Romance Fantasy Transmigration is Actually Real (2)
Falling asleep locked in the slave trader's cart had happened just a few hours ago.
I'd been dead to the world, lost in deep slumber, oblivious to everything.
Then, grating voices in my ears pulled me slowly awake inside the cart.
.....Outside's awfully noisy?
I couldn't make out details, but the sounds were loud, and there were a lot of people around.
Something was definitely going down.
I desperately wanted to peek out, but the slave traders had draped a cloth over the iron bars to hide me, so that wasn't an option.
Should I yell for help?
I had no clue who was out there. The voices were muffled.
Were the slavers chatting with their buddies? Or had they been caught red-handed and were arguing with someone?
If it was knights or guards, they'd be a huge help.
One good shout, and they'd spot me instantly and come to my aid.
Let's yell.
Sure, if they were allies of the slavers, I might get beaten to a pulp. But no choice.
Even if I avoided immediate trouble, sticking around like this guaranteed no good end.
Please be on my side. Please be good people....
Just as I tensed my abs to shout, the air around me shifted abruptly.
The noisy outside went dead silent in an instant, leaving only stillness.
......?
As I wondered what was up, something flashed right in front of my eyes.
At the same time, a thunderous crash rocked the cart.
Whoa!
The cart split open, light pouring through the gap.
I didn't see exactly what happened, but something had sliced this thing clean in half like paper.
Stunned by the impossible feat, I thought:
Plan to yell? Canceled.
Drawing attention when I had no idea what was out there? Worst judgment call ever.
Ugh.....
With the cart forcibly pried open, I sensed someone approaching.
I dreaded facing them.
For all I knew, it wasn't even human.
No idea where we were or what was happening—I didn't want to reveal myself rashly.
No chance of running.
Maybe play dead. Worth a shot, anyway.
So I ducked my head and pretended to sleep, but the footsteps didn't stop. They came right up and loomed before me.
"Hey. You alive?"
No mistaking it—that was aimed straight at me.
My timid attempt at stealth went up in smoke.
Pretending to sleep.... yeah, not happening.
Even I knew sleeping through this chaos was ridiculous.
They'd think it was suspicious for sure.
Still, I stubbornly acted like I'd just woken up, slowly opening my eyes and scanning around.
Armor? Knight, then?
From the vague shape, they wore black armor.
Looked medieval-ish from what I'd glimpsed earlier. Wearing plate like that meant high rank, probably.
A woman....?
Opening my eyes fully, a woman stared right at me.
Navy-blue long straight hair and eyes that gave off a cold, solemn vibe—a stern beauty with a no-nonsense impression.
Black armor, sword at her side—she screamed knight.
Normally, I'd be gawking at her looks, but right now, staring just sparked other thoughts.
.....Why does she look familiar.....
This was another world, yet her face rang a bell.
Where had I seen such a beauty? Racking my brain, a name suddenly popped up.
"Lia Agehis."
"....You know me?"
Of course. I knew her all too well.
Lia Agehis.
Guardian of the empire's north, the impregnable Northern Barrier, and one of the continent's rare few Swordmasters.
And a character from the romance fantasy novel I'd been reading, Even If the Shadows Engulf Us.
....Wait, this isn't just any isekai?
I thought it was a generic otherworld, but nope—a romance fantasy novel transmigration.
Didn't see that coming.
Then again, possessing into a novel I'd read made more sense than dropping into a total stranger world.
Not that plausibility mattered much at this point, either way.
At least it's something of a relief.
A world I knew a bit was way better than total ignorance.
Original knowledge would be my guiding light.
Especially meeting Lia Agehis right off the bat.
She never ignored the weak in front of her. She'd at least protect me till I reached safety.
Plus, she was a Swordmaster.
Under her watch, my safety was basically guaranteed.
"No need to worry. Come on out. Our knights have the slavers subdued."
"Thank you for the help."
"Any injuries?"
"No. Lucky, that."
I took her outstretched hand and stepped out of the cart.
Knights filled my view the moment I emerged. Seeing them filled my chest with solid reassurance.
"How'd you end up kidnapped?"
"Got lost wandering. Thought they were just merchants."
"A tragic misfortune, indeed."
Truth was, I'd walked right into it. But no point embarrassing myself with details.
Not a big deal anyway—Lia just patted my shoulder and let it slide without pressing.
"Thirsty? Hungry? I've got bread if you need it."
"....Could I just get some water?"
"Of course. Here."
Perfect timing—I was parched from lack of water.
As if reading my mind, she handed over her canteen.
I grabbed it and chugged while she stared at me intently, her face heavy with serious contemplation.
"....What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just thinking."
I asked tentatively, uneasy, but she smiled it off like no big deal.
But I could tell.
That smile was just like the one my dad wore after getting scammed on a deposit by his landlord.
Sure enough, after pondering longer, Lia let out a deep sigh and spoke.
"....I'd love to escort you to safety right now, but alas, I'm on official duty. Can't manage that."
Disappointing, but unavoidable.
As a lord, she couldn't shirk her responsibilities.
Still, no worries.
She wasn't the type to just dump me on the roadside.
"You've two choices."
As expected, she offered her best alternative.
Two choices? Luxury for an ex-Chun-sik like me.
"First: stay here and wait. The knights who nabbed the slavers headed to the territory. Search party'll come soon with a cart."
"I'll give you rations and my token. Head back with them."
Thoughtful, sure, but not appealing.
Waiting in this forest for who-knows-when knights? Pure gamble.
No guarantee against Slave Trader Mk. II, and beasts in the woods too.
I'd last three seconds either way.
"Second: come with us and return together."
No brainer....!
I nearly blurted "second" the second she said it, but she continued.
"We're en route to assault a dungeon. Can't guarantee what's lurking inside."
"We'll protect you best we can, but we might fail."
In other words, waiting here might be safer.
Dungeons were total unknowns.
Rarely, horrors emerged that could challenge even Swordmasters.
If that happened, even Lia couldn't shield me.
Tough call.....
High chance of moderate danger, or low chance of high danger.
But I didn't agonize long.
Wild animal at the door or dungeon boss—no difference, I'd die either way.
Better bet on the lower odds.
"....If it's alright, I'll take the second."
"If that's your choice, so be it."
She nodded crisply, like either was fine, and turned away.
Tucking me into the knights' formation, she raised a fist and declared calmly:
"All hands, move out again."
The knights resumed marching as if nothing happened.
Somehow wedged in their midst, I cautiously eyed them and matched their pace.
"....Oh, and earlier, you said...."
"?"
Midway, as we trudged on with the knights, Lia—leading from the front—glanced back and mumbled something.
What? Problem?
I tilted my head curiously.
She stared at me, then shook her head and corrected herself flatly.
"....Never mind. Nothing. Forget it."
What? Mistake what?
But she said no more.
Just sank into deep thought, face serious like she was wrestling alone.
Watching her back, it hit me:
There are two ways to annoy people.
One is trailing off mid-sentence, and the other is....