Going to a Remote Village
“Mia! Get back!”
“Eh?”
Suddenly, Sion pulled her arm that she almost lost her balance. That alone made her heart skip a beat. But what was more shocking is the realization that Sion did not use her title. He just called her “Mia”, no honorifics. No address. As if they were close friends… or even…
Actually last night, they decided to stop using titles. It would be problematic to call each other prince or princess. Especially if they will be caught by the revolutionaries.
This cheeky boy. So this was what he was aiming last night when he suggested it. This is really bad for my heart!
Mia’s cheeks went red and her brain started filling with all things about love. Sion, however, was fully composed. He stepped forward to shield her as he faces the owner of the strange voice.
Standing before them was a large man with a thick beard. At first glance, he looks like a hunter, but …
“… Is it possible that he is merely dressed like one?”
Sion silently muttered.
When they fell into the river, he had thrown away the sword for it was in the way of swimming. If this is a companion from the assassins that attacked the carriage, then it’s going to be a hard fight. In case of emergency, Sion was resolved to let Princess Mia escape alone.
But the stranger did not approach. He just points to the red mushroom that Mia was trying to take.
“That, young lady, is a Salamandrake. It is a poisonous mushroom. It can also cause just by touching it. If you eat it, it will really be bad. ”
“Well! Is that so? I thought I could eat it because it was so beautiful!”
Mia, you…
Sion was about to retort but he kept his mouth closed as he realizes how hungry he was. He wondered if the herbs they have eaten yesterday was safe. For a split second, his trust in the Wisdom of the Empire wavered.
“You guys aren’t from around here? Where are you from?”
“We are… Hmmpff?”
Sion quickly covered Mia’s mouth to stop her finishing her words.
“Who are you?”
Sion was quietly observing the man. When he looked at his gestures, he didn’t look like a combat-trained assassin. But he couldn’t let his guard down. If the opponent is a bandit, one wrong word and they maye be in danger. They could be held for ransom, or even worse, sell them to slavers. Sion’s vigilance was justified.
“Yeah? Is this one of those ‘tell me your name first before I tell you mine’ things? Well, I’m Muzic from the nearby Doni Village. I am a hunter. See?”
As he said this, he lifted what was tied to his waist. It was a big rabbit with black and white stripes.
“Well! That’s a large rabbit… are you going to eat it?”
“Oh, would you like to try it later?”
“Yes, I would definitely want to try it. Actually, we are very hungry because we were separated from our friends.”
Princess Mia, aren’t you a little careless?
Sion feels uneasy for a moment, but immediately dismisses his thoughts. There is no reason why a person like Princess Mia cannot understand this level of danger. Earlier he was about to make fun of her about the incident with the mushrooms, but that was probably a failure borne out of pure curiosity. It shouldn’t affect her ability o perceive real and present danger.
Which means…
He looked at Mia’s face and he couldn’t find a single shred of anxiety. She was just looking at the man. Her expression was calm.
In any case, it seems that she has figured out that there it doesn’t make sense to go along the river as it is.
With a bitter smile, he shakes his head.
I see, she’s more prepared than I am. Her resolve is admirable. I can’t lose to her now.
So, Sion also decides…
“We are children of a merchants. We were attacked by bandits at the bridge and separated from our parents.”
This was the story that they have agreed beforehand.
“Oh, was that so? That must have been hard for you.”
Muzic gave them an understanding smile.
“My village is close to here. Would you like to come?”
“I’m very grateful for that … but we have to head to the capital.”
“The capital? Oh, then I’ll find out if there’s a guy from the village who will be heading out that direction.”
With Muzic leading, Mia and Sion started following.
At this time, it should already be obvious that Mia didn’t have any resolve. Rather her actions were based on a passage of a book that she has read about forest survival techniques: “Rabbit meat is one of the most delicious ingredients in the forest. In particular, the black-and-white striped half-moon rabbit soup deserves special mention. ”
Rabbit meat … I’m looking forward to it!
In short, she was just hungry.
Bu… but, it’s not like I’m hungry. At times like this, you just have to eat something that is nutritious!
Her excuses just proves the point that she did it out of hunger. Luckily, no one can hear her thoughts.
Author’s Note:
By the way, the fire lizard mushroom is like Kaentake in Japan.
If you are wondering if it is okay to eat, please try google.
See you soon.
TN:
I probably did not translate the Author’s note properly. I don’t know what 火蜥蜴 is. It just means literally fire lizard, but I know it is a species of mushroom. Nonetheless, don’t eat it. It’s poisonous.
