Chapter 538 - 180: Though a Myriad Stand Against Me, I Go Forward

Chapter 538: Chapter 180: Though a Myriad Stand Against Me, I Go Forward

Naming a cow that can’t eat radishes "Radish"... Sazanoko found it a bit strange in her heart, but said nothing more.

After all, naming his mount was entirely Aoto’s freedom, and as an outsider, Sazanoko wasn’t in a position to comment.

Just before saying goodbye to the old farmer, Aoto casually asked about Radish’s age. According to the old farmer, Radish was a three-year-old prime bull.

Even someone like Aoto, who knew nothing about raising cattle, could tell from Radish’s physique how well it had been fed and cared for in its short three years of life.

Broad and sturdy, with clear muscle lines visible under its four hooves, it was powerful enough to carry both Aoto and Sazanoko swiftly, almost as fast as an average riding horse.

Moreover, it was exceptionally docile. Aoto just needed to tug lightly on the reins, and Radish would obediently turn as directed, never disobeying his commands. The ride was also very steady, so even without a saddle or stirrups, Aoto and the others could sit quite securely.

"Go straight down this street until the end, then turn right, and you’ll see a very hidden path. Once you enter that path, go straight to the end, and you’ll find the shortcut to the settlement I mentioned."

Sitting side-saddle with an elegant, lady-like posture behind Aoto, Sazanoko continuously issued clear instructions to guide Aoto.

"The path you mentioned earlier, can Radish fit through it?" Aoto glanced down at Radish’s shoulder width.

The streets and alleys of Edo were filled with narrow pathways that even people found cramped.

"Radish can fit." Sazanoko said confidently. "The path isn’t particularly wide, but it’s more than enough to accommodate this bull... to accommodate Radish in and out."

"That’s good then."

After guiding them to this point before entering the shortcut, Sazanoko fell silent.

Due to Sazanoko’s silence, tranquility enveloped the man and woman riding on the bull, leaving only the sound of Radish’s running and breathing, and the wind whistling past their ears.

However, it was strange.

Even though both were silent now, without speaking, there was no awkwardness in the atmosphere between them.

Only a peculiar sense of stability governed the ambiance between them.

Until Radish had carried them to the end of the wide street, Aoto followed Sazanoko’s instructions, pulling the reins to the right. As Radish turned in accordance, Sazanoko’s melodious voice, like a silver bell, once again reached Aoto’s ears.

"...Mr. Tachibana, tonight... I truly thank you very much..."

Without any explanation or annotation, Aoto knew what Sazanoko was thanking him for.

As Radish ran steadily ahead, Aoto turned around to look back.

Sitting side-saddle behind him, Sazanoko maintained a distance of about a fist’s width, with her slender legs together and her back straight. Her left hand rested quietly on her lap while her right hand held onto the bull’s back. Despite the dark night, the alluring jade-like glow of her face was not concealed, and her long ponytail hung down to her waist, dancing beautifully in the wind.

Sazanoko had been gazing into the distance with eyes that seemed to be watching the street scenery swiftly retreat to her left.

Perhaps sensing Aoto’s gaze, Sazanoko turned her eyes to meet his... Then, in the next instant, she quickly withdrew her gaze and withdrew from the eye contact.

"...You’re welcome," Aoto said with a slight smile. "As long as Miss Sazanoko is safe, that’s good."

Aoto shifted his focus back in front.

"Though it appears a bit late to ask now... Miss Sazanoko, why did you suddenly decide to help me, guiding me towards the settlement’s shortcut?"

Sazanoko seemed to have anticipated this question from Aoto and had prepared an answer ahead of time. She answered without hesitation in a calm tone:

"I’m not the type to take bullying without fighting back."

"Having been ’cared for’ by the Anti-foreigner Group so much, I simply can’t swallow this without doing something in return."

"Even if just a little, I want to give the Anti-foreigner Group some trouble."

"Moreover... I can’t just sit idly by while the Anti-foreigner Group plans to set fire to the settlement."

Her previously relaxed left hand resting on her lap quietly tightened.

"They truly are a group of incomprehensible lunatics... Have they not considered what consequences might arise if the fire gets out of control..."

"Even though I’m currently incapable of traveling far on foot myself, I still wish to do everything within my power to stop the Anti-foreigner Group’s atrocities."

It was the beginning of summer, one of the seasons when fires were most frequent and likely to get out of control.

The settlement wasn’t exactly small. If such an extensive district were set afire and the fire unfortunately spread uncontrollably... The complete destruction of Edo wouldn’t be impossible.

This isn’t an exaggeration. Over a century ago, the "Great Fire of Meireki" burned down over 80% of Edo due to the accidental ignition of a woman’s kimono sleeve.