Chapter 14

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 14

Chapter Title: Dawn's Guide

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Fairies weren't a race that existed in Chronicle Terradium. They were beings that only appeared in legends and myths.

Tiny sprites said to wield mysterious powers. There were rumors among the populace that they were the origin of the current elves, but no one truly knew if that was the case. They were enigmatic creatures shrouded entirely in mystery.

If someone claimed that Lara was one of them, Ian could flatly deny it.

No, what nonsense is this? A fairy?

He'd admit she resembled one. After all, he'd referenced Tinkerbell in her design from the start.

But a fairy?

Our Lara is a homunculus. I made her.

Still, Ian couldn't say that to the elves' faces.

Elves despised homunculi.

Or more precisely, it wasn't hatred for homunculi per se, but a loathing for anything unnatural.

Elves fundamentally sought to follow the laws of nature. A homunculus, however, was an artificially created lifeform. From their perspective, it violated the natural order.

Knowing this, Ian couldn't bring himself to reveal the truth to them.

How could I even say it? If I did, they'd kill our Lara.

Ian didn't want to let Lara die. How could he condemn this tiny lifeform, not even a month old?

"We failed to recognize such a noble being."

"Please forgive our rudeness, Guide."

The elven soldiers bowed at a perfect ninety degrees. The sight was so awkward that Ian's sullen expression showed no sign of fading.

Were elves the kind of race to grovel like that to humans?

Just moments ago, they'd been glaring murderously and aiming spears at him...

"H-Hey, don't do that. It's embarrassing."

"No, how could we treat the Guide in such a way?"

"But what's this 'Guide' thing anyway?"

"You are the Guide."

"That's what I'm asking—what does it mean?"

"As we said, you are the Guide."

Ian thumped his chest in frustration. It was exasperating. What was this, Ddol Ddoli all over again?

"The Guide is the one who will lead our race to revival,"

the princess explained.

"Do you know what a fairy is? Ah, of course you do, since you're caring for one, but still..."

"I have a rough idea, but could you let go of my hand first?"

"The Guide of Dawn will appear, revive the lost fairies, and on that day, the eternal pact between elves and fairies will be renewed."

"Pardon?"

"It's a saying passed down through our clan. Have you heard it?"

"No, first time."

"Hee hee, I figured. Only elves know it."

If only you elves know it, why ask?

Why was she still gripping his hand so tightly?

He wished she'd just let go.

But this woman had astonishing strength; he couldn't shake her off.

"Since ancient times, elves and fairies have been companions, inseparable bonds. But the fairies vanished one day. Our glorious elven history plummeted. Eons passed like that."

The princess's expression darkened briefly before returning to normal.

"But we're fortunate now. A bright future awaits the elven race."

"Huh? Suddenly?"

"Of course. The Guide has appeared."

Ian scratched his head dumbly. He didn't fully get it, but he had the gist.

So, I found their lost fairy? That's why they're grateful?

That seemed to sum it up.

But what's that got to do with reviving the elven race?

He couldn't make sense of it. Were elves and fairies going to fuse into some transformation sequence and become mecha robots to conquer the world?

How else would the elves revive?

"Guide, may I ask where the other fairies are?"

"Uh? Oh, well, there aren't any."

"Ahh..."

The elves sighed. But it wasn't disappointment in their eyes. They nodded as if they'd expected it.

"We anticipated as much, but it's fine. The signal of revival is here."

"Pardon?"

"May I hold this child?"

"Uh, our Lara?"

"Lara. What a lovely name!"

The princess's eyes sparkled. Ian couldn't refuse that gaze. With a reluctant expression, he handed Lara over, and the princess eagerly cradled her.

She hugged Lara like a puppy or kitten, rubbing her cheeks against her. It was astonishing that Lara showed no sign of discomfort despite the intensity.

"Ahh, this warm coziness, this fragrant scent. Truly a fairy..."

Of course she smells nice—I made her that way.

"Look at these iridescent wings. Aren't they beautiful?"

"Yes!"

"A real fairy!"

I made those too. Tinkerbell ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wings.

"It's true. I saw correctly. This tiny body radiates immense power. Such dense mana. Definitely a fairy..."

Because I poured mana stones and rare materials into her.

In fact, Lara's mana capacity surpassed even Ddol Ddoli's.

"Above all, her soul is so pure. The strongest resonance I've ever felt."

It's a holy spirit soul. Naturally.

"Ahh, such resonance. Only a fairy could have a soul this pure..."

After admiring for a while, the princess spoke to Lara.

"Lara, nice to meet you. Let's get along from now on."

"Pardon? With big sis?"

"Big sis? Say it again?"

"Big sis?"

"Kyaa! Too cute!"

Ian flinched at the sudden scream. Why yell like that? He was startled.

"I get how you feel, big sis, but I have to decline. Ian is my favorite. Oh, not that I dislike big sis."

"Hee hee. Of course. I understand. To a fairy, the Guide is like a father. It's only natural the father is the best in the world."

As Lara politely refused, the princess smiled and stroked her hair with a finger. Ian smirked inwardly.

What did she know? They'd just met today.

"Caring for the fairy is the Guide's duty. Your place is by his side. But someday, you'll venture out. When that time comes, let's be good friends."

"Friends?"

"Yes, friends. Elves and fairies have always been the best of friends."

"Friends..."

Ian's eyes widened. Lara's eyes seemed to well up at those words.

What? What's this?

Lara had never reacted so emotionally before.

Huh?

Interest targets?

First time seeing this.

Was it part of the homunculus nurturing system?

Oh, so the elven princess's name was Edelin.

Crazy!

Ian nearly burst out laughing.

The differentiation rate jumped by 10%?

It had stubbornly stuck at 1%, but now it shot up 10% in one go.

So that's how it works! That's how you raise the differentiation rate!

An unexpected windfall revitalized Ian's dulled eyes. What? It increased? No holding back now.

Maybe the key was exposing her to lots of experiences. Probing her likes and letting her enjoy them.

It might not be, but no harm in trying.

"Princess Edelin, trust me. I'll raise our Lara right."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. I'm amazing at childcare."

Ian had never even babysat once.

"Hee hee, you seem reliable. I'll trust only you, Guide."

"Yes. Uh, but why do you keep holding my hand?"

"Because your mana is so vast."

"Pardon?"

"Do you know? We elves feel at peace around powerful mana."

"Ah."

Ian slyly pulled his hand free. He got the point, but it was burdensome.

Truth be told, holding hands with a stranger—let alone a princess—wasn't unpleasant, but the soldiers' narrowing glares were the issue.

Eyes screaming they'd never forgive any funny business, Guide or not.

I might actually get assassinated.

Ian wanted to live long. Only then could he reach the pinnacle of alchemy.

Distracted by the unforeseen situation, Ian hadn't forgotten his mission.

1. Investigate the mana explosion incident.

2. Prevent any potential conflict with the elves.

The latter seemed overwhelmingly harder, but surprisingly, it resolved easily.

"If the Guide insists, we have no choice. We'll let this incident slide."

"R-Really?"

"Yes. We won't protest to the Empire—just report that."

"Thank you so much!"

Ian bowed deeply to Edelin.

It was genuine gratitude born of joy.

Who could've guessed?

The biggest headache would resolve like this?

Connections are key after all!

It was a chance connection, but who cared?

"We planned to protest once treatment ended... but how could we, with the Guide here?"

"I don't know how to express our gratitude."

"If you're that grateful, could you grant one request?"

"A request? What is it?"

"Something simple. Easy as flipping your palm."

"Tell me first..."

"Could you lend me Lara for just one month?"

"Pardon?"

Ian doubted his ears. What?

"I want to show her our forest. The woods, the sanctuary... wouldn't that be nice?"

"Ah, that's..."

"If you're worried, come along. No other humans, but you can as the Guide. I'll invite you officially."

Ian was tempted for a moment.

Invited into elven territory?

What human experiences that?

"I'll have to decline with thanks. I must return."

"Oh..."

"But Lara might be okay."

"Really?"

"Yes. If she agrees."

All eyes turned to Lara.

"Lara, did you hear? What do you want?"

"Lending me out?"

"Yes. You heard everything. If you want, you can go with the elves. You said it before—you want to see the world."

Lara had indeed said that.

"Right. I want to see the world."

Lara pondered briefly. She seemed reluctant to part from Ian. But she decided.

"I'll go with big sis! It's not like I'll never see Ian again. Hee hee."

"Gah!"

"Ian! Are you okay?"

"Fine."

Ian steadied his breathing. She actually agreed!

I thought she'd choose me!

Now he understood why people said ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠raising kids was pointless.

In the end, Ian entrusted Lara to Edelin and bid farewell.

"Take good care of our Lara—no injuries."

"Of course. No need to worry. We don't let companions get hurt."

After parting with the elves, he focused on work.

Inspecting the site with the mana gauge, analyzing mana properties, identifying causes...

While investigating the mana explosion...

"Hey, don't grab it like that—I told you! It'll explode again. Want to die? Want to see the territory in chaos?"

"N-No! S-Sorry, mage!"

"Sorry doesn't cut it—do as I say. Finish quick so we can clock out..."

"Wh-What?"

"M-Mage? Is something wrong...?"

"N-No, nothing. Keep working."

"Yes!"

To the worker, it was nothing, but it was far from that.

Something unimaginable was happening.

It's rising. The differentiation rate.

Rising way too fast.

What the...?

At this point, Ian couldn't focus on work.

What on earth was happening for it to skyrocket like this?