Mile and the others were already up, having finished their breakfast of hard bread, dried meat, and solid soup dissolved in hot water, a standard menu for a rushed morning, and were preparing to depart.
"…They’re here. Twelve people, coming from behind. They haven’t noticed us yet."
"How do you know that?"
"…Isn’t it against the rules for a hunter to pry into the skills of others?"
"U…, I’m sorry."
　The leader of the guards, reprimanded by Mile, apologized sincerely.
　Unlike the "Dragon Breath" team, which they had previously worked with on a joint request, this group seemed to be more disciplined.
　Well, considering they were a party that took on serious, low-reward jobs like escorting a survey team, it was to be expected…
"We will defend here. I entrust the command of the survey team and the other parties to you.
　Protect everyone so that no one dies or is captured. Minor injuries are acceptable."
"Hey, wait a minute! What do you mean by that! In the first place, the overall command should be mine…"
"What can you do without proper weapons?
　Besides, we accepted the request to 'search and rescue the survey team.' So, we will defeat the enemy to rescue them. Your request was to 'escort,' so you should guard from the back."
"Wh…!"
　The leader, who had confronted Reina, was at a loss for words when Reina, who looked like a child to him, brushed him off lightly.
　Indeed, wooden swords and spears were not reassuring against enemies armed with metal weapons.
　While they might be effective against monsters, in a human battle, they would struggle to parry attacks and would likely break or be cut in a few exchanges.
"Then, if I could borrow the swords of the two front-line fighters…"
"Would any swordsman lend their beloved sword to someone else before a battle?"
"Y-yeah…"
　The leader, scolded by Maevi, slumped his shoulders. He seemed to realize that his request was unreasonable.
"It’s fine, don’t worry. We easily repelled eight beastmen yesterday…"
"What?!"
　The leader, who had been following up on Pauline’s words, looked at her with disbelief. He had probably thought that they had managed to reach the cabin without encountering any enemies, having evaded the beastmen’s surveillance network.
"There’s no time. They will likely try to surround us once they discover us. They will probably try to capture everyone to prevent information from leaking…
　Running away now would be futile, so let’s stand and fight here."
"…Understood."
　There was no more time for arguments. The leader reluctantly nodded to Mile’s words.
"…They’re there! They all seem to be up and active."
"Got it…"
　The enemy’s movement speed was faster than expected, and they had been struggling to catch up, but they managed to reach them before they left the forest.
　They had noticed signs of the enemy being nearby for a while. They had hoped to attack while the enemy was still sleeping, but the enemy had woken up and prepared before dawn, so that plan didn’t work out. However, it wasn’t a problem. The enemy consisted of 18 unarmed people, including non-combatants. Even if there were a few rescuers, ordinary humans would be no match for their beastmen.
　The commander, relieved to have caught up, was not worried about the capture at all.
"Alright, surround them. Once the encirclement is complete, narrow the perimeter and reveal yourselves to them, urging them to surrender."
　The commander assumed that the enemy would not fight back and would surrender once they were discovered and surrounded.
　They would not be harmed even if captured, and would be released after their business was done. This had been explained multiple times, and the treatment so far should have instilled trust. Therefore, he did not think they would risk their lives to resist without weapons.
　Indeed, that would have been the case.
　If it weren’t for the "Red Oath"…
"Spotted!"
　At Maevi’s shout, everyone tensed, and the grip on their weapons tightened.
　However, the 12 pursuers were somewhat unexpected for the "Red Oath." They had thought there would be more.
　They hadn’t anticipated that the eight from yesterday had downplayed Mile’s strength to save face, and that Mile’s companions were unaware of the "trap." This was understandable. Besides, it wasn’t a problem.
　Realizing they had been discovered, the beastmen revealed themselves. They had surrounded the area and were gradually closing in.
　In front of the escapees, who were backed by large trees, stood four unfamiliar girls, positioned as if to protect them.
(These girls must be the ones who came to rescue them. Four girls… The female party that the lookout team reported as being driven back yesterday! Those fools must have been outsmarted!)
　The leader understood the reason for the escape. But now was not the time to think about that.
"As you can see, you are surrounded. Stop resisting and surrender.
　Two of you have proper weapons, but that won’t be enough. You know we won’t harm you, right?"
　The leader was surprised to see the escapees holding wooden weapons, but he didn’t show it. It was a basic negotiation tactic.
　However, the "Red Oath" was confident.
"Why should we trust thieves and put ourselves at their mercy? Are you stupid?"
"What?! We are not thieves!"
　The leader of the beastmen shouted in anger, but Reina ignored him.
"Attacking us in the forest, stealing our weapons and belongings, and imprisoning us—what else could you be if not thieves? Or is such behavior normal among your beastmen, and not considered a crime?
　If that’s the case, I’ll spread the word in the capital. I’ll explain the customs of the beastmen to prevent misunderstandings in the future.
　So, what’s the name of the representative beastman who told me this? I need to provide the name of the witness, of course!"
"Wh… Wh… Wh…!"
　The leader was speechless at Reina’s words.
　Spreading such a rumor would tarnish the reputation of the beastmen. If his name was attached to it, he and his family, and even his entire clan, would be unable to live in their village.
　However, the leader knew that the other party’s claims were not false. If this continued, the entire race of beastmen would be defamed because of them…
　In this situation, the only option was to capture everyone and take them back, return all their weapons and belongings when they left, and explain the situation to clear up the misunderstanding.
"…There’s no choice. We didn’t want to resort to violence, but if you insist, we will use force!"
"Hmm, use force, huh…"
　Reina smirked.
　Seeing this, the leader shouted sharply.
"Do it!"
　The beastmen had no intention of killing and had been careful not to injure the survey team and hunters when they first captured them.
　Knowing that the other party had no intention of killing or seriously injuring them, the "Red Oath" had a significant advantage. They had discussed this before, so they were prepared to hold back in their fight. Except for Pauline.
　Pauline, who had finished casting a spell during Reina’s speech, immediately cast a spell on the approaching beastmen.
"…Ultra Hot Shower!"
　Shower, shower, shower, shower~
　A bright red shower of water rained down on the three beastmen approaching Pauline.
"““Aaaahhhh!”””
　For the beastmen, with their sensitive senses, this was extremely painful…
　Two of them rolled on the ground.
　…And the third?
　Lay motionless, not even twitching.
　12 ÷ 4 = 3
　Pauline’s part was done. However, as a precaution, she began to chant another spell and held it in reserve…