Chapter 23
Episode Twenty-Three〜 The Smell of a Woman
I do not want to get involved with that group of people .
I sit astride the popobumu, lightly clap my foot on its side and leave . I run to the highway from the back yard .
I return to where I came from and cross the shallows of the Haym River .
To get even a little distance between me and the outskirts of Fadyke, I run through the darkness .
I pass a few villages .
The morning sun eventually rises and my surrounding become bright .
Finally, I let the popobumu rest .
Which reminds me, I just killed someone for the first time earlier .
But, I feel nothing .
N? There is a magic essence reaction . I hear the sound of a horse as well .
-Is it a pursuer?
When I look back, after all it is the guy with the white mask .
That fellow, they seem to be running after me without learning their lesson .
Do they have a grudge from losing?
Persistent .
From now on, should I let the pursuer know what kind of existence I am?
Quickly, I grab the black spear from the popobumu with my right hand, and jump- when I fall to the ground I turn my spear around and assume my stance .
I will wait for the pursuer here .
“Rollo, watch for a little . ”
“Nya . ”
Rollo the black cat cries in a light voice to say 『Understood』, and assumes a posture with both her back feet together on the back of the popobumu’s head .
After nodding slightly Rollo moves her crimson eyes and watches the pursuing party .
The white masked rider is standing on the back of the horse and holding a sword in both hands
She can stand and do that?
-Jump?
White Mask jumps while twisting her body, borrowing the momentum of the horse .
Her body spins like a piece . Her twin swords spin out, borrowing the centrifugal force of her spinning .
A perfect ten-point score! Her physical orbit wants to say, and I move to ward off the slash which approaches me .
The rider less horse runs past my side .
I lift my black spear diagonally and receive the spinning blades . Sword and spear collide, and a harsh *kiin* sounds rings out many times, I handle the black spear in a circle and parry away the spinning blades .
Landing after White Mask’s spinning attack was prevented, advancing while slashing with a sword, they swing their two swords consecutively .
Watching without receiving the attack, I retreat and avoid the blades .
I also thought of it last night, these swords are extremely well forged .
The reinforcement of the mana used as fighting moji is smooth, a special weapon that seems strong and releases mana .
It must be a special metal .
However, it stops here .
I bend down to avoid an attack and kick out with a fighting moji enhanced leg .
I kick the ground to retreat back and take a distance from them .
Once again, I stare at the white mask .
I stare at the eyes that are slightly visible behind the mask .
At that moment, I smile-
I will go on the offensive for a while .
Head, neck, chest, thigh, knee, I attack with the butt end of the spear, aiming for the vitals .
For dozens of seconds, I continue wielding the black spear at high speed ever-changing up down left and right .
White Mask beds down to utilize their small physique, and turning the swords in their hands to repel, quickly avoid my lunges, about half are able to be avoided, a disheveled voice going “ku” and “ha” reaches my ears .
They begin breathing with their shoulders . Is anaerobic exercise hard?
I don’t use my spear martial arts in this high-speed battle .
The rhythm visibly worsens .
And, a gap is created .
I cannot over this slight pause .
-I aim at the right arm .
I shift to the attack and weave “the skill” and feint a stab to middle as I attack to the left and right .
I half step counter-clockwise on my toes .
I suddenly change the trajectory of the black spear, and hit the opponent’s right upper arm with the butt of my spear .
The arm breaks and bends in as a dull sound echoes .
“Ia . ”
The White Mask lets out a strangled cry in pain and drops the sword is their hand .
However, white mask continues to advance as if they were never injured .
Cutting the distance between us, they slash down with the sword in their left hand from above .
However, the attack is too weak to pass .
I elude the sword slash and catch the attack with the black spear held diagonally .
While absorbing the force of the attack with the black spear sparks scatter as the blade slides down shaft .
Then they approach deliberately, and lock our weapons together .
I meet the eyes of the white mask .
I look at the eyes of my enemy behind the white mask .
Beautiful eyes- during that short moment, I feel the center of gravity of the white mask fall to the side .
The weight of the sword attack can’t resist sliding- the weight of white mask falls forward .
I let them lean forward, and half-turn my body while catching white mask’s body .
I take white mask’s back .
Grasping the left hand of the white mask while forcibly grabbing their elbow, perform and arm lock skill with the black spear .
This is another one of the variety of <Spear Sparring> skills .
I twist the left hand with the sword up forcibly and dislocate their shoulder .
“I, gaa kyaaa . ”
Oh? A woman!? The white mask makes a shrill scream .
The white mask drops the last sword grasped in their left hand .
The sword pierces the ground .
I am surprised by the woman’s voice, and turn them around to check .
I put a hand on the black cloak, and grope their chest over chain mail, massaging them…Fumu . (TL: There are other way to check than groping the poor woman . ) These are definitely breasts .
And they are soft . Dome–shaped oppai .
As a consultant for the breast research society, I am instantly able to tell the shape of the breast from grasping it .
“Ah, let me go…what are you doing . ”
Since the masked woman is constricting her chest I give a weak sigh and resist .
I am feeling a “woman” after such a long time .
My crotch is hard; it is developing a peak like Mount Everest .
Because I am curious about this woman’s face, I immediately act .
I untie the mask’s string and remove along with the ragged black cloak .
I release her and step back .
And I see the woman’s face .
Oooh, surprising .
What a beautiful woman .
This beautiful assassin lady, is it ni○ta?
She seems to be wearing a chain mail outfit underneath the cloak .
Moreover, the length of the dress is shorter .
Her thighs are exposed, and soft look peach-colored skin is visible .
The black armor reminds me of a “kunoichi . ” (TL: Female Ninja . )
Nevertheless, her short raven-black bobbed hair and black eyes have the atmosphere of a modern woman .
Rather than ni○ta, is she not closer to ○mika? A small face, this is a beautiful woman . Possibly the same town?
“…A woman?”
While I stare at the woman, using her broken hand, she holds her dislocated shoulder while trembling . (TL: Dude, you’re giving her some really rapey vibes . )
She is glaring at me with eyes clearly colored with contempt .
Sometimes, she looks over at the sword she dropped .
-Do you want your sword?
She is easy to read . Again, she is glaring at me .
“You, what is your name?”
“…”
Is she being silent? If I am not mistaken this one’s name is Yui…
At the beginning, before I was attacked, I remember the Marquis Hewso summoning her .
“You are called Yui . ”
“Na . ”
Oh, a reaction . So Yui really is your name .
However, you’re still giving of a blood thirsty aura .
Since she is releasing such a dangerous aura I glare at her .
“…Is Yui all right?”
“Na, why, did you stop? Why didn’t you kill me?”
Ma, more than her name, I am worried about one from that place .
“When I stopped, I wanted to talk with you a little…I think it was because you’re a woman? Because I heard a cute voice, I wanted to see what underneath the white mask . Honestly…I was really surprised to find such a beautiful woman . ”
Yui’s dark eyes wavers at my words .
“Eh, na…”
“Also, I thoroughly enjoyed your chest . You also have a nice figure . ” (TL: I don’t know what to say . )
“Y-you are trying to humiliate me, guaaa!” (TL: Can also mean rape . )
Yui cries out and forces her joints to move, picks up the left sword and takes a distance .
Ue, it is painful, you should not overdo it .
Using her fractured hand, she forcibly pops her left shoulder in… I mean, she can move in that condition, she must have gone through training to deal with such considerable pain .
Ma, it is a fair argument for such a thing .
“…Oi, oi, after you selfishly attacked me, are you going to run away without permission? Besides, you should have the resolution to yield after being defeated . ”
“Shut up!”
Judging from this reaction, she had no intention of losing to me .
“Even your right hand is fractured? Your left hand is hanging down painfully with no strength, are you going to kill me like that?”
“Noisy, shut up, that’s nonsense . ”
Yui uses the hand of her dislocated left arm and forces her sword up . Because the trajectory of the sword is slow she cannot prove herself right .
I shift my body a little, avoid the weak sword, catch Yui’s left hand again, and rotate it behind Yui while twisting her elbow .
I pin her arm behind her back .
Yui again drops the sword she picked up through much effort .
“Itai, itai, let me go!”
“Unpleasant . ”
While smiling I bring my face to her nape . Opening my nostrils, I smell the nape of her neck . (TL: Okay, uh, I don’t know where this is going, but I’m scared . )
Kuwaaaaa, I cannot take it . The amazing smell of a woman’s sweat . (TL: Yui needs an adult . )
Her height is about 160 cm . Again, I grope her chest and thoroughly enjoy it, and I stretch out a finger to her beautiful thigh and stroke it . (TL: Okay this isn’t what I signed up for . )
“You, what a fantastic woman…you smell great . ”
Yui’s body trembles with a *buru . *
Activating <Pheromone Touch>, from the smell of her sweat comes a slight sense of fear . (TL: Well I think anyone would be scared in this situation . )
“This, teasing me, hentai!”
“What about it? I told you before, but after being caught by a guy you were doing something like that too, what did you think the outcome would be? Besides, you’re a woman . ” (TL: No, stahp . )
“…Are you going to quickly “rape” me and then kill me?”
“…Baka . ”
I scold her unintentionally .
I tighten my strong body around Yui’s tiny frame as I scold her, and then push her away to the ground .
The reason is not that I am not excited down below, and it also is not because I am a preachy character…
“Ku…”
She glares at me, but it seems she has already lost the battle of wills .
Yui’s pupils turns grey and silver-white, but I ignore that and keep talking .
“You seem to be able to talk a little? So, the ones who ordered you to pursue me, were they the nobles who were in the mansion earlier?”
Yui does not answer . She is an assassin . I guess it will not be that simple .
I will ask about something more important than that .
“…suddenly, I have a slightly strange question . You, your name is Yui . So, it’s sudden, but have you heard the word Japan?”
“Japan? Is it a number?”
Oh, she is looking at me with confused eyes .
However, with this reaction, after all I am not reincarnated from the same place . By chance, is it the black hair and eyes?
“No, it’s the name of a country . ”
“I have not heard of such a country…other than that, soon, kill me…”
Yui says that like is going to cry, with clouded expression .
“Is that so? But…I cannot bring myself to take Yui’s life . Though I think it is sweet, thanks . ”
She is a cute child, but more than that, after such a long absence of people, let alone a woman, I was finally able to taste real breasts .
As a breast revolutionary I got really excited .
I would like a partner who would let me examine them more carefully . I definitely cannot bring myself to take this life .
As I look at Yui and contemplate, Yui’s small red lips tremble .
“…Mercy, it doesn’t make sense . ”
“But, doesn’t life come first?”
Hearing my words Yui long eyelashes and dark eyes shake .
Her entire body begins shaking .
Yui has a childish impression, but she is a beautiful woman .
“…Is it okay? I you release like this…I could kill you . ”
Haha, kill . But . Come at me with all your strength .
She will be given an order .
“…Ah, it’s fine . Run away like this . Does Yui want to kill me? Once you heal your wounds, you can come at me any time . Oh, if possible, show up without the mask on, and fight me with your beautiful face exposed . ”
She is disgusted by my true intentions and stares at me in disbelief .
Hey eyes open wide and her mouth opens in a little “o . ” It opened .
I climb onto the popobumu while ignoring a Yui with such a face .
“Ah, wait . ”
“Ya . ”
I turn and give Yui a smile then wave my hand .
At which point I clap the popobumu’s side and leave that place .
Fuu, I sigh .
Since there is no sign I am being chased I can finally have some peace of mind .
I am all right because there was a beautiful woman .
But, having a meeting in such a place, talking about kidnapping a princess, a dangerous keyword appeared…
Ma, it has no relation to me .
I will not intentional pick up chestnuts from a burning fire .
The future will take care of itself .
I want to become an adventurer, travel to world at my leisure, find treasure, and do it with a woman, this is the main premise . (TL: I should make this the summary . )
Ah, but if a kidnapping happens right in front of me I will help . Since they are a princess they are sure to be a beauty .
However, I will not jump in after just hearing the story .
I will help those within reach with my strength, I will bring justice to exterminate enemies . (Just a thought . )
I would like to be pampered by a beautiful woman . Aside from living like that, my goal may change .
There is the promise with Rollodinu, too .
Filled with such greedy and impure thoughts, I run the popobumu .
Now then, where am I…
I ran the popobumu like a man in a trance .
I look around the area . I look at the distant surroundings .
-N?
Ooh, it seems to be a mountain high above sea level .
A considerable distance away I can see an especially high mountain range .
Since its position is opposite from the Maheim mountain range it must be Mt . Burdock in the south .
The Haym river is visible this way too . If I can see the river and that high mountain, then I can understand my rough position .
Thereupon, I see several carriages that stopped a little earlier .
They have a flag bearing a turtle insignia . Is it a trade caravan?
There seem to be multiple people as well .
I’ll approach and try to ask .
“Stop there, what do you want?”
When I approach the caravan I am stopped by adventurer-like people .
The other party is cautious, so I’ll speak honestly .
“I’m a traveler . I know nothing about this area, could somebody tell me where I am? I would be very grateful for any help . ”
As I speak humbly the three young adventures keep an eye on me, observing me .
“…Is that so, and you are alone?”
“Yes . ”
“Suspicious…”
The adventurers look at each other .
“Oi, for the time being, I will go report this to Broncos oji-san . ”
“Alright . Go . ”
“Un . ”
Saying so, one of the adventurers runs to a carriage behind them .
After a few minute, he returns with an adventurer with leader-like manner .
“…What is the matter?”
The leader-like person who asks is balding .
The thin hair on his head is pulled back and looks like a bar code, he has a sour expression .
He has a strong personality and has the study build and looks of a strong mercenary .
“…This person is a traveler . But, he’s ignorant of the area and wants to hear what this area is called . ”
He explains politely .
“Is that so? You an adventurer?”
“No, not yet . But because I am confident in my strength, I intend to become an adventurer soon . ”
When the man hears my words he smiles joyfully .
…I see, I see . Iyaa, I’m sorry for these youngsters . So you only want to know what this area is called?”
“Yes . ”
“This is the southwest of Terramay Kingdom, Surbard’s Earldom . And, that far off mountain over there is Mt . Burdock, home of the dragon . The river in this area is Haym River . ”
After all, this is Terramay Kingdom .
The name of the mountain is the same too .
“Is that so? Thank you for your help . ”
“I don’t mind it particularly . Other than that, what is your destination?”
“I want to go to 【 Hector 】 . ”
“What, from here?”
He is surprised . Where is 【Hector】?
“Yeah . ”
“Stop it . Traveling alone by the Haym River gold route is to dangerous . ”
Oh, it is…
“Eto, what kind of…”
“Don’t you even know that? If a Rich person is using the Haym River to get between cities, it’s safe . By all appearances, you seem to have no money, and you intend to go the land route? The land route is dangerous all the way . Besides, the barony and viscount territory are places are places where Terramay and Samaria have had tough battles in the past . Many years have passed since such a war was fought, but it is well known that the peace and order in this area is worsening by the day . Do you really know nothing about this place?”
The balding man seems sour but oya-san is a good person .
He warned me .
“Thank you . But it is all right . I am confident in my strength .
“Fu, is that so? Confident in your strength, then I won’t stop you . Well then . If you want to be an adventurer, go to 【Labyrinth City Pernette】 . I run a bar owned by adventurers . ”
A bar . The is this caravan bar-related work?
Ma, I did not hear something like that, and I am not interested right now .
Well then, I guess I will go .
“…Is that so? In that case, then-…
“Ou, good luck . ”
I part from the bald fatherly character and advance to the south west of 【Terramay Kingdom】
If I follow the Haym River to the west, I will eventually arrive in 【Osberia Kingdom】 and come to the cities 【Hector】 and 【Holkerbam】 .