Chapter 91

The speculation about divine interference is currently without evidence, but it undoubtedly gave Zhao Mai a wake-up call. Golarion is not a place where "science" can be strictly applied; here, deities truly exist and have astonishing influence. He is just a mortal, almost powerless against divine power. Therefore, for now, he can only act according to the rules and must not place himself in opposition to any deity.

Fortunately, he is a druid. Apart from a few deities who seek to destroy everything and are hated by both gods and humans, he has no natural enemies. Moreover, those deities have already made many enemies, so he won't lack allies. If he had chosen to become a cleric with stronger healing abilities, not only might his over two decades of atheism become an obstacle, but also, by choosing a deity, he would inevitably have a determined opposing faction. The troubles this would bring would definitely slow down his cultivation and even threaten his life.

If not for this concern, Zhao Mai's first choice would have been the Sun Goddess Shelyn of Eternal Healing, and then he would have tried to become a powerful "healer."

Now, it's a bit late to talk about these things. Zhao Mai will not give up the various conveniences of being a druid. Even for the future growth of Zangubao, he won't change his path.

After much internal struggle, Zhao Mai ultimately decided to ride a horse rather than drive a car to follow the paladins. The biggest reason is the same: a car that is isolated from external influences also isolates the power of nature. While avoiding danger, it also blocks the path of self-improvement through danger. Besides, who can guarantee that all the roads ahead will be passable for a car?

"Mike, you're here early too. Are you ready?" Leaving the town means danger, so Hyeorul was already fully armed. Her mount was a tall, snow-white horse. If the black mane and tail were dyed white and a cone placed on its forehead, it could easily be mistaken for a unicorn. These paladins' mounts have sacred contracts with them, are very obedient, and are extremely brave in battle.

In contrast, the horse Zhao Mai bought from the town was just an ordinary gray riding horse, a whole head shorter, neither majestic nor strong, and had not received any combat training. Of course, Zhao Mai himself had not received any training in combat riding and had never even considered such complex tactics.

"Wait a moment, I need to talk to my mount."

His horse began to feel inferior when it saw the paladins' mounts, lowering its head and refusing to move, as if frightened. Zhao Mai walked up to it, one hand supporting its chin, the other stroking the gray horse's forehead. "Gray, don't be nervous. You're a good horse, and I'm not a good rider, so I need you to take care of me. I won't make you run fast or charge into battle; those are the jobs of the other horses, not yours. I just hope you can carry me safely through this journey. Can you do that?"

The gray horse calmed down, looking at Zhao Mai with large, understanding eyes. It opened its lips and gently licked Zhao Mai's hand, then shook its mane and raised its head, neighing twice.

"Alright, I'm counting on you!" Zhao Mai patted the horse's neck, checked the straps securing the saddle and the bag hanging from it, then mounted. He shifted his position, trying to find a comfortable seat, looking like a complete novice.

"Can you do it?" Hyeorul asked, looking at him. "Your skill in calming the horse is impressive. I've only seen such skills in very experienced horse trainers."

"Horse trainers use skills to tame animals, while druids use the power of nature to communicate with them. They are different," Zhao Mai explained. "Horse trainers can only handle one or two types of animals suitable as mounts, relying on years of experience. Druids have no such limitations; they can communicate with any animal. After all, humans are also animals, with natural power in their bodies, though they possess intelligence."

"Humans are humans, and animals are animals; they cannot be equated," Hyeorul shook her head.

Zhao Mai had no intention of starting a religious debate, so he said, "Of course, there are differences, but there are also commonalities, all within the system of natural power. Humans can also accept divine power and even become new deities, like the Goddess Iomedae. But it's undeniable that humans are born with only natural power."

"I am not," Hyeorul wagged her finger. "I was born with the blessing of the goddess and will dedicate my life to her."

"Then you must work even harder and not辜负 the goddess's expectations," Zhao Mai thought for a moment and then said, "Oh, I see, no wonder you can ask the goddess for answers, even about the past of deities. There must be a reason for that."

Hyeorul smiled, the answer obvious. She spurred her white horse and said to her companions, "Advance in a defensive formation. I'll stay beside Mike."

"Captain, you're not tired of him yet?" A female knight with short, light red hair covered her mouth and laughed. "You can't always watch him; you also need to be alert to the surroundings!"

Hyeorul showed no smile, remaining serious. "No nonsense. From now on, we must maintain discipline. No one can relax, understood?"

"Yes!" The knights pounded their fists on their sword hilts in unison.

These were lively female paladins, varying in age and rank, but their camaraderie was strong. They were both comrades and sisters, with great默契. Zhao Mai, upon joining this group, immediately felt out of place.

First, his riding posture. Zhao Mai had only ridden horses at amusement parks and tourist resorts, with a top speed of no more than 15 kilometers per hour and a distance of no more than 5 kilometers, just for leisure. On the horse, his body was unsteady, stiff, and very uncoordinated. In contrast, the female knights beside him were majestic and graceful. He looked like a graffiti on a work of art, mud on a splendid coat.

Then, the style. Six paladins (one had gone north to Galduria Castle to gather information) lined up, their armor shining, capes fluttering, like six majestic banners. Zhao Mai wore rough leather armor, with messy short hair and a nervous gaze. Fortunately, he wasn't in chains, or he would have looked like a prisoner being escorted.

Fortunately, Gray was quite cooperative, constantly adjusting its posture to keep Zhao Mai steady on its back. It walked with a light gait, following Hyeorul's white horse "Unicorn" without much effort. It seemed that having a tall horse in front effectively reduced the wind resistance for those following.

Zhao Mai, bouncing along, was lost in thought, almost thinking about aerodynamics.

...

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends