Chapter: 670
I was momentarily speechless at Ziz’s intense greeting.
‘It’s smaller than I expected.’
After a quick scan of Ziz’s body, I started crafting an estimate.
Unlike Leviathan, which was island-sized, and Behemoth, comparable to a mountain, Ziz was relatively small. It looked roughly the size of a battleship.
‘A bird the size of a battleship…’
Even that is still an enormous size. The battleship is the latest pride of the Imperial Navy, designated as a major weapon, and here was this bird flying around at its size! Of course, seeing Ziz after the colossal beasts I’d just witnessed made it look a bit shabby.
Besides, considering the sky is a realm humans can’t quite reach, Ziz doesn’t need to be as big as Leviathan or Behemoth. If it can scout or bombard from above, even a rowboat size would be just fine!
“Are you Ziz?”
I decided to confirm just in case. If—IF—that bird was a junior Ziz or something and the real Ziz was somewhere else, that would be troublesome.
– What? Ziz?
But Ziz squinted at me, flapping its wings.
– Who do you think you are talking so informally to a lady? You think I don’t know you’re someone born two thousand years after me? You should be asking Ziz-nim respectfully!
The fury of a bird the size of a battleship was genuinely intimidating. Each flap felt like a gust of wind strong enough to send a normal-sized chick or eagle flying away.
And it was precisely that powerful gust that allowed me to gather my thoughts.
‘This isn’t the type to comply with a simple conversation.’
From the way it spoke, Ziz didn’t seem overtly hostile toward the Krasius Empire or even contemptuous of humans; it was just overly free and a touch rude.
In that case, I had no other choice. If we couldn’t start with a conversation, I’d have to employ some physical persuasion.
– Have you heard of the Trika Empire? Or the Roygas family? This lady here was born back then and has been alive ever since—
“There’s probably not much difference between you and me except for the time you slept.”
Upon mentioning the truth, Ziz’s wings, which had been flapping fervently, immediately stilled.
– …Are you daring to talk back to the ruler of the sky!?
It then shifted to a commanding tone, rising into the air.
It was like looking at a battleship that simply hovered in the air as Ziz spread its wings wide. Honestly, one could say I was in awe. Its dark feathers gave it an even heavier and more imposing aura. If it had just kept its mouth shut, I could have easily believed it was the king of the skies.
If only it had kept its mouth shut.
– The Trika has fallen, but the sky remains majestic! The Roygas has vanished, yet I am eternal!
As I gazed upward in a daze, Ziz rambled on, sounding almost as if I was being crushed by its grandeur.
Regardless, I began to calculate the distance between us and the size of Ziz. If I miscalculated, I could accidentally put this two-thousand-year-old eagle back to sleep.
‘Swing it just above my head, and that’ll do!’
After my calculations, I pulled the sword hanging from my waist.
– What the—Are we doing this!?
Upon raising the sword, Ziz’s eyes grew fiercer.
– Really?! To a human who doesn’t fear the sky!? Showing the power of the heavens is my… duty…?
But soon, Ziz’s voice diminished.
It struck me that like Leviathan and Behemoth, Ziz also fed off the mana or divinity of nature. If there was a sudden rush of mana around it, it would definitely notice.
– …Human? What are you doing—?
Before Ziz could finish its sentence, I swung my sword.
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ──!!!
– Uoooooooohhh!
With a sound like the tearing of the world, an odd scream rang out.
Ziz, realizing that the sky directly above it had split open, paused momentarily.
I could only imagine the turmoil in its mind. As king of the skies, it would consider the entire sky as its home and territory. How could it remain calm when some mere human had shattered that precious space?
Thanks to that, Ziz gazed in silent awe at the torn sky and quietly landed on the ground.
– Hehe… Did you enjoy my little performance?
With a sheepish grin, Ziz flattened itself on the ground.
From the introduction to submission, this was a swift hierarchy adjustment that took less than five minutes.
“I have to say, seeing you perform made it all the more special.”
– Ah please, just call me Ziz casually!
I chuckled at Ziz shaking its head vigorously and sheathed my sword. As expected, utilizing just a bit of physicality had created a smooth avenue for conversation.
If only it had started like this, I wouldn’t have had to waste unnecessary effort, and Ziz could have enjoyed a much more relaxed atmosphere for our discussion.
“So, Ziz, when did you wake up?”
– About a fortnight ago? I suddenly opened my eyes and flew around the continent, finally arriving in this vast land. Everywhere else was just filled with buildings.
That’s a surprisingly quick awakening. Could it be that being smaller than Leviathan and Behemoth allowed Ziz to wake up earlier?
“Since it was two weeks ago, you must know all the essential updates.”
– Yeah, I know… Trika fell, and the Roygas disappeared. In the skies, I saw all these unfamiliar emblems instead of the Roygas’ banner.
Its nonchalant response sparked my curiosity.
Leviathan had been devastated by Trika’s fall, and Behemoth had been filled with guilt, retreating into its hole. Yet Ziz appeared downright unfazed and even disinterested!
That’s strange. While it made sense that each creature had its own personality, if they were created for the same purpose, shouldn’t their loyalty be somewhat aligned?
“Are you okay? I mean, the nation you were loyal to and the imperial family are gone.”
– If it had fallen while I was awake, I would’ve been sad. But waking up and finding it gone felt… just bewildering, I guess? Honestly, it’s not like I did anything wrong.
“That’s a fair point.”
Recognizing the logic in Ziz’s response, I found myself nodding along. I wished Behemoth could adopt even 10% of that mindset!
– Besides, if I must share the fate of the nation just because it fell, then those nobles and commoners would die off constantly!
Once more, Ziz had made a logically sound observation, and I nodded again.
Despite the Osiden family established during the Trika Empire still surviving after Trika fell and Apels crumbled, the people living on this continent simply continued existing, no matter what new empire might rise. It would be cruel to expect these three pillars alone to perish alongside the Trika Empire.
– And hey, before I fell asleep, I did my share of providing and taking care of things; now it’s time for me to live freely! The sky is so vast!
As Ziz said this, it let out a cheerful laugh and flapped its wings.
Thank goodness! It’s a relief to see that Ziz has a straightforward and clean personality. If this sky-dwelling creature had gone on a rant about, ‘No other empire aside from Trika exists,’ it would have created a disaster!
“…Ziz.”
– Yes?
“Didn’t you say you arrived here while searching for vast places?”
– Yes, I did?
Now comprehending Ziz’s temperament and personality, I decided to get to the main point.
“This is my land. If you’re living here, you’ll have to protect my family, not the Roygas.”
Strictly speaking, the place Ziz was staying was part of the imperial family’s directly governed territory. Technically, it’s not my land but the Emperor’s.
However, even if it was imperial land, the northern region was still the north. Since it’s an area I’m responsible for managing, it’s not wrong to call it mine. If Ziz wants to oppose that, it can go ahead and put another noble in charge of the northern faction!
– Ah.
At my words, I could see Ziz’s eyes shifting back and forth.
Not long ago, it had been all about freedom, but being tied to another family wouldn’t be welcome, especially with a sky being looming right in front of it.
“Don’t worry. It’s only your name that’s associated with it; I’m not planning on giving you any tasks. If you cross the border while soaring through the sky, there’ll be chaos in the other country. A clear affiliation will at least temper the uproar.”
– Oh, I see? Well, then.
With my specific explanation, Ziz willingly accepted.
Now I could use the royal privilege to work towards a one-sided walloping of foreign nations just like the Gold Duke! If Ziz, now a citizen of the Empire, makes its way into another country, we can sidestep issues with, ‘It’s just the sky; what difference does it make?’
Also, if Ziz was associated with the Krasius family, it could gain a lot more benefits from the Emperor and what it could concede.
‘Nice.’
A smile crept up my face due to the satisfying result.
In the future, if the Emperor wants to demonstrate military power, it wouldn’t be me needed, but Ziz!
– By the way, that reminds me, I’m curious about something.
“Hmm?”
– Where are Leviathan and Behemoth?
Seeing Ziz bring up the question I had been about to ask made me feel all the warmer inside.
Sure, it may be a bit simple and carefree, but that doesn’t make it bad—it’s still a good-natured creature.
*
Tears wouldn’t stop flowing. The sadness wouldn’t leave my heart.
The Trika has fallen. The Roygas has crumbled. I can no longer serve the Emperor. How lamentable and hopeless is that?
This was all my fault. The so-called king of the land couldn’t even protect the imperial palace from falling down. I failed to fulfill the duty I was born to achieve.
– Moooooo—
– It’s dangerous that way, turn back.
– Meeee—
– Are you hungry? Just wait a bit.
After feeding the wandering cows and sheep, I buried my face back into the pit.
What does it matter to take care of a few livestock now? I couldn’t protect the grandest of missions, so what right do I have to live—
– Ugh, mooooooo!
– Meeee!
– What’s going on!?
Suddenly jolted by cries resounding all around, I swiftly lifted my head.
Who dares to threaten those little ones under my protection!? After failing to guard the imperial family, are you now thinking of taking these little ones away from me?!
– Huh, what’s this? You seem much better than expected?
Looking around, I heard a familiar voice coming down from above.
– I heard you were in distress, so I came to see.
A colossal eagle, flaunting its black feathers, descended slowly.
– …Ziz?
– Long time no see. They say you were the last to wake up?
Tears flowed at the sight of a dear friend who shared the same mission and lived in the same era.
– Hey, are you crying?
While Ziz laughed boisterously, I was the one shedding tears.
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