Mochitsuki Tearmoon Empire: Volume 11

1. Auflage 2024
ISBN: 978-1-7183-7168-2
Verlag: J-Novel Heart
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 250 Seiten

Reihe: Tearmoon Empire

The fate of the Fire Clan resting on her shoulders, Mia heads off on the Matching of Steeds-a two-day race that will push her horsemanship skills to their limits. Her plan? To lose, of course! There's no way she could best an Equestri in a horse race. That would be absurd. Except...the absolute faith of her comrades throws a wrench in that plan. While they all expect her to win, Mia's faith in herself pales in comparison to theirs. She thus spends the race scheming to create the most favorable defeat! But will her splash-fights, horse-shaped bread, and friendly attitude be enough to win over her opponent?

Autoren/Hrsg.

Mochitsuki, Nozomu

Weitere Mitwirkende

Gilse

Willette, Madeleine

Leseproben

Chapter 1: Our Hearts Are One...or Not

After finishing up with the Meeting of Chieftains, Mia met with Ludwig and the others to return to the lodgings of the Forest Clan, all the while gloating in her heart. There, she filled Ludwig and the other key members of her crew in on the proceedings.

“A Matching of Steeds, is it? And Your Highness plans to participate...” moaned Ludwig as he wrinkled his brow.

“Precisely. As I understand it, it’s a two-day long-distance horse race.”

The race would start at the Southern Capital and end at a place known as Stargrass Rock. was the Matching of Steeds.

“I see... It’s uncertain whether Her Highness will be able to best a Mountain Clan rider. In which case, logic states that the best solution would be to lose under the most favorable of circumstances possible. Yet...” Before Mia had time to offer an explanation, Ludwig had predicted her thoughts perfectly. However, his statement appeared to somewhat end in negation. This began to weigh on Mia’s mind, but before she could follow up on it, Ludwig let out a sigh. “No matter the circumstance, procuring a convoy is in order. I’ll have the Princess Guard begin with preparations immediately.” He glanced at their member in attendance.

“I don’t believe there’s a need for such extreme security. I hear that the Equestrian Kingdom will be supplying their own guards. But well, they appear to be more referees than guards...”

Mia took a moment to recall earlier events. Once the Meeting of Chieftains was over, a burly chief had suddenly approached her.

“Princess Mia. I express my deepest gratitude to your suggestion, courage, and sympathy for our Equestrian Kingdom,” he had said. “Those of my clan will diligently guard you during the Matching. Should the Mountain Clan try anything, we will be sure to protect you.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

Seeing Mia’s confusion, the chief politely explained the situation—the Equestris viewed the Matching of Steeds as something both incredibly strict and incredibly sacred. Thus, not just one, but different clans sent two representatives each to act as watchmen so as to ensure there was no subterfuge at play, constantly sticking to both participants. Due to the personal involvement of both the Forest and Mountain clans, they had been excluded from this role. Of the remaining ten clans, nine had been divided into three groups of watchful spectators. The remaining Water Clan, tasked with the protection of the Northern Capital, also served as the priests who carried out the competition rites since ancient times. They would always be in company, and only they were allowed to pass judgments regarding fairness. Oddly enough, they also had deep ties with Belluga, and Rafina had been comfortably chatting up their chief.

“So, there will always be eight riders there to act as our guards,” concluded Mia.

And they weren’t just riders. Being a watchman of the Matching of Steeds was a role of utmost pride in the Equestrian Kingdom, meaning only the cream of the crop of horses and men from each clan would be chosen for the task. Thus, Mia had lost all hopes for duplicity...which also meant she had lost almost all hope for victory! After all, the possibility that Mia would win in a fair fight was infinitesimal, so of course she would lose unless she used some more means.

You see, the ability to reach clear solutions when it comes to was incredibly important to Mia.

“In which case, if we provide our own protection, they will have to keep their distance,” added Ludwig.

“Yes, that’s correct. We’ll have to camp at night, and it seems like supplying guards and supplies are permitted at those times. However, there’d be doubts of dishonesty if they became close, so it’d be best that we keep on our toes and be cautious. A fully armored knight may be too heavy to catch up to us on horseback, regardless.”

The last of Mia’s words were meant as a half joke, but a member of the Princess Guard currently in attendance gave a completely serious nod. “Yes, you may be right. We can’t risk them finding fault with your victory.”

Those words caused Mia a feeling of unease, however...

“Is this...not something we can avoid?” These sudden words completely wiped her worries away! They were spoken by Anne, who was currently looking at Mia with fear in her eyes.

“Hm? Oh, yes. You’re right. It would be a bit difficult to refuse now, but...” The intensity of her stare had nearly overpowered Mia, but she managed a nod.

“Understood. In that case...I shall make all the preparations I can.” With that, Anne left, her dark expression still adorning her face.

While Mia was completely at a loss, Ludwig carried onward. “It would be disastrous should something happen to Her Highness. I doubt the provided protections will prove sufficient, so I’ll need to discuss the position of guards with Lord Mayun... Lord Dion!”

Thus, Mia’s crew jumped into action! But there was an important truth that had been lost on Mia—not a single soul was preparing for her favorable defeat. Their hearts, in fact, were not one.

After concluding her meeting with Ludwig and the others, Mia stepped outside and heaved a sigh.

“All these talks one after another have left me feeling a bit fatigued...” She gave her stomach a soft rub. Before she had realized it, it was almost lunchtime! “Well, I will be doing some exercising. It’s a horse-riding competition after all! I do think I deserve to go a bit all out with this meal. I’ll celebrate early and—”

“Princess Mia!” a voice called out, interrupting her.

“My, if it isn’t Miss Aima. What is it? You seem to have gone quite pale.”

“What is it? It is who should ask that of . Your actions were rash. When it comes to horses, it is I who should—”

Aima was in a panic, but Mia addressed her with a soft smile. “There is no reason to fret.” She grasped Aima’s forearms...and became enraptured! Her arms were so firm and slender!

“Hm? What troubles you, Princess Mia?” Her confusion was written all over Aima’s face. She looked suspicious.

Mia shook her head flustered. “Yes, of course! There is no reason to fret! There is still some time left. Things will be all right... Perfectly fine...”

Mia was speaking more to herself than Aima, but anyway...she was right. This wasn’t the place for her to risk it all in a game of sink or swim. All she needed was to bring the Fire Clan ever closer to reconciliation with the other Equestris. Even the matter of their wolves would be solved in time—eventually, the others would understand. For now, simply securing support for providing provisions was enough. With that...

“We’ve already won this match! There is absolutely nothing you need to worry about.”

...Yup, they had already cleared their victory conditions. Now, all Mia needed was to survive the Matching of Steeds unscathed.

“So, you have devised a route to victory. That being said, I hear that the Matching can be trying. On certain courses, some riders have lost weight in just two days. I cannot allow you to participate in such an extreme trial...”

“My! I see. In which case, I really have no option but to participate.” Mia shook her head in determination before folding her arms in satisfaction.

Once again, Mia was satisfied with her choices. All the problems that were troubling her leading up to her confrontation with Abel’s sister had been resolved in an instant. Her future was as bright as the moon.

Plus, no matter how trying the Matching of Steeds would prove, Mia had survived the revolution. With that, Mia let the breath out of her nose in a huff.

Of course, common knowledge would’ve told Mia that there was no way a foreign princess would be allowed on a course that could thin someone to the bone in just two days. Instead, she’d be given a simpler course—one easy enough for a child. So much was obvious, but sometimes, even the obvious could escape Mia.

Still, Mia’s thoughts had convinced her that there was no way she would lose to the High Priestess, and they currently had her face erupted into a grin.

“Oho ho! My victory is assured!” she mumbled to herself when suddenly...

“I cannot ignore such words...I do say.” Turning behind her, Mia found Xiaolei staring at her with a dangerous look in her eyes.

“My, if it isn’t Xiaolei. I am looking forward to a fair fight with you,” replied Mia with a smile. However, Xiaolei ignored her, instead heading straight for Aima before giving a...