Chapter 13: Monster Subjugation (VI).
Soon, dusk bled into the forest, draping the road in deep shadows. Those ordered to tend to the wounded were left behind, their campfires flickering dimly in the distance. At the front of the squad, the captain- the infamous villainess herself, urged her steed forward, her pace sharp with urgency.
She had to get back to camp and call for more help.
"Everything will be okay." (Olivia) murmured, the words meant as much for herself as for the girl in her arms.
She repeated them silently, over and over, forcing her mind to stay steady. She could not afford to let fear make her falter, not when the mission still depended on her. The townsfolk, her father and the rest of the soldiers are waiting…
"The beautiful noble lady from the carriage, do you think Lady Alarie knows her personally?" The knights couldn't help but gossip on the back.
His friend shrugged, keeping their conversation on the low. "I mean from the way she handled her that girl seems to be a very important figure. I hope she'll be okay- that attack seemed bad. The young lady Alarie seemed out of it too."
Sebastian eyes them and hits them on the back, it's the first time in a while… that he's seen the young lady looking so sorrowful. "Best stop gossiping and focus on the road, keep your eyes open there could still be monsters out here. They can smell blood, do not worry about the young lady, she is strong. Stronger than most of you put together."
"Y-Yes, sir."
Olivia heard them, but their words slid past her like wind through leaves. Her focus was entirely on the unconscious Mariana Borbon, her slight weight pressed against her chest. Even in sleep, the girl's fingers clutched stubbornly at Olivia's clothes, her cheek nestled against the warmth of Olivia's chest as if it were the safest place in the world.
'I'll kill every monster in this forest before they can touch you again,' (Olivia) swore silently, her hold on Mariana tightening. The thought was not a promise- it was a vow.
"..."
Though a few questions lingered in her mind.
'What are you doing in Alarie territory? Could it be that you wanted to visit me so you went? No, from the looks of it she's holding her new uniform for the academy- so she had it sewn in town.' Olivia's lips pressed into a thin line. She let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh, her thumb brushing absently over the back of Mariana's hand.
If she didn't decide to go south-east…
If it was too late… and turned back at the very last second.
Would she never see the heroine in the academy ever again?
"What am I going to do with you…" She murmured, the words a mix of exasperation and fondness. Her gaze softened despite herself. "You make me go crazy, you idiot."
That beautiful stupid face, her smirk and the mark that she left was never forgotten.
"Even as you lay asleep, you're still as beautiful as the day we last saw each other." If only the heroine was awake, she would've been jumping with joy hearing the villainess' tender words for her. Unfortunately, the stress of the attack made her go into an unconscious state- sleeping soundly knowing that… her beloved one came to save her by some turn of fate.
===
Outside of Alamana Town: Alarie Military Camp
===
"Everyone, they're back! The young lady is back!" The camp came into view just as the last light of day faded into the horizon. Commander Lenof, who had been pacing near the gates, froze for a moment before a relieved smile spread across his face.
The young lady is back safe and sound!
"Oh thank the goddess-" He held his chest and breathed out a good relieved sigh. It seems he's happy that he won't get executed for endearing the young lady.
"Welcome back!" Men and women turned their heads, some sighing in relief, others breaking into tired smiles. But Commander Lenof's expression shifted when he noticed the girl cradled in Olivia's arms- pale, unconscious, and far too still.
Sebastian was the first to dismount, his boots hitting the ground with a thud. Without a word, he moved to her side, his hands steady as he took Mariana from her, allowing Olivia to swing down from her saddle.
"Wait for me, Sebastian," She said quietly, her voice tight but steady. "Take care of her for me."
"Yes, milady," He replied with a short nod, holding the girl as if she were made of glass.
Commander Lenof broke into a run the moment he caught sight of them. The coppery tang of blood hit his nose before he even reached the group, and his expression darkened. Something had gone terribly wrong.
"Young lady Alarie, what happened?! You're covered in blood!" His worried, panicked gaze went back and forth at Olivia and the girl who's now in Sebastian's care. "W-Who is this woman that you brought back?"
"She's someone I know and I must hurry back to the inn to get her some new clothes- so I'll only give you a short report, Command Lenof." Her tone left no room for argument, but she continued, rapid and precise, so there would be no confusion. "She's not badly injured but there was an attack south-east, at first we thought there weren't any goblins settling around the area but we noticed a smell of strong iron in the air."
"We immediately went to check it out and found a noble carriage being terrorized by those goblin fiends." Her jaw tightened, remembering those bloodied bodies no longer moving, those must've been the guards that were with the Borbon family.
"There are still wounded. I left three knights behind to tend to them. Some…" Her voice faltered, just slightly, "some didn't make it."
"H-How many?"
"...about five people lost their lives today- seven wounded." (Olivia) could barely count them. Now that the adrenaline was no longer clouding her mind, she realized that- it was… awful of her to leave the wounded and just take the heroine for priority.
But what can she do? They can't bring all the wounded in one go.
The only thing they could do is go back to camp and get help. That's the most logical move.
"My apologies. I will be taking care of my acquaintance, please go to the south-east and bring a cart… for the bodies. They must be given a proper burial, these are guards for a noble family- the girl we saved is a daughter of the Borbon family." The adoptive daughter of the Baron, if he knew his daughter is out here in her arms- well… she's not even sure what would happen.
"That is… quite unfortunate. Truly it has become a dire situation and must be dealt with immediately." Commander Lenof's grimace deepened, the weight of her words sinking in as shouts began to echo through the camp, summoning medics.
The south-east road could still have dangerous goblins lingering around- maybe one escaped to tell the rest of the pack. "Get me the medics! And a cart! We'll be moving south-east! Take a rest milady, we'll handle the rest from here."
"It seems that my two day plan will become three. We will prepare tomorrow and then the next day is where we will attack. I'll give you an address to my inn so you can visit me to give me a full report of today's scouting." She takes a pen and paper from her inventory before writing the address of the inn and giving it to Commander Lenof. "Visit me in the morning, tell everyone that they've done a great job today for my sake. Take care of the wounded guards- I'll see them tomorrow afternoon."
"Yes, Lady Alarie." (Commander Lenof) saluted and organized the soldiers who'll be helping with the retrieval mission.
She shifted her gaze to her attendant. "Sebastian."
He was waiting for his young lady's orders.
"Let's be off," She said, and without another word, the two of them moved with purpose, the rest of the camp parting to make way. Olivia eyes Mariana that was now in his arms, sleeping so soundly. "Give her to me."
Sebastian hesitated for the briefest moment, glancing at the unconscious girl in his arms, then at Olivia's face.
"...Of course." He carefully transferred Mariana into Olivia's embrace. The heroine stirred faintly, her fingers tightening around the academy uniform she still refused to let go of. Without thinking, she nuzzled closer into Olivia's warmth.
Olivia adjusted her grip, one arm secure beneath Mariana's legs, the other supporting her back, glaring subtly at the few knights who stepped forward and offered to carry the girl instead.
"Milady, perhaps we can help carry her for you."
"W-We can help."
Two knights came forward with good intentions to help but the villainess knew the risk of leaving the girl in a stranger's hands… she would prefer to have the heroine by her arms than others.
Especially if it was men.
"No," She said, her voice serious. "I'll take care of her myself."
The air between them grew tense for a heartbeat before the knights stepped back, bowing their heads. Sebastian got up on his horse and chuckled, the eyes of the young lady was similar to how the former young master Owyn Alarie would look when he found his wife in their youth.
"Just like her father."
Olivia's stride didn't falter once as she headed straight for the inn.
===
Town of Alamana: Porai's Inn
===
The same woman who was taking care of the inn was staring at flowers she freshly put on the vase. It was a few lily of the valleys she got this morning. The white color of it reminded the innkeeper of a certain charming guest.
Silver hair running through her shoulder, purple eyes and a cold commanding voice that made her knees weak. The smell of fresh herbs and mind when she comes in-
"Hmm~" The innkeeper can't explain why but her mood suddenly became a lot better. She just wishes she can hear her voice again-
"Innkeeper."
Oh-! She recognizes this voice- it's her!
"Yes, hello! Welcome to-" She was about to welcome Olivia warmly but gave a halt when she saw the same beautiful and charming woman covered in blood holding an unconscious girl in her arms.
Many warning signs rang in her mind, any normal person would look at this situation and carefully blood plus an unconscious girl equals-!
"K-Kyah! You're covered in blood and have killed somebody!"
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