Kays Translations

0-2 Two shadows

　Part of the roof of the vast royal palace, on the spire overlooking the now quiet square, there were two figures hiding.

　　They were a young man leaning over the edge of the spire, which was not designed for human presence, and staring at the back of the small parade that was moving away, and a girl staring at the back of the young man.

.

Suddenly, the girl moved and tugged at the young man's clothes.

"Sage, I think it's time we blend in." {TN: Changed Seiji to Sage}

　　The young girl's gaze was still young, but the plasterwork-like silk skin and the crimson eyes peeking out from her silvery hair gave her a sense of intimidation that was inappropriate for her appearance.

.

　The young man who was called out is still young. His ebony-like hair was black and full of life, with a few dark brown lines mixed in. His eyes, which were similar to the color of his hair, flashed with color when he heard the girl's voice.

"It's okay to get off, but don't call me by my real name down there. It’ll be a hassle if I get recognized."

"That's fine, but I don't think you'll be suspicious."

"What do you mean Marie? It wouldn't be strange for that Princess to notice."

　Marie, the girl who was called, turned around and turned her back toward the square.

"Even if she hears,  as long as you don’t stare as you did at that princess earlier, you won't be perceived as a bad guy."

"I don’t think I looked that dumb."

　In front of Sage who smiled dryly, Marie made a surprised expression with an "Oh" sound.

"Is it more encouraging to say that you originally had such a face?"

"Of course not! I'm going to cut back on the allowance I was going to give you for the festival.."

"No problem. Your wallet’s right here."

"Hey! Give it back!"

　Marie's legs, fluttering through Sage's stretched arms, bounced off the edge of the roof.

"I'll go ahead and lighten this wallet."

　She smiled thinly as she fell back into the air. A flock of birds passed overhead, drowning out Sage's screams.

　As if to accompany the flock, Marie flew through the air. She swam through the air as lightly and effortlessly as a child in a flower garden. As if to say goodbye, she waved Sage's wallet.

"I just said that it's troublesome to stand out ..."

　Sage, who was staring at Marie's back as she flew away with the birds, stopped moving. After a short time, he looked up at the sky as if he had come up with something.

"Let’s give it a try."

　Along with the mysterious words that were uttered, his fingertips that traced a complicated trajectory scribbled a shining pattern in the air. The pattern expanded in front of Sage, and the next moment, it burst into mist.

"Well ... this is fine right?"

　No sooner than when the voice of anxiety died down Sage's body softly rose from the surface. But that was as far as the change went.

“…………”

　Far from being a means of transportation, it doesn't even move an inch forward. The spider that hangs down from a  thread is still more mobile.

　Beyond Sage's dissatisfied gaze, which bobbed up and down, Marie's appearance, whom he was supposed to follow, was no longer even a shadow.

"Please be safe, my precious road silver ..."

　The whole body of Sage, who let out a sobbing voice, was surrounded by phosphorescence. After a moment, it created a strain as if the space had been cut out and twisted, and disappeared. After the remnants of the remaining light melted into the background, there were no signs of human beings left.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter