Chapter 7

As they emerged from the forest path, they found themselves in a vast plain surrounded by mountains, presenting a truly serene scene.

Platinum’s eyes sparkled like a child’s at the new landscape, so different from what she had seen earlier.

A building could be faintly seen in the direction the carriage was heading.

“What is that…?”

Curious, Platinum leaned out of the carriage, and Eisen’s face showed a look of surprise, as if wondering how she didn’t know such a thing.

“It’s a city gate. In this country, city gates are built in each capital to manage the entry and exit of people. They make it so that you can’t move from town to town without permission. Travelers without a permit have to pay a tax every time they pass through the gate.”

“Oh no, I don’t have any money!”

“Don’t worry. We have travel permits. There’s also some money and food loaded here, though not much.”

Pointing with his chin, Platinum saw several small bags piled in a corner of the carriage. She remembered the soldiers loading something earlier.

“Now I can breathe a sigh of relief.”

“Yeah… but you won’t be able to complete your pilgrimage with just this. Besides, your outfit isn’t suitable for travel. We need to prepare properly in some town.”

Eisen muttered something under his breath, but it was hard to hear.

(The atmosphere seems to have changed quite a bit.)

Was it because the curse was lifted? His previously gloomy expression had brightened, and he seemed more talkative.

Most importantly, Platinum was genuinely happy that Eisen’s attitude toward her had softened.

(Even if it’s just for a short time, we’ll be traveling together. I’d like to get along well.)

For Platinum, who knew nothing about the outside world, Eisen was her lifeline.

Relying on his kindness was uncomfortable, but she had no choice for now.

(It’s not right to ask for help just because the curse was lifted. I need to try not to be a burden.)

“What should I do?”

“You should take it easy. If you want to complete your pilgrimage, eat well and rest when you can. Got it?”

“Yes!”

Eisen nodded in satisfaction at her honest response.

Just then, the carriage suddenly stopped.

“Huh?”

They were still some distance from the city gate. Looking at the driver’s seat, she saw the old man looking at them with a frightened face.

“My job ends here.”

The driver’s face was pale, clearly having been in a state of tension. It must have been a heavy burden for an old man, and Platinum felt sorry for him.

“Why aren’t you going to the city gate?”

“Ah!”

Eisen’s question made the driver jump in fear.

“It’s the soldiers’ orders. We’re not allowed to get close with the city’s carriage.”

“...Damn, what a hassle.”

“Excuse me?”

Platinum tilted her head, not understanding the conversation.

“They probably want to keep your identity hidden. Even if it’s a city carriage, sending someone in it could lead to questions about who they are. We have to pass through the gate as ordinary pilgrims.”

“I see.”

“They seem to really want to kill you. Making someone with a short life span walk like this…”

The driver gasped at Eisen’s sharp gaze.

“He has done nothing wrong. Please don’t look at him like that.”

“Hmph.”

Eisen snorted in dissatisfaction, then quickly got off the carriage with the luggage.

Left alone, Platinum smiled wryly and looked at the driver.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine.”

The driver looked away awkwardly, and Platinum felt a pang in her heart.

It must have been terrifying for him. Being suddenly surrounded by soldiers and forced to bring strangers of unknown identity must have been very unsettling.

Following Eisen’s example, Platinum got off the carriage and approached the driver, bowing politely.

The driver, surprised, shivered dramatically but then got off the driver’s seat and bowed back, removing his hat. His kindness made Platinum smile more deeply.

Eisen was busy checking the luggage and hadn’t come over yet.

“Hey…”

“Yes?”

“I heard part of your conversation earlier. Are you really going on a pilgrimage?”

“Yes.”

“The holy site is said to be very harsh. Please be careful.”

“...Thank you.”

The old man’s face showed concern. He must have overheard their conversation on the carriage. Although he couldn’t do much to help, Platinum was grateful for his concern and gently took his hand.

His wrinkled hand was cold. Surprised by the touch, his body shrank, but Platinum gently infused him with holy power. The healing power of a saint was effective for fatigue and could calm the mind. He would likely have a safe journey back to the city.

“Huh?”

The driver’s complexion improved, and he stared at his hand in shock, realizing the change in his condition.

“Please be careful too.”

“Yes, yes…”

Leaving the stunned driver, Platinum returned to Eisen.

Eisen seemed to have finished his travel preparations and was carrying a large bag with ease.

“Is the farewell done?”

“Yes, it’s done.”

“You’re quite thorough. Let’s go then.”

“Yes.”

Prompted, Platinum started walking beside Eisen.

Feeling a gaze, she turned back to see the driver still standing there, watching them. It seemed like he was seeing them off, and Platinum waved at him.

***

Watching the strange pair of a girl and a knight depart, Bass waved his hand in a daze.

For the first time in years, his fingers moved lightly.

Bass was originally a skilled trainer responsible for training all the horses in the castle. The royal horses were of high quality, and the job was fulfilling.

However, ten years ago, Bass’s life changed dramatically.

The beloved king died suddenly, and the queen, Rega, ascended the throne. The number of horses, which had once been many, began to decrease, and the budget for the stables was cut.

Rega favored only rare, beautiful horses and refused to have them trained. Bass was not even allowed to approach them.

The number of staff also decreased, and Bass, a trainer, had to work alongside the stable boys, taking care of the horses. No matter how carefully he trained the horses, they remained unused and seemed lonely.

One day, the princess, Medea, came to the stables on a whim.

She wanted to ride a horse, imitating her mother. Medea, who had never practiced riding and was heavily perfumed and adorned with heavy jewelry, naturally upset the horses.

Bass tried to calm the agitated horses, but Medea’s angry outburst made the situation worse.

“Ah!!!”

The horses bolted, and Bass fell to the ground. The hard hooves crushed his hand, and he lost consciousness from the pain.

When he woke up, he was left with a disabled right hand, forced to live the rest of his life like this.

Despite the chaos caused by the princess, no proper resolution was made, and most of the horses Bass had raised were put down for nearly injuring Medea.

Without a purpose or a place, Bass became the lowest stable boy, just existing day by day. Despite being in his prime, he looked like an old man. His body and mind aged rapidly.

His body ached all over from broken bones that had healed poorly. The castle provided no good medicine, so he had to buy painkillers with his meager salary.

“What happened? My body feels light… as if I’ve returned to the past.”

His heart, which had been clouded with darkness, felt clear and bright, following the lightness of his limbs.

Vitality surged through his body, and his back naturally straightened.

“Was it the power of that young lady?”

Staring at the distant figures, Bass muttered in a daze.

During the carriage ride, the word “saint” he had heard faintly from the back of the carriage occupied his mind. A premonition made his heart tremble.

“Oh… Lady Saint…!”

The long years of suffering seemed to vanish. The horse that had been pulling the carriage looked at Bass curiously.

He saw himself in the horse, which was only used for carrying loads because of its temperament.

“Hey, do you want to come with me? You must be tired.”

The horse nuzzled Bass’s face in response, and the soft, warm fur made him want to cry.

“I’ll go back to the castle and submit my resignation. I’ll ask for you as my severance pay. If they refuse, I’ll buy you with my savings. Let’s start a new life together.”

Bass gripped the reins with his smooth fingers.

Years later.

A small country far from Shande became known as a horse-breeding nation.

This was due to the efforts of a skilled trainer, who would go down in history.

Chapter 1 ends here.

From Chapter 2, the comedy begins with Platinum’s unconscious cheating.