Anessa's Episode

I can't go any deeper. I should find a village and rest for a bit.

Water sounds? Was there a village around here?

As I pushed through the bushes, I unexpectedly came across a valley with a flowing waterfall. And there...

Whoa...!

A bath out here? It's hard to see, but... still, quite the sight... Wait? She vanished!

Gotcha, pervert.

Waaah! How did you...?

...? Is that you...?

Anessa? Was that you just now? When did you even get dressed...?

The Swordbringer's peeping hobby. This is valuable info...

I don't have such a hobby! First, can you put your sword away and talk?

No. Only death for perverts.

I'm telling you, it's not like that!

Swordbringer. What are you doing here?

That's what I want to ask. Why are you here? The Tiamat cultists we were just fighting don't seem to be connected to you.

Tiamat cultists?

Whoops!

Ah, never mind...

You must've seen it all by now, but... I was taking a bath.

I couldn't see much, but... why here of all places? A nice inn would be more comfortable.

I prefer places with fewer people.

Hmm... that's unexpected.

What's unexpected?

Never mind.

The leader of a dangerous, people-corrupting religion hiding from people? Anessa always have this side I can't understand.

Avoiding a direct answer... is this a new way of bullying?

You take it like that...?

You must be popular.

That's not something I'd expect to hear from an enemy. Don't tell me, Swordbringer... you desire something from me?

No!

Then you want to convert to Tiamat...?

Not that either. I just said you were pretty. This is why Tiamat's followers are...

Long, flowing, natural hair following a smooth waistline, it's a man's dream. Keep that in mind!

...So that's the Swordbringer's type.

Ah, well, if it was just about bathing, then it's not related to the mission. I'll be going now...

Wait.

Ugh... I knew you wouldn't let this slide. I accidentally spilled the beans about the Tiamat Church... In this case, attack first, win first...!

This works out, Swordbringer. I was in a bit of a bind.

Hm? What's going on?

My hair keeps sticking to my back. Could you help me fix it? If you do, I'll overlook the peeping.

...

That was the moment my opinion of Anessa, who I thought was cold and cruel, began to change.

It's nice that she's calm, but the problem is that someone as quiet as her is one of the toughest Tiamat apostles to deal with.

What are you staring at?

... Huh?

I guess he wants something from me. I suspected it ever since he was peeping...

I don't mind if you misunderstand, but just keep it reasonable. I'm just stuck in a dilemma after running into an enemy apostle.

Shouldn't I be here?

It's not that you shouldn't... No, you definitely shouldn't!

Why is a Tiamat apostle lounging around enjoying a bath in a place like this? This is our territory.

I'm not a fan of petty men.

Thanks for not liking me.

You even brushed and tidied my hair...

You asked for it. Honestly, I just wanted to leave.

Why? Do you dislike me?

Not exactly dislike... It's just that we're in an opposing relationship for now. Also, I didn't want to swing my sword at someone who was just relaxing.

Such unnecessary consideration... Still, we are enemies...

Honestly, I don't care about enemy or ally. I only draw my sword when there's a reason. I'm not a crusader.

That's not something the Swordbringer should say.

Then, it'd be okay if I deal with a few annoying pests, right?

I just said it. If there's a reason, I'll have to stop you.

You're a tiring person. It's better to live more instinctively.

People are drawn to countless desires. That's instinct.

That may be true, but there are lines that must be upheld as a human.

What's that? You can still feel pleasure while struggling in pain. Both the perpetrator and the victim. Twisted lust is everywhere.

You're firm in your beliefs, just like an apostle.

But I'll still hold on to my humanity.

To survive this bloody journey, you have to overcome your desires.

Is that so? But for someone who says that, your hand has been still since earlier.

Th-That's...

And those strange looks. The Swordbringer's humanity... is all about lust?

If you let it slide as just a man's instinct, I'd appreciate it...

I agree with what you said.

...? That's unexpected. Not something the Swordbringer would say.

I'm aware of it. But it's true that various instincts move people.

So I agree, and I do want to understand you. But...

But...?

Even if drawn to desire, it's also the strength of a person to endure it.

Swordbringer, you're a really strange person...

Same goes for you. Letting the enemy get so close... Most people wouldn't do that.

Did it make your heart race?

Of course, when I saw your smooth and graceful back... Gah! How did you know?

The body is honest about desire.

I swallowed hard, staring at the deep red gleam in her hair.

Rah!

Trash! Die. Die. Die. Die die die die!

Anessa?

This guy... was still here? In my hesitation from the shock, Anessa's attack continued.

For daring to speak to me... No, just existing is a crime. You maggots.

Huh, hehehe... Uhh...

Ugh...

Stop it! Those guys are already seriously injured! They've lost the will to fight! Are you really going to kill them?

...Swordbringer. It's you again.

Everyone dies. This insect's time is now.

What exactly did they do?

They laughed at me. Our eyes met. They blocked my path. That's enough reason.

Is it really enough to kill over that?

Ah... This isn't exciting enough... It's not enough... I need to strike the neck.

Stop. If you go further, I won't just watch.

Fine, Swordbringer. Then, how about your blood instead? Hahaha... Hehehehe...!

I'm not going down without a fight.

Ha!

Huh, heh...

More...! Just a bit more! More!

Huh? Hey, wait a second...!

Swordbringer... You're such an incomprehensible person... If something bothers you, you can just kill it.

What do you mean you don't understand? It's because I don't always act on my impulses that we can live together.

The excitement died down...

Ah! My... my leg...!

...?

...Ugh?

Swordbringer...

Ah! I... I'll move aside...

So, you're a schemer. Hiding an even greater plot than a disciple...

No!

Hah... It feels like a bomb that could explode at any moment is walking around the village... How does she manage to hold back normally?

You mean me?

Yeah, you...

...?

Anessa! Since when have you been following me?

Not really. I just saw you.

That doesn't explain it. I didn't even feel your presence... Honestly, if you wanted to, you could easily assassinate someone.

How bothersome...

...I didn't mean to act on it.

Huh, meeting you like this so casually, I feel like some tension is finally releasing.

Swordbringer... You look tired.

That's probably because the terrifying apostle is roaming around the village...

I've achieved my goal. Now, I'm about to disappear.

What?

What did you do in the village? There were no signs of anything happening... When exactly...

It has nothing to do with you. If it did, I wouldn't have done it in a visible place...

It's just a ritual related to our doctrine... It's best if you don't worry about it.

Hmm...

...

You're not asking what I did, huh?

I don't think you'd tell me even if I asked.

You really are a strange person, Swordbringer.

Is that so?

Suspicion... worry... interest... You really have a variety of emotions.

If we'd met in another way... we might have shared more stories.

What's the difference? It's already fun this way.

Even if you try to pull me into Tiamat, I'll resist. And if you try to turn around, I'll be suspicious anyway.

This distance between us is just right.

Neither side, but still.

This time, it ended like this... but next time... we'll kill each other.

Swordbringer... I really want to see you writhing in pain... heh... heh heh...

That's a chilling resolve. I won't go down easily.

Until we meet on the battlefield... stay safe.

...As expected, apostles are hard to deal with.

Was it here?

Who's there...?!

No need to be so tense. I'm not here to conduct a search.

...You're definitely not one of the guards. What do you want?

What else would someone come to a bar for? A drink, obviously. You gonna keep a paying customer standing out here?

Oh? Haven't seen you before, cutie. Wanna hang out with me?

Ufufu... such an adorable little thing. How about a drink with me, handsome?

Ahem! Tempting, but... I'd rather drink alone today.

...Swordbringer. Didn't expect you to be into a place like this.

Yeah, some people call me that. But I'm on a mission right now so...

...?!

A-Anessa? What are you doing here?!

A bunny girl outfit? I didn't know you were into... that kind of thing.

What are you talking about? This isn't some hobby.

You say that, but you've really gone all-in on the bunny girl look...

There's someone I need to kill. That trash led me here, and when I asked around, they gave me this outfit. So I wore it.

To be frank, I kinda like it, but... they keep making me work. It's annoying.

You sure you didn't get tricked into a job...?

I never would've guessed you'd be dressed like that. I almost screamed, seriously.

Fufu... judging by your reaction... maybe this outfit isn't so bad after all.

I mean, I can't say it looks bad, but on you it just screams "undercover assassin"...

So you DO think it suits me? Or is that your way of asking me to kill you?

...Let's go with "it suits you."

Relax. I'm not here to hurt you. Though, if you start whining for attention like the other men, I might accidentally kill you.

I'm not gonna do that! Why are you looking at me like that?!

You just seem like the kind of guy who comes to places like this a lot.

Not even close. I'm just trying to blend in while I look for someone.

Hmmm... You know, you're kind of fun to mess with.

...Wait, didn't you just say you didn't want me chasing your attention?

It's my choice. And I want to tease you, Swordbringer.

...

And the way you keep staring... it's making me feel all warm inside...

Fufu... fufufufu... ufufufufu...!

I was just looking! I didn't stare that hard!

Nnngh... haaah...

Will you listen to me for once?

Tch. Must be nice. Playing around with a pretty girl like that, brat.

Don't talk like you know anything. If you've got time to pick fights, maybe use it to get a real job.

What was that?!

Nnn... I'm getting all hot... ngh... come here...

That body of yours, Swordbringer... ooh! It's exciting... mmph...

Say that again, brat. What did you just say to me?!

Sigh... there seems to be an annoying little fly buzzing around.

...Should I kill him?

I-It's nothing, man. Just talking to myself. My bad, just go, yeah?

Watch yourself. Lose your head just because you're rolling around with a woman, and you might end up dead without anyone knowing.

R-Right... just go. Before the bunny girl does something we all regret.

Hmm... that wasn't bad, Swordbringer.

For someone who still hasn't ripened, you sure worry about me... I suppose I'll have to reward you... Fufufu...

Nngh! Come here, Swordbringer...!

Q-Quit it. How far are you going to take this? And you, were you really about to kill that guy?!

Oh? You gonna lecture me now?

If you cause a scene here, everyone'll scatter. Those bandits might know something I need.

Trash like them should be eliminated. Besides, who cares about all that?

Today's about you... and me. I'm not letting you go today...

Uh, hey...

Nnngh! Hold me... hold me tighter! Ngh...!

S-Stop it already. I've got a... a mission... ugh!

Come now... let's just enjoy ourselves...!

Haa... the Swordbringer's scent... mmm...

You bastard! You got a death wish?!

You wanna go? Did you forget this is our turf?!

Ah... a brawl, huh...

So what? We've got connections with the Empire now. What can scum like you even do?

Tch... what a shame.

Huh?

I was just getting excited... and those trash ruined the mood.

Looks like we'll have to continue another time, Swordbringer. I've got some insects to exterminate.

Wait. You can't just kill them, Anessa.

Fu... fufufu... fufufufufu... heehee...!

Maybe... try thinking this through again?

What's this, Swordbringer? Trying to stop me with some half-baked sense of justice?

That's not it. You wouldn't listen no matter what I said anyway.

I've got business with that guy. Can you at least wait until I'm done?

Hmm...

Once I'm done, I'll play along with you a bit. But if I don't get that info, things'll get complicated.

...Fine. But don't forget what you just said, Swordbringer.

I tried to slip away while Anessa was focused on murder. But there was no escaping.

Swordbringer. Where do you think you're going?

Uh... well...

We weren't done yet, remember? I'll be right back after I kill them. So wait right there.

I-I'll bring them to you!

What...?

You don't need to chase after them. You're working, right? I'll bring them to you, so just wait.

Hmm! how thoughtful.

Swordbringer.

Next time we meet... we're picking up where we left off... Hehe...