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Frontier Lord Chapter 035 – Aruna’s Joy

「If you’re going to move you can take the reins of the four horse-drawn carriages over there. Since they’re yours now Lord Dias, it seems like an opportune moment to learn how to ride them.」

Camalotte suggested. After reading the letter and inventory provided by Eldan, the time had come to proceed to Irk Village

I had been informed that the four-horse carriages assigned to me were quite challenging to maneuver, and that it would be best if I learned how to handle them from the original owners.

Given that the driver’s seat was wide, Camalotte suggested that he sit by me, while I handled the reins. His rose would be to assist me in various ways while providing guidance on how to operate the carriage.

「The four horses that are already tied to that carriage over there are dependable, hardy horses. I’m sure that with my guidance you’ll be able to handle them in no time, Lord Dias.」

Camalotte said. Just as I was about to ask him for further guidance Aruna, who’d been standing next to me, spoke up,

「Dias. You’ve been talking a lot about receiving these carriages and these horses, but is this really true? Are they really ours?」

Aruna’s words made me pause briefly, and I realized that I hadn’t informed her about the contents of the inventory… 

「That’s right. They’re ours. Eldan sure went out of his way. And it’s not just the horses and carriages. He’s also given us supplies like sugar and tea.」

As I handed over the inventory to Aruna, she gazed at it intently and then… lifted her head, her expression transforming into a radiant smile.

「We’re receiving four horses! Dias! It’s horses! Horses I tell you! This is the best day in my life!」

Aruna suddenly raised her voice so loudly and dashed toward the horses. She proceeded to tenderly caress each of them with care.

As she did so, Aruna’s mouth overflowed with words of delight, one after another… it was evident that she was truly elated about receiving the horses.

According to things I’d heard, horses held immense significance for the Oni Tribe, serving both as a vital means of transportation and as a key factor in their military power. Their value was believed to be on par with, if not greater than, that of mares.

And if the horse happened to be a healthy, swift one, its value naturally soared even higher.

The possession of numerous horses signified wealth and prowess, yet Aruna’s family lacked the affluence to possess horses outright. They had to rely on borrowing horses from other families. Aruna carried complex emotions concerning her family circumstances… 

「Ever since I was a kid, I’ve dreamt of being part of a family that owns horses! Given that you’re a man amongst men, I was sure that you’d get one eventually Dias, but I never imagined it’d be this soon!」

As Aruna’s excitement continued to build while she expressed her thoughts, I decided it was time to intervene and help her calm down. I hastened to Aruna’s side, and she enveloped me passionately. I couldn’t help but be swept up in her excitement and return the embrace.

Camalotte, the guards, and the drivers, taken aback by Aruna’s sudden outburst and actions, wore smiles—perhaps amused by her demeanor. Their curious gazes then shifted towards me, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of embarrassment. Although I was a bit embarrassed by the whole situation, that wasn’t the case at all for Aruna.

While still embracing me, Aruna disclosed that she had been studying horse care and handling since her childhood. She even mentioned her proficiency in driving and expressed her eagerness to oversee all matters related to the horses.

It was clear that Aruna’s passion for horses ran deep, and she genuinely desired to care for them.

「Okay, Aruna, I get it. I get it, so please calm down. From now on, you’re in charge of all the matters related to the horses.」

I said and Aruna smiled brightly, brimming with joy, but then she suddenly exhaled and appeared to grasp the situation she was in. 

She became aware of the attention she was attracting and, with her face reddening, rapidly moved away from me without uttering a word.

It took quite some time before Aruna was able to recover from the enthusiastic display.

In the end, it was determined that the guidance and assistance of the mentioned drivers, as mentioned by Camalotte earlier, would not be required.

This decision was reached because Aruna exhibited an abundance of knowledge and familiarity while preparing the horses and carriages for departure.

Seeing her proficiency, I realized that I might not need formal instruction when I eventually needed to learn.

「I believe that it would be beneficial for you to learn from Lady Aruna. You are without a doubt in capable hands.」

Camalotte remarked.

I couldn’t help but wonder if my prior conversation with Aruna had inadvertently sparked some strange thoughts in Camalotte and the others’ heads.

Regarding the journey to Irk Village, it had been established beforehand that Aruna would take the reins of the four-horse carriages, and I would ride next to her.

While I wouldn’t have minded walking instead of riding in a horse-drawn carriage, my preference was unanimously dismissed.

With all the preparations for departure completed, the carriages headed to Irk Village.

The lead carriage was the one in which Aruna and I were seated, given our role at the forefront. It was followed by the carriage driven by Camalotte, and finally, the last carriage was drawn by the White Ghees.

By the way, my battle axe had been placed at the back of our carriage. I figured that it would only bother us while driving, and considering the presence of guards around the convoy, there was no need to concern myself with it.

「Dias, I’m sorry for back then. I got so carried away in my happiness.」 

Amidst the sounds of wheels turning, carriages creaking, and the horses’ breaths Aruna spoke in a subdued voice.

「Hm? There’s no need to worry about it. I won’t lie, it was a bit embarrassing, but it was a chance for me to get to know you better, Aruna.」

I responded in a calm, understanding manner, seeing as how Aruna wasn’t the best of spirits.

Reflecting back, I realized that since the beginning of my time with Aruna, our conversations had mainly revolved around daily life and matters concerning the territory. We’d rarely had an opportunity to delve into each other’s personal preferences or backgrounds.

I wasn’t aware that Aruna had such a strong affinity for horses, or that she desired one so eagerly. Had I known these things, I could have reassured her better about obtaining a horse, and I might have foreseen her exuberance. There was no way I would fault Aruna for her reactions.

Looking back I was happy that her reaction had been this mild. If it had been the same as the time I’d slain the Earth Dragon or gotten engaged to her, then it would’ve been way worse.

「B-But I still did that in front of all those people… Didn’t it offend you, Dias? Aren’t you angry?」

「If it was another woman then maybe I would be, but it was you Aruna. I don’t mind it at all. It didn’t offend me, nor did it anger me. It was a bit embarrassing though, so please hold off on doing it in front of other people.」

I said, and Aruna didn’t reply any further.

She simply nodded a few times and then redirected her focus to steering the carriage, fixing her gaze solely on the road ahead.

From that point onward, the carriage journey continued in silence between Aruna and me.

It was a truly serene and tranquil moment. As the sun began its descent, the shapes of yurts, draped in white cloth, and Klaus, spear in hand and alert, guarding the village of Irk, came into view.

Klaus had his spear at the ready as the carriage approached the village, but upon recognizing that it was Aruna and me seated on the coachman’s stand, he lowered his weapon and hurried toward us in a state of alarm.

Along the way, he cast puzzled glances at the carriage we occupied and the others trailing behind us. With a bewildered expression, he inquired,

「Lord Dias, what is up with all of these carriages?」

I explained to Klaus that the convoy consisted of Camalotte who had triggered Aruna’s Sense, and that Eldan had prepared various supplies alongside farming tools, which explained the multitude of carriages. I clarified that we had not only received goods but also the carriages and the horses. In response, Klaus broke into a smile and exclaimed,

「That’s amazing! Not just the horses but the carriages as well?! I’ll make sure to inform everyone in the village!」

With that, he hurried off toward the village square.

After a while, Senai and Aihan emerged, each holding a white bundle in their hands. Following them were Francis and Francois, who appeared to have recently undergone haircuts.

From the looks of it, it appeared that Francis and Francois had been having their wool sheared just moments ago.

With the bundles of white wools in their hands both Senai and Aihan waved happily, welcoming our safe return to Irk Village.