Then we were going to our destination in a car driven by Gandalf.

　There were five members: Gandalf, Ivaldi, Eir, Hyannine, and Kagahime, plus me.

　All of them are riding in one car, and since the original size of the Wild Hunt's full members - Alfazul and Fraxinus combined - was large enough to carry seven people, the density was rather dense enough to even feel like there was room for them.

　While driving through the city, the speed was also held down, and I could understand that they were paying attention to safety.

　But as soon as we left the city and approached the road through the wasteland, the car began to accelerate so rapidly that I felt like my body was almost pressed against the seat.

'Whoa ......!'

　The desolate landscape flowed outside the window at a terrific speed.

　It was as fast as if a carriage had lost control and was sliding down a slope.

　As I was bracing myself with an instinctive sense of urgency, Hyun-ri woman who was seated in the center of the room turned around and laughed at me through her seat, looking at me as if I were her brother who needed help.

''You'd better get used to it. Oh, if you feel like throwing up, please tell me before it's too late. I'll kick you out if you don't look like you're going to make it in time.
...... okay, maybe.

　I try to avoid looking out the window as much as possible while being spoken to by people who are not sure whether they are concerned or relentless.

　I don't have a problem with motion sickness, but when I realize that I'm galloping along at the speed of a runaway, rampaging horse, I don't feel alive, as expected.

　But if Garnett had been here, he would have been enjoying himself with a lot of tension.

　Not so long ago, I would never have dreamed of thinking such thoughts in a car driven by Gandalf.

'At this rate, it won't take you more than an hour to get there.　Just don't cause any accidents, okay?
Don't worry. You're surrounded by wilderness, wild animals and other vehicles--Hmm?

　Suddenly, Gandalf began to reduce the speed of the car and began to climb the slope gently, as fast as a mere horse gallop.

　There was no way he was suddenly waking up to safe driving, and I noticed the cause of the slowdown a little too late.

　Another car was driving up the rocky hill.

　It was a stocky, roofless car, with a roof that didn't seem to have been installed to begin with, and I could clearly see the back of its occupants.

　The car on that side of the road seems to have noticed us approaching and brings the car to a sudden stop, as if to block the road.

"Hey, aren't those Wild Hunters!

　It was a quartet of lizardmen in the car over there.

　Their scales appeared to be sharp and piercing in various places, but upon closer inspection, they appeared to be external trinkets (accessories), emitting a glittering, menacing glow that flashed in the sunlight.

　And they're all well-built, so that a rugged, roofless car that seems to be designed for non-paved (off-road) roads seems to be crammed in there.

　Gandalf pulled the car aside as he continued to slow down, bringing it to a stop alongside the Lizardmen's car.

'Dragon Nest, eh? Looks like you guys are going to the plant site too.
Attaboy!　You guys still look like dark pot members. Are you aiming for the completion of your race?

　The lizardmen opened their big mouths and opened their fangs and laughed loudly.

　They were obviously trying to make fun of us, but no one was really trying to take them seriously, and their only reaction was that the rest of the guys were saying stupid things again.

''That's right, you're even taming a guy who doesn't even know what species he is!
It's more like a collection of those nameless bastards.　Just because they call themselves Wild Hunt--

　However, as soon as the point of provocation turned to Alfazul, Gandalf let out a sharp word with a condescending cold smile.

It's a better name than "Dragon's Nest" for a lizard, isn't it?　I think we should keep the team name in line with our stature.
You!　I'm going to buy you that fight!

　The angry lizardmen try to get out of the uncovered car without opening the door.

　But Gandalf is shot by the muzzle of a large pistol sticking out of the car window, and he stops moving from his position with his foot on the edge of the door.

'We don't have time for each other, do we?　There's something else to do.
Guh. ......
There's an order to follow. You will be the first to arrive at the scene. If you're willing to give up your turn with your life, I'll take it.
'...... shit!　Remember that!

　With Gandalf completely in control of the pace, Dragonnest's group shook the car and sat back in the seat with great vigor, driving off at breakneck speed into the depths of the rocky mountain.

　Gandalf snorted as he laughed off every word and action of the Dragon Nest, put his pistol back on his hip, and resumed driving.

　This was a different actor.

　Without actually crossing blades, that Gandalf had groped those lizardmen.

　Everyone else didn't show much of a reaction, probably because they knew that Gandalf alone was enough of an opponent to deal with.

　I spoke to Gandalf in the driver's seat from the back seat at the far end of the third row, over the middle seat where Eil and Hyun-ri woman were sitting.

''Are you sure you wanted to let them go?　The Alphasul are ahead of you, aren't they?　Maybe we'll pick a fight over there: ......
It's an unnecessary worry. They're aware that they're no match for Alfazul, too. Even if we had ten times as many of them, it would be settled in an instant.
......, really?
There aren't many people who can match him in wide-area annihilation. He's the kind of man who has a better chance of defeating the best one than collecting thousands and thousands of small fry.

　I couldn't see Gandalf's expression because I was driving, but for some reason, the convincing imagination of 'he must be smiling' came to mind.

　It's not every day that you see Gandalf smile, but since he's praising Alfazul, I'm sure he's smiling, without anyone telling me.

　--The car carrying us eventually climbed up the rocky mountain and reached the high ground overlooking the magic plant set up at the bottom of the valley.