The Feathered Survivor
“What?”
Knox narrowed his eyes into thin slits. Until now, he had only been thinking of scaling the walls with his monster legion. As if that were the one and only task before him.
But Vincent had just proposed an entirely different possibility.
“There’s no reason we can’t pull off a diversionary tactic just like they did.”
He harbored no particular fondness for humanity. If pressed, he’d even say he leaned toward wanting to protect them.
But in this world, wasn’t his own life more important than anything else?
If that man’s rage kept piling up unchecked, Vincent could very well end up as the outlet for it.
Vincent was thinking more rationally than anyone else.
Sacrificing a bit of flesh now to seize the bone later.
Which was why he was fawning like a sycophant before the seat of power.
“Tell me the details.”
“Yes.”
Vincent flashed a brilliant smile at the man prouder than anyone.
* * *
The base was buzzing with festive energy nonstop. They had repelled the monster hordes twice in a row now—it was only natural. And this battle had been a flawless victory on their side. They hadn’t anticipated the flying monsters, so there were some casualties, but overall, the damage was negligible.
We’d need to prepare tactics for a wider variety of monsters next time.
From atop the walls, I watched the soldiers collecting monster corpses and issued various orders. Post-battle cleanup was no small feat either.
Then, a small commotion erupted in one corner of the wall.
“Kuek! Kuuuuk!”
“...Huh?”
I frowned at the sound—like a pig being slaughtered—and turned my head. There, a flying monster I’d thought was dead was thrashing about wildly. The soldiers around it were panicking, not knowing what to do.
I sighed and approached.
“What’s with this one?”
“W-We don’t know, milady. We thought it was dead and were about to clear it when suddenly...”
“...Huh?”
I’d been about to draw my sword, but something familiar about the monster’s appearance made me furrow my brow. It only eyed the approaching humans warily, not assuming any aggressive stance. If anything, it seemed utterly terrified.
Those frightened eyes looked strangely familiar.
“No way... you’re...”
Everything else was intact, but its left front leg bore a stab wound like from a blade.
Could it be... the one that snatched me away?
As I eyed it suspiciously, the squealing monster froze mid-motion.
“Ku, ku.”
Then it let out a pitiful wail, gazing up at me with what almost seemed like pleading eyes.
Monsters were notoriously hard to tame, unlike regular beasts. They had vicious tempers and an innate hostility toward humans.
But this one—I’d ridden it and unleashed Dragon’s Mana to dominate it by force. That must’ve terrified it thoroughly.
“Hmm.”
“How should we handle it?”
“Obviously...”
I was about to say kill it when the monster looked up at me with sparkling eyes again.
“Kukku!”
“Obviously...”
“Kukku kukku!”
“...”
What’s this? Why is it so damn cute?
The other monsters looked drab and grotesque, but this one—with its eagle-like features—was actually kinda handsome. Its huge eyes welled up with tears as it kukku-ed plaintively, stirring a sudden pang of sympathy.
This is awkward.
I hesitated to decide, and beside me, Pel growled.
[That repulsive bird!]
“It does look bird-like, huh? Kinda like an eagle?”
[What?]
“It’s even a little cute...”
“Kukku.”
Sensing some nuance in my mutterings, the eagle-like monster flattened itself to the ground and wagged its tail. The tuft of fur at the tip made it resemble a lion’s.
It was acting coquettish toward me.
[Cute? As if! All monsters are the same!]
“You’re a monster too, you know.”
[I’m different!]
Pel leaped up at being lumped in. True, Pel was different. He could talk and wield magic.
Still...
“Yeah, but it can fly.”
[What?]
“It can fly, but you can’t. Definitely different.”
“Kukku!”
As if understanding, the monster proudly spread its wings wide.
Seeing that reminded me of soaring through the sky on its back. The situation had been too frantic to enjoy it fully, but riding it again would be thrilling. And incredibly useful in battle too.
[No! Absolutely not!]
“...What’re you objecting to?”
[Whatever you’re thinking right now. No, Master!]
Pel bounced in place. He clearly hated me showing interest in another monster.
Is this the butler's curse? So am I cat-collecting now? Or monster-collecting?
I let out a hollow chuckle at the silly thought.
“Still, if we train it right, it could be a huge help.”
Snapping back to practical thinking, I turned.
“Any other winged monsters still alive—restrain them and bring them to me.”
“Yes, milady.”
Best to test it out first. If we could tame these winged ones, we could scout unreachable areas and gain a massive edge in future fights.
I soothed the grumbling Pel and turned to the prostrated monster.
“Gonna have to name you.”
[Even giving it a name...]
“That’s what you do with newly discovered monsters.”
[Hmph.]
“Kku!”
Its face and wings resembled a raptor like an eagle, body like a lion. No matter how I looked, it screamed griffin from those fantasy flicks. I’d have to suggest “griffin” to Xavier for the monster compendium.
“I’ll call you Kukku.”
“Kku?”
“Like it?”
“Kukku!”
[......]
Before I knew it, Pel was giving me a pitiful look. I ignored him and played with Kukku for a while.
“Kukku, fetch!”
“Kku!”
“Good boy!”
The soldiers stared blankly at me fooling around with a monster. But at the time, I had no idea.
That my actions this day would lay the foundation for the sky-soaring 4th Knight Order, the Griffin Knights.
* * *
A heavy atmosphere filled the room. Not much time had passed since cleaning up the last battle. I scanned the gathered faces.
My teacher and adjutant, Xavier; Magic Tower representative Ren; saintess Yurina Florence from the temple; High Priest Vincent Wall; Holy Knight Order Commander Illein Saiche. Crown Prince Michael Lux Rampas and Corin Diale rounded it out, with Agni Asper in attendance.
This was a meeting to prepare for the next monster assault.
I spoke first.
“The monsters will attack again.”
“...!”
All eyes turned to me.
“And it won’t end with just one or two more. They’ll keep coming relentlessly to overrun the base and invade the continent.”
I had solid reasons for my certainty. In the original story, the north had made no preparations and got steamrolled by the monsters. Only when the crown prince and Yurina arrived did they manage to hold. Resolving the continent-shaking monster crisis was the novel’s core plot, so the protagonists scrambled nonstop until the end.
No way it’d stop after these two attacks.
Plus, there was that mastermind group, unmentioned in the original, wielding ancient artifacts to control monsters. They would surely press the attack without hesitation.
“How can you be so sure?”
Illein wasn’t interrogating—he just looked genuinely curious. After fighting together last time, everyone’s attitude toward me had shifted. No more sneers about me being a woman or distrustful glares.
“You all saw it in battle—they’re desperate to head south. Obsessed with breaching the walls.”
“Mm. And we’re seeing new species even the north hadn’t identified before. Who knows how many more they’re hiding.”
“Ugh...”
At mine and Xavier’s words, the room fell into gloom. A full-scale assault was likely imminent. In the original, monsters poured out not just at Volta but elsewhere around this point.
Currently, Volta Base held the Northern 3rd Knight Order, Imperial 2nd Knight Order, and 1st Holy Knight Order, with vassal forces at other bases. If things heated up, we might need to request reinforcements from the Imperial family and the ducal house.
“So we must prepare even more thoroughly from here on.”
I subtly met Xavier’s eyes—unseen by the others. I hadn’t told them about the hidden mastermind yet. There was nothing concrete.
Soon, I’d form a scouting party under the guise of reconnaissance to probe monster habitats. If we found something decisive, I’d consult the crown prince then.
“...”
“...?”
I glanced at Ren beside me. He’d been listening silently and gave me a puzzled look.
Guess I’ll have to tell Ren separately. The Magic Tower might have info on the Demonic.
But the temple warranted caution. Especially High Priest Vincent Wall. His smirking face sometimes gave me the creeps.
“...”
“...”
Our eyes met, and he grinned. I pretended not to notice and looked away.
“Anyway, we’re holding a victory banquet tonight to celebrate, so let’s set aside the headaches for now.”
The damaged walls were nearly repaired. We’d nearly annihilated the last wave, so the next attack would take time.
Tonight, we could eat, drink, and revel freely.
* * *
The meeting ended, and the rowdy banquet began. I ended up in the seat of honor, toasting the knights’ efforts. Awkwardly, I stood, gripping the massive tankard before me.
“Well, you all survived again, so I’m stuck seeing your ugly mugs a bit longer.”
“Hahaha!”
The Velio Knights roared with laughter, banging the tables. Their own huge tankards brimmed with ale. Northerners loved their drink, so the cups were enormous. Hoisting mine high, I felt its hefty weight.
“Eat and drink without worry tonight! I permit it in the Young Duchess’s name!”
“Ooooh!”
And now I have to drain this clean...
I’d never drunk since possessing this body. Before, in my office worker life, I’d forced it down for work and was a total lightweight—no, wait, heavy drinker? I’d never gotten drunk once.
Abigail’s northern stock—probably handles booze well, right?
Confident, I gulped it down.
“That’s the spirit!”
“To the end with you, Young Duchess!”
“...”
I slammed the empty tankard down with a thunk and looked up at the cheering crowd.
Then the world started spinning.
“...Huh?”
I blinked and bowed my head.
And that was the last I remembered of the banquet night.