Chapter 99: The True Nature of Fairies
"The difficulty in finding the Lady of the Lake's magical realm is actually far greater than that of the Fairy Forest—because the great lake where the entrance to the Lady of the Lake's realm is located is itself well-concealed, and moreover, the Ladies of the Lake only welcome heroes, brave warriors, or emperors, so they have set up many Magecraft barriers around the great lake specifically to keep ordinary people out."
"It can be said that if an ordinary person has no remarkable skills to speak of, it is absolutely impossible to find the Lady of the Lake's magical realm—this is the core reason why, in legends and biographies, those who emerge from the Lady of the Lake's realm are all outstanding individuals who go on to make a name for themselves."
"It is not that entering the Lady of the Lake's realm can turn an ordinary person into a hero, a brave warrior, or a great king... but rather, only those who already possess such potential can enter the Lady of the Lake's realm."
"If you know these inside stories, then all the mystery and dreamlike aura surrounding the Lady of the Lake would vanish, leaving only two words to describe it—reality."
Having said this, Mary abruptly changed the subject.
"Knowing these inside stories might shatter dreams, but only after learning these things can one more clearly understand that 'opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared.'"
"Daydreaming is not advisable, and there is no true means in this world that can make your dreams come true for no reason."
Hearing Mary say this, Noah seemed to react.
"If that's the case, then I think I understand... Those heroes in legends and biographies weren't all just those who met the Lady of the Lake. I remember a small number also received help from fairies. So, are you saying there are inside stories about the Fairy Forest as well?"
"Exactly."
Seeing that Noah had caught on, Mary continued without holding back.
"The entrance to the Fairy Forest is in the great tree sea of Hibernia. Although the entrance to the Fairy Forest is also difficult to find, and the incantation is unknown to ordinary people—only circulating among a small few—compared to the Lady of the Lake's magical realm, the Fairy Forest is far more likely to be disturbed."
"But in reality, fewer people have received help from fairies than those who have gained something from the Lady of the Lake... People don't just disappear for no reason."
"Moreover, it's always ordinary people who disappear. Only the elites do not vanish, and these individuals are so elite that they leave their names in legends and biographies."
Mary's voice grew slightly lower here. Though still adorable, it inexplicably carried a hint of eeriness.
"Even Morgan, who has had many encounters with these fairies, probably doesn't know this: although these fairies, like the elves in legends, only eat fruits, mushrooms, and such—not even meat—this is not the essence of their diet."
"The prototypes of the legendary elves indeed bear traces of these fairies—but the reason these fairies only eat fruits, mushrooms, and the like is because the Fairy Forest contains the World Tree, so the vitality contained in the fruits and mushrooms grown here is far richer than that in meat."
"Unlike humans who need to eat various foods to maintain nutritional balance, these fairies have simple dietary needs—neither fruits nor mushrooms, but life force itself!"
"With the World Tree present, they can sustain themselves by consuming the fruits nurtured by its immense life force, which also happen to be the finest nourishment available."
"But what if the World Tree were gone?"
Mary paused here before adding another point.
"By the way, creatures like Magical Beasts, which seem almost alien in nature, lack the pure life force these fairies require. As for fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, or even animal meat not nurtured by the World Tree—their life force is rather low, scarce even."
"Outside, even in lands not blessed by the lingering protection of the Age of Gods like Britain, only one species possesses the richest life force."
"That is the species chosen by the world."
"Their flavor, born from the fusion of life and soul, is particularly delectable to fairies."
At this point, Mary fell silent.
But Noah understood what Mary was implying.
—Humans!
So... even though these fairies now appear peaceful and friendly, without the World Tree, their diet would undergo a complete transformation!
This must be the real reason they intend to cooperate with Britain!
As for why these fairies never sought out Britain in the simulations, Noah seemed to grasp it now.
The World Tree will die, and these fairies will inevitably seek aid.
So, in present-day Britain, especially in the simulations, were the fairies' best choice truly himself?
No!
The fairies' optimal choice was clearly Vortigern!
If they were unaware that Vortigern's goal was to destroy everything on the island, even at the cost of his own life, and to forcibly transform Britain into a magical realm using the island's last remnants of mystery—knowing their diet would change after the World Tree's demise, the fairies' first choice would undoubtedly be Vortigern!
Because Vortigern was no longer human!
And he was powerful!
Thus, in the battle for Britain, Vortigern held a significant advantage. Even in the simulations, before Noah found a definitive method, the outcome had always been annihilation by Vortigern.
So the fairies' primary choice would naturally be Vortigern.
But why did they choose him this time?
At this thought, Noah suddenly realized.
It was because, in King Pellinore's territory, he had fought the White Dragon's avatar to a standstill!
Moreover, while only Vortigern himself posed a threat on his side, Noah still held the upper hand!
Then these fairies learned of his connection with Scáthach. Although the misunderstanding had been cleared up, they could still see that his relationship with Scáthach was extraordinary!
Under these circumstances, the odds had shifted to his favor.
That's why these fairies chose him this time!
With Mary's explanation, Noah gained complete clarity on the matter.
So then...
"Mary, you mentioned earlier that with my Rhongomyniad magical realm, I could also reap considerable benefits in the Fairy Forest. But if these fairies are like this, then those benefits won't be easy to obtain."
Noah wasn't exactly a man of high morals, but he didn't take a liking to these fairies' dietary habits.
This was a hidden danger.
Even though he possessed a method to preserve the World Tree, he still felt it wasn't stable.
However, having been in contact with Noah for so long, Mary could naturally anticipate his current reaction.
So the benefits she had mentioned earlier were not the same as what Noah was thinking now.
"Noah, these fairies were not born naturally; their origin comes from the World Tree—so what you need to do is revive the World Tree and become its master. Once that happens, you can have as many fairies as you want, and it won't be too difficult to impose restrictions on the newborn fairies or even alter their fundamental nature of feeding..."
Hearing Mary say this, Noah smiled.
Not only did he smile inwardly, but a grin also appeared on his face.
So that's how it is...
Now that you put it that way, I understand!
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