An Ordinary Life

Aren't these flowers just lovely? It's hard to believe the flowers you gave me took so well to being replanted.

They were special, after all. I'm glad you liked them. ...I see the flowers have begun to bud. That seems like a sign that we can move to the next step.

The next step...?

That's right. Would you bear my children?

Huh?! That's way too sudden, Benedict! And didn't you say this woman already has a husband, too?!

After you form a pair, you have children together. Isn't that how it usually works?

Well, if you put it that way, I suppose so, but...

It's true, I would like children, but we've never been blessed with one...

I can help with that.

Come on, Aldo.

Where are we going?

If you want a child, there's only one place to go.

...A cabbage field.

Um...

...I know that's how it's written about in fairy tales, huh.

Well, aren't you a cutie? If you want to know where babies come from...why don't I tell you?

(Huh?! What is she planning?!)

...They get brought by storks. From a warm place, very far away.

......

...... ...I knew that. That's the trend these days.

I don't think trends have anything to do with it...

Hm? Then what is the trendy way?

Come on, Aldo. What's the trendy way? You must know, right?

Crap, I dug my own grave...

I would also love to know. What's the trendy way to make children, young man?

B-both of you, hold your horses! You see, uh... The thing is...

Hey, you! Get back here, punk!

Huh? What was that?

Phew, I'm spared! Wait, now's no time to be relieved. Let's go see what that was!

We can't bring a lady into peril. That's normal, common sense. We'll have to talk more later.

Yes. Please come back to see the flowers again.

You ran right into me, you punk! So where's my apology, huh?!

Oh, did it hurt you that much? You're even punier than you look.

Why, you little...!

Everyone calm down!

I'll take the big one. You take this one, Aldo.

We're not here to start swinging! That's just going to make things worse.

What's your problem, huh? This has nothing to do with you.

Wait! That ax, and that blue bandana on your head... No way, forget this! This ain't worth going up against that monster!

Blue...

Wait, you're...!

What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost.

......

It's been a little while... Benedict.

You know his name? Are you a friend?

Sure am. Or I was... A long time ago now, that was.

Yugo. I didn't know you survived.

I didn't just survive, I thrived. What about you, old friend? Living that normal life?

Normal...

Are you a friend of Benedict's?

Y-yeah... My name's Aldo.

Hey, thanks... For being so kind to Benedict. I know he's a little unusual.

I'm really not doing anything special. Benedict's the one working hard to live as a normal woodcutter.

...Woodcutter?

Well, putting the "normal" part aside for the moment...

...I see. A woodcutter, huh.

That really is good to hear. You're finally doing what you want! Here, let's not stand around, eh? I've got something you'll want to hear, too, I think.

Okay. Let's go to the tavern. That's where normal, manly men go to exchange stories, after all.

And to wet their whistles while they do it, aye!

...That's a shock. So, you were a member of Bone Wolf too? I guess it makes sense, if you're an old friend of Benedict's.

Aye, but keep that past tense in mind. I made my clean break years ago. Still, I ended up on a lot of the same jobs as Benedict back then, which is how we got to talking together.

Yugo's the only one dumb enough to chatter away on a mission.

Now, that's just hurtful coming from the man who never says more than he absolutely needs to.

Haha. I can tell you two really get along, don't you? And that bandana of yours is the same color as Benedict's, huh.

We get along, huh... Is that how it looks?

Even if I tell you that I killed Yugo?

Huh?!

......

Sorry for the wait, gents! Your food and drinks.

What are you saying? You killed Yugo? But he's got legs and everything, so he can't be a ghost. Right?

...I'll never forget it. We were planning to escape from the Wulfpack Manor together. We got caught very fast, and they sent pursuers after us. Even in the dark, their daggers were merciless...and got Yugo in the side. He said he'd draw them off, and let me escape alone.

And so, you blame yourself for accepting, and consider it the same as killing me yourself. You really are a fool... If you hadn't run then, I would have been in quite a pinch too.

Everyone who gets caught betraying the Wolves ends up the same way. And once you die, you never come back. That's just how it works. That's normal. So how are you alive?

You said it yourself: Everyone who gets caught. And I didn't. After we split up, I took the mountain trails to draw the pursuers after me. Then, I slipped over a cliff. I must've been out for hours, and when I woke up, a kind hunter was taking care of me in his hut. It took a while, but I finally healed up enough to make the journey here to the capital.

That sounds terrible.

Well, what's past is past. Come on, let's not let this food grow cold, eh? A toast! To long-delayed reunions.

That's a great idea. To long-delayed...

Wait.

Are there any animals around? Any mice? Anything?

......!

None that I can see...

Really? Okay. Well I guess as I'm the one who invited you here, I should be first to eat.

Are you planning to check the whole thing for poison again?!

I see you haven't gotten over that habit of yours.

Just one bite first...

Mm. No unusual bitterness or tingling in my tongue.

Please wrap it up before all the food goes cold...

......Ah!

This...this is poisoned!

Okay, great! Now we can dig...

...Huh?! You're kidding, right?!

P-poisoned?! Are they ALL poisoned?!

Hey, what are you saying?! Our food's totally safe, I guarantee it!

Don't worry. It's not deadly. It's a paralyzing poison.

That's not what I mean! If you're going to scare off my customers, then get out!

Well, we got kicked out... But was it true, Benedict? Who would poison our food? And why would they?

There are plenty of people who would love to see the two of us dead. I guess that clean break wasn't so clean, after all.

What should we do? If you're still in the mood to catch up, you can come to my house.

Well, that is a tempting offer...

But for now, Benedict. Why don't you show me your woodcutting job? I find myself curious.

...I expected that. Sure. My ax is all set. Let's go to the Moonlight Forest. There's no better place to woodcut.

...... The only one who could have put that poison in is...

That's not woodcutting, that's hunting!

That's not woodcutting either! That's topiary if anything!

...I see. I definitely get the gist.

Sorry. I said the same things when I first met him, but I guess I didn't really get through to him.

Well, if TRULY nothing else, I can tell you're putting in a lot of honest effort.

Huh? What's he talking about?

......

B-but... Your reunion in Unigan was a total coincidence, wasn't it?

Hey, hey. What happened to the "normal woodcutter"? Looking at me like that...

...You look like a Bone Wolf through and through.

Orders from on high, I'm afraid.

No...really? Are they really still after him? And...asking you to kill your old friend, that's too cruel!

Anyone who tries to run is disposed of. That's how it works. The only reason they let me live... Is because they see me as the only one capable of bringing you down.

Old friend... Have you really forgotten how I do things?

Urgh...!

Slow-acting poison. As a little bit of insurance.

You've realized too late, I'm afraid. This is a little beauty I cooked up, more subtle than any other. I'm willing to trade, Benedict. Drop your ax...and Aldo lives.

Not at all. Just do it, and all of us walk away. That weapon of yours, the legendary Commander's Ax... That's what the higher-ups want. If I bring it back to them as proof of the deed, so to speak, maybe they'll let it go at that. You live, Aldo lives, and I get to hold my head high back at HQ. Everyone lives, everyone wins.

But...I'd decide fast. Unless you want to watch Aldo die.

B-Bene...dict...

What's wrong? Better hurry, or I won't be able to save him either way.

What are you playing at?

So that's it... I thought it might be.

Your habit of checking for poison... Your paranoia, even for an old friend. You haven't changed at all. Inside, you're still on the battlefield.

That's enough! Open your eyes, you bastard! Listen to me, Benedict! Clinging to a weapon while your friend dies... Nothing about that is normal!

Is that the best you can do? Is that all your struggle was for? Show me, Benedict! Show me the life you fought for!

Eh? Whazzis? Bled out, huh? Heard there was a big scuffle around here lately...

...Hey. Hang on. That ax...

I-it is!! Boss! Booooss! That's the Commander's Ax! We're rich! Haha, we're rich!

What are you waiting for? Get it off him already!

Uh, well...

He's really got a grip on it... Is this guy really dead?

H-hey...behind you!

To lose your weapon is to die... Your weapon...is your life... But a wolf keeps fighting... Even after death, a wolf's jaws...

Guagh!!

You're finally awake... Thank goodness.

He gave me the antidote. And then...he left. He took your ax with him.

No, you didn't.

I saw what happened. You dropped the ax, just like Yugo wanted. You gave up your weapon, all to save my life. Thank you.

I don't think woodcutters are that strict about it, you know?!

You know, I talked a bit with Yugo before he left.

He actually let go of it, huh. Even when his body was fighting him so hard he lost consciousness... He must consider you someone very important to him.

......

Now...the rest is up to me. Let's hope the higher-ups believe me with just the ax as proof...

Did you...do all this for his sake?

You know, I thought he was still stuck in the past. Still the same Wolf he'd always been. But it looks like I was wrong. He has changed, just a little. I bet I have you to thank for that.

Me?

You're someone totally different from us. We were born and raised among the bones...and you weren't. So I can't change him, not really. But maybe you can.

...Take care, Aldo. And take care of Benedict, too.

He left a message for you, too. "Work hard all day, then share a meal and a joke with your buddies." "If any of us deserve that kind of ordinary happiness, you do."

Baruoki.

My Grandpa, Feinne, Varuo... But there are so many other people I treasure as my family, too.

Everyone from the village, but, I'm closest with Darunis, May, and Nomar, I'd say.

...No, I haven't.

...And Yugo got you out?

Hey, Benedict... I think Yugo wants you to be happy, even at the cost of his own future. To live a normal life, as a normal woodcutter.

Of course! That's what's normal... For people like us, anyway.

I don't see Yugo anywhere. Where did he get to?

The Manor is vast. We can't search the whole place.

I remember looking for something in this archive before... Maybe there's some kind of clue.

"About the two escapees"? Is this about you and Yugo?

What does it say?

"Two escapees confirmed. Yugo and Benedict. Pursuers dispatched." "Yugo, captured injured. Benedict escaped with the Commander's Ax. At large." "Tortured Yugo. Refused to reveal Benedict's whereabouts. Attempted suicide by poison."

......!

"Resuscitation successful. Offered to draw out Benedict in exchange for his own life."

"We have no need for one like him. Execute him after contact is made with Benedict."

...Hurry, Aldo!

Look over there.

Eep!

You have the count of two to answer. Where is Yugo? One.

B-Benedict?!

Two. Time's up.

Wait, Benedict! A count of two is too fast!

Damn it, why are you back? Now, of all times...

Answer my question. If you don't, I'll break all 206 bones in your body, 103 bones at a time.

That's too many bones at once!

Heh...do it. You know what they'll do to me if they find out I blabbed? I'd much rather die in one blow.

Then how about this? Answer, and I'll let you run. The pursuers will be slowed down dealing with us. You can shake them.

Huh? Don't be stupid. No one betrays the Manor and lives.

I did.

......

...Yugo, right? He's in the torture chambers.

Torture chambers...ugh. Do you know the way, Benedict?

Of course. Follow me.

So that's the legendary killer? He's skilled, sure, but he didn't feel willing to kill at all...

Well, whatever. Now's my chance to run... And wash my hands of all this.

Nngh...

Did you forget your mission, Yugo? The ax and Benedict's head. Not one or the other.

...He had allies. I had to make a call. The ax is enough, isn't it? What's his life worth now...

Ghh...aaargh!

Hah...and so the truth comes out. We had you watched, Yugo. You had that "ally" as a hostage, and you still let Benedict walk.

...So you saw the whole thing, eh? I didn't take you all for voyeurs...

It's true that the return of the Commander's Ax was a high priority for us. I expect you were banking on that fact to make your trade... But in the end, your effort was wasted. Deserters of Bone Wolf must die. Our rules are more important than anything, treasure or otherwise.

Damn it...then let it end with my death! There's your dead deserter! Why do some damned rules have to ruin his life any further, after all he's already...

Gaaah!

Of course, you will die. You've served your purpose. And if you can't even function as bait, then you're worth less than nothing. He's lost the Commander's Ax. He's no longer anything to fear. We'll deal with him ourselves.

...I gave up back then. When you caught me. But he still has a future. He's no good at it yet, but he's doing his best to live a normal life...

A poor choice of last words. Kill him.

Please... Benedict, just...

Yugo! Are you okay?!

What?! What are you doing here?!

Yeah. That feels good. Hard to find a tool that fits just right in the hand like this.

No, the Commander's Ax!

You idiot! What are you doing?! You're just a woodcutter! Any ax would do! Why come back?!

Traitor! You dare show your face in our very seat of power?! Saves us the trouble of hunting you down again!

Let's do this, Benedict!

Yeah. For my life as a normal, run-of-the-mill woodcutter.

Eek! N-no one said he was this strong! P-please! Spare our lives!

Don't worry. Woodcutters chop down trees, not human beings.

But I want a promise from you. Don't ever come after Benedict or Yugo, ever again.

You guys...

W-we promise! So please, spare us!

I'll leave you your lives...

JUST your lives!

I hit them with the back of the blade. They'll live. Probably.

Aren't both sides of that ax bladed, though, Benedict...?

Anyway, we got my ax back. So I can keep being a woodcutter. That's all we're here for. Let's go home, Aldo.

Hey, wait! Are you going to leave me here?!

Haha...just a little joke. You're the one who said to share jokes with buddies, right?

Benedict...

I did say that, but... You need to work on your sense of humor, my friend.

Where are we?

The night we escaped... This is where Yugo and I got separated.

So, this is where Yugo got caught by your pursuers.

Not a place I'm glad to have come back to...makes my scars ache just thinking about it. But, well...that aside, it's weirdly fulfilling to stand here with you one more time.

Are you Benedict? You're pretty good, huh.

Get lost.

And just as friendly as all the rumors say, too. No need to be all prickly. I'm working with you on this one. Let's get the job done, eh, partner?

Which reminds me, here's your bandana. It's proof that we're buddies.

Isn't this a great shade of blue? Sure looks a lot better than red. I get so sick of red in this line of work.

I don't work with partners. I'll get the job done myself.

Well now, what's the world coming to when a dour one like that is the Manor's best assassin, hm?

Heeeey! Wait up, Benedict!

Seriously, I'm covered in cold sweat over here...

You surely saw that was a trap before you charged in, right? Put yourself in my shoes, having to clean up after your messes.

But I killed them all. And I didn't die. So I guess you did okay.

...Heh. When you put it that way.

Hey, Benedict. If you could leave this life, what would you do?

...Never thought about it. What about you?

Well...I'd do an honest job all day... Then come home in the evening to my beautiful wife and child.

Sounds dull. Do you really dream of that?

I sure do. Work hard all day, then share a meal and a joke with your buddies. That's a happy life, for normal people.

A happy life... For normal people...

Why not become a woodcutter? Probably doesn't make much, but it seems like quiet, fulfilling work.

Wood...cutting? Could I actually do that?

Sure, I bet you could. Give that ax of yours a swing.

Like this?

Whoa, settle down there! You took a chunk out of the main support pillar...

Look, the point is, you're already used to swinging a big ax around.

So I bet you could cut down bigger trees than any other woodcutter!

I see. So a woodcutter is someone who cuts down the biggest things. That does sound good. Teach me how to become a woodcutter someday.

Sure. And in return, you teach me how to use an ax.

It made me happy, you know? Hearing that you were making it as a woodcutter, out there. I ended up getting caught, and couldn't fulfill my promise, but you still made it.

What's wrong with fulfilling your promise from now on?

Aldo's right. It's not what we discussed, but I'll train you up into a normal woodcutter.

There's still a lot I don't know about what makes an ideal happy, normal life.

But I know you're part of mine.

...Hah, listen to you. Well, I've come this far... So, sounds good to me, partner.

Good. Now, let's go to Rucyana Sands.

Rucyana Sands?

Right now?

Of course. That's where our normal happiness is waiting for us.

Hey, are you sure this is the right place?

Seriously. What is a woodcutter going to do in a place with no grass to speak of, let alone wood?

You've only just become a woodcutter. It's still too early to face you off against real trees.

What kind of logic is that?! Cutting down real trees is the whole point of the job!

Be quiet. Our target will notice us.

Target...?

If her information is right... Any minute now...

There! Look!

That's...a monster?

No. That's...

...The stork that brings children!

Huh?! This is all kinds of wrong... Where did you get that idea?!

It's what she said. The stork brings children from a warm place that's very far away.

Uh, Aldo? What is he on about?

Sorry. I don't think you'd believe me even if I told you.

You just watch.

You there. You must be the stork. And you've come to bring me a child.

So you won't just hand it over, hm? I see. You want to test me to see if I'm fit to be a father or not.

Witness the resolve of a normal woodcutter!

Haaaaaa!!

Hm. I guess that one wasn't it.

......

......

Everyone always says that parenthood is a difficult job...

Hey, Benedict...you know these birds have nothing to do with children, right? Listen up. Children come from...

(Yugo! Are you planning to tell him the truth?!)

...From cabbage patches!

Huh?

There's no question. I read it in a book once.

......

Hey, Yugo. Just out of curiosity, how do you get a wife?

Well, that's simple. You give her a bouquet of flowers! One unmatched in all the world.

I swear, Benedict. Didn't I teach you all this before?

You did. But the trends...

Trends have nothing to do with kids! Now, look. We're gonna go find a proper cabbage patch, and...

Yugo... I don't know what I expected...