シヴィのメモリー

這裡是座一點特色都沒有的普通離島——

也是我的故鄉。

島上只有兩種東西。

一是對治療腰痛很有效的溫泉，

二是有關黑劍的傳說。

據說發現那把劍的人必須成為「劍童」，

帶著那把劍去找它真正的主人。

如果找不到它的主人，

劍童就會被黑劍吸乾生命而死。

村裡的男孩們都在努力地尋找黑劍……

但我完全沒興趣。

如果是成為黑劍的主人那我倒還能理解，

「尋找真正的主人」什麼的未免太麻煩了……

最重要的是，我想要悠悠哉哉地過日子。

骸晶雖然沒有掉到這座島上，

詛咒的邪獸卻渡過狹窄的海峽跑過來了。

村裡的人們四散逃跑，

而我很倒楣地被牠們盯上了……

我逃進森林裡，但牠們還是窮追不捨。

我拚命地逃，卻只能上氣不接下氣地

聽著身後的腳步聲越來越近——

「唔啊……！好痛……！」

我的腳被咬住，整個人重重摔在地上——

只見邪獸群慢慢地逼近。

不要……我不想死！我不想死在這裡……！

就在那個時候，我聽見了那道聲音。

聲音說：「拿起吾。」

然後我看到了……一把通體漆黑的劍掉在眼前。

當時我把那則傳說故事忘得一乾二淨。

只是看到眼前有個可以拿來當作武器的東西，

就不假思索地拿起來了。

結果，我的身體轉眼間就自己動了起來。

邪獸撲過來，我一劍橫劈過去。

邪獸的身體狠狠撞到樹上，腦袋則滾到地上。

我起身站穩，擺好架式。還剩兩隻……

我沒拿過劍，卻清楚地知道下一步應該怎麼做。

然後呢，等我把邪獸全部撂倒之後，

才發現自己身上不知不覺間多了一套鎧甲與頭盔。

這下我再遲鈍也察覺到了——

我好像不小心找到傳說中的那把劍了。

隔天，我踏上了尋找黑劍主人的旅程。

分辨的方法是看對方「能不能拿起這把劍」。

也就是說，除了我跟黑劍的主人之外，

沒人能摸到這把劍。

既然這把劍的存在是真的，

那麼傳說的內容肯定也是真的——

對，要是不找到它的主人，

我最後就會被這把劍吸乾生命……

不要啊……我到底做錯了什麼……！

我要全力扭轉這個命運……

然後悠悠哉哉地過一輩子……！！

黑劍的主人，給我等著！

等我把這破劍丟給你之後，我就要馬上回家……！

嗚嗚…………我不想死啊……

開始旅行之後，我很快就聽說了領主大人的事蹟。

既然他能消除魔女的詛咒，

那說不定也能消除黑劍的詛咒。

或者說，他有可能就是黑劍真正的主人……

我抱著這個想法來到了法蘭……

結果兩種猜測都落空了。傷心。

但是在那之後，我決定留在領主大人身邊找人。

既能到世界各地去，又能遇見形形色色的人，

還附三餐零食點心，環境挺不錯的。

可是……加入領主大人他們一行人之後，

大概過了半年左右的時候吧？

我又再次面臨生死關頭了……

嗚嗚……痛死人了……

原來打架打到頭破血流的感覺這麼不好受喔……

我們被包圍，因為逃跑太麻煩了所以我負責殿後，

可是……

嘿嘿，沒事真的不要去做自己不習慣的事情耶……

——吾主啊。

跟當時一樣，我又聽見了黑劍的聲音。

抱歉……還沒找到你的主人，我就要先被幹掉了。

可是，夠了吧……我累了……

——這是吾第二次救妳小命了。

——吾主啊。

在我失去意識的那瞬間，總覺得——

黑劍好像發出了光芒。

以前曾有一位魔女。

為了因應可能到來的亂世，

她親手鍛造並賦與寶劍意志，

好讓寶劍可以自行選擇主人。

又為了讓素未謀面的寶劍主人帶著劍周遊列國，

留下了一則捏造的傳說——

「發現此劍的人，必須找到它真正的主人，

否則將被此劍吸盡生命而亡。」

以上就是我從夢中得知的黑劍來歷。

當我在領主邸的床上醒過來的時候，

那把劍就在我身旁。

意思就是說——

這把劍選上的人打從一開始就是我，

生命會被吸乾什麼的都是唬人的。

而我就這麼上當了。

……喂！我要生氣了喔！

我的理想是要悠悠哉哉地過日子耶！

既然這樣，那我絕對要找到一個比我更好的主人

把你丟過去，找一輩子也要找！

這樣欠你的救命之恩就還清了吧！

……你給我做好心理準備喔，夥伴。

There’s a remote island where nothing

outta the ordinary ever happens.

That’s where I grew up.

This island only’s got two things.

A hot spring that does wonders

for the lower back,

and a legend of an ebony sword.

Whoever finds that sword becomes

its “swordbearer,” and they gotta go

search for its true master.

As the story goes, if the master isn’t found,

the sword’ll drain the life of the swordbearer

until they die.

The boys in my village tried

their hardest to find the sword...

But me? Zero interest.

I mean, I’d be interested if

I get to become the master,

but looking for the “true master” or whatever

sounds like such a pain...

And besides, more than anything,

I just wanna have a peaceful, relaxing life.

While no crystals fell onto our island,

cursed creatures crossed over

the narrow strait and attacked us.

As everyone scattered trying to escape,

I was unlucky enough to catch

some of the creatures’ attention.

I escaped into the woods,

but they relentlessly chased me down.

I desperately ran for my life,

but when I stopped to catch my breath,

I heard the sudden rumble of footsteps...

“Aaaah...! It hurts...!”

After the creatures bit my leg

and knocked me over,

they slowly inched their way towards me.

No... I don’t wanna die! Not here...!!

...It was then that I heard that voice.

“Wield me...”

There it was, lying on the ground—

a sword with a blade as black as night.

At that moment,

I’d forgotten all about the legend.

Maybe, when I noticed I could

use this thing as a weapon,

I just picked it up without thinking...

Looking back, though,

my body was definitely moving on its own.

One creature leaps forward,

but I swing the sword in one fell strike.

The creature’s body slams against a tree,

and its head rolls along the ground.

I stand to my feet, sword at the ready.

Two enemies left...

I’d never held a sword in my life,

but I knew exactly what

my next move should be.

Then, when all the creatures were defeated,

I found myself covered head to toe in armor...

I’m usually slow,

but even I realized what’d happened.

Somehow...I’d found the legendary sword...

The next day, I left on a journey

to find the sword’s master.

I’ll recognize ’em if they can

“take the sword into their hands.”

In other words, it can’t be held by anyone

except the master or myself.

If the sword is real,

then surely the legend is too...

That means, if I don’t find the master,

this sword’ll drain my life away...

This whole thing sucks...

I didn’t even do anything to deserve this...!

I’ll do whatever it takes to defy this fate...

Then, I’m gonna turn the rest of my life

into one long vacation...!!

Just you wait, sword master.

I’m gonna find you,

chuck this sword at your face,

then go home...!

...Nrrrgh. I don’t wanna die...

I learned about the Duke

not long after leaving on my journey.

Since he lifts the Curses of witches,

he can probably also lift the sword’s curse.

Or better yet, maybe he’s the true master...

I came to Fran convinced I was

right on the money...but I was wrong.

Just my luck.

Since arriving, though, I decided to

stay with the Duke and search

for the sword’s master here.

After all, I get to go to tons of places,

meet all kinds of people,

enjoy three helpings of snacks a day...

Not too bad, if ya ask me.

But...less than a year after

joining the Duke and his friends,

something happened.

Once again, death came knocking at my door...

Nrrghh... Everything hurts...!

Who knew wearing myself out fighting

would be this painful...

With the enemy surrounding us,

running away felt like too much of a hassle,

so I did my best to protect the rear...

...Hehe. Guess I shouldn’t fight in ways

I’m not used to, huh...?

“...My master.”

There it was. The same voice as back then—

the voice of the sword.

Sorry... Looks like I’m not gonna be around

to find your master after all...

But, it’s okay for me to go, right...?

I can’t keep my eyes open much longer...

“This will mark the second time

I save your life.”

“My...master.”

As everything faded to black...

it felt as if the sword was shining brightly.

There was once a witch.

To prepare for when the world would

fall into chaos, she forged a sword,

giving it the will to choose its own master.

What’s more, she created a legend

born from a lie so the yet unknown master

would travel the land with the sword.

“This sword will drain the life of the one who

discovers it unless its true master is found.”

That was the true story of this sword...

A story I learned while I was dreaming.

When I woke up in the Duke’s mansion,

next to me, unsurprisingly, was the sword.

So this means...this sword’d chosen me

right from the start, and all that stuff

about it draining my life away was a lie.

I was totally duped...

...Hold up! Don’t think for one second

you’re getting away with this!

My lifelong dream vacation’s

still waiting for me!

If it comes down to it,

I’ll spend the rest of my life

finding you a better master,

and make ’em take ya.

That’ll settle my debt to you for saving me!

...I’m ready for whatever lies ahead, partner.