episode_0066

“W-world… it’s so beautiful…!!”

The fairy village of Karizan presented a beautiful scene with flying fairies, luminous trees, and plants. In particular, the faint light emanating from the plants made Karizan stand out even more in the dark forest. But…

“Uh… but…”

There was one problem. It was small. The village itself wasn’t small in scale… but to human eyes, the village was literally tiny. This must be due to the huge difference in size between humans and fairies…

“Oh dear… I won’t be able to experience their culture at all, will I?”

“Huh? Do you perhaps have any shrinking abilities?”

“…Aria, do you have any?”

“…I’m useless after all… I should have learned something like that for Zeke-nim…”

“Ah, seriously!!”

Aria started to deprecate herself again and tried to harm herself, so I stopped her with one hand. Rubaea, seeing this scene, looked pitiable and spoke to me.

“That Saintess… she’s scary, but it seems she has a troubled past… Zeke-nim should have treated her better…”

“How dare you say Zeke-nim is at fault… With this staff…”

“Huh? H-h-huh?!”

Aria, who had been about to harm herself, heard Rubaea’s words, grabbed her staff, and glared at her. Rubaea was momentarily dazed before snapping back to reality and gasping in fright. Then, Saphia, who was nearby, slowly opened her eyes, mistakenly thought Aria was glaring at her, and gasped in fright as she looked at Aria’s face.

“Kyaaaah!! That human…!”

“Uwaak!! D-don’t make a fuss on my hand!!! Uwaaah! Aria, calm down!!!”

I’m going crazy. Aria was trying to kill Rubaea and Saphia again, and Rubaea and Saphia, seeing Aria, gasped in fright and started causing a ruckus on my palm. Completely overwhelmed, I instinctively tried to stop the three of them. Two minutes passed. I was exhausted from stopping them, catching my breath under a tree, while Aria was kneeling, and Rubaea and Saphia sat on a rock, mouths tightly shut, dripping with cold sweat.

“Haa… haaaah… haah…”

“Zeke-nim, I’m sorry… I was wrong…”

“Aria, you really… your strength is too much, it’s hard to stop you… And it’s even harder with one hand…”

“…Zeke-nim, you’ve had a lot of trouble…”

“Yeah, well… thanks to them, I’ve been through hell lately… but what can I do? Anyway, I didn’t think that because fairies are small, their village would also be small. You can’t change your bodies to human size, can you, Rubaea?”

“Of course not. We aren’t Melodian fairies.”

“I see… Wait. How do you know about fairies in other regions?!”

“We hear through news… Just because the Kriton region rarely has visitors doesn’t mean we’re fools who know nothing about how the world works…”

“Hmm… I see. Then, just a moment…”

I quickly started to revise the description of the Kriton region in my record book. I had actually written that there were hardly any visitors due to the elf incident, so they knew little about the outside world. I hurriedly corrected that. I almost put incorrect information in my records…

“Whew… finished revising. I almost made an error… Aria, you can stop being punished now, by the way? You can get up.”

“But I… *sniffle*…”

“I said it’s fine… Just be careful next time. Here, take my hand.”

“…! Zeke-nim’s hand…!!”

When I extended my hand, Aria quickly took it and stood up. With a very satisfied expression… I thought I had gotten used to Aria’s rapid emotional changes, but it seems I still haven’t.

“Hehehe… Zeke-nim’s hand… it’s soft and nice after all… I think I overreacted because I had hostility towards fairies due to those fairy sisters from before…”

“…What?! You still haven’t forgotten that incident?!”

“No. How could I forget? How dare they try to harm Zeke-nim… I can never forget such an incident… The smuggling organization, the fairy sisters… and…”

…Oh, right… That’s why Aria still dislikes Cecilia. Whew… What is this feeling, where I’m starting to worry more about thieves who might show hostile reactions or try to steal my belongings in the future…?

“Alright… Whew… What should we do anyway? If gigantic us approach Karizan, how is that any different from a giant suddenly appearing…?”

“Um… you really are a good person, like Rubaea said… right?”

While I was pondering how to approach Karizan, Saphia, who was fidgeting with her fingers, spoke to me… A good person… I’ve never really thought about whether I’m a good person or not, so I can’t answer that question, but I can promise one thing.

“Hmm… I don’t really know if I’m a good person because I haven’t thought about it myself. But I still want to minimize any harm to your village and the fairies. Well… it would be even better if there’s no harm at all.”

“See, Saphia. That Saintess is indeed scary and a dangerous human, but this person is kind, isn’t he?”

“Hmm… then, Zeke-nim. How about this? What you want is to experience our culture, right?”

“Oh? That’s right.”

“Rubaea and I will bring things from the village that Zeke-nim can experience. Even if you can’t go there and experience them directly, wouldn’t it be alright if you can experience them here?”

Hearing Saphia’s words, I started to ponder. Indeed… if gigantic us went to that tiny village, it would only cause chaos. This might be the best option for now.

“Alright, Saphia. It seems best to do as you say.”

“Zeke-nim. Or, I could go to that village and tell the fairies…”

“Let’s just stay still, Aria. Isn’t that better than something dangerous happening to me if you go there?”

“Huh? Dangerous things happening to Zeke-nim? The damned organization kidnapping Zeke-nim behind my back, and that damned demon trying to kill Zeke-nim, were already enough. The third time, this Aria will stop it even if I have to throw myself into it.”

“…Haven’t you ever thought that if you threw yourself into it and got hurt, my heart would ache too?”

“…!!”

When I expressed concern for her, Aria became greatly flustered, her cheeks turning red. Then I took Aria’s hand and said.

“So, let’s trust these children this time, alright? It would be troublesome if anyone got hurt or had an accident while experiencing the culture. My heart would ache.”

“…Zeke-nim…”

“So this time, don’t overdo it, don’t even think about getting hurt, and let’s just experience the culture.”

“…Yes… Zeke-nim is truly warm-hearted… To even worry about my body… Therefore, this Aria…!!”

‘Oh, damn it…’

“Even if I have to sacrifice my body, I will repay Zeke-nim…!!”

Aria suddenly let go of my hand, spread her arms, and began to approach me. I felt an ominous premonition and immediately shouted at Rubaea and Saphia.

“Ru… Rubaea!! Saphia!!! Please… Uwaaaaah!!”

“Aria is so touched she could cry, Zeke-nim…!! I love you…!!”

“Aaaah!! Don’t pounce on me, Aria!! Aaaah!!”

“L-let’s go quickly, Ru… Rubaea…”

“Whoa… So that’s how humans express love…”

“I said don’t look and let’s go quickly!!”

As Rubaea watched with fascination as Aria tried to pounce on me and I resisted with all my might, Saphia covered Rubaea’s eyes and hurriedly flew towards Karizan. Twenty seconds later, Aria was once again standing in punishment beside me.

“…What’s the reason this time? You couldn’t control yourself again?”

“It’s not that… this time, I was just too happy… *sniffle*… I was wrong…”

“Haa… How many times have I stopped you today…? Well, it’s fine… You can stop kneeling now, Aria. But you have to quietly trust them, okay?”

“Yes… But because of those sisters before, I developed distrust towards the fairy race…”

“That’s too much, Saintess-nim. Still, we brought all sorts of things here to keep our promise…”

Just as Aria was saying she had developed distrust towards fairies, Saphia spoke with a sigh, carrying a basket full of various items. Then, Rubaea, who was behind her, spread a cloth on the ground, and Saphia began to place the items from the basket onto the cloth one by one.

“We’ve brought everything we can show you about our culture. There might be a few things Rubaea and I don’t know yet… but we’ve brought everything we do know without missing a single thing.”

“No. We should be thanking you for keeping your promise. Oh? Isn’t that the honey you were talking about earlier?”

When I saw a bottle containing yellow liquid among the items Saphia took out, I asked her. Saphia then picked up the bottle, spread her wings, and flew up as she spoke to me.

“Yes, that’s right. We fairies can extract honey directly from flowers. We ferment pollen to make it into honey like this. If you wish, I can give you some.”

“Oh, really? Aria, they say this is the honey you were looking for, isn’t it?”

“What?! The honey that makes your skin better!?”

Aria looked greatly surprised, gazing at the honey Saphia was holding. Saphia then scratched her head with her right hand and said with an embarrassed chuckle.

“Hehe… that’s right. Actually, Rubaea and I fermented the pollen we collected ourselves, so I’m not sure if it tastes good…”

“What I need is the honey’s effects! Through that, I can make Zeke-nim think I’m beautiful…”

“What? What are you talking about? You’re beautiful already. Your beauty always attracted people’s attention.”

“…Huh?”

Aria’s face turned as red as an apple when she heard my words. I already knew Aria was beautiful because her looks were so exquisite and good that I always overheard people whispering about her beauty… Uh… did I not tell her?

“Z-Zeke… Zeke-nim… called me beautiful… Z-Zeke-nim…”

“…Zeke-nim, don’t you know how to handle the Saintess-nim well?”

“Do you remember she tried to pounce on me earlier? I’m still far from it. If it’s alright, could I try that honey?”

“Yes, Zeke-nim. Here… Ah.”

“Ah.”

Saphia and I realized what we had forgotten and couldn’t say anything. It was that the bottle, sized for a fairy, was absurdly small for me; even if all the honey in it was poured onto my palm, it would only be a single drop. Realizing this, Saphia said, flustered.

“O-oh no, I’m so sorry… This amount wouldn’t even be enough to tell it went down my throat…”

“…It’s fine. But isn’t that amount of honey precious to you?”

“It is. But if it’s honey for such a kind person, it doesn’t matter.”

“Thank you. Now, let’s see…!!!!”

I licked the single drop of honey Saphia poured for me and was immediately shocked by its taste. Despite the small amount, it felt like I had eaten a spoonful of human honey. What… why is the taste so strong?! Wait… fermentation?

“Saphia, you said this honey was fermented, right?”

“Ah, yes. It’s honey made in a unique fairy way, where pollen is put into bottles and exposed to the light of blue plants for a long time to ferment it… Does it not taste good?”

“…The taste is incredibly concentrated, so for a moment, I thought I had eaten a full amount of honey. Our human honey isn’t this strong.”

“Oh, I see… We can’t eat a whole bottle of this either. Still, it’s a relief that Zeke-nim could taste it… *gasp*…”

As Saphia was expressing relief, she saw something, her mouth dropped open, and she couldn’t speak. I tilted my head and asked Saphia.

“Hmm? Saphia? Why are you…?”

“Zeke-nim~ Look at this!”

When Aria called out, I turned around. Aria was smiling brightly and waving at me, and beside her, Rubaea was flying with a satisfied expression. What on earth are they trying to show me…? Hmm?

“Aria, your lips seem redder?”

“Hwaaa… As expected of Zeke-nim… Your quick wit is truly wonderful… Rubaea-nim taught me an herb that makes lips redder! How is it?”

“Hehehe…!! We fairies have a culture of applying makeup! So, we can use natural ingredients to enhance our beauty! What do you think?!”

“…Yeah. It’s pretty.”

When I said it was pretty, Aria and Rubaea started to look serious. Then they turned their backs and began to discuss something quietly so I couldn’t hear.

“I-it’s true…! To think Zeke-nim is such a human with no romantic feelings…!!”

“See?! I told you this was too weak!”

“Ugh… Still, I believed using red dye on lips was a common makeup among fairies… Is it different because he’s human, after all…?”

“Something else… Isn’t there something else, Rubaea-nim?!”

“Z-Zeke-nim’s reaction makes me more enthusiastic too…!! Alright! I’ll do my best to help Zeke-nim fall for the Saintess-nim!”

“I’m counting on you, Rubaea-nim!”

Seeing them secretly discussing something, I scratched my head and said to Saphia.

“When did those two get close?”

“I don’t know either. Anyway, it seems the Saintess-nim really likes Zeke-nim.”

“Uh… yeah, she does.”

“But why don’t you accept the Saintess-nim’s feelings? Meeting someone so full of love is as hard as picking stars from the sky.”

“I’m still a human full of passion for exploration. I might seem peculiar to others, but I came out into the world to fulfill an old dream of exploring the entire world.”

“But what if such an affectionate Saintess-nim leaves you? Wouldn’t it be better to seize the opportunity when you have it? If she leaves, everything will be for nothing.”

“…You don’t have a lover, do you?”

“…Ugh…”

Seeing Saphia continuously talk about love and feelings, I instinctively knew she didn’t have a lover. And when I asked Saphia if she had a lover, she was greatly shocked and slumped down on the spot. It must have hit home…

“K-keh… Rubaea and I are both old enough to date now… Why don’t we have anyone yet… K-keh…”

“How old are you both?”

“We’re both 18… We’re old enough to date and get married soon…”

“I suddenly got curious… How old do you live to be? Melodian fairies have a lifespan almost similar to humans.”

“Ours is similar. Our lifespan is nearly 60 years. So… *sniffle*… Shouldn’t we be able to date at this age?! But why don’t we have any lovers… *sniffle*… I envy you, Zeke…”

“…I’m in a difficult situation too… Can you tell me something else, Saphia?”

“…Just let me compose myself for a moment…”

Saphia took a breath and composed herself, then took out various other items from the basket and introduced them to me. I wrote all of it down in my record book.

Most fairy fabrics are made from natural fibers, all obtained from plants. Moreover, clothes made from fabric sourced from blue plants have the ability to glow at night. Fairies tend to seek out natural materials, so they are also knowledgeable in developing and manufacturing medicinal ingredients. Hmm… The fairy race is indeed a race that lives in harmony with nature, just like elves. Although I haven’t experienced elf culture yet, fairy culture is also very remarkable. There are things humans can learn from them.

“How is it? Is it still not enough?”

“This amount is not bad at all. By the way… the medicinal ingredients are excellent, aren’t they? There are various things, including digestive aids… Well, they’re too small for me, a human.”

“Even so, since their effects are concentrated like the honey, if you take a few more, they might show effects on Zeke-nim’s body, too?”

“Is that so? But lately, I’ve hardly had any trouble thanks to the dishes Aria made for me. Can you tell me anything else?”

“First, I’ll explain everything we brought. So, this is…”