Chapter 71

An attack, you say?

At the frantic call of the merchant summoning us, I quickly heightened my senses to assess the surroundings.

As the merchant said, numerous presences could be felt around.

I’ve been continuously releasing mana to deter threats, so most monsters shouldn’t dare attack us, right?

If not, could it be bandits?

While I was making that judgment, Logwin swiftly led his companions out of the carriage.

“Everyone, prepare for combat!”

“Mr. Kurt! Let’s hurry out too!”

“Right. We should head out.”

Following Mari’s urging, I also stepped out of the carriage. Fortunately, it wasn’t human bandits surrounding us but monsters.

The monsters surrounding us were wolf-like creatures called Scorpion-tailed Wolves.

These wolf monsters had surrounded the merchant caravan.

Seeing us disembark one by one, they charged in, seemingly trying to seize the initiative before we were fully prepared.

Awooo─!

In this situation, even if the adventurers could protect themselves, the merchants and drivers would be helpless.

I quickly grabbed an iron skewer to throw at the monsters charging toward the merchants and drivers.

But Logwin acted even faster than I could throw the skewer.

“Look─ at me─!”

Logwin shouted, holding a large shield big enough to easily cover his torso.

Of course, the monsters weren’t fools. They wouldn’t suddenly change targets just because someone yelled.

If it were just a shout, that is.

But Logwin’s shout wasn’t ordinary.

A peculiar wave emanated from his voice.

A wave that seemed to shake one’s very core, something that tickled the mind, even if just for a moment.

And I wasn’t the only one who felt it.

The monsters charging toward the merchants and drivers hesitated for a moment, then went berserk and charged at Logwin.

So, he had such a special technique.

A skill to draw the monsters’ attention to himself.

“Now! I’ve got their attention!”

“Great! Leave the rear support to us!”

“I’ll prepare magic, so cover me!”

“Nyahaha! Got it!”

Even as the monsters charged at Logwin like they were hypnotized, his party remained unfazed, acting as if this were routine.

They fought as if the four of them were one body, moving in perfect sync.

So, this is another way to fight.

“Let’s move too!”

“…That’s a good idea.”

At Mari’s words, I snapped out of it and charged at the monsters.

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Fortunately, the battle with the Scorpion-tailed Wolves ended without casualties.

Only Logwin, who had drawn the monsters’ attention, suffered a few scratches, but even those were minor.

It was a relief.

But aside from the relief of no casualties, something felt off.

While cleaning up after the battle, I stared at the dead monster’s corpse, lost in thought.

Something feels strange…

An indescribable sense of unease.

I stood still, trying to figure out the source of that unease.

But my thoughts were interrupted as Logwin, who had finished cleaning up, approached us.

“Wow. You guys fought really well.”

At his words, Matilda also agreed, looking at Mari.

“Yeah, how do you shoot arrows so fast and accurately? Are you really Iron rank?”

“That’s why our Matilda, even though she’s Bronze rank, can’t shoot like that. I’m starting to doubt she’s really a half-elf.”

“Hey! Do you have to compare us here?”

At Logwin’s words, Matilda angrily pounded his shoulder, and Logwin winced, holding his shoulder.

“Ow! Don’t hit my shoulder! It got scratched by the monsters!”

The two soon started bickering, and I chuckled at the sight.

“Honestly, you four seem to work together really well.”

It wasn’t just a compliment in return for their praise.

Despite their individual abilities being noticeably inferior to Mari, Karina, and Serena, when the four of them fought together, they seemed as strong as our party, excluding me.

They overcame their individual shortcomings by synchronizing perfectly, creating synergy as if four people became one.

As someone who’s always lived as a lone hunter, this was a refreshing way of combat.

At my words, Logwin, still with Matilda clinging to his back like a cicada, proudly said.

“Well, yeah. We’ve been a party for quite a while.”

“Still, your party seems to get along well too.”

“That’s true.”

“Then you’ll soon be able to fight in sync like us, so don’t worry too much!”

I wasn’t really worried.

But Matilda, as if to cheer me on, gave me a thumbs up while hanging on Logwin’s shoulder, and I awkwardly mumbled in response.

After that half-hearted reply, I turned my gaze back to the fallen wolf monster.

Was it just a coincidence?

Or something else…

“Ah, Mr. Kurt!”

“Are we done cleaning up?”

“Yes, of course. But why are you just standing there staring at the monster’s corpse?”

“Ah, actually…”

But before I could speak, Mari’s eyes widened as if she had realized something.

“Ah! Are you planning to cook this monster!?”

“Is that true!? Then I’d like some stew.”

“I want it grilled! Let’s grill it!”

At Mari’s mention of cooking, even Karina and Serena, who had finished cleaning up, gathered around with sparkling eyes.

And they each started advocating for their preferred cooking method.

Without even asking for my opinion, cooking was already decided.

And amidst it all, Mari alone wore a sad expression, muttering softly.

“Uuuu… If only we had cooking oil…”

“….”

Anyway, it was nearing evening, and since the carriage had stopped due to the monster attack, having an early dinner wasn’t a bad idea.

Since the monsters were already defeated, there was no need to dwell on them.

Thinking that, I sighed softly and answered them.

“…Alright. Let’s eat.”

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So, Mari, as our representative, suggested that since we’d already fought, we might as well stop here for the day and have dinner.

The merchant agreed, saying it was a good idea, and moved the carriage off the road to a nearby clearing to rest for the day.

From the merchant and drivers’ perspective, even though they hadn’t fought directly, they had experienced a monster attack, so they probably wanted to rest.

The merchant and drivers decided to have dinner separately, and we adventurers, left alone, prepared to camp behind the carriage and chatted.

“Ah, by the way, what are you guys doing for dinner?”

“What else do adventurers eat? Dried jerky and hard oat bread are our only friends.”

“Then why not join us for dinner? We’re about to start cooking.”

At my suggestion, Logwin’s eyes sparkled as he asked.

“Cooking!? Really?”

“Whether it’s for four or eight people, it doesn’t make much difference.”

Well, there might be some difference, but to me, it was negligible.

At my offer, Logwin looked like he wanted to cheer.

“Of course, we’d love to! Right, guys?”

At Logwin’s question, his party members cheered with open arms.

“Of course! I thought we’d be stuck chewing oat bread until we reached the next city!”

“Oh. If you’re offering, we won’t refuse.”

“Nyahaha! Getting to eat warm food during a mission!”

“Then I’ll take it as all four of you agree, and cook for eight.”

At my words, Logwin grabbed my hands with both of his, looking genuinely grateful.

Is eating cooked food during a journey really that exciting?

Well, if they’re this happy, it makes the effort of cooking worthwhile.

Our party always thanks me when we eat, but even so, such enthusiastic gratitude is rare.

“Then we’re really grateful! By the way, being able to eat warm food during an adventure, does someone in your party excel at cooking?”

“Huh?”

“None of us can cook, so having a party member who can cook is something to envy!”

“Ah, I’m the one who cooks.”

At my words, silence spread instantly.

Logwin’s party froze, their smiles still plastered on their faces as if time had stopped.

Wow. I stopped time.