"Is there really a need to worry so much? I'm very strong."
Shendu found Ram and Emilia's concern rather amusing. With her strength, she had absolutely no fear of threats from the Bowel Hunter or the curse user.
Aside from a certain overpowered hero, Shendu was no ordinary opponent. Even someone as infamous as the Bowel Hunter was nothing more than a minor character in her eyes.
"In any case, please allow me to accompany you, Lady Shendu, and handle this matter together."
Ram's gaze was resolute. Beside her, Rem nodded as well, voicing her own determination.
"Lady Shendu, Rem's body is still unwell, so I will go in her place. I hope I can be of some help."
Rem looked at Shendu sincerely. Feeling the weakness in her body and unable to assist personally, she spoke with a face full of apology.
"Yes! Since Rem has said so, Lady Shendu, please allow us to follow you!"
Ram bowed, her eyes fixed seriously on Shendu without the slightest hesitation.
"The noble who governs this territory supports me. Those villagers are also my people. I will do my best to resolve this trouble as well."
As a royal candidate, Emilia naturally possessed such awareness, and she immediately expressed her stance.
"Very well. If you follow me, do not act unless necessary. Leave everything to me."
Shendu looked at the silver-haired half-elf and the pink-haired maid, issuing her warning.
"Yes!"
"Understood."
The two beautiful girls did not refuse. They readily agreed to Shendu's condition. Otherwise, she would not have allowed them to go.
"Then let's depart immediately. But first, we should evacuate the villagers of Arlam Village."
A thoughtful glint flashed in Shendu's crimson eyes as she gave her order.
After that, the three of them wasted no time and set off at once.
Along the way, Shendu walked at an unhurried pace, leisurely taking in the surrounding scenery. Since it would take time to reach their destination anyway, she might as well enjoy the view first.
Arlam Village was only a small settlement. The mansion usually sourced its food supplies from there. As for security, Roswaal paid considerable attention to it.
For instance, the far side of the forest outside the village had been sealed off with fences and obstacles. Anyone wishing to enter the forest would have to break through those barriers.
Those obstacles had also been inscribed with spell formulas, forming a sturdy barrier to enhance their defensive capabilities. That was why Arlam Village had managed to exist until now. Otherwise, the massive magical beasts within the forest would have long since slaughtered the entire village.
It was worth mentioning that all the magical beasts in this world were created by a witch named Daphne.
Known as the Witch of Gluttony, she possessed the authority to create magical beasts. Her original intention had been to reduce hunger in the world so that people would no longer worry about food. Yet unexpectedly, those magical beasts ravaged the continent for four hundred years.
Shendu could not help but sigh at this, feeling that everything indeed had two sides. One could not judge anything from only a single perspective.
"By the way, Lady Emilia, why did you insist on coming? It would have been enough for Ram to accompany Lady Shendu."
Ram glanced at Shendu beside her before turning a thoughtful gaze toward Emilia.
Originally, Ram had intended to spend time alone with Shendu, hoping to move the silver-haired, red-eyed girl with her sincerity and gain her favor.
Unfortunately, Emilia's sudden appearance had disrupted her plan. The carefully imagined two-person outing had been completely shattered.
"That's because I'm worried about Sister Shendu. I won't run away from something this serious."
Emilia's cheeks flushed faintly. Naturally, she would never tell Ram that as long as Shendu was by her side, she felt an overwhelming sense of security.
"Oh? Saying one thing while meaning another."
Ram muttered softly under her breath and said nothing more.
...
Before long, the three of them arrived at Arlam Village. However, all the able-bodied men had already mobilized and were searching frantically in every direction.
Upon noticing Shendu and Emilia's arrival, several visibly flustered villagers hurried over and, in trembling voices, explained the situation.
"Lady Ram, you've finally arrived. Something terrible has happened in the village."
Seeing Ram, the villager's face was filled with anxiety. He looked at her, then at Emilia, whose expression was puzzled.
"What happened?"
Ram frowned. Sure enough, their worst fears had come to pass.
"A few hours ago, a woman named Elsa suddenly barged into the village. She claimed to be the Bowel Hunter."
As the villager spoke, fear crept into his eyes. His voice trembled as he continued, "That woman swiftly killed five people, then forced all the children of the village into the forest."
"So now the village has organized a rescue party. We were preparing to enter the forest and bring those children back."
The villager looked anguished. They were no match for a powerful assassin. They knew that organizing a group to enter the forest was practically suicide. But for the sake of the children, they had no choice.
"I see. Leave this matter to us. Go inform the village chief and have everyone temporarily evacuate the village. The farther away, the better."
Ram frowned but calmly made her judgment.
"But can we really just do nothing?"
Pain filled the villager's eyes. He felt utterly useless, unable to help at all.
"That's right. If you remain here, you will only get in the way. Return tonight and collect the children then."
Shendu cast the villager a glance, her presence imposing.
The villager froze for a few seconds before coming back to his senses. He nodded solemnly and began informing the others nearby.
Soon, the villagers—young and old alike—left the village, bringing only essential rations sufficient for about a day. They took almost nothing else.
Out of trust in Ram, since she told them to return at night, they would do exactly that.
"Rem was cursed because she was bitten by a dog held by a blue-haired little girl. That person likely possesses the ability to control magical beasts."
Drawing upon the memories in her mind, Shendu shared her conclusion.
"Very well. Then we'll head into the forest together. We must rescue the children taken by the Bowel Hunter."
After a brief moment of thought, Ram spoke without hesitation.
"Let's go."
Shendu's tone was calm, as though she did not take the matter to heart at all. In her view, this was merely a rare opportunity to stretch her muscles before the Royal Selection began.
It had been far too long since she had fought. Shendu was beginning to feel truly bored.