Chapter 68

I pat Gobu Island's shoulder.

I can feel his body convulsing.

The grip of Gobu Island's hand, which was placed on the pedestal of the griffin statue, gradually weakens.

"Gobu Island! Don't die, Gobu Island!"

I couldn't help but call out Gobu Island's name, which I had kept to myself.

However, there was no time to worry about such trivial matters. Now, it was Gobu Island's crisis.

"Give up, this goblin is done for. We have no choice but to retreat."

Eberheid says it bluntly.

"B-but... I was going to make Gobu Island my pet after the exploration of the ruins..."

This is the last barrier.

I believed that if I could break this, I could bring Gobu Island back.

"Forget it, the application for permission is troublesome. If this heavily modified goblin regains its strength, who knows what it might do."

After a pause, he adds, "And besides, you'll never tame it, no matter how attached you are."

"Such... Gobu Island... Is Gobu Island going to die in vain..."

"This goblin's death is not in vain. I didn't expect the analysis to go so smoothly. This Gobu... goblin's death has contributed significantly to the analysis. We can break through next time. If it were just me, it would have taken at least ten years."

Eberheid says this as if to console me.

I slump my shoulders.

"It's... It's okay! Gobuzima must be happy to have been of use to Abel!"

Mia places her hand on my shoulder and comforts me.

"R-really?"

"Yes! He must be!"

I look at Gobu Island's face on the ground.

Gobu Island's eyes are bloodshot, and he glares at me fiercely.

"Hey, maybe... it's not like that..."

"Hm, the goblin's magical flow is recovering. It seems to have come back to life seeing your face."

"That's great, Abel! Gobuzima must have thought, 'I have to try harder for Abel'..."

"Hey, maybe... it's not like that? I'm being glared at really intensely..."

"Don't worry about it. After all, it's just a man-eating monster. Having feelings for it won't do you any good."

Eberheid dismisses my words bluntly.

"Wait, that's not the issue. The last seal is breaking. Girl, step back. Hey, soldiers, surround the griffin statue."

"Huh, what's happening?"

The members of the survey team approach the griffin statue warily.

I step back half a pace and raise my staff.

The griffin statue glows red, and cracks appear on its surface.

In the next moment, the statue shakes. Stone fragments scatter around.

The statue transforms into a real griffin.

A large eagle's head, a lion's lower body.

From the tip of its tail to the top of its head, it's nearly three meters long.

I've never seen such a real monster in this world.

"GAHHHHHHH!"

The legendary creature, which I had only seen in dubious books and games in my previous life, roars in front of me.

I even feel a sense of distortion in space from the sound.

The presence is overwhelmingly different from when it was a stone statue.

The griffin steps down from the pedestal and crushes Gobu Island with its large foot.

Gobu Island is easily turned into mincemeat.

"Gobu Islandeeeeee!"

I try to rush forward, but Eberheid stops me.

"Don't be shaken by something like this. Stay calm and act."

"T-that... Y-yes..."

Indeed, now is not the time to be shaken.

"Wait, wait, Eberheid-sama! We weren't told about this!"

A member of the survey team, sword at the ready, cries out.

"Sorry, I thought you could guess from our conversation..."

"You guys are impossible!"

Wegener barks at me in response.

"The griffin is a B-rank lower-class magical beast. Its wings won't be much of an advantage in this corridor... but never stand directly in front of it. Spread out and use your numbers to your advantage. Abel, step back five paces and strike the left wing after the griffin attacks. This is the last guardian of the ruins. Don't let your guard down."

Eberheid gives precise instructions.

I'm saved; I was about to spam spells without thinking.

Experience really does make a difference.

I step back exactly five paces as instructed.

Alright, I'll wait for the griffin's attack and then strike the base of the left wing.

The members of the survey team move forward past me.

The griffin's eyes lock onto Eberheid.

"Annoying"

A voice echoes in my head.

It's as if it's calling directly to my brain.

Some magical beasts and high-ranking demons can understand the language of spirits.

I knew this in theory, but experiencing it is different.

The pressure is immense.

"I am the king, and I have been waiting for you"

The griffin turns its head.

"You are a human, and I am accustomed to speaking"

My body shivers.

Not just me, but the survey team and Meisen are also visibly shaken by that one word.

I lightly tap my cheek to calm myself down.

"Light Shield"

Light spreads from Eberheid's fingertips, trying to bind the griffin.

The griffin spreads its wings, lowers its posture, and flies to the right.

"Uwaaaaaah!"

One of the survey team members swings his sword recklessly.

"Fool"

The griffin's front claws brush against the sword.

The blade is easily broken, and the survey team member is sent flying.

I snap out of my daze.

Right, I need to strike the left wing when it attacks.

The griffin isn't facing me.

I'm a bit late, but I'm in its blind spot. It should serve as a distraction.

"Wind Blade"

I swing my staff at the griffin's left wing.

The magic power from my staff mixes with the air and forms a blade.

The griffin quickly turns to face me.

"I am a master of wind magic"

Its movements are faster than I expected.

The griffin covers the front with its wings to protect itself.

No good, I panicked.

Magical beasts that can understand the language of spirits are said to have been strongly influenced by spirits during their evolution.

They possess qualities similar to spirits and have strong resistance to the magic of the spirits they are based on.

Why did I use wind magic?

In a moment of panic, my mind doesn't work this well.

My lack of practical experience is deeper than I thought.

I bite my lip in frustration.

"It was a thing..."

In the next moment, blood splatters.

"GAHHHHHHH!?"

The griffin roars and falls.

It thrashes around on the spot.

The blood-soaked wing, which was almost severed, falls, and feathers scatter around.

"...Hm?"

Eberheid stops with his arm raised.

The other members of the survey team also freeze, swords at the ready.

Time seems to stop for a few seconds.

Then, as if remembering, they surround the griffin and start swinging their swords.

...You didn't need to worry that much.