The Song Of Sword And Magic

Chapter 30: The Men’s Weaknesses 

[Translator — Asuka]

[Proofreader — Karane]

Stan returned with some food in his hands. “They’ve agreed to let us follow them. We’re lucky as we won’t have to worry about food anymore.” He took a seat and eyed Fern. “Does he feel better now?”

“Yes.” Niss looked caringly at Fern and shifted her attention to Stan. “Have you gathered any useful information?”

“Yes. At the moment in this world, the Dark Tide is on the losing end. After an initial setback, the people from all over Wallis have gathered up and started chasing the Dark Tide away to the North.” Stan picked up a piece of meat jerky and placed it into his mouth. The food was difficult to chew, so it was a little hard for him to speak. “However, the situation is still bleak. Even though human armies have won several battles, many of them have suffered injuries or lost their lives.”

“But the Black Crows killed the zombies and even a fiend with ease just now. I thought that the Source of Magic had weakened the Dark Tide in this illusionary world.” After picking up an apple from the pile of food, Niss washed it with the water from her bota bag and took a bite. 

“It doesn’t seem to be the case now. Somehow the Black Crows could defeat the Dark Tide’s army easily.” Stan said, perplexed. 

“Anything can happen in the Source of Magic. Since we’re here now, the Source of Magic has only one aim.” Rae opened her eyes and looked ahead. “That is to make us stay here.”

“Why does it want to make us stay here?” Fern took a glance at the food, but he didn’t have the appetite to eat anything. “I don’t think we’re of any value to it.”

“We don’t have to provide any value for it. Our goal is to get something from it and leave this place, so it’ll do everything it can to stop us.” Rae raised her voice when she mentioned the Source of Magic. 

“You’re speaking in a way as if the Source of Magic has a life of its own. In my opinion, it’s nothing more than just a mirror.” Disdain was written all over Stan’s face. 

“It’s not wrong to say that the Source of Magic is a living creature. To be precise, it has its own consciousness” Niss added as she wiped away the apple’s juice from her lips. 

“I’m confused.” Stan smacked his head. “How are we supposed to complete the mission and go back?”

“I hope the magic cane will give me a new directive.” Niss lifted her magic cane. The gemstone on it appeared to be dark blue under the night sky. “However, I haven’t gotten any answer from it so far.”

“Alright. Alright.” Stan picked up another piece of meat jerky and put it into his mouth. “So we can only follow them now?”

“Yes. The Source of Magic will definitely give us a clue. It has to stop us, but at the same time, it also has to give us a directive. This is what the one who created the Source of Magic has intended it to be.” Niss put down her magic cane and focused on eating her apple.

“Who would have the power to create this thing?” Fern questioned in disbelief. “Just like what you told us earlier, the Source of Magic created magic. Didn’t the one need magic to make the Source of Magic?”

“The creator is thought to be the Evil God. Some also said that the Source of Magic was created by other gods in ancient times to counter the God of War. At that time, the God of Magic wasn’t existent yet, so they invented magic through the Source of Magic, whereupon the God of Magic was born.” Niss slowly explained the legend behind it. 

Fern wanted to make sure what he was about to say wouldn’t confuse his companions, so he gave it a thought and uttered, “If this statement is true, can I assume that the ancient gods wanted someone to decode the Source of Magic?”

Rae nodded in agreement. “That’s right. However, they didn’t want what they had invented to be decoded easily, so they had set up some obstacles.” She then turned to Fern with a smile. “It seems that you’ve fully recovered. Your mind is now as sharp as ever.”

Stan looked at them in admiration upon hearing their analyses. “If I were as good as you were at logical thinking, I would have become the leader of the knights by now.”

Despite his pale face, Fern flashed a gentle smile at him. “Stan, everyone has their own strengths. In fact, I’m envious of your determination and faith. You do have some noble qualities in you.”

“Yes, Stan. You’re more steadfast in your faith than any of us here.” Niss encouraged him. 

At the mention of faith, the conversation between Byron and the mysterious woman as well as Boyd’s teachings messed up Stan’s mind again. At that instant, he was lost for words.

***

“These are the tea and beer this knight over here has requested.” Standing behind Stan was a girl with a teapot in one hand and a beer jar in the other hand. With a smile, she winked at Stan. 

Her action made Stan blushed in an instant as he took the teapot and the beer jar. “I’m not a knight yet.”

“To me, you’re already a knight. Your name is Stan, right? Can I call you by your name, Mr. Knight?” The girl looked coquettishly at him. 

In fact, Fern recognized this girl. Her neck-long hair was brown, and there were some freckles between her eyes, which made her look even more charming. 

Seeing how bashful Stan was, Niss and Rae giggled while Fern teased, “Sure. We all call him Stan.”

“Alright, Stan. I’m April. You can call me Ril just like what my companions do.” The girl fished out a handkerchief from her clothes and passed it to Stan. 

Just when Stan was hesitating if he should take her gift, Ril directly stuffed it into his hands.

“I…” Stan uttered anxiously.

After a smile, Ril turned and ran away, leaving the flushed Stan to remain rooted to the spot. There was a magpie sewn on the handkerchief. 

“Stan, it seems that you’ll have to stay here with me.” Fern teased. 

“You heard my conversation with Rae?” Niss asked in surprise. 

“I was just suffering from a headache, but I was still conscious.” Fern explained.

“The Source of Magic knows the weaknesses of the two of you so well.” Rae teased as well.

“No, I won’t stay here. I must get out of this place.” Stan spoke every word with determination. “Otherwise, who will take care of Niss and Rae?”

The other three people guffawed upon hearing that as they didn’t expect that Stan would make fun of Fern as well. Niss covered her mouth and stole a glance at Fern for his reaction.

“Stan, you’ve been influenced by Fern after spending a long time with him. You will even tell jokes now.” Rae said with a smile. 

After pouring himself a cup of beer, Fern raised it and said, “Cheers for Stan’s improvement!”

“Cheers!” all of them said in unison and clinked their cups. 

Although they were living in an illusionary world, everything looked so real at the moment. The bright moon and twinkling stars shone above their heads. The night breeze whisked across their faces as well as the tree leaves. As the twigs swayed along with the wind, the noises made by owls and insects intertwined with each other. Amidst all of those were the chatters of a group of people who just earned a victory. 

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