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schoenheit
Card: [SSR] (The 22 Linked by Fate) Owen
Event: First Anniversary: Magic in the Air; A Flower in Your Care
Characters: Akira, Bradley, Mithra, Owen, Snow, White
Chapter One ✧ Chapter Two ✧ Chapter Three ✧ Training Episode
Chapter One
Location: Northern Tower (Day)
Akira: Today, we'll be taking care of a subjugation request in the North.
Mithra, Owen, Bradley: ......
Akira: Umm... Is everything all right?
Snow: Goodness, me... Why is it that the three of you can never arrive on time?
White: My goodness... And yet, the youngest of our wizards, Riquet and Mitile, have no trouble arriving in a timeous manner. How very disgraceful...
Owen: In case our dear, twin teachers forgot, the two of you brought us here against our will. It's only natural we no longer feel very cooperative.
Bradley: 'Sides, these two old geezers can handle pretty much any mission you throw at 'em just fine. No need to drag us along.
Snow: We are not "old geezers"!
White: Only old geezers call other people old geezers!
Mithra: What a ruckus... I suppose I'd be right to kill everyone here, then?
Owen: Ohh? Just try it.
White: Enough, all of you!
Akira: (They already fought once on the way here, and everyone's worn out from it... I wonder if they're really in any state to tackle subjugation requests...)
Snow: Dear Master, today we'll be handling two subjugation requests concurrently, correct?
Akira: Ah— Yes, that's correct. There have been unusual occurrences in two locations: around this tower, and in the Forest of Frost.
Snow: Very well. Then we and Mithra shall investigate the area of interest near the tower. Master, could you accompany Owen and Bradley?
Akira: Understood.
White: We leave the sage in your care, O dearest Bradley. We have great faith in your strength and charming flair.
Bradley: ... Tch, I get it, I get it.
Owen: So you're not leaving them in my care. Does that mean I get to go home?
Akira: I'm in your care, as well! Please take good care of me!
✧✧✧
Location: The Forest of Frost (Day)
Bradley: So? What's our prey this time?
Akira: The information on it is a little vague, admittedly... We only know that it's a ferocious magical creature of some kind, and it's been attacking the animals in neighboring areas one by one.
They would like us to uncover any information we can about the nature of this creature. They don't know very much about it.
Owen: That's our mission? Boring. Don't you think it'd be far more interesting to take revenge on Mithra and the twins instead of wasting our time here?
Hey, hey, Bradley... Team up with me.
Akira: Owen, you shouldn't... I'm sure Mithra's team is prioritizing the mission right now. We should, too.
Owen: And do what they want? Ridiculous. Bradley, I know you. You must be irate beyond belief. Lend me your power— I'll put it to good use.
Bradley: ... Tch. No way around it, then. C'mere— gimme your ear for somethin'.
Akira: Not you, too, Bradley... Both of you, please, we need to focus on the mission right n...
(Sharp crackling sound)
It happens in an instant. The two of them stood so close they could whisper in each other's ears, and Owen all of a sudden finding the muzzle of Bradley's gun, Bradley's magical focus, pointing right at him.
Owen: ...! ≪Cuare Mori...≫
Bradley: ≪Adno Potensum≫!
Bradley's gun sparks just a split-second faster than Owen's spell...
(Crackling sound; sound of a body collapsing)
... And his bullet cleaves clean through Owen's body.
Owen: Gh...!
Akira: Owen...! Bradley, what on earth are you doing!?
Bradley: Haha! How's my special-made poison bullet taste, huh? It's a brand new concoction, baby.
Akira: Poison...!?
Chapter Two
Owen: Bradley... Ugh... You must be joking...[1]
Bradley: Sorry, but I don't really feel like lettin' you boss me around. We're stuck with those damn geezers today— I'm not stupid enough to go chargin' at 'em without a plan.
Even with that whole "undying body" of yours, 's still gonna take a chunk of time to purge my poison from your system.
I'm gonna go ahead and take all the credit for handlin' this mission, so feel free to take your time writhin' in pain here.
(Sound of Bradley flying off)
Akira: Please, wait! Bradley! ... He really left us behind...
Owen: ... This is the worst.
Akira: ... F-For now, should I try to put pressure on the wound?
Owen: Don't need it. Why are you still here? Even though... You know you would've been better off going with Bradley.
In case you didn't know, I won't be protecting you right now. If I die here, I'm taking you down with me.[2]
Akira: But there's no way I can just leave you like this.
Owen: Oh, how very, very kind of you, Master. You wouldn't abandon me, even knowing I would gladly leave someone like you to die? Haha, how skilled you are at playing the saint.
Akira: You're free to say what you want. ... Actually, it's likely rather painful to speak, isn't it? Please don't push yourself too much, Owen.
Owen: ... Well, aren't you gutsy. And yet, you used to be such a good little kid who got scared of me back when you first arrived. You were much more interesting then.
Akira: ... It's true that I used to be somewhat afraid of you when I first came here. You have an especially cruel way of talking to people, and, well...
... But I don't want to baselessly fear you or doubt you anymore, not without understanding your side of things first.
Owen: ......
Akira: More importantly, I need to do something about the poison. Is there anything I can do...?
Oh, I know. If you drink some water, it'll help dilute the poison in your system. That's better than nothing, right?
I don't see any drinkable water here, so I think I'll have to go look for some. Please wait here for me, Owen.
Owen: You're awfully brave to go walking around the North all alone. Do you want to die that badly?
Akira: Nnnn, well...
Owen: ... If there's nothing you can do, just lend me your shoulder. This poison is weak enough for me to purge so long as I stay still for a while.
Akira: U-Understood!
✧✧✧
Akira: (It looks like Owen's asleep... I hope this helps him purge the poison from his body a little quicker, even if only by a few moments.)
It sure is quiet...
(I haven't seen any animals, and it's so quiet here it hurts my ears... Bradley said he'd be investigating the strange incident around here, but I wonder if he's really anywhere close by...)
Being here makes me feel like the world's come to an end...
(Sound of a creature roaring)
Akira: H-Huh!? W-What was that!?
(Sound of creature approaching)
Akira: Is it coming our way...? Owen! Please, wake up! Owen!
(Sound of bushes rustling)
Owen: ......
Akira: He didn't even stir... Don't tell me... he isn't asleep, but... dead...?
Magical creature: (Whinnies loudly)
Akira: Eek! A horse with a horn on its head...!?
There's no doubt in my heart that this creature must be a unicorn. With a single horn sat above its eyes, it whips its head wildly about, aggressive in its manner.
Akira: (I-I don't know what to do... But I have to do something until Owen wakes up...!)
Chapter Three
I curse my trembling legs as I stand before Owen protectively.
Akira: (It's pointing its horn at us, like it's going to charge... I... don't think I'll make it if something that sharp runs me through...)
Unicorn: (Whinnies loudly)
(Screen goes black)
Akira: ...!! Owen...!
(Sounds of magic and things crashing)
Owen: ≪Quare Morito≫
(Screen fades back in)
Owen: Hey there, Master. You have the dumbest look on your face right now, you know that?
Akira: Owen! You're awake! Thank goodness! I was so worried that you died...
Owen: I was awake the entire time. I just stayed still so I could heal faster.
But I never thought I'd meet a unicorn. Lucky me— their horns purify poison.
Akira: Are you sure you should be standing up so soon? You looked really bad not too long ago...
Owen: I'm fine. This was nothing. In fact, I feel much better after I got to see how funny you looked shaking in fear.
Thank you for letting me see you so rife with terror, Master.
≪Quare Morito≫
(Sounds of magic and things crashing; fade to black)
✧✧✧
Location: Northern Tower (Day)
Snow: Ahh, Master. We see you've completed your subjugation mission.
Akira: We did. We identified the magical creature as a rampaging unicorn.
White: My, so that's what it was. And Owen and Bradley didn't set about killing each other?
Akira: Errr, sort of...
Snow, White: "Sort of"?
Akira: They started to fight, and we ended up working separately from Bradley...
But Owen was gracious enough to take down the unicorn as he was supposed to, so we were able to complete the request.
Snow: Goodness, they certainly are quick to quarrel. We apologize for their behavior, Master.
White: Nonetheless, it's quite unusual for Owen to take care of a subjugation request on his own. What a good little boy~ What a talented little boy~
Owen: Mm. It's all because Bradley ran away.
Bradley: The hell! Who ran away, huh? And who do you think started all this? You—
Owen: Hmmm? Do you want everyone to find out who, exactly, did something so cruel to me and abandoned our poor little sage to fend for themself?
Bradley: Asshole...
Snow: We heard everything, Bradley! What a bad little boy you are. We don't remember raising you like this.
White: Truly! We've had it up to here! Bad children ought to be punished. Perhaps we shall send you to bed without dinner tonight.
Mithra: Does this mean I can have his dinner instead?
Bradley: Fuck off. I was lookin' for that damn magic beast, all right!?
Owen: Haha, serves you right.
Akira: This isn't really a laughing matter...
I was so anxious when Bradley left us behind. And when you didn't wake up, I had no clue what to do... I was worried sick.
All the same... Thank you so much for saving me, Owen. You don't know how glad I am I was with you.
Once I'd thanked him, Owen's eyes of two different colors narrow as he smiles wide.
Owen: All right, then. I don't mind saving you as many times as you want.
And, in exchange, I want you to tremble in fear much, much more, and let that fear consume you... I hope you'll keep entertaining me, Master.
Training Episode: My Guard Dog
Location: Manor Courtyard (Day)
Akira: Ah! That's Owen! He's collapsed in the courtyard!
Owen, are you okay?
Owen: (Sighs)... What. I don't see what you're being so loud for.
Akira: Thank goodness... I thought you died.
Owen: Well, I was dead until you showed up just now. Mithra... I'm not letting him get away with this.
Akira: ... Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've noticed that, even though you do come back eventually, it takes a bit of time for you to return to life after you die.
Owen: And?
Akira: No, it's just... I get a little worried thinking what you'll do if something bad happens to you while you're still dead.
Owen: I won't do anything. I'll be dead. If they go after me the moment I wake up, then I'll just die and revive again.
Is that all? Go away.
Akira: ... Would it be all right if I stayed here a little while longer? At least until you can move again, if that's okay.
Owen: What are you playing at? Are you making fun of me? Don't stick your nose in my business.
... Actually, I've changed my mind. Sure, Master, you can stay. I'll allow you to be my guard dog, as a special favor from me to you.
Akira: Huh?
Owen: If you want to be near me so badly, then take good care to stay right next to me even if Mithra or Bradley strike.
Akira: ... Wouldn't that make me your hostage?
Owen: You're the one who said you wanted to stick with me.
Now, maybe we'll get around to a little bit of revenge.
Akira: I said I'd only stay until you could move again! So, if you don't mind! I'll be on my way...!
Translation Notes
1. Owen uses omae here, an exceptionally rude way to say "you," which he never uses except in specific instances. This is especially rude for Owen, who usually uses the more subdued and comparatively more respectful kimi, or the more common and polite way of addressing someone, which is to simply use their name instead of a "you." ↑
2. Owen refers to Akira as omae here, as well as in several lines throughout the rest of this story. ↑
Thank you 310mc1 @ Twitter for proofreading!
