That ultrasonic-like attack is probably a type of breath, isn't it?
Wyverns rarely use breath attacks, but it's not entirely unheard of.
Even as a subspecies of dragons, they are capable of using flight-assisting magic, and intelligent individuals may learn to use breath attacks by imitating other dragons. There have been a few sightings in the past. However, no one expected to encounter such a rare case here.
Some might say that it should have been anticipated, given that the individual was abnormally intelligent. However, there had been no reports from other hunters, and if there had been, the Guild Master would have certainly informed them. So, it would be unfair to blame the "Red Oath" for not considering the possibility that a wyvern could have the wisdom to think, "Keep the strongest technique hidden until the end." After all, few hunters would have deduced that much...
"What... what is this 'something technique'...?"
"It's the Stomach Flute technique. Just think of it as a type of breath attack."
As Reina answered, Mile was deep in thought.
(Trouble... I didn't expect the wyvern to use a ranged magic attack... And its range is even longer than Reina's and Pauline's... )
Mile had been careful not to let everyone rely too much on her magic. If they relied on her for everything, they wouldn't grow, and the party wouldn't function properly. Besides, she disliked such a relationship. So, this time, she intended to play a supporting role and let Reina, Mavis, and Pauline take the lead in defeating the wyvern.
However, this situation made that difficult.
The enemy's attacks were reaching them, but their attacks, except for Mile's, were not. The wyvern didn't seem to intend to enter their attack range. Moreover, the carefully planned "Thunderbird Operation" had failed, and neither Reina nor Mavis seemed willing to fly again.
If this continued, they would be attacked unilaterally from a distance where their attacks wouldn't reach. On the other hand, if Mile defeated it, it would set a bad precedent for the "Red Oath."
What should they do...?
"...I'll go!"
"Huh...?"
Pauline, who said this to the contemplative Mile, looked a bit pale.
"Is it okay...?"
"Because there's no other way, right? And I'm a member of the 'Red Oath' too!"
Mile nodded in agreement with Pauline's words.
"Please... Fly, Pauline!"
Mile gave Pauline some instructions.
"Aim for its jaw and fly straight. You'll have to leave quickly, so sustained spells won't work. Hit it with an ice spear to cause a concussion and make it fall, or at least damage its throat or palate to prevent it from using that special breath!"
"I understand..."
This time, there was a possibility of being attacked while approaching. Unlike Mavis, Pauline lacked the ability to dodge direct attacks from the wyvern's tail, claws, or teeth. So, Mile cast a protective barrier in her mind as insurance.
(Lattice Force Barrier!)
Then, Mile placed her hands under Pauline's armpits and chanted the mysterious spell.
"Thunderbird 3, launch preparation!"
Whizz!
Whizz whizz whizz!
"Swing by!"
Thud!
The launch was much faster than the previous two times.
"Thunderbird, aim for the jaw!"
(Again...!!)
The wyvern, about to enter its attack course again, was momentarily flustered by the approaching "flying human" but quickly regained its composure. By the third time, it was somewhat accustomed, though still fearful.
Recognizing that this opponent would use magic, the wyvern opened its mouth, inhaled, and launched a preemptive attack.
Squeal...
Bang!
Despite the apparent hit, the wyvern panicked as the enemy continued to approach rapidly without any change.
Its absolute confidence in its killing technique had been nullified without any visible action. Moreover, unlike the previous two, this human didn't shout but flew silently.
...The truly strong do not bark needlessly. Such thoughts crossed its mind.
There was no time for a second attack. All that remained was to use its tail and claws...
As it glared at the enemy, the wyvern noticed something.
The approaching human had closed its eyes and was limp.
...Yes, it had fainted.
Boom!
Encased in a sturdy lattice force barrier, Pauline withstood the wyvern's tail strike and collided with it, maintaining her momentum.
Then, the wyvern and Pauline fell towards the ground.
"Whoa! Updraft! Air cushion! Gravity reduction!!"
It was difficult to land softly with the wyvern on top, as it would crush Pauline. So, Mile frantically cast spells to gently lower both.
Thanks to his efforts, their descent speed rapidly decreased, and they seemed to be on track for a soft landing.
"Boss! A wyvern from the sky!"
"Can't you see that! And who's the boss?!"
It seemed Mile had regained his composure.
However, he didn't try to catch the falling wyvern with his bare hands.
Pauline, being light and caught in a princess carry by Mavis, appeared unharmed despite being unconscious. However, Mile cast a healing spell without incantation to account for the impact of colliding with the wyvern.
The wyvern, despite Mile's magic, was somewhat damaged from the fall due to its weight and the fragility of its body, which was adapted for flight. While the wyvern was twitching and unable to move, Mile took out something that looked like a spool from his item box and bound its mouth, legs, wings, and tail.
When the wyvern regained consciousness and tried to break free, the thin cord, made of carbon nanotubes, did not break and kept the wyvern bound.
After a while, Pauline regained consciousness and, despite being told she had defeated the wyvern, was confused and wide-eyed.
"Then, let's hand this one over to the lord. Capturing a wyvern alive is rare, and since it's intelligent, it could be tamed or used as an attraction. Of course, it might be publicly executed to impress the citizens, but as long as we get the reward and the bonus for capturing it alive, it doesn't matter who finishes it off. As long as we get the additional reward for the live capture, the rest is irrelevant."
The wyvern, having given up on breaking free or realizing it wouldn't be harmed immediately, looked at Reina with a worried expression, though it didn't understand her words.
Reina's words made the wyvern nod, and as Mile was about to call the villagers to carry it, a man appeared from the shade.
With white hair and a white beard, dressed in a robe and holding a wand, the middle-aged man, typical of a magician, said to the four:
"I don't approve of bullying a poor wyvern with so many people.
How about you let me have it for one gold coin?"
The four had the same thought.
(That's suspicious!!)
And Mile thought:
(Is this a fairy tale?!!)
"Are you crazy? If we take it, we get 30 gold coins for completing the quest and a bonus for the live capture. Why should we give it to you for one gold coin? Are you planning to claim you caught it and get the reward?
Besides, if it's considered a failed quest, we'll be fined and our party's reputation will drop. We can't give it to you!"
Mile came to Reina's aid when the man frowned.
"But, if you can take the proof of the kill, maybe we could let you have it for 10 gold coins. What do you think, Reina?"
"Hmm? Well, if that's the case, it would be worth the live capture bonus, and the quest would be completed, so I guess it's fine..."
It would cost 10 times as much, but that was manageable. The man looked relieved and asked:
"Oh, that's great! So, which part do you need for proof?"