Ambush

Sylphiette didn't resist and stayed in the village to see the adventurers off. She was crying bitterly. She didn't want to be abandoned. Her grandmother was with her and consoled her.

<Don't worry, I'm sure we'll meet them again someday.>

<I know you're just saying that to make me happy. I know it'll never happen. But that's okay. I just hope they don't get into any more trouble.>

Our heroes found themselves once again riding in a carriage, headed who knows where.

<Okay, I don't know where we're going, but please stop giving me dirty looks. I'm sure there's a village somewhere up ahead.>

Issei no longer had the map he'd received so long ago. He wasn't sure where they were, but he knew there was a village a little further ahead. He wasn't sure which kingdom they'd pass through or who they'd meet, though.

It could have been a normal human village, another elven village, a village of monsters or demons, he didn't know.

Shirou, who had learned to have faith in Issei, was reconsidering that.

The trees were slowly getting shorter. The gigantic trunks gave way to ordinary oaks.
Shirou looked at the path.

<Finally, a decent road. I was starting to think elves hated wheels.>

Josuke rocked in his seat, rocking harder and harder, until he fell off his seat.

<I'm bored!>

<Use this moment to rest.>

<But I'm bored resting.>

This brat would probably complain about heaven too.

<As a warrior, journeys like this are often made on foot. So thank Shirou if we can rest our legs.>

Hours passed, the sun was very hot. With the arrival of summer, temperatures had risen significantly. The smaller trees let the sun's rays pass through.

Asia, who had changed back into her maid's uniform, was sweating. She tried to fan her face with one hand.

The sweat slowly dripping down Issei's forehead made him snap.

<Damn! It's too hot! What's our water situation?!>

Burp!

Josuke gulped down the water he'd just drunk.

<We're out of water.>

Issei glared at the prince, as if he wanted to tear him to pieces.

<Damn spoiled brat! Now what are we going to do for the rest of the journey?!>

<I say we stop for a bit.>

<Fine.>

The coachman stopped the horses; they too were tired and sweaty. After a few minutes, they set off again. Their brief pause seemed to last a single instant.

At one point, Asia's ears twitched, as if she'd heard something worrying.

<I hear something! I can't understand. I hear voices...>
<...Aaah! Too many voices!>

Asia was panicking, her ears twitching.

<What's going on?! Asia, are you okay?! Shirou, stop the carriage!>

Something strange was happening to the wolf girl. A thousand voices entered Asia's head. Her hearing, as developed as it was, had the ability to use it at will.

She could hear distant sounds, but she could ignore nearby ones. She could even pinpoint individual sounds. An event where so many voices overlapped in the girl's head was unheard of.

Thump!

At a certain point, something jumped onto the roof of the carriage. Then another beast attacked the horses.

<Don't touch Valkyrie!!!>

The coachman, Shirou, was furious. He drew his sword and lunged at the beast. It broke the sword with a swipe of its claws. Shirou stood there trembling. Before him was no ordinary beast, but a beast-man.

Oh no, they're attacking us! Maybe we've entered a private area we shouldn't have crossed? Either way, I have to save my friends!

Issei remained on the carriage, drew his sword, and stood in front of Josuke and Asia.
The beast descended from the roof of the carriage, fell to its knees, one hand on the ground, the other gesturing something. Out of the corner of its eye, it looked at Issei.

A huge, muscular wolfman was glaring at him ferociously.

The furry beast unfurled its claws, and Issei struck a combat-ready stance.

What if they were simply guards? If I attacked them first, I'd be seen as a criminal. And I don't want people to think of me as one.

The knight lowered his sword. The wolf, with impressive speed, lunged at Asia. He picked her up with one hand and carried her out of the carriage.

<Issei! Don't just stand there!>

Shirou shouted at Issei.
He remained still, the beast's incredible speed making Issei doubt his chances of victory. He hadn't even been able to see when the wolf moved. It all happened too quickly. The knight's senses weren't that sharp.

Beastmen were considered dangerous, but they weren't very smart, and no one had ever dared to choose the life of a criminal. Or at least that's what was thought on the Western Continent. Where wolves were few, stupid, and weak.

Issei gripped his sword, trembling. He slowly turned and, with wide eyes, looked at the wolfman.

<Don't touch Asia!!!>

The beast smiled, let go of Asia, and then leaped at the knight. It clung to his face, blocking his view. Its claws slashed across Issei's face. A red line appeared on his cheek. Only a moment later, blood began to trickle down his neck.

The wolf grinned again, baring its fangs; it looked as if it wanted to eat him.
Meanwhile, Shirou was fighting the other wolf, defending his beloved horses. The beast didn't seem to want to hit the coachman. It continually dodged every blow Shirou landed.

Issei regained his composure and attempted a defensive technique. However, the beastman's tail grabbed Issei's arm and held it down.

Josuke, meanwhile, had been completely ignored. With a slash, the prince made a deep cut in the wolfman's tail. Yellow blood gushed from the wound.

<How dare you, little runt!>

Issei took advantage of that moment to free himself and slash at the wolf. As fast as he was, it wasn't fast enough.

<Why is everyone still faster than me!>

He unleashed a flurry of blows. One managed to hit the beast. The wolfman took a few steps back. Asia was lying on the ground, perhaps unconscious from the heat or the battle. The wolf smiled, ran toward the girl, and ran away.

The other wolf, who was fighting Shirou, followed his companion.

<Nooo!>

Issei ran desperately, but the wolves ran so fast that soon they were no longer visible.

<It's all my fault. I hesitated to fight. I looked for the easiest, most peaceful way out like an idiot.>

<This time, you're not an idiot. You did your best.>

<I didn't do my best, otherwise they wouldn't have taken Asia away! Don't talk like it was a minor mistake! I don't want to lose anyone else, I already told you, didn't I?!>

Shirou remained silent.

<What do we do now?!>

Asia was kidnapped, Issei was restless and furious, Josuke was distraught; he didn't want to continue the journey without her. She was like a big sister to him.

Silence fell. Only the rustle of leaves in the wind could be heard. Issei dropped his sword.

For the second time in his life... he had failed to save someone.