In the room we'd rented at the inn, I was drinking tea.
Monica had commandeered the dining hall to start preparing dinner, so I was entertaining our guest while savoring the tea Novem had brewed for the first time in a while.
Light snacks had been set out, and sitting across the table from me was a strikingly beautiful woman.
She was an elf and a bard. Her name was Eva.
She had long, wavy hair of a pale pink hue, and her eyes were that same shade of pink.
Her fair skin was lovely too, but what stood out most were her ears—longer than any human's.
(An elegant reprieve... one that suits me.)
After the Griffon hunt, where there'd been no time to so much as catch my breath, I was grateful I could finally afford to enjoy a moment like this.
But—
"Lord Laiel, I understand you're enjoying the tea, but if you could continue where you left off..."
"Oh, right. My apologies."
I offered her an apology.
She was tall, but the young woman before me was apparently only sixteen—just getting started as a bard.
"That's fine. So, I get the whole story behind how a former noble's son ended up joining the Hippogriff hunt, but why did you feel the need to lie about it? The expedition to slay the Griffon is starting to make waves, and just hearing about that alone would be a treat—but what really interests me is you."
I could tell that the young woman before me—Eva—was genuinely interested in me.
Novem, watching me with a worried look.
Aria, covering her ears.
Miranda, gaze fixed on the floor.
Clara, flustering about in a panic.
And Shannon, standing behind her sister, watching me warily.
Surrounded by beautiful women — what a life.
"Well, there are various circumstances involved. But isn't it unusual for a Bard to want to hear things firsthand?"
I needed Eva to sing songs for the expedition force. By doing so, I could spread word of the expedition force throughout Central.
"You showed me the Griffon, and I heard all sorts of things. But listen — I'm Eva of Nihil. Even among my family, I don't concede when it comes to music. I want to know more than anyone else."
I had shown her the Griffon we'd slain and informed her of the kind of song I wanted performed.
But Eva wasn't satisfied with that alone.
Eva — young and rising in fame throughout Central — had been discovered by Novem.
"I'd rather you not put my story in the song."
I never expected my aura-like presence, the one thing I couldn't hide, to be this troublesome.
Good grief... what a state of affairs.
Sipping my tea, I described the Griffon hunt to Eva in detail.
Shannon, peering out from behind Miranda.
"That smirking face is disgusting."
I say.
"Jealous, are you? Cheer up — I'll give you some attention later. Oh, and as for the Hippogriff, I just shot it down with an arrow and that was that."
When I told her just how useless the expedition force had been and how difficult everything had been, Eva was delighted.
"A story only I know... This is it! This is what I've been waiting for! Heroic tales that everyone already knows just won't do. I need to hear things firsthand, investigate for myself. Ah, I can already feel a great song coming together."
She seems quite confident in her singing.
"Oh? You want to hear a heroic tale, you say?"
When I said that, Eva brushed her hair back and spoke.
"Yes. Many elves share songs within their families. You pick them up on your travels, exchange information with other elves and bards... Among them, the Nihil clan is known for remembering a great number of songs."
If I was sharing information, wouldn't the others have the same number of songs?
As I was thinking this, Novem added an explanation.
"There are trends and fads when it comes to songs, after all. Apparently, the Nihil clan is considered exceptionally talented among them."
Clara joined in as well.
"But it is strange. I wouldn't expect a group like that, traveling from place to place, to perform songs individually once they enter a city?"
Eva had apparently been singing alone.
Then—
"Because she ran away from home."
A voice came from the Jewel hanging around her neck. It was the Fifth Generation.
The Sixth Generation's voice followed as well.
*"Oh my, a runaway girl... Someone I know also left home, you know."*
When the image of the Fifth Generation smirking came to mind, the Sixth Generation muttered.
*"W-Well, she did come back..."*
It sounded like all sorts of things had happened.
"Is running away from home not that uncommon?"
When I asked, Eva shook her head.
"They kept telling me to marry into another clan, so I decided to strike out on my own! I'm the third daughter and of age, so they told me to marry into the next elven clan I came across!"
Even I had to react to that.
"That's awful!"
"Right?!"
But Clara chimes in.
"Well, that's part of elven culture, since they also travel as performing troupes. I hear the idea was that rather than marrying within the same clan, they wanted to foster cooperation between groups. I think it also serves the purpose of passing on the songs Eva knows to that whole clan."
Then Eva speaks up.
"A performing troupe, sure, that'd be fine! But if I go to some clan that makes their living hunting, I'd only be entertaining my own family! There'd be no opportunity to perform! I want lots of people to hear my songs!"
I slowly stand up.
Drawing the gazes of all the women in the room, I spread both arms wide and declare.
"Then why don't you come with me?"
"Why?"
To Eva, who tilts her head, I point my thumb at myself.
The Third Generation inside the Jewel.
"Y-you're coming?!"
Raising my voice with all the confidence in the world, I strike a pose and proclaim.
"I'm a guy who's gonna become a hero someday! You'll be happy getting to watch it all unfold up close, and I'll be happy having someone carry on the tale of my legend... it's a win-win! Stay by my side and pass down my heroic saga, Eva!"
"...That's Lyle-san!! That's so totally Lyle-san!!"
Striking a dramatic pose as I say that, exasperated gazes converge on me from every direction.
Laughter echoes from inside the Jewel.
"...I like comedy too, but this is a bit much."
I get shot down, but I don't let it get me down.
"That's a shame. But whenever you want, fly into my chest. I'll be waiting."
He winks, and Eva looks at Novem.
"...What's with this pathetic pretty boy?"
This elf is way too honest. Thinking that, I found Eva kind of endearing.
"I'm sorry. He's not usually like this. It's just that his growth spurts happened to pile up at an unfortunate time."
"Ohh~"
Eva's lukewarm gaze felt pleasant.
"Stop staring so much. You'll fall for me."
When I warned her, the Third Generation's voice reached me.
'As expected of Lyle!'
The Fifth Generation.
'Here it comes. A man who becomes a hero, or someone who stares and falls for me... which would be better?'
The Sixth Generation.
'As for me, love in extra-large portions, to surpass that...'
The Seventh Generation.
'Pass down my heroic tales — now that's quite something!'
The Fourth Generation wraps it up.
'Another big haul this time. More importantly, are we really going to negotiate with the head of House Cerclie at this pace... I wonder how it'll go!'
The ancestors were having a great time.
The Third Generation...
"I asked you to prep them too, so it'd be a problem if you didn't come through. If something weird gets hooked, though... Ah, well, it'll be fine!"
Eva was worried about Novem.
"Hey, if you ever want to part ways, how about traveling together? We'd welcome you, Novem."
Novem said,
"No, my place is at Lord Rael's side."
She always said such pleasant things.
(Could I be the happiest person in the world, being loved by Novem?)
I thought that without a shred of doubt.
Evening.
I rented a warehouse in Central and gathered merchants there.
I felt like I'd said something rather problematic, but it was still fine.
(I'm fine, I'm calm.)
In the dimly lit warehouse, I prepared plenty of lanterns and had everyone examine the Griffons.
"Normally, we'd bring these to the Guild, but since they're in such good condition this time, I was hoping someone would purchase them whole."
When I said that, one of the merchants asked me,
"Is this really the Griffon that the rumored expedition team took down? If so, I'll offer two hundred gold coins. The condition is excellent. It's worth that much."
The rumor had already spread across Central, and quick-witted merchants had come into contact with us after hearing Eva's song.
It was a performance focused on speed, almost like spoken word, but the people of Central who heard it spread the word, and Eva's popularity skyrocketed.
With her already beautiful appearance and wonderful singing voice, the foundation was solid.
All that remained was to seize the chance.
(Novem brought a fine bard for us, huh)
"I purchased them from the expedition team, without question. Here are the documents from that time. Also, the expedition team should be returning before long, and when they do, the Griffon won't be there. They'll probably bring back just two Hippogriffs on a horse-drawn cart, if only to show them off."
(That's right... only two. We took down three, though.)
The merchant speaks.
"Five hundred gold coins, was it? Shelling out that kind of money — isn't that a massive loss?"
I say.
"I'm not a merchant. I was moved by the expedition team's resolve to push forward even knowing the Griffon was there, so I put up the money. Of course, I do intend to recoup my investment as well."
Monster materials.
The Magic Stones and other materials had already been sold off by Miranda and the others.
It came to nearly thirty gold coins, but that wasn't nearly enough.
Fourth Generation says.
"I'd like to recoup somewhere between two hundred and three hundred coins here."
I look at the other merchants.
"You're welcome to wait until the expedition team returns, but by then there will probably be even more buyers."
I push the button, and one of them raises a hand.
"Two hundred and twenty gold coins!"
Then, even more —.
"T-two hundred and forty!"
"Two hundred and fifty!"
The merchants begin to bid against each other. I watch the proceedings and inform them of the Griffon's condition.
"There's only one stab wound. No other battle injuries, just as you confirmed."
As a result, one merchant purchased the Griffon for the staggering sum of three hundred and twenty gold coins.
The Fifth Generation spoke up.
"…Isn't that a bit expensive? I thought two hundred and fifty gold coins would already be generous."
As the other merchants filed out of the warehouse looking disgruntled, I spoke with the buyer.
"Come pick it up first thing tomorrow morning. I don't think I'll have anything else to sell, but…"
The merchant looked at me with a worried expression, and I smiled.
"Yes, even if someone offered more than the purchase price, I won't sell it to anyone else."
"Oh, good. I wanted to secure it as quickly as possible."
Relieved, the merchant relaxed, and I asked him a question.
"You needed a Griffon?"
"No, we have an important guest coming to Central, and frankly, the ordinary fare just won't do. I'd appreciate it if you didn't pry too much."
I nodded at that, and we arranged to exchange the goods and payment first thing the next morning.
——Late at night.
Miranda looked at the thing preserved on ice inside the warehouse.
It was carefully stored in a wooden crate — the only crate in the entire spacious warehouse.
A Porter was set nearby, and Laiel lay beside it.
"You Chicken bastardsssss!"
"D-don't cry, Monica… To leave behind food filled with your love… urp!"
The lavish spread that Monica had made in her enthusiasm was far too much for six people to finish.
Lyle, who had pushed himself too hard, was still lying down.
"It was certainly delicious, but... what was that? She probably mistook it for a party or something."
Since Aria had also been eating large amounts with great enthusiasm, Miranda spoke up.
"For someone who says that, you sure ate a lot. And all that dessert too... you'll gain weight."
At that, Aria stiffened slightly, apparently aware she had overeaten.
Clara seemed to have taken a liking to the fried potatoes and said she wanted to eat them again.
"Monica is skilled at cooking, and the variety is impressive as well. This might be quite the lavish party."
Seeing Clara's content, happy expression, Miranda felt a complicated mix of emotions.
She had experienced "growth" and created an embarrassing past for herself.
On top of that, Clara — who had become sharp-tongued — was saying all sorts of things to her.
(Even so...)
The reason they were waiting inside the warehouse was because of the wooden crates that had been deliberately brought out.
(Lyle's Skills sure are convenient.)
The merchants had departed, and word of the expedition — along with knowledge of where the Griffon was — would have spread throughout Central by now.
It seemed Lyle was anticipating that someone would launch an attack.
And that someone was Miranda's family.
(I'm sure they'll make their move eventually, but... will they really act this quickly?)
The fact that he was making various preparations showed that Lyle left nothing to chance.
She had thought he was just being wasteful, but the way he was thoroughly recovering his investment showed he was quite reliable after all.
Shannon was sleeping on Porter's cargo bed wrapped in a blanket, and Novem was tending to Lyle.
Then, wincing with pain, Lyle raised his upper body and looked around.
"Faster than I expected."
He hadn't locked the warehouse.
A broken lock would be a hassle, but with the lights on, it was a clear signal that someone was inside, making it unlikely anyone would dare come in.
That said, Miranda was also considering the possibility that they could be thieves targeting the Griffon.
She drew the short sword at her hip, and Aria stood up and took her spear in hand.
Novem also grabbed her staff and headed outside with Porter.
Only Lyle strode boldly to stand before the wooden crate, with Monica following close behind.
"Hurry up and come."
The moment Lyle spoke, dark-clothed men burst through the warehouse windows while others threw open the doors, and dozens of men rushed inside.
As Miranda readied herself, Lyle snapped his fingers.
A thunderous boom echoed throughout, and the dark-clad group that had rushed in slipped on the frozen ground and fell.
Looking closer, walls of ice had risen up near the windows.
When they dissolved, Lyle held the Silver Bow in his hands.
(It's much smaller than I'd heard? It's not a short bow, though?)
He had heard the Silver Bow was small, but it was a large bow. Lyle drew several arrows of light, fired them into the sky, and they plunged into the ground right before the dark-clothed men.
It was a threat.
"Go back and tell your master to come personally. If he does, I'll negotiate. By morning, this one will be handed over."
Watching Lyle tap on the wooden crate, the dark-clothed men remained on guard.
Lyle drew his bow.
"Do you want to end up as a corpse and have your master learn you failed?"
With those words, the dark-clothed men stepped outside, keeping their eyes on me.
(Are they watching me? And they're searching for someone... Shannon?)
I glanced toward Porter, and Shannon had stuck her head out to see what was going on.
The dark-clothed men spotted Shannon, exchanged glances, and then headed outside as they were.
After a while, Lyle returned the bow to its original necklace form and looked at the shattered window glass.
"...I'll have to bill them separately for this."
Returning to Porter, Lyle said to Novem, "Moving around made things a little easier."
"...You knew everything, didn't you?"
With those words, Miranda put away her short sword —.
As planned, Ralph, the head of House Cerclie, came to the warehouse.
(If someone else had shown up instead, they never would have been able to pull off that disguise. They'd have been a laughingstock.)
I was secretly relieved when he brought several dark-clothed men into the warehouse.
Nearby, they had even thoughtfully prepared a cart to transport the contents of the wooden crate.
Miranda and Shannon's eyes widened slightly in surprise at the sight of Ralph, who looked different from before.
"...So you deliberately brought merchants with ties to us here. That's what I'm to understand, correct?"
I simply nodded, since I was following my ancestors' instructions just as they'd directed.
"I see. Then let's proceed with negotiations. That Griffon cannot be allowed to circulate outside the royal palace. I've prepared two hundred gold coins. I believe that's a fair price, don't you?"
The Fourth Generation spoke to me.
'Starting from two hundred gold coins... Lyle.'
When I gripped the Jewel, the group of men dressed in black standing behind Ralph reacted instantly.
A little interesting.
"I paid five hundred gold coins for this. And look... thanks to you, the warehouse we borrowed had its window smashed. You'll need to cover the repair costs as well. How about one thousand gold coins? If you've got your own extenuating circumstances, you should at least pay that much."
Ralph spoke as if exasperated.
"We certainly have our share of fault. Fine, go ahead and bill us for the repairs. But paying five hundred gold coins was entirely your own decision. That has nothing to do with me. I'll go as high as two hundred fifty gold coins."
That was nowhere near enough, so I said with a smile:
"You chased your daughter's lover and me to our deaths, and that's all you're willing to pay? There were mistakes on your end when you placed the commission too, so how about nine hundred fifty gold coins?"
"...We were simply late receiving the information. If we had known, I never would have sent Miranda. I can't believe you took Shannon along as well... You're a terrible man, you know that? Three hundred coins."
"At least put 'gold coins' before the number, you scoundrel. Welcome the boyfriends who saved your daughter with some warmth... Nine hundred gold coins."
As the negotiations dragged on, I settled on seven hundred gold coins.
Ralph offered a price of four hundred gold coins.
Then the Fourth Generation spoke.
«The numbers are getting close to turning a profit. We could stop here, but the real issue is the commission fee this time.»
I could picture the Fourth Generation's face breaking into a grin.
"...Six hundred gold coins. Including the commission fee, that's a bargain, isn't it? We can also recover what the expedition force sold off. Two escorts included, and we even let you take credit for the whole thing."
Ralph snorted derisively.
"How dare you be so shameless... I never asked you to let us take credit. At that point, we didn't even know a Griffon would show up. We may have made mistakes on our end, but the commission was specifically to protect those two from the Hippogriff. You seem incapable of understanding a parent's concern."
"How dare you be so shameless," he says.
Having much the same thought myself, I said:
"...Five hundred fifty gold coins. I can't go any higher than that.
Then, Ralph too.
"Five hundred gold coins. Any more than that and I'll resort to force."
Around him stood a group dressed all in black — his trump card.
He probably didn't want anyone getting hurt with his daughter present, but if I pushed for more, things would only escalate.
I decided to back down.
"Fine. Hey."
"Yes, Lord Lyriel."
I had Novem open part of the wooden crate, and inside, the massive head of an eagle was visible.
It had been frozen solid, the insides whitened and hard to make out, but the other party checked it as well.
Ralph tossed a leather pouch toward us in return.
The pouch clinked as I picked it up and had Monika check the contents.
After weighing it, she nodded and looked at my face.
"The deal is done, then. I'll send the invoice later."
"Don't charge me an outrageous sum. You're greedy."
I laughed.
"I don't lie. I'll only bill you for the warehouse repairs. I like to think I'm an honest man."
(That's right! Lord Lyriel never lies!)
Ralph then ordered his subordinates to carry the wooden crate inside, and we watched the operation with wary eyes.
As he oversaw the work, Ralph spoke to Miranda.
"...Doris and Lucy aren't reliable enough. Miranda, do you have any intention of coming back?"
Hearing that, Shannon looked deeply dejected.
Miranda, however—
"...You're not going to say that to Shannon, are you? I don't want anything to do with you anymore. You kicked us out — you really think we'd just come crawling back? As if that'd ever work."
To Miranda, who made it crystal clear she had no intention of returning, Ralph simply murmured, "I see."
Carrying the wooden crate outside, Ralph never once looked back at us as he left.
I turned to Miranda and Shannon.
"Are you sure about this, both of you?"
That was when Shannon spoke up.
"I-I don't want to go back to that house!"
Her eyes were already brimming with tears.
Miranda, on the other hand—
"Even if I went back, nothing but bad rumors would follow me. Either way, it'd be miserable."
I looked at the two of them and said:
"You chose to follow me of your own free will. I won't let you regret it."
When I said that, Shannon looked at me.
"You still haven't changed, have you?"
She said.
Novem chimed in.
"I'll like you no matter what kind of person you are, Master Laiel... That said, I think things are going to be tough from here on out, so please hang in there."
I felt encouraged by her words.
"...What is it... I can't shake this feeling."
The next day.
I was collecting payment from the merchant who had purchased the Griffons from our warehouse.
Seeing my dark expression, the merchant spoke in a bright voice.
"This morning's expeditionary force all seemed rather composed. They really are an experienced bunch. You can sense a certain weight about them."
(Yeah, I'm sure they're the same as me—rueing their own pasts.)
I received the pouch heavy with gold coins and handed over the Griffons to the merchant.
"One had severe damage to the head, and the other had been hit so hard it barely kept its original shape. You must have fought fiercely."
(The ones who did that were Aria and me.)
I took the payment and handed the merchant documents instructing him to verify things with Norma later.
Then.
"Of course, Griffons taken down by the heroic expeditionary force do have their value, but what mattered more was that I made it in time for an important client."
He seemed satisfied just having received Griffons in good condition.
"You've been a great help as well. Well then."
"Yes, this was a fine deal."
I waved as I watched the merchant's party load the Griffons onto their wagon and depart with smiles on their faces.
Beside me, Miranda sidled close.
"And you said you'd never lie. You fraud."
She poked me in the side with her elbow, looking pleased, so I replied bashfully.
"...I-I didn't lie."
That's right, I never lied. Nobody ever said they'd sell the Griffon.
What was at the negotiating table with Ralph was a Hippogriff.
A frozen Hippogriff that Ralph purchased for five hundred gold coins.
With that, I'd gotten my revenge for being tricked.
Miranda smiled, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Since you chose Lyle, don't let him down. Well, a lot happened on my end too this time, but it ended up being fun, so I'm glad."
My face turned completely red and I looked down.
Monica looked disappointed.
"...The Chicken's fever time is over. When's the next one?"
She asked me with a serious expression.
I looked at Monica's face.
"Like I'd ever do that again."
I swore it in my heart, but the Sixth Generation's voice came from the Jewel.
"Lyle... it's precisely because you think that way that everyone ends up miserable. Still, this was entertaining too."
Cursing the laughing Sixth Generation, I swore a third time in my heart that I would never experience such sorrow again.