"Oh, by the way, Zad-san. We're all technically stark naked... is that going to be okay?"
"...Reis-san, that is a question you strictly ask someone of the same gender. Please don't ask me, a guy..."
I threw the question to Zad-san, the half-dwarf scout of the party we're escorting. Look, I planned to ask Amelia-san, but she's away for a moment. I can't rest easy unless I solve a doubt the second it pops into my head. I mean, I'm an ostrich. My species' memory is "don't-trust-it-with-your-life" bad, so if I don't ask now, it's gone...
"Ah, actually, you have a point..."
"So, what's the verdict? Should we hide ourselves after all?"
If you take a look at my flock, it's pretty obvious: everyone is butt-naked. A complete tribe of nudists. Myself included. Hey! No calling us perverts!
L-Look, let me explain... First off, at our current civilization level, making clothes is literally impossible. Spinning thread with these wings? Not happening. And it's not like these guys have the brainpower for it anyway. Without someone to make them, fashion culture just doesn't happen. And secondly, we ostriches simply don't need clothes.
Our feathers are incredibly multi-functional. Amelia-san told me recently that these feathers themselves are quite valuable. She also warned me that people will definitely hunt us for them. ...Well, that makes sense. I've never felt cold or hot a single day in this life. ...And it's not just because I'm stupid!
(The specs on these feathers are just too good. They have lightning resistance, and a simple blade probably couldn't even cut them.)
The feathers protect our bodies from the cold and the harsh sunlight. To put it simply, our temperature resistance is off the charts. Ostriches are adaptable to begin with, but our feathers seem to have evolved specifically to thrive in this fantasy world. Since we didn't need clothes for protection, and couldn't make them if we tried, the concept of "clothing" just never took root.
"Ah~, I think you'll be fine? Not all Beastmen are like this, but I've heard that those with thick fur or feathers don't really wear clothes. From what I can see, Reis-san, your feathers naturally cover all the... important bits anyway."
"Oh, I see. That's how it is."
Asking for more detail, it seems there are other Beastmen who don't feel the need for clothes and just live according to their own culture. Most wear a loincloth or a chest wrap, but there are a fair number of "Birthday Suit Buffs" like us. Apparently, they still wear accessories like necklaces or belts, though.
"In my hometown, there's a monkey beastman who's insanely fast. He spends the whole year wearing nothing but a loincloth and some fierce face paint. We Dwarves, Elves, and Humans usually wear clothes, but I don't think people will mind that much."
"I see, I see! So we won't be labeled a 'Mob of Perverts' the moment we step into town. What a relief!"
"......I feel like you'll be a shock to the system for an entirely different reason, though."
Oh? I put on a "pretending not to understand" act as I tore into some meat for lunch. I'm not a fan of just face-planting into a carcass, so I use my wings and feet to handle the food. Forget table manners! Just forgive the mess!
...Hm? What am I eating? Don't be shocked!
What I'm currently eating is... Orc! Little Orcy! That pig-monster!
We didn't see these on the plateau, but as we get closer to town, the monster types are changing. Yeah, it's not as good as the hyper-bred, delicious pork from my previous life, but in this life, it's top-tier meat. It's a bit fatty, but if you roast it to render the oil out, it's exquisite!
"...Why are you eating Orcs? They're monsters, sure, but they're humanoid. You're all... covered in blood."
"Aha! A bit late for that, isn't it? It was just as bad with the Earth Dragon. Look, we'll eat anything that isn't one of our own."
To put it another way, we lived in an environment where you couldn't survive unless you ate everything else. ...But let's set that aside.
Our group is finally nearing the town, but the flock started shouting "FOOD!" more frequently, so we decided it was time for a proper supply run. However, my knowledge and experience are useless this far from the plateau. So, I asked the adventurers if there were any monsters with a high edible-meat-to-bone ratio.
While scouting with Zad-san, we luckily stumbled upon an Orc settlement. We promptly trampled them and turned them into dinner.
I couldn't really tell the difference, but apparently, there were "High-tier" individuals among them. Leaving them alone would have caused serious damage to the area. There were over 50 of them, so I guess they were a hassle.
"At first, I was excited," Zad-san muttered. "I saw you guys blowing away Orcs—which are hard for me to kill alone—with a single leg. Reis-san literally split one in half with a kick. It was so cool. But the second the battle was over, everyone just... dove face-first into the Orc chunks and the ones still twitching..."
"Ah... sorry about that?"
Our flock didn't have a single death, or even a minor injury. But we were absolutely drenched in blood. Some of them looked like they were wearing "blood facial masks." It's gruesome, I know. Even I, despite having less splash-back than the others, have blood-stained legs and probably some on my beak. It is what it is. You can't expect an ostrich to understand manners.
"Like I said earlier, our sense of kinship is incredibly strong. And—for our intelligence level—our ability to distinguish between 'us' and 'them' is very high. There were humanoid-looking monsters on the plateau too, and we ate them without a second thought. I felt some hesitation at first, but when the choice is 'eat' or 'starve,' well..."
Kind to allies, ruthless to enemies. That is the Ostrich Beastman. When we first found the adventurers, do you know what my kids said? They said, "Food?" If I hadn't stopped them, I bet a few would have tried to take a bite just to see if they were tasty. Whether it's a fat Orc or a two-legged human, if it stands on two legs, an ostrich is willing to put it in its stomach.
Well, they seem a bit more hesitant with humans... but the second I label someone an "enemy," they'll attack with everything they've got. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing, but it's a defining trait. To me, they're my adorable kin; to anyone else, they're probably a nightmare.
"Basically, for us, everyone who isn't an ostrich is a 'Candidate for Dinner'!"
"Oh god..."
"Aha! Don't be so scared, it's fine! As long as I'm here, I'll stop them unless you're an enemy. And if they're going to hunt, they'll aim for something tastier and easier to eat, right? It's fine, it's fine!"
Just as "Dere" took a liking to Amelia the Elf, there are other ostriches showing interest in Zad the half-dwarf and Claudius the human. We are a terrifying group that turns anything into "Food," but at the same time, we instinctively understand that if we eat or break something our friends care about, our "precious, precious friends" will hate us.
"So, that's the deal! Good luck~!"
After finishing the Orc feast and getting everyone "squeaky clean" in a nearby river, we headed toward the town where our companions lived. Claudius said, "The road looks familiar; we're almost there," and then...
"? What's that!"
"Big?"
"Don't know!"
"Surprised!"
"Mysterious!"
"Hm? What's up... Oh, that."
Just as my lovable idiots started making weird noises, I saw an obviously man-made structure in the distance. Likely city walls or something similar. They were several kilometers away, but even from here, the stone walls cut into the horizon.
Given an ostrich's memory, everything they see is "brand new," but they don't even have a word for a structure like that in their mental dictionary. They were genuinely fascinated by this thing they'd never seen before. Okay, everyone, listen up. That big thing? That's called a 'City Wall,' okay? You won't remember, but try your best.
Inside there, lots of humans live, okay? We're going there now to say hello. We're going to say 'Let's be friends,' okay? Do you understand!
"""YEEEES!!!"""
They'll almost certainly forget it all by the time we arrive, but it doesn't hurt to say it. Every once in a very long while, they remember something from a few minutes ago. Eventually, I'll have to act independently of the flock, so I need to make sure their education is solid. The things inside are NOT food.
"By the way, Claudius-san? That town is definitely your home, right?"
"Yes, that is Plaque. The southernmost city of human territory. It's a bustling trade town centered around monster materials brought in by us adventurers. We have some connections, and if we can sell 'that stuff' well, it should give us plenty of operating funds."
"I hope so. ...As long as no one tries to pull a fast one on us."
I see, I see.
Oh? What is "that stuff"? I guess I didn't explain. I'm not "ostrich" enough to think I can walk into town penniless. I brought some items from the plateau that can be exchanged for cash. Mostly proof-of-kill parts from the monsters we turned into "food" along the way. I had the adventurers collect them.
And then there's the Earth Dragon loot. I brought several dozen teeth from that thing's mouth. I didn't know their worth, but Amelia said, "These have a very high affinity for the Earth element and can be used as materials for magic tools. They should bring in a good income." No idea what the total price will be... but I wonder how many days it'll last against the appetites of my dear kin.
"Haha... Once we've enjoyed Plaque for a bit, how about we head a little further north to the granary region?" Claudius suggested. "It's called the 'Continent's Kitchen.' You can buy food supplies very cheaply there."
"Got it. No transportation costs for us, so that's a win."
Basically, our supply method will be turning nearby monsters into food, but eventually, we'll hunt out the area. If we run out of things to eat, visiting a farm might not be a bad idea. Though, if we go, I'll have to teach them: "DON'T EAT THE STUFF GROWING IN THE FIELDS WITHOUT PERMISSION!!!" ...That... seems impossible.
"Well, anyway, our first civilization. Let's enjoy it."
As I spoke, we moved at a slow pace—slow enough to make me want to yawn, considering our usual speed. But running at full speed toward a town we want to be "friendly" with would be dangerous. We walked at a pace that allowed them to see us coming and give them time to decide how to react.
"Lady Reis, how does it look?"
"Hmm, the people guarding from above? The soldiers are starting to panic. I guess we are a bit of a large group. Should we have sent a messenger ahead? Well, if I sent one of my kids, they'd just wander off, so I'll have to ask you guys."
"Your eyesight really is incredible... Understood. I'll ask Zad to go ahead and talk to the soldiers."
"Thanks. Okay, everyone, STOP! And SIT!"
"Sit?"
"Sit!"
"Break time!"
"Goodnight!"
I made my kids sit down to kill time. After promising Claudius a larger share of the exchange money as payment for his help, I watched Zad-san run toward the town. Hm? What's up, "Clau-chan"? You don't want the money? Oho, did you catch the "stupid" from hanging around ostriches? Can't have that—proper labor deserves proper pay.
While I was chatting with Claudius, watching Amelia-san get playfully nibbled by Dere-chan, and calling back the occasional ostrich that suddenly decided to stand up and run, Zad-san returned with a few armed people. One of them was on horseback. ...Yeah, we're definitely faster. By the way, are there Horse Beastmen? Or is that a copyright issue?
"Boss Claudius! Reis-san! I brought them!"
As Zad-san arrived, the soldier on the horse hopped off. I appreciate him not staying on the horse, but... could you move that horse a bit further away? Yeah, the horse. My kids are starting to think it's prey... HEY! STOP IT! That is NOT a "for eating" creature! I told you to SIT! Sit!
Sorry about that. My idiots have never seen a horse before.
"No, our apologies as well. We did not intend to provoke you." The soldier spoke. "Allow me to introduce myself. I hold the title of 'Knight' from the Kingdom of Heed. I am Matilde, tasked with the protection of Plaque."
...Whoa. I expected a Captain of the Guard at best, but we got a "Protector." And a "Knight" title-holder. I might be fuzzy on the exact definitions, but this female knight is clearly someone important—probably nobility.
Standing before me was Matilde, clad in steel plate armor. She had beautiful blonde hair tied back, likely under a helmet she'd removed? Her face was sharp, but she didn't seem hostile. Zad, you really brought out a big shot. Were you guys acquainted? Ah, she just happened to be nearby. I see. Oops, I haven't introduced myself.
"I'm Reis. As you can see, a Beastman—an Ostrich-type. I'm the leader of these kids, the Chieftain, I guess. We just came for a visit today."
"...A visit?"
"Yeah, sightseeing. I could have come alone... but we can only move as a group."
I kept my attitude soft as usual, smiling so as not to put them on guard. Now wasn't the time for my "Chieftain" face; we were the ones asking for entry. I didn't bow—I don't want to be looked down on—but being overly arrogant would just complicate things. This was the right balance.
"The adventurer Zad told me there is a possibility you might migrate here?"
"Oh, he told you that? Thanks. Regarding that, well... down the road, if this place is comfortable for us, I was thinking it'd be nice to have some space, even outside the town. If it doesn't work out, we'll just head back to where we came from."
"I see."
She paused, looking thoughtful. ...Still, this female knight is interesting. She's acting natural, but she's clearly on guard. Her aura—her "biological rank"—is about the same as the adventurers, but her willpower... the strength in her eyes is incredible. Man, what a great find. I wish I had someone like her in my flock.
My ostriches are all the "purest of the pure," so you don't often see that kind of iron will. I waited for her answer while thinking such strange thoughts. Based on what one of the soldiers behind her was carrying, I had an idea of what she was planning. But she had to be the one to say it.
...Oh, you're going to speak? Go ahead.
"I understand your wishes. As the one in charge of Plaque, I welcome an increase in population, and more importantly, the arrival of potential combat power. There has been suspicious movement from neighboring countries; one can never have too much strength. However... whether you are truly someone to be trusted has yet to be proven."
"Therefore."
She called forward a soldier standing behind her, who opened a wrapped bundle. Out came a wooden spear.
"I request a duel with you."
"......Nice. I love that kind of thing. However..."
I love it too, so I wanted to accept immediately, but... could you hold on a sec? My kids are sensing the mood and starting to shout, "Hunting time?" "Destroy!" "Defeat!" Wait, wait, wait! Calm down! Everyone CALM DOWN!!! This isn't a hunt! It's different! I'm just going to play with this lady! She's a friend! A FRIEND!!!
[Ostrich Sense of Kinship]
Having evolved to survive in a harsh environment, their sense of kinship is incredibly high. This is why they never abandoned Reis when she was in a vegetative state during her "brain destruction and regeneration" phase. To abandon someone is to accept being abandoned yourself. Living on a plateau where an individual cannot survive alone, they learned to flock and instinctively understood mutual aid.
Because of this, they don't do things others dislike, and they don't want to. Everyone eating together makes them very happy. They can't remember each other's faces, and they can't comprehend if the flock has grown or shrunk—and even if they did, they'd forget in three seconds. But having friends makes them happy, and having a leader makes them happier. That is the Ostrich Beastman.
Interestingly, because their sense of kinship is so strong, if they accidentally do something another member dislikes, they get incredibly depressed. They'll get so down that they won't even eat properly that day, making the offended party worry about them instead. Of course, they forget everything after a day, but it apparently reduces the chance of them repeating the action. (Though many repeat it after a month once the memory has truly faded.)
Back on the plateau, it was a common sight to see an individual mistake the fruit the Leader had saved for dessert as "leftovers," eat it, get scolded, and then cry out, "I'M SOOOOORRRRYYYYY!!!" while sobbing. The scolding leader would end up panicking and comforting them, only for the same thing to happen a few months later, eventually leading the leader to say, "Fine, you can just have my share too."