Bonus Short Stories
Chronicles of the Great Tiger Kingdom: The Legend of Moumei
The Hammer of the Tiger, Moumei Ryoku, human commander of Fuuga’s infantry. Because he was a huge man who fought by swinging a massive iron hammer, he couldn’t ride a horse or temsbock. Instead, he used a steppe yak as his mount. However, despite his rough appearance, he was a learned man and one of the more intellectual members of Fuuga’s men.
This happened when the Union of Eastern Nations was beset by the demon wave...
It was just after the monsters attacking the Duchy of Chima were exterminated by the combined forces of the Union of Eastern Nations and the Kingdom of Friedonia, and it was decided Yuriga would be going to the Kingdom.
A banquet was being held in Wedan Castle, the home of Duke Chima, to celebrate victory with the kings, dukes, and commanders who had been invited. Moumei had attended as one of Fuuga’s commanders, but he was not a gifted conversationalist and found these sorts of gala affairs to be stifling and awkward.
I’m...not so good with events like this.
His fellow warriors might praise him for the way he wielded a great hammer on the battlefield, but he couldn’t even manage a polite smile in response. (Even if he attempted one, the people he talked to never picked up on it.) This made people think he was in a foul mood, and anyone who passed by to converse him beat a hasty retreat. Moumei’s comrades in Fuuga’s forces understood his personality, but as one of the people who’d distinguished himself in battle, he wasn’t going to be able to hang around only with those he knew. In truth, Moumei was the shy, sensitive type who preferred to keep to himself.
He felt awkward, and left for the terrace with a drink and some food. Once outside, he found someone else had gotten there first.
“Little sister...?”
“Oh...! Sir Moumei.”
It was his master’s younger sister, Yuriga. She seemed distracted, leaning on the ledge of the terrace and looking absently into the distance. Normally, Moumei would have simply paid his respects and moved on, but there was something lonely about the way Yuriga looked, and so he resolved to talk to her.
“Is something the matter, little sister?”
“Oh, um, I just wanted to be alone for a bit.”
“You... You did? Should I leave?”
“No...this is good timing. Could you hear me out for a while?” Yuriga beckoned him, so Moumei sat down next to her.
“So... What did you want to talk about?”
“You know how my brother told me to go to the Kingdom?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I can see his reasoning, and I accept it. With Tomoe and Ichiha there, I doubt I’ll be lonely. My brother says he’ll be busy from here on, so this may be a good time.”
Moumei struggled for the right words to say.
Turning to face him, Yuriga said, “But I’m a little wary. This is my first time leaving the steppes. Will I be able to make it in the Kingdom?”
Yuriga rested her back against the ledge and stared up into the sky. Moumei thought about it for some time, but eventually resolved to speak.
“I must admit...I’m a little jealous,” he said.
“Jealous? Of what?”
“There’s not much to be learned on the steppes, after all.”
Due to the physique he had been blessed with, Moumei had been successful as a warrior, but he also enjoyed getting in touch with how things were like beyond his homeland.
“If I’d had the chance, I would have liked to learn in a larger country too.”
“But you’re a gifted warrior, Sir Moumei...”
“Well...with the way I look, it’s expected of me, and I do find my life’s purpose in fighting. But if I were in the world outside the steppes, I suspect there are other livelihoods I could have found as well.”
“Hmm... I can’t imagine you not swinging around a giant hammer...” Yuriga cocked her head to the side. “What kind of life would you have liked to live?”
“Ah, yes, well... I might have enjoyed raising beautiful flowers.”
“Pfft!” Yuriga burst out laughing at the thought of Moumei as a florist.
Imagining this mountain of a man, who could smash through boulders and fortress gates alike with his giant hammer, taking care of little flowers was so surreal she couldn’t contain her amusement. Oh, but maybe it does suit him... she thought.
She had dismissed it out of hand at first, but when she considered it again with his gentle nature in mind, it seemed oddly appropriate. Like a big bear rolling around a ball.
“Maybe you’d surprise us and it would suit you even better than being a warrior.”
“Ah ha ha... You’re embarrassing me.” Moumei laughed bashfully, not expecting her to approve.
When she saw him like that, the unease in Yuriga’s heart melted away. “That’s right, huh? This is an opportunity... I need to enjoy it or I’ll be missing out.”
“Ha ha... That’s the spirit, little sister.”
“Thanks, Sir Moumei,” Yuriga said, extending a hand to him. “If I find anything interesting in the Kingdom, I’ll send it to you.”
“I-I’d appreciate that. Please do.”
Moumei took Yuriga’s hand gently, so as not to crush it, and shook it.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login