Lord of Rot

An eagle the size of a lion, or a lion that could fly—no matter what you called it, this was the worst-case scenario for Porcupine Territory.

"If it really is a Griffin, is there a way to tame it? Or kill it?" Leech asked.

"Of course not. Impossible," the Taven Scholar said, shaking his head. "A simple eagle or lion might be tamed, but their combination fills the Griffin with a feral nature. Legends say they represent an unyielding pride. As for killing one, I suspect you’d need to be riding a Giant Dragon. Otherwise, it will just soar into the clouds, then dive down and take a bite out of you when you least expect it."

*Untamable? That’s different from the stories back on Earth. Where did Griffin Knights come from, then? Or is there a method to subdue them that the people of this world simply don’t know?*

The Taven Scholar handed Leech a book about Griffins.

Leech thanked him and opened the book.

It contained detailed information about Griffins, and of course, every account stated that the beast could not be tamed.

Like Giant Dragons, Griffins were considered embodiments of wealth.

Griffins fed on horses, and would occasionally eat cattle and pigs. If they caught a human, they weren’t picky eaters.

But another record was particularly interesting. A scholar on the Southern Continent had discovered a strange creature. Its front half resembled a Griffin, with the head and talons of an eagle, but its hindquarters were those of a horse, complete with a mane, tail, and hooves.

This creature was called a Horse-headed Eagle. After extensive tracking and research, the scholar discovered it was the offspring of a Griffin and a mare.

The possibility of a Griffin crossbreeding with its own prey was minuscule, but accidents and rarities do happen. The existence of the Horse-headed Eagle was incredibly precious. According to the records, they were much easier to tame and exceptionally intelligent. On the ground, their speed could match any fine steed, and in the sky, they could cover a thousand li in a single day.

*"A winged beast with the head of an eagle and the body of a horse?"* Leech pictured a much clearer image in his mind.

The book recorded no method for driving away a Griffin. In short, the best approach was not to provoke it and to stay far, far away.

"How am I supposed to turn a blind eye to a Griffin that might treat my domain as its personal buffet?"

The Taven Scholar finished with his task, turned to Leech, and said, "Your thirst for knowledge is admirable."

To be so serious about a creature that was practically non-existent showed the kind of inquisitive nature only a true scholar possessed. His impression of the Baron was improving by the minute.

"The more I learn, the more I realize how insignificant I am," Leech said. "Take the Griffin, for instance. In the face of such a powerful creature, a human armed with only a pitchfork would seem so frail... By the way, Taven Scholar, have you ever seen a Giant Dragon?"

"They are practically extinct," the Taven Scholar replied, shaking his head. "With the receding of the Magic Tide, many fantastical creatures in this world have gradually vanished, like the Griffin and the Giant Dragon. However, speaking of Griffins, I recall reading in one book that they despise the smell of burning pasture. It might be that it creates the illusion of a prairie fire, or perhaps because burning pastures would drive away the herds of horses, depriving the Griffin of its prey."

*"The receding Magic Tide caused fantastical creatures like Griffins and Giant Dragons to disappear?"* Leech’s attention sharpened instantly. The Knight with Extraordinary power, the vanished yet reappearing Griffin... Although he couldn’t be certain the flying beast in the forests of Pig Spine Valley was a Griffin, anything that could fly through the sky while carrying a wild boar was either a Griffin or a Giant Dragon. It had to be a carnivorous behemoth.

"Will the Magic Tide return?" Leech asked.

"It’s certainly possible," the Taven Scholar nodded. "In fact, a while ago, right around the time my apprentice headed for Porcupine Territory, I observed a Red Moon. That could be a harbinger of the Magic Tide’s resurgence. However, it will likely be several hundred years, perhaps even longer, before the tide truly sweeps back in."

*Several hundred years?* He thought of the Extraordinary Knight shimmering with golden light. *It’s already here.*

When leaving the scholar’s tower, Leech bought a few more books.

Upon returning to Iron Stone Castle, he happened to run into Sidor Sea Water. The illegitimate son of the Leopold family was remarkably friendly, but Leech’s attention was fixed on the Knight standing behind him.

"Wild Horse Chaotic Stone," Sidor introduced him. "He’s the Knight my father assigned to protect me. As an illegitimate son helping the family resolve minor troubles, one ought to have a bodyguard, right?"

Judging from his surname, he was from Giant’s Foot, and also an illegitimate son.

"Duke Leopold treats you quite well," Leech remarked.

*An Extraordinary Knight who defeated the Knight of Iron Ox Hoof in a single blow was being used as a bodyguard for an illegitimate son. The Duke he had sworn to protect was certainly a wealthy man.*

"Actually, before all this, Wild Horse was just a bit stronger than most," Sidor said, not minding sharing a little secret with Leech. "But one day, he said he felt a power roaming inside his body. He seized the opportunity and grasped that power."

Leech looked at the Extraordinary Knight, who gave a slight nod.

*It seemed they didn’t mind sharing a small secret, but only that much. The rest—the more important part—was a secret to be closely guarded.*

*An illegitimate son’s presence in Iron Stone City had to be for a special reason, and it certainly wasn’t for ’Charming.’ No lord would be willing to marry his pampered daughter to a bastard.*

But Leech had no intention of digging into the other’s secrets.

After chatting for a while, Sidor invited him to the gladiator arena the next day, a favorite haunt of nobles and merchants.

***

Inside Iron Stone Castle, in a secret chamber.

After a shudder, the man contentedly got up.

The young woman lying on the goose-down bed stretched lazily. Another woman, curled up like a kitten, rested in the crook of her arm. The young woman spoke, "What did you take just now?"

"A strange potion," the man said, pulling the young woman into his arms and kissing her cheek. "A potion that makes a man even stronger. It caused quite a stir last night, and I managed to grab one this morning. They say there are a lot more of them. It’s sure to become the most sought-after item in Iron Stone City, enough to drive all men wild."

The young woman was none other than Baron Simon’s daughter, ’Charming’ Becky. She furrowed her brows in thought.

"What is it, my princess?"

"Go find out who this thing belongs to," Becky said.

"I knew you’d be interested," the man said. "I’ve already looked into it. The people delivering the pills aren’t even trying to hide. They come out of Iron Stone Castle, deliver the pills, and then go right back in. They belong to that Baron Porcupine."

Becky pushed the woman from her arms and stood up.

The man was a little unhappy. "You’re not thinking of going to see that country baron, are you? He rejected your kind offer yesterday. I’m the one who’s willing to give up everything for you!"

"And that is why you have the privilege of being in my bed, instead of waking up in some filthy brothel." Becky held out her arms. The woman on the bed, without even a moment to dress herself, scrambled up to help Becky into her gown.

"You could run away with me, just like we talked about," the man said urgently. "I know your father wants you to marry a lord with his own fiefdom. He’s rich, but he doesn’t care about you at all! He even plans to marry you off to some awful old man in his fifties or sixties. Come with me! We can leave the Eastern Gorge, ride wild horses in Endor, or search for the ends of the earth across the great sea. We..."

"Are you kidding me, Kolan?" Becky retorted, her eyes filled with scorn, as if to say, *You fool, you actually believed all that pillow talk?*

Becky pushed open the door and left, leaving behind the man with his fists clenched.

But after a moment, the woman who had followed Becky out pushed the door back open and said, "Lord Fosak, the young lady has a task for you."

The man’s fists immediately unclenched. "I’m coming at once!" he said with a grin.

"I knew it. Becky does love me after all."