That was the most singular experience Kyouka had had in her travel. The big guy suddenly changed into a rock in front of her eyes. No longer was the gargantuan figure towering the sky, only a huge, bland-colored rock sitting in the road in exchange of it.

"Whoa..." was the only thing which left her mouth.

The cat peeked out from behind her shoulder, ears twitching with curiosity.

"Where did the trole go, Kyouka?"

"It's not trole, Sir Nekoboro, it is Troll. I've read them in my books. They're called monsters by people, but definitely not a giant or that trole thing you're talking ab..."

Nekoboro had left her shoulder and rushed toward the now-rock Troll. He perched himself atop the rock, kneading on its surface. Once satisfied, he sat down in all-four like a normal cats with a look of content in his face.

"A...ahaha..." as usual, she didn't understand how Nekoboro's brain works.

Kyouka had read about Troll before. They're described as vicious, man-eating monster who would kill everyone on sight. Their brutality was so severe that many disappearances had happened in the countryside. This particular Troll, however, didn't seem too bad. He was docile, even. To be fair, that book also described Troll as grunting, stupid beasts. This one was civilized, even intelligent. Perhaps she shouldn't believe all the books said without confirming it herself. At least the Troll didn't view them as potential meal. That should be enough.

"Umm...I'm called Kyouka," she turned toward the red-haired girl. "And that one is Nekoboro. He is my friend, companion, and master. Are you two...err, three, traveling together, perchance?"