The next day, Ariane and I start working on the names on the contract.
"There are three names of people related to the Rhoden Kingdom. Danka has already headed to Houvan City for one of them, so let's head to the Capital, Olav." Ariane suggested.
I nodded, staying uncharacteristically silent and reserved for once.
As we walked, I couldn't help but think of the ways I could have prevented the bathroom incident with Ariane from happening the way it did.
The first thing; locking the damned door!
"Astolfo!"
"Ah! Yes?!" I jumped outta my skin when Ariane yelled at me for some reason.
"Are you okay? You were spacing out there. I was calling your name for half a minute."
"S-sorry! I was just lost in thought."
Ariane nodded and coughed to rid the awkward silence. "Y-you don't have to think too hard on it… I don't mind that you dress like a woman despite being a man, s-since you're so cute— ahem! Anyway! You don't have to worry! I don't mind!"
She looked embarrassed to say that, her face red up to her ears as she fiddled with her ponytail.
"…Thanks…!" I smiled widely in relief. She complimented me! Called me 'cute'!
"Wh-what's with that smile?" Ariane looked a bit annoyed but her attitude told me that she liked that I was smiling again.
"Nothing! Let's get to Olav as fast as possible!" I giggled and took Ariane in my arms, princess carry style.
"A-Astolfo?!!"
Ariane had an incredibly embarrassed look on her face as I carried her while jumping through the forest.
By the time it was night, we had only made it a quarter of the way to Olav, stopping by a big village to rest for the evening.
"You make such a funny face when you're embarrassed, Ariane!" I teased.
"Sh-shut up, Astolfo! Please don't do that again…" She sighed as she patted her chest. I may have scared her a little by going at such a high speed and height whenever I jump.
I could probably be used as a roller coaster or something.
We sat at a table in a humble restaurant and Ariane put down her map on the table. "Listen… we could take a wagon and use the road that edges the forest, but I was thinking we could simply cut through the forest."
"No harm in getting there early!" I agreed.
"You girls are thinking of cutting through the woods?" The nice old waitress looked concerned as she overheard our conversation.
"Yeah, we need to get to Olav as fast as possible."
The waitress shook her head and suggested we don't cut through. "Ten people have done and gotten themselves eaten just in the last few days. There are monsters that don't have no business being there… Folks're calling them 'Haunted Wolves'."
Ariane turned her head and mumbled something out of my earshot.
"Thank you, Ma'am. We'll be careful."
The waitress soon brought our order of food and Ariane, Inari and I ate mostly in silence; Ariane soon put her mug down and spoke up about what was on her mind.
"Astolfo… we both heard what she said, but could we still cut through the forest?"
She looks at me with seriousness in her eyes, but not the kind of seriousness that's grave or anything… It was like a kindertype of determination in her eyes.
"By your tone, it doesn't sound like cutting through is about saving us some time. Is there something else you'll hope for if we cut through?"
Ariane sighed, "Nothing gets passed you, huh?"
"My older sister, I might've mentioned her already… but, she's getting married soon. I want to go through the forest because I want some Haunted Wolf tails to make a Bridal Veil for her. I'd love it if you chose to go through, but I understand if… Wh-what?? Why are you smiling at me like that?!"
Ariane looked away in embarrassment and fanned her face. She's so cute to think of making such a gift for her sister.
"…You must care for your sister a lot, huh? You should know me by now, Ariane. Of course, I'll help you get some Haunted Wolf tails." I agreed to Ariane's favor with my head casually resting on my hand as I stared at the bashful elf woman.
Ariane glanced at me and made eye contact briefly before looking away again. "Th-thanks, Astolfo..."
••••••••••
The next morning, we walk into the forest and start scouting around for the Haunted Wolves. For most of the morning, it was fairly quiet, so we set up a small fire to make some coffee and take a break.
Inari, however, took her job seriously and kept watch for us with her superior senses.
"Kyun!" She let out a little growl, alerting us to nearby enemies.
"They're here, Ariane!"
A growling roar came from behind me. I turn to see a big wolf already mid-pounce coming at me. I swing my sword, only to feel no resistance at all.
Even if my sword is incredibly sharp, I should still be able to feel something when I cut with it. The reason for my confusion is answered when the wolf I slashed poofed up in smoke and disappeared.
"An illusion!" I realized.
Another wolf pounced at me and I swung my sword, only for the same thing to happen again.
When two wolves pounced at me, I swung at one of them and held up my arm to guard my neck. The one I swung my sword at disappeared in a puffing smoke while the other wolf bit down on my arm hard.
It didn't hurt, probably because I'm that much stronger, but it was uncomfortable.
"I see that you're smart enough to know this sword is a dangerous thing… your intelligence makes sense since you use illusions so smartly." I complimented the monster.
I look to see that Ariane is holding her own thanks to her magic and Inari's help in sniffing out the real wolves.
She already killed one wolf with earth magic.
Six more wolves appeared around me, yet I don't know which one was real or an illusion.
"At times like these, the best course of action would be to deal with the big boss!"
I stare at the huge wolf, much bigger than the other ones, sitting on a high rock, looking down at us. Before the wolves around me could make their move, I shook the wolf biting me off and jumped to the Alpha.
Because it's the strongest wolf in the pack, it dodged my swing and appeared behind me.
"Oh, that one is definitely an illusion!"
I ignored the wolf as it simply phased right through me. The real wolf was to my flank! I swung my sword and the Aloha just barely dodged in time, a shallow gash appearing on its chest.
It yelped in pain and retreated, but remained locked eyes with me, hesitating to back down.
"Oh, come on. I know your little tricks, so I think it's best for you to retreat, eh, dog? You already lost a few pack mates…" I glanced at Ariane who stood over three dead wolves.
The Alpha let out a low growl and soon howled, causing the other wolves to run back into the forest.
"Good boy~" I praised the Alpha's smart decision to leave.
Even though they are monsters, I have somewhat of a soft spot for wolves… and cats. Especially cats.
The Alpha was the last to leave and it actually took a glance at me and nodded its head.
Huh… that level of intelligence is kinda scary for a wolf…
I heard Ariane's light footsteps as she trotted to my position. "Astolfo! Are you okay?!"
For some reason, Ariane had an extremely worried look on her face as she took my arm.
"What? Of course I am?"
The cloth on my arm barely had a scuff on it from the wolf's bite, so I don't know what she's worried about. Yet, Ariane closely examined my arm, even rolling up my sleeve and checking the skin under my long gloves.
I giggled at her worried expression, putting my other hand to her cheek and raising her gaze to meet mine.
With a gentle smile, I reassured her, "I'm fine, Ariane. I'm pretty tough, remember?"
Ariane's eyes widened and her ears became so red, you'd mistake them for peppers that were stuck to the side of her head.
"R-right! You're strong! For s-some reason, I f-forgot…!" She stiffly stood up straight and walked past me like a robot.
"C-come on! I need to gather the Haunted Wolf tails… just give me a few moments!"
She's so bashful. Her reactions are so cute~! I should tease her more~~…