The Winged Beast And The Caulis Of Pride | Epilogue ~Arthur~

[odorekijin]

[Central Country—Café]

Arthur: Master Sage… I mean, Sir Akira! Thank you for accompanying me today.

Akira: Ahaha, you’re welcome Arth–... Arty!

Some days later, in the early afternoon, Arthur and I were spending some time at a café in Central Country.

Arthur: Ahah, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being called by that name—though I find the feeling thrilling.

Akira: I get you! You don’t often call me by my name either, Arty. It’s so rare, I feel almost embarrassed to hear it…

Arthur: So we feel the same, that’s reassuring. To tell you the truth, I get a little nervous when you call me by that name, Sir Akira.

Akira: (I mean, he must have it worse since it could blow his cover…)

One may be wondering how we found ourselves in this café—well…

[Flashback]

[Wizard’s Manor—Lounge]

Akira: Arthur, thank you for everything you did the other day. Your efforts were vital to safely securing and recovering the “Seed of the Legendary Beast”.

I wish I could express my gratitude in a better way…

Arthur: Oh no, there’s no need. I simply fulfilled my role as a Sage’s wizard.

Your kind words and solicitude is all I could ask for, Master Sage.

Akira: I knew it… I was sure that you would say something along those lines

Still, I don’t want to take your enthusiasm for granted. You work day and night without ever complaining… I just want to show you my appreciation with more than words.

So if you have anything you want me to do, I’d be happy to oblige!

Arthur: Master Sage… Your sympathy means a lot. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

…In that case, there is one thing I would like to do…

[End of flashback]

Akira: (That caught me off-guard though: of all things, I wasn’t expecting to actively hide his identity while we pretend to be normal friends having fun out in town.)

(Arthur may call me by my name, and I may use his alias to cover his identity as the prince of this country, but still…)

Waiter: Thank you for waiting. Here is your “Chock-a-block Sandwich”.

Arthur & Akira: !

Akira: That’s the one everyone has been talking about...!

Arthur: Yes, and its size was certainly no exaggeration!

We were presented with a sandwich filled to the brim with all kinds of ingredients—one so tall we had to look up to take in its full size.

“If we are going out, might as well do something you can’t usually do, Arthur!”

We naturally sought Cain for advice: he told us that "mega-sized fine-dining” was popular among the youth in the Central Country, so we decided to give it a try as well.

Akira: We can just share it!

I tried to cut somewhere in the middle, holding the bread down with the knife as best as I could.

Akira: There you go, Arty.

Arthur: Thank you, Sir Akira.

I placed Arthur’s share of the sandwich on a plate and slid it over to him.

Arthur: Um, how should we eat this?

Akira: With how thick it is… I only know one way to go about it!

Arthur: Oh, I see…! So discarding cutlery to eat with our fingers to our heart’s content, that’s smart!

Akira: Ahaha, sorry, I didn’t even wait for you to take a bite. It’s very tasty though, so you should definitely dig in!

Arthur: Well then…!

Following my lead, Arthur opened his mouth wide and took a hearty bite out of his sandwich.

Arthur: …! That’s delicious! The crunchy vegetables go well with the thick-cut bacon, and… is that cheese melting down?

There’s so many flavours in this single bite… What a wonderful way to enjoy a meal. What do you think?

Akira: …

(We bit into that sandwich the same way, and yet… Why does it look so much more elegant when Arthur does it…)

Arthur: What’s wrong, Sir Akira? Do I have sauce on my face…?

Arthur stopped in track, hurrying for a napkin to wipe his mouth.

Akira: Ah, not all, you’re fine! I’m just so glad you’re enjoying yourself. I didn’t realise I was starring, sorry.

…And um, I must confess, I was actually fascinated with how you ate your sandwich. You just look so effortlessly elegant…

Arthur: Ahaha, do you think so? I find you more enviable in that regard, Sir Akira.

Akira: Wh- really?

Arthur: Of course. The way you bit into your sandwich made it look like the most delicious dish on the menu to me.

Arthur offered me a tender smile before his eyes dropped to his hands.

Arthur: It’s an incredible privilege to go out in town with you and be able to have such a great time together.

Arthur: …That’s exactly why I can’t help but think that we... We should dedicate this rewarding moment to Superbia for lending us its powers.

Akira: Arty…

Snow and White had recovered and were now controlling the Beast’s Seed.

Superbia must be lying dormant within it as we speak.

I know how Arthur must feel—instead of dampening the mood, I flashed him a smile to keep his spirits up, and asked:

Akira: If Superbia was here, what kind of afternoon do you think we would have had?

Arthur: Superbia, with us? ...Hmm, let’s see...

Well, for one, it would have made quick work of this sandwich with just a single bite…

I’m sure that this sandwich alone wouldn’t have been enough: it would have devoured every dish in this café.

Akira: Whoa, talk about being discreet... And that would reveal your identity to the clients too!

Arthur: In that case, we could climb onto Superbia’s large back and make our escape through the skies. How does that sound?

We would see the world from a different perspective and most importantly, riding on those soft, giant wings would be far more comfortable than a broom.

Akira: Whoa, that sounds fantastic! I can already see myself up in the sky!

Arthur and I exchanged glances before breaking into laughter.

Even though Superbia is no longer with us, it will always live on in our hearts.

These memories will be at the centre of endless conversation until the day our reunion comes.

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