Volume 2 Chapter 1 The Genderbend Female Traveler, The Bond Continues
On the quiet country road, the soft clop of hooves echoed. Inside the carriage, Silvia—now going by Johanna after giving up her real name—was sorting food.
She moved the fresh vegetables, which would spoil soon, to the front. She pushed the dried meat and barley in its husk to the back.
The small water barrel was too heavy to shift, but she made a spot to sit by moving the things around it.
"So, where are we going now?"
"We're almost at Arlis-Otroot. I never want to go through Suapuru again."
She paused a bit, thinking about which path to take: the Arlis-Otroot route that followed the bottom of the mountain, or the Linhaga route that cut across the wide Anpanino plains.
She picked Arlis-Otroot, since it was safer. If the horse-riding Makun people in Linhaga found them, it could be bad—not just for Johanna, but for her too.
"The cross-country kingdom should be safe enough. Just cover your face when we stop for food."
Johanna nodded at Eleonora's words. She knew she was heading to a land full of unbelievers, but still wanted to stay safe.
As the carriage rolled on, they saw a boy sitting on a rock where the road split. A man was beside him, helping him, and another boy stood near them.
The man waved when he saw the carriage.
"Hey, wait! A little help—Oh! Are you the girl who won the tournament?"
"You're... Lord François, right?"
"Yes! François de Llanlomonsey. What a surprise! I heard a story you were the demon who crushed Loriengita."
"Is that your enemy?"
François, who looked like he might jump into a fight at any time, shook his head.
"A poor fourth son of a baron doesn't have time for honor! I'm just a jobless knight. My servant hurt his leg, so we stopped."
The boy he pointed at looked about ten years old, holding his hurt foot.
"These two are my servants, the Rubero brothers. The older one is Wood. The younger is Robert."
"I'm Wood de Rubero."
Wood looked about fifteen. His face was calm, and he looked gentle.
"I'm Robert."
Robert de Rubero, though only ten or so, had a strong body that showed he trained a lot.
"By the way, do you have any herbs?"
"If they're fresh, that's okay."
Eleonora looked at Johanna, who climbed down from the cart and walked to Robert.
Johanna raised her right hand. A soft white light came out. Robert's pain faded fast.
"That should do it."
"You're not a nun, are you? Healing miracles should come from a priest. Why can you do this?"
"Don't ask too much. If you do, I might have to kill you."
François saw she meant it. He went quiet and wiped the mud off his boots.
"Still, it's not right to heal a servant and say nothing. I'll take over the driver's seat until we reach the next town."
"Is that okay?"
"Don't make me feel guilty."
François laughed and hopped onto the front seat. The Rubero brothers bowed and got on the cart.
Eleonora also moved from the driver's seat to the cart and stretched her back.
"My body is popping all over."
"Here, drink this."
Johanna handed over a leather water pouch. He took a sip, then gave it to Wood.
"Drink up. It's a long ride to the next stop."
"Thanks. Robert, you drink too."
Robert took the pouch from his brother and drank slowly.
Wood patted Robert's head and looked outside.
"We ran into bandits a few times with Sir François. They wore real Loriengita army gear."
"So the prince's men really did become thieves."
After Prince Louis died—killed by Eleonora—they ran away, scared of the emperor's rage.
They were stuck under a low-ranking leader, unable to go back home, but also too broke to live right.
They couldn't care about being nobles or commoners anymore.
So they chose fast money.
They already had weapons and knew how to fight. Why wait?
"If it's just normal people, we can handle them. But if they're knights with trained men, that's rough."
"Like you guys?"
"Hey, cut us some slack. We're just traveling knights."
"Sorry. I just don't trust you yet."
François gave a small shrug and kept the cart moving.
The Rubero brothers looked a bit upset, like they were being called thieves.
Character Notes:
• Johanna - Silvia's new name.
• François - The fourth son of Baron Lanramoncie of the Loriengita Empire. The one who join the tournament before.
• Robert - Robert de Rubero. The younger Rubero brother, around 10 years old. Despite his age, he is well-trained and sturdy. He suffered a sprained leg, which Johanna healed.
• Wood de Rubero - Wood de Rubero. The elder of the Rubero brothers, around 15 years old. He is kind, relaxed, and serves as a retainer to François. He is protective of his younger brother, Robert.
• Louis - Third Prince of Empire. The new heir to the Kingdom of Ashreach's throne, recognized by the Papal States. His ascension has triggered political and military tensions.
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