Chapter 50
We set out from the monastery at sunrise.
The Red Wolves led the way along the forest road, shrouded in morning mist. Their backs appeared and disappeared in the pale haze.
A dozen or so wagons followed, passing through the gate in orderly silence. Only the creak of their wheels echoed through the still morning air.
We were positioned near the middle of the caravan.
That was at the merchants’ request, and because it was far too dangerous to leave our spoils—the valuable suit of armor—at the rear.
Black Iron guarded the rear.
Glen alone remained near the middle, keeping an eye on the entire line.
The turmoil of the previous day was gone. It seemed he’d made up his mind.
“The family of the bandit knight we took down may make a move today. Stay even more alert than usual as we proceed.”
Glen’s low voice carried across the caravan. His words made the atmosphere tighten ever so slightly.
“Of course. Leave the defense to us.”
Aileen of the Wind of the Azure Sky said, thumping her chest. Her tone was light, but her voice held no uncertainty.
I spread my mana thinly and broadly through the forest. I sharpened my senses, trying to pick up everything—the flow of the wind, the rustling of leaves, even the slightest disturbance.
The caravan continued steadily onward without slowing, all the while keeping watch for signs of danger in the forest.
Before long, Bolf came galloping back from the front.
“The road ahead is blocked by a fallen tree. ...It’s probably an ambush.”
I spread my mana even farther.
The outlines of the forest emerged as if faintly traced. The hidden presences stood out.
“There are five soldiers with crossbows on each side... No cavalry.”
Bolf’s eyes widened.
“That’s some incredible detection. You can tell all that? I’d love to have someone like you in my crew.”
He seemed to have come to trust us completely after what happened yesterday.
There was no trace of suspicion in his admiring words.
“We’ll keep moving. Stop the wagons at my signal. The Wind of the Azure Sky will handle the defense.”
Bolf and Aileen nodded at Glen’s instructions.
Bolf immediately turned and ran to deliver the message.
The merchants obediently crouched low and proceeded close to the shadows of the wagons.
—Pweeet!
Glen’s whistle rang out sharply.
At the same time, the drivers all pulled on their reins.
The horses whinnied, the wheels creaked, and the caravan came to a complete stop.
“Wind, become a wall—Wind Wall!”
Their chants rang out together.
The air roared as it gathered into a transparent wall that rose along both sides of the wagons.
—A moment later.
Bowstrings twanged through the forest.
The bolts they fired all at once were battered by the raging wall of wind, thrown off course, and scattered across the ground.
The Red Wolves took advantage of the opening and charged into the forest.
The soldiers who had fired the crossbows fled in an orderly fashion into the depths of the forest before the Red Wolves could pursue them.
“This forest is their turf. Don’t pursue them too far.”
Glen’s voice rang through the woods.
I confirmed that the soldiers had fled beyond the range of my senses, then told Glen.
“They’ve run off.”
Hearing that, Glen’s shoulders relaxed.
“That was over pretty quickly. How many were there in yesterday’s attack?”
“Three horsemen, including the knight, and five foot soldiers.”
Lyle answered as if it were nothing.
“And how many did you take down?”
“We made sure to wipe them all out.”
Glen’s face twitched for an instant.
“The four of you?”
“Yeah.”
Lyle puffed out his chest proudly.
“No wonder this attack was so half-hearted. After losing that much manpower, all they can do is harass us.”
Glen relaxed his shoulders and let out a deep breath.
The morning forest grew quiet again, and the only sound was the wind stirring the trees.
“All right. Once we’ve moved the fallen tree, we’ll keep going.”
The Red Wolves kept watch while everyone worked together to move the fallen tree to the side.
Once they’d cleared enough space for the wagons to pass, the caravan set off again.
“There may be more trouble ahead. I’ll head up front and keep an eye on things for a while.”
With that, Glen headed toward the front.
Once Glen was out of sight, Aileen spoke up.
“Still, you really are strong. You took out not only the knight but his entire escort, too.”
Even as she spoke, her eyes kept sweeping over the surroundings.
“I’m Mireille, and this is Cecilia.”
The short-haired woman walking beside Aileen introduced herself with a friendly smile.
“Pleased to meet you.”
Cecilia bowed slightly, her golden hair swaying at her shoulders. Her lovely features held a composed smile.
“Hey, hey! So how did you take them down? Tell us, too!”
Mireille stepped right up to Lyle.
“Ah, um...”
Lyle’s eyes darted about before he looked over at me.
I used Appraise on the Wind of the Azure Sky.
【Name】Aileen
【Rank】III
【Mana】S
【Skills】Wind Magic, Mana Control, Stealth
【Magic】Wind Lance, Air Hammer, Wind Wall, Whisper
【Name】Mireille
【Rank】III
【Mana】B
【Skills】Wind Magic, Dagger Technique, Stealth, Tracking
【Magic】Air Step
【Name】Cecilia
【Rank】III
【Mana】A
【Skills】Wind Magic, Mana Control, Stealth, Sniping
【Magic】Wind Cutter, Aero Snipe, Wind Wall, Silent
—They didn’t seem to be just wind mages.
Maybe I should test the waters a little.
“Are you taking on jobs besides escort work, by any chance?”
I answered for Lyle, who was fumbling for words.
“Oh? What makes you think that?”
Mireille’s friendly smile vanished in an instant.
“Did Glen-san tell you?”
I continued without hesitation.
“What are you talking about?”
Mireille’s expression didn’t change. But her breathing was just a little delayed, and the subtle pause before she spoke couldn’t quite conceal her unease.
Because she was deliberately suppressing her emotions, her reply came a moment late.
—Judging from her reaction, she was probably a Guild investigator working undercover.
“I don’t have proof, but I can testify. I’ll explain everything tonight.”
At my words, Mireille’s shoulders relaxed.
“Sigh. How did you figure that out from such a short exchange? You’re making me doubt myself.”
In an instant, she was back to her usual carefree smile.
“Then, tonight.”
She whispered playfully in my ear, then returned to her position.
“Hey, Noah. What was that about?”
Lyle asked, looking confused.
“I’ll explain everything once we reach Millheim.”
If I told Lyle the truth now, he’d give it away immediately. We couldn’t let Glen catch on yet.
“...I see. All right.”
Lyle nodded and turned to walk ahead.
“Hey, Noah.”
Elena spoke to me hesitantly.
“Do you like older women?”
She lowered her eyes a little, then looked up at me as she asked.
When our eyes met, she quickly looked away, her face turning red.