Chapter 911 – Preparing for the Performance!

000

At Careclaw’s suggestion, Cleon and his companions, who had joined the Fairy Circus to achieve their own goals, were able to walk into the staff-only preparation space somewhere between the castle and the great tent, as guided by Careclaw. Br〉

＂Huh…＂

And as soon as she stepped into that space, Sasha cringed, letting out a strange scream from her mouth.

The others also didn’t express it directly, but they couldn’t help but be a little overwhelmed by the strange scenery that unfolded before their eyes.

The people gathered there were strange and heterogeneous, on a different level from the fairies with ‘human-like appearances’ that I had seen on my way here so far.

Missing a leg or missing an arm.

Also, things like having one eye or having a sewn mouth were all child’s jokes.

A fairy with about 8 hands gathered together like flower petals to form a face, and with only legs and no body.

A fairy flying around with wings attached to what looks like thick human lips.

A fairy that looks like a slug, has its whole body wrapped around like a snake, and blinks its engraved eyes mercilessly.

… In a good way, it has a unique appearance.

To be honest, a bunch of fairies with appearances that aroused human disgust were gathered in the waiting room and preparing for a performance.

Of course, like the fairy lovers I first interacted with after coming here, there were fairies who were fine from head to toe, with appearances close to humans.

Most of these people were helping with the preparation of the performance, gathering in a different place from the staff going directly to the performance, carrying equipment needed for the circus performance, or moving and dressing the staff in costumes.

While the group was unable to speak properly while looking at the fairy, Care Claw nodded as if he understood her feelings.

＂Yes, yes~. That expression, that reaction! Everyone who visits this place has a funny expression on their face?”

“… I’m sorry. To be honest, it’s a little… What should I say.”

Cleon thought he would have to be careful about what he said next.

No matter how playful Careclaw is, her role is to manage fairies, including circus members.

If you make a mistake with those fairies, you will get angry.

Even until she met safely with the fairy king, she did not want to take her place with him.

When Cleon looks a little nervous and fails to continue her words, Care Claw speaks with a smile.

＂Yes~! It looks terrible, doesn’t it?”

＂──.＂

What came out of her mouth was the sentence she had been trying not to utter, even if Cleon thought so somewhere in her mind.

However, she wasn’t saying it as a joke or anything like that, and she was clearly showing her disgust with an expression that seemed like she really thought so.

It’s not like whispering or talking quietly behind the scenes, but in a voice loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

In other words, they were speaking ill of their own employees in front of them.

Of course, it wouldn’t have been surprising if someone got angry about her attitude.

＂…＂

No one responded to her words.

It’s as if they take it for granted, that it’s true.

Even humanoid fairies ignore it because it’s not their business.

There are also strange fairies who silently accept it even though it is threatening them.

In the eyes of the companions, it was ‘abnormal’.

＂… You… Are you still a noble…!?＂

This time, Cleon did not stop Amelia from getting angry.

Likewise with Cleon, her patience reached its limit in her words and actions.

However, Care Claw brought her face to this side without smiling despite Amelia’s reaction.

＂Ahaha♡ I’ve seen that expression many times~. But don’t worry, they all know.”

＂… What is that-＂

＂Dande explained it to you earlier, right? For us fairies, ‘role’ is the meaning of existence. We are given roles ourselves – or by other fairies – and we carry them out throughout our lives. But… Look at them. Children who are so deformed that it is questionable what they can do.”

As the Careclaw says so, she makes a rustling sound, and she moves forward.

Then she leans down and places her finger on one of the nearest heteromorphic fairies.

That is, to the fairy whose hands are like flower petals.

Pressing him tightly, she continued her words.

“Can we entrust these children with ‘proper roles’? At best, isn’t it possible to clap your hands quickly? A fairy without a role has no meaning. So… Our circus takes these children and gives them roles that can bring ‘fun’ to other fairies! That is, the role of a member of our circus! … Right?”

＂…!!＂

Clap clap clap!

A fairy with petal hands who can’t speak because she doesn’t have a mouth, but claps her hands while doing so.

Seeing that scene, the boiling anger in the group became foolish.

Careclaw seems to have no doubt that everything they do is for them.

And the fairies agree with what she says and accept their miserable reality.

Is this a natural scene in today’s fairy village?

A group of people who feel like something is wrong, even if it is wrong.

For both Cleon and Amelia, getting angry on behalf of the ignored fairies felt somewhat meaningless.

“Alright, humans, get ready to appear! The staff will prepare appropriate clothes, so prepare acrobatics to entertain the guests at the circus! If necessary, you can use magical beasts!”

Careclaw opened his mouth as if he didn’t care about the gloomy mood of the group.

Then, Ninianne, who was quietly watching the situation, pointed out Careclaw’s words and actions.

＂Careclaw. Are you okay? In order for the Demon Beast to appear, without Dandelion-sama’s permission…”

＂Even if Dande gets angry~. No matter what happens, if the queen smiles, it’s okay, right?”

＂…＂

However, Careclaw does not give up his opinion despite Ninianne’s words.

Due to Care Claw’s recklessness, Nini Anne also backed away from her without saying anything, as if she was at a loss for words.

It seemed like he was used to this kind of thing.

Of course, the party did not say a word that they would use magical beasts just because Careclaw gave permission.

“How are you doing, Sasha? Aren’t demonic beasts something close to you?”

When Layla speaks while poking Sasha’s arm, Sasha is surprised and responds to Layla.

＂Ugh!? Well, that may be true, but the magical beasts of Fairy Village…”

“Lila. “You didn’t forget what Dande said earlier, right?”

Kuon spoke to her as if scolding her, and Lila responded with an ‘Ugh’ and scratched her head.

＂Well, that’s true, but…＂

“After hearing that story, I don’t feel like I’m performing through a demonic beast…”

When Amelia shook her head as if she was thinking the same thing as Kuon, the group’s direction seemed to have decided that it would not involve the demon beast.

At that time.

“… Then. If I could choose the demon beast I want. I want to do that.”

Cleon carefully lifted her hand.

Then, the eyes of the companions will turn towards Cleon at the same time.

Not only the party members, but even Careclaw seemed a little surprised by Cleon’s remarks.

“… Oh. It’s surprising. Out of all of your group, the little girl there seemed to be the most serious. You have an unexpectedly strong spirit of challenge, don’t you?”

＂…＂

Cleon did not respond to Careclaw’s words.

I just stood there looking straight into Careclaw’s eyes that seemed to be trying to see right through me.

“… What. Good. It was none other than Nago who brought up the possibility of using magical beasts. If you respond to that. By the way, was there any magic beast you were interested in? Or… ‘That’ preference?”

When Careclaw asked Cleon with a sly expression, as if teasing him, the iris behind his crescent-shaped eyes seemed to glow with a unique light.

Is it a joke? Or, is it a provocation to show off?

Either way, Cleon wasn’t childish enough to get caught in something like that.

Cleon responded to Careclaw’s words with a leisurely laugh that seemed like a mockery.

“I don’t know what your tastes are, but… It’s true that there was a devil that bothered me.”

＂Hmm…＂

When Care Claw snapped his fingers at Cleon’s words, a sound very different from that of a human was heard.

Nevertheless, if it is her call, at her single step, a sturdy stepper, wearing a stylish coat and holding a whip in his hand, stands straight in front of her.

Looking at her rugged figure and the scars on her face, it seemed like she was a male fairy who was skilled in training magical beasts.

“Did you call me? Careclaw!”

“I heard that a human guest here wants to use a magical beast for the performance. When this side of the story is over, please come along and take a look around for us. You may have ‘special tastes’, so don’t forget to be considerate.”

“Hmm…!? I understand… ＂

He seemed taken aback by Careclaw’s words for a moment, then looked at Cleon in Sasha’s body, then looked up at Careclaw without leaving the spot for a moment.

The fact that she is 4 meters tall and looking at her will be revealed by the position of her gaze.

Then, Careclaw looks back at the fairy who does not return to his work and asks him a question.

“Why? Do you have any doubts about what you have to do?”

＂Yes, that… I’m not sure exactly what you mean by special taste…”

＂Foot…＂

The tense atmosphere at the scene seemed to ease up a little at his innocent question, which was befitting his size.

Lila must have been unable to hold back and even burst into laughter.

＂… Haaa… ＂

Careclaw simply sighed in response to his subordinate’s question.

Of all the faces I’ve seen so far, this was the face that showed the most disappointment.

“Okay. It was like that. You were meant to live that pure life.”

And she brushes her own hair.

“Forget it. Because that is for your role.”

＂Is that so…＂

Without even knowing what mistake she had made, her trainer’s staff followed her orders and left the scene.

＂… Mr. Kuon.＂

At that time, Cleon heard Sasha carefully approach Cuon’s side and whisper in her ear.

“Huh…? “What’s wrong Sasha?”

“… What exactly is ‘special taste’?”

＂Huh!? Well, that is…”

Did she think that if she was Kuon, she would be able to answer?

The girl’s pure curiosity was running wild and causing trouble for Kuon.

＂Se, should I say that there are people in this world who care for animals better than their fellow humans…＂

“Hey, there are people like that. But you’re not Mr. Cleon, are you? If you like animals more than people, González-“

“Well, can’t we talk about that when we go back to the mansion!?”

Kuon himself stopped Sasha from speaking while blushing.

＂Kishishit!＂

＂…?＂

At that time, Amelia tilted her head when she heard laughter coming from somewhere.

Was there a person around here who made such an unpleasant laugh?

Even though I looked around, no one seemed to have heard the laughter, and I didn’t seem to care.

“… Ha. Running a circus with a few subordinates is also a pain in the ass.”

Cleon, who is a spineless scarecrow, looks at Careclaw who says such things with a subtle expression.

“What! But because they let me use the magic beast as I wanted. I’ll ask you to give the best performance, little lady…?”

＂… Not the little girl.＂

Cleon frowned in response to Careclaw’s title.

＂Hehe? Then, of course, you guys… Your body and soul have changed?”

＂!＂

The group reacted to Careclaw’s words and looked at each other.

“That’s right…! Come to think of it, our bodies have changed! I should have asked Dandelion earlier when he was there!”

Cleon and Amelia couldn’t help but be taken aback by Kuon’s reaction, which seemed to have been forgotten until now.

This is because those two people still felt a great sense of discomfort with their own bodies.

Surely, even Lila?

When Cleon’s eyes turned to Lila, she mumbled, playing with her hand.

“… It’s dangerous. Maybe the soul is starting to settle in this body. As I get more and more used to it, my will to return to my original body is weakening. Cleon and Amelia are in bodies different from their original genders, so they may be okay for now, but I wonder how long that will last… ＂

“That…! Are you saying that if I don’t hurry, I might not be able to return to my original body?”

Hearing Sasha’s voice of concern, Cleon’s gaze turned to Careclaw.

It was clear that she knew something about this situation.

Even if they didn’t talk about it first, they brought it up first.

＂Heung… If you know anything, your expression tells you to tell me. “I don’t hate sharp eyes.”

“The story is fast. If so, please answer me. This was done by the ‘fairies’, the residents you manage.”

At Cleon’s words, Careclaw said, “Ahahaha!” He burst out laughing and grabbed his stomach.

＂… What’s strange?＂

“Ah… No. Little girl- Excuse me, there are ‘two’ mistakes in what you said just now.”

The smile on her face did not disappear as she spoke as if she were riddles.

＂Two places…?＂

“Okay, do you know where it is?”

This time, it was definitely a voice that seemed to be teasing itself.

When Cleon’s gaze became harsher, Care Claw, who had been quivering, momentarily flinched and her body trembled, then sighed loudly and stopped laughing.

“I’ll tell you the answer after the performance is over. What. Is it correct to say that you come to know it naturally?”

“… I guess you can believe that.”

＂Of course~. Because ‘I’ did not lie to you.”

Careclaw leaves such meaningful words and looks back at Ninianne.

“Then, I have to lead the preparations outside… Ninianne? I will continue to guide our guests. Because it is ‘your role’. “You can do well, right?”

＂… Yes, of course.＂

Nini Anne was sending her off, bowing to her caretaker’s instructions.

Careclaw slowly walking outside the tent.

While the group’s eyes were following her, suddenly! And a boy and a girl fairy with short stature like dwarfs appear.

The two people had the same light pink hair, and had a cute look in common, with their faces painted in a ‘smiling face’ and a ‘crying face’ makeup.

Judging by their looks, they are brother and sister… Maybe twin fairies.

“Now! Since Careclaw has gone, shall we change clothes over there? Please leave the coordination to us ‘Habe’ and ‘Trot’! Gentleman, this way!”

＂Ladies, this way~!＂

Habe and this place, each pulling a party of the same gender, heading to the dressing room.

“The lady over there. It’s this way.”

And, just before.

The fairy who drew a sigh from Careclaw led Cleon to another tent.

＂… You will be able to come back safely…?＂

Cleon slowly began to feel that this entire Fairy Village was like a huge nightmare.

Seeing the place so far away from the place I had heard about from Lesia, my sense of discomfort grew uncontrollably.

However, if you meet their queen – the Fairy King through a performance.

At least, I had no choice but to believe in the hope that many things would progress toward resolution.