> Ellie PoV

Hmm!

A strange noise woke me up!

I stand up on top of the bed in a low stance and scan the room!

It’s dark, but my eyes see just fine!

“Hmm... Wha-? Ellie?” (Kira)

Kira is rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

Looks like my sudden movement woke her up.

“I heard a-” (Ellie)

*CRACK*

“...” (Ellie and Kira)

There’s the noise again!

It’s the gryphon egg between us!

The larger one that looks like a rock!

Skin contact is important when hatching it, so me and Kira have been sleeping while holding it between us!

It’s a bit sad I got to feel less of Kira’s warmth these last two weeks, but it’s about to pay off!

“Wait, it’s hatching already!?” (Kira)

It shakes a bit as if in response!

“Lights on!” (Kira)

The dark room was lit up in an instant.

{Kelly said this so-called Winter Gryphon would take twice as long to hatch, right?}

“Yeah, so did Brand!” (Kira)

Ah, there was something like that.

We started hatching both eggs at the same time.

But the one we gave to Lara and Sophie hatched just a few hours ago!

Admittedly it took a bit longer than the expected two weeks, but the gryphon came out okay.

Therefore, this one is coming out way too early!

“Kira, what do we do!?” (Ellie)

“I don’t know! Nano! Wake Kelly up and get her up here!” (Kira)

{Okay!}

However, it doesn’t seem like Kelly will have that opportunity.

*CRACK*

“Piiiiiii!” (Gryphon Chick)

Before we could do anything about it, a small feathery head poked itself through the shell.

Well, there’s nothing we could’ve really done, to be honest.

The feathery head that poked out looks quite similar to Fluffles.

The beak is narrower and black in color, while the plumage is white with some dark spots.

Also, its eyes shine a bright blue.

I get the feeling they’re literally glowing, actually.

The premature hatching got me really on edge!

But it looks like it was safely born!

*SLAM*

“What’s goin- ACK!” (Kelly)

Kelly burst through the door and immediately covered her eyes with a weird shout.

It looks like Nano woke her up and told her to come up here, but what’s with that reaction?

“Put some clothes on!” (Kelly)

Oh right, we’re still laying around naked on the bed!

“Kelly! Look! Our egg hatched early!” (Kira)

Kira called out her amazement while I was busy wrapping the bedsheet around us.

Kelly risks a peek through her fingers.

“Huh? Wait, what!? That can happen?” (Kelly)

“Why are you asking us!? Aren’t you supposed to be the gryphon expert around here?” (Kira)

“I don’t know! I’ve never even heard of something like this…” (Kelly)

Kelly walked closer to the gryphon, looking at it curiously.

“Piyachoo!” (Gryphon Chick)

*FWOOSH*

It sneezed.

Only instead of spit and snot, what came out was a plume of blue flame that vanished instantly with a puff of smoke.

“...” (Everyone)

Even the gryphon is startled!

“Haaaaa-huu!” (Gryphon Chick)

*FWOOSH*

It took a deep breath and exhaled a tiny fireball that flew for about half a meter before it went out.

The newborn gryphon looked at Kira and me, then it nodded towards nobody in particular before slowly retreating back inside its shell.

Wait, isn’t this Kira's bad habit!?

“Nooo! Come back! Rejecting reality like this is bad!” (Ellie)

I grab the shell and peek inside, but all I’m greeted with is a feather-covered back that does not wish to be disturbed.

“...” (Kira)

“I think… it fell asleep.” (Ellie)

The little chest inside is slowly expanding and contracting while soft breathing noises come out.

“Huh. Well, that happened. See you two in the morning.” (Kelly)

Kelly turns around and starts taking stiff steps away from us.

For some reason it feels like creaking noises are coming from her.

She walks into our bathroom...

Does she want to sleep in there?

Ah, she's back out!

“*Ahem* Wrong door. I’ll be going now...” (Kelly)

This time, she successfully navigates her way out of our bedroom.

“Know what? I think these two have the right idea. Good night Ellie ~♡!” (Kira)

“Ah! Yeah, good night Kira!” (Ellie)

We share our second good night kiss for the evening and go back into bed just like before.

With the quietly snoring egg still between us.

* * *

“Hey Red. I see those two are getting along.” (Kelly)

“Oh hey Kelly. Finally crawled out of your little hole-in-the-ground-in-the-sky?” (Kira)

“Fetch boy!” (Ellie)

I toss the stick so it flies over him.

His vision focuses, tracks it, and he leaps!

*Snap*

“Woah! What was that?” (Kelly)

“Ellie’s playing with the newest addition to our little household.” (Kira)

He brings it back to me and hands it back, puffing his chest out with pride!

“Good boy! That was a great catch as usual!” (Ellie)

I take it from his beak and pat his feathers as a reward.

“Piyororororo!” (Puff)

Huhuhu, what a delightful purr-like noise!

I can honestly relate to that feeling of happiness!

“No, I mean, what exactly are they doing?!” (Kelly)

“Playing fetch. I know it’s a game normally for dogs, but Puff seems to really enjoy it.” (Kira)

Okay, let’s do it again!

“Go on, Puff, one more time!” (Ellie)

He bounds off towards his spot.

“I was worried he would never come out of that shell, you know? It wasn’t until we gave him his name that he got enough confidence to show his face. So seeing him energetic like this really makes me glad.” (Kira)

“Wait, you named him Puff?” (Kelly)

“Go on boy, fetch!” (Ellie)

I throw the stick as hard as I could.

It was still caught magnificently!

Puff’s reflexes and motor skills are already really good!

You wouldn’t think he’s only a day old!

It won’t be a few months until his wings are strong enough to fly, but his jumping power is already formidable!

“Yeah, Puff the Magic Gryphon. Nano’s idea. It has a good ring to it, don’t you agree?” (Kira)

“No, nevermind that! Ellie what in blazes are you two doing!?” (Kelly)

“Oh, hey Kelly! We’re playing, can’t you see?” (Ellie)

“No, I can’t see it. Like, at all!” (Kelly)

I accept the stick from Puff and continue petting him as his reward.

“Good boy, Puff!” (Ellie)

“Ah, she’s not listening…” (Kelly)

“It’s your loss-” (Kira)

“-if I mind it. Right, sorry.” (Kelly)

* * *

I really wanted to take Puff along with us, but the crowds would probably scare and confuse him like Kira frightened Fluffles.

So until they get their confidence, we can’t bring them to crowded places like the Minstry of Information.

In the end we decided to leave the gryphons and the kids behind so they can get to know each other.

Hopefully Puff doesn’t show off too much in front of Fluffles.

They’re basically brothers, it won’t be good if one of them gets too jealous!

Especially since Fluffles is technically the older one!

Being shown up by Puff’s flame breath is bound to hurt his pride!

*Knock knock*

Kira knocks on a certain door inside the Ministry of Information.

Technically, only Kira needed to come here.

But since Kira’s here, I’m naturally following!

“Mrs Quasse! Th-th-this is a surprise! Wait, what is she doing there?!” (Lilly)

And since we’re both here, Ariel followed us like it’s natural.

“Oh, Inspector Alasandara! This one is humbled to be remembered.” (Ariel)

Wow, she actually bowed down to Lilly!

Usually she thinks herself above everyone who isn’t related to Kira!

No, I suppose Lilly was the one who arrested her back then, so maybe she admitted to be beneath her?

There’s no middle ground with Ariel.

Either you’re beneath her and get sneered at, or you’re above her and she wants to grovel at your feet.

“Long story short, she’s the newest addition to our team. She’s our responsibility since it seems we, uh, ‘broke’ her…” (Kira)

“Ah! You must mean that. She’s still doing it?” (Lilly)

“This one does not understand what Inspector Alasandara is referring to.” (Ariel)

“If you mean whether she’s still an incorrigible pervert and hopeless masochist whose sole redeeming feature is being a potion that walks-” (Kira)

“Hahn! Hnnng!” (Ariel)

“-then the answer is yes.” (Kira)

“I… see… Ah! The other Mrs Quasse is here with you! My apologies for not n-noticing earlier!” (Lilly)

I’m a bit hurt.

I wasn’t even hiding myself by accident this time!

But she seems to be troubled by something, so I won’t hold it against her!

“Good day, Lilly! Have you been well?” (Ellie)

“Yes, m-mostly. So what can I help you with, Mrs Quasse?” (Lilly)

“May we come in? There’s something important I wish to discuss.” (Kira)

“Of course! Er, my office is a bit cramped so…” (Lilly)

She stands to the side and the three of us file inside.

She wasn’t kidding when she said cramped.

There’s barely anywhere to sit down!

Well, standing meetings are not a bad thing.

“Thank you. Forgive us for dropping in like this. There’s something a bit personal I wish to talk about.” (Kira)

“Any time, Mrs Quasse.” (Lilly)

“Thank you. I’ll get straight to the point. You know of the Vestments of the Empire, right?” (Kira)

“Ves- Uhm. Y-yes, I’ve, uh, h-h-heard of it!” (Lilly)

That was a strange reaction, I wonder if something happened during a visit?

Huh, something about the Forbidden Flavor cake, is it?

“The truth is, the head chef there, a Mister Zublos, wants to open a branch store here in the capital, but was denied due to his background.” (Kira)

“Ah! Yes, I know of him. It’s t-true someone of his, um, social standing would not be permitted to open shop around here.” (Lilly)

She’s relieved we didn’t find something out, huh?

Oh I see, it was her report that denied Zublos’s request.

Anyone else would have reached the same conclusion.

Zublos is a suspiciously unsealed Ancient Evil being after all.

As usual, she probably feels bad about doing her job.

So that behavior earlier really wasn't about the cake, it makes sense.

I mean, the waitress told me something about having strange dreams after eating it.

However, my dream that night was the usual make-love-to-Kira-with-all-my-might dream.

I have one of those almost every night.

In short - it was a dud.

Well, actually there were two Kiras that night, so it did get a little weird...

“I’m here to ask if you know a way to overturn the background check.” (Kira)

This is the main reason Kira came here.

She's determined to hire Zublos as a teacher.

I’m a bit wary of that guy since I can’t read his head, though.

It’s not that he’s blocking my mind-reading, it’s more accurate to say he’s not thinking anything at all!

Like reading a blank page, there’s just nothing going on in there!

How does that guy even function!?

Still, it’s hard to fault him when his entire staff supports him wholeheartedly.

“I understand. Unfortunately, background checks are impossible to overturn. He can’t change his origins, after all. However, there’s a loophole - if he were to become a Rank A adventurer, then he’s entitled to buy a plot of land in the Capital regardless of social standing.” (Lilly)

Oh right, that was a right Rank A adventurers had!

Very few people actually take advantage of it though.

Both the tax and land in this city are expensive, but that shop owner can probably afford them.

“Easier said than done! I don’t think a busy man like that has the sort of time to go around adventuring.” (Kira)

“He’s already a Rank C adventurer, you know?” (Lilly)

“Really? I had no idea. Still, it would take years to reach Rank B and even then it’ll take longer before he’s trusted enough to earn a promotion past that! It’s not like an Elder Dragon will pop out conveniently like it did for us!” (Kira)

I don’t think those words are quite right, Kira…

It was very far from being convenient.

“No, but the Grand Martial Arts Tournament is right around the corner. It’s not very well known, but winning it and being named Champion is enough of an achievement to boost one from Rank B to Rank A.” (Lilly)

“Really?! I had no idea! Why don’t more people do that?” (Kira)

“Since getting promoted that way is basically a shortcut, the only perk available to people who get promoted like that is Cash Out. It’s not like the guild can trust someone who came down from the mountains and won a few fights, you see.” (Lilly)

That’s right, the guild doesn’t offer all perks to everyone.

Can’t trust a foreigner with Seeker of Knowledge, for example.

Cash Out, on the other hand, is just a straight one-time payoff from the guild.

It’s pretty dull.

I mean if you want money, you can just do more jobs!

Admittedly, it’s still a sizable sum that made Kira waver mightily when deciding her Perk.

“I see, it makes sense. It’s a bit of a longshot, but it’s possible. Thank you so much for your help, Lilly!” (Kira)

“Anytime, Mrs Quasse.” (Lilly)

“Come now, I told you to call me Kiressara! You’re one of the few people willing to do that, you know!” (Kira)

“Huh? Huh? Umm, if it’s okay with you, K-Kiressara.” (Lilly)

Oh, what’s this now?

Lilly’s getting embarrassed again.

…

“Ellie, what’s wrong? You seem awfully serious all of a sudden?” (Kira)

“It’s nothing. Let’s go Kira. Now.” (Ellie)

“Eh, but- Uhm!” (Kira)

I grab her hand and drag her out.

We have to get as far away from Lilly as we can, immediately!

“Sorry about this Lilly! Bye, and thanks!” (Kira)

We leave the small office as I keep dragging her towards the exit to the building.

“What was that about Ellie!? You were awfully rude!” (Kira)

“No, I wasn’t.” (Ellie)

I was being thoughtful.

My anger rose like an erupting volcano!

The only reason I’m keeping it together is that she’s a friend who just happened to have a strange thought!

It better remain as just a strange thought!

Otherwise I will tear those things right off her head!

T͖H͉̱̮͍E͎͍̱̮̘̯ ͕̝͍O̥͍͔̰͍N̝̫̬LY̹̙̞ ͈E̫̰A̼R̭̻ͅS̝͓̰̪ ̝̩KIR͈̣̣A̼̰̼ͅ ͅI̘̮S͎̳͔̥͇ ̲̞͚̣̹̦̦A̟L̪̜L͖O͚ͅW̬͖̻͇E̩̳̞̦͚͕͓D̥̲̫͎̪̥̞ ̭T͔̠̘O̞̪̫̻ͅ ͕̪͕͎̗T̜͉ͅO͖͈U̥̤̬͈C̠̤̗͔̯̳H̗̠̩̟̬ ̱̝̥̩͕̺̣A̱̳͙̟̤̫͕R͓̖̩̣͙͕E̥̖͙̞ ̖͖̼̫͔̱̥M͇̯I̞͖̹̹͎̖͉N̟̥̣̘̜E͚̩!̻̙̺̘̳̼ͅ