"No need… just walk a bit slo–"
Wait! That's not a bad idea. I couldn't do it before, but now I'm just a normal noble lady and on top of that, he's my fiancee. I changed my mind right away and reached out both of my hands to Captain Jullius.
"Mm..please carry me!"
As soon as I said it, my body immediately got lifted into Captain Jullius' arm. Captain Jullius could easily carried me by using one arm and continue walking to the armory. I placed both of my hands around his neck and leaned my upper body over him. It had been a long time since the last time I got carried when I was still a child. If it's the opposite, then I had often done it before. I used to carry a lot of young ladies who wore their corsets too tightly and also my other comrades who were heavily injured. In short, being carried like this is many times better than my expectation. His light steady footsteps and great body balanced, made me almost didn't feel any wobbles. Sigh… as expected from a knight with proper bearings.
This situation made me felt drowsy. When I almost fell a sleep, we arrived in front of the armory. My drowsiness instantly vanished when I saw a big armory filled with various kinds of weapons. I quickly hop off from Captain's arm and took a look in a flash.
"There are much more various than what I expected. I see some uncommon weapons that aren't used by other knight squad."
Most knights used swords, spears, and bows as their weapons. Even though there weren't much, but inside the armory could be seen other weapons such as iron mace, axe, whip, and club. Oh, they got flail too. It's useful as a side arm.
(T/N: side arm= weapon worn on body for immediate use.)
"That's because there were many kinds of people joined the Special Task Squad. Nonetheless, they're just old weapons."
"Can I take anything I want?"
"As you wish."
Alright! First, I would take two long swords and three to four daggers, also I hope there would be at least one knuckle. It would be inconvenience to take full plated armor, gauntlet, arm protector, and a shield… so I could only pick buckler as my last choice.
"I don't have any scabbards for the swords, may I take one?"
"Sure."
"Is there any calf harness here?"
"This way."
With Captain Jullius' help, I started to pick all the weapons that caught my eyes. In the end, I've picked too much weapons to be used as self-defense. Any people who saw this would probably think that I was preparing for a war. Well, because he said I could take anything, that I unconsciously picked those I got fancied to. Furthermore, all these first grade military weapons were difficult to purchase personally. Especially the custom made long-sword with specific length or other peculiar type of weapons were under the Imperial's surveillance.
"Help me take the rondel daggers down from there! Wait, change it to stiletto! Stiletto number two!"
Stiletto is a type of long-sword that could be easily hidden on one's body so it's classified as one of the weapons which required special permission to use. That's because stiletto is suitable to be used for murder. On the other hand, although sword and shield were both official weapons for holy knights, we also knew basic knowledge to use other type of weapons as well. Better learned some basic knowledge for not to be confused when faced an enemy using unique weapons.
After I'm done choosing from here and there, I realized now that I really had picked too much weapons. It would be hard to move all the weapons without getting noticed.
"…, I will just take this one long-sword for now and I can hide three daggers under my dress. I can hide the knuckle too, but for the gauntlet and the buckler… hmm…"
Is it too conspicuous? It's the same with kite shield. Even though kite shield was really useful. Sigh..what a pity. Even though kite shield is quite heavy, it does a great job to block enemy's attack, to be swung to hit enemy, to restrain the enemy on the ground, and to be used to assault the enemy. I could kill the enemy if I threw the kite shield with all my might. I hugged it for a bit and placed it down slowly. I still felt unsafe for not able to wear an armor and a shield when I had already knew the enemies were coming.
In the end, I just took an inconspicuous weapon and turned around to look at Captain Jullius.
"While we're at it. Could you also give me a horse?"
"Okay."
Captain Jullius easily agreed to my request. He seemed much more like a good person than I originally thought. He even shared his pudding too…
Horses owned by a knight squad were definitely military horses, and that being said included Special Task Squad. Therefore, all the horses inside the horse stable were good battle horses even though they were still undergoing some trainings. A good battle horse could cost as much as the price for a decent house. I felt somewhat burdened by this fact, but I would still return it later anyway. Besides, I still had Snowy.
Snowy would definitely throw a tantrum if he knew I ride another horse.
Sigh… perhaps he won't be able to recognize me either. I stroked a brown mare's mane while having a casual chat with Captain Jullius.
"Is your horse also here?"
"The military horse used for official duty is inside the inner part of the stable."
If my memory served me right, I remembered seeing his horse once and it's a black horse.
After we were looking around the stable, I decided on a grey horse with a slight white shade on it's fur. Unfortunately, I couldn't ride it right away. There's no horse saddle suitable for female inside the Special Squad's headquarters. But I still wouldn't even ride the horse now while wearing a dress because my skirt would go up to my knees… well, actually I didn't mind. However, if I really dared to do it and Ortzen got a wind of it, it would do no good for me and Captain Jullius. He would have me and Captain Jullius listen to another lectures about etiquette with some scoldings here and there. When I was acting as Captain Jullius' fiancee, I need to pay attention on my behavior.
Captain Jullius' horse was let out of it's stabble. It's just as I remembered, was a black horse. The horse which had a strong built with its all black fur from the tip of its ear to the end of its tail, including both of its eyes and its four feets, glanced at me and let out a faint neigh. It's as if he was asking, "Who is this woman?"
"Woahh… he's really handsome! Does he have a name?"
"Blackie"
(T/N: please have mercy on TL. I put the literal translation here for the horse's name because I don't know how to change it for a better name)
Based on his name, I think he could befriend with my dear Snowy.
"I bet Ortzen scolded you when you gave that name."
"How do you know…?"
That's because I'm also the same. With a shocking face, my assistant also immediately scream while scolding, "Snowy?! What the hell do you mean by 'Snowy'?!"
"I think Blackie is a good name too."
Captain Jullius agreed and nodded his head with serious face. It was a name that just came into mind when you saw it. Rather than giving it a long name with weird meaning, it's current name was many times better! Same goes with my Snowy.
"There's no suitable saddle so I will give you a ride."
He easily lifted and got me seated at the front saddle. I know this body is slim, but Captain Jullius easily lifted my body as if my body was as light as feather. In the next moment, Captain Jullius rode behind me and held the rein.
"I just need to take you to the Count Epheria's residence, don't I?"
"Yes. Please take care of me!"
Blackie took the lead at the front and the grey horse followed obediently at the back.
The wealthy Count Epheria's residence which was located in a stretegic area, was also located not too far from the palace, so it shouldn't take us too long to reach the mansion. Even so, it didn't mean the distance was really close. All the splendid residences around the palace couldn't be bought with just a large sums of money. The guards who were guarding the main gate spontaneously opened their mouths widely as soon as they saw me, but they quickly lowered their heads when they glanced at Captain Jullius behind me. It's obvious they were stupefied based on their stiffed movements and they didn't know what to do.
It's not strange for them to get confused when they saw the eldest daughter of the mansion who was imprisoned in jail and charged with murdering her fiancee, returned to her home with an unfamiliar man. The Countess must have been informed that I wasn't found guilty, but she wouldn't expect I got myself a new fiancee. Hohoho.
I bent my head and looked at the gate guard whose face turned pale then said, "Open the gate."
"What…?"
"I said open the gate!"
"B-but…"
"What? Don't tell me that my stepmother forbid you to open the gate for me?"
"No. That's… isn't Miss… murder…"
"That's a false accusation. The court had ruled that I was not guilty. Open the gate!"
The guards hesitated a bit then finally opened the tightly closed gate.
"Is my stepmother inside?"
"No… The Countess went out about one hour go."
One hour ago…that's not long after the trial was over. Why did she leave the house for? If she was inside, I could introduce my new fiancee. What a shame. I jumped down from the horse saddle by myself and raised my head to look at Captain Jullius.
"Thank you for escorting me back. Until next time, see you soon."
"Okay."
After he bowed a bit, Captain Jullius turned his horse around to leave. I quickly grabbed a hold of the grey horse's rein who was ready to leave behind Blackie out of it's habit. For the time being, you stay here with me.