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Content warning:
The following episode includes violence, blood, sexism and misogyny which some viewers may find troubling. Reader discretion is advised.
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The silence of play and music did not disturb any of the robbers. They were rather thinking about a very special gift, as their leaders had promised them.
Alina even allowed two of the robbers to touch her legs.
She smiled.
This smile was not for the touches of the two repulsive men, but solely for their leaders.
"Allow me to introduce myself, they call me the Bloody Angel," Alina introduced herself with a slight bow. "As you've heard correctly, I am a bounty hunter."
Hardly had she said this, the men released their grip on her skin as if it were so hot that they burned themselves. Even as they reached for their weapons, the smile on her lips did not fade.
Alina raised the two swords.
A skillful turn, as in her dance, and the blade swiftly cut through the throats of the two men closest to her. These two guys who just thought they had permission to touch her.
A red stream of blood splattered the slender thighs of the girl and ran down to her feet.
Now she only had to deal with 23 of the robbers. Some of them just sat there like lambs on a slaughterhouse, not understanding what was happening here.
Alina crossed the blades in front of her, ready to fight.
"Damn wench!" the big leader screeched. "You'll regret this!"
If he meant it!
Alina might be young, but she was a hunter through and through. No one could deter her from her prey so easily, or harm her. The girl couldn't afford it with her dual professions agreement.
Not the bounty hunter; not the dancer. Although one of those tasks she would prefer.
The big one was about to order his robbers to attack her when the fat guy held him back. Alina automatically shivered, a shiver that continued to her sword tips.
His gaze on her felt so disgusting that she would have liked to continue with him. A high-ranking official wanted both of them to be brought before the judge. She had to keep telling herself that over and over again.
"But catch her without bending a feather of the little bird," the fat one called out. "There are many who would pay a high sum for a caught little bird. Besides, we don't want to deprive ourselves of the fun, do we?"
He twisted his mouth into a rotten smile.
And although the big one wasn't pleased, he already danced to his comrade's wishes.
"Forget it!" Alina exclaimed.
Skillfully she jumped backward into the midst of the gang of robbers, some of whom were now standing there. A few skillful sword strokes, and the robbers made way for the kitten, a fine trace of blood running down her cheeks. Not her own.
One of them stood before her, his hand pressed to his chest, under which a red stain was spreading. Two more came away with lesser injuries.
Swords were simply not her weapons. How much she missed her light daggers, with which she would have swiftly darted through the robbers. A few targeted stabs had previously brought many to kneel at her feet. She lacked strength for the swords.
She couldn't manage to decapitate her opponent with a precise blow.
And even now, her arms were already sore from the brief exertion.
She couldn't give up. After all, she was facing a pack of hungry wolves here. If they were already intent on making the girl compliant before, Alina didn't want to know what they were planning after all this.
Two of the robbers jumped on her simultaneously. Including the one she had just scratched badly.
Under the first blow, she ducked, only to make up for what she had missed before shortly after. The sharp blade plowed through the skin of the young man as if it were thin paper.
Shortly after, she thrust the sword into the belly of the second. Another one dared to step forward, whose reaction time was greatly diminished by alcohol, making it easy for her to take him down.
There were 20 robbers left.
One of them had caught her attention all evening. He had a pleasant demeanor, and Alina regretted having to fight against him.
He stepped forward, holding up the raised jug in his hand.
The earthen vessel tipped to the right and spilled its contents beside him.
"Unlike these idiots, I haven't been drinking, fair angel, Alina," he said, also grabbing his sword. With a smile that momentarily threw Alina off balance.
She had been looking forward to a quick fight, and now she might have to fight against two formidable opponents.
Her carelessness could have almost been her downfall.
The young robber lunged forward towards her. Alina's trembling sword rose. But he was already reaching for her arm.
Before Alina could understand, he shoved her behind him, where one of his comrades followed. Instinctively, she slashed his chest open with her sword. When she looked back, she could see the stranger dispatching two of the robbers with a well-aimed blow of his two-handed sword.
"My name is Mos," he introduced himself to her. "I have been searching for you for a long time and am pleasantly surprised by the enchanting being standing before me."
"I am flattered!" Alina gave words to her far too obvious feelings. Her cheeks throbbed with shame, and her heart beat rapidly. Unlike her usual fights, the fever of battle wasn't responsible for her heartbeat.
"Now you have found me. And what do you want from me?"
"We should talk about it later!" he shouted, nodding towards the robbers. "I'll take care of the rabble, noble lady!"
Her heart rejoiced at his gallant words.
Noble lady.
She had never been addressed like that. Wench could be flattering. But she didn't mind having gained an ally. Even if she should be suspicious of switching sides.
Everything seemed indifferent to her in the glow of his charming manner.
"The leaders are mine!" the girl exclaimed, raising her sword again. "Someone wants them in Beldor's courtroom. A wish I'm very happy to fulfill."
Alina leaped towards the gang.
One came towards her. Anger was evident in his flushed face, his movements clumsy, slowed down by the alcohol in his body. Not a true opponent, like the five others she had to pass to reach the two leaders.
They were no obstacle for Alina, and as she suspected, only one of them stepped up to fight.
The big robber, behind whom the chubby lout hid.
With everything she had endured today, it would be a pleasure to smack this guy's fingers with her sword.
Her lips curled into a smile. Her opponent in front of the delicate figure reached to his left, where he kept his sword. At the same moment, its blade came under the man's throat.
"A beautiful piece!" she praised him. In the light streaming in, the rubies in the hilt gleamed. "I'm sure it will be easy for me to sell this gem."
Behind her, she heard the robbers scream.
Which she also had to admit to herself. In Mos, she found an excellent swordsman. She could count herself lucky to have him on her side rather than on the side of her enemies.
The last of the robbers took their last breath.
Aually, she would now call out for her comrade, so he could help her tie up their loot. This time, she received more honorable assistance.
Mos, the handsome young man, whom she still didn't know which side he was on, enchanting her with his smile.
Friend or foe? Who could say, with such a dark attire that gave no clue.
Who might he be, and what did he want from Alina?