Chapter 35: Hidden in the Elf King’s hair, where is your place...?

Public humiliation was the sort of thing you got used to after experiencing it a few times.

—Used to it, my ass!

With tens of thousands of eyes fixed on him, Shu Li felt an overwhelming urge to expire on the spot.

Why couldn't he have been a mole?

Then he could have dug a hole, fled the scene, and peacefully buried himself.

Shu Li’s little wings stiffened for several seconds. If he did not start flapping them again, he would fall straight to the ground. Then he did something astonishing.

He closed his eyes and flew toward the Elven King.

Beating his wings as fast as he could, he shot toward the Elven King’s shoulder like a little cannonball.

He was flying a bit too quickly and accidentally crashed into the Elven King’s neck. Dazed and disoriented, he nearly lost his footing and slid off, but his quick reflexes saved him. He grabbed a strand of golden hair and steadied himself.

The first time was unfamiliar, but the second came naturally.

Shu Li plopped down on one of the cloak clasps and tried to hide his little body among the Elven King’s hair like an ostrich, leaving only a tiny portion of his head exposed.

The Elves: (⊙_⊙)

The Fairies: ...

For a moment, an eerie silence descended over the entire scene.

The black-haired Elf standing near the Elven King studied Shu Li with great interest. A strange light flickered in his blue eyes, as though he badly wanted to tease the little fellow.

Before he could speak, however, the frightened cub shrank farther back. Even that tiny glimpse of his head vanished into the Elven King’s hair.

Ilio: ...

A ripple of quiet laughter immediately followed.

Hearing it, Shu Li’s face burned scarlet.

Aaaaaah—

He seemed to have done something even more foolish!

Hiding in the Elven King’s hair only made him more conspicuous.

But it was too late to change anything now. What else could he do except continue pretending to be an ostrich?

Anyway... he had already become a laughingstock, so... he might as well give up completely!

Boohoohoo.

This was so humiliating.

Two enormous tears involuntarily welled up at the corners of Shu Li’s eyes.

In the end, the Elven King broke the silence. He did not mind the little cub’s reckless breach of etiquette in the slightest and simply allowed Shu Li to remain hidden in his hair.

"The magical serpent Bazien Bulgareth?" he murmured gently. "I have received his greetings."

Shu Li’s pointed ears twitched, and he gave a muffled acknowledgment while silently apologizing to Mr. Serpent.

He had not actually intended to convey the serpent’s greetings in front of so many Fairies and Elves. He had simply been so nervous that his mind went blank and the words slipped out.

The scene he had imagined had taken place in a quiet setting with no one else around.

...He could only hope Mr. Serpent never learned the circumstances under which he had become famous. In any case, Shu Li had delivered his greetings and successfully completed the task.

Hidden in the Elven King’s hair, Shu Li pressed his palms together in silent apology.

The other Fairy cubs were terribly envious that Sperien could sit so intimately on the Elven King’s shoulder. They promptly sought out adult Fairies they knew and followed his example.

Siet, Aisha, Lia, Oress, Doxia... Even the shopkeepers from the commercial district each found themselves assigned an adorable Fairy cub.

The adult Fairies laughed and allowed the little fellows to climb all over their shoulders. Some thoughtfully let the cubs sit atop their heads so they could better admire the capital of the Elven Kingdom.

Beyond the city gate stretched a broad, paved avenue. Every flagstone was intricately carved with scenes from ancient legends.

Flowers, grass, and trees lined both sides of the road. At intervals of ten meters stood tall stone pillars carved with deep grooves. Fresh vines wound around them, and tiny blossoms bloomed among their green leaves, adorning the pillars with endless color.

Beyond the avenue lay vast stretches of grassland dotted with sparse trees and elegant buildings. The farther they went, the denser the buildings became, until an enormous castle came into view.

Shu Li cautiously poked his head out. Clutching a strand of the Elven King’s hair, he widened his pale-green eyes and gazed up at the incomparable structure a hundred meters away.

Its distinctive pointed roofs, layered towers, and exquisite statues of the gods rose above walls that seemed encrusted with crystal. They reflected the dazzling sunlight in a blaze of magnificent splendor.

The castle covered an immense area while blending perfectly with nature. Its main structure floated above a lake, connected to the shore by four graceful bridges. Six floating islands hovered around it, spilling streams of water like cascading ribbons. They poured from the islands into the lake below, scattering countless crystal-clear droplets.

Was this the Crystal Castle where the Elves lived?

It was so beautiful that Shu Li thought he had entered an immortal paradise.

"Wow~~~~~~"

The newborn Fairy cubs cried out in wonder. They flew into the air and darted around like busy little bees, eager to explore everything.

Afraid that they might get lost, the adolescent Fairies flew after them to keep watch.

Sitting on the Elven King’s shoulder, Shu Li craned his neck and looked around. He was itching to fly off and join his companions, but he was too thin-skinned to make a move and remained indecisive.

The Elven King felt the little fellow on his shoulder repeatedly tugging on his hair and reached up to tap him gently.

"If you want to go, then go."

Covering the forehead that had just been tapped, Shu Li finally succumbed to the temptation of the magnificent scenery. He spread his wings and, with a whoosh, fled at the fastest speed of his life.

Once he had flown away, Ilio glanced at the slightly disheveled hair near the Elven King’s shoulder and chuckled softly.

"He really is interesting."

Stories about the little fellow had recently spread throughout the Elven Kingdom and the Faerie Forest.

A magical bird had carried him to the edge of the forest. Through his own efforts, he had earned the aid of several magical beasts and accidentally encountered the prince of Cecilia and the Black Knights pursuing him.

Fortunately, the king had personally gone to search for him and saved his life.

The Fairies had turned his story into several poems. Those poems had reached the Elven Kingdom, making him the center of attention in recent days.

"Sperien’s spoken Elven still needs improvement!" Sayah lamented.

She had witnessed Sperien’s birth and had always paid close attention to him. Not long ago, he had mispronounced the true names of every god while singing "The Song of Creation." Just now, he had stumbled over his words while greeting the king. She truly worried about him.

The female Elf beside Sayah laughed.

Wasn't it possible that the little cub had stammered because he was too nervous?

Anyone suddenly thrust into the focus of tens of thousands of people would panic, let alone a Fairy cub only a little over a hundred days old.

In her opinion, Sperien had performed remarkably well.

"Sperien’s spoken Elven is improving very quickly," Siet said. As the Fairy cubs’ first teacher, he was the most qualified to judge. "Not only does he speak much more fluently now, but he can even recite the true names of the gods forward and backward."

He knew Kumandi gave the little fellow extra lessons every night, and the results had been remarkable. In barely more than half a month, Sperien had caught up with the other cubs.

Seeing the little fellow work so hard filled Siet with pride.

Of course, he sometimes advised the cub not to rush. There was nothing wrong with learning more slowly. Fairies lived long lives and did not reach adulthood until the age of one hundred. With so much time ahead of him, he would learn everything eventually.

The little cub always nodded earnestly, then turned around and studied even harder without wasting a single moment. His efforts indirectly motivated the other cubs, creating an exceptionally studious atmosphere in the class.

Siet could confidently say that this group of cubs loved learning more than any class he had ever taught.

The Elven King gazed at the golden-haired cub rejoining his companions and said with a smile in his eyes, "Sperien is doing very well."

Shu Li, who had caught up with his friends, had no idea that he had become the subject of conversation. Once he was far from the main procession, his embarrassment finally subsided.

Relaxed once more, he flew up and down, playing to his heart’s content.

Today was the Midsummer Festival, and the Crystal Castle’s doors stood wide open to welcome the Fairies who had traveled from afar. The adolescent Fairies led the cubs inside ahead of everyone else.

The instant Shu Li entered, the brilliance nearly blinded his enormous sparkling eyes.

The castle’s exterior had been magnificent enough, but the interior was even more dazzling. Gold and precious stones gleamed everywhere. The floor was paved with some unknown material that emitted a warm luster and reflected every object with perfect clarity.

Every antique furnishing, statue, and mural was exquisitely crafted. Sunlight streamed through the crystal windows in golden rays like harp strings, lending the castle’s halls a solemn grandeur.

Yet despite such opulence, nothing appeared vulgar. Every corner radiated refined, pristine elegance.

After exploring one corner of the castle, Shu Li felt like a country bumpkin who did not belong there.

Compared with the Elves’ Crystal Castle, the Fairies’ home in the divine tree was like a primitive village beside a magnificent temple.

The disparity between them was almost unbelievable.

But if Shu Li had to choose, he would still prefer to live in the divine tree.

The Crystal Castle was beautiful and magnificent, but it was too vast and empty, cold and devoid of the warmth of everyday life.

The divine tree was entirely different. It resembled a thriving little town, vibrant and filled with life.

"Sperien, come quickly!" Budno called at the top of his lungs. "There are so many huge fruits here, and they smell amazing!"

His breakfast had nearly finished digesting, and his stomach was rumbling with hunger. The instant he smelled fruit on the air, he flew straight into the courtyard.

The courtyard was filled with enormous fruit, leaving him dumbfounded and eager to pounce on one and take a bite.

But after the lesson he had learned before, he did not dare act rashly. He suppressed his appetite, flew back into the hall, and called his companions over.

Shu Li flew toward Budno. "What kind of fruit?"

Clinging to the courtyard door, Budno pointed toward the fruit hanging from the trees outside, drooling with desire.

Shu Li followed his finger and saw a row of fruit trees. The fruit was as large as watermelons, with thick, knobby spikes covering its surface. Fairy cubs like them could never harvest it by themselves.

Besides, they were guests. How could they casually take their host’s belongings?

Shu Li patted his companion’s shoulder and solemnly translated a Chinese maxim into Elven.

"Taking something without asking makes you a thief!"

Budno tilted his head and pondered for a long while. Seeming to understand only vaguely, he answered, "Oh." The intense disappointment in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Fortunately, the Elves did not leave their guests hungry for long.

After warmly inviting the Fairies into the castle, the Elves went about their assigned duties and busied themselves with preparations.

The Fairies did not remain idle either. They voluntarily helped the Elves prepare for the Midsummer Festival.

They had brought large quantities of fresh fruit in every size and variety. These were sent to the kitchens to be washed alongside the fruit gathered by the Elves.

The normally quiet castle was extraordinarily lively that day, filled everywhere with laughter and cheerful voices.

Despite their elegant bearing and otherworldly appearance, the Fairies and Elves were exceptionally diligent and highly capable workers. Even the Elven King lowered himself to handle simple tasks.

For example, he moved a finger and cast magic, arranging long tables neatly throughout the enormous hall before covering them with spotless white tablecloths.

It was Shu Li’s first time witnessing such a thing, and he was astonished.

Like Fairies, the Elves apparently had no rigid class divisions. No matter how exalted their status, everyone still had to work!

The hall was incredibly spacious. Once the connecting doors were opened, it joined with several smaller halls and could comfortably accommodate more than ten thousand people.

The Elves and Fairies placed the washed fruit on beautiful serving platters. With the help of wind magic, the platters were distributed to each table in turn.

Besides fruit, there were baked loaves and biscuits made from ground grain. Milk from the deer-cattle had been refined into cheese, sliced, and placed inside the bread as filling.

To accommodate the adolescent Fairies and cubs, the Elves had thoughtfully prepared many small cheese lollipops.

The moment the cubs saw them, they flew out from every corner and landed on the dining tables. Clinging to the edges of the platters, they licked their lips and stared longingly at the treats.

"Go ahead and eat!" a female Elf said gently, utterly charmed by them.

Once permission was granted, the cubs cheered and scrambled for the lollipops.

Shu Li was too embarrassed to compete with the children. He sat cross-legged atop the head of a statue in one corner, resting his chin in both hands as he stared into space.

"Here."

A familiar adolescent voice sounded beside him. Shu Li returned to his senses and stared in surprise at the cheese lollipop before him.

When Kumandi saw that he did not move, he held it a little closer.

Noticing that Kumandi had another lollipop in his other hand, Shu Li accepted it and quietly said, "Thank you."

Kumandi sat down beside him and silently ate his lollipop.

Shu Li put the candy into his mouth. A sweet, milky flavor spread across his tongue, and his eyes lit up.

Delicious!

It reminded him of the lollipop his second brother had secretly bought him when he was little. At the time, Shu Li had a cavity, and his mother had forbidden him from eating any more candy. His second brother had been unable to resist Shu Li’s adorable pleading and had spent his pocket money on a lollipop for him.

The outcome was predictable.

Shu Li had suffered a toothache, while his mother had chased his second brother around with a feather duster.

Neither of them spoke as they ate their cheese lollipops.

One large and one small, they sat atop the statue’s head in identical poses, looking just like brothers.

By the time they finished their candy, the tables in the hall had been covered with a lavish lunch.

Kumandi placed the lollipop stick inside his storage pouch, then cast a small cleaning spell on his sticky fingers.

"Elves are just as tolerant of cubs as Fairies are. You don't need to feel embarrassed."

Still biting his empty lollipop stick, Shu Li stared blankly at the black-haired adolescent Fairy.

Was the quiet little scholar... comforting him?

Kumandi spread his wings and turned his head toward the little cub.

"Let's go down and eat lunch."

"Ah, okay..." Shu Li copied him, putting the lollipop stick inside his storage ring before jumping down from the statue.

Just as Kumandi had said, the Elves behaved naturally and greeted him with cheerful smiles, as though the awkward incident at the city gate had never happened.

Shu Li let go of the lingering knot in his heart. No longer dwelling on it, he relaxed like the other cubs, landed on a dining table, and casually chose a spot where he could begin eating.

"Sperien, that isn't your seat," a male Elf said with a smile.

Shu Li had only just managed to lift a cherry-sized red fruit from one of the platters. Hearing the male Elf, he looked up in confusion.

"Can't we sit wherever we want?"

He had not seen a small table specifically for the cubs, so he had deliberately chosen a place near a platter containing smaller fruit that would be easier for him to eat.

He had not expected the male Elf to tell him that everyone had an assigned place.

That presented a problem.

How was he supposed to know where his place was?

Hugging the fruit, Shu Li tilted his head back and gazed at the handsome Elf with his clear, pale-green eyes.

"I can't sit here?"

The male Elf coughed lightly and pointed in a certain direction.

"Your seat is over there."

Shu Li craned his neck but could not see clearly, so he flew into the air with the fruit still in his arms.

He soon found the place the Elf had indicated.

That seat—

It was unmistakably the Elven King’s throne!