Chapter 32

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 32

Chapter Title: Fairy Sighting

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After restoring the Ethereal Core to its original place, Ian returned to the imperial capital. He reported that the mission had been successfully completed without a hitch, but Bren's face was utterly lackluster as he muttered a simple "good work."

"What's with that reaction? Shouldn't you at least give some encouragement to a subordinate who risked his life venturing into the Forbidden Zone?"

"You've known me long enough. Why make a fuss now? Want me to hug you and say 'great job' with some over-the-top enthusiasm?"

"Ugh, no thanks. Just keep doing what you do."

"You're no fun."

Bren smirked at Ian's grimace and tossed him a leather pouch.

"What's this?"

"Just take it without asking. I stuffed it nice and full."

Ian peeked inside and his eyes went wide. The pouch was brimming with gold coins, interspersed with a few gems.

"So, satisfied now?"

"Man, you didn't have to."

Ian pocketed the pouch with a grin. What a windfall!

"Get some rest. You probably won't have any assignments for a while."

"Good. Oh, what happened with the Necropolis situation?"

"Why ask me? You were there—you should know best."

"Come on, I grabbed the core and bolted right after. I don't know what happened afterward."

"Oh, right. Fair enough."

"I heard Intelligence sent agents. Any reports?"

"What kind of intel is there to report? It's war. The whole Necropolis got dragged into a civil war."

"Civil war, huh."

Ian nodded thoughtfully.

'Guess that's how it turned out.'

It wasn't all that surprising. After all, he was the mastermind behind it.

"Huh?"

Ian flinched.

He'd set notifications for when stamina dropped below a certain level.

Looks like now was the time.

'Already down that low?'

He figured it'd hold out a few more days.

'Ddol Ddoli's tough, but not invincible.'

That steady chipping away couldn't be ignored.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Just... nothing."

He brushed it off and pulled up the alerts.

A flood of notifications from slaughtering skeletons.

'Time to pull back.'

Rampaging was fun, but the golem's life came first.

-Ddoli. That's enough. Get out of there now.

Ddol Ddoli replayed its master's words as it bounded along.

Until moments ago, it had been crushing every enemy charging at it, but that was over now.

Retreat. Escape. That was all that mattered.

Arrows rained down. Bone shards pelted its back, and exploding flames kept blotting out its view.

Beside it, skeletal knights wielding glowing black swords stabbed at its legs, spewing demonic energy.

None of it inflicted meaningful damage. But that didn't make Ddol Ddoli invincible.

Each barrage whittled it down bit by bit.

Its body crumbled and wore away, ever so slightly.

Ddol Ddoli was alone and slow. Capturing them all was impossible, while the enemies were swift and endless.

By now, even Ddol Ddoli recognized its own state. Lingering would have exposed it to real danger.

It wouldn't die from more breakage here, but if the core deep in its chest shattered, death would follow.

Ddol Ddoli felt a boiling in its chest.

Regret and ambition filled its consciousness.

'Could've fought better.'

'Could've killed more.'

'Ddoli still weak. Need to get stronger.'

Not just following orders—its own drive.

It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wanted to grow stronger.

To improve.

How?

'Ddoli strong but slow. Takes too many hits.'

Tougher. So no one could break it. So no attack could expose its core.

As it ran, the city walls came into view.

"The monster's fleeing!"

"Get it!"

Boom!

"Wh-what the—?!"

"What kind of speed...!"

It smashed through the walls.

Vast wasteland stretched before it.

The black wasteland overrun by mindless undead.

Ddol Ddoli trudged through them.

Glancing back midway.

No pursuit. The enemies had given up the chase.

Free again.

Where to now?

'Ddoli goes where land not black. Heal wounds safely, get stronger.'

As it walked, Ddol Ddoli spotted something.

-Hm?

A skeleton leading a horde of its kin at the front.

Utterly ordinary-looking. But the power it exuded was anything but.

A power others couldn't sense. A power felt only because they shared the same master.

The same power from that tiny fairy named 'Lara.'

'This... Master's power.'

Ddol Ddoli's eyes widened. Instinct screamed: not enemy, ally.

Feeling oddly glad, it spoke.

-Nice meet. Little skull.

The little skeleton halted mid-stride and looked up at Ddol Ddoli.

-What?

-I Ddol Ddoli.

It tilted its head.

Perplexed.

-What you want?

-I Ddol Ddoli.

Thump thump.

It even thumped its chest.

Ddol Ddoli's way of showing friendliness.

But the skeleton still tilted its head.

-Weird monster. Very strong monster. But no fight you. Feel familiar. Just feeling.

The skeleton—Arkbon—ignored Ddol Ddoli and resumed walking.

Arkbon passed by.

Ddol Ddoli turned, staring at Arkbon's back as it headed toward the Necropolis.

'Master's skull no greet Ddol Ddoli.'

Was it imagining things?

Ddol Ddoli's shoulders seemed to slump.

Ian strolled through the garden. This one, behind the Magic Management Division headquarters, had a serene charm that made it one of his favorite walking spots.

'Ahh, this is the life. Pure bliss.'

Deputy Director Bren's words about resting up seemed genuine. No external missions yesterday or today—not even routine paperwork. How leisurely!

'Wish it could stay like this forever.'

Lost in thoughts of what research to do at home later, a woman came dashing from the opposite direction. Junior investigator Lena.

"What's got you running like that?"

"Deputy Director wants you. Better hurry. Huff."

"Me?"

Why call him?

"Got it. On my way."

"Yes, sir!"

Lena dashed off again. Ian's eyes narrowed watching her go. Something felt off.

'Why summon me? Said no assignments.'

Not another task, surely.

'Nah, no way.'

Ian's bad feeling proved spot on.

The moment he entered the deputy director's office, Bren jumped right in.

"Ian. Heard the news?"

"What news?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Rumors of tiny fairies popping up everywhere."

"First I've heard."

"Figured. You were out on assignment."

"What's that about? Spill the details."

"Folks across the imperial south and west report sightings of mysteriously adorable little fairies. The southwest's in an uproar."

"Mysteriously adorable little fairies? What're those?"

"Intelligence isn't sure, but probably fairies. Y'know, the legendary ones from stories."

"Pardon?"

"Heh, shocked? Makes sense. Fairies aren't supposed to exist in reality. But with all these witnesses, the empire's buzzing. Proof that fantasy is real."

Bren thought Ian was stunned by 'fairies,' but Ian was more uneasy.

Only he—and the elves—knew what 'tiny fairies resembling fairies' meant.

How did the rumors spread?

Better yet, how were the baby fairies even spotted?

They lived with elves in Eltea Forest—no reason for humans to find them.

"Anyway, you know why I called you, right?"

"No clue."

"Mission. Head to the southwest and capture one of those rumored things."

"Huh?"

"Capture means alive. No killing."

"Ah."

Ian's face fell.

A real mission? For real?

"Intelligence tried grabbing one but failed every time. Too nimble and fast—not a single catch."

"......"

"They use magic, per reports. That's why it's our job—magic counters magic... Ian? You listening?"

"Y-yes?"

"Why the blank stare?"

"It's nothing."

Ian scratched his head.

What to even say?

The fairies being found was baffling enough, but...

'Capture them? Those cute little babies?'

What for?

'Hang on, you told me to rest. Just yesterday.'

Separate from the cruelty of capturing those adorable babies, he felt a sudden wave of sorrow.

Mission done, straight into another.

"Deputy Director, do I have to?"

"Of course. Who knows what threat they pose? If they're hostile to the empire? We'd have to eliminate them."

What a chilling thing to say.

Eliminate? Those tiny things dangerous how?

"Probably not. They're so small—how could they threaten anyone?"

"Don't be naive. Every one uses magic. Means even the weakest packs a punch like ten men. Can't predict their combat power."

Ian's head tilted.

All of them use magic?

'Right, they do.'

Baby fairies. Pea-sized, yet hurling fireballs. Crystal clear memory.

"If they're harmless, great. This could be an opportunity. Researching those mystical magic creatures could advance imperial magitech another step. Get it?"

Bren's eyes sharpened with curiosity and greed. Ian nodded reluctantly.

Confusing, but no real reason to refuse. For him, it was a cinch—flip-of-the-hand easy.

Hell, he could summon one right now.

One click of the skill, and Lara would appear.

But no way was he doing that.

It'd mean work without even deploying.

The weary life of a civil servant.

'Crazy? Blow weeks—no, a month-plus of paid vacation?'

Plus hazard pay for external missions.

Pass on that? Never.

"Even Intelligence elites failed. Not easy. That's why you. Can't send just anyone. Understand?"

"Yes. If you insist, I'll go."

"Thanks. The empire's safer with you. Truly."

Bren stood, patting Ian's shoulder encouragingly. Regret filled his face.

"Aw, breaks my heart. Barely a day, and deploying again."

"Ahem. I'll make it worth your while this time too."

"Promise?"

"Promise. I keep my word."

"Got it. I'll head out."

The second he left the office, Ian's face split into a massive grin.

'Thanks a bunch. Gifting me another golden vacation!'

An easy mission like this!

'Slack off a month-ish, report back. Might as well tourist Eltea Forest—30 nights, 31 days.'

Could he really milk it this hard?

Ian headed straight home after work, digging out the communicator stashed in his room's corner. A gift from Eltea's princess, High Elf Edelin.

Infusing mana yielded a bubbling sound, then a familiar woman's voice.

-Ah, can you hear me, Guide?

"Yes. Loud and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠clear. How've you been, Edelin?"

-Same as always. After parting with you, I worried dozens of times a day.

"Pardon?"

-Feared you'd forgotten us entirely. Such relief—you still cherish us, reaching out via our promise token. Hehe.

Her soft laugh from the communicator tickled his ear. Regardless, Ian looked baffled.

'Lip service much?'

He thought so, but High Elves don't lie. A fact he'd overlooked.

-What's up? Missing the fairies? You're like their father, so of course. Take as many as you...

"Well, yes, but this time it's you I need, Princess."

-Me? M-me?

"Yes. I'd like to visit in person. Possible?"

-O-of course! I mean... I'll come! I should! Right now? Wait there! I'll sprint to the capital in one go...

Edelin sounded thrilled, rambling incoherently. Ian cut in hastily.

Her coming? Ridiculous.

No honey for him then.

No legit vacation.

"No! I mean I'll visit Eltea!"

-Huh? Y-you're coming here?

"Yes. Curious how the fairies are doing, always wanted to see Eltea. Plus, something to discuss with you."

-W-with me?

"That's why I called. Mind if I drop by?"

He figured she'd welcome an unannounced visit, but manners mattered.

Call before visiting someone's home.

Especially since he needed a favor.

To resolve the 'fairy capture' mission, Edelin's help was essential.

"Heading out now. Okay?"

-......

"Princess?"

-Yes! Absolutely! Come! Please come! Your visit to Eltea is our utmost honor. I'll prepare a grand welcome! A festival fit for you, no less...!

ZZZT!

Sudden static. Call dropped. Ian scratched his head, baffled.

'What? Grand festival?'

She'd said that.

'Throwing a festival just 'cause I'm coming?'

Ian chuckled.

Ludicrous, even to him.

Guide or not, a festival for one human?

Absurd.

'Anyway, time to go.'

Ian hurried toward Eltea.