Two years have passed since Ryuu first set out on her journey. With the help of Zeus' tales, Ryuu could proudly say that her name was quite well-known in the small towns she visited. After all, those people only knew through words of mouth about Zeus and Hera Familia. And now here she was, someone who wrote songs and poems about them and told them about their glory.
Suffice to say, the townspeople ate all of it up. Ryuu was also pretty sure that even if she made up everything, they would still eat it up like it was real. A sad state of affairs, to be frank. Small towns needed their boosts of morale. Who knew the next great heroes come from those places?
As she finished reading her new piece, she was showered with claps and whistles. Another successful performance. This town was unremarkable, but that was what made it special for Ryuu. It was in a small town like this that she felt satisfied because she brought hope to the people.
Taking a glass of water offered, Ryuu thanked the owner of the tavern and engaged in small talk with him. Apparently, a plain north of the next town was ransacked by monsters. An entire tribe of Werewolves is dead. Feeling intrigued, Ryuu thanked the owner for the information and decided on the next course of her destination.
It seemed that the end of her journey had to be delayed for a while.
Arriving at the next town after a week of traveling, Ryuu entered the tavern of the small town named Zanderwood. She intended to gather information about the massacre and visit the sight herself. She wanted to spread the word about the massacre in a way that also conveyed hopes.
Her eyes landed on the tavern master who was on the counter.
"Greetings. Water and some snacks, please, Master," she ordered. Placing her beloved hat down on her lap, Ryuu caught the people's attention, as usual. Elves rarely travel through a small town like this. The sight of a beautiful Elf, albeit still in a younger form, was mesmerizing for the normal townsfolk. She had dealt with this for the past two years and a lifetime, so it was nothing special to her.
When the order came, Ryuu asked the tavern master. "Say, Master. Have you heard anything about the monster raid on the plains around here?"
"I do have something. However, it will cost you. Top-notch information guaranteed."
"Ahaha," Ryuu chuckled half-heartedly. "Surely we can trade. How about I perform here for free in return for the information?"
The master looked at her for a while before he finally recognized her. "The Wandering Fairy..."
Yes, that was her moniker this time. It was a little embarrassing, to be honest. The Wandering Fairy was a beautiful Elven girl with high-quality original songs and poems. She was easily recognizable as an Elven traveling Bard was really rare.
"Such flattering alias they gave me," Ryuu said with an amused smile. "How is it? A fair trade, I'd say."
"Sure." Accompanied with a grin, the tavern master agreed with Ryuu's proposal.
Ryuu finished her snacks before going to the big space.
"Everyone, Good Afternoon. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ryuu Lion, the traveling bard. You might also know me as the Wandering Fairy. Such a flattering name, thank you!"
Ryuu saw everybody turn their attention to her when she uttered her alias. Good. People began murmuring about the fact that such a famous person visiting their town.
"Today, I have been blessed to be able to perform in front of all of you. So take your seats and enjoy. Let's see..." Ryuu made a gesture of thinking. "Ah, I'll perform a famous song by Wishe!"
Plucking the strings of her harp, Ryuu then started singing.
With vows on their small bodies,
The light shines on forever.
It was the pieces she wrote back in her previous life as Wishe. The melody coming out of the harp was also familiar. A solemn tune accompanied the deep meanings of the verses.
A red bond full of praise, with love contained in their eyes.
A paradise for the little ones, riding the wind wishing to pursue.
Their salvation split the darkness. The people smile at their dreams.
Knowing nothing about the hidden treachery.
In the middle of storms, their lives scattered.
Knights, be Heroes!
With courage on your back and skills on both your hands.
Sharpen your wisdom.
Sow the seeds of the light of the world.
Aaah, she still couldn't hold back her emotion when singing this particular song. The original Knights of Fianna was indeed a tragedy born of human greed. However, despite her feelings, she was a professional. She would never let the emotion crack her singing voice.
At the end of the deep sorrow, with longing hidden inside his heart.
A fragile boy stands, pursuing the distant sky.
Heal the wounds with tears, he swears an oath under the Saint's name.
Rouse up the entwined fate.
With a fierce heart, it's time to resist!
Knights, be Heroes!
Ride your horses, raise up your swords!
Cut through the darkness!
Until the day when the dream is fulfilled.
Even if your name fades away at the end of time.
Fight on; turn your disgrace into power!
Go forth into the wild, you who are of the dawn.
Ignite your blood further, valiant spear!
Hold high the fleeting dreams of the scattered lives and push forward!
Become the foundation of the future.
As she finished the last part of the song, slowly, she ceased playing the harp. Using one of her hands, she wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes.
Song of Red Courage. It was part of the Song of Light collection by Wishe, and the song retold the tale of the original Knights of Fianna. Fianna, Helga, Melia, Gren, Beri. Ryuu didn't know what kind of freak occurrence allowed her to be reborn and regain her memories. But if someone deserved to be reborn, those heroes of the past deserved it.
In no time, people were clapping, appreciating her performance. She bowed, acknowledging their appreciation.
"Thank you very much."
She looked back to the tavern master, who nodded at her. She left the space on the corner of the tavern and went back to her seat near the master.
"So, the information?"
"My sister runs an inn. For the past three days, a pair of Werewolf siblings booked a place there. According to my sister, they came from the north. Look for the Hommer's Inn near the town hall."
Ryuu nodded, slipping some valis to pay for her orders. "Thank you for your patronage, Master. Maybe we'll have the chance to meet again in the future."
He shook his head instead.
"Thank you, miss. Being visited by the Wandering Fairy is an honor I will never forget. What an amazing performance worthy of your title."
"Thanks for the compliment, Master." Ryuu tipped her hat as she stood up. "Well then, goodbye."
She exited the tavern.
"Take care, Miss Wandering Fairy!"
A/N: And yes. It's a rough translation of Sekiyuu no Uta, modified because except for the part about Dim, the lyrics almost have no subjects attached to them. I was lucky I didn't look up the lyric or the meanings when it first came out because it basically retells Part 1 of Knights of Fianna.
Oh yeah, part 3 song? Fortia by Maaya Uchida? The meanings were even better. When I read the translation, I teared up because a mix of the amazing song evoking emotions, the memories attached to the song when it played at a certain scene in the game, and the meanings of the lyrics itself. Truly, Danmemo has surpassed perfection.