Chapter 94

"…………!"

Having jumped down from the second floor, the impact on Clifford, who caught me, was considerable. However, he didn’t flinch at all.

I was caught in Clifford’s outstretched arms. At the nape of his neck where I clung, Clifford let out a breath, a mix of relief and exasperation.

"You’re reckless..."

A slightly discontented voice escaped.

"Because there’s no way Clifford would drop me, right?"

"...Yes."

But his deep blue eyes, seen up close, still looked dissatisfied.

—Huh. Our faces are so close! I’m being held in his arms, facing him.

"I’m sorry for forcing you with an order. About the horse..."

"I understand."

I’m not being put down... Clifford carried me and continued walking, stopping in front of the horse. He extended his arm and placed me on the horse’s back with ease. Then, despite the lack of stirrups, he effortlessly leaped onto the horse.

The difference in physical abilities is like heaven and earth...!

Yeah, that’s true... Yeah. I can’t get on by myself. Without a saddle, it’s even more hopeless.

The horses that Clifford rode for the inspection and the royal family’s horses are well-trained, making them perfect for fast galloping, but if I rode one without permission, it would be noticed immediately.

So, I asked for the fastest horse that could carry two people, and Lord Edgar’s father arranged it for me. It’s a magnificent horse with a beautiful chestnut coat. I gently stroked its mane.

"...Please."

Let’s go! —Before that.

I tried to mount the horse like Clifford, but I almost fell off and had to support myself with one hand. I was saved... Frontal riding means...!

The mane? It might pull during the ride. That’s violence to the horse! And riding a horse is difficult...! But I need Clifford to make the horse run at full speed.

"Clifford... Are you okay with me clinging to your stomach with all my might?"

"No problem."

Great!

Just as I thought that, he continued.

"...But, isn’t that still not healed?"

Clifford’s gaze was directed at—

Ah, my left hand? The bandage hidden by the glove is now visible. Clench and open. No problem with movement. The pain... I’ll probably forget it if I’m desperate!

"No problem."

I’ll cling tightly, so you can relax!

To prove to Clifford, who looked somewhat doubtful, that I was fine, I sat sideways. As I said, I wrapped my arms around Clifford’s back and clung to his stomach.

"...See, just as I said."

"Yes."

Our bodies were pressed tightly together. Uh. The warmth and the feel of his abs... My heart skipped a beat... But I shouldn’t be having such thoughts! This is my lifeline...!

I took a deep breath and gave the command.

"Go! Take me to the castle!"

"---Understood."

Clifford, holding the reins, kicked the horse’s belly.

Whoa!

As soon as the horse started running, all my impure thoughts flew away. I couldn’t even open my eyes, focusing only on not letting go of my lifeline. Also, in the end, Clifford was supporting my body with his left hand while controlling the reins. It took some time to get used to the speed and open my eyes.

I peeked at the passing scenery.

The large gate was in sight. The North Gate, the shortest route to the castle and the Esphera Bridge, is open to everyone in the town, so there are security concerns. Therefore, a simple check is always done here.

Clifford is wearing the uniform of a guard knight. I hope they let us through just because of that.

"Stop!"

But the gate guards waved their hands widely, shouting at us as we were galloping. However, Clifford didn’t slow down. Are we going to charge through? I clung to the back of Clifford’s uniform with my right hand.

Clifford tilted his chin to meet my gaze, as if asking, "What’s wrong?"

"A commotion would be bad. Let’s handle this smoothly."

Then, the horse’s speed dropped significantly.

The North Gate was approaching. The guards came up to the side of the horse.

"We are conducting inspections during the royal family’s inspection. We are checking everyone, including the guard knights. Please cooperate. This also applies to your passenger—"

It’s a gamble.

I lifted my hood slightly to make my face visible to the guards.

"……!"

"—It’s an emergency. Can we pass?"

The guard nodded vigorously and stepped back, gesturing with his hand.

"Please proceed."

Phew. We made it through with a face check.

The horse started running again.

Plop, Clifford’s hand was placed on my head, adjusting the hood. The horse’s speed increased, and the scenery changed rapidly.

And—straight ahead, the Esphera Bridge was visible in the distance. It’s still the size of a pea, but seeing the bridge means we’re almost there! I could feel my face glowing.

However, a sound of frustration came from above.

...Frustration? It can only be from Clifford.

"I’m sorry."

? Why is he apologizing for the frustration?

I looked up while still clinging to him.

His deep blue eyes were filled with regret.

"I should have dealt with it this morning."

Deal with it... That sounds serious! What exactly...?

Whoosh, a sound. I’ve heard this sound twice today. An arrow...?

While controlling the reins with one hand and supporting my body, Clifford deflected the arrow with his sword and immediately readied it with his left hand.

An attack... From where...?

From the front. From the Esphera Bridge. People were standing, blocking the way, and some were mounted. They didn’t seem to be the guards managing traffic.

Five riders were coming towards us. A mix of knights and soldiers, but their uniforms were definitely those of people serving Esphera.

I took off my hood. The wind from the horse’s speed made my hair fly into my face, which I shook off with a big head shake.

But, this...!

"I am Princess Octavia of the Kingdom of Esphera! Open the way!"

I strained my voice to the limit.

"!"

They definitely recognized me. But...

The number of arrows being shot increased...?

No effect!

To make matters worse, a rider who got closer drew his sword and attacked. It was counterproductive...! A rogue—Hue’s accomplice? Did they have a plan to deal with the pursuit if I was caught as the culprit?

Clifford blocked the enemy’s sword with his own. He deflected it and then attacked, causing the enemy to fall off the horse.

Wow. Another rider couldn’t keep up with Clifford’s horse handling and fell off. The other three riders were also rendered unable to remount, losing their riders. The riderless horses ran off in different directions.

Meanwhile, arrows kept flying, but thanks to the horse’s handling and the use of the sword, I didn’t feel any danger of being hit.

If someone said Clifford was creating a barrier, I would believe it. It felt like the common scene in action movies where the protagonist is shot at repeatedly but never hit.

Despite me clinging to him, Clifford was wielding the sword as if it were a living thing—perhaps because he was using his left hand, it felt even more so.

...The arrows stopped flying?

If we can just cross the bridge...!

The Esphera Bridge, which was the size of a pea, was now quite close.

We can make it!

The moment I was sure, I could see the bridge moving. The Esphera Bridge is a drawbridge. By raising and lowering it, it can completely block passage. The middle of the bridge split, and the bridge deck formed a mountain shape, completing the movement with the ends standing vertically.

If this happens, we can’t cross.

Unfortunately, this bridge has an extraordinary speed. It’s like pressing a switch and the bridge raising and lowering in a few seconds.

It’s so technologically advanced that I want to protest that the setting is wrong... But as I thought this, a gap appeared in the middle of the bridge, forming a mountain shape!

The enemy changed their strategy from trying to defeat us to blocking our passage and preventing us from crossing the bridge!

"Clifford!"

He understood my intention from my call.

"Hold on tight."

Clifford, who had dispersed the surrounding enemies, readjusted his hold on me. I pressed my head against his chest and clung to him tightly.

The horse charged towards the rising bridge.

"Hurry!"

The enemy who was left behind shouted to raise the bridge. The bridge was now a steep slope.

We charged up the slope—!

Clifford controlled the horse, which kicked the bridge deck, now a slope. It leaped. A floating sensation.

—A few seconds later, the impact of landing spread through my entire body. I closed my eyes tightly. I could feel the horse galloping down the slope from the vibrations. When I opened my eyes and looked back, I saw one of the enemies who tried to pursue us almost falling off the broken bridge deck.

But—there were many people on the castle side of the Esphera Bridge, just like on the other side. Cavalry and infantry were waiting.

But, ignore them!

"We don’t need to engage! "

To avoid unnecessary fighting and prevent Clifford from getting exhausted.

If they pursue us, we’ll be safe once we reach the castle.

Clifford dealt with the attacking cavalry and increased the horse’s speed.

After a while—

Ugh. I’ve never been so happy to see the castle gates.

I faced forward so the guards could see my face clearly.

I leaned forward.

Clifford supported my body, so I managed it!

I took a deep breath.

Facing the closed castle gates, I raised my voice from the bottom of my heart.

"—Open the gates immediately!"