WeTried Translations

Translator: Dawn

Editor: Dawn

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Genius Knight of a Fallen Race

Chapter 6

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What It Means to Live as a Human

Having rolled absurdly across the ground, Shan stood still with the sword hanging loosely in his hand while the knight pulled himself back up. That was because he had now realized that the lump of metal before him was not much of a threat.

The bearded face was so red that, even considering it was bathed in the sunset, it was excessive. When Shan raised the sword again and gave a sharp thrust into the air, the knight flinched and took a step back.

Roden looked like a hardened warrior who had crossed dozens of battlefields, only to tremble because a sword was pointed at him. At this rate, Shan, who had been so tense, felt more like a fool.

As Shan let out a baffled sigh, the man’s fierce, masculine face twisted with shame and humiliation. A moment later, the knight shouted and swung his flail with all his strength.

“Uaaah—!”

The sound of it cutting through the wind was fearsome, but Shan did not feel even the slightest threat from it. What danger could there be when the one swinging it did not even move a single step and had his eyes squeezed shut?

Not even feeling the need to swing his sword, Shan simply stepped lightly aside and gave the man a quick kick to the shin. The knight lost his balance and crashed forward. Seeing that, Shan could not help but say something.

“You have to keep your eyes open when you fight.”

“I know that too...!”

For someone who had just fallen flat on his face, he still answered in a growling tone. Though seeing that he could not even move when the sword was pointed at him again, it really was true that he was all mouth. After quietly watching him, Shan slid the sword back into its sheath and immediately sensed the man’s tightly drawn body ease. It was truly ridiculous.

Whether the weapon was in his hand or at his waist, the gap between them had not changed in the slightest. After a brief silence, a sobbing, almost wailing sound began to rise. The knight was crying his eyes out, pounding the ground with his metal gloves.

“Damn it, damn it! Why the hell am I scared of something like that, you cursed cowardly bastard!”

The sight of a warrior who looked terrifyingly strong bawling like a child with tears and snot running down his face left Shan at a loss. He had not even shown any real violence like the enemies he had fought a few months ago, and yet this man was blubbering just because he had lightly tripped him once. Many minutes passed as Shan simply watched, not knowing how to respond. At last, the knight, having stopped sobbing, muttered quietly,

“Kill me.”

“What?”

“I’m too ashamed to go on living, so just kill me...”

Even hearing that, Shan did not particularly feel like killing him. Like a cat usually would, Shan kicked lightly at the seated knight’s back with a face mixed with curiosity and caution.

“Don’t do that.”

“Why is a knight in armor afraid of swords?”

“...I’m not a knight.”

“I heard that people wearing iron armor are knights.”

“What knights wear is plate armor, not this kind made of chain. They’re completely different.”

It was rather amusing how he kept sniffling while still rambling out answers. Squatting down to meet the man at eye level, Shan asked what he was most curious about.

“But, mister knight—”

“I told you, I’m not a knight. Just call me Roden.”

“Why did you come to fight me if you’re afraid of swords, Roden?”

“I thought if I just came in looking fierce and barked at you, that would be enough. Most people gave in when I did that.”

Indeed. Right up until he came looking for him and drew a weapon, he really had seemed like a fearsome enemy. He had even given a convincing talk about protecting him from the villagers if he surrendered, and so on... Even Shan had felt that way, so if it had been some half-baked robbers, they would probably have surrendered instead of risking their lives to resist. 

Perhaps talking had eased his mood a little. With a noticeably more relaxed face, Roden said in a hollow tone,

“It sounds ridiculous to say this after showing you such a pathetic sight, but stop deceiving and frightening people with Alto magic from now on. This time it was just a coward like me who came and let it pass. If a real warrior had shown up, it would’ve been dangerous. You could’ve died.”

Roden did not mention the part about how he had maybe wanted to scare Shan away before someone came to kill the pitiful Alto boy. No matter what, that would have looked so shabby that it would have seemed like begging for his life. At Roden’s words, Shan tilted his head as if he truly did not understand.

“But I never really deceived or frightened anyone.”

“What?”

“I never deceived anyone. I only fought enemies.”

“Then all of that story was real? You’re saying you wiped out an entire mercenary group with magic?”

“Yes. Though I’m not really sure if this is magic.”

Shan explained the power he had to Roden—the ability to move his body more efficiently, rationally, and precisely than others. He also told him about the ability to perceive the world slowly, to read an opponent’s movements with perfect clarity and predict and respond to them, and that he can even see things clearly in the dark.

Unlike the villagers who had once barked at him without even hearing the full story, Roden listened to all of it with a grave face. When Shan went on to tell him how he had used that ability to destroy the mercenary group in the dark forest, and how he had forced respect into the people of Leaf Village who used to oppress him, Roden asked quietly,

“I’m not doubting your words, but could you perhaps show that power to me as well?”

“Just a moment.”

Shan was about to draw the sword at his waist, but when he saw Roden flinch at the mere touch of his sword, he instead went inside and brought out his mace. This, too, had gotten somewhat bent from all the ways he had played around with it, but being a blunt weapon, it was still usable enough.

Holding the mace, Shan lightly demonstrated the techniques he practiced every day in the forest and hills—ways of hurting people with weapons. Though he had grown somewhat, he was still small and slender compared to a grown man. So, when such a boy began swinging the mace around at a speed too fast for the eye to follow, Roden’s jaw dropped open. By the time Shan finished by leaping higher than his own height and flipping through the air, it looked like Roden’s jaw might fall off entirely.

“It’s roughly like this.”

“This is really... ah, Goddess above. How in the world...”

The sight of him clasping his hands and praying with a sigh somehow reminded Shan of Priest Ador, so Shan quietly watched him, then clasped his own hands and prayed too. He had no idea what he was supposed to pray for, though. After a while, Roden stopped praying and let out a sigh.

“Would it be alright if I stayed here just for one day? I swear in the name of the Goddess and my father, by the custom of hospitality, that I will never harm you.”

It was a truly sudden proposal. Shan thought for a moment, then nodded. Originally, he had lived alone because he feared being stabbed in his sleep, but he felt like with someone that large, he would hear him move even in the middle of the night and wake up. To be honest, it was also pretty fun talking with a person at length again after so long.

“I can give you food, but you can’t come into the house.”

When Roden saw the dinner Shan set out, he made a serious face and said he would cook instead. Shan, who had thought that leftover meat from earlier, shriveled bread, cheese, and raw vegetables were a pretty decent feast, felt somewhat offended inside, but that feeling soon vanished. Because what Roden’s food was unbelievably delicious.

Using the metal pot and other cooking tools left abandoned in one corner of the hut, gathering dust, along with ingredients he had brought himself, he made a stew, melted cheese over the meat, and lightly seasoned and blanched the vegetables. With just that simple cooking, the scattered food they had before became several times more delicious.

After putting the meal into his mouth at the little feast they had set up in front of the hut by a campfire, Shan was so moved that he burst into tears, even more than when he had first eaten roasted meat.

“Is-is it really that good...?”

“It’s the best! Really, I’ve never eaten anything like this in my life!”

Roden, who had been staring at him with a flustered expression, suddenly let out a short laugh and took a drink of the wine he had brought. It seemed the people of Leaf Village hadn’t been exaggerating. Shan really did devour an enormous amount of food. With delicious food and alcohol, the flickering campfire, and light conversation, the atmosphere loosened comfortably. In the middle of their idle chatter, Shan, having heard something Roden said, gasped in shock.

“Nineteen!?”

“Yeah. I know I look older than I am, even without saying it,” Roden replied with a hollow smile, as if he were used to hearing that.

In truth, he actively made use of that appearance. As he had done in Leaf Village, if he lowered his voice and acted solemn, no one would ever suspect that he was just a youngster who had only recently come of age. 

Staring blankly at Roden, Shan muttered,

“You’re not even that much older than me...”

“And how old are you?”

“I don’t know. I think I’m at least twelve, but probably not yet fourteen.”

Not knowing one’s exact age was a common trait among orphans who had never been properly raised. From that alone, Roden could roughly guess what kind of life this boy named Shan had lived. After exchanging pointless chatter for a while, Roden’s face hardened as he brought up the main topic.

“So, are you planning to keep living like this?”

“Living like what?”

“The people from Leaf Village were the ones who asked me to get rid of you. They were suffering because you kept taking their food. No matter how you see it, that’s food you looted by threatening farmers with a blade.”

“But living mixed in with others is too hard.”

It sounded like the kind of excuse a thug who fled to the city to avoid farming would make. Roden’s expression stiffened with displeasure, but at Shan’s next words, he let out a sigh of anguish.

The boy lived a life where he had to wake up earlier than anyone else and toil relentlessly in backbreaking labor until sunset, until everyone else was asleep. In the midst of that, being casually insulted and beaten by everyone he interacted with, scavenging crumbs for food, starving until every bone in his body protrudes...

The standard of a “diligent life” in this Alto boy’s mind was several times harsher and more cruel than what Roden had imagined. The word “slave,” strictly forbidden by the Church of the Goddess, could hardly be more fitting. No wonder he would think it better to pick up a blade and take from others instead.

“When I wield a weapon and use the power of a demon, people fear me. That’s better than being looked down on and ignored.”

Roden did not respond to Shan’s words and remained silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, it wasn’t to refute him.

“My father is a merchant.”

“A merchant... someone who buys and sells goods, right?”

“That’s right. One of the top ones in the neighboring country, Pendia.”

Roden’s full name was Roden Weavers, and his father, Kalion, was the head of the capital’s merchant guild and the owner of the largest jewelry business in the kingdom. Naturally, Roden, his late-born son, had been raised with the expectation that he would become a great merchant like his father.

“When I was young, I thought my father was the greatest person in the world. Everyone we met looked up to him. But one day... I saw him bow his head to someone.”

That someone was a knight. The sight of his father, dressed in luxurious clothes, bowing to a knight in worn armor, left a deep impression on young Roden. There were many others his father bowed to as well—royal attendants, and the various nobles who made up his primary clients.

For a merchant, groveling flattery and hospitality were just as important as keen judgment and the ability to read the times. Even if the person he talked to was a poor noble or an incompetent knight, he could never act arrogantly toward them. That would be an act of defiance against the upper class.

“If you want to be respected by true powerholders and stand on equal footing with them, you need either noble blood or skill. And the kind of skill I mean... is this.”

Roden held out his clenched fist in front of Shan. The fist, nearly twice the size of Shan’s, bulged with veins and looked intimidating.

“My father supported that decision and introduced me to a retired knight. He said my reflexes and technique were average, but I had a good build and strength, so my talent wasn’t bad. But...”

“You were afraid of blades?”

“Yes.”

When training with wooden swords or blunted practice weapons, it hadn’t been an issue. But whenever a real blade was pointed at him, Roden’s body would stiffen like a mouse facing a snake. Even if he knew the other person had no intention or ability to harm him, it didn’t matter.

Trying to fix it by forcing himself to stay near blades only made it worse. Now, unless it was something like a kitchen knife, Roden found it difficult even to hold weapons made for combat, and could only use blunt weapons like maces or flails.

“My father didn’t blame me. In fact, he almost seemed pleased. He only respected my wishes. Deep down, he wanted me to quit knight training and succeed him as a merchant. But I didn’t want to give up.”

In the end, Roden ran away from home, packing his belongings and donning custom-made armor, heading to the neighboring country, Libert. He resolved to wander, risking his life, until he could completely rid himself of this damned fear of blades. Despite the danger of traveling alone, Roden remained safe thanks to his intimidating appearance.  Anyone who could tell recognized him as a seasoned warrior equipped with luxurious gear and didn’t dare provoke him. The monsters lacked such discernment, but they rarely used bladed weapons, allowing him to fight effectively. 

After finishing his story, Roden gazed at Shan with deep eyes and asked,

“Do you know why I’m telling you all this?”

“No.”

“Because I’m unbearably jealous of you.”

Jealousy? 

That was something Shan had never imagined. Who in the world would envy a lowly, wicked Alto orphan? Seeing his bewildered expression, Roden chuckled.

“I’ve met Altos several times. What you were born with isn’t some demonic power. Sure, your night vision comes from those eyes... but the rest is just talent. You could probably become a greater knight than anyone in this world.”

His voice was filled with deep sorrow, lamenting as if he couldn’t help but find the goddess for letting such talent go to waste.

Listening quietly, Shan asked in confusion,

“But I’m an Alto. How could I become a knight?”

“It’s difficult here in Libert, where the old faith dominates. But in other countries, it’s possible.”

“The old faith?”

“You don’t know? Well, I guess they don’t bother teaching that in a rural place like this.”

Assuming Shan knew nothing, Roden began to explain calmly.

Long ago, in the western lands where they now lived, there had been a powerful nation called the Arman Empire. When it fell five hundred years ago and split into five countries, the Church of the Goddess also divided into the Old Faith and the New Faith. Unlike the Old Faith, which clung to outdated doctrines, the New Faith regarded Altos not as descendants of demons, but as ordinary humans originating from an ancient magical empire.

“There are other differences too, such as whether priests can marry, regulations on magic, and so on... Anyway, the important thing is, my homeland, Pendia, has both Old and New Faith believers, so there’s less discrimination than here in Libert. I can’t say there are none, but even so, there are plenty of opportunities for an Alto to rise through swordsmanship. Someone like you might even achieve great merit and become the first Alto lord.”

Roden’s story sounded so sweet it felt unreal. 

An Alto lord? 

It sounded as mismatched as a flying pig or a swimming bird. To Shan, who had been treated as a descendant of demons, practically a different species from humans, it was utterly baffling.

Seeing his expression, Roden stepped across the campfire and grabbed Shan firmly by both shoulders. Even though Shan knew it would be dangerous if Roden suddenly strangled him, he couldn’t react immediately.

“Come with me to Pendia, Shan. Is this really the life you want? Spending your days preying on farmers? With your talent, you could gain so much more. Wealth and fame that everyone would admire... and maybe even something beyond that.”

Wealth and fame didn’t mean much to Shan. He had never properly traded with anyone, nor had he ever been praised. But for the first time, he saw a “future” in Roden’s words.

Not just scrambling to survive day by day, finding food and a place to sleep, but a life that looked beyond that. He felt the desire to become better than his current self, to pursue positive change. That was the boundary between human and beast.

The boy, who had lived freely as a beast, enjoying its simple happiness, pondered long over the proposal to become human. At last, Shan spoke when the campfire before them had nearly burned out.

“Will I be able to eat food even better than what I had today?”

Caught off guard, Roden stared blankly for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“Of course! Compared to the skilled chefs in Pendia’s capital, I’m nothing at all!”