Chapter 58

"Pio-chan, shall we go to Ume?"

"Yeah, but we might be at our limit."

As for Pio-chan, I'll leave it to her while Samieu and I continue on. The horse seemed to be exhausted, panting heavily.

"Aitemubokkusu"

For the horse, I selected items. First, a health recovery item, and then something to boost its abilities.

"Kettei"

I took out a [Special Recovery Potion] and [Swift Hoof Shoes]. After drinking the recovery potion, the horse seemed to regain its energy; its heavy breathing returned to normal, its coat shone, and its eyes sparkled. The [Swift Hoof Shoes] are equipment for riding animals, increasing their movement speed. I was worried about the size, but my items always fit perfectly. According to Pio-chan, a knight must also be able to take care of horses, so she skillfully attached them.

"Amazing, Julianne was already a wonderful horse, but her movement speed has increased significantly."

Pio-chan, who had taken a short test ride on the rejuvenated horse, let out a sigh of admiration. Julianne must be the horse's name; she's a beautiful white horse. With this, she should be able to keep up with Samieu and me.

"Let's go then."

"Yeah, this way."

Guided by Pio-chan, we hurried to the scene where the Living Mail had attacked. The group, which was supposed to be heading to the town where they were staying, had veered north of their original path. If Pio-chan hadn't met us, Samieu and I might have passed by without noticing. Just like when we were attacked by the dragon, we gave the recovery potions to the injured. There were more this time, making it more challenging, but that's okay. My items are maxed out!

"Everyone is feeling better."

"Ooh!"

Everyone who had recovered cheered. It's good that everyone is safe this time.

"Thank you, Lady Renny..."

"Please take care of the prince..."

"Please take care of the prince..."

The three maids of Caries, who had been unconscious in the broken carriage, were all feeling better, but their faces showed worry and a sense of tragedy because Caries was missing. This isn't the end. We need to rescue Caries. I nodded to the three maids, and then Samieu, who had been gathering information, and Pio-chan, who had been giving orders to her subordinates, returned. They then announced—

"Lady Renny, there is a soldier who was conscious when the attack happened. I heard his story."

"Yeah, I heard it too. The culprit is—"

—The culprit's name.

"Gairal."

"Gairal."

Both mentioned Gairal, the Earl of Gairal. In the documents we found in the basement of the village we saved, he was listed as the bishop of the cult.

"I failed."

I had planned to have Gairal and Pio-chan protect Caries while I dealt with the root cause of the attacks on the children and Caries. But if Gairal was the root cause, I should have been with Caries.

"It didn't ring."

When I met Gairal at the tea party, the [Bell of Detection] didn't ring. It probably didn't ring because Gairal didn't intend to attack me. After that, I gave the [Bell of Detection] to Caries, but I wonder how that went.

"Is the bell the one you gave to the prince, Lady Renny?"

"Yeah. It should have rung if Gairal was there, right?"

Even though we spent a week together at Mayor Thomas's mansion, I wasn't with Caries all the time. Pio-chan and the three maids would know more about this, so I asked them. Pio-chan put her hand to her chin, and the three maids looked at each other before answering.

"After you gave the bell to the prince, Gairal left the mansion immediately, so I don't think the prince and Gairal were together."

"Yes, and the prince treasured the bell you gave her and kept it in a treasure chest."

"He had it processed by a merchant introduced by Mayor Thomas."

"The prince often carried it at night because you said, 'So you can rest well.'"

"I see..."

"We suffered a major defeat this time, but the prince was the first to notice the attack. She warned everyone to be careful because the bell was ringing."

"Yeah."

"Thanks to that, we managed to avoid the ambush and no one died."

After listening to Pio-chan and the three maids, I sighed. I wanted to protect everyone, but things don't always go as planned. Still, I want to believe that I did the minimum.

"Let's hurry and rescue Caries."

Caries is gone. Gairal must have taken her. She must be scared alone.

"We have to hurry..."

Saying that, I took a step forward. But my body swayed—

"Lady Renny!"

Samieu, who was next to me, quickly supported me. I tried to steady myself, but I couldn't muster the strength.

"Lady Renny..."

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"We must get you to rest!"

The three maids looked for a place for me to rest, but I shook my head.

"Just sleepy..."

That's right. I'm fine. I've been sleepy for a while. Thanks to the equipment, I don't get tired, but it's already past bedtime for a four-year-old. Before my reincarnation, I could handle it, but now it's a bit too much. But now is not the time to sleep.

"Recovery potion... drink it."

I felt as sleepy as when I took a sleeping pill. I tried to keep my eyes open and answered. If this sleepiness is considered an abnormal status, a recovery potion should cure it. That's why I said that, but—

"That's not a good idea, Renny."

Pio-chan stopped me.

"Everyone was saved by you. I can't ask you to take on more burden for the prince's rescue. If you do, the prince will scold you later."

"That's right. Lady Renny is still growing. It's natural to feel sleepy, and it's for her health. It's better to get proper sleep rather than relying on items."

Samieu also agreed with Pio-chan. Samieu always tells me that overusing items can hinder growth, and her words are reasonable.

"But..."

I want to catch up with Caries quickly. Reluctantly, I nodded, and Pio-chan said, "I understand."

"Renny, do you have another set of the horseshoes you got from Julianne?"

"Yeah, I do..."

"Then, can we put them on another horse? And what about traveling by carriage?"

"Carriage...?"

"Yes. With a carriage, you can rest inside while we move, so the rescue won't be delayed. If we put the horseshoes on the carriage horses, they'll be faster. I'll prepare the best carriage we can, so let's go that way."

After listening to Pio-chan, I thought about it with my tired mind. It's not fair to the horses to make them run all night, but it seemed like the best plan.

"Please..."

"Okay. I'll prepare it. You and Samieu, make sure Renny can rest in the carriage."

"Okay!"

I gave Pio-chan another set of [Swift Hoof Shoes]. She gave instructions to the three maids and left the scene. She seemed to be talking to the soldiers, so she must be taking care of everything. I was at my limit just standing—

"Lady Renny, excuse me."

After confirming that no one was nearby, Samieu put a hood over me. My appearance should be hidden now. Then, she gently picked me up. Samieu's warm body and reassuring hands.

"Thank you... Samieu."

"Yes, rest well."

I let go of consciousness.