Episode 34: Life is Sweet and Difficult
A book that hadn’t been opened for three hundred years. A sealed book that even Rosette had trouble with.
Naturally, everyone expected the contents to be something like the secrets of magic.
But, it was a diary.
It was unexpected. But maybe we should have expected it. Having your diary read by others is embarrassing. It wouldn’t be strange to seal it tightly.
With each page turned, tears welled up in Misty’s eyes.
I, Mizuha, and Rosette exchanged glances and left the library.
We were there together because we thought it was a dangerous magic book. If it’s just a diary, there’s no danger.
We should leave Misty alone.
She has the right to cry for three hundred years’ worth.
We waited in the living room.
After a few hours, Misty came. She was carefully holding Celine’s diary in both hands.
“Celine is truly a genius, isn’t she? She even gave you the function to make your eyes bloodshot.”
“…Rosette-san, you’re mean… You’re a bit like Master in that way.”
“Kufufu. That’s an honor. Now, may I ask if anything was written in the diary?”
“…It’s embarrassing to tell you everything, so please forgive me. I will manage this diary. You mustn’t read it without permission. But… I’ll tell you a little. It’s going to be a lovey-dovey story, but will you listen? Master is such a terrible person, you know?”
Misty said “terrible person” with a truly happy expression.
“Master certainly always praised me. She also said I was cute. So I knew she cherished me. But she never called me her masterpiece. Master called the Seven Deadly Sins Cards her masterpiece. Because I’m greedy, even such a small thing bothered me. In this diary, the reason why she didn’t call me her masterpiece was written.”
Misty stopped there.
She didn’t continue easily.
After about three breaths, Misty finally muttered shyly.
“Because I’m family. It’s strange to call family a masterpiece, so Misty isn’t called a masterpiece. That’s what was written… Isn’t that terrible? If she had told me directly, I would have jumped for joy and wouldn’t have worried for three hundred years… She secretly wrote it in a diary and sealed it tightly… What a terrible person. I didn’t know Master was such a shy person.”
Misty’s cheeks flushed even more,
“If she had told me… I would have been more affectionate with Master…”
She started saying sweet things.
Just listening to it made my brain melt.
“Mizuha, Akito. You’re making a dumbfounded face, but when you two are lovey-dovey, it’s even sweeter. You should be a little more aware of it.”
Rosette made an embarrassing remark.
I don’t think it’s that bad…
“I was trying to fulfill my role of collecting the cards to prove my worth. But Master’s real wish was that she didn’t want people to die because of her inventions. And after reading the diary, I realized one more thing. I’m also included among the people she didn’t want to die. I think Master would be sad if I broke.”
“…Now, Misty. If I could create something equivalent to your body, I would immediately announce it to the world. It feels good to be recognized by others. You understand that, right?”
Misty nodded at Rosette’s question.
“Yet Celine didn’t tell anyone about your existence. No, it’s natural not to announce it since you yourself have a mission, but she didn’t even disclose the theory that constitutes you. Why is that?”
“…Why is that?”
“I sent a letter and had the mages of the Royal Capital re-examine Celine’s writings. And… there was actually a book warning about the cards. However, even with the warning, no one could confirm the existence of the cards. So that book was treated as a forgery written under Celine’s name. Even I only remembered it after receiving the report, a book that had been pushed to the corner for three hundred years.”
“…That’s probably right. Master also grumbled in her lifetime. She said that even though she created cards that summoned the power of the divine realm by giving them the form of the Seven Deadly Sins Origin, no one believed her.”
“Even so, she wrote it down and tried to pass it on to future generations. But, regarding Misty, there really are no records. But I understand now that you’re family. She didn’t even want to hint at your existence. It’s clear that people like me would try to capture and examine you. Even if you have the power to defeat ordinary mages, the more you fight, the more mental strain you’ll accumulate. While giving you a harsh mission… no, precisely because you have a harsh mission, she wanted you to live peacefully otherwise. That’s what I thought.”
“Rosette-san… thank you. Your words have made me love Master even more.”
“Kufufu. It seems like you’ve completely given up on the idea of fighting alone.”
“Yes. So, I’ll ask again. Rosette-san, Mizuha-san. And Akito-san. If something happens that I can’t handle alone, please help me again.”
“Of course. You can rely on me anytime.”
“Of course. I can’t just ignore the fact that there are other dangerous cards.”
“I’ve already given my answer, but again. I definitely want to help.”
Hearing our three answers, Misty breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, a smile.
A pure joy was on her face.
I sincerely hope that Misty will always have that kind of face.
“Mizuha and I will live happily ever after. For that to happen, the world has to be peaceful. If it’s for Mizuha, I’ll eliminate anything that threatens peace. No matter how trivial.”
The moment I said my true feelings.
Misty’s smiling expression clouded over, and her cheeks puffed out as if I could hear a “mussu” sound.
What, is it…? Did I say something bad?
“I’ve realized in the past few days that Akito-san puts Mizuha-san first… but you didn’t have to say it now, did you!?”
“Kufufu. Akito’s IQ drops when Mizuha is involved. There’s nothing that can be done about it.”
“Misty-chan. It can’t be helped that Akito-kun is cool… but let me make it clear. Akito-kun is mine!”
“Y-yes, I know that. I’m not trying to interfere with your relationship. But please let me at least have my fantasies.”
“Fantasies… then it’s okay!”
Mizuha gives a thumbs up. Misty nods.
Seeing that, Rosette is happily saying “kufufu”.
What is it? Is there a language that only girls understand dominating the place?
“Since Mizuha-san has given her okay, then, everyone. Shall we return to the castle?”
“…Eh? Misty-chan, are you going to live in the castle all the time?”
“Yes. That’s my intention. Did you think I was just going to fantasize from afar? That’s what I would have done before. But it’s different now. I’ve learned to rely on others.”
Misty says with her chest puffed out.
It seems she’s become quite good at making a sulky face. I think that’s a good thing.
“I have no objection to Misty living in the castle. Unless Mizuha says she absolutely hates it…”
“It’s not like I absolutely hate it… or rather, I don’t hate it at all! I want to be friends with Misty-chan more. Yeah, I welcome you with open arms! I look forward to working with you!”
“Friends… If Akito-san is a womanizer, then Mizuha-san is a people-magnet… It becomes difficult to have practical discussions when you’re given such a pure smile…”
“Practical, as in?”
Rosette interjects.
“…Two cards were active in the forest near Emilie Village. It might just be a coincidence. But Master said that the Seven Deadly Sins Cards are attracted to strong Magical Power. I think it was inevitable that there were two cards there.”
“Hmm… So there’s a source of strong Magical Power near Emilie Village? But I didn’t feel anything like that.”
“Me neither… I was born and raised there, but I don’t know of any such strong Magical Power…”
“I don’t know either.”
When the three of us answered, Misty exclaimed “Eh!?” and froze.
“Rosette-san, who has become living history. Mizuha-san, the first Saintess. And Akito-san, who wields vast dark Magical Power at a young age. If these three are together, I think that’s a strong enough source of Magical Power… You’re not aware of it…”
““““Ah～～””””
When you hear about a source of Magical Power, you imagine things like ley lines, giant magic stones, or relics of ancient civilizations.
But, I see. So, when it comes to us, that’s how it is.
“So, it’s more likely to encounter cards if we wait near us than wandering aimlessly around the world.”
“Yes. So, not only to foster friendship, but also for the practical reason of collecting cards. Please take care of me.”
And so, another companion joined us in living in the castle.
Even with four people, that castle is still vast.
Right after reuniting with Mizuha, I thought that just the two of us was enough, but lately, I’ve been enjoying the lively atmosphere.
Even so, these past few days on the way back to the castle…
Misty keeps staring at me for some reason, and Mizuha is clinging to me more than usual. Rosette seems to have noticed something, but she won’t tell me the reason even when I ask.
Is it something that only girls understand after all?
Or is it because I’m just a young punk in my double digits?
Damn it, life is hard.