Southwestern Orlais.

As Malty ran out of breath, she jumped into a hole covered by thick bushes. No longer caring about beasts, disgusting insects or dirt, the eighteen years old were peeking from the space between the bushes and trees. Struggling to this point was unthinkable for her weeks ago. 

Her father was a Count in Orlais. Her family, House of Melromarc had been governing a large territory for the past 100 years. Her father, sided with Chevin and Chalons faction as long she knew. Thus, when he sent her to University of Orlais, she had always sided against Gretel de Montfort. When Gretel's fiance, Prince Sullivan of Fanoss Principality broke his engagement with Gretel, Malty worked days and nights to spread bad rumours about her. 

Malty indulged in humiliating her rival, enjoying social recognition among her peers. 

Even in their territory, Melromarc was not very likeable by their subjects. Her family members and herself  often perceived plebeians and low noble as trashes. 

When the Saxon-Fanoss started purging nobles, in contrast to most aristocrats, her family continued doing dirty work for them, hoping Melromarc could rise to a new great noble. 

But the newly crowned Queen, Selena Saxon caught them off-guarded. Capable knights serving Melromarc were assassinated. Peasants, knights and low nobles rebelled. They suddenly surrounded their mansions as if the coup d'etat was plotted beforehand by the Queen. Many family members and vassals were killed on the spot by the furious masses. She even saw her father was immediately given a death sentence in front of his own people. Her mother was caught and her whereabouts was unknown. 

Malty managed to escape. Before this incident, she had only killed three persons, who were her serfs as part of her noble daughter's tantrum. 

She learnt martial arts and military tactics in the university but never had the chance to put them into practice. 

However, tonight, her skills, senses, wits and guts repeatedly surpassed her limit. She was no longer a jealous, pampered girl who only used mouth. 

Encountering many life and death situations since the people broke through into her mansion until escaping pursuers, she had killed almost 50 men in one night. 

"I must survive. Survive." That were the only words  playing continuously in her frantic mind. 

The pain from wounds and the tiring muscles were not felt.

Her gaze stopped at the bright half full moon on the sky. She instinctively remembered about her life in the university.

Malty remembered how much she used to do stupid pranks on her teacher's and fellow students all the time and got away with it.

It's nothing to be proud of but she couldn't help herself from smiling when she remembered all the trouble and pranks that made some teachers wonder if the girls were really from a nobles family's.

"god we were such annoying little brats" She muttered to herself. 

Malty herself lost her virginity in the university to useless noble sons. She lacked sexual experience although she had about twenty sexual intercourses with 6 different boys. She didn't enjoy sex, that's why she didn't sleep around much. She only got bored  with her sex quickly and dumped her sex partners after 3 or 4 fucking. 

As a former narcissistic girl, she loved herself a lot more than loving sex. 

Tonight, nevertheless, the self loving attitude was quickly diminishing. 

She started to torment herself with self-hating.

***

Borrowed bungalow in Val Royeaux.

Gretel and Clarice suddenly showed up in our house early in the morning. 

They told us that the Count Melromarc and his family were massacred. A severely wounded knight reached Montfort castle last night informed about the incident. 

I didn't know any noble by the name Melromarc but the girls told me Melromarc was the rival family. Myla who had recovered slightly reminded me about the incident where Gretel quarrelled with a red haired girl. The annoying girl was the heiress of Melromarc, Malty Melromarc. Her beauty and body were to my liking though.

The dying messenger told Montfort that Malty escaped the encirclement and ran from pursuers into the woods. Her life was in danger. 

As their fathers insisted to ignore them by telling, "Melromarc is beyond help.", Or "the daughter must be dead by now", Clarice and Gretel decided to take the matters into their hand without their parents' knowledge. 

The two girls showed up at my doorstep to plead for my help.

I couldn't deny beauties. 

"Please give it up."

"Don’t be rash."

I made preparations for the journey while Claire and Myla tried to convince me otherwise.

Armor would get in the way, so let’s wear some thick clothes instead.

It didn’t snow much in the south, but I would take a hat in case.

As for weapons...... the longsword was too noticeable. 

I would hate to lose them, so maybe it’s better to leave them behind and carry a normal sword.

"Are you listening!?"

"You’re ignoring me, aren’t you!"

Money...... I wouldn’t be there for long so I would grab a little. If I was going to sleep outdoors, I would also need a blanket.

Hmm, I have quite a bit of luggage, although I can probably just pile it on the horses.

"Understood. Then Myla-san please take care of the place while I’m gone." Mirai suddenly reappeared with baggages.

"I keep telling you to stop―― eh!?" Myla seemed perplexed.

Mirai’s attitude flipped and she stood beside me after putting a coat over her shoulders.

Even though Myla, Reina and Claire were protesting, Mirai quietly had already completed her own preparations.

"It can’t be helped if Hiro-sama insists on going. Then the least I can do is accompany you. Now, let’s go."

"Short girl. You tricked me!"

No need to get angry, I would be back soon.

"You two are free to do it whenever you want during the trip then! It’s always Mirai...... I also want......"

I hugged Myla and stole her lips.

"Sorry. If I take you along as well, it will delay your recovery. We need you in full health in the upcoming wars "

Myla blushed and I continued to attack her,

"I’m counting on you, Myla."

Myla put a hand to my cheek and slipped her tongue in my mouth.

The kiss which should have been over after a few seconds at most ended up becoming an intense spit-swapping one lasting nearly fifteen minutes until the new onlookers, Gretel and Clarice had red faces..

"Puha...... I understand. I can’t come because I’ve been entrusted with an important task. Unlike a certain someone." Myla smirked and glanced at the shorter Mirai.

"Mu!" Mirai was irritated.

Myla smirks at Celia who is trying to get in between us and then the two of them have a stare off again.

「There is no task more important than protecting Aegir-sama. Please do your best with Leopolt-san.」

If they’re together for any longer, they’ll start fighting.

Let’s depart now.

「Going as a pair is attractive...... if I have to consider escort though...... umumu.」

"Let’s have these two girls accompany you."

Myla got upset when Myla interrupted.

"Yes, we are ready!" Clarice and Gretel had bags with them.

I should take someone else besides Mirai, Clarice and Gretel. These two pampered girls were probably useless in combat.

Myla smirked at Mirai who is trying to get in between us and then the two of them had a stare off again.

As an escort, Suzy Huber was no good. She wouldn’t be useful in battle and only food costs would increase. 

"Then take Gheyna. She’ll be helpful."

"Yeah, you’re right."

Gheyna’s original duty was to protect me as part of the escort unit anyways, so she won’t say no. She was also unbelievably skilful archer.

I was not going on an unknown adventure, I’m only visiting a territory next door.

We should be expecting mainly bandits and maybe a few monsters. It’s not a big war or anything, and I could just run if I found myself at a disadvantage.

Rather, going as a large group made us more conspicuous and exposed us to more danger.

"Let’s take Reina too! On the off chance we get surrounded by a large army, she can open up an escape route!"

I didn’t know if we would be fine when we actually got surrounded, regardless it’s a good idea to take her out once in a while after her sad encounter with her family.

"Then I will go let them know. To prepare, Gheyna will need 30 minutes―― Reina will need 40 seconds."

Mirai teleported away.

Then, she back with those two.

"Alright, time to go."

This would be a quick trip back and forth.

***

Near border to southwest region.

"Wow, the war had such a large effect."

The situation south of Orlais was terrible.

"From first glance, a village of this size should have about 200 people living here...... this is tragic."

Ten or so people survived and many houses became deserted with their entrances sealed.

"By the way, why is Suzy-san here?"

Mirai seemed a little unhappy.

"I want to visit new places too."

Suzy was waiting for us in front of the gates.

The adventurous girl heard about our plans. 

"It’s a bit dirty, but I’ll take it."

"Uwah, you’re-! Have you no shame!?"

Gretel yelled angrily.

"Who’s going to complain when the entire family is dead?"

"Why are you bringing that woman along too!?" Mirai complained to Suzy.

Sekrit went behind a house with a sealed entrance to where the newly created graves were――seven for the entire family―― and casually took away a porcelain pot.

"It looks like it’s going to rain today. The spices are going to get wet if I leave them in a cloth bag."

"..... leave it. That thing was meant as an offering to the dead."

Sekrit tossed the vessel as if she lost all interest in it.

Gheyna quickly caught it and returned it to the grave.

I didn’t intend to have Sekrit accompanied me either.

We were leaving the inn of the first town we stayed at and she happened to be there.

"It’s boring without you in the mansion. Let me join too."

She already brought her own horse, plus I felt responsible that she still didn’t fit in with everyone in the mansion. Maybe the reason she left was because she didn’t feel at home, so I allowed her to come.

"This woman isn’t that kind of person! Let her be punished!"

"Hihihi, if some curse of the dead was going to get me, I’d be long gone by now." Sekrit teased Gretel.

There were few in this world who had killed as many people as Sekrit had.

If those victims hadn’t laid hands on her, then no one was going to do anything after she defiled a grave.

"You were fine when attacking Baron Joelo with her. Get along this time too."

I pat Mirai’s head.

".....I’ll listen since Aegir-sama says so."

When I pat Sekrit’s head, she brushed my hand away.

"I won’t kill her."

"Bitch, even after Hiro-sama pat you!"

Murai tried to sweep Sekrit’s legs.

But that was easily avoided and Mirai fell over after getting her own pivot leg swept instead.

This was coming from the one who agreed.

"I’ll get along too."

I was not worried too much about you, Gheyna. The problem was between Mirai and Sekrit, now Gretel and Sekrit.

"I’ll get along."

Gheyna said it one more time and brought her head close, so I gave her a pat too.