They discovered us quickly. The creature was so massive, and its hooves sounded like thunder, so as soon as we left the stable and started running, all eyes were on us. Strangely, I didn't feel nervous or surprised about being caught.
If anyone had hoped not to get caught while riding such a creature, that would have been more surprising.
"Go at full speed!"
Andrea shouted to Alan. Alan, hesitant at first, quickly became skilled at controlling the creature. Indeed, looking at him, one might believe he was a warrior, not a priest. Not only Alan, but the people here in general were tall and well-built. Despite being a bit thin, I was also tall.
While following Alan's broad back ahead, Andrea held the reins with one hand and pulled out a pouch filled with Waroom.
"Are you going to throw that?" I asked.
"Yes, look ahead, Del! Don't look back. I don't want the powder to go in your eyes!"
Andrea's voice, mingled with the sound of the strong wind, was powerful, clear, and friendly. I bowed my body towards the front.
Riding something similar to a horse after losing my memory for the first time surprisingly wasn't that difficult. I didn't even know if I had enjoyed horseback riding before, given I was from a noble family.
Trying to open my eyes against the wind hitting my face, I suppressed the rising fear.
As we approached the village entrance, the people who were surprised to see us, those following us, and those shouting in fear increased. The creature was so fast that their faces weren't clear, but it was evident that everyone was shocked and angry.
Then, from behind, a scream echoed. It seemed like Andrea had thrown the first pouch of Waroom. As the creature was charging forward and the wind was blowing in the opposite direction, the Waroom powder spread widely behind.
"Cover your face with a hood!"
"Ahh!"
"They're kidnapping the angel!"
"Turn back, everyone!"
However, the particles of Waroom were very fine and light, yet their effect was powerful. Those already exposed to Waroom fell or entered a state of intense excitement.
After seeing that the people who had discovered us had fallen, Andrea sat down and grabbed the reins with both hands.
"I'll go a little faster."
Andrea said to my right ear. I felt a sensation in my ear. Unconsciously, I tilted my head to the right and pressed my shoulder against Andrea's, but Andrea was focused on controlling the creature.
In the meantime, I felt pathetic for enjoying being close to Andrea, but fortunately, the urgent situation masked my emotions. From a distance, the sound of hooves similar to those of the creatures we were riding reached us. A swiftly moving group seemed to have started chasing us.
However, we had already passed through the only entrance of Sablum. As the soft, sandy desert stretched out, the creature's gallop shone even brighter. It felt like we were running through the air before our feet touched the ground.
Large and small sand dunes swiftly passed by our side. The rapidly changing scenery around us was dizzying, to the point where I felt my stomach turning. In fact, it was already upside down, the drink I had with the teacher before leaving the house was churning in my stomach.
Sensing my discomfort, Andrea whispered from behind,
"Just endure a little longer."
Then, something swooshed from behind and I saw something flying into the sand, disappearing with a thud.
What was that? I couldn't see it properly as it passed by too quickly, and when I tried to turn back to look, Andrea urgently shouted,
"Look ahead, Del!"
I turned my head back to the front and witnessed it. Another arrow flew from behind, embedding itself in the creature's butt, ridden by Alan at the front.
"Kwaaaah!"
The creature let out a more terrifying scream than expected, lifting its front legs high. Then, it began to shake its body violently, galloping wildly. Alan tried to hold onto the reins to prevent falling, but he couldn't match the enormous strength of the creature. Soon, Alan screamed and fell off the creature.
"Alan!"
Fortunately, there was nothing but sand around, so he didn't seem to be injured. However, the creature, still writhing, had an arrow stuck in its butt. It was a dangerous situation where he could be stepped on by the creature's foot.
Swoosh, swoosh.
Meanwhile, arrows kept coming from behind.
"What do we do about Alan? Andrea! We'll die like this!"
As I shook Andrea's arm and shouted, Andrea muttered a curse under his breath. Then, he urgently pulled the reins, turning the direction of the creature we were riding.
"Just keep riding. Don't get off."
After saying that, Andrea jumped off the creature. I was alarmed, thinking Andrea might get hurt, but he rolled on the ground a few times and quickly stood up. Then, he ran towards the creature that was rampaging around Alan.
He hung on to the creature's neck, then put all his weight and turned the creature towards him..
"Priest! Pull out the arrow and treat the creature!"
Andrea shouted.
The creature, with its head and front legs pinned down, kicked its hind legs. But Alan skillfully avoided them and, with all his strength, pulled out the arrow. As the arrow came out, spurting blood stained Alan's white clothes.
Alan poured divine power into the creature's wounds without hesitation. A bright and dazzling light flowed out, enveloping the creature's body. Then, the creature's blood stopped flowing. The wounds miraculously healed like a lie.
The creature stopped resisting because the pain had suddenly disappeared. Andrea also released the creature's neck, as the creature had calmed down.
"Ride that."
Andrea gestured to Alan. He was pointing at the creature I was riding.
"Go with Del first. Don't look back, just go fast."
Andrea said this while taking out a pouch of Waroom from his waist. In no time, a dagger appeared in his hand.
"What about you?"
"Then what are you going to do, brother?"
I asked at the same time as Alan. Andrea kicked the arrow Alan had pulled out with his foot and replied.
"They are already caught up. We'll meet him in about a minute. First, we need to deal with the pursuers. I'm the only one here who can do that."
Then, Andrea smiled at me.
"I'll catch up soon, Del. Don't abandon me and run with the priest alone."
"Wait, then we'll stay nearby..."
As I was about to crawl down from the creature, Alan rushed over and stopped me.
"It would be wise to listen to the brother. Your safety is our top priority."
With that, Alan quickly climbed up behind me. Before I could say anything, he took the reins and shouted, "Hyah!" Andrea, gradually becoming smaller, soon turned into a tiny dot.
"No, wait...!"
Is this person really a priest? Why so fast?
"He may be the leader of the Information Guild, but Brother Andrea is incredibly strong, with exceptional combat skills. Frankly, when we escaped from the warehouse earlier, it was believable even if he claimed to be the leader of the Assassination Guild. Don't worry, Narcissus. Brother Andrea will be fine."
I knew it too. Andrea was strong. From tearing apart Fernando's wrist with just his hand strength, it was evident that he possessed formidable power. He was so powerful that even the tribal Chief couldn't treat him carelessly, which is why he took over as my guard.
"But there will be several of them coming...! They'll shoot arrows, wield enormous swords, and probably use Waroom powder!"
"Narcissus."
Alan spoke firmly.
"Even if you were to return there now, would you be able to help?"
"That..."
"Continuing like this will only burden Brother Andrea. For now, securing a safe place and waiting for him is the best option."
He added, "Eura has told each of us to fulfill our roles. Our current role is this."
After that, Alan mentioned that there were naturally occurring caves in the desert. If we found a cave, we could hide there. It took three days from here to Deserent, but first, we had to wait for Andrea. We talked of a lot of things like what we can do once this creature arrives at a cave. It seemed like Alan was trying to distract me from my worries about Andrea.
As we rode the creature through the desert, I listened to his words. Yes, Andrea was strong. Somehow, he would come back. There was still one creature left beside him. He promised to return riding that one. I held onto that promise.
We ran for a long time without stopping, and by the time the night deepened and dawn arrived, we hadn't encountered anyone chasing us. The people of Sablum and Andrea didn't show up.
"It's a cave!"
Alan shouted.
After about six hours since leaving Sablum, we finally came to a stop in front of a cave.