Ding dong!
Crystals emitting a soft glow once again released their radiant light.
Morning has arrived!
One by one, the Ruenongs started to emerge.
Gathered orderly in the clearing, the Ruenongs began their warm-up exercises, stretching their short limbs.
Like a perfectly synchronized girl group that had rehearsed for a long time.
“One, two, three, four!
Two, two, three, four!”
Yawn…!
Umm, umm.
The Ruenongs coming out of the hut still looked like they were half asleep.
One Ruenong could be seen dozing off, even snoring while waving her arms.
Ruenongs were sleepy fairies who loved their morning naps, yet none of them skipped the exercises. Drowsily, they flailed their arms and continued with their warm-ups.
Yawn! I couldn’t sleep a wink waiting for Edan all night. It’s all Edan’s fault!
A girl with green hair had herself hanging from a leg like a cicada.
Does she think she’s the exception?
Rue clung to the leg, repeatedly dozing off.
Oh no…! They’re just too cute, the colorful little ones of paradise!
…
Elizaveta bounced her feet watching the Ruenongs stretching their short limbs.
What’s so cute about them, anyway?
After a month of taking care of the mischievous girl, she wasn’t feeling much about it.
Nom nom!
Brrr, it’s cold!
After finishing their exercises, the Ruenongs headed straight for the area where icicles hang.
They plucked small icicles and popped them in their mouths like candy.
The Ruenongs grimaced at the cold but continued to suck on the icicles to the last drop.
Red icicles tasted like strawberries.
Yellow ones tasted like lemons.
Green ones tasted like apples.
Each of the 50 Ruenongs lined up to have breakfast according to their preferences.
For the fairies living in paradise, it was just another routine. But to an outsider, it looked like a bunch of starving beggars were licking icicles.
Man, it’s freezing. Plus, it tastes bad.
What could the icicles taste like?
Suddenly curious, I took a big icicle and popped it in my mouth.
A quick lick.
Then I tossed the icicle on the ground.
I felt a sweet fruity taste, but that was it. It was worse than cheap ice pops.
Rue also nibbled on an icicle before dropping it to the floor. Having traveled across many kingdoms on the continent, she had developed a refined palate that just couldn’t settle for something like an icicle.
Pretty princess!
Good morning, princess!
Once the scheduled activities wrapped up, the Ruenongs huddled around Elizaveta.
Goddess Broyan had left.
But remnants of the goddess still flowed through Elizaveta.
Was it the remnants of the Creator Deity calling them?
Or was it a genuine reverence for Elizaveta?
Perhaps it was both.
Elizaveta and Broyan were incredibly similar in both temperament and appearance.
Listen up! I’m taking you all to the outside world!
The beautiful princess with flowing blonde hair declared boldly, stretching her hands out. The sudden announcement put question marks on the Ruenongs’ heads made of hair.
The outside world…?
Confused looks spread across the Ruenongs’ faces at the unfamiliar word.
Only five Ruenongs had ever been to the outside world, and even those were brief experiences, excluding Rue.
For Ruenongs who had never set foot outside, Elizaveta’s declaration was enough to stir up fears of the unknown.
Of course, they’d be wary of humans, so it was a given they’d fear the outside world.
I’ll go!
The loyal Pie Ruenong will follow the princess!
The four Ruenongs who had already experienced the outside raised their hands high.
That super sweet chocolate cake.
The syrupy jelly candy that flowed like a sweet melody.
They’d become prisoners of sugar in just one day.
The sight of a friend who leaped toward the princess without a moment’s hesitation deepened the Ruenongs’ conflict. Their sparkling eyes rolled around with serious contemplation.
Ugh…! I want to go with the princess!
But, but the outside world is scary!
Anxious excitement clashed with an uncharted dread.
Which should they choose?
For the little fairies who had lived in paradise for so many years, this was an extremely harsh dilemma.
They had probably never given such thoughts a second because they had lived so long in paradise. Hence, they all wrinkled their tiny brows in hesitation.
Everyone, listen up. I will never abandon my faithful servants. No matter the difficulties we may face… I’ll protect my servants to the very end. That is the duty of a noble-born princess.
Elizaveta proclaimed, placing her hand on her chest.
A noble pride and elegance overflowed from her.
Her character, which cherished obligations passed down through bloodlines, reminded one of Ludmilla.
Her resolute voice suppressed the spreading fears like an epidemic. As if to prove it, the trembling Ruenongs pointed their spiked hair towards Elizaveta.
That remaining trace of Broyan’s divine status has merged with Elizaveta. While it’s not a formal granting of blessing from Broyan, it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Broyan was the goddess who created the Ruenongs, but from the perspective of humans who worship the Earth Mother as the one true god, she was merely a malevolent deity.
The fact that the princess of the Valtarian Empire had accepted the divine status of a malevolent deity must not be revealed.
It concerned Elizaveta’s safety.
And also the future of the Ruenongs venturing into the outside world.
I should hint at that later.
I quietly observed Elizaveta’s back as she led the numerous fairies.
—
Boom!
Like a bolt from the blue, the Lord’s Castle of the Marquisate of Hohenberg was engulfed in pure white radiance.
Flash—!
With a blinding flash, a path to paradise opened up.
And then, a flurry of colorful little fairies poured out.
The ceiling is ridiculously blue!
You idiot, that’s the sky…!
Having escaped the closed underground space of the valley, the Ruenongs arrived in the outside world, revealing strong curiosity as they surveyed their surroundings.
The blue sky painted like splattered paints.
The courtyard adorned with beautiful buds of various colors.
And the big, elegant villa they had imagined from fairy tale books.
It felt like they had arrived in a heavenly realm.
The Ruenongs’ bright eyes sparkled more than ever.
How did these little ones get into the courtyard?
Yeah, I know right? But what was that flashy light a moment ago…
The servants of the Hohenberc family couldn’t hide their bewilderment at the sudden burst of radiance and the unexpected appearance of the Ruenongs.
Then Edanant arrived to dispel the servants’ fears.
It’s fine; they are invited fairies. They’ll become part of the Hohenberc family now.
You mean those little kids…?
He added that all Ruenongs would be part of the family, just like Rue.
It was such a sudden decision.
The servants shrugged their shoulders, showing signs of discomfort.
Yet no voices of dissent arose. The servants who genuinely trusted Edanant nodded, thinking, ‘It’s the young master’s decision, so it’ll work out somehow.’
You’ve come back sooner than expected.
Fortunately, it wasn’t difficult to convince them.
Rudmila rushed to greet Edanant upon hearing the news.
Edanant replied cheerily, gesturing towards Elizaveta and the Ruenongs.
Seeing that her younger sister had returned safely, Rudmila let out a sigh of relief.
Thanks to you watching over Elizaveta.
No, there was nothing particularly dangerous.
While a brief incident occurred with the goddess who created the Ruenongs temporarily possessing Elizaveta, he didn’t want to worry Rudmila unnecessarily.
Only remnants of divine status were left.
As time passed, Broyan’s divine status would gradually deplete.
The problem was Elizaveta’s ability to receive divine status perfectly.
Just as Broyan had been forcibly possessed by Elizaveta during her sleep, other divine statuses might also cling to a mortal body.
How could he prevent possession?
It was a matter to ponder over for a bit.
I don’t doubt your opinion, but… what help will the Ruenongs actually provide?
I assure you, you will not be disappointed. Please watch the Ruenongs perform!
Rudmila darted a glance at the bouncy Ruenongs while asking.
Would they really be of any help to the territory?
Were they not just innocent little fairies like any other children?
It was understandable to harbor such doubts.
Surely, she wasn’t the only one. Many servants of the marquisate likely thought just the same.
To resolve those lingering doubts, distinct results were needed. And so that Ruenongs could be recognized as a new race of the Valtarian Empire.
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