episode_0018

Emma, who fell on top of Libertarian and was half-lifted by his hands, blinked for a moment and looked at Libertarian face.

‘…It looks like this.’

In some ways, it was a truly strange thing.

Although we didn’t spend a long time together, we went through so much together and now we can finally see each other face to face.

Was it because when I was riding him on my back, our feelings naturally connected without having to face each other?

Since it was Emma’s first time seeing a human being so close and detailed, she unconsciously lowered her head a little more and looked at Liber.

Except for the ears, she had many similarities with her compatriots.

He looked younger than the humans he had met so far.

Although she was older than Emma, it didn’t seem that much of a difference.

Nevertheless, the scars left here and there were traces of the fierce battles he had endured.

Stories and times she doesn’t know yet.

If I keep riding with him, will I get to know them better someday?

“Uh…is your condition really bad? If it’s hard to stand up alone-”

“Ah… I’m sorry. This is my first time seeing a human this close… I must have inadvertently distracted myself…”

Emma, who suddenly came to her senses when River asked her carefully, shook her head for a moment as if trying to shake off her thoughts, and then tried to stand up.

One of the things she said she would help River with in the first place was to get him there quickly in an urgent time, so she thought to herself that she shouldn’t waste time like this.

“Wow!”

And when he lost his balance again and fell, Liber had to catch him.

“…Why are you like this?..”

Emma, who sat down, became anxious for a moment.

No matter how hard it was to get used to the sudden return of two legs, it was unthinkable to them that a centaur could not even stand up and walk properly.

All kinds of thoughts came to mind along with a sudden surge of anxiety.

‘…Could it be that Epona is angry? ‘You received a blessing and then committed many acts of blasphemy?’

As I spent the past few days as a prisoner of slave traders, I felt resentment and doubt towards the goddess that I harbored in the dark while being held captive.

Couldn’t his suddenly stiff legs be a punishment for that?

“Now… calm down. Take a deep breath. It’s just that I’m not used to the legs that come back.”

Liber, who saw Emma’s expression harden and fear in her eyes, placed his hand on her head and said,

His hand gently ran through her black hair and lightly brushed her ear, which was lying down with anxiety.

“Phew.. Phew… Thank you.”

Emma, who closed her eyes for a moment under his touch, seemed to have calmed down even more and relaxed her stiff body and slowly began to sit up again.

Even though she stumbled a little, Emma was able to stand up on her own again, and only then did Liber also stand up.

“Now all you have to do is remove the list of hired adventurers and leave. Are you able to walk?”

“Yeah.. it’s okay.”

Even though Emma said that, Liber was still so concerned that he couldn’t easily take his eyes off her.

“It’s okay, so hurry up.”

Only then did River nod his head and quickly run away, disappearing into the tent for a moment.

Emma, who was looking at the back, moved her legs a little again.

‘Oh my… Is it still too much to run…’

It seemed like there would be no problem as far as walking now, but it still seemed like a lot of pressure to run right away.

‘Is it because I am still immature in handling blessings? This will hold me back when I return…’

Considering that the reason she volunteered to accompany her was to help Liber get out quickly during an emergency, this was a serious problem.

No matter how much time I had to run to get here was greatly reduced thanks to her, I already wasted more time in the battle with that silver-rank adventurer, and if I go back the way I came with her, who has difficulty running properly right now, I will move slower than the reduced time. Because it was obvious.

‘…Should I send him back alone first…’

“That’s it. The list has been burned, so now all you have to do is get out!”

When Liber returned just in time, Emma strengthened her decision.

“Human, I’m sorry, but I think you’ll have to leave alone.”

“…What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I think my legs are in worse condition than I thought.

To be like this even after receiving the blessing from Epona… It’s extremely shameful, but it’s the truth.

If you try to move with me like this, you will end up being a burden to me. I came here to repay you for the help I received, but I can’t do that.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“Don’t worry. As long as my legs recover, I can get out in time.”

Seeing him staring at her blankly for a moment, Emma smiled at him for the first time.

“…You are really different from other humans.

Now, there are many centaurs in the tribe who hate these stories… but they seem like good humans who made friends with us through those stories.”

“…That’s too much praise. In the end, I only help others to the extent I can handle.”

“Isn’t this an era filled with people who don’t even do that?”

“…You still look young, but don’t act too old.”

“Haha. Next year, I too will become an adult. Rather, you should know better.”

“…You said your leg will recover… That’s not a lie, is it? Centaurs wouldn’t do that.”

“…Okay. Didn’t you say that too? I’m just not used to it yet.”

Emma thought that it would be enough to convince her that way.

Besides, he wasn’t really lying. As long as he survives, the leg itself will recover.

Even if she was caught by humans, considering that the silver-level adventurer became greedy after seeing her earlier, she would have been able to survive thanks to the greed of humans rather than silence.

Of course, that wasn’t what he meant, but that didn’t mean he could answer the question as it was.

“So, you can leave with peace of mind.”

“I see. I understand.”

Emma tried to say goodbye to Liber’s answer.

Until he came straight up to her, calmly grabbed her arm, and placed it over his shoulder and behind her neck.

“…What are you doing?”

“If you say it right, I don’t think there’s any reason to leave you alone. You’re saying your leg will get better soon, right?

Then wouldn’t it be faster for me to stick by your side until then and then get back on board rather than sprinting at full speed from now on?”

Emma, who was silent for a moment and turned her head to look at River right in front of her from a different angle than before, asked as if she was in despair.

“…Is this why you asked me about my legs again from the beginning?”

“Wouldn’t it be the same reason as what you said when you said your leg would recover quickly?”

“…If you run into humans because of me…”

Emma didn’t bother to stop Liber anymore.

Because you won’t listen anyway. Just a quiet warning.

“I can probably handle a few people. If things don’t work out, I’ll use you as bait, so don’t blame me too much…

If you don’t want to do that, you just need to recover your legs quickly.”

Liber deliberately said something without meaning to, and showed the spear that had blown off one arm of a silver-level adventurer earlier.

Just like Emma did, he tried to convince her by telling her stories that he himself would not believe.

Emma, who saw that, had no choice but to nod.

“…I understand. If I objected further, it would only take up four hours…”

“Okay. Then-”

Emma, who was slightly taken aback by Liber’s change of position for a moment, soon realized that this time he was carrying her upside down on his back.

“I think it would be faster than having to support you and walk with you.”

“…Okay. I guess so. I’m sorry for being a burden. Human… no… what is your name?”

“Liber. Last name… I can’t use it right now due to circumstances.”

“Liber… Yes. I will definitely remember it.”

With those words as a signal, Liber started running with Emma on his back.

‘…It’s strange. ‘I thought having someone give me a ride… was something that only happened when you’re a child.’

Emma thought as she placed herself on top of Liber’s shaking armor as he ran.

That’s why I felt a sense of self-reproach, wondering if it was something to be ashamed of as a centaur.

Even though I volunteered to help, I couldn’t use my strength at the end, so instead of riding him, I ended up riding him.

But on the other hand…

‘…Is it similar to before, but feels different?’

The comfort and relaxation she had felt earlier while riding with Liber on her back was now being felt again by riding on his back.

“…Someone is coming from the right. Liber.”

“Okay!”

It was clearly a crisis, and River was able to feel those emotions while using his sensitive ears to first sense and inform of the enemies that he was unaware of.

It wasn’t simply because Liber was strong.

Why?

How could he do that, even as metal clashed against metal before his eyes and the sight of his head on his shoulder fluctuated in battle?

‘…If I safely reach the end like this… and then run with this man again… will I be able to know the answer, Epona?’

The centaur goddess did not immediately give the answer, but this time Emma was not distrustful.

I just decide to consider even that silence as an answer.

The reason the goddess does not answer at this moment is because she has to find the answer herself.

That is why she will once again run with this man named Liber.

If possible, next time she would ride him on her back again.

She maintained that resolve even when they eventually succeeded in escaping the city and returning to the other centaurs.

Even when I parted ways with him there and returned to the plains with my people.

When I meet River again and make jewelry to give as a gift when I ride him on his back.

Eventually, as time passed, I became an adult and was recognized as a worthy warrior of the tribe.

In order to protect him, even when I leave my tribe and the plains again and go on a dangerous journey to the empire.

I didn’t forget even a single moment.

And when she finally reunited with Liber, who had become famous throughout the empire as an adventurer, and gave her a gift.

When I vowed to follow him.

When you put him on your back again and run.

Emma realized.

Holding on to that memory and determination for so long was, and always will be, worth every moment of it.

——

Just as at this moment, when he touched the gift that Liber had returned to her, the ornament that he had cherished until now.

Emma had no time to pay attention to the look on her face as she recalled memories.

“…Master… No, Liber… Thank you.”

Emma felt like she had to call him by his real name at this moment.

Liber smiled and reached out to take her hand.

The gift, still as soft as then, was folded between his and her hands.

and-

“Hey~ I don’t want to disturb you, but I think we should move quickly. Lord…

I think it would be a bit weird to stay here too long.”

Rubia intervened in a voice full of jealousy, wanting to disturb no one.

“…Ruvia. Well… we were in the city earlier…”

“Isn’t it too much to keep the centaur I ‘saved’ sleeping?

Do you want to do less than show off your memories right in front of me right after thanking me for saving my people?”

Luvia’s red gaze as she looked at Emma strangely blocked Liber’s attempts to mediate, clearly demanding something.

“Okay. Of course you have to hurry. So I’ll go first. I hope you follow along well.”

Of course, Emma had no intention of granting that request as she wished.

It’s been like that since the day I reunited with Liber, and at the same time, the day I first met Rubia.

Emma was often swayed by Luvia, who had a sly personality, but right now, with her riding on her back, she felt relaxed.

“?! Sleep-”

Before Luvia could finish speaking, Emma started running again with Liber still on her back.

Ignoring Rubia’s glare from behind, she just felt Liber’s arms hurriedly wrapping around her to avoid falling from the horse behind her.

I smiled brightly and ran.

And the centaur Linnea, who watched the run and the vampire whose eyes were turning red right next to her, concluded that it would be wise to quietly retreat now and take care of her compatriot who was still sleeping.

So everyone was wondering where on earth they were going.