Chapter 34

Using the waiting time on the ship, I compiled a report about the griffin.

Where it was discovered, its condition, and the current situation, among other things.

I also wrote down its nature in detail. That it only lets its guard down with me, the first discoverer, and a little bit with Gahl, the second discoverer. It shows its wariness openly to the other team members.

I wrote down even the smallest details.

When I submitted it to the captain, I received approval that the content was fine.

With this, my job with the griffin was practically over.

I think its injuries have improved quite a bit, and it seems to be much more energetic.

However, it seems it can't walk until it fully recovers because it's using its large wings to maintain balance. That's the only thing I'm worried about.

I even have to peel the fruit for it.

"Like this, you put your nails into the skin and peel it off firmly."

"Que?"

Thinking it might remember, I tried to teach it how to peel fruit, but of course, it didn't understand.

"Is it really impossible?"

"Que~"

Today, the griffin was chirping leisurely as usual.

◇◇◇

We finally reached the port near the capital.

Snow was falling, and I gripped the edges of my coat tightly. Moving from a warm southern region to a cold one is tough.

I even thought it would be nice if there was a guard unit on the southern island.

The forest crabs are delicious, and the fruits are endless. It would be great. I just don't like the bugs and snakes.

"Captain, are you okay?"

The captain, who looked pale, turned around. He's not a bandit, but a captain.

"Don't worry. I've overcome seasickness."

"That's right."

Since he said not to worry, I left it at that.

A large crowd was waiting at the port. They seemed to be from the Royal Beast Protection Bureau, here to welcome the griffin.

The man in his forties with glasses, who was standing at the front, seemed to be the director of the Royal Beast Protection Bureau. The captain, who still looked pale, told me this. He had a riding crop-like object attached to his waist. Is that for training the beasts? I had a bad feeling about it.

"Griffin, your new family has come to welcome you."

"Que~?"

Beasts that reject contracts are transported to a protected area in the west, where they can live peacefully.

There are a few other griffins there, so it should be reassuring.

"Don't cause trouble for the bureau staff."

"Que?"

The griffin looked up at me with its big eyes.

It's understandable that after a few days together, I would develop affection for it.

But, it's time to say goodbye.

The gangway was lowered from the ship.

The captain went down first, followed by Deputy Captain Berry, Gahl, Urgas, and then—

"Mel, you did a great job. Taking care of an unfamiliar beast must have been tough, right?"

"No... It wasn't much different from taking care of my younger siblings at home."

"Is that so?"

Zara patted my back gently. My eyes welled up with tears.

I had to get down quickly. The director's glasses seemed to gleam as if saying, "Hand over the beast."

Zara went down first.

I kept my final farewell short.

"Stay healthy and live well."

"Que que?"

Then, I went down the gangway and lined up.

The director praised us for bringing back the beast.

Then, he spoke to the griffin in a gentle tone. Of course, not to us, but to the griffin.

"Welcome back."

The griffin turned its head away when the director spoke to it.

For a moment, it looked like his smile froze, but it was probably just my imagination.

The director was surprised to see the griffin behaving calmly in my arms.

According to the seventh princess's report, it was supposed to be uncontrollable and thrashing around.

The captain handed over the report I had written and explained.

"It seems to trust the team member who first rescued it."

"Surely, that can't be—"

The captain handed over the report, which had detailed information.

The director handed it to a subordinate without even glancing at it and approached the griffin.

Subordinates, who seemed to be armed with pointed sticks and large leather bags, also approached. I was concerned about their equipment...

"Hand over the griffin."

"...Yes."

"Que!?"

I handed over the griffin. When I mentioned its injuries, I was scolded for stating the obvious. I was told not to speak unless asked a question.

"I am an expert in beasts. Are you mocking me?"

"N-no, I'm not—"

I didn't want it to be handled roughly. It's just wary, but it's a good creature at heart. I wanted to convey this, but I wasn't allowed to speak.

The subordinate who approached the griffin was bitten immediately.

"Que!!"

"Ouch!!"

The griffin bit the subordinate right away.

"What are you doing? I told you that touching the griffin from the front can be dangerous."

I see, that's why Urgas was bitten.

It seems they have some expertise, which is reassuring. However, their high-handed attitude is concerning.

The griffin, sensing the change in the atmosphere, chirped softly and clung to me, looking up as if asking, "Is it okay?"

I averted my gaze, feeling my chest tighten.

"What about the blindfold?"

While I was distracted, a blindfold was placed on the griffin. It made an anxious sound, probably because it was put on roughly and suddenly, but it didn't scratch me.

The subordinate reached out to the griffin's body.

"Queeeeeee~!!"

The loudest scream I've ever heard. It thrashed and scratched the subordinate deeply.

"Ouch!"

"Quick, into the bag."

"But it's injured?"

"It doesn't matter."

The treatment by the bureau was brutal, but there were now injured people.

"...We could have let Mel carry it."

Zara muttered.

"They have their own pride as experts."

Deputy Captain Berry answered with a sad expression.

The griffin was roughly shoved into a leather bag and carried away.

I was crying uncontrollably.

Zara handed me a handkerchief.

There are other griffins in the protected area. So, it will have to endure for now. As I was thinking this, the director approached me.

He raised his hand in front of me, and I heard a dry slap and felt a dull pain on my cheek.

"Hey, what are you doing!?"

Zara protested. I realized I had been slapped.

"It's because you mishandled the griffin that this happened."

"I'm sorry."

"You, have you read the report?"

The director glared at Zara, as if condemning her for speaking out.

"You're being insolent. State your name, rank, and origin."

"..."

Zara remained silent, turning her head away.

The director took the whip from his waist and struck Zara's cheek. He used the whip to turn her face and hit her chin.

"Did you not hear my question? Or do you not understand the language?"

"Zara, answer."

When the captain ordered, Zara answered the director's question.

"Hmph, a barbarian from an uncivilized land. Zara Arts. Remember that."

The director of the Royal Beast Protection Bureau is an unbelievable jerk. I wish we could return to the capital quickly.

As I was trembling and thinking this, the director returned to me.

"Show me the palms of your hands."

"Huh?"

"Quickly."

I showed my palms as ordered.

"Th-this is...?"

"I told you not to speak without permission. Just follow the orders. Show me your arm."

I could feel Zara moving slightly next to me, but she was stopped by the captain calling her name.

I signaled that it was okay with my eyes.

I rolled up my sleeve and showed both sides of my arm.

The director leaned in close, examining something mysterious. I shivered with a chill.

"I see. The contract mark isn't in a place that can be easily shown."

"Huh!?"

Could he be mistaken, thinking I made a contract with the griffin?

That's ridiculous. I definitely didn't.

"We'll check your entire body at the bureau. Come with me."

I can't show my skin to anyone other than my husband. I was raised with that belief, so I was shocked.

The director's hand missed me as Zara pulled me away.

The director's eyes widened, and he became enraged.

He raised his whip, but it didn't hit me or Zara.

"..."

A surprising scene unfolded before me.

The captain had delivered a perfect kick to the director.

"Ouch!!"

The director was knocked down and rolled away.

Immediately, the director's assistant shouted, ordering the team to restrain the captain, even if it meant using weapons.

"What, are you going to do it?"

The captain, who had his back to us, muttered something dangerous.

"It's madness!"

Urgas shouted. I agreed with him.

About thirty people, armed and trained in combat, rushed at us.

They were fully armored and brandishing their weapons.

"Mel, I'm really glad I joined this unit."

Zara muttered and ran forward, kicking the approaching bureau staff.

Gahl followed.

I was at a loss for what to do.

Deputy Captain Berry, with a troubled expression, joined the melee.

It seemed the captain and the others were fighting without weapons, using only their hands. Responding to an armed group with a small team.

I couldn't stop crying. What should I do?

Urgas spoke to me.

"Risris, it's okay. Trust the captain's bandit skills."

What are the captain's bandit skills...?

By the way, Urgas is apparently not good at close combat.

After a fierce struggle, we were restrained by the knights who arrived.

Everyone submitted quietly and was tied up.

We were transferred to the capital and placed in solitary confinement.

I spent the time in a daze.

In the evening, a meal was brought. Thin soup, hard bread, and water.

The soup had a few vegetable peels floating on top, probably not blanched, giving it a murky color.

The bread was as hard as a rock. I thought I could hammer nails with it.

This was the infamous prison food.

As expected, it was terribly unpalatable.