The sword princess' tale

Volume 4 Chapter 9 - I Became A Captive!

I gazed ahead of me. There existed nothing but tall grasses, wild plants and rows, no, a sea of trees.

I was in a forest and I walked as if guided by something.

The forest was odd, though. It lacked the presence of other living beings. Even though it was lush, the forest seemed empty. Not even wind shook the leaves and it felt like time had stopped here.

However, I continued to pave my own path. I walked through a tunnel made from crawling vegetation, passing through a river using a fallen log which was nothing short than a tree's carapace, and finding my way in the maze made from nature.

How odd... am I not there yet?

I questioned myself but I started to feel confused. What am I doing here? Where am I going? Why am I here?

So many questions were left unanswered as I stumbled upon a clearing. Right at that moment, a breeze greeted me and the rustling leaves waved together. I felt the cold wind caressing my cheeks and I felt... relieved.

I looked ahead of me. Overshadowing all trees in the forest, there existed a colossal tree incomparable to anything I have ever seen. I can't even help myself from having my breath taken away and I realized.

I'm here... I'm finally here.

My body slowly moved, breaking a small run before I dashed to the tree. I don't know why I'm so excited. I don't understand why do I want to go here.

But... as I arrived in front of the tree which could be said as similar to World Tree, I raised my head up and curved my lips upwards.

In front of me. A head of me. Right before my eyes...

"I'm here... ###......"

-

-

-

-

-

-

It was a strange thing. Before I knew it, I was inside a narrow room with stone walls, ceiling, floor, and bed. Yes, I know that it's tough and rough and not comfy at all but fuck, there's the chamber pot too...!!

What the hell is going on!? I looked ahead of me and I found iron bars acting as a separator between the room and the corridor. There were two figures with armors and lances standing firm at both sides of the iron bars. Mh... they have absurd Aura packed up in dozens thin layers.

Well, from the environment alone, I could tell for certain.

"I'm being held captive!" I said with an expression similar to a certain famous detective who got an insight to solve a case.

The ears of the guards twitched. Oh no, they noticed! I was nervous but a small chuckle was left out. That... sounded pretty old. And dandy.

Hm... what should I do? Since they could tell... maybe I should strike up a conversation.

"Um... pardon my rudeness, but this place is...?" I asked.

"Why, it's the ol' prison of course!" The old faced guard answered.

Seriously, he's like one jolly guard to have... Err. Warden maybe. But the other was stern...

"Damn, brat! Don't sleep while standing!!"

*SLAP!* The young guard made a sound as he fell with his lance. Ouch, that sounded really hard. And violent.

"That... seriously is unwelcomed." The 2nd warden snarled.