Carlos stood frozen. The duel that had unfolded before his eyes had lasted mere seconds; he had barely been able to follow Quixotina's movements. The air still seemed to vibrate with the supernatural speed of her charge.

  She was too fast. That was superhuman strength. So this is the power of magic gems? It seems limitless... I don't think I could hit her even with a firearm. Perhaps these basic weapons aren't enough to protect the quilombo. I need to think of more options in the future.

  Tassi, with her short hair and the F branded on her forehead, noticed Carlos's worried gaze and could already imagine the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind. The smell of dust kicked up by the clash still hung in the air.

  "Calm down," she said, still on the ground. "The strength gem is extremely rare. Even knowing it's rare, I didn't expect to find someone using one around here."

  Hearing this soothed Carlos's heart a little, and he took a deep breath.

  "It's rare, but just one adept could cause a lot of damage, as I just saw. Besides, weren't you the one who always said never to underestimate an enemy?"

  Upon hearing this, Tassi just rolled her eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh, her face assuming the impassive expression she always used with strangers.

  "Anyway, now that you two are done playing, Quixotina, can you show me where the cave is?"

  Quixotina removed her helmet, revealing long blonde hair that fell like golden threads over her shoulders and pale, almost translucent skin. It was a rare sight in the quilombo. Her eyes, an intense red like rubies, fixed on the two of them. The morning sun seemed to make her hair incandescent.

  I can't believe she's so beautiful... It doesn't match the mental image I had of her at all. Too bad she's kind of crazy.

  Tassi was also surprised, but for other reasons. White? Why is she in the quilombo? We have indigenous and mixed-race people here, but no white people. This makes me question her presence. Especially being this strong... She could escape without any problems if she were being held here by force. With power like that, she could work as a mercenary anywhere in the world; money would never be a problem. If she were black, I might understand, but she's white...

  "Well, I see you are worthy of my help," declared Quixotina, her melodious voice breaking the silence. "I'll quickly store my armor and be right back. It's good for the jungle, but in this heat, it's not the best option."

  Then why did you come here wearing armor? thought Carlos, confused.

  Before he could articulate the question, she started running and vanished from sight in the blink of an eye, leaving behind only a trail of wind. Tassi looked at the empty space and muttered:

  "What a lunatic."

  "And you got your butt kicked by this so-called lunatic," retorted Carlos, a mischievous smile on his lips.

  "If I had an earth staff and had prepared beforehand with a grass ring, I would have won easily."

  "Uh-huh, I'll pretend to believe you so you don't feel bad."

  "Just so you know, I've beaten adepts of the strength gem before! They are formidable opponents, but with grass and earth traps, it's possible to defeat them. With the staff, I'd make holes in the ground, place wooden stakes, and cover everything with vines and lianas."

  "And if you didn't have time to prepare?"

  "Then it would be a long and arduous fight, and I'd need the help of my allies to win."

  "Knew it! In the end, I was right, huh?"

  "Fine, you're right. I got my butt kicked by her and I would have anyway if I couldn't prepare. Happy?"

  "Very!"

  "But you can't say anything! Looks like you were pretty surprised by her too. Seems the women in the quilombo don't attract you much, but some random white girl..."

  "I was just surprised by her beauty. And for your information, I find many women in the quilombo beautiful! Unfortunately, I'm not interested in sharing my woman with five other guys."

  After saying this, Carlos looked Tassi up and down, analyzing her.

  Not that I find Tassi stunning, but she's filled out since we arrived at the quilombo. Before, she was just skin and bones from not eating; now, she's even got some muscles... She might even be stronger than me. And those thighs... But, well, this is Tassi we're talking about. Lately, I've been seeing her more like an annoying little sister. I used to think friendship between a man and a woman was impossible, but I was wrong. As for Quixotina, she's very beautiful, but she's crazy. Better to keep my distance for now. Besides, I don't want to share my beloved with four other guys.

  "Hey, I see the way you're looking at me!" said Tassi, crossing her arms over her bust and covering her legs, even though she was fully dressed. The discomfort was palpable.

  "I wasn't thinking anything weird! I was just seeing how well you've recovered since we came here. That's all. Don't worry, to me you're like a pesky little sister. By the way, are you older or younger than me?"

  "What do you mean you see me as a sister? I'm a total hottie! Look at my thighs and my butt! My breasts aren't huge, but they don't lose to anyone easily! When I was a Mino warrior, I attracted a lot of attention; I could have had anyone I wanted! I just didn't because it wasn't allowed! But, yes, I've recovered a lot since coming here. I could eat better and exercise. Luckily, it's much faster to regain muscle than to build it from scratch. But I'm still far from my ideal. And, answering your question, I'm twenty-seven. And you?"

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  I didn't expect her to say something like that. She's destroying the mental image I had of her, of a noble warrior woman.

  "Twenty-five. I'm younger, which makes you my big sister. From today on, I'll call you 'sis'."

  "If you call me that, I'll kill you!"

  The threat, laden with a serious tone, made him a little afraid. He decided to change the subject.

  "So... I'm going to get the book I need to identify the ores."

  With that, he fled to his house and returned after a few minutes with a bound volume. The cover, of worn leather, displayed faded golden letters. Below the title, there were various images of minerals and some plants. Tassi, who couldn't read, pointed to the cover, her curiosity momentarily overcoming her usual demeanor.

  "What does it say there?"

  Carlos replied without hesitation:

  "Guide to the Natural and Mineral Riches of Brazil. It mainly talks about the minerals found in the Brazil I came from. But I don't know if this book applies to this Brazil we're in. It would be good if it did, because it even has the locations of the minerals. At least, the materials I see around here seem to be the same as in my world, with the exception of the magic gems."

  "Really? Does it even mark gold mines?" she asked, trying to keep her face expressionless, but a glint of interest in her eyes betrayed her.

  "Yes. Too bad Brazil is too big. It would take a long time to get to those mines."

  "There goes my dream of getting rich," she muttered, crossing her arms. "And for this region, does it mark anything?"

  "Unfortunately, I don't even know where we are. In my world, there was also a quilombo in this region, I just don't remember exactly where it was. Besides, we don't know if this world is the same as mine in terms of geography. Unfortunately, there's a lot I don't know. But, since you're so interested, I can teach you how to read. What do you think?"

  Tassi shook her head.

  "I'll pass. That wouldn't help me fight."

  "Reading can help you fight too! You can read about the lives of great warriors and strategists. You don't need to learn through trial and error; you can learn from others' mistakes and pick up strategies from great minds. However, I refuse to have a purely utilitarian view of reading. The main reason to read is entertainment, knowledge, embarking on new worlds, feeling emotions... I think you'd be the type who would love to read some fantasy and adventure book."

  As the two talked, Quixotina silently appeared between them. Tassi noticed her, but Carlos only saw her when she was already right in the middle of them. Immediately, something caught both their attention: the enormous difference between the generous breasts the armor had and the flat torso of the woman now standing before them.

  What false advertising... Wait, focus, Carlos, focus!

  Luckily, she started speaking, diverting attention to her face, which displayed a radiant smile.

  "Exactly! Books can take us to other worlds, they can make us cry and smile. I especially love my chivalric romances! Unfortunately, here in the quilombo there are no books; there are barely any people who know how to read. I'm so excited to find someone else who can read!"

  She observed the book in Carlos's hand, her red eyes shining with curiosity.

  "Is that a book? I can't believe it! Besides knowing how to read, you have books! I can't believe this! Can I read it?"

  Carlos showed her the book as he replied.

  "Yes, but unfortunately I don't have many storybooks. Not that I'm complaining; the books I got from the plantation owner contain knowledge capable of changing this world forever. It's just that having the knowledge isn't enough; I need to apply it. That's why I had Nia make a weapon for us, and now we need gunpowder. To make gunpowder, we need saltpeter, which can be found in caves with bats. If it's not in the cave, we can still manufacture it, but it will be laborious. So, I need your help. If you help, I'll let you read any of my books."

  Her eyes shone like bonfires upon hearing that. Since she had come to Brazil, she hadn't found anyone who liked books. Although she hadn't understood everything he said, the happiness of finding a reading companion was intense.

  "I'm so happy to find another person who likes to read! It seems it will be a pleasure to help you. But, leaving that aside, I don't really understand how the knowledge from a book can change the world. I understand a book changing a person, but changing the world seems impossible to me."

  Carlos smiled as he replied.

  "Just wait and see. I promise that when you see the finished weapon, you'll understand that if we bring the knowledge from the books, the world will change."

  "I just hope I don't have to deal with manure to make the saltpeter. I hope there's some in a cave. Just thinking about it makes me want to vomit," said Tassi with an expressionless face, but the disgust was evident in her tone of voice.

  "Luckily, that doesn't bother me. A knight would go to hell to fight for justice. And I, as the ideal knight, have no problem doing what is right. If this saltpeter will really help free more people, then I will do whatever is necessary to obtain it," said Quixotina with a mischievous smile.

  "What a surprise! I didn't expect the 'white enslavor' to be so open-minded. Just so you know, talk is cheap. I've been in many wars and I've seen what real hell is like. I haven't just been reading made-up stories!" Tassi replied with an expressionless face, but anger could be heard in her voice.

  "You know nothing about me! Do you see me with any slaves? And don't get cocky just because you've seen a few wars; I've also seen hell!" Quixotina's face was a picture of her emotions.

  Tassi opened her mouth to retort, but Carlos stepped forward, placing himself between the two.

  "Okay, okay! Let's just go to the cave and find the saltpeter."

  Quixotina sighed deeply, the sound echoing slightly in the clearing.

  "I'll ignore this woman to help you. The cave is right in the middle of the forest, to the north, on a mountainside. It will be a long walk. If there weren't so much undergrowth, we'd get there quickly, but since it's in the middle of the jungle, it takes a while. I know these woods well; after all, as a knight, I have to explore the world in search of new adventures. Just don't stray too far from me so you don't get lost."

  She then looked at Tassi with a mix of challenge and disdain.

  "You can stay if you want. I imagine only he knows what we're looking for. You would just be extra baggage."

  Tassi, with a slight smile, replied.

  "Don't worry! For me, it will be like a morning walk!"

  As the two exchanged challenging looks, Carlos thought to himself: Looks like I'm going to be the only one who suffers on this walk. I don't even remember the last time I did something like this. Anyway, let's get this over with. I just hope these two don't argue the whole way.

  "Before we go, we have to get some tools and baskets," Carlos reminded them. "In case we find the saltpeter."

  He went to the blacksmith's workshop, picked up the necessary equipment, and then they began to leave the quilombo, guided by Quixotina. The sun was already rising in the sky, promising a hot and humid day, and the sound of birds and insects filled the air as they entered the thick forest, the three forming a group visibly uncomfortable in each other's company.