[Translation] Mistonia's Hope - Linus Ward - Dawn Ending After Story
Source: Mistonia no Kibou -The Lost Delight- Stellaworth Exclusive Booklet
Note: Spoilers for Linus's Dawn Ending below.
In the space between reason and impulse – Linus After Story
After leaving Eltbeak, Linus and Aprose’s journey continued without a hitch.
-Or so it was supposed to. Until just now.
‘-…..Wasn’t expecting it to start raining so soon.’
The pair had purchased a horse at a village along the way, planning to arrive at the next town before sundown. However, seeing drops of rain fall from the black cloud covered sky forced them to change directions.
‘It’ll be fine. We can make it through this amount of rain if we run. Let’s hurry on to the next town.’
‘No, I don’t think that’s such a good idea. From how these clouds look, it’s going to get a lot worse. We should look for a place we can shelter before it starts raining in earnest.’
‘You can tell all that just by looking at the sky?’
‘Yeah. And also…..I guess you could say by scent and instinct. It’s inevitable with my bloodline, I’m probably more sensitive to natural phenomena.’
As Linus sniffed the air, he held out a hand towards the sky.
‘It likely won’t be a storm, but the wind is going to get strong. If we continue to try and run through it, there’s a chance we’ll get drenched and still get stuck.’
‘As I’d expect from you. If you say so, I’ll trust you.’
‘Haha, thank you. Well then….let’s change our destination and head for that forest over there. If I’m remembering right, there should be a cave we can wait out the rain in.’
After smiling as if embarrassed, Linus turned the horse in the direction of a forest just visible in the distance.
‘Understood, let’s go.’
Once he had made sure that Aprose had finished readjusting the hood of her cloak so that she was well covered, Linus kicked at the horse’s flank, and they began to canter towards the forest.
* * *
Now that they had dismounted after entering the forest, the two of them were on foot as they looked around for anything they could use as firewood before it got too wet.
‘There’s a lot of pine trees here. Looks like we’ll have plenty of kindling in that case.’
‘That’s true…..but that’s kind of surprising. I didn’t think that you’d know that pinecones make good firewood. Do you perhaps have experience in camping?’
As Linus asked the question wide-eyed with surprise, Aprose smiled awkwardly.
‘I do. A long time ago….back when I was journeying around while hiding my identity, it wasn’t easy for me to enter the towns or villages. For a while John and I camped outside together.’
(Ah….)
Realising what she meant, Linus inadvertently was at a loss for words.
‘You seem pretty used to the outdoors yourself too. You even knew there was a cave in these woods.’
‘.....That’s because….I’ve travelled around from place to place before. I’ve been here lots of times, not to mention the Wards all have knowledge of the outdoors thoroughly drummed into them for when we have to travel on missions.’
‘....I see.’
Hearing Linus’s response, Aprose once more fell silent. It was clear that they were both recalling the events of eight years ago.
(I wonder if I…..if we will both keep having to come face to face with painful memories just so long as we’re together)
He could endure it, and indeed felt it was only right for him to do so. Although Linus thought that it was the least he could do to atone, he didn’t want Aprose to have to suffer over and over again.
(.....Perhaps it’s just as I thought, and I shouldn’t be with her. Especially if what I wish for is her happiness—)
‘Linus.’
Just as he was sinking into deep thought, Aprose spoke quietly .
‘I think this should be just about enough firewood. It’s starting to rain more heavily now, so we should head for the cave.’
‘Oh…..y-yeah, let’s get going.’
Certainly, it was just as Aprose had said. Although the trees partially blocked the rain, it did not stop it from reaching them completely and their cloaks were beginning to feel damp. It would be dangerous to stay outside any longer.
‘It’s this way, follow me.’
As Linus began to walk, tugging the horse along, Aprose obediently followed after him.
Tying the horse up in a place where it was as sheltered from the rain as possible, they gave it some water and feed. After finishing seeing to the horse first, they then started the fire and began arranging a spot for themselves.
‘I’m glad we brought a lot of portable food along with us. I’ve got blankets too, so be sure to take one.’
Somehow or other unable to look Aprose in the face, Linus continued to talk while keeping his gaze on his hands as he searched through the luggage.
‘Just in case, I’ll go take a look outside—’
‘Linus.’
As he looked up at the sharpness in her voice, Linus met Aprose’s eyes. Her face was expressionless, and he was unable to guess at her feelings.
‘This isn’t the season that wild animals wander around looking for food. Not to mention, even if you don’t go outside, you’d still be able to sense it if something dangerous comes close, isn’t that right?’
‘That’s….well, true, I guess.’
‘Then, sit down next to me. I’m sure you must be tired too.’
Saying this decisively, Aprose patted the ground next to her.
Having no choice but to give in now that she had gone this far, Linus meekly sat down next to her.
‘Oh, speaking of which….are you alright with the fire?’
Hearing the concern in her voice, Linus smiled stiffly.
‘Yeah, I mean, I did decide on camping and a fire myself so…..I’ll be fine. ….Not to mention, I can’t be saying that I’m afraid of fire when I’m in front of you too.’
‘I see. Then—’
Having ceased speaking for the moment, Aprose cupped both Linus’s cheeks in her hands. And then increasing the pressure, squished them tight.
‘Fwah!?’
‘Stop making such a weird face.’
‘Huh….a w-weird face….?’
‘That’s right. Ever since we entered the forest you've been making a face that looks like you’re being crushed by guilt. And you’ve barely looked at me at all.’
‘.....!’
Although he wanted to look away, feeling awkward at having her hit the bullseye, with Aprose’s hands on his cheeks holding his head so firmly in place as if to say, “Look at me,” he had no other choice but to return her gaze.
‘.....Seeing as it’s you we’re talking about, you must be thinking, “It’s better if we’re not together because it will be painful to keep recalling the past”, right? But, I don’t think that at all. I’m not with you because I want to see you making that kind of face.’
‘Um….then why……?’
As he murmured the question almost unconsciously, Aprose’s cheeks were suddenly tinged with red.
‘Y-You’re going to make me say it!? Of course it’s because…..I love you!’
In that instant, Linus’s cheeks also reddened. Almost as if he had realised for the first time that fire was warm, a steady warmth spread all throughout his body.
(That’s right…..it’s because I love her that I chose to be with her.)
‘We’ve already greeted the “dawn” together, haven’t we? I told you that the “scary dream” is over, right? So don’t make a face like that.’
‘.....I’m sorry.’
After apologising, Linus then reconsidered and opened his mouth to speak again.
‘No, “Sorry” isn’t quite right, I should have said it like this. I love you too, and that’s why we’re together. I’m by your side because I want to make you happy.’
When he smiled at her, Aprose’s hands on his cheeks twitched and then trembled. And then, once she had moved them away, she dropped her gaze.
‘Aprose…..?’
‘I’m sorry…..I just got shy all of a sudden. I was just thinking what an odd situation this is, us telling each other that we love one another while gazing at each other in this position.’
‘Haha, that’s true. I feel a bit shy too, but having you tell me you love me makes me happy, no matter how it happens.’
Despite Linus brightly agreeing with her, perhaps still embarrassed, Aprose continued to look downwards.
‘And you know, I’m weak to your smile. It’s like the sun, whenever I see it, the inside of my chest feels all warm…..no, it’s like it beats faster? …..It makes me feel flustered somehow. If this is what love is like….being lovers sure is going to be tough….my heart won’t be able to bear it, feeling like this all the time.’
Despite fidgeting as if embarrassed, Aprose continued to spout outrageous lines-
(Just how adorable can she be! What on earth am I supposed to do with this….!?)
Linus was completely thrown off balance and desperately tried to suppress the urge to touch her, repeatedly reaching out and then pulling back.
Thus far throughout their entire journey together, even when staying at inns they had always taken separate rooms. Making this the first time they had ever spent a night at this close of a distance—
(No, but—if I were to make a move on her right after the flow of events just now….that would make me the worst type of guy, wouldn’t it?)
It was at the moment he had just about regained control of his reason that Aprose looked up, making his heart thump loudly.
‘.....Have I perhaps said something embarrassing again?’
‘No, rather than embarrassing, it’s kind of adorable actually-.....at any rate, I’m at my limit right now, so please stop…..’
‘At your limit? Of what???’
As Linus tried to angle away as Aprose bent forward, looking curious, her face only came all the closer, apparently not understanding what he meant.
Unheeding of Linus’s inner turmoil, the offence and defence match between him and Aprose continued after this for some time.
* * *
‘We should go to sleep soon.’
‘.....Yeah.’
After they had finished a simple meal of dried meat and water, Linus’s body had further warmed up.
(It might be because of the body warmth next to me….)
Linus thought this to himself while laying under a single blanket with Aprose, once again forced to struggle between reason and impulse as he had been unable to protest against her firm insistence that they would be much warmer this way.
With the intention of shaking off his impure feelings, Linus confessed his true thoughts.
‘You know….it’s just as you said, I hated the idea that me being by your side was making you recall painful memories.’
‘.....I see.’
‘But, I’ll do my best not to think that way. In exchange…..whenever you remember what happened eight years ago, I promise to make you smile. So that’s why…..I’d like you to tell me what I can do to make you smile, to make you feel happy….little by little, as we spend time together.’
‘In that case….you smile too, okay….? I said so just earlier, didn’t I? I really love-….’
‘Aprose….?’
Peering in at Aprose’s face upon feeling a weight on his shoulder, he saw that her eyelids had already closed, only her mouth was moving faintly.
‘.....-your smile.’
‘.....! You really are-.....’
Swallowing down the urge to shout, “Just how much are you going to test my reason!”, Linus sighed deeply.
‘.....I wonder if she’d forgive me for doing at least this.’
As he murmured softly so that he wouldn’t wake Aprose—
Linus gently kissed the golden hair that faintly gleamed as it reflected the firelight.
Moving closer as if to protect the dear warmth beside him, he quietly closed his eyes.
* * *
Eventually, the morning came.
As the sun began to rise, it shone through the gaps between the trees, a ray of light reaching down into the cave.
Although the pair had yet to awaken, it enveloped the innocent lovers as they slept side by side in a glittering, glimmering light.
playing mistonia and liking it a lot. :') they suck so bad. in depth explanations (and spoilers) under the cut
Rose: chaotic, (slightly) good.
Linus: lawful, (slightly) good.
I think they both generally have good intentions. some dubious and questionable actions, but they're both coming from a place of love and loyalty, which makes it hard for me to call either of them evil. however, Rose will lie and break any rules necessary to accomplish her goals and Linus will commit to the law and his personal moral convictions even if it leads him to do objectively awful things.
Rose: intentionally, do crime
Linus: intentionally, (mostly) solve crime
the entire point of the game is about how Rose is planning to murder Queen Tia and anyone else involved in the death of her family. Linus' main job is to solve crime, which he does. however, under certain circumstances, he can be convinced to commit a crime as long as it still aligns with his personal moral convictions.
Rose: (slightly) for the heck of it, violent
Linus: out of duty, violent
they both have quite a bit of violence in their hearts. Rose's only reason for living is to avenge her family. Linus lives to protect the Queen, at any cost. they both have a personal sense of duty motivating their actions. although, Rose can also be impulsively violent, and when she's at her absolute worst, she has an underlying sadistic side. so, she can be slightly more violent just for the heck of it than Linus is, who is violent solely for the sake loyalty. she's also not quite as violent as Linus is overall, though
Rose: with a soft spot, selfish
Linus: with a soft spot, selfless
Rose is very selfish, but her soft spots are huge. when she tells John things like "I'm prepared to die for my goals," she is indirectly telling him that she doesn't care how he'd feel about her death. his heartbreak matters less to her than her goal of avenging her family. the Clown ends and Astray ends are where she's at her most selfish, where she often hurts people on purpose, out of spite. but she will also put her neck on the line to protect innocents. Linus, I had an extremely hard time deciding on. because I think him choosing his duty over his love life or friends could be considered selfish. but I ultimately decided that because this very often hurts his own feelings as well, that his devotion to his cause is a kind of selflessness. his own heartbreak matters less to him than his loyalty. he will be selflessly devoted to only one person at a time though, so I thought that was more in line with a "soft spot" rather than "without bias."
