Location: Blanchett Castle

Heathcliff: Hey, is this........ Blanchett Castle?

.........That's strange. I thought I was in the wizards’ manor just now.

Butler: Excuse me, Sir Heathcliff. Sir Heathcliff.

You have a conference on schedule today.

Heathcliff: ...A conference? I wasn’t told I was going to be a stand-in today.

Was there a sudden change of plans? Did something happen to father?

Butler: ............Do you jest? Sir Heathcliff, you were made the master of the family just yesterday.

Heathcliff: Huh? What are you talking about? .....

Butler: I understand you must be feeling unease, but you have a role to fulfill.

Heathcliff: Hold on. I don't understand what you are saying. Father, Father, where is he?

Butler: Stand firm, Sir. The Blanchett family depends on you.

Sir Heathcliff, master of the Blanchett family.

Heathcliff: Huh...?

Location: Heathcliff's room, Wizards' Manor

.............

Oh......... I’m… I’m right here.

What the… So it was a dream, huh...

(I… fell asleep reading the letter.)

(I haven’t slept a wink these days.)

…I wonder, what should I write back?

(I wish I could be of help to Emmett too, just like what father said.)

(What I experienced was merely a dream yet it already stings me. I can’t imagine what he must be going through right now.)

(Having to take over father’s position… I know it’s something inevitable yet I can’t help but feel nervous about it.)

As the scion… what can I do?

Location: Kitchen

The sun shines brightly in a clear sky, watching over a peaceful afternoon.

The kitchen’s livelier than usual today.

Shino: I say pot-a-feu for dinner tonight. Specifically the sweet one.

Bradley: Hold that order for you tinies. Fried chicken is my vote for tonight’s dinner.

Nero: Yeah, yeah, I got it. But what about sage and Mitile? Got any requests?

Akira: Mm, I don’t know… All of Nero’s cooking tastes good so it’s hard to decide.

Nero: Haha, thank you.

Mitile: Well, I… I’d like cocotte!

Shino: Cocotte? Isn’t that Heath's favorite?

Akira: Is there something wrong? You look worried.

Mitile: I just thought maybe if a certain someone ate something they liked, they would feel better. I’ll help with the cooking too!

Akira: Nero, I’m voting for cocotte too!

Shino: ....I’m changing my vote to cocotte. And lemon pie for dessert.

Bradley: Huh? I'm not going to change my vote for the East tinies.

Nero: Give it up already…. Well, whatever. Today’s menu is cocotte, fried chicken, and lemon pie for dessert.

Shino + Mitile + Akira: Yes!

Bradley: Hell yeah.

Heathcliff: Oh, it’s lively in here.

Speak of the devil, Heathcliff walks into the kitchen with a tired expression.

Akira: (I see why Mitile was worried. He seems to be in low spirits.)

Mitile: Ah, Heathcliff! Please look forward to dinner!

Shino: This guy over here thought of having cocotte for dinner.

Bradley: The main course is fried chicken.

Heathcliff: Mm…

In a light mood, Bradley slings his arm around Heathcliff’s shoulder.

Bradley: ......! What's the matter, Eastern little master?

Bradley uses his other arm to hold Heathcliff upright, preventing him from falling down.

Shino: Heath! What’s wrong?

Bradley: Hey, hey.

You’re not so frail as to suddenly wobble over that, aren’t cha?

Akira: Heath, are you alright? Do you feel physically weak?

Heathcliff: No, no… I'm sorry, I'm fine.

I’m just feeling a little woozy over a lack of sleep. I think some coffee would set me right.

Nero: Like hell you're having coffee. Lie down for a bit, I’ll grab you some warm milk to warm your stomach.

Mitile: Oh, and I’ve got some herbs that helped Mister Mithra sleep better, so I’ll give you some too!

Heathcliff: Ah, everyone… I’m sorry for worrying you all.

Mitile: Don’t apologize. We should all help each other out when we’re struggling. You can always count on us!

Heathcliff: ……Mhm.

Shino: Are you still mulling over that letter you got from that one young master?

Questioning looks riddled on everyone’s faces at the mention of a letter. Only Shino and Heathcliff seemed to know what the situation is, and a tense atmosphere settles over the two.

Shino: If you’re so worried about it, I can take care of it for you.

Heathcliff: Don’t say anything rash…! This is something that was taken up with me, so it’s something I have to take care of.

Akira: (Heath’s really been thinking of this, huh…)

Oh, I—

Oz: Vox Nox.

Location: Common Room

Heathcliff: We’re in…?

Just as I was about to ask about the letter, a different room materializes around us.

Mitile: We’re in the common room…

Nero: Hey, hey. I’m still holding the milk.

Oz: …

Bradley: Tch. Oz’s doing again.

White: Oya, looks like he reeled all of you in already.

Oz, Arthur, and White stood with us in the common room.

Arthur: I apologize for the abrupt call. Something urgent came up.

We’ve received a request regarding an incident involving magic in a town located in the East.

With that, I’d like to request the help of Eastern wizards.

White: I just heard about it recently and I had a feeling that three Easterners could be found in one place.

I thought it’d be convenient to simply ask Oz to transport you three here. Not to mention, Sage is with you.

Bradley: Hey geezers, why’d you have to drag me in too? 

You’re just calling for the Easterners, anyway. I’m dipping.

White: Hey, wait up, Bradley. You’re also called here for a reason.

Faust's away. Of course, a substitute is needed.

Akira: I see. It’s an urgent request, so may I hear the details?

Arthur: Of course, Master Sage.

Arthur unfolds the letter in his hand and reads.

Arthur: The location is the City of Truth.

The client is the son of the Lord who rules over the region.

It’s Sir Emmett.

Heathcliff: ….!

Heathcliff huffs out quickly, and the sound is quickly drowned out by the crackle of the fireplace.

Arthur: There are two requests.

“Put a stop to the attacks to our city,” and “find the missing lord.”

Heathcliff: Eh…