They joined Aello and the others in a dance circle.
The next morning, everyone was living their lives as usual, seemingly unbothered by what had happened. It seemed like they held such gatherings every night.
“Good morning, Hiroaki. Yesterday was fun, wasn’t it?”
“Huh? Oh, yes…”
Don’t remind me. If I’m still giddy in the morning, they’ll think I’m weird.
“Um, aren’t there people who don’t want to do things like that?”
“There are, but those who don’t want to participate, don’t.”
That’s right, they’re straightforward. And they probably don’t get criticized for it either.
“Now, let’s get to work.”
I was led by Tisdil to head towards the morning’s work. I’ve been indebted to them, so I should at least be of some use.
The room I arrived at was entirely a flowerbed with plants growing in it. They were cultivated like a greenhouse by sunlight pouring down from the ceiling. The room, with its vertical cylindrical structure, had flowerbeds built all the way up to near the ceiling. But how would they reach such high places? I figured it out. They fly.
“Were you surprised? Please water them from above. Here’s a ladder.”
Ah, a ladder. I took a watering can and climbed the ladder leading up. The flowerbeds had holes so that the excess water would flow down.
After that, I helped them by pulling weeds and harvesting what was ready.
“As expected, you’re fast at work when you have hands.”
“Well, that’s about my only strength.”
I see, they only have one finger. No, looking closely, they don’t have any fingers at all.
“Huh? Where are your fingers? You don’t have any.”
“Yes, we don’t. What does it feel like to have fingers? Is it the same as feet? Having feet attached to your hands sounds creepy.”
Is that how they perceive things when they’ve only had wings since birth?
“Oh, your legs look strange. All your toes are short. And no fur at all. Are you perhaps very cold?”
“I think my toes are short because I live on the ground. Yes, that’s why I wear clothes.”
She put her wing to her mouth with a sigh.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t think about it at all. It’s normal for us, but it’s different for you. Oh my, how could I! I was awful to you. You were enduring the cold the whole time, and I was joking about you being smooth.”
“No, it’s fine. Besides, it’s not that cold here.”
I made her worry unnecessarily. Just as I don’t understand them, they also don’t understand other races.
“More importantly, I want to rejoin my companions. Do you know where this cave is located on the map?”
“Companions! So there are other humans besides you. That’s good, I thought you were all alone.”
Well, I am the only human, but that’s fine. Then Tisdil led me underground. There, I found a room with many books lined up, like a library.
“Where did the map go? Ah, found it. Look here. This is where we are now.”
“Where I was originally was the Hunter Harpy village.”
What Tisdil pointed to on the map was a forested area. There was no sign of the cave that should have been there.
“Our dwelling is a secret. So please keep it a secret too.”
“Yes, of course.”
I also want to keep this place a secret. I hope they can live safely for a long time. The Hunter Harpy village itself seemed to be located northwest of here. It’s quite a distance.
“You want to go there. I see, in that case, you might be attacked by vampires again.”
Right, this area is their territory. Without my companions, can I make it there alone? Also, my injuries haven’t completely healed yet. If I move carelessly, they might reopen. But I’m impressed that I can move around fine the next day after taking so many hits.
“Then I’ll go with you part of the way.”
“Eh?! Are you sure it’s okay to leave here?”
“It’s not really okay, but you have to return to your companions. If that’s decided, you need to heal your injuries quickly.”
With that, she held her wing over my wound. So it was Recovery Magic. No wonder my wounds healed so fast.
Then she began preparing for the journey. I felt bad that she was going this far for me, but I was too helpless on my own. Besides, I’d get lost in the forest with just the map. Tisdil’s companions didn’t object, only telling her to be careful.
“Are you leaving already?”
“You can stay longer, you know?”
To think they would say that, they are incredibly kind people. They are helping and seeing off someone they don’t even know where they came from. Is it okay for them to have such little caution? I hope this kindness isn’t exploited.
Tisdil brought a horse from somewhere. Or rather, it was a creature similar to a horse. It was closer to a deer. It had long legs, a long tail, and no horns.
“Let’s ride this. I borrowed it from a friend.”
She had apparently borrowed one for me as well. We got on the horse-like creature and set off towards the Hunter Harpy village.
