Chapter 86

......And so, I thought.

After all, it's an angel's summoning beast. What is an angel's summoning beast?

Since it's an angel's summoning beast, it should be able to fly. It should have fluffy wings. The angel siblings don't have wings for some reason, so I want a summoning beast that can make up for that. ...Oh, what about giving the angels wings? Since it's a special occasion.

...No, I'll hold off on that. If something irreversible happens, it would be bad.

Yeah. It should have wings and be fluffy. And it should be something that can protect the siblings' safety. Strong or big. Hmm, Ange might be scared if it looks too fierce. Ange was scared of Laocles at first too...

And it should be warm. It would be nice if it could snuggle in the futon with us during winter. If it has fluffy wings, it should meet most of these conditions.

...While I was thinking about this, my room's window was suddenly knocked on. Tap, tap.

Looking outside the window... well, to be honest, I didn't really need to look... there was a giant bird. When our eyes met, the bird chirped, "Kyoon."

I understood that the bird wanted to take me outside, so I went out the window.

The bird immediately lifted me onto its back and started flapping its wings.

...This thing can not only carry me while flying but also let me ride? Then why did it carry me to the nest last time? Oh, to prevent me from escaping and to kidnap me...

"Is something wrong?"

When I asked, the bird chirped, "Kyokyon," and headed for the center of the forest. ...So, it's probably related to the barrier.

"Maybe it's a bit weak?"

When I tried saying that, the bird chirped, "Kyoon." Probably the right answer.

...I see. The barrier is weakening. I didn't really realize it.

Anyway, if the barrier is weakening, it's a big problem. I was taken to the ruins and entered them, then infused magic power into the barrier. I was a bit tired.

The barrier activation device seemed to regain its power and started glowing, maintaining the barrier. Yeah. It should be fine now. The bird also seemed satisfied, chirping happily.

...When I left the ruins and looked at the bird, I thought:

Maybe this could be the angel's summoning beast.

It can fly. It's big. It's fluffy and warm...

Considering that, I decided to summon a new bird instead of the original spirit. It would be a bit smaller than Komatsugumi, but it should be fine for carrying children.

I thought about making it white like an angel's wings, but since it's a special occasion, I decided to make it a bird with various shades of blue, from sky blue to dark blue.

It's called a "Luan," a blue version of a phoenix. In other words, a blue bird.

A blue bird is said to bring happiness, which would be perfect for a child growing up.

I summoned two Luans. ...One for Rian and one for Ange. And to keep them from being lonely.

...However, if that's all, it might not be enough to carry both of them and handle a bit of rough work. I thought it might be good to have a small, agile creature like my pipe fox.

Ange has a fairy, but Rian doesn't... Horses seem to like Rian, but they can't be portable...

...After some thought, I decided to summon an ice spirit. A water version of the one Fei has.

A creature made of ice that can regenerate from shattered pieces using surrounding water and can also regenerate after melting. A very sturdy creature.

Why an ice spirit? Because Rian uses ice magic. Probably. ...The first time I met Rian, they were using ice magic. I haven't seen it since, and I haven't heard that they can use it.

But even if Rian can't use ice magic, I think an ice spirit would suit them. The ice spirit, which glows and appears white or light blue, matches Rian's color scheme.

"Hey, I have something I want you two to take care of."

The next day, I went to Rian and Ange's house and handed them gems. I drew them in a processed form so they wouldn't lose them. Both were pendants. For Rian, I also prepared a bracelet to house the ice spirit.

"What, what's this?"

"Um, it's a home for the summoning beast."

When I said that, both of them looked puzzled... then Ange smiled.

"Is it a fox's home?"

"Um, not a pipe fox, but yeah. Something like that."

Ange takes good care of the pipe fox. The pipe fox seems to enjoy hiding in the gaps of Ange and Rian's clothes and often plays with them. So when Ange heard "summoning beast," they probably thought of the pipe fox first.

"This is...?"

Then I showed them the Luans. The Luans also saw the angel siblings for the first time.

...Instantly.

The two Luans chirped, "Kyururu," and approached the two angels, bumping their heads into the pendants and entering them. ...They seem to get along well right away, which is great.

At first, the two angels were confused by the large blue birds. But Ange soon started petting and rubbing against the Luan, becoming friends. Seeing this, Rian's Luan also started tickling Rian with its feathers and playing. ...Yeah. Birds really suit angels. I'm satisfied.

"Also, for Rian, this one."

"Huh?"

I called Rian, who was almost buried under the blue feathers, and drew the ice spirits on the spot.

Five small ice birds came out. They all tilted their heads and looked at Rian... then immediately entered the gems in the bracelet. The bracelet had five gems, each about the size of a thumbnail, where the ice birds nestled together.

"What, what are these?"

"Your and Ange's guardians."

When I called them out, the ice birds all came out and perched on Rian's head and shoulders. Rian looked surprised but tentatively reached out to touch the ice birds.

"They're not that cold."

"They don't feel cold or hot to those they like."

Fei also rides and touches the fire spirit, but the fire spirit is careful not to burn those it likes. Conversely, if someone with ill intentions touches the fire spirit, they would get a severe burn.

"Do they like me?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Maybe because they know you're not a bad person."

Rian said, "Oh, I see," and gently petted the ice birds... then, with determination, went to the Luan and buried themselves in the feathers. The Luan seemed surprised but soon chirped contentedly. Rian stayed buried in the feathers for a while but eventually came out and said to me,

"Hehe. Thanks."

"Yeah."

With this, Rian and Ange's safety should be more secure. As angels, they need to be careful not to be kidnapped.

"Does this mean I can go on errands now?"

...Oh, you want to work. What a surprise.

In the end, delivering letters became Rian's job.

Rian and Ange ride the Luans to Fei's house to deliver letters and bring letters back from Fei's house.

...The angels are still young, but they can apparently ride the Luans. My phoenix can carry me, but it's a bit difficult to ride on top.

Rian and Ange enjoyed flying and taking a walk in the sky, and flying to Fei's house seemed to be a good way to clear their minds. Yeah. I hope they continue to do well.

...So, the forest's pigeon plan was put on hold. For now, I'll rely on the two and Fei. They and the Luans seem to be having fun...

A few days after the new companions joined the forest.

Rian and Ange were getting along well with the Luans, and the Luans were accepted by the horses as part of the forest community. My phoenix seemed to consider the Luans as younger siblings and was a bit overprotective. The forest became more lively. ...One day.

"Here. Today's letter. I brought it."

"Thank you."

I received the letter Rian brought from Fei's house. Yeah. It seems we have a new request. I'm a bit excited.

"By the way, when we were flying earlier, we saw something amazing."

"Amazing?"

Before checking the contents of the letter, Rian and Ange started talking excitedly, so I decided to listen to them. What could it be?

"Look, look, lots of fairies! From the sky, I saw lots of sparkling lights flying together!"

...Lots of fairies?

"They seemed to be moving, and it was so beautiful, like silver powder sprinkled on the ground..."

Then Rian and Ange enthusiastically told me about the fairies' mass relocation.

Fairies are beautiful and sparkling, so seeing a lot of them together must have been stunning.

"I'll go take a look."

"Are you going to draw them?"

"Yeah!"

If it's that beautiful, I shouldn't miss it. I asked a nearby horse to carry me and immediately flew into the sky.

When I looked around in the sky above the forest, I quickly found what Rian described.

Indeed. A mass migration of fairies. Even at dusk with the light still faint, they were sparkling so much. There must be a lot of fairies moving.

...Is a fairy relocation trend happening recently?

Somehow... a mass relocation like this must mean something happened.

The group of fairies seemed to be heading towards the forest.

Hmm... maybe the fairies heard that this forest is a good place to live? Hmm...

...I'm not sure, but since it's beautiful, I decided to draw it. I looked around the world as it gradually turned to night, watching the sparkling fairies' migration and leisurely sketching on the back of the flying horse. Hmm, what a luxury.

...The next morning.

"Tougo big brother! Tougo big brother!"

I woke up to the sound of a small hand knocking on my door.

When I went outside, Ange and Rian were there.

...And behind them, fairies.

"...Quite a lot came, didn't they?"

The horses came out, curious, and looked at the gathered fairies. The fairies were so numerous that they could fill a spring. Amazing.

"Um, they came to seek refuge."

Rian explained about the large number of fairies. ...Seek refuge? Not relocation?

"The spirit veins were blocked, so they came to the place with the most magic power in the area, Ange said the fairies told her."

...Huh?

What does that mean?