Chapter 59 – Kanon
Like the dungeon entrance, the giant door was decorated with jewels and strange geometric patterns.
As for how large, it was high enough for Waldung to pass through.
Ralph then raised one hand and touched it.
With just a light press, the door began to open noisily.
There was a staircase that stretched upwards, and shone white.
There was something white and spherical floating up ahead. It looked like a cotton ball.
It was clear that if you took one misstep, then you would fall into an empty abyss. And so they walked carefully.
Menew took the lead, followed by Totto, Sety and then Ralph.
When Menew touched the white body, a hole opened up that was big enough for a person to pass through.
When they all entered, the hole closed up again.
The place was familiar to Menew… It looked like the place where he met Seker. It was all white.
Menew had once read a book that said ‘there was nothing’ in the bottom floor of the dungeon.
And how the person was returned to the surface by the divine beast.
If there was no white staircase or white sphere, what was the meaning of all of this now?
“What is this place… It is so strange…”
Totto said as he looked around anxiously. Though they had just entered, there was no wall behind him. He was stunned by the white endlessness.
When Menew was looking ahead, it suddenly appeared.
“Child beloved by god. Welcome.”
There it was. A furry beast with hair that started as white and became a deep green at the edges.
It resembled a wolf, but its tail split into four as they wagged behind it.
“I have waited for you for 23 years. I am Kanon. The lord of Kanon Labyrinth, and controller of wind.”
The beast called Kanon jumped down towards Menew, with a movement so smooth it was as if gravity did not affect it. And then it brushed its nose against him.
It was like a friendly dog, and so Menew reached out and petted the long coat.
“Kanon. I don’t know why. But I really, really wanted to meet you. And so I came here.”
“Of course, you did. God’s beloved child. You received life because you wanted to draw. And so it is no wonder that you would want to see something new. You are fond of wind magic, aren’t you? I have always felt you.”
Something he did not witness in his past life. And in the shape of magic now. It manifested in front of his eyes.
The wind that carried tree seeds, bugs, birds, seasons and clouds was right here.
It was a strange feeling.
The desire to draw. The feeling of being controlled by that need, from the core of his body to the tip of his fingers. And so he hugged Kanon. The fur smelled of the sun.
“Would you let me draw you? So that if I ever need your help, I will be able to remember you clearly.”
“I was looking forward to being drawn with your brush. Now, draw away.”
Man and beast whispered together softly, as if lovers.
The three others were quite left behind now.
“Menew?”
Ralph said hesitantly from behind.
“Ah, sorry. I couldn’t… Uh, why don’t you drink some tea? It won’t take long.”
“Uh, yeah…”
It was always Menew who took out the tea and cups from his pouch.
However, he was now facing Kanon and seemed like a complete stranger.
Even though he had broadened his horizons in this world, and lived more like an ordinary human, it did not mean that his nature had changed.
Ultimately, Menew was like a beast who felt joy in being able to draw. In a way, he was more like Kanon than a human.
When seeing him like this, not only Ralph, but Totto and Sety also felt that something was ‘off.’
That thing that made him fundamentally different from others. What you often felt with a genius or madman. Not good or bad. Just different.
Ralph found himself pulling Menew’s arm. As if he thought Menew would never come back.
“It’s fine.”
Menew laughed as if reading his mind.
“I am me. The one who you scold, who plays with Totto, who jokes with Sety. You don’t have to worry.”
It was the reverse of their usual relationship, with Menew talking as if to a child. He then took his sketchbook and brush and approached Kanon.
Stan flew to Totto’s shoulder.
Ralph kept an eye on Menew’s back as he prepared tea for four people.
Menew opened his sketchbook and then sat down in front of Kanon. And like that, he quietly copied its image onto the paper.
Drawing as his heart dictated.
The first image was Kanon’s profile, which evoked a beautiful forest.
The second was its whole body, moving as if to express the wind.
It was a fun time. His head was empty, and all thought was put into his brush.
He had been like this when drawing in his past life as well. Why the thing he was drawing was there, what was it used for, and how did it move. He could experience it.
His thoughts were far away as he drew. And when Menew finished the last brush strokes for the fur, he let out a deep sigh.
Sweat poured. For some reason, he was terribly tired.
However, he ignored it as he inspected the pictures. Moving them closer and then away from his face while nodding.
“It’s finished!”
He showed the sketchbook to Kanon excitedly. And Kanon barked happily.
“It’s wonderful. I see that I look quite beautiful in your eyes.”
“A wind that carries the harvest. That was what I felt. Golden wheat, and the waves of the sea. I saw you running through it.”
“Oh, oh. Indeed. Yes, that was what I was doing.”
They laughed together, and then returned to the three who were drinking tea.
“Look. This is what I wanted to draw. Why I came here.”
The three took the sketchbook and looked at it carefully.
The profile of a beast of a beautiful forest. The sight of it standing strongly was more wonderful than any painting they had seen.
They were taken in by how life-like it was. And then they returned the sketchbook to Menew.
“And are you satisfied?”
Ralph asked with a chuckle. Menew was happy to see the approval in his eyes.
“Yes!”
Menew nodded happily. And then Kanon pushed its nose towards the sketchbook.
“Now, Kanon and the child beloved by god are brothers. I will lead you like an older brother, and like a younger brother, and project onto you like a younger brother.”
The sketchbook shone, and ‘Lock’ seemed to be cast on Kanon’s page.
This picture will not disappear. Menew felt it. And when he looked at Kanon, it nodded.
“You will now visit six labyrinths, and draw our brothers. And when you are done, the Book of the Dead will be complete.”
“The Book of the Dead?”
“Yes. You must complete the Book of the Dead. Death is just part of the order. You can live because there is death.”
Menew didn’t understand, and his eyebrows narrowed.
Kanon rubbed against his forehead, and then faded away.
“You will understand eventually. Call me whenever you like, brother. Beloved child of god.”
When he came to, they were drinking tea in Waldung’s place.
He didn’t know when they had come back, but then the tea stirred in his cup. Waldung was approaching.
“So you are back.”
“Yes. I met with Kanon.”
“…Met with? Kanon is right there.”
Huh? Menew turned around, and then noticed a long-haired puppy was rubbing against his leg.
It then walked around and stopped on Ralph’s shoulder.
Ralph’s face darkened.
“Hey.”
“Wuff!”
“…Will you take care of me?”
“Go back to where you came from!”
Or look after yourself. He seemed to say. However, Kanon knew which person out of the party was the most reliable caretaker. It was the right decision.
“Waldung, we’ll just finish our tea and take our leave.”
“That is fine. …Menew, my master. I have a request to you, who draws servants of the gods. Listen to me while you drink.”
Menew had joined their circle as Sety gave him tea. She and Totto were still talking excitedly about what had happened.
Menew took a sip and then turned to Waldung.
“Fine. What should I do?”
“I want you to take back my original home.”
Waldung said with a grave expression. The face was troubled, like a rock that was about to crumble.
Thanks for the chapter!