Once he had finished his breakfast, Rest stepped out of the inn with Yuri.
Waiting for them out front were Urula, her lady-in-waiting, and a group of armed soldiers.
"Good morning... desu."
"Have you been waiting here this whole time?"
"Just arrived," Urula answered curtly.
A faint flush colored her cheeks. It seemed she might have been waiting for quite some time after all.
(It’s been getting colder lately. Standing around out here would certainly make someone's face turn red... right?)
He recalled that faces usually flushed when moving from the cold into a warm room, rather than the other way around. Still, if he had kept them waiting, he felt he owed her an apology.
"Sorry about that. Well then, shall we get going?"
"...Yes, desu."
Urula nodded at his words. They were scheduled to head straight for the wetlands of the plain.
"Um... and who are these people?"
"I am Ostray, of the Margrave Lavender House Territorial Army."
The soldier standing behind Urula introduced himself with a stern expression. He was a large man, likely in his forties. A deep scar ran across his face, giving him the air of a seasoned veteran.
"On behalf of the Territorial Army, I apologize for requiring Count Clover's presence due to our own lack of competence."
"No, don't worry about that. More importantly, could you fill me in on the situation?"
"...I shall explain while we are on the move."
Guided by the soldiers, Rest and the others entered the Subnock Plain from the Eastern Side. Rest had set foot on this plain many times before, but in truth, this was his first time visiting its eastern reaches. Until now, the development efforts had been focused on the West and North, moving toward the center; the eastern wetlands were entirely new territory for him.
"I heard the Eastern Side had poor drainage... but it doesn't seem that bad."
While the vegetation was different from what he had seen elsewhere, the ground didn't look like land with drainage so poor it deserved to be called a 'wetland.'
"Not all of the Eastern Side is like this. The actual wetlands are further in," Ostray explained. "The Eastern Side of the Plain is divided into dry land and wetlands, and the development of the dry land is nearly complete. However, we are having trouble dealing with the Worms in the wetlands... specifically, there is one giant specimen that we simply cannot handle."
"Doesn't come out... so damage is moderate," Urula added.
Her brief interjection only made the situation more mysterious, but her lady-in-waiting immediately stepped in to supplement the explanation.
"Since the Worms do not leave the wetlands, the damage has not been extensive. However, they seem to have become aggressive due to the influence of the barrier, so caution is required."
"I see..."
It was a perfectly clear explanation. Rest couldn't help but think it might have been easier if the lady-in-waiting had been the primary speaker from the start.
"By the way... I'm asking a bit late, but are you and your attendant coming with us, Urula?"
They were already deep into the plain, yet Urula and her lady-in-waiting followed along as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Neither looked like a combatant; Rest wondered if they would be safe.
"No problem... desu."
"Though the Lady looks as she does, she is a master of archery. She will not be a hindrance."
"Coming... will do it...!"
"Oh, it seems a monster has appeared up ahead. My Lady says she wishes for you to leave this one to her."
"...Alright."
A black lizard about the size of a calf lumbered into view from the path ahead. Though he called it a lizard, its overall form was thick and heavy. If anything, it resembled a giant salamander.
"Doing it."
Urula swiftly produced a bow and arrow. She nocked an arrow to her shortbow and released it without making a single sound.
"Gyo...!"
The arrow flew true, sinking straight into the lizard's head. The creature collapsed to the ground, its body twitching and convulsing until it finally went still.
"That's impressive skill..." Rest marveled.
It wasn't just her accuracy; the sheer speed of her draw was incredible. Furthermore, she had moved from drawing to firing without making any noise at all.
(It was like watching a hunter... or perhaps an assassin.)
Rest always kept his Life Search magic active, but if he were targeted by Urula without it, he wasn't confident he could evade her. He might have been struck down before he even realized a fight had begun.
"...Ehem."
Urula puffed out her small chest proudly. It might have been his imagination, but she looked like a puppy that had just performed a new trick, practically begging for praise.
"That was amazing. Really, great job."
Instinctively, Rest almost reached out to pat Urula on the head, but he caught himself at the last second. No matter how much their rapport had improved, it would be a breach of etiquette to treat a lady of a noble house in such a manner.
"............Disappointed."
It might have been his imagination, but Urula's shoulders seemed to slump as she pouted her lips.