Chapter 16
Chapter 16
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Someone Gets Hit in the Back of the Head (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The horse trader's explanation was straightforward.
Unlike me, who had haggled the price way down, someone had shown up willing to pay double.
And that person was a knight.
I knew competition for good horses could be fierce...
But I hadn't expected to get robbed like this.
Since we were leaving the city soon, we hadn't drawn up a contract, and that turned out to be the problem.
If I'd known, I would've paid on the spot, but I was staying at the temple and had nowhere to stable the horse, so we'd postponed the purchase...
Perhaps sensing my darkening expression, the trader began stammering excuses.
"If it had been anyone else, I never would've sold that horse! But a knight with a sharp glare demanded it—who could stand up to that...?"
"He wasn't from around here."
"Looked like he was just passing through. Whatever it was, he seemed in a hurry. Probably rode off through that storm."
"You're sure he was a knight?"
"Of course! Definitely a knight!"
"Haa..."
I let out a deep sigh.
What rotten luck—getting tangled up with a knight, of all things!
'Knights rarely come to borderlands like Galopic... Is something happening nearby?'
A flicker of unease passed through me, but it was quickly overtaken by an unexpected noise that drew my attention.
-Hiiing!!
-Thud!
Turning toward the sound, I saw a magnificent wild horse rearing and bucking wildly.
Glossy black coat shimmering, flowing black mane, muscles sculpted to perfection—like a painting come to life.
"That's..."
"Don't even look over there. It's too vicious; impossible to tame."
As if to prove the trader right, the wild horse was kicking at everything in a frenzy, threatening to demolish the stable.
"Yesterday, Smith got kicked by it and cracked a rib—total chaos."
The trader shook his head with a heavy sigh.
"How that knight even rode it... If it's that strong, tame it yourself instead of dumping it here and ruining my business!"
"How much?"
"Hm?"
"For that one."
He stared at me in disbelief, as if I'd said something unbelievable.
"You don't mean that one?"
"Let's hear the price first."
Like any trader, his expression shifted at the prospect of selling the untamable beast.
"Well..."
The Shire I'd originally wanted was 9 gold.
How much would he ask for an untamed wild horse?
"7 gold?"
"You're selling an untamed brute for 7 gold?"
"But look at it—such power. Tame it right, and it'll be a legendary steed! Worth 100 gold easy!"
"That's if you tame it."
"..."
"You got rid of it quick, didn't you? Or rather, the opposite. Look—it's demolishing the stable right now. Keeping it would just cost you more."
"Th-that's..."
"2 gold 50 silver. Enough to fix the stable and then some."
"No, even so, that's too low..."
"Didn't you sell my horse for double? That should cover it."
"..."
The trader went silent, eyes darting. Yeah, merchants' code of ethics existed here too—no argument.
"Throw in some feed and gear, and I'll keep quiet about backing out of the deal."
"A-alright..."
Deflated, he took my gold coins and started gathering feed and tack.
While he did, I approached the wild horse pacing furiously in its isolated pen.
'...Beautiful.'
Raw vitality of nature poured from it.
-Hiiing!!!
Even as it whinnied in agitation, I slowly extended my hand. Getting bitten by a bridleless horse could cost fingers, but I took the risk because I had faith.
Druid basic skill: [Affinity].
It garnered favor from beasts, including wild animals.
Higher levels amplified it, and mine had leveled up plenty—should work great.
Beyond the skill, I had experience calming horses spooked by monster scents on escort jobs.
-Prurr...
The wild horse soon settled, sniffing my palm.
"Good boy."
Up close, its excellence was tangible: black coat with a blue sheen, elegant mane and tail, proud stature...
The trader was right—it was a 'legendary steed.'
'As long as it can be tamed.'
Easy for me.
I gently stroked its muzzle where it touched my palm.
"My god..."
The trader, returning with gear, gaped in awe. I pulled a brush from the pile, slowly grooming its mane to soothe it further.
"Druids really can control animals!"
"Not control—commune."
Fully calm, it followed me readily. We escaped the pen without damage. While I fed it a few sugar cubes, El asked:
"Master, what's its name?"
"Name?"
"Yeah. You gave me 'El,' the wolf 'Aila.' Shouldn't this one get a name too?"
Fair point. I pondered.
"It came through the storm, so... Storm."
"...Cool name."
"You're thinking I made it up on the spot, aren't you?"
"No way. Let's get along, Storm."
"You're getting cheeky lately. Grab the gear and feed."
"Yes!"
We scored the horse and cart cheap, leaving funds to spare. Purification rites were basically volunteer work—no real pay—so this was a boon.
We left Galopic with the savage wild horse and cursed cart. Inn talk mentioned a major caravan nearby recruiting guards, so we headed back. The cart cut travel time sharply. Roads weren't rough, so on the half-day return, I taught El to drive; she picked it up fast.
Our job: guarding a massive caravan from the Ekaitz Confederation. They were transporting minerals, gems, and weapons from the dwarf nation of Ergin to the port city of Rosan. Eight wagons just from them—not counting their own guards—meant they needed tons of mercenaries. Over a hundred besides us; huge procession.
'Such big escorts are safer. Only the boldest would dare attack.'
Our cart let us move easier than most foot mercs. El drove while I scanned from atop; Aila patrolled front and rear for monsters or threats. Perfect setup. Even camped in the cart at night—safe and comfy.
"Master, where are you going?"
As I geared up to leave, El blinked from making my bed.
"Foraging. Good plants nearby tonight."
"It's late."
"Days for travel; gotta do it now."
"Want help?"
"Sleep. You drive tomorrow."
"Okay..."
"Aila, come."
She wagged her tail and followed. Shadow wolf—sharp night vision for protection.
"If trouble, whistle like I showed."
"Got it."
I shut the cart door and entered the dark woods.
Deep night aside, a week on the road had everyone weary. Two days left, tensions eased. Sentries dozed; wakeful ones chatted idly.
'Even with two days left...'
I clicked my tongue, then gathered seeds as planned. Dug roots for propagation, picked fruits and leaves—soon far from camp.
"Time to head back."
Pockets full enough. I whistled softly for Aila. She returned, silver fur gleaming in moonlight, a limp horn rabbit dangling from her jaws.
"Snack?"
She rumbled happily and led; I followed, pondering crafts from the pelt.
[email protected]$#@&^#@$…….
Then, an odd sound halted me.
'This is...'
Hiding behind a tree, I listened. Beyond, two mercs spoke not Imperial, but Gronian.
-Next hill! Next one!
-Hey, quiet down.
-Who cares? Who else here knows Gronian besides us?
-True.
...I'm here, idiots. Right here.
My [Interpreter] trait let me understand perfectly.
Gron: tiny nation between Rosan's west border and barbarian lands. More village than kingdom—barren home to Rosan-subjugated savages. Some fled to Rosan as mercs for a shot at success... Rare, and they hid origins, so hearing Gronian was uncommon. Even then, recognizing it was hard.
'Not for me.'
I held my breath, eavesdropping.
-Next hill. Not this one, not the one after—literally next.
-Told you: next hill. Traps set perfect. One twig, and boom.
-Hahaha! Yeah! With the mage, no worries!
-Do it right. Botch it, and it's not the caravan—our heads roll.
-Heh, one score and we'll snag two—no, three girls! Three!
The burly one guffawed, gulping booze; the skinny bald guy eyed him pitifully.
'These morons really think no one knows Gronian?'
Careless much? I sneered inwardly, melting into the shadows.