The next morning, Mousse freshened up, took the provisions he had asked the innkeeper to prepare, and set off in high spirits.
The innkeeper had originally wanted to prepare a horse for Mousse, but he refused. Once they reached the outskirts, Amon could carry him through the air. It was faster, offered a broader view, and made finding people easier. How could an ordinary horse compare?
Nico Olvia did not even know Soru. At her fastest, she could only travel by horseback, so naturally she could not compare to Mousse flying through the sky.
Even setting aside the difference in speed, the two modes of travel were not even on the same level in terms of comfort.
Mousse could sit or lie down inside Amon's enormous mouth, and he could even sleep without worry. Amon could keep watch for him, and his eyesight was better, too!
Robin and her mother had it much harder. Nico Olvia was an adult and had undergone long periods of fieldwork, so she managed better. Little Robin, however, had ridden—or rather, sat on—a horse for only half a day before her bottom was rubbed raw, and the pain made her want to cry.
But the strong little girl endured it. When her mother had decided to leave, she could have stayed behind with Mousse. Nico Olvia had given her that choice.
Yet Nico Robin had chosen to follow the mother she had struggled so hard to see again. Since she had made her choice, no matter how difficult things became, she would persevere and never regret it!
Robin did not regret her decision, but Nico Olvia, as her mother, did feel some regret. She did not mind suffering herself, but seeing her daughter cry continuously from the pain truly broke her heart.
Then she thought