Volume 3, Chapter 2 – The Swordswoman from the East

We left Novarbour and headed east by carriage.

Outside, a dry and desolate landscape stretched out before us.

Our destination was a small town called Yurgu, located about three days’ journey from Novarbour.

For the record, we had chartered this carriage.

While merchants frequently travel through this area, there are no passenger carriages running regular routes.

This is because both Novarbour and Yurgu are independent cities that belong to no particular nation; the traffic between them is mostly goods, not travelers.

It is a blessing that the roads between the two cities are well-maintained, but the situation is vastly different from that of the White Moon Kingdom or the Blue Star Republic, since they do not have enough authority to maintain security along the roads.

Security seems to be maintained in the regions close to Novarbour, but the areas near Yurgu are another story. Consequently, we rented a small carriage and hired a driver and two guards on the condition that we would return the carriage in Novarbour.

Chris-san had refused, saying that she didn’t need hunter guards, but the rental side remained adamant that the driver and two guards be included.

On the second day of our journey, as the sun began to dip, the carriage came to a halt.

“Ladies, it’s a little early, but we’ll start setting up camp now,” one of the guards said.

“Hmm? Is it not reckless to camp in a place like this, where there is nowhere to hide?” Chris-san questioned the decision.

“Haha, you ladies probably aren’t used to it, but around here, this is the best spot.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, ma’am. We’ve been guarding this route for over ten years, so please rest easy.”

“But we cannot use fire here. We’ll be immediately spotted by monsters or bandits.”

“That’s exactly why it’s better; it means we can spot them too. There’s nowhere to hide around here anyway. So, this spot with the flat ground where we can quickly escape to the road is the best.”

“Meaning there is nowhere else better…”

“Exactly. Now, we’ll set up the tents, so you ladies just relax in the carriage.”

Indeed, our bed was the carriage. If the three of us slept side-by-side, we could just about Manage.

“Fiene-sama, I will take the watch tonight as well. This location is clearly dangerous.”

“I understand. Let’s take turns keeping watch.”

As we were discussing this, the guard called out to us.

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“Ladies, tonight is our last night together. We’ve made some soup; would you like some?”

“Is that so? Then we shall accept your kindness.”

We accepted the soup, and in return, we provided the bread.

As we gathered around the table, the guard began to brag.

“And so, ladies, I once sliced a huge Orc—like, this big—clean in half with one stroke! I bet if you’d seen me then, you’d all have fallen head over heels for me. Ah, I really wish I could’ve shown you.”

His bragging went on and on.

Besides, there was no way I would fall for him. I wanted him to come back once he was at least as strong as Chris-san.

Moreover, looking at him, his blood didn’t look like it would taste very good.

Visually speaking.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve been drinking it for so long, but drinking Chris-san’s blood always calms me.

Recently, Lu-chan has started letting me drink hers as well; hers has a fresh, energetic taste—like the scent of new greenery—and it’s a different, equally wonderful flavor compared to Chris-san’s.

Well, I’ve only ever tasted the blood of those two, so I don’t know about anyone else.

“Now, we shall return to the carriage.”

“Right. You must be tired from the long journey, so please get some rest. We’ll keep a proper watch.”

Chris-san abruptly cut the conversation short, and we returned to the carriage. Both Chris-san and Lu-chan looked a bit sleepy.

Once back inside, I cast Antidote Magic on Chris-san and Lu-chan.

I wouldn’t fall for the same trick twice.

“Fiene-sama, thank you.”

“It was poison after all, wasn’t it?”

The people who rented us the carriage were surely in on it.

They likely targeted us because we were three women, intending to capture us in a place beyond the reach of the law and sell us as slaves to a brothel or some perverted noble.

As the western sky turned red, the guards called out.

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“Ladies, how are you doing?”

We didn’t answer.

“They’re asleep. Alright. You lot can come out now.”

Suddenly, the sound of many footsteps echoed from wherever they had been hiding.

“Fiene-sama.”

Chris-san drew the Holy Sword.

“I know. Lu-chan, are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Lu-chan prepared to fire her bow.

The footsteps drew closer, and the carriage curtains were rudely yanked open.

In that instant, Chris-san kicked the man who opened them with all her might.

“Gah!”

The man went flying and crashed to the ground.

“What do you think you’re doing to a carriage carrying ladies?! You insolent cur!”

Chris-san glared down at them from the carriage.

To my surprise, about twenty thugs had surrounded us.

Where on earth did so many come from?

“Hmph. Do you really think three women can handle this many of us?”

The former guard, whose bragging had been incredibly annoying, tried to intimidate us.

“Heh. You think this many people are enough to get past me?”

“What? You bitch!”

He took the bait perfectly and flew into a rage. He really is dim-witted.

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“You bandits there! What do you think you are doing, surrounding a carriage of maidens! I shall punish you!”

A dignified voice rang out from the west. Turning toward the sound, I saw a tall figure walking with the setting sun at her back. Judging by the voice, it was likely a woman.

“W-what? Who the hell are you? If you get in our way, we won’t show mercy. Get her!”

At that, several bandits charged toward the woman.

The woman didn’t seem to care, walking calmly until she crossed paths with the bandits.

In the next instant, the bandits were face-down on the ground.

With a quiet, elegant motion, the woman sheathed her sword without a sound.

“Now, who is next, I wonder?”

The bandits began to back away slowly, but the woman closed the distance at a constant speed.

“If you will not come, I shall go to you.”

The woman lowered her center of gravity and closed the gap in a flash. In the blink of an eye, she had cut down every single bandit. She might actually be faster than Chris-san.

“Amazing…” I whispered unconsciously.

“N-now, Fiene-sama! I could have done that much!”

“Ladies, are you injured?”

The woman who saved us walked toward us.

She was tall, easily over 170 cm, with glossy, straight, raven-black long hair and dark eyes.

Her face was that of a classic Japanese beauty. She wore a strange Japanese garment—a mix of hakama ¹ and furisode ² —with a magnificent sword worn at her hip.

The gap between her appearance and her “de-gozaru” speech style was quite striking. ³ The de-gozaru (でござる) speaking style is an archaic and highly polite Japanese verbal tic. Often used in anime and historical dramas (jidaigeki), it is the feudal predecessor to the modern copula “desu” (です), roughly translating to “it is” or “I am”.]

“Thank you for saving us. My name is Fiene Argentata. This is Christina and Lumia.”

“Nay, there is no need for thanks. I am Mieshiro Shizuku ⁴ Mieshiro Shizuku’s name follows the Eastern name order (family name + given name) instead of the Western order used by most characters, as she comes from a culture inspired by Japan and uses traditional Eastern elements such as a katana and samurai-style speech. . I am from the Golden Sun Miko Nation and am currently on a journey of warrior training.”

“Um, Mieshiro-san. That weapon is a katana, right?”

“Oh! To find someone here who knows of the katana! That is correct. My blade is called Kirinagi, a family heirloom passed down through the Mieshiro line for generations.”

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“Was that iaijutsu ⁵ Iaijutsu (居合術) is the classical Japanese martial art of the combative “quick draw”. you used to take down those first five?”

“What! You even know of iaijutsu? Fiene-dono, you are well-versed in my country!”

“Fiene-sama, where on earth did you get such knowledge?”

Ah, oops. I got a bit too excited seeing something Japanese-style.

“Uh, I’ve read about such things in books.”

“Is that so? I am honored that the swordsmanship of my country has spread even to these western lands.”

Mieshiro-san replied, her voice brimming with excitement.

“Fiene-sama, and Shizuku-dono. If we remain here, there is a possibility we will be attacked by beasts or monsters. I believe it would be best to move as soon as possible.”

“Ah, that is true. Then, I shall finish them off—”

“Wait a moment, please.”

“What is it, Fiene-dono?”

“Let’s treat these people and hand them over to the guards.”

“You would show mercy to those who tried to capture Fiene-dono?”

“If we can avoid killing them, that’s better. Besides, if these bandits have accomplices, they can serve as a source of information.”

“I see. Then I shall assist as well.”

And so, having restrained twenty-three bandits—excluding the two who had died—we set off toward the town of Yurgu, escorting them along.

Translator Note

Remember what Volume 2, Chapter 36 said?

“Vampire Nobles invariably command a staggering number of thralls, perhaps that is part of the requirement.”

-Ingolvina-

And Fiene started to drink Lu-chan’s blood~

So… what do you guys think~?