The convoy moved slowly. In front of the convoy were me, Linus, and Bob. We had decided that if monsters attacked, we would lead the defense to protect the convoy.

Llyod and the other guards stayed close to the royal carriage.

They were ready to charge the moment we gave the signal.

"That's pretty brave of you, Alan, helping the princess like that," Bob teased. In his hands were already two swords, and he had his elbow braces and boots equipped.

"What are you talking about?" I replied. I was also already equipped, my robe, pendant, and Indra on my right hand.

"You think I don't know? You've had your eyes on the princess, haven't you? So that's your taste, huh? Ahh… my friend will soon become royalty. Please don't forget your lowly friend once you do," he said, tugging at my arm.

"N-no... I don't like her. I-I just want to help her," I stammered, denying the claim.

"It's fine, Alan. Everyone has their own preferences. Yours just happens to be the princess," Linus said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah... nice idea, Linus. Let's shine all the light on our future noble," Bob grinned.

These guys were ganging up on me. I shrugged my shoulders as they continued teasing me.

From inside the carriage, Githa was watching the trio who were supposed to protect the convoy.

'They look playful and not serious at all in this situation. Just what you'd expect from adventurers, lawless and mischievous. Is it really the right thing to depend on them?'

As the convoy kept moving, we slowly entered the area close to the town gate. Strangely, the red-eyed creatures didn't attack us as we walked along the path. I was already prepared for anything that might happen.

"Why didn't they attack?" Llyod asked.

"I don't know. Maybe they're waiting for orders or something," Linus said. He already had his staff ready behind him.

As we continued forward, the gate of the town was just mere meters in front of us. Everything seemed to be going smoothly.

But I regretted thinking that.

Boom!

A large explosion erupted from inside the town. The shockwave shook the ground. We all looked toward the town and saw thick black smoke rising into the sky.

"An explosion... it came from the town," Bob said.

As we all focused on the explosion, suddenly, the sound of something moving in the forest could be heard. I turned toward the trees and saw the creatures' eyes begin to shift. Then, a screeching sound echoed across the forest.

We all looked around, eyes scanning our surroundings. The sound seemed to be coming from everywhere.

"On your guard!" Llyod shouted, giving the order.

From the bushes, something began to stir before a white rabbit hopped out.

"A rabbit?" I tilted my head.

The rabbit turned its back to us… then turned around again to face us. But this rabbit was not normal. It had two red eyes with no pupils, a horn in the middle of its forehead, and red liquid dripping from its mouth. Maybe it was fruit juice… or blood.

Screeech!

The rabbit screeched. And before we could even blink, dozens of rabbits jumped from the bushes and charged at us from the left side of the convoy.

Inside the carriage, Githa already had her sheathed sword in hand, just in case something went wrong.

"Ready!" Llyod called out, preparing to fight. But before he could proceed, Linus stopped him and the guards.

"No. All of you just protect the princess. Let me and my party handle them," Linus said.

"But there are so many," Llyod replied. Then he suddenly noticed two glowing lights, one red, one blue.

"Come, Plump!"

"Let's go, Mina!"

From the lights, a chicken and a flying fairy emerged, joining the group.

"Summoned beasts?" Reika, Githa, and Llyod all gasped in shock.

"I told you," Linus said with a confident smile. "We're more than enough to handle this."

Llyod looked at Linus, who appeared calm and confident. He then glanced at Githa, who gave him a small nod.

"If that's the case, we'll leave it to you," Llyod said. He then ordered the convoy to keep moving.

Linus nodded in return and came to join us.

The rabbits were still rushing toward us. Their numbers kept growing as more jumped from the forest like they were endless. Within minutes, they would reach us.

"So, what's the plan?" Linus asked. Usually, he was the one giving out strategies, but with us, he liked to see how we thought.

"No plan. Just dish it all out. Just make sure they don't get close to the convoy," Bob said.

I nodded. I cast Stoneguard Ward in advance for extra protection.

"Why don't you try that new class, Bob?" I asked.

"Are you sure? Isn't it overkill?" he said.

"You've never used it before, how do we know it's overkill?"

"Because it's an SR, dude."

I rolled my eyes. "Just use it."

"Okay, okay. Equipping it now." Bob opened his status, and in an instant, his body turned red. His hair shifted to a bright crimson, and from under his arms, feather-like structures appeared, almost like wings, making him look just like a bird.

"Cool! I thought I'd really turn into a bird with a beak or tail. But this is nice," he said, turning around to check out his new form.

"Is that your new power? From the Red Condor we defeated a few days ago?" Linus asked. He had a slight grasp of what we were capable of.

"Yup. What do you think?" Bob replied.

"Let's see what it can do in battle, then I'll comment," Linus said, readying himself as the monsters drew closer.

Bob turned his attention to the rabbits. His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"Then, let's go!" I shouted. We charged toward the horde of beasts. I decided to let Plump loose instead of riding it. On its own, it was more than enough to fight with its set of skills.

"Aero Slash!"

Bob and I released a wave of crescent slashes forward. Three slashes struck the front line of the horde, causing explosive bursts that sent dozens of rabid rabbits flying through the air.

"Hundred Thrusts!"

Linus activated his skill, moving calmly among the beasts. Each time he struck, the target exploded in blood, turning the field into a gore-streaked scene.

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