kscans

CHAPTER 8 PATARAPOZA – Episode 3 Elopement (Part 2)

7

In the next morning, the sky cleared beautifully. Bard had intended to leave the manor and return to his journey, but that wasn’t possible. It was said that the lord, Sir Kurt Arendas, had fallen ill and was bedridden. After receiving such hospitality, it felt wrong to leave the manor without expressing gratitude. Moreover, Bard and his companions’ clothes were still with the servants, and in this situation, it felt inappropriate to ask for them back. So while Bard and the others were at a loss for what to do, Knight Danga came to visit.

“Lord Rowen. I’m about to train the soldiers. Would you care to watch?”

Knight Danga said with a daring smile. Since they were bored anyway, and there was no particular reason to refuse the offer, Bard and his companions followed Knight Danga’s lead to the training grounds. It was quite an impressive training area. Nearly twenty soldiers were conducting drills. Knight Danga led the practice strictly. It was practical swordsmanship. This man Danga seemed to have considerable experience.

“What do you think, Lord Rowen? It must be boring to just watch. How about joining us?”

Accepting Knight Danga’s invitation, Bard signaled to Seto. This would be a good experience for Seto. Bard told Knight Danga that this young man was scheduled to be knighted soon, and asked if he could teach him a thing or two. Knight Danga looked at Karz and showed a slightly disappointed expression. He must have sensed that Karz was no ordinary person. He had probably invited them to the practice grounds wanting to see Karz’s skills. However, masking his expression, he designated an opponent for Seto.

“Colgen. Ask for guidance* from Seto-dono. He’s still young, but he’s about to be knighted. Don’t hold back.” (t/n: the literal translation was ‘borrow his chest’, which usually imply to rely on or seek support or guidance)

Perhaps they were feeling some sense of rivalry towards Bard and his companions who had suddenly appeared. There was a hint of pride, as if to say, “We won’t let you look down on the soldiers of this land.” Bard didn’t dislike such pride. It’s just about right for knights and soldiers to be a bit haughty. The soldier called Colgen was probably in his mid-twenties. Bard remembered him making good movements during the earlier practice.

Colgen and Seto bowed to each other and took their sword stances. Although it was practice, it was in a match format. Bard was also interested to see how effective Seto’s swordsmanship would be.

At first, both were cautious, seemingly probing each other. But when Seto showed no sign of attacking, Colgen grew impatient. When Colgen made a deep strike, Seto dodged the attack and landed a light blow on Colgen’s chest.

“Point! Sir Seto,” declared the elderly soldier acting as judge.

The second point was the same. Seto made no attempt to attack on his own. Unable to contain his frustration, Colgen stepped in deeply, trying to strike Seto’s neck. Seto timed it perfectly, meeting the sword and deflecting the opponent’s force sideways as he darted into Colgen’s range. Seto’s sword stopped precisely at Colgen’s face.

“Point! Match over. Sir Seto!”

It seemed to be a best-of-three match, and Seto was declared the winner after taking two points.

“Oh! You fight with a composure beyond your years. This is formidable. Colgen must not have been enough of a challenge for you, Sir Seto. I apologize for the discourtesy. Larkt! You be Sir Seto’s opponent. Sir Seto, this man should provide you with good practice.”

And so the match between Seto and Larkt began. Larkt was a large man in his early thirties, with the appearance of a battle-hardened soldier. Against this man too, Seto employed a waiting strategy, but his opponent was not a soldier to be easily drawn out. He closed the distance gradually, probing with his sword. Seto matched the opponent’s movements with calm footwork, meeting sword with sword and deflecting them diagonally. After several such exchanges, Larkt suddenly unleashed a swift downward slash from the front. Larkt had the advantage in height, weight, and strength. He must have judged Seto as an opponent he could overpower with a heavy attack. So when Seto met the downward strike head-on and blocked it, surprise flashed across Larkt’s face. Then Seto’s sword deflected Larkt’s blade diagonally and struck Larkt’s head. Though he was wearing a leather helmet, this blow seemed to have a significant impact, and Larkt fell to one knee.

“Point! Match over. Sir Seto,” the judge ruled, declaring Seto’s victory with this one strike. Larkt shook his head for a while, but eventually stood up, bowed to Seto, and stepped back.

“This is surprising. You can use strong sword techniques as well. Then next, Drayzen will be your opponent. Drayzen!”

A soldier came from the wall. He was of average build and height, almost the same size as Seto. But among the soldiers, he had a notably imposing presence. During the earlier practice, he had been on the instructing side. Perhaps this soldier was in a position that could be called Knight Danga’s right-hand man in this troop.

When they faced each other with swords and the match began, Bard thought, “This is different.” In sword skill, experience, and mental composure, he was incomparable to Seto. In fact, with such a difference in ability, Bard felt reassured that Drayzen would probably be able to finish the match without injuring Seto.

However, surprisingly, Seto fought well. In stark contrast to the previous two matches, he moved nimbly left and right, changing positions while looking for openings in Drayzen’s defense. When Drayzen’s attacks came, though Seto couldn’t completely avoid them, he also managed to land blows on Drayzen. The judge started to make calls several times but stopped, allowing the match to continue. It was clear that Seto was taking more damage, but he refused to give up and kept engaging Drayzen. However, after receiving a powerful blow to his side,

“I yield!” Seto called out. The judge then declared Drayzen the winner. Looking at Knight Danga, he was watching Seto with eyes of surprise.

“Well, well. This is surprising. Sir Seto, you are quite something. Hmm. Forgive me. To be honest, I underestimated you because your physique isn’t that impressive and you looked rather mild-mannered. But you were a young tiger. Indeed, you’ve shown us something good. That fighting spirit of yours is truly commendable!”

Knight Danga praised Seto highly. His expression seemed genuinely impressed by Seto’s valiant effort. Though he appeared to be a stern knight, he seemed to be a good man at heart. Bard was relieved that it didn’t seem like there would be any lingering ill feelings.

Even so. Bard hadn’t expected Seto to do this well. In truth, when observing Quinta and Taranka’s daily practice, Seto’s weakness stands out. But thinking about it, Quinta and Taranka are in a class of their own. Outside, Seto’s skills would be considered proficient. Bard felt pleased. When he glanced at Karz, his expression was as expressionless as ever. Bard directed a sardonic smile at Karz, thinking, “You’re pleased too, aren’t you?”

Knight Danga said he would continue the soldiers’ training for a while longer, so Bard and his companions left the training grounds.

8

Bard and his companions checked on their horses in the stable. As they were about to return to the manor, they encountered two people running in. It was Knight Shayma and the lady Suraciena. Knight Shayma was holding the lady’s hand. Both were dressed for travel, and the lady had her hood pulled low.

They must have been in quite a hurry. Knight Shayma was surprised to run into Bard and his companions, his eyes widening in shock. But it was a situation that couldn’t be explained away. Knight Shayma said to Bard in an urgent tone.

“This is a love elopement. Please let us pass!”

At that moment. What happened in Bard’s heart at that moment cannot be explained in words. Bard himself was surprised by how his heart moved. In any case, Bard placed his right hand on his left chest, bent his right knee, and bowing deeply to the forbidden lovers.

“I understand. This unworthy one shall become the guardian knight of your love. Go forth on your journey as your hearts desire.”

This took Knight Shayma and Suraciena by surprise as well. A knight pledges his sword to his lord. He also pledges his sword to noble ladies. Besides these, there are times when he temporarily pledges his sword to aid in the fulfillment of love, and this is called being a guardian knight of love. When moved by that love and feeling that one wants to help even at the cost of one’s life, one takes this oath. Once the oath of being a guardian knight of love is taken, regardless of the rights and wrongs of the matter or the number of opponents, one must protect the subjects of the oath to the end.

However, in this case, Bard knew nothing about the relationship between the lady and Knight Shayma. Moreover, this was clearly an attempt to abduct the wife of Lord Kurt Arendas, the feudal lord, and flee. By any measure, this was not a situation that should be openly supported. Yet, Bard had taken the oath to be the guardian knight of their love.

The gentle-hearted Knight Shayma showed unexpectedly quick decision-making.

“We gratefully accept. Thank you!”

He said this, then mounted a horse from the stable with the lady in front of him, and galloped away.

9

Bard returned to the practice grounds. Fortunately, almost all of the manor’s soldiers were gathered here. As soon as Bard and his companions entered through the entrance, Knight Danga noticed.

“Oh? You’re back? Decided to work up more of a sweat?”

After saying this, his expression became probing. There was only one entrance and exit to this practice ground. Bard, Karz, and Seto were standing in a way that blocked this entrance and exit. He must have found this suspicious. Just then, someone came running into the practice grounds. It was a page boy.

“Ter-terrible news! The… the lady! The lady has eloped with Sir Shayma Idaaru!”

“What!” Knight Danga’s eyes bulged. His expression was fierce. He tried to rush out of the practice grounds. But Bard blocked his path.

“Lord Rowen. Please step aside. I must punish those scoundrels and bring back the lady.”

“I’m sorry, Sir Danga. I have just taken an oath as the guardian knight of love for the lady and Sir Shayma. I cannot let you pass until they have escaped to a safe place.”

“What! Don’t be ridiculous. What do you know? This is none of your business. Step aside. If you don’t move, I’ll cut you down!”

Karz Rowen stepped forward smoothly. Seto also moved to a position that seemed to shield Bard. Knight Danga must have realized that Karz Rowen was no ordinary person. He stopped in his tracks, gritting his teeth and glaring at Karz. His hand was on his sword, seemingly about to draw it at any moment. Knight Danga’s fighting spirit seemed to have infected his subordinates behind him. The twenty or so soldiers looked ready to charge at a moment’s notice. If Knight Danga gave the order or took the lead in rushing out, they would all likely charge together. As Knight Danga took a breath, about to issue a command, Bard widened his eyes sharply, freezing Knight Danga and his subordinates in their tracks. Though age may have weakened his physical strength, it was no trouble to intimidate opponents of this level.

Just as the situation was about to explode, their momentum was dampened, and Knight Danga found himself unable to move. How long did this standoff last? An unexpected figure appeared at the entrance.

“They must have already escaped by now. The Idaaru family’s territory is nearby. Once they’ve taken refuge in that manor, there’s nothing we can do.”

Lord Kurt Arendas said this in a remarkably calm voice.

9

Lord Arendas told Knight Danga and the soldiers to continue as usual until further notice, then invited Bard and his companions to the reception room. There, Lord Arendas offered them tea and began to recount the circumstances.

Shayma and Suraciena had been in love from the beginning. Both families approved of their relationship, so they were expected to marry eventually. However, while Shayma was away for knight training at another house, Knight Danga came to the Arendas family. Knight Danga’s family was related to the Arendas family, and they had sent Danga, an experienced knight, to the Arendas family, which had recently lost its knights due to various circumstances. This Knight Danga fell in love with Suraciena at first sight. It would have been better if he had consulted those around him about his feelings, but Knight Danga went straight to Suraciena’s family and proposed marriage. Given their family status, this was difficult to refuse. Especially since Knight Danga was now the chief knight of the Arendas family. If there had been a formal engagement between Shayma and Suraciena, it would have been different, but there was no reason to refuse Knight Danga’s proposal.

At that time, Lord Kurt took an extraordinary measure. He took Suraciena as his wife. This was a terrible way to snatch away the partner a vassal had proposed to marry. But he silenced Knight Danga with his authority as the lord. When Shayma returned to his territory after being knighted, he was terribly surprised, but there was nothing he could do at that point. However, Knight Shayma could not give up on Suraciena. The feeling was mutual for Suraciena. And today, they finally took each other’s hands and ran away.

“To tell the truth, although I took her as my wife, I never called her to my bedchamber. Perhaps that gave Knight Shayma the resolve to act.”

There was one point that Bard couldn’t quite understand. Even if Knight Danga had proposed, couldn’t the situation have been explained to him to make him withdraw his proposal? If the lord’s authority was to be invoked, it seemed clear that this would have left fewer scars than taking the wife for himself. Also, as things stood now, Knight Shayma would have to live bearing the crime of stealing his lord’s wife. Forcing Knight Shayma into such a position didn’t seem to match with this calm lord’s demeanor. Especially since his eyes were extremely gentle when speaking of Knight Shayma and Suraciena. What exactly was going on here? As Bard struggled to piece it all together, Lord Arendas showed him a document. It was a document in which a priest recognized Lord Arendas’s divorce. However, the date was not filled in.

“I just need to write today’s date. Then, Knight Shayma will not have abducted the lord’s wife.”

Bard was more confused than ever. He thought, wouldn’t it have been easier to simply give his wife the divorce papers and inform Knight Shayma?

But the moment that thought crossed his mind, another thought emerged. No, that wouldn’t do. Wouldn’t that mean Knight Shayma was just being handed everything? Should one be so passive in fulfilling their love? Could that even be called the fulfillment of love? No, that wouldn’t do at all. How could he not tell Suraciena that he loved her enough to risk his life? How could he not show her he was prepared to abandon both his home and his liege lord? Only when confessed to with such conviction could Suraciena truly give herself to that love. Only then could their love be fulfilled. This whole situation wouldn’t have happened in the first place if Knight Shayma had just stood up for himself. Surely Lord Kurt Arendas wouldn’t be satisfied if his wife were taken away without even this much of a trial.

Bard found himself in an incredibly good mood. He was starting to like this old nobleman.

Then it hit him. What if… what if he should have done the same?

While Bard was away, Idora had decided to marry into the Gwendell family. When Bard heard the news, he was devastated. But there was still some time between Bard’s return to Pakula and Idora’s departure for her wedding.

Shouldn’t he have stolen her away? Perhaps Lady Idora, Lady Hydra, or even Lady Vola had wished for it deep down. No, no. Surely not. How could that be? The thought of stealing Lady Idora away was unthinkable. And if he were to flee after disgracing the Tercia family, to whom he owed so much, how could he continue to be a knight? Wouldn’t that mean abandoning his knighthood?

No. No. But maybe… Maybe he should have abandoned it all. His knighthood, everything. Wouldn’t that have been the true meaning of sacrificing oneself for love?

This was a possibility that the Bard of the past could never have imagined. But now, as an old man able to look back on the path he had traveled with detachment, he realized such a road had indeed existed.

Yes, such a path had been possible. It was he himself who had narrowed his own life’s path. The breadth of the world is determined by one’s own heart.

Bard was shocked by the thoughts that had surfaced in his mind, and he remained silent for a long while.

“Bard Rowen… Bard Rowen”

Even so, Bard thought, when he was young, he was always so indecisive. He believed that as he grew older, gained knowledge, and broadened his perspective, things would become clearer and his indecisiveness would disappear. But what does he know? Now that he’s actually grown old, he’s indeed gained knowledge and depth of thought. However, his indecisiveness hasn’t gone away. Not only has it not disappeared, but his doubts have increased and deepened. Even looking back on the past, he realize that events he once thought were simple can be seen from different angles. He’s come to understand that there were other paths he could have taken, even when he thought he had no choice but to act as he did. The older he get, the less he understand. It’s quite difficult to find peace of mind, isn’t it?

Bard sighed at the absurdity of life.