Departure
Early the next morning.
Once Elina woke up, I handed over the night shift and started preparing to head out.
“Huh? You’re not going to sleep?”
“I’ve got something to take care of.”
“Something more important than getting some proper rest?”
“If I miss this opportunity, who knows when the next one will come. Lindel, help Elina look after the village.”
“Woof!”
Ruffling the fur of my red-haired companion Lindel, who lived with us at the outpost, I headed toward the stable behind the building.
“Leon, I’m counting on you today.”
“Neigh!”
My beloved horse Leon gave a lively reply, as if he understood my words.
The other horse, Bulk, would stay behind just in case something happened.
With Leon’s speed, I should be able to make it there within the day.
Ideally, I wanted to have a proper conversation, so it’d be best to arrive while it was still daytime… which meant I’d likely be gone for the entire day.
As much as I wanted to meet and talk as soon as possible, if I rushed in and acted disrespectfully toward the McCreed family, I might jeopardize the gradually improving relationship with the Tryon family.
This was a dangerous gamble, no question.
But for the sake of Abbott territory’s future, this level of risk was necessary.
Besides, as long as I exercised caution, it should be fine.
I’d already met with Lord Donold, the head of the McCreed family.
Our previous interaction hadn’t been tense, so unless I made a serious misstep, things shouldn’t escalate… hopefully. But that was just wishful thinking. I had to handle this with the utmost care.
“It’s a troublesome matter… but there’s no backing down now.”
Taking a deep breath, I climbed onto Leon’s back.
I’d already explained the whole situation to Elina.
Of course, she’d gotten fired up, saying, “I’ll come too!” — but having both knights stationed at the outpost gone at the same time wasn’t an option.
There was almost no chance this would turn into a fight, so I was going alone.
“Be careful, Senior.”
“Yeah. I’m counting on you to hold down the fort.”
“Understood!”
“Woof!”
“Neigh!”
Not just Elina, but even Lindel and Bulk let out proud cries, as if to say “Leave it to us!”
Seriously, I couldn’t ask for better companions.
“Well then, I’m off. — Oh, and don’t tell Amira. Don’t want her worrying unnecessarily.”
“Understood.”
It pained me to lie to that kid, but it couldn’t be helped.
Wanting to wrap this up quickly, I urged Leon to pick up the pace.
What do you think about this chapter?
