We rented two rooms on the second floor and after receiving the keys from the hostess, I handed one to Ariane.
After taking the key, she lifted her bag and went up the stairs.
After seeing her back disappear, I asked the hostess for directions to our next destination, Hoban.
“Madam, would you happen to know the way to Hoban?”
“Yada yade, Knight-sama.To be called a madam, you’re making me feel shy. It’s truly embarrassing!”
She shook her voluptuous body and voiced a big laughed once she was done speaking, and honestly, she reminded me of a neighborhood aunty.
“Ah, Hoban was it? If you follow the highway that’s beside the forest after leaving through the southern gate, it should be a two day trip by carriage? The confident ones seem to take a shortcut through the forest, but It’s better that you don’t take that option.”
“The Haunting Wolves……?”
“That’s right! There’ve even been rumors that more than ten people went missing in the last seven days. It isn’t unusual for monsters to appear in the forest around here, since they seem to come down from Annette mountains, but this is a troublesome matter.”
The hostess let out a sigh as her shoulders sunk,
The haunting wolves probably appeared along the highway and attacked travelers and merchants alike; rumors surely spread and the number of visitors to Cellist gradually decreased.
With no other option, the feudal lord sent out the emergency subjugation request to the adventurers. While the adventurers were enthusiastic about the high-value fur, it seems that things have not been going well.
I heard these things during my chat with the hostess before I decided to retreat to my room.
I sat my luggage beside the bed before removing my cloak and laying down. Ponta, on the other hand, used her magic to fly to the windowsill where she curled up and looked outside.
Shortly after, Ariane announced her presence with a knock before she entered the room.
She still had her gray cloak on when she entered the room, and she only removed the hood once the door was completely closed; shaking her snow-white hair to arrange it properly.
Her lilac skin was exposed, yet her usually strong-willed golden eyes seemed a little gloomy as she looked at me.
Her expression showed that she was worried about something, yet I said nothing and simply waited for her to start.
“……Arc, can we stop by the edge of the forest tomorrow?”
After a period of silence, she asked such a request.
“Hum? We’d reach Hoban if we follow the highway out of the south gate, but I was told it’d be quicker if we cut through the southwest forest…… but that’s not your reason is it?”
She nodded at my question before quietly speaking her purpose.
“It has to do with the Haunting Wolves that the adventures spoke of while ago…… I would like to acquire one of their tails if possible…… Could we make a little detour tomorrow?”
“According to our arrangement I am to help Ariane-dono in her endeavours. If you say that a wolf’s tail is important, then I’m willing to cooperate.”
I gave an exaggerated nod to show that I was willing to comply with her wishes as the person in question had an awkward expression while her cheeks turned a deep shade of scarlet.
The usual bewitching smile and energetic disposition were blown away as she came to give her『Request』, and she still seemed out of it as she offered her reasoning.
“……In fact, it seems like my onee-sama will be married soon, so I was thinking of sending her a veil made out of haunting wolves’ tails……”