The Amber Sword Volume 3 Chapter 97
TL: If you would like to support the series, you can do so at patreon or paypal, silentwolfie@gmail.com
tl;dr: I realized I like reading way more than translating or writing. I will strive to cut down more time on translating and writing so that I can draw. Also, I need to vent by complaining about author’s recent antics.
PS: Also, out of all the binge reading I done so far on the webnovels, Ryuuou no Oshigoto is the most polished (it should be since it’s formally edited, not because of lolis).
PPS: No, this is not a quitting notice. I’m cutting the hours to translate with normal translating time (4-5 hours) instead of spending days to think on how to fix things. I’ll be translating 17 estimated TAS chapters (including sponsored chapters from paypal and patreon) this month.
Chapter 97 – The girl’s thread of fate (4)
Scarlett was saved.
It was like a miracle—
The room’s atmosphere became boisterous and it took a long time before the joy abated. No one expected Brendel to come up with a way to save Scarlett from such a dangerous situation.
However, it proved one thing. Their young mysterious lord was omnipotent!
Amandina had countless moments where she had this thought, and this time was no different. She pulled back her gaze from the youth, feeling the burden on her shoulders lift.
Scarlett was looking at the golden apple that was on both her hands in a daze. When she felt Amandina’s gaze on her, she smiled back weakly, and the latter sighed in her heart.
[This foolish girl!]
Amandina shook her head and that the girl in front of her could not be saved any longer. When Scarlett hugged the Golden Apple like it was the greatest treasure in this world, Amandina knew that Scarlett was going to find a way to pay Brendel back her whole life.
Just a few moments ago, Brendel handed the Golden Apple over to Scarlett while Ciel informed everyone that it was the legendary Golden Apple. Scarlett acted like someone who got struck by lightning when she heard that, and the Golden Apple fell out of her hands. If it was not for Brendel’s lightning reactions, this would be the first Golden Apple that smashed to bits in history by dropping onto the ground.
In that moment, Amandina finally realized, just like how Medissa did, that this seemingly tough red-haired girl had an abnormal reliance on other people, as though she was living her life based on other people’s opinions.
The most sorrowful thing for her was that this world was one where most people had to rely on themselves, and it was rare for a stranger to spare a thought for another person.
It was especially so for nobles similar to Makarov. They would never stop moving forward and only stop for profits.
The efforts that Scarlett gave would never be rewarded. If the Grey Wolves Mercenaries and she could see this point, they might feel a little better at Makarov’s betrayal.
Unfortunately, the Scarlett that Amandina knew was a weak but stubborn girl.
The young noble lady glanced at Brendel, feeling fortunate that the lord she was pursuing was an anomaly.
Generous, merciful, and full of humanity.
His every action seemed like it did not match the world of the nobles. Yet, if she was to say that he was not one, she could not convince herself. Only a noble would know so much about that the politics of that world and conduct himself with such dignity.
If she took every event that happened and put it on the table……. This youth was not only a noble but one who had a powerful House backing him.
This was made evident by Kodan’s arrival as a prisoner.
Since she was the person temporarily in charge of Firburh’s affairs after Brendel was gone, she quickly got to meet up with this old guard commander.
She had been studying on the important figureheads amongst the nobles in order to realize Brendel’s future plans, and thus recognized him as one of Count Randner’s best knights.
Kodan was born in a lineage comprising of knights and had participated in the November War, and served beside Count Randner for many years. When she spoke to him, she discovered that his attitude towards Brendel was strange and it made her suspicious.
There was no doubt at all. He recognized Brendel —
When she asked Medissa, she found out that he knew Brendel’s grandfather and even served under him for a period of time. With the bits and pieces of information she discovered that would not interest any normal commoner, she put together a complete image.
Brendel was from a powerful House that had a long history but kept a low-profile.
[Sometimes I wonder if I’m blessed by the gods. I left my dark home in Bruglas and met with this strange youth, and became his advisor just like that.]
At least from the time when she left her home, she had never truly regretted it and felt that she was fortunate to meet him.
[Though, I must say that Golden Apple makes me feel a little jealous.]
It was something that came out from legendary tales and could change a person completely, to the point where it affected an entire kingdom’s destiny.
Before Scarlett’s recovery happened, she had not even considered that this legend was true.
However, the fact that he had this Golden Apple would mean that he could buy off any of the strongest forces in the kingdom, and even become a duke regardless of whether it was the Aouine or Kirrlutz’s kingdom. Even the pope of the Holy Cathedral of Fire would want it. As long as the youth wanted to, he could exchange it for almost anything that he wanted.
That was how priceless it was.
And it was simply given away to a girl whom he had just met for less than a few months. Certainly, Scarlett was a Gold-ranked fighter, but a Golden Apple’s value really had nothing in common with her other than the word ‘gold’. In fact, the Golden Apple was the worth of at least a hundred Gold-ranked fighters.
She did not understand why he did it.
But Brendel had a different perspective in regards to the fruit. The only thing he saw here was that he should not have this item in the first place. Amandina believed there was a powerful House backing him, but he obviously did not.
But even if he did have the power to retain the apple, he would never deal with Aouine’s rotten nobles or make a deal with Kirrlutz who was looking for a chance to take over Aouine.
He was here to change Aouine’s fate, not become part of the kingdom’s problems.
The youth obviously knew how easy it was for him to live comfortably in this world, but that was not part of his goals. It was especially so when he met people like Makarov and Graudin, and his belief only got stronger with each passing day.
Therefore he did not really care about the Golden Apple.
If it could cure Scarlett, he did not mind giving away a hundred apples away to save her life.
But Scarlett also saw things differently from Brendel, and just like Amandina, understood the value of the Golden Apple.
She heard that Makarov, Buga, and two other important nobles nearly started a battle against the Silver Elves over this Golden Apple. The greed in their eyes could not be any clearer.
There was never any doubt that her former commander would choose this Golden Apple over her life a hundred times.
Why would this youth just make such this decision so easily like it meant nothing to him?
She glanced at the people beside Brendel to seek an answer, and her eyes fell onto Medissa who was discussing with Ciel—
“My lord,” Medissa finally spoke, “I understand what you’re trying to do, by using the tremendous Lifeforce from the Golden Apple, you seek to replenish her strength……but…….”
She frowned deeply: “If you do this, this is just like drinking poison to quench a thirst.”
“This is a choiceless solution since there is no other solution. By slowing her condition down, there might be another answer. Still, using the Golden Apple in this manner, I’ll probably drive the people who want this apple mad.” Brendel laughed.
Ciel nodded and also grinned while he glanced at Scarlett: “Indeed, to use this precious material for such a matter.”
Scarlett lowered her head upon hearing Ciel’s words. She also started to feel that it was wasteful when she thought about it. She got to eat the legendary Golden Apple for an incurable disease. It was unthinkable.
Brendel immediately shot a murderous glare at Ciel, and the latter realized his mistake: “Miss Scarlett, don’t overthink this, I’m not saying it’s wasteful, it’s just that the Golden Apple is priceless, and I think…… Ha ha, I suddenly remember something appropriate that’s an equivalent exchange—”
Everyone’s eyes were on him.
Ciel shrank a little, but he giggled: “Well, if this Golden Apple is used as my lord’s dowry for Scarlett’s hand in marriage, then the debt would be offset, right?”
“Hand in marriage?” Scarlett blinked blankly.
“Well, you know, becoming our lord’s wif— ommph!!” Ciel said as he tried to dodge Brendel’s sword hilt, but as a wizard, he would never be able to avoid Brendel’s attack at such a close range. He immediately yelled out in pain as the sword’s hilt sank into his abdomen, causing him to fall over.
Brendel was furious over Ciel’s lips and had attacked him mercilessly, expecting that scoundrel to roll about on the floor for several minutes in pain. Medissa glanced at the writhing wizard and showed a rarely seen ‘you deserve it’ expression.
Scarlett finally understood what Ciel was talking about and her face flushed red.
Brendel was worried about what she was thinking and said: “There’s no need to heed what this idiot’s words. If you want to pay back the investment of this Golden Apple, then make sure you live properly from now onwards. Remember, you’re my most important combat strength amongst my subordinates.”
He took a deep breath: “I believe there’s going to be a huge battle in Trentheim very soon.”
Scarlett paused for a moment but nodded furiously without lifting her head back up.
February 2, 2018 @ 1:51 am
thanks for the chapter
February 2, 2018 @ 2:03 am
thanks for the chapter! pls dont quit *cries*
February 2, 2018 @ 2:20 am
I’m not quitting -.-|||
February 2, 2018 @ 2:37 am
Now for the eternal refrain… can you practice not quitting… faster?
February 2, 2018 @ 2:30 am
— Thanks for the chapter~ ^^
February 2, 2018 @ 2:54 am
Thx for the chap wolfie mate.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
February 2, 2018 @ 3:02 am
Thank you for editting. I feels your pain when I read unedited translations. Ugggh.
February 2, 2018 @ 3:03 am
Thanks ^^
February 2, 2018 @ 3:26 am
Let me try to think here…
The Amber Sword company believes that Freya is Brendel’s Main Squeeze. Freya herself is in doubt about her own feelings about him though.
Freya, Amandina and (maybe?) the remains of the Grey Wolves Mercenaries thinks that Romaine is his main love interest. Other than the author and SilentWolfie, I have no damn clue what is in Romaine’s head…other than trusting Brendel and causing chaos inducing headaches.
Raban, Jana and Cornelius, along with their mercenaries think Amandina is his…Mistress in training? Something like that. She’s ignoring it, but knowing how rumor spreads and changes, she’ll probably wish she didn’t ignore it. She definitely admires him though, so maybe she won’t mind it…?
Scarlett…If/when word ever gets out that she was given the Golden Apple to save her, no one will believe that she and Brendel are not getting intimate with each other. The Royal Faction will most likely puke blood at that. Knowing that he willingly gave her that apple, I am damn sure her heart figuratively bum rushed him and used a mile length’s worth of super strong Duct Tape to stay on him.
Finally, Gryphine. Despite never meeting him in person, her mind IS in a favorable position. More so with her knowing that he declared the ‘Oath of Aouine’ as I like to call it.
I would jokingly add Sifrid in there, but I have no clue if she suddenly ages faster for who knows what reason. Brendel definitely likes to think of her as a little sister.
Wow. Brendel has a lot of women problems in the future now that I see it in my own text.
February 2, 2018 @ 5:14 am
You didn’t list Medissa (the undead elven knight) and there are a few others who have yet to show up. Trust me. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
February 2, 2018 @ 6:26 am
I won’t list people who are in his deck(unless he somehow free’s her) and that was just a quick recap of the women wanting/is around Brendel CURRENTLY. We all know there will be more. This is to make sure I remember which madness is which.
February 2, 2018 @ 1:28 pm
Dude… that’s necrophilia
February 2, 2018 @ 3:37 pm
ja jajajaja puking blood
February 2, 2018 @ 4:04 am
Thanks for the chapter…
Wolfie bro, I agree with you cutting some time pondering, fixing and editing the ideas that come out used as word padding (point 3). Just relax and believe in this story, this is a story u loved so much that u chose to translate after all… 🙂
February 2, 2018 @ 4:46 am
Well, there is that one kid that recently got added to your prison…
February 2, 2018 @ 4:53 am
Thanks!
February 2, 2018 @ 5:18 am
Let me gess, the person he´s looking for is rotting away in his dungeon_> Lord Macsens Son, right? xD
thanks for the chapter .3
February 2, 2018 @ 6:17 am
Thanks for the translation!
February 2, 2018 @ 7:37 am
In my eyes you are pretty much one of the best chinese novel translaters out there, simply because you make them readable.
Anyways, take care to not overwork yourself and thanks for the chapter.
February 2, 2018 @ 9:05 am
Hmm, this is a bit concerning. Silentwolfie, have to read the whole series? Do you know if the future story quality suffers a lot compared to book2(my favorite arc especially at the end)
February 2, 2018 @ 10:35 am
I have not read the entire book and I’m pretty much in the dark to be honest. There are reviews in novelupdates stating that the army vs army battles are good, while there are poorly written enemies and POVs interruptions.
There’s already a drop in terms of quality here, and it seems like it’s going to continue in that direction. However, I’m not sure if the readers are feeling anything right now from the translation. IMHO, I think I made everything kind of consistent in terms of plot so far (but I’m not particularly happy to rewrite so much content).
February 2, 2018 @ 11:31 am
Oh well thanks for the heads up. Finger crossed it won’t get that bad ;/
February 3, 2018 @ 9:07 pm
I think its mostly because you’re doing a lot of work for the book (co-authoring without ‘authorization’, so to speak) without getting credit for it. From what I’ve seen of chinese webnovels; the good ones usually start of fine, exciting even; that I binge read them; then all of sudden, some 300 chapters in or something, I lose interest, asking myself ‘where’s this going?’. But I’ve never had any problems with TAS; found it fantastic actually; and I always thought it was the author doing a great job writing a book and you a great job translating it; but reading today’s note I think you might have more of a role in the ‘writing’ part too, along with the translating part. So, well, I think, you probably deserve the author’s thanks (and recognition too); if he/she is in any way interested in truly writing; not just making money.
February 2, 2018 @ 10:11 am
Well, Romaine said Brendel is her sweetheart and he obviously likes her (even Freya admit it…). I don’t know why everyone in this stories want to ship Brendel with X or Y at all cost. It’s like they never tried to understand him.
February 2, 2018 @ 10:22 am
Thanks for the chapter!
February 2, 2018 @ 10:26 am
How OP you wanted to be dude…
February 2, 2018 @ 11:48 am
You become king when you thirst for talent. As I always said great translator improves the original. Many western creators rewrites and remakes. Japanese editt for a change to light novel. Only chinese never editt their stories and even goddammn chapter numbering stays forever screwed. Most just claim err it will improve in my next story lol. So yeah gotta endure uneditted bullshit to dig for gold.
February 2, 2018 @ 3:39 pm
Thanks for the chapter
February 2, 2018 @ 9:40 pm
Thank you for the chapter. I just discovered this series a week or so ago and powered through it. I love your translations and that you add music to some chapters to make some moments even more awesome. Since I apparently blew right through and missed the plot hole you mentioned could someone tell me what it was?
February 4, 2018 @ 4:12 am
Amandina shook her head and that the girl in front of her
Amandina shook her head and thought(?) that the girl in front of her
This is a bit complicated:
this would be the first Golden Apple that smashed to bits in history by dropping onto the ground
this would have been the first Golden Apple in history that was smashed to bits by dropping it onto the ground
.
We didn’t see the event and she is narrating this to us, so the sentence has to use the past perfect tense, at least this is the proper form it should have. The apple is an inanimate object, so it can’t actively smash (itself) by dropping, it must be dropped by an agent, may it be the wind or Scarlet, so the sentence needs the passive voice. The in history in the original sentence interrupts the flow between the verb and the complement that follow it, and I think is considered an unpolished way of writing in English.
They would never stop moving forward and only stop for profits.
They would always move forward and only stop for profits.
if she was to say that he was not one, she could not convince herself.
if she was to say that he was not one, she would not convince herself.
Only a noble would know so much about that the politics
Only a noble would know so much about the politics
If she took every event that happened and put it on the table……. This youth was not only a noble
If she took every event that happened and put it on the table……. This youth would not only be noble,
Though, I must say that Golden Apple makes me feel a little jealous.
Though, I must say, that Golden Apple makes me feel a little jealous.
or
Though, I must say that that Golden Apple makes me feel a little jealous.
to the point where it affected an entire kingdom’s destiny
to the point where it could affect an entire kingdom’s destiny
.
You ended the main period with… a potential form? (I I can’t remember how you call it in English, sorry.), so you should keep it this way, otherwise, you’ll cause a logical fallacy. If, instead, I understood it wrongly and she’s saying that the tales tell it affected an entire kingdom’s destiny, maybe you should make the point clearer for blockheads like me lol
would mean that he could buy off any of the strongest forces in the kingdom, and even become a duke
would mean that he could have bought off any of the strongest forces in the kingdom, and even became a duke
.
He already gave the apple to Scarlett and he has no intention to use it otherwise, or he simply can’t, since the apple has an owner, we (readers) don’t know, but, however things may be, he can’t do anything of what Amandina listed anymore, so it all has to go to the past conditional.
whether it was the Aouine or Kirrlutz’s kingdom.
Kirrlutz is the neighbouring empire, right? There are too many names that are thrown and left there hanging to be spat out from time to time at the author convenience… and my memory is horrible. If I’m indeed right, you can’t call an empire by the title of kingdom, or you risk to be put to death for offending his imperial majesty xD
Even the pope of the Holy Cathedral of Fire would want it. As long as the youth wanted to, he could exchange it for almost anything that he wanted.
Even the pope of the Holy Cathedral of Fire would have wanted it. As long as the youth wanted to, he could have exchanged it for almost anything that he wanted.
The youth obviously knew how easy it was for him to live comfortably in this world,
The youth obviously knew how easy it would have been for him to live comfortably in this world,
Hypothetical.
he did not mind giving away a hundred apples away to save her life.
he did not mind giving away a hundred apples to save her life.
The greed in their eyes could not be any clearer.
The greed in their eyes could not have been any clearer.
Past event ended, so the period needs the past perfect tense.
Why would this youth just make such this decision so easily
Why would this youth just make such decision so easily,
using the Golden Apple in this manner,
by using the Golden Apple in this manner,
to heed what this idiot’s words.
to heed this idiot’s words.
you live properly from now onwards.
you’ll live properly from now onwards.
since you like to write in a sophisticated way, two little advice on sentences that are not wrong, but that don’t go well with the style you have employed in the narration.
|x|she had not even considered that this legend was true.
|x|she had not even considered this legend to be true.
|x|you’re my most important combat strength amongst my subordinates.
|x|you’re my most important fighter amongst my subordinates.
February 4, 2018 @ 4:18 am
My formatting ;( Welp, I hope it’s still redeable.
February 6, 2018 @ 8:16 am
This is the part where I need an editor because I can’t self-check my own writing. The past few chapters were me trying to correct information dump and rewriting really awful awkward dialogue (mixing tragedy with humor, this crazy genre combination) from the author instead of just editing for mistakes. Also, it doesn’t help that I don’t want to reread my own writing, sigh.
I’ll take a look at it again.
February 6, 2018 @ 7:25 pm
I can fully understand you 😀 It’s so boring to read again whatever you wrote. When I bring myself to do it, I usually miss half of the mistakes because I’m doing it reluctantly. Good luck finding a good editor (even if I feel it might be a little excessive as a measure).
P.S.: I’m really happy of your efforts to better the novel, I can still feel the original writing of the author in your translation, so I’m pretty sure it would be just another avarage novel in a deep ocean if not for your work.