Chapter 8: A huge horse

The line hadn’t moved much when a sudden commotion erupted up front.

Voices were raised. People gasped. Even a rainbow ostrich honk-quacked in panic.

Eduart’s brow furrowed. "It sounds serious. I’ll go check." He then turned to Slade. "You guys stay here, and guard my stuffs."

Slade simply nodded. "Understood."

As Eduart hopped down and headed toward the chaos, Lylia was sprawled comfortably on her seat, legs spread wide like a delinquent at a bus stop. Her head lolled back as she stared blankly at the ceiling, clearly in her own little world.

"Lylia," Slade called, his voice sharp.

"…"

No response.

"Lylia," he repeated, stricter this time.

She blinked and finally turned to him, dazed.

"Huh? Oh, you mean me? What is it?"

Slade’s stoic face didn’t change, but his tone had a faint edge to it. "Have some dignity as a woman. Sit properly."

Lylia blinked again, then burst into laughter. "Pfft! What? Why? My whole legs are covered anyway! It’s not like I’m wearing a skirt or anything. Chill, man."

Slade only sighed, turning back toward the window with a look that screamed 'why do I bother.'

Meanwhile. 

Up front, the situation was clearer.

A massive, midnight-black horse, a bit bigger than the usual size of a normal horse, was rearing wildly, its powerful hooves striking the ground with enough force to rattle the cobblestones. Guards circled it nervously, trying to hold their ground.

In stark contrast, the creature’s owner, was a tiny girl in a frilly pink dress and pointy witch’s hat. She was crying her eyes out.

"Please! Don’t hurt her!" she wailed, clutching her hat as tears streamed down her face. "She’s not bad! I swear!"

"Miss, step back!" one of the guards warned, spear raised. "This beast is dangerous! It has gotten out of your control!"

Eduart approached calmly, hands behind his back."Step aside," he said, his voice carrying quiet authority.

The guards turned, startled.

"Sir Eduart!" they greeted, instantly standing straighter and saluting. "Yes, sir!"

With a nod, Eduart continued forward slowly.

The closer he got, the more the battle horse’s frenzied movements faltered. It let out a deep, distressed snort but didn’t strike at him.

"It’s alright now," Eduart murmured, his voice gentle. "You’re safe."

Finally, he reached the horse and placed a steady hand on its powerful neck. The great creature trembled once, then lowered its head with a soft whicker, almost like a frightened child.

The little girl sniffled, wiping her eyes. "I-I’m sorry," she hiccupped. "I didn’t mean to cause trouble…"

Eduart turned his kind gaze on her.

"Is this your first familiar?"

The girl nodded, still rubbing at her eyes. "Mm hmm…"

Eduart offered her a clean handkerchief.

She hesitated. "Oh… no, I—"

"Take it," he insisted gently.

She finally accepted, clutching it tightly as more tears threatened to spill.

Then Eduart’s tone shifted. It was still kind, but bluntly honest. "You’re not strong enough to keep a creature like this under control."

The girl’s eyes widened in panic.

"N-No! Please, don’t take her away!" she begged desperately. "I promise, I’ll make sure nothing like this ever happens again!"

Eduart crouched slightly to meet her eye level, his voice warm yet firm.

"You’re very talented to have tamed such a creature as your first familiar. Truly. But with that comes great responsibility."

He gestured toward the frightened crowd and nervous guards. "If she attacks people again… the consequences could be far worse."

The girl’s lip trembled, but she shook her head fiercely. "She won’t! She’s a good friend! She… she saved me!"

Her tiny fists clenched. "I wanted to tame a unicorn so badly… but because of my recklessness, I was in danger. Then, I met Dolly," she stroked its dark mane, voice breaking, "She protected me. She’s not just my familiar. She’s my friend. My family! She’s better than any unicorn!"

The horse let out a soft, almost proud huff, as if agreeing with her.

Eduart paused, then gave a small, approving nod. "I see. Then, how about this…?"

The girl blinked, confused.

"I’ll keep her safe for now," Eduart suggested. "You may visit her whenever you like. And to prove my sincerity, I’ll have a mage draft a magic contract between us. Everyone here will be a witness."

The girl wavered, clutching her hat tightly. She clearly didn’t want to part with her beloved familiar… but eventually, she sniffled and gave a reluctant nod.

"O-Okay…"

Eduart smiled kindly. "Thank you for trusting me."

Finally, one of the guards stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Sir Eduart, if you don’t mind… may we clear the road now so the line can move again?"

Eduart chuckled softly. "Of course. Please, continue your duties."

With the situation resolved, the crowd began to disperse.

Back at the carriage, Lylia sat cross-legged, her eyes closed as she breathed deeply.

Inhale, and exhale.

Her eyes slowly opened, revealing intense concentration. She doesn't even know about how much time has passed already. She was trying to see mana orbs. Though, this time with her eyes open. 

It was mentioned from the book that she'll be able to naturally see them with her eyes open. Now that the line is taking a long time, might as well practice it. She can't exactly fight with her needing to close her eyes all the time. That is uncool and impractical.

Slade, watching silently, reached over without warning and pushed her back upright. "Your posture," he said simply. "Straighten it."

"Oh, thanks," she said casually, like being forcibly adjusted was totally normal.

Minutes passed. Lylia kept trying… and failing. Finally, she sighed in defeat, closing her eyes again.

'Dear god', she prayed silently, 'please let me see the mana orbs again with my eyes open. Just once. Pleeease.'

…Nothing.

No glowing dots. No flicker of magic. There was only disappointment.

She groaned inwardly.

‘Maybe I’m being greedy. I literally just got here a few hours ago. Can’t expect cheat codes right away.’

In her mind, she whispered a sheepish apology. "Sorry, god. I’ll practice more properly from now on."

Slade’s voice broke the silence.

"I didn’t take you for someone religious," he remarked, having caught her whispering.

Lylia kept her eyes closed and just hummed noncommittally. "Mhm."

"You should visit the town’s church," Slade suggested.

Her eyes popped open.

"Ooh, really? Yeah, sure. I’ll definitely check it out."

Then, curious, she asked, "What about you? Are you religious? 

Slade shook his head slightly. "Gods exist. But I’ve had no reason to worship one so far."

"Fair enough," Lylia said with a casual nod. She respected that answer.

But something nagged at her.

"Wait… gods, plural? There’s more than one?"

"Of course," Slade said, as if it were common knowledge.

Lylia blinked. "Ohhh. Makes sense,"

'I guess. Fantasy world and all."'

It didn’t strike, her as strange, but it did make her wonder. 

'I’m loyal to my god, the one who sent me here. …But what’s his actual name? I should research that later.'

With that, she went back to her breathing practice, determined to improve. Although it is slow, it should be surely.