Golden Egg

...There are way too many.

Too many what?

Chickens. At this point it's half people, half chickens!

That's a good thing. Everyone gets to eat chicken.

They give eggs and meat. Half fried, half roasted is the way to go... In fact, let's have chicken for dinner tonight.

Half fried, half roasted...?

Half sauce, half plain roast. Don't tell me you've never heard of it?

....

I get it's useful for food supply, but I'm genuinely curious.

They're just wandering the streets, no one's raising them? Doesn't that seem excessive?

That would be because of the eggs. People want the eggs, so they don't slaughter the chickens. Naturally, the chickens multiplied.

Claire! Long time no see.

May the Swordbringer walk with the blessing of God.

And Lady Morgana, you are here as well.

Mhm! Protecting peace is the duty of the Fairy Queen, after all.

You were literally drooling about roast chicken just a moment ago...

Ethan! Appetite is nothing but a beautiful instinct. It doesn't mean I neglect my duty.

Uh... right.

But Claire, what do you mean "because of the eggs"? With this many chickens, wouldn't people be sick of eggs by now?

Not eating eggs, Swordbringer.

...Not eating?

Have you heard of the Golden Egg?

The Golden Egg?! Chickens here lay golden eggs?!

Mm, an old Britannian legend.

The one who possesses the Golden Egg gains eternal wealth... Supposedly, that's what a farmer said after he became rich from them.

Exactly. The value of a single Golden Egg would still be unimaginable, even today.

Ooooh...?

What are you waiting for, Morgana?! Hurry!

Wh-what are you doing?! Don't drag me like this!

We've got to find a Golden Egg! Chickens lay them at random, so we'll have to scour the whole town with our eyes peeled.

Um... Swordbringer.

Yeah?

That's exactly why we came. It's just a rumor, harassing the chickens is not acceptable.

With people chasing them constantly, they get stressed... and then they stop laying entirely.

Then just eat them for meat. Problem solved.

Uh... well...

Don't, Morgana. You can't talk about slaughter so casually in front of a holy sister.

Truth is... these chickens were raised by the church for food supply.

But when they were released to roam free, they wandered off into the town...

So they belong to the church...

Wait, then does that mean we can't eat them?

Eat them and you'll go straight to hell.

For now, won't you come with me to the church? Esmeralda is working on a plan to gather them back.

Sure. We'll help.

Hmph, fine. But you'd better pay us properly. Golden Eggs, and at least four chickens.

Seriously? Do you have to haggle like that?

Nothing in this world is free. Helping a shorthanded church deserves fair compensation.

Morgana is right. That can be arranged.

If you obtain a Golden Egg, it will be yours. And four chickens. Will that suffice?

Hmm... if you say so, Claire...

But I'm surprised. Morgana, asking for four chickens to share with everyone, I'm impressed.

What are you talking about? I'm eating them all myself. Four chickens per person is standard.

What are you, some kind of food god...?

E-Ethan?!

Sister Esmeralda, we meet again.

We found the Swordbringer and Morgana while inspecting the town. They should be a great help.

Mm... I'm sorry. I never meant for church matters to trouble you.

Don't be. Everyone's going wild over these chickens, we can't just sit back and ignore it.

You mentioned a plan. What's the approach?

Then I'll explain.

We'll place a feed barrel on one side of the main street. With so many chickens, hunger will draw them in.

Once they gather, we'll press in from both sides, driving them forward. That way we can corral them all at once.

Sounds good! Then let's get started. No reason to waste time.

Simple enough. Let's do it!

Oh? Look who's motivated all of a sudden.

There's payment, remember! Golden Eggs! Roast chicken!

Ah... right...

Imagine... Golden Omelets made with a Golden Egg. Just thinking about it makes me drool...!

...So you were planning to eat that, too?

Thank you. Both of you...

Something's wrong...

Hm? What's wrong?

The chickens. There are far too many.

Ethan said the same thing. But isn't more better?

Not when it's unnatural. The ones that escaped the church weren't nearly this numerous... and they weren't this aggressive either.

Hmm... maybe the town chickens joined them?

There weren't that many in town. If there were, people wouldn't have been starving.

I can't see clearly, but... the aura I sense from these chickens doesn't feel normal.

Then we have to consider outside interference, Claire.

Yes...

Probably just a bunch of roosters. Finally free, they're enjoying themselves... breeding to their hearts' content!

There might even be one super-handsome rooster charming all the hens!

That doesn't even make sense...

It absolutely could! You wouldn't know, Ethan, you've never been a popular male.

Why you!

Oww!! Why'd you hit me?!

Because you keep asking for it!

Th-There aren't many roosters at all...

Just as Claire guessed, there may be something worse going on here. We should head deeper to find the truth.

Haah... At this rate, we'll end up fighting every chicken in town...

Once night falls, it'll get harder to move. Let's hurry.

Yes, Swordbringer.

Hey, don't walk away, come have some fun with us, huh?

We know a good tavern.

Oh my. So men actually approach me like this sometimes? Quite a refreshing change.

You like it? Then come on, come with me.

How unfortunate. I already belong to someone.

So what? A little... "diversion" makes life more fun.

Enough talk, just come here. Heh...

Hm? Touching me like that... is a bad idea.

Aw, come on. Let's go.

Keep pushing me and... something bad will happen, you know?

Wh-what the? Suddenly I feel... sleepy...

Me too... ngh... snore...

You brought this on yourselves.

Still... what a lovely opportunity. I'll enjoy studying your bodies. Fufu...!

Cluck, cluck...

Oh my...

I was just looking for the perfect test subjects for a new potion. How convenient.

Fufu! This will be fun.

To meet you here... we must truly be fated, Ethan.

Circe! What's the Witch of the Forest doing in the middle of town?

I missed you, Ethan. I came down just for you. And now, to actually meet like this... hu... huhuhuhu...!

So you've caught the attention of quite the troublesome woman.

Yeah... she's as troublesome as you.

That witch is up to something. The chickens are following her!

Maybe she's trying to hog the Golden Egg for herself?

Swordbringer. I respect your connections, but we cannot overlook suspicious powers at work in church territory.

We're not "connected." Let's just get her and make her talk.

Ethan, there are far too many flies buzzing around you. Allow me to swat them away.

So there was a connection after all.

Witch! Explain yourself!

Mmm... you've caught me. Still, if it's Ethan who captured me, I don't mind...

Now take me somewhere dark... tie me up and...

Not happening. Just tell me what you were doing. Were you behind these chickens?

Yes, that was me.

Don't tell me, you were after the Golden Egg?!

Golden Egg? I don't care about shiny trinkets.

Swordbringer, she's dangerous. Let's execute her now.

Shall Claire and I drag her to the church and hand her to the inquisitors?

No, no need to go that far...

She's weird, but she's not evil. More like... a witch who's just too honest about her desires.

Besides, we've recovered all the chickens. We can just scold her and be done with it.

Fufu... Ethan, you're so gentle. Unlike these stiff-necked nuns.

What was that?

Relax. I didn't do anything cruel. Chickens are just chickens, after all.

They were feral! They were attacking people!

That was because of lust. I used a potion that... over-stimulates the urge to breed.

Ohhh! So I was right after all! Well, Ethan? How about that judgment of mine?

Anyway, it's over, so let's collect our payment. Even without Golden Eggs, there's still chicken meat!

But why?

Because when you're yearning for love, Ethan... if I appear before you, surely something delightful will happen. Fufu!

...Yeah, maybe we SHOULD execute her here and now...

Ethaaan!

Then promise me. No more experiments that trouble people.

Hmm... fine. I'll promise.

Haah... Not sure I can believe you.

Anyway, Claire, Esmeralda. For my sake, forgive this idiot. I'll help recover the rest of the chickens.

Mm...

If the Swordbringer forgives her, we'll let it pass.

We have no choice. At least she wasn't openly hostile.

So... was there a Golden Egg after all?

No one's found one. I suppose it was just a legend.

Or perhaps... someone already claimed it.

Ethan! Hurry! That chicken over there is ours!

You idiot! They'll give us our share when this is over. What's the rush?

Hahh... hahh... Roast chicken... Olive-marinated barbecue... chicken stew...!

Cluck-cluck!!

Cut it out!

Oww!!!