### Chapter 25: Scorched Earth, Dragon Bones, and Fairies (Part 2)
“‘Abyssal Language’ We… the Forest Clan, respond, great Gidels, Apostle…”
The fairy lowered its head again, as if showing respect, and said slowly, “’Abyssal Language’ A year ago. Apostle, in Vidam, we destroyed the Sinful Skeleton. Our clan acted too boldly, mistaking you for Apostle Diana. It was a misunderstanding. Due to our clan’s mission, we showed disrespect to you, Apostle. Elder Leilas, Child of the Forest, was punished for this. We hope, Apostle, you can forgive our clan’s sins…”
Having said that, it didn’t lift its head again and knelt quietly there, as if waiting for my response.
I noticed its right hand, trembling slightly beneath its legs, and squinted my eyes.
It was asking me for forgiveness…
It was terrified of me…
That old fairy got punished, and they were all scared of me…
Was it because of what they witnessed a year ago when I defeated the Deity Body?
These fairies once called me Apostle Rabishixemos, but later, realizing I wielded the power of Sin Fire, they suspected I was Diana, the Goddess of Sin’s apostle, and started getting anxious.
I still vaguely remembered part of that conversation. At the time, it was all a blur, but looking back now, many things have become much clearer.
The fate of these guys should be similar to those dragons.
As a defeated race from a thousand years ago, they must have made some deal with the victorious clan of Gidels, the Mother God of Abundance. When the dragons sealed the Goddess of Sin’s body here using their flesh, the triumphant Gidels clan banished these fairies, commanding them to guard this rotten land.
Unexpectedly, they’ve been stuck here for a thousand years…
I didn’t rush to reply, tapping on Big White’s horns, my eyes darting around, brain whirring. The fairy waited for a moment, seemingly feeling the pressure in silence, slowly transitioning into a kneeling position, lowering its whole body even more.
“‘Abyssal Language’ Apostle, we failed to eliminate the Sinful Skeleton… We saw it tear open a portal and escape. As guardians of Vidam, we wish to request to battle and retrieve the Sin Skeleton, even at the cost of our lives, to fulfill our penance and mission!”
“……”
Hmm?
Oh.
They still don’t know that the Deity Body has been completely wiped out. They only saw that thing escape from here and assumed it’s still out there causing havoc.
Hmm…
They think it’s their fault and are worried that I came because the Deity issued a punishment against their clan…
Oh, these fairies.
They’ve been tricked, that’s for sure. They even questioned me back then, asking why Rabishixemos deceived their kin. They know this stuff deep down, yet haven’t thought of rebelling, focusing only on fulfilling their mission…
Stupid creatures, they’re overly honest.
Or did they still believe that the Gidels clan hadn’t declined, that the Mother God of Abundance still held power over the outside world, and that for their clan to gain redemption, they have to complete the mission assigned by the Deity…
No, I need to confirm a few things first.
“‘Abyssal Language’ The Sinful Skeleton? I’ve already killed it.”
I said softly, looking at the kneeling fairy.
I tried to mimic Victoria’s tone to downplay this event, rolling my fingers through Big White’s plush fur, pretending to be calm and relaxed.
These fairies fearfully respect me, not just because of the Apostle title, but mainly because they saw me conquer the Deity Body.
If they find my identity elusive and fear my tremendous power, then why not deepen that perception and bluntly tell them I’ve killed that thing?
I need to make sure they understand my strength, to make them more terrified of me.
That way, when I want to ask or do something later, it’ll be much simpler…
But unexpectedly, as soon as I said this, it caused quite a shock among the kneeling fairies.
Their reaction wasn’t one of fear; one by one, they lifted their heads, astonished expressions painted on their ugly faces, which soon turned to sheer joy as if… they had been liberated from something.
“Kabakusa…”
“Urusha…”
All the fairies that understood Abyssal Language stirred, and I saw the leader in front of me also raise its head. It quivered violently, hands clawing at the rock, bl**d forming scars as its grotesque face streamed with two tears.
“‘Abyssal Language’ Apostle…”
Its voice trembled as it spoke: “‘Abyssal Language’ The Sinful Skeleton is dead… Our clan’s mission is complete… We request, great Gidels, Apostle… liberate our clan… return us to our land, grant us our freedom…”
The fairy leader murmured, its once-dull eyes shining with a glimmer of hope.
“……”
?
I was starting to feel lost again.
Liberate?
Are they thinking that since the Deity Body is annihilated, their mission is over? Looking to me for freedom?
What do I have to set you free?
They truly believe I’m a Deity’s Apostle…
“‘Abyssal Language’ We’ve atoned for a thousand years, bearing the curse, being consumed… We’ve received our due punishment… Apostle, you are a very special being. You have the breath of Rabishixemos. You have the breath of Diana. You have the breath of Danarxis. Might I ask, can you plead with the great Deity for our clan’s forgiveness…”
What are you saying? That’s obviously impossible.
Those Deities have either died or have been imprisoned… the world now belongs to humans and the Church. How could I… wait.
I furrowed my brow, staring at the leader’s tear-filled face, looking at those fairies behind it who were already bowing their heads to bury their faces into the rocks. I was hit with clarity.
What if I really could save them…
This land would essentially belong to me, right?
There’s only one entrance to the Land of Dragons; Big White can open it anytime, and the branch of the White Tree, which is Big White’s essence, is within me. This means, moving forward, I not only carry a dragon with me but also a piece of scorched earth and a bunch of fairies… oh, and a wolfdog.
Alien races…
What if these guys could trust me and serve me…
Thinking of this, I suddenly felt a surge of excitement.
I have to give it a shot…
No matter what, I must try…
I need to understand what promises Gidels made to them and what deceit they fell for…
“‘Abyssal Language’ Stand up.”
I still imagined Victoria’s demeanor, exaggerating a little, pointing my delicate finger at the fairy leader and slowly saying, “‘Abyssal Language’ I ask you. With whom did you sign an agreement from Gidels, and what was its content? Why did you say they deceived you?”
That question was very straightforward. I saw the fairy leader instantly display a look of dread, lowering its head again: “’Abyssal Language’ Our clan agreed with the great Rabishixemos. Our clan would guard for a hundred years to atone. After a hundred years, return our land and freedom… The Deity would not deceive. But it’s been a thousand years with no freedom. Our clan has been cursed… as you have seen, we have become… such a disgrace. The clan struggles to survive…”
Oh…
I fell into deep thought.
Rabishixemos.
That must be the Mother God’s name… I’ve almost reached a point where it can’t be denied…
Ah.
So, these fairies may not have been deceived by the Deity.
I don’t know what kind of promise the Mother God initially made to them, but it’s clear that promise has long been impossible to fulfill since the Church has imprisoned her…
These fairies have been here for over a thousand years, generation after generation, never seeing the outside world. They don’t know that Gidels have fallen, that the East and West Continents have become human territory. They know nothing, waiting day and night for something.
And my appearance is their last hope…
Should I tell them the truth…
Let the fairies direct their hopes of salvation from the Deity completely to me…
Let’s give it a whirl.
“‘Abyssal Language’ Rabishixemos did not deceive you.”
As I said this, I observed their reactions: “’Abyssal Language’ She is simply imprisoned, unable to fulfill the initial agreement.”
“‘Abyssal Language’… Despicable humans!”
At the sound of the leader’s furious shout, the fairies behind erupted again, their eyes bulging with hatred, some even standing up, shouting loudly, and the scene quickly descended into chaos. I was a bit irked, giving Big White a sharp smack on the head: “’Abyssal Language’ Quiet!”
As I shouted, a gleam flickered in my eyes, black smoke enveloping me, and the fairies instantly went silent, “Thud thud,” they dropped back to their knees.
They’re scared of me…
This is good.
Buzz—
I shut my eyes, and with a light whisper, the branches of the White Tree floated out from my chest, glowing softly, hovering above my head.
“‘Abyssal Language’ Perhaps… I can save you.”
“‘Abyssal Language’ Apostle…”
“‘Abyssal Language’ But not right now.”
I interrupted the fairy leader: “‘Abyssal Language’ The outside world has surpassed your imagination long ago, and my connection with the Deity has long been severed. I can’t get Rabishixemos to forgive you. I’ll have to try to figure something out on my own. I can’t guarantee success, so tell me, what curse do you bear, and how can I help you.”
Upon hearing this, the fairy leader trembled even more fiercely on the ground.
“‘Abyssal Language’ The curse is unique to this scorched land… it’s beyond the power of the great Rabishixemos, a force of nature that cannot be undone…”
…Force of nature?
You mean the power of natural miracles.
Hmm…
This seems a bit tricky…
“‘Abyssal Language’ I’ll try to figure something out.”
But I won’t commit just yet.
“‘Abyssal Language’ There may be a chance, or there may not be… I’m willing to help you. However… you need to lift your head. I ask you, after helping you, what will I gain in return?”
I narrowed my eyes, looking at the fairy leader, watching its expression shift from fear to struggle, to a moment of relief, and finally to an indescribable resolve, all within a second.
It placed its fist to its forehead, its face solemn, its voice ringing like a bell.
“‘Abyssal Language’ After liberation, our clan… is willing to serve you, Apostle, obey your commands, and follow for a hundred years.”
Those words faded into the mist. The green-skinned fairies knelt on the cliffs, their rotting appearances resembling demons. The young woman sitting on the dragon’s shoulder brushed her hair behind her ear, lowering her eyelids to gaze at the demonic leader kneeling below, and a smile crept across her lips.
“Hehe…”
