TheChaosLegion
l want to shine on you, and always like that dazzling sun.
l will defend you from all the darkness.
This is the truth from my heart.
lf only our hearts could connect, l could get you to believe me.
Even if you can't see it now, don't lose it.
Your kindness won't be in vain.
You'll be carried aloft by the wind to somewhere that isn't here.
You'll cross the sea and cross time, and l know you'll blossom one day.
Whatever the day, l'll be there for you.
l hope l can watch over you like the sun for all time.
This is the truth from my heart.
Moribito Guardian of the Spirit
～♪
おはよう
Good morning.
Finally awake, huh?
（バルサ）やっと起きたか
まず顔を洗ってきな 朝ごはんにするからね
Go and wash your face. Then we'll have breakfast.
After that, there's a place that we need to go today.
（バルサ）その後で 今日は行く所があるからね
Plus, you need to learn how people in the town live.
お前も 街の暮らしぶりを 覚えていく必要がある
こいつを見てもらいに行くから 扇(おうぎ)の下(しも)まで ついておいで
l'm going to have this looked at, so come with me to Ogi no Shimo.
分かった
Very well. So, where does one go to have a spear serviced?
で 槍(やり)を見てもらうには どこへ行けばよいのだ？
鍛冶屋さ
To a swordsmith.
Episode 8
The Swordsmith
l had no idea that there were this many smiths to be found in Kosenkyo.
（チャグム）光扇京(こうせんきょう)の中に―
これほど鍛冶屋があるとは 知らなかった
That's because Yogo steel is famous in Rota, Sangal...
（バルサ） ヨゴの鉄は ロタやサンガル―
それに 私の故郷のカンバルにまで―
...and even in my home country of Kanbal.
その名が 知れ渡っているくらいだからね
そんなことも知らなかったのかい？
Don't tell me you didn't know that?
l have been taught that Yogo steel is a vital trade commodity for our country...
ヨゴ鉄が 我が国の交易品として―
とても重要だということは 教わっていたが
...but also that l should not view the steel actually being melted and worked.
実際に 鉄を溶かしたり 打ったりしているところは―
あまり見るものではないと 言われたのじゃ
Now that you mention it, it's ancient tradition among the Yogo aristocracy...
そういや ヨゴの貴族の間には 刀を打つところを見た武人は
...that warriors who see a sword being forged can never become powerful.
強くなれないっていう 言い伝えがあったね
それじゃ―
Well, you're on your way to see a blade being forged...
お前も これから 刀を打つところを 見ることになるから―
もう強くはなれないね
...so l suppose you'll never become powerful now.
では バルサは どうなのじゃ？
What about you, Balsa?
Have you never seen a sword being forged?
バルサは刀を打つところを 見たことがないのか？
私は子供のころから 真っ赤に焼けた鉄や―
Ever since l was little, l've loved to watch steel...
飛び散る火花なんかを見るのが 大好きだったからね
...that's been heated red-hot and see sparks flying everywhere.
l've seen it countless times by now.
今までに何度も見てるよ
Then again, l'm neither from Yogo nor an aristocrat...
もっとも 私はヨゴ人じゃないし 貴族でもないから―
関係ないのかもしれないけど
...so maybe it doesn't apply to me.
（バルサ）お前はまだ 街の 子供みたいにしゃべれないから―
You still don't speak like a town child...
中に入ったら 口を利かずに見ておいで
...so sit and watch silently once we go inside.
Very well.
（チャグム）分かった
Balsa...
（鍛冶）バルサ…
l've been away from Yogo for a while.
（バルサ） しばら ヨゴを離れていました
相変わらず 危ない橋を渡っていますが―
As usual, l've been living dangerously...
...but perhaps by the luck of the devil, l've managed to survive.
悪運が強いせいか どうにか生き延びております
（鍛冶）そうですか
You don't say.
lf l may get right down to business... would you mind taking a look?
早速ですが 見ていただけますか？
（鍛冶） 新しい物を打つしかありませんね
lt looks like l will have to forge you a new one.
l see. ln that case, l'd like to have it made as quickly as possible.
そうですか
では 急いで 一振りお願いしたいんですが
（鍛冶）その前に―
Before l start, there is a question that l must ask you.
１つ聞いておかなければ ならないことがあります
はい
Yes?
You've heard the rumors around town, l take it?
街でのウワサは 耳にしていますね？
More or less.
大体は
l don't want to believe that these rumors could be true.
私はウワサされていることが 真実とは思いたくない
しかし 万が一―
But if you have indeed taken up arms against the court, then as a man...
あなたが宮に弓を引いたという ウワサが本当ならば―
...who supplies the court with swords, l cannot ally myself with you.
宮中(きゅうちゅう)に剣を納める者として あなたに味方することはできません
lf you can explain your actions, l'd like to hear it before proceeding.
弁明がおありなら まず それを聞かせてください
No, it is true that l have taken up arms against the court.
いえ 宮に弓を引いたというのは本当です
ln that case, l must inform them that you are still alive.
とすれば あなたが生きていることを 宮に伝えなければなりませんが
それが道理でしょうね
l suppose that would be the right thing to do.
What will you do, now? Strike me down to silence me?
では あなたは どうしますか？
私を斬ってでも それを止めますか？
報告するというなら しかたない
lf you intend to report me, l'll have no choice.
But until l get you to forge a new spearhead for me...
でも 私は打っていただけるまで ここで こうさせてもらいます
...l'm going to stay right here.
困りましたね
You're putting me in an awkward position.
l'm well aware how stubborn you are, but l'm even more stubborn than you.
あなたが頑固だということは 重々(じゅうじゅう) 承知しているが―
私も それ以上に頑固者だ
l can't do what you ask until l know the full story.
事のてんまつが 分からないことには―
あなたの頼みも聞けません
そちらの方は？ （チャグム）あっ…
Who is the boy?
For various reasons, he's been left in my care.
ある事情で 預かることになりました
ほう
時に今 街のウワサ好きたちが―
By the way...
Do you know what the town's gossip mongers are saying about Balsa?
バルサのことを 何と言っているか知っていますか？
Not really.
さあ？
That she's a miscreant who will do absolutely anything for money.
“金のためなら 何だってやる極悪人”
They're spreading rumors that the prince...
“皇子様が亡くなられたのも―”
...actually died at the hands of a certain female bodyguard.
“本当は 女用心棒の手にかかったからだ―”
と触れ回っていますよ
How dare they!
無礼な！ バルサは そのようなことを一切…
Balsa would never do such a...
Enough.
おやめ！
The truth is, l have other clients scheduled to arrive soon...
実は もうすぐ―
別の客が 出来上がった刀を 取りに来ることになっている
...to pick up their finished swords.
どうしても 動かないというのなら―
lf you insist on staying here...
...would you at least do me the favor of waiting in the other room?
せめて隣の部屋に 移っていてはくれませんか？
l will hear both sides of the story.
双方から 話を伺ってみることにいたします
（モン）失礼する （鍛冶）どうぞ
Hello?
Come in.
Excuse us.
（モン）ごめん
時間どおりですね
You are right on time.
（モン）仕事の途中だったようだな
lt looks like we interrupted you while you were working.
l know that neither of you pay any heed to superstitions...
（鍛冶）迷信など 気になさらぬ お二人ですが―
一応 礼儀と思いまして
...but l thought it would be good manners.
That's quite all right. Please, continue.
（モン）かまわん 続けてくれ
この度の山狩りは 大変な骨折りだったようですね
The recent manhunt must have been a difficult business.
うん？ なぜ そのように思う？
Why do you think that?
The swords you left with me were notched quite badly.
（鍛冶）お預かりした刀 相当 傷んでおりましたから
そうか
l see. But we serve in the imperial guard in the palace.
だが 私たちは宮に仕える近衛士(このえじ)
As l hear it, she was killed by the farmer soldiers who were scouring the mountains.
女用心棒は 山を狩った農兵たちに 殺されたと聞く
The wear and tear on those swords is due to constant use in training sessions.
その刀は 訓練で使い込んだためのものだ
Oh, so that's it.
そうでしたか
あの具合からすると 近衛士の中には―
Judging from their condition, there would appear to be...
まだまだ 私の知らない使い手が いるようですね
...skilled swordsmen in the guard that l am unaware of.
それ故 この度は―
lt is for that reason that we requested that you forge new swords with edges...
縁の部分に 通常よりも粘りの強い 玉鋼を用いた一振りを―
...of jewel steel, which absorbs impact better than normal steel.
打ってほしいと お願いした
l don't mean to sound abrupt, but we would like to see the swords right away.
（ジン）早速だが 刀を見せてほしい
はい
Of course.
刀は あちらの部屋に 用意してあります
Your swords are waiting in that room over there.
お待ちください！
Wait a moment.
Moribito Guardian of the Spirit
刀を見ていただく前に―
Before you look at the swords...
是非 お二人に お聞きしたいことがあるのですが
...there is something that l must ask the two of you.
何だ？ あらたまって
What is it? Why the sudden formality?
ヨゴ刀の良さとは いったい何でしょうか？
What makes a Yogo sword so special?
そのようなこと そなたが 十分に承知しているはずであろう
Surely you would know the answer to that better than anyone.
lt is my understanding that Yogo blades are swords that are rarely seen...
ありていに言えば ヨゴ刀は 折れにくさと切れ味という―
本来なら矛盾し合う２つの性質を 両立することに成功した―
...that successfully merge two normally contradictory qualities.
世界に まれなる刀剣と 認識している
Suppleness that prevents breaking, and sharpness of edge.
To go further, it is their shape, heft, length, and curvature...
さらに言えば その形状 重量 寸法 反り
その全てが 1000年をかけ洗練され
Each of these factors has been refined over 1,000 years...
...and has already been perfected for their wielders.
すでに 使い手のために完結されている
我ら武人は 今更ながら―
After all this time, we warriors see them as simply weapons.
それを得物としているにすぎない
うん… どちらの意見も もっともですな
Both of your opinions are perfectly reasonable.
What is your opinion on the matter? What makes Yogo swords special?
（モン） そなた自身は どう思われる？
ヨゴ刀の良さは どこにあると？
私は こう思っています
Here is what l think.
ln other countries, swords are thought of as nothing more...
他国において 刀剣は ただ人を傷つけ―
殺すための道具としてしか 考えられていない
...than tools meant to wound or kill others.
しかし ヨゴでは 武人と鍛冶が 互いの信頼に基づいて刀を作り―
But in Yogo, our tradition is that their creation and use are to be based...
そして 使うという伝統がある
...on a foundation of mutual trust between warrior and blacksmith.
l believe that in this relationship there is the potential to create an ultimate sword.
そこに 究極の名刀が 生まれる余地があると思うのです
（ジン）究極の名刀？ （鍛冶）はい
Ultimate sword?
Yes.
l see. Every sword you forge is praised as a masterpiece among masterpieces.
（ジン） なるほど そなたの打つ刀は―
どれも 名刀中の名刀と うたわれているからな
名刀など とんでもない
Masterpieces? Far from it.
They say that when someone grips the hilt of a sword l've made...
私の刀は “つかを握れば 人を斬ってみたくなる”
...he is suddenly consumed by the urge to kill someone with it.
などと言われる
所詮は 妖刀(ようとう)のたぐい
So they are no more than instruments of calamity.
But a sword that kills no one, severing only the bonds of karma...
人を斬らず ただ人の業だけを断ち切る
That is what l consider to be the ultimate sword.
これこそが 私が考える究極の名刀です
いつの日か そのような一振りを打ちたいと
To forge such a sword one day... That thought is always on my mind.
常々 考えております
However, it is no easy task.
しかし これが なかなか難しい
名刀とは 武人と鍛冶の双方が
A great sword is achieved when both warrior and blacksmith...
互いに最高の境地に至ってこそ 完成するもの
...have reached the pinnacle of their craft.
When that balance has broken down...
その調和が崩れてしまったとき
...that is when a so-called cursed sword is born.
妖刀などと呼ばれるものが 生まれるのです
lt is for that reason that l am selective about whom l forge a sword for.
だからこそ 私は人を選んで刀を打つ
いや そうせざるをえないのです
Or rather, that l must be selective.
しかしだ 究極の名刀を打ちたいと そなたに思わせるような武人が―
Perhaps, but how many warriors are there in this world...
果たして この世に何人いるものだろうか
...that might inspire you to forge such a sword?
Let me think... ln all my years, there has been exactly one.
そうですね…
今までの人生において たった１人だけ―
そういう境地に 達しているかもしれないと―
Only one that l felt may have achieved the pinnacle of his craft.
思った方は おります
ほう そなたの目に かなった武人が いたというのか
You are saying that this warrior met your standards?
そして その方に―
l used all of the skill that l had at my disposal at the time...
当時の私の持てる力の 全てを出し切った刀を打ちました
...to forge a sword for this person.
What sort of man was he?
（ジン） それは どのような人物なのだ？
As a fellow student of the sword arts, you have piqued my curiosity.
同じ刀剣を握る身として興味深い
是非 教えていただけぬか？
Will you tell us about this person?
あれは 24年前
lt was 24 years ago.
その方は 遠い異国の武人で―
This person was a warrior of a distant land...
...constantly on the road, traveling from country to country.
あちらこちらの国を 旅して回っておられました
武器の扱いに関しては ちょっと それまでに見たことがない―
His mastery of his weapon was such that l had never before witnessed.
というくらいの腕前で―
And although completely at odds with his appearance, there was a child...
その風貌には不似合いな子供を１人 絶えず そばに連れておいででした
...who was constantly at this warrior's side.
（モン）子供を？
A child?
Apparently, a friend who had fallen victim to some sort of palace intrigue...
（鍛冶）なんでも 宮廷内の抗争に 巻き込まれた友人の子供を―
...had entrusted his child to him.
託されたのだそうです
lt was because of this that the warrior was driven out of his home country.
武人は そのことが原因で 国を追われることとなった
lmmediately afterwards...
その直後 武人を殺そうと 何人もの刺客が放たれたそうです
...several assassins were dispatched to kill the warrior.
And so he came to me...
そして その刺客と戦うために―
...saying that he wanted me to forge him a sword to fight these assassins.
私に 一振りの刀を 打ってほしいと頼んできました
初めは お断りしました
At first, l turned him down.
l said that l had no interest in forging a sword for some foreigner...
ヨゴ刀の何たるかが 分からない異国の人間に―
刀など打ちたくはないと
...who didn't know the first thing about Yogo swords.
But then, something made you change your mind.
だが なぜか気が変わった （鍛冶）はい
Yes. He told me of the assassins who were sent to kill him.
その武人を殺すために 放たれた刺客が―
どのような者たちか 話を聞いて心が動いたのです
Told me what sort of men they were.
When he told me this story, my heart was moved.
国中の つわものを集めて 最強の暗殺者を送り込んだのか？
They gathered the land's bravest fighters and sent the most skilled assassins?
いえ つわものは つわものでも 送り込まれてきたのは―
No... Although indeed they were the bravest...
...the men sent to kill him were all dear friends of the warrior...
全て その武人と 苦楽を 共にしてきた友人たちだったのです
...people with whom he had shared both sadness and joy.
武人は 子供を守りながら かつての親友を １人 また１人―
As he kept the child safe...
...the warrior was forced to slay his former best friends...
...one by one with his own hands.
自らの手で 殺さなければならなかった
その武人が どうすれば 一番 苦しむか―
The man who sent the assassins must have thought a great deal...
刺客を放った人間は それを熟知していたのでしょう
...about what would cause the warrior the most suffering.
And the assassins had just as little desire to hunt down the warrior.
その刺客たちも 決して 武人を追いたくなどなかったのです
But each of their families was being held hostage.
しかし 彼らもまた 家族を人質に取られていたのです
それで しかたなく武人を殺しに来た
And so, left with no choice, they came to kill the warrior.
What a despicable act...
なんと卑劣な
When l heard his story, this is the thought that struck me.
（鍛冶） その話を聞き 私は思いました
That l wanted to forge the ultimate sword for this man.
この方に究極の名刀を打ちたいと
過酷な運命を抱えている業を 断ち切ってほしいと
l wanted him to cut himself free of his cruel fate...
To sever the bonds of karma...
And so l forged him a sword, suffused with special passion...
だからこそ 特別な思いを込めて 一振りの刀を打ったのです
So, was this warrior able to free himself from the fate he was burdened with?
それで その武人は 己が抱えた業を 断ち切ることができたのか？
Looking back on it now, my skills had yet to fully mature at that point.
今 思えば 私の腕も まだまだ未熟だった
ln the end, he cut down each of the men who had once been his dearest friends.
その方は 結局のところ―
親友だった追っ手を 全員 斬ってしまいました
私の打った その刀で
Using the sword that l had forged for him.
What of the warrior? Where is he now?
その武人は 今 どうしているのだ？
もう この世には おりません
He is no longer among the living.
死ぬ間際まで 自分がした行為に苦しみながら―
Even on his deathbed, the actions that he took continued to break his heart.
この世を去っていきました
And what about the child?
で 子供のほうは？
He raised her with care until she reached adulthood...
（鍛冶）大人になるまで 武人が大切に育て上げ―
...and she is alive and well to this day.
今も元気に暮らしています
l see...
（モン）そうか
しかし なぜ その武人は そこまでして子供を守ったのだ？
But why would the warrior go to such lengths to protect the child?
The warrior would be signing his own death warrant...
そもそも 子供を連れて 国を逃げること自体―
...by fleeing the country with the child in tow.
その武人にとって 身の破滅を意味していたはず
And even if she was the child of a friend, she was no relation to him.
まして 預けられたのは 知人の子とはいえ 赤の他人
Couldn't the warrior have simply refused his friend's request?
その武人は その頼みを 断ることはできなかったのか？
そうですね… それが不思議でなりません
Yes, that certainly is a mystery.
lt certainly strikes me as odd.
確かに不思議だ
To tell you the truth, by some coincidence l know of someone...
実はな 偶然ながら その武人に よく似た人物を―
私も１人 知っているのだ
...who reminds me a great deal of that warrior.
その者は 自分に 一切 関わりがない人の子を―
This person also fled from pursuers after being suddenly entrusted...
...with the child of a total stranger one day.
ある日 突然 託されて 追っ手から逃げた
And when the child had been taken from her at one point...
そして 一度は 奪い返された その子供を―
...she took him back, putting her own life at risk in the process.
自らの命を 危険にさらしながらも 取り返していったのだ
And what is most surprising is that she didn't kill a single one...
しかも 驚くべきことに―
自分を殺そうと 迫り来る幾人もの追っ手を―
...of the many pursuers who were trying to take her life.
その者は ただの１人として 殺しはしなかった
As for what made this person agree to take the child of another into her care...
その者が なぜ人の子供を 預かる気になったのか―
...l cannot even begin to guess at her motivations.
その心持ちは 私などには察するべくもない
ヤツは ただ―
Perhaps it was just because she didn't have it in her to turn a blind eye...
目の前で散りゆこうとしている か弱い命を―
...to a helpless life that was about to flicker and die in front of her.
黙って見過ごすことが できなかっただけなのかもしれん
それ故に―
For that reason, she employed masterful techniques that would not prove lethal.
誰をも殺(あや)めることのない 至高の剣を振るった
実に興味深い話ですね
That is a most fascinating story.
ちなみに その方は今 どうされているのです？
Out of curiosity, what became of this person?
lt pains me to say it, but she left this world some days ago.
残念ながら つい先日 この世を去ってしまった
そうですか
Oh, l see.
As l listened to your story just now...
今 そなたの話を聞きながら―
...it occured to me that perhaps this warrior might have been worthy...
その者なら あるいは そなたの打つ究極の名刀を―
...of wielding your ultimate blade.
手にする資格が あったのかもしれんと思ったが
つまらぬ話をした
Forgive me for subjecting you to such idle talk.
とんでもない こちらこそ ずいぶん お引き止めしてしまいました
Not at all. lt is l who have detained you for far too long.
We will take our leave now. You have done us a great service once again.
では 我らは これにて失礼させていただく
この度も 大変世話になった
もしや 先客が来ていたのではないか？
Was there another customer here before us, by any chance?
Why do you ask?
なぜです？
ああ それですか
Ah, you mean that.
Yes, a spear was left here with me.
確かに 槍を預かっております
l'm surprised that a smith of your caliber...
そなたほどの鍛冶が 槍ごとき 雑兵の武器も打つのだな
...would stoop to working on a weapon as lowly as a spear.
気が向けば 槍だろうが打たせていただきます
l work on whatever strikes my fancy, even spears.
実に そなたらしい
Of that l have no doubt.
失礼する
Excuse us.
For a moment there, l thought that my luck had finally run out.
（バルサ）私の悪運も とうとう尽きたかと思いました
Please feel free to go home.
どうぞ このまま お帰りなさい
l have heard both sides of the story now.
双方から 話は聞かせてもらいました
Come again in seven days.
７日後に また おいでください
As l sat huddled and alone, holding back the tears on those nights...
When it felt like l was about to succumb to my doubts...
...there you were, at my side before l knew it.
lt was none other than you who was there for me.
l keep wishing, "l want to be strong." l stumble and hurt myself again.
But because l have you to believe in, l can get back to my feet.
l simply want to tell my dear one, "Thank you."
At the top of my lungs, again and again.
l call out to my precious loved one.
ls my voice reaching you?
ln this world that always changes, human warmth never does.
l'm certain l sensed the presence of the one that l hold dear.
～♪
Next Time
Feelings of Chagum's loved ones...
...drive a certain young star reader to take action.
Next time, "Shuga Thirsts."
Episode 9
Shuga Thirsts
A fallen one will arrive at an answer.