Ains’s sword sliced through the monster’s body. The insect, instantly split in half, let out a strange scream as it fell to the ground.

I briefly closed my eyes at the grotesque and disgusting sight before opening them again.

I couldn’t avoid it forever.

There were more monsters than I had expected.

Though Ains said he could handle it alone, there was no reason for me to ignore the situation when I could help.

I quickly manipulated my mana. After reciting the formula and muttering the incantation quietly, mana gathered above my hand and began to ignite hotly.

Without hesitation, I launched a Fire Bolt toward the monsters.

The rapidly shot flames engulfed the monsters’ bodies.

The monsters screamed even louder than when Ains had struck them, writhing in the pain of being burned.

As flames shot up around them, the monsters instinctively began moving away from the fire’s radius.

Seizing that moment, Ains swung his sword and cut down the insects.

Only after all the fighting was over did I disperse the hotly burning mana. The flames quickly subsided.

Ains exhaled deeply and turned to look at me.

“Thanks for the help.”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

I asked urgently while approaching him.

“I’m fine.”

Ains answered with a confident expression.

Only then did I let out a sigh of relief as I calmed my startled heart.

“It’s quite something to have monsters suddenly appear like this.”

“Indeed. I should probably request His Majesty the Emperor to organize a monster cleanup after I return.”

Ains lightly waved his hand, checked the monster corpses, and turned to look at me.

“We should move locations for now. The blood smell might attract wild beasts or other monsters.”

“Alright.”

Following Ains’s suggestion, we walked back to the camp.

By the time we returned, all the tents had already been set up. Judging by the savory smell carried on the night breeze, it seemed they had even finished preparing dinner.

I entered the tent guided by a maid. For a temporary shelter, it was quite cozy with a cot and a portable table prepared.

After finishing a simple dinner, I completed my preparations for the next day.

Just as I was falling asleep, I woke up to bustling noises.

I thought perhaps I was just being sensitive due to the change in sleeping environment, but the sounds continued even after I woke up.

“Madam! I’m coming in!”

Rivet rushed in, calling out urgently.

“Madam, we’re under attack!”

“An attack? Suddenly?”

I frowned, struggling to understand Rivet’s words.

“You need to evacuate quickly!”

At Rivet’s words, I hurriedly got up and left the tent.

Outside was chaos. As Rivet had said, monsters were attacking, and the soldiers were dealing with them.

Looking closely, I could see they were the same kind of monsters we had encountered in the forest.

“Cecilia! Get somewhere safe!”

Ains shouted when he saw me come out of the tent.

I let go of Rivet’s hand while assessing the chaotic situation.

“Madam?”

Rivet called out to me in confusion.

“Rivet, I’ll be fine, so you go somewhere safe.”

“What? Then what about you, Madam?”

“I’ll be in a safe place too. Now go.”

I gently pushed Rivet’s back.

Thinking she still might not leave, I beckoned to a passing servant.

“Take Rivet to somewhere safe.”

“Yes, understood.”

Though Rivet refused, the servant faithfully carried out my order.

Of course, I had no intention of going to fight the monsters head-on either.

I was a mage, not a swordsman.

So it would be better to support the soldiers from a relatively safe location.

Besides, it was obvious that if I were to be in danger, other soldiers would risk themselves trying to save me.

After finding a suitable position, I began manipulating mana.

I considered using attack magic but gave up, knowing I had to consider the possibility of my attacks disrupting the soldiers’ formation.

Instead, I decided to use support magic.

The first spell I applied was magic that infused vitality into the body.

“My body…!”

“It feels lighter!”

As the magic seeped into the soldiers, they muttered in surprise.

Then, seeming to realize it was the effect of magic, they calmly began facing the monsters again.

Next, I cast healing magic to help heal their wounds.

White light was absorbed into the bodies of those who were injured.

Though it couldn’t heal wounds immediately, it was magic that increased the body’s recovery rate, so the bleeding quickly stopped and scabs began to form.

While I helped with support magic, the soldiers slaughtered all the incoming monsters.

After everything was over, monster corpses were piled up everywhere.

“I don’t think we’ll be getting any sleep tonight.”

One of the soldiers said with disgust while looking at the monster corpses.

I agreed with his words.

I didn’t think I could sleep comfortably after seeing such a horrific sight, and above all, I wasn’t the type of person who could calmly sleep in a place littered with monster corpses.

“Cecil!”

I heard Ains’s voice from beside me.

When I turned to look, Ains had what seemed to be an angry expression.

“Why didn’t you evacuate?”

Ains asked in a voice that seemed to be suppressing anger.

“How could I just hide alone when I could help?”

When I spoke to defend myself, feeling wronged, Ains tightly closed his eyes. He seemed to be suppressing his surging emotions.

After spending a while subduing his emotions, he bit his lower lip and opened his eyes to stare at me.

“…”

I had been planning to argue back if he were to scold me, but upon meeting his eyes, I froze.

His eyes were red. And there was a faint moisture gathering on his eyelids.

“I was worried about you…”

His voice was wet with emotion.

Not knowing what to say, I took a moment to choose my words.

Then I finally opened my mouth.

“I’m fine. I’m not hurt.”

I showed him my hands as if to prove I was unharmed.

Then Ains strode toward me.

Just as I thought he was getting too close and was about to step back, he suddenly wrapped his arms around me in an embrace.

“…I’m so glad you’re safe. Really…”

His embrace, tightening around me, held hidden desperation.

I could feel his heart beating rapidly. It proved just how startled he had been.

I could somewhat guess why he was so startled and why he had been so angry.

It was different from when we encountered the monsters earlier.

Then, Ains had been confident he could protect me.

But not now.

There were so many monsters, and from Ains’s position of having to command the soldiers, he couldn’t keep watching over me constantly.

Moreover, he had the trauma of losing his father to a monster subjugation team when he was young.

It was a wound deeply etched in his heart, to the point where he had resented his grandfather his entire life.

And now it seemed he had been startled by my failure to evacuate.

I hesitated before carefully raising my hands. Then I gently placed them on his back.

“I’m fine. Really.”

After whispering softly in his ear, I also gently patted his back.

“…Thank goodness.”

After a long while, Ains muttered in a voice barely audible.

Releasing me from his embrace, Ains looked down at me with still-moist eyes.

When I smiled to reassure him, he too showed a faint smile.

“Though it’s late, we should move. Get in the carriage first. I’ll be there soon.”

I nodded in response to Ains’s words.

After saying that, he immediately moved to sort out the situation.

“Madam!”

Just as I was about to enter the carriage, I heard Rivet’s voice.

When I checked, Rivet was running toward me with tears streaming down her face.

Rivet, who had come very close, wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

“I’m so glad you’re safe. I, I was so scared, thinking something might have happened to you…”

I had sent Rivet away hoping that others around me wouldn’t get hurt, but it seems that had only caused her worry.

“I’m sorry, Rivet.”

Just as I had done with Ains, I lightly embraced Rivet and patted her back.

After comforting Rivet, I returned to the carriage. Only after the situation was completely sorted out did Ains board the carriage.

“Since it’s come to this, though you must be tired, we’ll go straight to Jermel. We don’t know when monsters might attack again. Will you be alright?”

“Of course. I’m fine.”

Ains relaxed and gave the order to depart. Once again, the carriage began racing through the night.