The Changed Future (3)

Reality.

"Tsk... Fine." The bandit leader waved his hand impatiently. "Tie this little brat up and move her aside, don't let her get in the way. As for you..." He leered at his sister, "It's more fun when she's alive, right? Well, your sister's life or death depends on whether you cooperate tonight..."

The rough hemp rope dug into Ubel's delicate wrist, and she was violently pushed against the corner of the wall, the broken branches from the woodpile digging painfully into her. Her mouth was stuffed with a rag, and she could only let out muffled sobs. Her sister's arm was being twisted tightly by another bandit, her eyes filled with despair.

"Oh dear, are there enough people? Would it be even more lively if I joined?"

A soft, feather-like sound suddenly rang out at the doorway.

The bandits were taken aback and looked in the direction of the sound.

A young girl leaned against the dilapidated wooden door. She wore a uniquely tailored dress made of what appeared to be quite fine material, with delicate lace embellishing the hem, a stark contrast to the run-down tailor shop. Her long, blue-green hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders, and a sweet, innocent smile graced her face, making her look like a girl from next door who had wandered into this place by mistake.

The bandit leader's cloudy eyes lit up instantly. He sized the girl up, grinning to reveal his yellow teeth. "Hey... what a lucky day! Another top-quality specimen has arrived! And she even asked to join? She's quite sensible..."

Before he could finish speaking, his dirty hand impatiently reached for the girl's cheek.

The next second--

A flash of cold light. He didn't even see what she did.

There was only a very faint "hiss" sound, like a sharp blade slicing through silk.

The bandit leader's outstretched hand was severed at the wrist, falling to the cold ground with a "thud," its fingers twitching unconsciously a few times. Blood spurted out like spilled paint.

"Ugh... Ah--!" The belated, excruciating pain caused the bandit leader to let out a shrill scream. He staggered backward, clutching his severed wrist, his face ashen white.

The other bandits then realized what was happening, and were both shocked and furious. "Damn it! Attack!" they roared, drawing their crude swords and knives and lunging at the girl.

The young girl, Solitär, maintained her sweet smile without changing it, only slightly tilting her head.

"Sword-Controlling Magic..."

Several sharp sword lights, like living fish, drew deadly trajectories in the air.

"Pfft!" "Snap!"

The dull sound of a sharp blade slicing through flesh and severing bone rang out.

The bandits who rushed at them didn't even have time to get close before they screamed and fell to the ground. Clean, deep cuts that exposed bone appeared on their wrists and ankles, instantly rendering them unable to move. They could only roll and howl in agony on the ground, their blood quickly soaking the ground.

"Oh dear," Solitär tilted her head, looking at the bandits rolling on the ground, her tone innocently puzzled, "Didn't you say you were going to play? Why are you quitting so soon? Get up! Oh~ You can't stand up without legs? You have no stamina. Lowell said you were one of the few people Solitär could play with however she wanted, that it didn't matter what you did..."

She walked slowly to the bandit leader, who was curled up on the ground in agony from blood loss, squatted down, and gently tapped his face, which was contorted with pain, with her sword. The tip of the sword grazed his terrified eyes.

"But you're not dead yet, right? Don't worry, Solitär will make sure you have a good 'pleasant' experience..." Her voice was still gentle, but it sent chills down the spines of all the bandits present, turning their wails into terrified sobs.

Having easily resolved the immediate trouble, Solitär turned around to look at the two sisters huddled together in the corner. The dangerous interest on her face vanished instantly, replaced by just the right amount of concern and heartache—her change of expression was astonishingly swift.

"Oh dear, you two adorable little girls, don't be afraid, I'm here to help you!" She walked quickly over, nimbly stepping over the mess on the ground. Noticing their thin, tattered clothes, she paused, her brow furrowing slightly. "Oh dear, dressed so lightly, you must be freezing! So pitiful..."

She produced two brand-new, thick sets of clothes from somewhere and handed them to her sisters. They were warm cotton pants and tops suitable for young girls, and even two pairs of socks that looked soft and comfortable.

"Here, put these on quickly, don't catch a cold." Solitär's voice was gentle. "Afterwards, how about you chat with your sister for a bit?"

The older sister was still shaken, her body trembling slightly. But faced with this sudden rescue, especially the terrifying strength the rescuer displayed, she suppressed her fear, lowered her head, and whispered, "Thank you... thank you so much for saving my life... Please feel free to take anything you need from the house..."

"Oh, don't be so formal. I'm a good person, you know~ at least that's how I do things, right?" Solitär smiled, her tone sweet.

Ubel stared blankly at the socks; they looked white and soft, completely different from the rough linen she usually wore.

She reached out her still trembling, icy fingers and carefully touched the material of the socks. Looking up, her eyes held disbelief and a hint of timid curiosity, she asked softly:

"Thank you for saving us... This... this is... made of 'cotton'?"

Solitär seemed taken aback by the question, blinked, and then answered uncertainly, "Ah... maybe? What's wrong? Don't you like the material? I'll get you something else." Her tone was somewhat like coaxing a child.

Ubel's cheeks were still flushed from the struggle and the cold. She shook her head vigorously, took the socks, and though her voice was a little shy, it Bloom into a radiant smile, filled with the joy of surviving a close call.

"No... no! It's just that cotton... I've only heard about it in my sister's stories... this is the first time I've seen real cotton..."

Cotton is a luxury item.

She eagerly sat down on a relatively clean patch of ground, took off her worn-out shoes, and slipped her soft cotton socks over her red, frostbitten feet. The warmth instantly enveloped her cold toes, and she comfortably squinted her eyes. When she looked up at Solitär again, her smile was even brighter.

"So warm and comfortable... Thank you, beautiful lady!"

Looking at the girl's pure smile, Solitär also gave a more genuine, slightly affectionate smile, and gently ruffled Ubel's hair, which was a little messy from her struggle.

"Okay, good boy, you're so thoughtful. Keep me company and have a good chat later. I'll take you to even more fun and warmer places." Her tone was light and cheerful, as if she were making a date for a picnic.

She stood up, brushed off non-existent dust from her skirt, and cheerfully began to arrange things. "Hmm... I'll take care of this trash first~ You guys tidy up, then I'll take you to... hmm, a very warm place~" As she spoke, her gaze swept over the groaning bandits on the ground, a faint smile playing on her lips.

As she spoke, several longswords made of magic appeared out of thin air, accurately piercing the bandits' bodies and stringing them together like prey. Accompanied by screams of agony, Solitär happily led them away outside the door. After all, carrying so many people with Flight Magic was quite tiring; this was much more efficient.

I'm going home for Chinese New Year soon, so I won't have a computer then, and updates will be less frequent. Ծ‸Ծ