Chapter 70

"――We have a mission."

The captain informed us early in the morning.

"The location is the Siren Canyon, about half a day's ride from the capital. The details are――"

The captain sighed and said with a gloomy expression.

"There have been reports of a dragon sighting, so we need to go and confirm it."

"What? A dragon!?"

The first to react was Lieselotte, as expected of a member of the幻兽保护局 (Phantom Beast Protection Bureau).

"No, the witness insisted it was a dragon, but when we compared the characteristics, it turned out not to be one."

The captain handed Lieselotte some documents. When I peeked, there was a note from the head of the Phantom Beast Protection Bureau, Duke Lichtenberg, which read, "This is not a dragon, so please consult the Monster Research Institute."

"So, the Monster Research Institute investigated and concluded it might be a water fin crocodile."

A water fin crocodile is a monster with a body like a lizard and fins. Its sharp teeth and claws are a threat in combat. It is covered in scales like metal, providing high defense. It swims silently in the water and has a cunning nature, attacking stealthily.

"However, this water fin crocodile is too large. The reason the witness mistook it for a dragon is likely due to its size. Also, it seems to be a monster not usually seen in Siren Canyon."

Here, the knight squad also consulted the Magic Research Bureau.

"According to a researcher from the Magic Research Bureau, the magical energy in the river flowing through Siren Canyon has increased significantly in recent years."

Due to the abundant magical energy, a water fin crocodile larger than usual has grown.

It's amazing. This is the first time I've seen the Monster Research Institute and the Magic Research Bureau functioning properly. If they always worked this seriously, it would be great.

However, their research is useful in unexpected situations. It's just that the eccentric ones stand out, but there are people who take their work seriously. I have a slightly better opinion of them now.

We were told to return if we couldn't find the water fin crocodile after three days of searching.

While it doesn't typically come out on land to attack people, it has the habit of attacking when people approach the water's edge, so it's best to eliminate it, though it's not absolutely necessary this time.

Siren Canyon is surrounded by mountain cliffs on both sides, making it a place where people can't easily approach.

The witness was a merchant who spotted the water fin crocodile from a mountain path while returning with minerals from a neighboring country.

There are no villages nearby, and since it's a monster that lives in the river flowing through the canyon, there have been no casualties. We are being dispatched to confirm the facts.

"How will we deal with the water fin crocodile?"

"It seems we don't need to. If it's confirmed to be living there, a large expeditionary force will be sent."

"I see."

This time, we will travel by horse. Amelia's equipment isn't complete yet, so she will have to run behind me.

Once she becomes an adult, she will need equipment like a helmet and saddle. The Phantom Beast Protection Bureau will cover the production costs. They are quite generous.

However, can Amelia keep up with a half-day ride? I asked, but she replied cheerfully, "No problem at all~." Well, I can't leave her behind, so she'll have to do her best.

At the command of Deputy Captain Berry, preparations began.

With three days' worth of food, the load will be heavy.

Amelia carried the expedition bag made by Ms. Zara with her beak and entered the storage room.

She prepared her food, including forest apple honey, dried fruits, and bottles of fruit juice, and carefully packed them into the bag. What a capable child. I was moved.

"Quu~"

"This much should be enough."

"Quu!"

I patted Amelia's head and started my own preparations.

Since it's for three days, I need to bring more. In the canyon, there might be fish, so I want to gather some supplies on the way.

Bread, dried noodles, dried barley, roasted beans, smoked meat, dried meat, and pickled vegetables, all divided into three bags. I also prepared a food bag to hang from my belt, which is for emergency rations in case I get separated. It contains biscuits, dried meat, and dried vegetables.

The food bags were placed on the saddles of the captain, Gar, and Zara's horses.

Amelia was dressed in a brown hood and cloak to avoid standing out. She looked a bit disappointed, saying, "It's so plain~," but there was no choice. We promised to go out and dress up together when we return.

It was time to gather, and everyone saddled their horses and loaded their luggage.

Fortunately, the horses didn't show any fear of Amelia. They are indeed the horses of the expeditionary force, with strong nerves.

Amelia is about the size of a foal now. Seeing her next to the horses, I realized how much she has grown.

The bottle containing Sura was hung from my neck with a string, entrusted to me as a non-combatant.

"――Let's go."

At Deputy Captain Berry's command, we set off on our horses.

We proceeded from the back entrance of the knight squad to the road.

"Amelia, if it gets too tough, let me know. We can take a break."

"Quu~"

Amelia, running beside me, seemed relaxed, saying, "It's a piece of cake~." I hope she doesn't get tired halfway through.

After a while, Amelia took flight into the sky.

She flew ahead, overtaking the captain.

"Amelia! Don't go too far――"

"Quueckue~!"

"What?"

Amelia shouted that there was a group of monsters ahead.

Sura also sensed the presence and was trembling in the bottle.

Realizing the danger, I shouted to report it.

"Captain~"

"What is it, Ririsu?"

"There are monsters ahead!"

"What!?"

Three horned lions were waiting in the middle of the road.

"Horned lions, huh."

I had never heard of horned lions before. They apparently appear around the capital from time to time.

While I don't want to deal with them, the captain decided we could handle three and moved forward.

Before the battle, we formed a battle line at the captain's command.

The captain and Gar led the charge, followed by Zara, Urgas, Lieselotte, and me, with Deputy Captain Berry bringing up the rear.

After a while, we saw the large monsters in the distance.

"All units, prepare for battle."

The captain gave the order. I took out my magic wand, Gra, from the saddle.

The horned lions had sharp horns on their foreheads and bodies larger than horses. They are extremely ferocious and attack anyone they see.

The captain kicked his horse's sides and charged forward.

He struck the neck of the leading horned lion with a single blow.

Without stopping, he rode past.

The moment the horned lions turned to chase the captain, Gar dismounted and delivered a sharp thrust. The horned lion bent its knees, likely hit in a vital spot. Its heart was pierced by Urgas' arrow, and it fell with a low roar. Two remained.

Zara, still on horseback, swung her battle axe at the horned lion. The first strike was dodged. Despite the heavy weapon, she swung it in a wide arc and struck the top of its head with the handle. The horned lion staggered. The captain, dismounting, cut its neck with his sword to finish it off.

The last one seemed to realize it was at a disadvantage and started to retreat.

"Ah, that distance is too far~"

Urgas, with an arrow nocked, aimed at the horned lion but was out of range.

"Leave it to me!"

Lieselotte requested permission to use magic from Deputy Captain Berry.

"Permission granted."

"Understood."

The horned lion was gradually retreating. I wondered if we could catch up, but Amelia flew over and attacked from above, blocking its path.

"About time."

Deputy Captain Berry said this, so I called for Amelia to back off.

Amelia retreated to the sky. At that moment, a magic circle appeared at the horned lion's feet, and a pillar of fire rose up, instantly charring its massive body.

The battle ended successfully.

This time, with Deputy Captain Berry in the rear, I felt a great sense of security.

"There don't seem to be any more enemies around. Let's take the horns and return."

After defeating a monster, we must take its horns, claws, and other parts to submit with our report to the knight squad.

The captain pulled out a large knife from his belt. He pressed the head of the horned lion with his foot and chopped off the horn with several strikes.

"What, this is so hard, damn it..."

The captain, with a terrifying expression, repeatedly struck the horn. It seems even a large knife couldn't cut it easily.

"You look like a bandit..."

I was startled by Urgas' comment, thinking he had read my mind.

"Hey, Zara, lend me your axe."

"It's not a woodcutter's axe."

Despite her words, she eventually lent him her battle axe. The horn broke with a single strike.

One charred horn and two bloodied horns. The captain happily placed them in a leather bag.

"Let's take a break."

There was a river nearby, so we decided to rest and have lunch a bit early.

Everyone was giving water to their horses and cleaning their weapons. The captain and Gar were covering the bodies of the monsters with soil.

It was a bit chilly, so I wanted to have some warm soup...

"――Ah!"

I found some ingredients by the river. A black creature was sunbathing on a rock, resembling a stone turtle but actually a river turtle.

I had heard it is a nutritious and high-end ingredient.

There were some in the village river, and I had caught and eaten them a few times, finding them quite delicious.

"Quu?"

"Amelia, I'm going to catch that river turtle."

"Quu~"

It looks like a stone turtle, but it has a strong jaw and won't let go once it bites.

"Be careful, Amelia."

"Quu~"

I gripped my magic wand, Gra, tightly. In the village, we used traps to catch them, but this time, without tools, I had to use the traditional method of hitting it with a stick, similar to what the captain did.

Amelia and I approached the river turtle stealthily. When we were within reach of my magic wand, I raised it and struck the turtle's shell.

The long neck extended and glared at me. It seems I didn't kill it with one blow.

The turtle approached, gnashing its teeth and growling.

"Ahhh!"

"Quu!"

Scared, I stepped back, and the bottle containing Sura trembled. Meanwhile, Amelia stepped forward.

"Be careful~"

"Quu!"

Amelia clawed at the river turtle, pressing its head into the ground. The turtle struggled but eventually stopped moving.

"Great job! Amelia, you're amazing, good job!"

"Quu~"

Thanks to Amelia's help, we caught the river turtle.

I made sure no one else was around. If they saw the river turtle, someone would likely complain that it's not food. I had to secretly prepare and serve it without anyone noticing.

"Mel, what are you doing?"

"!?"

I turned around in a panic. It was Zara.

She looked a bit surprised at the captured river turtle.

"Is that, an ingredient?"

"U... Yes."

"Is it a stone turtle... or not?"

"It's a river turtle."

"Hmm."

I emphasized that it's a high-end ingredient and very delicious.

I was nervous, but Zara accepted it with a smile.

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Thank you."

That's good. Zara seems fine.

On the other hand, the captain would probably not be okay. He can eat slimes without hesitation, but he shows a strong aversion to ingredients that don't look appetizing, like fish eyes.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"Can you start a fire and boil some water?"

"Leave it to me."

I took a deep breath.

If it were a river turtle from a swamp, I would need to remove the mud, but fortunately, this river is clean, so it's not necessary.

I prepared the river turtle on a flat rock.

First, I made a deep cut in the neck to drain the blood. The red blood dripped. My father and grandfather used to mix this with alcohol and drink it, as it's very nutritious.

After draining the blood, I made cuts in the shell and removed it. The edges of the shell are soft.

I removed the internal organs and cut off the limbs. I took out the meat and blanched the cut parts.

I washed them in water and put them in a boiling pot.

Only Zara was at the hearth, so no one else saw.

I added dried vegetables, garlic, and spices to adjust the flavor. After a while, it was ready.

The captain returned just in time.

"It smells good."

"Eh, ah, yes!"

The captain seemed hungry.

He has a sensitive palate, so I served his portion first, leaving out the unusual parts like the throat and only including the meat.

I toasted some bread to make it crispy.

With everything ready, I called everyone over. We gathered around the pot for lunch.

We offered a prayer to the gods and gratefully partook of the river turtle stew.

"Wow, this is incredibly delicious!!"

Urgas showed an overly enthusiastic reaction.

Hearing this, the captain asked,

"What kind of soup is this?"

"......Just a soup made from what we had."

"That's a vague description."

His intuition is