Their footsteps pressed against the damp soil, echoing softly among the roots that jutted out like black veins of the earth. The Wild Fairy Forest truly lived up to its name, silent, dark, and cold. It felt as if every creature within was holding its breath.
The shadows of towering trees loomed like ancient towers, their branches intertwining above, sealing away the dim daylight. Between the swollen roots, white bones lay scattered, those of wild monsters, and beasts. Some were cracked, others still bore the marks of teeth.
The air was thick with the metallic tang of old blood.
Enatur had already deployed a protective space, a transparent barrier of energy that enveloped them. The aura of the wild fairies couldn't penetrate it, rendering the group nearly undetectable.
"Our destination is the fairy village," said Lucifer, his gaze fixed ahead. "You don't need to worry. I know their chief. They won't attack us."
Gabriel glanced to the side, her voice calm though her eyes remained alert. "That's comforting information, but it doesn't mean we can let our guard down."
Their journey continued. The roots grew thicker, the air heavier. It was as if the forest itself were alive, trying to hold them back with suffocating silence.
Two hours passed before they reached the heart of the forest.
Five colossal trees reached toward the heavens, their trunks as wide as towers and stretching thousand of meters high. Along the trunks, small holes lined up neatly, each no larger than a human head. In every hole was a tiny door, the homes of the wild fairies.
Though the forest was dim, the trees emitted a warm golden glow from within, soft and gentle like lantern light in the fog. The contrast between that glow and the surrounding darkness was mesmerizing.
Lucifer took a slow breath. "It's time."
A thick, black aura began to flow from his body, spreading like a heavy mist that pressed against the air. The stillness was replaced by the faint hum of thousands of fluttering wings.
Wild fairies poured out of the tiny holes, flitting nervously through the air. Their eyes glowed amber, their small bodies shimmered, and their wings varied, some like butterflies, others like dragonflies or beetles.
But none dared to come closer. Lucifer's aura suppressed their very souls, making their delicate bodies tremble like leaves caught in a storm.
"O mighty one," cried a fairy with dragonfly wings, his voice trembling, "what brings you to our domain?"
Lucifer looked at him, his aura still heavy. "I wish to meet Maloy, your village chief."
"R-right away! Please wait for a moment!"
The fairy darted away hastily. Minutes later, the air shimmered softly, and from the largest hollow emerged an old fairy with long silver hair. His wrinkled face radiated wisdom, and his butterfly wings, crimson with black patterns, fluttered gently behind him.
"Lord Lucifer," he greeted with a warm smile, "it has been a long time. Please, come into our village."
---
They were guided to a central clearing beneath one of the great trees. A thin carpet was spread over the moss-covered ground, and several fairy maidens prepared small cups made from neatly folded green leaves.
"Please, enjoy," said Maloy respectfully.
Lucifer nodded. "You haven't changed, Maloy. Still as polite and calm as ever."
The scent of honeyed steam brushed their faces, soft and sweet. As they sipped, its warmth spread through their throats, leaving a pleasant feeling in their chests.
"This tea is really good," said Enatur with a faint smile.
"The honey's perfect, not too sweet," added Shadow, sipping carefully.
Maloy regarded Lucifer with quiet respect. "Lord Lucifer, what brings you here today?"
Lucifer placed his cup down slowly. "I came to request one Soul Fairy Fruit."
"The Soul Fairy Fruit, is it?" Maloy nodded with a gentle smile. "Very well. My people will prepare it for you."
"Thank you, Maloy. You're a great help."
"Haha, Lord Lucifer… You once helped us in the past. This is but a small return of that kindness."
Lucifer studied him closely. "There's something else I'd like to ask. Have you heard any news about the Fallen Angel and Dark Angel?"
Maloy's expression darkened. "They... the last I heard, they're hunting for a spiritual body. But it seems that being managed to escape and hide again."
"A spiritual body?" Lucifer narrowed his eyes. "Do you know what it looks like?"
Maloy shook his head. "I don't. But rumor has it they've also started spreading new lies about the Van Dammon family."
Lucifer fell silent, his voice dropping low, his eyes reflecting the golden hue of the honey tea.
"Even after all this time, rumors still linger... the betrayal of Zadkhiel and the others, it never ends." His tone carried the weight of old scars, wounds that hadn't healed.
Maloy met his gaze. "You're still thinking about the members of the 7th Deadly Sins, aren't you?"
Lucifer gave a faint, bitter smile. "You still know how to read hearts, Maloy."
"It seems they're moving in the shadows, hiding from the watchful eyes of both the Fallen and Dark Angels."
Those words soothed Lucifer's heart, like a calm breeze in the night.
Soon, several fairies arrived carrying a large leaf platter. Upon it rested a softly glowing fruit, the Soul Fairy Fruit. Its skin shimmered in silver-green hues, pulsing faintly like a living heart. They placed it before him.
"Thank you, Maloy," Lucifer said quietly. "Then we'll take our leave. If anything happens, contact me through this device."
He handed over a small communication stone that glowed faintly. Gabriel stored the fruit in her storage space.
Enatur raised her index finger, a faint red light shining from its tip before fading. "I've marked this location so you can open a dimensional portal here later," he said.
"Haha… thank you, Enatur." Lucifer patted her head gently. "Then, Maloy, we'll take our leave. We still need to find the Soul-Healing Mushroom."
"The mushroom? Oh, we cultivate those too. We have plenty in stock," said Maloy innocently.
"Eh?"
"Eeh?"
"Eehh?"
"Eeeehhhh?" they all exclaimed at once, almost in disbelief.
Moments later, several fairies returned carrying trays filled with glowing mushrooms. The gentle light from the fungi made them sigh in relief, their journey's goal was already complete.
Before leaving, Maloy whispered a bit of news.
"Lord Lucifer, there will be a grand auction in the Orc Kingdom, held only once every four years. It will take place three days from now. Rare treasures from across the Realms will be displayed there."
They all fell silent, thoughtful. Lucifer considered the information carefully.
"I'm quite curious about the items they'll auction. Thank you for the information, Maloy."
"With pleasure, Lord Lucifer."
After a long discussion, they decided to head toward the Orc Kingdom. But before that, they would visit the Ogre Kingdom to reserve train tickets. They bid farewell to Maloy and the Wild Fairies.
---
Once they exited the forest, Enatur and Lucifer stretched their bodies.
"Finally, one mission accomplished," said Enatur.
Suddenly, an Ogre's severed head rolled toward them, still dripping with fresh blood. The Ogre camp ahead was in ruins, reduced to rubble.
They immediately went on alert. From afar, a thunderous roar shook the air. Smoke reached from the shattered Ogre camp, and amidst the flickering flames, a teenage girl moved like a shadow.
Her body flowed with grace, spinning between the monsters. Twin blades danced in her hands, cutting and piercing with flawless precision. One by one, the Ogres fell.
But each time she killed, she tore out their hearts and devoured them raw. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. Her eyes were wild, her pupils contracted like those of a starving beast.
Lucifer narrowed his eyes. "She…"
Enatur swallowed hard. "She's eating their hearts?"
Something flickered in Enatur's mind, a sharp connection, an invisible thread pulling him toward her. His gaze trembled, locked onto the girl.
Lucifer stepped forward slowly, his voice calm yet wary. "Young lady, are you alright?"
The girl didn't respond. She remained crouched, clutching a still-warm Ogre heart before biting into it again. The sound of her chewing was crisp, disturbing, yet oddly captivating.
Through the haze, heavy footsteps echoed. A tall man with long white hair tipped in violet emerged from the ruins of the Ogre camp. His smile was gentle, yet his presence was overwhelming.
"It's been a while, Lucifer… What are you doing here?"
His voice was deep, warm, yet carried an authority that made the air around him tremble. His straight, white hair gleamed faintly under the light; his sharp purple eyes radiated dominance. His aura was unshakable, Blard Van Dammon.
"Lord Blard… It's been a while. We came to obtain the Soul Fairy Fruit and the Soul-Healing Mushroom." Lucifer and the others bowed respectfully.
"It's been a while, Lord Blard," added Gabriel gracefully.
"Gaby, huh… I heard you and Lucifer are married now. Congratulations! She's my daughter…"
The girl stopped what she was doing, pulled out a wet tissue, and calmly wiped the blood from her lips. Then she stood up and bowed politely.
"My name is Elena Ruiz Van Dammon. A pleasure to meet you."
Lucifer nodded slightly. "I'm Lucifer, and these are—"
"I'm Gabriel, pleased to meet you."
"I'm Enatur Vermillion, nice to meet you, granny hair!" said Enatur.
Lucifer, Gabriel, Shadow, and Rein went pale instantly as Enatur suddenly blurted out the insult.
Something flickered in Elena's head, a spark, a sudden connection to Enatur.
Her eyes widened, and without warning, she lunged at him. They started brawling like children, completely unexpected by everyone present.
"What's with that face of yours?! It pisses me off just looking at it!" shouted Elena, pinching his cheeks.
"Looking at you makes my blood boil!" retorted Enatur, pinching hers back.
"Stupid bloody hair!"
"Stupid granny hair!"
Everyone stood frozen, watching in disbelief as the two scuffled, pulling, pinching, and glaring at each other, faces red like angry kittens.
Gabriel hurriedly pulled Enatur back, while Blard restrained Elena.
"Enatur, it's rude to insult someone you just met," said Gabriel.
"Elena, it's not proper to attack others without reason," said Blard.
"My apologies for the rudeness, Lord Blard," said Lucifer, bowing slightly.
"No problem," Blard replied, shaking his head. "But it's strange, this is the first time I've seen my daughter this angry at someone her age. He's Yunia's son, isn't he?"
"That's right, Lord Blard."
Blard continued to stare at Enatur, his gaze filled with strange meaning.
Meanwhile, Enatur and Elena pressed their foreheads each other, both red with fury. Veins throbbed visibly on their faces.
"So you're the bloody-hair brat who's been annoying me for nine years?" hissed Elena.
"Oh, so you're the girl from my dream, granny hair?" Enatur shot back.
"How about I defeat you right here?" said Elena.
"Try me!" Enatur snapped.
"You think I'm afraid?" Their voices collided.
Their teeth clenched, their anger vibrating in the air, yet behind that fury, they both looked strangely exhilarated.