Chapter 51

The content and perspective of the protagonist in Chapter 29 are almost identical. If you don't like it, please skip it.

"Captain, it's an emergency! Letz has escaped again!!"

"Five members of the cooking team were injured while cleaning the beast stables! One of them was taken to the infirmary due to excessive bleeding!!"

While I was doing my usual rounds of the riding beasts, a young team member, who had suffered light lacerations from fangs and claws, ran up to report this on a peaceful morning. The tension spread among the team members who heard the report.

Riding beasts are intelligent high-level magical beasts, but they are still beasts. They are strongly driven by instinct.

Therefore, we always have multiple people work together, but injuries and problems are constant.

Once you get used to them, they are quite adorable. Many of them even enjoy being brushed.

However, Letz, the riding beast of the cooking team leader Dillnan, is a prime example of a problem beast.

"Call for reinforcements from the other team stables to catch Letz. Ah, make sure to leave at least two people in each stable. After you're called, head to the infirmary quickly. I'll go look for Tzen first."

"Yes, sir!"

I gave the necessary instructions and started moving to capture the problem beast.

I began searching from the nearby stables, but my reliable right-hand man was nowhere to be seen.

Tzen, the deputy leader of the riding beast team, has always been a man who is well-liked by riding beasts since he joined the team.

Tzen himself likes riding beasts, takes good care of them, and is skilled at gauging the right distance.

Because of this, the reclusive Letz rarely showed his fangs or claws to Tzen.

It's easier to handle Letz with Tzen around.

Honestly, I wish we had another team member with Tzen's constitution.

I could hear some commotion from the direction of the cooking team's stables.

I want to catch Tzen and head to the capture before more injuries occur, but he's nowhere to be found. The stables are quite large.

I suppressed a sigh and opened the door to the document team's stables, only to find an unexpected sight and a surprising scene.

"Oh, Yahr."

"Elies and Mars. ...What is this?"

The one who called out was Elies, the leader of the document team. Mars, the deputy leader, was also there, and between them was a child who looked troubled, being groomed by Elies' riding beast, Filius, and Mars' riding beast, Edith.

This child must be the temporary team member Dillnan picked up, who was mentioned at yesterday's team leader meeting. He's really small.

"I came by to give this child a tour, but he seems to have taken a liking to us. I guess he must be quite tasty, as they won't let go."

Elies said this with a relaxed smile, but his words left me, and the young ones behind me, speechless.

Each of the fourteen riding beast teams has its own characteristics.

The document team's riding beasts are generally very proud. If you try to touch them without knowing them, you're sure to get a serious injury.

Grooming a child they've just met? I've never heard of such a thing.

"Things seem quite hectic. Is there a problem?"

"It's a big problem, a huge one. Have you seen Tzen?"

"I haven't seen him on my way here. Is the problem so serious that you need to look for the deputy leader?"

"You think it's none of your business. Don't give me that smug smile."

As I was thinking this, Elies asked in response to the voices coming from the open door.

But this Elies is a tricky one.

He's showing a good smile as if others' misfortunes are sweet.

While I was thinking this, the cries of the young team members gradually got closer, and finally, a scream like a cry of despair came from the corridor behind us.

Turning around, I saw the team members facing off against Letz, who was baring his fangs while maintaining a precarious distance from combat.

It was clear that they were at their limit. It doesn't seem like we have time to look for Tzen anymore.

In the midst of the heavy tension, I felt something pass by my feet.

"Letz!"

Then, a young voice rang out.

The child, who had somehow appeared in front of us, called out Letz's name, and the threatening Letz turned his attention to the child. He relaxed his guard and looked at the child.

The young team members tried to approach, but they were intimidated by Letz's fierce glare.

Ignoring them, the child called out to Letz and ran over. The young team members screamed.

A worst-case scenario flashed through my mind. Approaching the reclusive Letz without any defense would surely result in a serious injury!

Some of the team members turned away, and when the child reached Letz and hugged his neck, stroking his fur, Letz licked the child's face.

This elicited small cries of surprise from the young team members. Even I was taken aback.

What is this unbelievable scene!?

While we were in shock, the child called out to Letz with a bright smile.

"Letz, isn't it time for a nap?"

"…Grr"

"Did you do something naughty?"

In response to the child's question, Letz looked awkward and shifted his gaze.

...This is nothing but a nightmare. Where did that arrogant Letz go?

"I don't like naughty Letz."

I couldn't believe my eyes as the child declared this.

Upon hearing this, Letz showed an expression that seemed to say the world was ending.

...Can you even make that face? I've been taking care of you since you came to the Northern Demon Castle, and this is the first time I've seen it.

Beside me, the young team members, who were facing Letz, showed a look of near madness at this unbelievable scene. How do we resolve this?

As a headache started to set in, Filius and Edith pushed through the crowd and approached the child, grooming his hair again and starting a fight with Letz.

I was about to imagine a bloody battle when Letz, seeing this, showed a shocked expression without any hostility.

...It seems things have gone beyond our imagination. Maybe it's best to just watch and see.

As I resigned myself to this, the child, surrounded by the three beasts, observed them and moved again.

"...Will you stop?"

"…Grr"

"...Will you really reflect on it?"

"Grrr"

"...Then, I love you, Letz."

While accepting the grooming from Filius and Edith, the child called out to Letz, who nodded desperately and barked.

Seeing Letz's sincere reflection, the child forgave him easily, and Letz rushed over to the child, rubbing against him and licking his soft cheeks.

The child screamed. ...Considering the size difference, that's to be expected.

At this point, Elies, who had been standing behind us, finally moved.

He took out a whip he always carries and struck the ground forcefully.

The three beasts, who read the power in the sound, stopped immediately and released the child.

"Captain Elies!"

"Mars, please help Yuri tidy up. I'll give some educational guidance to these fools."

Elies stroked the hair of the half-crying child who ran to him and called out to Mars, who was behind us. Mars moved to clean up the disheveled child with magic, stroking his red cheeks and whispering something to him. The child's face suddenly turned pale, and he started trembling in fear.

"Well, are you ready?"

At the sound of Elies' voice, the child's shoulders shook.

...It seems a lecture from Elies awaits. Hang in there, little one.

After being knocked down by Elies' whip and being scolded with a smile, the three beasts became surprisingly obedient and were handed over to our riding beast team.

The usually threatening three beasts were surprisingly docile as they were led away. It's charming that they didn't even look at Elies.

"...Elies, you're ruthless."

"Can you be a master if you can't control your riding beast?"

"Are you going to hit Letz too?"

"Call it educational guidance. After all, Letz is a problem beast."

"Do you know how rare it is to be able to do that?"

"Oh, I'm offended. ...There's someone even more unbelievable than me."

I sighed and spoke to Elies, who pointed to the child being carried by Mars.

The child, who was desperately clinging to Mars for help, turned to us upon noticing our gaze.

The redness on the child's soft left cheek was painful to see.

"That Letz and he are mutual. ...Dillnan returned with a twitching cheek due to their excessive affection. Even Filius and Edith showed affection on their first meeting. He must be very likable to riding beasts."

"...Occasionally, there are people who resonate with magical beasts. It's a type of innate magic that appeals to high-level magical beasts. Tzen is a good example in the riding beast team. This child seems to have a particularly good compatibility."

"Is that so?"

"Meeting a dragon will confirm it. They are especially sensitive to compatibility. I'll arrange that opportunity."

"Dragon... Can I meet one?"

Listening to Elies' explanation about the child, I recalled a similar but rare man. If my guess is correct, this child is a valuable asset to our riding beast team.

The child probably doesn't realize how special his constitution is to the riding beast team. He's more interested in the possibility of meeting a dragon.

A normal child would be scared to meet a dragon, which is overwhelmingly larger than themselves. This child might be even more promising.

"If you have a constitution that appeals to Letz and you like riding beasts, there's almost no doubt. Most importantly, you're likable to people too.

I'll introduce you to Tzen. ...How about a trial period with the riding beast team?"

Smiling at this unexpected asset, I called out to the child, who looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Looking at him directly, he is quite adorable.

"...Are you the captain of the riding beast team?"

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Captain Yahr of the riding beast team."

"My name is Yuri. Nice to meet you, Captain Yahr."

"You can call me 'grandpa' outside of official settings."

"Grandpa"

Being called "grandpa" with a smile by this child doesn't feel bad. It's like having a grandchild. He's exceptionally cute.

"'Grandpa'...?"

"What is it, Elies?"

"Who was it that recently complained about being treated like an old man?"

"I'm an old man to a kid, but I won't be treated like one by you guys."

"Hmm"

Just as I was feeling warm, Elies made an unnecessary comment with a lukewarm look. Mars also had a similar look. Ignore them.

Gurgle

In the midst of this, a strange sound echoed.

The source of the sound... Yuri?

Elies, Mars, and I turned to look, and Yuri rubbed his stomach. Then, an even louder sound echoed.

Elies checked his watch and smiled.

"...Lunch time?"

"Yes. Let's go to the infirmary first, then have lunch."

...The sound was from a growling stomach.

Looking incredibly happy, Yuri asked Elies, who smiled and told him to go to the infirmary first. Yuri's expression turned to shock, similar to when he was clinging to Mars for help.

For some reason, Mars was shaking with laughter. ...Is this man amused?

"I won't go!"

"It's dangerous if bacteria get in, so I'll reject that."

"Captain Vincent's punishment is scary."

"Give up on that. ...If you don't go, I can add my lecture before Vincent."

"Captain Dillnan will be angry too..."

"Captain Dillnan is like a mother. Of course, he will be."

As I was surprised by Mars' laughing face, Elies and Yuri's conversation unfolded. Yuri, clinging to Mars and shaking his head, revealed his fear. He was trembling in fear of Elies' threats but trying his best.

He was afraid of being scolded by his guardians for the injury on his cheek. Is Vincent more frightening than Elies?

Elies' shocking words made me burst out laughing.

"Is Dillnan a mother!?"

"That man is unexpectedly meticulous and overprotective. Watching Dillnan with Yuri is hilarious."

"...Well, try your best to get scolded, little one. I'll talk to Dillnan about the dragon."

Laughing at the unexpected side of Dillnan, I spoke as Yuri's stomach growled again. The sound was a mix of a response and a protest, making Elies and Mars burst into laughter.

After the laughter subsided, Yuri was carried away to the infirmary by Mars without any argument.

Sighing, I saw Tzen and the team members who had captured the problem beasts appear.

"Captain, what was that scene just now?"

Hearing a team member's complaint, Tzen chuckled and patted his head.

Tzen, a good older brother to the riding beast team, calmed the team member down with a pat on the head. The others looked envious. Are you guys on the same level as the riding beasts?

"Where were you, Tzen?"

"I was talking to a supplier about the feed order we discussed this morning. It seems to have been quite a situation."

Regaining my composure, I asked Tzen, remembering the feed order we had discussed. Memory does decline with age.

"The timing was bad. ...But it was fortunate to have unexpected help."

"Captain Elies?"

"That too, but the temporary team member also helped. He seems to have a constitution similar to yours."

"That's impressive. Such a valuable asset would be great for the riding beast team."

"The guardians won't let him go. But testing his compatibility with a dragon would be a good idea. I'll talk to Dillnan, and you should join the discussion."

"Of course. It's rare to have a chance to meet the rumored cute temporary team member. It's a shame, though."

"Seize the opportunity when it comes."

As Tzen spoke enthusiastically, the young team members, who had calmed down, started talking about what had just happened.

This man seems to have a calming effect on others.

"Anyway, the matter is settled. Let's wrap things up quickly and take a lunch break. We'll start fresh in the afternoon!"

"Yes, sir!"

We can't keep dragging things out.

Giving instructions, everyone responded and started moving.

They can talk as much as they want after the work is done.

Now, I need to arrange for Yuri to meet the dragon with Tzen.

I'll also make sure he can visit anytime.