Volume 1 Epilogue
So, we are finally done with volume 1!
What are your thoughts so far?
Personally I can say that I’m quite satisfied with it. I might not agree with some of Slava’s choices, but if we take into account his personality and experiences so far, they were pretty natural choices for him to make and he’s aware that he’s being selfish and it being the main drive behind his choices.
I can say that characters have been likable so far, the fight are quite detailed and the overall pacing is about right.
As a translator though, I believe my work still has much to improve, but for the time being I’ll go ahead and give myself a passing grade and hope I get better with time. (doesn’t help that fights being detailed make it harder to translate)
All in all, it’s been quite an enjoyable experience so far.
As for the current plans. I’ll be taking a “break” for around a week. While I do say break, it doesn’t mean that I won’t be translating anything. I plan to choose and prepare the second series while doing some initial groundwork for volume 2. I just want to take my time with it for a while before setting a pace again.
When I’m back, I hope to have maybe 1 chapter of volume 2 ready, along with a couple chapters of the new series so you can get an initial impression of it, though I won’t be making any promises for now.
In the meantime…how about heading to Novel Updates and writing your initial impressions there? You don’t really have to give it a rating or anything yet if you don’t want to, but it would help if the series got a bit more attention. There’s not much I can do about it by myself since I’m new here and don’t really have a “fan base” or anything of the sort. So I’ll be relying on you.
Just be honest in it and write what you like and dislike about it. Good and bad reviews do help in their own way, though obviously as the translator I’d like them to be positive.
If you enjoyed the series so far, it would be nice if you could purchase your own copy of the first volume to show some support for the author and while at it, leave a donation for me, just kidding. Though it would be nice if you could purchase a copy for yourself.
ADVERTISEMENT
REPORT THIS AD
I think that will be all for now, enjoy the chapter.
「Dawn…huh」
I said while looking at the azure sky past the glass.
There was no change in the color of the sky from what I saw everyday when I woke around this time.
Even though that was the case, I felt deeply moved when I saw that sky, it might be because I believed that it reflected the color of my own heart.
I had graduated from the Academy, received permission from my parents and had made the necessary preparations…
Having finished my preparations, I tried to calm my impatient heart, today, I would finally depart.
After having received my second life, I couldn’t just throw it away, I longed for the unknown.
With this small hands of mine, I was going to take my first step toward seizing the title of strongest. That’s what today meant.
Today, I set out on a journey. Traveling around the world, I plan to exchange blows with martial artists unknown to me, that’s the purpose of this journey.
At times I might have to face blades with my fists, other times I might have to face flames brought forth by magic.
Different from my previous life which was intertwined with various bonds. Now it will be with this light body of a nameless kid, I couldn’t help but have my heart throb with excitement.
「Hey, as I thought, you were awake. Old men sure wake up early」
While I was lost in deep thought looking at the sky, with a dry sound, I heard the voice of my undesirable friend.
「That goes for both of us, right? I didn’t really see you as someone that would wake up early though」
「Kakaka, it just means that I’ve grown old too」
While saying that, Chester was carrying two cups in his hands.
They probably contained black tea or coffee, they were still emitting steam.
He had brought them here without even checking if I was awake, huh?
…The day before I set out on my journey, which means yesterday, I stayed the night at Chester’s mansion.
It’s a mansion with plenty of unused rooms. Because of Sheryl’s temper, she’s always switching rooms, so rooms are always being arranged. I thought that it would be easy to stay overnight.
「Here, take it」
「Thanks」
I received a cup from the approaching Chester. Poured inside was an amber colored liquid, it seems like it was black tea.
Whether it’s luxurious or not is unknown to me, but its flowery scent filled my chest with a pleasant fragrance and it felt somewhat refined.
As it did, without making much noise, I took a sip of the amber liquid that was still hot. For what seemed like an eternity, the aroma that was overflowing with elegance filled my nostrils, however, without being able to feel the heat, it began to tragically vanish like thawed snow.
「Hmm, it’s tasty」
「Is that so? Well, it’s something I have brewed so it’s a given. It’s something I’ve taken as a hobby recently. It’s been brewed well. Though…the tea leaves are good too」
He was brewing it himself even though he had servants, like he said, it could be called a hobby.
Feeling at ease and somewhat weird because of its natural sweetness, I took a breath.
I see. I had never indulged in luxurious things, but brewing tea might be unexpectedly deep.
「It might be because I have grown old, but lately, I find things like this fun. …Now that you are going through the trouble of traveling around the world. I believe there are other fun things to do apart from fighting」
Along with the changing sky I looked at Chester, he had said that while scratching his head with a bitter expression.
For this man to become like this, it must have been hard for him to say that.
…A hobby apart from fighting, huh?
「Of course, it’s my second life after all, I plan to have plenty of fun」
While also being my friend, it was advice from my strongest rival. He’s at that age already and we might quarrel because of this and that…but Chester probably worries about me in his own way.
…When I was still alive. Chester shouldn’t have had a hobby like this.
With me being gone, he probably thought about lots of things.
「…You are right. I’ll keep it in mind」
「That’s right, enjoying life means winning」
Contrary to the bitter face he had, Chester was now cheerfully smiling.
I unconsciously started smiling too. I can’t hate this guy when he’s like this.
Hobbies, huh? I’ve never thought about it, but it’s true that it might be a good time for them.
Now that I think about it, I think my master had fishing as his hobby? Thinking about it…I had only my fists in my life.
「Besides you are taking Sheryl along with you. Make her have an enjoyable experience」
That’s right. Besides, it’s been decided that Sheryl will come along with me on this journey.
Since she’s walking a gloomy path, I wanted her to at least experience the outside world a bit.
「However…is it really OK? To leave your precious granddaughter in the care of someone like me」
「If it was someone other than you I would have never handed her over. It’s because it’s you. Or what is it? I won’t let you say that you don’t want to after coming this far」
To begin with, the fact that I can go on this journey, is in great part, thanks to the assistance of Chester.
Once I’m traveling, there are many ways to earn income for the traveling expenses, but Chester is paying for the initial cost to start the journey.
It’s not like it’s a big amount, but for a kid that had just graduated, it’s a troublesome amount to earn. Going by my calculations, it would have taken at least a month to earn…being able to bring my plans forward, was all thanks to this man.
Of course, I planned to return it eventually, but Chester said that there was no need for that. Instead, he had a condition…to let Sheryl come along in this journey.
「It’s not like I don’t want to, but for a doting old man like you, I thought that it would be unbearable to not have Sheryl here」
I had initially planned to suggest that Sheryl should come with me so there were no problems…but I was confused because I was being asked by the person I thought I would have problems persuading.
I still can’t believe it.
I never thought that this doting old man would request it himself.
「Fool, do you really think I can stand it? Every day my pillow is soaked with my tears」
It seems like it was a bitter decision for Chester.
It goes without saying that, my previous life’s rival who I exchanged blows with, expression was full of sadness.
「…Did I really lose to this guy?」
Feeling somewhat miserable, I let out the words that were deep into my heart unconsciously.
…Well, I did gain something from that loss.
It wasn’t just the elven common sense I learned at school, or the friends I made there. There was also advice on what path I should follow from now on.
「The sky…has brightened quite a bit」
「Yeah. Think it’s about time we woke Sheryl up?」
「Think so. tsk…it’s making me feel lonely already. To think that my beloved granddaughter…and my best friend would be going on a journey at the same time」
I stopped moving once I heard Chester’s words. Best friend…huh?
Might have been because he felt embarrassed after saying it, my old enemy was blushing, a smile suddenly appeared on my face.
「kuku, Chester…」
「Don’t laugh. Don’t be like that. It was pretty embarrassing, you know?」
I stared at Chester, whose mouth had turned into the shape of the letter へ.
It would be fine to poke fun at him as a form of revenge, but I’ll let him go this time.
「I’ll be going, best friend of mine. I’ll bring back souvenirs so once I return, brew me some tea again」
While it was unusual for me, I gave a smile showing my teeth.
I extended my fist and when I pointed my clutched fist towards Chester, he was confused and didn’t know what to say, but soon, a smile appeared on his face.
「Alright, go. Don’t you dare come back empty-handed, you hear?」
Go seize something. Chester looked extremely delighted.
Against my extended fist, Chester used his to knock it. I’ve known this man for a long time, but this might be the first time that we have talked as friends.
I understand it even if we don’t say anything. Once I return, I’ll be at the level you are at currently.
「Yeah, I’ll be going…well then, first off, we should wake up the princess」
「You are right. …ah, why don’t you just leave Sheryl behind?」
「It’s something you’ve said yourself, just deal with it already. I believe Sheryl is looking forward to it too, do you want to get in the way of that?」
「That’s so dirty…if you say that, there’s nothing I can say anymore」
Seeing my rival’s feelings of shame and regret, I smiled.
「Food check, pajamas check, change of clothes check…」
Time passed and the sun had ascended, it was currently performing its duties.
I was currently checking luggage in front of Chester’s mansion.
There are multiple ways to earn income once I leave town, but until then, I won’t have any earnings.
Although I have borrowed some money from Chester, but that’s left for when I have no other choice.
That being said, until I can earn an income, The stuff I have prepared…no, the stuff we have prepared are our lifeline. I had made sure to check yesterday and today, it seems like there are no problems.
To begin with, I’m not bringing much. Once I finished checking my luggage, I noticed a particularly big bag that I had no recollection of.
Well then, was there always such a bag among my luggage? While I was trying to remember, the bag suddenly started to move.
I already had a pretty good idea about what it was, but I still watched the spectacle unfolding in front of my eyes.
When I did, from within the bag, silver hair appeared vigorously.
「I’m…ready」
Seeing only her face appear from within the bag, my cheeks loosened.
With calm and dull eyes, Sheryl was staring at me.
Sheryl clumsily broke free from the bag, while walking like a small animal, she approached me.
「You can’t…forget about me」
「I haven’t forgotten about you. More importantly, have you finished saying goodbye to Chester?」
「Not yet. …I’ll be going, wait for me, OK?」
While jumping like a rabbit, Sheryl ran up to Chester who had come to send us off.
She still looked languid, but at times like this that she seemed quite cheerful.
「I’ve come to…give my greetings?」
While I was engrossed in my thoughts, Sheryl’s voice brought me back.
Before I had noticed, Sheryl had come back to where I was while bringing Chester along?
「Have you finished saying goodbye?」
「Honestly, there are still feelings of regret. But there’s no point in me saying anything」
Seems like Chester still can’t come to terms with this place becoming lonely.
「Well then, I don’t know when our next meeting will be…but until then」
「Ah, I’m leaving Sheryl to you. Go and have as much fun as you can on this journey」
「I’ll try my best」
We both looked at Sheryl. She was enjoying herself while checking her luggage.
You couldn’t see it from here, but she looked to be having so much fun that she might start dancing. I have to make sure that this journey meets her expectations.
「Grandpa, I’ll be going, OK?」
「Oh…You have to come back as soon as possible, Sheryl!」
Not being able to conceal them anymore, Chester was wiping his tears with a handkerchief while waving at us with one arm.
To think this was the man called 「The demonic fang」, grandchildren sure are terrifying beings.
「Alright, shall we go, Sheryl?」
「Yup!」
With a smile covering her whole face, Sheryl replied.
Carrying my luggage on my back, I placed my hand on top of the door. I slowly pushed the door and took a step forward.
「Take care!」
Hearing Chester’s voice behind me, I suddenly started smiling.
While waving my hand behind me, I continued walking.
Eventually, the view changed and I looked towards the sky.
Different from dawn, blue spread before my eyes. Because of the brightness I narrowed my eyes.
…I have taken my first step. In my second life.
While concealing the words I didn’t need to say, I looked ahead and started to walk.
「Hey, Slava-kun…where are we heading first?」
「Let’s see, first we should go to Alfaleia’s castle town and earn some money there. Once we have saved some traveling expenses, let’s go to a village in the mountains called Natoushia」
From what Chester has said, there seems to be an outstanding martial artist in that place.
After earning the proper traveling expenses in Alfaleia, I’ll aim for Natoushia first.
Later on, I’ll ask about outstanding martial artists while we earn money for our traveling expenses. If there’s no information, it should be fine to have the clouds decide our destination.
Places that I don’t know of, techniques that are unknown to me, enemies that I don’t know the name of.Finally, the dark crystals that are spreading around the world. Surprisingly there are more things than I thought once I thought about it, then…there’s this immature body of mine. There’s still much to think about, but I can’t help but find it enjoyable.
While having thoughts of all the formidable foes I haven’t met yet…I grasped my fist tightly.
Here and now, I have finally taken the first step in my path.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login