That was refreshing.

Unfortunately, my river bath also came with the realization that whatever rags I was wearing when I descended were ripped apart during the fall.

This brings me two concerns: firstly, as confident as I may be in my healing abilities, I am terrified of some small animal biting me in the most important place. And, even as the man who seduced a goddess one time, I doubt I will be able to make friendship with anyone that does not belong to some sort of nudist tribe.

Putting that aside, after five more days of walking, I stumbled upon a burnt out fireplace. It was recent, so whoever camped here couldn't be too far way.

I managed to tell apart some tracks to follow. From the amount of these, I'd say they're a dozen, most on horseback. Or maybe I'm just terrible at this and they're fifty.

Regardless... I said a prayer to the Stars, wishing at least one of them would be a young, beautiful woman.

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(A different character speaks now. Yes, it is a young, beautiful woman.)

With thanks to the Goddess of the Snow, this dreadful adventure is finally coming to its end. If I could wish for something more than I do to be exiled from the hunting trips of my brother and father, it would be a wish so selfish and impure, I would have a new circle of hell opened solely for me.

Fortunately, at least, this time I was exempt of laying hands on their cowardly flame arms. I fail to understand: why sacrifice my youth in study of the sword, if I will grown into a world reigned by firearms?

There is not much the current me can do. But maybe someday, I will have the strength to deflect a bullet from a gun. And that day, I may even be able to deflect the destiny that was given to me as the Heiress of the Eastern Fox clan.

So, once more I draw my blade. We are not much further from home, but I would rather die than let one day without training pass.

It is a transparent sword, my beloved Blossoming Midnight. The magnum opus of the most skilled smith my father could find amongst the clan. I find myself once more lost in the reflection of its gleaming blade, forged with the unique magic we the Eastern Foxfolk hold in our palms.

I bring my sword above the height of my forehead, then swing it down. I continue doing so, long past midnight, ever so comfortably until, to my surprise, a silhouette is found right behind where the shine of my sword just was.