{2}“Night Chase”

  ***

  *THUD THUD THUD THUD*

  The sleigh, now unburdened of its cargo, moved incredibly fast. Professor Sven silently drove the reindeer forward. Dr. Gernshvatz Zwelf checked the map and gave directions. Though there was only starlight, whatever device was in the doctor's goggles allowed him to read the map perfectly. Rin kept glancing back in the direction the cargo sleigh had gone. Professor Sven, noticing this, spoke up.

  "Miss Rin. Don't think too negatively. What you're worried about hasn't happened yet."

  "But Professor Antoine's sleigh..."

  She couldn't bring herself to say the word "bait" out loud, because even though she knew it, she wanted to deny it. Dr. Gernshvatz's eyes left the map and turned to Rin.

  "Sweetie. The situation isn't all that bad. Antoine may seem like a romantic, but he's got a brilliant mind. He was the continent's greatest adventurer in his youth. Not the type to die easily."

  "But we're dealing with Muwai..."

  "Urgh..."

  The doctor, at a loss for words, buried his face back in the map. This only made Rin's worries grow rather than diminish.

  ***

  "The current situation isn't entirely negative."

  At that same moment, Professor Antoine was pointing at the night sky from atop a sleigh heading in exactly the opposite direction from Rin's.

  "This night view! The cascade of starlight! Doesn't it feel like we're back in our younger days? Ha ha!"

  At his laughter, Baldu, the Snow People guide driving the reindeer, glanced back at him. Professor Temel Kun let out a sigh heavy enough to create a cloud of white breath.

  "Sigh. Professor Pinetre. The current situation is absolutely negative."

  Thud thud thud thud

  Large footsteps echoed nearby. Heavy and rough, yet quick footsteps. Through the coniferous forest, glimpses of massive shadows and reflections from sharp weapons could be seen.

  "We've been chased by Muwai for quite some time now, haven't we?"

  Professor Temel spoke reproachfully. But Professor Antoine continued to smile.

  "Truth be told, I was finding the stable life of a senior professor rather dull. Hmm? Please do smooth out that frown. That's why people keep thinking you're older than me."

  "Haaa..."

  Professor Temel let out another deep sigh.

  The reason the Muwai weren't attacking immediately was because they preferred to hunt by driving their prey. In other words, the death of those on this cargo sleigh—Professor Temel, Professor Antoine, and the three Snow People—was practically sealed. Professor Temel had to forcefully suppress his desire to demand how Antoine could joke in such a situation.

  *FWHOOSH!*

  Suddenly, the sleigh's speed decreased. The reindeer whinnied and gradually slowed their pace.

  "What's wrong?"

  To Professor Temel's question, Baldu replied.

  "This is as far as we go. No point in continuing."

  "..."

  He pulled the reins to bring the sleigh to a complete stop. And no one on the sleigh blamed him for this action. The Muwai had been steadily herding them in one direction, which meant there were likely other Muwai lying in ambush somewhere ahead. There was no point in continuing to run.

  "Baldu, my boy. I'm sorry."

  Professor Antoine said. Baldu shook his head.

  "No need. Our village lives well thanks to the Academy folk. We're grateful."

  Massive Muwai approached the now-stationary sleigh. Seeing them coming from the front as well confirmed their earlier suspicions. They had been surrounded from the start.

  Professor Antoine turned away from the approaching Muwai to look at Baldu. He patted both of his shoulders. Next, he patted the shoulders of the other two Snow People—Tun and Kul—in turn. Finally, he bowed his head to Professor Temel.

  "This seems to be as far as we go, Temel. All these years, first as my assistant in your youth, then as an associate professor in your maturity, I've put you through so much trouble, and now I've gotten you mixed up in this mess at the end. I'm ashamed."

  His voice had grown somber. Professor Temel, who had expected anger, instead grabbed Professor Antoine's hand with a smile.

  "Not at all. Thinking about it again, I realize the situation isn't entirely negative."

  "Ah. So you had the same thought."

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  "Of course. At least we saved one new student who'll be enrolling this year, didn't we? Haha."

  "Indeed. Hoho."

  The Muwai were now right in front of them. Though ordinary people might have their legs give out or scream in such a situation, no one present did either. Their composed attitude even seemed to confuse the Muwai.

  "Professor Temel."

  Professor Antoine, who had been momentarily solemn in the face of death, returned to his smiling self as if nothing had happened.

  "Before we die, wouldn't it be interesting to study just how intelligent the Muwai are?"

  "Haha. Professor, really."

  "Why not? It's not a bad idea. Let's try initiating dialogue. Like this."

  Professor Antoine stepped down from the sleigh and walked proudly toward the Muwai. Then he called out in a booming voice.

  "Hello there!"

  At this sudden and strange action, the Muwai looked at each other. Judging by their exchange of glances, they seemed to be communicating something. Professor Antoine shrugged his shoulders at Professor Temel.

  "It seems expecting a vocal language communication system might be too much to hope for. Hoho."

  Suddenly, a deep, low voice rang out.

  "Do not underestimate us, human."

  At this, Professor Antoine froze mid-shrug, while Professor Temel and the three Snow People's eyes grew wide. The voice had clearly come from a Muwai. And in perfectly fluent common tongue, no less.

  "I am Walopayi. Trafalgas."

  He had an even more massive build than the other Muwai. Professor Antoine felt sweat on his forehead despite the cold temperature that turned breath to mist.

  "Well... Though I'm quite confused at the moment, it's nice to meet you, Walopayi Trafalgas. I am Professor Antoine Pinetre, who teaches history at Elvlin Academy."

  Professor Antoine managed to maintain his courtesy and composure even in this surprising moment. Or perhaps his politeness to a monster was itself a sign of his confusion.

  "Pardon me, but is Trafalgas your family name? Or is it Walopayi?"

  The large Muwai—Trafalgas—let out a short snort. Though it was dark and hard to see, Professor Antoine was certain he had smiled.

  "Strange human. Are you not afraid?"

  Professor Antoine thought for a moment before responding.

  "Whether I'm afraid or not, what will happen will happen. No point in giving in to fear first, is there? Hoho."

  At these words, Trafalgas snorted again and raised one hand. All the other Muwai immediately either slung their weapons across their backs or sheathed them.

  "I heard professors just sit and look at paper. But you seem like a warrior."

  He too lowered the blade of his large sword.

  "Walopayi is a title given to the eight strongest warriors among the Muwai."

  "Ah, I see! Professor Temel! Did you record that?"

  "Ah! I'm writing it down now!"

  Professor Temel smiled awkwardly. Having descended from the sleigh, he somewhat nervously greeted Trafalgas.

  "Pl-pleased to meet you, Mr. Trafalgas. I am Temel Kun, Associate Professor of History at Elvlin Academy."

  Trafalgas nodded.

  "So there are five of you in total?"

  Professor Antoine tilted his head at this strange question.

  "No. There are three more."

  "What?"

  Trafalgas suddenly raised his sword. Professor Temel flinched at the movement. But Professor Antoine alone remained unperturbed and calmly asked:

  "Why the sudden change? Is something wrong?"

  "I am currently pursuing a criminal of my kind."

  "A criminal?"

  At the professor's query, Trafalgas trembled with rage, gripping his sword tightly and grinding his teeth.

  "His name is Gapo-er. He has killed twenty-four of our kind, and over a hundred humans."

  "What?"

  Professor Antoine was thoroughly shocked. From the moment he learned they could communicate with the Muwai, the professor had naturally assumed Rin would be safe as well. To suddenly hear this—how could he not be shocked? Rather than all of them being safe, it seemed only they were safe while Rin was in danger.

  "The criminal avoided us and went after easier prey. Do you know where those three went?"

  "I'll guide you. Baldu, my boy! Start the sleigh!"

  "Yes! Hyah!"

  Professor Antoine and Professor Temel quickly climbed back onto the now-moving sleigh. Trafalgas and his fellow Muwai followed behind. Professor Antoine clasped his hands and muttered.

  "Rin. You must be safe.“

  ***

  *THUD THUD THUD THUD*

  "Eek! Where did that thing suddenly come from? Where was it hiding all this time..."

  While Dr. Gernshvatz kept grumbling non-stop, the sleigh was running at full speed. Professor Sven whipped the reindeer harder, pushing for more speed. Rin was facing directly at the massive Muwai that had suddenly appeared and was now chasing their sleigh. Even while driving, Professor Sven worried about Rin.

  "Nothing to fear, Miss Rin. This sleigh is faster than a Muwai, and that fellow seems to be alone without companions."

  "I'm not scared, Professor."

  Contrary to the professor's concern, Rin was actually smiling.

  "This means the people on the cargo sleigh should be safe now."

  At this, Dr. Gernshvatz suddenly shouted.

  "What? Then what about us? Are our lives just spares?"

  "It's fine. This sleigh is faster than the Muwai, right?"

  "What does speed matter? Do you know how persistent Muwai are? They have monstrous stamina as much as they're persistent... Ah! Well, they are monsters!"

  The doctor rummaged through his pockets and pulled out something square about the size of his palm.

  "That one's dangerous! Not without something like this!"

  Rin stared intently at the object the doctor had produced.

  "What is that, Doctor?"

  "Fireworks."

  "Fireworks?"

  Rin asked, tilting her head.

  *RUSTLE*

  Without any explanation, the doctor kneaded the 'fireworks' and skillfully shaped it into a disc. Then he inserted a short fuse and lit it with the flint hanging from his neck.

  "Gasp!"

  Rin's shoulders hunched as soon as she saw the fuse, immediately understanding its purpose. Dr. Gernshvatz shrugged his shoulders once.

  "Don't be scared. It's just something I made for the summer festival."

  He threw the fireworks with all his might toward the pursuing Muwai. If he could just hit it in the face, even mere fireworks could do significant damage.

  *WHOOSH*

  However, the Muwai dodged the fireworks with movements surprisingly quick for its size. Rin spoke disappointedly.

  "It dodged it."

  But the doctor puffed up his chest proudly.

  "Hmm? That should be within range though?"

  "What?"

  *BOOM!*

  Suddenly the ground shook. Simultaneously, a deafening sound struck their ears as a fearsome pressure wave of snow engulfed the sleigh. Professor Sven, who had been focusing solely on driving without knowing anything else, was startled.

  "Gah! What in the..."

  The impact of the 'fireworks' sent the sleigh, reindeer, and everyone aboard flying through the air.

  "Doctor! Was this your doing?"

  "Kyaa! Doctor!"

  "Strange! It wasn't this powerful in the calculations!"

  *WHOOOOSH*

  The white snow that filled not only their vision but all the surrounding air made it difficult even to breathe.

  *THUMP!*

  In the chaos, Rin's group crashed into the snow along with the sleigh. If the surroundings hadn't been completely covered in snow, none of them would have survived. With their heads still ringing, no one was concerned about what had happened to the Muwai.

  "Cough! Is, is everyone alright?"

  Professor Sven, who regained his senses first, checked on his companions. Two voices immediately responded.

  "Ouch ouch. I'm okay, Professor. But the reindeer and the sleigh..."

  "Strange? A design error? Or did I make a mistake in the mixture? Come to think of it, I might have been a bit drowsy..."

  "Thank goodness you're both safe."

  *GROWL*

  The sound from behind made all three of them stiffen.

  "..."

  When they turned around, they saw the Muwai getting up near where the explosion had occurred, blood running down its thigh. Professor Svetrinaha broke into a cold sweat at the enraged sound.

  "Unfortunately, it seems there's one more who's safe."

  -To be continued-