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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGDKXdRVAM
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BvzwbeO0C
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pcpERI45B
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdFbS5v87i
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8mHdBklD3
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbto0ZBlEZV
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4M96GJgkP
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmds2rmS21W
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZYmEa3uxJ
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t7m4VB1ff
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZU2HliCatR
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDyEYY02sj
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPrW1G7r6N
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJPheU5Ujt
“Sorry, Ojou-sama. The horses aren’t able to last any longer, so you will have to walk from now on.”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMGUyPUk6W
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAHj7ZLO8Y
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCB08jTbfM
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXhMBv04nN
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVng5cD5u49
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTFYItyNA4
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSMJ2Fl8Lk
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLgX0mI5hn
“Maudlin-sama, did the bandits give up?”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhANtdGEqm7
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaHrfSp8uv
From the window of the carriage, I asked while looking back at him.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk0qntDMg1
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx22CJSMcv
“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.”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOp6R7b4PZ
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rRxBCOMgn
In response, Maudlin-sama showed me a reassuring toothy grin.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GZDMA3sw4
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn0lA7HvdQ
“Is that so? I can finally rest easy after hearing that.”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkHLw8qwDG
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbjTY0pS2R
I looked at the highway in front of the carriage.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KNzzWthtL
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ9yLNAH1c
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJbbnEGm0K
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZQv0T9Kuc
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSfKbxKpJ4
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgJPLGe5Ov
“Goha─”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrKuXLz4ae
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hXS5kAvaF
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNcuFBjzUd
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4b97DOFag
Furthermore, numerous arrows flew from the bushes, piercing two of the escorts.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN9mH8jjUp
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOllQWtlLg
“Shit! There was another ambush?! How could this be happening!!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosngcdXW6r
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQHElIZoa6
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGVZiceUJj
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QmlHhYsES
“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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cpL7mUBEG
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTd1xDf88K
The bandit who had pulled me down and was now dragging me entered my view. He had a vulgar smile on his face.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGo2TOZko6
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO7GyiaJQY
“GUAAAA!!!!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavRHp6fzxg
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dYPhHtAds
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgKavZIzlk
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSDAnYhaOz
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfocD3l4eo
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYMTP3DY3X
“Casuda!? So it was your guidance!!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcdDr0QnAP
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6WMRGe9Rz
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRbxjykLaO
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyA3bJF5bj
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr5ARtQJn6
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8uzbcAaim
“Hey, kindly remove the Ojou-sama from inside the carriage.”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PranNk27n
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FYEt9CGwP
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkgatCDfPU
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNgNBGAzKL
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HviX4dKWT
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBSJlzhr81
“Noo! Release me at once!!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVLZ4OXBLz
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyscKVcgEx5
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDyFEzvIzd
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCQujQJjzA
“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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eQDusNFez
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Dc63WBYcc
“Boss, because I killed that guy, can I have a taste..?” One of the bandits who was taking off the clothes asked the leader.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIairpEWIPC
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvaHBPcdlu
“Moron!! I’m the first to stick it in!! You can have a turn when I’m done!!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq0FehiexG
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9sT2VnuiL
“J-just wait a minute! I was the informer so I should go first!!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI0sCfShWL
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJmWEOWz31
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFcgZhhAXB
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29hoaXk4L2
“Gayhu!?”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLHZhlMmSK
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBF4rNQL5z
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BS9S4dbym
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifBPp7eefI
“From the very beginning, I don’t share!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWueKXCJ0T
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQeLyhXvWJ
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNmbCsS8Rv
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFpQJuHHvo
“Hii!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHxtf9gsSH
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw42ufp8qng
Ojou-sama uttered a short scream upon seeing this. A yellow stain spread on her underwear, and a small puddle appeared beneath her.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHOyknO9mc
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU7wYfgUjE
“Augh, the girl pissed herself!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT5PB68QFT
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAr20axmno
At the bandit holding Ojou-sama crying out, the surrounding men began to laugh vulgarly.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyh3nprcDD
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEyg8W3l32
“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!!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCtHIjhELH
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKYCWcGcCz
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOn2lcx1ue
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbEvIGqSEy
“Stop! Do you know what will happen if you do such a thing!!” I voiced my condemnation to the men.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObh3lUuF6N
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EnKKdMRzY
“Before worrying about others, you should first worry about for yourself!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzQy0DLLbe
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VS6y1fY1W
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNEZZsVCoG
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaYgDqB1Ya
“I will make you feel good along with that Ojou-sama over there, hahaha!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXQcvzX8jl
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BzTG5N70Y
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5cN6IfbFh
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpjUlS1NgS
At the moment ─ a large shadow appeared behind the bandits.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OL4f1RbIA
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFUP5Qjc6Z
It was an event that occurred in an instant. A towering knight stood behind the bandit boss on top of Ojou-sama.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7jpjwbazK
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtH08Io3jq
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQLxBOh8u9
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHrX5DW0QZ
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3RIj4uG6C
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJSr1XN7hv
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ6odzeS41
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiuGGSzoC0
──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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCGp1sP9Tx
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ3nnLdA6G
“Uwaaaah!!! M-monsteeer!!!”1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKyrlxL3TI
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweFN8cD8Ra
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.1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX1LS8bXw4
1155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBt6pAdrCZ
“Are you alright?”
