time I will be hanging out with you guys.
When I looked up at the sky, millions of stars were shining.
Twinkle twinkle, like gemstones do.
And in the middle of them, was a giant moon.
A moon that invades once a year, the Great Calamity that seeks to destory this world.
Farewells aren’t that far from us now.
Akira: (We’re all coming together, to defeat that moon.)
(And when that day comes…)
Oz: …
Shylock: Now, shall we return to the manor?
Oz: Yeah. –Sage.
Oz held out his hand to me.
Oz: With you by my side, I can overcome the night.
His strong voice echoed as if to tell all the other wizards here.
To tell that moon shining blue, floating behind his back.
If you’re here, everything’s okay. If I’m here, everything’s okay.
I put my hand on his, accepting his trust.
Akira: Yes!
Though our individual wishes may differ, we all had one mission.
Once we’ve gathered and fought together, we’ll probably say our goodbyes to each other.
And, hopefully…
Those farewells will be bright, kind, and warm.
END
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