Tegami Bachi 10

EDIT: 8th May - made a change to the Info section, George's Small Village, and Map markers on omake_004. thanks to haya5h1 for the info.

Now the volume 3 gap is officially filled :whoo
One of the reasons for my ridiculous delay is I wanted to include the vol 3 omake (Thunderland Sr.'s info section), so that's attached to the bottom of the post.

Line break = new bubble / text box within the same panel
Blank line = new manga panel
** Asterisked, purple lines are ones I'm not sure about.
Edits are in blue

Page numbering by Raw Filenames.

-073-
Text: Chapter 10 "Beneath The Light"

-074-
Text: a rude sketch (uniform)
Text: a rough sketch of the uniform

-075-
Lag: ......
Lag: My Lady...
Lag: It's the Empress...

Lag: From the side, the face in the picture...
Lag: Reminds me of Mother...

Lag: ......
Lag: Huh...?
SFX: *sits up suddenly*

Lag: Oh, right...
Lag: This is...

Sylvette: HEY!!!
Lag text: bikku (shocked)

-076-
Sylvette: NICHE!!!
Sylvette: GET BACK HERE!!!

Sylvette: Honestly...
Sylvette: It's the same thing with you every day!

-077-
Sylvette: But you're naïve!

Sylvette: Do you really think...

Sylvette: That you can get away from this wheelchair girl?!

Sylvette: Right then, Niche!!
Sylvette: Come here and brush your teeth!!

Niche: Don't wanna
Lag: M...
SFX: step
Sylvette: Brush your teeth!!
Lag: Morn...

-078-
Lag: ..ing...

Lag: Niche...! P-P-P...
Lag: P-Put...
Sylvette: Brush them!!

Sylvette: Brush them properly!!
Lag: Put some pants on!!!

Box: Three days have passed since the exam
Box: Lag, who has been officially employed as a Bee, a government postal office worker, and Niche...
Box: Have come to Sylvette's home in the north of Yuusari Central, and are renting out a room which used to belong to Gauche, who is currently missing

-079-
Box: Today...
Box: Lag is about to start his first day as a Letter Bee...
Text above Niche's head: glare
Sylvette: Niche just won't listen to anyone but you, Lag!
Lag: What happened while you were doing laundry...?
Sylvette: ...You saw her... it's indecent!...
Lag: What?! No...

Lag: Here's your water, Niche!
Lag: You can rinse your mouth out with this

Sylvette: She only listens obediently when *you* tell her to do something!
Sylvette: What's wrong with her?

Bubble: clank
Bubble: clunk
Lag: ......

Lag: Sylvette...
Lag: Thanks for letting us stay with you...

Lag: I don't have enough credit to be able to rent a flat yet...

-080-
Sylvette: Well, Brother's room is just sitting there unused anyway...
Sylvette: And the Bee Hive isn't far from us here at Cassiopeia Ramp

Sylvette: Plus, you're doing me a favour by renting out the room... that's all

Lag: It's a little weird sleeping in Gauche's room, but...
Lag: I'll accept your offer and use it gladly, Sylvette...

Lag: Until the day I find Gauche...

Lag: And bring him back here with me...

Sylvette: ......
Sylvette: Thank you...
Sylvette: Lag...

Sylvette: But...
Sylvette: Promise me one thing
Sylvette: Since you're living here now...

-081-
Sylvette: That no matter what happens...
Sylvette: That...

Sylvette: You'll come back to this house!

SFX: rattle

Lag: ......
Lag: Yeah...

Sylvette: It's done! Okay Lag, eat up!!
Sylvette: Brother used to love this too! It's my original Special Soup!!
Lag: Wow!! It looks delicious!! I wonder what it tastes like?!
Lag: Thank you for the meal!!

Top text (both large and small): It tastes like... the super gross soup I remember so well...

-082-
Sylvette: Oooh! It's good!!
Sylvette: Perfect!!
Text: Y-yeah...
Bubble: Ding Dong
Sylvette: Oh my...

Sylvette: A visitor...? I wonder who it could be at this hour?
Sylvette: O-Okay...
Lag: Let me go and see!!! I'll go!! I'll go see for you!!!

Lag: I wonder if Gauche's weird tastes are because of Sylvette...
Lag: *hack*

Lag: !!

Aria: Good morning
Aria: Lag Seeing

-083-
Lag: Ari—
Lag: Deputy Director!!

Sylvette: Miss Aria...?
Aria: Long time no see, Sylvette...

Aria: Work hasn't started yet, but I need to talk to you for a little while
Aria: Lag Seeing...
Aria: Would you come along with me?

Lag: Ah... yes!
Lag: But where to...
Aria: I've got a carriage waiting outside

Aria: Starting today you'll have duties
Aria: So please put this on

-084-
Lag: Sorry to keep you waiting!!

Aria: The hats only come in one size, so have it adjusted for next time...
Lag: It's okay! I like it this way!

Sylvette: Lag...
Sylvette: Be careful!

Lag: Thank you...

-085-
Text: Gauche's Nocturne...

Aria: Come along, Lag Seeing
Lag: O-Okay! Let's go, Niche!
Lag: See you later, Sylvette!!

Sylvette: No...
Sylvette: Why am I crying...?

Lag: ......
Lag: Sylvette...?

Sylvette: Niche! Steak!
Sylvette: Do your best...
Sylvette: Help Lag out, okay?

Sylvette: Come home safe...!
Sylvette: Lag Seeing!!

-086-
Lag: See you later!!

-087-
Lag: Where are we headed?
Aria: You'll understand when we get there

Aria: Lag Seeing
Lag: Yes?

Aria: So you were delivered by Gauche Suede as a Letter
Aria: I read it the delivery report compiled with information from Connor Culh
Aria: And that's what inspired you to become a Letter Bee

Lag: Y-Yes! Actually...
Lag: I know about you, Deputy Director!!
Lag: While we were travelling, I saw it from Gauche's Heart Bullet!! So I know about you too, Miss Aria...

Aria: ......
Aria: Is that so...

Aria: You saw that much...
Lag: Yes...

Aria: We're here
Aria: This is the place

-088-089-
Lag [top of 088]: W...
Lag [top of 089]: Wow!!!
Lag [bottom of 088]: ......
Lag [bottom of 088]: It's...
Lag [bottom right of 089]: It's amazing!!

Lag: I never thought I could get close enough...
Lag: For the light to be this bright!

-090-
Aria: "The Hill of Prayer"...
Aria: In all of Central, this is the place where you feel the closest to the light of the man-made sun

Aria: Ever since he was little,
Aria: Gauche... loved this hill
Lag: Gauche did?!

Aria: As you know, Amberground is ruled by the Empress
Aria: The Empress rules the country, and at the same time is the object of worship for the Church... she's the Head of the Church
Aria: This is a famous spot even in Yuusari, as a sacred place where people offer up prayers to the Empress beneath the light

Aria: Gauche and I...
Aria: Would come here every day when we woke up
Aria: To pray for protection during the day

Aria: But those times came to an end...
Aria: On that day...

-091-
Aria: 12 years ago, on the 311th day!!
Aria: The day they call "The Day of the Flicker"
Aria: On that day, Gauche stood on this hill...

Aria: And lost...
Aria: An important piece of his Heart...

Lag: ......
Lag: Gauche...
Lag: The Day...
Lag: Of the Flicker...?

Midwife: Where's Gauche?!
Aria: He went to the Hill of Prayer to pray for his mother and the baby...
Midwife: The mother's condition is strange!! Call him back right away!!

-092-
Midwife: Hurry, Aria!!
Aria: O-Okay!!

Midwife: What's going on, all of a sudden...
Midwife: Even if the baby doesn't make it, if we don't get it out...
Midwife: Bring hot water!!

Aria: Haaaa
Aria: Haaaa
Aria: Haaaa

Aria: Haaaa
Aria: Haaaa

Aria: ......

Aria: What's going on...

Aria: Huh?...

-093-
Aria: !!

SFX: thud
Aria: Ow!

Aria: Wh...
Aria: What's happening...?!

Text: All alone amongst the stars...
Text: It felt like I'd been completely abandoned...

Text: The man-made sun disappeared... and for a moment, the world was covered in darkness...
Text: The fear of losing the light was so strong that it felt like I'd forgotten how to breathe....

-094-
[no text]

-095-
Text: And then...

-096-
Man: The government airship...
Man: It crashed...?!
Man: It crashed right by the town!!

Aria: What's going on...
Text: Huh...
Aria: I wonder if Gauche is okay?

Aria: ......
Aria: Gauche...
Aria: Gauche!!

Aria: Gauche! Thank goodness...
Aria: ......

Gauche: ......
Gauche: The light...
Bubble [bottom corner]: *Haaaa*
Bubble [top left corner]: *Haaaa*
Aria: Huh?

Gauche: The light... right now...
Gauche: It keeps...
Gauche: It keeps flickering...

-097-
Aria: Gauche...

Aria: Come on...
Aria: We have to get back quickly...
Aria: Your mother's in trouble!!

Gauche: ......
Gauche: My...
Gauche: Mo...ther...?

Baby: Wahhhh
Baby: Wahhhh
Baby: Wahhhh

Midwife: Poor thing... she never even got to see the baby's face...
Bubble: Wahhhh
Midwife: It looked like she was going to be fine...

Gauche: It's a girl!!

-098-
Gauche: Nice to meet you, Sylvette!!
Sylvette bebeh: Wahhh
Sylvette: Wah
Sylvette: Wahh

Gauche: What's wrong with her? Her legs are...
Aria: Gauche...?

Midwife: Did you say Sylvette...?
Gauche: It's her name!

Midwife: You want to name her after your mother?...
Gauche: Mother?

Aria: Gauche... don't you get it?
Aria: Your mother...
Aria: Sylvette Suede is dead!

-099-
Gauche: Sylvette is my baby sister who's just been born!!
Gauche: Mo...ther...?

Gauche: That person...
Gauche: Is my...
Gauche: Mo...ther...?

Sylvette: Wahhhh!!
Gauche: There there

Gauche: Don't worry! I'm here, Sylvette!
Gauche: We're a family of two!
Gauche: We...

Gauche: We'll definitely...

Gauche: Be happy...

-100-
Gauche: We'll be happy together!!
Gauche: Sylvette!!

Aria: ......

Lag: So after he saw the "flickering" of the man-made sun...
Lag: Gauche lost all the memories of his mother?!
Lag: How is that possible?! Just what happened on this "Day of the Flicker"...

Aria: According to a government announcement, it was the day they went out for an investigation... and a modification of the man-made sun...
Lag: Investigation?!

-101-
Aria: The thing that crashed was the government's investigation airship...
Aria: However... the report stated that the crash was a malfunction of the hull, unrelated to the man-made sun

Lag: ......
Lag: Is that...
Lag: Really what happened...?

Aria: That's what the government says
Aria: Whether they had something to do with the man-made sun's "flickering"... I have no idea
Aria: What I do know, is that on that day, Gauche completely forgot about his mother, whom he loved so much...

Aria: And... in order to fill in the void left by the Heart he lost...
Aria: Gauche started focusing all his efforts on making his sister happy...

-102-
Aria: As a result...
Aria: He...
Aria: .........

Lag: Miss Aria...?

Aria: In the capital...
Aria: It's filled with things you can't see from here...
Aria: This is a warning to you, Lag

Aria: If you get too close
Aria: To the light...
Aria: The shadows turn to deep darkness...

Aria: That's what it means
Aria: To aim for the position of Head Bee...

-103-
Lag: ......
Lag: Miss Ari—

Connor: Helloooo!!
Lag: !!

Lag: Co...
Lag: Connor?!
Connor: Deputy Director!
Text: Haaaa
Text: Huff
Connor: Lag!
Text: *wheeze*

Lag: What are you doing here, Connor?!
Text: *wheeze* *wheeze*
Connor: Right near here... Zaji's on a delivery... fighting *wheeze*... a tough Gaichuu... and told me... to go get reinf...reinforcements... *wheeze*

Lag: Miss Aria...
Aria: Go, Lag Seeing

Lag: Okay!!
Lag: Niche!! Wake up!!
Niche: Zzzz...
Connor: Whoa
Lag: Niche~~~!! Steak~~~!!

-104-
Lag: Thank you!!
Lag: Aria!!

Aria: Huh...?
Text: Aria...?

-105-
Lag: You were worried about me...
Lag: And so you told me Gauche's story, right?!
Lag: I didn't know...
Lag: How you felt about Gauche now, but...

Lag: You haven't changed at all...
Lag: You're still looking out for Gauche...!
Lag: I know now..!!

Lag: That you...
Lag: Still love Gauche!!

Lag: Thank goodness...

Aria: ......
Aria text: Hmph

Aria: Hurry up and go!!
Aria: Go on!! Scramble Dash!!
Lag: Y-Yes!!

-106-
Lag: Oh!
Lag: By the way, Aria!
Lag: I mean, Deputy Director...

Lag: Actually, I'm the same
Lag: On that "Day of the Flicker"...

Lag: 12 years ago on the 311th day
Lag: That's when I was born too!

-107-
Text: Although I don't know...
Text: What's waiting for me up ahead...

Text: In order to see Gauche...
Text: I have to follow to same road he took...
Text: On the road ahead, I'm sure I'll find Mother too...

-108-
Zaji: Aotoge!!!! [Blue Thorn]

Zaji: Man...
Zaji: I know if the gaps were big, they'd be way too easy, but...

-109-
Zaji: Just how many of these Red Gaichuu are there?...
Text: They just keep on coming!

Vashuka: Rawr
Zaji: Vashuka...
** Zaji: Huh... where's Connor?
[TN: It says "ロナーは？" which I'm thinking is a typo for コナーは？(Connor)]
Zaji: I thought you went to get help—

Zaji: !!

-110-
Zaji: Uwahhh!!
Zaji: That was a huge blast...
Zaji: Who was...
Zaji: ?!

Zaji: L... Lag?!
Text: thud
Zaji: What the hell?!
Text: Huh?

Lag: I-I only fired one bullet...
Lag: But... everything's going white in front of me...

Zaji: Jeez... you're putting too much of your Heart shards into one hit!
Text: Frederick's Nocturne..?! That's really rare...

Zaji: Pull back your strength a little! If you just fire a huge shot with such a powerful Heart Bullet Gun
Zaji: Your memories and everything will go flying out too and never come back...

Zaji: You just gonna take a nap if you can't help me, newbie?
Lag: I... I can help!!

-111-
Zaji: Then get off your ass and follow me
Zaji: This is a great opponent for your first day...

Zaji: I'll be with you too!

Zaji: We'll start clearing them out from the one on the left!
Lag: Okay, Zaji!!
Zaji: All those holes on their heads are the gaps
Zaji: While I draw their attention from below, you shoot from above!

Text: Mother...
Text: Gauche...

Text: Our paths are connected!
Text: Starting today, as a Letter Bee...

-112-
Lag: Let's go!!!
Lag: Niche!!
Lag: Steak!!

Text: I've gathered up the courage in my Heart
Zaji: Celebrate your first day at work!
Zaji: Go all out

Text: And I'm setting out
Lag: Heart Bullet
Lag: Load!!

-113-
Lag: Cry out!!!!
Lag: AKABARI!!!! [Red Thorn]
Text: On the path to the light!!!

Connor: *wheeze*
Connor: *wheeze*
Connor: Laaaaag
Connor: Wait for meeee

-114-
Text right: We're back~!
Text top: *worn out and beaten up*
Text left: On your first day?!

- - - Chapter 10 END - - -

--omake_001--

Today's Review, by Dr. Thunderland

I'm Dr. Thunderland.
Thun-der-land!!
What's this? I hear my son showed up in the book?
Fufufu... it won't be long now. Looks like the mysterious wait is over! I'll be showing up in no time. I really think it'll happen. Please let it happen?
I've been working at the Bee Hive, conducting my various researches every day.
This time, I thought I'd go over a few items of this world.
But my boy sure is lucky! Why'd he get to show up before me anyway? He really takes after his mother. Of course, I'm much more handsome!

--omake_002--

■ Flat (apartment building)
It has the appearance of an apartment building. Sylvette's home comprises a first and second floor maisonette. Looks like Gauche's room was on the second floor. Sylvette probably couldn't do the cleaning up there, with her legs the way they are (*tear*). Her worries might increase after this, but at least from now on she'll have Lag and Niche living with her, so things will be more lively.

■ Weapons Shop and Bakery "Sinners"
A shop in Yuusari Central. Back when it was first established, it looks like it was only a weapons shop, but in Gobeni's generation it has apparently "almost" become a bakery. But... about that. If Gauche says something is tasty, wouldn't that mean it's the complete opposite of tasty? I mean, he's got such a weird sense of taste! Those Suede siblings have strange tastes.

(Memo ★ Sinners / meaning: "criminals, sinners")
[TN: sorry about the overlap; some words appear in English in the raw so it ends up as repetition in the translation]

■ Heart Bullet Gun (Nocturne Number 12)
In terms of guns, it has an old-fashioned design, but it's actually from the master workshop "Frederick", and is one of the masterpieces by Frederick Chopin. There have been many gun and weapon workshops in the world, but only a few can be called master workshops. Ranging from made-to-order works and customisations, workshops have many areas of expertise. Letter Bees entrust their life and Heart to their weapons, so to them they are extremely important. That means choosing a workshop is a serious matter, but recently it looks like the number of skilled craftsmen is decreasing as well. It's all very sad.

(Memo ★ "Nocturne". These were unique musical compositions called "Character Pieces" created in the Romantic Age of 19th century Europe. F. Chopin developed the Nocturnes into romantic compositions. Nocturne No.20 in C sharp minor [published posthumously] / Frédéric François Chopin (1810-1849). Polish Name: Fryderyk Franciszek Szopen.)

■ The Day of the Flicker
The day on which 12 years ago the man-made sun "flickered". Most people were not told the details of this matter. This is the event during which the man-made sun, which is supposed to continue shining perpetually (even if it may only give off a weak light), flickered, and for a moment the world was covered in darkness. For many people living in the capital and Yuusari, the feeling of losing the light was probably an instant of uneasiness which cannot be expressed in words. Starting with Gauche, who looked directly at the "flicker", there were a number of reports from all over Amberground of confirmed effects of the flicker. However, the government announced that it was merely an incident that arose as a result of maintenance on the man-made sun. This probably couldn't help increasing support for the voices saying the government is "hiding something".

--omake_003--

There are still surviving crew members from the crashed investigation airship, but regarding this incident, their lips are firmly sealed. Truth be told, my son is one of those people... But to think, both Lag and Sylvette were born on this day! Hmmm. It really seems like there's something to it. Looks like more investigation regarding this incident is necessary.
By the way, every year on the 311th day, the " Day of the Flicker" festival takes place. This day is a holiday even in Yuusari Central, and people quietly stay home and hold their own activities and events.

■ George's Small Village
This village became famous as the motif in a novel written by Miss George Sandstorm, who was herself originally from there. After a number of years, it became the case that no one would call the village by its true name. Even the inhabitants themselves call it "George's Small Village". It became the setting for the story of Miss George and the master craftsman Frederick, described as "Love... Elopement. A dramatic catastrophe." Just as the name says, the village is small, with the minister serving as the doctor as well, and also looks after those who visit the village occasionally.


女帝のペンダント　（メダイ）
■ The Empress Pendant (medium size)
An engraved pendant, religious ornamentation of Amberground. It's an item that intensifies your belief by owning and wearing it, but normally it's felt to be a regular protection charm that you wear. Elena was a good kid. Then there was Darwin, but the Director too... I don't really know how the two of them were connected, but I get the feeling that the Director went and bought her the pendant before he heard the news of her death. And if that's the case, he probably blames himself for not having given her his own pendant in the first place. Sounds like something I would delude myself into thinking. Doesn't he know that keeping your feelings hidden for such a long time is painful? Doesn't he know that it's just as painful for me, not having made my appearance after this long?

(Memo ★ Dacquoise Cliff's old tunnel. A passage dug diagonally in order to bury a coffin. A path to the gravesite. A path to pass through the mountainside. A tunnel. )


■ Silencio, the mountain ravine town
A town surrounded by a mountain range. Elena Bran's birthplace. She left for Yuusari with Darwin in order to become a Bee. I wonder if Lag and Niche have any memories in their Hearts of their fellow former Yodaka inhabitants.
The grave marker is situated in a spot overlooking her birthplace. And now she's together with her "Beloved Friend".

(Memo ★ Silencio / "Silence", "Quietness" in Spanish. One of its meanings is "silent prayer". )

--omake_004--

Route Map

Lastly, here's another map produced by the map shop "Lonely Goatherd MAP STATION", which shows routes mentioned in this volume. This time it's mostly places around Yuusari Central.

[Key to map on the right]
A: Akatsuki, B: Yuusari, C: Yodaka

[Map Markers]
1) Raspberry Hill
2) Yuusari Central / Bee Hive Post Office; Cassiopeia Ramp (Sylvette's House) / Weapon Shop & Bakery "Sinners"
3) Hill of Prayer
4) Bifrost Gate (Yuusari) / Gate Keeper Signales
5) Bifrost Bridge
6) Bifrost Gate (Yodaka) / Gate Keeper Signal and Aronji
7) George's Small Village
8) Dacquoise Cliff
9) Walrus Cliff / Absinthe Gaichuu territory
10) Old Tunnel
11) Elena Bran's gravestone
12) Silencio, the mountain ravine town / Bart Bran's house

How did you find the review? ...Who cares about that! What's that compared to my grand entrance?! ...But, it can't be long now~
I'm getting a little nervous. I could even be on the cover after next~! Oh man, me? On a cover~?

--vol4_preview--

Vertical Text, right: Next volume, new facts on the mystery of Gauche's disappearance?!
Blurry text, below image, bottom right: Corpse Doctor
Blurry text, horizontal, top: "Man-made Spirit" Plot
Blurry text, vertical: Anti-Government Organisation
Blurry text, horizontal, below: The Man Who Couldn't Become Spirit

Text, top left, above Corpse Doctor image:
Clues about Gauche come to Lag while he continues his deliveries in Yuusari.
Who was it that Gauche met before he disappeared?!

Dates/Text next to title logo: Planned release date: May 2008!!

Niche image speech: La...g...?

Text below Niche image: Lag, searching for news of Gauche, and Niche... in trouble?!

Website info:
Tegami Bachi Official Site: http://www.tegamibachi.com/
Asada Hiroyuki's Blog: http://www.asadahiroyuki.com/

- - - -

Scanlators / International Translators: You're welcome to use this for scanlations or international translations, but please make sure to credit Niphredil @ MangaHelpers.com. Thanks!