Vocabulary

victory depends on the turn of fortune; winning and losing are both down to luck

to take advantage of the troubled times (of an ambitious adventurer)

euphemism; euphemistic expression

reversal; return

righteousness; justice; right

drawing pin; thumbtack; pushpin

berserker

pessimist

pent-up resentment; grudges and hard feelings

to ignite; to set fire to

as you see; as you can see

sworn statement

to top up (drinks, water, rice, etc.); to replenish

quitting one's job and moving back to one's hometown

let's move back home

and; thereupon; because of that

at every opportunity; for each and every thing that crops up; with every little thing; whenever possible; whenever the chance arises; at every turn

just safe (e.g. just avoiding being late, failing an exam, etc.); only just OK; barely acceptable

just safe (e.g. just avoiding being late, failing an exam, etc.); only just OK; barely acceptable

puppy

with a click (of a button or switch)

post-modernist

finger millet (Eleusine coracana)

pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

mochi (glutinous rice or other grain, sticky enough to make mochi rice cakes)

roasted millet or rice cake used to make okoshi

dangerous

mochi rice cake with red bean jam filling; mochi rice cake covered in red bean jam

to leave; to skip out

something-something; something or other

followers take after their leaders; there are no cowardly soldiers under a brave general

there are no cowardly soldiers under a superior general

oh no!

peak oil (date when the peak of the world's petroleum production rate is reached)

oil depletion

diversion; distraction; feint

to one's heart's content or satisfaction

head-on; to one's face; squarely; directly; flatly (e.g. refuse)

genetic disorder

anticonvulsant; antiepileptic agent