Chapter: 555
The fairies had no idea why, when, or how they had woken up. Just like they didn’t understand why flower buds bloom themselves in spring, they couldn’t grasp the reason for waking from their eternal slumber.
– I wanted to sleep a bit longer.
– The dream was happy, you know.
– The dream was even happier.
– So many awesome flowers!
– And so much fun stuff!
The only thing they could confirm was that they were definitely fairies.
Even if their former beautiful appearances were gone. Even if they had lost the voices that blended naturally with the spring breeze. Even if they could no longer bask in nature’s love. They were still those mischievous fairies boasting of the beautiful sights in their dreams.
“Well then.”
Frey, seemingly used to organizing the fairies’ whims, nodded along and broke into a smile again.
“Then I have another question.”
However, the fairies’ attitude was different from a moment ago. In front of Frey’s bright smile, the cooperative gestures had vanished, and they all crossed their arms like bugs.
– Now it’s our turn to talk!
– Right! We take turns asking questions!
– Are you a genius?
– Me, a genius?!
“Correct. I was quite rude. Fairies, please ask me anything.”
– Why are you in the forest?
– There’s nothing fun here!
– It’s boring and dark.
– Totally dark, for sure.
While the fairies chattered and complained about the forest, Frey pondered for a moment and then smiled brightly, opening her mouth.
“I came to see you all.”
– Us?
– Really?
– Why?
“Do you need a reason to visit something you like?”
If an ordinary person had heard this, they would’ve furrowed their brow at such nonsense, but Frey’s answer struck a chord with these scatterbrained fairies.
The chilling laughter of the fairies echoed, even more disturbing than the sound of scraping iron.
– Is it good?
– It’s a good thing, huh?
– It’s nice, right?
– Then let’s play!
– What shall we do?
– What should we play?
[Oops.]
Yet, winning their hearts was not the best choice.
“Say what you want.”
[Having just experienced this, I know fairy games are truly violent by human standards. I wonder how it is now, with the Evil God's Energy around.]
…You’re saying that ambush we just faced was just a game?
That was an attack that wouldn’t be strange even if it killed other people, you know?
So this is what happens when you lose your brain to a powerful entity.
[Don’t refuse their games. It was already annoying when they were fine, so imagine how it would be now.]
“I got it.”
I pulled back Frey’s shoulders, who had been hesitating to respond. The gazes of the fairies pouring from the trees were not kind.
I’d heard they liked pretty things, but are they not just looking at appearances like a Sloppy Fox? I consider myself fortunate in a way.
If those ugly, bug-like things had followed me around like perverts, I would’ve been shivering all over.
“Tell me what kind of games you fairies can play? What could you possibly do better than hide-and-seek?”
– We’re not idiots!
– We know way more!
– Hide-and-seek is fun, right?
– Sure, but…
– Hey!
– Anyway, no! Something else!
Just from the atmosphere, it was clear they weren’t really against hide-and-seek; they just hated the fact I suggested it, seeing me as annoying.
“Huh?♡”
So I smiled mischievously.
“Given you’ve lived your entire lives in the forest that could make even the devil puke, it’s no surprise you’re scared about losing, right?♡ Pfft♡ Such a bug-like thought♡”
– Absolutely not!
– Annoying!
– I don’t like you!
– Just a little brat!
“If you’re confident, feel free to play!♡ After all, you won’t lose to a little brat like me, right?♡ Right?♡ Huh?♡”
– Match!
– I won’t lose to you!
– Bring it on!
The fairies easily fell for my provocation, spouting words fitting for kindergarteners and scattering everywhere.
How interesting. I thought they would ambush at any moment when I first met them because they looked so weird.
Contrary to my expectations, handling these little brainless ones was quite easy.
“So I managed to shake off the fairies?”
“Yes, indeed. I worked for the Useless Prince, who can only watch from behind. I’m glad to hear you spout relieving words.”
“Sorry about that.”
Just a moment ago, we passed through where the fairies had blocked our way, and soon we arrived at our intended destination.
Near the barrier that sealed the fairy forest. Beyond the barrier created by Erginius, the Evil God’s Energy swirled.
It looked bizarre like the darkness creeping in, devouring the sunset—an energy that had been repeating its actions according to orders left behind by its long-lost master.
“Are we diving in there?”
“…Lord Erginius said touching the barrier wouldn’t be dangerous. So it should be fine.”
Joy spoke as if reassuring herself, but her hands were shaking. Even I, accustomed to facing the Evil God’s Energy, felt uneasy facing this presence.
It was painfully obvious how it would look to Joy, who bore no divinity.
If left as it is, she’d inevitably make a mistake. How can I calm her down?
Oh. I have an idea.
“Lucy?”
I smiled in response to Joy’s answer and grabbed her hands with both of mine.
And then I prayed for her.
Thanks to praying to the Shoddy God every morning for a slight increase in stats, I was well-acquainted with the routine of prayer.
What’s the big deal with it?
Just praise the deity, thank them, say what you want, and then express gratitude again. That’s it.
A proper clergyman might make it all elegant and noble, but I’m just the Apostle of God who doesn’t make the cut as a priest.
Something like, “Great Lord, please take care of my friend. If you don’t do it well, I won’t pray from tomorrow,” should be enough.
After finishing my prayer and opening my eyes, I saw Joy staring blankly at me, Frey who barely held back tears, Phoebe looking curious, Karl nodding, and Arthur urgently turning his head.
What’s with him again?
I tilted my head, but I shifted my gaze back to Joy, who still hadn’t turned her head for a long time.
“I’ve gone this far; you won’t do something stupid, right? Silly.”
“Do you know who I am? I’m the genius sorceress who learned from you!”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
Though Joy’s hand was slightly trembling, her eyes told a different story. She no longer avoided the darkness in the barrier.
“Third Prince, could you assist me in drawing the magic circle?”
“What should I do?”
Having already surpassed a student’s level, Joy quickly completed the magic circle with Arthur’s help.
“Phew. Here I go.”
As she exhaled deeply and infused her magic into the circle, countless images appeared around her.
The magic floating in the void was more abstract than the magic I knew, but strangely, the meanings contained within were clearer.
I didn’t know much about magic, but this was different. For some reason, I felt like I understood what each part of the magic circle meant.
To Joy’s right was communication. Right next to it were calmness. Block. Silence. Control. And—
“…Huh?”
The magic of Joy, which I could hardly comprehend, drew my attention, and before I knew it, the surroundings had tinted black.
“Grandpa.”
The lack of a response meant my mind had likely been abducted by someone else.
This is bad.
My resistance to magic far exceeded that of a typical knight.
Thanks to the blessings of the Sloppy Fox and the Divinity I constantly wrapped around me. Even if my mind was stolen, I wouldn’t be this helpless.
Therefore, the being who invited me here is of a higher level than I am now. Someone who should be either underground or in the sky, or someone very close to that.
“Hello there.”
As the voice echoed in my ears, the world that had turned dark regained its light.
A withered land. Trees twisted beyond recognition, decayed to the point of grotesqueness. The scent of mold prickling my nose. Darkness that wasn’t the dawn but more akin to a cave.
“O you who are loved by the Lord.”
As I surveyed my surroundings and turned to look behind me, I saw a woman sitting on a tree stump.
Her face seemed divided into several parts. The area around her forehead was a transparent black as if consumed by darkness. The right side was wrinkled like an old lady. And the remaining portion was her original self.
“I’m sorry it had to be this way for the invitation, but please understand that I had no other option.”
I recognized her. More precisely, I knew her from the past.
She who lamented her own incompetence and yet used every means to protect the forest, even contemplating sacrificing her life for a single girl.
“I apologize for the late introduction. I am the one who used to be called the fairy queen, and now I’ve become so powerless that I can hardly discern dreams from reality.”
The lady blushing from being called a chicken coop.
“An unconsciousness? A self-awareness? A fragment? It must be something like that, so please treat me comfortably. The fairy queen, unable to awaken from her happy dream, shall not remember this conversation.”
A fragment of herself.
…A fragment? What on earth is that?
Did my face reveal my question? The woman in front of me opened her eyes wide, laughed for a while, and then spoke in a lax voice.
“It’s common for beings closer to gods than to mere creatures for their spiritual essence to disperse when their mental state is unstable.”
“You’re just full of useless knowledge, chicken coop lady. Does your brain get smarter when it ferments until it smells bad?”
“…Huh?”
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