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The physical abilities of the majority of beastmen are significantly superior when compared to those of other races, except for the Lizardmen.

This fact is common knowledge for anyone who has ever researched the physical differences among various races.

Muscles that are incredibly resilient and tough—far beyond what humans possess. A skeleton that is thick and sturdy, making it hard to injure easily. Well-honed senses and sharp reflexes to boot.

Excluding the Lizardmen, who cannot be compared physically, beastmen possess superior physiques compared to the other races.

The Jo-in, being one of the factions of beastmen, are no different, and their physical abilities are said to be almost on par with other beastmen.

The distinction lies in the large wings that the Jo-in possess for flying.

Though there are differences depending on the individual, adult Jo-in have wings that span about 2 to 3 meters in length, allowing them to fly without relying on their magic—making them a rare race indeed.

However, there are claims that their flight, as widely known, is physically impossible based on the fact that their bodies are not suited for it.

Those Jo-in engaging in the high-intensity activity of flying would need well-developed muscles, and consequently, they would also be expected to have strong bone structures to support such muscles.

Moreover, the Jo-in, with their large wings covered in dense feathers, tend to weigh more than the average large beastmen, leading the academic consensus to conclude that it is physically impossible for Jo-in of such weight to soar through the skies merely by flapping their wings.

Nevertheless, Jo-in were able to take to the skies. They could spread their wings, ride the wind, and lift off.

Unless they suffered from a unique Jo-in disease known as feather loss disease—a form of alopecia—they were achieving what seemed physically impossible.

Many scholars have investigated how the Jo-in manage to fly, but up until now, no one has definitively pinpointed the exact cause. Yet, I am different.

Having lived among the Jo-in for a long time, I finally discovered the greatest secret behind their ability to soar.

In hindsight, it seems like such a simple secret, but why hadn’t the scholars studying the Jo-in realized it until now?

The reason was quite simple: the secret was something utterly natural to the Jo-in.

It was like a custom that had naturally woven itself into their ecology, serving as the key to their flight.

– Jo-in: About the Winged Residents.

The author of this book has lived and researched the Jo-in for decades and is famous for having achieved a fleeting moment of flight using tools mimicking the Jo-in’s wings.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“Y-yes, I did it! I’m flying!!”

As a Jo-in empowered by Sylphid flapped their wings, their body began to rise slightly off the ground.

Not too much, nor too little, the Jo-in gradually ascended, enveloping the right amount of wind in their wings.

Sylphid watched with a serious expression… well, upon closer inspection, maybe it wasn’t so serious but rather a tense look.

Sylphid viewed the Jo-in flapping their wings with a face full of worry, reminiscent of a parent anxiously letting their young child near the water.

“Whoa, whoa…”

The ascending Jo-in continued to flap their wings, and the wind lifted them higher.

Higher, even higher. The wings catching the wind pushed their bodies upward.

To rise to places unknown, to wander freely in the skies.

With Sylphid’s assistance, their wings were fulfilling the role they had yet to achieve until now.

“Huff, huff. How am I doing, Mom?”

“Outstanding.”

I smiled at Sylphid, who looked a bit tense, and ruffled their hair. On the surface, they appeared to be more mature, so it may have seemed like a child patting an adult on the head… but who cares.

When a child achieves something, praising them is a parent’s role.

“They might be a bit anxious now since it’s their first success, but as they lend their wind to more and more people, they’ll gradually get used to it. Before long, it will seem completely natural for them to help countless others with their wings.”

“Will there really be that many people who will believe in me?”

“Well, that depends on those Jo-in and you.”

I gazed at the Jo-in who had begun to take flight—one by one.

Wings that had previously served only as decoration, now autonomously fulfilling their purpose. Those bound by gravity becoming free.

It was a truly beautiful sight.

“Flying is something many long for. Perhaps even those who aren’t Jo-in might come to yearn for the skies.”

Breaking free from many constraints and soaring freely is something many dream of.

If becoming a believer of Sylphid allows them to take to the skies… who would refuse that?

Dreaming of vast skies is something many lives desire.

“Those wishing for wings and wanting to fly… won’t they come to believe in you?”

“Those wanting to fly…”

“Exactly. Those who wish to fly freely. I hope you become the strength for them.”

It would be a shame if those longing for the skies were unable to fly.

Those yearning to soar will come to believe in Sylphid, who will, in return, lend them their wings.

It’s entirely possible that even those without wings might end up believing in Sylphid… but, anyway.

“From now on, you’ll become the god of those longing for wings. You’ll support those wishing to fly.”

“Can I really do that?”

“If you can’t, who can? You are the most suited for it.”

Since Shamash is the god of law and justice, he can’t favor one side over another, and the other children have their own guardians, whereas I was already in a position to care for an adequate amount of people. Thus, only Sylphid, who holds the freest position, could help them take flight.

“Only you can do this.”

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

After a bit of time passed, the Jo-in settled at the cliff where Sylphid had been conducting flight training.

Perhaps due to Sylphid having spent considerable time resting there, the air around the cliff was heavy with Sylphid’s aura. It almost felt like Sylphid’s sanctuary.

I suppose that’s why the Jo-in chose to settle there.

Honestly, it was hard to understand why they chose to settle there when there were better places available… but hey, if they like it, who am I to judge?

Still, I should provide them some assistance. Gathering sufficient food in such a harsh environment wouldn’t be easy.

So…

“You want to hire Jo-in through the Church of Life?”

“Yeah. But not right away.”

It’s just a few hundred. After all, once they established a village of suitable size, taking away potential labor wouldn’t be a great idea.

This means that it’s a conversation for after they’ve settled down and seen population growth stabilize.

“Fortunately, thanks to the cliffs, the area is safe from outside dangers; therefore, it would be wise to supply necessary food and other items through the Church of Life and later hire suitable candidates as messengers.”

There wasn’t any farmland available around the cliffs. Food would be sorely lacking.

Even if they were to gather food by hunting or foraging, there’s no guarantee they could collect enough.

Thus, my thought was that it would probably be best to hire Jo-in through the Church of Life to provide them the items they need.

“But I can trust Mom… but the Church of Life… well…”

“To be honest, without that sort of assistance, it seems like living there wouldn’t be easy for them. It would not have been difficult in a better environment… but.”

Despite being somewhat barren and windy, it’s likely a good place to maintain faith in Sylphid, or so they say.

It may be a tough environment to survive in, but for those wishing to soar, there couldn’t be a better spot.

“Anyway, I’ll provide support for the items they need through the Church of Life, and those who desire to work can do so. Also, it’s not mandatory to work specifically for the Church of Life.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. They should have the freedom to choose their own paths.”

As free-flying Jo-in, they would likely excel in roles like merchants.

They may not carry many goods, but in terms of delivering small amounts of items quickly, they would possess unmatched advantages compared to other merchants.

Or they could become soldiers and take on scouting missions, where their abilities would shine. Scouts able to navigate any terrain would be the best reconnaissance asset.

On top of that, with their bird-like characteristics, their eyesight should be sharp. Pretty cool.

Alternatively, they could work as messengers. After all, the advantage of flight can shine in various roles.

Believing in such Jo-in possibilities, I simply wanted to give them a little nudge in the right direction.

 

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