Chapter 24

Bandits assassinated everyone. When I returned to the village, I couldn't see any houses because they had all been burned to ashes. Even my mother's sign, her body, can no longer find it right there. The faerie saved me, but not everyone was so fortunate. If I hadn't met this faerie, I could have turned out like them.

Is this even considered fortunate? I'll never forget them or their deaths. Despite the fact that I was left here to survive, the mere thought of vengeance on the empire makes me cower in fear. How could someone like myself have vengeance over them? They are nobles and strong individuals and I'm powerless, I don't even know if magia runs through me. In the end, I'm nothing more than a speck of dirt.

The Faerie was gracious enough to let me stay in her lair. Actually, she asked me to be her Familiar. She knows I don't have any unique abilities, but I don't believe she'd mind. Now that I'm in her care, I have to make sure that I'm not going to be a burden to her. So often, I water her flowers in her garden and look after the mountain's little animals.

Just the minor details, she never questions or doubts my sincerity in assisting her on this mountain. However, I miss my mother's voice and all the questions she asks about what I want to do when I grow up. Of course, I'd never hear those words or her lovely laughter again.

And I need to accept that fact to myself.

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At night I would be outside the cave. Observing how the stars glow and twinkle in the dark sky. As I begin to wonder whether those stars are the actual souls of those who have died and if one of those stars is my mother, who is still protecting me from afar.

"Will she be relieved to see me alive today? What if she feels betrayed because I abandoned her?"

Even to this day, I couldn't answer those questions on my own. She was just smiling, and now she's gone for good. How could death have approached us so quickly? If I had known something like that would happen to us, I would have merely stayed by her side until the end.

"Your mother is happy to see you alive and well." The Faerie suddenly said, "She's important to you… you've already said that. She won't like it if you die without fulfilling your dream."

She's arrived. Perhaps she overheard what I'm saying right now. When I realized how attractive her eyes were in the dark, they shone like stars in the sky, my eyes expanded a little. She, too, had a soft smile on her face. But still, I couldn't figure out what was going on in her head. Our encounter did not appear to become a coincidence from the start. Part of me believes that everything went as planned. I came here to collect some herbs and didn't get to see her, so why did I meet her recently, before the tragedy?

"What is it, human boy? You are staring at me like you are battling with your thoughts." Why am I doubting her? She took and saved me, so I suppose I should thank her instead. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for her…

"Thank you, Lady Faerie, for saving my life." was the only thing that came to mind.

"You should call me Selpi, sigh. Even faeries like myself have names. So, how about you? We've been together for a while, yet I've never heard your name."

Yeah. She is correct. We never asked each other's names because I assumed Faerie was her given name.

"Ah…please call me Flander."

"Flander, huh?"

I observed her face turn a little red while she smiled softly. I couldn't tell if she was shy or not, but I'm glad I made her smile. You can notice how pure she is if you look at her from this angle. A Faerie, you say? What a lovely creature.

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I stayed here for many days with her. To be honest, this is the most tranquil period I've ever had.

There was once a time when some wandering kids got stranded in the mountains. I discovered them crying, two of them are girls and one of them a young guy my age.

I couldn't just leave, that's why I kindly approached them.

"Hello, are you guys lost?"

As the girl with long hair responded to my query, one of them couldn't stop crying.

"Y-yes. Our mother abandoned us here, and we have nowhere to go."

"I'm starving, S-sister."

"D-do you have something to eat? We haven't eaten yet and are all hungry."

I looked at them for a moment, and they were all looking frail. "Yes, I have. Come along with me!"

Bringing these kids into the garden where Selpi spends her time will be a good idea. I'm sure Selpi loves children because if she weren't, then why would she save me in the first place?

That's what I've decided, and I've brought the kids along with me. Selpi was seated under a large tree when we arrived. Despite the fact that I was waving at her, Selpi was glaring at me with displeasure. But I didn't bother; I still came up to her and approached her with others.

"Selpi!"

"Who is she, brother?"

"Ah. She is the guardian of this mountain. Her name is Selpi."

"A guardian? Is she the woman who people are talking about? She's so beautiful!"

"I know right? She's also kind!"

"Who are they, Flander?"

What exactly is this sensation? Selpi is obviously smiling, but I have a feeling something isn't quite right around her. But I didn't follow through on that simple instinct of mine. As I told Selpi that the children had been abandoned by their own parents, she handed some food to them. I asked if they might stay with us as well. She didn't respond, but she also didn't say no.

I was relieved when I found a companion with whom I could spend my days. They were likewise around my age. Selpi, on the other hand, does not converse with us. I'm sure she wasn't upset with me because I had friends, but I couldn't just explain why she was distancing herself from us.

"Say, Flander?"

"Hm?"

"What does Selpi mean to you? I sometimes see her staring at you like she was somewhat in love. Does Selpi like you?"

"H-ha? What are you talking about all of the sudden? Selpi doesn't like me…she might just be staring like that because she is worried. Selpi is like a mother to me, I couldn't ever have a romantic eye for her."

"I see! Then, we can be together! To be honest, I…I like you…"

"E-eh?! R-really…"

"Yes! So, what do you think? Will you accept my confession?"

"H-how can I decide that so quickly!"

"Geez, Flander is shy. Ahaha!"

These friends are great.

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I thought I could have more time with them. I thought we could fulfill our dreams together. But why?

"Ahhhh! S-selpi, please… d-don't kill me!"

Everything was ruined. There's no reason for everyone to die.

Selpi murdered my friend in front of my eyes. Her eyes were simply meant for killing, and she didn't care how she took my friend's inner organs. As if they were a toy being disassembled by their owner. My legs are paralyzed, and all I can do is hide while they are slaughtered.

"Flander!!" One of my friends screamed for help but I'm scared. I can't help them. I'm a coward, I can't save them from Selpi.

"Selpi…No! SELPIIIIII!!"

I need to get out of here before she notices me. I was going to leave when I noticed Selpi behind me, grinning as she strangled my neck.

"Ugh…Selpi! W-why!? " I struggled to get free, but I was too weak for a Faerie like her."

"Wonderful, Selpi. Kill the ungrateful child. You've already taken care of him, but he picked those dirty human kids over you." I hear a nasty voice. Someone was speaking to her, but I couldn't see anyone else. How can I tell where he is if all I have is his voice?

I need to talk to her. She needs to wake up.

"S-selpi, please…stop…Don't you know me? It's…It's me, Flander…your friend!" I gripped her hand strongly to let her feel my warmth, but her eyes remained icy as if she didn't recognize me.

"Selpi…please wake up…You don't…want to kill me… don't you…because you said that…" it's hard to breathe, I don't think I could do this forever, "my mother…would be sad if I die…aren't you going to feel… the same?"

"...F-flander?"

Selpi called my name. She released me as she tried to hold her head like she was in pain.

"Kuho…Kuho…Selpi!" I shouted worriedly while coughing.

"Leave! T-the Schattens are everywhere. Leave now! Hurry!"

So, the voice I heard before was from a Schatten? I thought she put a protective barrier around the mountain's border to keep the evil Schattens out, so how did they get into this hallowed place?

"S-selpi, how about you?!"

"Don't mind me. Flander. Please…Leave, I'm sorry."

Selpi apologized to me. She is restraining the Schatten in order to keep it from harming me. As I saw her struggle with the faults of the terrible Schatten, I began to take a step back. It was difficult for me to leave her alone in that black patch with no one to save her from the Schatten, but cowardice triumphed.

I'm not sure what happened after that, but I left the mountain. I left the Faerie who had looked after me for so long. I don't know if she's still alive or dead as of now. But one thing is certain. I'd like to see her again and see her smile once more.

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[Present Time]

"Sekki! That person is—."

"The Faerie…Undyne."