Chapter 301 is missing in raws.
Escort
The seasons turned, and it was autumn.
Autumn for the arts, for reading, for sports, for travel... there are plenty of things people associate with fall. But for me, there’s only one — the season of appetite!
“““Mmm—so good—.”””
It was yet another girls’ gathering — I’ve lost count of how many we’ve had since moving into the dorm. Today’s sweets were ripple pie and candied sweet potato cheesecake, made with seasonal ingredients.
Since that time, we’ve been receiving special training from Grandmother at the Lampail estate in the royal capital once a month on weekends. Thanks to that, the four of us have really deepened our bond.
“Ahh—Joan, your sweets are as amazing as ever. You know those cream puffs you gave me as a souvenir last time? My father hogged them all to himself. Then my mother got mad and froze the entire house. Literally froze it.”
Lady Elena’s father, Count Dominic Diesel, used to be the captain of Father’s monster subjugation corps — a big, bald man, if I recall. Hard to imagine, but I guess he’s got a sweet tooth. And her mother, Aunt Letty, was the former leader of Mother’s Mage Corps. Physically freezing the house… that’s impressive, even for her.
“At my place, my little brothers and sisters started fighting over them. I had no choice but to give them the cookies you gave me, too.”
Senior Chloe’s family runs a dairy farm and lives as a big four-generation household with thirteen people. She’s got two older brothers, one younger brother, and two younger sisters — plus one niece, apparently.
I did give her twenty-five cream puffs, but I guess that wasn’t nearly enough.
“I’m just glad everyone enjoyed them. And thank you again for the tea and cheese. I used both for today’s desserts.”
Lady Elena’s family sent tea, and Senior Chloe’s sent a variety of dairy products. The ripple tea we’re drinking and the cheesecake we’re eating right now both make good use of those gifts.
“I can’t believe our farm’s cheese can turn into something this delicious... My brothers will love it, but my younger siblings are probably going to yell at me for being unfair again.”
Her older brothers make dairy products while helping with the farm.
“Senior Chloe, I’m so jealous—you get to eat fresh dairy products all the time!”
“Eh, really? But it gets old after a while, you know? Oh, if you’d like, you can come visit sometime.”
“What? Really? I’d love to!”
“Me too!” Belle and I leaned forward eagerly.
“Oh, but you two are noble ladies—wouldn’t it be improper for you to stay at my place?”
““It’s fine!””
“Oh—uh, okay then. I’ll let my family know.”
““Yay!!””
“But seriously, there’s nothing around. It’s really countryside.”
““We can’t wait!!””
And just like that, it was settled — during the winter break, we’d visit Senior Chloe’s home. Both Belle and I got permission from our parents, of course.
Though honestly, I couldn’t agree less with both our fathers saying, “The two of you alone? That sounds like trouble waiting to happen.”
＊＊＊＊＊
At last, winter break arrived.
“Wow—look at that view! It’s amazing! A silver-white world.”
“Yeah, it’s freezing, but so pretty.”
As Belle and I admired the snowy landscape, the coachman spoke up.
“Oh, what’s this? You girls, first time in the Norden territory?”
““Yes, our first time.””
“That so? Right now it’s all snow, but when the leaves turn, nobles flock here for the autumn colors. Not that folks like that would ever ride a shared carriage, ha ha ha!”
“Hahaha, that’s for sure!”
““……””
Well, surprise — there are two noble ladies on this very shared carriage.
When we said we wanted to visit Senior Chloe’s home in the Norden territory, Father offered to send a carriage, but we politely declined. Instead, Belle and I boarded a public coach — as escorts, not passengers. We figured it’d be better to earn some money while traveling, so we accepted an escort request from the Adventurers’ Guild.
When we arrived at the coach station that morning, the coachman looked absolutely horrified, as if he’d just drawn the worst lot.
“Two young ladies and a dog for guards… You sure this is safe?”
“Heh, sounds like we’re gonna be the ones guarding them!”
“““Hahaha!”””
The passengers who had already boarded jeered.
Yeah, I figured that would happen.
“Sorry, but could I see your guild plates, just to be safe?”
The coachman calmed the others and asked us to show our plates. We obliged, pulling them from around our necks.
“Wha—!? Rank B!? And… Lampail? And this one—Burst!?”
““What!?””
The coachman and the passengers who’d been laughing turned pale and immediately started apologizing profusely.
The passengers were two young men who’d heckled us earlier, one traveling merchant, an elderly lady with a boy and girl who looked like her grandchildren, and a beautiful woman in her late twenties.
The journey from the capital to the Norden territory would take three days and two nights.
And our skills were finally put to use on the evening of the second day. Just as we were nearing the midway town for our second night’s stay, a group of goblins attacked.
“Six goblins, huh? Belle, can I leave them to you? I’ll take care of the other side.”
“Got it—on it!”
While Belle jumped down from the carriage to face the goblins, I noticed men sneaking up toward the wagon.
“Everyone, get back!”
There was no escape toward the rear. I herded everyone toward the driver’s seat. They looked confused but followed my instructions anyway.
The moment we moved, the wagon’s canopy was yanked open.
“Well, well, look what we’ve got here. Hand over your valuables! Women and kids, over here!”
The one peering in was a man with a scar on his cheek, wielding a machete. Behind him, several more—bandits.
Two of the young men stepped forward bravely, but—
“Don’t need no men!”
The bandit slashed at them, only to be knocked back by Pearl’s Water Bullet.
“Leave this to us. Once I step out, drop the canopy and do not come out, no matter what.”
I pulled the coachman inside for safety, said that, and leapt out.
Outside, aside from the machete guy, there were three more—each armed with knives or swords.
As I watched them, I summoned Rosso and Meteor from the Dimension Room. Just like the storage, I could now call my contracted beasts without opening the dimensional space first.
Belle’s fight seemed to be wrapping up; I could sense her running this way.
“Everyone, quick resolution!”
“““Understood.”””
What do you think about this chapter?
