WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: HidingTurtle
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Wandering Knight and the Moving Castle ◈
Chapter 66: Prophecy (5)
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Just as the water in the jar was nearly depleted, the ember burning Marbas’s soul went out completely.
“How do you feel?”
Marbas seemed too busy to answer as he kept examining his drenched body.
There was a welcome kind of disbelief in his gaze, and that was answer enough for Eugene.
“I’m glad it worked.”
“What you’ve done cannot be defined by a word like ‘worked.’ So this is why mages value ties and fate so dearly.”
The salvation he had yearned for all his life but could never grasp had come to him of its own accord. Marbas smiled, joy and bitterness mingling on his face.
At that moment, someone outside seemed to be anxiously stamping their feet.
“Sir Knight! Forgive me for intruding without permission! What in the world happened?!”
The tribal maid waiting outside threw open the door after smelling smoke and sulfur leaking from the quarters.
“Leave.”
“Y-yes, forgive me.”
The maid immediately prostrated herself at Eugene’s command. Marbas wore a strange expression as he watched.
It was an attitude never shown even to him, despite being an exceptional mage who had devoted himself to the tribe for a long time.
‘Perhaps only another warrior can truly win the heart of a warrior tribe?’
Perhaps they had been told about the prophecy. Even so, Marbas found it surprising, knowing the pride of their people.
“Leave the door open. There wasn’t a fire, so don’t worry.”
“Yes. Forgive me for disturbing you.”
Marbas recited an unusual spell and made a gesture with his hand. A small gust formed, gathering the smoke and odors scattered throughout the room before carrying them outside in an instant.
Interestingly, nothing that could have been blown away by the wind, including the papers, even stirred.
“Is that summoning arts as well?”
“It is. Every mage specializes in a single field decreed by fate. Summoners, though, are not bound by such limits. Depending on their needs, they can borrow power from many beings of the Otherworld.”
“That sounds like an absurd advantage.”
It meant no other mage could match them in versatility or adaptability.
“That is why other mages welcome summoners. We can hold a decent conversation about any field, especially one that is difficult to encounter.”
“Like how you welcomed me, Marbas?”
“Exactly. Those who have trouble meeting others like themselves are always hungry to exchange knowledge and experiences.”
Marbas scooped the remaining purified water from the jar and set it before himself in a ladle.
His eyes shone with a boyish curiosity. He sniffed it, then cautiously held some in his mouth.
“Are there any disadvantages? Are you inferior to mages specialized in one field?”
“It is not simply that the effects of magic are weaker. There are many things summoners cannot perform at all. The price we must pay is greater as well.”
Now that Eugene had asked, it seemed only natural.
“The worst part is the danger. Every time a summoner uses magic, it is like stepping into the Otherworld. It is not a life I would recommend. Among mages, summoners are the most likely to meet sudden, unnatural deaths.”
There was a reason people said a summoner’s ability could be measured by the number of wrinkles on their face.
Marbas gathered up the bandages that were no longer needed. He must have been thoroughly sick of them, because he handled them roughly.
“I swear on my name that I will repay this favor.”
“I didn’t do it expecting anything in return.”
“You wield great magic, yet your identity is still that of a knight. At times like this, the proper thing is to squeeze out as much as you can.”
A favor from a mage was not simply an expression of goodwill. It was something like a blank check.
If Varda had been there, she would have covered Eugene’s mouth and negotiated in his place.
Of course, Marbas was not shameless. He was also deeply interested in the young genius before him, who wielded power from the same field.
“I would like to follow you. Will you permit it? I do not have much money left after treating this body, and I do not think this is a debt I can repay with money in the first place.”
“There is no reason to refuse the company of such an accomplished summoner. But don’t you have a contract with them?”
Eugene pointed outside with his thumb.
“My contract includes the right to leave whenever I wish, so it is not a problem.”
“Did you foresee a situation like this?”
“No. I simply did not wish to let go of a mystery worth exploring when one appeared before me. All capable mages include that condition in their contracts.”
Come to think of it, Varda had the same right. More precisely, Eugene had offered it first and sworn to it.
“I would be happy to have you, but I am somewhat concerned. We were invited here as guests, and I would not want them to resent us for taking away such a valuable person.”
“You need not worry about that. They are seeking a place to settle down and avoid the disaster foretold by prophecy. They will support you, the one who could become their key, rather than oppose you.”
Marbas’s judgment was accurate.
After hearing the story, Chieftain Alesa readily nodded.
“Won’t you regret losing such a valuable asset?”
“That is what it means to work with a mage. We are fortunate for as long as they remain with us, but they can leave at any time.”
Alesa’s words made Eugene think of Varda again.
She had given him so much advice and care while asking for nothing in return. Having the beautiful elf mage at his side had become too natural.
“Are you awake? You were suffering terribly.”
He still vividly remembered the time he had a nightmare at The Knight’s House, when she came running barefoot and pulled him out of it.
Whenever he recalled that, even Eugene’s heart of steel beat unevenly.
Still, Varda was free to leave if she found a better subject of study, just as Eugene had left House Morad behind and chosen Northfork over three comfortable villages.
‘I should treat her well while she is here.’
Assuming Varda would always remain by his side as she had until now was far too complacent.
* * *
Some time later, Eugene walked around the outer edge of the festival with Varda and Homi.
After asking Rex’s leave, they had changed into everyday clothes.
“I meant to show my utmost sincerity in my own way, but it seems I caused trouble instead.”
Though everything had worked out, there had still been a commotion. Rex gave a wry smile and agreed.
As expected of a northern festival where supplies gathered from every direction, there were sights to see and food to eat everywhere.
“They say this fruit came from across the sea. Apparently, it is hard to find except at times like this.”
Eugene bought dried fruit that looked similar to mangoes. Varda and Homi each put a piece in their mouths.
“It is good, but too sweet for me.”
Varda stuck out her pink tongue cutely, though she looked troubled.
“...!”
Homi seemed to love it. With a blissful look on her face, she even ate Varda’s share.
“Then how about some meat?”
The two young ladies each held a small chicken skewer and lamb skewer. They looked like children out with a parent.
It suited Homi well and made her look cute, but Varda seemed embarrassed. Her cheeks were slightly red beneath her hood.
Chew, chew.
Still, true to her devotion to meat, she steadily nibbled away at it.
“Hehe. Why are you taking care of us so much today?”
“It is a festival. Is there anything you would like to eat?”
“I have had enough food. There is something I want.”
“Please, name it.”
“I would like to look at decorations. Everything in your office was placed there by the previous lords. Shouldn’t we leave something that reflects our own tastes?”
“...That is a good idea.”
In contrast to Eugene’s worries, the first thing Varda wanted from the festival was something for him.
They passed many attractions while looking at decorations.
A drinking tournament, archery, dagger throwing, bare-knuckle fighting, a wrestling-like contest of strength, and a Dark Elf circus troupe performing acrobatics with flexibility beyond that of humans.
Thump!
A passerby was struck by Homi’s tail as she looked around in excitement.
“Hey!”
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
Eugene apologized on her behalf.
The snow leopard girl’s tail kept swishing nonstop, having lost all control in her excitement. Eugene had to hold tightly onto it as he followed her.
‘It’s not like I’m walking a dog... But this is strangely...?’
The soft fluffiness filling his hand and the powerful pulse of the tail!
It felt like a mix between petting a kitten and landing a trophy fish. There was something addictively difficult about letting go.
As the three wandered through the festival, they arrived at a special area.
“This is...”
Varda’s face filled with admiration.
Weapons and armor, shoes, cloaks, lamps, mirrors, pottery, various furniture, and statues were arranged across a broad clearing.
“Are all of these magical items?”
The important thing was that every object gave off an air of mystery, great or small.
The items had been secured to prevent theft, while tribal warriors stood at key points to guard them.
Eugene stopped a passing worker and asked, “What is this place? These do not appear to be items put out for sale.”
The worker had looked annoyed, but Eugene’s build and the copper coin in his hand drew a warm smile.
“Do you see those flags over there?”
The worker pointed to the house banners set up before the magical items. Dozens of flags fluttered in the wind.
“This is where each house shows off its strength during the festival.”
“Their strength?”
“They display rare items to show off. Many tribes that run trading companies or make their living through raiding participate.”
“They all seem to be magical items.”
The worker nodded.
“In the old days, they brought expensive goods. Then one house stacked up a great many gold bars, and the rules changed. Now, regardless of price, the house that presents the most wondrous item wins.”
That was all the worker knew. Eugene gave them a copper coin for their trouble and sent them away.
“Kya ha ha ha!”
A Dark Elf girl happily bounced atop a large horse statue.
“Oh!”
Surprisingly, the horse statue gently swayed on its own.
“That is a golem.”
“A golem! This is my first time seeing one in person.”
“After spending time with you, I have noticed you seem to encounter many things for the first time.”
“I have lived only in the countryside until now.”
Eugene and Homi both looked up at the golem with bright eyes.
“When I heard the word ‘golem,’ I thought they were all crude humanoid lumps of stone.”
“Many people think that because of old fairy tales. But bipedal movement is extremely difficult for a golem.”
“That makes sense. It would stagger if its center of gravity were even slightly off.”
“In reality, many are made in the form of beasts with four or more legs. That statue seems to be an impressive work even taking that into account.”
The horse-shaped golem had an imposing appearance. It was far larger than a real horse, and perhaps because it had been designed as a warhorse, it was completely encased in iron barding.
Since it was such a rare experience, the line was longer than at any other attraction.
“Where did they even find something like this?”
“I-I need to use the toilet.”
“Come on, hold it in. Look at this line. When else will you get to ride it if you miss this chance?”
Even the warrior guards stood with their chests puffed out. Their house seemed certain to win.
“Wahahaha!”
The young man who had just climbed on boisterously bounced his body and kicked the horse’s sides with his legs.
Riding a huge moving stone statue and looking down at the world made him feel like a great general. It was a different kind of satisfaction from riding a real horse.
“Hmm?”
“What is it?”
“I might be imagining it, but I feel like the look in the golem’s eyes is growing more intense.”
Large rubies were set into the golem’s eyes. Even apart from the sunlight shining on them, something inside seemed to be smoldering.
“Could it be your imagination?”
When the excited young man climbed down and the next guest mounted it, the gaze grew even more intense.
“It is not my imagination.”
“...!”
Varda also sensed the rapidly strengthening presence of an elemental spirit within the golem.
Then the incident occurred.
The moment a man who looked bloated climbed onto it and farted, the golem violently bucked him from its back.
“Aaaagh!”
The screaming man was flung away, but luckily landed atop a tent and avoided injury.
The enormous horse-shaped mass of stone leaped high into the air before landing on the ground.
Boom!
The heavy shockwave froze not only the spectators, but even the warriors stationed as guards. No matter how brave they were, the golem was not an opponent they could charge with spears and swords.
Krrrraaaak!
When the golem roared, a bizarre cry like grinding stone thundered through the area.
Eugene and Varda, who had prepared themselves in advance, quickly moved to safety. They could feel the elemental spirit’s fury in the golem’s roar.
“It seems it finally exploded after people kept climbing on it, sitting atop it, and making a ruckus.”
The golem walked over to the booth where it had been displayed and turned around.
Crash!
It kicked backward, and the booth vanished without a trace.
Crunch! Crunch!
As if stomping on it to vent its rage was not enough, it scanned the area with its burning ruby eyes. By then, not only the nearby people but even the warriors had fled while it destroyed the booth.
The golem looked around, then spotted the large market and crowds beyond the entrance.
“W-what is that?!”
People hurriedly scattered before the stone monster charging at them with terrifying momentum, and chaos broke out.
It was a being that showed no sign of life, but everyone could instinctively feel the golem’s rage and bloodlust.
Footnotes:
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