Fleeting
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🕑 Added 2023-12-04 17:53:37 +0000 UTCBear-san, Moving Out
The next day, we convened at the Bear House.
Noa was dressed in comfortable clothes. Her clothes were patterned in red and white, which suited her well. She may not look like an aristocrat, but she exuded the air of a lady.
This might be because of her upbringing as a noble.
And on her waist was a pouch carrying Primme.
"I think it may have been fine to do it at my house." (Noa)
"It is more convenient to do it here." (Yuna)
"Is that so?" (Noa)
In theory, Primme should be able to move around anywhere as long as she was in range of the fairy mirror. So, we could have stayed at Noa's house as Noa said.
But if I had to return using the Bear Transfer Gate, I would have to explain to Cliff how we returned without coming out of the fairy mirror. Things could get complicated if that happened, so I decided to use the fairy mirror in my Bear House.
I had to predict every possible outcome and prepare for it.
Although I didn't believe what Cliff said was right, I do end up in trouble everywhere I go, in one way or another.
However, I doubt I would get into trouble this time too.
For now, I am in the mood to travel.
Noa didn't seem convinced of my decision, but she didn't press me too hard.
"Well then, Primme, please." (Yuna)
After I said that, Primme approached the fairy mirror on the wall and touched it. The mirror shook like ripples.
"We're connected. Let's start with Yuna. Noa, please wait for a moment." (Primme)
I ensured Primme was on top of my Bear Puppet and slowly touched the fairy mirror. Then, as if being sucked into the mirror, I walked through it.
"Where am I?" (Yuna)
I looked around.
"A lake?" (Yuna)
I was on a small island at the center of a lake. The lake was surrounded by what looked like a forest.
When I turned around, I saw a mirror-like object floating in the water, about the same size as the mirror we entered.
This was the water mirror, huh? It looked like we came out from here.
It was fantastical.
"It's a lake in the fairy forest. I'll explain the details later. For now, I'll go get Noa here." (Primme)
After saying so, Primme flew back into the water mirror.
I checked the map with my skill, but as I expected, the map was all black, showing only the location where I stood. I couldn't zoom out, so I couldn't even tell where I was.
While I was looking at the map, Primme came out of the water mirror with Noa.
"Is this the fairy forest?" (Noa)
Noa looked around, as did I.
"Noa, check first. Can you feel anything?" (Yuna)
I would ask her to return to Crimonia if she could not sense anything.
"Wait." (Noa)
Noa put her hand on her chest and closed her eyes.
"I feel something in the distance." (Noa)
"Really?" (Primme)
"Yes." (Noa)
"Good. Then let's get out of this forest." (Primme)
Primme said and once again touched the water mirror. The water mirror collapsed, turning into plain water.
Apparently, fairy mirrors aren't supposed to remain forever.
"But how do we get to the other side?" (Noa)
We were on an island in the center of a small lake.
"I can fly, but...I forgot to think about what to do after bringing someone." (Primme)
Fairies could fly, but we couldn't. I could use a certain skill, however.
I could walk on water with my skills.
"It's okay. Noa, for now, hold tight." (Yuna)
I carried Noa in my arms.
"Yuna-san!" (Noa)
"Don't be afraid, you won't fall off." (Yuna)
I ensured Noa had a firm grip on me, and we started walking on the lake.
"Wow… We are walking on the lake." (Noa)
"I didn't know humans could walk on water. How strange…" (Primme)
Primme said as she flew around us.
"No, they can't. Yuna-san, how can you walk on water? (Noa)
"It's sort of like magic." (Yuna)
Explaining skills would be too much trouble, so I just gave her a rough idea.
"Magic… So you can do this as well with magic…" (Noa)
I walked across the lake, and as I came to the shore, I put Noa down.
"Come on, let's get out of here. If the Queen finds out I brought two humans with me, she'll be furious." (Primme)
It was a pity that we couldn't explore the fairy forest. Now that I have reached this place, I could set up a Bear Transfer Gate somewhere nearby, and next time, I could come here on my own. Would they welcome me?
Right now, our priority was to find Primme's sister.
"Primme, I told you that if you brought a human with you, you should introduce them to us."
As we started to walk away, a voice came out of nowhere, speaking to Primme.
"Y, Your Highness!" (Primme)
A fairy wearing a beautiful transparent green dress was floating in the direction Primme was looking.
If what I heard from Primme was true, then she would be the Queen of fairies. The greatest fairy of all.
"Primme, what is the meaning of this? Did I not tell you that you can only bring one person?" (Queen)
"I'm sorry. The human dressed as a bear over here could see me, but my sister's handkerchief went into the other human." (Primme)
Primme then explained to her the details of what had happened and why she had brought us here.
"We do not often leave our fairy forest. Some humans are kind, some are cruel. Some fairies have lived happily together with people in the past, but some have been made a spectacle." (Queen)
Fairies were rare. If a compatible human was a bad person, they might have caught them and forced them to show themselves to others.
"It's hard to tell you to trust me, but I would never do that to you fairies." (Yuna)
"Yes. Neither would I." (Noa)
"I'm not going to do anything as long as we are not harmed, and on the contrary, I'd like to be friendly with all of you." (Yuna)
If not, I wouldn't be able to tour the fairy forest.
Queen-sama stared at me intently. I felt as if she was looking right into something.
"You are not lying, it seems." (Queen)
She said so after seemingly scanning us for a moment.
"How can you tell that just by looking at us?" (Yuna)
"I can only see your feelings as colors. Now you are looking at me with great curiosity. If you were malicious, I would know that you were trying to catch me or trick Primme." (Queen)
"I didn't know fairies could tell such things." (Yuna)
"Only some fairies who have lived long enough to protect themselves could do so." (Queen)
How long was a 'long' time wise to a fairy, I wondered. Maybe about as long as what an elf would feel like. Perhaps they could live even longer than elves.
"But why can we see you?" (Yuna)
I was told that we could only see fairies that were compatible with us. However, the Queen was definitely visible and spoke to us.
In my case, I could chalk it up to being a result of my Bear Blessing, but Noa seemed to be able to see her as well.
"This is the fairy forest. Everyone within this forest can see us. That's why we don't want people to know about this place." (Queen)
"Then we really should have not come here..." (Yuna)
"No one was normally allowed to enter this place." (Queen)
What she was saying was harsh, but also justified.
I agreed with her regarding the "only one person" arrangement, and thought that even that arrangement was already quite a stretch from their rules considering their situation. We were not supposed to be here. It was a miracle that we were even allowed to step inside this place, I guess.
"But I also understand that Primme wants to find her sister Ronne, so I allowed her to bring one person." (Queen)
If not for that, she would not have given us permission to enter the fairy forest.
"Primme, be sure and bring Ronne back." (Queen)
"Yes." (Primme)
"But if she is living happily, let her do what she wants to do." (Queen)
"Yes." (Primme)
Queen-sama, who had been talking to Primme, looked at me.
"You are Yuna, right? Primme is a bit of a goof, but she is a kind girl. Please take good care of her." (Queen)
"Yes, I don't know how much I can help her with, but I'll do my best." (Yuna)
Queen-sama then looked at Noa.
"You are Noa, right? I'm sorry to drag you into this, please take care of Primme as well as Yuna." (Queen)
"Yes. I'm glad to meet you fairies, and I'll do my best to help Primme-san." (Noa)
"Fufu, thank you very much for your understanding. I apologize for not being hospitable enough, but the other fairies are already becoming frightened." (Queen)
"It's fine. I understand." (Noa)
From a moment ago, I could see the fairies spying on us from behind the trees.
I think it was warm-hearted of them to let us into the fairy forest without much trouble.
"We'll be going soon, don't worry." (Yuna)
The fairy forest… I have a desire to explore it, but if fairies dislike having humans here, it might not be possible for me to visit this place again in the future. If I could be friendly with them, maybe someday I would get the chance to check out the place.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Primme, you also take care of yourself. And be sure to come back. I would miss you if you were to disappear as well." (Queen)
"Yes, I will return safely. We're going. Yuna and Noa, let's go." (Primme)
Primme flew ahead of us.
Noa and I bowed to Queen-sama and followed Primme.
"This way. If you get lost, you won't be able to get out, so be careful." (Primme)
"Really?" (Noa)
"This is the route that links the fairy forest to the outside world, you see? This area is called the Forest of the Lost by humans." (Primme)
"The Forest of the Lost..." (Noa)
It was a scary name.
"That's why you have to take the proper path, or you'll get lost." (Primme)
"So there are specific routes?" (Yuna)
"Yes, but I'm sure it will be difficult to remember." (Primme)
I checked the bear's map and found that the route was well-marked. If I didn't stray from this route, I would be able to return to where we came from.
As expected of my bear skills.
And soon after, we exited the forest, revealing a vast clearing.
"Well then, what shall we do next?" (Yuna)
"Uh, wait a minute." (Noa)
Noa put her hands together on her chest and closed her eyes.
Then, after a moment, she opened her eyes and pointed.
"I feel something coming from over there." (Noa)
"Alright, let's head in that direction." (Yuna)
I summoned Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.
"I didn't realize that those bears were summoned beasts. It is quite spectacular how they can grow big and shrink." (Primme)
"Yes, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear were both wonderful." (Noa)
Noa praised Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear on my behalf.
Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear squealed happily at the praise.
"Okay, we'll take turns on the ride, Noa, ride Hugging Bear for now." (Yuna)
"Yes." (Noa)
I got on the Swaying Bear and Noa climbed on the Hugging Bear.
"Okay, let's go!" (Yuna)
After I declared so, Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear with me and Noa riding on them, started moving.
