7. The girl who will become a count (1)
#7
Ronan flipped her shaft upside down. Something blue fell down. The boys’ eyes widened.
-Beep…?
“What is that?”
“bird?”
It was a bird. A bird whose entire body except for its beak is covered with blue feathers. The size was at most a little larger than a pigeon. The blue bird was slowly tilting its head and looking around.
“Huh what kind of bird is blue? “It’s fascinating.”
Ronan carefully picked up the bird. Even excluding the blue feathers its appearance was very unusual.
If we had to compare it to a conventional bird it resembled a crow but its feathers were incredibly abundant.
-Beep…?
“But why is this guy so stupid? “You can’t fly?”
The bird was curled up quietly in Ronan’s palm. Even when I touched her she just drooped listlessly and showed no particular reaction. Asher lay down and opened her mouth.
“There’s something on Ronan’s new leg.”
“what?”
Ronan flipped the bird. As Asher said silver-colored rings were attached to the slender legs. When I looked closely I saw something written on the surface of the ring.
“Car…ribol…ro?”
Ronan slowly read along with her words. He frowned as he pondered her memory. Caribolo. Caribolo’s Lasso.
If his memory was correct it was the name of one of the top five poaching organizations on the continent.
‘So those two were Caribolo’s poachers? It seemed too…stupid to do that.’
Ronan knew something about Caribolo’s notoriety. This was thanks to the fact that there were several comrades in the punishment unit who had been arrested for poaching.
They stayed up and talked about the strange animals they had caught.
“Then this ring is….”
He soon remembered Gori’s identity. Tamer Ring. It was a type of shackles made to suppress mysterious animals commonly called phantom species. It is said that specially treated metal disturbs the mana of trapped phantom species.
“Tsk.”
A sword was pulled from Ronan’s waist. He placed his blade on the hook and pulled. The tamer ring split in half fell to the floor.
“The idiots have nothing better to do so they are torturing the dumb beast.”
-Beep?!
Because the force control was delicate not a single wound was left on the leg. The bird’s eyes widened. Suddenly the soft feathers began to harden.
“Why is this guy acting like this all of a sudden?”
-Beep…
The feathers were becoming more manly than simply hard. The bird curled up burying its head under its chest.
Soon when the feathers hardened the bird took on the appearance of an egg.
“…is he dead?”
Ronan knocked as if knocking on an eggshell. There was no response except a sound like hitting a metal object.
At that moment a deep male voice rang in Ronan’s ears.
[W: Connected! Are you the one protecting Marfez?!]
“Hey it’s a surprise. what?”
[I’m sorry. I am Marfez the original guardian of the dream bird. We are looking for someone who went missing early yesterday morning.]
When I listened carefully I realized that the voice was echoing in my head not in my ears. It was electromagnetic magic that I had experienced before. Only then did Ronan discover that an elaborate magic circle had been drawn on the egg.
Looking at the context it seemed like a connection magic to prevent loss. Has the Tamer Ring been interfering with the activation of magic? He said putting his mouth close to the egg.
“I don’t know what Marfez… is but I guess you’re talking about a blue bird.”
[Blue bird! you’re right! Oh I’m so glad…! Can I ask where you found it?]
“Two idiots were running away with it in a sack.”
[Yes?!]
The owner of the voice seemed quite surprised and started asking various questions. Ronan explained the current situation as concisely as possible and how he rescued the animal which was confusing as to whether it was a bird or an egg.
[that…! I thought I dropped it somewhere but I never thought it was stolen…! I really don’t know how to thank you for this.]
“It’s okay. “Anyway the bird suddenly turned into an egg. Is this okay?”
[Ah turning into Al is one of our Marfez’s abilities. Normally it runs around quickly but when it gets tired or injured it turns into an egg and takes a rest.]
The blue bird’s name was Marfez. It doesn’t look like that at all but since it is a ‘dream bird’ belonging to a fantastic species it is said to have many talents other than changing its feathers into eggshells.
“So how did you lose it?”
[So…I originally research phantom species in a research lab…]
He said he believed he had been robbed while spending time in a nearby town on work. Mar…somehow he takes on the form of an egg even when he sleeps so I was guessing that the crime was probably committed around that time.
[I was just about to report her missing to the National Police Agency… I’m so glad.]
“Well I see. Anyway how do I get this friend back? “I have no plans to go to the system right now.”
[Of course I have to find it. Please tell me the location and I will be there within two days.]
“Um…we have to keep moving around to wait two days. “If you are released will you go straight to your home?”
[yes? Oh yes. For now yes but…]
Fortunately this strange bird has a strong homing instinct so no matter where it is left on the continent it will find its own nest.
The only problem was that once the bird had turned into an egg it usually took about three to four days to recover and emerge from the egg.
Ronan thought for a moment and then opened his mouth.
“If I sprinkle some potion on it will it come out a little faster?”
[yes? Potions? No there is no need to do that…]
“that’s right? no?”
[Of course Marfez’s feathers have the function of absorbing ingredients that are beneficial to them. But you really don’t need to do that. I will soon-]
Ronan was already holding out a potion bottle. It was the leftover potion that I used on Asher at dawn. He put a few drops of the potion on the eggshell.
“It’s small so this should be enough. “I just sprayed it so leave the cage door open.”
[Mr. Seo! Why do you have to do that…!]
“It’s not a big deal I just don’t feel like carrying it around for three days.”
It was true that the potion was effective. Suddenly cracks appeared on the egg and a red beak stuck out between the broken pieces.
He placed the egg that was turning into a bird on the floor. In just a few minutes Marpe…Musiggi returned to his full bird form.
The feathers were shiny and looked several times healthier than when they were first taken out of the bag.
Ronan said.
“Go home man.”
-Beep?
The bird was blinking its clear eyes continuously with its gaze fixed on Ronan. I didn’t know how I knew the bird was better but a sound that sounded even more urgent than before rang in my head.
[oh my god! I really don’t know how to thank you…! No it’s not like this. Hurry and pluck a feather. He probably won’t resist because he knows he saved him.]
“feathers?”
Although he was skeptical Ronan did as he said. As expected the bird did not resist. In fact he even nudged the tail feathers which were particularly attractive.
The feathers had a mysterious blue color that no artist could steal. Ronan tilted his head. It’s pretty but why are you choosing this?
Swish!
Then a feather fell out of his hand. The feather that flew away like an arrow got stuck in the bluebird’s body again and returned to its original place. Ronan muttered as if he was dumbfounded.
“…What kind of magic is this?”
[The feathers of all dream birds have the characteristic of returning to their owner. If you come to the islands please follow the feather. I would definitely like to meet you and thank you.]
“I said it’s okay. “I have no intention of making a campaign just because I saved one animal.”
Ronan was sincere. He thought that although the more money the better there was no need for him to make money by doing such foolish things.
[Don’t do that. A beautiful heart deserves to be rewarded. ah! My introduction is late. My name is Professor Varen Panasir and I am researching phantom species. Then…I’ll be looking forward to the day we meet…]
Suddenly the electric sound cut off. The cause seemed to be that all the eggshells with the magic circle on them had turned into feathers.
The bird did not move until Ronan plucked its feathers again. That was the moment when he reluctantly pulled out one of his tail feathers.
-Beep!
“Uh huh?! “Yumma!”
The bird suddenly roared and jumped into the river. Ronan who was trying to rush away stopped in place. An unbelievable scene was unfolding.
“What is that damn thing?”
The bird was not flying but was running across the river. The bird which ran without paying attention to the strong current disappeared beyond sight in an instant. The two boys stood blankly looking in the direction where the bird had disappeared.
“Nimi… I’ve lived so long that I see all kinds of things.”
“huh….”
“Anyway didn’t you say he was a professor?”
“I…I didn’t hear anything.”
“…It doesn’t matter.”
The car was about to turn. Something round caught Ronan’s eye. There was a sphere lying where the bird was sitting.
“What is this again?”
Ronan picked it up. The pine cone-sized lump was oval and wide like a pebble.
“egg? Could it be that she just gave birth?”
Except in that case there was no explanation. In fact the surface of the sphere was as warm as a freshly laid egg.
However Ronan wondered whether he should really call this ‘egg’. Asher who was looking at the sphere opened his mouth.
“It looks a little…weird.”
Ronan also agreed with that opinion. To be honest saying it was strange was somewhat polite. If it hadn’t been in the shape of a perfect sphere I would have kicked it thinking it was shit.
The rough surface was as rough as if it had been covered in mud and the color was very similar to that of brown.
“It’s not really shit is it? “Try licking Asher.”
“I hate poetry.”
Fortunately there was no smell. After contemplating for a while whether to throw it away or not Ronan eventually put the sphere in his pocket. In any case whether it was poop or eggs it was a by-product of a phantom species and it might be sold at a high price later.
‘Do the merchants of Marbas know?’
Ronan picked up the paddle again. I threw the blue feather which was constantly moving into my backpack. Since I had to go to the institution sooner or later for the entrance exam anyway I was planning to stop by Varen or something at that time.
****
The boys traveled around nearby villages and estates for four days and sold their loot. Even after filtering out what to pack and what to discard it took quite a long time because there were so many items. After earning some money Ronan bought two powerful mules.
“Relax your body! Hold the reins lightly! “You don’t want to be treated like an idiot who can’t even speak properly do you?”
“Now wait a minute! This is harder to balance than I thought… ugh! “Don’t hit me with a horsewhip!”
Ronan also taught Asher how to ride a horse. Fortunately Asher was a quick learner. He wanted to buy a horse instead of a mule but it was difficult to find a good horse in a place like this.
When there were about five sacks left the boys moved to a large city called Marvas. This splendid city built in front of the Roraima Mountain Road was a commercial hub where markets were held every day.
“Two gold coins.”
“what?! “Let’s look at it again just once. Even though I haven’t learned much I can see that it’s a real sapphire.”
“Hmm…three coins. “No more.”
“The three pieces are Nimi. Like a greedy raccoon. “Let’s go Asher.”
“What?! hey! “What did you just say?!”
The remaining five sacks were filled with expensive items that could not be sold elsewhere. They spent half a day just looking for a merchant who would pay the right price.
Fortunately a place called Caravel Merchant bought most of the remaining items at a conscientious price.
“Hmm… it’s in very good condition. The workmanship is delicate… How about twenty-two gold coins?”
The man at the top Duon Caravel paid more than ten times the price for the same necklace as before. Asher was astonished and Ronan nodded his head calmly. It was just the right price.
“great. “You are a person with a conscience.”
“Hehe that’s because a merchant’s life is credit.”
Duon bought both weapons and potion crafts. People who appeared to be employees carried goods between stalls and carts. Duon put the settlement money in a neat wooden box and handed it over.
Ronan liked him. It was nice that the prices were right but I especially liked the fact that they didn’t ask about the source of the items. If the opportunity arises he would like to do business in the future.
“Thank you for your transaction. I hope your future will be full of luck.”
“Could you please take a look at this too?”
Ronan suddenly remembered what happened a few days ago and rummaged through his pockets. He took out a dark sphere and held it out to Duon. I had completely forgotten about it since I put it in my pocket that day.
“…Why are you taking horse manure out of your pocket?”
“It’s not horse manure it’s something a bird gave birth to. Should I say I packed it up and left?”
“Is it a bird? “This?”
Duon carefully accepted the sphere. He carefully examined the sphere wearing a detector that looked like a monocle.
The feeling that I thought would end quickly took an hour. Duon tilted his head.
“This…is a little strange.”
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