(Vern side)
Of course, after that there was no one left except me and a few members of the guard.
I felt that when I used the sword with one hand, my body's speed increased drastically.
My hand also felt lighter, compared to when I wielded the sword with two hands.
But honestly, I had never thought of using the sword with one hand.
I did it just now because my left hand truly couldn't move.
Then there was an added surge I didn't know where it came from, which made me want to take revenge on them.
If they dared to wound my hand, then I would retaliate. That's what I thought earlier.
I didn't care what would happen to me, and chose instead to focus on killing them all.
And the result: I managed to defeat them all without suffering any wounds except the one on my left hand.
—
I looked around, and there were no more opponents I could defeat.
Because of that, I released my grip on the sword I had been holding, causing it to fall to the ground.
The sword made a sound like a piece of iron falling, as usual.
But to me, that sound signified that this fight was completely mine.
I fell to the ground, but I was still conscious. Although, indeed, my left hand felt increasingly painful.
My vision began to blur slightly; maybe I felt dizzy from overexertion.
Or perhaps my body had truly reached its limit.
Seeing my fallen body, the guard members immediately surrounded me.
They seemed very worried about my condition.
"A-I will take you to the palace—" said one of them.
Of course, the first thing they thought upon seeing my condition was to take me to the palace.
If I were taken to the palace, that would mean I would receive treatment until my left hand could function fully again.
Because most of the household tasks I do usually require two hands.
Like cooking, washing, and many others. It's impossible for me to do all that with only one hand.
That's an impossible thing I wouldn't be able to do for as long as I live.
——
They helped me to stand, carrying my body.
With their help, I could stand despite the pain throughout my body.
Then, slowly, they escorted me to the palace while maintaining this position.
Of course I felt relieved; I personally don't like being carried by others.
Therefore, being escorted like this was the best way to resolve the situation.
———
(??? side)
I am a member of the palace guard, who earlier tried to protect this Maid.
I have seen this Maid in the palace before, so I was certain that saving her was something we had to do.
We found her completely cornered and unable to move at all.
Additionally I saw her left hand stained red, as if smeared with blood.
——
After my comrades intercepted members of that anti-royal group, I immediately took a cloth.
Of course, I tied that cloth around the wound on her left elbow.
Honestly, I was very shocked to see the wound.
The wound looked quite deep, and an ordinary person would have died from an injury like that.
Seeing her still able to endure with this wound made me feel that this Maid was terrifying.
Then, after I felt the wound had been covered, I joined my comrades to fight the group.
But when one of my comrades was facing one of them, I felt my shoulder being touched by someone.
I looked back, and saw that same Maid standing behind me.
She told me to give the sword I carried to her.
Of course, I immediately panicked. But I decided to give her my sword.
For some reason, I felt that handing her a sword was the right thing to do. Whether this was right or would instead cause trouble, I did not know.
Given her condition, could she still fight?
——
She immediately took over the fight, as if she were fighting alone against several people who might appear stronger than her.
Armed with only one hand holding the sword, she glared at the group member.
And the most unexpected thing happened.
The Maid went berserk without stopping.
Her hand movements were so beautiful, like creating a work of art with sword technique.
Her opponents could only keep defending against the Maid's attacks.
Even with only one hand, the Maid's movements looked very agile and perfect.
As if she had been used to fighting with only one hand.
I glanced at her face while she was fighting, and it immediately made the hairs on my neck stand up.
The Maid's gaze was truly terrifying, as if she were ready to kill anyone in front of her.
Her expression was like a warrior in a war, advancing at the front to open the way.
Truly, this Maid was terrifying.
——
(Yukito side)
I finally entered the wooden building. Inside this building it was very empty.
There were only a few room doors, and the first space I stepped into was probably the central room.
But there was only a sofa that was already a bit damaged and dusty, in the corner of this room.
Is it true that Rosa-chan was brought here? The place is indeed promising to be used as a hideout.
Maybe, when others enter this house, they only assume it's an uninhabited empty house.
But in reality, there must be some people breathing inside this house.
They just don't think that far because they are not confident about the house's appearance.
——
Now, which room should I go to?
Because suddenly, my Vision skill became inactive when I entered this room.
Possibly, they have created a barrier so that all magic I use cannot be activated anymore.
Well, if this is true, then this will be very troublesome for me.
——
(Rosalia side)
A moment ago I heard footsteps outside this room. Has someone just entered this place?
Please, I hope it's Vern-san or someone else.
There is also a possibility that it is one of the bearded man's companions. So I cannot hope too much.
But if the person who came is one of his friends, why does he look so restless?
He repeatedly moves back and forth, like someone thinking about doing something.
Then, he takes his sword from the table, and holds it with both hands.
He stands behind the door, and points the sword toward the door.
As if preparing to kill whoever will enter this room.
His legs tremble, as if he is afraid. And I feel that this is the right time to run.
I only have to loosen the bindings that are not truly tying my hands, and leave this place.
Then, I might also be able to make the bearded man faint.