"It's not like that... Miss, this area near the Severed Mountains is desolate and rarely visited. They..."

Gry trailed off under Violet's gaze, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he forced the words out.

"In short, Uncle Gry, stop getting in my way," Violet said coldly, a flicker of disgust in her eyes. "If a guard's duty is to chase off harmless outsiders but crumble before real enemies, what use is he?"

Gry flushed with shame but still blocked her path. "Miss, we must ensure your safety. Even against the strongest foes, we'd give our lives to stop them. But we can't let you stay with strangers—it's too dangerous. If attacked at close range, we might not reach you in time."

Violet snorted. "Sister Myra poses no threat. She's just an ordinary person."

"Ordinary people can disguise themselves," Gry insisted. "Even a normal person carrying hidden weapons could harm you."

Just as Violet clenched her fists, ready to snap, shouts erupted from the caravan's side. A massive red boar, tusks gleaming and vicious, charged wildly from the roadside forest. It barreled toward a wagon bound with rough hemp ropes, hauling red wooden crates.

"Gry, stop that red boar! Don't let it escape!"

A deep voice boomed from the forest behind the beast. Figures armed with weapons emerged in pursuit.

What's going on?

I hesitated, about to ask Violet, when Eunice stepped beside me. She shielded me from the chaos, watching coldly.

Several guards swiftly formed a defensive line with heavy shields, a solid wall before the boar. Behind them, spearmen readied their weapons. Their speed surprised me. Earlier, they'd seemed lazy under the shade, but now they moved like a single unit—far sharper than those Sword and Axe Mercenary Corps thugs.

The red boar roared, charging straight at the guards. Its tusks scraped harmlessly against the shields.

*Clang!*

The lead guard flew meters back, the formation faltering for a split second. The boar's charge stalled. Instantly, steel-tipped spears jabbed into its body. Crimson blood seeped through its fur.

The boar's massive frame crashed down. Its bloodshot eyes stared blankly as it wheezed, the sound fading. Dust coated its snout with each shallow breath. Death shadowed it, blood pooling crimson beneath its body.

The guard who'd taken the hit coughed up blood but laughed it off with his comrades. Snatches of talk reached me: "mutant," "berserk," "worth a fortune."

Soon, a group emerged from the forest—clearly the boar's pursuers. Or perhaps they'd driven it here. Their calm expressions suggested the latter.

At their head strode a towering bald man, nearly two meters tall. He carried a broadsword one-handed, his upper body bare except for a leather sheath on his back. Muscles bulged across his chest, arms, and shoulders. Gray mustaches curled above his lip. Despite his fierce look, he beamed a fawning smile at Violet.

He handed his sword to a follower and strode over—straight to Violet. But as he neared, she frowned. He halted awkwardly, stepping back to keep two meters between them, his grin turning careful and ingratiating.

"Uh... daughter... how about grilled wild boar for dinner today?"

Wait—daughter?!

Could this mustached bald giant really be Violet's father? Their appearances were worlds apart.

Violet recoiled in disgust. "I'm sorry, Mr. Burdock, I have no interest in grilled boar. And I don't want to talk to you. Stop bothering me."

"Sister Myra, let's go."

Violet turned away coldly, grabbing my arm to head for the carriage.

Burdock fumbled, then asked, "Daughter... who are these two?"

"None of your business."

He scratched his head, shifting his gaze to Eunice. "Young man, are you Violet's...?" Before Eunice could reply, he added, "My daughter's sweetheart, perhaps? She's at that age for fluttering hearts."

"What did you say?! Shut up, shut up, shut up! You damn father!"

Violet froze, her face flushing red and pale by turns, her chest rising and falling slightly. Fury radiated from her.

Burdock chuckled warmly. "Young man, my daughter seems fond of you. You're a lucky one. But whether you two stay together depends on passing my test. As a father, I must vet my future son-in-law."

Eunice's lips twitched. She said nothing, ignoring him completely.

Violet sputtered, "Burdock, what are you babbling about? That's absolute nonsense!"