The carriage proceeded out of town and slowly made its way to a sparsely populated area. Kena, who was in the passenger seat, sensed something wasnt quite right and opened the window to notify the soldier in control of the carriage.

Is this really the right road?

It is. Well be there in no time.

I see

Kena sat down quietly after receiving such a response. The silver-haired girl next to her was looking down with a seemingly sleepy gaze. Kena smiled warmly as she looked at the girl.

Were almost there, Tem.

Kena said softly, almost as if she was trying to persuade herself. The next thing she knew, the temperature in the passenger area plummeted drastically.

Here should be fine.

After raising her head, the girl sitting next to Kena unexpectedly said in a frigid tone.

What?

At the same time, the carriage came to a complete halt.

W-What is going on?

Kena scurried out of the passenger seat due to the recoil. Numerous densely overgrown trees and a cliff with a broad river running below appeared before her eyes the next moment.

Kena was certain that this wasnt the way to Botoe.

Hehe. Missy, youre quite the unlucky one. You may have lived if the Great Sage hadnt run his mouth1.

Im sorry, Missy, but youll have to die here. We cant take you to the Empire.

The dukes soldiers, or rather, the men who had disguised themselves as such hopped down from the coachmans post, and began readying their weapons, with smiles on their faces, in front of the alarmed Kena.

Y-You are

Stop dallying. Hurry up and kill her. the cold voice spoke again.

Understood.

One of the soldiers said and immediately thrust his sword at Kena.

Hyaa!

The man yelled out. Kena twisted her upper body to evade her sword and then whirled around to deliver a swift kick to the mans thigh on top of his armor.

Urgh!

Despite wearing armor, the man screamed in agony as he tried to back away.

Take this!

Kena, on the other hand, didnt waste any time and attacked him with an elbow to the face. She then stomped on his toes, blocking his escape, and smashed her fist into his throat.

Aahh

The man mumbled as Kenas fist entered his armor and slammed into his throat, crumpling him to the ground.

S-Strong

The remaining man muttered. Kena hurried to protect the silver-haired girl who was standing near the cliff, taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the mans fright.

However

Te

Tsk. Useless bastards.

From the girls mouth emanated a harsh voice. Kena felt she was dreaming, or at least wished she was, but she couldnt ignore the truth before her eyes. Kena realized that the girl shed approached wasnt someone that needed protection; rather, she was someone Kena needed to get away from as quickly as possible.

She also realized that it was too late. She couldnt escape death.

Die.

The young girl swung her right hand, forming a sword with her fingers.

Her fingers were instantly coated with Mana, becoming a Mana sword that slashed into Kenas torso from the side, reaching all the way to her shoulder and causing a fountain of blood to erupt.

Aaahh

Kenas body limped towards the girl who had injured her while fresh blood streamed from her wound. The two girls, however, did not collide. Kena maneuvered herself around the little girl and threw herself from the edge of the cliff2.

So she fell.

The young girl muttered with her brow furrowed and her gaze fixed on the river below. Originally, she intended to make sure Kena was dead before throwing her down the cliff, but the Magic Stone around her chest shattering had distracted her.

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As a result, she had been unable to stop Kena, who, to the girls amazement, had also not stopped.

I broke the Mana Concealing Magic Stone I borrowed Ill definitely get scolded later. Damn it

It would not have broken if she had unleashed her Mana with the Magic Stone removed. Despite the uncomfortable sensation shed felt, shed nonetheless unleashed it with the Magic Stone still attached. As a result, shed had to bear the consequences.

Phew. So shes dead. Thats what you get, bitch!

As he approached the little girl, the remaining soldier, whod portrayed himself as the Dukes man and was presently carrying his unconscious buddy, uttered his curses.

Find her.

What?!

The girls unexpected remark stunned him. The girl spoke up again when she noted his puzzled stare.

I believe she is dead, but I still want her found. And when you do, kill her.

What? O-Okay.

The man nodded, his face expressionless, as though he didnt want to search the river below the cliff. The opposite side had suffered a fatal wound. Shed most certainly be dead by the time he discovered her. He had every right to believe that this search was worthless.

The silver-haired girl clucked her tongue at the man who had unwillingly left his unconscious partner and went to search for Kena at the cliffs foot, and produced a new Magic Stone from her pocket.

Do you copy? Its me.

Copy that. How are things on your end?

Hearing a reply from the Magic Stone, the girl brushed her hair around her ear, so she could hear better and nodded.

Mission accomplished. There were a few issues, but we were able to get the professors research.

What of the main priority? Did you manage to secure the professor and his associate?

Im afraid no. Doctor Glodel is dead. In regards to his associate, I assessed that our present forces would make it impossible for us to capture him. Great Sage Astard had a friend you see Fufu.

Is something wrong?

The voice asked, intrigued by the girls laughter. The girl merely shook her head in response, well aware that she couldnt be seen.

Its nothing. I just got to see something interesting. When I return, Ill tell you more about it in person. That is all. Ill now be heading towards the Empire.

Roger. Well be awaiting your safe arrival, Varner.

When her name was called, the girls face brightened. The girl, who appeared to be quite young, displayed her unique pointed and lengthy ears. Those ears, which were identical to Mercs, were a distinct characteristic of the Elves3.

Robinxen: The mystery unravels! Robinxen: A daring, dare I say it bold, move from the girl. Certainly the percentage chance of surviving the fall is higher than that of being murdered for certainty. Robinxen: Many readers were wise to this twist before it happened.