episode_0024

June 4th

Familiar landmarks came into view. We were nearing Dina City.

When I mentioned this, Partina and Sestia’s faces brightened a bit. Perhaps they felt hopeful upon hearing my words.

However, I wasn’t feeling particularly good. Dina City had already fallen to humans, and even if it hadn’t, the delusion that our suffering would be in vain without Titania functioning tormented me.

Whether this delusion is true, I will find out soon enough. We will arrive in Dina City in about four hours.

What worries me is the increasing number of humans roaming this area. Originally, the vicinity of Dina City was a rugged forest where dangerous beasts roamed, so humans did not venture close.

Titania, please stay put right there.

(Blank space)

Today, I personally killed a fairy with my own hands.

The three of us encountered a midnight fairy living in seclusion in a remote cabin with a human male.

The fairy’s name was Vivian, and she carried a large belly, indicating she was carrying a human child.

Initially cautious of each other, we eased our guard thanks to Partina’s proactive mediation.

We were treated to a modest yet delicious meal by them. Throughout the meal, they teased each other for failing to prove their love.

Vivian’s husband (whose name escapes me) was a renowned mercenary who, after saving the dying Vivian, built a relationship with her, eventually leading to love, marriage, and mourning together.

Fairies marrying human males were quite common, but even among fairy tales, those marrying humans were considered outliers, often causing significant issues in both human and fairy societies.

As far as I knew, there was not a single fairy-human couple who ended their married life happily. They either parted ways due to differing opinions, the fairy eventually devouring the spouse, or both being killed by those who viewed them with disdain.

After the meal, we engaged in various topics of discussion. Primarily, we talked about Al Inferno (Vivian found this term intriguing, likening it to the underworld where sinners go to receive punishment. I glared at Vivian as she uttered such blasphemy, and she realized her mistake and apologized to us), and we informed the couple that we would mobilize Titania in Dina City to rescue the remaining fairies in the world.

Unaware of Titania (it was understandable since it was a secret known only to a few fairies; perhaps even the fairy princess herself didn’t know about Titania), Vivian asked what would happen to the fairies if the plan succeeded.

I ‘kindly’ explained to Vivian that when Titania is activated, all fairies except the one chained will be transported to the dormitory inside Titania, erasing their memories and traces simultaneously.

Upon hearing my words, Vivian paused in thought for a moment before responding with understanding.

She then mentioned that they had something to fetch and tried to leave with her husband.

Sestia, who was the first to catch on to their plan, provoked Vivian, suggesting they fight now if they were going to fight.

Hearing this, Vivian hesitated briefly, then brandished sharp claws and charged towards Sestia.

Her husband also attempted to attack us, grabbing an axe that was in the living room. Partina countered by throwing a knife, which landed in the middle of his forehead, causing him to collapse.

Vivian, amidst a fierce struggle with Sestia, saw her husband fall and rushed to him, calling out his name.

Her husband professed his love to Vivian before passing away with his eyes open. Witnessing her husband’s death, Vivian cried out in despair.

We did not aim for that gap. I and Sajestia rushed at Vivian, knocking her down. Partina used the axe once wielded by her husband to sever the tendons in Vivian’s wrists and ankles, rendering her immobile.

I asked Vivian why she attacked us. She said she didn’t want to part ways with her human husband.

I inquired of Vivian whether love with a human was more important than the future of our compatriots. She replied that she was prepared to sacrifice everything for her husband and the child in her womb.

I asked Vivian if she knew how many fairies had died or gone mad on the expedition to Dina Sea, how much suffering our compatriots were enduring now. Before she could respond, I told her I would inform her myself and snatched the axe from Partina, striking Vivian’s abdomen where her child resided.

Vivian screamed as I pulled out the axe, blood spurting from the wound.

Sajestia exclaimed in shock, asking what I was doing. Partina tried to take the axe from my hand but backed off when she saw my expression.

Later, I asked Partina why she had backed off. She replied that she had never seen such a crazed and enraged look before, causing her to instinctively retreat.

Regardless, I fell to the ground and, like a pig, repeatedly stabbed the axe into Vivian’s screaming belly, widening the opening with my hands to expose her uterus.

I removed Vivian’s child. Fortunately, the fetus seemed unharmed by the axe.

I forced the dying Vivian to sit up and, facing her, chewed on the soft head of the fetus. I tasted the slightly softened bone fragments, brain matter, and blood.

I devoured the fetus connected to Vivian by the umbilical cord. It was delicious. I couldn’t understand why fairies who ate human babies were considered incomprehensible before.

As I began to chew on the fetus’s spinal cord, Vivian died. In her agony and shock, her final words were:

“I’m sorry.

Please forgive me.”

Upon seeing the lifeless Vivian, repulsed by my actions, I threw the headless fetus away, screaming.

Then, continuously muttering apologies, I wept.

I didn’t tell Partina and Sajestia, but the fairies who had recently accompanied me on my journey and died appeared in my dreams. They revealed their cause of death, blaming me entirely.

Unable to argue back, I covered my ears with both hands, crouching down, begging them to stop, apologizing, pleading for mercy until I woke from the dream.

Now, Vivian will likely appear in this dream, cursing me. Perhaps she will try to tear open my belly as she suffered.

June 5th

Today, I was preoccupied with preparing the defense of Dina Sea.

Partina efficiently organized the remaining two hundred fairies of Dina Sea to mobilize Titania in preparation for both Titania’s operation and the imminent invasion of humans. She also made sure to inspect the automated defense systems in Dina Sea.

Even if the Winged Knights had not yet gathered, we could have smoothly activated Titania.

In ten minutes, I plan to activate Titania using the key and assist in the defense of Dina Sea.

Without the blood of our great ancestors and the Fairy Princess, we cannot utilize all of Titania’s functions, but my plan was sufficient with just the key.

I hope for success. Too many fairies have died to reach this point, and the survivors’ minds are fragile.

If I fail, I intend to kill as many humans as possible. I have prepared bombs and poisons using Dina Sea’s alchemical facilities. I will kill them all.

(Blank space)

Human? Animal? Fairy?

The undead, devoid of reason, torn apart the Holy Order and are now gathering to kill us.

Long-standing grudges and racial differences hold no significance for them. They simply aim to kill the living and consume their flesh or increase their numbers through their kin.

At the forefront stands… Vivian. A headless fetus dangles from the umbilical cord flowing from her ruptured belly, dragging across the ground.

“What’s going on? What in the world is happening?”

Beyond the horde of these vile corpses shedding black blood, something vaguely discernible gazes at us.

“I can’t make out much besides their faces being torn apart.”

*

“This concludes it.”

Muriann cheerfully finished reading the diary aloud.

Eliza’s expression turned contemplative as she listened to the diary until the end, a sentiment shared by Vine. However, their astonishment stemmed from different reasons.

Eliza felt a mixture of sympathy and disgust towards the fairies, experiencing repulsion upon hearing the fairy speaker casually mention the flesh trade and human slavery at first.

As she witnessed the loss of what was dear to her, the tragic deaths of her kin, and her gradual descent into madness, Eliza began to feel more empathy towards them.

However, her sympathy became tainted with disgust due to the tragedy that unfolded on June 4th.

The appearance of a figure similar to Blackblood Elenis at the end of the diary was also shocking. It felt even more ominous, reminiscent of the crucified boy she had seen yesterday.

Vine took in the story nonchalantly. She was taken aback when the fairies who seemed to blame themselves appeared but rationalized and pushed past it.

Partina and Sestia… some of the fairies who had rushed to kill Vine, ready to plunge her into death. Partina hesitated to kill Vine, eventually leaving with a warning not to do so again, while Sestia managed to fend them off with the help of a friend.

The diary’s narrator seemed unfamiliar to Vine. Initially, Vine did not bother memorizing the names of the fairies in the fables.

“Summarizing the events that happened to the fairies based on the diary in chronological order, it goes like this.”

Muriann calmly wrote with a pen on the remaining pages of the diary, understanding their complex emotions.

Unlike the owner of the diary, Muriann’s neat and pretty handwriting allowed Eliza to read what Muriann was writing without any issues.

1. An incident where most fairies went missing, known as ‘Al Inferno,’ occurred. Al Inferno means ‘fallen into hell’ in Northern dialect.

2. Humans started hunting the remaining fairies, leading to the slaughter of many fairies.

3. The Fairy Princess provided the cause of Al Inferno and attacked the Papacy of the Winged Church to make amends. However, rumors suggest they were ultimately defeated.

4. Three fairies, including the diary’s narrator, activated Titania and fought against the living corpses pouring in from Dinasir. The aftermath remains unknown.

“It seems like their plan has been remarkably successful, considering how completely forgotten fairies are in human memory. Records, artifacts, cities left behind by the fairies have all been attributed to humans, altering history, with some stories remaining unchanged as old folktales about Opatsni.”

Muriann joyfully explained about the fairies.

“And the key used by the diary’s owner is crucial here. Even before I came across this diary, I had been diligently researching the unaltered records and folklore left by the fairies. Since settling in Libreville. If you wish, I can show you the research records from that time… Oh, I seem to have veered off into strange territory.”

Returning to the main point, this existence called the Key is a type of artificial life form created as part of the body of the great ancestors. It can be said to be similar to Homunculus, which was created based on humans.”

“Homunculus…?”

Due to Eliza’s mother’s ignorance or deliberate withholding of information about Homunculus, Eliza pretended to know nothing about it. An artificial life form created through alchemy. That was all Eliza knew about Homunculus.

The curious Murian, absorbed in showing off her knowledge, casually brushed off Eliza’s words.

“That’s right. I’m not sure how it came to be created, but anyway, the Key was a tool needed to activate Titania. As mentioned in the diary, to fully bring out its original functions, the blood of the great ancestors and the fairy of the bloodline were needed, but with the Key, some of those functions could still be used.”

“So, by using the Key, the fairies dormant inside Titania can be awakened?”

To confirm what she already knew, Bine asked Murian.

“That’s correct. And it seems like you’ve got your hands on that Key.”

Murian said so and looked at Eliza.

“Me? Me?”

Eliza pointed at herself in surprise. Although Bine had mentioned a few times before that “Elza is needed to save the fairies,”…

Murian stood up from her chair, approached Eliza closely, and gently stroked her lower abdomen, precisely where the uterus and ovaries were located.

“So many unbelievable things have happened that it’s astonishing. Did the almighty ‘Wings’ decide to abandon humans and support the fairies?”

Eliza felt a mix of pleasure and discomfort from Murian’s gentle touch. Though her small hands seemed innocent, she could feel the slippery surface of a snake’s head hidden beneath the skin.

Before Eliza could ask her to stop, Bine roughly pushed away Murian, who was touching Eliza’s belly.

Pushed back, Murian let out a cute scream as she landed on her buttocks.

“Ouch, are you saying not to touch the key to saving your own kind? Haha, Bine, you’re quite jealous too.”

Bine glared silently at Murian.

“M-Murian! Are you okay?”

Eliza approached Murian, concerned.

“I’m fine. If I were a bit older, I might have pulled a muscle in my back.”

Murian brushed off any concern, got up while dusting off her buttocks.

“It would have been better for your reputation if you had actually hurt yourself and died.”

Still glaring at Murian, Bine coldly remarked.

“Wow, scary. Your fierce temperament truly befits a fairy of the bloodline. But wouldn’t it be a shame if you killed her? She’s a dwindling supporter of the fairies in this world. Even if you see her as a reliable ally, wouldn’t it be too much to lose her alone?”

Murian spoke and popped the last remaining cracker into her mouth.

While constantly struggling against the urge to kill Murian, muttering Hermoso Verano, Bine managed to speak in a calm voice.

“Never touch my Elza again.”

Murian smirked, gently lifting the hem of her cloak with both hands as if grabbing the edge of a skirt, slightly bowing and responding to Bine’s words.

“My Elza? Since when did you start calling me yours?”

Eliza internally retorted, but at the same time, she found herself agreeing with Bine’s claim of ownership. Following Bine’s orders diligently, feeling her heart race, and even subtly enjoying it?

Eliza lowered her head, hiding her blushing face and the inner joy she felt when Bine spoke like that.

*

After the conversation about fairies ended, Murian proposed to Eliza that she could use her alchemy atelier until she found a ban, suggesting that she could provide the materials she needed. Although she set the condition of obtaining the desired ingredients, she promised to pay a reasonable sum if they were provided, ensuring it wasn’t a losing deal.

Eliza (glancing at Bine) agreed, and Murian then suggested that if she brought around ten dog bladders by tomorrow, he would give her 20 Manchester dollars.

Thus, the peculiar and uncomfortable meeting with Murian ended, leaving Eliza with numerous questions as they bid farewell (specifically, Eliza and Murian).

“He was quite unpleasant.”

As they descended Dead Eagle Hill, Bine casually remarked.

“He was indeed quite peculiar. Still, he didn’t seem like a bad person.”

“Elsa lacks discernment when it comes to people.”

In response to Eliza’s cautious words, Bine replied in a cold tone.

“He’s definitely hiding something. You can tell from his gaze. There are many suspicious things beyond just his gaze.”

“…That’s true.”

Eliza vaguely agreed, gazing up at the blue sky.

The sun was already high in the sky’s center. Without a watch, she wasn’t sure, but it seemed past 1 o’clock.

“Bine, what does ‘Hermoso Verano’ mean?”

Eliza asked Bine to resolve her curiosity.

Bine’s face brightened slightly upon hearing the question.

“I was going to tell you first, but Elsa beat me to it. It’s a personal matter regarding humans.”

Bine began to explain.

“‘Hermoso Verano’ means ‘Beautiful Summer.’ Among fairies, it’s often used to mean ‘everything will be fine.’ I’m not sure why…”

Placing her right hand on her chest where her heart would be, Bine continued.

“When you’re suffering, sad, or want to give up, say it, and this place will warm up.”

Eliza smiled slightly and said to Bine.

“That’s a nice saying. I should use it more often too.”

Bine responded with a smile.

“Feel free to. Consider it an honor since it’s something I allow only for Elsa. You might be the only human permitted to use ‘Hermoso Verano.’”

“Ahaha…”

They continued down the hill.

“Elsa, I’ll definitely tell you everything one day.”

As they reached the bottom of the hill, Bine said to Eliza.

“…Yes. I have many questions too.”

Eliza replied briefly.

Due to the contract Bine made with the ageless stranger, she couldn’t divulge Eliza’s true identity and her own past in detail. The ambiguity of ‘detail’ prevented Bine from sharing what she wanted to with Eliza.

Though there were a few slip-ups (like mistaking Eliza for a key), nothing significant came of them.

“Yes, it’s a promise.”

Side by side, they walked towards Libreville.