DBTS 33

Episode 33

Crrrk. Shfff. Thud!

A large wooden beam that had supported the ceiling snapped and crashed down. The pillar shattered as it hit the floor with a loud bang.

The people nearby screamed, clinging to each other and rushing to the corners of the room.

“Ahhh!”

Those caught beneath the collapsed structure groaned in pain and collapsed to the ground. Blood and dust covered their faces. One man had a gash on his head. Bartol quickly pulled a bandage from his bag and pressed it to the wound to stop the bleeding.

And just now, I saw it. Surrounding the bodies of the two hippogriffs…

A red glow enveloped them.

The hippogriffs were filled with murderous intent. Directed at the humans inside this warehouse.

And I think I understand why.

The two merchants I had been suspicious of were trembling in a corner of the warehouse, clinging to bundles. From within those bundles came pitiful, sorrowful cries.

[Kiiee…]

This is just my intuition, but I believe the hippogriffs are after whatever’s inside those bundles.

Kallen once told me that it’s rare for hippogriffs to attack people.

“Oh, except around the time they lay eggs. They get super aggressive trying to protect them.”

Then… could it be? What’s in those bundles are hippogriff eggs—or hatchlings.

Thud! Thud!

Each time the hippogriffs rammed their bodies into the barrier, it wavered like rippling water. Bartol looked up at the ceiling with unease.

“We have to hold out until the commander arrives…”

There’s no time. People are getting hurt. I rushed toward the male merchant and yanked the bundle from his arms.

“Give that to me! The hippogriffs are after this!”

“What nonsense is that? This is my property! I’m taking it to auction!”

The merchant shouted furiously and tugged the bundle back.

The force nearly pulled me toward him, but I didn’t let go.

“Give it to me, now!”

“This woman! You think you can just take my things?!”

The merchant snarled through gritted teeth, his face twisted with greed.

I stepped in again and grabbed the edge of the bundle.

“If you keep holding onto this, the hippogriffs will never leave. Do it for the people—hand it over!”

I shouted firmly, putting power into my voice.

But the merchant wouldn’t budge. He twisted his body and tried to pull away from me, bundle in hand.

Thud!

His foot caught on debris scattered on the ground, and he stumbled.

The large, oval-shaped bundle slipped from his grasp and flew into the air.

It rotated slowly as it floated up, and for a moment, everything seemed to move in slow motion. My heart dropped along with the bundle.

“No!”

I lunged forward, stretching my hand toward it. Through the slight opening in the fabric, I caught a glimpse of something smooth and shiny.

A hippogriff egg.

Just barely, I managed to grab the end of the bundle with all my strength.

But the shift in weight threw me off balance. I tumbled forward.

“No matter what, I have to protect this.”

Even as I fell, I curled my body around the bundle to shield the egg from any impact.

“Got it!”

My elbow scraped against the ground, but in the adrenaline rush, I felt no pain. Still crouching, I checked inside the bundle.

The smooth, round hippogriff egg was unharmed. I let out a breath of relief, still holding it close.

[Beep. Beep.]

[Beep?]

The cries from inside the bundle continued.

Behind the fallen male merchant, I spotted the female merchant. She had the same kind of bundle.

“Bartol! Take that bundle from her too!”

I pointed at the female merchant. Bartol moved quickly and snatched the bundle from her.

She shook her head wildly and held the bundle tighter.

“It could end up belonging to a noble! Are you sure you want to do this? I’ll report you to the city guard!”

“Go ahead.”

She protested, but Bartol overpowered her with ease and took the bundle. I was reminded once again how important physical strength was.

“Bartol, give that to me.”

“…What is this, anyway?”

“It’s a hippogriff egg. I think these merchants stole them to sell at a secret auction.”

“They stole a magical beast’s egg? That’s beyond reckless.”

Bartol clicked his tongue and handed me the bundle.

“I’m going to return it to the hippogriffs. Can you lift me to the ceiling?”

“…That’s too dangerous.”

Thud. Thud. The hippogriffs were still trying to break through the barrier, throwing their weight against it from above. The whole warehouse shook with every impact.

I ran to the gap that had opened in the ceiling and held both bundles high, making sure the hippogriffs could see.

“I’ll give the eggs back! Please stop!”

The hippogriffs paused midair, wings outstretched.

Their sharp eyes locked onto the bundles in my hands. The red glow surrounding them began to flicker.

What had once flared like flames was now softening, turning a warm orange.

They understood me.

“Just wait a little longer! I’ll come out and return the eggs!”

[If they are even slightly damaged, you will pay dearly.]

What…?

I’d just heard the voice of a hippogriff in my mind.

It was the first time I’d ever heard a magical beast speak. The voice was majestic and otherworldly.

I checked inside the bundles. The eggs were unscathed. One even made a small sound.

“The eggs are fine. The hatchlings are still crying.”

[Kiik! Kiik!]

As if responding, a soft noise echoed from inside the shell.

The hippogriffs exchanged glances and tilted their heads slightly.

They let out a low cry and looked at me intently.

[Return them now.]

When they were attacking the warehouse, they looked like terrifying monsters. But now, with their rage subdued, they were just animals trying to protect their young.

“I can’t get past the barrier from here, so I’ll take them outside. Bartol.”

“Josephine, are you sure you can handle this alone?”

“They understand me. I’ll be fine.”

I could hear the hippogriffs’ voices clearly, just like I understood sparrow Polka or the great owl of the cathedral.

I wanted to test it. If my ability to communicate with birds could extend to magical beasts too…

Maybe I could become truly useful in this knights’ order.

I took a slow breath, holding both eggs tightly to my chest, and stepped outside.

As soon as I exited the warehouse, a strong wind tossed my hair.

The hippogriffs’ wingbeats.

They landed gracefully right in front of me, legs extended.

Their massive wings folded, and the gusts died down instantly.

Strangely, I wasn’t afraid anymore.

“Here you go. I’m returning the eggs.”

I whispered and held the eggs out in front of them. The hippogriffs lowered their heads to check them.

Whoosh!

From far away came the sharp sound of something slicing through the air.

“Look out! Get back!”

Antonio’s voice echoed through the sky. I felt the gust before I saw it—a sword aura, unleashed from a distance, barreling toward us.

I instinctively dove to the ground, clutching the eggs.

Before I could even look back, a crimson slash flew toward the hippogriffs. They leapt into the air, dodging the strike with ease.

“Josephine! What the hell are you doing?!”

Antonio spotted me and shouted in panic as he ran toward me.

The mage-knights began attacking, guided by Antonio. Swords glowed red and blue as they sliced through the sky toward the hippogriffs.

[So this is why we cannot trust humans!]

The hippogriffs roared as they ascended. Despite their size, they dodged every strike with agile reflexes.

Shockwaves rippled through the air as the sword auras clashed. The orange light around the hippogriffs turned red again—burning like flames on the verge of exploding.