Ian stood up with his foul words.
"Ian-nim. Take care of the carriage."
After calming down the horses, Sera stood up and requested him to oversee the protection of Riley and Iris.
The carriage was stopped in the middle of the forest.
Although there was a path which allowed carriages and men to travel through, to the sides were bushes and trees whose leaves fluttered in the cold night wind.
'Is there…nothing more to the trap?'
Sera looked about.
She began to sniff with her nose as her eyes could not see far in the darkness.
'It's not done by humans. It's faint, but there is the stench of a beast.'
If humans are excluded, there aren't many species that could perform such a feat.
As Sera began to narrow down the likely candidates she looked down at the taut rope which was blocking the path.
'Should I cut the rope and continue on?'
The rope was simply painted, and didn't seem too difficult to cut.
It would easily split in two even without the use of mana.
'I must hurry, before the trappers come.'
At the moment the culprits could not be seen.
The decision was quick.
It was just when Sera was about to come down from the driver's seat.
"…Kilkil!"
From the darkness a snicker could be heard, and daggers coated with green liquid flew at Sera from her blind spot.
'Behind?!'
Sera quickly pulled her sword back and spun her body.
Sera's face was filled with frustration, realising she was a tad late.
'Kuk, it's annoying to fight with a blow from the…'
“…Uah! Coke!!"
Ting!
A teacup flew towards Sera, and the dagger which was flying at Sera's back ricocheted.
'…start?'
As if he was having a strange dream, Riley woke up with a scream and knocked the teacup from Iris' hand.
"R-Riley? What's wrong?"
"…Ah."
Iris could not see the dagger before and looked at her son with surprise.
"Well…I just had a weird dream."
"Phew, you surprised me."
'…?'
From inside the carriage.
Ian who was looking blankly at Sera's back blinked his eyes repeatedly.
Such an amazing coincidence?
At such a perfect timing?
At such a perfect angle?
For Riley to knock the teacup in his sleep and hit the dagger midair?
'Coincidence? Is it a coincidence?'
Although the dagger came from behind, Sera, who managed to avoid it with a miracle, looked back at the carriage and nodded her head.
She was planning to go to the spot where the dagger was originally thrown from.
"What the…? It's stopped? Why did we stop?"
Sera came down from the seat, and Riley who just woke up looked around in confusion and asked Ian.
"The truth is…"
"…Huwap!"
Before Ian could explain, there was a shriek following Sera's battlecry.
The scratchy voice didn't seem human, and sounded more like that of a monster.