012. The Proud Bird of Prey
After finally separating Daldal and Orlan, who had been tangled together fighting for quite a while...
Pant, pant, pant... Peep...
Pant, pant... Grrr!
Only after the cloud of dust inside the farm cabin finally settled could I speak with Orlan again.
“Ahem! I apologize for causing a disturbance, Small Dragon King Suho. Peep. I can tolerate many things, but I cannot tolerate insubordination... Peep.”
Orlan’s yellow eyes once again glared at Daldal.
Not willing to lose, Daldal suddenly stood on two legs, stretched both arms high into the air, and took what he clearly believed was a threatening stance.
Rather than threatening, it was cute...
No.
Focus, Yang Suho.
“Right. Well, I still don’t really understand everything, but thank you for coming to help me. Since we’re Partners now, don’t fight with each other and try to get along. Okay?”
“Ahem, ahem! If the Small Dragon King insists so strongly... Peep.”
“Pfft.”
No.
I could not laugh.
That would be rude.
Orlan’s voice and way of speaking were as dignified as an old village schoolmaster.
But because he added ‘peep’ to the end of every sentence, it became so cute that I could not get used to it.
I felt like I was about to burst out laughing.
“Why does this strange ‘peep’ keep attaching itself to my words? Peep? I am no chick. This completely destroys the dignity of a fully grown osprey. Peep. Good grief... Tsk... Peep...”
Apparently Orlan did not like the automatic ‘peep’ added to his voice either.
“Orlan, there’s something I want to ask.”
I stopped Orlan as he awkwardly walked around while complaining.
“I’m happy and grateful that you said you came to help me and even became my Partner. But honestly... I still don’t really understand the situation.”
“Yes? What do you mean? Peep?”
“As you can see, I run what you call the Small Sea. Basically, I operate a fish farm in the countryside. I’m an extremely ordinary person. But you two are what people would call SSR-Rank Partners. You’re incredibly special.”
“Ah, hearing you praise me so highly is somewhat embarrassing. Peep.”
“That’s why I’m asking. I’m a little curious why you really came looking for me. Did this Great Dragon King truly send you just to help me run a countryside fish farm?”
I finally asked Orlan the small question that had remained in one corner of my heart ever since I met Daldal.
Actually, I had once casually asked Daldal something similar.
Peet-peep!
[Translation: Of course!]
That had been his answer.
So I had simply thought, I guess that’s how it is, and moved on.
But Orlan seemed much more mature.
Maybe he could give me a more detailed explanation.
“Hmm.”
Orlan awkwardly walked closer.
“Lord Suho. Small Dragon King. Peep.”
Then he looked at me with a serious expression.
“Yes. That is truly the case. Peep.”
He answered without hesitation.
“Hm? Really?”
I tilted my head.
“Yes. How could I dare speak falsely before you? Peep?”
“That’s really all? No, I mean... Honestly, I feel like your abilities are wasted staying beside an ordinary person like me. Shouldn’t you be beside someone capable of doing something greater?”
I told Orlan what I honestly thought.
After all, the world these days was suffering because of things like Gates and monsters.
Existences threatening the world appeared every single day in impossible places, sometimes even in the middle of cities.
Of course, on the other hand, new resources discovered in and around Gates had improved people’s quality of life.
The industries related to Gates were even being called the Fifth Industry and gaining attention.
Still...
If Orlan and Daldal could go somewhere with a greater purpose rather than remain beside someone running a small countryside fish farm like me...
“Lord Suho.”
Orlan called me again with a serious expression.
“Something being small does not mean it is unserious or worthless. The opposite is also true. Peep.”
“That...”
“And before the Great Dragon King sent us, he said this. Peep.”
‘Yang Suho, the Small Dragon King of the southern sea of the Korean Peninsula, is one who will truly bring benefit to this sea. Therefore, aid him with everything you possess. Helping him will benefit every sea in the world.’
Orlan spread his enormous wings.
“Therefore, Small Dragon King Suho, do not worry. Please command us as you wish. Peep. If Lord Suho’s intentions come to fruition, that itself will benefit the sea. Peep.”
Then he lightly took off and landed on my shoulder.
Even though Orlan was a large osprey, his weight did not hurt or burden my shoulder.
Somehow, my body actually felt lighter.
“I still don’t really understand, but if you’re saying that much, then I’m more than happy to accept your help with the fish farm. Thank you, Orlan. For coming to find me.”
I lightly stroked Orlan.
It was my first time touching an osprey in my life.
The texture was much nicer than I expected, which surprised me.
Peeeeep!
Orlan happily bounced his body while crying out.
I was glad he seemed pleased.
Oh, right.
“Orlan. Are you hungry?”
Quite some time had passed.
It was already lunchtime.
The huge breakfast I had eaten was long gone from my stomach.
My internal clock was beginning to ring.
“Ahem! Lord Suho. It is a virtue of birds of prey to keep their stomachs light and soar freely through the sky, peep...?”
Grrrrumble!
“Ugh... Peep...”
Embarrassed, Orlan shuffled his feet on my shoulder.
“Hahaha. I was actually thinking of making lunch anyway. Oh, right. Is there anything you especially like?”
I asked Orlan.
“When it comes to fish, there is little I refuse. Peep. Ah, now that we speak of it, hehe. Lord Suho. Would you care to accompany me to the sea? Peep?”
“Hm? Sure. Fishing together sounds fun. Daldal, you come too.”
Peet-peep!
