Rozanica's Villainess Young Lady (3)
Carriages in the North were fully enclosed. The biting winds were so fierce that even the driver's seat had walls and a roof. Because of that, Valerius, sitting in the assistant's seat, spread his senses as wide as possible. Even after the blinding snowstorm cleared and visibility returned, caution was essential. It was the season when starving monsters went berserk. Sudden ambushes on carriages pushing through like this were commonplace.
"Yaaawn."
Unlike Valerius, who had his arms crossed and was focusing on sounds, Raven, handling the reins, was utterly relaxed. After all, with his master guarding the carriage, no ordinary pack of monsters could even scratch it. The only concern was the bloody aftermath to come.
Twitch.
Valerius opened his eyes and uncrossed his arms.
"Should I stop the carriage?"
"Nah. It'll be quick."
It was a shame to waste the opportunity, but their goal wasn't simple hunting. Besides, monster byproducts this time of year weren't high quality anyway.
"Bro, go easy on 'em this time."
Raven could only offer that plea. Valerius had no major flaws aside from being a bit twisted and holding grudges too long—but his one true downside, in Raven's eyes, was his cruelty. He had a knack for reveling in slaughter and violence, which somehow always dragged him into incidents.
"A beast hiding in the bushes? Looks like it needs a good thrashing."
With those bizarre words, Valerius leaped from the moving carriage and vanished into the woods. Beastly screams echoed soon after.
"Wh-what!? What's going on!?"
Yanes, dozing in the cargo hold, jolted awake at the cries. Her tousled brown hair whipped around in her fright.
"Ah, it's fine. Bro went hunting."
"...Oh. Right."
Only then did Yanes slump back down. She realized everyone here was utterly reliable in a fight.
"...But aren't we still moving?"
The sudden question slipped out.
"It's the master. This speed's no issue for him, moving carriage or not."
"True enough."
She took a relieved sip of water from Sophia, feeling oddly comforted. Used to luxury carriages, this cargo wagon had worried her at first, but it was surprisingly decent. Watching Yanes fluff her soft sleeping bag, Sophia chuckled softly.
"My little bro's got skills."
"Heh, bro doesn't keep me around for nothing."
Raven smirked at Sophia's words, flashing a charming grin that suited his handsome features perfectly. The kind of smile that could make a dozen girls swoon. Of course, it wasn't aimed at seducing Yanes or Sophia. It was more like a friendliness meter grind.
Raven was the type Valerius constantly nagged about knowing his place. Especially after Valerius had saved his ass from nearly dying while trying to charm a noblewoman back in the day.
"Ahem. Ma'am, anything bothering you?"
Quick on the uptake, Raven had taken note of Yanes, whom Valerius had suddenly brought along one day. Sure, her beauty tempted him, but the fierce ambition burning in her eyes marked her as dangerous. And look at what she'd done recently in Rozanica.
She's like bro when I first met him.
A godfather figure who brought revolution with burning desire. Not quite on that level, but the same vibe. He'd clapped in admiration upon hearing she'd chopped off both hands of a subordinate trying to embezzle a week ago. After all, young Valerius had done the same.
It just clicked.
Two problem children together? Unstoppable.
One devil had brought prosperity to Rozanica—what would two do? Seria would thrive too, and Rozanica even more so. Only someone like him could walk the thorny path Valerius chose.
Raven figured Yanes could be that person.
They encountered starving monster packs about nine times. Valerius handled each one personally. Sophia offered to help once, but Raven flatly refused. Something about needing to feel the slaughter himself. It sounded like pure bravado, so she laughed it off.
"Phew. This is tense."
"Haha, miss, bro's right here."
Arriving at the dungeon entrance, Yanes was on edge. The intense mana pulsing from the underground stairs set her nerves alight.
"One of the fortresses the old dwarf bastards used."
"What!?"
"Huh!?"
His casual remark as they descended left the group gaping. A fortress from the Dwarf Empire, pillar of the Golden Age? That meant insane difficulty—and insane rewards. Ancient dwarf golem weapons were alchemical masterpieces in themselves. Acquiring one would be perfect.
Yanes couldn't hide her excitement following Valerius. Dwarf tech would skyrocket Valbasor alchemy.
Valerius's voice cut through the buzz.
"From here on, it's the runts' lair. Keep your ears open."
"Ears? Just listen?"
"Yeah. Catch the faint machine whirs, and you can dodge traps."
"..."
Yanes shot him a disrespectful look. Telling an ordinary person—who could barely hear their own footsteps—to do that was a stretch.
"I've got your back."
"Phew. Thanks, Lady Sophia."
Relieved by Sophia's steady voice guarding his rear, he exhaled.
"Scaredy-cat. You're not a top laner."
"...What the hell's a top laner anyway? First I've heard of it!"
"It's a thing. Elite warriors, brave as hell, the reliable staple that props up other lanes. Ranged don't count, FYI."
Yanes blinked her big eyes. She'd never been called slow on the uptake before, but talking to Valerius made her feel dense.
"S-staple? Lady Sophia, what's a staple?"
"...Apologies, I haven't a clue. Some northern folk religion?"
"Hmph."
Seria existed, but it could be folk faith too. Come to think of it, he'd bragged about being a Challenger—top rank in League of Heroes. If the southern war hero was that proud, it had to be religion-level.
"Whatever. Follow carefully. Match my footsteps."
"...They're too wide."
Valerius glanced at Yanes. Why so nitpicky? he thought, irritation rising—until her height hit him. Tall guys like him saw 170cm or 160cm as short anyway, but now it stood out.
"What? Why're you so tiny? Eat your veggies?"
"What veggies!? This is my normal height! Average for central women!"
"Or dwarf half-breed."
"Say something that makes sense!"
Maybe 160cm if generous. Especially next to tall Sophia—it stood out. No heels today; dungeon boots made her shorter.
"I'll tiptoe if you ask nicely."
"Forget it! You're annoying—just go!"
Valerius cackled at her shriek. Why was teasing her so fun?
"Bro, let's move."
"Got it."
Raven urged him on, eyeing the fuming Yanes. Valerius strode ahead satisfied. Raven sighed shortly.
So clueless with women. Would he ever marry?
Nah, probably not.
He shook his head. Young Valerius had been popular—tons of confessions. They were all married now, ages catching up.
"Bro, don't bully her on her first dungeon. She's stressed enough."
"Hm. Fair."
Valerius nodded at Raven's quiet whisper. Self-control made sense. He, Raven, and Sophia were battle-hardened, but she was a pure mage—scarier for her.
"Watch the rear."
"Me? With a noble?"
"Or clear the front."
"Ahem, I was about to say I mesh well with nobles."
And so Valerius's party traversed the ancient dwarf fortress. No sooner had boredom set in than a monster appeared.
"Whoa! Golem over there! Golems—you gotta hit the core, not..."
A golem, dungeon staple and tough for most, emerged. Yanes spotted it and warned—but Valerius moved first.
Mixing ducking and weaving, he slid in and unleashed a hook. It exploded like a cannon shell, crumbling to rubble.
"...Huh?"
Yanes stared blankly. Golems were B-rank; even a gold-rank party struggled. Blades barely worked, hell for warriors.
"Gods. Aura on his fist."
She gulped at the red energy cloaking his knuckles. Massacre? War hero? It hadn't sunk in—until now. His prowess was no fluke.
"Anything worth grabbing from the golem?"
"...Core, maybe? If fancy materials, the body too."
"Just normal rock. Spirit-infused."
"Natural spawn—nothing special."
"Right."
Their dungeon delve continued.