When Your Secret Crush Wizard Took a Love Potion - Chapter 57
Before setting off in earnest, the first stop for the group was the stables.
“Welcome!”
The stable owner, who had been pulling a cart full of hay, greeted us with a professional smile.
“We’re looking to rent some horses.”
In an era where Porrit biscuits can quell hunger with just one bite, horses are no longer the essential mode of transportation they once were. With advancements in magic and alchemy, their popularity has waned compared to the past.
Unable to ignore the declining number of visitors, the stables had introduced a rental system as a stopgap measure. Customers could pay a deposit, use the horses for a short period, and leave them at a designated location for the stables to retrieve.
This was a revolutionary method for those who couldn’t afford to keep horses or needed temporary transportation for a short land journey.
Initially, there were minor issues like horses running away or overlapping drop-off points, but as both the stables and the customers became accustomed to the system, it gradually became more organized.
Nowadays, most adventurers commonly use the rental system.
“About fifteen horses, roughly?”
Olio Bennett, who had been standing idly with the group, stepped forward with a nonchalant expression.
The route had been calculated during the planning stages. Although he had to bring his own horse, Blondie, who would become jealous if he rode another horse, they planned to visit the stables after arriving in the west since they would cross a lake by boat midway.
“Horses for riding for these people. Don’t worry about my own horse.”
Olio gestured towards the mercenaries with his thumb.
As the stable owner’s gaze swept up and down Ollio, it briefly rested on his luxuriously tailored clothes and the large diamond on his ring. For a moment, a greedy glint flashed sharply in his eyes but vanished as quickly as it appeared.
“Understood. May I see your ID, please?”
The stable owner, now smiling again, appeared to be an ordinary person.
“Please fill out this application form. It includes a section about the penalties for violating the terms of use, so be sure to read it thoroughly.”
The fluttering paper had sections to be filled out by the user, including horseback riding experience, destination, and detailed usage period, with a warning at the bottom. The stable owner’s mouth twitched as he reviewed the completed form.
“The destination is near the Mistwood Forest, isn’t it? It’s quite notorious for being dangerous lately. Are you all okay with that?”
“Even if we’re not, we have to go. We have business to attend to.”
The stable owner guided us to the stalls where dozens of horses were partitioned.
“Thank you very much, sir.”
“Hold on, this isn’t a gift. We’re renting them, not giving them away.”
As the mercenaries marveled at the horses, Olio corrected them with a snort. I chose one of the horses and took the reins.
The horse approached with a snort, stamping its hooves on the ground.
“Just for a short while, but I’ll appreciate your help.”
The horse I picked was a sturdy mare with shiny brown fur. It looked well cared for, with clear eyes and no discharge, making it appear smart.
“You have a good eye. You’ve chosen a fine horse.”
Olio, who had come over, said as he looked at the horse I selected.
“It’s not as good as our Blondie, but it’s pretty decent.”
The horse affectionately named ‘Blondie’ had a white body and a golden mane matching its name. Its striking appearance drew attention wherever it went, indicating it was of a high breed. However, its training seemed lacking, as it was currently busy licking its owner’s scalp with a long, sloppy tongue.
“Our stables always provide top-quality hay and consistent training. You won’t regret it.”
The stable owner, who had been listening intently to Olio, came over to boast. His enthusiastic bragging only added to the wet mess of Blondie’s saliva on Olio’s once-fresh hair.
“Everyone’s chosen their horses, so let’s get moving.”
Olio began to organize his things, wiping his head with a towel handed by the maid.
“Hold on a moment.”
While everyone else was mounted on their horses, Edgar had been left standing alone. I signaled him to hurry up, and he pointed to the brown horse I was holding the reins of, still smiling.
At first, I didn’t understand, but then it dawned on me.
“Are you serious? You want to ride together?”
While well-trained and sturdy horses can carry a lot of cargo, accommodating two people all day long would be too much for them. Even if I sat alone, the saddle would be quite crowded, and with Edgar, who was larger than me, it wouldn’t just look awkward.
It would be impractical.
