Twisted Wonderland: Glorious Masquerade - Let the Bell of Solace Ring

Chapter 3-17: Where Shall I Begin...?

Trein remains silent for a little, but then says, "...This is strangely reminiscent of the story of the Righteous Judge and the Kindly Bell Ringer. I'm sure the Righteous Judge was incredibly worried when the Kindly Bell Ringer was trying to avert the catastrophe. But he chose to have faith in his dear pupil and let him go. And so the city was saved. As your teacher and chaperone, I'd much prefer it if you didn't endanger yourselves... But I suppose I must have faith as that great man once did."

"You can rest assured that we shan't disappoint," Malleus says.

"Worry not, Professor Trein, for I shall protect Malleus!" Sebek says.

"Uh, mind givin' us a little of that protection too?" Ruggie says.

"I'm sorry for Sebek's lack of manners. You'll all have my protection, of course," Silver apologizes.

"It's fine. We should all be looking out for ourselves anyway. That's how I prefer it," Jamil says.

Then Riddle says, "If you're worried, Ruggie, you could always stay behind with Professor Trein. None of us would hold it against you."

"Ooh, in that case maybe I should..." Idia says, planning to volunteer.

But Riddle says, "I wasn't speaking to you. As a housewarden it's your responsibility to help!"

But Trein says, "Actually, I'll be going to aid the mages in town once you set off."

"Wait, what?" Idia asks, shocked.

"But the city's overrun with flowers! It's too dangerous!" Epel says.

"Professor, you hurt your back, did you not? You should lie down and put some ice on it!" Sebek says.

"I suddenly feel decades older..." Trein mutters to himself, but then says, "Don't worry. Climbing those stairs might be too much for me, but I can handle getting rid of some flowers."

Then Azul says, "Professor, I know you're quite capable, but I do question whether you'll really be safe in town."

"Hmm. Well, if all of you are that concerned... Grim. Sereia. Tanzanite, Jasper, and Trinket.

"Hm?" Grim questions.

Trein says, "Sereia, since you can change forms, the flowers won't be able to reach you while you're in the water. And Grim—you, Tanzanite, and Jasper are nimble and could easily avoid the flowers. Trinket can also easily dodge the flowers with her flying. I'd like you all to join me in helping the townspeople."

"Aww, man! You're really askin' me? I dunno..." Grim says.

Sereia soon nods with determination, "I'll stay and help in any way I can.

"Yes. We can't allow you to do this alone," Tanzanite says.

"Count me in," Jasper says.

Trinket nods with determination.

"Thank you. I'm sure everyone will be immensely grateful to you," Professor Trein says.

Then turns to Trein, "That just leaves you, Grim."

"Hey, Grim. Are you gonna let the others hog all the spotlight?" Deuce asks, "If all of you help save the city, you'll probably be celebrated as heroes like the Kindly Bell Ringer.

Isn't that right, guys?"

"Sounds about right," Briar says.

Sereia says, "I can hear their cheers now—WOOO! GRIM ROCKS MY SOCKS OFF!"

"You'll be a hero," Jasper says.

"Yes," Tanzanite says.

Trinket nods.

"Mya-hah! Okay, okay, we all know it's true, but you're makin' me blush," Grim says feeling flustered and confident, "Oh, FINE. Guess someone's gotta bail out rickety ol' Trein and my henchmens."

"Hoo boy. So it's either go for the bell or help in town. Both sound rough. In that case, guess I'd better suck it up and stick with Team Bell Tower," Ruggie says.

"Oh, well, I appreciate your change in attitude, but why choose us?" Riddle asks.

"More human shields-ah, I mean, the more people there are, the better my odds of survival are," Ruggie says.

"Heh. Exactly what I expected from you, Ruggie. You never disappoint," Ruggie says in remark.

"Y'know what... I can respect how Ruggie always looks out for Number One. Not looking forward to tangling with those stairs again, but I'm thinkin' along the same lines. Might as well come with," Idia says.

"I'm coming as well," Jamil says, "There's no telling what kind of grief I'd get later if I just stayed here. Besides, I can't let that smarmy villain get away with mocking us like that. Our school's honor is on the line."

"You bet I'm going with the bell group! I don't run from fights. I'm gonna make sure that punk gets it—for everyone he's hurt!" Deuce says.

"Yeah, for sure. He's gonna regret springin' a trap on us! I'll destroy every last firelotus and wipe that smug smirk off of Rollo's face!" Epel says.

"Deuce, Epel—well said. Avenging every insult personally is the Night Raven College way! We shall crush Rollo Flamme ourselves!" Riddle says.

Rook agrees, "Indeed. Let us ring the Bell of Solace and reclaim the beautiful Fleur City!"

"I'm going as well. I can't let Rollo get away with trying to hurt us the way he did. I don't plan on letting his plans hurt innocent people," Briar says.

"...All right, everyone, listen up," Trein says.

With that, everyone gathered around.

Trein explains, "Flamme used the Bell of Solace to propagate the flowers, so there's no way he hasn't considered this possibility. He's bound to be on the top floor of the tower, safeguarding the bell. He's an exceptional mage, so I advise you to proceed with EXTREME caution."

"We're not gonna lose to some grognard mage clinging to an extinct relic of a flower," Idia says.

"Please, don't insult us. Instead, I suggest you begin thinking of a suitable reward for when we all return," Azul says.

"I will put a stop to all his schemes. Heh heh... Where shall I begin...?" Malleus says, "Just you wait, Flamme. We'll face one another soon enough."