Chapter 13: First Time 

“If we pass through here, we’ll have made it more than halfway to the capital.”

Elenia checked the milestone installed beside the road and smiled softly.

According to her, we had just passed the two-thirds mark a while ago.

If we kept up this pace, we’d arrive within a few days. 

The thought was starting to excite me.

“The Empire really is vast, isn’t it? It’s taking quite a while.”

“If we’d used the teleportation circle, we’d have arrived quickly, but neither they nor we have that much imperial money to spare. Are you tired, Tyreal?”

“No, not at all. I’m perfectly fine.”

“Hmm. It might be because you’ve only stayed in cities.”

“…Actually, staying in cities was more exhausting for me.”

Since there were two nobles in our party, we mostly stayed in cities at night. 

However, to save time—or money—we had camped out a few times.

The nobles seemed rather uncomfortable with it, but I found it preferable.

Whenever we entered a city, humans would stare and whisper about Elenia and me.

“An elf, look, it’s an elf.”

“Why is someone traveling with an elf? Isn’t something wrong?”

“Shh, be quiet. If we gossip too loudly, they might accuse us of insulting them.”

Fortunately, no one in any of those cities had shouted, “It’s a Kanph!” when they saw us.

I didn’t know if it was because they were afraid of elves or because our reputation wasn’t that bad yet.

Even so, their gaze, like they were staring at dangerous predators behind a zoo fence, was something I could never get used to.

“…Elenia, over there.”

“Yes, Imperial soldiers.”

A group of people stopped the baron’s carriage ahead of us.

After asking the people around them something, they leaned in through the carriage window and greeted them.

They weren’t bandits. 

Their equipment was far superior to anything the bandits we’d encountered had.

More than that, their discipline gave them an air of precision, unlike the unruly thugs we’d faced before.

They moved and acted with the sense of purpose fitting for those who lived by orders.

“Didn’t we encounter Imperial soldiers just yesterday? And the day before, too.”

“It means the chances of running into dungeons are just as high. It seems like they’ve stationed troops along major roads and are keeping them on standby, just in case.”

As I was talking with Elenia and moving closer to the carriage, I began to overhear the conversation between the Imperial soldiers and the baron’s party.

“What did you just say? Those people over there are elves?”

“Yes, they are part of our group.”

“Are you being threatened? Are they blackmailing you?”

…What?

“No, not at all! That’s not the case!”

“It’s okay. If you’re in such a situation, we can help.”

“Really, it’s not like that! In fact, they kindly agreed to accompany us to the capital!”

They said no, didn’t they? 

Why do you humans keep painting elves as some sort of monstrous criminals?

“Don’t worry about them overhearing. We are the Imperial army, and we can protect you. Elves may be insane, but even they wouldn’t dare defy public authority.”

“No! I’m telling you, we’re neither being threatened nor are we in danger!”

“Understood. But if you ever feel safe enough to tell the truth, don’t hesitate to seek our help.”

Ha. 

I averted my gaze and looked up at the sky.

These damned Kanph… 

What the hell did you do to make even the Imperial soldiers this wary of you?

At least be subtle about it, so it’s easier to defend your actions. 

For crying out loud.

Thanks to the baron’s party’s earnest explanations, the situation didn’t escalate further.

Still, the soldiers didn’t seem to fully let go of their suspicions. 

Even as we passed, they kept glancing at us with wary eyes.

Their looks, filled with caution, were something I wasn’t likely to forget for days.

After another full day of travel, we were close enough to hear news from the capital.

“…?”

Suddenly, my face stung. 

It felt like a harsh winter wind was biting into my skin.

It was a sensation I had never felt before, difficult to describe. 

If I had to put it into words…

“Disgusting. It feels like there’s something unbearably filthy right in front of me.”

Wondering what was going on, I turned to Elenia, whose expression also seemed troubled.

“Elenia?”

“Did you feel that too, Tyreal?”

“Just now… Could it be that?”

“Yes. Remember it well. That chill you just felt—that’s the presence of a monster.”

Ahead, another group of Imperial soldiers stood near the road.

The difference between them and the ones we’d met earlier was that they weren’t paying attention to us.

No, to be precise, they couldn’t pay attention to us.

It was understandable, considering…

Screeeech!

A piercing, grating howl echoed from beyond the Imperial soldiers.

The sound of commotion spreads. 

Urgent shouts and cries that seem to tear throats apart mingle together.

“Stop! Stop! Those using the highway must leave immediately! Imperial troops are engaging monsters nearby!”

Soldiers holding back a baron’s carriage shout to retreat, pointing toward the back of the highway.

The capital isn’t far, yet there’s nothing more frustrating than being delayed like this.

Still, the baron’s party turns their horses around without much complaint.

“Everyone! It seems we’ll have to return to the city we passed earlier!”

“It looks like the situation isn’t good. We tried to push through, but the Imperial forces had locked down the highway too thoroughly. It’s impossible to pass.”

Two people deliver nearly identical news, confirming the reality.

It seems unlikely that our two elves will suddenly exclaim, ‘Monsters? Who cares!’ and charge ahead.

If anything were to happen because of that, they wouldn’t be able to avoid responsibility.

Not that anyone was thinking of doing so. 

After all, it’s an Imperial order. 

Even nobles turn their carriages around without protest—how significant could elves be?

If Kanph were here, he’d probably say, ‘Yeah, we’re going through anyway,’ and pass by.

As we prepared to follow behind the carriages, something sharp suddenly felt like it was stabbing into my back.

“Tyreal?!”

Before my mind could catch up, my body moved first. 

When I came to my senses, I was no longer on the horse but in mid-air.

And in my hand was not the reins but Elenia’s sword.

“Damn it!”

* * *

Ronnos, an Imperial officer dispatched to subdue the dungeon near the highway, cursed as he thought about the miserable situation he was facing.

“Why the hell did a troll have to come out of the dungeon?!”

A giant green beast typically found in forests, slow but monstrous in strength and resilience.

Dungeons, which generally rise from underground, shouldn’t match a creature like that.

When three trolls emerged from the dungeon, Ronnos and his soldiers were left utterly flustered.

But only briefly. 

Regaining their composure, they acted as they had trained countless times.

They formed a defensive line, unleashed magic to distract the trolls and weaken their regeneration,

then bombarded them with ranged attacks to accumulate damage before delivering the killing blow.

It was just a monster, after all. 

Nothing more than a stronger beast they’d dealt with countless times.

There was no village nearby, and the area was secured, so there was nothing to worry about.

If they wrapped this up neatly, it would work greatly to Ronnos’ advantage in the promotion review.

Clearing this area near the capital would surely make his name remembered by his superiors.

“More fire! More! Even if it regenerates, it still feels pain! Keep attacking!”

Unlike higher-level monsters with iron-hard bodies, troll flesh was soft. 

Its bulk was merely thick flesh, and it was highly sensitive to pain.

Ronnos was confident they could take it down without a single casualty.

However, there was one problem.

—Krrrk!

While trolls were vulnerable to pain and lacked durability,

“Wh-what?!”

“Damn it! Watch out!!”

They were monstrously strong, far beyond human capability.

“This… this insane…!”

The troll, enduring the rain of magic and arrows, lifted a massive boulder nearby.

The soldiers tried to stop it, but the troll carried out its intent without fail.

—Kwarrrgh!

With all its might, the troll hurled the boulder. 

The force knocked its own body forward, causing it to collapse.

Thankfully, the rock missed the Imperial troops, avoiding a catastrophe.

However, the boulder flew past Ronnos and his soldiers—toward the highway behind them.

And there…

“No!”

Damn it. Why is there a carriage there? 

Of all places, why there?

God, please, let that boulder crash somewhere harmless. 

Let it miss the carriage!

But despite Ronnos’ desperate plea, the boulder barreled straight toward the carriage.

The moment it was destroyed, Ronnos knew his military career would end.

No, if he was lucky, that might be all. 

As the person in charge, he’d surely face punishment.

If the occupants were nobles, the future that awaited him was too terrifying to imagine.

“…Huh?”

Was he dreaming? 

No, that couldn’t be.

Then why had the boulder suddenly split into two pieces?

Why had someone descended from the sky, performing a spectacular landing?

‘And why was the entire back of the highway suddenly cut apart?!’