Mephisto 22

MEPHISTO #22

tl by molokidan

6)
Table of Contents

Chapter VI

The Strange Chronicles of Alma
9

1
Painted Hell
9

2
The Golden Figures of the Aztecs
33

3
The Death of a Certain Man
57

4
Trip Game
81

7)
5
Despot
105

6
The Man Who Turned To Stone
129

7
The Nameless Star
169

8
The Day The World Stood Still
205

Afterword
230

9)
Chapter 6 - The Strange Chronicles of Alma

1 - Painted Hell

10)
1: The painting emitted colors more conspicuous than any other piece on display.
2(2b): All people who came to visit the art museum could not keep themselves from coming to a stop in front of the painting, where they would then ponder the meaning of the word "HELL" written below it.
3: When they began walking again, their faces looked like those of people who had just waken up from some horrible nightmare.
4: So creepy...

11)
1: The painting was discussed heavily among experts.
2: "It's a masterpiece." "No, it's trite." "It's beautiful." "It's cursed." "It's suspicious"...
3: It came from a run-of-the-mill old painter who was ignored throughout his entire career, and only fell into the limelight a single time. This painting was a posthumous work of his.
4: That painting was the man's last work before he suddenly disappeared.

12)
1: What is that sound...?
2: Ahhh...that...?
3: They're building an addition on to the studio.
4: Sorry for the noise...

13)
1: They're all so beautiful...
2: Oh really...?
3: The public prefers to call them mundane...
4(2b): Ridiculous...they're quite the opposite.
5: Your paintings are simply too refined for this time period.
6(2b): Thank you...you and my wife are the only people who tell me that.
7: Your wife?
8(2b): Excuse me, but the tea is done.

14)
1: You must be tired.
2: Thank you.
3: How about you take a break as well?
4: It's not good for your body to work too hard.
5: Well, I'll be off now.
6: What a beautiful wife you have.
7(2b): Seems like she'd be a better model than me...hahaha...
8: My wife is an even more pious Christian than I...
9: Nude modeling is the one thing she won't do for me.

15)
1(2b): Aside from that, however, she really works hard for this old man. She also understands my paintings well.
2(2b): The townspeople pry on and on because of our age difference, but...it won't matter what I try and say to people who don't understand my paintings.
3: I...
4: and constantly thanking the God that embodies the bond between my wife and I, and nothing more.
5: My passion as a painter symbolizes the total devotion of my body and soul to the spirit of the Lord.
6: It's like being in a mental state similar to Christ's 12 Disciples.

16)
1: Mmmmm...

17)
1: Welcome.
2(2b): Excuse me...would you mind giving me a bit more sleeping aid?

18)
1: This is really against the law, you know.
2: I am deeply indebted.
3: This worsening insomnia only adds to my problems...
4: Is something wrong?
5: The truth is, I have started on a new piece...
6: A great work that could rival even "The Last Judgment" of Michaelangelo.
7: How wonderful...I would love to see it.
8: I can't seem to move forward, however.
9(2b): The problem is a very important part of the piece: the image of "Hell"...I don't want to make it look too fantastic...
10: I want to paint a perfect image of Hell!
11: There are dealers who have denied me personal exhibitions due to the religious imagery in my work being too strong...
12: And other critics laugh at me, saying I'm only emulating the religious paintings of Europe...

19)
1: I want to create something that will wipe those smirks off their faces...
2: A genuine Hell, that greatly exceeds the imagination of humanity...
3(2b): If I could see it right before my eyes, it'd be perfect, but...to be honest, I don't think it's going to happen...
4: How lamentable...
5: It doesn't seem like I will be able to break through this wall...
6(2b): Alright then...I'll show Hell to you.
7(2b): Hahaha...it's not nice to tease your elders, now...
8: Wait just a moment.

20)
1(2b): Oh, enough with the jokes...what are you saying you can do with something like this...?
2: Can you promise not to regret it?
3: Within this crystal, you will see the Hell you seek.
4: Even if it greatly changes your life,
5: can you promise not to regret your decision?
6: I promise...
7: Then, by my guest...

21)
1: Ohhhhhhh...
22)
1: Is your husband still drawing these things?
2: These scribbles won't earn a penny.
3: Of course not, it's simply what he does to amuse himself...
4: If you don't finish things up soon, he'll run the inheritance dry.
5: Don't worry.
6: The cost for his art supplies haven't put the slightest dent in it...

23)
1: I...got this manor appraised in secret.
2: Even with a low estimation, it's apparently worth 500,000,000...
3: Was that your goal from the start?
4: What was yours?
5: Me? Or...
6: Money?
7: Fufufu...

24)
1: Ahhh...

26)
1: Yes?
2(2b): Once you make some tea...come to my studio at once.
3: Ooh, how unusual!

28)
1: Nnnn...
2: Huh?!
3: Ahh...
4: Dear...
5: What are you doing?!
6: What are you doing with me?!

29)
1: Kyaaaaaa?!
2: Dear!
3: Is this a cruel joke?!
4: What did I do...?!
5: Gyaaaaaaahhh!!

30)
1(2b): Haa haa
2: Haa...

31)
1(2b): I...intended to have no regrets by any means...
2: For I...
3: have no other attachments to this world now...
4: Do you still feel that you are in a mental state similar to Christ's 12 Disciples?
5: As if...
6: Much repentance awaits me...
7: I understand...
8: Allow me to grant your wish once more, then.
9: Just who are you...Alma?
10: Hohoho...

32)
1: "He secretly committed suicide"...was the rumor that passed around, but Alma knew more than anyone that that wasn't the case.

Chapter VI 1 - Painted Hell / End