Episode 67. A Fresh Start to the Journey with First Blood
Episode 67. A Fresh Start to the Journey with First Blood
"Alright, shall we depart?"
The morning after successfully assisting Rita-ssi with her childbirth.
My family and I finished preparing for our journey and boarded the carriage, while the devotees who would manage the Church in our absence came to see us off.
"Don't go, Goddess-nim!"
"Goddess Triae-nim...!"
"We'll spread your teachings far and wide!"
Some clung to us sorrowfully, while others shouted brightly as if entrusted with a noble mission.
Since I'd pleasured each of them before leaving, their current longing was manageable-but soon they'd suffer withdrawal from the ecstasy I'd given them.
My condolences to the men who'd be squeezed dry by my substitutes. Not that I care what happens to those Vital Energy sacks anyway.
After waving halfheartedly at the devotees, I set the carriage in motion.
"Move, you oversized dumb beast! If this carriage so much as jolts, I'll devour you whole!"
Camellia had taken on the role of carriage driver.
Since Raven was a trained warhorse who moved well without commands, and Camellia surprisingly had talent handling horses, Rita-ssi had permitted it.
Camellia seemed to have volunteered not because she enjoyed driving, but because she relished dominating something beneath her.
"Yes, yes. Keep obeying like this and I'll feed you lots of treats. You like carrots, right? I won't eat any, so you can have them all."
"Prrrt!"
The horse snorted dismissively at the driver's words.
Regardless of what Camellia said, Raven plodded silently onward. Whether our adorable eldest daughter realized she was being ignored or not, she kept chattering away.
Leaving Camellia to her antics, I tended to Rose, our newest family member.
"Look at this, Triae. Rose seems to prefer her father over her mother. She keeps staring at your chest while sucking on mine."
"Rose, do you want Daddy's milk more than Mommy's? Our dragon mommy's chest is splendid too-it's genuine Dragon Milk, you know."
"Aboob, ababa-"
"Yes, yes. Here comes the nummies. Eat lots and grow big."
Despite being newborn, our third daughter was already picky about whose breasts she fed from.
She likely preferred my queenly milk over Rita-ssi's because it contained more Vital Energy, though Rita-ssi seemed slightly hurt.
We'll allow this pickiness only during infancy. Can't have her developing bad habits.
"...Triae. What's this 'dragon mommy' and 'Dragon Milk'...? Where do you even learn these phrases?"
"They just come naturally with you and our family. Doesn't happen with others."
"Also, how long will you keep using '-ssi' with me? I'm your wife and vassal now-no need for formalities."
"Ah, it's just habit..."
"Start addressing me casually from now on. It's proper etiquette, and more comfortable for me."
"Understood... Okay, Rita."
I'd been unsure when to drop formalities with her, so I was relieved she initiated it.
Feeling too embarrassed to suggest it first, I pretended reluctant acceptance with a coy tone.
"Yes, exactly. Since I call you Triae, you calling me Rita is only logical."
"Right, right. Since Rita permitted it first, I'll use casual speech liberally. No complaints later."
Rita smiled contentedly, while Cecilia-who'd been listening nearby-grinned as if seeing through my thoughts, finding me adorable.
Just as the journey seemed peaceful, Lycoris-who'd been quietly reading while leaning against me-suddenly spoke up.
"Mother, a noble's carriage approaches ahead. Conflict appears likely-we should prepare countermeasures."
"Huh?"
As I began to question the abrupt warning, Camellia's voice rang from outside. I realized Lycoris had foreseen the future.
"Neeeigh-!"
"Kyah! What's this? Why block the road?!"
Peeking outside by lifting the canopy, I saw an ornate carriage blocking our path, its driver arguing fiercely with Camellia.
The opposing driver scrutinized Camellia with blatant disdain, clearly struggling to reconcile her lovely appearance with her menial role-unsure if she was truly a slave.
"Brat. I won't waste words on you. Fetch your master. I have business with them."
"Hah? Who do you think you are, calling me a slave out of nowhere, you rude- Wait, I don't wanna talk to you either! Go fetch your own master or scram!"
"Not a slave?"
The opposing driver seemed mentally flustered by Camellia's coarse speech and his mistaken assumption.
Unable to watch my daughter be insulted, I stepped outside-just as the noble's carriage door opened, revealing its owner.
A portly human man emerged, his expensive clothes and gem-laden fingers signaling wealth. He barked at his quarreling driver while wobbling his multiple chins.
"You fool! What are you doing?!"
"M-my Baron. I asked who owned them as instructed, but this brat's response-"
"I told you to find out whose carriage this is that employs such a pretty slave as a mere driver, not to bicker with the slave herself!"
...What kind of conversation is this?
Since they were clearly misunderstanding something, I intervened.
"Excuse me."
"Hm? ...Ooooh?!"
The Baron-who'd been berating his driver unaware of my presence-made a disgusting noise upon seeing me, eyes bulging.
"Ah, fair maiden! If I may be so bold, might I have the honor of knowing your name-"
"...Enough nonsense. State your business."
"Hohoh. Simply put, the slave you keep is remarkably beautiful-I wished to know her owner... and inquire if she's for sale."
"She's not a slave-she's my daughter. She's driving because she wanted to try handling the reins."
"...Daughter?"
The Baron-still entranced by my appearance-finally scrutinized me properly.
Our matching features, ordinary traveler attire, and other family members peeking curiously from the carriage.
"I see. Now I understand."
Surely he realized we're just a normal family traveling...
"You're courtesans, aren't you?"
"...Pardon?"
...My mistake for expecting common sense.
Where in the world did he get that idea? Unbelievable...
"This simplifies matters. I'll purchase you all. You seem to be returning from an expedition-I'll pay multiples of your earnings. Work under me."
"No, listen-"
"Not enough? Then... For one of your caliber, with such supreme beauty, I could easily take you as a concubine. Perhaps even make you my legal wife..."
"Wait, just let me-"
"Enough, Triae. No need to hear more."
Rita-now emerged from the carriage-placed a hand on my shoulder and stepped forward.
She approached the Baron with terrifying intensity, sword in hand. Oblivious to the danger, he kept spouting nonsense.
"Hoh...! Another exquisite commodity...! A voluptuous female warrior-is this the adventurer style that's trending? Your tail suggests some beastkin? That haughty face would make for delightful humiliation play!"
"...We are not the courtesans of your vulgar fantasies. And my body... is not voluptuous."
Oh Rita, that's not true. Her body's irresistibly sexy...
Even in plain shirt and pants, Rita's explosive figure forces all males to stare...
"I can hear you, Triae...!"
...Ah, had I said that aloud? *Ahem*
Srrk-
Rita drew her frost-blue longsword and advanced toward the Baron.
"Oho? Will you perform a sword dance? Or do you crave being violently subdued before getting ravished? Either makes a fine scenario! I'll pay any amount! I'll buy you all and-"
Thud!
"G-glaaaaghh-?!"
With that, she pierced his ham-like tongue with her blade.
Without blinking, Rita severed the tongue completely. The Baron collapsed, clutching his bleeding mouth.
"You insulted me, my master, and our children. Furthermore, this insults the Karyen Family."
"G-glurg, gluuuh...! N-noble house...?"
The Baron turned deathly pale upon realizing he'd offended nobility.
As I understand, nobles value honor deeply-honor-related disputes often lead to legally sanctioned killings.
Meaning Rita now had legal authority to punish the Baron for defaming her honor.
"Begone. Consider this payment for your foolish, ugly actions. If you value your remaining life, never appear before us again."
"Hiiik!"
The Baron fled to his carriage with his servant, departing without looking back.
Only his severed tongue and bloodstains remained. I wondered if we'd handled this properly.
"Triae, are you alright? Apologies... I wanted to behead him, but restrained myself since the children were watching..."
"No, thank you... for getting angry on our behalf. Honestly, seeing blood excited me a little."
"I'm glad you said that. I'm not normally like this, but I couldn't control my rage when our family was insulted... I'm ashamed you saw this side of me."
Rita flushed shyly while insisting violence wasn't in her nature.
I reassured her repeatedly before we returned to the carriage.
We resumed our journey as if nothing happened.
This trip... Will it end peacefully?