> Ellie PoV

“Kelly, stop the carriage.”

“You heard her, Cloppy, stop the carriage.”

The horse-like golem stops.

Our carriage does too.

There’s nothing around here though.

It’s just a wide grassland, nothing can ambush us around here.

“What’s up, Red?”

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Well to be honest, I’ve been having a bad feeling since we left Runetap 5 days ago.

This carriage is comfortable and all, but it stands out too much. It’s a wonder we haven’t been ambushed yet.”

Kelly’s right.

Even I think it’s highly unusual.

It’s the frame of a Planet Rover after all.

Though the name is fancy it’s just an over-sized dune buggy.

The six wheels stick out awkwardly from the sides, too.

But, is that really the biggest eyesore?

“I think Kelly’s golem stands out way more.”

I mean, it’s a 3 meter tall walking statue you know!

It’s almost bigger than the carriage!

“That’s not what I mean you two! It’s too quiet.”

“... now that you mention it yeah, but how does that matter?”

“We kept hearing the bird and animal cries until a little while ago, but now they’re gone. They might have been scared off by some dangerous monsters.”

“Hmm? I don’t usually travel a lot so I never thought about it before. Thanks for the tip, Red.”

{The box is about a kilometer from here, towards that forest on our left.}

“Alright. Ellie, you go check it out. Kelly, suit up and be on stand by.”

“Got it.”

“Okay. Nano, show me.”

I jump out of the carriage and start running.

I really dislike leaving Kira behind, but Kelly and Scrappy are there.

It should be fine.

Also, Kira’s gotten a lot better at dealing with rough spots.

Nano gave her a gauntlet-type tool before we left.

It’s black and shiny and pointy and really cool.

Nano told Kira to focus on using that for small fry.

Staff is reserved for big targets.

It makes sense you know?

You shouldn’t use a missile to hunt a frog.

As a result, Kira’s a lot better at handling close quarters now.

Her dodging skills are also steadily improving somehow.

Even though I never see her training them.

As expected, Kira’s just amazing.

I still feel uneasy for leaving her behind, though.

I look back over my shoulder, but the carriage is already out of sight.

Maybe Nano can help out here?

“Nano, can you keep an eye on Kira and Kelly?”

{I’m afraid I can’t do that, Ellie.}

... that reply was a bit out of character.

Wait, that's not important right now!

“But you could see at home, so why not now?”

{I see, I never explained properly. Let’s clear this up quickly.}

{Alright, everyone listen up this is important.}

{Let’s make this clear - I can hear you, but I cannot see you.}

{Ellie and the drones are my eyes. If none of them are around, I can’t see what’s going on.}

{I’m not actually omnipotent so make sure you report any strange happenings.}

{“Hooh, and I thought for sure you were peeping on me in the bath.”}

{Well Kelly, that did happen. But only because Ellie was the one doing the peeping.}

Nano!

Don’t sell me out like this!

{“”ELLIE!?””}

“I was just curious how Kelly’s chest compared to Kira’s!

I’ll apologize, so forgive me, okay?”

For the record, Kira is still undefeated.

By a wide margin, actually.

Between me and Kelly it’s debatable.

But that’s fine with me.

Big breasts impede movement.

Also Kira said mine were cute and perfectly fit in her palms.

Therefore, I’m satisfied with my current size.

* * *

Oh!

I'm here.

Where's here?

Good question!

Unfortunately I have no idea.

Nano says the box is under me, though!

I’m on top of a rocky-ish hill.

I say rocky-ish because the ground is weird.

I reach my hand up and activate the earpiece.

“Kira, I found the box but it’s underground.

Nano says it’s buried deep so I need your help.”

{“There are no monsters around?”}

“None that I can see.”

{“Okay, Nano will guide me and Kelly to where you are. Stay put and keep an eye out.”}

“Roger, out.”

{“Like I said who’s this Roger bloke and why is he always out?”}

{“No idea, she says that sometimes.”}

{“And you aren’t curious?”}

{“It’s your loss if you mind it.”}

{“You and that bloody mantra again. Honestly Red I don’t get what you see in that girl at all.”}

{“She’s caring and passionate, also honest to a fault.”}

{“That’s way beyond simple honesty! She’s way too blunt about everything!

This is way too abnormal! The face and eye thing is especially weird! And then those ears and tail popped out for no reason!”}

{“They’re pretty cute though, don’t you think?”}

{“That’s not the point! She’s dangerous! What’s with that casual attitude while she maims and stabs people? It’s way too creepy!”}

“Kelly, I can still hear you, you know?”

{“Hmm, what’s that? Red, did you happen to hear a creepy peeper talk just now?”}

{“My, I sure hope not. It’s exceedingly rude to interrupt a private conversation.”}

Grrrr!

Kelly’s doing this on purpose!

But I can’t really object to this treatment.

You’ll pay for this, Kelly!

I’ll forgive Kira though.

She defended me even though it was a punishment.

Since Kira’s the wife.