Just as the discussion with the bandit group seemed to be coming to an end, we were suddenly attacked by a Gryphon.
The Gryphon that appeared out of nowhere sent the bandit group into a panic. Meanwhile, the Gryphon seemed to be struggling to choose a target from among the scattering prey. It was incredibly cool, but we couldn’t just stare. We had to evacuate immediately.
As I started running towards the hut, I heard a child crying from behind. It was the two who had been taken hostage by Karubene. Had they finally woken up? They were sitting on the ground, crying.
Just then, as if cued by luck, the Gryphon dived from the sky. Should I help them? But it seemed too late. Then, from the side, the leader of the bandit group leaped towards the Gryphon’s head. The Gryphon changed its target and swung its sharp forelegs towards the man.
To our surprise, the man was grabbed. But now there was a chance. With the Gryphon distracted by its prey, I might be able to land a blow and rescue him. I turned my body and drew the dagger from my waist.
My heart pounded, and I could feel my excitement. One decisive blow… Just then, as if knowing I was coming, the Gryphon’s eyes snapped towards me. Ah, this is bad, I thought, but it was already too late. With its other foreleg, it grabbed me and soared into the sky.
“Ah, Arisugawa—!”
Sharin’s voice calling my name quickly faded. In an instant, the ground was out of sight as the man and I were carried off into the sky.
The Gryphon continued to ascend, carrying us. Attacking with my dagger to fall would be counterproductive, so I decided to do nothing and go limp until we reached our destination. After a while, a large rocky mountain appeared, and on its summit, I could see a nest made of wood. They were surely taking us there.
Upon reaching the nest, the Gryphon roughly dropped me and the bandit leader onto it before flying off again. I gently got up, careful not to damage the nest. It was a high place; the ground was hidden by clouds. It looked dangerous to climb down the rocks from here.
Suddenly, I turned and saw a small Gryphon chick sleeping. It seemed we had been brought here as food for the chick. I had to escape before it woke up. Even if it’s a child, it would eat us.
It seemed I’d have to be caught and escape when they returned. Speaking of which, where did the bandit leader go?
He was lying on the edge of the nest.
“Um, are you okay?”
“Hah, what a mess this is. To think I’d end up like this.”
He replied to my question with a sigh. That’s right, he could fly. I was the one who should be sighing.
“Why don’t we run away before the parent Gryphon returns?”
“If I could do that, I would have already. My wings hurt, and I can’t flap them. Dammit, I should have avoided a place where monsters live.”
Ignoring the man’s complaints, I began to think about how to capture the Gryphon.
