"Rudeus, Alexander, you two guard the perimeter and clear out any stragglers. Eris and I will go in and rescue the Beastfolk children."
"Wait!"
"What is it, Rudeus?"
"Cain... I've never had much chance to fight in a real battle."
"Hm? I thought you didn't like fighting, Rudeus. Besides, this is no joke. You're a mage, and in a forest like this, an enemy could easily get close and ambush you."
"Even so, I want to fight alongside you!"
Cain saw the determination in Rudeus's eyes and gave a slight nod.
"All right. I'll take Alexander, that 'deadweight,' with me. Don't let a single person on the perimeter escape."
Alexander drew the Tachi at his waist and nodded solemnly.
"With nothing holding me back, I can go all out. Don't worry, Lord Cain. No one will escape me."
Hey! You two really do think I'm deadweight...
Rudeus bristled, then could only stew in it. Angry and helpless, he puffed out his cheeks before resignation won out.
Cain hadn't spared his feelings, but he was right. With teammates like them, Rudeus really couldn't do much to help.
"Hey! Wait for me!"
Cain and Eris had already charged ahead. Rudeus simply couldn't keep up with them. Surrounded by teammates who were monsters in their own right, even his genius-level talent for magic couldn't hide his lack of stamina.
"Who's there?" The two swordsmen at the cabin door saw two figures rushing toward them, their pupils contracting as they reached for their blades.
But...
"Too slow..."
A sharp flash of steel swept across their throats. After a brief, dizzying spin, their heads and headless bodies crashed to the ground.
Cain kicked the cabin door open, and Eris followed him inside.
A foul stench hit them. Eris instinctively frowned and covered her nose and