NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 198
Chapter 198. The Bumpy Family, All Together
“Che…Cherina…”
Am I dreaming?
Bathed in the moonlight, sitting atop a winged beast, was a woman with unmistakable red hair I knew all too well.
As the flying beast, known as a griffin, slowly landed on the ground, its rider—Cherina Veliero—gracefully dismounted, her shimmering hair reflecting the moonlight.
I found myself naturally moving toward her.
And then…
“Ugh… I feel terrible…”
Cherina leaned against a nearby tree trunk, retching.
…
Ruined.
“Honestly… why is the ride so bumpy… Ugh… it’s all so ruined…”
I wanted to say that’s my line, but I remembered this wasn’t the time for such thoughts.
I could kick myself for forgetting something so important, even for a moment.
“Cherina, why are you—”
“Ugh… Let’s save the details for later. Judging by your expression, I assume you haven’t found Yaralai-sama’s daughter yet?”
“Ah, yeah… It seems she was brought to this area, but as you can see, it’s a mess.”
I gestured to the scene of corpses scattered about.
“It’s likely that goblins—a pest species—abducted Lalaila, Yaralai’s daughter.”
“I see… In that case, Akira-sama and I will search from the air, while Yaralai-sama and Hagg search the ground.”
“Please do.”
“Understood.”
“But, Akira-sama, the ride is… the worst, you know?”
“Got it.”
“And two people riding for long is… impossible. Please hang in there, Kukkel.”
As Cherina stroked the griffin’s neck, it let out a loud “Kukee.”
“Now then, Akira-sama, climb aboard!”
“Ah, alright.”
My mind was still a jumble, but rescuing Lalaila was the priority.
On the griffin’s back was a large saddle, and I was seated in front of Cherina.
“Let’s go.”
With a flick of the reins, the griffin spread its large wings wide and flapped upward, ascending vertically.
“Whoa!?”
Even as we rose, the griffin swayed heavily with each flap of its wings.
I instantly understood why the ride was so terrible.
“…Ah, I see. Waves!”
Wrapping myself in spiral waves, the discomfort lessened significantly.
“Akira-sama… what happened during this short time to develop those waves?”
“Hm? Ah, well, combat experience… I guess?”
Cherina herself was a wave user. She must’ve noticed how much more refined my waves had become since the last time we were together.
Still, this griffin’s ride was the worst.
I wondered—was the scarcity of flying creatures less about breeding issues and more about the problems faced by riders?
“We’ll circle the area first… but the darkness is deep. I can’t see much myself.”
“Understood. Leave it to me.”
I turned off the light on the spiral dragon lance Gungnir I’d been using, then reignited it with another card, imagining a powerful searchlight.
A strong beam of light from the drill tip illuminated part of the forest, cutting through the darkness.
“Cherina! The bodies from earlier were still fresh! Circle around the clearing!”
“Understood! Kukkel!”
The griffin responded with a loud “Kukee” and began circling the dark forest slowly.
There was much I wanted to ask and much to say, but right now, Lalaila took priority.
Setting all emotions aside, I shone light into the pitch-black forest, using wave-enhanced night vision and auditory amplification to scan for any signs.
“…There!”
“Where!?”
Where I pointed, the beam of light revealed a group of about ten goblins.
They were carrying something bound and gagged—a beautiful elven girl.
“Let’s go!”
“Don’t slow down! Keep this speed!”
“Yes!”
With a sharp pull of the reins, the griffin sped up.
The goblins, startled by the intense light, began to panic and shout. But…
“Too late!”
Without hesitation, I leaped from a height above the treetops.
Trust in the waves!
“Akira-sama!?”
“Woooooohhh!!”
As I plummeted, I drew a light-sword mechanism from the container and rained beams of light on the goblins not carrying Lalaila.
Imagining a machine gun, the light bullets obliterated seven of them in an instant.
“Mmmphhh!!”
Thrashing about, Lalaila turned her gaze toward me.
Good. She’s alive!
Upon landing, I rushed at the remaining three goblins holding Lalaila.
Amid their stunned expressions and roaring cries, I snatched Lalaila from them with one arm, cradling her.
“Are you okay!?”
“Mmmph!! Mmmphhh!!”
She seemed uninjured. Still holding her, I swung the spiral dragon lance, Gungnir, in a wide arc.
The three goblins were torn apart by the high-speed rotating drill.
After confirming no other enemies, I released Lalaila’s restraints. She immediately threw her arms around me.
“Akira-sama! Akira-sama! Akiraaa-saamaaa!!”
Sobbing, she clung to me tightly, and I gently stroked her back.
“It’s alright now.”
“Waahhh! I was so scared! I thought I was going to die!!”
Once the tension unraveled, Lalaila bawled loudly, heedless of appearances.
“Lalaila!”
“Hm! Oh, Akira, you made it in time.”
“Heh heh heh…”
A moment later, Yaralai, Hagg, and Faf appeared.
The griffin landed with a flourish, and Cherina dismounted, looking toward us.
…With a sharp gaze.
Huh?
“Cherina. Thanks to you, we—”
“Akira-sama. What is the meaning of this?”
“Huh? Like I said, Lalaila was kidnapped, then the goblins—”
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
“Uh, uh… What?”
“Heh heh heh…”
With Lalaila clinging tightly to me, sobbing, Cherina stared coldly.
Wasn’t this reunion… kind of off?
“Heh heh heh… a love triangle, is it not?”
“Akira. Gratitude.”
“Honestly… humans are so…”
Um…
What do I even do?
Until Lalaila calmed down, I had no choice but to endure this unreasonable awkwardness.
Unfair…