EPISODE 218 : The Fairy Queen, A Re-encounter
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Transparent blue hair that reaches the ground. Hair that shines along the rays of the sun. And something that resemblesa crown was placedon top.
The spreading several beautiful wings in the back which shine in a rainbow color, it would only be mistaken as jewels to those who see its glamour. Along with her slim figure, shescompletely like a goddess emerging froma storybook.
It was certainly the Nia he had met before.
She was holding a staffin a hand, with a sphere-like attachment with feather-like articles that seem to be growing fromthe tip.
Otherworlder! Otherworlder! Long time no see! Long time no see!
As usual, the red haired fairy flying round and round atop of Hiiros head smiles full of joy.
Orun, I understand your feelings after a long absence, but youre in front of the Spirit King, you know?
Ah! Oh no! Oh no!
Putting hands on the mouth after a cute Ah!it flurried and went back towards Nia.
Hohoho, what an energetic child
ufufu, too energetic that its worrisome
Not at all, being vigorous is the best. Umu, its been a long time, Nia
Likewise, I apologize for being able to meet only in such a form
Seeing the figure of Nia bowing her head politely, it seems that Hoozuki is of a higher hierarchy.
Hohoho, it cant be helped. You are already a queen. Unlike the former times, you arent in a position where you can come and go as long as you want anymore
Hoozuki said while feeling a little regret.
(It seems that theyre acquaintancesand are closer than I thought)
They arent in a relationship between rulers of their races, but way more than that, from their interaction. Their relations are deep enough to make Nia come and go to the Spirit Forest in the old days at least.
It has changed. It has been a long time, Hoozuki-sama. and alsoPrincess
But when Nia faced her, the princess seemed awkward for an instant, but she turned serious immediately,
Yes. It has been a long time, Nia-sama
Grandfather, I have other businesses to attend to after this. Please excuse me
Princess!
Princess ignores the words of Hoozuki and quickly ran away.
(Whats with her? Being cold and distant all of a sudden)
With the princess difference of attitude, he felt a strong sense of incongruity. Nias face seemed to show sadness as well.
Sorry about that. Even though she has such an attitude, that girl means no harm
Nia smiles and shakes her head in disapproval.
I dont mind, because I also understand her feelings
Is that so
But
Hmm?
Geezdid you summon Nia the same way like in the past, right?
so you call her Nia before
Sensing the air going bad, Nikki and Camus looked at Hiiro as if begging for help.
Meanwhile,
Hey mother, hey mother
Having changed the mood all of a sudden, the cheerfulness that doesnt match its size, Orun.
What is it, Orun?
The otherworlder! The otherworlder!
Thanks to her bright smile, NIas face which was gloomy a while ago regained its former beauty.
Fufufu, your right. Hoozuki-sama, Thank you very much for connecting the portal to reunite with him again
Hohoho, pay it no mind. Like the princess, youre already a granddaughter to me
As she turned her gaze here, Nia gave a vibrant smile.
I know that there are a lot of questions you like to ask, but it has been a while, Hiiro-san
I forgot
Eh?
Come to think of it, when you gave that lump of magic power to me, you said it. That its something that will connect me to Fairy Garden. So it was such a thing
Certainly, he had come in contact with the Spirit King this way.
My apologies. In your case, I think that sooner or later you would be able to enter the Spirit Forest sometime soon, so I entrusted you my power
So the fact that I came here was to use me as a carrieryou do realize that, right?
Upon saying it with displeasure, she lowered her head in apology.
I am truly sorry. But for me to come here again, this method was the most certain. As for using Hiiro-san, I can only apologize with all my heart
Then, he asked why it was necessary to do such thing.
A long time ago, Fairy Garden and Spirit Forest were in a distance where you can easily come and go. But on a certain day, a rift suddenly appeared and swallowed the two.
After everyone became aware, they were as if placed in an environment where when they reached a distance they cannot pass through, as if theyre trapped.
Environment? What kind of environment?
Apparently, that thing caused a metastasis, but he was more interested in the environment she mentioned.
Hiiro-san, the Fairy Garden and the Spirit Forest, do you know where they were before?
where?
the bottom of the sea
Ha? The bottom of the sea?
He received a strange answer in return. For the environment in question, inside a forest where one will get lost, he thought that it was hidden in an unknown desert, but for it to be the sea exceeded his expectations.
but breathing here is possible, isnt it?
Yes. He can breathe here normally. Therefore he could hardly think that this is in the sea.
For that, each respective rulermyself here, and Nia there set up a magical barrier as protection
Is that so?
Yes. In that case, in the meantime, its still safe even it has been separated from Fairy Garden, but as expected, coming here by normal means just takes too much time
They would need a reasonable protection to withstand the ferocious demons and the sea pressure after all. Whatever he say at the least, the place called the sea is beyond theirimagination.
Therefore in order for you to come here, you had no other way but to use me as a bridge, am I wrong?
It was understandable. This method surely solves the problem if Hoozuki were to summon him here.
However, something worries me
What?
Directing his face to Hoozuki, he asked.
For more than half a year, why did you not inform me? You could have summoned me earlier than this
If so, then Nia should have been able to come earlier then.
There are conditions
Conditions?
Yes. You, remember the time when you entered Fairy Garden
As he said so, he recalled what happened that time. Traveling with Arnold and Muir, he was searching for an open place to practice his Word Magic, then noticed an object emitting strange lights on a slightly elevated hill.
That was Orun and the others. Then afterwards, for some reason a rift in space opened along them, and he was invited to enter the inside of it.
To tell you the truth, to enter the sub-space, you need permission from a fairy or a spirit
Well, thats a given
However, that means you have to meetthemin the first place
? Isnt that obvious? You cant get permission if you cant talk to them from the start
I suppose, but discovering Fairy Garden which is a coincidence, along with your disposition to see the Spirits, it is all possible because you have met them
Hmmmnow that you mention itno, wait. I met them?
Certainly, he had come across Rarashik who was able to materialize Yukiouza aka Yuki-chan.
You have met with Yuki, right? And for that, through that child, I have known your location for the first time
According to his story, you cannot simply make that rift through space it seems. The limit is said to be only once in the first month.
After hearing the story of Yuki, I was about to open the rift, but you have long gone that time
As he didnt stay that long in the [Beast KingdomPasion], thepossibility ofmissing each other is huge.
Yes, yes, I also went that time, but when I came, I cant find you anywhere
The monkey that remained silent until nowTenn, shot a complaint. Even that, because he didnt know such a thing, it cant be helped for him.
Due to that, he stayed on the land for a while, and if he came across you, I told him to make a contact immediately, thus finally meeting you today
Is that also from that snow rabbit?
Hohoho, not at all, Hey, dont go raising price of a footwear on a barefoot man here
Hoozuki said, and turning his gaze on his feet, a dog is there before anyone is awareno, a ginger cat was quietly staring at his place.
whats with this cat?
You dont remember?
Ah!?
He was taken aback as the idea poofed in his head. If he remembered correctly, certainly he indeed met this Spirit before, or rather, fought neck to neck with it before
D-dont tell meyoure that lion?
Yes, it is I. The name is Shishi. That power of yours at that time, this one has felt utmost admiration of it
Though you may think of it as another person speaking an overly formal tone, but this thing called Shishimight be the same cat that Leowald had manifested.
Hiiro took distance and observed caution in reflex. Why? Because he had almost experienced being halfway to death with this thing once. Anticipating his reaction, Shishibegan to talk.
Please dont mind what happened that time. The match was fought fair and square. This one does not hold grudges for it
Saying it with straight eyes, it could be judged that he was saying the truth.
(B-but for thatone to be that stupidly large beast before)
Surprisingly, now its just nothing but a cute cat. It is not strange if someone were to rub its head and neckon impulse. Anyone dog or cat lover will surely find it irresistible.
According to the story of Shishi, I heard that youre in the Demon Country, so I made Tenn to go
I see. So thats the reason you lure me into the forest and guide me all the way here
Yes, thats right. Therefore, please forgive my mischief at that time. Of this cute and playful monkey, Mischief monkey for short!
But as he was making a tee-hee without any bit of reflection at all,
Well talk about that laterWell thenTenn?
A tremendous blood thirst was directed to Tenn, causing the small animal to tremble and shiver in fear again.
Indeed, if it wasnt for you, then we wouldnt be able to summon him here today. ButTenn, you have a debt to pay to the Fairy Queen, is that clear?
Yes. Thank you very much
He lowered his head in relief. Perhaps he thought the possibility of receiving punishment or something and was feeling uneasy about it.
Hm? Wait a second, now that you mention it, that pervert I have met another spirit too, you know?
Hiiros words gathered everyones eyes.