Chapter 34

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Ace

Chapter: 34

Chapter Title: A Glimpse of Fairy Life

-----------------------------------------------------------------

After stopping by the Eltea Sanctuary to see the World Tree and heading back, I still had plenty of time left, so I decided to take a look around Eltea.

Well, less sightseeing Eltea itself and more curiosity about how the fairies lived, I suppose.

They weren't creations I'd made directly with my own hands, but since I'd brought these homunculi-born fairies into the world, I felt an affection for them like they were my own children.

"Ian! Follow me! I'll show you around!"

Lara led the way with more enthusiasm than usual, guiding Ian.

I followed Lara through the elves' city.

Everywhere we went, there were little fairies. One was lounging on a rooftop, sunbathing, while another sat on an outdoor table munching on a strawberry-like fruit.

Fairies were truly everywhere.

The elves accepted them as a natural part of life, which fascinated Ian.

These were beings that had never been part of his life before. How could they integrate them so seamlessly in such a short time?

It puzzled him a bit, but then again, it wasn't so strange. They treated him with such reverence, even calling him the Guide.

All he'd done was bring Lara into this world.

'It's like they're imprinted on a genetic level as friends or something.'

Whether it was some creator's blessing or not, the baby fairies adored Ian especially.

Whenever they spotted him, they'd fly over and touch him all over. Some even perched on his head and shoulders, tugging and playing roughly. He wondered if he had some invisible Fairy Affinity stat.

"Kyahaha!"

"Fun!"

"Grandpa goo'!"

The children's pure, unblemished laughter rang endlessly in his ears. It was delightful, but that lisped "Grandpa" at the end grated a little.

'Hey, why am I grandpa?'

When he asked why, they said it was because he was grandpa.

Technically, it wasn't wrong. To these kids, Lara was mom, and the one who'd brought mom into the world was dad—him.

'Even so, grandpa is a bit much...'

He wasn't even married yet.

Anyway.

Wandering the forest city felt like traveling through a dreamland, and suddenly a question popped up.

"By the way, where do you all live? You know, your homes. Where you sleep and hang out. Do you live with the elves in their houses?"

"No way! We have our own village. I'll show you!"

There were so many fairies in the city that he'd wondered if they room-shared with elves, but no.

About thirty minutes out of the city, they reached a spot thick with trees.

There was the fairy village.

"Here it is! Our village!"

"Whoa..."

Ian's jaw dropped at the sight.

'It's like a miniature village.'

Tiny and cute, yet cozy and charming, like a rural hamlet.

He hadn't imagined anything like this.

'Of course. Makes sense when you think about it. They're small, so their houses are too.'

Tiny kids waved frantically, beckoning him in, but Ian couldn't bring himself to step inside.

'I'll break it.'

Lara insisted they'd reinforced it with magic, so it was sturdy—no worries.

If Lara said so, it must be true, but he still didn't quite believe it.

This small, and sturdy?

"Come on, don't worry. Our houses are tougher than human ones. They won't shatter unless hit by mid-tier attack magic or a knight's aura."

"How did you build houses like this? You knew how to construct them?"

"The elves helped a lot. The High Elves of Eltea have preserved ancient fairy techniques for generations."

In other words, the elves had passed down long-preserved techniques, including architecture.

"While we were apart from you, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ian, we diligently honed those ancient skills. It was truly rewarding."

"..."

As Ian fell silent, Lara looked up at him. He was lost in thought.

"Ian?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you thinking about? You didn't answer."

"Just... this and that."

Sitting on a bulging hill at the village edge, gazing at the surreal scene, thoughts flooded his mind.

'I created this landscape.'

Over a thousand lives. And the society and culture they'd formed.

Realizing it all stemmed from him felt strange.

'I was just doing it as a hobby.'

He'd never seen it as work, even for a moment.

Just for fun, a pastime.

A fleeting amusement birthing such a massive butterfly effect in reality.

What to call this feeling?

Pride.

His chest swelled.

Suddenly, it hit him.

He probably couldn't give up alchemy—or rather, this enigmatic creation disguised as alchemy—from now on.

The imperial capital was abuzz. Eltea's delegation had arrived.

It was natural for people to go wild over a visit from a mysterious race they might never see in their lifetime.

But this buzz wasn't just about the elves.

Fairies. Tiny, beautiful beings like miniaturized elves—legendary creatures thought not to exist.

And there they were, right in front of everyone.

Flanking the marching delegation, fluttering their small wings furiously.

"Wh-what the heck is that?"

"You never seen one? That's a fairy!"

"Fairy? The winged sprite thing? Isn't that just from novels?"

"You're seeing it with your own eyes. They exist."

"Wait, you're talking like you knew already? Bet this is your first time too."

"Hmph. I've seen them."

"When?"

"In books."

"Ugh, then I've seen them too."

The streets overflowed with crowds drawn by the unprecedented sight.

Everyone rushed to glimpse the fairies, packing the central avenue so tight you couldn't see ahead.

It was a human tidal wave. Watching from afar, Ian couldn't help but marvel.

'Whoa. What is this?'

Like fans mobbing a celebrity.

No, more than that. The crowd bordered on frenzy.

'This must be it.'

Here's what happened.

Edelin had added the fairies to Eltea's delegation heading to the empire.

"If humans are starting to learn fairies exist, better to reveal them outright."

She figured they couldn't hide forever, so better to go public and gain acceptance.

Ian agreed.

'They're not fragile greenhouse flowers. Can't hide them forever or confine them to Eltea Forest for life.'

Once rumors spread, exposure was inevitable. Better to flaunt them boldly as a warning to the world.

A stern message: Touch a fairy, and Eltea won't forgive you.

Whether it stuck remained to be seen, but the start looked promising. Conversations like this were already happening.

"They're so cute. Wanna catch one and keep it as a pet."

"Dream on. Didn't you hear ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the elf princess in the square? Touch a fairy, and they'll hunt you to hell. That glare was terrifying!"

"Ugh, fine, giving up. Don't wanna die young."

"Yeah, don't even think it. Elves are relentless. No exaggeration—they'd chase you from Eltea to the capital and kill you."

Ian watched the spectacle briefly before heading to his lab.

Time for some long-overdue research.

Back in the lab, the cluttered interior greeted Ian.

Stuff everywhere, barely room to step. A familiar sight, but not for long.

He planned to move.

'This place is done. Need somewhere spacious, comfortable, nice.'

He'd already acted on it.

Bought a three-story mansion on the capital's outskirts, complete with garden. Some cash-strapped noble sold it cheap in a hurry.

'Lucky. Got it for half price.'

They'd vacate in a few days, so moving after that.

'Research first.'

He had several brewing projects he'd been eager for.

He'd grown a lot.

Alchemy level 11, nearly 7,000 experience. A bit over 3,000 more for level 12.

Might reach the next proficiency stage after "Skilled Alchemist."

Specializations: Life Synthesis and Soul Control each up one to level 2.

Level 2 meant beyond beginner—legit alchemist territory. How gratifying!

One regret: No branch at level 5 yet.

Level 5 promised huge efficiency boosts.

'Need to level Self-Synthesis too.'

Later. Finish current research first.

These dated back to the Necropolis outing; finally wrapping up.

A chunk of info flooded in, along with an inexplicable euphoria.

His face melted into a goofy grin. Good thing he was alone; anyone seeing would think him mad.

'Ooh, skill evolution!'

Reward for Advanced Life Binding: skill evolution.

Fuse three at once now, not just two!

No guarantee better results, but tripling beats doubling, right?

The parallel projects finished too.

Stability Enhancement boosted result stability; Variability Control cut bad outcomes sharply.

Hoping for fewer disasters. Minor mana control bump as bonus.

'Let's try it right now.'

Triple fusion—gotta see.

He'd prepped materials for this moment.

Captured a whole goblin, made an experimental homunculus.

Added a mana core snagged from the black market; elite slime core as catalyst—pricey stuff.

'World Tree branch or leaf? Too wasteful...'

Considered using Eltea Sanctuary souvenirs but held off. Legendary items deserved better.

What would emerge?

'Please be good!'

Sandglass effect spinning.

Palms sweated.

Tension from this being his first true life fusion. Past ones were body parts only.

This was different—whole lives. Totally new.

What creature? A lifeform, since fusing lives?

"Huh?"