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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyTx2XxWTC
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUuMSCkoST
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTFYGB3HXY
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaNmoG5t9F
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr1uSKkDoa
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTU0rLatNx
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D8P6bWl7W
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNE3TDVVT1
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhBHCC8j3R
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs7ILvbsbT
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO63HRGVKL
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxvpAQuILy
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIe8UxOJ3g
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOCH02kxsK
“Sorry, Ojou-sama. The horses aren’t able to last any longer, so you will have to walk from now on.”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f0P5ciTIf
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwZfWvD2ke
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjcYoiOoem
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjjRowfkux
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTybJe7iKzz
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneBR9pF1Hd
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Du7QCdghj
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrRGhP9oYV
“Maudlin-sama, did the bandits give up?”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBbfpvMCEs
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVwDf16ezz
From the window of the carriage, I asked while looking back at him.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBOume0CkI
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOINAlIJWS
“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.”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKOaUItnJp
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtiR6Re471
In response, Maudlin-sama showed me a reassuring toothy grin.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji9oNjQP0Y
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyv4Icgevj
“Is that so? I can finally rest easy after hearing that.”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH5LEUjDwa
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rr67kqi6j
I looked at the highway in front of the carriage.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCCOVrGQLh
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyihQspfQ1k
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgkLiosgRi
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq2stcPobn
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9tN59GDH0
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1o84KVFrj
“Goha─”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIwgbccpO9
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLHYLOITQ8
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLErziaEpQ
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT1PFURD6y
Furthermore, numerous arrows flew from the bushes, piercing two of the escorts.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KxxS8DpI7
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn9miR6S63
“Shit! There was another ambush?! How could this be happening!!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhg3cV5rap
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPNxA29hxr
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhskH0wEKB
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqkTsijI16
“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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO78jtOUxVu
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFYxO3MdPB
The bandit who had pulled me down and was now dragging me entered my view. He had a vulgar smile on his face.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8Etz4fImu
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTvdCDc0eM
“GUAAAA!!!!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlC8kvpVhG
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FZahTUzvv
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmGhcYrkt4
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DnqUAyWPb
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyvvZbRc46
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCgdf63qxG
“Casuda!? So it was your guidance!!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgt4mCvEaz
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq1ILniw0n
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtgoDoGcCT
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQHqeABezj
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCc9Nj0axN
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo61m41Faxu
“Hey, kindly remove the Ojou-sama from inside the carriage.”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4obqrSfljt
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYveZXgEh8
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ177ITiD9Ne
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt90fffxip
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82Rr9hxQgF
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7STT1xmWG
“Noo! Release me at once!!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdImiGJL6it
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG7Rj9ydEJ
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg8oaKBCF0
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhS73ckwtj
“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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl1QxhbJ7I
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakPtyMrIEx
“Boss, because I killed that guy, can I have a taste..?” One of the bandits who was taking off the clothes asked the leader.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknocwnUbIj
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoECFi8Tmc
“Moron!! I’m the first to stick it in!! You can have a turn when I’m done!!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhmtoetlKV
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyWzFoWewq
“J-just wait a minute! I was the informer so I should go first!!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf46CIjTD0
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIFyMCtMCn
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDUfre2QMP
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKdrw7Ng5K
“Gayhu!?”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkWnq7VJeZ
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Nct7YpIc
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBohidN2V9
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePBSc1mde3
“From the very beginning, I don’t share!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbY03OIPK6
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuiXAC3IZT
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18MQotggqi
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs60TClH1u
“Hii!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNqRZxgEIh
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjBRmU5CGm
Ojou-sama uttered a short scream upon seeing this. A yellow stain spread on her underwear, and a small puddle appeared beneath her.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TLyFrRL1h
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdGCSHGOng
“Augh, the girl pissed herself!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSHIsBLCwz
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt49MSGmXsa
At the bandit holding Ojou-sama crying out, the surrounding men began to laugh vulgarly.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAO7ucepLM
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8yOSAEcrb
“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!!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNlVOqOOVC
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8i33sXskq
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv1bcWrwgZ
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrTmf46mYH
“Stop! Do you know what will happen if you do such a thing!!” I voiced my condemnation to the men.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl4KZ3Fdea
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ807N1UgDa6
“Before worrying about others, you should first worry about for yourself!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBnYeKvCJv
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6sy0dsrZo
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uJlVXLoC5
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q5CrYMm1d
“I will make you feel good along with that Ojou-sama over there, hahaha!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRbDzmKTwB
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzxAen3i5g
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNRUn6IAGa
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08LrS0SY2g
At the moment ─ a large shadow appeared behind the bandits.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPGV4eQslr
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLkTS8c9D5
It was an event that occurred in an instant. A towering knight stood behind the bandit boss on top of Ojou-sama.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNVaDMY0ko
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwTIEQW4v0
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtzqAjCHYj
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP3Rl4gDJZ
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTIMWmq2LM
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ar21L1G9X
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDMETFOxJw
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfwpKuXGMT
──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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMGi8MKq0p
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0bwXLDnhb
“Uwaaaah!!! M-monsteeer!!!”1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jAYB4tCix
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuKf3Z2dIo
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.1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iw4vJdkPl
1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJCDE2HAjd
“Are you alright?”
