"Idiot, this is all your fault."
My sister ran while carrying me.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to."
She scolded Bestie for her actions; we were being chased by a horde of monsters on the forest's main road.
The Earth Dragon seemed angry after Bestie had sliced its head with a sword, even though it didn't kill it.
I glanced back.
Woah, there are so many.
Behind me, I saw a large number of Monsters chasing us, followed by the Earth Dragon and one other huge Monster.
I didn't know what kind it was, but the Monster certainly looked human; standing on two legs, having two arms. Only its body was equivalent to and as big as the Earth Dragon.
"Hurry up your pace!"
I glanced at Beta who was shouting as she looked behind; more Monsters were chasing the two of them compared to my sister and me.
"Watch your step."
My sister warned when Bestie almost ran into a tree by the roadside.
"Now what?"
Then she asked me what to do.
I didn't know what to do either.
"Just run for now, the forest is vast. Fighting won't end it, they'll just keep coming."
My sister and I looked at Beta.
"There's no other way?"
"No..."
"I understand the frustration, because my sister and I often train in this forest. And yes... they're endless, no matter how many you defeat."
"This is all your fault, you idiot!"
"Uh... have you forgotten? Who electrocuted the Earth Dragon's foot?"
My sister looked down.
"Enough, now run faster. I really don't want to be eaten by a Monster."
Beta had a point; instead of arguing, it was better to escape first.
I gripped my sister's shoulder.
"Sorry... I was wrong, but... she was wrong too. It's not just me."
My sister was referring to Bestie; she didn't want to be blamed alone.
"I only hit its head, remember... while you electrocuted its foot and many other monsters simultaneously."
I felt this wouldn't end if we kept arguing about who was at fault; both insisted they weren't to blame.
Considering this was all because of my selfish request, I thought I was the one who should be blamed the most.
"Hey, look at that."
Beta asked us to look back. My sister, Bestie, and I looked back.
Hmm... what is that?
"Isn't that the horse carriage from before?"
"Yeah, you're right."
Ah, so the carriage survived, but what was he doing?
Behind the horde of monsters, we saw the horse carriage speeding up, catching up to the Monsters. Its lights were off, so I couldn't see who was riding it.
"He's going to charge through the horde of monsters!"
"He? Could the coachman or the person inside still be alive?"
"Yeah, they're still alive. Because when I jumped over there, the coachman was still holding the reins."
Beta might have been worried after Bestie confirmed that at least the coachman was still alive.
I heard my sister's heavy breathing; she was very exhausted.
"Young miss... I have arrived..."
Suddenly a voice was heard. I turned towards the sound and saw, not far away, right behind and in front of the horde of monsters.
A familiar figure was visible; the teacher's private coachman was waving.
He spurred his horses faster until he was running alongside Bestie and my sister.
"I have come to help you, young miss. Please, come inside."
Eh, how is that possible...
I was a little surprised to see him release the horses' reins, leaving them unattended.
He was hanging on the side of the carriage, opening the door and asking us to get in.
"He's your teacher's coachman, right?"
I nodded.
"Alright then, get in first."
While running alongside the horses, my sister helped me get into the carriage first. Then followed by Beta, Bestie, and my sister.
"Is everyone in? Alright, I will close the door, and you can all rest in peace."
He closed the carriage door, and then all of us inside felt the carriage speed up after the door was closed.
"Wow, Bestie, he's your teacher's private coachman, right?"
I nodded.
"This is so fast, hahaha..."
Bestie peeked, her head out the window.
"They've been left far behind."
She must have seen the horde of monsters left far behind. I couldn't peek out too, because I'd have to stand up for that. My sister sat beside me, her breathing heavy; she was very exhausted.
Beta across from me was frozen silent. I hoped she wouldn't suddenly get nauseous and vomit.
"Hey Bestie, is your teacher's coachman always like this?"
I glanced at Bestie, her head still sticking out the window.
"He's hanging on the back, hitting the Monsters that come—it looks fun! Can I try it?"
Wait, he's hanging on the back? Then who's controlling the horses in the front?
I shook my head, forbidding Bestie from doing what she wanted. She needed to rest for now.
"Alright."