Chapter 576
Fairy Nilim
The next day after waking up, Eivass took Lily to the location specified in the commission.
They traveled through more than half of the Fifth Ring before finally arriving at their destination.
It was a rather hidden villa, tucked away in a more secluded corner. It didn’t appear to be very large, but its exterior suggested it was meticulously maintained. The walls were covered in vines, and the houses were enveloped by chestnut trees that had yet to blossom. The sunlight cast from above was thus dimmed.
Eivass walked along the forest path, where there was some moist black soil and pebbles on the ground. The feeling of walking on it was quite different from the springy sensation of walking on a main road.
In Avalon, there were many such cobblestone paths in the countryside. But in the Kingdom of Giant Trees, they were rather a rarity.
“This should be it.”
Eivass reconfirmed the nearby landmarks, establishing the exact location.
Suddenly, the leaves rustled, making a soft swishing sound. The cold spring breeze brushed against Eivass’s cheek, and his shoulder-length hair fluttered in the wind.
The cold wind here felt alive, playfully trying to slip inside Eivass’s collar…
—The next moment, Eivass deftly reached out and plucked a strange creature from inside his collar.
As Eivass held it, it gradually emerged from its invisible state.
“Rude!”
It shouted, its voice shrill like that of a child whose gender was indistinguishable: “Let me see what’s happening!”
“This is…”
Lily leaned closer, her curiosity piqued.
The creature gradually became visible. It was only about as tall as Eivass’s index finger, with transparent, iridescent wings like those of a dragonfly. Its overall color was a faint, greenish gold. It had a body similar to a human’s and a delicate, pretty face.
“It’s ‘Our Good-Natured Neighbor’,” Eivass said with a smile, pinching it between two fingers. “Still a little one.”
“Who’s a little one!”
The creature that had been struggling in Eivass’s hand, trying to push his fingers away with its palms, suddenly stopped struggling. It placed its hands on Eivass’s fingers: “I am already a mature lady!”
Fey are beings without gender, as they do not reproduce through the union of two sexes. They are “grown” by the Queen of the Fey, and their lifespans are much shorter than those of short-lived humans.
Conversely, Fey can also choose their own titles arbitrarily. Whether it’s “Mister,” “Miss,” “Madam,” or even “Grandma,” “Uncle,” or “Auntie,” any of these are acceptable.
It’s possible, for example, for an Uncle Fey to return after some time as an Auntie Fey—Fey are that kind of free beings.
Even so, Fey generally choose their titles according to their “age.”
“…For you, the title of ‘Madam’ is still too early.”
Eivass released her, cupping her in his palm and bringing her closer to his face. “You are still too small, little miss. How should I address you?”
Judging by her size alone, Eivass knew this was a recently born Fey.
Fey do not age or grow normally. After birth, they have only two states: when they have wings, they appear young like seventeen or eighteen-year-olds, regardless of their age; after losing their wings, they quickly become middle-aged, about half a meter tall, and then soon into elderly individuals half a meter tall.
It’s like beautiful flowers turning into fruit, and the fruit rotting into a seed.
For Fey, age only determines their size. Newly adult Fey are about the size of an adult male’s palm, while newly born little Fey can even sit on a flower. When a Fey ages to a point where they are about to lose their wings, they can grow to about half an arm’s length.
The Fey before him was probably only three months old, or even younger.
Fey become adults in just two years, lose their wings after twenty years of survival, and can live for another twenty years.
However, many Fey do not lose their wings until the moment of their death. They would rather die retaining their beauty, even if it means shortening their lifespan by half.
“My name is Nilim!” the golden Fey exclaimed. “I am already one and a half years old, and I am a mature lady!”
Although she appeared somewhat displeased, she did not vanish or fly away. She seemed to be anticipating something.
Clearly, after Eivass called her “Our Good-Natured Neighbor,” she had developed a favorable impression of him.
The Queen of the Fey herself did not care about such titles, but the Fey did. They are like children, very concerned about how they are addressed and especially about whether they are respected. Therefore, having a “scientific name” is a derogatory term. If people address them with friendly or respectful titles like “Our Good-Natured Neighbor” or “Joyful Spirit,” they will do their best to show their goodwill and joy in front of people.
Conversely, if people call them “Fey,” “Winged Beings,” or even “Witches” or “Monsters,” they will become angry and try to display their power to retaliate and intimidate, thus instilling genuine fear in those people.
Usually, it’s fine during childhood. Once they lose their wings and their beauty turns into ugliness, they easily evoke fear, disgust, and wariness from people.
At this stage, they can easily become monsters that need to be hunted. Although their essence remains unchanged, the Fey’s tendency to retaliate manifold when their dignity is hurt by malice, discrimination, or contempt means they instantly turn into monsters once they lose their attractive appearance.
In any case, Fey have no complex thoughts. They are as simple as a blank piece of paper, or a mirror. Therefore, if one masters the technique, Fey are actually very easy to control.
Those who are particularly skilled at communicating with Fey are called “Fey Scholars.” This is not a profession, but a title of identity, like “Ritualist,” “Curse Master,” or “Healer.”
Many powerful Fey will surround them, and they may even receive magical spells as gifts from the Fey.
The runaway reporter “Jeanette Neumann,” whom Eivass had met in an Advancement Ritual, was a famous Fey Scholar. She accidentally stumbled into a Fey den and, with her silver tongue in dealing with people, managed to trick a Fey into giving her the gift of healing spells.
“Very well, Respected Madam Nilim.”
Eivass went along with her words, bowing his head slightly in respect. He could have actually called her “Madam” from the beginning. But he deliberately addressed her as “little miss,” and only after she expressed her displeasure did he respectfully call her “Madam.” This would give Nilim a sense of satisfaction that her attitude and opinions were respected.
As expected, Nilim immediately became buoyant, as if she had drunk too much.
She exclaimed: “I like you so much, beautiful human! I want to be your friend!”
“Of course.” Eivass replied with a smile.
He thought for a moment, plucked a long leaf from a nearby chestnut tree, and folded it into a ring.
“This is the gift I give you,” he said, handing it to Nilim.
Nilim let out an “Oh—” sound and happily took the leaf ring with both hands, hugging it to her chest.
“What is this, human friend!” she exclaimed.
“It’s a crown. Or a princess crown, or you can think of it as a hat… what do you prefer?”
“I like princess crowns, the sparkly silver kind with pearls!” Nilim said happily. “Thank you, human friend! I love your gift!”
With that, she placed the leaf crown on her head.
Green radiance flowed, and in an instant, it transformed into a real princess crown.
Lily, standing beside them,’s eyes widened.
—This is also possible?!
(End of Chapter)
