Of All Things, I Became a Crow

*Rainelle’s POV

Nervous, I unconsciously clasped Namuel's arm with my feet. It was only when I saw his eyes narrowing sharply that I realized how hard I gripped it, which made me feel sorry.

The wizard smiled faintly as I relaxed my feet and looked into his eyes. Then he said while tapping the tip of my beak as if not to make me worry,

"You don't have to be so nervous."

...it's easier than done. I mean, I'm still worried. Look! There are so many people!!

As if to show off that this was a fantasy world in a game, people with colorful hair were busily coming and going.

The large street was filled with people of all kinds: dressed in leather robes, shiny thin armor, and sturdy-looking fabrics. Some had long ears (looked to be elves), and some had ears or tails (looked to be hybrids).

The sight of fantasy unfolding into reality was strange. It felt like the sense of reality was falling, but the feeling of fear was stronger than that.

What, what if they stare at me?! What if they throw stones?! What if they just grab me and twist my neck?!

Feeling scared, I unknowingly took a step sideways and climbed up onto Namuel's shoulder.

"...Rainelle-nim?"

Without realizing it, I leaned my trembling body against Namuel's cheek. With the feathers flattened on my body and my tense body, Namuel felt the seriousness of the situation, so he grabbed my body with both hands.

"Are you scared? Do you want to use your human form?"

I shook my head.

Although this was hard, I knew very well the beauty of that form. I think it was better to stick around like this rather than to make a fuss as a human.

I’m just a bit nervous... After a while, I think I'll be fine.

At my action, Namuel kept his mouth shut. Then he sighed briefly and brought me into his arms.

"...Caaw? (Namuel?)"

"You're afraid, aren’t you? Is this all right?"

I looked around as he hugged me. I was a little relieved to see that the people didn't seem to pay much attention to me, contrary to what I thought.

Still, would it be safer to be in Namuel's arms? Wouldn't it be better to be prepared to fly at any time?

No, no. Namuel took care of me, so let's just stay in his arms.

As I nodded to indicate that it was okay, Namuel smiled faintly and began to move.

"The capital of the Wolfric Empire is called Lunaren. It's right here. We're in the Southern District now."

As he walked slowly, I listened to Namuel's explanation and looked around.

After all, it was also the capital of the Empire. There was so much to see that it was rather hectic. I turned my head around and around.

There were people in armor with a long sword that shone under the light, and there were people with long ears that looked like elves who carefully examined something that looked like dried meat or were trying to buy food.

There was also a purring person with animal ears who sniffed with their noses, perhaps a cat hybrid, that looked at a necklace, which looked like it was made of imitation jewelry —otherwise, it wouldn't be sold at the kiosk— with an awkward smile.

It was like entering a medieval market. And yet, this was a fantasy world. -My feathers swelled up at the sight that could not happen in reality.

That's right! Look, those flying paper airplanes! Normally, it's normal to fall after a short while, but they’re flying around like they’re heading somewhere! Besides, those people have animal ears! And I don't think it would be possible to get hair color like that no matter how much money you spend! So colorful!!

I opened his beak slightly and turned his head wildly at the sight that I couldn't take my eyes off. How long have I been looking around? Namuel's voice then reached my ears.

"Are you feeling better now?"

Yeah! I’m totally fine!!

I nodded my head to convey that. Then the wizard nodded to me and relaxed his arms slightly.

Graciously accepting his consideration, I spread his wings and flew slightly, then I sat down on Namuel's shoulder.

"Now then, let's go find the present."

Good! That's what I came here for anyway!

I puffed my feathers and examined things closely.

Accessories made of imitation jewels, pass! It's shiny, but I don't think it's as attractive as a real gem.

Food? Hmmm... I want to try the snack food, but I wonder if Karmeut will like it. Haa, I want to try those meat skewers!

My eyes hardly fell off the skewers.

Did he feel my gaze? Namuel asked me,

"...would you like to have grilled skewers?"

...Uh, I want to eat, but I can't nod my head because I'm not Karmeut. I said I'd buy a present after all!

I couldn't nod my head because I was so conscious. However, I couldn't take my eyes off the grilled skewers.

Ah, ah, ah, it looks delicious... Look at that steam rising, heh..., slurp, I’m drooling...

When Namuel suddenly moved, I was startled and gave strength to my feet, then released them quickly. He walked towards the stall selling the skewers and opened his mouth,

"How much is it each?"

"Chicken skewers are 5 bronze, pork is 7 bronze! If you pay extra bronze for each skewer, we'll give the only meat ones to you!"

“Give me one chicken and one pork.”

"Would you like some salt or some sauce?"

"Sprinkle less salt, please."

Swish, Namuel took the two skewers in an instant and headed to a nearby bench. After tearing the paper bag containing the skewers and spreading it out wide, he said as he laid down the meat on the paper,

"I didn't know which one would be better, so I bought both. You can have it if you like."

---Oh really. Target character buff is awesome... How do you stimulate women's hearts like this? You bought both because you didn't know which one I would like?! What---I!

Anyway, if you leave food, you'll get punished. Thank you for the food! I'll pay you back later!

Because I wasn't human, I couldn't eat it quickly. So, I carefully tear it apart with my beak...

Oh! Aww! Hot, hot!

I grabbed the meat with my feet to tear it apart with my beak, but then I jumped. When Namuel asked me if I was ok in surprise, I nodded.

Oh, it's hot! But it smells so delicious... I can't give up! I need to cool it down somehow... Should I flap my wings? Oh, yes!

I hurriedly summoned the spirit. Mui, who appeared from thin air in response to the call, hugged my beak and rubbed it while giggling.

'Yeah, nice to see you too! But can you cool this down a bit before we play together?'

Upon hearing my request, Mui nodded and moved back and forth on top of the skewers. Then, the steam rising up and down gradually became lesser and then disappeared completely.

I wondered if it was okay now, so I nudged a chunk of meat with the tip of my feet.

---Whoo! It's ok now! I'm smart too! I'm not losing my intelligence to the level of a bird's! Well, crows are smart, too!

Yes! Though my thoughts seem to have become simpler since I became a crow, I am still a human being!

I grabbed a piece of meat with my feet, grabbed a corner with my beak, and ripped it to eat. Then, I swallowed.

It must have cooled down really well, it wasn't hot or cold. It was perfect.

As expected, chicken skewers! I haven't tried the pork! Let's not jump to conclusions! Next is the pig, the pig~

This time, I held and tried the pork one.

Oh, oh, oh! This is good, too! Meat is the truth, regardless of pig or chicken! It's better thanks to the saltiness!

I was happy to eat only raw, unsalted meat for health reasons, but cooked and salted meat was really delicious.

Mui was playing on my head and back, giggling to see if I was just having fun, even though I was eating meat to my heart's content.

Namuel was looking at me with a smile on.

Is it your first time seeing a crow eating meat? Oh, is it the first time seeing me? I have only eaten cookies or dried fruits in front of Namuel.

Well, I've never had grilled skewers with this body before. Heu heu, it's delicious even though I know it!

After eating both skewers with so much excitement, I wanted to clean my beak and feet, so I looked around for something that can be used.

"Well, here you go."

Oh, thank you! You're so smart to give me a handkerchief!

I wiped my beak and feet with the handkerchief. As I puffed my feathers in a good mood, Namuel smiled and held out his arm.

Okay! Let's go look for the present again! Since I ate snacks, I’m going to look carefully!

***

"Um... I'm confused. Don't you like anything?"

I was very sorry for Namuel who asked that with a slightly tired look, but I nodded my head. I don't really like anything.

There were a lot of accessories, weapons, groceries, and so on...

…but there’s nothing that I want, so what do I do? Uhm...

---It was when I seriously thought about whether I should just go back to the Imperial Palace and pick flowers from the garden,

"Keugh!!"

"Hurry up, hurry up! Can't you move faster?!"

A shriek that was so sharp then ripped through the air. Startled by that, I raised my head and looked around.

What, what?!

"---A slave. It seems that he’s a slave of a noble family."

No, I know he’s a slave, but... Is it okay to whip people like this in public?

Each time he was hit in the back with a whip, blood and flesh spattered. When my feathers deflated so much at the sight that brought upon a frown, Namuel turned around.

"Do not look. You are the one who will stain your eyes."

No, it's definitely an uncomfortable sight, but...

Although I was grateful for Namuel's consideration, I spread my wings and flew slightly.

Perhaps surprised, Namuel’s eyes opened wide and his eyes trailed on me until I was above him. I looked at the slave that was being whipped.

He was not that young. Twenties? No, maybe he was in his late teens. It was the first time I had seen pink eyes with water-colored hair. The tears in his eyes made the handsome man's handsome face even more pathetic.

...but this isn't important. I think I've seen that face somewhere!!

I tried hard to think about where have I seen him, but nothing came to mind.

But the thing is, I can't let such a handsome man get whipped! Such a handsome man must be protected! Maybe he’s a target character I don't remember!

"Caaaw! (That guy, let's help him!)"

"...Rainelle-nim?"

After I hovered over Namuel’s head, I grabbed the hem of his sleeve with my foot and pulled it. I flapped my wings hard, but oh, it was heavy! There's no way a crow can move people by flapping its wings! But please understand my intentions!!

Namuel let out a long sigh as I repeatedly whined while pulling his sleeve, trying to take him to the slave who was crouching on the floor while being whipped.

"---Alright. Get on here, please."

When I was told to get on, I sat down on his shoulder. Then, with a pounding heart, I looked at the slave who was getting closer.

*Baron Guillaume’s POV

Baron Guillaume huffed and swung his whip. This guy was the one who beat the slave of his house.

I was cherishing the boy because he has a pretty face and fair skin, but how dare he!!

"Are you trying to run away?!"

"Ugh!!"

Blood and flesh spattered as the whip fell on the man’s back with a sharp sound. The baron's anger could not be easily quenched even as the man curled up, trembled, and wriggled like a bug.

How much I cherish and covet you! But you betrayed me like this!!

"Wait. That's enough, please."

"What kind of child dares to intervene in my business!!"

The baron's head turned, shouting so much that his saliva sputtered. Then he gasped and took a step backward while holding his breath.

"I'd like to start by introducing myself to you. My name is Namuel. You may have heard of the Duke of Sharmalt."

Duke Sharmalt was the younger brother of the previous emperor. There were no nobles who doesn't know that!

But he is the eldest son of such a duke. Why is he here by himself---?!

A large crow was sitting on Namuel’s shoulder as he took a step closer to the baron, whose pupils shook back and forth in confusion.

The large crow had a sapphire gold necklace around her neck. She spread her wings and soared slightly, hovering several times over Namuel's head, then landed on top of the slave that was whipped.

The crow's tail moved as the slave was crouching and groaning as if she was worried about him. The crow, who had been gently rubbing the slave’s cheek with her beak while making a small cry, turned her head to the baron.

The purple eyes of the bird were blaring as she stared at the baron.

***