雪風書齋：型正院宅男署

Miguelwulf

On Friday morning last I received His Majesty's commission to rescue his youngest daughter, Princess Helen, from the grasp of Grandevil, a fierce flame-breathing monster, half man and half dragon. His majesty had also announced that whoever saved the princess back safely would marry the princess and, furthermore, would be proclaimed king immediately.

Without any hesitation, I set forth for Hisrot, the castle of Grandevil, at once. The building Hisrot lay behind a far, high hill, and over the hill shone a new star. Hurrying on my way, I ran across several shepherds. “Come !” cried the oldest of the shepherds, and all the shepherds looked at him with wonder and then together said, “It is true. It was an angel. The savior has come.” The oldest shepherd was very big, with a long gray beard hanging from his chin. He moved around very slowly as if every move he made was carefully thought about before he made it. I was offered food and wine by them. After a supper of black bread and boiled potatoes, herring cheese and hot tea, I started on my journey forthwith.

The wind was warm to blow. The star brightly began to show. The moon rose vivid and yellow. I took off my coat of mail and kept my fiery foil. The evil devil was not aware of my nearness. I silently slipped into the castle. It was dark in the castle. Stepping silently into the hall, I saw the moonlight streaming through the window. Right in the middle was a beautiful girl whose hands were tied behind her back with a massive lasso. Standing by the princess was a heavyset figure with human body and dragon head, Grandevil. From the huge pillar where I hid myself I saw a six-foot-long mirror. The reflection in the mirror stared back at Grandevil himself, tongue lolling like a panting beast. Red-rimmed eyes glared at him with insane hatred, ears, nose and chin elongated and pointed in a grotesque parody of the sharp features of human beings. No less disturbing was the long blade in his hand, covered to the hilt and dripping with blood.

My sword given by Pluto was used to kill monsters, but it had to taste human blood every time before being used. I put the sword against my leg and cut deep into the flesh. The blood ran out and rushed along the sword. The sword smelled the blood and came sparkling with golden beams that frightened the Grandevil. I thrust my fiery foil toward into Grandevil with all my strength and shouted as loudly as I possibly could and then his great gray body hit me and almost rolled me over. He touched a pillar with his finger and pulled himself up. My fair foil, excited by the drop of the blood, went after him. His great body crashed against the pillar and rolled and turned as he dropped back out of the window. Then, my foil jumped on him. The end came quickly and the floor was covered with his blue blood. The injured Grandevil was burned and destroyed alive as he tried to escape.

At last, I took Princess Helen by the hand and together we escaped out of the burning building. As we were to enter the palace of the kingdom, I kissed the princess and left her going back to the king by herself. I waved good-bye and watched Helen giving back a sorrowful look at me with her eyes full of tears. Later, I, with an awesome aureola over my head, left alone regardless of the throne. For the country, I had lighted the candle of true courage, which, in later years, will shine back and cheer me. This is the reward of my courageous deeds.

—— Yukikaze Studio ~ Department of Solemn Men, Metrosexual Yuan ——

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