Leaving the villagers, who send them off with uneasiness behind, Kazura’s group exited the village with Isaac to join with Isaac’s unit who was on standby at a place not far from the village.
The unit also had some cavalry element, so there were several animals that resembled a horse ――Rata―― tied up on the trees nearby.
Most of the soldiers were sitting down or taking a rest, only the guards were standing to watch at the surrounding.
In the middle of the gathered soldier was a parked covered wagon.
Currently Kazura was empty handed, the travel bag and carry case were carried by the two soldiers that were previously tasked to guard the residence entrance.
When Kazura was nearing the unit, Havel, the aide, came running towards him.
「Vice Captain, how is the preparation for the departure?」(Isaac)
「We could depart anytime. Gre……Kazura-sama, I think it will be better for you to ride on the cavalrymen’s Rata, what do you think?」(Havel)
「I have no problem with it.」(Kazura)
Cavalrymen, when Kazura heard this word from Havel, he looked at the Ratas that were tied to the trees while giving his answer.
The Ratas had saddle equipped on them, so riding it wouldn’t feel bad at least.
When Havel heard Kazura’s answer, he ran towards the Ratas that were tied to the trees.
「It will take 2 or 3 days to travel to Isteria. It will be more proper if Kazura-sama could ride the wagon, however unfortunately the wagon was fully loaded with luggage like tents and supplies……」(Isaac)
「Ah, it’s fine anyhow. Please don’t worry about it.」(Kazura)
Previously Kazura travelled to Isteria by walking, so he had firsthand knowledge how harsh travelling by walking was.
Since if he walked his sole could get blistered again, he had no complaint.
Isaac, who received Kazura’s answer, bowed his head while giving his thanks to Kazura, then he headed towards the sitting soldiers.
「Attention all units, make two columns and prepare to march! Move!」(Isaac)
When Isaac issued the instructions in loud voice, the sitting soldiers immediately stood up and began running to form two columns in marching formation.
The majority of the soldiers were infantry, but the few cavalrymen were still considered as a part of the soldiers, so they ran towards the trees where their Ratas were tied and unfastened their reins.
「Whoa….」(Kazura)
「Kazura-sama, please let me help you get up on the Rata.」(Havel)
Kazura was looking at the appearance of the soldiers forming the battle formation in hurry with a great fascination, when Havel returned with a Rata and called out to him.
But when Kazura looked at the Rata whose rein was pulled by Havel, he noticed something.
「Is there no stirrup? ……」(Kazura)
Yes, this Rata had something that looked like a saddle, but there was no stirrup.
What’s a stirrup? It’s footrests that are suspended on both sides of a horse. It was used as a foothold to get up on a horse and as an aid to balance the body when riding. There is a great slew of difference whether it exists or not when riding a horse.
「Stir-up……?」(Havel)
Hearing the lone comment that Kazura unconsciously leaked out, Havel who held the Rata’s reins asked back to him.
「Ah, no ……」(Kazura)
Before turning back to Havel, Kazura shifted his sight at the surrounding soldiers, and confirmed that the others Ratas also didn’t have stirrup.
「It’s nothing.」(Kazura)
Kazura spoke while putting his hand on the saddle.
Seeing Kazura’s hand on the saddle, Havel quickly went to Kazura’s back, and gave Kazura a boost so he could mount the Rata.
Actually this was Kazura’s first riding experience, however, even though he was more or less slow in making progress, somehow he could successfully mount the Rata, thanks to Havel’s support
The Rata’s back was quite high, maybe the viewpoint height about of 2,5 meter?
As a person on horse’s back…… or rather, a person on Rata’s back, Kazura surveyed his surroundings and saw the soldiers had already formed the marching formation.
Then Kazura looked behind at Valetta and Valin who carried their own luggage.
Of course, only Kazura would ride on a Rata, Valetta and Valin would travel on foot.
「Then, I will go towards the unit’s front. If you have some order for me, please order it to my Vice Captain.」(Isaac)
While Kazura took a rest on top of the Rata, Isaac who saw him riding from the side called out to him before heading towards the unit’s front.
When Isaac arrived at the front, his voice echoed,