Ah, it's been a while since I posted chapter 2, and yet this chap mentions not-really-important things =) My bad! However, the next chapter probably reveals that fellow's identity (though it'll undoubtedly take me a lot of time to finish it *hides*) so look forward to it!

Notes: As usual, please forgive me for my poor English. I'd appreciate it if you could point out to me my mistakes so that I could improve my writting skill.


… The forest at night was indeed very cold.

Never before had I gone this far. Staying overnight in the forest like this was also the first time. It was much darker than I'd expected. Scenery seemingly disappearing into the darkness, even the trees which were only about ten footsteps away from us could only be seen vaguely. Occasional winds made the leaves rub against each other and rustle, and the cries of unknown animals calling their fellows brought back a chilly feeling. Everything was dim and unclear. The only vivid thing in my eyes was the campfire. When I returned to that place, I'd not forget this experience. The scarlet fire crackled and radiated the heat. It made the dark night not so scary anymore. I stared at the dancing flames, thinking of the journey waiting ahead.

At this moment, Knight Sekiz looking guilty said to me, "I'm very sorry for dragging you into this trouble. If there's anything I can do to compensate for you, I'm willing to do it."

Frankly speaking, I didn't feel annoyed at all. The truth was that I was very pleased right now. Long time no see them, I forgot that a true royal knight would care so much about little things like these. Apparently, this was what they called "the Way of Knights"? Anyway, I quickly replied, "Please don't be like that, Knight Sekiz. You've done nothing at all. I'm his target in the first place, so it's I who should apologize to you.

"Even if you say so…" Knight Sekiz seemed unconvinced, still thinking that I was just comforting him. I had to explain, "I also have things to do in western, so it's lucky to have a guide. You don't need to feel uneasy."

Eventually, Knight Sekiz sighed with relief and said, "That's good then. Thank you… And from now on, please call my name. You don't have to be so polite."

I smiled and replied, "Alright."

"… Don't pretend as if I'm not here, okay?"

The two of us turned to that fellow and exclaimed in unison, "Oh…"

He unpleasantly said, "I'm not the atmosphere. And do not behave as if I kidnapped you two. It's clear that we do as dealt!"

I looked at him, nonchalantly saying, "When people don't agree with you, you use force to make them do. It's still counted as kidnapping, not as directly as the ordinary, but it's the same."

Sekiz nodded in agreement.

He sulkily said, "I don't bother to argue with you two."

As if he was a child. He at this moment and the master swordsman pressing his sword on Sekiz's throat this morning truly had nothing in common. However, it came as a big surprise to me when he turned out to be one of General Oren's subordinate, coming here to recruit troops. The white rose insignia only given to loyal subjects of the former king he brought along was confirmed by Sekiz, so it might not be wrong. Yet I still wondered what this man wanted from me, a bard. The fact that he called me "mage bard"…

When I tried to ask him why he wanted me to follow them since a bard was obviously of no use on the battlefield, he simply grinned and said, "Just for fun!"

Go to hell with your "Just for fun"! But for your white rose insignia, I would beat you to death with my harp by now! You can count yourself lucky as I also have things to do in the west.

And even if I asked him why he called me "mage bard", which I did when there were only the two of us, he just explained that he liked to call me so. It was enough for me to not push the matter further. As long as he didn't say anything about this subject anymore, I was fine with it.

That fellow stopped being sulky, turning to us and said, "Now we get to the point! Firstly, I ask for making introductions for convenience. I'll start first. My name is Aisirg, directly under the High Command of Border Guard led by General Oren."

Apart from your name, is there anything new?

Nonetheless, Sekiz followed suit and said, "I'm Sekiz Andrei, the ex-captain of the first unit of the Royal Knight. Now I'm simply just a knight."

When it came to my turn, I really find it reluctant. I didn't want them to know my real name, so I introduced myself for form's sake, "Just call me Bard. As you can see, I'm a bard."

Both of them were stunned while listening to my introduction. Aisirg immediately asked, "Is it possible that your name is so odd that you don't want to tell us? Don't worry, we won't laugh at you."

I answered testily, "Cut the crap! Who has an odd name? Should you take off your hood, I will definitely tell you my real name."

In a flash, he changed his attitude and grinned while saying, "Haha, just joking. Don't take it seriously! But I'll remember your words, Bard."

It was only because I wished to satisfy my anger that I said so. But as I thought, Aisirg didn't want to show us his face.

He quickly changed the subject and talked to Sekiz, "That's right. Sekiz, you're a royal knight. To be precise, you're the captain of the first unit, yet why aren't you protecting the Imperial Palace in the capital, instead have a drink in the daytime in the outskirts?"

Sekiz was silent for a while and then said, "We opposed the royal decree of raising the taxes, so we got sent to this place."

My heart sank when I heard that. Ever since the late king, King Leone, the current king's older brother passed away and his only heir, Crown Prince Cretus got exiled for his crime of treason, King Nordic came to power, governing the kingdom by force. Under the burden of such heavy taxation and the order set to apply closed-door policy, the people grew disenchanted with the royal family, but the tyrannical regime made no one dare to protest. The royal knights were in charge of protecting the royalty, quelling the people by order of the king. As a result, they became resented targets. If they took the people's side, they would end up like the first unit of Sekiz, never having the chance of being promoted.

Sekiz continued, "There's also an imperial order asking us to look for someone, but we didn't want that person to be found, so we only patrolled the streets as usual and took a rest soon."

Aisirg asked, "Look for someone… Are you looking for princess Cretia, the only daughter of King Nordic?"

Sekiz looked at Aisirg surprisedly. But it only lasted a few seconds before he sighed and said, "Even someone who has just descended into this place from the west like you already knew this, then there's no point in hiding this anymore. Princess Cretia was nowhere to be found in the palace. At first, the maids thought that she traveled incognito, but later they found out that the princess had gone missing."

Aisirg thoughtfully said, "The princess going missing, no matter what the reason is, the king-opposing faction will still consider it running away for her own life. This may start a rebellion since one of the royal family copped out of her responsibilities. If the princess truly took flight, then it'd be just like that she's making a rod for her father's back."

Sekiz laughed coldly and said, "The current king deserves that. It's really strange that though he has a queen and many mistresses, Princess Cretia is his only descendant. Now even his beloved daughter betrayed her father. That must be karma."

After saying that, he lay down and said, "Isn't it good? It's time this kingdom changed… Ah!"

Sekiz suddenly exclaimed and pointed to the sky with his eyes widening. I and Aisirg both looked up automatically, and the first thing came into our view was the starry sky. In the forest where the sky vanished almost completely still remained a fragment of very deep blue dotted with thousands of twinkling white spots. I amorously watched star after star after star creating a chain of endless light illuminating the night sky.

The corner of Aisirg's mouth lifted up as he said, "No matter what happens on earth, the starry sky remains beautiful like this."

Sekiz pleasantly closed his eyes and said, "Being a deserter is not bad as I thought. Now I can do as I please and protect my kingdom with my sword. As soon as I joined the High Command of Border Guard, I'll practice swordplay more to get back at you."

Aisirg smiled and said while glancing at me, "And I thought that Sekiz you have a sense of responsibility. Now you voluntarily follow me, it can't be counted as kidnapping, righttttt?"

"…"

I came to the conclusion that this guy in front of me was a petty, two-faced bastard!

A used-to-be royal knight, a despicable soldier and a bard… what an odd squad we were. However, it didn't seem so bad. I'd say goodbye to them as soon as we got to the West gate, so let's enjoy this brief moment of peace.

Aisirg suddenly turned to me and said in an eager tone, "Bard, why are you so silent? It's time to sleep. Why don't you sing us a lullaby?"

You're too old for a lullaby! Are you a baby or something?

Nonetheless, I sighed, plucked my harp and began to sing.

"Although its scent still lingers on

the form of a flower has scattered away

For whom will the glory

of this world remain unchanged?

Arriving today at the yonder side

of the deep mountains of evanescent existence

We shall never allow ourselves to drift away

intoxicated, in the world of shallow dreams..."*

In front of me, Sekiz and Aisirg had fallen asleep with a look of satisfaction on their faces, or half of their faces since Aisirg still had his hood pulled low. And when the song ended, I was quickly possessed by the drowsiness.

I always love sleeping and dreaming, since that's the only way for me to be able to meet my beloved ones, who I can't even wish to meet again.

That night, I dreamt of my dear older brother.


*An English translation of "Iroha Uta", a Japanese folk song by Professor Ryuichi Abe.

Source: wikipedia


to be continued