CH 71

Elt: 「Am I supposed to hold it like this?」

I squeezed the reins tighter, concentrating on looking ahead.

Serena: 「That’s too much pressure. Just loosen it up a bit.」

Serena, sitting next to me, leaned forward and touched my body.

I don’t think she didn’t particularly care, but every time she guided my movements, the soft parts of her body touched mine.

Elt:「This much?」

I relax when Serena touches my hand. Then, sensing my relaxation, Serena pulled her hand away.

Serena: 「Yeah, that’s about right. Just let the horse go and only use the reins when I tell you to.」

With that, she looked away from me and looked ahead.

Unlike before, I heard the sound of wheels moving at a steady tempo, and the scenery in front of me drifted by. It seems that the movement is steady.

At the moment, Serena is teaching me how to drive the carriage.

Elt:「It’s hard to communicate with just the reins, isn’t it?」

Before I got sacrificed, the only work I did was simple work that anyone could do, like plowing and harvesting the fields. It was the farmer’s job to load the wagons and transport them, so I never got to ride one.

As I watched Serena happily playing the role of a coach, I wanted to try it myself, so I decided to learn.

Serena: 「Hmm, but these horses are quiet, aren’t they?　Real ones don’t always listen to you, depending on their mood.」

I nodded my head at the obviously advanced statement and…….

Elt:「Come to think of it, how does Serena know how to drive a carriage?」

She told me that she has never been out of the Lost Forest. There is no such thing as a road in that forest, so there should be no situation that requires a carriage.

Serena: 「I’ve never ridden in a carriage before, but I’m used to taming creatures. I’ve even ridden horses a few times.」

Apparently, yesterday was the first time she had ever ridden in a carriage. I was astonished…….

Serena: 「The important thing is to understand what they want you to do. Animals are easy to read because they are so honest.」

Elves are also known as forest keepers and are a nature loving race.

They are always in nature, so it’s not so difficult for them to communicate with animals.

Elt:「Well, it’s good to be honest.」

I say that when I look at the magical creature in front of me…….

Serena: 「Yes, so I think Elt needs to be more honest.」

Serena murmurs as she casually pulls herself closer to me.

Alicia: 「Yes, that’s enough!」

But Alicia, who may have heard what we were talking about, interrupted our conversation.

Alicia: 「It’s my turn to be taught, right? Elt, go back to the carriage, okay?」

It was decided that it would be better if all of us were able to play the role of the guardian anyway, so we would take turns on who’s being taught.

Alicia stepped in between me and Serena, and the platform became narrower.

Alicia: 「Serena. I thought you said no sneaking around, right?」

Serena: 「Isn’t it fine, for a bit?」

Serena’s stare was unnerving and she retorted to Alicia.

It seems that these two are discussing without me, and have agreed on a number of rules when it comes to me.

Whatever the case, it’s nice to know that things aren’t going to turn sour. I returned to the carriage, leaving the two smiling and checking each other out.