Aegis, the phoenix chick, spent his days and nights in a birdhouse I’d built for him in the garden.
The birdhouse was roughly the size of a four-and-a-half-mat room, with a ceiling rising as high as a two-story building. I felt it might be a bit excessive, but since he’d requested it himself, I wasn't about to argue.
There were two entrances: one for Aegis and one for humans. I’d gone to some trouble to design the bird-sized door so it could swing both inward and outward, and I’d even added a few tweaks to keep it from rattling in the wind. It had been quite a struggle to get right.
The human-sized entrance was built so I had to stoop just a bit to get inside. It was a standard door that opened by turning a knob.
...At least, that was the plan.
Aegis had figured out how to deftly turn the doorknob with his beak, and now he preferred using the human door instead. He even made sure to close it behind him, which was undeniably clever... yet I couldn't help but feel a bit conflicted about it.
Every morning when he woke up, Aegis first headed to the area on the north side of the garden where the chickens were kept. He would hop onto the roof of the highest chicken coop and let out a loud cry. He was likely trying to assert his dominance as the top bird in the village.
The chickens, for their part, just went about their daily lives and paid him no mind. Aegis had once tried to snatch some of their feed, but the flock had ganged up on him and delivered a sound thrashing. I suppose they’d reached a mutual understanding after that.
After his morning display, Aegis would head into the Village Head's Mansion and make his way to the dining hall. He’d perch on the back of a vacant chair and wait for his breakfast to be served. I’d actually provided a custom perch just for him, but I’d yet to see any sign of him using it.
The High Ogre maids were already used to his routine. They would greet him and set out his meal. Since he ate by pecking with his beak, a flat plate didn't work well, so he used a dedicated deep plate instead.
Today’s breakfast consisted of chopped cabbage leaves and carrots. Perhaps because he was in a growth spurt, he never left a single scrap behind. He even had a matching deep plate for his water.
Once breakfast was over, Aegis would go for a walk. He seemed to have realized that walking was actually faster than flying for him at this stage. Aside from moving between different elevations, he spent most of his time on foot.
His walking route was strictly fixed. First, he would work his way up to the third floor of the mansion, head outside, and climb onto the roof. Once he had secured the highest point, he would spread his wings and let out another cry.
Next, he headed to the fields. I’d tilled a small patch of land specifically to serve as Aegis’s Field, and he took his duty of overseeing it very seriously. He performed his checks with surprising thoroughness. He seemed to have struck up a friendship with Zabuton’s children, as they appeared to be exchanging information about local pests. He also gave friendly, respectful greetings to any of Kuro’s children who happened to pass by, maintaining a remarkably humble posture around the wolves.
After that, it was off to the ranch area. He liked to claim his territory while making his rounds, but his efforts there were less than successful. The horses ignored him, the cows swatted him away with their tails, and he couldn't even get close to the goats. When he looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, "Isn't it cheating for them to bunch up in a herd like that?" I really didn't know how to respond.
In fact, if he truly wanted to claim territory, shouldn't he be looking at the residents over there? Aegis followed my gaze toward the dragons, Hakuren and Rusty. He stared at them for a moment, closed his eyes as if in deep meditation, and then decided he hadn't seen anything at all.
I wondered if he wanted to try a one-on-one match with a goat next time. I just hoped he wouldn't get hurt.
After the ranch area, he moved on to the fruit area. He didn't sneak any snacks; instead, he seemed to be studying the different varieties. His requests for specific fruits during meals had become much more detailed lately. I’d been worried he might get into a scuffle with the bees, but before any conflict could arise, one of Zabuton's children stepped in to mediate. I could learn a thing or two from them. I’d love to be able to stop trouble before it starts like that.
At noon, Aegis returned to the mansion for lunch. His midday meal was meat. He would grip the meat with his talons and try to tear it apart with his beak.
...But he couldn't quite manage it.
After several failed attempts, he’d end up running to the High Ogre maids, pleading with them to cut it into smaller pieces. He was still just a chick, after all. However, if they served it pre-cut from the start, he’d get offended. The High Ogre maids just watched over him with warm, indulgent smiles. They were truly broad-minded.
After lunch, Aegis would find a sunny spot for a nap. Lately, he’d taken to sleeping on Zabuton’s back. I understood his reasoning—it was undoubtedly the safest sanctuary in the village—but I worried if Zabuton was okay with it. She didn't mind? Well, if she was fine with it, then I wouldn't interfere, but I told her to let me know if he was ever in the way so I could put him back in his birdhouse.
Once his nap was over, he went back to patrolling the fields. Even if it was ultimately for the sake of his own food, I admired his diligence. I found myself thinking about making his field a bit larger next year.
In the time before dinner, he usually played with the kittens inside the mansion. Despite being a bird and cats, they had become remarkably close. He seemed to be quite good at navigating social circles.
However, during his playtime, he spotted Urza and tried to flee at full speed. He wasn't fast enough. He was promptly captured by one of Urza's tackles. Aegis looked at me, wordlessly pleading for rescue.
"E-err, Urza... I heard phoenix chicks are sturdy, but don't go overboard, okay? You understand? You really understand? Don't go throwing him or anything."
Aegis, I've done what I can, so you’ll just have to accept your fate.
Incidentally, the kittens had already vanished the moment they sensed Urza’s presence. It seemed Aegis still lacked the experience to know when to run. Then again, it had only been about ten days since he hatched.
When night fell, Aegis ate his dinner. He seemed to have no trouble with fish, either. He didn't swallow them whole; instead, he pecked at them bit by bit. Despite his method, he left the bones and entrails perfectly intact. He was far more dexterous than I was, which made me feel a little jealous.
After his meal, Aegis returned to his birdhouse to sleep. There was a perch inside, but he preferred to sleep on a bundle of straw I’d placed on the floor. I’d expected him to sleep sitting up, but he actually slept flat on his back.
...Well, everyone has their own preferred sleeping position. Goodnight.
As a side note, the birdhouse also contained a water tub and an outhouse. I was grateful that he only did his business in the designated spot. When I first arranged for a toilet slime to be placed there, he’d pecked at it, only to be met with a counterattack. Since then, he hasn't laid a beak on the slime. He was definitely a fast learner.