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“Everyone, draw your swords! Shield bearers to the front! Attack in groups of three! Mages and archers, focus on providing support from the rear. And remember, don’t let a single scratch fall upon the noble sons and daughters… I mean, the academy members!”

“Understood!” they all shouted in unison.

The large group from the Cilento Adventurers Guild, “Steel Wagon,” who were hired as escorts by the academy, responded to their leader’s commands. They readied their weapons and magic staves, preparing to confront the approaching twenty-strong herd of meran-aries—sheep that looked like massive black-furred bulls but were actually vicious, carnivorous monsters.

Their movements, while not as flawlessly coordinated as those of a military unit, demonstrated the skill of a seasoned group of adventurers. The hundred-strong armed collective moved in perfect synchronization, naturally falling into an efficient formation, exuding a sense of reliability. It did seem, however, that they were focusing more on protecting the large carriages meant for nobles and faculty rather than the general student population.

“Aim for the clustered ones. Fire!”

At that moment, the mages and archers stationed at the rear to protect our carriage began their attack. A volley of arrows and spells rained down upon the pseudo-black sheep, preemptively striking the monsters that were just about to charge at us.

“Alright, everyone, commence the attack!”

The adventurers of the “Steel Wagon” deflected the haphazard attacks of the meran-aries, which were blindly lashing out in confusion and excitement. Following the standard tactics for fighting monsters, they attacked in groups of three per creature. Maintaining a defensive stance at a reasonable distance, they waited for openings to strike. Though the approach lacked flair, it was a solid and reliable formation. All the while, support came from the rear in the form of arrows and spells, gradually felling the pseudo-black sheep one by one.

Once the balance of numbers was broken, the tide quickly turned. Soon, the herd of meran-aries was defeated individually, their corpses strewn along the roadside.

Watching the victorious adventurers through the window, I sighed in relief and realized I had been clenching my hands tightly.

“I was quite surprised when the monsters suddenly attacked, but it seems there’s no casualty. What a relief. However, just watching from a safe distance feels frustrating and makes me uneasy,” I remarked.

“I understand how you feel, Jill, but please don’t do anything reckless. Honestly, I was on edge the whole time, worrying you might jump out and join the fray,” Luke, sitting next to me, said with a sigh of relief even greater than mine.

Indeed, had there been many casualties or injuries among the adventurers, I might have disregarded the situation’s propriety, dismounted from the carriage, and joined in the healing and attacking efforts.

I gently lowered myself back into my seat and straightened my posture, defending myself by saying, “I wouldn’t do that. I know my place and responsibilities, and I wouldn’t act so recklessly.” However, both Luke and Eren, my maid sitting across from me, were clearly giving me warm, understanding looks.

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, I picked up and hugged Vier, who was at the size of a puppy curled up at my feet.

♦♢♦

“Huh, these guards are more competent than I thought.”

“—Hmph. Well, considering that they’re protecting some of the most prominent students at the academy, they probably felt the need to step up their game. If anything were to happen, they’d literally lose their heads. On the other hand, if they perform well here, they might secure some powerful patrons. There’s probably some calculation behind their efforts.”

“Ah, I see. I’ve heard that large groups like this are struggling financially. They can’t afford to miss out on the chance to market themselves to both the academy and us.”

“Exactly. But let’s not kid ourselves; they’re only dealing with a few beasts here, so it’s hardly a challenge. My family’s knights would have wiped them out in half the time.”

“Still, there’s something to be said for a good, gritty battle. I would have liked to see a bit more of a chaotic fight, though.”

“Come on now, we’re not watching a gladiatorial match here. That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

“Maybe, but look over there. There are quite a few beastkin and other non-humans among the adventurers. Losing some of them won’t be an issue, will it? Next time something happens, could we negotiate to put them on the front lines?”

“Hmm. Interesting. Maybe we can persuade them with money.”

Meanwhile, the senior members of the student council, who belong to the executive committee, were loudly voicing their opinions from their private carriage or through the windows, as if they were watching an amusing spectacle.

Their arrogance, rooted in their unwavering belief that they belong to a privileged class, was not only insufferable but also grotesque and unbearable to listen to.

—If they want to see a battle against monsters up close that badly, maybe I should just redirect our route straight into the Tenebrae Nemus and lose the guards.

As I was almost awakening to a murderous intent, “How foolish…! The state and nobility exist because of the people, yet to disregard them is the height of arrogance!” Luke, a pure-blooded royal, muttered with displeasure, furrowing his brows as he readjusted Sechs—the somewhat mysterious winged cat—that had slipped from his shoulder.

“—Fools who don’t understand this will eventually face the consequences. History has proven that.”

“That’s precisely why any sensible noble would constantly keep an eye on their lands and people. Those lot are nothing more than worthless dropouts without the spirit or ability to carry their family’s name. They’re not even worth engaging with.”

Viola and Lieselotte chimed in from the window of a similarly styled carriage that had lined up next to ours, their voices laden with deep resignation and disdain. The large carriages, designed for mobility and comfort on long journeys, may look somewhat rugged for princesses, but they offer military-grade safety instead.

The shutters can even withstand crossbow bolts when they’re shut. The windows, adorned with anti-magic protection wards, allowed me to look back at the two.