EPISODE 15

<Veterinarian Druid Episode 15>

* * *

"Hahaha, that feels good."

Count Ulysses laughed heartily as he read the verdict.

With an emperor and a class-based society, the verdict was scathing.

The Duke was ordered to compensate all investigation and legal expenses.

In addition, he had to pay a large sum of money to the victims' families.

"Most importantly, we have regained the honor of our family."

"And gained trust as well."

"It's all thanks to you."

The Count looked at me approvingly. There was infinite trust in his eyes.

The Count placed a pouch on the table.

"It's a Healing Tower bank account. Use it at the Healing Tower. If it's not enough, let me know anytime."

I was surprised when I unfolded the account I received from the Count.

It had 1 billion gold in it.

Is it too much?

"Don't be disappointed that it's not enough. It was the limit for student accounts. If it's not enough, just let me know."

The Count believed that I would definitely pass the Healing Tower exam. I wondered if the Count, who had threatened me so fiercely before, was the same person.

"What is this?"

I took out another bank account from the pouch.

"It's an Imperial bank account with your patent fee. For the next 10 years, 10% of the profits will be deposited. I decided to give Shaun 5 pence. Anyone who develops a new product will receive a reward."

Indeed, the Count had a broad vision.

Hehehe, I could hear the sound of money being inserted into the account. Because we will continue to make medicines in the future.

I was excited to think about how amazing the medicines would be when I combined the knowledge I knew with the potion-making techniques I would learn at the HealingTower.

* * *

Even if we were riding on Roykan to go to the Healing Tower, it was not a distance we could reach in just one day.

During the day, we flew on Roykan's back, and when the sun set, we camped in a suitable place.

As mana began to accumulate in my body, my strength also increased, and I could do things like this.

Thunk!

"Oh, it's definitely comfortable. So comfortable."

Seigan clapped his hands and cheered as he watched me light a fire with the branches he gathered.

"Hmm, this is nothing."

I raised my head with a smug expression, but Seigan, without saying anything, tied the rabbit that Spica had caught onto a skewer and placed it over the fire.

It seems like he still sees me as a fire starter.

"Hehe, hehe, it's Roykan's fur. It's really soft."

The griffin enthusiast Tinger was sleeping on top of Roykan's head, and Bella was rolling around on Spica's back.

Both of them had already filled their stomachs with fruits and grains, and Roykan and Spica had already taken care of their dinner.

"It looks very well cooked. Master, please have some."

"Okay."

"How long has it been since we've been homeless like this? Let's go to the market tomorrow. Let's buy some fruits for them to eat, and let's eat something delicious ourselves for once. Ah, delicious."

Seigan, who was biting onto the skewer as he spoke, complained that it was hot.

Looking at the stars scattered across the black night sky, I couldn't help but think that this was a blessed place without a speck of dust.

Not only did I have friends like them, but there was also no trace of loneliness.

"The skewered meat you cooked is delicious too."

"Hehehe, can I take credit for the dish I made?"

At that moment. Spica's ears twitched backward and Roykan raised his head.

[Master, I sense a presence.]

[There are people coming from far away.]

"Shh!"

"Yes?"

Seigan, who was about to ask what was going on, looked at my expression and surveyed the surroundings.

It wasn't his usual relaxed and mischievous expression. It was a sharp gaze that I had never seen before.

[There are five men riding horses coming this way.]

I extended my hand to Seigan. Seigan nodded and quietly got up, extinguishing the campfire.

On this night, a group was coming towards the secluded mountain...

I didn't need to think deeply to know the answer.

"They must be the men sent by Duke Olif."

I said to Seigan.

Seigan nodded, his eyes showing understanding. In his hands, a sword had suddenly appeared. I also took out the sword that I had been carrying on my waist and gripped it tightly, guarding the surroundings.

The men were already within my jurisdiction.

"To chase after the griffin... I didn't expect something like this to happen."

"They must have known... How could they have known? They thought I would travel by carriage like everyone else."

"I hope they get hit this time... How many days has it been since they've been chasing us like this?"

"They keep chasing us from behind... Huh? Alberburg is getting closer."

The voices of the men became clearer and clearer.

"But how did Marcus Ulysses train that terrifying creature?"

"Didn't you hear that?"

"What?"

"They say that the youngest master of the Ulysses is said to be the incarnation of Bartlongga Ulysses, the greatest contributor in our Empire."

"Hehe! Are we really going to kill such an amazing person?"

"That's why we must not make any mistakes. We have to finish this in one shot. Got it, Lance? Or else we'll be killed by Captain Griffin's beak."

"We might even get trampled. Let's attack Captain Griffin first."

"Don't worry."

"Just make sure you aim well."

Aim? It can't be a gun, so it must be arrows?

If they had thought about killing Roykan all at once, then it must have been poison arrows.

How dare they target us!

-They are trying to eliminate you first, Roykan.

[Are they the ones who tormented me before?]

-Yes.

[Haha, perfect. I'll stomp on them this time.]

Roykan's eyes sparkled with joy.

-But be careful. It seems like they brought archers with them.

[Hmph, a few arrows can't threaten me.]

-They're probably poison arrows...

[Poison arrows? Why is there always something strange happening around you?]

Tinger, who had been on guard from a tree, shouted. Then, Spica spoke with an innocent expression.

[Master, shall I go and bite those guys to death?]

Spica! It's scarier when you say something so brutal with such a kind voice.

-Don't do that. Just make sure the archer can't shoot his arrows.

[Yes, I will.]

-Don't touch their horses!

[Yes, master.]

-And Roycan, you can move after Spica takes care of the archer. You know he's targeting you, right? And Tinger, your night vision is good, so let Spica know the archer's position.

[Tch, giving orders. Got it.]

[Roykan, you stay here. I'll cut off the archer's throat and then send a signal. After that, you can take action.]

Spica, who used to speak kindly to me, disappeared with a sinister and terrifying voice while giving orders.

[Don't do that.]

At the same time as the two responded, Spica disappeared like an arrow. The sneaky guy vanished without a trace, leaving no clue as to where it went.

"No, Spica!"

Before Seigan could finish his astonished groan.

"Aaaah!"

"Crunch!"

"Heeeeeng!"

"Kuuweeeak!"

The screams of humans and the screams of animals mingled together. Roykan instantly leaped into the air. If my guess is correct, those guys are in a state of panic.

At the same time, I transmitted a message to the animals.

-Run away right now! Leave the humans behind.

[Heeeeng! Run away?]

-There's no time. Captain Griffin is flying towards you.

[Heeek! Captain Griffin is scary. We'll run away.]

"No, have they gone mad?"

"Eeeuuk!"

"Eeek!"

The animals howled and screamed, mingling with the screams of humans. Groans echoed through the night sky.

"Stay here. I will assess the situation and come back."

"No need to go..."

Without even waiting for a reply, Seigan disappeared.

After a while, the noise subsided, and Roykan revealed himself. I don't know when he came, but Spica was next to me, scratching its ear with its hind leg, looking very satisfied.

[Spicaaa! You were so cool!]

Bella, who landed on Spica's shoulder flapped her blue wings and clapped her hind feet together.

[I don't want to admit it, but I think you were right. That archer guy was aiming for Roykan. Hmph!]

Tinger came to my side and reported before flying above Roykan's head. What a cute little rascal! He probably doesn't realize that what he did was reporting.

[Hehehe, master. Now, don't worry and finish what you were eating.]

The fierce and pragmatic Spica returned to its usual gentle self.

And over there, where Roykan is.

[Krrr! Yap yap yap! You were incredibly cool, Roykan!]

Tinger was excited, hitting Roykan's head with his short legs alternately.

By the time the two's absurd yet adorable ceremony was over, Seigan appeared.

"They're all dead. One guy had his throat torn out, and the others were torn into pieces."

"And the horses?"

"Ah, um... come to think of it, I didn't see any horses."

"They probably ran away."

"That seems likely. They were killed quite brutally. Anyone who witnessed that won't dare to touch us."

"That's what you think?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is Duke Olif an ordinary person? Would he care if a few of his subordinates died?"

"Well, he's not that kind of person."

"He'll send more."

The Duke's expression in the courtroom vividly came to mind. The gaze he gave me was full of life.

And as expected, the assassination attempt to kill me continued.

"Hehehe, I finally get to eat a proper meal."

We decided to sleep in an inn for the night, tired from camping on uneven ground and cooking meat over a bonfire.

Seigan sang a tune happily.

"Hehehe, I finally got to eat a proper meal. Atuveck is famous for its beef. Let's go eat some meat, meat!"

"We've been eating meat every day until now."

"Is it the same as beef?"

It wasn't just Seigan who was excited. Tinger was screaming with joy.

[Woah! Finally, I can try Atuveck cookies.]

-Atuveck cookies?

[The milk here is known for its creamy and delicious taste. They make cookies with it, and they're supposed to be really good.]

Bella explained.

So there are a lot of cattle ranches nearby.

-Do you want to try it?

[What are you saying? Since we're in Atuvek we have to try them.]

[Of course. What do they take us for?]

-Like birds!

[What did you say? We're not birds.]

-Yeah, yeah. You're not a bird.

[Hmph! Anyway, make sure to get them when you come back, Marcus.]

-Understood. Spica, Roykan, do you want anything to eat?

[I... I want some tender veal.]

[...I'm fine.]

Are you really okay? Spica's mouth watered as it spoke a little slower.

-Wait. I'll buy them quickly after dinner.

If Roykan were to appear in the village, it would surely surprise the people, so Seigan and I decided to go alone.

Spica also wanted to come along, but Seigan stopped her. He mentioned that in a small town like this, people tend to be afraid when Cohorde appears.

So reluctantly, Roykan and Spica agreed to stay in the mountains while we headed towards the village.

* * *

"Master Ulysses, I hope you have a relaxing time in Atuveck. Salute!"

The guard saluted upon seeing the griffin emblem.

Passing by the guard and entering through the castle gate, I asked Seigan.

"The guards seem strict, is there something going on? No, even before that, the castle walls seem quite high."

"It's because Mt. Dashta has gotten closer. When the weather gets colder, monsters that have run out of food come down from the mountains and attack the village."

"Monsters?"

"Yes, since there are many ranches here, those creatures frequently appear."

So that's why the castle walls are so high.

"And if a monster wave were to occur, the Eagle Knights would also intervene."

"Here?"

"If it weren't for our Eagle Knights, this place would have become a deserted ruin by now."

"Did you also see it, Master? The guard's attitude changed when he saw Master's identification. And look over there. Aren't there many shops with Ulysses symbols."

Now that I think about it, I noticed quite a few signs with the griffin emblem.

"They say anyone who sees the Ulysses here trembles in fear."

Atuveck was a bustling city, despite being a place where monsters attack.

"Come, come and try it. Freshly baked cookies just came out. Atuvck's famous milk cookies!"

"I sell leather. Not only cowhide and sheepskin but also golem hide and goblin hide. Look at the leather before you go."

We found a suitable restaurant amidst the bustling streets.

"Here! Add another plate of beef tenderloin!"

"Owner! Bring us alcohol."

"Yes, yes, right away."

As soon as the door opened, the place was filled with noise.

"Master, the smell here is amazing. It seems like we've come to the right place. Owner!"

Seigan called the owner while looking at the menu on the wall.

"Master, what would you like to order?"

"Order whatever you want to eat."

"Oh, then I'll order based on what I want to eat."

While Seigan was placing the order with the owner who came to our table, I looked around.

There's one guy sitting by the window, one at the entrance, and two outside.

The moment we passed through the city gate, I noticed that there were some individuals following us. They must be the ones sent by the Duke.

They're probably planning to harm us while Roykan and Spica are not around.

We can't just let them be.

As my thoughts settled, one of the men near the entrance stood up and started walking towards us. The man by the window also got up.

I whispered to Seigan, who was happily awaiting our meal.

"I'll handle the guy at the entrance, you take care of the by the window."

"Huh...? Yes! Understood."

Seigan quickly caught on and nodded in agreement.