Chapter 42 Town of Abil
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”How’s it going? Running a bit faster makes your butt hurt, right?”
The next morning, Kazumi and I were each put on our own horses. We split our luggage between the horses, and Kazumi, Martina, and I rode alone, while Liz had Rena in front of her.
Even though we were taught how to hold the reins and use the spurs, it still hurts my butt when I sit normally, just like Liz said.
”Yeah. My butt gets bounced up, and when I’m about to fall, the horse’s back hits me hard from below, and it really hurts…”
I complained to Liz and Martina, who were riding alongside me.
”I’m hurting too…”
Kazumi looked like she was really struggling as well.
”There’s a trick to it.”
Liz grinned, and continue to spoke.
”You have to use your knees to grip the horse… or rather, the saddle. Lightly squeeze it with your legs and use your knees. When the horse’s back bounces up, try to lift your butt up gently, okay?”
”And then, relax your knees and lower your butt again. Just keep repeating that. The important part is the rhythm!”
Liz and Martina taught me from both sides. Hmm. I see.
”Like this… oh, I got it. This is the rhythm.”
”When you lift your butt, you use your knees, but also take advantage of the horse’s back going up. It’s like getting a boost from it. Otherwise, your knees will get tired.”
Rena, who was riding in front of Liz, gave me some advice.
”Ugh! No! I can’t get the rhythm right! My butt hurts!”
I’m getting the hang of it, so I dig my heels into the horse’s sides and try to speed up a bit.
”…Hiroya’s instincts are amazing. He picks things up so quickly.”
”I want to ride with Hiroya!”
Kazumi’s scream comes from behind me.
* * *
So, Kazumi is riding behind me.
”When Kazumi gets the hang of it, we can go a bit faster on our journey, okay?”
If I speed up, Kazumi’s butt will probably hurt, so I keep going at the same speed on the road.
”…But I can’t do it… I’m just clumsy…”
Kazumi, clinging to me, complains. It’s like that famous line, ‘I’m just… clumsy…’
”Well, let’s practice again when the timing is right, okay?”
”I like it just the way it is now…”
Saying that, she clings to me even tighter.
”…I like the cozy feeling, but…”
”But?”
”But that’s different, okay? Even if you’re riding behind me, we can only speed up when you can ride properly.”
”…Okay… I’ll do my best…”
”Good. That’s a good girl.”
I pat her head from behind.
”Ehehe.”
Her arms tighten around me again.
* * *
The sun is starting to set.
”We’ll reach Abil by night!”
Liz speeds up a bit.
It’s definitely better to reach the town than to camp halfway.
”Kazumi, make sure to put your feet firmly in the stirrups and lift your butt a little.”
”Got it!”
As Kazumi lifts her butt, she naturally leans against my back. Even though she’s flat, I can feel a slight softness against me.
”Good job, Liz! Let’s pick up the pace!”
I called out to Liz in front of me.
Liz looked back at us. She was probably checking if the family carriage was following.
”…Looks like it’s all good. Alright! Let’s keep this pace!”
”Okay!”
Martina and Rena followed, and I stayed behind them.
The merchant group in front also picked up the pace. The elves running a bit further away kept up with us too. Everyone probably had the same thought.
Even though we increased our speed, we continued to run at a comfortable pace.
* * *
”Thank you for your hard work. Thanks to you, we had a safe and enjoyable journey.”
At the entrance of the town Abil, the father of the family carriage spoke up.
”We have grandparents in this town, so this is where we part ways, but you all are going to the royal capital, right? I wish you a safe rest of your journey.”
”Goodbye!”
The wife and daughter waved their hands.
”Take care,” The father bowed his head, and the carriage entered the town.
”Are you elves going to the Great Forest?”
I asked the elf who had come up next to me.
”Yes. When you come to Razia Village again, please take care of us.”
Saying that, they waved their hand and entered the town.
”Thanks to you all, I could do my escort mission without being too tense. We’re also heading to the royal capital, but are you leaving tomorrow morning?”
An adventurer representing the merchant group spoke up.
”Yeah. We need to get to the royal capital quickly.”
Liz replied.
”I see. Our merchant group seems to be finishing up business here, so we’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow. I wish you a safe journey.”
Saying that, he chased after the leading merchant group.
”Well then… let’s head to the inn too.”
We also passed through the entrance of the town.
* * *
I arrived at the inn that Dad arranged for us, and after unloading our bags, I took the horse to the stable.
”Looks like we have one room.”
Liz said with a smile after checking in.
”Yeah, I figured as much…”
”Well, it’s fine, right? We’re close enough now.”
”Exactly! We’re all friends!”
”Let’s sleep together again!”
…Everyone seems happy, so I guess it’s okay.
”Hey, hey! There’s a bath here!”
Rena, who had gone inside the inn first, ran over.
”Yeah. The first owner of this inn was from the East. They had a habit of taking baths there.”
Liz explained as she led us to our room.
”Yay!”
”A bath… I’m so happy… It’ll relax my body…”
Martina looked excited, and Kazumi had a relieved expression. Everyone must be tired after all.
”Alright, let’s drop our bags in the room and head to the bath first.”
Liz smiled happily too.
* * *
”Ahh…”
I washed my body and soaked in the tub. It felt like all the fatigue of the day was washing away with the water.
(This feels nice…)
I used muscles I don’t usually use from horseback riding, so I was definitely tired.
According to Liz, if we leave in the morning, we should reach the royal capital by the night after tomorrow.
(We’re almost at the royal capital. Finally…)
I thought about the royal capital I had yet to see.
I heard we would first meet the Minister of War…
(I wonder what kind of person he is. A former hero…)
He was part of the party that defeated the Demon King. Dad said he was the one in charge of everything.
(He must be an amazing swordsman. I need to consult with a craftsman about my armor before ordering it.)
To make the most of my ‘Ancient Iai: Obu Muso Style,’ I can’t have armor that hinders my movements. But then again, having no defense at all would be risky as an adventurer.
Minimum defense. I should ask for advice on how to do that.
While I was thinking about this, maybe because I felt too good, sleepiness slowly crept in, so I got out of the bath, washed my face with cold water, and left the bathroom.
* * *
”Hey, hey… Can I drink tonight?”
After I ordered food in the dining room on the first floor, Liz said.
”I really want to gulp down some cold beer…”
Liz put her hands together and asked.
”That’s fine, right? As long as you don’t drink in a way that makes you feel bad tomorrow. Sorry!”
Kazumi called the waiter.
”Yeah. You haven’t really drunk since we started traveling. I think Liz has done a great job, too!”
”Really? Thanks! Oh, add to my order. One cold beer!”
Liz happily ordered from the waiter who came.
* * *
In the end, Liz drank 3 mugs with her meal. Well, it wasn’t enough to make her completely dizzy, so I guess it’s okay.
”Okay, we’re leaving early tomorrow, so we need to sleep soon.”
A slightly tipsy and cheerful Liz jumped into bed right away.
”Since I always sleep with Kazumi and the others, how about sleeping with me this time, Hiroya?”
She sent me a flirty look, but Kazumi interrupted.
”No way! Hiroya is sleeping with me──us!”
”Does Big Sister Liz want to sleep together too?”
”No, the bed is too small for that, right?”
”It’s fine.”
Rena and Martina pushed their beds together on Kazumi.
”Now everyone can sleep together, right?”
When Rena said that, Liz blushed a little and hesitantly came closer.
”I-Is that okay?”
”…A-Alright! Let’s all sleep together tonight!”
I decided to be bold, turned off the room lamp, and took the center of the bed.
”””Good night──!”””
Then everyone piled onto the bed. It felt just like a school trip.
I didn’t even know who was where, but the sleepiness that had been following me since the bath finally hit me, and I quickly fell asleep.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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