Chapter 294
Queen Titania
To meet the Queen of the Elves, one must either possess an affinity for the Path of Beauty or have another Fey guide them.
Even if Merlin could teleport directly to the Fairy Kingdom, he had to follow this fundamental principle.
—Because the Queen of the Elves does not exist in the purely Material Realm.
She is more akin to being within a painting, a song, or a work of art. Only those with “beautiful” eyes can find the path to meet her.
However, Merlin has a good relationship with the Fey, as he often plays with them. Therefore, he could use a cheat-like method and have the Fey lead him. Since the Queen of the Elves did not prevent this, it was equivalent to her tacit approval.
The Fey flocked around Merlin, leading him forward.
The Fairy Kingdom was as beautiful as a dream.
Fantasy colors unimaginable in the Material Realm were all here—mushroom houses twenty meters tall, pumpkin carriages speeding across the ground, fields of wheat flowing like liquid gold, perpetually bright sunlight, and large expanses of blue, purple, and green glass tiles on all buildings.
These Fey were only about ten to fifteen centimeters tall, about the size of an adult’s palm.
They had no gender, but all of them were clear and lovely in appearance.
The Fey wore only a single piece of clothing, each of a different color and style. Some wore short skirts that were almost transparent, others wore pure white dresses, and some wore handsome, gentleman-like shirts and trousers… they dressed as they pleased.
A common trait of the Fey was their crystal-like, glowing butterfly wings. When flying, they would scatter dust of light called “Fey Dust.”
These little beings were the creatures of the Path of Beauty. Although they looked cute and beautiful, they were actually dangerous creatures on the same level as Griffins.
A large group of Fey gathered around Merlin, improvising a rhythmic Acappella. There were at least eight voices, with no training or sheet music, merely expressing their current joyful mood.
To the sound of music, streams of light like rainbows swirled them, carrying Merlin into the air to fly freely. They moved like a roller coaster, tracing beautiful rainbow arcs. At times, they would descend to near ground level, eliciting chirping laughter from the Fey.
Merlin was not nervous, nor did he scold them. He even joined the Acappella chorus.
Beside the road, Fey were seen painting, writing poetry, and sculpting. Upon seeing this spectacle, they joined the chorus with delight or added a few strokes to their artwork.
As Merlin advanced, more and more Fey joined. The original unaccompanied chorus finally became a true ensemble with the addition of the first Fey playing a Violin.
Subsequently, more and more Fey holding musical instruments joined in, and this wordless, unstructured chorus gradually became grand. Merlin, with a smile, conducted the surrounding Fey with his Staff as if he were a spirited conductor.
Soon, a Fey conjured a real Baton and placed it in Merlin’s hand. Thus, an airborne orchestra finally took shape.
A peculiar tableau unfolded amidst the clouds and sunlight. The rainbow light beneath their feet would transform into a herd of galloping donkeys one moment, and a flock of Crows the next. Each Fey laughed gleefully, changing their surroundings at will.
Finally, as the chorus reached its climax, Merlin was delivered by a silver Carriage pulled by a pure white Pegasus to a floating island.
The Fey had deliberately taken Merlin on a circular route in the sky, precisely to finish this song and arrive at the designated time.
If one angered the Fey, or repeatedly urged them, spoiling their mood, the Fey might directly throw the “Passenger” from a great height—not to death, but into the rifts of the world. Or, the Fey might pretend to throw someone before suddenly pulling them back up.
In any case, the Fey were simply doing it for fun. In the Fairy Kingdom, they could do almost anything they wished; their desires were their command.
It was only with Merlin’s carefree personality that he could play with the Fey without any pressure, even relaxing his mood. And as long as one could have fun with the Fey, they would become their friends, and the Fey would do anything for their friends.
When Merlin reached his destination, the Fey spontaneously dispersed to pursue their own amusements. In an Instant, there was not a single Fey left around Merlin.
Before Merlin stood a palace of exaggerated size.
The walls were as high as castle ramparts, and the gates were four to five meters tall. However, they were not built of brick or metal… but entirely of transparent candy. A long red carpet unrolled from a distance, opening before Merlin.
Looking up, it was several hundred meters just to reach the palace entrance.
—Since he was already inside, he could teleport within it.
“……It’s a gingerbread house today.”
Merlin smacked his lips, feeling a little peckish.
He tapped his hat and waved his Staff.
In an Instant, he passed through the heavy walls, landing inside the palace.
Gingerbread soldiers stood at attention on either side, chests puffed out. They held transparent weapons made of candy in their hands… the proportion of cookies and candy was normal, as if he had shrunk by more than ten times.
Or rather, he himself had shrunk by more than ten times.
The Fey, usually only as tall as a palm, were now like giants—the Queen of the Elves appeared to be over three meters tall, seated on an equally exaggeratedly large throne of white nougat.
Merlin bowed respectfully, “Your Majesty Titania.”
“Long time no see, Merlin.”
The Queen of the Elves’ voice was completely different from those of the little-girl-like Fey—her voice was elegant and rational, like a polite young lady or a young noblewoman.
She had curly white hair like nougat, pupils the color of honey, and pointed, Elf-like Ears. She wore a pure white gown, crystal high-heeled shoes, and held a peculiar Scepter in her hand—the head of the Scepter was not a Jewel, but a silver Birdcage.
Inside the birdcage was a small bird made of blue and red Jewels, seemingly a Robin.
“I have a few things. One is to ask who has recently obtained Fey abilities; another is, I want to know who you are currently inviting as guests… and a third is, I’d like to borrow the Fey Caverns.”
Merlin asked politely.
“For the first and third matters, I will help you inquire later… there are not many guests currently, only those few.”
Queen Titania pondered for a moment, then smiled at the birdcage and said, “Isn’t that right, James?”
As soon as she finished speaking, the jewel bird transformed into an old man.
Today’s planned update includes three chapters.
