Prologue and Chapter 1
Saphinia, Land of Jewels…
You arrive in Saphinia for a jewelry exhibition, and are joined by Frost, Carlyle, Sieg, Vicky and Kerota, and Sai, who is serving as host.
The flower petals cover the ground in a thick carpet. You have been invited to a jewelry showcase and stand in appreciation of the grand work on display at the center, a large drop-shaped jewel the color of the cherry blossoms known as the Flora. The exhibition of this piece is unusual, due to the legend surrounding it, which Frost had told you about earlier. Apparently, the Flora is said to be a jewel that can foretell destiny.
You jump when Sai calls out to you, him having been running around in his role as sponsor for the event. He assumes you’re interested in the Flora as he points out you keep coming back to the showcase. Confirming your interest, he tells you that the Flora is closely tied with the foretelling of destiny. The jewel should have been made from a hard stone, however it is said to shatter on its own. And when the Flora breaks, a new destiny will be set into motion.
Sai says the rumors surrounding the stone include a person becoming wealthy, and another meeting with an unfortunate accident. There is no knowing whether the new path of destiny will be good or bad until it happens.
You think it’s a shame that the jewel, being so beautiful, is avoided by people because of the legend. Sai seems to share in your sentiments as you remember him saying he wants people to come to learn about jewels they are unfamiliar with at this exhibition, and that the jewels did nothing wrong. He then says that people are likely afraid of the Flora, as knowing one’s destiny takes courage.
It would be unusual for the Flora to break on its own however, and Sai says he’s never seen it before. Sai is called away to take care of something, and you wave to him as he leaves before turning back to the showcase. You pray that the exhibition will be a success, and that people will come to love the Flora.
Chapter 2
After parting with Sai, you look around and see Sieg deep in conversation with Carlyle. Sieg notices you and smiles before speaking to you. You ask what they are doing, and Carlyle says they were discussing the arrangement of the showcases and the jewels given the sunny forecast for the day. He hopes to have the jewels bask in the light to show off their colors. Although you know the positioning and exposure of the sunlight will change as the progresses, you are glad to see the two of them thinking of ways to make the exhibition a success.
You ask the two of them what they think of the destiny legend surrounding the Flora. Carlyle believes it adds a mystery and charm to the jewel, which he appreciates. He looks up at the cherry blossoms and says that no one begrudges the flower petals for falling. That time is fleeting and constantly moving, and beautiful. He does not think it a bad thing for a jewel to showcase those same things. Sieg says destiny is an opportunity. You are constantly thinking of the path before you and moving forward, and destiny provides an opportunity to do that.
Carlyle assumes you yourself have been contemplating your own meaning of destiny. He suggests talking to other people, and he is sure you will find the answers if you look for them.
Chapter 3
The dancing flower petals seem to guide you and you see Frost beneath a cherry blossom tree. You decide to ask Frost for his opinion on the legend of the Flora.
He speaks of destiny being inconsequential, that it wouldn’t change anything and you must keep moving forward regardless of good or bad fortune. Take what comes, and cut down any obstacles in your path; don’t rely on a destiny. As you contemplate his answer, Vicky and Kerota suddenly speak up after having apparently overheard the conversation, and you decide to ask them their opinion on destiny.
Vicky says that if destiny truly exists, who decides it? Vicky instead chooses to believe that he picks the path he follows. As Vicky and Kerota speak to each other, Frost turns back to you. He asks “What is your answer OO? How will you seize your own destiny?”
As you try to think of an answer, there is a sudden commotion and you feel an unpleasant presence. Frost says he’ll be borrowing your power, and to not leave his side. You agree, and rush towards the problem.
Chapter 4
You arrive in the assembly area to see people running around, screaming and trying to escape. Dream Eaters have invaded. Frost yells for everyone who isn’t fighting to get away. Sieg tells Sai to help the attendees to the exits. And so you and the other princes prepare for battle.
~After the In-Game Fight~
Frost: “Hm…they keep coming; how irritating.”
Kerota: “Don’t space out! Here they come!”
Vicky: “Got it. Watch yourself Kerota.”
Carlyle: “We seem unable to make any progress.”
Sieg: “Princess, are you alright?”
OO: “Yes…but at this rate…-“
I feel breathless as the Dream Eaters don’t appear to have decreased in number at all when…-.
OO: “…”
Suddenly, the Dream Eater in front of me is stabbed through with something and I gasp in surprise.
(A syringe…!?)
Ruber: “Tch…you led me here on purpose.”
Nox: “Hm I wonder, did I? But we can’t just ignore the situation, right?”
OO: “You two are…”
My eyes went wide as I saw the two men standing back to back.
Chapter 5
With the flash of a scythe, the onrushing Dream Eaters vanished.
Nox: “Ha!”
Frost: “Hoh. You’re not bad.”
Sieg: “You two don’t seem to have been invitees…may I ask your names?”
Nox: “Me? I’m no one important. Just passing through…-“
Ruber: “…we’ll do introductions later.”
Ruber’s voice was low and full of reproach as he knocked down another Dream Eater with a syringe.
With the mysterious duo’s combined strength, the Dream Eaters slowly started to thin out.
(Now…!)
Nox: “…phew, my job is done.”
Carlyle: “Oh, you must be tired.”
Nox: “Yeah. I don’t have much stamina. And with that, I’ll be leaving. And OO… see ya later.”
OO: “Eh…”
He gave his parting words with a smile before nimbly turning and leaving the battle.
Ruber: “Wait, Nox!”
Ruber immediately went to chase after Nox, but the remaining Dream Eaters blocked his path.
Ruber: “Tch…small fry.”
Before long, the last Dream Eaters were defeated thanks to the princes…-
(And that’s the end of that…)
Ruber: “…”
Ruber put his hand on the black mask he wore.
Perhaps having let his guard down during the battle, his face was showing through faint cracks in the mask…-.
Ruber: “…with this, I’ve paid my debt.”
OO: “!”
I found myself fixed on his slit eyes that were now revealed, and my heart started to pound.
However just like when we’d first met, he remained a man of few words and turned to leave without saying anything else.
Kerota: “Who were those guys…?”
Vicky: “They seemed to be on our side but…”
Sieg: “They fought against the Dream Eaters, so they must be princes…but from which kingdom?”
Frost: “That masked man, he said he’d paid back a debt. Do you know him OO?”
OO: “Well, I wouldn’t say I really know who he is but…”
I realized I knew nothing about him other than his name, and I struggled trying to answer Frost’s question…-.
Carlyle: “…for now, we need to take care of things here.”
Carlyle spoke up then.
Just as Carlyle had said, a section of the showcases were broken, and jewels and glass littered the ground.
Sieg: “Don’t touch it. I’ll go fetch someone…”
Sai: “Ah!”
I turned towards the exclamation to see Sai returning with the attendees.
Sai: “The Flora…”
I followed Sai’s gaze to see the Flora, inside an unscathed showcase, but shattered into pieces.
Chapter 6
As the evening sun dyes the exhibition in red, a short time has passed since the attack by the Dream Eaters. Sai appears worn out as he catches everyone up on the situation. Thanks to you and the princes, no one sustained any injuries. Most of the items on display were also unharmed, for which Sai is grateful.
However, Frost returns to the fact that the Flora broke. Sai frowns slightly, saying they investigated but can’t figure out why it broke. The case was undamaged, and there were no traces of tampering from the outside. He carries the pink shards of the jewel in a cloth, and they sparkle in the light.
You mention that it appears to have broken on its own, just like the legend. Sai agrees, and bemoans the fact that they no longer have their center piece for the display. Sieg appears worried and tells Sai to not beat himself up about it. Sai reassures him and says that his ideal for people to become more enamored with the various jewels and learn about them hasn’t changed. He smiles, but you’re certain you can see a sadness hiding beneath the surface.
Chapter 7
That evening…
The princes and you are gathered together in a salon, aside from Carlyle who has gone off to rest in his room. There is a heavy silence as Sai encourages everyone to retire as he finishes up some of his work. You can tell Sai is still upset, and you ask if he’s alright as you look at the shards of the Flora sitting on the table.
Frost attempts to help, saying that worrying won’t change anything and that it was the Flora that broke on its own, meaning it isn’t Sai’s fault. Sieg also brings up that they can use a different jewel as the centerpiece to replace the Flora.
As everyone discuses what to do, you look at the Flora shards and think that they look like glittering cherry blossom petals and wonder what you can do to help Sai.
Kerota pipes in, suggesting they use the shards of the jewel as decoration since they’re big enough. You look at the shards anew, like the pieces of a puzzle. You’re struck with an idea, and share it with the group…
…
In order to implement your plan, you go to Carlyle’s room. You wait after knocking on the door and calling out to him, but thankfully Carlyle is still up.
…
A few days after the battle with the Dream Eaters, the sky is perfectly clear as the cherry blossom petals flutter in the air over the jewelry exhibition, which is set to reopen. Sai stands on a stage, giving the opening remarks to the gathered attendees.
Epilogue
As Sai gives his greeting to the people, he stands beside a manufactured cherry blossom tree. Here, the shards of the Flora have been placed together to create the petals adorning the miniature tree, which draws people’s attention. Thanks to your idea and Carlyle’s craftsmanship, you were able to once more put the Flora on display. You quietly think to yourself that it’s amazing Carlyle was able to craft something like that in such a short period of time.
Frost, who stands beside you, looks intently at the jewels. You ask what’s wrong, and he remarks back to the legend of the Flora and how supposedly a new destiny has started to move now that the jewel has broken. As Kerota and Vicky discuss destiny, they remark that a person’s destiny is really of their own making.
(To me, destiny is…)
As I turned the idea over in my head, suddenly a person I recognized came into my field of view.
Nox: “…”
(Ah…!)
OO: “Sorry, I need to step away for a moment.”
Departing from where the princes are gathered with a brief explanation, I chase after him…-.
…
……
Within the short-lived dance of the cherry blossoms, I somehow catch up to the gray robed figure.
OO: “Nox!”
Nox: “…”
I shout out to him, and Nox quietly stops walking.
He slowly turns to look at me and his eyes are friendly.
Nox: “Oh dear, you chased after me.”
OO: “Yes…um, thank you for your help the other day.”
I said my thanks, and Nox looked at me puzzled.
Nox: “No no, you were the one that helped me out first. This was returning the favor.”
(By that does he mean…)
OO: “Do you mean my waking Ruber from his ring?”
Nox: “That’s right. He’s a little odd, but he’s a good kid, right?”
(A good kid…but Ruber looked like he would be older.)
I tilted my head in confusion at the way he referred to Ruber…
Nox: “Ah, but you are too…-“
OO: “…!”
Suddenly his handsome face was close and I gasped in surprise.
Nox: “You’re a very good girl…I’m sure your soul is beautiful too.”
(S-soul…?)
I was spellbound by his gaze and my heart pounded loudly in my ears.
I found myself unable to move a muscle, then suddenly Nox pulled his face away.
Nox: “Mm, I have to go. I definitely want to keep talking with you, but I’ll be in big trouble if I’m found out.”
His lips lifted in an impish smile as he lightly twirled around.
(I really don’t know anything about him…)
OO: “Um…who exactly are you?”
I nervously asked my question as Nox was about to leave, and he glanced back at me over his shoulder.
Nox: “…I’m a Grim Reaper.”
OO: “Eh…?”
The gaze he aimed at me was unchanging, yet at that one unsettling word my body grew cold.
Nox: “OO. If you truly wish to change destiny…let’s meet in the Month of Rainbow* beneath the stars.”
Leaving me with those vague words, Nox disappeared in a swirl of falling cherry blossom petals.
(The Month of Rainbow, beneath the stars…?)
I felt like something was happening, something unknown that made my heart pound loudly in my ears.
END
*Translator’s Note: Month of Rainbow is equivalent to July.