MTL: uniquegasuki
Editor/ Proofreader: (not proofread)
For some reason, Kurando thought the room seemed wider than before.
As Yukishiro and Kurando sat around the fire, it felt as if something was missing from the opposite side of the fireplace.
Akari had chosen to camp outside with Oofuia (オーフィア) and her group.
Makushiimu (マクシーム) had taken several people with him and headed down the mountain to the village.
Over his shoulder, Makushiimu carried the Atorabashiku (アトラバシク) that the girl’s of 『Maruuna・Niyuumu (マルゥナ・ニュゥム)』 had subjugated. They had 24 hours to pass through the Atorabashiku territory.
Makushiimu sighed as there wasn’t time to take a smoke break; although, Kurando thought it was a good thing that they were putting Makushiimu to work.
As Kurando leaned his back against Yukishiro, he suddenly noticed his loneliness.
He is overcome with feelings of loneliness.
However, these feelings are proof of his freedom.
This is the freedom that he himself had chosen.
While a part of him wished for it, another part of him longed for company.
And as expected, he was unable to let those feelings go.
Kurando couldn’t bring himself to say that the time he had spent with Akari, Iraida (イライダ), and most of all Yukishiro weren’t enjoyable. He just couldn’t.
Yukishiro brushes its tail against Kurando’s cheek.
Kurando made a broad smile and then silently moved his hand to lightly scratch Yukishiro’s throat.
◆◆◆
「Kurando-san are you awake?」 (Akari)
Upon hearing Akari’s voice, Kurando slowly opens his eyes.
Yukishiro who Kurando is lending against, it pretended to be asleep.
Kurando confirmed that is it Akari. She is sitting with her knees to the floor. (T/N: seiza)
He sees Akari’s face being illuminated by the evening light in the background.
「Did you need something?」 (Kurando)
「……well, I wanted to apologize for all that has happened.」 (Akari)
In silence, Akari bowed.
For some reason, Kurando thought Akari appeared smaller than usual.
She was alway small and she always had seemed delicate.
Akari is still about 17 years old. Kurando himself is about 10 years older than her. When they were summoned here, she was maybe 15 or 16 years old.
Although she is a child, in this moment, she left a strong impression on Kurando.
「What do you mean?」 (Kurando)
Akari raised her head.
「You have provided me with shelter. And, you had to put up with being mistreated by the villagers. Not to mention, for my sake, Makushiimu had broken his promise. Kurando-san, Yukishiro-san, I have brought trouble to your everyday life, and so much more……」 (Akari)
Even now, Akari is determined not to cry.
「Well, it couldn’t be helped. From Makushiimu’s perspective, I’m just some random guy who had appeared. If he had to choose between me or you, Makushiimu would definitely pick you, Akari.」 (Kurando)
There is a chance that Makushiimu had noticed the connection between Kurando and Akari. Although, surely, he isn’t aware of the fact that another hero stole Kurando’s ability.
About that, mostly likely, Makushiimu only told Oofuia that Kurando is an abandon child who has been living alongside an Iruniiku (イルニーク). If it is just that then there is nothing to worry about.
「Ah, but……」 (Akari)
「……let us leave it at that. Perhaps it was the only way to save you, Akari. Well, it did bring me trouble, but it is not like I don’t have a way out. Anyways, did Makushiimu mention anything about me being a summoned person?」 (Kurando)
「He didn’t appear to have mentioned it. Makushiimu had probably guessed it, but he didn’t appear to have said anything to Oofuia-san.」 (Akari)
Deep down, Kurando felt relieved.
The fact that Kurando is a summoned person is something that should not be leaked.
It is Kurando’s final lifeline. Who knows what sort of turmoil it would cause in the country if the people of this world came to learn that Kurando is a summoned person who had his ability stolen.
It isn’t that they want Kurando’s ability, but they would use the incident as an excuse to hold contempt against Hayato and the other summoned heroes.
Not to mention, what would happen if the other summoned people became aware of Kurando’s existence?
Either way, Kurando is the most likely to end up shouldering the burden.
Akari looks to Kurando, but to where should her apology be directed?
Kurando speaks up.
「Then, I won’t say to not worry about it. Let it be a promise that you take with you to the grave, ――guard it with you life.」 (Kurando)
Kurando couldn’t tell Akari that it is okay for her to take her own life.
It is not like Akari would wish for such a thing.
To Kurando, Akari would always show an expression that reflected the guilt that she felt. Most likely, she is the type of person that has a strong sense of responsibility.
「Besides, there is nothing wrong with being happy. At least, I’m trying to be.」 (Kurando)
She wiped the tears from her eyes and then made a determined expression.
「Yes. No matter what happens, I’ll keep my promise.」 (Akari)
The young girl seemed to have made her decision and had determined the path that she will be walking.
Kurando found the scene to be extremely radiant.
◆◆◆
「……this may be sudden but, do you mind lending out the bath to everyone?」 (Akari)
「 Umm, while they do have some rations, how about dinner? You see, everyone is worn out after their long trip and Makushiimu won’t be returning with food until tomorrow. So, how about a warm meal……」 (Akari)
◆◆◆
The sun had completely set. Outside the cave, the Earth and the yellow moon shone quietly in the night sky.
Not too long ago, it was noisy on the mountain as they were coming and going from the bath to having their evening meal. But now, it is quiet.
While he stands by the edge of the cliff behind the cave, Kurando is drawing a picture of the moon.
Yukishiro laid across from him.
But suddenly, Yukishiro’s ears showed a subtle twitch.
「Do you mind if I keep you company?」 (Oofuia)
From behind Kurando, a person who is wearing a dark green robe appeared; it is Oofuia.
He gave a slight nod but doesn’t stop moving his hand and continued to draw.
「Is that suppose to be…… the moon goddess Maruuna?」 (Oofuia)
In this world, the yellow moon in the sky looks similar to the moon in Japan. Being overcome with feelings of nostalgia, Kurando continued to move his hand.
With his thin brush, on the leaf paper, Kurando lightly used the ink to draw a picture of a woman and the moon.
The woman in the picture is looking towards the fleeting moon that in the distance.
It is a detailed drawing and yet an abstract picture.
「Light and dark…… it sure is a mysterious picture.」 (Oofuia)
It is not that she is praising it, but rather the picture itself doesn’t have a clear meaning.
Oofuia turned her head horizontally.
「I am aware that we are uninvited guests. I must thank you for being understanding.」 (Oofuia)
The current situation cannot be helped; therefore, Kurando couldn’t get angry even if he tried.
Because there are things he himself is unsure of.
「Well, that is just how things are; it’s just like Makushiimu’s betrayal.」 (Kurando)
「But, that was my fault.」 (Oofuia)
「It still doesn’t change what happened.」 (Kurando)
Kurando spoke with a rough tone, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he is angry.
「……fact can vary from reality.」 (Oofuia)
「Maybe so. However, reality can’t be undone or are you saying otherwise? If so, then who decides how the truth effects reality?」 (Kurando)
「Certainly, that child is rude and doesn’t think before acting. But more importantly, it is regrettable that you have been living isolated on this mountain. Such feelings――」 (Oofuia)
「――it is to the point where I could kill someone, correct?」 (Kurando)
For the first time, Oofuia slightly trembled.
Kurando continued to move his brush and his emotions could clearly be felt.
If Makushiimu had never met Akari, then chances are, he would not have gained Kurando hatred. If only they had not met one another.
Those who are not associated with the heroes or Kurando would probably think Makushiimu is a good guy.
However, Makushiimu’s good intentions were something Kurando didn’t wish for.
As that isn’t the case, Kurando continued to move his hand.
While Oofuia looked to Kurando from the side, she began to think.
For a person who has been abandoned on a mountain, he is affluent in language and is able to draw pictures; he shows a certain level of culture and education. Could he be royalty or nobility that had escaped from some internal dispute; or, is he a high-class runaway slave?
In the major powers on Eripusu (エリプス), slavery has been abolished. However, slavery still remains in small and poor countries.
But, when she thought about, Oofuia found that the pieces didn’t quite fit together.
「Then, how long do you plan on hiding away from rest of the world?」 (Oofuia)
For the first time, Kurando lifted his head to pet the purring Yukishiro.
「Are things really fine as they are?」 (Oofuia)
If Kurando wants to stay with Yukishiro, then he has no choice but to stay on the mountain.
Oofuia understood this. It could be said that that was the reason why she came here.
Kurando suddenly remembered. He looked to Oofuia.
「Ah, that’s right. While it was a verbal agreement, it was a life and death matter and that bastard Makushiimu, at his own convenient, he had broken his promise to not tell anyone about me or Yukishiro.」 (Kurando)
As he said this, Kurando realized why he was so troubled.
Kurando was concerned about what would happen after the promise was broken.
Someone who would break such a promise is without a question an enemy that Kurando would want to kill.
That would be the expected result.
But the thing is, one reason kept Kurando from trying to kill Makushiimu.
Despite Makushiimu breaking his promise, the person does not act hostile towards Kurando; therefore, Makushiimu is not clearly his enemy.
「……alright then, let us make a promise. I, Oofuia・oru・vuerude・va・kuuufuorunia・eruioaru (オーフィア・オル・ヴェルデ・ヴァ・クゥウフォルニア・エルィオァル) of the blue forest tribe, swear on the name of the moon goddess to protect my promise for the rest of my days.」 (Oofuia)
Oofuia closed her eyes and then recited something.
≪ DDetta liv är Tsukiyo oavsett vad, att de inte bryter eden. Vem hans oavsett hur fiende dock är denna kropp huggen, även kommer att bli smutsig, min orubbliga löfte. ≫
<>
It was an elven vow.
「Will this be alright?」 (Oofuia)
Kurando doesn’t know what was said, but he had a feeling that she would keep her word.
And thus, Oofuia showed the same expression that Akari had previously shown.
「I don’t quite understand, but it’s good that you are willing to keep your promise.」 (Kurando)
「I never thought that I would end up saying such things in my lifetime.」 (Oofuia)
Oofuia made an off-handed chuckle.
「You see, such words, they are occasionally used with marriage vows. Fufufu.」 (Oofuia)
Kurando made a blank expression.
「Well, my face isn’t as youthful as it used to be. Please, do not stare so much at my wrinkly brow. Anyhow, this is my apology. I was the one who made a request to Makushiimu. So, please accept this as a token of my apology.」 (Oofuia)
Oofuia presented Kurando with a ring the same color as her dark green robe.
Kurando showed no interest in the ring and waved his hand.
「This is proof of being a member of 『Maruuna・Niyuumu』. There is also one for Yukishiro.」 (Oofuia)
Like a drop of morning dew, the dark green rings are placed on Kurando’s palm.
「Fufu, if you have that, there won’t be a problem with having a large magical beast such as Yukishiro accompanying you around town. Anyone who objects would be making themselves the enemy of 『Maruuna・Niyuumu 』 and the hunter association.Fufufu.」 (Oofuia)
Oofuia laughs and shows an expression of an experienced chief.
「However, don’t go strutting around the streets of Dorugan (ドルガン) as Iruniiku is quite famous around these parts. Although, just in case, I will teach you an autonomous illusion magic. This isn’t a deal but rather an apology, okay.」 (Oofuia)
「……why, are you doing this?」 (Kurando)
At last, Kurando voiced his opinion. He is doubtful and wonders why she would go this far for him.
Oofuia spoke.
「As the moon goes round, we continue our journey.
As the attendant of the goddess of the hunt, we hunt.
All the while, we take along with us women who are troubled.
Although it may not be welcome, nevertheless, we wish to protect them.
You see, because Diantia (ディアンティア) has the appearance of a monster, even now, she faces discrimination. As a result, Diantia has suffered from all sorts of cruel treatment.
As for Arii (アリー), her husband was a violent man who beat her. You see, she was from a country where divorces are prohibited.
If you think about it, despite it all, people must continue to live from day to day.
Men, they too suffer from such things.
For example; they can suffer from discrimination, slavery & exploitation, fighting & war, and having to kill one another.
You also give off that sort of feeling. Do you too not suffer from something?
You see, that is why I came here.」 (Oofuia)
Her words were mesmerizing and her speech was captivating.
「Well, sorry for intruding.」 (Oofuia)
After she gave her parting words, Oofuia left.
As Kurando grasp the dark green ring, he continued to draw.
He thought to himself.
Kurando pondered about what he wanted to do.
In this world, he can already survive.
The question is, what will he do afterwards.
Kurando fiddles with the dark green ring in his palm.
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