When I entered the box garden, wyvern children came waddling toward me.
Then they flapped their wings and jumped at me from about one meter in front of me.
"That's amazing. You can fly already?"
"Yes, he's so energetic that I'm in trouble. I thought it would be better if he could fly quickly, so Skybird and I are teaching him how to fly.
"What? Can Mr. Gargoyle fly?
"Of course he can fly. The wings on his back are not for decoration.
The gargoyle flaps his wings in front of my eyes and shows me how to fly.
I didn't think he could fly.
All I've ever done is walk.
"Can you fly with me on board?"
"Yes. Yes, I can. It would be difficult to carry Mr. Lucky, but Mr. Locke and Mr. Shannon can do it.
"Really? Really?
Shannon and I get on Mr. Gargoyle's back.
I've seen flying monsters many times before, but this is the first time I've actually flown,
Mr. Gargoyle flicks his wings with all his might, and we are airborne.
"Oh! That's amazing!"
"That's a little scary."
Shannon leans in close to me.
"It's okay. I'm just gonna take a little walk in the sky. Mr. Gargoyle, can we go outside?
"Sure."
We climbed out of the box with the gargoyle in the air.
We flew up into the sky above King's Landing.
Shannon comes even closer to me, and I hold her shoulders to keep her from falling.
"Wow! The lights of King's Landing are shining so brightly it's like a carpet of light.
"It's true. Shannon, the sky is amazing too.
Below us was the night view of King's Landing, and the sky was full of stars.
I can almost reach the moon.
"Really. Thank you, Mr. Gargoyle. I never thought I'd be able to enjoy this kind of sky-walking.
"No, no, I'm glad to be of service. I'm afraid I can't be of much help to you in battle.
"Gargoyle, you don't have to worry about being useless in battle, just as you are not suited for fighting. Being able to fly like this is a great skill. Besides, there is a possibility that Mr. Gargoyle will become even stronger once the seal is broken.
The gargoyle seemed to be concerned about his inability to fight in battle.
"Thank you very much. I'm afraid that if I break the seal, I won't be myself ......, but when the wyverns grow up, we can all take a walk in the sky together. I'm looking forward to it."
"Yes. I hope Lucky will have a friend big enough to fly too."
"Well, I know just the monster for that. He's a good friend of mine, and I think he can carry Lucky on his back.
"What kind of demon is he?"
"His name is Mr. Griffon and he is big enough to carry Lucky on his back.
"I see. Then I'll go see the gryphon after I finish my request in King's Landing.
"We should definitely go. He is a kind man and I am sure he will join us. I used to take night walks with him too.
Mr. Gargoyle said nostalgically.
"It's getting a little cold, we should go back."
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you, Mr. Gargoyle. It was a lot of fun.
Mr. Gargoyle got down on the ground and went back into the box garden.
Today's meal was claypot meat with lots of cabbages.
The cuts of meat and vegetables were large and filling.
The demon meat was full of fatty flavor and its rich sweet and spicy taste was very appetizing.
The sweet carrots and watery cabbages were also a perfect match with the sweet and spicy sauce.
This was a meal that was sure to go down a treat.
Everyone looked happy as they ate their rice.
The wyverns were eating a lot of meat even though they were just born.
I wonder if they're okay without milk or something.
Patra is taking care of them, so they'll probably be fine.
The orange-antes are eating side by side in a row.
They do not speak except for Patra, but they seem to be enjoying each other's company as they are talking to each other with their body language and hand gestures.
After the meal, everyone is either working or resting.
I finally decided to take a bath in the hot spring I had been looking forward to.
The hot spring was murky white and was built on a slightly elevated hill so that I could overlook the whole Hakoniwa.
The only person who can see me is Shannon, but she can't see me even if I look up from below.
Besides, I would not have to worry about any happenings that I might accidentally see them.
After washing my body, I soak myself slowly in the hot water.
The hot water seems to have some effect on me, making me feel warm and comfortable.
My skin feels smooth and silky, even though I've only been in the water for a little while.
While I am enjoying the hot spring alone, Lucky comes in.
----What's unusual. Are you alone in the hot spring? ----
"Yeah, I thought it would be nice to relax once in a while. Don't you like taking a bath, Lucky?"
----No, I don't like getting wet, but I like hot springs. I've been practicing getting used to the water.
"Well, come on, let's take a bath together. It feels good."
--Oh, I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to it.
I'll try to get some of the dirt off before Lucky gets in.
I'll give him a good scrubbing before Lucky comes in. We'll give him a good scrubbing.
Then we put towels on our heads and get in the hot water.
--puhhhh. This place is a demon's paradise. Rock ...... thanks for taking me out.
Lucky says this to me again, sounding like an old man.
I'm the one who's getting help.
No, I'm the one who should be thanking you for coming with me. Thanks to Lucky, I have this box garden and I have more friends. If it weren't for Lucky, I might have died on that level, and I wouldn't have been able to look back at my childhood friend."
----Coincidence or ...... inevitability or ....... I'm sure Locke would have made it work even if he hadn't met me. But I'm glad I met him.
"Me too. I'm happy to have met Lucky."
I don't know what the ceiling of the box garden looks like, but there are stars painted on it, just like outside, and a faint light shines on us.
We naturally looked up at the sky and bumped our fists against Lucky's paws.
I should do my best to make such a happy day last forever.
The somber atmosphere changed when Shannon brought Patra and the others to the party.
Everyone was making a lot of noise, Shannon came in wearing a bathing suit, and the water was half gone when Mr. Gargoyle came in.