02 Fortress
The fortress stood in the mountains.
It had been built long ago by some country, but was now abandoned, its outer walls considerably deteriorated. The country it had belonged to no longer existed either, and no one remembered the fortress’s existence.
Except for the bandits who had made it their stronghold.
The black carriage entered the fortress. It was the same carriage that had been guarded by an Empire company just a short while ago.
An Empire soldier sat on the driver’s seat. He had an ordinary, unremarkable face that left no impression.
“Looks like things went smoothly, Claude,”
called out the black-haired man who had been waiting in the fortress.
He was the knight who had just been having a grand battle with the Empire forces.
“Of course it did. I’m the world’s greatest bandit, after all,”
laughed the soldier called Claude, twisting his face into a wicked grin. His ordinary face transformed completely into something that looked exactly like a bandit’s.
This man was the current master of this fortress and the leader of a bandit group consisting of just three people.
“So, did you check what’s inside that thing?”
the knight asked, looking at the carriage.
“No. It’s pretty heavily secured. I removed the locks, but there’s even a magical seal on it,”
Claude shrugged, saying magic was outside his expertise.
“Then shall I just hack the whole carriage apart?” said the knight, starting to draw his sword.
Seeing this, Claude panicked.
“Stop it, Murakumo! Did you forget that last time you did that, you cut the treasure in half too? Wait for Yuri to get back!”
The black-haired knight—Murakumo—grinned.
“It’s fine. I’ll avoid the cargo inside. Probably, it’ll work out this time.”
“Probably?”
Claude glared at Murakumo with suspicious eyes.
“…Then try it on something else first. Like a box with a cat in it or something.”
Claude pointed to the small animal clinging to Murakumo’s feet. It had white fur with black stripes, and its body was small—it would be considered petite even for a cat.
“That would be cruel to the cat, wouldn’t it?”
Murakumo wore a reluctant expression. This rough man diligently cared for the cat within the fortress. The cat was also attached to Murakumo and was currently rubbing against his leg.
“Don’t test on treasure what you won’t test on a cat!”
Claude shouted angrily, furrowing his brow.
While the two were having this exchange, a white man suddenly materialized from thin air. He appeared completely natural, as if he’d just been out for a walk, but he definitely hadn’t been there before.
The man was the mage who had been attacking the Empire company.
“You’re late, Yuri!”
Claude called out the mage’s name.
“Ah, it’s rare to have the opportunity to use magic on so many people. I was trying various things,” Yuri answered without changing his expression.
Claude and Murakumo made disturbed faces at this magic fanatic.
Thinking about what kind of magic this maniac had been testing made them feel sympathy for the Empire forces despite themselves.
“…Well, whatever. Yuri, this thing has a magical seal on it. Break it for us.”
Claude lightly jerked his chin toward the carriage.
“Hmm.”
Yuri examined the carriage intently.
“This is interesting. It’s sealed with quite advanced magic. This is the work of a first-rate mage.”
Despite the seemingly difficult task, Yuri’s cheeks relaxed into a smile.
“But you can open it, can’t you?”
“Of course. I’m a genius magician, after all.”
Yuri immediately began chanting a spell.
It was like a song with a beautiful melody. There was no trace of the ominous nature that magic usually possessed—the spell was composed in perfect harmony. Moreover, light ran across Yuri’s body. These were spells carved into his body, and he was using the light to trace these patterns as a substitute for incantation. Right now he needed oral incantation as well since he was using complex magic, but for simple magic, just making the patterns glow would suffice. This was the secret behind his ability to cast spells instantaneously.
Yuri’s chanting combined with the red light on his body made it seem like a mystical ritual.
The ritual ended in a short time, and simultaneously the black carriage glowed white.
“See, I told you I’m a genius. A seal of this level is nothing to me.”
With Yuri’s satisfied words, the carriage door opened.
“After all that dramatic show, there must be some incredible treasure inside.”
Claude boarded the carriage with a vulgar grin, but what he saw there was unexpected.
“A woman?”
Inside lay a single girl.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
That room in the fortress was, surprisingly, beautifully arranged.
It was decorated with heavy wooden furniture, and thick textiles and luxurious tapestries hung on the walls. A soft carpet was laid beside the large stone fireplace, and brass candlesticks cast warm light throughout the room.
And on the bed with elaborate embroidery, the girl was laid to rest.
Reddish-brown short hair. Her features were well-formed, probably in her late teens.
The white clothes she wore were made of expensive silk, suggesting high social status.
“What are we going to do with this young lady?”
Murakumo, leaning against the room’s door, was confused. A cat sat on his shoulder.
After that, Claude had wordlessly carried this girl to the bed in his own room and laid her down to sleep. This despite how he usually particularly hated having anyone enter his room.
Now Yuri was using magic to check the girl’s condition.
Claude sat in a chair, watching over the situation.
“You’re not planning to lay a hand on her, are you?”
“Don’t be stupid, it’s nothing like that. Don’t you know? ‘One kindness received, one kindness returned’—if I show kindness to this child, she’ll show kindness to someone else. That’s how the world works. Don’t you have any compassion?”
“…Those don’t sound like a bandit’s words.”
“Shut up!”
“You’re the one being loud, Claude. Could you be quiet?”
Yuri, who had been using delicate magic, frowned. Patterns appeared and disappeared on his body.
“So, how is it, Yuri? What’s her condition?”
Ignoring Yuri’s protest, Claude asked.
“She was just put to sleep with magic. Probably by the caster who put the seal on the carriage. I’ve undone it now, so she’ll wake up soon.”
As if losing interest once the magic was broken, Yuri moved away from the girl’s side.
As Claude watched, the girl slowly opened her eyes. They were beautiful emerald eyes.
“…Where is this?”
Without being disturbed by the unfamiliar ceiling, the girl murmured.
“A bandit’s den, princess.”
Claude told her gently.
“Bandits?”
The girl focused her previously vacant gaze on Claude.
“Why am I in a bandit’s den?”
“Well, because bad bandits kidnapped the princess.”
Claude deliberately made his face look menacing and smiled.
“From the Empire?”
The girl’s eyes widened.
“I can’t believe it. How on earth did you manage it?”
“Bandits make their living by stealing. There’s nothing we can’t steal.”
As Claude put on airs a bit, Murakumo interjected.
“You just mistook her for treasure, didn’t you?”
“Shut up! You keep quiet!”
“Treasure and me?”
The girl sat up with a puzzled expression.
“So who exactly are you? Why were you being so heavily guarded by the Empire?”
Ignoring Claude and the others, Yuri asked.
“I am Emma. I’m from the Kingdom of Tates.”
The girl clearly stated her identity.
“The Kingdom of Tates—that’s now a vassal state of the Empire. Why were they transporting someone from such a country so carefully? Are you a princess of the Kingdom of Tates or something?”
Murakumo put his hand to his chin and tilted his head. The Kingdom of Tates was famous as a small but historically significant country. It was also etched in history as the first country the Empire had destroyed.
“Yes…”
Emma looked down.
“My word, a real princess!”
Claude glared at the surprised Murakumo.
“Don’t go prying into a woman’s business. Don’t you have any tact?”
At his intensity, Murakumo raised both hands lightly in surrender.
“It’s all right. It’s the truth. I was a princess of the Kingdom of Tates.”
As if showing pride in her fallen kingdom, Emma straightened her back slightly.
“However, I was spirited away before the country was invaded by the Empire, and after that I entered a convent under a false identity. I intended to spend my life there praying for my deceased family and people. But…”
Emma let out a small sigh.
“One day, Imperial soldiers led by a fat magician came to that convent. They pointed guns at everyone and demanded, ‘Hand over Princess Emma of the Kingdom of Tates.'”
Perhaps remembering that terrifying scene, Emma shook her head slightly.
“The mother superior, who knew my background, tried to hide me, but they began firing their guns in the convent. They didn’t shoot at people, but the building became full of holes… So I came forward.”
“Typical of the Empire—no mercy even for women and children.”
Murakumo said with disgust.
“At this late date, I don’t see what they’d gain by seeking out a princess, but is there something special about you, Emma?”
Yuri asked without changing his expression, and Claude glared at him.
“I don’t know. But…”
“But?”
Ignoring Claude, Yuri urged her to continue.
“The magician who captured me said, ‘You are the key.'”
Hearing those words, the three bandits looked at each other.
TLNOTE
While waiting for the next chapter, I encourage you, dear readers, to explore other masterpieces written by Daken-sensei :
- Monster Meat Led Me to the Throne
- Who killed the Hero?
- The Wicked Princess and 12 Eyes – The Strongest Squires and the Legendary Evil Woman, the Second Time in Her Life
- The Suspects of Necromancy
- The Exiled Merchant Saves the World with the Power of Gold (translated by my friend meerkat)
- The Last Magic (translated by my friend narwhal)
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
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