All That Glitters Is Not Gold

Haa... It's been a damn long time since I got shoved into a corner of a cave like this, gora.

Never thought Snorky would actually pull a betrayal on me like that...

Teaming up with the Order and stomping oresama's loan shark business flat... now I can't even start over, yarou!

Bowing down to the Order's oyabun... what a disappointment, gora?

She's got no guts, yarou!

Huh...

Oresama has to carve out a new foothold somehow in this grimy underground...

Or should I bow and scrape to Daya oyabun instead?

Ugh! Just thinking about that smug face of hers makes me break out in hives all over...!

Huh? What?

No way... Snorky?! It's not enough that you wrecked my business—now you're trying to sell me out too...?!

Hello...?

Huh? What the...?!

You... aren't you the one who lives holed up in some corner cave?

Yeah... I'm Kidian. Obsidian Dragon.

I've got nothing to say to a gaki like you.

Get lost before I kick you out!

......

I came by on the off chance...

That you'd be back, Pira.

You...!! Did you come here to mock me?!

I'm not sure why you're angry, but...

I've been waiting for you.

Every morning I come to your roost and check if you've returned. It's part of my morning routine.

Checking on me...?

Huh? What do you mean, gora?

I know what you can do.

You studied hard, didn't you?

Alchemy...

SILENCE!!!

So what about it?!

I need your alchemy skills.

I heard about it from Jade.

That you... did research on changing the nature of us dragons.

A while back... I went outside the cave to look at the night sky and picked up this business card.

This is the Pira pamphlet I handed out ages ago...?

I made it when I first went to the surface and started my business...

Brings back memories, gora.

Back when I was delusional enough to think my skills were actually worth a damn.

What does this have to do with anything, gora?

I... have a wish.

Turn me into a different gem.

Hah!

Just some dumbass dreaming weird dreams, yarou? Did you fall on your head?

Hey.

Huh?

Quit yapping, and get some sleep, gora

I'm too much of a realist to be talking with a delusional aho like you.

It's not a delusion.

I saw the books you researched.

I'm not that smart, so I didn't understand all of it, but...

If you studied that hard, you must have something to show for it.

Isn't that why you went to the surface and became a successful businessperson?

Like Goldy or Sist...?

Stop talking nonsense, gora!!!!!

H-Huh?

Are you seriously comparing me to someone like Goldy?!

You came here to mock me, didn't you?!

You're just here to rub it in, aren't you?! Come to laugh at me because I lost everything and got chased down into the underground?!

N-No... that's not it...?

Get out of my sight right now!!!

Pira? Why are you angry?

Open the door for me.

I need your help...!

Pira...?

*Huff, huff*

A worthless little scrap of glass like you!

How dare you mock the great oresama?!

This godforsaken underground... No matter when I come here, it's always a damn rotten place, yarou.

All just a bunch of idiots who only won by dumb luck! They strut around, full of hot air, itching to tear each other apart, gora!

If I can just reel in one sucker and build up some capital...

That very day I'll head back up to the surface, gora!

Haa... Well then, how about I take a walk and scout out some suckers?

Gotta at least shove a greeting Daya oyabun's way once; otherwise there's gonna be a whole lot of noise, gora.

Yaaah?! Nani, gora?!

Sorry. I was waiting here and dozed off.

Did you calm down? Will you talk to me?

Grgh! Nanda korya?! What are you doing?

I told you to get lost!

I see you're still pretty angry.

Then... I'll wait.

Until you're willing to hear me out.

Hah!

Stop being such a bother, gora!

I have no business with a moneyless piece of glass like you, gora!

Money...?

Right... you were a successful businessperson, weren't you, Pira?

So, you work for money, like the dragons who went to the surface to do business?

Right! Sou dakedo!

So stop bothering me and...

I... have money!

Eeeeeeeh?

Every time I worked to help Master...

I saved up the pay Master gave me in return.

How much could a person like you possibly have saved up, anyway?

I have all these colorful, shiny stones...

If I give those to you, can you change me?

......?

You worked for the oyabun of the Order Family, gora?

This one... she was an underling of the gang that's on top right now, gora?

You've been mooching quite a lot off the Order Family, huh, yarou?

Maybe... a perfect sucker just walked right in on her own...?

Kehehehe...!

So... what kind of gem do you want to become, gora?

I don't know.

I'd like to sparkle more brilliantly than I do now.

Eeeh? You don't even know what you want to become yourself, gora?

Are you some kind of baka with your head in the clouds, gora?!

Th-Then... would it be impossible to become a clear, transparent gem like Daya...?

Bwahahahahaha!

You're funny, gora!

I figured... that would be impossible, right?

Hehehe... Well... You just want to be changed into anything else that's not obsidian, right?

Uh, yeah.

As long as it's not the same dull obsidian like now, I think that'd be fine.

Haa... Well, gora gora! Anyway, where's the money, gora?

It's at my place.

Go get it.

We can't start until you do, gora!

Th-that's...

Huuuh? What's there to think about, yarou? Go get the money, gora!

I'm sorry.

I can't be careless with money when making a deal.

At least...

Could you show me even a little of what you can do?

It's not that I'm doubting you, but...

I've seen Jade always fall to Sist.

I do have money, but...

I also learned that it's hard to save money while working.

So I want to be a little careful.

Ha? So you're not a complete baka, gora?

Hmm... Changing one's nature is impossible to begin with, but...

But if I want to squeeze something out of this gaki, it looks like I have to at least pretend to do something.

Good.

Follow me, gora.

I'll give you a little taste of what I can do.

Oh, okay!

Oi! Get in here.

Here? Isn't this just water?

Stop whining and get in, gora!

You doubting me, gora? Huh?!

Weren't you the one who came to ask for help from oresama, gora?!

But...

......

Are you going to use something magical?

Fine.

I'll go in.

Nothing is happening.

Still the same dull, pitch-black... obsidian?

Phew.... Watch carefully, gora.

...?

What are you doing?

Water wears down minerals, gora.

The very basics of alchemy start with lapidary, gora.

Aren't you just... giving me a bath?

Huh?! Did you suddenly become an expert in alchemy, gora?!

If you don't know anything, keep your mouth shut, gora!

Ugh... yeah.

I somehow feel... refreshed.

Look at your reflection in the pond, gora.

Still... the color of obsidian, but... I'm sparkling like crazy!

Hehehe... How do you like the power of my alchemy, gora?

All I did was wash off the dirt that clung to you from living underground in a cave... hehehe!

A-Amazing!

This is just a taste, gora.

If you truly want to become a different gem...

Bring me the money, gora!

Got it...!

I'll bring it right away!

Here! Take this for now!

Eeeeeeeh?

These gems are more useful than I thought, huh?

Some of them are rough stones dug straight out of the ground, but...

Diamonds... rubies, sapphires...

With these, it'll be easy to sweet-talk the other Dragons into a deal.

Heh... Looks like this little one's got more to her name than I thought.

Hey! The terms of our deal just changed, gora.

Wh-What?

I'll take this as an advance payment for now...

But if I succeed in changing you, you'll have to cough up a lot more.

You never said anything about that...!

Eeeeeeeh?

Then we'll just call the whole thing off, gora.

N-No!

You're the only one...!

You're the only one with the ability to change me...!

Heheh, that's right.

You've already had a little taste of what I can do, gora.

There's no way you can refuse my offer, gora! Kuhahaha!

Uhh...

I wanted to buy a telescope to look at the night sky with Master...

Can't you just save up the money again?

......

Alright.

I've made up my mind.

If you succeed, I'll give you everything.

Haaa?!

Once the job is done, I'll give you everything I have saved up...!

Please turn me into a dazzling, sparkling gem...!

Haaa?!?!?

Kuhahaha! Sounds good, gora! If those are the terms, then deal, gora!

Hm... good, good.

This should do it.

Really? Is it all done?

Go take a look in the mirror and see for yourself, gora.

Oh? Ohh!

My hair... it's turned a blazing red, just like Rudd's...!

Am I... a ruby now?

Eh... Think whatever you like, gora.

Heh... All I did was slap on some red paint...

But there's no way a baka like you could ever figure that out, gora!

Kuhahahaha!

Thank you, Pira!

I... feel like I've finally achieved a lifelong dream!

Here, take this key.

It's the key to my warehouse.

Take as much as you want.

Heh! Hand it over right now, gora.

Well then, I'll be on my way!

I want to show everyone my new look!

Gora gora! Pfuhehehe!

Alright... Now that the fool's out of the way... shall I take a little tour of the warehouse full of treasure?

Eeeeeeeh?

Wh-What? What is all this junk?!

These aren't gems! They're just a bunch of colorful candies!!!

Even if I pick out the decent gems, it looks like it'll be less than what that darn gaki paid me upfront...

Suddenly the sucker is me?!?!

How could that innocent face pull a con on oresama...!

What's this note?

Pira. I knew you'd pull it off.

So, I'm writing this letter ahead of time.

I was never confident among all the shining gems.

No matter how hard I tried or how strong I became, the fact that I was obsidian never changed.

But ever since you washed me in the pond, I have found hope.

The hope that I could become something that shines on its own, like a star twinkling in the night sky.

So, thank you.

You saved me.

I don't think giving you everything I have would even be enough.

So... I'm going to do what I can for you.

I'll go to the surface in this wonderful new form you gave me.

I'll go to the Order and tell them they've all misunderstood you.

The Head Priestess, Master...

I want them to see your true worth.

You're even more wonderful than gold... I'll make sure everyone knows it.

And once everyone's misunderstandings are cleared up...

Let's meet again, not under a dark night sky but in the bright, shining sunlight.

We all deserve... to shine brilliantly.

......

Ugh... *Sniff*

Nani kore...?!

Blast it, you worthless glass shrapnel!

If you go outside looking like that, you'll be a laughingstock, gora!!!

Kidian!!

Kidian! Where are you!?

It's... raining...

Kidian? Good thing you haven't gone far!

My brilliant look... it's all washing away...

My dream too... it's just washing away...

Kidian...!

Pira.

I'm sorry, gora...!

I... lied to you!

...It's okay.

You couldn't help it, could you?

There was... no way.

Even alchemy... couldn't change me.

T-That's...!

I'll just head back home...

H-Hey, where do you think you're going!?

......

Pira.

H-Huh?

I'm sorry for asking the impossible of you.

Still... if it was impossible from the start... it would've been okay to just tell me right away.

Finding out later that my dream was in vain...

It... really hurts.

Ugh... *Sob*!

You idiot!!!

...?

It's not over yet!

A contract isn't finished so easily, gora!

Just take the money and go...

It doesn't mean much to me.

Of course, I'll be taking the money, gora!!!

I'll take it after I change you!!!!

Wh-What?

You promised you'd pay me after I succeeded!

I won't take a single coin until I succeed!!!

Pira...!

We're starting over from scratch... so get back to the cave right now, gora!

You got that?!!!

Oh, okay!

Pira... you really are a good one, aren't you?

Shut it! Stop making me talk, gora!

*Sniff, sob*

It's okay, Pira.

I believed in you.

I know you can do it.

Alchemy...

The magic of making gold.

Fool's Gold—I hated that nickname.

So I learned.

Real gold—I thought if I became that, everything would be solved.

But I always failed.

Fool's gold—I wanted to escape the fate of pyrite, but I've never once succeeded.

But...

This time, I'll succeed.

I'll turn you into a magnificent gem, gora!!!

Pira?

What is it?

Is that actually okay?

Alchemy is about changing the properties of a mineral, gora.

And the most common method is using electricity, gora.

Won't it hurt?

Baka!

Can't you handle a little pain?

Alright...! I'll try to bear it!

I don't feel anything...?

No tingling or anything?

Ugh, I give up trying to figure it out. Full power, all or nothing!

Oh? Oh? Ohhhhhhh!

You're feeling something?!

It tickles! And it feels kind of cool!

That stiffness in my shoulders from always sleeping curled up—it's all melting away!

And I feel a little... hazy...

Ugh...

H-Hey?! What's going on?! Snap out of it!!!

Kidian!!!

It's okay. I just dozed off for a second.

It doesn't seem like there was any effect...

Dang!

What's this?

It's a mix of various chemicals, gora.

You're going to soak in a half-bath here all day!

Isn't this the same as the bath you gave me before?

That was just plain water, gora!

This is a tub filled with a special blend of compounds I mixed myself, gora!

Stop whining and get in, gora!

L-Like this?

Do you notice a reaction, gora?

It feels like taking a bath, so I was just making bubbles with my hands.

Stop fooling around, gora!!

Can't you see how on edge I am?!

Don't stress too much about it, Pira.

We can take it slow.

It feels a bit hot in here.

Get as close to the lava as you can, gora!

Minerals can also change through heat, gora!

Even that soft-iron kusogaki got herself nice and tough by heating up in a sauna!

Yeah, I've heard about that too.

That Leets got tougher after dueling in the lava fields.

I've got a good feeling about this one!

I think something good is going to come out of this!

Right! So you can handle a little heat!

Understood!

Closer... get even closer to the lava...

As close as you can...!

Ugh... it's so hot...

Hey!!! What do you think you're doing, yarou!!

Get too close to the lava and you'll get swallowed up, gora!!!

Baka!! I told you to get close, not jump in, gora!!

Sorry... I got a little greedy.

You melting away would be completely pointless, gora!!

I'll be more careful next time.

But... did something change about me?

*Sob*...

Nothing changed after all, huh? Nothing at all...

Oh...

Why isn't there any reaction, yarou?!

Something should have changed, gora!! Damn it!!!

I spent decades researching just to become gold...!

There was no progress at all, gora.

Is it because it's been so long since I quit alchemy?

I'll have to look at the original texts again, gora.

Pira, didn't you create... alchemy?

No, gora.

I learned it from books too, gora.

The Witch Library has all kinds of books.

There's a secret restricted section in that library, gora.

A place where only High Witches can enter, where forbidden knowledge is gathered.

That's where I once read about alchemy and then kept learning, gora.

Is that so?

Then shall we go to the library together?

You stay in the bathtub.

Who knows, maybe something will change, gora.

I'll go by myself, gora.

Phew... It's been ages since I've come to the witches' kingdom.

They're way too suspicious and I could never make them fall for my business tricks.

Seems like there's plenty of minions from the Order Family around, so I'd better sneak a look at the books and make a run for it.

But... why is this place such a mess, yarou?

Ugh... Ngh!

Self-help books are over here...

Web novels... autobiographies...

Ugh... It never ends...

The werebeasts knocked over all the bookshelves...

No matter how much I tidy up, I can't see the end of it...!

Did something happen?

Well, this works out nicely. I can sneak all the way to the restricted section without any interference. Heheheh.

Metal alloys, this one's about gem polishing...

Silversmithing guide...

It was somewhere around here...

Oh? Here it is!

"Transformation of Minerals, the Magic of Alchemy"!

Obsidian... a mineral formed from hardened lava. Properties no different from glass...

To manipulate the composition of obsidian and turn it into something else...

Huh? What...

What kind of record is this? How is there more content than when I last saw it?

There's a whole new appendix?

When two different minerals collide... something new can emerge, gora?

These witches... what the heck are they researching, yarou?

Wh-Whoa?! Is that the librarian?

I need to hide...

Strange... so strange...

Huh?

I just can't understand it...

Wh-What? Whose creepy voice is that?

Who is that?

Just sitting in the corner, reading a book alone?

Has she been there since I came in?

I was sure there was no one else here...?

No matter how I look at it, something's off...

What's so strange about it, gora?

Why do you keep repeating the same actions...

When you just keep failing...?

What... did you say?

Knowing it's impossible to succeed...

Why not just give up...?

Why choose to be a fool...?

Urgh...!

Y-you little kusogaki!

Are you trying to mock me, yarou?!

Oresama no such fool, gora!!!

I am... I am a true alchemist, gora! Not some idiot who does nothing but fail, gora!!!

......

Urgh... What is this energy? It feels like the air around me is churning.

Is this magic?

A-Are you picking a fight, yarou?!

I knew it...

I suppose there's no choice but to test it...?

Wh-What are you going to test, yarou?

Proving it for yourself...

Wouldn't be so bad...

Whether even a fake life deserves to be saved...

Urgh! I feel nauseous...!

I ain't got what it takes to take her on, yarou!

Gotta run...!

Just run for it!!!

*Huff, huff*

Blech... I think I'm going to be sick...

*Sob, Sob*

Damn it! I should have looked at that book more carefully!

I got caught by that weirdo freak and had to haul ass out of there!

In the end, I couldn't find it.

There's no way to help Kidian...!

*Sniff*

I've always been a failure!

I couldn't change my fate to one of gold...

Back then, and even now...!

I'm nothing but a worthless piece of pyrite going around pulling scams, gora!

It's not like I wanted to be born as pyrite either, gora!

When I woke up, this was already who I was! You bastards are the ones who came to oresama first, all happy because you mistook me for gold!

Whenever I was honest, you always walked away disappointed!

What's so bad about oresama compared to Goldy?! What's so bad about me compared to that soft, squishy piggy bank, yarou!!

You're the ones who mocked me and called me a fake gold nugget!

*Sob* Waaaah!!!

I want to have worth too...!

I want to be ranked number one too! I want to make a shitload of money!

I wanted to have my own gang too!

And... I genuinely wanted to help!

I thought that if I saved Kidian, I'd be saved too...!

Waaaah!

None of it meant anything...!

I was just struggling for nothing...

*Sob, Sob! Sob!*

I'm... exhausted...

Kidian... I'm back.

Pi-Pira! No! Run, quickly!

What...?

Well met, Pira.

The rumor that thou wouldst appear at Kidian's roost hath proven true.

What...?

D-Daya oyabun?!

I have heard all of what thou hast done upon the surface.

If thou hast no proper reason, then thou must face punishment!

Tch!

An underling for the Order... So, the rumor that they'd gotten to Daya oyabun was actually true, gora?!

Thy insolent attitude has been well known among our kind for a long time.

But to commit such crimes upon the surface...!

Truly, I am deeply disappointed in thee, Pira!

Ugh...

If thou hast aught to say in thy defence, then speak.

This is thy final chance to offer thy defence, so choose thy words with care.

Sigh...!

Yeah, well... I ran scams, gora.

What is there to say, gora.

Stole money, stole homes... it was all me, gora.

Take me away, gora.

I have no intention of running or hiding anymore, gora.

No!

Pira isn't such a bad one!

Kidian.

Is it not time thou didst realise it by now?

Why dost thou speak in defence of Pira?

Looking only at the facts thou hast confessed, is it not plain that Pira hath deceived thee?

Pira never scammed me!

She was trying to change me.

She said she'd do it without taking any money.

Pira... was sincere.

She genuinely wanted to help me!

Kidian...!

Pira, say something.

You were sincere.

Tell Daya quickly.

Explain that it was all a misunderstanding!

I... haven't changed, gora.

From before until now...

No matter how hard I try, it won't ever change... Oresama's just a "scammer's gold nugget," yarou.

No, that's not true!

Dost thou confess thy guilt of thine own will, Pira?

I admit it.

...Very well. Then come with me.

The sins were committed upon the surface, so it is upon the surface that the price shall be paid.

You can't take her!

Ki-Kidian?

Pira is a good egg.

She's not as bad as you think.

There must be some misunderstanding!

I cannot comprehend it. Why must thou go to such lengths...!

You wouldn't understand.

You're a diamond, after all.

Someone like you couldn't understand us.

You can't understand us dragons who were born plain and unremarkable!

Kidian! Did I not explain this to thee before?

Thou art no common, lowly dragon.

It is thou who art mistaken.

Is it not out of wounded pride that thou dost choose to dwell in such a forsaken corner?

We dragons each possess our own worth.

It is only that the time when that worth is discovered differeth for each of us.

......

No matter how beautiful you try to say something comforting...

The truth doesn't change.

Daya, you're beautiful.

And I am not.

That's the truth!

But Pira can change that. She promised me.

Shut up! Stop it, gora!!!!

P-Pira...!

I can't change you!

I can't even change myself!

It's all pointless and meaningless, gora!

I... I lied!

It was all a lie, gora!

So please, just stop...!

I'll just... go to prison on the surface and face my punishment...

Pira...

Daya oyabun... please take me away.

I'm exhausted...

......

Very well. So be it.

Don't go, Pira...

You promised me...!

Pira!

*Sob, sob, sob*

I'm sorry, Kidian...

I'm truly sorry... for being such a fraud...!

Let us go to the Order.

The Master and the Apostles shall deliver a fair judgment.

......

I know not what hath befallen thee in all this time, but...

If thou art truly repentant, I shall aid thee as far as I am able.

......

So in the end... nothing can be changed?

Fate... is too merciless.

Like Pira... do I have to accept my true nature and live with it?

That would be impossible...

Living without hope.

Hope...

What on earth is that?

*Sigh*... those damn sprites...

If you're going to eat bread, at least eat it properly, gora!

How are you making such a mess, yarou?!

No matter how much I clean, it never ends!

...Pira.

Huh?!

Ki-Kidian?

What brings you here?

Right... you were actually an underling of the Order Family.

I suppose it's not strange to meet here.

Mmm...

As an Apostle of Master...

......

I heard about the verdict of your judgment.

That you have to do volunteer work at the Order during the day... and live in the sprite prison at night...

...Well.

It's not so bad, gora.

When I do volunteer work with the Order Family, the oyabun makes sure I get something tasty to eat...

Even the sprite prison's got this fermented stuff called Bean Log—turns out it's actually pretty good, gora.

Isn't your accommodation kinda uncomfortable?

Hmph, that's nothing, gora.

I used to wander around sleeping on the ground, so I'm used to it, gora.

Good, as long as you're okay.

......

...There's something I need to ask you.

What is it?

When the trial was in full swing...

I was originally headed for the pit in Witch Kingdom, gora.

I was ready to accept the verdict without making a fuss...

But Daya oyabun said it seemed too harsh and spoke up in my defense.

And... that traitor Snorky, too.

But the Head Priestess was so furious, I never thought the verdict would change...

On the last day... the punishment was reduced to what it is now, gora.

I can't shake the feeling that this all seems strange...

Could it be... what I want to say is...

......

......

You're right, I pleaded with Master.

To give you a chance.

Do you not understand what I was doing, yarou?

I do. And I was a little surprised, too.

But... why...?

A life with hope is what makes us shine.

A black pit where nothing can be seen...

I... don't believe anyone should suffer such a punishment.

Huh? You actually managed to persuade them with that delusional nonsense, yarou?

Of course, I also paid your bail.

Wh-What?

The reward I had promised to give you...

I donated everything I had to the Order.

Nani kore?! Baka!! Why would you do something like that, yarou!!

It's alright.

Just like you said, money can be earned again.

That's what I said to con you, gora!!!

Nope.

Whatever your intention was, the truth remains the same.

Work hard and earn it back again.

It's a simple truth.

No need to make it complicated.

And...

It's true that you committed a crime...

But it's also true that you are a good soul, Pira.

Your tough exterior may never change...

But we're all soft on the inside.

You can change.

I realized that while trying all sorts of things together with you.

And you too...

...You realized it too, didn't you?

Urgh...

I-I don't know about any of that, baka!

You really did try hard.

Your sincerity, I felt it.

I clearly felt it.

Your initial intentions may have been bad...

But you changed as you went through it all.

I can understand that.

That's why I helped.

*Sob*...

Don't say another word, you third-rate glass shard, yarou! *Sob*

Pira, let's live with hope.

Make up for each other's flaws.

Let's be friends.

*Sob* I told you to stop! You big baka!!

Hopeless wishes like that aren't worth a damn thing, gora!!

No, it's worth it.

Hope... doesn't have to shine.

It's enough to carry it in your heart and live.

Whether it comes true or not isn't what matters.

Just existing on its own has value.

Like us.

You're totally delusional, I tell you! *Sob, Sniff!*

Do you enjoy living while spouting such carefree nonsense, yarou?!

It's not carefree delusion.

You can feel it too, can't you?

This warmth...

Isn't it a comfort... to both you and me?

Just by being by each other's side...

Doesn't it feel like the whole world is ours?

That's all we need, Pira.

Kidian...! Hwaaaah!

So cheer up, Pira.

I'll come visit you every day.

And let's prove ourselves together.

So that we can stand tall in this world again.

Waaaaaah...!!

When that day comes, under a bright sky, we'll spread our wings together...

And measure our worth anew.

*Sob*! Together...

Together, side by side...!

O-Okay!