Chapter 17
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: A New Home in Eltea
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Ian realized it. Lara's unique trait, Cradle of Fairies, was truly an astonishing ability.
In just one day, it had given birth to twenty fairies. If that wasn't astonishing, what was?
Perhaps the greatest potential among Lara's abilities was this insane mass-production power that even orcs—famed for their sky-high birth rates—couldn't compete with. At least, that's what he was starting to think.
'No, but this is way too much.'
Ian scratched his head. The lab was a total disaster zone, and he had no clue where to even begin cleaning.
"Kyahaha!"
"Fun!"
"What's this?"
"Uhehehe!"
The high-pitched giggles of children echoed everywhere. They came from the twenty baby fairies, barely a day old. The whole swarm was zipping around the lab, turning it into utter chaos—no, a full-blown rampage.
They slammed headfirst into walls, tumbled off shelves. Some dunked themselves into water-filled round flasks and splashed around happily, while others poked at the blood-soaked monster corpses hanging on the wall with wide, innocent eyes.
One fairy plopped right onto Ian's head with a thud, cackling as it yanked wildly at his hair. Another darted around like a hyper kid on a sugar rush.
Ian squeezed his eyes shut, taking it all in.
'They are really cute, though...'
This had to be pure evil incarnate.
Looking at these kids convinced him of it.
'I absolutely can't raise them in the lab.'
Honestly, twenty little ones were manageable.
The problem was they'd only multiply from here.
Lara's Cradle of Fairies churned out fairies in quantities and speeds no one else could match.
So Ian made up his mind.
'Time to release them.'
Release them into the wild.
It wasn't a snap decision. Ian had mulled it over plenty himself.
'Better for them to roam free in nature than squeeze into human crowds.'
He didn't know if these fairies were the same species as the ones the elves called fairies. But one thing was clear: they had an extreme affinity for nature.
And that wasn't all. Thanks to inheriting their mother Lara's traits and skills, these tiny fairies could sense and wield mana right from birth.
Who'd believe it? That each of these little ones outdid a magic tower apprentice?
'I was genuinely freaked when they cast magic.'
They really did.
Believe that a kid just one hour old blasted an attack spell and powdered a sewer rat?
The mana gauge clocked that spell at a solid 3rd circle.
Average magic tower apprentices hover at 1st or 2nd circle depending on the school—so these were basically born at full-fledged mage level.
'If they keep popping out like this, the higher-ups will catch on.'
Obvious what'd happen if they learned a one-hour-old baby fired 3rd-circle attacks.
'They'd scoop them all up and ship 'em to the Magic Research Institute...'
The Imperial Magic Bureau's research arm was notorious for throwing ethics out the window in pursuit of magic breakthroughs.
'Live experiments, guaranteed.'
Ian shuddered. No way in hell.
Better to release them.
Safety nets post-release? Covered.
Those long-eared freaks went nuts for fairies.
'Dump 'em straight in Eltea Forest. They'll baby them.'
Decision made, Ian called for Lara.
Lara was out in the flower bed outside the lab, cranking out more fairies like it was her job.
Seemed like birthing mini-mes thrilled her. She'd been at it non-stop.
"You called?"
"Got a question."
"What?"
"What do you want to do going forward? How do you wanna live?"
"Me? Hmm. Never thought about it."
Lara hopped onto Ian's shoulder and propped her chin. Her reflection in the opposite mirror looked pretty serious—she was pondering for real.
"Just spit out whatever pops into your head. What do you wanna do?"
"Hmm."
Two tinier baby fairies tugged at her hair from behind, but Lara ignored them, face unchanged as she mulled it over before speaking.
"I like flowers and grass. Wanna see places full of 'em."
"Got it. More?"
"Love peeking at lakes. Talking with animals too."
'Talking with animals. So full conversations?'
Actual speech?
That'd be wild.
"Forests have all that! That's why I love forests!"
Hmm. Elves had gaslit her good.
"If that's your jam, I can hook you up. Send you to a forest, or back with the elves. Sound good?"
"Works for me... but what about you, Ian?"
"Me? Why?"
"Without me, you'd be all alone. Bet it'd get lonely."
Ian chuckled.
'Kinda touching. Worrying about me and all.'
Such a sweet reply.
"Quit fretting over nothing. I won't be lonely—just focus on you."
"But..."
"You wouldn't get it, but I've got ten million underlings. Lonely? Please."
"H-Huh? Ten... million?"
"Yup."
Lara's eyes bugged out. She bought it hook, line, sinker.
"Incredible!"
[Lara is deeply impressed by your words!]
[Lara's loyalty has greatly increased!]
'Huh? Loyalty up?'
"Th-then I'll make you twenty million underlings."
"Oh yeah? You got this?"
"Totally. I'm a do-or-die fairy. Watch me."
Lara balled her fist. Her eyes burned with resolve.
[Lara's interest target: Make as many subordinates as possible NEW!]
'What?'
Dead serious?
'Was just bullshitting.'
"Great. Ian's ten million will serve him well. I'll take your kindness then."
"Smart choice."
Ian nodded. Felt a tad weird, but deal sealed.
The first batch of twenty from day one, fifteen from day two, plus Lara herself—thirty-six fairies total. Ian decided to send them all to Eltea Forest and passed the word to Edelin. Delegation hadn't shipped out yet.
"Huh? What did you say? F-fairies to Eltea...? F-for real?"
"Yep. Take 'em home with you."
"Why the decision?"
"Figured they'd be better off with you guys than me. City's barren and human-packed—not great for the mind. Plus, your folk treasures fairies..."
"Kyaaak! Thank you, Guide!"
Edelin lunged into a hug, thrilled. Ian flustered but pleased.
'Lab's finally gonna quiet down.'
Short as it was, the noise was insane.
'Handing her back right after reunion feels off.'
Best option, though.
"But really okay? Fresh reunion and splitting already... tough."
"Lara's not property. Can't selfishly cling."
'Frankly, quieter without her sounds nice.'
"Gotta respect her wishes. And she wants to hang with your kind."
'Keep 'em, lab too crowded—no alchemy.'
"Totally right to send 'em."
'Princess. Know this? Parent-kid bonds thrive on distance.'
Plus, one summon skill click and poof—instant visit.
Anytime he wanted.
"Oh..."
Edelin's eyes welled up. Touched.
"Too grateful—what now?"
"You aided the Empire. That's reward enough."
"Nah, not enough. Hmm... can't leave it. What to..."
Edelin froze, then dug in her pouch and pulled something out.
"Take this at least."
"This... whoa."
Ian blinked. No ordinary trinket.
"Royal family emblem? You sure I can have this?"
"Sharp eyes as expected, Guide. Most humans wouldn't know it."
"Really fine? Not even an elf, let alone High Elf."
"You're the Guide. More than qualified. Keep it—might come in handy."
"Then I'll take it."
Ian pocketed the pendant. Elf affinity boost pinged instantly.
'Freebie like this okay?'
Too sweet.
'Racial affinity's a grindfest.'
Harder than nation or faith reps, and elves topped the pain chart—super clannish toward humans.
In-game, he'd slaved for crumbs of progress.
Now? Near-max in one go. Jackpot.
Next day, Eltea's delegation wrapped up and hustled back home.
Streets from palace to capital's heart choked with crowds by morning, gawking at the procession.
Commoners to nobles and officials—all out for elf ogling. Ian? Stayed planted in his office.
"Senior not heading out? Everyone's lining up for elven beauties."
"What's the point? Work."
"Huh? You work? Pfft—ridiculous. Lie better."
"For real. Sick of the scams."
Ian had zero plans to go.
Street outing risked Edelin spotting and waving—mess.
"But really gonna play stranger?"
"To what?"
"That elf princess. How'd you snag her? Dang..."
Whack!
"Gah!"
Ian smacked his subordinate's nape. Guy winced, rubbing it.
"Snag? Told ya, nothing."
"Ow! It is though. Few days back, she was all smiles and tail-wags at you."
"Saw wrong."
"No way—ten-plus witnesses."
"Exhausted. Believe what you want."
"Secret? Gotta be that, huh? Heh."
Sub made a crude finger wag. Ian shook his head.
'Total shitshow.'
Rumors flying: guy who bagged elf princess. Nailed it.
"Jealous. No elf or girl for me, but you..."
"Hey, sugar daddy!"
Bren boomed. No reply, so he barged in and slung an arm around Ian.
"Tch. Division hierarchy in the gutter. Superior calls—no answer."
"Me?"
"Yup. Only sugar daddy here's you."
"Why me?"
"Playing dumb?"
"Enough."
Ian sighed at Bren's cackles.
'Sugar daddy? What fresh bullshit nickname.'
"Anyway, up. No time to lounge."
"Nonsense. Finished my work... wait. No."
"Sharp as ever."
"Ah."
Ian's face drained. Bren grinned.
"Mission. Mobilize now."
"Deputy. Straight up—you hate me, right?"
"Me, dump work on you outta spite? Incident blew up. Sucks, but gotta."
"Don't wanna."
"Hmm, hate it? Guess vacation cut's the..."
"On it now."
Ian bolted up.
"Thrilled already."
"Knew it. Division's workhorse. We run on you."
'Bullshit.'
Bren: slyest in the bureau, hands down.
"What mission?"
"Southern Empire—traces of demon revival attempt. Verify it."
"Yes?"
Ian's eyes popped. Demon what now?
"Deputy. For real?"
"Why kid?"
"Ha."
Ian shook his head. Demons.
'This'll suck.'
If legit? Empire drowned in blood.
Demon tier mattered, sure.
'Demon souls collectible?'
Sudden itch.
Life synthesis on a demon soul—what happens?
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