Chapter 13
“Is that okay with you, Captain?”
The vice-captain asked, suddenly checking Calix’s reaction even though he himself had already announced everything.
Calix glanced once at Boris and Jude, then nodded in approval.
“Do that.”
Then he turned his gaze to me.
“Riana, can you ride a horse?”
“Huh?”
“We’ll be traveling to the Droia Territory entirely on horseback. That’s why I’m asking.”
“Oh! Well, of course I can—”
I can’t.
When I went out on volunteer work from the temple, and even when I lived as a saint, I always rode in a carriage.
But if I admit I can’t ride a horse, they definitely won’t take me, right?
“I can ride… but it’s been a while, so I’d like some training before we depart.”
I added a carefully measured lie. After hearing me, Calix turned to the vice-captain.
“Damon. What was the rookies’ training schedule for this week?”
“Ah, originally it was basic swordsmanship.”
“Change it to horseback riding.”
“Huh? Yes. If we’re taking everyone along, it would be better if they’re used to it. Understood.”
“Good.”
Calix stood up. As he passed by me, he spoke quietly.
“I’m looking forward to it, Riana.”
“Huh? Y–yes!”
Calix left the dining hall.
As soon as the door closed, Boris cheered loudly.
“Wow! I didn’t think we’d be joining a mission this fast! I’ll do my best! Let’s all work hard together!”
“What effort? It’s just basic horseback riding. You’re supposed to know that already.”
Boris was excited, while Jude responded coldly.
“That’s right. It’s basic, but this is a good chance to get the feel back.”
I chimed in too—despite not knowing a single thing about riding a horse.
***
That afternoon, at the riding grounds.
Each of us sat on horses led by a trainer holding the reins, slowly circling the field.
The horses walked calmly, following the trainer’s lead, letting out low snorts.
The sky was clear, a gentle breeze was blowing—it felt more like a horseback riding tour than training.
‘This isn’t as hard as I thought?’
The horses were taller than I expected, so I was a bit nervous, but just walking like this felt surprisingly easy.
“Trainer, if someone already has experience, may we try the advanced course?”
Apparently, it wasn’t just me thinking this. After about three laps, Jude finally asked, unable to hold back anymore. Boris, who also seemed to have experience, eagerly added,
“Oh, can we? Then I’d like to go run a bit too.”
“Well, that’s fine, but… hey, you. Riana, was it? What about you?”
At the trainer’s question, I shook my head quickly.
“Oh, no! I want to stay here. I want to slowly get used to it.”
“Is that so? Then… Riana, keep circling here at a slow pace like you are now. I’ll take these two and run the back trail. You said it’s not your first time riding, so you should be fine, right?”
It is my first time, but it’ll probably be fine. We’re just walking around the training field—what could go wrong?
“Yes! Of course.”
“Alright.”
The trainer removed the lead ropes from the horses and mounted his own.
“Alright, you two—follow me! Hyah!”
He quickly rode out of the training ground with Jude and Boris.
‘Wow… they really are fast.’
Watching the three disappear in a cloud of dust, I tightened my grip on the reins.
My cream-colored horse was still walking leisurely like it was on a stroll, but being left alone in such a large field made me a little tense.
So I muttered the trainer’s instructions to myself.
“When holding the reins, keep both hands even… grip with your whole hand… keep your back straight…”
I was slowly circling the field when—
“Huh?”
In the distance, near a building away from the training grounds, I saw Calix and the woman from earlier come out together. Behind her stood a luxurious carriage, servants busily loading luggage onto it.
‘So she wasn’t just an ordinary person—she must be a noble.’
The woman handed something to Calix, but he shook his head and refused it. She returned the item to a servant and said something to Calix.
‘What are they talking about? What kind of relationship do they have?’
I was lost in thought when—
“Cerberus! Come here!”
A loud shout rang out from behind me.
I turned my head—and saw a small white butterfly flutter down and gently land on my horse’s hindquarters.
And then—
“Woof! Woof!”
A fluffy brown dog leapt through the air and bit the horse’s rear.
“Hiiiiiingh!!”
“Ah—!”
The horse let out a scream and reared up. The sudden angle made me cling tightly to its back.
“Aaaah!”
But it wasn’t over. The horse slammed its front hooves down and began bucking wildly, clearly trying to throw me off.
I clung to the horse’s mane and flattened myself against its back.
“Hey, misunderstanding! I didn’t bite you!”
I knew I couldn’t hold on much longer. After a few more violent kicks, the horse suddenly snorted and kicked off, starting to run.
‘No! If it starts running like this, I’ll definitely get thrown off!’
Even if I got thrown and my body broke, I’d heal quickly—but that would cause problems. I might even get reported to the temple as an undead.
A sense of danger surged through me. I squeezed my eyes shut—
And then I felt a strong hand grab the reins over my own, and someone climbed on behind me.
“Riana.”
Arms wrapped around me from behind, holding the reins.
I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
“To calm the horse, we need to run a bit. Hold on tight.”
A solid body pressed against my back. Calix tightened his arms around me to keep me from falling and urged the horse forward.
The startled horse ran all the way to the edge of the training ground and even jumped over the fence.
As we went airborne, I instinctively shut my eyes. Calix’s arms wrapped firmly around my waist.
“Just endure it a little. It’ll be okay soon.”
As if he’d read my mind, Calix spoke softly near my ear.
The horse ran onto the mountain path where the trainer’s group had gone earlier.
As it raced along the quiet, sunlit trail, it gradually calmed down and slowed.
When it was almost walking, Calix gently pulled the reins, and the horse finally stopped.
“Wow… it finally stopped. Thank you.”
I turned around to thank him—and froze.
Calix’s face was so close it felt like our noses might touch.
His blue eyes shimmered beautifully in the sunlight filtering through the branches. His face looked unreal, almost glowing.
‘Is this it? Could this be my chance to awaken him?’
We were close enough that, if I lifted my head just a little, our lips would touch.
So if I just—
“You don’t seem used to riding.”
As I started to lift my head, Calix turned his gaze away and spoke.
‘Damn it. Too late.’
Lesson learned: if you’re going to do it, don’t hesitate.
Today’s awakening attempt failed—and I think he figured out I’m bad at riding horses too.
What do I do now?
“Ah, um… I’ve just never seen a horse get startled like that before. Haha.”
“That’s because you lack riding experience.”
“Ah—yes… but still!”
“Still?”
Worried he might exclude me from the expedition, I hurriedly added,
“I’ll train hard for the next week. Then I should be able to participate in the mission without problems.”
“That won’t work.”
“Huh?”
Calix drew a firm line.
No—this can’t be happening!
“Is it uncomfortable?”
“Huh?”
“Riding like this.”
“…Like this?”
Calix paused briefly, then continued.
“I mean riding the horse like this—with me pressed against you.”
“Oh! Ah—no, it’s not uncomfortable.”
“Then we’ll go to the Droia Territory like this.”
“Huh?”
“…Do you dislike that?”
Calix asked.
Of course not! If he’s saying he’ll take me along this way, how could I dislike it?
“No, I like it.”
“You do?”
“Of course.”
Calix stared at me quietly for a moment, then spoke again.
“…Well, if you don’t dislike it, we’ll do it that way.”
“Thank you!”
“For now, let’s head back.”
Calix pulled the reins again.
‘Thank you, animal friends.’
Thanks to you, I’m officially joining the expedition—even though I can’t ride a horse.
I hid the wide smile spreading across my face and looked out at the distant scenery. The open landscape made my chest feel just as wide open.
It was one quiet afternoon, with Calix’s steady breathing softly reaching my ears as the breeze brushed past us.
