I enjoyed a bit of shopping with Amel-san, visiting several stores and purchasing a few items, including some brushes. At first, the shopkeepers refused to accept my money because I possessed Shiro-san’s Blessing... but Amel-san showed some quick thinking. She persuaded them by saying, "Since my Sworn Friend, who has received the Blessing of Shallow Vernal-sama, wishes to pay for his purchases, refusing him would be an act of Lèse-majesté." Thanks to her, I was able to shop like a normal person.
"Well, that tactic only works because you're a Sworn Friend who has received the Creator God-sama's Blessing," Amel-san noted. "The idea that defying a God's will is Lèse-majesté is a common belief among the Winged Race. Though, truth be told, they wouldn't offer free goods to anyone who wasn't a Sworn Friend in the first place..."
"Regardless, I'm just relieved I could pay. Thank you, Amel-san."
"Ehehe."
Hearing my words, Amel-san gave a truly radiant smile. Even though she was far older than me in actual years, she had a certain youthful cuteness about her. Since her appearance and personality both seemed quite young, perhaps it wasn't so strange to think of her as a junior.
"Sworn Friend! Is there anything else you desire? If you wish it, I shall lead you to any destination you crave, like a Star illuminating the Night!"
"Thank you. I think I've had enough shopping for now... Hmm. Next, I’d like to go somewhere with a nice view, if there is one. Since the Winged Race’s Village is so high in the mountains, I imagine there are plenty of beautiful spots."
"Leave it to me! I'll take you somewhere with a truly magnificent view!"
I could have called it a day and headed back to Amel-san’s House, but I could see the spark of anticipation in her eyes. She clearly wanted to keep showing me around, so I decided to ask for a scenic spot next.
Amel-san’s face lit up. She quickly moved behind me, gripped me firmly, and took to the sky. Since the Winged Race’s Village didn't use bridges, this was the only way to travel, but even though I was used to it, my heart still gave a little thud every time she jumped onto my back and took flight.
"Where are we headed, by the way?"
"A short distance from the village is a place called the Peak of Wind. A Great Wind flows there like a guide, and the breeze passing through the fissures in the rocks acts as a performer, playing a song. It isn't a natural miracle, however; it's a work of art created by our ancestors."
"A place where the Wind sounds like music? That sounds incredible."
"It is. And the view of the majestic wilderness is equally sublime."
Intrigued, I watched the scenery blur past until an area came into view that looked like the back of a hedgehog, covered in countless jagged, pointed rocks. At the center of these spires was a flat, level area about a meter or two wide. Amel-san touched down gently on that spot.
Looking around, the surrounding spires were lower than this central platform, making them almost invisible from our vantage point. Instead, my eyes were met with a truly breathtaking view of the vast, majestic mountain range, just as Amel-san had promised.
But that wasn't all. I could hear music. Soft, layered tones, much like the sound of flutes, combined to create a melody that felt like a hauntingly beautiful folk song.
"...Wow. It sounds like actual music, even more than I expected. Was this designed on purpose?"
"Yes. Because of the layout of the surrounding mountains, the Wind blows in a nearly constant direction unless there's a storm. Those pointed rocks we saw from above have holes carved into them, tuned to play specific notes as the wind passes through. There is a bit of a trick to it, though."
"A trick?"
"A special Barrier Magic was placed at the entrance of this rocky area. To prevent the sounds from overlapping into a discordant mess, it blocks the Wind at regular intervals, timing the gusts so they hit the rocks in a specific sequence. That’s how it creates a proper melody."
"I see... that's amazing. Between the view and the music, this is really something special."
If the wind blew constantly, the same notes would just drone on; the magic was necessary to create rhythm and melody. Still, the fact that they could use the natural wind and hollowed stones to create such a symphony was impressive and deeply moving.
"This is my favorite spot," Amel-san said. "I've come here since I was young to look at the view... That's why I wanted to bring my Sworn Friend here!"
"I understand... thank you. I'm really glad you brought me here."
"Ehehe, I'm glad you like it. Oh! That's right, Sworn Friend! On that mountain over there..."
Beaming with genuine happiness, Amel-san completely forgot her usual dramatic persona. She chatted away in her natural voice, sharing stories about the landscape and her own childhood memories.
Serious-senpai: "...Based on the timing, I guess he'll be visiting Flare next?"