TFLA 03

Chapter : 3 “The Air Outside Prison Is Delightful”

Greetings. I am Vaioiria Niko Fortesia.

Right now, after escaping from prison, I rode my horse west from the royal capital and, along the way, I have reached a mountain where I am greeting the sunrise.

“The sunrise outside prison is beautiful.”

While gently stroking my horse’s neck, I take a deep breath toward the dawn sky. It is a refreshing morning befitting the day after my escape. I almost feel like I can forget the sense of downfall. Well, not really. I will not forget it.

“Now then, one more push. Let’s sell some spare armor in an appropriate village for money and get something to eat. You can rest there too.”

The horse snorts loudly, digging at the ground with its front hoof as if to show it still has plenty of energy. What a cute one.

“…Alright, let’s go!”

With my signal, the horse once again breaks into a light gallop.

First, what I need most is a place to hide.

After all, I am a criminal. I do not expect to live leisurely in the sunlight. Soldiers will surely come after me and capture me soon.

…Of course, I cannot immediately slaughter all those detestable nobles and royals. I do have confidence in my martial skill, but even so, it would be reckless to infiltrate multiple mansions and castles alone and take the heads of my targets one by one.

Humans also possess magical power, but beyond that, they have a greater power.

That is the power of tools.

Weapons like swords and spears are one example, and poison and fire are also tools.

Sometimes, tools make possible what a single human alone could never accomplish.

So then, what do I ultimately need in order to eliminate those people?

…Time and money.

Time and money.

With time, I can prepare—and more importantly, I can lower their vigilance. And with money, I can secure hiding places, tools, equipment, and lodging.

…In fact, money is like a miracle cure. Most people will turn a blind eye to things that have nothing to do with them if money is involved.

In other words, humans don’t really care what happens as long as it doesn’t concern them. Many would hand me over just to satisfy some trivial sense of justice.

That is why I need money. For bribes. For improving my reputation by scattering it around.

Working diligently to improve one’s reputation is also an option, of course, but that is a long-term strategy. For a short-term plan, rather than working patiently, it is better to throw money around and accumulate achievements so that I become someone who is “too troublesome to eliminate” and “more beneficial alive than dead.”

So then.

First, I must head to a town. Naturally.

If I need money, I need a place where buying and selling can be done properly.

A sufficiently large town where trade is unrestricted… perhaps Elzemarin, where my academy is located?

The reason for going there is not only to rest, but mainly to sell armor and helmets.

Everything requires money. And right now, I only have the accessories I wore when I was imprisoned. Precious metals can be used like money without converting them, so I would prefer to keep them as a last resort.

So armor and helmets it is. Besides, if I walk around wearing a soldier’s armor from the castle, I will stand out far too much. It is better to dispose of it before suspicion arises. Conveniently, Elzemarin has a black market in its back alleys. If I enter the town at night and move quickly, it should work out.

However… there is also a concern.

In a large town, there are many people and a wide area. As the saying goes, “hide a person in a crowd.” It would be a good place to hide.

But there is also the possibility that royal pursuers have already arrived in Elzemarin.

If soldiers are surrounding the area day and night, there would be nothing I can do.

However, even bribing soldiers to silence them requires money, which again requires going into populated areas… which means I would likely encounter soldiers there anyway…

It becomes an endless loop.

If only money could just fall from the sky without needing people…

…Or so I was thinking.

While I was pondering this, I realized something.

Ahead of me stood clearly rough-looking men with vulgar smiles and filthy appearances.

“Hey there, soldier.”

“Alone out here on a road like this… you got some kind of story, don’t ya?”

“Yes. Something like that.”

When I replied, they looked slightly surprised.

“…Huh. Couldn’t tell with that helmet, but you’re a woman?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

“No way!”

They laughed crudely.

“Lucky us. A castle soldier, and a woman alone out here…”

They surrounded me and drew hatchets and axes.

“Looks like you’re begging to be attacked!”

“How trivial.”

Of course, I was not the kind of person to lose to such lowlifes. I achieved an effortless victory. After all, I am a daughter of House Fortesia! Of course this is expected! Though I was honestly quite startled! Very startled! Extremely startled!

Still, it was good that I had a weapon. Even a single standard spear makes a huge difference.

I am more skilled with swords and bows, but well, this works out fine.

“Guh… what the hell is this guy…”

After striking down one of them again with my spear, he finally quieted.

“Damn it… thought you’d have valuables…”

…but then.

“Wait.”

That statement was unacceptable.

“What did you just say?”

“Eh… ah…”

“Speak!”

When I grabbed him by the collar, he panicked.

“W-we just thought you’d have money! Sorry! We figured soldiers live well! That’s all!”

“I see.”

I released his collar—and instead, strangled him until he lost consciousness.

Soon, no one among them was speaking, only the bodies of the bandits collapsing around me.

“…I see.”

A realization struck me like enlightenment.

“If I don’t have money…”

Ah, why did I not think of this before?

A way to earn money safely without entering towns or risking soldiers—

That is!

“I just need to take it!”

Once decided, I must act quickly. The saying goes, strike while the iron is hot.

And right here were suitable targets.

“Bandits. Wake up.”

I slapped one of the few still conscious bandits and interrogated him.

“Tell me where your base is.”

“…This is all you have? If you’re hiding something, I won’t forgive you. Jump. Now. Hurry.”

“I-I told you, we’ve got nothing!”

After being led to the bandit hideout, I found… how empty it was.

If they had attacked nobles, they should have gold or jewels. But all they had were silver coins at best, and mostly copper and iron coins.

Not even worth mentioning compared to noble standards.

Strange.

In an area where nobles and merchants should pass through, why is there so little wealth?

“Bandit!”

“Y-yes!”

“Answer me. Do you have some kind of code where you don’t target nobles? Or are you just picking on beggars and poor adventurers? Are you monks or something?”

“W-well, nobles have strong escorts! We can’t attack them even if we want to!”

“I see.”

That makes sense. Nobles rarely travel without protection, and guards who lose to bandits would not survive in their profession.

“Very well.”

At least there was no hidden treasure here.

“From today onward, you will actively target nobles.”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t you understand? I dislike earning small amounts by picking on the weak. The target is nobles only. We will get rich all at once.”

“…Wait—are you saying you’re becoming a bandit?!”

“Of course! I, Vaioiria Niko Fortesia, will become a bandit! You will become my subordinates! If you value your lives, obey me!”

And so, I, Vaioiria Niko Fortesia.

From today onward, while avoiding royal pursuit, I will hide myself—and play at being a bandit for a while!