[Hymn of Serata on the Requiem Night] Chapter 1
Bradley: Even at a feast, yer still a damn miserable son of a bitch.
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Location: Forest
Lennox: Kenja-sama's handkerchief, it's quite to hard to find, isn't it.
Akira: Yes. I thought I dropped it while I was walking around this area earlier, but…
I feel a little sorry for having you keep me company for so long.
Lennox: Please do not worry about it. After all, everyone loses things sometimes.
Together with Lennox, who encouraged me, we advance further into the gloomy forest.
As the chilly night wind passes us by, Lennox suddenly lifts his head.
Akira: What’s the matter, Lennox; did you perhaps find something?
Lennox: No, I thought I heard a sound. Like the sound of a bell…
Akira: It’s true! It’s coming from deep in the thicket over there, don’t you think?
Lennox: Someone may possibly be out here. Still, it’s already quite late…
Akira: You’re right… Why don’t we take a little look around?
Mixed in with our footsteps as we tread on the grass, the sound of the bell is long and thin, and continues to echo on as if trying to lure someone in.
After a bit of walking, a sweet aroma suddenly tickles my nose.
Akira: (Smells nice…)
As if enticed by the aroma, I look ahead past Lennox’s broad back.
In a clearing with few trees, a bonfire's flames flicker. Standing quietly in front of it, is a figure cloaked in black.
Faust: ……
Lennox: Faust-sama?
Faust: Kenja and Lennox… As expected, there was a hint of your presence.
In a place like this, what is it that you want?
Akira: No…
Faust speaks quietly, as he always does, but I suddenly find myself at a loss for words.
The flickering flames contrast against the moonlight; his beautiful profile looks pale and somewhat otherworldly amidst it all.
Lennox: …Faust-sama. In addition to you, was there anyone else here?
There’s empty liquor bottles, almost as if someone was having a banquet.
Akira: Ah, it’s true. The bonfire is surrounded by plenty of alcohol and fruit. There’s also corolla flowers lined up…
Faust: No… I’ve been alone the entire time.
The moon is clearly visible tonight. I thought I’d have a drink by myself while gazing up at it.
Akira: Eh…?
It feels a bit unexpected to hear those words come from Faust.
Even as Faust speaks with a light casual tone, a hint of self-deprecation flickers on his face, as he slowly looks upward.
Up in the night sky, the enormous Great Calamity looms above, threatening to engulf us.
Faust: Looking up at the moon… makes me feel uncomfortable, like I have an ache in the depths of my heart.
That’s why, with this as a side dish, I thought I’d direct a complaint or two toward the Calamity.
That’s it, there’s no more to it.
Lennox: ……
Bradley: Hmph. If that’s what yer havin’ as a side dish, it’ll only make the booze taste like shit.
Even at a feast, yer still a damn miserable son of a bitch.
Akira: ……!
I turn around at the sound of the familiar voice coming from behind us. Faust also gazes deep into the forest, where it originates from.
Lennox: Bradley… Could it be, you were blown away by a sneeze again?
Bradley: Well, that’s about the gist of it. ’M not very happy ’bout it.
Bradley says this nonchalantly, as he steps out of the woods with ease.
Bradley: Y’all got a depressing look on yer faces. I can get why you feel such resentment, though.
I was hurt too, but the eastern curse worker was almost killed by that damn moon.
Faust: That’s right. However, ultimately I didn’t end up dying.
Faust mumbles as he casts his eyes downward, then he abruptly fumbles with his sleeve to retrieve something.
Faust: Come to think of it, I picked this up earlier. Is it yours?
Akira: Oh, my handkerchief…! Thank you so much, I was searching for this.
Lennox: I’m glad you were able to successfully find it.
Akira: Yes! Lennox you too, thanks so much for keeping me company while searching for it.
Faust: In that case, if you’ve finished with your business you shouldn’t linger for long. Please head back to the Wizard Manor as soon as possible…
Bradley: Huh, there’s some good booze ‘ere.
Interrupting Faust, Bradley steps forward before the bonfire. He quickly crouches down to judge the bottles of alcohol lined up.
Faust: Oi, don’t go rummaging. There’s no liquor here for thieves.
Bradley: It’s good, ain’t it? If ya went to the extent to pull all this out, it’ll be hard to bring it back. I’ll lend a helpin’ hand.
Akira: Ah… Well, I’ll help you tidy up too. I think we’re all about finished for the day.
While saying this, I reach for the items scattered around me. Then, Faust’s sharp voice rings out.
Faust: Stop, don’t touch that!
Akira: Ah, I’m sorry…!
In response to the unexpected menacing look, my shoulders jumped. Faust looks taken aback, his words muddled.
Faust: Apologies… I didn’t mean to frighten you. It’s just that you shouldn’t carelessly touch a wizard’s tools like that.
Particularly when it comes to things that a curse worker like me handles.
Lennox: …Here, let me help.
The night wind is getting colder, so please head back first, Kenja-sama and Bradley. We’ll return soon.
As he speaks, a strong cold wind blows between the two of us. Bradley scratches the tip of his nose and grumbles.
Bradley: Shit, that was close. Hell, I don’t wanna be sent flyin’ again.
C’mon, Kenja. The bar at the Wizard Manor is a way better place to drink booze in than this shithole. Come ‘n get a drink with me.
Akira: O-Of course. Well then, I’ll take your word for it… Faust, Lennox. Good night, I’ll see you tomorrow.
Faust: Ah. Good night.
Lennox: Have a good night.
As we exchange salutations, Bradley, with one hand in his pocket, magically pulls out his broom.
He yanks me on by the scruff of my neck, and once I settle behind him with my legs crossed, we’re immediately lifted off the ground.
As the wind blows, I can faintly hear the sound of the bell from somewhere beneath us.
Location: Manor
And so, a few days later we’re presented with an unexpected request.
Arthur: Pure white hands creeping through the sky?
Cock Robin: Yes… It seems to be an anomaly happening in a village on the outskirts of the Central Country.
Once night falls, I was told that multiple hands emerge and creep all throughout the area.
Riquet: Are you saying that there’s no face or body, that it’s just hands?
Akira: That’s rather unsettling. It’s almost like a different sort of scary than ghosts and the like.
Rustica: When it comes to only having hands, we need to think over how to communicate with them. Rather than idle chit chat, perhaps we should use music.
Rutile: Hm, that sounds lovely! Even if you only have fingers, you can still play the piano and pluck strings.
Cain: It would surely help if they like music, wouldn’t it. Actually, what’s the situation like in the village itself?
The people gathered around to listen to the request are Rutile, Rustica, Cock Robin-san, and myself. The Central Wizards are also among us.
Cock Robin-san was originally looking for the Central Wizards and me, however, seeing Rutile and Rustica in the dining hall, he also asked them to help.
Cock Robin: It seems that the residents are so frightened by the strange sight that they’ve withdrawn into their homes.
Furthermore, some residents have even left the village after rumors spread that it was a curse of sorts…
Oz: So, the hands are just wandering about then. What’s the actual harm?
Cock Robin: Um, well… According to reports sometimes they just merely float about, but other times they draw near private homes and livestock pens.
I heard that some villagers and livestock were grabbed by the shoulders and were nearly dragged straight into darkness, and such…
Cain: That’s a rather vague report.
Cock Robin: Sorry, the contents of the report were a bit ambiguous in certain places…
Arthur: Judging from his penmanship, he may have been in a state of distraught. He must’ve been frightened, but still somehow managed to send us a letter.
Rutile: In addition, it seems that the time when the anomalies began to occur was… It says that it was after the Great Calamity came.
Riquet: I see. In that case, it’s our turn.
Cain: Yeah, we should go check it out in person. It’s most likely an after effect of the Calamity. Is that alright with you, Kenja-sama?
Akira: Yes, of course. Please, allow me to accompany you all in this investigation.
Arthur: If that’s the case, we should promptly discuss a date as soon as possible.
Since this is a Central Country affair, the participants will be Cain, Riquet… and myself. I’ll keep my identity concealed though.
Rustica: Then let me also accompany you. The wandering hands may possibly be looking for a potential dance partner.
Even for me, it’s not every day that I get the chance to have someone other than myself take my hand.
Rutile: I’m coming too! Since we just had the pleasure of talking together, I would be happy to help in any way I can.
Arthur: Thank you. It'll be reassuring having the both of you. Oz-sama, what about you?
Akira: (Ah, right… Arthur is worried about Oz’s wounds from the Calamity, since the anomaly occurs at night.)
Oz gives a slight nod toward Arthur’s concerned look. Then slowly, he looks me in the eyes.
Oz: …There are others who are more qualified for this than I am.
Oz: When it comes to curses, there’s someone whose specialty lies in them.
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