Chapter 17: Count Strauss’s Scheme

It had been about two hours since we started walking in the forest.

As noon approached, Robel  whispered.

“I see it.”

“My lord. Is that it?”

Kiel pointed his finger.

Something like a large black bird was perched on top of a huge tree.

“Yes, that’s it. It’s a monster called Peruton.”

“…I’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s not that well-known. But its legs are top-notch.”

“In that case, let’s go with Peruton.”

Kiel lowered his head, and his left arm was already fitted with a [ Beast Rider’s Prosthetic arm].

He held the loose gauntlet that seemed about to slip off.

“But something’s strange. Peruton is a Rank 5 monster. Normally, it should be deeper in the forest.”

Robel , looking puzzled, quietly summoned the Hippogriff once again from his left hand, just like before.

Kiel obediently mounted the Hippogriff as instructed.

Just like before, the Hippogriff soared up into the sky.

Presumably, it would fly close enough to touch, just like with the Cloud Sheep earlier.

As the Hippogriff reached the same height as the tree where Peruton was perched, it didn’t make a sudden approach like before. Instead, it flew quietly and slowly.

Huh? It’s not getting closer?

Closing the distance little by little.

Perhaps sensing the Hippogriff’s approach, Peruton spread its black wings and took off.

As soon as it took off, it quickly descended following the force of gravity.

Contrary to its earlier gradual movements, the Hippogriff also started descending steeply without losing to Peruton.

Peruton, with its wings spread, and the Hippogriff were descending in a straight line towards the ground.

Lucius and the others under the tree clearly observed Peruton’s figure.

It was a creature with a body resembling a pitch-black male deer and wings. It had magnificent antlers like a stag.

“They’re going to collide!”

When they were just a little distance away from the ground, the Hippogriff enveloped itself in the wind and applied a sudden brake.

However, Peruton didn’t reduce its speed at all.

It continued on a straight path towards the ground.

Just when it seemed like Peruton would crash into the ground, it smoothly disappeared as if being sucked into its own shadow.

“Damn, did we fail?”

Robel  expressed frustration near Lucius.

“…It disappeared?”

“Yeah, you see, Peruton dives into its own shadow and escapes to a distant place. Its escape skills are top-notch.”

Lucius agreed.

“Indeed, in terms of speed, it’s a formidable creature.”

“My lord, I absolutely want to ‘bind’ that one.”

Kiel, who usually doesn’t express his opinions much, had a gleam in his eyes.

“Oh, leave it to me! If someone in the domain can turn Peruton into a mounted beast, it’ll be a great help for me too.”

“Yes!”

Lucius was struck by Robel ‘s words.

I see. Father’s guidance of the village children is also for the sake of the domain.

Father Robel  giving the ceremony to the village children was not just out of kindness.

The power of the ceremony is diverse.

Even if one person doesn’t possess all the power, it would be enough if the villagers and comrades contribute together.

If we could bind a creature that dives into shadows and moves swiftly, it would be perfect for communication in case something happens.

At least on the way back from the previous “Appraisal Ceremony,” if Kiel had bound that creature, he could have returned to the village alone and requested reinforcements.

It’s unclear what role the previous Cloud Sheep serves, but there must be some intention behind it.

While Lucius was convinced, Robel  started aiming for the next location.

“Well then, let’s go. Peruton is often found on the Silverwood trees that are the origin of this forest. We’ll search for the Silverwood trees around here.”

They walked around the forest for a while, searching for Silverwood trees multiple times.

Along the way, they encountered monsters, but Lucius had little opportunity to act as Robel  and the escort knights swiftly dealt with them.

Each time they found Peruton, they repeated a similar process.

The second and third times, they were noticed before getting close enough to touch and escaped.

On the fourth attempt, they managed to make contact for the first time, but the contract was refused, and it escaped.

The fifth one couldn’t be touched, and although they managed to touch the sixth one, they still couldn’t reach a contract.

And now, with the seventh Peruton, Robel  and Kiel approached from behind, riding the Hippogriff.

When they came quite close, Peruton noticed their presence sneaking up from behind and began a rapid descent.

The Hippogriff also descended vertically at the same time.

The distance between the Hippogriff and Peruton gradually shortened, but the ground was already too close.

As resignation appeared on Robel ‘s face, Kiel’s outstretched arm grazed Peruton’s feathers.

Noticing that, Robel  didn’t loosen the brake even at the moment when it should have been applied.

Robel ‘s and Lucius’ gazes met.

“Everyone, run!”

Lucius shouted as he was near the landing spot.

Upon hearing his voice, the escort knights and Paul, who were accustomed to fleeing, quickly moved.

One step ahead, an escaping escort knight reached out his hand.

“Princess, come this way!”

However, in the split second confusion, Olivia seemed to be unaware of the situation.

Lucius, with one hand, scooped up Olivia who was left behind and started running.

“Hey! W-What are you doing?”

Despite Olivia struggling while being carried, Lucius ignored her and ran, realizing that they needed to quickly move away from the landing spot.

Just after everyone on the ground scattered, the two beasts dived toward the ground.

In the area where Lucius and the others had been standing until a moment ago, a gust of wind erupted as if something had exploded.

Startled, Olivia let out a voice that was close to a scream.

“What!? What just happened?!”

As the swirling dust gradually settled, the two beasts were on the ground.

It was the Hippogriff and Peruton.

Kiel was literally clinging to the Hippogriff, taking deep breaths on its shoulder.

His hair was disheveled, and his pupils were completely dilated.

– It must have been terrifying beyond measure.

“Phew, that was close. If Photon hadn’t created a cushion of wind, we would have been squashed tomatoes,” Robel  said, patting the Hippogriff’s neck while laughing cheerfully.

“But the contract went well. Kiel, you showed some guts. And thanks for staying in a shallower layer than usual, it really helped,” he continued.

Robel  set Kiel down on the ground, but Kiel couldn’t stand and ended up sitting on the ground.

In response to the slumped Kiel, Peruton, who had just formed a contract, touched its nose to Kiel’s face.

With a faint “heh,” Peruton was absorbed into Kiel’s left hand.

Satisfied, Robel  nodded to himself.

“Well, I guess it’s time to wrap it up for today,” he said.

The sun was setting, casting a reddish glow.

Indeed, they wouldn’t be able to go any deeper without risking getting caught in the darkness before returning.

“Wait a minute. Aren’t we supposed to find the Griffin?” Olivia, who had followed along all day without complaining, couldn’t hold back her protest.

“No, it’s impossible to go deep enough to find the Griffin today,” Robel  replied.

“Then why did you bring me along?” Olivia asked.

The smile disappeared from Robel ‘s face.

“To let you witness the actual contract. The higher the rank of the monster, the greater their magical power and the more dangerous they become. I think you understand now, but in order to form a contract, you need to directly touch the Griffin. Just so you know, it’s impossible to just take you there like earlier and have you touch it without consequences.”

“…. I am prepared for it.”

“Is a king really someone who would make a child go through all that?”

Olivia’s expression turned serious, no longer showing the recklessness of her youth but rather the face of a noble.

“Robel  Norris Dragon, as a noble with Norris in your name, you should understand. From the northern regions, we haven’t been able to produce a king for a while. Do you understand what that means?” Olivia said.

“Well, it’s no surprise that their influence in the capital keeps diminishing,” Robel  replied.

Political power is the power of factions. Although the country is not an absolute monarchy, the political power of the families that have been able to produce kings is strong. However, the speaking power of the northern region, which has been unable to produce a king for a while, must have significantly weakened.

No, perhaps it has already disappeared completely.

The power balance in politics, which is never taught in textbooks, is something that is difficult to understand.

“In that case, I would like your cooperation, Lord Dragon. I will bear the fate of all the nobles in the northern region and challenge the throne. It is the duty of someone born into the Norris Windsor family,” Olivia said.

Olivia and Robel ‘s gazes met directly.

Robel  scratched his head.

“Geez, acting all grown-up, huh? I received a letter from your father, Lord Strauss, telling me to make you give up,” Robel  said.

“…. My father? Why? It’s something that would benefit our family,” Olivia asked, perplexed.

“Your father would never make his child do something that would get them killed. Furthermore, the letter even mentioned having Lucius contract with a griffin. What does that old man think of someone else’s son? Is he trying to get him killed? There are plenty of Class 1 monsters that are more manageable”

Lucius could understand Lord Strauss’s intentions now.

Just like Robel  earlier.

If they could have a beneficial bond with a monster, it would become a power for the entire territory. It goes without saying that a leader should not rely on others for everything, but it is not necessary for the leader to do everything alone.

Lord Strauss probably intended to assign the responsibility of military strength to Lucius, one of his vassal nobles, rather than his daughter, Olivia.

“M-My father, not me… but Lucius…?” Olivia stuttered.

“Well, that’s what they call a parent’s heart,” Robel  remarked.

The knight guarding them also looked awkward, turning his gaze away. Naturally, he would have received secret orders from Lord Strauss.

With tears in her eyes, Olivia confronted Lucius.

“Why!? Why is it always you!? Even though I’m putting in so much effort… Father, Mother, and the other nobles, they all talk about Lucius, Lucius, Lucius. Are the four cores of the Quartet really that important!? Is a Class 1 magic core really that amazing!?”

Lucius was at a loss for words.

“I… uh… well…”

Olivia’s outburst left him speechless.

“I won’t lose to you! Never! I’ll definitely show them by contracting with a griffin!” Olivia declared.

Lucius had no idea what was going on. There was no apparent reason for such hostility towards him.

“Well, young lady, calm down. I have to acknowledge your determination to come all the way to my territory, the closest to the forest where the griffins reside. Lord Strauss also recognized the strength of your will, which is why you’re still here, isn’t it?” Robel  tried to calm Olivia down.

“Then… for now, let’s think about it overnight—” Robel  tried to calm down the enraged Olivia when a foul smell permeated the air.

Robel  looked around, sensing something amiss.

Suddenly, a light purple mist enveloped the surroundings.

The visibility wasn’t significantly impaired, but it was strange how the seemingly ordinary forest had transformed just moments ago.

“Don’t breathe too deeply. It’s probably toxic,” Robel  cautioned, covering his mouth with his hand and summoning the photon of the Hippogriff.

“Gwoah!”

Suddenly, a man’s scream echoed through the air.

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