Volume 2
Chapter 28
Vowed
Translator : PolterGlast
【Lufoi's POV】
"What?! Our
country has declared war on Yuknited!?"
I couldn't help but
widen my eyes at the absurd statement and leaned forward slightly from my
chair.
"Are you sure
about that...?"
"………Yes, it's an indisputable
fact."
"...impossible..."
I sat back down in my
chair.
"……………Our country
is a small nation. We can't possibly stand up to the great nation of Yuknited.
What is wrong with this country? We have never been this foolish. ………What
happened?"
I racked my brain over
the country's unusual actions.
"I don't know.
But, since things have turned out this way, we have no choice but to return to
Yuknited."
"………And you'll
just leave this town as it is?"
"……………"
When I pointed that
out, the guild master averted his gaze awkwardly.
"The adventurers
caused all this chaos in this town. Are you saying that the Adventurer's Guild,
the source of all these adventurers, will just leave without taking any
responsibility?"
"..."
"That's quite
heartless. Just because it's another country, you're saying it's none of your
business? You've become quite arrogant. If you think you can get away with such
tyranny, you're greatly mistaken───"
"I have a
family."
I held my tongue upon
hearing his confession.
"I have a wife
and daughter in Yuknited."
With his head bowed
and his voice trembling, the guild master still uttered those words clearly.
"I'm already away
from home on a business trip,so I'm already causing trouble for my wife. My
daughter must be lonely too... If I stay here and fight because I have a
responsibility, and if my family is in danger because of it... I... I can't
forgive myself."
"……………"
"No matter who
blames me... even if the whole world condemns me... I will choose my
family."
It was a strong
statement, full of conviction, unlike his weak attitude earlier.
"………You're
choosing your family over everything else, huh. How irresponsible."
"I understand
that it's irresponsible and heartless. In fact, I feel guilty for leaving this
town and pushing the blame for this incident onto the Gilmberg family."
"Wait. Why does
the Gilmberg family come into this?"
"………Actually,
about this incident, I don't know where it came from, but there was an opinion
that 'the adventurers rioted because the Gilmberg family did something
again'."
"………What?"
"The Gilmberg
family's reputation had already plummeted to rock bottom and trust in
adventurers as guardians of the city instead of the nobles was overwhelming.
That must have fueled the rumor. As soon as that opinion came out, others
seemed to agree immediately."
"………!"
What the heck...!? My
head ached at the townspeople's naive behavior.
Even if something had
happened to the Gilmberg family, why would that be a reason to riot? Even if
there was something wrong with the nobility, it wouldn't be a reason to hurt
the common people. Besides, if they had a grievance against the nobility, they
would normally go to the noble family first.
I tapped my right
temple, exasperated at the utterly disappointing situation.
I knew the Gilmberg
family wasn't trusted, but not to this extent.
So that's why this
girl was broken.
"And that's not
all───"
"Is there
more?"
I couldn't help but
sigh, even though I had already heard enough of this foolishness.
"………Actually, the problem
doesn't end there───"
"The king, in
order to suppress the adventurers, placed all the blame on the Gilmberg family
and executed Arie Gilmberg, the head of the family───"
"Haa!?"
I shouted, startled by
the unthinkable fact, and leaned forward.
Surprised, the guild
master widened his eyes for a moment, but then resumed his explanation.
"………In other words, the
kingdom has essentially admitted that 'the cause of this disturbance was the
Gilmberg family,' and no matter how much we try to argue that 'the adventurers
were at fault,' no one would believe us───"
"……………"
What an irresponsible
situation this is.
"Although the
cause is unknown, let's assume for now that this is a protest by adventurers
against the noble family. However, for some reason, their anger was also
directed at unrelated residents, turning into a riot.
Criticisms against the
nobility—the upper class—cannot be taken as a protest against the country's
system or a rebellion against the country—in fact, it's a matter that must be
recognized and dealt with as a rebellion.
In response to a
violent rebellion, an insurrection involving civilians as well, the country
simply accepted the other side's claims without mobilizing the military? That
means the country has been defeated, doesn't it?
And execution? That's
a sentence for revolutionaries or mass murderers who shake the country. Because
of inadequate supervision of the territory? That's too absurd!
What on earth
happened...? Why has the king committed such foolish acts? He was supposed to
be a wise king before I retired. What changed him so much...?
Hearing such an
unsatisfactory reality, I got a worse headache and pressed my right finger
between my eyebrows.
"I'm well aware
that it's an incredibly foolish thing to do to leave a fire burning. But───"
"Enough."
I stopped the guild
master.
"Enough."
"………"
I exhaled through my nose.
What a terrible state of affairs.
"……Are you going
to take part in the war, after all, Lufoi-sama?"
The guild master,
still with his head down, threw that question at me.
"…………Why do you
ask?"
"Because the
scale of the damage will change significantly depending on whether or not you
participate in the war. I want to clarify this at this stage, before the war
starts."
"What difference
will it make if you ask me here?"
"Of course, it
will make a difference. It will change my decision."
"………"
I looked at the guild
master's face.
There was a shadow in
the guild master's expression. He was undoubtedly still haunted by what had
happened to this town.
But at the same time,
there was determination in his eyes. A determination to see things through,
even if it meant carrying the burden of guilt.
Seeing that, I took a
breath.
"Don't worry. I'm
already retired. I have no intention of participating in such a violent thing
as war."
"………I'm glad to
hear that."
The guild master's
expression softened slightly. Even after hearing that, his determination to
risk his life wouldn't change.
My presence has become
quite significant.
"We've been a
bother. We're leaving now. If there's going to be a war, I recommend you leave
as soon as possible───so that you don't
regret it later. Cherish your time with your family."
"───! I'll keep that in
mind."
I got up and left the
room along with the girl next to me.
I could see the
receptionist bowing deeply. The guild master was probably bowing behind her.
I turned my back and
raised one hand in response.
□□□
【Lufoi's POV】
I was on the roof of
an unused building. Next to me was the girl───Akana, the daughter of
the Gilmberg family.
We looked at the
cloudy sky together───no, Akana wasn't
looking up.
I asked Akana a
question.
"What do you want
to do?"
"………"
"Are you going to
keep silent? I won't understand unless you say something. Surely you must be
thinking of something."
"..."
"You've dedicated
yourself to this town, haven't you? For years, and to atone for the sins of
your parents, who had nothing to do with it."
"..."
"And this is the
result. The people of this town didn't care about the feelings of a girl like
you at all. They arbitrarily made you the villain, and they wouldn't even look
at their own ugliness. You can't possibly feel nothing about it."
"..."
"Tell me. What do
you want to do now?"
I looked at Akana and
asked her seriously.
What was I thinking? I
was asking about the feelings of someone I had tried to kill. I didn't even
understand what I was doing myself.
But for some reason, I
was extremely curious.
Akana showed no change
in expression. She simply stared blankly into void.
"………I,"
Akana opened her mouth
for the first time in front of me.
"I don't want to
do anything."
"………What?"
"That's what I
said. I don't want to do anything."
"That can't be
right. After being dealt such a harsh reality, you can't possibly feel nothing.
Yet, you don't want to do anything?"
"That's
right."
"You must hate
the king who drove your family to death. You must resent the people who rioted
recklessly. You must be angry at the Adventurer's Guild for doing nothing. Yet,
you say you don't want to do anything?"
"That's
right!"
Akana placed both
hands on her chest, affirming strongly.
Her figure looked
somewhat tormented.
"………I don't
understand. Why do you so stubbornly refuse to act? What makes you say that?
Surely you must want revenge more than anything."
"No, I
don't."
"Lies. That can't
be true. Everything. You've lost everything. You have the right to speak. Say
it, express your feelings. I'm telling you to speak now. Just say it. Tell me
what is in your heart───"
"That's what I
said! I don't want to do anything!"
She vehemently denied
my statement, and then,
"……I don't want
to do anthing."
She burst into tears
and collapsed to her knees.
"Why, to such an
extent..."
Perhaps my question
had struck at the core of her current state. If I had persisted in questioning
her, any person would have been swayed emotionally.
Yet, she did not yield───no, she said she did
not want to yield.
Why, despite all her
suffering, could she not change her stance?
"………Didn't you
say it yourself? I've dedicated myself to this town for years."
"Yeah."
"That's right.
I've tried my best in my own way for the sake of this town, to make it a better
place.
At first, I was full
of the desire to clear my parents' name. I didn't think about the people of the
town. All I wanted was to get back at the people who had mocked me, saying, 'My
parents are so great.'
But as I watched the
people of the town, my thoughts changed. No, rather───I had one more
purpose.
I wanted the people of
this town to smile more.
The people who live in
this town laugh so genuinely. They talk a lot, laugh a lot, and seem so happy.
I wanted those people to smile more, I wanted those people to be happy───I wanted them to at
least smile at me, even just a little bit."
"………!"
"But I couldn't!
The more I acted, the worse things got, and the people's smiles turned into
glares more and more... I didn't know what to do.
The more I acted, the
more unhappy people around me became. Their smiles disappeared. I shouldn't
have acted, after all!
It was wrong from the
start! I shouldn't have been so arrogant as to think that I, a person who only
thinks of myself, could change anything! No matter how plausible my reasons
were, in the end, I would always end up being selfish! I was such a despicable
person... It was too late to realize that!
I understand now! I
understand! I shouldn't think! I shouldn't act! The more I act, the more
unhappy people around me become...! So, I decied to stop doing anything... I
was just cowering and did nothing...
───And that's how I lost
In-san and the others."
"………!"
She stared at her
palms as if watching something something spilled out.
"I don't know
anymore. I don't know what to do. I don't know... I don't know.
So, please do as you
like. I'm a coward who doesn't have the courage to take my own life, but I can
accept being killed. So please───do as you please."
Seeing the girl
collapsed in tears, I thought.
At the age of ten or
so, she has experienced so much.
I was about to offer
her death, thinking that death was her punishment. I was going to do that out
of my own self-righteousness.
No, considering her
bloodline, it would be appropriate. In fact, death might be her salvation────
"………"
What am I hesitating
about? It's so not like me.
I guess getting old
isn't good after all. My thoughts are becoming more and more old-fashioned.
It's true that I'm
hesitating. It was also a fact that her parents abandoned my family. But there
is also the fact that parents and children are different. Haven't I always
taught my own daughter that parents and children are different? Because I had
told her so, she had given up on becoming a mage, watching my back, and found a
small happiness in her family, hadn't she?
"……Haha"
How ridiculous. What a
petty thought. It took me so long to realize that. And I even made the girl
cry. I have to take responsibility for that.
And besides,
"If my
grandchildren were alive, you would be like them."
"Eh?"
Perhaps, as an apology
for making her cry, I could spare a little of the affection I was going to give
my grandchildren.
"Do you have any
regrets about leaving the country?"
"…? No, nothing
in particular…"
"Then let’s leave
right away."
"Eh?"
"Alright, I think
Yuknited would be a good place to go. They say there will be a war, but their
military strength is different from ours. It’s like ants and elephants. This
country will undoubtedly lose to Yuknited. Then, with the reparations, the
Yuknited will become even richer. The guild master said he would go to Yuknited
as well, so it wouldn’t be bad to follow them."
"………"
Akana looked at me
with a surprised face───but then quickly
looked down.
"……Why?"
"Huh?"
"Why would you──"
"I can do
whatever I want, right?"
"Eh?"
"Then, I'll take
you wherever I want. Don't worry, it's just the ramblings of an old man who
doesn't have much time left. Don't think too much about it."
"………"
"……I won't deny
your thoughts. It's only natural for you to have that kind of thinking. If
that's the conclusion you've reached after living for more than ten years, no
one has the right to deny it."
"……"
"But, it's not
healthy."
"───"
"I can't raise
anyone anymore. I'm too old for that. But I can point out the way to someone
who is stuck in a dead end. I can increase your options by showing you that
there are other ways to live. That's the wisdom of the wise. That's all an old
man can do."
"What are you───"
"I'll protect
you."
"───!?"
I placed my palm on
Akana's head and stroked it.
"At least until
you can stand on your own two feet. I'm sorry for making you feel bad. This is
my apology. For a while, I, the [Sage of the Forest], will be your
guardian."
Akana widened her
eyes. She seemed to want to say, "I can't believe it."
"Take your time.
Think slowly. You've only been alive for a little over ten years, so it's too
early to draw conclusions. See the world and take your time to make a
decision."
"...You've
changed your tune quite a bit."
"Of course I
have. I've gotten this old, after all. When you're as old as I am, you can turn
your palm over to suit the situation. I can do it over and over again."
I laughed out loud.
When was the last time
I laughed like that?
It feels like it's
been a long time.
"……My decision
will not change."
Akana murmured
quietly.
It seemed that it
would take some time to break her shell.
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