Part 1
"Why are you still with her?"
Were the introductory words of the blonde cow female knight as she glared at me with open hostility.
Unfortunately, she was beautiful.
Unfortunately.
Kidnapper's coat being draped over my body probably didn't help either.
Oh well.
At her words, Kidnapper's face turned pale while the knight who looked like the oldest among them, probably in his mid-twenties gulped with an "Oh crap" look on his face.
He probably already recognized me.
Too bad for her, I was in no mood for her face.
Turning to look at Kidnapper, I asked with an unbelievably straight pokerface,
"Nide, who is this... woman?"(Alice)
Kidnapper scratched his cheek awkwardly,
"E-Er... Uhm... She is--"(Nide)
"I am lady knight Niana Bell Thunderspear, second-in-command of the third squadron of the Order of Blades. Now please tell me why you need to cling to my Nide, girl?"(Niana)
Cutting in on Kidnapper mid-way, she spoke as if she was looking down on me.
Oh? So she's a noble. A young, adorable, countryside noble no better than a peasant from my home city.
Niana? Never heard of her. I've read the trees of nobles in a book, but only direct descendants and special exceptions appeared there.
As you may have noticed, nobles get their surnames from the weapon of the original ancestor + the element their family specializes in.
...Maybe the fact that an Icelance could use powerful fire magic caused an uproar and is the reason people know me. ...Probably. Rumors spread faster than fire.
But according to the law of the elements, since I can use fire magic, I can't use ice magic.
It's something about attunement.
A one-or-the-other sort of thing when it came to opposite elements.
Ah, but I'm going a bit off-topic now, aren't I?
I stare her down with a blank face.
So she's from a branch family, is that it?
Noticing my raised eyebrow, Kidnapper was getting worried.
Good. The air was getting tense.
"Uhh... Nia?"(Nide)
"Not now, Nide. I'm lecturing this civilian."(Niana)
Kidnapper tried to intervene but couldn't stop her with that much momentum--
"I can't believe someone like you is being protected by us. Don't you know you're being a bother? Going alone with only your daughter in the forest... Are you suicidal? Or do you just want someone to rescue you so you can find a new daddy for your daughter?"(Niana)
I'm sorry but I'm really not in my best mood today.
Yeah. I'll teach her a lesson--
"...Please don't bully my mommy."(Aya)
Were my thoughts until the Aya, who has been quiet until now cut in.
I immediately abandoned the idea of retaliating against this ox girl.
That's right, that's right.
I need to be a role model.
"Nide. Find us an inn. Anywhere's fine."(Alice)
Looking away from Niana in disinterest, I give out my command.
I have no plans on becoming a murderer.
Not with Aya around, anyway. Though I'm only with her until we find her parents.
Kidnapper looked both relieved and impressed as he consented with an, "As you wish, milady."
I wordlessly followed him with Aya in tow.
She was unusually quiet. Sorry, Aya... I probably made her feel uncomfortable earlier.
As we left, I heard the unimpressive knight murmur, "Wow."
Part 2 - Tiro's Point of View
As we were on our way to headquarters,
"Hmph... that girl was a coward. Just because she's a little prettier than me..."(Niana)
Were the first words of our group's princess as the Icelance descendant and the child left with Nide.
You seriously have no idea who you're dealing with, do you?
And ya'know, grumbling is unbecoming of a lady...
I'm glad Lady Alice is kind, else the entire city would have turned into ash the moment she became angry.
"Enough, Niana."(Tiro)
I told off Niana with a bit of a reprimanding tone. I need to tell her this now, lady Alice will be included in our report tomorrow anyway.
"Ya'know, Nide and I received a report the other day about an event from last week."(Tiro)
Niana had a "What's this about?" look but I only continued,
"Duke Jorgan Icelance's territory had a great fire that burned the entirety of the [Moonlight Garden]."(Tiro)
"Terrorist attack?"(Niana)
"No... It was caused by a novice practicing magic."(Tiro)
At my words, Niana's eyes widened.
Oh you'll be more surprised once you recognize the one you tried to piss off.
Ryan kept quiet as usual while listening from behind.
"A novice? That's impossible, right? The [Moonlight Garden] is watched over by her majesty, Lady Lunalin. Even unbelievably high-level flames can't burn a single leaf... How could a novice--"(Niana)
"I don't know the details about why it burned, but I do know by who."(Tiro)
"Who is this great magician?"(Niana)
Full of excitement, Niana questioned me with an expectant look.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Ah, she's always admired powerful magicians, hasn't she?
"What does he look like? Did you receive a description in the report?"(Niana)
I thought you'd never ask.
I wonder what her reaction would be?
"The description? The description written in the report was unbelievable. At least, that's what I thought until today.
The culprit is rather unique, you see."(Tiro)
Niana tilted her head with a "What do you mean?", her long blonde hair swaying in the breeze as we walked.
"Silver hair, pinkish purple eyes and impossibly beautiful were the words to describe her."(Tiro)
Seeming to have understood what that implied, Niana's eyes widened in shock.
Sorry, Niana.
But there's more to it than just that.
"Her name is Alice Icelance, daughter of the previous Warlord, and the current duke--Jorgan Icelance.
Born in Rappen, sixteen years old--"(Tiro)
Her shoulders began trembling and her teeth chattering as the meaning of my words sunk in.
Duke Icelance held military might equal to or even greater than the king's, while Marquis Thunderspear couldn't even hold a candle to them.
Moreover, Niana wasn't even from the Thunderspear's main house.
But that's not the end of it--
"--and she is currently the only known chantless caster under thirty years old in the realm of Mistleheim."(Tiro)
Niana gulped audibly as her mouth soundlessly moved, spelling "Chantless..." as her eyes began to waver.
She turned to look at her best friend with a stiff expression.
"I messed up, didn't I?"(Niana)
The other knight walking behind us, Ryan nodded.
"Big time."(Ryan)
Part 3
As the trio of me, Aya and Kidnapper walked side by side, I hummed a beautiful song as a gentle smile made its way to my face.
We passed through some children fighting, but when I glanced at them, they seemed to stop when they noticed my gaze.
Oh my~ Am I really that beautiful? Ho ho ho, stopping fights with just a glance, I'm super amazing~
"...Lady Alice, you're scaring the children."(Nide)
Hu-waaat?! What are you talking about, you silly Kidnapper? How could I possibly scare the--
As I pass through a clothing shop's window while thinking that, I see my reflection.
Yup. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!
While still holding Aya's hand, I turn to Kidnapper.
"I'm doing no such thing. Look, it's just my normal face. ...Are you saying there is something wrong with my face?"(Alice)
I eye Kidnapper quietly.
"...Mama...scary face."(Aya)
Hu-waaat?! No, Aya~ Not you too!
I lose my sunshine and my steps get heavier, depressed.
Before long, I was brought to a high-class looking place which troubled me a bit.
The roads in this part of the city were paved and walking around everywhere were peacocks in their gaudy attires and ramrod-straight backs.
Looks like this is where I'll be lodging in tonight.
Well... I don't really have any money on me.
Oh, I know!
But not wanting to owe Kidnapper any more favors, I took off my bracelet and handed it to him.
He looked at me curiously but decided that he'd find out more later on when they report about the mission.
"...Please sell it. Unfortunately, I don't have any money on me."(Alice)
"Understood."(Nide)
He nodded and then went inside a pawnshop across the street from the inn we're planning on staying in.
After a while, Aya was beginning to become impatient as she asked,
"...Mommy, what are we waiting for? So long..."
I placed my hand on top of her head and smiled,
"Just a little bit longer, Aya."
She looked down with an unsatisfied expression but still nodded,
"Okay..."
After another five minutes of waiting, I began to worry.
N-Not about Kidnapper or anything... I-It's just that... M-My bracelet! It's still with him...
"Aya, let's go."(Alice)
At my words, Aya nodded and we went inside the pawnshop as well.
As I passed through the door, I imagine a scenario where Kidnapper had already escaped through the back door with my bracelet.
...That's impossible, right? Of course, that possibility still lingered in the back of my head, but it was blown away immediately as I saw him inside.
Whew, what a relief.
"--that's why I'm telling you I don't buy stolen goods!"(Shopkeeper)
"It's not stolen, good sir. It belongs to an Icelance, and she asked me to sell it--"(Nide)
"An Icelance asked you to sell an item from way over there? Ha--"(Shopkeeper)
"Naito, you're taking too long. What's going on in here?"(Alice)
Of course, from what I've heard I already know what's going on.
...Better make sure, though.
After that, I explained to the old and bald shopkeeper that it was in fact, me who owned it.
For some reason, he didn't question my credibility at all and listened to me as if in a daze.
Is he alright?
As I was... negotiating with the shopkeeper, Kidnapper stood in the back with Aya quietly.
I successfully exchanged the bracelet for a bag of money.
After thanking him, I beckoned at my companions that it's time to go along with a "Thank you. Goodbye, mister." towards the shopkeeper.
I'll count the amount later...
By the way... I don't know how much this is worth. Not even Alice has been given money to spend.
I can probably get anything I want just by asking father.
As we were walking out the door,
"...Lady Alice. I'm glad you came in when you did."(Nide)
Kidnapper looked at me awkwardly.
He must feel bad for being saved by me even though I was the one relying on him.
I couldn't help but laugh at the sight,
"It's alright. We got what we came for, so don't mind it."(Alice)
We cross the road and enter the inn.
Hello bed, my old friend.