4 Random Encounters

It isn't often I leave the 'safety and comfort' of Dewhurst. As established, it isn't very often I even leave my own Guild. But Sam has forced my hand and given me no choice in the matter but to set off with her in tow and see if I can't solve the problem myself.

I'll admit, Sam made a big, showy entrance, and that got my hopes up more than it should have. She looked strong, confident, and brave upon first glance. I figured this girl could be my last shot, and I hyped her up in my mind even if it was unfair to do so. When she returned and revealed the truth, that she was an incompetent little Princess, it made me snap a little bit.

I'm not proud of how I acted toward her, even if she was clear for all to see that she was totally into it...

Putting aside the apparent desire that this girl so obviously has to be scolded by an older man, there's a large, looming problem if I can't sort Sam's inexperience out. Profit needs to start coming in if she really wants to stay here long term like she says she does. In a few months, I won't be able to put food on the table for either of us. Meaning if Sam can't finish a quest and pull in some gold, she'll end up as nothing more than another mouth to feed...

My savings are already running low enough as it is.

And to think I was already daydreaming about the warrior Princess raking in quest after quest, granting me access to that sweet, sweet handler's fee...

It wouldn't be much money, sure, as Sam's only a rookie and can't take high-paying quests. That much is obvious. My income from her work would be spare change at best... but spare change is still money, which adds up. Every little bit could be saved to start working on renovating the Guild.

An obvious remedy to this problem is to focus on Association requested gathering quests, which I'm sure even Sam could complete... but that wouldn't really solve the issue. It'd just be delaying it for another day. No, it'd be in Sam's best interest if we just face her inexperience head-on and see if I can't teach her the absolute bare minimum when it comes to using her sword.

Hence, I'm currently dragging the Princess through town on our way to the east gate.

To say I get a lot of strange looks is an understatement. The criminal, dirty-looking townspeople always recognize me due to my status as a social pariah, but they've never seen me walking around with a beautiful, scantily-clad blonde before. Given how many of the thugs brandish weapons in my direction when we pass them by, I'm not sure I appreciate the extra attention...

Thankfully the walk from the Guild to the east gate is a very short one, so I don't have to put up with the potential danger for very long. Any longer out here, and I might have considered making a run for it.

Exiting Dewhurst gets rid of the permanent gray overcast hanging in the air, and we're met with a bright, warm, lovely spring afternoon. Or at least it would be lovely if I left town more. As it is, it just hurts my eyes, even through my glasses. I can't remember the last time I've been out here, and it shows...

Ah, well, I'll adjust... hopefully.

Not even a few minutes of walking into the wilderness do we come across a perfectly good Slime. Sam's face becomes apprehensive as soon as she notices the monster before firing up with determination. The gooey creature's eyes twinkle when it catches sight of the Princess.

"Look at that smug piece of shit..." Sam spits, drawing her sword out from over her shoulder and wielding it like an unruly barbarian. "He's asking for more, that motherfucker!"

"Stop, stop, stop. What the fuck is this?" I extend my palm, motioning to the young girl's entire stance and body with my whole hand.

"...It's a sword, Boss." Sam stares back at me with a puzzled look on her face, like I just asked the stupidest question she'd ever heard.

"No. I'm talking about your stance." I scan Sam over nice and thorough with my magical eyes, picking up every detail I can until there's little left. Everything clicks into place now that I see what she looks like when she's ready for combat.

I begin to circle around her, studying every nook and cranny of her scantily clad body to properly absorb all the data. Sam starts to blush heavily in response to my invasiveness, as one would expect. Before she can even begin to say a word in embarrassment, I move in to start my critique.

"Your hands. One up here, one down here," I tell Sam in a commanding tone, to start off small.

"Ah, uh. Ok, like this...?" She shifts their position a bit, albeit incorrectly.

"No, like this." I reach out and move her gloved hands for her.

"Oh! The weight feels more consistent now!" She says, getting a feel for it.

"Precisely. Shoulders straight, now- don't let them slouch." I make a pose for her to copy.

"Right..." She fixes her posture.

"Just so. Now, look at my feet and take the same position as me."

"Oh shit, I get it! Now I won't trip all over myself like a dumbass!"

"Indeed. And another thing-" This goes on, and on.

For another ten minutes, I stand there in the open field, roasting and correcting the Princess's abysmal form without mercy. She takes my every word in stride, doing as I do and not complaining in the slightest.

I know it's rude of me to think, but I was worried she wouldn't be able to follow along. She hasn't proved to be the blacksmith's sharpest sword in the short time I've known her... yet I find myself pleased in her ability to soak up the knowledge on offer.

Thankfully, the nearby Slimes are content to just idle about as I teach this young blonde the correct way to viciously slaughter them.

Once I'm done with my work, Sam stands perfectly in the correct posture, and her form is nothing short of immaculate. "Wonderful. There's hope for you yet, it seems." I give her a warm and reassuring smile, or at least I try to. Goddess knows it's hard with a thuggish face such as my own.

"Hey, I had a good teacher!" The young girl gives me a playful wink.

Even though it's such a simple gesture, for a moment, I lose myself and begin to blush. A cute little wink like that, on a face like hers? Even if I weren't a depressive shut-in, I'd be struggling to keep cool.

I turn around in place to hide it and immediately change the topic. No matter what, I won't allow Sam to recharge the strange sexual tension between us. "You don't have any experience wielding a sword whatsoever, do you?"

"Uh... I guess you could say I was self-taught." She shifts in place, dropping her stance as we talk. For a split second, her eyes narrow as I look away.

"That was a rhetorical question, 'Samilda'."

"...You're kind of a cheeky fuck, aren't ya, Boss?" She holds back an exceedingly un-ladylike snort but fails miserably, letting it out for the world to hear. I'll be honest, it's a charming laugh in a very unconventional way.

"Oh no, you've caught me." I play up an exaggerated sigh and throw my hands into the air.

"Riiiiiight." Sam rolls her eyes, a teasing smile lifting the corner of her mouth into yet another smirk. "Hey, here's an idea. How bout you watch me kill the shit out of some slimes and lemme know if I do anything wrong?"

"I thought you'd never ask. Get back into the position, though." I say, not realizing the implications at first. "Wait, shit-"

The blush returns on the Princess's smug little face, and she smirks at me like a vicious predator. Her grin is toothy, showcasing a sharp little fang that I regrettably find adorable. "Oh? What position do you want me in, Boss? Remind me."

"You know damn well what I mean," I grunt and roll my eyes, feeling color flush my cheeks against my will. "Get back into the stance I just taught you."

"Dude, you're so fuckin' cute," She laughs in that boyish laugh of hers that I'm already growing much too fond of. "I'm just bustin' your balls, relax... or, y'know. Don't." For added emphasis, the young lady sticks her tongue out at me in a very mature and totally non-childish way.

Deciding she's teased me well enough for the moment, Sam turns her back to me, and I watch as the young warrior perfectly reassumes the stance I hammered into... her. Gods, I really do need to work on my phrasing.

Now that she's fully ready for combat, Sam marches off to take on her slippery foe. The Slime takes the initiative right when it notices her approaching. It draws near, and the battle begins in earnest.

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