Chapter 31

After the meal, the captain launched a signal firework.

It seemed to flow upward like a shooting star, and then the flash spread out like a blooming flower.

It seemed that they would come to pick us up the next day.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? I've never seen fireworks before."

"Fireworks are always launched on the final day of the capital's festival."

"Really? That's interesting."

Fireworks are said to release various colors through the flame color reaction of metals.

There are fireworks craftsmen in the capital who make flowers bloom in the night sky during each festival.

"I heard that the knights patrol during the capital's festival."

"Yes, that's right. There's no time to watch the fireworks."

There are many stalls, and it looks like a lot of fun. But it's a mission.

"If we're lucky, we might get a half-day off in the evening after patrolling during the day."

"That would be nice."

"Yes. If that's the case, let's go see the fireworks together."

"Sure!"

I'm looking forward to the fireworks. I want to see them at least once while I'm in the capital.

Then, I suddenly realized.

How long will I be in the capital?

"Mel, is something wrong?"

"No, I was just thinking about how much money I need to save for my sister's dowry."

I sent the money I earned last month. I told my mother it was for my sister's marriage fund, not as a remittance.

"How many younger sisters do you have?"

"Three."

"How much money do you need for the marriage fund?"

"About seven gold coins per person, I think."

By the way, my monthly salary is about one gold coin. I send half of it home. I can do this because the canteen and dormitory fees are free.

It takes a year to save enough for one sister. It will take three years to complete.

My sisters are fifteen, fourteen, and twelve years old. The marriageable age is around eighteen, so there's plenty of time.

"Still, it's a difficult situation. There are conditions for marriage."

"Yes, it's an old custom, so no one can go against it."

Thinking about it made me feel sad. I somehow remembered the day I was told to break off the engagement.

At the time, I didn't feel much of a shock, but it lingered.

It's not like me to be depressed.

"Um, if it's okay with you, Mel..."

"I'm fine! I'll do my best!"

For now, I'll aim to save the money for my sisters' marriages, and then I'll think about what to do after that.

I thanked Zara, who was trying to encourage me.

"Thank you."

I always rely on Zara. When I said I would do something to thank her, she made a subtle face.

Hmm, did I do something wrong?

I'll have to ask Deputy Captain Berrie later.

◇◇◇

As usual, we take turns on watch. I'm on duty at dawn.

I spread a blanket on the sand and used my bag as a pillow to sleep.

Deputy Captain Berrie was next to me. She seemed to be asleep already.

I need to sleep too.

The griffin is above my head. I can hear its snoring.

When I lay down, the starry sky spread out in my field of vision. I could see a shooting star.

When I was in the village, I was told not to go outside at night, so I couldn't see such a scene.

Now I'm free and can sleep under the stars. The sound of the waves and the chirping of insects are a bit distracting, but it's also fun.

Since joining the knights, I've had many experiences and a fulfilling life.

I closed my eyes and thought.

What will happen in the future? I can't wait.

Then, I drifted off to sleep, but—

"Kwee~!"

"Whoa~!"

I woke up with a start at the cry from above.

The griffin chick, which was supposed to be asleep, was looking at me with bright eyes.

Was it hungry? Or did it need to urinate?

Since it's still a chick, it can't urinate on its own. I need to stimulate its bottom with a damp cloth.

"Kwee~ Kwee!"

"Okay, okay."

I got up and crawled over to the griffin.

It seemed that Deputy Captain Berrie hadn't woken up, which was a relief.

I dampened a cloth and gently picked up the griffin.

"Kwee~!"

"Hmm, it's not the urge to urinate, is it?"

When I stimulated its bottom with the cloth, the griffin looked up at me with a blank stare. I apologized.

I thought it might be thirsty, but it turned away.

In the end, it must be hungry. I peeled a furry fruit and offered it.

"Kwee~!"

It seemed to be the right choice. It was eating the fruit with relish.

I thought it would go to sleep after eating, but it was chirping above my head.

Even when I told it to go to sleep, it wouldn't listen.

Looking at the clock, it seemed I had slept for about two hours.

Was it because it had slept a lot during the day?

I had no choice but to pick it up and move closer to the campfire. The captain was on watch now.

"What's going on?"

"The griffin won't go to sleep. I don't want to wake Deputy Captain Berrie."

He asked if I wanted to take over the watch, but it was almost time to switch. I didn't want to trouble the captain at the end of his shift, so I declined.

"I'm a bit hungry."

"I'm fine."

"Is that so? ...Um, can I make something sweet?"

"Do as you please."

With his permission, I placed a pot on the campfire with a simple stove and heated it.

The material I used was the banana fruit that Garu had picked. It's a long, yellow tropical fruit that is apparently a luxury item in the capital.

I cut it lengthwise with a knife.

I took out the rock sugar from my bag. It was given to me by a canteen member who taught me how to cook tropical fruits.

I put the rock sugar in the pot in the shape of the banana fruit. When the rock sugar melted and started bubbling, I cooked it with the cut side down.

When the melted rock sugar turned caramel-colored, I served it on a plate—actually, a leaf I picked up nearby.

The caramel-coated banana fruit was complete.

"Would the captain like some?"

I asked, feeling his gaze from the side, but he said the smell alone made him feel queasy.

Ignoring the captain, I enjoyed the caramel-coated banana fruit.

The surface was like candy and very fragrant. The fruit part was rich and sweet and sour.

Unlike other tropical fruits I've had, it had less moisture and a fluffy texture. The sweetness seemed to be enhanced by the heat.

"Kwee~ Kwee~"

The griffin wanted to eat the banana fruit too. I gave it the fruit without the caramel, as the caramel might be bad for it.

The griffin happily gobbled it up.

"Still, is it okay for this chick to eat so much?"

"Well, it's better than not eating anything at all."

"That's true."

"What concerns me more is that it's only attached to you."

"Umm... Yes."

I'm not giving it special attention. I'm just interacting with it as part of my duties.

Yet, it won't let anyone else touch it and won't accept food from anyone else.

I couldn't help but voice my concerns.

"Will I be assigned to take care of the griffin when we get back?"

The captain, who met my eyes, looked away.

"Please deny it!"

I'm already struggling with my own life, and I can't take care of a living thing.

Besides, it cries at night, which would be a nuisance to others. It would be impossible to take care of it in the dormitory.

"Well, why don't you take it to Zara's house?"

"Zara's house has a mountain cat."

"Oh, right."

How would the mountain cat and the griffin get along?

Probably not well.

"Anyway, I'll take care of it until we get back to the capital, but after that, I'll leave it to the experts."

"I understand."

While we were talking, the griffin seemed to fall asleep.

"What should we do? Will it wake up if we move it?"

"It would be a problem if we left it here and it ended up as a roasted bird in the morning."

"Don't say such ominous things!"

But if it really did end up as a roasted bird, it would be a problem, so I gently picked it up.

The griffin chick had a happy sleeping face. It seemed to be sound asleep. I wished it wouldn't wake up until morning, but unfortunately, it didn't come true.

After that, it woke me up three times for urination, water, and food.

I really want to say thank you.

Ah, the sunrise is beautiful. (Escaping reality)