I sat at the counter in Amel-san's house, looking out through a large window that offered a sweeping view of the Winged Race's Village. Since her home sat at the highest point in the settlement, it felt as though I could see everything at once.
"It's different than I imagined... there are actually quite a few shops here," I remarked.
"I understand how you feel, Sworn Friend," Amel-san replied. "There is no doubt that the Winged Race is an insular species, and we're often perceived as living in opposition to the march of civilization. However, we are merely reclusive, not exclusionary. We regularly adopt useful technologies, like Magic Tools. While life for most of our people is contained within the village, those who work in trade do bring in goods from the outside."
I see. They weren't exactly eager to mingle with other races, but they didn't shun interaction entirely either; they simply imported what they needed when necessary. Now that I thought about it, they did set up a small stall every year at the Arclesia Empire's Founding Anniversary Festival to sell accessories and such—even if that felt more like a formality. It seemed they also conducted business with others, though it required certain connections, much like Lilia-san had been trying to do.
"Well, the village is high in the mountains, as you can see," Amel-san continued. "Ingredients like saltwater fish must be brought in from the outside. Personally, I believe we should engage more with the world beyond our borders, but... the weight of eternity is a heavy burden. Tradition can become a chain that binds one's thoughts. It takes time to break such links."
"It's hard to tell people who have been isolated for generations to suddenly start socializing. Like you said, Amel-san, taking it slow is probably for the best."
"Yes. However, I believe that by actively interacting with the outside world myself, I am slowly changing our people's mindset. Change takes time, but I'm seeing the first signs of it."
"I'm sure that seeing you so involved will inspire others to take an interest in the world. To think of that and actually put it into practice... you really are the Leader of the Winged Race, Amel-san."
"Ehehe, you think so? Hearing that from my Sworn Friend makes me so hap—Ahem! My thanks for your kind words."
Amel-san was genuinely working hard to change her people's way of life. Her participation in events like the Harmonic Symphony After-party was likely part of a deliberate effort to lead by example, hoping that her interactions with other races would gradually shift the village's collective consciousness.
"Do other races ever actually visit the village?" I asked.
"I wouldn't say never, but there are only a few exceptions. First, there's the formal route. It requires approval from several high-ranking village elders, and the application process is exhaustive. Even then, approval isn't guaranteed. It's quite a hassle."
"I remember you saying it was complicated to get me in here the first time."
"Indeed. But in your case, Sworn Friend, you have the blessing of the Creator God-sama, making you a special exception. You're more like the second type of exception: a guest cordially invited by the Winged Race itself. This usually only applies to the God Race. My people are extremely devout; we revere nature—the sky, the earth, the sea—and the God of Life-sama, the source of all things. We often invite the Gods to our most important festivals, and in those instances, no red tape is required."
Given their piousness, it made sense they would invite the Gods. I wondered who usually attended. Someone like Erne-san, perhaps?
"I see... and who usually visits? Is it the low-ranking Gods assigned to the Arclesia Empire?"
"Sometimes it's a deity with a temple in the Empire, like the God of Fertility, but generally, it's just whoever the God of Life-sama assigns. We don't get to choose. That said... the Great Sea God-sama is gracious enough to attend quite frequently."
"Marine-san does? ...Wait, I have a question. What does the Winged Race think of Eingana-san?"
"The Sea Dragon who Dwells in the Great Ocean? You mean the high-ranking subordinate of the Dragon King who Shakes the Earth? Nothing in particular, why?"
...I see. Now I understood why Marine-san was such a frequent guest. Unlike humans, the Winged Race didn't view Eingana-san as a god of the sea. They recognized the Great Sea God, Marine-san, as the one and only God of the Sea.
For someone like Marine-san, who obsessed over her popularity, a race that clearly ranked her above Eingana-san in matters of the ocean must be incredibly precious. No wonder she favored them.
Serious-senpai: "Ah, I see. That makes perfect sense."
???: "Since the Winged Race praises and faithfully worships Marine-san as the God of the Sea, she’s happy to be pampered, so she seems to attend the Winged Race's festivals as much as possible as long as she has no work or plans."