WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Ode of the Brave ◈

Chapter 158

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The rain came and went. Just when the weather seemed to clear, the sky turned gray again. One morning, he thought, he would wake to refreshing sunlight and glittering dew.

It always seemed to rain when the seasons changed. Perhaps each raindrop carried autumn within it. Perhaps that was how autumn seeped into the world.

At the border between seasons, Ricart sat in the place where Snake-Eyes Ashtad had once stayed, listening to the rain outside as he read a letter.

It was from Marie.

Because the Empire's writing conventions had no colloquial register, the letter was more formal than her usual speech.

<My husband,

I received your letter safely. It seems my reply to the one you sent from Tujis did not reach you properly.

To think you have already reached the area near Ernberg. It feels as though I could reach out and touch you.

The human heart is truly difficult to understand. When you leave, you feel regret. As time passes, missing someone so much makes you resent them. Then, when you draw close again, you become excited, yet part of you wants to hide away in embarrassment.

If the heart can change from moment to moment like this, what does the changing of seasons matter?

The monsoon has continued day after day in Adelorne, along with a false peace that feels as though the war may end like this, though it leaves one uneasy.

Grants cannot overwhelm us with troops, so he is trying to isolate us through diplomacy.

He appears to be trying to draw in the Margrave of Beringen and endanger our rear. At present, that is our greatest concern.

I too have written letters in every direction to strengthen ties with nearby powers. Unexpectedly, His Highness the Fifth Prince has been of great help. Is it because we are bound by blood, or does he have another scheme?

I know there is a deep rift between the knights and the Fifth Prince, but it is difficult simply to refuse his help...>

The letter described the recent situation in Adelivari and Marie's thoughts on it.

It also contained news of Bori and Roy's family, as well as the many people helping her: Mayor Markwin, ranger captain Lester, and Bremen, who had once been a guide but now served as an adviser or captain of the guard.

But the closing of the letter contained words that were difficult to tell apart as scolding or concern.

<...My husband made a mistake. If this letter had been intercepted along the way, your location might have been exposed. An army's location is confidential, so you were somewhat careless.

The people here and I are doing well, so please refrain from sending letters out of needless concern.

Unlike my husband, I have no talent for writing, so I can only convey stiff words.

What matters is meeting in person, looking into each other's eyes, and sharing the joy of reunion, is it not? I can only wait for autumn.

With affection, Martelia.>

It was a relief that she seemed to be doing well, but after being scolded out of nowhere, Ricart tilted his head and scratched his forehead.

“Tsk.”

After thinking quietly for a moment, he decided this would not do. He immediately took out parchment, picked up a pen, and began writing a letter.

Even though she had told him not to.

<To my wife,

I received your letter safely. I am relieved to hear everyone is well.

However, whether I send letters or not is my concern. I am giving sufficient thought to the risk of confidential information being exposed, so do not worry. Do you think I would send a letter without considering even that? Therefore, do not criticize me over letters...>

He had gone through remarkable experiences from Lunadan to Sinatria and cultivated a deep, broad heart and lofty spirit. Yet it seemed that around someone he loved, his true nature came out.

Ricart said things that did not need to be said, sulking for no real reason.

Once he finished writing, he folded the letter, placed it in an envelope, melted red wax to seal it, and pressed his seal into it. Then he put the envelope back into the letter case and went outside.

The rain seemed to have stopped for a while, but the mountains, streams, grass, and trees were all heavy with moisture. The green foliage was almost excessively vivid. Low gray clouds filled the sky.

Perhaps because they were in the mountains, or perhaps because it was late summer, the wind was cool.

The women who had suffered under the bandits still seemed wary of the knights, but the children quickly lowered their guard and treated the resting knights and soldiers with familiarity.

They arm-wrestled, tossed dice to guess odds or evens, and caught the children after throwing them into the air. In truth, it was closer to the adults simply playing with them.

Having seen only grown men who beat and cruelly exploited them, the children followed the soldiers as though they were fathers.

The soldiers, too, filled their hearts with affection instead of duty and stubbornness as they looked at the children. It was impossible to tell who was saving whom.

Ricart approached the monastic order's disciples, who were talking with the knights. He held out the letter case.

“Deliver this to Marie in Adelorne.”

“Understood.”

“Where's Ice?”

“He went back to the monastery because he'd been away for a few days.”

“Then why are you all still here?”

“Just...”

The bandits had been dealt with, and the monastic order's disciples did not seem to have any particular plans. Their conversation with the knights had been about knowledge and experience in combat and handling weapons.

There were not many of them, and there was no reason they could not stay here. After a moment's thought, Ricart spoke.

“Someone guide me to the estate.”

The disciples stared blankly at him, exchanged looks, then all looked intently at one female disciple who seemed to be around fifteen or sixteen.

As in any group, someone had to step forward when it seemed they were the obvious choice. She came forward. Her hair was pulled tightly back and tied behind her head. She bit her lip once before speaking.

“Follow me.”

Ricart followed her. The knights assigned as his personal guards tried to come along, but Ricart shook his head and told them it was fine.

There would likely be nuns there, and it would not be good for too many unfamiliar men to be coming and going.

As he followed the monastic order disciple, the place felt like a truly secluded mountain valley. The mountain was not especially high, but it was thick with the straight, sturdy trees characteristic of the north.

All the trees looked alike. If someone got lost here, the trees would be the reason.

The soil underfoot was fine but not muddy, with a dry, powdery feel. It was like walking over an expensive carpet.

Perhaps because there had been so much rain recently, he could feel the fresh breath of the trees more keenly than usual.

After passing through a place difficult to find in the worldly realm, a small, peaceful monastery appeared before him.

“Here it is.”

The female disciple who had guided Ricart spoke. He looked over the monastery and its estate.

The monastery's estate had a broad vegetable garden rather than farmland. A few farmhouses stood nearby, all occupied by people who served the monastery.

Without livestock, the people worked the soil and tended the crops with their own hands. They seemed to gain everything from nature and buy almost nothing from merchants.

Someone was crouched down, digging into the field with something like a wooden hand trowel. A white cloth covered her head, but from behind, it was clear that she was a woman.

And Ricart thought he knew who she was.

He walked over to her, but did not speak. He simply stood beside her and quietly watched her work the field.

Everyone nearby looked over. There was not a single elderly person among them. The oldest looked about Ricart's age.

The woman crouched down and moved backward as she tilled the garden. Then she noticed someone standing beside her and looking down at her. She lifted her head and looked up at Ricart.

What had not changed, then or now, were her large eyes and their smooth whites, like boiled egg whites.

Beads of sweat dotted her face. Perhaps she did not recognize him, because Daisy only stared blankly up at Ricart, who wore a sword at his waist and a cloak over his shoulders.

“Is farm work manageable?”

Ricart asked first. Daisy's eyes went wide, and she quickly turned her face away.

“H-how...?”

“Didn't you hear? I was the one who wiped out the bandits.”

“N-no, that's not it.”

Daisy's voice trembled badly. She looked as if she might cry. Then she hurriedly wiped away her sweat, her hands flustered as though she did not know what to do with herself.

“I'll go somewhere else for a bit.”

She seemed embarrassed, so Ricart said that.

“N-no. It's fine.”

Daisy rose to her feet. After taking several deep breaths, she gathered herself and turned back to Ricart.

Ricart had done nothing, yet Daisy's gaze trembled wildly. She looked as if she might cry at any moment, yet as if she might laugh. Her expression could not settle on one thing.

So Daisy turned away again.

“I suppose I still lack discipline. I thought I had already put my feelings in order.”

“I'm sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, Ricky.”

Ricart looked around the modest estate. There were people here, and there was life.

“You've built something wonderful, Daisy.”

“I didn't do anything... We all worked together.”

Daisy fidgeted with her hands. She could barely look at Ricart, only stealing occasional glances at him. It had been the same before. There was something truly charming in the way those large eyes darted about.

Other than his family, Daisy was the oldest connection he had. He had known her before Marie, even before Bori.

Her life had been truly turbulent, and perhaps the most painful thing was that she had never won Ricart's heart.

Yet she had left all that pain and sorrow behind and created something wonderful. No matter how much Ricart astonished the world, only Marie stood by his side.

But Daisy had built a family, a very large one.

“Oh?”

Hearing a woman's slightly surprised voice nearby, Ricart turned to see several nuns who had just come out of the monastery.

Someone had called them after a strange man came and began speaking to Daisy, Sister Mikela.

“Hello?”

Ricart offered a casual greeting first. The nuns could not say anything. They only giggled quietly among themselves and returned the greeting halfheartedly.

They were women meant to become God's brides when God descended. In other words, they were women whom the Church of Judgment had raised and trained for a long time to become Ricart's brides.

That was why every one of them was exceptionally beautiful and pure. Some were a little older than Ricart, some a little younger, but they all fussed like young girls, as though they had not been touched by the world's grime.

“I only stopped by to say hello. I came all this way, and it would be too cold to simply leave. It seems many people are uncomfortable because of me, so I'll be going now. Take care.”

That really was all Ricart had come to do. There was nothing else for him to do here, and staying would only make things awkward, so he truly meant to leave.

“W-wait.”

Daisy called out to him.

“Tea, at least... I should receive a guest properly... And sisters, don't stand so close.”

“We're only looking.”

“That looking is the problem.”

“What can we do when we have eyes? We can't walk around with them closed.”

“Honestly...”

Daisy shook her head and headed toward the monastery. Ricart followed her.

The monastery building was not all that small. It was not enormous either, but there were separate buildings that could serve as lodging and storage.

There were orphans in the monastery courtyard. When Daisy and Ricart appeared, they rushed toward them in a crowd.

“Sister! Sister! Who is he?”

“Is he your husband?”

“It's her boyfriend! Her lover!”

“Are you going to stop being a nun now?”

“Children, stop saying pointless things and go study. He's a guest. Should you make a guest uncomfortable?”

“Nooooo!”

They answered well enough. Still, it was a leading question, so Ricart did not think highly of it.

“The swordsmen left because of the bandits, so the children have been a little like this. Please understand.”

“So they've been slacking off.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.”

Ricart brushed it off and entered the building. People needed to rest when it was time to rest. They had worked hard.

Perhaps because it was a monastery, everything was simple. There was not the slightest bit of splendor. The most beautiful decoration was the white light entering through the open windows. It was an elegant, pure, orderly place.

“Can I go change my clothes for a moment? I sweated...”

“Sure. That's fine. Take your time.”

“I'll be right back.”

It was not even a reception room for guests, only the dining hall where the nuns ate. Ricart looked around the place, though there was little to see.

It took Daisy quite some time to return. When she did, she appeared to have washed herself clean. She wore a fresh black nun's habit that covered her hair.

She served tea brewed from tree bark. It had the faint fragrance of smoky wood.

“Is life at the monastery manageable?”

Ricart took a sip of tea with a slurp and asked. Unlike him, who sat comfortably, Daisy looked uneasy as she fidgeted with her wooden teacup in both hands. Not unhappy, just uneasy.

“...Yes. What about you, Ricky?”

“Life is pain by nature. But isn't struggling to find joy within that pain what life is about?”

“I think so.”

“But isn't it difficult when there are so many children?”

“The harder it is, the greater the joy.”

“That was a foolish question.”

“No.”

Daisy kept answering in short replies, so Ricart found it a little difficult to carry the conversation.

“Where did Ice go?”

“To the peak behind the monastery. There are swordsmen there too.”

“I see. Life here must be busier than I thought.”

“Right...”

“Thinking about it, you and I aren't all that different. You care for orphans, and I lead soldiers who have lost their way.”

“I suppose... That's true... But, Ricky.”

“Yeah?”

“I think I can say it now.”

“Say what?”

Daisy hesitated for a moment. She even squeezed her eyes shut as though making a difficult decision. Then she opened them and clearly spoke her mind.

“I'm sorry for only forcing my feelings on you. I didn't try to see your pain.”

“My pain?”

“That day, you looked very sad, Ricky.”

“...Did I?”

“God showed me everything. I simply did not try to see it. The moment I realized my foolishness, I also realized that I had failed to look around me. My poor mother, and the people sacrificed by the Order. I only cared about myself.”

“Don't blame yourself too much. The world is full of fools once you go out into it.”

“Now that I think about it, you're rather cynical, Ricky.”

“It comes and goes. I can't stand hypocritical or arrogant people. But when I see someone pure, even if they're a little foolish, I want to treat them well. I'm rather selfish in that regard too.”

At times, Ricart's insight was as sharp as the blade he wielded. But it lacked consideration. If he had a flaw, perhaps that was it.

Perhaps because of the tea, Daisy looked at Ricart with a more relaxed heart. Then she smiled gently, like a small flower.

“Hmm... Looking at you again, I don't think you're very good as a man, Ricky.”

“What? Out of nowhere?”

“Maybe because I was blinded by love back then?”

“That's a little absurd, but what can I do? This is who I am.”

Ricart merely smiled faintly. Then he drank his tea. It was exactly the right temperature.

“To be honest, it hurts to keep sitting here awkwardly. I'll go now. I'm glad you're doing well. I'll try to live well too.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, and if I make an offering, will you pray for me? Pray for my luck in battle, perhaps.”

“Of course. I don't hate money.”

“An excellent attitude. The people who say they have no desire for money are the most dangerous. Thank you for the tea. I'm leaving. Don't come out. It's fine.”

“Huh? Ah.”

Ricart wanted to shake her hand, or perhaps embrace her, but she was a nun, so he did not dare touch her. It was regrettable, but this was the end. If they survived in this harsh world, would they meet again someday?

He only showed her one last smile before leaving the dining hall.

Daisy hesitated, wondering whether she should follow him, whether she should at least see him off. While she hesitated, Ricart grew distant.

As she held the teacup that was still half full, tears suddenly flowed.

She had always prayed.

Idiot.

The rain, which had seemed to stop only briefly, did not come again. The dark clouds withdrew, and refreshing sunlight shone upon the dew gathered at the tips of the leaves.

At last, it was autumn.

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