Chapter 412

412 Eternal Youth Fairies #2

When I think of nymphs, this is what comes to mind:

Small in stature.

Innocent appearance like a pubescent girl.

Clumsy and loud no matter where they are.

Eccentric speech patterns.

Often victims with sad backstories.

Prone to anger and paranoia.

Have a sweet tooth.

Whether it’s Paranoi, Doris, Alinoy, or Aries, they generally fit this category. Of course, there’s the relatively quiet Nymph of Tears, Ignoy, but she carries sorrow so she might be an exception.

I imagine the people of the Gaia Continent have a similar image of nymphs. However, the woman standing in front of me now clearly doesn’t fit within these parameters.

Is she really a nymph?

It’s rude to scan someone from head to toe in any world. So I focused all of my enhanced physical abilities into my eyes.

Divine Eye –!

With a speed incomprehensible to any mortal, my divine vision scans the newcomer.

Tall.

Large bosom.

An air of mystique and elegance from her red lipstick.

Not a nymph.

An elf, perhaps?

But the pointed ears are actually evidence of a nymph rather than an elf.

“Excuse me, are you really a nymph?”

At my half-doubting question, the woman smiled slightly. My heart sank at the natural and graceful smile.

“I am Nabokov, the Nymph of Brookwater. I’m the owner of this toy shop.”

“Ah, a Nymph of Brookwater…”

If I recall correctly, I know someone who is a Nymph of Brookwater. Echo, the wife of the innkeeper, was one if I remember correctly.

Nymphs of Brookwater are known to be more mature due to their age, possessing a calm demeanor and elegant manner. But don’t nymphs suffer from a growth-weakening curse, making them small like children? Nabokov here looks nothing like that.

Her hair sways softly, releasing a sweet fragrance that makes my vision go hazy.

Noticing my slight fluster, Nabokov, both Nymph of Brookwater and owner of the shop, spoke.

“You seem to be looking for something. Would you like my help?”

“Ah…”

Only then was I able to snap out of the strange atmosphere. I had come here to be the guardian of Paranoi and her friends.

I explained in detail that I was looking for nymphs and had gotten lost inside the shop. Nabokov, the Nymph of Brookwater, nodded slowly in understanding.

“It’s not surprising that first-time visitors would get lost.”

Each of her movements was so graceful, she might as well be a noblewoman or young lady rather than a nymph. She continued speaking.

“Our shop has a space distortion barrier. It looks small from the outside, but on the inside, it’s actually two or three times bigger.”

“Space distortion…”

“Barrier. It’s a technique that’s very popular in the Royal Capital Jeruit these days. I hear it’s elf magic. Though I don’t know the exact principles, it’s definitely useful.”

Elf magic, huh.

Though the explanation was insufficient, I could definitely tell that this place was not ordinary and was expanded through some kind of barrier.

Must be very expensive to use space like this.

“Very expensive. But I wanted to pour my love into the shop. After all, it’s rare to leave the Royal Capital and start anew in a new city…”

“You came from the Royal Capital?”

At my question, Nabokov smiled.

“You said you were looking for something, correct? Please follow me.”

“Aah, Mr. Hassan, how did you find your way here…? Are you also interested in these multi-jointed dolls that have become fashionable among nymphs in the Royal Capital?”

In Paranoi’s hand was a quite intricately crafted doll. Dressed in a small dress, it reminded me of the toys my younger sister used to play with when she was little.

“These can mimic any movement…”

Next to Paranoi, Doris and Ignoy were fiddling with what looked like a jigsaw puzzle, trying to fit the pieces together.

The soft carpet laid out on the floor.

The nymphs sitting and playing on it.

It looked just like the play areas for children in department stores.

Seeing Paranoi and the other nymphs, I finally felt at ease. Was it due to the strangeness of this barrier or because of the unusual nature of this nymph Nabokov I felt such an odd sense of unease rising in my chest.

“Alright, it’s getting late and the shop owner needs to close up. Let’s go.”

“Please, can’t we stay just a little longer…? Even I, a nymph from the Royal Capital, find these jointed dolls overflowing with interest…”

“Me, Doris, still have a ways to go to finish the puzzle…”

“…”

“Even Ignoy says she wants to finish the puzzle…”

The nymphs seemed to have taken a liking to the shop. I felt slightly awkward. My mother must have felt this way when I threw tantrums in front of toy stores.

My mother would have probably left the store without a second glance at times like this, but doing so might leave a big shock in these nymphs’ hearts like I felt as a child.

Wondering what to do, I glanced at Nabokov, the shop owner. She was only looking down at the nymphs with soft eyes. There was a tender, nostalgic feeling that gave off the impression she liked nymphs. Or maybe it was just that she liked children.

Nabokov spoke.

“This is a 500-piece puzzle. It will take quite a while to finish. Would you like some tea?”

“In that case, I’ll impose a little.”

And so, I sat at a small table next to the resting nymphs and was treated to tea and snacks.

Surrounded by toys while enjoying an elegant tea time made me feel like I was Alice in Wonderland.

Come to think of it, maybe I am Alice in a strange land. Rather, I’m Hassan who fell into this strange Gaia Continent through a manhole cover instead of a rabbit hole.

My eyes watched the nymphs playing together. Do they really enjoy playing with these kinds of toys this much?

I used to have a time like that too.

That Lego-like thing does look tempting.

Should I ask to join in?

“It’s a beautiful sight to see children play without a care in the world. Always laughing as if it will last forever. That’s the privilege of children enjoying the present moment.”

At Nabokov’s words, I snapped out of my thoughts.

“Ms. Nabokov seems to like children.”

“Yes, that’s why I invested all my money into opening this toy shop. There’s nothing better than pure-hearted friends to heal one’s heart.”

Healing her heart?

I recalled that Nabokov came from the Royal Capital. There must have been several reasons for her to come all the way out to this peripheral area from the large central city.

An adult nymph from the Royal Capital.

The keyword piqued my curiosity. Nabokov directed her question at me.

“Mr. Hassan, have you ever thought about going back to being a child?”

“Did I mention my name?”

With a soft laugh, the adult nymph responded.

“I’m a businesswoman too. I keep my ears open to the rumors that float around. Young god Hassan who travels around with nymphs. Someone based in Sodomora wouldn’t be able to not know.”

“Is that so.”

“In fact, your name is quite well-known in the Royal Capital too. If you visit, you’ll probably make a lot of interesting friends. There are quite a few people interested in you.”

My name has reached the Royal Capital. I expected as much to some degree, but it feels different hearing it from someone else’s mouth.

“Aah, we’ve finished! We, the Nymph of Honey Water Doris and Ignoy, have completed the puzzle without anyone’s help!”

Suddenly, Doris’ loud announcement sounded. Though it gave me a headache, it seems they finished the picture quickly. Glancing over, it was a beautiful image of a sunset over the sea.

“I want to show this picture to our landlady Luna…! I need to check the price of this puzzle!”

Doris quickly looked at the price tag on the puzzle box.

5 silver coins.

Expensive.

She pulled out two tinkling silver coins from her coin purse, but it wasn’t enough for the 5 silver price tag.

“Does Ignoy have any money…?”

“…”

Ignoy shook her head quietly.

“Hmm…”

Doris let out a small groan. It seemed she had decided to give up on buying the puzzle. Since she was only 3 silver short, I thought about taking coins out from my pocket to cover the difference, when–

“Let me give a discount to my naive nymph friends. Since it’s been a while and I’m in a good mood today–.”

The shop owner, Nabokov, gave a surprising sale. Thanks to this, Doris was able to get the puzzle box she wanted.

“Next time we will definitely come again!”

A few minutes later. We waved goodbye to Nabokov as we stepped out of the shop. Nabokov similarly waved goodbye to us as she saw us off.

Nabokov is a nymph who is as wonderful inside as she is outside. It’s quite astonishing how she has developed in various ways.

This intrigued Paranoi too.

“Who knows what kind of food she ate to grow like that…! I was going to ask her the secret, but she didn’t answer me…!”

“Is that so?”

“Aah! I left my wallet…! The coin purse made by the landlady, it would be very sad if I lost it…!”

Doris made a sorrowful face. I thought we could have just left like this, but it’s true to form for nymphs to be this messy somewhere.

“I’ll go fetch it, so please wait here.”

I ended up heading back to the toy shop that was about to close for Doris’ wallet. Trying to open the shop’s door–

Hey, you there.

I heard someone calling me.

Looking around, I saw someone suspicious cloaked in a worn-out robe standing at the corner of the toy shop, his brown eyes flashing.

“Who are you?”

. Your voice is loud. I have something to say to you. Come quickly. Before Nabokov notices…!

Trying to lure me into a shadowy back alley, huh?

A new concept trap?

There’s still someone stupid enough out there who wants to pick a fight with me. Determined to partially take them out, I headed toward the shadow-covered alley where the cloaked figure was hiding.

I tensed slightly, expecting a thug with a club to jump at me, but fortunately, nothing like that happened. Instead, the brown-robed woman anxiously looked around and asked in a low voice.

“What’s your relationship with Nabokov?”

“What relationship? I just met her today.”

“Ah, I see. Do you travel around with nymphs? Then it’s better not to bring them near this shop ever again.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

The woman slid her fingers under her robe.

She showed three fingers.

“Are you asking for money? 3 copper?”

“No, it’s three. The number of nymphs who recently disappeared after entering this shop in the past month. Three people.”

What is she talking about?

Nymphs disappearing after entering the shop?

“Explain further.”

“You’re Hassan from Samaritan, right? As I heard, you’re quite fond of nymphs. Since you’re like that, perhaps you could help us. Hmph…”

The woman sighed from under the deeply hooded robe. After repeating several deep breaths, she finally spoke as if making a firm decision.

“The owner of the toy shop, Nabokov, is kidnapping nymphs. She’s the culprit behind the recent nymph disappearance incidents near Sodomora. I’m sure of it.”

Nymph disappearance incidents.

Where have I heard that name before? Didn’t Hippolyte mention it?

She said nymphs keep disappearing, causing the city’s nymphs to live in fear. The attitude of the fearful nymphs is affecting Paranoi’s plan to organize a nymph choir.

I didn’t expect to hear this story here.

“Who exactly are you?”

Anyway, it was clear that this robed woman was not an ordinary person. Slowly, the woman responded to my question about her identity.

“I have no name. Just call me ‘D’, agent of winter.”

“Agent of winter? Are you by any chance from the Royal Castle’s intelligence unit?”

“Hmm, you seem to have heard of it, correct? If you know, we can proceed faster. You’re aware that at the end of the month, His Majesty Thunderblade will visit this Sodomora, right?”

“…”

I didn’t know that. The king is visiting here?

I heard that the schedule of the king is kept in strict confidentiality, but this woman probably assumes I have enough information to know beforehand.

I decided to play along.

“Of course I know.”

“His Majesty is fond of nymphs as the rumors say. If he hears about disappearance incidents, who knows what might happen. So, I’d appreciate your help.”

I pictured in my mind how I would look solving the case magnificently.

If I solve the nymph disappearance case, it’s natural that I’ll gain the affection of the nymphs, and it could help Paranoi’s choir organization. If Emperor Thunderblade is moved by this, he might even invite me to the castle, where I could discreetly inquire about the rest of the Skeleton Key information here and there.

“Alright. I’ll help you. Do you have a prepared plan?”

“It’s good that you’re quick to understand. Then take a look at this blueprint. From the blueprint I acquired, this shop has an unreported basement to the city hall.”

Rustle.

The agent unfolded the blueprint. As expected, there were odd diagrams lined up on it. Following her finger pointing, there definitely seemed to be a rather spacious basement beneath.

“But I couldn’t find the entrance to the basement. It’s sure that the missing nymphs would be there in this basement. However, if they catch the scent, the nymphs might be moved to a different location, so it’s not easy to approach.”

“Could it be around here?”

I tapped the floor with my foot. Sensing my action with suspicion, the brown-robed agent asked.

“What are you trying to do?”

“You want the basement entrance, right? I’ll find it for you. According to this blueprint, there should be empty space somewhere around here…”

Bang, clatter.

I lightly stomped my foot, and amidst the sound of dust puffing up, the bricks fell to the ground.

At the same time, a dark and gloomy hole appeared beneath my feet.

“There, found it.”

“…What, the world feels so unfair with a power like that. They said you were a new god who just built a shrine, didn’t they? That’s so different from the documents I saw…”

[Author’s Afterword]

Oh goodness…due to lack of time, I couldn’t write the author’s afterword…

The part I put the most effort into every day turned out to be a day when I couldn’t write much content…

Anyway, this is an episode where a lot of nymphs appear before entering the Royal Capital…

7-9 minutes

Eternal Youth Fairies

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