Chapter 95

A chill ran through her entire body. She had managed to catch a glimpse of the monster's form.

The giant bird—a great eagle—was flying right in front of her.

"No way, it can't be the one that attacked us before!?"

"Kwekwe~!!"

It seemed to be the same individual. What a surprise.

"Could it be attacking out of spite!?"

"Kwe~"

I don't know, but it's a possibility.

"Huh? What happened?"

"The great eagle that attacked us before is here!"

"EE~!!"

Album asked to be let out of the leather bag. When I untied the string, it poked its head out. It screamed "Hyeh!!" upon seeing the ground but quickly regained its composure, climbed out of the leather bag, and flew up to Amelia's head.

"Is, is that thing coming this way?"

"I thought so too."

"Kwe!!"

Amelia shouted, "I'm going to move away from the dragon carriage!" and simultaneously put some distance between herself and the carriage, feeling a tremendous wind pressure from the side.

The dragon rider guarding us seemed to realize that Amelia was the target and came to our aid.

"I never thought it would come to this..."

It seemed that the great eagle had been restrained for only a short time. After we left, the vines had been untangled. If it held a grudge, it was probably because we had eaten the winter strawberries.

"Food grudges are scary, you know."

That's exactly what I thought. The great eagle was approaching us aggressively, glaring at us. Even though it was the same eagle as before, the atmosphere was completely different. It exuded a vicious aura.

The leading dragon rider readied his spear and began the battle with the great eagle. The artificial dragon he was riding was larger in size and seemed to be cowering from the successive thrusts. The great eagle lost its balance when the spear pierced its chest.

Just as I thought it was over, an unexpected situation arose. The blood gushing from the wound pierced the artificial dragon like a sharp thorn.

"What, what's that!?"

"It's a vampire's familiar!"

"Vampire!?"

Vampires are a clan that drinks blood rich in human magic power and can use magic to manipulate their own blood. They appear human but have a temperament closer to that of a monster.

"Because it's a vampire's familiar, it can use blood magic—ah!!"

Amelia dodged the great eagle that was closing in on her. The artificial dragon the dragon rider was riding was descending rapidly. The situation was taking an unexpected turn. In a panic, I grabbed Album, which had been outside, and stuffed it into the bag on my shoulder to prevent it from flying away.

I could see another dragon rider approaching, but the great eagle was closing in even faster.

"Whoa!!"

"Kweeeee!!"

I closed my eyes, thinking it was all over—but no impact came. When I opened my eyes, I saw that Album had extended vines from the bag like a spear.

"Album!"

"Good, there were plant-based items in the bag!"

It seemed that Album's vine magic could only be used near plants. The items in the bag were spices and essential oils, which it used as a medium to create the vines. I gripped my magic wand, Gra, ready to attack at any opportunity. A magic circle appeared.

"—Huh!?"

Why is it activating now? The gluttony magic. Could it be that it activates not only when I'm hungry but also when my life is in danger?

A small circle appeared in the magic circle, and text floated up in the center.

"This, this is—!"

There were more options to choose from.

Ingredient: River Turtle

Ingredient: Golden Forest Apple

Ingredient: Large Winter Strawberry

Ingredient: Snowdrop Berries

"Why are there suddenly more options...?"

I've touched many ingredients before, but the options never increased. What conditions must be met for them to increase? The Golden Forest Apple, Large Winter Strawberry, and Snowdrop Berries were the ones we collected before... Could it be that the items we picked and ate are added? But the fish we caught with Zara wasn't added, so there must be other conditions.

While I was thinking about this, my vision spun.

"Ah!"

"Kyaa~!"

"Kwe!"

The great eagle had bitten down on Album's vines and was swinging us around.

I was swung from side to side, and I groaned as I tried to hold back the rising contents of my stomach. The vines were wrapped around Amelia's body, securing us in place.

"Sorry, I have to break this!!"

Album released the vines and threw the small bag of spices it had grown. The great eagle, which was pursuing us, seemed to be about to catch us. Just as I thought it was all over, something cut through the air.

It turned out to be Urgas, riding a guard's artificial dragon and firing an arrow. However, the wind was strong in the sky, and even with Urgas's skill, he couldn't hit the target.

The great eagle's attention was drawn to the dragon rider due to the attack.

Now, what should I do—?

"Hey, pancake girl?"

"Huh?"

"That magic circle, wouldn't it be good to throw the winter strawberries at the great eagle?"

"Aha!"

That's right. If it has a strong appetite, it might be distracted by the winter strawberries. I used my magic wand, Gra, to select the winter strawberries from the magic circle. A large winter strawberry materialized and fell into my palm. I held it up to draw attention.

"Look, winter strawberries!"

The great eagle's gaze shifted to the winter strawberries and it flew towards them. Please, be distracted!

I threw the winter strawberries with all my might, hoping they would be noticed.

The winter strawberries flew in an arc, and the great eagle followed them with its eyes, turning in the air.

Urgas took advantage of the opening and fired an arrow at the eagle's exposed wing—hitting it perfectly. The dragon rider followed up with a spear thrust into the eagle's back as it slowed down.

The great eagle plummeted.

"Is, is it over?"

"Probably?"

The great eagle that had been falling was no longer in sight. The dragon rider approached Amelia and suggested landing in an open area nearby to regroup.

"Understood."

The dragon rider then muttered something to the stone on his necklace. Was that a magic stone communication? I had heard of such magical devices. He might be communicating with the dragon carriage driver.

After a while, we could see an open area. The dragon rider and the dragon carriage landed there, and we followed.

Amelia landed gracefully.

"Kwe!"

"Good job, Amelia."

"You did well!"

She lowered her posture, allowing me to dismount. As I stroked Amelia's neck to show my appreciation, I was called from behind.

"Risris medic!!"

"Mel!!"

It was Vice Captain Berry and Zara, running towards us. As soon as I turned around, I was hugged tightly.

"Whoa!"

"I'm so glad..."

Vice Captain Berry hugged me tightly, his voice trembling as he whispered, "I'm so glad" in my ear.

"I couldn't do anything during the battle, it was frustrating..."

"Vice Captain Berry"

"Really, I'm just glad you're safe."

It seems I had caused a lot of worry. As I was being hugged by Vice Captain Berry, I caught Zara's eye. He looked like a puppy that had been left in the rain.

I broke free from Vice Captain Berry and went to Zara.

"Mel"

"Yes"

"I'm glad you're safe"

"Thanks to you"

We stared at each other, feeling a bit awkward. I wondered if I should have had a more emotional reunion like with Vice Captain Berry, but it was too late now.

Not knowing what to do, I let my gaze wander, and Vice Captain Berry spoke up.

"Zara was very worried. It would be good to embrace and share the relief of being safe."

"Huh? Ah"

Is that how it's done?

Since it was Vice Captain Berry's suggestion, and to avoid an awkward situation, I mustered the courage to hug Zara.

I thought he would hug me back and we would both say, "I'm so glad!" But Zara remained stiff and didn't move.

"Um, Zara?"

"Ah! Oh, thank you!"

I was thanked, which was unexpected. Feeling a bit flustered, I patted his back and stepped away. I tried to gauge Zara's reaction, but he turned his face away, so I couldn't see it.

After that, Vice Captain Berry looked apologetic.