Chapter 134 Secret Garden And The Black Wolf I
"By the way, isn't there a reason for you to rush me into swearing loyalty?"
Thomas asked Rebecca. And with Thomas pledging his loyalty, Rebecca decided to involve him in the secrets Sara held.
Scott, being a Grandchester boy and Blaze's brother, knew he couldn't keep this a secret. Besides, he could already see that Sara would likely get a lot of attention in the future, so it would eventually be found out.
"Well then, shall we head to the Secret Garden? Maidens, come along. It seems Ms. Teresa is absent today."
"She said she went to get materials for an additional distillation furnace."
"Well, that can’t be helped."
Led by Rebecca, a large group moved towards the Secret Garden.
As they opened the brand new gate and moved forward, an otherworldly scene filled with fairies fluttering around spread out before them, just as it always did.
"Lady Rebecca, or should I say, Rebecca because you're my daughter-in-law, can you tell us why you called us here?"
The Marquis asked Rebecca, clearly getting impatient.
"Grandfather, you are so hasty. This is the garden we call the Secret Garden. As you can see, various types of plants are grown here, completely ignoring the ecosystem, and if we're not careful, even the seasons."
"Is there no greenhouse?"
"The frame was left, but the glass was broken."
"Hmm..."
"This place is maintained by fairies. Miss Rebecca and I, along with the maidens, can see the fairies."
"What... this is a place where fairies gather? And you're friends with the fairies?"
"Yes, that's correct. However, because the maidens don't have much magic, they aren't receiving the fairies' blessings. They can only talk."
"I didn't even know that and closed this place off..."
Marquis was stunned. It's understandable; he was the one who closed the gate without understanding the value of the tower and the flower garden.
"Will is not at fault. Don't be so down!"
Unable to hold back, Mike jumped out from above Sara's head and dove into Marquis's arms.
"Humans place too much value on fairies. We can only live as we like and act as we please. Just because the gate was open doesn't mean the fairies thought of doing something for humans. We're only lending our power because of Sara and the maidens."
"Mike..."
Mike climbed onto the shoulder of the downcast Marquis and nuzzled his cheek.
"Yes, Grandfather. You've protected this place for the maidens all this time. Moreover, you've passed it down to me, just like that."
"Phew... Sara. You wanted this without explaining it properly, didn't you?"
"Y-Yup."
Sara unintentionally spoke in a broken way.
"Well, I can’t let this be kept secret. If other nobles find out, some will come rushing in seeking the fairies’ blessings. This sanctuary of the fairies must be protected at all costs. If needed, I won’t hesitate to deceive the royal family or the future Marquis Grandchester."
'So, you mean we have to keep this a secret not only from the royal family but also from Uncle Edward and Adam, right?'
"If the royal family finds out, they might demand our land as a royal territory. Worst case, they could even move the capital here."
"Eh!?"
"The royal family desperately wants friendship with fairies."
"Why do they seek fairies? Is it because they want a long and stable reign?"
"No, it's not that. A big reason is that the long-gone Odel Kingdom was a country loved by fairies."
"Odel? That’s the country destroyed by Roisen, right?"
"Well, Roisen claims to be the successor, but that is the fact."
At this point, Thomas, acting like a tutor, started to explain.
"Your Excellency the Marquis, I was planning to teach that properly in history class soon. May I explain?"
"Yes. Since it's the perfect opportunity, let’s leave it to the expert."
According to Thomas’s explanation, the castle of the long-gone Odel Kingdom had a sanctuary for fairies, and the kings of each generation visited to form friendships with them. Of course, not every royal could have a fairy friend, so the moment someone made a fairy friend, they were given the right to inherit the throne. Because of that, each king's reign was long, allowing for a slow selection of the next king. Additionally, the fairy that became friends with the king was very helpful and brought various benefits to the country.
"Just like Ms. Sara now, who is getting help from Noble Mike, Noble Pochi, and a third fairy I haven’t met yet."
"I see."
"Odel used this power not only to enrich the country but also to actively invade other nations."
"Wait, did they use fairies in the war? Mike, did you know this?"
"Of course I know. We have different values than humans, and we are greatly influenced by the humans we become friends with. If the king strongly wishes to defeat his enemies, the fairy of that friend won't advise against it. They will gladly help."
"Don't fairies feel guilty?"
"That depends on the personality of their human friend. Fairies without friends exist in a very vague state; they often just drift around attracted to pleasant magic. Some, like the fairies here, might grow plants, watch human activities with interest, or sometimes play tricks.
But the moment they make a human friend, they become fixed in existence and can clearly perceive their vague abilities. They are strongly drawn to their friends, so they are also attracted to the things and people they care about. I feel drawn to Will because Sara cares for him.
Similarly, if a friend strongly wishes to expand their country and make it rich, even by invading other nations, the fairies will start to agree with that. The bond with humans is that significant for fairies."
'So, the king of Odel used the power of fairies to expand and enrich the country.'
"I don’t think it’s wrong for a ruler to borrow the power of fairies. However, the king of Odel went too far."
When other countries learned that Odel was borrowing the power of fairies, they became eager to do the same. Avalon was no exception, and the royal family had been searching for places where fairies gather for generations.
However, the lord of the Roisen territory in the Odel Kingdom was different. He always felt bitter about being ruled by the power of fairies, and he argued, "Human efforts should be done by human strength." He prepared the military of his territory and, taking advantage of the situation, assassinated all the royal family members who had formed friendships with the fairies.
As a result, a king was born in the Odel Kingdom who had no fairy friends. However, the royal family, who had become used to relying on the power of fairies, did not have the ability to maintain the country, and before long, the Roisen territory became independent as a Dukedom.
Before they knew it, the Roisen Dukedom raised its national strength solely through human effort, organized a powerful army, and steadily began to swallow up the Odel Kingdom and surrounding areas. Finally, by the Odel princess marrying the Duke of Roisen, the Odel Kingdom and the Roisen Dukedom became one as the Roisen Kingdom.
"If we take that story as a lesson, it seems we should say 'we shouldn't rely on fairy power for human efforts'..."
"Well, that's what it looks like on the surface. But it's undeniable that the power of fairies is immense. That's why even now, the rulers of the country continue to seek the sacred places where fairies live."
"I see. Now I understand why this place is being targeted."
'Too much of a cheat can become poison. I need to be careful too.'
"I understand that this is a place where fairies gather, but the explanation for why you brought us here is lacking."
The Marquis asked Rebecca.
"The reason I called you here is that Blaze could hear the words of the fairies. It seems he doesn't have any friends yet, but many fairies are attracted to his magical power. Ms. Sara, can't you see them too?"
"Yes. I can see them. However, there's one child I'm curious about..."
Actually, since coming here, there has been a fairy that’s been watching Blaze from a distance but hasn’t come closer. It looks like a black wolf.
"Hey, could you come over here?"
However, the fairy completely ignores Sara’s words. Since many fairies usually show her affection, it makes her a bit down when she gets ignored.
"Even when Ms. Sara calls, it doesn’t work. I guess that child is..."
Rebecca spoke to Blaze.
"Hey Blaze, can you see the fairy?"
"I’m not sure if that’s a fairy, but I can see the glowing orb flying around. I’ve seen it for a long time."
"I knew it. So, could you use a little magic?"
When Blaze produced a small flame from his fingertip, a lot of fairies gathered around it, as if attracted by the fire.
"Whoa!"
Surprised, Blaze lost focus and let the flame dissipate. However, the fairies didn’t move away from Blaze. Even the black wolf fairy moved a little closer and stared at Blaze.
"Don’t worry. Just close your eyes for a moment and try to calm your mind. Then, slowly, look at the light around you."
Blaze closed his eyes for a moment and then slowly opened them.
"Ugh, it’s so bright! What is this!!"
It seems Blaze was now able to see the fairies too.
"I thought all fairies were like Mike, but there are so many different kinds."
"That’s right. Fairies can take many forms. You’ve seen Mike in their human shape, haven’t you?"
"That’s true."
Blaze reached out his hand toward the fairies. Various fairies gathered around and started to playfully pounce on Blaze all at once.
"Blaze, do you think you can find a friend among these fairies?"
"I'll give it a try!"
Then, Blaze happily started running around the garden with the fairies. Scott watched them with a bright smile.
"Do you want a fairy friend too, Scott?"
"It's strange, but I don't really want one that much. I just feel happy because Blaze looks so happy. After everything that's been tough, I want Blaze to be happy."
"Yeah, I feel the same way."
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