WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Dionysus
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Chapter 285: To Grow a Tree (1)
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Demons had reappeared.
By now, everyone knew.
It could not be helped.
With Demonoids pouring out relentlessly over the past two years, and rumors spreading during the campaign to subjugate the demons that had been in hiding, there was no way to keep everything secret.
The people trembled amid a crisis that had returned after 160 years.
Once-bustling trade declined, and exchange between the relatively secure western and central regions of the continent shrank drastically.
Of course, the situation was not at its worst.
"No matter how terrifying demons are, the Holy Kingdom's Order of Paladins and order of priests can handle them well enough!"
"Of course they can. Besides, Abilius isn't the only one, is it?"
"Exactly! There's Runtel Kingdom and the Western Five Kingdoms. And the fencing halls are far stronger than they used to be, aren't they?"
"Right! They say there are nearly two hundred Sword Masters now, not just a hundred!"
The people were right. The current human world possessed strength unlike anything seen in recorded history.
The Holy Kingdom of Abilius had not grown complacent during 160 years of peace. Instead, it had steadily built its strength.
Runtel, the Kingdom of Magic, was closed off, but it was expected to have accumulated no less power.
The western kingdoms were firmly supported by the Five Great Sword Houses, while the culture of fencing halls, credited with raising the continent's overall strength, added to that power.
They stood a chance.
No, they held a clear advantage. At least while the continent's Three Great Swordsmen and Ten Great Swordsmen remained alive, that much was certain.
And on top of that...
"Did you hear?"
"Hear what? Ah... the Hero's Festival?"
"Yeah. The sword tournament being held in Abilius! I heard nearly twenty Sword Masters are participating. Or was it even more than that?"
"I heard it too. Apparently, there are countless strong swordsmen beyond those already known to the public."
"And they're all young, from what I hear. That's a relief."
"It is. Honestly, we were a little worried, weren't we? Those Masters, especially the Three Great Swordsmen and the heads of the Five Great Sword Houses. They're all at an age where they could go at any time... This is a good thing. It means there are plenty of promising young talents to support things after they're gone."
"Right, right."
"They must be confident in the participants' abilities to push for something like this. What was it? I heard Countess Crescentia has already..."
"And there are rumors that the Sword Masters in the south are formidable too..."
A few people complained that holding such a useless event was ridiculous when everyone should be busy hunting down demons.
But far more people brightened at the news.
Ian, the Hall Master of Krono Fencing Hall, and the Holy Kingdom shared a concern with the public. They all feared for the lifespans of the giants supporting the continent, as well as the uncertain future that would come when they were gone.
That was why this tournament, which placed young powerhouses, swordsmen under sixty and young by Master standards, front and center, drew so much interest and anticipation.
It was, in every sense, an event meant to bring hope to everyone.
Erasing the fear of demons that had spread throughout the continent and narrowing the gate to the Demon Realm, that was the future Abilius wanted.
* * *
"You think he'll enter?"
"Of course he will. Who is more fitting than our young lord?"
"Exactly! This is supposed to be a place to showcase The Continent's Future, isn't it? Young Master Farreira cannot be left out. He's young and overflowing with talent!"
"I hope he wins the whole thing!"
"Ha ha, come on. Winning will be difficult, even for him. Those young Masters are all in their forties and fifties... They've lived twice as long as our young master."
"It will be difficult. Countess Ignet Crescentia is participating too."
"True. There are even rumors that this tournament was held to show off the abilities of the Commander of the Black Knight Order... Still, you never know."
"Right, right! Our young master is a genius among geniuses!"
"Ha ha ha! That's the first sensible thing you've said in a while! Come on, let's drink!"
The Hero's Festival, hosted by the Holy Kingdom, had changed the continent's somewhat gloomy mood.
Everyone talked about it, from bustling cities to remote villages, but few places were as excited as Farreira territory.
It could not be helped.
Airen Farreira was one of the three most promising young talents on the continent alongside Ignet, so there was no holding back the anticipation.
May the young lord achieve a good result.
May he spread the fame of Farreira territory across the continent and return as a hero.
May he return with such might that neither Demonoids nor demons would dare approach. Everyone in the territory wished for it with all their hearts.
That was right.
Such a mood was only natural. Gerald Mauser, a member of the Red Knight Order who had been gauging public sentiment from a corner of the inn, thought so too.
But understanding it did not make him feel any better.
Thinking of Master, who was sleeping soundly upstairs, Gerald's expression turned irritated.
'I know he's an important figure, but...'
Gerald understood the tournament's purpose, to showcase The Continent's Future. That was why he had come personally.
Airen Farreira was the only one who had not yet responded to the invitation.
The problem was that Airen's sluggish response had forced Master, who was unwell, to make the long journey.
Gerald Mauser let out a sigh.
Until just last year, Master had been healthy enough to belong to the Purification Order, the kingdom's secret force. But that was no longer the case.
The sudden onset of aging had left Master weaker than even an Expert. Master might pass away before the Hero's Festival even ended.
And yet, Master had insisted.
Airen Farreira had to participate somehow, even if it meant using Master's weakened condition to earn sympathy.
It was the final duty Master had to fulfill before returning to God's embrace.
That was why they had come to Farreira territory.
Gerald's duty was to care for Master throughout the arduous journey and do everything he could to grant Master's final wish.
Yet he could not help feeling uneasy the entire time.
'What I just heard was true.'
Gerald Mauser nodded to himself.
It was something someone had drunkenly shouted.
The Holy Kingdom had held this tournament for one reason alone, to show Ignet Crescentia to the world.
It was true. At least, that was what Gerald believed as a member of Abilius's Order of Paladins.
Even now, remembering last year's sparring match between the White Knight Commander and the Commander of the Black Knight Order made his heart swell.
Simply watching them had been enough to inspire hope and paint a picture of a brilliant future.
That was right.
It was not that the others were useless, but there was no need to go this far.
Countess Crescentia alone was enough to change the continent's mood.
As Gerald was thinking that, Master came down from the second floor.
"Master!"
"Heh heh, boy. Why are you so startled?"
"No, I just... Why aren't you resting more?"
"It won't do. I cannot sleep. It would be better to leave now."
"But..."
Gerald Mauser looked worried.
Master had taken him in when he was an orphan and practically raised him. Rather than a master, Master was closer to a father.
Seeing Master still refuse to spare himself and continue striving for the continent made Gerald's eyes redden before he realized it.
His thoughts about Airen Farreira deepened as well.
"Understood. I will prepare."
"Heh heh, I wonder if there is a reason he cannot participate. I hope it is nothing serious..."
"...I'm sure it's nothing serious. You came here in person, Master. He will definitely participate."
Gerald Mauser looked at Master and nodded.
In truth, whether Airen participated or not was not particularly important.
What mattered more was whether Airen could prove himself worthy of Master's expectations and show that he had achieved sufficient growth.
'Please, let that be the case.'
The two paladins silently murmured the same wish in their hearts and prepared to visit the lord's manor.
* * *
Airen Farreira sat in the center of the training grounds with his eyes gently closed.
But what he saw was not darkness. It was a world he had cultivated for ten years.
The same scenery as always.
The same atmosphere as always.
The same longing as always.
It felt as if he were looking at one of the dreams he had often experienced in the past.
But unlike then, it no longer felt as though it would remain forever unchanged, trapped on the same track of time.
Airen raised his head and looked at the sky.
A tree had grown tall before he knew it.
No, Airen thought as he looked at his own conviction.
'The tree growing was an unexpected stroke of luck.'
That was the only way to describe it.
This journey had begun solely to control the Iron stake embedded in his heart. Even that had only been possible with the help of many people.
Yet, without his noticing, a flame had come to life.
Then came a stream of water to control that flame. The heart of Earth followed, to hold them both.
That was right.
The broad, sturdy ground had formed, and water had seeped through it, turning it into fertile soil.
Then warm sunlight joined in, creating the right environment for a tree to grow.
It was more accurate to see it as luck born from chance than as the result of deliberate effort.
'Of course... It would make no sense to rely only on that luck and do nothing.'
Airen rose from where he had been sitting and looking up at the tree. He turned his head toward the Iron stake beside him.
No, it was no longer an Iron stake.
Heated and forged into the shape of a blade, it was something worthy of being called a fine sword.
He reached toward it.
The sword shrank to the perfect size and flew into his hand.
After studying its form for a moment, Airen smiled and leaped into the air, swinging his sword.
Shk
Shk, shk, shk-
For a tree to grow straight.
For a conviction to grow properly and well, both a suitable environment and unceasing effort were necessary.
That was what Airen was doing now.
The endlessly flowing water, firm ground, and warm sunlight were all ideal for the tree's growth. But they could not control the branches stretching out without restraint.
That was Airen's role.
It was the role of the Metal energy, of the Iron Sword he had carried in his heart from the beginning.
Whoosh
Whoosh-
Whoosh!
Airen swung his sword, lost in a trance.
He kept swinging it. He cut away the branches.
In reality, Airen was no longer sitting in the training grounds either. At some point, he had risen to his feet, and he held the Sorcery Greatsword in a firm grip, just like the Iron Sword in his mind.
It was about an hour later that he sensed someone's presence.
"..."
"..."
Airen Farreira finally opened his eyes.
Two paladins stood before him.
He recognized one of them, but not the other. Still, both looked at him with similar expressions and similar eyes.
Their eyes were red around the rims.
Sensing the stir of emotion in them, the young lord of Farreira carefully asked his guests,
"...Would you care for some tea?"
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