CHAPTER 215: CHAPTER 126: THE COACHMAN

"I have three days to stay ’here’, Queen," Ling had to also ensure that she could return to the military region on her own the next day.

Cleopatra was still very satisfied with Ling’s tone, which was quicker than that of ordinary people after the initial excitement, "You must protect me without leaving my side."

"I will hire a carriage; the rest of the journey will probably take about ten days. Three days should be enough for us to get to the next inn or stopover. After that point, just like this time, you can wait at the dwelling and conceal your presence," Ling traced the quickest route along the main road on the map.

"You may call me by my name in public, for safety reasons, I grant you this privilege," Cleopatra’s suggestion left Ling even more speechless, finding the cumbersome name more vexing than referring to her as ’Your Majesty.’

"As long as you can ensure my safe departure from Rome City, you can call me whatever you please," Cleopatra conceded further.

Ling found that being with Cleopatra wasn’t as difficult as she had imagined. Besides when referring to her distinguished identity, she was adept at, or rather, could see through the thoughts of others. Just like now, from merely Ling’s somewhat stiff reference to "Your Majesty," Cleopatra sensed her true thoughts.

"Can you read my mind?" Ling found her own suspicion somewhat amusing. Even in a technological era like that of 2064, the human brain was still the most mysterious organ, and science couldn’t truly fathom people’s thoughts.

"It’s no surprise you’re a Reconnaissance Soldier, even if your Reconnaissance Skill isn’t particularly clever. Like you, I have the ability to reconnoiter. Strangers call it Special Skills, which is understanding the facade of people and things. As for me, I learned from a young age in order to establish my footing in life. What I understand is to discern others’ psyches through their actions and expressions. Since I invented it, I call it Queen Reconnaissance Skill," Cleopatra spoke of her exceptional instinct with a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"Quite a domineering name, very fitting for you, Klaao," Ling switched her tone, using a three-letter name to replace the lengthy one. Cleopatra, the figure of legend, became somewhat sadly obscured in her appearance and character by depictions of male-dominated historical authors.

Perhaps because they shared similar Reconnaissance Skills, or possibly because both were cast adrift like pebbles, the relationship between Ling and Klaao had become more harmonious than when they first met.

The two purchased a carriage for five hundred Military Road Coins. While debating whether to hire a coachman, Klaao suggested she could handle the driving.

Watching the Queen drive the carriage, Ling, thinking about herself collapsing in the carriage for a sound sleep, felt uncomfortable all over. However, for safety reasons, she agreed to Klaao’s request: to drive during the day while Klaao would take the reins at night.

Leaving the temporary stop, they replenished their fresh water and dry rations before setting off.

"This is my first time driving a carriage, please bear with me if it’s not smooth," said Ling, who bought the simple carriage second-hand from a grain merchant. On the "Military Road," she had indeed challenged many things, like carriages, like military vehicles. Next time, even if she encountered a plane, she reckoned she might just bravely climb aboard.

Ling’s inexperienced hand gestures displeased the horse, which shuffled along, stopping by the roadside to nibble the grass after only a few paces.

"The same principle applies to both people and horses, pay attention to its eyes," Klaao elegantly jumped down from the carriage, her long skirt remaining impeccable. Most of the time sitting in the carriage, she was silent, as if deep in thought.

The horse was a common nag, its back hunched from years of hauling grain. Klaao grabbed a handful of grass from the ground and brought it to the horse’s mouth. She then took out a water skin, handed it to Ling, and gestured for her to bring it to the horse’s mouth.

Ling brought the water skin to the horse’s lips, and the hot breath, mixed with bits of grass, warmed her hands. The warmth easily established a connection between them and the horse.

By day, Klaao seemed like a horse lover, but at night, the sound of her whip made even Ling shiver. She could imagine Klaao’s eyes, which must have shone with a cold light, much like the morning stars rising by the banks of the Nile River.