Chapter 47:　Argos Empire

We left the Capital City on the next day. Taking one of the stagecoaches, we’re heading north for half a month.I drop by the Merchant Guild before we leave, not forgetting to buy a map. According to the map, from this country which is at the middle, the kingdom is located a little bit south.

The empire called Argos is located northwest from this kingdom. Although the nation’s strength seems to be slightly lower than this Garcia kingdom, it seems to be a venerable country that is proud of their long history. During the war, the Argos empire keep on receiving attacks from other countries but they we never invaded. However, I heard story from the guild that they’re currently having trouble with fighting for the emperor’s succession rights.

If you ask why we’re aiming for a country like that, that’s because there’s a lot of dungeons exist in the empire, and also because I happened to hear information about there being weapons and armors of legendary class that had not yet been discovered there. I know that no one has seen it yet, and they would have take it if they found it, but there are many part that really make me want to jump at it. However, since I have no plan on going somewhere else, I could just look for it slowly as I’m not in a hurry for another trip.

Although Shallie was overjoyed at first for her first long journey, as the scenery just goes on and on as well a having to have plain meal every time, her tension fell from the dilemma of having her butt hurts from the vibrations. Her tail hangs down weakly, and her ears dropped. Even I somehow felt pain in my chest when I look at her like that.

After thinking hard about how to have her distract herself, I created a frisbee by cutting a wood. The result is quite good if I say so myself, as Shallie was pleased too. However, although we both threw it at first, it then turned into me throwing it and Shallie fetching it. Is it because she’s a Dog tribe? Since she looks happy I joined till I got tired. I wonder if she’s satisfied having moved her body, but I’m relieved that she gets energetic beyond comparison afterwards.

The long trip finally near its end, as the capital of the Argos Empire came into view at the latter half of the day. At that time, the Map skill that I kept on displaying shows a reaction. Many indicator marks are chasing after a preceding blue indicator mark. We speed up as it shows that they’re being chased. I don’t think that I could just leave it like that, we told the coachman about the situation and jump out of the carriage.

“Master, is it an enemy?” (Claire)

“I don’t know, however you can’t be careless just because it’s not confirmed yet.” (Est)

Our power is already at Gold-rank, so no need to say that our speed could already match that of a horse. We could easily pass the carriage carrying heavy luggage. When we get close to the point using our speed, I could see that one carriage is being attacked from the front and back by a group dressed in black.

Since those people in black still did not show hostility towards us, the Map still hasn’t judged that they’re the enemies yet. However, there’s no one who would think that those black fellows are allies of justice considering the situation. For now I decided to sides with the weak just like what any decent Japanese would do.

When I run straight approaching the wagon, since those people in blacks starts shooting arrows towards me, I’m sure that they’re enemies. The numbers are around 10 people? I want to just end it in one shot, but such an attack could harm the one being chased. I start charging magical power without dropping the running pace, and then throws the flame spears towards those men in black.

The men in black got confused a little bit by my sudden appearance, about half of them pulled their sword and avoided the flame spears and start charging at us.

“My Lord, leave this place to me.” (Diabell)

“Shallie will help too~.” (Shallie)

Diabell finished chanting her aria instantly, as the ground start rising and turned into the shape of black whip. The earth whip move intensely trying to catch the men in black, but their movement are quick. The two people that it managed to restraint have been crushed.

Shallie and I approached the men in black, trying to save the one being chased. I guess they’re making light of her thinking she’s just a child, those men in black show a smile on their faces and readied their sword. Those sharp swords silently swung at the next moment, but they got surprised instead as they got the handle driven to the sides of their head and lose their consciousness.

One of the two people facing me went forward, and the other one also went forward and aim towards my foot at the same time. They intend to finish me off from the part that is hard to evade. But my footings didn’t collapse. I stepped on the sword that came slashing at me and broke it, and delivered a fist to the man to knock him unconscious. The man who received the heavy blow in the face falls without raising a scream. Although the man who lost his sword tried to aim for my eyes, I evaded his attack and delivered an elbow thrust into his stomach, as he falls down while throwing out the contents of his stomach.

I guess they realized that they’re at a disadvantage seeing the terrible sight of their companions, the men in black start withdrawing deserting their companions. Geez, we managed to help the carriage somehow. When I look at the carriage again, two knights that seems to be the guards are looking here with their swords ready. They should have understood if they’re watching, that if we’re the enemies we wouldn’t have helped.

“Lucius, Marcus, that is rude towards the people who have helped us. Lower your weapon.”

“Yes.”

Once they heard the voice from the carriage, the reluctantly put down their weapons. And then when the door of the carriage was opened, one beautiful girl came down. I guess she’s pretty rich, as she’s wearing a luxurious dress from gold thread which is unbecoming to a place like this. Her blonde hair is extended to her waist, and her well defined face seems to give the clever impression. Even through the clothing I could see that she got a wonderful proportions. Judging from her refined manner, she must be a considerably wealthy noble. However, I was at a loss for words once I heard what came out of the girl’s mouth.

“Greetings, traveling gentleman. Thank you very much for helping us. My name is Chronoire Byuzao Argos. Argos Empire’s second princess.”
[T.N: raws said “クロノワール・ビュザオ・アルゴス”, (Kuronowaaru-Byuuzao-Argos).]

…I met a princess. To think that there will be a day where it was possible for me to see a genuine princess. Although I intended to spend my time in the next country peacefully without any trouble, it doesn’t looks like it’s going to end that well.