Published: July 5, 2025
Today and tomorrow, I will post in two consecutive nights. This is the first night.
Abel and Ryo, having departed from the Union capital of Jakelea, were attempting to cross the border with a thousand-man escort.
"I was wondering how you managed to gather a thousand knights... you really pulled together a lot of them."
"The lords from various regions responded to Rhea's call and hurriedly sent their knights."
In response to Abel's words, Sera replied gravely.
"While you were absent, Rhea had quite a hard time. You should show her some gratitude when you return to the Royal Castle."
"Y-yeah, I understand."
Sera stated in a tone that left no room for argument, and Abel accepted it.
This conversation took place inside the carriage where King Abel was riding.
Sera was managing this escort as the grand knight commander of the kingdom... yet she was inside the carriage.
By the way, Ryo was resting his head on Sera's lap.
With a gentle smile, Ryo stroked Sera's head as she lay down...
Abel, who sat facing Ryo and Sera, did not say anything about the two of them.
He had made up his mind that it was not his place to comment.
It was not that he wanted to avoid saying something that would anger Sera...
The thousand knights escorting King Abel were, of course, primarily from the Royal Knight Order.
They were joined by the Silverdale Knight Order, the Knight Order of Marquis Hope's Territory, the Knight Order of Marquis Heinlein's Territory, and the Knight Order of the Barony of Run, alongside knight orders from the noble families in the central part of the kingdom where the royal capital was located.
"I understand Silverdale, but the Knight Order of Marquis Hope's Territory is in the western part of the kingdom. It’s impressive they made it in time."
Abel said in admiration.
Ryo used his "echo of the soul" to send a message via a passive device that was supposed to have been improved by Viscount Kenneth Hayward, and there had to have been only two or three days until the escort crossed the border.
Traveling from the western part of the kingdom through the Fourth Avenue, the royal capital, and then through the Second Avenue to Redpost... it should have been impossible within three days, no matter how hard the horses ran.
"That was just a coincidence. The Knight Order of Marquis Hope and the Silverdale Knight Order were conducting a mock battle in the royal capital. That’s how they made it in time."
Sera answered, of course, while still on Ryo's lap.
"And Heinlein and Run..."
"They rushed through the repaired Roh Bridge and joined us at Redpost."
"It’s strange for me to say this, but the knight orders of the kingdom are amazing."
Abel murmured while shaking his head slightly.
At that moment, the carriage door was knocked on.
"What’s wrong?"
"I apologize, your majesty. Actually, two horses have been following us for a while..."
"Horses?"
"A black horse and a gray horse..."
"Don’t tell me!"
Saying that, Ryo jumped out of the carriage door.
The gray horse he spotted rushed over.
"Andalusia!"
It rubbed its head against Ryo.
It also approached Abel, who had exited the carriage...
"Feiwan!"
It licked Abel's face.
Both showed affection.
The knights watching this were surprised.
At the same time, smiles appeared.
For knights, horses are partners.
Seeing the horses that had opened their hearts to the two they served, it was only natural for them to smile.
"What about those two?"
Sera asked.
"That's Feiwan. A fine horse, isn't it?"
"Andalusia. It’s quite intelligent."
Abel and Ryo introduced them to Sera with expressions full of joy as if they were their own.
"Indeed, they are splendid horses, but..."
Sera nodded while looking at Feiwan, and when her gaze shifted to Andalusia... she couldn't take her eyes off it.
Noticing this, Ryo spoke.
"I-I won’t give Andalusia away, even if it’s Sera! It's fine if you want to ride for a bit, though."
Ryo said with a worried expression.
"I'm not planning to take it away from you."
Sera chuckled.
Hearing that, Ryo sighed in relief and stroked Andalusia once more.