"Whoa!"
Epika cried out in spite of himself at the massive being that had suddenly plummeted from the sky, its body stretching over two meters long.
Even so, though his voice was filled with astonishment, it lacked any trace of fear. This was likely because the boy still knew almost nothing of how terrifying monsters could truly be.
After all, the only threats in the Village of Goto, situated near the Seremuse Plain, were undead monsters like zombies and skeletons. To him, a Gryphon like Seto, descending through the air with a great flapping of wings, was a total unknown—and because he didn't recognize it, he didn't fear it.
Seto possessed a colossal frame several times larger than the child, but as soon as he landed, he approached Rei and rubbed his head against him, purring happily as if begging for a scratch. Watching that, it would have been impossible for anyone to feel threatened.
If thieves or hostile monsters had been present, Seto would have naturally been on guard. But currently, the only ones around were his beloved partner Rei and a single, tiny child. It was asking too much for Seto to feel even a hint of wariness in such a situation.
"Guruuuu."
"Yeah, sorry for leaving you alone. But flying through the sky without me once in a while isn't so bad, right?"
"Guru!"
At Rei’s words, Seto purred with a somewhat sulky tone and averted his eyes. Rei let a small smile play across his lips and stroked Seto's head.
"Look, I said I was sorry. That's why I came outside the village, isn't it? I'll play with you until evening, so please, cheer up."
"Guru?"
Seto gave a slight tilt of the head as if to ask, Are you really reflecting? Rei nodded while stroking Seto's neck. He then shifted his gaze from the Gryphon to Epika, who was standing beside him with eyes sparkling.
"Guruuu?"
Noticing Rei’s gaze, Seto turned his head toward Epika and let out a soft purr.
The boy was startled for a moment by the movement, but he met the gaze of those round, golden eyes looking down at him. He turned to Rei and spoke.
"Hey, hey, Nichan. Can I pet him too?"
"Yeah. As long as you aren't rough, it's fine. Right, Seto?"
"Guru."
In response to Rei’s words, Seto purred and lowered his head to a level where Epika could reach it easily. The boy tentatively reached out a hand.
The first thing he felt was the sensation of fluffy, smooth feathers. Epika grinned at the touch, which felt like something he could pet forever.
"Wow, wow... Hey, Nichan. What's this child's name?"
"Seto. He’s a Gryphon named Seto."
"Seto... Seto, huh."
"Guru?"
Hearing his name, Seto tilted his head and fixed his round eyes on the boy. Epika stared right back. Rei wondered for a moment if the child would get scared, but the worry vanished instantly. Epika’s face broke into a wide grin.
To anyone who knew the common sense regarding monsters, this scene would have been unthinkable. Rei, unable to help but smile at the sight of the boy happily petting the Gryphon, looked around and picked up a fallen branch from the ground.
"Epika, watch this."
"Eh? Watch what?"
"Here, just step back from Seto for a second. Seto, you ready?"
"Guruuuu!"
Seto likely understood what Rei intended to do with the branch. He stepped back once, then twice, purring with excitement.
"..."
Epika watched, looking on with a puzzled expression.
"Go, Seto! Fetch!"
Rei gave a sharp command and threw the branch in a wide arc far into the distance.
Since the Village of Goto needed space for its fields, it had been established in the grasslands. Seto dashed through that open field, eyes locked on the flying branch. He stayed on the ground, using only his four legs without spreading his wings, yet his speed was far superior to that of an ordinary warhorse.
He kicked off the ground repeatedly, and despite the difficulty of running with eagle's front legs, he kept up the chase.
"Guru!"
With a sharp cry, he leaped. Seto successfully caught the branch in mid-air with Seto's beak.
"Whoa, amazing, amazing! You're amazing, Nichan!"
Epika shouted with pure excitement at the display.
"Right? Want to try it yourself?"
"Eh, I can?"
"Yeah. I’d be happy if you and Seto get along. I wish I had a flying disc; that would have been even more fun."
A memory from Japan flashed through Rei's mind—the sight of people playing with their dogs using frisbees. Such a thing didn't exist in this world, of course. However, since the shape wasn't overly complex, perhaps a wooden plate could serve as a substitute.
"Flying disc?"
"No, never mind. Look, Seto’s back. It’s your turn."
"Guruuu!"
"Ah, okay. All right, Seto. Here I go!"
Epika took the branch from Seto's beak, took a few running steps, and threw it with all his might. Since he was only five, the branch flew in a completely different direction than intended, but...
"Guruuuuuuuu!"
Seto chased after it with a loud cry. Because the throw came from a child, the branch didn't go very high, but Seto was fast. He successfully caught it in his beak before it could even touch the ground.
"Guruuu."
Seto trotted back and handed the branch to Epika, purring all the while. His round eyes were practically begging for praise.
"Aha, ahahaha! Seto, you're amazing! I can't believe you caught that when it went all the way over there."
Epika smiled and used his small hands to earnestly pet the head Seto had lowered for him.
Several minutes passed in this fashion. Finally, Epika let go of the Gryphon’s head and looked up at Rei with sparkling eyes.
"Hey, Nichan. Can I do it again?"
"Sure. Seto’s been feeling a bit cooped up lately, too. Play with him as much as you want."
"Okay!"
"Guruuu."
As Seto purred for more, Epika threw the branch again. This time, unlike the first attempt, it flew in a decent arc toward the target. Just like before, Seto dashed across the grass and snatched it from the air.
His eyes shining with wonder, Epika threw the branch over and over, and Seto caught it every time.
Eventually, about 20 minutes had passed. Even if it was just throwing a stick, doing it repeatedly with full effort was bound to take a toll on a five-year-old.
"Haa... haa... Phew, I'm tired. Sorry, Seto. Let me rest for a bit."
"Guruuu."
At Epika’s words, Seto glanced at Rei for an instant. When Rei nodded, Seto lay down in the grass and used his lion's tail to pull Epika close, letting the boy lean his weight against Seto's body.
"Whoa... it's so fluffy. Is this okay, Seto?"
"Guru."
Seto nodded as if to say of course, and Epika snuggled against him, enjoying the smooth, warm texture of the fur. Between the exhaustion and the comfort, it wasn't long before the boy was hugging Seto and breathing softly in his sleep.
"Guruuuu?"
Seto tilted his head at the sleeping boy, then turned toward Rei, who was watching from a short distance away. Is it okay to stay like this? Rei smiled at the silent confirmation in Seto’s eyes and walked over to lie down beside them.
"Guru."
Rei leaned against Seto's body on the side opposite Epika, took a deep breath, and looked up at the sky. He had been flying through this very sky on Seto’s back just a few hours ago, but a different feeling welled up within him now.
The blue sky seemed to spread infinitely high. The white clouds were as puffy as cotton candy. He felt the summer heat, but because they were in the open grasslands and a steady breeze was blowing, it didn't feel as stifling or humid as the city of Gilm.
I guess that's why Epika can sleep like this.
Perhaps it was also the difference in their location within the Kingdom of Mireana. It was a major power, and its territory was vast. As he watched the sky and felt the wind, thinking of these things, drowsiness eventually overtook him, invited by the breeze.
He had slept well in his magic tent the night before, but he was no match for this pleasant weather.
"Nn... Seto... wake me up... in a bit..."
"Guru."
Rei's consciousness slipped into darkness even as he heard Seto's reply.
"...Nn?"
Rei felt his awareness rapidly return. He opened his eyes to see several shadows approaching.
"Guruuuu."
"Seto... sorry."
Realizing Seto had been the one to wake him, Rei spoke to him. Seto’s tail was extended near his body.
The people approaching were familiar faces. They were the villagers of Goto who had initially blocked his way into the village, and beside them stood Luchard. However, their faces were no longer set in sharp glares; instead, they looked troubled, wearing strained, wry smiles.
"What is it? You've got quite the expressions on your faces."
"Hmph. It’s not like I’m a handsome guy like you anyway," one of the men grumbled, stopping in his tracks.
It was clear that Seto was the reason they stopped a safe distance away. However, the looks they cast at the Gryphon weren't just filled with fear or awe; there was something gentler in their eyes now. It was likely because they saw him acting as a pillow for both Rei and Epika.
"It’s about the fact that a child vanished from the village, Rei-san. Naturally, we had to come looking for him. The more hot-headed folks were even saying you’d kidnapped him."
Luchard said this and then glanced at the man who had grumbled at Rei. The man looked awkward under the gaze and spoke up as if to cover for himself.
"It couldn't be helped! This brat had vanished before we knew it, and Epika was gone too. No one thought you’d be taking a nap outside the village."
"Well, I can't deny that. I just wanted to play with Seto for a while. It's not like I have anything urgent to do right now."
Rei stayed leaning against Seto and stroked the Gryphon’s head as it turned toward him. In response, a deep, contented purr echoed through the air. To someone who didn't know the situation, that sound might have inspired terror. But seeing him narrow his eyes with pleasure as Rei petted him, it was impossible to feel anything but a strange sense of calm. The villagers themselves noticed that they were looking on with unexpectedly kind eyes.
"Nn... nn... Huh? What's going on?"
The vibration of Seto’s purring must have woken him. Epika rubbed his eyes and looked around. When he realized the village adults, including Luchard, were standing there, he flinched.
"Epika. Weren't you... told not to go outside the village?"
"T-That’s..."
Epika looked down at Luchard's words. Seeing that, Rei let out a small sigh and intervened.
"Sorry. I’m the one who brought Epika out here. Could you not be too hard on him?"
"Rei... It’s true that you were the one who took him out. But Epika has been told for a long time that he mustn't leave the village perimeter. The problem is that he broke that rule so easily just because someone he barely knows—a newcomer to the village—told him to. I’m sorry, but this is a village matter. Please, just watch."
Luchard walked slowly toward Epika. The boy scrambled away from Seto and stood up, approaching Luchard. A hand was raised... and it landed gently on the boy's head.
Epika’s eyes went wide as he looked up. He had clearly expected to be hit, or at least receive some kind of harsh punishment.
"Well, since Rei was with you, I wasn't worried about your safety. But your father and mother were terrified when they finished work and couldn't find you. You make sure to apologize properly, okay?"
"...Yeah."
"Good. As long as you understand. Now, let’s get back to the village. I’ll talk to them so they aren't too angry with you."
"Okay!"
"Sorry about that, Rei. Epika caused you trouble. There aren't many kids his age in the village, so he gets a bit... restless, you know."
Rei shook his head and stood up.
"It’s fine. It helped me pass the time. In a way, it was just what I needed."
"Is that so? Well then, if you're up for it, I hope you’ll play with him again."
Talking like that, Rei parted with Seto and followed them back to the village. That night, at Luchard's house, they discussed many things that they hadn't been able to talk about during the day.