Chapter 422

"It can't be a coincidence."

The Star of the Southern Sky, which Mab refers to as the Yalan Society, is theoretically the basis for Mab's next generation Knocknarea to become Servant. The Northern Fairy Queen is the "incarnation of the Southern Cross seen from Earth," and thus appears as a pseudo- Foreigner Class.

In the Nasuverse, the Class "Foreigner" is mostly associated with Outer God, not to mention that Novia happened to encounter an Evil God in her dream that day, so the connection between the two is definitely not small.

The moment Novia uttered those words, Ash's mouth gaped open, and he stared blankly, looking as if he had suffered a sudden and devastating blow.

As for Mab, he was different. The pink-haired Fairy Eyes Gilgamesh, probably unable to suppress his joy. He jumped most of his body on Novia's back, his hands hanging in front of his chest, his face full of smiles.

"That's awesome! I knew Novia and I were a match made in heaven! Whether it's a past life or something else, we'll be together forever!"

"You should eat less Chocolate; it's gotten a bit heavy."

"I won't get fat!☆ All the calories are converted into Od and stored away!☆"

As the Teacher and Mab flirted in front of him, the Fairy of Paradise adjusted his glasses, touched his hat, and his mouth opened and closed awkwardly.

"A strange development..."

Muryan muttered something under her breath beside Ash, which brought Ash back to her senses. She nudged her travel companion's wings with her wand.

"Muryan, I won't hide it anymore now. I've known about your relationship with the Teacher for a long time. Now it's your turn to step in. Go for it, I support you."

What's the relationship?

Muryan remained expressionless, seemingly determined to ignore her words. Ash followed her gaze, his free hand first resting on her neck, then on the hand holding the wand, then on her back, her legs—he touched every part of her body, more or less.

"... What? Ash, do you think I'm deliberately hiding something?"

Muryan ran her thumb across her lips. "I'm not stupid. If I really wanted to hide it, I wouldn't have made it so obvious. I don't like humans; it was just a simple transaction."

"Lying is really not a good thing, Muryan. Are you some kind of Fairy who's good at civil war but bad at foreign wars? Remember, you're South Fairy, you can't lose to Mab, this Northern Fairy..."

After Ash spoke, he felt frustrated by the Winged Fairy had been so bold before but was now so timid and hesitant.

Then, looking at Muryan, the Fairy of Paradise seemed to have something on her mind, her eyes were as if she was thinking blankly. When she thought of something, the Winged Fairy smiled slightly and muttered to herself in a light voice that revealed her curiosity.

"I see, haha, that's really quite awkward, Ash."

Why do you say that?

"Because your Flesh combat strength is comparable to Mab's, right? If she can do it, why don't you dare?"

"No, no, no..."

Hearing Muryan say this, Ash gave an awkward laugh and waved his hands repeatedly, "I'm just an ordinary Magecraft, I don't have that kind of powerful close combat ability, I simply can't do it, that's right, I don't know such Violence methods--"

"Really? I heard from Kurich that she's actually no match for you in close combat."

Just as the two behind thought they were talking quietly, Novia, who was in front, turned around and said this.

"... ha?"

Novia's turn around only made Ashina's already dazed expression stiffen even more. She just kept waving her hands and talking.

"No, no, no, how could that be? Teacher, have you ever taught me any Combat Techniques or anything like that? Absolutely not, so how could I possibly engage in melee combat? Of course, I wouldn't deny that using a wand or something to directly strike could be considered melee combat, but this is completely not it, right? So this is probably just something Kurich is making up, or maybe she's misunderstood. After all, I'm just someone whose stats on paper are strong, but whose actual combat strength is only so-so. In the end, how could a ranged mage like me possibly engage in melee combat? Impossible, absolutely impossible--"

"Who was that Fairy who didn't use Magecraft on the first day and simply wrestled with me? Could it be that you, Ash, actually used some kind of Magecraft in secret?"

As Mab spoke in a cheerful tone, he squinted at Chen, who had a 'hehe' expression on his face.

"Of course it's Magecraft! There are so many stories anyway, it's perfectly normal for me to just pick one as my clone to fight you, Mab!"

I knew it.

Mab nodded seriously; in fact, she had already understood from Qin's hesitant manner.

Ash seems to be sticking to the interpretation of a well-behaved Magecraft, high-achieving magician.

But while she understands, she'll spare no effort to deliver a heavy blow to her best friend who's her love rival. So, Mab suddenly raised the corners of her mouth and gently shook her pink hair.

"It must be a story about wild boars, right? That's right, the Boar Clan I fought with, of course it's not Ash!☆ After all, Ash couldn't possibly be a wild boar clan, could he? I wouldn't even dare to imagine such barbarity☆"

I'll kill you.

Under the scorching Sun, Ash displayed a very indifferent expression.

That's the limit, we're almost at the limit.

That wretched Mab! How dare he call me a member of the Boar Clan in front of the Teacher! Ugh! I don't know why Kurich wasn't holding back at all, couldn't beat me when I wasn't using Magecraft! Is Fang Aesc's bloodline that weak? And Mab, you too, is Albion's Blessing that weak?

I haven't deliberately trained at all; I can only say it's the innate superhuman Divine Power of Fairy of Paradise... Hehehe...

"It seems you're the first student among my students with such strong close combat skills. That's fantastic. It would be great if we could let them see and learn from you sometime."

Perhaps noticing Ash's strained expression, Novia sighed and said this.

"Hahaha, how could that be? No way, how could I possibly know melee combat..."

"There's no rule that says Magecraft can only cast spells from a distance. Sometimes I think that we shouldn't measure learning by other people's standards. Magecraft who can fight in melee isn't necessarily bad. In a fight, you can take advantage of the opponent's carelessness to land a punch first, and then retaliate satisfyingly. That's not bad either."

"Beat them up? How can you do that? Using Violence to solve problems is too barbaric. You can't do it like that."

"Hey, Ash, you bastard, you didn't hold back at all when you hit me, and now you're putting on an act in front of Novia?"

"Faced with an invading enemy, it is my mission to launch a fierce counterattack."

"No, what you said is contradictory."

During their journey to the Great Cave of Salisbury, the group constantly bantered with each other. Aside from this, they encountered Mors, were attacked by wild Fairy from the Anti- Londinium, and sometimes challenged giant Monster on Ash's whim. Although the process was arduous and frustrating—though Ash's frustration was limited to Mab —it was actually a very good memory for Ash.

The Fairy of Paradise sings the praises of paradise is generally disliked by the Fairy of Britain. Although Ash also dislikes Mab, who keeps subtly implying that she is a wild boar, she is actually quite happy that someone is genuinely kind to her. She would be even happier if she didn't have to stick to her Teacher all the time.

But a happy ending still awaited Novia and her companions.

The grassland, covered in green weeds, was shrouded in a void. In the distance, a lingering, faint haze could be seen, appearing even more ethereal under the Sun. A monotonous, heavy, pitch-black void stood there, gleaming brightly.

The Great Cave of Salisbury is where the remains of Cernunnos, the Horned God was poisoned by the Six Original Aesc, were buried.

Cernunnos's remains were burning below, thus continuously producing ash for the Fairy Britain.

"Are you really planning to send Novia down here? I strongly object; this place is truly terrifying."

Faced with Mab's rebuttal, Ash hesitated.

"... It does seem a bit dangerous. I think we should forget about it. After all, the Teacher is human, not Fairy. It wouldn't be good if something happened to her."

Ultimately, Ash herself had no interest in the Great Cave. She only thought about finding an opportunity to get her Teacher out of Mab's clutches after Huginn brought it up. She didn't want Novia to be in danger.

"Alright, since things have come to this point, let me explain."

Novia walked along the edge of the great Cave, reached out and flicked a leaf, watching it quickly fall to the bottom before turning to look at the three Fairy.

"Beneath this Cave lies a curse that can cover not only Britain, but the entire Planet— "

"That is the remains of the already deceased Cernunnos..."

"Cernunnos? That Deity, is he dead?!"

The Great Cave of Salisbury was something that all the inhabitants of the Fairy Britain took for granted as "something that exists there." However, no matter how you looked at it, it was strange that there was a huge Cave in the center of the island, yet no Fairy had ever explored it for so many years. Despite their instinctive aversion, it was still very strange to the Fairy.

Now, Ash learned the reason from Novia: the remains of Cernunnos, the ancient god of Fairy Britain legend, were in the Cave. But why specifically mention remains? Could it be a curse—

"This is both a curse and divine wrath."

Perhaps sensing Ash's confusion, Novia explained, "The land of Britain was built up from the corpses of Fairy. In a sense, this is the original habitat of Fairy. In other words, Fairy have been constantly fleeing this place since the beginning."

"At the beginning..."

Suddenly, Ash realized the reason for the birth of this terrifying curse, unparalleled for Fairy, coupled with the mission of Paradise...

"That's right, it was Six Original Aesc who killed Cernunnos with Poison, and her lover, the last human in this world, was also used by Six Original Aesc as a tool to create 'humans,' thus creating 'infertile humans' that only this world possesses."

"Is this why Cernunnos is cursed...?"

"No."

Novia shook her head and gave a wry smile.

"Normally, it should have been Wrath at the Six Original Aesc and her descendants for constantly tormenting their beloved's 'copycat' Fairy, but it wasn't, because Cernunnos was too kind."

Having chosen to help them instead of being punished, he himself was poisoned, and his loved ones were tormented for tens of thousands of years. Anyone would think that Cernunnos had every reason to Wrath; he had no reason not to Wrath, and his Wrath was justified.

Even so, Cernunnos's resentment did not stem from hatred, but from Wrath and "responsibility." It felt it could not let these Sin creatures go unpunished and believed that the Fairy could still be saved. The resentment on the corpse was not its own will, but simply a result of being unable to control it.

Moreover, the remains of Cernunnos in this great Cave are both a curse and Protection to the Fairy. As long as it remains guarding the cave, the Worm of the Abyss will not be able to crawl out and destroy Britain. And this so-called curse is not entirely unbreakable.

The wish will be lifted as long as the Fairy sincerely repent of their Sin; it's just such a trivial wish.

But this was still too difficult for the Fairy.

"The act of Godslaying and killing the last human being— the Six Original Aesc and their descendants have committed an original sin that cannot be erased for generations. Therefore, they can no longer return to the Inner Sea of Stars, which only the innocent can enter. This world is destined to be destroyed—"

Novia touched Ash's hat and continued softly.

"This is your duty as Fairy of Paradise, Ash, but not your duty as king."

"But remember, whichever you choose, I will support you to the end."

The mission of the Fairy of Paradise is to complete the Holy Sword, but once the Holy Sword is completed, this world will disappear because the foundation upon which it was founded will no longer exist. Novia can see that Ash understands this principle now, but the choice is hers. As her Teacher, he will support Ash whether she abandons her duties to Paradise or submits.

Because she's my student, it's not unacceptable for me to stick with her through thick and thin.

When Novia was invited by Ash to the Great Cave of Salisbury, Novia realized that, theoretically, a poisoning incident was about to occur during the coronation Ritual. Novia was curious to see which Fairy would dare to use Poison to harm either Ash or Mab.

Moreover, the Poison had no effect on either of them, and it was the same even when the Poison was used on Novia, since it was ineffective.

However you look at it, the mastermind behind it all is most likely Aurora, the patriarch of the Wind Clan.

The courtyard of the Fang Clan's encampment in Londinium.

Perhaps as an example, or perhaps simply out of personal interest, Kurich, sitting in the courtyard, was dressed in Suit that conformed to the aesthetics of Pan-Human History, with a tie made by an earth Fairy lavishly adorning her chest. Her silver hair, which was flowing in the wind, was her original hair color, mixed with a few strands of blue, and shone brightly in the setting sun.

"Excuse me, Chieftain, I've disturbed you!"

Kurich had been resting with his eyes closed, leaned back in his chair and casually glanced at the energetic Fang Guardian, looking quite impatient.

"What's up?"

"It's like this, Chieftain of the Wind Clan— "

"Aurora, I have come to pay my respects to Kurich."

Before the guard could finish speaking, footsteps echoed in the corridor behind him, and with them came the image of a beautiful, gentle, and kind blonde Fairy — Aurora, the patriarch of the Wind Clan.

Completely unconcerned Kurich simply waved for the guards to leave, without saying anything more, leaving Aurora standing to the side.

Aurora simply smiled, seemingly unconcerned, and merely walked lightly to the chair that Kurich's legs were occupying, preparing to push it aside.

"I have no interest in what you have to say. You can leave now."

Kurich's voice was extremely cold; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he would suddenly strike and kill someone at any moment. Yet, even so, Aurora simply smiled and stared straight at the Werewolf's face.

"Kurich, you're Fairy who reverted to the ancestral form of Arian, aren't you? I've heard that you were born on the day the Fang Fairy were destroyed. Presumably, you're working so hard for the Future of the Fang Clan."

Kurich didn't speak, he just rested his chin on his hand and didn't look at Aurora.

"As the strongest Fang Fairy, though I hate to say it, Her Majesty the Queen only sees you as hardworking watchdogs, doesn't she? Whether it's fighting the Winged Fairy or forcing you to go to various parts of Britain to deal with Mors's calamity."

Aurora's smile was undeniably beautiful, and her tone carried a sense of compassion and empathy.

"Her Majesty the Queen cares nothing for your lives, and completely disregards your loyalty and... dedication."

"Oh?"

Hearing her say that, Kurich turned to look at her with interest.

Perhaps sensing that Kurich was moved by her words, Aurora continued, "I've heard rumors that Her Majesty the Queen isn't the true ruler. The real mastermind behind this newly formed Kingdom is actually a human. Sigh, that's really..."

"Humans?"

Kurich wore a half-smile, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

No, does this guy really think I'm Arian from this godforsaken place?

No, I can't hold it in any longer.

"Yes, that human not only used some means to control the Queen's mind, but also triggered the previous war between the North and South Fairy. The Northern Fairy Queen was also affected in the same way. Although I don't really want to say more, your people suffered a great many casualties in that war, didn't Kurich?"

"Yes, yes, too many people have died. Even I am very saddened."

Kurich touched Mo's chest with a serious expression, and also touched the non-existent tears.

"Sigh, I don't need to say much more. I just feel that the one who becomes the King of Britain should not be Fairy of Paradise, who is our enemy, nor should it be a lowly human. Instead, it should be Fairy with the strong bloodline of the Six Original Aesc, or even better, Arian who has reverted to her ancestral form..."

"Yes, yes, Aurora, you're absolutely right, it's completely unforgivable..."