Chapter 31
"To think Her Highness herself would come in person...!!"
The old man knelt before the queen, openly rejoicing. Sazaby judged him to be the village leader.
"My people are suffering. How could I possibly stay away?"
"You honor us greatly..."
"Now then, where are the snow wolves?"
When asked, the old man looked north and answered with a troubled expression. "Well... they stayed near the village for a while, but they left like the wind just before Her Highness arrived."
"Hmm. Though they are beasts, those creatures are clever. Perhaps they sensed our presence and withdrew. And what of the damage?"
"Yes. About five people have suffered serious injuries... Fortunately, there have been no fatalities."
According to the old man, the snow wolves had suddenly surged into the village in a group around noon the previous day. Thirteen young people had been injured trying to drive them off, and farming tools had been destroyed and fields ravaged as well.
The report had been delayed because the pack had not left the area around the village.
"I understand the situation. Those with serious injuries will be taken to the capital for treatment. Juveruno, make the arrangements."
Juveruno, addressed by name, replied, "Already taken care of."
"As expected of you. You say the fields were ravaged, but what of the food stores?"
"Fortunately, they are safe thanks to the young people's efforts."
"Very good. They have done splendidly. I commend those who were injured."
"Y-yes, thank you..."
After finishing her conversation with the old man, the queen shifted her gaze to the soldiers she had brought with her.
"The snow wolves may still be lurking nearby. We will patrol the surrounding area, and if we find them, we will swiftly hunt them down. Understood!"
It was the twins who objected to the queen's rousing declaration.
"Queen, that's not right."
"That'll leave bad blood between us and the snow wolves."
The queen showed displeasure at the twins' words, and the officer shot them a hostile look. Tension enveloped the scene in an instant.
Except for the twins.
The twins remained perfectly calm.
"The snow wolves are intelligent, right?"
"The queen said so, didn't she?"
"Yes, that is what I said."
"Wolves have keen noses."
"Wolves have good eyesight, too."
"So what? No matter how superior they are, my people's bravery simply surpassed theirs."
"That's not it."
"If they'd wanted to, the snow wolves could have gone after the food stores."
"They couldn't have."
"They could have."
"They could have."
"...What are you trying to say?"
"Why did the snow wolves show up during the day?"
"Why did they come in broad daylight?"
They should have attacked at night.
Sazaby and everyone else present looked completely taken aback by the twins' words. Only the queen's expression remained unchanged as she continued the exchange.
"It merely happened to be daytime, did it not?"
"That doesn't add up."
"The snow wolves are intelligent, aren't they?"
"They're beasts, in the end."
"Do you really believe that?"
"Do you think humans are more intelligent than beasts?"
"...What exactly are you trying to say?"
"You don't understand?"
"You've got a long way to go."
At last, Langet could bear it no longer. He started to snap, "Hey! That's insolent!" but the queen restrained him.
"I will ask one more time. What are you trying to say? Depending on your answer, I may cut you down."
Sazaby furtively looked at Nizuhock. Nizuhock gave a small shake of his head. At this point, all they could do was watch how things unfolded.
Astonishingly, even in this tense situation, the twins began dancing as their horses paced around.
"The snow wolves are intelligent. Their noses are keen, and, being wolves, they can see in the dark."
"But they didn't attack the food stores."
"The snow wolves came in the daytime."
"Why did they come when they would be so conspicuous?"
"The snow wolves attacked people."
"The guardian of the mountains attacked people."
"Why did the guardian of the mountains attack people?"
"Because people spread calamity through the mountains."
"That's why the snow wolves attacked people."
"This is revenge and a warning."
As they danced and sang, the twins kept their eyes firmly fixed on the queen.
Then, in unison, they muttered:
The humans were probably the ones who picked this fight.