Chapter 120
The next morning; Souta, Dina, and Antgar were in front of the city gate . It was said that there were many monsters not only in the mine, but also in the surrounding area, so they decided to leave Ed in the inn this time .
「Is the mine we’re going to close?」
「No, it’s quite a distance away . By foot, we should arrive at evening . 」
Antgar answered Souta’s question, but hearing the answer, Souta frowned .
「No, wait . That’s only if we go by foot . I’ve made some preparation, we will go with THAT as our means of transportation . 」
Looking at the direction Antgar pointed, Souta and Dina could see a dwarf taking along three horses approaching the gate .
「He’s from my acquaintance’s rental stable, we will use these until we reach the area . We will be going back on foot, but……」
The man from the rental stable bowed at Souta and Dina when he came close .
「I already get the payment yesterday, so all you need to do is to give a signal to the horses once you reach your destination . Then they will come back to the town by themselves as they were trained . 」
「Ahh, right, the usual, right, right . It’s fine, I know those already . 」
The man from the rental stable tried to explain to Souta and Dina, but Antgar cut him off, and so, he stopped talking . Without looking dissatisfied, the man bowed at Souta and Dina again and then returned to where he came from .
「Heheh, actually, after I went to the castle yesterday, I stopped by the rental stable and made an arrangement . We still need to go back on foot, but this alone will make it easier . I used it too occasionally . 」
Antgar proudly said, rubbing his nose with his index finger .
「Well, even if it’s just to go there, it’s already quite helpful . On the way back, with my reinforcement magic and as long as we take a break, we should be able to manage . 」
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「Right, let’s set up and rest in the tent if it got quite late . 」
「O-O-Oi, it’s my idea that get us horses right? Can’t you praise me a bit?」
Antgar felt like he was ignored as Souta and Dina talked about going back .
「Ahh, my bad, my bad . Thanks for the arrangement, as expected, it would take too long if we go and return by foot . 」
「Yes, yes, thank you . 」
「O-Ou . As long as you understand . 」
When they responded at him obediently, Antgar became perplexed .
「Well, why not leave now? I’ll ride this one . 」
「Then, I choose this horse . 」
Souta chose a black-haired, more rugged horse, while Dina chose a slightly fluffier, more feminine horse . This meant Antgar would ride the last horse, but that horse didn’t look quite orderly .
「…So I will ride this guy, huh? W-Well, a horse is not judged by its face, please take care of me . 」
Feeling insulted, the horse pocked Antgar’s face with its mouth .
「O-Oi, stop that!」
While Antgar and his horse playing around, Souta and Dina set off with their respective horse .
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「Ahh, w-wait for me! Don’t leave me!」
With Antgar’s shout as background, they leave to the mine . It was 10 minutes later that Antgar managed to mount his horse and caught up with the two .
After a few hours on the mountainous road, the sign of animals and the singing of the birds they could still heard a while ago disappeared .
「It’s proof that we’re getting closer to the mine, the monsters should start to show up soon . 」
Antgar got off the horse while saying so . Souta and Dina, judging the same from the situation around, also got off their horse .
「Around here is also the limit for the horses . It’s too dangerous for them past here . 」
「I see…… So, what should we do to make these horse return on their own?」
Recalling what the person from rental stable said, Souta asked that to Antgar .
「Ahh, this is horse whistle, blowing this is the signal for the horses to return to the town . 」
After confirming that Souta and Dina nodded to his explanation, he blew the whistle . The horses’ ears appeared to twitch a bit, and then they went back the way they came originally .
「Hmmm, that’s cool . They really go back alone . 」
Seeing that, Souta was impressed .
「Hey, the test is soon . Don’t get distracted . 」
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As Antgar pointed at the direction he was walking, the checkpoint appeared .
「That’s it, huh?」
「Yes, that’s it . 」
「I see, so it’s that……」
Dina alone was nervous while that silly exchange happened . Souta noticed that and put his hand on Dina’s shoulder .
「It’s okay . If you lose, I will be that person opponent next . 」
「……Right!」
Hearing Souta’s encouragement, Dina was still nervous, but smile bloomed on her face .
Once at the checkpoint, Antgar went in to talk to the guards . While talking, Antgar and the other person were looking at Souta and Dina . After talking for a while, Antgar beckoned Souta and Dina .
「The test will be held inside, so, let’s go . 」
「Alright…… . Dina, let’s go!」
「Yes!」
Dina’s expression as she walked into the checkpoint was firm and enthusiastic .
When the three entered, the first thing they saw was a square . There were a few knights in armor in that square . Among them, the one with the most luxurious armor stepped forward .
「Are you people Antgar-dono’s escorts? At a glance, both of you look unreliable . 」
The surrounding knights nodded to the man’s words and mocked the two of them .
「But, the presence I feel from both of you is one of the strong…… Quite interesting . 」
After saying that, the man glared at the knights around . After being pointed out and realizing that their mockery was off the mark, the knights looked awkward .
「Now then, who will be my opponent?」
「I will be happy to be your opponent . 」
In response to the man’s question, Dina stepped forward and introduced herself .
「I see, it’s a woman, huh… I won’t hold back, alright? Though it doesn’t seem like I need to say that . 」
The man seemed to feel something from the standing figure of Dina, he smiled as if it was interesting .
「Sorry for rushing you, but can we start the test right away?」
Dina nodded, giving permission to the man .
「Now, all of the escorts, step back . All of you too, step back . 」
Following the man’s words; Souta, Antgar, and the knights took some distance away behind their respective side .