“HAAAA!”
Rusalka unleashed a powerful swing against her opponent. She was facing a group of undead skeletons under Leona’s supervision. As Magnus requested, Leona brought her to the Old Knights’ Dungeon in order to train Rusalka.
“Duck and jump backwards!”
After her slash, she managed to cut the skeleton, but another one soon followed up and made a wide swing. As instructed, Rusalka ducked and managed to avoid the attack. By jumping back she would gain visibility over the remaining enemies.
“Ok, then next…”
“I know what I must do!”
A swift dash followed by a thrust was all it took to make the skeleton crumble. Then parry the enemy coming from the left and sweep his legs, followed by a skull crushing slash. And finally, a skilful spin and 3 consecutive slashes to finish the final skeleton.
“Pfuuu! I worked up quite the sweat there.”
“Yosh! That was splendid. It seems Magnus was right. I never thought I could be a teacher but you finally have the skill to stand on your own two feet. You might just be the strongest goblin ever!”
“I appreciate that, but I need to improve further. These monsters only attack on instinct. I’m sure I would lose if I faced a regular sentient knight.”
“Come on, give yourself more credit. You’re evolving faster than anyone I have ever met. Just a bit more and I could even trust you to watch my back.”
“Thanks… I guess.”
“If you’re that worried, how about we go a bit deeper? There should be tougher monsters to test your skills on.”
“Right!”
“Oh, but before that look. There’s a safe zone.”
In all the dungeons and labyrinths there are places called safe zones. Although nobody knows why they exist, these places are void of monsters and places where adventurers can rest. These safe zones are usually marked by a magic seal that prevents monsters from entering. And some dungeons have more safe zones than others.
“But I don’t feel tired.”
“But you stink. You worked up quite the sweat. Come on. Since there’s a spring here as well, let's both take a bath. You don’t want Magnus to think you’re filthy, right?”
“Eeeep!? That’s… fine. I’ll do it.”
And so both of them decided to take a break and started stripping to enjoy the bath. While washing themselves, they didn’t say a word to each other. But Leona did notice that Rusalka kept glancing her way. She decided to wait until both of them were done washing. Eventually they both sat down and soaked in the spring. It wasn’t like a typical hot spring or a sauna, but the water was pleasant enough for one to enjoy staying a bit in it.
“Hey, pipsqueak, why do you keep staring at me so much?”
“Ugh. It's just… I’ve never seen abs like yours before.”
“That's what this is about? Hahahaha! You sure are funny and innocent.”
“You must have had lots of training back at your home to reach this level.”
“No. I got this way because I wanted to. Not because of my upbringing.”
Rusalka tilted her head as if not understanding the meaning behind Leona's words.
“From your slave collar I can probably guess that you faced many hardships in life. But that doesn't mean that someone like me has it any easier.”
“Miss Leona… what makes you say that?”
“It's a long story.”
“We have time. Besides, master said to get along so… I don't mind listening.”
Leona scratched the back of her head and agreed to share her story. Leona was a beastfolk born under one of the mightiest clans. Her father, Esteban Ironwill was someone said to be absurdly strong. He could crush coal into diamonds with his bare hands.
Naturally with such a father you would think expectations would be high for the children. Leona was always fascinated by the sword. However, that was not the original role she had to play.
But let's start with the beginning. Being born under one of the strongest clan leaders meant that Leona had privileges above normal people. In beastfolk eyes she was like a princess. But, at the same time, due to their customs of valuing strength, her training began at an early age.
The training only intensified when it was discovered that she had the Sword Aura Core. From hand to hand combat to almost all types of weapons. Eventually she did fall in love with the sword. Despite the training being harsh for a woman, it was something natural for the beastfolk. Despite all the bruises and sore muscles, Leona enjoyed the thought of growing stronger. Her days continued like that until the day she reached the age of 14. At 14 you are considered a full grown adult and some beastfolk women are even expected to marry and give birth right away.
For Leona though, it was the age she was granted command of her own squad. Friends she grew up with and trusted comrades. People she ate with, drank with and laughed with. The first task she had to accomplish was a simple patrol mission. But that simple mission turned out more gruesome than what was expected.
Humans and demons have always been at odds, yet it was never exactly specified when their mutually-shared detest led to an all-out war. Beastfolk were not interested in getting mixed up in this war. However in this patrolling mission near the edge of the forest, Leona's squad noticed demons on their territory.
The demons were dissecting monsters within the forest and locking them up in cages. The purpose of this peculiar behavior was never understood. Eventually, the demons spotted them and what was supposed to be a simple patrol, turned into an all out face-off.
The beastfolk were confident that under Leona's command they would achieve victory. Unfortunately that wasn't what happened. Due to their inexperience… everyone except Leona was brutally murdered.
“Captain, at least you have to live!”
“We’ll buy some time.”
“It was an honor fighting with you.”
This entire experience almost broke Leona. Her eyes became lifeless. Needless to say Esteban was furious. Not only because the demons got so close but because her daughter proved so useless, saving her own life and leaving her comrades behind.
So what do you do with a broken sword? Esteban locked her up. She failed as a warrior, so her only other purpose was for establishing an alliance via marriage.
“That's awfull… so much death… *sniff*”
“I appreciate the sympathy, pipsqueak, but I never said my story was a happy one.”
“But still… for something so cruel… what happened next? I mean it's clear you didn't marry. How did you find the strength to move forward?”
“It's a bit embarrassing. But… while waiting in my golden cage… I saw ghosts.”
“Ghosts?”
“Yeah. My entire squad appeared before me.”
.
.
.
“Geez, what happened to you captain?”
“We got our assess kicked, so what? Are you just going to stand there and cry forever?”
“Everyone… but… it's my fault. It's all my fault. I ordered the attack. I was too confident in my own skills. I got everyone killed…”
“Baka. That's not the attitude of a beastfolk. Captain, if we didn't respect you, do you think we would have given our lives so that you could escape?”
“If you're weak, just get stronger. Staying in this cage… is that really how you want to end? Don't let that fire in your soul be extinguished!”
“Wait!! I don't care if this is a dream or just hallucinating. Don't leave me alone!!”
“Captain… you're never alone. We are always besides you. In your heart. But if you truly don't want to lose us… please become the warrior you always wanted to be. Become the strong and loving person we were looking forward to.”
“That's right. And if you were to marry, it can only be with someone stronger than you! Not for some political reasons!”
.
.
.
They were right. Why was I showing so many signs of weakness? This is bullshit! I will carry their deaths with me. This is a sin I will never erase. But I can't stop and just rot away. If I do that their deaths will truly be meaningless and I will never be able to face them again.
“So I ran away. I ran away from my clan and set off to become the strongest. The amount of pain and blood I shed over the next 5 years to reach my current point was like a living hell. But eventually I managed to obtain the title of the Sword Saintess. But... I quit that job after some time. Even now, I always wander from guild to guild looking for strong people. And I never stay in one place for too long.
I don't want father sending people looking for me. I want to go back to him when I feel like I am worthy.”
“Awwwwaaa!!”
“Geez, why are you crying all of a sudden!?”
“It's so sad. Just like master, you also had such a harsh life. Awwwwaaa!!”
“Knock it off already. Anyway, I managed to find the strength to move forward. Until a few days ago when I met Magnus. To be honest the person my father wanted me to marry was a sleazeball. I felt malevolence coming from him. My instincts were screaming at me. But with Magnus…”
Leona started blushing.
“I feel safe. I was always used to protecting others. But now when I’m with him I feel like I am protected. It's such a warm and pleasant feeling. And I can tell Magnus has a kind heart.”
“That's right! Master is the best in the world. Leona…”
“Hmm?”
“We're much more similar than I thought. Both of us had our struggles and suffering in the past. And both of us eventually ended on the same path. We are Magnus's companions. And we are happy that it turned out this way. So… I want to get along with you. I want to protect master, but I also want to be your friend. Not someone that you have to protect, but someone that can stand by your side.”
“You're… really cute, you know that? You're making me blush even more. Well, despite that we didn't have the best start… I’d also love that. Let's get along, Rusalka.”
“Yes. Let's!”
The two started laughing.
“Since we're friends now, can I ask you something?”
“What is it, Leona?”
Leona moved around and suddenly grabbed Rusalka’s breasts from behind.
“Eeeep!?”
“When are you going to put these to good use already and mate with Magnus?”
“Whaaaa!?”
“You have wide hips and a plump ass too.”
“Stop touching me!! You're making me feel weird! What's gotten into you?”
“You always complain when I bring the topic of baby making, so I thought you just wanted to go first. So hurry up and mate already with Magnus so I can have a turn too.”
“Pervert!! I became friends with a pervert!! I don't think I can do this after all!! You're crazy… aah~ stop moving your hands already!!”
After that, that dungeon area was filled with weird noises that were never before heard.