![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rielity posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
starsail
CITY OF RAIN
Translation Proofing: kimchi_noodles
※Disclaimer:
This is an unofficial translation, any and all mistakes are mine.
Please do not reupload or repost on any other site without my express permission, and do not claim as your own.
Read here for more information.
1. Story Related to the Spot (1)
2. Story Related to the Spot (2)
3. Spot Memories (1)
4. Spot Memories (2)
5. Break Time (1)
6. About Eastern Country
7. About the Great Catastrophe
8. People at the Spot
9. Wizards at the Spot
10. Nero’s Modest Dream
11. Impression of Nero (1) ft. Faust
12. Impression of the Spot (1) ft. Faust
13. A Dangerous Place ft. Heathcliff
14. Discovery at the Spot ft. Shino
15. Impression of Nero (2) ft. Shino
16. Spot Memories (3) ft. Faust
17. A Fun Place ft. Shino
18. Impression of Nero (3) ft. Heathcliff
19. Impression of the Spot (2) ft. Heathcliff
20. Break Time (2) ft. Bradley
21. Impression of Nero (4) ft. Bradley
22. Impression of the Spot (3) ft. Riquet
23. Spot Specialty ft. Shylock
24. Impression of Nero (5) ft. Riquet
25. Nero’s Reputation ft. Bradley
Story Related to the Spot (1)
Akira: I wonder where the name “City of Rain” originates from? I guess it must rain a lot here?
Nero: There’s an origin for it, yeah, but it’s not really a nice story.
Nero: There was a severe drought in the past here, and at the request of the King, a number of wizards came together to summon rain to the city.
Nero: Wizards were already prejudiced against at the time, so it was their last resort. Anyway, the magic worked, and the city returned to normal.
Akira: ...If such a tale is true, then you would think this city would think more favourably of wizards…
Nero: Right?
Nero: The King gave the wizards money as thanks for their service, and suspicions started spreading of the drought being the wizards’ doing in the first place.
Nero: A trial was held, and the wizards who had called rain back to the city were all pretty much ordered to be exiled from it.
Nero: And the humans started to build waterways to ensure the supply of water would never be entrusted to magic again.
Nero: A city that learnt the importance of water from rain, that’s the City of Rain.
Akira: ...This leaves a bad taste in my mouth. How could the wizards be alright with this? Being banished, that’s too cruel.
Nero: Well, all we can be is angry.
Nero: Us wizards benefited from the building of the waterways too, after all, and we can change our appearances with magic. If they decided to return, that’s the price they had to pay.
Nero: This is a land with many wizards who’ve gone through this in all sorts of iterations, and settled down nonetheless. That’s the Eastern Country for you.
Story Related to the Spot (2)
Nero: Ah, Mr Sage. You can’t walk there. We gotta take a detour and go around it.
Akira: Eh? But we took that path when we came here…
Nero: Law says no walking there at night, ‘cuz it’s dangerous.
Akira: I see… Even though this is a city with lots of law-abiding people, there are still shady places after all.
Nero: It’s not what you’d call shady. It just happens that there’s a rule here that states so, so nobody takes that road.
Akira: …? Are you saying that this is an area where people abide by the laws…?
Akira: This might sound ridiculous, but if nobody’s taking that route, then isn’t it completely safe?
Nero: Yep.
Nero: But people who take roads they’re not supposed to, and folks who don’t follow the rules, all get thought of as criminals and get reported.
Nero: ‘Twas a law used to drive away peddlers and the like at first. Now that law’s all that road’s got left.
Nero: Anyway, that’s how it is, so we use that road over there. But those peddlers they chased off now hang around that area, so it’s an uncouth place.
Nero: Be careful. Make sure not to walk too far away from me.
Akira: (What an incredibly puzzling city…)
Spot Memories (1)
Akira: There are lots of signs put up around the city… What does that signboard over there say?
Nero: Ah… Sorry, but I can’t tell you that. You gotta head to the city hall to find out.
Akira: …? Do you not know either, Nero?
Nero: No, of course I do. But it’s against the law for us common folk to tell travellers the meanings of these signboards.
Nero: If there’s a mistake in the information we give, it’ll cause trouble. So the rule states that we must direct them to the city hall if asked.
Akira: Huh… There’s a huge long line for the city hall. But it’s also scary to accidentally break the law unknowingly..
Nero: Ahaha. I’ll teach you a good excuse to use when you get the meaning of the signboards wrong.
Nero: “The contents of that sign changed since I last saw it. It’s definitely gotta be the work of those wizards.”
Akira: What…! To shove all the blame onto the wizards?
Nero: If you say that, the other party’ll usually turn a blind eye. It’s just mischief that doesn’t warrant hunting down the culprit, and it makes sense to not have anyone arrested for something so trivial.
Akira: That doesn’t sit well with me……
Nero: That excuse gets you out of all kinds of minor disputes. As long as you don’t get exposed as a wizard, this is a comfortable city to be in…
Spot Memories (2)
Nero: If you get close enough to the folks here, the City of Rain’s a nice city with kind people.
Nero: If you’ve built up mutual trust that you won’t turn each other in at the blink of an eye, they’ll treat you kindly, as one of their own.
Nero: I had customers who heard me out when I was thinking ‘bout moving the shop, and there was one who even went so far as to bring me gifts after finding out the shop’s opening anniversary.
Akira: Were they regulars at your shop? Being that friendly with them seems nice.
Nero: Right? Man, I shouldn’t have lied to him. He was a pleasant gent.
Akira: You lied? About the day you opened the shop?
Nero: He was like, “Your shop’s opening anniversary is on so-and-so day, isn’t it?” and our conversation turned in that direction all of a sudden, so it didn’t feel right to correct him…
Nero: So I gave him an ambiguous answer like “Yeah, I guess so”.
Nero: It got exposed afterwards that he’d gotten the date wrong, but both of us acted like that conversation didn’t happen and brushed it over.
Nero: Aren’t they good folks to not question any further?
Akira: (An episode of Nero and his customer having an awkward exchange…)
Break Time (1)
Akira: There’s lush greenery no matter where you are in the Eastern Country.
Nero: I guess so, if you’re talking about countryside scenery.
Nero: We’ve got laws for public facilities and noble estates that decree trees gotta be planted and state how much land should be used for gardens.
Akira: You even have rules for such things?
Nero: It’s a pain, but thanks to them the scenery here’s better than in any other country.
Akira: They are very rejuvenating… Did you have a garden at your restaurant too?
Nero: Yeah, a small one. I had some vegetables, fruits and herbs there.
> Homegrown vegetables, that’s nice!
Nero: I grew them every year, and some years they grew better than others, so I unexpectedly got hooked on growing them.
Akira: Steady hard work seems to be your forte. I’d like to try eating the vegetables you grew, Nero! Won’t you grow them in the Residence?
> Did you serve the fruits in your restaurant?
Nero: Not really. They weren’t all that nice to look at, so I made the wild strawberries into jam and used them for desserts.
Akira: Wild strawberry jam made by Nero, that sounds very delicious! I’d like to try it someday!
Won’t you grow them in the Residence?
Nero: Ahaha, is it really fine for me to start planting them in the Residence’s central courtyard of my own accord? Do I get a green light since we’re all free to use it as we like?
Nero: Well, if the day comes, I’ll treat you to some.
Akira: Yay! I’m looking forward to it!
About Eastern Country
Nero: There’re tons of laws here, but for guys like me, Eastern Country’s an easy place to live.
Nero: Of course it’s not perfect, and there are troublesome things and things I don’t like ‘bout it, but I prefer it to any other country.
Nero: People here don’t take interest in others beyond what’s necessary; when there are things to be done, they do it seriously, and at their core they’re all good folks.
Nero: Well, since we’re all bad at dealing with others, having rules in place for interacting with each other ensures things go well without any trouble, which makes things easier.
Akira: Is that the case for you too, Nero? You’re really easy to talk to, and I don’t really feel that you’re bad at interacting with other people…
Nero: Ahaha, that’s an honour to hear.
Nero: If it’s you, Mr Sage, I don’t have to worry, but I’m no good at folks approaching me all insistent and forceful.
Akira: Is that so… I’ll take note of that.
Nero: I said there’s no problem if it’s you! ...But, yeah, if I were to meet someone like you…
Nero: Even on the off-chance that I’d get curious and want to talk to them, it’d be against the laws of the country so I wouldn’t be able to anyway. I’d only be able to watch from afar.
Nero: That would kinda be a pity, I guess.
About the Great Catastrophe
Akira: On the night that the Great Catastrophe approaches, what is the state of the people in the City of Rain?
Nero: It kinda feels like people here are more terrified of it than elsewhere. Doesn’t mean there are folks who go into a panic ‘cause of it, though.
Nero: They make proper provisions and preparations through their anxiety, and coop themselves up at home. Starting from a few days before the Catastrophe’s approach, they stop coming out onto the streets.
Nero: Honestly, that’s a bad time for business, even though there’s no way about it. The Catastrophe is feared around the area because of a superstition that looking at it will drive you berserk.
Akira: Is that really just a superstition? Bizarre things are happening all over the world because of the Great Catastrophe getting too close, after all.
Nero: You do feel a strong magic force when the Catastrophe approaches. Animals, vegetation, even the air itself gets disturbed and uneasy. Even humans should be able to sense some of that.
Akira: What about you, Nero? Do you feel physically unwell when it approaches?
Nero: Hmm, for me… I get a little agitated, I guess.
Nero: I get fidgety and restless, like I’m getting mad or sentimental.
Nero: It varies from person to person, but it’s pretty much par for the course for wizards. So when the Catastrophe approaches, you be careful too, Mr Sage.
Nero: Of us.
People at the Spot
Akira: Even though this is a city with many rules, is there any part of it you’re thankful for?
Nero: It probably depends on your preferences, but there are tons of good things about this place.
Nero: Like, folks like me of unknown lineage and origins don’t get questioned or pried into.
Nero: It was hell when I was in the Western Country. People would talk to me whether or not I so much as made eye contact, or even if I had my eyes on the ground.
Nero: The folks here in the Eastern Country are shy, but we keep a distance that’s just right, so it’s easy to deal with them. Lots of them are serious at the core.
Akira: I get it. The people of Eastern Country…
- Are conscientious and honest.
Nero: Haha. You’re right. I’m the exception to that, though.
- Are kind and gentle.
Nero: Yeah, that’s right. There aren’t many people who try to take advantage of others, either. ‘Tis a good country.
Nero: And if you make requests of them, almost everyone’s willing to lend a hand.
Nero: Whether you wanna open a shop, or your daughter wants to buy a piano, you get lots of support even if it’s a personal matter.
Akira: I see! That’s a little surprising. I had the impression that the people here weren’t interested in the affairs of others…
Nero: Ahaha, I think that’s pretty much it. But for their general lack of involvement in each other’s matters, I guess deep down they’re folks who wanna be of help to others.
Wizards at the Spot
Akira: Have you met other wizards around the city? Though it seems that it’d be hard to identify them…
Nero: All of us want to avoid trouble, so even between fellow wizards, we don’t really exchange our names and identify ourselves.
Nero: But there are some around. Once in a while, some of them are shopkeeps like me.
Akira: What kind of occupations do they have?
Nero: For example, lawyers. They supposedly have excellent memories, but quite a few of ‘em seem to be wizards.
Akira: Do they remember using magic? That’s so convenient…!
Nero: Nah, don’t they memorise it normally? I mean, we have all the time in the world.
Nero: Unlike those working at the city hall, there are some familiar with the laws who act as guides around the city. Travellers engage their services and they accompany them ‘round the area.
Akira: I see. That way, they can avoid breaking the law by accident.
Nero: Yeah, exactly. But us wizards don’t change in appearance, so you can only keep it up for ten years or twenty at most.
Nero: I’ve seen a pair who teamed up and worked alternate shifts every few decades.
Akira: It must be difficult to work while concealing yourself… But to go to such lengths and keep living here, there must be some charm to this place too, right?
Nero: The distance folks keep between each other in the Eastern Country’s really unique. Once you’ve found your perfect fit here, you can’t live anywhere else.
Nero’s Modest Dream
Nero: Even though the City of Rain’s a comfortable place to live in, it’s not a land that’s welcoming to wizards, so the difficulty comes in the fact that you can’t stay here for long.
Nero: If it becomes known that you don’t age, word gets around, and customers will stop coming.
Akira: Right, your longevity probably becomes a hindrance when you must hide your identity as a wizard.
Nero: Some folks opt to change their appearances or wipe the memories of the humans they come into contact with.
Nero: That would take both effort and magic, so I opt to change my shop’s location every few decades.
Akira: That sounds tough…
Nero: Moving in itself is just troublesome, which is fine, but you can’t really go all out with refurbishments when you know you’ll move someday.
Nero: Even if business is thriving, you can’t really set up a big shop, either.
Nero: Shylock’s been based in his location for a long time without any concerns, so sometimes I find myself envious of how he can decorate the shop as much as he pleases.
Akira: I hope I can visit your shop one day, where you’ve outfitted it to your heart’s content, the way you do with your cooking.
Nero: Huh, you’re saying something really pleasant, Mr Sage.
Shall we entrust it to someone to do a makeover of the Magic Residence’s cafeteria with magic, then?
Impression of Nero (1)
Akira: Faust, what’s your impression of Nero?
Faust: Nero, huh…
Faust: I guess you could say both of us are very Eastern wizard-like.
We both don’t overstep our boundaries, so it’s easy to pass the time back at the Magic Residence even if we’re together.
Akira: You’re right, Nero totally doesn’t feel like the type to intrude on your affairs. But he gives off a warm vibe…
Faust: Yeah. He finds one way or another to take care of the young ones. He’s also knowledgeable, and isn’t pushy with his instruction.
Faust: From his behaviour and the feeling of his magic, I suspect he’s older than me, and wouldn’t mind having him as the teacher of Eastern Country.
Akira: But you’re doing well as a teacher, and I’m not sure if Nero has that sort of will…
Faust: …..
Faust: All it really boils down to is me becoming a Sage’s Wizard earlier than he did, so I did ask him if he’d like to take over the role at some point.
Akira: What did Nero say?
Faust: “I don’t have any sense of responsibility, so that’s out of the question.”
Akira: I see…
Faust: Seriously… It’s not like I have any, either.
Impression of the Spot (1)
Akira: Since it’s called the City of Rain, I thought it would be a duller place, but the rain in this city is pretty refreshing.
Faust: Isn’t it because the rain from the mountains is clear, and the rain clouds are thin, so even when it rains, it doesn’t get as dark?
Akira: What kind of impression do you have of this city, Faust? Nero said it’s an easy place to live in.
Faust: The rain is one thing, but this city feels like it’s built for humans. It’s not my kind of place.
Faust: Having laws laid down probably makes things convenient and comfortable, but it’s warped to make kindness a civic duty.
Akira: Making kindness a civic duty?
Faust: The laws in this country are fundamentally made to ensure nobody has to encounter unpleasant things.
Faust: So that they can live easily and in comfort, so that they neither bother nor get bothered by others.
Faust: The time and effort you put into considering other people is entrusted to the law, which makes the act of considering others itself a law. You can’t call that consideration.
Faust: If you can’t even follow your own heart when it comes to kindness, then you shouldn't live with anyone at all.
Faust: They find it a burden to be involved with people, and yet they want to be close to each other. It’s a half-baked city, befitting the humans in Eastern Country.
Akira: (Coming from Faust, who hates people and is a shut-in, there’s some persuasive value to his words…)
A Dangerous Place
Heathcliff: There aren’t many aggressive people who cause violent outbursts or major incidents here in the Eastern Country. Instead, I hear that there are many swindlers.
Akira: Is that so? That’s a little unexpected, since the people of the East seem to be wary and tend to have their guards up.
Heathcliff: For how cautious they are around strangers, they probably find it hard to doubt people once they’ve decided to trust them.
Heathcliff: There are lots of people who think it’s safe as long as they’re abiding by the law, but it can play against them and be a weakness that’s easy to take advantage of.
Heathcliff: My family was swindled by my teacher once, as well.
Akira: You and Shino’s teacher… He touted himself as being able to teach you two magic, but in reality he was a weak wizard.
Heathcliff: Yes. My parents paid for our lessons, and we were deceived by him up until those at the Magic Residence pointed it out to us.
Heathcliff: It seems that he went around to other places claiming things like having the King’s autograph, that he was famed in the capital, and that he was Oz’s disciple.
Akira: That he was Oz’s disciple…
Heathcliff: Ahaha. Now that I’ve met the real Oz and his real disciple, I’d be able to see through his lie immediately.
Discovery at the Spot
Shino: Sage, look at this.
Akira: A flag…? That’s cute. It looks like the kind you’d use at a crosswalk.
Shino: It’s interesting.
Saying so, Shino pulled out the small flag placed in a box by the wayside, and began waving it around.
Passersby: …
As he did, the people walking by lifted their heads, and looked in our direction, as though in expectation. Before long, a few of them walked over to us.
Passerby: Are you travellers to the area? If you are lost, may I show you the way?
Shino: Huh? When I waved this flag around, everyone came over.
Passerby: ...Is anything the matter…?
Shino: Nah, I thought it was interesting for you guys to approach us. I was just giving the flag a wave around.
Passerby: Hey, that’s against the law… If it was intentional, a report would have to be made, but you’re a kid, so we’ll let it go this time.
Shino: Wait, who’s a kid… mmph.
Akira: T-Thank you very much! I’m really sorry, my companion is very inquisitive…
Shino: Sage, let me go. You there, it’s no problem if I have a request to make, right? Tell me how to go to the Blanchett region.
Passerby: Blanchett? It’s quite a distance from here… Are the two of you going together? In such thin outfits?
Akira: (The people here are kind when spoken to… Somehow, it’s a city that resembles Nero…)
Impression of Nero (2)
Akira: Shino, what do you think of Nero?
Shino: His cooking is delicious.
Shino: And he doesn’t say “There’s no more for you.”
Akira: You like how he’s attentive with meals.
Shino: I mean, food’s important.
Shino: In other places, I was often told that there was no more food for me, but Nero doesn’t say that. That’s why recently, I’ve stopped asking for second helpings.
Shino: I wondered why that was the case, but turns out the serving size on my plate has increased a little.
Shino: I asked him if he gave me more food than usual, and he told me “You always say you don’t have enough, so I adjusted accordingly.”
Shino: He’s a useful man.
Akira: Nero’s attentive, huh…
You can feel his beliefs as a chef too.
Shino: Yeah.
Shino: I trust him.
Spot Memories (3)
Faust: I once came to the City of Rain to collect books containing the codes of law. Even back then, the Eastern Country had many laws.
Faust: That was centuries ago, but the laws already took up about 30 volumes. I pretty much memorised all of them, but…
Akira: All 30 volumes’ worth…!?
Faust: More or less. While I was memorising all of them, there were so many new additions and modifications that I couldn’t keep track.
Faust: The laws have already exceeded 100 volumes at this point, there’s no way anyone can know all of them.
Akira: Faust, you’re so conscientious…
> It seems like you’d really memorise all of them.
Faust: There’s no such thing. There’s a trick to living in this country, and it’s to not involve yourself with others more than necessary.
Faust: If you do so, you can abide by most of the laws, and there won’t be as much scrutiny on you.
Faust: The residents here all want to avoid trouble, so as long as they’re not greatly inconvenienced, very few will bother making a report.
Akira: It seems like a country where people live while avoiding deep relationships with each other… It feels a little lonely.
Faust: Some people find it easier to live like that. Of course, I’m one of them.
> You seem like you’d remember all sorts of anniversary dates in detail.
Faust: What anniversary dates are you talking about? Like when the country and city came to be, or when Murr announced his research findings?
Akira: That’s not what I mean. Anniversary dates such as a lover’s birthday, or the date of a confession, or when a first date took place, or a wedding anniversary.
Faust: I’ve never had anyone like that, so I don’t know for sure, but…
Faust: If the other party’s your lover, that day would be special, wouldn’t it? Isn’t that something anyone would remember?
Akira: (He really is conscientious…!)
A Fun Place
Shino: Sage. That open plaza over there’s a park.
Akira: You’re right. Children are running around laughing…!
Shino: It’s my first time hearing such laughter since we got to this place.
Child from the City: Big brother! We don’t have enough people for our game, won’t you join us?
Shino: Huh, they called out to me… Hey, won’t they get mad at you for inviting a stranger to play?
Child from the City: We all have to play together here! It’s against the law for people to not smile here!
Shino: Not a fan of this whole forced invitation thing you’ve got going on, but I’ll bite. I’ll play with you.
Child from the City: Yay! Over here! I’ll teach you the rules!
Akira: (The adults and children alike seem to be having fun. I’m a little relieved that there’s such a lively place in this city…)
[bell tolls]
Akira: Oh, a bell rang somewhere…
Shino: I’m back.
Akira: Shino, you’re back already?
Shino: Looks like they’ve got fixed play hours. They said that if we don’t clear out in 5 minutes, we’ll be arrested.
Government Official of the City: We’re locking up the plaza. Please leave the venue quickly.
Akira: Woah, they’re closing the gates to the plaza…
Shino: Sure is a stuffy city.
Impression of Nero (3)
Akira: Heathcliff, you knew Shino and Faust from before, so it’s only Nero that you’ve just gotten to know, right?
Heathcliff: Yes, that’s right…
But I think we’ve grown pretty close.
Though I was a little scared of him at first…
Akira: You were scared? Of Nero?
Heathcliff: Yes… How do I put it, I’m not good at being approached, myself, but neither am I good at dealing with people who also seem to want to keep their distance...
Akira: Ahh… I kind of understand. You end up wondering if you’re going to be a nuisance to them.
Heathcliff: Yes. But recently I’ve come to learn that Nero’s a person who’s even more considerate of people than I am.
Heathcliff: Some time after the inauguration ceremony, Nero came up to me. He told me that since both of us are conscious of each other’s feelings, there’s no need for us to stand on more ceremony than necessary.
Heathcliff: He said “You’re not the type of person who’s going to cause me trouble, and I don’t think I’ll cause you trouble, either.” And he said he wanted for us to get along easily.
Akira: …….Nero’s so kind….
Heathcliff: Yes, he is. Before I could worry about this and that, he dispelled my worries by telling me that. I thought that was a very grown-up thing to do.
Heathcliff: So right now, I think we’re getting along pretty well.
Probably…….. That’s just what I think, though.
Impression of the Spot (2)
Akira: Heathcliff, you’ve been to the City of Rain several times in the past, haven’t you?
Heathcliff: Yes. I’ve come here with my father, who is the lord of a noble house, to pay our respects to the King, and to attend major trials and meetings we were summoned for.
Heathcliff: I’m a wizard, so when I entered the capital for such duties, the inspections were particularly harsh.
Heathcliff: ...So personally, I have the slight impression that the City of Rain is a place that is cold towards wizards. Even though I know it’s because of the rules and regulations.
Akira: Are the rules more relaxed in the Blanchett region?
Heathcliff: Of course we’re under the same laws, but my parents are more open-minded, so I think they’re more lenient when it comes to the control and execution of the law.
Heathcliff: In the Blanchett region, I liked watching the people talking and the children playing in the forest and public spaces, but…
Heathcliff: Here, you don’t see anything of the sort, so I find it a little scary…
Break Time (2)
(raining)
Bradley: Ugh… All the folks ‘round here are dead silent and it rains non-stop, what a dull place…
Bradley: It’s even gloomier here than prison.
Akira: Bradley, you were imprisoned, weren’t you… Is it different from the human prisons?
Bradley: Who knows. I figure it’s kinda similar, but getting yelled at by the guards from the moment they come by the cell till they’ve walked so far away you can’t hear their footsteps any longer has gotta be better than this place here.
Bradley: I feel like there's no use yelling at those girls walking with their heads down and those old men who look like the walkin’ dead.
Bradley: That guy took a liking to this kinda city and even settled down here, huh… He’s really got this boring side to him too…
Akira: Bradley…
Bradley: Hey, I didn’t say who I was talking ‘bout, and what I just said wasn’t meant to be an insult. Don’t go ‘round telling on me.
Bradley: Man… Guess I’ll take a quiet walk ‘round, get a feel of this place. Come with me, Sage.
Akira: Ah, wait up! You’ll get drenched if you don’t use an umbrella…!
Impression of Nero (4)
Akira: Nero has a pretty secretive side. What do you think of Nero, Bradley?
Bradley: Huh? Why are you asking me that?
Bradley: Do that guy and I look like we’ve got any kind of connection? So something like the bond between us did show, after all?
Akira: Uh…
Bradley: ...Shit, I’ve said too much. He’s gonna get mad.
Bradley: Well, I’ve only met that guy after coming here. We don’t know each other that well.
> Is that how it’s going to be?
Bradley: Dumbass. You.
Bradley: It’ll be scary if we get busted, so stop right there.
I don’t know anything, but don’t tell him anything.
> Don’t you hate having to keep it a secret?
Bradley: Of course I do.
But it’s not like I can do anything about it, can I.
I’m a prisoner, and he’s an honest man.
Bradley: He’s not a kid, either.
And our relationship isn’t one that we can be called friends.
But it’s a bit of a letdown to have to do this.
> I didn’t think you were friends.
Bradley: ….Huh, that so.
Bradley: But ‘nyway, someone like him takes surprisingly well to people like me.
Bradley: He matches surprisingly nicely with someone like me, and finds it surprisingly easy to listen to what someone like me has to say.
Akira: … Well then, if you had to put it in short, what kind of person do you think Nero is?
Bradley: It’s hard to sum that guy up…
But I guess he’s a guy who’s comfortable to be with.
Bradley: If he likes you, you’ll never want for anything.
He’ll set up the best and most favourable environment for you to be in.
Bradley: He’ll build that up without a single word.
And that’s why it’ll eventually become something that you take for granted, and stop being thankful for.
Bradley: When you stop being grateful for it, he’ll disappear.
If you wanna be with him for a long time, take note of that.
Impression of the Spot (3)
Akira: Coming to the City of Rain, what do you think of it, Riquet?
Riquet: Objectively, it’s a humble and good city. It’s clean and beautiful all over.
Riquet: But I was shocked to find that nobody here so much as greets you when you meet eyes with them.
Riquet: And yet they kindly gave me directions when I got lost. It’s a city full of strange people.
Akira: The Eastern Country has many laws. It seems that it’s illegal for them to greet people they don’t know.
Riquet: It was my first time learning that each country has such different laws.
Riquet: Even the church where I lived, and Central Country itself, had different rules from each other. I wish they would determine which exactly is the right way to live.
Akira: I think that deciding what is right is a difficult question. It depends on the nature of the people residing in the place, and on the times as well.
Akira: I think that the best solution is to find a place that suits you.
Riquet: A place that suits you… I wonder if there’s a place that suits me?
Akira: I’m sure there is.
Riquet: If Sir Sage says so, then I shall withhold my judgement, and try visiting all sorts of countries.
Riquet: The City of Rain is a kind place, but the people are rather distant. I think it is a city much like Nero.
Riquet: I don’t think it’s a complete misfit for me.
Spot Specialty
Akira: I wonder if the City of Rain has any local specialties? I’d like to search for some souvenirs to bring back for everyone in the Residence.
Shylock: If you’re talking about this City’s specialty, surely it is the water in these parts. This is a land blessed with clean rainwater from over the mountains and water from the rivers.
Shylock: I myself have come by several times in the past to draw water for use in whiskey and ice-making.
Akira: Is that so! Did you serve it in your bar?
Shylock: No, it was for my own personal enjoyment.
Shylock: However, you are right. If we were to bring it back as a souvenir, I believe Oz and Figaro would enjoy it in their nighttime drink.
Akira: I see. Is it alright for us to give water to the alcohol drinkers, then…?
Shylock: When you have water of high quality, your vegetables become more delicious as well. Nero settling down in this city and setting up shop here is proof of that.
Shylock: The Western city centres are now plagued with pollution. Our vegetables and fresh produce are pickled in salt or vinegar for the most part.
Akira: In that case, let’s buy some fresh vegetables before we return. Shylock, will you accompany me to choose them?
Shylock: Of course, it would be my pleasure.
Impression of Nero (5)
Akira: Riquet, what kind of impression do you have of Nero?
Riquet: Of Nero? Hmm..
Riquet: At first, he seemed unmotivated and like a loafer, so I thought he was one of those immoral people I’d heard about when I was in the church.
Akira: I see… How about now?
Riquet: The impression I had of him being unmotivated hasn’t changed much, but I’ve come to know Nero’s gentleness, and his meticulousness.
Riquet: I appreciate him, and think highly of him. But... how do I put this, I think that Nero doesn’t seem to like himself very much.
Riquet: Perhaps it’s his natural reticence, but he seems to avoid building deep relationships… Even though he isn’t a timid or shy person. I find him a little strange.
Akira: ...So that side of Nero does bother you?
Riquet: It’s not that I dislike it so much that I wish he’d change…
Riquet: But as a disciple in the church, I was relied on and people came to me. So it leaves me feeling lost when I’m held at arm’s length.
Riquet: Right now, I’m being taught many things by Nero, but I hope that one day I’ll be able to provide him guidance as well. I want him to rely on me more, to come to me for intervention.
Nero: ...Riquet, your straightforward attitude and self-confidence will probably move Nero’s heart someday.
Riquet: Yes. Since we’re only just getting to know each other, I’d like to get to know more about Nero.
Nero’s Reputation
Akira: Bradley, what’s the matter? You seem to be in a good mood.
Bradley: Ahaha, I wonder.
Bradley: I overheard someone lamenting that a restaurant in the area with delicious food closed down suddenly.
Bradley: I went over to tell them I understood how they felt, but they ran away.
Akira: Could it be Nero’s restaurant they were referring to?
Bradley: Seems like it. That guy’s cooking isn’t something you’ll just come across in any country you visit, after all.
Bradley: It’s the kind of taste that you forget to be thankful for when you eat it every day, but when the day comes that you can’t have it any longer, you long for it no matter what.
Akira: I know what you mean. Nero’s cooking is truly delicious.
Bradley: I can’t really put it into words, but y’know, it sure is moving to know how much care’s been put into the food. The personality of the chef really shows in it.
Bradley: Beyond being effortlessly delicious, it’s like the cells in your body that are dormant until you eat something really good suddenly light up all at once, and your goosebumps stand on end…
Akira: Yes, yes, I get you…! Talking about this has somehow made me hungry…
Bradley: That so? Then let’s call it a day here, and go back for a meal.
