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sweet_nightmare
Akira: The Central capital is so lively, there are so many shops and people passing by…
It was just another day where I was walking around the Central Kingdom’s capital city, admiring the gorgeous streets.
???: Hey… you right there.
Akira: …? Me?
When I looked toward the voice calling out to me, I saw a suspicious-looking man entirely covered by a black robe, beckoning me to join him in an alley.
Fortune Teller: I’m a fortune teller, you see. However, I noticed something worrisome about you……
As he said this, the man peered into a large jar filled with water and compared it to my face. The way he shook his head seemed to hold deep meaning.
Fortune Teller: Hahaha… I knew it. That is, I predicted the ominous omen hovering over you.
May you continue this way, terrible calamities and even death will cross your path.
Akira: Wait— death!?
Fortune Teller: But rest assured. By wearing this miraculous stone, called the “Bead of Fortune”, even you can be salvaged from the fate of death……
Mithra: Uh. You’re going to die, Sage? That’s too bad.
At the sound of the familiar voice, I turned around to meet three well-known faces, looking down on me.
Akira: Mithra! Bradley, and Owen too…
Bradley: ‘Thought you were gone but you’re just idlin’ around uh?
Owen: To think poor little Sage got tired of treating us and ran away…but you know what happens if you do that, don’t you?
The three men behind me placed their elbows and arms on my shoulders, putting in all their weights as if to say “Don’t try to escape”.
Akira: (Gulp…)
I originally came to the Capital today to buy sweets for a tea party with the northern wizards, including Snow and White…
…All on me, of course.
As I was listening to their complaints, as usual, the discussion somehow drifted to the tea topic and I got half forced to bring them here.
Akira: I-I’m not trying to run away! This fortune teller called out to me and said I might encounter disasters and even die……
Bradley: Hahaha! All my condolences or whatever, enjoy your life while you still have it, I guess.
Owen: Oh? I would like to hear more about that. How will you die? Miserably? Atrociously? Or maybe…
Fortune Teller: N-No well, as long as you have the Bead of Fortune, you won’t die……
Mithra: Is that your lucky bead? …Ah, it’s broken.
Owen: Oh no. Well, you’re not going to make it now, Master Sage. Can’t wait to see you die in a mushy, soppy, bloody mess.
Bradley: You need to compensate for it, Mithra. Ain’t no way he got a second miracle piece of stone like that, yanno.
Mithra: Is that so? What a pain... Can’t I just kill this fortune person and not have to pay for it?
Fortune Teller: Eek…!
With that said, the fortune teller completely quivered with fear. The overwhelming presence and power emanating from the northern wizards kept making him shudder pitifully.
Akira: (Wouldn’t those three be the terrible calamities he talked about earlier……)
(footsteps)
Snow: So you were here!
White: Do not dare to ruin our time together!
And soon, we got rejoined by Snow and White, seemingly growing impatient of our slow return and being left behind.
Bradley: Hey, if you have a problem, tell’em here. You gotta be pretty stupid to fall for some bogus fortune teller with old-ass tricks anyway.
Snow & White: A fortune teller?
Owen: Master Sage is regretfully doomed to die from a terrible disaster. What a pity, right?
Mithra: You could have saved yourself by buying that lucky bead. It’s in pieces now, though.
Snow: ……I see. A fortune teller you say.
White: hmm. ‘Tis how it is.
Akira: Is… Is there something wrong, you two?
White: Nooothing.
It just seems that Sage decided to be a cheater when we wearied ourselves catching up to all of you!
Akira: C-Cheater…!?
Snow: Well well, that was merely a joke! ‘Tis forgotten now. Don’t be so shy, Sage. If you’re interested in prophecies and divination, do come to us next time.
White: This sham can’t even hold a candle to our capabilities. We will see your future for sure.
And joining hands, they spun around me in a loose circle, laughing among themselves.
Snow: …Let’s not get sidetracked now.
Glancing sideways at the said fortune teller, their smiles were completely gone.
Snow: How dare a shameless fool as yourself try to mess with our dear Sage…?
White: This calls for a little punishment, don’t you think?
Fortune Teller: No w-wait, I’m so sorry!! P-Please don't hurt me…!!
The fortune teller, turning pale as a sheet, fell over and flew away. Perhaps had he sensed the eerie and inhuman nature of the twins.
Just at the very place he had been standing, numerous little white stones were scattered on the floor, probably previously hidden in his pockets.
Mithra: Look at this. You still have the lucky bead after all. Good for you, Sage.
Akira: Ah..haha… Lucky me…
Snow: This was bound to happen. Here Sage, give me your hand. I shall read your fortune in the place of that vile man.
Akira: Oh…
They did tell me before that Snow and White’s specialty lies in the art of prediction and divination.
And what’s more, they say that the future they foresee will never be wrong.
Akira: (The undoubted power of seeing one’s fate… I can’t say I’m not curious.)
But at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of uneasiness constricting my chest.
Snow: …I see.
Well Sage, today’s tea party’s announced to be a very lively affair!
✦ ✦ ✦
Akira: Alright! The tea is ready. All that is left is bringing it over.
After buying a copious amount of sweets with the northern wizards, we returned to the manor.
The various pastries and candies already prepared and taken to the lounge, I quickly made my way to the wizards waiting for me.
