MaruMA:Gaiden04:Chapter 1

Gaiden 4 - From the Shin Makoku With Love

Chapter 1 : Beyond the forest I crossed

When he opened his eyes, he didn't even know whether he had been sleeping or had fainted. However, he quickly realized that the situation was not favorable.

Below his body lied a cold and solid ground. His back was hurting but more than there was a throbbing pain at the back of his head. As if a second heart had been placed there. He felt like an extremely strong wind had hit him.

However, it wasn't only his injuries he had to worry about.

Right above where he had collapsed on his back, there was a man with a weapon.

The man had the tip of his long sword pointing at his throat. Even if he moved a little, the tip of the sword would have pierced through his skin.

To begin with his body was being held down by the man's knees, he couldn't get up even if he wanted to.

"What's the matter, is it over already"

With a cruel smile on his lips he was gasping for breath, his cheeks flushed, even though it’s not a situation where he can afford it.

The man was beautiful. In spite of the situation, he was intently staring at his opponent's face.

His golden hair which extended up to the nape of his neck, shined like the colour of honey under the dim sunlight. His scrutinizing eyes were the colour of the southern ocean. It was that bright blue beyond the pure white sand.

But, unfortunately something trying to impair that beauty was concealing this man's expressions. It was as if negative feelings such as hatred and madness or something belonging to that category was hiding his real self.

When he looked closely, his opponent's clothes had been cut near the chest and he was bleeding. Looks like he had been attacked by bandits, how unfortunate. It couldn't be helped even if he had that misunderstanding, since the surrounding atmosphere was that dangerous.

The sunlight was being blocked by the thick overgrown tall trees, no matter where you lay eyes there isn't a single hut to be found. The road within the forest was so narrow and dark that forget a carriage, seeing even horses pass each other is difficult. If one is to be ambushed by bandits, even if it’s a single horseman, he wouldn't be able to escape safely.

Sympathizing that even this man might have been involved in such a mishap, he finally realized.

If that's the case then why is this man pointing his sword at me.

"Please wait, I am no bandit....."

Thinking that he might have been mistaken for a bandit, he instantly said that. However, he couldn't proceed beyond that.

"I am...."

Then who am I ?

Trying to prove his own identity, he frantically searched for words. Where was he born, which family did he belong to, whose son was he. What was his occupation, what was the reason he was passing through this land, when he tried to explain, he clogged at his own words.

He couldn't remember anything.

Placing his trembling fingers on his forehead, he mumbled in a daze.

"Who am I....?"

"I'm definitely not a bandit. However, if I'm asked about my identity, I can't remember a single thing. I can't recall anything about the days up till now."

When he forcibly tried to recall, the back of his head terribly hurt. Looks like he hit himself considerably hard when he collapsed on the ground.

He held his head with both his arms. His long hair entangled in his fingers.

"I can't remember.... who I am...."

"Are you saying you don't remember"

After being puzzled for a moment, he slightly pulled back his arm.

"Are you saying that the rare wise man hit his head and became hollow !? That's good, even your master must certainly be surprised !"

"Do you know me ?"

After thinking a little, he shook his head.

"No, I have never even met you"

"But just now, you said something about my master"

"I thought that you were hired by someone, that's all"

Maybe he thought he wasn't someone who is worth being vigilant about, the golden haired man pulled back the blade he had thrusted at his opponent. The tip of the sword which could cut through his skin anytime finally pulled away. Nevertheless the sword was astonishingly beautiful. Receiving the shining sunlight from between the trees, it was glowing like the surface of a lake. Even bronze does not glitter so much. It must have been made from some special material. His own face was being reflected on the smooth surface.

Even though undoubtedly it was supposed to be him, he couldn't hide his surprise. Much more younger than the man in front of his eyes, not long since he became an adult, an adult man who has lived for around 20 years. Judging by the cloth around his neck, his situation didn't seem of someone who is short on money. Skin that has not been tanned by the sun and long black hair, eyes of the same coulor....how can it be black ?

"Black...."

Dumbfounded by his murmur, his opponent said

"Have you even forgotten the colour you were born with !"

"That's not the case. Isn't black supposed to be rare"

"Yes indeed. But your hair and eyes are"

The man scooped out his hair with the tip of his sword, allowing the flow to drop it on the ground. Letting such a beautiful face be distorted by emotions such as hatred.

"the same colour as the darkness within my heart. No, not only my, it’s the same colour as the darkness that resides in every person's heart."

Recklessly pushing his squeaking body, he stood up. He pushed away the sword gently with the back of his hand. The man with golden hair laughed while narrowing his blue eyes.

".....It's certainly a colour that anyone has."

With those words he turned his back. Even though he was staring with those eyes carrying an impure light, there's even a possibility that I may be an enemy, as if he suddenly lost interest.

He picked up the sheath that for some reason had been thrown on the ground, using familiar gestures he sheathe his long blade. While still tightly holding it he started walking. Having said that, the man carried another splendid sword on his waist. It was longer than the one in his hand, even the craftsmanship on the sheath was elaborate.

Even if he's on a dangerous journey, should he be carrying two weapons which serve the same purpose.

While he was absent-mindedly thinking about it, he was almost left behind. He finally realized after the man had walked around ten steps, he grabbed the travel sack lying beside him and followed him.

"Please wait !"

"I have no business with the cowardly"

If he tries to move, other than his head there are no other points that hurt. Fortunately, he didn't seem to have any major injuries.

"Your chest is bleeding"

As if doing on purpose, he used contradictory gestures one after the other and touched the torn part of his clothes. He immediately shook him off.

"It's just a scratch"

"If we don't treat it now it can become worse"

"Don't touch me. A man who cannot take care of himself has no right to worry about such an injury !"

Since the man raised his voice for a moment he reflexively put up his guard. He thought that his opponent will take out his sword. But even if he was threatened a little, he couldn't afford to back down so easily.

Currently, there's no clue other than this man. Even if by a moment, to quickly regain his memories, he could only start with this man with golden hair who was with him just before he lost his memories.

"But, that wound must have been inflicted by me"

"Don't flatter yourself. Do you think you could beat me with those thin arms. This wound was not inflicted by you."

"But other than you and me, there wasn't a single person around"

The man only turned his face back, raising his chin laughed sarcastically.

"Maybe you don't remember. It was here, a blood thirsty monster you know"

After that he turned toward the way leading outside the forest and started walking. The road with many pebbles was a straight one, you couldn't lose your way. However, looking from the perspective of the one who has lost his memories, he couldn't even point out which direction he had come from. For the time being, to reach the closest village, he could only follow this man with a sharp tongue.

"My horse ran away because of you"

"Is it my fault ? So what exactly did I do"

"Don't ask me. Think for yourself"

"Have I done something for you to point your sword at me"

"If you wish to have your memories you must get them back by yourself, my bearer of darkness"

Maybe he wasn't used to walking long distances, the man took out all the abuses directed at the horse one after the other. Going by the high-class clothes and the sword he carries on his waist, he doesn't seem to be of low status but his style of speaking is more like that of an imp.

"This cut I got is not your doing, but the reason my horse ran away was completely your fault, my bearer of darkness"

"You who call me the bearer of darkness, what name should I call you by"

"I don't have a name to tell you"

"In that case, going by that glittering hair colour of your hair, should I call you the one from the light....."

"Enough"

"However, until you tell me what I have done to you, I will keep on following you. And while questioning if I don't know your name, I can only call you the one from the light."

While talking he searched through his whole body, he found a leather bag with travel expenses in his pocket. There was a dagger for self-defense and a small container filled with stones in his travel bag. He didn't know who he wanted to use them against. Even so he desperately told himself

It's alright, it's not like I have forgotten everything, I'm able to talk with another person with words they can understand. That's right, I haven't lost all my memories, in fact, I know the contents of the small container, to that effect I should be able to remember my name properly.

The path they thought to be straight, was split into two in the middle of the forest.

In the ravines where the trees and even the darkness further increased, one couldn't even tell if it's noon or evening.

The bifurcation point suddenly appeared in such a place. The road was so bad to the extent only a deer could tread down it. There wasn't even a single sign post. Since they were headed east, the narrow path stretching on the right side should be leading towards the north.

"Which way....."

When he said that, a loud sound suddenly came from the grass under the shade of the tree a few steps away from the road. They thought it must have been a wild rabbit or something, but there wasn't any other sign of it trying to bounce and escape.

Without waiting for his response, the golden haired man got off the road and waded through the bushes under the shade of the huge tree. The ones who appeared from between the underbrush were two young children.

The girls who appeared to be around eight years at the most were sitting on the wet soil hugging their knees.

"What are you doing in such a place. Doesn't look like you have..... lost your way"

Indeed, they didn't seem to have lost their way. Both of them, who were frightened and didn't even raise up their heads, were firmly wedged by a thick rope. The other side of the rope extended to a stake impaled into the ground, the rope had been secured with a sturdy knot, such that the girls could not take it out with their tiny hands. They had been tied to this place by the hands of adults.

They were young girls with light brown soft hair which could be found anywhere and pale skin. Their shoulders and neck visible from their simple clothing were trembling from cold and fear.

Before he could stop him, the man drew out the sword he had on his waist and cut the thick rope in one swing.

"Well, from now on you are free. You can go anywhere you want to"

"Please wait. How can you do such an unwise thing"

"Then, are you saying I should have left them tied ?"

The man looked back, he raised his eyebrows as if he was made a fool of. The colour of his eyes which was that of the sea deepened.

"The climate here has been like early winter for the past few days. Just think what will happen when night falls. They'll die of cold before any beast could attack them. Abandoning them here like this, you are quite a cold hearted man, more than you appear to be"

Sure enough now that he has lost his memory he was completely clueless whether his image was that of a good person or not. But following the words that came from his mouth blamed the man that cut the rope without even thinking. Contrary to what they might have expected, this might be their way of life. As if pouring water on someone's good deeds and stopping them.

"I'm saying that it is important to exercise prudence. There must be some reason behind tying these children in such a place. Don't you think it was an unwise act to cut the rope for your own convenience, without even trying to find out the reason"

"I don't"

"Even if severe damage is caused by an irresponsible act of a passerby ? No one would leave children in such a lonely place out of their own free will. I can only imagine that their parents must have been under such circumstances."

"Why must these children be forced to comply with their parent's circumstances, are children their parent's property ? Being treated the same as horses, cows and other livestock, are they mere possessions that their parents can do as they please with them ? What about your parents ? Eh, my debating man with eyes of darkness"

Being asked about something that he is blank about, he clogged at his own words. Forget about his parents, he couldn’t even tell his own name.

".......That is......something I currently do not know......since I don't even remember whether I had any parents or not. So if you are going to tell me something about myself, there is a possibility that I might remember about my parents too"

"I already told you. I know nothing about your past"

"In any case....please look into my past"

Although it was a failure as a counterargument, but looks like his judgment was right. Instead of running away, the children were sitting crouching like that, they barely showed their faces.

"There must be some significant reason, and since even these children understand it they don't try to run away. I'm afraid that they might have been instructed to stay put here"

"What sort of reason ? Is it a curse, or are they human sacrifices ?"

While he said that he leaned over the grass, put his arms around one of them and carried her. Drawing power from the muscles in his shoulders he moved.

"That child, why are you...."

"Bring the other one along. That's your share"

"Are you telling me to carry her along !?"

"Whose fault was it that the horse ran away"

He leisurely started walking, carrying the child who looked around eight years and had nearly the same physique as them. From behind, his blonde hair which extended to his nape, looked brilliant even in the slight darkness.

He couldn't lose sight of his only clue. He is supposed to follow that man, he looked back at the remaining child.

To his surprise the girl who wouldn't even raise her head, was staring at him with her brown eyes. A feeble voice came from the lips that had turned purple due to cold.

"......Are you not going to get angry ?"

The voice was so soft that it would fade in the wind.

"Even if we return home, you won't get angry ?"

"At whom ? Ah, no, no one will be angry. Even if someone gets angry at you I'm sure that man will protect you"

Discerning from what eyes they were looking with, were they really tearful ? he asked himself. He couldn't answer that. He couldn't make a definite promise since he had very little information about that man.

"Well, get on"

The girl wrapped both her arms around his neck, and let him carry her without putting up any resistance. Her body was skinny and light, she smelled like moist grass.

Coming out of the forest, when they were able to see the premises of the village, the children again started to look terrified. Their face that was just pale, turned blue as if they had lost blood. Even when asked for a reason they shut their mouths tight, they didn't open up at all.

"That's why I told you that there must have been a significant reason. They must have been strictly instructed not to return no matter what"

"Treating children in such a manner, it must have been for a spell to avoid monsters or something like that. There is no need to throw away your life for the sake of parents who were fooled by a baseless superstition"

"But which household should we return them to ? If it was their parents or the people in the vicinity who abandoned them then they will only blame us asking why we brought them back. It's not like they will have a family to return to now. Or are you planning on taking them along ? Till your home town where you will return to"

"I don't think that will be good for these children"

The man said it with a meek expression on his face. He spoke as if he was seriously considering it. With his open palm he covered half of his face. There were wrinkles between his eyebrows. He could not suppress a big sigh.

"Then, we'll see the situation overnight without returning them to their homes, how about returning them in the morning, after it becomes bright ? If we work hard during night and no one attacks, they will think that the calamity has already passed away and the curse will no longer be necessary, then we might have a chance to persuade them somewhat"

"I see, to have thought through very well. Even if you have lost your memories, a wise man is a wise man"

"I thought you weren't aware of my past"

"No"

The man easily denied his expectations. His cool blue eyes seemed hateful.

"I have heard legends that say the clan with black hair and black eyes stand above all others in intelligence"

Indeed, he has no intentions of telling him.

Carrying the children they proceeded on the country road leading to the village. It might have been because of the almost read light of dusk was illuminating his cheeks, but he was looking healthier compared to when he was in the forest. But his expression was dark as usual, as if hanging his face down to hide it. What sort of deep reason would they possibly have to make these children suffer so much that would even pain the heart of a man who was said to be callous.

The village which was a collection of huts made from mud walls, welcomed the night by lighting up lamps. It was a small village where the church had been neglected and there weren't any constructions made from stone.

"It would be nice if there was an inn"

"I am on a long journey. Even the stables over there would be enough, what about you young ladies ? In particular, what about the lady with long hair over there"

"....Are you talking about me"

"I'm talking about the man with slender arms who can't even wield a sword"

When he was about to flare up by saying 'In that case what about you who were injured by such a person', he noticed that the blood on the man's clothes had completely dried.

Of course as time passes the blood will dry. However, the wound he had certainly seen on his chest at that time from the ripped fabric is no longer there. Only a faint red line was left behind as the trace of the wound.

It couldn't be. No matter how good one's healing powers are, there is no human whose wound from a sword would disappear in half a day. Even if he had used some medicine hidden in his travel bag, there hasn't been any instance where it healed in such a short time. What is the meaning of this, is this man not human ?

"Don't mind it. My body is like this by nature."

He said it as if he had seen through him, startled he shrugged his shoulders.

"It is quite mysterious"

He was a dangerous man to get a hold of his past from.

Unfortunately or as one would imagine, there wasn't a single inn in the village.

Instead of that, they tried to get a hold of the best person in the tavern and request him to lend a room for two travellers.

If one opens the sliding door through which light is seeping in, the hustle and bustle peculiar to an amusement quarters will overflow. Even though it's not evening yet, the tavern was thriving. The people who got drunk quickly by the alcohol roamed here and there, the women in the shop having two purposes, everyone stared daggers at the man having an objective.

It wasn't the ideal environment to take the children along, but he couldn't even leave them outside. On top of not being able to return them to their parents, the only thing they can do is take care of them for one night.

As soon as he took a step inside, something they had not expected occurred. Among the unrefined men the blonde man with blue eyes glaringly stood out, so much that the ladies in that place were captivated by him. Just like bees swarming on a flower, ladies reveling their skin came closer, in no time he ended up being surrounded by them.

Indeed women prefer the handsome, but no one thought that it would be this candid. When he was thrown out of the ring he cursed them and along with the children moved to a table in the corner. Be it drunkard or business women, in any case a place with no one around is the best. The stimulus in the tavern at night is too much for children.

The round table near the entrance was the most vacant. The ladies who were about the same age as him, were tilting their cups. Something which looked like dry meat was served in the plate placed in front of him, when he settled down in the chair made by them from stump, he offered it to the children. Pulling the pale coloured lips near him, they tilted their head a little. It was as if they were smiling.

"Thank you"

"It's fine"

Watching the two children digging into the meat that cannot be exactly called good quality, she lowered her thin eyebrows. She was making curls from her dull blonde hair and exposing her nape, something was fishy about this woman who had a shop in the tavern, an impression that she lacked fragility.

"Are they your children ?"

"No.....I don't have a wife nor children"

"I see. Even the colour of their hair and eyes don't match yours. How should I put it, your features are very unique. Then are they the children of your elder brother who came along with you ?"

"Elder brother !?"

She said such an impulsive thing even though they didn't have a single thing in common.

"That man is not my elder brother. Forget being related by blood, he a man I just met today. I don't even know his name"

"Well, it's strange for travellers to become companions without even introducing themselves. For someone like me who can't even leave the village I was born in, it's something that I cannot understand. But, if that's the case then looks like I can become your friend before that person does"

She passed a wooden cup and shortly said "I'm Lucinda".

As a conditioned reflex, he almost tried to introduce himself, but unfortunately, the door to his memories wouldn't open. The children unaware of his feelings, were biting into the hard meat as if it was the finest dinner.

"About that, I don't have a name"

"How can that be"

"Although I had one up till a while ago, but looks like because of a shock, in just a moment, I lost my name and my life until now. However, luckily I remember the way to live in this world, it's actually a disease that conveniently makes you forget everything"

"I see"

She must have thought that he was just bantering under the influence of alcohol, the woman covered her big mouth with her hands and laughed. For a waitress she had thick rough fingers and a callus in a strange place. It not the location where it could be for a cook holding a kitchen knife.

"Are you being made to work as a black smith"

"Yes, you got that fast. Ah, now don't give me a lecture about a woman being a black smith. I'm already tired of hearing that. It was decided that I would take over the family business until the new heir will grow up. Stop thinking what a woman who is not even a waitress doing in a tavern at night. I am drinking for myself with the money I earned on my own, I have no intentions of taking away the girls' jobs in the shop. My black smith job will not at all take customers who befriend the night. Not now and not even in the future."

"Then, do you come to relax here in the tavern after finishing your work for the day ?"

"Well, that's not the only reason"

When she turned to her side, a man with familiar blonde hair and sea blue eyes was standing there.

"You mentioned a black smith's shop, didn't you ?"

When did he come back. Just a few moments ago he was in the center of the shop, surrounded by women making small talk, he was putting his hands around their shoulders and waists and having a friendly chat.

"Do you take jobs to sharpen swords as well ?"

"Yes, of course. I told you right, sometimes there are customers like these. Even if they have the time to come to the shop and drink alcohol, they don't have time to show up at the black smith's shop for their precious sword. That's why I say that having a black smith's shop in the tavern would be fun, dear traveller. Say, the tavern isn't that bad right ?"

When Lucinda faced his black eyes and gave that explanation, she laughed making wrinkles on her forehead.

"Do you only want it sharpened ? That's my specialty. If we melt the surface and cover it with a special powder it will become more durable"

"No. Just sharpen it a little"

He drew out the sword which he had in hand and did not wear on his waist from its sheath with two fingers. Reflecting the lamps lit on the walls of the shop, it glittered even brighter than copper or stone.

"Wait, this is...."

The female owner of the black smith shop was speechless, she brought both her hands near the sheath. But maybe she didn't have the resolve to hold it with her own hands so she stopped at the point where the tips of her nails barely touched it.

"Which treasured sword is this ? Which castle did you bring it from. I'm surprised, I have never seen such luster before. It's different from other swords and shields. I wonder from where did you get it and what material is used to forge it. Ah, what is this !?"

Her voice was filled with wonder because of the craftsmanship on the hilt. A human face around the size of a fist had been carved on the metal which had a similar shade as silver. It was as if the depression for the eye-socket and the mouth which was made to roar conveyed wrath. The elaborate craftsmanship gave the sword its own will and inspired awe to those who looked at it.

"Amazing.....I've never seen such a thing. Although it's beautiful, it's frightful at the same time. I wonder if it will curse me if I touch it"

"Because this thing chooses its wielder. That's right, speaking of curses, in the western forest...."

When he divergently tried to ask about that incident, one of the woman who came close yelled. She was pointing to the round table with the hand she dropped the glass from. At the two children to be more accurate.

"How could this be, it's the child from Kinis' place, even Jervis' daughter is here ! They have returned, how could this be possible, they have untied the rope and returned !"

On hearing the woman's words the whole froze.

He instinctively placed grabbed their shoulders and pulled them near his knees. Their slender fingers tightly gripped his hands. The girls looked like they would cry anytime.

Before long the parents were called, all of them had bewildered faces, as if they were not in a situation to be happy on their children returning home.

The middle aged peasant called Kinis, without even hugging or shedding tears for his daughter, just stood in a place three steps away and looked shocked. Their mothers who might have been acquaintances, held each other’s hands and didn't even move from the place even further from their fathers'.

It would be better if they would hold on to their children's hands. He murmured in a low voice.

All the customers from the tavern were watching from afar. Except the drunkards who have lost their identity, no one was would go near them.

"Let’s have you do some explanation. Why did you abandon such small children in the forest, even worst secured them with a rope so they wouldn't be able to escape. Even if beasts didn't attack them, they wouldn't be able to withstand the cold"

It's a complain they have heard somewhere before. But without even answering the question, the peasants just kept on repeating in a fearful tone.

"Aa, it's all your fault. Because you brought back the girls, even this village will be destroyed by the curse"

The girls who couldn't return to their homes nor to their parents' arms, buried their faces on his knees and sobbed. Instead of the Kinis who kept on repeating the same thing, Lucinda quietly opened her mouth.

"The north-western village was cursed"

"Cursed ? By whom ?"

Lucinda shook her head. A lock of hair which had been curled up fell.

"I don't know, it could be divine punishment. Or it could be because they defiled the spirits of the land and brought their wrath on themselves. The dead were revived from their graves where they were buried and attacked the living. The merchant who saw this from the mountains turned back, took a big detour and barely escaped death. That's why there must have been.... a path to the north-western village in the middle of the forest. So we placed an offering there. Such that the curse wouldn't come down on our village. The villagers came to that decision. Only by the adults. Which family would make the offering was decided by drawing lots. Such a horrid thing, using lots...."

"Offering.... that is human sacrifice. It’s useless no matter what words I use, you have tried to turn your beloved daughter into a human sacrifice. It's not something that can be forgiven"

"But, when we asked what must be done, no one could answer"

"It's better if those girls were hunted down"

The man who had his mouth shut all this while finally joined in the conversation. While still standing in that posture with his hands folded and leaning on the wall, the villagers surrounding him started to glare at him. It made the people tremble, even he had a chill run down his spine, but it was definitely not because he was being glared at. It was because the man's eyes were laughing. Because more than anger he was painted in madness.

"Two years ago, I had come across a similar land. It was much more horrible than the one you spoke of. Not only just one village, but also the entire mountainous area was affected by what you people call "the curse". The dead attacked the swaggering people, upright.... I mean the living humans hid themselves in caves and valleys, they were living concealing their breadth. That's why I choose the ones with greater physical strength among upright people and hunted them down. Fire was effective, on that mountain"

"Fire....?"

"That's right. Fire was effective. They burn quiet well. How about it, you must be wishing to bring that curse to a halt right ? I'll take up this task and head towards the north-western village. If I am unable to subjugate them within five days then.... well, it means that I won't be able to return. Decide for yourself the methods you want to use, offering a human sacrifice or doing anything like that"

Even when he's starving, he's making the eyes of a ferocious beast enjoying his hunt.

Even so it didn't look like the children would be able to return to their homes until matter had been settled. The parents feared being despised by the villagers. Even if they come to a safe solution, will the girls really be loved by their families like before..... he was concerned about it, but that's something between their family after all, it's not a place where a stranger can step in.

Having being denied even accommodation at the tavern, they headed to the black smith's shop for their work and overnight lodging. They might have had to make Lucinda work overnight. They were talking in a low voice so that the women and children walking in front of them could not hear it. Even though it not something that can be told to a man one has just met today.

"I don't think it's a curse"

"I thought so"

"Then if they are asked something, they won't be able to answer"

"Yes, I have the same opinion. Something is trying to manipulate the humans and the dead. But I don't care who that person is"

He returned with a lamp. Due to the backlighting his face was covered in darkness.

"Indeed, I don't care whether the person is evil or just a menace. I will cut him down without any hesitation"

He asked in such as if he hadn't noticed the expression of the man who had proposed a breakthrough that can be called reckless. Lit by the flames of the torch, his blue eyes were glittering with fire.

".....why are you making eyes like that of a starved beast"

"Am I making such eyes ? "

The man asked back without even getting angry.

"Yes, that is how I see it. You are deliberately concealing your beautiful face by hatred and madness. The kind look you show to children and your contempt towards the foolish adults, it feels as if it belongs to a completely different person. And it's the same now, when you talk about hunting the cursed person, you are making eyes like that of a starving beast"

"I'm sure it's because I like to kill"

Although he was surprised at the answer, he admired the way he spoke with velour without any hesitation. He sounded as if he could discern everything within himself. The man looked up at the stars in the heavens and then returned his line of sight at the ones in front of him again. The lady from the black smith's shop and the children were holding hands and singing while walking.

".....I like war, it's because without even being blamed by anyone, of course even without any remorse, you can destroy the enemy. After all I'm a man who abandoned his country because the depressing cycle of cheating and being cheated was too troublesome. I have my justification, you can utterly defeat your enemy openly in battles, see, I like wars don't I ?"

"I envy you"

Picking up words which slipped out of his mouth with his sharp ears he questioned "why ?". Because of the burning red flames, his golden coloured hair were being dyed scarlet.

"You are envious of me ?"

"Yes, that's right. You understand yourself well. You know exactly what kind of a person you are, you have decided how you want to live. You have chosen it. With your own hands."

"It's a very obvious life"

"However, I cannot do that.....since I do not have a past"

He hanged his head down and bit his lips.

"I don't have a past. I don't even know who I am. That's why I cannot decide how I should live from now on"

"It’s not that you cannot decide, is it ?"

He denied in silence as he put the lamp away from him. As he did that his hair melted into the black night and his eyes hid in the darkness.

"Is having your memories that important ? My bearer of darkness"

"Losing them, having forgotten them, for the first time I realized their importance"

"In that case I'll pray. I pray that you won't forget a single thing from now on"

An six year old boy was sleeping in the residential quarters of the black smith's shop. On Lucinda's signal, he opened the door while rubbing both his eyes. He guided the two girls to his sleeping place, the mechanism at the entrance thought up by his elder sister surprised them.

They were told that there was a secret bedroom nestled behind the furniture made for her little brother. Lucinda said that she didn't want to give hand him over no matter what.

"It's fine even if the village speaks ill of me. I don't care if they throw stones at me. I couldn't bear to send my little brother that's why I hid him in this small room and pretended to have sent him over to a distant relative. But I don't need to do so anymore. Since you are going to exorcise the curse !"

Looks like the skillful female blacksmith was also an excellent carpenter. After handing drinks to the children inside the residential quarters who were now three of them she spoke.

"Well, my good children ! Till I'm finished with my work please play with big brother here"

"Me !?"

"Yes, that's right, you. Along with this customer here I'll have to confide myself in the workplace next door. That sword is after all, how should I put it.....it's difficult to handle it with extra care"

"But I, the children....."

Not being able resist anymore after being followed all around, he could only sing them a lullaby he was not accustomed to and wait till the three of them fell exhausted themselves to sleep.

Even though one couldn't call it perfect but till he had completed the task, he himself was pretty tired in the end, while still sitting in the chair he was sleepy. He was trying hard to resist since he shouldn't be the only one sleeping, when he did that his consciousness would jump back at him.

From the workplace next door along with the sound of the work being done he could also hear the conversation between Lucinda and the man.

"You were...attracting all girls... at the tavern..."

Due to his hazy consciousness, he could only hear a few things here and there. The man raised his voice in laughter.

"It must be my father's blood.....he loses himself to beautiful women.... not being satisfied with his legal wife alone, he brought beautiful women from different lands and kept them by his side. And it's not just one or two of them, it was ten or even twenty of them. Looks like he wouldn't be satisfied unless he made all the women in the world his. Although it's almost been around eight years that I have not met him but if it's that man, I'm sure even now around ten women might be waiting on him"

In between the intervals there were indications of the sword being sharpened. A low voice of the same rhythm, gradually enticed his drowsiness. From the intermittent talk he could hear about his personal history, there didn't seem to be any logic behind it and there was no end to it.

"......I'm different from my father. Although I will not pardon anyone who shows hostility towards me, I will not even interfere with those who do not carry any malice. Like that man I'll never let myself be trapped by suspicion, framing someone over an unreal conspiracy, I will never dispose off a person who does not adhere to my ideals"

"Those are false accusations, aren't they ?"

The woman let out a big sigh.

"How can such a thing be true"

"In fact, while I was still in that country, my eldest brother was made to commit suicide for plotting a rebellion. Of course, there was no such plot in reality. He was framed by his political rivals and step mothers"

Which country might he be talking about.

If by any chance it's an incident from his distant home town and if it's not a hoax then it would mean that this man with golden hair and eyes the colour of the sea is a member of a royal family"

"So he really is your brother after all ?"

"There is that possibility.... but it may not be true"

"I thought so"

Lucinda's voice almost bounced with excitement.

Who is ? Although he tried to enquire from the door he had opened, neither his body nor his mouth could ask what he wanted to.

"......Since I've never even entered his harem, if he was raised there then..., but I have no means to find out. At the time I left the country I had three older brothers and one older sister, if my memory serves me right I had two younger sisters who had not become adults yet.....of course there is only one son of his legal wife, my elder brother the second son, definitely the children of the servants can't become the successors of the house. The crazier he gets about colours.... even if you disregard.....that the child of the women he favored is more dearer.... others will have to cede to him, even his mother, even the retainers taken in by him will whisper in his ears. The children born from other women...... try to scheme to send the king to the land of the dead and aim for the throne. For their child to succeed, anyone who interferes must be eliminated....no matter what means must be used"

Must be eliminated.

Those were the only words that actually reached his eardrums. It slipped through his ears and crept deep into his brain, he was at the verge of getting a hold of his memories.

That's right, travel sack.... inside my travel sack there are a variety of medicines.

"If it was a clever and very thoughtful mother, she would choose a way to keep her child away from the power struggle. If she didn't want something like the throne, and just wishes for her child to have a long and healthy life then playing the part of the fool then without getting close to the royal court is the best course of action. Growing his hair, making him act like a weakling, raising him like an effeminate amongst the ladies in waiting then there will be hardly anything to target him. Around the time I left the country, there was one woman with black hair among the ladies in waiting. Well, I had only heard a rumor that there was one, it's not like I actually met her. There aren't many people with black hair and eyes. No, rather than even saying that there are only a handful, according to rumors there is only one family living the eastern most part. If my father were to know of it, there is no way he would not wish to include them in his harem, and if that woman were to give birth to a child....if it's a woman from the clan known for its wisdom then even if she didn't have any political knowledge, she would realize immediately what must be done for her son to live a long life"

"Then, he really is..."

"Who knows. In either case I have no means to confirm it. I have no intentions of returning to my country either and unfortunately he has lost his memories. He doesn't even remember why he came to eliminate me. I don't understand why in the world would anyone send pursuers after someone who doesn't need to be eliminated.....even though it would mean that I have absolutely no interest in aiming for the throne from the point I left the country.....but this sword is indeed.....in the royal palace"

The man stopped at those words, after a long silence he spoke again.

"It's the sword that was used by my elder brother to commit suicide"

"Why do you have such a terrible thing with you...."

Maybe the she changed the way she was working, the noise became louder all of a sudden. He could barely hear their conversation after that.

"......if the life taken by me...... done by me.....would return by attacking me instead then..... no matter who falls.....doesn't, let them do as they please...."

With all the noise and drowsiness coupled up together, he could no longer distinguish who was saying what. However he certainly heard the man saying this. While facing the female owner of the back smith's shop.

"Protect your little brother"

The next morning, the sky was cloudy as if the it had been betrayed by stars from last night.

The man only took one aged horse, armed with the two sharpened swords he left the residential quarters of the black smith's shop. Even though he was headed towards the cursed land, there wasn't any change in his expressions. He had breakfast double his size. Perhaps he doesn't have anything known as fear. Or could it be that he really likes battle and he doesn't even feel a bit of fear.

Although Lucinda and the kids followed him till the entrance of the village, there wasn't anyone one else to see him off. He laughed it off saying that they are too afraid to come out of their beds. But then even he let out a sigh.

"Well then. My wise man who holds darkness in his eyes, where will you head to ?"

After leaving the village and proceeding a little, the man stopped the aged horse.

He couldn't understand why he was called a wise man. Even though the present him was just an empty shell without any memories.

He jumped off the horse, and landed both his legs on the dried ground. Two similar small containers clashed, and made a harsh ticking sound. One of them emitted head and flames, the other one had a dangerous portion that could even melt substances other than rocks. He remembers it's names and its capabilities. However he cannot remember the reason he possesses them as if it's been covered by mist. Who could he possibly have intended to use them on, he himself couldn't understand at all.

They faced each other in a place from where they could see the forest from afar. Even in the thin sunlight from above the clouds, the man's hair was shining like the colour of honey. His sea coloured eyes were looking down on him.

"Go wherever to want to. If you want to return to your home town, it's towards the west. You came from the west. It was a horse of excellent pedigree. That horse was very valuable ! Although I won't say whose fault was it that it ran away"

"It was my fault anyways"

"That might be true. If you want to continue your journey cross the village and head further towards the east. There should be a large scale commercial city over there. If you go there you'll be able to find a suitable job, you might even get a hold of some clues to get your memory back"

"....You have no intentions of telling me about my past....."

"Go wherever you please. I know nothing about your past, I have nothing to tell you about"

Interrupting his plea, the man pulled the reins and changed the direction the aged horse was facing. He only turned his neck and showed a fearless smile, with the new weapon he got just yesterday, he pointed out to the mass of greenery expanding ahead the road.

"Well then, I'm hunting. Just like you said, I feel like a starving beast"

Suddenly, without even biding a farewell, the man kicked the animal's stomach. The horrified aged horse started running at full speed, the figure of the hunter became distant.

Even if it's getting old, a horse is still a horse. It should reach the forest much faster than human legs. Within the green that he crossed yesterday where even the sunlight cannot reach. Somewhere within the dense luscious trees and the smell of moist greenery.

The man must have turned towards the north at the crossroads where there wasn't even a sign post, and headed beyond the forest.

Seeking his prey, all by himself.

All by himself......?

He took a step back.

The scenery turned around, from here on the door to never ending memories opened up along with a new life.

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Cover from The Beans magazine.