HOPE WORLD

CHAPTER 1

(Northern mountains)

Akira: “No matter where I look, the entirety of Northern Country is covered in snow.”

Cain: “Yeah, the view’s stunning. This is still the North though - we don’t know what dangers could be awaiting us.”

Akira: “… You’re right. Moreover, the effects of the Great Calamity are still lingering…”

Mithra: “…..”

Akira: “Ah, where are you going, Mithra?”

(Si—nk)

Akira: “Whoa! W-why’s half of my body so cold all of a sudden… Ah… (I’ve completely sunk in the snow, and I can’t move at all…)”

Cain: “Akira! Are you okay? Grab onto me!”

Akira: “Hnng… I can’t even get my arm out…”

Cain: “Got it. I’m going to pull you, so bear with me a little… So far so good, just a bit more…”

Akira: “…Mph…! S-sweet freedom…! Goodness… I-I thought… I was going to die…”

Mithra: “What is this game you two are playing?”

Akira: “We weren’t pla…play…Achoo!”

Cain: “Oh, God… Seems like the snow completely soaked through your clothes, huh?”

Mithra: <Arthim>

Akira: “…Ah… So warm… (My clothes are dried too…!) Mithra, you…”

Mithra: “…..”

Akira: “Aaand he’s gone…”

Cain: “Haha, free-spirited as always, isn’t he.”

Akira: “Thank you for helping me too, Cain.”

Cain: “Don’t mention it, I’m just glad you’re alright. It’s pure white everywhere, so you can’t really tell where the deep parts are. Let’s be careful, yeah?”

Akira: “Yep, I’ll watch out from now on. I should thank Mithra too… Speaking of, he’s already quite far ahead… Everyone else is scattered around, too.”

Cain: “I’ve never seen those guys move so huddled up. Oh well, we should be going back sooner or later…”

Akira: (“Just when I thought the gap between the Northern and Central wizards had shortened at least a bit…”)

Akira: “For now, I’ll go find Mithra and thank him.”

Cain: “You’re very kind, Akira. I’ll go with you too, then. It’s dangerous to walk alone in this country, after all.”

Akira: “Ah, Mithra! Wait up!”

Mithra: “What is it?”

Akira: “Thank you for drying my clothes earlier. It didn’t even cross my mind that I’d fall into the snow like that.”

Mithra: “I assume you’re free, then?”

Akira: “Huh?”

Mithra: “Well, I’m free myself, so I guess I’ll go on a walk.”

Cain: “Do you mind if we tag along too?”

Akira: “Eh, Cain?”

Cain: “While we’re at it, we should check if anything unusual has happened. And if something has happened, we ought to deal with it.”

Akira: “Hm, we do have some time to spare, so we might as well!”

Cain: “Don’t worry, Master Sage, I’ll protect you no matter what. You don’t mind us being around, right, Mithra?”

Mithra: “…Do as you please. I’m going to do so myself.”

CHAPTER 2

Mithra: “…..”

Akira: (“The distance… Rather than walking together, it’s more like we’re following Mithra around.”)

Akira: “He really likes doing things on his own, doesn’t he?”

Cain: “Seems like it. Still, this might be a good way to melt the ice, dontcha think?”

Akira: “Is that why you wanted us to go with him?”

Cain: “Yeah, cuz I don’t get to talk to him at the quarters at all. Hey, Mithra!”

Mithra: “…What is it now? Please don’t shout all of a sudden.”

Cain: “Cmon, don’t be like that! It’s been a while since you’ve been in the North, yeah? How’s it feel to be back home?”

Mithra: “It’s as quiet as it’s always been, and there are no people or animals.”

Cain: “I see. No place like home, am I right?”

Akira: (“He’s trying to find a topic to discuss but I can’t tell if it’s working out or not…”)

Cain: “Why don’t you come and visit my hometown next time? The name City of Glory rings a bell, right?”

Mithra: “I’ll have to pass. You can just bring your boisterous comrades along, can’t you?”

Cain: “I’m inviting you because we are comrades, from the quarters and all. We should all go together. I’ll invite Oz and the rest, too.”

Mithra: “A name that makes me angry no matter the occasion…”

Akira: (“I mean… The conversation’s going somewhere…? Is this how you become closer with someone?”)

Cain: “Hm…? You two, wait here for a bit.”

Akira: “What’s up?”

Cain: “…Something’s coming.”

Akira: “What do you mean…”

Mithra: “…..”

Akira: (“He’s right, something’s coming from within the forest…”)

???: “Groooar!”

Akira: “Ah…! A huge mass of snow… Or is it!? There are hands and legs growing out of it!?”

Cain: “Roomies? What’s got these guys so mad?”

Akira: “I don’t know what’s going on, but they look super angry!”

Cain: “Weird… The members of this tribe are big and brawny, but they are calm in nature… Has the Calamity affected this place, too?”

Roomies: “Grooa…”

Akira: “T-they lifted a huge rock…! D-don’t tell me…!”

Mithra: “Goodness, how annoying.”

Cain: “This is bad…! Mithra!”

Roomies: “Grooar!”

Akira: “Mithra! Watch out!”

CHAPTER 3

Roomies: “Grooar!”

Akira: (“They’re aiming it at Mithra…!”)

Cain: “…Mithra, get down!”

Akira: “Cain!”

(Clang)

Cain: “M..made it in time.”

Akira: (“H-he cut through the rock with his sword…”)

Mithra: “…What are you doing.”

Cain: “Haha, glad to see you’re alright. You aren’t injured anywhere, right?”

Roomies: “Groooar!”

Cain: “They don’t look too pleased to know it didn’t hit us, huh.”

(Thump)

Cain: “…Hng!”

Akira: “Cain!”

Akira: (“Incredible… He’s keeping up with Roomies, who are three times bigger than him, with just his sword… But he won’t last long…!”)

Cain: “Shit… This is my first time facing such strong roomies. Leave this to me, Mithra, you take the Sage somewhe─”

Mithra: <Arthim>

Cain: “Wha─!”

Akira: “Whoa!? H-he downed them with a single blow!?”

Mithra: “There’s no way I could ever lose to such small fries.”

Akira: “S-small fries…”

Cain: “Haha, as expected. You really saved me there.”

Mithra: “…Why did you do that?”

Cain: “Did what?”

Mithra: “Why did you stand in front of me back then? You’re way weaker than me, you know?”

Cain: “My body moved on its own before I could notice. I do know you’re stronger than me, though.”

Mithra: “I see.”

Cain: “So long as we have you, we’re not gonna have any problems if we run into other beasts!”

Mithra: “…It’s going to be quite troublesome if you died because of your recklessness, so please stay by my side and behave.”

Cain: “Yep, counting on ya!”

Akira: (“I don’t really get it, but they’ve somehow become closer, haven’t they?”)

Mithra: “…..”

Akira: (“Even Mithra’s usual expression is tinted with the slightest hint of softness… Oh well, as long as everyone’s getting along─”)

(Si—nk)

Akira: “Whoop─!”

Cain: “Akira!?”

Mithra: “You like falling into snow piles, don’t you, Master Sage?”

Akira: “Not in the slightest… I did it again, sorry…”

Mithra: “Ahaha. You don’t have a care in the world, huh. Come on, grab onto my hand, quickly. Otherwise, you’re going to freeze to death, and that’s going to be troublesome.”

Of course!!!

1) Who can outdrink the other?

Leo, of course. Elliot can hold up well, but he still can’t beat Leo’s iron stomach! Heir to Reim’s well-kept legend.

2) Who says “I love you” more?

Definitely Leo again, but most of the time he says it to make Elliot flustered. The times that are genuine are to be cherished!

3) Who has trouble sleeping alone?

Elliot. Not that he would ever admit to that, of course, but he finds it nice to play with Leo’s hair before drifting off.

4) Who swears more?

Elliot, out loud. Leo, in his head.

5) Who does more of the housework?

Leo usually, and Elliot tends to pitch in as well even when he completely messes things up and gets scolded. It’s the thought that counts.

6) Who forgets their anniversary?

Neither! Elliot stays up all night worrying if his gift is good enough and Leo is simply...relaxed, to say the least.

7) Who steals the duvet in their sleep?

Leo. That is all.

8) Who keeps the other awake at night with their snoring?

Neither, really. They both are quite silent while sleeping, aside from Elliot’s occasional turning.

9) Who finds stray animals and begs the other to let them keep them?

Elliot likes to bring home stray cats unannounced and then tells Leo he has no choice in whether or not they keep them. Leo finds the cats nice homes elsewhere.

10) Who usually makes dinner?

Leo! Elliot isn’t very good at cooking, but tries his best.

11) Who plays their music out loud?

Since Elliot plays the piano often in his free time, he’s always filling their house with soft tunes. Leo doesn’t mind in the slightest.

12) Who hogs the bathroom?

Leo. You think all that hair keeps itself?

13) Who gives the most compliments?

Elliot, surprisingly. Leo likes to tease him more than straight compliment, but Elliot will do so in a roundabout way so it’s not as embarrassing for him.

14) Who usually starts/causes arguments between them?

It’s actually pretty even between them, but Elliot would have slightly more.

15) Who isn’t afraid to embarrass the other in public?

Leo again! He is easily amused by Elliot’s frustration.

16) Who gives the other cringeworthy pet names?

Elliot, but unironically. Leo, but ironically.

17) Who takes care of the other when they get sick?

Leo is a good caretaker, but scolds Elliot for getting sick. Elliot panics and doesn’t know how to take good care of him so Leo ends up taking care of himself too.

18) Who finds it impossible to stay angry at the other for long?

Elliot! He puts on a facade, but in reality his anger (towards Leo exclusively) doesn’t last long.

19) Who clings to the other for comfort when they’re sad or scared?

Elliot, definitely. He doesn’t say a word as he presses his face into Leo’s shoulder.

20) Who is more ‘physically passionate’?