CH 84

As for what Zynis and the others were doing during that time. First, they headed for Zynis’s workroom which was on the first floor of the castle. Here, the men and women took off their clothes separately and then carried bags on their bare backs.

Dilon had always thought that it was stupid that they had to take their clothes off, but Zynis and Corete didn’t seem to mind at all.

“It’s a matter of having fur or not. Skin is skin.”

“I understand that alright? But, why do you wear clothes when you’re in your first form, father?”

“I don’t have to wear clothes, but I am just doing it for humans. Besides, Leia likes it when I do.”

“Ah, mother. She does like your first form. You better go home soon, or she’ll come for you.”

“She should come then. I’m sure Maki would be happy and so would I.”

As Dilon and Zynis talked,

“Is this really something you have to talk about while you’re not wearing clothes? That’s what you should really be embarrassed about.”

“S-sorry, Corete.”

Dilon looked a little red, and then he relaxed. Within seconds, ash-colored fur began to cover his entire body and his bone structure began to change. And like that, he transformed into a bear, which was his third form. The bag was still on his back.

And then a door opened and two very large ash-colored dogs and two yellow dogs came out of the room that faced the outside.

“Lord Zynis. Good day.”

There were other voices too.

“Oh, their third form. I’m glad that I was able to see it.”

“Ahhh. I want to pet them…”

They heard people say as they headed for the mountains behind the castle.

“This is why I don’t like being in my third form in human towns.”

Dilon grumbled. Corete chuckled with a nod.

“Indeed. The look in their eyes change. I don’t want to think about what would happen if we were caught.”

They would be petted all over, for sure. And so they all rushed to the mountains. They planned to run along the mountain until they reached the mirror lake, and then they would cross the border. Beastkin would be able to make the trip in a single day.

Up in the sky, brown birdfolk could be seen flying. They would cross the border by evening, then they would reach the inland mirror lake.

This mirror lake, much like the one in the dwarf lands, was at the base of very high rocky mountains. There were many holes in the western mountains, and it was said that the water poured out of them. But this was not known for certain. 

Regardless, the lands were used as a health resort for the royal family. As it was in a high place, it was cool during the summer and warm in the winter. And so tourists would visit it during all seasons of the year.

Rivers flowed from the lake itself, and they cut through Midland and eventually connected to the sea.

However, there were rumors that this lake connected to the sea outside of the rivers as well. This was because sea fish could sometime be caught in the lake. And they were very popular in the town.

The group stopped in an open area that was close to the mountain on the east side, and offered them a view of the town from afar. The birdfolk descended as well. Just then, Ortha stood up and changed into her first form.

“Hey, sister. What are you doing!”

“What are you talking about, Dilon?”

Dilon quickly looked away from her lack of clothes with a shiver. Ortha looked exasperated.

“Come on, turn around now.”

“What? No way.”

“Just do it!”

Dilon turned around reluctantly. What he saw was a dog with golden fur who was standing on two legs. While she wasn’t wearing any clothes, he hardly noticed it.

“Really. Why are boys always so lazy when it comes to transforming? Yes, it’s easier to do it all at once, but if you do it by steps, then you can put your clothes on.”

“I-I didn’t know that you could do that…”

Dilon’s ears drooped.

What? Didn’t you know that you could transform just your arms and legs?”

“Of course, I knew that.”

“It’s just the full-body version of that. Father, why didn’t you teach him?”

“Should I?”

“Of course? How can you not think so when you look at Dilon?”

“Hmm.”

Zynis tilted his head. He also stood up and became a dog with soft ash-colored hair that was standing on two legs.

“So you can do it! Then why didn’t you do that in the castle! We wouldn’t have had to separate!”

“Isn’t that normal?”

“You don’t even know?”

“Well, never mind. You try it.”

“Really…”

Dilon didn’t seem to like his father very much. However, there was no harm in trying. And so it was with a little excitement that he imagined himself standing on his two feet. When he stood up and opened his eyes, he saw that he was now in the same shape as his father.

“Hmm. So you can do it.”

“It was so easy… How could I have not done it for 100 years…”

Dilon said weakly. Zynis said,

“Regardless, we have to get changed. I feel like it doesn’t matter if we have fur or not.”

“Of course it matters. Damn it.”

This calmness was likely the reason that Zynis was chosen as a goodwill ambassador.

The human form was the first form. The second form was only a partial transformation. This was used mainly when they fought against monsters. And the third form was a complete beast.

The further you went, the more tiring it became. However, the third form was so enjoyable that it made it all worth it.

They now returned to their first form in order to talk.

“First, Kleo. How did the town look from the sky?”

Zynis asked the birdfolk.

“Well, I don’t know much about this town. And so I can’t say anything for certain. But there were too many soldiers.

“I see. According to Arthur, this is a place where the royals come when it’s too hot. So I don’t think it’s strange if there are a lot of soldiers. What made you decide that?”

“I would understand if they were just guarding the villa. However, there were many boats in the lake, and most of them were filled with soldiers.”

Zynis crossed his arms and nodded.

“I see. Yes, it does seem like something is happening. Very well, we will just check the area today. And tomorrow, we will put on disguises and enter the town. Ortha and Corete will be fine, I’m sure. But how long can you stay in different forms, Dilon?”

“Currently, I return to my first form during the night. And it takes several hours for me to transform again.”

“That’s fine for your age. I would like to go myself, but I can’t. After all, being 2 meters tall will mean I’ll attract too much attention.”

Zynis said with a look of disappointment.

“Alright, we’ll start scouting when the sun goes down. Kleo and Kaela, see as much as you can while there is still light.”

He ordered. The birdfolk rose into the air again and the dog people sat down on the ground. It was clear that they had a problem, but they were also excited.

“It’s too peaceful back in the castle.”

“Father?”

“No, nevermind.”

He felt bad for Arthur, but Zynis couldn’t help but be amused by all of this. And so the corner of his mouth rose slightly.