Vol 1 Chapter 9: The Encounter in the Cold Village (Great Labyrinth Arc)

――I was born in a cold village that was forever isolated from the outside world by heavy fog and deep forests—a place so fragile that a single breath of wind could make it vanish.

The only route leading out was a dim, narrow path through the forest. It was scarcely wide enough for two carts to pass, and only on rare occasions would a villager travel to a distant town for supplies or a fledgling peddler come by to purchase nuts and berries gathered in the woods.

I hadn’t seen any customers other than peddlers since I was a kid. And even those peddlers, once their early days were over, stopped coming to such gloomy villages.

It was truly a dark, cramped, and boring village. With no peers my age around, it seemed inevitable that my future would be spent as nothing more than an errand boy, put to work on menial tasks.

I just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. But the adults wouldn’t allow it.

Back when I was a kid, I spent my empty days picturing a bleak future in my own childish way.

…Until “that person” came along.

“Ouch…”

One afternoon, that person arrived. Carrying a long, slender bundle that looked too large for their small frame, and with their body all battered, they emerged from the forest to the edge of the village.

By chance, I happened to be there when that person came out of the forest. I remember, even as a kid, staring blankly as if to say that strange things really did happen.

“…Hey, aren’t you saying ‘ouch’? Look at my body—it’s covered in bruises, and there’s even blood oozing out, you know?”

“……”

“Ah—! It hurts! My body hurts! My whole body aches! And I haven’t eaten anything in ages, so I’m starving!”

“…Um, getting involved with a suspicious person whose gender I can’t even figure out is just too much trouble.”

As I turned on my heel, that person desperately called out, “Wait! Wait!”

“First of all, I’m not a suspicious person! And anyway, I’m a woman! Sure, I know my body is short and stubby, but I’m still a proper woman, okay!?”

It seemed that ignoring them was not an option. I sighed and turned back lazily.

“So, what’s your name?”

“I can’t exactly say something like, ‘When you ask someone for their name, you should offer yours first,’ you know… Besides, my name is…”

For some reason, that person seemed hesitant to give their name. Sensing that, I figured they were one of those types who rarely visited our village, and I reassured them that it wasn’t a problem.

“This village hardly interacts with any other villages or towns. Even if a criminal were to give their name, there’d be no need to worry.”

“No, I’m not exactly a criminal… though I might look like one.”

“…If you keep taking too long, I’m going to leave.”

“Alright, fine! Then I’ll tell you my name! But I want you to keep it as secret as possible… can you promise to do that?”

He was what you’d call a “troubled case.” It was a hassle to get involved with him, but I had nothing else to do.

Sighing quietly as I looked at the battered person, I replied, “In that case…”

“If you give me your name, I’ll show you a vacant house on the outskirts of the village. Otherwise, I’m out of here.”

“You’re really fixated on names, huh…”

“Because you can’t call someone by just a name! I can’t go around addressing an adult as ‘anta’ or something like that.”

That was true. Apparently convinced—and once I promised to keep it secret—the person placed a hand on their chest and gave their name.

“I’m Nio. When I introduce myself, I used to say ‘Nio Fickner,’ but since fate brought us together here, I’ll also tell you my real name.”

After saying that and calling themselves Nio, they glanced around and murmured quietly,

“I made up the name ‘Fickner’ myself. Those who know me well call me ‘Fixer.'”

“Sssh… it’s a secret, okay?” With that smile, they never again used the name “Fixer” with anyone else.

Truly, it was purely a matter of chance—or maybe just a whim. The eccentric Nio-san, who suddenly appeared before me when I was just a kid, was as capricious as they come; after showing me the vacant house, he settled in there and proceeded to stir up all sorts of trouble for me.

Since he wanted to live in that vacant house without dealing with anyone else, I was forced to act as a messenger between him and the village adults.

There were letters exchanged with the village chief and all that, but since I had nothing better to do, I decided to go along with Nio-san’s whims.

As part of that, for some reason, he began teaching me swordsmanship with a wooden sword.

According to Nio-san, I had a natural aptitude, and I kept improving steadily. However, no matter how many years went by, I never escaped getting hit by one of his swipes.

◆　◇　◆

Vol 1 Chapter 10: Spoken Hopes, Entrusted Possibilities (Great Labyrinth Arc)

As time passed, I was nearing sixteen—the age of adulthood.

One day, just like always, I delivered a letter from the village chief to Nio-san. But as I was about to leave, I was suddenly called back.

“What is it? If it’s about my practice swings, I’ve been doing them properly…”

When I turned around, Nio-san looked somewhat serious.

But that expression quickly melted into the usual relaxed smile.

“Hey, Kaim, do you have a dream?”

“W-what’s with the sudden question…?”

“Well, you know, it might be a bit nosy, but you’re about to come of age, right? Since I’ve been looking after you, I figured I’d help you think about your future.”

“That’s none of your business.”

It felt like Nio-san was trying to cover something up, but I didn’t press the issue. He’d always seemed like he was hiding something ever since we met.

Nearly ten years had passed since then, yet I still couldn’t best him in either swordsmanship or words.

Even from an amateur’s perspective, his sword skills were beyond the level of a master—and he still hadn’t shown even a fraction of his true strength.

After ten years of training under such a person, not even the village adults could act high and mighty around me anymore.

Well, at least in a verbal exchange, the only time I ever managed to win was during our first meeting.

When he was relaxed, Nio-san always carried himself in an easygoing manner, with a sharp tongue to match.

Faced with his question, I pondered for a moment and then gave the most ordinary answer imaginable.

“I guess… if I could marry a beautiful wife, have lots of kids, and grow old surrounded by my children and grandchildren before passing away from natural causes, I’d be satisfied.”

I spoke without much enthusiasm, and Nio-san looked utterly bored.

“Wow, that sounds luxurious, but isn’t it a bit too plain?”

“You think so? But honestly, I don’t even believe I can achieve that kind of dream.”

“And why’s that?”

Nio-san tilted his head, and I let out a sigh before answering.

“There are no girls my age in this village, and even if I wanted to leave, they won’t allow it because they need the manpower. Before I know it, I’ll be an old man.”

“Hmm,” Nio-san muttered, nodding as he looked at me. Then, with a mischievous grin, he said something outrageous.

“In that case, how about I become your wife?”

“Pfft!!?“

“Oh my, I expected you to say something like ‘Not interested,’ but could it be… you actually thought about it for a second?”

“Wh-why the hell would I be interested in someone as un-womanly as you…?”

As I glared at him, Nio-san—who, even after nearly ten years, hadn’t changed a bit—just smirked.

“Are you sure about that?”

The truth was, as I grew older, there were more moments when I found Nio-san, with his androgynous features, undeniably beautiful.

A quick glance at his face revealed a mix of neutrality and femininity, but undeniably, he had the features of a woman.

His violet eyes, slightly upturned, were strikingly large, exuding an air of confidence. His long, wheat-colored hair cascaded past his shoulders, with a distinct upward flick on the sides—something he once mentioned was a stylistic choice.

…Honestly, I thought it suited him.

Despite his slender build—flat-chested and straight-figured—there was an undeniable strength in his stance.

He carried an aura that far surpassed the village men, and even as an aspiring swordsman, and as a man myself, I found myself admiring him.

Marrying someone like that? The idea was enticing, and our time together had already been long.

But suddenly realizing where my thoughts were heading, I snapped back to my senses, narrowed my eyes, and said—

“Hey, what do you think your age is?”
“I have a lot to say, but let me point out that it’s extremely rude to ask that of a woman.”
“Stop dodging the question again…! You looked like that even ten years ago, so you must be nearly thirty by now!”
“Then let me ask you instead—would you have a problem if you’re sixteen and I’m thirty?”
“Th-that’s…”

Not bad. I found myself thinking that.
Perhaps he saw right through my thoughts, because Nio-san burst out laughing.

“If you worry about the age gap, you’re already beaten. What matters is whether the other person can be a source of hope in your life.”

Hearing “hope” made me tilt my head in confusion.

“Normally, when choosing a marriage partner, don’t you look for someone who shares your hobbies or gets along well with you?”
“…You’re still a child.”
“That’s enough! It can’t be helped—I only ever interact with women like Nio-san and my mother!”
“Well, that’s true; in a secluded village like this, there’s no helping it… though it worked out in my favor.”

After saying that, Nio-san looked at me and said he’d tell me about “hope.”

“Tragically, humans and demons have come to clash, resulting in a world where both perish amid the vortex of war. Even though we have intelligence, values, and even philosophies on life and death, instead of using words, we take up swords.”

I was taken aback by his sudden words. They were far too serious compared to the usual Nio-san, and his tone was almost instructive.
I couldn’t help but catch my breath and listen as he continued.

“We have civilizations, and we build families with love and a sense of morality. There isn’t much difference between us, so in theory, there shouldn’t be any conflict. But the world has grown so dark that such truths can no longer be seen… In such a world, the light of hope will illuminate everything.”

While I was flustered, I thought he was suddenly saying something overly complicated. In fact, he seemed to be looking off into the distance—as if he were a completely different person from the Nio-san I knew.
He wasn’t teasing as usual; his expression was solemn. Hearing his words, I blurted out without thinking:

“How does a ridiculously grand light of hope that’s supposed to illuminate the world have anything to do with choosing a marriage partner…?”

When I asked, Nio-san simply chuckled and said, “It can be small, or really, it can be anything.”

“We seek a partner with the hope of sharing a lifetime of happiness. When two people meet with that kind of hope, they marry—and a new hope, a new life, is born. That family becomes a hope that, though modest, shines brighter than anything before in this dark world. If enough of these virtuous lights arise within civilization, they might just illuminate even the darkness that covers the world… maybe.”

“Maybe?”
That ending was uncharacteristically weak for Nio-san.
Something about him seemed off now, yet I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
For some reason, the overwhelming pathos that enveloped him prevented me from reducing his words to something simple.
He appeared as if he were trying to stand up while carrying an indescribably heavy burden—something that my sixteen years of values could not match.

While I was at a loss for words, Nio-san offered a somewhat tired smile. Exhaling deeply, he said,
“I wish someone could become a light of hope that illuminates the world.”

I can’t be of any help. I can’t lend any knowledge. I don’t even know why he’s so troubled.

Yet, I couldn’t help but be moved by the pained expression and voice of someone who, since our strange first encounter, had shown a kind of suffering that words can’t even begin to describe. In that unthinking moment, I blurted out:

“I—I can! I can become that light of hope!”

Even as the words left my mouth, I realized how outrageous they were, and I fell silent.
But Nio-san, with a vacant expression, then as usual smiled, stood up, and went over to the corner of the room to retrieve a long, slender bundle leaning against the wall.

“That’s right—you have a natural talent for swordsmanship. You might not realize it, since I’m your only comparison, but you’re a genius at it. And after watching you for these past ten years, I know well that you’re a genuinely good person—so perhaps you can become that light of hope that illuminates the world. And for that…”

Nio-san began unwrapping the bundle. I couldn’t take my eyes off it, wondering what could be inside.
After all, ever since we first met, that bundle—so disproportionately large for his slender frame—had always remained closed before my eyes.
I had often asked what it was for or what on earth he was carrying whenever the village chief’s letter arrived, but he always dodged my questions. Now, as he began to unwrap it, a part of the mystery was revealed.

“A black sword…”
“Its name is Asterion. It’s a sword of hope that cuts through darkness and shines a light.”
“What… do you mean by that?”
“It is exactly as it sounds. It severs curses cast with malice, and for those who have been swallowed by the allure of darkness, it would be harmful. Well, there’s only so much I can explain.”

Saying that, Nio-san paused, then with a wistful gaze directed at Asterion, added, “But…”
I couldn’t understand why he looked at it with such melancholy.

“This sword chooses its wielder. That said, unless someone is an exceptionally wicked person, most humans can wield it.”
“Then why are you showing it to me…? You’ve kept it hidden until now.”
“…You can’t just spout out straightforward lines like earlier. Besides, a sword only comes to life when swung in someone’s hand. So if there ever comes a time when I—even for just the briefest moment—can no longer wield it, I intend to entrust it to you.”
“If you say you’ll hand it over when you can’t wield it, then what about when you’re carrying it around normally…!”

Nio-san gave a small nod. After the village chief’s letter arrived, he would often take Asterion with him to go off and fight something.
And when humans fight, their foes are monsters. But there aren’t any monsters around here…
“Shall I guess? You think there are no monsters around these parts, don’t you?”

He read my mind, and though flustered, I nodded. Then Nio-san nodded as well and murmured, “Of course.”

“At this point, I’ll be frank: monsters have been entering this forest in search of both me and this sword. I even fibbed to the village chief—saying that monsters were closing in—in order to get hired as a bodyguard, but I can’t lie to you.”
“Then… when we first met, you were all battered…!”
“Yeah, I was being chased by monsters and was completely beaten up. I had exhausted my magical energy and wasn’t in any condition to fight. Asterion, too, had become ‘unwieldable.'”

“Unwieldable?” I echoed.
“Do you remember? When we met, Asterion was still wrapped up, wasn’t it?”

Indeed, when Nio-san emerged from the forest, he wasn’t brandishing Asterion for battle; he was carrying it wrapped up.
But why was that? With a self-deprecating laugh, Nio-san took Asterion in his hand. Its blade shone black as eerie magical energy enveloped his body.
Wincing, he gave a wry smile as if to say, “As you can see.”

“I’m not accepted by Asterion. It’s not because I’m a liar or anything like that—you see, there’s a deeper reason…”
Even as he said that, Nio-san looked terribly pained.
Tired of the explanations, he practically shouted that he just wanted to be rid of it, and he quickly sheathed it in the scabbard that had been in the bundle.
Even so, dark magical energy still oozed from it, but Nio-san then handed me the sheathed Asterion.

“As you can see, I can no longer handle it. Besides, after resting here for ten years, I’ve managed to regain my strength. I can fight without Asterion now. So,”
“I entrust it to you.”

Of course, in my rashness, I protested that it was impossible for me to be given Nio-san’s precious Asterion.
But Nio-san, smiling as usual, said something like, “Then, so that you can use it whenever you feel like it—won’t you make a contract with me?”
Before I knew it, I was swept along into this so-called contract, and he waved for me to go home for the day.

My heart was in utter disarray. I thought, tomorrow I’ll have a proper talk with him again.
I never could have imagined that this thought would come to haunt me for a long time afterward—because that day turned out to be the last time I ever spoke with Nio-san.