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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZZ9Oahhqs
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvqJ2oGeXL
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rII3PD1zz
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdZj0NpYIl
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KYnl2d5FI
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6AZs4yEja
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3ZgTnO0RQ
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZpa7kWKW3
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYeZncMjxp
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQDEDeN0zu
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGJwlzZ8Jj
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD8h8mztL0
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllqlgCePYP
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXT822h54v
“Sorry, Ojou-sama. The horses aren’t able to last any longer, so you will have to walk from now on.”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGcAlMZokn
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22k4BglQBH
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvH0gAZhgh
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MyzaW80rd
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCloliXlmB
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8NqqrXkrh
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGFfQCuNOC
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv5kFYFfCl
“Maudlin-sama, did the bandits give up?”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyIN1cp60V
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MAhkP7g7s
From the window of the carriage, I asked while looking back at him.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftwpGaHthx
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0qznRZK2G
“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.”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMexOnZBFq
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4ZVnMXYpj
In response, Maudlin-sama showed me a reassuring toothy grin.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVkdcatBiS
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU4NjURght
“Is that so? I can finally rest easy after hearing that.”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC0TdPXxAk
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o9C4ynaTv
I looked at the highway in front of the carriage.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCzf74UVAQ
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSx1Gje4WmE
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVa3qgyP4z
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFbN76xXzo
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1VkbxEYsn
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl1UgrhTKU
“Goha─”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0YSG3TETm
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmJOZZ5ulo
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJwGpIimpX
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PBJ4EE50y
Furthermore, numerous arrows flew from the bushes, piercing two of the escorts.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bPPMvjN2R
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi2dQS1ZLU
“Shit! There was another ambush?! How could this be happening!!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dNgNDDbyN
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFIJXddOji
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSfuc4FlLb
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOr0oys56w
“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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMJoCx9DpL
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIobNmkCGt
The bandit who had pulled me down and was now dragging me entered my view. He had a vulgar smile on his face.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5bwLlXcs7
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTCtjwNueH
“GUAAAA!!!!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAateO6pfyQ
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLRPjr39Zf
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOe5A2qh7J
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFixD4lDlBr
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BLopOlbDD
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KPw3EtGUJ
“Casuda!? So it was your guidance!!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdx4VKyEDZ
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV0C4wzofM
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f9Sop0513
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIYIK3TQoy
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c0c3bxFR8
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn2lopAyn5
“Hey, kindly remove the Ojou-sama from inside the carriage.”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93NzmwwcWE
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLmG7PlYZZ
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pa3yslC0n
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiJvqHOqQn
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVp49lYiIO
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTOXHJJWK7
“Noo! Release me at once!!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW6D7YsCqU
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCLTeMmKDs
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1iVakof63
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdasrZLCCXn
“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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8huY3YP54
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wa8BPtOFy
“Boss, because I killed that guy, can I have a taste..?” One of the bandits who was taking off the clothes asked the leader.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0Vli7PU6L
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt8mBLwavv
“Moron!! I’m the first to stick it in!! You can have a turn when I’m done!!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAWYJulXA7
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTzXfKBq6S
“J-just wait a minute! I was the informer so I should go first!!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJumaIILRo
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW910t3CF3g
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVTiluLmkg
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0J9zqM5Cp
“Gayhu!?”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6ZJYBBaqq
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLnA4xUwl2
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJFaOMQxld
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuXuJQd2gg
“From the very beginning, I don’t share!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB6oph9FKm
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbVKlDNOdt
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk39jb12dTx
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dCMs3qyBx
“Hii!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJX4QLaipf
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubOuDLKafA
Ojou-sama uttered a short scream upon seeing this. A yellow stain spread on her underwear, and a small puddle appeared beneath her.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO3W3n1M4M
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZaiw31MPD
“Augh, the girl pissed herself!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvS64QBDyo
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1qaOhbILL
At the bandit holding Ojou-sama crying out, the surrounding men began to laugh vulgarly.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOAG3jZaBU
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34JLbIu1k7
“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!!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD6owTS6Ry
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA7MnVpyCd
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4924XQ7aML
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLD8n8X8Tk
“Stop! Do you know what will happen if you do such a thing!!” I voiced my condemnation to the men.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0hWHFAM0X
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg0MRRABG8
“Before worrying about others, you should first worry about for yourself!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw99WUVqwDV
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpOfTS0VR8
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDkZwnErwG
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCjmtsD5xg
“I will make you feel good along with that Ojou-sama over there, hahaha!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoKvhSPHVQ
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTBLXWoxhO
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6BW0ML5DB
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YLzlboNrF
At the moment ─ a large shadow appeared behind the bandits.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY1pl2gbb5
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkGWFQH7dI
It was an event that occurred in an instant. A towering knight stood behind the bandit boss on top of Ojou-sama.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTFpHUTM6q
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3niQTQb9M
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LPPK7IkXM
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoCLKOa7mk
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz1zaA8AsI
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZumQ6vwlLk
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuXsO9gpiP
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBrqhXsZSH
──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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGKKG0y1tw
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tsrZpG2hF
“Uwaaaah!!! M-monsteeer!!!”1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMhL6kwKby
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsK2e8GtqF
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.1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoFXSL0xDc
1145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15P61Lge94
“Are you alright?”
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