Knights & Magic - Volume 7 - Chapter 90

Knight’s & Magic Vol 7 Chapter 90

Chapter 90 The Giant’s Nation

Beyond the Fremmevira Kindom, there is a vast woodland that covered the east side of Zetterlund continent. That forest is known as ‘Bocuse Sea of Trees’.

There are no humans that rule over this vast forest – only countless demonic beasts who have many power struggles to keep their own land.

The ‘Silhouette Knight’ – humanity’s greatest weapon, is a giant knight crafted from steel.

In the past, many people attempted to use the power of Silhouette Knights to unlock the path into the forest. But their ambitions perished after facing the enormous demonic beast who roamed inside the vast forest.

Since those failed campaigns, no one has been permitted to enter the Bocuse Sea of Trees. Furthermore, the forest has now become a symbol of dread and terror.

Amongst thick and dense trees, there were two giant beings walking.

Their height reached to a maximum of 10 meters. Although every living being that was in the forest were considered without exception as demonic beasts – the size of most of those beasts were categorized as ‘Duel Class Demonic Beasts’.

Utilizing the super physical power known as ‘Magic Phenomenon’, the demonic beasts can support an enormously huge body while also increasing their destructive ability.

But the two walking giant beings were unlike the forest’s demonic beasts.

After all, they were wearing ‘Armor’ that were made from demonic beast’s leather and bone. Behind their armor, there were absurd swells in their muscular body, moreover they were stepping on the ground using their two feet.

Yes, these two massive creatures that were shaped like a human – these two could be labelled as “Titan”.

There was a large beast trail caused by the myriad of duel class demonic beasts that were active in the forest.  These two titans were walking on the gap that were stamped on by the tracks of an enormous beast that had passed by previously.

One of titans was wearing a demonic beast skull as a helmet, and within the helmet, there was one huge eyelid that was looking around.

As the titan moved forward cautiously, there was a primitive axe that was made by combining a stone with a huge log in its hand. Even though the axe was worn-out, it could still demonstrate great power through the axe’s weight.

While the other titan had different characteristic from the one-eyed titan.

It had a large body that was full of vigor and strength, wearing more complicated armor which was decorated by lots of fur in some places.

The biggest difference between the two titans was behind their helmet. There were additional small eyes than the one-eyed titan.

In short, he is the ‘Three-eyed Titan’.

While the one-eyed titan regularly looked around cautiously, the three-eyed titan moved forward casually and without care.

Eventually, the one-eyed titan who had lagged behind slightly, hurriedly increased the pace to regain sight of three-eyed titan’s back.

There was something conspicuous in there. An extended baggage warped by demonic beast’s leather.

While mentioning the contents, the one-eyed titan began to open his mouth.

“・・・Three-eyed Seat (Tertias Okrys) [1], we were lucky this time. Who knows we can obtain stained beast (Cretvastia) [2] husk while still intact”

Likewise, the three-eyed titan still did not look back.

“So dull – the hunt ended without a scratch. I am the one who went to fight. Gathering leftovers was the lower classes’ [3] responsibility, right?”

“However・・・・however it was Cretvastia. When I hear many eyes of Brave (Fortissimos) [4] has fallen into their mouth, as I thought I cannot think other than the hundred eyes (Algos) [5]”

At last, the three-eyed titan started to slow down, and then faced the one-eyed titan.

“But, there is something interesting. Someone beside me has defeated Cretvastia. Was its beast? Or human? Eventually a foe worthy of the Fortissimos, surely we will face each other・・・”

The three-eyed titan pursed his lips so ferociously that it looked like a grin, while the one-eyed titan become stiff when seeing that.

The one-eyed titan was just a servant (Almygera) [6] who also cannot display the ragging heart that only the Fortissimos can hold. Because the one who can hold courage is only the Fortissimos.

“Anyway, we must tell the Sorceress (Marga) [7] about this. Let’s hurry”

After he said that, the three-eyed titan hurriedly moved onward, while the one-eyed titan quickly followed after him.

Then after going through the beast trail, they eventually left the forest and went to an open space.

There is a settlement in there. A place similar to them, a settlement where the titans live.

The buildings were arranged side by side and made with timber framing while covered in demonic beast’s leather. There were not many of them. And it seems that it was not too large reminding of their scale. [8]

But there are the sites where the titans live. Of course, every house was massively huge. The source of the demonic beast’s leather that was used for covering was at least duel class or higher. Or they must use that kind of material to support their huge housing.

The two titans that passed through the forest proceeded to the center of the settlement.

In the middle of the route, the titans living in the settlement saw the two, and after calling around the titans gathered in one place.

By the time the two of them arrived in the center of the settlement, they were surrounded by the titans who were living in the village.

Their number didn’t even reach 20 titans. In this small clan living in a village was relatively common for them.

Then the three-eyed titan look at the surrounding, focused his power and raise his voice.

“I am the Three-eyed Seat of Brave (Fortissimos De Terrias Okrys) [9] who has now finished the battle and have returned!”

In response to his proclamation, the villagers who were in the way opened up a path for him.

Behind them, a titan slowly stepped out from the biggest settlement in the village.

Every titan assembled in this place had different appearance.

Most of them had giant figures, well representing their name as titans, but there are also children among them. There were men and women, furthermore there were also distinguishing variations that can be seen among the titans.

The titans living in this place have a constant number of eyes.

There were one-eyed and two additional pair of eyes mixed in them. Only two titan who had three eyes including the Brave (Fortissimos) that had just returned to the village.

And there was a titan who come from the biggest settlement.

Dressed in gaudy clothes that displayed the collected, gorgeous demonic beast material.

In one glance anybody could understand the distinction of that titan because the other titan was wearing clothes that were made from fur and already plain enough.

A lot of wrinkles was inscribed on the face of the titan. Unlike the others, the limbs were too thin to walk. The aged titan looked exactly like how an elderly woman would appear.

However, the four eyes that were buried in the wrinkles stared quietly while deep in the thought.

The three-eyed titan placed his arm and kneeled before her while keeping open only one eye on his forehead.

Beside him the one-eyed titan took similar position and his eyes was not closed.

“The Sorceress of Four Eyes Seat (Marga De Quortos Okrys) [10] I have returned from the battle”

The old woman looks at them with her four eyes and nodded.

“You have returned safely, Fortissimos. Did you fight well?”

“Nay, we do not achieve the victory”

The moment he spoke, the buzzling sound echoed on the shocking truth.

“Then what did you obtain?”

“Please look at this!”

The three-eyed titan presented the load he was carrying on the back. What came out was a long and thin developed horn which was similar to a demonic beast’s shell.

The moment she saw that, a groan leaked out from the old woman’s mouth. The unpleasant sound rumbling among the surrounding titans continued.

“Ooh, this is surely the stained beast (Cretvastia)”

“Did you slay it? What bravery! As expected of our Fortissimos!”

“It was strange isn’t? Why did Fortissimos say it is not prevailed?” [11]

Ignoring the surrounding noises, the four-eyed woman looks at him with intense eyes.

Concerning that, the three-eyed Fortissimos began to explain.

“My Sorceress (Marga). Unfortunately, it was not me who slew this beast. Someone already killed it before we arrived to obtain this from the fallen corpse”

“I see, therefore it was not your victory? But even so, it will not change your determination to fight at all”

He still keeps his posture while resuming his stance.

“Not only that. There is still countless corpses out there, we only brought this one”

The old titan woman slightly extends the wrinkles covering her faces.

“・・・・was it true? I wonder what kind of living being was able to resist this spreading impure calamity [12]. And with that many・・・・”

“I do not know. There is only Cretvastia’s corpse in that place”

When the old woman impulsively thinks over it. The villagers began shivering after hearing those two stories.

“Then, if the Cretvastia has been defeated. Will this be our opportunity?”

“That’s it! Without Cretvastia, we will not afraid of the Rubel clan (Genos De Rubel)!”

“Messenger. Send the messenger to make an inquiry to the new wise man!” [13]

The piled-up enthusiasm was shoved aside when the four-eyed old woman got enraged.

“Silence! I will not allow any reckless movement!”

The old woman struck the ground with the staff she held.

Although the titans calmed for a moment, they started to argue again viciously.

“Now the Cretvastia has fallen, there is no other reason to be afraid of the Rubel clan!”

“It might not be the whole beast. Besides, do not regard your opponent as being inferior to yourself, we are already losing by our number”

The old woman gradually took control of the situation. She carefully chose her words so as not to add fuel to further the debate.

When the titans calmed down, one of them open their mouth and with murmuring.

“However My Sorceress, you might already have known this. They do not befit the throne properly. The previous wise man was not worthy of selection of the hundred eyes [God] at all. This kind of savagery cannot be tolerated. Someday it would be necessary to make the enquiry” [14]

The old woman slightly narrowed her four eyes between the wrinkles, and thought deeply this time.

“Listen everyone. There is no other than me who surpasses the four-eyed sorcerer level. Even if I must sacrifice my eyes, we will not hesitate. But I am already too old. Without eyes [a titan] that can become my heir, I cannot offer my eyes lightly”

The titans correspondingly calmed down as they were reproved.

And then the three-eyed hero [brave] who was quietly listening for a while, begun to stand up and looked at the old woman in ease.

“My Sorceress, we must share this information to other clans. If we ask, their eyes might be opened after that”

“Do not be hasty, Fortissimos. Will you be going to repeat the same mistake as before? Whatever it was by force, we still cannot stop the savagery that Rubel clan has done. Far from that, aren’t we just sticking at each other throat?”

The three-eyed brave is speechless with no words to answer the titan woman.

The enemy of our enemy are allies, he cannot say that nonchalantly. In fact, the bitter history where even if they had joined hands with others they could still not defeat their opponent.

“But, you have your point there. There is someone who caused this to occur, whoever it was, they might not able to keep silent for long. But for now, we must close our eyes・・・・we must wait for the right time”

After the crowd was calmed down by the four-eyed old woman, she grasped the horn with allegiance and told him majestically.

“The Three-eyed Seat of Brave (Fortissimos De Terrias Okrys), I will praise your courage. You must decorate this stained beast’s horn with honor”

“Acknowledged. The hundred eyes [God], be my witness!”

The old woman bestowed the demonic beast horn while the three-eyed of brave received it graciously.

Even thought it was obtained from the fallen corpse, the deed of arm ceremony was acknowledged by exchanging the horn. It was very important for them to decorate themselves with the parts of a demonic beast that was defeated with their own power. [15]

As he gripped the horn, he raised his hand.

“Even though this is what I am got from fallen corpse, next time I will decorate it after taking it down myself!”

With that yell, the titans began to shout each other.

“Fortissimos! Fortissimos! Fortissimos!”

The time he knocks his fist and stomp the ground heavily. The surrounding titan began to shout with joy in every direction.

While the titans gathered and jumped up and down in frenzy, there was a tranquil gaze that kept staring at them.

A human shaped figure who was located in the forest encircling the settlement, while standing in the highest tree trunk.

The two shaped human that were rather far too small compared to those raging titans.

Those two small figures were Ernesti and Edeltrud. Using their skill to hunt demonic beasts as a knight, they secretly follow the titan’s trail after encountering them in the forest.

“W-what is this・・・・that such a thing”

Addy embraced Eru with her arm using all her might.

She was trembled at seeing the spectacle right before them.

“This is truly shocking. Leave aside the giant have a culture to speak・・・・”

Not only her, Eru was also astonished. That reason is.

“・・・・to think we can also ‘understand’ it too”

Eru, as a human, was very different entity than a titan.

Although they were shaped like a human, as long they have knowledge and culture, it’s not strange if they can also speak.

However, the language they spoke was too similar to what Eru had been expecting. Of course, some of it might be wrong but, most of it you can understand it briefly.

“What’s going on!? Who・・・ are they? I thought they might be a demonic beast who were shaped like a human but, it is not・・・・”

Addy was a knight runner who had been on the battle field countless times.

When she was facing the demonic beasts, whatever it was duel class or division class, she would not get frighten by them. Because of their destructive nature, to humans, demonic beast were beyond understanding.

But the scene in front of her was something beyond her comprehension. And the unusual feeling slowly builds up deep inside her.

“・・・In other words, we can converse with them. Then, can they understand us too?”

“Eeh!? Eru-kun, are you perhaps planning to speak with them!?”

Addy become surprised the moment she heard the bizarre words from Eru.

“Just as I thought, we shouldn’t do that before we know if it is safe or not. But, let’s think of it as an option in an emergency situation”

“It, it might be so, but・・・・”

She embraced him tightly instead of replying with the right choice.

While the gust of wind was blowing, Addy was vigorously hugging Eru, in meantime, he was listening to the titan’s silliness.

“Oh, look at that the horn they brought. That is the bug demonic beast’s shell. Ufufufu, so they were called ‘Stained Beast’ (Cretvastia), huh. Ahahaha, surely, I remember that’s my nemesis”

“So you did really hear that・・・・・”

Somehow Addy finally reached her limit and leaked out a long sigh.

“Oh my, Eru-kun! Although they somewhat look like humans, but they were giants proportionately like duel class demonic beast, right? And then they were talking! Isn’t that absurd. Did you even think it was scary・・・ or creepy?”

“Not at all. Now I want to learn them about more. Of course, you need to do that properly, right?”

He was acting usually at this kind of situation, somehow being upset at him become more and more ridiculous.

Thus, without noticing Addy stopped being upset and starting to observe the titan calmly.

“But it is somewhat strange isn’t it? Their words are somewhat archaic, right? Kind of hard to understand”

“It seems they have different linguistic after all, I thought it was the same at first”

After observing them for a while, they seem to begin to scatter around.

Some of them go back to their own settlements, while others head back to work.

After watching all of that, Eru began to fold his arm and think deeply.

“Well then, what kind of approach we need? Even though they have culture, their movements are pretty wild. And a pleasant approach might be impossible after all・・・・”

“Uuu, as I thought you are serious about it, Eru-kun”

“Of course. In this regard, we might be able to communicate with them, and they might have some kind of technology. So we still have hope to have them repair our Silhouette Knight”

Certainly, it would be more efficient if they leave it to those titans.

But it doesn’t mean to abruptly ask to do smithing on the gigantic human shaped demonic beast (guesses) – that would be insane. [16]

In the end, Eru is choosing what would be the best for his beloved Silhouette Knight.

Although, there is a limit in everything but, without that much confidence, it sure would be hard to survive.

Leaving aside the titans’ attitude, Addy begin to tilt her head with anxious looks.

“I wonder if it would turn out well・・・・”

“From the start it would be not good. Even if we fail, we can confirm them as an enemy, so it would not be futile at all”

That was not the problem. As she though that, she immediately gave up on saying that.

Besides, it can’t be helped if she was thinking that it was someone else’s problem. Somehow it was necessary to take action than to do nothing.

“Anyway, we need more information. If possible, we need to know their lifestyle and culture, after that we will decide if we want to negotiate with them or make them an enemy”

“Then, how about we sneak in?”

Eru nods.

“We should not come from the front. Let’s wait for a moment and sneak in at night”

Considering their height difference, it might be not difficult to sneak in. They are already certain to work with the darkness cautiously.

But Addy cannot remove her anxious feeling.

“I hope some of them can do smithing. Moreover, it would be great if they can lend us their power. While at it, repairing Ikaruga might be good too”

In contrast with the unlimited possibilities, Eru was busily thinking a lot of things.

Eventually the sun was setting and the darkness of the night started covering through the forest.

The moonlight began to pour down, with the mysterious howling that goes through the trees.

Unlike when daytime, the nighttime in titan settlement warped in tranquility.

As Eru thought, the titans seem to have the habit of sleeping at night.

There is something like a jet black shadow running around the giant houses in the settlement – Eru and Addy who were wearing silhouette gear.

They were far too small compared to the size of the titan’s house, because of that they were able to move stealthily.

In addition, they were capable of flying around by using enhancement magic, but still it was difficult enough not being able to see clearly in the darkness.

In the end they were sniggling each other in the edge of titan’s house while looking up figuring out the scenery.

“Somehow I feel like a mouse crawling in the house”

“Now then, our objective is not to find some food. However, let’s find any information and as many we can before we got caught”

While Eru was pointing at the direction, Addy began going up using the silhouette gear.

Those two secretly crept into the house where the titans live and were residing.

In the house, no light could be seen – it was completely dark.

Actually, there was a gap at the top, but most of the light cannot penetrate inside the house because it was made using a double structure. Furthermore, the doorway was closed up with a curtain, so even the moonlight cannot past through it.

If those two listen carefully, they can hear the titan’s heavy breathing in the back of darkness.

A normal respiratory sound, it seems like they were already sleep and doesn’t seem like moving at all.

“Buut, can’t see anything”

“Umu, it seems more troublesome than I thought”

The two of them whisper with lowered voice.

There is no light or whatsoever. So, they couldn’t begin their investigation. Nonetheless, no matter how deep the titan’s sleep, they were still hesitant to light a lamp.

Then, their situation now in a deadlock.

“What a blunder, we cannot investigate anything at this rate”

“It is dangerous・・・・・we still don’t know where the giant is too”

It was too dangerous to wake the titan in this darkness.

After trying everything, in the end the two of them give up their investigation and went out from the house.

What’s only left is just an ordinary titan’s sleeping breath.

———that’s what was supposed to happen but, the sleeping titan was interrupted.

Within the darkness, there is a huge presence getting up. It moves like a massive wild beast who held its breath.

At the time, the moonlight caught Eru and Addy who just recently went out from the house.

“As I expected, the giants sleep at night. However, it’s sure hard to find anything without light”

“In the case, how about we sneak in during daytime?”

“Although it was dangerous, it seems there is no other choice. What shall we do・・・then・・・・ah”

That was something Eru planning on what to do next.

Blocking the fickle moonlight, there is a big shadow that cuts out their surroundings.

The two of them look up with their raised faces.

Something very large just now come out from the titan’s house———that was a head.

That head alone able to surpass Eru’s height several times.

A titan, there is no other word than that.

On the face that cast a shadow, the three eyes sparkled in reflection of the ground.

Wilts Fortissimos Terrias Okrys De Caelleus [17], one of the Clan of Titan (Astragali) [18]. The titan frowned when staring at the small creature at his feet.

As if a creature that looks like them but smaller.

He does recognize their identity, and also their ‘owner’ as well ————

“Goblin? [20] Why you are here?・・・don’t tell me you rascal! Aren’t you the goblin that’s kept by the Rubel Clan!!”

“Ehh?”

Even though Eru and Addy heard the titan speak, they didn’t understand what he meant.

Ignoring those two who were still bewildered, the agitated titan quickly grabbed a weapon near him.

“I could see their pained looks losing the stained beast! However, being able to snoop around with a goblin alone, their eyes sure have been cloudy!!”

“No, you are mistaken. I think you got the wrong person”

“Eru-kun!? This is not time to respond to it calmly!?”

A huge club swing down on them when two of them begin reciting each other.

Because of the titan’s huge weapon hitting the ground, a small explosive-like sound echoes around the settlement while the others titan start waking up from their slumber.

TL Note:

[1] 三眼位(ターシャスオキュリス) : Third Eyed Seat (Tertias Okrys) this is something like a title where (三眼) mean three eyes and (位) meaning rank, grade, or seat. While (ターシャスオキュリス) the giant’s name, the romanji should be like this (tāshasuokyurisu), so for the time being his name intonation will be (Tertias Okrys)

[2] 穢れの獣 (クレトヴァスティア) : Stained Beast (Cretvastia), the demonic beast that looked like a bug, able to spray strong  acid that can melt silhouette knight armor. In previous volume Eru and Addy become stranded because of this bug. The giant called it 穢れ (impurity, dirt, contaminated, impure, tainted) and 獣 (beast).

[3]  眼下 : roughly it mean ‘lower eyes’. For giant, this is something like a rank or subordinate.

[4]  勇者 (フォルティッシモス) : Hero, Brave, etc. something like title for a fighter, and same meaning on this (フォルティッシモス) in romanji (Forutisshimosu), so I thought his name would be something like this (Fortissimos)

[5] 百眼 (アルゴス): Hundred eyes (Algos), something like the giant god. 百 (hundred) and 眼(eye, vision, eyeball, eyesight)

[6] 従者(アルミーゲラ): Servant (Almygera), one-eyed categorized as a follower. While (従者) can also mean servant, attendant, companion. (アルミーゲラ) in romanji (Arumiigera)

[7] 魔導師 (マーガ): Sorcerer (Marga), those who capable using magic. (マーガ) in romanji (Maaga)

[8] the original text: 切り拓いた木を骨組みに、魔獣の皮革をかぶせて天幕とした建物が並ぶ。In this word  (骨組み) it mean about (timber framing) and actually it was something more like a tent or pavilion than actual house.

[9] 三眼位の勇者(フォルティッシモス・デ・ターシャスオキュリス): Third Eyed Seat of Brave (Fortissimos De Terrias Okrys), basically combining standing and fighting title.

[10] 四眼位の魔導師(マーガ・デ・クォートスオキュリス): The Sorcerer of Four Eyes Seat (Marga De Quortos Okrys). Have a same meaning like title where 四眼 (fourth eyed) and 位 (rank, grade, or seat). While (マーガ・デ・クォートスオキュリス) in romanji (maaga de koutosuokyurisu)

[11] I’m not sure about this, the original text were「しかし、おかしいではないか。頭角を得ていて、なぜ勇者の勝利ではないという？」

[12] 穢れ撒く災厄: Spreading Stained Calamity, not sure but it was something like that. 穢れ(impurity, dirt, contaminated, impure, tainted), 撒く(scattering, spreading, disperse), 災厄 (catastrophe, hazard, calamity, disaster). Heck, machine translation does it like this (cum-scattered disaster)

[13] 賢人: wise man, sage, saint

[14] original text: (……以前の賢人の問いは、とうてい百眼の選定を満たすものではなかった……) they seem want to complain the wise man who reign now didn’t worthy

[15] 武勲: deed of arm. Or can be read military services, spoil of war. Kind of old fashioned, it seems used a lot in literature before heisei period. Mind me if I wrong thought.

[16] in here Eru and Addy still doesn’t know if they are really demonic beast or not

[17] ウィルトス・フォルティッシモス・ターシャスオキュリス・デ・カエルレウス in romanji (wirutosu forutisshimosu tāshasuokyurisu de kaerureusu)

[18] 巨人族(アストラガリ): Clan of Titan (Astragali). While (アストラガリ) is their clan name

[19] 小鬼族(ゴブリン): Goblin, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goblin) in Japanese they are called shou oni zoku (small orge folk) and popularized by Matsuoka Yuuko