#everytime Lucien says im here (like in en server's WM2 update) i cry | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

endless-season · 2 years

Text

Westmoon Chapter 10 Part 9 to 13 - Lucien

This follows after Victor’s part of Chapter 10 which is translated here.

I don’t think anyones translated the previous Lucien related chapter from WM3 but this is ok to read without.

I’m using the term Strangelings to refer to the Rarewood residents because that was the original term Elex used in karmas and the glossary even though they can’t seem to make up their mind between Strangeling, Strangling (lmao), Monster and Stranger (w h y) in the main story.

Also I ended up using the term ‘dreamland’ because I couldn’t think of a better word and I’m not sure if/how Elex translated this term previously.

Sorry in advance for completely butchering the poetry :’) please take them all with a grain of salt.

10-9

MC heads towards Rarewood but there seems to be a lot of demonic aura around it. It used to be a lush forest, but now it’s wrapped in a dark demonic fog.

She smells smoke, blood, and sees ruins and the dead bodies of Strangelings, faces twisted in pain.

Last she saw Lucien, he was going to investigate the source of the strange demonic aura approaching Rarewood. Did he fail?

As she laments, the pain in her heart seems to affect her Occulstone and she feels a stabbing coldness. She falls to the ground in pain.

When she opens her eyes again the nightmarish scene is gone, the bodies have disappeared, and a group of Strangelings are happily chatting amongst themselves in the lush forest…

MC: Rarewood is back to normal?

I blinked in disbelief, the purple flower in front of me bloomed splendidly as if everything just now was an illusion.

However, the coldness didn’t disappear along with the scene change, instead it seemed to pierce even deeper.

MC: What happened to Rarewood… and where is Lucien?

I anxiously parted the bushes and saw the vast water view just like I remembered - the misty lakeside along with its gentle breeze.

A familiar white figure emerged from the mist with his slender physique and wind-like robe.

It was Lucien.

I sighed in relief and hastened to his side.

MC: Lucien! So you were here!

Out of breath, I watched Lucien as he gently brushed away the leaves from my clothes and smiled.

Lucien: How come you’re in such a hurry? Is something wrong?

I relayed everything I just saw to him, after which he frowned slightly and nodded.

Lucien: Rarewood is indeed surrounded by demonic aura. I’ve also seen what you’ve seen, but those were just illusions caused by the demonic aura.

Only then did I nod my head reassured, although I still had some doubts.

MC: But besides that, the Occulstone within my body is also abnormally cold, why is that?

Lucien casually waved his hand and a warm yellow light flowed from his fingertips into and throughout my body.

Lucien: Your Occulstone is even more shattered than before, the demonic aura here will affect you.

MC: So that’s why… but how can I just sit back and watch while Rarewood is in danger.

MC: I’ll stay and disperse the demonic aura with you, if something goes wrong then my powers can help you.

To prove my point, I added another line –

MC: Don’t worry, I know my limits, I won’t mess around. It’s just a bit of coldness, I’ll just wear more clothes.

Lucien took my hands to his lips, exhaled a few warm breathes and gently rubbed my palms.

Lucien: In that case, I’ll have to bother you with this. I’ll quickly find a way to disperse the demonic aura so you won’t have to suffer long.

I couldn’t help but smile now that I’ve achieved my goal.

MC: Before that, looks like I’ll have to bother you by staying over for a few days.

Lucien smiled and nodded at me. The wind swept through his hair, casting a shadow and making it hard to see the light in his eyes.

10-10

A warm breeze passes through in the hazy morning light, bringing with it a wisp of rich fragrance.

Last night Lucien brought me back home and came up with a simple plan for the next few days.

We decided that he would be responsible for investigating how to get rid of the demonic aura, while I’d help him with eliminating any that made its way into Rarewood.

This morning I saw Lucien in the kitchen about to prepare breakfast so I offered to show him my skills.

Some bustling later, I placed a basket of prawn dumplings and two bowls of YangChun noodles on the table and clapped my hands together with pride.

MC: Have a taste?

Lucien picked up prawn dumpling, tried it and judged it with a smile.

The texture is perfect and the flavour is fresh and crisp. Indeed the skill of a professional.

After sitting down and eating for some time, a young voice came from outside.

Ian: Smells so nice!

A small furry head popped in through the door and Ian’s eyes flicked between Lucien and I.

Ian: Mister, Missus, you made breakfast? I could smell it from a long way away.

Ian: I don’t like the dough knots my mother made me this morning so I’m still a bit hungry. Can I have a try?

MC: M-Missus…?

Lucien meanwhile was full of good humour and put a bowl of noodles in front of Ian.

Lucien: If you want to try Missus’ handiwork, then I’ll have to test you on your homework first. Let’s see… how about you recite one of the poems you learnt yesterday.

Ian: That’s easy! The world is all but a dream, how many autumns count one’s life? Leaves in the wind echo through empty corridors at night. Traces are left on the brow.

Lucien: Of all the poems, this one…

T/N: The poem Ian recited was about loneliness and the transience of life.

Darkness seemed to flash across his eyes, before he nonchalantly pushed the bowl forward with his fan.

Lucien: Well done, eat it while its hot.

The boy contently came over and sat down gorging himself while praising nonstop. I looked around a bit puzzled.

MC: Ian, how come Max didn’t come with you? Are you usually inseparable?

Ian: Max? Who’s that? Is Missus get the wrong person?

MC: Huh?

I looked at Lucien, but his expression showed no signs out of the ordinary, so I decided to drop it for now and find a different time to ask about it.

Ian quickly finished his bowl of noodles and licked his lips, haphazardly picked up his school bag and rapidly spoke.

Ian: Mister, Missus, I need to go to school now. Recently a lot of people in the village are sick so my mother told me not to run around.

MC: Okay, off you go then. Stay safe.

After Ian left, I tidied up the table with Lucien while absentmindedly asking.

MC: Lucien, why does Ian not remember Max?

Lucien neatly stacked the cleaned bowls and chopsticks and shook his head.

Lucien: The strange occurrences in Rarewood are all related to the demonic aura, there are still questions even I’m still looking for an answer to.

Lucien: But I think all these mysteries will be resolved once the demonic aura is dispersed.

I nodded and was about to ask another question when I accidentally burped.

Immediately my face flushed, I turned around, and gently pat my stomach while awkwardly laughing it off.

MC: … Breakfast was too good so I overate a bit. How about we go for a walk, it’ll also help us digestion.

Lucien smiled and naturally took my hand.

Lucien: Okay, where do you want to go?

MC: I want to go to the lake pavilion! Ever since the last time I visited Rarewood, I’ve been wanting to go sit there again.

We left his abode, walked through the bamboo forest and arrived at the pavilion.

The lake was dotted with countless elegant lotus flowers, gently rippling in the breeze and reflecting the green mountains in the distance.

Lucien led me by hand into the pavilion and I discovered that besides the tea cups, there was also paper and brushes on the table.

On the paper was an ink stick. The scent of ink and lotus intertwined in the wind, creating a refreshing fragrance. I leaned over and lightly read it aloud.

MC: The sun sets to the west, taking ashes with it.

Lucien: What do you think of this verse?

MC: The brushwork is elegant and graceful so of course it’s excellent. However… the line itself gives off a feeling of helplessness and inevitability.

MC: Lucien, why did you write such a verse?

Lucien: I just happened to think of it while practising writing and decided to write it down.

Warm sunlight shone down, dyeing the tips of Lucien’s hair with a golden glow. Looking at his light smile, I couldn’t help but feel anxious.

MC: This verse is still incomplete. If it’s alright with you, how about I help finish second half?

I picked up the brush, dipped it in the ink a few times and after thinking for a while, started to write.

Lucien looked at the latter half of the verse and was stunned for a moment. Then he moved aside the weight, picked up the paper and carefully looked at it before reading it aloud.

Lucien: ... The stars appear in the sky, the world comes back to life.

MC: What... do you think?

Lucien put the ink stick back onto the paper nodded his head.

Lucien: When the sun sets, humanity is full of regret, but once the stars appear, the world can bring back all things.

Lucien: The half you added breaks the grief expressed in the former half, and brings in a wider perspective. I like it very much.

With a warm gaze, Lucien casually picked up the brush and drew a few strokes on the empty half of the paper and transformed it into a lush forest with fireflies scattered about.

Seeing my amazed expression, he dangled the brush in front of me.

Lucien: Would you like to try as well?

MC: You know my art skills, definitely not presentable.

Lucien: No worries, I’ll teach you.

T/N: MC agonised over decorating a fan for Lucien in the date.

He prepared the ink and gestured for me to have a seat.

I held the brush in my hand as Lucien circled me from behind, his well-defined hand wrapped around my right hand.

Feeling his warm breath behind me, my hand shivered for a moment, accidentally creating a splotch of ink on the paper.

MC: … Sorry

Lucien: Relax, let my hand guide you.

He once again held my hand and helped me put brush to paper.

Lucien’s brush movements were calm and steady, I quickly got used to his rhythm and started to draw.

He blended colours on the inkstick and took my hand to draw the heavens and stars as if drawing the scene of the verse.

Lucien: Not bad, you’re a quick learner.

MC: Clearly it’s your drawing skills that are great~

Before I realised, twilight had arrived. I absentmindedly looked towards the lake. The wind caressed the lotus flowers showing glimpses of Lucien and I’s reflection in between.

But in the next moment, the reflection in the lake showed a destructive scene of ruins and fragments.

I rubbed my eyes and looked again, the reflection once again transformed into a tragic and violent scene of deceased Strangelings.

MC: …!

Why did the illusion appear again? I stood up in disbelief, but Lucien waved his fan and disrupted the surface of the lake.

When it was calm again, everything was back to normal.

I turned back and met Lucien’s eyes, deep as ink. After a period of silence, Lucien lightly placed his hand on my shoulder.

Lucien: Alas, I invited my beloved to the lake pavilion, but my beloved really did come for the lake itself.

He gently joked around to try and sooth my unease.

MC: Lucien, the scene appeared again just now.

Lucien: I know, Rarewoods defences aren’t tight and demonic aura often slips through as a result.

Lucien: If this continues, the residents may be affected by the illusion, I will think of way to resolve this as soon as possible.

After this incident, neither Lucien nor I were in the mood to walk around the lake, instead we walked back to the abode in the moonlight.

Lucien took me back to the bedroom and pulled down the curtain.

The white gauze blurred his face, as if forming an invisible boundary between us.

Lucien: You still have patrol tomorrow, so go rest early. Good night.

Not waiting for my response, Lucien left the bedroom and closed the door.

The room fell into silence, I lay on top of the bed, recounting all my suspicions over the past two days.

As soon as I arrived in Rarewood, I saw an image of destruction, but then it mysteriously disappeared. This was the first.

Ian didn’t remember Max, and the illusion at the lake. This was another two.

MC: Lucien said this was due to the demonic aura, but I didn’t feel any demonic aura at the lake.

In the haze, I felt like some kind of conjecture about to break through, yet it did not break through.

Gradually I became tired and slowly sunk into a deep sleep.

That night, I had my first dream since coming here.

The calligraphy from the day flew out of its scroll, stardust fell transforming into specks of florescent light flying through the forest.

In the next moment, rain pattered down, and the fireflies were destroyed by the relentless raindrops.

In a flash, the world lamented as one, Rarewood fell into eternal rest, the sky was dyed the colour of blood.

MC: Ah!

I woke up from the dream with my back drenched in sweat. After wiping off the sweat, I pushed open the door and left the room.

Lucien’s study was wide open, there was no one in the room.

MC: Lucien…

Thinking of all the strange occurrences in the past few days, I realised they all pointed to Lucien.

The chilliness in my body was worse tonight, I went back to the bedroom to put on a cloak and then left to look for Lucien.

Along the way, the surroundings kept changing, in one moment, broken tiles and bricks, in the next, a silver cotton field.

Amongst the chaotic mirage, I quickly spotted a white figure.

Under the vast sky, a large force field was spread out from the lake, enveloping the entirety of Rarewood.

The source of the force field was a snow white light, Lucien floated on the surface of the lake, endless Occult overflowed from his body providing a steady stream feeding into the light.

I felt very familiar with this little white light, it seemed the coldness was coming from there.

Lucien’s robe shook, snow white fox ears and a foxtail quietly emerged. He himself was unaware, and just focused solely on supporting the force field.

I reached out my hand to gather occult, wanting to help him. But he gave a wave and interrupted my motion.

Once the force field was stable, he returned to the lakeside in one gentle leap but suddenly lost his balance and blood gushed out from the corner of his mouth.

MC: Are you okay?!

Lucien, not okay: … I’m okay.

His complexion was terrifyingly pale, his forehead full of sweat, I supported him to go sit at the pavilion, grasping his hand tightly.

MC: Don’t move, I’ll suppress the demonic aura for you.

Hearing my cold tone, Lucien froze for a moment and looked up at me as if thinking of something.

MC: What. Why are you looking at me like that?

Lucien: I’m just wondering if there’s any excuse I can give that will make you less angry at me.

His words made me speechless. I gave an angry laugh.

MC: Do I need to wait until you can’t hide it anymore before you finally tell me the truth?

Lucien: Actually, the plan was that tomorrow I’d…

Before Lucien could finish, he violently coughed a few times and his face became even paler.

My heart softened. I wasn’t bothered to continue arguing about what he was hiding any longer and approached him.

MC: Maintaining the force field puts a lot of burden on your body, we can’t have anything go wrong at this critical moment.

As expected using pros and cons to talk to him was effective. Lucien silently nodded his head.

Lucien: Since the great Sorceress has spoken, this one dares not disobey.

I hurriedly used occult to heal him, it was only until his complexion became normal that gave a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat my forehead.

After sitting in silence for a bit, Lucien first broke the silence.

Lucien: Why did you come here?

MC: I had a nightmare and woke up uneasy, so I came to find you.

Lucien nodded, some coldness flashing through his eyes.

Lucien: I’m assuming you have some guesses about the current situation, right?

MC: Yeah, there’s been too many strange things these few days, on the way here I thought about them and came to a conclusion.

Lucien: Go on.

MC: Lucien, Rarewood’s already been destroyed by the demonic aura, and where we are now is just a dreamland isn’t it?

Lucien: That’s right. So, what do you think is the reason I set up this dreamland?

I closed my eyes and focuses my senses. I seemed to be able to feel the occult of the Strangelings of Rarewood being protected by the force field.

MC: The Strangeling aura is being protected by the force field, are you trying to stall for time to save more Strangelings?

And even if you fail to save them, at least they can meet the end of their lives in a beautiful dream.

Lucien: Your mind is always so calm and bright, it’s hard to hide things from you. But there’s one part that’s not entirely correct.

Lucien: This force field serves not only to protect the Strangelings, but more importantly traps their occult within Rarewood.

MC: Why?

Lucien: Strangelings aren’t like humans, when there are a lot of casualties, the dispelled occult can explode and destroy all the surroundings.

MC: “A lot of casualties”… are you saying that all those Strangelings…?

Lucien: Within Rarewood, only you and I can be considered as “alive”.

Although I had some guesses, the situation was much worse than I anticipated.

MC: Including Ian and them…?

When I thought about how the all Strangelings I’d met even just today were at the end of their lives, I inevitably felt distressed and shivered.

MC: So in Westmoon, there was never a utopia to begin with?

Lucien held my hands, shook his head and sneered.

Lucien: The world is unkind and treats all things the same. Humans, Strangelings, and Demons, can try as they might, but the eyes of god are indifferent.

Lucien: But of course, just going along with the flow is not the attitude a chess player should have.

Lucien’s expression as he spoke was as if in defiance of the heavens. Though I was swayed by his words, my heart was still heavy.

MC: This game of chess has witnessed too much bloodshed. I won’t let you treat me as a bystander and face these dangers alone.

MC: At the very least I can help you think of ideas, disperse demonic aura and finish this game of chess.

Lucien: Even if the Occulstone were as perfect as before, it would not be enough for this force field. Even I am just making a best effort.

Lucien: In addition, the damage to your Occulstone is irreversible, you can’t overuse your occult any more.

MC: I immediately felt indignant and angrily withdrew my hand.

MC: Looks like I can only freeload off the dreamland and watch the fire burn from across the river.

Lucien lightly laughed, actually agreeing with my joke.

Lucien: Not a bad proposal, just having you staying here is already an enormous benefit to me.

Lucien: However, I’ve never regarded you as a bystander or chess piece. As far as I’m concerned, you’ve always been my confidant, break through this game with me.

Lucien smiled and winked at me.

Lucien: This time I was in the wrong for hiding things from you. I hope the great Sorceress will find it in her heart to forgive me, and continue working with me in the future.

Although I was a bit gloomy before, thanks to his words I couldn’t help but smile.

MC: I’m not that petty~.

The breeze blew, rustling through leaves and branches. I looked into Lucien’s and lowly spoke.

MC: You accompanied me for a three year long dream. Now it’s my turn to accompany you.

10-12

Next day MC patrols around Rarewood, dispersing demonic fog.

She finishes around sunset and goes to the school to wait for Lucien’s class to finish.

Lucien: How come you’re here MC?

I turned around, at some point Lucien had appeared behind me, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

MC: I hear the village gathering is very lively today, want to go have a look?

Lucien took my hand and led me to the markets, passing by many beautiful flowers along the road, gently swaying in the wind.

I planned to pick some young buds along the way back to keep on the window sill. They would be beautiful once they bloomed.

As soon as we entered the crowded market place, a voice called out to us.

??: Mister Lucien, I didn’t expect to see you here. Is this your wife?

I looked up in surprise and saw a woman waving at us from the pastry stall.

Stall lady: My kid studies at your place, I’ve heard him say that Mister Lucien teaches very well.

Stall lady: Last time when I went to pick him up from school I saw you from a distance, but you probably don’t remember.

Lucien: I remember, you’re Ian’s mother right?

Stall lady: Yes, yes, yes that’s right!

Stall lady: Ian often mentions you, saying Mister Lucien is gentle and refined, smart and profound, Missus is warm and beautiful, an perfect match with Mister Lucien.

Stall lady: Seeing you both today, that boy is really right!

MC: You flatter us…

The woman took my hand enthusiastically and continued complimenting me. I looked towards Lucien embarrassedly, but he just looked at me with a smile.

Stall lady: You have great timing, I just finished cooking a batch of GuiFei cake with fresh walnuts inside. Quick, come try some!

Stall lady: Recently, a lot of people have been suffering from illness because of demons, so business has been hit. If you like it, I’ll give you more for free.

After saying that, she picked one up with her chopsticks and handed it to me. It was hard to refuse so I took a bite, but then froze on the spot.

Although the texture was soft and gluttonous, there was no flavour at all, it was hard to call it delicious.

Another customer happened to come over and picked up a GuiFei cake to try.

Passer-by: Sweet but not sickening, rich flavour of dates, absolutely delicious!

Stall lady: When is it ever not delicious!

I ate another two piece, but it still tasted like chewing wax. I stared blankly at them and couldn’t find anything to say.

Could it be that only people of the dreamland could taste food? Then what I ate earlier…

I looked at Lucien, but saw that he also picked up a piece to taste and nodded in satisfaction.

Lucien: Truly unforgettable.

Lucien’s praise made the stall lady even more delighted and she gave us even more pastries.

While I was puzzled, he turned over to me and winked.

I got the hint and decided to ask him about it later.

Thoughts rolled through my head as I followed Lucien back home. Along the way I saw those little flowers fluttering in the wind again, but I wasn’t in the mood to pick them.

We entered the study and there was a tea set on the table as well as a bunch of trimmed flower, exactly the ones I had in mind.

Lucien: Seeing that you liked them, I picked some for you this morning.

Still worried about the dreamland, I could only shake my head with pity.

MC: It’s a pity. The flowers you gave me before, I took care of them diligently but they’re still about to wither.

Lucien: Flowering seasons end, flowers bloom and flowers wither, that’s all there is to it.

T/N: *sobbing about Traces of the Past*

Careless words fell to caring ears. After Lucien’s words, both of us froze for a moment.

In the silence, Lucien rolled up his sleeves to grind the tea.

The tea in the porcelain cup was light, specks of tea powder floated in the water, the aroma was rich and fragrant.

I took a sip, the tea was a bit bitter at first but still sweet and refreshing.

Lucien: How is it?

MC: Your tea brewing skills have always been excellent, plus you’ve accounted for my tasted. Of course it like it.

The breeze picked up, blowing a flower into my cup. At this moment, I seemed to have realised something.

When the villagers gave me food earlier, I could not taste any flavour at all. But every time Lucien cooked me food, I could taste it.

I suddenly stopped, and put down the cup in my hand.

MC: Lucien, why can’t I taste the pastries that Ian’s mother gave us?

Lucien: If there are issues with the five senses, then it means this dreamland has reached its end.

Lucien’s response was so blunt, it made my heart prickle.

MC: Then what about this tea? Did you… use your Strangeling powers for this cup of tea?

Lucien looked at me quietly and then nodded.

Lucien: Yes. You don’t like it?

MC: I like it. But you’ve already spent a lot of Strangeling powers to maintain the force field. You don’t need use it on these trivial details.

I looked down, clenched the tea cup tightly in my hand and spoke the words from my heart.

MC: I’m really worried about your body.

Lucien looked back at me deeply, his gaze clear and resolute, though concealing something in his smile.

Lucien: Don’t worry. I’m an expert at handling these kinds of situations and I’m not that fragile.

I shook my head and reached out to wrap his cold fingers.

MC: I’ve always believed in you, but at a time like this, you can also believe in me.

Lucien looked at our intertwined finger and finally gave a sigh.

Lucien: Since that’s what you want, I won’t insist on it any further.

As expected, when he stopped using his Strangeling power the taste of the tea became lighter and lighter, until eventually it became as bland as water.

Gradually the moon rose and neither Lucien nor I lit up the lights, we simply sat together in silence.

In the dim moonlight, Lucien’s clothes appeared whiter than snow, looking cold and lonely.

I gave a silent sigh, but Lucien noticed my small movement.

Lucien: You seem a bit sad.

MC: I was just thinking, that although the dreamland is beautiful, it is still fake and will be broken sooner or later.

Then it will be over in a flash, and there would be no return to the broken dream.

Lucien: You really think, that everything in the dreamland is fake?

I was a bit stunned, and shook my head.

MC: My bond with them is not fake, and every day I spend with you is not just a dream.

Lucien smiled but did not continue, instead he used his fan to open the window.

There was a little light in the darkness outside the window, which then became two, then three…

One by one the fireflies flew into the room, warming the otherwise still house. They gathered together in a ray of light like sparklers hovering by my side.

Specks of light reflected in Lucien’s eyes, like melting snow. I watched his sleeves flutter in his calm.

Lucien: Whether real or fake, I’ll always be with you.

Lucien reached out and our fingers intertwined.

The ripples in my heart calmed, giving way to joy.

MC: Thank you for the firefly you gave me, I will always remember this beautiful dream within a dream, I will never forget it.

10-13

T/N: Follow along with the video for beautiful music and voice acting :> The music was so on point !!

Wind passes through the bamboo forest creating a rustling sound. The sun is shining and the birds are chirping.

The morning light weaves a magnificent pattern giving everything a warm golden glow.

The dreamland continues.

Lucien: You’re awake?

A gentle voice sounded in my ear, Lucien all dressed in white was smiling at me.

MC: W-why are you here?

Lucien: Hmm, there was a lazy cat who wouldn’t wake up no matter how I called. So I could only enter her room to have a look.

My cheeks were hot and I quickly hid under the quiet. Lucien lightly chuckled.

Lucien: Get up soon. Today we’re celebrating the harvest. Everyone in the village is going to the village head’s home for dinner including us.

After washing up, I followed Lucien to the village head’s home.

The smell of dirt drifted across, and the sea of rice paddies swayed in the wind.

The village was very lively today, along the way I even heard the sound of firecrackers.

Everyone gathered around an elderly man with short stiff beard and brown sunken eyes.

Village head: The harvest is very good this year! I especially set up a banquet. Everyone eat well and enjoy yourselves!

Villagers: Yeah!

Lucien and I were seated at the same time as the village head. The most important seats besides the village head’s.

The table was full of fruit candy followed by the cold dishes, and after that poultry and fish and so on.

I picked up my chopsticks and tried some food. But now I couldn’t even taste the texture of the ingredients anymore, it was like chewing on dry soil.

Seeing us seated, Ian’s mother came over with Ian so say hi.

Ian’s mother: Mister Lucien, Missus, how are the dishes? Do they suit your taste?

I didn’t show any strange expressions and Lucien also looked as normal.

MC: Your skills are getting better and better! Wait till I’m free, I’ll need to ask you to teach me how to cook.

Ian’s mother: Hahaha, you’re welcome to come over any time. Ian, come on, where’s your greeting.

Ian: … Hello Mister, hello Missus.

Ian lowered his head with tears on the corners of his eyes as if he’d just been crying. I paused and leaned over to ask.

MC: Ian, are you okay?

I saw Ian’s mother secretly squeeze his hand wanting to bring him back. I thought it strange, but waited for Ian to open his mouth.

Ian: Mister, Missus… what about Max? Where… did Max go?

Tears welled up and fell from his eyes. His mother patted his back to comfort him.

Ian remembered Max? Then did he also remember the real past?

I covered my face with my sleeve and quietly asked Lucien.

MC: Ian seems to remember, is it because the dreamland can no longer support itself?

Lucien: Yes. There is no more time left.

At this moment, a large group of people came over to give us a toast, we could only get stuck in the midst of it all.

Villager A: Mister Lucien, Missus, thanks for all the hard work!

Villager B: Yes, yes, it’s all thanks to Mister Lucien and Missus’ care that we can be so happy.

All the villagers seemed to be surrounding Lucien and I. It was as if we were the protagonist of this party.

MC: You’re welcome…

On the surface I was responding to all these conversations but in my heart this strange feeling reaches its peak.

I looked towards Lucien, only to see his expression become graver and graver, his usual gentle expression completely dissolved.

Lucien: So you all knew already.

As these words fell, the excited atmosphere before us receded like a tide. Everyone looked at one another with panic in their eyes.

Village head: … since it’s come to this, I’ll tell you what happened.

I stared at the village head in a daze, his eyes were filled with sadness.

Village head: Actually these days many people have had dreams of dying, we remembered the past and some also guessed the reality.

Village head: We are not humans, but Strangelings. And this is a dreamland, isn’t it?

Lucien looked around at the Strangelings present and finally gave a nod.

Village head: Mister Lucien, I know you are kind but there are some things that are inevitable and cannot be undone…

Village head: A long time ago, I thought that becoming a Strangeling was a painful and sorrowful thing.

Village head: But over time we also realised, that no matter how we change on the outside, our hearts will never change.

Villagers: That’s right! We’re proud to be Strangelings!

I wanted to object. I wanted to tell them that their fate was deliberately twisted by others.

If not, they could’ve spent their entire lives in Serenos.

But I couldn’t open my mouth, at a time like this, there could only be silence.

Lucien was dazed for a moment, and in that moment I seemed to catch a wisp of undetectable grief in his otherwise indifferent expression.

After all is said and done, he still saw these Strangelings approach their death and return to dust.

Village head: After drinking this bowl of wine, we will have no regrets in life!

All the villagers picked up their drinks and looked at us in unison, their eyes flickering with gratitude, sadness, relief, and despair.

Lucien picked up his wine, raise it to everyone and drank it in one go.

Everyone laughed and drank with him. I also picked up the wine bowl and drank the water like wine.

So flavourless, yet so pungent, as if choking me to tears.

Suddenly a strong vibration shook the ground, the room collapsed, the lake overflowed. The dreamland could no longer hold itself together and broke into pieces.

Lucien pulled me towards the edge of the dreamland. I couldn’t help but keep looking back.

All the villagers returned to their Strangeling forms, Ian had his head down the entire time but suddenly seemed to remember something and shouted at us.

Ian: Mister, Missus! Max might still be alive!

Ian: I knocked him unconscious and put him in a tree hole. The demonic fog came so quickly I don’t remember where.

Lucien: Ok, we will find him.

Ian nodded, his expression filled with sadness, gratitude, and regret and waved at us.

I felt pain in my heart and decided to no longer look back. Footsteps were like walking through fire, and the sounds behind us gradually faded into nothing.

We finally returned to the edge of the force field. Lucien reached out and touched the force field he created with his own hands, ready to destroy it with his own hands.

I heard Ian singing loudly in the distance. The poem he recited to us with a smile just two ago, XiJiang Yue.

Ian: The world is all but a dream, how many autumns count one’s life…

The singing came through the sounds of collapse, serving as a final farewell to us and the days of the past, sending us off.

I finally couldn’t hold back my tears and hugged Lucien from behind.

MC: Lucien, the dream is over.

Lucien: I’m here.

Lucien: No matter inside the dream or outside the dream, I’m always here.

Lucien had his back to me. Despite his soothing voice, his hand touching the force field was still.

Lucien: Are you ready?

I softly hummed in response but hesitated in my heart. I didn’t know whether this question was also directed at himself.

Before I could come to a conclusion, the autumn wind abruptly picked up, blowing Lucien’s long hair and sleeves.

In the next moment, Lucien activated the magic array and rays of light shot into the sky, washing the world away.

Everything in the dreamland ends with the sun setting to the west, taking ashes with it.

Something fell into my hands with the wind and I inadvertently grasped onto it.

The day is bright, everything before us receded like a tide and all sounds returned to silence.

After the light dissipated we returned into Rarewood.

Ruins remained, spoilt flowers fell from the branch before me landing at the tip of my shoe.

Unfulfilled dreams, dreams of grandeur.

T/N: The original line makes reference to ‘Records in the Pillow’ and ‘The Governor of Nanke’

The sky is speckled with stars, and out of season snow falls down burying the bloodstains.

We heard a faint coughing sound. Lucien and I looked at each other then immediately began to look through the remnants of the forest.

Following a trail of blood snaking across the ground, we found a boy fainted behind a rock.

The fluff of his ears trembled in the cold wind, his furry tail was wrapped around his body.

MC: It’s Max!

We hurried towards him and Lucien checked for signs of breathing.

Lucien: He’s still alive.

Lucien transferred him some Strangeling power and after a while, the boy slowly woke up.

He first looked at us at a loss, then looked around at the surroundings before hugging Lucien’s robe and crying.

Max: Wahhh, Mister…

Max: Ian and I were playing outside when suddenly a black fog appeared, we tried to run away but it caught up to us...

Max: Then I got knocked out by Ian and don’t know what happened, only to find out that Rarewood is already…

Max cried until he was out of breath, Lucien gently pat his back.

Only then did I realise that reason why Max was not in the dreamland was precisely because he was still alive.

I felt a trace of joy in my sorrowful heart. I suddenly recalled the verse I wrote.

The stars appear in the sky, the world comes back to life.

Once Max had calmed down a bit, I looked towards Lucien.

MC: Lucien, what will you do next?

Lucien: Max is still young, it’ll be hard for him to survive along. I need to find a place for him.

His voice was even, and showed neither joy nor sadness. I couldn’t help but ask.

MC: And how about you? Are... you alright?

Lucien shook his head and looked at me calmly.

Lucien: There is no alright or not alright. If we use your words of playing chess against the heavens, I’m at the disadvantage and it’s hard for one to consider that as alright.

Since he was unwilling, I didn’t press further and changed the topic.

MC: A few days ago, I went back 100 years into the past and saw a group of strange people putting occuliths into people.

MC: That scene reminded me of how the Strangelings of Rarewood were persecuted by the Royal Occultists...

Lucien: You think it’s those schemers who once again targeted Rarewood?

I nodded. The thought of the invisible hands behind these tragedies set my heart on fire.

I need to return to Serenos, there are many related records there. I want to find out the truth behind it all.

A faint glimmer of gratitude showed in Lucien’s gaze. He took my hand and gentle rubbed it.

Lucien: When the force field was broken just now, the Strangling power and demonic aura cancelled each other out. All the demonic aura around Rarewood is gone.

Lucien: Do you still feel cold?

Since the dreamland was destroyed, the icy feeling in my heart also disappeared. I shook my head.

MC: Don’t worry, I’m fine now. On the other hand, supporting the dreamland has taken a toll on you. Don’t push yourself over the next few days.

Lucien: Okay. Once I get Max settled down, I’ll join up you.

Heavy snow fell silently from the sky, making crisp sounds underfoot.

Those who passed away in the dream were left behind, buried in the snow.

#mlqc #mlqc lucien #thank you for crying with me #everytime i see that CG i cry #everytime Lucien says im here (like in en server's WM2 update) i cry #''so you all knew already'' i cry #''flowers bloom and flowers wither'' i cry #not sure if gonna translate the split route cause might not have time but will see #stuff i post #temporary terrible translations tag

28 notes · View notes