The Expelled, Oblivious Strongest Boy Saves an S-Rank Beautiful Female Adventurer and Unknowingly Forms a Harem - 4

Chapter 4: Liam Witnesses Lydia’s Swordsmanship
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“You’ve fully healed my injury. There was no need to use a carriage during our journey, was there?”

On our training journey, Lydia-san and I decided to go to the Elf Kingdom first. We were traveling by carriage along a mountain path. Lydia-san was very confident in her agility. She definitely didn’t need to ride a carriage. Personally speaking, if the two of us were to use magic to travel, we could’ve reached our destination much faster than by carriage. Well, I couldn’t say for certain I could match the speed of an S-rank adventurer like her though. But, the reason why I insisted on getting a carriage was…

“But still, I don’t want to make you run when you were injured just a little while ago. Besides, I believe enjoying the journey is part of the adventure. The destination is not the only goal here. I hope we both can enjoy the journey as well.”

“I see. I understand your point. Since we’ve decided to go on a journey, we really should enjoy the process as well! Thank you for your kind consideration, Liam-san!”

Lydia-san gave me a beaming smile as she thanked me. 

“N-No problem!”

I said, a bit flustered by both Lydia-san’s beautiful face and expression. I quickly tried to change the topic so that I wouldn’t dwell on these feelings. 

“Although I was able to heal your body with magic, but your armor is still broken. We should head straight to a blacksmith once we arrive at the Elf Kingdom—”

But before I could finish my sentence, our carriage came to a sudden halt. We were jolted around. Lydia-san and I immediately jumped out of the carriage to look at our surroundings. There, we saw three men with vulgar expressions. Each one of them were holding a weapon. Judging by the fact that we were in the middle of the mountains and their appearance and sinister demeanor, these guys must be bandits. Lydia-san and I approached the bandits and they turned their attention to us as they said.

“A kid and a woman… And not just any woman. This one right here is a big one. Stopping this carriage was the right choice after all.”

“Ehehehe…!! We’re going to have so much fun with this one!”

“Let’s take care of the kid first!”

“Silence.”

The last voice was icy cold and sharp that I couldn’t tell who had said that. It turned out, that voice belonged to Lydia-san, who was standing beside me. Her cold voice was so deadly sharp that the bandits even fell silent for a moment. Still with the same dignified expression on her face, Lydia-san slowly stepped forward. She placed herself between the bandit and me. Though the bandits were momentarily taken aback by the dignity from Lydia-san’s stance, they were quick to recover. The vulgar expression returned to their face. Their eyes were practically licking Lydia-san’s from head to toe.

“Heh. Don’t worry. We will be sure to keep your big sister alive. But I have to say, she’s got a great figure—”

“Didn’t I tell you to be silent? If you can’t even follow such a simple command, then you are no better than a mere mindless beast. Disappear from this place immediately or there will be consequences.”

“Huh?!??! I was planning to deal with that snotty brat first, but screw that! I’m going to deal with you first! I will strip you naked so you can’t be all cocky again!”

With that, the bandits lunged at Lydia-san at the same time. 

“Lydia-san!”

I was about to cast a spell to help her, but Lydia-san then said.

“Liam-san, you don’t need to assist me. These scoundrels don’t deserve it. I will make them regret their life choice for not just mocking me, but also mocking the guy who saved my life. I will show them the swordsmanship of a knight from the Astoria family.”

Immediately after she said that, Lydia-san performed a graceful swordsmanship that sent the bandits’ weapons flying. Then, she cast a flurry of strong wind magic to blow them far away from our sight. 

“Good grief… To think I have to use my sword on those disgraceful people…”

“Lydia-san! What an incredible display of swordsmanship!”

“Li-Liam-san?!”

I quickly closed the distance between us and praised her. For some reason, Lydia-san’s cheeks were flushed in red and she took a step back. Not one to back down, I closed the gap between us again and continued on.

Your swordsmanship was incredibly graceful, and the wind magic was amazing too!”

“T-That’s not… Besides, considering your level of skill, Liam-san is perfectly capable of—”

“Lydia-san’s swordsmanship was truly beautiful! The best I’ve ever seen!”

“…! …Thank you very much.”

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After the bandits were defeated, Liam and Lydia returned into the carriage and continued their journey toward their next destination, the Elf Kingdom. 

“Like what I was about to say earlier, we should have Lydia-san’s armor repaired at a blacksmith in one of the towns once we enter the Elf Kingdom.”

“Yeah. Sounds like a great idea.”

Although Lydia replied calmly on the surface, but deep down, she was still feeling quite flustered after Liam suddenly closed the distance between them and innocently praised her swordsmanship.

She had never been this close to a man before, except during her training and fighting. And of course, this was also her first time being on the receiving end of someone’s sparkling gaze. Hearing her swordsmanship being praised as beautiful was beyond Lydia’s wildest dream. 

“….”

During their journey to the Elf Kingdom, Lydia experienced a turmoil of emotions she had never felt before in her whole life as a knight and S-rank adventurer. Although she was still able to maintain a calm exterior and able to continue talking with Liam nonchalantly, but her heart would race everytime Liam spoke to her.

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