Volume 1 Chapter 36 Human
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Five months have passed since Puruun left Ilman town with Princess Asuka and Lady Claudel.
On the way, we had to take a detour because we couldn’t pass through the clearly lands of the hostile Nobility. There were some areas that looked like just grasslands or deserts, like when we headed from Tokura Village to the Royal Capital, but most of it was Nobility or church estates, so it was pretty safe overall.
The further we got from the Royal Capital, the more relaxed everyone seemed, but lately, I’ve noticed the princess has been a bit spoiled. Or maybe “clingy” is the better word. I mean, she wants me with her all the time──when sleeping, eating, bathing, and even in the bathroom.
Just the other night, while we were sleeping together, she suddenly grabbed my chest.
I was a bit taken aback and consulted Lady Claudel about it, but all she said was to dedicate both body and heart to the princess. She even said it was enviable to be liked so much.
But, isn’t it a bit much for girls to be so touchy-feely? Is this what Ms. Kurus, who shared a room with me in the guard, meant by “yuri”?
Still, the princess didn’t seem too bothered when she connected with Yuuta, so could she be bi? I can’t help but wonder.
Speaking of which, on the night I jumped into Ilman town as a body double, Lady Beyond helped me clean up, and even though I said it was fine, she ended up putting her fingers between my chest and down there. Are elf women just that pervy?
Eventually, a large mountain range came into view. It seems that the biggest and final challenge for this caravan is the Margoro Mountain Range.
Normally, there wouldn’t be a problem using the main road that crosses through the center of the mountains, but that road is under the control of the princess’s enemies, so they have to take a much more eastern back road. However, this area is poorly governed and unsafe, making it a perfect spot for assassins and pursuers to lie in wait for the princess.
On the south side of the mountains, the local lord has arranged for military support, but since they aren’t very well-trained, they can’t come deep into the mountains to help. So, the caravan has to cross the mountains on its own. The caravan is protected by about 20 regular soldiers that Mr. Groudell provided, so we should be fine against ordinary beasts or bandits, but it’s best to stay alert.
Puruun was remembering the Castell Mountains they passed when heading to the Royal Capital with Yuuta. Yes, that mountain range where Mr. Gregory and his partner were cut down by Ms. Sharlin. It’s said that humans sometimes hide in the mountainous areas. I wonder if I’ll have to face humans like Ms. Sharlin does.
Just a little worried about that.
As we entered the mountains, Ms. Claudel suggested a certain plan.
Haha, another decoy.
It won’t work against bandits targeting the princess, but thieves looking for valuables would likely fall for a decoy, so the aim is to reduce the risk of the princess being targeted first.
Of course, Puruun will be the decoy. But Puruun didn’t mind wearing the princess’s outfit and underwear. After all, the clothes are nice. It’s still a bit tight around the chest, but it’s only for a few days, so I’ll try to hold my breath as much as I can.
On the other hand, I couldn’t understand why the princess was so happy wearing my underwear and clothes… Ah, princess! Don’t sniff them!
* * *
Just before the carriage reached the mountain pass, suddenly, a tree fell right in front of them.
The bodyguard soldiers took a combat stance and scanned the area for threats.
However, no one noticed a small shadow sneaking out from the bushes and hopping into the carriage where Puruun was sitting.
The creature that suddenly entered the carriage was a mouse-like Beastfolk.
Puruun noticed and fought back, but this one was strong. After just a couple of exchanges, the sword Puruun was holding was knocked away. And just like that, Puruun became a hostage.
The soldiers were unable to move, having Puruun taken as a hostage.
It seems there were a few more companions around, approaching with weapons in hand.
”Hey, hey, you guys, don’t move! Do you care what happens to this young lady? By the way, where did this rich girl come from? Wearing such nice clothes for a Beastfolk!”
Saying that, the thug ripped at the front of Puruun’s dress.
”Oh wow. As expected of a young lady. That’s one amazing necklace you’ve got there. First, I’ll take this!”
The necklace was torn off and snatched away by the thug.
”No, no! That’s important! It’s something precious Yuuta gave me!”
Puruun screamed.
The rat-like Beastfolk thug tossed Puruun’s necklace to a nearby companion, saying, “Put it away,” but the thug who caught it was staring at the necklace intently.
”Huh?”
Puruun blinked in disbelief for a moment.
”This person… could they be human?”
With messy hair and tattered clothes, it was hard to tell, but they didn’t look like a Beastfolk, Elf, or Dwarf.
Then, that person suddenly threw the caught necklace back towards Puruun.
”Hey, hey! What are you doing?”
The rat-like Beastfolk thug hurriedly reached out to grab it, but in that instant, Puruun delivered a powerful kick.
The thug tumbled off the cart, and in a split second, the surrounding soldiers pounced.
”Whoa!”
The thug dodged the soldiers’ pursuit with unbelievable agility and broke through the encirclement to escape.
Puruun grabbed a sword, trying to catch the human who had thrown back the necklace, but it seemed they had started to run away the moment they threw it, and she couldn’t catch up.
When she returned to the cart, the worried princess was standing surrounded by soldiers.
”Oh, Puru. I’m so glad you’re okay. But your chest is exposed! Someone get her something to wear quickly!”
”I’m sorry, Your Highness. It was such a nice dress, but it got torn…”
”What are you saying? This dress is nothing compared to you, Puru!”
Saying that, the princess hugged Puruun and used her body to shield her chest from everyone’s view.
After that, they couldn’t catch the bandits, but under Ms. Claudel’s orders, they regrouped, and the caravan crossed the mountains on high alert, safely joining the welcoming party at the foot of the hill.
Still, Puru really think that was a human. The person Yuuta searched for so hard… Mr. Gregory, could it be that humans are in the mountains after all?
But why did they throw it back? Could it be that they wanted to return it? But why? The questions just keep piling up. Holding her necklace, she stared at it closely and realized something.
”Did that person recognize this 5-yen coin? Maybe they’re from the same country as Yuuta?”
That night, they were warmly welcomed at the lord’s mansion, and she asked the people there about the bandit.
”If it was a rat-type, it must be that guy Banamu, who’s been lurking around here for over 3 years. He seems to have a dozen or so henchmen, and we can’t really do much about it. The lord has already requested the Border Defense Force to deal with them.”
”Are there any humans among his gang?”
”Humans? Well, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were, but I can’t say for sure.”
Phew, should she send a letter to Yuuta? But it takes months for a letter to reach the Royal Capital, and the information is completely uncertain. Even if Yuuta came to check, what could he find out? Can he really face a group of bandits alone?
(There might be more information later. I should gather everything and write to Yuuta after we get to Count’s territory.)
Thinking that, Puruun decided to put off contacting Yuuta for now.
* * *
A month after crossing the mountains, after a long journey of 6 months, the caravan carrying the princess finally arrived at Count Coral’s territory.
Princess Asuka is under the protection of Count Coral and will be staying here for the time being.
On a small hill close to the sea, a palace for the princess has been prepared, though not as grand as the royal villa in the capital. Puruun will live here with the princess, and it was my first time seeing the sea.
It’s beautiful, but also a bit scary.
According to Count, the Royal Capital seems to be getting more and more suspicious. It looks like there are activities aimed at targeting Prince Aaron’s claim to the throne. If Prince Aaron were to become king, Count Coral might have to either fight or hand over the princess.
About a month later, Lady Claudel and the caravan set off back to the Royal Capital.
This time, since the princess wasn’t with them, they could return openly through the main streets, and they expected to be back in about 4 months. Puruun wrote a letter to Yuuta about everything that had happened and what was to come, including meeting humans, and entrusted it to Ms. Claudel.
Although Count Coral provided maids, servants, and guards, Puruun was the only one from the Royal Capital by the princess’s side.
It feels lonely. She wonders if Yuuta and Melon are doing well. Melon is said to be quite the lonely type, and Puruun felt that she was also pretty lonely herself. It seems the princess felt the same way, and the two gradually started living together like a couple.
* * *
Three months had passed since Puruun and Princess Asuka were sheltered by Count Coral.
Last night, Puruun shared a bed with the princess, surrendering to pleasure while they loved each other.
Even the wise princess, with nothing to do every day, was in a kind of stifling situation, and Puruun thought that if they didn’t do something like this, she might go a little crazy.
So, Puruun served the princess as she desired, opening herself up.
Then one day, unexpected news reached Puruun’s ears.
It turned out that the Border Defense Force from Count Coral was heading to the Banamu gang in the Margoro Mountains. Could this be a chance to unravel the mystery of those humans? Puruun thought so and consulted the princess.
”Ah, Puru, I really want to go with you. I wonder if Mr. Yuuta would be happy if he finds out something. I want to see him. But I can’t go, and if I do, I won’t be back for over a month. That would be so lonely.”
”Yeah, I think during that time, the princess will feel lonely. I’m really sorry. But this time, I’ll go with the Defense Force, and as soon as I understand the situation, I’ll come back as quickly as I can by myself. So…”
”Hmm. I guess there’s no choice. Then, until you leave, please take good care of me. And, you know, if in the future I get to meet Mr. Yuuta, can you lend him to me for a night? I don’t remember much from that time, and this time I want to take it slow and have some fun.”
…Princess… is she really has broken. Puruun held back her urge to cry and asked Count to arrange for her to accompany the Border Defense Force.
A week later, Puruun joined the Border Defense Force heading out to defeat Banamu, and they made their way to the Margoro Mountains. A month later, they arrived at the foot of the mountains, and when they asked the local lord about the situation, it seemed that the bandits were still up to their old tricks, but recently their bad reputation had spread, and fewer people were passing through their territory. They were getting desperate and had started attacking the villages at the foot of the mountains.
Right away, the Border Defense Force organized a reconnaissance team to investigate Banamu and his gang’s movements.
Puruun, proud of her speed, got herself included in the reconnaissance team.
(I want to make contact before that human gets cut down by the Defense Force.)
About a week passed, and the Defense Force had almost pinpointed the hideout and routes of Banamu’s gang. This time, especially with the help of Lord Coral, the soldiers of the Defense Force were instructed to gather information about humans for Puruun, but so far, there hadn’t been any solid leads.
The commander of the Defense Force declared that they can’t extend their stay much longer, and since they’ve gathered enough information, they will launch a full-scale attack on the stronghold tomorrow.
It can’t be helped. Puruun steeled herself and set out alone at night to scout the stronghold.
The Border Defense Force is already here, and they probably know it too.
Thinking they must be on high alert, Puruun approached the stronghold, but to her surprise, it was quiet.
She could hear laughter and drunken voices coming from all around.
It seemed like there were hardly any guards.
What are these guys…? Do they not know the Defense Force is here? Or are they just giving up?
Sharpening all her senses, Puruun held her sword in one hand and slowly stepped deeper into the stronghold.
”Ahh, ahh…”
What? Are they… getting it on? They seem pretty relaxed.
Thinking that, she quietly peeked into a small hut where she heard the moans.
Haha, it’s been a while since she has seen someone else getting it on since that Date Cafe.
Oh wait, it’s not that. It’s the princess and Yuuta… She didn’t want to remember something so boring.
Inside the hut… there she is! That person.
A dog-like Beastfolk was straddling her, thrusting in and out.
That person is a woman….
At first, it was too dark inside the hut to see clearly, but as the man changed positions, the woman turned to face her.
Puruun squinted to get a better look at her face.
(…Wait, this face… it looks like Mama Akari. Not just that. Somewhere… Ah, that’s right! Yuuta’s smartphone…)
”Wait, what──! You’re Tomori?”
She couldn’t help but exclaim.
”What the hell, you bastard!”
Crap, she noticed her. Well, if it’s come to this…
Puruun jumped into the hut and slashed the Beastfolk man down.
”Fugyaaaaa!”
The Beastfolk man collapsed on the spot.
It’s been a while since she has cut someone, not since she escaped as a decoy. But back then, she only injured a leg; this time, it’s definitely a fatal wound… she has killed someone with her own hands for the first time… No, this isn’t the time to be thinking about that.
The outside is getting noisy as they notice something’s wrong.
”Hey, Tomori? Do you understand what I’m saying?”
”Tomori…”
Her eyes were darting around in fear, and it seemed like she wasn’t really getting her point. She decided to try saying it differently.
”Yuuta! Akari! Smartphone!”
These were the only words she knew from Yuuta’s world, but…
”Yuuta… Akari…”
She could see the light coming back into her eyes.
”Five yen coin!”
Saying that, Puruun opened her chest button and showed her the 5 yen coin attached to her necklace.
”You saw this back then, and since it was something you knew, you gave it back to me, right?”
”Yuuta… Akari… 5 yen coin… Tomori, Tomori!”
The girl in front of her pointed at her and started crying.
It worked! This girl is definitely Tomori.
”Alright, Tomori. I want to talk slowly, but we can’t do that here. For now, let’s get out of here!”
With that, Puruun took Tomori’s hand and started running into the darkness.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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