Thanks to the special currency crests, I haven't had any problems so far.

　The journey could be said to be going well.

　If you go to a provincial city about a day from the border, the convoy sent by the Ruvel Argan side from the royal capital will be waiting for you.

　I looked out the window.
　The one I could see behind the carriage was Renowthred.

''This isn't Renousled anymore, is it?

　The scenery is not so different from yesterday.
　Well, the scenery doesn't change completely as soon as you cross the border, does it?

　I look at the sky in the distance.
　There were a number of marshmallow-like clouds flowing across the sky.
　It's stopped now, but it was raining this morning.
　The smell of post-rain.
　I look at the roadside.
　Drops fell from the tips of the leaves, which were covered in rain and dew.
　Beads of water droplets clinging to tiny flowers, glistening in the sunlight.
　A number of puddles remained on the leveled path.
　Maybe it was the rain, but the temperature felt cooler.

　Because of this kind of limpid feeling, my first impression after entering the Louvreargan was "not bad".

　The two girls were asleep, leaning against each other.
　I quietly moved towards the gosholder's table.
　I spent some time chatting with Rosto-san for a while.
　It was a refreshing way to spend my time.
　I couldn't believe how unsafe it was.
　It was so peaceful that it seemed so.

　However - around the time we entered the road in the valley sandwiched between the sheer cliffs on either side, the clouds started to look suspicious.

　There's nothing like a barrier.
　I'm not sure that the people passing through were properly dressed.
　A man at the front with a big curved sword said, "If you want to pass through, you must go through.

If you want to pass here, you have to pay the toll.

　Immediately afterwards, the curved sword man asked me for an insane amount of money.
　As expected of me, I don't have that much money on hand either.

I don't have that much money on hand. If you can't pay, leave the carriage and luggage and all the money you want here. Leave the carriage, the baggage, and all the money you have, and I'll spare your life.

　Is it the bandits?
　Mr. Rost drew his sword.

'Are you trying to attack a carriage that carries the military royal family's special loan crest?

　Oh.....
　There was a dross in his voice as he saluted.
　I felt like I had caught a glimpse of Lost-san's warrior side.

''A special currency crest, huh?

　The curved sword man didn't show any signs of being frightened when the name of the special currency crest was mentioned.

''Ha, it doesn't matter. The Military God King's guards and the Divine Punishment Squad are too busy to bother with a bandit gang in the middle of nowhere.

　And then.

What's up, Blackie?

　Mr. Currier emerged from the carriage.

'Oh!'

　The other thieves were all aglow with color.

'She's soooo pretty!'
This guy's been a long time coming!
Hey, girl, I'm gonna get you right now!
What the hell?　You're too scared to move, aren't you?　Hahahahaha!

　Wow.........
　Currier-san looks very insignificant.

　Well, in her case, she's probably seen people many times worse than those guys in the apocalypse, so....

　How can I say, it's probably a little late for that.

　

''Currier-sama?　Can I help you...?
Oh, Mia!　Oh, you don't have to come out.
'What?　Um--

　For a moment, Mia-san peeked out of the room.
　The bandits' tension rises even more.

''Whoa!　It looks like there's another one of those curious ones out there!
Do you have any more top-shelf balls on board?
'Come on, sub-human, show your face to me more often!　Or maybe I'm too scared to come out of there anymore!
Hey!　Don't act like you're a subhuman!　Come out quietly!

　One after another, the bandits rattled off one crude word after another.
　The bandit group's head-eyed, curved sword man stepped forward.
　The curved blade man toying with the blade with a sense of intimidation and pestering.

"What the hell is this, you've got a hell of a boss with you. Okay ........leave those women here. Well if you're willing to give those women up honestly, you can at least leave the carriage for them, okay?

　Mr. Rost comes up to me.

'Would you like to be served?　I'm sorry ... but with this number, I might be a bit of a handful on my own.
Oh, that's okay. I'll take care of those guys on my own. Rost-san and Currier-san, if you can get Mia-san and the carriage to protect you....
Why are you whispering to each other, you two guys?　It's over for you!　Hahahaha!　I'm gonna show you the best part of your precious girl getting torn apart, and I'm gonna make you despair.　Well, the female who showed her face a little bit was a subhuman!
..........
"You can't sell off the sub-humans for much money.　We're gonna totally wreck this place by ourselves....　It's less than a thing...

　with a thud

　The curved sword man fell in half.

　In front of him.


You're a subhuman now, and you're not going to get away with it.


　I'm standing there, in a posture with my demon sword raised.
　A few seconds later - the other bandits huffed.

''Huh?　What the hell was that...?　I didn't see you, huh?
The head will be split in half in an instant.
I mean, when did that guy move...?

　In a half-turn trajectory, he swings his sword.
　The sound of wind cutting continues.

''--Huh?''

　A flash at the throats of the bandits who were around the headlights.

　That's what happens when you have all the geese together.

　I was pissed.
　I was still able to go through with it while I was spreading wishes that would never be fulfilled.
　But I can't allow Mia to talk to me like that.
　There is a line that should not be crossed.
　I stared at the stunned bandits.
　The blood-sucking demon sword pulsed throbbingly as if it was enjoying the pleasure........

''The blood........seeps into that creepy blade.......and that attack at a speed that I can't follow with my eyes......what the hell is this guy?

　The blood drained from the bandits' faces all at once.

''Ba, bucket.......bucket!
It's an unknown demon that lives in this valley!
'Right!　It was bait!　Those women must be illusions created by witchcraft!　There aren't many beauties like that in real life!　Godd*mn it!
Run!
No!　I don't want to die!
Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii--!

　Three and five.
　Like a scattering of spiderlings, the bandits left.

''..........''

　Sheathing the sword.
　Well, I'm willing to let the rest of you off the hook.
　I'm not in the mood for carnage.
　From the look of things, they'll never deal with us again.
　Besides, I don't want Miss Mia to see the body.

That's good, Kurohico. I guess I didn't get a chance to do it.

　Currier said, as he completely relieved himself of his battle stance.
　At that moment, Mia-san tried to come out of the carriage.

''Currier-sama?　Is it safe to leave now...?
No, that's not okay. Stay inside. Don't look outside.

　Currier-san softly pushes Mia-san back.

''Ki, Currier-sama........?　There was something wrong out there, wasn't there?
No, it's all settled.

　The carriage door closed.
　I hear a caged voice from inside.

'Hiya!　Why are you blocking my eyes........?
I don't want you to see what you don't want. Just be patient for a while.

　He was careful not to let Miss Mia see the body.
　When I returned to the Gosha-dai, Rost-san spoke cheerfully to me.

''But........you are even more skilled than rumors, Kurohiko-dono. I didn't know you were so strong without using that forbidden spell.

　I chuckle.

''Compared to the opponents we've fought so far, the bandits just now can't be called strong enemies indeed, so.......''
I'm glad to hear that.

　However, with Rost-san and Currier-san guarding the carriage and Mia-san, I can move without a care in the world.

　If it was just me and Mia-san, I wouldn't have been able to move so freely.
　The existence of a companion I can rely on.
　I've felt the magnitude of their existence in many places.
　Recently, we felt it keenly when we attacked the Holy Ruins.

''Well then, Kurohiko-dono, may we depart?
Yes, please.

　From there we spent half a day arriving at our first destination, a provincial city.


　　　　　*


　When we arrived at the provincial city of Barraiga, the bodyguard sent from the royal capital, Shverpos, was waiting for us.

"I am the captain of Prince Geas's personal guard, my name is Zeth. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Forbidden Spell Maker.
..........

　What?
　I'm kind of in the air to deal with it...?
　He lowers his hips and agrees to shake hands.

"This is Sagara Kurohiko, an exchange student that's Gosha Rost. That's Currier Versteen, another exchange student, and next to him is the maid of honor, Mia Posta.

　Captain Zeth checks everyone's appearance.

"Yeah, it's all good. Looks good to me.

　Captain Zeth nodded to his subordinates.

''Then we will accompany you as an escort from here to the royal capital. I have heard that you will return here...

　Mr. Rost nodded.

'Yes, sir. I will return to Christophia now. When the day comes that Kurohiko-sama and the others return, I will be back to pick them up in this city.

　That's what I heard beforehand.

"Thank you for your help in a very short time, Mr. Rost. I'm glad you're the man.

　He was a man who had crossed two countries and knew the land, so I didn't feel at ease.

''I'm glad to hear you say that, Kurohiko-sama. But that's a thing, how should I say it...''
?

　What's going on?

I can see why the Machina-sama has taken a liking to you.
Is that so...?
Yes. Anyway, we'll pick you up again when we return to Christofia.
Yes, nice to meet you.

　Captain Zeth instructs his men to see that the greeting is over.
　The men begin to move the cargo from our carriage to theirs.
　There are nineteen men in the convoy.
　They all seem to be very skilled.
　Their bodies and faces give off an air of competence.
　Hmm?
　My men are staring at us...?
　I overheard a bit of their conversation.

'That's the one that killed those four deadly plagues...'
At first glance, he looks like a normal boy, but that left eye...
Yeah. I hear he gutted himself to kill the Four Deadly Plagues.
That's not just me.
Yeah. I'd like to cross swords for once.

　It was probably Shana who leaked the information about the left eye.
　Even so, she seems surprisingly belligerent.

　After seeing off Rost-san's carriage, we climbed into the carriage that the convoy had prepared for us.

''Oh dear, I'm in trouble.''

　Captain Zeth put a hand to his forehead and breathed.

'Sir, what's wrong?'
Well, I'm sorry, I'll scold them a little harder later on, if you want to call it lacking in concentration.
Ha ha.....

　I gave a dry, affectionate laugh.
　Following the bandit, it seems that he has won the hearts of the guards as well.

　Wherever they go, those two seem to attract the attention of the opposite s*x.