Kingdom of Minilon

Clop-clop… clatter-clack… wheels creaking… the iron rims singing against stone.

She jerked awake. The world tilted. Wood groaned, and the rhythmic thump-thump rattled through her whole body. She wasn’t in the forest anymore…?

Her fingers clenched around a cold and unfamiliar weight.

Wait, this sword…? A long sword?

Her adrenaline spiked; she looked around the closed carriage.

One exits through the back.

No threats yet…

Have I been kidnapped again?!

Across from her, an armored man sat, hair slightly messy under the helmet.

“You’re awake,” he said, voice smooth. “I… I found you in the woods. You’re safe now. I didn’t mean any harm, I swear… I even made sure your weapon is safe also.”

Anna’s finger twitched up an inch. Safe? She points the sword to the man.

“Define safe,” she said, “and who are you? Thank you for bringing me here, but I suggest not touching me again without my permission.”

The man blinked, but his hands stayed visible. He leaned back, trying to relax the tension she radiated. “I’m Jarce. Knight of Minilon. We’re heading to a guard camp, the safest place nearby. Trust me! I’m no harm.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“Guard camp…? It doesn’t sound safe when you have to say it over and over again.” She tightened her grip on the sword.

“I guess so, but…” Jarce smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “Don’t worry, I promise. You can trust me! Lady Serenya told me to make sure to get all the people closer to the main city. There are many people like you whom we helped every day…”

“I see…”

Her eyes flicked to him, then at the sword, then back. Counting exits once again.

“You…” he paused. “What’s your name? Where do you live? Your hair is blonde, so I’m guessing you’re royalty, right? Don’t worry… I know my place; I won’t do anything to any royal. I just want to know what family you belong to…”

Her stomach knotted.

“That’s none of your concern,” she snapped, voice cold, cutting. “Don’t think saving me gives you the right to question me.” Sword still poised. Her eyes scanned his every twitch. Does he flinch? Patronize? Useful or useless?

Jarce's hands went up a little. “All right, all right. I didn't intend to…”

“And don't treat me like a child, either. You don't know me or what I've gone through,” she interrupted, her voice sharper now.

Startled but yet attempting to keep his cool, Jarce swallowed. “Okay… okay. I get it. I just… wanted to help.”

Jarce becomes serious for a bit; this girl is definitely a royal. She’s scarier than Lady Aerelle.

She relaxed a bit. “Anyway. Is there anyone beside me? Presumably white-haired?”

Jarce thinks for a moment. “I don’t think so? You’re alone in the middle of the road, so it’s really hard to miss…”

“Middle?!” What is going on, Orivaneia… What is this?! Where am I?!

“Uh… can you please keep up your expression? I get that you’re mad, but it’s hard if you don’t tell me who you really are… We can’t really process you to get in the city…”

Anna considered this, adjusting her grip on the sword. “You can call me Anna then; I’m a lost adventurer…”

Jarce nods. “Anna… That’s easy to remember. But you’re an adventurer?”

Anna nods back, “Yes. I’m not at all from this place. I don’t know where I am actually.”

“I can tell you everything later… But can you put down the sword first?”

“I refuse, and you don’t have to tell me anything. I’m fine on my own.”

“I-I see then…”

The carriage shuddered to a stop. Jarce slid open the door, got out, and extended a gloved hand toward her.

“Come on, it’s just a few steps to the camp,” he said softly.

Anna’s fingers hovered.

“Fine.” She reached out finally, testing the step, and… searing pain shot through her hand.

A hiss escaped her lips as she yanked it back.

Jarce froze, eyes wide. “You’re a…?!”

WAIT! I FORGOT I’M NOT A HUMAN!

“You’re a vampire?!” Jarce asked.

What now?! What should I do?

But she turns calm again. Wait, in this situation… I know…

She shielded herself from the sun by pressing her other hand against the window. “Please, don't. I have no idea what's going on. I'm not!” Her voice was frail and sweet as she whispered, “I'm not a threat… Don’t hurt me.”

Instinctively, Jarce dropped his hand. “I won't! I won't hurt you, don't worry. I just didn't know.” His gaze shifted between her shaking hand and her eyes.

Anna tilted her head slightly. “Promise?”

Jarce hesitated, then gently closed the carriage door. “Yes… Just stay inside. I… I won’t force you out.” His voice carried both caution and respect. “I’m going to go in the camp to report. It’s normal for people to turn into vampires; Lady Serenya will help you. But I have to say… if you’re dangerous, I may have to leave you in the woods.”

Anna’s mind sharpened.

I can’t cook, I can’t hunt, I’ll starve in a day... Don’t you dare toss me like Noston did…

But outside, she tried to look more scared. “…Please… don’t leave me... I don’t even know how to survive. I’ll die. I’m sorry for aiming my weapon at you…”

Jarce blushes, “…! Don’t worry about it. I understand.”

Anna exhaled quietly, holding her burned hand close.

Damn it… This is so embarrassing… But keep it up, Suzuha…

“…Thank you,” she said softly, just loud enough for him to hear, tilting the mask of weakness without losing her pride entirely.

He nodded, still watching her carefully. “If… if you’re okay with waiting, you can wait here while I go in the camp. You’ll be safe here until then.”

Anna nodded, “I’m fine… I can wait.”

“Well then.” He nodded a few times before leaving her.

“Now what should I do with this…?”

She asked, still clutching the sword, and finally exhaled. Her burned hand throbbed from the sunlight, and she adjusted the weapon across her lap.

“Hmph. So you’re one of those people… desperate, manipulative, and pretending to be weak just to get protected. Pathetic.”

Anna froze. Head tilted, eyes narrowing, her vampire glare slicing across the polished wood, searching for the source.

“Doesn’t even know how to cook! Stupid girl, stupid girl! Survives with cashiering skills, as if that even matters in a kingdom! Fu fu fu… If only she knew—I can read her mind. Every miserable, selfish little thought.”

Slowly she lowered her gaze to the sword in her lap.

“…KYAAAAAAAA! She’s looking at me! Oh no, oh no! Those eyes! So scary! Stop staring, you vampire!”

A pulse of holy light flared from the blade. Each burning her in a flash.

“… Are you seriously burning me right now? And stop saying weird things!”

“Eh?” The sword stopped for a moment before screaming, “EHHH?! Y-you can hear me?! No way! No way, no way, no way! You’re not supposed to hear me! I was just… narrating for myself! Private commentary! Don’t eavesdrop on me, idiot girl!”

Anna became more irritated. “You were literally screaming KYAAAA out loud. You think I wouldn’t notice?” Anna’s monotone voice dripped with contempt.

“Kyaaa, shut up! I wasn’t screaming! You imagined it! And don’t give me that disgusted face—I am a noble, holy, ancient weapon, not some… some cheap kitchen knife you glare at!”

Anna muttered slowly, “…I was sleeping happily with Orivaneia… But now I wake up to this?! Where’s Ori?! I’d rather have her than this talking glowstick.”

“Glowstick?! Excuse you! I am THE Ars Maren! Splitter of Sea! The ultimate sword! Sealer of Morvane, one of the holy weapons Lady Orivaneia used to defeat Morvane! You don’t have anything, you—you low-budget vampire cosplayer!”

“OH?!!! So you’re Orivaneia’s weapon?! That actually made sense! Now I can throw you out without feeling guilty.”

“KYAAA! Abandoning me already?! We’ve been bonded for five minutes! Unbelievable! You’re heartless! Absolutely ruthless! … I like it. Let’s get married, SUZU-CHAN!!!”

Anna just stared, utterly disgusted, but the sword continued its chaotic temperament, flipping between outrage, panic, and bizarre admiration like a tiny, hyperactive teenager trapped in her lap.

“Call me Anna. I am Orivanne. Not Suzuha anymore…”