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8/13/2019 Madan No Ou to Vanadis - 02
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 8
1 Dream of a Distant Day
eita a!o"e in t#e nig#t$ just %e&ore da!n %ro"e.
'#e !as#ed #er &a(e !it# !ater s#e #ad prepared t#e previousnig#t and tied #er )ong$ (#estnut*%ro!n #air a)ong t#e )e&t and
rig#t sides o& #er #ead into a t!in*tai) #airst+)e. '#e opened
t#e s#utters t#roug#out t#e #ouse and %egan ()eaning t#e
"it(#en and dining roo, !it# pra(ti(ed #ands.
-&ter donning #er ,aids uni&or,$ s#e /ui(")+ prepared %rea"&ast.
ts a%out ti,e &or #i, to !a"e up.it# t#e ,orning sun no! s#ining t#roug# t#e !indo! into t#e
"it(#en$ eita stood %e&ore t#e ,irror !#i)e putting on #er
apron and t#oug#t a%out t#e ord s#e served. atura))+$ s#e
%egan to s,i)e.
*** ood ,orning$ igre*sa,a.
O"a+$ -)) good.
eita )i&ted t#e #e, o& #er s"irt as s#e !a)"ed up t#e stairs. '#e
#eaded &ro, t#e ,ain area to a roo, deep inside on t#e
se(ond &)oor. eita #e)d a strange sense o& dut+ to !a"e up t#is
,an !#o !ou)d s)eep t#roug# t#e entire da+ i& #e did not #ave
an+ %usiness to ta"e (are o&.
& dont do t#is$ !#o !i)) !a"e igre*sa,a
igrevur,ud Vorn !as t#e na,e o& t#e ord eita served.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis
t !as an e9aggerated na,e t#e person in /uestion did not see,
to dis)i"e$ %ut &or t#ose inti,ate$ it !as easiest si,p)+ to (a))
#i, igre.
:ver sin(e t#e+ ,et !#en t#e+ !ere s,a))$ eita did not stand
,u(# on (ere,on+ and (ontinued to (a)) #i, igre*sa,a.
;e !as up )ate )ast nig#t$ so #e !i)) pro%a%)+ s)eep unti) ,id*
da+...
;er &a(e turned pa)e as s#e said t#ose !ords. eita /ui(")+ ran
over and )oo"ed at t#e person #un(#ed over igre$ as i&
e,%ra(ing #i,$ #o)ding t#e )ongs!ord.
'#e !ore %)ue ()ot#es and #ad i,pressive si)ver #air !#i(#rea(#ed #er !aist? s#e !as a %eauti&u) gir). '#e )oo"ed do!n at
eita in surprise.
@$ +ou... #a$ !#a$ !#at are +ou doing...>
eitas voi(e tre,%)ed !it# surprise and anger. #e gir) !it# si)ver
#air s#eat#ed #er )ongs!ord in a pani(.
o$ sorr+. !asnt intending to t#reaten #i,.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 10
#en !#at !ere +ou doing> n t#e &irst p)a(e$ #o! did +ou even
get in #ere
Fro, t#ere.
#e gir) !it# argent #air readi)+ pointed to t#e !indo!$ !#i(# !as
(urrent)+ !ide open. '#e &o)ded #er ar,s and %egan to give an
e9p)anation.
;e !ou)dnt !a"e up no ,atter #o! ,u(# (a))ed #i,$ %ut t#en
re,e,%ered #e a!o"e !#en a s!ord !as put in #is ,out#.
!ondered i& #e rea(ted !#en a %)ade !as %roug#t ()ose...
e))$ !as #aving a %it o& &un as !e)).
'#e #ad %e(o,e inarti(u)ate to!ard t#e end seeing eita g)are at#er$ !#ose #a=e) e+es !ere no %)otted !it# tears. #e gir) !it#
si)ver #air %e(a,e e,%arrassed.
!asnt going to #urt #i,$ it !as so,e inno(ent &un.
:ven i& +ou didnt intend to$ +ou (ou)d #ave #urt #i,>
t !as a just argu,ent. #e gir) sun" into si)en(e.
-t t#at ti,e$ igre %egan to ,ove %eneat# eita.... eita
;earing a dro!s+ voi(e ti(")e #er ear$ eita #asti)+ parted &ro,
#i,.
it# #is red #air dis#eve)ed$ igre sat up. -&ter g)an(ing at t#e
t!o gir)s ga=ing at #i,$ #e )oo"ed to t#e open !indo!.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 12
-s #e )oo"ed at t#e )ig#t %)ue s"+$ a &res# %ree=e /uiet)+ stro"ed
t#e t#ree peop)es #air.
#ats !it# a)) t#e ru("s ts sti)) ,orning.
t is a)read+ ,orning.
eita &ir,)+ responded !#i)e %)us#ing. igre$ !it#out noti(ing #er
appearan(e$ )oo"ed a%out re)u(tant)+ as i& #e #ad no ,ore
(#oi(e. #e gir) !it# si)ver #air )oo"ed at #i, in
e,%arrass,ent.
#ats !rong$ :))en
o$ its...
eita e9p)ained t#e situation on :))ens %e#a)&. On(e s#e &inis#ed$igre nodded and s,i)ed at :))en !it# a (are&ree )oo".
t see,s +ou sa! so,et#ing trou%)eso,e.
;onest)+.
igre*sa,a>
eita s#outed$ ,a"ing igre and :))en (o!er on re&)e9. t !as a
(#i)dis# gesture as s#e s(o)ded t#e t!o )i"e a ,ot#er.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 13
igre$ eita$ and :))en sat around a ta%)e in t#e dining roo,.
-t t#e ta%)e !as r+e %read$ ,i)"$ soup !it# s,o"ed &is#$ t#in)+
s)i(ed ,eat$ and %oi)ed egg.
:))en sat at t#e ta%)e as i& it !ere natura). eita !is#ed to sa+
#ave not prepared enoug# &or +ou$ %ut prudent)+ re,ained
si)ent.
#oug# s#e did not ta"e !e)) to t#e (ir(u,stan(es$ s#e !as igres
guest. -s a ,aid$ s#e (ou)d not %e a disgra(e.
--- I'll give her some rice while we eat.
Anti) toda+$ igre and eita #ad eaten !it# just t#e t!o o& t#e,.
'#e !anted to return to t#e da+s %e&ore igre )e&t &or Binant.'o +ou eat +our ,ea) !it# +our ,aid.
#i)e #o)ding %read in #er #and$ :))en as"ed as i& it !ere
une9pe(ted.
eita and are t#e on)+ ones )iving #ere. t !ou)d %e trou%)eso,e
i& !e ate separate$ and its %etter &or ta)"ing$ espe(ia))+ sin(e
eita ta"es (are o& t#e #ouse#o)d &or ,e.@oure a %us+ one.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 14
, used to it.
:))en g)an(ed at #er ad,ira%)+. eita si,p)+ %o!ed and responded
(urt)+.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 15
#e dead !ere %uried$ &unera)s !ere #e)d$ and t#ere !ere peop)e
!a)"ing around t#e to!n$ re%ui)ding !#at #ad %een %urned
do!n.
t !as not just t#e peop)e o& -)sa(e %ut t#e so)diers under :))ens
(o,,and. #oug# t#e+ ,anaged to sa)vage ,u(# o& t#e
%ui)dings$ it too" unti) )ate )ast nig#t to (o,p)ete.
oda+$ #e !ou)d #ave to t#in" a%out !#at to do in t#e &uture.
--- Duke Thenardier will come since I killed Zaien.
#e genera) o& t#e #enardier -r,+ !#i(# atta("ed -)sa(e !as
Daien #enardier. ;e !as t#e son o& t#e Bu"e and &uture #eir
to #is na,e.Bu"e #enardier !as &ro, an o)d$ distinguis#ed &a,i)+ !#i(#
%oasted enoug# po!er t#at it (ou)d not %e ignored. ;e (ou)d
easi)+ ,ove ten t#ousand troops$ and$ !it# t#e aid o& #is ,an+
aristo(rati( re)atives$ (ou)d gat#er a &or(e !#i(# easi)+
e9(eeded t#irt+ t#ousand.
On t#e ot#er #and$ -)sa(e (ou)d gat#er at ,ost one #undred ,en.#oug# #e (ou)d in(rease t#at nu,%er to t#ree #undred$ #e
!ou)d )ose a)) t#e +oung ,en !#o !ere t#e ,ain !or"ers. #e
to!ns and vi))ages !ou)d essentia))+ stop &un(tioning.
--- At best, ten thousand, at worst, thirty thousand...
t !as an over!#e),ing di&&eren(e. igres &a(e sti&&ened in
tension and &ear.
How did I get mysel into this trouble! "hat should I do!
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 16
#e an9iet+ !#i(# )ur"ed inside #i, !as t#at #e #ad ,issed Bu"e
#enardiers true intent.
Bont #esitate.
- #app+ voi(e tou(#ed igres ear. #en #e )oo"ed up$ #e (ou)d
see :))en s,i)ing.
'#e stood up as i& s#e !ere going to sa+ so,et#ing to igre %e&ore
turning a!a+.
Be(ide !#at +ou !ant to do %+ t#e ti,e !e ne9t ,eet. )) )eave
,ost o& t#e so)diers #ere. @ou)) %e !or"ing as i,s aide.
-ide
#is )and %e)ongs to ,e no!. Fro, +our standpoint$ +ou)) %eassisting i,.
:))en put on #er ,ant)e and ga))ant)+ !a)"ed &or!ard. '#e t#re! a
/uestion to igre !#o !as sat #er.
-re +ou going to t#in" a%out !#at to do &ro, no! on
)) ra(" ,+ %rains !it# i, so !e !ont )ose t#is )and.
#i)e )istening to :))ens &ootsteps as s#e !a)"ed a!a+$ igresig#ed deep)+ and )eaned against t#e %a("rest.
-&ter &inis#ing %rea"&ast$ igre !ent to t#e se(ond &)oor. Eat#er
t#an going to #is roo,$ #e !ent to a s,a)) roo, at t#e end o&
t#e #a))!a+.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 17
t !as a narro! enoug# roo, su(# t#at igre$ !#o !as average
%ui)d and #eig#t$ (ou)d not )ie do!n. eaning on a sp)endid)+
de(orated stand !as a sing)e %)a(" %o!.
#e %o! and %o!string !ere %)a("$ as i& t#e+ !ere a (ondensation
o& t#e dar"ness. Eat#er t#an %eing d+ed$ t#e ,ateria) itse)&
!as %)a(". igre (ou)d not understand its (#ara(ter.
t !as a &a,i)+ #eir)oo, used %+ an(estors o& t#e Vorn &a,i)+ !#o
!ere #unters. ;e used it in t#e Mo)s#ei, )ains to s#oot do!n
Daien and #is
Vi&a)
+vern. igre (orre(ted #is posture$ steadied #is
%reat#ing$ and grasped #is &ist %e&ore #is (#est.igre #ad greeted t#is %o!$ !#i(# #ad %een passed do!n &ro,
generation to generation$ i,,ediate)+ a&ter a&ter #e !o"e up
ever+ da+ sin(e #e !as )itt)e. -&ter pus#ing %a(" t#e #enardier
-r,+$ #e greeted it a&ter %rea"&ast.
;e needed p#+si(a) strengt#$ energ+$ and (ourage to stand %e&ore
t#e %o!.
--- This isn't a normal bow.
;e #eard a voi(e e(#o in #is #ead !#en Daien too" &)ig#t on t#e
+vern.
-t t#at ti,e$ #e s#ot do!n t#e +vern.
#e arro! !as nor,a). t s#ou)d %e i,possi%)e to #urt it$ )et a)one
penetrate its s(a)es !#i(# (ou)d &end o&& s!ord and spear. ;e
"ne! t#at %est.
#en #e en(ountered an
'uro
:art# Bragon in t#e re(esses o& t#e
,ountain t!o +ears ago$ ever+ arro! igre s#ot )e&t it
un!ounded. t !as not a /uestion o& #is (apa%i)it+.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 18
;o!ever$ a&ter #earing t#e voi(e on t#e %att)e&ie)d$ #is arro! &)e!
and )itera))+ (rus#ed t#e
V+&a)
+vern.
#e e9isten(e o& t#is un(ann+ %o! !eig#ed #eavi)+ in igres ,ind
a)ongside #is issue !it# #enardier. 'in(e it !as an in#erited&a,i)+ treasure$ #e (ou)d not treat it poor)+$ %ut #e (ou)d not
#e)p %ut )oo" at it as i& it !ere a ,onster !#en #e re(a))ed t#e
spe(ta()e.
#at on eart# are +ou
igre ,uttered %e&ore t#e voi(e.
'ti))$ t#e %o! did not ans!er.
Apon e9iting igres ,ansion$ :))en #eaded to t#e te,p)e.
#oug# t#e one t#ousand troops :))en #ad )ed to -)sa(e !ere
spending t#eir ti,e in t#e p)a=a and va(ant #ouses t#roug#outt#e to!n$ t#ose !#o too" (o,,and$ in()uding :))ens adjutant$
i,)is#a$ sta+ed at t#e te,p)e.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 1
n t#e past t!o da+s$ t#e so)diers #ad spent t#eir ti,e ()eaning
t#e to!n o& a)) t#e stones and repaired #ouses !#i(# #ad
started (o))apsing. t !as !ort#!#i)e spending t#eir ti,e
%ui)ding so,et#ing rat#er t#an destro+ing it.
#e te,p)e soon (a,e into #er vie!. -s s#e opened t#e door$
i,)is#a i, (a,e into vie!. :))en (a))ed out to #er$
i, noti(ed :))en and returned a sa)ute !it# a grave e9pression.
'#e !as a ta))$ %eauti&u) !o,an !it# go)den #air tied on t#e )e&t
side o& #er #ead. ;er &a(e did not #o)d a sing)e &rag,ent o&
a&&a%i)it+. '#e !ore ()ot#ing t#e sa,e %)ue as :))ens and #ad a
s!ord #e)d at #er !aist.'#e (ou)d %e (a))ed :))ens rig#t ar,. '#e served as an assistant in
%ot# ,i)itar+ and po)iti(a) a&&airs.
Bo +ou #ave %usiness +ou need to ta"e (are o& rig#t no!
o. !as going to visit +ou to as" t#e sa,e$ :)eanora*sa,a.
o need to do t#at espe(ia))+. Bid +ou &inis# se)e(ting t#e
so)dierst !as a (on&ir,ation rat#er t#an a /uestion. i, nodded !it#out
%atting an e+e%ro!.
Euri(" !as ,ade (o,,ander and #e #as (#osen one #undred
(ava)r+,en.
)eave t#e rest to +ou. need to return to "eep t#e ing si)ent.
;es in +our (are unti) t#en.
:))en %egan to )aug# in a (asua) ,anner !#i)e i, si,p)+ )oo"ed
un#app+.
:)eanora*sa,a$ +ou see, to trust #i, /uite a %it.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 20
t#oug#t +ou did as !e)).
#oug# eva)uate #i, to %e re)ia%)e$ do not trust #i,.
'eeing #er su%ordinates stu%%orn attitude$ :))en s#rugged #er
s#ou)ders !it# a %itter s,i)e.
got it$ got it. -n+!a+$ , )eaving igre to #e)p +ou.
#e Vanadis !it# si)ver*!#ite #air !aved #er #and as s#e turned
a!a+ !#i)e i, sa! #er o&& !it# a %o!. #en :))en
disappeared &ro, #er sig#t$ s#e )eaned against a near%+ &en(e
and )oo"ed up to t#e s"+.
#e %rig#tness o& t#e %)ue ,orning s"+ sti)) re,ained.
!anted to avoid getting ,ore deep)+ invo)ved...
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 21
--- &ut ord Tigrevurmud (ulled it o.
-((ording to :))en$ igres %o! see,ed to respond to #er )ong
s!ord t#e 'i)ver F)as# -ri&a). #oug# s#e #ad never #eard o&
a !eapon !#i(# (ou)d respond to a
Vira)t
Bragoni( oo)$ :))en !assure s#e #ad not ,ade a ,ista"e.
--- )ven i ignoring her attachment to him... it would be best not to
(art ways now.
& anot#er Vanadis )earned o& igre and t#e e9isten(e o& #is %o!$
t#e+ !ou)d a(t to ta"e (ontro) o& #i,. #e+ ,a+ use #i, as an
a))+$ or t#e+ ,a+ tr+ to "i)) #i,.--- Thinking along those lines, it is best to hel( him.
& a person !it# a po!er riva)ing a Vanadis %e(a,e an a))+$ it
!ou)d %e eas+ to ,aneuver in t#e &uture. :ven disregarding
t#at po!er$ igres s"i)) !it# t#e %o! !as unusua)$ and t#ere
!as no pro%)e, !it# #is (#ara(ter as !e)).
;o!ever$ a Vanadis pr+ing into a (ivi) !ar in
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 22
-re +ou going so,e!#ere
i, spo"e !it# a tone as i& (ross*e9a,ining t#e t!o. eitas %od+
s#run" %a(" in surprise as s#e #eard t#e voi(e$ !#i)e igre
responded !it# a va(ant e9pression.
e)) %e #eading to t#e Vi))age o& ;una!i#r &or a %it. e s#ou)d
return %+ nig#t&a)) to,orro!.
;una!i#r
i, !as (on&used? igre ans!ered as #e (#e("ed t#e (ondition o&
#is sadd)e.
t is a vi))age (an rea(# %e&ore da+s end on #orse. ts to t#e
nort#!est$ and Bu"e #enardier !i)) #ave to pass ()ose %+%e&ore #e (o,es #ere.
-re +ou #aving t#e residents ta"e re&uge
#ere are reports t#at t#e+ #ave &)ed to t#e near%+ !oods$ %ut
!is# to ,a"e sure.
n -)sa(e$ t#ere !ere &our vi))ages in addition to t#e to!n o&
Ce)esta? #o!ever$ t#e ot#er t#ree !ere &ar &ro, #enardierspat#. 'ti))$ sin(e t#ere !as no ne!s o& it %eing da,aged$ it !as
unne(essar+ &or igre to (#e(" i,,ediate)+ it.
--- Though it is not as i I do not understand his eelings...
#oug# s#e understood$ i, (ou)d not #e)p %ut &ee) irritated. #e+
did not #ave t#e ti,e &or su(# )eisure)+ a(tivities sin(e t#e+
!ou)d %e &ig#ting #enardiers -r,+ &ro, no! on.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 23
--- Also...
igres tone and e9pression !ere )a("ing. #is %roug#t i,s
e,otions in a negative dire(tion.
@our ,aid !i)) %e a((o,pan+ing +ou
i, as"ed #i, %e(ause t#e sadd)e p)a(ed on t#e #orse !as )arge$
and eita !as not !earing #er ,aids dress %ut t#i("$ #e,pen
()ot#ing.
eita !i)) &ee) an9ious i& , a!a+ &ro, t#e ,ansion &or too )ong.
--- I do not think he is getting cold eet. The bow in his saddle is
not the black bow but his normal one.
igre tried to run &ro, t#e ,peria) a)a(e to save t#e peop)e in#is territor+ at t#e ris" o& #is o!n )i&e. t is one o& t#e &e!
t#ings i, eva)uated #i, #ig#)+ on.
see.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 24
#i)e e9p)aining t#e )o(ation to i,$ igre turned to eita !#o
(onsented. #oug# dissatis&ied$ eita #anded t#e "e+ to t#e
residen(e to i,.
A,...
Bo not !orr+. !i)) not tou(# an+t#ing ot#er t#an t#e do(u,ents
and re(ords as pro,ised.
i, re)a9ed #er &a(e and s)ig#t)+ s,i)ed at eita. -&ter s#e %o!ed$
s#e ran to igre in a pani(.
ere o&&.
i, sa! igre and eita o&& as t#e+ rode out o& to!n on t#e #orse$
eita snugg)ed up ()ose)+ against #i,$ %e&ore entering #isresiden(e.
#e roads )aid !it#in -)sa(e !ere not good.
#e !eeds ran ra,pant$ t#e soi) !as not &)at$ and t#e &en(e put up
near t#e &orests !as in poor (ondition.
eita$ %e#ind igre$ rode sidesadd)e. #oug# s#e !anted to #o)don to igre$ s#e gripped t#e sadd)e !it# %ot# #ands so as not
to %e a #indran(e.
'in(e t#e #orse !as (arr+ing t!o peop)e as !e)) as supp)ies$ it !as
not ver+ /ui("$ and sin(e s#e trusted igres e/uestrian s"i))s$
eita rode in (o,&ort.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 26
eita #ad noti(ed igres g)oo,+ appearan(e sin(e ear)+ t#at
,o,ent. #at !as anot#er reason s#e &o))o!ed a&ter #i,.
--- I it were the usual Tigre-sama, he would say today is a good
day or hunting. His e*(ression hasn't changed at all, and he
went u(stairs immediately ater breakast. It must be
something diicult to say to me.
eita did not understand !#at igre !orried a%out. :ven i& s#e
"ne!$ as a si,p)e ,aid$ s#e (ou)d not do an+t#ing to #e)p #i,.
'ti))$ eita !anted to %e !it# igre.
o ,atter !#at$ eita !ou)d %e #is a))+.
*** #an" +ou$ eita.#e !ords #e returned !ere &u)) o& e,otions. eita !as g)ad t#e
usua) igre #ad returned.
;una!i#r !as a s,a)) vi))age !it# &e!er t#an t!o #undred
in#a%itants.
#e &orests spread out in t#e near%+ vi(init+$ and t#e residentso&ten entered it. -s a (#i)d$ #e #ad p)a+ed in t#e &orest$ and
!#en o)der$ #e gat#ered &ire!ood$ nuts$ and ,us#roo,s.
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#oug# t#ere !ere !o)ves and !i)d %oars in t#e vi(init+$ t#e+
!ou)d rare)+ atta(" a group o& peop)e so )ong as t#eir territor+
!as not trespassed. t !as a pea(e&u) vi))age.
One "o"u #ad passed a&ter ,idda+ %+ t#e ti,e igre and eita
arrived at t#e vi))age. #e+ too" so,e ti,e to rest and #ave a
,ea) so t#e+ !ou)d #ave t#e energ+ to (o,p)ete t#eir tas"
%e&ore t#e sun set.
#en &ar,ers !#o (u)tivated t#e &ie)d sa! igre$ t#e+ ran up !it#
s#ort steps. igre pu))ed #is #orse to a stop and #e)ped eita
a&ter dis,ounting.
:ver+one$ are +ou sa&e@es$ ord$ t#an"s to +ou.
- ,idd)e*aged ,an #ad #is #and on #is #ead and s,i)ed. #e
ot#er &ar,ers$ as !e))$ &o))o!ed suit.
e #id in t#e &orests )i"e +ou said. #e+ passed %+ /ui(")+.
Eea))+$ t#ere !ere ,an+ peop)e running a!a+ t!o da+s ago$
ord.igre #eard t#e &ar,ers stories one %+ one %e&ore separating to
t#e,. ;e #eaded to t#e vi))age (#ie&s !#i)e pu))ing #is #orse
a)ong.
'oon$ #e sa! t#e vi))age (#ie& !#o !as (u)tivating t#e &ie)ds$ just
)i"e t#e ot#er &ar,ers.
#e ,an !as in #is ,id*&orties. ;is &igure !as )i"e a %arre) and #is
ar,s and )egs !ere start. ;is s"in !as tan and #is &a(e !as red
due to a sun%urn as #e spent #is ti,e !or"ing t#e &ie)ds.
#en #e noti(ed igre$ #e !a)"ed out o& t#e &ie)d.
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Bid +ou (o,e to #e)p !it# t#e &ie)ds$ ord
#oug# (an #e)p$ !ont +ou just do it a)) again
#e vi))age (#ie& &eigned ignoran(e as igre )aug#ed and s#rugged
#is s#ou)ders. n a)) a(tua)it+$ igre #ad gripped t#e #oe on)+
on(e t#e )ast ti,e #e tried to #e)p$ so #is !or" !as terri%)e.
;a#a$ e9(use ,e.
#e vi))age (#ie& )aug#ed$ #is %e))+ s#a"ing$ and s,i)ed to eita.
igre as"ed a%out t#e da,age to t#e vi))age.
ts as +ou see. #e &en(es around t#e vi))age !ere destro+ed$ %ut
!e #ave no injured or dead.
-&ter sa+ing t#at$ t#e vi))age (#ie& )oo"ed serious.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 2
eita did not t#in" #e )oo"ed !e))$ and$ out o& (onsideration$ spo"e
up.
igre*sa,a. i)) +ou %e ta"ing a nap on t#e !a+
igres )egs )oosened &ro, around t#e #orse as #e #eard t#e
une9pe(ted !ords.
ts unusua) +ou !ou)d sa+ t#is. Bid +ou not s)eep !e))$ eita
a, sti)) a %it tired...
eita ans!ered ,odest)+. igre s,i)ed !r+)+$ %ut #e did not reje(t
#er. ;e &e)t it !ou)d soon %e ti,e to ta"e a %rea"$ regard)ess.
#e sun s#ined %rig#t)+ in t#e %)ue #eavens. #e &ine !eat#er !as
no di&&erent &ro, +esterda+s. !onder i& (an trou%)e t#e,. & re,e,%er$ t#ere s#ou)d %e a
#ut near%+.
igre )e&t t#e road and #eaded to!ard a s,a)) #ut at t#e top o& a
#i)). t !as %ui)t &ro, )ogs$ and igre #ad used it nu,erous
ti,es %e&ore.
;e dis,ounted and sa! no one inside.n t#e ,idd)e !as a p)ate &u)) o& as#. t !as used to %ui)d a &ire$
%ut$ &ro, its (urrent state$ it #ad not %een used &or t#e past
severa) da+s.
;e tet#ered t#e #orse outdoors$ !iped its %od+ do!n$ and gave it
!ater to drin". eita #e)ped #i, as !e)).
-&ter &inis#ing$ t#e t!o entered t#e #ut. eita )a+ on t#e &)oor.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 30
eita$ +ou s#ou)d get so,e rest. , sure its tireso,e riding t#e
#orse a)) t#e ti,e.
& do not sta+ up$ !#o !i)) !a"e +ou up$ igre*sa,a
igre s(rat(#ed #is #ead #earing #er jo"e.
got it$ %ut dont do an+t#ing unreasona%)e.
;e spo"e gent)+ and ()osed #is e+es.
er#aps &atigued %+ (onstant)+ t#in"ing to #i,se)&$ igre &e)) as)eep
i,,ediate)+.
#ere !as a ten +ear o)d gir) %e&ore #is e+es.
*** igre*sa,a.
'#e spo"e !it# a )isp and #ad (#estnut*%ro!n #air tied on t#e )e&t
and rig#t side o& #er #ead. eitas #a=e) e+es s#ined %ri))iant)+.
igre*sa,a$ over #ere.
eita )aug#ed inno(ent)+ as s#e !a)"ed a)ong$ gripping igres
#and. igre /uiet)+ &o))o!ed a&ter #er.
'eeing #is #ands$ igre rea)i=ed it !as a drea,. ;e !as t#e sa,e
age !#en #e ,et eita.
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#e %o+ and gir) !a)"ed a)ong t#e narro! road as &ie)ds stret(#ed
a)ong %ot# sides.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 32
igrevur,ud.
#e &at#er spo"e gent)+ to #is son.
#e+ (u)tivate t#e &ie)ds ever+ da+. #e+ s(atter t#e seeds$ !ater
t#e p)ants$ and drive a!a+ t#e inse(ts and %irds$ and s(are
a!a+ t#e #ares and !i)d %oars t#at (o,e to t#e vi))age. #e+
!orr+ a%out droug#ts and &ear stor,s. -&ter #arvesting t#e
&ie)ds and ()eaning t#e, up$ t#e+ repeat t#e pro(ess again.
As a hunter, I am the same.igre ans!ered in t#at !a+. Gust
%e&ore$ #e #ad (aug#t a )arge deer.
@our s"i)) !it# t#e %o! is sp)endid$ espe(ia))+ &or +our age?
#o!ever$ it is di&&erent &ro, #unters. e do not #unt to )ive.igre nodded strong)+ %e(ause #e did not understand !#at it
,eant to )ive.
:ver+one !or"s t#e &ie)ds to )ive. Bo +ou understand !#+ it is +ou
do not do t#is
&ecause o you, Dad. &ecause I am the ord's son.#is ti,e$ igre
ans!ered &ir,)+. ;e (ou)d not #e)p %ut %)us# ine,%arrass,ent !#en re(a))ing t#e ,e,or+. ;is &at#er !as not
angr+ !it# #is response.
#en !#+ do not need to (u)tivate t#e &ie)ds
&ecause you are great.#en #e said t#at$ #is &at#er s)o!)+ s#oo"
#is #ead.
isten$ igrevur,ud. e are #ere in (ase t#ere is an e,ergen(+.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 33
:,ergen(+
#ats rig#t. ere t#ere &or situations !#i(# are di&&i(u)t to
so)ve. ands)ides$ &)oods$ %andits$ epide,i(s$ poor #arvests$
disputes a,ongst vi))ages$ ()as#es !it# neig#%oring aristo(rats
over t#e rivers and ,ountains$ t#ere are ,an+ ot#er t#ings...
a, t#ere to tr+ and reso)ve t#ose pro%)e,s. Our !or" is to
ensure t#e+ )ive t#eir )ives in pea(e.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 34
--- ather...
How long has it been since I've dreamed o ather!
;e tried to sit up$ %ut &e)t a !eig#t and &aint #eat on #is %od+.
igre )oo"ed do!n.
eita !as ()inging to #i,$ (a),)+ %reat#ing as s#e s)ept. #oug# it
surprised #i,$ igre /ui(")+ regained #is (o,posure.
--- Did you bring me to meet my ather!
n t#e drea,$ it !as t#e +oung eita t#at too" #i, to #is &at#er.
ar,t# !e))ed &ro, !it#in #is (#est. igre #ugged #er gent)+.
-&ter a ti,e$ eita !o"e up.
'#e )et out a noise as s#e )oo"ed up at igre$ #a)&*as)eep. ;er e+es!ere un&o(used.
eita stood up in a pani( as soon as s#e understood t#e situation.
'#e !aved #er #ands a%out$ and #er &a(e !as red. '#e ,ade
,an+ in(o#erent e9(uses.
i$ igre*sa,a$ its so,et#ing di&&erent. -#$ u,... didnt !ant to
ta"e too ,u(# spa(e in (ase so,eone entered...
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 36
igre s,i)ed !r+)+ as #e sa! eitas pani( as #e t#oug#t a%out #is
e,otions.
;aving re(a))ed #is &at#er$ #e !as engrossed in senti,enta)
&ee)ings and ()ose)+ e,%ra(ed #er. n t#e su,,er at,osp#ere
in a di, #ut$ eitas rea(tion (a))ed igre do!n.
eita.
;earing igre (a)) out to #er in a (a), voi(e$ eita %egan to sett)e
do!n.
#an" +ou. o!e +ou one. t !as /uite re&res#ing.
'eeing igre )oo" as t#oug# #e !ere a%out to )aug#$ s#e !as
re)ieved t#e s#ado! in #is &a(e #ad disappeared. -&ter%orro!ing t#e eitMerit= so)diers &ro, :))en$ #e #ad pus#ed
t#e #enardier -r,+ %a(" and #ad not gotten an+ rest.
-n9iet+ and &ear entered t#e gap it opened in #is #eart.
--- I can't sto( now.
#ere !ere ,an+ t#ings igre #ad to do.
;e #ad %orro!ed t#e strengt# o& t#e eitMerit= -r,+ to &ig#t#enardiers troops.
#oug# #e !as an9ious a%out t#e po!er o& #is %)a(" %o!$ #e
)a("ed enoug# ()ues to &ind an+,ore in&or,ation on it. For
no!$ #e !ou)d put it aside.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 37
ets go$ eita.
igre stepped out o& t#e #ut re&res#ed. ;e )oo"ed at t#e ()oud)ess
s"+.
--- I nothing else, at least the weather is good or hunting.
igre*sa,a.
Fro, %e#ind$ eita spo"e in an angr+ tone.
-re +ou t#in"ing o& #unting rig#t no!
... ;o! did +ou "no!
"no!. ;o! ,an+ +ears do +ou t#in" #ave %een serving +ou
-&ter ans!ering$ eita s,i)ed #appi)+. Eea)i=ing s#e !as jo"ing just
a ,o,ent ago$ igre s,i)ed %itter)+ as #e #e)ped #er ,ountt#e #orse.
#i)e riding$ igre (a))ed %a(" to eita.
eita. e)) %e %us+ !#en !e get %a(" to Ce)esta. Our situation is
a %it pro%)e,ati($ so !ant +ou to go to ord Massas p)a(e &or
a !#i)e***
igre*sa,a.eita #ugged igre &ro, %e#ind.
said it +esterda+. !i)) &o))o! +ou ever+!#ere. @ou #ave #e)ped
,e. t is ,+ turn to #e)p +ou$ no!.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 38
igre gent)+ p)a(ed #is #ands on eitas.
;er !ords !ere #app+$ t#oug# t#ere !as sadness in t#e,. #i)e
#e !as %us+ !orr+ing$ s#e #ad )ong sin(e deter,ined #er
(ourse o& a(tion.
igre )et go o& eitas #ands and "i("ed t#e #orses %e))+.
;o)d on tig#t.
-s i& re&)e(ting #is #eart$ t#e #orse &ier(e)+ sped up.
#e &aint !ar,t# and !eig#t o& t#e gir) on #is %a(" (o,&orted
#i,.
igre and eita arrived at Ce)esta a #a)& "o"u &aster t#ans(#edu)ed.
On(e #e returned to t#e ,ansion$ #e noti(ed a #orse in t#e sta%)e
t#at did not %e)ong to igre.
;e #ad o&ten seen t#is #orse? it !as !#ite !it# a %)a(" ,ane
!#i(# ran do!n its %od+.
#is #orse is Massas*sa,as...@ea#$ no dou%t.
igre responded to eitas surprised voi(e.
eita$ (an )eave t#is to +ou
@es. eita nodded and s,i)ed %ri))iant)+. igre ran out o& t#e
sta%)es and i,patient)+ opened t#e doors to #is #ouse$
ignoring t#e t#e ,ud on #is )eat#er s#oes.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 3
;e &irst !ent to t#e dining roo, %ut &ound no one t#ere. #en #e
opened t#e door to t#e dra!ing roo,$ #e sa! Massas Eodant
sitting in p)a(e.
igre s!a))o!ed #is voi(e as #e tried to (a)) out t#e ,ans na,e.
#e roo, !as !rapped in a dangerous at,osp#ere !#i(#
!ou)d )i"e)+ ,a"e (#i)dren (r+.
Massas and i, !ere staring at ea(# ot#er a(ross a s,a)) ta%)e.
--- Did they not notice me...!
;e ()osed t#e door and returned to t#e sta%)e. ;e as"ed eita
!#at !as &or dinner. ;e t#oug#t it !as t#e %est (ourse o&
a(tion.*** 'o +oure %a("$ igre.
Massas turned #is #ead to )oo" at igre. ;is s#ort stature and
stout %od+ !as !rapped in ()ot#es !it# ,uted ()ot#ing. ;is
gra+ %eard gave o&& a dignit+ &itting &or #is age.
@oure sa&e$ a%ove a)) e)se... !anted to #ear !#at #appened
&ro, +ou. #en (a,e$ sa! a !o,an !#o !as neit#er eitaor au)a in t#e #ouse. snt t#is /uite a surprise
au)a !as a #ouse!i&e in #er 50s !#o )ived in t#e area. '#e
!or"ed as a ,aid &or igres &at#er$ Ar=$ !#en #e !as sti)) a)ive$
and s#e (a,e to #e)p !#en ti,es !ere %us+.
#oug# Massas (ontinued spea"ing !it# t#e good*natured s,i)e
t#e e)der)+ ,ig#t #ave$ #is e+es !ere not )aug#ing at a)).
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-nd no! !e #ave a deput+ &ro, D#(ted in -)sa(e.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 41
Bu"e #enardier !at(#ed t#e s(ene in si)en(e as #e poured !ine
into a si)ver (#a)i(e. #oug# e9pression)ess$ it !as ()ear to
an+one !#o sa! t#at #e !as angr+ &ro, t#e %otto, o& #is
#eart.
--- Zaien was an unreliable ool or his age.
:ven so$ #e !as sti)) an i,portant son.
Daien )ed an ar,+ and )ost a due) against igre. Daiens (orpse san"
into a ,ars# in t#e Mo)s#ei, )ains.
--- That damn brat... Zhcted...
'#ou)d t#e situation per,it it$ #e !ou)d )ead t#e ar,+ #i,se)& to
invade -)sa(e and ta"e igres )i&e.#e Bu"e !as 42 t#is +ear. ;is )arge %od+ !as tig#t and &orged$
and #is s"i)) !it# t#e s!ord$ spear$ and #orse !as on par$ i& not
superior to$ !it# a nig#ts. ;is distinguis#ed servi(es on t#e
%att)e&ie)d !ere ,an+ in nu,%er$ as !e)).
#oug# #e #ad !it#dra!n &ro, t#e &ront )ines$ #e sti)) (ontinued
training.#en t#e punis#,ent ended$ #e !a)"ed indignant)+ do!n t#e
(orridors o& #is grand ,ansion. #e Bu"e returned to #is
private roo, on #is o!n.
#oug# #e #ad e,ptied &our %ott)es o& !ine$ #e !as not drun".
;e !as &i))ed !it# a ,urderous intent? t#e pressure a)one
(ou)d su&&o(ate t#ose near%+.
#oug# t#e Bu"es roo, !as not &an(+ in appearan(e$ an+ !#o
sa! it !ou)d %e re)u(tant to enter due to t#e tension.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 42
#e (arpet !as &ine)+ e,%roidered$ and t#e des" !as ,ade o&
e%on+. #e (and)esti(" !as ,ade o& go)d$ and a)) t#e
a((essories !ere ,ade o& si)ver or go)d.
;o!ever$ t#e Bu"e !a)"ed vio)ent)+ into t#e roo, and dragged
t#e (#air &ro, t#e des" %e&ore sitting.
;e grasped a %ott)e o& )i/uor &ro, -svarre on #is des" and poured
a g)ass %e&ore drin"ing it in a &)as#.
*** @ou see, out o& sorts.
#enardier g)ared at t#e une9pe(ted voi(e.
- s#ort o)d ,an in a %)a(" ro%e stood in &ront o& t#e open door. ;e
!ore a #ood over #is e+es$ (overing #is &a(e.Bre"ava(.
#e Bu"e near)+ spat out t#e )i/uor in #is ,out# and a),ost
"no("ed t#e e,pt+ %ott)e over. #e o)d ,an %o!ed as #e #e)d
%a(" #is )aug#ter.
Bre"ava( #ad served t#e #enardier &a,i)+ as a soot#sa+er &or
,an+ +ears.n t#is residen(e$ no$ even t#roug#out a)) o&
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 43
%e)ieve +ou #ave #eard t#e stories.
Daien*sa,a #as died. @ou #ave ,+ (ondo)en(es &ro, t#e %otto,
o& ,+ #eart***
#ere is no need to sa+ it. dont e9pe(t su(# t#ings &ro, +ou.
#enardier interrupted Bre"ava(s !ords and stared at t#e e)der)+
persons &a(e %eneat# t#e #ood.
a, grate&u)? #o!ever$ +ou are &ar too )enient in +our
punis#,ent$ @our :9(e))en(+.
t is regretta%)e$ %ut need t#e so)diers no!. (annot just "i))
t#e, as p)ease.
n &a(t$ #e #ad )ost t!o t#ousand so)diers and t!o Bragons. t !asan une9pe(ted %)o!. -n un"no!n aristo(rat in a re,ote p)a(e
s#ou)d not #ave %een a%)e to do t#at.
;o!ever$ it appears igrevur,ud Vorn appeared !it# t#e D#(ted
-r,+ and "i))ed Daien and %ot# Bragons$ and t#ree t#ousand
o& #is ,en #ad s(attered.
gnoring t#e so)diers (o))iding against one anot#er... as it t#e%o+ &ro, -)sa(e or t#e Vanadis &ro, D#(ted t#at "i))ed t#e
dragon
Cat(#ing #enardiers &ier(e e+es$ Bre"ava( s)o!)+ nodded.
s#ou)d &irst in&or, +ou. #e seven Vanadis &ro, D#(ted possess
a !eapon "no!n as a
Vira)t
Bragoni( oo).
... #ave on)+ #eard o& its na,e. s t#is Bragoni( oo) tru)+ sopo!er&u)
#ere is not#ing t#at (an (o,pare. t (an (ut t#roug# a so)dier
!it# ease and #as a spe(ia) po!er !#i(# a))o!s it to (rus# a
Bragon.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 44
#oug# t#e Bragons tru)+ !ere "i))ed$ #enardier !ou)d si,p)+
)aug# t#ose !ords o&& i& t#e+ (a,e &ro, an+one ot#er t#an
Bre"ava(.
#at is t#e !eapon ,ade o&
t is not ,ade o& an+t#ing &ound in t#e eart#.
#enardiers %)a(" %eard tre,%)ed #earing Bre"ava(s response.
see. 'o it (an easi)+ (ut t#roug# a Bragons s(a)es !#i(# (an
easi)+ &end a!a+ stee).
t is su(# a !eapon.
#enardier si,p)+ %e)ieved t#ose !ords !#i(# nor,a))+ !ou)d
see, )i"e a jo"e. understand. Can +ou prepare ne! Bragons
(an &inis# it %+ t#e ne! +ear$ t#oug# !i)) need so,e ,one+.
Bre"ava( %o!ed as #enardier agreed. #oug# #e t#oug#t to as"
!#et#er it (ou)d %e done sooner$ #e understood it !ou)d not
%e possi%)e an+ sooner due to t#eir )ong asso(iation.
#enardier pi("ed up a %rig#t si)ver %e)) on #is des" and rang it.;e ordered #is attendant to /ui(")+ prepare a %ag t#e si=e o& a
#u,an #ead to %e &i))ed !it# go)d.
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2 The Two Vanadis
igre %roug#t a (#air &ro, anot#er roo, spe(i&i(a))+ to sit ne9t to
Massas. ;e #esitated to sit ne9t to i,.#e seat ne9t to ,ine is va(ant.
i, turned #er ga=e (o)d)+ to!ard #i,. '#e !as sitting on a so&a
spa(ious enoug# &or t!o adu)ts to %e seated. O& (ourse$ #er
re,ar" !as not one ,ade &ro, good !i)).
*** igre.
eaning on t#e (ou(# !it# #is ar,s &o)ded$ Massas g)ared at i,., /uite g)ad +oure sa&e. #eres %een /uite a )ot pi)ing up t#at
ve !anted to ta)" to +ou a%out sin(e Binant$ %ut ve %een
/uite an9ious sin(e ,et t#is )itt)e Miss... t#oug#t so,et#ing
%ad ,a+ #ave #appened to +ou.
igre !anted to %ur+ #is #ands in #is #ead. n t#e &uture$ t#eir
#e)p !ou)d %e indispensa%)e. ;e #ad %een !orr+ing a%out
!#at to sa+ even %e&ore t#is ,o,ent.
#i)e t#in"ing a%out !#at to sa+ &irst$ )ig#t &ootsteps ,i9ed !it#
#u,,ing approa(#ed. eita opened t#e door and )oo"ed
inside.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 47
Massas*sa,a> @ou (a,e>
O#$ eita. t see,s +oure sa&e.
Massas s,i)ed &ro, ear to ear upon seeing t#e ,aid !it#
(#estnut*%ro!n #air. & igre !as so,et#ing )i"e a son to t#e
o)d nig#t$ eita !ou)d %e )i"e #is daug#ter. #oug# #e #ad #is
o!n (#i)dren$ #e sti)) &e)t a strong a&&e(tion &or t#e t!o.
:ver+one$ )ets #ave so,e tea.
it#out &orgetting a%out i,$ eita #e)d t#e edge o& #er s"irt and
%o!ed %e&ore po)ite)+ )eaving t#e roo,. #e intense
at,osp#ere #ad &ina))+ (a),ed do!n$ granting igre so,e ti,e
to re)a9.ord Massas$ a))o! ,e to e9p)ain t#e situation &irst. i,...
i,)is#a$ i& +ou &ee) t#e need to give ,ore in&or,ation$ p)ease
do so.
igre des(ri%ed !#at #appened to #i, a&ter #e ,et :))en in
Binant. Massas )istened si)ent)+ and nodded$ !#i)e i,
o((asiona))+ )oo"ed to igre !it#out sa+ing an+t#ing.#en #e &inis#ed spea"ing$ eita arrived !it# tea &or t#ree.
igre too" a drin" to /uen(# #is par(#ed t#roat and t#an"ed eita.
For a !#i)e$ Massas ga=ed at t#e tea in #is (up. #en eita )e&t t#e
roo,$ #e )oo"ed up to!ard i,.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 48
;e p)a(ed #is #ands on #is "nees and %o!ed deep)+.
i,)is#a$ First$ apo)ogi=e &or dou%ting +our !ords.
t (ou)d not %e #e)ped. !i)) apo)ogi=e as !e)) &or not greeting
+ou proper)+.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 4
:)eanora*sa,a respe(ts #is rig#teousness$ and s#e is a so&t*
#earted person.
igre ,enta))+ in()ined #is #ead$ t#oug# #e re,ained si)ent
%e(ause #e (ou)d not den+ #er !ords.
;o!ever$ is t#at rea))+ enoug# to ,a"e a ,ove
'#e a)so respe(t t#e (ontra(t under t#e na,e o& Eadegast.
Eadegast !as a od o& Contra(t (o,,on to t#e &ait# o& D#(ted
and
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 50
... 'o$ unti) t#at ti,e$ +ou !i)) #e)p igre... :ar) Vorn
Massas as"ed to (on&ir, t#eir intent$ and i, si,p)+ nodded
!#i)e giving it so,e t#oug#t in #er ,ind.
--- I should see how committed he is.
#at is our intention.
i, #ad t#oug#t #e !ou)d %e un!i))ing to &ig#t. '#e !anted to
#ear igres t#oug#ts !#i)e Massas !as present.
O& (ourse$ t#at depends on ord igrevur,uds %e#avior. '#ou)d
:)eanora*sa,a dee, #is justi(e un!ort#+... !e !i)) si,p)+
,ove %a(" a(ross t#e Vos+es Mountains.
)) do ,+ %est.;earing igres s#ort response and seeing #i, s#rug #is s#ou)ders$
i, s(rutini=ed #i, (are&u))+.
#oug# s#e did not "no! !#at (aused su(# a rapid (#ange$ s#e
sa! an ada,ant !i)) !it#in #is e+es.
--- I don't know what ha((ened in these (ast two days...
i, !as re)ieved. ;er ro)e !as to assist igre$ %ut i& igre did not,ove &or!ard on #is o!n$ s#e !ou)d %e use)ess.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 51
Bu"e ane)on #ad a)so ,oved #is so)diers$ %ut #e did not atta("
-)sa(e.
n t#e )etter Massas gave to
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 52
#e+ prepared a)(o#o) and ,ea)s &or t!o t#ousand so)diers and
entertained t#e,. #e+ did a)) t#is so t#e+ (ou)d re/uest a
,eeting !it# t#e (o,,ander as a neutra) part+.
#e ane)on -r,+ !i)) stop ,ar(#ing$ and !e !i)) re)a+ +our
,essage. #oug#$ as +ou ,a+ e9pe(t$ !e !i)) )i"e)+ on)+ de)a+
our ,ove,ents.
igre &e)t suspi(ious seeing Massas g)oo,+ e9pression.
Bid so,et#ing %ad #appen
#e+ !ere sear(#ing &or in&or,ation on t#e near%+ aristo(rats
and re)eased ,an+ s(outs... t#in" t#in" t#e ane)on -r,+
used us as an e9(use !#en t#e+ #ad stopped a)read+.Massas s#oo" #is #ead as #is stout %od+ (ringed.
@ou t#in" t#e+ #ad a reason not to atta(" -)sa(e
, not e9a(t)+ sure. #e+ stopped ,oving a&ter #earing
#enardier #ad prepared t#ree t#ousand ,en and t!o
Bragons.
-&ter &inis#ing #is !ords$ Massas )oo"ed at igre and i,s"epti(a))+.
igre. s it true t#e D#(ted -r,+ "i))ed t#e t!o Bragons :ven
)iving &or ,ore t#an &i&t+ +ears$ and #ave never seen a Bragon.
o$ did see a +oung Bragon !#en !as training in a rura)
vi))age.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 53
t is true.
igre (on&ir,ed it a&ter e9(#anging a g)an(e !it# i,.
#e Vanadis$ :)eanora*sa,a s)a+ed %ot#.
Massas &ro!ned and groaned severa) ti,es. ;e )et out a )arge
%reat# soon enoug#.
& it is as +ou sa+$ t#en !i)) not as" an+ &urt#er. -s soon as t#e
ane)on -r,+ )earned o& t#e e9isten(e o& Bragons$ t#e+ ,ade
preparations to !it#dra!. #e+ )e&t %e&ore Bu"e #enardiers
de&eat !as ,ade pu%)i(. er#aps t#e+ si,p)+ postponed t#eir
atta(".
Massas /ui(")+ dran" t#e rest o& t#e tea a&ter #e &inis#edspea"ing.
o!$ igre. #at !i)) +ou %e doing &ro, no! on
!i)) &ig#t Bu"e #enardier.
Massas #ad as"ed in a so)e,n tone$ %ut igre ans!ered
i,,ediate)+ !it#out an+ sign o& dou%t in #is e+es.
Bo +ou ,ean to join Bu"e ane)ono. do not intent to.
ane)on !as no di&&erent$ sin(e #e !as atte,pting to atta("
-)sa(e as !e)).
t !ou)d %e i,possi%)e &or #i, to !or" !it# eit#er.
... 'o t#is is t#e (on()usion +ou #ave rea(#ed a&ter giving it
t#oug#t
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 54
Massas ga=ed at igre$ )eaning #is entire %od+ &or!ard. igre
)oo"ed #i, straig#t on !it#out &)in(#ing and nodded.
;onest)+ spea"ing$ its &rig#tening and d rat#er run a!a+. -&ter
a))$ t#e+re t#e top t!o aristo(rats$ and , just a s,a)) no%)e at
t#e %orders o& t#e (ountr+. #at (an do :ven so***
igre put strengt# in #is voi(e and (ontinued.
#ave su((eeded -)sa(e &ro, Fat#er$ and #ave an o%)igation to
de&end t#e peop)e !#o )ive in t#is )and. :ven i& #ad no
o%)igation$ !ou)d sti)) desire to de&end t#e,. o prote(t t#e,
in ,o,ents o& peri) is ,+ dut+ as ord.
igre...Massas si)ent)+ !at(#ed t#e +out# !it# red #air. ;e !at(#ed t#e
son o& #is %est &riend.
#is road !i)) %e steep$ ,ore t#an +ou ,ig#t t#in". Bu"e
#enardier !i)) not )et +ou go &or "i))ing #is son$ and +ou
%roug#t t#e troops o& D#(ted into our )ands. #ere !i)) %e
,an+ !#o (riti(i=e +ou and ver+ &e! !#o !i)) approve o& +oura(tions.
t !as not a t#reat %ut a &a(t.
#oug# #esitate to sa+ t#is %e&ore i,)is#a$ %ut t#e D#(ted
-r,+ is a)so &ig#ting &or t#eir o!n (onvenien(e. :ven t#en$ !i))
+ou a))+ +ourse)& !it# D#(ted and &ig#t
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@ou rea))+ arent %eing opti,isti( at a)).
igre s,i)ed and ans!ered &ran")+.
e))$ )) ,anage so,e#o!.
Massas near)+ (ried out indignant)+ #earing igres %ad #a%it o&
sa+ing t#ose !ords.
;o!ever$ #e noti(ed igres e+es !ere &u)) o& sin(erit+. nstead$ t#e
o)d ,an s!a))o!ed #is !ords and )et out a sig#.
@ou need to sa+ it ,ore &ir,)+.
#e sun #ad &a))en.
eita %roug#t ,ore tea as t#e+ too" a %rea" %e&ore resu,ing t#eir(onversation. #e setting sun s#ined t#roug# t#e !indo!$
&or,ing a de)i(ate s#ado! in t#e roo,.
#ere are t!o possi%i)ities (an t#in" o& at t#e ,o,ent. One is to
send a )etter to ;is Majest+$ t#e ing.
;e !ou)d !rite t#at -)sa(e !as un)a!&u))+ atta("ed %+ Bu"e
#enardier. n order to stop t#e,$ #e %orro!ed t#e strengt# o&t#e D#(ted -r,+.
'in(e it ,ig#t %e e&&e(tive$ s#ou)d !e do it
i,s %)ue e+es )oo"ed dou%t&u).
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 56
a, unsure o& #o! e&&e(tive t#is !ou)d %e. ;e ,ig#t not do
an+t#ing to prote(t t#e status /uo. -)so$ i& #e did so,et#ing
a%out Bu"e #enardier$ Bu"e ane)on ,ig#t use t#e
opportunit+ to atta(". #at is t#e ot#er option
'ear(# &or a))ies.
#oug# :))en and t#e D#(ted -r,+ !ere strong$ t#e+ !ou)d sti))
pus# a!a+ ,an+ potentia) a))ies as i, stated %e&ore.
For no!$ !ere a %it )ig#t.
#oug# Massas s,i)ed %itter)+$ and igre spo"e serious)+.
ord Massas. ;o! is t#e situation in
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 57
i, raised #er o!n (on(ern at t#at ti,e.
a, not :)eanora*sa,a. @ou #ave no reason to trust ,e.
:))en trusts +ou. snt t#at !#+ s#e )e&t +ou #ere & so$ t#en
trust +ou as !e)). -)so$ t#ere are ,an+ t#ings dont "no! t#at
+ou do.
- s,a)) s,i)e appeared on igres &a(e as #e gave #er an ans!er.
i,$ !#ose e9pression re,ained un&riend)+$ &e)t a ,i9ture o&
gui)t an e,%arrass,ent.
... & +ou are !i))ing to go t#at &ar$ t#en s#a)) re,ain as :)eanora*
sa,as representative.
it# a sig#$ i, sat %a(" on t#e so&a. -&ter )oo"ing at igre andi,$ Massas p)a(ed a t#i(" &inger on t#e ta%)e and resu,ed t#e
(onversation.
igre. i"e said %e&ore$ ever+one in
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 58
Massas %roug#t #is #and to #is (#est as #e nodded. ;e pu))ed out
severa) (oins o& si)ver and (opper.
#en it (o,es to t#e po!er in t#is (ountr+... ets sa+ it a,ounts
to one #undred in tota). Bu"es #enardier and ane)on !ou)d
a,ount to &ort+... no$ t#irt+ ea(#. @ou %e)ong to t#e re,aining
&ort+.
;e p)a(ed t!o )arge si)ver (oins on t#e ta%)e.
& t#ats t#e (ase$ t#eres roo, &or opposition.
i, )oo"ed dou%t&u) as s#e spo"e. Massas si,p)+ s#oo" #is #ead.
it#in t#at &ort+$ t#irt+ !ou)d %e ta"en %+ t#e various
nig#t#oods in t#e (ountr+. #e+ unite to de&end t#e %ordersand t#e (apita)s. #e re,aining no%)es !ou)d on)+ represent
t#e re,aining ten.
Massas sta("ed nu,erous (opper (oins on t#e ta%)e.
#oug# nu,erous$ t#e+ )oo"ed !ea" in (o,parison to t#e si)ver
(oins !#i(# %ri))iant)+ re&)e(ted t#e sun)ig#t (o,ing in &ro, t#e
!indo!.;o!ever$ igre$ +our situation is di&&erent &ro, t#e ot#er no%)es.
#e at,osp#ere %e(a,e serious as Massas p)a(ed a s,a)) si)ver
(oin on t#e ta%)e.
@ou #ave t#e Vanadis o& D#(ted as an a))+. #oug# +ou s#ou)dnt
re)+ on t#e, too ,u(#$ i& +ou do t#ings !e))$ +ou (an %ring t#e
re,aining aristo(rats to +our side. & +ou ignore t#e nig#ts
!#o !i)) re,ain neutra)$ +ou (ou)d %e(o,e a t#ird &or(e.
#ats... so,e!#at a,a=ing.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 60
;o!ever$ !e do not #ave t#e ti,e to re)a9.
-&ter staring at t#e si)ver (oins on t#e ta%)e$ igre (o))e(ted #is
t#oug#ts.
#eir resour(es !ere vast)+ di&&erent. n t#e ti,e igre (ou)d
organi=e t#ree #undred so)diers$ #enardier !ou)d gat#er ten
t#ousand.
igre. @ou ,entioned it %e&ore$ %ut !#o !i)) +ou send to %ring
+our )etter to ;is Majest+
#ave not ,ade t#e de(ision +et.
#in"ing a%out t#e (urrent situation$ it !ou)d %e dangerous to
#ead to t#e ings Capita). #ere !as t#e possi%i)it+ Bu"e#enardier !ou)d o%stru(t #is a(tions$ as !e))$ and it !as a
tas" #e did not intend to )eave to ot#ers.
!i)) ta"e it.
Massas spo"e !it# a )ig#t*#earted tone$ surprising igre.
a$ !ait. (ant as" +ou to do t#is$ ord Massas...
#at no! @oure )eading t#e ar,+ o& anot#er (ountr+.
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it# Massas /uestion$ i, turned #er %)ue pupi)s to igre.
ord igrevur,ud$ !is# to "no! t#e reason +ou are &ig#ting
Bu"e #enardier. !ant so,et#ing (on(rete. For e9a,p)e$ do
+ou !is# to destro+ t#e entire #ouse#o)d
Massas stared !ide*e+ed at t#is radi(a) /uestion$ !#i)e igre
si,p)+ s#oo" #is #ead in denia).
M+ purpose is t#e pea(e o& -)sa(e. t is &ine i& Bu"e #enardier
!ou)d s!ear never to )a+ a #and on it... is !#at !ou)d )i"e to
sa+.
igre p)a+ed !it# #is du)) red #air a&ter sa+ing t#ose !ords.
;o!ever$ even i& #e !as e,%arrassed$ #e !as not trou%)ed. ;e#ad ,ade #is de(ision and #ad t#e reso)ution to &o))o!
t#roug# !it# it.
(ant rea))+ as" peop)e to !or" &or ,e !it#out pa+$ so !i)) )i"e)+
end up de,anding ,one+ or territor+.
-&ter t#e (onversation #ad &inis#ed$ and i, )e&t t#e roo,. #esun #ad a),ost sun" %e)o! t#e #ori=on.
'#e !as g)ad t#at igre #ad ,ade #is reso)ve.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 63
--- %erha(s it's his character. Though lacking in some areas, I ust
have to assist him.
'ti))$ s#e !as re)ieved. #en i, noti(ed #er &ee)ings$ s#e
understood s#e !as #app+ %e(ause it !ou)d %e ,ore
(onvenient &or :))en.
#oug# i, intended to )eave t#e #ouse$ s#e #eaded to t#e dining
roo, !#i)e deep in t#oug#t. eita !as %ust)ing a%out t#e
"it(#en in preparation &or dinner$ setting t#e ta%)e!are do!n.
... Bid +ou need so,et#ing
eita noti(ed i, and !a)"ed over (autious)+.
#ave a &avor to as" o& +ou.i, a%rupt)+ )i&ted #er ar, and pointed to a s,a)) do)) #ung a)ong
t#e !a)). t !as s,a)) enoug# to &it in t#e pa), o& #er #and? it
!as a %ear do)).
& +ou do not ,ind$ ,a+ #ave t#at A,... #ave a &riend !#o
)oves t#e,.
-s i, #ad said to eita %e&ore$ s#e #ad not set &oot in an+ roo,ot#er t#an igres roo, and t#e stud+? #o!ever$ !#en s#e
passed %+ t#e dining roo,$ s#e noti(ed t#e do)) and #ad %een
an9ious sin(e t#en.
#e )atter #a)& o& i,s !ords !ere spo"en in an unnatura) tone$
t#oug# eita #ad not noti(ed. ;er )ove)+ &a(e &ro!ned as s#e
)oo"ed up at i,.
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#e Eo+a) Capita) o& 'i)esia !as )o(ated near t#e (enter o& D#(ted
ingdo,.
More t#an one ,i))ion peop)e )ived in t#e (apita). o t#e nort# !as
t#e )arge Va)ta Eiver !#i(# passed into t#e sea. rodu(ts &ro,
various (ountries a)so passed t#roug# t#e nu,erous roads
entering t#e (it+.
Carriages #e)d ite,s &u)) o& %a,%oo &ro, t#e east$ &urs and and
oi)s &ro, no,adi( peop)es$ and spi(es$ potter+$ tea$ and si)ver
orna,ents &ro, Muo=ine) to t#e sout#.
#e (aravans &ro, t#e !est #e)d !#eat$ !ine$ and ,inera)s &ro,
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 66
ts )ive)+ as usua).
:))en !a)"ed t#roug# on #er #orse #appi)+ as s#e )oo"ed a%out.
'#e !as dressed in a natura) )eat#er ar,or and a #e,pen
()oa" )i"e a #u,%)e trave)er.
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ud,ira urie*sa,a and 'op#ia O%ertas*sa,a #ave arrived.
:))en returned t#e 'i)ver F)as# to #er !aist and passed %eneat#
t#e gate to t#e Eo+a) a)a(e. ;er e9pression !as su%t)e.
--- #o(hia aside, udmira's here...
'#e did not get a)ong !e)) !it# ud,ira. o %e ,ore pre(ise$ t#e+
#ad a poor re)ations#ip.
e))$ t#ats &ine. )) ta"e (are o& t#e trou%)eso,e %usiness &irst.
:))en !a)"ed %et!een t#e peop)e o& t#e Eo+a) a)a(e. ;er argent
#air !as de(orated$ and s#e !as !rapped in a si)ver*!#ite
dress.;er s#ou)ders !ere out in t#e open$ %o)d)+ e9posing #er %a(" and
#er %oso,. ;er s)eeves and t#e #e, o& #er dress !ere &ine)+
de(orated. #oug# %rig#t$ it )e&t a ()ean i,pression.
#oug# 'i)ver F)as# -ri&a) !as (onspi(uous)+ #e)d in #er )e&t #and$
it did not ruin t#e %eaut+ o& t#e Vanadis? rat#er$ it gave #er a
strengt# to o&&set #er appearan(e.#e (ourt o&&i(ia)s sitting in t#e ro!s sig#ed$ over!#e),ed %+ #er
%eauti&u) &a(e and ga))ant %e#avior.
Asua))+$ !#en #aving an audien(e !it# t#e ing$ it is not
per,issi%)e to (arr+ a !eapon. #e on)+ e9(eption !as a
Vanadis and #er Bragoni( oo).
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:))en /uiet)+ !a)"ed do!n t#e (ri,son (arpet to t#e t#rone %e&ore
stopping #er &eet and "nee)ing. '#e p)a(ed -ri&a) on t#e &)oor
%e&ore #er and #ung #er #ead.
@ou ,a+ raise +our &a(e.
- dr+ voi(e$ )i"e a !it#ered tree$ (a,e &ro, t#e t#rone a%ove. t
!as t#e voi(e o& t#e ing o& D#(ted$ Vi(tor.
-((ording to :))ens ,e,or+$ t#e ing !as 60 t#is +ear. ;is gra+
#air and %eard !ere (are&u))+ ,aintained$ #is s"in !as
dar"ening$ and #is %)ue e+es !ere )a("ing in vita)it+. #oug# #e
sat !it# #is spine uprig#t$ t#e #ands e9tending &ro, #is
()ot#ing$ !#i(# !ere not#ing %ut s"in and %ones$ !ere re)a9ed.
... Master o& t#e
o,a no Dan"i
H
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ing Vi(tor interrupted :))ens !ords !it# a !ave o& #is #and.
#is is sti)) an invasion o&
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'op#ia spo"e so&t)+ and ,odest)+. ;er !ords /uiet)+ sun" into #is
ears tinged !it# an at,osp#ere t#at !as #ard to reje(t.
ing Vi(tor nodded si)ent)+$ pro,pting #er to (ontinue.
#e situation in
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 73
:)eanora. #at is :ar) Vorns purpose i)) #e deprive Bu"e
#enardier o& a)) #is territories a&ter "i))ing #i, s #is u)ti,ate
goa) t#e t#rone
:))en )oo"ed do!n!ard. t !as ne(essar+ to suppress #er )aug#ter.
--- / course the 0ing would thing so... &ut it's diicult to imagine
Tigre on the throne.
-((ording to #is !ords$ #is goa) is t#e pea(e o& -)sa(e? #o!ever$
#e !i)) not %e a%)e to a(#ieve t#at unti) Bu"e #enardier dies.
;e !i)) )i"e)+ gain so,e territor+$ t#oug#.
#at is t#e (o,pensation &or +our servi(es
#e re!ard (orresponds to t#e /ua)it+ o& our servi(e. ;e !i)) pa+our ,en$ (o,pensate &or t#e (ost o& !ar$ and re!ard so)diers
as appropriate.
-nd !#at o& t#e territor+ +ou re(eive
--- #o it's come down to this, ater all.
#e ing !as on)+ a&raid t#at :))en ,a+ gain po!er.
& #e +ie)ds an+ )and$ !i)) not ta"e a sing)e %it o& it. !i)) presentit to @our Majest+. -)) peop)e in t#is p)a(e are !itnesses.
... Ver+ !e)). !i)) )eave t#e a&&airs o& :ar) Vorn to +ou.
:))en )et out a so&t %reat# #earing t#ose !ords? s#e !as &ina))+
&reed.
#ave no intent in intervening in
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 74
:))en !a)"ed a!a+ &ro, t#e audien(e and stopped ,oving on(e
s#e #ad ta"en so,e distan(e.#oug# t#e )ong (orridor !as not de(orated$ t#e suns#ine entered
%et!een t#e (o)u,ns at e/ua) interva)s$ giving it a !ar,
at,osp#ere. :))en )et out a %reat# o& re)ie& i,,ediate)+ a&ter
es(aping t#e #eav+ air during t#e audien(e.
#e ,e,%ers o& t#e audien(e !ou)d de&inite)+ pass %+ t#is
(orridor. :))en )eaned against a pi))ar !it# #er ar,s &o)ded$!aiting &or 'op#ia.
:))en )oo"ed %)an")+ at t#e %ureau(rats passing %+ %ut &ro!ned
sudden)+ !#en one gir) appeared and !a)"ed straig#t to!ard
#er.
*** -s disgra(e&u) as ever$ :)eanora.
#e gir) spo"e in a t#orn+ tone and )oo"ed at #er !it# (onte,pt.
'#e !as o& s,a)) statue and #ad %)ue #air tri,,ed at #er
s#ou)ders. Mat(#ing #er #air !ere ()ot#es ,ade o& %)ue si)"
)u9urious)+ de(orated !it# red and go)d. n #er #and !as a
s#ort spear.
#e spear #ad a ,+sterious at,osp#ere and si)ent)+ re)eased (o)d
air. -s i& rea(ting to it$ -ri&a) %egan !rapping itse)& in !ind.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 75
... t see,s +ou #avent gro!n at a))$ eit#er$ ud,ira.
Cat(#ing t#e gir)s (ondes(ending ga=e$ :))en s,i)ed poor)+ to!ard
t#e gir) na,ed ud,ira and p)a(ed #er #and on #er #ead in a
&a,i)iar ,anner.
;, Far &ro, gro!ing up$ it see,s +ouve s#run". er#aps +our
(onstant %o!ing and ,odest attitude are t#e reason. s#ou)d
tea(# +ou #o! to stand uprig#t so +ou (an )oo" ta))er.
n(identa))+$ it)) ,a"e +our %reasts )oo" )arger.
... t see,s +ou (an spea" %etter. a, surprised t#e e,%odi,ent
o& rudeness and un(out# %e#avior$ even i& ()ad in #u,an s"in$
(an tea(# an+t#ing. !onder i& a star !i)) &a)) to,orro!.:ven i& s#e !as angr+$ ud,ira did not &o))o! :))ens provo(ations.
'#e (a),)+ %rus#ed o&& t#e #and stro"ing #er #ead !it# a
(oer(ive attitude.
!i)) #ave to re&rain.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 76
:))en )aug#ed and s#rugged in a #osti)e ,anner !#i)e ud,ira
)oo"ed up and ridi(u)ed #er !it# #er e+es.
Courtes+ and (#ara(ter are so,e o& t#e &e! t#ings possi%)e to
a(/uire !it# intent and e&&ort. Fro, +our audien(e a ,o,ent
ago$ (ou)d not &ee) an+ inte))e(t or dignit+ as a Vanadis o&
D#(ted.
, not sure a !o,an !#o (arries a %ott)e o& tea and ja, at #er
!aist (an spea" o& dignit+.
:))ens !ords &ina))+ tou(#ed a sore spot. ud,ira retorted angri)+.
do not #ave it toda+. An)i"e +ou$ understand t#ere are
appropriate ti,es and p)a(es.o %egin !it#$ t#is is t#e &irst ve #eard o& dignit+ %eing a
re/uire,ent &or a Vanadis. #oug# its +our &reedo, to
e,%ra(e su(# de)usions$ dont ta)" as i& it !ere (o,,on
sense.
it# intense anger in t#eir e+es$ t#e t!o gir)s g)ared at one
anot#er. anguage !as no )onger ne(essar+. :))en #ad #er #andon #er )ongs!ord$ and ud,ira #ad grasped #er s#ort spear.
#ere !as a #air*trigger at,osp#ere &)oating in t#e surroundings.
An&ortunate)+$ a)) t#e govern,ent o&&i(ia)s #ad to pass %+? t#e+
si,p)+ !a)"ed a!a+$ pretending t#e+ sa! not#ing.
*** a"e t#at.
- (ute voi(e sudden)+ sounded %et!een t#e t!o$ as :))en and
ud,ira !ere #it !it# a #ard t#ing.
#at...
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 77
:))en turned in anger$ %ut s!a))o!ed t#e rest o& #er !ords.
'op#ia O%ertas s,i)ed so&t)+ as s#e ga=ed at :))en and ud,ira.
Eea))+. Fig#ting is %ad$ +ou t!o.
#ere !as not#ing po!er&u) in #er !ords. '#e si,p)+ s,i)ed and
spo"e as i& s(o)ding t!o ,is(#ievous (#i)dren.
;o!ever$ :))en and ud,ira stood in si)en(e !it# an a!"!ard and
anno+ed e9pression respe(tive)+. #e+ noti(ed$ t#roug# t#e
t#in s#ie)d t#at !as 'op#ias %eauti&u) &a(e$ t#at s#e !as
s)ig#t)+ angr+. #oug# t#ose used to seeing #er !ou)d easi)+
,iss t#e &aint (#ange in #er e9pression$ t#e+ (ou)d easi)+ te))
s#e !as ,ad. #e t!o "ne! &irst#and not to &urt#er o&&end'op#ia.
;onest)+... #+ is it t#at +ou t!o on)+ /uarre) !#en +ou see one
anot#er
#is !o,an***
On re&)e9$ :))en and ud,ira pointed to ea(# ot#er and ans!ered
in #ar,on+.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 78
#an" +ou$ 'op#ie. @our good !ord saved ,e. #oug# didnt
intend to give up o%edient)+$ it !ou)d #ave ta"en a )ot )onger.
%e)ieve i& it !ere to go on an+ )onger$ +our &au)ts !ou)d %e
e9posed.
oo"$ it !ou)d not #ave %een a,using at a)) i& t#e dignit+ o& a))
Vanadis !ere to %e %es,ir(#ed %+ +our spee(# and (ondu(t.
'op#ia 'op#ie s,i)ed %itter)+ as ud,ira #u&&ed !it# a (o)d
tone.
:))en$ !#i)e &idd)ing !it# t#e pear)s se!n into #er dress to (on(ea)
#er irritation$ spo"e in a disgrunt)ed ,anner.
need to ta)" to 'op#ie. @ou s#ou)d get out o& #ere.For %ot# our sa"e$ !i)) do t#at? #o!ever$ !is# to #ear
so,et#ing %e&ore )eave.
ud,ira$ !it# ar,s &o)ded$ stared at :))en serious)+.
*** #is :ar) Vorn$ t#oug# do not "no! !#at "ind o& (ountr+
no%)e #e is$ %ut !#+ !ou)d +ou partner !it# #i, and intervene
in t#e (ivi) !ar %re!ing in
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 80
ud,ira #ad a s,i)e o& pit+ as s#e )e&t !it# #er parting re,ar".
'#e /uiet)+ !a)"ed do!n t#e #a)) o& t#e Eo+a) a)a(e.
#e ne9t ,o,ent$ t#e sound o& pear)s ro))ing on t#e &)oor (ou)d
%e #eard as t#e+ &e)) &ro, :))ens #ands. '#e #ad torn t#e, out
o& #er dress !it#out rea)i=ing$ )eaving s,a)) #o)es in #er
()ot#es.
'op#ie... Bo +ou #ave an+ need)e and t#read
#is !i)) on)+ get !orse i& an a,ateur does t#is.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 81
-&ter gra%%ing so,e &ruit jui(e &ro, t#e "it(#en$ :))en and 'op#ie
visited t#e garden and sat at t#e edge o& t#e &ountain.
#+ !i)) ud,ira %e(o,e ,+ ene,+ i& side !it# igre
t is si,p)e.
'op#ies pa)e go)den #air ro("ed as s#e too" a drin".
Mira ud,ira #as a )ong asso(iation !it# Bu"e #enardier.
#at gir) and #enardier
:))en )oo"ed in dis%e)ie&.
dont understand. investigated Bu"e #enardier$ and #es not
t#e "ind o& person !ou)d !ant to #ave ties !it#. ;es t#e t+pe
s#e !ou)d #ate. o$ dont "no! !#at s#e t#in"s...-re +ou !orried
#e area s#e governs$ O),ut=$ is near eitMerit=.
:))ens response #ad %e(o,e so,e!#at perverse. '#e /uiet)+
sipped #er jui(e as s#e stared at 'op#ie.
#e Vanadis Bu"edo,s !ere s(attered a%out D#(ted. Bue to t#e
various territories governed %+ t#e ing$ t#eir )ands !ere neveradja(ent.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 82
#ere !ere t!o Bu"edo,s near eitMerit= !#i(# %e)onged to
ot#er Vanadis$ one o& !#i(# !as O),ut=. :))en !as not !orried
a%out t#e ot#er Bu"edo, ru)ed %+ a Vanadis %e(ause s#e !as$
)i"e 'op#ie$ ()ose !it# its ru)er.
t is not just #er$ eit#er. Man+ aristo(rats in t#is (ountr+ #ave
(onne(tions to Bu"e #enardier or Bu"e ane)on in so,e
!a+.
:))en &ro!ned. 'op#ie )oo"ed a%out and eventua))+ set #er e+es on
t#e &ountain as s#e !at(#ed t#e !ater &)o!.
:))en. ;ave +ou #eard o& t#e stor+ H#e Mer(#ant o& Muen=I
#avent. #os t#att !as a stor+ &ro, %e&ore !e !ere %orn. - ,an na,ed Muen=
and #is !i&e #ad a son and daug#ter. :ver+ da+$ #e !as vio)ent
to!ards t#e t#ree. #ere !as not a sing)e da+ t#e+ did not
#ave a s!o))en &a(e$ t#e+ #ad %ruises a)) over t#eir %od+$ and
t#e+ (ried in pain at nig#t.
... #is is t#e "ind o& stor+ t#at ,a"es t#e jui(e taste %ad.:))en ()ear)+ )oo"ed unp)easant.
- (ertain da+$ Muen= !as sta%%ed %+ #is son and died. #ere
!ere ,an+ peop)e !#o )a,ented #is deat#.
:))en )oo"ed at 'op#ie$ #earing su(# une9pe(ted !ords. 'op#ie
s,i)ed !it# ,i9ed &ee)ings.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 83
-s a ,er(#ant$ Muen= !as ,ore #onest and (o,petent t#an
an+one e)se. ;e never %ro"e a pro,ise$ #e !as never )ate$ and
#is goods !ere a)!a+s o& #ig# /ua)it+.
... 'o #enardier is t#e sa,e.
@es. Bu"e ane)on$ !#o is #osti)e to!ard #i,$ is as !e)). -side
&ro, do,esti( a&&airs$ t#e+ do ever+t#ing to represent
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 84
;er !ords !ere stu(" in #er t#roat.
Eig#t. H#e Mer(#ant o& Muen=I.
'op#ies go)den #air s!a+ed as s#e s#oo" #er #ead.
-%ove a))$ t#e+ #ave #ad a )ong re)ations#ip. t is so,et#ing t#at
#as e9isted sin(e )ong %e&ore t#at gir) !as %orn. t is an
e9(e))ent (onne(tion !#i(# #as )asted ,an+ de(ades. Bo +ou
serious)+ t#in" t#at (#i)d !i)) end it due to #er persona)
e,otions
Certain)+...
'#e )et out a &e! !ords. :))en di,)+ ga=ed at t#e !ater &)o!ing out
o& t#e &ountain as #er )egs dang)ed.***
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 85
'#e !as sudden)+ interested in t#e ,an na,ed igre !#o (ou)d
,a"e :))en !ear su(# an e9pression. 'op#ie )eaned &or!ard
s)ig#t)+ and repeated :))ens !ords.
Cute$ is it Can +ou give ,e an e9a,p)e
'op#ie (ontinued to pursue t#e issue. :))en ,oved a%out in a
ti(")is# ,anner.
Eig#t... #ere are a nu,%er o& t#ings$ %ut i& !ere to ,ention
one$ ,a+%e it !ou)d %e #is s)eeping &a(e.
M+. @ou #ave a re)ations#ip !#ere +ou (an see #is s)eeping
&a(e
Bo$ dont sa+ an+t#ing stupid. ;es t#e one t#at a)!a+s s)eep.#i)e 'op#ie !as ()ear)+ %e(o,ing ,ore interested$ :))en denied
t#e a((usation$ #er &a(e red ear to ear.
On a ,ore serious note$ !#i)e #e #as a nu,%er o& &au)ts$ #e is a
,an !#o t#in"s o& #is peop)e and is !i))ing to ris" #is )i&e &or
t#e,. igre is a)so ver+ ta)ented !it# t#e %o!. ve never seen
an+t#ing )i"e it %e&ore.M+$ :ar) Vorn is &ro,
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 86
O# ,+$ #o! a,a=ing.
'op#ie s,i)ed. iven #er e9pression$ s#e t#oug#t o& it as a jo"e.
:))en si,p)+ s#rugged #er s#ou)ders$ desperate)+ tr+ing to "eep
&ro, )aug#ing in t#e %a(" o& #er ,ind.
;er dis%e)ie& !as a,using rat#er t#an ,orti&+ing.
-&ter praising and %e)itt)ing igre &or a !#i)e$ :))en (on()uded t#e
(onversation.
@ou s#ou)d ,eet #i, and spea" to #i, in person &or t#e rest. @ou
(an see unie t#en as !e))$ rig#t
unie !as t#e na,e o& t#e in&ant Bragon "ept in t#e ,peria)
a)a(e o& eitMerit=.#oug# it !as di&&i(u)t to i,agine &ro, #er gent)e persona)it+$
'op#ie !as an avid )over o& Bragons. t !as %e(ause s#e
!anted to see unie t#at s#e &re/uent)+ trave)ed to eitMerit=$
!#i(# is #o! t#e t!o %e(a,e inti,ate.
n(identa))+$ (ontrar+ to 'op#ies &ee)ings$ unie !ou)d a)!a+s tr+
to &)+ a!a+ and es(ape t#e ,o,ent it noti(ed #er presen(e.& +ou te)) ,e in advan(e$ )) introdu(e +ou to igre. d )i"e to
s#o! +ou #is ar(#er+ %+ a)) ,eans.
)oo" &or!ard to it.
'op#ie nodded !it# jo+ d+ing #er %er+) e+es.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 87
:))en did not ,ention igres %)a(" %o! to t#e ing. #oug# s#e
trusted 'op#ie$ s#e judged it %etter not to spea".
-&ter &inis#ing t#eir jui(e$ t#e t!o )e&t t#e garden.
'op#ie$ !ant to as" +ou so,et#ing.
#i)e !a)"ing in an unpopu)ated #a))!a+$ :))en spo"e !it# a
serious e9pression.
Bo +ou !ant ,e to investigate into t#e Vanadis and po!er&u)
no%)es !it# re)ations !it# Bu"e #enardier and Bu"e
ane)on
'op#ies s,i)e did not %rea" in t#e s)ig#test as s#e responded$ #er
&inger to #er ,out# in t#oug#t.-s e9pe(ted o& +ou$ %ut t#eres so,et#ing e)se d )i"e +ou to
(#e(". 'ee i& t#eres an+one !it# (onne(tions to Bu"e
#enardier !#o (an train Bragons.
Bragon...
'op#ie )oo"ed at #er !it# !ide e+es. :))en nodded strong)+.
#ere !as an
'uro
:art# Bragon and
V+&a)
+vern.
Bespite !#at peop)e ,ig#t t#in" &ro, t#e e)egant dress and
gent)e at,osp#ere 'op#ie !ore$ s#e e9(e))ed in (o))e(ting
in&or,ation.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 88
#oug# t#e Vanadis are superior in ,i)itar+ arts$ :))en eva)uated
#er a%i)ities a%ove even t#ose.
'in(e it is a re/uest &ro, +ou$ t#en s#a)) )oo" into it. a, /uite
an9ious #earing t#is as !e)).
#an"s a )ot. )) )et +ou #ug unie as ,u(# as +ou !ant ne9t ti,e.
)) ,a"e sure #e doesnt run a!a+.
:))en ,er(i)ess)+ de(ided t#e +oung Bragons &ate. 'op#ie s,i)ed
jo+&u))+ in response.
O# ,+$ !i)) enjo+ t#at.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 8
3 Territoire
#e
Dirnitra
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igre )oo"ed )i"e a s(o)ded (#i)d !#o #ad just %een stru(".
#e+ #ad )e&t Ce)esta a &e! da+s ago$ and t#e+ #ad (ontinued at
t#is rate.
Bo=ens o& s#eets o& paper !ere %und)ed toget#er )i"e a te9t%oo"
in i,s #and as s#e rode on #orse%a(" in #er ar,or. it#out a
sing)e gap in t#e !ords$ t#e #istor+ o& D#(ted$ its ,+t#o)og+$
and ,an+ o& its traditiona) events !ere !ritten.
... Bo rea))+ need to re,e,%er t#is
ord igrevur,ud. Bo +ou understand +our position
igre inadvertent)+ gru,%)ed. i, started ga=ing at #i, (o)d)+$
near)+ &ree=ing #is %a("%one.@ou are :)eanora*sa,as (aptive. n t#e &uture$ +ou !i)) #ave
&re/uent opportunities to trave) t#roug#out t#e (ountr+$ so
+ou ,ust understand t#e situation in our )and.
t !as an unp)easant &uture$ t#oug# #e (ou)d not sa+ t#at in &ront
o& #er.
@ou ,ust )earn %asi( "no!)edge so +ou do not e,%arrass:)eanora*sa,a. )ease )earn t#is as /ui(")+ as possi%)e.
--- I know what you want to say... &ut I haven't even had a break
since we let 1elesta. "e've been doing this even on the march.
@our response
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 1
)) do ,+ %est$ ea(#er.
#ere !as no energ+ in igres voi(e. i, &o)ded up t#e papers and
put it a!a+. -t t#e ver+ )east$ t#eir session #ad (o,e to an end.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 2
#e nig#ts na,e !as Euri("$ and #e !as t#e ,ost s"i))ed ar(#er
a,ongst :))ens so)diers. ;e !as a)so on %est ter,s !it# igre.
@ou s#ou)d #ave (o,e up ear)ier. (ou)d #ave used +our #e)p.
& #ad done su(# a t#ing$ Miss i,)is#a !ou)d #ave g)ared at ,e.
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igre )et out a sig# o& despair and )eaned un(ere,onious)+ against
#is #orse. #e #orse neig#ed and s#oo" in dissatis&a(tion.
n t#e end$ igre !as not &reed &ro, i,s grasp unti) t#e+ rea(#ed
erritoire.
#e to!n o&
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s t#at so
i, nodded in ad,iration !it#out s#o!ing an+ sign o& dou%t.
#i)e igre &e)t gui)t+ &ro, #er o%edient rea(tion$
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 8
Bove(ote
i, )oo"ed dou%t&u) as igre gave an #onest e9p)anation.
t is !#ere pigeons are "ept and &ed. iven its si=e$ it )i"e)+ #ouses
around one #undred. Bo t#e+ not #ave t#ese in D#(ted
#oug# t#ere are #en #ouses$ #ave never #eard o& a dove(ote.
e do not eat pigeons...
-&ter )eaving pu%)i( noti(e and entering t#e ,ansion$ i, too" o&&
#er #e),et and #e)d it %eneat# #er ar,.
'in(e
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igre %o!ed as #e )oo"ed at t#e e)der ,an !it# (are.
-re +ou un!e)) & so$ !e (an (o,e anot#er da+***
igre t#oug#t #is (ondition ,a+ #ave %een poor and #e !as
s)eeping$ %ut t#e o)d Vis(ount si,p)+ s,i)ed and s#oo" #is
#ead.
#at$ , just a %it injured? t#eres no need to e9aggerate it. ,
sure seeing +ou a&ter +ouve (o,e so &ar !i)) do ,+ %od+ so,e
good.
;e !as not putting on a s#o! o& strengt#$ !#i(# gave igre a
sense o& re)ie&.
ts so nosta)gi(. @ou (a,e to ,+ #ouse !#en +ou !ere sti)) as,a)) (#i)d. Bo +ou re,e,%er
:# A,...
- (o)d s!eat &)o!ed do!n igres %a(". ;e !ondered i& #e #ad
%een (are)ess in so,e ,anner? #e #ad no ,e,or+ o& it at a)). &
#e visited$ it !ou)d #ave %een !#en igre !as sti)) 8 or .
#e o)d ,an s,i)ed in a,use,ent seeing igres ina%i)it+ torespond. ;is t#in %od+ s#oo"$ )itt)e %+ )itt)e.
%e)ieve +ou &ound t#e ta)" o& o)d ,en %oring and !ent to
e9p)ore t#e #ouse. #e ,aids &ound +ou snoring and droo)ing
in %ed.
t !as not just i,$ !#o stood ne9t to #i,$ %ut
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 100
o t#in" +ou !ou)d ignore an i,portant guest o& +our &at#er$ and
no! +ou #ave gro!n up and a))ied +ourse)& !it# t#e D#(ted
-r,+. 'o t#is is t#e Vanadis o& D#(ted.
apo)ogi=e &or t#e de)a+ed introdu(tion. '#e is i,)is#a$ t#e
trusted aide o& t#e Vanadis$ :)eanora Vi)taria.
i, si)ent)+ %o!ed to!ard t#e o)d Vis(ount. For #is o!n
i,po)iteness$ -ugre a)so returned a greeting.
;e )oo"ed serious as #e returned #is ga=e to igre. t !as a
(o,p)ete (#ange &ro, a ,o,ent ago.
o! t#en... roug#)+ understand +our (ir(u,stan(es &ro,
Massas )etter$ %ut !ou)d appre(iate it i& +ou (ou)d te)) ,e t#eentire stor+.
-&ter -ugre #eard t#e entire stor+ &ro, igre$ #is &a(e #e)d a
di&&i(u)t e9pression.
o a%andon ,+ stan(e o& neutra)it+ and &ig#t !it# Bu"e
#enardier...)ease$ as" &or +our #e)p.
,ust as" to %e sure$ %ut +ou are not #iding an+t#ing
;e stared at igre !it# an over!#e),ing strengt#. #oug# igre
!as a),ost over!#e),ed$ #e &o(used #is %od+ and responded
(a),)+.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 101
& #ave done an+t#ing !rong$ !ou)d not %e a%)e to ,ove t#e
so)diers in a &ig#t against Bu"e #enardier.
;,$ (ertain)+...
-ugre )oo"ed do!n deep in t#oug#t. igre si)ent)+ !aited &or #is
ans!er.
***:ar) Vorn.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 102
#at do +ou ,ean
i, narro!ed #er e+es s)ig#t)+ as s#e sat ne9t to igre$ t#oug#
neit#er igre nor -ugre noti(ed due to #o! ,ini,a) t#e
(#ange !as.
-ugre turned #is ga=e to t#e !indo! and )oo"ed at t#e &)o!ing
,eado!s and Vos+es Mountains in t#e distan(e.
#ere is a %and o& t#ieves in t#e Vos+es Mountains. #ose
%astards atta(" t#e near%+ vi))age$ %urn t#e )and$ "i)) t#e
peop)e$ "idnap t#e !o,en$ and stea) t#eir ,one+ and
)ivesto(". (annot si,p)+ )eave it. !ant +ou to )ead +our ar,+
to Vos+es... !ant +ou to get rid o& t#e,.;e spo"e %itter)+ and ()en(#ed #is #and$ una%)e to suppress #is
anger.
Cou)d it %e due to +our injur+
said it a !#i)e ago. t is not a serious injur+.
-ugre )oo"ed %a(" and s,i)ed seeing igres an9ious &a(e.
t s#ou)d #ea) in a &e! da+s$ %ut (annot return to %att)e. #oug##es ,a"ing ,ore trou%)e o& it t#an #e s#ou)d$ it is true
(annot )eave ,+ %ed.
-ugre turned #is entire %od+ to igre.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 103
:ar) Vorn. as" t#is o& +ou. i)) +ou #o)d o&& t#is %and o& t#ieves
in ,+ p)a(e
;e spo"e so)e,n)+ and %o!ed as ,u(# as #e (ou)d.
#ave as"ed various aristo(rats in t#e vi(init+ to )end t#eir aid to
,+ son$ %ut it is sti)) unsatis&a(tor+. :ven i& &ind ,ore peop)e$
t#ere is no te))ing !#at !i)) #appen !#en t#e vi))ages are
atta("ed. !is# to &or(e t#e, %a(" to suppress t#e da,age
t#e+ (ause$ no ,atter !#at.
Bo +ou "no! #o! ,an+ t#ere are
i, as"ed &ro, t#e side !it# an e9pression and voi(e !#i(# )a("ed
an+ intonation.-ppro9i,ate)+ t!o #undred.
igre !as stunned &or a ,o,ent? it !as t!i(e t#e si=e o& t#e
D#(ted -r,+ #e !as (urrent)+ )eading.
Origina))+$ t#e+ !ere a s,a)) group &ro, D#(ted !it# &e!er t#an
&ort+$ %ut pirates &ro, -svarre and a ,er(enar+ na,ed
Bona)%ein joined t#e$ so t#e+ /ui(")+ gained po!er. #oug# !e#ad t#ree #undred ,en$ !e !ere de&eated.
igre !as i,pressed %+ t#e strengt# o& t#e un"no!n )eader o&
t#ieves. ;e #ad t!o #undred ,en and t#e a%i)it+ to )ead t#e,.
#oug# t#e D#(ted so)diers !it# #i, !ere a,ongst t#e e)ite$ it
!ou)d %e di&&i(u)t &or t#e, to &ig#t an adversar+ !it# dou%)e
t#eir nu,%er.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 104
--- This can't be let alone, es(ecially i they are making the 2osyes
$ountains their stronghold.
Vos+es Mountains e9panded to t#e nort# and sout# and a(ted as
a %order %et!een -)sa(e and eitMerit=.
& t#e %andits #eaded nort#$ t#e+ !ou)d rea(# t#e area %et!een
t#e t!o territories$ jeopardi=ing t#e pea(e t#ere.
Furt#er,ore$ t#e+ !ou)d )i"e)+ inter&ere !it# igres ,ove,ents
a)ong t#e ,ountains.
igre %egan to open #is ,out#$ %ut did not spea" %e&ore g)an(ing
at i,. it# a s#ort (on&ir,ation$ #e turned %a(" to -ugre.
understand. eave t#is to us.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 105
@ou !ont %e sta+ing in t#e to!n
Euri(" )oo"ed at #i, (urious)+. ;e #ad t#oug#t igre !ou)d
%orro! a roo, in t#e Vis(ounts #ouse#o)d.
#ere are a &e! reasons$ %ut t#oug#t d sta+ #ere !it#
ever+one.
-t t#at ti,e$ eita ran up !it# s#ort steps. '#e !ore #er ,aid
uni&or, !it# t#e apron re,oved. t see,s s#e ,oved a%out
t#e D#(ted (a,p dressed in t#is ,anner.
igre*sa,a$ !e)(o,e %a(". Bid ever+t#ing turn out !e))
e on)+ ta)"ed. -rent +ou tired$ eita
igre s,i)ed gent)+ and patted eitas #ead.@ou do not need to !orr+. !as #e)ping prepare t#e ,ea)s unti) a
,o,ent ago.
Mea)s during a ,ar(# are i,portant$ rig#t 'oup (an %e ,ade
/uite de)i(ious !it# just a s)ig#t (#ange in t#e sa)t...
eita stret(#ed #er (#est out proud)+ as s#e #eard Euri("s !ords.
igre !as #app+ &or eita. ;e !as uneas+ a%out %ringing #er$ %uts#e #e)d out in #er o!n !a+. eita #ad &ir,)+ %ui)t #er p)a(e
a,ongst t#e,.
Gust ,a"e sure not to over!or" +ourse)&.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 106
eita and
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 107
-ugres -r,+ %egan to pus# t#e, %a("$ and$ eventua))+$ t#e
%andits a%andoned t#e &ie)d and retreated. #e -ugre -r,+
used t#eir ,o,entu, to (#ase a&ter t#ose !#o !ere &)eeing.
#e+ )e&t t#e &ie)d and rus#ed to t#e ,ountain pat#.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 108
ord igrevur,ud$ do +ou #ave an+ p)ans
Eegretta%)+$ no.
;o! a%out t#is. ord igrevur,ud$ +ou enter t#e ,ountain !it#
&i&t+ arro!s. #en t#e+ des(end$ +ou "i)) &i&t+ ,en and
retreat... @ou (an repeat t#is &our ti,es.
-n interesting proposa). Bo +ou rea))+ t#in" (an &ind and "i)) t#at
,an+ peop)e
igre #a)&*g)ared at Euri(" &or sa+ing outrageous t#ings.
#at !i)) %e our )ast resort.
#e t!o turned in surprise #earing i,s (urt response. i, )oo"ed
at t#e paper? it !as not a &ig#t t#at needed too ,u(# p)anning.'#e did not !ant to spend a )ot o& ti,e on it.
e s#ou)d &inis# t#is /ui(")+. !ou)d rat#er not ta"e too ,u(#
ti,e.
#e ne9t ,orning$ eita and
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 10
i, advan(ed #er #orse ne9t to #is and too" out a &e! s#eets o&
paper !#i(# !ere (are&u))+ &o)ded &ro, #er sadd)e.
igre too" t#e, and &ro!ned a&ter opening one o& t#e,.
... #at is t#is
-&ter !e )e&t -)sa(e$ #ave (a)(u)ated t#e !ar e9penditures unti)
toda+. #is is +our %urden.
igre pee)ed #is e+es a!a+. ;is entire %od+ &ro=e in s#o(" as #e
tried to )oo" to t#e s"+$ resu)ting in #i, &a))ing %a(". i, used
#er s#ie)d to support igre.
#e paper #ad t#e e9penses &or too) repair$ (osts in(urred during
t#e ,ar(#$ su(# as &ue)$ &ood$ &ire!ood$ #orse &eed$ and,edi(ine$ and t#e sa)ar+ &or one #undred ,en.
#e #and #o)ding t#e paper tre,%)ed as igre t#oug#t a%out t#e
a,ount o& ,one+. ;e &e)t )i"e #is %od+ !as %ound !it#
invisi%)e (#ains. t !as su&&o(ating even t#in"ing a%out it.
... :ven !#en (o,,anded one #undred so)diers$ it !as never
t#is e9pensive. #+ so ,u(##e (ost o& (ava)r+ is /uite signi&i(ant (o,pared to t#e (ost o&
in&antr+.
i, (ontinued spea"ing as i& it !ere natura).
#e peop)e +ou t+pi(a))+ )ead are vi))agers !#o (u)tivate t#e
&ie)ds. @ou are no! )eading so)diers !#o are trained to &ig#t.
#eir (apa%i)it+ is #ig#$ and t#e+ are &ig#ting in t#e #arvesting
season$ so it is natura) t#eir sa)ar+ re&)e(ts t#at.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 110
igre grasped #is du)) red #air and #e)d t#e paper strong enoug#
t#at it ,ig#t tear. #oug# it !ou)d %e possi%)e to pa+ !it# #is
savings in -)sa(e$ #e !anted to avoid it.
!ou)d re(o,,end +ou not pa+ !it# -)sa(es savings.
;e !as seen t#roug#.
igre )oo"ed at i, (urious)+$ #earing #er not re(o,,end #e ta"e
t#at (ourse o& a(tion.
sa! a)) t#e data. ord igrevur,ud$ !as t#ere so,et#ing +ou
!ere tr+ing to do er#aps pasturing.
... t !as a %ig su((ess.
igre sig#ed deep)+. ;e #ad )earned ,an+ t#ings &ro, #er ineitMerit=. i, !as /uite adept in su(# aspe(ts.
t !as ,+ &at#ers idea. ;e #ad saved )itt)e %+ )itt)e %e&ore
su((eeded -)sa(e. Asing t#ose savings$ #e !anted to pur(#ase
#orses.
#e #orse #ad ,an+ uses. Asing t#e,$ -)sa(e (ou)d %e(o,e ,ore
prosperous.t is a good idea. %e)ieve +ou s#ou)d (ontinue to !or" to!ard
t#at goa).
igre !as g)ad to #ear i,s &ran" approva)$ %ut #e #ad a di&&i(u)t
&a(e as !e)).
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 111
igre )oo"ed over #is s#ou)der to!ard t#e D#(ted so)diers
&o))o!ing t#e,.
@es$ !#i(# is !#+ !e s#a)) (onsider t#at &ro, no! on.
#oug# i,s &a(e )a("ed an+ a&&a%i)it+$ igre &e)t s#e !as enjo+ing
it in so,e ,anner? #o!ever$ t#at ,a+ #ave %een not#ing %ut
an i))usion.
i, too" t#e paper &ro, igre and (are&u))+ re,oved t#e !rin")es
&ro, it.
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Madan no Ou to Vanadis 113
#e+ stood s#ou)der to s#ou)der. 'o,e !ore )eat#er ar,or$ ot#ers
!ere s#irt)ess and #e)d )arge %att)e a9es. 'o,e #ad #e),ets
!it#out an+ ot#er ar,or. #ere !as no parti(u)ar order or set
!eaponr+.
#e t#ieves atta("ed t#e, and gave !#oops o& jo+ as t#e+ #unted
t#eir pre+. #e D#(ted -r,+ a)so )et )oose a roar$ despite t#e
a,%us#.
igre re,ained outside t#e &ie)d o& %att)e so as to "eep a !ide
range o& vision.
#oug#