Chapter: 560
It was the first day I trained my friends to prepare for the fairy’s seduction. I started to seriously think again that maybe it would be better to go in alone.
Arthur spent more time sprawled on the ground than standing up, and Frey’s movements trying to grab me were not as sharp as usual. Phoebe was so busy staring at me blankly that she often forgot what she was supposed to do, and even Karl kept missing my eye contact, repeating his mistakes.
Joy, who came to watch us after Erginius’s teachings, wasn’t much different from the other fools.
With her entire face blushing so red that it couldn’t even be hidden by a fan, she couldn’t even properly handle magic in front of the fairy dance.
It was clear that if I took them into the forest in this state, it would turn into chaos. This was more of a hindrance than a help!
I doubted whether these sloppy ones would improve after just a few days of training, but my friends proved my doubts wrong with each passing day.
By the second day, they were able to look me in the eye as if it were the most natural thing. By the third day, they moved just as smoothly as usual. By the fourth day, they mastered not only responding to the fairy dance but also perfectly aligning with the functions of their armor.
The most significant change was seen in Arthur. Initially a sloppy mess who wobbled with every touch, by the fourth day he could calmly respond even if poked suddenly.
Of course, it seemed like he could only hold up against constant teasing for so long, but that was the same for the others too.
[At this rate, there shouldn’t be any issues facing the dance of the fairies.]
‘Really? I think it’s still a bit awkward.’
[That's because the one dancing is you, Lucy. No corrupted fairy dance could possibly shine as brightly as you.]
Hearing my grandpa’s words, I felt relieved and told my friends to rest until we entered the forest.
We needed to maintain the optimal condition to go in there.
While we prepared to enter the forest, those gathered near the fairy forest swiftly got ready.
Erginius successfully taught Joy while using Partlan’s magic troops to perfectly set up the magic.
Other troops were neatly arranged in their predetermined positions.
The clergy from Phoebe’s church armed with holy relics provided by Count Arteia prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Thus, on the dawn of the sixth day, with everything ready, my friends and I headed toward the fairy forest once more.
“It feels like the black energy has intensified compared to before.”
“The Third Prince is probably right. I feel the same.”
“Is it the influence of the awakening Fairy Queen?”
The fairy forest was becoming an even more horrifying place than when we first stepped in.
Trees twisted and withered to such a bizarre shape that they could hardly be called terrestrial plants.
In the parched, cracked ground, the energy of the Evil God flowed out incessantly.
Creatures formed by gathering black substances had forms that could never be created through evolution.
And those who faintly retained the shape of fairies could no longer truly be called fairies.
– #%@!
– #^#%
– &(^$
These beings, whose voices were incomprehensible to human cognition, swirled around us, providing a visceral discomfort.
Fortunately, it was good that they still possessed a fairy’s awareness, distinct from being tainted by the Evil God’s energy. The fairies still did not view us as foes.
“We can’t let our guard down, everyone. Lord Erginius said it wouldn’t be strange if the fairies’ characteristics disappeared at any time.”
However, we never relaxed our vigilance.
Joy, who had learned so much from Erginius, kept issuing warnings.
Despite our rapid pace, we couldn’t see the sun hanging in the sky due to the evil energy flowing from inside the barrier coloring the forest black.
“What’s it like inside, I wonder, if the outside looks like this.”
“Sounds like it will be a blast.”
“Only you would find it fun, Frey Kent.”
While Joy was working to enter the barrier, Arthur and Frey bickered as usual.
Listening to them, I thought of something and said to my grandpa.
‘I think it seems pretty alright, though.’
The energy residing in this forest was completely under the control of the Fairy Queen. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense that we weren’t being attacked.
Even the energy outside the barrier was the Fairy Queen, resisting the will of the Evil God and moving as it wished.
It would be safer to assume that within her domain, she could manipulate even the authority contained within that energy as her own.
“Everyone, prepare yourselves.”
Following Joy’s voice, I looked up and saw a door appear for us to enter.
“Didn’t make any mistakes, right? You fool?”
“…I think it won’t matter if there are. Lucy. The being on the other side is welcoming us.”
Hearing Joy say that not only was she not hindered but also gained authority while handling the barrier, I couldn’t help but let out a heh laugh.
“That means we should consider the possibility of a trap, right?”
“It’ll be fine. The Useless Prince. The dreamer chicken queen wouldn’t have the intelligence for that, you know.”
If the Fairy Queen had regained her sanity to assess traps, the barrier wouldn’t be intact.
She was still dreaming. That’s why she wanted to invite us, who passed the fairies’ criteria, inside.
“Are you saying you wouldn’t back down and run away now?”
Standing up and stretching, I gripped my shield and mace, scanning my teammates.
“If I were going to run away, I wouldn’t have struggled all this time.”
Arthur shrugged and pulled out his sword.
“Why run away? It should be full of fun stuff.”
Frey tilted her head as if she didn’t understand my question.
“If it’s the path the Young Lady wishes to take, I shall gladly follow to the end, even if it is hell.”
Phoebe placed a heavy statement on my shoulders with a gentle smile.
“Where else would the knight escorting the Young Lady go?”
Karl nonchalantly rested his hand on the scabbard.
“Do I have a right to run away too?”
“I think so. You fool? You’re just a magical tool. You have no human rights!”
“Then why did you ask?”
“To laugh if you started whining in fear.”
When I relayed my answer, Joy chuckled and settled behind me.
With friends like that, I felt strangely reassured and smiled. I took a deep breath and turned my gaze toward the door.
“Then shall we go tease the smelly chicken queen?”
As the tank, I stepped forward, and the moment I crossed the door, the scenery shifted around me.
The colors stained with darkness regained hues. The sky, a mix of blue and white, was so clear it reminded me of a spring day.
Looking down slightly, I saw trees drenched in deep green. They were lush enough to cover the sky, yet they didn’t overshadow the sun, making me think, ah, this is what the beauty of nature is.
Turning my gaze back down, I saw butterflies fluttering around.
I spotted tiny animals peeking out from the underbrush only to flee.
A deer dashed about, pausing for a moment to observe me before taking off again.
I saw flowers blooming in every color imaginable.
And hiding behind the petals, fairies stared quietly at me.
“…What on earth.”
“How could such a beautiful place exist beneath the shadows?”
“I didn’t hear about this.”
“Tch. How dull.”
“Stay alert. We are in enemy territory.”
Karl, the knight accustomed to real combat, chided my friends, who were at a loss for words at the landscape that far exceeded their imaginations.
It was nice to have a seasoned knight by my side in such moments. He could set the atmosphere without needing me to say a word.
“What do you think, Young Lady?”
“As expected. The chicken queen, whose brain must be covered in mold, is indeed predictable.”
The last time I entered the dungeon created by the Evil God in Burrow Territory, I had to search for the reality within the mansion’s scenery.
It would likely be the same now.
What we see with our eyes is all deception presented by the authority of the Evil God.
The reality beyond the senses must be even more horrific.
“Lucy, should we unleash the Evil God’s authority?”
“I get that you’re eager to show off, but for now, just chill. You fool. This isn’t the time.”
We must not misunderstand our objective. We are not here to fight the Fairy Queen.
Our goal is to enter the heart of the forest and release the Evil God so that he can devour all the energies here.
Thus, there is absolutely no need to disrupt the Fairy Queen’s dream. In fact, we should align ourselves with her dream, even if we know the reality.
It feels better to play the fool than to confront the enemy that is the queen.
Hearing my thoughts, my friends quickly understood the situation and lowered their weapons.
“Being a fool is not easy.”
“Yeah. It’s something I’ve done endlessly in the social circle.”
“It’s a shameful thing, but I’m confident in this.”
“I’ll do my best not to lag behind you all.”
Seeing them converse confidently made me glance sideways, and I instinctively turned to Frey next to me.
She caught my eyes and tilted her head.
“Why?”
“Foolish swordsman. Can you do nothing?”
“Why should I?”
“Ugh. You can’t, can you? Yeah. The foolish swordsman is just that level. I can’t help it. I’m the fool for expecting anything from you.”
“No! I can do it! I can do it really well!”
As soon as I lightly poked her, Frey’s eyes changed, and I promised to play with her once everything was over.
Then I saw friends looking at me with a peculiar gaze.
“What’s up, you sloppies?”
“Um. Y-Young Lady.”
“Um, Lucy. That is, uh…”
“Say it straight! Lucy Allen, is that what you have to say?”
Asserting this, Arthur furrowed his brow, and he was absolutely right.
Hmm. Hmm… Hmmm. That’s true!?
Maybe after an event unfolds, but right now, whatever I do would only add negatives!
Alright! I’ll just keep my mouth shut! After all, if I just stay silent, I’m a stunning beauty!
As if to signify they understood what I meant, I shut my mouth and began to smile subtly, causing my friends to hastily turn their heads, clearing their throats.
What is it?
What else could they be dissatisfied with?
Isn’t this how you wanted me to act?
– Hey! You guys!
– Hello!
– You’re all super cool humans!
Just as I was about to respond, a swarm of fairies that had been hiding behind the flowers suddenly jumped out and addressed us.
– The queen wants to keep you all for a while!
– The queen has summoned you!
– A great honor!
– We need to hurry!
Tch. For now, let’s just wait patiently at the back.
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