Published: September 9, 2025
Corrected typos on 2015/4/24.
This time, from Arisa’s perspective.
“Arisa, you’re in quite a good mood today.”
“Am I?”
I could tell from the way I broke into a goofy smile.
Probably, there’s no wonderful scenario like keeping company at night, but being called out by the person you fancy at midnight is definitely a moe situation.
Today, I had to stop myself after the third helping of the banquet at the night gathering. If, by any chance, I had to undress and my belly was bulging, my maiden’s heart would be in crisis.
Ah, but the food at the Royal Castle is different from what Lulu and Master usually make, so I just couldn’t stop eating~
――PYWEEEE!
Just as the carriage was about to reach the Royal Castle’s parking lot, a sharp sound pierced the air.
“Bird of prey~?”
“Because it’s a raptor.”
A raptor? Maybe a hawk or an eagle?
“—Coachman! Stop the carriage!”
Liza, who was looking out the window, shouted loudly.
What’s going on?
At times like this, magic, of course!
“Spatial Enemy Detection (Area Search), activate!”
Directly above—
◇
“Arisa, snap out of it!”
Liza smacked my cheeks lightly.
We’re in a grove—the carriage had overturned beyond the bushes.
Apparently, I had gotten dizzy.
“W-What happened?”
“The horse went wild and the carriage flipped over.”
The horse went wild—?
“—That’s it! I remember now!”
Just as I shouted, I heard Tama and Pochi’s calls.
They had apparently gone scouting.
“There were so many overturned carriages~”
“We have to go help quickly, or it’ll be bad!”
The thing swooped past above the trees with a roar.
――PYWEEEE!
Beyond the grove, I caught sight of the creature circling above the parking lot where many carriages had overturned.
Half eagle on top, half lion below.
The conqueror of the sky and a phantom beast of the air—the Griffin.
Those who see it have no choice but to run away.
――PYWEEEE!
But I’ll say it anyway!
“The Griffin’s cry is ‘Guruu,’ right!!!”
“Arisa—what are you talking about?”
Liza looked at me seriously, worried.
Sorry. I knew this wasn’t the time for jokes, but I just couldn’t help myself.
How deep is my otaku curse…
“But how did that monster get into the castle?”
Lulu’s voice snapped me back.
Come to think of it, the king ancestor Yamato’s barrier was still there. Even during the previous high-rank demon’s assault, the Royal Castle remained safe, so how did that thing get in?
“Oh~?”
“Master!”
Huh? Where?
“■■■■ ■■ Long Sight. I confirm that purple wig and costume are Master’s.”
I took out the distant viewing tube from my Fairy Bag and looked at the circling Griffin’s back.
I could see a small human figure on its back.
If that figure is Master, then the Griffin must be over ten meters long.
“But I don’t think Master would do anything to bother people.”
“Yeah, I agree.”
Just as Lulu and Mia said, this was unlike Master.
—Besides.
“All hands, battle stations!”
Everyone looked surprised at my command.
“A-Arisa?”
“That’s an impostor!”
Because there’s a bust there.
There’s no way Master, who hates cross-dressing, would dress up as a woman on his own.
“Anyway, distract it. If it comes this way, I’ll trap it with my spatial magic!”
“Understood. Pochi, Tama, use the demon blade cannon. Lulu, escort Arisa and Mia. Nana, prepare to counterattack.”
Following Liza’s orders, everyone sprang into action.
◇
The three red light bullets shot toward the Griffin.
But just before hitting, the bullets veered away as if avoiding the Griffin.
“—Wind Barrier.”
I heard Mia mutter from the side.
Still, the original goal of luring it into the grove had been achieved.
Because the Griffin turned its hostile gaze toward us.
The Griffin charged at us at incredible speed!
I looked up at the Griffin and shouted.
“Only a barrier can defeat a barrier!”
Not really, but the spirit is important!
With my tension at maximum, I can do this!
Even without my unique skill, I’m not going to let it resist!