Ugh...I still feel sullied. Its been 7 hours since I woke up. I already ate some disgusting dried meat awhile ago to relieve my hunger. Liz is exhausted in my arms. Probably from squirming too much. We've already left the plains and are now travelling through the forests of the Magic Mountain Range. Throughout the ride, Kiralne, specifically her bountiful breasts, has been useful for me. The horse, although better than the carriage still does not beat modern-day cars so it wouldn't have been a comfortable journey without Kiralne's well-endowed chest. The soft texture of her breasts help ease the pain in my back as well as my neck. Furthermore, it serves as a wonderful suspension system. The vibrations coming from the rigid movements of the horse that goes through my body will simply transfer to her breasts, reducing the discomfort received.

I would rather praise her chest than the person herself in this situation. She is still a pervert in my eyes and the idea that she most likely molested me while bathing and dressing me when I was drugged to sleep by her is still fresh in my mind. This further lowered my evaluation towards her character.

Curious about the place we are going to which is said to be the best training spot for warriors and mages alike, I reluctantly asked Kiralne about the Magic Mountain Range.

"What is so special about the Magic Mountain Range?" (Krey)

Hearing my question, Kiralne inclined her head towards me and answered-

"The Magic Mountain Range has the greatest concentration of congregated raw mana. Its one of the peculiar locations here in the continent. Its quite close to Arles City which is why the best mage and warrior academy in the kingdom are situated there."

Eh? I didn't know that. I haven't been to the other parts of Arles City. Arles City is divided into four quadrants. The inn and the guild are in the southern quadrant. The academies are probably at the other quadrants. Still, Arles City is quite big huh? I wonder how this pervert got acquainted with the territory's lord?

"We're here." (Kiralne)

"Huh?" (Krey)

I was puzzled. Right now we're still in the forest of the Magic Mountain Range, a good two kilometers away from the nearest mountain. We are in a glade surrounded by shrubberies and thickets of trees. Boulders jut out occassionally in my line of view. To our right I could see the sun, in the middle of the sky, signifying that it is noon. Sometimes it is hard to adjust with the time in this world

"This is where we get off. I used to take this path whenever I go to the Magic Mountain Range on requests." (Kiralne)

Kiralne says as she got down from the horse. Not completely convinced, I jumped off the horse, avoiding Kiralne's prying hands that wish to touch me. I landed with a *thud* at the hard forest floor and turned to look at Kiralne who was gnashing her together, looking vexed.

"Gunununu... Why can't you be more like a child..." (Kiralne)

As I was about to retort with a rhetorical question, Liz who woke up while I was talking with Kiralne and is once again clinging to my back, abruptly stiffened and exerted effort to drag me somewhere (and failed in the process but succeeded in making me feel pain in my scalp) while her panic-stricken voice resounded in my mind.

'Krey onii-chan, look out!!!' (Lisana)

|Kyuuu!!!|

Alerted, I immediately scanned my surroundings and barely able to discern a faint red blur coming towards me from my right. I panicked and forgot to deploy my [Ice Shields]. Luckily the pervert- I mean Kiralne came to my rescue. She suddenly appeared, as if she teleported, and blocked the object that was threatening to hit me. I wasn't able to see it because Kiralne blocked my view with her ass.

She then inched closer to me, checking if I was injured to which I responded with a shake of my head, assuring her that I'm fine. I can see that her face has no more traces of complacency and is replaced with cold seriousness. This is not the time to take it easy. There is danger present right now.

I break out into a cold sweat. I did not notice it at all. That thing that almost got me was so fast... I was barely able to see it. If it wasn't for Lisana and Kiralne, I would've been done in by now. Though I'm still angry at Kiralne. I also cursed myself. I was never quick to act to begin with and I always followed my own pace at everything. Right now... this attitude came back to bite me. I panicked when I should have reacted. *sigh* Its kind of humiliating. Still, I will not let go of my personality. Its what I am and I am proud of it!

I examined the blur that was supposed to hit me and I realised that it was not a projectile, it was a person... An assassin? Rogue? Ninja? I can't really give a better description but that person is clad in red. Cosplay? Isn't it hot? He seems to be a male judging from his stocky physique and the lack of womanly curves.

I can feel Lisana tightly gripping her dull talons on my shoulders, while positioning herself in order to better hold on to me.

'Uuuu... onii-chan there are nine other people hiding in the forest. Big sister Kiralne might have trouble.' (Lisana)

|Grrr... Kyuua kyua|

'Tch!' (Krey)

I clicked my tongue and made a sour face to the words uttered by Liz. I'll tell to her later that Kiralne is not supposed to be called "Big Sister". Its unpleasant and worrying. That pervert may corrupt Liz in the future!

I looked at Kiralne and she had her brows furrowed and eyes squinted as she stared at the red guy. Does she know him?

"Folrido huh? If you're here then that means that idiot Bolg is here too? Why did you try to hurt Krey? You better come up with something or this will be the last time I'd let you guys off the hook! (Kiralne)

I can feel her rage seething in her cold detached voice. This is new. It looks like they are acquainted. Quite surprising actually.

The red man, Folrido, did not say anything and once again charged, not to me but to Kiralne. She snorted and a green glowing sword appeared in her hand. Then Kiralne, Folrido and two more accomplices dashed westwards, their blows and exchanges that were all a blur to the current me left destruction in their wake. Trees were blown away, dust and rocks flew about while waves of mana is strewn around. I can see wind and nature type mana that Kiralne has. There are also earth, water and lightning present there. The damages don't reach the glade I am in because they are quite far from here.

"..." (Krey)

'...' (Lisana)

It seems that Kiralne has some enemies here. This is quite irresponsible of her. But I'll forgive her a little bit. Why? Because of this awesome fantasy fight scene! I'm an anime lover and the fantasy genres are always my favorite. Its quite thrilling watching this battle but I have other problems right now.

The seven people left in the forest also came out. Hmmm. There are two mages and five warriors. The mages are wearing green robes with black mantles. Quite the get-up. The warriors on the other hand are fully armored. I can see some scale mail, plate mail, chainmail amongst them. No leather.

"Oi brat. Come over here!! Our bosses are gonna beat that elf bitch so don't think of running away!!" (Pitiful Underling I)

"We're gonna sell you to those slavers and keep that monster there!!" (Pitiful Underling II)

I ignore those idiotic and cliche words and took out my glaive. I also summoned my [Ice Shields]x2 and [Assassination Spikes]x6.

This is gonna be a hard fight. Two are initial stage senior magus. The rest are probably warriors and their levels are similar to the mages. The other is quite strong though. Probably in the middle stage of the senior level.

"Hey be careful! That kid's a mage! Don't be careless you dolts!" (Slightly Smart Yet Still Pitiful Underling)

Hmm? Wow there's actually a smart person here? I think its the middle stage senior level guy over there. Heh~ fascinating.

I'm slightly worried. My battle experience is nil. Fighting so many at once is unbecoming. And I'll get hurt badly. I don't like pain. I'm not a masochist!

'Onii-chan! I will help you!' (Lisana)

|Kyuu! Kyuaan!|

Huh? Liz you look like a plush toy right now and I doubt your cuteness would be helpful in a battle unless used for distraction.

'Oi what do you mean Liz-?!' (Krey)

I feel... something different. What is this?! Thi-this is?!

(Kiralne P.O.V.)

Tch! Why now of all times?! These bastards actually dared to come after me now?! They can't even match me right now. Three initial-stage grand soldiers will not be able to kill me. Comparing the initial stage to the late stage is simply laughable.

What is their aim? To aim for Krey is not productive but it still pisses me off! Did they know about my duty as his protector?Thinking about it angers me much more!

The assailants are scum that I should've gotten rid off when I had the chance but opted them to live because of the values of my clan. Folrido, an initial stage grand soldier who specializes in assassination. He's still wearing that red outfit and is as silent as ever. Bolg. This annoying geezer. Despite being a former knight of a small country, his actions and temperament are despicable. I do not know who the third one is but she seems to be a mercenary hired by those two. She is of the demon race in contrast to Folrido and Bolg who are human. I'll cripple her later. That is enough punishment.

I was wondering why there are no monsters in the area. So it was them huh? This time there will be no mercy!

We haved exchange blows for quite awhile now. I hope Krey is safe. Although I don't know what level the remaining assholes are that stayed behind, as long as its not A-rank, Krey can hold out.

I have to finish this as soon as possible! I increased the intensity of my attacks and infused more mana into my beloved sword, Latulis.

Folrido, noticing this change in my blows suddenly took out a knife with serrated edges coated with a violet substance. Then Bolg, also taking note of the change used an all-familiar skill.

"Hah! Take this! " (Bolg)

From his blade, earth-type mana surged and became more undulated as the earth beneath me became riddled with cracks as the strike imbued with mana approached me.

Hmph! I've already deflected this skill a lot of times. Don't think I could not do it again! As I prepared to block and deflect this strike, the demoness appeared instantly at my side and slashed with her axe.

I was caught of guard by this surprise attack of hers. A movement-type skill? How profound! I can't even sense the element used! I tried to dodge the geezer's skill and thos girl's attack by moving backwards but... that was my biggest mistake.

"Wha-?!" (Kiralne)

I felt intense pain in my back as well as a burning feeling in my chest. My body is also considerably weakening at a not-too slow yet not-too fast speed. I can feel the refined mana dissipating in my body. Folrido, the one who stabbed me went back to Bolg's side. Bolg, that geezer laughed and looked at me with a sinister gaze. I find it funny sometimes when I beat him up and see that gaze. But now is not the time for that. I tried to suppress this weakening feeling with my mana but it just makes me lose more mana in return. This not good!

"Y-you... what did you do to me?!" (Kiralne)

I asked them fiercely. This is not normal. I know that Folrido stabbed me with that dagger and I know its been coated with poison but what poison is it exactly?! Most poisons can be suppressed easily by a grand soldier or grand magus mana alone but clearly this poison is not simple!

Bolg, took in delight to my predicament and curled his lips into that of disdain and mocking. His eyes hinting that he is borderline insane but you can still see the happiness in there. Its... disgusting. He spoke with a taunting voice.

"That is no ordinary poison in your veins. It is a Mana-Binding Viper Poison! A benefactor of mine lent this to me. I'm glad that is doing its work!! HAHAHAHA!!!!" (Bolg)

He laughed once more but my mind is still shocked at what he said. Mana-Binding Viper Poison?! Here?!

Author Note: Heyo! After toiling for hours and thinking up different words I finally finished it! Please comment on the descriptions and small fight scene. I'm not confident in it. I hope you enjoyed it! :)

P.S. I suck at giving names and descriptions.