At night, we start the banquet to celebrate the creation of the path connecting our home to the divine beast people’s village.
There are tables set up around the campfire in the center, and everyone is making noise singing and drinking.
When I look at them like this, I feel like divine beast people and humans aren’t any different.
Also, we lump them all together as divine beast people, but the truth is that they’re pretty diverse.
For example, Elga is a wolf, with Fenrir as his ancestor, and Livia’s is Leviathan, and I can see her tail peeking out of her kimono.
Luna has fox ears, and Gaius has two thick horns.
It’s kind of funny seeing them and all the different characteristics they inherited from their ancestors.
“Tastyyyyyy!”
I hear Elga yell a little far away, and the other divine beast people follow suit.
Apparently they just took a bite out of the main dish, dragon steak. It really is tasty.
“Your cooking is being well received as always.”
“…It’s always like this, but when they yell like that I’m more perplexed than happy.”
She says as divine beast people yell at the sky.
I think what we had in their village last time was good too, but is the difference that big?
That said, I also like Reina’s flavoring the best. That kind of strong taste, like it’s meant to prioritize survival, is great for a body that moves around a lot.
“Well, they’re happy, so isn’t it good in the end?”
“Yes… You’re right.”
On another side, Xellos is drinking with a divine beast person, and somewhere else, Merlin has a bewildered expression on her face as Krr and Grr run around her.
And Luna and other divine beast people are laughing at that.
They were scared of the immense power of the divine beast people at first, but as we drink and have our banquet, that fear dissipates.
I can’t help but feel kind of happy as I see humans and divine beast people becoming friendlier.
“Reina, don’t you think this is great?”
“Yes. I really do.”
The path to their village makes it feel like the distance between us has been shortened too.
It makes me feel something else too. That I also want to be friends with other races.
“It’s not just divine beast people. Ancient dragons, demon gods, spirits, elves… There are a lot of races we haven’t met yet.”
“Yes. But we don’t know if they will be as friendly to us as Elga and the others.”
“Still, I’d like to meet them.”
Reina smiles a little, and nods.
“Elga was wary of us too at the start. But as we talked, ate, and experienced other things together, we became friends. I think we can get along with the others too.”
I hope we get the chance.
And it’s not just us either, I’d love to see other races get along with each other.
At first I came here without any sort of goal. Then I just wanted to make my life comfortable.
But now, I feel like I found something I can call a dream, in this second life I’m leading.
“All right, that’s decided. I want to hold a banquet with all the races of this island!”
“Fufu…”
Ah, you laughed.”
“Well Arata, you said that with such a serious expression. But what you’re actually talking about… Is a banquet. Fufufu.”
Reina can’t hold back and keeps giggling.
How awful… I’m pretty serious.
“Geez, don’t make that sad face. I apologize for laughing… I’m sorry. Fufufu.”
“You’re still laughing while you apologize.”
Oh well, it’s fine. I know she’s not making fun of me.
“I think it would be lovely to be able to see that come to fruition.”
The wind spreads the shining sparks of the campfire, and I stare at Reina without thinking, because of how beautiful she looks, smiling with this backdrop.
“Arata?”
“…Nothing. I’m sure things will get even more fun, so I’ll work hard for it.
“Yes, let’s.”
As we talk, I hear Tiltue and Luna’s voice calling us from far away.
We look at each other and smile, and walk to where they are.
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