Having managed to escape the town with the boy.
There was no other choice, so we decided to follow the father who had already gone ahead. We had to hurry, or the pursuers would catch up again. Philiana attached the cart and pushed it from behind.
Fortunately, it seemed we had inflicted enough damage so they couldn’t immediately regain their footing, and we were finally able to get away from the town. Come to think of it, in the rush, I realized I didn’t know much about them.
“Hey, what’s your name? I’m Arisugawa Hiroaki.”
The boy narrowed his eyes and started to chuckle.
“Arisugawa Hiroaki? That’s quite a long name. I’m Cor.”
It was hard to believe that the adorable Cor with his laughter was the child of that father. The father himself, having forgotten about his son, was walking alone at a brisk pace at the front. I could see a few figures approaching from beyond the now chilly desert. Though they were figures, they seemed to be Centaurs. They must have come to pick up the two of them.
A woman ran up from the group with a quick trot.
“Ah, it’s Mom!”
Cor ran towards his mother happily and hugged her. But his father looked displeased.
“Why are you here? I told you to go on ahead.”
“You left without saying anything. So, we just followed you. The others are scheduled to meet up with us later.”
The father, thoroughly refuted, looked grumpy.
“Everyone helped us, thank you. I truly don’t know how to repay you. I wish I had something to give you, but I have nothing right now.”
“Oh, it’s alright. We’re just glad you’re safe.”
Philiana smiled at the mother, who seemed to be trying to be considerate. It was good that everyone wasn’t like Cor’s father.
“Come on, you should thank them too, since they helped you.”
“I didn’t ask for help.”
Saying that, he turned his face away.
“I’m so sorry, he’s always like this. By the way, are you all right? You can’t go back to the town now, can you?”
I explained that I was a traveler and that I wanted to cross this desert.
“I see. Beyond this desert is a dense forest. It’s very dangerous, but are you sure?”
Well, it’s true that jungles seem dangerous, but having resources might be better than the barren desert.
“Are there any dangerous guys there?”
Nina asked, resting her hand on her chin and tilting her head.
“Yes, it’s too dangerous for us to approach often. Because of the dense trees, it’s like being in darkness. We don’t know where enemies might be lurking.”
Come to think of it, it would be difficult for large races like them to live in confined spaces.
“We have nothing to give you in return, but please let us escort you part of the way.”
Thanks to her kindness, we decided to accompany them on their desert journey.
