The official one would be called "The Frantic Feast"....
Here's the link to the original one:
http://natsutoge.fc2web.com/novels/utage1.html
Hope you can enjoy it^^
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Chapter 1
In this town, there was no daylight, no noon, no light, or even a night to fall asleep in.
There was only, darkness, the flame that lights the darkness, and, the greed in human life.
Even now, inside the flickering flame, the greed was gradually releasing into the air.
The white haired man quietly inquired:
".......Do you know what your responsibility is?"
From the light of the candle, an enormous shadow was created.
As if attracted by the light, a butterfly danced in, flapping its wings around the heat.
The shadow of the butterfly was overcome by the shadow of the man.
Squinting those dark shadows, the young man who was being inquired descended his head and answered:
"......Yes."
Like he was satisfied by the answer, the huge shadow wavered.
"Failing, is unacceptable."
"Yes."
The middle aged man laughed slyly.
"Almost, it's almost there....!"
The young narrowed his eyes.
The butterfly flew around the flame, and disappeared to nowhere.
The man did not notice it.
While laughing frantically, he was devoured by the fire of greed more and more.
Was the man going to turn the flame into his weapon, or was he going to get burned by it.....?
* * *
From Alexandria to the town of Treno, would waste no time if you get into an airship.
But if you were intending to go by foot, you had to climb through several mountains, climb down, walk for 4 hours, and go through the freezing ice cavern and then walk for at least half a day.
No matter which way you go, monsters would come and try to attack you undoubtedly.
In the past, when the mist machine was not invented, travelling usually involved around consequences of death. There were a lot of guards being hired to escort people.
"It would be nice if all the trees are cut out and we put soldiers there."
Walking on the bumpy roads in the forest, a professor-looking person with spectacles asked the young man who was walking beside him. "Don't you think so?"
The young man approved absent-mindedly.
Although people might see he had a body that was too thin to be in the dangerous woods, but if they watch closely, his body was well-built and hard, the tough aura that was built for a long time of fighting experience was around him. Anyone who learned a bit of martial arts, could basically tell the power and strength within this young man by one glance.
One of the young man's arms was gripping on the dagger that was hanging on the side of his waist loosely.
"Well well, i now have seen Master Zidane's power. You were very strong during the fight with those monsters. It's a good decision to bring you here."
The professor with glasses commented with content. In reaction of it, the young man's mouth replied in a weak tone.
"......Thanks for the compliment."
Leaving a "but" hanging at the end of the sentence, Zidane continued.
"When a person is fighting, can you stop cheering something like "Oh!" or "GO GO MASTER ZIDANE!" from my back, Dr. Tot?"
"Oh, did it bother you?"
"Not as much as bother as......taking my strength away."
Zidane recalled the memories when he was in a battle with the monsters, and sighed faintly.
The opponents were 2 skeletons. They were not a problem to Zidane-who was able to sense the enemies quickly-at all.
Pulling out the daggers, he knocked one of them down with a speed that was invisible for human eyes. As he was about to deal with the second skeleton, the “problem” came.
[Go go master Zidane! Hit him there! You are so cool!]
To the cheers of Tot, Zidane lost his strength instinctly.
The skeleton saw that hesitation and made his move to stab Zidane-who was supposed to strike him but froze halfway.
Cursing under his breath, Zidane kicked the skeleton's head and used it as a force to jump away from the enemy.
[Yes yes! The battle is just starting!]
Tot sent his cheers once more. Zidane felt weak again and defended himself with his dagger when the skeleton ran and attempting to attack. It became the competition of pushing strengths.
[Master Zidane! Go fight! I'll take place since Queen Garnet is absent and cheer for you!]
[Okay okay i get it! Just stop!]
He kicked the skeleton again and broke the balance of it. Finding a flaw, he stabbed his dagger into its body.The skeleton turned into ash and disappeared in the air.
[Fabulous! That was cool, Master Zidane! It's such a shame, if I am a girl.....]
[.........Stop even if it's a joke....]
It seemed like Tot was not minding anything else around him and cheered all by himself affected by the exciting atmosphere. But since he had no fighting ability of any kind, the only thing he could do was to watch.T
he two people were now walking on the route from Alexandria to Treno, crossing the mountains.
Seemed that Tot had some work to do in Treno, but he was also the commander of Alexandria. There was a reason why he merely brought Zidane as his guard.
That was to investigate the situation of the areas.
After the war ended, the monsters were supposed to be more tranquil.
Nonetheless, the actions of the monsters did not seem to be quiet at all. Instead, they were even more brutal than before.
In order to determine the fact, Tot walked on these lands for work.
"But.....does the guard have to be me?"
Frankly, Zidane did not know anything at all in the beginning.
This morning, Zidane woke up with Garnet, ate breakfast with her, and walked her to work like all the other days.
After that, he would either patrol around the castle like all the other guards, or go out with his friends. However, this morning, Tot suddenly appeared in the room.
In response of the questioning eyes towards the abrupt visitor, Tot merely said: [Okay, let's go, Master Zidane.]
[Huh?]
Of course, Zidane was totally clueless. He did not make any plans with Tot.
[I shall talk about the details later on the way. Please equip yourself quickly.]
Still astonished, Zidane got ready to go as told and ended up here.
And then, Tot explained everything bit by bit and he somewhat understood the situation.
But, it was still weird, no matter how he looks at it.
If he wanted to analyze the monsters, there would be higher efficiency if he goes with a huge group, plus the results would be more accurate.
"No.....this time, it is better with you only."
"?What the heck does that mean?"
"Well, you will find out. Oh, I can see Treno now. Almost there."
Zidane looked at him with narrowed eyes.
Tot was the commander of the country, he had the amount of guards that could stack a mountain.
And, it was like he was saying that other guards would interfere him. And now, he was saying it would be more convenient with him alone.
What would happen to Treno from now on...?
Walking beside Tot, Zidane dropped his focus, the blond hair hiding half of his face.
There was one more thing that he was concerned about.
Garnet...----
She was acting strange these days.
About half a month ago, she moaned severely and cried during mid-night. He realized that it was not normal and as he was about to wake her up, her eyes flipped open wildly.
Zidane did not know what she dreamed about. In the end, Garnet did not tell him either. He thought it would be better to not mention it if it caused her so much pain. There was no way that he would ask about the dream while watching her collapse.
After the crying, she embraced him so tight, wiping her tears on his shirt, and repeated "Don't disappear."
He assured her for who knows how many times, that he would not disappear, that he was right here. Even so her tears could not be stopped. Finally when the dawn came, she began to fall asleep in Zidane's arms, while holding on to his clothes.
Several days after that, though she was still anxious, she was returning to normal more and more. Zidane was relieved as he watched her recover.
Nevertheless, just recently, a troubled expression was always on her face. Zidane, pretending that he did not notice it, faced Garnet ordinarily. But as the time passes, he gradually could not take it anymore. He intended to ask her about it after she came back from work today.
.....And now he was here.
They were close to reaching Treno, and Tot had to work there.
Certainly, a guard would be necessary on the way home. Not only the way home, and also the time within Treno. He could not make it home today.
He did not wish to be apart from Garnet when she was like this. So Tot asked him, he was reluctant because he did not want to leave her behind.
The reason that he was walking with him now, was because Tot had suddenly turned somber despite of his usual kind eyes.
[You would come, correct?]
Being asked in that kind of tone, he nodded.
Garnet....---
Be okay until i get back.
Zidane thought in his heart.
.....Although she could not hear that wish.
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