Chapter 24: Saga
calls out if it is Mino. She asks why is he hiding. She can already see him
from behind the tree. She tells him not to be like that and quickly come over.
Mino still won’t budge so Saga slowly walks towards him.
She says, “Don’t worry, I already know more or less the
story about sister Nan because of the maids. Even if at that time, I was a bit
scared but it is really fortunate that it wasn’t found out. Is it because you
heard the drama had become like that?
...Ah, geez, it is always like this...*slips down* Ah!” This
made Mino immediately turn to look at her. He quickly wades into the water and
‘calls’ out, “Princess! Are you hurt?” He holds her shoulders and this made
Saga smile.
Saga says that she is fine. “It is merely...the rock is too
slippery that I fell. Ah ah, I totally fell down like an idiot.” Mino suddenly
blushes. He holds her away and starts to look down. Puzzled Saga wonders what’s
up with him and why are his ears red. Then, she looks down on her chest to see
her cleavage peeking out from her dress.
This made her blush really red as she pulls her blouse up.
Mino quickly removes his shirt, and covers her with it. He ‘tells’ her to be
careful. This made her blush that she lowers her head. She says, yes, she knows
and basically, she ought to be always careful while in the water. Mino gently
turns her head to him and ‘says’, “I’m not talking about that-- I'm talking
about people.”
This made Saga embarrassed. She looks away and says, ah, she
knows, so...starting right now, she won’t perform again. “I know I have to be
careful to avoid...” She starts to look down as Mino nods. Then, he slightly
touches her shoulder and ‘says’, “But, the one who told them our
destination...is it really Cheongye?” This surprises Saga.
She recalls the maids saying that Mino definitely likes that
young lass and they already saw the two meeting together privately very late at
night for so many times. Mino is puzzled when Saga didn’t answer. She starts to
bite her nail and wonders if she’ll ask him.
“No, no matter what, I couldn’t open my mouth about it. If
there is...if it is really like that, what am I to do?” Saga tightly holds the
shirt on her. Noticing this, Mino ‘asks’ if she’s cold. He looks around and
found her shabby jacket on a rock by the pool of water.
He turns to get it but Saga grabs his fingers. She stands up
and hugs him. She says, “...don’t.” Mino is puzzled. Saga wonders, “What should
I do...) *Mino ‘calls’ out to her* If I want Mino to be safe, we should go to
the place that she [Cheongye] told me...
...But, if we went there, it is possible that Mino will go
away with her. *imagines Mino with Cheongye* I don’t want that. *worried as she
holds his face* Maintaining the current situation, we can be always be
together... *rests her head on his shoulder* What should I do... My heart is in
mess.”
Then, Saga looks surprised for she sees a long haired figure
behind the bushes. She looks up. It seems to be a guy with a messy hair [the
boy’s leader] who is slightly smiling while looking at them. She exclaims, ah!
So, Mino turns around to look where she’s looking. He is puzzled so she says
that it...it is nothing.
Saga asks him if he’ll go wash himself in a while before
going back. “I’ll wait for you.” She thinks that is probably mistaken and
thinking the shadow of the tree is a person’s shadow. Later on, someone calls
out, eh? It is Juryu.
Holding up her hand, Juryu says if it is like that, then,
she has a request. “Can you lend Mino to me for a while? It is darker than I
anticipated. My vision at night isn’t quite good so I’m a bit worried about
staying here then going back later on.” The two look at her.
Saga agrees. Mino tries to protest but Saga assures him that she’ll be fine. “It’s fine if I quickly run back. *starts running off* I’ll handle the food we’ll eat!” Mino glances at Juryu who says it seems like he lost the opportunity to get intimate.
Saga agrees. Mino tries to protest but Saga assures him that she’ll be fine. “It’s fine if I quickly run back. *starts running off* I’ll handle the food we’ll eat!” Mino glances at Juryu who says it seems like he lost the opportunity to get intimate.
Later on, she says that no matter how she looks at it, since
the first time, he wants to be mindful [/wary] of others. “Even if someone
pretends, I can immediately see through it. *waves hand* We meet again. *she’s
one of the masked duo* My eye sight is very good. *smiles but Mino didn’t
react* It is also alright that I’ll keep the secret that you can talk...
...*Mino looks surprised* That night, I had saw you from
behind. Not only can talk, you were also able to intimidate them... *Mino keeps
quiet* Also, as a result, it is considered to be lucky that you were able to
sway the villagers’ wisdom...
...After all, no matter when the place collapses, it won’t be anything strange. Even if it is like that, if it is me, I won’t be able to say that kind ‘it is better to simply leave’ of words. After all, transforming one’s lifestyle [<- life at one’s homeland] is extremely...”
...After all, no matter when the place collapses, it won’t be anything strange. Even if it is like that, if it is me, I won’t be able to say that kind ‘it is better to simply leave’ of words. After all, transforming one’s lifestyle [<- life at one’s homeland] is extremely...”
Mino says that no matter what is said, one has to survive,
right? “As long as one just survives, then there is a future, isn’t it so?” Juryu
thinks for a while. Then, she says, “Then-- you mean to say that you do not want
at all to escape from the palace.
...*Mino looks surprised* Even if outside, you can be free
but it seems that you ran away together with the palace’s treasured princess.
This isn’t seeking survival [/will to live]. It is simply bringing one’s own
suicide [/destruction]. You lowly ominous appearance. Just like what I thought,
all of your conduct and deeds...especially the reason for pretending to be
mute---
...*grabs Mino’s coat* It is because only with that, you can
decrease the people who were bullying you. Compared to fear, it is easier to
attain hate and sympathy especially, if it is for someone, who is in an eminent
status, has a compassionate heart...
...Even if it is very painful but you can still endure it
because you can ensure that you can survive...*touches surprised Mino’s
shoulder* I understand your fear at that time.” Flashback: Young Mino was
beaten by some adults. They shouted, “What? What are you saying, quickly say
it!
...At one side, you’re crying yet on another side, you’re
asking me [to stop?]. You cannot say any words. You don’t even know what to
say! Ghost! Ha ha ha” Mino was trembling as he holds both hands together. The
man suddenly grabbed Mino’s shirt.
He shouts, “Come, go to the princess said since she wants to
see you little one. You cannot make her wait. What, you don’t want to go? Right
now, you ought to know already that you have an audience with the princess, and
you won’t be beaten [there], right?
...What to do with this sore~ *held crying and frightened
Mino’s head* If you disobey the princess command, do you know what will happen?
*bent down to Mino and pointed to the side* Can you look at that side? That
blunt blade will chop off your neck...
...The day you go whining in front of the princess, or
perhaps, you let her notice your wounds, even if you merely inform her a bit of
your little worries. Your head will roll down from above there. *Mino became
scared as he seen the heads of animals below the blade and the tree stump.*
Remember your life is held by the princess in her hand...
...*crying Mino starts to walk as he wipes his tears* You
listen to what she said. Do not disobey. Make her happy. That way, you won’t be
killed and you can preserve your lil’ life.” Mino walked towards young Saga who
happily waited for him with outstretched hands. Then, she happily hugged him.
End Flashback.
Mino sighs and admits that it is so. “Regarding that point,
what does it have anything to do with you... Although I’m very apologetic but I
don’t understand. Also, it is a fact that you said that my appearance is very
dangerous...
...Even if it is like that, you were the one who said that
you’ll help us. If there is an opportunity, I’ll definitely repay you. *slight
bows and turns to leave* Ah, also-- Taking advantage of you since you’re
helping us, can you help me in sending a letter to Cheongye. I heard that she
was making inquiries about news regarding her sisters.”
After a pause, Juryu says is that so, okay. After Mino left,
Juryu is joined by the other masked person. He says, “Did you see that? You
used that special skill that you were good at [<- grasp to threaten then pat
Mino’s shoulder to empathize] yet it still won’t do. The plan to use your
method to control him seems to have failed...
...Using the slave-owner topic here is too harsh. Even so,
because he has awareness, no matter what method is used, it will emerge. Not
only that, no matter what method is use, he’ll use it.” While looking serious,
Mino keeps on walking.
Chapter 25: In
the morning, to everyone’s dismay, Mokmok tells them the bad news. “As you can
precisely see our food which we saved through our hard work, are totally gone
last night. *furious* Those damned thieves!!”
Everyone tearfully shouted those scoundrels, they would
dare...why they didn’t steal from the rich, those damned shit!! Someone asks
Mokmok what they are doing to do now. Mokmok exclaims that he also doesn’t
know. Someone asks Mokmok that means that they also have no breakfast today.
Mokmok exclaims yes. Someone exclaims that there ought to be
some hidden money, right. Mokmok exclaims what! Rabbit tooth says that
unfortunately, when they weren’t around... Then, they start cursing again about
those damned scoundrels!
Saga is aghast for there were thieves. Mokmok confidently
tells everyone to calm down for they only need to have a performance tonight
and they ought to be able to eat. “It is also nothing for us if we were to go
hungry for a day!”
His stomach growls so everyone shouts that he’s a liar for
he is already hungry. Everyone starts to look at Saga. They wonder if they’ll
have a performance but Ryusu is gone and they need a female lead. This made
Saga nervous. She tensely looks at Mino. Mino just kept quiet.
Mokmok notices Saga tightly clenching her fist. This made
Mokmok exclaims that it is no good, they cannot make things hard for Yuri. “If
she constantly appears in front of people, we cannot safely leave here!
Beautiful people can easily be found out.”
Rabbit tooth protests that the one responsible for Ryusu
disappearing is... Mokmok immediately hits his head. Shaking him around, Mokmok
exclaims that didn’t they agree to help them in smoothly arriving at their
destination! “No matter what, we’ll always properly resolve any
difficulties...”
Everyone is surprised when Mino suddenly turns around to
leave. Mokmok says what should he say, but just now that guy has this indescribable
feeling that makes one afraid of him. Rabbit tooth says that it feels like he
is in a bad mood.
Twin ponytail exclaims that no matter what is said, they are
also their benefactor and that’s too mean. Saga nervously tries to explain that
it isn’t that, just now, he was just worried about her, that’s all... “I really
understand him because he is a kind-hearted kid and he won’t blame you.”
Mokmok sighs then smiles at her. He tells her not to worry
for they are already used to being hated. “It is as you saw it. It is because
we’re abnormal so we are wandering around. Also, that level [of scorn] is
nothing at all!
...Okay, let’s get to work! Even if life is suffering, we
only have to persevere and move on~” Rabbit tooth says that they are also used
to people’s contempt towards them or perhaps, always being hungry. Twin
ponytail says that he is already in a delusion that he recalled the memory of
sleeping in a quilt with a roof above his head.
As they turn to leave, Saga looks sad about this. In the
cart, Saga looks over some things in a bag. She recalls Mino suddenly leaving.
She tightly holds the bag and wonders if he is angry or he doesn’t like
listening what the other people are saying.
“Since when did it seem like it is inevitable that Mino is
always angry? *recalls smiling Mino* Every time it is like that, my heart is
always going plop plop... *leans on the wall and looks up* I don’t know why but
I’m really uneasy. *sighs* I also have nothing that I can sell...
...I had already thrown away what I took out from the palace.
[<- I think when they were running away from the kidnappers before]
Nothing... “Except from dancing and singing, there is nothing that I can do to
help... *recalls Mino telling her that she doesn’t know a thing about the
outside world* Is that what he meant?
...When I was in the palace, I want to know about the outside
world-- No matter what, I’ll always strived hard to study while in the palace.
*there is a scene of Saga studying in a dimly light room as the maid is telling
her to hurry and go to bed* ...always until I’m got out... *shakes around her
bandaged feet* No. Don’t be too anxious.”
She puts her hand inside her sleeve and took out a pouch.
She looks at the hairpin that Mino gave her. She thinks that it is good that
she always carried it. She recalls Mino ‘telling’ her that she made it for her.
“Want to go out, right. Right now-- you can already go to the place where you
want to go.”
She happily thinks, “That’s right, Mino. Right now, I.
Because I have you so I won’t be afraid again. So-- I'll strive harder.” She
hears some noise outside. She looks out to see Mino giving the others some
things. He brought them some fish, a dead fawn, and a bag of mushroom and wild
herbs.
They exclaim if he got it in the mountain and it’s a lot.
“How did you get them? Kid! Right now, you look really amazing!” Mino glances
at Saga who happily smiles at him. Just when she is about to go out, someone
shouts, “Hey, it’s here! Which one is the hired performer?”
They notice three men up ahead. This made Saga quickly cover
the curtains. She wonders who it is and could it be that they are people from
the palace. As the three men approach them, Mokmok asks who they are. The hat
guy happily gestures to them a fat guy as the savior of Son [孫], their
small village and market.
The fat guy says that he’s called ‘Gyurong’ [九龙]. Rabbit
tooth exclaims that speaking of Son village, isn’t that the place that has
undergone a great change. Gyurong says that’s right. “It is a flourishing
village that has around a thousand families residing in it.”
Mokmok exclaims a thousand, that’s a lot!!! Gyurong says
that he is managing the biggest market. Twin ponytail exclaims, market! Mokmok
asks why such a person would come for them. Hat guy says that he heard of the
news! Gyurong says that he’ll get to the point.
“I’ll allow you people to perform at my market. Come to my
village.” The hat guy exclaims that they should be honored. After recovering
from his surprise, Mokmok says about that, how to say this, he ought to have
heard about the play shown yesterday. “Too bad but right now, we lack the
person who’ll play the female role. I’m very sorry...”
Trembling Gyurong looks flustered. He angrily points at
Mokmok and shouts, “This person is noisy to death!! Someone like you would dare
disobey what I said?! You damned person! Someone come- Cut off this person’s
finger! So, that ‘she’ll thoroughly wisen [/sober] up!!”
Mokmok is frightened when the bodyguard beside Gyurong
unsheathes his sword and says okay. Turning in shock, Saga exclaims what, no!
Just then, Gyurong exclaims eh?! He points to Mino and exclaims, “Who is this
person? Why is this person’s face covered? Could it be that this is the girl?!
...I heard that she’s beautiful that it makes people become
distracted. It turns out that she is being hidden!!” Saga quickly jumps down
from the carriage. Gyurong grabs Mino’s wrist. Before Grurong can remove Mino’s
covered veil, Saga shouts that she’ll do it!
“Be...because I had dropped something! I originally wanted
to find it... and I plan to leave. I’ll do that performance. Then, then, it’s
okay?” Mino scowls over this when Saga opens her mouth. On the verge of crying,
Saga ‘says’, “I’m sorry. Do not get angry.”
After reading her lips, Mino looks at her and it seems that
his expression had softened. Saga thinks, “Ah... He smiled. Good...then, it’s
alright. As long as Mino is fine, I can endure the rest and move on.” Soon, Son
village had brightened up with all the lights and hanging papers are decorated
around. The people are all in a bustling festive mood.
They were walking around or eating. Everyone is having a
great time. The drama troupe are preparing for the performance. Some are
putting up the theater. The others are dressing up. Twin ponytail notices
Mokmok looking really glum. He tells Mokmok not to have that frowning worried
face.
“Didn’t Yuri go for us? And it is an advantage for us at
this time to make some money.” Continuing to fix the tent, Mokmok says that it
isn’t because of that. “I don’t know why but I have this ominous feeling. *twin
ponytail is puzzled*...
...I thought that there were all sorts of ominous
[feeling/events] before when my sons had died. This kind of situation, a celebration-whatever,
is basically just like a noisy chaos. It’s very easy to lose one’s important
thing. Tsk. Groundless worries.” He turns around and goes back to work.
At some other place, Saga touches glum Mino’s face. She asks
him, “Why do you show that kind of expression? Could it be that you’re worried?
We aren’t found out yet, right? It’s just like before, it will be okay after I’ll
perform one more time.”
After a pause, Mino ‘says’, “...aren’t you doing this
because of me? You already said that you hated singing in front of other
people...” Recalling this, Saga says that’s right, she had said that before.
She thinks that it is because in there, she can also smile out towards a scary
person. <- her brother, Choegeum.
Saga smiles and says, “But it isn’t the same here. Here, I’m
singing because I want to help people. What’s more, just now, I get to properly
protect you.” Surprised Mino anxiously ‘says’, “Right now, it is also okay for
you not to be like that. Princess, right now, I...”
Saga looks at him and he stops what he is saying. She is
surprised when he suddenly bends down to her. He takes out something from his
shirt. Saga is surprised for it is a pair of shoes. As he helps her put the
shoes on, he ‘tells’ her that right now, it is completely repaired.
Mino looks at her and notices that tears are falling. Saga
bites her lips. She holds him and hugs him tightly. She thinks, “Ah, finally...”
In town, everyone is still quite bustling with excitement. A hooded man with a
sack suddenly bumps into a boy carrying a basket of fruit.
The man apologizes and helps him pick up the fruit. The boy
thanks him. As the man leaves, the boy thinks, “Eh? That person... The color of
his eyes...” It is Jamalta. He looks around over the noisy place. Then, a
couple of guys are talking that they heard that female actress is so beautiful.
They say that so many people came. “Ah~ really anticipate
it.* Popped veins are sprouting all over Jamalta. He curses, “That damned
princess. You...until when will you be able to be aware of it... It’s really
madness!” And, he continues walking through the crowd.
The boy from the cursed village is eavesdropping on Gyurong
who were talking with two other men wearing the same outfit. One of the men asks
if it is a very beautiful girl. The other man asks if that is true and it is
hard to believe their eyes.
Gyurong chuckles and tells them that they’re noisy to death
and don’t lose their souls. The boy smiles over this. He turns around and calls
out, “Leader! According to what you said, I spread the news everywhere. Things
had become huge already. Then, from now on...!”
He is surprised to see an unfamiliar figure with a hat. The
man asks, “Could it be that you plan on plotting it together with this brat? It
is beyond me that it really makes me speechless.” The leader pats the boy’s
head
He says, “Don’t say that kind of words, master. This child’s
experience isn’t inferior to an older person’s hardships. Greet him, kiddo. It
is said that he is this village’s general.” The general says that because there’s
no time, quickly tell him the condition. “For what reason are you calling me
out here? Pension?”
With an eye cover, the leader with an eye cover, slightly
smiles. [<- I’m not too sure which one said ‘pension’ = compensate a
bereaved family/disabled but since leader’s mouth is closed, I assume that it
is the general.]
Side Story: Young
Cheongye asks her grandfather, “Why do you grow flowers?” While planting a
seedling, her grandfather says, “Child, flowers can make us know the season and
the time. They can become dye for bright-colored dresses...
...They enable us to taste delicious fruits. They can also
become medicine ingredients to treat a sickness. *Looks at grandparents
checking their patients* So, they ought to be specially taken care of.”
While her father is tending some flowers, Cheongye asks,
“Why do you take care of flowers?” Patting her head while gesturing to the
flowers, her father says that her mother will immediately come back from
studying at Tang. I want to show her this beautiful garden...
...Look, they’re so beautiful that even if one just looks at
them, it makes people happy, right?” Cheongye sees her father showing the
flowers to her mother who smiles. He tells her that it is her favorite Chinese
peony. Later on, Cheongye picks some flowers to make a bouquet.
Then, she gives it to her older brother. Her brother thanks
her. “But, next time, can you bring me to the place where there are flowers?”
Flustered Cheongye asks if he hates picked flowers. There is a sound of bells
ringing.
Holding a stick with bells, another brother says that it is
because when flowers leave the soil, it will immediately wither. “Like that, it
will fade away faster. *Cheongye looks happy with her family at the garden*...
The more beautiful it is, the more one cherishes it and the
more one hopes that it will stay longer in this world.” Older Cheongye happily
turns around and sees her family growing more distant from her. Narration:
“Together forever...” Cheongye cries in her sleep as someone puts a blanket on
her.
Comment: Well, it
seems like Saga will be separated from Mino, soon. Too many flags are raised
that indicates that it will happen. Currently, there are technically three
factions who want him. The first one is from the palace. Will they reach this
village at this time?
The second one is the leader and the kid. I would think that
they are in some sort of cult who needs Mino to be their leader/mascot of some
sort as a god for some unknown reason. Since they think of him as a god, it
makes me wonder if he is the ‘god’ from the legend of Nakrang’s origin that
Saga told Mino about.
I also wonder if that general is forced to be his ally like
being blackmailed or he wants to take the position from Gyurong. Based on his appearance,
it is the latter. I would tend to assume that the drama troupe are forced to
perform there is a plot by the leader like the kid stole their stuff. He’ll use
this opportunity to take Mino.
Mino has his own secrets that he has kept from Saga. The
leader mentioned about severing the bonds so he might force Mino to talk and
perhaps, Mino ends up saving Saga. This will destroy the illusion for Saga that
her duty/purpose in life is to protect Mino. Something like, he doesn’t need
her.
I guess it is fortunate that Jamalta reappeared at this
time. I wonder if his conscience bothered him so he returned or it just so
happen that he went to this town, too. ^^; Then, the third group who wants Mino
is Juryu and her partner.
For some reason, she isn’t around anymore. Is it because Mino
asked her to send the letter? I’m not too sure what their goal with Mino is. I’m
thinking that since they are also ‘doctors’, it is possible that Cheongye asked
them to help her get Mino away from Saga. I’m a bit puzzled about the mention
about Cheongye’s sisters. I had assumed that she was the only one left in their
clan ^^;
Nevertheless, Juryu’s psychological approach had revealed to
us that Mino is just forced to be nice to Saga in order for him to survive. It
was also pointed out to him that with Saga outside the palace, it is practically
suicide for him. So, perhaps, his concern for Saga is out of habit? Or, in the
end, he happens to realize that the princess genuinely cares for him.
Anyway, something big is going to happen. Everyone is coming
together in that village. I think the plot will change into a different
direction again. And due to the ominous feeling that Mokmok is feeling, things might
become tragic. Scans by 水神汉化组
Word of the day:
If something seems far too big for you to cope with, maybe
it’s because you’re meant to share the load with someone else. ‘For if they
fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he
falls, for he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:10’ ~ Mottos for
Success by M.S. Fontaine
Thank you for the summary.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading ^-^
DeleteFinallly, an update! Thanks Kat~!! ♡♡
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Heyayanami ^-^
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