58. If you want to live from now on, leave a toll for the road.
The blood fairy Rose indeed carried the “main storyline” from my script, but what I learned from her about this “main storyline” was truly unsettling.
This directly transformed from a “main storyline script” into historical archaeology, and even when I shared what Rose had said with Nilu and Kfir, the expressions on these two big shots were quite similar to mine—deeply contemplative, but… even knowing didn’t seem to spark any additional thoughts.
However, through my agreement with Rose, I at least learned the identities of the white-haired elves who were still hunting me, as well as some of their past actions. The main storyline had been grasped, and Ilushir’s script for my death vanished along with her defeat. So, next, I planned to leave the Kingdom of Meri with this bounty hunter, along with Kfir and Nilu, and return to conduct further research.
Unfortunately, something went wrong, and the problem clearly lay with a certain fairy.
“Don’t! I won’t allow it!”
This was Rose’s first reaction after we called Lin Ke and her over one day to inform them of our plans to leave soon.
Lin Ke, who was standing nearby, was so startled that she swallowed back her half-spoken “see·you～.”
After all, Rose, sitting in her chair with her hands on her hips, complaining to us, was acting just like a real brat throwing a tantrum.
“You come and go as you please! Do you think this is a hotel!?”
The script indicated that Rose’s thoughts at this moment were exactly the same as what she was shouting at us, likely directed more at me.
【The Blood Fairy Rose won’t let O’Keefe leave.】
Naturally, with this bratty attitude, no matter how much I tried to reason with her, she wouldn’t change her mind.
“Well, we can’t just stay here forever, can we?”
“…Ugh, so annoying! I don’t care! No means no!”
Even if she was in the wrong, this fairy, who insisted on maintaining her “nobility,” was unwilling to compromise at all. But with that, her thoughts were laid bare alongside her words, directly appearing in my script.
【The Blood Fairy Rose doesn’t want O’Keefe to leave.】
The two lines in the script seemed similar, but that one-word difference reflected Rose’s mood, which was worlds apart. I could only rub my forehead in frustration, unable to respond in time.
Now, this was genuinely a bit of a problem.
Because the Rose who had previously wanted nothing more than to drive us unwelcome guests away was now, for some reason, adamantly refusing to let us leave the Kingdom of Meri. It was likely due to our contract relationship.
During the earlier battle with the elven sorceress Ilushir, perhaps out of urgency? Or maybe because she had no choice? Rose had suddenly “smacked” a kiss on me and voluntarily chose to acknowledge me as her master. Gaining a fairy like this for no reason was a huge win for me, but… precisely because it was such a clear gain on my part, I didn’t want to assume any “master” role afterward, bossing this fairy around or making any perverse demands that a creepy uncle might make.
Considering Rose’s previous attitude towards me, along with her calling me “pretty boy” followed by “useless,” I hadn’t thought of her as a fairy who had recognized me as her master at all. As for that night’s acknowledgment, it could be treated as a “one-time transaction,” and it would be best if we both acted as if nothing had happened afterward.
So, if Rose was trying to stop me from leaving due to our “master-servant” relationship, my response would be simple.
“Rose, if you’re concerned about the ‘fairy’ thing, then that’s completely fine.”
I looked at Ross, who was still pouting in frustration, and said, “Let’s just treat the act of ‘recognizing a master’ as if nothing happened. Didn’t you also say that the noble ‘Queen of the Night’ doesn’t need a master? Since you’re unwilling to acknowledge it, I won’t force you. No need to dwell on it.”
Rather, I’m begging you not to care. You know that if I accidentally end up with a fairy due to “unforeseen circumstances,” I’d have to endure a tremendous amount of “pressure” from both Kiefer and Nilu, right? Even now, Kiefer still brings up Queen Louise out of the blue to scare me!
However, it was strange that Ross, who should have benefited from the situation, suddenly became inexplicably unhappy.
“Hmm!? What do you mean, ‘don’t worry about it’? Are you looking down on my power as a fairy!?”
I really can’t understand your thoughts right now! You clearly want to acknowledge the master thing, yet you’re not at all pleased that this “pretty boy” is your master. What do you want, you little brat!?
Helpless, I was just about to look at the script, thinking I could find out Ross’s thoughts from it and then pacify this bear-like midget. However, the next moment, Kiefer and Nilu acted before I could.
After the previous incident, out of the thought of “I can’t lie to my wife,” I told the two girls about Ross recognizing a master in a crisis. Although Kiefer and Nilu’s reaction was simply to exchange a knowing glance and smile, saying “Got it,” it was…
I was very clear: I suddenly had an extra fairy on my hands. If Ross didn’t do anything strange, they wouldn’t have a reason to act against her. But if she ever had any “odd” thoughts…
Sorry, blood fairy, you know you call me “pretty boy,” so right now, this pretty boy can’t help you with your self-destructive tendencies.
Nilu stepped forward.
“Mr. O’Keefe, do you know? The most fundamental relationship between a fairy and a master is that the fairy must provide unconditional support when the master has made a decision. Young lady, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Exactly.”
It sounded like a question, but to me, it looked more like Nilu was exchanging a secret signal with Kiefer. These two usually had a way of being sarcastic with each other, but… when it came to cooperating, they only needed a glance.
“Althas is such a fairy.”
“If a fairy cannot obey their master’s commands, then even if they have recognized a master, they are no different from those wild fairies outside. If the former is too unruly, they may need some ‘correction.’”
After a pause, Nilu’s gaze turned to Ross.
At that moment, I didn’t know what kind of expression Nilu had, but I could tell that Ross immediately shivered all over.
“Mr. O’Keefe, I believe your fairy still needs some ‘training.’ If you don’t mind, I can take care of it.”
A familiar term appeared, likely reminding her of some very unpleasant memories, and this time, Ross was trembling all over.
She quickly ran behind me to hide. It was quite the display of false bravado.
“A mere maid, you have no authority to deal with me now!”
Don’t act like a master’s fairy only when it suits your identity, little imp.
“Hey?”
Besides, Rose, if Nilu really wanted to, she actually has that power. So don’t think you can play with fire just because you’re hiding behind me!
But, sigh… it seems this “trouble” can only be resolved by me personally.
“Kefir, Nilu, let’s not rush to clean up.”
I sighed and turned to Rose, “I’ll take her back to the inner castle first, then explain things to her properly. Just give me some time alone with her.”
Color Insert: Ilushir (Domain State)
Ilushir Color Insert.