Chapter 68

Today, we headed to a grassland about an hour's carriage ride from the capital.

The captain drove the carriage, and Amelia, Liette, and I boarded as passengers. Gar rode his horse and followed behind.

Belli, the deputy captain, and Zara, and Urgas stayed behind. This is the first time we've gone out with this group composition.

This time, we have the purpose of checking Amelia's endurance. Although she is not yet fully grown, it's becoming increasingly difficult to have her ride in the carriage.

Today, her wings got caught in the entrance, and we had to push them in forcefully. The carriage was quite cramped and a bit tight. It seems she will become a full-grown creature in a few months.

When I glanced down at Amelia, she was poking her wings with her beak.

"Amelia, it's okay."

"Quu~..."

When trying to enter the carriage, her wings had not been folded and hit the edge of the door, breaking a feather. Fortunately, she wasn't injured, but the broken feather had to be pulled out, leaving a small bald spot. Amelia had been very concerned about it since then.

"They grow back quickly, so in about three or four days, it will be back to normal."

"Quu quu~..."

Amelia looked dejected. I can understand how she feels. If I had a bald spot on my head, I might be depressed for a week.

"However, you've grown so quickly."

"Most幻beasts don't raise their young."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. That's why they grow faster than any other creature."

Some幻beasts take care of their young for a few days, while others abandon their eggs immediately after laying them. It varies by species.

"Originally,幻beasts know how to gather and eat food."

"But Amelia didn't know how to peel fruit?"

"Perhaps it was a fruit not found in the forest?"

"Oh, I see."

Born with various knowledge,幻beasts live solitary lives. Many young幻beasts are attacked by monsters and die.

"Although it's impossible to count the population of幻beasts, sightings have drastically decreased year by year, and incidents of them being mistaken for monsters and killed have increased."

People who don't know the difference between monsters and幻beasts can't tell them apart. The Adventurers' Guild rewards those who defeat monsters and bring back horns or tusks. This started twenty years ago. While the number of monsters has significantly decreased, the number of幻beasts has decreased even more.

"幻beasts don't attack people, but they are very cautious. If someone approaches with a sword drawn, they will defend themselves. Many people don't understand this instinct."

Liette probably wants to show the good qualities of幻beasts through Amelia. Unlike the Magic Research Bureau or the Monster Research Bureau, the幻beast Protection Bureau hasn't yet achieved much. She might be feeling a bit anxious.

"It's okay. I'm sure the good qualities of幻beasts will be recognized."

"Yes, thank you."

To achieve this, we need to work hard with Amelia. If she performs well in the knights' corps, the evaluation of幻beasts and the幻beast Protection Bureau will surely improve.

While talking, we arrived at the grassland. Here, we will check Amelia's flying ability and endurance. Amelia seemed very eager. I hope she doesn't overexert herself.

First, we will check how long she can fly.

"Amelia, be careful, the wind is strong."

"Quu!"

This grassland is windy all year round. It's a flat area along the mountains, so strong winds blow. The captain chose this place to test Amelia's flying ability.

Liette watched Amelia seriously to record her performance. Her eyes were intense.

She probably wouldn't respond even if spoken to.

Amelia spread her wings and took off gracefully.

At that moment, a particularly strong wind blew.

"Oh, Amelia!"

I was worried she might be carried away by the wind, but her flight remained steady.

"She seems to have grown strong and sturdy."

"That's good."

Amelia's flight was stable throughout.

The flight test didn't end there. We checked if she could fly with a bag filled with stones.

We wanted to see if she could fly with me on her back.

"Amelia, if it's too heavy, you don't have to force yourself."

"Quu!"

The bag weighed about a third of my weight. She said it was fine, but...

We had her fly again with the bag of stones. The result—she flew without any problems.

Next, we had her carry a bag that weighed about half of my weight.

"To carry such a heavy thing..."

I was worried because she had never carried anything heavy before, like a pampered girl.

"Quu quu"

She said it wasn't heavy, but...

Despite my worries, Amelia flew gracefully, flapping her white wings and performing a beautiful, flowing flight.

Finally, we had her carry a bag filled with stones that weighed the same as me.

When the captain tried to put the bag on her, he made a rude comment.

"Are you this light? Are you sure you're not lying about your weight?"

"That's rude. I'm accurate."

"Didn't you seem lighter when I lifted you before?"

"Well, that was when I just joined the team."

Gar alternately lifted the bag and me to check the weight.

"Then, try lifting me."

I raised my hands to make it easier to lift.

"...Okay."

The captain lifted me easily—but.

"Ah!"

"Wh-What's wrong?"

"Mu, mu, you're touching my chest!!"

Unbelievably, the captain had lifted me by holding my chest area.

I told him to let go immediately, but he looked at me with a "Huh?" face.

"Where's your chest?"

"The position of your hands! And it's rude not to know!"

"Quu quu quu!"

She was gently set down. I had teary eyes without realizing it. Still, it was shocking that he didn't recognize my chest despite touching it. Even Amelia got angry on my behalf. I thought she was a good girl, but she said, "They're modest breasts!" It was a strange sadness.

"Well, your weight is about the same as the bag."

"That's what I said."

"I get it, I get it."

"No, you don't!"

"Sorry."

"Thank you."

Let's hope it doesn't happen again.

Regaining my composure, we resumed the measurements. The captain put the bag on Amelia's back.

"Don't overdo it."

"Quu!"

I was nervous, but Amelia flew gracefully.

"This weight is no problem. She can carry Liette without any issues."

"That's good. Really..."

I ran up to the landing Amelia and hugged her tightly.

"Amelia, you're amazing."

"Quu!"

She chirped proudly. She didn't seem tired, and I was relieved.

Next, we measured her endurance. Gar would ride his horse, and we would see how long Amelia could keep up with a bag that weighed about half of me.

"Amelia, don't overdo it."

"Quu!"

She had a determined look and said she would show her true strength.

"Gar, it's up to you."

The captain was also observing today. Liette and I would watch Amelia's efforts.

We sat side by side on the grassy plain, where a cold wind blew through.

"...I'm hungry."

The captain muttered.

I took out a biscuit from my bag and silently handed it to him.

"I want something salty."

I responded to his request by offering a jar of pickled vegetables.

"I want something warm. Preferably meat."

"I only brought bread, cheese, roasted beans, dried meat, and pickled vegetables today."

I had brought a pot, but I didn't plan to cook since we were returning soon.

"Then, there are mountain rabbits over there. Go catch one."

"Okay."

The captain asked to borrow my magic wand, Gra.

"What are you going to use it for?"

"Just to hit the prey."

"Ah~..."

He had hunted wild birds before, apparently using a classic method of stealth and striking.

A few minutes after the captain went hunting, he quickly found a mountain rabbit, approached it stealthily, and raised the magic wand Gra—then brought it down.

He seemed to have killed it with one blow, lifting the rabbit to show us.

The captain returned with a proud expression. He had blood on his cheek, which was quite scary.

Liette, who saw the rabbit, let out a short scream. She was even more shocked by the blood on the magic wand Gra, fainting.

It was quite shocking for a pampered lady.

However, it was impressive. It was the largest mountain rabbit I had ever seen, plump and delicious-looking.

We immediately tied its legs and began to butcher it.

"Are you going to butcher it here?"

"Yes, why not?"

Liette seemed to be seeing the butchering process for the first time. She frowned and turned pale.

"There will be a lot of blood, so you might want to look away."

"No, I'm fine."

She didn't have to, but she insisted on watching the butchering.

The captain held the rabbit by its legs, and I made the first cut to drain the blood.

"---!"

I heard Liette gasp.

I quickly skinned the rabbit. The meat was divided into thighs, torso, shoulders, back, and head.

"Are you going to eat the head?"

"It makes a good soup."

"..."

Liette's eyes started to tear up.

Today, we decided to make hamburgers by pounding the meat and mixing it with mashed roasted beans, finely chopped garlic, and salt and pepper.

The captain pounded the meat, and I asked Liette to mash the roasted beans in a mortar.

I went to pick some wild garlic.

The captain mixed the minced rabbit meat with the mashed beans, finely chopped garlic, and seasonings. We mixed it until it was sticky and shaped it into patties.

We cooked them in a pan until they were well-done. Finally, we placed them between slices of bread—

"Hey, toast the bread until it's crispy."

"Okay, okay."

I listened to the captain's preferences and toasted the bread. Liette liked soft bread, as did I. Gar preferred crispy bread, so I made sure to give him well-toasted bread.

We placed the hamburger patty on the bread, topped it with thin slices of cheese and pickled vegetables, and closed it with another slice of bread.

The mountain rabbit hamburger was complete.

Gar and Amelia returned. It seemed Amelia's endurance was sufficient.

With everyone gathered, we had lunch.

I gave Amelia honey water and dried fruit. She seemed very hungry and ate it quickly.

Liette looked at the hamburger curiously.

"I've never had a hamburger, a meat dish sandwiched in bread."

"It's a popular menu item at a bakery in the capital."

I decided to make it after hearing about it from Urgas.

"Apparently, it's a dish that came from a foreign country."

"Is that so?"

We offered a prayer to the gods and began to eat.

Taking a big bite, the fat oozed out. The spices were well-balanced, and there was no gamey smell. The meat was tender and flavorful, with a nutty aroma.

"Liette, how is it?"

Liette, who usually eats with a knife and fork, seemed a bit confused but tried to eat it like the rest of us.

"It's delicious. I'm surprised."

There was no sauce, but the meat was flavorful enough on its own.

I was glad she enjoyed it.

After the meal, Gar reported. Amelia could keep up with the horse without any problems. At one point, she carried a bag that weighed the same as me and ran at the same speed.

In a few more months, we should be able to ride Amelia on long-distance missions. I'm looking forward to it.