Chapter 30: Gryphon Gryphon
Clay stood still for a mont after hearing the butler’s words, his expression caught between confusion and irritation, as if his mind had just been pulled away from a path he had carefully planned for himself.
Summoned?
The word echoed in his head.
He had not expected this.
Not now.
Not when everything was about to begin.
Three days...
His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared past the butler, his thoughts moving quickly.
In three days, the first calamity will descend. The one that wipes out entire villages. The one that no one sees coming until it is too late. If I do nothing, thousands... no, tens of thousands could die.
He clicked his tongue softly.
He was not a saint.
He knew that.
He had killed without hesitation when needed, especially those who provoked him or stood in his way, and he did not feel regret for that.
But this was different.
Manaless people... civilians...
His jaw tightened.
If I did not have those mories from Earth, I would not even care. I would treat it like any other event. Just sothing that happens. But now...
He exhaled slowly.
"Why was I summoned?" Clay asked, his voice calm, but his gaze sharp as it fixed on the old butler.
The butler hesitated.
It was rare.
Very rare for him to hesitate like this.
"Young master..." the old man began, his voice lower than usual, "it is regarding your marriage."
Clay blinked once.
Then his brows lifted slightly.
"My marriage?"
The butler nodded.
"It seems... His Majesty has decided to retract his previous decree regarding your engagent to the lady with the Absolute Ice Body."
For a brief mont, Clay simply stared at him.
Then—
"Really?" he asked, his tone rising, a clear spark of interest appearing in his eyes.
There was no hiding it.
No restraint.
His reaction was imdiate.
That troubleso marriage... gone? Just like that?
His lips almost curled into a smile.
But then—
His expression paused.
The calamity...
The excitent dimd slightly as another thought pushed forward.
If I go to the capital now, I might miss the timing. If I miss it, I won’t be able to leave the path of being fated properly. But the damage to the civilians...
He frowned.
This is troubleso.
Before he could say anything else, the butler spoke again.
"Young master, His Majesty has sent a gryphon for you."
Clay’s eyes lit up imdiately.
"A gryphon?"
"Yes," the butler replied. "It is stationed outside. It is trained for long distance travel and is among the fastest aerial mounts in the kingdom. It can reach the capital within hours, even from this distance."
Clay’s hesitation vanished.
"That fast?"
"Yes, young master. It can fly continuously without rest for long distances, and its speed surpasses even elite ssenger birds. It was specifically prepared for you."
Clay let out a small breath.
If I use that...
His thoughts aligned quickly.
I can go to the capital, settle the marriage issue, and return before the calamity fully unfolds.
His lips curved slightly.
"Let’s go," he said without hesitation.
The butler bowed.
"At once, young master."
...
As they made their way outside, Clay walked ahead while Cerys followed closely behind him, her steps quiet, her presence almost blending into the surroundings.
After a short while, Clay spoke again.
"What about her?"
Cerys tilted her head slightly.
"The Villainess," Clay clarified.
Cerys paused for a fraction of a second before responding.
"She is... the sa as ever, young master."
Clay glanced at her.
"The sa?"
"Yes," Cerys continued, her tone steady, careful, and respectful. "She remains kind to those around her, especially to those beneath her. She treats the servants well, does not abuse her authority, and continues to present herself as a noble lady of high standing. Even after learning about the betrayal, she did not lash out imdiately. She remained calm, composed, and chose to observe instead of acting rashly."
Clay listened quietly.
"She still interacts with others normally," Cerys added. "She does not isolate herself, nor does she show signs of losing control. If anything, she appears more... thoughtful now, as if she is carefully considering her next steps."
Clay frowned slightly.
So she has not fallen yet...
The Villainess she becos... it hasn’t happened. No, he stopped it from happening...
He crossed his arms.
"Or maybe it is just delayed..." he muttered under his breath.
Cerys lowered her gaze, hiding the flicker in her eyes.
Clay continued.
"What about her strength?"
Cerys answered imdiately.
"She has grown stronger," she said. "She admitted that she found another inheritance within a dungeon. However... she claid she did not complete it."
Clay raised a brow.
"And you believe her?"
Cerys shook her head lightly.
"No, young master. I believe she was hiding sothing. Her control over mana, her presence... it does not match soone who only partially completed an inheritance."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"However, she still makes mistakes. Small ones. Monts where her guard lowers. It is as if she is trying to act normal, but occasionally forgets herself."
Clay nodded slowly.
So she is growing... but not fully there yet.
Interesting.
They stepped outside.
And there it was.
The gryphon.
Its feathers were pure white, almost glowing under the sunlight, each plu layered perfectly across its massive body. Its wings were folded at its sides, but even at rest, it exuded power and grace. Its sharp golden eyes scanned its surroundings with quiet intelligence, and its talons dug lightly into the ground, leaving faint marks on the stone.
Clay approached it without hesitation.
He raised his hand and placed it gently against its neck.
The gryphon let out a low sound, acknowledging him.
"Not bad," Clay murmured.
He mounted it smoothly.
Cerys followed behind him, her movents light as she took her place.
The gryphon spread its wings.
Then—
It leaped.
The ground fell away.
The air rushed past them.
And within seconds, they were soaring high above the land.
"Faster," Clay said.
The gryphon responded imdiately.
Its wings beat harder.
The wind roared.
Villages passed beneath them like scattered pieces on a map, fields stretching endlessly, rivers cutting through the land like silver lines.
"Faster," Clay repeated.
The gryphon accelerated again.
The air beca sharper.
Colder.
The world blurred slightly as their speed increased.
Clay leaned forward slightly, his eyes focused ahead.
But then—
A feeling.
Sothing... off.
What is this...
He frowned.
It was not sothing he could see.
Not sothing he could hear.
But sothing pressed against his instincts, like a faint warning that refused to disappear.
He ignored it.
"Faster," he said again.
The gryphon obeyed.
Ti passed quickly.
Soon, the scattered villages beca more frequent.
Then—
Walls.
Tall, massive walls.
The Holy Kingdom.
They flew over it without stopping.
People below looked up, pointing, shouting, but Clay paid them no mind.
After seven hours, he saw a flag being raised in the distance, signaling for identification.
He ignored it.
No ti.
Then—
The capital.
The Holy Castle.
It stood at the center, towering over everything, its structure grand and imposing, radiating authority.
"Down," Clay ordered.
The gryphon descended.
It landed with precision, its claws touching the ground with a soft thud.
Clay dismounted.
Cerys followed.
He tapped the gryphon’s face three tis.
The creature let out a low cry before spreading its wings and taking off again.
Clay turned.
He began walking toward the palace.
Each step steady.
Each movent controlled.
But the feeling—
It grew stronger.
Sothing is wrong.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Why do I feel like this...
He stepped through the palace gates.
And then—
A screen appeared.
Ding!
Clay stopped.
His gaze hardened.
Ding!
The host should be careful.
Ding!
The host was being suspected!
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