Hearing Charlotte’s assessment, Faust jested with the fairy in his mind:
'Mephistopheles, she says the old guard is past its prime. What do you have to say to that?'
If one were to follow Charlotte’s theory, Mephistopheles was practically reeking of antiquity.
【Hmm... I can’t really argue with that. Among us fairies, the younger generation is indeed more energetic. The old fogies should stay away; they’ve got a certain scent on them.】
Faust: 'And you?'
【I’ve already told you to call me Little Mephi! I’m naturally very young!】
Mephistopheles changed its tone, simulating a voice in Faust’s mind that sounded like a youthful, energetic girl.
A classic case of being a child at heart, one might say.
Faust smiled and shook his head at Charlotte.
"Perhaps that is so, but how can we know without trying? Regardless, it doesn't matter if this fails. If it succeeds, the benefits will be boundless."
"There won't be another Lady Lian."
The imperial princess had to admit that it was indeed an attempt worth making, but she still sighed before explaining to Faust:
"It is not a simple matter for a fairy to achieve dragonfall. At the very least, it is not like the dragons recorded in legends, who descend upon the world suddenly and without warning."
"As is common knowledge, fairies have no physical form. To descend into the mortal realm, one must first forge a physical body—a vessel. Only with a vessel can one have the foundation to descend."
"And the forging of a vessel cannot be accomplished with ordinary materials. It must be capable of containing the fairy’s spirit and will. Such a thing does not exist in the mortal realm; it must be forged by the fairy’s own hands."
"Forged by their own hands?"
Charlotte nodded. "Yes, personally... The problem is, fairies do not have the authority to do this. Under normal circumstances, it is absolutely impossible to hand-craft a physical body unless... it is a matter within their jurisdiction permitted by fate."
"Oh, a duty within their jurisdiction... could it be?"
Faust raised an eyebrow. This was information he truly hadn't heard from Mephistopheles before; it was quite fresh.
He thought of a possibility, and the imperial princess nodded, confirming the prince’s guess.
"After guiding mortals to complete a script of fate, a fairy can bestow a blessing upon them. Such a blessing can be partially intercepted by the fairy to forge a body. Over time, through accumulation, a mortal body can be fully formed."
"Lady Lian has been the guardian deity of the empire for eight hundred years. All of us in the royal family have received her blessings. Thus, the speed at which Lady Lian forged her physical body was much faster than those evil dragons in history."
I see, so there's a processing fee involved.
Faust rested his index finger against his chin, nodding continuously. For a fairy protecting the Radiant Dynasty, the amount of 'grease' passing through its hands must have been immense. Given the frequency with which the imperial royal family received blessings, it was no wonder she could achieve the fastest dragonfall legend.
Wait, that’s not right. If it were just that, shouldn't Mephistopheles have achieved dragonfall long ago?
Even if you beat him to death, Faust wouldn't believe that Mephistopheles was one to follow the rules honestly.
【That’s not it at all. I am quite the rule-follower. Moreover... the longer a fairy has been sedimented, the more powerful its spirit becomes, and the required strength of the vessel rises accordingly. I couldn't finish it as easily as Lian did.】
That second half is the real reason, isn't it!
Faust frowned and suddenly asked:
"Mephistopheles, have you been skimming off my rewards before?"
【Faust, if it hurts our unity, it’s best left unsaid.】
You bastard. In all the countless ages past, you never thought to steal a blessing, but you suddenly found the motivation when you met me?! Are you specifically picking me to fleece?!
Faust laughed out of frustration. On the surface, he continued to converse calmly with Charlotte, but in his mind, he was firing on all cylinders, unleashing a torrent of vitriol at Mephistopheles.
Facing an attack from its contractor that was fundamentally unbroadcastable, Mephistopheles remained composed and simply explained calmly:
【Because before I met you, I had never truly made up my mind to achieve dragonfall.】
Hm?
Mephistopheles’ words gave Faust pause, but this reaction, seen by Charlotte, was interpreted as him being shocked by the truth.
Charlotte’s lips curled slightly.
"Well? Now that you know the method for dragonfall, do you still have those bold ideas?"
"You will certainly be receiving blessings in the future. Putting aside whether you can find a fairy who loves humanity as much as Lady Lian and is willing to fall, if a portion of your blessing is intercepted, your progress on your path will be one step slower. Can you endure that?"
"Not every fairy can be like Lady Lian, cultivating followers as early as a century ago."
【How outrageous. Lian’s dragonfall was entirely inspired by me. Otherwise, where would that youngster get the insight to plan and plot so far ahead?】
Fine, fine, it was you again. Mephistopheles, you really are a menace! You’ve done nothing but bad things!
Faust, having understood the entire principle, let out a long breath and said:
"Thank you for clearing that up. We can discuss the details tomorrow."
Seeing Faust’s completely indifferent expression, Charlotte couldn't help but tilt her chin up slightly.
"Hmph... fine. Lady Lian said there was no need to interfere with your decisions. If you insist on this, then do as you please."
By then, the carriage had reached the palace. The area of the Qingxi capital was not particularly large to begin with, and with a main street leading straight to the palace, they had arrived very quickly.
Leaving the carriage, Faust led Charlotte and the imperial diplomatic mission to his residence.
"There should be vacant rooms in the sleeping quarters next to mine. I’ve already had the maids tidy them up. My humble abode is simple; please bear with it."
Only then did Charlotte lower her traveler’s hood and smile.
"It is fine. No descendant of Radiant has been raised to be pampered. Besides, it doesn't matter what kind of place you prepare for the night."
Oh? So she’s that resilient? It seems the rumors I heard about the arrogance of the Radiant royal family were also exaggerated.
Just as Faust’s stereotypical impression of the imperial royal family was beginning to improve, that delicate and haughty face wore a smile as she continued:
"Because it is impossible for a backwater country to satisfy me anyway. To me, it’s no different from sleeping in a stable—or perhaps a pigsty?"
Fine, fine, it seems the rumors were true.
Faust suddenly laughed with a sense of relief. No wonder he felt a certain high-and-mighty 'scent' coming from this imperial princess from the first moment they met. Her politeness and respect toward him were entirely derived from the instructions of her true dragon.
But whatever. Faust didn't intend to get too deeply involved with the Second Empire anyway. The bond between them was indeed formed with the fairies as the core.
As long as the two fairies were there, the alliance was unbreakable.
Just as the group was about to step into the prince’s residential area, Charlotte suddenly stopped.
"Hmm? Your place here..."
The imperial princess let out a soft exclamation and looked toward the other side of the residence.
Faust was about to ask what was wrong when he felt a prickling sensation on his back—a strong sense of warning that made his skin crawl.
Zing—
Accompanied by the resonant ring of a blade being unsheathed, it felt as though a single frame of time had been skipped.
After that momentary stutter, a flash of blade-light fell from the heavens like a silver moon. Closely following it was a piercing wind so sharp it stung the cheeks.
Rate on N.U.
