The Stone of Days Chapter 9

Although I couldn't catch on to the early sentences Mr. Genz had uttered, but it seemed that he had nothing more to say as he didn't bother seeing me leave. So, in the end, I headed back home. While returning, I mumbled constantly, trying to make up what he was trying to say then.

Yeah. Because of what he said, the statement that I was received by the elves, and that severe warning from the dream. There's no mistake. But, fairies and elves are undeniably different. Ah. Sheesh. (I have not seen either species).

This was the limit to my thoughts. Tucking myself in bed, I resigned myself back to sleep.

"Mother, apparently a term called 'Physiognomy' exists."

My mother and I prepared a simple breakfast and sat down. The menu had two loaves of bread, a rare delicacy of goat cheese, and two gla.s.ses of water. Our motto of a meal? ('Have a light breakfast!')

"Physiognomy? What's that?"

It piqued her curiosity. My mother, despite having it come out of his son, politely expressed her interest even if it weren't of any use to her.

"Well, you see. You can see a person's past, present and future by just looking at their face. It was very interesting. Other than one fact, he got everything right."

"What do you mean 'look at your face'. Is your face some kind of birth registration census?"

Ha, haha… it must be true that I'm her son.

"Mother, apparently it can predict the future as well. What census paper would have the outcomes of our future written?"

As I was saying this, I realized that even the thought of it was crazy. The future, what do I know what will happen in the future.
I should've asked if I were to be a famous great merchant at Rieju.
Suddenly, I felt greatly interested in this so-called Physiognomy. As well, she showed a timely response in the ideal moment.

"If that's true, then it is very interesting."

That respectful tone, I really respect that. That's exactly the figure of a merchant. In other words, my mother doesn't believe me at all.

"So, what did he say about you?"

"Ah, hahaha…so you see, he didn't get everything right. He said I was a clerk, fast at calculating, Father wasn't here with me, and I was speedy (I excluded the part where he said I coveted money). He got all of that right.

"Oho, he got all of that right?"

Mother was applying the last piece of cheese onto the bread. It couldn't be that she would talk to me like this just for that bread? I grew suspicious.

"(For now, let's try and forget about that piece of cheese) Well, he told me that I wasn't born here. I couldn't believe it. Haha, yes it's quite hilarious. So I told him that I was born under our roof."

Thinking about it, those words were spoken from my dream.
Mother was lowering her head as she was eating the bread (with the cheese) and was busy chewing. It seems she had nothing more to say.
She didn't ask any more probably because she had attained what she needed to do.
I gave up trying to say anything else.

"… … I will go to the castle now."

Despite hurting my arm, they never told me not to come, so I had to go. I quickly left the dishes to my mom and picked up my s...o...b..ard. Mother looked at me with a hostile expression.

"No."

"I'll do the dishes."

While rolling up my sleeves, the wound in my left arm throbbed painfully. With tearful eyes, I held my arm. My mother folded her sleeves and without looking at me, said it once more.

"No."

Okay, okay. I just don't have to ride it.
As a result, I lost to her as I waive my stubbornness after ten or more years. How strange… … Mm, maybe I'm about to die as well.

Why was the castle so far away?
In a long time, I looked at the scenery around me as I walked on. The city of Rose Ember was bustling as usual. Today, my mother told me that she would manage the store alone adamantly. So, after I finish with the errands at the castle, I have nowhere to go. The reasoning was simple. Despite having hurt my arm, the fact that I was going to go to the castle because the Lord's son had called caused her to feel pity for me. Sigh, with that kind of emotions, I have to understand her stance.
Since I have a lot of time in hand, maybe I should sightsee at Ember Village.
I arrived at the castle.

Even when arriving at the backyard, no one was waiting for me. Since the Lord's son Arnowalt had sprained his wrist, I wonder if he was sent back home.
Sitting on the paved floor, I momentarily waited.
What's that stain on the gra.s.s?
Standing up, I headed towards it.

After carefully inspecting it, it was a faint stain of my blood from yesterday. Unnecessary  anger rose from within me as I looked at my stiff left arm that I couldn't use. This Lord's son Arnowalt b.a.s.t.a.r.d (hmm this nickname sounds even stranger), I'll never get hit by that careless sword again. From now on, you won't be having any fun either.
At least I wasn't this frustrated when I had fought with Gepper.

"Oh, isn't that you Fabian?"

That voice that started out with a question. I've heard it too many times.

"Oh, is that you, Doctor?"

I can do it too, you know.
Dr. Nauke stopped in his tracks, and gave me a warm expression as he looked at me. Does this old man live here? No, I'm sure that the 'Lord's Son b.a.s.t.a.r.d' (I shortened it coolly) sprained wrist is the reason why he's still here. What a pitiful doctor. Ah, since I've seen him anyways, I should ask about that physiognomy.

"Have you come to look after a patient?"

"Haha, ain't I already talking with a patient? How's your body?"
That must be one of his abilities. Skillfully asking a question while replying.

"It's so-so. Although my shoulder is a bit stiff.

"You walk around putting too much strength on it, right?"

I made up my mind and was determined to review yesterday's lectures. In just one day, how could all that education go for naught?

"Mr. Nauke. Could you tell me a bit more about physiognomy in detail?"

"Physiognomy? Why?"

"Sheesh. I told you not to keep asking questions. If you could really see physiognomy, then look at me and try and see if you can see my future."

"The future. Why are you so curious about the future?"

At this time, I needed to take the initiative  with a question. Ah, sorry for acting like a specialist in education.

"Do you think I can become a wealthy merchant?"

"A merchant, I'm not sure… …"

Oh, it's working.
Seeing the result of my initial initiative, I listened attentively in wait for his response, making sure not to miss anything.

"… … like this, then maybe."

"What did you say?"

"If you work hard like this, then maybe."

Hehe, everyone knows that. I made a dumbfounded expression towards the doctor. Looks like I successfully conveyed my feelings.

"You're asking who wouldn't know such an obvious thing, right?"

I chuckled a bit. It did get relayed.

"That…It's because I'm not at a higher level yet."

"So, if you're at a higher level, you can learn about the future?

"Of course."

"Then is there no one that can reach that advanced level? Someone that could tell me whether I will open a shop at Rieju, or a shop at Ember - stuff like that."

"There is."

"Hehe, if the fee's too expensive, don't tell me. But if it's not, can you tell me where I can buy it?"

"It shouldn't be hard."

"Where is it?"

Like the times I spent memorizing the delivery lists back home, I attentively closed in and listened.

"Mmm… … Do you know a place called Haras.h.i.+ba? It should be somewhere there…"

"WHAT, are you joking with me?!"

If this wasn't a joke, then he was just messing with me. Pouting, I glared at the doctor with a sour expression.
Haras.h.i.+ba isn't a city that's in Isnamir. a.s.suming that I was able to instantly recognize this city from another country due to my broad knowledge is a miscalculation. Any fool would have heard of this city name at least once. Why? Since it's the capital of Seremuz.

The flower of Haras.h.i.+ba. If you interpret the meaning, it's the city where flowers reside, and the only place on the continent where you can actually see flowers. You won't find any other flowers anywhere if those flowers don't exist in Haras.h.i.+ba. But the distance wasn't the main reason.
Seremuz is home to the Mabril species, the most vicious warriors among the 5 subspecies of the human race. Even the normal citizens will probably be hailed as the strongest in our villages, or so I've heard from my mother. I have no clue though on how they can raise flowers considering their viciousness. Anyhow, if you compare them to our nation’s people, which are made up of the Elabida race, the playing field itself is different.
In short, it's a city where you should never consider visiting.
I wore a frowning expression.

"It's as if you're telling me to not even try and dream about having my future told."

TL Afterword: All hail cheese! Seriously, the mother's so cute at times. Silently distracting her son for some of that goat cheese.

Translator: Calvis
Proofreader: Sai101