"Hunt?"
"Destroy!"
"Defeat!"
Wait! Wait a second! Stay, stay! You guys stay... ugh, there's no way ostriches understand English! Fine, I get it! I get it already! You guys calm down! It's okay! It's not a hunt! I'm just going to play with this lady for a bit! Everyone sit down! Look~? Who's the smart kid who can sit down first? Who's the good kid who wants a head-pat?
"Smart?"
"Smart!"
"Sitting! Sitting!"
"Praise me!"
Yes, yes, you're all very smart for listening. There we go, good birds. Ah, Dere-chan is sitting properly too, what a good girl. Make sure you get some praise from your favorite, Amelia-san, okay? Hey, Amelia-san, it takes too long to praise this whole massive flock by myself, so give me a hand, will ya? Seriously.
"Lady Reis, I understand that compared to actual battle, a duel is like child's play, but your choice of words is... a bit much..."
Wait! Stop! Knight-lady, I get your spirit, but you can't blast out your fighting aura like that! My kids don't understand that stuff! Usually, the only things that direct that kind of intent at us are predators! Oh, for the love of—! They're reacting!
"Enemy?"
"Enemy!"
"Destroy!"
"Waaaah!"
"GAAAH! I told you to SIT DOWN! Sit! Sit! Matilde-san, I'm sorry but shut up for a second! Everyone, SIT!!!"
"...I'm, uh, truly sorry."
It's fine! Just be careful from now on!!!
"Ahem! R-Ready when you are, Lady Reis."
"Really sorry for the wait. Yeah, I'm ready."
I stood before Matilde-san and gave my reply. Seriously, sorry for making you wait. A Knight must be busy, and here I am tying you up... but my kids' memories just don't hold. Even if I pet them once until they're satisfied, they forget immediately and come back with a "Pet me again!" look. I tried to praise everyone equally, but I'm sure a few managed to double-dip.
Also, sorry for scaring you a bit back there. These kids have a hair-trigger for combat mode... Usually, if I'm nearby, they'll wait for my signal, but if they're already attacked or a comrade gets hurt, even I have trouble stopping them. Seriously, be careful. They will keep kicking until the target stops moving forever.
...Looking into our eyes just now, I think you understand, right?
"Ngh! ...Yes, I shall keep that in mind. I will inform my subordinates as well."
"Thanks!"
Now then, time for the duel. Or as we say in Ostrich: "A very intense game of tag." Let's get started.
I understand why this female knight challenged me. From our talk and her demeanor, her core is that of a "Warrior." Rather than going back and forth with complicated negotiations to find a compromise, she's the type to trade blows once to teach each other their fundamental beliefs and deepen mutual understanding.
(Honestly, I prefer it that way.)
Realizing the atmosphere had shifted, she slowly but surely settled into her stance.
I'm the sole "Great Genius" among the ostriches, but because everyone else is an idiot, my "Negotiation" XP is basically zero. I can infer things based on my past life's memories, but I don't know the common sense, basic logic, or general "rules" of this world. If she tried to talk based on some cultural premise, I'd probably just misunderstand everything.
Therefore, "Physical Language" is a much appreciated medium. Obviously, our basic physical specs are too different; if I delivered a full-power kick, this knight would literally become a "star in the sky"... so I'll hold back. It's a fight where I'm serious, but not "all out."
Wait, it's rude to think about other things during a fight.
"I don't have hands, so I'll be using my legs... Don't call me ill-mannered, okay?"
"I understand. I shall use a weapon, though it is made of wood... are you prepared?"
The woman before me lowered her center of gravity, gripping the spear with both hands. I never had an opportunity like this in my past life; this is a first. A person who has spent years honing the art of combat is right in front of me. On the plateau, it was all just enemies pushing through with raw specs. ...I'm a little—no, a lot—excited.
(I want to see what she's got, so I'll give her the first move.)
I averted my gaze slightly, ceding the initiative.
In that instant, she lunged. The ground where she had been standing practically exploded.
An incredible dash—something I could never have reacted to when I was just a normal human in my previous life.
She lunged, moved to her optimal distance, and thrust the spear with all that momentum.
It was a fluid motion, putting her entire body weight into the strike. Likely an attack that ranks among the best of humanity.
Targeting my crown, the strike was unleashed...
...And it was so slow I could have yawned.
I tilted my neck slightly, dodging the thrust with minimal movement. I've seen that kind of speed a thousand times on the plateau. I watched her face, which showed a hint of shock at being dodged so easily, as I processed the move. We ostriches have great eyes. That doesn't just mean seeing far away; it includes dynamic visual acuity.
Sure, we're "weak" creatures on the plateau—the kind that can't survive without gathering in numbers and watching for distant threats. But at the same time, we're Beastmen with bodies specialized for combat. If we run around at 60 km/h, we'd be in trouble if our "eyes" couldn't keep up with that high-speed world, right?
"Ngh! Then try this!"
Well, she seems to understand that much. Accepting the fact that her thrust was dodged, she immediately moved to the next action. Being able to transition so quickly—"Technique" really is amazing. For us, who know no tactics other than "surround and trample," it's truly respectable. I might be able to do it, but the other ostriches? Never.
(It feels a bit... dirty, to overcome something she spent years perfecting with just a raw spec difference.)
Feeling a bit of sympathy for her, I parried her onslaught. She probably didn't expect the first hit to land, and had planned for the possibility of it being blocked or dodged. I could see the repeated effort she must have put into her spearwork. And at the same time, there were no dirty tricks. None of the "sand-in-the-eyes" stuff I usually pull against stronger opponents.
(Hmm, how sincere. Well, I guess it's time I 'show' her my side.)
I've seen enough. Time to switch roles.
I parried her thrust with my wing, flicking it just enough not to disarm her. Thrown off balance, she immediately retreated. ...Oops, did I go too hard? Her hands are shaking quite a bit. I signaled with my eyes, and the moment she reset her stance, I went on the offensive.
"Ngh!"
My attacks are primarily kicks. I focus on slashing with my claws. But this is a "duel," and she brought a wooden weapon to show she doesn't intend to harm me. It wouldn't be right to just shatter that kindness, would it?
I slashed with my claws as usual, but instead of hitting her weapon, I just "grazed" it. Usually, I'm just smashing things, so this takes a lot of focus!
With those thoughts, I continued my combo. It's an attack forged in the life of the plateau, so it doesn't even have a "T" of Technique, but I layered my "Physical Language" carefully to communicate my intent.
"...Heh."
"What... ngh! ...Is... it!"
"Ah, sorry. It's just, I've never done this before."
Truly. It was fun. You could never do this on the plateau. It's just my opinion, but I'm glad I came here.
We ostriches don't do this; the concept of a "duel" doesn't even exist to them. Other flocks might fight over leadership, but in this flock where I'm the undisputed top, that never happens. Besides, they're kids who desperately hate being disliked by their kin. They have no concept of martial arts, so there's no way they could understand this "conversation through physical language."
Talking with the adventurers, and now this "talk" with her... I realized I was starving for it.
(I wish the others in the flock could understand how fun this is... but that's probably impossible.)
Well, if I keep this up, she's going to collapse. She's probably seen enough to judge me. Time to end it.
"Haa... haa... ngh!"
"N-No way."
"Lady Matilde was brushed aside so easily..."
Her spear had been flicked far away, and she was panting heavily. Her subordinates, the soldiers, were whispering in shock. Whoops, I got so into our "talk" that I forgot to look after my kids. I hope they were good... Oh! Everyone is sitting! Good birds! So smart! Let me pet you all—
Wait? What? "Not eating?" ...No, of course I'm not eating her! That person is an ally. Understand? You get it, right?
Look, there's that girl I've been calling "Dere" lately, right? It's the same relationship as her and Amelia the Elf. Friends. Understand? Friends. ...No, you don't. Anyway, if you attack or try to eat her, I will get ANGRY. Got it? "Angry?!" "No no no!" "I'm sorry!" Ah, I'm not angry now! I'm not angry!
"Heh, ahaha! Hahahaha! You are fascinating!"
"Eh, ah? I am?"
"Pardon me! After such a display of the gap between us, no one would dare object! Please, enjoy this town to your heart's content!"
"Ah... yeah. Thanks."
She declared this while shaking her trembling hand (from my parry) with a big smile. Wait, what? My kids were that funny? Do you want to try looking after one? Our flock is always looking for zookeepers! Aiming for a two-day weekend! (Currently 10 years into a 24/7 solo operation).
Man, give me a vacation!
"I'd love to stay and discuss the match, but... unfortunately, I have work. I must return!"
"Oh, that's a shame."
I finally found someone I could bond with through physical language... well, if it's work, it can't be helped! Okay everyone, say bye-bye to Matilde-san. That's what you say when you part with friends. ...Well, these guys never "part" with their kin, so they probably won't get it.
"Bye-bye?"
"Bye... bye?"
"Bye-bye~?"
"Indeed! Bye-bye, followers! And Lady Reis!"
"Ah, yes."
"I am at the manor in the center of town, or at the ramparts! Come see me anytime! Farewell!"
With that, she hopped onto her horse and hurried back to town with her soldiers. It was a quick exit, but she looked happy the whole time, and I had fun, so I guess it's a win-win.
Alright, after everything, we have permission from the town's top brass. Let's go see the sights!
"Lady Matilde, was that wise...?"
"What was?"
Matilde answered her soldier's question while hiding her still-trembling arm.
Heh, truly a wonderful opponent. Her strength was overwhelmingly superior, and usually, those with power are correspondingly arrogant. But when I crossed spears with her, the first emotion I felt from her was "apology." She likely had never held back before. Her regret for being too strong reached me loud and clear.
Truly fascinating.
"The one named Reis seemed fine, but the others..."
"Hold your tongue. Do you wish to die?"
...Ah, these men didn't see them. Their eyes. Those eyes, so transparently, horribly innocent.
Eyes like mirrors that reflect your own emotions back at you. If we show welcome, they will respond in kind. However, if we meet them with hostility... only ruin awaits.
"Every single one of them is an opponent who could easily repel a hundred soldiers. Furthermore, do you intend to insult the followers of my friend?"
"N-No! My apologies!"
"...Are you a human-supremacist? Being born in a village near Nagan to the west might give you certain ideas, but this is the Kingdom of Heed. Under the Law, the King, and God, all races are equal. Be silent."
Few would say such foolish things openly, but every nation has its own atmosphere. As she said, the Kingdom of Heed treated all races as equal, but in Nagan, she heard humans were superior. Regional differences aside, it was strange how much things varied despite everyone following a human King.
"Issue an announcement immediately: they are our friends. Anyone who harms them will be punished according to the laws of the land."
"U-Understood!"
Watching the soldier run off, Matilde deepened her thoughts.
They called their race "Ostrich." It was a race she'd never heard of, but by appearance, they were avian Beastmen. Specifically, birds that run on land. From the weight of each strike, she inferred their bodies were many times heavier than the avian races that fly. And looking at the others, that seemed to be their base capability.
She had seen warriors stronger than herself—the ones you'd call "Apex"—but there were very few races where everyone was at that standard. She didn't understand everything yet, but it wouldn't be strange if every single one of them was a "Monster."
(Truly fascinating.)
Reis seemed panicked that no one but her was smart, but they were certainly united under her. Considering that single kick that felt like being hit by a giant, their leg strength and speed must be incredible. If those people—faster than cavalry and incredibly strong—were to clash with her Kingdom...
(At the very least, the country would end. Yeah.)
Matilde was of common birth and had received the rank of "Knight" directly from the King for her military prowess. Her strength was among the top in the Kingdom. However, her Kingdom's talent pool was thin compared to the Empire, the strongest nation. Compared to the Empire, which was teeming with "Monsters," her country had no one of that caliber.
She had once aimed to be a "Monster" herself, reaching for the peak with her spear, but it was impossible. Those people are literal "Monsters." So dangerous they don't seem like the same species. And the Empire is even worse. There was a country recently destroyed for defying the Empire; the prince there was said to stay alive even after his head was cut off.
Apparently, he had an ability called "Regeneration"... his body would just grow back. Even though he was human! And his strength was so immense a single swing of his sword could slaughter a dozen soldiers. The Empire is a place that can destroy a country with that kind of monster in it as a side-task. You must never provoke them.
(Whoops, I got sidetracked.)
If her country, which lacked such specialized forces, clashed with the ostriches... yeah. They couldn't win. Best case: the current King abdicates and the new Queen Reis is born. Worst case: the Kingdom of Heed is reduced to ash. You simply couldn't stop them. It would end with everyone being trampled to death while thinking, 'God, did I do something wrong?'
(Therefore: 'Let's be friends! We'll be nice, so don't attack us! We'll do anything!')
Well, they wouldn't really do anything, nor could they.
The personality she saw in Reis during the duel was very likable, and personally, Matilde wanted to foster a friendship if possible. But as the "Protector" of this town and a "Knight," she had responsibilities. It would be difficult to associate with her as just a simple friend.
"This makes me nostalgic for the days when I just wandered the lands to hone my martial arts..."
She wasn't even thirty yet, but she already envied her past self. Well, that's life. Regardless, her policy was to earn their favor and make them think well of this country.
(Fortunately, there isn't much of a discriminatory trend here.)
Once the policy was set, her tasks became clear. Postponing her usual duties, she'd make some moves for them. First, this town didn't have lodging for that many people, so they'd have to sleep outside. It would be pitiful to let them sleep on the bare ground, so she should lend them tents from the military supplies.
"And... food."
They might provide for themselves, but she should prepare some meals just in case. It would be impossible to provide every meal on her budget, but a few days a week was doable. The town's food consumption would increase because of them; she had to order more shipments so no one went hungry...
Just as she was thinking that merchants alone wouldn't be enough, she heard the sound of someone running toward her.
Wait! Could it be!
"Lady Matilde!"
"What happened!"
"I-It's! The ostriches from earlier are crying and screaming in the middle of the street!!! Every one of them is shouting 'I'm sorry! I'm sorry!'"
......What????
[Ostriches Who Can Wait If They Try Hard]
While it is generally difficult for them to hold a memory for more than three seconds, they can follow instructions for a long time under specific conditions. Those conditions are:
The instruction comes from the Leader.
The instruction is given multiple times.
The Leader is within sight.
Other ostriches are following the instruction.
They only listen to the Leader—specifically, because Reis is the only one who gives orders, they follow her commands almost unconditionally. This is because they instinctively understand that every order Reis has given so far has been for the sake of the flock or themselves, and following them resulted in survival or food. Also, while they've suffered pain from enemies, they've never suffered pain because of her.
It all stems from Reis loving her comrades, and the ostriches loving her back. (Though ostriches don't understand the complex concept of "love.")
If she is nearby and repeats the same thing, they can hold a memory for about five seconds. With extreme, extreme effort: five seconds. Any longer than that and it becomes: "I won't forget! I won't forget! I won't... what was it?" However, if other ostriches are following the instruction, they think, "Oh, I'll do the same thing," or—with astronomical probability—they go, "I REMEMBERED!!!" allowing them to wait patiently.