What do I Gain?

"A race?" Larkin only chuckled at the idea. Not only would a normal horse be incapable of winning against a spirit horse, but Artie also didn't know where they were going. How could she arrive there faster than he could? However, the glossy look of anticipation on her eyes was tempting Larkin to play with her. It was just a small race; nothing bad should arise since it was still within the guarded vicinity of the ducal castle.

A sigh then came after. "Let's head to the stables first. By then, your choice of horse might sway me."

Artie laughed out. "Oh, I'll make your Kodiak eat my Lupina's dust!"

…

Occasional neighing echoed in the grand stables, but Lupina was only on the ground with her legs folded, resting. It was another boring day in the grand stables for the glorified show horse. The archduchess wasn't one that traveled a lot, and she didn't really go around the archduchy on horseback. Owning a horse exclusively for herself was quite a waste for the said horse, but Lupina wasn't annoyed all that much.

The archduchess had the choice to ride on the Black Kodiak… or with him. Even just a stroll around would make Lupina happy. Of course, as long as the Black Kodiak was around. Most mares could only dream of seeing him—so black and cool, strong and regal in every way. However, that black horse was never in the stables. She only saw him there once when the archduke visited with the seneschal.

Lupina closed her eyes and decided to sleep. It didn't make any difference if the stable hands didn't come to groom her. All of a sudden, a familiar voice came to Lupina's earshot. Her ears twitched as she seemed to hear the archduchess's voice from afar. She's coming? Why didn't the stable hands groom the mare earlier?

Just when Lupina was thinking about it, one of the older hands came to her stall and urged her to stand: "Come on, Lupina. The archduchess is here to see you."

Actually, Lupina didn't feel like getting up. Where else would this archduchess take her this time? Lupina neighed in refusal and only turned away from the stable helper. However, like a strange phenomenon, almost every mare in the stable reacted at a single sound.

"The white one?" Larkin asked since Artie was talking to him about that perlino mare that Miel gave her. Back then, Larkin had already seen Lupina, but he didn't pay any attention to the mare. She was not outstanding to him aside from being almost as white as Kodiak was black. Her speed wasn't gauged either because Larkin didn't see her catch up with the knights in no time.

However, his voice… all the mares in the stable knew his voice. Whenever he came, there was a chance that the Black Kodiak would show up. The mares all started neighing as if begging to be freed from their stalls. However, only Lupina was being ushered out of hers. As if a shy horse, the white horse had walked out and eyed the couple in front of her. It's just that… Lupina then glared at Artie's mischievous smile.

The old man then looked around as the mares began to scream like they were complaining at him. He couldn't help but tie Lupina somewhere first before trying to check the other mares. "Oh, no… mercy. Why do they always appear so agitated whenever the archduke is here? Please, calm down. There's nothing to worry about."

"...they know you own him… Kodiak..." Artie just wanted to tease Lupina earlier, but she started hearing the mares' complaints. Then again, she remembered that Larkin could somehow understand the voices hidden underneath the sounds of the animals around him. There was no way he didn't know they were asking for the Black Kodiak.

Clack, clack! A strange sound came from outside the stable, and the mares seemed to be silenced all at once. From the opening of the stables neighed the Black Kodiak as if glaring at everyone. Larkin was not fond of noisy crowds so he figured he needed to step in. Even if he had no interest in these horses, the Kodiak still made use of their infatuation.

["How annoying..."] Artie heard the voice of a man coming from the Kodiak's direction, but it was spoken in a way that reminded her of Albas's voice. As it sounded to her, it seemed that this Black Kodiak was also from Tetroka like any other demon. 

["It's him. He's here…!"] Lupina's soft squeal came to Artie's earshot, and the angel could only cry inside as she wanted to console the mare. 'Oh, baby, the stallion is not even a real horse...' However, if she wished to proceed with Lupina's steed quest, she had to at least attempt bringing them together.

'Let's just see how this one goes...'

The stable hand and Artie groomed Lupina for a ride, and the snobbish white mare didn't really raise her head too high this time. Artie led her out with Larkin, the Black Kodiak moving to the field to wait for them. The archduchess mounted her horse with Larkin's help before he went to ride the Black Kodiak. As the two horses stood close to each other, Lupina couldn't help but stare at the other intently.

Artie didn't do anything but watch. How could she even play matchmaker between two races she had no idea how to weave together? Moreover, there was a big chance that Lupina was bound to be rejected by this black spirit that resembled a horse. She only rubbed Lupina's neck before looking at Larkin. "Which way should we go?"

"It's a watchtower west of the ducal castle. Would you like me to guide you there first?" Larkin had no particular impression of the white horse. If they really wanted to have a race, he might as well show her the way for now.

"...that doesn't seem to be necessary..." Artie chuckled. Not because she had the confidence to find it herself, but it was because a notification had shown up.

[Steed ability quest: (Level 1) Win a race against the Black Kodiak is currently underway! The finish line is now marked on your map. Bonus task: Stay close to the Black Kodiak as much as possible.]

A blue marker appeared before her, and it was pointing in the direction of the watchtower. Moreover, there was also a meter of distance from the Black Kodiak. Artie only hummed. She would definitely be unable to win a sure race with the Black Kodiak, but a close one could be manageable if she planned her moves well. Besides, this race's main point wasn't to win; it was to get the Kodiak to at least acknowledge Lupina.

"Are you ready?" Artie chuckled as she rubbed Lupina's ear. However, Larkin dropped his head and lowered his eyes as if he was suddenly deep in thought. The archduchess lifted her brows. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes… I am wondering what I will gain from this easy victory." Larkin then raised his face to look at her and curled his lips in his mischievous smile. "A prize should be in order."