Volume 8, Chapter 10 – The One-Month Trial’s Approval

“There, no problem here.”

Having brought the Antler Chaos, who called itself Eye, to the Twilight Palace magical training ground, Fia, just out from underground, let out a long breath. The vampire castle had been dark, damp, and the air perpetually carried the smell of blood—unpleasant. Here, close to the Holy Tree and filled with the scent of nature, Twilight Palace was far more comfortable.

If she delayed too long, Nola and the others still above ground might come in to check on her. If they found her gone, they’d surely panic. Better to ask a few key questions and hurry back.

Fia looked at the Antler Chaos standing rigidly beside her. Even in this new environment, it showed no sign of discomfort. As if sensing her gaze, the Antler Chaos crossed its arms and bowed at the waist, its eyes—which occupied half its head—lowering in a gesture of submission.

This motion, crossing the arms and placing palms on the shoulders, was probably a special etiquette of the Antler Chaos. But was it something they had developed themselves, or a culture passed down from their father god? Considering they used ancient elvish, it was safer to interpret it as culture inherited from the father god.

Though the Antler Chaos before her held complete trust in her, to the point of keeping its soul with her, she couldn’t bring herself to trust it unconditionally in return. Placing it in Blossom, her secure rear base, wasn’t a good idea. Hiding it in that wilderness where she’d first met Clark, or placing it in the Holy Kingdom’s Desiccated Wasteland, would be the best answer.

I’ll send it there after questioning. It spent centuries under the vampire territory without communicating with the outside world. It’s probably a species that doesn’t need conversation to alleviate loneliness.

Relaxing her body, Fia took an exquisite wooden chair from her storage magic. After learning storage magic, she had stored every item that might prove useful, including things like beds, within her storage space.

She pointed at the wooden chair.

“Sit down and talk.”

The Antler Chaos sat where she indicated. But the moment its backside touched the chair, a sizzling sound of wood being corroded echoed through the air. Moreover, the ground of the magical training ground, where it contacted the Chaos, also emitted a faint, less noticeable corrosive sound.

Its true form is, after all, composed of Chaos. So it can’t be exempt from Chaos’s innate nature?

“Stand up.”

“Yes.”

As Fia had imagined, the chair’s surface was corroded into a concave, uneven area.

“How long were you in that hall? Were you alone there?”

“Underground, there’s no concept of day or night. I don’t know how long I was there. I simply followed my duty, making exchanges with the people there. That woman gave me pure-bloods, and I granted her magic to extend her lifespan. Nothing more. The pure-bloods obtained were handed over to my companions. They would take them back.”

So there are companions after all.

The Antler Chaos’s transmitted thoughts had explicitly used the term “we.” Fia had long suspected they were a group.

But Chaos was barred from coming to the surface by the World Tree’s barrier. How did they appear on the World Tree Continent? It was puzzling. The questions she wanted to ask were countless.

“How many of you are there? Where do you live?”

“This…” As if unable to comprehend Fia’s meaning, the Antler Chaos hesitated for a moment. “I have not contacted my race in a long time. I do not know. As for our dwelling, it is underground on this continent. I have never been to the surface, so it is difficult to describe in terms you would understand. If you could visit in person, you would surely understand everything.”

Fia rested her right hand against her lips, thinking.

“Do you know of another group that looks like you, but with eyes entirely gold? They once tried to attack me.”

“Attack you?” Hearing this news, the Antler Chaos suddenly lifted its head. Its intense reaction put Fia on guard, but aside from the shock and indignation in its thoughts, it made no further move. “Those you speak of are the warriors of our clan. Their eyes have no blue. But why would they attack you, and in this secluded paradise? Unthinkable…”

“They encountered me beneath this continent.”

“Even more unthinkable. Currently, we cannot go to the world below.”

“Could it have been a different race, distinct from yours?”

“Impossible. The antlers atop our heads belong only to our tribe. Others do not have this characteristic. Can you tell me in detail what happened then? Attacking the father god could not have been the doing of our race. There must be someone else.”

“I agree.”

Fia spread her hands and had the Antler Chaos tell her everything it knew.

According to the Antler Chaos, the more blue in their eyes, the higher their intelligence. It was of mid-to-upper intelligence within its race.

From the moment of their birth, they had lived on the World Tree Continent, still considered the Land of Exile. By the father god’s command, they dwelt hidden beneath the World Tree Continent, slowly developing their race. This was also why, despite the World Tree’s barrier, they still existed on the continent.

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More importantly, their reason for existence was etched into their souls. The father god had left them in this world to one day deal with the Chaos entrenched beneath the World Tree Continent. They knew of the World Tree’s crisis and knew of Chaos sharing their origins beneath it. However, the two sides were enemies.

It was worth emphasizing that the Land of Eternal Night’s perpetual darkness was also their doing. Their power was too great relative to the World Tree Continent, and they needed a suitable environment. Thus, that place became a land without a day.

As for more detailed information, Fia would have to go underground to learn it. That knowledge was beyond this Antler Chaos’s comprehension; only the tribe’s wise ones could explain it to Fia. Through this, Fia also realized that though Chaos-formed races were powerful, their intelligence wasn’t on par with ordinary humans.

“So, you also don’t know why your kin attacked me. I’d have to ask your tribe’s wise ones to find out?”

“Yes.”

“Where do I go? When can we depart?”

“Our tribe is quite deep underground. I need to prepare a teleportation ritual. But there are no nutrients here. I cannot maintain consciousness here for long…”

There was already a hint of shame in the Antler Chaos’s thoughts, as if humiliated by its own inadequacy.

These words also reminded Fia. Both Anastasia and Helian had said that powerful Chaos individuals couldn’t leave the Chaos alone to survive. This Antler Chaos before her must be the same. She observed it carefully. Indeed, the Chaos writhing on its surface was more agitated than before, as if fighting against the surrounding environment.

It reminded one of an earthworm exposed to the sun, about to dry out and dehydrate.

“I can’t very well send you down into the Abyss. Would returning to that underground hall from before work? But I recall there was no Chaos inside there.”

“That is because I hid it, so no one would see. If the ritual proceeds smoothly, we can begin in three days at the latest. If you forget, the next ritual will be a week later.”

“I won’t forget a schedule like this. Go ahead and prepare.”

“My deepest gratitude.”

Once more, the Antler Chaos crossed its arms before its chest and bowed to Fia. Compared to before, Fia felt a sense of having established a cooperative relationship with it, as if their connection had deepened somewhat.

Did I just gain a batch of subordinates, or a batch of believers needing care for eating, drinking, and defecating?

A curious thought crossed her mind. Fia shook her head.

I’ll decide how it is after visiting their stronghold in three days. Worst case, I have the option to completely sever the connection. An existence like Chaos, exposed to the outside, would create many troubles. It needs proper handling.

I wonder what Helian’s reaction would be if I brought this Antler Chaos before her.

Probably amusing.

With anticipation, Fia activated teleportation magic, leading the Antler Chaos.

◇

Fire Cat Territory, Hunting Grounds.

By the time Fia returned to the Fire Cat territory with the exhausted Estelle, it was already night.

The Land of Eternal Night had made one lose any sense of day and night. Plus, Fia and Nola had rounded up all the local pure-bloods, which had taken extra time. As a result, only one of the Land of Eternal Night’s four great families remained, and that surviving family would set out tomorrow for the Fire Cat territory to receive their investiture from Tilulu, the Queen of Cold Night residing there.

“Investiture” sounded glorious, but in reality, it meant transforming from native kings into subordinates. It signified that a state within a state would become history.

For the current Queen of Cold Night and Holy Son, however, the most important matter was something else.

The young women seated on either side of the hall wore varied expressions. Their gazes were fixed on the black-haired elf sitting in the place of honor on the raised dais. Though the pale yellow magic lamps in the hall illuminated the room brightly and the dinner laid out on the tables was exquisitely prepared, not a sound could be heard. If not for one particular fire cat’s constantly twitching ears, one would think time had frozen here.

Naturally, those in the room were Fia and her group, including Estelle, Erin Slate, Tilulu, Nola, and Ying. For secrecy—or more accurately, shyness—not a single servant was present. And aside from most people, excluding Claire and Ying, nervousness was written on every face.

None was more nervous than Fia herself.

She sat upright, kneeling properly at her small table. First, she coughed lightly twice, her right hand forming a fist against her mouth. Seeing everyone’s intense gazes still locked onto her, her already awkward smile became even more embarrassed.

“What… What’s with the silence? Isn’t this dinner? It’s rare for everyone to gather. And Estelle, you just went through a big battle. Shouldn’t you rest in your room first?”

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“No need,” Estelle’s voice carried a strange stiffness. “I heard Fia, you’re going to accept everyone’s confessions all at once. As your close friend, how could I miss such a scene? Go on. I won’t interrupt.”

Wait, Estelle, what’s with this tone, like you’re angry about something?

Sure, she might have been a bit lacking in moral fortitude, but that shouldn’t make Estelle angry. Besides, she’d never said she’d accept everyone’s confessions all at once.

It was just…

Given the current situation, she couldn’t explain properly. If misunderstandings arose, it would become something she couldn’t clarify at all.

So she could only raise her glass, forcing herself to endure the awkwardness.

“Ahem. First, let’s celebrate Estelle’s safe return.”

“You should state the main matter first.”

Estelle blocked Fia’s throat again with a single sentence.

Fia had no choice but to sheepishly put down her glass.

Damn it, Estelle, aren’t you my close friend? This is when you should be helping me save face!

Immediately following Estelle’s words, Liti chimed in, swinging her white-stockinged legs.

“I think Miss Estelle is right. Big Sis has kept everyone waiting long enough. Today’s the day to tell us the result. Though, I already know the answer, hehe.”

Having said that, Liti affectionately hugged the arm of Anastasia beside her, like loving sisters. Anastasia, for her part, was stiff and didn’t dare move, her back ramrod straight, her face bright red.

This one’s definitely trying to muddy the waters.

Fia had seen through Liti’s intentions. But there was no way she could agree to her, no matter what. Otherwise, Tilulu would also latch on. Those two little ones hadn’t yet reached the age of maturity for their races. Agreeing would practically be a crime. Just thinking about being pointed at and ridiculed by the populace made Fia feel thorns prickling her back.

Even if she were to accept them, she’d have to wait until they came of age.

The arrow’s been nocked; I have no choice but to shoot.

Well then…

Since I have to face this day eventually, facing it sooner means resolving it sooner!

Courage suddenly welled up in her heart. Fia opened her mouth. But before she could get the words out all at once, the newly emerged courage deflated the moment she caught Ying’s teasing expression.

I’ve decided. I accept Nola’s and Tilulu’s feelings! And before that, I already accepted Anastasia!

This is just too embarrassing…

Just how lacking in moral fortitude do you have to be to announce something like this publicly?

She had wanted to explain things privately, one person at a time.

That said, dawdling also showed a lack of resolve. Since she’d decided, she should face it bravely. This wasn’t the time to keep those waiting in suspense.

Fia took a deep breath. Though her gaze wandered across the floor, sincerity gradually crept into her tone.

“Ahem. Let’s get back on track, then. Originally, this month was for me to think things through. In the world I come from, everyone can only choose one person as their partner. So after coming to the World Tree Continent, I had trouble adapting to the customs here.”

“However, the incident with Anastasia on the way back left no energy to think about how to bridge that principle. At the time, I was worried about whether this Anastasia here might be in danger. Later, after confirming her soul was slumbering within her body, I had to rush like putting out fires to ensure the second Anastasia wasn’t sent back to her original world. Back and forth, it consumed quite a lot of time. Before I knew it, a month had passed…”

At this point, Fia cautiously glanced at Nola, seated on the lower right side. Though a momentary melancholy flickered across Nola’s face, the moment she noticed Fia looking at her, her tail shot straight up again, and she hastily explained.

“I, I can wait another month!”

“No…”

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Fia stopped Nola mid-sentence with a wry smile that was hard to describe in words. Nola thought Fia was about to reject her. Her upright tail drooped, and her expression turned bitter along with it.

This one.

If it were just the two of them here, she’d grab her cat ears and give her a proper scolding. How could there be someone this dense in the world?

“I haven’t finished speaking. Going through Anastasia’s situation made me realize that Anastasia is an indispensable part of my life. And even back in Cold Night, I vaguely realized I had feelings for Anastasia. It was just my own stubbornness that kept me from taking that step. I nearly caused a disaster. Luckily, there was still a chance to make things right. A while ago, I confessed my feelings to Anastasia, and Anastasia accepted me. So I’ve decided: I will report to Father and Mother Yulisha and have Anastasia become Silvar’s future Second Princess.”

“Eep…”

Anastasia, whose name had been mentioned, didn’t know how to react. Her face was crimson, sweat beading on her palms and back. Though no one was actually looking at her, she felt as if everyone’s eyes were on her. She didn’t know where to direct her gaze and finally could only bow her head deeply, hiding her face from everyone.

No one spoke. Or rather, everyone was waiting for Fia’s next words.

Fia stared directly at Nola.

“This recognition that everyone is important to me extends to Nola as well. If Nola were in danger, I’d also be frantic, unable to rest for a moment. So, if Nola still feels the same way about me as before, I will accept her. We’ll start by trying to be together, getting to know each other.”

“Huh? Th-this mean you accept me? I passed the trial period?”

“Hurry up and say yes, you idiot.”

Beside her, Ying quickly tapped Nola’s head with her tail. Only then did Nola snap out of it. She hastily rose, slapping both hands on the table with a loud crack. The force of her emotion sent cracks spreading across the table’s surface.

“Of course I feel the same as before!”

“Finally got it through her thick skull. As her friend, watching was agonizing.” Ying let out a long sigh beside her. “No time like the present. Start making kittens tonight. Since our Nola’s already an adult, Nola should be the one to give birth. It wouldn’t be good for the princess to have a big belly, after all. Beastmen have strong reproductive abilities—five or six in a litter. It’s sure to get lively around here.”

“Huh? T-tonight? Right now? But we only just agreed to start dating. I mean, it’s not like it’s impossible, but today… Today is way too soon… No, I haven’t learned anything yet…”

Nola’s cheeks flushed a brilliant red in an instant. Her beautiful violet eyes spiraled like mosquito repellent coils. Flames flickered to life on her cat ears, growing more intense, threatening to burn down the roof.

“Of course I’m joking. Before that, shouldn’t you ask Miss Claire for her opinion first?”

“If it’s little Nola, I’m all for it.” Claire tilted her head slightly, revealing a doting, elder-like smile. Then she took Anastasia’s free hand. “Not just Nola. Anna too.”

“Uh, as a beastman, I’m not really one to talk, but Miss Claire’s heart is so broad. Normally, wouldn’t you be at least a little jealous?”

“Because I know little Fia can never forget me? I trust little Fia completely.”

“What about me?”

Tilulu, whose heart felt like it might leap out of her mouth, stretched her neck forward and asked, tears welling in her eyes.

The moment Tilulu’s words fell, Liti and Milu also seemed to sense the main event was here. Their ears perked up, their eyes burning as they stared at Fia, like kittens waiting to be fed cat food.

This is so painful…

Fia felt her conscience being condemned.

Even accepting two people at once in front of everyone was already shameless enough. But Fia felt especially uncomfortable when it came to Tilulu.

Stealing the heart of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl—if word of this got out, she’d definitely be labeled a bottom-feeder with no scruples. She’d only ever thought of Tilulu as a student and a daughter. How had it turned into this?

If the First Princess had looked more mature, like Claire, then Tilulu definitely wouldn’t have seen her as a peer.

Being petite has its downsides.

“Ahem. Tilulu is still not okay for now.”

“Why not?”

Tilulu’s eyebrows shot up.

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“You’re too young. At the very least, you should wait until you come of age, right? And by coming of age, I don’t mean the beastman age of fifteen, but eighteen. Wasn’t that our agreement before?”

“Ugh… Fia-sama is playing favorites.”

Tilulu’s mouth formed a pouty ‘∧’ shape, radiating displeasure. Fia wanted to hold Tilulu, pet her head, and soothe her, but the distance was too great, and the occasion didn’t allow it.

“If even the fire cat and Tilulu are okay, what about me? What about the promised Third Princess!”

Seizing the opportunity, Liti pouted. Fia couldn’t help but think that if it weren’t for Anastasia and Claire sitting between them, Liti would already be rolling over to her, pretending to be on the verge of tears as she wailed.

And not just Liti—Milu also raised her eyebrows very seriously and spread her wings to emphasize.

“Me too.”

“Never mind that Milu’s just joining in for fun. As for why you’re being rejected, Liti, you know perfectly well yourself, don’t you? You haven’t reached the elf coming-of-age age either, have you?”

“But Tilulu got a promise! I haven’t! And I was here first!”

“Then wait until you come of age, Liti. Speaking of which, Liti still has twenty-five years until adulthood…”

By then, Tilulu’s kids would be adults before Liti even came of age.

“Damn it. Then I’ll just have to find a way to cook the rice while it’s still raw!”

“That sort of thing is impossible.”

“Get Big Sis drunk! Use knockout drugs! Seduce her!”

Those methods won’t work either. Alcohol and drugs get broken down by the nanomachines. As for seduction, Liti’s underdeveloped body would only make me laugh.

Ignored by Fia, Liti grew frustrated. Finally, she could only crawl over to Claire’s side, hug her arm, and weep.

“Boo hoo, Claire-nee, look at Big Sis, this blockhead. Even though she’s already blooming, she’s completely indifferent to a beauty like me.”

“Well… I can’t help you there either, little Liti. Maybe you can find something that’ll make you grow up faster.”

“Then I’ll have to team up with Milu and—”

Pouting, Liti looked back at Milu. But the latter, with an expression of impending victory, said seriously.

“Four years.”

That number meant Milu was only four years away from adulthood.

Liti’s eyes widened slightly. Then she clenched her teeth, held back her tears, grabbed Milu’s shoulders, and shook her violently.

“Milu, you traitor! You and Tilulu both! What about our conquering Big Sis alliance! Is it dissolved just like that!”

“Ganbatte.”

Like a kind older sister, Milu gently pulled Liti into an embrace and patted her head. But for Liti, this only added insult to injury.

“Damn it! You’re all bullying me! I’m telling Father! And Mother Yulisha!”

Liti’s tearless wailing made everyone laugh. Even Fia’s tension eased considerably.

It’s better when it’s lively like this.

It’s just… for some reason, Estelle and Erin Slate are just silently drinking, looking a bit unhappy. I’ll ask them after dinner. Especially Estelle. Next, we’re going to the Netherworld to visit the Queen of Death. Her sister Noreen should return to her soon.

Thinking this, Fia raised the fruit wine before her and downed it in one gulp. Then she proposed pushing everyone’s tables together so they could all share dinner.