Light

Aah... Any tea I can drink with you by my side is truly the most exquisite tea in the world, Radica.

Here, do try this as well. It's a sugar- infused Sumire blossom petal. Delicate and sweet...just like you.

Ewella, please...

...Oh! It's lovely. Are you sure I can have this?

But of course. Go ahead, try it...

Ah, wait. I have a better idea. Open your mouth...

I can eat on my own, you know.

I know, but indulge me. Say "aah."

How is it?

Mm! It's so good! What a gentle sweetness.

I'm so happy you like it. Seeing you smile is truly the greatest joy...

Thank you... That's a little embarrassing, though.

By the way, Ewella. You're always giving me so much. Could I maybe give you something in return? Maybe we could go shopping together after this. What do you think?

......!

That would be wonderful! Are you sure? Ah, but...!

...I'm so sorry, I have something to do today that I simply can't miss.

Oh, really? That's too bad. But it's a standing offer, okay? I'd be happy to go anytime.

Oh, don't worry! This will only take a little while. Once I've finished, I'll rush right back to your side.

So...would you be with me today?

Haha, of course. Then I'll wait right here. Take care on your errand, okay?

I will, of course. Thank you, Radica.

...Sigh. I hate this. I have to go all the way to Charol Plains, all to see someone I would truly rather not...

Hm? Ewella? That's strange. I almost never see her looking that down.

Maybe I should check in with her. Charol Plains, she said? Alright...

Well, well, welly well well! What brings a pretty girl like you all the way out here?

Hmm? Hmmmm? Ohohohoh?

Too bad for you, I prefer my women with a smile and not a scowl!

Haha! Just as violent as ever. Don't worry, I take it all back, for now. I would have thought you'd died or gone off the deep end by now, but...

It seems you're still upright and kicking! How about that. I guess the stars aren't always right, are they now?

Haha! Go ahead and try it if you're hard enough, missy!

Even an awful woman like you might be worth something if your sniveling is entertaining enough. Come on...

Wait, wait! Wait!

It's Aldo!

Anyway, Ewella! What's going on here?! Why is there another me?

Well, well! Are you a friend, friend?

I daresay, Sir Harold... Eavesdropping is a dishonorable habit to cultivate. I came close to cutting you down like the ne'er-do-well you seem to be.

Now you're Cyrus?! What is all this?!

...And hey!

I wasn't eavesdropping! I was worried about Ewella, so I followed her! But I couldn't just stand by and let you say such awful things!

And you're being kind of rude too!

Which is to say... This isn't really like you, Ewella. You're usually so polite...

(And that expression on her face. I've never seen her look like that...) (Like she's seeing the thing she hates most in the entire world.)

Right back at ya, sweetheart.

So it's mutual, I guess...

Oh, but I do love you, Baldo. I love you sooo much.

That's not my name, and please don't say that while wearing her face.

What are you, anyway? You can change shape, and you can mimic people's voices too... It's really throwing me off. Can you stop with the...transformation, I guess, and just use your real face?

Don't got one of those.

You don't have a face?

Letting you see my face is my greatest regret. You, of all people... I swore to only ever let her...

Ewella?!

It's rare for you to act like this, Ewella. You seem to not really care much about anything aside from Radica, most of the time.

Then, why...

Well, that's...not really an answer, but...

It's because she sees me as an insect buzz-buzz-buzzing around the princess's precious little head, that's why.

The princess? Who?

Ah.

Keh heh. You're not wrong. I know you wouldn't be here if it weren't for her sake, either.

For Radica's sake? What do you mean?

A little bird gave me a job, you see. That's a rare thing and no mistake. That's why she's here at all, because it's to do with Her Princessness.

A job...

Actually, what are you to Radica and Ewella? I don't even know your name, come to think of it.

Eck, stop that. I'd rather be nothing at all than be anything to Ewella.

I'm...

I'm ready.

Go? Go where?! And what's with that outfit?

Uuugh, I hate this! Gross, gross! I haven't even told you anything about the job at all...

Are you hearing this, buddy?! She won't even let me talk now! What say we ditch the...lady, and carry on just the two of us? Hmm?

Poporo wouldn't say that. What is all this about, anyway? I'm having trouble keeping up here.

Now, now, we'll cover that when we get where we're going. Stick close, Salamando. If it's just me and her, we're liable to beat each other to death along the way.

Could you not?!

Hey... Hey, wait for me!

So...is that your real appearance?

Hardly. The face beneath that hood is just as much a lie as the others.

You really want to see my face, huh? I'm getting all flustered. I feel like a courtesan on her first date, haha!

...... So what is this job?

They want R...

It's a prayer request for Radica. I'll be serving as her stand-in.

A stand-in?

Hah, you won't even let me say Radica's name, is that it? You're a clingy one.

I'll tear out your tongue one hundred times for every time you dare. You're up to one thousand right now.

Wow, you suck at math.

You two really don't get along. So, are you being her stand-in because Radica can't do it right now, like what happened last time?

Yes. But this time, we must be careful to keep the deception from being known. I must become her, down to my heart.

Uh...

Isn't that such a creepy way to put it? Makes you sick. Gives you goosebumps.

Envious?

Hmm?

Enough already! You shouldn't fight...

......!

Ah, you must be the priestess... Lady Radica, I presume. You're as lovely as the rumors say. Thank you for coming all this way.

...Yes. It is my honor to greet you. I pray that my escort, Cloaker, hasn't caused you any trouble.

Haha, think nothing of it. Your guard dog is well-known to be something of a wild one...

So I was surprised to find him as well-mannered as he is.

...Haha. That is a relief. I've instructed him to be on his best behavior...

Isn't that right, Cloaker?

...Yes, indeed. You honor me, Priestess.

Please forgive us for being so bold as to make this request of you through your bodyguard. If at all possible, we would have spoken to you in person, but...

Well, circumstances between our villages being what they are...

Yes...that is true. Thank you for your consideration. I'm pleased that even my incompetent companion could be of some small use.

Now, then. I'm told that you wish for me to pray for the honored Elder of your village, is that correct?

I apologize for all the secrecy. You see, our Elder has been taken by some illness we can't identify... You understand why we can't simply announce this fact. We're currently keeping it a secret even from the villagers... But things can't go on like this. We have no options left but to turn to the most celebrated fortune teller of our time.

I will gladly accept this request. Um...

Where is the Elder now?

He's currently resting in a glade deep within the forest's heart.

I'll go to him now and tell him of your arrival. Please come when your preparations are made, Lady Priestess.

I will. Thank you.

Then, we'll await your arrival.

Well, Lady Priestess. Shall we go lay your holy hands on the sick and make them well?

Don't speak to me unless necessary. Disgusting thing.

Hang on...my head is practically spinning with all this new information. So, your name is Cloaker? And you're Radica's bodyguard?

Whassamatter, bud? You think every bodyguard's gotta be ten tons of muscle in a two-ton bag?

Or are you worried about my safety, me being such a slender lil' guy?

Well, neither of those is what you actually look like, right?

Wait a minute, are you trying to dodge the question?

Don't bother talking to him. You'll only waste your breath.

...He WAS Radica's bodyguard. Not anymore. And I never approved of him to begin with. You know Radica was honored in her village as a skilled fortune teller, yes?

Yeah. There was that whole mess with the Shadow Witch...

(...Huh? But wait, Ewella wasn't with us back then...)

She had another role, too. As the priestess who watched over the Power of Time. I may have told you before that I was something like a priestess myself... But while she was with us, she was the central axis upon which we all turned. The Guardian of Time herself.

Then, some things happened... Some unfortunate things. And the village somehow saw fit to, reluctantly and with great trepidation, assign that as her bodyguard.

Wow, how subtle and objective of you.

Hmm?

Please don't fight... You two held it together so well in front of that other guy. Actually, I'm sort of amazed you were able to act that well together given how you usually sound.

Well...

Isn't it obvious? I'll do anything for Radica.

...Yeah, I guess I should have figured.

Okay, I understand. We'd better find that Elder, then. The sooner we help him out, the better for everyone, right?

Yes. Let's go, Doldo.

You know, I do worry... Our good Mister Doldo is a little too honest. Don't you think?

Too honest? What does that mean?

...Also, Ewella is one thing, but not even he intends to remember my name, huh.

We've been awaiting you.

He's waiting further within. But, before that...

I would also ask you to leave your staff in my care, Lady Priestess.

...Hm?

I'm afraid that we can't allow anyone before the Elder armed...even you.

But, Ewel...Radica is a priestess. How can she do her rites without her staff?

Well...

Thank you for your understanding.

As for you, sir... That is quite an impressive blade.

Do I have to give up my sword too?

An onlooker...?

Yes, Lady Radica.

(Oh, now they get along swimmingly...)

I... I see. Then he is fine.

It's that easy...?

Thank you very much. Then, right this way, Lady Priestess.

Only Ewe... Only Radica?

The Elder is an august personage. Only those of similar standing are permitted to enter his presence.

But of course, your holiness. I shall do my very utmost...

Are you sure this is okay? Something's fishy here...

Hey, Nyardo.

W-what?

...How is she? Is she doing well?

"She?" You mean Radica?

She's...yeah, she's doing okay. There was some trouble a while ago, but it's all settled for now.

...I see.

Hey, you...

What?!

The Elder...

Is right here.

Haha... Perhaps you're too innocent to realize, Lady Priestess, but you've been led into a trap.

There is no Elder here. Just a monster I've trained for one purpose... To kill you.

That's right. Don't blame me; this is the will of the village. You see, your village, the guardians of the Power of Time, are unique even among our villages... Unique, and far too lax, I'm afraid.

There's the issue of the dark elves, of course. You must surely see it yourself, as a child of that village, yes? We can hardly entrust the Power of Time to a village that births criminals. With your death, our village will inherit the stewardship of the Power of Time that we deserve...

...And our plan requires your dead body.

...... What does that mean?

...Perhaps you're not as wise or refined as the rumors say. No matter.

It was foolish of you to relinquish your weapon, Priestess. Now, die... And sleep forevermore.

My sincere apologies. I thought for sure you had him.

Wha...you! But I took your weapon!

You took ONE OF my weapons. What poor excuse for a bodyguard do you people take me for?

Come on, priestess! Don't stand there like a stick, get to work already!

Oh, you speak fluent dog? How charming! And you a well-bred young lady. Who'd have thought.

Damn it, what's going on?!

Ewella! Cloaker! Are you okay?!

...You look fine!

Even the onlooker?! Well, I'm not going to stand for it! Kill the woman! I don't care what it takes!

Hup...

Now we're even.

Oh, but what about the interest?

Dammit...! Damn it all!

You're not getting away.

Good job, Doldo!

Ah, hey!

...You didn't have to knock him out.

Seemed fastest.

You guys...

So the whole thing was a trap. I'm glad we could handle it before anyone was in real danger.

Yes, certainly. Now...

This time for real, let's get going.

Huh? What do you mean, for real?

Geez, about time.

Huh?! Are we just leaving this guy?!

I'll deal with him later, so yeah. Come on, hurry up! We're going back to Charol Plains.

Deal with him... H-hey! Wait up, you two!

Hey, look, you two... Won't you fill me in here? What are you going to...

That must be her.

Yeah, right on time.

Let's go.

You two are really in sync now...

Excuse me, madam. I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting.

Oh...aah. Yes, yes, I see...

Thank you for coming. Yes... I just arrived myself, dear. So please, don't apologize.

What lovely clothes you're wearing. May I see them up close?

Yes...of course.

Aah, such soothing light... I remember this feeling. I can't see very well anymore, but... It's you. It really is you...

May I pray for you?

Yes...yes, please.

Aah...how beautiful...

That old lady just now...

That was the real request.

Huh?

The person who actually made the request was that old woman. She saw Radica's prayer rite once, back in the village, so I didn't want to simply refuse her.

That thug in the forest heard of the request she made and tried to twist it to his own ends.

I see...

But is this okay, then? She wanted to see Radica's prayers again, after all. Is it really okay not to tell Radica herself about it?

...This has happened before. After she fell to being a dark elf... She was asked to pray, like before. She hesitated, but she wanted to keep on supporting people the way she used to. Even knowing that, if it was found out she had fallen, people might try to kill her...

What happened?

...She had lost the power of Light. She couldn't pray anymore. All her resolve was for naught. People screamed at her, threatened her, some even threw stones...

...And all she did was bite her lip, and bow her head in apology to them. It wasn't until she made it home that her smile melted away, and she burst into tears of shame. And I...

I swore I would never let it happen again. If those tears are what it takes for others to have their prayers granted... Then I would rather a world where no prayer is answered, ever again. Radica is a gentle girl, so she said she would continue to take requests and apologize if necessary...

But I won't permit that.

But still, even as a stand-in, your magic is different from hers. Wouldn't you get found out?

Listen carefully, Doldo.

I know everything there is to know about Radica. And I mean everything.

Huh? Ah...

As I said, I would become her... If that's what it takes to protect the light she is, the light she once gave to others. Until the day she can once again wear these vestments...

...And even if that day never comes.

Ewella...

Huh? Where did Cloaker go?

I assume he went home. I have no further business with him.

He was a strange one. I don't really understand what it is you hate about him so much.

Hm. Really? Well...

I'm simply waiting for the moment that he, in even the smallest of ways, causes harm to Radica. That's all.

Huh? Ewella?! Are you going back? Don't leave me out here!

...... ...No one is worthy of her magic.

Not a person in this world... is worthy of her unmatched light.