Chapter 58

Blazing sunlight.

Walking down a sun-drenched avenue without any shade makes it hard to breathe.

Suri was already half-melted, seeking refuge under the shadow of my wide-brimmed hat. Her pitiful attempts to avoid the sun were almost heart-wrenching. Embedded in the brim was a cool piece of mithril ore. Seeing Suri leaning her head against it and wilting there clearly showed how intense this heatwave was.

Why did I decide to walk through this sweltering heat alone?

Dragging my exhausted body forward with sheer willpower, mindless repetition of physical actions continued until my steps eventually reached the destination.

Fairy Farm.

An essential stop before reaching the final destination – Fairy Forest.

Upon entering the forest, the oppressive heat slightly subsides as direct sunlight is blocked. The lively energy and playful vitality of fairies can be felt here. Expectantly recalling their cheerful presence, I proceed cautiously.

But something feels off in this vibrant tableau.

The faint smell of iron fills the air. A distant clamor echoes faintly, accompanied by acrid smoke.

“Ugh…”

This involuntary groan was due to an ominous premonition. Normally at this point, cheerful little fairies would have greeted me with tinkling sounds.

But there’s no one. Only eerie silence greets me instead.

In the distance, crimson flames burn brightly. Ashes swirl in the gray sky.

Drawing my sword and donning my gear, I quickly secure my helmet and hurry forward. Fully armed, battle-ready flesh prepared for whatever comes next.

A sharp twang cuts through the air as an arrow flies past.

Casually dodging by tilting my head, Suri startles beside me. Clenching my lips, a flicker of anger ignites within.

“How dare they…”

Checking that Suri is unharmed, I turn my gaze toward where the arrow came from.

Behind a tree stands a man drawing another arrow, with another armed man nearby holding a sword.

Their armed human presence seems out of place in the fairy forest. Fairies generally don’t welcome human intrusion. This situation grows increasingly foreboding.

“You dodged.”

“Bro, let’s go back. This guy seems capable. Is it worth risking our lives here?”

Raising both hands to signal lack of aggression, the man approaches while the archer slowly lowers his weapon, ready to fire if needed.

“Who are you looking for?”

“There’s no one around here. This place… hmm, it’s uninhabited. Did you take a wrong turn?”

“Not people.”

“Hmm.”

The man’s smile turns sinister.

“So you knew coming here. Are you one of them? Word got out, huh? Tch, that’s why individual shares keep shrinking.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb. You’re here to join in, right? There’s probably a hunt going on over there. Capturing them counts as personal bounty. Get it?”

Joining in.

Hunt happening.

Captured ones become personal bounties.

My mind races trying to connect the dots. Inference isn’t difficult with the current situation providing ample clues.

Flames blaze.

Flying embers scatter.

I bite my lip lightly. The fairies who helped me might be in danger.

“Yeah.”

“Heheh. Hope you have a good hunt.”

At this crossroads, two choices present themselves:

Go forward.

Or turn back.

Realistically speaking, turning back would be the wise choice.

After all, they’re strangers.

Uncertain dangers ahead could put my life at risk.

Only one life to live.

This isn’t a game but reality.

Should I really risk it?

Despite these thoughts, my feet don’t turn back.

Instead, I move forward.

Pretending to comply with their intentions,

I casually head towards where the fairies are.

My head shakes slightly.

No, this doesn’t feel right.

While reason tries to hold me back, memories of receiving magical training as a favor weigh heavily. Warm hospitality, vivid images of cute and lively beings – conscience guides my steps forward.

Yes.

It wouldn’t be right to run away without knowing the situation when I owe them a debt of gratitude.

Even if it’s just a small help,

Even if it’s only returning a flower received along the way,

Help is help.

Debt is debt.

Conscience doesn’t allow ignoring such things.

Walking towards the fiery scene,

Ashes are scattered everywhere.

The once beautiful farmland now glows with dark red shadows.

Continuing further, groups in confrontation come into view.

Blood-soaked atmosphere spreading in all directions feels bitter and unpleasant.

Approaching closer, voices become audible.

“We’re not here to kill everyone. Isn’t it time to give up and preserve your lives?”

“Fairy cannot be treated merely as toys.”

“Pointless pride.”

The familiar figure of the fairy captain appears, covered in wounds. Blood-streaked injuries mark her body, some healed then torn open again.

The humans aren’t unscathed either.

Burnt, charred, broken bodies lie scattered.

It was a fierce battlefield.

Gripping my senses tightly, I steady myself amidst the swaying consciousness.

My position was ambiguous.

Halfway between.

Standing uncertainly between humans and fairies.

“What is this?”

Someone notices me lurking in the corner.

Soft murmurs rise.

Snickering laughter.

Desire-filled eyes.

Closing my eyes briefly, I dispel the unpleasant sensation.

Then slowly walk forward,

To the left of the confrontation area,

Where injured fairies moan.

Because they are human too.

Because these fairies are familiar faces.

Unimpeded, I pass through the standoff.

“That’s the human from before!”

“The one who gave us fruit!”

“Quiet!”

The previously cheerful fairies fall silent at my approach.

Their joyful and pure nature remains unchanged.

“Huh. What bad timing.”

The leading man’s hand drops down,

Several arrows fly simultaneously towards me.

Seems my unexpected visit annoyed them.

Suri unexpectedly twists her body to dodge.

Then deflects the incoming arrows with my sword.

One above.

Two aimed at the torso.

One at the lower body.

With soft pinging sounds, the arrows are harmlessly deflected.

A cold tension washes over me.

The sharp trajectory brings heightened awareness.

Facing death always involves dramatic tension.

Though my young mind protests slightly,

Battle-honed instincts remain calm and ready to swing the sword.

“What are you?”

Ignoring the man’s question, I move closer to the fairies.

Bleeding children.

Torn-winged children.

Children captured in nets sitting dejectedly.

The environment is far worse than anything I imagined.

It’s truly a terrible situation.

“Bad situation. If I passed by with blurred vision, no one would have said anything.”

“To repay a favor, there needs to be someone to repay it to.”

“Was there even such a favor?”

The fairy captain gives a bitter laugh.

“Guess so. Should’ve just walked away.”

“Timing is always cruel, appearing only at the worst moments. Our meeting certainly is an awkward one.”

“What conversation are you having?”

The man who shot arrows earlier gets angry, waving his hand.

They must have been conversing in fairy language.

“Kill all who resist. Just take those who submit. Broken ones can be fixed later. Ah, kill that one too. How dare he.”

Outnumbered tenfold.

First time facing humans in battle.

Why did I make such a reckless decision?

Briefly reproaching myself internally, but no regrets arise.

Considering the grace of learning magic,

Though somewhat reluctant,

Isn’t repaying debts simply part of being human?

When acting according to duty,

There should be no pricking of conscience.

Just let the body follow its course.

Yes.

Upholding what one believes is right,

Turns out to be quite difficult.

Especially in situations like this.

Upholding beliefs requires strength,

And right now,

That strength is desperately needed – strength of arms.

“Do you fight well?”

“A bit.”

“I’ll trust you.”

Raising the sword,

Difficulties are understood.

Perhaps.

Maybe I’ll lose my life because of this choice.

Thinking this way,

Still, there’s no regret.

Rather,

Regret shouldn’t be created.

To ensure this choice isn’t wrong.

Did I make a mistake causing this uncomfortable situation?

No.

Clearly, this unpleasant fire and blood-soaked scene was created by them.

Raising the sword to aim,

Determination strengthens slightly.

“Cheer up, human!”

“I’ll help!”

Human-incomprehensible fairy language.

Green light.

Yellow light.

Colorful fragments of rainbow light transfer from the captain to me.

Buffs.

Positive effects collectively wielded by fairies.

“What are you doing? What are you hesitating about? It’s just an armored human.”

The man confronting the fairy captain announces judgment upon me.

Followed by war cries as several men charge forward.

Sharp arrows pierce through the gaps.

Ting!

Just like before,

Everything is visible.

Leaning back slightly while deflecting all incoming projectiles with my upper body.

Arrows aren’t scary.

But blind arrows injuring Suri would be terrifying.

Blind sword strikes.

Rough movements might hurt Suri.

Biting my lips, I look at Suri with cold determination.

“Suri, go back.”

“Pii…”

“Now!”

Never having raised my voice or scolded Suri before, but now there’s no choice.

Regret wells up but is forcibly suppressed.

Quickly sending Suri flying to safety behind.

The weight on my shoulder disappears.

Completely my own body now.

Time flows according to my will.

Gradually, killing intent settles in my eyes.

A sharp emotion honed by battle awareness.

Never having cut down a person before,

Thought it wouldn’t happen,

What strange misfortune during peaceful travels.

Such musings cease as focus sharpens.

There’s no room for complacency in battle.

“Hoo…”

Deep breath.

Counting each approaching opponent carefully.

Speed.

Direction.

Threat level.

These opponents aren’t difficult.

Yes.

The battle has already begun long ago.

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