Chapter 37

Holding the griffin, I hurried to the store.

As I walked through the town, I felt people's gazes.

I thought I needed something like a hood to avoid standing out.

I arrived at the store right on time.

"Mel-chan"

Just as I was about to grasp the doorknob, someone called out to me.

Turning around—oh?

"Good evening"

"Oh, hello"

He was wearing a black button-up jacket and matching pants, with silver thread edging the cuffs and collar. His eyes were narrow, and his features were well-defined. His bangs were swept back, and his long hair was tied into a single braid.

I thought it was someone else, but it was Zara, dressed like a young nobleman.

"What's going on?"

"Just a change of mood... Is it strange?"

"No, you look very nice."

"That's good."

Zara smiled warmly.

In his male attire, he looked like a different person. Perhaps it was because of his hairstyle; he looked more masculine than when he wore the knight's uniform.

At first glance, he didn't seem tired from his time in prison, which was a relief.

"Let's go in through the back door. It's crowded at this time."

"Thanks."

The griffin seemed a bit nervous about the crowd in the capital. It might panic in the busy restaurant and do something unexpected. Zara's offer was very helpful.

The alley behind the row of restaurants was bustling with people carrying ingredients and barrels of alcohol.

A young man carrying a stack of three boxes wasn't looking where he was going.

Just as I was about to avoid him, Zara quickly pulled me aside.

"Thank you."

"No, it was a bit tricky to pass through here."

"I'm fine."

We passed through the alley and entered the store through the back door. Zara, a former employee, confidently led the way down the corridor to the private room.

We finally arrived at the private room, where everyone was already gathered.

The captain immediately opened a bottle of wine on the table and poured it into wooden cups.

It seemed they had already ordered the food, and we just had to wait for it to be served.

"Risris, you should order your favorite dish."

Deputy Captain Berry handed me a menu.

This restaurant had a wide variety of meat dishes but no seafood.

Forest crabs and long-tailed shrimp... I recalled the dishes I had eaten on a tropical island and swallowed my saliva.

But I quickly reminded myself that today was a meat day.

The first page of the menu was the daily specials.

◇Today's Specials◇

- Thick-cut grilled triangular beef

- Tender triangular beef cooked in red wine

- Herb-grilled triangular beef skewers with meat juice

It seemed they had ordered the top dish for everyone.

I added a forest mushroom cheese soup and pickled vegetables to my order.

The first dish we ordered arrived quickly.

The thick-cut triangular beef!

I wondered if the griffin, which I was holding on my lap, would be bothered by the smell, but it seemed to be sleeping curled up, perhaps due to the lack of sleep over the past few days.

It was just the right size to fit on my lap.

"Risris, isn't the griffin heavy on your lap?"

"It is, but it can now walk around after its injuries healed."

"I see."

Urgas looked at the griffin and murmured, "I wish I had one."

"Urgas, the way you say it makes it sound like you want a lap pillow from Risris."

"Th-that's not it, what are you saying?!"

Teasing the young man. The captain was being mean.

Looking closely, I saw empty bottles at his feet. He seemed to be already drunk.

We said a prayer before the meal and dug into the meat.

"It's been so long, my stomach feels heavy."

Zara squinted at the thick meat.

I could understand how he felt. For the past two days, we had been eating thin soup and bread as hard as stones. I was worried about indigestion after such a poor diet.

Indigestion occurs when the stomach's function is impaired, and food remains in the stomach without being properly digested.

"Ah, right. There's a good ingredient for indigestion."

"Really?"

"Yes!"

I looked for it on the menu. It would be best if it was raw and uncooked.

"I found it!"

Forest apple fresh juice!

"Does that help with indigestion?"

"Yes. Forest apples aid digestion."

Forest apples improve digestive function and have a bowel-regulating effect.

"Wow, that's impressive. You're amazing, Mel-chan."

It was the result of my determination to learn from a medical practitioner since I couldn't use healing magic.

I couldn't say it out loud because it would create an awkward atmosphere.

I called the waiter and ordered five glasses of forest apple fresh juice.

The captain, who had never experienced indigestion, didn't order it. He seemed to have a strong stomach.

The forest apple fresh juice arrived quickly.

It was a mixture of grated forest apples and honey, more like something you eat with a spoon than drink. It was sweet and tangy, with a gentle flavor thanks to the honey.

"Shall we start?"

"Yes, let's."

With the problem seemingly resolved, I started eating the meat.

On the iron plate in the center of the plate, the thick meat sizzled.

I like well-cooked meat, so I cut it and pressed the red part against the iron plate.

The captain, pointing out (or rather, teasing) that it wasn't cooked enough, was eating the meat that was dripping with red juice in a very hearty manner.

It was so... bandit-like. I honestly had my doubts about whether he was really a noble's son.

I took a bite of the well-cooked meat.

The char marks were fragrant, and the meat juice spread in my mouth when I chewed. The sauce was citrusy and light, enhancing the meat's flavor. It was very delicious.

"Risris, by the way, have you named the griffin yet?"

"No, not yet."

The paperwork from the幻兽保护局 (Phantom Beast Protection Bureau) included a list of name suggestions. They were all long and hard to remember, so I had rejected them on the spot.

"I want something short and cute."

Incidentally, the griffin was a girl. The paperwork mentioned the possibility of breeding with a male griffin in the future, but that would depend on the griffin's feelings.

"How about 'Gobble,' since it tries to bite?"

"That's not cute at all."

The captain, as expected, suggested a completely un-cute name.

"How about 'Emi,' Risris? Isn't that cute?"

Urgas's suggestion. It was indeed cute, but there was one problem.

"That's my mother's name."

"O-oh, your mother... I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

Deputy Captain Berry seemed to be thinking hard, but he froze with a furrowed brow.

Garu, who was sitting diagonally in front of me, handed me a piece of paper with name suggestions.

"Amelia, huh? That sounds nice."

It was a very lovely name, meaning "beloved."

"Can I use this as the griffin's name?"

Garu nodded.

"Thank you. Then, let's do it."

Just as the griffin woke up with a blink, I lifted its body and said,

"Your name is Amelia."

"Kue~!"

As if in response, it chirped, and a popping sound was heard.

"Hey, Risris, your hand!"

"What?"

Urgas pointed out that a symbol had suddenly appeared on the back of my hand.

Upon checking, it was a crest-like symbol with a flower in the center of angelic wings.

"Is this—"

"A contract mark?"

Zara muttered.

I remembered reading that a contract is completed when a name is given and the phantom beast acknowledges it.

"Is it that simple to make a contract?"

"It seems so."

However, I was surprised. I didn't know it could be so simple.

"Mel-chan, that's not common. I think such a contract is rare."

"Really?!"

Zara explained.

In most cases, contracts involve the contract holder's blood, and the phantom beast's will is often disregarded.

"Blood contracts are binding, but they don't work on high-level phantom beasts like the griffin."

"I see."

Zara's family's mountain cat had a blood contract when they found it.

"By the way, contract marks usually appear on the back of the hand."

I glanced at the back of Zara's hand.

"Zara's contract mark?"

"It's on my chest."

"Wow."

What kind of contract mark did he have? It varied depending on the individual phantom beast.

"Arts' contract mark is beautiful."

Garu nodded in agreement.

It seemed he had seen it in the bath or something.

I was curious about what it looked like, but it wasn't a part of the body I could ask to see.

I decided to give up.