Chapter 516: The Changing Packhorse
“Are we really leaving now? Won’t it be dangerous on the road?” I looked at the dark sky outside. Nightfall brought many dangers, and I still remembered the time we were chased by an unknown monster on our way back at night.
“We’ll be using the main road this time, and many people will be going together, so it should be relatively safe. We’ll gather at the city gate in about half an hour, so we don’t have much time,” Sebastian said.
To be honest, I could have just waited for Sebastian to investigate on his own and then waited for the results at home. Older Brother Jayad had gone out tonight and taken Via with him, so I felt uneasy going out of the city alone.
However, it was a rare clue about Pierce, and I was unwilling to give up easily. Moreover, there was a big difference between going to the scene in person. I knew that things like inspiration could only be triggered by being present.
“Okay, I’ll go with you.” I gritted my teeth, deciding to take action. I went back to my room to pack my materials, potions, and equipment. Then I said to Lorna, “Please watch the house. Tell Older Brother Jayad when he returns that I’ve gone to investigate a clue with Detective Mister.”
“Are you going on this trip because of Father again?” Although we had tried to keep it from Lorna, the clever Miss Ghost had guessed. After all, if it wasn’t related to her parents, there was no need for us to hide it from her.
“Yes, but please rest assured. No matter what, this matter should have a conclusion. If I can really find your father, I will do my best to bring him back to you alive,” I said.
“Waaah, I really want to go with you, but I can’t leave this place,” Lorna said dejectedly.
“It’s alright. The day you can take action is not far away. Soon you’ll be free. For now, please bear with it a little longer and help me watch the house. Also, please be sure to tell Older Brother Jayad where I’ve gone so he doesn’t worry,” I emphasized again.
“Okay,” Lorna nodded.
Considering what we might encounter this time, I brought my External Brain with me, but I hadn’t connected it to my spine yet. I hoped I wouldn’t need to use it.
With all my belongings packed, I followed Sebastian downstairs. As we walked, he said, “We’re going to the northern coast this time. It’s not too far, but it will take at least two or three hours of travel, so we’ll need mounts.”
Well, it was time for my family’s packhorse to do its job again. It had just returned from Madam Shirley’s hometown a couple of days ago and we had sent it back to the stable to rest. Now it was just right for some exercise.
When I went to the stable and led the packhorse out, I noticed it had changed again. It used to be thin and short, not at all the kind of build suited for running. Now it seemed to have grown a bit taller, and its fur was also prettier.
Apart from Older Brother Jayad, I also occasionally came to feed it myself, so it was quite affectionate towards me, nuzzling my head with its muzzle as soon as I opened the door.
The groom, who was standing nearby, exclaimed, “I’ve raised many horses, but I’ve never seen such a strange one. It’s not a thoroughbred purebred, so why does it seem to be becoming more intelligent? And it was already an old horse, so why does it seem to be growing again recently?”
I couldn’t answer him. Although I had a vague idea it might be because of Older Brother Jayad, I didn’t understand the specific reason. I just smiled and led the horse out.
“This time, let’s do it as before. Claire and I will ride Landstriders, and you can take Sherris and ride a horse,” Sebastian assigned.
“Wait, I can’t ride a horse, uh, no, I can’t *handle* a horse. Can’t Claire be in the same group as me?” I was taken aback. Before, it was always Older Brother Jayad or Claire who accompanied me.
“I can’t handle a horse either,” Sherris also shook her head. That meant among the four of us, only Sebastian and Claire could ride. They should be separated, one on each side.
“I’m better at riding Landstriders. How about Parul rides the Landstrider with me, and Uncle takes Sherris on the horse?” Claire suggested.
I still felt that the Landstrider was unreliable. I disliked its bumpy ride. So, should Sebastian take me?
However, as Sebastian approached, the packhorse flicked its head and didn’t let him grab the reins, even stepping back a few paces. Although it didn’t show hostility, its refusal was very clear.
Sebastian shook his head and said, “No, that horse seems to have recognized its owner. It will only allow Miss Parul to command it.”
No way? This was just a stupid packhorse, how could it recognize its owner? It would only let me command it, but I couldn’t ride a horse at all.
“Miss Parul, try getting on. Riding a horse isn’t difficult. I can teach you as we go. We don’t have much time,” Sebastian said anxiously, as the gathering time was approaching.
Helpless, I could only reluctantly mount the horse. Thankfully, although I had never handled a horse before, I had ridden on one’s back several times, so I wouldn’t be unable to even get on.
Moreover, the packhorse had an advantage: it was relatively short and docile, making it easy to get on and hard to fall off. I got on smoothly.
“Good. Hold the reins tightly, use your legs to grip the horse’s belly, but not too hard. A gentle flick of the reins and saying ‘go’ means to move forward, pulling the reins means to stop. For turns, pull lightly on both sides or tilt your body,” Sebastian began to instruct me on how to handle the horse.
However, I quickly discovered that there seemed to be no need to learn, because this horse was incredibly obedient and intelligent. It followed my pace and thoughts, and I didn’t even need to make a sound.
I rode it in a short circle and returned to them. Sebastian praised, “Miss Parul learns very quickly. You’ve mastered it so fast.”
I felt a bit embarrassed. I actually still didn’t know how to ride; it was the packhorse that was too considerate. I even suspected it could understand human speech to some degree.
“Come up,” I reached out and pulled Sherris up. She was very strong and climbed onto the horse’s back with ease. The horse didn’t resist with me guiding it.
On the other side, Sebastian also got on a Landstrider. As before, Claire was in charge of handling it, with Sebastian riding behind. We headed towards the city gate together.
Upon reaching the north gate of the city, I understood what Sebastian meant by a team. Dozens of people had already gathered at the gate. Most conspicuous was an old-fashioned car, a rare steam-powered vehicle on the road.
Inside sat an old man wearing a police uniform. Many patrol officers, also in police uniforms, were gathered around the car. However, judging by the gold trim on their shoulders and their sashes, the person inside the car was of much higher status than the others.
“He is the Cando City Police Chief Director, an Honorary Baron, and the leader of this investigation. Be careful not to offend him,” Sebastian reminded me.
