Episode 35
Perhaps because I was holding the eggs, the hippogriff seemed to fly more cautiously than usual.
As the altitude gradually rose, the evacuation shelter I had been standing on became smaller and smaller.
From high above, the marketplace and surrounding residential buildings looked like tiny toys.
The farther the hippogriff flew, the broader my view became.
After passing the gray cityscape, we soared over green wheat fields and orchards, then across vast plains until a dense forest appeared.
From up here, the world looked…
> Truly immense and vast.
There was a sense of awe in the endless stretch of nature below.
I couldn’t believe it. That I was flying—at such a height.
When we reached a certain altitude, the hippogriff stopped flapping its wings and stretched them wide. The stable height gave me some comfort.
I closed my eyes and felt the wind brushing my forehead. Then I glanced sideways. Antonio rode his hippogriff with total ease.
As if this wasn’t his first time flying.
Like the wizards from fairy tales, maybe he had once flown on a broomstick or something.
Sunlight lit up the side of his face, making it glow—not just because of his striking looks, I was sure.
The fear, the excitement, the sense of freedom, and reverence for nature—
> This first flight is a memory I’ll carry forever.
I suddenly felt grateful to Antonio.
It was because he accepted me that I was here now.
Maybe the reason I could hear even the hippogriff’s voice was because I’d absorbed some of Antonio’s magic over the past few days.
“I’m a vessel, and the more magic I receive, the more my abilities awaken.”
I turned my head toward the direction we were flying. The forest was near now. The trees grew thicker, and the crisp scent of pine tickled my nose.
As we neared our destination, the flight altitude gradually lowered. I could see a babbling stream through the trees and wildflowers blooming here and there.
The deeper we went into the forest, the richer the scent of grass became. At the heart of the forest stood a massive sequoia tree, and at its top was a huge nest shaped like a shallow dish.
> [We’ve arrived.]
The hippogriff landed gently on the nest.
The nest’s edge was carefully built with small stones and twigs, and its floor was padded with soft grass and leaves.
The surrounding sounds of insects and birds filled the air. It was hard to believe that humans had climbed all the way up here to steal eggs.
I took a deep breath of the fresh forest air and gently placed the eggs in the softest spot.
“Is it okay to leave them here?”
> [Yes.]
The hippogriff approached the eggs, lowered its head, and softly licked them.
[Peep.]
[Peeeeep.]
The sounds from inside the eggs also seemed calmer—like they knew they’d returned to their parent.
The hippogriff nuzzled the eggs and gently gathered them beneath its chest, wrapping them in its wings.
Shortly after, the larger hippogriff that had carried Antonio landed as well.
“To think someone climbed this high just to steal a magical beast’s eggs… I guess greed really knows no bounds.”
Antonio looked down from the nest at the dizzying drop.
> [Hurry and cast the barrier. Only then will we take you back.]
The larger hippogriff urged us.
That it would even take us back—surprisingly kind of them.
“Antonio, can you do it now?”
“Of course.”
Without hesitation, Antonio jumped off the nest.
My heart dropped as I looked down.
It had to be at least 20 meters, but he landed as lightly as if he had a parachute.
He pulled his sheathed sword from his belt, walked slowly around the base of the tree, and drew something on the ground. When he returned to his starting point, light burst from the sword’s tip.
Glittering particles gathered in the air. I could feel the vibrations in the air around me.
I became curious.
“How did you come to live here?”
In the Arkad Continent, now ruled by the Tristram Empire, magical beasts were supposed to exist only in myths. Just as Kallen had said, it was strange for such a being to appear in a land without magical energy.
> [It’s been about two months in human time. We simply woke up here one day.]
“So you used to live elsewhere?”
> [Our native habitat is the Magic Continent. Given the different vegetation here, we assume we’re very far from home.]
The Magic Continent refers to the land northwest of the Saragot Kingdom—a place where magic flows freely and where magical beasts thrive. Curious nobles and knights often traveled there just to witness them.
“So you didn’t come here willingly?”
> [No. We wanted to leave, but it was mating season. We couldn’t relocate our nest.]
They must have been suddenly dropped here, already with eggs.
But why?
At that moment, a shining circular barrier slowly expanded, covering not just the nest but the entire sequoia tree. It shimmered like crystal.
I looked down at Antonio.
He struck the barrier with his sword a few times, testing its strength.
He gave a firm nod, traced a symbol in the air, then leapt up—his body glowing as he ascended.
“It’s done. Even if someone sets fire to this forest, this nest will remain safe.”
> [Did you make it so only you can pass through? How do I know you won’t come back and intrude?]
The large hippogriff glared at Antonio and sharpened its talons.
After I translated, Antonio merely shrugged.
“The barrier needs annual maintenance. I’ll have to return.”
The hippogriff looked to me for a translation.
“The barrier isn’t permanent. It needs to be recast once a year—for upkeep.”
> [If anyone else breaks through this barrier, this land will become uninhabitable for humans.]
The hippogriff growled threateningly.
“By the way, I found this down below.”
Antonio pulled a small gem from his pocket. It was dark—like obsidian or onyx.
“What’s that?”
“A summoning stone. These weren’t naturally born here.”
“Someone brought them here.”
Crack. Crackle.
A sound of splitting.
We both turned. One of the eggs nestled beneath the hippogriff had a fine crack.
I rushed over.
“Wait—Is it hatching?”
The crack grew with each tiny sound. Eventually, the shell broke, and a small beak emerged.
Antonio joined me, his brow furrowed.
“It’s really hatching. Incredible timing.”
I held my breath and watched.
“Wow… It’s amazing.”
Soon, a chick wriggled out of the egg. Its damp feathers glistened in the sunlight, and its big black eyes sparkled with curiosity. Then the other egg began to hatch too.
> [Mom!]
The chick flapped its tiny wings and chirped at me.
I froze.
“Huh? Are you… looking at me? No, I’m not your mom—your real mom is…”
I pointed awkwardly to the adult hippogriff. But the chick chirped and rubbed its beak against my finger.
[It must be because you were the first thing it saw. We’ll re-educate it later, just leave it be.]
The mother hippogriff said calmly.
“Ah… What should I do? It’s so cute.”
I gently hugged the two baby hippogriffs. They were about the size of human toddlers. Though tiny, they already had all the features of a hippogriff—wings, beaks, and adorably clawless feet.
Antonio let out a snort.
“You’re the first human I’ve seen who thinks a magical beast’s baby is cute.”
“Want to hold one? Their feathers are warm and soft.”
“…No thanks. Knock yourself out.”
Antonio replied indifferently. He just stood there, watching silently as I played with the baby hippogriffs.
