The horse we were riding seemed to have a rather aggressive nature. It didn’t hesitate when faced with obstacles like a pile of dirt blocking the path, instead of showing fear or trying to turn back, it snorted forcefully and pushed forward with its feet. Thanks to that, I could momentarily forget the awkwardness of being embraced in Andrea’s arms.
“Uh, why is it acting like this?”
“Well, it seems to want to jump over.”
The horse took a step back. Andrea and I immediately realized that this horse was starting to sprint.
“Hey, hey, hey, don’t let it run like that!
“Lower your body a bit and hold the reins tightly. Don’t worry, you won’t fall. Just trust me
Saying that, Andrea pressed his chest and stomach against my back. He also added strength on the arms that stretched out on either side of my body, making me feel like I had entered a solid fortress. His breath tickled my neck, and his chin nestled into the space between my neck and shoulder. It fit together like a lost puzzle piece.
I closed my eyes and lowered my body completely. It was almost like the posture of a puppy lying on the ground. Although I heard Andrea’s amused laughter from above, I paid it no mind. The horse was larger than I had anticipated, and if it were to fall while leaping through the air, it could result in broken legs or even instant death.
Soon, the horse started galloping.
“Whoa!”
The perceived speed was incredible. As the hooves pounded the ground and leaped forward, Andrea and I felt our bodies slightly lift into the air.
Thud. My buttocks settled onto the saddle. The horse didn’t stop but continued to run. With closed eyes, I maintained the low posture, tightly gripping the reins.
“Del, open your eyes.”
Why, why?”
“We’ve passed the dirt pile. It’s okay to open your eyes now.”
“I’m good. I’ll just keep my eyes closed.”
Trembling, I rejected in one breath. Andrea pulled the reins a little harder.
“Whoa, whoa.”
It seemed like he was trying to slow down the horse because I was too scared. However, the horse was very stubborn. Perhaps tired of pulling the carriage with tight reins until now, it now felt much lighter, almost flying. Ignoring Andrea’s touch, the horse started running even faster.
“Whoa!”
“Oh no.”
Andrea stopped provoking the horse and focused on protecting me. The wind swept across my forehead and cheeks. I couldn’t open my eyes due to the air forcefully hitting my face, even without making an effort to close them. Breathing properly became difficult, and I made silly, wheezing sounds like a fool.
Then it happened. Andrea’s hand covered my face. Since my face was naturally small, and Andrea’s hand was large, it almost completely covered my face. Thanks to that, the wind that was rushing towards my face suddenly stopped. It felt like an additional layer of protection, I sensed comfort in his touch.
“It’s okay, you can open your eyes now.”
I slowly opened my eyes. The view was cramped, but a white light was coming through Andrea’s fingers. I saw the world unfolding through the gap between his fingers. Tall trees on either side rushed by rapidly. The black mane of the horse, joyfully galloping as if enjoying freedom, flowed like waves. The clear sky seemed to be pouring in through the gap between Andrea’s fingers. Seeing that, my heart suddenly ached.
I shook my head slightly from side to side. Andrea understood and lowered his hand slightly. I captured the entire sky in my vision. For a moment, I forgot that I was riding on a galloping horse. The cool mountain air filled my lungs. My chest swelled with a sense of overwhelming joy.
“Wow…. Oh wow!”
The screams that were filled with fear just moments ago were now bursts of joy. Andrea seemed to feel it too, as he laughed heartily. The rise and fall of his chest matched the laughter, creating a delightful rhythm.
“Feels refreshing, doesn’t it?”
“It’s so refreshing!”
“See? I told you it’s okay.”
“Yeah!”
I turned to Andrea and let out an excited response. Even though my hair hit Andrea’s mouth, he continued to laugh. It was so amusing that I exposed my teeth and laughed loudly. Hahaha. A carefree laughter burst out, but the mood was so uplifting. The sense of liberation and freedom that the horse felt seemed to transfer to me. The vast land and the high sky felt like they were all mine.
So, I didn’t get to see Andrea’s laughter gradually disappearing from his face. Instead, what caught my eye was a notification floating above his head.
[Andrea Sloan’s favorability increases by +3!]
……what?
***
After that, the horse ran at full speed for about twenty minutes and then suddenly became calm, as if it lost its energy. Fortunately, we reached the city gate and had to undergo inspection. To avoid revealing my famous face to others, Andrea wrapped a scarf around me. I was able to avoid being caught feeling embarrassed that Andrea’s favorability toward me had increased.
Yes, favorability towards me. It wasn’t the real Del Narcissus, but the possessed fake Del, it was favorability towards me.
Was it because I smiled and made eye contact with this face? Andrea seemed to be weak to this face. Currently, Andrea’s favorability was 37, not an exceptionally high number.
Andrea handed two fake identification cards to the gate guard, who mechanically checked them. Seeing me peeking over the scarf, the guard frowned.
“Hey, take that off for a moment.”
The gate guard shook his hand in front of my face.
What to do? I looked at Andrea as if asking for guidance. Andrea, with a gentle smile, approached the guard and spoke.
“He has bad scars on his face, and it’s embarrassing for others to see. Could you make an exception and let us through just once?”
“What kind of nonsense is that? Hey! Take down that cloth.”
The guard’s tone became stern, and the way he reached for the sword at his waist was anything but casual. Startled, I tried to lower the scarf, but Andrea quickly stuck something into the guard’s stomach.
“Ugh! Wh-what are you…!”
He grabbed his stomach in surprise. There was a long line of people waiting to pass through the castle gate behind the castle gate. Other guards stood in front of us as well. At this point, if you kill someone here, how will we handle the body? My complexion changed drastically at the thought.
“Ahem. I guess I’ll let it slide this time.”
The guard, whom I thought was as good as dead, spoke with a nonchalant tone while adjusting his leather armor. Andrea smoothly received back his identification card, smiled at me, and asked, “Shall we go?”
The guard shouted loudly towards the back, “Next!” We passed through the checkpoint almost as if being chased. Neither Andrea nor I spoke until we entered the city. Only then did I look at Andrea.
“What was that just now? I thought you were stabbing him with a knife.”
“A knife? What a terrifying thought. Does Del solve problems in such a manner?”
Andrea covered his cheeks with his hands, pretending to tremble. It wasn’t even funny.
“What did you do? Did you cast a spell or something?”
I heard that among those who wield swords, there are some who know how to use magic. They become magic-swordsman. I asked Andrea if he was one of those cases, but he shrugged and gave an unexpected answer.
“I did cast a spell. The magic of bribery.”
He took out a handful of gold coins from his pants and flicked them into the air. Andrea skillfully caught the falling coin in a flash, he said that with a grin.
“I’m a pacifist, you know. Peace is created with money. Remember that, Del.”
An assassin claiming to be a pacifist. Passing monsters would probably laugh. I must have had a skeptical expression on my face. This time, Andrea pretended to be depressed.
“It’s sad that you don’t seem to believe me.”
Even with a pitiful expression and eyebrows raising forming a sad expression, I remained unmoved. I clenched my fists and stared at him sternly. Then, Andrea stopped pretending to be pitiful and playfully tilted his head.
“Del, are you still scared of me?”
“Of course…!”
I was about to say that I was scared, but I held my tongue. Honestly, I wasn’t as scared as before. I realized that as long as I inhabited this body, he wouldn’t harm me. Besides, considering the short time we had spent together, he seemed quite affectionate and sensible (except for his job).
Moreover, the feeling of fear was no longer the same as it was before.
I corrected myself with a slightly depressed voice.
“I’m not scared anymore”
Satisfied?
With a challenging look, I stared at Andrea. And then,
[Andrea Sloan’s favorability increases by +2!]
The horse we were riding seemed to have a rather aggressive nature. It didn’t hesitate when faced with obstacles like a pile of dirt blocking the path, instead of showing fear or trying to turn back, it snorted forcefully and pushed forward with its feet. Thanks to that, I could momentarily forget the awkwardness of being embraced in Andrea’s arms.
“Uh, why is it acting like this?”
“Well, it seems to want to jump over.”
The horse took a step back. Andrea and I immediately realized that this horse was starting to sprint.
“Hey, hey, hey, don’t let it run like that!
“Lower your body a bit and hold the reins tightly. Don’t worry, you won’t fall. Just trust me
Saying that, Andrea pressed his chest and stomach against my back. He also added strength on the arms that stretched out on either side of my body, making me feel like I had entered a solid fortress. His breath tickled my neck, and his chin nestled into the space between my neck and shoulder. It fit together like a lost puzzle piece.
I closed my eyes and lowered my body completely. It was almost like the posture of a puppy lying on the ground. Although I heard Andrea’s amused laughter from above, I paid it no mind. The horse was larger than I had anticipated, and if it were to fall while leaping through the air, it could result in broken legs or even instant death.
Soon, the horse started galloping.
“Whoa!”
The perceived speed was incredible. As the hooves pounded the ground and leaped forward, Andrea and I felt our bodies slightly lift into the air.
Thud. My buttocks settled onto the saddle. The horse didn’t stop but continued to run. With closed eyes, I maintained the low posture, tightly gripping the reins.
“Del, open your eyes.”
Why, why?”
“We’ve passed the dirt pile. It’s okay to open your eyes now.”
“I’m good. I’ll just keep my eyes closed.”
Trembling, I rejected in one breath. Andrea pulled the reins a little harder.
“Whoa, whoa.”
It seemed like he was trying to slow down the horse because I was too scared. However, the horse was very stubborn. Perhaps tired of pulling the carriage with tight reins until now, it now felt much lighter, almost flying. Ignoring Andrea’s touch, the horse started running even faster.
“Whoa!”
“Oh no.”
Andrea stopped provoking the horse and focused on protecting me. The wind swept across my forehead and cheeks. I couldn’t open my eyes due to the air forcefully hitting my face, even without making an effort to close them. Breathing properly became difficult, and I made silly, wheezing sounds like a fool.
Then it happened. Andrea’s hand covered my face. Since my face was naturally small, and Andrea’s hand was large, it almost completely covered my face. Thanks to that, the wind that was rushing towards my face suddenly stopped. It felt like an additional layer of protection, I sensed comfort in his touch.
“It’s okay, you can open your eyes now.”
I slowly opened my eyes. The view was cramped, but a white light was coming through Andrea’s fingers. I saw the world unfolding through the gap between his fingers. Tall trees on either side rushed by rapidly. The black mane of the horse, joyfully galloping as if enjoying freedom, flowed like waves. The clear sky seemed to be pouring in through the gap between Andrea’s fingers. Seeing that, my heart suddenly ached.
I shook my head slightly from side to side. Andrea understood and lowered his hand slightly. I captured the entire sky in my vision. For a moment, I forgot that I was riding on a galloping horse. The cool mountain air filled my lungs. My chest swelled with a sense of overwhelming joy.
“Wow…. Oh wow!”
The screams that were filled with fear just moments ago were now bursts of joy. Andrea seemed to feel it too, as he laughed heartily. The rise and fall of his chest matched the laughter, creating a delightful rhythm.
“Feels refreshing, doesn’t it?”
“It’s so refreshing!”
“See? I told you it’s okay.”
“Yeah!”
I turned to Andrea and let out an excited response. Even though my hair hit Andrea’s mouth, he continued to laugh. It was so amusing that I exposed my teeth and laughed loudly. Hahaha. A carefree laughter burst out, but the mood was so uplifting. The sense of liberation and freedom that the horse felt seemed to transfer to me. The vast land and the high sky felt like they were all mine.
So, I didn’t get to see Andrea’s laughter gradually disappearing from his face. Instead, what caught my eye was a notification floating above his head.
[Andrea Sloan’s favorability increases by +3!]
……what?
***
After that, the horse ran at full speed for about twenty minutes and then suddenly became calm, as if it lost its energy. Fortunately, we reached the city gate and had to undergo inspection. To avoid revealing my famous face to others, Andrea wrapped a scarf around me. I was able to avoid being caught feeling embarrassed that Andrea’s favorability toward me had increased.
Yes, favorability towards me. It wasn’t the real Del Narcissus, but the possessed fake Del, it was favorability towards me.
Was it because I smiled and made eye contact with this face? Andrea seemed to be weak to this face. Currently, Andrea’s favorability was 37, not an exceptionally high number.
Andrea handed two fake identification cards to the gate guard, who mechanically checked them. Seeing me peeking over the scarf, the guard frowned.
“Hey, take that off for a moment.”
The gate guard shook his hand in front of my face.
What to do? I looked at Andrea as if asking for guidance. Andrea, with a gentle smile, approached the guard and spoke.
“He has bad scars on his face, and it’s embarrassing for others to see. Could you make an exception and let us through just once?”
“What kind of nonsense is that? Hey! Take down that cloth.”
The guard’s tone became stern, and the way he reached for the sword at his waist was anything but casual. Startled, I tried to lower the scarf, but Andrea quickly stuck something into the guard’s stomach.
“Ugh! Wh-what are you…!”
He grabbed his stomach in surprise. There was a long line of people waiting to pass through the castle gate behind the castle gate. Other guards stood in front of us as well. At this point, if you kill someone here, how will we handle the body? My complexion changed drastically at the thought.
“Ahem. I guess I’ll let it slide this time.”
The guard, whom I thought was as good as dead, spoke with a nonchalant tone while adjusting his leather armor. Andrea smoothly received back his identification card, smiled at me, and asked, “Shall we go?”
The guard shouted loudly towards the back, “Next!” We passed through the checkpoint almost as if being chased. Neither Andrea nor I spoke until we entered the city. Only then did I look at Andrea.
“What was that just now? I thought you were stabbing him with a knife.”
“A knife? What a terrifying thought. Does Del solve problems in such a manner?”
Andrea covered his cheeks with his hands, pretending to tremble. It wasn’t even funny.
“What did you do? Did you cast a spell or something?”
I heard that among those who wield swords, there are some who know how to use magic. They become magic-swordsman. I asked Andrea if he was one of those cases, but he shrugged and gave an unexpected answer.
“I did cast a spell. The magic of bribery.”
He took out a handful of gold coins from his pants and flicked them into the air. Andrea skillfully caught the falling coin in a flash, he said that with a grin.
“I’m a pacifist, you know. Peace is created with money. Remember that, Del.”
An assassin claiming to be a pacifist. Passing monsters would probably laugh. I must have had a skeptical expression on my face. This time, Andrea pretended to be depressed.
“It’s sad that you don’t seem to believe me.”
Even with a pitiful expression and eyebrows raising forming a sad expression, I remained unmoved. I clenched my fists and stared at him sternly. Then, Andrea stopped pretending to be pitiful and playfully tilted his head.
“Del, are you still scared of me?”
“Of course…!”
I was about to say that I was scared, but I held my tongue. Honestly, I wasn’t as scared as before. I realized that as long as I inhabited this body, he wouldn’t harm me. Besides, considering the short time we had spent together, he seemed quite affectionate and sensible (except for his job).
Moreover, the feeling of fear was no longer the same as it was before.
I corrected myself with a slightly depressed voice.
“I’m not scared anymore”
Satisfied?
With a challenging look, I stared at Andrea. And then,
[Andrea Sloan’s favorability increases by +2!]
