Editor's comments and actions are denoted by [brackets]. Sound effects are written {like this}. (Parenthesis) indicate side notes in the dialogue bubble or the mangaka's note. And finally, italics are thoughts.

Turn of the Century, Paris, France. Elite Parisians attend a party.

Woman: KYAA My pendent's gone~!

Woman: AHH~ Mine, too!

On top of a building, a dark haired man wearing a flowing cape and a top hat flees.

Voice: There he is, over there! It's the Masked Noir! AFTER HIM---~~ AFTER HIM---~~!!

{sound f/x ni: Noir smirking}

In a lush sitting room, Noir lounges on a chair, a necklace dangling in his fingertips.

Noir: Beauty is proof of the devil. I don't need things that don't fall to a tragic fate. ---Yes... Like for instance, diamonds--- The more beautiful they are, the more filled it is with a blood-soaked history, a cold wall of light that refused someone, the more the brilliancy grows---

Beginning of the 20th Century ---- Paris

At a massive estate, men move seemingly priceless pieces out of the mansion.

Man #1: Wo-w, check out this ornamentation! It's from the time of Louis the 14th!

Man #2: Huuh, even the stuff that these true nobles own is completely different from ours, huh.

Boss: Hey, shut your mouths and move this stuff quick.

Man #1: Right right.

Boss: Well then, Madame, I'll deposit the money for these goods in the same bank as usual.

Inside of the house, an older noble woman replies calmly as a servant woman sobs behind her.

Madame: Yes, I thank you, Monsieur Caper.

Servant: [sob sob] This is heartbreaking, Madame...

Caper: [tipping his hat] Nice doing business with you.

Madame: ......

Mssr. Caper leaves the estate, followed by his men.

Caper: The fallen nobles are really pitiful folks. They keep up everything for pride's sake, but it costs them. Well, they're good customers here.

Back in the estate, the noble woman of the estate breaks into tears.

Madame: How pitiful. A true noble line, related to the Bourbon reign, we Rocheforts... How can I live, selling ancestral furniture and heirlooms to that humble little family...!

A young blond man enters the room.

Youth: Mother-- Just now, I saw Monsieur Caper at the front of the estate. Is that why you're crying?

Madame: Ahh, my adorable Florian. Don't worry about anything. You're my pride, your platinum blond hair ---and your amethyst eyes. You're the splitting image of your father in his youth. I know it's meaningless to say, but if only he were still alive...

Florian: I'm going to work. ---Please don't lose heart.

Madame Rochefort is horrified by Florian's suggestion.

Madame: "Work"... did you say "Work"!? Like a commoner!?

Florian: Mother!

Madame: I'd rather starve then endure such a disgrace! Have you forgotten the pride of your noble blood? In that detestable Paris Commune, the Rochefort household had almost all of their assets stolen away...! Your father suffered for a long time under the wounds from that time until he finally died-! Ahh, even thinking about it, it was so cruel!

[The Paris Commune occurred in 1871. Long story short: The Franco-Prussian War was lost. The National Guard wasn't disarmed. The government fled Paris. Parisians ruled their own democratic Commune until the government finally came back. Depending on who you talk to, it's an example of true democracy. To others, it's an example of mob rule. This has been your history lesson for the manga.]

Madame: I will not except the era of the commoners! No matter what you say to me, it won't change the way that we live! This is a matter of pride!

Florian: ---Then... what should we do? Please think about our real problems.

Madame: That's enough. I'm tired. I'm going to rest.

Florian: Mother~! If that's how it is, then you should sell the 120 carat diamond! Sell the Rochefort family heirloom, "The Flame of Magar"!

{sound f/x bashi: Florian's mother slapping him hard across the face}

Madame: [shaking] Don't, Don't let me hear something like that come out of your mouth again!

Florian: I'm sorry. ---Mother...

Madame: Florian.

Florian moves towards the exit, but his mother's words stop him.

Madame: Tomorrow, I'm throwing an evening party. People must know that this Rochefort house is still doing well! You will come, too.

{sound f/x nikkori: Madame Rochefort's smile}

Madame: I like you in that white military dress.

Florian lets out a long, pained sigh.

Florian: I understand. It's useless talking to this person about real problems, anyway.

Servant: (What's wrong, Young Master? Your face has this blank expression...)

Florian: (I've become really idle, haven't I---)

{sound f/x ki: squeak of tires}

The next night, a small car rolls up to the Rochefort estate. Inside sits a young girl and a man clad in Arabic-looking attire.

Girl: Ooo-wow--- What an amazing estate, huh, Noir.

Noir: Don't speak so loudly, Laila. And besides that, I'm Rei. Rei Balzac Courland.

Laila: [frowning] You don't look like someone who'd have that kind of long name. (Noir suits you just fine.) Besides that, doncha kinda stand out in that outfit?

Noir: It's fine. I won't take anything today. You're my servant. Be a good girl and wait.

Laila: Mou~ Noir, you stupid little idiot!

{sound f/x sa: sweep of Noir's robes}

Inside, at the fancy dinner party, Florian pouts in one corner, clad in a white military uniform.

Florian: The candle's flame. The sound of champagne glasses. The stir of noble couples. The smell of perfume. People inside of the ostentatiousness, recalling the luxury of long ago. They feel they have security in land and possessions--- even though it's not like this lifestyle can continue forever...... But Mother has to keep up her so-called noble pride. Because there's nothing else to support her.

{sound f/x sawa: murmuring in a crowd}

Noble: Hey... look at that.

Noble: Who is it?

Noble: Oh, my.

{sound f/x ya: click of heels}

Noir, dressed like a noble sheik, stalks into the room, much to the shock of many of the gathered French nobles.

Florian: An Arab---!? Why is someone like that at Mother's evening party!?

Noble Woman: Oh, my... You are Count Courland! You have quite the exotic attire today, don't you!

Noble Man: For a moment there, I was surprised.

Noir: This is my formal dress. ----Excuse me.

Florian peeks out from behind a curtain to find Noir staring at him.

Florian: What's with this man. Just... staring at someone's face. !?

Noir suddenly swoops in on Florian, cupping the side of his face.

{sound f/x gui: Noir grabbing Florian's face firmly}

Florian: Wh...!

{sound f/x bashi: Florian slapping Noir's hand away}

Florian: How rude! Who are you~!?

Noir whistles as he rubs his red cheek.

Florian: You're a pretty high spirited young man. Pardon me. You have quite beautiful amethysts. [In case you're forgotten, he's referring to Florian's amethyst colored eyes.] I wanted to touch them and see if they were jewels or the real thing. You know, I quite love unique jewels. (Ha-ha-ha-ha...)

Florian shakes in anger and sticks his tongue out as Noir wanders off.

Florian: Why would anyone's eyes be jewels!? (Look, I can even do this and they don't fall out! Look, look~) [In Japan, there's a pose that's usually accompanied by the sound f/x "bee-da" or something similar. It's a kinda childish, mocking thing, like blowing a raspberry at someone, that involves sticking your tongue out, putting a finger below one eye, and kinda tugging your eye open a bit. That's what Florian's doing, which is why he's making the comment about his eyes as well.]

Woman: (Florian-sama...)

Noble Man: You're thinking, even if he's on the very edge of our family, is he really related to me. Really, it's a complex feeling. Don't you think so, Florian?

Florian: Uncle Morris. That man's a relative!? What's the meaning of this, Uncle?

Morris: Ahh, that's right--- He's been in Casablanca for a very long time. It's understandable that you don't know. He's told me that his father was Arabic. It would be strange for a pure noble like you to come in incontact with him.

Florian: Why did Mother invite that man!?

Morris: Well... He's the richest man in good society. There's a rumor that he's involved in some nasty usury... [A classier way of saying, "loan sharking."]

Florian: USURY...!

Morris: No offense meant to your family, but there really isn't anything else that you can exchange for money---- besides that. I wonder if your mother has finally made up her mind...

Down the hall, Madame Rochefort stands next to Noir.

Madame: Florian! Florian!

Florian: [shaking head] I don't think that's it. In my mother's heart, she treasures that heirloom more than the king.

Morris: You're also going through tough times, aren't you. If it's all right with you, I'll be your strength any time.

As Florian walks off, a striking blond speaks up.

Woman: "I'll be your strength any time"... huh. You're also involved in quite a gamble. You're dirt poor, aren't you, Morris.

Morris: [smiling] Speak for yourself, Manon.

Outside, Laila yawns broadly in the car. Before her eyes, a ruby necklace suddenly appears.

{sound f/x jara: heavy jingling}

Laila: !? Wo-w, it's full of huge rubies~! Didn't you say you weren't going to take anything today?

Noir: (It's just habit.) Sorry I made you wait, Laila. Let's get going. It seems that the thing I'm looking for isn't in this mansion.

Laila: Huh? Then, the information was fake.

Noir: No. They must be hiding it somewhere else. It's pretty defenseless here.

Laila: Let's let Hassan check out the information. We're on fire all of a sudden! It's 'cause it's a 120 carat diamond, huh!

Noir: When you're only getting scraps, it's not fun. We'll have to work slowly. ---Besides. I found some jewels I'm interested in instead.

Laila: Jewels you're interested in?

Noir: Two amethysts unlike anything else in a world. I want to make those haughty, glittering, violet eyes submit to me----

Later, Noir meets with Florian and Madame Rochefort. Noir, dressed in a suit, sits in a chair and smokes as the others speak with him.

Noir: And so... you don't have anything else left that you can use for collateral?

Madame: No... Therefore, I'm asking you due to our blood connection. I'm not saying... that it should be free. We've borrowed money from the national loans...

Noir: I'm not interested in those kinds of things, Madame Rochefort. A simple slip of paper will do for me.

Florian: Yesterday's Arab outfit was bad enough. (He looks really full of himself.) But I'm even more sick of him looking like this.

Madame: But if that's so, then how will......!

Noir: I have checks right here. Simply write what you want on it and you shall get it.

Madame: My...

Noir: In return... will you give me your son?

Florian: Wha...

Madame: Do... do you think that we would accept that sort of request...!?

Noir: It doesn't concern me in the least if you accept. You're the ones in trouble, not me, correct?

Madame: [looking faint] Please leave, this discussion is...!

{sound f/x fura: Madame Rochefort trembling}

Florian: Mother!

Noir: Or. I've only heard about it, but, in your family there is supposed to be a great jewel that is related to the royal family--- It's said to be 120 carats. It's too much for this family, isn't it. It wouldn't matter to my house, however. If you take into account both your vain son and your heirloom diamond, then---

Madame Rochefort is overcome by shock, unable to move or speak.

Madame: (ahh...)

Florian: PLEASE STOP! WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT DIAMOND! I'll go!

Florian slams the checks down in front of Noir.

Florian: You can decide my worth, Rei Balzac Courland!

{sound f/x ban: slamming sound}

Noir inspects Florian coolly.

Noir: Well then, we have a deal.

Florian and his mother hug each other.

Madame: Florian...

{sound f/x za za: sound of blowing wind}

{sound f/x ka: crack of lightening}

At Noir's mansion, Noir and Laila sit down to dinner.

Noir: [brooding] Why won't Florian come down to dinner!?

Man: Ever since he came to the castle, he's locked himself up in his room and won't answer anyone. Even though you've been so good to him, Boss.

Noir: [fuming]

(In his mind, it's like "Beauty and the Beast".)

Laila: [looking bitter] Well, after all, living amethysts are like that. Laila thinks there's something wrong with Noir, too.

{sound f/x ban: Noir slamming his hand on the table}

Upstairs, Noir pounds on Florian's door.

{sound f/x dan: Noir's pounding knock}

Noir: Florian, open up! If you don't open this door, I'll break it down!

{sound f/x gii: creaking of a door opening}

Noir: Come downstairs. You haven't had anything to eat or drink for two days.

Florian: I won't take any charity from you.

Noir: It's not charity--- It's an order. Come, Florian.

{sound f/x gara gara: rolling thunder}

{sound f/x pui: spitting sound}

Florian spits in Noir's face.

Florian: I don't listen to the orders of commoners.

Noir: You don't understand what kind of position you're in right now, do you.

Noir smiles dangerously.

Noir: Perhaps I should remind you? (Hmph--)

Elsewhere, Laila and one of Noir's servants watch nervously around a corner. In a darkened room, Florian is chained to a pole as Noir whips his back.

{sound f/x bishi: whip crack}

Florian: !

{sound f/x zuru: Florian slumping in his chains}

{sound f/x bishi}

Noir stands over Florian's body, slumped face-down on the ground.

Noir: You're stubborn. But in time, that stubbornness will become your enemy.

Florian: [struggling up] You bastard, who are you...

Noir: I'm your relative, Rei Balzac Courland. However, people in the streets call me this: "Noir".

Florian: Noir... That... masked robber everyone's talking about!? This man's...! [trembling] I'll see you hanged...!

Noir: Just as I thought. Can you do that, I wonder. Tie him to the wall.

Two of Noir's men pick Florian up, chaining him upright against one wall.

Noir: I have something I want to ask you. If you answer me honestly, no further harm will come to you.

{sound f/x gui: Noir grabbing Florian's hair}

Noir jerks Florian's head up and holds a knife to his cheek.

Noir: Where is "The Flame of Magar"?

{sound f/x fui: Florian quickly turning his head away}

Florian: !

Noir begins slowly dragging the point of the dagger through Florian's shirt, cutting a line into his chest.

{sound f/x suu: slow movement of the knife}

Noir: I've long been pursuing its whereabouts. The diamond that suddenly vanished from human sight after the French Revolution. During the Paris Commune, your estate was run over by members of the Blacky Faction. That was also in order to search your place, wasn't it.

[I had no idea what Noir meant by this, but Raine-san suggested that it refers to the anarchist Black Flag which is believed to have started in the Paris Commune, and would be understandably interested in storming the estates of the rich and powerful. You learn something new every day.]

Noir: Now then, boy, where are you hiding it?

Florian: I don't know!

Noir: Even if... something happens to your mother?

Florian: If that happens... IF THAT HAPPENS, I'LL KILL YOU!

Noir turns away from the furiously crying Florian, holding a rose in one hand. Behind him, one of his men cracks a whip.

Noir: I wonder if you'll always feel that strongly. The nobility of the spirit often submits to the pains of the flesh. It doesn't matter. Torture him until he's sobbing and crying, begging for my mercy.

{sound f/x bishi: cracking whip}

{sound f/x bashi: thudding whip}

Noir watches Florian carefully as he grits his teeth against the beatings.

Noir: The more people resist--- As the spirit betrays you, those expressions appear clearly. Even you are like an innocent girl, taking a breath and discovering the mystery, drowning in the darkness of passion. ----Yes... darkness. That's my job, to cover everything and change it into darkness----

[Making sure you know: "Noir" is French for black, darkness.]

Noir: "The Flame of Magar" is the cursed star. Hundreds and thousands who spilled their blood and the redemption of souls drowned in avarice, it yields to no one, brilliantly glittering inside of darkness. I want it, I want just that---- And so, I'll change everything into darkness. Inside of darkness---- [Just making sure that everyone realizes, this entire passage had extremely little to do with the diamond.]

Noir and his men stand over Florian, now laying unconscious on the ground.

Man: He fainted dead away. He's a tenacious one, all right. Even in the end, he didn't cry out once.

{sound f/x harari: light fluttering}

A single rose petal falls onto Florian's cheek. Noir smiles at him indulgently.

Noir: Can't do anything with you, boy. You're quite a guy.

Noir picks up Florian's limp body and carries him away.

Noir: Because that glitter is more beautiful and brilliant than anything else---

Elsewhere, two men appear in shock.

Man: Hey... Look at that! It's a fire! The Rochefort house is on fire!

Part 1a | Part 1b

Manga belongs to Higuri You, Eyes Comics, and Shuueisha, taken from the Gorgeous Carat -Kurayami no Bitoku- manga, ISBN4-8342-6122-0. Not like the story makes sense if you haven't read the manga anyway. Romanized and translated into English very badly by Mina-P, with desperately needed help, as always, by Mako-chan. Any comments or corrections can be mailed to Mina-P at Minako@senshigakuen.com.

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