blemsh

Sure can.

Got it!

Landi, why are you holding my sword?

Didn't you always think my sword was too heavy? Always saying your dagger fit you better?

You obviously know why.

You weren't like this before.

Oh, I wasn't?

This is how I should be, then.

I always had to protect the village, to be a role model. I never truly let myself loose.

I never experienced what it's like to mouth off at people.

And now I know! It feels amazing!

Gngh...

I hear them talking. They're right in front...

Landi—

And you, Landi.

You know, I've always wanted to be like you, no one's lives on my back, just me looking after myself, going into the mountains to hunt, day in, day out, right?

And now, I know how you feel.

It's great, absolutely great! No wonder you never got sick of it!

Lanton, was it my fault you had to take up all that responsibility?

Maria, tell me the truth.

Did I rob you of your dreams?

Maybe.

All I can tell you is I plan to experience a hell of a lot I never experienced before. Steal a thing or two, burn a building or three.

Maybe even... kill a couple people.

Lanton raises the knife in his hands, brandishing it at Landi without an ounce of hesitation.

As if it wasn't his younger brother before him, but a simple logjam blocking his way.

Stop!

Hmph... your backup's here, huh.

You'd kill your own brother?!

Why not? I chose this path. He might be my brother, but right now he's in my way.

Landi, get up!

You're supposed to protect the village!

Lanton...

I know this is partially my fault, that you turned into this. I'm so sorry.

But if you're going to destroy the village over it... then I'll stop you.

I'm going to protect our village!

Protect it?

What are you talking about, Landi?

When have you ever protected the village?

What have you done for the village that gives you the right to talk yourself up like this?

Do Gerain and the rest put any faith in you? Do you know how to assign them? Do you know what a militiaman should do? You know jack squat.

And even then, you've got the nerve to come up to me and say you're going to protect the village?

I'll learn how!

When? Now? Not going to happen, little brother.

Don't force your selfishness onto others!

Stop her!

Ungh.

Landi, you ought to carry on with your little life.

And after I destroy the village, you ought to run.

You, standing here now, all righteous while you tell me things I used to say, pretending the dream I had is now yours...

You look absolutely ridiculous.

Why?! Am I wrong for wanting to protect the village?!

You're not wrong, you're just—

A little late to it.

With a 'clang,' the sword in Landi's hand breaks in two.

Guh... ahh...

No more dreaming, Landi.

Leave the village. Find somewhere new to live.

Landi...

Blemishine, am I really the one in the wrong?

Was it my fault for not sharing some of my brother's responsibility a bit sooner?

For being so selfish, just looking after myself?

How should I answer him?

Should I tell him he's wrong? But is he really wrong?

Should I tell him he's right? But does he really believe it?

Blemishine! Are you guys alright?

We're fine... what about over there?

I caught two suckers, and shook the position of the bandit stronghold from them. We can head there now to sweep them up, no problem.

There are more of them than we estimated. With just the few of us, we probably have no way of clearing them out in one go.

We need to head back and mobilize that village militia.

Alright. Let's go, then.

In a confined room, the sound of metal on metal rings with no respite.

With a serious look, Blemishine beats away at a metal chunk reddening, as if what she hammers into shape is her own will.

Margaret, what he asked his older brother, it's—surprising, actually, how similar it is to what you asked me.

'Did I rob you of your dreams?'

But it's the other way round here, funnily enough.

Honestly, I feel like it's a mutual question.

I could say, in the past, it was me being obsessed with smithing that made you even more enthusiastic about the knight competitions.

And when I say that, it's me blaming myself for losing you your right to choose.

I could also say it was your enthusiasm for knight competitions that led me to get so much more obsessed with smithing.

But when I say that, it seems like I'm blaming you for losing me my dreams.

It's like it makes sense either way, and makes no sense either way.

I kind of understand now. People only put it in terms like these when they're trying to settle accounts.

In times like these, everyone's just trying to push the guilt onto the other side. They don't actually consider things to be that way.

In reality, how do you even say things like this straight?

We grew up together, we impacted each other. That's how we came to understand each other.

Blemishine, are you forging a weapon?

No, it's a sort of way to concentrate that I learned from a colleague named Vulcan.

It's not to forge weapons, it's to purge my own distracting thoughts.

Do you want to try it too? It's really effective.

Ha ha, not this time.

I came to pass on word. Most of the militia are willing to join the bandit clear operation. The village is readying supplies and weapons right now.

What about you?

I...

To be honest, you're a lot like me.

I have an older sister, myself.

My sister's like your brother. She always shouldered a responsibility that, maybe, me and her should've taken on together.

And I took her protection for granted, doing what I wanted to do.

As a side note, what I like doing is smithing of all kinds, making all sorts of weapons and equipment. The armor I'm wearing now, I made myself.

This hunk of metal's not bad. Let's go with it.