The forest in the northern part of the Ayre Territory.
It is a dangerous area where monsters have been confirmed, and entry is prohibited without the Lord’s permission.
The vast nature holds abundant resources, and many voices of the residents expressed a desire to make effective use of them.
In response to those voices, His Highness Ash has been planning and implementing a project to eliminate the monsters in the forest.
The plan was proceeding smoothly, and it seemed that the extermination would be completed soon. But then, an epidemic spread throughout the domain.
“At around the same time, while I was busy with the epidemic, the monsters started to increase again. They increased to almost the same level as at the beginning, and I was surprised.”
“I’ve heard that monsters have a high reproductive ability. It’s not your fault,Brother.”
“I know that, but I still feel like I should have done more.”
It was His Highness Ash’s responsibility that the number of monsters had increased.
If the epidemic was due to the monsters, His Highness Ash felt that it was even more so his responsibility.
I don’t think there’s a need to be so obsessed with such thoughts, but perhaps this is the responsibility of being a lord.
As one entrusted with the land and the livelihood of the people.
“I mean, Yuren, Fusaki, too. You didn’t have to come with us.”
“What are you talking about!? I am Nee-san’s guard, remember?”
“Well, that may be true for you. But Yuren didn’t have to come with us, did he?”
“…You’re being mean, Brother.”
Yuren-kun pouted a bit and let out a sigh as if he had given up.
“Well, it’s not an option not to come along.”
“For Aria’s sake?”
“Yes.”
Yuren-kun answered firmly.
His straightforwardness made my heart beat faster.
But if it’s the Yuren-kun I know, I didn’t think he only acted for that reason.
“But that’s not the only reason. The lives of the people in this land are at risk. I can’t just stand by and do nothing either.”
“That’s right. You’re that kind of guy.”
Yes, that’s the kind of person he is.
He wants to help those in need.
He can’t just leave someone who is suffering and going through a hard time.
“And besides, I’m strong, you know? I’ve been trained by my older brother after all.”
“Hahaha! That’s right, that’s right! I feel more confident with you around too. I’m counting on you, Yuren.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
“Hey, hey, don’t leave me out of the fun! I can be useful too, you know!”
Fusaki-kun seemed a little jealous watching the conversation between the trusting brothers. The two of them comforted him with some patting on the back.
“We know, we know.”
“We’re counting on you too, Fusaki.”
It was a heartwarming scene. Even though the relationship between His Highness Ash and Yuren-kun was different, these three also seemed like close brothers.
Suddenly, I thought of my own little sister. Was she doing well now? Once this job was finished, I decided to go see her.
“――!”
“What’s wrong, Fusaki?”
“I hear something coming closer. It’s… three, no wait, four? It doesn’t sound like a human’s footsteps.”
His words heightened our vigilance.
Even though a peaceful atmosphere flowed, one should not forget that this is a forest where monsters dwell, a dangerous zone.
“Something with four legs is coming. From both sides.”
“Alright, everyone be on guard! The monsters are approaching!”
Following Ash’s directions, the knights who accompanied us drew their swords and readied themselves.
Splitting evenly to the left and right, I stood in the center to not get in the way.
“Monsters…”
There is fear.
I do not know the horror of monsters.
That is why I find it scary.
Even though I knew that when I came along, when a crisis approaches, my body trembles.
“It’s okay. Stay behind me.”
“Okay.”
Before me, there is a reliable back.
As he readied his sword, my trembling body calmed down.
And then——
“It’s coming!”
At the same time as Fusaki-kun’s voice, a monster jumped out from between the trees.
It had a wolf-like appearance with black fur.
It was a type of monster called a Black Wolf, which claimed forests and grasslands as their territory.
I read in a book that they are intelligent monsters that move in groups and lay traps to catch prey.
Four monsters approached, two from each side.
“Don’t be afraid, guys! It’s just four of them, no big deal!”
There were twenty knights here.
In terms of numbers, they had an overwhelming advantage and were accustomed to fighting monsters.
It did not seem like they were struggling against the monsters.
In fact, even without doing anything, His Highness Ash and his knights dealt with the situation.
They surrounded the monsters in a formation and took them down one by one.
“Oh, it doesn’t look like we’ll get to participate—another one is coming!”
“What? Where?!”
“I hear something… it’s coming from above!”
Fusaki-kun shouts.
When we looked up, a wolf jumped down from the sky.
It seems like it had been approaching by jumping from tree to tree.
It landed in the center of the formation.
The monster came towards me from directly above.
But——
“Get down, Aria!”
“Okay!”
As I crouched down, Yuren-kun stood right next to me and faced the approaching wolf.
With its sturdy fangs, the wolf landed on the ground after deflecting the sword. The monster and Yuren-kun, who held his sword in readiness, stared at each other.
After a brief moment of silence, the wolf leapt towards Yuren-kun.
It was a swift movement.
However, Yuren-kun remained composed and cut through the wolf’s movement with his sword.
He sliced through its open jaws and body effortlessly, showing a flawless victory.
“A-Amazing…Yuren-kun.”
“Black wolves may be monsters, but their movements are similar to those of quick dogs. It’s nothing.”
He said it easily, but he was so quick that I couldn’t follow with my eyes.
He was stronger than the knights.
He had been saying so since a long time ago, but now I could confirm that it was indeed the truth.
I had truly…met an amazing person.