CH 102

The next day, the birdfolk patrolled the area from up high. But they did not see any pursuers.

Indeed, no one had seen them enter the villa. The birdfolk and dogfolk had insisted that they were just sightseeing. And the merfolk left by themselves.

Even if they had been pursued, on what grounds could they be caught? While Chiharu’s wig had come off, they could just insist that the Saintesses were not there.

“We must return to make a report to Arthur. Though, I wish we could escort you back to Lowland.”

“We’re fine. Besides, this is probably the fastest way.”

Maki said with a laugh to the worried Zynis. According to their plan, Maki and Chiharu were going to be carried to Lowland by the birdfolk.

“We’re not in a hurry this time. And we plan to stay at an inn on the way.”

Maki said as she looked towards Aaron and Edwy. They nodded silently. Then Zynis turned to the birdfolk.

“Are you fine with this, Sauro and Saikania?”

“We’re not. But there’s something that we have to do now. We’ll tell you once we see Maki and Chiharu off.”

Sauro said with a longing look towards Maki and Chiharu. Maki and Chiharu would have also felt better if Sauro and Saikania were with them. They wanted them to accompany them to Lowland, but this could not be helped.

“There will be a worrywart elf waiting when you return to Lowland. There won’t be any problem if you just say that Maki and Chiharu were in the elf lands. I will try to catch up with you as quickly as possible. But you must hurry.”

Sauro said. It was unusual for him to be so serious.

“I understand. Sauro.”

“What?”

“Thank you. Be careful.”

“I know.”

The corner of Sauro’s mouth rose just a little, and then he signaled to the other birdfolk.

And like that, the Saintess’s group flew off into the distance all at once.

“Sauro. What are you planning to do?”

Zynis asked him as they watched the sky in which Maki and Chiharu had disappeared.

“I’m going to ask the chief to send birdfolk to the inlands.”

“What! I thought that the birdfolk didn’t want to go inland. Don’t you say that it’s too formal?”

“Well, I think that it’s more because they just treat us as carriers. If it’s boring, then we have no reason to go.”

“But…”

“Zynis.”

Sauro looked him straight in the eyes.

“While people say that we birdfolk are free, it is especially true with our generation. The chief is often troubled because of us. But I am not like that. If we are free, then we should act like it.”

“I see. Yes, you all seem so relaxed.”

Even when the Saintesses were gone, the remaining birdfolk were loud and seemed to be enjoying themselves. Zynis watched them with a look of exasperation.

“And so I won’t be so strict. I will send out whoever wants to go. Even if there are dozens of them.”

“Are you serious!”

Dilon interrupted.

“I am. There is strength in numbers. To be honest, you are most worried about the area around the inland capital, aren’t you, Zynis?”

“Hmm.”

“They will likely reject an offer to send birdfolk. And so I will send many of us before they can reject us. That would allow us to scout out the area in advance. It will also serve to make an impression on the inland commoners.”

“I didn’t realize you were thinking so far ahead.”

Zynis sounded impressed.

“Half of it was my idea, Zynis.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Sauro nodded at Saikania’s words.

“After all, the inland upward current is so amusing.”

“That’s what you care about!”

“Besides, we have to go to Lowland anyway. The children are waiting.”

“You only care about playing.”

Dilon shook his head with exasperation.

“And what’s wrong with playing? I don’t know about you, Dilon, but Ortha and Corete enter dungeons because they enjoy the fighting.”

It was true that the dungeons weren’t an obligation. The beastlands generally did not need any human Adventurers. It was because they had enough beastkin fighters. Why did they have enough? Because a lot of them enjoyed fighting.

“It’s true that we enjoy fighting. But if you say that you birdfolk get a similar enjoyment out of sightseeing in the human territories, well, I can only object.”

“Wait. You can only object?”

Ortha did not agree with Dilon’s words.

“Even if the birdfolk are free, they are still part of the beastkin territories. Their actions will affect the reputation of all of us. We are used to the birdfolk behaving like this, but it is different inland. It is quite possible that they will lump all of us beastkin together. Why do you think Arthur sent us out in secret?”

Ortha and Saikania glared at each other.

“I will tell not just Mira, but the other beastkin through Mira. Is that enough?”

Sauro said. Ortha and Saikania turned their noses away from each other.

“But still…”

Sauro muttered.

“Out of everyone here, it was just me and my sister who saw the Saintesses at Gromble.”

“What do you mean?”

Zynis asked.

“There were so many monsters that you couldn’t see anything else. And yet they were all turned into magic stones. At the time, I was sick with worry for Maki and Chiharu. But thinking back, it was quite incredible. But that’s not what I was trying to say.”

Sauro turned to Zynis.

“The monsters were obeying Chiharu.”

Zynis looked at him questioningly. They had seen what they did two nights ago. Sauro continued in an annoyed voice.

“I knew that they could understand each others’ will. However, I didn’t know that they would obey orders.”

Sauro recalled when Chiharu had shouted for them to stay in the air. It was nice seeing that side of Chiharu as well. But that wasn’t what he should be thinking about now.

“What would happen if Chiharu ordered the monsters to attack?”

Sauro was imagining all of the monsters gathering around the Saintesses. What if Chiharu could control all of them?

“As if Maki and Chiharu would do such a thing.”

Saikania said as she made a fist and hit Sauro lightly on the shoulder

“You’re not very smart, older brother. So there is no point in thinking about it now.”

“Saikania, that’s no way to talk to your older brother…”

“What? If such a thing were to happen…”

“Were to happen?”

“It would be if Maki and Chiharu were in danger. Then what is it that we should do?”

“Keep them out of danger.”

“Exactly.”

Saikania smiled. What? It was that simple? Sauro felt much better.

“I see. I guess I really am not suited for thinking. Well then, we must rush back to Mira in the beastlands.”

“Hmm. Ultimately, you did help us. As for Mira… No, nevermind. Be careful!”

As Zynis said his farewell, the birdfolk took off into the sky.

“Except for Sauro and Saiknania, the other birdfolk have returned inland.”

“Were they even listening to what was being said?”

Corete and Ortha muttered as they watched. However, Dilon only seemed to be lost in thought.

“What is it, Dilon?”

“Hmm, nothing. I was just thinking about how Sauro and I are practically the same age.”

“Really. Young people are so much trouble.”

Ortha said with a snort.

“Our chief is still in good health. Mother will probably be next. After that is undecided.”

“What? Don’t tell me you’re going to be a candidate?”

“Of course, not. But Sauro’s so free in spite of being next in line.”

“So?”

“So I think that I should be more free too.”

Dilon said as he looked up at the sky.

“You’re so arrogant.”

But he ignored his sister. Zynis chuckled. His son was not very flexible about such things.

“You are the one who binds yourself. It’s up to you to be free or not.”

Dilon looked to his father.

“Yes. The person who is the most free amongst us dogfolk. That’s you, father.”

“You should live as you see fit.”

They stood side by side and looked at the sky.

“For now, let’s return to Arthur. Damn it. Cleo and Kaela seemed to have gone off somewhere.”

It was fine to dream, but reality was here now. They nodded at Ortha’s words, and the four of them changed forms and then hurried off towards Midland.

With the information that there were several dungeons inland.