Chapter 71 King of Griffins (1)

The sun had not yet begun to rise, and inside my dark room I unsheathed my mithril sword and checked its blade under the light of the lamp. I never got the sword chipped while in Merdiore in the first place so there should be no problem but it’s just a uncontrollable habit of mine to check it anyway before an actual fight.

That’s probably because I love swords. Checking its condition, I maintained it properly. I feel like when I’m doing this, I am calm inside.

Sitting down on the floor, spreading out a piece of cloth, I lay all my weapons on top of it. Including the daggers and knife. Picking up each one by one, I cleaned the blade with a new piece of cloth and removed any stains that might have been on the blade. But they weren’t that dirty in the first place so I finished pretty quickly. Picking up one of my daggers, I gave it a swing and the sound of the air getting cut by its sharp blade reached me. Satisfied from that pleasant, familiar sound, I put the dagger back in its sheath.

The dragon bone knife, as its name would suggest was made out by carving and shaping the bone of a dragon, so its blade looked pretty rough but its edge was much sharper than even a normal sword. To test its sharpness, I pushed it on my finger nail and it cleanly, without much resistance, cut the tip of my nail.

After checking every weapon like this, I took in a breath, and then slowly, with ease, breathed out. When I picked up the mithril sword to put it back in its sheath, the door was knocked on.

“I’m coming in.”

“Sure.”

Saying that, the one who entered was Feirona. Even though it was still so early in the morning, there was no sign of sleepiness on his face. On his back was a bow and quiver and a sword on his waist. This look, that I had grown used to seeing, still made me feel confident as well.

“There’s still time before we set out but, how’re the preparations going?”(elf)

“Yeah, I’m almost done.”

“I see.”

Feirona took off his weapons and sat down on the bed. While seeing him, I took out Ermenhilde out of my pocket. Gripping the gold medal in my palms, faint jade green magical energy leaked out from it and turned into a sword in my hand. The blade was pure white as if it was made of silver and it shone under the light of the lamp.

Only one of my covenants was released right now. Even though I’m supposed to be fighting griffins soon, this really makes me uneasy. The only covenant released was my fighting will but that really made me feel complicated.

[What?]

“nah, just thinking that the blade was really pretty as usual.”

[fufu, I see.]

When I gave my honest impression, Ermenhilde clearly spoke up happily. Well, if she’s happy that’s good as well.

“What about you? Are you done with the prep?”(renji)

“yeah, no problem here. That said, this is my first time fighting a griffin. I’m not sure what I’d need against them either.”

As I asked that to Feirona, he replied back in a relaxed voice. There was no sense of unease or over eagerness in his voice.

I was amazed to see him so relaxed even when he’s about to fight against an enemy that he’s never fought before.

“Don’t worry too much. With your skills, it won’t be much of problem.”(renji)

“Being told that by you does make it more rea.s.suring.”

“Well, that’s great then.”

Saying that, I s.h.i.+ned Ermenhilde’s blade under the lamp. The temper line of the sword was as straight as it could have been, without a single bend. Though it’s not as sharp as Masaki-chan’s blade, it can still easily cut apart goblins and Orcs like b.u.t.ter.

“And, how’s your own condition?”(elf)

“As usual. I so scared to fight that I’m shaking.”

“Fuh, well that’s rea.s.suring as well.”

“Oh leave me alone.”

Replying that, I averted my gaze from the Divine blade in my hand. And the sword dissipated into green magical energy.

“It’s very like you to be the same as usual even before a big fight I guess.”

“What? Did you want me to be actually more nervous?”

“No way. If you started acting nervous, it’ll disrupt my mood as well.”

“What an unfair remark.”

Giving a small laugh, I stood up. Putting away the items I used to inspect my equipment, I cracked my enck once.

“Now then, what about ms Francesca? You guys have been with her for the past few days right?”

“Look forward to it. She worked really hard together with Mururu so that she could surprise you.”

[fufu. To surprise him, eh?]

“Well, can’t wait to see that.”(renji)

I looked outside the window. The sun will begin to rise soon.

It’s about time when Aya and others woke up as well. After getting breakfast first, then meeting up with ms Francesca, we’ll make camp in the plains near the bare mountain and annihilate those griffins.

Honestly, I hoped to have Yuuichirou’s strength with us as well but he’s finally settled down with a woman and is walking on to a new path. It’d be boorish of me to be an obstacle to that.

Well, considering his personality, he wouldn’t have cared at all about it though.

But he’s also the type who hates fighting. That’s why he chose a job like gravekeeping that doesn’t require him to use the powers of a Hero. He might have accepted if I had asked but that’s slightly different from him voluntarily accepting it I think.

Now knights and adventurers have to fight continuously because it’s their job but making someone fight solely because he’s strong is——or maybe I’m being naïve here as well. But even while knowing that, I didn’t ask Yuuichirou to fight means that even I still have lots to learn. If I was hoping to keep danger to a minimum, I should have relied on Yuuichirou, I understand that very well.

“Then, let’s see if she has what it takes.”(renji)

“Don’t make her do something too rash though.”(elf)

“I know. If I let such a good girl get injured, her father would kill me.”

I recalled Leonhart, [Ms Francesca’s father]. For a  merchant he was well built and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone said that he was an adventurer. In a pure compet.i.tion of strength, I can very easily see thing go badly for me.

[He let Ms Francesca go understanding and accepting the risk and conditions so I don’t think you have to worry about that though.]

“I can’t be like that now can I? It’s not my hobby to see beauties get injured.”

[n.o.body cares what your hobbies are.]

“hah, I guess so.”

Also, a battle is to put your life on the line. Your priority should be to stay alive till the end. Even I understand that.

When I gave shrug saying that I was just joking, Ermenhilde gave a really heavy sigh.

And after a while, the door was knocked on.

“Renji, Feirona, are you two awake?”

“Yeah.”

When I answered, the door opened.

It was Solnea who appeared. She had already changed out from her nightgown and was in her usual black one-piece dress. But, there was also a blue bird on her shoulder.

“So you’re awake already. The sun hasn’t even risen yet. Why not sleep a bit more?”(renji)

“Because Aya and others started moving around already. And it’s almost morning anyway so.”(sol)

“I guess that’s true as well.”

Giving a laugh, I sat down on my bed. Seeing me, Solnea also took a seat on one of the chairs in the room.

At the same time, the small bird on her shoulder flew up and sat down on mine. As it chirped right beside my ear, I gave a smile. Animals sure can be cute, really.

As I gently caressed its head with my finger it came closer as if it liked getting spoiled by me.

“What happened Solnea? I thought I told you that it’d be difficult to be with us for today, right?”

“I remember Feirona, but Aya and others said that we were going to take breakfast right now.”

“Oh so you came to call us, eh. Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

So it’s already time. I was about to stretch my body but remembered that the small bird was on my shoulder and stopped halfway. Seeing me make such a half gesture, Feirona gave a smile and stood up and put his equipment back on. When I also stood up while also paying mind to the small bird, Ermenhilde gave an exaggerated sigh.

[Are you planning to take that bird with you as well?]

“No way. Solnea, take care of it while we’re gone okay?”

“Understood.”

When I said that, the blue bird flew back to Solnea’s shoulder. Was this the result of Utano-san’s training or had it become more intelligent simply from turning into a familiar? Either way, I’ll have it keep an eye on Solnea while we’re away as well. It seemed like bird had understood me well.

“Now then, let’s do some proper work for once eh?”(renji)

“Seriously. You’ve been constantly away from guild work from the day we came to Merdiore so be sure to work hard today.”(elf)

[umu. Make sure to work him hard.]

“………No but, I did important stuff like confirming the number of Griffins etc you know?”

Why do they say things that’ll make me instantly uneager about this? While dropping my shoulders, I put on my mantle and seeing me like that Feirona in a low voice but clearly, laughed out. I wonder how much was he serious and how much was it just a joke.

“Don’t expect too much okay? There’s not much I can do here.”(renji)

“I know, of course. We’ll only ask you to do things that we know you can.”

“I wonder about that.”

When I gave a shrug, this time Ermenhilde was the one who laughed. Even though we’re about to go face a really dangerous beast, there was no sense of tension in our talks. While thinking that this was a good thing, I left the room.

“Renji.”

Just then, Solnea spoke up.

Wondering what was wrong I turned around to see her, in a rare moment……..well not sure of that but anyway, Solnea was making a somewhat meek face.

“What’s wrong?”(renji)

“Will you be fine?”

A very quiet voice reached my ears. Maybe because she came when I was checking my weapons, she was looking at my weapons with a curious gaze.

“What do you mean?”

“No, I heard that you will be heading to a battle soon so..”

Hearing that, I tilted my head confused at what had happened. I had already talked to her about the Griffin subjugation and though the enemy was a demonic beast, since we know it’s habits and weaknesses…….well, I did explain that we’d be fine.

There’s no certainty to anything but I do make sure to complete a job as safely as possible.

I had explained all that to her but was she still worried about something?

Glancing towards Feirona, maybe he sensed something from Solnea’s reaction because he was currently resting his back to the wall and standing with arms folded. It seems he plans on waiting till this conversation ends properly.

“We haven’t had our game of chess yet.”(sol)

“Hm?”

At first I didn’t get what she said.

Chess, chess? After that word rotated in my head for a while, I finally got what Solnea was saying and also realized the answer.

She’s talking about how we talked about having that chess game yesterday but still haven’t played yet.

“I see. Well, why don’t we have that match after we return? Is that okay with you?”(renji)

“Yes.”

When I said that, she gave a slight nod. She really is like an obedient child, not being selfish or wilful at all. Well, it’d be troublesome if I actually had such a big kid though. Being a father at my age doesn’t suit me at all. Even though I do basically act as a subst.i.tute father to all the children.

“Please come back safely.”(sol)

“Su, sure.”(renji)

Since this was the first time she said something like that, I stuttered a bit. No wait I feel like she did say something similar when I went to partic.i.p.ate in the tournament back at the capital but at that time the way she spoke felt like it was obvious for me to win or something.

Even though getting so surprised at her words should normally be considered rude, Solnea simply continued to stare up towards me without showing any change of expression.

Well this was a first. Rather than feel surprised at being stared by a beauty like this, I was honestly more surprised at this change in her. So as to regain my composure, I cleared my throat and took deep breaths. And Solnea continued look at me with emotionless eyes.

“I got it. I’ll be sure to come back safe………..It’s a promise.”

I was able to say that normally. No, should I say that those words came to me unconsciously.

It’s an old habit.

——-I promise. To definitely fulfil it. To protect it. To return back safe. No matter how strong, big, or ferocious my opponent may be, because I promised, and to fulfil that promise.

[You sure about this?]

“hm?”

[I thought you always said that you won’t make promises so easily? Using something like ‘it’s difficult to fulfil them’ as an excuse.]

“It’s fine. Now that I’ve said it, I’ll keep it.”

[I see.]

Saying that, I walked off.

It must not be my imagination that Ermenhilde’s voice seemed clearly more cheerful than usual.

Seeing me like that, Feirona didn’t even try to hide his smile as he walked alongside me.

“How very reliable indeed.”(elf)

“Don’t tease me too much. I’m just a weak little human after all.”

[And already, you’re talking like that again…………]

“Well, I’ll moderately work hard I guess.”

I promise. I’ll work hard. Those are words I had been constantly avoiding for a while now.

It makes me really itchy but——to move forward, it’s a path, words I can’t avoid.

And finally as I came down to the first floor while thinking of such things, Aya and Mururu, who were already changed into their normal clothes, and Ms Francesca, who must have come here pretty early, were sitting on a table together having a chat.

Realizing we had come down the stairs as well, she, slightly nervously, gave a bow towards me. Seeing her like that made me recall how she was when we first made and I ended up laughing slightly. Compared to back then, Ms Francesca has grown up a lot. As people who travelled with her, we know that the best.

And we also know that if she keeps on working hard, she can grow even further.

“Good morning, Ms Francesca.”

“Good morning, Renji-sama.”

“What happened? We were supposed to meet up at the main gates right? Did you get too excited and not sleep or something?”(renji)

“………fufu. You could say that.”(fran)

Maybe she felt something from my words, she removed her tense expression and gave a smile. I think she was probably thinking of the same thing as I was.

When I first met her, the next day after I saved her to be exact, I recalled how she was awake so early back then as well.

It was a nostalgic piece of memory. But others who didn’t know of that could only look at her confused as to why she suddenly smiled like that. Well, she’d probably tell them if anyone were to ask though. It’s not really some kind of secret after all.

“now then, let’s quickly have our breakfast and head to work, shall we?”(renji)

But when I said that, Mururu looked up towards me in a suspicious manner. I looked at others wondering if I said something strange but they didn’t seem to show any reaction.

“What happened?”(renji)

“Did something happen?”(mururu)

Hmm. Unable to understand what she meant, I could only look back at her for a while.

“Nothing really.”(renji)

“I see.”

And, when I said that, she didn’t pay any more attention to it and turned away.

“Weird girl.”(renji)

“I’m not. Renji, you’re just easy to understand.”(mururu)

“But you’re definitely not though.”(renji)

Well, I guess even she does get easy to understand when it is anything concerning food.

I wonder if she picked up on something. Beastmen are very sensitive to the subtleties of emotions as well after all. But the fact that she didn’t try to pursue it any further was very Mururu like indeed.

But still—–

“It quite hurt to be called as easy to understand by you.”(renji)

“……..And, you were also rude in return.”(mururu)

“Well, sorry about that.”

When I gave an insincere apology, she lightly elbowed my side. I guess you can call such a relations.h.i.+p to be an intimate one as well.