Chapter 117: Long Ride
The long ride heads west, away from the forest. With the sun at our backs, Ash and I gallop side by side, while the butler follows a little behind. The weather is perfect.
Since I’m leaving it all to Ruta, I can enjoy the scenery. Fields of wheat and beans stretch out before us, and in the empty spaces, I spot sheep and goats. Occasionally, there are trees scattered about, likely left standing just to gather firewood.
Gentle hills roll on, and the distant ridgeline divides the sky from the earth.
“Let’s gallop over there and take a break.”
“Yeah, it’s almost noon, so that works.”
Ash points toward a spot where a few trees grow atop a hill.
His skill with the reins is impressive—probably. I can’t really tell since I lack the ability to handle a horse myself, but he looks graceful riding. His long hair, tied back, dances in the wind as we pick up speed.
I’m definitely not as good as him! Riding a deer is easier, so I don’t mind.
“Thanks.”
I dismount and first show my appreciation to Ruta. The fact that I could keep pace with Ash’s horse is entirely thanks to him.
I unload our gear and pull out a water bottle and a bucket for the horse, pouring water into it. While Ruta drinks, I check his hooves for any stones or debris. I wet a towel to wipe off the sweat and give him a light brushing.
“Thanks for the ride back, too.”
Now, he’s free to roam.
With a soft whinny, Ruta walks over to a patch of grass that looks delicious—probably.
Ash and the butler tie their horses to a nearby tree and continue brushing them. For a moment, I wonder if I should have tied Ruta up too, but I quickly dismiss the thought.
Whatever he likes, he comes when I call. If I’m not careful, he might even snap the lead rope or kick down the stable fence with his hind legs.
I spread out a blanket in a comfortable spot and open the basket. The butler is preparing a fire to boil hot water.
I remove the leaves I had placed on top to keep them from drying out, revealing sandwiches and side dishes.
“Gene’s meals are always so visually appealing.”
Ash leans in, his face close as he peers into the basket.
“Help yourself.”
“Well…”
The popular katsu sandwich, egg sandwiches filled with plenty of eggs and something like Camembert cheese, all spread with anchovy butter on a hearty bread. Baguettes filled with roast beef, onions, and watercress.
The first thing Ash grabs is an egg sandwich.
“Note too.”
“I’ll take you up on that.”
He chooses the roast beef sandwich.
“I brought some spicy white wine, but I also have beer just in case.”
The beer is based on one I had seen before.
It’s meant to be a substitute for water, so it has a low alcohol content. Made from barley instead of wheat, it’s mixed with raspberries.
It seems to be trendy to mix all sorts of things like pine resin, breadcrumbs, sage, lavender, chamomile, bay leaves, and even whale ambergris, but I lacked the courage to experiment and opted for the safe choice of raspberry.
“Let’s go with the wine.”
“Sure thing.”
Is drinking while riding considered drunk driving?
I take an egg sandwich for myself. The saltiness of the anchovy butter on the bread, with a hint of honey as a secret ingredient. The mayonnaise and eggs are fluffy, while the cheese is creamy. I wonder if I should have added some black pepper for a more sophisticated taste.
It seems like it would pair well with the crisp white wine. This is the white wine I bought in Naruadeid, and in just a year, I’ll be of legal age in Japan, so I can finally indulge in the pantry’s alcohol. I’m looking forward to it.
“This is delicious. Is it shrimp? So savory.”
“And this one too. It’s a bit tricky to manage the oil, but we should try frying things at home as well.”
Karaage, crispy onion rings that stay crunchy even when cold, and spring rolls filled with ground river shrimp, fried to a perfect crisp.
As a salad substitute, I made tortillas from corn flour, wrapping them around chicken, onions, and cheese, along with carrot salad and shredded cabbage with ham.
I sliced the onions and salted them, but this and the cabbage are a fresh challenge for Ash and the butler. They seem to eat young dandelion leaves raw, so I think they’ll manage.
“I made everything with ingredients that can be found in town.”
Please disregard the anchovies. I confirmed that we sell eggs and flour, but the other ingredients are from our place.
I wanted to use ingredients like meat-wrapped rice balls and tomatoes for color, but I held back. Well, I suppose I’ll just have to see how it goes with the rice included? It would be tough to serve something unfamiliar as the main dish.
There was something like paella around Naruadeid, but I haven’t seen it on the continent across the mountains.
“I think you should just make what you like, Gene.”
Ash suddenly says with a serious expression, her face darkening as if clouds were swirling behind her. She’s gripping a skewer with karaage tightly.
“I may be lacking in strength now, but I promise you, Gene, I will gain the power to protect you and the things you love.”
“My lady…”
Note murmurs softly.
Ash, that declaration was too cool. And, well, my position is… you know? I’m probably strong, right? I am strong, right? Now I’m starting to feel anxious!