Chapter 49

Well, it’s such a lovely day today!

Perfect for a picnic.

The azure sky is cloudless and clear, so refreshing that it makes you want to hum a tune. And the view from horseback, now that’s really something else. Thanks to riding a horse, you can leisurely gaze over the expansive green fields and the fruit-laden orchards.

“Takumi, you’ve certainly grown. I fondly remember when Felix used to help you onto the horse.” Hearing that voice from behind as I stopped my horse to admire the view, I turned my head around.

Replying to the teasing comment, I said, “Well, compared to Gazelle and Felix, I’m still not quite there. If I seem capable, it’s all thanks to the horse.”

“If you understand that, you’re well on your way. A horse isn’t just a tool for us to ride on. They’re our partners. We need to respect each other to make it work.” The man flashing a big, white-toothed grin was Gazelle Listini.

He’s a tall, handsome man with burgundy hair and golden eyes. His sharp, masculine features and robust physique are evident even through his clothes, showing how well-conditioned he is. He is the leader of the Black-winged Knights, one of the eight knight orders of the Ritzheim Magic Kingdom. As a member of the Black-winged Knights, he’s my superior and, also, my guarantor in this country where I have no family. To be honest, he’s someone I deeply respect. 

Today, we three, including the absent Vice-Captain Felix, came out for a picnic along the road outside the east gate of Ritzheim Magic Kingdom. Under a cloudless blue sky, green hills dotted with leafy trees make for a peaceful scene. 

By the way, Felix went off to find a suitable place for us to have lunch about ten minutes ago.

‘But Felix, you’re a bit late. You said you’d be back in a few minutes… maybe I should have gone with you? But then again, I can’t keep up with Felix’s horsemanship…’

“—Although the horse you’re riding, Takumi, is actually quite a temperamental one. It’s thrown off many of our comrades, yet it obediently listens to you.”

“Is that so? I’ve always thought of it as a docile horse, easy to handle.”

“Maybe it’s because it’s also ‘black’. Maybe it feels a kinship with you.”

As Gazelle suggested, this robust, magnificent horse I was riding was a “black horse”, covered in pure black hair from head to tail. Gazelle was referring to my black hair and black eyes.

In the Ritzheim Magic Kingdom, there are no other people with black hair and black eyes. I don’t know about other countries, but within this nation, I’m the only one with such features.

While I am quite a rarity in this country… I’ve never had girls screaming, “Wow, your black hair and black eyes are so unique and cool! Can I get your autograph?!” Just because it’s rare doesn’t mean that black hair and black eyes are seen as cool… what a sad reality.

So why am I, the only one with black hair and black eyes, in the Ritzheim Magic Kingdom? It’s because I’m not from this world.

In fact, I’m not from this world at all.

Originally, I was just a humble student living in Japan. But one day, by some twist of fate, I found myself in the world of the RPG game I was playing in my world, “Change The World”.

At first, I felt despair at being transported to a world filled with death flags like monster attacks and confrontations with the Demon Lord. But now, I’m managing somehow. Yeah, despite everything, I’m managing.

I’ve really gone through a lot…

I’ve fought pirates and monsters, and as a result of those battles, I was invited by Gazelle to join the Black-winged Knights, and I even developed potions with the rest of the knights. 

And through the Knights, I also met people from the Yellow-winged and White-winged Knight orders—the three orders, including the Black-winged Knights, worked together to repel a horde of monsters that attacked the city of Menonu.

I can’t believe it’s already been three weeks since that battle. I’m just glad no one important to me died in that fight!

In the scenario of the “Change The World” game I played in my world, the Black-winged Knights would have been decimated in that battle in Menonu city. But we were able to overcome that battle. There are still numerous problems, but up until now, we’ve managed to scrape through with everyone’s help. So as long as everyone’s help is there, there shouldn’t be a problem we can’t overcome. As long as I don’t hold everyone back!

“Captain Gazelle, Takumi!”

As I reflect on the events of this world, I am lost in thought when I hear the sound of horse hooves from behind. The young man calling out our names is Felix Von Alpharetta.

He, with his flowing golden hair and amethyst eyes, holding the reins of a white horse, gracefully racing across the field, is just like a prince on a white horse from a fairy tale. He’s so elegant, honestly, I’m embarrassed by how full of myself I was feeling after Gazelle complimented me earlier.

By the way, Felix is the third son of an Earl’s family and serves as the vice-captain of the Black-winged Knights, to which I belong.

With good looks, an elite background, and an excellent family lineage, I don’t even feel like competing with him as a man! Moreover, Felix is such a great young man… Honestly, these two have very high specifications.

The heavens have not only granted them two gifts but seem to have wrapped and presented them with five. Why on earth did these two perfect superhumans confess their love to me, I still wonder.

“What’s up, Felix?”

“Captain Gazelle, it’s just that… I’ve received an urgent message from the Knights. Apparently, a pack of Great Wolves has appeared along the highway at the east gate.”

“…Lately, monsters are increasingly descending into human settlements.”

At Felix’s news, Gazelle furrowed his brows, his face showing concern. “A squadron of the White-winged Knights is already heading to subdue them, so it should be fine… What should we do?”

“Just our luck on a day perfect for a pleasure trip. But it’s too late once something happens. Maybe we should change our location.” Gazelle shrugged his shoulders as if resigning himself to the situation.

I too feel disappointed, but I don’t want to accidentally encounter a pack of Great Wolves. Even though this is a place away from the highway, it doesn’t mean it’s completely safe.

Gazelle, Felix, and I are armed just in case, but we don’t really want to fight monsters even on our day off. Besides, it’s fine for Gazelle and Felix since they are powerful knights, but I can’t fight decently without relying on the skills of “this sword”. 

While thinking about these things, my horse neighed softly. Responding to the sound that seemed to be trying to convey something, I gently stroked the horse’s neck.

Then, the horse turned its glossy, dark eyes towards me.

“Were you listening to our conversation?” I asked, trying it out, and the horse neighed again.

It might be a coincidence, but it feels like I’m really having a conversation with the horse, which somehow makes me happy. 

As I pet the horse again, I whispered gently. “Are you disappointed too? I’m disappointed as well. I hope the Great Wolves get subdued quickly.”

“Neigh!”

“Eh?” After the horse neighed louder than before, it kicked the ground and started running at an incredible speed.

Caught by surprise, all I could do was grab the reins and try to not get thrown off, while Gazelle and Felix shouted in surprise from behind,

“Takumi!”

“Takumi, what on earth…!”

I couldn’t even reply. Was I not ready for horseback riding after all?!

Being praised by Gazelle, getting ahead of myself, and then this, was the payback for being so smug!!!! Right, it makes sense… It’s my first time riding a horse since I came to this world after all…

Despite desperately trying to stop the horse, it completely refused to listen to me. Before long, I could see what looked like a human figure in the distance.

Moreover, they seemed to be familiar people… Wait, oh no!!!! The horse trampled over something that looked like a dog as it passed by! The unpleasant sensation of breaking bones was transmitted to me through the vibrations!!!! The person standing beside the dog stared at me with a shocked expression. But, without having time to apologize to him, the horse charged ahead like a runaway train.

This horse, what has got into it that it’s running so desperately… wait, what’s that?!

Looking ahead where the horse was going, there was a young man with orange hair and—a wolf-like monster with its fangs bared, heading straight for him.

The wolf-like monster, as big as a calf with its off-white fur, glowed with a hostile gaze, about to bite the young man.

Ah, I recognize that monster…!

It’s the Great Wolf, a monster that frequently appeared in “Change the World”! Wow, it’s such a terrifying monster when you see it up close…! I used to hunt dozens, even hundreds of them in “Change the World” for experience, but I couldn’t possibly feel the same way about the real thing.

“Ah…!”

While I was busy thinking, the young man with the orange hair tripped and fell to the ground. Not missing this opportunity, the Great Wolf lunged at the young man!

“Damn, I have no choice!”

I unhesitatingly threw the katana I had on my waist towards the young man. From what I could see, the young man didn’t seem to have any weapons. It’s too late to help from here, but at least with a weapon, he should be able to resist a bit—if he can buy even a little bit of time, the horse should make it in time! 

With that thought, I threw the Japanese sword. Like a boomerang, it whizzed through the air towards the young man.

“Ah…”

The thrown sword, due to my poor throwing skills, slipped out of its sheath mid-flight. Continuing with its momentum, the sharp tip plunged into the neck of the Great Wolf, which was about to bite the young man. 

I guess there’s such a thing as dumb luck, huh?!

Fortunately, it seems like the Great Wolf was taken down with that one blow.

I spurred my horse on, making my way to the young man. After descending from the horse carefully to prevent any fall, I hesitantly approached the youth. “Are you okay?” I asked.