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| Land of Dawning– National Museum of Art | ||
Jack  |
Oh, this painting has wolves in the snow chasing an intruder that was romping through their territory. Very brave of them.
And this painting… Ah, it’s a wolf that raised an orphaned baby. Didn’t know one did that.
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??? ??? |
Oho? This is quite the tasteful art piece. | |
Jack |
Oh you're… Malleus-senpai. So, you like this one, too? | |
Malleus |
Indeed. It is truly a scene to behold that I could not help myself stopping before it.
The sight of the baboon walking through the throng of animals, all whom have their heads bowed, is majestic and beautiful… Whatever could they be doing there? | |
Jack |
I think this is… Yeah, a depiction of when all the animals gathered to celebrate the birth of their prince.
The baboon in the center there was respected by all the other animals as a real capable sorcerer.
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Malleus |
True, those with exceptional talents have a charming tendency to attract the attention of others.
And you, Howl, seem to have quite the font of knowledge, with how you to readily are able to answer my queries… | |
Jack |
Heh, I just a thing or two about the history of animals, since I’m a beastman, and all. Back when I was a kid, I’d have a ton of picture books, and I’d hear all about them.
But I think it was the tales of the King of Beasts that really made me actually go to the library and want to study more on it.
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Malleus |
Heh… I’m certain that was the case. At any rate, it sounds to me as though this conversation has lit a fire inside of you.
You seem to have some form of attachment to the King of Beasts. | |
Jack |
I wouldn’t say attachment… I just respect the way he pursued his life. | |
Malleus |
Respect, I see. Well then, have you ever thought of seizing the position of pack leader as the King of Beasts did? | |
Jack |
Nah. I don’t like being part of a pack, and I’m not one for leadership. | |
Malleus |
Oho? I was under the impression that wolves hunted in packs. | |
Jack |
If we have the same end goal, sure, I’ll team up with whoever. But it’s not like I’ll obediently wag my tail for everyone.
A pack leader needs to be wiser and more responsible than anyone else.
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Malleus |
So, you consider “wisdom” to be the key trait of a leader? | |
Jack |
I mean, it’s not enough to just be wise. They also have to be physically strong. There are folk out there that’ll use sly and cowardly methods to do what they want.
If they don’t have the strength to completely crush ‘em down, they’re not worthy of that spot at the top. | |
Malleus |
Heh… You sure do tout some lofty expectations, Howl. | |
Jack |
I just don’t like compromising. And, since these are expectations, there’d be no point into setting them so low in the first place.
Sometimes people say I’m overly conscious, or a pain to deal with, but… So what?
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Malleus |
Heh, I see that you’re a rather stubborn one, Howl. However, I cannot say that pride is a terrible thing to have. | |
Jack Howl/Personal Story/SSR Platinum Jacket
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This story has been fan-translated by Mystery Shop. This translation was based off the scripts from the Japanese version of the game. |
| Happy 100th Anniversary |
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| Land of Dawning– National Museum of Art | ||
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Jack |
So, this museum also has a painting of a young lady wishing at a well, huh.
Back home… I mean, in the Shaftlands, you’d see this pretty much everywhere, but it’s been a while since I’ve laid eyes on one, myself. | |
Malleus |
Hm? Is this painting that well known in the Shaftlands? | |
Jack |
Not really this painting, so much as the actual story behind it. To the point where you’d see artwork based on it displayed all over the country.
You’ll get people tryin’ to make a wish in the well like she does, too.
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Malleus |
You make it sound as though you’ve never wished upon a well, Howl. | |
Jack |
Uh, well… I did try when I was a kid… But only once. | |
Malleus |
Oho, and why was that? | |
Jack |
At the moment I tried to cast my wish, I fell into the well…
At the time, I was a little too short to look over the edge of the well. So, I tried to hoist myself over the rim, but I put a little too much oomph into it.
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Malleus |
What misfortune. However, as you are standing here before me today, I must assume that someone did indeed come and save you. | |
Jack |
Nope, I got out by myself. Luckily, the inside of the well had real blocky walls, so I was able to use them as footholds as I climbed out.
But that definitely wasn’t easy. Back then, I wasn’t training or nothing, so I didn’t really have any muscles, either.
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Malleus |
Impressed…? | |
Jack |
Yeah. I was having trouble just climbing up to the edge of the well in the first place, but then I was able to climb the whole well up to the surface.
I was able to do something that I didn’t think I’d be able to do. That means that any wish can be granted…
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Malleus |
Fufu, you truly found an extreme approach… But I see. Essentially, this incident was not completely misfortunate. | |
Jack |
Yeah, I’d say so. I think I’m how I am now, because of what happened there.
Now that I’m thinking of why I got into all this training, I kind of want to work out now.
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| Land of Dawning– National Museum of Art | ||
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Jack |
The Queen of Hearts, huh… I feel like I see her depicted alongside animals a lot. | |
Malleus |
True. However, that is a rather unusual bird.
It appears to be a flamingo; however I’ve never seen a lime green one in my life. | |
Jack |
From what I heard, in the country that the Queen of Hearts ruled over there were flamingos of various colors, not just pink.
When Heartslabyul do their traditional croquet tournaments, they use magic to color the animals to match this tale. | |
Malleus |
Oho? You certainly know much about this. | |
Jack |
Me and those two from Ramshackle got invited by Ace and Deuce to play croquet with them, so…
It’s just something I heard back then.
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Malleus |
Those in Heartslabyul are quite familiar with croquet. Is it not surprising to lose to them? | |
Jack |
Even if I’ve never played it before, I’m usually pretty good at any sport I try. Only…
The croquet they play in Heartslabyul has real weird rules, and you need to get the animals to work with you.
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Malleus |
Certainly, I would agree that it is a far cry different from what one would consider an ordinary sport. I was also surprised when I first observed it. | |
Jack |
You think so too, right!? It’s just weird, needing to work alongside the animals like that…
Seeing that all the sport-loving types in my dorm haven’t ever played it before…
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Malleus |
I see. So, ever since you lost, you’ve been continuing to improve yourself.
They do say that the languages of smaller animals is rather difficult to absorb. Good for you, putting your all into even a mere game. | |
Jack |
That’s 'cause I don’t want to lose the same game twice. Next time, I’ll make Ace and Deuce lose face. | |
Malleus |
Fufu, I shall hope for your efforts to be successful.
―Well then, I shall make my way to a different exhibit. You should also make an effort to look at some more of your favorite paintings. | |
Jack |
…There he goes. He just does his own thing, huh? I really don’t know what goes through his head.
Well, whatever. I guess I’ll head towards another exhibit too. …Hm? This painting… | |
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Jack |
Ah, a lion prince, and his hornbill attendant. Heh, how can such a pathetic lookin’ lion really become king?
I’ll only ever accept someone strong. If they’re to be king, they need to have the power to crush all greedy and sleazy people down. | |
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