After meeting up with Aldis, Filia and the others slipped away from the chaos of the town.

　The explosions and shocks heard when they rescued Hal's sister were apparently caused by Aldis.

''Since there are many witnesses who saw the demon that escaped from the basement of the Chamber of Commerce, even a large store would not be able to avoid being pursued by the lord, as expected.

　The person who had created the mess explained it in a matter-of-fact, but with a light smile.

　The other women they had rescued had gone back to their respective places because they had family and loved ones, but Hal and his sister had no one waiting for them to return except each other, and of course they had no home to return to.
　Before Filia could ask if there was any way she could take them somewhere safe, Aldis asked them if they were going to come to the village.
　This was a relief to Filia, but she didn't understand why Aldis had suddenly suggested this.

It's not that I'm not a fan of this, but I'm not a cold-blooded person.

　I know that.
　It's Aldis, who has the twins of Filia and Liana in his bosom even though he has nothing to gain, and who doesn't let go of his hand even when he makes enemies of the nobles and the church, which are powerful.
　It is not necessary to be told by Rona, but Filia knew that kindness more than anyone else.

'And well. There's a little bit of math involved. ......

　Rona, who sounded like she had things stuck in her back teeth, didn't end up revealing the reason for this.

　The group walked to a nearby town and procured a covered wagon there.
　They flew away from the public eye as they came to Albarn, but that was not the case on the return trip.
　They are hesitant to reveal the insane journey home with their brother and sister, and the village in the foothills of the Canobis Mountains is a long way from their home on foot.
　The village at the foot of the Canobis Mountains was a long way from where they would be able to walk home, and they had no idea when they would be able to reach the village with their malnourished children.

I've told them I'm going to be late. I've told them we'll be late and I'd like to invite two more of you to the village as well.

　Rona, who had gone to contact the village ahead of me, came back about three days later.
　Rona told him this while riding alongside the carriage, and Ardis, sitting on the gyoza-dai, confirmed it.

Did the village chief say anything?

"He laughed bitterly, 'After all this time you've added two people. But Sailor said, 'I can't make a decision until I meet you in person.'

'Well, ....... It's a good thing the village chief is a nostalgic person. Sailor's point is ...... well, of course.

　Filia was listening to such a conversation while sitting on the gyoja-dai next to Ardis.

''Well, I'm sleepy, so I'm going to ask for a ride in the back...''

　After leaving that, Rona gets into the back of the carriage.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　It's probably realized that Rona, who manipulates words and has an intelligent manner of speaking, is not a dangerous opponent.
　I'm sure I've heard a brief conversation between Hal and Rona from the back of the truck.

　The swaying of the carriage on the well-maintained road lulled the weary body to sleep.
　Her head almost wobbled and Filia hurriedly tapped her cheek with both hands.

''Do you want to rest in the back of the carriage too, Filia?''

　Filia shook her head silently at Aldis' question.
　Seeing the back of the wagon brought back memories of her childhood, and it was Aldis who helped Philia, whose body stiffened in fear, onto the gohja-dai.

　Such was Aldis's hand pulling down on Filia's shoulder.
　Filia's cheek touched Aldis's thigh.

''There's no need to push yourself.''

　Aldis's hand, hardened by blisters, stroked Filia's head as she was dressed to be kneeling.

　Aldis's scent and absolute security.
　The two enveloped Filia, wrapped in the two, began to fall asleep.

　Eventually, just as her consciousness was about to dissolve into a slight slumber, she became aware of a presence that was about to invade her sanctuary.
　Immediately raising her body, Filia cast a web of magical exploration around her.

''Are you able to notice them at this distance?''

　Aldis, sitting next to him, was calling out three flying swords from the 'Gate'.

''Beasts?''

''I suppose. It's rare for them to come out along the streets, but I guess the civil war has neglected to take down the area around the streets, so it's no wonder.

　Surrounding the covered wagon that Filia and the others were riding in was a magical reaction of about fifty or so.
　Considering the strength of the magic power, it must be a medium-sized beast.

''Filia, you have to protect the carriage.

　Rona is already out of the back of the truck and ready for battle.

'Please,'

　Aldis put his hand on Filia's head and got off the gyoja stand.
　Apparently, she's going to quickly get rid of it as one person and one piece.

'The left half is Rona and the right half is me.

Riley!

　After a short exchange to decide on the division of labor, Aldis and the others immediately set about eliminating the enemy.

　In the blink of an eye, the reaction of the surroundings began to decrease.
　Both Aldis and Rona are good enough to easily deal with the demons of the Canobis Mountains.
　They are about the extent of the beasts that appear in the grasslands, not the number of things.

　But if there are too many of them, of course the chance of failing to capture them increases.
　The two beasts approached from the front and back to close the gap.

''First, before .......''

　Filia, who judged that there is still room for the back, decides to intercept the one that is approaching from the front first.

　They are the grass wolves of the grasslands, covered in dark gray fur, that kick the ground with all four feet and pounce on you.
　They are not so dangerous because of their large numbers, but they are not so formidable an opponent.
　It was a beast that even Filia, who still had little experience in combat, had defeated a few times.
　As expected, he wouldn't be able to take on fifty of them by himself, but he could manage up to five of them.

''I won't let you!

　A blade of wind created by Filia sliced through the glass wolf's side.

　It would have inflicted an obvious fatal wound, if not an instant death.
　The one in front no longer posed a threat.
　As Filia concluded that, a screaming voice came from behind.

'Stop, Hal!

　When Filia turned around to quickly check on the situation, Hal had unexpectedly jumped out of the cargo bay and was confronting Glass Wolf with a wooden stick in hand.

''Why, why?''

　In a hurry, Filia fired a fireball to keep the glass wolf away and ran to Hal.

''Hal-kun, you can't get out of the carriage!

I'll take care of your sister!

　Hal strained his voice as his legs shook.

'You don't have to do that!

　To this extent, they are insignificant opponents for Aldis and Rona.

　If it's a glass wolf they've missed out on, Filia alone can handle it.
　There is no danger as long as they stay quiet in the carriage.
　But Filia didn't think that the object of her protection would jump out of the carriage on its own.

''Kyaah!''

　Then, this time, Hal's sister, who was still in the carriage, screams.

''Sis!

What the hell is going on here?

　The third glass wolf, which had escaped Aldis' sword and Rona's fangs, was now about to leap to the back of the carriage.

'Just in time!'

　Instantly, Filia deployed a physical barrier to protect Hal's sister.
　As the glass wolf rebounded from the barrier, Filia directed a chasing wind at the glass wolf as it took a step back.

　As the blade of wind that was generated cut off the glass wolf's head in an instant, Filia checked her surroundings.
　The horse tied to the carriage, Hal's sister in the back, and Hal.
　The glass wolf must be guarded and defeated while protecting all three at the same time.

　For now, I will reduce the number of targets to two.
　With this in mind, Filia headed to the back of the carriage with Hal at her side.

''Hal. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on with your sister. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of the carriage, and you'll be able to protect your sister if a beast enters the carriage.

Ugh, ...... yeah.

　Hal replied to Filia, who told him in a slightly stronger tone of voice, though he was at a loss for words.

　After witnessing this, Filia left the back of the cart and checked the situation around her again.
　The number of glass wolves is already less than thirty.
　It's about time they instinctively realized the disadvantage of the situation and they will run away too.
　All Filia has to do is to continue to be on guard until safety is secured.

　Eventually, as Filia predicted, the glass wolves, who had lost more than half of their allies, would pull out.
　When the lid was opened, it was a simple and quite natural result.

''You did a good job defending us.

　Aldis pats her on the head along with words of thanks, and Filia tells her honestly about her own failure.

'I'm sorry ......, that was a bit close.'

'Well, that was a no-brainer, wasn't it?　I think I've followed through well.

It's all part of the experience. No damage has been done, and if I can learn from my mistakes, so be it.

　He was probably aware of the situation of Filia and the others while fighting the Glass Wolf.
　Both Rona and Aldis seemed to know that Hal's jumping out was the cause of the danger.
　It was Filia who could make them understand, without question, that she was still half a man.

　After burning and burying the glass wolf they had defeated so as not to attract other beasts, Filia and the others began to drive the carriage down the street again.

　As Filia sat next to Aldis on the gosholder's platform, she recalled the battle they had just fought.
　The person being protected would not necessarily be quiet.
　She regrets her naivete in not being able to predict even such a thing.

　At the same time, I realized how difficult it is to fight while protecting someone else.
　If it was just me, I could probably defeat about three glass wolves without any trouble.
　How about that.
　I've been in that situation just trying to protect Hal, his sister, and the horse pulling the carriage.

　It is much more difficult to protect something than just defeating the enemy.
　Ardis has been doing such a difficult task for a long time.
　And now I realize that I am the one who has been enjoying it in peace without knowing such a thing.

　You'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for, and you'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

'Thank you, Aldis, .......'

　He uttered six years' worth of gratitude in a heart-breaking emotional state.
　Suddenly Aldis had a question on her face, not knowing what she was talking about.

'All of a sudden?　I didn't even lend a hand this time, and I don't think there's anything to be thanked for: ......

No, but... Thank you.

　I don't need you to know.
　I'm just saying it because I want to say it, Filia murmurs in her mind.

　Aldis has given her warmth countless times in the past.
　This time, Filia wants to give that warmth to Ardis.
　Even if she can't do it now, one day she will.

　She would like to tell him out loud that what they had received was so much warmth, and that it was an irreplaceable treasure.

　I am sure that Aldis has made many enemies in the past to protect themselves.
　I'm sure that some of them need not have been enemies at all.
　If they did not hide themselves, they would not be hunted as wanted by the Church and the nobles of the Kingdom of Naglas.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　It's a good thing that you're not the only one who's been in the wrong place at the wrong time.