Chapter 182

[-Humans may fear and call that child a monster, but in truth, the Dullahan is closer to being a fairy. It’s only that it’s fallen far after being bound to the underworld. Even so, it takes its duties seriously and occasionally helps us with our requests. Besides, it doesn’t harm lives without reason. It’s not a bad child, hehe.]

"……."

The knights weren’t sure whether they should be shocked at the revelation that the Dullahan was actually a fairy, or at the Spring Spirit’s casual way of treating and commanding it as though it were a child.

Yet, as Ihan witnessed the fragments of the fairy’s power, he couldn’t suppress his growing curiosity.

“…I don’t quite understand. Why was the Spring Spirit captured by a bunch of spellcasters? With your strength, couldn’t you have overpowered them before they caught you?”

“What insolence!”

“I-it’s just a question…”

For some reason, it seemed the Spring Spirit couldn’t harm humans directly. However, it was evident that she had the power to easily outmatch them in other ways. When first released from her seal, she had turned the mages’ mana into nutrients for the earth, and simply summoning the Dullahan would have decimated most of the spellcasters, including that rotten Archmage of 400 years.

So why hadn’t she resisted?

[Oh, is that what you’re curious about? It’s nothing too complicated. You don’t need to be so cautious about asking.]

The Spring Spirit’s tone was lighthearted, as though this were a trivial matter she was happy to explain.

[You see, the way we fairies use our power is rather… particular.]

"??"

[To put it simply, we can’t exercise authority beyond the role we’ve been given. If we misuse our power, it could cause the collapse of the natural order.]

The fairy shrugged lightly and continued.

[There are also restrictions and promises imposed on us by the gods… but even without those, wielding our power carelessly would lead to some truly ‘unfortunate consequences.’]

"……."

Ihan dared not ask what those consequences might be. He had a feeling the answer would be far worse than he could imagine.

[Even for the Dullahan, it faces many conditions and restrictions when using its power in the mortal realm. However, it can exercise its abilities freely on the dead. That’s why it was able to help with our request.]

“Then, does that mean… you couldn’t act against the mages either?”

[Exactly. That’s why I said, ‘We’re truly grateful to you.’ If you hadn’t punished the mages, we still wouldn’t have been able to do anything. To put it in terms you’d understand, because of your actions, the causal relationship was established, and we could finally intervene.]

The Spring Spirit traced a circle with her finger.

Flash!

A glowing ring of aurora appeared, as though she were illustrating the cycle and laws of the world. While it seemed complex, Ihan managed to understand the gist of it.

‘So, because I and that thing were in the process of punishing the mages, the fairies were able to step in as assistants.’

In hindsight, the fairies had only nullified mana and turned the remains of the dead into nutrients for the earth. They hadn’t directly harmed the mages, despite their obvious frustration. Their restraint likely stemmed from the catastrophic effects their power could have on the world if misused.

‘Terrifying.’

They were beings so powerful that their mere intervention could overturn the laws of nature. That such entities existed under such severe restrictions was both awe-inspiring and chilling.

However…

‘They’re genuinely kind.’

Their kindness, mercy, and nobility were palpable. Ihan couldn’t help but feel respect toward them.

‘They could use their power at any time.’

Though bound by restrictions and promises, it was clear they could harm humans directly if they chose to. Yet, the fairies refrained, fully aware that their actions could bring about humanity’s destruction.

That made them sacred.

Despite possessing the majesty and mystery worthy of being called gods, they abstained from abusing their power.

While they seemed as innocent as children, they were, in truth, far more thoughtful and compassionate than anyone.

‘No wonder they were worshipped as gods.’

Such mercy and nobility could not have gone unnoticed by the ancient people.

‘Even I can’t help but admire them…’

For the first time in his life, Ihan felt that someone truly embodied divinity.

The Great Fairy.

Today, Ihan fully grasped why they bore such a name.

"Truly remarkable," he muttered, nodding his head.

To this, the Spring Spirit responded:

[Oh my, you’re making me blush. It’s been so long since I’ve received such praise….]

"…?"

[You really are a fine human, hehe!]

“…Just wondering… Do fairies also read people’s thoughts?”

It was an offhand question, prompted by how embarrassed she seemed despite him saying so little.

The fairy simply smiled.

[-That’s a secret.]

"……."

She pressed her finger to her lips and winked, leaving Ihan with a faintly exasperated expression.

‘Why are there so many women around me who can read minds?’

Even without a direct answer, her reaction said enough.

*****

Da-da-dak, da-da-dak.

The sound of hooves faded into the distance as the two knights watched, their gazes fixed on the retreating figure.

"……."

For reasons unknown, both felt an inexplicable premonition that they would one day face the Dullahan in battle.

It wasn’t a logical thought but a deep, unshakable intuition.

And then—

[------.]

Fwoosh!

The Dullahan’s glowing blue eyes, ablaze with ethereal fire, turned back toward them. The intense heat emanating from its gaze sent tingles through their bodies.

Despite the overwhelming pressure, the knights didn’t avert their eyes.

No matter if it was the Reaper of Death itself, if they were to clash one day, they simply had to win.

“See you again,” Ihan said, his words laced with a provocative undertone.

[-------.]

The Dullahan seemed to shift slightly, as if suppressing a laugh.

Da-da-dak, da-da-dak.

The Dullahan gradually disappeared into the distance, carrying the souls of hundreds with it.

The knights silently watched its departure.

Da-da-dak, da-da-dak…

Soon, the figure of the Dullahan vanished entirely, swallowed by a fog that seemed to materialize out of nowhere.

With the oppressive presence gone, Ihan and Raq collapsed to the ground.

Thud.

“…I’m so damn tired.”

“You reckless brute! What was the point of provoking it at the end?”

“Hmm, well, it just felt… appropriate for the moment?”

“…You madman.”

“…Tch.”

They slumped against the ground, utterly drained.

After an already grueling battle, facing off against such a daunting presence in a battle of wills had left them physically and mentally spent.

It wasn’t surprising—they had pushed their broken bodies far past their limits, leaving themselves in an even worse state.

They lay sprawled on the ground, every fiber of their beings screaming for rest, teetering on the edge of unconsciousness.

“This is really bad,” came a voice from behind.

Derrick, who had approached unnoticed, clicked his tongue as he examined their conditions using the medical skill .

“Muscle tears, severed tendons, fractured bones… How the hell are you two even moving?”

The more he saw, the more incredulous he became. Their injuries were severe enough that it wouldn’t have been surprising if they’d dropped dead on the spot.

Ironically, the listed injuries were considered minor compared to the internal damage he discovered.

“…Your insides are a mess. Instructor, it’s like you detonated a bomb in your chest cavity. Sir Duron, you look like you’ve been tortured for days. What is this…?”

If Derrick had been a doctor, his detailed and accurate diagnoses would have earned him a reputation as a miracle worker. However, the severity of their injuries demanded immediate surgery—though whether they could even survive such an operation was another matter entirely.

To improve their slim chances, they’d need a priest to channel divine power throughout the procedure.

“...One good night’s sleep will fix this,” Ihan muttered.

“That’s correct,” Raq agreed.

“…I’m telling you, you might not wake up if you sleep like this.”

Of course, a normal human would have died from such wounds, but Ihan and Raq weren’t ordinary.

Their absurdly resilient bodies would likely recover naturally, given time. Half a year of proper rest would restore them completely.

But Derrick knew better.

These two would never sit idle for six months.

‘They’re both workaholics. If they stop moving, they’ll grow thorns in their mouths…’

Even if Ihan would never admit it, Derrick was certain his instructor was a workaholic to the core.

“Ah, I need to leave soon. I’ve only got three days of leave left…”

…A particularly severe case at that.

“Please, just rest,” Derrick muttered as he prepared to activate a skill for emergency treatment.

[-Don’t.]

"……."

[You shouldn’t take my job from me, hehe.]

“Y-yes, ma’am…”

When had she arrived?

The Spring Spirit was standing behind him, her gaze meaningful.

[…You’re someone ‘she’ called upon, aren’t you?]

“!!?”

[Hehe, don’t worry. I won’t go around spilling anyone’s secrets. I just find it… intriguing.]

"……."

Gulp.

Derrick swallowed nervously.

Fairies truly were something else.

‘I feel like she can see right through me…’

There was no hiding anything—not just from him, but seemingly from…

[Those two over there are interesting as well. Hehe. It seems ‘she’ has been up to something amusing. Well, things like this do happen occasionally.]

“Occasionally…?”

Summoning his courage, Derrick asked the question. What exactly did she mean by “occasionally”?

[Cases like yours, of course. They happen roughly once every few centuries. It’s all to make the world more abundant and enjoyable. What do humans call it? An ‘event’ or a ‘festival’?]

"……."

…A few centuries was occasionally?

[Don’t worry. The gods aren’t manipulating or using your fate. If they meddled, the world would lose its charm. They usually just observe and let things flow naturally.]

"……."

[Hehe.]

“…Should I feel honored by this, or insulted…?”

[Enjoy the world. Otherwise, you’re the only one who loses out. Cheer up!]

"……."

Derrick stared at the fairy, who cheered him on with an adorable smile and playful gesture, unable to keep his expression in check.

As cute as she was, her age was…

[You’ll be punished.]

“…My apologies.”

Derrick immediately bowed his head.

“…Please stop tormenting my pupil.”

[It’s because he’s adorable.]

Ihan sighed as he watched the Spring Spirit playfully tease Taechang, who was still doing push-ups in the flower field. The fairy only smiled mischievously.

It was easy to see why fairies were said to be natural pranksters.

“Enough. We don’t need any healing or anything. We’ll recover on our—”

[-Your lifespan has been shortened.]

"……."

[It happened while you were saving us, so it’s only right to reward you.]

“…That’s not—”

Ihan wanted to argue. He didn’t regret it, nor had he acted solely to save her.

And as for his shortened lifespan, well, a few potions from the royal lady could easily fix that.

Tap.

[You talk too much.]

“W-wait, hold o—mmph!?”

Before he could resist, the fairy suddenly embraced him. He froze, unable to move or even protest.

And then—

"Huah!"

“Mmm.”

“…Wow.”

—she stole his lips in a fiery kiss.

Ironically, Ihan’s first “experience” in his 30 years as a knight was not with a human but with a fairy.