2.9

"So that's why we're gonna rough you up a little. Just a little, wee bit," said a thug to the girl.

The men blocking off the road and laughing lewdly included Dumber and Dumbest. Their group, separate from Dumb's, had surrounded the girl and her companion. They didn't need to put into words exactly what kind of payback they had in mind after capturing her. The vulgar lust in their eyes said it all.

But the girl paid the men around her no heed as she brought the slice of abble to her lips.

"…Mm, bittersweet. It is indeed an abble on the inside. I am forced to conclude that the clown from earlier did not simply dye them red as some kind of joke. So abbles are indeed this color? I am shocked."

Al replied, "Hey, ah, Princess, you seeing what's happening here?"

"Whatever you wish to say, speak it clearly. I dislike all this indirectness."

"Fine, I'll come right out and say it.—There's two abbles, so ain't one of 'em mine?"

"Ha! How absurd. Now hear this, I caught both abbles that the clown tossed. Consequently, both are mine."

"It's common sense that if you have two of something and two people, each of 'em takes one."

The disregard of both master and servant drove the ruffians' anger to its limit. With clear malice, each one drew his blade as they began to tighten the circle.

Al asked her, "So, Princess. What about what the world around you wants?"

"My choice is the world's choice. You should bear that in mind, Al."

"I try."

The girl nodded with satisfaction at Al's words and resumed nibbling on her abble. Her cheeks relaxed at the bittersweet taste, bringing an angelic smile over her beautiful face. And as if ripping off an insect's wings with cherubic innocence, she stated matter-of-factly, "I am now in a very good mood.—Consequently, you may spare their lives."

Hearing those words, Al put his hand on the handle of the large sword sheathed horizontally behind his hip. There was a slow shing—the sound of a blade being drawn from its sheath. With that as background music, he stated, "—Aye-aye, ma'am."

The smile under the pitch-black helmet was vivid and fierce.