novelraw Chapter 17: Centaur Race
Chapter 17: Centaur Race
After accomplishing something significant, even Fischer couldn't help feeling a sense of achievement, which put him in quite a good mood. The scenery outside seemed more beautiful too. Along the way, there were no more black-robed researchers from the Royal Academy in sight—whether they had returned to their institute or gone to work part-time at the Pink Pavilion was unclear.
Damian's words earlier had given Fischer a renewed understanding of the academy principal. He hadn't expected Damian to make such a bold move of cutting off his own support, explicitly asking Fischer to harshly criticize those corrupt researchers. Members of the Gryphon Party valued face above all else; their old Nary-style pride hadn't faded, making them unable to tolerate criticism. Otherwise, they wouldn't have monopolized education for so many years.
After leaving the Royal Academy and heading toward the tram station, Fischer could clearly see the golden palace at the center of Saint Nary and the rows of sycamore trees outside from the academy's vantage point. However, the palace gates rarely opened these days. Due to the king's deteriorating health, he hadn't left the Golden Palace for a long time, with only the royal spokesperson making appearances on his behalf.
"Everyone, please continue following the New Party's legislative proposals! We've decided to renovate the outdated Fourth District, which will significantly improve living standards there!"
"We always prioritize the welfare, lives, and freedom of Nary's citizens! We hope for your support as we continue serving Saint Nary!"
"The Southern Continent Demi-human Protection Association has been established! Our headquarters is located near Saint Nary University, promoting youth awareness of life preservation!"
"Please take a look at our pamphlets!"
At a crossroads some distance from the Royal Academy, Fischer spotted well-dressed New Party campaigners standing before their massive steamship emblem, shouting enthusiastically. A crowd of supporters gathered excitedly, raising their hands in approval during the speeches.
The New Party's campaign had nearly reached the Gryphon Party's stronghold—it seemed certain they would win the midterm elections.
What caught Fischer's attention wasn't the sweat-drenched New Party speaker, but the girl standing behind the staff, gently waving a small New Party flag.The girl had beautiful brown hair. Her upper body appeared entirely human except for the long ears hanging by her head, while her lower body consisted of a massive equine form with four legs. The horse half was covered by a long coat concealing the lovely brown fur, while her upper half wore typical Nary ladies' clothing, creating a rather peculiar sight.
She was a demi-human of the [Centaurs] race!
Currently, she looked bewildered by the impassioned human crowd, occasionally giving her small flag a half-hearted wave—likely just serving as proof that the New Party had indeed established a "Southern Continent Demi-human Protection Association."
"Everyone, come see our detailed policies for the latter half of the election period! Don't worry—the New Party guarantees we'll deliver on these plans! Our first-half achievements speak for themselves!"
"That's right! We need more job opportunities!"
"Schools! My two children need education!"
The crowd surged forward to collect pamphlets from the New Party. The centaur girl held a small stack, carefully offering one to approaching citizens. But a man glanced at her and avoided her as if disgusted, pushing past to get pamphlets elsewhere.
Too busy to attend to her, the New Party speakers left the centaur girl awkwardly retreating behind their banner beneath the massive "Southern Continent Demi-human Protection Association" slogan, continuing to wave her small flag.
Fischer was surprised the New Party had managed to find a centaur demi-human—this was his first time seeing one in person. Centaurs had no permanent settlements, frequently migrating across the Southern Continent as entire populations.
The last records Fischer had seen dated back to when explorers first landed on the Southern Continent and encountered centaur tribes. One explorer tried shooting a centaur for specimen collection but failed, only succeeding in scaring them all away.
Since humans began flooding into the Southern Continent, centaurs gradually disappeared. Fischer assumed they'd retreated into remote mountains—he never expected to encounter one in Nary, so far from their homeland. He wondered how the New Party had found her.
Watching the centaur in the background, Fischer took one of their midterm election pamphlets. Flipping through it as he walked toward the tram station, he finally found their advertised "Southern Continent Demi-human Protection Association" in a corner of the last page.
The description read: "Currently under active development."
Fischer smirked mockingly and tossed the pamphlet into a roadside trash bin.
After buying some food and books, Fischer soon arrived at the tram station entrance, only to find it unexpectedly closed. The locked station's manager was apologizing profusely to frustrated citizens:
"Sorry! So sorry, everyone! The tracks ahead are damaged—Line 3 is temporarily suspended! Check transportation bureau notices for restoration updates!"
"Good grief! You damned—I pay so much in taxes, and this is how the transportation bureau treats us?"
"I need to pick up my child from school!"
"Apologies, everyone—there's been an incident ahead. Police have blocked part of the tracks. There's nothing we can do..."
Standing at the crowd's edge, Fischer looked toward the tracks' direction. A few stops ahead was Karen Street, where something seemed to have happened. He frowned—hadn't Martha mentioned going to Karen Street to see what the commotion was about?
The thought barely crossed his mind before he pushed through the gathering crowd and hailed a carriage. His rented home was less than twenty minutes away—much faster than the tram.
Upon arriving, Fischer hurried inside only to find the house empty. Martha hadn't returned yet.
His frown deepened with concern. Just as he turned to head for Karen Street, Martha's familiar voice sounded outside:
"Fischer! You're back—I thought you'd be later... Oh my, my back..."
Hearing Martha's lively voice instantly eased Fischer's tension. He turned to see her standing by the roadside, holding her waist with a tall woman supporting her.
The woman wore a man's Nary-style suit, hatless, proudly displaying her long silver hair tied into an elegant ponytail. Her handsome face maintained an icy composure—even while helping Martha, she showed no expression. Yet her eyes flickered slightly upon seeing Fischer emerge from the house with his cane.
Fischer recognized her—the pirate queen he'd met at sea a month ago: Arajina. He never expected to see her here, of all places, in these circumstances.
"I heard something happened on Karen Street—even the tram station closed. I was worried you might have gone there, so I took a carriage back."
"Oh, I never made it! I fell after buying butter—that blasted carriage was going so fast! That blind fool nearly hit me! Luckily this kind lady helped."
Martha looked gratefully at Arajina, who nodded slightly. Arajina glanced behind Fischer, apparently looking for Renée but not finding her, then said:
"Sir, we meet again."
"..."
Martha looked between them before realizing, "Oh my! You know each other? Who is this lady? You never told me..."
"A passenger from my return voyage from the Southern Continent. We only met briefly."
Fischer quickly explained Arajina's identity—omitting that this "passenger" had forcibly boarded mid-voyage. Telling Martha she was a pirate would have terrified her.
Arajina studied Fischer before nodding in confirmation.
"Alright Martha, I'm glad you're safe. Go rest inside—I'll speak with this lady."
"Oh, very well. Catch up then. I need to lie down—still feeling dizzy. That boy drove faster than my son ever did at eighteen—that's how he broke his left arm! I'm sure that driver will too—just a matter of time..."
Amused by Martha's muttered curses, Fischer promised to properly thank the woman. Only after Martha entered with her butter did Fischer and Arajina remain alone outside.
Arajina glanced at Fischer's back, averting her gaze to the ground when he turned—standing with "gentlemanly" patience for his next words.
With pedestrians passing by, Fischer gestured toward the empty backyard:
"Too many people here. Let's talk over there."
"...Very well."