IDOLiSH7 - Observers of the Celestial Pilgrimage - Ch. 20: 1000 Year Slumber

[wishvoyage]

Observers of the Celestial Pilgrimage -Throne of the Stellar-
星巡りの観測者 (Hoshimeguri no Kansokusha) -Throne of the Stellar-
 Chapter 20: 1000 Year Slumber


Vega: ......

Capella: Vega-sama. The twinkling of the stars is as beautiful as ever today.

Capella: Isn’t it about time you wake up? I have so many things I wish to tell you...

(crackle)

Capella: ...!

Vega: ......

Capella: Vega-sama...

Capella: You... Won’t awaken today either, will you...

Curse: You still haven’t given up, have you, Capella. Despite the fact that you’re well aware of the protective barrier that’s formed around Vega.

Capella: You are... You go by the name Curse now, correct?

Curse: Yes. It suits me perfectly, doesn’t it?

Capella: It’s in bad taste.

Curse: Fufu. You’re still at Vega’s side, aren’t you.

Capella: ......It’s my duty as a priest.

Capella: But it’s rather rare for you to come to this great temple.

Curse: Yes. It’s been around 10 years, hasn’t it?

Capella: Longer than that. That's how long it's been since the war between Alba and Eterno began.

Curse: To me, three or four years pass in the blink of an eye.

Capella: ...Yes, that’s true.

Curse: Whenever I visit here, it’s always so quiet. It almost seems like a lie that the world could crumble around us.

Capella: ......

Capella: If you’ve returned, then the time must be close.

Curse: Yes.

Capella: Not long ago, I received a message from Bestia about the shards of the Star Gem.

Capella: It seems that Carnelian from Alba is trying to make the Star Gem whole again.

Capella: Before long, I’m sure they’ll come to take our shard from Mistero as well.

Curse: ...The shard from Eterno has already fallen into Carnelian’s hands as well.

Capella: What?!

Curse: My role will soon come to an end. I must make a decision using my own hands.

Capella: Then you...

Curse: Yes. I made up my mind long ago. Although it took some time to decide.

Capella: ...I see.

Capella: It’s been 1000 years since the Day of Origin.

Curse: In the days leading up to this, I traveled about the stars, observing the activities of many people firsthand.

Curse: Humans are beautiful creatures. They hold hands and coexist, sharing a small piece of bread between each other.

Curse: On the other hand, humans are foolish, irredeemable beings.

Curse: They argue due to their own desires, scrambling to take that small piece of bread for themselves. When faced with great power, their small good deeds are meaningless.

Curse: Just once, I found something that resembles what people call hope. (1)

Capella: ......

Capella: You see through everything. When you put it like that, such a conclusion can’t be helped.

Curse: You won't tell me to reconsider?

Capella: No, for that is the duty that Vega-sama entrusted you with.

Capella: If that is what you have decided, I will abide. Moreover...

Curse: Moreover?

Capella: ......If the world were to end like this, I would not mind.

Curse: My. What a thing for Mistero's priest to say.

Capella: As an priest, I will fulfill my duty and protect the Star Gem. I will not let Mistero’s shard fall into Carnelian’s hands.

Capella: Even if the world falls to ruin, I won’t let our shard of the Star Gem be taken by anyone.

Curse: More than the result, because it’s your duty?

Capella: Because it’s the duty Vega-sama bestowed upon me. No matter what, I’ll abide by his word.

Capella: Therefore, that is my simple sentiment.

Curse: Sentiment?

Capella: ......1000 years is far too long.

Capella: From now until the unseen future, for however extraordinarily long it may be, I will continue to watch over Vega-sama at his side. If the two of us were to go down in ruins together, it wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Curse: Fufu. That is quite a personal wish.

Capella: I suppose so.

Capella: Even still, the sleeping Vega-sama is so calm, yet I somehow sense a sadness in him...

Vega: ......

Capella: Though Vega-sama was given a duty with such great weight, he would always smile so kindly.

Capella: Even now, the way he called my name in such a gentle voice still echoes in my ears.

Capella: I wonder, how long has it been that smile clouded over...

Curse: Vega-sama was far too kind.

Curse: As the Protector, he broke the Star Gem despite knowing that he wouldn't remain unharmed.

Curse: And because of that, he’s been asleep for 1000 years.

Capella: ...Even after all of this time, he may still be suffering on his own.

Capella: I’m frustrated that I can’t do anything more than watch over him...

Curse: Did you hear Vega’s wish?

Capella: ...Yes. I did.

Capella: Vega-sama was someone filled with wisdom and kindness. Neither with his wish or his duty did he ever make a single mistake...

Capella: And yet... Why, why was he left to suffer all on his own?!

Capella: Why was he burdened with all of the sadness and hatred on his own to the point that he fell into a 1000 year slumber?!

Curse: You wish to save him from the anguish, don’t you.

Capella: Isn’t that obvious?!

Curse: ......

Capella: ......Please forgive me for raising my voice.

Curse: ......Fufu. You haven’t changed at all.

Capella: I have not. I believe that Vega-sama was correct.

Capella: ...Even though Vega-sama often doubted himself.

Curse: ...I see. I understand those feelings to a certain extent.

Capella: You understand my feelings? You?

Curse: Is that strange?

Capella: ......No, please excuse my rudeness.

Capella: You’ve always appeared to be the type of person who couldn’t understand or had no interest in the feelings of humans.

Curse: ......

Curse: That’s true. Until now...

Curse: Maybe it’s because I was trying to emulate humans. But now, I feel like I understand the sentiment you mentioned before.

Capella: ......Maybe you too have found something to believe in

Curse: Something to believe in...?

Capella: Could it be the thing you found that resembles hope?

Curse: ......

(To be continued...)


TL notes:

Leave me here to sob grossly on the floor.

1. The word used for hope here is 希望, so it isn't the same as Hope's name. However, the parallel is definitely intentional!

Thanks for reading! ♡