Chapter 73

As the discussion solidified around the serious consideration of constructing a birdcage, Rio and Shiraha were escorted to a waiting room.

It was probably out of concern for Rio's poor health. Indeed, Rio's condition had worsened due to the stress from Shiraha's "just put it away" comment. Lying sprawled out on the sofa, Rio looked exhausted. Yebeus approached him with a look of regret.

"Is there anything you want me to bring you?"

"Silence."

Rio's immediate response left Yebeus speechless, and he turned away. In the direction he turned, Sufan was outside the window. Shiraha had taken a position by the side of the sofa, staring intently at Rio. Used to this gaze, Rio pushed it out of his mind and looked up at the ceiling.

The ceiling was decorated with thin pieces of wood woven together, apparently depicting a stylized version of Sufan. Rio let out a dry laugh, thinking that even in such a place, he was being watched by the plague god.

"Rio, should we make today's dinner light? Is there anything you want to eat?"

"Why are you so lively?"

Rio sharply pointed out the inconsistency to the smiling Shiraha. Unaware of it, Shiraha rubbed her cheeks and wiped the smile off her face.

"I just thought Rio wouldn't go out while feeling unwell."

"No, it's scary."

Her excuse didn't work. Rio looked at Yebeus, wondering if his senses were off. With the serious discussion about Sufan's birdcage in the council, he wondered if his common sense was out of sync with the world. Yebeus had an indescribable look on his face, unsure whether to chime in or if it was better to let Rio and Shiraha handle it themselves. This look was evidence that Rio's common sense wasn't out of sync.

"Well, thanks to Shiraha's idea, it seems we can leave town, so I can't be too harsh."

He was relieved to avoid being detained here.

"…Still, if it's important, you should put it away."

"Can you stop muttering that?"

After pointing this out, Rio looked at Yebeus.

"Do you think a birdcage can be built?"

"Well, I think it can be made with a combination of iron bars and defensive magic. Since Sufan is a divine spirit, he doesn't need food. Once the birdcage is built, he won't be able to leave. There will probably be moral objections, so it will likely be for a limited time while you two are away from town."

"Are you going to let him out?"

Shiraha looked surprised, and Yebeus chuckled.

"He's like the town's god, so we can't mistreat him."

"That's weird."

Shiraha looked out the window, and Sufan, who was outside, reacted with a start, stopping his feather grooming and staring at her. Intrigued by this different kind of gaze, Rio observed Sufan. It was a gaze that seemed to be trying to assess something, not like looking at something unknown but like categorizing something known. Not understanding the reason for the change, Rio pondered while watching Sufan. Sufan noticed Rio's gaze and looked at him. Expecting a unique magic to fly, Rio took a deep breath and braced himself, but Shiraha stood in front of him, glaring at Sufan.

"If there were no witnesses, Sufan's magic wouldn't work on Rio."

"But if it's fired in rapid succession without a break, there's nothing you can do."

Rio had no intention of getting hit a second time and was prepared to use magic cutting if necessary. Yebeus, who couldn't follow the conversation, looked puzzled but then glanced at Sufan.

"Still, why is he so attached?"

"I don't think it's attachment."

Recalling Sufan's actions and gazes, Rio sat up on the sofa.

"At first, he tried to pull Shiraha into his territory and blew me away, but now he just observes without being forceful."

To test this, Rio suddenly grabbed Shiraha's arm and pulled her. As she lost her balance and fell into his chest, he looked at Sufan, who did nothing and just observed them.

"See, he doesn't attack."

Rio had only been blown away once. Despite similar situations afterward, Sufan took no action.

"Probably, Sufan sees Shiraha as a protective object, like a child."

"Even if he's a child, Sufan doesn't reproduce. Divine spirits and evil spirits are unique and don't form a species."

"Yes, I know. That's why I think Sufan sees Shiraha as something unknown and hard to gauge."

"Did he look at her like that? I've seen Sufan since birth, but I can't read bird expressions."

Rio nodded, understanding the difficulty. He wouldn't have noticed this kind of gaze without the experience of being constantly observed by Shiraha in the village. Rio continued.

"Sufan no longer sees Shiraha as a protective object. As you saw, he doesn't react to forceful actions."

"Shiraha's lack of reaction was surprising."

As Yebeus pointed out, Shiraha had an indescribable look on her face when Rio pulled her into his chest. Ignoring this, Rio observed Sufan's reaction and continued.

"Sufan seems to be trying to assess Shiraha. I think he's considering whether to return to protecting her or to leave her alone, but I'm not sure."

"If Sufan decides to leave her alone, there's no need to build a birdcage."

"Probably, definitely, that's the case."

"That's too vague."

Rio knew it was a hopeful assumption. He wasn't even sure if his analysis was correct. However, the change in Sufan's interest in Shiraha was evident from his reactions. If there was a reason for him to lose interest, Rio and the others could leave town with peace of mind. But he couldn't think of such a reason.

"A reason, huh."

Yebeus looked at Rio and Shiraha and smiled.

"Basically, we need Sufan to think it's okay to leave her alone. I have an idea."

"What is it?"

"Show Sufan that Rio, not him, is the one protecting Shiraha. The birdcage construction will take time, and you two haven't properly toured the town yet. Go on a date alone."

"Who's going on a date with a—"

"Alone!"

Suddenly enthusiastic, Shiraha sat up and looked out the window at Sufan, looking smug. Rio, who was exasperated by her enthusiasm, sat next to her as she leaned in. Shiraha pressed his shoulder, preventing him from moving, and whispered in his ear.

"If we're alone, it will be easier to communicate."

"…Given this situation, should we report it?"

Since the council had been called, the organization targeting Rio, who could use magic cutting, had already discovered their location. It was unclear how far they could move even if they went to San Ankh May. Communication would be easier in this town than in the dangerous San Ankh May. Rio agreed with Shiraha's reasoning and looked at Yebeus.

"Can the council clear the area for us?"