Translator: CinderTL
Because the Pixie Queen needed to reestablish the protective barrier, Roland didn't linger long in the Stardust Glade.
After questioning Estelle about what he wanted to know, he slowly departed from the forest bathed in stardust radiance.
Looking back, he saw the area that had once shimmered brilliantly, starkly contrasting with the surrounding gloomy wetlands and swamps, gradually fade into silence as the protective magic reactivated.
From the outside, no trace of its former splendor remained.
It was as if the pixies' home had quietly vanished into another dimension.
Shaking his head slightly, Roland stroked the hilt of his sword and began his journey home.
Though he hadn't found a way to escape the Mistland, the trip wasn't entirely fruitless.
At least he now understood part of the reason why this region had become what it was.
"During its peak, the Demon Capital Gilles housed two Magic Wells within its walls, serving as the city's primary source of pure magic."
"The reason this region is now saturated with magic-infused mist is because someone crudely reactivated the Magic Wells."
As Roland pondered Estelle's parting words, his brow furrowed.
"So, the one who restarted Demon Capital Gilles must be that Lich. But what's his motive? Is he seeking the magical secrets and vast knowledge hidden within this ancient city?"
"If that's the case, why not pursue his goals in secret? Why deliberately provoke the River Domain Nations into attacking?"
He shook his head again, his gaze drifting to the Mithril Longsword at his waist.
"'Treasure Tool'..." He hadn't imagined that King Monen's casual gift would be such a precious artifact. "Then... did King Monen know this weapon's true nature?"
Just as Roland sank deeper into thought, a crisp, cheerful voice rang out beside him.
"Roland! Roland!"
Pixie Tracy flitted around him like a dancing butterfly, her nimble movements betraying her buoyant mood.
"Hurry up, Roland! Avril promised to save me some black bread!"
Roland smiled warmly at the lively pixie before him.
This journey's rewards included this companion.
After the crisis in Stardust Glade was resolved, Roland had assumed the lively pixie would choose to remain in her homeland.
But whatever she discussed with Estelle, the petite fairy followed Roland again when he departed.
In her own words...
"Roland, the Pixie Queen says you're a good person! Sticking with you to broaden my horizons is definitely the right move!"
Recalling Tracy's hands on her hips and her earnest expression, Roland shook his head with a wry smile.
He didn't mind Tracy's company.
Regardless of whether she would ever master magic like the Pixie Queen, her innate ability to energize the surrounding elements greatly benefited Roland's spellcasting.
The only thing that puzzled him was...
"Tracy, do you really like eating black bread so much?"
This coarse bread, made from coarsely ground rye and other grains, had a rough texture that scratched his throat when swallowed.
Even Roland, who wasn't picky about food, found it nearly inedible.
But Tracy was an exception.
Perhaps because she had never tasted human food before, after trying black bread once, she declared it the most delicious thing she had ever eaten...
Thinking of this, Roland couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for the pixie on his shoulder.
"Roland!"
Noticing his gaze, Tracy wrinkled her cute little nose and grumbled, "What are you thinking about? Your stare is so rude!"
"Sorry, sorry..." Roland waved dismissively, continuing to carefully survey their surroundings as they pressed onward. "I was just wondering... what kind of feast I should prepare for you when we return to the capital of the River Domain Nations."
"A feast..."
Hearing this, the pixie, who had been flitting lightly through the air, immediately landed on Roland's shoulder, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Is it something humans eat often? What kind of things are there?"
"Lots of things, like..."
The pair chatted idly as they walked, their pace never faltering.
As the sun rose, its golden rays pierced through the mist, dispelling the night's darkness, only to sink westward again, casting an orange-yellow glow across the horizon.
Finally, by evening of the following day, the outline of the military camp gradually came into view at the edge of Roland's vision.
However, unlike the slightly subdued atmosphere when he had left, the military camp now...
was filled with a cacophony of noise.
Sensing something amiss, Roland frowned deeply and signaled the pixie on his shoulder to be quiet. He then lowered his body and cautiously crept forward.
But as he drew closer, his tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed.
The noise wasn't panicked shouting, but rather...
deafening cheers.
"Hmm?"
Confirming he hadn't misheard, Roland exchanged a puzzled glance with Tracy.
"Could Graham have already returned victorious? But that's... far too fast."
He carefully scanned the surroundings, confirming that apart from the many fresh, chaotic human footprints in the mud, there were no other anomalies. Only then did he straighten up and stride toward the camp.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
Seeing the unfamiliar faces guarding the camp entrance, clad in brand-new blue-and-white armor, a thought flashed through Roland's mind.
"Are these... reinforcements sent by Derek? How did they manage to cross the towering mountain range surrounding the camp?"
Suppressing his surprise and suspicion, Roland followed protocol and reported his name.
Moments later, several patrol soldiers left behind by Graham quickly arrived.
Compared to the gleaming-armored guards at the entrance, their armor was stained with mud and showed signs of battle damage, but their weary faces radiated genuine joy.
"Ah, Mr. Roland," the patrol captain said after a brief exchange with the guards. He then led Roland into the camp. "Shadow Envoy Avril instructed us to escort you to the central command tent immediately upon your return."
"Thank you," Roland replied. He was about to ask for more details when the patrol soldiers hurried off.
Seeing this, he exchanged a glance with Tracy, who was curled up in his waist pouch, and reluctantly began walking toward the central command tent.
What he saw along the way further confirmed his suspicions.
Soldiers in brand-new blue-and-white armor were everywhere. Some were polishing their gleaming longswords, while others gathered around roaring campfires, laughing loudly and sharing steaming food. The air was thick with the aroma of freshly baked bread, the tang of ale, and a long-forgotten sense of triumphant anticipation.
The weary patrolmen slapped shoulders with the newly arrived reinforcements, their laughter and cheers rising and falling like waves, dispelling the oppressive atmosphere brought by the mist.
The entire military camp seemed to have been injected with new life and vitality.
"So many people, Roland!" Tracy's small head peeked out from the waist pouch, her curious eyes darting left and right. "And... it's so lively!"
Caught up in the relaxed atmosphere, Roland's nerves, which had been taut for days, gradually began to unwind.
He took a freshly baked, steaming loaf of bread from a passing soldier and handed it to Tracy in the waist pouch before continuing toward the central command tent.
Before he reached the tent, a familiar voice boomed from within.
"The pixie, a creature said to exist only in legends and songs, beyond the mortal realm, has been conquered by Roland's valor! Magnificent! Truly magnificent!"
"Is this not the most powerful proof of destiny? The hero I chose is indeed extraordinary! Even the fae bow before him! This shall be the most dazzling chapter in my next prophetic song!"
Before the words had fully faded, a melodious song began to drift through the air, echoing above the bustling military camp.
(End of the Chapter)
------------------------------------------------------
- Read ahead up to Ch402 (KNIGHT) on CinderTL; free chapters up to Ch282.
- No sign-up required. Find CinderTL via Google search.
------------------------------------------------------