34. Caravan Discussions and Lingering Duel Tensions
"Wh-what the hell is this?!"
That was Cecily's reaction after I'd given her a thorough rinse with water magic.
"Honestly, it might feel even better than sex! So that's why Mizuki and the dog-ears always stay so clean."
"Hey, don't say it outright! Don't blurt it out after the fact. That hurts!"
"Hey, hey, how do you control it? Teach me too!"
Of course. Cecily had already taught me how to ride Mizuki—no, how to ride a horse.
While teaching her in return, she washed my body too. With her mid-level magic, she expanded the water orb into a barrel shape, cleaning my whole body at once.
A good chunk of time had passed. It was already past noon. I was worried about Fam. Since we'd gotten together, we'd never spent this much time apart. She hadn't been tricked into mounting some instructor, had she? She was probably worried about me too.
We headed back. We were on horseback again, riding side by side. My inner thighs ached a bit—maybe muscle soreness or chafing.
"Mash, there's something awkward I need to tell you, but it has to be now."
Cecily spoke up.
"Your period?"
"No! It's about the caravan escort quest! I didn't think you'd take something like that."
"Why not?"
"What do you think you're escorting the caravan from, Mash?"
"Monsters, right?"
Cecily shook her head.
"Caravans aren't attacked by monsters—it's people. You'd end up fighting thieves."
"Really?"
Thinking about it, that made sense. Even monsters wouldn't bother attacking a large group. It'd be another group with enough firepower to take on a caravan.
"You're taking this lightly. Weren't you arguing with the dog-ears about it? You have qualms about killing people, don't you? Mizuki and the dog-ears would have to kill thieves."
I hoped the enemies would be irredeemable criminals, but I shook my head. I still felt resistance. Who knew how I'd feel in the moment. And I couldn't make Fam and Mizuki kill people either.
"Couldn't we just capture them without killing and drag them to the knights in the next town?"
"Don't even suggest loading captured thieves onto the wagons—they're full of cargo. And don't say tie them up and make them walk; you'd need guards, it'd slow us down, and we'd burn extra food. You might think we could afford the margin, but if profits tank, what's the point of the caravan?"
"Releasing them or leaving them behind... yeah, that's not an option."
Cecily nodded. Released thieves would just hit the next caravan or traveler. I couldn't justify my own irresponsible whims.
"Plus, you knew about that city on the route gearing up for war, right?"
I'd thought it was just a warning to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Time to rethink.
"...Mercenaries?"
Cecily nodded.
"They fight for gold. Sure, some mercenary bands don't stoop to banditry, but depending on the situation, they turn into soldiers—or thieves."
Spot on. Mateo had warned me before I took the escort job. He was being upfront—or rather, I was clueless. He'd said it was fine because of Goddess Summon. That meant we'd need its power. The whiff of war draws mercenaries. I'd figured we could just skirt the city.
"Well, against a mercenary band, it's mostly intimidation—what they call 'negotiation.'"
If they attacked a caravan and got traced, it'd spark a feud with the backing merchants. Fighting potential investors is like cutting their lifeline. Better to flash some steel, grab minimal supplies through threats, and leave the caravan to eat the loss.
"You're a wandering free spirit, yet you know nothing about the world—it's weird. Myra recommended it, right? She doesn't know your feelings or the real world. She must've seen you arguing with the dog-ears over killing."
Mizuki hadn't told Cecily and the others she was a transferree?
"...You're really digging in deep."
"Include me as an ally and confidante. If you hate it, I'll deliver the killing blow."
"Hold on, that's the same thing. ...Give me time to think."
I said it, but nothing came to mind. Backing out of the caravan escort now was impossible.
"Fair enough. Caravans don't always get hit by thieves—most times it's nothing. Just don't stress. Tell me."
"Have you killed anyone, Cecily?"
"You... haven't, have you? I have. Took a thief-hunting quest."
What did it feel like? I almost asked but stopped myself.
We returned to the ranch.
Mizuki and Fam galloped over on horseback.
"You're late!" Mizuki said.
"Master..."
Fam's face darkened. She'd sniffed it out. Totally busted.
Cecily rode past us innocently and headed toward Ira.
"We caught up quick, but for practice, we went to the pond up north and back."
"We were worried!"
No way to stay in touch in situations like this. Once we're out of town, we could get separated. Needed a rendezvous plan.
"Sorry. Anyway, can you ride now?"
"Yeah, Fam and I are good. Myra's struggling. Ira's watching her."
Mizuki answered. Probably because her boobs were too heavy and tiring the horse out.
"...Got it."
Fam wouldn't meet my eyes.
"So, when did you two start fighting?"
Mizuki had noticed Fam's attitude too.
"We're not. I'll go check on Sis."
Fam galloped off.
"...Something happened with Cecily, huh? You should've told me first."
Before I could stop her, Mizuki was gone too.
Left alone practicing riding, Mizuki came back.
"Fam and Cecily are racing on horseback."
"Huh? Why? Weren't we all teaching Myra?"
"It turned into which room you're sleeping in tonight: me and Fam's, or Cecily and Ira's."
I'd somehow turned into a total stud. My own seeds sown, but fights were a hassle.
"I'm not going anywhere without Fam. What if I look away and she turns delinquent, gets a nose piercing, and starts yelling 'Wheee!'?"
"..."
I practiced while watching the others. Not to brag, but I was the best right now. Mizuki was decent. Then Fam, with Myra far behind. No way Fam could beat Cecily, who was way better and more experienced. And "racing" just meant a trot at best. I'd seen horse races—the form for top speed was totally different.
"There's a handicap, right?"
"Fam refused."
I could picture it: Cecily provoking, Fam getting pissed.
"Mash, understand Fam. She snapped after you kept badmouthing her."
Yeah, figured. Good it wasn't arrogance.
"...Mizuki, join in. Take a handicap. Please."
"Fine. But no way I win. Best to use the slave crest on her."
"Don't wanna. Figured you'd get it."
"Y-yeah, but... at least stop calling Fam 'dog-ears.'"
I thought she said it to my face on purpose, but even directly to Fam? Ira too?
"Got it. I'll handle that."
"Yeah." Mizuki nodded.
"Ever seen a horse race?"
"Yeah, but you're not telling me to do that half-remembered style, right?"
"I'll try too. Saddle's different, might be tough, but let's raise the stirrups and test standing on the knees. We'll practice secretly—the better one races."
Standing knees okay? It's floating hips, forward lean. Hope Mizuki got it.
"You two'll end up injured and needing Myra's care..."
Me, yeah—but Mizuki'd be fine. Felt that way.
"Mizuki, I couldn't ride at first either. But advice to 'think of the horse as Mizuki' awakened me. If you can ride Mizuki, you can ride a horse. I'm the guy who rides Mizuki. Horses scared me, but now they're cute. Now the horse is Mizuki, and Mizuki's the horse."
"...Stop with the sanity-breaking advice. It's mental, meaningless without technique. We don't know the tech."
Fair point.
Then Fam, Cecily, Ira, and Myra gathered. As Mizuki said, race time. Course: two laps around the ranch perimeter. About 2000 meters? Gentle hills, not flat. Fenced path cleared for monster alerts, but not groomed like a track—dirt or short grass, no turf. Race-style riding risky. Horses seemed tougher than thoroughbreds, okay on rough ground.
"Mizuki's joining. Cool?" I asked Cecily.
"Fine. Needs a handicap, Mizuki?"
Mizuki nodded to Cecily.
"Half-lap start for you. If I win, Mash stays in me and Ira's room tonight?"
"No. I wanna be with Fam."
"Master, I'll win. This bet means nothing."
Fam declared. Basis? Why so belligerent?
"Race in one hour."
Brazilian braid lit as fuse. Burns out, race starts.
"Mizuki, Fam—no time. Half train, half rest the horses."
"Wait."
Cecily stopped us.
"I know you prefer Mizuki and the dog-ears, and they like you. But today with you, I fell for you too. Our feelings are equal—stay neutral for today's race."
Cecily badmouthed Ira, called Mizuki a horse, dissed Fam as dog-ears, said Myra lacked tact. Smear campaign to look best. Even I noticed.
But those words felt genuine.
"Cecily, I can't stand Fam being called dog-ears."
"...Fine. I'll stop."
Fair fight it is.
"Mizuki... that race style—can you?"
"I'll try."
Mizuki pulled feet from stirrups, stood on knees. Floated hips, leaned forward gripping short reins, galloped fast. Steady, no wobble.
Trainers murmured. Cecily stunned. But I was most shocked. What was that earlier doubt?
Like downplaying to avoid "smart girl" label? Felt embarrassed thinking I was better.
Can't just "try" that. Needs tons of practice—stirrupless. She nailed it from race image. Forward lean like road racer. Bike experience? Still, that easy?
Undeniable genius. Never make enemy.
She U-turned, returned stylishly. Flowing hair beautiful. But helmet, please.
"Fam and I'll win this way. Handicap, Cecily?"
"Mizuki, you...!"
Mizuki smirked at Cecily's glare, eyed Ira.
"Ira, fine as is? No revenge on us?"
Mocking taunt.
"...Got it. Me too."
Mizuki roped Ira in. Her goal clear: vent duel grudge here. Ideally, bond and tackle caravan quest together.
Mizuki turned to Fam.
"Fam, let's go. Adjust stirrups, practice course."
Mizuki and Fam left.
"Cecily, got something for you."
"Hm? What?"
Pulled shorts and panties from storage.
"Nuna?!"
"Saw 'em sometimes. Planned to blackmail you out of the race, but here."
"Ugh! Explained the breeze. Thought it was post-wash freshness."
Snatched from my hand.
"...Cheer for me a little too!"
Cecily dragged Ira off.
"Um... I became your lover before Mizuki or Cecily—when's my turn?"
Left-behind Myra asked. Oh yeah, even stood up Rakushel. Overloaded on popularity.
Thank you for reading.
To everyone who bookmarked and rated—truly grateful.
It motivates me. I'll do my best.