CH 24

Maki and Chiharu were invited into the children’s house, and their eyes wandered around with interest. The ceiling and doors were low, much like old Japanese houses, but not too low for Maki and Chiharu. The plastered walls were bright, and the furniture was relaxing and made of wood. They could see a large oven in the kitchen where the mother stood.

“Many travelers have been coming through here recently, because of the Saintesses. Things have only just calmed down, but they will probably be taking return trips starting tomorrow. So it will be quite lively again.”

The mother said as she served them some cold meats. It was served with thinly sliced bread. The steamed meat looked like chicken, and it was also sliced and served on a plate.

“See, you put the meat on the bread and pour this dressing on top.”

This slightly sour ham sandwich was very delicious.

“So, how old are you two? Human children are so much taller, I just can’t get a grasp on their ages.”

“Oh, I am 14 and my sister is 12.”

“Hmm, so you can drink apple wine then?”

“We can!”

“We can!”

“Oh, my. Well, I just happen to have a special, homemade apple wine. Would you like to try it?”

“Of course!”

“Of course!”

The homemade apple wine was much sweeter than the one at the inn.

“I use apples that are from a relative in a neighboring village, and they are much sweeter. However, the alcohol is also stronger, so you can only have a little.”

“The cider is much better. Here, have some cider.”

The children said as they shared some of their drink. It was a very pleasant lunch.

“Oh, but the air really has improved. I feel like it started ever since the Saintesses came. The miasma seems to have almost vanished. There should be less trouble in the town now.”

“There was trouble?”

“Dwarves are tough people, but you know, half a year without a Saintess will do it. But humans are much weaker, and the effect of miasma is stronger in them. Passing adventurers become troublesome. I heard that there was a lot of fighting in Gromble. In fact, I would have stopped you two from going if things hadn’t changed.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. It is a rare thing to be able to play with the birdfolk. Thank you for that.”

That wasn’t exactly something that they could take credit for, and so they felt a little bad. But still, considering how much the birdfolk had troubled them up until now, they felt that accepting this gratitude was nothing.

“Another house is serving the birdfolk some lunch right now.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.”

They did no more flying that day. Instead, they spent the time checking out the different shops in the village. According to the shop owner, humans especially liked to buy bags that used the levitation stones. And that the bags sold near the capital had large varieties of designs and functions.

“You two were flying, weren’t you? Then you should have one of these pouches, and not a shoulder bag. That way, it won’t move around.”

They were recommended a pouch that had two belts that crossed around your waist.

“See, normally it would be positioned in the back, but you can turn it to the front so it won’t get in the bird person’s way. The birdfolk should use pouches like this too.”

Come to think of it, they had never seen them carrying any bags.

“Orne, Puel, come over here.”

“What?”

“What do you think about this bag?”

“I don’t like having things dangle under me.”

“What about this one?”

The one with two belts was pretty cool looking.

“Hmm.”

“You could move it the front when you are flying.”

“Hey, you. You can try putting it on and flying.”

“Fine.”

Orne put it on with glee.

“You try this one.”

Puel was given a yellow pouch. The two of them flew around and adjusted the pouch to the front and back. Eventually, they came back down with satisfied expressions.

“It’s good that our hands can be free for small luggage.”

“Now I can carry Maki and Chiharu while carrying something else.”

Hey! We’re Norfe and Chouze! Chiharu frantically signaled to them. The birdfolk looked surprised for a moment. Hmph.

“Old man, I’ll take this.”

“Really! This one happens to be an original of mine. I hope that you’ll tell the others about it.”

“Sure.”

Maki and Chiharu could already imagine the bird people flocking to this store.

“How many do you have in stock?”

“After selling two to the bird people, and another two if you buy these, there should be four left.”

“You might want to make some more in a hurry. The bird people are really sensitive to trends. I think.”

“Really? These weren’t selling at all until today.”

“I think they’ll be bragging about these to the others a lot in just one day…”

“I, I see. The bag itself is ordinary, so I just have to mass produce the belts…”

“I’m sure people will be imitating it soon, so you should sell as many as you can.”

“Thank you, young lady.”

And then from the remaining pouches, they asked him to reserve a red one and a green one, and to give them to Sauro and Saikania when they came. After all, they were guaranteed to come.

He also gave them some advice about the merpeople scales, saying that they could be sold at a high price at the capital. Scales that have not been processed were quite rare, and they were in high demand by craftsmen. They would sell for an even higher price in the elf country. And so they would have to visit this capital soon.

At the same time, in Arthur’s country of Midland, there was one person who was preparing to go on a journey as the guests started to leave.

“Aeris, wait!”

“No, I will not.”

“What use will it do, for you to leave? We do not even know where in the dwarven territories Maki and Chiharu are.”

“No, the birdfolk definitely know.”

“But do you really think that Miragaia will tell you?”

“Perhaps…”

The birdfolk and elves were rivals in a way when it concerned the Saintesses.

“And people will recognize you.”

Aeris was about to refute Arthur. But he really was much too famous. Not only had he lived for many years, but while elves were supposed to die with blonde hair, he had lived past 300 and his hair had turned to silver. Still, he had maintained his youthful appearance. And what’s more, he had helped create new things, such as the airship and become well known in just about any country as the White Philosopher.

“I will use a disguise.”

“Aeris. What if we find her first, you will not be able to meet with them if you are off on your own.”

“But I am worried…”

Aeris clenched his fists. Chiharu. Maki too. Perhaps they had endured something else and were now crying. What if they had encountered trouble in an unknown land. He could not just stay here and do nothing.

“Oh, well. I had wanted to keep this quiet for just a little longer.”

“Grudo?”

“I had a feeling that they would do this, and I had assigned guards to protect them, a while ago. I believe they should be with them right now. So I wouldn’t worry. Aeris, I would be much more concerned about you than Maki and Chiharu.”

“Grudo, you knew about this? And you said nothing?”

“I did not lie. All I am saying is that I considered the possibility that they would leave.”

Arthur massaged his temples.

“Aeris, we will have to send soldiers to the dungeons eventually, when the elves and dwarven territories request it. I will send you to go with them then, so please wait a little longer.”

“So the six months of absence really did take its toll.”

“There are apparently more monsters than ever before. They say that Adventurers are not enough to deal with them now.”

It could not be helped. Likely, they were all headed for the same place. Aeris could only pray that they would stay safe until then.