Seeker 286

Test

Chapter 286. Flight Unit

With the signal to start the match, we first cast auxiliary magic and other spells.

"[Tame]!"

"[Quickness]!"

"[Fire Weapon]!"

First, I use [Tame] to return the griffin to its original size.

Fūne then uses [Quickness] on the griffin, significantly enhancing its agility.

Yuzuki applies [Fire Weapon] to my spear.

The divine spear is enveloped in fierce flames from the magic.

Meanwhile, Gelzer and the others have already started running forward.

We find ourselves falling behind.

Gelzer's tactics are not bad at all.

In essence, the outcome of this match is determined by the number of hill giants defeated—strictly speaking, the number of magic stones obtained from those defeats.

The right to obtain magic stones is granted to the party that first engages in combat with the respective monster.

Interfering during battle is strictly prohibited, so naturally, it comes down to that treatment.

To win the match, both parties need to quickly come into contact with as many Hill Giants as possible.

Therefore, using support magic to create an opening is quite reasonable.

However, regarding the magic [Quickness] that enhances agility, it's not straightforward.

Even if it means creating an opening, there is a sufficient possibility of an overall positive outcome if we can increase speed even at the cost of creating an opening.

Also, it was necessary to use [Tame] here.

My Griffin's flight ability is absolutely necessary to put the Hill Giants outside the town in check from the outset.

No, putting them in check sounds strange. Maybe capturing both the rook and bishop?

Hmm, comparing it to shogi seems inappropriate.

"Well then, Daichi-kun, Hotaru-chan, see you later."

"Yeah, Kazane. Don't push yourself."

"It's okay. If something happens and I can't flirt with Daichi-kun later, I'd hate that just as much."

Saying that, Kazane rushes forward like the wind.

The direction she's heading is towards the right front of the town.

Since Gelzer and the others ran straight towards the town, it's slightly to the right of their direction.

If we consider Gelzer and the others' direction as 12 o'clock, it's roughly in the 1 o'clock direction.

In the distance where Kazane is heading, you can see the figure of one hill giant.

That's Kazane's target.

Meanwhile, the rest of us—

"Riding on Griff-chan with Senpai feels a bit exciting."

"It goes both ways. Griffin, I'm counting on you."

"Qua, qua!"

On the now-normal-sized griffin, Yuzuki straddles it first, and I follow behind.

As long as it's a two-person ride, the Griffin can fly without issues.

"Ugh... Just thinking about Senpai hugging me from behind, it's making me so nervous."

"If you want, should I hug you right now?"

"Ugh... Senpai, you're in playboy mode. Senpai sometimes gets like this, so it's tricky."

"Well, it's not the right time for that. - Let's go, Griffin!"

"Qua!"

Suppressing the desire to nibble on Tsukizuki's now-reddened ears, I manage to endure it somehow.

We take off into the air.

Enhanced by Fūne's [Quickness], the Griffin carries Yuzuki and me at a brisk speed through the sky.

The direction we're heading is the same as Gelzer and the others.

In other words, it's a direct course to the town of Beltrint.

Looking down from the sky, we can see Gelzer and the others in front, and Fūne's figure to the right front.

The remaining Hill Giants scattered in the plains. A few Hill Giants are also visible.

Apart from the one Kazane is heading towards, there is only one other hill giant in the plains outside the town.

There's a river flowing left and right in the middle of the plains, beyond that.

If Kazane is heading towards 1 o'clock, the other giant is in the 11 o'clock direction in the deep interior.

I guide the Griffin and fly toward the town of Beltrint.

One advantage of flying is we can ignore the Ogres on the ground.

We eventually pass Gelzer and the others, who were advancing while knocking down the ogres in their way.

"Hey, what the hell, from the sky!?"

"What's up with that Griffin!? Could it be that cute little thing! Is he controlling monsters!?"

There are surprised voices from Gelzer's followers.

Heh heh heh, let them be even more surprised.

The dignity of my familiar. The Griffin, as a flying unit is on full display.

Although the female adventurer with the bow, with what seemed like a slightly cool gaze, was looking up at us, Gelzer himself had a truly hateful expression, glaring at me from the ground.

Then, he shouts angrily in a bad mood.

"Damn it, this is ridiculous...! Hey, you bastards, I'm being left behind by that brat! Can we just let this slide!?"

"B-But, Gelzer-san, the Ogres are in the way, and it's not that simple..."

"Tch! Then I'll break through alone! You guys provide support!"

""Y-Yes!""

Gelzer and his group seem to have taken a strategy where, while their companions restrain the ogres, Gelzer alone charges ahead.

We once overtook them, but soon Gelzeris caught up to us rapidly.

They're somewhat competent over there; they won't let us win so easily.

The Griffin I'm riding on approaches the airspace above the town of Beltrint.

I confirm the current positions of the Hill Giants in the town and, after passing the town's entrance, lower the Griffin close to the ground.

Once it reaches a height where I can jump off, I dismount from the Griffin.

"Griffin, carry Yuzuki to that hill giant over there! Defeat it, then come back to me!"

"Qua, qua!"

"Senpai, be careful! If that thing goes berserk, who knows what it might do!"

"I know! You be careful too!"

I land in the town.

With Yuzuki on board, the Griffin heads towards the hill giant at 11 o'clock.

"---Hey, get out of my way!"

A little late, Gelzer enters the town's entrance.

He's knocking down Ogres with his huge axe.

Of course, the Ogres in the town also start heading towards me.

From a rough glance from above, there seem to be dozens of Ogres wandering around in the town.

"Well, from here, it's an even match---hah!"

I choose a route I've checked in advance, advance, and kick the Ogres with the divine spear enveloped in magical flames.

My first target is one of the Hill Giants I confirmed in the town.

After defeating several Ogres and turning around the corner of a building, the massive figure of the target appears right in front of me.