Chapter 391: On the Road

　Tauro was panicked by the unexpected surprise attack in the middle of the night, but thanks to  Pella, he was able to escape unharmed.

　The two villagers who attacked Tauro had no memory of the attack, and were surprised to wake up not in a tent but in the forest.

　When they returned to the encampment, Ragune and Ankh were awake, as expected, but they asked Tauro to confirm what had happened.

　I explained the whole story and Ragune said,

“I think it’s most likely what Tauro imagined, a ‘Puppeteer’. While being manipulated, people or monsters are often unaware of their presence like objects, making it hard to detect with detection, so it’s often used for assassinations and the like. However, there are various conditions for control, so I don’t think it’s very easy to use. The downside is that it’s controlled at a relatively close distance, so there’s a high chance that the ‘Puppeteer’ himself will be discovered, but in this case he avoided that by blending in with the guards and controlling them.”

　She told me.

　Tauro immediately checked to see who had disappeared from the escort and found the pair of travelers gone.

“Those two! It seemed like they knew the leader. They said their original destination was the city of Caxart, so it’s highly likely they were remnants whose goal was to assassinate the leader.”

　Ankh speculated, remembering the pair of travelers.

“I can’t forgive you trying to take Tauro-sama’s life!”

　Zion was furious.

“Pella saved my life again. Thank you, Pella.”

　Tauro stroked Pella, who was mimicking the surface of the leather armor, and its surface trembled.

　She seems happy with the compliment. 

“Well, but I think it’s safe to say that we’ve taken care of our internal problems, don’t you? We’ll notice the duo who have been targeting us if they approach us in the future.”

　Ankh seemed to have decided to look at the positive side that the problem had been taken care of.

“Yes, but ……. I originally thought it would be someone else who would cause problems…”

　Tauro tilted his head meaningfully.

“What’s the matter, Tauro? Is there still something wrong?”

　Ragune  asked Tauro again.

“Could it be that other traveler? He certainly does have a slightly dwarf-like air about him, and he does wander around a bit fidgety from time to time.”*

　Ankh pointed out, remembering the traveler with the suspicious behavior.

“But it was the duo who actually caused the problem, so I guess that means it was just our imagination.”

　Zion summed it up by saying.

“I guess so. I’m not sure if my “presence detection” is doing its job properly these days.”

　Tauro answered with a laugh, telling them that there was still some time until dawn so they should take a nap.

　And then, in the morning.

“I never would have imagined that those two were wanted criminals…”

　Alimar, the village chief, was surprised as he hadn’t expected this.

　He had been sound asleep last night, unaware of the commotion.

“Yes, they have escaped, but please be on the lookout for them if you see them in the future.”

　Tauro advises.

“Yes, I understand. I thought they were serious men. It seems I am not a good judge of character.”

　The village chief let out a sigh as he said this, but in the next moment he seemed to have changed his mind and announced that he was ready to leave.

“Well then everyone. We really need to make up for lost time today, so we’re going to go even faster than yesterday. So, get fired up!”

　The villagers’ faces turned pale when they heard that it was worse than yesterday.

　Many of them had already reached their limit yesterday.

　Then Kosa, the leader of the villagers this time, stepped forward and pleaded with the village chief.

 “Chief, it’s impossible for us to go any faster than yesterday. Can’t we at least take turns taking at least half of the people on the carriages?”

　The villagers nodded in agreement with Kosa’s suggestion.

“There’s no way you can ride with my unmarried daughter! Each of the other wagons has its own load on it, so there’s no room for you to ride in.”

　The village chief, for his part, showed no signs of backing down.

“Chief, as I said before we left, I have a magic storage space for your luggage, so I can temporarily store it there.”

　Tauro also decided to take the villagers’ side.

　It was obvious that some of them would drop out if they proceeded at a faster pace than they had yesterday.

“Then what about the loss of face in the eyes of the people in the villages we pass through on the way…”

　The village chief, who wanted to show off, objected to Tauro’s idea.

 “Then let’s put the luggage back before the village we are passing through, and only then have everyone walk. That way we can proceed without any disruption to our schedule.

 “Hmmm… ……. But there are also passersby. ……”

　The village chief was still pondering this, but then Kosa said,

 “Chief, what is more important, the villagers or your reputation?  If you don’t like it, unfortunately we’ll have to turn back! If that happens, won’t that really ruin your reputation as the village chief?”

　He said, pressing on.

“That won’t do! …… Okay, I understand. Let’s go ahead with Tauro-kun’s plan. –Now, everyone, time is precious, so hurry up!”

　The villagers burst into cheers at the chief’s words.

　When Tauro used his magic storage to instantly stow all the luggage inside the carriage, “oh!’ a cry of surprise rang out, and the villagers began to board the carriage one after another.

“Well then, let’s get going!”

　After confirming with Tauro, the village chief urged  his ministers to start the carriages immediately.

　From then on, the progress was fast, but before each village they passed, they would dismount and proceed slowly as if to demonstrate the wealth of their village.

　The villagers, too, were proud of their village’s most beautiful girl, the daughter of the village chief, and so they walked with their chests out proudly and with dignity.

“If it’s like this for the village chief’s daughter to marry, is it even more difficult for a noble?”

　Tauro thought as he led the procession, and worried a little about his future as an adopted son of a nobleman.

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