Nasamma had a different kind of energy than Kalabuya.
It truly is a city that’s like a huge carriage station. You can see all sorts of different species, and there’s so many different kinds of people around too. Whoaaa! Look, a girl with cat ears, and another with dog ears! So they do exist here!
“Furutsu, do you like those kinds of ears?” Grida said.
Hm? Well, if you were to ask me whether I like or dislike them, the answer is that I love them. Wow! Fox ears too! That tail looks so soft and fluffy!
“You cheater.”
Look! I found elephant ears! Huh? Did you say something?
“Nope.”
I see. I just felt another chill up my spine. Haven’t had one of those in a while. Maybe I’m just imagining things.
“Apple-san, what are you looking that excited for?” Datil said. “Can you see it? That’s the stagecoach station.”
“I hope there’s one that’s heading north,” Fresa said.
There were a bunch of carriages lined up in a stone-tiled plaza. Wow, there’s so many!
“Found one! Oh, wait, it says they can only go to the next town north. Awww...” Fresa whined.
That’s no good. There’s no guarantee we’ll find a carriage heading north in the next town. Also, layovers are a pain.
“This one might be good!” Datil paused. “Ah, nope, it’s leaving in three days.”
If we wait for three days, Berry and the others might get consumed. Oh, how about this one? I went to a huge carriage with four horses that had a plate stating “going north.”
“Good one, Apple-san!” Datil said. “Huh, are they about to leave?” He rushed over to the coachman.
“Sure, okay by me. You bunch will leave our carriage nice and full, so that’s a win-win in my book,” the coachman said.
Phew, we got a ride. Datil and Fresa showed the coachman their guild cards. So we need identification for stuff like this too?
“Looks mighty fine to me. I sure will feel better if you adventurers are along fer the trip!” The coachman smiled at us.
Great, he seems nice!
“Hey there, hurry up and get in! Don’t dawdle, you low-rank losers!” a voice rang out.
“You guys sure are taking it easy! Where are you Rank E kids going, anyway? You brats are such a pain!” said another.
Two adventurers, who were most likely our bodyguards, started mocking us.
“Heh heh, I’m Rank C, so I’m your senior! I’ll let you rub my shoulders later, little lady!”
The other bodyguard burst into laughter. “I’m sure this’ll be a great learning experience for you guys! Just sit back and watch!”
Great, they sure do seem nice... I guess this’ll be a fun journey.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Datil, why does your guild card have a red line?” Fresa asked. The carriage clattered along. In the driver’s seat were the coachman and the two Rank C adventurers.
“Huh, where?” Datil said. The back of the wagon where we were sitting was covered, and there were a total of ten passengers, including us.
A man wearing a robe, an old person and their grandchild, a young couple, a duo that look like adventurers, and a man with a large bag who looks like a merchant. Everyone’s different.
“See, on the edge right here. This straight line that looks like someone used a ruler to draw it.”
The only part of this that I didn’t daydream about is the peacefulness. We haven’t met any demons so far.
“Oh, you’re right. I wonder what this is?”
“As the enemy attacks us, we struggle onward and fight for our lives. One after another, the passengers fall victim to the enemy.” That’s kinda what I had in mind.
“So even you don’t know what it’s for? It doesn’t seem like a stain or anything.”
Ugh, I’m so bored! Come on, just a little excitement, please!
“Apple-san, you seem bored. I bet you’re thinking that you wish we were under attack or something, aren’t you?”
H-Huh?! N-No! There’s no way I’d think that, Datil!
Fresa chuckled. “I guess he hit the nail on the head, didn’t he?”
I love peace! Yep! I hope nothing happens at all! Eheh... Ha ha!
“You’re funny, Furutsu!” Grida said.
No! No no no, that’s not it. Grida, trust me, I’m praying for safety from the bottom of my heart.
“I was right, wasn’t I?!” Datil said.
“You’re reeeally easy to read. We’re gonna get in a fight sooner or later, right?” Fresa said.
Why can you guys understand what I’m thinking?! I’m just an apple, aren’t I?
“Shut up back there!” one bodyguard yelled.
“If you guys don’t keep it down, we won’t save you!” the other barked.
Seems like those two Rank C dudes got annoyed by Fresa and Datil’s conversation.
“Furutsu, they don’t seem very strong,” Grida said.
Listen well, Grida. You can’t judge a book by its cover. These bodyguards might be amazing people.
“Huh, really?!”
Both Datil and Fresa are Rank E. According to these Rank C adventurers, we’re lower than them. What’s more, these kind folks said they’d protect weaklings like us. We should do as they say then, shouldn’t we? Besides, it’ll be funnier later.
“My deepest apologies! We’ll stay quiet!” Datil saluted and sat up.
“I’m sooo sorry! We’ll be quiet so please forgive us! Pwease!” Fresa said, wiggling around and apologizing more than necessary.
They then both glanced at me, smirking. Are you sure you guys can’t hear me at all?
“H-Hey! L-L-Look!” the coachman stammered as he brought the carriage to a halt.
“Awww, see? Look at that. It’s all because you said you were bored, Apple-san,” Datil said.
No no no! I never said anything of the sort! No wishing for monster ambushes or bandit blockades or anything!
Fresa chuckled. “But I’m sure we can leave these demons to our seniors.”
You’re right. Guess we’ll check out their skills.
“Th-They’re gobliiiiins!” came a shriek.
In front of us were those little green men. The passengers continued to scream in panic.
These monsters aren’t that big of a deal. Besides, isn’t that kind of rude? We’ve got two Rank C adventurers on our side, after all.
“Y-Yikes! I hope y’all can take care o’ this!” the coachman said.
One of the adventurers clicked his tongue. “Damn, we’re unlucky. Let’s go!” He jumped off the carriage and drew his sword.
“Damn it! You guys just sit back and watch, okay?” the other bodyguard said as he too jumped from the carriage. He wiped the sweat off his brow and hefted a large battle-axe.
Thank you! Allow us to learn, please!
There were three goblins, and they’d piled sticks and stones in the path to create a barricade that blocked the way as they waited for their victims. A fallen tree prevented any attempt to leave the road, and the terrain itself was too bumpy for the carriage to navigate effectively.
This is a good location for an ambush. But it’s just three weak monsters—I’m sure it’ll be over in a flash. The bigger problem is this barricade.
“Three, huh? This is a bit of a pain!”
“Yeah, we’ll give it all we’ve got!”
Huh, really? If those three are a problem for you, that’s not good, because...
“Furutsu!” Grida cried.
Yeah, those three are a diversion. The real group is actually behind us, slowly making their way over. They’re planning on hitting from the rear while we’re distracted with the three up here.
“Fresa-san, behind us,” Datil said.
“Yeah, they’re coming, aren’t they?”
Nice, so you guys noticed too.
The two men roared as they charged toward the goblins in front, not even paying a shred of attention to their rear.
Nice.
Grida giggled. “You’re mean sometimes, Furutsu.”
Huh? No idea what you’re talking about. Now then, it seems like the passengers and the coachman aren’t aware of the main force either. Our Rank C seniors have their hands full, so I guess I’ll go and do some cleanup real quick.
“Oh, are you going?” Datil said.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine, but be careful!” Fresa said.
Yeah, I’ll be back in a few. I jumped from the wagon and rolled full speed toward the back of our carriage.
Let’s do this! Roll! Roll! Roll!
“Furutsu, there’s a big monster too,” Grida said.
Okay, twenty-three goblins, and yeah, I see the huge one too.
She giggled. “He looks strong.”
Yeah, he’s probably stronger than your average goblin, but still, no match for me. Let’s go, Grida! Unchain the wind, entreat the moon!
Grida giggled. “Unchain the wind, entreat the moon!”
Our wind blades found their mark, and twenty-four goblin heads fell to the ground in an instant.