NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 43
Elizaveta’s command had me thinking if the Luinongs, who were cooped up in paradise like mushrooms sprouting on damp wallpaper, would come out willingly.
Too easy, don’t you think?
I felt a bit foolish for all my fretting.
How could this problem resolve itself so easily?
I even started to feel like something was off.
‘No matter how simple the Luinongs may be… could they really be that enthusiastic for an outsider?’
It’s natural for innocent kids to be captivated by a beautiful woman. I’ve heard somewhere that the prettier and more beautiful one is, the less they are on guard.
But,
the Luinongs’ frantic devotion to the Platinum Princess was suspicious.
It was like they’d fallen into a trance.
There were no signs of the Luinongs screaming and frothing at the mouth in caution against outsiders. They were just worshiping Elizaveta like she was a goddess, chanting her praises.
“Can you still feel the God?”
“Uh, not really sure. It’s like I feel it, but then I don’t…”
Sounds a bit uncertain, huh?
I nodded at Rue’s shaking reply.
First, I wanted to check up close, so I approached Elizaveta surrounded by Luinongs. As I got closer, Elizaveta greeted me with a bright smile.
“Edanant, you’re back?”
Her voice was just like always.
And I didn’t spot anything suspicious about her either.
It was probably just my hunch. So I decided to set my doubts aside for a moment.
“Your Highness, it seems Saintess Beatrice visited the Fairies’ Paradise.”
“What? Beatrice…! That damned girl was here?!”
The instant I delivered the news of the cat burglar who stole her fiancé, Elizaveta exploded with rage like a white-haired witch gone wild.
Her emerald eyes were filled with hatred.
It was a moment when the benevolent princess turned into a bizarre villainous princess in an instant.
The Luinongs, who had been following the Platinum Princess, screamed with glee. They quickly distanced themselves from her, wary of being swept up in the wave of wrath.
Hmm.
Judging by their wild reactions, Elizaveta seemed to have lost it for sure.
With her skirts fluttering, she stomped the ground vigorously. Even so, she still huffed angrily between breaths.
“Yikes!”
“The princess suddenly got really mad!”
Was this what disaster movie scenes look like?
The Luinongs trembled with pale faces, shaken to the core.
The overwhelming pressure from the villainous princess engulfed the atmosphere in an instant. Through her, the Luinongs realized the benevolent princess had a nasty side she shouldn’t upset…!
The little fairies whispered among themselves, quickly designating a taboo.
“While searching the outskirts of the village guided by the Luinongs, we discovered the Scepter of White Night. It’s the holy weapon used by Beatrice from the Holy Kingdom.”
“…the Scepter of White Night.”
The divine punishment from the Earth Mother that had sent the Undying Demon King into eternal slumber.
Elizaveta knew perfectly well what that was.
Her expression changed to something meaningful as she processed the fact that Beatrice had left the holy relic at the Fairies’ Paradise. She started to think that the disappearance of the Saintess Party might not simply be an elopement.
“Even I, someone clueless about war, know about the Scepter of White Night; it’s the holy weapon that finished off the Undying Demon King! How on earth could Beatrice have the holy weapon…?”
Elizaveta bit her nails in frustration.
I spoke to her again, trying to steer her back.
“And it seems there was a man who accompanied Beatrice to the paradise. I’ll have to ask the Luinongs who that might be…”
“……”
It could very well be Maximilian,
I swallowed those words.
Even without saying it, she would probably guess Maximilian.
But for some reason, Elizaveta didn’t show any reaction at all. I even started to wonder if she didn’t understand what I meant.
It was a stark contrast to how she had been losing it over the news about Beatrice.
Elizaveta remained expressionless, as if hearing about a stranger.
Her calm demeanor was so peaceful it sent shivers down my spine.
“I’ve decided to forget Maximilian. I have no lingering feelings left. I’m not the kind of annoying girl who clings to someone who left irresponsibly.”
“…Is that so?”
“Well, it’s a relief. I found traces of the missing Saintess Party by chance.”
“……”
Elizaveta said with a slightly brighter demeanor.
On her beautiful face, there wasn’t a hint of lingering attachment or sorrow.
From that, it was easy to guess.
At that moment, Elizaveta was being controlled by an unknown entity.
*
How does a paradise filled with crystals radiating pure white light distinguish between day and night?
– Such a question might suddenly arise.
As time passed, the answer became clear.
As evening approached in the outside world, the dazzling brilliance of the crystals gradually dimmed.
As it grew darker, the Luinongs one by one entered their huts hidden beneath vines and leaves.
“This is my home!”
Rue kindly guided me to her hut.
It looked similar to the others.
The only distinguishing feature was a nameplate scrawled in crooked letters that read, “Rue Luinong’s Home.”
Despite having spent three years outside, Rue’s hut was very tidy. Perhaps the other Luinongs had taken great care of their huts. Truly a remarkable display of familial affection.
“Edan can use the bed!”
“…it’s too small for me.”
Unfortunately, the giant mushroom bed was far too small for an adult man.
After all, it was made for the Luinongs.
The other furniture was just as child-sized.
It felt like I had stumbled into a dwarf kingdom where everything was cute and tiny.
It was probably the creation of the being they worship, the “God.” Like an overprotective mother, she created a near-perfect paradise for those Luinongs who worshiped her.
“I’ll sleep first. I’ll be back soon.”
Rue, who had been sitting on the bed, stood up to accompany me.
I smiled wryly and shook my head.
Things could get dangerous.
I left Rue behind in the hut, insisting she stay while I set off on my own.
My destination was the place where Saintess Beatrice’s sacred relic lay abandoned.
As I approached, the dazzling brilliance of the Scepter of White Night welcomed me.
Even though the paradise turned dark with the night, the sacred relic left behind by the Saintess shone brightly, oblivious to its surroundings.
“Edanant.”
There was already a guest.
It was Elizaveta.
More accurately, it was ‘something’ that dwelled within Elizaveta.
“As it grows dark, the once lively paradise has fallen silent.”
“Nighttime is for adults. It’s time for the children to sleep.”
The beautiful blonde princess with flowing hair smiled softly.
What could she be thinking?
Elizaveta turned her head as she took a step forward.
I quietly watched her back as she approached the Scepter of White Night, readying myself for any sudden situation that might arise.
“You’re quite cautious. You caught on right from the start.”
“……”
“Humans are just difficult to deceive. It’s quite the hassle.”
“That’s because you were so sloppy.”
Could be right.
The Goddess worshipped by the Luinongs chuckled at that.
Her voice was lively like a child’s, which caused my brow to furrow.
“Anyway, I welcome you to the Fairies’ Paradise. Ever since the Earth Mother’s girl visited without permission, delightful events have been unfolding.”
“Not at all delightful.”
The goddess who created the Fairies’ Paradise had possessed Elizaveta’s body.
The change of the princess’s eyes to a striking purple confirmed that.
I could feel the overwhelming divinity.
The existence of the being who birthed the races and the paradise radiated an awe-inspiring divine status.
The reason why the Meiros and cultists resorted to extreme measures to abduct her was that Elizaveta was the perfect vessel to manifest the divine presence.
As proof of that, the synchronicity between the goddess’s divine presence and Elizaveta’s body was astonishing.
“Why did you take the princess’s body?”
“You’re being quite rude. It was the princess who summoned me from my eternal slumber.”
She asked in a sharp tone.
Then the goddess pouted and complained.
“The divine presence didn’t use the vessel; the vessel absorbed the divine presence.”
“…Is that even possible?”
“I don’t know. This is a first for me, and I’m surprised.”
“……”
So, she’s saying she never intended to hijack Elizaveta’s body.
Thank goodness.
I had been worried about what to do if the goddess in her body seized control.
It would resolve itself if the goddess, unwittingly entangled in the Luinongs’ matters, relinquished control and stepped back.
With that thought, I sighed in relief.
“Why would I return it?”
“Huh?”
“I’ve never encountered a vessel this perfect before. I need to use it to its fullest while I can until the vessel ages one day. Besides, all the children of the paradise seem to like it.”
“…So, you’ve finally shown your true intentions.”
Goddesses tend to be like that.
Arrogant, greedy,
and they treat the beings who worship them as mere expendables.
It was an outcome I had somewhat expected.
I regretted being relieved for a brief moment.
Gazing at the goddess with overwhelming divine status, I released my control over the blessing.
Because I’d lured her to this secluded place using physical methods with the intention of reclaiming Elizaveta.
*
Creators always mold their creations in their own image.
Broyan was no exception.
Using her ego as a template, she created the race named Luinongs.
Just like the mischievous and troublesome Luinongs, the original creator, Broyan, was full of mischief. She intentionally said something wicked to leave the guest visiting the Fairies’ Paradise bewildered.
“Uh, uh…?”
A vortex of black energy began swirling violently.
At the same time, the man’s eyes turned pitch black.
It was a manifestation of his determination to reclaim Elizaveta by any means necessary. The dark colors that had danced like mirage soon surrounded the area, closing it off.
“W-Why are you here…?!”
Broyan let out a terrified voice.
She had seen something she must never encounter while living for eons.