The road from Galaxy to the capital was mostly a wide, well-maintained highway. Paved with cobblestones to ease carriage travel, even walking was effortless and straightforward, devoid of any confusion.
With regular inns along the way, a planned itinerary ensured a roof over one’s head every night. Legend has it that the roads stretching from north to south and east to west from the capital were proposed by Akol’s first king and paved over several decades. Nox once again understood that this idea likely stemmed from his adventurous spirit.
However, reaching the inn before nightfall was a tale of “if no monsters appear.”
“They’re getting quite a few,” Nox murmured in surprise as he lifted the carriage cover slightly from the inside. In addition to a few adventurers who could respond to urgent requests, surprisingly, Dolk was also present.
“We really haven’t been able to keep up with the extermination. Even though it was just a Dot Spider, it was tolerable.” After clearing out the nests, it seemed there was still more work to be done before returning to the road.
Nox glanced at Dolk with a vexed expression. Originally, the task he was going to accept was the removal of Dot Spiders along the highway.
“Yes… The nest was confirmed about a month ago, and day by day, it has been increasing,” Dolk said gloomily.
“I thought they were strong monsters that would require a request for extermination by a powerful adventurer, but it seems that’s not the case.”
Nana tilted her head in curiosity, observing that despite the proliferation of Dot Spiders, the carriage continued to move smoothly, seeking an explanation from Nox with her gaze.
“Dot Spiders are not creatures that prey on normal humans or animals. They have a docile nature and won’t attack unless provoked first. In truth, they’re not even creatures that should be the target of an active hunt,” explained Nox.
Despite that, they can sometimes become aggressive for reasons as trivial as being hit by a stone accidentally thrown by the carriage, so they are eliminated when they appear in populated areas. If they are just a few individuals, it’s a common and routine request.
” Nana, it would be better if you didn’t look outside,” Nox warned.
After all, they looked like large spiders, with white spot patterns on a black background. Even Nox, who was quite accustomed, found their presence unsettling.
He considered the possibility of eliminating them as they progressed, but if he disturbed such a large number, they might delay and not reach the next inn by nightfall.
“Understood,” Nana replied.
Although the carriage shook as they moved away from the paved road, Nana did not seem as uncomfortable, as she could be close to Nox in the narrow interior of the vehicle.
Seeing the closeness between Nox and Nana, Dolk and the other adventurers initially thought she was being escorted, but upon realizing the situation, they felt uneasy.
“By the way, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at the guild headquarters?” Nox asked Dolk, completely ignoring the atmosphere.
Although he had requested someone to be sent to confirm the completion of the mission at that specific location, he never expected the head of the headquarters to join personally.
“In a sense, I’m the most idle person in the branch,” Dolk said with a wry smile.
He was not precisely requested by the central headquarters of the capital to witness and report on the work of the rumored ‘Five Red Wizards’.
He also had an interest in the magic used by Astra.
“Well, as long as the procedures are completed without any hitches, everything is fine,” Nox responded.
Despite dealing with the root of this abnormal proliferation that had discouraged many adventurers, the young adventurer in front of them was completely unruffled.
Indeed, he seemed to be in a light mood, as if he were about to take a walk.
“Nana, let’s have an early meal for now.”
“Yes.”
As they quietly enjoyed sandwiches purchased at the morning market, the other adventurers watched them with bewilderment.
A bit further from a gorge, they stopped the carriage.
“Nana, stay here.”
“Eh? But…”
It was an opportunity to look for points of improvement. Nox wished to observe closely. However,
“Really, it’s better if you don’t come.”
“Understood…”
Being urged earnestly, Nana reluctantly nodded.
“Don’t worry, I’ll place a defensive spell on the carriage before leaving.”
Seeing a slight smile on her lips barely visible under the cloak, she was struck by a slight ‘gulp’.
Nox continued, instructing the adventurers responsible for the carriage’s maintenance.
“You, watch outside the carriage. If you see any creatures approaching the vehicle, eliminate them. If they show any malicious intent towards it, kill them.”
With these threatening words, Nox gracefully stepped down from the carriage. Dolk closely followed, and the other adventurers trailed behind with an air of resignation.
“Ah!”
As she glanced fleetingly through a gap in the fabric, Nana saw a spider the size of a person walking menacingly.
It was then that, after a long time, Nana let out a small scream. Understanding the meaning behind Nox’s repeated warnings not to look outside and not to accompany him, Nana wondered,
“…How did you know I’m afraid of spiders?”
She murmured softly in the dim light of the carriage’s interior, feeling alone.
