66.2 The Stone Carver Gild
āI understand your position and circumstances through this letter.ā
Gild-san beckons me and invites me into his house. Without hesitating, I enter the house behind him.
The house is quite simple. It isnāt that different from Anemone-sanās back on Dragonās Peak. Itās furnished with a minimum amount of aged furniture. The floor is bare ground with a sheet of cloth spread over it. As there is only one room, a bed and candle stand have been placed in the same spot.
It isnāt very affluent, even compared to than my house. This place is many times simpler. However, within these modest bearings, a sole object placed over the fireplace was terribly out of place.
A sword.
A saber[1]? Its long blade is thin and arched. Out of everything here, itās the only thing of value.
āWell then, for starters, you did well for coming to far off place like this.ā
Gild-san scoops out water from a water jug and hands it to me. I thank him and gratefully drink the water.
Heās right, though. Between the southern area of the royal capital where I live and the foremost northern part of the northern area where Gild-san lives is a considerable amount of distance. As such, I enveloped my body with dragon ki and ran to the northern area. If I didnāt have that, Iād be being forced to spend the night here.
Gild-san waits for me to take a breath before continuing.
āYour purpose for coming here was explained in this letter.ā
Ah, I never gave him my name.
āEetto, I am called Ernea Isu. Sorry for the later introduction.ā
āFumu, Ernea? What a good name.
Gild-san smiles.
He really is a kind person. What is such a gentle person like this living in the dangerous northern area? Whatās going to be hard about receiving something from him?
āYou visiting me here with an introduction from the Dragon Princess is so you can be entrusted with it.ā
Gild-san picks up the saber from over the fireplace.
āHowever,ā
Gild-san also picks up a random straight sword that had been placed over the fireplace.
āI cannot unconditionally pass it to you.ā
He then passes the straight sword to me.
āNow, letās have a match. If you can land one strike on me, Iāll bestow you my greatest treasure.ā
I accept the straight sword and meet Gild-sanās eyes. Iām bewildered by this sudden development.
āIn the letter, it was written that youāre a duel wielder. Thatās the one I usually use, but please use it.ā
āEetto, butā¦ā
āSince youāre a duel wielder, please use two swords. Iām not so weak that I canāt adapt.ā
Gild-san continues to wear his unchanging gentle smile, but his eyes only grow sharper.
āWell, shall we head outside at once? It was written that the deadline is this year. I have no intention of making exceptions for anotherās circumstances, so there wonāt be enough time if you donāt hurry.ā
Just how much was written in that letter? Did it include a detailed description about me? For Gild-san to be saying not even this year will be enough time, is he a master of the sword?
In a fluster, I leave the house.
āThere are no other people here. You can fight to your hearts content.ā
Gild-sanā¦ has already drawn the saber. Its beautiful ripples give a dazzling reflection of the sunās light.
āAre we really having a match?ā
āThatās right. I cannot pass this treasure to some who isnāt worthy. If you canāt win one match against a feeble-minded old man such as myself by the end of the year, then give up on various things.ā
My heart freezes. Heās smiling, but his words are severe.
I thought he was a gentle ojii-san and grew negligent.
So, itās like this? I have to overcome this ojii-san in a match?
Did Old Sleigstar say this would be difficult because he knows this ojii-san will be a strict opponent for the present me?
I have to beat this ojii-san? From what Iāve seen, he looks soft and doesnāt have any force except for the sharpness of his eyes.
āHey, whatās wrong?ā
At Gild-sanās urging, I hold up my weapons in a fluster. In my right hand is the straight sword Iām borrowing while in my left is the wooden spirit tree sword I always use. The straight sword is a bit heavy, but I should be able to wield it in one hand with dragon ki.
Gild-san narrows his eyes at my posture.
āJust as was written in the letter, the Dragon Sword Dance. Which one will you show me?ā
With those words, Gild-san steps into my space at once. Since we are dealing with weapons, I had my guard up. I respond to Gild-sanās rush by swinging the straight sword to the side.
Itās a swing filled with dragon ki. With it, I repel Gild-sanās blow.
Thatās what I thought as the sword snaps back towards me.
My posture is destroyed, and he thrusts without hesitation. With my feet trying to regain their footing, I fall back without being struck.[2]
Thrust out before my eyes is the tip of the saber. Itās so quick, Iām taken aback.
āHad this been a real battle, youād be dead.ā
I swallow my breath at Gild-sanās strict words.
āWhat did you come here to do? What kind of resolve did you come with? With halfhearted emotions, you wonāt win.ā
Gild-sanās ambiance made me negligent. Right, I need to do this seriously. Didnāt Old Sleigstar say this would be difficult and that I donāt have much time?
Gild-san is stronger than he looks. I get a grip on myself and stand up.
āOne more time, please.ā
This time, I rush him.
T/N: I am guessing on the sword type from its description. The writing suggests itās a certain type of sword, but I honestly am not sure which kind since the kanji only specifies curved swords. That said, if Gild considers himself feeble-minded, whatās his opinion on the rest of the population??
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Thanks
Thanks for the Chap!!!
Thanks
Thx for the chap!