――I turned around.
Filoe tilted her head beside me.
“What’s wrong, Ist?”
“No, I just thought I heard a voice… but it must have been my imagination.”
“Well, as long as that’s all. Ah, Rederia-chan, you don’t need to push yourself so hard anymore, okay?”
‘Ugh… uuh…!’
In front of us, Rederia’s crystal kept flickering repeatedly.
‘Ughhh! Forgive me, Master… I still can’t figure it out! Ahh, this trash bin!’
If Rederia had a human body, she’d probably be kneeling on the ground, pulling at her hair.
That image was easy to picture.
She was struggling so much because she couldn’t sense the presence she had always been able to detect until now.
“Calm down,” I said.
“At least we’ve reached our destination. Let’s focus on what comes next.”
That’s right.
We had finally arrived at the fortress, which we suspected to be the kidnappers’ base of operations.
The fortress was surrounded by a swamp, except for the gravel road leading to the main gate.
It was about 200 meters to the entrance, close enough that we could make out figures if we strained our eyes.
It was a massive, ancient fortress, reminiscent of old defenses, with towering walls, an iron gate, and a spire rising from within.
There were no guards in sight, at least from what we could see.
Still, I had anticipated that they’d have a proper stronghold to keep all the kidnapped children, but I never imagined they’d hole up in such an impressive fortress.
“Whoa, so big!”
“Hey, you lot!”
Turning around at the excited voices, I saw that several children had somehow emerged from within Rederia.
At the front was Regin, who always seemed on the verge of causing trouble, with Sutei and Miti also curiously eyeing the fortress.
It seemed Mitera hadn’t come out to bring them back, possibly busy calming the other orphans in the shelter.
I furrowed my brows and scolded them.
“I told you this place is dangerous. Did you forget the promise? Get back inside.”
“Ugh, but I’m dying of boredom,” Regin pouted.
Yeah, I figured you’d say that sooner or later.
I didn’t expect you’d drag the other kids out along with you, though.
Just as I was about to continue, Filoe suddenly stepped in front of Regin.
And to my surprise, she pointed her Enestia spear right at the troublemaker.
“Get back inside. Ist warned you, didn’t he?”
“Ugh, Filoe, that’s not fair—”
“Just. Go. Back.”
Her voice carried an undeniable intensity, and her eyes said it all—if he didn’t listen, he’d regret it.
Regin immediately surrendered and retreated into Rederia with his hands raised in defeat.
…Ever since she got her spear and shield, Filoe had grown tougher, not just physically, but mentally too.
Well, Regin’s behavior probably deserved it.
With the tension in the air, Filoe now looked exactly like a guard on duty. To an outsider, she might even seem like the bad guy forcing hostages into a carriage.
As for Sutei , always quick to sense danger, she had already quietly slipped back inside before she could get scolded.
The only one left was Miti, the youngest, sniffing the air like a small animal.
I scooped her up from behind.
“Alright, Miti, it’s time to go back too.”
“Nooo!” she protested softly.
She had been cooped up inside the shelter for a long time, so I understood her pent-up energy.
“Once this is all over, we’ll play outside as much as you want.”
“Fine,” she pouted, puffing out her cheeks, but finally calmed down.
I handed Miti over to Mitera, who had peeked out from Rederia.
“Mitera, this is where the real challenge begins. I’m counting on you to look after the children.”
“I understand. But don’t push yourselves too hard either, Ist, Filoe.”
We nodded.
After ensuring that all the children, aside from Filoe, had gone back into Rederia, I let out a deep breath.
Now, how should we infiltrate the fortress and rescue the children?
As I pondered, I turned back to the fortress.
――Suddenly, from about three meters away, a figure lunged toward us like an arrow.
“Ist, watch out!”
It was a close call.
Filoe stepped between me and the attacker, deflecting their weapon with her Dawn Shield.
A high-pitched clang echoed through the air.
The attacker twisted midair, landing gracefully on the ground with barely a sound. What agile movement.
The figure was small.
Long silver hair with light waves, and she was about two heads shorter than me—a girl.
Ten years old? Maybe twelve.
She wielded a staff as tall as herself with practiced ease.
Why would someone like her be in a place like this?
“Hiyah!”
With a sharp breath, the girl charged at Filoe from a low stance.
Her eyes burned with clear hostility and anger.
She raised her staff without wasting a movement.
She’s a staff fighter—!
In recent times, it wasn’t uncommon for magic users to strike back against monsters with physical attacks, and more people who could use skills had been training in martial arts.
Using a staff in close combat—that’s staff technique.
This is bad. She knows how to fight!
“Filoe, be careful!” I warned sharply.
But Filoe showed no fear. Filoe Alby wouldn’t back down from an opponent like this.
She blocked the staff strike with the shaft of her spear.
One hit, then two, as the attacks came in quick succession.
Yet Filoe calmly handled each blow, better than I expected.
Even in this situation, I was impressed.
Since when had Filoe become so strong?
And then I realized—Filoe was mimicking the girl’s movements as they fought.
Unbelievable. She was learning from her opponent during the fight.
The girl’s expression began to show slight signs of panic.
But the fire in her eyes didn’t diminish one bit.
I had to stop this before it escalated… somehow!
Just then, I sensed another presence approaching.
From the shadows of the trees, a wolf the size of an adult’s chest emerged and strode toward us with calm confidence.
Its eyes gleamed with intelligence, far beyond that of a mere beast. It wasn’t a monster either.
The wolf moved without hesitation toward the girl.
I made up my mind.
I stepped in front of Filoe, who was about to strike with her spear.
“Stop, Filoe!”
‘Grrr!’
At the same time, the wolf and I raised our voices, both calling to our respective allies.
