Chapter 27 - 27: Growth (1/2)
The next morning.
Raphtalia had been studying until late last night, so I woke up and discreetly slip out of the room in order to see Filo.
It would be particularly troublesome if she were to die from hunger.
I gathered the medicinal herbs since I hadn't finished compounding them yesterday.
”Kweek!”
I heard a hoarse voice coming from the stables.
Looking at her figure, the feet got long and the neck got longer, remolding herself as if she were a manjū. I say she looked very much like an ostrich.
It's an amazing change. Her growth was entirely different from the birds I knew.
Her height is around my ċhėst level, so it is still impossible for a person to ride her.
Gū...
It seemed that she was hungry. That's why I bought some animal feed from the farm and brought it here.
The consumption of gold was quite severe but it is still cheaper than having to buy equipment.
Seeing how rapid she is growing in just a day... I have a terrible feeling about this.
”You. Only a day had passed since you were born.”
”Kweeek!”
'Surisuri' Filo clung to me and I smiled softly and naturally.
This doesn't particularly mean my love towards animals has awoken.
I'm just excited about what she will do when she grows up.
Earning her keep as a substitute for a carriage... my ċhėst swelled with anticipation.
Wait, I can see a tinge of white and cherry blossom colors when I look carefully at the feathers.
I let the shield absorb the feather as a way of grooming.
The requirement for Demon Tamer Shield III has been met.
Demon Tamer Shield III
Equipment Bonus: Growth Revision (Intermediate) <Unmastered>
Nothing... So it didn't have to be blood. Then it might also be good to cut Raphtalia's hair and absorb it again.
She plays and runs energetically, even though Filo is still a newborn.
”Kwek!”
Although she wasn't a dog, I played with Filo by throwing a tree branch a distance away, where she then picked it up and returned it to me.
Her legs seem fast, swiftly catching the branch before it even falls on the ground and quickly returning.
She is quite intelligent.
Kukuku... it looks like my luck has finally turned around.
I was playing with Filo until Raphtalia woke up.
It's a rejuvenating type of therapy. These pets.
”Mu.. I never seen Naofumi-sama showing such a refreshing smile until now.”
Raphtalia came over to me while softly murmuring her displeasure.
If anything, it is an impish smile.
”What's wrong?”
”It's nothing.”
”Kwek?”
Chon, Chon. Filo's beak peck lightly at Raphtalia.
It seemed she wanted to engage in some skinship.
”Ha~a... Guess it can't be helped.”
Raphtalia smiled while ċȧrėssing Filo's face with both hands.
”Kwee~ek...”
Filo snuggled up to Raphtalia, squinting her eyes from the pleasant feeling of being ċȧrėssed.
”Now then, where should we explore today?”
”That's right. How about going to the southward grassland in order to save food expenses for Filo?”
”Fumu... I guess so.”
The medicinal herbs as well as weeds have grown in abundance within that vicinity. I also think that it's a good place to go.
For now, the purpose is to save money for better equipment.
”Yoshi, Let's go then.”
”Kwek!”
”Yes!”
Well, we blithely went to the grassland while fighting monsters and leveled up slightly.
Me: Lv 25
Raphtalia: Lv 28
Filo: Lv 15
Picking medicinal herbs among other things, we focused on Filo's food and several other harvests.
We defeated various monsters, releasing shield requirements at best status bonus around +1 or 2.
... The shield's Intermediate Compounding Recipe has still not been found.
Evening of that day.
Filo has grown into a splendid Filorial.