We continued down a neglected highway with considerable speed. As the horse-backed guards escorting the carriage travelled alongside it, the sound of the horseshoes echoed. The carriage jolts from time to time as its wheels got caught on the roadside stones.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxqpGb2pqv
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnHBqp3vm7
I quietly watched the rear of the carriage, gazing into the rear viewing window. On the right of the road was the riverbed, with the water’s surface being lit by the fading sun, coloring the surroundings with the glow of dusk. A gently inclined hill was to the left, and a herd of animals could be seen moving along it. Straight ahead, small shrubs start to line the highway, and have begun to cast their shadows across the land.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWALKAbMeu
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhMWt2EAZP
Only sounds of the carriage wheels and the horses’ hooves echoed through the area, with no abnormality found anywhere. However, the escorts seemed to have fallen into a heavy silence. It was due to the unexpected situation that the group encountered a while ago.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF48Dlz7LzY
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh0nx002eS
Lauren Ojou-sama, as the representative of the Rubierute household, had attended the ball held by the Diento household. As we made the return trip, a group of bandits ambushed our party. With more than twenty thieves appearing, nine of the guards broke formation to delay them as long as possible and prevent further pursuit.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk68bsgb6g
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaamBEFLOK
Only five soldiers and a single knight remained with the carriage. And there were no signs of any of the previous guards catching up from behind.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLfr3N8God
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7rFUwXeq3
Inside the carriage, watching the passing landscape through the window, Lauren Ojou-sama had an anxious expression. Her long chestnut color hair loosely sways, and appeared to have lost all of it usual luster due to the tension and anxiety. She had a small face and narrow eyelashes, with her light-brown eyes giving off a sort of transient feeling.
The sixteen year old girl also wore a luxurious light-blue dress, with the glow of the sunset which entered through the carriage’s window giving it a crimson tinge.
Inside the carriage, the only other person was me, her maidservant. While usually it was a place for idle chitchat, now neither of us spoke a word.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnV2vFtGwK
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV13H6jejbA
After a while the speed of the carriage suddenly slowed, then the neighing of a horse was heard. The coachman’s window opened, and he offered an apology.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJKkTeMLnG
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinh9QLYlNf
“Sorry, Ojou-sama. The horses aren’t able to last any longer, so you will have to walk from now on.”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yrRqapstO
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz4UX2Q0jK
From the time when the bandits ambushed until now, the horses have been constantly pulling the carriage. It appears that they have finally reached their limits. As expected, it was a harsh task even for four horses. Well, if anything, it was the horse of the knight that suffered the most.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP3TMzZQ6X
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkayQC9DSdN
When I peered outside the window, I saw the middle-aged man tying up his horse next to the carriage. He was one of the knights under the service of the Rubierute household, Maudlin-sama. The remaining escorts gathered around him.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKlbo7fHJr
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeWR2aPGQR
Maudlin-sama finished wiping the sweat off his horse’s neck with a towel. His hair was short and tidy, and he sported a well-groomed mustache. Even though he was clad in light body armor, his stature revealed the toned muscle underneath.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LlygM0j3j
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qK7qw6hYp
“Maudlin-sama, did the bandits give up?”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdI0HvPR5q
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUz5ZSYRzU
From the window of the carriage, I asked while looking back at him.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOczlUQlbMT
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4sLUv4TJG
“I was worried because the number of people sent against the bandits were so few, but since no one has come to pursue, perhaps it’s already safe. Convey this, if you please, to Ojou-sama.”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDahws8lD7
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4y2IMyYlb
In response, Maudlin-sama showed me a reassuring toothy grin.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r7dAIXa6J
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhXLWJR3Hc
“Is that so? I can finally rest easy after hearing that.”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOKdQmDnvW
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyGIY7IFU1
I looked at the highway in front of the carriage.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z13ZryusG
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweHVgcTpa5
The bushes that were concentrated along the highway further back were now dispersed along the road. The hillside that was visible from the highway was now within walking distance. As I looked at it, I couldn’t help but feel an oppressive aura on the back of my neck. The prickling sensation made me furrow my brows.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXxjZewsA4
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08R14LF1ui
After looking at me, Maudlin-sama also attentively watched the surrounding area. Just as we took notice of something, the sound of the air distorted as multiple arrows flew towards us.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoVKCFU47k
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo8t7OMnom
“Goha─”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdS8eeWaw4
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsioeLZrnx8
With a dull sound as they penetrated flesh, two arrows struck the coachman. At that moment, the wheels of the carriage struck a stone on the road, causing the body to bounce and be thrown off. The corpse of the coachman then blocked the wheels, preventing it from moving.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq7qgB21pD
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16Yhxtsj2P
Furthermore, numerous arrows flew from the bushes, piercing two of the escorts.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4BFYj8zEQ
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1QGxU5M39
“Shit! There was another ambush?! How could this be happening!!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1eQggrsun
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfdpyWPpWA
Suddening appearing from the top of the ridges next to the highway, with the ringing of hoofbeats, six bandits charged down towards the caravan. The arrows pinning down the escorts allowed the horse-backed bandits to approach uncontested. Two more guards were pierced by arrows, and another fell to the bandits in an instant. Just as Maudlin knight-sama knocked off one of the approaching bandits with his sword, two people emerged from the bushes to regain control of the rider-less horse.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABQj5tercf
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeOEc75d8b
“Rita-dono! The carriage!!”
At the voice of Maudlin-sama, I felt my head finally clear up. I scrambled off the carriage and kicked the body of the coachman out of the wheels’ path. With the rear wheels now unblocked, the carriage could move again.
I tried to board the bloodstained coachman’s seat, only to have my maid uniform grabbed from behind, forcing me onto the ground. My back struck the ground heavily, and all the air in my lungs were forced out. From the corner of my eyes, I saw one of the guards collapsing onto the ground.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Osyz68asy
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBXX9ujXOu
The bandit who had pulled me down and was now dragging me entered my view. He had a vulgar smile on his face.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6okkYNQtx
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5InNKdA8i5
“GUAAAA!!!!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoYEg3XF2I
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NSYrwVfSh
At that time, a masculine voice full of pain sounded out. When I looked at the direction of the voice, an unbelievable scene unfolded before my eyes.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOpgcvZUOR
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmFhJRyNYJ
One of the guards behind Maudlin-sama had his sword slid in between one of the gaps of Maudlin-sama’s armor. Maudlin-sama’s face twisted intensely.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4DX5uspNI
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXaYH3qPh5
“Casuda!? So it was your guidance!!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEhvBNTlC7
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lRY2Y3RRy
After being stabbed in the back, Maudlin-sama tried to twist his body to slash the former guard Casuda. However, his opponent who was similarly on a horse, with a faint smile, took the opportunity to push him onto the ground.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjfEzpNh7F
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGh30X7Uw7
Suddenly, a bandit with a slightly better physique than the rest jumped off his horse and stabbed Maudlin-sama in the neck with his sword. Blood sprayed out, and the ground around Maudlin-sama was dyed red.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaX3PbBc2H
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk3aMj6unE
“Hey, kindly remove the Ojou-sama from inside the carriage.”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqAKLDvkbn
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT9h0cvOtw
The better-built bandit gave instruction to the others while revealing his yellow teeth. He had squarish features that are complemented by the tied-up long hair behind his back, with a messy beard that covered his jawline and made it impossible to see his neck. He carried a single-edged sword with an arm that was covered in old scars. This man seemed to be the leader of these bandits.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrcBjgfR4n
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDDG5jWSqA
Following his order, the other bandits dismounted from their horses and ran up to the carriage. The door of the carriage was flung open, and Lauren Ojou-sama was pulled outside.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jb9Ag0jtY
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUAenZlExb
“Noo! Release me at once!!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaCpqJJU9w
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOv1sN5IPS
Although Ojou-sama desperately struggled, twisting her body, her arms were bound by two of the men. I was grabbed in a similar fashion and dragged along.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY2iGY8q6h
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RC3yc3MOV
“Hey! Take care when removing her clothes! We can sell them for a good price!” The bandit leader yelled at the two who held Ojou-sama.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB63OyC5zJ9
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QdVlHt0KT
“Boss, because I killed that guy, can I have a taste..?” One of the bandits who was taking off the clothes asked the leader.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fHXJlWyv7
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw16u5ZnJH
“Moron!! I’m the first to stick it in!! You can have a turn when I’m done!!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp7hODzcbQ
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciiOIBG9Vz
“J-just wait a minute! I was the informer so I should go first!!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKAhC4oK6B
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo4RBFYtb2
Casuda the former escort loudly protested to the boss of the bandits. The boss glared at back at him with dangerous eyes, and then casually shoved his sword through Casuda’s throat.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLofuJi1z5a
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFquyJNH5Nl
“Gayhu!?”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjCVxELl83
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A weak cry was uttered by the traitor as a sword protruded from the back of his head. Casuda fell like a puppet with its strings cut, while the other bandits watched with nasty smiles on their faces.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSi6hcTsXw
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkxmlx1RNO
“From the very beginning, I don’t share!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP06rXtbps
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA02iIzKaOy
As the boss said this, he kicked the head of the now dead man. With a dull sound the skull broke off, as the neck twisted towards the direction of the rising sun.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrdp9DqWYC
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“Hii!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRxARft7iN
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJdX0bvIr6
Ojou-sama uttered a short scream upon seeing this. A yellow stain spread on her underwear, and a small puddle appeared beneath her.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQMR0fyxY1
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJTj8ItLGG
“Augh, the girl pissed herself!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwal4yqarm
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqQAOQkzeY
At the bandit holding Ojou-sama crying out, the surrounding men began to laugh vulgarly.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN58P8x0Gv
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oCx3trmOA
“We can’t sell dirty underwear, toss ’em.”
At the boss’ words, the stained underwear was removed quickly. Ojou-sama’s wet chestnut bush was exposed to the obscene eyes of the men.
“Nooo!!! Let me go!!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljz5ZhH572
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkzzjQhsei
Desperate wanting to get away from the stares of the men, she flailed her feet in an attempt to get away. However, the boss made one of the bandits hold her feet down, while he removed his pants and exposed his dirty thing.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cfDDYQXYx
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1fBYhny9Z
“Stop! Do you know what will happen if you do such a thing!!” I voiced my condemnation to the men.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSeEZFpL7a
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfRtWqI7AX
“Before worrying about others, you should first worry about for yourself!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMu19UI1KV
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKYSDBtsgZ
As one of the men who held me said this, he carelessly teared open my simple maid attire. My bra was teared as well, and one of my breasts was exposed. I covered up it quickly, but was then roughly thrown onto the ground.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW00PAXbNsO
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcIWesNIVI
“I will make you feel good along with that Ojou-sama over there, hahaha!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasW8vNq9ai
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8lWNIvVMF
When the man laughed, a wave of rancid air hit my face. He then began to pull his pants down. Both of my arms were held down by one of the men, while one of my legs was caught by another one. As it was hanging above me, the boss was preparing to hit the very depths of Ojou-sama’s private place in one go.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZwWbHZ8YC
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KbjuWOcvj
At the moment ─ a large shadow appeared behind the bandits.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T6Cif6cKU
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyg7wnzWVV
It was an event that occurred in an instant. A towering knight stood behind the bandit boss on top of Ojou-sama.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRjlv3SbOA
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzSvhOMDj6
With an armor that shined with a brilliant silver with white and blue undertones and decorated with the finest details, he appeared as if he were a holy knight out of some fairy tale. The pitch-black mantle that fluttered behind him seemed to have been made from the starry night sky itself. The helmet’s visor concealed his face, and, as a result, his expressions and emotions were all hidden.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOnNSb2NfG
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaJefcuJhF
The sword raised in his right hand seems to extend without end, and pulsed with an overwhelming presence as it flickered with a mysterious indigo light.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTKkrhbPkO
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIiVbvgKbJ
The knight’s sword flashed in the direction of the boss and the bandits who held Ojou-sama’s feet down. The blade moved as if it could cut the air, and left a trail of light in its wake. The knight took a large sidestep, and with a reverse slash, the sword released another wave of light. The sword’s arc seemed to cover the sky itself as a line of light glimmered between the two men holding Ojou-sama’s wrists.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybfEu7afEx
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMLcoj5BNJ
──All of which happened within a split second.
In the next moment, the torso of the boss slid off. The bandits who were holding the feet had nothing from the neck up, their heads rolling on the ground faced the direction of sunrise. The bandits in charge of the wrists had their heads split in half, the spraying blood magnificently covered a nearby thicket, dyeing the scenery already colored by the sunset even more red.
The boss’s upper body landed near Ojou-sama, and in a half-frenzy she kicked it away. The remaining lower body released a white cloudy fluid from a certain thing that stood erect in the pool of blood.
For the man who had his dirty thing out while straddling my abdomen and the man who held me down, their brain finally realized that something abnormal was happening.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyjIy5PDY9
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIBNBU41KK
“Uwaaaah!!! M-monsteeer!!!”1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m8XxTh8XU
1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYktQDvMAgm
The two men scrambled to get away, but the man who had his pants down tripped, and fell down close to me. Before I noticed, the tip of the knight’s sword had already swung down, and the man collapsed on the ground like a frog that had been stepped on.
The silver knight pulled his sword from the skewered man, and turned towards the man still running. Slowly, with a single step, he swung his sword, once again sending out a white flash. By all accounts, he merely cut the air in front of him, while the man had run quite a distance. And yet, the upper and lower body of the fleeing man separated, collapsing onto the ground.
Until the bandits became lumps of flesh the knight did not speak; I simply sat there and blinked three times. With a light swing, the silver knight sheathed his sword. He then looked towards us, and a slightly muffled voice could be heard from the depths of the helmet that completely hid his expression.1203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB0PzIMBOe
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“Are you alright?”
