Chapter 67

After that, we returned to the bird's nest. This time, I didn't get grabbed by a bird but was carried back by a phoenix. I wanted to confirm if the phoenix could carry me, and well, it seems I was right. It was a bit strange, but I was still a bit hesitant about it.

...

However, what should I do? The bird apparently wants me to become a spirit to fix the barrier protecting this forest.

If that's the case, I think I should help. According to the bird, if I don't become a spirit, not only will I suffer, but Fei, Laocrates, and Chloa will also face some bad consequences.

But... even so, leaving humanity... that's a bit...

Hmm.

Then, the bird kept pushing acorns at me, as if urging me to eat them quickly.

...Eating these will increase my magical power, making it easier to become a spirit and distance myself from being human. Yeah, I don't really want to eat them, though.

"Stop it."

So, I asked the bird to stop pushing them at me... and I decided to make a proposal.

"Um, can I go consult for a bit?"

That's why I suggested a temporary truce with the bird.

The spirit egg won't die if it's not kept warm continuously. According to the book Fei brought, it can take a long time to hatch by accumulating magical power. So, it should be fine if left alone.

So, I returned home. There, I found a flustered Laocrates and Chloa, along with the horses... but...

...The horses' reactions were a bit different.

"Huh, what...?"

The pegasi flapped their wings happily and gathered around me. That's understandable, but even the usually distant unicorns blinked curiously and approached me closely. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by horses and couldn't move.

"...Is this because my magical power increased?"

Thinking about it, the horses started coming closer after I was forced to eat the acorns by the bird. Maybe these horses like people with a lot of magical power. So, they're coming to me...? No, but they also seem to be fond of Fei, so it's not just about magical power, I think.

"Taigo, are you okay?"

Alicorn pushed through the horses, and Laocrates, who was riding on Alicorn, looked at me worriedly.

"...I heard you were about to hatch the spirit egg."

"Yeah. I put it on hold. I'm still human."

For now, I'm still human. When I told them that, Laocrates looked relieved.

...But.

"But, maybe it's better to become a spirit."

I think I need to think about this a bit more.

So, I think I have about three options.

The first is to become a spirit. If I choose this, I think this forest will probably remain peaceful. Probably. I don't know what will happen to the forest after this.

...But of course, I don't understand what it means to become a spirit.

The bird says I'll still look human, but... well, I can't fully trust what the bird says. However, the encyclopedia does mention human-like spirits, so I think it's possible to remain human-like. Probably...

The second option is to have someone else become a spirit.

But... yeah, if someone else becomes a spirit, it won't be much different from me becoming one.

Besides, if the bird doesn't like them, it might be difficult. The bird doesn't seem to dislike Fei, Laocrates, or Chloa, but it chose to kidnap me even though they were there.

Maybe there's a certain suitability for becoming a spirit. Something like being "airy" as Fei and Laocrates say. I don't really agree that I'm that airy, though.

The third option is... to not become a spirit at all.

The bird seems to want me to become a spirit to maintain the forest's barrier, but if that's all it needs, maybe no one needs to become a spirit. Instead, we could find a substitute for the barrier or a way to maintain it without a spirit.

...But, I don't think that's a viable option.

The best choice is probably the first one.

I think it's better to become a spirit as the bird wishes. Eating the acorns, warming the egg, and hatching it... I don't know what will happen then, but apparently, the forest will be safe, and I won't be a burden to anyone. I like this forest, and I've been taken care of here, so if I can be of help, I'd be happy.

But... I'm scared because I don't know what will happen. I still have some resistance to leaving humanity. Maybe talking to the bird would ease my worries, but the bird is a bird. I can't get detailed information from it. Even if I ask simple yes or no questions, there's a limit to how much I can learn.

Hmm...

That night,

I was flying through the night sky, holding onto the phoenix's leg. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to ask about something that was bothering me.

My destination was the bird's nest.

In the nest were two young komatsugumi that wouldn't be flying for a while, one spirit egg, and one giant bird.

The giant komatsugumi opened one eye as I landed on a nearby branch.

"Good evening."

When I greeted the bird, it made some space in the nest for me to join. ...Um, thank you.

"It's warm here."

The nest was warm from the bird's body heat. The dried grass and bird feathers made a comfortable bed. Yeah, it's not uncomfortable.

"...I have something I want to ask."

The bird blinked and tilted its head. It seemed to be asking, "What is it?"

"Um, do you think becoming a spirit was a good thing for you?"

When I asked, the bird blinked in surprise, then tilted its head in thought, and finally nodded.

"I see."

Another nod. ...I see.

"I thought it might be scary to become something you're not."

When I asked this, the bird tilted its head again, looking confused. ...Maybe this is a difficult concept for the bird.

"Isn't it scary to change?"

The bird tilted its head again. But this time, after some thought, it gently leaned towards me.

The bird's feathers softly touched my skin, feeling soft, fluffy, and a bit ticklish. And warm.

After a while of being tickled, the bird showed me the two chicks it had been warming under its belly.

The chicks were now dry and fluffy, little komatsugumi chicks. They were about the size of a cat, but they were cute.

They chirped softly, and the bird pushed them towards me. The chicks woke up and, half-asleep, came towards me.

...The two chicks settled into my arms.

"...They're cute."

What am I supposed to do with this? Yeah, they're cute, but...

While holding the chicks, I was a bit at a loss, but the bird nodded happily. Um...

"Is this nod about the chicks being cute?"

When I asked, the bird nodded repeatedly. Yeah, they're cute, but... This... What should I do?

Feeling confused, the bird nuzzled the chicks in my arms, as if showing affection. It's a display of love, I guess. They are its children.

...Ah.

"I see. These chicks are yours, right?"

The bird chirped in affirmation. Yeah, I understand. I'm starting to get what the bird is trying to tell me by letting me hold the chicks.

"Even as a spirit, you can still do bird-like things, right? Or, you don't completely become something different, is that it?"

I'm not sure how to put it, but I think that's what the bird is trying to say. The bird looked relieved, nodding repeatedly.

"...I see."

Well... I will probably become something other than human, and something in me will definitely change.

But I don't think everything will change... Yeah.

Maybe I can make a decision now.

But before I leave, there's one more thing. This is very important.

"I was wondering, were you this big even before you became a spirit?"

The bird proudly spread its wings and nodded.

"Your attitude too?"

This time, the bird tilted its head, looking like it didn't think it was particularly arrogant. This bird.

But... Yeah, I see.

This bird wasn't huge just because it was a spirit...

Yeah, I'm relieved. I see. It seems becoming a spirit won't make me huge. That's good.

Then, I rode the phoenix back home. ...I thought flying while holding onto the phoenix would be more difficult, but it felt like my body became lighter, and supporting my own weight wasn't that hard. Yeah. Thank you, phoenix. I appreciate it.

"I've been taken care of by this forest."

I looked at the forest from in front of my house.

There's a spring, a house, a forest... horses, birds, and bamboo. Yeah. I guess I really like it here.

At first, I was here because I ended up here, but now, even though I could probably go anywhere, I want to stay here.

So, I want to stay in this forest and... if it's necessary for the forest, I'll become a spirit. Yeah.

"I thought I'd talk to you all before I go."

In the morning, while eating the breakfast Chloa made, I reported to everyone.

"I'm going to hatch the spirit egg."

"What? Is that okay!?"

"Yeah, it's okay."

Fei started to stand up, but when I gave a clear answer, she quietly sat back down.

"...Well, if you've decided, I won't stop you."

Laocrates said this with a slightly worried look, but I'm grateful he won't stop me.

"I can't say anything, but... hmm, it's a bit annoying. It feels like you're being taken by that bird. ...That bird is still arrogant."

Yeah, I think Chloa's reaction is pretty good. It's great that she's not just worried but says, "That bird is still arrogant."

"No... but are you really sure? There might be other ways... you know, besides you doing it..."

"But, it's something I can do."

Among us, Fei might be the most worried. I appreciate that.

"I can do it, and I want to try. I like this forest, and it's nice to be able to work for something I like."

When I said this, Fei said, "I see," with a slightly troubled but happy look.

"Well, even if you don't do it, it's not like we can find a replacement right away. The bird will probably be happy you're becoming a spirit."

"Yeah, well... I'll try my best with the bird's guidance. And... you know, if I don't have to, I want to do it even more. I love doing unnecessary things."

When I become a spirit, I don't know what will happen to me... but I'm sure there will be something to gain.

"Eat the unnecessary things and turn them into heart food."

The power of the spirit, the forest, and my heart will all become my heart food.

Then, I returned to the bird's nest and decided to incubate the egg again.

"Um, I've decided to become a spirit."

When I told the bird, it fluffed up its feathers in surprise or excitement, then came close and rubbed against me.

"But, I'm not from this world... is it okay? I don't know why I'm here or remember it. So, I might have to leave suddenly, and it might not be my choice. But, as long as I can choose, I'll make sure to hand over responsibilities before I leave."

Next, I confirmed the terms. The bird nodded solemnly. It seems to be okay.

"Also, I'm from another world, so I don't understand the norms here. Is that okay?"

The bird proudly nodded. Yeah, this bird doesn't seem to understand norms either. So, it should be fine.

"...I think I'll need a lot of help for now. Is that okay?"

For the last question, the bird chirped in affirmation. It seems to be okay.

"Um... then, please take care of me."

We've aligned our thoughts, so now I can start incubating the egg.

I gently stroked the pearly egg and held it between my stomach and knees.

...Seeing this, the bird looked very satisfied, flew away for a bit, and came back... pushing the acorns at me again. Yeah, I guess this comes with the package.

"Well, okay. I'll eat it."

Since I've decided to become a spirit, being kept at the right temperature for incubation is inevitable. This seems to be the bird's way of showing affection, and eating these will increase my magical power.

Yeah. Thinking about it, increasing my magical power might be a good thing. If I can handle larger things, I can build houses freely. I was thinking of building a guest house near Chloa's house or somewhere, so this might be perfect.

Also, I can probably draw and create larger buildings and even larger creatures. I might be able to draw landscapes and create beautiful scenes directly.

That sounds fun. ...Yeah. What should I draw next?

While stroking the egg, I started to feel sleepy and decided to go to sleep. I felt like I might have a good dream.

...I didn't have any particular dreams and it was already evening. Disappointing.

When I woke up, the bird was waiting and made me eat the acorns again. Yeah... can't these taste a bit better?

"Maybe this would be good as a secret ingredient in curry."

When I hand over the role of the spirit, I want to pay attention to the taste and do things like this. Yeah. These acorns would be perfect in curry. The spicy, rich sweetness, slight bitterness, and smooth texture would make a great addition to curry.

When I made curry with my teacher, we tried putting various things in it, but most things were okay except for bananas. Yeah. Bananas didn't work. The strong aroma clashed with the curry. My teacher said, "What the hell! The banana had the potential to fight and win against the curry! Damn it! Just lose gracefully!"

...In that sense, these acorns, while having a unique taste, have no strong aroma and seem perfect for curry.

Then, it was night, and morning came.

When I woke up, the sun was already white, and the forest trees were glowing green. The bird's nest is in a high spot, so the view is quite good.

"...Ah."

While looking at the forest, I noticed a change in the egg I was holding.

A crack appeared on the surface, and light started to leak out. ...Huh? The inside of the egg glows?

"Um, it's glowing."

I asked the bird if it would explode, and the bird woke up and started watching the egg with me. Seeing the bird's calm demeanor, it seemed the egg was behaving normally.

...While watching the egg with tension, the crack gradually widened.

Then, when the crack became large enough... a part of the eggshell broke off.

What came out of the egg was a translucent, pearly, small... something that looked like a bird or a dragon or something else entirely.

Its shape was unclear, it was translucent and glowing, and I couldn't make it out.

But it floated in front of me and suddenly rushed towards my chest, then disappeared.

It seemed to dissolve into or be absorbed by my chest, and the mysterious creature didn't come out again.

...But, I think that was the "spirit power."

After the mysterious creature disappeared, I felt a warm sensation spreading inside me.

...And that was it.

"...Huh? That's it?"

I thought there would be more, but apparently, that was it. The bird nodded contentedly, but I just felt a bit warmer.

Um...

"Did I become a spirit?"

When I asked, the bird nodded happily and chirped.

Yeah, it seems I became a spirit. I don't really feel different, and I have no idea what changed. Um... maybe I changed a lot, but I just haven't realized it yet? That's a bit scary.

But, if that's all it took, that's good. Yeah. I didn't grow larger, and I can still hold a pen and a pencil.

From what I can see in the bird's eyes, there doesn't seem to be any change in my appearance. Yeah, that's good.

...But, is this really okay?

While I was confused by the lack of change, the bird grabbed me and flew off. We flew to... the ruins under the large tree.

The bird led me into the ruins and to the deepest part, where a pearly light orb floated on a pedestal.

Then, the bird gently bit my wrist and pulled me towards the light orb.

"Um, can I touch it?"

When I asked, the bird released my hand and chirped. It seems I'm supposed to touch it.

I approached the pearly light orb with some tension.

The pearly light orb had a similar color to the mysterious creature that hatched from the egg. Is this also the power of the spirit?

While thinking about this, I touched the light orb. Will touching this have a positive effect on the forest's barrier?

...Suddenly, the light orb started to shine brightly.

The light spread.

It flowed along the patterns on the pedestal, to the floor, walls, and ceiling.

Then, the light spread to the forest... and became the barrier protecting the forest. Probably.

At the same time, something... a forest appeared in my head.

Like, a forest... in my head.

A forest. Um, there's something there. A bird? Ah, this is outside the forest...? There's something that looks like a deer. Um, what is this? I don't really understand. Did I become part of the forest? Is the forest me? Can I see it? No, I can't see it, but I can hear... no, it's not hearing, it's like... a new sense has been added to me...

This... um, I think I've probably become less human.

Yeah, I think I've probably become less human...