Fantasia of the Dream-Protecting Acrobats ~Western Country & Central Country~

But in that moment, Shylock cracked a smile.

Chloe: Whoa!

The ball that had flown off-course exploded in midair into a flurry of soap bubbles.

The soap bubbles soared scattered throughout the tent, and when they burst, they filled the air with a sweet fragrance.

Guest: Wow, it smells so nice...!

Guest: I was a bit surprised when the ball flew off, but it seems like it was all part of the plan!

The juggler was looking wide-eyed into the audience, enraptured, and let out a cheer. Shylock gave him a sly look.

Presenter: Are you all enjoying this special one-night-only show?

Presenter: Please give a big round of applause for this fellow who helped us out!

Shylock: Fufu. Thank you for the lovely time.

Such a dreamlike time passes in no time at all, but there was still...

Arthur: Is it almost Marie's turn up? At this rate, the lion statue will...

Even since the start of the circus show, the lion's state had gotten visibly worse. The slightest touch might well have shattered it into pieces.

Murr: The trapeze is next up, but who knows if mister lion statue will even last that long?

Akira: Oh no...! I hope he doesn't miss Marie's show…

Oz: ... we can still restore it with magic. But if we miss this chance, it will likely crumble away.

Oz: The time to make a decision is now.

Riquet: But... if we fix it, then it won't be the lion that Marie befriended anymore, right?

Chloe: ...

Looking down at the stage with the deteriorating lion statue, Chloe had a mournful expression on his face.

And then a hand rested gently on his shoulder.

Rustica: There are some things that never change.

Rustica: Even if I couldn't speak anymore, I would always love Chloe, who enjoys making clothes so much.

Rustica: I'm sure the lion feels the same way. He and I are a lot alike; I understand how he feels.

Rustica: So, Chloe. Why don't we use our magic so he can be in all his proper glory when he sees his dear friend?

Chloe: ... yeah. Yeah! Yeah, I agree. Rustica, let's cast a spell to restore him.

Rustica: Is that alright with everybody?

Akira: Of course it is. Chloe, Rustica, please go ahead.

Chloe and Rustica nodded, and both of them gently touched the lion statue.

They looked at each other, met each others' gazes, and then recited their spells in unison.

Chloe: 《Suispisiva Voitingoc》

Rustica:《Amorest Viesse》

A magical light enveloped the lion statue, and repaired even the smallest cracks.

When the glow faded, the lion statue looked as good as new.

Cain: That's really amazing. If you had just told me that it had been about to fall apart a few minutes ago, I'd think you were lying.

Murr: But the Calamity's effects are gone like a lie, too! This is just a normal lion statue now.

Chloe: That may be so... but even if it can't speak anymore, the fact that this is Marie's friend won't change.

Lion Statue: ...

Chloe: I hope you'll enjoy the greatest show with us.

And then, the audience suddenly shot to attention as Marie came out onto the stage.

She stood proudly, with no trace of the dour expression she had worn when we first met her.

Marie: ---.

She said something that must have been her spell, and a trapeze swing made of a seat suspended on pure white rope came down to meet her.

She took a deep breath, putting her foot onto the swing, and then she leapt out into the air.

Wizards: Wow...!

Nobody in the entire venue could take their eyes off her show. She danced through the air like a ballerina.

She wasn't constrained to just the space over the stage; using her magic, she and her trapeze swings flew out over the audience in all directions.

Arthur: That's really something... she's so skilled, even at such a young age.

Cain: It really is no wonder that her trapeze show has become Comus' signature show.

Lion Statue: ...

The lion statue stared silently at the trapeze. Marie drew nearer to us as she soared on the trapeze.

Did she notice that her friend had been repaired? As she flew past us, Marie's eyes grew wide for just a moment.

Chloe: ... Marie...

And then, at that very moment--

Lion Statue: Ha...ving.... fu...n.

Chloe: Huh...?

Lion Statue: Having fun... having fun...! Having fun! Having fun! Having fun!

And then the lion statue began to crumble before our eyes, as though in atonment for speaking words that it shouldn't have been able to speak any longer

It seemed that the lion wanted to tell his dear friend that he was having fun, even if it came at the cost of his own life.

Marie's face scrunched up, as though she were on the verge of tears, but a smile of true joy broke out across her face.

She said her spell in a songlike voice, and held her hand out, reaching for her dear friend. And then, flower petals flowed out of her fingertips.

Riquet: Wow, it's just like a field of flowers...!

The lion statue was surrounded by colorful flowers, and the petals fluttered in the breeze left in the trapeze's wake.

Lion Statue: ... having fun... having fun! ... fun...

With a joyous cry, the statue crumbled away, leaving only the crown.

Up on the stage, Marie dismounted from the trapeze and took a bow.

Guests: Whoooooooo!

The deafening cheers and standing ovation shook the circus tent itself.

I could see Marie's lips mouth the words "thank you" as she looked straight at the now-empty seat.

The performance drew to a close amongst a roar of cheers.

She came to the seat of honor, still wearing her performance outfit. We remained silent as she picked up the crown.

Marie: ... thank you so much, everyone. Thanks to all of you, I was able to give him one final goodbye.

Marie: And so... right now, I'm heartbroken, but I'll keep working hard so we can put on a wonderful show again tomorrow.

Marie: The best way I know to honor his memory is to put on a show that would make him exclaim, "I'm having fun!". Don't you feel the same, Chloe?

Chloe: ...! Yeah, of course I do!

Marie lovingly cradled the crown tightly to her chest.

Marie: ... I'm so glad that I was able to meet you.

Even though her friend was gone, the crown clutched to her bosom seemed to glow in reply.

Marie: I'l never forget the special time that we spent together.

Chloe: Thank you, too, Marie, for sharing such an amazing show with us.

Marie: Would it be alright if I kept this outfit and the crown?

Chloe: Of course! I am a tailor, after all, so nothing would make me happier.

Marie: Our run here in the City of Circuses will be over soon. After that, we'll continue touring in some distant city.

Marie: So I don't know when we'll be able to see each other again, but... I hope you'll come see my show again sometime.

Chloe: Of course! See you again soon, Marie.

Chloe extended a hand to her. Marie took it, and gave him a beaming smile in return.

The smiles on the faces of the people who attended the show, and the strange but precious friendships formed in this town left a vivid and tender memory in our hearts.

Among the colorful flowers, that crown would shine forever.