Reborn as the Hero's Daughter

The trip went on uneventfully for a while after we left the gate.

This was partly thanks to the diligent work of Adventurers on subjugating monsters in Raum’s vicinity.

Meanwhile, Princess Eligore continued to talk with us in an easygoing manner. It seemed that her frank character wasn’t a front she put up for appearances, but her natural disposition.

“Still, it certainly is peaceful. When I was at the castle, I imagined it would be more… I don’t know, that we would be attacked by monsters right as we left the city.”

“Ahaha, if people got attacked like that no one would leave the city.”

“Indeed. We’re traveling along the highway now and have chosen a relatively safer path.”

“Finia, could there be a possibility for us to stray off the path for a bit?”

“There isn’t. Please give up and behave.”

She interacted with them so casually that Finia and Michelle acted like they’d been decade-long friends.

It was hard to say whether guards should really be acting like that or not.

“Mghh, I finally managed to leave the city, so I wished to have some thrilling tale to tell my father.”

“We’ve only just started the trip, so don’t be discouraged so quickly.”

“Finia, don’t just comfort her there. We don’t want to be attacked, right?”

“Ah, right!”

Still, this princess was quite something. She even made Finia lower her normally strong guard.

Finia was currently holding the carriage reigns, but Michelle would be switching over on the way.

Michelle who learned to operate carriages from an early age so she could carry the game, and Finia, who did it to carry food to the orphanage, were capable of handling even two-horse carriages.

By the way, I knew how to ride a horse, but I couldn’t operate a carriage.

“Speaking of which, are you able to drive a carriage, Ellie?”

“You are still interacting formally with me, Nicole.”

“Well, I’m trying to use at least minimum manners here. Besides, you’re speaking politely too, Ellie, are you not?”

“That is due to how I was raised. And I would not say I am versed in handling a carriage. Magic is my specialty, incidentally.”

“Understood. In that case, we could have to hold the reigns if we’re left with no other option.”

There was no knowing what could happen during the trip. Even if she was someone we had to guard, it was still good to know what she was capable of.

I considered the case where we would need to have her leave us and escape on her own using the carriage if push came to shove.

But I decided it would be impossible now that she said she couldn’t drive it.

But I supposed this was still good, as knowing it beforehand would save time if we were forced into that kind of situation.

“Then what about a horse? And what about your magic?”

“I can ride a horse. Sideways, at least. As for magic… I am proficient in fire magic, but I fall short of Letina.”

“I feel bad for Letina for having to sit out this time too.”

“It can’t be helped. She is still a marquis’ daughter and the future duke. She can’t leave the city willy-nilly.”

I shrugged and lightly tapped on Michelle’s head, who seemed lonely, consoling her.

She had a habit of purring like a cat when I did it, which made it amusing.

As I enjoyed the feeling of her fluffy hair, I felt a cold gaze moving across my neck.

It felt like a defensive response that was triggered when you were directed with bloodlust. In other words, someone was directing it towards us now.

I instantly looked around without moving my head. If I moved poorly it could cause them to attack us before we got ready.

However, I didn’t sense anyone hiding in the bushes along the road. That only left…

“Above, huh?”

“Hmm, what’s wrong, Lady Nicole?”

It seemed it wasn’t a human. I poked my head behind the coachman’s seat, but Finia found it strange.

“Well, looks like there’s some trouble.”

“Ah, you mean those Vultures.”

Michelle chimed in after leaning out of the carriage after me.

As she said, there were three Vultures flying high up in the direction we were heading.

Both the number and the species of the enemy were identical to the time I came to Raum.

“Can your arrows reach that far, Michelle?”

“Hmm, might be a little hard. Looks like the wind is quite strong up there.”

To prove her point, she casually let loose an arrow.

The arrow flying toward the Vultures was incomparably stronger and more accurate compared to that time when she was young.

But even so, it lost its strength before it reached them, and the wind made it miss the mark.”

“See?”

“Looks like you can reach them, though.”

“But it wouldn’t have enough power to pierce their wings or skin. It would be a different story if I use this one.”

She said while hitting the case where Third Eye was stored. But using it on the enemy of this level would be a waste.

Replenishing its arrows was quite troublesome, unlike regular arrows.

“Then let’s attack them when we approach some more. Finia, keep that in mind too.”

“More flying enemies, huh?”

“Well, you’re bad with flying enemies, Cloud. Just be careful so the horses don’t get attacked.”

“Gotcha.”

Birds that attacked from the sky were a natural enemy for a shielder like Cloud.

Having said that, his role wasn’t inconsequential in this situation. After all, enemies like this attacked not only us but our horses too.

Cloud was extremely valuable in such situations as he could quickly guard against them.

If a horse got done in, our moving speed and overall transportation ability would be greatly lowered.

“I can finally witness Lady Nicole’s skill!”

“Don’t get excited over that. Oh, right, this might be a good opportunity to see your skill, Ellie.”

“Huh, mine?”

“Yes. There’s no knowing what could happen from now on. I want to see how well you can fight.”

“I did not expect you to make your protection target work.”

“Now don’t start slacking off here.”

Her point was actually valid, but she was someone we had to absolutely protect.

I wanted to be be even more careful than normal and be accurately aware of everyone’s skill.

For that, enemies like these where we had some leeway were ideal.

“Alright then. I shall display my strength here!”

Seeing Ellie roll up her sleeves and stand above the carriage, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Letina.

Letina was a marquis so her lineage was closer to royalty. Perhaps it was only natural that their personalities were similar.