The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King (姫騎士は蛮族の嫁)

Huh?

Am I... in water?

What are these lights?

A giant fish?!

No... a dragon!

Sera....

I am glad I chose you.

What?

Wait! What do you mean by—

It was a dream?

But why...?

How could a dragon talk?

And such a massive creature...

I've never seen or heard of anything like it.

Did the Morisuberi we hunted show up in my dreams, or something?

Get off...

Illdoren, you're gonna squeeze my guts out...

L-Lady Vyufmec?!

The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King

There are elves and dwarves from out of a fairy tale,

along with some menacing-looking living plants...

You are so obnoxious.

Wh-Why am I being forced to deal with barbarians and inhuman creatures?!

I already told you; today we're performing the great cleansing ritual.

Which is why the five tribes have gathered so early in the morning.

E-Even, so, how do you expect me to accept something so egregiously fantastical?!

Y'know, in the short time I've known you, it's clear how fanatical you are...

But do you really think that the only things that exist in this world

are the things that you personally find believable?

Hey, the gang's all here.

Saint Wysteresia!

You're responsible for the blight, this time.

So you're going to participate in our tradition of the great cleansing.

B-But...

Cleansed though you may be,

it's important you personally see the results of your actions.

Cleansed?

She doesn't even realize it...

Say that again, elf?!

What name did your parents give you?

You want my name?! What for?!

Let's just hear it.

Well, I got the surname of Malcius from the abbot,

seven years ago when I became a retinue priest...

Wait.

What did they call me at the orphanage again...?

I know that becoming a retinue priest at 16 was unprecedented...

But prior to that? Sixteen years...

You don't remember any of it?!

And 16 years would be the majority of your life!

Th-That can't be right!

I can remember six years ago... seven years ago...

Eight years ago... nothing? Nothing, nothing, nothing?!

Whoa, Malcius!

It's an effect of the blight.

It's honestly a miracle she survived in the first place.

True. You could say that losing her memories is a small price.

Though I doubt she'd agree.

This might be insensitive,

but maybe forgetting about the memories of being a slave to religion

would be better for her...

Wha?!

Wh-Wh-What did you just say?

You think I'd be better off forgetting my devotion to the Lord?!

H-How dare you?!

Then try and remember something.

Assuming there were any thoughts in your head to remember.

Y-Y-You just keep running your mouth, you little wench!

I only stated the truth, you freckled four-eyes!

My a-a-appearance has nothing to do with my religion!

They met a few days ago and look how they get along...

Hard to say if they're compatible, or not.

Shouldn't we do something?

I doubt it'll escalate into anything dangerous.

And if it does, I'll stop them.

Yeah, fight, fight!

You start a fight, and are already on the ground?

You were the one who was mocking me, barbarian girl!

Don't take a retinue priest with the E-E-Eastern Expedition forces lightly!

All that marching has made me fit!

Ow! Ow!

You might've been able to get the drop on me,

but if you really think I'm better off without my memories,

then how about this, little barbarian?

I might hate what the Order of Commoneras stands for,

but I did receive some charity from them once...

I forgot to mention this earlier,

but did you know that this barbarian-styled girl is actually—

She's got her.

Bar...bar...ian...

We have a winner!

I suppose I'll carry Malcius...

Why don't the three of you run down to the river, then?

There's still time before the great cleansing.

It'll be a good chance to get in the water and clean up a little.

A good suggestion. A wash before the ritual would do you well.

B-But...

The preparations will go just fine without you three.

I mean, it's not like you have anything to do.

Don't feel bad!

I'm going to spend the ritual relaxing at my nephew's house, anyway.

I'm too old for this shit!

Resia...

You heard her, Cersei. See them to the river.

Right.

I'm sure you noticed, from what this fanatic nearly said...

And it's true. I am from Illdoren.

I was part of the Eastern Cultivation Corps, six years ago.

I thought as much.

Your disdain for nobles, and the fact that

you called me a knight instead of a warrior had caught my notice.

That said, I'd imagine learning how to help equip armor

didn't come from being in the Cultivation Corp...

I'd ask you not to pry any further. That country isn't my home anymore.

I am Cersei, Master Veor's attendant, and these lands are where I belong.

I treat you as the woman my master has chosen to court.

So please, do not start treating me as a citizen of Illdoren.

I would never...

Well, you may have a point. I'll be more careful.

Cersei...

Yes?

Are the memories of our homeland... something you would rather forget?

Well... it's more like I don't remember, anyway. And can't be bothered to.

Since I never intend on going back.

H-How could I, a retinue priest, be so careless?!

I understand how you feel,

but you would've been stuck like that unless someone said something.

While it's true that my memories might be... hazy...

It looked like you'd mutter to yourself for the rest of your life.

S-S-Say what?!

Just calm down, Malcius.

Could someone explain why I'm on an errand

with the girl I was wrestling with?!

I might be willing to accompany this barbarian girl

since I can't leave your side, Lady Serafina, but...

Because you stink.

What did you just say?

Are you saying I s-s-stink?

Yes, you do.

I'm sure you haven't noticed yourself,

but it's a mixture of blood, sweat, a bit sour, and some faint perfume.

I have to wonder how long it's been since you last bathed.

Uh...

Well, it was four days before Lady Serafina served as the vanguard,

and was captured the barbarians...

Over half a month?

Malcius... it's just... well...

There was never a good time...

and I do feel bad for not saying anything.

Forgive me.