Saying, “This way”, the girl began to walk away.
Hiro began to follow after the girl’s back.
As though it were protecting the girl, the wolf walked in front of Hiro while wagging its tail.
After walking for about 10 metres, Hiro and company discovered a large light within the thickets of the forest up ahead.
The fact that the exit which he had walked so much to find was so easily found made Hiro feel as though he had been bewitched by a fox.
After passing through the light, the scenery which unfolded before him caused Hiro to gasp.
Within the blue sky, not a single cloud could be seen. A pleasant wind blew gently against his face, causing the blades of grass growing on the ground to sway back and forth.
However, just as the boy was being overwhelmed by how far the grassy plains extended around him, Hiro noticed their nearby presence within his field of vision.
Spread out in a single horizontal line was a cavalry troop.
Heavy-looking armour, well-maintained spears, with swords hanging at their waists.
And lastly, their clearly unfriendly glances that were aimed at Hiro.
A single horse marched forward from within the group.
Sitting on the horse was a burly man with evenly-cut short hair.
With a large wound on his face and sharp, lion-like eyes, the man glanced at Hiro before opening his mouth.
“Ojou……were you bathing(1) again?”
“I just finished training, so it was hot.”
“At least bring a guard with you.”
“Oh, but I did have a guard. Right? Cerberus.”
“Woof”
As the girl petted Cerberus’s head, it barked in apparent agreement.
The man sighed in a fed up manner.
The boy couldn’t just keep staring at the two people and the animal.
So, Hiro raised a hand and timidly tried asking.
“Um~……is it alright if I leave now?”
He then made a forced smile, but as a light vein appeared on the man’s forehead, it seemed that he had failed in making an amiable impression(2).
“Who are you, brat?”
“Hiro.”
The girl approached, placing her hand on Hiro’s shoulder.
“We just met over there. We’re already kind of like friends, I suppose? Right!”
The girl peered at Hiro’s face, seemingly trying to obtain confirmation.
His face instantly turned red.
Hiro had never talked to a female at such close proximity, and considering what a beauty the girl was, it could be said that his reaction was only natural.
In an attempt to hide his unrest, however, Hiro began to talk rapidly.
“W-We’re probably something like friends. Though I don’t really know when one can really say that they’ve become friends…….”
“Woof”