Chapter 73 : Chapter 73
Chapter 73
When Jereuth asked if I would consider learning the sword, I found myself conflicted in many ways.
‘It wouldn't hurt to learn the sword... but honestly, I have no desire to learn.’
In the first place, I didn't think I'd have the time to properly learn the sword because of my duties.
‘I might reconsider if a reason arises for me to learn the sword later... but not now.’
“Haha. Yes, Commander. It would be difficult right now, but I'll try to learn once the kingdom's situation stabilizes and I have some time.”
Although I said it with a smile, I was worried Jereuth might insist strongly that I learn the sword.
Fortunately, however, Jereuth backed down readily.
“I understand, Your Highness. In that case, please make me just one promise.”
“A promise?”
“Yes. A promise that you will not go to any battlefield before you master the sword.”
A promise not to go to any battlefield before I master the sword?
I didn't know why Jereuth was suddenly bringing up ‘battlefields’ so seriously, but just as I had no desire to learn the sword, I had no desire to go to a battlefield either.
Honestly, who would want to go to war?
So, promising not to go to a battlefield was no problem for me at all.
I nodded with a light smile.
“Very well. I will not go to any battlefield until I have mastered the sword.”
“Then that is good.”
Jereuth's suggestion to ‘learn the sword’ was settled for now. What a relief.
“Shall we have a simple meal and then set off again? It would be good if we could reach Misty Port before the day is over.”
***
After a simple meal, we left Ateras Gorge and headed for Misty Port.
Since the people we rescued from the bandits were in the carriage, I continued to walk.
The knights and soldiers told me they would unload the baggage wagon so I could ride in it, but I refused because the soldiers would then have to carry the luggage. The items loaded on the baggage wagon were extraordinarily heavy, and I couldn't make all the soldiers suffer just for my own comfort.
About five hours after we set out from Ateras Gorge toward Misty Port—
Whoooosh—.
A faint scent of the sea, carried on the wind, brushed against my nose. The smell of the sea was different from the fragrance of mountains and grass, but it had its own unique charm.
‘The smell of the sea must mean we're almost at Misty Port.’
The Misty Port territory was located in the southeastern part of the Plank Kingdom, and its castle was situated near the coast.
So, the faint smell of the sea meant we were getting closer to Misty Port.
‘But still... my legs are aching even though we took a break in between.’
I had walked while passing through the gorge, and for a long time after that, so I had walked a lot.
But I couldn't bring myself to tell the people in my carriage to get out. They had been abducted by bandits and had suffered all sorts of hardships, leaving them traumatized, and I wanted to show them as much kindness as possible.
‘Let's just keep going.’
Just then, Jereuth, who was walking beside me, asked.
“Your Highness, is it difficult for you to walk further?”
Jereuth was truly like a ghost.
“Pardon? Ah... haha, yes. My legs are a bit sore. How did you know?”
“I asked because your walking pace has slowed down a little.”
My walking pace had slowed.
‘Hmm... then the marching speed must have slowed down a lot because of me.’
After I got out of the carriage, not only Jereuth but all the other knights were also walking. It seemed they couldn't ride their horses while I, the Crown Prince, was walking.
On top of that, the marching pace had naturally slowed to match my walking speed.
“How much farther is it to Misty Port?”
“Hmm... at this pace, we will probably have to camp for the night and start again tomorrow morning, arriving a little after lunch tomorrow.”
“And what if we went at the speed we were going when I was in the carriage?”
“Then we will arrive tonight.”
The time difference was significant.
‘The knights and soldiers would want to camp one day less... Ah!’
“Commander, then I will ride in the driver's seat of my carriage.”
“...In the driver's seat, you say?”
“Yes. I don't want to make the knights and soldiers camp another night because of my walking pace. Since I can't get back in the carriage, I'll ride in the driver's seat instead.”
I had never ridden in a driver's seat before, but honestly, it sounded like it could be fun.
Although I wouldn't be holding the reins and driving the carriage myself, I could at least experience it vicariously.
However, Jereuth did not allow it.
“For you, Your Highness, to ride in the driver's seat... that is not acceptable. It would be better for the knights and soldiers to camp an extra day if we travel a little slower.”
“I do not think so. If we can camp for one day less, we should. Camping is no simple matter.”
“Your Highness...”
Hooo—.
Jereuth sighed lightly, deep in thought, before making another suggestion as if he had a good idea.
“Then, Your Highness, how about you try riding my horse instead? That way, we can reach Misty Port at the same speed as when you were in the carriage.”
Ride a horse?
‘...That's a bit scary.’
I looked up at the horse Jereuth was leading by the reins. It was a jet-black horse, and it was truly tall.
It felt almost as high as a two-story building. To me, in the body of a twelve-year-old boy, Jereuth's horse was a very tall and intimidating animal.
‘Should I try it, though? If I'm going to continue living in this world, I'll probably need to know how to ride a horse anyway. Just like driving a car.’
“Very well. But I don't know how to ride, so you'll have to hold the reins for me.”
“Do not worry. And since it has come to this, I will take this opportunity to teach you how to ride.”
“Excellent.”
As I replied, Jereuth positioned the horse to my left.
“First, I will teach you the basics. When you mount a horse, you must approach from its left side.”
“Is there a reason for approaching from the left?”
“In most equestrian training, it is the rule to mount from the horse's left side. The horse is also accustomed to commands coming from the left.”
Jereuth pointed to the stirrup on the horse's side and said.
“Now, please place your left foot in the stirrup.”
“Ugh... it's a bit high.”
The stirrup was high, making it difficult to lift my foot. It was only natural, as it was adjusted to Jereuth's height.
‘It would be easier to mount if the horse would sit down.’
Just as I thought that while struggling to get on the horse.
Phhhrrrk—!
The horse snorted and slightly bent its knees.
No, it had practically knelt down.
I was bewildered.
“...Do horses normally kneel like this?”
As I asked with a bemused expression, Jereuth watched the horse carefully and then shook his head.
“No, horses do not normally kneel for people.”
“Then why did this horse... ah, is it because it's the Commander's horse, so it's a fine steed?”
“...”
Jereuth didn't answer, perhaps not having heard me.
In any case, it was a good thing for me. Thanks to the creature kneeling, it became easier to get on top.
Hup—!
As I fully mounted, the horse—‘Kartum’—stood back up to its original height.
“Ah...!”
Being on the horse felt different from being in the carriage. It was an open, refreshing feeling.
Is this the world of tall people?
Following Jereuth's instructions, I straightened my back and let my legs hang naturally on either side of the saddle.
Since it was my first time on a horse, it was a bit uncomfortable, but it wasn't a bad feeling.
“Excellent, Your Highness. I had a feeling when Kartum knelt for you... as expected, Your Highness has a good sense for riding horses.”
“You had a feeling?”
“...Yes.”
For some reason, Jereuth's voice trailed off as he replied. He had a pensive expression.
‘What does he mean, he expected I would ride well?’
I was about to ask about it, but Jereuth spoke first before I could.
“Your Highness, I am going to let go of the reins, so please do not be alarmed.”
“What? You're going to let go of the reins?”
“Yes. You need not worry. You will be able to ride Kartum without any problems.”
I didn't know the basis for his confident declaration that I would ride well, but I could feel a subtle conviction in Jereuth's voice. He truly believed that I would be able to ride the horse well.
“I am letting go now.”
“W-wait a minute—!”
Before I could finish, Jereuth let go of the reins.
But then.
‘...Huh?’
I didn't know why. When Jereuth let go of the reins, I felt even more stable.
It might sound strange, but I felt like I could understand the horse's feelings. How it wanted to walk, or run, or stop.
It was a sensation I had never felt before in my life. Is this what talent feels like?
I'd had a horseback riding experience on a family trip to Jeju Island in my past life, my first and last... but it hadn't felt like this.
‘Is it because Jereuth's horse is a fine steed?’
Indeed, being the Knight Commander's horse, this creature named ‘Kartum’ must be no ordinary steed.
‘Should I try going a little faster?’
For someone who was essentially riding for the first time today, trying to increase speed on my own was an arrogant act. I could get seriously hurt.
I knew that in my head, but for some reason, I wanted to ride the horse a little faster.
No, to be precise... it felt like I could.
Tap...!
I gently kicked the horse's flank with my foot in the stirrup. It was my own signal that it was okay to go a little faster.
Phhhrrrk—!
Kartum seemed to understand my intention and responded immediately.
It wasn't a very fast speed, but it began to run at a pace that allowed the wind to brush past pleasantly.
It was exactly the speed I wanted.
‘...Did I really have a talent for riding horses?’
For about a minute, I rode Kartum forward and then gently pulled the reins to the left.
‘I've gone too far. Let's make a U-turn to the left and go back.’
—was what I had only thought to myself.
But Kartum, as if reading my thoughts, turned left at a suitable speed on its own.
And then it slowly ran back to where we had been.
It was moving exactly as I wished. The ‘horse.’
***
As Leonardo rode off on his own, the senior knight next to Jereuth asked in a considerably worried tone.
“C-Commander. Is this really alright? Kartum is strong enough to keep running even after being hit by a few arrows, and its temperament is just as foul, making it a difficult horse to handle. Yet you let His Highness ride it alone like that... it seems dangerous. Shouldn't we go and bring His Highness back now?”
Indeed, Kartum had fought alongside Jereuth in the war against the demons, taking several arrows, yet survived, recovered, and was now running so healthily.
Surviving after being shot by arrows was something most horses could not do. Usually, a horse couldn't achieve that unless it had immense strength and a foul temper.
Unlike the worried senior knight, Jereuth was calm.
“I know Kartum better than anyone. And Kartum has acknowledged and is serving His Highness. So there is no need to worry.”
“Did you know that His Highness would be able to ride Kartum well, Commander?”
“I expected it. To be precise, I expected that he would ride not only Kartum but any horse well.”
“How... did you expect that?”
“By seeing Kartum bend its knees. The only other person Kartum did that for was Victoria.”
“Victoria, you mean His Highness' mother... I-I'm sorry, Commander. I brought up something I shouldn't have.”
The Crown Prince's mother. The Queen, Victoria.
The senior knight, knowing the relationship between Victoria and Jereuth, trailed off and apologized to Jereuth.
However, for Jereuth, there was nothing to hide at this point, so he decided to finish the words the senior knight could not.
“Yes, Victoria, who was His Highness' mother. Her Elven blood flows within His Highness.”
“...”
“Elves are a race blessed by the bow and magic, and loved by animals and plants. Among those, His Highness does not seem to have much talent for magic, and I do not know about the bow as I have yet to see him handle one.”
“Then, with plants and animals...?”
“Yes. Seeing how the flowers and trees in the palace garden have become noticeably lush and beautiful after His Highness took power, His Highness is clearly loved by plants. That is likely why the trees provided shade for us all the way from the royal capital to here.”
Hearing Jereuth's explanation, the senior knight realized it seemed to be true. The late autumn sun should have been harsh, but he hadn't felt it.
“Perhaps next year's harvest will also show remarkable results. A bountiful year, or maybe even something greater than that.”
Clop-clop—.
Jereuth finished his words, pointing at Leonardo.
“And seeing how well he rides Kartum, it seems he is loved by animals as well.”
‘Perhaps it goes beyond that, and he might even be loved by all monsters friendly to humans. ...Just as she was.’
***
Despite it being my first time riding a horse, I was able to ride perfectly.
I didn't know how it was possible. It could be that I had a talent for riding, just as Jereuth had ‘expected,’ or perhaps it was because Jereuth's horse, Kartum, was an incredible steed.
It could also be a combination of both.
Horseback riding. It was really fun. I could see why it was a sport for the rich. A horse moving according to my will as if reading my mind was a truly new experience.
Nevertheless, there were practical problems.
‘...My back hurts. My thighs hurt too. My calves, back, shoulder blades, and shoulders are all sore. My arms hurt too.’
Even my balls... my scrotum was sore.
In short, my whole body ached.
‘Riding is fun, but I'll have to work out hard to keep doing it. Or maybe develop practical muscles by continuing to ride.’
As I was thinking, Jereuth, who was riding beside me, spoke.
—I was still riding Kartum, so Jereuth was on another horse he had brought as a spare.—
“Your Highness, that castle is Misty Port.”
“Ah...! We've finally arrived.”
We had ‘finally’ arrived indeed.
‘It was quite an eventful journey... but I'm glad we arrived safely.’
Although I thought this with a sense of relief, I steeled my resolve again.
‘The real challenge starts now. I must meet the Ingrid Island Pirates and win them over to my side.’
That's right. Recruiting the pirates was the reason I had left the cozy royal capital and traveled to the end of the kingdom.
‘I know the pirates are amicable towards me. So, I should be able to recruit them without much trouble.’
But there could always be unexpected variables.
Still, it was fine. I had the <Future Diary>.
‘I haven't checked it yet since I was riding, but now that we've arrived at Misty Port, there should be a new entry in the <Future Diary>. I need to read it as soon as I get inside the castle.’
I wanted to get into the castle as quickly as possible to check the <Future Diary>. I was curious about what would happen next, and how I should prepare for it.
With that in mind, I lightly tapped the reins to increase Kartum's speed.
Kartum snorted lightly.
Phhhrrrk—!
At the very moment Leonardo was entering Misty Port.
In the southern seas of the Plank Kingdom, the Ingrid Island Pirates were engaged in a bloody battle.
They were fighting against a ‘formidable enemy’ that even the Kraken, the ruler of the sea, could not overcome.
That formidable enemy was ‘Mother Nature.’
—Hold on tight! The wind is getting stronger!!
—Tie yourselves with ropes so you don't get swept away by the waves!!
—Damn it... ptui! For the weather to change so suddenly like this?!
—Hey, Admiral! Is this right?! Shouldn't we be turning back?!
These pirates had experienced their fair share of gales and typhoons, but a wind of this magnitude was a first.
Especially since the end of October was usually a time of calm weather.
No matter how tough the pirates were, they were helpless before Mother Nature. But even in such a chaotic situation, Ronak alone remained unshaken.
No, rather, he was smiling. Taking the rain and seawater head-on.
‘My life has never been peaceful. Crises have always come my way. But this sea, at least, has always rewarded me as much as I overcame the crises!’
It hadn't been easy when they fled the mainland and discovered their new home, ‘Ingrid Island.’
How hard must it have been, crossing the sea in a small, leaking boat.
Compared to then, this was no hardship at all.
‘There will definitely be something good waiting for me if I cross this sea to the mainland. Definitely!’
Ronak clenched his fist and laughed.
“Hahahahahahaha!! Here I come, oh Kingdom! Oh mainland! My homeland!!”
—Kra-koom!!
“Yes! Lightning, thunder, strike all you want! Hahahahahahaha!!”
—...
—...
—...
—...
—...
“We sail through the raging waves! Even when black clouds gather, we do not stop! We advance bravely even in the swirling winds!”
While all the other pirates feared the storm, Ronak alone was laughing and singing.
It was not something as naive as courage. It was ‘madness.’ True madness.
But the sight Ronak was showing now was one of the reasons the pirates believed in and followed him.
Ronak was calm when he needed to be serious and wise, but when courage was needed, he responded with madness.
The pirates believed in and followed the strong. And on the harsh seas, there is no one stronger than a madman.
Therefore, seeing the madman singing in the middle of a storm, the pirates regained their courage.
No, they didn't just regain their courage.
The pirates, too, were infected by Ronak's madness.
—Bwahahahaha!! Yeah! Let's do this! If the ship breaks, we'll just swim!!!
—Row!! If the oars break, just leave it to the sea!! It'll work out somehow!!
—Bring the booze!! Booze!!
—Let's sing! Sing!
—We sail through the raging waves... gack!
—Even when black clouds gather, we do not st... gack! A fish just went into my mouth!! Bwahahahaha!!
—Lucky you! Eat it raw!!
—Yeah, what's the difference between that and sashimi!
Madness.
With that, the pirates were crossing the storm.
Believing that a new life awaited them.
And that belief would not be wrong.