Virgil was still bowing deeply, his sturdy body trembling. Cold sweat trickled down his temples. He was scared to death that his son's action of touching a nobleman's face would be considered a great insult that could lead to the death penalty.
However, Kazien just smiled casually while gently patting the small back of Virgo, who was now in his arms.
"No need to worry, Virgil. Raise your head. I wanted it myself." said Kazien with a soothing tone.
Virgil lifted his face slowly, an expression of relief mixed with disbelief radiating clearly on his scarred face.
"Thank you... thank you for your generosity, Young Master." Virgil stammered.
Kazien nodded, then his gaze shifted back to stare into Virgo's sparkling eyes.
"Virgil?" called Kazien again. "May I borrow Virgo for a moment?"
Virgil was stunned. "B-Borrow? Please, Young Master. Of course, you may. But... forgive me if I'm presumptuous, where do you want to take my son?"
Kazien smirked slightly, then one of his hands pointed to the ceiling of the living room.
"Flying in the sky!" he answered briefly.
That answer made Virgil and Zeto frown in confusion. Flying? How? Humans don't have wings.
Although overcome with confusion, Virgil did not dare to object. "I... I allow it, Young Master."
"Thank you."
Kazien walked out of the dimension carriage area while carrying Virgo, heading to the wider yard. Zeto and the other assassins hurried to follow their master's steps out of curiosity.
Leonard, the handsome guild employee, spontaneously walked out behind them.
Upon arriving at a fairly open spot, Kazien put Virgo down for a moment, then raised one hand high into the air.
Swosh! Whoosh!
Kazien shot the fire magic straight towards the sky.
BOOM!
The explosion was quite loud, creating golden magical fireworks in the sky as a summoning signal. The assassins immediately went on alert, their hands groping for their weapon hilts due to trained combat reflexes facing threats.
However, not long after, a loud screech was heard from behind the clouds that made their guts shrink.
GWAAAKKKK!!!!!!
A strong wind suddenly blew, flying dust and dry leaves in the yard. Two giant shadows swooped down from the sky at high speed.
"W-What is that?!" exclaimed one panic-stricken assassin, stepping back a few paces.
Two monsters landed gallantly in the yard, creating vibrations on the ground. Their wide wings spread out, blocking the sunlight for a moment.
They're Griffons.
Zeto and all her assassin members were very surprised to see the arrival of two ferocious monsters. Their faces were pale.
However, the real surprise was just beginning.
Both griffons folded their wings and bowed their bodies to pay respect to Kazien.
On the front ankles of both griffons, a silver bracelet encircled, glistening beautifully.
That bracelet was a magic bracelet made from the scales of an S-rank monster he had once defeated, long before he was officially engaged to Alvin.
Thanks to that magic bracelet, a miracle happened.
"Master, long time no see! How are you?" a deep and clear voice came out of Lidaz's beak.
The assassins gaped. "That monster... speaks?!" hissed Zeto in disbelief.
"Lidaz, Roviz! I am very well! How about you two?" greeted Kazien friendly.
"As you can see, Master! We are both fine and getting stronger!" answered Lidaz fluently.
Roviz, the other griffon, also opened her beak. The silver bracelet on her leg shone dimly when she spoke.
"Me too! I ate a lot of fruits today, Master! It tasted good!" exclaimed Roviz with a slightly more feminine voice.
"Why did you suddenly call us here, Master?" asked Lidaz again.
"No reason. I want to take this child flying in the sky!" Kazien pointed at Virgo.
Roviz immediately bowed her body lower, bending her front legs, inviting Kazien to climb onto her back. Meanwhile, Lidaz, with full understanding, lowered his body in front of Virgo.
"Climb up, Human Child. Don't be afraid." said Lidaz.
Kazien seated Virgo on Lidaz's back.
"Virgo, don't forget to hold tight to the reins on Lidaz's back so you don't fall! Don't let go, okay?"
"Yes, Brother!" answered Virgo loudly while holding the steering reins with his tiny hands. His face showed no fear, but pure enthusiasm.
Slowly, Lidaz and Roviz began to flap their wings. The bracelets attached to their legs sparkled when hit by sunlight.
Whoosh!
They shot up flying into the sky, leaving the ground.
Down there, Zeto and all her assassin members stared at the sky with mouths wide open. Now, they fully believed in the strength of the Altavis family.
"Griffons that can speak..." mumbled Zeto, her eyes not leaving the small dot in the sky. "I never expected that those griffons were the Altavis family's special forces."
Zeto noticed the silver bracelet attached to the right leg of both griffons. "And that silver bracelet, is that a tool?"
Meanwhile, in the sky of Lazavis city, Virgo screamed with joy. He was very happy while riding Lidaz flying around the area surrounding the city.
"Brother! Look!" shouted Virgo to Kazien who was flying next to him. "This is so fun! Everything looks small from here!"
"Hahaha. I'm glad you can enjoy it!" replied Kazien.
Virgo patted Lidaz's neck. "Is your name Lidaz?"
"That's right! My name is Lidaz!" answered the Griffon kindly.
"Thank you for allowing me to fly like this! Your voice is also really cool!"
"No problem! I am very happy if you feel happy. Rarely does a small human dare to praise my voice."
Seeing that happy moment, Kazien moved his fingers. He used visual magic to make a commemorative photo of when Virgo laughed widely on Lidaz's back with the blue sky background.
I will give this photo to him after we land later. Hopefully, he likes the gift from me.
After being satisfied circling in the sky, Lidaz and Roviz landed back in the yard smoothly. Virgo got down from Lidaz's back, then hugged the griffon's neck with a happy feeling.
"When I grow up, I want to be in the air force too! I want to ride griffons like you guys!"
"If you want to be our rider squad, you can ask Master Davin who is the commander." answered Lidaz.
"Master Davin?"
"He is my older brother! His name is Davin Altavis. He is the leader of the Griffon squad." Kazien chimed in explaining.
"I want to! Someday, please allow me to be part of the air force, Brother Kazien!"
"Hahaha. Of course. Wait until you are 15 years old. But don't forget to keep practicing so you become a dashing, strong, and great man!"
"Yes, I promise I will practice hard and won't disappoint you!"
Then, Kazien gave a photo frame he had made to Virgo. The boy's eyes widened perfectly when he saw the object given to him, then he smiled happily while looking at the photo of himself riding Lidaz.
Virgo rushed to run to show the photo to his father.
"Father! Father! Look! I am inside this painting! This is me!"
Virgil, Zeto, and the others crowded around the boy. They were very amazed to see the result of visual magic that was so real.
"This... is amazing..." mumbled Virgil emotionally.
Virgo looked back at Kazien. "Brother Kazien, I will keep this painting as a beautiful memory from you. Thank you very much!"
"I feel satisfied seeing your happy smile, Virgo. Keep being enthusiastic and reach for your dreams!"
"I promise you! I will definitely prove it!"
Kazien nodded while smiling at him. He then straightened his body, returning to serious mode, and looked at Leonard who stood calmly beside the carriage, as if the Griffon sight earlier was a common thing for him.
"Leonard, have you all signed all the ownership documents?"
Leonard nodded respectfully while showing the folder in his hand. "Done, Young Master! Everything is complete. Thank you very much for your trust."
The assassins behind Zeto simultaneously bowed. "Thank you very much for the houses, Young Master!"
"That is my duty because I brought you here! I hope you like the houses."
Suddenly, Zeto remembered something. She took out a heavy money bag from inside her magic bag. It was the payment money from Marina and her father for the assassination mission.
"Young Master, here is the payment money for that woman's transaction!" said Zeto seriously, handing over the bag. "I feel uneasy still holding this money. This is blood money for your life."
Kazien shook his head slowly, refusing to accept it.
"Just keep it!" refused Kazien firmly. "If necessary, just divide it equally with all your members! Use it for capital for your new life. Right now, you are no longer a mercenary organization, but the official assassin squad of the Altavis family!"
Hearing that, Zeto and all her members were silent with emotion. They accepted the decision with sincere feelings, then simultaneously saluted Kazien.
Leonard, who had been silently observing the interaction, smiled faintly. His sharp eyes traced the body gestures of Zeto and the people around her.
So that's how it is... thought Leonard.
I had suspected from the beginning, but seeing Zeto hand over "blood money" and mention "mercenary organization", my suspicion is confirmed 100%.
I never expected that they were real assassins. thought Leonard, remaining calm. They don't look like ordinary refugees. That beautiful woman named Zeto is clearly a professional killer.
Leonard looked at Kazien's back with a new gaze of admiration.
Truly a terrifying secret combat power. Young Master Kazien truly has the charisma of a true leader. He has a Griffon squad. And now he recruited these deadly assassins to swear allegiance to the Altavis family.
Leonard tidied his clothes, feeling proud to be a business partner of someone as great as Kazien.
I admire and respect him very much!