Chapter 282 (Self Edited) – Departing from the Holy City

When it came to preparation, there wasn’t much that Soma and Hildegard did. To begin with, it wasn’t a long trip. If it was only about half a day, at worse, it would still be manageable if they didn’t eat any meal.

As expected, water was necessary, but as mentioned before, Hildegard could use magic like limbs. As a result, water could be replenished, so they only needed to have the bare essentials.

So, they just waited for the time for Eleonora to prepare the horse, but to be exact, it took a bit longer. So, Soma and Hildegard went to the front of the east gate of the city.

As already mentioned, the Holy City was similar to the streets of Radeus. It was also a so-called fortified city. The perimeter of the city was covered with ramparts, and there was one gate for each north, south, east and west to get in and out of the city. One of the gates was where Soma and others were going to meet this time.

Again, as mentioned before, the Holy City didn’t belong to any country. Well, rather than not belonging, if strictly speaking, it couldn’t belong to any country. This was because the influence of the Holy Doctrine was too great.

Belonging to a certain country was synonymous with increasing the influence of that country. If that happened, there would definitely be a war.

Not to mention the countries located around the Holy City, the countries in the distance were surely to try to put their hands. They continue to remain neutral to avoid such things. Although it was possible to take such a view, Eleonora and her people knew how it actually was.

At any rate, however, it was an exception only to the Holy City, and not to others. Ingrid’s hometown, which was less than half a day by horse from the Holy City, must belong to some country.

Perhaps, it was because the Holy City was a blank zone, the Holy City was also a border line of other countries. In other words, the Holy City was in contact with multiple countries, and those who came from each gate also have their own characteristics.

Soma and Hildegard hadn’t seen it much yet, but somehow, they knew. There were many subracial people from the north, and there were a lot of miscellaneous people in the south. However, this was the only place where they could see the appearance of the Demon. Most of the west was of human race, and in fact, Soma and Hildegard came from this direction.

Then, they were going to the east. Although most of them were of the human race, but…

“Hmm… whatever you say, the appearance of what comes from here is a bit poor.” (Soma)

“Hmm. We’re not seeing that much, but the people coming from here are obviously looking poor. The country on this side is surely–…” (Hildegard)

“–That’s why I said that, right? I’m a bumpkin.” (Ingrid)

When they turned their eyes to the voice of her, Ingrid was just about to come. Moreover, from the words, it seemed that she heard what they were talking.

They weren’t talking quietly, but they didn’t say it out loud either. Apparently, Ingrid’s ears were pretty good.

Incidentally, it hadn’t been long since Soma and Hildegard came here, but it seemed that Ingrid was able to finish her preparation quickly.

“You’re pretty fast.” (Soma)

“I don’t want to be told by someone who came earlier. Well, even though it was preparation, it took me a while to prepare the horse, and I had to hand over my job since I was taking a sudden break.” (Ingrid)

“I see, we were coming as early as that. So, what did you mean just now?” (Hildegard)

“It means as it is… Well, in short, the country I lived in was a poor country. Rather than just the village I lived in, the country itself was a countryside.

“Aah… I remembered it. Most of the people were the Holy Doctrine believers, and there must have been a country where it was left unattended because it didn’t give a good return if it was attacked. It was definitely this one that was there.” (Hildegard)

“Hmm… I see. So you lived in a village less than half a day on horseback from here, but I wondered what it means by a bumpkin. Is it because of that?” (Soma)

“Well, I’m even more bumpkin than the rest. Even though it is close to the Holy City, not all countries have tried to develop it.” (Ingrid)

Considering that the believers of the Holy Doctrine often visit the Holy City, it inevitably meant that many people came and went off. It was also inevitable that the relay point would prosper, and if the majority of the people were believers, it was synonymous with almost all the people passing there.

However, if it was as Ingrid said, it seemed that the country on this side didn’t try to develop itself.

“Surely, as you can tell, that country is likely to be that kind of place. Well, developing near the Holy City can mean that you are aiming for the Holy City, depending on which point of view.” (Hildegard)

“Wouldn’t you feel unpleasant about that?” (Soma)

“Well, that’s why it’s really just a village to go to. You shouldn’t expect to be a good one, right?” (Ingrid)

“I haven’t expected anything to begin with. Anyhow, are we going now?” (Soma)

“Well. If that’s the plan, we can do it.” (Hildegard)

“Yes. I have no objection.” (Ingrid)

Then, they decided to leave.

Although the Holy City had a gate, it was basically a preparation for monsters. The Holy City was an open city, it was unlikely to be able to confirm the identity at the gate.

There were people like guards, but this was just in case. Ingrid slightly bowed to them probably because she knew them. Without any issues, Soma and the rest stepped out of the city.

The sight that spread out in front of them didn’t seem to be much different from that on the west side. There was a grassland on one side, and a gentle breeze was flowing.

“Well, we’re going to ride horses from here, but… may I ask you one question?” (Ingrid)

“I’ll probably know what you want to ask, but go ahead. What is it?” (Soma)

“Why do you guys have only one horse?” (Ingrid)

A horse could be used for two people, but considering that it was a long-distance trip, it was naturally desirable to ride it alone. The horses were tired differently, and the speed which it could put out was also different.

Soma and Hildegard were very aware of that, but–…

“…Well, that’s a reason for that. If I have to put it simply, it’s Hildegard’s fault.” (Soma)

“Well, yeah, surely, that’s true, but…! That’s just way too short of an explanation, you know!” (Hildegard)

“So, what else do I have to say?” (Soma)

“That’s… uhmm, I can’t say anything else.” (Hildegard)

Perhaps, it was because Hildegard was a Dragonkin. When Hildegard tried to ride, no matter what kind of horse it was, it was scared. Let alone being meek, the horse wouldn’t move. So, nothing would happen.

Well, to be honest, Hildegard herself could run faster than riding a horse, so Soma thought that Hildegard should run by herself. Anyhow…

“Well, we managed to get on by riding together. If not, it was impossible, so I brought only one horse. Eleonora lent me a horse that was particularly fast, so it’s probably alright.” (Soma)

“I-I see… well, if Eleonora-sama said that, it certainly wouldn’t be a problem.” (Ingrid)

In the worst case scenario, all they had to do was to let Hildegard run by herself. So, there was no problem. Ingrid might be surprised if Hildegard ran, but then, she had no choice but to do it.

“…I feel like you’re thinking something that isn’t right, yes?” (Hildegard)

“It’s just in your mind. More importantly, this is better. In fact, you’re light, so it could run, but I still don’t know if it can run properly.” (Soma)

“Well, yeah.” (Hildegard)

Hildegard came on the horse on which Soma was riding first, and… there seemed to be no particular problem. Although the horse was running lightly, it ran as expected. It wasn’t only a fast horse, it also seemed to be a smart horse.

By the way, Soma could ride a horse because he was a man from a Duke family. He practiced to be able to ride.

Anyway…

“Well then. Ingrid, please lead the way.” (Soma)

“Aah, leave it to me. I said before it will take half a day, but if we leave now, we should be able to reach it before sunset. If things go well, the weather shouldn’t be a problem and there shouldn’t be any particularly powerful monsters along the way, so there’s no problem. Well, I don’t think there’s a problem if it comes out.” (Ingrid)

“Well, it’s better to have no problem. The problem is probably waiting at the village.” (Hildegard)

“…Surely, it is. Well then, shall we?” (Ingrid)

Nodding to Ingrid’s words, Soma pulled the reins he was holding. The horses were running toward the village where Ingrid’s hometown was in a tranquil scenery.