Taming The Villainesses

Episode 279.2

Mirna, equally impressed, asked Stella.

“Isn’t this a griffon?”

“No, it’s a hippogriff. A hybrid born between a griffon and a mare. It’s incredibly fast, strong, and sturdy. It’s ten horses in one.”

A hippogriff, huh?

What a fascinating magical beast. Now that I think about it, its lower body does resemble a horse. Half horse, half griffon—kind of like how I’m half human and half fairy.

━Fwirr!

As I felt a strange sense of kinship and began gently stroking its back, Mirna asked, still puzzled.

“I heard griffons eat horses. How could they possibly produce offspring with them?”

I didn’t know much about griffon biology, but Mirna’s question did sound strange. The idea of a griffon, a predator of horses, having a child with one?

Stella clicked her tongue.

“Mirna-yang seems not quite aware yet, but love is both complex and simple. It’s not so strange that a horse and a griffon could fall in love.”

“Is that so?”

Mirna still seemed unconvinced.

However, the important thing right now wasn’t whether it’s a griffon or a hippogriff, but rather how fast and comfortable the carriage pulled by this guy would be.

“This is the carriage, then.”

“Yes, Theo-kun. Go ahead, open it up and take a look inside.”

With Stella’s confident words, I opened the carriage door and inspected the interior.

As expected of a carriage rented at great expense by Stella Bellhawk, the inside was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate five or six people.

It even had a magical device similar to a refrigerator, and cool air was being blown in, making it feel more like a limousine for the wealthy rather than a carriage. Perhaps it’s closer to a camping trailer.

I’m a little excited.

I subtly glanced at how Mirna, a noble, would react—she was biting the tip of her thumb, muttering, “To indulge in such luxury for a carriage…,” looking perplexed.

I suppose she likes it.

Fluff, fluff.

The cushion of the seat feels nice too.

It’s true that I was feeling a bit tired at the thought of having to travel for days in a carriage during this sweltering summer. But if we’re riding in such a well-equipped carriage, I think I can manage.

“Well then, let’s get going.”

Mirna and I boarded the carriage at Stella’s signal. Soon after, the carriage started moving at the signal from the experienced fairy coachman.

Srrr—

As the carriage smoothly glided along the road without the slightest jolt, I couldn’t help but be a little impressed by the ride.

Before long, we had left the palace behind, passed beyond the massive walls of the royal capital and were greeted by the endlessly stretching fields.

Whooosh—

The fields glowed under the blazing golden sun.

As I watched everything sway in the breeze, my mind, which had been occupied with various thoughts, also seemed to stir deeply.

Is this what it feels like to travel? I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been on one before.

Still, I felt incredibly good. Seeing the scarecrows swaying in the vast fields made my heart feel open and free.

As I was lost in that feeling—staring out the window for a while, Stella, who was sitting across from me and spreading butter on some bread, spoke up.

“Theo-kun, you’re acting like a child who’s riding in a carriage for the first time.”

“Ah.”

It was then that I realized I might have come across as a bit unsophisticated.

Now that I looked around, I noticed that, except for me, everyone else—Mirna, with Yingying on her head, and Stella—was calm and leisurely. This must be what it means to be a noble.

━Yingyingyaing

* * *

The carriage that had been traveling for quite some time finally came to a stop around lunchtime.

We stepped outside, stretching our stiff bodies, and laid out a mat under a tree to enjoy our meal.

Swish.

As Mirna and I were eating, Stella, who had been studying a map, compared the distant mountain ridges and forest paths before speaking.

“At this pace, we should reach the nearby village of Bilshukrim by tonight. We can have dinner there and spend the night as well.”

I see. So we could stay at an inn in the village tonight. I had vaguely expected we might have to camp out on the first night, so this was good news.

As I finished my meal and was tidying up, I noticed Mirna approaching Stella, who was perched up in a tree.

At the same time, I felt a bit of tension.

Mirna and I were quite close.

Stella and I also have a certain history together, and we’ve developed our own kind of rapport.

But as for the relationship between Stella and Mirna…, How should I put it? Was there a point of contact between the two?

While they do share the commonality of being young ladies from noble families, that’s where the similarities end.

As a result, the day felt awkward, like someone introducing and connecting my friend with another friend.

Listening in, Mirna said to Stella while looking up at the tree.

“Lady Bellhawk, can you see anything up there?”

“I can see well enough. From the flow of the wind to how the weather will change. We might get a bit of rain tomorrow or the day after.”

“I see… I didn’t expect you to volunteer to guide us on this trip.”

Like Mirna, I was also a bit surprised. Stella, who was very busy managing various affairs, had volunteered to guide us on this trip to the witch city of Sandora and the wall.

“Well-,” Stella then jumped down from the tree and replied.

“Well, I do have a few debts to repay to you both. Besides, I’m personally interested in Mirna-yang and Theo-kun.”