Chapter 6: A Chance Meeting

Chapter 6:
A Chance Meeting

 

The Runaway

 

THE ELF’S IRREGULAR PANTING echoed softly through the quiet forest.

“Haah… Haah… Haah… Haah…!”

She ran headlong through the deep foliage, avoiding the roads. She’d started running full speed when she heard a twig snap somewhere nearby. The slim lines of her body made it easy to avoid snapping twigs or being snared by branches as she sprinted along.

“…”

She slowed her pace.

I think…I’ve lost them for the moment…?

She no longer felt like her pursuers were breathing down her neck, but she knew that they hadn’t given up. This was just how they did things—they wanted to enjoy the hunt. They’d let you know they were following, then suddenly disappear. Once you thought you’d shaken them, they’d be back on your trail.

I shouldn’t have bathed in the river earlier. I’m lucky they didn’t ambush me there. If they had…

A shiver ran down her spine. Unfortunately, the ruins she’d stumbled upon were no help—she’d discovered what looked like an entrance but had no idea how to get inside. After leaving the ruins, she’d encountered the four hunters again and had to flee. And now, there was a different path presented to her.

Should I really keep running? Maybe it’s time to fight.

She ducked behind a tree trunk and readied an attack. Her pursuers were of heroic blood, descendants of the Heroes from Another World who had once saved this world. The children of those heroes had talents and strength far surpassing the average warrior.

According to rumor, even with their great strength, the descendants couldn’t compare to the real heroes who’d fought against evil in times of old. Still, they were much more formidable than the enemies she normally had to face. The descendants of heroes lived in kingdoms all across the continent, and were an important part of the militaries of countries who couldn’t summon heroes of their own.

Her mind raced as she hesitated on what to do next. She might’ve been able to take them in single combat, but all four at once…

She let out a tired sigh.

I don’t think I can throw them off for good…so they leave me no choice. I’ll have to equip my spirit armor.

It’s time to put an end to this chase.

If she couldn’t run, she would have to fight, even if the odds weren’t in her favor. She called out to the spirits within her.

I summon you, armor of spirit… I dedicate myself to your service. Protect me, as I have sworn myself to you…

She silently mouthed the names of the spirits to herself.

Silfigzea, Ferillbanger, Willozega…

Three rays of light enveloped her body—the light green of the spirit of wind, the blue of the spirit of ice, and the pure white of the spirit of light.

When the lights faded, she was clad in armor, a sword at her side. A manifestation of the spirits’ power, her spirit armor made her look like a holy knight from days of old—many had assumed her to be one in the past. She drew the sword at her hip and strengthened it with ice.

With a frozen crack, blue veins crawled up the blade.

She pulled down her helmet’s visor.

All right…I’m ready.

Her visor covered both her eyes completely, but the wind told her where to go. Using her senses this way was extremely taxing, but it allowed her to read her opponents’ movements and positions far more accurately than she could with sight alone. It gave her an impressive advantage in combat.

She lightly touched her fingertips to her eyelids.

Those four heroic-blooded bounty hunters—known to some as “The White Walkers,” to others as “Holy Watchers”…

“Fang”—Zarash Finebird.

“The Demon Bizzare”—Ashura.

“Super Pressure”—Jiobain Sengai.

“The God Sword”—Maggots Playdin.

She let her hands drop. Her body and mind were both weary from long days on the run. She closed her eyes in the dark behind her visor.

I’ve heard the stories…there isn’t a mercenary out there who doesn’t know their reputation. They’re strong and dangerous.

Even in her limited run-ins with the four of them, she’d been able to tell that they were strong, but…she also got the impression that they weren’t yet using their full abilities. It felt like they were testing her, getting a feel for her abilities before moving in for real.

I can’t let them capture me…

If she kept running, she’d only tire herself out and be in worse shape to face them when the time came.

I have to fight them while I still have the strength.

She gripped the hilt of her sword with both hands.

I’ll cut them down right here…!

She waited silently for their approach, focusing her senses until they were sharp as a knife.

She wiped a bead of sweat from her immaculate white cheek.

Long moments passed.

They haven’t attacked yet…? They must be plotting something.

A chill ran down her spine like the blade of her icy sword had been pressed against it.

They’re finally getting serious. No more hide-and-seek, no more games…

Now, they’re ready to hunt.

She put a hand to her mouth. A strange uncertainty welled up inside her.

She felt sick—overwhlemed by inexplicable nausea. Her head spun. It was like her mind was twisting itself in knots.

Wh-what is this feeling?

She couldn’t tell whether her pursuers were strong or weak, her understanding turning to dust.

Have the enemies I’ve been fighting always felt this…strange? Can I really stand up to them? Perhaps it was wrong to run from the beginning.

There was a rustling sound, and she jumped to attention. Gripping her sword tightly, she leaped toward the noise.

No! Wait…?!

It was a feint. She felt a presence in the brush behind her.

“Paralyze.”

Wh-who is that? Not one of the four hunters…I don’t feel that unbridled strength that I would from standing near them. It’s strange…this person isn’t nearly as strong as the bounty hunters, but…the spirits are afraid of them. I feel the presence of a monster, too…? N-no, no time to think about that now…

“I…I c-can’t m…ove…? Wh-wh…at is…th-this…?!” She strained to speak against the strange heaviness that had overtaken her.

“Hunh. You tried to attack me, but…there’s something different about you. I don’t think you actually wanted to kill me.”

It was a boy’s voice.

What is he talking about?

“You don’t seem like those four guys I just met. I thought maybe we could talk. I stopped you from moving for now—just some insurance on my end.”

“Wh…at d-do you…wan…t fr…om…me…?” she croaked, struggling with every word.

“Well, to be honest, I’m kinda lost. If you know the area, I’d like to be directed to the nearest town. Also, I’m not from around here, and there’s a lot I don’t know. I want as much information as you can give me.”

Her mind froze.

He isn’t lying…?

The spirit of wind, which could detect truth and falsehood, told her that his statement was mostly true. From the way the spirit was acting, it seemed confident in its reading, too. He didn’t seem to want to hurt her.

Is he really just lost, or…?

And there was one other detail that gripped her thoughts.

“Those four guys I just met…”

I can’t feel the presence of the bounty hunters anywhere in the forest.

Where did they go? What happened to the White Walkers?

Mimori Touka

 

I WALKED THROUGH THE FOREST, taking care not to lose sight of the road. After a while, I reached a crossroads that wasn’t marked in any way as far as I could see.

What do I do now?

I was about to ask Piggymaru when I felt a presence close at hand. Since my time in the ruins, my sense for the location and strength of enemies had been heightened.

“What the hell? That’s not her!”

Four men appeared from the trees wearing typical fantasy-style armor, though it was a long way from the clean, polished stuff you’d see on TV. All four were armed, and it sounded like they were looking for someone—someone who wasn’t me, luckily. I had a bad feeling about them, though. They clearly weren’t searching for a lost child out of the goodness of their hearts. One man, marked with a scar on his face, looked at me disdainfully.

“Just some filthy little kid. Disgusting,” he said.

“What should we do with him, Zarash?” asked another.

“Leave him, he isn’t worth our time. What is he, a fledgling mercenary, maybe? I don’t know what he’s doing here, and I don’t care.”

The man with the scar was acting like their leader—he reminded me of Kirihara. One of the other men, who looked kinda like a shark, looked me up and down.

“Them robes look old, but not bad cloth, eh? Dirty as muck, though.”

“So just give us your money and scram, got it? And we won’t strip you naked and make you piss up a tree like a dog this time. We’re in a rush,” said another of the men, pointing his greatsword in my direction.

“No. We kill him.”

A thin man stepped forward. In his hands, he toyed with a curved knife.

“You want us to waste our time killing this worm?”

The thin man stroked his fingertips with the curved blade.

“I haven’t tried this new blade out on a living person yet… This trash meat will do. I mean, just look at him! It’s like he’s begging for us to kill him.”

“Hurry up and do it then, Maggots. We’ve got bigger fish to fry. Our prey should be tiring soon—we’re almost at the finish line.”

“Heh, it’s no fun toying with the boys before I kill ’em, so let’s get back to our real prey. Hey! When we get our fee for capturing that girl, let’s go get some Ablom prostitutes!”

“No way. I’m tired of the ones that know what they’re doing—that place is expensive, too. Let’s just stop by the nearest city, grab some pretty girls off the street, and keep ’em to ourselves for six months, man!”

“Six months?! No girl could stand six months of you going at ’em!”

“Shut the hell up! If they can’t handle me, that’s their fault! I want to get my hands on this one we’re chasing… Not many girls around that are worth all this trouble!”

“One look at her and I could barely control myself! No city girl could compare to that thing~!”

The man with the scar looked off into the trees.

“Even we can’t touch this one, though…not when our client is…” he gave them a significant look.

“Ugh, yeah, you’re right.”

“Anyway…”

The man with the curved knife took a step towards me.

“Whatcha doin’, kid? Think you can sneak away from us, shaking like that? Where are you gonna go?”

I’d begun inching backwards as soon as the men started talking. I held my hand out in front of me as if in protest.

“Please…l-let me go… I don’t want to die…”

The man shot me a sadistic grin.

“Sorry, kid~! I’m gonna cut you into little pieces nice and quick, then we’ve gotta get on with the job, okay~? ♪”

The man’s muscles tensed; then he lunged forward with his knife in hand.

“Die!”

I had the distance—everyone was in range.

“Nobody gets away from Maggots-samaaaa!!”

“Paralyze.”

“Aaa?! Ahh… Nh…?!”

“Can’t… m-move…?”

All four men stood motionless in front of me.

They all seemed like the usual self-important worthless scum, but they also seemed fairly competent. That’s why I decided to get a good distance on them before using my unique skills.

They seem way less threatening than anything from the ruins, though…

“Good. Status effect skills work on human targets, too.”

So far, the success rate is still 100%.

“Maybe that foul Goddess really is the only one who’s immune to my abilities…”

“N-no way…”

“Hm?”

The man with the scar was trying to speak.

“S-status…effects…? Y-you aren’t…even…using…a m-ma…gic…item…” he wheezed.

Hmm. So they can talk a little even while they’re paralyzed, huh? I couldn’t tell when I was fighting monsters—it was hard to tell just how paralyzed my enemies were.

“A-all…four…at once…? C-can’t be…lieve…”

The Goddess had told me that status effect skills are famously worthless. I guess she’d been telling me the truth. I smiled.

“Guess I pulled the short straw, huh?”

“Wh-what…?”

“Forget it. You tried to kill me, and none of your friends even tried to stop you. Thanks for making this easy for me.”

The four men still didn’t understand.

“Poison.”

“Aah?! Aaah!”

“I-it…burns…”

“Who…who the…h-hell…are…”

The men turned purple and began to moan in agony.

“Squee!” Piggymaru poked out from the neck of my robes and perched on my shoulder.

“Piggymaru? Are you mad at them…?”

“Squee!”

It seemed that Piggymaru felt the same way about these four that I did.

“Doesn’t matter to me if they die. Might be a relief to watch them go.”

There was something black and evil within the four men—something I saw in Kirihara and Oyamada, too.

I’ll answer murder with murder, evil with evil. Those are the rules you play by, aren’t they?

“If I don’t kill them, they’ll kill me.”

I stared at the palm of my hand.

No need to hesitate. No fear. No worry.

“I can kill them. I can kill people.”

I waited for the men to die, watching their eyes roll and their faces contort with pain. Paralyzed from head to toe, they could barely even writhe.

They begged for help in the end. I seriously doubted that they ever showed mercy to their victims’ similar pleas.

I ignored them.

“Nngh…”

At long last, they all lay dead before me.

I didn’t level up.

Did they just give really low EXP, or…

“Do humans not give EXP at all?” I wondered aloud as I started to ransack their corpses.

Their clothes were all too big for me, and I didn’t want anyone to recognize them while I was wearing them around town—that could get me in a lot of trouble. Same went for the weapons—it’d be too dangerous to walk around with a stolen sword. I decided to stick to their money, and put several purses stuffed with gold, silver, and bronze into my leather pouch. Money was untraceable, after all. Much safer to steal.

Done with the mercenaries, I stood up and dusted myself off.

“Squeeee!”

Piggymaru let out a strange squeaking noise.

“Oh, you feel it too. I know…”

I could’ve taken my time killing the men slowly with the non-lethal poison setting, but I’d been distracted. There was another presence nearby—someone powerful. Someone ready to fight and kill. I ducked low and made my way toward them.

I don’t know yet if this person’s going to be my enemy, but after everything those mercenaries said, I have a pretty good idea who it’s going to be.

“What the hell? That’s not her!”

“Even we can’t touch this one, though…not when our client is…”

It must be the girl they were chasing.

“It’s strange, though…her presence is so strong and clear.” It hit me like a wave, honest and true, like she was challenging the whole forest to battle.

She must’ve been planning to take them head on, otherwise she’d be hiding and planning an ambush. She’s either really confident in her abilities, or too noble to hide.

I picked up a thick branch and threw it off into the bushes.

“Squee!”

Piggymaru’s tentacle twitched to the right.

So that’s where she’s hiding…

She was fast, like a strong wind racing through the trees. I stood up from the brush and pointed my arm squarely at her back. She noticed me just a fraction of a second too late.

“Paralyze.”

She stopped dead in her tracks—not that she had a choice. She seemed confused about why she wasn’t moving.

Well, I can tell from the shape of her body that she’s definitely a girl. She’s wearing a weird hood…or one of those things that nuns wear. A veil, I think?

The veil was connected to a cape that hung down her back, a bit like a hoodie. The next thing that caught my attention was her armor. It looked like a dress, white and accented with blue and green lines.

Her hair was a pale blonde under the veil. Her body looked slim and delicate. She struggled against the paralysis, trying to speak.

“Huh. You tried to attack me, but…there’s something different about you. I don’t think you actually wanted to kill me.”

I’d felt a change come over her as she charged at me—hesitation, almost. She wasn’t going to kill me out of some sadistic pleasure like most of the monsters and humans I’d met lately.

“You don’t seem like those four guys I just met. I thought maybe we could talk. I stopped you from moving for now—just some insurance on my end.”

Doesn’t change the fact that she’s dangerous. I had to strike first, or she would’ve cut me down. The only way I can survive is by manipulating things in my favor.

“Wh…at d-do you…wan…t fr…om…me…?” she asked with some difficulty.

No sense lying about that, I guess.

“Well, to be honest, I’m kinda lost. If you know the area, I’d like to be directed to the nearest town. Also, I’m not from around here, and there’s a lot I don’t know. I want as much information as you can give me,” I replied.

I could sense her confusion from my response.

I carefully walked closer to get a better view of her face.

“A blindfold…?”

Is that part of her armor?

Her vision was completely obscured, like she was wearing an eye mask. I looked at her face, and was drawn in by her incredibly white skin. Her face was small, and her jaw came to a graceful point at her chin. Her glossy, thin lips quivered a little as I approached.

“Th…the other…four…?” she stammered.

“Friends of yours?”

“N… No…”

“…”

This is just getting annoying, talking to people while they’re paralyzed. There’s still time left, so…

“I’m gonna make it easier for you to talk. But make any moves and I’ll freeze you again. I have things that can hurt you, too. So don’t try anything, okay?”

That was a bit of a bluff—I can’t stack one paralyze on top of another. But I’m not exactly lying. If she tries anything, I’ll put her under with sleep, but I can’t exactly ask her questions if she’s out cold. I’d like to avoid that if I can.

Piggymaru was quiet—almost like it was holding its breath to avoid being heard. I was impressed. Slimes were much smarter than I’d given them credit for.

After a time, the girl responded.

“O…kay…”

I put a little more distance between us, then tapped the Dispel Location: Head setting on the panel. There was also a drop-down list of other body parts to choose from.

“I… I can talk again…” she said with a blank expression.

“Only move your mouth, okay? Sorry to be so blunt, but I don’t trust you. I’ve been through too much to get here, and I can’t take any chances.”

“I understand. You’re right not to trust strangers. Any experienced traveler would do the same,” she replied.

She didn’t start panicking or screaming. She has more sense than that.

Her voice was clear, and her expression made it obvious how strong her will was. She looked almost like a pure, righteous knight come to life. I checked the yellow paralysis gauge and realized something.

I think I’m the only one who can see this gauge counting down…which means I might be able to trick my opponents into thinking it’ll last forever.

“First, I’d like to ask you a question, if you’ll permit me,” the knight said.

“That depends on the question.”

“Did you meet a group of four men on the road?”

“I did.”

“What happened to them?”

“I killed them.”

“What? Y-you…”

“Something wrong? They seemed like worthless trash to me. And they were chasing you, weren’t they?”

“Oh…yes. They were indeed my pursuers…and there’s nothing wrong. I just…” she stopped and seemed to be sizing me up. “Do you mean to tell me that you defeated them single-handedly? Or do you have allies nearby?”

“Just one. But I’m not planning on revealing my ally to you.”

That wasn’t a lie, either—my ally just happened to be hiding in my robes.

It’s smart to keep this knight on her guard, let her think I have friends around. It sounds like she isn’t a friend of those four from earlier, which is good—I doubt I’d win her over if I murdered her friends. But I still don’t trust her…she’s wearing that blindfold, after all. It’s hiding her expression from me—it might be making it easier for her to lie. Is she using it to trick me?

The blindfold slid upwards onto her forehead.

That timing—it’s like she read my mind!

I gazed at the girl’s full face for the first time.

With the blindfold pushed aside, there was no mistaking her beauty. Her eyebrows were shapely and elegant, but it was her pale blue eyes that made me stop and stare.

I’ve never seen eyes this clear before.

There was something mystical about her appearance, far removed from any human I’d ever seen. She almost looked like an elf from stories—they’d always been drawn as fine, slim, and attractive in things I’d read. But the most obvious feature common to elves was missing—I could make out human ears beneath the veil.

“Thank you for answering my question,” she said. “And I apologize for my abruptness. I did not detect any falsehood when you told me you defeated my pursuers. Thank you for answering me truthfully.”

Does she have a lie detector or something? Sounds like she’s real confident I was telling the truth.

She looked at me as sincerely as someone taking an oath in court—I was sure she’d have her hand on her heart if she’d been able to move it there.

“I pledge to answer your questions truthfully, and to the best of my ability. For defeating those four mercenaries, I owe you my life.”

She owes me her life? That’s big, but…no point in just being owed a favor, I’ve gotta call it in.

“What would you like to know? I believe you said you’re not from around here,” she said, formal and dignified even in her current predicament. Maybe that meant she wasn’t quite so suspicious of me.

“Not from around here, no. I travelled all over before I ended up here.”

“What brought you here in the first place?”

“I was abandoned, I guess you could say.”

“I see… I’m sorry for being so forward.”

Abandoned… The word probably evoked all kinds of dark images in her mind. Was I ditched by my traveling companions? Forced off my land? Sold into slavery?

But…it wasn’t a lie. It was the story of my life. I’d been abandoned by my parents, discarded by that foul Goddess. And…it didn’t hurt that hinting at a dark past might make her think twice about asking me personal questions. Concealing the details of my life was just smart. I looked her in the eyes, and she looked back, questions in her gaze that she wasn’t actually asking.

“Is something wrong?”

“You don’t seem like a bad person…as far as I can tell,” I confessed.

“Have I won a little of your trust, perhaps?”

“Only a little. I have my reasons to be secretive, just like you. I think it’s in both of our best interests not to pry too deeply.”

I can sense that she has something to hide, too. But that’s fine with me—she can keep her secrets, I just need some basic info and to get away safe.

“I agree,” she said, a shadow falling over her face. “That suits me as well.”

There wasn’t much left on the paralysis gauge—I didn’t have time to chat.

“Are there any towns or settlements near here?”

“The small city of Mils is nearby. I was actually heading there myse—”

She caught herself and stopped mid-sentence. Apparently she didn’t want to tell me where she was going—afraid I might leak information to her enemies, maybe. In any case, the secret was out. Lucky for her I didn’t really care.

The girl told me the general direction and how long it’d take on foot—Mils wasn’t far.

I might be able to sleep in a real bed tonight…

“What country is this?”

“You don’t know what country you’re in?”

“It’s a long story—I’ve been living under a rock. Answer the question, will you?” I answered, trying to dodge her suspicions.

“Well…we’re in the southern part of the Kingdom of Ulza right now—this area is known as the Dark Forest.”

Wow. This isn’t even Alion? I just assumed the Ruins of Disposal were there, but…this is useful information.

“Where is the Kingdom of Alion from here?” I asked.

“Alion? That’s north of Ulza. Keep going southeast from here and you’ll reach…” She hesistated a moment, “the Bakoss Empire.”

There was something she wasn’t saying, but I didn’t push any further.

At least I’m far away from that foul Goddess for now. If this is a whole different country, I shouldn’t be in immediate danger from her.

“All right, this next question’s going to sound a little weird.”

The girl looked taken aback, but remembered she was a captive audience.

“Ah. Right. Go ahead.”

“So…how much would it cost for a person to buy some bread around here?”

“You don’t know that…?”

“I’ve been living under a rock, like I said. I don’t know what things cost here.”

“I see…I’d say that no matter where you are, a slice of bread won’t cost more than one silver coin.”

Good to know they actually have bread in this world.

“How many bronze coins are in a silver?”

“Thirty.”

Let’s say a slice of bread costs 100 yen. That’d make a silver piece worth 3000 yen? That gives me a rough idea, I guess, but I can’t expect things here to cost the same as back in Japan…I can’t think in yen anymore. The price of bread is a good start, though—everything else can wait until I make it to Mils.

I continued asking questions as the yellow gauge ticked down, until finally, there was only one more important thing to ask.

I took the forbidden magic scrolls out of my pouch and held them up so the girl could see them.

“Can you read these?”

Her glassy eyes scanned the parchment.

Has she realized she can move her whole head?

I couldn’t tell for sure. Now that I was closer, I could see dark rings under her eyes…

Long days on the run, never getting enough sleep?

She wrinkled her brow.

“This looks like an ancient language…a rare one, at that.”

“Can you read it?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

“All right.”

I rolled up the scrolls and put them back in my pouch.

Guess it won’t be that easy—I’d hoped for a clue at least, but I’ll have to keep looking.

“Although…”

“Hm?”

“I might know of someone who can.”

“Really? Why do you think that?”

“She was once known as the Forbidden Witch—you haven’t heard that name before?”

“No.”

A witch, huh?

“The last I heard of her, though, she’d been driven from her home by commoners suspicious of her vast forbidden knowledge.”

Guess that’s why it’s forbidden. Well, even if it’s just a guess based on a rumor, at least I have a lead.

“What if I wanted to meet with this witch? Where would I find her?”

“Do you know of the Great Ruins?”

“First I’ve heard of them.”

“It’s rumored that she’s living somewhere in that area.”

“You don’t know for sure?”

“I’m sorry—all I have are rumors.”

“Is it far from here?”

“Keep heading north and you’ll find it in time, but…” She hesitated again. “I believe reaching her will be very difficult.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The area surrounding the Great Ruins is known as the Land of the Golden-Eyed Monsters.”

There was a lot I didn’t understand about what she was telling me, but I couldn’t be too surprised—I barely knew anything about this world, so there was just too much to process all at once.

When I have a little time, I need to sit down and get a handle on all this.

“So, I’m guessing it’s a breeding ground for monsters?”

“That’s correct—it’s a dangerous zone that occupies much of the center of the continent.”

“Huh.”

Sounds like everybody on the continent knows about the danger waiting there…making it the perfect hiding place for the witch.

“Thank you for the information. I’m grateful.”

I looked at the gauge—there were only a few minutes left.

I think I can trust her, but…it’s always possible she’ll attack me the moment this effect wears off. Even that foul Goddess seemed friendly enough at first.

Time to go.

“Is there anything else?”

“No. I’m done.”

She forced a laugh.

“I don’t suppose this makes us even, does it…? This is hardly enough to repay you for saving my life—”

“No.”

“Hm?”

“We’re even. The information you’ve given me is more than enough to repay that debt.”

Learning all this before I get to town is a blessing.

“Now we’re going to go our separate ways—understand?”

“Y-yes. If that’s your decision, of course.”

She seemed to feel obliged to do more, too honorable for her own good.

It must be hard to live like that—worrying so much about other people.

She reminded me of my foster mother, who spent so much of her time caring for others that it made me worry about her. My foster mother was the best model I could think of for what a good person is like.

“See you.”

“Excuse me, but…this movement-restraining technique…”

“It’ll wear off in a few minutes. I can’t guarantee your safety during that time, though.”

I said “skill” earlier, but she used the term “technique”…

“I understand. It will be dispelled soon, then,” she replied. I was almost positive she had some kind of lie-detecting ability.

“Thanks for answering my questions so quickly.”

“You did seem to be in a rush.”

She must’ve noticed that I was keeping an eye on the gauge…

“Well, thank you.”

“I owe you my life.”

“You’re not so bad. Might seem ironic given that I just ambushed you in the forest, but…I hope you have a safe journey.”

I turned and walked away.

After a while, Piggymaru squelched out from my robes with a “Squee!”.

“Hm?”

“Squee?”

“You want to know why I let her go?”

“Squee.”

Piggymaru turned green.

“She didn’t seem like she wanted to hurt me, and she answered all my questions. There’s no point attacking someone who doesn’t want to hurt or kill you—I don’t want to slaughter people for no reason. I have a code, y’know?”

“Squee-squee…”

Piggymaru’s tentacle bobbed up and down in agreement.

“But that girl might still come after us once she can move. I’m counting on you to watch my back, partner.”

Piggymaru shot to attention, turning bright green in response.

“Squee!”

She seemed sweet. What was I supposed to do? If she’d reminded me of my real parents, I would’ve killed her with no hesitation, but…she reminded me so strongly of my foster parents, I had to stop and talk.

“I guess that’s another rule of mine, then…”

Every rule has exceptions, though.

As I made my way through the forest, I stumbled upon a spring of clear water in my path.

“All right, Piggymaru. I’m just gonna clean myself up a little. Keep a lookout, okay?”

I stared down at my own face reflected in the clean water.

I look terrible…

“Little brat, always got that sad, nasty look in your eyes!”

I remembered my real father’s words.

Maybe I don’t look terrible…maybe this is just what I look like.

I scooped up some of the water in my hands.

I don’t want to drink this stuff, but I should take some of it with me. It might be useful later.

I filled my old cola bottle. Then I stripped, folding my clothes and placing them on the water’s edge. Taking the rag I’d made by ripping up my uniform, I stepped into the spring. The temperature was mercifully warm, the sunlight-dappled leaves rustling in the light breeze.

Finally, a chance to get clean.

I felt my stiff muscles relax as the water washed over them, and then…

 

Leaves crunched on the forest floor. My shoulders tensed. I quickly lifted an arm in the direction of the sound.

“Ah—”

“It’s just you…”

The golden-haired girl from earlier stood frozen, looking over at me through the brush. I couldn’t see the armor or sword from earlier—just a pouch slung over her shoulder.

Can all that armor really fit in there…? She wouldn’t have thrown it away, right?

I must’ve been staring—the girl looked away.

“Sorry for disturbing you.”

She bowed.

“Did you want to use the spring? I’ll leave as soon as I’m dry.”

“No, it’s fine. Take your time,” she said, turning on her heels and disappearing once more into the forest.

I returned to washing myself with the rag, the water cool and refreshing on my back.

“Sq… Squee…”

A flattened Piggymaru squelched out of the bushes and slumped towards me.

“Hmm? What’s wrong, buddy?”

“Squeeee…”

Is Piggymaru upset about something?

“Don’t tell me… You feel bad because you couldn’t hear that girl coming?”

“Squee…”

Piggymaru turned green. I crouched down and stretched out my hand.

“Squee…”

Piggymaru quivered softly, expecting to be poked in punishment. I reached out and stroked the little slime.

“Squee?”

“Don’t worry about it. You did your best, right?”

“Squee! Squee!”

Why didn’t Piggymaru see her coming, though?

I looked off in the direction she’d gone.

Sure, he might’ve let his guard down a little, but… I didn’t even hear her until it was too late. Piggymaru’s way more sensitive to movements and sounds than I am, but even on guard she slipped right by. There’s something about her…

“I think she must have some technique for hiding her presence—no wonder you couldn’t sense her coming.”

That would explain why those four mercenaries spent so long tracking her, too. They must’ve been skilled bounty hunters.

“Squee, Squee, Squee,” Piggymaru apologized desperately.

“I said don’t worry about it! I wouldn’t abandon my partner over something like this!”

Piggymaru turned pink and rolled over to rub against my feet.

“Squee~! Squee~! ♪”

I laughed.

It seems happy now, at least.

“All right. Onward to Mils.”

The Runaway

 

WHO IN THE WORLD was that boy…?

She couldn’t stop thinking about him as she came to the gates outside the city of Mils. Of stumbling upon him in the forest after their first encounter…and his naked body.

It might’ve been the first time she’d gotten such a good look at a naked boy. She’d never even seen her father naked before. Her cheeks grew hot and flushed as she tried to clear the thought of him from her mind.

Still, I can’t believe my luck. For the White Walkers to be defeated by chance, by a stranger…

Defeating those four couldn’t have been easy for her savior, though from the way he talked it didn’t seem that it had been too difficult, either.

Did he use that strange technique, perhaps…?

She prided herself on knowing about these things, but a skill that could restrain someone like that…? She had no idea what had happened to her.

Was it a kind of status effect technique? No…impossible. They’re famous for their low success rates—it’s unthinkable that he could’ve cast such a technique on five targets without failing once. And it lasted far too long.

Was it an incantation of some sort…perhaps one I’ve never encountered before? He might’ve used some poison to paralyze me, but…he was able to dispel part of it in an instant. It must be magic of some kind…

She snapped back to attention after letting her mind wander too far.

No. I must focus on my own situation. First, I need money to continue my journey.

She’d heard a rumor that there were ways to make quick money in Mils, if you played your cards right.

I’ll need to gather information, I suppose.

There were no longer pursuers on her tail, and nobody in Mils knew who she was, but…complacency could get her killed.

“…”

Next time I let my disguise drop, I can’t take any chances.

She took a deep breath and set out to look for information. News of the lucrative opportunities in Mils had certainly spread to other towns by now. She knew where she could find the information she needed—the Mercenaries’ Guild.

 

The Mercenaries’ Guild building was marked with a carved wooden sign depicting a scroll of parchment. She stepped into the bustling hall and several heads turned in her direction. Female mercenaries were rare—they often attracted the wrong kind of attention. She concealed her fear under her human disguise.

I’m not from around here—I’m sure that’s the only reason they’re looking at me…

She ignored the onlookers and walked through the hall to the noticeboard at the far end. This was where they posted the quests that guild members could undertake. She scanned the board until her eyes settled on the largest poster.

It appears that I arrived just in time. If this goes well, I’ll be set for travel expenses for quite a while…as soon as I earn enough, I need to get out of Mils.

All right, time to find lodging for the night—

As she began to leave, another poster caught her eye. One of the mercenaries began talking loudly behind her.

 

“Whoa, would you look at that bounty?!”

“I see it…”

“They say she was a high elf princess, y’know? Then she ran off to be a knight in some foreign kingdom, somethin’ like that.” The mercenary rubbed his chin. She listened intently.

“She’s an experienced fighter…and an unbelievable beauty to boot! You hear about her? Word is they didn’t even have to pretty up this face when they were making the poster!”

It’s a bounty—of course it has to look like the target.

“Heh heh… What would you do if a beauty like this one fell in your lap?” the mercenary asked with a sneer. “None of the roughnecks around here would hand her in without having a little fun with her first.”

The mercenary looked at her closer now, his head scanning her from head to toe.

“Hey, you ain’t so bad yourself! Not quite on the level of a princess, but not bad!”

Apparently this had been his intention all along.

“How ’bout it? Want some company?”

She turned and walked away without a word. The mercenary gave a bitter laugh.

“Didn’t like being compared to royalty, huh?”

“…”

She turned back for a moment and looked at the poster. The bounty was high, but she wouldn’t be able to claim it. She looked at the name printed in block letters beneath the portrait.

Seras Ashrain.

Without a word, Seras Ashrain walked out of the crowded hall.