Volume 6 Chapter 20 A Journey Without Any Worries.txt
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Sir Klock? What’s wrong?” Mina asked, tilting her head as her cat ears twitched with concern.
The feline girl peeked from the side, her face puzzled. Klock waved her off with a tired gesture, muttering, “It’s nothing,” as he tried to dodge further fuss.
Her face fell. Without another word, she backed away, clearly disappointed.
The only sound that remained was the crunch of their footsteps—three pairs in sync.
They continued silently, weaving through the endless midday forest.
Klock’s body felt leaden.
’Ugh. I’m so damn sluggish.’
Maybe he’s just exhausted.
He threw a glance over his shoulder. Mina was right beside him, tail flicking idly. Just one step behind her walked the swordswoman. She looked different today.
Gone was yesterday’s travel-worn garb. She now wore polished leather boots, black tights, and a form-fitting leather dress armor. Draped over it all was a hooded cloak—an ensemble that screamed “adventurer,” though it looked far more elegant than practical.
There wasn’t a single scuff or stain on her outfit. The intricate filigree stitched into the leather suggested a craftsman’s touch—this was gear more suited for a noble’s gallery than a battlefield. And yet, here she was, walking in it as if it were nothing.
She must be doing incredibly well for herself, Klock thought.
He rubbed his temple.
’Did I even sleep?’
His mood was a mess. Not angry. Not exactly sad. Just… drained.
’I want to go home.’
Stress clung to him like humidity.
The fatigue, the unfamiliar environment, and the absurdity of their current situation—it all compounded. Especially what happened in the village yesterday.
Those villagers had gone full barbaric.
If the swordswoman hadn’t been there, Klock wasn’t sure he’d even be alive.
He hadn’t had the chance to process it in the moment, but now, recalling their faces, their screams—it made his blood simmer.
’I really didn’t do anything wrong.’
…Although, considering how it ended, maybe he shouldn’t say too much.
They were all dead now.
He didn’t want them to die. He’d just wanted to escape.
But yesterday, the swordswoman had cut down every last one of them.
Without hesitation.
”…What’s wrong, Klock? Did breakfast not sit well with you?” the swordswoman asked in her usual calm, unreadable tone.
”Huh? No, actually—it was really good. Thanks,” Klock replied, awkwardly scratching his cheek. “I didn’t even get to thank you properly, but you went out of your way to prepare it…”
”Good. Then it’s fine. I’ve also prepared lunch,” she said flatly.
There was little warmth in her voice, but she wasn’t distant, either. Yesterday, she’d kept them at arm’s length, like a cat observing new strays. But today—she felt just a bit closer.
Maybe their silence last night had earned them some of her trust.
Or maybe it was Mina.
As soon as the word “lunch” dropped, Mina’s tail began to swish excitedly.
”I’m looking forward to it!” she exclaimed with a beaming grin.
Her tail wagged with such joy that even the expressionless swordswoman seemed faintly pleased. It was subtle—but there.
People naturally gravitate toward those who like them.
Mina adored the swordswoman. She clung to her side like a kitten seeking sun. It felt natural, as if she’d always been there. The swordswoman’s guarded demeanor melted around her, softening into something that almost resembled affection.
Klock sighed.
’We don’t need to follow her all the way to Boorinel.’
When the chance came, he could split off from the swordswoman.
…That’s what he told himself.
But the truth was—he couldn’t ignore the swordswoman’s strength. She was a mystery. Powerful, unreadable. And he wasn’t the kind of man to trust someone he’d only just met, even if she’d saved his life.
If there was no compelling reason to keep her around, it was only natural to part ways soon.
And yet—
With Mina like this, it wasn’t going to be easy.
If they parted badly, Mina’s opinion of him would nosedive. They had no designated leader. If Mina decided to follow the swordswoman instead… Klock would be the one left behind.
”I think we’re getting out of the forest soon,” he said, his voice quiet but thoughtful.
Through the thinning canopy, he glimpsed a different landscape—gray stone.
What had been gentle, wooded slopes quickly transformed into steep, unforgiving rock. The terrain didn’t welcome footsteps. It rejected them.
”It might be better to take lunch here,” he added, stopping to gesture ahead. “There’s barely any flat ground up there. If we try to go around, we’ll waste time circling back through the woods.”
The mountain loomed ahead, rugged and sharp. Not built for hiking. They could avoid it, sure, but the detour would sap their strength and stretch the journey by hours.
This was the lesser evil.
”Should we refill our water?” Klock asked.
”Yeah. Let’s top off at the river over th—”
”Water’s fine,” the swordswoman cut in. “I have a water magic stone.”
A magic stone—a mineralized crystal of mana. The water-type ones were rare, mostly found deep in the sea. Highly useful. Highly expensive.
She pulled one from her cloak.
’Of course she has one.’
”…Is that okay to use? I mean, I saw one back at that house too, but… do they really just hand those over to strangers?” Klock asked cautiously.
”It’s fine. I have about seven hundred.”
There was a pause.
”…Seven hundred?” he repeated, almost choking.
”Mm. I collected a lot. Use as much as you like when you need water,” she replied, matter-of-factly.
’Wait. What?!’
In a normal household, one stone could last months.
Seven hundred? That was the supply of a town.
He stared at her, stunned into silence. This wasn’t just “wealthy.” This was something else.
”You’re amazing, big sister…” Mina whispered, starry-eyed. “You’ll never have to worry about living again…”
”I’ll take care of Mina’s share too, so don’t worry. I guarantee your life and livelihood.”
”U-uh… um…” Mina stammered, her cheeks reddening.
She froze in place, dazed by the swordswoman’s dazzling beauty.
The catgirl was completely captivated. It felt like she was watching her woman get swept away right in front of her.
’I get it,. If she were a guy, she’d have snatched Mina up already. Hell, even as a woman, she’s ten times more desirable than I am.’
”…Klock,” the swordswoman said, turning to him. “Don’t make that suspicious face. I’ll protect you too.”
”Huh? Oh—uh, sure. Thanks…”
He felt something flutter in his chest.
Maybe she was the kind of person who protected everyone, even nobodies like him. If that was the case… well, maybe he could overlook the whole “stealing Mina” thing.
Eventually, as the sun began its slow descent, they stopped.
A silk sheet was unfurled over the rocky terrain.
Yes—silk.
Another item that was needlessly luxurious. A wooden basket was placed down with a solid thunk.
”If there’s anything you don’t like, let me know,” the swordswoman said, seated cross-legged with poise.
Inside the basket, perfectly cut sandwiches were lined in neat rows.
Sunlight glinted off the juice seeping from ripe tomato slices. Mina’s throat bobbed as she swallowed.
Girls were amazing, Klock thought. Just seeing her eyes sparkle like that softened his cynicism.
”You leave the house just to eat outside?” he asked.
She had no pack. All her belongings were stored in that house—wherever that house even was. She simply prepared her meals, stepped out, and put it all away again.
Effortless.
Elegant.
And, as always, just a little beyond understanding.
”It’s fun, like a picnic. Thank you, big sister!” Mina beamed, hugging the sandwich with both hands.
”Don’t mention it,” the swordswoman replied with a soft smile.
Though her demeanor remained composed beneath the shadow of her hood, Klock was certain she wore a proud expression.
When treated to such unexpected luxury, a bit of smugness was forgivable.
He took a bite of the sandwich he’d picked up—cool, fresh, and surprisingly delicious.
”Hey, hey,” Mina piped up, her tail twitching with curiosity. “You said you’re a traveler, but you’re probably an adventurer, right? Could it be… an A-rank?” she asked, eyes sparkling.
”Nope,” the swordswoman replied, casually adjusting the strap of her gear. “I’m S-rank.”
Thud.
The air seemed to drop a few degrees.
Again, Klock and Mina exchanged stunned glances.
Every word out of this swordswoman’s mouth was more shocking than the last.
S-rank—on the same level as the holy knight Tiet.
”…Seriously?” Klock asked, trying to keep his voice steady. “No wonder you have so much money.”
From A-rank onward, adventurers could live comfortably. Even a B-rank, if they worked steadily, rarely had to worry about their livelihood.
But S-rank? That was another realm entirely—everything in that portable house and her equipment was proof.
”I’ve only heard about S-ranks in stories,” Mina said, her voice laced with awe. “But they really exist…”
”Yeah,” the swordswoman said, lowering her gaze. “But please don’t tell too many people.”
If she didn’t want others to know, maybe she should’ve kept it to herself—Klock thought as much. But it felt like she wanted to say it. When she revealed her rank, her eyes flicked toward him, gauging his reaction, seeking approval—or perhaps trust.
Was she just proud of herself every time she introduced something new? Or was it all in his head?
Either way, it wasn’t unpleasant. Being bragged at by someone small could be irritating. But someone like her? He could only admire it.
Tiet would’ve smirked in that know-it-all way.
And Klock would’ve jabbed back with a dry tsukkomi, calling him noisy—but deep down, he would’ve been impressed.
There wasn’t a trace of jealousy.
She understood. She wasn’t trying to compete with heroes—those heavenly beings were beyond compare.
* * *
After lunch, Mina had offered to help clean up, but the swordswoman waved her off with a shake of her head. Efficiency, she said. Klock had tried to contribute as well, but was met with the same answer.
In the end, they waited together, watching the swordswoman handle everything.
Before restarting their journey, they were told they could leave their belongings with someone who’d take care of them. They chose to leave them inside the portable house.
It made traveling light—and surprisingly easy.
The swordswoman handled everything without asking for a thing in return.
Seriously… it was almost too convenient.
Klock found himself wondering: did they really want to part ways with her?
Honestly, he wouldn’t mind following her instead.
The journey resumed with the swordswoman in the lead.
Apparently, she had passed through this area once before and remembered parts of the terrain.
Guided by memory, she led them down paths that were smooth and efficient, aiming to find a flat enough area to set up camp by nightfall.
”It’s okay,” she said, brushing aside a branch. “If we go straight, we’ll get there before the sun dips.”
And just as she said, they arrived after only a couple of short breaks—carefully climbing the rocky slope while admiring the reddish-brown patterned cliffs.
Light conversation kept the air warm.
They only spotted monsters once, far in the distance. Even if they’d been attacked, no one doubted the swordswoman could handle it.
It was an oddly pleasant hike—so much better than the dull hours spent inside a carriage.
When they reached a slightly wider plateau, they chose to stop for the night.
Klock plopped down, stretching his legs with a groan. Mina looked a bit worn out, but the swordswoman? Not a single bead of sweat on her brow.
Even Mina, with her natural agility, looked second-rate next to her.
That’s the difference an S-rank makes.
”No, seriously,” Klock said, panting slightly. “This climb was a breeze thanks to you.”
”Normally, we’d have to lug water and supplies,” Mina added, her tail flicking. “It’s been a huge help!”
”…Don’t worry about it,” the swordswoman replied coolly.
She didn’t seek praise, or repayment.
With an elegant turn in front of the now-assembled house, she glanced back at them.
Her gray hair fluttered out from beneath the hood, catching a glint of sunset light.
”Now, come in,” she said softly. “Rest well today, so you’re ready for tomorrow.”
”…Yeah,” Klock murmured.
’What is this feeling?’
A strange sensation slid across his skin.
Déjà vu… but that wasn’t possible.
There’s no way he’d ever forget someone like her.
’What am I forgetting…?’
The catgirl darted past him and into the house.
Drawn by the swordswoman’s gentle voice, Klock followed.
──The strange sensation lingered, crawling through his mind.
’I can’t go back to that.’
”…Is something wrong?” the swordswoman asked, watching him closely.
”…Huh? No… it’s nothing,” he said quickly.
She gently urged him forward.
As Klock slid open the door, a soft light welcomed him—just like yesterday, bright and warm like sunlight pouring into the entryway.
* * *
’So luxurious. I’d like to live in a house like this someday.’
At the washstand near the door, he touched a gem embedded in the basin. Water gushed forth as if summoned by his fingertips. After rinsing his hands, he walked down the hallway and entered the living room.
”I’ll start preparing dinner,” the swordswoman said over her shoulder. “Take your time.”
”Oh—Mina will help t—”
”It’s okay. I’ll have it ready in no time,” she interrupted with a smile. “You’ll be able to take a bath after dinner too.”
It was like… a family conversation.
With a strange sense of peace settling over him, Klock dropped heavily into a chair.
Mina looked a bit disappointed that she couldn’t help, but the moment she realized they were alone, she scurried over and plopped into his lap.
”…Hey, hey. Sir Klock,” she whispered, cuddling up to him. “Let’s kiss. Chuu~”
”What are you even saying, you silly thing,” he said, half-laughing.
She rubbed her cheeks against his and puckered her lips, coaxing affection.
Maybe there was something on his mind earlier, but… it didn’t matter anymore.
He felt it now—he was living a truly happy life.
All those little worries suddenly seemed irrelevant.
Mina was here.
And more importantly, as long as the swordswoman was around, everything would be okay.
If anything ever troubled them, they could just ask her.
Yes—so long as she was here—
Notes:
• Mina – She is a golden-haired catgirl employee of the beastman (Larana the cat woman) Inn, appeared performing fellatio, desperate and tear-streaked, with an inexperienced yet earnest approach to her work.
• Boorinel – A town east of Ryzan, where Lord Cattleya’s manor is located; said to be a long journey from Ryzan.
• Tiet – A companion and friend of Anna. A holy knight from the royal capital. She wears light armor and carries a shield adorned with a dragon holding a sword, indicating her affiliation with the National Military Police. She is concerned about Anna’s well-being and tries to support her emotionally.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply