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Chapter 16: The Contract

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Lucius and the others were at the edge of the forest, outside the village.

Robel, along with Lucius and three other children, and Olivia's escort knights.

Emilia, who was pregnant, naturally stayed at the mansion, while the elderly Guffel didn't join them because she would be a burden.

Robel held something wrapped in a meaningful white cloth.

"Father, didn't you always tell us not to come near this place?"

Kiel and Paul vigorously nodded.

This forest is called the Silverwood Forest.

The boundary between the Silverwood Forest and the village is a place where adults repeatedly caution children.

"Well, that's true. It's because of the appearance of monsters. But today, we can't avoid encountering a monster."

"...Well, I suppose so."

"Speaking of which, what kind of monster does everyone want to contract with?"

Robel asks with a smile.

"I-I want a monster that doesn't look scary...," Paul answers with a downward gaze.

"I want a fast monster," Kiel replies, more specific than Paul.

"Why speed?"

"Unlike Lucius, the magical power of Paul and i is average. We can't contract with strong monsters. So, we're looking for a creature with qualities other than strength. Speed seems like a good choice for a riding beast."

"I see, I see."

Lucius accepts the twins' wishes.

He also follows in the footsteps of the twins.

"It's been decided for a long time. I'll choose the same Hippogriff as Dad."

Since witnessing his father's ceremony during the "Appraisal Ceremony," Lucius had intended to choose the same Hippogriff as his father.

"Are you sure? My magical power was only at Level 3, so the Hippogriff was the limit for me. But you're at Level 1. You can aim for higher-level creatures," his father remarks.

"My goal is to become a distinguished baron, and Dad is making that a reality. That's why I choose the Hippogriff," Lucius responds.

Olivia raises her hand gracefully.

"I will contract with the King's beast, the Griffin. That's why I came here."

"A Griffin, huh? That's quite ambitious," Robel scratches his head.

"It's not just ambition," Olivia's eyes are filled with determination.

"If it's not ambition, then it's recklessness. The Griffin is undoubtedly a Level 1 creature. It has a fierce temperament and a proud nature. On top of that, it possesses immense magical power. It would be the ultimate riding beast, but it rarely submits to anyone," Robel explains.

"I understand everything. Just in case I get torn apart by the Griffin and die, I have already conveyed that I will not hold you responsible in any way."

"...That sounds like something a child would say."

Olivia glared sharply.

"What do you know about me, a country baron like you?"

A guard who stood behind quickly approached Olivia.

"Princess, this is not acceptable."

Olivia is the daughter of Count Strauss, who is close to the Baron Robel. However, her father, who has officially received a title from the country, holds a higher position.

Normally, a title is not something to be used lightly with such words.

"I don't know what burdens you carry, young lady. But I do know, painfully so, the importance of life. If you're not willing to take responsibility, then saying it's okay for a child to die right in front of me is nothing more than childish talk."

Olivia put strength into her words, retorting.

"However, I am aiming to become the queen. In order to demonstrate the qualities of a ruler, I need the Griffin."

Robel sighed, as if saying, "Oh well."

In this country, there is no true royal family in the literal sense.

Lucius, who is Japanese, may find it difficult to understand, but instead of a surname that represents the royal family, there is a clan called "Uji," which consists of the blood relatives of the king.

They are the Four Great Noble Houses.

Each of the Four Great Noble Houses, which rule over the east, west, south, and north, bears the king's clan name and has the right to ascend to the throne.

Generally, the term "royal family" refers to the current king's immediate family.

The Olivia Norris Windsor standing before them is the Norris Windsor who rules over the northern region and is of the royal clan.

However, it seems that there is a fierce competition to reach the throne.

Only the one who emerges victorious from the life-or-death political struggle will claim the throne.

To Lucius, it seems like a story in the clouds.

"A king..."

Olivia gazes at Lucius with a visible sense of hostility in her blue eyes.

"Yes, Lucius. I see things differently from you. That's why I can't afford to lose to someone like you."

"...Indeed, it seems we are aiming for different things."

However, Lucius evaded the hostility itself. It is not the time to indulge in the princess's whims at the moment.

Lucius turns toward Robel.

"So, Father, how does one form a contract with a monster?"

"Wait for me."

Robel unraveled a cloth he held in his hand.

"I'll use this 'Beast-Riding Prosthesis.'"

It had a shape and material that Lucius had never seen since his reincarnation.

It was a left hand made of ceramics or metal, covering the forearm from the elbow. One could call it a gauntlet. It had a shape that completely enveloped the forearm.

Lucius had never seen it in his past life either, but it had a certain sense of otherworldliness.

"It's rare, isn't it? An ancient relic. A considerable number of them are excavated, but only the people from the 'Tower' can repair them. Don't break it, okay?"

After urging everyone to be cautious, Robel continued speaking.

"Now, first is Paul. You'll put this on."

"Huh? Huh?!"

Paul looked around nervously.

"The further you go into the Silverwood Forest, the stronger the monsters become. First, we'll look for a Rank 6 monster in the shallower areas."

The Beast-Riding Prosthesis was placed on Paul, who had teary eyes.

It seemed to be an adult size, so it was too big for 10-year-old Paul, and it looked like it might slip off.

"Alright, let's go. I already have a target in mind."

With a smile on his face, Robel led the group into the forest.

However, he had already drawn his saber, which he usually kept sheathed, preparing for any potential attacks.

Though Robel appeared carefree, he was not letting his guard down.

That fact strongly conveyed the sense that they had stepped into a realm beyond human territories.

Lucius also rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.

He didn't unsheathe it, but he remained cautious, ready to draw it at any moment.

As they ventured further into the forest, the immediate surroundings were filled with waist-high grass and shrubs. But after about ten minutes of walking, the ground became covered only in dried leaves as large trees started to dominate the area.

They had reached an ancient part of the forest where the canopy of massive trees concealed the sky, preventing sunlight from reaching the forest floor. As a result, no weeds grew there.

Progressing through the dimly lit but relatively clear forest, they noticed someone ahead who was observing them.

There seemed to be about three individuals.

They were already aware of Lucius and the others' presence, and their demeanor indicated that they were on edge, as if they were about to launch an attack.

"Goblin"

Lucius murmured in a low voice.

As he glanced at Robel, his father nodded silently.

――So, that's what it is.

Lucius quietly unsheathed his sword from its scabbard.

"Are you okay!?"

Olivia's guard became flustered.

"No problem."

Confidently, Robel replied.

With the plan set, Lucius approached the three goblins silently.

Closing the distance without making a sound, he slew one of them.

"Gii!!"

Lucius quickly evaded the axe attacks from the remaining two goblins, taking advantage of the reach difference with his weapon. He plunged the tip of his sword into the throat of one goblin that had swung its axe overhead.

Swiftly withdrawing his sword, he sliced up the last goblin from the chest area.

The three goblins turned into lifeless corpses in an instant.

"W-What was that!?"

"That's unbelievable! He's still just a child, isn't he!?"

Olivia and her guard exclaimed in astonishment.

"Huh? Lucius is always like that, though?"

"Hey, Paul, you should use polite language when addressing a noble."

The twins had expressions as if it were only natural.

While wiping the bloodstains off his sword with a cloth, Lucius returned.

"Lucius, if it's an opportune moment without any initial defenses, you should be able to defeat two goblins. It's not good to leave just one. Goblins will call for reinforcements if they manage to escape."

"I know. Seems like my skills are still lacking."

"However, your subsequent moves were good."

Robel patted Lucius's head with a firm touch.

"...Hmm."

Lucius has participated in the subjugation of monsters that appeared on the main road multiple times during his training.

He has already gained practical experience and feels no pressure when facing weak monsters.

"I-I can do it too!"

Olivia tries to put up a brave front, not wanting to lose to Lucius.

"You aspire to be a king in the future, right? While it might be understandable if you were managing the Silverheart territory, I don't think someone involved in politics at the center needs to directly exterminate monsters."

The reason Lucius accumulates the power to defeat monsters is to succeed his father.

Being adjacent to Silverwood Forest, one of the country's leading habitats for monsters, in a territory that cannot be called respectable without the ability to fight monsters, he needs the power to protect his people just like his father.

"Even so..."

"The discussion is over. We're entering the territory of monsters. Let's proceed quietly."

Olivia glares sharply at Lucius and starts moving forward.

--It seems like she really dislikes me, but I wonder why.

She's a girl he only met during the "Appraisal Ceremony" when he was three years old.

Moreover, they haven't even had a direct conversation. He has no idea why she dislikes him at all.

Unsettled, Lucius follows his father and proceeds through the forest.

"Well, it's about time."

Robel, who was walking in front, signals to everyone with his hand.

The deeper into the forest, the fewer trees there are, and it turns into a meadow.

"So, there's a meadow in this Silverwood Forest."

"There are places like this here and there."

Robel carefully observes the meadow from the edge of the forest.

"Oh! It's there."

He takes the twin brother, Paul, by the hand.

"Now, Paul, how about making a contract with that monster over there?"

Robel points to where a small cloud is floating.

But something seems off.

The sense of distance feels distorted. It's too small for a cloud, and it's too close to the ground.

"Robel-sama, what is that?"

"It's a Cloud Sheep."

--A sheep?

Upon closer inspection, the white object that appeared like a cloud also resembles a clump of wool.

Here and there, tiny hands, legs, and a head are buried in the wool.

The floating flock of sheep appeared like clouds.

Their appearance lacks the grotesque ugliness of goblins.

"...Indeed, it's a sheep-like monster."

"Paul wanted a non-threatening monster, right? Cloud Sheep has a certain appeal due to its appearance. Besides, it has good abilities."

"...Maybe that one won't be scary."

"It's settled then."

Robel immediately summons a Hippogriff from his left hand.

He forcefully puts the frightened Paul on the Hippogriff and mounts it himself.

"Cloud Sheep are timid. They'll flee to the sky if you approach normally. We'll fly ahead with Photon to get closer."

"R-Robel-sama, we're flying!?"

Paul seems on the verge of tears.

"If you hold on tight, everything will be fine. Once we get close, just touch the Cloud Sheep with the 'Beast Rider's Prosthetic Hand.' It's easy, right?"

"I-I'll do my best."

As the Hippogriff created an airstream beneath its wings, it gracefully ascended into the sky with just a single flap.

Along the way, the sound of Paul's screams could be heard, but as long as Robel is with him, everything should be fine.

After bidding farewell to Robel, Lucius drew his sword.

"Why are you drawing your sword?"

Sensing the unease, one of Olivia's guards positioned himself to hide her behind his back.

"This is the forest of monsters. If my father is not here, then I need to handle it when monsters appear. Ah, but I'm still inexperienced. Can I ask you to be prepared to fight at any time as well?"

The guard knight reluctantly nodded, his expression bitter. He never expected to be lectured on vigilance by a child.

"...Understood."

The guard also quietly drew his sword.

Turning his gaze back to Paul and the others, the Hippogriff had already entered the flock of Cloud Sheep.

The Cloud Sheep scattered and ran around like a shepherd dog entering a flock of sheep.

Robel forcibly held Paul's left arm, who was crying and screaming. It seemed that he was using the "Beast Rider's Prosthetic Hand" to touch the fleeing Cloud Sheep.

When he touched about four or five of them, it felt like something happened between the "Beast Rider's Prosthetic Hand" and the monsters.

At the next moment, as the cloud sheep dissolved into the sky like particles, it was drawn into Paul's hand, who wore the "Beast Rider's Prosthetic Arm."

Robel circled in the sky and turned the head of the hippogriff toward where Lucius was.

The hippogriff, which had flown through the sky, landed on the ground while flapping its wings.

Robel  descended first, followed by Paul.

"Paul, your contract with the cloud sheep is over."

"Dad, you let him touch a few of them, but what were you doing?"

"Well, I was looking for individuals that have good compatibility with Paul. Just like humans, monsters also have their own personalities, so it's a matter of whether they get along or not."

"If they don't get along, you can't make a contract with the monster?"

"That's right. The contract is based on equality. Even if we think it's good, it won't be established unless the other party agrees."

"I see. It would be nice to find a hippogriff that has good compatibility with me."

"Well, that's purely a matter of luck. Sometimes it takes months to establish a contract for the ritual."

"That long!?"

"Yes. That's why I told you. It's after the wheat harvest that we make the contract."

"True..."

"Alright, next is Kiel. It's a Rank 5 monster. Let's go."

As Robel  returned the hippogriff to his left arm, the group once again began to advance through the forest.

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