02 - Greater Villainess [2]
While Eris and I sat quietly inside the carriage, basking in the awkward silence that ate up the space between the two of us, I could hear indistinct chatter.
What I had not expected was that we would come to a sudden, forceful halt that would send my face sinking into Eris' pair of succulent bosoms.
Looking at her, I noticed a mild flush on her cheeks as she stared back at me.
Barely three seconds. That was how long that mushy feeling lasted on her face before changing.
Her expression quickly turned from that to silent anger.
She said nothing, neither did her face twist or churn in rage but I could absolutely tell that she was angry about what happened.
Maybe her anger had been directed to the charioteers or to me, that I wasn't sure but she certainly was.
I quickly moved back, separating my face from her breasts as I returned to where I was seated in front of her.
—Stab!
A loud sound rang inside my left ear and tiny bits of wood that the carriage was made from stung lightly at my skin.
I swallowed loudly at escaping death by a hair's breath.
Returning to my seat, Eris' blade had accompanied me just a second later.
I was able to tilt my head in time to dodge this, but in truth, was it really my late reaction that saved me?
Something in me posed a strong argument that I was unscathed because she didn't want to harm me.
Instead, Eris DeLorentis wanted to make a statement.
"Keep away from me" or something in that line.
The voice of her blade was clear and very well received.
Quickly, I raised my two hands, expressing a surrender and letting her understand that I meant no harm.
"Chill… I didn't mean to do that," I argued, hoping that she would look at the situation logically. "It's not like I'm strapped to this chair or anything."
"Tch!"
I heard it. A grinding sound—one that was transient.
The gritting of her teeth, as if dismissing what I said as nonsense.
'DeLorentis Sword Technique.'
I remembered it all too well.
Fighting a skilled person from that family was a matter of who landed the first attack.
Their sword style relied on speed.
Quick draws and nimble movement that caught enemies by surprise.
It was as impressive as it was beautiful.
Pfft! That was not the feelings I had to have towards the technique of someone who wants to kill me right now.
"Let's slow things down now, shall we?"
I persisted, confident that her emotions were calming.
She had no intention of killing me, only to warn me.
"Huh?"
I glanced down to the side, trying to look at my own cheek.
I felt something. A sharp sensation, like the sting of a bee on my face.
"What is this?" I said, my voice soft spoken.
I felt my face right where the pain had come from.
It felt as if there was a fluid smeared on my face.
'Blood?'
My finger was stained red.
It was my blood.
She did give me a cut albeit a shallow one.
I chuckled. Not even knowing why I did so, I chuckled again as I looked at her.
For a second there, Eris was perturbed, but one would only notice this with astute observation.
By the next second, her face was flat.
She was back to showing no emotions.
If I were to guess, Eris was surprised.
She did not expect me to find her little attempt at scaring me funny.
I scratched my head and heaved a sigh.
This was going on longer than I wanted, almost like child's play.
We still have a pending issue with our carriage that had stopped before our destination.
"See Eris."
I called her. My voice was firm and direct as the gaze.
"I'm sorry, okay? Let's squash this for real this—"
I felt something in that instant, my body reacting in a desperate act to survive.
"Get down!"
I jumped forward, aiming to Eris as I grabbed her and lowered our bodies.
—Bang!
First, an explosion.
I heard it.
Something had blown up outside, probably in front of us.
Regardless, it happened close by.
Then…
—Crack!
The window of our carriage cracked and with a whistling sound, a few arrows struck the inside of the carriage.
—Thud!
Fortunately, it missed us, hitting nothing but wood.
"Stay down, Eris!"
I looked up for a moment, registering the arrows fired and where they landed.
Five arrows released indiscriminately but then…
'They missed on purpose? Or they just didn't care if they did?'
—Beep!
"Shit…!"
My eyes grew extra wide.
We are fucked.
Why are arrows beeping?
Why do they have timers for fletchings?
There was only one ominous conclusion. They were bombs!
[00:02]
—Beep!
[00:01]
A second was not enough to get myself and Eris out of the carriage.
'I just arrived this fucking world! What the hell?'
Was this really the end?
—Whoosh!
The temperature suddenly dropped.
I felt cold chills.
'Ice Essence.'
I knew it.
This was Eris' own technique.
She was a user of Ice Essence, manipulating ice to her will.
The carriage that was just warm felt no different from a freezer.
My jaws clenched and my teeth clanked together in the biting cold.
'Geez! It's freezing in here.'
I started to shiver.
If I didn't get out of this place soon enough I would turn to an ice statue.
Eris DeLorentis had deployed her ice technique to save the both of us.
[00:00]
The timer came to a stop.
With one eye I peeped and prayed that it wouldn't blow up.
"Get out of me," Eris demanded.
Her voice was as cold as this compartment.
"Fine. Fine."
I got off from her body, adjusting my rumbled cloth and made my way out of the carriage.
"You are welcome for saving your life by the way. Don't mention it."
I stepped out and Eris followed immediately after.
The carriage didn't blow up even after we stepped out.
I looked at her briefly. 'She really froze them static.'
Standing behind the carriage that served as cover for us, I looked around, examining the environment and so did Eris.
'No other person in sight…'
A bad feeling stirred in my belly about our present circumstances.
No allies around.
Just me, Eris DeLorentis and an enemy we don't even know.
…At least I don't. Tch!