Strange Company
Mission progress... Smooth so far.
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—
Why are you muttering to yourself like that?
Huh...?!
...Were you eavesdropping?
Eavesdropping? You're mumbling to yourself so loudly, of course I can hear you.
A mission...? Infiltration...? What's all that about?
P-please forget you heard that...!
Details of a secret operation are classified information civilians are not permitted to hear.
You must pretend you heard nothing...!
Ahaha! So it's a secret mission? Got it, got it.
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!
Ugh... The operation's secrecy has been compromised...
Hahaha! I said I'd keep it a secret, didn't I?
Boiled eggs, chilled drinks, assorted desserts, this morning's newspapers, and more are available for purchase.
If you'd like to buy something, please quietly raise your hand.
Over here!
Is there anything you'd like?
Hmm...
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!
...No, thank you. Just keep your promise and keep it secret.
Really? Guess you're not very hungry.
We've still got a long way to go before Kalaid...
Then I'll take one of those drinks, and—
Hmm?
We apologize for the inconvenience.
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.
Huh...?! What? What does that mean?
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?
Hahaha! Kalaid? Of course I can get you there.
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.
That's...
Classified. I can't tell you.
Classified? Hmm... Well, if you don't want to tell me, that's fine.
All right... Then let's not waste any time. We'll be off.
Hyah...!
Wait! Hold it!
W-what the...?! Miss, you can't just jump in front of a moving carriage like that!
Ahaha! Sorry, sorry. I was in a hurry.
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.
Haha! That's true, but you're a little late, miss.
What...?! Why?
I've already got a passenger. If you want to ride along, you'll need to ask for permission first—
Ahaha! If that's all, don't worry! I'll handle it!
H-hey? Wait! You can't just barge in there!
Hup! There! Ahaha!
...?!
Oh? We meet again, secret agent.
...Didn't you say you'd keep it secret?!
Ahaha! What's the harm? It's just the two of us here.
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?
...I'm sorry, but as I said, I'm currently traveling on a secret mission.
Having a civilian accompany me could be dangerous—
Dangerous? Ahaha! Then you've got nothing to worry about!
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?
Absolutely not...!
Tch...! Fine, fine. You're a tough one to crack, huh?
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!
W-wait... What?! That's a lot of money...!
Then that's a yes, right? I'll take it as a yes! Ahaha!
All right, mister! Let's go! Get us moving!
I-I never agreed to anything!
Ahaha! Don't worry so much!
With the top-tier hunter Trish around, any threat that comes our way will be dealt with in no time!
*Sigh...* You're not listening to a word I'm saying...
So... something might be happening at Candle Square's Kalaid branch?
Ooh... Just hearing about it gets my heart racing!
Feels like some amazing adventure is about to unfold...!
...I can't disclose any more information.
Let's end the questions there.
Ahaha! Fine. I was just curious.
Anyway, I'm starting to get a little hungry...
Maybe I'll eat some of the food I brought.
Oh, want some too?
Hmm... No, thank you.
A full stomach during a mission only gets in the way of concentration.
You're... not hungry? You haven't eaten anything since the carriage left.
For the successful completion of a mission, I can endure minor physiological needs...
...But then again, maintaining an appropriate caloric intake is necessary for mission performance.
Ahaha! Right, right. You were hungry after all!
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...
It does look delicious and I appreciate the offer, but I must decline.
...Huh? You're not having any?
I'll eat this instead. I'm more comfortable with this.
What's that...?
Field rations.
They're easy to eat, keep well, and replenish calories quickly.
Would you like a pack?
Ugh. No thanks. That's way too miserable a meal for a top-tier hunter like me!
Miserable? It's a product containing a balanced range of essential nutrients required for combat.
...You enjoy that.
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.
You never know when or where combat might break out during a mission. There's no harm in being prepared.
Ugh... I just don't get you.
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?
No, I'm fine.
Standing watch is essential if we're to remain prepared for any threat.
If you're tired, feel free to get some sleep first.
Aww... You're no fun.
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—
Gah!
W-whoa! What was that?!
Hey! Is something wrong out there?
M-monsters suddenly came down from the mountain...!
Monsters have never appeared on this road before...!
Tch...! Can't be helped.
Stay here. I'll take care of them.
No. I'll help.
Fufu... I'm always ready for combat.
All right...! Then let's go!