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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz02IkJfLCc
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfEDRZK6j3
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9WiLWFv5i
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4dFRGcwoa
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EtdExDiao
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4kUcrjLU1
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpfzmUQ34v
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r0x44F5Uz
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPqBDNzg9f
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0KqZkRQTg
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbi1D8Gjur
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxliS86O8a
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oZisEQtoe
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMONcDDiHtE
“Sorry, Ojou-sama. The horses aren’t able to last any longer, so you will have to walk from now on.”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZMURxIpCc
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xYWmrz6ge
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jm6sw9IYR
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoZLD9WtvM
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgCgL3t7kG
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a7a2UBc1z
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtBkOjn9TC
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZMnG25cfz
“Maudlin-sama, did the bandits give up?”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZBhX6kM1F
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLbepd94bS
From the window of the carriage, I asked while looking back at him.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg1KS1O40M
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeI1ESrlSQ
“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.”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPUNSvVkfF
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDdDElajbX
In response, Maudlin-sama showed me a reassuring toothy grin.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgXQLN5s1s
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQbjqr1uQs
“Is that so? I can finally rest easy after hearing that.”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzLbDuoBie
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOuKdidEpF
I looked at the highway in front of the carriage.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbxeJhKoFU
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqvjQYiahT
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw01t0Q60In
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88rcyOR2ov
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qGN6j363o
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJCXd7ZkPZ
“Goha─”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmPcpQhvRE
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWWrNbVm98
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3DtriXdj8
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4jyYjGg7y
Furthermore, numerous arrows flew from the bushes, piercing two of the escorts.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHaUuyPpjV
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WVcNIMpcg
“Shit! There was another ambush?! How could this be happening!!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8O79HMgYv
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0x88jqLok
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yvyd6qtYR
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zWtCAkaEH
“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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoDtCQZrU1
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxJSq24dzY
The bandit who had pulled me down and was now dragging me entered my view. He had a vulgar smile on his face.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwBcWYieyZ
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ja8PtyCtp
“GUAAAA!!!!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08BFMWSn9S
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiF1iDjJak
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsav4RYm498
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWB3ddPhKA
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWTE38kpRd
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMElQSSazW7
“Casuda!? So it was your guidance!!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfZse6rgIa
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYai1uy5OIp
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zBR7OUOX2
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0pL9SAxct
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLW7yAMBSE
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZN5ca4vuJ
“Hey, kindly remove the Ojou-sama from inside the carriage.”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsnEUnElv3
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPpTlbeo1e
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dxNqWU5OR
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lKAv9oZPN
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZu4WHLWFU
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKZteOy2DF
“Noo! Release me at once!!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9NJdjBdli
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVljrWXUq1x
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7NJuvAKv3
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQSZk4yXO9
“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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiLFZtdHR6
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcaUpyBjnw
“Boss, because I killed that guy, can I have a taste..?” One of the bandits who was taking off the clothes asked the leader.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0NcJC5MlV
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNlkoaSSq7
“Moron!! I’m the first to stick it in!! You can have a turn when I’m done!!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJIvrvv6yQ
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq6ggYcb5O
“J-just wait a minute! I was the informer so I should go first!!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijDwWkL9tY
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU3rzlVzYA
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzH1x2Xm3P
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzOdU1vnsW
“Gayhu!?”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2uu6GgRiX
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmR1GTFPyv
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWpgn2AdaT
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw9ORMQh90
“From the very beginning, I don’t share!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGXg7iVx2p
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP17evlGGa
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCbCocRF9J
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvuLHpy8q9
“Hii!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fsZhouIp8
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJinKLTlXt1
Ojou-sama uttered a short scream upon seeing this. A yellow stain spread on her underwear, and a small puddle appeared beneath her.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo9kRcoHU9
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybiLvCtuZK
“Augh, the girl pissed herself!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mxoYJtGCX
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1hqThm1uH
At the bandit holding Ojou-sama crying out, the surrounding men began to laugh vulgarly.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSlYd6VBh0
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLn84jjDtk
“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!!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b1qKDyZ43
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgTBfzkFBu
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6IgZ3EcHz
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74NBeJIusQ
“Stop! Do you know what will happen if you do such a thing!!” I voiced my condemnation to the men.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54NN0iaYDw
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g2j9WPwhX
“Before worrying about others, you should first worry about for yourself!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8q1sX4exu
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcbiSCGEcE
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2azkFk7g36
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIw1IbLyc1
“I will make you feel good along with that Ojou-sama over there, hahaha!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26f2n2KyLS
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kj19h4yux
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohEh95wja8
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR9sxL8y0x
At the moment ─ a large shadow appeared behind the bandits.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQx4sCCDOg
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0LTTFsPmt
It was an event that occurred in an instant. A towering knight stood behind the bandit boss on top of Ojou-sama.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIwWTwAnL8
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4s8mg7G7R
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmFd66QUg2
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7ZV3VHlue
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4VphCklPm
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9oj6IizyJ
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV2gkHxAMz
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgdhc3LNSo
──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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX1tCXl4Sw
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VdmwKlOmc
“Uwaaaah!!! M-monsteeer!!!”1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKP6jcwmE5
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yhGZtThIm
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.1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDhocRbWyq
1084Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6OgdNxkIP
“Are you alright?”
