kscans

CHAPTER 7 CHALLENGE TO THE LABYRINTH – Episode 4 – Huddle Zoruarus (Part 1)

1

Maura’s story gave Bard much to ponder. What stuck with him the most was her story that even spirits eaten by humans would initially revive normally.

Maura had once said that spirits bitten by humans would become demon – mad spirits that give birth to demonic beasts. Being “bitten by humans” likely meant a spirit being absorbed by a human, becoming a spirit-possessed being. From this, Bard had thought that any spirit that has been possessed would inevitably go mad upon reviving. Zariya had also said that a spirit that become one with human would lose all memory, wisdom, and kindness, reviving as a mad spirit.

So Bard had believed that any spirit possessed by a human would without exception immediately go mad.

But if spirits merged with humans could initially revive as normal spirits, then everything seemed different. There was something there that contradicted what he had previously thought.

Something must have happened. Something that drove spirits mad. And that something was likely related to humans coming to this land and absorbing the spirits. After all, there had been no such thing as mad spirits before humans arrived. Something happened after humans came and learned to absorb the spirits. Something that drove the spirits mad. Was it after the battle between King Jean and the captain? Or before that? When exactly did it happen?

After finishing his talk with Maura, Bard rejoined the group, guided by Maura’s father, and left the Misty Valley. They headed due west. Strictly speaking, they should have gone southwest, which would have taken them near Shesa Village, but Bard had opted to detour west to avoid that area.

“Mister, if we go just a little bit north from here, we’ll be near the famous waterfall. Let’s camp there tonight,” said Godon Zarkos on the fourth day. (t/n: he didnt call him Danna, but 伯父御 Oji O instead. like esteemed uncle in chinese novel. not sure what better word to use)

Bard nodded, as there was no reason to object. And so they arrived at the waterfall. It had been seven years since Bard had last been here – with Godon, Karz, Jurchaga, and Doriatessa, in the autumn. The colors of the trees and grass were different now, in the spring, but the serene, bountiful scenery was much the same.

The group began setting up camp.

“So this is where Lady Doriatessa underwent her training with Lord Karz,” said Taranka as he gathered firewood.

Bard simply replied “Yes,that’s right” then wondered how Taranka knew that. Quinta also asked Godon about it.

“Lord Godon, where exactly was the rock shelf where Bard led Karz to take his knight’s oath?”

“Hmm? Ah, that. There’s a rock shelf jutting out over there. It was just below that, right about here. That’s where Karz knelt to take the oath, and I officiated,” Godon explained, gesturing.

“I see. Thank you.”

“Hold on, what’s all this talk about Lady Doriatessa’s training and Karz’s oath? What’s going on?” Carla interjected.

“It’s a bit of a long story,” Taranka and Quinta replied in unison.

As the meal preparations were completed and the meal began, Carla asked again.

“So tell me about that earlier conversation.”

Taranka and Quinta exchanged glances, and Taranka ended up explaining.

“Alright, I’ll give you the rundown. You know Bard is originally from Pakula, on the far eastern frontier, right? About eight years ago, Bard had retired and set out on a journey. Just then, an envoy had arrived from the royal capital of Parzam…”

Taranka recounted the tale – how Bard had worked with Jurchaga to expose the Gwendell family’s conspiracy, how he then met Godon and joined him on his travels in the frontier, the many adventures they had, and Doriatessa’s encounter with them. He told of Karz taking his knight’s oath. It was a lengthy story, but Taranka told it concisely and efficiently.

“And so Doriatessa, accompanied by Jurchaga, returned home to compete in the Frontier Martial Arts Tournament. Lord Bard and the others continued on their astonishing adventures, and the whole group reunited the following April at Lordvan Castle. At that tournament, Doriatessa achieved the remarkable feat of winning the overall championship, with a light swordsman defeating heavily armored knights – a first of its kind. But there’s an interesting backstory to that as well. Anyway, that’s the gist of it.”

Carla sat with her mouth agape, eyes wide, listening intently. She had really come to fit in well. Originally, Carla had kept her distance from Taranka and Quinta, and they had been watching her suspiciously. After all, Carla did seem to be hiding something. That’s why Bard had decided to keep her close, under watch. But seeing Carla’s behavior in Agis, Taranka and Quinta’s attitude toward her had changed. Seeing her diligently treat the villagers, Bard’s view of her had shifted as well. This young woman was not a bad person. With the flexibility befitting her youth, Carla had grown closer to the group. Her rapt attention now showed how fully she had opened up.

Still, how did Taranka know so many details about Bard’s travels?

“Remarkable, truly remarkable. That’s my Mister. Who the hell did you ask?”

“Lord Godon. The truth is, there are two books. One is the book that Lady Doriatessa has, ‘The Adventures of the Old Knight of the Frontier.’ This is based on what Lord Jurchaga recounted in the plaza in front of the imperial palace of the Goriora Empire, which was written down by a wandering bard. A certain Count of the Goriora Empire turned it into a book. Lord Arflaburne brought it as a souvenir for Lady Doriatessa the other day. Quinta and I were able to see it. The other book is ‘The Biography of Lord Bard Rowen.’ This was written in the Kingdom of Parzam. The first half is what Lady Doriatessa, Jurchaga, and the knight Maitalp recounted during the Frontier Martial Arts Tournament at Lordvan’s castle, recorded by a retainer of a certain noble family in Parzam. The latter half is the record of Bard’s words and deeds witnessed by that noble himself. I read what Priest Kuri has kept in his treasured collection.”

How astonishing. There are two biographies of Bard that has been published. But the content that Jurchaga recounted was likely heavily exaggerated. On the other hand, what Taranka said seems to be based on facts. In other words, Taranka has the ability to accurately perceive the essence of things and express them objectively.

“I see. But, what an epic tale. To think that such a story actually happened in reality. So, what’s next?”

“Eh? Next?”

“Yes, of course. First, tell me the behind-the-scenes story. What happened at the Frontier Martial Arts Tournament?”

In the end, Taranka went on to tell one story after another about the Bard. The tales of Karz, Doriatessa at the Frontier Martial Arts Tournament. And the story of Bard Rowen singing the “Pilgrim Knight” and the knights present chanting along. Carla was still not satisfied, and kept asking what happened next, what came after that.

Responding to the request, Taranka told of Bard’s exploits after being appointed as the Middle Army General of the Kingdom of Parzam. The rescue of Corpus Fortress. The journey with Chantillion to aid the commoners. And the fierce defense of Lordvan’s Castle leading the combined forces of the Tri-Nation Alliance.

Bard thought, “Ah, I see.” He knew that the book made in Parzam was the work of Chantillion, so it made sense that it contained information about Corpus Fortress and his subsequent journey. However, he wondered how they knew about the massive demonic beast attack on Lordvan’s Castle. And then he realized – Natz. Natz Cajnel, who served as his adjutant at Lordvan’s Castle, was a knight lent by the Argolide family. When Natz returned to the Argolide family, he must have reported the outcome of the events to Chantillion. Perhaps that was the reason Natz was lent out in the first place. Or perhaps not.

Taranka’s story continued. The invasion of the Shinkai army into the Central Plains, and how Bard, appointed as Wajd Entrante, broke through this. The magnificent end of the knight Gorz Boa.

Just before heading to Goriora after he was summoned by the Emperor, Bard disappeared after receiving a summons from the Queen of Manuno, and later rescued the five orphans including Quinta. The founding and development of Fyuzarion. The Shinkai army’s second invasion. The decisive battle against General of Greed, leading the twenty heroes gathered at Lordvan’s Castle.

Carla listened on in astonishment, her voice lost, but deeply captivated by the content of the tale. When the story reached the part about the Queen of Manuno, a mysterious light flickered in her eyes, which Bard did not miss.

When Taranka finished speaking, the impatient Godon interjected and recounted the details of his travels with Bard back then. What villages they went to, what adventures they had. The tale of the three siblings’ vengeance. The commotion at the Moonfish Creek. The encounter with the hero Jameen. The plot of the corrupt merchant in Krausk. The events at the castle of Lord Enzaia. The meeting with Doriatessa. The confrontation with Gerkaast and their forces attacking Lordvan’s Castle. The encounter with Engdahl. The outcome of the rebellion suppression in the Mageia territory. Godon spoke passionately.

Listening to Taranka’s and Godon’s narrations, Bard felt a strange sensation. Previously, he would have been terribly uncomfortable having such stories told before him. But now, it was not so much of a bother. In fact, he found it rather pleasant. Why, he wondered, and then he realized. His remaining lifespan was not long. He was an old, dying man. No matter what was said about him, it would not hurt or bother him.

However, to narrate Bard’s tale was to also tell the stories of the people who had shared in his adventures – Seifert’s nobility, Gorz Boa’s heroic form, Maitalp Yagan’s valiant fighting. The tales of the magnificent knights and their vibrant lives.

And also the aspirations of the three siblings, the skilled craftsmanship of the eccentric armorer, the way of life of the swordsmith Zendatta. The memories of the common folk who shone brightly.

For the younger generation to narrate and listen to these stories, that was a good thing, Bard thought. For those tales to be passed down without being lost from people’s memories, that was truly a wonderful thing.

And Bard also thought that he should tell these young people the meaning and purpose of his current journey. Until now, he had not spoken of the reason for his travels. He did not want to burden them with unnecessary weight. And there was also the fact that the problem he was pursuing would be difficult for others to understand and have interest in. But even if it was hard to understand and have interest in, he should still speak of it. By talking about it, they could at least receive the possibility of perceiving, judging, and savoring what they would encounter from here on.

So after Godon finished speaking, Bard spoke. About the truth of the spirits and demonic beasts. That humans were not the original inhabitants of this continent. King Jean’s wish. The history of the cursed sword. Who was behind General of Greed. About the gift from the Queen of Manuno. Who was manipulating Manuno and sending the massive horde of demonic beasts to invade humans. About the elusive Dragonoids. To clarify these truths and fight the unseen enemy, that was the reason he had embarked on this journey.

And Bard spoke further. The origins of Karz Rowen and the circumstances surrounding the downfall of the kingdom of the Werewolf King. This is not for the purpose of storytelling. It is simply because Karz still has a long time to live, and he thought it would be good for some humans to know his secret. Besides, he’s going to go to Krausk. It would be better to explain the situation beforehand. When he started talking and looked at Karz, Karz didn’t seem to dislike it. He just listened quietly. The three, Taranka, Quinta, and Carla, listened intently to Bard’s story. Godon Zarkos also closed his eyes and listened quietly.

In the end, the bard’s story became the longest. By the time he finished telling it, it was already dawn. The group decided to take a day’s rest by this waterfall.

When he woke up at noon, Carla was sitting on a rock ledge, hugging her knees. Worried about her dejected appearance, Bard approached her and asked what was wrong.

“Because, I mean, after hearing that… After being told that, the things I’ve been trying to do seem so small. So small and ridiculous. I wonder what I’ve been doing.”

Bard stared at the rippling water of the waterfall basin for a while, then said, “There is a distinction between big and small things. But it is not that only the big things are worthy and the small things are trivial. They are all worthy. And you know, the people who accomplish great things are the ones who carefully do the small things one by one. It is the accumulation of these that creates the great.”

Carla seemed to be pondering Bard’s words. Bard, in turn, was looking at his own heart with a strange feeling.

Why is my heart so bright, calm, and fulfilled?

It was a strange thing. Bard’s heart had been at rest and filled with a quiet strength for a very long time. After thinking for a while, he found the answer. It was because he had told the young people the secret he had been carrying alone.

Bard now has two concerns. One is why the spirits became demonic beasts. The other is the existence called the King of Evil Spirits and the Dragonoid that is being controlled by it. He doesn’t know if these two things are related to each other, but it seems very likely that they are.

But what to do with this knowledge? Even if the problem that caused the demonic beast transformation is discovered, can this old man somehow solve it? Maura, who has become a being who has “taken root in the earth”, asked Bard to unravel the mystery of the demonic beast transformation and help the spirits. But how can this old man accomplish such a great task?

Also, the existence called the King of Evil Spirits seems to be an overwhelmingly powerful enemy, one that would be difficult to defeat even with the combined might of a great nation. How can one fight such a monstrous enemy with bare hands? Even the power of the Shantra Megierion was not enough to reach the General of Greed. There is no way to fight this battle.

That’s why Bard’s heart was heavy. He was overwhelmed by the burden of having to solve the problem of the spirits and the problem of the King of Evil Spirits on his own. But he told the young people about it. By telling them, he was liberated. It was not that he was sharing the responsibility of the mission with the young people. The nature of the problem was not such that it could be shared with someone else. Rather, it was that he had decided that he only needed to fight his own battle as himself. If a problem cannot be solved, then do not solve it. If there is an enemy that cannot be defeated, then do not defeat them. Just calmly learn what needs to be known and fight the battles that need to be fought. If his strength is not enough, then he will fall and die. But there will be those who know that Bard Rowen has gone into such a battle. And after them, there will be others who will face the same problems. Someday, the problem of the demonic beast transformation and the threat of the King of Evil Spirits will be resolved. The path to that is unclear to Bard now. He will just enjoy the future and fight his own battle.

Yes, by revealing the secret to the young people, Bard has connected with the future.

2

The next day, when they set out from the waterfall, Bard told Karz that they were going to Krausk. Karz silently nodded his head. The group headed west, first going to Bovard, as their salt and alcohol supplies were running low. Then they went south, avoiding the settlements of the Majuestz territory. The group arrived in Krausk in mid-May, a month and a half after leaving Fyuzarion.