The parade finally drew to a close, but the banquet continued deep into the night.
Perhaps because this year’s theme centered on water-related myths, there had been quite a few scenes involving people diving into the reservoir. Consequently, the water level had dropped significantly.
That was definitely a point for reflection.
The dragons cooperated by transporting massive blocks of ice from the North Mountain to melt into the reservoir, so it looked like the shortage would be managed somehow. However, I found myself worrying about the temperature. I hoped the Pond Turtles wouldn't decide to go back into hibernation.
I needn't have worried; they had already evacuated to the shore until the water warmed up again. There, there. They were the stars of the parade, after all. They were more than welcome to eat as much cabbage as they liked.
Of course, I couldn't forget the Lizardmen who had worked so hard alongside them. In some ways, they had more moments in the spotlight than I did. I wasn’t saying I wanted to stand out more next year—far from it. The direction we took this time, where everyone else got their moment to shine, was much better.
The Top Three Highlights of the Parade:
First, the water performance by the Pond Turtles and the Lizardmen.
Second, the High Elves bursting from the water atop their Pegasi. It looked less like a parade and more like a military march, especially since they were all armed.
And finally, the finale, where everyone jumped into the water while dancing. It struck me then how frightening a festival atmosphere could be, making people do things they would never even consider under normal circumstances.
Then, there were the Top Three Most Heartwarming or Amusing Moments:
First, Ol the Orthrus. He had been so shocked when Guronde accidentally crashed into the reservoir that he dove in after her and started dog-paddling for all he was worth.
Second, the few children of Kuro who couldn't swim. They spent the entire time pacing anxiously around the edge of the water.
And third, Aegis, the phoenix chick. He developed a sudden case of "bird-shyness" toward the Giant Birds and refused to leave the Eagle's back. Because of that, the Eagle spent the entire time lecturing the Giant Birds. By the time its turn in the parade came and it reluctantly finished its scolding, the Giant Birds were completely exhausted.
While I wouldn't go so far as to say they deserved it, I did hope they would take the time to reflect on their behavior.
Speaking of which, I still didn't know why those birds had tried to snatch me away in the first place. I decided I would ask them properly the next day. For the time being, I spent the rest of the night indulging Zabuton by participating in a fashion show to showcase the outfits she had made.
Seeing her so happy made it all worth it.
The following day.
The Giant Birds stood in a line, surrounded by the village residents. Zabuton and the Eagle stood before them, acting as the presiding judges. It seemed they were finally ready to explain why they had tried to kidnap me.
Of course, the Giant Birds couldn't speak human tongue. Neither could Zabuton or the Eagle. However, I had been with Zabuton for a long time now, so I could generally grasp her meaning. I had developed a similar understanding with the Eagle as well.
And so, the explanations began.
The first was the Giant Crow.
"It is my duty to lead others to the place where a new nation shall be born. Come, let us depart on a journey together!"
The Giant Crow spread its wings and gazed into the distance. I understood its objective, but why had it chosen me?
"I have watched your success in building a village in the heart of the Forest of Death for some time. I intended to recruit you much earlier, but I couldn't bring myself to dive into that spider's territory, so I watched from afar. Then, by a stroke of luck, you were flying through our domain. I saw my chance and acted on impulse. I apologize for the lack of protocol. Please, accept my formal apology."
The Giant Crow produced a beautiful stone the size of a large bowl and offered it to me. Apparently, it was compensation for the trouble it had caused. I accepted it without hesitation.
Wait, usually Lu or the others would jump at something like this, but they weren't moving. Instead, the dwarves were the ones buzzing with excitement. I wondered what it was. Well, I could ask later.
"So, to ask once more... do you have any intention of starting a new nation with me?"
I appreciated the offer, but I had no intention of leaving this village.
"...I see. That is a pity."
The bird's dejection was obvious even without a translator. I felt a bit bad for it, but I wasn't going to budge on my decision.
The second was the Giant Swan. Actually, the third bird, the Giant Black Swan, joined in as well. If it made the explanation faster, I didn't mind.
"I simply want someone to love," the Giant Swan explained, spreading her wings as if to say I should fall for her. "I took a liking to you, so I decided to make you my partner."
The Giant Black Swan immediately snapped at her. "This one causes trouble all over the world by throwing herself at men, so I’m here to stop her."
"You say I cause trouble, but I only fail because you're always interfering!"
"I interfere because you're reckless! Just show some self-restraint for once!"
"I live for love!"
"Then live for love all you want! There are plenty of swans who would kill to propose to you!"
"Hmph! I want nothing to do with such unrefined creatures!"
"That's no excuse to go after other species! Do you have any idea how many complaints I have to deal with because of you? I’m not your personal secretary!"
"Then stop getting in my way!"
"I only do this because your parents begged me in tears! Stop while I’m still the one dealing with you! If someone else takes offense, I won't be able to save you."
As I watched Zabuton and the Eagle translate this back-and-forth, the two swans started a brawl in the reservoir. Zabuton promptly tied them both up with her silk.
She restrained both of them, but... I didn't think the Black Swan was really in the wrong here. Ah, I see. Apparently, the Black Swan tended to be a bit extreme when it came to stopping the other's antics.
We had digressed quite a bit, but there was one glaring issue. Our species were far too different. Wouldn't it be impossible for me and a giant swan to "nurture love"?
When I voiced that doubt, the Giant Swan began to glow and transformed into a human.
A woman of such breathtaking beauty stood there that a small gasp escaped my lips. I was immediately rewarded with sharp pinches from both Lu and Tia. I felt I deserved a little slack; it was like stumbling upon a legendary gemstone. It was only natural for the heart to skip a beat.
Before I could say anything, a hand blocked my view.
"Do not be deceived! She can change her form into any species she desires!"
The one who had blocked my sight was a woman who looked almost identical to the beauty before her, though her clothes were black where the other's were white. The Black Swan, I assumed.
"Yes. As you can see, our appearance is entirely up to us. I can look exactly like her if I wish."
At the Black Swan's words, I regained my composure. So that was her true nature.
"Wait! I was turned into a swan by a curse!" the White Swan cried. "This is my true form! That girl is lying to you!"
"Stop with the lies! You've been a swan since the day you hatched!"
I certainly understood that she was a troublemaker. However, while I didn't think of myself as ugly, I wasn't vain enough to think I was some peerless handsome man either. I considered myself quite ordinary. What could she possibly have seen in me?
The Black Swan provided the answer. "To be honest... she doesn't care who it is, as long as it isn't a swan. This time, she saw you being kidnapped and thought that if she 'rescued' you, you might fall for her. But then she got greedy and tried to just kidnap you herself."
"N-No! I wasn't trying to kidnap him!"
The White Swan denied it, but based on everything I'd seen, I was siding with the Black Swan.
"Black Swan, why don't you have something to eat? You've clearly had a long, hard journey."
There was no need to be shy. She could have seconds, too. I didn't expect her to burst into tears, though... and Swan, stop complaining that it's unfair.
Wait, if they could speak in human form, I wish they had just explained things that way from the start.
Finally, there was the Giant Peacock.
His motive was simple: his kind had a biological urge to celebrate auspicious occasions. He had genuinely just come to offer his blessings. When he saw the aerial battle unfolding, he had simply joined in the excitement.
He hadn't really done anything wrong. However, the rule was that they were supposed to celebrate in pairs, but he had rushed out ahead of his partner. That was why the other Giant Peacock had been scolding him so fiercely earlier. If you're left behind like that, of course you'd be angry.
I decided to leave the Peacock to his mate's discipline, though I did thank him for coming to celebrate.
In summary: the Crow, who acted on impulse, and the White Swan, who jumped on the bandwagon, were the primary culprits. Since the Crow had apologized properly and both Zabuton and the Eagle had already given them a thorough scolding, I didn't feel the need to demand anything more. They seemed to have reflected enough.
The real problem was the White Swan. She was currently attempting to seduce Galf's son and was being held in a very painful-looking joint lock by his wife.
I had a feeling that leaving her to her own devices was going to lead to even more headaches.