Chapter 184 - 183: Freedom
Zelir was instantly left behind.
"Wait for me..."
He copied Bev, squeezed the horse’s belly with his legs, and also shouted, "Giddy-up!"
The brown horse accepted the command. Its four hooves dug into the ground, and it suddenly accelerated, catching up to Bev.
But what followed was an even bumpier ride.
The horse’s back rose and fell like a wave, and Zelir’s body rose and fell along with it.
He felt like he was sitting on an out-of-control spring, struggling to find his balance.
And the worst part was, every time the horse bucked upward, Zelir’s butt would leave the saddle, only to slam back down hard on the descent.
"THUD... THUD... THUD..."
The dull impacts made Zelir feel like his tailbone was protesting.
He felt that if this kept up much longer, his butt would go numb.
Compared to Zelir’s stiffness, Bev’s horsemanship was far superior. On the bouncing horse, her posture was graceful and poised; she didn’t seem uncomfortable at all.
"Zelir, doesn’t your butt hurt?"
Atop her horse, Bev gave him a playful wink, asking a question she already knew the answer to.
"Of course it doesn’t... not!" Zelir grimaced.
"That’s because you haven’t mastered the right technique."
Bev instructed him with a laugh.
"When a horse starts to trot, you can’t just sit there like a sack of sand. You have to follow its rhythm. Watch what I do."
Following Bev’s direction, Zelir looked toward her waist, hips, and legs as she sat on her horse.
’Wow... she’s really flexible.’
"The moment the horse lifts its front hooves, you need to use the Power in your thighs and waist to lift yourself slightly. When the hooves come down, you sit back down with the motion."
"This way, your rhythm will be perfectly in sync with the horse’s, and your butt won’t keep getting slammed by the saddle."
"I’ll try..."
Zelir gripped the reins tightly and glanced to the side, watching the rise and fall of the brown horse’s gait.
Then, following the key points Bev had just mentioned, he used his core to lift himself slightly when the hooves rose and relaxed as they fell.
Up and down, up and down.
Sure enough, this method helped Zelir stabilize himself on horseback considerably. That dreadful slamming feeling was gone.
Moreover, he gradually adapted to the brown horse’s trotting rhythm. It was as if the two shared a tacit understanding, beginning to move as one.
"Bev!"
Having mastered the technique, Zelir excitedly raised his voice. "So how do I get the horse to run?"
"Simple!"
Bev responded with a loud laugh.
She too was swept up in Zelir’s high spirits, enjoying the moment. "You just need to squeeze the horse’s belly hard with both legs and then shout!"
As if by telepathy, they both shouted at the same time.
"Giddy-up!"
Juna and the brown horse shot forward. The two steeds clearly felt their riders’ will and broke into a mad dash.
"THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP!"
A storm of hoofbeats erupted as they raised their heads and let out joyous whinnies.
The sound of the wind in their ears grew louder, changing from a gentle caress to a fierce howl. The surrounding scenery began to shift, becoming increasingly blurry.
The verdant lawns, the golden sunset, the distant castle—it all melted into flowing patches of color, rushing backward past them.
Zelir had never experienced this feeling of free-spirited galloping before. A joyful smile uncontrollably spread across his face.
He looked at Bev beside him; she was also smiling happily.
The wind whipped through her long, golden hair, making it billow and flutter like a flag.
A bright, brilliant flag.
"How is it, Zelir?" Bev shouted over the wind.
"Amazing!"
"Miss Bev, wait for me! You’ve left the riding grounds! That’s dangerous, please don’t run into anyone!" Elle’s voice came from behind them, but it was quickly left far in the distance.
Under the setting sun, the two steeds galloped like lightning, their joyous laughter drifting wantonly on the wind.
...
「Later that night.」
「The main castle.」
A carved mahogany door was pushed open.
Valles, who was by the dining table, looked at the newcomer and couldn’t help but frown slightly.
"Zelir, what’s with the way you’re walking?"
"Hiss..."
Zelir’s legs were spread apart.
One hand on his waist and the other on the doorframe, he limped into the room, his face twisted in a pained expression.
A nearby attendant, though confused, hurried over to help Zelir to his seat at the dining table.
Zelir sat down gingerly. "Rode too much... my groin is a little sore..."
Gray chuckled softly beside him.
Even though Zelir had grasped the basics of riding...
...a beginner going straight to a full gallop was bound to find the high-intensity friction and jostling a bit too much to handle.
The more thrilling it was on horseback, the more agonizing the soreness in his thighs was after he dismounted.
Zelir could only feel the stiffness in his inner thighs, and his butt was somewhat numb from the constant impact.
Even after using a Healing Skill, a little bit of pain remained.
Although this wasn’t the main dining hall, its luxury was still breathtaking.
A large chandelier composed of hundreds of Crystals hung from the high, vaulted ceiling, and the walls were covered in silk wallpaper with intricate patterns.
The table was draped in a snow-white tablecloth embroidered with gold-threaded vines. Each set of cutlery was made of pure silver, polished to a brilliant shine that reflected the light with a soft glow.
The table was round, set with five carved chairs. The team members had all arrived and were seated, with several attendants standing nearby.
The mahogany door was pushed open again. This time, it was Duke, followed by his butler, Reid.
"Lord Duke." Marcus and the others stood up to bow.
"Please, sit. There’s no need for such formalities."
Duke waved his hand gently, his gaze slowly sweeping over each person before he spoke.
"First, on behalf of the Alberti Clan, and all the workers who depend on the No. 13 Mine Area for their livelihood, allow me to express our sincere gratitude for your heroic efforts."
"You not only eliminated an extremely dangerous Demon, but you also saved the future livelihood of hundreds of families."
"Tonight, fine wine and delicacies have been prepared for you. Please, don’t be reserved. Enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
Duke smiled. "I won’t be joining you. I trust you’ll all be more relaxed without me here."
"A comfortable carriage has also been prepared for you at the manor’s entrance. After the feast is over, no matter how late it is, the driver will see each of you home safely."
Then Duke clapped his hands lightly.
Reid stepped forward from behind him and placed a silk pouch, embroidered with the Alberti Clan’s crest, on the table.
"This is the full payment for the commission."
Duke smiled faintly. "One hundred and sixty-seven Gold Coins."
At the sight of this, Gray’s and Maki’s eyes lit up, and even Marcus was visibly moved.
After all, who could remain calm with one hundred and sixty-seven Gold Coins sitting right in front of them?