Bright Shadow

...You got that?

No one's gonna think twice 'bout a little runt like you bumpin' into 'em. That's yer chance. Grab anything that looks valuable. And ya better not bring me back any worthless garbage if ya want dinner, y'hear?

...Yessir.

These streets belong to us after dusk. Gotta love that evening air, 'eh? Makes fer easy marks.

Indeed it does.

Who the?!

Agh! Who d'ya think ya are?! How 'bout I knock some sense into ya for buttin' in where ya got no business?!

Huh?

GRAGH?! M-My hand!

Tch! Whatever. That brat wasn't worth the trouble anyhow.

Don't you ever show yer face around me again, runt!

......{lang-nuance}prev:もう俺らから 仕事がもらえると思うなよ……！{/lang-nuance}

Fine?!

Whaddaya mean "fine"?! If I'd just done what he asked I would've at least had a place to sleep and a little food!

Now I'm gonna starve out on the street!

Not that YOU'D understand what it's like to worry about that...

Huh?

If you know then why stop me?! That job was all I had...

...Whatever. Anything's better than sleepin' on the street.

Ugh... Ah...

Hey, shrimp. Enjoyin' your nap on the pavement?

Agh... Ugh...

Too thirsty to talk, 'eh? Bet ya'd like to have some water, huh?

Maybe some decent grub? Sure looks like ya could use it...

Tell ya what. How 'bout you come stay over at my place for a while? Doesn't look like ya have anywhere better to be.

Ah...agh... Wh-Who...ah...are you?

Me? Nobody worth namin' really. But I guess you can call me...

...Wolf. The big, bad, bone-chewin' wolf.

......{lang-nuance}prev:ああ すみません。ご飯をあげる 約束でしたね。私も 酒場に行きましょうか。例の調査も 進んでいるかもしれませんし……。{/lang-nuance}

That was great, thanks! You really didn't need to go and give me a...burp...free drink though.

Don't worry about it, that milk was going to expire anyhow. Not enough customers to drink it.

Yeah, I noticed...on both points. What's going on? The whole of Unigan's like a ghost town. Although there do seem to be more patrols around than usual.

There've been a number of unfortunate incidents lately...

What kind of incidents?

People getting attacked in the alleys, all women. It's scary stuff. The knights even put out an official notice urging people to stay at home.

That sounds pretty bad...

I'd appreciate it if you lowered your voices. Can't you see I have a customer?

Does that mean you figured out who's behind the attacks?

Huh?! N-No way! Felmina would never...

There's gotta be some kinda mistake...

Wah! S-Somebody heeelp!

That's...

Uh-oh... I'd better go, too!

Felmina? No way...

There'll be time for questions later! First I've gotta put a stop to this!

What the, ?! There are TWO of her?!

......

Wh-What in the world...

They're gone...

Are you hurt?

N-No. I wasn't wounded, but...

...It doesn't matter. No one can save me now... Aah, what did I do to deserve this?!

I don't quite follow...

My shadow... My shadow has been stolen!

Say what?

It was the same for all of the other victims. First they lost their shadow...and then they lost their lives...

Sob...sooob...

S-Sorry, but I don't really get it. I'm gonna need you to calm down...

Exactly as you said. A number of people thought to have died in unfortunate accidents have been spotted throughout the city.

That'd be impossible without them all having identical twins! It's gotta be that magic you told us about, Miss Felmina!

You seem unusually knowledgeable about the subject.

I see. Then I take it you know must also know that person had a daughter.

After you first told us of shadowtheft, we did some digging of our own. We learned that the art had once been used by a man of distant royal lineage in a plot to overthrow the throne. Luckily, he died before his machinations led to any bloodshed.

But he had a daughterwho lived on. She quietly married into a noble family. And you have been seen visiting their estate of late, Felmina.

Yep! Your shadow's been a busy girl.

"Information drives the nation," right, Miss Felmina?

But at this point we've exhausted all our leads.

Are you feeling a bit calmer now?

I'm sorry you had to see that. I'm still a bit shaken...

Ugh...

A-Are you sure you're all right? I think you'd better get some rest. I'd be happy to escort you home.

That's so kind of you, sir. It would really set my mind at ease.

Where do you live?

An estate out in the countryside. There's a carriage waiting for me near the gate.

Got it. Let's go.

It's good to see you up and walking around. Feeling better?

Yes, thank you. There's nothing more comforting than the safety of your own home.

And what a home it is... You must be pretty well off.

We are of noble blood, after all.

My name is Constanze. I married into this family many years ago, but I originally came from royal lineage.

Whoa! You mean the Miglance royal family?!

Yes, but we're only very distantly related. If he is the king of light, then we are little more than the shadow at his feet. Please make yourself at home. I'll have some tea prepared.

Please make yourself comfortable. I'm afraid we don't have much to offer you, but...

You don't need to offer me anything. I just did what anyone would've done...

Oh, but I insist. We have a reputation to uphold.

By just a hair, I'm afraid.

Felmina?! What are you, ?!

It does though! Why are you attacking her? What does this have to do with the incidents in the city?!

Shadow puppet?!{lang-nuance}prev:……簡単に言えば この女性こそがその事件の 首謀者だからです。そこにいる 私の偽物を生み出したのも 彼女ですよ。{/lang-nuance}

I see you're well informed... Nothing gets past your little network of meddlers, does it?

Well there's no reason to keep hiding it, then. Correct. I created that shadow puppet...and it wasn't the only one. They're all over the estate.

Why would you do something like that?!

It's simple really. When I want something, I take it. And right now, what I desire most of all...is you, Felmina.

Wha, {lang-nuance}prev:あなたの父親を 殺したのは……私ですから。{/lang-nuance}

Heheh, that you did. It was quite a long time ago.

As I just told our friend Aldo here, I am of royal lineage, but only in the faintest sense. Our bloodline was so far removed from the king's that we could never even dream of someday taking the center stage. We were royalty, and yet also not. Even the lowest ranks of nobility led better lives than us. And THAT, my father could not accept. He began to amass an army of shadow puppets, dreaming of one day bringing the kingdom to its knees.

Yes. And his death came swiftly, at the hands of a mere child...YOUR hands.

Felmina!{lang-nuance}prev:それで私を 狙いましたか。そうですね。あなたには確かにその権利がある。{/lang-nuance}

...... ...What happened to you?

How can you stand there and talk about self-sacrifice like some paragon of justice?!

I don't want your life! I want YOU! I want the graceful assassin who took my father's life without hesitation, without any feeling at all! The image of your cold, emotionless expression as you stood there covered head to toe in his blood was burned into my memory! I still get chills thinking about it!

In that moment, you looked more like a statue than a living, breathing human being. You were ART. A masterpiece.

So what HAPPENED to you?! Now you reach out to to dirty street urchins with a kind smile and promise of a better life? You "save" them?

What are you saying? Any normal person would want to help a child...

Exactly! Any NORMAL person! But you're NOT normal, are you? I won't allow it! I want you to be special. Perfect.

A cold, calculating, shadow of calamity.

I can't believe what I'm hearing...

You'd hurt so many people for such a foolish reason?!

No. There are bigger plans to follow, I admit. I didn't amass an army of shadow puppets for nothing.

I plan to replace the entirety of Unigan with them, completely flipping the balance between light and dark. I'll create a world just for those of us who dwell in shadows.

After all, the shadows are all that I have. With my parents dead, I don't even have a place in my own house.

I can never return to the light again. I belong here, in the darkness and gloom. This is my home now.

Ugh. You've become so boring.

What's the plan, Felmina?!

...I won't let you.

What the, ?! That thing can talk?!

I am a shadow. An imitation. False. But if you die... I will become unique. I will become real.

Ngh... I can't attack them! These are people, not monsters!

Felmina?!{lang-nuance}prev:くそっ…… 普通の人たちを攻撃するわけには……！{/lang-nuance}

I've gotta do it. It feels wrong, but I've gotta fight them! I have to stop Constanze!

Agh!

I'm well aware of how strong you are. That's why I went ahead and prepared a little contingency plan. I'll be hosting you as my "guests" for a while longer. I still need to remove Aldo's shadow, after all. Why else would I have brought him here?

You'll have plenty of time to think about things, Felmina, so do try and remember it. Remember how beautiful you once were.

Good. Looks like yer all here.

Uh...um... Two of us still haven't returned...sir...

Tch. Losers. Forget 'em. They won't be back.

But...{lang-nuance}prev:チッ。しくじりやがったか。気にすんな。どうせ二度と戻ってこねぇよ。{/lang-nuance}

So? How many of ya did yer job today?

Good. Follow me. It's time to eat.

U-Um... What about us?

Hunh? Ya want food, then ya do yer job. The rules are simple.

I-I know, but... That, um...that person was nice. I couldn't just kill them...

Then starve. If they were nice to ya it means they trusted ya. Kills don't get much easier than that.

Let's drop the act. I know why you're here. You came to kill me, didn't you?

It's not difficult for me to get that kind of information. It's sad. Not my death, mind you. Your way of life.

Why not stop? You belong in the light. It doesn't matter where you honed your abilities, it only matters how you choose to use them from here on. Your future is in your own hands.

Gragh...augh! Why?

Are you...really...okay with it? Is this...how you want...to live?

You're wrong... You can...escape it. Everyone... has the capacity for change... The dawn...always comes...to wash away...the night...

(Damn... Is that a servant?) (They haven't noticed me yet. I just need to knock them out before they call for help. No need to kill...)

Tch... (Two of them! Now what? No. I don't have time to think about it. I just need to act.)

(That was close...) (If they'd yelled and alerted the target all my efforts would've been for nothing.)

(I did what I had to do. So far...so good...)

Huh? Um, can I help you, miss?

...... (I made the right choice. I can't let things get out of hand.)

(The choice was simple... It was simple...)

(I'll wipe the blood on her apron.) (See? My hands aren't dirty anymore. You can take the blame for this, even if it doesn't really change anything.)

Hm? I haven't seen you before. Who, !

(...That was careless. I should have felt his presence.) (Every mistake I make adds another body to the pyre. Not that it concerns me...)

(Right. It doesn't matter. What's a little more blood on my hands? I've lost nothing here.) (Things are proceeding exactly as planned. Everything...is fine.)

Hrm? Who goes there?

I'm more than accustomed to life in the shadows, my dear. I'm always acutely aware of what's going on around me. You're an assassin I take it? Here to judge me before you do the deed?

I can see the darkness in your eyes... Killing is easy for you, isn't it? How many lives did you take on the way here?

Avoiding any unnecessary casualties, is it? Do you pity them? Or is it just some kind of twisted pride?

The death of my family doesn't concern me? Your darkness runs deeper than I thought. It's almost as if you're trying to kill the very shadow in your heart.

But how much of that is the real you? Don't you feel anything when you take a life?

Interesting. Your words are cold, but I can see your shadow waver.

Now, now. I was merely reflecting on how much we had in common. I too lived my life in the shadows.

My bloodline prevented me from ever stepping into the light. The royals did nothing but look down on me, day after day. I was little more than a slave in noble attire. I was forced to do anything and everything for them. Truly horrible things.

And now... I'm working to overthrow them. I don't care how many people die along the way.

My hands have been stained black as night. There was never any going back.

...What about you?

Grgh...agh!!! Cough... I see. So this is how it feels...

Father?

Con...stanze...

Ahh...ahhh...

Stop! If I am to sink into darkness...then... I'm taking you with me...

I dispelled...the magic. You didn't notice? The floor itself...was a shadow...

And now...both of us...will rot in the darkness... forever...

Argh! It won't open!

Felmina! Are you alright? You should take it easy for a while.

We fell down here from the floor above, but the doors are all locked. Constanze is planning to turn all of Unigan's citizens into her shadow puppets. We've got to stop her!

Yeah. But no matter what I do it won't budge.

Whoa! What was THAT?!

That's a bit of an extreme shift in tactics...

You okay? You should get out of here while you still can. This place is dangerous.

Felmina?

We're back. Let's try and move further in.

The same? As what?

So you've come. I take it you were the one behind that explosion I heard earlier? The old you would have never lowered herself to such inelegant tactics.

You're wrong about that. The old me would have done absolutely anything to complete her mission...and some habits never die. Prepare yourself. No matter how many shadows you summon, they won't be enough to stop me.

Oh my! Are you saying you weren't satisfied taking everything from me the first time around? You would ruin me twice? How cruel.

Not everything. You'll live.

...Ugh. I really do despise the new you.

Here they come!

Kill them. The tragic assassin I once loved is already dead.

As you command.

You're fine with this, then? If you can speak, then I assume you must also have free will.

Wait... If you kill the real Felmina, isn't that basically the same as killing yourself?

That is my goal. I am like you. But I am not you. So long as there is light at your back, I will be the shadow at your feet.

I'll kill you, and become the light myself.

...Alright.

But you should know I don't consider myself an agent of light. Even as I work to protect this country, I do so as a shadow in the dark. And that's why I'll stop her machinations here and now, before they ever see the light of day.

Gh...

N-No! Stand up! Is that it?! You're satisfied being nothing but a shadow forever?!

Of course...I'm not satisfied... But...

I'm at my limit... The magic is wearing off... I'm returning to my original form...

......

Nothing but pretty words... The brighter the light, the darker the shadow... I grow stronger with every step you take... And one day...I will devour you...

My Lady...

...Huh?

You gave me my own shadow...my free will... Thank you... You were my light...

You...

She's gone... She resented you to the very end...

Yeah. It's time you surrendered. We've already defeated Felmina's shadow puppet. You've got no hand left to play.

Heheh...hahaha... Aah, my plans have been utterly crushed. It's shameful.

Huh?! What's happening?!

As you say, it's over for me. I cannot be saved. I can never escape the darkness...

Sh-She's gone!

Not to me it doesn't...

A second Constanze?! You mean...

I find your choice of words disrespectful. At least my shadow took action. She's infinitely more "real" than I am.

Right. The kingdom is safe.

Wha, ?! Felmina?!

Felmina?

But that's...

I can't. The day our mansion crumbled to dust... I lost my leg. It would take everything I had to even stand and approach you. Killing you would be impossible. All I can do is sit in this room, a prisoner, and curse you in my heart.

Excuse me?

Who are you to make such a demand! I'm stuck here in the darkness of this room! You know I can never return to the outside world!

How? How can you say that to me?!

I hate you! You disgust me!

Looks like the case is closed.

But why were you so cruel to her in the end? Why did you try to make her hate you?

If that's your choice, then I won't stop you.

Right.

They'll see to it the information gets to the right people.

Good. That should clear up any suspicions around you being responsible for the attacks.

...I'll try to help spread the word, too. I've gotten to know a few of the customers pretty well.

I heard you were given room and board in exchange for helping out in the tavern. I'm glad to see you out in the light.

I'm not doing anything special. But...thank you.

Feels good, doesn't it, Felmina?

It does. But change takes time. I'm sure she still has many struggles to overcome.

I'll have a chat with the knights about what happened. It should help clear things up more quickly.

You would do that for me? I appreciate it.

Anything for a friend, right?

...I really am lucky, aren't I?

Felmina!

Huh?

Princess? What are you doing here? You know this place can't have any ties to the royal family...

THAT'S what you're worried about?!

The entire town thinks you're a criminal! You expect me to just sit around twiddling my thumbs?!

You came to check on me?

There's no need for concern. We just finished settling the matter. The damage to my reputation will be repaired shortly.

Thank goodness...

You got caught up in some kinda incident again, didn't you? You're always throwing yourself into danger. I worry about you, you know?

...There's no use arguing with you, is there? But you should head back now. You'll cause trouble for the ministers if you're gone for too long.

Hmm... I guess you're right.

But you better take care of yourself, Felmina! You hear me?

...I say I'm ready to atone, but I also can't bear to hurt the princess. It's quite the predicament. All I can do is keep living, a shadow in the light.

What a beautiful day... Just the right temperature, perfect for a nap in the shade.

You really are a free spirit, aren't you, little one? I take it you prefer napping in the sun?

Sometimes I feel I'll never grow accustomed to this. People can't stay in the light all the time, Life is more complicated than that. But neither can they live solely in darkness.

I'll continue to live my life behind the scenes, striking from the shadows to protect the kingdom. But it's important to bask in the sun as well.

I will know radiance. I will understand the dark. And I will live...as a shadow in the light.