Chapter 396: The Fallen Fairy Queen. The World Tree’s Crisis…
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 396: The Fallen Fairy Queen. The World Tree’s Crisis…
The first night in the Fairy Forest arrived.
Having slipped away from her sleeping companions, Kang Ha-ni stood alone, lost in thought.
…I don’t think I can sleep like this.
Was it a feeling of tightness? Or was it the pain of things being all bunched up?
She had never imagined it would feel like this. It was incredibly uncomfortable.
To make matters worse, the bandages were damp from a strange leakage, making her feel utterly miserable.
She had tried her best to endure it and sleep, but because it was her first time experiencing such a sensation, it was harder to bear than she expected. Finally, she made a decision.
…I have to squeeze it out.
She had already set up artifacts nearby to ward off monsters. If she stepped away for a moment, they would probably just assume she was going to the restroom.
Was it a stroke of luck that she’d started carrying spare bandages ever since the incident at the Rose Festival?
Even if she suppressed her presence, there were likely those who would notice her moving, but fortunately, she didn’t feel anyone following her as she left the tent.
However, once she actually tried to express it, she hit another snag.
“What the… does this have to hurt? And it’s not coming out as well as I thought.”
No matter how she tried to grip and squeeze, it wouldn’t flow.
It was only natural. She had no experience with this, so there was no way she could be proficient. Her hurried, anxious movements only caused pain without improving the situation in the slightest.
“…Ugh. What is this even?”
So-hyun likes them, so I’ve started to think they look pretty lately, but… For the first time in a long while, she felt a surge of resentment toward her own breasts.
“…Whew. Let’s just endure it and try a little more.”
She couldn’t exactly get rid of them, so she steeled herself to try again. But in that moment, something entered her field of vision.
“Ha-ni, what are you doing up so late?”
A boy was staring at her with wide, sparkling eyes.
It was So-hyun.
…Huh? This is so embarrassing! I’d almost prefer it if he looked at me with lecherous eyes, but seeing him look so innocent makes this ten times worse!
“No, it’s just…”
“You’ll catch a cold like that!”
He must have been watching from the start, as he had even brought a blanket with him.
Did he really think she was just acting out because of a bad sleeping habit?
He was kind, but that kindness strangely made her feel even more ashamed.
“No, it’s not like that. Um, there’s a reason. I have a reason, So-hyun.”
“Is there a reason for you to be out in the middle of the night, baring your chest and twitching like that?”
Well, she knew what she was doing, but hearing her own actions described by someone else made the reality hit home.
It hit home and it was mortifying. Especially since he was a child and spoke without a filter!
This is weird. I kind of want to die right now.
“Actually, my chest just hurts a bit. Yeah. I’ll go back inside as soon as it feels better.”
“It hurts?”
So-hyun’s face instantly filled with worry. He stepped closer and placed a hand on her forehead.
“Oh?”
It happened.
The fluid that wouldn’t come out no matter how much she struggled suddenly began to flow—just a little, but definitely—as if a blockage had been cleared.
“I think you have a bit of a fever too.”
…It hurts my heart to look at him when he has such pure eyes, but this is an emergency. So-hyun will understand, right?
“Hey, So-hyun. Could you help me with something?”
“Huh? Sure. What do I need to do?”
Ugh, saying it out loud felt like it would kill her, but what choice did she have? She couldn’t see any other way.
“Please… knead my chest for me!”
“…You want a massage?”
“…Right, yeah. That’s it.”
Though he looked puzzled, So-hyun soon nodded as if he understood and approached her.
* * *
The next morning arrived.
“Hmm? Ha-ni, your face looks a bit red. Are you sick?”
“A-Ah, no? I felt a bit stiff yesterday, but I’m fine now. I feel much lighter.”
“Really? Well, that’s a relief then.”
For a split second, Ha-ni wondered if Ga-eul had seen anything, but looking at her expression, it seemed she was genuinely just worried.
Then again, if she had seen it, there would have been an uproar by now.
I didn’t think he would do it like that… kneading it and then sucking on it until I made noises in spite of myself…!
“Anyway, about the milk…”
“Milk!?”
“Y-Yeah. It was mixed in with the supplies, so they said we have to finish it all today…?”
Ah, right. I see. Yes.
Ga-eul, you really didn’t see anything, right? You’re not teasing me, are you?
“…What is wrong with you, seriously?”
“No, it’s nothing. Really, I’m fine.”
In a good way, Ga-eul wasn’t the type of girl to do that.
…After that, except for the fact that So-hyun kept looking at her with a hungry expression that scared her, the dungeon raid proceeded quite smoothly.
“…Milk.”
But So-hyun, it didn’t come from a cow, so it’s not exactly milk…?
* * *
While Kang Ha-ni was busy reliving that unforgettable experience and feeling her heart flutter at the memory of the sensation…
An incident was also unfolding in the Fairy Queen’s palace.
There was a man who had caused a bit of a disaster by taking his “roleplaying” a step too far.
“U-Um, excuse me…”
[…What is it?]
“May I call you… Teacher?”
Who was it? Who else could it be? It was me. Me. Kang So-hyun had caused another accident.
No, wait. As always, I had my excuses.
Let’s rewind a bit.
Titania, the Fairy Queen.
She was the classic example of a woman who had ability but lacked self-esteem.
To others, she might seem fragile—an incompetent queen who only inherited the throne because of her bloodline—but Titania was strong.
How strong? Strong enough to trade more than ten blows with me back when I had consumed the World Tree and sacrificed all the elves.
If the Chairperson were to release all her power and fight me seriously, she might be able to reach that level.
The problem was Titania’s incredibly cowardly and fragile personality, which made her avoid stepping forward whenever possible.
Of course, hating conflict is understandable.
Being too scared to move is also something I can sympathize with.
No matter how great one’s abilities are, if their innate personality isn’t suited for combat, it’s essentially the same as having no talent at all.
But Titania wasn’t like that.
At the very end, for the sake of something she absolutely couldn’t give up, she was capable of finding the will to fight.
I knew this well because I had fought an enraged Titania when I tried to kill the last remaining young fairy to drive the race to extinction.
…Well, so, partly as an apology for the past, I wanted to give Titania a few more things she would want to protect.
I wanted her to become a queen who could look after all her people, not just the very young fairies.
So that when an external enemy eventually appeared, she could be a sturdy bulwark to protect the fairies.
If this had all been my own self-righteousness, I wouldn’t have an excuse, but I saw it clearly with my Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils.
‘I want to change.’
‘I want to be confident too.’
She herself desired to have a bit more self-assurance.
And so…
[I understand.]
“…Pardon?”
[Titania, Queen of the Fairies. Do you wish to change and break out of your shell?]
“Wait, what do you mean by…?”
The problem was that I decided to help.
[You possess sufficient power. The power to protect the fairies, the power to change and shed your old self, and the power to become a bulwark and a sanctuary to shield your people.]
“I… I have that? That’s a lie… I’m a fool who makes mistakes every time.”
[It is no lie. However, it is also true that power alone can achieve nothing. But you already possess something just as important as power.]
“W-What is it?”
[Will. Even one with fists that can crush mountains can do nothing if they do not swing them. Even one with the eloquence to rule the world will never be known if they do not speak.]
“But even if I make up my mind, it’s meaningless if my body won’t move.”
[No, it is not.]
“What meaning could it possibly…”
[No, you misunderstood me. It’s not that you can’t move. It’s that you don’t move.]
I could see exactly what she wanted to hear—the words she needed someone to say to give her a push. Moving her wasn’t difficult.
[You can do it. You have both the power and the will, so it won’t even be hard. But if you still cannot believe in yourself, then fine.]
I raised my hand and snapped my fingers.
[I shall provide a little help at first.]
It was a simple spell designed to make her feel good and boost her confidence.
It was a minor technique that didn’t consume much energy, but for her, it should have been enough.
Yes, that’s what I thought.
I only intended to give her a little encouragement.
I had no idea things would turn out like this.
This was something even I didn’t know, but apparently, in the land of the fairies, there was another barrier called the Fairy King’s Barrier that prevented human intrusion, alongside the World Tree Barrier.
However, it hadn’t been maintained due to Titania’s mental immaturity. Now that her mental block had been temporarily cleared, what followed was only natural.
Titania, finally wielding the power of the Fairy Queen properly, didn’t just restore the barrier; she created a new one that was among the strongest in the history of the queens.
“D-Did I do this?”
…Uh, wow. That is impressive.
[Did I not tell you? You had the power all along. Since you embraced the will, it’s something you would have achieved eventually, even without my push.]
Titania stared at me with a strange expression for a moment before speaking.
“Humans are scary and untrustworthy, but you… you don’t seem scary at all.”
At that moment, I sensed—a bit late—that the conversation was heading in a weird direction.
[What are you talking about? Among humans, there are few demons as wicked as I. I am a Villain.]
“A Villain? A bad guy? You? If… if you really are a bad guy, isn’t there a reason for it?”
I wanted to ignore her and say there was no such thing, but the problem was that Ban Gi-san was watching from behind.
I couldn’t act like that in front of him.
[…A reason? It’s simple. Because things are not clear. Because things are not certain.]
“Clarity…?”
[There are too many hypocrites hiding behind the name of ‘goodwill’ and too many half-baked villains who can’t even embrace ‘malice’ properly in this world. That is why the fighting never stops.]
“Hawa…”
[Humans are greedy, obsessive, and foolishly irrational beings. They neglect problems they could easily solve just because of their pride, and they refuse to reach out even when they can, all because of their own avarice. It is idiotic.]
“Y-You’re right!”
[Therefore, we—no, my God—shall become the standard. The sole and absolute standard of evil in this world. An overwhelming malice that forces everyone in the world to join hands and unite in opposition. And he shall shatter all that opacity and bring us a clear world.]
“A standard of evil…? Isn’t that doing something good?”
[No, it is an evil act. There are surely better ways. If we took more time, there would certainly be better choices. Nevertheless, we do not make those choices. We will correct the world through coercion and force, and we will judge the world by our standards. If we are not villains, then what are we?]
Before I knew it, the Fairy Queen was looking at me with sparkling eyes.
After pondering deeply for a moment, she spoke.
“May I call you… Teacher?”
No, you may not. Titania, what on earth are you saying…?
“I… I also.”
No. Don’t say it. Seriously, don’t. That’s not it. Just focus on protecting your fairies.
“I want to do that too! So that bad people can’t bully the fairies! Absolute rules!”
Don’t want to do that…!
That damn Ban Gi-san was nodding his head, looking so proud for some reason.
[As expected…]
You crazy bastard, what do you mean ‘as expected’?
“We…!”
No, that’s not it. I don’t really want to do this anymore. I’m preparing myself to come clean someday, so don’t go making this a huge deal…!
“We fairies sympathize with your ideology, and we are willing to support you!”
I have no intention of accepting that support…!