Chapter 650 – At the Patriarch's House

Irmhild and the others were deepening their musical exchange with the harpies, sharing songs and melodies they knew while using various local instruments and magic keyboards.

Claudia had also been asked by Irmhild to play the lute, and though the time passed noisily, it was also harmonious and pleasant. Eventually, some children began to look sleepy, and since continuing to perform in the square would be inappropriate, the gathering dispersed.

“Well then, see you here again tomorrow,” said Dominique.

“Yeah. Feel free to come relax. We can set up the stone monument, so you’ll have plenty of time for your stay and movements, Dominique.”

“Mm-hmm!”

Dominique nodded brightly and headed home with her parents and Lily. She had finally returned, after all, and needed time to spend exclusively with family and relatives. Lily also looked happily beaming.

Dominique’s house was on the other side of the cliff from the chief’s house, visible from the square. Lily’s house was next to it. Well, from the chief’s house, if the timing was right, they could even greet each other from their windows.

Since we were guests of the settlement, we were staying at the chief’s house. Led by Vera, we were first shown to our guest rooms.

“The room is spacious. Is it because the ceiling is high?”

“Ah, maybe so.”

I nodded at Grace’s words. The harpies could come and go directly through the windows. The windows were large, and the ceilings were high. It gave the impression of a harpy’s home.

Marlene lightly pressed the seat of a chair, touched the table, and tilted her head.

The furniture made of Rock Fangus was… well, even though it was the same material, it was used for round tables, chairs, and beds, yet each had different elasticity and hardness.

“Does Rock Fangus change in use depending on the harvest time and processing?” Rosemary said, watching Marlene.

“That’s correct. We harvest at the right time and soak it in medicinal liquid to set its state,” Ramona answered. Hmm. Rosemary’s interest in Rock Fangus seemed endless.

Seeing us like that, Vera spoke up.

“While I can’t say for sure about other settlements’ kin, human guests are rare. I’m not sure if it’s a comfortable environment, but if anything is inconvenient, please don’t hesitate to say so. We can prepare water with magic tools, so you can even take baths.”

“Ah, that’s helpful. Do you also make the magic tools, Chief?”

When I asked, Vera nodded.

“I do make them, but… others can as well. It’s been a tradition for those skilled in the Humanization Spell to go to human villages to learn. We have some accumulated knowledge and technology in that area. As for magic stones, we get them from monsters that invade the mountains and can’t be reasoned with, or we offer to make things for humans in exchange for extra magic stones during training, so we don’t lack materials.”

“So you live a self-contained life in the settlement, ensuring there’s neither shortage nor excess,” Claudia said, and Ramona nodded.

“Yes. Unless we use Cursed Songs, there aren’t many situations where we use much magical power.”

The harpies had enough magical power to handle Cursed Songs, and incorporating magic tools into daily life made sense. They didn’t openly trade, but if it was as an exchange condition for making magic tools, there would likely be people happy to make requests.

But they had an edge in magic tool making.

That meant they had many personnel capable of working as magic engineers. It might be possible to get their cooperation in that area. We were preparing for various things not just in the workshop but across all of Verdugal, so we were short on hands.

Since this wasn’t a topic to discuss standing around, I mulled it over while setting down luggage and examining the furniture.

The beds were close to ordinary except for the use of Rock Fangus. They looked quite comfortable for sleeping.

“Is the stuffing in these futons feathers?”

“Ah, that was an idea from humans who lived in this land in the past. They thought it was wasteful to discard shed feathers and wondered if they could be used for something, so we adopted the idea of using them for bedding. The stuffing is washed when made, but if it bothers you, we can replace it with bedding made from animal pelts.”

“Ah, no. Feather futons are light and warm, so I like them.”

“If that’s the case, then it’s fine,” Vera said with a smile at my reply.

Harpy feather futons… Somehow, I couldn’t help feeling they were high-quality items, much like Arachne Thread… They looked fluffy and warm, and if they were comfortable to sleep on, it might be worth negotiating to get some.

Well, putting that aside… After organizing our luggage, before sleeping or bathing, I should discuss a few necessary matters.

Moving to the reception room with Vera, Ramona, and Princess Stephania, we talked about future plans.

“Hmm. So you’re building a fortress and making various preparations to face the demons,” Vera said.

“If we join as combat forces now, even just coordinating would require a lot of thought. Even if we form a cooperative system, something hastily put together might hold us back,” Ramona added with a serious expression.

Right. Since we don’t know each other’s capabilities, it’s hard to make specific plans. The harpies would likely form small units.

In that case, we’d probably integrate the harpies into our larger organization, but the question becomes where and how to position them to best utilize their abilities.

That said… Regarding the most clearly defined aspects of the harpies’ abilities, I could mention something.

“There’s a unit from the Grantios Kingdom that supports the main force with Cursed Songs and Cursed Melodies—what do you think? Deepening coordination with the sirens through Cursed Songs and Cursed Melodies.”

“Ah, that sounds good. The more users there are of Cursed Songs, the more power they have,” Vera said.

“Indeed. I also felt a closeness to Lady Justia that’s unusual for different species. Everyone seemed to enjoy interacting,” Ramona added.

“I also enjoy talking with the harpies. I get along well with Dominique too,” Justia nodded.

Yes. Though harpies and sirens live in different places, from what I saw, they really hit it off regarding songs and felt a sense of kinship.

Having them coordinate with the sirens in that area could enhance each other’s power, complement weaknesses, and I think we could expect maximum training effect in a short number of days.

“If we can easily come and go using the stone monument, I should also visit Verdugal,” Vera said.

“The Kingdom of Verdugal would be delighted with your assistance. If you visit Termwills, we’ll welcome you as a state guest to the best of our ability,” Princess Stephania said, and Vera bowed quietly.

“As a state guest… that would mean representing the harpies. It’s excessive consideration for me, just a chief of one settlement, but friendship with your country is more than I could wish for.”

“Grantios also wishes to maintain friendly relations with the harpies. Her Majesty the Queen will likely visit Termwills soon as well,” Rovisa said with a smile.

“Well then… I’d certainly like to meet her. If it’s interaction with Grantios, everyone would be pleased,” Vera replied.

Queen Eldorene and Vera seemed like they’d get along well personality-wise.

“If you can cooperate with the Anti-Demon Alliance, it would be reassuring. Of course, Silvatoria also welcomes you,” said Princess Adriana.

“Likewise. Baharzard also welcomes you,” added Princess Elham.

Though formal procedures like signed documents and announcements would come later, since these were words from representatives of each country’s monarchs, regarding the Anti-Demon Alliance, it was almost decided.

“Fighting together against demons is appreciated, but… if our forces are deployed and the settlement’s defense becomes thin, that’s also a problem. We have some countermeasures for that, so if you’d like, we could consider something,” I said.

“Ah, that would be helpful,” Ramona smiled.

I thought of defense by golem soldiers, external monitoring by Hider, and Halvaronis’s concealment technique. I’ll consult with Forset too when we return to Termwills.

With the stone monument, we could easily come to the harpy settlement, set up barriers, place magic tools and golems, then return to Termwills—we’d be able to move around for various tasks.

We also had permission to place the stone monument in the settlement, so Dominique could stay here for a few days and spend time with her family.

We could also show her family and the chiefs what kind of life she’s living in Termwills. Seeing it for themselves might reassure them.

So then… tomorrow we’ll guide Vera and Ramona to the royal castle. It might be smoother to send them to Termwills first via the stone monument, then return on the Sirius. Well, I’ll use the communication device to make arrangements today.