scary monsters ~endless halloween night~ 3-2 "i want to learn more about you"

[mandytl]

 

Location: The Other Dimension - Yugen Canyon

Ghost A: Augh. Sound the retreat before we’re cast from this realm for good~~~!

Silver: What were you attacking them out of the blue for, Jamil?! 

Jamil: My gut said they might know something about the missing students, and then I just…

Silver: I understand how you feel, but it isn’t right to go wailing on literally anyone we come across. There could be friendly ghosts among them.

Jamil: I wouldn’t be so sure.

Especially not after their broadcasting that they’re going to drag us all the way to their host against our will.

Silver: Mgh… I suppose you’ve got a point.

Then… we should assume this ‘esteemed host’ is their leader.

Jamil: … Well, well, well. What’ve we got here?

Seems that they oh-so-conveniently “dropped” every single shard.

Silver: What, again?

Losing something so precious to them will definitely be discouraging… 

Let’s bring them with us, in case we meet again and finally come to an understanding.

Jamil: … Sure. We’ll do it your way.

But first, can we pick up where we left off before?

Silver: With the tale of the hero who saved their country?

Jamil: Exactly, before we were so rudely interrupted. 

I want to learn more about you, since we’ll be watching each other’s backs.

So tell me more about this influential figure of yours.

Silver: That makes sense. All right.

Long ago, there was a hero who took their sick father’s place in the fight for their country.

I was greatly impressed by the tale of their kindness and decided to impose the same training they went through on myself.

Jamil: Wow, really… that’s so interesting…

Silver: Why’re you looking around? Is something bothering you?

Jamil: Oh, not at all. So, what sort of training are we talking about here?

Silver: Firing three arrows all at once to hit the target.

Jamil: Three at once, huh… 

—Wait, THREE arrows simultaneously?! Your upper body strength would have to be nuts to do that!

Silver: Exactly, which is why I’ve yet to accomplish such a feat.

Not that that hero could either at first, but their fighting spirit pulled them through a variety of strict drills.

It’s even said they triggered an avalanche during a battle in the snowy mountains to strike down the entire enemy platoon.

All without magic, of course. Legend has it they used nothing more than their bare hands.

Jamil: That’s IT?

Silver: Apparently they were almost buried alive by snow themselves, but narrowly escaped by rushing away on their horse. 

Jamil: It sounds far-fetched, and… well, legends do happen to exaggerate the exploits of their heroes.

Silver: I’ve been training in the Equestrian Club all because of that tale. 

In other respects, as well, and relentlessly. 

No amount of preparation is too much for someone who’s going to serve as Malleus-sama’s guard.

But if I persevere, the day will surely come when I can fire three at once.

Jamil: Aren’t you fairly strong the way you are now… ?

If anything, I should be working out more…

Ghost A: There they are!

Jamil: Ah!

Silver: It’s those ghosts again.

Ghost B: One, two, three… —an ample number of shards to reclaim, dare I say!

Ghost C: We might’ve lost our stash earlier, but Our Esteemed Host will surely be pleased.

Jamil: Heh, heh, heh…

Here’s to a job well done!

Ghost A: Ahh! It’s those living, breathing humans from earlier!

Silver: There’s no need to be afraid. We won’t strike back as long as you don’t attack us.

Cooperate and we’ll promptly return your mirror shards to y—

Jamil: All right, ghosts. Cough up that brand-new batch of shards!

Ghosts: Come again?!

Ghost A: Y-You devilish fiends, stopping at nothing to snatch away our newly discovered share!

Silver: No! I was just—

Ghost A: Your conduct is inexcusable. Prepare yourselves!

Battle occurs.