After a moment of hesitation, Roderick nodded. Truthfully, he wasn't entirely comfortable with hastily teaching riding skills here. There's always a risk of falling for beginners. But it wasn't an option to have the young master walk if they couldn't find a cart.
"The problem is that my horse is quite temperamental. It's not suitable for a beginner."
"Don't worry. The one I ride is a gentle one. Even a beginner can manage it without any issues."
"That's a relief, but..."
"Come now, let's go to the young master."
Gaiden lifted the hesitant Roderick and led him to Sylas. With everything going according to plan, he couldn't help but smile. Sylas, who was in the middle of preparing his bow and arrows, blinked at their words.
"Learn how to ride a horse?"
"Yes, the situation calls for it."
Roderick repeated Gaiden's earlier explanation—that if they couldn't secure a carriage, they might need to use horses instead. He also mentioned that since riding was a skill all nobles needed to learn eventually, it would be wise to take this opportunity. After hearing the reasoning, Sylas nodded.
"I see. In that case, it's definitely good to learn."
"Exactly. If you learn it now and return with confidence, wouldn't it enhance your dignity?"
Gaiden eagerly added his comment to Sylas's positive response. He then quickly brought his horse forward. It was a rather large and imposing brown warhorse.
"This is one of my prized horses. It's gentle, obedient, and doesn't mind people, making it easy to ride. Unless something unusual happens, it should allow you to ride it without trouble, young master."
"I've seen it several times, and it's truly a magnificent horse. I'll gladly borrow it then."
Sylas took the reins from Gaiden and mounted the saddle. Roderick stood nearby, carefully helping him up. Watching this, Gaiden smirked inwardly.
'It is a gentle one, but it's quite particular about its rider.'
Some horses, even if not aggressive, become difficult when a new rider takes the reins. Gaiden's horse was one of those. When an unfamiliar rider mounted, it would get unsettled and resist, making it impossible for a beginner to control.
'It may not buck him off, but it definitely won't go where he wants it to.'
Riding was already difficult to learn in a short time. Sylas would likely struggle to control the horse and eventually have no choice but to dismount. Later, when the mercenary returned with a pony, Gaiden planned to suggest that since it was the only option available, Sylas should practice riding it instead.
Whether he rode a pony amidst warhorses or walked alongside the mercenaries, either way, it would be an embarrassing sight.
Snort!
"Calm down, just let me borrow your back for a bit."
As expected, the horse shook its head in resistance when the unfamiliar person mounted. Sylas gently patted its mane, trying to soothe it, while Gaiden watched with a smirk.
'What a fool. Stroking a horse that dislikes unfamiliar touches won't...'
Gaiden's expression began to change. Normally, the horse would turn its head away when touched by a stranger, but it was calming down under Sylas's touch. Eventually, it stopped resisting altogether and accepted his hand. With the horse now calm, Sylas took the reins and began to move forward.
"Is this how it's done?"
"It's dangerous to move now! Start by going at a gentle pace...!"
Roderick shouted in alarm, but Sylas ignored him and urged the horse forward. The horse obediently followed Sylas's lead, maintaining a steady pace. It even sped up and slowed down slightly as Sylas guided it, circling around the area.
After completing five laps, Sylas stopped, and the two knights stared at him in disbelief. His movements were far too skilled for someone who claimed to be a beginner.
"Y-Young Master, have you ridden a horse before?"
"No, I haven't."
"Then how...?"
Sylas stroked the horse's mane as he answered the knights' questions.
"When you've lived as a hunter for a long time, you start to understand the mind of your prey. You begin to sense what the animal is thinking, almost as if you can hold it in your hands. It's a kind of connection."
"A connection...?"
"This horse has carried many riders before, hasn't it? When you understand its mind and trust it, it naturally responds and takes care of its rider. I just followed where it led me."
"Ah!"
Roderick was impressed. There's a saying that even a farmer who tills the fields holds a piece of profound wisdom. Wasn't that precisely what Sylas was showing now? To chase animals, understand their hearts, and become one with them through this connection—it was something extraordinary that naturally inspired admiration.
Sylas, gazing into the forest with a distant look, muttered inwardly.
"Connection, my foot. As if something like that exists."
In truth, everything he just said was made up to sound good. A hunter connecting with their prey? It was just about reading habits and anticipating the target. Hunting is nothing more than a battle of wits between two creatures. There's no such thing as some grand connection.
He just rode horses endlessly before his regression.
He had always been a wanderer, constantly traveling with a horse, and when he was pursued by the emperor's army, he had spent entire days in the saddle.
He had even eaten meals while on horseback. Naturally, his understanding of horses was as thorough as any nomad's.
[You have perfectly handled a horse you've never seen before, gaining experience points.]
[Your riding skill level is now 'Expert'.]
As Sylas received the pleasant notifications, he turned his head slightly. Gaiden, who had encouraged him to ride, was still in shock.
'It seems he was hoping to get one over on me, but his thoughts are too predictable.'
As a smirk appeared on Sylas's lips, Gaiden flinched. Sylas then spoke softly to Gaiden.
"Sir Gaiden."
"Yes, yes?"
"Thank you for lending me your horse. While I'm learning, I imagine you'll have to walk, but I will never forget your consideration."
"..."
The atmosphere shifted as Gaiden struggled to find words. Sylas's smooth response had caught him off guard, leaving him momentarily speechless.