I decided to correct Veronica’s manners when she smoked.
The next morning, I bid farewell to the Centaurs. Everyone in the settlement, including Argna and Yola, came to see me off.
“Are you leaving already? I’ll miss you,” Yola said.
I shook hands firmly with Argna. Behind us, the boy who had saved us raised his voice in disappointment.
“Thank you for letting me stay, everyone. Stay well.”
“It is we who should be thanking you. Thank you for believing in me.”
Come to think of it, why had Yola stayed behind then? I had assumed she had fled with the other companions. When I asked her about it, she smiled a little shyly.
“Ah, I was checking if there was anyone else left behind. Then, I saw those two being attacked by Wolf-horses, and I completely took care of them.”
“So those were Wolf-horses. I see, that explains the fangs.”
Argna smiled wryly, as if remembering.
“They are horses like wolves, as their name suggests. Around here, when the dry season comes, grass becomes scarce, and sometimes even water dries up. They’re large creatures, so they can’t survive without it. That’s why they sometimes hunt or eat corpses. They are naturally timid horses, but when they’re in a herd, they can be aggressive.”
To think she managed to catch meat-eating horses. I would never go near them.
“You must have treated them terribly. Poor things, I wonder if those females managed to return to their herd safely,” Yola said.
At Yola’s words, I couldn’t help but let out a surprised “Eh?!” Were those females…
“The males are even bigger, you know. They have more manes, too. They might still be nearby, so be careful.”
I exchanged glances with Sharin. She had the same disgusted look on her face as I did.
Just then, Argna’s father appeared. He was still unsteady but had recovered enough to stand on his own.
“Ah, you’re leaving already? Thank you very much. Yes, why don’t you try going to the town? My younger brother is apparently taking charge of the rebuilding there. It might be of help on your journey.”
Philiana, standing behind, chimed in, “That sounds like a good idea.”
“We will definitely go. Well then, everyone, goodbye. Thank you for accepting a stranger like me.”
As she gave a polite bow, Argna approached her.
“You are not a stranger. If we ran together, we are companions. Even if we are apart, your soul is always with us. May the spirits of the land protect you.”
Philiana smiled happily at his words, which came from a fellow tribesman.
