Roxy and her companions had been searching the Three Magic Nations for a week. They had combed the surrounding areas several times without finding any sign of Cain and the others, though they had found quite a few people displaced by the Mass Teleportation Incident.
The group continued their search across the vast snowfield.
Suddenly, Zoldat, who was leading the way, sensed something. He signaled for the others to stop and stay alert. Neris and Roxy approached cautiously.
The Three Magic Nations were unlike the Asura Kingdom. Dangerous monsters roamed its forests, making encounters all too easy, so search parties generally traveled in groups.
The S-rank Thunder Adventurer Squad Roxy had hired included Zoldat, a Sword King; Neris, a Water King; three mages, including Mia; and Bruce and several heavily armored frontliners to serve as shields. Even among S-rank parties, it was exceptionally well equipped.
"What is it, Zoldat?"
Roxy and Neris looked at Zoldat, who was staring ahead with a grave expression, and frowned.
"Shh! Something's coming." They crouched low in the snow and peered into the distant forest.
Rustle, rustle! A silver-haired Beastfolk woman with animal ears raced through the trees, carrying a burly middle-aged man over her shoulder.
Zoldat frowned. The silver-haired, silver-eared Beastfolk woman wore an eyepatch and revealing clothes, and she was strong.
"Ghislaine! Put me down! I'll fight those bastards myself!"
"No! Lord Sauros! I promised Cain I wouldn't let anything happen to you!"
Ghislaine was covered in wounds, and Sauros had a bandage wrapped around his arm. Several people in black were close behind them.
"Damn it! They just won't leave us alone!"
Whoosh! Several throwing knives shot toward them. Ghislaine spun around and knocked them aside with her Tachi, then set Sauros down on the ground.
"Lord Sauros, go on ahead. I'll