CH 11

In the end, their third day did not consist of any fruitful discussion of future plans, and the two went off to bed exhausted.

Chiharu had always hated noisy alarm clocks, and in Japan, she had always used an alarm clock that sounded like the song of a little bird. She had used this for 10 years. On the other hand, Maki was good with getting up in the morning, and so she had never needed an alarm clock. And so Chiharu had always dreamed of waking up to the real sounds of a bird’s voice.

It had happened when she was in university. She had gone on a trip with her friends. They walked a dark path in the night, the rich natural scenery around them, as they headed towards the place they would be staying at. Chiharu had been excited about the morning. The result was…

“GIGII-GGUGUU-GYAGYAAAA!”

“Kkkkkeen-kkkeeekkkeeen”

“GYOO-GYOOGH!!”

“CCHI-CHI-CHIII!”

“SHUUUT UPPP!!!”

She woke up in a rage. It was probably the sparrows in the city who were the most relaxing to listen to after all. She realized that the chirping of the many birds in the wild had an almost violent volume.

Chiharu told Maki of this story in the morning.

“Yeah, I get it. I totally get it. I mean, I just got it. Small birds can be annoying as it is. And now we have these big ones.”

The two were still sharing the same bed. They lay on their backs and stared at the ceiling. A gentle morning light was leaking from the curtains, but there was a large shadow from behind. The shadow flew, it’s wings beating loudly and several voices could be heard from near the balcony. What happened to security? There were angry voices of what were probably the guards that could be heard from under the balcony.

“It’s them, isn’t it?”

“Probably.”

“Maki-chan, are you still curious about other types of beastfolk?”

“Well, as for that…”

Maki grew a little silent.

“So if this is what the bird people are like, then if there are cat people too, would they also be two meters tall and like to get cozy with humans?”

Chiharu shivered a little. Being surrounded by lots of cats was happiness itself. But not if they were two meters tall.

“Zynis was fine, but what if the other dog people were really interested in humans?”

Chiharu imagined a dozen dog people pouncing onto her. I wonder if ‘wait’ would work on them?

“Le-let’s save the beast lands for the last.”

“We can go once we get more accustomed to this world.”

Knock-knock. The sound echoed from the door.

“It is Sera.”

“Come in.”

It was unusual for her to come without being called. Sera opened the door and came inside. Then she smiled with a troubled expression.

“I am terribly sorry. The chief’s son did return yesterday, but apparently, he has bragged to the others about having spoken to the current Saintesses.”

That bastard! They had barely exchanged a proper word.

“Furthermore, the sister also told the others that the two Saintesses were very cute. This information has spread throughout the birdfolk network and to the whole country. And so many have flown here by night to see you.”

“Weren’t they told to give us some time to adjust?”

“I do not know if the importance of that was understood by them…”

Sera said with some embarrassment. Night Flight!

“In any case, the people here will have this all sorted out. So if you could please just stay here in this room. Your breakfast will be brought to you immediately.”

Sera said and then left the room. Maki opened her mouth.

“Do you think they have this under control?”

“No way. Those bird people don’t listen to what you say!”

“Yeah. Poor Arthur.”

Well, they weren’t really sure how their relationship was in terms of power. It seemed that there was no actual fighting, but it did not seem that Arthur had much authority either.

“What do you think needs to be done?”

“It’s best to let them do what they want. But I just don’t want them to be forceful like they were yesterday.”

Chiharu said.

“Sorry about that, Chiharu.”

Maki said a little dejectedly. Chiharu replied:

“And so I will go myself.”

“To the beast lands?”

“No. At first, they were talking about the miasma and acting all serious, but they clearly just want to see a Saintess and carry her away. Saying no won’t do anything. They will wait for their chance and try to kidnap you. I think it’s considered very funny for them.”

“It did seem that way.”

“And so…”

“Yeah.”

“I will show my face to prove that there really is a Saintess here. And I will let them see me being carried at least once.”

“I see. You are going to appeal that this Saintess is fine with birdfolk, but that you are not ready to travel long distance yet, but will very soon.”

“Yep.”

Today they also wore the one-piece and layered oriental dresses. There were many combinations of color that made dressing very fun. Maki and Chiharu quickly washed up and faced each other.

“Let’s go then.”

“Yes.”

And then they opened the window to the balcony, where all of the noises were coming from.

And finally, everything became silent. Even the soldiers below the balcony fell quiet in surprise.

Chiharu’s eyes scanned the scene before them. There were birds everywhere. What about him? Where is he? There. If only I could punch him!

“Sauro!”

She called him, and he came forward with the loud flapping of wings.

“Ohhh.”

“The Saintess.”

“There are two.”

“That one is tiny.”

“Saintesses.”

“She called the chief’s son by name.”

Hey, who called me tiny!

“Chihaaru! Maki!”

He smoothly descended as the other birds made way for him. They couldn’t deny that he looked very cool doing this.

“Everyone wanted to see you two. I told them that you were not likely to visit us until you were settled. But if you cannot come, that only means that we must visit you. And so I brought them all.”

He was hopelessly optimistic and a man of action.

“But you were told to wait until we had adjusted.”

“And have you adjusted?”

“…”

What was this? It was tiring. I guess they wanted to wait nearby until we were adjusted then.

“Sauro, this is just a guess, but your chief is here isn’t he?”

“How did you know! He is over there.”

Arthur was in the garden since the early morning and talking with someone with large white wings. Oh, there he goes massaging his temples again. Chiharu signed. Her eyes met Maki’s and Maki nodded before shouting.

“Saikania!”

“Maki!”

The sister bird came down with a smile.

“Take us to the chief.” “Take us to the chief.”

“Are you sure? Chihaaru was so scared last time.”

“I’m fine as long as it’s not without warning. Slowly, okay.”

And as all the other birdfolk watched, the bird siblings picked up the two Saintesses and slowly carried them down to the gardens. Ah, my underwear is visi…no, it’s not.

“Maki, Chihaaru. I am sorry to disturb you so early in the morning.”

King Arthur said.

“It’s nothing. But what is happening?”

Chiharu asked.

“So you two are the current Saintesses then.”

Said someone who looked a lot like Sauro. He was probably the chief. Someone who had long wished to meet a Saintess, but had been hated by the previous one. In Japan, they called such people stalkers.

But now he must be too old to fly such long distances. He looked tired.

“Maki, Chihaaru, this is the chief of the birdfolk. Miragaia. Miragaia, these two are the current Saintesses, Maki and Chihaaru.”

“Maki, Chihaaru.”

The chief repeated the names as if they were close to his heart.

“Forgive me for disturbing you in the morning. But we just had to look at your faces.”

That was really all it was with these bird people. That was enough for them to cross the sea.

“Chief Miragaia.”

“Call me Mira.”

“Chief Mira, we have only just yesterday been invited to the beast lands, the elf lands and the dwarf lands for the first time. And it is only our fourth day in this country.”

“Ohh.”

He looked as if he was hearing this information for the first time. Was he really the chief?

“Maki and I love to travel. We would be happy to be carried by the bird people, as long as it is not too sudden.”

“In that case!”

“We will go to the beast lands eventually. But, we want to educate ourselves first. And do some planning before setting off.”

“So an immediate departure…”

“Is not possible. There is so much to get used to, we are just trying to adjust to the differences here.”

Miragaia looked very disappointed at this.

“Mira, you must get it through your thick skull that you lot have done things that deserve severe dislike.”

Arthur said. Chiharu continued.

“Please don’t come so early in the morning and without warning. Also, don’t kidnap us either. Let us meet at normal hours like normal people.”

“Would you meet with us if we came?”

“Of course. As long as it’s not without warning.”

Miragaia’s face lit up then.

“Then would you fly with me a little? Only Sauro and Saikania have had that honor. But I have wanted to do this for so long.”

What a child. Inside. Chiharu looked at Maki. It’s your turn, Maki.

“Alright, Chiharu. Then I’ll go with, hey, wha, ahhh…!”

Feel the horror of being suddenly taken away, Maki-chan! Chiharu’s gleeful laughter echoed throughout the gardens. Spreading a warm feeling in the atmosphere. Except for Maki.

Yes. At least her underwear wasn’t visible.