Chapter 29: The awakened prince, please stop fighting!

Seriu awoke to the strong smell of medicine.

He opened his eyes with difficulty. Through his blurred vision, he saw a wooden ceiling and heard the crisp chirping of birds.

It was so peaceful.

He had not awakened in such tranquil surroundings for a very long time.

Ever since his father and mother had died and his usurping uncle had declared him a wanted criminal, he had spent an entire year on the run.

His loyal guards and magic instructor had taken the thirteen-year-old prince from the palace under cover of night, fled across the border of the Kingdom of Cecilia, and continued westward.

They had crossed an ocean, traversed a desert, climbed mountains, and crossed ridges before finally entering the Faerie Forest.

Savage Black Knights had hunted them throughout the journey. One after another, the people around him had died protecting him. He had gone from an innocent, sheltered child to an orphan burdened with a blood feud.

Clinging to his last shred of hope, he had risked entering the Faerie Forest. He had believed that the Black Knights carrying the aura of death would fear the Elven King and dare not pursue him.

Never had he imagined that they would disregard the Elven King’s reputation, recklessly enter the Faerie Forest, and surround him and Halis with the intent to kill.

Seriu’s final memory before losing consciousness was of the Black Knight commander sending him flying.

When he saw Halis reduced to a bloody ruin while protecting him, rage had driven him to try to take the Black Knights down with him.

But his attack had been no more than an egg striking a rock. He had simply been courting death.

At that moment, Seriu had no longer wanted to live.

Without Halis, he did not know what purpose there was in remaining alive.

He might as well die without struggling.

His consciousness had sunk into endless darkness, where he saw his father and mother. Delighted, he ran toward them, only to be rejected.

They disappeared. He fell to his knees and wept bitterly until light suddenly appeared before him and his consciousness returned to his body.

Seriu blinked. Once his vision cleared, he finally saw where he was.

It was an old wooden cottage.

Perhaps because it had been carefully maintained, the cottage was exceptionally clean. An artistic arrangement of dried flowers hung on the wall.

He was lying in a bed beneath a soft, warm blanket.

Seriu’s gaze slowly shifted toward the window, where he saw a tall, slender figure.

Startled, he pushed himself upright, stared at the man’s back, and blurted out, "Halis!"

The person standing by the window turned and asked in a clear, elegant voice like flowing spring water, "Is your companion named Halis?"

Seriu froze and finally saw the man clearly.

He was tall and slender, with black hair, blue eyes, and strikingly handsome features. He wore an exquisite blue robe with a flowing cloak draped over his shoulders. What surprised Seriu most was the pair of long, pointed ears.

An Elf!

Only Elves possessed such otherworldly beauty and such long, elegant ears.

Overcome with excitement, Seriu threw off the blanket and tried to get out of bed, only to discover that he was not wearing any clothes. Embarrassed, he hastily pulled the blanket back over himself.

A moment later, however, he lifted one corner to check and stared at his flawless skin in astonishment.

What was going on?

Why did he not have a single wound?

"Moonlight grass is highly effective at healing. It not only saved both your lives but also repaired your wounds." The black-haired Elf lifted the medicine pot from the stove and gracefully poured its contents into a bowl. He then carried it to the bedside and placed it on the small table nearby.

Clutching the blanket, Seriu stared blankly at him.

Up close, the Elf was even more beautiful.

His face was as smooth as white jade, without the slightest blemish.

It seemed the rumors that Elves did not grow beards or body hair were true.

Seeing the youth staring dazedly at him, the black-haired Elf smiled. "My name is Ilio. The Elven King entrusted me with caring for you and your magic instructor."

"The Elven King?" Seriu’s eyes widened in disbelief. He asked urgently, "You mean the Elven King? Where is he? I... I would like to meet him..."

"Shh—" Ilio raised an index finger to his lips, signaling for the youth to be quiet. "Your companion is still asleep. His injuries were more severe than yours, and the poison has only just been removed. He needs proper rest."

Seriu bit his lip and forced himself to calm down. Looking around, he spotted Halis lying in another bed. He still looked haggard, but his face was no longer deathly pale.

Seriu breathed a sigh of relief. Tears spilled from his eyes as he cried with joy.

Wonderful!

He and Halis had both survived!

"You were very fortunate," Ilio said. "You encountered moonlight grass during its growing season, which preserved your lives. The Elven King also happened to be patrolling the forest and drove out the evil intruders."

Seriu buried his face in the blanket and sobbed.

During his year on the run, he had appealed to many people for help, including his maternal uncle and his parents’ friends. Yet all of them had feared the powerful Black Knights and shut him out.

He had endured endless cold stares along the way and witnessed more ugliness in human nature than he cared to remember. In the end, the ones who had saved him and Halis were the Elves, whom the world described as proud and indifferent.

Ilio watched the crying youth, then picked up the bowl of medicine from the table. "Drink the medicine first. It will lose its effectiveness once it cools."

Seriu wiped away his tears and said quietly, "I’m sorry. I lost control of myself."

He raised his reddened eyes, accepted the bowl, and stared at the black liquid. Gritting his teeth, he drained it in one breath.

After finishing, he returned the empty bowl to the black-haired Elf. "Thank you."

Ilio took the bowl to the sink beside the stove and rinsed it.

"This is the outer region of the Faerie Forest. It is very safe. You and your companion may recuperate here and leave once you have recovered," he said unhurriedly, his back to the youth.

Seriu sat beneath the blanket with his knees drawn up, watching the Elf’s back.

The medicine was miraculous. After drinking it, strength returned to his entire body, and even his mind felt considerably clearer.

"May I ask... whether I can have an audience with the Elven King?" he asked anxiously.

Ilio glanced over his shoulder. "You wish to ask about the whereabouts of the Sword of Carlos?"

Meeting the black-haired Elf’s all-seeing blue eyes, Seriu nodded in shame. "I’m sorry, I..."

Just as Halis had said, the Elves were a people who possessed wondrous powers. He had not even revealed his identity, yet Ilio already knew who he was and why he had come.

"There is no need to apologize," Ilio said. "As the prince of Cecilia, it is only natural that you would wish to reclaim the Sword of Carlos. Unfortunately, the Sword of Carlos is not in the Elven King’s possession."

Seriu stared at him. "H-how can that be?"

The Sword of Carlos was not in the Elven King’s hands?

Then why had he traveled such an immense distance to reach the Faerie Forest?

Without the sword, how could he prove his identity and take revenge upon the usurper?

The young prince felt the flame of hope within him go out, leaving his future bleak and gray.

Ilio took a letter sealed with wax from his storage ring and held it out to the devastated prince. "This is a letter of recommendation from the Elven King. Take it to the Central Court and seek out Saint Mage Danlov. He will tell you where the Sword of Carlos is."

The extinguished flame instantly sprang back to life.

Seriu raised his head in disbelief and stared fixedly at the wax seal on the letter.

When Ilio saw that he did not take it for a long while, he placed it on the blanket. "If you want revenge, you must first acquire the necessary strength."

Seriu grasped the sealed letter with trembling fingers as tears streamed down his cheeks.

Ilio left him immersed in his thoughts, quietly walked out of the cottage, and considerately closed the door behind him.

Outside, the sun shone brightly. Colorful wildflowers covered the woods, and herbivorous animals ran freely across the grass. Everything was vibrant with life.

Ilio walked gracefully deeper into the woods. When a young deer spotted him, it mischievously approached and bit down on his cloak.

"Hey, hey, little darlings. I don’t have time to play with you right now."

The fawn refused to let go and called plaintively to him.

Ilio stroked the small antlers on its head and tugged his cloak back. "This is my new cloak. I’ve barely worn it. Don’t bite a hole in it."

The fawn swished its tail and finally released him.

After reclaiming his saliva-covered cloak, Ilio fled as though for his life, afraid that if he lingered, the enthusiastic animals would start throwing themselves at him again.

Once he accelerated, the Elf became like a phantom flashing through the dense woods. Before long, he arrived beside a clear lake.

At the lakeshore, the golden-haired Elven King sat upon a large boulder, speaking with an enormous water serpent whose head protruded above the surface.

The water serpent’s ferocious, scale-covered head floated on the water, occasionally blowing a string of bubbles. When Ilio approached, it turned its golden beast eyes toward him in greeting.

"Good afternoon, Ilio."

"Good afternoon, Hollekaser."

Ilio waved to the water serpent, walked to the Elven King, and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, Prince Seriu has awakened. I also gave him your letter."

The Elven King gazed at the young black-haired Elf and said warmly, "Thank you for your trouble, Ilio."

"It is my honor to ease Your Majesty’s burdens," Ilio replied.

The Elven King patted the boulder beside him, indicating that Ilio should sit.

Ilio swept aside his cloak, avoided the moss growing on the stone, and sat down with effortless grace. He took a crystal from his storage ring and casually tossed it to the water serpent in the lake.

The serpent extended its long tongue and caught the crystal with perfect accuracy.

"Thank you," it said excitedly.

Having received the magical core, the serpent tactfully sank beneath the lake.

Once the water’s surface had become calm again, Ilio asked, "Why didn’t Your Majesty explain matters to Prince Seriu personally?"

The Elven King lowered his eyes. "Rather than shatter all his hopes, it is better to give him a reason to keep living."

The Sword of Carlos had never been an actual sword.

No one except a Cecilian could use it.

However, during the War of the Gods ten thousand years ago, the last true Cecilian had perished. The present Kingdom of Cecilia existed in name alone.

Ilio folded his arms and looked up at the clear blue sky with a sigh. "The forces of darkness are returning. The continent will fall once more."

The Elven King rose. His smooth golden hair flowed down like water, and his green eyes were deep and unfathomable.

"As long as greedy desire exists, darkness will never disappear."

Ilio looked up at the noble Elven King. "What can we do?"

"Do everything within our power to protect our people," the Elven King said in a low voice.

Ilio frowned, abandoned the heavy subject, and changed the topic. "When I went to find Prince Seriu, Doris told me many things about Sperien."

Doris was the plump bird Shu Li had spoken of.

The Elven King’s gaze softened, and he chuckled. "Did she?"

Ilio rubbed his chin. "I’m becoming increasingly curious about him."

What was so special about the Fairy cub whom the King valued so highly? Technically speaking, Sperien was also his junior fellow disciple.

"You will meet him during the Midsummer Festival," the Elven King said.

Ilio raised an eyebrow, clearly looking forward to it.

At that moment, the Fairy cub being discussed by the Elven King and the Elven warrior was still sleeping soundly on the carpet of his little home.

After the previous night’s ordeal, Shu Li was utterly exhausted and remained asleep until noon.

Desio was the first to wake. He rubbed his eyes and sat up on the carpet in confusion. Looking around, he saw his companions sleeping in astonishing positions.

Budno lay sprawled with all four limbs extended, occupying most of the carpet. Angel was pitifully curled up in one corner, while Sperien had nearly rolled beneath the table.

As for Desio himself, he was pressed against the foot of the bed, and his forehead throbbed faintly.

There was no need to guess. The little fatty Budno had undoubtedly shoved him into the bedframe.

Desio puffed out his cheeks and reached over to pinch Budno’s nose.

Unable to breathe through his nose, Budno instinctively opened his mouth. Desio covered it with his other hand.

Budno woke from suffocation and stared at him with wide eyes.

"Mmph, mmph, mmph—"

Knowing when to stop, Desio released his nose and mouth, then asked with a stern expression, "Did you sleep well?"

Budno gulped down a deep breath and sat up. When he saw Angel curled in the corner and Sperien pressed against the table leg, he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

"Um... I move around a lot in my sleep."

Otherwise, he would not fall out of bed every night.

Desio angrily pointed at the blanket wrapped around him. "Not only do you move around, you stole the entire blanket!"

No wonder he had grown colder and colder as he slept. The little fatty had taken all of it.

He had wrapped himself up like a caterpillar!

Budno’s face reddened. As he untangled the blanket from his body, he apologized, "Sorry! I didn’t do it on purpose—"

"Hmph!" Desio tossed his head aside.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Budno said dejectedly, "Next time we sleep together, I promise I won’t shove anyone or steal the blanket."

Desio stuck out his tongue. "Who said I’d ever sleep with you again?"

Budno felt terribly wronged. Under normal circumstances, he would already have started arguing with Desio.

Their noise awakened Angel. His messy silver hair sticking up in every direction, he asked in confusion, "Why... are we sleeping in Sperien’s home?"

Budno looked up. "That’s right. Why are we here?"

Desio knocked him on the head. "Idiot. Obviously, we were too tired and fell asleep!"

Clutching his forehead, Budno protested, "You’re the idiot!"

"You’re the idiot. All you do is eat and sleep. Bleh, bleh, bleh." Desio pulled a face at him.

Humiliated and furious, Budno lunged forward and knocked Desio down. The two cubs soon began wrestling on the carpet.

"Ah, stop fighting! You’ll wake Sperien!" Angel tried to break them apart from the side.

Desio had wanted to beat Budno up for a long time. If Budno had not been so greedy, their leader would never have been carried away by the enormous magical bird.

Budno had cried so miserably the previous night that Desio had temporarily let him off. Now that their leader was safely home, Desio naturally intended to teach him a lesson so he would remember it and stop throwing himself at every piece of food he saw.

Budno was chubby and far less agile than Desio. He was pinned down and struck several times, his face flushing with anger and frustration.

Holding Budno in place, Desio asked sternly, "Will you ever be greedy for food again?"

Budno’s eyes filled with tears.

Eating was his greatest joy. If he did not get delicious food, he could not even sleep properly. But... but his greed had nearly gotten Sperien killed.

He struggled inwardly for a long time, unable to force the words out.

Desio asked again, "Will you still be greedy?"

Tears rolled down Budno’s cheeks. With a loud wail, he burst into sobs and cried, "No! I won’t! I’ll never be greedy again!"

Boohoohoo—

His fruit, his cakes, his nectar...

He would never be able to eat too much of them again!

How miserable!

But... but greed could hurt his friends. He had to learn restraint.

After obtaining his promise, Desio temporarily let him go.

Budno remained utterly heartbroken and lay on the carpet whimpering.

The crying finally woke Shu Li. Hugging the blanket, he sat up and stared blankly at his three companions.

The little fatty was sprawled on the floor crying. Redhead stood with his arms folded and a cold expression on his small face, while Angel huddled in the corner, looking as though he wanted to say something but did not know how.

Why were they arguing so early in the morning?

"What happened?" Shu Li shuffled over and stroked Budno’s head. "There, there. Don’t cry."

Budno raised his round, tear-covered face and choked out, "S-Sperien... I’m sorry. From now on... I’ll never... never be greedy again... Waaah..."

Shu Li blinked and finally understood why they had been fighting.

Although the little fatty did bear part of the responsibility for what had happened, he was still an ignorant young cub.

"I don’t blame you, so don’t be sad. You can still eat... just don’t eat too much," Shu Li comforted him.

The little fatty had an enormous appetite. If he did not learn restraint, he would undoubtedly grow into an enormous round Fairy.

Being overweight would affect his health.

Budno wiped away his tears and nodded sadly.

Seeing that he had stopped crying, Shu Li breathed a sigh of relief. He stood and pulled open the curtains, allowing sunlight to flood the room.

"Wow, the weather is wonderful. The sun is shining—"

Wait!

Wasn’t morning sunlight supposed to be orange?

He abruptly turned around and asked his three companions, "Did any of you hear Sif calling?"

The three cubs shook their heads in unison.

"Oh no!" Shu Li urged anxiously. "Hurry—we’re going to be late for class!"

"Class!"

The three cubs finally realized the situation. They all sprang up and rushed frantically toward the door.

They could not be late! Anyone who arrived late had to clean bird droppings from the school grounds. It smelled awful!

Shu Li did not even have time to wash up. He slung on his belt pouch and dashed toward the door, only to find the three cubs crowded in the doorway, standing perfectly still. He nearly crashed into them.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

Desio shifted aside and pointed outside. "They’re... all still here!"

By "they," he meant the other Fairy cubs.

"Huh?" Shu Li was surprised.

Many cubs were flying around outside, and some were even playing in the small square.

What was going on?

A female cub flew past. Angel hurriedly called out, "Lois, aren’t you going to school?"

Lois flew over and tilted her adorable head. "We have the day off!"

"The day off?" the four cubs asked in unison.

"That’s right!" Lois flapped her wings and spun happily in a circle. "Aisha came by this morning and said everyone was tired after last night, so we have the day off and don’t need to attend class."

"Ah, wonderful!" Angel clapped his hands.

"Yay! A day off! A day off—" Budno and Desio slapped their palms together.

"Phew—" Shu Li leaned against the doorframe and exhaled.

Such wonderful things actually happened?

Boohoo... being a Little Fairy was so blissful!

They could simply declare a day off whenever they wanted. How humane!

After seeing the other three cubs off, Shu Li returned inside alone. He removed his belt pouch and leisurely went into the bathroom to wash up.

He picked up his rinsing cup and glanced at the mirror, then suddenly froze.

Wait. Had he overlooked something?

After returning home the previous night, he had been in such a hurry to bathe that he had not given his reflection much thought.

Now °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° that his mind was clear, he finally realized what had happened.

He had apparently spent most of the night with the Elven King while wearing a filthy face and an entire head covered in bird down.

Aaaaaah!

When he had stood on the Elven King’s shoulder, he had thought the Elven King’s hair was smooth, silky, and pleasant to touch, so he had secretly rubbed against it twice.

He... probably... had not gotten bird down all over it, had he?