Spice & Wolf ~Versión Española~: V03 Epilogo
Esta traducción ha sido realizada a partir de la versión inglesa de esta misma página (enlace) realizada por Judgment26.
Estado
Comenzada por Clead DE. HeavenHell 18:46 28/09/08
Traducción 30%.
Epílogo
En un instante, el precio sufrió una inmensa caída.
Aunque todavía quedaban algunas personas que continuaban comprando pequeñas porciones de piritas después de que todas las placas de espera fueran reorganizadas, la venta que se había aproximado a 1000 monedas de plata generó una atmósfera con mayor fuerza en la venta, finalmente causando un completo giro en la original tendencia de subida hacia una caída en picado del precio de mercado.
Por supuesto, las personas que acabaron con la peor suerte fueron al final las que habían estado esperando para comprar al precio máximo.
Incluso los comerciantes más avispados que se habían dirigido a vender tan pronto como se dieron cuenta de las acciones de Horo y Lawrence sufrieron perdidas considerables.
Y en el caso de Amati, que no le había transferido el contrato de venta a crédito a nadie más mientras mientras el porcentaje de beneficio por el cambio todavía era decente, no hacía falta decir como de duras fueron sus perdidas.
En aquel momento, Amati había visto a Horo repentinamente apresurarse al puesto de venta llevando una gran bolsa y alargó su manó intentando detenerla. Ahora, su mano todavía estaba extendida al frente, con su cuerpo paralizado en semejante postura.
Desde la posición de Amati, comparado con el hecho de que el certificado que tenía se había convertido en una pieza de simple papel, la cruda realidad de que Horo repentinamente se volviese hostil era seguramente un golpe mucho mayor.
Aunque sobre este punto, Lawrence no pudo evitar sentir un poco de lástima por él, parecía que Horo no había intentado irse con Amati desde un principio, y había incluso planeado romper con él de una manera cruel.
La razón por la que Horo haría algo así parecía ser porque Amati había dicho algo que simplemente ella no pudo soportar.
Aunque Lawrence por miedo no se atrevió a preguntar que había dicho Amati, al mismo tiempo sentía como si debiera preguntar a Horo, para así evitar que él mismo cometiera el mismo error.
"Entonces, ¿el contrato está acabado?"
Tras completar el contrato con Amati, Lawrence le había hecho una visita al puesto de venta de Mark para agradecerle antes de volver a la posada. Al ver a Lawrence volver, Horo soltó la pregunta mientras se cuidaba su cola, sin siquiera molestarse en levantar su cara.
El tono de Horo todavía sonaba de alguna forma duro, pero no porque los dos todavía estuvieran actuando enfadadamente. (NdT: ASDASDASD RASH PASSION que es eso?? xD)
Lawrence por supuesto sabía la razón.
Tras dejar lo que llevaba en el suelo, se sentó y respondió:
"Se ha acabado. Completa y definitivamente acabado."
Lawrence no estaba bromeando.
Porque en verdad había completado muy exitosamente el contrato con el deprimido Amati, que parecía una concha vacía separada de su alma.
En lo referente a los resultados, Amati no había sufrido una desastrosa perdida. La ganancia que fue haciendo durante todo el proceso realizando transferencia de ventas era de alguna forma mayor que la perdida que sufrió debido a la trampa de venta a crédito que Lawrence había preparado.
Por otro lado, Lawrence podía comprender perfectamente que el humor actual de Amati era igual que el que si Lawrence hubiera sufrido una perdida suficientemente grande como para llevarle a la bancarrota ya que, hasta el último momento, Lawrence había estado situado bajo tal presión que su humor cayo permanentemente.
Al final, Amati no había sido capaz de realizar el contrato del que dependía de si era capaz de proponerle matrimonio a Horo. Y para la venta a crédito, el trato también fue completado totalmente cuando Lawrence le dio la pirita que en ese momento valía casi tanto como la basura.
Ya que había temido que las emociones de Amati se descontrolaran, Lawrence había pedido la presencia del propietario de la filial de la compañía a modo de arbitro. El propietario le dijo a Amati en ese momento: "Este es tu castigo por robarle la mujer a otro".
Aunque Lawrence no estaba seguro de Horo podía llamarse realmente su "mujer", al menos todo el problema había enseñado a Amati, que había ido creciendo hacía algo más bien arrogante últimamente, una buena lección.
Después de que Lawrence le hubiera dado a Horo un breve resumen de todas las cosas que habían pasado, Horo, que estaba sentada en la cama, dejó de lado su cola y habló, mirando a Lawrence con una epxresión parecida a la que se tiene al juzgar la calidad de una pieza de mercancía:
"¿No suponéis entonces que esto significa que todo el asunto ha alcanzado una conclusión perfecta?"
Mejor que decir que sus ojos parecían estar juzgando la calidad de una pieza de mercancía, quizás sería más apropiado decir que parecía como si estuviera determinando la dureza con la que debería castigarle.
En su corazón, Lawrence comprendió el error que había comentido.
Levantándose, elevó ambas manos por encima de sus hombres en un gesto de derrota y dijo:
"Yo me equivoqué."
Pero, Horo no se conmovió lo más mínimo.
"¿Verdaderamente sabéis dónde erraste?"
Aunque era realmente lamentable que un adulto fuera regañado de tal forma, Lawrence sólo pudo elegir soportar esto resignadamente.
Porque sabía que merecía ser regañado por cometer semejante error.
"Lo sé....."
Las orejas de la loba se agitaron momentáneamente.
"....creo."
Escuchando esto, Horo resopló por su nariz, y cruzó sus brazos frente a su pecho con cara de estar molesta.
Decir sólo eso no era suficiente para obtener el perdón de Horo después de todo.
Por esa razón se decidió, y se disculpó con total sinceridad:
"Estuve actuando egoistamente, tanto cuando decidí ocuparme de los problemas de esta de esta forma, como cuando decidí aceptar el contrato de Amati, ¿no es eso?"
Ya que por la sensación de pánico que parecía a punto de derretir su estómago y causar que todo su cuerpo estuviera envuelto en una intensa excitación, Lawrence había corrido por todo el lugar por el bien de evitar que Amati cumpliera el contrato. Pero al final, no sólo fueron sus esfuerzos totalmente para nada, podía incluso decirse que había estado totalmente cumpliendo sus propios deseos.
"La verdad es que.... no confiar en ti fue mi mayor problema."
Horo miró hacia otro lado, dejando sólo una oreja dirigida hacia Lawrence.
Lo que probablemente quería decir era, "Escucharé a lo que tengáis que decir".
Encontrándose con la actitud tan molesta de Horo, Lawrence por supuesto se sintió de alguna forma indignado, pero no podía sino admitir que no debeaba empezar una pelea.
Lawrence levantó su cabeza y echó un vistazo al techo antes de continuar:
"Que agarraras a tu túnica las plumas blancas era para decirme que tú habías comprado pirita a Deanna, ¿cierto?"
Horo asintió, con su cara llena de enfado.
"Pero, cuando Amati fue directo a vender pirita al puesto de venta de forma deliveradamente misteriosa, pensé que era una trampa que me pusiste."
"¿Cómo?"
Horo exclamó suavemente y dirigió su mirada a Lawrence, que rápidamente tapó su boca.
"Acabo de decir algo que no debería haber dicho", pensó Lawrence, pero ya era demasiado tarde. Horo descruzó sus piernas, poniéndo un pie en el suelo, y se acercó para preguntar:
"Explicaos más claramente."
Los ojos color ambar de Horo con un toque de rojo emitían un brillo perforante.
"Pensé que era una trampa que me pusiste para hacer que actuara prematuramente. Cuando vi las acciones de Amati, tuve la impresión que ya estabas totalmente de su parte, por lo que no había forma en la que le hubiera prestado atención a las plumas blancas. Es sólo que..... la verdad no era como pensé que era, ¿cierto?"
Los ojos de Horo parecían decir, "Por supuesto".
At this point, Lawrence naturally understood what Horo’s real intentions had been.
“It was to tell me that Amati already possessed a sufficient stock, and that I should hurry up and sell off my pyrite in bulk. That was what you were trying to convey, right?”
Lawrence had not trusted Horo, yet Horo had trusted Lawrence all along.
If things were to be explained using a relationship map, that was probably just how it had been.
Thus, Horo had allowed Amati to take an action from which Lawrence at the time could not at all figure out what her true intentions were, plus Lawrence had even one-sidedly determined that Amati had not been relying on his own judgment in attempting to shake Lawrence’s resolve, but that Horo had become an enemy who was trying to frame him as well.
The only correct answer at the time was that only Horo was aware of Lawrence’s plan.
Surely if Lawrence had simply noticed the white feathers and confirmed Horo’s true intentions through eye contact, Horo would have sold her pyrite along with him right then and there.
“I simply cannot stand you.....”
Horo muttered.
She then thrust her chin forward, beckoning Lawrence to continue.
“Before that, the fact that you would sign and stamp the marriage certificate Amati had prepared, that.....”
Although Lawrence felt embarrassed, he could only force himself to say the words:
“That was in order to give me a reason to be angry.....right?”
Horo’s ears quivered faintly, and she took a forceful deep breath.
Perhaps thinking back on this was causing wave after wave of anger to surge up within Horo’s heart.
Back then, Horo must have been eagerly expecting Lawrence to rush up to the second floor, marriage certificate in hand.
Yet, after waiting and waiting without Lawrence coming upstairs, perhaps she had gone on waiting like that till daybreak.
Having thought to this point, Lawrence could not help feeling that he could not utter a word of complaint even if Horo were to bite him to death on the spot.
“Back when we were in Rubinhagen, did I not already tell you? Do not take useless little actions. Just come right out and say what is in your heart. Yelling at each other will solve the problem much more quickly.”
Horo scratched the roots of her ears, producing a creaking sound. She appeared as if she could not possibly get any angrier.
Horo had shown no signs of being flustered even when Lawrence discovered Amati walking out of the inn, and had even prepared the marriage certificate, all for the sake of angering Lawrence so that he would be able to speak his heart more easily.
Lawrence on the other hand had mistakenly thought that Horo had issued an ultimatum.
Thinking back on it now, however, Lawrence finally realized that the situation back then indeed formed the ideal conditions for letting loose all his emotions and telling Horo that he did not wish for her to accept Amati’s proposal.
Moreover, it seemed that if he had simply said that, Horo would have been willing to forgive him.
“So, I had completely misunderstood you from the very beginning,” said Lawrence.
Horo lowered her chin, and looked at Lawrence with eyes that were beyond displeased, appearing almost resentful.
Those eyes indicated just how ridiculous Lawrence’s error had been.
“You.....uh, when you had lost control of your emotions because of the situation with Yoitsu, your apology at the end was.....”
The hoarse voice of Horo that had uttered the word “Sorry” resounded next to Lawrence’s ears.
“....was because you had regained your senses....right?”
Horo stared at Lawrence. She even opened her mouth and revealed her sharp canines as she did so.
After unleashing a barrage of words filled with malice and distortion of the facts at Lawrence, Horo had immediately realized that she had gone too far.
After realizing this, Horo had not continued to act rashly.
She had immediately apologized to Lawrence, an apology that came from the heart.
She had not anticipated Lawrence to take her apology as the final word that sealed off her heart.
The moment he reflected back on the situation back then, Lawrence just wanted to hold his head and give a loud cry.
Because of Horo’s apology, Lawrence had ceased the movement of the hand that was reaching forward.
If he had managed to say something to Horo back then, he might have still been able to save the situation, Lawrence thought to himself.
Yet, Horo must have been stupefied in that moment.
After all, Horo had truly been apologizing for the malevolent words she had uttered due to having lost control of her emotions, but not only had Lawrence not said a word, he had even backed out of the room.
After that, the clever Horo must have immediately realized how Lawrence had misunderstood her intentions.
But even having realized this, to chase after Lawrence and explain how he had misunderstood her would have been totally absurd.
Most likely, Horo had meant for Lawrence to realize his own misunderstanding much earlier on from certain key points.
This was also the reason why she was so angry at the present moment.
“You big dumb ass!”
Horo stood up from the bed, and being unable to hold it in any longer, yelled out loudly:
“The saying that ‘A fool cannot come up with a good idea’ refers exactly to you! Putting aside the fact that you completely laid waste to my efforts, you are even saying that I had been treating you as an enemy? Not only that, you just had to persist so stubbornly in the contract with that youngster. Do you have any idea how complicated this made things? Indeed, I have met you only recently, but it is my belief that you and I share a not-so-shallow bond. Is it simply wishful thinking on my part to think so? Or do you actually.....”
“I want to continue traveling with you.”
The distance between the desk and the bed was but a few steps.
Human and wolf, merchant and non-merchant were separated only by such a short distance.
One would immediately be able to touch the other just by reaching out a hand.
Lawrence picked up Horo’s hand, and found that it was trembling slightly.
“All along, my life has been filled with nothing but business, and I plan to continue pursuing such a lifestyle in the future. So, concerning things that are not related to business, you can just think of me as a slow-minded guy.”
Horo’s wrathful expression gradually changed to one of awkwardness.
“But, it is truly my wish to travel with you,” Lawrence continued.
“Then, what am I to you?”
This was the question Lawrence had not been able to answer back then.
The present Lawrence however was able to answer it with absolute confidence:
“It cannot be described in words.”
Horo widened her eyes, erected her ears high, and then—
And then, she looked at Lawrence as if frustrated with him almost to the point of crying, and said with a helpless smile:
“What kind of poor, dry line is that?”
“Isn’t dried jerky your favorite?”
Horo opened her mouth to reveal two sharp canines and gave a laugh with her throat before bringing her mouth close to Lawrence’s hand and saying:
“I hate it.”
Lawrence felt a sharp pain on the back of his palm, but he accepted it without complaint, thinking of it as his punishment.
“Although, I also have a question for you,” he said.
“Hmm?”
After biting Lawrence’s hand with considerable force in order to convey her anger, Horo lifted her face and asked in exchange.
“How did you know the alchemists possessed pyrite....no, Amati had probably told you. Compared to that, I’m more interested in knowing how you managed to persuade Miss Deanna to sell you pyrite. I simply can’t figure it out.”
Hearing this, Horo looked out the window with an expression that seemed to say, “So that is what you wanted to ask.”
By then, dusk had already arrived, and the second day’s evening festival was getting ready to begin.
The festival activities of that day seemed to use the same puppets as the ones that had been used to battle one another since the previous night. About half the number of enormous, dog-like puppets had already lost their heads. Even from a distance, the weary appearance of the participants of the evening festival was readily apparent as they staggered along, some of them even stumbling to the ground bottoms-first.
In spite of their fatigue, the people still followed the sounds of the flutes and drums and did their best to form parading processions.
Horo pulled her gaze back to Lawrence, and motioned with her eyes for him to join her by the window.
Lawrence had no reason to refuse, and thus approached the window.
“From the contents of the detailed reports that youngster Amati never failed to make to me, I more or less guessed what your plan was. However, I did not expect you to be able to come up with such an idea....concerning this point, I shall give you praise.”
Horo leaned her back on Lawrence, and let her gaze fall on the festival.
Consequently, Lawrence was unable to see the expression on her face, but he felt that since he had received praise, he might as well receive it candidly.
“So, her name is Deanna, correct? Concerning that matter, I had gone to that person for some other purpose,” said Horo.
“Some other purpose?”
“It would probably be more appropriate to say I had gone to request something of that person. I was able to find the location from the scent on the letter. However, the place carried a strong stink much like that found near hot springs. It was absolutely unbearable.”
On one hand, Lawrence was surprised over Horo’s incredible sense of smell. On the other hand, he also imagined how choking the experience must have been for her.
Then, Horo gave a soft sigh, and said without glancing at Lawrence:
“I asked that doll whether she could fabricate a story suggesting the possibility that Yoitsu was still in existence somewhere, and pass the story on to you.”
For a moment, Lawrence did not understand what he had heard.
But he immediately realized Horo’s intention.
If Lawrence had heard such a story from Deanna, he would surely have been able to take the initiative to speak to Horo more easily.
This would have created the ideal chance for Lawrence to take the first step in talking to Horo.
“But.”
Horo’s tone of voice as she continued sounded all of a sudden displeased.
“That doll had me relate the entire course of events to her, only to refuse my request at the very end.”
“That....that’s how it was huh?”
Lawrence remembered the “Good luck” Deanna had said to him as he was leaving her residence.
Was that Deanna’s way of making fun of him?
“The reason I was refused was you. You had better reflect long and hard on that.”
After getting his foot stomped on by Horo, Lawrence came back to his senses.
Yet, he did not understand Horo’s meaning.
“Seriously....to think I actually went through the embarrassment of explaining the entire situation, and had been just one step away from succeeding in my request, only to have you show up all of a sudden, causing that doll to come up with such an unnecessary plan.”
Lawrence was not even able to utter a “Huh?” So Horo had been present back then, he thought to himself.
“That doll had actually dared to act as if she understood everything perfectly....and say it would be fine to put your resolve to the test.”
Lawrence finally understood why Deanna had uttered a “Good luck” to him.
Yet, somehow he could not throw off the feeling that he had forgotten something important.
Just as Lawrence was trying to recall what it was that he had forgotten, Horo looked back at him with an annoyed expression and said:
“I also heard every word of that stupid question of yours.”
“Ah!”
Lawrence exclaimed in a voice that sounded more like an agonized cry. Horo smiled mischievously and, spinning around to face Lawrence said:
“I heard there are many legends involving humans and gods becoming a pair.”
The smile Horo revealed as she hung her head down and lifted her gaze high looked very frightening.
The slender arm she had coiled around Lawrence’s back reminded one of a venomous snake that never let off its prey.
“If that is what you have planned, I do not mind. However.....”
The light that flowed in from outside the window dyed Horo’s face red.
“You have to be gentle, alright?”
Horo must really be a demon,
Lawrence thought to himself half-seriously, but seeing Horo drop her act so easily, he could not help feeling a bit disappointed.
“I do not know why, but after having spoken to that doll, I just cannot seem to get my spirits up,”
Horo said with a weary appearance, but maintained the same posture, her arms around Lawrence as she gazed outside the window.
Horo’s gaze was not on the festival, but fixed on some point far off in the distance.
“Did you notice that that doll is not human?”
Lawrence was so surprised that he could not even utter a “How is that possible.”
“Were there not a great number of feathers scattered on the floor of the room? Those belonged to that doll.”
“.....Is that so?”
Now that Horo mentioned it, Lawrence recalled that Deanna had in fact reminded him of a bird when he saw her.
Horo nodded and continued:
“That doll’s true appearance is a bird greater than you in size. She once fell in love with a traveling cenobite, and together the two had spent many years working together to build a church. But no matter how many years went by, that doll would never age, and thus the cenobite grew suspicious. Surely you can guess how things developed after that?”
Perhaps he was just imagining things, but Lawrence seemed to feel Horo tighten the grip of her arms.
Lawrence felt that he seemed to understand the reason Deanna collected ancient legends and protected the alchemists.
Yet it would have caused him great pain to speak the reason, and he believed that Horo would also not be willing to hear it.
Thus, Lawrence did not utter it.
Instead, he put an arm around Horo’s slender shoulder.
“I wish to return to my hometown, even if....it is no longer in existence,” said Horo.
“Aye.”
In the end, the giant human and dog puppets outside the window collided with each other, arousing a wave of cheers.
However, Lawrence immediately realized that the performance was not a simulation of battle.
Not one of the people controlling the puppets was not laughing cheerfully, and each member of the on-looking crowd had a beer mug in hand.
That was definitely not bashing each other, but the motion of putting an arm around each other’s shoulder.
Next, the people began to sing and dance, and the puppets were set on fire at the center of the crossroads.
“Heheheh, the actions of humans sure are daring.”
“Aye, it’s quite a sight.”
Although he was quite far away, Lawrence felt his face grow hot, seemingly as a result of the heat.
The people surrounded the flaming debris, which seemed as if it could easily obscure the moonlight, and cheered as they toasted one another.
Within the town of Kumerson, after a great dispute, the various humans and gods who had come from various places had once again settled down to banqueting and drinking to their hearts’ content.
At long last, everyone had stopped confronting one another.
“Let us go as well.”
“Ah.....sure?”
Yet, Horo did not make any movement. Perceiving Lawrence’s confused expression, Horo lifted her face and said:
“Me, I shall not mind it even if I have to be as passionate as the flames that consume those puppets. What about you?”
The puppets that had been set on fire began gradually to collapse into one pile.
Despite being mocked, Lawrence maintained a smile and answered:
“I should just be able to manage while I’m still drunk.”
Horo opened her mouth and laughed, revealing her sharp canines. Wagging her tail excitedly, she spoke in a tone that could not be any happier:
“If you were to become drunk as well, who would be left to take care of me? You dumb ass!”
Lawrence took the hand of the smiling Horo, and walked out of the room.
A clamorous night had once again descended upon Kumerson.
However, after some time had passed, a rumor began to spread in town that on that night, a true goddess had walked amongst the crowds.
End
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