The group found themselves surrounded by beautiful beast people in the Garden of Paradise.
“Oh no, we’re going to be taken home like this!” Suddenly, that old man returned.
“Ah, I told you so!”
“Sorry, they said it was okay to come in.”
“Now, scatter! These guys are not like that.”
He pushed away the Treasure Beastmen who were swarming him like shooing away pigeons. Then, one of them clung to the old man.
“Then, old man, you entertain me. Okay?”
“Later. For now, I have to deal with these guys.”
The old man skillfully freed himself and lightly kissed his cheek. It somehow made me a little annoyed.
“Huh? What’s with that face? Hurry up.”
He somehow managed to pull the dazed group along deeper into the room. Passing through another door, the quiet hallway continued.
“Haa, what kind of people are they here?”
“I know, right? Are they perverts? This is unbelievable.”
Philiana and Nina let out a big sigh. Then, Nina glared at me.
“Did you know about this? You just said you looked cool!”
“I did mention that your gender was ambiguous, though.”
She was angry, growling like a threat. Well, I only explained it vaguely. I mean, I couldn’t possibly say, “I was about to become a woman and was almost eaten!”
“They’re interested in you outsiders. I’ll tell you just in case, but we’re different from you in terms of our bodies.”
The old man started talking as he walked down the hallway. Looking at his back like this, he really just looked like a middle-aged man.
“Yes, I heard you possess both yin and yang.”
“That’s right. By the way, I’m completely yang, meaning I’m male. But some of you can bear children even though you appear male. And vice versa.”
So, the man who came onto me earlier was actually a woman? Ugh, my head started to hurt.
“Also, there are several types of Treasure Beastmen. I’m a cat type, but there are also fish-like ones and those with bird feathers. By the way, the small ones are of that type. They’re not children, so be careful.”
There were so many types? I was too nervous to notice any of them.
We proceeded down the hallway and climbed the stairs with a red carpet. It was a truly beautiful building. I felt like I had become a medieval king.
Then, the old man stopped in front of a door ahead. He knocked lightly.
“Ahem. I’m coming in.”
He opened the door with a voice, and it revealed a place that looked like a conference room with a long table. Standing with their backs straight, a man and a woman were waiting for us. The man had large wings on his back, and the drooping tail feathers looked like a dress. The woman wore a long cloak that resembled butterfly wings. No, on closer inspection, it wasn’t a cloak. They were growing from her back.
“I’ve brought them.”
As the old man bowed his head, the two elegantly bowed slowly. The man spoke first.
“Hello, thank you for coming. Welcome. It seems one of our companions was rude to you.”
“N-no, not at all.”
The sunlight streaming from behind was like a halo. It was dazzling, reflecting off the white feathers.
“We never thought someone who knew that poem would reach this far. This is the first time.”
“Yes, it is surprising. It must have been difficult.”
The two had serene, Buddha-like smiles. It was incredibly difficult, but I almost found myself being humble.
“Um, um, I heard that poem from a young Treasure Beastman I met by chance. He didn’t come with us, but if he ever visits, please welcome him.”
I wonder if he’s still selling himself on the street corner in that town. He had a somewhat resigned look on his face. As if his place in the world, his hometown, was just a fantasy. If I ever see him again, I want to tell him. You’re not alone.
“He said he was mixed-blooded. But he looked similar to all of you.”
“Of course. We always welcome them. It’s wonderful to gain new companions.”
“Indeed,” the man nodded. What was this composure? They showed no signs of panic or caution even in front of us, complete outsiders. Did they think we would absolutely not attack? Or are they incredibly strong?
“I believe you’ve heard about the intruders. We’ve come to pursue them. Please allow us passage to the center.”
“About that, it seems the intruder report was a false alarm. There was a slight fluctuation in the shield dome, and they mistook it for an intruder.”
Shield dome? Was it like a magic barrier protecting the center? Could it be that Auroa and the others failed in their attempt to infiltrate?
“We’re currently having it checked. Passage is temporarily prohibited until permission is granted. Could you wait a little while?”
“In the meantime, please relax here. The center is interesting, but this place is lovely too.”
The two smiled brightly and asked the old man to guide us.
