Nice events - 71
Bell and Marc looked at each other.
Without needing to say anything, they both smiled and began removing the saddles and other accessories from the three horses. Once they were free of them, the horses were allowed to wander back into the forest.
The remaining horse, however, seemed somewhat excited to continue traveling with them.
Juro patted its side before climbing onto its back.
"There we go. Now I got a ride."
…
Meanwhile, Bell and Marc sat atop the Goherb alongside Greg.
"Alright, let's continue heading to a village!" Marc exclaimed proudly as he stood up. However, just as the Goherb was about to move, he suddenly remembered something and quickly shouted, "Waaait! What about those guys?!"
He pointed behind the wagon, where the bandits were still huddled together and tied up.
Juro simply smiled. "Nah, don't worry about them."
"Ohoho..." Greg chuckled nervously as he slowly began to understand what Juro had in mind for their punishment.
As the Goherb started moving, the bandits were dragged along the ground behind the wagon, bumping into rocks and pebbles and occasionally getting caught against trees and bushes along the way.
"Ow! Ack! Ah! Aukg! Ahhh!"
Their cries echoed through the forest, reaching Marc and Greg as they watched from atop the Goherb. Both felt a little sorry for the bandits, despite knowing what they had done.
Juro, however, seemed unbothered. He casually incanted, "Shizukesa," instantly silencing the bandits' cries.
"There, much better! Now, let's focus on what's ahead of us. To a village!" Juro exclaimed with a cheerful smile.
"Hahaha..." Marc chuckled, taking one last glance at the poor bandits before turning his attention back to the path ahead.
After a while, Bell had settled down and was simply lying atop the Goherb, while Marc sat beside Greg, looking around at the passing scenery. Before long, something caught his attention.
"Ooo! Teacher Juro! I think I spotted a village!" he exclaimed, standing up and pointing toward the distant settlement.
Juro raised a hand above his eyes, narrowing them as he looked in the direction Marc was pointing. A smile soon spread across his face.
"Good eye, kid."
Marc grinned before sitting back down.
As they slowly approached the village entrance, the people nearby soon noticed the enormous Goherb. Panic immediately spread among them. Some screamed and ran for safety, while several knights stationed near the entrance drew their swords and pointed them toward the approaching creature.
"Waaaittt!"
A voice suddenly called out, catching everyone's attention. The knights looked up and saw Marc standing atop the Goherb.
"This creature is friendly!" Marc exclaimed before jumping down.
Juro then snapped his fingers and dismounted, making his way toward the knights to explain the situation. Meanwhile, Marc helped Greg climb down from the Goherb, after which the merchant joined Juro in speaking with them.
After a few minutes of discussion, the knights finally understood what had happened and realized that the Goherb posed no threat. Greg was relieved to hear that and gently patted the creature, grateful for its help.
However, one of the knights soon added, "Although, as a merchant, you'll need to obtain a certification to keep a Goherb as both a mount and a draft creature."
Greg suddenly paused as he remembered something. His gaze lowered slightly, and his expression grew a little sad. Nevertheless, he managed a gentle smile before responding.
"Ah, no. I don't think that'll be necessary... I'm planning to let the creature return to where it came from. I don't want to force it to pull my wagon."
He then turned toward Juro, his smile still gentle.
"Sir Juro, thank you for helping this little merchant and safely bringing my wagon to a village. I'm also grateful that you helped me find such a wonderful creature. But I think it's only right to let it go. I'm sure this isn't something it wants to be doing."
Juro smiled before saying, "I understand."
With that, he casually moved his fingers, guiding a flow of mana around them. The mana slipped toward the ropes and belts securing the Goherb to the wagon, effortlessly releasing them until the creature was no longer attached.
Greg smiled and nodded before giving the Goherb one last pat. He then extended his hands toward the forest, gesturing for it to return to where it belonged.
"Sniffle, sniffle..."
Marc couldn't help but get emotional. "I'm gonna miss you, big guy..." he murmured, gently patting the Goherb as well.
Meanwhile, Bell simply stared into the creature's eyes for a few moment before a small smile appeared on his face.
After giving his final goodbye, Greg slowly withdrew his hand, finally stopping his gentle pats.
The Goherb turned its head toward him and stared for several seconds before letting out a deep breath through its nose.
And then they waited.
And waited some more.
Ten minutes had already passed, yet the Goherb hadn't taken a single step toward the forest. Instead, it remained right where it was, occasionally letting out a low growl and exhaling through its nose.
"Eh...?" Greg tilted his head, confused by the creature's behavior. "Buddy, you're free to go now. Look, nothings holding you back!"
He placed both hands against the Goherb's side and tried to give it a gentle push forward. However, the creature didn't budge an inch. Instead, it simply turned its head toward Greg, bringing its face close to his before blowing a gust of air directly at him.
Marc couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
"Mister Greg, I think he wants to stay with you. Pfft..."
Greg initially struggled to believe it. He looked directly at the Goherb, searching its face for some sign that Marc might be right.
"Really...?"
As soon as he said that, the Goherb casually exhaled through its nose once more, causing Greg's hair to flutter.
Juro and Marc chuckled at the sight, while Greg's eyes grew a little watery. He gently patted the Goherb again, a smile slowly spreading across his face.
He then turned toward the knights.
"Where should I go to get a certificate?"
The knights smiled and nodded before continuing their conversation with Greg about the necessary certification. Juro, Marc, and Bell remained nearby, quietly listening.
However, Bell's attention soon drifted elsewhere. He glanced past the knights and toward the village, where he spotted a young boy and what appeared to be his father.
The boy was riding a wooden rocking horse, though it seemed to be in rather poor condition. His father stood beside him, gently pushing the toy back and forth to keep it rocking.
Bell watched the two for a few moments, quietly thinking of something. Then, without saying a word, he slipped away from the group, making sure not to attract anyone's attention.
He grabbed the reins of the horse Juro had been using and began walking toward the boy and his father.
As Bell drew closer, the boy noticed the horse. His eyes immediately lit up as he looked at the horse with fascination.
The father soon noticed it as well and turned toward Bell, admiring the horse.
"Ooo! That's a pretty nice horse you've got there, kid."
Bell smiled politely.
"Thank you. Actually, I approached you two because there's something I'd like to ask."
"Hm?" the father responded, tilting his head slightly.
Bell continued, "Well, I couldn't help but notice how much your son likes horses. I was just passing by and thought you might want an actual horse instead."
The boy immediately lit up with a bright smile.
"Really?!"
His father, on the other hand, gave an awkward smile. "Ah... is that why? Haha... Well, I'd love to get a horse, but our current situation isn't very good right now. I don't think I'd be able to afford the horse you're offering."
Bell looked a little confused at first, but soon smiled as he realized the misunderstanding.
"Ah, mister, I think you've got it wrong. I'm not selling this horse."
The father's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You're not?"
"Nope, what I actually meant was that I want to give this horse to you and your son. That way, once your son grows big enough, he'll be able to ride it whenever he wants."
The boy, still sitting on his wooden rocking horse, smiled even more brightly.
"Reallyyyy?!"
Bell simply nodded.
However, the father was still struggling to understand the sudden offer.
"W-Wait! Isn't this a little too random? Why would you give away such a healthy horse? And out of everyone, why us?"
Bell merely smiled before explaining, "Well, we actually rescued this horse, and since we don't really need an extra one, I decided to give it away. Then, when I saw you two, I thought you might like to have it."
Bell delivered his explanation so casually that the father found himself smiling rather than questioning him further. He bowed his head slightly, his expression filled with gratitude.
"Thank you... We'll take good care of this horse."
The boy quickly climbed down from his rocking horse and ran toward the real one, gently patting its side. In response, the horse blew a puff of air from its nostrils toward the boy, making him giggle.
Bell and the father couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
..
Afterward, Bell handed the reins to the father and began turning around to leave. However, before he could walk away, the father suddenly called out to him.
"Ah, wait! We didn't even get to know your name!"
Bell paused and turned back toward them with a faint smile.
"Bell."
The father nodded with a warm smile, while the boy continued waving enthusiastically.
"Thank you, Bell!"
Bell waved back as he continued walking, eventually making his way out of the village.
When he returned to the group, Marc was quick to notice him.
"Oh, wait! Bell, where did you go?"
Bell casually replied, "Went into the village for a bit," before handing Marc a tangerine.
Marc happily accepted it, his attention immediately shifting to the fruit.
"Ooo! How was it in there?" he asked while slowly peeling his tangerine.
Bell began peeling his own as well. "It was nice."
At around the same time, the conversation between the knights, Greg, and Juro finally came to an end. Juro turned toward the two kids and noticed them casually chatting while eating their tangerines. A smile appeared on his face.
"Looks like we're done here."