Chapter 4

Riding a horse is difficult for a Japanese otaku. Fight!

"Wh-What?! Why is my position here?!"

"Don't shout. You'll bite your tongue."

"Then, slow down a bit...!"

The scenery around us flies by as if we're flying.

Well, it's a metaphor. Sure, it's not that fast compared to cars or bullet trains, but considering I'm on horseback, the shock is considerable, don't you think?!

...I can't ride a horse alone, so I had requested a carriage. If we're going to patrol the territory, at least let me follow in a carriage. But somehow, I ended up riding with Adalbert. I'm desperately clinging to the horse's neck in front of the reins. It's too much.

"Horse carriages are slow. Besides, the road to our destination is narrow in some places. A carriage would be inconvenient."

Then, don't take me to such a place! I really want to protest, but if I speak now, I might bite my tongue, so I just groan. Seriously, though, right? The great king who excels in battle. As expected, his horse riding skills are top-notch. Of course, the horse given to him is a top-class warhorse. The black warhorse, which carries the giant lion beastman Adalbert with ease, doesn't seem to mind me being there at all. It's amazing.

While Adalbert's horse riding skills are excellent, I'm a complete novice. I'm just trying not to fall off. Yet, Adalbert doesn't care and keeps pushing the horse to go faster. Are you a speed freak?!

For a while after leaving the capital, the road was well-maintained and safe. But as we progressed, it became a bumpy road with piles of gravel. The powerful warhorse doesn't give in to such obstacles, and neither does Adalbert. Only I give in. Every time the horse jumps, my body floats up and then falls back down. To be honest, it's really scary!!

"Hey, don't fall off."

"Shut up!"

Is that what you should say to someone who's desperately clinging to the horse's neck? At least slow down a bit! Besides, aren't you leaving your subordinates behind by running at full speed?!

"They can follow without losing sight of us even if they can't keep up."

Is that appropriate for a bodyguard?

But it's true that this man doesn't need a bodyguard. He's a lion, the strongest among the beastmen, and the great king, who is the strongest among the lions. He's a martial emperor who excels in both civil and military affairs and has been dominating the battlefield. ...Yeah, he doesn't need a bodyguard. It's enough to have a means of communication, right?

While thinking about that, my body floated up again. I tried to reach out to the horse's neck, but I was a bit late. I'm about to fall. It's scary. Falling off a horse means death. No way!

The moment I closed my eyes, I felt a force around my waist and was pulled back.

"You're quite skilled. How do you manage to cling to the horse's neck and still fall off?"

"How should I know?!"

I should thank him for saving me, but can I? The root cause is Adalbert's reckless horse riding. Forcing someone who isn't used to horses to ride at such a high speed is just cruel. There's no seatbelt, so what am I supposed to do?!

Adalbert sighed as if he was exasperated and decided to restrain me with his left arm while holding the reins with his right. It's like a makeshift seatbelt. I get it. I should thank him for that. But it's a bit uncomfortable.

After all, I'm being pulled and fixed by the brute strength of a lion beastman. Imagine being tightly bound around the waist by something like a corset. It's suffocating. I make a squished frog-like sound. I've never heard such a sound before, but it's just an analogy.

I found that clinging to the horse's neck made it even more uncomfortable, so I decided to sit up and lean against Adalbert. Since he didn't say anything, I guess this position is correct. Probably. The thick arm that's tightly binding my waist is like a log acting as a seatbelt. It's uncomfortable.

By the way, we're heading to a remote village a bit away from the city.

Apparently, there have been some bandit-like incidents recently, causing trouble for the residents. I think it would be over if the army were dispatched, but Adalbert insisted on checking it out himself. Probably, he's just bored with desk work.

That's a lie.

If he were that simple, he'd be easy to handle. Adalbert appears to be a combat maniac driven by instinct, but he's actually a thoughtful and calm rationalist. The reason he decided to handle this matter himself, which could have been delegated to his subordinates, is because of me. He just wants to show me around. Damn him.

Information doesn't reach the border regions easily, so Adalbert intends to show off "the suspicious person" who has now become "the advisor with the power of prophecy" in various places. Stop it. I'm a homebody, an otaku! Just an otaku, a college student, and a fujoshi! No dragging me around!

I don't want to be grandly introduced everywhere, but I'm being dragged around, and when asked, he says, "This is my trusted advisor. She has the wisdom to foresee the future." You're such a liar, damn it! I want to punch him.

I did punch him, but to him, my punch was as cute as a cat playing. He worriedly asked, "Are you feeling okay?" with a straight face. Be quiet. I'm just a human!

"We'll reach the village soon."

"Ugh..."

It's uncomfortable with my stomach being compressed. When will I be released? Leaning against Adalbert's strong chest is comfortable, but his mane is really ticklish. It's annoying. Damn this fluffy species!

I'd want to touch the ears of dogs or cats or rabbits, but I don't really want to touch a lion's mane. I don't, but now my face is almost buried in it. Mmm.

After all, Adalbert is huge. I think I have a normal build for a woman, but compared to Adalbert, I feel like a child in an adult's arms. I'm restrained by his thick arms, so it's like an adult securing a child...? It made me feel a bit sad to say that.

While thinking about this, we arrived at the village. It's a remote village. It feels like the early stages of an RPG game, where the protagonist's hometown or the first village they visit is depicted. It's really rural.

But, it's more relaxing than the grand capital. I hope Adalbert quickly deals with the bandits causing trouble for the villagers.

"We'll hear the details from the village chief. We'll wait for the others to catch up."

"...You should learn to work with others, Adi."

"I was told that such things are unnecessary for a king."

"No, they are. As a human, it's necessary."

I lightly headbutted Adalbert's chin from below. But it didn't hurt him at all. Yeah, I know. I don't care. I'm weak. There's no bonus for being in another world...

The villagers are buzzing at Adalbert's arrival. I just told them to wait at home for the village chief, and we're waiting for the guards to catch up. I'm still caught in Adalbert's arms. I'm being quiet. I'm afraid of falling off the horse.

But, the villagers' "Who are you?" gazes are really piercing!

I get it. The king is riding with a woman of unknown origin, so of course, they'll look. Plus, I'm wearing a servant's uniform, which is unusual for a woman. And my black hair and black eyes are really rare in this world. ...To me, colorful hair and eyes are more unusual.

This world, "Brave Fantasia" or something similar, is a Western-style fantasy world. So, the colors are vibrant. Blonde hair is common. Eye colors are blue, green, red, and lively. Among them, black hair and black eyes, which remind me of a traditional Japanese person, are rare. If they exist, it's usually just one or the other, and even then, it's a black mixed with other colors. Pure black hair and black eyes are apparently a natural monument level rarity.

So, I stand out. It's not about my facial features. The colors are what make me stand out. When Adalbert told me this, I was like, "Oh no." I don't want to stand out, but if I do, please spare me. Plus, Adalbert happily said, "It's easy to promote, so don't mess with it," and banned me from dyeing my hair. Damn it.

"Meow?"

"Huh?"

"Everyone's here. Let's go to the village chief's house."

"Aye aye."

Finally, I'll be released from this torture on horseback. My butt and thighs are really sore. For those who haven't ridden a horse, your butt will really hurt. And your thighs and hips will be really stiff. Ugh. I'm a klutz, and my body is stiff. It hurts.

So, how do I get off?

Adalbert easily dismounts. I'm still on the horse, looking down at him. Can I have a step? My feet don't reach. Impossible. Putting my foot in the stirrup is for people with good motor skills! This horse is much bigger than the one I usually practice on!

"Can't you even get off a horse?"

"It's because you forced me on!"

"You're hopeless. Here."

"...Thank you."

After shrugging and smiling wryly, Adalbert offered me his arm. I grabbed it, and he pulled me down, carrying me like a bag of rice. What a great arm strength. Yeah, it's no wonder from the guy who carried me like a bag of rice on his shoulder.

"Are you still holding a grudge?"

Do you think there are people who don't hold a grudge after being treated like luggage, and that too, forcibly?

While complaining, I looked at the village. The rural atmosphere is really soothing. Ah, there's a mountain. I'm a bit concerned about the exposed mountain side, which might be used for timber...

Wait a minute. What's the name of this village?

"Adi, may I ask a question?"

"What is it?"

"Please tell me the name of this village and that mountain."

"Turvai Village and Arrosa Mountain?"

"......Are you serious?"

I was speechless at Adalbert's indifferent response. No way. Seriously? Please stop. Why now? And why am I remembering this?

It's the 10th year of Adalbert's reign, spring. That's now. This world, which has a 365-day solar calendar despite the lack of seasons, is currently early May. It's a season of budding spring and pleasant breezes. That's fine. That's not the problem.

The issue is what comes next. June isn't a rainy season, but it does have a lot of rain. The precipitation is overwhelming, and there are occasional heavy downpours.

Isn't this Turvai Village the one that was completely destroyed by a landslide during the heavy rains in June this year?

Next time, will the "advisor with the power of prophecy" show her true abilities?! ←

Well, it's still a relaxed and gentle story, so don't worry about the details and enjoy reading.