Chapter 44

"Wh-What is this...?"

"It's a phoenix."

Piyoyo, the fluffy orange chick chirped. It was a chick about the size of a chicken, with a distinctive decorative feather on its head. In other words, it was much larger than an ordinary chick.

Probably, Carnelia held it in both her arms, and it was just the right size.

"...A phoenix."

"Yes, it's a phoenix."

"Is this... a phoenix...?"

"Yes, it's a phoenix."

Again, the chick chirped.

Santos, the lord, and even Interia, were probably unable to imagine what a phoenix would look like from the word "phoenix." They were dumbfounded. Carnelia, however, sparkled with excitement at the sight of the phoenix in front of her. And only I could hear Laocles quietly laughing behind me.

"...Can I touch it?"

Carnelia was the first to move.

She was completely unfazed by the "unexpected" appearance of the phoenix. After all, there was no need for the phoenix to be impressive to her.

"Sure, go ahead."

I transferred the phoenix chick to Carnelia's arms.

The phoenix, now separated from me, looked a bit anxious and struggled. However, when Carnelia started petting it, it stopped struggling. After a while, the phoenix, which had been petted continuously, looked up at Carnelia and became completely docile.

It seemed the phoenix had taken a liking to Carnelia.

While petting the phoenix, Carnelia looked delighted.

"This chick is so warm!"

"Well, it is a phoenix."

"It's cute... beautiful... amazing, to think such a creature exists."

The phoenix, perhaps understanding it was being praised, looked a bit proud. It seemed to stretch its neck and puff out its chest. This phoenix seemed to be quite intelligent.

"J-Just a moment. Hey, Togo! What's going on here?"

But it seemed they weren't going to let this pass.

The lord hurriedly approached me.

"According to the request, I brought out a creature as rare as a red dragon. This completes the contract."

"Wait, wasn't it supposed to be a phoenix?"

"Yes, it is a phoenix."

"But, I didn't hear that you were summoning a chick...?"

"That's rude. This is a phoenix."

When we turned to look at the phoenix, it chirped in Carnelia's arms and then suddenly spat out fire. Probably a sneeze.

"...This is a problem. It won't be of any use in battle!"

"Battle? Did you intend to use it in battle?"

When I asked, Santos seemed at a loss for words.

"Perhaps, the desire for a red dragon was also for this purpose?"

"N-No, that's not it..."

...If I think about it, it seems the king or princess of this country wanted something that could be used as a force. Hmm... that's quite unsettling.

"But I didn't hear that. So I brought out a phoenix."

"But... this... can we return it...?"

Santos and the lord looked troubled, but I could only smile.

"Besides, the phoenix seems to have taken a liking to her."

A small scream came from Carnelia.

At that moment, the phoenix, stretching its neck in Carnelia's arms, was headbutting the gemstone pendant hanging from her chest.

In front of the dumbfounded Santos and the lord, Carnelia looked at the phoenix that had been absorbed into her pendant, completely stunned.

But when she gently touched the gemstone with her fingertip, the phoenix's face appeared from it and nestled back into her arms.

The chirping phoenix looked quite satisfied.

"It seems the phoenix has become the summoning creature of the Giorene family."

The phoenix now belonged to Carnelia. So, no returns would be accepted.

"J-Just kidding! Hey! Carnelia! What do you think you're doing!"

Santos raised his voice and approached Carnelia. Carnelia flinched but tightly hugged the phoenix in her arms...

Piyoyo.

...With that chirp, the phoenix spat out fire, instantly scorching the hem of Santos' clothes.

Santos could only freeze.

The phoenix looked reassuring, as if saying, "I won't miss next time."

Yeah. Case closed.

Leaving the stunned Santos behind, I discussed the contract with the lord.

First, I confirmed that the contract had been fulfilled. The lord had to nod, as I had indeed brought out the phoenix in front of the Giorene family, and the phoenix now belonged to Carnelia. Moreover, I had asked if a phoenix was acceptable, and they had said yes.

...So, I decided to take my reward.

It was for our safety and Interia's custody.

Regarding Interia... I accepted her with the condition that "I can do as I please with her." Yes. After that, whether she would be hired by the Giorene family again or kidnap Carnelia and run away would be her decision.

So, I signed the documents regarding Interia's ownership and prepared to leave.

"Hey, Togo! Please, can you summon one more legendary magical creature?"

But of course, I was asked.

"Any reward! Time, not just three days, but even three weeks if needed! Please!"

"Even if you say that..."

"Didn't we also talk about a unicorn? Can you prepare for summoning a unicorn?"

"Well, I can bring it out..."

"Then please! Summon it! Even if it's not a phoenix, it's fine! Please!"

...Hmm.

"Alright, I'll bring it out. But it won't become your summoning creature."

"Even so, it's fine! I'll dismiss Carnelia! Hey! Take Carnelia away! ...Really, after all the trouble of summoning it, why is it so useless!"

Harsh words were directed at Carnelia, but the word "dismiss" made Interia quickly take Carnelia away. Probably, Carnelia didn't hear it.

"Can I ask you, then?"

"Even without your request."

...Well.

Then, let's go home.

So, I completed the drawing of the unicorn.

...The finished drawing of the unicorn was incredibly powerful. I clearly depicted the muscles, gave it a fierce expression, and made the horn and wings impressive. Most importantly, the mane and tail were like threads of lightning.

After drawing such a horse... and then, "Come here." I thought.

I think lightning struck.

I thought this because my vision suddenly became bright.

And at the same time, a tremendous sound echoed.

After the sound and light of the lightning subsided, when I opened my eyes... there was a horse, incredibly impressive.

Large wings, a magnificent horn, a fierce face, and a muscular body where the shape of the muscles was clearly visible. The mane and tail, like threads of lightning, swayed gracefully, and the unicorn approached me with its nose.

What is it, sniffing me? I was a bit troubled as the unicorn nudged me with its nose.

"Oh, it's a unicorn!"

The two Giorene family members were delighted at the sight of the unicorn.

"Make it a summoning creature immediately..."

Santos took out a pale brown gem from his pocket.

"Hey, unicorn! Look at this!"

Santos approached the unicorn, holding up the gem.

"I have a gemstone suitable for you! Come, be my summoning creature!"

As Santos approached the unicorn, he also approached me.

When I slightly moved my body back, the unicorn saw this and started to move with me. ...What is it, does it like me? Or does it think I'm its creator?

"Unicorn! Not that way, this way!"

Seeing this, Santos tried to get between me and the unicorn. I was slightly pushed and stumbled.

"Here! The gemstone! Quickly, become a summoning creature..."

At that moment,

The unicorn's horn glowed.

With a crack, a tremendous light shot out from the tip of the horn.

The light, not straight like a beam, refracted and branched out, instantly reaching the gem in Santos' hand.

...And the gem, struck by lightning, shattered into pieces.

"Wh-What..."

Santos was dumbfounded, looking at the gem fragments falling from his hand. But the unicorn went for another attack.

The horn was thrust at Santos with great force...

A loud sound echoed.

Laocles' shield, which had jumped in front of Santos, blocked the unicorn's horn.

"Damn, you're quite strong..."

Laocles, while blocking the unicorn's horn, tried to push it back.

But the unicorn seemed a bit agitated and wouldn't back down. It was engaged in a strength contest with Laocles.

In the meantime, Santos crawled away. The unicorn's lightning had destroyed the gem, and the horn had almost pierced him, leaving him paralyzed.

"Ah, unicorn..."

"Stay back."

When I tried to approach to calm the unicorn, Laocles stopped me.

"If I were to make this my summoning creature, I can't back down here."

Saying this, Laocles put even more strength into his push. I could see his muscles moving, and the unicorn also put in more effort.

...At that moment,

The unicorn suddenly relaxed.

Laocles, almost losing his balance in surprise, watched as the unicorn stared at the shield... and then, with a leisurely movement, circled around Laocles' shield and approached him with its nose.

"What is it?"

"Hmm, probably sniffing."

Laocles was just confused. But the unicorn, undeterred, sniffed Laocles with its nose and then approached me, sniffing again. What is it? At least it seemed to have calmed down...

"Will you become my summoning creature?"

Laocles took out a golden gem and gently offered it to the unicorn.

The unicorn stared at it...

Then, it turned away.

"Huh?"

This was unexpected. Could it be that the unicorn didn't like Laocles?

...But, my worry was unfounded.

The unicorn, with a "Can't help it" look, swayed its tail and approached Laocles' shield... and gently rubbed its cheek against the gem embedded in the shield.

"...So, this one was your favorite?"

"Seems so."

The unicorn apparently preferred the gem embedded in Laocles' shield over the new one. Well, as long as it liked it, it didn't matter. It was a bit unexpected.

When Laocles slightly shook the shield, the unicorn came out. Then it went back into the gem and came out again... chirping contentedly. It seemed to be quite comfortable.

"Unicorn. Can you do me a favor right away?"

As Laocles stroked the unicorn's neck, the unicorn narrowed its eyes in pleasure and then faced the Giorene family, lowering its body. Yes, probably in a position to poke with its horn.

"Sorry, but not that."

Seeing this, Laocles turned the unicorn in the opposite direction. Yes, please don't poke people.

"Can you carry me and this one? I'm not that light, but this one is."

Please don't mention my weight.

"Can you do it? Is it possible?"

When Laocles asked, the unicorn chirped, as if saying, "Of course."

"...That's what it says. Let's go right away."

"Okay."

The unicorn's approval was also given, so we tidied up and left immediately. ...I was starting to feel a bit drowsy.

"So, we're leaving. The contract is all completed, so we're going."

I said this to the lord.

"What... Why such a thing..."

But the lord, in this state, didn't seem to be listening to me.

"Damn, we were supposed to get a summoning creature!"

The lord lunged at me, which was a bit troublesome.

...But, Laocles came behind me with the contract, and the lord let go. Yes. Our safety and freedom were guaranteed in the contract, and we had a vague agreement not to cause trouble for the Giorene family or the Redgard family, so any action could be a breach of contract.

Then, we were asked to summon one more creature, but the Giorene family's gem was broken, the contract said "no trouble," I was reaching my limit, and after some back and forth, we were released. Yes. The decisive factor was probably the unicorn, which started to get angry and was about to attack.

"Then, we'll be on our way."

So, we left the mansion. Good. If we hadn't been let go, we would have had to break the ceiling to get out...

"I wonder if Carnelia and Interia are okay."

"They should be fine. It seems one horse is missing."

Outside, Laocles, with his keen eyes, noticed that "one horse was missing." Impressive.

"...So, they ran away?"

"Well, they fled, I suppose."

I see. They act quickly.

"I hope it goes well."

"There shouldn't be a problem. Interia is an excellent knight."

Yes. If Laocles says so, it should be fine.

We thought about Carnelia and Interia and decided to ride the unicorn immediately.

But...

"Alright, get on."

"Hmm, well, wait a moment."

When Laocles gracefully leaped onto the unicorn, I was a bit troubled. After all, this unicorn is quite large. Yes. It's a bit difficult for me to leap on gracefully.

But, I couldn't stay behind, so I tried to climb onto the unicorn. ...Then, perhaps unable to bear it, the unicorn lowered its head and gently lifted me with its horn. Thank you. I then climbed along the unicorn's neck and settled on its back.

"...Does this one like you more than me?"

"Maybe. I wonder if I have a scent that horses like."

I sniffed myself, but I couldn't tell.

Well... if it likes me, that's nice. Yes.

So, we decided to ride the unicorn together. The unicorn took a few steps to get a running start and then soared into the sky.

It floated up and then moved through the air at an incredible speed. ...From the ground, it probably looked like a bolt of lightning streaking across