SOAT Chapter 76

Dad, Mom, Big Brother, are you all doing well?

One day, I was suddenly transported to another world, but somehow I’m managing just fine. The people at work are very kind and caring, so I might be doing better than in my original world. I’ve had various struggles, such as fighting hordes of monsters and encountering demon king, but thanks to those around me, I’ve been able to overcome them.

Now, changing the subject, I wish I knew how to phrase this!

“Hehehe, black hair and black eyes are quite rare… You’ll fetch a good price at auction!”

Standing in front of me is a man wearing light-brown clothes with plate mail on top, sporting a full, bushy beard. He’s a robust man, large in both height and width.

The bearded man licked his lips as he looked at me.

I felt disgust under his gaze and, honestly, I wanted to turn on my heels and run away right then and there. But I can’t.

I’m currently on a bodyguard mission.

That’s right, the Black-winged knights, to which I belong, were assigned to escort the carriage of a noble from Oster, the neighboring country of the Ritzheim Magic Kingdom.

This noble, Bernard Oddlay, is in the royal capital to open a new market for potions in Oster. Potions are a newly produced elixir in the Ritzheim Magic Kingdom.

Up until now, healing magic has been the mainstream way to heal injuries in this world. Securing individuals who can use healing magic has been a major challenge for every country. However, if this potion is properly brewed, it can heal injuries without relying on magic. Knowing its effects, every other country is eager to get these potions from the Ritzheim Magic Kingdom.

Lord Oddlay from Oster is one of them. We, the Black-winged knights, were assigned to escort him on the road as he left the royal capital for the neighboring town, but…

“Sigh… Bandits, huh? I heard this mission would be relatively safe.”

As I inadvertently sighed, the bearded man blocking my path asked with a smirk, “So, have you given up?”

“I’d like to ask, why are you attacking this carriage?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

As I asked the bearded man, I took a quick glance around.

The three carriages belonging to Lord Oddlay have stopped in the middle of the road leading to the next town. Each one is luxuriously decorated and pulled by two strong horses. However, around them, battles are taking place between members of the Black-winged knights and the bandits, making it difficult for the carriages to move.

In other words, there doesn’t seem to be any knights coming to help me right now. Damn it!

“If you guys are struggling to make a living and have no choice but to attack this carriage, we might be able to help you. Why are you attacking this carriage?”

I don’t see anyone coming to help me, and I can’t run away due to my position, so I’m trying to buy time by talking!

But as expected, the conversation didn’t last long.

The bearded man laughed crudely at my words.

“What the hell! Hey, you’re just as cute as you look, thinking cute thoughts! Hahaha!”

“So, you’re not struggling to make ends meet?”

“Heh, stealing from the rich is common sense, right? Especially now, these Ritzheim-made potions can be sold at a high price in any country. Why work hard when you can make easy money?”

“I see.”

Hmm, if that’s the case, reconciling with him is unlikely.

Disappointed, I shrugged my shoulders as the bearded man deepened his lecherous smile, licking his lips like a slug.

“What’s the matter, not getting angry? Hehe, usually when provoked like this, hot-blooded guys charge right in.”

“Heh. Unfortunately, I’m not of a courageous disposition.”

Really, there are people brave enough to charge head-on? Amazing! I could never do that; I’m a chicken!

“Heh. It seems you’re not as cute as you look. Maybe I should get serious.”

However, in response to my answer, the bearded man suddenly became serious and brandished the large hatchet he had at his waist.

Wait, why all of a sudden!?!?!?!

No, I mean, could you please not get serious…?

“Haah!”

Ignoring my confusion, the bearded man lunged at me with the large hatchet. I tried to dodge to the side, but then I realized that would let him crash into the carriage behind me. That would be bad.

Panicked, I stopped in my tracks, but due to my sudden decision, I tripped over my feet. It seems the bearded man didn’t expect me to stay put; unintentionally feigning a move, I knocked into him as he was off balance.

“Guh, oof!!!”

My elbow slammed into the hand of the bearded man who was gripping the large hatchet.

However, the impact knocked the large hatchet out of his hand. The falling hatchet hit the tip of my boot as I was trying to regain my balance, and ouch, that hurts like hell!

The hatchet flew off to a different location.

Both my elbow and toe are throbbing…!

“Tsu—You…!”

With the back of his hand swollen red, the now unarmed bearded man glares at me with a demonic expression.

Awawawa, he’s super mad!

Just as he tried to lunge at me in fury, his hand was gripped from the side before it could reach me.

“Gu—Wh—Who the hell are you?!”

“Give it up. We’ve captured all of your comrades. Besides, you’re not someone who should be touching him so casually.”

Making his appearance was Gazelle, who should have been fighting bandits at some distance.

Gazelle Listini—a tall, handsome man with wine-red hair and golden eyes. His sun-tanned, muscular body was so attractive it could mesmerize anyone. And he is the captain of the Black-winged knights to which I belong.

Gazelle, who seemed to have moved behind a carriage at some point, had caught and stopped the bearded man’s hand that was coming at me.

What wonderful timing! I love you, Gazelle!

With quick motions, Gazelle twisted the bearded man’s arm, pinning him down to the ground in an instant.

“Gazelle, I’ll handle the rest.”

“Ah, I leave it to you.”

Next, Felix, who had come over to us, took over.

He is Felix Von Alpharetta—a dashing young man with flowing golden hair and amethyst-colored eyes, fitting the term ‘prince on a white horse’ perfectly. He is also the vice-captain of the Black-winged knights who guard this Ritzheim Magic Kingdom.

Felix quickly tied up the bearded man, who had been pinned to the ground, with a coarse rope.

Looking around, not just Gazelle and Felix, but the other squad members had also pretty much completed their capture of the bandits.

It seems I was the only one having trouble. So—sorry, everyone…

“Gazelle, Felix, thanks for saving me.”

Saying so, Gazelle flashed a toothy grin and slapped me on the back with gusto.

“That should be my line, Takumi. Because you were defending the carriage alone and had this ringleader in check, it made things easier for us.”

“Haha, don’t play coy. This guy had the best equipment and physique, right? Isn’t it obvious?”

Wait, wait, ‘ringleader’ you say? So this bearded guy is the boss of these bandits?!

Now that it’s mentioned, his equipment does seem the most luxurious, and his weapon the most badass.

Why didn’t I notice before?

But had I known, I would’ve run away and sought help from everyone. Maybe it’s good I didn’t?

While sharing a strained smile with Gazelle, Felix, who had finished tying up the bearded man, came over, “Takumi, good work. You did remarkably well.”

“Ah, good work, Felix.”

“But I was a bit alarmed when you started provoking that man. Please, take it easy.”

“……Heh, stop joking. What makes you think I’d do something like that?”

At my reply, Felix let out a wry smile.

Wait, did I mishear? Did Felix just say, “Please go easy”?

“True. A guy like that is no match for you, but don’t push yourself too hard alone, okay? While you were drawing him away, we were able to easily defeat his scattered comrades.”

“Do you really think I can pull off something that skillful? It was purely coincidental.” 

“Well, if you say it was a coincidence, let’s leave it at that. But seriously, don’t push yourself too hard.” 

Well, whether it was a coincidence or not, if it helped the knights, then that’s okay.

Yeah, let’s consider it all good!

By the time I finished my conversation with Gazelle and Felix, all the bandits had been captured. We tied them to trees on the spot, set up a watch, and returned to guarding the caravan.

We’ve already notified the royal capital, Ritzheim City, about the bandit capture, so the Black-winged knights remaining there should pick them up soon.

As planned, I returned to my escort duties and mounted my horse, looking up at the sky. Today was cloudless, a remarkably clear day. The air was pure and crisp.

And the tips of the distant mountains were painted white, as if sprinkled with powdered sugar.

“…It’s starting to get quite chilly.”

Though my body’s core was still warm from the recent battle, the wind brushing against my cheeks was very cold.

The cool north wind felt good on my heated body, but it signaled the changing of seasons.

Winter is coming.