The next morning.
Raphtalia had been studying until late last night, so I woke up and discreetly slip out of the room in order to see Filo.
It would be particularly troublesome if she were to die from hunger.
I gathered the medicinal herbs since I hadn't finished compounding them yesterday.
"Kweek!"
I heard a hoarse voice coming from the stables.
Looking at her figure, the feet got long and the neck got longer, remolding herself as if she were a manjū. I say she looked very much like an ostrich.
It's an amazing change. Her growth was entirely different from the birds I knew.
Her height is around my chest level, so it is still impossible for a person to ride her.
Gū...
It seemed that she was hungry. That's why I bought some animal feed from the farm and brought it here.
The consumption of gold was quite severe but it is still cheaper than having to buy equipment.
Seeing how rapid she is growing in just a day... I have a terrible feeling about this.
"You. Only a day had passed since you were born."
"Kweeek!"
'Surisuri' Filo clung to me and I smiled softly and naturally.
This doesn't particularly mean my love towards animals has awoken.
I'm just excited about what she will do when she grows up.
Earning her keep as a substitute for a carriage... my chest swelled with anticipation.
Wait, I can see a tinge of white and cherry blossom colors when I look carefully at the feathers.
I let the shield absorb the feather as a way of grooming.
The requirement for Demon Tamer Shield III has been met.
Demon Tamer Shield III
Equipment Bonus: Growth Revision (Intermediate)
Nothing... So it didn't have to be blood. Then it might also be good to cut Raphtalia's hair and absorb it again.
She plays and runs energetically, even though Filo is still a newborn.
"Kwek!"
Although she wasn't a dog, I played with Filo by throwing a tree branch a distance away, where she then picked it up and returned it to me.
Her legs seem fast, swiftly catching the branch before it even falls on the ground and quickly returning.
She is quite intelligent.
Kukuku... it looks like my luck has finally turned around.
I was playing with Filo until Raphtalia woke up.
It's a rejuvenating type of therapy. These pets.
"Mu.. I never seen Naofumi-sama showing such a refreshing smile until now."
Raphtalia came over to me while softly murmuring her displeasure.
If anything, it is an impish smile.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
"Kwek?"
Chon, Chon. Filo's beak peck lightly at Raphtalia.
It seemed she wanted to engage in some skinship.
"Ha~a... Guess it can't be helped."
Raphtalia smiled while caressing Filo's face with both hands.
"Kwee~ek..."
Filo snuggled up to Raphtalia, squinting her eyes from the pleasant feeling of being caressed.
"Now then, where should we explore today?"
"That's right. How about going to the southward grassland in order to save food expenses for Filo?"
"Fumu... I guess so."
The medicinal herbs as well as weeds have grown in abundance within that vicinity. I also think that it's a good place to go.
For now, the purpose is to save money for better equipment.
"Yoshi, Let's go then."
"Kwek!"
"Yes!"
Well, we blithely went to the grassland while fighting monsters and leveled up slightly.
Me: Lv 25
Raphtalia: Lv 28
Filo: Lv 15
Picking medicinal herbs among other things, we focused on Filo's food and several other harvests.
We defeated various monsters, releasing shield requirements at best status bonus around +1 or 2.
... The shield's Intermediate Compounding Recipe has still not been found.
Evening of that day.
Filo has grown into a splendid Filorial.
"It's early..."
The Inn's shopkeeper and the farm owner are both surprised.
The reason might be because of Growth Revision (Small) and (Intermediate)
"... Raphtalia, incidentally, when I bought the ink did you recognize..."
"A wa wa..."
I wonder if Raphtalia also wants to grow up like that.
Biki...
A sound similar to a bone creaking heard.
"Kwweek!"
Shortly, Filo, who grew up so much that a person can now ride her, sat in front of me.
"You want me to ride?"
"Kwek!"
Turning her head as I ride on her back, Filo chirps as if it's natural.
"Then let's go."
But is it all right to not attach a saddle or rein?
While thinking about it, I got on since she wanted me to ride her. It's sturdy thanks to the shield.
It will be all right even if I fall.
Riding her... wasn't so bad thanks to the feathers.
There seems to be no problem even with maintaining my balance properly.
"Kwek!"
Filo readily stands up.
"Uwa!"
The view is quite high.
I feel deeply move as I proceed to ride an animal, even though I don't know a thing about horse riding.
"Kweeek!"
Filo started running while I was thinking her chirp is very cheery!
"You, Hey!"
"Na, Naofumi-sama--"
Dotadotadota!
Wa, so fast! The scenery passes behind me in no time, and Raphtalia's voice became distant in an instant.
Dotadotadota!
I wanted to test Filo. When she lightly went around the town, and stopped in front of the stables.
And sat, then I got down.
"Are you all right!?"
Raphtalia runs up to me anxiously.
"Oh, yeah. I'm all right. But it sure is fast."
Filo appears to not even be that tired and started tending to her own feathers.
I was surprised when it exceeded the speed which I imagined. I might have done a good shopping.
"Well then, that's enough for today, let's return to our room."
And then, someone grabbed the collar of my armor.
When I looked behind, I saw Filo seizing my neck with her beak.
"What's wrong?"
"Kwweeek!"
I got called to stop by a chirp that seems like a wail.
"hn?"
Oh well.
And, when I tried to leave, I got grabbed once again.
"What is it?"
"Kwwwek!"
Filo cried in a slightly displeased way and stamped her foot on the ground.
"Huh, Have you not played enough?"
Filo shook her head when Raphtalia asked.
She understands words?
"Are you lonely?"
I nod impudently at the two.
"Kwweek!"
She started her appeal by unfolding her wing.
"That said..."
I'm reluctant to sleep in the stable, and I can't take such a big monster to a bedroom inside the inn.
"Let's accompany her here until she falls asleep."
"Mu... well, fine."
This girl has a big body, although it has only been 2 days since her birth. Whether if it's an animal, it's too early to leave her in a stable at night.
That day at the stables, I study this world's letters together with Raphtalia.
Filo watched us quietly while resting tensely in her nest.
Biki
"Ah...you really can't read letters easily!"
If there is a shield like that I want to find it fast.
"It can't be helped. I think the appearance of Naofumi-sama isn't good if it depends on anything like a legendary shield."
"...Raphtalia. You've learned to even say things like that now huh."
"Yes. Therefore, let's learn magic and language together."
...Shit.
There's nothing which will make this thing easier. While praying that my efforts won't be wasted, we continued to study at the stables until Filo falls asleep.
Afterwards, we return to our room and began making medicine with the newly obtained herbs.
The result, well, don't ask - since I wasn't able to decipher the recipe.