When I entered the village, the chief of the Hummingbird Harpies came to greet me directly.
The chieftain’s wife continued speaking with a solemn expression.
“For a long time, a state of equilibrium has existed between us and the Dark Elves. You could say it was a hair-trigger situation. Now, that balance is starting to crumble. You might wonder why we don’t fight, but I wish for as few people as possible to get hurt.”
“That’s true. If she commanded them, her escorts would surely fight to the death. But as chieftain, she wants to protect everyone. That’s precisely why she summoned me. She must know our capabilities from hearing about our past exploits.”
“We thought of you because you fought Behemoth and were recognized by the one who speaks with trees. I know it’s selfish, but would you please lend me your strength?”
Saying this, she bowed deeply. I was surprised by this… had anyone ever solicited cooperation from me in this manner before?
“P-please lift your head. We came here with that intention from the start.”
“To involve outsiders in order to protect my companions… I am truly lacking.”
This was unexpected. I never imagined she would ask so humbly. Of course, my answer was yes. Or rather, hadn’t I come here to pass through the gate of the dead? Yes, as one of the ways to reach the path to Heaven, I had come to meet the Hummingbird Harpies.
“Um…”
“Alright, if that’s settled, you gather your companions. There are others, right? We’ll strengthen our defenses too.”
Just as I was about to ask about the path to Heaven, my husband interrupted me. Well, I’ll ask him slowly after this is over.
“Understood. However, in return, please allow us to stay near this village.”
“Oh, sure. If you’re here, go sightseeing. But don’t go stomping on things!”
He then left, inviting his wife. The chieftain bowed one last time and followed after him with the spirits.
Right, so I just need to bring everyone here? I thought I was the one who should be begging for help, so this was rather anticlimactic. I lifted the reed blind hanging at the entrance and stepped outside. Suddenly, I stepped on something soft. I nearly slipped and frantically regained my balance.
“Ah, so close. Just a little more and I would have had it.”
Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw a boy, who seemed to be a child of the village, standing there. A fruit peel lay at his feet. Was this his doing? What kind of thing is he doing?
“That was dangerous!”
“Hehehe, I wanted to see the giant fall over with a splat.”
This mischievous brat. He set a trap for me, waiting for me to come out. Right, if I’m going to do anything, I should get some information out of him.
“Hey, I have something I want to ask you. Do you know a child named Ryoku who lives in the forest?”
“Huh? There are quite a few people who live in the forest. Besides, I live in the forest too. Kekeke.”
“Not like that, a child who can’t hear. The spirits are the forest itself.”
The boy looked at a cat spirit and then back at me.
“Hmm, are you talking about the one who speaks with trees?”
That’s what the chieftain mentioned earlier. So, is that hippo-like animal Behemoth? Another strange name.
“It seems like he only talks to trees. His family has given up, and he went somewhere. Ah, but he apparently comes back sometimes.”
“Hey, do you know where his family lives?”
Then, the boy grinned mischievously.
“Ehhhh, what should I dooo? I guess I could tell you, but~”
“We’re going to report this to the chieftain with this evidence.”
“Ugh, fine, fine. Okay, this way.”
He started walking with the cat. The atmosphere of the village was so peaceful, you wouldn’t feel any sense of impending invasion from the Dark Elves. The chieftain and the escorts must be holding them back at the brink.
“Hey, why do you want to meet Ryoku’s family? I saw them once before, but they were always facing the trees and acting strange.”
“It doesn’t matter. By the way, you’re just hanging around in broad daylight, are you bored?”
“What did you say?! Do I look bored to you?”
I nodded, indicating that he did. He reacted dramatically, as if he couldn’t believe it.
“I’m really busy! If I go to my mom’s house, I have to help with baking bread, and if I go to my dad’s house, I have to take care of the animals. That’s why I’m running away.”
“You should help your parents with their work. Hmm? If you put it that way, do they perhaps live in separate homes?”
I might have asked something I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry, I didn’t know things were like that.
“That’s right. Sometimes, on days off, my mom visits my dad’s house. It’s usually impossible because we’re busy. She tells me to bring bread to my dad, but if I do that, I won’t get any work done.”
Hmm? What does he mean? They are separated, but they seem to get along reasonably well?
“Um, are they married?”
“Of course, otherwise I wouldn’t exist.”
“And yet they live in different houses?”
“Well, they each have their own families and jobs, you know~.”
He says it as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, but is this normal? This is a race whose values I can’t quite grasp.
