Chapter 13: "The first battle"

Among the gathered woods for the bonfire, I pick a suitable branch. I swing it - yeah, it's just the right length of a short sword, and it seems sturdy enough to not break easily. Let's give it a try with this, at least for now.

I don't intend to engage in a deadly fight. The main issue is the level of the opponent. I assume it'll be an easy win. After all, I'm currently an adventurer of the world's strongest class. Remaining as such, I can move and act as the original "Kuu."

However, in case the opponent turns out to be stronger, what will I do? Well, I can't do much about it. At that time, I might just cry out loudly to Ashis-sama for help. Maybe he'll come to my rescue.

"Everyone, can you come over here for a moment?"

I call everyone over to the back of the open space.

"What's up? Are you going to do something again?"

Everyone gathers around. The ongoing banquet quiets down again, creating a slightly tense atmosphere.

Then, the sound of horse hooves is heard. Ten soldiers on horseback and one nobleman appear. All of them are radiating an aura indicating the effect of the skill 'Confirm Disparity in Strength.'

This skill reveals the level difference with the opponent: red for stronger, white for equal, and green for weaker. All the soldiers and the nobleman have a strong green aura. It's reassuring; it means I'm overwhelmingly stronger than them.

The nobleman surveys the open space from horseback. He looks like a typical spoiled noble, accustomed to looking down on people. A mushroom cut with neatly trimmed bangs, eyes and mouth twisted unpleasantly, and a high, elongated nose. Yep, he's the typical bon-bon of a noble.

"Hey."

Following the noble's command, one of the soldiers throws down a man who was riding with them. The fallen man bows towards us.

"Sorry! I really needed the money! If I don't repay it soon, my family will be taken away!"

"What's going on, Tom?"

Odan seems perplexed and asks.

"This man provided us with fantastic information. Is the one using advanced healing magic here?"

"Tom, is that you?"

"Sorry!"

"Enough of that. Bring her here. I'll take care of her."

"Who's that? What's going on?"

I quietly asked Emily-chan's mother, who was nearby.

"That's the son of our lord, Baron-sama. His name is Freud. But more importantly, run away. —Emily."

"Yeah. I know, Mom. Kuu-chan, come here."

Emily-chan pulls my hand.

"Huh, it's fine. No need."

If I run away now, it will cause trouble for everyone.

"No, you can't. If he sets his eyes on you, you'll be in serious trouble."

"Get down from the horse and crush her, capture her!"

Freud shouts orders, and the soldiers, having dismounted, try to approach me by thrusting their spears.

But I can easily evade their attacks. Swinging the branch, thrusting, I can freely attack as well.

Even though it would be troublesome if everyone from the town joined the attack, everyone is just standing there, staring.

Gradually, the movements of the soldiers became slower due to fatigue and accumulated damage. Even when I stop moving, nobody dares to attack me. It's about time.

Actually, I had a strategy in mind.

"Paralysis, paralysis."

The green magic 'Paralysis' can paralyze up to five designated targets. 5 x 2 equals 10. Paralyze all the soldiers and make them fall.

Finally, the moment has come.

Equip, draw the sword.

Astral Ruler, a mythological weapon that emits a blue light reserved for spirits. I raise it to the night sky.

Oh, the never-ending beauty.

My beloved sword.

I'm so glad I could bring it to this world.

Thank you, Assis-sama!

Fufufu.

Everyone is staring in fascination.

At last, the attention is gathered, and I stand before Freud.

I point the tip of my sword at him.

"W-What are you...!"

Freud is still trying to act tough, but—

At this point, I activate a sword technique.

Astral Ruler draws two instant blue light trails.

Double Slash.

A consecutive two-strike attack from left and right. The target is Freud's sword.

I aim to spectacularly destroy it, making Freud lose his fighting spirit.

The attack hits.

Freud's sword turns into dust and disappears.

In addition, Freud's clothing scatters similarly.

What a surprise.

I gaze at my 'Astral Ruler' in my hand.

Did the sword understand my intentions? As I ponder this, the sword seems to nod, shining even brighter.

It understood.

Mythological weapons are intelligent and manifest their power based on the user's intent. In games, I used to command it to thrust faster and stronger! Pierce through! And the sword would respond accordingly.

Truly remarkable, my partner.

It might not be at the level of divine skill, but well, yeah.

As expected!

"W-What was that...? W-What is this..."

Freud, now only in his underwear, falls backward, intimidated.

"Silence, insolent one."

I change my tone.

"What...?"

"—You, who have you been disrespecting all this time?"

I glare at him as intimidatingly as I can.

Well, I'm just a cute girl, so there are limits.

"You, do you dare to show such disrespect knowing who I am? Is this to be considered the will of the Baron's family?"

"Ngh..."

Yes.

I have a trump card.

I take out the pendant I had concealed under my clothes and show it off.

"Don't tell me... That's the imperial crest... But, your hair is that of an elf..."

"It's a disguise."

"Huh, a disguise..."

Yes.

This is the traditional secret technique of the Japanese!

"Can you not see this crest?! Lower your head! Show some respect!"

"Hahaha!"

Nailed it.

And then...

I did it...

Yeah.

I wonder if this will actually work.

Will it cause something amazing to happen?

I pondered about it during my journey.

Because, you know, it's romantic.

The Japanese way.

Looking around, not only Freud but also Odan-san, Emily-chan, and the paralyzed soldiers are all prostrating themselves.

Oh, dear...

I got carried away...

Embarrassing.

But, I have to deal with this properly.

"Baron Freud! Your actions, using the authority of the nobility to run rampant in the town and causing numerous damages, are unforgivable! For tarnishing the honor of the imperial nobility, which should prioritize the happiness of the people, you deserve a punishment worth a thousand deaths! Reflect on your actions, you shall be reprimanded!"

"Hahaha!"

It's already done.

However...

Uh-oh.

I didn't think about what comes next.

Until now, everything went according to plan!

Yeah.

According to the plan!

But, of course, I have no right to pass judgment.

Yeah.

No right at all.

What should I do?!

I'm in trouble!

Should I just leave normally from here... and get the ending?

Let Freud wait for the judgment?

And just when I was thinking about it with a somewhat desperate attitude...

"Princess."

—Unexpectedly.

Out of nowhere.

Suddenly, a voice called out.

Turning to look, by my side, there's a beastkin woman in black attire, kneeling with one knee.

When did she...!

"From here on, leave it to me. I will contact the capital and take the necessary measures."

"Very well, handle it appropriately."

Sorry! I couldn't find any other words!

"Hai!"

The woman in black attire, her silver tail shimmering for a moment, vanished.

A ninja.

Or rather, who was that?

I don't understand, but I'm saved!

After seeing off Freud, who slinked away, and ignoring Tom, the traitor who had disappeared, I smiled at everyone in the town.

"Now, let's resume the banquet."

"Uh, sure...?"

Odan-san let out an astonished voice.

"Hey, Kuu-chan. Are you a princess?"

"No, no way."

The imperial princess is Sera, not me.

Oh, but I think I was a princess of the spirits.

Well, whatever.

"But, that person earlier said you were a princess?"

"Maybe they mistook me for someone else?"

"Hey, Kuu-chan, what about that pendant from earlier?"

Odan-san hesitantly asked.

"That's really mine. I received it from His Majesty the Emperor, so there's no problem."

"Received it... by chance?"

"Yeah, I happened to rescue the real princess once."

"Really... That's amazing."

"So, I'm not really a noble or anything. I just acted all high and mighty to scare that stupid noble."

"Ha-ha. It was an amazing performance."

"But, that sneaky person showed up, and I think the stupid noble will be judged."

"Don't you know them?"

"I have no idea who that person is. I wonder who it is."

"So, Kuu-chan, you're strong."

"A solo journey is a breeze, right?"

"Come on! Kuu-chan, talk with me!"

"Sorry, Emily-chan. Let me chat with Kuu-chan too."

"Well, come on, let's resume the banquet!"

I clapped my hands and laughed.

After a while, laughter returned to the vacant lot.

I chatted with Emily-chan for a while, then slept with her at Odan-san's house.

Morning.

I was given bread and water and ate them.

Thanked and received more bread for the journey.

Now, let's depart.

When I went outside, everyone from yesterday was there to see me off.

The traitor Tom...

He came with his wife, looking tattered.

The whole family bowed down.

I had no choice but to forgive them.

Just promise not to betray anyone again, alright?

I refused the money they tried to give me.

It's fine; use it to take care of your family.

"Hey, can't you stay a little longer? Let's play more!"

Emily-chan clung to me.

"Sorry! I also have work, you know!"

"Ugh, I want Kuu-chan to talk to me!"

"I promise, I'll bring you a magic book when I get one."

"...Will you come back?"

"Yeah."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I won't be able to come back immediately, but I'll be opening a workshop in the capital."

"You said that yesterday too. You're going to make and sell various things, right? And now you're on a journey to gather materials?"

"Yeah, exactly. Fluffy Beautiful Girl's Everything Workshop, Open Preparation Grand Operation!"

"...Can I come to play?"

"Of course!"

"Yay! Then, we'll definitely meet again!"

Emily-chan smiled and let go of me.

"Odan-san and madam, stay healthy."

"Yeah. You too."

"Thank you for your daughter. I pray for your safe journey every day."

"Thank you. Please take care for the next nine days."

Alright.

"Okay, everyone, see you later!"

I waved to the neighbors and cheerfully started walking.

"Spirit-san, bye-bye!"

"Spirit-san, see you again!"

"Do your best!"

"Thanks!"

"Great job, magical girl! Come back again!

Though Tontagari Mountain is still far away.

The weather is excellent.

The refreshing morning air feels nice.

My steps are light.

Shall I walk for a while today too!

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