After having coffee at Amel-san’s house, I was told that, since I was here, she would show me around the Wingeds’ village. I had only seen the place from the air before, so I was a bit interested.

[But my sworn friend, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but the majority of the Wingeds see you as an exalted being who received the Blessing of the God of Creation Shallow Vernal-sama, and might treat you as if you were the Gods’ Divine Messenger. My sworn friend might not feel pleasant under such attention, but please understand that they held no ill intent.]

[Yes, it’s alright. Thank you for worrying about me.]

[Unn…… Oh, but since you’re with me, I don’t think they’ll approach you just because they see you as an exalted being.]

Well, to be honest, I’m already somewhat used to being treated like that from how people treated me in Rigforesia, so it’s fine, but Amel-san seems quite concerned about me.

Since Amel-san is the only Special Individual Winged and one of the few with the strength on the level of a Peerage Holder in the Human Realm, she might be feeling concerned about the various gazes around.

In fact, she seemed very excited that I came to visit and mentioned how this was like the first time she’s invited a friend to her home, so it seems she had been treated specially in a different sense than persecution.

[I’m not too bothered about it, so don’t worry. Rather than that, I’m looking forward to walking around with you, Amel-san.]

[Ah, unn! I also have many places I want to show my swo——— Hrnn!? As expected of my sworn friend, always calm and composed…… Well then, let’s depart at once!]

Feeling as if I’m seeing the phantom of a puppy wagging its tail behind her, with a face full of joy, Amel-san moved behind me. The Wingeds’ village has no bridges or suitable infrastructure for walking, so it’s necessary for one to fly. Since I can’t fly, Amel-san would carry me.

Amel-san happily lifted me and flew up, explaining as we descended at a gentle speed.

[Right in front of us now is a district with various shops. Here in the Wingeds’ village, this district is basically the only one with stores. In the first place, there’s little interaction with the outside, so the number of stores is small. However, the brilliance sought by those who reside here is adequately present.]

[It might be few considering the size of the village, but it’s easy to understand that if you want to shop, you come here huh…… Those are…… Ohh, they even sell fish here.]

[Many Wingeds like fish. However, the Wingeds can have a rather unbalanced diet, as many of us could tend to be extreme with our likes and dislikes. Well, it’s just “many”, as there are some like me who don’t have many dislikes…… Oh, but I don’t like bitter stuff very mu…… Hrnn!?]

They have a racial trait of having strong likes and dislikes? Moreover, rather than them having specific likes and dislikes, each individual has their own preferences, and those preferences can be quite extreme.

That might be a rather interesting aspect of their ecology. I don’t know if it’s due to a heightened sense of taste or a tendency towards picky eating, well, so let’s just recognize it as things being that way.

[Do you also do your shopping around here, Amel-san?]

[No, I generally don’t shop in the village. There’s a reason for that: among the Wingeds, the Chief’s authority is very strong. Even if I don’t desire it, many believe that the Chief, as someone of higher rank, should be treated with reverence. Therefore, I wasn’t able to purchase things over there, as many of them would prefer to offer their products as gifts rather than engage in monetary transactions…… As brilliant a leader as I may be, I have no intention of being a tyrant. I understand that their actions come from pure respect and not malice, but it still casts a shadow on the brilliance I feel in my heart……]

I see, Amel-san, being the Chief of the Wingeds, holds a very strong authority. It seems that many people consider it unthinkable to accept money from her, preferring to offer the goods to her instead.

Even though Amel-san understands that this is out of pure respect, she feels uncomfortable and thus prefers to shop elsewhere.

In reality, with Amel-san’s flying speed, traveling to a nearby town would be instantaneous, so it likely isn’t much of a hassle.

[How should I say this…… It seems that the Wingeds have a lot of peculiar ways of thinking.]

[Fufu, you could say they’re quite set in their way. Well, we do have many good points as well…… Ah, my sworn friend! There are many shops around here that sell sundries and small articles.]

[Small articles? Like the accessories sold by the Wingeds?]

[No, people who come here to shop are mostly part of the tribe. Those accessories are sold to other species, so you won’t find them in the village shops. Items recognized as “Wingeds’ Specialties” are sold at the few places we have contact with outside.]

[I see.]

Now that she mentioned it, that certainly makes sense. According to Lilia-san, getting the Wingeds’ specialties requires connections, but if you look at it the other way, if you have those connections, you can purchase those. Since Amel-san mentioned sending someone to negotiate with Lilia-san, it seems there are people handling transactions with outsiders.

However, considering the unique things around, from the shapes of the houses to their culture, exploring the Wingeds’ village like this feels quite refreshing and enjoyable……

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [As expected of the man who is acquainted with almost all of the world’s Top Authorities and known as “The Hero of the Elves” and “World’s Singularity”…… Just from the look on his face, you could tell he’s no ordinary guy. In fact, he doesn’t seem to care at all about being considered divine.]