"Of course! You're the current hero of Akoup! A tale of taming a rampaging griffin, reforming it, and making it your familiar—what girl wouldn't swoon over such a heroic story?"

Wait, is that how people see it now?
...I’ll never be able to walk around the city of Akoup casually again.

Ivy, don’t you think riding in on the griffin might have been a bit over-the-top, even as part of a dramatic entrance?

“Mii.”

What? You think it was the right move?

You’re always so confident. I really envy that about you. I wish I could borrow even a bit of your self-assurance.

As I was chatting with Ivy, Lady Ekaterina, who had been fawning over the griffin, turned her sparkling, jewel-like eyes toward me.

Ugh… This is awkward. Please stop looking at me like I’m some kind of real hero.

It almost makes me want to shatter her illusions and admit, "I’m honestly not that impressive."

She then noticed Ivy perched on my shoulder, her face lighting up as she pointed energetically.

“Oh! Is that one also your familiar?”

“Technically, yes, on paper… But she’s more like family to me.”

“Hmm, yes, yes. Viewing a familiar not as a pet or servant but as family is the mark of a good tamer.”

She crossed her arms and nodded solemnly.

Being smaller than me, her attempt to look dignified came off more as an endearing stretch. It was so amusing that I couldn’t help but smile.

“What kind of turtle is it?”

“Uh… well…”

How do I even describe Ivy?

Should I just say she’s a magical turtle? Calling her by one of her grandiose names, like Gigant Ivy Turtle or Jennifer-Jennifer-Jennifer, would definitely go over her head.

Seeing me hesitate, Lady Ekaterina misunderstood and tried to comfort me.

“No need to compare it to the griffin. Since it’s part of your family, I’d never belittle it.”

No, that’s not the issue here.

It’s not that Ivy is inferior to the griffin—it’s quite the opposite. In fact, this “turtle” is the one who brought the ruler of the skies to heel.

“Mii.”

“This is Ivy. Believe it or not, she can use magic. She’s also surprisingly tidy.”

“Mii…”

“Magic, you say?”

Ivy seemed quite dissatisfied with my modest introduction.

What was I supposed to say? “She’s a queen who commands the griffin”?

“Mii.”

Ivy’s expression said, “That’s not bad.”

…That was a joke, Ivy.

It seems there’s a significant gap between how we see things.

“Lady Ekaterina, you’ve got a scratch on your leg, don’t you?”

“Hm? Oh… Probably from when I was out catching bugs. I must’ve been nicked by some sharp blade of grass. It must be quite the blade to cut my noble leg, though.”

Catching bugs? And blade?

Between diving onto a griffin and wandering around the garden instead of staying indoors, it was already clear, but… Lady Ekaterina is surprisingly active for a noble.

I always pictured aristocratic young ladies sipping tea and nibbling on sweets indoors, but I guess there are lively ones like her who get scratches from running around.

“Mii.”

Understanding what I wanted, Ivy cast a healing spell on Lady Ekaterina’s scratched leg.

Healing magic brings a warm, slightly ticklish sensation.

Lady Ekaterina let out a suppressed giggle, unable to hold it back as she squirmed.

Once Ivy finished, the movements stopped, and Lady Ekaterina exclaimed:

“Amazing! To think you have a familiar that can even use healing magic! With Bruno and his team, even the Black Legion wouldn’t stand a chance!”(TL/N:I smell a flag.)

The Black Legion?

I frowned at the unfamiliar term, but before I could dwell on it, Lady Ekaterina’s excited voice scattered my thoughts.

“Oh, that reminds me! Father said to hurry up and bring ‘that fool Bruno’ to him. He wants to discuss paying for the damages caused by the griffin.”

Ahaha… I wish I’d known about this unpleasant matter sooner.

So… does this mean I’m responsible for the griffin’s damages?

Of course. I guess that makes sense.

Technically, the griffin is now my familiar, after all.

Even though I didn’t personally do anything, does this mean I’m about to be saddled with debt?

Life… is truly full of turbulent times.