Perhaps due to yesterday's exhausting journey, Lily didn't emerge from the small wooden cabin until about two hours later.
The Lolita dress wasn't suitable for activities in a forest environment, so I had prepared more lightweight clothing for Lily.
"Good morning, Lily."
"Mm... good morning, Anna..."
Lily clutched the hem of her skirt, looking at me somewhat timidly. Was she worried about not washing the bed sheets properly? I didn't particularly mind, though that incident was quite embarrassing for me—I hoped Lily wouldn't dwell on it.
"The washing supplies are over there. Please wait a moment for the meal."
"..."
Lily didn't respond, standing at the cabin doorway, seeming like she wanted to say something several times.
I was puzzled about what Lily wanted to say. Was it about using the toilet? Or perhaps... worrying about whether it was safe?
Finally, Lily seemed to steel her resolve and raised her head with determination.
"Anna."
"?"
"Lily has something... she wants to tell Anna. It's about... Duke Borgia..."
I didn't know the exact reason why Duke Borgia was hunting Lily. Although Sigrdrífa and I had some speculation together, we had ultimately been considerate of Lily's feelings and neither of us had asked her about it.
"Don't force yourself, Lily."
"Lily just feels... this isn't right. Not saying anything and waiting for Anna to help me..."
She wanted to be helpful—Lily's behavior last night was also based on this sentiment. She had probably realized that she was too young to help me, so she decided to muster the courage to at least tell me the circumstances.
She was definitely forcing herself. I didn't believe that in just a few days, Lily could completely overcome that nightmare.
However, just as Lily was about to speak, my constantly active [Detection] skill sensed the arrival of uninvited guests.
"Lily. Come here."
Lily was slightly startled, then quite obediently ran behind me. Although I hadn't said anything explicitly, Lily had probably guessed something from my serious expression.
There were intruders.
Calling them intruders might not be entirely accurate—I recognized both of the people entering the area.
One was Carol Cat, and the other was...
Baron Hurst, Trafalgar.
It was normal for Carol Cat to find us, but Trafalgar... he had no relationship with Carol Cat, so why would he be acting together with her?
Although I hadn't spent much time with either Carol Cat or Trafalgar, I clearly lacked sufficient understanding of Trafalgar. What kind of person he was, I had no idea.
Unable to understand the reason, I judged this as something I couldn't ignore and had to take action.
Locking onto the direction where Carol Cat and Trafalgar were located, I threw my chains straight ahead.
[Aim], target Carol Cat, silence magic attached.
Activating skill [Hook Lock].
A skill that could be triggered when using whips or other weapons with elastic properties, dealing damage to a single unit while entangling them, then forcibly dragging them to oneself.
The chains flew into the forest. Within my [Detection] range, I sensed Carol Cat's figure tremble, then close the distance to me at lightning speed.
"Meow meow meow meow—?!"
"My apologies, Lady Carol Cat."
Using the hook lock skill, I cleanly pulled Carol Cat over first to ask what was going on. If this was a trap, I'd deal with her, then handle Trafalgar outside afterward.
"An...Anna... so scary mya..."
Carol Cat's legs went weak and she collapsed to the ground, her speech slurred. Her experience was probably like suddenly riding a roller coaster without warning, with the constant possibility of crashing into trees—in reality, she might have wet herself from fright.
"Ugh... so noisy..."
Sigrdrífa was awakened by Carol Cat's shouting. I took the opportunity to stand up. Although I had been lap-pillowed by Sigrdrífa for two hours, I felt no discomfort upon standing.
"Lady Carol Cat, I need an explanation."
"Mya?"
"Did you lead Baron Trafalgar here?"
"The baron asked me to deliver a message to Anna... No meow! I'm innocent meow!"
Carol Cat whimpered as she defended herself. Had she been coerced by Trafalgar?
"Anna, what's wrong?"
Sigrdrífa asked anxiously what was happening while pinching her cheeks to wake herself up more quickly.
"Baron Trafalgar has also come."
I replied simply. In the short time, Trafalgar had already successfully broken through the outer traps with magical assistance. Having lost Carol Cat, Trafalgar's direction was slightly off, but he was generally still approaching this way.
Sigrdrífa's expression changed, and she quickly entered stealth mode.
"Wait, wait!"
But Carol Cat frantically tried to stop us as we prepared for battle.
"He said he won't attack you mya!"
"Then what is he here for?"
Sigrdrífa obviously didn't believe it, but one detail caught my attention.
Trafalgar had followed Carol Cat here alone.
Either he believed he could break through Sigrdrífa and me to kill Lily and monopolize Duke Borgia's bounty, or... he had another purpose.
Before long, Baron Trafalgar's figure finally appeared in the forest.
His sword never left his hand, constantly alert to his surroundings. I guessed he was guarding against Sigrdrífa's sneak attacks—moon elves' stealth almost certainly guaranteed first strike.
However, when he stepped out of the forest shade, both Sigrdrífa and I were dumbfounded.
How should I put it... Baron Trafalgar had completely lost his noble bearing. He hadn't changed his outfit, but his entire body was covered with cat scratch marks, his face bore three claw marks, and what was on his wrists were... bite marks...?
Had he been attacked by vicious wild cats on the way here?
Trafalgar seemed aware of his embarrassing state and waved his hand awkwardly.
"Don't pay too much attention to my injuries. Anastasia, I hope we can have a chat."