Ashes and Kingdoms

4-1. New Life and Summer Solstice Festival

Chapter Four

A new life began.

Finn was first assigned to a sentry unit outside the walls of the castle at Ancius' tease. Since he is not officially trained by the Legion, he would have been judged to be the source of discord in addition to the regular units already disciplined. Or maybe it's the intention to prevent the beast of darkness from being blown like this. Thanks to all of this, I was able to show my face to the orphanage frequently for a while.

We were able to secure clothing and accommodation, so if we consider the situation until just a few days ago, we should be satisfied. Even if the original purpose was not fulfilled at all.

- But apart from that, Finn had a grievance about his current situation that was small but annoying as thorny and unobtrusive.

Workplace relationships.

"Well, come on, I don't know if you have a grinding wheel."

For a man, he was asked in a tall voice, and Finn only answered "no" with less discomfort and no expression. Naturally, they're walking outside the walls of the barracks, whatever the barracks' private rooms are. There are no soldiers carrying maintenance tools, even though they are not in the march. You know that because the other guy has a longer background as a legion soldier.

"Oh, no. There's no choice."

What convinces me aloud, to speak for myself, is a young soldier named Euches. Accidentally because of the child's face, he looks younger than Finn, but for once, he's over twenty.

Finn had a bad feeling when he first went to work at Sentinel Stuff.

There has been little 'physiologically intolerable person' for Finn in his previous life. There was someone I didn't like, but it was normal for me to have a reason to convince myself why I didn't like them. Fortunately.

But Euches was different. At first glance, I had an instinct that this guy was bad. The feeling intensified every day. Even if Finn keeps his tombstone quiet, Euches will talk to him - rather unnecessarily.

Even though we endure unpleasant discomfort for no reason, the love that is scarce when annoyed is soon exhausted. At the same time, I am disgusted by my narrowness, which only allows me to deal with my nose with trees, and my mood is decreasing. I think it would be best for each other if you didn't talk to me, but Euches had no sign of guessing at all, such as Finn's such heart.

Of course, with Finn, we didn't even try to imagine the thoughts of Euches, so they are mutual. I sympathize that you've been struggling with your heartless and shady Finn's response, and if you keep talking to him with guts, you might even ease your tough look a little - and so on - and you're really twisting your excuse for conversation with good and kind thoughts.

"So, you, you take care of the sword in your room?

…………

"I come on, you're in trouble for not being able to do well. I'm sure the grinding wheel is bad. I was wondering if you could lend it to me next time."

"Hey, Eucis."

I didn't see it. Normally, the captain stopped it.

"Enough of the futile talk. Your sword is missing because your arms are bad, not the grinding wheel. Get it out to a proper blacksmith."

It is not a tone of blame or exhortation. Sounds like a public tale, no, so unproductive that I think this one is a loud soliloquy. This was not a characteristic limited to him. Finn sighs and looks softly at the faces of the troops. There were only eight of them in all, but everyone but Euches was somewhat of a throwaway pot of fatigue.

The reason for this was that Finn had already been heard from the captain's mouth.

What we have here is the remnants of the Tetna garrison, the remnants of which there is no way to salvage.

After the former captain died in prison, he changed his attitude - that is, he shut his mouth about the Dark Beast - and the soldiers were each assigned to the regular army. Conversely, some felt betrayed by the Legion and were accepted by offering to retire. Only those who are neither of them, that is, those who do not want to return aggressively, but do not expect to earn as much food as they do, went on a sloppy sentinel mission, which ended up being this many.

(A bunch of bandits showed up so close to the city, naturally)

Finn thought melancholy and shook his head.

And then I feel my gaze and my face up. I saw the captain and I only for a moment, but soon the opponent turned forward. This was also a factor in Finn's nerve loss. I think it's a coincidence once or twice, but it's not. I look at this one with the same eyes as if I was worried about something, and I'm not going to say anything.

(Ever since we first met, it was crazy)

Seeing Finn show up at the clock, the captain did look stunned for a moment. But it's clear, there's no explanation or excuse, it's just that sometimes, like earlier, I steal a look at Finn. Be vigilant.

(What do you mean, I have to be like this?

I didn't know Tetna. So there's no way this captain knows himself. And yet, why? Hey, are you being admired for your bad attitude toward Euches?

Next to Finn, who is stuffy and distressed, that Euches is telling another opponent something that doesn't matter. Finn's frustration and tiredness were exasperating, while I couldn't even wait to get back to the city at sundown. Practice your sword against Mac and talk a little with Nellis, who is slowly getting his smile back, to reassure his parents that he is safe. Now that routine was the only purpose of Finn's life.

I never saw Lena again. There is no room or time to reach the temple in the middle of the night. However, that “connection” still seemed to remain, and I sometimes felt signs of Lena. Day or day, whoever's around.

Occasionally, when he felt signs while he was delusional about tightening up Euches, Finn feared that his emotions might poison Lena, and hesitated.

On the surface there was no such thing as this, but as tiresome days went on, Finn was in the mood to miss Nanais' barracks.

That said, life in the city was as different as Nanais. The daily routine still continues, on the contrary, even the Summer Solstice Festival was held.

All this day the fins were also exempted from outside work and allowed to enjoy the festival in the city.

In prayer of the grace of the abundant earth, a queue with large ring decorations knitted with green branches runs through the city from the Temple of Nena. Finally, when you arrive in the square, you will find a circle hanging from a pillar set in the center, where music and dancing will begin.

There is plenty of bread and soup available in the square, and alcohol such as ale and wine is also behaved. It is more modest than usual because it is a disturbing time, but for the fins, who see the Winnean festival for the first time, it was a luxury.

Nellis was dressed as an apprentice cleric because he was helping to prepare the festival under the priest Fentas, but if the queue is finished, he is no longer at your service. Dressed as it was, Mac was taking me to join the dance ring. Oandus and Fauna are also unyielding for the first time in a long time, laughing and dancing hand in hand.

Finn looked at his family, smiling uncommonly at the addition and subtraction of a broth.

"Brother! Let's dance together."

Nellis calls. When I had just arrived in this city, I didn't think that smile would return again, but it seems special today. I'm sure the priests and Macs made it better, Finn said, while thanking him in his heart, he headed over there in a light foothold.

As I held hands and bounced around in conjunction with the music, I felt like I was back when Nanais was at peace. I have a family, I have food, I have music and laughter.

Finn casually glanced at the other side of the square when the song was over and both the musician and dancer went on a break, stifling. Captain. When I looked at him, instead of turning away slightly, as usual, I unexpectedly showed him something that looked like a smile and put my hand up a bit, then disappeared into a mess.

To Finn, who stands up confused, Oandus says, "What's up?" and speak up.

"No...... anything. The captain was there."

That's all, and Finn clasps his shoulders. I didn't tell you that I had a strange attitude. But Oandus perceived something from Finn's condition, and he roared.

"Is that the guy who was there earlier? I guess I don't want to see my boss's face until festival day. What a name?

"Sure, I think it was Valt"

Tetna's, he adds, lurking his voice. Even the place names Tetna and Nanais were supposedly forbidden in this city.

"Valt, hey... Ha"

Oandus twisted his neck and explored his memory, though it should have no cause whatsoever. Then he looked at his son with a strange look. Soon he became a back length alongside himself and a tough, sharp-faced man, his son. There, overlap the shadows of when you just welcomed yourself into your own home.

"Maybe you look like someone you know. his kin, or... to someone who was in that town."

"It may be so"

Finn nodded convincingly. Then I can understand the surprise of the moment at first sight. If we look like someone we abandoned and left behind... Though it's not a very happy reason.

In the middle of the square, the dance was starting again. Finn was pulled by those young men and pulled into the dance wheel. Oandus dropped it off and then whispered to Fauna to leave for a little while and walked out in the crowd. I only saw it for a moment, looking for Captain Valt and the person I thought he was.

Finn, on the other hand, was surrounded by drunks, no longer able to tell right or left. Because of that state of affairs, of course, I had no idea that my adoptive father and the captain were talking about something in the shadow of the unseen.