n

n

n

"What's wrong?!

" Asked Serena.

nA loud bang resounded and something crashed into the wall that was in front of John's ice sphere.

n

"W-What's going on?

" Asked Eleanor.

nA large howl resounded from outside of the ice sphere and pierced their ears.

n

"Silentium

" John muttered.

nIt continued howling, but they could no longer hear it thanks to silentium. John blocked out any sound waves that were coming from outside of the surrounding radius.

n

"John, what was that thing?

" Asked Ariel.

n

"So you saw it too..? I don't know... But it seems to be after you two.

" John said as he looked over at Eleanor and her butler who was on the ground.

nThe butler seemed to be doing slightly better but was still in a bad condition.

nJohn could still sense it out there, and it gave off the same feeling as the shadow wolves, only much stronger. He wasn't able to properly see its figure.

nThe ice wall broke after two hits and the thing stopped moving.

n

"Why... What did Alfred do wrong...? He was only trying to help me...

" Eleanor muttered with tears on her face as she got up.

nThe girl slowly made her way to the side of the sphere where his wall was broken.

n

"Where are you going?

" John asked as he stopped her.

n

"I'm going to get rid of whatever is out there...

" She replied.

n

"And how are you going to do that?

" Asked Serena.

n

"I- I'll...

" Muttered Eleanor.

n

"Exactly, I'm sure you know you're being targeted, your butler sacrificed himself to help you, are you really just going to go outside under these conditions?

" Asked Serena.

n

"B-But...

" Eleanor stuttered.

nSerena looked over at John with a look that said she wanted to help her.

n

"Don't worry, it's gone. Cancel.

" John said.

nHe cancelled out the ice sphere and there was nothing outside.

n

"Where is it??

" Asked Eleanor as she looked around.

n

"It disappeared,

" John replied.

n

"Does that mean we're safe..?

" She asked.

n

"Whatever summoned it is probably going to chase you again, so...

" John replied.

n

"I See... Well, thank you for helping us... but it's best if we part ways here...

" She said as she tried pulling Alfred to the carriage.

nHe had fainted after taking the antidote and was barely moving despite her look of struggle on her face as she tried to pull him.

nJohn let out a sigh as he picked him up for her and put him in the back of the carriage.

n

"Um..?

" She muttered.

n

"Do you know how to ride a carriage?

" John asked.

n

"What? Um... no.

" She said.

nJohn went over to Serena and Ariel and told them his idea and then shortly after came back.

nAriel looked over at John with a smile which was as if it was something she expected to happen and Serena let out a sigh.

n

"Alright, then how about you employ us? We'll drive and protect you until you reach the city you were heading to, and you can pay us later. How about that?

" John asked with an expectant tone.

n

"Eh?! You'd do that!? Really?!

" She asked with a joyful expression.

n

"Sure..? But you'll have to guide us,

" John asked.

n

"O-Of Course! I can't ask you to risk your lives to help us... You already saved us once... That's enough...

" She replied.

n

"Don't worry, something of that level won't be a threat to us.

" John stated.

n'Besides, we'll be able to bait him out, we're only 4 kids and an injured man after all.' John thought.

n

"W-Who are you guys?

" She asked.

n'Us? We're just 3 kids? Should we make a party name? Hm... A good name…' John wondered.

n

"Um...

" She muttered.

n

"Ah, sorry, I was thinking of a name. We're no one important really, we're just 3 travelling kids...

" John replied.

n

"Who are you calling a kid?!

" Asked Serena.

n

"Except for her, she's an adult.

" John said.

n

"Why d'you say it like that?

" She asked.

n

"Nothing,

" He replied.

n

"Hmph

" Serena grunted..

nShe looked straight at John as if she was thinking of something and then decided not to ask it.

n

"I see, you have your circumstances. But do any of you know how to ride a carriage?

" She asked.

n

"Uhm...

" John looked over at Serena and Ariel for help.

n

"Yeah, I do,

" Replied Serena.

nShe walked over to the horses and placed her hand on their face; it was as if she was communicating with them.

n'Elves are really something else.' John thought.

n

"Good, then with everything ready, let's go.

" She said.

n

"Eh? Now?

" Eleanor asked.

n

"I-If we waste more time we might suffer another attack so...

" Said Ariel with concern in her voice.

n

"You're right... Um...

" Said Eleanor.

n

"Ah that's right, you can call me John, she's Ariel and that girl with the hat talking to the horses is Serena.

" John said.

n

"I'm not talking to them!

" Said Serena with an embarrassed expression.

n

"W-Well, John, Ariel and Serena, it's nice to meet you three... Once again, I thank you all for your help...

" She said as she bowed her head.

n

"You don't have to do that, you're employing us after all. Also, there's no need to be so formal.

" John said.

n

"But

"

n

"It's fine, it makes me feel uncomfortable when someone my age talks formally like that.

" John replied.

n

"I see... Very well then, I'll try speaking normally, also speaking of age, how old are you?

" Eleanor asked.

n

"12

" replied John.

n

"Ehhh?!

" Eleanor exclaimed.

n***

nAfter Serena prepared what she needed to, without saying anything, she got the carriage back on the path and it's been an hour since they had started their journey.

n

"Serena, aren't your hands getting tired?

" John asked.

n

"It's fine, I have magic strengthening after all,

"

n

"I see... Speaking of which, I never asked Eleanor where we were, she told us that if we followed this path we'd reach the city but which continent are we in?

" John asked.

n

"I don't know, I've never seen it before, if you're so curious why don't you go and ask her? You don't have to stay here.

" she said with an uninterested expression.

n'What's with her? I just didn't want to leave her here alone, Ariel is happily talking with Eleanor, they both seem to be in a good mood so I thought I'd do the same for Serena, but as always she's in a bad mood.' John thought.

n'Was Ariel always this good at socialising?' He wondered.

n

"I like it here, we can feel the breeze, even though flying around has a much better breeze to it,

" John said.

n

"Don't just casually say that!

" Said, Serena.

n'Am I that bad at dealing with this girl? I mean, I know she hates me but-' John thought with confusion.

n

"Thanks.

" She said out of nowhere.

n

"For what?

" John asked.

n

"You know wha- John!

" She said.

n

"Yes, I know, Ariel, we got company, ready up.

" John said as he turned around.

n

"We just found our prey....

" He muttered.

n