29. Kephir’s Life and Death Has Nothing to Do with Me
Nilu’s perspective.
The situation in the Rodma Empire was without any issues: the fairies had begun constructing near the palace, finally giving the previously artifact-like palace a semblance of “imperial” stature; the only town had gradually prospered with the establishment of the empire, attracting more investments from outsiders; the once lawless land filled with various “thieves and robbers” was slowly being replaced by small towns, establishing order and management. It wouldn’t be long before the Rodma Empire could shed its label as a “thief empire built on lawlessness,” a title Nilu was unwilling to offer to the king.
But this… was merely a trivial matter. If the Rodma Empire could not be transformed into the prosperity it once had, then not only would the king not forgive her, but Nilu herself would not forgive her own incompetence and cowardice. What truly worried Nilu was the “external.” To prevent Mr. Oujilide, to prevent the “king” from being deceived by an incompetent woman, Nilu had once again granted her fairies even greater power, but in doing so…
She also stirred those “traitors”—the former self-disciplined fairies.
No matter which self-disciplined fairy’s power should not be underestimated, they either possess absolute violence or have enchanting spells that penetrate the human heart. At first, Nilu might have had a fleeting confidence, but now… she had no choice but to change her initial “destruction strategy.” Claudilus, who was nearly destroyed and gravely injured, was the loudest alarm bell.
At this moment, in Nilu’s room.
“How are you feeling, Claudilus?”
After performing another round of maintenance and repair on Claudilus’s true form—the flower crown—Nilu carefully placed it on the blanket. Having received more of her “grace,” Claudilus was meant to wreak havoc, but who would have thought she would be severely injured by the combined efforts of the woman and the cosmos? By the time her true form finally returned, it was on the brink of destruction. Even though Nilu repaired it immediately, Claudilus could only manifest in her true form, let alone take on a human shape.
This left Nilu feeling not only frustrated and regretful but also acutely aware of just how much help that woman had received from the king. Yet, frustration aside, Claudilus’s severe injuries made Nilu realize: she had to change her strategy. At the very least… there was no need to aim for the destruction of the self-disciplined fairy that woman sought.
“It’s fine, I’m not angry. After all, the power of the cosmos is indeed overwhelming. Just focus on your repairs here.”
Just as Nilu was engaging in a one-sided conversation with Claudilus through their contract, a commotion outside the door revealed that the other fairies, who were indeed worried about Claudilus’s condition, could no longer contain their anxious waiting and floated in without exception.
Leading the charge was, of course, the most impatient fire fairy, Jias.
“Master! How is the purple old lady doing!?”
The crimson fairy flew around Nilu, her gaze landing on Claudilus’s true form resting on the blanket.
“Wow… it feels like it’s about to shatter, just like an old antique. Though it is indeed an antique~”
Following Jias, the dark fairy Ignis and the wind fairy Magnus knew exactly what nonsense Jias was spouting and pretended not to hear.
Normally, Nilu would have immediately reprimanded Jias for her indiscreet remarks, teaching her what it meant to have “seniority among fairies.” However, with Claudilus gravely injured and more self-disciplined fairies awakened, Nilu had no mood to play around with Jias.
“Jias, do you want me to melt you down to nourish her?”
“Gah… I-I’m just worried about her!” The fiery fairy immediately covered her head and hid to the side. “Y-Yes, I’m sorry, Master! Just pretend you didn’t see me!”
Nilu understood: this was Jias’s way of trying to lighten the atmosphere. After all… they truly couldn’t dwell on the frustration and regret over Claudilus’s injury.
“Claudilus is fine; she just needs some time to recover. During this period, she can only stay here for repairs. Moreover… we can’t afford to be consumed by regret right now. Because once the king learns that woman has obtained the cosmos, he will surely choose to return to the Great Ying Empire and then seek the next self-disciplined fairy. And don’t forget, if we consider distance, who is the fairy that woman is most likely to encounter next…”
As Nilu’s gaze swept over the remaining three fairies, they all fell silent upon hearing her words. Ignis, who had always been expressionless and taciturn, was one thing, but the proud Jias and Magnus now looked as if they had been deflated, their faces showing bitterness.
If it weren’t for the fact that she was their master, Nilu would have liked to sigh as well.
After all… that fairy in the Great Ying Empire was that dangerous. Among all the fairies she had granted power to, “she” was the most successful and also the most failed. Successful as a servant, “she” was the strongest and most perfect, yet failed in that once she became uncontrollable, she was the most troublesome opponent as an enemy.
“Master!”
Fearful as she was, Jias showed no hesitation. “In that case, let me go take care of that old hag…”
“No need!”
Nilu immediately rejected her fairy’s impulsive plan. After all, this time, the “traitor” in the Great Ying Empire posed a danger that far exceeded what Jias and the others could handle. Logically, Nilu should personally go to destroy “her,” but at this moment, the Rodmar Empire still needed her to build for the king, and the gravely injured Claudilus could only be repaired within the magically abundant Rodmar Empire. N
“There’s no need to worry about whether this fairy will recognize you, Kephiel. She would never submit to anyone. In fact, I hope she plays with you until your demise. Our king must never be used.”
After a light laugh, Nilu wiped away the hint of disdain for Kephiel and quietly concealed her anger.
She had long feared that the king would one day be in danger because of Kephiel, but she never expected… that day would come so soon! Kephiel, all the suffering our king endures is indeed your fault!
“Step forward, Ignis. Let me bestow upon you more ‘graces.’ You can help our king escape danger, right? In the worst-case scenario, we can forcibly bring the king back. The king will surely understand my feelings~”
“……”
The black-skinned fairy with short white hair silently nodded.