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233. Childhood Friend – Mount

“Are you going to stay like this?”

The Large Holy Knight brushed aside his tousled hair in the chilly wind and asked.

The dry autumn breeze blowing from the North, the Austin Kingdom, seemed to urge the people of the Jerome Holy Kingdom to wrap up the year.

Before the frigid wind from the North hit, they hurried to harvest crops and prepare clothes for the winter.

They had to stack up enough fodder to feed the livestock, so Sir Javard, born on a farm in the Holy Kingdom, unconsciously became busier with the autumn breeze.

However, unfortunately, the person being asked the question wasn’t someone raised in the Holy Kingdom.

Cardinal Michael sat leisurely on the coachman’s bench. He looked off into the distant plains and replied with a question of his own.

“What do you mean?”

“Are you going to keep pretending to be captured? If you don’t get careless… Well, it seems this situation is beyond the author’s control, don’t you think?”

Cardinal Michael scratched his head.

Despite having been together for quite some time, there remained an unbridgeable cultural gap between him and Sir Javard.

“Well… let’s not rush. Driving the carriage and making a run for it would be quite ridiculous. Moreover, do you think they’ll succeed in their hunting?”

The Cardinal’s gaze remained fixed on the plains. Sir Javard thought that the man was truly inscrutable as he turned his head to follow the Cardinal’s line of sight.

On the plains, the scoundrels who had captured them were preparing for their hunt.

Ten young men on horseback were forming a wide encirclement. They adjusted their positions according to the orders of a leader, surrounding a massive beast called the Black Horse Monster.

A young man with brown hair and amazing swordsmanship pointed around, making all necessary preparations. Yet to Sir Javard, it looked utterly sloppy.

“It will be difficult. That beast is famous for being impossible to catch. All the knights interested in horses know about it.”

“Is that so? Why is that?”

“I’m not sure; it’s just hearsay. But they say the beast is intelligent and timid. Traps are useless, and it remembers everyone who’s hostile towards it, fleeing as soon as it spots them. It’s incredibly fast, making it impossible to chase.”

“Then can’t we ambush it at night?”

“Maybe not. I heard that back in the day, Count Simon mobilized soldiers en masse to catch it, but they eventually gave up.”

“Hmm…”

Cardinal Michael stroked his short, bristly beard. Remembering the stories he’d heard in the Uena Tribe village, he asked again.

“What do you think they are?”

“I think they’re warriors looking for the monster. I’ve heard there are some like that in the North.”

“I thought so too. But while I recognize the locals are warriors, they don’t seem like they are from the North at all.”

“Is that so? Then again, since the Austin Kingdom has been at war since spring, it’s unlikely warriors from the North would come this far.”

“That’s true, but…”

Cardinal Michael concluded shortly.

“The accent is Southern. Ah, they’re starting now.”

Reb drove the carriage closer to the Black Horse Monster.

The beast, with its glossy black skin, glanced suspiciously at Reb and the surrounding young men before kicking up a fuss, expressing its discomfort.

Reb didn’t rush in. He simply paused there and gazed at the creature.

– Hee-haw!

A brief standoff occurred.

The Black Horse Monster watched the odd human before it and stomped its feet. Its size and muscular build were formidable as it charged like the wind.

A cloud of white steam puffed out.

The ground was trampled under its hefty weight.

It was a terrifying charge that made one’s mind go blank. The monster’s black mane whipped around like a lion’s as it obscured Reb’s and his horse’s vision.

He could sacrifice the horse and jump onto the beast’s neck to behead it. He could use the Oblivion Blade the moment the horse got stomped under its feet.

However, Reb caressed his frightened horse, reassuring it to trust its master, and gently pulled on the reins.

– Hee-hee!

Reb pulled back dramatically.

With his weight shifting to the horse’s rear, the horse lifted its front legs as it turned around in response to the reins.

[ Achievement: First Horse Riding – Leo’s horsemanship slightly increases. ]

What spectacular horsemanship!

Reb’s skill in handling horses hadn’t remained at the mere ‘First Horse Riding’ achievement from long ago. The lesson he received from Sir Galen during the last Beggar Siblings episode had made a significant difference.

“Let’s all charge!”

Leaving the bewildered Black Horse Monster behind, Reb shouted.

The young men forming the wide circle quickly charged out. But instead of rushing at the beast, they began to run around in a tail-chasing manner, and Reb dashed in, joining their ranks to lure the Black Horse Monster.

– Hu-ru-ru?

Suddenly, they turned and began running among themselves, creating confusion for the Black Horse Monster that hesitated.

Slowly, in a large, whirling circle (or so they thought), they began to run, observing the situation, while a young man with hair like a delicious-looking haystack kept pace beside them.

– Thud-thud, thud-thud.

Reb galloped at double the speed of the Black Horse Monster’s steps. With every stride the beast took, Reb urged his horse to take two steps. Keeping pace and speed, he stayed close.

“Now, gather!”

After about two laps, Reb broke from the circle.

The Black Horse Monster naturally followed Reb’s horse, while the ten young men fervently rode their own horses to catch up with Reb and the Black Horse Monster. They galloped across the vast plains like a herd of horses.

– Hee-haw! Hee-hee!

The Black Horse Monster felt jubilant.

Due to its massive size, it had been wandering the plains alone for a long time, so it was genuinely happy to run with other horses again.

It had grazed sadly and had to sleep standing at night with no companions. It was simply the fate of an animal that had turned into a monster. Perhaps it accidentally swallowed a butterfly while grazing one day.

“Haha! Are you having fun?”

While they raced, Reb reached out to pat the side of the Black Horse Monster. His hand brushed against the sleek, smooth skin that had a hint of fuzz.

Reb had never intended to hunt this creature.

He had come seeking it for a bit of mischief in the past, but that was a matter that befell Leo Dexter, not him; after all, the one who tricked Leo was Count Simon, not the Black Horse Monster.

Moreover, after learning about horse behaviors from Sir Galen, Reb had grown fond of horses even more.

In fact, Reb had a particular tendency to cherish his own mount, unlike the others among Leo and the others.

Woody, Bante, Kus.

All names given by Reb.

Though he had been influenced by Minseo in naming them, Leo Dexter and Lean de Yeriel had never named their horses. Only Reb had named his horse and tended to it with care.

Perhaps that’s why Reb was pondering capturing the Black Horse Monster.

It was a pity not being able to increase the count for the ‘Monster Hunting’ achievement, but it felt cruel to kill it. On the contrary, capturing it and taking it back would likely impress Count Umberto Simon even more.

The Black Horse Monster ran to its heart’s content.

Though its speed was slightly disappointing, after such a long time, running alongside other horses made it excitedly toss its head back and forth in joy.

Thrilled, it kicked up its heels, which of course made it miserable for the horses trailing behind.

As the youths with poor riding skills gradually fell behind and Reb’s horse began to sweat profusely, Reb stood up in his saddle. Just like Sir Galen had done, he leapt up to perch on the high back of the Black Horse Monster. The beast did not resist.

“Good, good. Just stay still…”

Found a place on the back of the monster, where he could lie down comfortably. As he sat near the creature’s neck and gently patted it, a message popped up.

Reb momentarily lost his words, and the Black Horse Monster let out a joyful cry!

[ Achievement: Mount – Leo can summon a mount. ]

*

Reb’s group garnered immense attention.

The Black Horse Monster, about the height of a carriage but over twice its length, ambled along behind them. Occasionally, it would lick Reb’s head, leaving no peace for his hair.

The tenants in the plains ruled by Count Simon were spellbound by the bizarre sight. The farmers’ children swarmed, chasing the rear of the carriage, and the adults did the same.

“Did you catch that beast?”

“Isn’t it dangerous? Hurry up and get it a bridle…”

Reb had to repeatedly reassure the gathering farmers, “It’s okay. Really docile.” Even though a divine mark was imprinted on his forehead, they were mesmerized by the Black Horse Monster.

“Oh my, thank you! Please take that thing far away!”

It was no wonder; the Black Horse Monster was the infamous pest of these plains.

It occasionally wandered into the fields worked by farmers and snacked on the crops. The eating itself was manageable. Despite its size, how much could a single horse devour?

It was simply a matter of saying, “Ah, it’s just bad luck.” One could forget it.

But the horse’s hoof, the size of a small cartwheel, trampling the farmland was the real issue. Since it was known to be very timid, when farmers threatened with pitchforks to scare it away, the Black Horse Monster was not easily frightened. It often left for a moment and would come back, leaving the farmers in constant trouble.

They were so driven to distraction that they formed a guild among neighboring farmers to assist those who incurred damages.

Even Count Umberto Simon knew of this guild’s existence, sometimes offering them monetary help.

Now, that beast was finally being taken away (captured).

The farmers came rushing as if a festival was taking place, abandoning their work to follow Reb’s group. They thought that once they passed through the city gate, those living in the castle and Count Simon himself would be astonished, but surprisingly, the gates did not open right away. The head of the guards recognized the divine mark on Reb and the young men’s heads.

“Stop! You lot aren’t criminals! Get off your horses at once! Or else we will attack!”

“Criminals?”

“Why is the head of the guards acting like this?”

“I have no idea.”

The farmers whispered among themselves. They were puzzled at why the commander was acting this way on such a fine day ─ but as soldiers on the city walls readied their bows, they began to recognize the seriousness of the situation and quieted down.

Reb spoke.

“This is the Orun Kingdom, with a token issued by Marquis Gaidan. Though I’m no noble, I am under his protection. You still want to disarm me?”

“…I’m sorry, but I don’t know who Marquis Gaidan is. That’s a matter for the Count to decide, so please discard your weapons and dismount. I don’t know what crime you committed in a foreign land, but if you comply, your offense will be mitigated.”

The head of the guards spoke in a somewhat softened tone. However, Reb neither dismounted nor discarded his weapons.

The Holy Knights perched on the carriage jumped down, showing erratic movements. As Cardinal Michael showed signs of getting off the carriage, Reb drew his sword and raised it high.

[ Achievement: Monster Hunting – ‘2’, a faint mana begins to reside in the body. ]

The sword glimmered with a stronger radiance than before. While not as brilliant as prior to capturing Oriax, it shone brightly even in broad daylight.

The soldiers aiming their bows froze, losing their aim. The head of the guards, along with the soldiers at the gate, was stunned, and the farmers who had no idea what a divine mark was became speechless.

They might not know about the divine mark, but they understood the glowing sword. The legendary Swordmaster was right in front of them.

Putting away his sword, Reb turned back. He caught Cardinal Michael’s eye just as he was about to open the carriage door, conveying with a glance that ‘the situation is still under my control,’ then turned back to the bewildered head of the guards.

“I’ve come to meet Count Simon. If it’s alright, could you guide me?”

“Um… well… are the people behind you all knights too?”

The head of the guards asked, trying to keep his composure. Reb smiled and nodded.

“They’re my apprentices. They haven’t been knighted.”

“My, your apprentices…”

Reb let him remain under that misconception. The young men clarified that they were indeed his apprentices, making it evident they were not knights.

From the guards’ point of view, it would be problematic to let dangerous knights into the castle. Therefore, it was a regulatory issue. There surely wouldn’t be a regulation against letting a Swordmaster in.

At the same time, he wouldn’t want to look down on the Count.

Of course, the Swordmaster was impressive, but numbers speak louder than words.

The Oblivion Blade wasn’t infinite, and if a prominent noble from any kingdom declared they would kill an intruder in their stronghold, they could do so without difficulty.

However, things might look different when there are ten apprentices.

The Count would likely assume, as the head of guards misinterpreted, that all his apprentices were at least knight-grade. With a Swordmaster’s apprentices, it would be impossible not to misapprehend.

The tightly shut gates creaked open. Reb’s apprentices entered with great presence, and the silent Cardinal Michael and the subdued Holy Knights’ carriage passed through. Reb waited for the last to come in, the Black Horse Monster.

But as the happy Black Horse Monster approached the gates, when Reb turned around, he spotted a familiar face among the crowd gathered at the gate.

A man, clad in tattered robes, was watching them. As the gates closed, Reb felt a sense of discomfort.

That man should have been a knight serving Baron Agatha and her husband at the castle of Bidorin near the northern border of the Austin Kingdom,

Sir Brian.