"You can come out now; it’s safe."
Anton spoke to us from the carriage door, and we stepped outside.
Tonight was the only scheduled outdoor camp of our journey, and we were staying at a site along the highway.
Looking around, I saw a clearing that travelers had clearly used for generations. The ground was dotted with several stone fire pits, the rocks blackened by soot. The carriage had been parked right in the center of the clearing, and when I turned around, I saw a massive tree standing directly behind it—a tree more magnificent than any I had ever seen.
It seemed the campsite had been established with this great tree as its center. I was told there was a watering hole a short distance away as well.
There were no other travelers at the site tonight. Since the plan was to stay hidden inside the carriage as much as possible if anyone else was around, I felt lucky that we could stretch our legs.
A campfire was built.
We sat by the flames and ate hard bread, dried meat, and wine diluted with water. To be honest, it wasn't exactly delicious. I wondered if I could use the wine to practice Detoxification Magic, but the alcohol content was too low for me to feel even slightly tipsy, so I couldn't manage any practice.
The four adults, including Anton, rotated through guard duty while they ate. The member of the Knight Order serving as our coachman saw to the horses.
As I held my hands over the fire, I turned to Anton.
"Anton, do monsters really come out at night?"
"I've heard that monsters occasionally appear in this area. I doubt they'll show up at a popular campsite, but we certainly can't let our guard down at night. Please rest easy; we will be taking turns on watch."
I nodded and asked one more thing.
"By the way, what’s the difference between a monster and a normal animal?"
Anton thought for a moment before giving a concise answer.
"Monsters possess a Magic Stone and can use things like Physical Enhancement or magic. Ordinary beasts can't do that. If you see a creature moving with the unnatural speed of Physical Enhancement, you should assume it's a monster."
"...Beasts using Physical Enhancement."
"Yes. They are not to be underestimated."
After finishing our meal, Lina and I returned to the carriage. We lay down on the seats instead of beds; since we were both still small, we managed to fit well enough. Because Big Sister Therese and Mira were capable fighters, they were going to sleep in front of the carriage door. Once I pulled a blanket over myself, I found I could get a decent amount of sleep even on the carriage seat.
◇◇◇
I don’t know how long I slept.
"—Monsters. Multiple! Enemy attack!!"
A loud shout jolted me awake. It was Anton’s voice. An enemy attack!?
Almost simultaneously, I heard a horse scream, followed by low, guttural growls. They were close.
It was pitch black inside the carriage, and I couldn't tell what was happening outside. Reflexively, I reached for the door.
"Lord Rein, please stay calm. Lina, you too. Do not leave the carriage."
It was Mira’s voice. I started to close the wooden door again but stopped. If I shut it, I wouldn't be able to see anything. Instead, I pulled back the inner curtain. Through the white fabric, the red glow of the campfire dimly illuminated the carriage. I peeked through the gap.
Lina was awake too, peering outside just as I was.
By the light of the fire, I could see Mira. She was holding a leather trunk in one hand—the same large trunk she always carried.
And surrounding her were wolf-like creatures. I knew at a glance—those were monsters.
Their movements were wrong. With just a single side-step, they leaped an extraordinary distance. They were running at speeds no ordinary wolf could ever match.
"—Magic Wolves..."
Just as I noticed them circling, one of the wolves suddenly lunged at Mira.
Look out! The moment the thought crossed my mind, I heard a dull, heavy thud.
I saw a Magic Wolf sent flying as Mira completed a horizontal swing with her leather trunk.
I felt a rush of air, and the carriage curtains fluttered. The Magic Wolf bounced along the ground and came to a halt. The side of its head was caved in, and it didn't so much as twitch.
The trunk was far harder than it appeared; bolstered by Physical Enhancement, it was a devastating bludgeoning weapon.
From the darkness beyond, two more shadows leaped toward the carriage with unnatural momentum.
Mira’s right hand moved in a flash.
My eyes couldn't track where she pulled them from, but suddenly, palm-sized needles appeared in her hand and were launched into the darkness. Two needles tore through the air.
I couldn't tell where they hit, but the two wolves plowed into the ground, their own momentum skidding them across the dirt.
A third wolf lunged at Mira from above.
Suddenly, Mira was gripping two large knives. When and from where had she drawn them? It was like a magic trick.
As she crossed paths with the Magic Wolf, the knives flashed. The monster's head separated from its body and tumbled to the ground.
—She's too fast.
While I was mesmerized by Mira’s movements, there was a heavy thwack. For a split second, something covered in blood crossed my field of vision.
Big Sister Therese walked into view from that direction, a blood-stained mace in her hand.
"Mira-san. You’re quite skilled."
"It is only natural, given my role as a Royal Guard. You also seem to handle that weapon far better than one would expect of a Saint..."
Listening to their exchange, I realized things were under control and felt a wave of relief.
For some reason, Lina was watching the scene while biting her lip.
◇◇◇
For the next few minutes, I heard the whistling of blades and the dying whimpers of more Magic Wolves.
I kept myself ready to use Recovery Magic at a moment's notice. If anyone was injured, I would treat them immediately. I repeated the steps of the process over and over in my head.
Gradually, the growls of the Magic Wolves faded away.
"—It’s over. You may come outside now."
Mira’s voice called out. I let out a slow breath and opened the door from the inside. The carcasses of Magic Wolves were scattered across the clearing.
"Is everyone okay? If anyone's hurt, I'll heal you, so please don't hesitate to say so!"
Anton replied with a slightly sheepish expression.
"No one was injured, Lord Rein."
I realized I had been far too worked up. Come to think of it, Big Sister Therese could also use Recovery Magic. There had been no need for me to be so anxious.
"...Oh. Well, that's good then."
I leaned back against the edge of the carriage. Mira looked like she was suppressed a laugh for a moment, though her expression quickly returned to its usual composed state.
Anton looked over the dead Magic Wolves, then turned to me.
"The pack was larger than we anticipated, but it was well within our ability to handle. The horses are unharmed as well. We will dispose of the carcasses further away and then resume our camp. We will enter the Marquisate tomorrow. Please rest easy."
"Right. Thank you."
I could do little more than nod. Perhaps because of the lingering adrenaline, I had trouble falling back asleep that night.
◇◇◇
The next day, shortly before noon.
The carriage began to slow down. Mira, sitting across from me, looked over.
"We should be entering the city soon."
When I peeked through a gap in the curtains, I saw gray walls coming into view.
Perhaps because we were still some distance away, the walls looked lower than I had imagined. However, they stretched endlessly to the left and right, completely encircling the city. Here and there, watchtowers rose high above the ramparts. The city itself felt like one giant vessel.
After a while, the sound of the wheels changed as they crossed the joints in the highway. Anton, up on the driver's seat, exchanged a few brief words with someone who appeared to be a gate guard.
A shadow of stone passed overhead.
The carriage slowly passed through the city gate.