Chapter 85

(Mitsuha) 「Eh . . ? Somehow the response is better than I expected……」

Well, it’s not surprising if a vehicle you’ve never seen before suddenly appeared out of nowhere and you were told to surrender or else they will drop lightning to you .

But even so, this is a bit overwhelming……

(Sabine) 「Mitsuha-neesama, aren’t they the remnant of Imperial soldiers?」

Sabine-chan asked .

Hmm, if I look closely…… .

Ooh . . , indeed, some of them have matching protective armors, and it feels like they have some kind of leadership .

I see . . , they already knew that it was my voice and what it meant to be 『striked with lightning』, huh…

If so, then……

As soon as the bandits started to retreat together and fled with all their might, we mowed down the path ahead of them with the assault rifle from the car window .

The shooting sound echoed and the ground in front of the bandits was burst open with an addition of dust cloud . The bandits came to a halt, groaned and stumped with hopeless faces .

While replacing the ammo that I had shot, Colette-chan pointed out the sub-machine gun from the window on the passenger seat and shot some bullets to the sky .

Unlike assault rifles, sub-machine guns use handgun bullets which have less gunpowder and small recoils, but instead they have lower power and accuracy . Because it’s dangerous to do a threat shooting at close range, I strictly ordered to shoot at a safe range unless it’s an emergency or when I instruct it .

Of course, it’s different when you want to shoot them . Even though the accuracy is low, you can still get a few shots . Especially if the distance is close .

When I finished exchanging the magazines, the bandits had already abandoned their weapons and raised their hands .

No, it didn’t take a long time . My motor nerves and reflexes is not that bad . It only took a few seconds, it’s true!

(Mitsuha) 【Everyone, please arrest all the bandits . 】

Instructed so with the loudspeaker, the company’s escorts rushed to the bandits all at once and moved them away from the abandoned weapons .

Some of them threatened the bandits with the sword while the rest are busy tying them up . It seems that the rope was loaded on the merchant’s carriage from the beginning . It was a good thing to prepare for situation like this……

After the bandits completely surrendered, we moved the car to the side of the carriage and got off .

If we showed up too quickly, there’s still a possibility that the bandits who thought that we were only three children will pick up their weapons again and strike back, so we waited until they were completely seized .

Yeah, I’m already used to being looked down because of my appearance from long ago .

But, I am also used to using it too .

My appearance from Japan’s perspective is around the age of 14-15 years old, while here is at 11-12 years old .

Sabine-chan is 10 years old, Colette-chan is 8 years old… . . no, 9 years old, because her birthday had passed . I was blackmailed to give her……no no, I was begged to give her a birthday present at that time .

How come 『Yusuru (強請る)』 and 『Nedaru (強請る)』 have the same kanji…?

Japanese is deep, hmm……

Anyway, there’s still a possibility that they will looked down upon a trio who are 9-12 years old girls . Even if they have safety measures, it will probably be futile .

And, when we approached the company’s people and the captured bandits .

(Merchant) 「Thank you for helping us, Lightning Princess Shrine Maiden-sama!」

The merchants, escorts, and for some reason the bandits also bowed very deeply .

Well, it’s obvious, huh…

……wait, is my identity already known in other kingdoms?

No, I just want to say that line .

As expected it already reached the neighboring kingdoms, right……

No matter if it’s a faraway kingdom, it will be a matter of time only .

And well, it was about time for lunch, so we decided to clear the main road and had some together . Excluding the bandits .

The merchant told me that he would like to offer a meal, but Sabine-chan and Colette-chan opposed .

Well, I should have accepted their gratitude . Of course, that’s not the only reason .

However, Sabine-chan and Colette-chan also knew about it .

Leaving aside departing immediately from a town, what kind of food that could be served by a group who has traveled for many days?

Yup, there won’t be any fresh food . It will just be hard bread, dried meat, unappetizing soup stock that only needs hot water to dissolve, and such . it’s a good thing if they also have some dried fruits in pieces .

I agree with their opinion that it’s better to eat retort food or cup noodles instead of those .

However, I don’t think that it’s good to refuse kindness from people, that is the basic of socializing .

Besides, they might want to talk about various things while eating together . And it’s the same with me .

That’s why I persuaded them……

(Sabine) 「Well then, we will eat on our own over there . How about neesama eat with them alone?」

I was hurt by Sabine-chan’s words .

(Mitsuha) 「……is Colette-chan also the same?」

I said so calmly and in a gentle tone . Colette-chan’s expression when hearing it changed from having a mischievous smile to a slightly more serious look .

(Colette) 「I-I think it would be better for everyone to eat together, I think, yes!」

(Sabine) 「Eh……?」

Apparently Sabine-chan thought that Colette-chan who got along well with her in these two days would agree with her . She was surprised by Colette-chan’s words .

Well, if she had watched Colette-chan’s attitude only up until now, she would definitely be surprised about that .

But Sabine-chan didn’t know .

Colette-chan usually treats me as an equal friend, no, a close friend and a 『comrade』 to be exact . But when it’s 『important, or when I have decided something, or a work-related subject』, we will switch to a master-servant relationship .

That is my relationship with Colette-chan and we have agreed with each other about this .

Yes, My questioning tone earlier is for my 『Colette-chan』 and she quickly switched the mode . An 『Ah, I’m a selfish bad guy』 decision .

Of course, when I decided to dine with the company’s people wasn’t just a sympathy . There is something to be talked together for collecting information and treating the bandits .

Colette-chan instantly sensed that I have a plan and joined with me . As expected from Colette-chan .

Thus, Sabine-chan was stunned while looking at Colette-chan and was making a face as if to say 『I’ve been betrayed!』 .

Her face became stiff because she felt like someone had accused her as a bad person .

Not good! If I don’t back her up, Sabine-chan will be depressed!

When I patted her head hurriedly, Sabine-chan kept her tears and nodded .

(TL Note: Why u do dis, Mitsuha . . )

Sabine-chan is also a smart and active kid . Well, it’s because she’s a princess, and a bit selfish than Colette-chan .

However, even though I’m usually cheeky, I will never do anything that will really bother them or make them hate me . At that time also, if I had instructed in a strong tone and continued the conversation a little more, they would probably tagged along . So far, it already happened frequently .

This time, Sabine-chan was in a sorrowful mode . Before Sabine-chan was in such a mode, Colette-chan, who has a much lower chance of switching sides than Sabine-chan, changed her attitude back .

Yup, Donmai (Don’t mind), Sabine-chan!

Well, like that, we were invited by the members of the trading company who had already known our identity .

It’s, Showtime!

(TL Note: Broken Katakana and Hiragana)

Hmm? I spoke a lot? Is that so… . . ?