It was really just a coincidence that I happened to be there.
Recently, there had been rumors about an increase in griffons in the caves. I had gone to check with the guards at the east gate, near the cave, to see if any adventurers or merchants had reported new information.
The gate guards opened the gates at six in the morning and monitored those entering and leaving the city. Those leaving at this early hour were often adventurers, merchants embarking on long journeys, or magic item artisans heading to collect materials near Lake Sneas, where there was relatively less danger.
Lake Sneas is fairly close to the caves, and those without combat abilities risked encountering griffons and possibly losing their lives. Despite this, there were no restrictions on entering the area because it was an important gathering spot, and, so far, griffons hadn’t been seen outside the caves.
While talking with the two guards, a man who seemed to be a merchant rushed in frantically.
“It’s terrible, a griffon!! There’s a griffon outside the cave…!”
Tension immediately filled the air.
According to the merchant, he had been walking along the road when he spotted a griffon hunting and eating a rabbit at the forest entrance. He testified that he had left the area as quietly as possible to avoid being noticed and had run here to warn us.
“I’ll go ahead! Report to headquarters and have them dispatch a subjugation team immediately!”
“Yes, sir!”
I mounted my white horse at once and headed towards the cave.
After climbing the gently curved path, the cave came into view. I could only hope that there hadn’t been any casualties.
At the top of the slope, I saw two women crouching.
Could they have been attacked…!?
“Move away from here, it’s dangerous! There’s been a sighting of a griffon outside the cave…”
I shouted, but then noticed something lying behind the women.
A griffon… cut in half?
I couldn’t believe my eyes, but it was indeed the remains of a griffon.
The woman with light purple hair who appeared to have defeated it was a summoner I’d seen at the south gate yesterday, accompanied by a demon.
When I introduced myself, she bowed gracefully and introduced herself as Iriya . The other woman, whom I’d often seen in town, was the elder sister of a pair who sold handmade salves and other goods. Her name was Alesia.
Alesia looked at me as if dazzled and quickly babbled some rather embarrassing rumors she’d heard about me, leaving me unsure how to respond. In contrast, Iriya was calm and polite, with a refined demeanor that made her seem far from an ordinary citizen.
She even asked about other materials that could be gathered nearby, mentioning her desire to collect ingredients for making potions.
A summoner who’s contracted with a high-ranking demon, at least a C-rank adventurer-level magic user, and also capable of crafting magic items…
How could someone this talented simply be living in town, crafting items?
After giving her general information about the gathering areas, I decided to ask a question that had been bothering me. I needed to determine if she posed any threat to this town. After all, that was my duty.
“You… don’t seem to be from this country. I’ve never seen that hair color around here.”
She nodded quietly.
“As you surmised, I am originally from the Kingdom of Egdualum. I came here due to certain circumstances, and I wish to make a living here by crafting magical tools.”
“…Egdualum? That’s quite far to the north. Why come all the way here…?”
“Yes, I was pursued by an unpleasant man. He’s someone with influence, so I couldn’t stay in neighboring countries.”
“Did you learn how to make potions in Egdualum?”
“Yes. I worked in a research lab where I made and studied various types of magical tools, including potions.”
It sounded like a well-rehearsed answer. But Egdualum was far, and with no diplomatic ties, there was no way to confirm her background.
“And the magic you used to kill the griffon?”
I continued to question her carefully. If I uncovered something she wanted to hide, she might become hostile. If she was a spy from Egdualum or intended to cause harm here, suspicion alone could provoke drastic actions. I couldn’t afford to involve Alesia, an ordinary citizen accompanying her, by prying too far.
Iriya blinked, looking surprised.
“Flame Sword is only a basic to intermediate-level fire magic spell, isn’t it…?”
“What? …Oh, I see.”
I didn’t think Flame Sword had enough power to slice a griffon in half… But could such a thing be ordinary in the magical powerhouse of Egdualum? Perhaps I was overthinking this.
I still wanted to ask about her demon, but bringing that up seemed premature.
“Being able to use a certain level of magic helps in crafting potions, you know. It requires control and management of magical power.”
“Is that so…?”
I’d heard that potion-making required precise magic control. In this country, adventurers were highly valued, so there were few cases where magic users specialized in potion-making. But perhaps it was different in other countries.
“Otherwise, one couldn’t create elixirs…”
Her murmur, spoken to no one in particular, sent a shock through me.
Elixirs? Did she mean elixirs—the legendary potions that occasionally appeared among the nobility?
Realizing she’d slipped up, she looked surprised for a moment, then regained her composure and smiled at me.
“…Is the questioning over? It seems the guards have arrived.”
Her subtle prickliness was likely meant to distract from her misstep.
Following her purple gaze, I saw the formation of the subjugation team I’d instructed earlier. After ordering a search for any griffons that might have left the cave, I escorted them back to the gate.
