Chapter 77: The Horse’s Limit

Since Lloyd's stolen 'Ride' skill had reached its maximum level, I thought we'd reach Galan without being caught.

Naturally, events didn’t proceed so neatly. We were now in considerable danger.

“Lloyd-sama! Right!”

“This way!”

At Lilina’s warning, I pulled the reins and steered right. Seconds later, a mass of flame passed through the place we’d just occupied.

“Damn it! Missed again!”

“Why can’t we hit them?!”

Listening to their complaints, I tried to accelerate, but the carriage barely gained speed.

…This was bad. The horse had reached the limit of its endurance.

Despite my ability to steer freely, the pursuers were gaining because our horse wasn’t bred for speed.

Compared with theirs, the horse pulling us was broad and heavy.

It was probably suited to transporting large loads at a steady pace, not escaping pursuit.

This was not an animal meant to sprint at full strength again and again.

Because 'Ride' had reached its maximum level, it apparently told me even the mount's traits, strengths, and weaknesses.

It also told me that understanding them couldn’t solve our problem.

“Swift Wind… Sniping!”

“Gwah! Aaaah!”

Shoom! CRACK!

Alisha’s voice, the men’s screams, and the sound of a wheel breaking came from behind. I breathed in relief.

“Lloyd-sama! I destroyed their wheel!”

“You saved us, Alisha! We’ll run a little farther, then let the horse rest!”

I urged it onward just far enough to get out of the pursuers' sight, then stopped and climbed down.

“Are you all right?”

I placed a bucket of water beside the horse. It drank ravenously, but water couldn’t instantly restore the stamina lost through repeated sprints. It continued panting heavily.

We could steal one of the pursuers’ carriages, but then we’d have to abandon this one.

We’d already dragged its coachman into our trouble. Taking his carriage away as well was too much.

We had continued escaping somehow, but this couldn’t last forever.

Thinking that, I gently stroked the horse.

“I’ve forced you too hard. I’d like to let you rest here as long as possible, but…”

“Lloyd-sama! I hear a carriage ahead and to the right!”

Lilina leaned from the driver’s seat and pointed sharply.

I frowned toward the indicated direction.

“Ahead? Are they trying to surround us?”

Several carriages had pursued from behind, but none had previously moved around to our front.

If they cut us off now, our exhausted horse couldn’t outrun them.

“I’m sorry. We need to get in front of them before they close the trap. Can you do it?”

When I stroked the horse’s head, it nodded despite its panting.

I climbed back aboard and drove again. But an exhausted horse couldn’t produce speed, and the carriage Lilina had detected rapidly drew closer.

We nevertheless reached the suspension bridge on the route to Galan. Unfortunately, the enemy carriage arrived first and waited across the bridge’s entrance.

“Lloyd-sama, I hear carriages behind us too.”

“…They’ve completely trapped us.”

Lilina tugged my clothes and looked back. I followed her gaze, then returned my attention to the front.

The carriage blocked the mouth of the bridge. Unless we dealt with it, we couldn’t cross.

“No choice. We’ll charge through.”

“Huh?”

With enemies both ahead and behind, we had to force open one side.

I tightened my grip on the reins.