Almark – Northern Sword, Southern Wand

In the shade of a tree behind the school building.

Armark stands side by side with Rilti.

The cold winter air is slowly rising from under my feet.

I think it's because we were singing earlier. You'll be able to see that you're not alone.

I'm sure you'll be able to get back to your warm practice area, singing and practicing your magic chanting techniques before Lilti's body gets cold.

Armark decides to do so.

Somewhere there was an owl hoot.

'But didn't you say you've never sung a song before?

Lilti looked at Armark with concern.

'Is there a song you've learned since you came south?

No.

Armark cleared his throat.

'I just remembered one song that even I could sing.

"Song of the North?

Lilti asks.

'Yeah,'

Arumark nodded, then twisted his head.

"Song of the North, huh? No. ...... song, I guess you could call it that.

"No?

Lilti blinked, not quite understanding what Armark was saying.

'Hmmm ......'

Armark looks annoyed.

'It's not a song that's sung like it's sung over here.

"Huh?

You might think it's a strange song. Maybe it's not the kind of song you would use in these practices, but I can only sing that song. But it's the only song I can sing.

At those words, Lilti shook her head.

'Just sing your heart out. I'm not going to laugh.

Thank you.

Armark worried that Lilti's slender body would get cold by making excuses too long.

'Then I'm going to sing.

"Yes.

Lilti nodded.

If I can get the magic on board, I'll get it on in the middle of the song.

Okay.

Armark nodded and took a breath.

'Sing to me, Derak.

It was a dark, moonless night.

Reyes, who was staring at the fire, said unexpectedly, "A song of condolence," he said.

'A song of condolence,'

So, Armark also understood the meaning of his father's words.

During the day, there was a fierce battle.

It was a day when we won, but a lot of warriors died.

'Your voice is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Reyes said and stood up.

Derek, who was standing beside her, also stood up with a dark smile on his face.

"I feel like I'm the only one who sings, and I feel bad about it.

Derak said and smiled lowly.

'I can't help it if you're the husband of Reyes' appointment.

Seeing them get up, the other men around the other campfire gathered around.

'Derak. Are we going to sing?

"Lupa is dead too.

"Damhan's bastard didn't come back either.

The warriors say: "It's not every night that we get to sing a slow mourning song.

It's not every night that you get to sing a slow song of condolence.

One of the warriors said, "They're lucky.

"They're lucky.

"Come on, Derek.

Derak chuckles as another one taps him on the shoulder.

'You guys, who's going to sing for me when I'm done?

Jokingly so, Derak looked around at the men.

"I'm not the only one who gets to sing.

I'll sing it for you.

Leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, Reyes said, "Don't worry, Derak.

'Don't worry, Derak. I'll sing when it's you. In return, I'll still ask for you when it's me.

If my husband sings for me, I have no objection. I'm ready to die without a care in the world.

Derak laughed. The way he spoke, he was even proud of it.

'You have my word, sir.

"Oh.

Reyes nodded.

"Armark.

Unexpectedly called by his father, Armark stood next to him.

'The mourning song, I've heard it before.

"Once before.

I see.

Reyes smiled.

A fearless warrior's smile.

But the deeper emotion behind that smile, Arumark didn't understand.

'Learn it this one time,'

Reyes said.

'I don't get to hear it very often.

The men who had been laughing and whispering gradually became quiet.

As if waiting for it, Derak began to sing in a low voice.

Armark opened his mouth.

Lilti heard his voice and was momentarily confused.

It only sounded like a snarl at first.

A low voice, almost inappropriate for a boy of his age to produce.

It was like a wolf snarling low in the forest at night.

Armark looked up at the night sky.

Unlike that day, the stars are clearly visible today.

As Rilti stared at him, Armark began to hum the lyrics.

We have seen

Thou shalt fight

Shake out the top grade

That heroic feat

I remember Derak's low voice as if it were yesterday.

I closed my eyes and listened to it, and my father's face.

A monotonous melody. A song that could be described as primitive, even primitive, without the use of any instruments.

Compared to the gorgeous music of the south, it may not be something that can be called music.

But all the strong and cheerful men, some looking up at the sky, some staring at the campfire, some closing their eyes like their father, listening to the voice of Derek.

That's our song.

A song of the warriors of the north, a song to send their souls.

We have seen it.

Thou shalt fall

The proud body of the earth

The end of that warrior's order.

Almark sings.

Tracing the voice of Derak in memory.

A mercenary has no tombstone.

The place where they die, when their fortunes run out, is the graveyard of the mercenary.

His corpse will not be mourned by anyone.

That's why the mercenaries sing.

I saw you," they say.

I saw you fight.

We saw you live and die, we saw you live and die, we saw you die.

We saw you!

As thy soul runs to the northern heavens

Only in the last passage that followed, Armark saw Reyes's mouth move to match Derek's.

So, Armark understood.

This is a prayer of condolence, he thought.

Warriors, without hesitation.

Go straight home.

To that star, unshakable

Armark finished singing and exhaled.

The air of that night in the north seemed to come back to him through the song.

It was the first time I had ever sung a song. But he was able to sing like Derak had done then.

Maybe it was the practice of the art of imitation with Gallein and Ficke, or more importantly, the many experiences I had at the Academy.

Thanks to my experiences in the South, my memories of the North run deep.

So this is the song.

Armark let out a white breath.

It's not just the power of words.

The melody amplifies the words.

And the power of the amplified words amplifies the thoughts.

Is that what it is?

The first day of a summer vacation.

For some reason, Armark suddenly remembered the garden scene he had walked through that morning.

He suddenly came to himself and looked at Lilti.

Lilti was silently looking at Armark's face.

While she was singing, she didn't feel any magic power on her voice.

Now, even if she finished singing like this, Lilti didn't show any reaction.

I'm not going to be able to get it right.

I'm not sure if I should have sung this kind of song or not, after all.

I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. It's me.

Lilti shook her head silently.

Tears spilled from his eyes.

Armark is speechless.

'I can't carry magic.

Lilti said in a small voice.

Your song. The words and the melody are too strong. I can't put my magic on it.