476 The Systems History: Unraveling their guise II (2/2)

”Churu, are you certain you're prepared to return to the Capital?” Squatting down, Tora asked Churu for the last time. Tora thought hard about it if Churu should go back to the capital with her or she would leave her here under Arakaki's protection. However, although she decided to choose the latter, Churu cried her heart out.

Therefore, Tora was rendered helpless before this little girl. She didn't know what kind of magic Churu has to bend her decision and be helpless before her requests. In the end, Tora decided to take her along with her.

”Yamada-san is with me, so I am not afraid!” Churu smiled brightly, nodding her head determined to go back to her host's birthplace where she was born and died.

”Tora, that's my real name.” Tora corrected. She realized that Churu still didn't know her real name and still addressed her using the false name she gave to Aki. ”Call me that when it's just the two of us, alright?” She smiled, which made Churu smiled.

”Hmm!” It was not surprising that Churu didn't press on the reason why she used a false name as she has been like that. After all, Churu knew Tora from the day she was born. Meanwhile, Tora completely assumed that because Churu was a former slave, she had a habit of not probing.

”Let's go,” Tora grinned. She lifted Churu up on Kaze's back before she hopped on it after she jumped. Churu swayed sideways, but because Tora stilled her little frail body, she didn't fall. ”Our journey will take a few rough days but endure it.” Tora reminded her as they would travel back to the capital without a carriage.

Hence, it would surely be rough on Churu. Regardless, Churu was prepared to go to the ends of the world if she was with her.

”Kaze, head forth.” Pleased with the enthusiasm of Churu, Tora commanded her ride before it neighed and sped away from the northern town.

****

Three days later, Tora and Churu weren't even halfway to the Capital when they saw an empty carriage ahead. Slowing down, Kaze came into a full halt several steps away from the carriage. By the looks of it, a group of bandits ambushed the carriage as some rotten vegetables, squashed fruits scattered around.

”How unfortunate…” Tora murmured as she felt bad for this group who were robbed. Merchants usually faced this kind of danger whenever they travel to deliver their goods.

Hence, Tora didn't take this route as it was a long road to take and she didn't want unnecessary trouble. If not because she has a little girl with her, she wouldn't take this smooth road and go to the rough yet short route.

Just as Tora was about to command Kaze to continue on their journey, she caught a figure on the side of her eyes.

Turning to the figure, Kaze trotted forth near the figure who was sitting, almost on the brink of his death. Tora hopped out of Kaze and sprinted to the elderly man sitting while leaning on the tree.

”Mister, what happened?” Tora asked as she immediately offered him water to drink. Just then, she heard Churu screamed, which made her turn her head.

”Yamada-san!” Churu screamed as she was being taken away by an unknown man on a horse as he dragged her inside the forest on the side of the road. On the other hand, Kaze followed their tracks despite not having a rider.

”Hehe,” The elderly man chuckled but the next second, Tora's pair of devilish eyes met his — momentarily taking him aback. She lifted him by his neck as her grip around him slowly tightened.