「アルフィ、起きな!」
「ま、まだ太陽出てないわよ・・・」
「昨日、早く町を出た方がいいって話をしたろ? さっさと起きる!」
「う~、飲みすぎたぁ・・・」
昨日例の荒くれどもを撃退したせいで、すっかり人気者になってしまったアルフィリースは、酒場の男どもに取り囲まれしこたま飲まされてしまった。最初は断ろうと必死だったが、世間知らずのアルフィリースに、酔っ払った上でご機嫌な男達を大量にあしらうような術は身についていない。
アノルンが半刻程後に1階に様子を見に行った時には、へべれけ状態で「もっにょ酒をもっへこ~い!」などと言うアルフィリースを見つけてしまった。さすがのアノルンもこれはまずいと思い、なんとかアルフィリースを助け出して無理矢理2階の部屋まで連れて行きベッドに寝かせたのだが、既に酔いざましを飲ませることができる状態ですらなかった。
「もう風呂はないから、体を拭く用の水だけ汲んできといたわよ? 酔い覚ましと強壮剤の薬も用意しといたから、先に飲んどきなさい。あと食料と馬も手配しといたから取ってくる。アンタは準備でき次第、東側の門に行っておきなさい、いいわね?」
「わかった~」
まだアルフィリースは自分でも寝ぼけているのがわかるが、シスターの言うとおり早くこの街は離れた方がいいだろう、というくらいの判断をする気力は戻ってきていた。それになんだかんだでアノルンのこの手際の良さや親切心は、彼女がシスターなんだなぁとしみじみアルフィリースに思わせるには十分だった。
「回復魔法は使えないのにね」
「聞 こ え て る わ よ!?」
「きゃああ!?」
アルフィリースは今まさに服を代えようとするところだったので、慌てて体を隠す。
「女同士で減るもんでもないでしょうに?」
「ちょっと、馬を取りに行ったんじゃなかったの? 気配がなかったわよ?」
「気配ぐらい消せるわよ」
「どこで覚えたのよ!」
「四分の一刻で準備できなかったら、置いていくからね!?」
今度は本当に馬を取りに行ったようだ。ずかずかと荒っぽい足音が遠ざかっていく。
「見られてないわよね? この刻印・・・」
アルフィリースが彼女の師匠にこの刻印を施された時、決して人には見せるなと言われた。その理由が最初はどうしてか明確には彼女にはわからなかったが、自分の身のことである。勉強もするにつれ、なんとなくは納得できた。その後様々なことを教わったり経験するに従って、明確な理由として、他人に見せてはいけないものだと認識している。もしうかつにもこの刻印を他人に見られてしまえば、自分は抹殺対象になるかもしれないとも。
「なんでこんなことになっちゃったかしらね・・・」
思わず自分の不幸を恨んでしまうアルフィリースだが、それでも彼女は師匠に巡り会えただけ運がいいと思っている。今こうして生きて通常の生活ができているのが、もはや奇跡に近いことも分かっている。普通なら、10歳で師匠に出会った段階で処分されていてもおかしくなかった。自分の生命の安全だけを考えれば、あのまま山籠りを続けているのが正解なのだ。
それでも世の中のことをもっと知りたいと思う気持ちは止められない。人並みに恋愛とかいうものも経験してみたい。18にもなったばかりのアルフィリースの魂は非常に若々しく生命力に満ち溢れ、自由だったのだから。
一方、アノルンは準備をしながら考え事をしていた。
「ちゃんと薬飲んだかな、あの子」
意外にずぼらなところのあるアルフィリースをアノルンは思いやりながら、馬屋に向かう。彼女はシスターでありながら回復魔法が使えない。その代わり薬草の知識にかけては教会内でも当代随一と言っていいくらいであったし、それが彼女の誇りでもあった。また修行により、対魔・対アンデッドなどの魔法はかなり図抜けている。何気に護身術も身につけているし、冒険者としての能力はかなり高いと自負しているので、回復魔法を使えないことを後悔したことはない。ただ一度を除いては。
「まあもともと私はシスターじゃないしね。はいはいお馬さん、イイ子イイ子」
アノルンが二人分の馬を引きながら馬屋を出て行くと、後ろからドスのきいた声をかけられる。
「動くんじゃねぇよ、このクソッタレシスター」
その頃、さっさと準備を終えたアルフィリースは、既に門の付近でシスターを待っていた。夜も明けてきており、もうじき町の門も開くだろう。にしても、やはりシスターの薬は効き目が抜群である。もうすっかり体調が通常の状態に戻ってきているのを、アルフィリースは自覚していた。
その彼女が手持無沙汰にしていたからか、ひょっこりやってきた門衛が話しかけてくる。
「おう、お嬢さん。昨日は痛快だったね」
「門衛さん、私のこと知ってるの?」
「ワシも昨晩遅くに酒場に行ったんだがね。現場は見ちゃいないが、何せあの盛り上がりだろう? 何があったのか聞いたら、旅の美人剣士があのゴクツブシどもをノしちまったと言うじゃないかね。奴らはこの町の出身なんだけどさ、ガキのころから素行が悪くてね。まともに働きもせずに夜盗まがいのことまでするし、噂には人殺しもしてる奴が混じってると聞いてね。どうにかならないかと思ってたんだよ」
「この街に自警団みたいなのはないの?」
「あるにゃあるが、奴らの方が人数が多いんだよ。ちなみに・・・」
「20人ってとこかしら?」
「そんぐらいかのう。て、なんでそれを・・・あ、わわ」
門衛の老人は思わずあとずさり、いち早く逃げ出した。その話に出てきた噂の連中が門の付近に集まってきていたのだ。しかも今度は全員きっちりと武装している。
「昨日はこいつらが世話になったらしいな」
ひときわ大柄な男が声を発する。先頭に立つあたり、彼らの親玉と考えられた。
「あら、そんな何人も男を世話するほど甲斐甲斐しくはないわ、私」
「余裕じゃねえか。10人を超える男に囲まれて全く
「で、何の用かしら? 私、そろそろ町を出ようと思ってたんだけど?」
「まあまあ、そう言うな。昨日のこいつらが礼をしたいんだってよ」
「つまらないお礼なら突き返すわよ?」
「心配すんな、しっかり楽しませてやるよ。俺の腰の上でな、ひひひ」
そういう間にもじりじりと男たちが詰め寄ってくる。今度は14人くらいはいるか。結局はこういう展開なのかと、アルフィリースはため息をつかざるをえなかった。
「動くなっつってんだろう!」
男の声もむなしく、シスターはすたすたと全く足を止める気配がない。
「無視すんじゃねぇよ、このアマ!」
男はその辺にあった木切れをつかんで投げてきたが、シスターは後ろを見もせずにひょいとよけてしまった。
「危ないわね。アタシの大切なお馬ちゃんに当たったらどうしてくれるつもり?」
「馬より自分の心配をしやがれ!」
「昨日アタシに一発でノされた男を前に、何を心配しろっての?」
「昨日は油断したからだ! 今日は仲間もいるし、昨日みたいにはいかねぇぞ」
アノルンがよく見ると、どうやら昨日のネズミ顔の男だ。彼女はこの男に全く興味がなかったので、既にその顔を忘れかけていた。確かに今日は五人ほど仲間がいる。しかも全員武装済みだ。
「いや、既に昨日以下じゃない?」
「どういうことだ?」
「だって、こんなか弱いシスターを大の男が6人がかりで武器を持って取り囲んでるのよ? もう既に男のやることじゃないわよ。××野郎ね。あ、男じゃないから××オカマか。なんかもう、オカマにも失礼だけど」
「あら、このクソ尼ですって。上手いこと言うじゃない。でも残念だけど、出家はしてないの、アタシ」
「黙りやがれ!!」
ネズミ顔の男が顔を真っ赤にしながら斬りかかってきた。アノルンの方はいかにも涼しい顔で右手を腰にあてたまま、突っ込んでくる男を見ている。男が振り下ろす剣がシスターに当たるかと思われたその時、キン! というひときわ高い金属音と共に男の剣が止まる。男の剣はシスターの左腕を斬り落としたかに見えた。いや、少なくとも男はそのつもりだったろう。
何かを男が言いかけた瞬間、バキリという何かが折れるような鈍い音と共に、ネズミ顔の男の体が宙に舞う。いや、完全に宙を吹っ飛んでいた。そのまま馬小屋の壁を一部突き破り、つきあたりの壁まで吹っ飛んだ男の体は、もはやピクリとも動かない。
「あちゃー、やりすぎた?」
残った男どもは顔面蒼白である。とても現実の光景とは思えない。大の男の体が、お世辞にも大柄とはいえないシスターの一撃で馬何頭分もの距離を吹っ飛んだ。シスターに目線を戻すと、いつのまにか両手には棍棒のようなメイスが握られている。
「アタシね、今でこそシスターだけど、以前は違ったのよ。事情があって、名前も職業も変えちゃったけど。でもシスターって思ったより便利だわ。服がひらひらしてるから武器を隠すにはもってこいだし、相手も油断するしね。なにより、清楚さ3割増しってカンジ?」
などとウィンクしながら軽口を叩いているが、このシスターは、男どもにはもはや恐怖の対象でしかない。
アノルンはとびきりの笑顔を彼らに向けながら、語りかけた。
「まあ一応シスターだし、殺しはしないわよ。それにやりすぎちゃうと
「ひぃっ!」
楽しそうに男達を追い詰めるシスター・アノルンと、完全に武装しているにもかかわらず剣を持つ手が小刻みに震える男達5人。もはや狩る側と狩られる側が、完全に逆転していた。
そして門周辺では・・・
「ぎゃあっ!」
先にアルフィリースに掴みかかろうとした二人の男の、剣を持っていた手首から上が吹っ飛ぶ。全員が呆気にとられる中、ヒュン! と音がしてアルフィリースが右手のムチを構えなおす。
「て、てめぇ。剣士じゃねぇのか?」
「別に剣士だと名乗った覚えはないわ。主に剣を使うってだけで、旅をしていれば多対一や中距離での戦闘を強いられる場面も多いから。これはそのための対応策ってところよ」
いいながら構えるアルフィリースの構えには無駄がない。ムチが熟練の腕前であることは素人目にも見て取れた。
「てめえら囲め! ムチも多方向には同時に振れねぇ。囲んで同時に襲いかかれ!」
男たちがバラバラとアルフィリースの周りを囲む。
「(なるほど。あの大男はさすがに場慣れしてるわね)」
油断なく周囲を警戒しながらアルフィリースは相手を観察する。囲まれれば確かに不利だが、まとめて倒す時には便利であった。
「いけっ!」
掛け声とともに周囲を囲んだ連中が一斉に襲いかかってきた。それでもアルフィリースは冷静にムチを振い、ムチの腹で正面の4人の顔面を打ちすえる。一般にムチの殺傷能力は先端数10cmにしかないが、熟練すれば人間の首をすっ飛ばすくらいはできるようになる。だがムチの腹でも顔面に命中させられれば、とても無視できた痛みではない。案の定顔面を打ちすえられた連中は全員うずくまってしまった。
だが他の連中は止まらない。間髪いれず背後には連中に懐から取り出した粉をばらまく。後ろから飛びかかろうとしていた男たちはまともにこれをかぶり、悲鳴と共にその場にうずくまってしまった。特定の植物から採れる、眼潰し用の花粉である。そこに残る二人の剣がアルフィリースに向けて振りおろされたが、彼女はなんなく左手の手甲でこの剣を受け止める。男二人が受け止められることに気付くが早いか、手甲から隠し刃が出現し二人の男の顔面を切り裂く。噴き出す血と共に男たちがもんどりうち、アルフィリースも返り血をいくらか浴びるものの、瞬き一つなく、全く動じていない。
残った連中は驚きの色を隠せない。ものの数合で、大の男8人が女1人にしてやられたのだ。首領格の男は驚きを隠せなかった。
「(こんな使い手、見たことねぇ・・・戦場にもこんな女傭兵はいなかった。何者だ?)」
「こ、こりゃダメだ・・・」
首領らしき男以外が背後を向けて逃げ出そうとした瞬間ヒュッ、と何かが風を切った。
そして倒れる男たち。見ると背中に
「心配しないで、しびれ薬よ。丸1日は動けないでしょうけど。誰も死んでいないわ。まあ無事とも言い難いけど、自業自得よね」
「てめぇ、何者だ!?」
「別にしがない旅のものよ。取り立てて何者ってほどのこともないわ」
「オメェみたいな使い手、見たことねぇぞ?」
「褒め言葉として受け取っておきましょう。それでどうするの、まだやる? それとも大人しく自警隊に捕まる?」
「女相手に引けるかよっ。剣で勝負しやがれ!」
大男は構え直して斬りかかってくる。
アルフィリースも剣を抜き放つ。男が放つ横切りを後ろに跳んでよける。さらに突っ込みながら放たれる上段切りを体を半身にしてよけながら、剣の柄でしこたま男の顔面を打ちすえた。
「ぐっ!?」
男の後退に合わせ、今度は自分から斬りかかる。
「(上かっ)」
男がアルフィリースの上段切りを剣で防ごうと差し出した瞬間――
「(け、剣の軌道が??)」
アルフィリースの剣が、防ごうとした剣をよけるように軌道変化し、袈裟がけに男を斬りおろした。男が肩を押さえてうずくまる。
「なんで・・・」
「殺すつもりの勢いで振る剣でこんな器用なことはできないけどね。それに戦場ならともかく、一対一なら剣を剣で受けるような真似は自分の剣を潰すことになるからまずやらないわ。覚えておきなさい(と言っても、師匠の受け売りだけどね...)」
男が落とした剣を足で蹴飛ばすと、自警隊らしき人影がバラバラとやってくる。
「大丈夫かね、お嬢さん!?」
「あら、門衛さん。助けを呼びに行ってくれてたの?」
「でもせっかくだけど全部終わったわ。皆生きてるはずだから、しっかり連行してあげて」
「なんとまぁ・・・」
事態が飲み込みきれない町の住人を尻目に、アルフィリースは自分が使った武器の回収をしながら何事もなかったように元の姿勢に戻って呟く。
「シスター遅いなぁ・・・何やってんだろ」
"Alfi, wake up!"
"It-it is still dark..."
"Yesterday, didn't I say it's better to leave this town as soon as possible? Get up quickly!"
"Uhhh.... I drank too much..."
Yesterday, Alfilis who become famous all of sudden because she repelled those nasty bunch, was surrounded by the men in bar and forced to drink. Although she desperately tried to refuse at first, because of how ignorant she was, she didn't know how to handle those men who not only were drunk but were also in high spirits.
Anoren who come to check the situation in the first floor around half an hour later, saw the drunk Alfilis saying "Bweng mooor dwiiink!" As one would expect even Anoren felt it was bad and helped her by bringing her back to her room in second floor, forcefully and made her lie on the bed. However her state was already so bad Anoren can't even make her drink water to ease her condition.
"The bathhouse is already closed but I think you can draw some water to wipe your body. I've prepared some hangover medicine and tonic so drink those first. I already prepared food and the horses so you just need to fetch them. As soon as your preparation is completed, head towards the east gate. Understand?"
"Yes~"
Though Alfilis herself was aware that she's only half awake, she understood that it is better to leave the town as soon as possible just like what the sister said. Besides, looking at Anoren's skillfulness and kindness, she earnestly thought that Anoren is indeed a Sister.
"Too bad she can't use healing magic."
"I. Can. Hear. That!"
"Kyaaa!?"
At that time Alfilis was just about to change her clothes, so she quickly covered her body.
"It is not like you will lose something since we are both women."
"Wait, didn't you go to get the horses? I can't sense your presence?"
"Erasing presence is a piece of cake."
"Where did you learn that!?"
"If you don't finish your preparation in a quarter of an hour I will leave you behind you know?"
It seems she went to get the horse for real this time. The rough footsteps become more distant.
"She didn't see it, right? This seal..."
When her master applied those seal on her, her master strongly instructed to never show it to others. Though she didn't understand the reason at first, it was her own body after all. Because the wisdom that came together with study she became somehow convinced. And after she was taught and have experienced many things, she finally realized the reason and thus aware that it was not something she can show to others. Since, if that seal was seen by people, she might become target of elimination.
"I wonder why it became like this..."
Inadvertently she resented her misfortune, however she also thought that meeting her master itself was already pretty lucky of her. She also understood the fact that she can live normally right now itself is akin to miracle. Normally, she might have been disposed of if she didn't meet her master when she was ten. And if she only thought about her own life, then secluding in that mountain was a sound choice.
However her desire to know more of the outside world couldn't be stopped. She also wants to experience love like others did. Because right now the Alfilis whom just turned eighteen, filled with youthful vitality, could taste the freedom of outside world.
On the other side, Anoren was thinking while preparing for journey,
"Did she drink the medicine, I wonder..."
While remembering the slovenly side of Alfilis, she headed toward the stable. Even though she is a Sister, she can't use healing magic. On other hand, her knowledge in medicinal plants was claimed as the best in this era within the church, and she took pride in it. Additionally, because of ascetic practices, her ability in anti-demon and anti-undead magic considerably stood out among her peers. Truthfully she also learned self defence skill, and she can even boast that her ability as adventurer pretty high as well, that's why she doesn't regret the fact that she can't use healing magic. Except one.
"Well, in the first place I am not a Sister. Alright Mr. Horse, good boy good boy."
While she was about to leave the stable with horses for the two, she heard a threatening voice directed toward her,
"Don't move, b.a.s.t.a.r.d Sister!"
At that time, Alfilis who immediately finished her preparation awaited for the Sister near the gate. Since it was almost dawn, the gate will be opened shortly. That said, Sister's medicine's effect was truly extraordinary. Alfilis felt her body condition already back to normal.
When she started to feel bored, the gatekeeper suddenly talked to her,
"Oh, young miss, yesterday was thrilling."
"How do you know about it, Mr. Gatekeeper?"
"I also went to that bar late at night. I didn't saw the scene, but I can feel it from how merry it was. When I asked what happened, they told me about how a beautiful female fencer traveller dealt with those good for nothing bunch. Well, they were born here, but their behaviours were bad even when they were children. They didn't even get proper jobs and become something like night burglars. Also according to the rumour they a.s.sociated with some killers. I was hoping someone could deal with them."
"Are there no vigilante corps here?"
"Well there is. But their number is lower than those people."
"Only around 20 people I presume?"
"Yeah, around that many. Eh, why do you...ah, wawa."
The aged gatekeeper reflexively stepped back, and quickly run away. Because the people in question gathered near the gate. Moreover, this time all of them properly armed.
"I heard you took care of our men last night."
The remarkably largest man among them talked to her.
"Ara, I am not that brave to take care of everyone."
"Aren't you calm. You didn't even waver being surrounded by more than ten men."
"Then, what is your business? I need to leave this town shortly."
"Well don't say that. I just want to thank you for yesterday."
"If it is trivial I have to refuse, you know?"
"Don't worry, I will make sure you enjoy it. On top my hips, I mean, hihihi."
At that moment, the men slowly crept towards her, this time around 14 people. In the end it ended up like this, thought Alfilis as she sighed.
"I said, don't move!"
The man's voice resounded vainly, as the Sister walked briskly without any sign of stopping.
"Don't ignore me, b.i.t.c.h!"
The man took a piece of wood nearby and throws it at her, but Sister avoided it without even looking back.
"That was dangerous, what if it hit my cute horse?"
"Rather than worrying about horse, worry about yourself!"
"Why I should feel worry in front of man who I knocked down just with one hit yesterday?"
"Yesterday I was just careless! Today I brought my comrades, it won't end up like yesterday!"
When she looked closely, he was the rat-faced man. Since she has no interest towards him, she has already forgotten. And sure, today he brought five other men, additionally, all fully armed.
"Well, you've become even lower than yesterday."
"What do you mean?"
"Look, six adult men surrounding a lone weak Sister. It's no longer something men will do. ^@*!$ b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Ah, since you are no longer a man, !&*$# transvest.i.te then. Though, calling you transvest.i.te might be rude towards the other transvest.i.tes."
"Oh, s.h.i.+tty b.i.t.c.h/nun you said. That was pretty neat. Though sadly I never enter priesthood, you see." (TL: ama can mean nun or b.i.t.c.h. Don't ask me why.)
"Just shut up!!"
The rat-faced man swung his sword towards her with beet red face. On other hand Anoren still look nonchalant with her right hand at her waist, observing the man who lunged at her. When the man thought the sword cut her, KIN! Together with that high pitched metallic sound, the rat-faced man's sword stopped. The man should have cut her left arm, or so he intended.
When the rat faced man trying to say something, suddenly, together with a m.u.f.fled sound of something breaking, his body sent to the air. Not quite, he was completely blown away. His body flew and hit the stable part.i.tion, breaking through series of part.i.tions and stopping at the last one. And then he no longer moved.
"Oh no, I think I overdid it?"
The rest of the men turned pale. It was surreal sight. A big build man was thrown a number of horse lengths by a tiny sister with one hit. When their sights returned to the Sister, in her hands she gripped two clubs like maces from G.o.d knows where.
"Right now I am a Sister, but it was different in the past. Because of some reasons, I changed my name and my occupation. But being looked as a Sister is quite handy in itself. Because the habit is fluttery I can easily hide my weapons, and my opponents tend to look down on me. Moreover, my cleanliness increased by 30% or something..."
Though she cracked a joke and even delivered a wink, for those men, she is can only be seen as target of fear.
While showing full face smile toward them, Anoren said,
"Well, I am more or less a Sister, so I won't kill you. Moreover if I overdo it, I'll meet a terrifying scolding from Master Bishop. Well, please forgive me if I crush your x.x.xXX and disable your ability as man though?"
"Hii!"
Sister Anoren who having fun cornering the group of men, and the five men whom trembling with weapons in their hands - the hunter and the hunted had been completely reversed.
And then near the gate...
"Gyaa!"
Two men who tried to seize her previously, had their sword blown away from their grips. While everyone was still dumbfounded, HYUN! Alfilis fixed her grip toward the whip in her right hand.
"Y-you are not a fencer?"
"I don't remember saying I am fencer. Well, my main weapon indeed a sword, but in my journey there might be a situation where I need to fight against numerous people in mid-range. This is the countermeasure towards that kind of situation."
While saying all of that, she didn't show any gap. Even amateur will realize that her skill with the whip is not half bad.
"Surround her! She won't be able to swing whip in all directions. Surround and attack her together!"
The men spread out and surrounded her.
"(I see, that large man seems experienced)"
Without lowering her guard, she observed her opponents. Though being surrounded is a disadvantage, it's quite convenient if she wants to defeat them all at once.
"Go!"
Together with that signal, the men who surrounded her attacked simultaneously. However, Alfilis swung her whip calmly, and its body hit four people in front of her in their face. Normally, the most dangerous part of a whip which can be used to give grieve wound only around ten centimetres in the tip, and with enough training it's possible to use it to cut person's head. However the pain of having whip body hit one's face still can't be ignored. Sure enough, the men who were hit in their faces all were crouching in pain.
But the rest didn't stop. Without delay, Alfilis took powder from her pocket and scattered it towards the men coming from behind. They were unable to react in time and together with their shrieks were also crouching in pain. It was a sight crus.h.i.+ng pollen collected from a certain plant. The other two swung their swords towards her, but she easily stopped them with the hand guard in her left hand. No sooner than the two of them realize that their attacks were stopped, she cut their faces with a hidden blade in her hand guard. Together with sprouting blood, the two of them somersaulted in the air.  Alfilis was bathed with their blood, but she was unperturbed -  not even blinking.
The rest of them couldn't hide their surprise. Although their number was superior, eight of them were done in by one girl. The man who looked like their leader couldn't hide his surprise.
"(I've never seen those kind of techniques... I also don't remember a female mercenary like her. Just who the h.e.l.l is she?)"
"This, this is impossible...."
Other than the leader-like man, the rest turned their back and tried to flee, but suddenly something cut the wind.
Then they all collapsed. If you look closely, you'll be able to see something like dagger stabbed their back.
"Don't worry, it's just anaesthetic. They just won't be able to move for one day. None will die. Well I won't say they'll be fine though, you reap what you sowed."
"b.a.s.t.a.r.d, who are you!?"
"No one special. Just a pa.s.sing traveller. There's nothing worth mentioning."
"I never saw fighter like you!?"
"Let me accept it as a praise. Then what now, still want a go? Or will you let yourself be captured by the vigilante corps obediently?"
"There's no way I will withdraw against a woman. Let's fight with our swords!"
The large man fixed his grip and swung his sword towards her.
Alfilis drew her sword. She evaded the man's diagonal slash by leaping to the back. Additionally, while avoiding his upper slash, she hit the man's face with the handle of her sword.
"Guh!?"
Matching her timing with his retreating figure, this time she swung her sword.
"(Up huh)"
At the time the man tried to defend Alfilis attack with his sword--
"(The blade trajectory is??)"
As if avoiding the defending sword, Alfilis' sword changed its trajectory and cut his shoulder. That man crouched in pain with hand on his shoulder.
"How..."
"If you swing with the force and intention to kill, it's impossible to control it skilfully like I did. Leaving aside battlefields, in one on one battles with swords, normally you shouldn't defend with your sword, since it might break. Remember that. (Well, that was what my master taught me though...)"
While Alfilis kicked away his sword which fell to the ground, people who looked like the vigilante corps came rus.h.i.+ng.
"Are you alright, young miss!?"
"Ah, Mr. Gatekeeper. Did you go to ask for help?"
"Thanks for your hard work, but regretfully it has ended. They should still alive so please secure them carefully."
"Just how..."
After sending a sidelong glance towards the residents of this town who were still unable to swallow the fact in front of them, Alfilis recovered the weapons she used and returned to her usual self.
"Sister is taking too long... what did she do I wonder?"
The Branded Female Fencer
呪印の女剣士【書籍化＆コミカライズ】
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-branded-female-fencer/
Action Adventure Fantasy Romance Shoujo Tragedy
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Appearance Different from Actual Age Beastkin Character Growth Curses Demons Depictions of Cruelty Elves Fantasy World Female Protagonist Immortals Mercenaries Monsters Mysterious Past Overpowered Protagonist R-15 Religions Sealed Power Spirit Users Spirits Strong to Stronger Summoning Magic Sword And Magic Sword Wielder Wars
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n1105o/
はーみっと