TRANSLATIONS ARE NOT DEAD - more from "Lost Flower"
THEY'RE NOT. I just took a bit of a break. IDK, it feels like my Chinese is getting worse since I don't have much exposure to it besides these translation things.
Anyway, I expect to be done with "Lost Flower" really soon, and then I'll post the Google docs link and pimp it around the comms. The beginning portion with Conrad and Delchias has been done for a long time.
Half of the middle scene is done, too. Summary: After the scene in Conrad's POV, the story shifts to Josak. It's his first time visiting the castle and he's gotten lost. He meets Gwendal (and kitten), who's being chased by Anissina. Josak helps Gwendal hide, but is then abducted by Anissina. She ends up letting him go because he doesn't have maryoku and would be useless as a test subject.
The ending is also completely done! Whoo! If there are brackets around things, that's just stuff I have to go back and edit. I copy-pasta'd from my messy working copy.
-----
Josak waited until the fiery redhead had left his line of sight, then knocked on the door behind him.
"She's gone now, Your Excellency."
Only after hearing that did the man with the dark gray hair poke his head out. He cupped both his hands under the precious kitten, and then straightened up his slender body, stepping out of the room right foot first.
"Man, that's the first time I've met the Poison Lady."
"...Is that so? Well, then you'd better pray not to have anything to do with her in the future."
"Why is that? Don't you think Anissina is cute? Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have referred to a member of the Ten Aristocratic Houses by her given name."
"You try calling her cute to her face. She'll kill you."
Although he was glowering with those dark blue eyes, the other man didn't seem to be angry.
No matter how intimidating he seemed, he had no violent intentions. And it was all thanks to the little kitten he held in his arms.
"Ah~, look at you, poor thing. Don't worry, it's all right now, kitty. The evil, scary person is gone."
"Didn't she say that the experiment wouldn't hurt the animal? So you didn't have to grab it and run, did you?"
He scratched behind its ear with a finger, and the frightened kitten let out a "meow~" as it opened its mouth, showing its canines. They were tiny, but already looked like well-formed teeth.
"That's not it; it's just a kitten... No, this cat is being raised outside of the military compound and is not a lab animal. Don't ask any more."
"Well? If it's like that, Your Excellency... Does that mean the intended test subject was you...?"
"I told you not to ask!"
Josak looked up at the ceiling and decided not to tease anymore. However, no matter how he tried to hide it, there were bound to be interesting rumors sooner or later.
Gwendal managed to muster up his original dignified bearing. He gently returned the small animal to his chest and said, "I owe you a favor."
"May I ask a favor of you?"
Quite a few aristocrats embraced the idea that "it's natural for those of low social status to do everything they can to improve their station". This nobleman, however, treated a lowly soldier like Josak as his equal, even going so far as to want to repay a favor.
It was a good thing he hadn't betrayed this man. Although there's no telling how much suffering... No, Josak didn't want to know.
He had no idea that he himself would be so confused by Lady Anissina von Karbelnikoff's cuteness and nearly tricked into handing over the man, but it seemed like his split-second decision back then was the right thing to do.
"If I ask for something right away, will you be angry?" Josak Gurrier [tilted his head like a snack shop clerk] as he took out and, with the utmost care, handed over the papers he had brought with him. "Please, Your Excellency, you have to help us!"
"What is it? Do you want a raise?"
"No way, we can look after our own little brothers!"1
Gwendal didn't pay any attention to the crude joke, choosing instead to unfold the papers.
"It's a petition..." The wrinkles on his forehead deepened. "You don't want Lord Weller to be the von Wincott instructor."
"Otherwise all of us will quit and drift about as unemployed bums on the street."
"However, that was Lord Weller's own choice; the higher authorities did not issue any commands to him. Although permission was granted for him to take a temporary leave, army personnel did not decide this on their own."
That was something he already knew.
"But Your Excellency, can't you order him to come back? This is also the wish of the majority of the members in our unit. That's why we gathered all these signatures."
"It's not that I can't, but..." Lord Gwendal von Voltaire passed the documents to Josak yet again. "But I can't approve of it, nor can I take initiative on my own."
"Why is that?"
Josak had thought he would receive an agreement. He didn't think that he would be cut off so abruptly, or that he would cause the other man to be so shaken. He was unable to suppress the question that he kept thinking, so he blurted it out.
"Is it because he's your brother?"
Eyes as blue as the bottom of a lake turned their unwavering gaze this way; it was impossible to tell what he was truly thinking.
"You want to say that because he's my younger brother, I'm unwilling to send him somewhere dangerous? Or is it because he's the current Maou's son, so I arranged for him to participate in fewer battles? It's not because of that. If it were, he himself would have objected."
Because Josak wouldn't accept it, the petition remained in the same condition it was in as when it was first handed over. The two people stood facing each other with the yellow documents between them.
"But didn't Your Excellency say it before? When we met just now, you said I wasn't suited to work as a guard. This should be very clear to you; Conrad is also the same."
Even though the other man used a very informal way to refer to his younger brother, Gwendal did not object. He just waited with an indifferent expression for Josak to finish speaking.
"He's a soldier. He's young, but he's one of the very few swordmasters we have in this country. You of all people should know that his ability isn't that of a mere fencing instructor. That kind of post is a waste of his talent."
"You're absolutely correct."
Gwendal's voice was even lower than usual as he spoke to his brother's friend. He used a tone that conveyed his hopes that this young soldier in front of him, who used such irrational arguments, as well as everyone else who wasn't here at this moment, would understand his reasoning.
"Conrart, he... Lord Weller obviously cannot stay hidden in a rural training camp. This, I know."
Josak had actually thought similar things to those that had just been brought up-- that a person who possessed that kind of voice was best suited to being a military leader. And not only for the military, but he was also more qualified than his uncle Stuffel to be involved in political affairs.
Gwendal continued speaking in his admirable voice. "Lord Weller and those like you are not dull swords to be waved about at a whim. You all possess talents that are hard to come by. It is foolish behavior to keep excellent soldiers away from the battlefield. One could even say that this is throwing away our nation's gifts."
"Yes, but then why..."
"In every war there are so-called opportunities. No matter how sharp the blade, if you miss the opportunity to strike, there is only the option to be cut down. I do not wish to lose a good sword in vain."
So that meant he didn't want to send them to die in vain?
"If we persist in this war against Shimaron, the situation on the battlefield will worsen. If talentless military leaders keep getting promoted, then perhaps one small mistake will cause it to devolve into Total Warfare."
Those words were really exciting. He really wanted to applaud, and he also wanted to pat the man on the back and say, "Your Excellency is such an upright man!"
When Gwendal said those words, he had not cared that they could possibly be taken as criticism of the current regime.
As for the petition, it was withdrawn.
"If you were a soldier of von Voltaire province, I could transfer you as I saw fit. Although it's regrettable, my hands are tied regarding those under central command... Actually, I have yet to gain the authority to deploy soldiers on a large scale. If things continue as they are now, with Lord Weller under central command, then he will only be allowed in the reinforcements, and he will continue to be used until he collapses, so that is why I wished for him to be transferred as far away as possible."
Then Lord von Voltaire raised his right hand, holding up two long, slender fingers.
"Two years."
"Two years..."
"Yes. Wait two years for me. I will gain the authority to command the entire army. At that time, please become my swords on the battlefield. Become your country's soldiers, Shin Makoku's support, and brandish your weapons for the sake of this country."
What a tempting offer.
"Since the battles are continuing on, we will definitely need your strength. If anything happens before that time, it will cause me a lot more trouble."
Two years.
According to Lord von Voltaire, as long as they could hold out for two years, they would be considered the greatest soldiers. No longer would they be continually transferred, but they would be at the heart of the military forces.
And not only that, but if he accepted the proposal, they could even rise through the ranks in a way that would never again allow incompetent aristocrats to steal the glory of their hardworking troops.
Josak quietly swallowed. He didn't know how much he could trust this man. This was the first time he'd met this aristocrat; would he really fulfill his promises? Or was he just joking?
Gwendal did not understand why Josak hesitated, so he continued to speak. Before, he had been expressionless, but now his face and his voice were both full of confidence and trust.
"When the time comes, I plan to call him back myself, no matter how much Wincott presses for him to stay."
"So you mean to... keep your trump card in your hand?"
Up until now, has it all just been an aristocrat treating us as his trump card?
Josak was shaking. And he had almost been convinced by him. Although he didn't show it on his face, perhaps the other man could tell from the way he stroked his cheek, or get a clue from some unnatural movement of his chin.
Wait a sec, wait a sec. Josak Gurrier, you'd better not forget.
No matter how magnetic he sounds, this is the man who cuddled with a kitten, right?
It's a kitten, it's a kitten.
It's not a man-eating four-horned dragon.
It's also not an owl, the symbol of betrayal.
But this was not enough to calm Josak, who kept stroking his chin and cheeks. At last, he asked the silently waiting Gwendal, "When you put it that way, what are we supposed to do before then? We'll just have to put up with fame-seeking little kids as our leaders? Participate in battles all over the place? You want us to accept the incompetent leaders until we're no longer usable as soldiers, so that the opinion of us mixed race people will sink even lower. Is that what you mean?"
"Whether or not it's a young bastard... There will be an aristocrat taking over Lord Weller's post. You'll just have to act like you're back in the military academy. It shouldn't be impossible for you to endure."
Josak put on a depressed expression, and let out a discouraged sigh. He lowered his head and accepted the petition.
"I can't do it. I'll probably punch the new commander and get kicked out right away."
"Since you're so unwilling, why don't you apply for a transfer?"
"Me? Don't even joke about that. I have human blood. No one would take me." He tried to get the other man to take pity on him by saying this.
He didn't hesitate to admit that he wasn't small or cute, but that didn't matter.
"...All right." Gwendal considered it. Even if it was transferring a soldier, it shouldn't be a problem. "If you are willing to give up your position in the central military forces, I'll hire you for von Voltaire."
That's really great.
Deep inside, Josak shouted in victory.
The world is my oyster. Let me spend another two years working by your side, and count that as compliance to your terms of exchange.
As he held the returned petition, he used a frivolous voice to ask for a tricky request. It wasn't that he was testing Gwendal, but to see if he was serious about those words he had said.
"If it's like that, then you don't need to just transfer me. Would you take in all of the people listed here, please? It'd be more convenient this way. How about it? Your Excellency, are you willing to bear this responsibility? If you're not, Gurrier will probably cry as he puts forth this petition."
"You-- Who do you think you are? And also, hold on, how many people is this?"
Because its master's voice suddenly became panicked, the kitten clutched to his bosom also became frightened and started struggling. The tips of the cat's ears popped out.
However, it wasn't trembling at all. It must have felt very safe and comfortable in its nesting place.
Gwendal gently scratched its ear, and then returned the kitten's head to its original place.
"Then we're done here."
"You feel that the price is too high?"
Lord von Voltaire did not reply. He just turned around and walked forth.
"Come with me. I'll ask Lord von Kleist to help write the letters of recommendation."
"Yes, sir--"
Josak Gurrier slowly tore up the paper.
He thought it over for a while, then took it back in his hands and began ripping it to pieces. Then, with his palm full of little scraps of paper, he threw them across this sunlit place.
From the distance came the sound of a young woman's laughter. Could it be that she saw the butterflies and flower petals dancing in the wind?
-----
Notes and stuff:
1) A pun involving "salary raise" and "little brother". I think it has something to do with 昇 in "raise" sounding like 小 in "little brother".
...I think I'm in love with Gwendal ♥♥&hearts
Or maybe it's just that Josak's totally crushing on Gwendal and we're seeing him from Josak's POV? Either way, Gwendal is a Good Man. And his brotherly luff for Conrad was really sweet, too :3
Anyway, I expect to be done with "Lost Flower" really soon, and then I'll post the Google docs link and pimp it around the comms. The beginning portion with Conrad and Delchias has been done for a long time.
Half of the middle scene is done, too. Summary: After the scene in Conrad's POV, the story shifts to Josak. It's his first time visiting the castle and he's gotten lost. He meets Gwendal (and kitten), who's being chased by Anissina. Josak helps Gwendal hide, but is then abducted by Anissina. She ends up letting him go because he doesn't have maryoku and would be useless as a test subject.
The ending is also completely done! Whoo! If there are brackets around things, that's just stuff I have to go back and edit. I copy-pasta'd from my messy working copy.
-----
Josak waited until the fiery redhead had left his line of sight, then knocked on the door behind him.
"She's gone now, Your Excellency."
Only after hearing that did the man with the dark gray hair poke his head out. He cupped both his hands under the precious kitten, and then straightened up his slender body, stepping out of the room right foot first.
"Man, that's the first time I've met the Poison Lady."
"...Is that so? Well, then you'd better pray not to have anything to do with her in the future."
"Why is that? Don't you think Anissina is cute? Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have referred to a member of the Ten Aristocratic Houses by her given name."
"You try calling her cute to her face. She'll kill you."
Although he was glowering with those dark blue eyes, the other man didn't seem to be angry.
No matter how intimidating he seemed, he had no violent intentions. And it was all thanks to the little kitten he held in his arms.
"Ah~, look at you, poor thing. Don't worry, it's all right now, kitty. The evil, scary person is gone."
"Didn't she say that the experiment wouldn't hurt the animal? So you didn't have to grab it and run, did you?"
He scratched behind its ear with a finger, and the frightened kitten let out a "meow~" as it opened its mouth, showing its canines. They were tiny, but already looked like well-formed teeth.
"That's not it; it's just a kitten... No, this cat is being raised outside of the military compound and is not a lab animal. Don't ask any more."
"Well? If it's like that, Your Excellency... Does that mean the intended test subject was you...?"
"I told you not to ask!"
Josak looked up at the ceiling and decided not to tease anymore. However, no matter how he tried to hide it, there were bound to be interesting rumors sooner or later.
Gwendal managed to muster up his original dignified bearing. He gently returned the small animal to his chest and said, "I owe you a favor."
"May I ask a favor of you?"
Quite a few aristocrats embraced the idea that "it's natural for those of low social status to do everything they can to improve their station". This nobleman, however, treated a lowly soldier like Josak as his equal, even going so far as to want to repay a favor.
It was a good thing he hadn't betrayed this man. Although there's no telling how much suffering... No, Josak didn't want to know.
He had no idea that he himself would be so confused by Lady Anissina von Karbelnikoff's cuteness and nearly tricked into handing over the man, but it seemed like his split-second decision back then was the right thing to do.
"If I ask for something right away, will you be angry?" Josak Gurrier [tilted his head like a snack shop clerk] as he took out and, with the utmost care, handed over the papers he had brought with him. "Please, Your Excellency, you have to help us!"
"What is it? Do you want a raise?"
"No way, we can look after our own little brothers!"1
Gwendal didn't pay any attention to the crude joke, choosing instead to unfold the papers.
"It's a petition..." The wrinkles on his forehead deepened. "You don't want Lord Weller to be the von Wincott instructor."
"Otherwise all of us will quit and drift about as unemployed bums on the street."
"However, that was Lord Weller's own choice; the higher authorities did not issue any commands to him. Although permission was granted for him to take a temporary leave, army personnel did not decide this on their own."
That was something he already knew.
"But Your Excellency, can't you order him to come back? This is also the wish of the majority of the members in our unit. That's why we gathered all these signatures."
"It's not that I can't, but..." Lord Gwendal von Voltaire passed the documents to Josak yet again. "But I can't approve of it, nor can I take initiative on my own."
"Why is that?"
Josak had thought he would receive an agreement. He didn't think that he would be cut off so abruptly, or that he would cause the other man to be so shaken. He was unable to suppress the question that he kept thinking, so he blurted it out.
"Is it because he's your brother?"
Eyes as blue as the bottom of a lake turned their unwavering gaze this way; it was impossible to tell what he was truly thinking.
"You want to say that because he's my younger brother, I'm unwilling to send him somewhere dangerous? Or is it because he's the current Maou's son, so I arranged for him to participate in fewer battles? It's not because of that. If it were, he himself would have objected."
Because Josak wouldn't accept it, the petition remained in the same condition it was in as when it was first handed over. The two people stood facing each other with the yellow documents between them.
"But didn't Your Excellency say it before? When we met just now, you said I wasn't suited to work as a guard. This should be very clear to you; Conrad is also the same."
Even though the other man used a very informal way to refer to his younger brother, Gwendal did not object. He just waited with an indifferent expression for Josak to finish speaking.
"He's a soldier. He's young, but he's one of the very few swordmasters we have in this country. You of all people should know that his ability isn't that of a mere fencing instructor. That kind of post is a waste of his talent."
"You're absolutely correct."
Gwendal's voice was even lower than usual as he spoke to his brother's friend. He used a tone that conveyed his hopes that this young soldier in front of him, who used such irrational arguments, as well as everyone else who wasn't here at this moment, would understand his reasoning.
"Conrart, he... Lord Weller obviously cannot stay hidden in a rural training camp. This, I know."
Josak had actually thought similar things to those that had just been brought up-- that a person who possessed that kind of voice was best suited to being a military leader. And not only for the military, but he was also more qualified than his uncle Stuffel to be involved in political affairs.
Gwendal continued speaking in his admirable voice. "Lord Weller and those like you are not dull swords to be waved about at a whim. You all possess talents that are hard to come by. It is foolish behavior to keep excellent soldiers away from the battlefield. One could even say that this is throwing away our nation's gifts."
"Yes, but then why..."
"In every war there are so-called opportunities. No matter how sharp the blade, if you miss the opportunity to strike, there is only the option to be cut down. I do not wish to lose a good sword in vain."
So that meant he didn't want to send them to die in vain?
"If we persist in this war against Shimaron, the situation on the battlefield will worsen. If talentless military leaders keep getting promoted, then perhaps one small mistake will cause it to devolve into Total Warfare."
Those words were really exciting. He really wanted to applaud, and he also wanted to pat the man on the back and say, "Your Excellency is such an upright man!"
When Gwendal said those words, he had not cared that they could possibly be taken as criticism of the current regime.
As for the petition, it was withdrawn.
"If you were a soldier of von Voltaire province, I could transfer you as I saw fit. Although it's regrettable, my hands are tied regarding those under central command... Actually, I have yet to gain the authority to deploy soldiers on a large scale. If things continue as they are now, with Lord Weller under central command, then he will only be allowed in the reinforcements, and he will continue to be used until he collapses, so that is why I wished for him to be transferred as far away as possible."
Then Lord von Voltaire raised his right hand, holding up two long, slender fingers.
"Two years."
"Two years..."
"Yes. Wait two years for me. I will gain the authority to command the entire army. At that time, please become my swords on the battlefield. Become your country's soldiers, Shin Makoku's support, and brandish your weapons for the sake of this country."
What a tempting offer.
"Since the battles are continuing on, we will definitely need your strength. If anything happens before that time, it will cause me a lot more trouble."
Two years.
According to Lord von Voltaire, as long as they could hold out for two years, they would be considered the greatest soldiers. No longer would they be continually transferred, but they would be at the heart of the military forces.
And not only that, but if he accepted the proposal, they could even rise through the ranks in a way that would never again allow incompetent aristocrats to steal the glory of their hardworking troops.
Josak quietly swallowed. He didn't know how much he could trust this man. This was the first time he'd met this aristocrat; would he really fulfill his promises? Or was he just joking?
Gwendal did not understand why Josak hesitated, so he continued to speak. Before, he had been expressionless, but now his face and his voice were both full of confidence and trust.
"When the time comes, I plan to call him back myself, no matter how much Wincott presses for him to stay."
"So you mean to... keep your trump card in your hand?"
Up until now, has it all just been an aristocrat treating us as his trump card?
Josak was shaking. And he had almost been convinced by him. Although he didn't show it on his face, perhaps the other man could tell from the way he stroked his cheek, or get a clue from some unnatural movement of his chin.
Wait a sec, wait a sec. Josak Gurrier, you'd better not forget.
No matter how magnetic he sounds, this is the man who cuddled with a kitten, right?
It's a kitten, it's a kitten.
It's not a man-eating four-horned dragon.
It's also not an owl, the symbol of betrayal.
But this was not enough to calm Josak, who kept stroking his chin and cheeks. At last, he asked the silently waiting Gwendal, "When you put it that way, what are we supposed to do before then? We'll just have to put up with fame-seeking little kids as our leaders? Participate in battles all over the place? You want us to accept the incompetent leaders until we're no longer usable as soldiers, so that the opinion of us mixed race people will sink even lower. Is that what you mean?"
"Whether or not it's a young bastard... There will be an aristocrat taking over Lord Weller's post. You'll just have to act like you're back in the military academy. It shouldn't be impossible for you to endure."
Josak put on a depressed expression, and let out a discouraged sigh. He lowered his head and accepted the petition.
"I can't do it. I'll probably punch the new commander and get kicked out right away."
"Since you're so unwilling, why don't you apply for a transfer?"
"Me? Don't even joke about that. I have human blood. No one would take me." He tried to get the other man to take pity on him by saying this.
He didn't hesitate to admit that he wasn't small or cute, but that didn't matter.
"...All right." Gwendal considered it. Even if it was transferring a soldier, it shouldn't be a problem. "If you are willing to give up your position in the central military forces, I'll hire you for von Voltaire."
That's really great.
Deep inside, Josak shouted in victory.
The world is my oyster. Let me spend another two years working by your side, and count that as compliance to your terms of exchange.
As he held the returned petition, he used a frivolous voice to ask for a tricky request. It wasn't that he was testing Gwendal, but to see if he was serious about those words he had said.
"If it's like that, then you don't need to just transfer me. Would you take in all of the people listed here, please? It'd be more convenient this way. How about it? Your Excellency, are you willing to bear this responsibility? If you're not, Gurrier will probably cry as he puts forth this petition."
"You-- Who do you think you are? And also, hold on, how many people is this?"
Because its master's voice suddenly became panicked, the kitten clutched to his bosom also became frightened and started struggling. The tips of the cat's ears popped out.
However, it wasn't trembling at all. It must have felt very safe and comfortable in its nesting place.
Gwendal gently scratched its ear, and then returned the kitten's head to its original place.
"Then we're done here."
"You feel that the price is too high?"
Lord von Voltaire did not reply. He just turned around and walked forth.
"Come with me. I'll ask Lord von Kleist to help write the letters of recommendation."
"Yes, sir--"
Josak Gurrier slowly tore up the paper.
He thought it over for a while, then took it back in his hands and began ripping it to pieces. Then, with his palm full of little scraps of paper, he threw them across this sunlit place.
From the distance came the sound of a young woman's laughter. Could it be that she saw the butterflies and flower petals dancing in the wind?
-----
Notes and stuff:
1) A pun involving "salary raise" and "little brother". I think it has something to do with 昇 in "raise" sounding like 小 in "little brother".
...I think I'm in love with Gwendal ♥♥&hearts
Or maybe it's just that Josak's totally crushing on Gwendal and we're seeing him from Josak's POV? Either way, Gwendal is a Good Man. And his brotherly luff for Conrad was really sweet, too :3