A few quiet days had passed since the turmoil in Altavis territory, but peace never lasted long for the Altavis family. One early morning, before the sun had fully risen, Duke Elgard received an urgent report from the Guartav region was under a sudden monster attack. No one knew how large the monster herd was, but the damage was already severe.
Without hesitation, the duke ordered the air force to assemble at once.
"Kazien, Alvin, you too!" he called firmly as he headed toward the landing field. "We're going to the Guartav region!"
"Yes, father!" the two answered in unison.
A few moments later, griffons wearing combat gear filled the sky like waves of steel and gold. Meanwhile, Kazien and Alvin rode Lidaz, whose fur glistened brightly in the morning sun.
"Are you all well?" Kazien asked his griffon, gently stroking the creature's massive neck.
Lidaz raised his head proudly. "I am very well, Master! Everyone treats us kindly. We griffons are happy with this new life!"
"That's good to hear." Kazien smiled warmly. "But if I encounter other griffons someday… would you mind if I bring them to join you?"
"No problem at all, Master Kazien! Just show them your strength. They will surely submit and bow under the Altavis family banner!"
Kazien burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Hearing that makes me excited. I'll keep an eye out for them. Do you know where your kind usually lives?"
"We like to live on mountain cliffs! And on that high mountain we passed before—there may be griffons still living there."
"Really? After we finish this mission, let's go check it out!"
"As you wish, Master!"
Other griffons and soldiers heard Kazien's voice clearly, but Lidaz's words remained incomprehensible to everyone except his master. To others it was only sharp cries and wingbeats. However, they could understand every word Kazien said, and that alone was enough to make Duke Elgard glance at his son with curiosity.
"After this task is done," His father asked, "where do you plan to go?"
"I want to investigate a mountain cliff, father. Lidaz thinks more griffons might be living there."
Elgard could not hide his sigh. "Do as you wish…"
Soon, the air force soared across the skies toward Guartav. Hours later, the grand city of Guartav region, Haslott came into sight.
Griffons cast huge shadows across the rooftops as citizens looked up in shock.
"What's happening?" one shouted.
"Has the monster attack reached the city?"
"No—look! That's the Altavis family crest!"
Rumors of the griffon air force had circulated endlessly, but seeing the majestic formation with their own eyes made the people freeze in awe. Panic slowly faded as the golden banner of Altavis waved in the sky.
Just then, Lidaz sniffed the air sharply. "Master Kazien, I smell something delicious… fruit! Lots of fruit! Could you buy some for us and the others?"
Kazien laughed and turned to his father.
"Father, I want to go into the city to buy fruit for Lidaz and the griffons."
"Go. Once you're done, return directly to Duke Hubert Guartav's mansion."
Kazien and Alvin separated from the main group, flying down toward the market plaza. Lidaz hovered low and Kazien looked back at Alvin, whose mint-green eyes sparkled as the wind swept through his golden-yellow hair.
"My dear," Alvin said softly, "may I hug you?"
"Don't ask that!" Kazien said anxiously. "Just hug me! What if you fall from this height?"
"Hahaha," Alvin laughed. "Even if I fall from here, I won't die."
Still, Alvin hugged him tightly from behind. His warmth, his scent, his presence—it all melted Kazien's worries, if only for a moment.
I'm grateful we reconciled, Kazien thought. I thought he would stay angry with me forever… But he smiles at me the same way as before. Ever since that incident, we've always shared a kiss before sleep and after waking up. It's enough to make me happy… though I would be even happier if we were truly married.
They landed in front of a large fruit shop. Civilians gasped at the sharp screech of the griffon; Lidaz's wings made the ground tremble with each beat.
"Good afternoon," Kazien greeted politely. "Sorry to disturb you, but may I buy all the fruits you have, sir?"
The merchant was speechless. Not because of Kazien—but because of Alvin.
The elf sitting behind Kazien was breathtaking. The green mint color of his eyes, the radiance of his hair, the grace of his posture—he looked like something out of legend.
People stopped in the street. Some whispered. Others stared outright.
Alvin frowned, visibly uncomfortable. "This look again… it's been so long since I've experienced it, and now it's happening here."
"Gwak!" Lidaz snapped his beak fiercely, startling everyone.
"Don't stare at my future wife like that!" Kazien scolded sharply. "He becomes uncomfortable."
The merchant bowed quickly. "M-My apologies, sir. This is the first time I've ever seen an elf in my life!"
Kazien stepped off Lidaz's back. "Forget that. I want to buy all your fruits."
He handed the man one full gold piece.
"S-sir, this is far too much!"
"Keep it. I need the fruit immediately."
In seconds, Kazien stored every fruit inside his dimensional storage. The merchant bowed deeply as they left.
A short flight later, they arrived at Duke Hubert's mansion. Immediately, Kazien distributed the fruits to the griffons resting in the courtyard.
"Eat your fill, my beautiful griffons!"
"GWAK!" the entire group chorused back.
Kazien laughed. "Enjoy your lunch!"
He and Alvin stepped inside to meet the others.
There, sitting beside Duke Elgard, was a towering man with a rugged build and presence like a seasoned warrior. His aura was sharp. His gaze unwavering.
In Kazien's mind: So this is Duke Hubert Guartav?He definitely looks like someone who has fought countless battles.
Kazien bowed politely. "Good afternoon, Duke Hubert. I am Kazien Altavis, third son of Duke Elgard Altavis. Nice to meet you."
Alvin placed his hand over his chest. "I am Alvin Dass'el Latreess, Kazien Altavis's fiancé. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Duke Hubert blinked in surprise. A high elf—fiancé to a duke's son—was not something he expected. Still, he regained his composure quickly.
"Sit down, both of you. We will discuss the invasion plan here."
But Kazien and Alvin didn't move.
"Why aren't you joining the meeting?" Duke Hubert asked, confused.
Kazien answered without hesitation. "Because the meeting will take too long. People may die while we sit here. Just tell me where the monsters are."
Duke Hubert stiffened. "According to reports, the monster herd is southwest of this—"
Before he could finish, the doors slammed open. Kazien and Alvin were already gone.
"Where are they going!?" Duke Hubert shouted, jumping to his feet.
Elgard sighed. "Straight into the monster herd, most likely."
"Just the two of them!? Are they insane!?"
"Hahaha," Elgard chuckled. "Stopping them is impossible. They're S-rank adventurers. We'll follow."
Although shaken, Hubert quickly rallied his forces and followed behind.
Meanwhile…
Lidaz soared across the clear sky with Kazien and Alvin on his back. However, from a distance, they saw thick black smoke billowing high into the sky.
"It's coming from the village!" Alvin shouted. "Something terrible happened there!"
"Lidaz, full speed!"
The griffon accelerated with thunderous force. When they arrived, the sight below caused their breath to freeze.
Homes were flattened. Flames licked the air. Bodies—men, women, even children—lay scattered across the ground. Blood soaked the soil like spilled ink.
Reality struck them like a blade.
"Lidaz!" Kazien said, voice trembling with fury. "Land."
They descended into the ruined village. The air smelled of smoke and death. The silence was suffocating.
Kazien clenched his fist. "I'll detect life energy."
A wave of magical energy spread out from his body, rippling across the entire region like a pulse.
Seconds later, his expression darkened.
"There's no one left alive," he said, voice heavy. "Only monsters. A large group, deep in the forest."
He turned to Alvin.
"Alvin… let's exterminate them."
Alvin nodded without hesitation. "Wherever you go, I'll follow."
Kazien looked to his griffon. "Lidaz, take to the sky. Watch the forest from above."
"As you command, Master Kazien!"
Lidaz shot upward like an arrow. Kazien and Alvin sprinted toward the forest. Their footsteps barely touched the ground as they ran at inhuman speed, weaving between trees, cutting through the dense undergrowth.
"Alvin," Kazien called, voice sharp and determined. "Are you ready?"
Alvin gripped his staff. "I'm ready anytime."
Together, they moved deeper into the forest—toward the monsters that had slaughtered an entire village.
War awaited them among the trees.
And neither of them planned to leave a single monster alive.