Chapter 101

And so Maki and Chiharu were carried by the birdfolk, and just according to the plan, they were brought to a checkpoint in the mountains that was far away from the road . This way, it wouldn’t matter if someone tried to chase after them . They had no reason to disguise themselves as merchants now . If anything, their purpose was to get to Lowland as soon as possible .

The empty area they had chosen was quite large, and once Zynis and the others who were running below also arrived, it became quite lively . They would all camp here for the night .

They also found it quite amusing that the gazers had followed them all of the way here . And while the birdfolk were wary of them, the gazers remained very quiet . They had been suddenly unleashed from the caves . And they had likely enjoyed being able to fly in the open air at night .

For a moment, a ring had been made around the gazers, and some were in their second form and seemed to have their guard up . But once Maki and Chiharu quietly returned them to magic stones, the birdfolk all breathed a sigh of relief .

“We’ve never seen it up close before . ”

Saikania said with deep interest .

“I thought this in Gromble too, but does it really not affect your body at all?”

Sauro sounded worried .

“I’m fine . But thank you . ”

Chiharu said . And though she was actually tired, she turned to face Sauro with her hands on her hips . Sauro tilted his head as if he didn’t understand .

“You promised that you wouldn’t come inland . ”

“That…”

He finally looked a little guilty when Chiharu said this .

“And you even suggested that the other birdfolk should go to Highland to sight see . ”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

Now he looked smug . She could understand how gazers felt, so Sauro was even easier to read . But that just annoyed her even more .

“Maybe it will be good in the future . But this time, this job was supposed to be a secret . It seems like you hindered Zynis and the others . It could have resulted in Arthur’s country taking the blame . ”

It wouldn’t do if people thought that they were always listening to Sauro’s unreasonable requests . Especially since this time, it affected the chief of the merfolk .

“Why do you care so much about borders? We happen to be in the beastkin territories, but as the lands connect, we often visited the dwarf and elf lands . They have never told us not to come . It was the same in Midland . ”

Chiharu felt that there was no point arguing . And she was all the more impressed with Norfe, who didn’t back down when facing the birdfolk .

“But even Norfe said it . You were stationed at the Midland castle, weren’t you? So it’s no wonder that you’re associated with Arthur . This kind of stuff is going to cause him such a headache!”

Chiharu persisted . There were future matters to consider . She needed to tell him this .

“Then everyone else should change . ”

“What?”

“Up until now, I hadn’t really gone to Highland, because it seemed kind of unpleasant . But maybe that was my mistake . We should always go wherever we want regardless of borders . Well, at least us birdfolk . ”

“Your mistake…”

“I am saying that they thought I was giving Midland preferential treatment . I had no such intention . The chief just wanted to be near the Saintesses, and we had just gone to visit Edwy . The message was just something we took on the way . ”

That was clearly your main job . Chiharu was exasperated but also in danger of being convinced . She felt a wave of fatigue fall over her .

“I don’t care anymore . I just want you to listen properly next time . ”

“I know . ”

Chiharu knew that he didn’t, but she was too tired to go on . She wanted to rest . However, as things had moved so fast, they didn’t have any tents . Thankfully, the weather was nice, and it was summer . So she could sleep on the grass .

However, Chiharu and Maki had worked hard, and there was a reward waiting for them .

“Maki . Chiharu . Come . ”

Zynis said in a gentle voice . He was lying on the ground, and now he turned over onto his back . He was saying that they could sleep on top of him .

“Really?”

“Of course . ”

And so they waddled over to where Zynis was .

“Hey, father . Two is too much . One of them should sleep with me . ”

Said Ortha . Maki and Chiharu looked at each other . I prefer Rasche’s color . Chiharu, since you’re smaller, you go to Ortha . Fine . Then you go with Zynis, Maki . Okay . They agreed .

Then they heard the flutter of wings .

“Maki . Chiharu . ”

It was Sauro . His wings were gently crossed in front of him .

“Why don’t you sleep while wrapped around my wings . These are the best feathers . Baby birds love them . ”

Feathers! Sleeping while wrapped up in beautiful white feathers! Chiharu nearly started to walk towards Sauro, but Maki stopped her .

“But Maki-chan . Feathers…”

“Control yourself, Chiharu . The owner of said feathers is Sauro . ”

That shook her out of it . That’s right, they may be feathers . But they were attached to Sauro! It was ridiculous .

“Maki . You just had to interfere . ”

Maki glanced towards Sauro and chuckled . While she had left the scolding to Chiharu, she was also annoyed at the free birdfolk . And so it was what he deserved .

And so Maki leaned on Zynis’s stomach and Chiharu lay on Ortha’s . And on the grass, they fell into a deep sleep before they had any time to enjoy the feeling of the fur . In any case, they had accomplished the mission that the merfolk had asked them to do . It was the end of a very long day .