The furor following the defeat of the Steel-Eating Gargoyles refused to die down even after several days. Within the Adventurer Guild, the tale was already being recounted as a heroic epic. Every time Ren stepped foot inside the building, he could only offer a strained smile, eventually taking to the woods for daily hunts just to escape the awkward spotlight.
A few days later, Ren found himself far from the city of Clausel for the first time in a while, riding down the highway. His purpose was to accompany Licia on a tour of the neighboring villages—one of the official duties of the House of Baron Clausel.
(It’s already past noon, huh?)
They had departed Clausel at the crack of dawn, and more than six hours had already slipped by. The landscape had transformed entirely, giving way to endless plains flanking the road. It was a tranquil sight. Here and there, merchants had pulled their horses to the shoulder, and adventurers sat on the grassy verges taking their midday rest.
Ren watched the scenery pass from the corner of his eye before addressing his mount. "You’ve really taken a liking to me, haven't you? Are you sure about that?"
The horse let out a short, spirited whinny.
It was the same beast he and Licia had used during their frantic escape—one half of the pair that had once pulled Jelququ’s carriage. Licia wasn't riding with him today, however; she was traveling in the carriage following behind them. Ren didn't actually expect an answer in human words, but the horse’s response was clearly cheerful. When he stroked its well-groomed mane, it snorted and whinnied again.
"…Yeah, I guess that’s that." Stopping his thoughts there, Ren looked up at the sky, deciding that if the horse was happy, then all was well.
Come to think of it, this horse had been obedient ever since the escape. It had been a while since Ren had sat on its back like this, but the feeling of riding it felt just right.
"It’s a good sign. It seems it has accepted you as its master."
"Lord Weiss."
Weiss rode alongside him, his own mount an impressively sturdy creature. "The bond between rider and horse is paramount. You’ve found a fine partner, boy."
Ren’s horse was indeed a match for Weiss’s. Its deep chestnut coat shone like fine silk, and though it was young, its powerful frame promised a bright future.
"Like my own, that horse carries the blood of monsters," Weiss explained. "It may be young, but it will soon outclass even the most disciplined warhorse."
"But since I’m still a kid, the horse will probably grow old and retire before I do."
"Don't worry about that. Horses with monster blood stay in their prime for a long time and live much longer than common breeds. It will be your partner for decades to come."
Ren nodded, fascinated. It seemed horses in this world operated on different rules than those of his previous life. He stroked the mane again, greeted by another happy neigh.
(I should probably give it a name soon.)
Since Baron Lezard had already officially transferred ownership to him, Ren had been paying for its upkeep himself. He had no reservations about claiming it as his own, but the right name eluded him.
Weiss shifted the conversation. "By the way, boy. After everything that’s happened, you’ve decided to stay in Clausel for a while longer, haven't you?"
"Yes. That’s the plan."
Whether it was until the village was rebuilt or until he felt strong enough to return, he hadn't set a firm date for his departure.
"The young lady is delighted. She even told the attendants she hoped you would attend her party."
"A… party?"
"Yes. I believe the servants mentioned it—the young lady’s birthday party."
"Ah…" Ren realized with a pang of guilt that he had let it slip his mind. Licia’s birthday was in August, and it was already late July. "Thank you for reminding me, Lord Weiss. As soon as we’re back in Clausel, I’ll prepare a gift."
Ren had recently given her a white dress as a thank-you for his own clothes. She had worn it for him a few times at the manor, and she had looked more beautiful in it than he could have ever imagined. But a birthday gift was a different matter entirely.
(I need to put some serious thought into this.)
Weiss laughed as he saw Ren nodding solemnly to himself. "So, you'll be there?"
"Of course. Assuming Lady Licia and Lord Lezard permit it…"
"Nobody is going to oppose it, Ren. In fact, they’ll be thrilled to have you." Weiss chuckled at the boy’s characteristically humble attitude. Then, he pointed ahead as the road curved. "There it is. It's only mid-afternoon, but we’ll stop in that village for the night. It will take a few more days to reach the next one, so we’ll rest here and prepare to camp out tomorrow."
As they drew closer, Ren noticed the village looked more like the outskirts of Clausel than his own home. It was prosperous and well-developed.
(Someday, my village will be like this too…)
He reaffirmed his resolve to work hard. The chestnut horse whinnied as if in agreement.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
They arrived at the mansion of the knight overseeing the village. Unlike the Ashton manor before the fire, this residence was brand new and impeccably clean. That evening, Licia visited the guest room where Ren was staying.
"I want to talk for a bit before dinner."
She had finished her official business and wanted to spend her free time with him. Ren welcomed her inside, and she led him to a table, unrolling a sheet of parchment. It was a map of the Clausel territory.
"We’re here right now," she said, sliding her finger across the map. "From tomorrow, we’ll be heading north through these villages."
Ren froze. He hadn't looked at a map in ages, but the destination caught his eye. He pressed his finger to a specific landmark. "Wait… are these the Baldur Mountains?"
"Yes. The same ones we passed near before."
(Lord Lezard said we’d be close, but this is much closer than I thought.)
Ren’s expression tensed. It wasn't that the mountains were currently dangerous—it was the weight of his memories from the game.
(Well, as long as Marquis Ignat hasn't started anything, it should be fine.)
Usually, the Baldur Mountains were inhabited by F-rank monsters at most. They weren't a threat. But in the lore of The Legend of the Seven Heroes, Marquis Ignat eventually orchestrated a disaster there to bring down the Leomel Empire, using the Mana Stone of a legendary creature.
The Red Dragon Asval.
An ancient dragon that had once nested in those peaks. The reason why the Baldur Mountains served as the final stage of the first game was entirely due to that dragon’s existence.