So Close to Mielta
Ten full days of galloping through the forest, and at last we had reached a road that saw actual human traffic.
It was only a narrow path, but the sight of a real signpost filled me with a rush of joy so strong that even my usual cynical self let out an involuntary cheer.
“We’re on the right track! Just a little farther and we’ll reach Mielta.”
Ooh! Master’s actually right for once!
“What!”
Yes! What did I tell you?
The moment I slid down from the horse, Rai bolted away to put some distance between us. Instead of chasing the little brat, I pulled out the map my sister had given me and double-checked our route to Mielta.
She had gifted me a proper map and compass, and had even taken the time to teach me how to read them. I might have dozed through most of my geography lessons, but the knowledge had still stuck. I picked it up quickly.
My plan was simple.
First, reach Mielta, unload our things, rest for a bit, then head to the magic tower. From there I would send short telegrams to the academy and the main house. After that, I would use the warp facility to send Einy straight back to Dmitry as fast as possible.
I could just summon Bright and have him look after her. Whether or not Bright was able to take time off was none of my concern. I had returned alive; the least he could do was run this errand.
Once I had shaken Einy off, I would travel alone through Elan on my way back to Dmitry. Crossing the mountains of Moran directly would be faster, but I would rather take the detour. The roads in Elan were well-maintained, food was plentiful, and the inns were comfortable. I had zero interest in spending another minute feeling depressed in that cold, damp jungle. There wasn’t much of my personality left to damage.
Traveling overland would take roughly two months. If I could use the warp like Einy, the trip would only take a week, but unfortunately I had been born with a constitution that made comfortable living impossible.
It’s been so long since we’ve seen a proper road!
Rai was leaping around excitedly in the middle of the path, the spirit stone necklace gleaming around his neck. He had sworn he would rather die than wear something so tacky, but the threat of death had changed his mind. The only way to restore the spirit stone to its original form was to keep it in constant contact with him.
“Rai, come here.”
Yes!
“Let’s run!”
The sight of a well-paved road had improved my mood dramatically. I swung back onto the horse and seized the reins. After days of picking our way through tangled forest, this was the first real chance to gallop at full speed.
The sensation of slicing through the wind sent a thrill racing through me. Despite suffering from warp sickness, I had always enjoyed speed. Riding Undain and soaring through the sky had only deepened that love.
I lost track of how long I had been focused on the ride.
In the distance a flag came into view—the marker that Mielta was now within an hour’s walk. On horseback, that meant fifteen minutes at most.
The horse was still bursting with energy, so I had no qualms about pushing him to his limit.
A city. A real city! Food! A bed! A bath! Someone to wait on me!
“U-Unnie…”
I was charging toward that glorious future when Einy suddenly clapped a hand over her mouth and buried her face against the horse’s neck.
She curled into a ball, muttering something that the wind nearly snatched away.
“Huh? What did you say?”
“…feels like.”
I slowed the horse a little. Rai, who had been running alongside us, shot forward, then doubled back with a questioning look.
Einy had pressed her lips tight and turned to me right before we reached the main road.
“I think I’m going to throw up…”
“Whoa, whoa.”
I had to stop the horse immediately. The city gates were just ahead, but I halted and helped Einy down first.
She scurried into the bushes and dropped to the ground beneath a tree. She didn’t actually vomit; she simply huddled there, curled up tight.
Should I pat her back? A twinge of guilt pricked at me. Maybe I had ridden too fast.
“Are you all right? Want some water?”
Clean water might settle her stomach. If I called Undine, I could produce as much as we needed.
“…I can’t. I want to go home…”
“What?”
“I can’t do this. I miss Mom!”
Her voice cracked. A moment later she collapsed face-first onto the ground and began sobbing loudly, the kind of ugly, heartbroken crying that only children can manage. I could only stare at her in blank disbelief.
What the hell was this?
“What are you talking about? We’re practically there! The gates are right in front of us!”
“Mom…! Hic… I want to go back! We don’t have to go to the city! Please just take me home!”
Why is this my problem?
If you want to go home so badly, go by yourself!
Inside my chest, something began to boil.