Kays Translations

Chapter 138: Breakthrough

Melty seemed to be quite a celebrity in this village; as soon as he asked the innkeeper, he found out where she lived.

To think that the chief's daughter's whereabouts could be revealed so easily at a time when the sun was setting—it was truly the power of money. Alternatively, it could be that the villagers' loyalty had shifted away from the chief.

Outside was dimly lit, but not too dark to walk. Gwen stood in front of a modest house and knocked on the door.

"Who's there?"

A voice from inside, a woman's voice. It was Melty.

"The guy who got slapped by you today."

"Have you come for revenge?"

Melty's voice seemed to carry a sense of amusement. She exuded confidence, as if she could handle a fight or a duel.

"Unfortunately, it's not that kind of fun event. I just want to continue our conversation."

A moment of silence. Soon, the sound of a bolt being pulled back came from inside, and the door opened.

"Come in."

Melty wasn't wearing her nightclothes; she was dressed in the same attire as when he saw her during the day.

Gwen felt a bit disappointed but also became convinced. She must have anticipated his visit to some extent, he thought.

"So, what do you want to ask?"

He was led into the living room and sat down. Without preamble, Melty asked. Gwen didn't want to ask, but he had no choice.

Gwen tightened his expression and said, 

"What do you think about this village? I want to know your opinion, not your father's policy."

Melty pondered with a solemn expression, neither angry nor violent. The light from the torch illuminated her profile, making it enchantingly beautiful, sending shivers down Gwen's back.

"...I heard what you guys talked about with my father."

Melty said in a hoarse voice.

"It's true that there's nothing to be proud of in starving the people. It's true that warriors fight to support their families, and the chief gains trust and respect by protecting the people. Right now, I think we're straying from both paths."

"Can't you persuade your father and change the policy?"

"It's impossible. My father is extremely afraid of admitting that his way of life was wrong or being criticized by others. To him, conversation means simply rejecting. You guys came to recommend trade, but I doubt the details even crossed his mind."

"If conversation is impossible, then the only option left is to overturn things."

A tense atmosphere hung in the air, as if they were facing each other with drawn swords. Demanding a change of leadership was no light matter, and outsiders uttering those words was not taken lightly.

But was there any other way? That was the conclusion that Melty herself had arrived at and denied repeatedly.

"Isn't this behavior befitting the name ‘Knight of Betrayal’? Are you telling me to do the same thing as King Arsames?"

"Guu..."

Hearing that name was painful.

Right now, Gwen was serving the man who killed his lord. It was to prevent further chaos in the country.

The former king, Cassander, was assassinated by his second son, Arsames. It was officially declared as death from an illness, and after the funeral where the body wasn't shown, Arsames ascended the throne.

What would happen if he were to avenge his lord? The royal lineage would be left with children who were barely of age, and there would be no one to unite the hundreds of tribes in the coalition. For the sake of the country's defense, Gwen had to protect Arsames.

This was necessary. He understood it, he knew it, but that didn't mean it wasn't painful. There were times he wanted to throw everything away and run.

Rebellion, regicide—everyone's lives would be disrupted if he pursued those paths. Wasn't he an awful person to suggest rebellion while knowing that?

...If I were to die, the gods would surely be perplexed. How many times do I have to cast this guy into hell?

Concealing his inner turmoil beneath a stoic exterior, Gwen smiled darkly, like an owl.

"I'm doing it because it's necessary, that's all."

Melty didn't reply. She couldn't decide whether to trust the man before her or not. Superficial answers could lead to disaster.

At the same time, she felt that if she let this opportunity slip, the village would continue to languish. Therefore, Melty found herself unable to accept or reject either.

"Well, don't think about it too seriously. I'm not telling you to stab him in the back or anything. Since we're putting up a sign saying 'Warrior Clan' here, if we challenge him for the chief's seat, saying it's a fight, wouldn't he go along?"

"If such a custom exists, then yes."

"Does it really exist? That's quite convenient."

"Once a year, during the festival, direct descendants are given the right to challenge the chief. If they win, the chief's position changes hands."

"What's this? Is there such a method? I didn't need to worry about all that nonsense. How foolish of me. Instead of treason, rebellion, or disobedience, why not simply pass on the leadership through a fair and honorable method? By the way, has anyone attempted this before now?"

“My three brothers were killed…”

Gwen's thoughts came to an abrupt halt at Melty's cold and dismissive words.

"...Wait a moment, you said 'killed'? Is this competition not with wooden sticks, but with real swords?"

"Yes."

“Wasn’t it supposed to be a fun festival?”

“Yes, but…”

"So a parent kills their child?"

"It ends up being like that."

He didn't understand, their culture was different. Gwen's thoughts once again descended into utter confusion.

"Don't look at others like that. Even I don't fully agree. Still, the Saligari tribe has always lived like this. It's unpleasant to be unilaterally criticized by an outsider just because you can't understand."

"It's true, my bad. How did your father react to that matter?"

"He was crying tears of joy. He said that shedding blood strengthens the clan."

Having just been advised not to rashly dismiss another culture, Gwen remained silent, but the sight of a parent rejoicing after killing their own child was something he couldn't comprehend at all.

"Just defeat your father at the festival, a simple solution to a major problem. Is he really that strong?"

"Aside from his skill with the sword, my father possesses a holy sword infused with magic. Unless I overcome that, there's no chance of victory. My three brothers who were killed were all formidable fighters, and it's hard to believe they were outmatched by our father based purely on their skills..."

While Melty exuded a sense of solemnity, Gwen was actually smiling as he listened to her. He saw a breakthrough here.

"In other words, if we can come up with a weapon that can rival your father's holy sword, we can make it an even match?"

"Don't say it so lightly. The sword my father wields was crafted by an ancient master and is engraved with four ancient characters. It's a national treasure of the highest order. What kind of sword are you planning to use as a rival? Are you going to borrow that 'Amaterasu' sword?"

"Don't worry, I'll definitely prepare a sword that suits you. When is the festival?"

"It's exactly three months from now..."

"Got it, I'll come back in three months. Until then, please support everyone's lives."

It will be alright. I'll find a way. Lutz will.

Just as Gwen stood up energetically and reached for the door, Melty called out to him from behind.

"Can we really make that much profit from trading? Will this village truly be saved?"

Gwen turned around slowly, contemplating, and responded, 

"Uh-huh, I don't know."

"You don't know?! After coming this far?!"

Unbelievably, Melty raised her voice. Gwen tried to reassure her.

"There's no such thing as a business that will definitely make a profit. If someone says otherwise, you should suspect it's a scam."

"Then why are you recommending trading in the first place?"

"What's important is having more options. Bread can't be baked with a sword, and hunger can't be sated with iron. The ability to sell what you don't need and buy what you do need is a choice. Of course, it won't always go smoothly."

Saying that, Gwen disappeared into the darkness of the village without light. As Melty watched his unseen figure, she murmured to herself.

"My choice..."

Becoming the chief by defeating her father, it had suddenly become an unimaginable proposition.

So what should she do? Should she run away? Should she go to the chief and warn him about the questionable intentions of the outsiders?

"...This is my choice."

Melty smiled faintly, secured the latch on the door, and returned to her room to sleep.

Though the days were hot and stifling, tonight she felt like she could sleep well.

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