"Knock, knock, knock." A knock at the door.
It's Eva, holding a tin of tobacco in her hand. I don't know where she got it from... I didn't want to ask, but she probably stole it. It doesn't matter...
I finished sharpening my sword and gathered my remaining weapons, strapping them around my waist and hiding part of them under my loose yellow blouse. I wore sunglasses and had the Kiseru in my mouth...
Do you have any idea where we're going?
"Well, the first thing... I want us to head to someone... Schiller.
He was part of the Golden Hawk Squad, and I saw him at home that day. I don't think he's still with the squad because he spends most of his time standing with his arms wide open at the edge of the cliff.
He's a poet. For two whole years, he's been sending poetry to my house, or rather to my father's house, which he came to on the day they were killed."
Alright, you said poet... strange! I'm excited to meet him.
________________________________________
At the cliff, Eva decided to go meet Schiller alone after hinting at her desire to do so, and I didn't object. I stood a few meters away so I could hear their conversation.
Standing with his back to the cliff, I didn't expect Schiller to be so tall or so old. An elderly man with a white mustache extending beyond his chin, he was probably around three meters tall. His giant frame was draped in a long, loose robe that concealed his size, and atop his head was an iron cap resembling a helmet, surrounded by an aura of mystery.
He stood as if guarding a throne...
But what caught my attention was his hips—something circular on one side and the same on the other, each side suspended with a sword.
"If you dare to seek greatness,
Do not settle for anything less than the stars.
O you who see magic in her eyes,
Only those who have seen can understand.
Her face was the moon, shining bright
On the night of the full moon, O my beloved.
O she who has dimples in her cheeks,
I love her with a love that consumes me and consumes her."
This was a verse I heard him reciting in a melodious voice... Damn, it's the first time I've listened to poetry; he's brilliant...
Eva approached him, interrupting him as she addressed him.
"A beautiful piece of poetry, sir poet."
"I find great joy in the work of creating poetry," Schiller replied.
"Indeed, do what you love and you will excel at it... Your message, sir, has touched a deep chord within me." Eva opened one of the letters and showed it to him.
"Let me quote from it: 'Her virgin form was born in the darkness like one of the petals of a tea rose. If I don't see her, I will go mad in the name of love... forsaking my path without sorrow.'"
"It was a rushed writing; you've embarrassed me..." Schiller said.
No, no, in reality, you possess poetic touches... but I've also brought some poetry, despite my hesitation...
"I'm waiting, my lady," Schiller urged.
"Then you cannot divide your soul
Unless you multiply love and longing.
For the consequence of enmity
Lies beneath the ashes, and fades with time.
If you seek revenge, do not be hasty,
For patience in revenge is the highest aim."
"Whose work is this?" Schiller asked.
"Well, you send many poems of flirtation and sincere love, so I thought I'd give it a try... I wrote this with my childish hands..."
"Wonderful! I'm in the presence of a poetess, my lady."
You're very kind, sir... I long for the era of classical Japanese history when poetry flourished.
"So my persistent words of love have made you yearn for the era of classical Japanese poetry," Schiller said.
"That's what happened..."
"And also... did my words convey my deep feelings to you, my lady?"
Yes, to some extent.
"It's possible that I will not ask for any great blessing, and now... with this understanding, I must take your life, my lady... in love, I seek to attain the perfect love called death... I have loved you since the moment I saw you, beautiful child! Forever... I will not allow anyone to come between us," Schiller said in a sharp, rising tone.
After the intoxication of poetry filled my ears, I began to notice the events escalating to their peak. I saw Schiller lower his open hands to place them on his sheath. There's still time for me to intervene... let me see where this leads.
"Your hair, your eyes, your lips—all are incredibly beautiful... I must make them mine, mine alone! Mine alone!!!"
Your praise is an honor to me... but in truth, I also came here today seeking to kill you.
"So that's it..! What a coincidence... then let's go together, hand in hand, my lady, and pray together at the slopes of forgiveness!!" Schiller exclaimed.
Thank you for this gesture, but you alone will be praying, Schiller... How dare you send those wretches to my house every day for two years, you deranged old man...
Well, here I am. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting all this time, but this time I come fully prepared.
"You manipulative chameleon, I hate those spiteful looks in you... but because they are your eyes, I've hated them more than anything else," Schiller said.
I will cut you down first, you who killed my father... the opening of my bloody play for revenge...
"Ha ha ha, so beautiful, your cunning face under the unveiled moonlight shines like an angel coming from heaven."
Schiller drew his sword from its sheath. "This wait of two years was worth it, just for this moment."
Eva did the same, grasping a sword I didn't know who lent her. From the way she held the sword, I didn't think she had fought anyone before.
Well, I can't wait any longer; it's time for some fun.
I revealed myself and stood beside Eva... Hey! This kind of ridiculous talk gives me chills.
You're attacking a little girl the age of your damned daughter, you senile old man?!
Alright! You've saved us the trouble of hunting you down for your capture.
"Eva, step aside. A weakling like you cannot fight a human tower using both hands. You look like a rabbit trying to fight a wolf."
"I'm not a weakling! I've waited... I mean, I've trained for two whole years!"
Is that really what you want?!... Try that next time, when your hands aren't shaking like this, you fool.
"And now, Schiller, there's not much fun in fighting a little girl, is there? Let's light up this place with the sparks of our swords and fight like fierce men. We'll make the sky rain blood, you old man!"
It seems the old man isn't interested in fighting me; he passed by me, ignoring my presence, and walked toward Eva, making me feel like a fool.
"Hey, you fool, don't ignore my presence as if I'm just an ant here! I will—"
I ran toward him as he turned his back to me, thinking he'd be an easy target, but the scoundrel swiftly brought his hands back to split me in two with his swords.
Whoa! He's strong... What do you expect from someone who was in the ranks of the Golden Hawk Squad?
"You're annoying me, young man. This is an important moment for me. Don't you see that...?"
"As you can see, I've trained my shoulder so that I can turn my face backward. No one like you can take me down from behind, fool!"
Even the chatterbox Eva didn't spare me her reproach; with every step Schiller took, Eva took a step back.
"And now that you understand that, hurry up and die. I'm not interested in talking to men," Schiller said.
Dirty old man, you have the right to babble, but wait for me; perhaps Eva will succeed in prolonging things.
"And now, with that tedious incident behind us, Miss Eva, shall I show you proof of my love for you?"