Field Training and Armored Crab

Clear skies awaited them the following day.

“Why, if it isn’t Dali!” Volf’s voice was filled with a certain joy as he rushed over to Dahlia.

It was still early in the morning, so the only other people in the castle’s carriage station were Beast Hunters finishing up preparations for the expedition, but it was still a little embarrassing. “Um, I suppose you’re right—I am dressed like Dali.”

She was dressed exactly the same way she had been when they had first met. She had on a black hat into which she’d stuffed her hair; her father’s shirt and trousers, the latter of which were a little baggy on her; a tall pair of boots; and black-rimmed glasses. Although the lenses weren’t corrective, neither were they just for show—she figured the glasses could be protective if she had to push her way through tall grass.

“Is there a particular reason why?”

“I know some of you are worried about a woman tagging along on the expedition, so I thought it might be prudent to dress like this today.”

“You even sound like Dali too...” It was as though he were reuniting with an old friend he hadn’t seen in ages.

Around Dahlia’s neck was a voice caster, something her father had invented to alter one’s voice; this particular unit deepened her voice to give it a masculine flavor, and she had been wearing it when she’d first encountered Volf.

A few days ago, Vice-Captain Griswald had told her that a few knights had expressed concern about having a female guest joining their expedition, and he had recommended that she wear comfortable clothes she didn’t mind getting a little dirty—he had even specified that there would be a bit of a hike and that it would be better to wear boots and trousers than a skirt. However, Dahlia had taken that to mean “Don’t look like a dainty girl, wear something that blends in with the others, and make sure you can move around easily.” Volf had once said that monsters tended to target the easiest prey, and she didn’t want to cause trouble for the others if any showed up. Hence, cross-dressing, which Volf was oddly taken with.

“Your voice also suits you very well,