Chapter 14 (1/2)
Chapter 14. To Lea Marquisate
TL: Warriormonk
Editor: Isleidir
Luke left on the same day with Kurotan in tow. Luke began to teach Kurotan horseback riding immediately.
“Kurotan, you have to know how to ride a horse. Unfortunately, we have to move quickly, so you won’t have time to take your training easily.”
“All right.”
“Horseback riding is rather challenging for new beginners, just consider it a way to train your reflexes and whatnot. Come, I’ll teach you how to mount.”
Luke taught Kurotan how to mount on the horse, and how to reign the horse as well. Kurotan nodded.
“All right. I should be able to ride a horse now.”
“Hey, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d, don’t look down on horseback riding. You’ll regret it when you fall off your horse and become disabled…”
Kurotan looked slightly confused when he approached his horse.
“The horse isn’t scared. How strange. When I was an Orc, I could not approach horses without them going mad and raising havoc.”
Kurotan mounted the horse like he had been taught.
“How do I make the horse run?”
“Dig into its side with the heels of your feet, but that’s too much for you right now. Just push down slightly with your thighs and slowly start it off in a trot… Hey!”
Luke gave a startled shout. Kurotan had kicked into the horse’s side with his heels without a second thought.
Hihihiing.
The horse gave a shout and started to run ahead.
“This b.a.s.t.a.r.d! What if he falls?”
The startled Luke hurried to mount his own horse, but his eyes soon widened in horror and amazement.
“Wh-What the f.u.c.k?”
Surprisingly, Kurotan was doing just fine above the speeding horse. His loose waist and upper body swayed in rhythm with the horse’s movements, dispersing the shock from the horse’s hooves. .h.i.tting the ground. Apparently not satisfied with the horse’s speed, Kurotan continued to kick the horse’s side.
Dudududu.
Kurotan was riding a horse like he was an experienced Knight. Luke followed with disbelief showing on his face.
“How? How is he riding a horse so well? I know for a fact that this is his first time.”
His stance was a little awkward, but Kurotan was riding the horse at full speed like they were sharing one body. Kurotan rode on for around thirty minutes before glancing back at Luke.
“How do I stop the horse?”
“Pull the reigns.”
“All right.”
A little while later, Kurotan’s horse slowed to a trot and finally came to a stop. Luke approached hurriedly to ask his question.
“What the h.e.l.l? I thought this was your first time riding a horse?”
“I have not ridden a horse before. I have ridden wolves countless times.”
Luke understood how Kurotan was able to display such skill at horseback riding.
“Of course. Orcs ride wolves instead of horses, right?”
“Yes, and I was an experienced Wolf Rider. Not just me, but most of the Orcs that were hiding out with me in the Eastern mountain ranges were Wolf Riders.”
Kurotan took a look at his heaving horse.
“A horse is easier to ride than a wolf. There is less shaking, and the horse follows orders well.”
“Is that so?”
“But their ability to jump and instant acceleration is far behind that of a wolf’s. However, wolves get tired easily.”
Luke smiled bitterly.
“Well, it’s a relief that you are so skilled at horseback riding. You should be fairly familiar with fighting on top of a horse as well.”
“Of course. I killed countless human Knights during my time as a Wolf Rider.”
“Hey, I’m a Knight as well, so stop saying such things. You’re an apprentice knight, as well.”
“All right.”
Kurotan continued to perfect his horseback riding, with Luke only having to tweak his stance from time to time. Kurotan did not forget the things that he had been taught, even once.
“How do you raise a wolf, anyway?”
“You catch one when it’s young. You have to be prepared to be bitten a lot, of course.”
Kurotan reminisced back to his days as a Wolf Rider.
“Horses are not bad to ride, but they are not as good as wolves. Wolves are able to jump over most obstacles.”
“But you can’t ride any wolves from now on. Humans have longer legs than wolves, making us too unbalanced to ride horses.”
“You are right. And the food on my plate decreased when I raised a wolf. I have to feed the wolf rather than myself.”
“Ah, wolves and Orcs both eat meat.”
Luke and Kurotan rode side by side, conversing. It was interesting for Luke to learn about the previously hidden lives and culture of Orcs.
“So, Kurotan.”
“What is it?”
Luke’s face darkened.
“My fiancée is currently in a dangerous situation.”
“Fiancée?”
“The woman who has promised to marry me.”
“Ah, I see. What about it?”
“We might encounter danger when we arrive at Lea Marquisate. We have to be prepared.”
Kurotan puffed out his chest, as if telling Luke not to worry.
“Life as an Orc was constant danger. Danger does not scare me.”
“Ah, as expected from a former fearless Orc. All right. I will give you a good gift during dinner tonight.”
“Gift? Food?”
Luke rolled his eyes in disbelief and muttered.