Snippet #2687948

After the commotion, Aruki and Kou, accompanied by the soldiers, all made their way back to the inn where Isolde had rented out the rooms for them. Of course, she was sitting and drinking an ale of beer in a "like a boss" manner, which is why almost everyone who were presented there felt intimidated just by her mere presence. She said that they have rented out four rooms, and that the soldiers and the pharmacists will share the three room together, while Aruki, Kou and Isolde will stay in the smallest room. It might not be as comfortable as it was back in the castle, but Aruki wouldn't mind.

And so, for the rest of the night, the convoy had done everything they could within the inn to keep themselves going. While there aren't as many people here in comparison with the staff's dining hall in the palace, but the atmosphere felt pretty much the same. The attention surely was turned to them, but the sight of Isolde and the Exercitus Dei soldiers is scary enough so none dare to make a scene.

After dining, they take turn to take a shower. Aruki offered to wash Kou's back, but was politely declined. Though he couldn't help noticing that his servant was blushing at the offer. When it has already gotten late, the whole lot of them retreated back to their rooms and settle for the night. Aruki and Kou were the first to walk into their room, since it was Isolde and any other females in the convoy turn to take their shower.

The first thing Aruki saw as he stepped in was Kou curled into a ball and sat at the corner of his bed. Probably because of the incident earlier... He thought to himself. But just when he decided to strike up a conversation with him to cheer him up, Isolde opened the door and walked in, catching their attention. Well, mainly because of the way she's dressing.

"Geez, Isolde. You still dressed like that whenever you go to bed?" Aruki snickered at her sight. Isolde out of her usual uniform, and was wearing nothing but a long shirt that had just barely covered her thighs, and she doesn't even bother to buttoned up the upper buttons of the shirt, revealing her cleavage.

Isolde shrugged, "Ol' habits don't die easily." She then turned her attention to Kou, "I know what you're thinking, having to share a room with slanderous woman like me. But just bear with it." Isolde is well-aware that the two of them didn't have any interest for women, that's why she always being so casual with them. Not like anyone would have the nerve to hit on her anyway.

The night passed by quietly and by the first light of dawn, they've already packed up their belongings and continued with their journey. The trip was quite pleasant. However, the most of unexpected happened when they've made it half-way through the pass. With her acute sense, Isolde was quick to realize an arrow being shot towards her somewhere, and blocked it swiftly with her rapier. Hiding behind rocks, thugs jumped out and cornered the whole convoy.

"Tch. Encountering bandits in the morning? This kingdom's just getting crazier by the minute." Isolde remarked as she jumped down from her horse. The soldiers also entered their battle stance as they pulled out their swords and defended the pharmacists. Aruki told the Kou to stay right behind him as he too jumped down from his horse,
"Stay close to me."