With a quick movement, Helen drew both swords and released them. If it's just a beast, fine, but if it's not, .......

　For a moment, Helen looked dubious, but then she saw that it wasn't a cute little rabbit that had jumped out at her. It wasn't a cute little bunny, but it wasn't going to hurt us either.
　We saw a familiar face.

"Isn't that you, Katerina?
"Yes, hello.

　It was Katerina, one of the servants of the Amur family. I told her and asked her to stop the car.
　She came rustling out of the bushes, tapping away the leaves that had stuck to her.
　At first glance, she looks like she's just a traveler, but she seems to have a few other weapons in addition to the dagger for self-defense that I can see.

What can I do for you today?
Oh, well, we'll talk about that on the way.

　We were on the dragon carriage, not on the horse ......, but Katerina got in without regard to us. Lucy greeted her with a wag of her tail.

"Woof!
Lucy!

　Katerina hugs Lucy as she jumps into her chest. Deanna looks a little disappointed as she watches. I tried to get away from her for safety, but she grabbed my arm in a split second.

"So? What's the story?

　Rieke took control of the reins, and I pointed the water at the dragon-wheel as it began to move slowly again. Katerina answered, enjoying Lucy's fluffiness.

I'm sure you have some idea of what I'm talking about, but I'm talking about Eizo-sama's 'guest'."

　Her expression was relaxed, but her voice was serious. My arm, which was still in his grasp, tightened. The damage was done, but I didn't say anything about it.

"Don't ask me where I got that.
Yes, I think that would be a good idea.

　Katerina grinned. It must have come from the Marquis. She seems to like this kind of thing.
　I wonder if she's been doing this kind of covert work all her life. That's more interesting.

So, to get to the point, at least one nobleman from the kingdom has been confirmed to be involved. We don't know who's behind it, though.

　So it's not as if someone in the Empire acted recklessly on their own. In fact, it is probably because of the movement within the kingdom that the Marquis was able to detect it.

It was a good decision not to take out the guests this time. I was about to run out of patience. A certain person has been trying to check him. However, if you move, they will catch you by the tail, but there is a possibility that they will take a gamble to see if they can get through your eyes. Once you've achieved your goal, you may be able to do whatever you want.

　I wonder who's checking him out, the Marquis or Marius. I'd rather they didn't cross the bridge, but I'm sure they're trying to keep us out of harm's way. Only in my mind, I bowed to neither of them.

So, you came to tell me that?
"Yes. He wants you to hide him until he's finished with you. I'm sure this will inconvenience Eizo-sama and the others. ......

　Katerina said, sounding sincerely sorry.

I was prepared for that, so don't worry about it.

　I replied as if it was nothing. In fact, there was little trouble on our side. I'm more worried about Anne herself and the effects of her long absence.

　While we were talking about this, we arrived at the entrance to the forest. I was expecting Katerina to come to my house, but she said, "I'll see you there.

I was expecting Katerina to come to our house, but she said, "Well, here we are. Please give my regards to everyone. Excuse me, miss. See you later, Lucy. You too, Krull.
Woof, woof, woof!
Krull-ruh-ruh.

　And with that, she jumped off. Although she had slowed down because she was going into the forest, it would have been dangerous if she had descended normally, but she didn't feel it. If I did the same thing, I'd probably break my leg for sure.

"Thank you very much!

　Ms. Katerina waved her hand and walked away from us. So she was just a traveler giving us a ride.
　In that case, we waved like that too. Once we were in the forest, we didn't have to worry anymore. Relieved, I pondered how I should explain.