21

　　I have turned into something of a stable master. The others are still unused to the presence of so many beasts, and have to be taught how to care for them. It is a lot of work, but I do not mind. It has been comforting to be around so many beasts again.I have also taught them some lessons in close quarters combat. While their weapons are powerful, most of these people are not warriors. They have not tasted war. Juzi claims she was a soldier, but that she fought by flying metal ships through the clouds. She says she will show me how if we ever escape these caves. I doubt it, but it is nice to imagine.

　　吾已成一主。村人未尝养兽，必教其何以。此劳甚重矣，然吾不喜之。有兽环吾，吾觉甚慰。

　　吾亦教村人之战法。虽其甲强，然其非士，未尝战也。桔子自称为一卒，然只战于云上飞船中。桔子言其将示吾何离此穴。吾疑之，但亦喜之。

　　22

　　Juzi has finally convinced me to start sleeping in the metal pods the others use. I must admit, I slept more soundly, though perhaps that was because I knew she could no longer pester me about it.I do many things like the other villagers now. I eat like them, I dress like them, and I work with them. I still struggle with their tools and I know that I can never truly be one of them, but that was true during the Yellow Turban Rebellion too. Those who I fought beside were my comrades, but I could never be a true soldier like they were. If that is my place in this village, then I do not mind staying for a while longer. It is not so bad.

　　今，吾为桔子说之，寝于金匣也。吾睡甚好也。虽吾知，此乃皆因吾可不受桔子之缠也。

　　吾今劳作，若村人也。吾与其同食之，与其同服之也。然，吾仍惑其器，吾知吾实乃外人也。然黄巾战中，吾与村人之情，亦实也。虽与吾战者乃同志，其乃士也，吾不然。若是此乃吾之位，居无妨，非坏也。

　　23

　　I must move quickly. The tribe sent a party into the depths of the caverns, where rivers of violet fire flow freely and nothing grows. They sought something important, something that could help the whole village, but they have not returned.

　　There is no response when we call for them through our messenger boxes. The other villagers fear them lost to the terrible demons that lurk there. I refuse to believe that. Juzi is with them.

　　I have equipped Ao Yue with armor and weapons like my own, and donned armor that will protect me from the violet fire. Whatever beasts or demons lie in our path, we will destroy them utterly, and bring Juzi's team back.

　　吾须速进!村人潜入以深穴，彼处，紫火之水自流，无一物长。其村人求之者，可助一村，然其未返。

　　吾以信呼其时，其不应。彼有怪也，潜伏于地。村民惧其输于怪。吾不信，桔子亦其同往。

　　吾与敖越配甲器，甲将保吾穿紫火之水。无论何等之兽或怪，吾将灭之，且带桔子归。

　　24

　　This is a place of death. The ground is scarred and barren, and there is no light or movement save that of the violet fire. Even Ao Yue does not seem to like it. The living should not tread here.

　　Why would Juzi come here? What was so important that she would risk this place, and why would she not tell me? Whatever the reason, it has already cost some of her teammates their lives. I found their bodies earlier today, mangled and partially devoured beside the remains of their beasts. Thankfully Juzi was not among them.

　　Great towers of crystal loom ahead, where the violet fire has frozen solid. Perhaps she has found shelter there.

　　此乃一荒地也。除紫火外，无光无影，虽敖越亦不好此地。

　　何故桔子至此?何物如此重要以致桔冒险至此，却不告吾?无论何也，其友已为此丧命。今晨，吾见其尸骨，为怪所蹂躏分食。幸哉，桔子非其中。

　　水晶柱前，紫火凝矣。桔子或寻一所也。