Strange Company

As planned, I'll take the train to the operation zone.

Before commencing the operation, one final readiness check.

Personal armaments: good. Physical condition: good.

Ready to respond immediately to any unexpected combat situation.

The mission objective, as instructed before departure, is...

...

Hmm... Um... Let's see... After arriving in Kalaid...

...I'll check my notes...

...Infiltrate Candle Square's Kalaid branch and investigate for any unusual activity.

Ahem! I'll maintain current readiness and proceed to the operation zone.

...Good. There shouldn't be any problems—

...Were you eavesdropping?

A mission...? Infiltration...? What's all that about?

Details of a secret operation are classified information civilians are not permitted to hear.

You must pretend you heard nothing...!

Shh...! I'll keep it just between the two of us.

In exchange, I'll be, you know...

Like the mysterious ally who supports the hero from the shadows!

If you'd like to buy something, please quietly raise your hand.

What's the most expensive thing you've got?

Oh, right. Is there anything you want to eat?

I'll treat you for telling me that interesting story!

We've still got a long way to go before Kalaid...

Then I'll take one of those drinks, and—

Hmm?

This Platina Express service bound for Kalaid will remain at this station until further notice.

Due to heavy snowfall since last night, the tracks leading to Kalaid are currently impassable.

For your safety, we have therefore made the unavoidable decision to suspend service.

We sincerely ask for your understanding.

We're stopping here? Kalaid's still a long way off!

Grr...! Tch!

...Can't be helped. I should look for another way.

Even if the train can't go any farther, there has to be some route that's still passable.

Hey, secret agent, if you're up for it, we could—

Huh...?! Where'd she go?

These days, everyone's going on about engines being the best and horse-drawn carriages being obsolete...

But that's just what fools who've never experienced a Kalaid blizzard say.

Try climbing the mountain back roads relying on one of those engines, and it'll sputter out before you know it.

Nothing beats horses born and raised in the Kalaid Mountains when it comes to reliability!

Anyway...

What could be so urgent that you need to get there in such a hurry, miss?

Most people would rather take the train than go out of their way to find a carriage.

Classified. I can't tell you.

All right... Then let's not waste any time. We'll be off.

Hyah...!

Mister, this carriage is heading to Kalaid, right?

People said yours is the only carriage around here that'll take someone to Kalaid right now.

Come to think of it, we never even introduced ourselves.

Nice to meet you! I'm Trish, the top-tier hunter from the Aselus Association!

I was on my way to Kalaid to hunt the legendary monster, the Wendigo!

But as you know, the train stopped running.

I would've preferred something more comfortable than this old-fashioned carriage...

But would you believe nobody else was willing to take the rough roads?

They kept asking what they'd do if their carriage broke down in the snow...

Phew...! This carriage looks a little uncomfortable, but I guess it'll have to do! You don't mind if I ride with you, right?

Having a civilian accompany me could be dangerous—

The way of the hunter! Never fear even the most dangerous prey!

But hey...

Since we're already here, can't you let me join that secret mission of yours?

A secret mission just sounds so cool...

Do you sneak into some villain's secret lair or something?

Then make a dramatic entrance at the crucial moment and bam! Take all the bad guys down?

Still... don't you think a secret mission like that would go better with a little extra funding?

I'll pay the carriage fare!

Come on, let's ride together! Please? This is the only carriage around here going all the way to Kalaid!

We can't have the Wendigo disappearing deep into the northern mountains!

All right, mister! Let's go! Get us moving!

With the top-tier hunter Trish around, any threat that comes our way will be dealt with in no time!

Ooh... Just hearing about it gets my heart racing!

Feels like some amazing adventure is about to unfold...!

Let's end the questions there.

Anyway, I'm starting to get a little hungry...

Maybe I'll eat some of the food I brought.

Oh, want some too?

A full stomach during a mission only gets in the way of concentration.

...But then again, maintaining an appropriate caloric intake is necessary for mission performance.

So don't hold back. Let's share this Deluxe Fluffy Whipped Cream Cake No. 5.

I bought it from a really famous bakery in NOA! It should be good.

Have you heard of Street Bakers? Apparently their limited-edition bread is the best, but they'd already sold out...

They're easy to eat, keep well, and replenish calories quickly.

Would you like a pack?

But do you really have to be so rigid about everything?

It's not like we're in the middle of a fight right now.

The cake is good, though...

All right... Now that I'm full, maybe I'll take a nap.

Want to borrow an eye mask?

What was it called again... the Sleepy-Time Eye Mask?

I bought it recently. It's a new product with some kind of special technology!

They say you can get a good night's sleep anywhere, no matter how uncomfortable it is, just by wearing it. Pretty amazing, right?

Standing watch is essential if we're to remain prepared for any threat.

If you're tired, feel free to get some sleep first.

Well, if that's how you feel, I guess there's no helping it!

I'll take a nap first, so wake me if anything happens—

Hey! Is something wrong out there?

Monsters have never appeared on this road before...!

Stay here. I'll take care of them.

Fufu... I'm always ready for combat.

I told you, didn't I? I'm a veteran hunter.

No monster can survive once my custom pair of Blue Fangs start dancing!

So? What'd you think of a top-tier hunter in action?

You got a good look at my finishing move, the Double Spin Back-Tumbling Slash, right?

Pretty cool, huh? Makes you want to learn it, doesn't it?

You think a top-tier hunter would get injured by monsters like these?

It's just a scratch.

But couldn't we have taken our time cornering them? There was no need to push yourself so hard.

And Trish, you use far too many unnecessary movements in combat.

It would've been better to wait for the enemy to make the first move and respond accordingly.

The way of the hunter! Always give yourself style points in battle!

Mister! We took care of all of them, so you can come out now!

Let's go, let's go!

A-all right, then. We'll get moving again.