Loved by the Proud Griffins
Charlize, who had helped Akina solidify her firm resolve to protect Kaisent, left the moment the situation settled.
A special-grade newcomer was making a spectacular showing in the Eastern Continent, and with Blood Zen dead in the Western Continent as well, the Outer God Alliance would halt their activities for a time to consolidate their internal strength. She had decided to return to her proper work.
"Next time I come, it won't be sneaking in like this—I'll be received as a proper guest. Then we can finally have that 'overdue conversation.' Take care, my child♥"
Leaving those meaningful words behind, her form turned transparent and she vanished without a trace.
"From now on, your training can't be done where the knights can see. You've only just set foot on the edge of it, but you've already gained strength at the Origin level."
Akina judged that showing Kaisent's abnormal power to the knights would only invite trouble, and decided that all future training would take place in the secret training grounds reserved for members of the family alone.
"You've had a shock today, so rest. I'm sorry for putting you through something like this."
With those words she stroked Kaisent's head, then headed for her office to attend to her duties as lord.
"Help that child rest properly."
Her final instruction to her daughters—to see to Kaisent's comfort so he could recover in peace—faded as she disappeared, leaving three people alone in the half-destroyed training ground.
"Sorry, sis. I'm no good at this kind of thing."
"Huh? Wha— Wait a second!"
"Then I'll leave the rest to you~"
Patisha, who had never been skilled at looking after others or helping someone recover from exhaustion, dumped the responsibility on her older sister and vanished in an instant.
Left alone with the heavy duty of caring for Kaisent, Merencia stood there fidgeting, completely at a loss for what to do.
"It's okay."
"U-uh?"
"Lady Akina did it for my sake. I'm fine, so you don't have to force yourself."
Knowing that Merencia was even more introverted than he was, Kaisent offered her a gentle smile and consideration.
Yet no one could believe that a boy who had just fought for his life against a mother radiating killing intent and battle spirit strong enough to murder from a distance would simply snap back to normal. His legs still trembled, his breathing remained unsteady, and the slightest provocation looked ready to make him cry again. His eyes were still red from the tears he had shed only moments earlier.
Making even a child this young worry about me…
At an age when most would whine and throw tantrums, he was instead looking after a much older sister. Watching him, Merencia became certain that if things continued this way he would only grow to hate himself. She steadied her trembling heart.
"Where do you want to go?"
"Pardon?"
"Mother said you should rest today. If there's somewhere you want to go or something you like, tell me. I'll take you anywhere."
Something in her question seemed to tempt him; he did not refuse, and began thinking it over.
"Um… then… could I play with the griffins?"
"Griffins?"
"Yes. I like animals."
As far as she remembered, griffins were treated as monsters. Merencia felt a brief flicker of confusion over their nature, then cleared her mind and nodded.
"All right. But don't do anything dangerous. Griffins are clever and very proud."
It was the same warning he had heard when he first visited the pens, but Kaisent decided it would be better to show rather than explain, and simply nodded in agreement.
"Wh-why…?"
The moment they arrived at the griffin pens, the beasts that recognized Kaisent came forward of their own accord and began fawning over him.
"I knew it. That child has the talent to become the greatest griffin breeder of all."
"My lady, can't you speak to the Count about this? That boy simply must become a griffin breeder."
"I've worked here for over thirty years and I've never once seen the griffins act so affectionately."
The breeders who had witnessed the scene before insisted that Kaisent was destined to raise griffins.
"Haaaah~~"
When Kaisent pressed himself against the griffin with the softest feathers, the creature simply toppled onto its side right there in its nest so he could lie comfortably against it.
"Damn it. That prickly bastard used to beat its wings and drive me off whenever I tried to get close."
"You only got the wings. It actually pecked me."
Apparently it was one of the more ill-tempered griffins in the pens, yet it treated Kaisent with the same docile obedience it would show a lifelong master.
"Thank you. I'll just stay like this a little while."
"Pee-ee—"
Buried in the enormous griffin's body, Kaisent smiled, clearly delighted by the tough yet soft texture of the feathers.
"Uh… whoa…"
"Big sister, you come too."
"Me?"
"Yes. It's thanks to you that I get to play with the griffins like this."
"But… griffins get extremely wary when anyone who isn't a breeder or their master approaches…"
"It's fine."
Still marveling at how obediently the griffins treated him, Merencia carefully approached the one Kaisent was nestled against.
"Kreeeek—!"
"Euk…!"
"Shhh. Shh. It's okay. Trust me."
She seemed unused to griffins; when she edged closer hesitantly, the beast cradling Kaisent half-rose and began to show signs of wariness. But the moment Kaisent stroked its body and spoke in a soft voice, it settled back down and calmly accepted Merencia.
"I can't believe it."
"To calm a griffin that easily…"
The breeders were stunned that a griffin would remain seated without hostility even when a knight who was not its master approached.
"You're Countess Akina's daughter, so don't you have a griffin of your own?"
"Um… well… it never really worked out…"
She only put on a strong front when her subordinates were watching. In truth her timid, introverted nature had never been able to satisfy a griffin's lofty pride. In raw strength she was equal to veteran knights, yet griffins demanded that their chosen masters possess not only physical power but mental fortitude as well. That was why Merencia had never once drawn this close to a griffin without resistance. Now she gently stroked its head.
"…Cute."
She had never imagined that the same creatures whose evaluating gazes once filled her with fear could be this adorable.
What on earth is going on? I've never seen prideful griffins act this meek.
Even an acknowledged master, she knew, would find them finicky the moment something displeased them. Reconciliation was possible, but it could take as long as a month. Yet here they had turned into gentle puppies.
And on top of that…
Feeling intense stares, she noticed the other griffins craning their necks this way and that, watching Kaisent closely.
They're jealous right now, aren't they?
Their bodies shifted restlessly; it was plain they wanted to rush over this instant and were only barely holding themselves back.
"Thank you. It was so fluffy it felt wonderful."
"Pee-eeek—"
When Kaisent praised the griffin's feathers, the creature astonishingly plucked several from its own wings and body with its beak and offered them to him.
"Huh? Are you giving these to me as a present? Thank you."
"Pee-ee— pee—"
Kaisent hugged the face of the griffin that had gifted him the feathers and stroked its head and beak.
Th-that…!
Feathers… that easily…!
Griffin feathers were the highest-grade material used for the quilts and pillows of wealthy nobles and royalty. Once plucked they grew back in about twenty days, so they seemed easy to obtain, yet any attempt to force them free would bring an attack even from a master. The usual practice was simply to collect feathers that fell naturally. For a griffin to pluck its own feathers and present them as a gift was unheard of.
Whether or not he understood the significance, Kaisent stroked the griffin's face, carefully gathered the feathers, and moved on to the others.
"Sorry I'm late."
"Kreeek—"
"Mm-hm. Good boy."
With time still remaining he hugged and petted every single griffin, ending up with more feathers than both hands could hold.
"Thank you, everyone. I'll come again later."
"Pee-eeek—"
"Pee-ee—"
Having soothed his heart through communion with the griffins, he was able to leave in high spirits after saying his goodbyes.
"L-l-l-little one!"
"Yes? What is it?"
"You really! Absolutely! Must become a griffin breeder! I've never seen a child so loved by griffins!"
Unable to hold back any longer, the head breeder begged Kaisent once again, just as he had before, to become a breeder.
"They're all such good children. I don't think they really need me."
"No! Those brats have never behaved this gently in their lives! Even I, who's worked here forever, still get kicked around depending on their mood!"
"That's just them being affectionate."
"Guhhh~~~! Anyway, you have to become a breeder! With your talent you could manage far more griffins than this!"
Even after explaining how foul-tempered the griffins truly were, Kaisent still failed to understand, leaving the head breeder frustrated. He went on to describe just how much help Kaisent would be if he took the post.
Strange. They're such gentle children—why are they acting like this?
Kaisent found the breeders' reactions puzzling, but Artemis understood perfectly.
It's the power of Master's bloodline combined with a disposition so gentle it borders on instinct that makes the griffins fawn over him. There's no need to tell Young Master, though.
Becoming conscious of such things would only hinder his pure-hearted way of handling beasts; silence was the correct choice.
"Mm~ It's a nice offer, but I'll have to decline. There's something I absolutely must do."
"Is that so… If you put it that way, I suppose there's nothing for it…"
Faced with a tone and gaze that left not the slightest opening, the man realized further persuasion was useless.
Living with cute griffins wouldn't be bad… but right now helping Lillian is more important.
In half a year a war that would decide Lillian's entire life would begin. A peaceful existence far from battle held a strong appeal, yet he could never abandon the one he loved for it.
According to the breeders, this child was followed by the griffins from the very first time he saw them. He doesn't look like a druid or an elf, so how is it possible?
Merencia tilted her head at the sight of Kaisent receiving such abundant affection from the griffins without using any special magic or ability. The question did not last long.
"Lady Merencia! So this is where you were!"
"Ahem. What is it?"
"An order from Lady Akina. She commands you to come to the conference hall at once."
"What? Why?"
A knight had come rushing to find her. He cast a glance toward the outsider Kaisent, but Merencia—who had already decided to trust him alongside Akina—simply shook her head.
"It's fine."
"But…"
"I said it's fine."
Startled by the firmness in her voice, the knight resigned himself and spoke.
"It's about the cave where the Outer God Alliance was hiding this time."
"Did they find something related to the Outer God Alliance?"
"No. It's…"
The knight kept glancing sidelong at Kaisent, but Merencia stepped protectively to the boy's side.
"Dertium has been discovered."
"!!"
"??"
Merencia's eyes flew wide in shock, while Kaisent only tilted his head, unfamiliar with the word. He had recently acquired a great deal of knowledge, yet because he had prioritized terrain information in his search for Dang Seol-yeong, his basic common knowledge was still lacking.
"…How much is there?"
"We'll need a proper survey, but according to what is known so far, it's roughly one month's mining yield."
"A considerable amount."
Opening a mine for a mere month's worth of ore would normally be madness—but if that ore was Dertium, the story changed completely.
"Understood. Let's go."
"I shall escort you."
Merencia cast Kaisent an apologetic look and departed with the knight.
Left alone, he stored the griffin feathers in his dimensional warehouse and headed for the barracks where Lillian was staying.
"Ah, Master."
"Kaisent. Are you all right?"
"Nothing happened, did it?"
"Yes. Nothing at all."
Although Akina had fought him in order to protect him, the fact that she had revealed killing intent could not be denied. He decided to keep silent on that point. If Lillian and the others learned of it they would surely protest to Akina, and the matter would only grow larger.
"By the way…"
"Hm?"
"What is Dertium?"
"!!"
"Where did you hear that?"
Both Lillian and Priscilla reacted sharply to the word.
"I heard it was discovered in the mountain where the Outer God Alliance had been hiding. They also said that for now it's only about one month's mining yield."
"One month…"
"A considerable amount."
When the two of them alone wore grave expressions, Arty cut in.
"Don't just understand it among yourselves—explain it to Master as well."
"Dertium is… a mineral used in the full-body armor worn by knights."
"You mean the armor that functions like shape-memory alloy—able to become full-body plate or make only the helmet vanish?"
"Yes. Dertium is a rare metal that changes form when mana is poured into it, and hardens according to the amount of mana infused."
Hearing that much, he understood why it was so important.
"A rare metal tied directly to a knight's survivability. Practically a strategic resource."
"Exactly. Right now there are only three Dertium mines being worked on the entire continent, so the price is whatever the seller asks. And if Dertium has appeared in Countess Akina's territory…"
"Other powers will start getting greedy. Human history and the history of war—wars are born of greed."
Priscilla shook her head at Arty's words.
"If it were an ordinary lord who had received a normal fief, perhaps. But no one is going to invade the domain of a margrave who protects the kingdom from the Saryeong Kingdom. On top of that, most still haven't recovered from the damage of the civil war, while Countess Akina maintains a powerful army."
"Since they can't take it by force, they'll try a political approach. Countess Akina may end up dealing with such a headache that she'd almost prefer an outright war."
Lillian continued the explanation, certain that various troubles would now arise for the margraviate.
And her prediction proved exactly right.