Extra Story: Mariel and the Three Vows of the Silver Breed

“Wha...”

I-It couldn’t be... L-Lady Kaoru...passed away...?

No, that’s impossible! The Goddess couldn’t possibly have died!

She must have gotten tired of the folly of humans and returned to her own world. ...But those who caused her to do so were absolutely execrable. Those pieces of garbage stamped out any possibility for me to ever reunite with Lady Kaoru in this world again... Unforgivable.

...They will pay!!!

Death to those fools! Their suffering will be worse than hell itself. They would spend their lives wallowing in regret.

...Hmhm.

Hmhmhmhm.

Hahahahaha...

“We are heading to the Kingdom of Brancott. Prepare to depart at once!”

“Whaaaaaaaaat?!” came a dozen voices all at once.

I shook off His Majesty and the other aristocrats as they desperately tried to stop me, then hopped onto Carlos and rode toward Aras, the capital of Brancott. The survivors of Rueda’s demise could still be around, so it would be dangerous for a messenger of the Goddess to go, they said... Such nonsense, considering I was heading there to crush them in the first place...

Besides, Sir Ed, to whom I am greatly indebted, might not know what was going on. I had no intention of stopping at the whim of mere royalty or of the high-ranking nobles when he might need my help. I had to do what little I could to repay my debt. Not to mention, I had to seek out my prey to unleash this pent-up anger on them. It would take far too long by carriage. I would ride Carlos and take a handful of retainers and guards with me for this emergency trip.

...It’s dangerous for a young noblewoman to go on a journey with such a small group, you say? Several dozen large dogs running alongside and just as many birds of prey flying overhead accompanied me. No bandits were brave enough to attack a group surrounded by such an unusual entourage. Besides, the rumors of the “Bird Aristocrat,” a messenger of the Goddess protected by dogs and birds, had become quite famous. Bandits of neighboring countries were sure to have heard of me by now... As well as what had happened to my enemies...

“Make haste, Carlos!”

“Breeheeheehee! (Yes, my lady!)”

“...We were too late...”

By the time we arrived at the royal capital of Aras, it was all over. The culprits had already been disposed of, and those who had fled had already been hunted down... There was no outlet for my rage left...

“Brehehe, brehehee... (My lady, we must get to Sir Ed...)”

Ah, that’s right! I must get to him right away, in case he hasn’t been informed of the situation!

“To the capital of Balmore!”

“Yes, my lady!” my attendants said at once.

“...I see, the little missy went home, huh...”

“I see you aren’t too surprised...”

“Well, she’s a Goddess, after all...”

Although he didn’t seem too surprised, I could see the sorrow in Sir Ed’s eyes. His wife and daughter were sad, as well.

“I’m sure she didn’t expect having to leave so suddenly. Not much that could be done about that... Guess we’ll do what we can to prepare for the future... Anyway...farewell, Old Man Carlos! Oh, and little missy, would you mind stopping by again in a few years? I’d like you to translate for me and help apply a little pressure.”

“Yes, of course! I could never hope to repay the debt I owe you. If you ever need me, I’ll be there right away!”

“Appreciate it...”

A few years later...

I returned to the capital of Balmore, as Sir Ed had requested, and entered the ranch where he had been staying, which I later found out was also where his wife had been born. I stood between him and the ranch owner and arranged several promises between them.

Among them, there were several items that had been particularly emphasized by Sir Ed, which would later be known as the “three vows of the Silver Horse,” eventually thought to be a mere legend or folktale...

1: Sir Ed’s descendants shall hereby all be known as Silver horses.

2: Silver horses shall have the right to choose their own owners. They could usually be sold or purchased as normal, but if they showed an unwillingness to go with a particular owner, they must not be sold, no matter the price offered. Conversely, if they showed a willingness to serve a particular owner, their will must be respected, and they must be given up at the appropriate market price.

3: If these stipulations are broken, the ranch will lose all rights of stewardship over the Silver horses, and all members of the Silver horses shall rise in opposition against the ranch. If this is to ever happen, House Raphael will take them in instead.

The ranch owner stared wide-eyed, but Sir Ed’s resolve had been set, stating, “If you don’t agree, I’ll leave immediately. Even if you try to stop me, I won’t sire any more offspring or obey your orders. I’ll order all of my descendants not to listen to any orders from any humans, too.”

The ranch owner reluctantly agreed. That said, Sir Ed did assure him that he wouldn’t make use of these rights unless something drastic were to happen...

In any case, the three vows of the Silver horses had been officially agreed upon, by the names of the ranch owner, Sir Ed, and our own House Raphael...

These conditions were also announced to the general public. This was to prevent any influential people from forcefully trying to own a Silver horse they liked. In the end, the stipulations of the agreement were never acted upon, and they were eventually thought to be a made-up story meant to keep the powerful in check, or to increase the perceived value of the Silver horses.

...But I still remember Sir Ed’s happy smile from when the agreement had been made. That was a face of joy, a face of someone who knew they had accomplished something important. I’m certain he must have known. He knew that, one day, this agreement would be useful.

And there was only one moment I could think of that the Silver horses—Sir Ed’s descendants—would ever need to act under such conditions. The day that glory would once again return to the Silvers. The day that Sir Ed’s descendants would rise as divine horses... He truly believed from the bottom of his heart that the day would come, just as he had no doubt that she would choose his descendants as her cherished mounts when the time came.

It seemed that Emile and the others were making all sorts of preparations for that day. ...In that case, so should I. I would plant the seeds for that day to come, making the necessary preparations. Even if my life didn’t last until that day, my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, or even their descendants would be there to serve her.

I believe...

But before that happened, perhaps I would be able to see her directly. Not in this world, but in the heavenly realm where Lady Celestine and Lady Kaoru reside...