Volume 1 Chapter 73 Genderbend Female Knight, Falling
"Oh—it's been a while. Do you remember me?"
Linker, the big horse given as a prize for winning the tournament, snorted and rubbed his nose like a spoiled dog.
He had been used for riding practice at the academy, so he was calm and liked people.
"Acting Knight, please take care of me."
That voice came from Third Prince Horthes, who was sitting on his horse. Eleonora gave a quick reply.
"Of course, Your Highness."
"And over there."
Horthes looked at the carriage that had stopped. Silvia and Emilio were getting ready to get in.
"Will they live the rest of their lives at Maro?"
"I don't know... but even the god look surprised."
Was that hair picking up signals or something? Eleonora glanced at Horthes' head, then looked back at Linker.
"I'll ride you again for a bit. Let's do our best."
She stepped into the stirrup with her left foot and got on Linker's back quickly.
The big, strong horse and the proud way she sat made them look powerful—even the soldiers walking nearby noticed.
"Line up around His Highness. I'll go first."
Eleonora said that and led the way. Behind her came the church's carriage with ten guards, then Horthes on his horse, and then the rest of the royal guards.
They would ride like this for four days. After they said sorry at the Maro Papal States, only Eleonora would ride the fast train back.
The view while riding was so calm and pretty, it was hard to believe there had been a deadly fight here earlier.
"There was a fight here, right?"
"I wanted to join too. I could've taken some loot from Parisess."
The soldiers' voices echoed through the mountain path. Eleonora yawned and clenched her teeth.
"Loot is for those who fight hard and risk their lives. First, ask yourself if you can fight for your country."
She looked out at the scenery again. Linker walked slowly, his hooves tapping the stone road.
The trip didn't seem fun at all, and they were headed toward part of enemy land.
She started to feel heavy inside, like the dark clouds were sinking into her chest.
"Where's the Holy Maiden?"
A knight answered her.
"Over there. But... should we really go near her?"
Who knew what she had planned, but her actions had messed up the line of royal heirs.
It was like saying, "You're lucky you didn't get killed."
"I don't know. But she's still a noble. Even if she's only half noble, we should treat her that way."
Eleonora walked toward the church group, stretching her back after sitting for so long.
Emilio, the man on watch, glared at her. But to Eleonora, it looked like a puppy baring its teeth.
"Lady Silvia, are you tired?"
"No... I'm fine."
Silvia was holding her head and pretending she was okay.
Emilio didn't care much. He just shook his canteen to move the water around.
"Lady Kamitafira, you are not allowed to go near the Holy Maiden by order of the Papal States."
"About that, I'm going to say sorry. So, I thought I would be treated the same here too?"
"You say big words... Surrounding the Papal States, and by believers too."
"Like I said before, it was the church that brought up the divine right of kings. They accepted it. That's why the priest was fired and died."
"I have nothing to say about Sir Simon."
Emilio looked down after saying that.
It seemed like he was agreeing in silence.
"Lady Silvia, good or bad, you changed who will be king. Many people are hurting because of that. I hope you can live quietly now in the Sacred Realm."
"...Quietly?"
Silvia looked right at Eleonora for the first time, with pain and a sad smile on her face.
Her eyes had a strange shine that didn't match her young age. It looked like the same charm that had drawn many soldiers to her.
"I can only be at peace... when I'm dead."
"Don't talk like a child. You don't even understand what life and death mean."
"It's over already... I just don't want to hear that voice in my head anymore."
That was all Silvia said. She shut her mouth and stayed silent.
Her future looked dark, and the pain in her head kept growing.
* * *
On the second day of travel, as they passed the last part of the Pericotta Pass, Eleonora suddenly felt a strange chill. The back of her neck tingled, and her hairs stood up.
Her senses had gotten sharper since the war, but if she used them openly, it might look scary.
Fwip! The sound of wings in the wind was loud—and then, arrows flew in.
A bunch of them hit the side of the carriage.
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