Chapter 47
“Miss! Me too, please!”
“Please, let me have a turn as well!”
“You rascals! What do you think you’re doing in front of the young lady?!”
At Swell’s scolding, the knights froze and glanced nervously at Ariel.
“It’s fine, Swell,” Ariel said calmly, addressing the knights directly. “It’s hard to check on everyone in just one day. I’ll help out bit by bit whenever I have time. So don’t get too worked up.”
“Y-Yes, ma’am!”
“The break is over anyway… You, come first.”
She pointed to the knight who had first spoken to her and walked off with him.
That night, in the knights’ quarters, praise for Ariel’s swordsmanship didn’t cease.
One knight, lost in thought, came to a realization.
Maybe this is my chance to get closer to the young lady!
He wasn’t hoping for much.
Just to exchange greetings… maybe talk about the weather?
Or, if lucky, be close enough to watch her swordplay now and then?
Maybe—if he dared dream—she’d even remember his name someday.
His mind wandered.
There’s a famous apple pie shop in the next village we’re staying at…
Thanks to the Duke’s notoriously picky taste in food, it was widely known among the estate’s staff that Ariel was a gourmet.
That shop’s apple pie is one of the few the Duke himself approved of!
The knight’s eyes lit up.
I’ll present the young lady with apple pie and earn some points!
Evening.
As Ariel ate dinner across from Swell, a knight approached them.
“Sir Pilard. What is it?” Swell asked.
The knight bowed deeply.
“It’s just… there’s a delicious apple pie shop nearby, and I thought the young lady might like to try it, so I brought one!”
Ariel’s eyes widened in surprise.
She had been worrying about how to connect with the knights—but now, one of them had approached her first with kindness.
When she opened the box, the warm aroma of freshly baked pie greeted her.
She took a bite. The crust was crispy, and the sweet fragrance of apples filled her mouth. It was truly delicious.
“Miss, does it suit your taste?” Swell asked.
Ariel, cheeks slightly puffed with pie, nodded.
“Mmh. It’s delicious.”
Though her face remained expressionless as always, the rosy tint in her cheeks said it all.
The knight unconsciously clenched his fists.
So cute… Now I understand why the master cares so much about what she eats.
Who wouldn’t, when she looked so happy?
Ariel blinked her red eyes and looked at him.
“Thank you. I never imagined I’d get to eat something so good today.”
“N-Not at all! I’m honored that you liked it!”
“I should repay you somehow. How much was the pie…”
As she reached for her purse, the knight waved his hands frantically.
“N-No! I didn’t do it for a reward! B-But if I may… perhaps a duel with you, Miss?”
“A duel?”
“Yes! I’d like to see your sword up close!”
It wasn’t an unreasonable request. Ariel had been planning to train with the knights anyway.
“Alright.”
As soon as she agreed, the knight celebrated inwardly.
Success!
Other knights nearby shot him jealous glances.
Damn it, that guy! He actually won her favor with pie?!
He didn’t even join in our conversation about her sword yesterday—was he planning this all along?!
Why didn’t I think of that?!
Come to think of it, the young lady doesn’t seem to dislike being spoken to…
While they stewed in envy, Swell calmly jotted something down to report to the Duke.
The young lady enjoys apple pie from that shop.
The next day, a fierce and subtle competition began among the knights.
When Ariel rode by on horseback, they’d casually offer her drinks or snacks.
Something’s weird.
Ariel frowned thoughtfully.
The knights had suddenly become much more friendly.
They used to greet her occasionally, but now they struck up casual conversations with ease.
Is it because of the sword lessons?
She had helped correct a few obvious weaknesses in their stances, partly to get to know them better, partly to improve the overall skill of the Clastar knights.
I was worried they’d get offended, thinking I overstepped…
She wielded a sword well—but human relationships were still tricky.
Luckily, it seemed to be working.
At last, they arrived at the dwarves’ village.
“We’ll be stationed here for three days to assess the monster situation. Afterward, we’ll carry out a subjugation operation, so stay sharp.”
“Yes, sir!”
At Swell’s command, the knights responded in unison.
Then Swell turned to Ariel.
“Young lady, there will be no training for now. Please don’t come out at night. This area is dangerous due to frequent monster appearances. Don’t wander off alone—stick with me or another knight whenever possible.”
“Okay.”
That’s what she said… but Ariel snuck off into the mountains that night.
It couldn’t be helped.
The dwarves lived deep in the forest and were known to be wary of outsiders. Showing up with a squad of knights would do more harm than good.
It should be around here…
Recalling the information she’d once gathered, she pushed through the underbrush.
Suddenly, the hair on the back of her neck stood up.
She rolled across the ground just in time—though a few strands of hair were cut.
Someone just tried to kill me.
A sharp blade had precisely targeted the nape of her neck.
She held her breath and crouched low.
Enhancing her senses with magic, she scanned the surroundings—but detected no signs of life.
Strange…
Even if someone was hiding their presence, there should still be traces—breathing, faint footsteps, shadows, bloodlust from drawing a weapon.
But there was nothing.
Is the assassin that skilled?
Whoosh—
A blade cut through the air again, aimed directly at her.
Clang!
Instead of dodging, she clashed her sword with it—and was stunned.
A sword was moving through the air with no one wielding it.
What is that?!
No time to think.
The sword came at her again.
How do I even fight something like this?
No matter how strong a monster was, it had weak points. Injure it, and it slowed. Cut its neck, and it died.
This sword, however, was just a sword.
No matter how many times she struck it, it kept coming.
Even with magic-boosted attacks, it only briefly faltered before resuming pursuit.
It should’ve snapped under the pressure—but it didn’t. It was impossibly durable.
This isn’t good.
Her magic reserves weren’t infinite.
But the sword seemed to draw from some endless source of power.
As she fought, she slowly moved deeper into the woods.
The closer she got to the dwarves’ village, the fiercer the sword’s attacks became.
Clang, clang, clang!
Then—she heard a voice.
“This way! Run behind me!”
Without thinking, she followed the stranger’s command.
“Faster! Run faster!”
Draining the last of her magic, she pushed herself to her limit.
Shiiing—
The blade chased her with deadly force.
Its tip aimed straight at her back.
Just as she crossed the threshold of the village, the sword stopped.
It hovered near the entrance, as if searching for something, then finally drifted away.
“Haah…”
She let out a long breath. Then the voice’s owner approached her.
“Are you alright? You’re quite young, but impressive. To fend off that blade…”
He was a dwarf—bearded and stout.
But something felt off.
…Why is he so thin?
Dwarves were traditionally known for loving food and drink. And because they worked with metal, they were usually stocky and strong.
But this one was gaunt, his muscles shriveled.
And the others watching from a distance were just as emaciated—like they hadn’t eaten in days.
The whole village is eerily quiet. Did something happen?
The dwarf looked at her and asked,
“Sorry to ask this so suddenly, but… do you have any food? Everyone’s been skipping meals for days now. Anything at all would help.”
That’s when she remembered.
The snacks the knights had given her earlier—cookies, chocolates.
She reached into her pouch and poured them out.
The dwarves’ eyes went wide. Then they surged forward like they’d seen treasure.
“I’m eating first!”
“My family’s been starving for days—those are mine!”
“We haven’t been able to feed our baby either!”
“Everyone, calm down!”
The bearded dwarf struck his staff against the ground.
“When food comes in, we divide it in order, just like always! I understand your excitement, but now more than ever, we must stand united!”
Then he turned to Ariel.
“Thank you for sharing. I am Hutan, chieftain of the Black Wagon Dwarf Clan. May I ask your name, traveler?”
“I’m Ariel. But… the village looks like it’s in pretty bad shape. Did something happen?”
“Well, the truth is…”
