I and the Beast Tamer man both turned to look in the direction the rope had been thrown. Arisugawa was standing there, where he should have escaped earlier. He looped the other end of the rope around the nearest black horse.
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing!”
As the man took a step forward in anger, Arisugawa called out and slapped the horse’s rear.
“Now, go back to your companions.”
“Wait, wait a minute, aaaaaah–”
Disappearing into the wilderness, the man was dragged away with the two horses that had started running. I brushed off the sand and picked up the dagger I had dropped.
“Hah, thank you. I thought I was going to die.”
“Hahaha, the thanks should go to us. Let’s go, everyone is waiting. Ride on my back.”
Sharin and I mounted Arisugawa and Yola respectively. Galloping under the starry sky was exhilarating, as if I had become the wind myself. My sweat dried, and I felt good.
After advancing a little, it seemed my companions were waiting for me. Everyone cheered and waved at the safe return of the two. Philiana appeared among them.
“Hiro-san, Sharin-san, ah, I’m so glad. I was worried because I couldn’t see you.”
“Well, we got caught by something terrible at the last moment.”
After we reunited, the herd, this time for sure, started running together. The sight of so many Centaurs running was spectacular. Their powerful hooves struck the ground, kicking up sand, and the roar echoed through the wilderness like a surging muddy stream.
Philiana, running alongside us, had a joyful face, like a traveler returning to her homeland.
As the settlement approached, the boy ran out first. He flapped his long, slender legs and hugged his father. From behind, his mother came running to meet them. She too had tears in her eyes and a look of satisfaction.
Cheers erupted from the entire settlement upon the return of the leader and his companions. Arisugawa’s father was helped down from Tad’s back and taken to a safe place. Tad, his role fulfilled, turned to me.
“Hey kid, no, Arisugawa. I owe you one. Thank you, and thank your brave companions too.”
He said this, looked at Sharin, and then shifted his gaze to Philiana.
“I spoke rudely. What is your name?”
“I am Philiana Granim. I don’t mind, so it’s alright.”
“I see, Philiana. I will never forget you. Please rest here for a while.”
He turned and went back.
“Ufufu, that was good. It went well this time.”
“W-well, yeah… Haa, I’m tired.”
Really, I’m glad everyone is safe, but I was the one who almost died. For the time being, I’ll eat something and then sleep. The excitement had faded, and my body felt like lead.
I sat down near the luggage, almost collapsing. My eyelids were already heavy. No, I’ll just sleep like this, I thought, and as I was about to lose consciousness, someone shook my shoulder. I knew who it was without opening my eyes, and I let out a feigned sigh.
“Brother, what are you doing sleeping? Come on, we have to have a toast!”
