Chapter 36

Keena thought flying would be the hard part, but she soon realized that it was just as challenging after taking off.

First, the Griffon children were incredibly rowdy.

Amid the roaring wind, cheers of "Kyaa!" and "Woo!" could be heard quite often.

"Is this what it feels like to be on a roller coaster?"

"…? Jito?"

"Aaaaah, never mind. It's nothing, Luka. You don't have to worry."

"Okay."

Keena instructed the Griffons to fly in the shadow of the Green Dragon, keeping an eye on the children and preparing to assist if anything went wrong.

Despite her worries, Ritt and Latem were pointing down and discussing something, which Keena hoped they wouldn't lean too far for.

She couldn't focus solely on the Griffons.

While the reins were tied to the Green Dragon, Keena was the only one holding on.

Luka clung to her chest, making it impossible to turn and check the surroundings.

Luka would flinch and cling tighter every time she looked around, which made Keena feel ticklish.

Keena tried to calm her by speaking reassuringly, patting her head, and gently tapping her back.

There was another issue.

Keena had forgotten that there were also aggressive flying monsters in the sky.

They didn't seem to approach the intimidating Griffons and Dragons, but the thought of them attacking the children out of hunger was nerve-wracking.

They were supposed to be enjoying the flight, but Keena found herself accumulating stress from the mounting concerns.

A short distance from the village, they would reach Keena's Guardian Tower faster than by land.

After circling the tower, which sparkled in the sunlight, twice, they headed toward the northern border.

Keena's Guardian Tower was covered by a dome-shaped magic nullification barrier, making it impossible to approach from the air.

The children were fascinated by the tall building, which was even higher than the castles of Helsper and Felskeiro, much to Latem's surprise.

The route would then take them over the river, entering from the mountain's shadow.

They planned to stay at an altitude where they wouldn't be seen by Helsper's border guards, but if spotted, they would rely on a connection through a grandchild.

Flying close to the shimmering water at high speed delighted the Griffons.

The Dragon maintained the "Flight" magic with Keena's magic supply, followed by the Griffons.

The Dragon's body structure was not suitable for sustained low-altitude flight, making it a difficult maneuver.

Along the way, they effortlessly flew over a bridge that was a joint effort by a mother and son.

"Huh…?"

Keena tilted her head, having seen something odd while focusing on the children's safety.

The scene on the bridge had not been fully recognized due to her preoccupation.

Ritt and Latem, who had turned around on the leading Griffon, were gesturing wildly, shouting "Bridge!" and "Bridge!"

Keena reluctantly asked her third eye.

"Key. Was there something on the bridge?"

'There are monsters attacking a carriage.'

"Wh-What!? What? Wait! Mido, back, back! Turn around!"

She hurriedly gave the Dragon orders, but the Green Dragon, designed for high-altitude flight, was not suited for emergency maneuvers.

Determined to follow her summoner's command, the Green Dragon tried to gain altitude and turn around.

However, with the children on board, Keena's thoughts were in a bind.

"Well, well, we're in a tight spot, aren't we?"

Eirine, confirming the situation in the middle of the bridge, narrowed her eyes, considering her options.

Even the renowned "Flame Spear Mercenary Corps" led by Arbiter would find it difficult to protect three carriages with half the usual number and without their leader.

"I thought our luck was turning…"

Glancing at the small wooden crates on the cargo, she muttered without a hint of resignation.

The items, entrusted to her by the merchant Kellrick, were addressed to Keena, who had moved to a border village.

These few crates alone were worth the transport cost of an entire carriage.

They must be incredibly valuable.

Until a moment ago, she had been laughing with the long-time acquaintance Arbiter, saying, "Thanks to the young lady," but now she felt a sense of impending doom, cursing the balance of fortune and misfortune.

The first attack came shortly after crossing the Helsper border.

Attacked from behind by one Ogre and three Goblins, Arbiter took half the group to deal with them.

The caravan was supposed to wait a short distance away, but five more Goblins appeared, separating Arbiter's group.

The deputy leader decided to speed up the caravan, assuming the Goblins couldn't keep up.

They managed to shake off the persistent Goblins by the time they reached the bridge, but three more Ogres appeared on the other side, and the remaining members were overwhelmed by the Goblins.

Arbiter's group was likely being held back by reinforcements.

This was not a typical tactic for Ogres, known for their limited intelligence.

Eirine shuddered at the organized and calculated actions, sensing a hidden agenda.

The presence of a massive creature that had just passed overhead made her suspect something significant was happening behind the scenes.

…Perhaps she was overthinking, but she couldn't shake the unease.

For now, they could hold the bridge, but if reinforcements arrived, they would be overwhelmed.

【Magic Skill: Load: Lightning, sweep away!】

At that moment, rescue arrived.

Several lightning bolts, stretching from downstream, pierced the three Ogres battling the deputy leader and Eirine.

The destructive power was immense; one Ogre was charred from the waist up, another was reduced to a pile of ashes, and the third was completely obliterated.

The deputy leader and Eirine turned to see Keena, floating in the air with a child in her arms.

"Keena-sama!?"

Before they could react, a massive object fell from above, splashing water over the lead carriage.

Keena had anticipated this and cast a barrier to protect the caravan, affecting only the Goblins harassing the rear.

All five were blown away by the water pressure and swept down the river.

Even if they had stayed on the bridge, they would have faced the Green Dragon, so it was fortunate for them.

"Keena-sama! Please, we need your help!"

Keena, who had just landed on the bridge, was interrupted by the deputy leader's urgent plea.

"Y-Yes? What is it?"

"Can you guard the caravan for a while?"

"Sure, I can do that."

Without fully understanding, Keena nodded.

The deputy leader, after a quick word with Eirine, led the remaining members back the way they came, shouting, "Captain, please be safe!!"

Keena, watching in amazement, received a bow from Eirine.

"Thank you, Keena-sama. Thanks to you, both the people and the cargo are safe."

"Oh, it was just a coincidence. I'm glad I was passing by."

Kyu~ Roro~

A Griffon, chirping, landed beside the Green Dragon.

They exchanged greetings, "Goo," and "Kyu Roro," and waited for Keena's orders.

She had returned to the village to drop off Ritt and the others, so no one was on its back.

Luka, unwilling to leave Keena, remained with her.

After crossing the bridge, Keena listened to the story and introduced Luka.

"Hmm, so she's Keena-sama's daughter?"

"…Luka."

Luka mumbled and bowed, still clinging to Keena's waist.

"I'm Eirine. Nice to meet you, Luka."

Keena, pleased by Luka's initiative, smiled.

Eirine, amused by her motherly behavior, chuckled.

"Still, it's unusual for Ogres to act like this, right?"

"Well, it's rare for them to use such tactics. Let's discuss it with Arbiter when he returns and things calm down."

Keena, used to organized actions by barbarians in the game, didn't fully grasp the situation.

Goo Roro~

The Griffon and Green Dragon, serving as sentries, spotted a noisy group crossing the bridge and let out warning cries.

Arbiter, leading the group, approached cautiously upon seeing the Dragon.

Luka, terrified by the tough men, hid behind Keena.

"Welcome back, Arbiter."

"Y-Yeah, young lady."

"Thank you, Keena-sama."

The deputy leader thanked her, positioned the members, and prepared to move the caravan.

"Any injuries?"

"Nah, we're fine. This is nothing compared to real injuries."

Seeing Kenison, who looked the most injured, jokingly, Keena nodded.

Deciding they were safe, she thanked her summoned creatures and returned the Green Dragon.

"Then, I'll wait for you in the village. We can talk there."

Mounting the Griffon with Luka, she called out to Eirine.

The Griffon, following Keena's orders, rose and flew toward the village.

Arbiter, watching them go, looked visibly displeased.

"What's with her, being so cold to the young lady…"

"Considering the priorities, she chose her daughter."

Eirine, chuckling, nodded, finding it natural given Keena's doting nature, leaving Arbiter confused.