So It Begins! Horse-Style Life Consultation

What a coincidence meeting in a place like this.

Malong gracefully dismounted his horse with a warm grin, exhibiting his usual gallantry. Not a single hupty-doo escaped his lips.

Were you the ones pursued by those bandits?

In response to Malongs casual inquiry, Rafina intended to wear her customary saintly smile and display perfect manners, but

Huh?

She failed. For an instant, all she perceived was white, and Malongs face vanished from her sight. Then, dizziness overcame her, and

Whoa there.

Immediately afterward, she heard a voice very close. Lifting her gaze again, she found Malongs face still obscured in an ivory mist. It dawned on her, the peculiar circumstancesMalong had caught her.

Huh?

Ive already escaped the clutches of death, so why is my heart still pounding? While Rafina pondered her thoughts, Malong gently set her down, propping her against one of the trees.

Youve got to be more careful, alright? Youre quite an important lady, Miss Rafina.

Y-Youre right. Th Ah!

Hurrying to stand up, Rafina once again found herself grounded.

Hey now, you cant be moving around so much when youre

Before that, theres Mia! Shes back there. In the shrubs.

Malong nodded while Rafina remained flustered. Oh, I see. So, you were with Miss Mia. Malong pushed through the underbrush and extracted Mia from beneath the overgrowth.

She hit her head on a branch while we were evading those bandits.

Hm? Did she fall off? Suddenly, it seemed as if a chill had swept over Malongs face.

No, she hit her head on that branch over there, and then she lost consciousness, so I lowered her to the ground.

On a branch? Oh. This? Malong looked up at the tree and, with a short hop, seized the branch. Yielding to Malongs weight, the branch sagged, surprisingly elastic. Afterward, Malong approached Mia, still reclining on the forest floor, and examined the shape of her head.

Will Mia be alright? I dont know what Id do if she was seriously injured

Rafina gazed into Mias face, tears welling in her eyes. And then

Uuunnnngh Mushrooms Butter So tasty

She listened to Mias dreamlike mutterings, observing as Mias mouth gently opened in tandem with her words. Rafina and Malong exchanged glances.

Well, I suppose shes alright. She doesnt appear to be injured, and since she didnt fall off the horse when that branch struck her, she must not have been moving very fast or maybe the branch wasnt that sturdy. Regardless, I believe its just the shock that rendered her unconscious, but Malongs expression suddenly turned serious. Ive repeatedly warned her not to look away while riding. Even with bandits on their tail, she didnt bother bringing any guards. I wager she got carried away trying to bring a smile to your face. I better have a stern talk with her later.

Ah! Wait! None of this is Mias fault. Its all mine for asking her to take me riding in the first place.

Malong narrowed his eyes in disbelief. Really? Mia has a tendency to get carried away. If someone needs a scolding, its best to administer it. Itll ultimately benefit her.

Not at all! Mia did everything she could to help me! Shes entirely blameless! Rafina glared at Malong, as if she were Mias defender.

Hm Theres something a bit different about you today, isnt there? Curiosity filled Malongs eyes as he observed Rafina.

Eh? Caught off guard, Rafina could only blink in response.

Well, maybe its not just today. Perhaps youve been this way for a while now. But I always thought you were the calm and collected type, with that perpetual smile on your face.

Rafina only realized it herself after it was pointed out to her.

Hes right. I was getting worked up. Losing my composure and letting my emotions take over really isnt like me.

In any case, youve got to be cautious when riding. Otherwise, its risky. Let your guard down for a moment, and youll regret it. So, if you dont want me scolding your good friend, you better do it for me, okay, miss?

Chastised rather sternly, Rafina offered an incredibly meek yet firm nod.

I must caution Mia. For her own well-being.

That resolute determination held steady in her heart. And just like that, Mias admonisher transitioned from Malong to Rafina.

Uuungh Nnh?

With remarkably well-timed precision, Mia furrowed her brow and emitted a groan.

Well, I think youre better off like this anyway. Malongs expression softened.

Rafina, met with his gentle smile, responded with a questioning gaze. Just what does that mean?

It means exactly that. Getting angry while trying to protect your friends, standing up for them even when it doesnt seem logicalits natural. Ive always felt like you were holding too much of that back. Theres no need to push yourself so far, is there?

I havent been pushing myself. Rafina puffed out her cheeks. Why hadnt she ever felt like this before? The answer was simplebefore, she didnt have such friends. There was no one she could effortlessly protect, as she had just done moments earlier. In that moment, fear suddenly bloomed in Rafinas heart, a twinge of guilt that seemed oddly similar to the elation that had filled her chest. After facing danger with a friend and confronting an overwhelming peril, she had felt content, and a part of her perceived that moment as a lapse in virtue.

As the Holy Lady of Belluga, shouldnt I avoid acting like this? Shouldnt I approach these situations with more composure?

Yknow, when theres a horse in front of you, youve gotta ride it. Its just like that.

Rafina, on the verge of descending into the abyss of despair, was brought back to her senses by Malongs words. Although she didnt quite comprehend what was happening, for some reason, he was talking about horses!

Um?

Unable to follow Malongs train of thought, Rafina held her head in question. Unaware, Malong continued.

Horses are great! They accept us humans just the way we are. Plus, with a horse carrying you across this vast earth, the tiny troubles and worries of us people feel like nothing at all. Im sure that horses worry about us, and thats something Miss Mia has come to understand. She comprehends the way horses feel about things, and I bet thats why she invited you out riding, Miss Rafina.

Right Rafina gave a vague nod before changing the subject. By the way, Malong, did you come here to apprehend those bandits?

I did. The Forest Clan was already in the area, so once we heard about the gang, we thought itd be a good chance to go and capture them, but theyre quite the group. Weve been struggling. Malong laughed and looked back at his horse. Still, its not like we came out of it empty-handed.

Only then did Rafina notice whator rather, whowas riding on top.