The plain and unnoticed me is no more

Lyla and I were supposed to get married before the winter came.

I went to repair the temple door when the summer heat subsided.

And in the fall, the incident happened.

One sunny morning, me, Taxi and Lyla went out to pick up the nuts that had been the norm every year since they were kids.

Unlike year-round fruits from orchards, nuts such as chestnuts and walnuts native to remote mountains are a precious ingredient that can only be harvested in autumn.

That's why Lyla used her precious chestnuts to cook wedding banquets and to entertain people who gathered to celebrate themselves.

However, even though I climbed the mountain, on this day, almost no chestnuts fell to places that were always falling in large quantities, and it was still ripe and became a tree.

"Oh my... it looks like she came a little early."

"Well, there are times like this. Let's pick up as much as we can and go to the next place."

"That's right. By the way, how much chestnut does Lyla need?

When Takis asked me that, Lyla listened to me! I just let my eyes shine.

"You know, I'm going to make and distribute chestnut cakes and baked chestnuts everyone loves! That's why I'm going to collect all these bags!

Lyla has two drawstring bags hanging on her waist that are likely to hold a kilometer of chestnuts. It's always a lot to relax about.

Is that all you need? When I thought about it, there were six bags of three more pieces from the drawstring. And it's a little bigger than it's hanging from my waist.

If all eight chestnuts were packed as declared, the total would be ten kilometers.

"Fufu... Lila, did you bring so many bags, and you were going to take them home by yourself today?

A taxi will crush Lyla.

The day Lyla was first brought to pick up the nuts, she gathered chestnuts in a bag full of them, ignoring her father's advice that she should only be able to take them home without greed. It weighs about nine kilometers.

A girl's small body carrying two kilometers of luggage and walking in the mountains is quite harsh.

Naturally, on the way back to the village, he would cry to me, "It's too heavy to walk anymore."

Since then, it's only natural for Lyla to put the chestnuts she picked up in our backpack together and take them home.

But neither I nor the taxi hated it at all.

Lyla was so happy that she relied on us sometimes to sweeten her father because of the influence of a word she heard from a friend in her childhood.

"It's unusual for us to pick it up and bring it all to us."

"What? Gin. I can take you to the village."

"Yeah, I guess I'll be fine if I work hard. But if you're tired, you're going to let us have it, right?

"Ah! What, is that so?

"... I'm sorry! Pick it up and move to the next location! After the chestnuts, I also go to pick up walnuts. Come on, both of you. Hurry up. Hurry up!

Lyla, who had been poked by the stars, laughed nicely and deceived her and started picking up the chestnuts immediately.

Stepping on ripe and open tigers with both feet, take only the chestnuts inside with the tongs you bring and put them in a drawstring bag on your waist.

Me and the taxi looked at each other and laughed.

It's a dusty and happy time in your daily routine.

Then I worked silently, and the chestnuts in the area were quickly picked up.

And on our way to the next location, we find about twenty armed men.

The weather stabilized with the disappearance of the goddess's pranks, and there were more strangers wandering into the artemis in the steep mountains than before.

Most of them just lost their way, but some of them are greedy and dangerous. That's why we hid in a nearby cage, alerting the armed men.

"I've never seen them before... who are they?

"It's not like a traveler... Did you go into this mountain hunting...?

"Ah...!

I noticed something, and Lyla pulled my sleeve and pointed at a man.

"Hey, Jin. That guy in the middle, he's a different person, but doesn't he look like the one who went down in the mountains last month?

"Hmm? That's what I was told... but it's not like I came to thank you for that... Taxi, take Lyla and hurry back to the village. And let everybody know."

"Okay. What about Jin?

"I'll keep an eye on them. Lyla, leave all your stuff here. It's better to be light."

"Uh-huh... Jin, I'll call someone right away, so don't be rude."

Lyla stared anxiously at me and nodded with a smile that she shouldn't worry, leaving the two of them running away quietly.

And in order to find out what the armed men were after, I hid in the barrels and narrowed them down little by little.

As he approached him, one of the men was a hunter in the village who had previously found a place in the mountains where he had fallen and embraced him in the church.

You did say you went into the mountain to pick herbs and got lost while the beast attacked you and ran away...

I was actually injured and I didn't suspect it at that time. But when I look with my friends, it feels like the bottom of a bandit.

On the waist of a man is a great sword, and there are others who carry a great bow.

"Hey, you've been walking all day. Is there really a rich country behind these mountains that I want to dream about?"

"It's true! I was half-hearted when I heard rumors in the town at the foot, but I went to paradise! Besides, there was a nice woman! I'll take that woman home. Absolutely!"

"Hahaha! You're supposed to get fucked!

"Ugh! He looked after me with a smile every day. She must have liked me too!

It was mainly Lyla who took care of the man.

That said, I just took care of the injury and the meal. There is also a serious mistake.

"I'm such a fool, I forgot about the omen! More treasure than that. You found a place to sneak into the castle, didn't you? Tell me what it was like."

"Oh! There was a fine building in the back of the cave behind the waterfall. Someone came while I was breaking down the door, so I ran away in a hurry, but the treasure is hidden!

Was that the man who broke the door to the temple? Maybe when you get well in our village, you go to the castle to steal...? What a guy. I can't believe you gave me back my gratitude.

But that's not good... The backup troops will be on their way by horse, but it will take them 15 minutes to get to the village, and it will take them long enough to fly a fast horse from the village to reach the royal castle.

I don't know when they're going to move, but I want to stop them here so they don't harm the village.

I seriously think about how I can stop twenty people by myself in the unlikely event.

There are twenty opponents, and what becomes a weapon at this time is a small knife and tongs for picking up tree nuts. Shit, that sucks.

Most Artemis can use elementary attack magic, such as fire and water, but only non-attack magic with earth attributes can be used.

It's a treasure when you build a house, but it's not a good force to attack. Besides, I have the disadvantage of having less magic.

That's why I always think. If I had more power, I could protect the people I care about.

I learned swordsmanship to compensate for my lack of magic, and even though both knights were strong enough to fight each other, I am not a knight or a soldier, and I am not qualified to wear swords except in the event of an accident.

If only there were a sword here right now...

Fortunately, some of them left here in search of food, but there was still no sign of the men moving.

After about thirty minutes of silent gazing, I felt like I heard a woman screaming from afar.

The men looked at each other in unison, gazing at each other with their glaring eyes.

I looked around with concern.

That scream... I don't suppose Lyla's guy came back here after calling for backup in the village?

I don't think I'd do such a stupid thing with a taxi... but please be careful.

A little later, the two men who were looking for food came back with young men and women.

The color of the hair and the clothes alone give you an instant idea of who you are.

Lila! And a taxi! What the hell are they doing? Just call for backup, why did you come back!

Doddling and deep in your ears, your heart sounds loud and your forehead sweats cold.

I want to jump out and rescue those two right now, but it's not a matter of momentum.

They were held by their sides and resisted without escaping from the arms of the mighty men.

I'm the only one who can help those two. We have to deal with this calmly.

"Hey, when I went looking for food, I found this!

"Let me go! Let go of me! Taxi, are you okay?

Lyla is resisting with a loud voice, but she can't hear a taxi. It also looks like you have no heart or a tight heart.

"Woman! Besides, it's a top ball!

"Ah! That girl! It's Lyla from Artemis! Hey, get your filthy hands off me. She's mine."

"What are you talking about? I found him!

"Uuuuuu! I had eyes on you first!

The men started a skirmish between Lyla.

Then, a leader-like man stares at the two and gives the order in a daze.

"Let her go. We're not here to find a wife. Instead, keep an eye out for them."

"Shit...."

Lyla freed herself from the man's hands, but she couldn't move from the scene because the taxi was caught. She was beaten when she was caught, or she bled from the mouth of the taxi.

"He seems to be capable of magic, so be careful. I almost burned my clothes. Damn it, I'd surprise you if I thought you were a little boy."

"'Cause you hit me all of a sudden! Let go of the taxi!

"It's troublesome to be able to use magic. Keep that brother tied to the trees around here."

The taxi was tied to a tree on the orders of a leader.

Lyla leaned against the taxi weeping and stared at the men. Then the man who was after Lyla approached.

"Lyla, let me help the man."

"That time of yours...!

"Hehe... you remembered me."

"Are you sure you want to help me?

"Instead, lead us to the back of the castle on an unseen route. If these conditions are satisfactory, I'll have them attend a meeting with my parents over there."

Lila chewed her lips in regret and followed the man around looking for something.

Lyla's looking for me. I want to go and get him now!

But I know I'm not the only one who can handle it without weapons. Besides, they're not going to do anything about it right now.

I was trying to keep my mind down and act calmly.

Then the chance comes.

When Lyla was too old to go to the leader, she was distracted from the taxi.

So I snuck around behind a tree tied to a taxi and untied it.

"Jing...? I'm glad you're safe..."

"Why did you bring Lyla back...?

"After I told the village chief about the suspect, Lyla disappeared... and I can't stop her."

I appreciate you worrying about me... But there's no such thing as telling people not to be reckless.

Lyla needs a sermon when this is settled and she gets home.

"Taxis, they're bandits. I mistook the temple for a treasure trove."

…… What should we do? If we wait a little longer, the Knights will come from the royal castle. "

"I see... I want to help Lyla before backup arrives. I'll attract them, and the taxi will take Lyla to the village. Ready?"

"Yeah, okay. But Jin's got to get out of here. I'll leave the rest to the Knights."

"... let's go"

We split up and ran to take back Lyla with a little knife and tongs. From the front, the taxi turns around behind and approaches Lyla.

Lyla was surprised at me when she suddenly showed up and her eyes were round. From around here, everything felt like slow motion in me.

"Jin!?

Lyla ran off to me reflectively, but naturally the man caught her.

Other men have attacked me with great swords and bows.

I aggressively dodged the attack with Tong, but I couldn't stand the continuous attack and Tong jumped up as much as I could.

And at that moment, my arms, legs and flanks were cut, and my fighting power was gradually reduced.

Still fighting with a small knife, I managed to take the opponent's great sword, and from there I turned back.

But there are a lot of powerless people. Cuts everywhere, bleeding is severe and my consciousness is blurred.

I saw a taxi standing at the edge of my vision trying to cover myself with magic.

"My backup is fine. Aim for the guy who's got Lyla!

When I screamed, the taxi attacked the man with fire magic from behind, and the opponent grabbed Lyla's hand in the scared gap and left the scene.

Good. I'm still at a disadvantage, but I'm relieved that Lyla's safe for now.

"Gin....! Taxi, no. I can't leave Jin!

"No! I made a promise to Jin. Jin said he's taking Lyla to the village while he's distracted!

"No! Please help Jin...!

"If you don't leave, Jin won't be able to escape!

……

I begged the taxi with tears, but the taxi kept his promise to me and forced Lyla to escape.

But Lyla didn't resist and try to leave the scene.

I feel like it's been quite a while, but the support hasn't come yet. I'm going to buy myself a lot of time, but wasn't it?

His health is close to its limit as he stands up bleeding.

Even if I kept fighting like this, I could see losing.

My magic can't attack, but perhaps it can be defended. Whatever you do, protect Lyla!

Shit, she's gone! Follow me! I don't want backup!

When I realized that the men with the swords turned their gaze towards Lyla and Takis, I let go of the great sword I had and used my magic to create a wall of dirt nearly twice the length of my back.

The men who were surprised at the sounds of the earth were surrounded by earth walls that suddenly grew from the ground, gradually narrowing the area and eventually being barely able to move.

It was an aggressive idea, but I succeeded in surrounding my enemies with a rugged earthen wall.

"No, what is this! Can he use his magic too!?

I can hear you screaming in the dirt wall. It seems I've never seen such magic before.

Reinforcements will arrive soon. Just a few more minutes, and we'll be able to hold the men in custody.

"Taxi... please take Lyla! Run while you can!

"But... are you...?

"If I leave here, the wall will collapse... Just go! I'll be fine."

I stood on my feet, but I was forced to smile to reassure Lyla.

"Jin!!

Lyla's screams echoed in the mountains.

Afterwards, the taxi left the scene with a reluctant Lyla.

But for some reason, the earthen walls that should always be hardened like bricks don't solidify.

Is it because you bled too much from your injury? I'm with Harribotte as it is.

I thought it would be over if they noticed me inside, when the sword tip of the Great Sword penetrated through the dirt wall and rushed through my body.

"Ngh...."

"Ahh!! Oh no!... don't look!

I heard a taxi from afar. I bet you looked back at me many times on the way out. Please don't let Lyla see you like this.

"Go... early... ku"

I'm sorry, Lyla. I'll find you in the next life, so I'll keep my marriage promise until then. I love you. Please be happy...

Thinking of Lyla in her wedding costume, I ended my short life with a 20-year-old.

♢♢♢ ♢♢♢ ♢♢♢

According to Taki, the Knights arrived shortly afterwards, and the bandits in the earth wall I built were captured.

And the nightmare Taki was experiencing was when Jin was pierced with a sword.

It was a salvation that she immediately covered her face, saying that she shouldn't show it to Lyla, who was with her.

Speaking of dreams, I felt like I had been watching my best friend die almost every day for five years.

When my memory came back, I blamed myself for not grieving about Lyla, the taxi, my parents and everyone else if I was even stronger.

But the fairy was involved in Jin's death. If so, it's only then that magic didn't work.