Chapter 35

The sturdy iron bars, the hard and cold stone floor, and the room without windows made it dark all day long. Meals were the only times when someone would come, bringing unappetizing food. The solitary cell had no table, only a bed made of woven straw and a pillow that looked like a rolled-up rag, and a toilet that was far from clean. The guards were all women, but they were quite strict. It was the worst possible environment. No sound came from the surrounding cells; surely, no one else was around here besides me. Where had the others been taken? It had been a full day since we were restrained, but no questioning had taken place.

I wondered if the captain was alright. He seemed delicate despite his appearance, and being a nobleman, I hoped he wasn't in too much trouble.

I suddenly thought, what if we were just ordinary adventurers? Surely, someone would break out and come to our rescue. Then, we would storm the幻獣 protection bureau and save the griffin. I indulged in such fantasies to pass the time.

It was probably the evening of the second day, but I had lost track of time in the perpetual darkness. I heard two sets of footsteps. Since meals and patrols were usually done by one person, I leaned out to see what was happening.

A female knight and a young woman in a white coat with glasses approached. She looked to be in her early twenties, with long purple hair and emerald-like eyes, and a slender, beautiful figure. The female knight, in a matter-of-fact tone, delivered a shocking message.

"They want to check if there is a contract mark with the griffin."

I was surprised. They still doubted us? A wave of helpless anger rose within me, and I spoke my feelings aloud.

"That's rude. I firmly refuse."

The woman from the幻獣 protection bureau asked why, in a strong tone. I replied that there was no contract mark anywhere.

"Is this voluntary? Does the幻獣 protection bureau have the power to force us?"

"That—"

It seemed they didn't. I had guessed right.

"Perhaps the griffin isn't eating?"

The bureau employee remained silent, which I interpreted as a yes.

"Can you bring the griffin here? I'll feed it."

"You'll release the griffin from the contract, and it will eat."

No way. She wasn't going to listen.

"Then, I have no choice."

For the griffin's sake, I decided to comply with the bureau's request. In return, I listed several conditions.

"I won't strip naked alone, so you have to strip too. If there's no contract mark, the bureau chief must come and apologize, and release us all from here. All members of the Second Squad."

I looked at the bureau employee, who seemed to find it unbelievable.

"Why should I accept such conditions?"

"Unless you do, the griffin will die."

The bureau employee, who likely valued幻獣 more than we could imagine, hesitated but eventually agreed.

"If there is a contract mark, you can do as you please."

I declared that I would accept any treatment if a contract mark was found. The bureau employee, who had been ordered to check my body, finally nodded.

I made one more suggestion.

"Can we do the body check in the bath?"

◇◇◇

The contract mark check was conducted in the female knights' communal bath. Several female knights were present, all naked. To avoid embarrassment, they accompanied us. I was grateful for their consideration.

It had been days since I last bathed, so I thought it was a great idea. The female knights had well-toned bodies, and I admired their physiques. The bureau employee had a well-proportioned figure, and I wished I could be as beautiful if I were reborn.

"Hey, don't look at me like that."

"Sorry."

It seemed the bureau employee was embarrassed by being naked, covering herself with her hands. Normally, that would be expected. I hoped she would remember that she had tried to force me to do the same. The dormitory bath was communal, and even I found it embarrassing to be seen naked.

On the other hand, the female knights were confident, watching us without hiding their bodies. I admired their confidence, though it was part of their job. Thank you for your hard work.

"Can I wash my hair and body first? I haven't bathed in a while."

"...Alright."

I used powdered soap to scrub my head. Ah, this felt like heaven. My hair came back to life.

I washed my entire body thoroughly until it was sparkling clean.

Finally, I doused myself with water and turned to say, "Please check."

I was tired and felt like saying, "Do what you want."

The bureau employee, perhaps tired of waiting, started the inspection with a frown. She searched thoroughly, from behind my ears to my neck, tongue, crotch, and the soles of my feet. Finding nothing, she ordered the female knights to search as well, but the result was the same.

"Are you done? It's embarrassing, and I'm getting cold."

"Wait, one more time, ah-choo!!"

Oh no. She seemed to have caught a cold. The knights also looked cold. Women shouldn't let their bodies get cold.

Finally, we all soaked in the bathtub. I felt warm to the core and left the bath feeling refreshed. I was given new clothes and felt content.

Surprisingly, the knights brought us fruit milk as a gift, saying we needed to hydrate after spending so long in the bath.

I drank the sweet, fruity milk in one go. It was delicious.

Feeling a bit dizzy from the bath, a female knight supported my shoulder and secretly handed me a piece of bread. I was hungry, but thinking of the griffin, I couldn't eat it.

We were then led to a room that looked like a conference room. There, I found the rest of the Second Squad.

"Wow—"

I wanted to run over and greet them, but the chief of the knights and the head of the幻獣 protection bureau were also there, along with the griffin in a birdcage.

"Griffin!!"

"Kwee-kwee!!"

I forgot the surroundings and ran over.

"Are you hungry? Did you drink water?"

"Kwee!!"

I couldn't understand what it was saying, but it seemed more energetic than I thought. A bureau employee offered me some fruit, and the moment I took it, the griffin's eyes sparkled. I struggled to peel the fruit with my nails, but a knife was offered from the side. It was the head of the幻獣 protection bureau. I thanked him and accepted the knife, peeling the fruit. The griffin ate it happily, then drank a lot of water and ate five fist-sized fruits, seeming satisfied.

"Is it really true that you didn't make a contract?"

The head of the幻獣 protection bureau muttered, seemingly acknowledging that no contract had been made.

What would happen next? Both sides sat facing each other, and the discussion began.

"This incident seems to have been caused by a miscommunication."

The chief of the knights spoke in a solemn tone.

First, when a幻獣 is discovered, it should be reported to the幻獣 protection bureau, but this time it went to the knights.

"Are you aware that there have been incidents where people were attacked and killed by幻獣?"

The head of the幻獣 protection bureau spoke with a bitter expression.

"幻獣 are often mistaken for monsters and killed by adventurers."

Unlike monsters,幻獣 are rare, and most are endangered. The bureau, established by the head's personal funds, focuses on preserving幻獣 species. With little support from the government, the bureau operates with limited resources. The head spoke with a bitter smile.

"For the past few days, I was almost driven mad thinking that幻獣 might be killed."

An order to eliminate the griffin, which had harmed a princess, had been issued. I didn't know this. The captain had only been ordered to capture the griffin if possible, and to retreat if not.

The bureau, experienced in capturing幻獣 and trained in combat, was worried when they learned the knights had been dispatched.

"Many people still have a shallow understanding of幻獣 and don't know the difference from monsters."

I realized the bureau people were passionate about protecting幻獣.

"After protecting the griffin, I began to doubt if I had done the right thing."

The bureau, which should have been involved in a幻獣-related incident, was ignored by the government. While the response was flawed, I understood their frustration. I couldn't forgive the beating, though.

The head of the bureau admitted causing the brawl. The chief of the knights made a judgment.

"I understand the situation. However, the knights cannot ignore the use of violence."

He glanced at the captain, who listened expressionlessly, not seeming angry.

"The bureau's punishment will be decided by the government. The Second Expeditionary Squad will be punished by me."

My heart sank at the mention of punishment.

The sound of flipping papers seemed unnaturally loud. Sweat appeared on my forehead, and I felt tense. The punishment was announced.

"After discussing with the bureau, I have decided to assign Mel Lisris as the caretaker of the griffin."

"Eh?"

I looked at the head of the bureau, who seemed as nervous as usual. No, that's not it.

The griffin, which had been in the birdcage, was handed to me.

"Thank you."

I was instructed to keep detailed records.

"I still can't believe it. Communicating with a幻獣 without a contract is like something from a fairy tale."

I was surprised. But why me? I asked.

"Probably because you protected it with your life, touching its heart."

I see. That's why it also trusts Garu a little. I took the griffin out of the birdcage.

When I held it, it nuzzled my cheek. According to the bureau, it sees me as its mother. I scratched under its chin, calling it a cute little thing.

"By the way, how big does a griffin get?"

"Probably bigger than a horse."

"Eh!?"

That big? I wondered if I could take care of it.

"Don't worry, the bureau will help. If you have any problems, let us know."

"Thank you."

Finally, the head of the bureau added.

"I apologize for my inappropriate remarks to the Second Expeditionary Squad at the port. I was too hasty. I'm sorry."

The head genuinely apologized, and I felt relieved.

The griffin was back, and I was released from the terrible prison. I thought everything was fine, but the chief of the knights added a punishment.

"The members of the Second Squad are to be on probation for a week."

...Of course.

Thus, we were given a one-week probation.