「When Noie rides it, the horse becomes perfectly obedient.」
「It’s fine.」
「No, it’s really not, is it?」
「It’s fine.」
Noie hugged me tightly and looked up at my face.
Yes, it really is fine. I’m not a lolicon. I simply love my wife no matter what form she takes.
「Until Arg-sama’s arm heals… we’ll always be together.」
「Thank you, Noie.」
When I kissed her forehead gently, she looked delighted. Her expressions seem softer and more open in this childish form.
The plan had been to buy the horse at Mische’s family home, stay one night at her mansion, and return.
Of course, I intended to make the journey back on the newly purchased horse… and yes, its legs are slow. But each step covers a wide distance, so overall it might not be as slow as it seems.
Running would probably show a clear difference, but for someone like me who rides at a walking pace most of the time, this one might actually be better.
Because of the rain last night, the road had turned slightly muddy. The two of us, one horse and one rider, headed toward the capital.
It hadn’t rained when we left Mische’s family home and reached the relay town, but after sleeping and waking up, the rain had already passed.
After rain, you truly appreciate the value of paved roads.
「At this pace, we should arrive by evening, right?」
「Yes.」
「……Really?」
「It’s fine.」
I decided to trust the words of the girl who clenched her small fist and declared it so firmly.
「Then let’s take it easy today and spend the time like this.」
「Yes.」
She let out a soft puff and leaned her body against my chest, closing her eyes and snuggling close.
Noie really is adorable.
Then her face suddenly shifted. She glared sharply at one point.
「Arg-sama.」
「Yeah, go ahead. But try not to get your clothes dirty if you can.」
「Yes.」
Her form blurred for a moment, then she vanished right in front of my eyes.
To avoid startling the horse, I stopped it and waited a little. From between the trees, a snake-like dragon was sent flying and disappeared.
「You’d better be careful too, or Noie will get mad at you the same way.」
「Pururu.」
「I’m serious. If you throw me off, she’ll really lose her temper, you know?」
「Pururu.」
I tried talking to the horse that still didn’t trust me several times, but it was no use.
Noie went out and defeated about three dragons. Then she came dragging their corpses back along the road.
「We can’t take them home, so throw them away.」
「……Yes.」
She had the same atmosphere as a scolded girl being told to put a stray cat back where she found it. Noie walked off to discard them somewhere off the roadside.
Still, true to her promise, she came back without getting a single stain on her clothes. She really is in a league of her own as a dragon slayer.
-0-
「Argusta-sama～!」
「Hm?」
A single horse came galloping toward us from farther down the road.
The rider wore armor. A knight of the royal guard, perhaps?
「What’s wrong?」
「It is urgent. Noie-sama, please hurry back to the castle with all speed.」
「Understood. Go on ahead.」
「Yes!」
The knight circled us once and then galloped straight toward the castle.
「He said it’s urgent.」
「Yes.」
「So we need to hurry.」
……I know. You’re not reacting at all, are you?
「Noie is asking.」
「……Please.」
With a loud patter-patter the massive body began to move. The horse broke into a run.
-0-
Thanks to the rush, we reached the castle by early afternoon.
We handed the horse over to the stable hands and followed a maid to the idiot prince’s location.
This pattern never ends well. Something unpleasant is probably about to happen.
「You’re back.」
「Yes. So, what is it?」
「Hmm. A large dragon has appeared on the southern coast.」
Noie twitched visibly. You could practically see the motivation radiating from her.
Tch. I had been ready to refuse if it turned out to be troublesome work… but with her like this, there’s no way I can turn it down.
「And?」
「The ship has already been arranged. Set out for the south first thing tomorrow morning.」
「……Just me and Noie?」
「Yes. It’s the rainy season right now, so Noie can leave the capital without issue.」
「That’s not what I meant… right?」
It seems I’m currently a protected person. We were just attacked by the Empire, after all.
That’s why I spend every day together with Noie. I’m using it as an excuse to nurture our love, though.
「I understand. Normally Mische would be the right choice, but she’s on leave. So, take Lutte with you.」
「She’s basically a nine-year-old right now!」
「Lutte’s blessing still works. Besides, certain nobles have an obsessive fondness for young children… it’s getting noisy, so go along and keep watch.」
「You’re just trying to get rid of the trouble!」
「Even so, would you rather take Frea? Then who would handle the paperwork while she’s gone?」
「……」
There was no real choice.
The reason we could go see horses at Mische’s family home was because Frea-san, currently on break, was minding the house.
「Fine. I get it. I’ll go.」
「Good. I’ll have the instructions ready by tomorrow. A carriage will come for you in the morning, so rest tonight.」
「Yeah, yeah.」
「No staying out late, understand?」
「I won’t!」
I’m not so starved that I’d lay a hand on child-Noie!
…Really? Kissing doesn’t count as anything naughty, right? And touching a little?
-0-
Is “overcast sky” the right phrase?
Thick rain clouds covered the entire sky, looking ready to pour at any moment… and yet we were supposed to head down the river by ship in weather like this.
The hurried preparations were for the one and only ship the kingdom possessed.
Even though the country faced the sea, there was no real ocean trade. This vessel’s main duty was to sail downstream to the coast and bring back salt, the lifeline of the people.
In other words, it was built purely for cargo, with zero consideration for passengers.
「I’m really no good at this～. I grew up in the mountains, and all this rocking isn’t my thing～」
「……」
Lutte’s legs trembled violently while Noie stood perfectly still.
Even after becoming younger, the captain still had that commanding presence… wait, hold on?
「Noie?」
Her gaze, fixed on the distant horizon, kept wavering.
Her face had gone noticeably pale. She looked up at me.
「Arg-sama.」
「Hm?」
「……It’s coming.」
「……Go do it at the very back of the ship.」
She nodded repeatedly, froze for a second in that state… then hurried to the nearest railing and leaned her upper body over.
So Noie gets seasick, huh.
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