Chapter 648 – Feast of Birds, Songs, and Celebration

The banquet preparations proceeded with all residents pitching in. Around the plaza, various savory aromas drifted through the air.

We were told we could wait at the chief’s house or the plaza in front of it, or freely explore the settlement.

Since the Harpies were busy preparing the feast, I thought moving around might get in their way, so I relaxed in the plaza while drinking tea.

Even during the preparations, Dominique in the plaza received visits from friends and acquaintances among the adults who found breaks in their work, as well as Harpy children from the settlement.

Particularly the young Harpies, who probably weren’t assigned much work for the feast preparations, often ended up staying in the plaza.

Ramona tried to stop them, saying the guests might find it overwhelming, but we’re used to children from the Orphanage and Labyrinth Village.

When I conveyed this to Ramona, the children looked quite pleased.

“So, Onee-chan, you were letting everyone listen to your songs in Termwills?”

“Yes. Together with Irmhild, Justia, Sheila, and Cyrille – everyone.”

“That’s so cool, Onee-chan!”

That Harpy named Lily had also come to the plaza. Lily appears to be Dominique’s cousin.

The Harpy children’s eyes sparkled at the mention of the Boundary Theater, looking at the theater members with admiring eyes. Well, not just the children – almost all the younger Harpies seemed interested in stories about the Boundary Theater. In this regard, they give me an impression similar to the Sirens.

Given that, the ones gathering attention were naturally Irmhild, Justia, and the other theater-related members.

“I-I’m not sure how to feel about so many children paying attention to me like this – it’s both happy and embarrassing,” said Cyrille, who seemed somewhat unfamiliar with this atmosphere. Unlike the theater, this involves direct interaction, and the Labyrinth doesn’t have that many children. Perhaps because the Harpy children are adorable, Cyrille’s expression had softened too.

Sheila and Irmhild, having grown up in the Orphanage, seemed accustomed to being surrounded by children like this.

“And then, you press the strings like this…”

“Yes, yes, you’re doing great!”

Irmhild, together with Justia, was teaching the children how to play the instruments they brought.

“And what I have in this hand is—”

Sheila was showing coin tricks to the Harpy children. While not exactly related to music, it was quite impressive – the coin moving from the right clenched hand to the left, from left to right, then disappearing when she opened both hands. According to Sheila, these tricks are quite popular with the Orphanage children too. Perhaps because they’ve never seen such magic tricks before, the Harpy children were watching intently.

“The Harpy children are so adorable.”

“Truly… They’re so fluffy, and their feathers look so soft.”

Grace and the others were smiling warmly at the sight of these children.

“Nice to meet you, Onee-chan. I’m Ilne.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you too, Ilne. I’m Claudia.”

Because the children were gathering around, some came to greet us too. Introducing themselves with childish lisps, offering handshakes with their small wings – it was quite heartwarming, to say the least.

“I am… Marie. This child is Marlene.”

Claudia was used to small children, but Rosemary seemed somewhat unfamiliar with them.

Still, she didn’t treat them unkindly, returning their greetings and standing alongside the smiling Marlene to shake hands.

Seeing Rosemary like this, Princess Stephania looked quite pleased about something. Rosemary, however, was turning away from her.

“Your wing shape is beautiful…”

“Is that so? I’m not really sure myself.”

Helvorte was also receiving attention from the children. Apparently, the shape of the wings on its back was being praised. That particular aesthetic sense might be unique to Harpies.

“Rovisa-san, are you a Siren too?”

“No no. I’m a Mermaid. I like singing, but I’m not particularly good at it, I think.”

Rovisa also seemed to be mistaken for a Siren due to the shape of her ears when using the Humanization Spell. But she probably likes children, as she was happily petting the Harpy children.

Seraphina and Marl were similar in that regard – while the children were fascinated by the blue shimmering butterfly wings and hair that occasionally turned into water, they let the children touch them lightly, enjoying interacting with the children throughout.

“This Onii-chan was the one who saved Dominique Onee-chan?”

“Really? Thank you, Onii-chan!”

“Ah. You’re welcome.”

And… that’s how I ended up surrounded by children too.

Well, when we rescued Dominique, Justia, and Irmhild, I feel like Caduceus did most of the work, so I should clarify that.

“Caduceus worked harder than me back then.”

When I said that and called Caduceus over, the children dutifully thanked and petted Caduceus. As for Caduceus, it was quietly wagging its tail.

The Familiars, having realized they were safe, were gradually becoming popular with the children too. The Lindwurm remained its usual self, so they refrained from riding on its back.

Corulis and Belius, being large, were letting children ride on their backs or heads, or sliding down their backs like slides, becoming good playmates for the children. The floating Maxwell was also being marveled at and touched. These children are quite fearless.

Additionally… since we brought instruments collected from various regions to the plaza, people of all ages were watching with keen interest.

We intended to let them freely look at and touch the instruments, and even brought some to give away… but perhaps Vera thought that allowing free access to the instruments now would hinder preparations and hospitality, so she announced it would be after our entertainment was finished. So the Harpies seemed to be in a dilemma – interested but unable to touch. Well, I suppose it’s the children’s turn for now.

Thus, the area around the plaza became quite lively, with time passing in a warm, harmonious atmosphere. Eventually, the banquet dishes were ready, and food started arriving one after another.

Dishes made from game hunted in the mountains, using herbs and spices. Then river fish prepared boiled or grilled. Various mushroom dishes, wild vegetables, and so on – a full array of mountain delicacies.

“Now now. With the food ready… let’s begin the feast.”

When Vera spoke, the Harpies nodded.

The lively plaza grew quiet as if waiting for Vera’s next words. When the voices subsided, Vera looked over the assembled crowd and projected her clear voice.

“You all have likely heard already. Dominique, who suddenly disappeared, has returned to this settlement without a single injury. His Excellency Theodore Gartner, Otherworld Ambassador of the Kingdom of Verdugal, rescued her from the Demon’s hands, and together with the Spirit King and the Moon Goddess, located this settlement and delivered her to us.”

Cheers spread at her words. Vera nodded, waited for the cheers to subside, then spoke again.

“This feast is for Dominique’s return. And for the benefactors who brought her here. Let us convey our clan’s heartfelt gratitude to our benefactors, rejoice in gaining new friends and acquaintances, celebrate our comrade’s safety, and drink, eat, dance, and sing to our hearts’ content!”

At Vera’s words, the Harpies cheered again.

And so the feast began. We ate while watching and listening to the Harpies’ songs, dances, and performances.

Using the space before the cliff in front of the plaza, Harpies wearing colorful, fluttering cloth on their wings and ankles flew as if dancing.

Instrument playing seemed to be the role of the males and those who could use the Humanization Spell. The sounds of string instruments, wooden flutes, and drums created a lively melody – over which the Harpies’ clear singing voices layered.

Ah. So they make their own instruments too. With hunting game and wood, they could indeed make instruments. Gut strings, leather drums, and so on.

But most impressive of all were the singing voices. Perhaps because the Harpy race is naturally gifted at singing, even without being Cursed Songs, their beautiful voices were captivating. Wide vocal ranges, solid technique… it felt more appropriate to describe their throats as turning their voices into instruments rather than just singing.

Indeed, they’re a race that specializes more in Cursed Songs than Cursed Melodies. And Ramona and the other interception squad members had dressed up this time and were happily projecting their singing voices.

Perhaps because it was a celebration, cheerful, lively songs continued one after another. After several performances and dances, the children also lined up and sang for us.

This was singing layered upon singing to create music… perhaps best described as a cappella. Using overlapping voices to serve as various instruments – another impressive feat.

Above all, the Harpies all looked so happy while singing. The Sirens were like that too… and looking around, I could see Irmhild, Justia, and Dominique humming along softly to the songs or swaying to the rhythm, looking quite eager.

“—Dominique is a girl with a beautiful singing voice even among us. Everyone missed her terribly when she was gone.”

During a break between songs, Vera told me this.

“Is that so? We’ve prepared to do something similar to what we usually do at the Boundary Theater. How about as a return gesture?”

“Oh! That would be wonderful. Actually, I’ve been curious ever since hearing about the theater.”

“Indeed. Dominique always looked so happy when talking about the theater too.”

Ramona nodded at Vera’s words. Hmm. But first—let’s enjoy the Harpies’ performances and singing as guests.

Next, it seems Lily will sing with several children. Apparently, she’s also a child who’s good at singing.