So... let me get this straight. I’m not so smart I can choose what’s better for me in certain times. I already confessed how selfish I am in doing things even if it contradicted my goal.
However... did I even do something to earn myself a bounty for bandits to hunt?
"Oh? So there is one here! What a damn good haul!!" Said the leader with bandana who blocked the path with his extremely large and ogre-like muscles.
His skin was tanned and he had a broadsword hanging at his back. His ugly gaze really made him worthy for the title ‘Ruffian Boss A’. I was already standing in the middle between the Bandit leader and the carriage by the way.
Haiz...... I wished there was some mistake. But I might as well be the biggest criminal to ever start the war between countries. More like, between races as demons as a whole supported the idea to crush races other than their own. I also heard that Daemonia enslaved the defeated races and turned them into meatshields etc.
Hm. Come to think of it, Lily was nearly captured by slaver. So that meant... slavery existed in this world. Even if I have no interest in changing the world for my own convenience, that kind of crime is totally against my moral code.
I wonder if I can do something about it…?
"Well, a bandit is a criminal too. I guess I should have expected at least this much from you lots.” I blurted out as I shook my head in resignation.
"Aah!? What the hell did you just say, you little whore?!" Ruffian Boss A snarled.
Ara, my voice seemed to be heard by a deaf ear. I was amazed at the sight of an angry third-rate mob character yet I could never be bothered by him. In fact, I was like a lone wolf surrounded by a herd of sheep without the shepherd. Or was it the other way around?
Hm… let's ask first.
"Excuse me but you are interrupting our travel. Would you mind letting us go?"
"Kha! As if we cared about your damn travel! Throw that sword away and come with us!!"
"I see... If I said no, what will you do?"
At once, the Boss' facial expression turned grotesque. Well, grotesque might be too light but just imagine a psychopath's twisted smile. Twist it again and melt the entire skin.
Yeah... not from some cool badass characters but some kind of villains with old ages or obese figure or whatever that fit the description of 'nasty' in your context. Then filt—sorry, Boss answered as if shouting.
"Looks like we've got ourselves a bitch who is ready to spread her legs, boys!!"
Wohoo! The minions all laughed with cheers and with similar expressions. Aaagh, so typical… I really wanted to return and resume my sleep! I glanced behind me and there they were...
"Who wants to bet how fast Missy can defeat these idiots?" A man in green clothing raised a hand.
"One minute for ten silver coins." A half-demon tossed coins to the dealer.
"Thirty seconds for seventy silver coins." A martial artist pushed a pouch which made precious sounds.
"Instant win. 150 silver coins." And an Aqua Mage threw a small chest which struck the dealer wonderfully on the face. A shriek like one of a small animal followed right after.
I could only plant a palm on my forehead. "...y-you guy are really taking this so easily…"
“Good luck out there, Charl~!” That. Must be Anise. Undoubtedly…
With a long, long sigh, I turned again to the Boss and in a half-hearted manner, I said.
"Hey. Can we get this done already? You don't mind losing right?"
"Huh!? Who the hell do you think you are!?"
Okay, got it. Let's take them down already.
"Here I go, alright? Come at me whenever you are ready. It's not like you can put a scratch on me."
With a lazy provocation and the enemies' anger shot up to the maximum. The Boss especially pulled out his broadsword, charging towards me. So typical…
"YOU BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTCCHHH!!"
Haa... you shouldn't shout out like that. And what the heck is with that cranky posture? So many holes in your defense… Oh well, let's do this now that he could swing down his sword to finish me off.
I avoided the first strike with a step and the ruffian tripped away. He grunted angrily, locking his gaze to me, then he launched wide random swings that unnecessarily exerted more stamina.
A horizontal slash was avoided by ducking down. A vertical downward swing was dodged since the arc was too wide and predictable. A diagonal slash that was too slow I yawned as I took a step back to avoid it.
Again and again. The Boss' attacks were so simple and easy to learn… Then after the nth wide swing, I hopped back for a few steps. As it was getting boring and his minions might have already noticed that their boss was in troubles, I should zip it all up.
Moving my right hand to reach the hilt of the sword at my left side, I lowered my posture, widening the gaps between my legs and preparing to draw my (currently) most treasured weapon.
"—Blade Arts: Quick Draw."
It was within a moment. It was but an instance. Tis but a flash in the world where light traveled…
“Just kidding~ As if I can do that kind of thing.” I joked with a coy smile.
"Wha—?" The Boss stopped in his track. Seeing the kicked clouds of dust dissipating around, he witnessed the disappearance of his target.
’It couldn't be.’ ‘What happened?’ Those were probably his thoughts at the moment. However, a footstep appeared behind him.
"A simple movement. Flash Step... I think that is what it is called as. Well, human's perception is a little slow when it comes to this kind of quick step. Though I simply ran as fast as I could and then unleashed the skill in the middle."
"The hell...!?"
He turned around frantically. But I forgot to say this to him.
"I can't believe I forgot to warn you that unnecessary movements will just embarrass you."
And... There was the sound of ripping. Not just one sound but more and more noise as if fabric was torn apart. But the idiot only noticed a step too late as when he finally rotated on the spot...
He was naked. The equipment fell off in pieces. The sword shattered to bits. The clothes gone with the wind. And he lost ANYTHING which could protect the last bits of his dignity with his fly in open view.
"Whoops, Lily! Don't look!! It's still too early for you!!"
"U-uweeee!? It’s dark here, Onii-chan!!"
"...let me vomit in the back."
"Whoa, so that's a REAL man's pride~?"
"Kind... of... hard to accept. It's a bit different than my expectation... sigh."
Ara ara~ in my half-asleep states, it seemed that I accidentally cut the unimportant part..... Hm. The best thing to say in this situation would be—
"How small." I commented with a condescending gaze and a grin styling a certain eye-patched shinigami’s.
"........!?"
Crushed, the Boss went down to his knees and he went on all fours. All of the pride, arrogance and enmity he had faded away as the person himself was reduced into a pile of worthless dust.
“So? Who’s next?” I strode past Ruffian Boss A with the sword tip scratching the ground.
Most of the bandits were terrified. Whoa, so pale…
“Gh…! You guys, take her down! Kill her!!” Ow, so loud.
Well, let's finish this quickly as I have no reason to be flashy against small fries. Player gonna play and haters gonna hate~ shake it off!
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"Yes!! It's my win this time!!"
Anise shouted with a very bright smile it was dazzling. Leon clicked his tongue and Alia slumped in defeat like that defeated boxer from Ashita no yadayada series. Hm... I didn't know Alia would be that disappointed but she reaped what she sow.
In fact, I think the dealer who was Franz probably reaped the most benefits. He got 10% of the total chips from each of the three, so he received more bonuses without actually participating. But that's not the point here.
"So in the end... what was with those shits?" Leon questioned.
“Probably hired by someone with a weird fetish.” I complained.
“Then, maybe it’s a local noble. It’s not often for them to kidnap village girls if the village can’t pay the taxes.” Alia assumed, causing me to scowl and Lily to shriek.
Now I realized I shouldn’t have let them alive…
Once I beat the bandits up and tied them with ropes, I brushed their bodies with honey from the nearby bee nests. Then I dropped them in the middle of the road. It was so that they would become BLACK and hoping for them be detected by bears or the likes which ate honey in daily basis. I was also certain to gather the spoils of wars for extra cash.
The merchant acting as the driver thanked me with a 45 degree formal bow! Repeatedly! And he even bought the loot with double the prices. How lucky!
"They are probably some renegades. Maybe they're former landless nobles' servants exiled after making mistakes." Franz hypothesized.
Ah... I thought they were some degenerates... Looks like I nearly embarrassed myself by saying it out loud.
“But why did they specify… my features?” I pointed att myself.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
“Hm… Now that… is intriguing. I too heard of similar stories where peddling merchants and adventurers attacked by bandits who demanded young ladies. And a few of them mentioned the characteristic of Missy though I might have heard it wrong.” Franz said.
Haa…… Somehow, I didn’t really get it and I was not into the mood to think of it deeply. I meant, has there been a fetish for emerald-eyed blonde girls going on? Or was there some sort of hidden intention? I couldn’t know the truth as the bandits earlier were just lackeys who got ordered from shady person. Heck, they didn’t even know the client’s name so there was no tail to catch or follow.
Then I saw Franz fiddling the strings and tuned his instrument on his seat. Once again I was not sure how odd and profound it was to make such beautiful melodies. I meant, the instrument must be a guitar or a shamisen but it looked nothing like them! Even though it made sounds precisely like them when played correctly!! I was really curious but Lily didn't permit me who bashed her Onii-chan without reasons to approach him.
Guuu... such sorrow. Still, there was something interesting in Franz's words.
"Come to think of it, Franz. Do you know the current state in Raumia? At least about the Rebellion."
"Oh? Has the Missy acquired interests in knowing the world? Or is it because of the Boy's achievements?"
"I don't know what you are talking about the second part but yes, I have an interest in knowing."
The Minstrel chuckled as he finished the tuning. With a sweep of fingers and a series of melodies played out.
"Very well then—what you desire for is a legend. Of a Hero who created his own tale and not born out of coincidence. Of his journey to reclaim the throne stolen by his eldest brother. And of his romance with a female Knight who attained Royalty along with the hundred fair ladies in this Territory ruled by man."
...Eh? What did he just say...?
"...umm... Franz? Did I just hear it right or has something that definitely don't suit Fei's character was mentioned?"
"Hm? Oh? About what?"
"....the romance part."
Ah ha ha ha ha ha!! The Minstrel laughed heartily. His light green hair visibly swaying and he set his posture straight. With grandiose pose... or rather, with exaggerated gestures, Franz performed musical story.
"YES! THE SEVEN PRINCE OF RAUMIA! FELIX SANCTUM RAUMIA IS A HERO WHO WAS CASTAWAY BY HIS FATHER THE LATE KING OF RAUMIA! ONCE HE DISAPPEARED FROM THE KINGDOM, THEN HE SUDDENLY EMERGED WITH BLACK SWORD WHICH SEVERED THE CRUELTY OF A TYRANT RAISING IN POWER DUE TO HIM BEING DISQUALIFIED TO INHERIT THE THRONE!!"
Uwaaaaa! So loud!! Stop it with the loud, obnoxious melodious explanation!! And get to the point already—
"NOT ONLY HIS STRENGTH HAS BROUGHT BACK ORDER TO THE CHAOS! HE SAVED THE PRINCESSES CAPTURED AND SACRIFICED BY THE FALSE KING TO SUMMON ANCESTRAL THREAT WHICH MIGHT HAVE ERASED THE CONTINENT HAD HE NOT MADE IT IN TIME!! NOW PEACE RETURNED, AND THE HERO LIVED WITH THE LOVES OF ALL THE PRINCESSES HE RESCUED! BUT--!"
Huh?! I suddenly heard one of the passenger cheerfully shouted as if acting on cues.
"The Hero took the Female Knight as his fiancée!"
"YES! The Hero found his love and now he spends his life quietly as a Prince. In his rightful place, he is but a blessed boy! Nothing else and I desire to know what romance he has currently with the Knight!! But the rumor of him having the loves of a hundred ladies has circumvented...! And it was also rumored that he romanced an elven princess before his journey started!! The truth became obscured! Dare I wish to know the truth for I am...! The pursuer of the truth! A CHASER!!!"
*Clap clap clap* The Minstrel was applauded for his resolve. The passengers were also entertained as laughs and conversation traversed through the air.
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However... of everything... I could only say this.
"Ah. So that's how it is......"
"Umm... Big sister...?"
"Yes, what is it, Leon?"
I turned my head to my little brother who was sitting beside me. However, his complexion was pale as if he saw a ghost... Just what's wrong with him? I never saw Leon be this scared of something.
"Oh my, are you sick? Do you feel unwell somewhere?"
"N-no. But... sis... Why are you... smiling like that?"
Ara, that is indeed a good question. Now let me tell you this, otouto-kun.
"I once told you about my childhood friend right?"
"...yeah..."
"Then, you do know that he's the last person that would commit debauchery and heroic achievements right?"
"......Yea...h......."
"Now... there's a boy here who literally indulge himself in debauchery and achieving heroic accomplishments like some ally of justice from fairytale."
"............ye...yea...h....?"
"So—don't you think that this dissimilarity is too contrasting it looks similar? Like the two sides of a same coin?"
Ah. a sound leaked from half-demon's mouth. A gasp in shock. More or less, he had attained the truth and I giggled knowing that. With my 'smile' still on my face, I gazed outside. The sky was clear. Ah, the world seemed so vibrant I could make a poem right here.
I think the travel would end as next weekend arrived. It was nearing the middle of spring and I couldn't wait to see the day Raumia be in sight. Humming a song which was familiar to me but not so much to anyone else here, I whispered to no one in particular.
"Did you know that the roots of cherry blossom tree might be nourished by dead body?"
When the roots absorbed the blood, bright flowers with reddish color will bloom. But nobody would notice that these flowers which were redder than the usual ones were actually fed with blood...
Ufufufufufufuuuuu!!
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Three months later—
“Oh, I can see it! Look look! It’s Raumia’s Third Border Wall!! We are finally reaching the destination, Alia!!”
“Hm… I see. Just how many walls are there to protect such a small kingdom founded on top of a hill?”
“The architect in charge must have been one heck of a paranoid guy to design the whole kingdom like that. I even doubt Daemonia’s army would want to march all the way here if they saw a kingdom was protected with Thirteen Border Walls and Seven Layers of Magical Barriers.”
I blatantly sighed at the sight. More specifically, I complained because there were too many inspections happening every time we passed a checkpoint. Raumia was located at the furthest eastern end of Human Territory. It had sea behind it and lush forests surrounding the kingdom. There was even an extremely wide lake seen after the Fifth Defense Line. But as expected of an area conquered by humans, no strong monsters could be sighted and what existed were probably ruins of ancient times.
On a side note, the Defense Lines were numbered from the biggest to the lowest.
However, I was amazed by the fantastical sight. I thought it was odd once we passed by the Magical Barriers but there was a tower of light protruding from the horizon. As the distance between the carriage and the kingdom shrunk, I continued to see an ever growing scenery of the tower reaching even higher to the sky. But now I could finally see the origin of the light.
It was in fact, a castle. Mounted on the top of the hill, the castle was one which symbolized ‘fairytale’ with its majestic structures and pure white-golden appearance. Decorated with golden ornaments and glass windows, it was as if the castle was forgotten by time and detached from the world. Isolated, and yet displaying mysterious beauty incomprehensible for someone who came from another world like me.
Even so, there existed something which was too incredible even for the natives of this world to witness. Presuming this ‘something’ was at the center of the castle, it stood over the majestic gold and white which reflected the light of Solaris and redirecting all the color spectrum to it. Receiving the lights, the object then projected a shining Tower extending to the heavens be it during the day or beyond midnight.
Like a holy sword pointing its blade to the sky, promising victory and glory to the Hero who wielded it. The object was a tall structure unable to be described by any word except a massive [Sword of Light].
“……So that is Raumia……” My voice contained bewilderment as I spoke out.
I did hear it having the name ‘Holy Kingdom’ but it was indeed a sight giving off sacredness. Then I realized there was a problem and when I looked back to the passengers in the carriage…
“……the light… the light is killing me…!!”
I forgot that a demon is here! Even though he’s a Halfling but he seemed to not take the luster of holiness well!! What should I do to stop him from being reduced to ashes!? As I pondered with the maximum processing speed on, my little brother already fainted with deathly pale complexion!
“Uwaaah!? Leon!? Leoooonnn!! Don’t die on me! Hey! Wake uuuupp!! Noooooooooooo!”
Thus the last traveling day ended. There were so many stuffs going on and it was slightly troubling for some people. But I think it was alright… I guess?