On a New Trail of Something Unknown

[A Few Days Earlier]

After arriving in Nuzantra and parting ways with Ekin, Luna headed straight for the city's east gate. Once outside the city and ensuring no one was watching, she snapped her fingers. A golden light enveloped her body, and three seconds later, she vanished along with the light.

In front of a wooden cabin, the same golden light appeared, forming a silhouette. When the light faded, Luna stood there, having teleported. She walked toward the front door.

"I'm home!" Luna called as she opened the door.

Just as she closed it, someone leapt at her.

"MOM!!" shouted a young woman.

THUD!

"Ow…"

"MOM!! Thank goodness you're alive!" Rania cried, sobbing as she hugged her.

"Sis!" "Rania!" Radhimar and Bartasz exclaimed.

After a while, Rania regained her composure, let go of Luna, and stood up.

"Welcome back, Mom." "Welcome home, Mother," said Radhimar and Bartasz.

"Yes, I'm home," Luna replied with a smile.

"Why did Rania suddenly jump on me?" Luna asked.

"Um…" Rania averted her gaze.

"Before we explain, let's sit down," Bartasz suggested.

The four of them sat at the dining table. In the kitchen, Lusserina could be seen cooking as usual.

Bartasz and Radhimar explained what had happened.

"..."

"So that's what happened... Rama and Raisya told you a giant fish swallowed me, and that made you panic and freak out."

The three nodded in unison.

"Well... It's not wrong. A giant fish swallowed me, but it was a Guardian Tower," Luna explained.

"What?! A Guardian Tower?!" the three exclaimed.

"Yes... The Guardian of the Moon Shrine said she received a signal from the north. That's why I went to investigate. We envoys were given special rings to access the Guardian Towers. When we're near one, the ring glows."

She took out a blue ring.

"When I arrived in Movento, the ring reacted. I searched around the area, but nothing came up. The glow intensified near the harbour, so I suspected the tower was in the ocean."

"There are two ways to access the administrator's room in a Guardian Tower: either pass a test or use a special incantation. Since I didn't know the exact location, I used the spell. Once inside, I met the Guardian, and... it turned out to be my friend's tower… and he..." Luna's eyes welled with tears.

Rania gently held Luna's hands.

"I'm just grateful she also lived in this world," Luna said softly.

Rania, Radhimar, and Bartasz exchanged glances.

"So your mission was a success, right?" Rania asked.

"Yes, you could say that. But don't worry, I'm not sad. I still have all of you here," Luna said.

"...And Lusserina too," she added.

Hearing that, the three of them hugged her, while Lusserina smiled faintly.

Time passed as usual. It had been over a month since Luna launched her new potion. They said it had become a must-have item for adventurers—and even the royal court. Elrik had started teaching it to academy students. Though no one came to her shop anymore, Luna was glad many could now make it themselves. It was even sold in the capital markets. She still received royalties from the rights to the recipe.

Morning birdsong and sunlight woke Luna. She stretched lazily and opened her curtains.

"AH!" she gasped.

Hearing this, Lusserina quickly rushed into Luna's room.

"What's wrong, Madam?"

"There…" Luna pointed outside.

(Two gryphons?! Why are they here?) Lusserina thought.

"Leave it to me, Madam…" Lusserina said, heading toward the balcony—

"Wait! Let me handle it," Luna interrupted.

She strolled toward them.

"Griffa?"

As Luna spoke the name, one of the gryphons raised its head to look at her.

"QURUU!"

"So it is you…"

Luna dropped her guard and approached Griffa. The tall gryphon lowered its head toward her. She gently rubbed its neck.

"I didn't expect us to meet again so soon."

"QURURUU!"

"I'm happy to see you, too," Luna said.

"You understand her, Madam?" Lusserina asked.

(Oh right... Why can I understand him? Is it because of the master-servant contract?) Luna wondered.

"I'm not sure, but I can understand what she's saying," Luna replied.

Lusserina nodded.

"Who's that?" Luna asked, pointing to the sleeping gryphon.

Griffa approached the sleeping one and placed a claw on its head.

"QURUUU!!"

The gryphon jolted upright like a soldier—but seconds later collapsed back to the floor.

Griffa struck him again. This time he leapt up, fully alert, ready to fight. Wings spread, claws poised... until he saw Griffa. He immediately stood straight.

"Quru… Qururuu…" Griffa spoke.

"Ah, so he's your partner... (Turns out even in other worlds, husbands fear their wives—or in this case, males fear females. Haha)," Luna mused.

After a moment of talking—

"..."

"So you helped him when he was attacked, and since then, he's followed you?"

"Quruu…!"

"Quru? Quru quru…"

"You want me to form a contract with him, too?"

"Quru!"

"He doesn't mind?"

"Quruu... quru quruu quru…"

Luna looked at the male gryphon, who stood tall, chest puffed out, and nodded.

"If he's okay with it…"

She approached. The male gryphon bowed his head until their forehead touched.

"I hereby accept this contract!"

"Guruu!"

A light enveloped them both, then vanished.

"Is it done?" Luna asked.

"Guruu!"

"Good… now we need to name you. Hmm… Lu, any ideas?"

"I'm sure whatever name you choose, he'll accept it," Lusserina replied.

"You're no help at all," Luna sighed.

"..."

After thinking for a while...

"Riffon. Your name is Riffon."

"Guruuu!" Riffon responded, chest still puffed.

"..."

"But where will they stay? They can't just live on the balcony…"

"Why not ask the kids, Madam?" Lusserina suggested.

"You're right. Let's get their input too."

With the decision made, Luna and Lusserina returned downstairs while Griffa and Riffon went back to sleep.

After breakfast, Luna contacted Rania and the others via telepathy. By midday, the three arrived at the cabin. They had lunch together while Luna told them about Langit, Griffa, and Riffon. All three were shocked.

After some discussion, they agreed Bartasz would build a stable for them. Luna also gave them symbols so people could tell the gryphons were tame, not wild monsters.

A month passed quickly. During that time, Bartasz and his men built two stables near the house. Luna wanted to do it herself, but her children scolded her and insisted Bartasz handle it. She offered to help, but he declined, saying his men needed the experience.

At first, the workers were terrified of Griffa and Riffon. However, over time, they grew accustomed to them and even formed a bond after feeding them.

When the stables were done, the gryphons immediately moved in and fell asleep inside.

During that month, Luna either did light tasks in town or stayed home watching Bartasz's crew work.

"Lu, I'm heading to the city," Luna said.

"Yes, Madam. Safe travels," Lusserina replied.

[In the Capital]

Luna went straight to the Adventurers' Guild.

"Morning, Wynda!" Luna greeted.

"Morning, Miss Luna... Looking for a quest?"

"Yes, anything available?"

"Unfortunately, everything in the capital's area has been taken. Only out-of-town guests remain."

"I see..." She glanced at the board. "I'll take this one, then."

"Horned bear meat, huh? Alright, I'll process the paperwork."

After the documents were done, Luna left the guild. But just as she stepped outside, two women blocked her path.

The first had brown hair and looked like an academy student. The other wore pristine, ornate armour—a noble.

(Aren't they the ones who were looking for the red-haired child before? What do they want now?)

"Miss Luna..." said the brown-haired girl.

"Yes, how can I help you?"

"Could we talk for a bit?"

"Okay, but let's find a comfortable place first."

They went to a restaurant in the capital and sat in a corner.

"Um... let us introduce ourselves. I'm Lenti, and this is Vernotta," said the brown-haired girl.

"You can call me Verni," the girl with purple hair added.

"So... how can I help you, Lenti? Verni?"

"Um... may we accompany you for the day?" Lenti asked.

"Come along? But I have a quest outside the city. Are you okay with that?"

"..."

The two exchanged glances without answering.

"If you need protection, I know someone at the church who can help."

"N-no-no-no-no! We want to go with you!" Verni shouted.

"..."

"Alright, if that's what you want. Don't worry—I'll keep you safe."

"Th-thank you for accepting our selfish request," Verni said.

"No worries. Then, let's get going," Luna replied.

The three headed toward the west gate. As they passed through, Luna noticed a man in a black cloak walking by. She glanced back. There was no crescent moon symbol on his cloak, just plain black. Still, a chill ran down her spine.

(Probably just my imagination...) Luna thought.

They continued heading northwest from the capital.