Chapter 274: It’s a big, clumsy bird!

They were still a long way from the Sekern birds' territory, and it was nighttime. How could they possibly have attracted one?

"SCREEEEEE—!"

Another commanding challenge rang out, even louder than the first. Judging by how quickly the sound was growing, the bird was approaching at tremendous speed.

Budno asked in astonishment, "D-Don't tell me it was attracted by our calls?"

Angel said, "You were the one who made that threatening call before a fight."

Budno clicked his tongue. "What are the odds? Was a Sekern bird just happening to fly past?"

"It wasn't a coincidence," Kumandi said calmly. "You were simply too loud."

Shu Li nodded emphatically.

Budno was famous for his booming voice. When he shouted, anyone within a hundred miles could hear him loud and clear.

Clearly, the challenge he'd imitated had reached a Sekern bird all the way in its own territory.

"SCREE—!"

As the furious cries drew closer, Shu Li made an immediate decision. He grabbed the magic staff lying beside him and shouted to the others, "Prepare for battle!"

Whether their visitor came with friendly intentions or not, they needed to be ready for a fight.

Without hesitation, everyone picked up their weapons and braced themselves.

Falm flapped his wings and landed on Shu Li's left shoulder. "Want me to give it a little scare?"

As the Sekern bird approached, Falm's powerful senses had already determined its strength.

An eighth-rank magical bird. Nothing to worry about.

"No," Shu Li refused.

He was afraid that if Falm released his intimidating aura, the bird would flee.

This Sekern bird had arrived at exactly the right time, saving them a great deal of trouble. If everything went smoothly, they might even finish their assignment tonight.

Once it arrived, they would try asking politely first. If it refused to give them its feathers, they would simply beat it until it agreed.

Little Fairies were very reasonable creatures.

The Sekern bird certainly lived up to its reputation as a magical bird of the swift winds. As its challenging cries grew louder, a dark shadow shot through the forest, stirring countless leaves into a rustling frenzy.

With a tremendous thud, the enormous shadow landed on a thick branch. It immediately unleashed the terrifying pressure of an eighth-rank magical bird, attempting to intimidate the adventurers camped beneath the tree.

The Little Fairies and the young dragon were powerful themselves and regularly dealt with high-ranking magical beasts. The Sekern bird's pressure barely registered with them.

Their human companions, however, weren't so fortunate.

The three genuine Mage Apprentices found their legs trembling uncontrollably, while Seriu and Halis stood on guard, ready to fight.

Ace remained perfectly composed, giving no indication of whether he was frightened.

Falm rolled his eyes in disdain.

If the Little Fairy hadn't forbidden him from releasing his own aura, would this Sekern bird still dare act so arrogantly in front of him?

Perched high above them, the Sekern bird surveyed the adventurers beneath the tree with piercing eyes and murderous intent.

It was certain the provocative challenge it had heard earlier had come from this very spot.

As a high-ranking Sekern bird, it considered the entire Magical Beast Forest its hunting territory. Although other Sekern birds competed for territory, an eighth-rank magical bird held a decisive advantage.

Tonight, after eating and drinking its fill, it had been too lazy to return to its nest in the center of the forest. Instead, it had brazenly seized a cooing bird's nest and was preparing to enjoy a wonderful night's sleep.

Then, out of nowhere, it had heard another Sekern bird hurling insults and issuing a challenge.

The insults had been so outrageous that it simply couldn't tolerate them.

Accepting the challenge, it had followed the sound, flying over to settle matters in a fight.

And what did it find?

A bunch of adventurers with a death wish.

The Sekern bird that had challenged it was nowhere to be seen.

Cunning humans!

They must have been behind this, deliberately imitating a birdcall to lure it here.

Well, if they were so eager to die, it would gladly oblige.

The Sekern bird spread its wings and fluffed out the feathers on its head, assuming an attacking posture.

Halis tightened his grip on his magic staff, fine beads of sweat covering his forehead.

It had been a long time since he'd experienced such terrifying pressure. Being watched by a high-ranking Sekern bird at such close range sent chills down his spine.

Seriu quietly stepped in front of him, shielding him with his own body.

Halis stared at the young man's back, momentarily stunned.

At some point, the boy he'd spent so many years protecting had grown up.

He now had broad, strong shoulders and a steadfast back, and he was capable of turning around to protect Halis in return.

Shu Li freed his left hand and rubbed his neck, which was growing sore from looking upward.

He recited a simple wind magic incantation, and his body floated into the air until he was level with the Sekern bird.

The bird immediately let out a threatening shriek. Every feather on its body stood on end, and it prepared to attack at any moment.

Shu Li remained completely unfazed.

With a pleasant smile, he greeted it politely.

"Good evening, Mr. Big Bird. I'm Sperien from the Faerie Forest. It's a pleasure to meet you here in the Magical Beast Forest."

He spoke in flawless Elven.

Most high-ranking magical beasts possessed intelligence and could speak. Sekern birds frequently traveled between the Faerie Forest and the Magical Beast Forest, so naturally, they understood Elven.

By introducing himself, Shu Li hoped to clear up the misunderstanding and defuse the tense situation.

If they could avoid fighting, so much the better.

But if this Sekern bird refused to be reasonable, he wouldn't mind beating it into submission.

At first, the Sekern bird was thoroughly displeased by the words "Mr. Big Bird."

What kind of ridiculous name was that?

It had a name, thank you very much!

Decklet!

Not some blasted "Mr. Big Bird"!

But then it heard two particular names.

Faerie Forest.

Sperien.

Its eyes suddenly widened.

It hastily folded its outstretched wings, its expression turning to outright terror, and let out a piercing scream.

"A Fairy! You said you're a Fairy! And your name is Sperien?"

The Sekern bird wrapped its wings tightly around itself and pressed against the thick tree trunk, looking like a helpless little bird desperately searching for shelter.

"That's right. I'm Sperien from the Faerie Forest."

Shu Li stared at the bird in confusion, wondering what had caused its attitude to change so dramatically.

Then inspiration struck.

He silently recited a light magic incantation, conjuring a glowing orb that immediately floated toward the branch.

"AAAAH! THE FAIRIES ARE HERE! THE FAIRIES ARE HERE! THE FAIRIES HAVE COME AGAIN!"

The Sekern bird let out a bloodcurdling shriek, threw open its wings, and prepared to flee.

Shu Li immediately recognized its intentions.

"Falm!"

At his command, Falm transformed into a ball of fire and shot toward the Sekern bird, simultaneously unleashing the overwhelming pressure of a magical beast above the tenth rank.

THUD!

The Sekern bird stiffened in terror, fell from the sky, and slammed heavily into the ground.

The human members of the Light Squad stared in utter disbelief.

Shu Li quickly directed the Little Fairies.

"It's the stupid bird! Hurry, surround it!"

The Little Fairies' eyes lit up.

Without another word, they rushed forward and surrounded the fallen bird. Dixio even swapped his magic staff for a bow and arrow, pressing the arrowhead directly against the Sekern bird's enormous head.

The bird's fall had gouged a massive crater into the ground.

Still dizzy and disoriented, it suddenly found itself surrounded by murderous intent. Trembling with fear, it cautiously raised its head, only to find a sharp arrow pointed straight at it.

Its pupils contracted in terror.

Little Fairies!

They're Little Fairies from the Faerie Forest!

Now that they were close, it finally recognized the distinctive aura surrounding them.

Shu Li crouched in front of the bird, smiling brightly as he waved.

"Hi there, stupid bird! Long time no see. Remember me?"

The Sekern bird stared at the black-haired Little Fairy disguised as a human, desperately trying to compare him with the blond Fairy cub in its memories.

But no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't connect the two.

Eighteen years ago, it had accidentally carried off a Fairy cub. Once it realized what had happened, it had been too busy fleeing for its life to get a proper look at the cub's face.

But the name Sperien?

That name was unforgettable.

Every Sekern bird in the Magical Beast Forest knew it.

Because eighteen years ago, an adult Fairy named Chris had stormed into the Magical Beast Forest, declaring that he was there to avenge Sperien.

He'd raised such an enormous commotion that not a single Sekern bird had enjoyed a moment's peace.

And Decklet, being the one responsible for the whole disaster, had suffered the worst of it.

That month had been a living nightmare.

It had lost so much weight that its entire body had shrunk noticeably. Anxiety and sleeplessness had taken their toll, leaving its feathers dull and falling out in handfuls.

It had nearly gone bald!

Fortunately, after enduring those dreadful days, the Fairy had finally left the Magical Beast Forest.

At long last, Decklet had been able to sleep peacefully and recover its strength.

But never in its wildest dreams had it imagined that eighteen years later, it would encounter five Little Fairies in the Magical Beast Forest!

Five underage Little Fairies, every one of them possessing considerable magical strength!

Weren't underage Little Fairies supposed to be living carefree lives in the Faerie Forest?

Why were they mingling with humans and adventuring in the Magical Beast Forest?

"Hey, stupid bird! Our boss asked you a question!" Dixio threatened, pushing his arrow closer.

Decklet shuddered.

Its eyes shifted toward the little red baby beast hovering in midair.

That terrifying pressure, belonging to a creature above the tenth rank, was coming from him.

As a magical bird that knew when to stand tall and when to bow its head, Decklet promptly flattened itself against the bottom of the crater in a posture of submission.

Huge tears spilled from its eyes as it began apologizing to the Little Fairy between sobs.

"I'm sorry! Sperien! Please forgive me! I really didn't know you were hanging from that fruit branch back then! If I'd known, I never would have dared carry you away! When I discovered you, I was so frightened that I abandoned you and ran away by myself! Waaaaah! I've already repented sincerely before the Light God!"

Everyone in the Light Squad: "..."

A bird.

An enormous, high-ranking magical bird.

Lying on the ground and sobbing as though its heart were breaking.

What kind of bizarre spectacle was this supposed to be?

Anyone watching would think they were bullying it!

Shu Li was speechless, a vein throbbing at his temple.

In the otherwise silent forest, the stupid bird's dreadful wailing sounded especially piercing.

"Tch."

Falm withdrew his aura and settled onto a nearby branch.

He couldn't even be bothered to intimidate such a spineless magical bird.

With the crushing pressure suddenly gone, Decklet's sobbing subsided a little.

Its complaints, however, continued.

"...I've reflected deeply on my mistakes! I've always wanted to visit the Faerie Forest and apologize to you. But that hateful Bazien! That wicked magical serpent threatened to swallow me whole if I ever dared return to the Faerie Forest!

"Waaaaah! I was terrified! I was only seventh rank back then, so I couldn't possibly defeat Bazien! Oh, he was seventh rank too, but he had allies! Do you know Niledi? That three-headed water monster living in Lake Bogaman? It's ninth rank! And there's a water serpent called Holekase! That one's eighth rank!

"All these years, I've had to watch helplessly as the other Sekern birds went off to enjoy themselves in the Faerie Forest, while I stayed here all alone in the Magical Beast Forest! I've never been able to eat those delicious fruits again! Ahhh, the fruit grown by Fairies is so delicious!"

By the time Decklet reached the end of its lament, its tears had long since dried up.

Instead, saliva dribbled from its beak, and its face was practically a picture of greed.

"You still want to steal fruit?"

The Little Fairies glared at it.

"No! Never! I wouldn't dare!"

Decklet immediately cowered.

Oh, no!

I got so carried away talking that I nearly revealed my true nature!

"Hmph!"

Dixio gave it a vicious glare.

Shu Li sighed inwardly.

He could see through the stupid bird now. It hadn't changed its ways in the slightest.

All those dramatic tears were worth absolutely nothing!

He took a fresh, tender red fruit from his storage ring and waved it in front of the bird.

"Look. What's this?"

"A Romi fruit!"

Decklet cried out in astonishment, its eyes locking onto the fruit in Shu Li's hand.

This was an incredibly delicious fruit that grew only in the Elven Kingdom!

In the several hundred years it had been alive, Decklet had managed to steal one only once.

And even then, an Elf had nearly caught it. Fortunately, it had escaped just in time.

Shu Li raised an eyebrow.

The stupid bird really was a habitual thief. It knew the fruits grown by Fairies and Elves as well as the back of its own wing!

"As for you carrying me away eighteen years ago, I can forgive you."

Chris had already avenged him, after all. There was no point holding a grudge over something so long ago.

"Thank you for your forgiveness!"

Decklet spoke excitedly, though its eyes remained fixed on the fruit in Shu Li's hand.

Shu Li deliberately waved the Romi fruit back and forth in front of its face, making the bird drool helplessly.

"There's a little favor I'd like to ask you. If you agree, this fruit is yours."

"Yes! Yes! Of course! No problem!"

For the sake of that delicious fruit, Decklet agreed without a moment's hesitation.

Shu Li gave it a kindly smile.

"I also have a few questions for you. As long as you answer honestly, I'll give you another Romi fruit."

Two Romi fruits?

Decklet nearly burst with excitement.

"If I know the answers, I'll tell you everything! Go on, ask me! Ask me!"

It could hardly wait to get its beak on the fruit.

Romi fruits!

Eating them could even strengthen one's constitution!

Seeing that he'd dangled enough bait, Shu Li finally stated his terms.

"I need twenty feathers from your body. Preferably wing feathers, and the harder they are, the better."

Decklet froze.

Its feathers?

From its wings?

Twenty of them?

Wasn't that asking a bit much?

Sekern birds were known for their extraordinary speed precisely because of the feathers on their wings.

Giving away twenty at once would turn it from a fast bird into a slow one!

Nevertheless, for the sake of those two Romi fruits, Decklet gritted its beak and agreed.

"Fine! I'll give them to you! But I have a condition too!"

"You have a condition?" Kumandi asked coldly.

Decklet immediately shrank its raised head back down.

"Well... apart from allowing me to return to the Faerie Forest, could you please ask those five underage Sekern birds not to pick fights with me?"

"Hmm? Five Sekern birds?"

Shu Li paused in surprise.

"You mean Dore and the others?"