The Assassin
Lux’s Side
When the carriage arrived in the town, Remina-san and I got out and began walking through the streets.
As I looked at the lively townscape as usual, I suddenly remembered something and decided to ask Remina-san about it.
“Come to think of it, when we first met in the Katiswear Empire, you said you’d come from another country, but is that the case today as well?”
“No. I am, like you, a person of this country.”
“What? R-really!?”
“Yes. When I first learned that myself, I was so shocked that I felt a powerful sense of fate… of course, I still do.”
As I stood there stunned, Remina-san muttered something in a voice too quiet for me to hear.
The fact that Remina-san, whom I first met in the Katiswear Empire, was from the same country as me… I guess coincidences like this really exist.
“By the way, have you had any trouble with how to eat bread since then?”
“Yes. When I told my younger sister about eating bread for the first time, she started giving it to me regularly… thanks to what you taught me, I’ve been able to eat it properly.”
“If I were able to help, then I’m glad! Speaking of your sister, you said you had two, right?”
“That’s right.”
If I remember correctly, the third daughter was serious and composed, and Remina-san had even said she would someday be able to show her strength to the world. The second daughter helped with choosing clothes and was excellent in ability, but had some issues with her personality.
“The one who brings me bread is the second daughter, but wherever she gets it from, it’s quite delicious. Someday, I’d like to eat it with you as well.”
“If… if that’s how you feel, Remina-san, then instead of someday, let’s go eat together right now!”
“…Is that alright?”
“Of course! I also want to eat bread with you again… or rather, I want to eat something delicious together with you!!”
When I said that from the bottom of my heart, Remina-san looked at me for a moment before speaking.
“…If you say it is alright, then let’s go.”
“Yes!”
After wandering aimlessly through the town, Remina-san and I set the bakery as our destination and started walking again.
And just when we were about to reach the bakery—
“Hey.”
A very muscular man stepped in front of us as if to block our way.
Then, while looking at my face, he spoke.
“You’re Lux Rodwell, right?”
He had a very intimidating attitude, so I stepped forward and held out my arm in front of Remina-san to quietly tell her not to move ahead.
“…”
Remina-san looked surprised by that, but I decided not to think about it for the moment and opened my mouth.
“Yes, but… do you need something from me?”
When I asked that, the man stared at my face for a moment, then gave a mocking snort.
“…Hah. A brat like you was the runner-up of the swordsmanship tournament? This country’s really gone downhill.”
The swordsmanship tournament…
“It’s true that even now, I’m surprised I was able to get second place in that tournament… but when I think about the people I crossed swords with there, and the people who supported me, I can’t ignore what you just said.”
“Then fight me one-on-one. If you were some monster like Rezamiliana, that’d be one thing, but a brat like you I could take down in one swing—”
“If you care about your life, you’d better close your mouth right there.”
Cutting the man off, Remina-san spoke with unbelievable force, weight, and intensity in her voice.
“What… h-hey! Who the hell are you!?”
The man faltered for a moment under the weight of her words, but tried to cover it up by shouting back.
But Remina-san fixed him with a powerful gaze, placed her hand on the hilt of the sword at her waist, and spoke again with that same crushing weight.
“If you continue to say things that insult him… I will cut you down.”
From Remina-san’s expression and aura, I could feel an overwhelming presence and dignity, so strong that even I, standing right beside her, couldn’t help but gasp.
And as I watched her like that, a question formed in my mind.
Just who in the world is Remina-san…?