The True Meaning of Iron in the Blood of the Fallen: Part 2

[agirlattea]

The True Meaning of Iron in the Blood of the Fallen: 

Part 2: 

 

(Location: Central Kingdom, City of Honor, Day Time)

Passerby: Hey, you… 

Suddenly, a suspicious voice spoke. A man, seemingly a passerby, looked down at the boy with his eyebrows knitted together. 

Boy in a hat: Mister…  

Passerby: So you're still in this town? Crawling on the ground in such a state… 

Even now, do you fail to realize that your stubbornness is a stain on the Bernard family’s reputation? 

Shino: Bernard…? 

Boy in a hat: … 

Passerby: I don’t know what it is you're trying to do, but if nothing else, live up to your name. 

I can’t take seeing this anymore… 

As the exasperated man turned and left, Arthur lowered his voice and turned to ask the boy something. 

Arthur: Are you alright? Something must be bothering you… 

Boy in a hat: Ah… 

The boys eyes refocused on Arthur. As if to confirm the sight in front of him, he blinked repeatedly, his mouth slightly ajar. 

Boy in a hat: Um… are you perhaps… a member of the Granvelle Royal Family…? 

Akira: Aah…

Arthur: Oh. 

Arthur’s eyes widened and he put a finger to his lips. 

The boy suddenly whispered. 

Boy in a hat: I-I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t be yelling your name in the street… 

White: What a sensible child. Though I am surprised that even children like you know Arthur’s face, even if this domain is situated near the Royal Capital. 

It seems as though anonymity will prove more difficult, as of late. 

Shino: Hey. Just now, that man called you Bernard.

Thats the same name as the hero in this book. Are you his descendant? 

Shino looked at the boy, his voice innocent. 

However, the boy lowered his gaze, avoiding Shino’s eyes. 

Boy in a hat: Yes… I am the only one in this town with that surname… 

Arthur: I see… you… the esteemed Bernard family has existed since even before the Central Country was established. 

Faust: If he’s from such a family, it isn’t strange for him to know Arthur’s face. 

Boy in a hat: … The only admirable thing about me is that name. 

Like that guy said earlier… I don't even deserve that… 

 The boy muttered softly, before turning his back on us and looking over, his sincere eyes, locking onto Arthur. 

Boy in a hat: You are a great person who will one day carry this country on your shoulders. I apologize for disrespecting your friends. 

I thought I was simply picking up a lost item, I was even thinking of delivering it to its owner but… I am ashamed of my own shallowness. 

For me to run away like that, I must have been tempted by the darkness*, because I didn’t have enough money to buy bread… 

I will accept any punishment you bestow upon me: even death. 

Akira: Death…? 

White: There is no need to go so far to repent. Right, Arthur?

At Snow’s cue, Arthur nodded gently. 

With a beautiful gesture, he knelt down in front of him and spoke softly. 

Arthur: Punishment is about justice. Even if I did order such a harsh sentence, it would only cause more suffering for everyone involved. 

Additionally, Lord Oz is a kind man, he wouldn’t be angry at someone for merely bumping into him. 

As for Murr, I believe he only wanted to play with you, who found his wallet. 

Murr: Yep! I just wanted to play!

Shylock: My apologies, this man is merely a harmless stray cat. 

Oz: Children tend to run recklessly. 

Arthur: See, that’s what everyone thinks. And in any case, you don’t hold any sincere malice. 

That’s why, I believe simply returning the wallet would be fine. What do you think, Murr? 

Murr: Great-! 

Boy in a hat: … hic… thank you very much! I’ll return it immediately. 

Murr: Yay! Thanks a lot! 

Once Shino released the restraints, the boy brushed his clothes off and stood up. 

As he bowed politely and handed the wallet to Murr, his stomach growled audibly. 

The boy looked embarrassed as he held his thin stomach. 

Faust: Are you Hungry? 

Shino: If he had so little food he would resort to messing with other people's things… 

Boy in a hat: No, umm… 

The boy, who ackewary held his arms close to his body, wore frayed clothes that revealed his bony limbs. 

Looking through the gap between his long bangs, I saw dark circles under his eyes.

Akira: (As Shino said, maybe he’s having trouble making ends meet.) 

Shylock: <Invibelle> 

As Shylock chanted a spell from beside the boy, a package wrapped in pale particles of light presented itself before him, 

Boy in a hat: Is this magic…? Are you also a wizard? 

Shylock: I am, in fact. If you’d like, please accept this.  

It’s a bit small, but I wrapped up a few leftover cheeses and dried fruits from my store. 

Boy in a hat: H-huh…?

White: Hm, it was a good idea to buy pastries as well as churros. 

Let’s take a look at what we have and find something to share, Oz. 

Oz: Come to think of it, I do have your luggage… This biscuit. 

Arthur: Then my contribution is thus: nuts I smack on whenever I get hungry.  

Akira: I’d also like to donate the candy I have on my pockets ! 

Murr: I’ll give you something too: this sandwich I just bought and bit into! 

The boy’s eyes widened as food piled up in his hands, creating a small mountain. 

Boy in a hat: Are you sure it’s alright? I’ve revived so much… 

Shino: Take whatever you can get. You’ve gotten lucky. 

Faust: I can’t ignore the fact that you’re a troubled child, but don’t do anything bad from now on. 

Faust said as he added a package of dried meat he’d taken from his pocket, and added it to the pile. 

A small smile appeared on the boy’s face. 

Boy in a hat: *Hic* I won’t. Thank you, how can I ever repay you…? 

But suddenly, his eyes widened, as if hesitating. 

Boy in a hat: Umm, you didn’t hear this from me, but if you’re visiting this town, you may not want to stay for too long. 

There’s been a lot of trouble lately. 

Shino: … What’s been happening? 

Boy in a hat: There have been demons lurking*  around these streets. 

No one’s seen the culprit yet, but all the victims have strange scars on their necks, as if they were bitten by something… 

Murr: You mean there’s a serial attacker on the loose? **

Arthur: That’s quite worrisome to hear. 

Akira: To think something like this is going on, even though the town seems so peaceful… 

Boy in a hat: Yeah… fortunately, there don’t seem to have been any casualties. Even still, isn’t it super creepy? 

You have all treated me well… I don’t want anyone else getting hurt, so it’s best if you head home as soon as you’ve finished your business. 

Arthur: … 

Boy in a hat: Then… I’ll leave you here. Please, be safe. 

Shino: Hey, you… 

Grasping Shino’s outstretched hand, the boy bowed his head, as if saying goodbye. 

Then he ran off into the alleyway. 

Shino: He… smelled like blood. 

Akira: What…?

White: Perhaps he was injured. Though the severity of their situations differ, children like that exist in all countries. 

Murr: Even so, he didn’t seem too attached to money or food. He was pretty well behaved! 

Shylock: His family is quite reputable. Perhaps something serious has transpired. 

If he’s recently found himself in need he must feel quite lost and confused. 

Arthur: It sees something quite nefarious is happening in this city. I hope he stays safe… 

Faust: … 

As Arthur spoke in concern, Faust stared at the alley where the boy had disappeared. 

 

(Location: Central Kingdom, Magic Manor, Common Room, Night Time)

After dinner that day, I shared chocolate tarts with Shino, Arthur, and Mitile in the common room. 

Mitile: This chocolate tart is delicious, thank you so much for bringing me back a souvenir! 

Akira: I’m so glad you like it! Thank you for working so hard today for your test. 

Shino: It’s a reward for both of our efforts. Though, I planned on getting lemon pie. 

Arthur: Unfortunately they were sold out. We selected these on the shopkeeper’s recommendation. 

Akira: That’s right. But lemon pie will get its revenge soon. 

A peaceful atmosphere, like sharing snacks with friends after school. 

They each looked relaxed, stuffing themselves with tarts and chatting, as Shino was engrossed in his new book. 

Akira: Shino, that’s the book Faust bought you today, right? What is it about? I’m also curious about the heroes from your world. 

Shino: Alright? This book is a detailed record of events from over 400 years ago. 

It’s the story of the head of the Bernard family’s exploits. He's Known as an “Unsung hero”*** from a war-torn time. 

Mitile: An Unsung Hero…! That sounds cool! 

But why is he “unsung”? If you’re called a hero, doesn’t that mean you’ve done some kind of amazing deeds in public…? 

Arthur: Central Country before the founding of the Granville dynasty is known as the harshest time of the warring states era. 

Until King Alec led his revolutionary army to establish the Central Country, our region was in constant turmoil, with battles constantly raging in most areas. 

The head of the Bernard family during that time was a famous general who fought well. 

Faust: …Heroes have no faces or shadows.****

Akira: Faust. 

I hadn’t noticed until he spoke, but Faust had entered the common room, speaking to us from the entranceway. 

Noticing the book in Shino’s hand, he made his way over to us, putting his hand on the back of the couch we were sitting on. 

Faust: The Central Country of that time was a lawless land. 

As fearful humans and doubtful wizards fought each other, misinformation spread rapidly, and nefarious beings took advantage of the confusion. 

Among them, the one that settled in that area was the most brutal. 

I’ve come across legends about it before. It’s called… 

Shino: Valcy. An ancient magical creature that feeds on human blood. 

It’s in the book. It was on the test too. 

Akira: Could that be the creature in the picture you showed me earlier…? 

Shino: Yeah. The creepy thing that looks like a red cocoon. 

Translator’s notes:

*The specific word used here is 魔, which is commonly translated as “the devil” or “evil spirits”. 

**連続通り魔事件 Literally means many “cases of attacks on the streets”. 

***影の英雄 Literally means “Shadow Hero” or “Hero of Shadows”. In this context, it refers to his deeds going unnoticed, as if he’d performed them in the shadows, where no one could see. 

**** 「英雄に、表も影もない。」Literally means “heroes have no faces nor shadows”. In this context, Faust means heroes have no identities: their “faces” which make them distinguishable individuals, or “shadows”: their legacies. This is related to the fact that Bernard is a hero “without a shadow” or “unsung”, and similarly, Faust’s true fate and legacy went unrecorded by history. 

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