Illustration Novel 1

**Scent and Memories** is the first release of the Illustration Novel series and features Destiny.
The Novel was published on February 11, 2022, featuring POPQN as the Illustrator for this story.

Read here... (Official Website)

## Translation

When I tipped the teapot over, I was greeted by the sound of hot water dripping into my cup and the rich aroma of tea. Through the rising steam, I can see the city below me. This is the dining terrace of the “Berlin Symphonica”.

The Berlin Symphonica is an underground city that serves the purpose of an escape for human beings from the ground above that became devastated because of the invasion of D2s on Earth. It’s just after three o'clock in the afternoon, as I look up to see the cloudless blue sky and the sun that is setting in the southwest.

This is Berlin, but far underground. The sky is an image of photorealistic perfection, projected onto a huge ceiling. Some call this city, both a living space and a mysterious fortress, “the last hope of mankind”.

**Destiny** "It is… rather peaceful.”

After a small sip of tea, I put down my cup and clears my throat. The last few months have been relatively calm around Berlin, with no attacks by the D2s. The Christmas season has finally arrived and the whole city seems to be in a state of flux.

For the German people, Christmas is a special festival. Christmas markets are a specialty, with pretty decorated stalls all over the city, where you can buy handmade ornaments, sweets, Glühwein and much more. It’s a month full of music and smiles. That’s what Christmas Day was, here in Berlin.

“The annihilation of humankind.”

In a world where these words are flickering around, things are not as they used to be. The devastation on the streets is staggering. But this is a once-a-year festival. I hope that, in a small way, human activity will return and smiles will return to the earth.

Suddenly, behind me, I heard someone is arguing about something.

**Jupiter** “Hey, Fledermaus! That’s my favorite! Give it back!”

**Fledermaus** “That’s a bit rude, isn’t it, Miss Jupiter? Why don’t you have a little mercy on poor me, who is sent to the front during the Christmas season?”

They were Jupiter and Fledermaus. Both of them are Musicarts that belonged to the Berlin Symphonica. Jupiter is a Musicart that is always full of energy, gives courage and momentum to the battlefield. In terms of tea, she would be Assam tea, wields strength yet unconventional at the same time. Fledermaus, on the other hand, is a little more cynical, but possesses a playfulness that gives us a sense of intelligence and leeway. A light spiced tea with a touch of cocoa and cinnamon, that would fit her for sure.

They seemed to be arguing over something like a small bouquet of flowers. I tipped my cup slowly as I looked at the two chattering people.

**Jupiter** “It was given to me by Twinkle Star.”

**Fledermaus** “I’m just borrowing it, I know. But I’m going to battle, and I sure need a good luck charm for that.”

**Jupiter** “Well, yes, but… you don’t need a good luck charm, don’t you?”

**Fledermaus** “That’s right. But I’m not the only one going to the front, there are also the Conductor, right? So I’m giving it to the Conductor.”

**Jupiter** “Gghhh……!”

Jupiter’s brow furrowed and her mouth twitched a little, as if she was made vulnerable to such a comment. The “front” that Fledermaus was referring to must be Austria. We are told that a number of Musicarts and Conductors from Berlin will be sent to the place, which is under heavy attack by the D2s. Fledermaus looks like she gains victory over the argument, sticks out her tongue invisibly and leaves the dining room. Jupiter, somewhat unconvinced, looks resigned and trudges off after her.

I understood Jupiter’s feelings. The war is spreading all over the world and many Musicarts and Conductors are dying on the front line. Especially the conductors who were “mere humans”….

It seemed that some of the Conductors who were about to be sent to Austria were still apprentices, both boys and girls. Some of them are still newly raised into one. It is truly a game of life and death. With Conductors, Musicarts can do more than usual. But the cost of their lives is too much to bear.

I sipped the tea, trying to calm my suddenly ruffled nerves. The slightest whiff of grass and the fresh floral scent brought to mind the back of a Conductor who had passed me by one day and was no longer with us. It seems that scent and memory are linked at a deep level in the brain, and that certain scents can invoke a specific memory. Perhaps it was while I was drinking this tea that I saw the person’s back as they were going to battle.

I just remembered something. It is said that there is a certain Conductor who sleeps in the depths of the Berlin Symphonica. It is rumored that the Conductor is being put to sleep as a punishment for the mischief he has caused the world, or until his time comes when he will have the power to save the world. Some people may laugh at these rumors. But there is something about these rumors that fascinates me. I don’t know why. I don’t know why, but I just don’t think of him as a stranger.

What if the man who sleeps underground wakes up and become my Conductor? I will make him a blend of my favorite tea and offer him a greeting. And a tarte tatin as an accompaniment for the tea.

So that I may always remember him.

May he always remember me.

And I shall call this tea— “Destiny”.

**Unofficial Translation by Rara**

Source: Illust. Novel 1 Translation

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Destiny
* Die Fledermaus
* Jupiter

## External Links

1. ↑  https://twitter.com/ayatakaha
2. ↑  https://twitter.com/poppuqn