「This is actually pretty good. Snows are aplenty all around, so we can eat as much as we want!」
「Yeah. But it’ll be nothing more than water once it melts, so it doesn’t really have any substance……」
Rafinha stopped her hands.
「I-, I think I’m getting a little sick in the stomach…」
「You ate too much of it too fast. You made your tummy too cold……hngh?!」
「Sheesh, now you too, Inglis?」
Inglis was the first to detect the presence.
On the sky where she pointed, there were silhouettes of what appeared to be a number of Flygears. They were, without doubt, heading to this town.
「Is it maybe the Highlanders that the Inn Owner told us about?」
「Maybe we’re standing out too much with the soup kitchen! Sorry, everyone!」 Dıscover more novels at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵
As though her stomach pain had gone, Rafinha bit on her lips.
「You don’t bear all the blame, Rafinha. We all agreed to it.」
「Indeed. Mayhaps they just happened to pass by! Before that, however, what shall we do now?」
「I don’t fully agree with it, but… I’d love a fight if they bring it to us.」
If the grief of having to eat sugar-sprinkled snow would be exchanged with the experience of fighting Highlanders, then, well, it wouldn’t be so bad. If they came with food, Inglis could ransack it to make up for the loss of food from the distribution. Or rather, it would be a much more favorable outcome.
According to Inglis’ assessment, the Alucardian army’s true intention, as they were stationed at the border, was to wait and see, whilst the Hyrule Menace and the Highlanders, who were ravaging town after town, were carrying out lawless treatment in order to hasten the former’s invasion.
Even if they fought and defeated the Highlanders here, it wouldn’t provoke the army to act faster. If anything, it would reduce the pressure on their back regarding their own people being held hostage, and thus they would be more inclined to maintain the status quo.
In other words, it shouldn’t be a problem to have fun here.
「Fufufu, it’s been a while, having an actual fight! Fufufufu……」
Inglis smiled beautifully as her fist repeatedly slammed into her palm.
「Y-, you can’t attack them without saying anything first, okay Glis? If we can discuss this with them, we should. They’re not Magic Stone Beasts, they can be reasoned with!」
「That’s obvious. I won’t defeat them instantly, you know? If I don’t let them give their all, I won’t get the experience of the real battle, after all!」
「No, no, now all it’s just the fight that you have in your mind!」
「Anything outside the fighting is up to you, okay Rani? I believe in you, okay?」
「You only say that because it’s convenient for you!」
As they were bantering like such, the residents also began to notice the incoming Flygears and started to panic.
「Highlanders! Highlanders are coming!」
「U-, UWAaaaaaahhh?!!」
「M-, Mommy I’m scared! Mommy!!!」
Then, Rafinha’s loud and clear voice rang out.
「It’s okay, everyone! Calm down! We’ll take care of this, so don’t panic and get into your houses!」
「B-, but still! If we leave it to you, you kids will be in danger! You should run away, fast!」
The owner of the inn was worried about Rafinha.
「It’s all right! Look!」
Saying so, Rafinha took off the gloves she had been wearing and revealed the shining white bow Rune on the back of her palm. She then took out her favorite bow, Flowing Radiance, from her luggage to show it around.
「Auntie. Everyone! Listen to me! We are Knights of Charalia! We come all the way here to stop the upcoming war between Charalia and Alucard and to save everyone! So please calm down and leave it to us!」
She revealed their identity so easily. Quite the bold thing to do. Rather, perhaps it was more apt to say that she was willing to go that far to reassure everyone. It was unclear which one was her intention, but…
「Come on, Leone, Liselotte, Pullum!」
The people of the town cheered as the girls revealed their High-Grade Runes and their respective Artifacts.
「Knights of Charalia are…」
「They are going to save us!」
In fact, their show had quite an effect as the residents began to regain their composure. Rafinha’s actions might have detrimental effects later on, but… that would be for later. Inglis could just make everyone go along with her story later, one way or another.
In the life of Inglis Eux, she had no intention to take the initiative to work for the betterment of the people, but neither would she hinder Rafinha who did. Seeing her giving her best effort, thinking and working hard to help the people in front of her was simply adorable and amusing to watch.
「If you understand, go hide!!」
Following Rafinha’s words, the townspeople went into hiding. Inglis and her platoon remained in the town square to wait for the Flygears to arrive. Eventually, they saw a young Highlander, evident with the stigma on his head, riding on the leading Flygear
「I knew it, a Highlander!」
But then, Pullum who stood next to them let out a loud shriek.
「AAAaaaaaaaaahhhh?!!!」
「?! Wh-, what’s wrong, Pullum?」
「What’s the matter? You suddenly…」
「It-, it’s my big brother……」
Her voice trembled as her face paled.