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Chapter 6

Rosa: You’ve never seen something like it before, have you? A figure of porcelain, but appears just like a real monkey?

Akira: It surprised me when I first saw it…

Akira: Coming to this world, I’ve had to witness many different surprises. But I don’t ever find them off-putting.

Rosa gasps. The monkey stops grooming himself and looks in my direction.

Rosa: So… Do you see the color of this little one? It’s eyes, feet, hands, fur, it’s whole body is blue.

Akira: (... Huh?)

Rosa’s mood completely shifts the moment she starts talking about color.

It’s as if she’s constantly switching between a mysterious Witch of the West and a frightened child.

Akira: (That reminds me…)

Rosa changed the same way when I had relayed our request to enter earlier.

I had carefully expressed my honest feelings to Rosa, gentle, as if I were speaking to a little girl trying not to cry.

Akira: …The deep blue color is wonderful, it really draws you in.

Akira: When you first brought out the monkey, it was like seeing a drawing from a child’s picture book.

Rosa: Truly…?

Rosa: Would you say the same if surrounded by the crowd outside and not alone with me?

Rosa’s voice shook slightly.

Maybe this person has also been deeply hurt by heartless words thrown at her about what she holds important.

Akira: If I saw you on the street somewhere, it would still catch my eye.

Akira: I’m sure that even within a crowd, you could spot the beautiful blue color shimmering in the sunlight.

Rosa: ….Oh.

Rosa: Even if everyone else glared in judgment…?

Akira: Ms. Rosa, the monkey is quite important to you.

Akira: I don’t want to deny anyone what they care about most, and I wouldn’t want to be denied the same.

Akira: Even if they are a stranger, or even your closest friend, denying something important to you would make you upset and sad.

Akira: So I would never disrespect what someone holds dear, no matter what it is.

The sound of cymbals echo, small and faint at first, but slowly growing louder and more rhythmic.

Rosa turns her gaze to me, her eyes glittering with fresh tears.

Rosa: Thank you… Thank you, Master Sage.

Rosa: I think I understand why Shylock and the other wizards like you so much.

Akira: Ah, Ms. Rosa…

Before I can ask if she’s alright, Rosa suddenly grabs and hugs me tightly. The soft scent of roses tickles my nose.

Rosa: Dearest Master Sage, please enjoy my hospitality to the fullest in your illusions.

The blue roses surrounding us start emitting light, the soft rose fragrance suddenly becoming, overpowering, sweltering.

Akira: (W-what...? My head is spinning…)

Rosa’s face contorts in my vision. The monkey’s face, the roses, the chandelier, all begin to grow distorted.

The scene around me becomes muddled, like being thrown into a pot of ingredients and chaotically stirred.

Suddenly, my head becomes immediately clear, as if switching the channels on a television.

My eyelids grow heavy, like a baby rocked in its mother’s arms, falling asleep in the peace.

Akira: …

[Meanwhile in the Main Hall of the Blue Rose Salon…]

Figaro: …

Figaro: Rutile, do you see the Master Sage anywhere?

Rutile: I believe him and Shylock were relaxing on a sofa over there.

Rutile: Ah, Shylock, just in time!

Shylock: What is it, Rutile?

Rutile: We’re looking for the Master Sage, but we can’t find him. Do you know where he went?

Shylock: The Master Sage should be with Rosa right now.

Mithra: That witch must have used some type of magic.

Rutile: Huh?

Shylock: Do you still feel that presence you just described?

Chloe: Why’s everyone crowding up like this?

Shino: Are they arguing over the order on who is presenting their gift to the Sage first?

Figaro: I’m sensing a little bit of trouble. Let’s look for Rosa and the Master Sage.

Shylock: Maybe she’s still in the back room. Let’s go see.

[Meanwhile…]

Akira: Nnnn…..

My head feels heavy. Holding up my throbbing head with an unsteady hand, I slowly look up.

Akira:: Wha-...!?

A gazebo that was not there previously sits before me, rose ivy wrapping around it. I look overhead to a clear blue sky.

Akira: W-What is this…

I don’t recall ever going outside, nor do I know where I am.

Rosa: Master Sage, within my illusions, you can savor my hospitality to your heart’s content.

Akira: Huh, Ms. Rosa…! Did you cast some sort of magic on me…?

I look around, but Rosa is nowhere to be found.

In her place, a feast is laid upon a long table.

Akira: Ah!

The sofa I’m sitting on starts moving abruptly. I clutch the back of it to steady myself.

The sofa carries me to the long table and stops.

The teapot upon the table moves by itself, pouring tea into a teacup. The teacup whizzes in my direction, stopping in front of me.

Right on cue, knives, forks, and spoons appear laid out before me.

I’m baffled at what to do with all the elaborate food. Everything looks like what would be served at a lavish party. An appetizer with a rose motif offers itself to me.

It’s so beautiful, as if made from real rose petals. I can’t help but be impressed.

Akira: (Wow… It’s amazing, is this the hospitality Ms. Rosa was talking about?)

Akira: It’s as if I’m inside a fairy tale.

Akira: (It was quite sudden, but it’s a real delight to have such an extravagant meal in this beautiful scenery…)

Nervously, I pick up the knife and fork and bring a bite of the appetizer to my lips.

Akira: …! It’s delicious!

Akira: (But… It feels like I’m missing something…)

[In the back room]

Shino: You. Where’s the Sage?

Rosa: He’s been invited into my fantasy world. There he can enjoy my hospitality.

Chloe: Your fantasy world…?

Shylock: This is Rosa’s specialty. While Western wizards are usually quite skilled in illusionary magic, Rosa’s is different.

Shylock: She only does the blue rose illusion magic and that alone. It would be extraordinarily difficult for any ordinary wizard to break free from her world.

Shylock: Even more so, it’s near impossible for the Master Sage, who possesses no magic.

Shino: What? I’m getting him out right now.

Mithra: There’s a quicker way. We can just kill this witch.

Rutile: Stop it, Mr. Mithra! Ms. Rosa was just trying to entertain the Master Sage. Ms. Rosa, you took him to your fantasy world to please him, right?

Rutile: So when you’re done entertaining him, you’ll release him, right?

Shylock: Rosa, the Master Sage is our dear friend. Please assure me you intend to let him return home with us.

Rosa: Yes, I intend to. But…

Rosa: What if the Master Sage enjoys my hospitality so much that he’s willing to stay…? Why not just stay with me here?

Rosa: I’m sure I can create an illusion to satisfy any desire of the Master Sage.

Shino: The Sage would never agree to this.

Mithra: I knew it, let’s kill this witch. The Master Sage’s top priority is putting me to sleep.

Shylock: Please, wait. I understand being so upset that the Master Sage was taken from us so suddenly.

Shylock: But she is also my dear friend. Please refrain from being too rough with her, yes?

Shylock: If Rosa dies, then the salon disappears with her.

Shylock: Something similar can always be created in its place, but it will never be the same as Rosa’s.

Shylock: I will also treat you to a variety of meals.

Mithra: …

Shylock: Many people will be deeply saddened by losing this place.

Shylock: Even you. Please, spare her for me.

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