The journey to the Kingdom of Elroad felt incredibly leisurely to Nero.
Indeed, it was reminiscent of those nostalgic spring field trips from childhood. An entire class packed into a bus, eagerly anticipating their destination while groups of kids gathered to play games or cards along the way.
"Hey, doesn't this speed seem a little… off?"
Kazuma glanced uneasily at the scenery whipping past the window. "Isn't this too fast? I feel like even the tiniest accident would turn us into instant roadkill."
The dragon carriage, suspended off the ground, glided effortlessly through the air. Dragged by sprinting lizards, it hurtled forward at a jaw-dropping pace.
"Relax, this is a royal dragon carriage," Nero explained, taking a hearty bite out of a bright red apple. "It's protected by powerful defensive barriers. Granted, it won't stop Megumin's Explosion magic or Yunyun's Light Sword, but it can certainly handle any damage caused by a collision. If anything, the only thing that'll be wrecked is the driver's seat—where Darkness is sitting."
This nonchalant remark did nothing to calm Kazuma. Meanwhile, Nero savored her apple, relishing its sweetness and juiciness.
From the front of the carriage came Darkness' inexplicably excited voice, carried by the wind.
"Hahaha! This is fantastic! Absolutely incredible! These sprinting lizards are magnificent! I can only imagine the pain and injuries I'd sustain if we were to crash… yes! Faster! Let's go even faster!"
...Would Darkness deliberately engineer a crash just to experience getting hurt?
Nero's gaze shifted to the interior of the carriage. Alice was seated safely inside. Even with the protective barrier, overturning the carriage would undoubtedly be a hassle.
...Maybe I should consider taking over for Darkness myself, Nero mused.
According to Darkness, the royal dragon carriage was equipped with magical devices that repelled monsters. In theory, their journey to the destination should be smooth—provided their luck held out.
Unfortunately, while Kazuma's luck stat was unnaturally high, it seemed ineffective in this scenario. Or perhaps it was being canceled out by Aqua's presence, as she was practically a walking bad-luck charm.
"Hey, Kazuma! Looks like there are a few monsters up ahead," Darkness called out.
Hearing this, everyone in the carriage pressed their faces against the windows to get a better look.
"Oh no… really? I mean, I was hoping we wouldn't encounter any monsters on the way, but now that we have, there's no choice." Kazuma sighed, resigning himself. "Alright then, as guards, it's our time to shine! Darkness, you—"
"Understood! Full speed ahead, right? Got it!"
"Got it my ass! Now's not the time to let your emotions take over! If you mess this up, I'll find ways to torment you so creatively you'll beg for mercy—and I won't stop even if you call me Daddy! So stop the carriage! Stop it right now! I'm ordering you to STOP!"
Nero, who had been observing the monsters blocking their path, finally chimed in.
"It's fine. Darkness, there's no need to slow down… just keep the pace as it is."
"Understood! So we're ramming into them after all!"
"Stop misunderstanding everything, you masochistic knight! And Nero, just because Darkness is reckless doesn't mean you should join in!"
Ignoring Kazuma's near-hysterical shouting, Nero strode toward the carriage door. As she stepped out, she left behind a parting remark: "Stay seated and quiet. I'll be back shortly."
The moment Nero's feet touched the ground, she accelerated instantly. There was no buildup—just a sudden burst of speed that left even the sprinting lizards in her dust as she charged toward the monsters.
As she drew closer, Nero caught sight of the creatures blocking the path. Four minotaurs, each wielding a pair of heavy axes.
She made no attempt to conceal her presence. Her bold and fiery fighting spirit immediately drew the minotaurs' attention, and they roared with hostility, readying their weapons.
"Umu! Do you wish to dance as well?"
The foremost minotaur raised its axe high, but before it could strike, Nero unsheathed her greatsword and met its attack with a single, decisive slash.
The pale, moonlit glow of her blade collided with the descending axe. The dull blade of the axe was severed like cloth, and the radiant sword light surged forward, cleaving through the minotaur's muscular body and weapon in one sweeping motion.
Warm blood sprayed into the air, following the path of the sword light before cascading upward.
"You may rejoice! I grant you the honor of dancing with me!" Nero declared, her voice resonating with confidence. "Adorn my dance with your blood—like petals scattered in a storm of roses!"
With another swing of her sword, two more minotaurs fell before they even had time to react. Their heads toppled from their necks without so much as slowing her blade's momentum.
As Nero landed lightly on the ground, the last minotaur—standing directly behind her—gripped its massive axe tightly and swung down with all its might.
Boom!
The axe struck the earth, embedding itself deep into the soil as Nero sidestepped the attack. The minotaur froze, stunned. The next moment, a flash of sword light crossed its vision.
Scarlet fabric fluttered. Nero's golden hair, radiant as molten gold, flowed elegantly in the breeze. Her greatsword, Aestus Estus, gleamed in her grasp, its tip holding a single drop of crimson blood.
Behind her, the minotaur slowly dropped to its knees. Its torso slid cleanly from its lower body and collapsed to the ground.
At that very moment, the blood that had been scattered into the air moments earlier finally succumbed to gravity, falling like rain.
Not a single drop stained Nero's figure, as though the blood itself feared defiling her.
The tiny flame on her sword flickered, and the drop of blood at its tip evaporated into nothingness.
"Rejoice! Sharing the stage with me is the highest honor you could hope for! Now, rest peacefully… as if cradled in the arms of a rose-colored dream."
After swiftly dispatching the monsters, Nero surveyed the scene. Spotting the dragon carriage speeding toward her, she prepared herself. With a deft leap, she landed gracefully back onto the vehicle.
"Umu! Did you see that? I am magnificent, am I not? With me by your side, your safety is guaranteed to the utmost degree! This, I swear, as the Emperor of Rome!" Nero declared, her posture as regal as a swan's.
She glanced around at the others in the carriage, her head held high.
"Go on! Don't suppress your admiration! Praise me freely!"
Aside from Darkness, who looked slightly disappointed at the lack of a crash, everyone else gazed at Nero in awe. Applause filled the carriage, celebrating her dazzling performance.
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T/N: author posted some pictures...
NOOO I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONE BITTEN!!!!