Free Web NovelChapter 37: Other People’s Problems...
After several days crossing the endless forest of snow-covered pines, the group finally seemed to be approaching their destination.
Claws trudged steadily through the snow.
Nox lay stretched out on the massive bear’s back, holding a bottle of liquor in one hand while watching the white treetops slowly drift past overhead.
Tessa rode tied up behind him.
Misty walked several meters ahead, occasionally launching herself into small wind-assisted jumps whenever she got bored.
And Audrey moved through the branches like a shadow.
"If we leave the forest in this direction, we should find a stream."
Tessa said.
"After that, there should be a stone bridge."
The inquisitor pointed ahead.
"That means we’ll be close to the Capital."
Nox took a long drink from his bottle.
"Finally."
"Tired of traveling?"
Misty asked.
"No."
Nox replied.
"But I’d like to stop sleeping in caves."
The dancer let out a small laugh.
From the top of a tree, Audrey raised her voice.
"Confirmed."
Everyone looked up.
"What do you see?"
Nox asked.
"There’s a large stone bridge ahead."
The huntress narrowed her eyes.
"But it looks like there’s trouble."
Nox sighed.
"What kind of trouble?"
Misty immediately smiled.
"Now I’m curious."
Before anyone could stop her, wind wrapped around her legs.
The dancer shot forward.
She leaped onto a branch and moved from tree to tree, quickly disappearing toward the edge of the forest.
Tessa watched her go.
"That woman is unbelievably hyperactive and curious."
Nox laughed.
"Honestly..."
He took another drink.
"...I like having someone like that in the group."
Audrey dropped down from another tree.
"Well, it looks like your new friend is getting herself into trouble."
Nox frowned.
"What do you mean?"
The huntress pointed ahead.
"It looks like she’s intervening in something."
"In what?"
"A robbery."
Nox spat out part of his liquor.
"What?"
Tessa started laughing.
"I thought you liked having someone like that in the group."
Nox put away the bottle.
"I do."
He quickly sat upright.
"But I don’t want to lose her after only three days."
"That’s fair."
Audrey admitted.
The huntress jumped through the trees.
Claws immediately picked up speed.
And the group hurried toward the edge of the forest.
◇◆◇
The enormous stone bridge appeared before them a few minutes later.
Below it flowed a partially frozen stream.
And on the bridge...
There were indeed problems.
Misty stood in the middle of the road.
Protecting a bearded man dressed in expensive clothing.
Several wolves surrounded them.
All growling.
All ready to attack.
Standing opposite them was a brown-haired girl.
She wore a worn yellow coat.
The hood on her head had two small cat ears sewn onto the top.
She looked dirty, exhausted, and extremely angry.
"You should move aside."
The girl said.
Misty crossed her arms.
"I don’t think it’s right to rob an old man."
The young woman frowned.
"You don’t know what you’re talking about."
The wolves began to growl.
Misty responded by kicking the air.
A cutting gust of wind shot across the bridge.
The animals immediately backed away in fear.
But the girl raised her voice.
"You don’t need to be afraid."
The wolves cautiously moved forward again.
"We have to do this."
She said.
"We have to rescue Felix."
The bearded old man pointed at the girl.
"See?"
He hid behind Misty.
"She’s completely insane. Please protect me."
The dancer sighed.
Just then...
An arrow covered in dark energy slammed into the center of the bridge.
The explosion made the stone tremble.
Everyone froze.
Nox appeared beside Misty with the Marauder’s Mask covering his face.
He placed a hand on the dancer’s shoulder.
"We shouldn’t get involved in other people’s problems."
He said.
The old man turned his head.
And when he saw the demon’s horns...
He went pale.
"M-Monster!"
Nox stared at him for a few seconds.
"Have you looked at your own face lately?"
The old man was left speechless.
The girl in the yellow coat pointed at the demon.
"Then move."
The wolves growled.
"My brothers and I have unfinished business with him."
Nox raised an eyebrow.
"’Your brothers?’"
He looked at the wolves.
"You mean them?"
The girl nodded.
As if that were perfectly normal.
Nox decided he didn’t need to understand any of it.
At that moment, Audrey emerged from the trees.
Claws arrived behind her.
And Tessa was still tied to the bear’s back.
The inquisitor looked at the scene.
"What’s happening now?"
Audrey didn’t answer immediately.
Her eyes moved over the wolves.
Then the old man.
And finally the carriage.
Then she frowned.
"I think I understand what’s going on."
Everyone looked at her.
Even the girl.
"What do you mean?"
Nox asked.
Audrey pointed at the animals.
"I understand what they’re saying." frёewebnoѵēl.com
The girl’s eyes widened.
"You can speak with them?"
"You could say that."
The huntress replied with a gentle smile.
She looked back at the old man.
"They say this man captures cubs."
Her voice became colder.
"Young animals from the forest."
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
"He mistreats them."
She continued.
"And apparently, he’s carrying this pack’s younger brother inside that carriage."
The wolves began growling even more aggressively.
The old man started sweating.
"What?"
He took a step back.
"What are you talking about?"
He looked around at everyone.
"Have you all completely lost your minds?"
The girl in the yellow coat bared her teeth.
Almost like one of the wolves.
"Liar."
She growled.
The old man took another step backward.
Nox looked to one side.
Then the other.
Then at the old man.
Then at the girl.
And finally at Misty.
The dancer simply smiled, as if waiting to see what he would do.
Nox let out a long sigh.
He rubbed his face and slowly shook his head.
"This..."
He muttered.
"...this is exactly why I hate getting involved in other people’s problems."
