Chapter 597 - Ranch Story: The Island of the Goddess, Fairies, and Phantom Beasts
We returned to where the Ambernaults were at a considerable speed.
I quickly looked around… but I didn't see any other animals or monsters.
"Did you ask where they were?"
"Ryuryu."
Pan pointed further ahead.
Leaving Lupi and the others to continue scouting ahead, we ran towards the northern part of the grassland.
"Woof!"
"Rigel! There's a monster!"
"Brrr!"
At those words, Rigel increased her speed even more.
After galloping up a gentle slope, a forest could be seen beyond the expansive grassland,
"GROOOAAARR!"
"That's huge!"
A cow, about two sizes larger than an Ambernault.
It was charging straight at us, letting out a roar (?).
"Dodge!"
"Brrrn!"
Rigel responded perfectly to my seemingly impossible instruction, dodging to the right.
As it passed by, I saw the name [Hogany Bull] on its nameplate.
The nameplate was red, so I guess it's okay to defeat it.
"GROOOAAARRR~"
The Hogany Bull, having skillfully made a U-turn about 20 meters away, charged at Rigel and me again.
I thought about dismounting and confronting it, but then,
"HiiiiNN!!!"
Rigel raised her front legs high and slammed them to the ground, and a large chunk of ice (?) appeared right in front of the Hogany Bull's eyes.
Naturally, it couldn't avoid it and charged head-on, bouncing off the ice.
"Gaw!"
""Bow!!""
Lupi and the others weren't about to miss that opening and attacked all at once.
Yeah, well, if it's knocked down, we've basically won.
[Hogany Bull]
A cow monster that inhabits grasslands and attacks everything in its territory.
Beware of its charge, which travels at a speed unsuited to its massive body and can send opponents flying.
Cooking: The meat is lean and delicious. Material Processing: Bones, hide, and horns become various materials.
Beef! Steaks are good, and so are roast beef and beef stew. Oh, and beef curry sounds good too.
Bones, hide, and horns can all be used as materials, so I'd like to hunt these regularly…
"Bow!"
"Hm?"
Roy barked, and then growled menacingly towards… several hyenas with prominent black spots.
[Croche Hyena]
Hyena monsters inhabiting forests and grasslands.
They don't actively attack, but beware as they attack livestock in groups or try to snatch spoils.
Material Processing: Bones, hide, and horns become various materials.
I see. They noticed we'd taken down the Hogany Bull, so they came, true to their name, like hyenas.
From the description, it seems protecting the Ambernaults was the right decision.
"Brrr!"
"Easy there!"
I frantically stopped Rigel, who was about to charge in angrily.
It was the same in the previous battle, but she's surprisingly ruthless when she considers something an enemy.
"Woof."
""Bow!!""
Lupi also seemed angry, but she seemed to be holding back the growling Roy and Leda.
However…
"WhoooaOOOooohhnn…"
""WhooaaOOOooohhnn""
Eh? Howling?
I thought, Could there be friendly wolves here? but the hyenas, hearing it, fled in all directions.
"Woof!"
"Well done, Lupi. As expected of the Wolf King!"
She showed her dominance with a howl, I guess.
I petted Lupi, Leda, and Roy in turn, and praised Rigel thoroughly.
Come to think of it…
"Oh, it's ice after all. Rigel is amazing too."
"Brrrn."
The block of ice that the Hogany Bull crashed into looked like a huge frost pillar growing out of the ground.
It was about the size of a large drum can, though.
Rigel seems to be a special individual among Grani, so I should investigate her more properly in the encyclopedia.
"Now, what should we do?"
It was almost 10 PM.
We could probably go a bit further, but…
"Woof." "Brrr."
Lupi and Rigel both seemed fine, so I guess we'll head towards the entrance of the northern forest.
………
……
…
"Phew, I'm home."
"Welcome back."
We went to the northern edge of the grassland, to the forest entrance, but there were no additional Hogany Bulls. I wanted more beef, but perhaps the respawn rate is low?
In the end, we returned to Mion's location, I dismissed Rigel, had everyone else go back first with the Transfer Magic Circle, and finally, I collected the magic circle and returned home by transfer.
"Ryuryu."
"Thanks. Oh, by the way, I'm thinking of building a stable near the mansion soon."
"Meow."
Build a stable, enclose a pasture, and make a ranch.
Rigel and the Ecryu would probably be happier with more space.
The area northeast of the mansion, near the water channel, which is still undeveloped, seems like a good spot.
"Welcome back, both of you."
"We're back."
"Thank you for looking after things."
I thanked El-san who greeted us.
She said she was surprised when the Ambernaults kept appearing from the Transfer Magic Circle, but other than that, nothing particularly unusual happened.
"Shou-kun. You really need to tell us these things, okay?"
"Yes."
I did want to surprise Mion a little, so I'll honestly reflect on that…
"Oh, Shou-kun. There's a call on the Magic Transfer Box."
"Got it. Argenta-san, maybe?"
I opened it, and there was a letter and a book.
The book looked like a Dragonic textbook, so it was probably sent for Mion.
*"Lady Shou,
We are always indebted to you.
Thank you for conveying the Princess's letter to Lady Emeraldia.
Now, regarding the demons who invaded the Demon Kingdom, we have received information that they may have moved from within the Demon Kingdom to the Necropolis and the Marsis Republic.
Azure will also convey this to everyone at 'Silver Manor,' but we would appreciate it if Lady Shou could also inform your close associates.
We look forward to your continued support.
P.S.
Since Lady Mion is interested in Dragonic, we are sending a textbook written by a sage who once had close ties with the Dragonkin."*
Huh, a sage who had ties with the Dragonkin.
I might try reading it myself too…