TMOWM~50

Chapter 50

There are always these petty little villains wherever you go. I let myself be dragged away on purpose, glaring at the man’s greasy-looking back of the head.

That was when I remembered—he had once tried to eat raw Kito herbs. No wonder he’s going bald.

His grip on my wrist hurt, but I wasn’t scared. I had skills, after all!

It was just a bit uncomfortable that I couldn’t use my Self-Healing skill since I had lent it to Tybern, so the pain in my wrist was just building up.

The man dragged me into an alley and threw me to the ground.

“Hey, you little brat. I don’t know what dirty trick you pulled to seduce that guy, but there’s such a thing as professional courtesy!”

He barked at me.

“Because of the herbs you sold, other herbalists are about to go out of business! You want their families to starve to death?!”

His eyes bulged as he stared at me. I thought, What nonsense. How is that my fault?

Who was it that colluded to pressure me in the first place? And now they’re desperate, huh?

This scummy old man. He smelled like boiled onions. I glared at him.

“You should’ve done better before the ship sailed.”

“What?”

“So what exactly are you saying you want?”

“I’m saying you have to supply herbs fairly to everyone! I guess you don’t know any better, but that’s the law and justice!”

What utter rubbish. He was clearly looking down on me because I was young.

“Or do you want to get taught a lesson right here? A little girl with no fear.”

His eyes bulged again.

“How about I have you sold off to some remote island?”

I let out a long sigh. Always the same script. He probably thought I’d cave if he threatened me like that. He must’ve assumed I’d be terrified.

But I had Fear Immunity. And most importantly—

I stepped forward and grabbed his wrist, just like he’d grabbed mine earlier.

[Girl’s Super Strength v. MAX]

My status window flashed brilliantly.

“Aaaagh! What is this strength?!”

He flailed, trying to pry me off, but it had no effect. I simply stared at him blankly.

Villains like this never think they could end up on the receiving end. They’re the type who never challenge the strong, only the weak.

Look at how he approached me when I was alone. And he didn’t dare say a word to Viscount Aros, who actually controlled the herbal market.

He probably thought that with a bit of intimidation and coaxing, I’d give him whatever he wanted.

“Let go of me!”

I held on without caring if his bones broke, and his face turned pale.

“If you were me, would you let go? Honestly, what a joke. Who acted dirty first here?”

I flung his hand away. He groaned in pain, then lifted his arm as if to strike me.

Not a chance you’re hitting me.

I didn’t even have a single skill right now!

Dodging his hand, I activated another skill.

[Potato-Peeler Knife Mastery v. MAX]

All my training paid off. Even though all I held was a mere hairpin, it served its purpose perfectly.

“Aaagh!”

My blade work nicked him at the waist, sending him rolling on the ground. The hairpin broke, but I had no regrets.

Then I grabbed him again and used a judo throw—slam! The man collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

I brushed off my hands.

“If you try your thug act again, it won’t end this easily next time. Got it?”

Pick on someone your own size. Hmph!

I was about to turn and leave when I saw people running toward the alley entrance.

What now, his gang?

Looked like I’d need a weapon. I was about to look around for one with all due solemnity when—

“Rani!”

From the front, Viscount Aros came running, pale-faced, calling my name.

“Oh! My lord.”

“Are you hurt anywhere? The watch should be here soon. Heavens, when I heard you’d been dragged away, I was so shocked… shocked, and…”

He glanced over my shoulder at the man sprawled behind me.

“…Is he alive?”

“Of course, my lord!”

“…You did this? How on earth…?”

I rolled my eyes. To Viscount Aros, I was just an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl. He probably couldn’t imagine me taking down a man that size.

I came up with a plausible excuse.

“Sir Hildren thought something dangerous might happen, so he taught me some self-defense.”

“I… see.”

“Oh, it was a really tough fight.”

“…Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

“Ow, my wrist’s a little sore, but it’s fine!”

Better to admit to a small injury than say nothing, so I showed him my wrist. He nodded in relief.

It had never occurred to me that Rani might come home injured. Why would a fairy get hurt?

I had always believed she’d escape danger with her mysterious powers, just as she always had before.

So when we realized she could be hurt, the entire ducal household was thrown into confusion.

“Oh, Rani!”

Dania caught her with a tearful face.

“What on earth happened to your wrist? It’s all bruised blue!”

The commotion drew in the farm workers, who took away all the baskets Rani had been carrying.

Her eyes went round.

“You could see that?”

“Of course! It’s completely blue! Who did this to you?”

“It’s nothing. This’ll heal in no time.”

She beamed, without a trace of concern. Dania rolled her eyes.

Rani was far too defenseless and unconcerned about herself—dense, almost.

“This isn’t right.”

“You should get that treated right away.”

“Dania’s right. The smaller the injury, the faster it should be treated. Did you report it?”

The servants around her each offered worried advice.

And just then, Hider and Hildren returned from training. Seeing the crowd, they came over and spotted the bruise on her wrist.

Hider’s expression turned cold.

He, too, had never considered that Rani could be hurt.

The moment the sunlight revealed the bruise on her slender wrist, a surge of emotion welled up inside him.

“Who did this?” Hider asked grimly.

“It’s nothing, young master. I taught him a lesson myself.”

“How can this be ‘nothing’?”

“Oh, if I look like this, imagine what he looks like! He got dragged off unconscious!”

Those who knew her strength nodded. That sounded like Rani. Hildren nodded as well.

Hider alone still looked grim.

“Going out alone was dangerous after all.”

“Young master?”

“From now on, we’ll go together. I can at least protect myself now.”

His skills had been improving rapidly. Even without Rani’s help, he could travel long distances quickly.

He still couldn’t hide his presence completely, but he could suppress signs of movement.

And his swordsmanship was steadily approaching his desired level. He knew Rani was amazing, but maybe he could at least prevent her from getting hurt like this.

“But, young master…!”

“If you have to go out starting tomorrow, we’re going together. Now go get treated, Rani.”

“It’s fine, really.”

“No, come on. Actually, I’ll go with you. Where’s Lady Luella?”

In the end, Rani was dragged away by Hider. Watching them go, Dania murmured,

“Doesn’t it seem… like the young master’s acting strange?”

“…Ahem.”

The servants cleared their throats, a certain unspeakable suspicion flitting through their minds.

A small silence fell over the group.

Hildren watched their retreating backs with a troubled look.

Dania alone muttered with a determined expression,

“Whatever Rani chooses, I’ll help her and support her. Always.”

The perfect attitude for a loyal ally.