Chapter 167

Then he continued,

"You did a very good job and don't need to be punished at all, because that was your duty. And now that I am the Fifth Sun, it is my duty to Protection everything here, whether it's Tenochtitlan or the people there, or even the Moon Lake. I will Protection them all."

After Favia said that, Tlaloc's restless heart quickly calmed down, and he felt a sense of peace.

Tlaloc silently sat down in the chair beside him.

Time slips away unnoticed, the lakeside trees stand deserted, and houses stand side by side in the Ancient City.

The vibrant life that permeates this miracle seems to contradict the cruelty once possessed by the ancient world.

"That..."

Suddenly, Tlaloc tried to ask a question.

"Although this kind of thing is unnecessary for you... however... but--"

His voice trembled; it seemed that Tlaloc was mustering his courage to speak his mind.

"I can take you to the heart of Tenochtitlan, through gardens adorned with greenstone, teeming with birds, vibrantly colored plants, and beautiful waterways, and then there's a special space known only to me... we must go there—"

Tlaloc spoke somewhat timidly, his head involuntarily bowing.

Just as she was saying that only the final 'is' left, a voice that was extremely familiar to both of them came from not far away, drowning out the Black-Haired Girl's words.

"Favia!"

247: Please hand over the Moon Lake to me completely (5k)

Recently, Bavan Shi has become worried about Favia again.

"Why do you keep wearing this Jaguar Man Mask, Favia?"

Bawan Shi stared in utter confusion at the man who had been wearing a half- Jaguar Man Mask ever since that day.

Although she was extremely worried about him at that moment, she felt much more at ease after the situation was over and she saw Favia return safely.

"Isn't this good?"

"Very good. Although it looks a little strange that your hair has turned golden, it's actually still very pretty."

When the Fairy girl said this, a blush crept onto her fair cheeks.

Moreover, she looked very serious when answering Favia's questions, but she seemed somewhat restless before asking them.

"That's right, after all, this is the Jaguar, the Sacred Beast animal of the Americas, a symbol of both Divinity and ferocity."

"W-what... Jaguar or something..."

That's it.

Favia left with this seemingly perfunctory remark, then stood up and approached Bavan Shi, a smile playing on his lips.

"But I remember the Jaguar was one of the symbols of that god you wanted to abolish Human Sacrifice for, right?"

"... You actually knew that?"

Favia looked quite shocked that Bavan Shi knew such a thing, as if she couldn't believe that a girl who took so long to learn a language could understand such a thing.

His confusion was so superficial that it made the Fairy girl gasp, her eyes widen, and then she blushed.

"Do you think I'm some kind of stupid idiot?! Favia, you're the real idiot!"

The Red-Haired Fairy cursed fiercely, a warm liquid welling up in her eyes.

"That's right, you idiot! You idiot! You idiot! You idiot! Why do you do so much work for them? What if something happens to you?"

That Half-Crocodile, Half-Fish Monster is something even the Great Mother would have a hard time dealing with; how could an ordinary person possibly defeat it...? Even though you succeeded, what if you had failed? Do you know what would have happened? They, and I, would all be heartbroken—"

"You can't say that. After all, I've already seen it, so I can't just sit idly by. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep soundly."

The blond man said with a genuinely "it's no big deal" smile.

Just like when I first saw you.

But I still don't want you to take that risk.

"You're wrong, Bavan Shi."

Favia gently shook her head.

"I would never do something I'm not sure I can handle, so trust me."

"... What? How can you be so unreasonable?"

Bawan Shi pouted her lips.

"I remember when we first met, I invited you inside to warm yourself by the fire, Xiaoxi, didn't I?"

Looking at Favia's smile, Bavan Shi felt a warmth similar to that of the campfire in that house from years ago.

Then, the man spoke slowly, as if casually.

"As for me, Favia, I wouldn't avoid getting along with someone just because they're some kind of 'strange' being. However, if they're truly incorrigible, malicious, have a terrible personality, and constantly try to make things difficult for me, I might reconsider."

"You can't do that..."

Bavan Shi seemed to take it seriously, her cheeks flushing Crimson. She then lowered her head slightly and secretly looked up at Favia.

"I'm not willful, malicious, or have a bad temper..."

"Of course I know." Favia gazed at the Fairy girl and continued, "But I still really hope that you, Xiaoxi, can be willful, malicious, and have a bad temper. After all, you're too kind-hearted, and it's easy for people to bully you, isn't it?"

"... I know..."

"However, I will not let Xiaoxi be harmed by anyone before that is achieved; that is my promise."

"..."

For some reason, his expression reminded her of Fairy prince she had read about in her storybooks. Although she had had this thought many times before, hearing those words in person only confirmed it to her.

No matter when, or even before I met her.

Yes, that's right, exactly.

As the Crowd in the Americas call it, it's something we take for granted and forget— the Sun.

He is clearly just a person, but perhaps it is because of people's positive perception of the 'Sun' that he, who emanates an invisible warmth into everyone's heart, becomes what people perceive as the 'Sun'.

Although she understood this, Bavan Shi was still a little unwilling.

In any case, the happiest she ever laughed was only in front of him, but for Favia, it wasn't just like that; anyone could have it, and she wished only she could have it.

"... You're an idiot."

She answered.

"No, I'm not. On the contrary, Bavanshi, who studied languages for so long before finally mastering them, is the real idiot."

"I knew that already."

Surprisingly, the Fairy girl didn't refute it; instead, she admitted it.

So... although I'm stupid... really, that might actually be true... so--

Her voice trembled.

"You can protect me then."

Mustering her courage, the girl spoke her mind.

But soon, Bavan Shi couldn't believe she had blurted out such a thing.

But wasn't this a slight retaliation against the man?

Favia looked at Bavan Shi with a gentle expression and answered earnestly.

"I see."

He gently took the girl's hand in his. For the girl, being held by his hand made her body feel hot and her throat feel rapidly parched.

Bavan Shi's heart is as fiery as the Sun shining through, but this is a secret from Favia for now.

Overall, after this incident, the Red-Haired Fairy was full of energy like the Sun for the next few days.

Because she would always recall that conversation between her and Favia, where she said, "You will protect me" and "I know," and when she thought of the dazzling smile and gentle words, the girl would be so happy that she would almost forget to breathe.

When Bavan Shi heard Favia say, "I will not let little Shi get hurt by anyone, that is my promise," he was so happy, so excited, for that radiant, irreplaceable, and important person.

Although this might draw strange looks from Tlaloc, it's actually quite nice this way.

The Fairy girl, who was secretly watching the Black-Haired Girl with a strange expression, put on a confident and smug look.

Yes, it's not good for Tlaloc, but she doesn't seem to like Favia. I'll definitely brag about what happened between Favia and me when I have time later.

Thinking that she would say something that would make the black-haired elf show a regretful expression, Bavan Shi couldn't help but feel a little expectant.

Then, a few days later, she witnessed this scene—

The usually aloof Tlaloc sat down in the chair with her head bowed in embarrassment, as if she were slowly moving closer to Favia, their shadows gradually overlapping.

In that instant, Bavan Shi already envisioned what would happen next.

Soon, Tlaloc would snuggle up to Favia, wrapping his arms around his neck, slowly, very slowly—

"Favia!"

As complex thoughts swirled in her mind, the Fairy girl quickly ran to the chairs where Favia and Tlaloc were.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter, Xiaoxi?"

The blond man asked the approaching Fairy girl with utter composure.

What's wrong? You're asking me? Tlaloc is practically crawling all over you!

Bavan Shi's expression was uncertain, while Tlaloc seemed to do nothing, simply gently tossing his hair and slowly saying:

"I remember, Bavan Shi, didn't you say you were going to see Jaguar today? Have you already seen them?"

Although Tlaloc's tone remained as cold as ever, Bavan Shi couldn't help but clench his fists.

No wonder Tlaloc suggested today that I go see the Jaguar and observe the local features of the Americas up close, which would enhance my learning.

So... I get to observe the Jaguar up close, and you want to get up close to Favia wearing Jaguar Man Mask, right?

Didn't we agree to kill Favia together?

Although I was just joking, are you kidding me too, Tlaloc? What a shameless guy.

Having failed in her attempt to lure the Black-Haired Girl, Bavan Shi immediately assumed that Tlaloc's previous display of dislike for Favia was simply a way of keeping her in the dark, otherwise she would have stopped him.

Thinking of this, Bavan Shi's expression immediately improved. He sat down between the two chairs and immediately leaned on Favia's hand.

"The Jaguar is really beautiful! Tlaloc, for your suggestion!"

The Fairy girl gave a defiant smile and glanced at Tlaloc indifferently.

The Black-Haired Girl remained completely unmoved upon seeing this.

"... Well, that makes sense, doesn't it?"

However, Tlaloc soon rested his chin on one hand, casually glancing at Bavan Shi, whose smile was almost impossible to suppress, and couldn't help but frown.

... do what?

He had only wanted to see if there was any potential for further collaboration with Tenochtitlan, Favia knew about the great cities of Rome and Constantinople, and that was why he planned to invite him to the secret room to observe...

What an exasperating Fairy! I could barely call myself her Teacher, yet she has absolutely no manners.

"Honestly, that's rude... they don't seem like a good match..."

Tlaloc murmured to himself, unhesitatingly retracting his earlier assessment of Bavan Shi and Favia as 'quite well-matched' before the Ritual.

As for why Bavan Shi was first sent to watch over the Jaguar...

Observing the unique features of the Americas up close is also part of learning, isn't it? I'm just thinking about her learning situation.

Tlaloc would answer with such a blank expression.

However, when he saw that Favia made no reaction to the Fairy girl who was tightly holding his hand, saying nothing and just straightening his back as if it were a common occurrence, he was surprised.

The Black-Haired Girl understood the reason and was sympathetic.

After all, Bavan Sheehan had spent a long time with him and they had always gotten along very well, so it's not surprising.