It was a universally accepted fact and truth that no human, regardless of their abilities or status as a sword master, could outrun centaurs, the natural speeders and supreme cavalries of the plain.
"Are you confident that you will win?"
"Yeah. Of course." When Javier asked with a worried expression on his face, Lloyd nodded and replied in a nonchalant voice, "That's why I accepted his challenge. You think I'd have done it otherwise?"
Lloyd stole a glance around the corner of the plain in a section of the Stone and Wind tribe. An impressive number of centaurs were gathered in the distance, murmuring among themselves as they prepared to watch the race that was spontaneously scheduled a moment ago.
Lest the others heard him, Lloyd lowered his voice. "You think I will lose?"
"I do."
"Wow. You didn't even think about your answer."
"It is an obvious and unequivocally true prediction."
"For me to lose this race?"
"Yes. You are going up against a centaur. Not just anyone at that, but the three-time champion of the Great Plain." Javier spoke in an unwavering voice. The knight was convinced. "Master Lloyd, I understand that you are on the verge of becoming a high-level sword expert. That will enable you to sprint significantly faster than an ordinary person. And since you are equipped with three mana circles, there will be no human who can outrun you unless they are a sword master."
"I like where you are going," said Lloyd. "Continue."
"Yes, and there's a reason why I am telling you this. As far as I am concerned, I believe that the champion centaur is able to run faster than a sword master."
"So I am bound to lose without question?"
"Indeed."
"How about you?"
"As for myself," Javier replied, "I am likely faster than this centaur."
"Woah!" Lloyd remarked heartily. "You're just bragging about yourself."
"Is that how you see this conversation?" Javier frowned.
"Yup."
Javier stared hard at Lloyd.
"What? What? What is it?" Lloyd opened his eyes wider.
"You will certainly lose. I suggest you tell them that you changed your mind."
"Not happening." Lloyd shook his head.
"Then do you have a plan?"
"Obviously. I have one. I told you that a while ago. You weren't listening to me."
"Well... What is it?"
"If you're curious, just watch. Shh. He's coming over here."
Komanchi, the champion centaur, was approaching Lloyd. The muscles on the horse half of his body bulged as if to signal he was already prepared for the race. Throwing a defiant glance at Lloyd, Komanchi asked, "How are you? Ready for our race?"
"You bet. I am ready."
"Then I assume you've decided on where to set the finish line, the place where you will cry tears of defeat."
"I did choose the place where I will throw my victory ceremony," parried Lloyd.
"Where is the finish line?" Komanchi stared at Lloyd, his gaze burning more intensely. Actually, he didn't like Lloyd from the get-go, ever since he stepped foot in this village.
Hmph! He didn't earn the speeding ticket with his own legs!
Komanchi heard about the race from his patrol commander, his cousin, who said that Lloyd rode an extremely fast and giant hamster during his race. This pissed Komanchi off.
That's not fair!
Real men ran with their own legs. That was the true meaning of racing. The only permissible one. Humans loved to talk about how fast they were while being carried on the back of something, but Komanchi didn't have an iota of intent to acknowledge it as a form of racing. That was why he had come to the lecture and not because he was curious about the content of it. No, not at all.
I came to challenge him to a race!
Komanchi's plan was to prove before everyone else that the red speeding ticket seen on the human was nothing but a pretentious lie. In particular, he felt a strong desire to humiliate this human. It was his duty as the champion, he believed. And it was also a fitting punishment for the shameful human race that was incapable of sprinting with their own legs.
"So tell me now where the finish line will be. The one challenged to a race has the right to decide where it will take place."
"Hmm," observed Lloyd. "I get to choose wherever I want?"
"Certainly. That is our tradition."
Komanchi lifted his jaw insolently. Since he was the one who threw down the gauntlet, it was only right for Lloyd to choose the racing track. Still, Komanchi couldn't be any less worried.
I am faster! That is the truth! Wherever he chooses, I will cross the finish line first!
Komanchi was absolutely certain. He couldn't imagine anything close to defeat. Whatever the course was, wherever the finish line stood, none of them mattered to Komanchi. But a second later, when he finally learned of the finish line, he wasn't sure if he heard it right.
"Very well," Lloyd said, "The race will end at the front yard of the border guard commander's manor, which sits at the southern border of this plain."
"What...?"
"Let's run to the front of the manor belonging to the commander who guards the northern border of the Magentano kingdom," elaborated Lloyd patiently.
Seeing that Komanchi wasn't saying anything, he added, "Did you not hear me?"
"No," said Komanchi finally, "I, I did. But..."
"But what?"
"That's at least 370 miles away from here!"
"I know. So?"
"You want to race all the way there?"
"Yeah."
"Are you out of your mind?!" shrieked Komanchi.
"No. Is anything wrong?" asked Lloyd.
“...”
Komanchi almost yelled out, Of course, there's something wrong! This is terribly and immensely wrong!
All I wanted was a race. Why is this nut job challenging me to journey across the entire land?
For some reason, Komanchi felt cheated and wanted to protest. But all his dumbstruck mouth could utter was a broken stutter.
Lloyd, flashing a cunning smile on his face, asked, "Do you feel cheated?"
“...”
Of course, he did! But Komanchi wasn't spared the chance to shout his thoughts as Lloyd interrupted him.
"Don't be so wrapped up in it. Remember. You were the one who told me to decide on the finish line."
Komanchi gaped silently.
"Besides," Lloyd went on, "You told me that I have the right to decide since I was the one who was challenged."
"Yes, that's right, but-"
"All I am doing is dutifully obeying the beautiful and sacred tradition of the centaurs."
Komanchi had no comebacks. But he was overcome with a strong desire to throw a hind-leg kick at Lloyd's smug face. Even though he wanted to protest, Komanchi couldn't. After all, what the human said was right.
It's true. He's following our tradition.
The procedure for a race went like this: The one who took up the gauntlet was given the right to determine the location of the race track and the finish line. The one who threw down the gauntlet had no right to refuse. That was their tradition and sacred rule. These customs and mannerisms dictated the challenger to acquiesce to the terms of a race without complaint.
Come to think of it, he did the same thing when he went up against my cousin.
Just then, Komanchi recalled what his cousin had told him about the race against that human, who challenged him to a race. His cousin, accepting the game, suggested racing to a rock far away from them and gave Lloyd a red speeding ticket after losing.
I was deceived... Who on earth is this man?
Feeling terrified and scared, Komanchi stared at Lloyd, who was still beaming with a happy smile.
It's as if a thousand serpents live inside his head!
That was it. This human was a schemer with thousands of trickery and chicaneries up his sleeves, only that he never showed it. What was more, he was the type who made sure to play only within the rules!
Tsk... What a deceitful man.
Grit! Komanchi clenched his teeth, realizing he had been completely fooled. But he didn't allow himself to be flustered. There was something that remained unchanged despite all of the man's cheeky tactics.
The result of this race will be the same! The ending where I trot out victorious!
This human could resort to using cunning tricks. But he was still hundreds of times faster. He had the upper hand. Thinking so, Komanchi was able to restore his composure.
Finally regaining composure, Komanchi lifted his chin high. "Good. I will accept your decision."
"Of course, you do," commented Lloyd. "Okay, so the finish line will be at the front yard of the guard commander's manor, which sits at the southern border of the plain."
“...”
Komanchi shook his head roughly, fighting the desire to hurl out an insult. Then he shot a burning glare at Lloyd. "You cannot ride anything until you reach the finish line. And, of course, there are no breaks allowed. We are gallopers and don't rest until we cross the finish line. So, you are expected to do the same."
"I expect nothing less," said Lloyd.
"Moreover, the news of this race will spread across the entire plain. The entire plain will see us race as we pass by each of the villages. So, mark my words." Komanchi paused before giving a grave warning. "No cheating will be permitted. Hundreds, no, thousands of centaurs will have their eyes on us!"
"Oh, sure. I am aware of that."
"Then, let us begin."
"Be my guest." Lloyd shrugged and stood at the starting line. And he waited for the go sign. And at last...
"Race!"
Boooom! As soon as the go signal was made, Komanchi flung his body forward with force so mighty that he shook the ground. His giant muscles fiercely bulged as his body shot forward.
Gallop! Thwack! Komanchi dashed at lightning speed as he produced a large sandstorm. The ground shook each time his hooves touched the ground. Within five seconds, he was going over 62 mph, a speed befitting his status as a three-time champion of the plain. Lloyd, however...
"Hmph! Hmph! Hmph! Hmph!"
His pace was no different than normal and too relaxed. The ground didn't shake, or he didn't charge like a storm. His start was more relaxed and carefree than the race against the patrol commander. The onlooking centaurs frowned as they looked at him and thought...
What's this pathetic takeoff?
Is that what he considers running?
Is he the same guy who received the red speeding ticket?
Even a newborn foal would be faster than him!
They were gutted. His running was horrendous. The slow stretch of his legs was surely unbecoming of a red-ticketed speedster. The observing centaurs' eyes held a glint of disappointment.
It looks like the race is over already.
It's going to be years before he gets to the finish line.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Poor Komanchi. He has to race all the way to the border of the human kingdom against this pathetic slowpoke.
What a drudgery.
That two-legged man isn't worth racing. He's helpless.
Everyone shook their heads as they eyed Lloyd with pity. Except for one spectator. Javier.
Fake Master Lloyd. Did you really have to do this to win?
Javier was running as well but keeping a safe distance from Lloyd. He rooted for Lloyd as he jogged, thinking that Lloyd would end up as the winner of this race and the mocking centaurs would be shell-shocked in a few days from now.
Though they'll never be able to foresee it by the looks of the race.
Javier had a hunch and became certain of it. Just like that, he wordlessly followed Lloyd. On the other hand, a large number of centaurs who watched the race at the starting line turned back with the conviction that Komanchi would reach the finish line first as the human was running terribly slow. There was no doubt about it, they believed. Not even bothering to follow the two, everyone gave no more attention to the race and decided to just hear the story from Komanchi once he came back as the winner. Everyone clicked their tongues and scoffed at themselves for being so foolish to have once looked up to the human just because he had a red speeding ticket.
As such, it was beyond their wildest dreams when something happened four days later, something shocking enough to cause the centaurs to tap their foreheads with their hooves.
