The Song of Sword and Magic - Chapter 68

Chapter 68: A Gap That Is Impossible to Cross

[Translator — Asuka]

[Proofreader — Karane]

The next morning, the hole in the mound was illuminated by the sunlight. Last night, Fern would push away the snow that had gathered outside the entrance from time to time. However, during the latter half of the night, sleepiness was washing over him, so he eventually slumbered off.

Niss slowly opened her eyes and looked at the fire pit that was no longer burning. She wanted to raise her head, but upon realizing that Fern’s face was resting above her head, she stayed in her current position so as not to awaken him.

Outside the hole, the wind had stopped howling, and the snow had stopped falling. Judging from the brightness of the sunlight, she reckoned that it must be good weather on this day. She pulled the cloak closer and felt Fern’s stable breathing, which made her feel safe. Maybe I should tell him the secrets I’ve hidden from him. There’s no need to hide them from him now, she thought as she made up her mind.

***

Just as she was recalling the experiences they had gone through together, she unknowingly fell asleep again. When she woke up, she realized that she was lying flat on the ground with her cloak on her body while the mercenary was boiling a pot of tea.

“You’re awake? I’m sorry that I fell asleep last night. Fortunately, the snow stopped falling at the break of dawn. If the entrance was blocked, we might not be able to breathe any fresh air.” Fern put some black tea leaves into the cups and poured some boiling water into them before passing one of the cups to Niss.

Niss sat up with the cloak still on her body as she hadn’t fully awakened. After taking the tea cup, she sipped the hot tea and felt warmth all over her body. It’s the right time now, Niss Thiel.

“Fern!” she called out all of a sudden.

“Yeah?” Fern looked up doubtfully.

At that instant, she found it hard to tell him what she had to say. “Hmm, Fern… Do you remember that I told you I’ve hidden some secrets from you?”

Fern put on a smile and took a sip of the tea. “Yeah. Why?”

Niss placed her hands on her lap and said, “Fern, I’m not a girl from an ordinary family.”

“I know, Niss.” Fern curled up his right leg and placed his hand on his right knee.

“You know?” Niss was surprised.

Fern smiled in response. “Yes, some of your actions and mannerisms suggest that you don’t come from an ordinary family, but that’s all I could speculate. I don’t know what social class you come from because I have never been in contact with the people from your stratum.”

Having made up her mind, Niss bit her lip and looked at him. “Fern, I’m actually—”

“No, Niss!” Fern interrupted her. “You don’t have to tell me about it because it’s meaningless for our journey.”

Niss gazed at him in puzzlement and asked, “Don’t you want to find out?”

“Yes, I want to know more about you, but it’s not the right time for it. If possible, please tell me everything about you after the journey.” Fern stared at her with a sense of sorrow behind his gaze.

Despite not understanding why he said it wasn’t the right time, she didn’t protest. “Alright, I’ll tell you everything after the journey.”

Fern nodded and continued sipping his tea.

***

Just when Niss was about to drink her tea, she put down her cup suddenly. “Fern, have you thought about what you’d do after the task is completed?”

Her question caught Fern off guard. After a moment of silence, he replied, “Maybe I’ll go back to Deville as there’s nowhere else I could go.” He gave it a thought. “What about you? Will you go back to the Magician’s Tower or your parents?”

Niss pressed her lips together, as though what she was about to say was immensely important. “Maybe I’ll visit… my father.” She stole a glance at him as she almost revealed that her father was a king. “My mother passed away when I was a young kid. Nevertheless, I’ll definitely return to the Magician’s Tower. After becoming a magician, I still have a lot to learn.”

“I’m sorry about your mother.” Upon learning that Niss had lost motherly love since she was young, he felt sorry for her.

“It’s fine, Fern. Many years have passed, so I’m used to it now.” Niss flashed a smile at him.

Fern thought he should be more proactive. “Stan said that we could form a group and travel across Wallis to help those in need. What do you think?” He picked up his tea cup to hide his face behind it.

“Fern, I’m more than willing to continue the journey with all of you, but…” Sorrow and helplessness were written all over her face. “The Magician’s Tower needs me. After the trial, my experience will be valuable for them. I have to record my experience and findings.”

“Is the Tower so important to you?” Fern curled up his lips, but he felt dejectedness rising within him. “Do you remember what Hol told you? You don’t have to burden yourself.”

“Fern, I know, but sorry…” Niss didn’t want to explain herself, for she knew that he wouldn’t understand why she couldn’t leave the Magician’s Tower behind.

“You don’t have to apologize to me. You have the freedom to make your own decision.” Fern suppressed his disappointment and flashed a smile at her. “Whatever your choice, I’ll support you.”

Niss smiled in response. “Thanks, Fern.”

***

Fern turned to look at the flapping cloak at the entrance with a broken heart. Should I persist? If I ask her the same question again, will she change her mind? No, Fern! You shouldn’t force her to give up her dream as she has her own plan. She’s not as useless as you are! She has a bright future at the Magician’s Tower while you’re just a mercenary without a future. Forget about it. Do your own things and don’t worry about the rest. Your job is to help her pass the trial. That’s it! Having found the reason to give up, Fern heaved a sigh of relief.

Fern, if you ask me the question again, maybe I’ll agree to it and travel across Wallis with you. Maybe I’ll still reject you because I have my own things to do. I shouldn’t evade my responsibilities. But… if you don’t ask me the question again, how will you know what my answer will be? I don’t even know what kind of answer I’ll give you. Ask me again, please… Feeling anxious, Niss gazed at his profile as her eyes welled up with tears.

A strong wind blew into the hole and brought some snow with it. The snow got into their eyes, causing them to be unable to see for a moment.

***