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Smiles by Day, Tears by Night
「……and so, this year marks the 990th year since the ascension of Gissian Cheerem. And the Goddess calendar has continued since then....」
Everyone is having a lesson in the open-air canteen. But there is no teacher.
To put it simply, it is being used in a convenient way. Right, the one explaining the lesson in front of everyone is me, Noor. I was told that I would probably be able to teach general education to the children, so I was sent out to teach like this. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
「There are 12 months in a year. It is not wrong to simply say ‘First month’ ‘Second month’, but each month has its own name. So, who knows what the first month is called?」
「Yes」
A girl raises her hand.
「Okaay」
「It’s the month of Opal」
「That’s right」
In this world, each month is named after a gem. The first month is Opal.....that is, opal, that sort of thing. And the gems are given symbolic meanings.
For example, the opal mentioned here refers to the previous opal that shines with seven colors and its meanings are literally auspicious, such as 「Begining」 「Creation」 「Light」 「Peak」 and 「Life」.
So, opal could be said to be the most prized gem in the world, and not at the same time. Royalties and nobles also owned the valuable, precious opals, but they did not use them as everyday ornaments. They are dazzling, but at the same time, too sacred. Wearing the symbol of the primordial goddess must require a reason of equal significance.
「Good, please take a seat Dee」 (ディー)
「Yees」
She sat down after I said that. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
「So does anyone know the fourth month's name? .....umm, then, Covol」
He became sullen after being called. He was a slender, adorable kid when he entered this place, but now he’s grown into a rugged boy. This is probably a miscalculation even for Myluc. Actually, he looks visibly broad across the shoulders. This is not because he is fat, it is his bone structure. Although thanks to that, he is quite burly for his age.
Being strong is usually a good thing, but that’s not always the case here. Compared to being strong, the nobles prefer slender and handsome boys. It is common knowledge that there is no demand for boy slave as a soldier, so there were few cases where being strong physically was evaluated as a plus.
And, it is also because of that Covol that Dorol fades into the background. Frankly speaking, Covol is physically better developed than Dorol - who is 3 years older - for some reason, and even when they fight Dorol lost to him. Right now, the leader of the kids in this housing facility is this Covol.
「Ahー, umm」
「Here’s a hint. The second month has peridot as the symbol of the clergy, the third month has emerald as the symbol of spirituality of the wind....these 2 signal the start of spring. So, what is next?」
However, the growth of his mind doesn’t necessarily accompany his physical growth. His ability to remember things is hopelessly bad.
So I eliminated the 2 easily mistaken choices. All 3 gems for springs are green, but both the peridot and emerald have a feeling of transparency. But the last one is not that much.
However, it looks like that alone is not enough. Yosh, one more push then.
「Incidentally, this fourth month is a symbol of nobility. It represents wealth and royal authority, the peak of this world」
Covol groaned ‘hmmmー’, and then shouted with all his might.
「It’s Jasper! The month of Jasper. Right?」
Wyst - who had been listening from the side - closed his eyes and shook his head. As if saying, ‘Aah, this guy is making a mistake again’.
Certainly that’s true. This Covol is an idiot who keeps talking about his dream of becoming a knight one day - which is impossible considering his status - but.....if he’s going to be an idiot, he should at least get to know more about the things that concern him.
「That is.....the exact opposite of the answer…Wyst」
「Yeah. Jasper is the next gem for the fifth month, right? It’s a symbol of farmers for rain, mud, and weeds, right? The answer is Jade」
「That is right」
Covol’s face flushed in shame as he waved his hand around and ground his teeth gugugu.
「Darn it, these」
Wyst skillfully dodges them, still sitting on his chair.
Covol is an idiot, but he’s not treacherous. Even if he’s embarrassed, it usually just ends right there. That’s what's good about him. He’s a thug and quick to resort to violence, but I don’t dislike him. Plus, he won’t hit someone who is weak or a girl. Completely different from Dorol. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
「You can sit down」
「Not yet!」
It looks like he couldn’t vent his frustration without landing even a single punch.
「Once more. I’ll be correct this time!」
It’s not like this is a quiz or a gamble, ‘correct this time’.. Oh well, fine.
「Well then……what month is the gem Amethyst?」
「Uuh……mmm……」
I try to make the question as easy as possible. It’s been a month since Dona’s birthday. It is currently mid-autumn, the month of Topaz. It’s just a month ago, so he will probably know about it.
「The seventh month! Right!」
「Are you sure? Are you really sure?」
That was right. The annoying thing is that, he won’t be satisfied unless he guesses it right. But, he can’t lie, so I give hints just like this. Now, notice it.
But an unnecessary voice appeared from the side.
「How cruel.....even though it was Dona-chan’s birthday」
Covol was flustered by Dee’s remark. So unnecessary....
If Dona was born in the month of Ruby, then she would also have been taken to the last auction along with Covol and Wyst. Since that was not the case, you will understand that her birthday is later than that.
「Th, then, the sixth....」
Just stop. This is not a lesson just for you alone. Sometimes I want to say that. Well, it was I who called his name.
I tried giving him a slightly stricter look. And perhaps he noticed that as Covol swallowed what he was about to say.
「Eight.....right, the eighth month! Right?」
「Yes, correct! That’s right!」
Everyone around let out a sigh of relief. Wyst gave me a cold look. I know. He must think ‘why would you call his name even though you know he’s an idiot?’. That’s true, but he won’t grow at all if we just leave him behind, right? Capable people like you are fine just the way you are.
「Amethyst, is the symbol of soldiers. It is said to have two sides, courage and peril, and hope and despair. .....if you want to be a knight, you have to start from being a soldier, you know?」
「O, ou」
Strangely, even though Covol is stronger than me physically, he never once raised his hands against me until now. On the contrary, I have a feeling I am somewhat respected by him. I wonder why?
「Now, Dee」
「Fuehh? M, me?」
「What is another name for the second day of the Onyx month?」
「Eh, ummー, uuhhー...sensei, it’s unfair to go with math suddenly」
Although Dee was speaking with a bit of a lisp, she’s not a stunning beauty like Dona. It is certainly true she is cuter than the average since Myluc went to the trouble to purchase her but that’s it.
This child is quite similar to Covol, actually. She always said that if she could make it to a mansio,n then she would be able to live a glamorous life like a noble. That will not be possible since she will work as a servant and then move on to being an apprentice but.....it looks like Myluc has no plan on correcting her misunderstanding. He believes that the hope of going to a better place than this housing facility will give the children something to hold on to. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
While Dee’s memory is not that bad, it immediately goes bad as soon as it changes to thinking. She can’t do simple subtraction even now. She is still 6 years old, which is a year before a child enters an elementary school in my previous life’s Japan so it might be inevitable.
「Uhhー, the 31st is the first day? So the 32nd.....of the sapphire month?」
「That’s correct?」
Right, the calendar of this world overlaps. Only the last days of Onyx month last exactly 36 days. Those final 6 days fall during the year-end festival season. And the first day of the new year is a holiday, but it is basically being treated as a day to offer prayer to the Goddess, people don’t drink and make loud noises that day. Work starts as normal the next day.
「Then, Dona」
「Yes!」
As for Dona, I couldn’t figure her out lately. She was always gloomy until now, but suddenly she became cheerful. I wonder when she became like that? Her birthday.....nah, no way. It’s true she was in a good mood throughout that day, but there was a good reason for that.
But thinking carefully about it, she even started to show me her smile since then. No way, did she know it was me who sent her the flowers? But, how? That’s impossible.
Although she is basically a shy girl so she will blush whenever the conversation stalls even a little. As a result, it makes it even harder for her to speak.
So when I called her name during class like this, she is very happy. That’s because she just had to answer the question. It was probably easier than a conversation with no right answer for them. Only, I seldom called her name in class since she was too energetic, and it was overwhelming.
「What is the date of the day and month for the next auction?」
It might be a bit of a mean question. It means the day she will be sold or the day of our parting. But to me, it’s not like I can buy her off so I just want her to stay positive of the future. It’s fine, I’m sure she will probably find a good patron.
Sure enough, Dona’s smile disappeared for a moment, but it seemed like she quickly recovered. She clearly answered with a cheerful smile on her face.
「The 30th of the Aquamarine month!」
There are several days in a year when a large fair is held, but the scale of the Aquamarine fair held at the end of the 10th month is especially large. This is because a lot of goods are moved in preparation for the next day’s winter festival. Also, ‘aquamarine’ is the symbol of merchants. For the people who make a living through business, it is a day they absolutely can not miss.
In addition, aquamarine has the meaning of 「Cutting off dependency」. I don’t know what the reason is, but I’m just happy if this place becomes a comfortable place for her. But she needs to abandon that dependency soon. It’s just my way of showing kindness, but.....
Even so, I wonder why I care about Dona so much? Is it because she is a beautiful girl with a promising future?
That is one reason but it’s not that simple.
Could it be.....is it possible that she is my older sister? www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
Certainly, with her black hair and white skin, she perfectly matches the condition.
But......
The young noble from Hanfan was traveling around this area and headed to the royal capital. During that time, Dona’s mother became pregnant. That was the 8th month. However, my birthday is the 6th of the Jade month. 7 months after Dona.
Sure enough, I don’t know what purpose that young noble had in his traveling. Only, Hanfan is far away. From the trading port of Foresti, you have to stop at Cheerem island on the way.....the central landmass and travel by boat again until finally arriving there. The normal range of activities for Forestia merchants is at most Saharia across the southern shore or just the very entrance of Celiphasia to the northwest, you can tell how far it is.
And, a noble from such a faraway place went out of his way to come here. Perhaps the reason for his reckless action was that he was just a traveler with no intention of settling here. So he should just hurry up and either go to the royal capital or cross over to Celiphasia. Also, the way back for him is not just one. He can return to Hanfan without going through the route of Tintinabram Castle.
A man who suddenly raped the servant of a knight's house, who received him with hospitality. I’m sure he must have done unreasonable acts wherever he goes. And even if this debauched noble were not the type to care about the details, his followers will probably be different.
Nuga village and Linga village are close. As far as I know from the map, it probably won’t take more than a week on foot. It would be strange for such a noble to wander aimlessly even after 7 months in such a place.
……oh well, whatever.
So what if she is my blood relative? I have never seen her before coming to this housing facility, and I did not know of her existence. And she will probably be gone after 2 months. After that, we will probably not see each other again.
I don’t want to have any more bothersome connections. I have 2 goals. First, to obtain happiness to the extent possible to me. And the other one is.....
「……Noor, you?」
Dona stared at my face curiously. Ah that’s right. We were in the middle of a lesson. It’s my bad habit of getting absorbed in thoughts. Maybe I also died in my previous life due lack of attention to my surroundings. It’s fine if when I am paying attention but dangerous when I am not.
「A, ahh, correct」
Then Dee remarks.
「Ahー, Noor was captivated by Dona-chan」
She changed from calling me 「sensei」 to 「Noor」. But, this was just me paying for my own mistake. I was getting caught up in my own thoughts and neglecting my role as the sensei.
「She’s cute, rightt.....Dona-chan, but you can’t, Dona-chan and I will go to noble-sama’s mansion soon. She will then bake a delicious cake, take care of the garden, and live happily」
「Eh, ah, u, un, right.....then, let’s continue」
Then there was someone interrupting.
Jusa ran over from the management room. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
「Ou, Noor, I’m interrupting」
「Yes」
After briefly informing me, Jusa spoke to everyone.
「Anyone taking part in the auction next time has been given permission to go outside! We will be leaving on the 33rd of this month. We will bring you on a tour to the nearby town. You will also be given pocket money!」
The children kicked their seats and jumped around happily. Jusa, what are you doing? It’s really a bother. Good grief, looks like we can’t continue our lesson.
That evening, an urgent letter arrived. Although, Myluc was the only one turning pale after reading the letter.
There’s a report that the production of his date farm in Saharia is likely to fall significantly short of the original plan. The date - which is a specialty product of Saharia - is harvested in mid-Aquamarine month and quickly loaded up and also flows into the market here in Forestia. The fruit, filled with plenty of nutrients and sweetness, becomes a good product. However, this year the amount of fruits was small for some reason, and he can’t expect a lot of profit this year.
And in that case, it would lead to various problems. While being a slave merchant, Myluc not only sells slaves, but he also promises to wholesale his dates to several of his regular customers. Not being able to fulfill his promise will seriously affect his reputation so he has to make arrangements with his acquaintances in Saharia to lend him money. We don’t normally work when the sun goes down, but today, Jusa, Myluc, and I - us three - lit the precious candles and hurriedly finished the paperwork. And instructions were relayed to people in various locations, such as Myluc’s subordinates and people connected to Necamel clan with fast horses .
That’s why I was dead tired today. Jusa was also exhausted and soon retired to the management room. Wyst must have been in his dream world already. Although I would not look at it, the moon is hanging high in the sky. Let’s also get to sleep quick.
Thinking like that, just as I was stepping on the stairs leading to the second floor, I noticed a faint singing voice.
It’s a girl’s voice. That means the voice is probably coming from the third floor.
I felt something out of place from that singing voice. It’s because the sound have a lonely sound to it that doesn’t match the person singing.
Normally, you can't enter the third floor. There’s no need to. But what about me? I won’t have any difficulty entering the third floor if I were to become a bird. As long as I don’t get caught when transforming.
However, thinking a little, I realized there was no need for that. It is not permitted to go outside your room and sing in the hallway at this time of night. That means the guard is also asleep. After making sure - just in case - that the guard is sleeping deeply in the guard room by the stairs, I quietly climbed the stairs and peeked.
The voice was as expected, Dee’s.
Her humming, which was filled with sadness, was soon swallowed by the night sky and vanished.
The tear streaks running through her cheeks shine, illuminated by the faint light of the night sky.
She says, while wiping her tears.
「I don’t want to……」
It was very different from her absent-minded atmosphere and conduct she has during the day. She said her dream was to live in a noble’s mansion and live glamorously. Yet.
What an idiot. There’s no way that can be true.
「……mom……」
Murmuring those words, Dee slumped against the railing and collapsed on the spot.
She’s grieving. Even after being sold here, she probably still continues hoping. Perhaps, her parents will buy her back.
A darkish and heavy feeling started to radiate deep inside my stomach while watching.
At this point, you still think of your parents? But, whose fault are you in here now? You’re probably not being kidnapped, right? What did your parents receive in return for you?
Did they really not want to let you go? Yeah, probably. But, thinking whether they let you go or not, the decision result in you being here. They probably have other children and perhaps they might even have some savings. They could have asked for help from their relatives or friends, that option was not completely off the table. Therein, they decided to sell you. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
A fun memory? A nostalgic hometown? What has that done for you? Now you’re suffering like this, aren’t you? So, why do you still yearn for their company, that place, even now?
I have lived for nearly 40 years before I came to this world, so I know. In the end, nothing remains in life.
Important friends? Once you are 30 years old, you will have almost no relationships left. A lovely family? Even putting my family aside, there are various complaints I receive at work from my colleagues. There was a parade of complaints, reproaches, and sighs about their wife, not even 3 years into their marriage.
In short, you will end up alone no matter where you go. You should realize that soon. I can say this with certainty, there is something far more certain than those kinds of connections. It’s money. Just look at Myluc, no, rather, your parents, you can understand it.
...let’s go.
There is no medicine to cure stupidity.
There’s no reason to continue watching something that makes me feel worse.
I descended the dark stairs while the autumn night cooled my cheeks. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
Author note:
You can continue to read the story even if you don’t know this, but just in case for those who are curious.
The 12 months look like this [Author first uses katakana and then the kanji in ( ) ]
01 Opal (Opal) Beginning of the year, new year, light, parental love, goddess
02 Peridot (Peridot) Beginning of spring, sprout, birth, support, 0, apprentice, probation, beginner, new disciple, religious person
03 Emerald (Emerald) Spring, wind, passion, wild
04 Jade (Jade) Spring, luxuriant growth, prosperity, riches, farm, royal authority, experienced, worldly authority, successful, victor, retirement, elderly, harvest before maturity, idle
05 Jasper (Jasper) Early summer, rainy season, mud, farmer, novice, 1, toil, hard work, industrious, unrefined
06 Garnet (Garnet) Summer, sunrise, craftsman, people who grasped the know-how, flair, a talented person, joy, harvest, rest, safety
07 Ruby (Ruby) Midsummer, scorching heat, fire, passion, fighting spirit, rebeliousness
08 Amethyst (Amethyst) Early autumn, evening glow, soldier, courage, dual nature, change in fate, danger, chance, reaping rewards, into the darkness
09 Topaz (Topaz) Mid-autumn, earth, result, joy, harvest, rest, rebirth
10 Aquamarine (Aquamarine) Late autumn, parting, merchant, traveler, resolution, solitude, quest, cutting of dependency, deeper into the path
11 Sapphire (Sapphire) Early winter, water, duty, responsibility, rights and duty in society
12 Onyx (Onyx) Black, winter, symbol of darkness, faith, vow, determination
Gemstones also have 「Ranks」.
Peridot, Jasper, Garnet.....beginner, novice
Aquamarine, amethyst, jade.....intermediate
Topaz, emerald, sapphire, ruby.....advanced/experienced
Onyx, opal.....supernatural level, inhuman, not used to describe humans
It is also used for Guild ranks and the like.
There’s no problem with not remembering it.
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