Chapter 101: He Never Needs A Victory That Has To Be Boasted About
"Elder... must we truly reserve space for those humans in the new Fairy Forest?"
Regarding Noah's request for fairy assistance, these fairies indeed saw little issue with it.
Sending a few of their kin to help—they considered that trivial. But reserving space for humans within their forest... this was something many fairies could not accept.
After all, although they had approached Noah and Morgan with exceptionally good attitudes when seeking help, it could not be denied that deep down, these fairies regarded humans as a race inferior to their own.
For a faction as highly developed in the mystical realm as theirs, humans—a race largely ignorant of the mysteries—were little more than hairless monkeys.
It was much like how humans might feel when viewing monkey enclosures at a zoo.
The only differences were that these monkeys were more numerous and slightly cleverer than their hairier counterparts, nothing more.
Normally, fairies lived in their hidden realms while monkeys dwelled outside. Under such circumstances, the fairies didn't mind much; occasionally, if a few intruders proved particularly capable, intelligent, or pleasing to the eye, they might even offer them some treats.
If such individuals displayed notable talent, the fairies might even exclaim in amazement—"Rise of the Planet of the Apes."
But now they were to live together... the feeling was entirely different.
It was akin to being willing to buy a ticket to visit a zoo, but would you be content to live in the zoo as one of the animals?
"Allowing humans to reside in our forest... surely other factions would mock us."
"I too am unwilling to live alongside those humans..."
The fairies chattered noisily, their earlier friendliness completely vanished.
Only after the Fairy Elder remained silent for some time, and the fairies noticed their elder had fallen quiet, did they gradually settle down.
It was then that the Fairy Elder spoke again.
"Cease this clamor... In any case, mobilize all our kin. Then I shall visit the hidden realm mentioned by that King of Britain. If it proves truly viable, we shall transplant the Tree with the utmost speed..."
Seeing the elder make no mention of their earlier complaints, the fairies assumed he intended to agree to the human's request, and for a moment, they sighed in resignation.
Yet none dared oppose the elder.
Just as they hung their heads in dejection, the elder's next words perked their spirits.
"Quickly transplant the tree. Once it takes root, and we are all within the hidden realm—knowing precisely where its entrance lies, and having connected it during the transplantation—what need would we have to continue relying on humans?"
His words invigorated the other fairies. And before departing, he added one final remark.
"If we were to seize the hidden realm from human hands, we would inevitably suffer losses. But if we simply block the entrance—given the level of human Magecraft, could they possibly enter?"
"When that time comes, who else could claim ownership of this hidden realm but us?"
Having left these words behind, he turned and took his leave.
After the elder left, the remaining fairies immediately erupted in cheers.
Clearly, they were very satisfied with this outcome, not feeling the slightest bit of guilt about deceiving someone who had just helped them.
The fairies all believed their elder's plan was flawless.
But what they didn't know was that everything they had just discussed had been under Mary's observation.
Originally, due to Merlin's notorious reputation, almost every magical realm faction had taken specific precautions, making it impossible for Mary's Clairvoyance to see inside the magical realms.
However, unlike Merlin, Mary had just sneaked into the Fairy Forest once by hiding in Noah's dreams.
With Noah's help, she analyzed the Fairy Forest's defenses against her Clairvoyance, devised countermeasures, and had Noah leave something behind in the Fairy Forest before they departed.
This directly resulted in the Fairy Forest once again falling under Mary's Clairvoyance.
Mary heard all of this.
And naturally, Noah learned of it as well.
"So, after learning about the true nature of these fairies, do you feel any less guilty now?"
Mary said this to Noah, who casually nodded in response.
"Indeed... I didn't have much guilt to begin with, but after learning all this, it does feel much more refreshing to carry out this plan."
As Noah spoke to Mary, he placed the fake entrance to the Rhongomyniad Grand magical realm, which he had asked Mary to create, in a remote location.
"That should just about do it. Now, we just wait for these fairies to walk right into the trap themselves."
After completing the setup, Noah simply pretended to know nothing about the matter.
Later, when the Fairy Elder arrived, he led them into the magical realm for a tour and revealed the location of the fake entrance.
The Fairy Elder then mobilized the entire fairy race to carry out the plan of transplanting the World Tree with great urgency.
Perhaps fearing that Vortigern might attack during this time and drag them into war, they acted swiftly...
In just about five days, the fairies successfully transplanted the World Tree into Rhongomyniad.
It was only then that Noah finally understood what the World Tree truly meant to the Fairy Forest.
The previously barren Rhongomyniad, after the transplantation of the World Tree, sprouted countless plants.
In less than half an hour, the area had transformed into a vast sea of trees.
This was the power of the World Tree.
Moreover, after the World Tree connected with the Rhongomyniad, Noah could clearly feel his connection to it.
Just as Mary had said, under these circumstances, he could issue commands to the World Tree.
For example, he could make the World Tree produce fairies, impose restrictions on them, or even alter the habits of newly born fairies.
Beyond that, Noah also felt a significant increase in the vitality within his own body.
He used the Holy Lance to cut a gash on his hand, and then the wound healed at a visible speed.
"This is also a benefit brought by the World Tree."
Noah was very satisfied with this harvest.
Then...
With Caliburn in his left hand and the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad in his right, he let Morgan help him put on the silver helmet belonging to the king, allowing the white hair at the back of the helmet, like a lion's mane, to flow freely.
"King... I await your triumphant return."
After returning from the Fairy Forest and learning the full extent of the plan from Noah, Morgan pondered for a long time. At this moment, she ultimately called him "King." She had hesitated several times about whether to persuade Noah to bring some companions, or at least take Scáthach along.
But in the end, the advice remained unspoken.
Since Noah had decided this way, it meant he had his own thoughts.
And all she needed to do was trust him.
This was what Morgan thought, while Noah nodded to Morgan, took a few steps forward, and opened the gate to the Rhongomyniad. Instead of entering immediately, he paused at the entrance and then spoke to Morgan behind him.
"...I still prefer it when you call me by my name directly."
He left these words behind and stepped into the magical realm without looking back.
Declarations, oaths—he needed none of these.
He did not need to speak of victory.
Because while other kings were still delivering lengthy victory speeches before setting out, he would already return triumphant!