#mahoustsukai no yakusoku

[bamboo-bees]

No thoughts. Only Kento Itou

[bamboo-bees]

Lumiere of Bonds Lit in the Dim Night

What better way to commemorate chapter 5 than with a gif that I spent roughly 50 seconds making. Please enjoy 🙇‍♀️

⋆⁺₊⋆☾⋆⁺₊⋆Chapter 5⋆⁺₊⋆☾⋆⁺₊⋆

Shylock: “Shino is Shino, and you have your own thoughts. I don’t think it’s childish.”

Shylock: “Instead of stifling my feelings for someone else, I choose to be open with them, though that may just be due to my nature as a Western wizard.” 

Heathcliff: “……Haha, thank you Shylock.”

Black Dog: “Woof!”

Chloe: “Ahaha, he’s licking Heath’s hand. He must be really attached to you!”

Shylock: “Surely, he’s worried about you, who is depressed, and is trying to be comforting.”

Heathcliff: “………..”

Chloe: “…..I think this guy somehow resembles Shino.”

Chloe: “Not to mention his black fur and fiery red eyes…...”

Chloe: “And the way he cares so much about Heath.”

Heathcliff: “Chloe…..”

Chloe: “Furthermore…Heath is the same way in that he cares about his partner.”

Chloe: “Heath would be sad if he felt that Shino was neglecting himself precisely because he cares so much about Shino.” 

Heathcliff: “…..You’re right. That’s why I couldn’t bring myself to speak ill of this child.”

Heathcliff: “Because he’s a lot like Shino.”

Chloe: “In that case, you should tell Shino how you feel!” 

(Dog barks)

Shylock: “Oh my, it looks like this child is also pushing at his back.” 

Chloe: “Well then, I’ll have to work even harder. We have a ceremony tonight, so it’s the perfect time to make up!” 

Chloe: “Even though it’s called a ritual, it’s actually something more along the lines of a festival where you can have a fun time.”

Chloe: “Straighten things out with Shino, make the ritual a success, and have fun together!” 

Heathcliff: “Yeah…..! Thank you, Chloe. And you, too……”

(Dog barks)

Heathcliff: “Haha, that tickles….!” 

Shylock: “….Fufu, but of course Heathcliff, Chloe came with me because he was concerned for you, but….”

Shylock: “Apparently, it just ended up being baseless worries.” 

Heathcliff: “What’s the matter, Shylock? You’re looking at our faces and smiling…”

Shylock: “No, it’s nothing.”

Shylock: “Well then, let us head back shall we. There are people waiting impatiently for us after all.”

By the time I got back with Shino and the others, Heathcliff and the others had already returned.

Both of them seemed to be feeling awkward, but we all decided to proceed with the preparations for the ritual first and foremost. 

Shino: “Before the ritual begins all of the villagers will have to change their clothes, right? Are you going to be able to get them dressed in time?” 

Chloe: “Yup. I’ve only got a few more to go! I’m off to take measurements for the rest of them.”

Shylock: “Thanks to Chloe, it looks like we’ll be able to get the outfits together without any problems.” 

Heathcliff: “It was a considerable amount of food, yet they prepared enough for us and made it through without any difficulty. It’s amazing.” 

Heathcliff: “But aren’t you tired of using magic after all this time? If it’s just a little, I can help …”

Heathcliff was about to say something, but was suddenly too taken aback to speak. 

Shino: “……..”

Shino’s gaze captures Heathcliff’s profile. In that moment the voice of Chloe, who’s shaking his head gently, grew closer. 

Chloe: “Thanks. But I’m good at repairing and making clothes with magic, so it’s okay!” 

Chloe: “I’ll finish the costumes as they are. Heath, can I leave it to you and Shino and the others to help prepare for the ceremony?” 

As if prompted by Chloe’s smiling suggestion, Heathcliff and Shino both glance at each other. 

I’m sure Heathcliff didn’t say that to avoid Shino. As usual, it was simply his own way of showing that he cares. 

It was Shino who stepped forward and answered. 

Shino: “Yeah, of course.”

Shino: “When the ritual begins, let’s work each other to the bone. As contributors to the traditions of the village.” 

Chloe: “Yeah, let’s have some fun! Heath too!”

Heathcliff: “…..You’re right. We’ve got a lot of prep work to do. Let’s all do our best together.”

As Chloe leaves, he gives Heathcliff and Shino a high five, and runs away lightly.  

Shino and the others once again turn their faces away, but the air around them appears to have softened. The other wizards seem to sense this as well. 

Just a little more time until the sun goes down. 

The whole village is busy preparing for the night amulet ceremony. 

Little by little, I began to see the villagers dressed in costumes. 

Faust: “Let’s leave the costumes to Chloe and move on to the next preparations. If I remember correctly, they used to decorate the entire village with lanterns.” 

Cain: “Oh. The villagers should have the lanterns ready. Nero’s on his way to check on them now.” 

Just then, Nero returned with a few of the villagers. 

He looked somewhat uneasy. 

Akira: “What’s the matter?”

Nero: “Ah—….We have a bit of a problem.”

Nero: “I checked the lanterns decorating the village just now and found that some of them were partially damaged. It seems they can’t prepare the amount of lanterns they planned for.” 

Akira & Heathcliff: “Eh…..?”

Villager: “The ones that I kept inside the warehouse were all cracked. If only I had noticed it sooner…..”

Villager: “It’s been a hectic year, so it can’t be helped. But what can we do? We can’t wrap the village in light if there aren’t enough lanterns….”

The villagers’ faces are clouded over. 

Even though the ritual is already delayed, the whole village is in a state of slight impatience. 

Akira: (I’m sure I can just ask everyone to fix it with magic, but….)

The reconstruction of the village and the production of costumes must have already consumed a lot of magical power. I don’t want to put more of a burden on anyone.

Just then, a couple of village children pass us by. 

Child: “Brother, this pumpkin is heavy!”

Child: “Hang in there, hang in there. We’ll be home soon, so take care to carry it properly.” 

Each of the children were carrying a large pumpkin, which they had probably harvested from the field. When I saw it, I had a flash of inspiration.  

Akira: “That’s it…! How about making a lantern out of vegetables?”

Nero: “Eh?”

Oz: “Vegetables……?”

Akira: “In my world, we used to hollow out pumpkins to make lanterns.”

Akira: “You can make it look like the face of a person or animal, or you can carve a pattern ….”

Akira: “The hollowed out insides can be eaten, and the inedible part can be used for decoration, so it’s like killing two birds with one stone.” 

The children of the village were the first to react to what I said. 

Child: “Did you hear that? Pumpkin lanterns sound like fun! I wanna make one!”

Child: “Me too!”

Akira: “I’m glad!!! It seems like everyone was anxious to get ready for the ceremony this year because of all the damage from the bad weather and the delay in holding the ceremony…..”

Akira: “I hope that each of you can make a lantern of your favorite shape and greet the night with a pleasant feeling.”

Akira: “However, I’m going to need more manpower…..”

Looking at the happy children holding pumpkins, I direct my suggestion to adults in the village. 

Everyone looked at eachother curiously, but erupted into pleasant laughter soon enough. 

Villager: “Manpower is nothing new! If you have the means, I’d be happy to help.”

Villager: “Yeah. Thanks to you, the village has been restored so much. I have to make more lanterns and show you guys a beautiful ritual!”

Shylock: “Fufu. It seems that everyone is excited about the wonderful proposal made by the Sage. Of course, we are too.” 

Cain: “Yeah! Luckily, thanks to Oz, the reconstruction of the village was completed quickly, so there’s plenty of manpower to spare.”

Cain: “Let’s work together to make a lantern! Can you tell me what other vegetables you used besides pumpkins, Master Sage?” 

Akira: “Of course! Thank you, everyone!”

[bamboo-bees]

Dun wanna— …ahaha who am I kidding? I want them all 🤷‍♀️

[bamboo-bees]

Are you satisfied?

[bamboo-bees]

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