“......What? How could such a thing happen? I thought it was strange—wandering goblin squads are one thing, but an entire tribe appearing on the road? So someone was pulling the strings!”

  “You’re absolutely right.”

  Alec looked at Hulim Heyerar seriously.

  “This is a common tactic used by bandits.”

  The others in the team frowned upon hearing the news, their expressions turning solemn.

  “......One crisis after another?”

  Stein said in a deep voice, then turned to Alec.

  “Alec, what do you want to do?”

  As everyone’s gaze fell on him, Alec thought carefully for a moment. He reached out, grabbed the nearly roasted rabbit, tore off a leg, and handed it to Hulim.

  “Let’s eat first. This can wait.”

  “......”

  Everyone was stunned, staring at him speechlessly.

  “What are you looking at? Eat up!”

  He pulled out the food provided by the caravan and started roasting it.

  Seeing that everyone was still staring, Alec explained:

  “From what Hulim told us, we can infer that tonight is safe. Besides, there are too many people around right now—there’s no way that spy could approach the caravan’s water supplies at this hour. If they want to act, it’ll definitely be in the middle of the night! So...... let’s eat first, then we’ll take our time to discuss this with the caravan leaders.”

  “......”

  Although the others were a bit uneasy, they thought his words made sense. They simply placed their food by the campfire and started roasting.

  Hulim bit into the rabbit leg, glancing at Alec, who was eating heartily. Suddenly, she understood his reasoning.

  Knowing there was a spy among them—with no clue about their identity—acting anxious and rushing to talk to the caravan leaders while everyone else was eating would only arouse suspicion and invite trouble......

  “Hulim, try this!”

  Alec handed her a piece of roasted food and said:

  “Hulim, us adventurers are practical people. Putting aside the information tonight, you saved my life earlier—I must repay that debt.”

  “I’ll give you my share of the guard fee for this trip!”

  “Huh?”

  Hulim was shocked and quickly refused.

  “Mr. Alec, that’s not necessary!”

  Before Alec could respond, Anjie laughed loudly and cut in:

  “Haha~! Little sister Hulim~, no need to refuse so quickly! This is the rule for us adventurers—just accept it with peace of mind~! Besides, by saving our leader, you indirectly saved our team. We owe you thanks too~! Here, sister toast you!”

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  With that, she held out a tankard of foam ale to Hulim.

  Hulim: “......”

  Alec smiled softly.

  “As Anjie said, it’s a rule. Hulim, you wouldn’t want me to become a laughingstock among adventurers, would you?”

  “Of course not—I never meant that——”

  “Then you accept~! Alright, it’s settled!”

  “I...... Fine.”

  Hulim was lost for words and had no choice but to agree.

  “Great!” Alec smiled, then turned to Anjie slowly. “Speaking of which...... Anjie, what are you trying to do by offering alcohol to a child? And I distinctly remember confiscating all your ale—where did you get this?”

  “Huh——?”

  The tipsy smile froze on Anjie’s face.

  ......

  Inside a tent where one of the merchant groups was stationed,

  “Is this all the damage?”

  Chandel looked at the report compiled by his assistant, a faint frown on his face.

  The assistant nodded affirmatively: “Yes, Mr. Chandel.”

  “Alright, I see......” Chandel set down the report and rubbed his brows. “Go invite the leaders of the other merchant groups. I want to hold a meeting with them later.”

  “Yes! But...... Mr. Chandel, are we really going to abandon some of the goods?”

  “I don’t want to either, but there’s no other way.”

  Chandel shook his head helplessly.

  At that moment, the tent curtain was lifted, and the Hunting Fangs team walked in.

  “Mr. Chandel, sorry to disturb you, but we have something important to tell you.”

  “It’s Mr. Alec! Please come in!”

  Chandel stood up to greet them, glancing at his assistant.

  “You may go first.”

  “Yes!”

  The assistant left the tent.

  Chandel smiled and gestured for them to sit.

  “Please make yourselves comfortable. Would you like some tea?”

  “No need to trouble yourself, Mr. Chandel.”

  Alec waved his hand.

  “Very well. Then may I ask what brings you here, Mr. Alec?”

  As Chandel spoke, his gaze unconsciously fell on Hulim.

  He knew all the members of Hunting Fangs, and this young girl wasn’t among them—so he figured the matter must have something to do with her.

  “It’s like this......”

  Alec told Chandel what Hulim had overheard.

  ......

  “What? How could such a thing be!?”

  Chandel looked shocked, his expression turning grim. No one could remain calm upon learning their caravan was being targeted by bandits.

  “I apologize, Mr. Alec, but I don’t mean to doubt you. However, this is a matter of great importance. Can we be certain that this young lady——”

  “Hulim.”

  Hulim spoke up.

  “My name is Hulim. Hulim Heyerar.”

  “Oh, my apologies, Miss Hulim! But do you have any credible evidence to support your claim?”

  Upon hearing this, Anjie immediately looked dissatisfied.

  “Hey! How can we provide evidence for something like this? Besides, better safe than sorry, right?”

  “Anjie!”

  Alec scolded her, then turned to Chandel with an apology. “I’m sorry, Mr. Chandel. One of our team members speaks without thinking—please don’t take it personally.”

  Chandel shook his head: “You’re overthinking it, Mr. Alec. I won’t hold it against her.”

  “That’s good,” Alec said, changing his tone. “But as our team member said, you can trust Hulim’s words. Hunting Fangs is willing to vouch for her!”

  “Oh——, is that so......”

  Chandel looked at Alec in surprise.

  “Mr. Chandel.”

  Hulim spoke up again.

  “I do have evidence.”

  “Huh, you do!?!”

  Anjie looked extremely shocked.

  She was met with silent stares from her teammates.

  Quickly, she made a gesture to zip her lips.

  “Oh, if there’s evidence, that’s a relief. Would you be willing to show it to me now, Miss Hulim?”

  “Not right now.”

  Hulim shook her head.

  “The evidence will present itself in the middle of the night.”

  “Middle of the night?”

  Chandel looked confused.

  The members of Hunting Fangs, however, immediately understood what she meant.

  Hulim then told Chandel her plan......

  “Well, if that’s the case, it wouldn’t hurt to try......”

  Chandel thought for a moment and agreed to Hulim’s plan.

  “Coincidentally, I’ve already invited the leaders of the other caravans to a meeting. I’ll inform them of this matter, and we’ll act together then.”

  ......