Reborn After A Death March

Chapter 12

The carriage travels along the dirt road on a beautiful sunny day hitting stones and bumps, making for a very uncomfortable ride. We are shaken and knocked about, and if Satou hadn't put all the cargo in his storage, I wouldn't be surprised if some of it fell on us. When I got on the carriage, I wasn't expecting the most comfortable ride, but this was worse than I imagined it would be.

"Ooh!"

"Meow!"

Pochi and Tama try to leap out of the carriage, but Liza is there to stop them. Pulling the duo by their belts, she keeps them from jumping. This has happened countless times. Every time a small animal like a mouse or rabbit is spotted, they instantly try to attack. We aren't travelling that fast, but they could have been hurt if Liza hadn't stopped them.

"Pochi, Tama, you'll fall out if you lean over the sides, so please keep your backs against the coachman's box,"

"Yes, sir."

"'kaaay."

The two of them seem to have got the message, but I thought that the last time Satou warned them. It is only a matter of time before something else catches their eyes. I smile as I watch their tails waggle and their ears flicker.

Apart from the duo causing us to worry and the uncomfortable ride, there have been no problems. We haven't run into any monsters or bandits. This may be just me, but I was expecting to have had some encounters by now from playing games and watching anime. This is probably because of the Earl's army. He spoke with pride when he told me of the peace and safety his soldiers had brought to his land. At first, I was worried that the statement might be raising some flag, but nothing has happened so far.

We have been travelling for about an hour now and so far passing through grassy hills and small patches of trees. When we first started our journey, there were plenty of other carriages and people travelling on foot. But now, we haven't seen a single person for a while. Most had gone in the opposite direction to us at a fork in the road a while back. According to Satou, they were heading down the west highway, which was where Seiryuu County's mining city was located. Beyond that, the road crossed two more counties into one that was apparently a very prosperous area for trade.

There were counties and baronies to the south, too, in the direction we were heading. But due to their relaxed laws and less money spent on combating monsters, most people avoid them.

"Meat?"

"Sheep, sir!"

It wasn't long before Pochi and Tama spotted something else. I couldn't see them at first from where I was sitting, but soon a massive herd of sheep came into view. There was a shepherd, too, but he didn't notice Tama and Pochi waving at him. I think I can even spot a small sheepdog running among the herd. It was skillfully running around to keep the herd of sheep together. The carriage hit another large bump, nearly causing me to bite my tongue as the straight road we were travelling along took a broad curve around a hill.

"Be more careful with your driving!" Arisa complained as she used Pochi as a step stool to reach Satou upon the coachman's seat.

"Don't ask so much of me. I'm still a beginner,"

"Arisa, you're heavy, ma'am,"

"Sorry, sorry. You were in the perfect position for me to climb on top of you, so I couldn't help it,"

Arisa jumped up onto the coachman's stand and snuggled next to Satou, resting her head on his shoulder as she apologised. Satou really has his hands full with her.

"It's almost lunchtime. There's a stone slab on the next hill that seems like it could protect us from the wind... let's stop and eat there," Satou suggest, and everyone agrees to it.