The Duke Elgard family's convoy pressed onward along the stone-paved road, cutting through hills of evergreen trees and open plains breezed by the late–afternoon wind. Yet the scene was far more extraordinary than any noble procession Joltam had witnessed in decades. Behind the carriages and armored riders, twenty-three griffons soared and trotted alongside the formation—majestic beasts with lionlike bodies, eagle heads, and wings that glimmered beneath the sun.
Even the soldiers of the convoy, hardened veterans who had followed Duke Elgard into countless battles, could not keep their composure. Some kept glancing over their shoulders; others whispered among themselves.
No one could truly believe it.
Kazien Altavis—only fourteen years old—had tamed twenty-three wild griffons.
"Ah, I almost forgot," Kazien said casually as he leaned out of the carriage window. "When we arrive in Joltam, please stop for a moment. I want to buy fruit for them."
"Yes, young master!" a soldier replied instantly, though he sounded as if he still struggled to grasp reality.
As the convoy entered the bustling gates of Joltam City, the reaction was immediate. Merchants froze mid-shout, carriages halted in the streets, and people flocked to windows and balconies. The arrival of Duke Elgard's group was normal enough, but the griffons—especially this many—sent an uproar across the marketplace.
"Lidaz," Kazien called to the white-feathered griffon leading the group, "order everyone to stay with my father's entourage. You and I will go buy food."
"Gwak! Gwak! Gwak!"
The shout of the griffons shook the air, startling citizens and sending several children running behind their parents' legs.
Then Lidaz lowered himself beside Kazien.
"Master Kazien," Lidaz spoke in a deep, resonant voice only Kazien could understand, "won't you and your future wife ride on my back instead?"
Kazien blinked. "Are you sure? Won't you feel heavy?"
"Of course not! Griffons are strong. Lifting heavy things is nothing to us!"
"If you insist," Kazien laughed, patting the beast's neck. "I'll count on you, then, Lidaz."
"Gwak!"
Their conversation caused further commotion—not because people understood the griffon, but because they saw a high elf standing gracefully near Kazien. Alvin's golden-yellow hair shimmered beneath the sun, catching every passerby's attention.
"Look! An elf!"
"My goodness, he's beautiful—no, handsome!"
Kazien ignored the murmurs and approached Duke Elgard's front carriage.
"Father, I'm taking Alvin and Lidaz to buy fruit. We'll meet you later."
"Understood. We'll wait at a villa in the center of the city," the duke said before giving his son a proud look.
"Understood. We'll wait at a villa in the center of the city," the duke said before giving his son a proud look.
With the convoy moving on, Kazien and Alvin mounted Lidaz. The griffon flapped his massive wings and soared upward. Wind rushed around them, lifting their hair, and the city below shrank into a mosaic of rooftops and winding streets. Alvin clung to Kazien at first, his breath hitching from the height, but within moments his wide blue eyes sparkled with wonder.
"Lidaz," Alvin shouted over the wind, "thank you for showing me such a beautiful view!"
"Gwak!"
"He said, 'It's my duty,'" Kazien translated with a smile.
Alvin turned to him. "My dear, how can you understand them?"
"Ah… because of Goddess Nirfelia."
"You've met the goddess?" Alvin asked, bewildered.
"Of course. She has six silver wings and long golden hair—almost the same shade as yours."
Alvin froze. Even Lidaz faltered.
The griffon's wings stiffened in shock—and in that single moment of distraction—
Fwoop!
Both, Kazien and Alvin slipped.
"UWAAAAA! LIDAZ, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Kazien shouted as they plummeted.
Without hesitation, he twisted mid–air and wrapped his arms around Alvin, ensuring Alvin remained above him, ready to take the impact. But before they could fall too far, a blur of white feathers swooped beneath them.
Lidaz dove with terrifying speed and caught them both on his back again.
"I—I'm so sorry, Master Kazien! Your words about meeting the goddess shocked me. I must have moved without realizing."
Kazien sighed. "It's fine. Besides, neither of us would die even if we hit the ground."
Lidaz blinked. "What?"
"Alvin and I are immortal," Kazien said casually. "Even if our bodies were destroyed, we would revive. So don't worry so much."
The griffon stared blanky, stunned.
Who exactly had he pledged loyalty to?
But Kazien clapped his hands. "Anyway! Rather than hovering here, let's find some fruit. Your friends must be hungry."
"Y-Yes! I will use my sense of smell to find the sweetest ones!"
Meanwhile, at the villa Duke Elgard had rented, the convoy came to a halt. The griffons obediently gathered in the courtyard, their majestic forms crowding nearly every corner.
"Wait for them here!" Duke Elgard instructed.
"GWAK!"
He stiffened.
"They… understood me?"
Duchess Larina, meanwhile, was giggling softly as she stroked a griffon's mane. "My, your fur is incredibly soft."
Selena stepped out of the villa, confused at the strange noises in the yard. When she saw the twenty-three griffons, her face paled.
"F-Father… Mother… why are there so many griffons here?"
"This is Kazien's doing," Duke Elgard sighed. "He somehow convinced them to join the Altavis forces."
Selena broke into laughter.
"As expected of Kazien, always doing impossible things."
A shadow passed overhead, and everyone looked up.
Something descended rapidly—the familiar figure of Lidaz, wings spread wide. He landed gracefully, and before the dust even settled, Kazien jumped off and sprinted toward Selena.
"Sis Selena! Are you okay? Did anyone hurt you?"
Selena pinched his nose hard.
"Ow! That hurts!"
"I'm not some fragile girl you need to worry about," she huffed. "I can protect myself. What about you?"
"I'm an S-rank adventurer now!" he said proudly.
Her eyes widened. "Already!? You're the fastest to reach S-rank in the world's history."
"Hehehe… I also have a gift for you."
Selena crossed her arms, amused. "Oh? What is it?"
Kazien placed a small box in her hand. Inside lay a necklace—gold chain, sapphire pendant shaped like a teardrop, shimmering faintly with magical light.
"This is… for me?" Selena exclaimed, stunned.
"Yes," he said softly. "A gift for your wedding!"
Her lips trembled with delight. "Kazien… it's beautiful. Put it on me?"
"With pleasure."
He fastened the necklace around her pale neck. It glowed faintly once it touched her skin.
"Sis," he said gently, "I crafted this myself."
"What? Then I'll cherish it forever!"
"Hehehe… I'm glad. And it's not just pretty. It increases magic and physical strength—and detects evil intentions."
Everyone around them gasped.
"What happens if someone with malicious intent approaches me?" Selena asked.
"A shockwave will wake you immediately if you're asleep. And if someone with evil intent stands near you, the necklace will expose them."
Silence.
Awe.
Fear.
Respect.
Kazien had created a magical tool bordering on divine craftsmanship—and he did it in only two nights.
Selena touched the pendant reverently. "Why give something this precious to me?"
Kazien hugged her gently, pressing his forehead to hers. "Because I don't ever want you to be in danger. I pray for your happiness, Sis."
His voice quivered. Tears formed in his eyes despite his smile.
Tomorrow… she begins a new life with her husband. I'll miss her so much.
Selena cupped his cheeks and wiped his tears.
"I'll visit you often. So don't cry."
"I'll be waiting."
She pulled him into a tight embrace, refusing to let go for several long seconds.
Kazien suddenly remembered something and gasped.
"Oh! The fruits!"
He summoned piles of fruit from his storage dimension—enough to form small hills—and levitated them in front of the griffons.
"Sorry! I forgot to feed you. Go ahead!"
"Gwak!!"
The griffons dove into the feast joyfully.
"Master Kazien," Lidaz said, his beak stained with juice, "thank you so much."
"Hahaha, don't mention it. When you reach Altavis territory, I'll make sure you all have a safe home and plenty of food."
Kazien then raised his voice, his tone turning serious. "And listen well! Never accept food from strangers. I'll also make a tool that detects poison and ill intent for all of you. I won't let you die foolishly because of someone trying to harm you."
The griffons bowed deeply.
"We will obey, Master Kazien!"
To everyone else, it sounded like twenty-three loud "Gwak!"
But Kazien understood every word—and they understood him.
A new bond had formed.
A pact stronger than fear.
A strange family woven together by fate.