Chapter 1: The Name of the Swordsman ①
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“Are Laura and the Young Lady really coming along?”
Despite my unspoken implication that I would be fine on my own—and that they would only be a hindrance—the two of them sparkled with excitement, nodding enthusiastically as if nothing could deter them. I let out a sigh, resigning myself to the fact that the girl tasked with their protection had no choice in the matter.
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The Young Lady, Sophia Gore.
She was a well-known figure in the Arcana, especially in Bordaf, as the daughter of Heinz Gore, the head of the Gore Trading Company. While she occasionally displayed a talent for business that could rival her father’s, her naivety still shone through in many aspects, marking her as a work in progress.
And then there was Laura, the youngest daughter of Lord Bordaf, known for her overprotective upbringing. With two older sisters who lived life on their own terms, her parents doted on her to the point where she was often teased as the “sheltered daughter,” or rather, the “treasure-box daughter,” as they cherished her deeply.
To give you a better understanding of their personalities, let me share a couple of episodes that reflect who they are. These events took place not long ago.
Sophia, having been asked by her brother to handle a business negotiation that required a trustworthy representative, declared without a hint of doubt, “Leave it to me!” And off she went! However, for some inexplicable reason, all her guards fled along the way, and she found herself surrounded by a horde of goblins. Just when it seemed like her end was near, she was fortuitously saved by a humble (and perhaps somewhat mysterious) young man who happened to pass by, allowing her to survive against all odds.
As for Laura, she grew tired of her overly protective lifestyle and, following the advice of her close maid, made a daring escape from the mansion without a single guard in tow, exclaiming, “I’m going!” As expected, she soon found herself face-to-face with a group of filthy, brutish men waiting for her, and before she knew it, she was abducted in a flash. Just when it seemed her body, heart, and life would be thrown into chaos, she was saved by a dashing young man (in her imagination) who happened to be passing by, narrowly escaping disaster.
If you’ve heard these stories, you can probably guess that both Sophia, now over twenty, and Laura, a teenager of noble birth, were the type to live in the moment, often without a care for the consequences. To the young girl tasked with their protection, they seemed like nothing more than spoiled children throwing tantrums.
Thus, it was a curious twist of fate that both found themselves in peril around the same time and were rescued by the same person, allowing them to become fast friends in no time. Now, they often gathered for tea, engaging in lively conversations whenever they had the chance.
…If that were all, it would have been peaceful.
But things were not so simple.
As their activeness grew, the synergy between these two spirited girls evolved into an extraordinary level of enthusiasm.
As a result, the mischievous Laura and the intellectual, bespectacled Sophia began to concoct all sorts of dubious plans, putting them into action. Unfortunately, their schemes had been thwarted time and again by Papa Gore and Papa Bordaf, but the relentless duo continued their antics undeterred.
Upon hearing these tales, the young girl serving as their guard couldn’t help but feel exasperated, letting out yet another sigh, wondering, “What on earth are these two up to?”
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This marks the beginning of a new chapter.
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The author would be thrilled!
A special thanks to @richbro for the gift once again. I was genuinely surprised!
I truly appreciate it… from the bottom of my heart!