The Tomboy from the Steppes
It was some time before the Union of Eastern Nations was attacked by the demon wave, n the steppe state in the Union of Eastern Nations Malmkhitan, n front of a ger, the common dwelling in this country.
A twintailed girl, twelve or thirteen years old, was sitting on a bale of hay, swinging her feet.
“Boooored,” she complained. Bored, bored, bo-o-red.”
“Telling me that won’t help, Lady Yuriga,” he soldier assigned as Yuriga’s bodyguard said with a sigh.
The girl’s name was Yuriga Haan. She was the younger sister of the king, Fuuga Haan. Because of that, the soldier could not be too stern with her, and could only weakly attempt to mollify her.
“Weren’t you supposed to see your sewing teacher for lessons around now?” he asked.
“Well, that’s boring. I know it’s a skill any woman on the steppes should have, but that repetitive needlework is boring. I’d rather go hunting with my brother and his men.”
“Lady Yuriga, you’re still only thirteen, right? It’s dangerous,” he soldier said with a worried look.
But the overenergetic sister of his liege wasn’t hearing it. I can ride a temsbock, and my sword instructor says I have potential.”
“I’m sure you do, but...”
Even looking at her without any favoritism, Yuriga’s sense for the martial arts was quite high. It was often said that, if she had been born a man, she’d have been an excellent commander. That only inflated her ego, though.
“If only I were a man, too,” Yuriga sighed. “Then I could follow my brother.”
“You had the good fortune to be cute, so why not do more girly things?”
“I hate them! Earnestly waiting for the men to come home doesn’t suit me.” umping down from the bale of hay, she spread her little wings. The steppes are so vast, and the sky is so high. I want to go wherever I want, freely. That’s what I have wings for.”
With that said, Yuriga jumped.
The soldier panicked. Ah! Lady Yuriga?! You can’t do that! You’ll anger Lord Fuuga, you know?!”
Yuriga stuck her tongue out at him. I’m going to fly around a bit. I’ll be back by evening.”
With that, Yuriga flew into the sky. Ignoring the soldier’s calls for her to stop, she zoomed away. Her people, the celestial race, had small wings that couldn’t fly far, but Yuriga’s light weight let her quickly fly out of sight of the gers.
Once she landed on a hill with nothing but grass, Yuriga sat down.
Well, running away was all well and good, but the scenery’s all the same here.
The steppe had no large trees that might stand out, and it looked roughly the same wherever you went. Yuriga had never been outside the country before, so this scenery was all she knew. Yuriga lay back on the grass.
Living a life where I only know this scenery... I’d hate it. I want to see other worlds, and lots of different people.
It was a worry that would seem like a luxury for most people struggling to live day-to-day. But she was the princess of a country, so her life was peaceful, and boring.
Yuriga closed her eyes, exhaling. There’s a wide world outside the steppe. It’s a big continent. I’m sure there are interesting countries out there, and interesting people, too. Ohh, I want out... I want to go outside the steppe...
Embracing her anguish, Yuriga stayed there until the sun stared to go down. LS
It happened some time later.
“We’re going to the Duchy of Chima,” er brother Fuuga announced to his gathered followers.
Had Yuriga’s wishes reached the heavens?
“We’ve handled the demon wave here, but I hear the Duchy of Chima’s wave has a lot of types of monsters, and it’s dangerous. It’s a good chance to show the other countries in the Union of Eastern Nations what we’re capable of. We couldn’t ask for a better first step onto the world stage. Am I right, comrades?!”
“““Yeahhhhh!”””
Fuuga spoke with passion, and his fervor was infectious to those who followed him. His natural charisma led them to go to the Duchy of Chima’s aid without a single objection.
“Brother!” Yuriga exclaimed as his followers immediately ran off to prepare.
“Yuriga? What is it?” he asked.
“Please! Take me with you!”
Fuuga looked surprised at the sudden request. Huh? We’re not going there to play, you know?”
“I know! I’m obviously not going to the battlefield! I’ll stay in camp, so take me, please! I want to see the world outside the steppe!” Yuriga said desperately.
Fuuga eyed her. If I refuse, you’ll probably tag along anyway.”
“Yes! Even if I have to hide in the luggage!”
“That would be a hassle in and of itself...” uuga scratched his head then let out a sigh. ...Fine. But only on the condition you stay someplace safe.”
“Yay! Thank you, Brother!”
Fuuga could only smile wryly at Yuriga’s beaming smile.
And so, Yuriga left the steppe for the first time.
What she didn’t know was that, as a result, she would not be able to return for a while.
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