Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

Chapter 37 The Expedition

The night was as dark as ink, but the racecourse under Aindola's control was as bright as day.

Hundreds of torches were stuck in the iron frames around the horse farm, their orange flames flickering in the night wind, casting long and short shadows on everyone. The faint crackling of burning oil mingled with the low snorting of the horses, echoing across the open field.

One hundred cavalrymen stood in neat square formation.

They rode upright on their horses, their backs straight and their eyes fixed straight ahead. They wore lightweight mithril-plated plate armor specially made by the territory's workshop. The plates gleamed with a dull silver-gray luster in the firelight, and many plates still faintly showed traces of swords and blades.

These are the scars and glory of the soldiers.

Each man carried a three-foot-long straight-bladed sword at his waist, and a small round shield and a short spear hung beside his saddle. The edges of the scabbards and shields were engraved with the crest of the Eindora family, and a black sword standing upright.

Rune stood on the high platform in front of the training ground.

He wasn't wearing his usual clothes tonight, but instead put on a full set of custom-made mithril armor.

The armor's design was simple and clean, without any superfluous decorations, except for the family crest engraved in the center of the breastplate. The armor plates conformed to the lines of his body, reflecting a cold, eerie light in the firelight.

The helmet was tucked under his left arm, and his golden hair fluttered slightly in the night breeze.

He scanned the team in front of him.

This is the territory's cavalry regiment that he has spent a lot of time building up bit by bit.

There were about three hundred in total, but today Rune only selected one hundred.

Each one was personally selected by Rune from among the young men of the territory. Most of them were sons of farmers, apprentices of blacksmiths, or descendants of hunters. Years ago, when they first took up arms, they couldn't even ride a horse properly.

And now,

Rune's gaze swept from the first row to the last.

These young men sat upright on their horses, their hands firmly gripping the reins, their gazes calm. Their eyes held no fear as they looked at Rune, only a profound trust.

Rune had seen that look in many people's eyes.

He had seen this look in the eyes of the farmers kneeling on the edge of the fields, praying to the gods. He had also seen this look in the eyes of the believers gazing up at the dome of the temple on the streets of the theocracy.

But now, these young people are looking at him.

Just like Hill back then...

The people in that other world are really stupid. Just because they're fed, they think they're trustworthy...?

Rune took a deep breath, suppressing the subtle discomfort in his heart.

He stepped forward and walked to the edge of the platform.

A breeze blew up from the valley, carrying the coolness of early autumn and the scent of harvested wheat straw from the distant fields. The torchlight danced on his face, casting distinct light and shadow on his young features.

"Gentlemen."

Rune's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to every corner of the training ground.

"Mount up."

His voice remained steady.

"Set off."

One hundred cavalrymen simultaneously mounted their horses, their movements perfectly synchronized, the clanging of armor and weapons creating a deep, resonant roar.

They tucked their left hands behind their waists, clenched their right fists, and pounded them hard against their hearts.

"Heart Sasagiyo."

A hundred voices merged into one, echoing in the night sky.

Rune watched this scene, his lips twitching slightly.

This action, and these cringeworthy lines...

When the cavalry regiment was initially formed, since it was a custom server he had set up himself, Rune had a sudden inspiration and brought over a classic scene from a deep memory from his previous life.

Later, Lajus was so excited when she saw it that she specifically asked Rune for a detailed explanation of the moves, saying she wanted to give it to the Blue Rose team members to learn. Rune, looking back now, feels a bit bewildered.

The torchlight faded into the distance behind us, and the sound of horses' hooves rose like muffled thunder.

One hundred and one horses traversed the territory's streets, their hooves clattering rhythmically on the cobblestones. Faint lights shone from the windows of the houses lining the streets, and occasionally, curious children would peek out from their windowsills.

As he passed through the town gate, Rune glanced back.

The lights of the territory stretched out behind him like a small patch of starry sky on earth. Among those lights were the still-burning fire in the blacksmith's furnace, the oven light from the bakery baking all night, and the candlelight from students studying diligently through the night in the school.

Behind every lamp, someone is living a good life.

Rune withdrew his gaze and looked ahead.

He could see nothing in the darkness. Only the road beneath his horse's hooves stretched forward in the darkness, leading to a direction he had calculated countless times before.

When the sound of horses' hooves caught up from behind, Rune did not turn around.

"Lord Rune! Lord Rune!"

Taqi Mi's voice sounded somewhat hurried in the night wind.

A young man rode a chestnut pony, galloping up from the rear of the group. He wore silver armor, and the orogen short sword, a gift from Rune himself, hung at his waist. His short, golden hair was tousled by the wind, and his face was flushed from running.

Rune pulled on the reins, and the horse snorted and stamped its feet a few times.

"Why are you here?"

Taqi Mi reined in his horse in front of him, his chest heaving, but his back was ramrod straight.

"Lord Rune, please take me with you!"

The boy's voice was clear and bright, carrying far on the night breeze.

Rune looked at his still-childish face. His azure eyes shone brightly in the night, filled with expectation and an almost stubborn seriousness.

"Go back," Rune said.

"grown ups……"

"This is not your battlefield."

Rune's tone was calm, but there was no room for negotiation.

Tachi Mi pursed his lips. He didn't move or speak again, just sat there on his horse, stubbornly staring at Rune.

Just then, a flippant voice rang out from the queue.

"Kid, this is an adult game."

It was Gehrman who spoke. He was on horseback, tilting his head to look at Tachi Mi, with that mischievous smile typical of an old soldier teasing a new recruit.

"Come back when your hair has fully grown, hahaha..."

"German".

Rune's voice wasn't loud, but it brought the burly man's laughter to an abrupt halt.

Gehrman glanced at Rune instinctively. In the moonlight, the young lord's face remained expressionless.

But those eyes sent a chill down Gehrman's spine.

He immediately shut his mouth and obediently lowered his head.

Rune withdrew his gaze and looked back at Taki Mi.

The boy's eyes were a little red, but his lips were pressed even tighter.

Rune was silent for a moment.

Then he dismounted.

He walked up to the Tachi Mee noodles and looked up at the boy on horseback. Moonlight streamed down from above, casting their shadows on the ground, where they merged together.

"Tachi Mi".

"exist."

The boy's voice was a little hoarse, but still loud.

Rune tapped Touch Me on the head with his hand.

"Maybe next time."

Taqi Mi's lips trembled.

Something glimmered in those azure eyes under the moonlight.

"Understood."

He dismounted and stood ramrod straight.

"Lord Rune——"

His voice became more steady.

Please make sure you return safely.