WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

Editor: Coughing Baby

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 152: I Might as Well Be Dragged Along

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Night fell over Sword Grove.

“Sniff... sob...”

Lamika, who had come to see them, was shedding big fat tears. The golden basket beside her was full of the tools she had used throughout the journey to attend to Helenas's baths.

“Won't... won't this house have any need for a bathroom? I, Lamika, have made attending to the Sword Church Master's baths the joy of my life...”

A small lake lay some distance from Helenas's hut. That nameless lake, purified by generations of Lamika's lineage over five hundred years, was now called the Heavenly Eye Well.

Lamika's day began early in the morning. Before the first rays of sunlight reached the water, she would draw its clearest water and prepare the Sword Church Master's bath. They had arrived at Sword Grove late today, so she had not been able to collect the purest water. Even so, since arriving, Lamika had done her utmost to purify the water from the Heavenly Eye Well and prepare the Sword Church Master's bath.

She had never once considered the task arduous or troublesome. Just as her master had done before her, Lamika would someday accept a disciple and sincerely teach them how to attend to the Sword Church Master's baths. It was a privilege and tradition belonging only to Lamika's lineage within the Sword Church.

But the dwarves arriving tomorrow would build a bathhouse as well. After that, she would not be able to continue as before. The tradition Lamika and her predecessors had stubbornly upheld would be replaced by new conveniences...

Naturally, Lamika could only glare at Kyle with resentment filling both eyes. She was happy about the Sword Church Master's changes, but he had brought about changes she did not want as well. She could not help looking at him that way.

“Even if we build a bathroom, you can still attend to her baths.”

The Apostles in this forest lived far too inconveniently for their standing in the Sword Church. Apparently, they all went to villages outside Sword Grove just to wash themselves. There was a lake right there, so they could have simply soaked in it or drawn water to wash. Lamika had strictly forbidden it, insisting that only the Sword Church Master could use the water from the Heavenly Eye Well.

“You won't need to go elsewhere to wash anymore either, Lamika-nim. We've decided to rebuild the Apostles' homes too, so each house can have a private bathroom... As for the Sword Church Master's bathroom, we'll just build it and let only me use it. You can keep living as you always have.”

Kyle had no idea why she was so obsessed with attending to Helenas's baths. Still, she disliked the thought enough to cry, so it seemed better to let her do as she pleased. As soon as she heard Kyle's answer, Lamika sniffled and glanced at Helenas.

“Do as you like.”

The Sword Church Master gave her permission. Lamika's tears stopped instantly. Smiling as though she had never been crying, Lamika left the hut with Helenas.

Not long after, more guests came to the hut. Kyle had been sitting on the floor of the roofless, wallless hut, mulling over the swords he had exchanged with Tebar and Serga today. At the sound of footsteps, he turned his head.

First Apostle Obion and Third Apostle Theodic. The two oldest Apostles of the Sword Church had stopped a short distance from the hut. Kyle rose to greet them.

“The Sword Church Master went to bathe.”

“We know. We came to speak with you, young master.”

Obion answered with a warm smile.

“We prepared food, since we thought you might be hungry.”

“It isn't the sort of food the Sword Church Master usually eats, is it?”

“Ha ha, it is worldly food, so please don't worry. Still, we would not dare enter the Sword Church Master's hut, so we would like to invite you to dine at my home.”

Kyle had swung his sword a great deal today, and he was hungry. With a broad grin, he stepped outside.

The Apostles' huts were quite far from here, and Obion's was the closest to Helenas's hut. It too had stood there for five hundred years, a shabby place that would not have seemed strange if it collapsed at any moment.

The inside was as humble as the outside, but a small table had been laid with worldly food and several bottles of liquor. Obion pulled out a chair for Kyle and invited him to sit. Only after Kyle sat down did Obion and Theodic take their seats.

“We normally eat the same meals as the Sword Church Master. But I did not think you would enjoy that sort of food, young master.”

“I'm still at the age where I eat a lot.”

“Then we prepared the liquor for nothing.”

“I can drink.”

Kyle answered at once. He had not touched alcohol while staying in the Sword Tower, but Arian was not here to smack him across the back.

Once purple wine filled their cups, Obion raised his glass.

“There are so many things to commemorate and celebrate, but let us make the first toast to young master's visit.”

Their glasses clinked. Kyle took a sip of the wine. Even Kyle, who knew little about alcohol, could tell it was good.

“When are you considering holding the wedding?”

Theodic was the first to raise the subject. Kyle had been rolling the wine around in his mouth, and the question nearly made him spit it out.

“Cough.”

He barely managed to swallow without making a spectacle of himself. Clearing his throat, Kyle looked at Theodic. The old man stared straight at him with cool eyes.

“W-well, I may become the Sword Church Master's partner... but nothing has been decided yet.”

“Are you refusing the Sword Church Master's wish?”

“I am not refusing. Didn't the Sword Church Master say it herself? The matter of me becoming her partner comes after my sword defeats hers.”

“That cannot happen.”

Theodic declared it.

“And it must not.”

Those words did not sound like blind fanaticism over the Sword Church Master's strength. It seemed this drinking gathering would be rather uncomfortable. Kyle set down his glass and looked directly at Theodic.

“Because if the Sword Church Master loses, the Sword Church's foundations will shake?”

“The Sword Church has many members. How many among them truly worship the sword itself?”

Theodic answered quietly. Obion only wore a bitter smile and did not intervene. He seemed curious what Kyle would say, and what thoughts Kyle held.

“The Sword Church's roots lie in the Sword Demon's followers, but they became the Sword Church because the Sword Church Master, an elf, was there. If the Sword Church Master had been human and passed away long ago, the Sword Church would never have become what it is today.”

Theodic was right. It was also why Kyle did not hold any special attachment to the Sword Church.

The Sword Church had its roots in the Sword Demon's followers, and Cyrus Rubalt had been the one to first give them the name Sword Church and the symbol of the pauldron. He created the Sword Church to mourn and honor a friend who had died without leaving anything behind in the world. But now, the reason the Sword Church was the Sword Church was ultimately that Helenas had remained alive for five hundred years.

She had not simply lived. Helenas had become the continent's strongest swordsman. The Church's roots might have been the Sword Demon's followers, but the members of this era followed Helenas, not the Sword Demon. To the Sword Church members, the Sword Church Master had to be the strongest. A sword they could revere and worship was the source of their faith.

“If the Sword Church Master loses, the faith of the members will be shaken. Some will fall into despair, because the faith they have devoted themselves to will feel empty.”

“Sword Pursuit, Sword Madness, Sword Love.”

Kyle gave a faint laugh and raised his glass to his lips.

“Those are the Sword Church's doctrines, aren't they? If a swordsman would fall into despair over the Sword Church Master's defeat, they were never sincere about the doctrines. Do you need members like that?”

“Many Sword Church members regard the Sword Church Master as sacred.”

“I heard that the Sword Church Master has lost many times in the past. Everyone now recognizes her as the continent's strongest swordsman, but where in the world is there an absolute and eternal strongest?”

Theodic silently ran his fingers over his glass. His eyes remained cool as he watched Kyle. Kyle met his gaze without looking away.

‘He does not seem displeased even hearing Helenas's defeat discussed.’

That cannot happen. It must not happen. Despite declaring that so firmly, Theodic's reaction was unexpected. Kyle understood what the old man was thinking.

Despite his declaration, Theodic was imagining the Sword Church Master's eventual defeat. Perhaps it was because he had seen Kyle cross swords with Tebar and Serga today.

“What is there to think so hard about?”

Kyle shrugged, drained his glass, and held it out toward Theodic.

“If the Sword Church Master's defeat shakes the members' faith, then those weak people were never sincere about the sword. Personally, I do not think the Sword Church needs people like that. But if you truly want to embrace even those weak little lambs, then sell me as their new idol.”

“You would need to join with the Sword Church Master for that.”

“Would I? I am already a Sword Church member, and I became an Apostle. The strongest Sword Church Master loses to an Apostle, and their idol changes. That sounds healthier than a fan club fanatically worshipping one beautiful, strong elf. Does it not sound more like a religion pursuing a purer sword and purer strength?”

“It would no longer be the Sword Church.”

“Then should we change the name too? Instead of the Sword Church, what was it... We can change the doctrines entirely. You do not have to hold only a sword to pursue strength. Fighting someone with a weapon other than a sword is fun too. How about the Demon Church?”

“Ha ha.”

For the first time, a smile appeared on Theodic's expressionless face. As he refilled Kyle's glass, he muttered,

“The Demon Church. A name worthy of someone who chose Black Sword as his epithet.”

“What is wrong with my naming sense?”

“I am relieved that you seem to be sincerely considering even the Church's future. I was worried that you might only take the sweet parts of the Church and leave.”

“What is wrong with my naming sense?”

“Please do not take this old man's concern as an insult. You have already enjoyed many privileges from the Sword Church. You crossed swords with the Fifth Apostle and Fourth Apostle. Even with the Second Apostle, and you survived. You are even crossing swords with the Sword Church Master.”

Put that way, Kyle had nothing to say. From Theodic's perspective, Kyle might look like the young master of Alastor, the continent's greatest prestigious family and Sword House, who had not sincerely devoted himself to the Sword Church. He had merely set one foot in it and was sucking up all its benefits.

What if Kyle later defeated the Sword Church Master, then washed his hands of the matter and returned to Alastor? The reputation of the continent's strongest swordsman, and all worship directed at the Sword Church Master, would pass to Alastor.

“I do have a conscience. I have gained much from the Sword Church, so I should give something back to it.”

“Then the wedding can be held after young master becomes the Family Head of Alastor.”

Theodic nodded with a smile.

“But the ceremony must be held in Sword Grove. This is the Sword Church's holy land. Countless Sword Church members will gather in Sword Grove to bless the marriage between you two. After that, young master and the Sword Church Master can become the Church's idols and lead its members.”

“No... I mean... I keep telling you, marriage is still uncertain.”

“The Sword Church Master has already shown you such deep affection, and yet you say that?”

“That is not affection. Or rather, it is something different... Anyway... I will think about it gradually.”

“There is no need to rush.”

Obion stopped Theodic from trying to secure the marriage right away. With a satisfied smile, he ran his fingers over his glass.

“What we should consider now is the Sword Church Master's change. If the Sword Church Master changes, the Sword Church should naturally follow that change.”

“That is too optimistic. The Sword Church exists because the Sword Church Master exists, but that does not mean we can ignore the members.”

“I am saying there is no need to decide anything right away. We can discuss it in time. What we must do now is support the Sword Church Master and young master.”

“You are making me out to be the only impatient old man.”

Theodic grumbled softly and took a sip of wine.

“We have always supported the Sword Church Master... but I do not know how we should support young master. Your temperament is flexible and free, so I do not think you will devote yourself to the Church's affairs as an Apostle...”

“Should I bring in some money? My family has plenty.”

“Is there any need to do that now? If you marry the Sword Church Master later, Alastor's wealth will become the Sword Church's wealth.”

“That is not how it works. Family money belongs to the family. We can share assets in moderation...”

“The Sword Church will offer everything to young master. The Sword Church Master will likely wish to do the same.”

Obion answered. This was fanaticism far beyond loyalty. If Kyle married Helenas one day and became their new idol, members willing to become martyrs at a single word from Kyle would gather at his feet.

‘This is way too much pressure.’

It was far too heavy a conversation to be having already. Kyle filled the two elderly Apostles' glasses and opened his mouth.

“What do you two find appealing about the Sword Church Master?”

It was an abrupt question. The two Apostles, who had been receiving wine, opened their eyes wide and looked at Kyle. Kyle continued at once.

“Her appeal as a swordsman is overflowing. She is the strongest swordsman of all. But marriage is not something you do just because someone is strong with a sword. Appearance matters, but personality matters too.”

“The Sword Church Master's... personality is... hmm...”

“She is pure.”

Theodic hesitated, but Obion answered without a moment's thought.

“It would take far too long to speak of the Sword Church Master's charms. Let me ask you in return. What do you think your own charm is, young master?”

It was a reply worthy of the oldest Apostle. He smoothly turned Kyle's mischievous question back on him.

“I have served the Sword Church Master longer than any of the Apostles. I believe the Sword Church Master's choice is what matters most... Ha ha, I may be several hundred years younger than the Sword Church Master, but strangely enough, I feel as though I am sending off a daughter.”

He even used his old age and his relationship with Helenas as weapons. Kyle had suddenly been pushed onto the defensive, but he answered with a grin.

“I am handsome.”

“...”

“I am young too. My family is excellent. My talent as a swordsman is genius-level.”

“Huh...”

“My personality is good too. Thinking about it seriously, I do not have any flaws. Too many charms, that is the problem.”

He did not even feel guilty saying it. What was there to feel guilty about when it was true? Inferiority? He did not have that either. He was the type to acknowledge what should be acknowledged quickly.

Nor had he despaired at Ruin's sword, engraved deep in his heart. It was an overwhelming sword, one difficult even to imitate right now, but that was precisely what made him happy. If that was the end of the sword Ruin had set, Kyle only needed to inherit it and go farther.

That end was Ruin's choice, not Kyle's.

* * *

After ending the conversation with shameless, bold self-promotion, Kyle returned to Helenas's hut. Somehow, the final part had turned into a prospective groom's self-introduction, but Obion and Theodic had looked reasonably satisfied.

They had not asked directly, but they were probably satisfied.

“Where did you go?”

“I went to meet the First Apostle and Third Apostle.”

“What did you talk about?”

“They said that if we get married, we should hold the ceremony in Sword Grove.”

“Are we doing it tomorrow?”

“Do not say ridiculous things.”

The hut had neither roof nor walls. A steady breeze carried Helenas's scent. Helenas, who had just bathed, smelled pleasantly calming. Sitting on the old bed, made to look old, Helenas patted the space beside her.

“Sleep in the same bed.”

“I will sleep on the floor.”

“There is a bed. Why?”

“It is too small.”

“Two people can sleep in it.”

“Tomorrow... Let us ask the dwarves coming tomorrow to make a large bed. One large enough for ten people to lie down and roll around in, not just two.”

“Are we going to have ten children?”

“Have you been drinking?”

They said half-blood children were not easily born between elves and humans, but could they have ten? Kyle naturally imagined children between himself and Helenas. Would their ears be long like an elf's? Would they be a little shorter because they were half-bloods? What color would their hair be? Helenas had light green hair. Would red and green mix together?

‘What am I even thinking about?’

After spending three months together, feelings different from before had seeped into Kyle's heart as well. He shook his head hard. Marriage and plans for children were both too early to consider.

Naturally, nothing happened on their first night in Sword Grove. Helenas lay in the bed, and Kyle lay on the floor. He could feel Helenas watching him from above throughout the night, but Kyle simply slept.

Early the next morning, Kyle's eyes snapped open at the sound of movement. Helenas had climbed down from the bed and was holding her sword.

“Morning training?”

“Yes.”

Even during their journey, Helenas always went out at this hour to swing her sword. Kyle stretched long, rose, and walked outside with Helenas.

“A spar?”

“No. Today, I want to swing my sword alone too.”

Kyle shook his head and drew Fenris. Helenas watched him quietly for a moment before beginning to swing her own sword. From above to below. Helenas's training always began with that motion. It was the trajectory Raikal had first taught Helenas.

A short distance away, Kyle focused on Fenris. A wolf appeared in a soft shimmer and looked up at Kyle with wide eyes.

‘Until now, I did not like it because it felt as though I was being dragged along.’

Kyle raised Fenris high as he thought to himself.

‘Then I might as well be dragged along.’

The sword fell.

Footnotes:

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