Something isn't sitting right with this whole situation.
1, why are the knights initially surrounding the "honored guests" who are sitting on the ground?
2, why is she withholding information, and asking people she just met to blindly follow the group? It is implied they are there to protect/rescue them, but it isn't really established confidently given how the "honored guests" reacted to the monsters. It is like the knights never proved they even could protect them yet. And who would say no to following a group of knights who are so quick to show aggression?
3, this is possibly a TL error, or an overlooked detail, but she knew his name somehow when he never actually gave it. Could be that creature, but nothing is shown for sure why.
4, what is that creature? The knight was super quick to end the conversation so it was never explained or verbally questioned but couldn't they have talked while walking? And why does only she have one? Is it because she is the leader? What is its purpose besides being a questionably reliable, half-assed monster detector?
4.1, does the anti-monster barrier count towards that creature? Or is it something like "tames" don't get blocked?
5, she talks as if it is already expected to find them. It somewhat seems like the castle is waiting for them, like they knew they would find them, or that this isn't as uncommon as it seems.
6, her unit looks to be only made up of heavily armored melee knights. No archers, scouts, mages, healers, etc. Kind of odd given that this "should" be a patrol squad in a forest. It seems more like a squad of bodyguards, expected to defend VIPs than a monster hunting unit.
7, going back to the knights surrounding the "honored Guests", if they are so honored, why are you all facing them with weapons drawn? If you're protecting them from dangers, wouldn't facing outward be more effective?
8, are these "cheat using" students allied with the knights or are just there by coincidence? And if by coincidence, why are they in the area in the first place?
All of this seems too suspicious/convenient. It seems like the knights are not as much protecting people, as they are defending hostages. They not only expected them to be there, but came prepared enough to escort them with a custom outfitted unit. Maybe they expect it because they are responsible for bringing them there in the first place, and are now just collecting them?