Rhapsody of the Burning Love for the Seaside Town ~West & South~ | Chapter Four

[odorekijin]

[West, outskirts of Town of Nectar]

???: You! You’re a wizard, ain’tcha!

???: Leave, now! Or I'll shoot!

Murr: Hey, tell me, that's a Magical Science weapon you have there, right?

How powerful are the shots? Will it blow my head off?

???: Th-that guy... Instead of being scared, he put his own head on the muzzle…!

???: We know for sure he’s a wizard now! He’s completely insane!

Rustica: A good day to you, is everything going well?

???: Good...? Yes, thank you?

We hurried to where the shouts came from.

A large number of people were surrounding Murr, holding what looked like guns.

Soldier: Who the hell are you!?

Rustica: What a clear and powerful voice you have. The plethora of grandiose arrangements that would suit you is infinite... Perhaps you are my bride...

Akira: R-Rustica!

Chloe: Whoa! Now is not the right time to take out the birdcage!

Soldier: The fuck is wrong with you folks!

Soldier: Hey, we’ve got more freaks over here!

Shylock: Oh you, we, too, flush when others shower us with compliments, you know. 

A sweet voice echoed through the hustle and bustle.

His sultry tone and secretive smile were far from appropriate in this taut situation.

Taken aback, the soldiers’ eyes were instantly drawn to Shylock.

Shylock: We are the Sage’s Wizards, including the more bizarre ones among us.

From the looks of it... You are the Magical Science Militia, I presume?

We would like to inquire about the current situation, if you could deign to answer us.

Soldier: Come again...?

The soldiers seemed both baffled yet alarmed by Shylock's presence.

Akira: Sorry for introducing myself only now. Like he said, they are the Sage’s Wizards, I can assure you, as the Sage in question.

Soldier: …”Sage”, huh? So you really are the Sage’s Wizards? 

Soldier: Rumor has it that you’ve been handling the anomalies from the Great Calamity here and there...

It seemed that the wizards’ successes had reached them as well.

Though reluctant, the soldiers put away their weapons and explained what had happened.

―—

Rustica: ...Incidents of arson?

Chloe: In the entertainment district?

Soldier: Yeah, and it wasn’t just once or twice; it keeps on happenin’.

According to them, there has been a recent outbreak of suspicious fires in the entertainment district of the Town of Nectar.

There have also been a great number of strange sightings of something soaring the sky and setting the city on fire.

Akira: Something strange flying through the sky...

Shylock: Wizards would of course appear to be suspicious, then.

Soldier: That's right. There was an immediate uproar among the civilians and, apparently, they’re all sure that wizards are behind it.

Soldier: The mayor of the city took this very seriously, and issued a mandate prohibiting wizards from entering the city.

Chloe: That’s terrible...!

Soldier: Though when we notified the wizards about it...

The wizards vehemently protested against what they esteemed was an irrational decree.

They turned the situation to their advantage, easily using magic to drive the humans out of the city in order to solely occupy its walls themselves.

Murr: I bet they did! There's no way I’d sit and watch!

Shylock: The mayor must have tearfully pleaded with his superiors for aid, then. To run an army, one must be of royal descent after all, correct?

Soldier: That’s right. At the request of the Western royal family, our Magical Science Militia, led by General Barnet, has been dispatched to reclaim the city.

As you can see, our forces have surrounded the city to coerce the wizards into submitting, but they show no sign of surrendering yet. We’re examining each other’s behavior and keeping our guards up.

The soldiers all looked grim. They seemed impatient and frustrated with the lack of progression.

Shylock: ...I see, I have a better grasp of this issue now.

The situation surrounding the city was beyond severe. If the army were to make their move, even the worst retaliation would be suppressed by force.

A war between humans and wizards could break out right here in this city. I couldn't help but swallow heavily at the imminent danger.

Shylock: I do have a suggestion, however...

The decision is up to you. Why don't you let us offer you a hand?

Soldier: Collaborating? With wizards?

Soldier: What are you scheming?

Shylock: From what you have told us, it is indeed very likely that the suspicious fires were the work of wizards.

However, considering the current face of the world, the influence of the Great Calamity may also be quite plausible. If that's the case, it's only logical that we should investigate.

Besides, the wizards now occupying the city should be more willing to engage as one wizard to another.

Soldier: That’s...

Akira: Consider it a request from me personally! Please, let us help you with the investigation.

Even if we manage to reclaim the city, if we don't figure out the origin of these fires, I’m sure everyone would worry that they’d return.

In order to get to the bottom of this and restore peace, could you let us look into the incident...?

At this proposal, the soldiers fell into a bitter silence, but pondered:

Soldier: ...It’s true that the investigation into these fires has been fruitless since we were kicked out of town.

On the other hand, we don't have any other options, and it's always better than sitting on our hands... Fine, we’ll allow you to investigate.

Shylock: Thank you for being so lenient with us.

Rustica: How kind of them to listen to our request. Could it be that they are my...

Akira: Th-They...?

Murr: Your birdcage sure is full of brides!

Chloe: R-Rustica! You were being way too normal, so I let my guard down..!

[Sky]

After getting permission to enter the city, we returned to the Southern wizards, waiting for us in the sky.

Lennox: The wizards have taken over the city...?

Rutile: I can’t believe it...

Chloe: Actually, we shouldn’t be allowed to enter the city, but we've been given permission by the Magical Science Militia to investigate by ourselves.

Akira: So we’re now planning to check out the city, but...

Figaro: In that case, we will land you a hand. Right, everyone?

Lennox: Of course.

Rutile & Mitile: We will!

Rustica: Everyone, thank you very much.

Shylock: I must apologize to you all. I invited you for what I thought was a vacation; I certainly didn’t expect for it to end up this way.

Rutile: Oh, no, please don’t apologize. We can't leave you alone, Mister Shylock, especially when your hometown is in trouble.

Lennox: I'm sure there are many wizards in that city who find comfort in your bar. And I’d like that place to remain, too.

If there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to tell me.

Mitile: That's right! We're all the Sage’s wizards, we should help each other in times of need.

And… It makes me sad to see humans and wizards fighting each other.

Figaro: That’s the spirit. We will help you.

The worried voices of the Southern wizards wrapped around Shylock.

He narrowed his gaze and nodded at each of their words.

Murr: You look super mad, Shylock!

Akira: ...Mad?

——————

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