If you want to attack, 'go right ahead!'

The carriage was a canopy-less cargo wagon, its load concealed beneath wax-coated waterproof cloth. We'd also piled on some goods that screamed "small-time merchant."

I had Arthur (disguised as a horse) hauling this rig while I played driver.

With not a single guard in sight, we'd staged ourselves as a sitting duck practically begging "Go right ahead!" to anyone itching to attack, but…

Despite traveling for several days, we reached the Elflands border without so much as a bandit sighting.

Why, though? We're such beautiful girls… Huh? Just good public order around here?

Well, that's a good thing… Tch.

"Anego. I'm bored out of my mind here. Besides, I'm not really built for running, ya know?"

"Consider it good exercise, Arthur."

"Uuu, I wanna fly…"

"Feel free to flap your wings. The ones I lopped off will just be beating around uselessly inside the base, though."

"That's pointless! Completely pointless!"

"Well, you've got scales but no feathers, so I guess you're out of luck. Get it? Scales of luck?"

Anyway, we'd reached the Elflands border. A stone checkpoint loomed ahead, marking the boundary.

"Onee-san, should I show my face too?"

"Ah, Dea-kun. Yeah, having an elf with us should grease the wheels."

As the border checkpoint drew near, Dea-kun clambered up onto the driver's seat beside me.

He'd been tucked away in the base this whole time, but… maybe having him out in the open would have lured some bandits. After all, he's such a beautiful girl.

… Let's test that theory once we're inside the Elflands. They'll definitely be biting like crazy.

"Actually, since I was with you when we departed, it would look suspicious if I wasn't here now."

"Mm, fair point."

This world is surprisingly meticulous about keeping records.

That time we traveled too fast and got nabbed by the gate soldiers only to slip away… ah, good memories.

The moment Dea-kun flashed his smile and presented his identification, my cargo and I sailed through with barely a glance… Even though I'd stocked up on Solasidor honey partly as camouflage.

Dea-kun really must be nobility. The soldiers practically tripped over themselves bowing and scraping to him.

"Shall we get going?"

"Yeah. Let's, Dea-kun."

From there, I drove with Dea-kun perched beside me.

Though honestly, I'd told Arthur to "follow the road without going too fast," so all I had to do was hold the reins. Easiest job in the world - just kicking back and chatting with Dea-kun.

"Dea-kun, we're going to hunt bandits for the sake of public safety, okay!"

"Yes, please take care of it."

"I'm planning to gift any captured bandits to the Five Elders, so I'll leave their disposal up to them, okay!"

"… Huh? Please take care of it?"

And there it is - now I've got an excuse even if we happen to capture some bandits!

I never said I'd gift ALL of them, after all!

…

Actually, maybe I should try copying them now? Could probably get away with making half of them into duplicated bandits!

So we trundled along in the carriage. Any suckers gonna show up and get themselves rounded up? Hm? Hm?

Come on out, bandits!

That's what I was thinking, but…

… Despite dangling such gorgeous bait, not a soul attacked us…!

Wasn't public order supposed to be terrible here?!

Or did Rena already sweep through and slaughter them all?!

Maybe we're just too beautiful and the bandits got cold feet?!

Gahhh! Gutless, the lot of them! Absolutely gutless! Come on, be my playthings already!

Not even a single goblin showed its face! What gives?!

And so, we safely arrived at our first Elven town.