Akira: …Did we include that in the conversation?

Rustica: Did I get it wrong?
Each and every instrument has its own distinct sound.

Rustica: You can make a song with just one.
There's no need to mix in other instruments.

Rustica: See. Isn't it just like a wizard?

As he said it, it made sense.
A strong personality, an intense sound, and a timbre next to no other.

In the worst case, I think that's fine. I'm not good at group projects either.

But, when it comes to fighting an incredibly strong enemy…

If there's something I could do to not lose anyone.

Akira: What makes a symphony work well?

Rustica smiled kindly.

His unwavering and call gaze made him seem like a prophet.

Rustica: While there are many elements to it, the most important one is the conductor.

Akira: …Conductor…

Rustica: That's right.
A conductor has to respect each sound, sometimes suppressing and sometimes bringing it out.

Rustica: To harmonise.

Rustica: A conductor needs to know each instrument's strength as well as weakness.

Rustica: In order to make rich music by layering each individual sound over and over again…

Rustica: You must be tolerant but cold to every instrument. Shhh, quietly…Now, loudly!

And then, bam!!
The sound of a cymbal echoed from somewhere, making my heart almost jump out of my heart.

Rustica: My apologies.
I seemed to have startled you.

Akira: N-Not at all…

Rustica: Giving someone orders for someone else, playing a melody for everyone, that's a conductor's job.

I felt my heart pounding, and not just because I got startled.

Isn't the amazingness of a conductor what you need to be a good Sage?

Even if it's impossible for me now, if I had a good conductor as a role model…

Even the wizards that can't coexist could maybe, even if for a second, coexist.

Akira: Rustica, is it alright if I ask you something else?

Rustica: What is it?

Akira: Assuming that everyone in the Magic Headquarters is familiar with musical instruments…

Akira: Who would be the most suitable as a conductor?

Rustica: Central would be Cain, East would be Faust, South would be Doctor Figaro, and North would be Bradley.

The words I wanted him to repeat before.

As I widened my eyes, Rustica titled his head out of curiosity.

Rustica: Oya?
Have I told you this before?

Akira: Rustica, what about West?
Out of everyone from Western country, who would be most suited as a conductor?

He thought about it for a bit before smiling.

Rustica: Perhaps it's me.

Akira: …That's right…
I'm so sorry if this comes off as rude but, what about Shylock?

Rustica smiled confidently.

The confidence wasn't for himself, but for his friends.

Rustica: Shylock, that virtuous friend of mine, so good at many things…

Rustica: I can't boil him down to one single thing.

Rustica: He can find beauty and richness in broken and distorted things.

Rustica: A love of raw and free souls.

Rustica: Completion, victory, achievements... Shylock doesn't put things that make everyone happy and secure on the shelves.

Rustica: Things that are unfinished, defeated, unexplored...

Rustica: All the beautiful things that were not rewarded because they were what they were.

Rustica: Shylock is someone who truly cares and respects them.

Rustica: Perhaps he could swing the baton by himself.

Rustica: But he'll just hurt himself. He doesn't want to decide the correct sound and arrange it.

Akira: Is Rustica good at that?

Rustica respectfully bowed to me.

A little pretentious, but reliable, gesture of a nobleman.

With the charm of a shooting star, Rustica closed one eye, flashing a smile.

Rustica: From a musician~

[Sage's room]

That night I…

I prepared 5 volumes of Sage's Journals.

Figaro: Master Sage, there's no need to panic.
Shylock's alright now.

Figaro: But, I'm sure it must've been tough for you too.
About the wizard Nova, shall we talk about him some other time?

I shook my head.
I didn't want to cry and be seen as someone unreliable and weak.

Akira: No…
I'm so sorry for causing everyone worry.
Please let me listen too.

Figaro nodded, using magic to bring over some papers.

Floating lightly like birds, the papers gathered in his hands.

It was the letter Mister Vincent gave him the day Arthur made a promise.

Figaro: I'll talk to Shylock about it later…
I've narrowed everything down to two clues.

Figaro: First is about a club in the West.
Nicholas has been seen going in and out.
A white-haired woman was also seen.

Akira: That's Nova…?

Figaro: While it may not be it, it's worth looking into.
They claim to be from Adams Island and seem to have gathered information about the island.

Akira: Adams Island…
From what Murr said, it's an island that got sunk because someone went crazy for Shylock.

Figaro was taken aback by that and looked at Shylock over his shoulder.

Figaro: To have an entire island sunk because of someone being obsessed with him…
What an amazing guy.

Snow: You haven't heard of it too?

White: Even though you're so well-informed usually.

Figaro: I don't really know a lot about the Western islands.
What about Oz or Faust?

Faust: Yeah.

Oz: …

Figaro: Faust's such a good boy, huh~
And you, at least reply.

Oz: I don't know.

Figaro: Remains from rituals have also been found on Borda Isle, which is near Adams Island.
The chances of Nova having been here are high.

Figaro: I want to have this investigated.
If possible, with the Central and Western wizards.

Faust: I see. Since it's related to Nicholas and there's mention of an officer's club, isn't it better to send Cain?

Figaro: It could have the opposite reaction though.
Since they seem to have been on bad terms.

Figaro: The other thing is about a wizard's guild that once existed in the East.

Figaro: It seems that the author of the guild's rule book, 'rule book of mutual prosperity', was named Nova.

Faust: 'Rule book of mutual prosperity'?
So the one who created the guild was Nova?

Figaro: No idea.
It seems the description was left at the management office of the library in the City of Rain.

Figaro: Eastern Country, City of Rain, Wizard guild.
'Rule book of Mutual Prosperity' production.
Author, J. Page, H. Leroux, Q. Nova.

Oz: …Maybe it's just the same name?

Figaro: That is a possibility.
If we look into it, we may get confirmation.
Can I ask the Eastern wizards about it?

Faust: We go to the City of Rain a lot.
We can find out.
Do you know where we can get hold of that book?

Figaro: Unfortunately, it's a phantom book.
The only things remaining about it are the publication records.

Figaro: According to rumours though, there seems to have been a rule about how wizards can flourish together.

Faust: Hmmm…
That doesn't seem like it'd be of much help.
Does that guild no longer exist?

Figaro: Most likely.
Most likely as in, we have no idea when the guild ceased to exist.

Faust: That's strange…
We'll search around about the guild too.

Snow: What of the Northern and Southern wizards?

Figaro: As Vincent said the other day, the Southern wizards have something to do.

Figaro: We shall interact with the people of Central country.

Figaro: If we increase our number of human allies, it surely will give us some hope in case something happens.

Figaro: I don't really have any specific requests from the Northern wizards.
Since it's such a pain to follow others' orders.

Snow: Why, that isn't true!

White: Why, even we can follow instructions!

Figaro: Then, please prepare for when we have to fight Nova.

Figaro: Even Mithra couldn't win a one-on-one, yes?
Everyone except Oz might perish.

Snow: …Mumumu
We're not the type to get defeated by some nameless wizard.

White: We'll show both you and Nova a thing or two.

Figaro: How reliable.
That's all I have to say.
Everything else is up to you, Master Sage.

Figaro: You can take my proposal, hold a meeting and start from scratch, I'll go with whatever you think.

Figaro: What will you do?

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.

Oz looked down at his hands with a bitter gaze, but eventually nodded.

Oz: ...Yeah.

Figaro let out a sigh, smiling softly.

Figaro: If you're saying that, let's give it our best.

Oz lifted his face up, looking at Figaro.

Figaro: Even if fate never changes, perhaps we can stretch it.
The prophecy might not be fulfilled until 3000 years later.

Snow: That's a topic not so far off in the future.

Figaro raised an eyebrow at Snow, who was shaking his head.

Figaro: Please be a little more careful.
Oz is making such an expression.
We even had such strange weather yesterday.

White: Calming down and such, what's the point of it? A prophecy cannot be rewritten.

Figaro: We don't know when it comes to Oz.
Even Master Sage is willing to cooperate.

Shylock: I agree with Sir Figaro.
If we protect Prince Arthur properly, such a tragedy might not happen so easily.

Figaro: Exactly that.
We'll protect Arthur.
I've devised removing him from the front lines.

Figaro: He'll fight a little at times too of course.
I do have a few thoughts about Western country or the wizard Nova but…

Suddenly, Figaro stopped talking.

Because Faust, who was sitting beside him, grabbed his arm.

He looked at Figaro in an accusing way.

Well, more than an accusing look, it was one that carried feelings of bewilderment and frustration, as if under pressure.
As if it was a warning…

Figaro's eyes widened.

Figaro: What is it?

Faust: ……

Faust opened his mouth.
He looked around at the people in the room, as if he could say nothing.

Then, Figaro looked like he guessed what was up.
He gave him a comforting smile.

He took Faust's arm and made him stand up.

Figaro: Can we have a minute? Let's go.

Faust: Wait it's…It's better we talk here.

Figaro: It's alright.
Come on, let's go.

Shylock: A secret perhaps?

Faust: Wrong.

Figaro: Mhm.

It was a strange sight, to say the least.
Faust was always on edge around Figaro and Figaro was panicky.

Faust, who was already worried, started panicking at Figaro's compelling smile.

Both of them left the room together.

[ Hallway ]

Figaro: …We should be fine here.

Figaro: That's bad of you, Faust.
You were gonna say something, yeah?

Faust: …You were also going to say something.

Figaro: About?

Faust: About?
…About your fate.
Or perhaps, that was a lie as well?

Figaro: It's not a lie.

Faust: Then, we have more reason to…
Arthur isn't the only one whose life is in danger.
At least tell the twins or Oz…

Figaro: I have no intention of telling.

Faust: Why!?

Figaro: I don't want them to take pity on me.

Faust: …Wha….

Figaro: Once, a witch I was acquainted with told me that she would probably have a short life.
That was Rutile and Mitile's mother.

Figaro: Since then, no matter if she was smiling or looked like the happiest person ever, she looked pitiful.

Figaro: Being pitied is being condemned.
I don't want anyone to see me that way.
Especially the three of them.

Faust: …Being pitied…
That's just a form of affection.
They're people you think of as family, right?

Figaro: No.

Faust: "It's alright, we'll save Arthur."
Just as you said that, Oz and the others will say the same to you.

Faust: "It's alright, we'll save Figaro."
It's better if you get told that.
What do you not understand!?

Figaro: I can't be protected by them.
I'm probably just growing old.
My body is gradually getting weaker too.

Figaro: It's something no one can stop.
Everything that has a beginning has an end.
That time has come for me, that's all to it.

Figaro: But, I don't want anyone knowing that my life will be coming to an end.

Faust: Then, why, why did you tell me!?

Snow: Oz dear, the future we prophesied isn't one that has to do with your fate.

White: It's about Arthur's fate.
We came to tell you out of compassion.

Snow: If you don't want us to deepen your sorrows, we will stay quiet and go home.

White: Forget all about the child who grew up in this castle.

Oz: ……

Oz: What have you prophesied about Arthur? Are there ominous perils ahead?

Snow: Arthur will be summoned as a Sage's wizard from Central country.

White: And then, during the fight with the Great Calamity, he will die and turn to stone.

Oz: ……

Oz: Arthur will…

Oz: …Turn to stone…?

Snow: Yes.

White: Yes yes.

Oz: …
…How is that believable?
I refuse to believe your words.

Oz: The fight against the Great Calamity is nothing but a ritual.
There is no way one would lose their life.

Oz: A while ago, you were the ones who said that !

Snow: However, that is the prophecy.
A fate foretold cannot be changed.

White: You don't have a long time left.
Make sure to spend it without any regrets.

Oz: ……

Oz: …Arthur will die…?

Oz: Arthur will, to the moon…

Oz: …Like I'd accept that…

Snow and White: Our prophecies can never be changed.

Oz: …I can't accept that…!

[ Granville Castle ]

Arthur: …Hm?

Arthur: I thought someone was calling me but, it must have been my imagination…

Arthur: Today was a good day.
It gave me hope that one day, I can have a heartfelt exchange with my uncle.

Arthur: There is a trust you can obtain only by showing that you are willing to make sacrifices.

Arthur: …Even though I ended up getting scolded by Master Oz…

Arthur: The voice he scolded me with, it was so nostalgic.

[Oz's room]

Oz: ……

Lightning could be seen in the darkness outside, the fire in the fireplace gradually burning out.

After Oz finished speaking, I sat shocked.

Thinking about it, Oz was telling me about the twins' unpleasant prophecy from the day I came to the Magic Headquarters.

Akira: (So that was about Arthur…)

Even if my brain understood it, it still hadn't reached my heart.

I mean, that sweet prince's smile, out of every living thing in the world, would die.
It felt so wrong.

Smiling in a easy going way, the boy who flew into the sky.
I thought of Arthur as a friend even before I met him.

I heard about him through the twins.
I felt so close to him through everything in the previous Sage's book.

No matter how Snow and White's prophecies can't be changed.
A future where Arthur dies, I definitely don't want to believe it.

Akira: …Oz, even if they're prophecies, they can be changed, right…?

Oz: …The twins' prophecies can never be changed.
Fate is always determined by the path laid by the stars.

Akira: …That…But…

Oz: I also tried to change fate.
Without even knowing the reason, it interrupted me when seizing power over the world.

Oz took another deep sigh, and loosened his fists, trying to pry his fingers apart.

Looking down at his hands, he muttered.

Oz: …My attempt should have been successful.
I got chosen as a wizard from Central.
Even a crest appeared on my body.

Oz: I thought I could become a substitute for Arthur's destiny but the new sage summoned Arthur.

Akira: That means…!

Oz: That was you, Akira…I couldn't overwrite fate.

At a loss for words, I remembered a scene I once saw.

The words Oz muttered when he saw the crest on Arthur's hand that time we went to pick him up in the North.

Why?

Akira: By successor, did you perhaps mean substitute? Of Arthur? Of a Central wizard?

Yes. Mithra also said it. That I was a genuine Northern wizard.

It's strange, for him to be summoned as a Central wizard.

Oz: I guess that can be said.
I didn't think it would hurt me in any way while fighting against the Great Calamity.

Oz: I overwrote my destiny.
But you changed it back.

After the rain, the sunset filled sky shined bright in shades of pink and silver.
Figaro told Arthur that he'd bring Mister Vincent's letter back to him.
Chloe sighed a lot, being worried about what might be happening in Oz's room.
His eyes were red and swollen, but they were beautiful while dyed in the colours of the sunset.

Chloe: ...Rustica, it'll be alright, yeah?
Even if by accident, I wouldn't subconsciously curse Mister Vincent, right?

That was the third time he's asked that question.
Without giving up, Rustica politely shook his head.

Rustica: It's alright. Chloe hasn't cursed anything. There's nothing to worry about.

Chloe: ..But...I'm not as good of a kid as you think I am…

Rustica: You are a good kid.
Even now, you're worrying about your friend's uncle with him.

Chloe: ...That..That could just be self-protection...I probably just don't want anyone to blame me…

Chloe averted his eyes and looked down. Rustica patted his helpless back.

Rustica: Even then, worrying about him is kind.

Chloe's worry was understandable. Even so, the shadowy figures of Chloe and Rustica close together gave me a bit of hope.

I thought of Mister Vincent's words.

Wizards can never coexist.

Even though they're so kind and get along so well.

Rustica noticed me frowning. While continuing to pat Chloe, he gently smiled.

Rustica: Please look, Master Sage.
As if they're little mirrors, the water droplets are reflecting the beautiful evening sky.

What Rustica said was true. The light purple sky that began to dawn shone like something out of a dream.

Letting the wrinkles between my eyebrows disappear, I laughed.

Akira: It really is pretty, isn't it?
Thank you very much for pointing it out.

Rustica: You're very welcome. I only thought of how much you'd like it. That and I wanted you to smile.

Being looked at so closely by Rustica, I blushed a little.
His kind look allowed me to be honest.

Akira: Mister Vincent's words..Do you think they're true? That wizards can never coexist…

Rustica: What do you think?
Look at me and Chloe, having travelled the world together.

The playful look in Rustica's eyes made me open my eyes.
Right. They were always together.

Akira: That's right...I really do think they can stay together.

Rustica: I can say I think the same with confidence.

Chloe happily smiled because of Rustica's words.

Rustica: However, if you compare it to music. The more instruments a song has, the harder it becomes to play.

Certainly, a song played by an entire orchestra seems harder than that played by a trio of instruments.

Since Rustica and Chloe are only two, their journey went smoothly. What would've been the case if there were a hundred of them?

Suddenly, Rustica muttered something underneath his breath.

Rustica: Central would be Cain, East would be Faust, South is Doctor Figaro, and North is Bradley probably.

Akira: Eh…?

When I thought about asking him to repeat it, Chloe took in a breath.

In his line of sight was none other than Oz.

Akira: Oz, is Arthur…-

Oz: He has returned to Granville castle.

Oz's voice sounded tired.
Like an old dog who had lost its way home,
He was frustrated, tired, and in shambles.

Looking up at the evening sky, a figure was taking off from the manor on a broom.

Oz: Master Oz I'm truly sorry...Because of me, Arthur…

As Chloe's purple eyes welled up with tears, Oz turned his gaze down and shook his head.

Oz: Don't get your words mixed up. You aren't in the wrong.

Chloe: ..But…

Oz: Even if you regretfully look back on this, it isn't your fault.

Chloe, still confused, nodded understandingly. Next to him, Rustica bowed as well.

Oz eyed me from the side and said one thing.

Oz: ...We have to talk.

Akira: With me? Understood. Then shall we..