We have been travelling significantly slower than before.
“Why am I still on my hands and legs!?”
Ninja was on the floor of the carriage, acting as my footrest for the trip.
“You should be honored I even let you be inside the carriage. I could have had you outside.”
“At least I would be standing.”
“Oh? You wish to be outside then? Be my guest.”
I gesture towards the door and ninja looks towards it as well. After a short moment, she looks back to me.
“On second thought, I can live with this.”
“Good choice. Now, I want you to massage my feet.”
“What? No way I’m massaging your stinky feet.”
“Sure. You can stay in that position then.”
Ninja thinks about it for a moment and moves to grab my feet. She positions herself to a kneeling position.
“Fine.”
She removes my footwear and starts massaging my feet.
“Why the heck does your feet not stink!? We’ve been travelling for a while!”
“Do you have a fetish for scent perhaps?”
“Hell no. I just have an enhanced sense of smell, its one of the reasons I was on top of my class.”
“Does that include your skills in massages?”
“Nah. Madam likes getting massaged so most of us learned how to do it.”
“You have mentioned this madam a few times. Who is she?”
“She’s like a mentor. Wait, I shouldn’t be sharing this with you!”
“Oh my. I was so close in uncovering all of your secrets.”
“You won’t fool me!”
As we engage in banter, we hear laughter from beside us. Of course it was not from Sylvia.
“What? Are you laughing at me?”
“No. I was just surprised at how comfortable you are now.”
“What makes you think I’m comfortable?”
“You are speaking casually, you know.”
“Shut up. She just reminds of madam, that’s it.”
“So, your madam likes making you do these kinds of things?”
“Hey, she ain’t a pervert like her.”
“Wait, you think I am a pervert?”
“Duh. You make us sleep with you, put your head on her thighs then you like to be on top of me. Definitely perverted behavior!”
“You seem like an expert on the subject. Were you also the top of your class for perversion?”
“N-no. I failed that one. I was never good at it. Madam keeps telling me that I should learn how to think before I speak.”
“You do come off as brash, you know? Maybe you can learn to speak more carefully?”
“Nah. Madam gave up on that a long time ago. Now, all she tells me is to shut up.”
“A good choice. Seeing as how you are once again sharing more information.”
“This was your plan! You pervert!”
“You can’t blame mistress for that. You’re the one sharing things.”
“Whose side are you on anyway!?”
“Mistress, of course.”
“Crap. I forgot.”
“Now I truly understand why your madam stopped you from going.”
Then, someone knocks on the carriage door. Only one person would do this. My footwear is properly put back on before Sylvia opens the door. Leader is standing outside.
“Bad news, milady. Guards and adventurers have been spotted.”
“Understandable. Our travel has been slow, after all.”
“Yes. Even with everything, morale remains low so it was hard making them move faster.”
“What is the plan now?”
“Regretfully, we can no longer continue. Due to the recent additional forces, any other groups would not want to join us. May I suggest for you to follow me, milady?”
“Follow you where?”
“As I would need more time to gather a significant force, please follow me to my hideout. I ensure that I will be able to muster what we require in a few days.”
“And how far is this hideout of yours?”
“It is not far from here milady. This was also why this is the last place on my plan. Though, bringing you there was not included in it.”
“Will this hideout have enough resources for one such as I?”
“Though it may not meet your expected standards, I can at least ensure that it will be comfortable with plenty of provisions.”
“Fine. I agree. But we will not be staying any more than a few days. We are nearing the deadline after all.”
“Of course, milady.”
Leaders leaves and we are left alone.
“Hey, I was wondering about something.”
“What is it?”
“Why does he call you milady but she calls you mistress?”
“Because he has not earned the right to call me that.”
“Huh? But he works for you right?”
I smile at her and I see her tremble.
“I don’t get it. Why are you doing that?”
“That should be enough hints for you to understand.”
“Hints? What hints?”
“How I pity your madam. She already understands.”
“You do?”
“Yeah.”
“Tell me then.”
“No. Its better if you understand it yourself.”
“Come on. I don’t need this mystery thing. Just tell it to me straight.”
“Your madam often sighs when you ask for such things, does she not?”
“How do you know? Can you read my mind or something?”
“No.”
“Tch. You’re being mysterious and all that again.”
“Well, don’t mind it okay. That is just how mistress is.”
“Fine. Whatever.”
Was she really top of her class? I would assume she would have more nuance.
“Make sure to prepare yourselves. This may be the time you have been waiting for.”
“Okay, mistress.”
“Waiting for? What do you mean? Stop being cryptic!”
As girl calms down ninja, the carriage starts moving again. Towards leader’s hideout. It would be safe to assume that this is an important base for him. If what he says is correct of course. That should also be where I will find what father is asking for. Though we may fail on the number of captures, I would at least succeed in gathering intelligence. What kind of intelligence it would be is something that I would not know.
“Get back to your massage, we still have some time.”
“Fine, whatever.”
