31 - Visitors from the Other Side

“Hey, do you see that over there?” Estelle pointed towards the direction of the hill.

“Hmm? Difficult to make out, but… looks like a caravan?” Mars squinted.

Edelweiss and I, who were cleaning up our campfire looked up in unison, my eyes glued onto several distant, human figures trekking down the snowy slope.

We were so focused on our little merry party, none of us noticed the small figures getting bigger as they approached, until they were already by the Tranquil Forest.

More visitors? Wow, the highlands sure is getting popular these days-

Realization suddenly hit me. These people were coming from the opposite direction from Estelle’s party—from beyond the hill. And there were several of them.

“… Forrheiven?” I mumbled.

Estelle glanced to me, then to Mars, exchanging looks.

“Is it possible, Mars? At the same time as us, really?”

“If you think about it, it makes sense. The routes around these mountains are just too long and prone to attacks. A shortcut, no matter how unthinkable the conditions, is still a shortcut.”

“It’s the highlands, for god’s sake! During the winter too!”

“Exactly what we’re doing right now, yeah?”

“Nngh… To think they had the exact same idea. Our scouting mission’s about to fail, Mars!”

“Hold on. We can’t be sure they’re scouts from Forehaven; it’s possible they’re simply travelers-”

“With that group? There has to be at least twenty of them!”

“… Safety in numbers, maybe?”

“Mars…” Estelle sighed. “This can spell trouble. As explorers, we don’t have any authority to negotiate with a group that size. If only we had an adventurer with us…”

“Hmm, from those numbers, I’d wager they’re officials from Forehaven.”

“Right, Edel?! Ahh, this is bad, this is bad-”

“Calm down, Estelle. Let’s return for now. They had to fight a snowstorm to get here; no doubt they must be exhausted. We’ll retreat before they notice us, and lie low-”

“Mars, there’s no way they’ll miss Riko’s home, it’s literally sitting by the only path they can take!”

“Dammit… you’re right for once.”

“What do you mean, for once? I’ll have you know-”

While their heated arguments grew more frantic, I kept my eyes on the new group of travelers. My heart began beating faster and faster as they eventually stopped outside the Tranquil Forest. There was no green whatsoever, no canopy to hide any wild animals still out and about just a day after the freezing winds.

Though blended in with the color of snow, I was able to make out the familiar shape of a little, white fox accompanied by her much larger, regal mother as they paced cautiously by the entrance, watching the group of travelers.

Kikko?

“Woolie. Woolie? Come here.”

“Muu?” Woolie scampered up to me, nudging my leg.

“Woolie, can you take me there? I have to go see them-”

I didn’t finish my sentence. I didn’t even climb onto Woolie’s back. I simply ran forward with all my might.

“Riko?! Riko, where are you going?!”

“Come back!”

I ignored the voices from behind, stumbling in the heavy, snow covered ground, watching as thin spears were drawn by the group, their ends glinting in the sunlight. A few at the back drew back what looked unmistakably like bows, ready to let fly arrows towards-

“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!”

“Oh my g-”

“What’s that-”

I ran so fast I couldn’t hear the end of Estelle’s sentence, every step I took kicking up waves of snow behind me. I knew I had to refrain, hold back from using mana to enhance my body in front of others, but right now all I cared about was reaching Kikko’s side as soon as possible.

Faster! Go faster!

THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP!!

The sound of exploding footsteps filled my ears as my vision narrowed. I was gaining incredible distance, but as fast as I was going, the group of people were already advancing with weapons drawn.

Why’re you just standing there, Kikko?! Do something!

Then, I heard a howl. It was Kikko, and she was about to attempt to place the assailants under her hypnotic spell.

The archers at the back let fly their arrows, startled by the intimidating cry of a giant, snow fox. A stream of blue flames swallows the arrows before they could reach their target, but the action caused Kikko’s spell to break, and the assailants finally charged forwards, their faces full of fear-

“HEEEEEEYAAAHH!!”

A kick off the ground with all my strength, my leg outstretch with a full concentration of mana ready to break wood and bones.

To them, I must have looked like a cannonball flying out of nowhere. My foot connected with a wooden spear, easily snapping it. Then another, and another, and another-

SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!

“Uwagh-!”

“What?!”

The frontline broke, staggering back as they stared in horror at their broken weapons. But the middle line was already moving up to replace them, this time drawing steel swords.

“Kikko! Fokko!”

I positioned myself in between the two forces, reaching for the blades on my back-

Where- I left them at the campfire…!

In my haste, I’d forgotten them.

I glanced over to see Estelle’s group running over, still too far away for their voices to reach.

I… I covered all that distance in such a short time?

“You!”

I turned to face the assailants, specifically one pointing his sword at me with a trembling hand.

“Who’re you?!”

“Uhh…” I stammered. “Riko!”

“Wha-?”

“Ricolette!” I repeated, channeling mana through my body.

“What are you, a wild child…?”

Before he could swing, I made the first move.

“Hwat-toh!”

A well-aimed kick to the wrist, forcefully disarming him-

“Hyaahoo!”

A kick to the head to incapacitate…!

“Urgh!” The man landed face-first into the snow, groaning.

I’d never had the opportunity to test my strength or techniques on another person. My only gauge was Mister B, so I adjusted my power to match only a third of what I’d usually dish out.

And that was enough to take out him out.

“Raise shields!”

The men drew large, metal shields from their backs, covering most of their bodies as they advanced forward.

“YAH-TOH!”

GONG!

A half-powered punch connected with one of their shieldbearers, knocking him backwards.

But that was it.

“Owwowow-!” I stepped back while clutching my fist in pain, trying to create distance between us.

“Kikko! Any time now!”

I turned around, expecting to see Kikko’s eyes of hypnotism driving into full gear.

Instead, Kikko winced, straining to remain standing. An arrow protruded from her leg, red staining her white fur by the second.

Kikko…!

“Fokko, please!”

Perched atop my arm, Fokko spewed blue flames at the shieldbearers, keeping them at bay.

I glanced towards Estelle and the rest, still a distance away. I have to buy time until they arrive, I can’t let them pass…!

“Stop! Halt at once!” A loud, booming voice called from behind the group.

The men immediately stepped back outside the range of Fokko’s fire, making room for a large, bearded man to step forward.

“For god’s sake, you lot… that’s a child, for crying out loud.”

“Sir! She took out Zindabore!”

“It’s Zindabore, that’s to be expected… Dammit, you lot. Did the storm screw your heads? I said stand down, not attack! Geez, we’re not here to make trouble-”

“HYAAHOO!!”

Thunk!

A raised, gauntleted arm prevented my foot from connecting with the man’s head. As I jumped back, my heart sank.

So tough, almost like Mister B…!

“Hey, child. We’re not here to fight, there’s been a misunderstanding-”

“WAAH-TOH!! AA-TAH!! HWAT-TOH!!”

“Hngh-!”

I didn’t let up, unleashing a flurry of non-stop attacks with my fists and kicks. Though I did my best to get in close for my elbows and knees to do work, each approaching strike was blocked; this man was a trained fighter, and I very soon realized I wasn’t his match. All I could do now was apply as much pressure as I could in hopes everyone would arrive in time to assist us-

“There!”

“Wha-?!”

Somehow he’d managed grab both my arms in one hand, placing me in the dire situation of dangling in the air, unable to regain my footing.

“Hah… hah… alright, that’s enough. Will you listen now?”

“…”

“Good… now, I’m not here to-”

“I have absolutely no idea what you’re saying, and even if I did I sure as heck won’t let you get to Kikko!”

“Seriously…? What language is that? Hey, anyone of you lot understand what this brat’s yapping about?”

As the man turned back to his companions, he lowered me just enough to about his chest level. Not enough for me to regain my footing, but just enough for me to locate my new target.

I focused all my mana into one leg, swinging from his hand to gain some momentum, and then with all my might, let fly a kick straight into his-

“FAMILY JEWELS!!”

Thwack!

“BERGHORRK-!!”

Even I winced as I felt the inertia from my own kick, the man’s face rapidly turning from relaxed to shock, immediate dread and bursting pain—all in one second.

I fell onto the ground as the man let go, bending over forwards clutching at his crotch. The effect was so great it spread like a virus to his men, instinctively covering their own life-givers.

“Wheeze- wheeze- come on… really…? Wheeze.”

“Riko!”

Estelle’s group finally arrived, running to my side.

“Stelle…!” I panted, still in disbelief at what I did.

“Mars?! Why’re you covering your- you’re on our side!”

“Sorry, reflex…”

“Who’re you people? Where do you hail from?!” Estelle announced with a voice of authority I didn’t think her capable of.

“Wheeze…! Wheeze…!”

“… I don’t think he’s getting up any time soon.”

“Can’t believe Ricolette had all that power in that tiny body.”

It was now a standoff. Excluding Woolie who was now cowering behind Kikko, we stood by the entrance of the Tranquil Forest while the opposing group faltered behind their groaning captain, or whom I assumed was their captain.

Now that I was able to catch my breath, I realized the men were dressed in the same outfits; winter clothing over leather armor. Unlike Estelle’s group, they had wagons in their party full of what I assumed to be supplies for their long journey.

“Urk…!” Their captain finally wobbled to his feet, holding onto his long spear plunged into the snow for support.

“Where do you hail from?!” Estelle repeated.

“Geez… ever heard of introducing yourselves before asking…?”

Estelle drew her sword, and Mars followed suit.

“Alright, make me look like the bad guy… name’s Basil; I’m an envoy from Forehaven.”

“Tch, as expected.”

The only word I understand from that exchange was “Forehaven”, but that was all I needed to know as Mars took over the exchange.

“Why’s an envoy up here during a snowstorm?”

“I could say the same to you, explorers of Rustal.”

“Tch. How’d you figure it out?”

“Oh? So I’m right?”

“… He’s good.”

“You’re just too honest, Mars.”

Estelle stepped forward, putting herself once again as the main negotiator for our group.

“Tell me, what’s your reason traveling this route when we have designated ones for you people?”

“I don’t think you explorers have the authority to question an envoy, no? Unless you have someone like that in your midst?”

“…”

“I’ll take that as a no, then.” The man laughed. “Hmph, no harm telling you people anyway. In fact, it’s probably for the better if I did.”

“Captain?!”

The captain brushed his men off, approaching Estelle.

“Well?”

“… Before I do that, we got more pressing matters to take care of.”

The captain glanced towards Kikko, instantly putting me on edge.

“Woah, this wild child a friend of yours? She’s glaring daggers at me. I don’t want another boot up my-”

“Back off.” Estelle raised her sword.

The captain sighed, pointing with the blunt end of his spear at Kikko.

“First off, don’t you think that should be your priority right now?”

“What?”

Kikko’s breathing was labored, panting harder than expected from a flesh wound. It was as if she’d been-

“It’s poisoned. That arrowhead.”

“You-!”

“Woah, hold up! That’s not our doing. We don’t use poison-tipped arrows; I can prove it to you, if you want.”

“Then-”

“Likely to be goblins. That’s a very crudely made arrow, the wood is rough, no feathers for stabilization, uncivilized.”

“…”

“I noticed it while passing by. We were gonna see to treating the wound, then your friend came along and crashed the party.”

“But we clearly saw your men shooting arrows.”

“I apologize for that. You’d understand their nerves would be rattle seeing such a beast, after an exhausting hike, no less. It was my mistake.”

“…”

“Well, how’re you planning to play this out? The longer we let that go untreated, the higher the chance it’ll fester and spread. We came up here prepared, so we’ve got plenty of medicine. What’s it gonna be?”

“… Fine.”

“Good. Hey, you lot! Hurry it up! We’re going ahead as planned! That’s right, the same plan before you idiots pissed your pants!”

As I watched the men scramble to retrieve various items from their wagons, I gripped onto Edelweiss’s sleeves, unsure of the result of their conversation. From their actions, I concluded they came to some sort of agreement, but I couldn’t be sure-

“NO!!”

I dashed forward to block the way of approaching men, causing them to trip over backwards from the sheer force of my footstep.

“Riko!” Estelle called out to me.

“… Stelle?”

“Riko, please. Trust me.” Estelle nodded, signaling for me to let them pass.

Do I trust them? No… Do I trust Estelle?

I hesitated. I’d only known her for a day; no matter how friendly and sincere she seemed, I just couldn’t be sure. They were the first inhabitants of this world I’d ever spoken to, I just… don’t know what to do.

But I couldn’t bear to see Kikko in pain, and it was clear my meager supply of medicine wouldn’t do much to help with that festering wound.

Reluctantly, I stepped aside as the men rushed over to Kikko to begin warily tending to her wounds.

Relief washed over me in that instant. I half-expected them to take her away; maybe Estelle had made a deal with them to leave us alone if they took Kikko. I was wrong.

Suddenly, my vision blurred as the world spun around me, my legs giving way.

“Riko?!”

I heard the muffled voice of someone calling to me, but I couldn’t tell who. There was a ringing in my ears, I felt strangely groggy…

“Riko, what’s wrong? Riko!”

“Hmm, looks like mana exhaustion. It’s no wonder; that strength she displayed there, she must have burned through everything she had just to keep up.”

“… Do you have something for that as well?”

“Of course! Mana potions by the crates, feel free to take as many as you need.”

“Captain?!”

“Relax, you lot. It’s a business expense. Not everyday we get to mingle with our neighbors like this, don’t you think?”

“… You don’t appear to be your usual nobleman, sir Basil.”

“Oh please, Basil is fine. I’m no noble, and I sure ain’t a part of the upper class rot of Forehaven.”

“In that case… we’ll hear you out, for now…”

“Great… we should… then… and…”

“… Fine… let’s…”

My eyelids became heavy, the voices around me fading away. Before I closed my eyes, I saw Woolie’s funny face, tears comically streaming down as he cried. And that cool, moist sensation on my cheek… no doubt it’s Fokko licking me again.

Quit it, Fokko… it’s freezing…

I fainted.