Orca Abel. A man who swore loyalty to Theo after owing him his life in a monster subjugation mission years ago, and has been working as his adjutant ever since.
His skills in handling both swords and mana are also outstanding, so he also serves as a guard, but the recent attack happened while Orca was away dealing with a task Theo had separately ordered. So, even though he retorts so curtly, he's probably feeling guilty.
Orca was the one who stayed by Theo's side until the end, helping him burn the world together. So, there was no need to worry about betrayal. He burned the world for Theo; what else could make him change his mind?
However, with this incident, Theo ends up not trusting Orca either, only fully trusting him at the very end. And then he regrets it a little.
If he had been a little more courageous and trusted Orca, if he had known that someone on his side remained, would something have changed? Of course, it was only for a fleeting moment. The rage to burn the world quickly incinerated even the last remaining regret.
If I don't distrust Orca and act friendly, maybe Theo will be able to trust Orca a little faster this time.
It would be nice if Theo knew that he had someone completely on his side. Even though I think so in my head, I suppressed the sudden surge of wariness, the urge to hide behind Theo.
"I heard the story... so it really is an eagle."
"Yes. It saved me."
"Is that really true?"
"What else could it be?"
"There are more than one or two strange things from the start. A bird helping Your Highness. Does a bird with that level of intelligence even exist? Besides, it's an eagle. Not just any bird, but an eagle."
I understand why Orca is so shocked. Because, as I said before, here in "Blessing of Fire," eagles have a slightly special meaning.
Artes, the god of hunting, didn't just hunt animals, but also hunted evil things, such as monsters, demons, and humans tainted by demonic energy.
So he was also called the god of extermination. And by his side was always Dux, a divine beast in the form of an eagle, acting as a guide and guardian.
The emperors of each generation have tried countless times to tame eagles in order to recreate that myth. To have tried means that they have never succeeded even once.
In the first place, eagles were rare, so finding them was difficult in itself, and even if found, they didn't approach humans. Moreover, once they found humans, they never showed up again, so it was difficult to catch them.
Even if they were lucky enough to catch one, it was impossible to tame them. The reason was unknown, but if they were locked up and tried to be tamed, they would rather starve to death or hit their heads against the wall and die.
So, for various reasons, it would seem very strange that I, an eagle, follow Theo so well. Perhaps my silvery feathers are not ordinary either.
"If that woman finds out about this..."
It was obvious who Orca was referring to as "that woman" without having to say it. It must be the Empress, who sees Theodore as a thorn in her side.
"Imagining that woman's expression already makes me feel better."
"Please don't say that. How do we know what that snake-like woman will scheme again?"
"I'm not particularly afraid. Whatever she schemes, Shuian will protect me."
At the warm tone like a spring breeze, Orca momentarily squeezed his eyes shut as if disgusted. Okay, I'll protect you! As I puffed up my chest feathers to mean "just trust me," Theo gracefully raised the corners of his lips and gently stroked my head.
"When is the veterinarian supposed to arrive?"
"He should arrive before noon."
"Is he really competent?"
"...Aside from competence, would any veterinarian or zoologist have ever seen an eagle up close? I'm worried that it will be a problem no matter who we bring."
Not just veterinarians or zoologists, but I wonder if there are even a handful of people here who have ever seen an eagle.
"If Shuian's wings heal completely, I plan to participate in the hunting festival together."
"The hunting festival... you mean?"
The hunting festival was literally a competition where the person who hunted the most prey became the winner of the day, and it was considered one of the most important events in this empire founded by Artes, the god of hunting.
So, unless there was a special reason, most nobles attended without fail. Taking me, an eagle, to such an event was clearly a declaration of war. Towards the Empress.
"Can you handle it?"
"Why? Do you think I can't protect my lovely bird?"
The atmosphere was serious, but at the word "lovely," I pretended to groom my feathers and looked away. He doesn't seem like he would, but he's really good at saying embarrassing things...
"Right now, you should be more worried about Your Highness than the bird... no, Lord Shuian."
Orca quickly changed his words when Theo's brow furrowed at the word "bird," though his expression was still one of disbelief. Lord Shuian. Oh my gosh.
"My brother can't become emperor anyway. It's time for the Empress to admit that too."
Orca simply sighed at the relaxed attitude that showed no sign of tension. At that moment, Theo suddenly narrowed his brow.
"But why isn't Shuian wary of you?"
"Well... maybe it's because he realized that i'm not a threat to Your Highness?"
I, who had been rubbing my cheek against the soft cushion, suddenly raised my head. Is this one of the opportunities for Theo to build trust in Orca?! It was worth suppressing my wariness! I quickly answered to mean that was right.
"Screech-!"
"...He says that's right."
Theo, who had been quietly looking down as if examining my intentions, carefully pulled me into his arms.
"Is that really true?"
"Screech-!"
Oh, I'm telling you it's true. That man is helping you destroy the empire, who else would you trust if not that man?! Of course, you can trust me too. As I rubbed my head against his chest, he kissed my forehead in return.
"Okay, if you say so, then that's how it is."
"Screech."
Orca, who had been quietly watching us, hesitated and opened his mouth.
"Perhaps... does Lord Shuian understand human speech?"
"I can't be sure, but it seems like it. I thought I was crazy at first."
"My goodness. Your Highness, haven't you ever thought that this is strange?!"
Theo simply shrugged at Orca's astonishment.
No, so what about breakfast?
ê•¥
After eating breakfast and relaxing, the veterinarian Theo called, the person who would soon become my primary care physician, finally visited.
The man, who introduced himself as Ben Curtis, was younger than I thought, and he was very nervous because of Theo's presence, but as soon as he saw me, he froze completely. He looks like he's about to faint soon... Is he okay?
"Ea... Ea, eagle... eagle..."
I wanted to Screech and laugh at his stammering appearance, but I quickly hid behind Theo again due to the wariness that had risen up like thorns once more.
My body is big, but Theo's build is even bigger, so it was nice that this big body was hidden. Of course, that didn't mean that my appearance of only my head peeking out over his shoulder as I looked around didn't look pathetic.
"Y-Your Highness, the eagle..."
"I clearly said it was an eagle in advance."
"I didn't think it would be a real eagle... no, I mean, it's not that Your Highness was lying, but, I mean... most people mistake other species for eagles..."
He was rambling incoherently, but it seemed like he meant that he wasn't saying that Theo was lying, but that people didn't know eagles well, so they kept insisting that other birds were eagles, so he thought Theo was like that too. Of course, my appearance was too much like an eagle to be mistaken.
Orca, who patted Ben's frozen shoulders as if to comfort him, explained instead of Theo, who was standing there sullenly.
"He will be Lord Shuian's personal physician from now on. I will guide you to your accommodation in the Imperial Palace later, so please examine him first. He was shot with an arrow in the wing, and a priest visited, but he has not fully recovered."
You better treat him with the utmost care. He's someone His Highness cherishes.
At the added words, Ben reflexively turned his head to Theo. Meeting his displeased gaze, he cowered like a mouse in front of a cat and barely answered. He didn't even have time to feel strange about using honorifics for just an eagle.
He trembled as he approached with his medical bag to do his part, but I hid deeper behind Theo. When I was human, I wasn't a very shy person, but strangely, after becoming an eagle, I felt wary when I saw humans. Even though they weren't people who would particularly harm me.
When I encountered humans in the forest, I could watch them from a distance, so I was just happy to see them, but after coming to the Imperial Palace, there were many times when they came close to me, so I realized for the first time that I instinctively avoided humans. It was a different concept from likes and dislikes.
My wariness towards Orca, with whom I had even shared meals, seemed to diminish over time, suggesting that if they didn't harbor hostility towards me, things improved. In any case, Theo was the only one who didn't make me wary from the first meeting.
I didn't approach Theo closely at first either, but that was a distance based on rational judgment because I knew the original story, and it wasn't a feeling close to instinct.
The only time I was wary of him was when I was hurt and sensitive. I, an eagle, am terribly sensitive! I'm almost impressed by my pickiness.
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