* * *
‘Didn’t the book say that none have appeared for over a hundred years?’
The problem wasn’t whether I could ride this small bird that could play on the palm of my hand.
The reason the male lead, Hugo, received attention from various places was because he was the first Knight of the Divine Beast to appear in a very long time.
Thanks to that, he even managed to save his life.
In other words, according to the original novel, I shouldn’t be the Knight of the Divine Beast.
‘Why did this happen?’
If this bird chose me as its master, then my entering the forest must be the cause of the derailed plot.
At what point did it develop a favorable feeling toward me?
“Didn’t you lure me into a trap in the forest?”
[What are you talking about! Have you forgotten that it was I who led you to the human you were looking for in that hopelessly vast forest?]
“……I also remember being attacked by a monster right after that.”
At that, the bird fully spread its small feet, grabbed a cookie piece, and tossed it into its mouth.
Judging by how its beak moved back and forth, opening and closing, it seemed to be chewing well.
After swallowing it, it opened its mouth.
[Would a human who is to be my master be defeated by a mere monster like that?]
“……”
It seems he did lead me without giving any warning, even though he knew a monster was lurking nearby.
And that he didn’t care because he judged I could easily defeat it even if it launched a surprise attack.
In effect, did that mean he was testing me?
“Anyway, thanks to you, I found Klen. Thank you.”
Chirp!
The creature looked up and chirped loudly.
Feeling pleased, it tossed a large chocolate chip, which it had picked out from the cookie, high up and caught it in its mouth.
Although it had no intention of doing so, it looked like it was performing tricks for me.
‘So cute.’
No matter how I looked at it, it was cute.
Who would ever think this bird was a Divine Beast?
Would people believe me if I just tricked them into thinking it was a slightly intelligent bird?
No, there might be no need to trick them in the first place.
Few people would believe me even if I introduced this bird as the Divine Beast.
I decided to put that problem aside for now and recalled the reason for going to the forest.
“By the way, why did you take Klen away?”
[Hmm… I specially asked the Elder about that and found out.]
Knock-knock—
“……!”
I almost gasped at the sound I heard then.
Of all times.
Linda, who had no idea of my internal turmoil, entered the room and checked the bird’s location.
And she smiled brightly, pleased that the bird was still staying with me.
I couldn’t very well say anything to a smiling face, so I gently picked up the creature and placed it on my finger.
And I subtly wiped the cookie crumbs and cream around its beak.
Linda placed a bowl of mixed grains and seeds in front of me, and next to it, a bowl filled with clear water.
“This should suffice. It is best to change the water as frequently as possible.”
I extended my hand toward the water, and the creature hopped onto the bowl and gripped the edge with its feet.
Then, it lowered its head and began to drink the water eagerly with its small beak.
Having consumed so many sweet cookies and cake, it must have been thirsty.
“Hehe. It’s cute.”
Linda also looked at the scene with a pleased expression.
Her eyes naturally wandered over the table, and they paused sharply at the small plate.
“And let me tell you one more thing… of course, you shouldn’t carelessly give it what Lady Adrian is eating now.”
Her smiling face was quite fierce.
It was similar to the look she gave Klen when he acted obtuse and caused trouble.
It was a good thing there was no cream left on that small beak.
“I wouldn’t have done that. Right?”
As if seeking agreement, I lightly tapped near the bird, which was busily drinking water.
The creature stopped drinking, looked up at me, and then at Linda.
That reaction also seemed like that of an ordinary bird.
[It’s a lie! Don’t believe her.]
“……”
Of course, its tone wasn’t cute at all.
“Oh my. It seems like an intelligent bird.”
But again, those words only sounded like a common bird’s chirp to Linda.
Assuming the bird was agreeing with me, the pleased smile on her face did not fade.
And the bird surely said that knowing she wouldn’t understand.
The creature hopped over to the bowl of bird feed, took a seed in its mouth as if it was eating for the first time, and swallowed it.
Immediately after, it swiftly picked up another item placed next to it.
The high, clear sounds that occasionally rang out seemed like singing.
“……”
“Hehe.”
In other words, this blue and cute Divine Beast was currently playing the role of a common bird.
‘Is it an acting bird this time?’
Could it be that only such people are gathering around me because I’m pretending to be frail?
So, the bird ate its feed one piece at a time, and we quietly watched it without speaking.
Ordinarily, this time should have flowed peacefully, but hadn’t the bird and I been in the middle of discussing something important?
Moreover, it was right before I was about to hear the answer.
Since the other person didn’t understand its words, it could have just continued the conversation.
But this small bird, as if focused entirely on its acting, didn’t utter a single word other than chirping.
When a conversation is interrupted midway, curiosity tends to double.
I impatiently tapped the teacup with my finger, then first took a sip of tea.
And so that Linda wouldn’t think anything strange, I casually dropped a remark.
“Oh, that’s right. Even if I raise it freely, I wish there was a space for this bird to rest comfortably.”
“That’s a good point. It would be best to prepare a place where the bird can rest comfortably without disturbing the two of you.”
Her two eyes, already full of expectation, sparkled and scanned the room.
After looking at one spot for a while, she shook her head, seemingly drawing some mental image, and then turned to another spot.
“I will prepare it immediately.”
Having seemingly made up her mind, her footsteps as she left the room were light, as if she were flying.
[Hoo! My Master is excellent at bewitching people.]
“Please don’t call it bewitching.”
I didn’t know which part of the conversation just now gave off that impression.
I merely guided her to leave the room naturally.
As soon as Linda disappeared from view, the bird tossed the seed it was holding and went back to the cookie.
“What was the reason you dragged Klen away?”
I immediately got to the point so the conversation wouldn’t stray elsewhere.
The creature pecked and ate the cookie a few times, then turned its head toward me.
[He tried to touch something that should not be touched.]
“What? What was it?”
[Hmm…]
The bird paused, showing carefulness for the first time.
The way it tilted its head, seemingly unsure how to express it, was quite adorable.
They say you shouldn’t be fooled by appearances, but in this case, one could be forgiven for being fooled.
[He fearlessly tried to touch a character inscribed with a curse.]
“A curse?”
A character inscribed with a curse.
Come to think of it, Klen had said he found some kind of stain while investigating near the forest entrance.
Could it be referring to that?
* * *
