Translator: CinderTL
Seeing the Pixie Queen's understanding nature, Roland naturally held nothing back, explaining his purpose for coming here in full detail.
"Spacetime Magic?"
Upon hearing Roland's request, Estelle frowned slightly before slowly shaking her head.
"I apologize, Lord Roland. As Tracy mentioned, I do indeed possess a spell capable of warping through space and time, but..."
She glanced at the lingering mist swirling around them and sighed softly.
"This mist, saturated with magic elements, severely interferes with my perception. Even if I could cast the spell, I wouldn't be able to determine precise coordinates or directions. Therefore..."
Perhaps due to the strength she had expended protecting the pixies earlier, the Pixie Queen, who had been floating in the air, slowly descended to the ground.
"If I were to cast this spell on you or your companions, the results could be..."
She paused.
"You might appear anywhere on this continent, or even..."
Estelle's gaze shifted to the spot where the Void Mayfly had vanished moments ago.
"...in another planar realm beyond the Material Plane. There's also a chance you could be displaced from the present, appearing in the distant past or future."
Upon hearing these words, Roland fell silent.
He hadn't imagined the Spacetime Magic wielded by the pixies could be so potent.
Not only did it transcend distance, but it also defied the laws of time, allowing them to travel to the past or future.
For someone like Roland, who had only mastered simple tricks in the realm of magic, this sounded utterly inconceivable.
After a brief moment of shock, he sighed.
Though their acquaintance had been brief, based on the pixies' nature, Queen Estelle had no reason to deceive him.
This meant that relying on their Spacetime Magic to escape this perilous place was clearly no longer an option.
"Then..."
Composing himself, Roland crouched down until his gaze met the Pixie Queen's.
After showing his respect, he slowly asked, "Do you know of any other methods or paths to leave this region?"
Upon hearing the question, Estelle slowly closed her eyes, as if searching for something within herself.
After a long pause, she finally spoke, uttering a single word:
"Wait."
"Wait?"
Roland's brow furrowed deeply at this terse answer.
"Indeed, Lord Roland. Perhaps you are unaware..." Estelle opened her eyes, a hint of nostalgia flickering within them. "This very earth beneath your feet, centuries ago, was known as the Demon Capital Gilles."
The Pixie Queen's voice carried a distant echo.
"Before the Final Epoch, it was hailed as the jewel of magic, the supreme temple of knowledge and arcane arts."
"Countless mage towers pierced the skies, scholars gathered from across the multiverse to unravel its mysteries, such as..."
Her gaze suddenly fell upon the Mithril Longsword at Roland's waist.
"The Mithril Longsword you carry is a relic from the Demon Capital Gilles at its zenith."
"Fate has guided you here, Lord Roland."
"Demon Capital Gilles?"
The unfamiliar name left Roland momentarily bewildered.
He frantically searched his memory, recalling ancient texts he had read in Bronson's library, but found no mention of this Demon Capital.
This plunged him into deep confusion.
If the city had truly been as glorious as Estelle claimed, it would surely have left some trace in historical records.
Could Bronson's collection have simply overlooked it? Or... could this sacred site of magic have been quietly erased from the annals of history for some unknown reason?
As Roland pondered, Estelle continued speaking.
"Lord Roland... someone is attempting to revive this ancient capital."
"The towering mountain range you described is actually the city walls of Demon Capital Gilles. They have yet to reveal their true form, and therefore..."
Something seemed to stir in Estelle's memory, her eyes glazing over with a distant look.
"If you wish to leave this place, you must wait for the Demon Capital Gilles to reappear in the world. Only then might you be able to depart through its various city gates."
The words hung in the air, followed by a heavy silence broken only by the faint, fluttering hum of the pixie wings around them.
After a long moment, Roland exhaled slowly and nodded slightly.
"Thank you for your guidance, Miss Estelle."
"You're welcome, Lord Roland. In truth, I haven't been able to truly help you, so..."
Perhaps the brief rest had restored some of the Pixie Queen's strength. She slowly floated upward again, a soft, shimmering light dancing at her fingertips.
"Allow me to express my gratitude. I can bestow upon you a Blessing."
Her crisp voice abruptly cut off.
Estelle's bright eyes suddenly went blank and lifeless.
In an instant, a deep, overwhelming terror flooded her gaze like a rising tide.
"Lord Roland... you... no, esteemed guest."
She inclined her head slightly toward Roland's side, her once-graceful posture now trembling uncontrollably.
"I didn't realize he was your familiar. Please forgive my presumption."
Estelle's sudden change in demeanor left Roland utterly bewildered.
Just as he was about to ask what was wrong, he suddenly felt...
A sensation, complex and chilling yet tinged with warmth, brushed silently across the nape of his neck.
It crept upward, finally settling on his cheek.
The feeling...
It was as if an invisible hand, with an indescribable intimacy, was gently caressing him.
"Shar!"
In a flash of insight, Roland identified the source of this strange sensation.
His entire body stiffened as the Nameless Breathing Technique, as if stimulated, began to circulate rapidly within him.
Sensing the surging heat, the icy hand playfully pinched his cheek, as if teasing or perhaps even reproaching him.
Then, just as abruptly as it had appeared, it vanished without a trace.
Only after the strength had completely dissipated, and a few moments had passed, did Estelle tremble and straighten up.
A bitter smile flickered across her usually serene face.
"Mr. Roland, it seems I cannot bestow a blessing upon you. In that case..."
Her gaze drifted over Roland before settling on his waist.
"Perhaps... I could lift the curse from the weapon you carry."
Hearing these words, Roland didn't immediately respond.
His body tensed as he meticulously examined every inch of himself.
Only after confirming that Shar's power had left no lingering traces within him did he finally exhale in relief.
Recalling the earlier scene, a chill crept up his spine, and an uncontrollable thought surfaced:
Has the Goddess of Death been silently watching me all along? But...
He scrubbed his face roughly with his palm until the lingering sensation completely vanished, yet an indescribable unease lingered in his heart.
Isn't she a deity? Could it be... that she spends her time like this... doing nothing?
The moment this thought arose, that familiar, unsettling sensation returned, permeating the air.
This time, however, it was fleeting, leaving only a faint, punitive sting on his forehead.
It felt as if...
The Goddess of Death had lightly flicked her finger against his brow.
Sensing the warning, Roland swiftly composed himself, refocusing his attention on Estelle's words.
"A curse?"
He drew the mithril longsword from his waist.
The blade shimmered with a cold, moonlit luster, remaining flawless despite having endured dozens of battles.
Gazing at the sword, Roland slowly furrowed his brow.
(End of the Chapter)
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