CHAPTER 4 - CONCERTO OF FROSTMELT WITH THE FORTUNE TELLERS

[sweet_nightmare]

 

Rutile: Such nice weather! I’m glad we didn’t get caught in a blizzard.

Mitile: No matter where you look, the North’s landscapes are covered in white… Aren’t you cold Master Sage?

Akira: I would definitely be frozen if it wasn’t for your magic! Thank you a lot.

Figaro: The cold in the North can be fatal, so manage yourself and be careful.

But really, a sudden appearance of rabbits with horns? No wonder it was an urgent request.

They may look cute, but those things are rather fierce and also carnivorous. It would be a disaster if they came down to human villages.

Lennox: Right. However, it seems that there weren’t that many horned rabbits in this region. Can this be another phenomenon under the influence of the Great Calamity?

Figaro: Can be, can be not. I think it’s more of an area inhabited with ferocious magical creatures…

I woke up this morning to a mission involving the extermination of rabbit monsters with horns that appeared in numbers across the country. Investigations just started as we visited a large snowfield.

Originally, such a task should fall under the jurisdiction of the northern wizards, but when I went to ask for help first thing in the morning, I got turned down…

[Earlier today]

Snow: Please boys, do not be so selfish, especially when Sage is in trouble!

White: This is why they say the wizards of the North have no sense of unity you know!

Bradley: Don’t care and didn’t ask. Rabbit hunting ain’t something this Bradley guy is into.

Akira: Can’t you just make an exception this time…?

Bradley: Nah, let the other, weaker guys do it. I’m busy.

Mithra: That’s right. Bradley is going to play test subject for a spell of mine from now on, so it’s definitely impossible.

Bradley: The hell? When did I agree to any of that?

Mithra: Just felt like it suddenly. Good thing you’re more or less good at staying alive.

Bradley: Don’t fuckin’ joke with me! I’d rather go hunt the bunnies than follow a freak like you with poor taste in sorcery…

Mithra: « Arthim »

Snow & White: Oh.

Akira: They…they’re both gone…

Snow: Our deepest apologies Sage… As for Owen, he has not been seen since this morning. He must have fled earlier in anticipation.

White: ‘Tis going to take some time to gather them all. We’re truly sorry, but you’ll have to ask other wizards to help you with this task…

 

[Back to the snowfield]

Akira: (Well, I’m glad the southern wizards are taking care of that for me. Moreover, it seems that Snow’s prediction was only half true.)

As I strain my eyes across the vast, glistening snow-covered valley, I could see several jumpy shadows across the white and wavy landscape.

Lennox: Dr. Figaro. The colony seems to be approaching.

Figaro: Alright, let’s decide on a strategy. Take it easy, and if you smell danger, just run.

Mitile and Rutile, you two will take care of the rabbits. Leno, you will cover for them. Understood?

Mitile & Lennox: Understood.

Rutile: And you Dr. Figaro?

Figaro: I’ll stay at the back to keep the Sage safe. So Master Sage, hold on to me tightly, as much as you can.

Akira: Yes. I’m counting on all of you.

Figaro: Alright then, let’s get started!

At all once, the wizards mounted their brooms. Magical artifacts ready in hand, they were about to make their move.

But suddenly, a large door materialized in front of us.

Immediately flung open with violence, the portal revealed a Mithra in a more flustered mood than usual.

Mithra: Thank heavens. You haven’t been turned into rabbit food yet.

Rutile & Mitile: Mithra…?

Snow: Halt there, wait a minute!

White: Such impatience…

Following behind him were the other northerners passing the door.

Akira: What is the matter with you all again!? Are you finally feeling some concern about the things happening in your country…?

Owen: Of course not. It’s Mithra’s fault.

Bradley: As soon as he heard from the oldsters that the guys from the South went on the mission, he popped out his goddamn door here and shoved us in.

Owen and Bradley reluctantly descended onto the white-covered field.

Rutile: Does that mean you came here to help us, Mithra?

Mithra: No, I’m not here for that.

Mitile: What…but…

Mithra: You two should stay back. I’ll clean this place as fast as I can and be done with it.

Rutile & Mitile: N-Now!?

Rutile: Um, but we’re the ones that took on the mission, and I would really like if we can participate together…

Mitile: That’s right! We may not be able to use magic as strong as you, but…

Mithra: Well we just need to wipe out those pests, don’t we? « Arthi— »

Akira: W-Wait Mithra. I’m also asking you this, so please can you listen to them a little more?

Mithra: …Fine. A little won’t hurt.

After confirming the safety of the siblings, Mithra scratched lazily the back of his neck, looking both relieved and unmotivated.

Akira: (If the wizards of the North are here now… Snow’s prophecy has come completely true after all?

So that means that after this I’ll have the occasion to see death up close uh…)

Realizing once again the overwhelming power of premonition, I looked at Snow. Then, as if sensing my anxiety, our eyes met as he gently narrowed his own.

Words like “Do not worry” were hung at his lips.

Snow: We would not dare to steal the mission away from you now, nonetheless the task was our own to take on in the first place.

White: So be it. ‘Tis only right that we lend a hand. So, the extermination of strangely horned rabbits was it?

Owen: What, so that’s just it?

Bradley: Let’s get this over quick and go home.

At this, the wizards of the North jumped on their brooms and scattered beyond the snow.

Lennox: Seems like we’re going to be done soon enough.

Figaro: Ahaha… Well, getting some help never killed anybody, so why not? Let’s all clean up and go back to the manor.

✦ ✦ ✦

The herds of rabbits were numerous, but with the help of the northerners, they were wiped out in no time.

As a result, in this place where the horned rabbits have been hunted to their end, the snowy valley regained its solemn serenity.

Snow: It looks like most of it has been taken care of.

White: ‘Tis finally the time to go back home.

Rutile: Leno, Mitile. Here’s for you.

Lennox: Thank you.

Mitile: Thanks a lot!

Figaro: Oh, what are you handing out? Chocolate?

Rutile: Yes! I’ve brought some sweets that can comfort you when you’re cold and tired. Would you like some, Dr. Figaro?

Figaro: How thoughtful of you Rutile. I’ll have one, then.

Owen: I want to eat too.

Mithra: Same for me.

Akira: (They’re flocking to Rutile’s hands like birds to food…)

Bradley, who had been yawning, suddenly looked towards the vast white horizon and scrutinized his eyes. 

 

 

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