The sword princess' tale

Volume One Chapter 4 - Movement Within The Darkness

"Charlotte, do you mind buying a few things for mother?"

In a fine day, I was called by mother who wore an apron over her dress. Her flaxen hair tied in a ponytail and there was stains of flour on her hands and the hems of her apron. Hm... is it afternoon already?

I closed the book I was reading in the dining room and I nodded down at her. The book with the title 'Travelogue of an Exiled Mage' was placed on the table and I hopped off the chair.

"Alright, mother! What should I buy?" I asked while approaching mother who took out a few silver coins.

It doesn't seem like she intends to cook normal food. Commodities such as food ingredients wouldn't go beyond seventy five copper coins for the amount of people living in this Manor.

"Please buy three Girien fishes, four vidoc leaves, a pound of Harito salt and some Cilin roots."

"...aren't those ingredients used only for special occasions? And three Girien fishes are a bit..."

"Well, the men in this Manor are like wolves after all."

Haa... I guess so. Fei and father often waged a small competition every time dinner arrived. Like clashing their spoons, stealing a food portion from each other when one wasn't looking or eating faster than the other. Their eyes looked bloodshot sometimes and it creeped me out. Also, mother, why are you blushing?

Anyway, I nodded deeply and mother smiled as she gave me some silver coins. Well, most of them would be to buy Girien fishes and sadly, there won't be enough changes for me to buy a slice of Anfle... no, wait! If I can get a bargain then it won't be simple delusion to eat those heavenly fluffy pastry!!

"Alright! I will definitely return and buy some An--the ingredients, mother!!"

Damn, I nearly lost control over the heavenly fluffy, sweet yet balanced pastry!! Mother was staring at me with a suspicious gaze and I laughed like a broken cassette. Ugh... I forgot sweets aren't good for my diet but I just can't help it......

"...well now. I hope so, sweetie." Mother muttered with lowered brows.

...ah... aha ha ha... In any case, I left the Manor, bringing a medium-sized basket with me and jogged to the village. Despite the many misleading paths and small bridges for me to cross for, I hardly met any trouble. The area around here was under the control of the village guards so it's safe from monster threats.

Besides, I was strong enough to run but decided not to since I haven't bought anything. Including the biggest fish rarely found in Bluesnake. I hope there's still some of the freshest left...

"Hm? Isn't that..." I paused the moment I arrived in front of the village's gate.

There was a black haired boy who's talking with the guards and behind him was... A dark grey leopard with the size of a sedan lying dead. What the hell...?

"That's a good haul again, kiddo. Looks like I can look forward for a feast tonight~"

"Seriously... Although I heard from the Elder you're a prodigy born once every ten thousand years, I still couldn't believe you defeated a Dark Hunter alone..."

The guards praised the boy in black clothing but he simply shook his head. With a dry voice, he said.

"It's nothing much. This one was sunbathing and snoring so I took my chance."

...are you kidding me? Even if you tried to be humble, larger monsters meant they were extremely long lived, experienced in combat, and also more intelligent than human. There's no way he could pull a fluke without any scratch...!