Mahoyaku Mainstory 2 - 6.6

Figaro: ……

Figaro: …I wonder why…

Faust: Huh!?

Figaro: You can think about it.
If you figure it out, could you maybe tell me too?

Faust: What are you saying…

Figaro: Shhh…Your voice is too loud.
It's about time we go back to the bar.

Faust: ……

Figaro: Don't tell Oz and the others.
Got it?

Faust: …What if I said no?

Figaro: I'll wipe your memory.
Don't make me do such a thing.

Faust: ……

Figaro: Ahh, don't make that face.
I won't be dying anytime soon, I'll be alright.

[ Shylock's bar ]

Shylock: I wonder what kind of secrets they're talking about…

Shylock: Before the two of them come back, may I interest you in a new drink I've made?

Akira: Thank you very much.

Snow: Oho ho ho~ Let us lend a hand too.

White: You might even end up getting a slice of fruit.

Shylock and the rest went their way, leaving me and Oz alone.

Akira: I'm glad it went well.
Being able to talk to Figaro and the rest of the teachers…
Everyone is so cooperative…

Oz: …Yeah…

As I was about to continue, I suddenly remembered Mithra telling me something about Figaro.

Figaro's magic is getting weaker.

Akira: That reminds me…
Oz, have you felt that Figaro's magical strength is weakening?

Oz looked at me without saying anything.

Akira: Mithra once said something along those lines…

Oz: I've questioned it once before.
It seems it's because he wants to camouflage better to make life easier in the South's environment.

Akira: Camouflage…Ah, so that's it.
So that they don't find out he's from the North.

I felt relief at Oz's reply.
That's right. Figaro's just hiding something from the people of the South.

This is just a trick to achieve it.

Oz: Figaro probably…just wants to let go of the past.

Oz: And in that past, I'm there.

Before I could hear what Oz meant, Figaro and Faust returned.

Figaro was smiling even more than before.
Faust, on the other hand, looked as if he'd been forced to take a bitter medicine.

Figaro: Sorry for the wait~

Akira: Is everything alright? What about your little talk…

Figaro: It's over. Right, Faust?

Faust: …….I…

At that time, the sound of breaking glass could be heard.

Being startled, I look up.
Shylock was being talked about.

His heart was on fire.

Akira: The strange affliction from the Great Calamity…!

Snow: Figaro, Dear Sage!

White: Hurry over here!

Akira: Yes!

I took off, running to Shylock's side.

Shylock: ….U-Ugh…

A bright red flame burned bright on Shylock's chest.

As he furrowed his eyebrows in pain, Faust looked over with worry on his face.

Faust: Are you alright, Shylock!?
Oz, with your magical strength…

Oz: I've tried before and couldn't put it out.

Figaro: Anything you can't do, I can't do either.
But, we have Master Sage with us this time.

Figaro turned to face me and started speaking.

Figaro: Master Sage, you can nullify the effects of the Great Calamity's strange afflictions, yeah?
Help us out a bit.

Akira: Yes…!

I nodded.
Quickly, I took Shylock's hand, which was previously tightly clutching his chest.

As sweat formed on his forehead, Shylock forced a smile.

Shylock: I apologise for the trouble, Master Sage…

Akira: Please don't speak unnecessarily.
While I don't know if I can do it or not, I'll give it my all!

The Oz who couldn't use magic, the Mithra who couldn't sleep, I helped them just by holding their hand.

So obviously, I felt like I could do it.
The pain I felt just by looking at Shylock, I hoped I could ease it.

However, brilliant ribbons of flames burst out from under Shylock's pale skin.

It really looked like his heart was on fire. That froze me in place.

Akira: (Just looking is painful enough.)
(I need to do it. I need to help Shylock. But, can I do it?)
(If I can't, Shylock might…)

Figaro: Master Sage, calm down a bit.

Akira: …Ah, yes…!

With all my strength, I squeezed Shylock's fingertips.