RD | Chapter 54

“Let’s keep it classy.”

Keith made up his mind. He wanted to maintain his usual calm demeanor, not get swept up in Ian’s antics.

But Ian was stomping around, punching the trees on the island like a grumpy kid throwing a tantrum.

Thud!

The island was dry, with dead trees entangled all around, as if the entire forest had withered. It looked like one spark would turn the place into a blazing inferno. Yet here was Ian, breaking the brittle trees one by one. He resembled a sulky child acting out.

Keith didn’t want to say anything, but the words spilled out before he could stop himself.

“If you’re mad at me, take it out on me. Why vent your anger on the trees?”

“I’m not venting! I’m looking for the fairies! Instead of standing around, why don’t you help me look?”

“…?”

Ian snapped back. Keith wasn’t sure if Ian was teasing him or not.

Just then, Ian swung his hand, and something caught on his fingers, flinging upward into the air.

“Ouch!” A fairy burst out from hiding.

The tiny fairy, no bigger than a palm, had fluttering translucent wings and the form of a small girl. She wore a skirt woven from green leaves, her brown hair tied back in a simple knot. Her face was so tiny that it was surprising her eyes, nose, and mouth all fit. The fairy looked at them with a terrified expression.

Keith was stunned. “You weren’t lying?”

“Would a messenger of God lie?!”

Ian retorted indignantly. Keith, of course, was the one who should have felt indignant.

“But you lie all the time….”

“Pick a side already!”

“Why don’t you stop lying with that pretty face of yours?”

“…?”

Keith gave up trying not to argue with Ian.

While they bickered, the frightened fairy began to rise into the air, attempting to escape. Keith swiftly grabbed her with one hand.

“Where are you going?”

“It’s over! I’ve been caught by a demon! It’s the end for me!”

The fairy burst into tears, struggling to bite Keith’s hand. In response, he flipped her upside down, holding her by her tiny feet.

“Who’s a demon?”

“Take off your mask.”

Ian coolly advised. Reluctantly, Keith removed his mask. The fairy stared at his dazzlingly golden hair in astonishment.

“Your hair shines!”

“Yes, I’m not a demon. Can you believe me now?”

“Fine, you’re not a demon! But you’re human! Being caught by humans is just as bad! I’m doomed!” The fairy wriggled in protest.

“….”

‘How annoying.’ Keith felt his illusions about fairies being mystical beings shatter.

He briefly considered shaking the fairy to quiet her down, but Ian intervened. Maskless, Ian’s large, dark eyes gave him a youthful and gentle look, reassuring in a way that even Keith’s unnervingly perfect face couldn’t match.

“Don’t be scared. We’re here to solve the problems on this island. Can you take us to the Fairy Queen?”

‘Problems on this island?’ Keith glanced around at the withered trees.

The island did look like it had a serious problem.

“You’re going to fix this island? How can mere humans do that?” The fairy asked skeptically.

Ian pulled a small branch out of thin air as if performing magic.

“First, we brought a gift. It’s impolite to visit the Queen empty-handed. What do you think about this?”

“The World Tree branch!” The fairy immediately recognized the item.

She flitted toward the branch, clearly intrigued. Ian signaled Keith with a glance to release her, and he let go. The fairy flew to the branch, circling it with awe before pressing her tiny forehead against it with a dreamy expression.

“Ah… it’s wonderful…. Humans! Fine, I’ll take you to the Queen. But I have a condition.”

“What is it?”

“Let me sit on top of this branch until we get there.”

“That’s easy.”

“Yay!”

The fairy hugged the branch and began wriggling and dancing on it in joy.

Ian turned to Keith with a triumphant look as if to say, “See that?” Keith raised an eyebrow. What a childish man….

Keith couldn’t help but chuckle slightly. It was endearing, in its way. Ian was already chatting animatedly with the small fairy. Keith wondered what they could possibly have to talk about.

They finally reached the fairy village, a place impossible to find without the fairy’s guidance.

The entrance was a giant, decaying tree. When the fairy touched the barrier, the inside of the tree lit up with iridescent colors.

Passing through, they entered the fairy village. The fairy called it a “kingdom,” but its scale was too modest for such a title.

“Wait here. If humans as big as you enter, the village will collapse.”

“Alright.”

The fairy spun in the air and darted into the branches. Inside the barrier, living trees thrived, creating a completely different ecosystem from the outside. However, the trees were small, more like saplings or bushes, with the tallest barely reaching Keith’s chin.

After a while, the fairy returned.

“The Queen has agreed to meet you!”

“Where should we go?” Keith asked, expecting to meet the ruler himself.

The fairy stomped her tiny feet in midair.

“The Queen will come here! Obviously, we can’t let humans into our village! You should be honored!”

Just then, small fairies lined up on both sides, creating a path. They pulled out tiny trumpets and began playing a cheerful tune.

As the adorable fanfare ended, one fairy solemnly announced:

“Her Majesty, the Queen of the Great Gryus Kingdom, is arriving! Welcome the human envoys with reverence!”

“Long live Her Majesty! Long live Her Majesty!” The fairies cheered.

Ian clapped enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling.

‘Why is he so excited…?’ Keith, unsure how to feel, clapped along….

Ian, of course, was thrilled. It was like a game event unfolding in real life. How could anyone not be excited? The Fairy Queen’s appearance was particularly charming—one of Ian’s favorite events.

The Queen appeared, gracefully flying into view, her golden curls styled like a perfectly rolled pastry.

Ian felt dizzy from her cuteness.

“Human envoys, I hear you bring me a gift?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We have come to present the to you.”

“Oh my…!”

The tiny Queen floated closer to Ian, circling the World Tree branch with delight. Her small frame trembled in awe, and Ian felt an overwhelming urge to touch her.

‘How can I resist touching a living fairy?’ Ian deeply regretted not being the one to catch the fairy earlier. He was unbearably jealous of Keith….

“This is truly a branch of the World Tree! How did you manage to acquire something so precious? You are truly generous guests.”

But her cheerful expression darkened.

“Yet, you must have seen it on your way here. The Fairy Kingdom, once thriving, is now in decline. A masked stranger planted a demonic artifact in this kingdom, and from it, a monstrous being arose, draining all life from the trees. I quickly erected a barrier to protect the kingdom, but I could only save this one tree. Now, the entire kingdom relies on the vitality of this single ancient tree. It’s all my fault….”

“No, Your Majesty. That’s not true!”

“It’s the fault of that masked demon!”

The fairies clenched their tiny fists, expressing their outrage.

Ian felt faint again. Why can’t fairies be tamed? Why aren’t they playable characters?

‘Of course, the game developers are probably saving them for an overpriced DLC. Just release it already, you greedy jerks.’

The Fairy Queen looked longingly at the World Tree branch, then reluctantly pulled away.

“If I plant this branch here, that monster will only drain its vitality again. I cannot allow such a precious gift to be wasted. As much as I appreciate it, we cannot accept it.”

“Your Majesty, we didn’t come just to give you this gift. We’re here to defeat that monster for you.”

“What? You’ll defeat the monster?” The Queen blinked her large, sparkling eyes.

Ian resisted the urge to pet her and answered confidently.

“Yes. There used to be a World Tree here, correct? Please guide us to where its ‘roots’ used to be.”

The Fairy Queen’s eyes widened in astonishment.