＜決別＞ Parting Ways

sign here for final approval:

僧: Signed.

月: Signature.

天: Well since you both read over it twice or something, I guess this should be good to go now.

Komi: I will enjoy this. [/sarcasm] X3 Tomorrow I'll deal with this sucker, hopefully. No more corrections unless very well pointed out!

天: Sure thing. I hope it was ok the way I sumed it up last time.

Komi: Oh, yes, quite. There a lil' few things that were a bit confusing (missing words and so) but I won't nitpick that. I could access the chapter pages and search for those specific sentences, so I won't be that lazy. I'd also ask you to check other earlier chapters... I noticed someone has been making changes, but I didn't got to check if it were just comments or actual changes, so if you could just help out that lil' extra bit. Regardless though, Mission Start:

Translation kindly requrested: "二人はブツブツ言いながら、アモレアの花を摘んでいた. "

天: I'll report to you anything I find. :P And that sentence would be "The two continue their whining as they pick the Amorea."

Translation
&lt;決別&gt;

Parting Ways

''[天:I've translated many things in this chapter rather freely, so please watch out when checking this. Chances are that I messed something up big times ^^"]''

''[月: its good, i zoomed through this one so i might've missed something but i got a few spelling mistakes. The inconsistencies of the sound making notes like "thump" or ~crackle~ disturbs me a bit but i presume they would have been removed with the final product.]''

[天: I don't quite get what you mean, I always use two asterisks to mark a sound, everything else isn't one ^^" ]

''[僧: Finished proofing this one as well. Had a few questions and comments.]'' ''[僧: And a second run-through. Another one checked off the list.]''

[味: A few more corrections (and sideshow comments) on my end, let's see how those go ^^;]

''[僧: Responded to a couple of your comments. Not very helpful, I know.]''

【リック】「ただいま、・・・あれ？」

普段なら、『お帰りなさい』なんてランの声が聞こえてくるはずなんだけどな.

魚釣りから帰ってきた俺は、家の中にランがいないことに気がついた.

Rick: "I'm home, ...huh?"

Strange, usually I'd hear a "Welcome home" from Ran.

I'm just coming home from fishing and somehow start to get the feeling that Ran isn't home.

少し外へ出ているくらいかと、しばらく待っていたけれど、帰ってくる様子もない.

うちに来てから、あまり外に出ないようにしていたのだから、遠出をしているとは思えないんだけど・・・.

Maybe she's just out for a little walk near the house, but even after waiting for a while, there are no signs of her returning.

Since she came to our home, she hasn't been out very often, so it's unlikely that she has gone that far away, but...

【ナップ】「あ、兄さん、お帰り」

ナップは本から目を離さないまま、そう言った.

【リック】「ナップ、ランを知らないかい？」

【ナップ】「ランさん？　リビングにいない？」

Napp: "Ah, welcome home, big brother."

Says Napp and looks up from his book.

Rick: "Napp, do you know where Ran is?"

Napp: "Ran? Isn't she in the living room?"

【リック】「いや、いないんだ」

【ナップ】「おかしいな. 少し前にキノコを採りに行く　って出てったみたいだけど、　まだ帰ってきてないの？」

ナップは本を置いて、訝しい顔をした. いつも家の中にいるナップは、ランが外へ出たとしても、どのくらいで帰ってくるかは知っている.

Rick: "No, I looked there already."

Napp: "Hm that's strange. Just a few minutes ago she said she'd go out to gather mushrooms, has she still not come back?"

Napp puts the book down with a worried look on his face. Napp is always at home and so he knows very well how long Ran is usually gone.

【ナップ】「いつもなら、すぐ帰って来るんだけどね」

【リック】「まあ、探しに行ってくるよ. キノコを採りに行くって言ったんだよな」

俺は、ナップが頷くが早いか、ランを捜すために、家を出た.

Napp: "Normally she comes back right away."

Rick: "Ok, I'll go look for her. She's gathering mushrooms, right?"

Shortly after Napp nods, I leave the house to search for her.

キノコを採りに来るっていったら、この辺だよなぁ.

少し道を逸れて、森の方へ足を踏み入れる. この辺りは、土地もいいのか、うまいキノコがたくさん生えているのだ.

I guess, around here would be the place to gather mushrooms.

I stray a little from the road and set foot into the forest. The ground is very fertile here, perfect for mushrooms to grow.

この前、話したときに、今度採りに行こうと言っていたから、ここに来たのは間違いないだろう.

ここなら、家にも近いし、特に問題はないと思ってたけど・・・.

When she said she'd go gather mushrooms somewhere, I'm sure she was talking about this place.

On top of that, it's not far from our house, so choosing this place is a no-brainer, but....

あれ？　なんだか、争ったような跡がある・・・.

まさか、ここで誰かに襲われたとか？ランを襲うやつらと言えば、バーナーの手下か？

確証はないけれど、他に考えようがなかった.

俺は、もう遅いのかも知れないけれど少しでも手がかりを得るためにザパトに通じる浮島の方へ向かうことにした.

What? Those are, traces of a fight...

That can't be! Was she attacked here by someone? The only people that come to mind would be Bernar's men!

There's no evidence that the attackers were his henchmen, but I can't think of anybody else.

It's already late but I decide to follow the trail in the direction of Zapat, and so I make my way towards the island.

浮島に続く、飛び石を渡ったところで何か話し声が聞こえてきた. まさか、ザパトの連中だろうか！？

俺は近くの岩に身を潜めて、様子を伺うことにした.

As I reach the island and start to jump over the stepping stones, I suddenly hear voices. Don't tell me, could that be that Zapat gang!?

I hide behind a nearby rock and try to get a picture of the situation.

【縞尻尾１】「いつまで花摘みしてりゃいいんだよぉ」

【縞尻尾２】「文句言わないで、さっさと終わらせて　帰ろうぜ」

【縞尻尾１】「こんなの女の仕事だぜ」

【縞尻尾２】「仕方ねえだろ. 大旦那様がこの花が　好きなんだから. あの女が帰ってきたから、屋敷を　花で飾りたいんだと」

Striped Tail 1: "How much longer do we have to waste time picking flowers here, man?"

Striped Tail 2: "Less bitching more weeding, I want to get this done and go home already!"

Striped Tail 1: "But this is girls' work, man."

Striped Tail 2: "Like we got a choice. Our master likes these flowers, so we're getting them for him. He wants the manor decorated with them since that chick came home."

【縞尻尾１】「帰ってきたっていうか、　連れ戻しただけだろ？」

【縞尻尾２】「ま、大旦那様のお気に入りだ. 仕方ねえだろ」

【縞尻尾１】「バーナーの旦那も困ったものだな」

二人はブツブツ言いながら、アモレアの花を摘んでいた.

Striped Tail 1: "'Came home?', you mean we dragged her home."

Striped Tail 2: "Whatever, she's master's sweetheart, so we ain't got a choice."

Striped Tail 1: "Working for master Bernar sure is a pain, right man?"

The two continue their whining as they pick the Amorea.

とりあえず、連中の話で、ランがバーナーの屋敷に連れて行かれたことは間違いなさそうだ.

ランを助けてあげなきゃ. ランを守ってやらなきゃ.

きっと今頃、どこかで泣いてるに違いない.

俺が守ってやらなきゃ！

In short, those guys really did bring her back to Bernar's manor.

I have to save Ran. I have to protect her.

I bet she's crying her eyes out somewhere in that place.

I will protect you, Ran!

しかし、どうやってランを助ければいいんだろう. 相手はザパトの村の資産家バーナーだ.

俺みたいにバストークの人間がザパトの村に入れば、屋敷に着く前に天国に着いてしまうかもしれない.

助け出せたとしても、その後、うまく逃げおおせるだろうか.

But how am I supposed to do that? I'm going against Bernar after all, the richest guy in all of Zapat.

Since it's obvious that I'm a guy from Bastok, making my way through Zapat to Bernars manor, might very well end me up in heavens instead.

And even if I could get to her, how should we get out of Zapat again afterwards?

しかし、そんなことを考えてる暇はない.

夜になるのを待って、ザパトの村に忍び込もう.

Still, I got no time to waste on thinking about that.

I'll just wait until sunset and then sneak into the village.

そう言えば、ザパトの村に入るのは初めてだ.

いつもランが来ていた茂みから村に入り、目立たないように森を通って村の中心を目指す.

村は平和そのものだ. その風景や、時折聞こえてくる家族の団欒の声など、バストークの村となんら変わりはない.

なのに、なぜ、互いの村は争おうとするんだろうか.

Come to think of it, first I have to get into the village.

I can use that way through the bushes that Ran always used, from there I can remain unseen and travel through the forest into the center of Zapat.

The village seems so peaceful. This calm scenery, only interrupted by the happy noise of families in their houses, it doesn't differ from Bastok at all.

Why is it, then, that these two villages have a feud with each other?

家族や、友達と一緒に楽しむようにバストークの村の人たちとも仲良くできないのだろうか.

バストークとザパトと両方の村を見て、そんなことを感じた.

バーナーの屋敷はすぐわかった. なにせ、村で一番大きいのだ.

The people of Bastok that love to have fun with their families and friends, couldn't they get along with the people of this village too?

When I look at Bastok and now at Zapat I get the feeling it could be possible.

I recognize Bernar's manor right away. It's the largest building in the whole village.

バストークの村長の屋敷でさえ、あんなに大きくない.

それに、拓かれた山の上に建っているのだ. 村中どこにいても見ることができる.

It even dwarfs the house of the village elder.

On top of that, the manor was built on an artificial hill. You can see it from everywhere in the village.

忍び込むのはたやすいもので、俺は屋敷の中に足を踏み入れた.

バーナーの屋敷は背の高い樹に囲まれており、枝を伝って、部屋の中に侵入したってわけだ.

幸い、警備らしい警備があるわけでもなく廊下も静まり返っている.

Sneaking inside is a piece of cake, finding a way doesn't take long.

Bernar's manor is surrounded by large trees, I just climb up through the branches and soon find an open window.

Luckily not a single guard is in sight, the corridor lies completely silent.

階下からは男達の騒ぐ声が聞こえる. 大方、酒でも飲んでいるのだろう. まさか、ランがそこにいなければいいけど.

とにかく、長居は禁物だ. できるだけ早くランを見つけて逃げ出さなければ.

しかし、部屋を一つ一つ見て回るわけには行かないしな.

From downstairs I can hear some guys laughing. They're probably drunk I'd guess. Surely Ran won't be down there, at least I hope that.

Anyways I can't stay here very long. I have to find Ran as fast as I can and get out of here.

But, I can't go around searching every room one by one.

【リック】「・・・ラン？」

俺は小さな声でランの名前を呼んでみる. が、返事などあるわけがない.

Rick: "...Ran?"

In a low voice I call Ran's name. But I get no answer at all.

【？？？】「・・・それでよ、」

角の方から声がする. バーナーの使用人か？まさか見つかった？

俺はとっさに近くの部屋に入る. 運よく、誰もいない物置のようで姿を隠すにはちょうどよかった.

???: "... and so,"

I can hear voices from around the corner. More of Bernars servants? Could it be that they found me?

As fast as I can I hide in the nearest room. Luckily nobody's in here, it's a closet with just enough room for me to hide in.

【使用人１】「大旦那様は、あの女が帰ってきたから　大喜びらしいぜ」

【使用人２】「で、お前がその世話係？」

【使用人１】「まあ、な. と言っても、今の所、こうやって飯を　持ってくくらいだしな」

Servant 1: "Master was truly delighted when that girl was brought home again."

Servant 2: "So, you were part of the group that found her?"

Servant 1: "Well, yeah. Although right now I'm the guy that has to bring her dinner."

''[天: I misunderstood this part at first. Now it should flow better with the next couple of events.]''

【使用人２】「大旦那様は、どうしてあの女を　わざわざ連れ戻したりするんだ？　たいした金で買ったわけでもないのに」

【使用人１】「なんて事はない話さ. あんな何の役にも立たない小娘を　置いてる理由は一つ.

大旦那様のアッチの趣味とピッタリ　ってわけだ」

Servant 2: "But why was master so hell bent on getting that girl back anyways? There's no way she could have been that expensive."

Servant 1: "Of course not. There's just one reason that master keeps that good-for-nothing chick here.

She's just perfect for master's special hobby."

【使用人２】「そういや、うちに来た頃は、　大旦那様は毎晩通っていたからな」

【使用人１】「まったく、あんな小娘抱いたところで　何が面白いんだか」

【使用人２】「そうか？　俺は結構好きだな. いっそのこと、喰っちまうか」

間違いなくあいつらの話している『小娘』っていうのはランのことだろう.

Servant 2: "Now that you mention it, when she was here master used to go to her room every night, didn't he?"

Servant 1: "Really, I don't understand what about that chick appeals to him so much."

Servant 2: "Seriously? I think she's pretty cute. You think I could borrow her for a little ride?"

No doubt about it, that "chick" they are talking about must be Ran.

それにしてもあいつら・・・. できることならこのまま飛び出していってあいつらをぶん殴ってやりたい気分だ.

俺はわき上がる怒りを抑え、じっと耳をすました.

【使用人１】「ま、喰っちまうのは勝手だが、　大旦那様に見つからないようにしろよ」

And aside from that, those two... One part of me would really love to jump out of this closet and beat those jerks to a pulp.

But I swallow down my anger and prick up my ears again.

Servant 1: "Well, do whatever you have to, but at least do it somewhere the master won't find you."

声からするに、二人の使用人は目の前の通路をまっすぐ行って、右の方に曲がったらしい.

どうやら、うまくランの所へたどり着けそうだ.

俺は声がしなくなってからしばらくして、部屋を出た.

The voices start to fade, seems like the two passed the corridor in front of my room and turned right at the next corner.

Maybe I can find Ran's room this way.

After the voices have disappeared completely I leave the closet.

誰も来ないかしっかり確認した後、使用人達が進んだ方向に向かった.

少し料理の匂いが残っている. ・・・うまそうなもの食ってんだな.

俺は料理の匂いを追いかける.

そして、少し離れにある部屋の前で足を止める.

I make sure that nobody is around and continue into the direction those servants went.

A faint smell of food is left in the air. ...they sure get to eat some tasty stuff in this place.

I follow that smell down through the corridors.

After a while I reach a room that's a little secluded from all the others.

軽くノックをする.

【ラン】「・・・はい？」

ランの声だ.

【リック】「・・・ラン？」

俺はドア越しに声をかける.

I knock at the door lightly.

Ran: "...yes?"

That's Ran's voice.

Rick: "...Ran?"

I open the door ajar and call Ran's name.

【ラン】「・・・リック！　リックなの！？」

俺はドアを開け、部屋の中に入る.

Ran: "...Rick! Rick, is that you!?"

I open the door and enter the room.

【ラン】「リック！」

ドアを開けた瞬間、ランが俺の胸に飛び込んできた.

【ラン】「どうして、あなたがここに？」

今にも涙がこぼれそうなくらい瞳を潤ませたランが顔を上げる.

Ran: "Rick!"

The moment I open the door Ran leaps against my chest.

Ran: "Why are you here?"

Ran looks up to me with wet eyes, that look like they could break into tears again any moment.

【リック】「何って、決まってるじゃないか. ランを助けに来たんだよ」

俺はドアを閉めてランと一緒に中に入る.

Rick: "Isn't that obvious? I'm here to save you Ran!"

I step into the room, where I'm alone with Ran."

【ラン】「・・・まさか、助けに来てくれる　なんて」

ランがぐずりと涙をすする.

【リック】「当然じゃないか. ランは俺にとって大切な人　なんだから」

俺はランに手を差し伸べる.

ランを失いたくない. ランを守りたい. ランを幸せにしたい.

だから、俺はランを助けに来た.

Ran: "... this can't be, you're here to save me?"

Whimpers Ran and sniffles.

Rick: "Of course I am. Because you're important to me, Ran."

I reach out my hand to her.

I don't want to lose her. I want to protect her. I want to make her happy.

And that is why I'm going to save you, Ran.

【ラン】「助けに来てくれたのは　嬉しいけど・・・. 早く逃げて」

【リック】「・・・え？」

【ラン】「見つかったら、殺されてしまうわ. バーナーは血も涙もない男よ. どうせ、私はバーナーから　逃げられないのよ. せめて、あなただけでも逃げて」

ランはそう言って、俺の手を振り解くようにはねのけた.

Ran: "I'm so glad that you came for me, but... Quickly, you have to go now."

Rick: "... eh?"

Ran: "If you are found, you will be killed for sure. Bernar is a cold and heartless man. In the end I cannot escape from him no matter what I do. So please at least you have to flee from here."

Says Ran, pushing my hand away.

【リック】「・・・俺は君を助けに来たんだ. ここから、必ず君を助け出す」

【ラン】「けど・・・、ここから逃げ出したとしても　きっとまた捕まるわ. 何度逃げ出しても、繰り返しよ」

【リック】「だったら、その度に君を助けるよ」

【ラン】「私はもう、バーナーから逃げられない. ここにいた方がいいのよ」

Rick: "...I have come to save you. Trust me, I can get you out of here."

Ran: "But... even if we make it out of the manor, I'm sure they will catch me again. No matter how often I'd run from here, it's just useless."

Rick: "If they catch you I will just save you again!"

Ran: "I can't run from Bernar anymore. It'll be the best if I just stay here."

【リック】「・・・ランがそう思っているうちは　きっとそうなんだと思う. けど、自分が変わろうと思えば、きっと　変わることができるよ」

【ラン】「・・・リック」

【リック】「俺はランを守るために、ここに来た. 俺はランを助けるよ. 必ず. そして、これからもランのことを守る. 約束するよ！」

俺は、ランにもう一度手を差し出した.

Rick: "...If you say so Ran, then that will be the case right now. But, I know that I can change that, I'm sure there is a way out of this for you!"

Ran: "...Rick."

Rick: "I have come here to protect you Ran. I will save you. No matter what. And then, I will continue to protect you. I promise!"

Once more, I reach out my hand for Ran.

【リック】「だけど、ここから先はランが決めることだ. このまま、バーナーの慰み物として　ずっと生きるのか. それとも、俺の手を取って、一緒に脱出して　自分を取り戻すのか」

ランが俺の瞳を見る.

Rick: "But, from here on, this is all your decision. You can stay here and spend your life as Bernar's plaything. Or, you can grab this hand, run with me from here, and regain what was lost of yourself."

Ran looks into my eyes.

【リック】「さあ、一緒に帰ろう. 人生をあきらめるなんてつまらないよ. ランにだって、夢も希望もあるはずだよ」

ランが、俺の手の平に手の平を重ねた. そして、ぎゅっと握る.

Rick: "Come now, let's go home together. Throwing your life away is boring. Even you must have dreams and hopes, Ran."

Ran is placing her palm against mine. And then squeezes my hand tightly.

【ラン】「リックを信じる・・・. そして、もう一度、私自身を信じる. 上辺だけ笑ってたって、楽しい事なんて　何もないもの. リックみたいにずっと笑えて暮らせたら、　きっと、今よりずっと楽しいよね」

【リック】「うん、行こう！」

俺は、ランを引き寄せ、抱きしめる. ランを守る. ランを幸せにする. 必ず.

Ran: "Rick, I believe you.... And also, I once again believe in myself. Always laughing on the outside, I didn't enjoy that at all. But living my life always laughing freely like you Rick, I'm sure I could enjoy that far more."

Rick: "Alright, let's go!"

I pull Ran near to me and hug her closely. I will protect her. I will make here happy. I'm sure I will.

[天: Whoops, forgot two lines of text here O.o"]

【ラン】「でもどうやって出るの？　屋敷の中はバーナーの手下や　使用人でいっぱいよ. 中には、用心棒みたいなのも　いるんだから」

【リック】「・・・一人で忍び込んだように　はいかないよなぁ」

Ran: "But how will we get out? In this manor there are dozens of Bernar's henchmen and servants. Among them there are also strong guys that work as his bodyguards."

Rick: "... I guess we can't leave the way I got in here then."

さすがに２人だと、来たときのようにうまくはいかない.

結局、なんだかんだ言っても、屋敷を脱出できないと意味はない.

【リック】「ま、どうにかなるんじゃないかな」

【ラン】「・・・大丈夫？」

【リック】「ま、俺に任せなって」

Thought so, the two of us won't get out of here as smoothly as I got in alone.

But in the end that doesn't mean that there is no way out of this manor at all for us.

Rick: "Well, we'll make it somehow."

Ran: "... are you sure?"

Rick: "Sure, just leave it to me."

とドアノブに手をかけた瞬間. 俺が開くまでもなく、ドアが勝手に開いた.

【リック】「あ、ありゃ？　やばっ」

【手下１】「んっ！？　お前、何者だ！？　・・・ぐふっ！」

The moment I reach out for the doorknob the door opens on it's own.

Rick: "Ah, err? Oh damn it-!"

Henchman 1: "Huh!? You, who are you!? ...guhu-!"

【リック】「ラン、こっちだっ、　逃げるよ！」

俺は目の前に突然現れたバーナーの手下を不意打ちして、ランの手を引っ張る. そして、廊下を走る.

Rick: "Ran, this way, quick!" ''[天: I better avoid saying "Ran, run!" :P] [味: Rick: "Ran, run!" Ran: "Running!" Sorry, I just had to |D] [天: :P]''

I beat the henchman of Bernar's that suddenly came into the room to the ground, grabbed Ran by her hand and took her with me. Then we ran down the corridor. [僧: "and pull Ran at her hand with me" sounded off, so I changed it.] [天: Ok]

【手下２】「・・・ぐふぅ. くっ、くせものだぁ！　２階の女が逃げるぞっ！」

背中越しにさっき倒した奴の声が聞こえる.

Henchman 2: "...guhuu. I-, intruders! The girl from the second floor is running away!"

I hear the guy, that I just knocked out of the way, scream behind me.

[味: So did he shove the guy down or beat him into the ground?] [天: "taosu" means "to topple" so I guess Rick bumped into him and he fell to the ground.]

【ラン】「リ、リック・・・」

【リック】「大丈夫だって. 俺を信じて. それより、道を教えて」

【ラン】「そこの、階段を降りて、左に曲がると　裏口の方へ出るから・・・」

【リック】「ＯＫ」

Ran: "Ri-, Rick..."

Rick: "It's alright. Trust me. More importantly, which way should we go!"

Ran: "Down that stairway, and then take a left. We can get out through the back door there..."

Rick: "OK"

ランの言うとおり、階段を下りて、左に曲がると、そこには、数人のいかつい顔をした連中がいた.

【リック】「わっ、やべ！」

【手下達】「逃がすな！　つかまえろ！」

中には、武器を持っている奴もいて、とてもかなう相手ではなさそうだ.

I do as Ran says and we rush down the stairs and to the left, but a group of guys with grim faces blocks our way.

Rick: "Wah-, not good!"

Henchmen: "You're not getting away! Seize them!!"

Some of them are even carrying weapons, I'm definitely no match for these guys.

【ラン】「リック、こっち！」

俺はランに手を引かれるままきびすを返し、違う出口を探す.

Ran: "Rick, over here!"

Ran pulls at my hand, I turn on my heel and we run in the opposite direction to find another exit.

【手下】「おっと、逃がしゃしねぇぜ」

後ろにも追っ手、前からも追っ手.

【ラン】「リック」

俺はおもむろにズボンのポケットに手を突っ込んで、小さな包みを取り出す. そして、それを目の前のやつらに向かって顔めがけて投げつける！

Henchman: "Oops, dead end for you!"

Guards behind me and guards in front of me.

Ran: "Rick."

Slowly I slip my hand into my trouser pocket and pull out a little packet. And then I throw it right in the face of the guy in front of me.

【リック】「なにも準備せずに、来るかっての」

包みからは粉末が散らばり、連中の顔に覆いかかる.

【手下】「ぎゃぁっ！　いてて！　げほっ、げほっ！　な、なんだこれは！」

【手下】「ひいっ！　しみる！　いてぇ！」

俺は、連中が苦しがってる隙に横を通り抜け、先へ進む.

Rick: "You thought I'd come here unprepared?"

The packet rips and out comes a fine powder that engulfs the group of guys.

Henchman: "Gyaaa-! It burns! Achoo-, Achoo-! Wha-, what is this!"

Henchman: "Hii-! Breathed it in! Ah it hurts!"

As they cringe in pain we break through an opening at the side and continue down the corridor.

【リック】「胡椒だよ. いいアイディアだろ？」

後ろからも追っ手が迫ってきた.

【ラン】「早く、こっちへ！」

ランに先導されるままにバーナー屋敷を駆けめぐる.

Rick: "That was milled pepper. Nice idea, right?"

''[味: When the hell did he pick that up, and why? Regardless, it has more plot than most porn out there, so I'll cut him some slack.] [天: Maybe as a defensive measure since he'S such a bad fighter. Who knows~]''

Behind me I can hear more people chase after us.

Ran: "Quick, this way!"

Guided by Ran we make a dash, criss-crossing through the whole manor. [僧: Going along with not using Ran and run together, I changed "run" to "dash" here.] [天: Better~]

追っ手は増えるばかりで、せめて屋敷を脱出できればどうにかなりそうなんだけど・・・.

【？？？】「早く捕らえろッ！　逃がすな！」

野太い声が廊下の奥から聞こえる.

【ラン】「バーナーだわ. 捕まったら、あなたも私も殺されて　しまう」

But there are more and more people pursuing us, how in the world should we get out of here again...

???: "Hurry up you oafs and catch them! Don't let them escape!"

I can hear an arrogant voice from down the hallway.

''[味: Hey Ama, just a heads-up, I'm noticing you're mixing up "here" with "hear" quite a bit. Just thought you should know ^^;] [天: -.-" I type it how I'd speak it that's how that stuff happens.]''

Ran: "That's Bernar. If we are caught, he will kill both of us for sure!"

''[味: Also another thing, would it be possible to use more conjunctions (we're, he'll, we'll etc), or would that be deviating from the original text too much?] [天: "Conjunctions" exist neither in Japanese nor in German, so it strays neither from the original text nor from my interpretation. Feel free to use them if you think it sounds more natural that way.]''

【リック】「ラン、エントランスはどっちだ？」

持ってる胡椒袋は後２つ. エントランスまで逃げられれば、どうにかなるはず.

玄関まで出ればどうにかなるはずだ. 俺は、ランの指さす方向に足を向ける.

エントランスまで出ると、幸い、扉の前の警備は２人だ. このまま一気に飛び出す.

Rick: "Ran, where is the main entrance?"

I still got two pouches full of pepper in my pocket. If we can make it to the entrance, there must be a way we can get through somehow.

But what do we do once we're outside the manor? I just keep running in the direction Ran points me.

If we're lucky there will only be two guards left at the entrance. If that's the case we can break through for sure.

【手下１】「待てッ！」

【リック】「待てないよッ！」

俺は、立ちはだかるバーナーの手下に体当たりをかける.

【手下２】「おい！　お前、この女が　どうなってもいいのか！」

【リック】「ラ、ラン！」

Henchman 1: "Stop right there!"

Rick: "There's no stopping me!"

I throw myself with all my might against the guy that's blocking the way.

Henchman 2: "Hey, you! Don't you care what happens to this girl!"

Rick: "Ra-, Ran!"

俺が手下の一人を倒している間に、もう一人の手下はランをつかまえ、ナイフを首筋にあてていた.

【手下２】「おとなしくこちらへ・・・　がっ！　～～～ッ！」

突然、ランを押さえつけていた手下が顔を歪ませ、床にへたりこむ.

While I had knocked one of the guards to the ground the other one had caught Ran and is now holding a knife to her throat.

Henchman 2: "Don't try anything funny and come over he... Gah-! ~ ~ ~ -!" [天: Had to place spaces between the ~ or wiki turns it into some kind of script]

Suddenly the guy that was holding down Ran screws his face and slumps to the ground.

【ラン】「自分の道は、自分で拓かなきゃ、　でしょ？」

ランは腕で口を拭いながら、玄関の扉に手をかけた.

Ran: "If you need a way out you got to make one yourself, right?"

Ran wipes her mouth with her arm while pressing one hand against the entrance door.

''[味: So he was holding her down and she bit him? Does the text specify she was being held down before?][僧: I figured she either bit him or kicked him in the nuts. Judging by the henchman's reaction, I thought it was the latter. Of course, that wouldn't explain why she wipes her mouth. Is there a clue in the associated image?] [天: I left this sentence as literal as possible since I'm not sure either. My best guess is the "bite in the arm (Gah!) -&gt; kick in the nuts (screwing his face)" motion. Or maybe more crule: bite in the arm and then in the nuts ^^" who knows, however the reader wants to interpret this :P]''

外に出たら出たで、すでに何人かが俺達を待ち伏せていた.

逃げ場は限られてきて、とても強行突破などできる状況ではなくなってきた.

俺とランは、追っ手を避けて、屋敷の脇の森の中へ入った.

As we get out of the manor we're immediately ambushed by a large group of people.

There isn't much space to run left and we don't stand a chance to break through all of them either.

We avoid our pursuers and run into the forest outside Bernar's manor.

【バーナー】「バカめ. そっちは行き止まりだ」

森の中を走り続ける. 後の方から、がさがさと草をかき分けながら追っ手が迫る.

しばらくすると、目の前が開け、そこに崖が現れる.

崖の下は、深い森になっており、下まで落ちればまず助からないだろう.

Bernar: "You brainless fools. That way is a dead end!"

We keep on running through the forest. Behind us we hear grass rustle and twigs snap, we're still being followed.

After a while the thicket opens and a cliff appears in front of our eyes.

Far below the cliff you can see a deep forest, guess we'd be done for should we fall down there.

【ラン】「・・・リック」

もう逃げ場はない. ランが俺の腕にぎゅっとつかまる.

崖の端で立ちつくす俺とランの前にバーナーと手下達が現れた.

【バーナー】「うちのランを盗み出そうなんざ、　いい度胸だな」

Ran: "...Rick."

Nowhere left to run. Ran's grip around my arm becomes tighter.

We stand motionless at the edge of the cliff as Bernar and his henchman emerge from the forest.

Bernar: "My my, you really got some nerve to steal Ran from me!"

【リック】「お前のようなやつには　ランは渡せない」

【バーナー】「この状況で、やけに大口を　たたくじゃないか. まあ、死ぬ前に吠えさせといてやるさ」

バーナーと手下達がにじり寄ってくる.

Rick: "I will never hand her over to a bastard like you!"

Bernar: "Got a pretty big mouth for someone with his back against the wall. Ah whatever, your life ends here anyways, so yap to your heart's content."

Bernar and his men slowly close in on us.

【バーナー】「ラン、戻ってこい. ワシに怪我をさせたことは忘れてやる. うちにいれば、いい服も着せてやるし、　うまい飯も食わせてやる」

【ラン】「・・・いやよ. 戻りたくないわ. あんなところ、戻るくらいなら　死んでやる！」

Bernar: "Ran, come back to me. I will forgive you for that wound you caused me. Come back to my manor and I will dress you in fancy clothes and feed you delicious food, how does that sound?"

Ran: "... I don't want to. I don't want to go back. I'd rather die before I go back to that place!"

【バーナー】「どのみち、前に出るか、後ろに下がる　しか選択はねぇ. ラン、どうする？

お前が戻ってくるなら、そこの　ガキの命は助けてやってもいい」

バーナーが両手を広げて、ランに笑みを投げかける.

Bernar: "Then what will it be, my open hand in front, or that abyss below you, those are your only options. What will you do, Ran?

If you return to me I might even let myself get carried away and spare the life of that brat over there."

Bernar spreads out both of his arms and smiles from ear to ear.

【ラン】「・・・本当に？」

ランの足が一歩前に出る.

【バーナー】「本当さ. その程度でウソはつかんよ」

【リック】「ラン、騙されちゃダメだ！」

俺はランの腕を引き寄せる.

Ran: "... you really mean it?"

Ran makes one step forward.

Bernar: "Of course I do. After all I'd never lie to you to that degree, would I?"

Rick: "Ran, don't be fooled!"

I pull Ran at her arm closer to me.

【リック】「ラン、騙されちゃダメだ. あいつはまたきっとランを酷い目に　遭わせる」

俺はランの耳元でそう言った. たとえ、バーナーが言ったことが本当でも、ランがまた以前のように慰み物になるのは間違いない. 俺の命も助けるなんて、くだらない約束、守るなんて思えない.

【バーナー】「じゃあ、このまま二人揃って　死ぬのか？」

【手下】「いっそのこと、突き落としてやろうか？」

Rick: "Ran, don't let him fool you! I'm sure he will only continue to mistreat you, just like before!"

I say next to Ran's ear. Even if Bernar means what he said, there's no doubt that Ran would become his plaything once again. And I don't even believe for a second, that he will keep that ridiculous promise to spare my life.

Bernar: "So, would you rather die together then?"

Henchman: "Then we might as well throw you down that cliff."

武器を持った手下が俺とランににじり寄る. 俺とランは、ゆっくり後ずさりをする.

One of the guys starts coming nearer to us carrying a weapon. Ran and I slowly make a step backwards.

ガラッ！

【リック】「うわっ！」

【ラン】「きゃぁっ！」

ガラガラッ！


 * crackle*

Rick: "Uwah-!"

Ran: "Kyaa-!"


 * crackle-crackle* [天: Ignore those stupid squares to the left. They are supposed to be asterisks.]

【バーナー】「なっ！」

俺とランの足下の岩は崩れ、そのまま、崖の下に転落する.

【手下１】「お、大旦那様、どうします？　下は真っ暗で何も見えませんぜ・・・」

【手下２】「・・・探しますか？」

Bernar: "Don't-!"

Below us the ground gives way, a part of the cliff breaks off and we fall down into the darkness.

Henchman 1: "Oh, what do we do now, master? It's pitch black down there I can't see a thing..."

Henchman 2: "... Should we search for them?"

「・・・ここから落ちたら、　まず、助かるまい・・・」

【手下３】「たとえ助かっていたとしても　無事ではすみませんな.

どちらにしても野犬のエサって　ところでさぁ」

【バーナー】「ッ！　帰るぞ. ランめ. バカな女よ. おとなしくしていれば、　一生かわいがってやったものを」

"... a fall from this height is most likely lethal..."

Henchman 3: "And even if they survived somehow, I don't think we'd find them.

No matter what we do, it's pointless."

Bernar: "Tsch! We're going home. Ran, you foolish, dimwitted little girl. If you had done as I said, a whole life filled with my love would have awaited you."

【リック】「あいててて・・・」

【ラン】「リック大丈夫？」

【リック】「・・・ラン、重い」

【ラン】「きゃ、ごめんなさい！」

Rick: "Ou-ou-ou-ouch..."

Ran: "Rick, are you alright?"

Rick: "... Ran, you're heavy."

Ran: "Kya, sorry!"

【ラン】「びっくりしたわ. あの時、『崖を飛び降りよう』なんて　言うんだもの」

【リック】「足下が崩れたのは予想外だったけど」

【ラン】「一緒に心中するのかって思ったわ」

【リック】「まさか. 屋敷に忍び込む前に下調べを　しといたんだ. ここから落ちれば、ちょうど鳥の巣に　引っかかって助かるようにね」

Ran: "Phew, that scared me. Back when you said "Let's jump down"."

Rick: "But I didn't expect the cliff to just break off below our feet."

Ran: "I thought you wanted to commit double suicide with me."

Rick: "No way I'd do that. I scouted this place out before I snuck [味: Snuck or sneaked? I always use snuck =/] into the manor. I knew if we'd jump down here, we'd soon fall into a bird's nest and be saved."

''[味: -_-;][僧: Hey, come on. This stopped being realistic right around the time someone started building a WWI-era airplane from scratch when aviation technology is commonly thought to be completely nonexistent.][味: To be honest this stopped being real the second the story began narrating about little furry people, still can't stop me from rolling my eyes at the most unlikely of situations even in a fantasy setting |D]''

【ラン】「すごいのね. こんなことを思いつくなんて. 追いつめられたんじゃなくて、　ここに逃げるようにしたんでしょ？」

Ran: "Wow! You really thought about this. So even if we wouldn't have been cornered, we would have escaped this way anyhow?"

【リック】「ずっと前、ナップから借りた本にさ　こんな事が書いてあったのを　覚えてただけさ」

下は深い森. 俺達がいるところからも何も見えない. 真っ逆様に見える崖も、ところどころに出っ張りがあって、人が２人くらい落ちても平気なところがいくつかあった.

Rick: "I read about it in a book that I borrowed from Napp a long ago, I just suddenly remembered it." ''[僧: This got translated as "that I lent from Napp." Does he mean he borrowed it from Napp, or was lending it to him? I'm assuming it's the former and edited accordingly, but the wording was ambiguous.] [天: Didn't realize it was. Anyways, I meant it the way you corrected it.]''

Under us lies the dark forest. From the place we're at we can't see a thing down there. Above us there are many protrusions like this one, a lot of them seem big enough to catch two people safely.

【リック】「たぶん、バーナーは俺もランも死んだと　思ってる. だから、きっともう追いかけられることは　ないよ. ランは自由だ. ランは自分との戦いに勝ったんだ」

【ラン】「・・・リック」

俺とランは奇妙に重なり合いながら互いの口を近づけた.

軽く２～３度つつきあった後、しばらくの間互いを離さなかった.

Rick: "I guess, Bernar thinks that both you and I died just now. I don't think he will ever search for you again. You are free now. Ran, you've fought bravely and now you have won."

Ran: "... Rick."

We two are piled on each other in a strange way, but somehow our lips come closer and closer to each other.

Lightly, 2-3 times our lips press against each other, and then we part for a moment.

【リック】「ラン・・・」

【ラン】「・・・なあに？」

【リック】「とりあえず、家に戻ろう. ナップも心配してる」

【ラン】「ん・・・」

Rick: "Ran..."

Ran: "... yes?"

Rick: "We should go home now. Napp is worried about us."

Ran: "Hm..."

【リック】「それに、ここの住人も少し　ご立腹のようだしね」

【トリ】「ぴー、ぴぴー」

【ラン】「あ、ごめんなさい」

ランはそう言った後、俺の顔を見た. 互いの瞳を見つめ合いながら、俺とランはふふふ、と笑った.

Rick: "And aside from that I think somebody else is quite angry that we invaded his home."

Bird: "Chirp-, chirpchirp-!"

Ran: "Ah, sorry."

After saying that, Ran looks into my face. And as our eyes meet, we both start to giggle and then burst out in laughter.

Finished version
&lt;決別&gt;

Parting Ways

【リック】「ただいま、・・・あれ？」

普段なら、『お帰りなさい』なんてランの声が聞こえてくるはずなんだけどな.

魚釣りから帰ってきた俺は、家の中にランがいないことに気がついた.

Rick: "I'm home, ...huh?"

Strange, usually I'd hear a "Welcome home" from Ran.

I'm just coming home from fishing and somehow start to get the feeling that Ran isn't home.

少し外へ出ているくらいかと、しばらく待っていたけれど、帰ってくる様子もない.

うちに来てから、あまり外に出ないようにしていたのだから、遠出をしているとは思えないんだけど・・・.

Maybe she's just out for a little walk near the house, but even after waiting for a while, there are no signs of her returning.

Since she came to our home, she hasn't been out very often, so it's unlikely that she has gone that far away, but...

【ナップ】「あ、兄さん、お帰り」

ナップは本から目を離さないまま、そう言った.

【リック】「ナップ、ランを知らないかい？」

【ナップ】「ランさん？　リビングにいない？」

Napp: "Ah, welcome home, big brother."

Says Napp and looks up from his book.

Rick: "Napp, do you know where Ran is?"

Napp: "Ran? Isn't she in the living room?"

【リック】「いや、いないんだ」

【ナップ】「おかしいな. 少し前にキノコを採りに行く　って出てったみたいだけど、　まだ帰ってきてないの？」

ナップは本を置いて、訝しい顔をした. いつも家の中にいるナップは、ランが外へ出たとしても、どのくらいで帰ってくるかは知っている.

Rick: "No, I looked there already."

Napp: "Hm that's strange. Just a few minutes ago she said she'd go out to gather mushrooms, has she still not come back?"

Napp puts the book down with a worried look on his face. Napp is always at home and so he knows very well how long Ran is usually gone.

【ナップ】「いつもなら、すぐ帰って来るんだけどね」

【リック】「まあ、探しに行ってくるよ. キノコを採りに行くって言ったんだよな」

俺は、ナップが頷くが早いか、ランを捜すために、家を出た.

Napp: "Normally she comes back right away."

Rick: "Ok, I'll go look for her. She's gathering mushrooms, right?"

Shortly after Napp nods, I leave the house to search for her.

キノコを採りに来るっていったら、この辺だよなぁ.

少し道を逸れて、森の方へ足を踏み入れる. この辺りは、土地もいいのか、うまいキノコがたくさん生えているのだ.

I guess, around here would be the place to gather mushrooms.

I stray a little from the road and set foot into the forest. The ground is very fertile here, perfect for mushrooms to grow.

この前、話したときに、今度採りに行こうと言っていたから、ここに来たのは間違いないだろう.

ここなら、家にも近いし、特に問題はないと思ってたけど・・・.

When she said she'd go gather mushrooms somewhere, I'm sure she was talking about this place.

On top of that, it's not far from our house, so choosing this place is a no-brainer, but....

あれ？　なんだか、争ったような跡がある・・・.

まさか、ここで誰かに襲われたとか？ランを襲うやつらと言えば、バーナーの手下か？

確証はないけれど、他に考えようがなかった.

俺は、もう遅いのかも知れないけれど少しでも手がかりを得るためにザパトに通じる浮島の方へ向かうことにした.

What? Those are, traces of a fight...

That can't be! Was she attacked here by someone? The only people that come to mind would be Bernar's men!

There's no evidence that the attackers were his henchmen, but I can't think of anybody else.

It's already late but I decide to follow the trail in the direction of Zapat, and so I make my way towards the island.

浮島に続く、飛び石を渡ったところで何か話し声が聞こえてきた. まさか、ザパトの連中だろうか！？

俺は近くの岩に身を潜めて、様子を伺うことにした.

As I reach the island and start to jump over the stepping stones, I suddenly hear voices. Don't tell me, could that be that Zapat gang!?

I hide behind a nearby rock and try to get a picture of the situation.

【縞尻尾１】「いつまで花摘みしてりゃいいんだよぉ」

【縞尻尾２】「文句言わないで、さっさと終わらせて　帰ろうぜ」

【縞尻尾１】「こんなの女の仕事だぜ」

【縞尻尾２】「仕方ねえだろ. 大旦那様がこの花が　好きなんだから. あの女が帰ってきたから、屋敷を　花で飾りたいんだと」

Striped Tail 1: "How much longer do we have to waste time picking flowers here, man?"

Striped Tail 2: "Less bitching more weeding, I want to get this done and go home already!"

Striped Tail 1: "But this is girls' work, man."

Striped Tail 2: "Like we got a choice. Our master likes these flowers, so we're getting them for him. He wants the manor decorated with them since that chick came home."

【縞尻尾１】「帰ってきたっていうか、　連れ戻しただけだろ？」

【縞尻尾２】「ま、大旦那様のお気に入りだ. 仕方ねえだろ」

【縞尻尾１】「バーナーの旦那も困ったものだな」

二人はブツブツ言いながら、アモレアの花を摘んでいた.

Striped Tail 1: "'Came home?', you mean we dragged her home."

Striped Tail 2: "Whatever, she's master's sweetheart, so we ain't got a choice."

Striped Tail 1: "Working for master Bernar sure is a pain, right man?"

The two continue their whining as they pick the Amorea.

とりあえず、連中の話で、ランがバーナーの屋敷に連れて行かれたことは間違いなさそうだ.

ランを助けてあげなきゃ. ランを守ってやらなきゃ.

きっと今頃、どこかで泣いてるに違いない.

俺が守ってやらなきゃ！

In short, those guys really did bring her back to Bernar's manor.

I have to save Ran. I have to protect her.

I bet she's crying her eyes out somewhere in that place.

I will protect you, Ran!

しかし、どうやってランを助ければいいんだろう. 相手はザパトの村の資産家バーナーだ.

俺みたいにバストークの人間がザパトの村に入れば、屋敷に着く前に天国に着いてしまうかもしれない.

助け出せたとしても、その後、うまく逃げおおせるだろうか.

But how am I supposed to do that? I'm going against Bernar after all, the richest guy in all of Zapat.

Since it's obvious that I'm a guy from Bastok, making my way through Zapat to Bernars manor, might very well end me up in heavens instead.

And even if I could get to her, how should we get out of Zapat again afterwards?

しかし、そんなことを考えてる暇はない.

夜になるのを待って、ザパトの村に忍び込もう.

Still, I got no time to waste on thinking about that.

I'll just wait until sunset and then sneak into the village.

そう言えば、ザパトの村に入るのは初めてだ.

いつもランが来ていた茂みから村に入り、目立たないように森を通って村の中心を目指す.

村は平和そのものだ. その風景や、時折聞こえてくる家族の団欒の声など、バストークの村となんら変わりはない.

なのに、なぜ、互いの村は争おうとするんだろうか.

Come to think of it, first I have to get into the village.

I can use that way through the bushes that Ran always used, from there I can remain unseen and travel through the forest into the center of Zapat.

The village seems so peaceful. This calm scenery, only interrupted by the happy noise of families in their houses, it doesn't differ from Bastok at all.

Why is it, then, that these two villages have a feud with each other?

家族や、友達と一緒に楽しむようにバストークの村の人たちとも仲良くできないのだろうか.

バストークとザパトと両方の村を見て、そんなことを感じた.

バーナーの屋敷はすぐわかった. なにせ、村で一番大きいのだ.

The people of Bastok that love to have fun with their families and friends, couldn't they get along with the people of this village too?

When I look at Bastok and now at Zapat I get the feeling it could be possible.

I recognize Bernar's manor right away. It's the largest building in the whole village.

バストークの村長の屋敷でさえ、あんなに大きくない.

それに、拓かれた山の上に建っているのだ. 村中どこにいても見ることができる.

It even dwarfs the house of the village elder.

On top of that, the manor was built on an artificial hill. You can see it from everywhere in the village.

忍び込むのはたやすいもので、俺は屋敷の中に足を踏み入れた.

バーナーの屋敷は背の高い樹に囲まれており、枝を伝って、部屋の中に侵入したってわけだ.

幸い、警備らしい警備があるわけでもなく廊下も静まり返っている.

Sneaking inside is a piece of cake, finding a way doesn't take long.

Bernar's manor is surrounded by large trees, I just climb up through the branches and soon find an open window.

Luckily not a single guard is in sight, the corridor lies completely silent.

階下からは男達の騒ぐ声が聞こえる. 大方、酒でも飲んでいるのだろう. まさか、ランがそこにいなければいいけど.

とにかく、長居は禁物だ. できるだけ早くランを見つけて逃げ出さなければ.

しかし、部屋を一つ一つ見て回るわけには行かないしな.

From downstairs I can hear some guys laughing. They're probably drunk I'd guess. Surely Ran won't be down there, at least I hope that.

Anyways I can't stay here very long. I have to find Ran as fast as I can and get out of here.

But, I can't go around searching every room one by one.

【リック】「・・・ラン？」

俺は小さな声でランの名前を呼んでみる. が、返事などあるわけがない.

Rick: "...Ran?"

In a low voice I call Ran's name. But I get no answer at all.

【？？？】「・・・それでよ、」

角の方から声がする. バーナーの使用人か？まさか見つかった？

俺はとっさに近くの部屋に入る. 運よく、誰もいない物置のようで姿を隠すにはちょうどよかった.

???: "... and so,"

I can hear voices from around the corner. More of Bernars servants? Could it be that they found me?

As fast as I can I hide in the nearest room. Luckily nobody's in here, it's a closet with just enough room for me to hide in.

【使用人１】「大旦那様は、あの女が帰ってきたから　大喜びらしいぜ」

【使用人２】「で、お前がその世話係？」

【使用人１】「まあ、な. と言っても、今の所、こうやって飯を　持ってくくらいだしな」

Servant 1: "Master was truly delighted when that girl was brought home again."

Servant 2: "So, you were part of the group that found her?"

Servant 1: "Well, yeah. Although right now I'm the guy that has to bring her dinner."

【使用人２】「大旦那様は、どうしてあの女を　わざわざ連れ戻したりするんだ？　たいした金で買ったわけでもないのに」

【使用人１】「なんて事はない話さ. あんな何の役にも立たない小娘を　置いてる理由は一つ.

大旦那様のアッチの趣味とピッタリ　ってわけだ」

Servant 2: "But why was master so hell bent on getting that girl back anyways? There's no way she could have been that expensive."

Servant 1: "Of course not. There's just one reason that master keeps that good-for-nothing chick here.

She's just perfect for master's special hobby."

【使用人２】「そういや、うちに来た頃は、　大旦那様は毎晩通っていたからな」

【使用人１】「まったく、あんな小娘抱いたところで　何が面白いんだか」

【使用人２】「そうか？　俺は結構好きだな. いっそのこと、喰っちまうか」

間違いなくあいつらの話している『小娘』っていうのはランのことだろう.

Servant 2: "Now that you mention it, when she was here master used to go to her room every night, didn't he?"

Servant 1: "Really, I don't understand what about that chick appeals to him so much."

Servant 2: "Seriously? I think she's pretty cute. You think I could borrow her for a little ride?"

No doubt about it, that "chick" they are talking about must be Ran.

それにしてもあいつら・・・. できることならこのまま飛び出していってあいつらをぶん殴ってやりたい気分だ.

俺はわき上がる怒りを抑え、じっと耳をすました.

【使用人１】「ま、喰っちまうのは勝手だが、　大旦那様に見つからないようにしろよ」

And aside from that, those two... One part of me would really love to jump out of this closet and beat those jerks to a pulp.

But I swallow down my anger and prick up my ears again.

Servant 1: "Well, do whatever you have to, but at least do it somewhere the master won't find you."

声からするに、二人の使用人は目の前の通路をまっすぐ行って、右の方に曲がったらしい.

どうやら、うまくランの所へたどり着けそうだ.

俺は声がしなくなってからしばらくして、部屋を出た.

The voices start to fade, seems like the two passed the corridor in front of my room and turned right at the next corner.

Maybe I can find Ran's room this way.

After the voices have disappeared completely I leave the closet.

誰も来ないかしっかり確認した後、使用人達が進んだ方向に向かった.

少し料理の匂いが残っている. ・・・うまそうなもの食ってんだな.

俺は料理の匂いを追いかける.

そして、少し離れにある部屋の前で足を止める.

I make sure that nobody is around and continue into the direction those servants went.

A faint smell of food is left in the air. ...they sure get to eat some tasty stuff in this place.

I follow that smell down through the corridors.

After a while I reach a room that's a little secluded from all the others.

軽くノックをする.

【ラン】「・・・はい？」

ランの声だ.

【リック】「・・・ラン？」

俺はドア越しに声をかける.

I knock at the door lightly.

Ran: "...yes?"

That's Ran's voice.

Rick: "...Ran?"

I open the door ajar and call Ran's name.

【ラン】「・・・リック！　リックなの！？」

俺はドアを開け、部屋の中に入る.

Ran: "...Rick! Rick, is that you!?"

I open the door and enter the room.

【ラン】「リック！」

ドアを開けた瞬間、ランが俺の胸に飛び込んできた.

【ラン】「どうして、あなたがここに？」

今にも涙がこぼれそうなくらい瞳を潤ませたランが顔を上げる.

Ran: "Rick!"

The moment I open the door Ran leaps against my chest.

Ran: "Why are you here?"

Ran looks up to me with wet eyes, that look like they could break into tears again any moment.

【リック】「何って、決まってるじゃないか. ランを助けに来たんだよ」

俺はドアを閉めてランと一緒に中に入る.

Rick: "Isn't that obvious? I'm here to save you Ran!"

I step into the room, where I'm alone with Ran."

【ラン】「・・・まさか、助けに来てくれる　なんて」

ランがぐずりと涙をすする.

【リック】「当然じゃないか. ランは俺にとって大切な人　なんだから」

俺はランに手を差し伸べる.

ランを失いたくない. ランを守りたい. ランを幸せにしたい.

だから、俺はランを助けに来た.

Ran: "... this can't be, you're here to save me?"

Whimpers Ran and sniffles.

Rick: "Of course I am. Because you're important to me, Ran."

I reach out my hand to her.

I don't want to lose her. I want to protect her. I want to make her happy.

And that is why I'm going to save you, Ran.

【ラン】「助けに来てくれたのは　嬉しいけど・・・. 早く逃げて」

【リック】「・・・え？」

【ラン】「見つかったら、殺されてしまうわ. バーナーは血も涙もない男よ. どうせ、私はバーナーから　逃げられないのよ. せめて、あなただけでも逃げて」

ランはそう言って、俺の手を振り解くようにはねのけた.

Ran: "I'm so glad that you came for me, but... Quickly, you have to go now."

Rick: "... eh?"

Ran: "If you are found, you will be killed for sure. Bernar is a cold and heartless man. In the end I cannot escape from him no matter what I do. So please at least you have to flee from here."

Says Ran, pushing my hand away.

【リック】「・・・俺は君を助けに来たんだ. ここから、必ず君を助け出す」

【ラン】「けど・・・、ここから逃げ出したとしても　きっとまた捕まるわ. 何度逃げ出しても、繰り返しよ」

【リック】「だったら、その度に君を助けるよ」

【ラン】「私はもう、バーナーから逃げられない. ここにいた方がいいのよ」

Rick: "...I have come to save you. Trust me, I can get you out of here."

Ran: "But... even if we make it out of the manor, I'm sure they will catch me again. No matter how often I'd run from here, it's just useless."

Rick: "If they catch you I will just save you again!"

Ran: "I can't run from Bernar anymore. It'll be the best if I just stay here."

【リック】「・・・ランがそう思っているうちは　きっとそうなんだと思う. けど、自分が変わろうと思えば、きっと　変わることができるよ」

【ラン】「・・・リック」

【リック】「俺はランを守るために、ここに来た. 俺はランを助けるよ. 必ず. そして、これからもランのことを守る. 約束するよ！」

俺は、ランにもう一度手を差し出した.

Rick: "...If you say so Ran, then that will be the case right now. But, I know that I can change that, I'm sure there is a way out of this for you!"

Ran: "...Rick."

Rick: "I have come here to protect you Ran. I will save you. No matter what. And then, I will continue to protect you. I promise!"

Once more, I reach out my hand for Ran.

【リック】「だけど、ここから先はランが決めることだ. このまま、バーナーの慰み物として　ずっと生きるのか. それとも、俺の手を取って、一緒に脱出して　自分を取り戻すのか」

ランが俺の瞳を見る.

Rick: "But, from here on, this is all your decision. You can stay here and spend your life as Bernar's plaything. Or, you can grab this hand, run with me from here, and regain what was lost of yourself."

Ran looks into my eyes.

【リック】「さあ、一緒に帰ろう. 人生をあきらめるなんてつまらないよ. ランにだって、夢も希望もあるはずだよ」

ランが、俺の手の平に手の平を重ねた. そして、ぎゅっと握る.

Rick: "Come now, let's go home together. Throwing your life away is boring. Even you must have dreams and hopes, Ran."

Ran is placing her palm against mine. And then squeezes my hand tightly.

【ラン】「リックを信じる・・・. そして、もう一度、私自身を信じる. 上辺だけ笑ってたって、楽しい事なんて　何もないもの. リックみたいにずっと笑えて暮らせたら、　きっと、今よりずっと楽しいよね」

【リック】「うん、行こう！」

俺は、ランを引き寄せ、抱きしめる. ランを守る. ランを幸せにする. 必ず.

Ran: "Rick, I believe you.... And also, I once again believe in myself. Always laughing on the outside, I didn't enjoy that at all. But living my life always laughing freely like you Rick, I'm sure I could enjoy that far more."

Rick: "Alright, let's go!"

I pull Ran near to me and hug her closely. I will protect her. I will make here happy. I'm sure I will.

【ラン】「でもどうやって出るの？　屋敷の中はバーナーの手下や　使用人でいっぱいよ. 中には、用心棒みたいなのも　いるんだから」

【リック】「・・・一人で忍び込んだように　はいかないよなぁ」

Ran: "But how will we get out? In this manor there are dozens of Bernar's henchmen and servants. Among them there are also strong guys that work as his bodyguards."

Rick: "... I guess we can't leave the way I got in here then."

さすがに２人だと、来たときのようにうまくはいかない.

結局、なんだかんだ言っても、屋敷を脱出できないと意味はない.

【リック】「ま、どうにかなるんじゃないかな」

【ラン】「・・・大丈夫？」

【リック】「ま、俺に任せなって」

Thought so, the two of us won't get out of here as smoothly as I got in alone.

But in the end that doesn't mean that there is no way out of this manor at all for us.

Rick: "Well, we'll make it somehow."

Ran: "... are you sure?"

Rick: "Sure, just leave it to me."

とドアノブに手をかけた瞬間. 俺が開くまでもなく、ドアが勝手に開いた.

【リック】「あ、ありゃ？　やばっ」

【手下１】「んっ！？　お前、何者だ！？　・・・ぐふっ！」

The moment I reach out for the doorknob the door opens on it's own.

Rick: "Ah, err? Oh damn it-!"

Henchman 1: "Huh!? You, who are you!? ...guhu-!"

【リック】「ラン、こっちだっ、　逃げるよ！」

俺は目の前に突然現れたバーナーの手下を不意打ちして、ランの手を引っ張る. そして、廊下を走る.

Rick: "Ran, this way, quick!"

I beat the henchman of Bernar's that suddenly came into the room to the ground, grabbed Ran by her hand and took her with me. Then we ran down the corridor.

【手下２】「・・・ぐふぅ. くっ、くせものだぁ！　２階の女が逃げるぞっ！」

背中越しにさっき倒した奴の声が聞こえる.

Henchman 2: "...guhuu. I-, intruders! The girl from the second floor is running away!"

I hear the guy, that I just knocked out of the way, scream behind me.

【ラン】「リ、リック・・・」

【リック】「大丈夫だって. 俺を信じて. それより、道を教えて」

【ラン】「そこの、階段を降りて、左に曲がると　裏口の方へ出るから・・・」

【リック】「ＯＫ」

Ran: "Ri-, Rick..."

Rick: "It's alright. Trust me. More importantly, which way should we go!"

Ran: "Down that stairway, and then take a left. We can get out through the back door there..."

Rick: "OK"

ランの言うとおり、階段を下りて、左に曲がると、そこには、数人のいかつい顔をした連中がいた.

【リック】「わっ、やべ！」

【手下達】「逃がすな！　つかまえろ！」

中には、武器を持っている奴もいて、とてもかなう相手ではなさそうだ.

I do as Ran says and we rush down the stairs and to the left, but a group of guys with grim faces blocks our way.

Rick: "Wah-, not good!"

Henchmen: "You're not getting away! Seize them!!"

Some of them are even carrying weapons, I'm definitely no match for these guys.

【ラン】「リック、こっち！」

俺はランに手を引かれるままきびすを返し、違う出口を探す.

Ran: "Rick, over here!"

Ran pulls at my hand, I turn on my heel and we run in the opposite direction to find another exit.

【手下】「おっと、逃がしゃしねぇぜ」

後ろにも追っ手、前からも追っ手.

【ラン】「リック」

俺はおもむろにズボンのポケットに手を突っ込んで、小さな包みを取り出す. そして、それを目の前のやつらに向かって顔めがけて投げつける！

Henchman: "Oops, dead end for you!"

Guards behind me and guards in front of me.

Ran: "Rick."

Slowly I slip my hand into my trouser pocket and pull out a little packet. And then I throw it right in the face of the guy in front of me.

【リック】「なにも準備せずに、来るかっての」

包みからは粉末が散らばり、連中の顔に覆いかかる.

【手下】「ぎゃぁっ！　いてて！　げほっ、げほっ！　な、なんだこれは！」

【手下】「ひいっ！　しみる！　いてぇ！」

俺は、連中が苦しがってる隙に横を通り抜け、先へ進む.

Rick: "You thought I'd come here unprepared?"

The packet rips and out comes a fine powder that engulfs the group of guys.

Henchman: "Gyaaa-! It burns! Achoo-, Achoo-! Wha-, what is this!"

Henchman: "Hii-! Breathed it in! Ah it hurts!"

As they cringe in pain we break through an opening at the side and continue down the corridor.

【リック】「胡椒だよ. いいアイディアだろ？」

後ろからも追っ手が迫ってきた.

【ラン】「早く、こっちへ！」

ランに先導されるままにバーナー屋敷を駆けめぐる.

Rick: "That was milled pepper. Nice idea, right?"

Behind me I can hear more people chase after us.

Ran: "Quick, this way!"

Guided by Ran we make a dash, criss-crossing through the whole manor.

追っ手は増えるばかりで、せめて屋敷を脱出できればどうにかなりそうなんだけど・・・.

【？？？】「早く捕らえろッ！　逃がすな！」

野太い声が廊下の奥から聞こえる.

【ラン】「バーナーだわ. 捕まったら、あなたも私も殺されて　しまう」

But there are more and more people pursuing us, how in the world should we get out of here again...

???: "Hurry up you oafs and catch them! Don't let them escape!"

I can hear an arrogant voice from down the hallway.

Ran: "That's Bernar. If we are caught, he will kill both of us for sure!"

【リック】「ラン、エントランスはどっちだ？」

持ってる胡椒袋は後２つ. エントランスまで逃げられれば、どうにかなるはず.

玄関まで出ればどうにかなるはずだ. 俺は、ランの指さす方向に足を向ける.

エントランスまで出ると、幸い、扉の前の警備は２人だ. このまま一気に飛び出す.

Rick: "Ran, where is the main entrance?"

I still got two pouches full of pepper in my pocket. If we can make it to the entrance, there must be a way we can get through somehow.

But what do we do once we're outside the manor? I just keep running in the direction Ran points me.

If we're lucky there will only be two guards left at the entrance. If that's the case we can break through for sure.

【手下１】「待てッ！」

【リック】「待てないよッ！」

俺は、立ちはだかるバーナーの手下に体当たりをかける.

【手下２】「おい！　お前、この女が　どうなってもいいのか！」

【リック】「ラ、ラン！」

Henchman 1: "Stop right there!"

Rick: "There's no stopping me!"

I throw myself with all my might against the guy that's blocking the way.

Henchman 2: "Hey, you! Don't you care what happens to this girl!"

Rick: "Ra-, Ran!"

俺が手下の一人を倒している間に、もう一人の手下はランをつかまえ、ナイフを首筋にあてていた.

【手下２】「おとなしくこちらへ・・・　がっ！　～～～ッ！」

突然、ランを押さえつけていた手下が顔を歪ませ、床にへたりこむ.

While I had knocked one of the guards to the ground the other one had caught Ran and is now holding a knife to her throat.

Henchman 2: "Don't try anything funny and come over he... Gah-! ~ ~ ~ -!"

Suddenly the guy that was holding down Ran screws his face and slumps to the ground.

【ラン】「自分の道は、自分で拓かなきゃ、　でしょ？」

ランは腕で口を拭いながら、玄関の扉に手をかけた.

Ran: "If you need a way out you got to make one yourself, right?"

Ran wipes her mouth with her arm while pressing one hand against the entrance door.

外に出たら出たで、すでに何人かが俺達を待ち伏せていた.

逃げ場は限られてきて、とても強行突破などできる状況ではなくなってきた.

俺とランは、追っ手を避けて、屋敷の脇の森の中へ入った.

As we get out of the manor we're immediately ambushed by a large group of people.

There isn't much space to run left and we don't stand a chance to break through all of them either.

We avoid our pursuers and run into the forest outside Bernar's manor.

【バーナー】「バカめ. そっちは行き止まりだ」

森の中を走り続ける. 後の方から、がさがさと草をかき分けながら追っ手が迫る.

しばらくすると、目の前が開け、そこに崖が現れる.

崖の下は、深い森になっており、下まで落ちればまず助からないだろう.

Bernar: "You brainless fools. That way is a dead end!"

We keep on running through the forest. Behind us we hear grass rustle and twigs snap, we're still being followed.

After a while the thicket opens and a cliff appears in front of our eyes.

Far below the cliff you can see a deep forest, guess we'd be done for should we fall down there.

【ラン】「・・・リック」

もう逃げ場はない. ランが俺の腕にぎゅっとつかまる.

崖の端で立ちつくす俺とランの前にバーナーと手下達が現れた.

【バーナー】「うちのランを盗み出そうなんざ、　いい度胸だな」

Ran: "...Rick."

Nowhere left to run. Ran's grip around my arm becomes tighter.

We stand motionless at the edge of the cliff as Bernar and his henchman emerge from the forest.

Bernar: "My my, you really got some nerve to steal Ran from me!"

【リック】「お前のようなやつには　ランは渡せない」

【バーナー】「この状況で、やけに大口を　たたくじゃないか. まあ、死ぬ前に吠えさせといてやるさ」

バーナーと手下達がにじり寄ってくる.

Rick: "I will never hand her over to a bastard like you!"

Bernar: "Got a pretty big mouth for someone with his back against the wall. Ah whatever, your life ends here anyways, so yap to your heart's content."

Bernar and his men slowly close in on us.

【バーナー】「ラン、戻ってこい. ワシに怪我をさせたことは忘れてやる. うちにいれば、いい服も着せてやるし、　うまい飯も食わせてやる」

【ラン】「・・・いやよ. 戻りたくないわ. あんなところ、戻るくらいなら　死んでやる！」

Bernar: "Ran, come back to me. I will forgive you for that wound you caused me. Come back to my manor and I will dress you in fancy clothes and feed you delicious food, how does that sound?"

Ran: "... I don't want to. I don't want to go back. I'd rather die before I go back to that place!"

【バーナー】「どのみち、前に出るか、後ろに下がる　しか選択はねぇ. ラン、どうする？

お前が戻ってくるなら、そこの　ガキの命は助けてやってもいい」

バーナーが両手を広げて、ランに笑みを投げかける.

Bernar: "Then what will it be, my open hand in front, or that abyss below you, those are your only options. What will you do, Ran?

If you return to me I might even let myself get carried away and spare the life of that brat over there."

Bernar spreads out both of his arms and smiles from ear to ear.

【ラン】「・・・本当に？」

ランの足が一歩前に出る.

【バーナー】「本当さ. その程度でウソはつかんよ」

【リック】「ラン、騙されちゃダメだ！」

俺はランの腕を引き寄せる.

Ran: "... you really mean it?"

Ran makes one step forward.

Bernar: "Of course I do. After all I'd never lie to you to that degree, would I?"

Rick: "Ran, don't be fooled!"

I pull Ran at her arm closer to me.

【リック】「ラン、騙されちゃダメだ. あいつはまたきっとランを酷い目に　遭わせる」

俺はランの耳元でそう言った. たとえ、バーナーが言ったことが本当でも、ランがまた以前のように慰み物になるのは間違いない. 俺の命も助けるなんて、くだらない約束、守るなんて思えない.

【バーナー】「じゃあ、このまま二人揃って　死ぬのか？」

【手下】「いっそのこと、突き落としてやろうか？」

Rick: "Ran, don't let him fool you! I'm sure he will only continue to mistreat you, just like before!"

I say next to Ran's ear. Even if Bernar means what he said, there's no doubt that Ran would become his plaything once again. And I don't even believe for a second, that he will keep that ridiculous promise to spare my life.

Bernar: "So, would you rather die together then?"

Henchman: "Then we might as well throw you down that cliff."

武器を持った手下が俺とランににじり寄る. 俺とランは、ゆっくり後ずさりをする.

One of the guys starts coming nearer to us carrying a weapon. Ran and I slowly make a step backwards.

ガラッ！

【リック】「うわっ！」

【ラン】「きゃぁっ！」

ガラガラッ！


 * crackle*

Rick: "Uwah-!"

Ran: "Kyaa-!"


 * crackle-crackle*

【バーナー】「なっ！」

俺とランの足下の岩は崩れ、そのまま、崖の下に転落する.

【手下１】「お、大旦那様、どうします？　下は真っ暗で何も見えませんぜ・・・」

【手下２】「・・・探しますか？」

Bernar: "Don't-!"

Below us the ground gives way, a part of the cliff breaks off and we fall down into the darkness.

Henchman 1: "Oh, what do we do now, master? It's pitch black down there I can't see a thing..."

Henchman 2: "... Should we search for them?"

「・・・ここから落ちたら、　まず、助かるまい・・・」

【手下３】「たとえ助かっていたとしても　無事ではすみませんな.

どちらにしても野犬のエサって　ところでさぁ」

【バーナー】「ッ！　帰るぞ. ランめ. バカな女よ. おとなしくしていれば、　一生かわいがってやったものを」

"... a fall from this height is most likely lethal..."

Henchman 3: "And even if they survived somehow, I don't think we'd find them.

No matter what we do, it's pointless."

Bernar: "Tsch! We're going home. Ran, you foolish, dimwitted little girl. If you had done as I said, a whole life filled with my love would have awaited you."

【リック】「あいててて・・・」

【ラン】「リック大丈夫？」

【リック】「・・・ラン、重い」

【ラン】「きゃ、ごめんなさい！」

Rick: "Ou-ou-ou-ouch..."

Ran: "Rick, are you alright?"

Rick: "... Ran, you're heavy."

Ran: "Kya, sorry!"

【ラン】「びっくりしたわ. あの時、『崖を飛び降りよう』なんて　言うんだもの」

【リック】「足下が崩れたのは予想外だったけど」

【ラン】「一緒に心中するのかって思ったわ」

【リック】「まさか. 屋敷に忍び込む前に下調べを　しといたんだ. ここから落ちれば、ちょうど鳥の巣に　引っかかって助かるようにね」

Ran: "Phew, that scared me. Back when you said "Let's jump down"."

Rick: "But I didn't expect the cliff to just break off below our feet."

Ran: "I thought you wanted to commit double suicide with me."

Rick: "No way I'd do that. I scouted this place out before I snuck into the manor. I knew if we'd jump down here, we'd soon fall into a bird's nest and be saved."

【ラン】「すごいのね. こんなことを思いつくなんて. 追いつめられたんじゃなくて、　ここに逃げるようにしたんでしょ？」

Ran: "Wow! You really thought about this. So even if we wouldn't have been cornered, we would have escaped this way anyhow?"

【リック】「ずっと前、ナップから借りた本にさ　こんな事が書いてあったのを　覚えてただけさ」

下は深い森. 俺達がいるところからも何も見えない. 真っ逆様に見える崖も、ところどころに出っ張りがあって、人が２人くらい落ちても平気なところがいくつかあった.

Rick: "I read about it in a book that I borrowed from Napp a long ago, I just suddenly remembered it."

Under us lies the dark forest. From the place we're at we can't see a thing down there. Above us there are many protrusions like this one, a lot of them seem big enough to catch two people safely.

【リック】「たぶん、バーナーは俺もランも死んだと　思ってる. だから、きっともう追いかけられることは　ないよ. ランは自由だ. ランは自分との戦いに勝ったんだ」

【ラン】「・・・リック」

俺とランは奇妙に重なり合いながら互いの口を近づけた.

軽く２～３度つつきあった後、しばらくの間互いを離さなかった.

Rick: "I guess, Bernar thinks that both you and I died just now. I don't think he will ever search for you again. You are free now. Ran, you've fought bravely and now you have won."

Ran: "... Rick."

We two are piled on each other in a strange way, but somehow our lips come closer and closer to each other.

Lightly, 2-3 times our lips press against each other, and then we part for a moment.

【リック】「ラン・・・」

【ラン】「・・・なあに？」

【リック】「とりあえず、家に戻ろう. ナップも心配してる」

【ラン】「ん・・・」

Rick: "Ran..."

Ran: "... yes?"

Rick: "We should go home now. Napp is worried about us."

Ran: "Hm..."

【リック】「それに、ここの住人も少し　ご立腹のようだしね」

【トリ】「ぴー、ぴぴー」

【ラン】「あ、ごめんなさい」

ランはそう言った後、俺の顔を見た. 互いの瞳を見つめ合いながら、俺とランはふふふ、と笑った.

Rick: "And aside from that I think somebody else is quite angry that we invaded his home."

Bird: "Chirp-, chirpchirp-!"

Ran: "Ah, sorry."

After saying that, Ran looks into my face. And as our eyes meet, we both start to giggle and then burst out in laughter.