Elizabeth's Episode

I'm not sure if this is going to work out. I've never ridden a horse before, so I'm a bit nervous.

No problem at all! Horses are excellent means of transportation.

That may be true for this time period...

I'll teach you well. Believe it or not, I learned many skills during my time at the royal palace, and I'm quite confident in horseback riding too.

Alright. I'm trusting you, Elizabeth.

Yes! I'll go first, then.

Huh...?

You can't get on the horse at all...?

Uh-oh... Maybe it's because it's been a while.

How about that white horse over there? It looks calm.

Sounds good! There's even a saying that a white horse will gladly offer its back to a pure maiden.

...Isn't that a unicorn?

Yip!

Okay, done! I finally got on!

Oh... you look great. Just now, you had a bit of a princess-knight vibe.

Now, it's your turn, Ethan. Place your foot in the stirrup and push yourself up with all your strength!

Alright, then... one, two, three!

Wow! It's high.

Hehe, right? Being on a horse is higher than you might think.

Now that I see it, it's a bit scary... What if I fall as soon as I get on or get caught by the hooves?

Hmm... Ethan, you're surprisingly timid.

I mean, just saying! This is nothing! Eh!

Huh...? This is actually pretty simple.

Hehe, right?

Alright. Now that I'm on the horse, I guess I just need to start walking? Let's see... normally, you grab the reins like this... whoa!

Ah! Ethan! Don't give the signal so suddenly!

Aaaaah!

Ethaaan!

A-Are you alright?

Ugh... I... I think I'll just avoid riding horses from now on...

Well... then, how about riding behind me?

Huh? Behind?

S-So, I'll get on...?

Yes, of course.

I'm on.

Please hold on, it's dangerous. If we both ride together, it might be cramped and we could fall off.

...Where should I hold?

Got it...

O-Okay...

Ethan? It's dangerous to grab there. The balance won't work. Please hold a bit lower.

Like this?

Right...

Here we go...!

W-Wait, isn't this a bit too fast?

W-Well, we need to get used to the speed first!

Even so... Waaaah!

E-Ethan, if you hold on that tightly...

I'm going to fall off! It's scary! Can you go a little slower?

Well, the thing is... I also want to go slower, but... the horse...

I'm not sure why, but maybe it's because you keep pulling the reins? Ugh!

Aaaaah!

Oh dear...

...Elizabeth, this is too much for me. Let's just compromise and stick with the carriage.

But we still use the carriage a lot. It's expensive, not very efficient for the distance, and it can't handle rough terrain.

But at this rate, when will I ever get to ride a horse? Honestly, I think I might be getting a little motion sick.

Still...

It doesn't look great, but if we could ride together, that's okay too. But you're acting even wilder than the horse.

Well, that's because you're keep touching strange places...

That's not true! My hands were perfectly holding your waist!

Then... what about... my... backside...?

That's...!

...

...

And on top of that...! If you press me like that from behind... I'll end up flattened!

So if I just don't ride the horse, this whole issue would be solved, right? Let's give up, Elizabeth.

...I want to run with you, Ethan. I want to show you how good and comfortable horseback riding can be.

Sigh...

Alright. I'll try again.

Let's go!

Ugh... again!

Are you okay?

Phew... I can manage for now, but I might be moaning in my sleep tonight...

But now I've got the hang of it. Just a few more times and I think I'll be fine.

...Thank you, Ethan.

Huh?

I didn't think you'd go this far. I feel bad for making you work so hard.

Yes?

Why get me to ride and make me suffer like this? Is there another reason?

Well...

Honestly, it's kind of fun... and it'll definitely help in terms of economics.

But is that really all? You're being pretty persistent about it.

That's...

...I wanted to make more memories of this world with you, Ethan.

Huh? I already have tons of memories. The place I used to live feels like a dream now.

That's not what I meant. I want you to remember these moments... with me and our comrades... as we adventure together.

The wind we'll feel while riding. The nature passing by so quickly. The battles we'll face side by side.

I want you to have memories of doing something with me.

So, you mean riding horses? Other things are fine too.

I learned a lot when I was young, but not much that's useful in times like these.

I've always been clumsy and made mistakes. I couldn't even perform basic hospitality properly because I was so awkward.

But I'm confident in swordsmanship and horseback riding. That's why... I wanted you to learn this too, Ethan.

...Alright.

Ethan...

I get that traveling on horseback is convenient and nice.

And now that I've heard that... I can't stop. I'm riding for sure!

Let's go! Excalibur!

Don't name the horse like that!

Haha, then come catch up and stop me! I can even run now! See? I covered this whole distance in no time!

Ah! Ethan! There's a cliff ahead!

Gah? Aaaah...!

Help me, Elizabeth!

Let's go!

Ethan! You're going too fast!

What's wrong, Elizabeth? Can't keep up anymore?

You're rushing ahead. Haven't you been riding too fast since you got the hang of it?

I won't deny it. Honestly, I didn't expect horseback riding to be this fun.

At this speed, we could wrap up an adventure in no time!

That's a bit...

What?

I mean, it's not going to be that easy. We've got a lot to do.

Yeah, I guess.

Sigh... Still, it feels great. The open fields here are perfect for riding.

Right? The wind is so refreshing.

Yeah. I get what you meant now.

Huh? What do you mean by that... wait...

Horses are a great means of transport. How did I not realize this sooner?

Ah, so that's what you meant...

Hmm... I didn't just figure that out, but...

...Elizabeth.

Yes?

I don't know when this adventure will end or when I'll go back, but... you don't have to worry about it too much.

While I'm here, I'll do my best as a Swordbringer.

Of course, I don't really know much about fighting for a noble cause or upholding some kind of justice...

But I'm not fighting just for myself.

So, what does that mean...?

...Huh?

Now that I said it, it's a little embarrassing. What I mean is... just like you're helping me, I'm helping you fight.

I want you to return to your place someday.

So that's what you meant...

...That's important.

I'm doing the same. For you, for everyone... I wield this sword.

Haha, you probably think about everyone more than I do. I don't have such grand ideals.

I just care for the comrades I'm with, so I fight for them.

That's already a pretty cool thing.

If everyone gets hurt or dies, we won't have any peace while we're here.

...Heh.

Elizabeth?

Ethan, you're really honest. I knew that already, but...

Until the day you return, I'll definitely stay by your side and keep riding with you.

So, don't forget about our conversation from today... got it?

Perfect, Elizabeth.

E-Ethan... are you sure this is really okay?

It feels no different from when I was working at the bar...

Wrong.

I-Is it?

Your mindset's different now.

There's a big difference between wearing a bunny suit because it's your job and stepping out in public like this by choice.

W-What kind of difference?

You'll be bolder. Once your heart relaxes, so will your sword.

In other words, back then it was just work, but THIS bunny suit?

Put simply, it's battle gear!

...Somehow that makes me even more embarrassed.

Embarrassment endured, sexiness refined, that's how you grow. Trust me.

That's... really true...?

You might think it's impossible, but I'm sure of it.

Think about it. More and more strong allies are joining us.

What sets you apart from them?

I... don't know...?

Sex appeal! The confidence to bare yourself without hesitation. That's what you're missing.

B-But... I'm not very stylish...

I'm not very attractive... and it's not like I have a big chest or anything...

The bunny girl outfit is magic. The bunny girl outfit is magic. Whoever wears it, BOOM! Charm explosion. That's the power of the bunny.

W-What I mean is... you really look good in it, Elizabeth.

If you're saying it that strongly...

Still, I can't help but feel self-conscious. I thought I could endure any kind of training, but this...?

Elizabeth, you want to become stronger, don't you?

Yes... Even with our new allies, I keep watching everyone I've known the longest grow... and I feel like I'm holding them back.

You've been growing too, Ethan, gaining relics, overcoming trials...

I worried I might be the only one falling behind without any progress...

Honestly, Elizabeth, I think you're already doing more than enough.

Ethan... if you're just trying to comfort me...

I really mean it. The clueless princess from before has grown this much, hasn't she?

And yet you still see yourself as lacking... so I can only give you my honest help.

Because we're comrades...!

But... I still don't know. If this is supposed to be a trial, fine, but calling fighting in this outfit a way to grow...?

Elizabeth. People change the most when they lose something precious.

Some lose a friend. Some lose an arm. An eye.

T-That's too much...

Exactly. I won't let you go through that. So I made another path.

If you can become bold enough to shake off your shame, you'll be different than you are now.

...Alright. I won't doubt anymore.

The others dressed lighter, and they got stronger, didn't they?

When in doubt... copy what works.

Yes...!

There's even a saying in my world:

The stronger a woman's armor, the less it covers.

In the end, sexiness and confidence go hand in hand.

Once you loosen up, you move better. It's not impossible.

Um, Ethan? Why do you suddenly sound... less confident?

Y-You're imagining it! Just imagining things!

Alright, before embarrassment wins, let's move around a bit. Feel the power of the bunny for yourself.

Ah...! Okay, let's do it.

Ethan! wait up!

Hyaaah!

Nice! That's another one down.

Impressive. You used to be fast, but now? You're too quick for the eye to follow!

R-Really?

What do you think, Elizabeth? Feel anything?

Hmm... I still don't really know.

Hmm...

Ethan... please don't stare so much...

...Ah! Ethan! Behind you!!

Huh...?

Grrr! Human! Die!

Gyaaah!!

Elizabeth! That movement just now...!

I-I don't know. I just wanted to protect you, Ethan... but somehow I moved sharper and faster than ever.

...! Could this be the power of the bunny girl?!

Uh... well...

But don't think your skills suddenly skyrocketed. It's just that the power you'd built up started showing thanks to your more open outfit.

The outfit's just support. What you've built up through your training, that's what's showing now.

When you swung just now, you did it instinctively. That's proof the movement came out naturally.

So it really was true...

Hm?

The sexiness you mentioned. Even as you stared, I held my resolve, and my movements improved...!

I wasn't staring that hard...

Why would focusing on such an embarrassing part make me...

Ah...!

Ethan! I get it now!

You were trying to give me confidence, weren't you? In that sense... this bunny suit really is a great battle uniform.

Wow...

Elizabeth. You... didn't believe me?

O-Of course not. No matter what you say... there's no way just wearing something like this makes you stronger.

But now that I understand what you meant by sexiness, I get it!

E-Ethan...! What should I do?

Ria saw me and said I was such a promising talent that... starting tonight, she wants me working part-time as a hostess!

She's determined to make me pay back the overdue inn fees and the help she gave! What do I do?!

Th-That's... the bunny girl's hidden second function, you could say...

Work hard, Elizabeth.

W-Wait! Ethan!

Don't you dare brush this off and run! Ethaaan!!