Beginning the Counterattack

Part 1

The carriage was shaking.

马车在摇晃。

This carriage was the property of the Sorcerer King, and in contrast to its plain appearance on the outside, its interior was classy and refined, and it was very functional to boot. Neia was particularly grateful for the cushions that did not hurt her butt no matter how long she sat on them.

这辆马车属于魔导王所有物，与平凡的外观相反内部极为典雅而洗练，在功能方面也十分优秀。特别是长时间坐着屁股也不会疼痛的缓冲垫让涅娅很是感动。

Neia peeked at the Sorcerer King, who was seated opposite her and gazing outside.

涅娅偷偷地看了眼、坐在对面并将视线投向窗外的魔导王。

He might be a fearsome undead king, but there was none of the oppressive majesty he had shown when he had met them in the audience chamber.

虽是恐怖的不死者之王，但却没有感觉到在觐见大厅与之会面时的威压感。

This was probably because she had spent more time in conversation with the Sorcerer King during their journey.

这应该是因为在旅程之中，与魔导王的对话时间增加了的关系吧。

During all this, one thing which Neia had learned was that the Sorcerer King was extremely magnanimous..

在那之中涅娅所知道的一件事就是魔导王非常的宽大。

It was true that the Sorcerer King acted with the dignity of a sovereign, his every action reflecting his quality as a monarch.

魔导王的态度的确有着与君王相符的威严，一举一动都反映出身为王者的品格。

However, when Neia sat in a carriage with him, from time to time he would act no different from an ordinary person. In addition, these occurrences had been getting more and more common recently.

然而在涅娅像是这样与之一起乘坐马车时，偶尔、也会露出与一般人无异的态度。并且，最近这段时间那样的情况变多了。

In all likelihood, the Sorcerer King had considered that Neia would be nervous around him, and in his generosity, he had chosen to act more like a commoner. The reason why such incidents were becoming more and more frequent were surely because his skills were improving.

想来是魔导王考虑到同车的涅娅心里的紧张，所以才心胸宽大地为了她而演出有如庶民般的态度吧。

之所以最近这段时间演出的频率有所增加，一定是因为他的演技越来越好的缘故。

The reason why he did not act that way around the others was probably because they were still playing the role of paladins.

与其他人在一起时没有展现出那样的演技，是因为他们还肩负着圣骑士的身份吧。

To think he would treat another country’s citizens this way… what a compassionate lord...

（竟然对他国的平民……多么温柔的大人啊）

Was he looking at the paladins riding alongside the carriage? Or perhaps -- perhaps he saw something further away, something different from Neia--

他正在看什么呢，是与马车并排行走的圣骑士们吗。又或者是别的更——与涅娅所见不同、其他的什么——

“Umu? Is there something interesting on my face?’

「哼嗯？我的脸上有什么、有趣的东西吗？」

“Eh! --No, my apologies, Your Majesty! There’s nothing on your face…”

「诶！——不、失礼了、陛下！您的脸上并没有什么东西……」

It would seem she had been staring too intensely at the Sorcerer King. Puzzled, the Sorcerer King touched his face with those bony hands of his.

看来是看得出神了、直直盯着魔导王的样子。魔导王感到困惑般用那骨头的手摸了摸自己的脸。

“I suppose it must be quite awkward to sit in a carriage and not say anything. Yes, in that case, let’s talk.”

「确实乘坐在马车内一句话也不说，确实会觉得挺尴尬的呢。说的也是，那就来聊聊吧」

Although she had gotten slightly used to it, speaking to the Sorcerer King always made her stomach ache.

虽然稍微习惯了点，但当魔导王的说话对象还是会让人觉得胃痛。

“We are not entirely familiar with each other, so I suppose we can do away with personal or private questions, but we have shared the same carriage for several days now. I suppose we can be honest with each other now. Neia Baraja. Can you tell me about yourself?”

「我们彼此之间并非熟悉，所以关于隐私的话题之前不便多问，但也一起乘坐马车好几天了。应该差不多可以坦诚相见了吧，涅娅・巴拉哈。能告诉我关于你的事吗？」

“About me?”

「我的事吗？」

Even talking about herself was too vague a topic. She had no idea what she could say to please the Sorcerer King.

即使说自己的话题也太过于漠然了，完全不知道有什么话题能够取悦魔导王。

“Yes, indeed. For instance, why you wanted to become a squire. What sort of work a squire does. Could you tell me about that?”

「是的，没有错。比如说为何要成为侍从。那个侍从是怎样的工作呢。能说说那样的话题吗？」

“If it pleases you, Your Majesty.”

「如果那样的话题就可以的话、陛下」

After lowering her head, Neia began talking about what she had been asked for, but it was hardly an exciting topic. Talking about family and the work of a squire was not particularly interesting.

低下头后的涅娅开始说出被要求的话题，但也不是能够炒热气氛的话题。自己的家族关系、侍从的工作内容之类的并不是特别有趣的话题。

Besides, I was told not to reveal anything to the Sorcerer King about matters within the country but this much ought to do.

（姑且、被嘱咐不能向魔导王陛下流出国内的情报，但这种程度的话应该没问题吧）

Rather, if she had to cover up even those details, then there would really be nothing to talk about.

倒不如说如果连那些都要隐藏的话，就真的是无话可说了。

Soon, the drab exposition with no structure ended, and the Sorcerer King nodded deeply.

不久平平淡淡且完全没有起承转合的话题就此结束，魔导王也深深的点了头。

“I see, I see. So you’re an archer, a rarity among squires, Baraja-san.”

「原来如此、原来如此。巴拉哈小姐在侍从之中也是罕见的弓箭手吗」

“My skills aren’t good enough for me to proudly call myself an archer, Your Majesty. I am simply better at archery than swordsmanship, and the truth is that people have scolded me and told me I ought to focus more on training up my sword skills.

「我这种程度并不能够抬头挺胸说出是弓箭手、陛下。只是单纯的在弓箭方面比剑术更擅长，实际情况则是被人责骂应加强剑术锻炼」

To Neia, an archer was someone like her great father, and she was little more talented than a commoner.

对涅娅来说所谓的弓箭手是像伟大的父亲一般的人物，自己不过是比起普通老百姓要一些擅长的程度。

“...No, I should say that a paladin candidate who has an affinity for ranged weapons is quite a rare thing. If it were me, I would advise you to hone your bow technique. Since there are others better suited to swordplay, then you should let those people handle swordsmanship.”

「……不、擅长远距离武器的圣骑士候补生吗，非常的稀有呢。是我的话会建议你继续提高弓箭的本事哦。既然有其他更擅长用剑的人的话，那么关于剑术的事交给那个人就好」

“--Thank you very much.”

「——非常感谢」

The Sorcerer King’s words were sincere, and it made Neia think that he was earnestly thinking, what an odd combination; she must be travelling a path towards a rare vocation. However, she had no idea what to make of what the Sorcerer King said next, and his meaningful, self-directed muttering bothered Neia.

魔导王的话语十分认真，足以让涅娅觉得那是他打心底里这么想的「奇怪的组合、是通往稀有职业的道路」只是接下来魔导王这句不知所指为何，隐喻般含蓄但意味深长的自言自语却让涅娅很是在意。

“I feel embarrassed about dumping the work of minding me onto you. Nor is it just you; the same goes for the rest of you paladins. The best way to make use of your skills would be to place you outside.”

「将照顾我这样的麻烦工作推到妳身上，我很是不好意思。并不只是妳，还有圣骑士的诸位们。要将妳的能力活用的话，配置在外面才是最正确的吧」

His gentle words made Neia stare at him.

以温柔的声音发出的话语让涅娅瞠目。

This was why talking to this king was so bad for her heart.

这就是为什么和这位王者说话、对会心脏不好的地方了。

Not only did he stand at the peak of his country, he was also an individual of overwhelming might. Yet he had not chosen to talk down to her from above, but he had lowered himself until he was at eye level with her before engaging her in a conversation.

不只是位居于国家的顶点、作为个体也是有着压倒性力量的存在，不是从高位、而是愿意降到与自己同样的视线高度来进行对话。

No! I can’t accept his Majesty’s kindness so easily! Neia! If you don’t lower yourself a little more--

（不行！不能够就这么接受陛下的温柔！涅娅！不至少降低一步的话）

Neia pulled herself together.

涅娅打起精神。

“Everyone knows I have been designated as Your Majesty’s squire, so please do not take it to heart. In addition, there is no job more important than serving as Your Majesty’s squire.”

「大家都知道我被任命为陛下的侍从，请不要在意。而且说到底，没有比陛下的随从更为重要的工作」

“Really now… Still, I would like to offer you some form of recompense.”

「是吗……我果然还是希望以某种形式支付报酬给你呢」

In the past, the Sorcerer King had brought up the topic of payment, and back then she had refused it in a roundabout way. But it would seem he was bringing up the past again. Neia immediately began to think about how to reject his offer politely, but the Sorcerer King was not finished yet.

在之前魔导王也提过支付报酬的事，那时当然是予以婉拒了。但看来现在他又旧话重提。涅娅立刻开始思考该如何不失礼数的拒绝，但魔导王的话并没有讲完。

“That said, it might not be good to receive a gift from the king of another country. So at the very least, allow me to verbally express my thanks. I believe I have inconvenienced you in many ways, and I hope I will continue to be in your care.”

「话虽如此，如果从其他国家的王得到赏赐的话，可能对你的立场不利吧。所以至少让我以话语表达感谢，我想在各方面都会让妳难做吧，还请多多关照了」

And then, the Sorcerer King bowed to her.

然后魔导王低下了头。

A king was actually bowing to someone like herself, who was nothing more than a squire.

王竟然为了自己这种、不过是侍从身份的人低下了头。

It was only natural for a king to carry the weight of his nation upon his shoulders. Slighting a king would be the same as slighting the entire country. The idea that a country lived through its king was a very common situation.

在王的肩膀上理所当然的肩负了自己国家的重量。如同轻视王的人就会被当成轻视那个国家，认为国家是通过王而存在是很普通的事。

In other words, the fact that a king was bowing was the same as a nation bowing. Naturally, it was not an unthinkable thing when it came to someone of high station.

也就是说，王低下头这件事等同于国家低下头。当然，对于地位高的对象的话，这也不是不可能的事。

However, Neia was little more than a citizen of another country, and frankly speaking, there was no need for him to apologize to someone of Neia’s stature.

但是、涅娅只不过是别国的平民，说到底根本没有必要对涅娅这样地位的人道谢。

I can’t believe it. The Sorcerer King is wise and sagacious, and surely he must know the meaning of bowing. Even so, he still bowed to me like an ordinary person-- No. Don’t get full of yourself. I’ can’t possibly be that valuable. This simply shows how magnanimous the Sorcerer King is; he even treats a commoner politely. --Ah! He mustn’t!

（完全不敢相信。那样贤明的魔导王陛下不可能不明白低下头的意思，尽管这样、宛如普通人那般低头是对我那么——。不对。不要自恋。我不可能有那个价值。这是证明了魔导王有多么大度，就算是平民也会尽到礼数而已。——啊！不行！）

“Please do not do that! Your Majesty! Please raise your head!”

「请不要这样！魔导王陛下！请抬起头！」

Yes., That was what she should have first said.

没错。最先该说的话是这一句。

The Sorcerer King looked up, and Neia sighed quietly. Frankly speaking, if someone else had seen what had happened just now, something terrible would have happened.

魔导王将头抬起、涅娅吐出小小的叹息。坦白说刚刚的光景如果让人看到的话会发生不得了的事。

“Your Majesty--”

「陛下——」

Neia took a knee within the cramped confines of the carriage’s floor.

涅娅在狭小的地板上单膝跪下。

“Your servant is of humble origins, but I swear that until Your Majesty’s work is complete, I will loyally and faithfully serve you.”

「此身虽然平庸，但本人发誓在陛下的工作结束前，都必定忠实且诚心诚意地效劳于您」

Neia responded appropriately to a king who had shown her his respect.

对展现出敬意的王，涅娅也理所当然的予以了回应。

She ignored the voice in her head which said that he was not the king of the Holy Kingdom, and bowed.

无视这个人并不是圣王国的国王的那般声音、涅娅将头低下。

“No, no. Raise your head… look, could you take a seat and continue your previous topic? We haven’t reached our destination yet, have we?”

「不不。抬起头吧……吶、能坐在椅子上继续刚刚的话题吗？还没有到达目的地吧？」

“No, not yet.”

She sat back onto the cushion, and looked outside.

“Yesterday, we passed safely through the ruins of the wall by the grace of Your Majesty’s power. We have chosen a route that will make us harder to discover, so it may take a little more time, but I believe we will reach our base tomorrow, or the day after.”

「还没有」重新坐上椅子，看向外面「昨天，承蒙陛下的力量平安的通过了城墙遗迹。因为选择了比较不容易被人发现的场所来移动，所以比较花时间，但是我想在明天、或是后天就能抵达据点」

Although, said base was just a cave.

虽说是据点但实际上却不过只是洞窟。

“Is that so. Even then, we still have some time, do we not? Tell me about the topic from just now. Also, I have not yet heard why you have your sights set on becoming a paladin. Surely there must be a path you can take, given your talent for the bow? Why aim to be a paladin? In order to enforce justice? Or perhaps to be the pride of your nation?”

「是吗。即使那样也还有时间吧？让我听听刚才妳说的话题，还有就是、没听说你为何会以圣骑士为目标呢。擅长弓箭的话不是也有那方面的道路吗？为什么会以圣骑士为目标呢？为了执行正义？还是说因为是国家的骄傲？」

“No--” When she narrowed her eyes, what came to mind was her personal experiences. “--My mother was a paladin.”

「不——」咪上眼睛所浮现出的是自己原来的体验「——我的母亲曾是圣骑士」

She was a paladin who was skilled with the sword, completely unlike Neia.”

那是有着剑术实力，是与涅娅完全不同的圣骑士。

“I see, so you were trained by your mother or you admired her, hm.”

「原来如此呢，是被母亲指示或是憧憬母亲、吗」

“Ah, no. My mother often said I shouldn’t be aiming to be a paladin. And my mother couldn’t do the work of her mother, and while she could do the laundry and sew, she was completely inept at cooking and that sort of thing. She did everything sloppily, the roast meat was always undercooked, that sort of thing was common.”

「啊、不是。家母常说根本不应该以圣骑士为目标。而且家母也没能好好完成母亲的职责，虽然能做洗衣和裁缝之类的，但烧饭做菜那些事完全不行。所有事情都粗枝大叶的，烤肉烤生了、之类的事是很稀松平常的」

Therefore, it was only natural that her father had been the one who cooked in their household. When she was young, she even thought that it was true for all families.

所以父亲做料理才是理所当然的，小的时候还认为其他家庭也是这样的。

“...Is that so. Well, she still didn’t stop her daughter from becoming a paladin, so I guess she was still a good mother.”

「……是这样吗。就算这么说却也没阻止女儿成为圣骑士，所以还是位好母亲吧」

“Ah, no. When I told my mother I wanted to be a squire, she went and took out her sword and said, ‘I’ll let you if you can defeat me!’ and so on. The only reason why I was allowed to become one was because my dad desperately blocked for me. If I had fought her normally I could never have beaten her.”

「啊、不是。对母亲说想要成为侍从的时候，她还把剑拿出来说出『打赢我的话就允许妳！』这样的话。能够得到许可的原因是因为父亲拼命当成盾牌，如果就那样进行战斗的话是绝对赢不了的」

That was the first time she had understood the meaning of killing intent.

瞬间认识到所谓的杀意、那还是头一次。

“...Ahhhh, mm, good, good, how shall I say this… it was a good family… mm.”

「…………啊啊、嗯、不错、那个什么、还是个不错的家庭……呢」

“Yes. While the neighbors often looked strangely at us, I thought it was a good family.”

「是的。虽然被附近的邻居以奇异的眼光来看待，但我认为是不错的家庭」

“...Really, how nice… th-then, why, why become a paladin? Did you not think to follow your father’s path-- Umu. Was your father a househusband?”

「…………是吗、真好呢……那、那么为何、以圣骑士为目标呢？没有想过以父亲的职业为目标——哼嗯。父亲是家庭主夫吗？」

“No, my father was also a soldier who served his country. However, I never really thought of following in my father’s footsteps… why was that. Maybe it’s because dad gave me these fierce-looking eyes, so I sort of ended up resenting him for it…”

「不、父亲也是侍奉国家的军人。但是、却并没有想过以父亲的职业为目标……是为什么呢。或许是因为这遗传自父亲的凶恶眼神、令我有些埋怨父亲也说不定」

Neia pressed her index fingers to the corners of her eyes and tugged them around in circles.

涅娅将食指贴住两边的眼角、咕噜咕噜地转动。

When she was young, her friends often said, “Why are you staring at me”, “Are you angry with me?” and the like , and she had often complained to her father for it. After that, when her mother had heard her say that, she had beaten Neia for it.

在年幼时常常被朋友们说「为什么瞪我」「在生气吗？」，在那时还经常向父亲抱怨呢。在那之后，下场则是被听到那些话的母亲揍了一顿。

Thinking of them was quite nostalgic, Neia said.

回想起令人怀念的记忆，涅娅这么说道。

“But perhaps after becoming a squire, my vision became broader. At some point, I started to think that this was a gift from my father. Well, I could do without the fierce glare, though.”

「但也许是因为成为侍从后，使得视野更广阔了吧。这也是从父亲那里得到的赠礼呢，不知是何时起自己也有了这样的想法。嘛啊、虽然这恶狠狠的眼神还是不需要呢」

“How are your parents now?”

「那么双亲目前如何呢？」

“My father fought Jaldabaoth’s army at the wall and died. I lost contact with my mom, and I don’t know what happened with her, but I think she must have died during the defense of the city. After all, they were the kind of people who would have struggled to the bitter end.”

「父亲在城墙与亚达巴沃的军队战斗之后战死了，母亲那边没有办法取得联络、虽然不知道情况如何，但恐怕也在防守都市的时候也战死了吧。毕竟她就是那样、会一直抵抗到最后的人」

“It seems I have inquired about a painful topic.”

「这真是问了让妳痛苦的事」

The Sorcerer King bowed to her once more. Since this was the second time, the impact was not so great. However, it was enough to make Neia feel anxious.

魔导王再次低下了头。因为是第二次了所以没有那么大的冲击。但这个行为已足够让涅娅焦躁起来。

“Please, please raise your head! How could you bow to someone like me!?”

「请、请把头抬起来！怎能向我这样的人低头！」

“I thoughtlessly inquired about your dead kin. Although I did not know beforehand, now that I know the facts, an apology is still in order..”

「毫无考虑地将话题深入到已死去的家族，虽然事前我并不知情，但于情于理都应该道歉吧」

The Sorcerer King tilted his head in bafflement after he raised it.

抬起头的魔导王不解地歪过头去。

No, that’s not right, that’s how it should be between equals. A king is not the equal of a citizen from another country. Moreover, we’re the ones requesting his help...

（不、不对，那个是对于有着对等立场的对象。王和他国人民可绝对不是对等的啊。而且这边还是请求帮助的一方……）

“Erm-- well, such exceptions are everywhere. Er, if someone sees Your Majesty bowing to me -- ah -- they might look down on Your Majesty, because I’m just a squire, after all.”

「呃—、所谓的例外多着是。诶、陛下将头低下的姿态如果被人看到了——那个—、陛下会被轻视的，我只不过是侍从罢了」

“...Umu, really now, you do have a point. That’s how kings are.”

「……唔嗯、是吗、说的也是啊。王就是那样的啊」

How difficult these things are, the Sorcerer King muttered.

还真是困难啊、魔导王低语着。

He must have meant that it was difficult to mix with people from other nations even if he wanted to show his sincerity, probably.

就算保持亲切想要与他国的人相处融洽还真难、是这个意思吧。

https://tieba.baidu.com/p/5346624244?see_lz=1