Just as Finihiya was observing these uninvited guests through the half-open curtain, the calm, deep voice of the coachman, a man, sounded from the front.
“Lady Darlian, do you need me to deal with them?”
“No, unless they make the first move.” Darlian’s expression remained indifferent. “For now, I’d like to hear what they have to say.”
“Yes.”
As the brief conversation between Darlian and the coachman ended, a rough shout came from outside.
“I don’t want to hurt you. Could the two young ladies inside the carriage come out?”
The speaker seemed to be the leader of this group. He had pointed ears and dark-toned skin—he must be of the dark elf race.
While she hesitated, uncertain about the man’s words, Darlian’s voice softly sounded at her ear, giving her a bit of reassurance.
“Finihiya, just stay seated. I’ll go have a look.”
“…Alright! Darlian, be careful.”
Darlian seemed a bit surprised by her words, then let out a helpless, amused chuckle.
“It’s them who should be careful.”
With a faint smile, Darlian pushed open the carriage door and gracefully descended the steps.
The slanting sunlight fell upon Darlian’s beautiful face, dyeing it a faint yellow, like the distant wheat fields.
“Sasha, Miss.”
The leader’s words made Finihiya’s brow furrow slightly.
Hearing him call out the alias she had hastily made up for Darlian, their earlier guess was confirmed without a doubt.
“What is it you want?”
“Please, don’t misunderstand.” The dark elf man slightly raised his empty hands.
“We truly don’t want to harm you. It’s just that our employer has some important matters to discuss with you and Miss Kleia inside the carriage.”
“And if I don’t want to talk?”
Darlian’s offhand response immediately stirred a ripple of unrest among those around.
The man raised his right hand high, signaling his men to quiet down. His narrowed eyes now glinted sharply.
“If that’s the case, then I regret to say we’ll have to use some rather ungentlemanly methods to bring the two of you along.”
“Ah!” Darlian let out a short, startled gasp, covering her lips with one hand. Her eyebrows arched, her eyes curving in a playful smile. “How frightening.”
“If you don’t want to leave scars on your beautiful body, please cooperate with our work.”
At these words, Darlian simply turned around, tilting her head to look at the leader behind her.
“If that’s so, then take me to see your master.”
With that, Darlian returned to the carriage.
After a brief silence, their carriage was surrounded. Soon, it followed a black horse in the lead, turning down a side road.
***
The sky gradually melted into a deep, dark violet.
Led by their captors, the surroundings shifted from open wilderness to remote farmhouses. Finally, they stopped in front of an old, slightly leaning wooden house.
In the yard before the cabin stood even more mercenary-like men.
“We’ve arrived, young ladies. Please step out.”
The dark elf man, riding a black horse, rode up to the carriage window and spoke in a level voice. Then he turned his horse and dismounted a little distance away.
Darlian brushed at her skirt, which was spotless, then gave them a faint smile.
“Let’s go down. If you’re scared, you can hold my hand.”
Looking at Darlian’s extended right hand, Finihiya huffed in annoyance, then lightly patted Darlian’s palm with her own.
“Don’t treat me like a child.”
“Hehe~” Darlian covered her lips, letting out a soft laugh. “But in my eyes, Finihiya really is a child.”
“Only a child would think it’s fun to walk into the enemy’s lair.”
“Hehe~ Miss Finihiya really knows how to talk.”
With a creak, the carriage door was opened by the coachman.
After Darlian stepped down, Finihiya took Darlian’s offered hand and followed her out of the carriage.
Aside from the slightly larger wooden house ahead, there were six or seven small farmhouses scattered nearby.
White or brown, tattered clothing was hung to dry in the farmyards.
The wind blew gently, causing the worn clothes and the elm leaves nearby to rustle softly.
Finihiya’s sweet-scented hair also floated in the breeze, shimmering faintly in the sunset’s glow.
Whistle—
The sound of someone whistling drifted over from not far away. Finihiya turned her head to see a burly orc man staring straight at her.
His unrestrained gaze and naked desire made her sigh inwardly as she averted her eyes.
“I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman in my life. I wonder what a noble lady tastes li—”
Finihiya fell silent and chose to ignore the man’s vulgar words.
Because of this body, men’s gazes often contained such raw desire. She couldn’t say she was completely used to it, but at least she knew how to stay calm and handle it.
“If you want your head to stay on that ugly neck, you’d better shut your mouth and control your eyes right now.”
Suddenly, Darlian’s voice rang in her ear.
Her tone was icy, her cold and sharp gaze as if she could erase the man’s very existence at any moment.
Perhaps intimidated by Darlian’s aura, the burly orc man stepped back in fear.
“Bamg, these two young ladies are important guests of our employer. Don’t be rude.”
At this, the dark elf man standing to the side spoke coldly, then turned to them and added with a hint of apology, “Miss Sasha, Miss Kleia, our servant was far too rude. I apologize on his behalf.”
“It’s alright.” Seeing the man’s sincere apology, Finihiya smiled softly. “I’m not bothered.”
“Miss Sasha, Miss Kleia, please come this way. Our employer has been waiting a long time.” Under the dark elf’s guidance, she and Darlian stepped into the old, slightly tilting wooden house before them.
The inside of the first floor was in disarray.
Wooden barrels were piled with dirty dishes. Men’s clothing, recently discarded, was strewn across the floor. The air was heavy with the unpleasant stench of alcohol.
As they walked up the stairs to the second floor, Finihiya glanced at Darlian, then quietly whispered,
“Thank you~”
“You’re welcome. I hate that kind of vulgar, characterless man too.”