Since that day, I’ve set up some ‘surveillance cameras’ near the humans’ camp.
Thanks to my Inventory skill, it’s now possible to bring various equipment.
With just a few relay points and antennas, I could monitor them from afar, albeit poor reception.
After checking their forces, I returned to the village of the Dawn Fairies.
The human force is a little over 3,000.
No matter how low their technologies are, given the numbers on their side, it’s absolutely impossible to deal with them alone.
Before the hunt, one must familiarize themselves with the enemy’s characteristics.
Unlike a herd of monsters, it seems like this will be my first time hunting a ‘herd of humans.’
‘The barrel of their firearms is shorter than I thought…Their cannons are also fairly primitive. But are those the only weapons they have?’
‘Their rifle’s precision range is a little over 100 meters. Beyond that, I only have to watch out for bullets in my blind spots.’
‘Their cannons aren’t dangerous, but it can reduce my barrier considerably. Although a few shots are fine, I have to be careful not to get hit.’
As expected, their technology is not even on par to the 19th century.
Not only are the range on their guns short, their cannons could only fire once before having to take a long time to reload.
“What do you think?”
Asked Marilyn, with a worried look as she put down the special honey on the table in front of me.
“For the time being, don’t worry.”
I didn’t actually come here to exterminate them.
However, perhaps our goals are similar.
Marilyn mentioned that among the devils, there’s someone extraordinarily strong.
It should be their Chief Commander.
I didn’t understand what she meant by extraordinarily strong, but for now, my guess is that the Chief Commander is the protagonist.
And, I shouldn’t underestimate them just because their technology is lacking.
After all, it’s level 61.
Even though their technology is outdated, couldn’t they have good physical abilities?
Maybe it’s a crazy world where humans can cut down buildings with a knife or something like that.
“By the way, how’s the flowerpot?”
“Ah. You mean the Silver Spiritual Flower.”
A strange spirit born from violence, destruction, and death in Hell Gate.
Because the conditions to give birth to such a flower is strict, sure enough, the Silver Spiritual Flower is uncommon in this world.
According to Marilyn, the story goes that a silver spirit appeared on Dream Island when the Twilight Tree first took root.
‘So then, was there a great war on Dream Island?’
There’s no way to know.
Besides, I’m not the kind of person to worry about the unknown.
“Take a look over there. It’s getting along with the spirits.”
Near the Twilight Tree was the flowerpot, with its roots down the nearby lake.
A dreamy swarm of light subtly covered the sky in a purple aurora.
The specs of lights fell like snow as the silver flower swayed.
Such a sight was more beautiful than any sculpture.
Evident by the Dawn Fairies seated around the silver spirit as if they were possessed.
The spirits nearby had gathered near the silver spirit to play pranks using wind and water, and the silver spirit reacted each time.
[That’s…That’s not how you do it…]
[…Nope.]
“…Are you kidding.”
[What? Is there a problem?]
“No. I feel the same way.”
That rascal of a flower was admonishing the spirits.
It’s really amazing.
“By the way, you can interact with the spirits, so why can’t you use them?”
“That…”
Marilyn thought for a moment with a troubled look on her face, then soon spoke.
“Among the Dawn Fairies, only the Dawn Fairy queen can call on the spirit’s power.”
“…Queen?”
“She passed away. So the first princess, Arilyn, became the next heir. Since three years ago, she has been suffering from an illness. So the third through seventh princesses have been praying for her every day.”
I briefly thought about it.
“Say…if the first princess dies, who will be the successor to the spirits?”
Marilyn looked into my eyes.
The clear violet eyes were shaking.
“…Naturally, it will be the next princess in line.”
It wasn’t just her who knew this fact, all the Dawn Fairies did.
However, they were all praying for the first princess to live.
So I didn’t say anything.
Three days passed.
In the meantime, I’ve been quite busy.
Chief Commander of the human force.
The person who’s supposed to be the protagonist hasn’t shown up, so I was thinking of ways to lure it out.
It would be best if I could also get rid of the human troops.
Marilyn had mentioned that sometimes the Chief Commander would come forward when something important happens.
Since she said that.
I’ve been preparing in advance accordingly.
First, my equipment.
Modern firearms not only had bullets, but also various features like fire, electricity, poison, and so forth to deal with monsters.
I also added magic to further enhance their effectiveness.
Explosives that originally spread fire in all directions were enhanced with magic to automatically locate enemies and strike them with electricity.
The harmony of science and magic.
Although my magic is not very good and it’s not very useful yet, this alone has increased the efficiency of my equipment.
I’ve set up explosives all over the valley where their hang gliders could pass.
Then, an unexpected situation happened.
Wiing, wiing!
I immediately checked the surveillance camera when it detected something, and what I saw can only be described as bizarre.
“What…this…?”
The humans were mounting the hang gliders that I thought were just props on their backs like wings.
However, it appears that’s not the case.
“Hang gliders…they’re taking off vertically?”
Vertical takeoff.
A technology perfectly reasonable on Earth.
However, it was only made possible in the 21st century using fairly advanced technology.
Yet, now they’ve taken off vertically using wings made of paper.
“What the hell…”
Staring at the monitors, I noticed something strange on their wings.
Between dozens of cogwheels were large and small moving propellers.
‘…There seems to be some strange principle behind their flying.’
Earth’s flying technology is clearly much better.
A fighter jet flying at supersonic speed or a rocket flying into outer space.
However, their ‘ability to use the wind itself’ is much better than Earth’s.
With only a few pieces of wood, paper, and iron, they were able to fly freely in the sky.
Instead of 19th century technologies, what if they had 21st century technologies?
‘Controlling the wind, was this what she meant…’
I thought it was simply flying, but I was wrong.
‘Still, there’s no problem.’
Whether they can fly in the sky or not, in the end, it’s within my capability.
I hurriedly packed my equipment and climbed up a rocky mountain I had scouted in advance.
This was the highest rocky mountain near here, and unlike the other rocky mountains floating in the air, this mountain was so close to the ground that it was easy to climb up and down.
It took me 15 minutes to get to the top of the mountain.
I quickly took out my mega shooter, connected the barrel, set up a bipod, and laid down.
After inserting a scope with a len that extends 30 times and setting the type of bullet to ‘general assault,’ I brought the scope up to my eye.
“…”
It used to be a hassle measuring the distance from a target and having to account for the strength and direction of the wind using your tongue and finger, but these days, most of it has been solved by the power of science.
When a target is caught by the scope, it automatically zero in on the target as it adjusts to the wind and position.
Though, there was very little wind on Dream Island, making it the perfect environment for snipers.
At this time, the sun began to rise, ushering in a new dawn.
It only lasts for three hours, and today during this hazy morning, seven devils with their hang gliders have appeared.
Based on their numbers, I guess it’s the patrol unit.
I aimed at a human head that has appeared in my sight.
The distance is about 7km or so.
This distance would have been difficult for normal rifles to reach, but my aether enhanced bullets are enough.
And it was me, a person who has a talent for sharpshooting, that held the rifle.
…Tung!
Something like a sparrow lightly fell.
Marilyn held a bowl of warm honey tea in one arm and the ‘flowerpot’ in the other.
The spirit guide had told her to carry it at all times, so that’s what she’s been doing, even though it was uncomfortable.
Holding onto it, she climbed a tree.
Her sister, Arilyn, has been living in this tree, which is the tallest one, all this time.
There wasn’t a reason for it other than Arilyn’s love for the sky.
Marilyn and her sister liked looking at the sky together.
All the Dawn Fairies liked the color purple, but for some reason, the ‘princesses’ were unique in that they liked other colors and not purple.
For example, the third liked green and the fourth liked red.
Among the seven princesses, she was the only one that liked the color blue.
Knock, knock.
She knocked, but there was no answer.
It was strange.
To nurse Arilyn, the five princesses would pray.
Did they not hear her because they were too focused?
No way.
“Sisters, I’m coming in.”
Said Marilyn, carefully opening the door and instinctively covering her nose.
Something.
A suspicious smell brushed her nose.
‘This is…?’
Looking inside.
All five sisters who were supposed to nurse Arilyn were lying on the floor.
‘Sleep…gas…?’
She knew it was a skill used by the devils.
Scattering gas, a skill to force the Dawn Fairies to sleep.
But why was it here…
‘No way!’
Marilyn rushed to the bedside with her nose closed, then reached out her hand to check her sister’s breath.
‘No…breath…?’
Faced with this unbelievable reality, Marilyn fell to the floor.
Arilyn.
Dead.
“Ah…”
She had unknowingly let go of her hands and inhaled.
Her senses began to go numb.
While this was happening, Marilyn looked at the faces of her fallen sisters one by one.
There were only four.
Tap tap.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, Marilyn slowly turned her head.
Identical purple hair and eyes, there, stood the youngest princess.
“…Youngest sister.”
“Big sister. How are you feeling?”
“This…this…was it you…?”
The always innocent youngest.
A child more cheerful than anyone else who brought smiles to other fairies.
She still had a cheerful expression on her face.
“Yes.”
“…Why?”
“Because it’s time.”
Marilyn tried to persevere using her willpower.
‘Must not fall asleep.’
The thought that if she falls here, everyone will be finished.
But, it wasn’t due to Marilyn’s willpower.
“…Hm. Also, it looks like you’ve been given the ‘spirit inheritance.’ Just because you were born, it’s all yours. You don’t think that’s right?”
“What are you saying…That’s…obvious…”
It’s a fact.
It’s always been that way, is that way, and will be that way.
That’s the Dawn Fairies’s culture.
However, the youngest couldn’t accept it.
“No. You’re wrong. I…I don’t think it makes sense for you sisters who have no talent and no dream to inherit that ability.”
“…What?”
The youngest princess, Sarilyn, opened her hand.
Suddenly, a gust of wind began swirling on top.
‘…Even though she doesn’t have the spirit inheritance, it’s the power of spirits!’
“What…?”
“It’s talent, big sister. I was born with the power to govern spirits. Every spirit loves me, and I love them too…And, once I inherit the spirit inheritance, this talent will shine.”
“Just because I’m the youngest, I had no chance at the inheritance.”
How miserable it felt.
It was something other Dawn Fairies would never know.
“…No way. All this for such a reason?”
“No.”
It was not.
“Big sister. Did you know? There are over 100 other islands beside Dream Island in this world. You didn’t know, right?”
“…”
“Those we call devils are not actually devils. They’re just a little more developed than us, albeit greedy…Also, they’re capable of ‘dreaming.’ A very romantic bunch.”
Sarilyn slowly approached Marilyn and held her chin.
“Soon, this world will be in flames. The devils…no. ‘Humans’ have already found a way to move to other islands. It’s impossible for this island to accommodate all of us.”
Therefore.
“We’re going to start a war with this world. Don’t you see? Unknown to us, the war had already begun. We just didn’t know it and have been living a complacent life. I just…I just wanted to save the Dawn Fairies. Hey, big sister. Hey! Have you heard of ‘war?’ You know. To kill or die. Such a war.”
“…”
“From reading the ‘Dawn Fairy’s forbidden book,’ I understood everything. So I joined hands with humans. I’m going to marry one of them and have a baby. Me who has the spirits and humans who have the wind and gunpowder will be united. It’s really fantastic, isn’t it? Right?”
Marilyn, with trembling eyes, asked.
“Then, it was you who called the devils…?”
“That’s right. Now that Arilyn is dead, it won’t be long before the humans arrive. Don’t worry about it. I’ve told you the truth. Because I love you. They’re not going to treat us badly.”
Sarilyn gently stroked Marilyn’s chin.
“Big sister, let’s leave together. This Dream Island.”
Dawn Fairies do not dream because their life is a dream.
“It’s time for you to wake up from this ‘dream.’”
So.
Only
“Hand over your inheritance to me.”
Marilyn, who had just received the inheritance, is not able to properly use the power of spirits.
On the other hand, Sarilyn is talented in controlling spirits and has been practically, so she’s able to easily overpower Marilyn.
[That’s…]
That would have been the case, but.
[That’s not how you do it…]
“…Huh?”
The wind stopped.
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