After the long, and frankly boring trek through the forest, we finally arrived home.
"Well everyone, welcome to the Hourai Commonwealth!"
"This is where you live?"
"There's so many...fairies..."
Leading the congression, Philia and Epione vocalized their first thoughts as our eastern settlement came into view.
While Philia's voice was filled with awe and wonder, Epione's had more trepidation in it.
Behind the two, all the tired travellers let out their own words, from exhausted relief to excitement. Both reactions were expected, considering how long the journey was. Little more than endless walking through a forest with nothing special happening.
Of course they were all tired of it.
"Wah!"
""Fluffies!""
All of the sudden, my vision became completely obscured by a multitude of colourful lights. Alicia and Fate raised their hands and waved them around as they became excited at the sight.
"You guys, I know you're excited but this is a bit much."
My whole body was being rubbed by a flurry of fluffy little balls as they pushed each other off of my to get their turn.
Frankly, some of the spots they rubbed against wasn't right. But at the same time, I could hardly blame them considering that these fluffballs's level of intelligence.
"Miss Scarlet? What's going on?"
"By any chance, are there spirits around?"
While Epione let out a surprised voice, it seemed like Philia had an idea what was going on.
"Yea. They've kinda got us surrounded."
"...Is that bad?"
I could hear some nervous feet shuffling beyond the sound of fluffballs rubbing against and bouncing off of each other.
"Depends. How bad would it be if I wasn't able to get home until tomorrow?"
"They like you that much huh Scarlet?"
Despite the situation I was in, I could practically hear the warm gaze Philia was giving me dripping in her voice.
"Orphne, can you go find some of the elders and tell them what's going on?"
"Aye aye! Zoom!"
While I couldn't see anything, the Doppler effect on the little fairy's voice made it clear that she was gone in an instant.
It was quite fortunate that within a day of giving her that cake after her punishment, she had returned entirely to normal. Though whether her punishment actually had an effect looking at things afterwards, I couldn't really tell yet.
I could only hope.
"My my. Look who has returned."
"Aurae? Is that you?"
"Of course. As you can...not see."
Of course.
"When all the spirits went rushing over, there really was only one reason I could think of, and it looks like I'm right."
"Can I get any help?"
"No."
"No?"
That was an oddly direct refusal. While I didn't really expect help from my fellow elder, such blunt refusal didn't sound very characteristic of her.
"You've been away so long, and didn't even say goodbye? And not even a treat to remember you by?!"
A very large part of me suspected that the latter bit was the bigger reason she was sounding upset.
"Fine. I'll make you some treats."
"Lots!"
"Huh?"
"Lots and lots of treats! To make up for all the time you were away!"
"Uh, sure. I got it. I'll make a feast. It'll just take a few days."
"Horray!"
And with that, without a trace of the anger she was just filled with, Aurae celebrated.
Of course, I couldn't see any of it. It wasn't like the little fluffballs failed to continuously obscure my field of view.
"Anyways, in the meantime, can you help everyone eat and rest?"
"Oh? Yea, sure. C'mon everyone!"
"Umm, are you sure? Is that fine Miss Scarlet?"
"Don't worry about her. She's used to this sort of thing."
"Like Philia said. This isn't exactly anything new for me."
Sadly, it was the truth. It was just that the fluffballs were more direct and numerous than anyone else.
With my reassurance given, everyone started to follow the little fairy elder, giving me words of thanks as they passed.
I on the other hand focused my attention to the fluffballs and started to distribute those mini mana treats I often gave them while keeping a close eye on Alicia and Fate. I had to make sure neither of them tried to bite any of the fluffballs, as things would end badly quite quickly.
These little guys didn't have the high levels and accompanying HP and MP pools that Claret did.
Any little mistake would be complete and irreversible.
Fortunately, by the time the cloud of fluffballs dispersed enough that I could start moving around again, there wasn't any indications of any unfortunate incidents.
My blood reserves had grown quite low though, between the month long journey and the last couple of hours. Refilling my blood jars would be needed the second I could spare some time for it.
But that time wasn't here yet.
Thanks to the efforts of Orphne and Aurae, there was a welcome party going on for the sake of all of our new immigrants.
While the kids certainly enjoyed it, the food itself was quite unbalanced, leaning heavily towards sweets.
Well, the adults enjoyed it as well, as sweets were a bit prohibitively expensive elsewhere. But it was clear that they quickly got sick of eating nothing but sweets. It was fortunate then that there were other foods being brought over by a few groups of fairies.
Though the expression on their faces showed that they weren't entirely happy with the fact that they weren't adding more sweets to people's plates.
As for where that extra food was coming from, I made my way towards the presences that hid themselves a small distance from where the feasts was being hosted.
"You guys aren't going to join in?"
"We thought it would be prudent if we waited until you could introduce us."
"T'would it not be best to scare those under you so."
"Unless if you wanna give them a scare. Bwahahahaha!"
"Ooh! Ooh! How about I rain hellfire from above! I've always wanted to rain hellfire!"
"Well, maybe some other time Geirskogul. Let's take it easy this time."
"Fiiiiine."
Before me was the remaining leaders of our nation. Aside from Harja, but I didn't expect her to come and greet our newest citizens in the first place. Maybe if I broke a few casks of liquor, but otherwise she didn't have enough of a reason to.
The others on the other hand were much more amicable to do personal greetings.
Though Elli was right in that it would be better if I went with them to do the introductions.
I lead the leaders of the dark races over to where the feast was being held. Behind them there were many others, but they kept their distance to avoid scaring anyone.
As we approached, several of the older members noticed us approaching.
At first we were greeted with smiles, but those quickly faded as their eyes took in the sight of those following behind me.
I supposed that it was fortunate that they didn't suddenly start screaming or anything, but the nervousness was palpable. The children on the other hand looked confused. It was nice to see evidence that children didn't carry any inherent bias thanks to their innocence. But even with that, they were taking queues from their elders, and their eyes flickered back and forth, unsure how to react.
On one hand, most of the adults they came to trust looked scared, but on the other, both myself and all the fairies were acting as if nothing was wrong.
And of course, that was because nothing WAS wrong. The people with me weren't a threat to anyone. At least anyone who was planning on becoming a part of the same nation they were a part of.
"Ah, Epione, Philia. Come over here!"
Once we came close to the middle of the feast, I spotted the two, who were effectively the representatives of the new immigrants.
"Miss Scarlet! Umm...these people are...?"
"I suppose that this is something we should trust you over?"
"Oh, yea. I know it's a bit of a surprise, but it's something everyone here is going to have to get used to."
"Yes, I suppose surprises is something you are quite good at, Scarlet."
I could only give Philia a wry smile for that sharp remark of hers. But the soft look she gave me suggested that she wasn't really mad or anything. Just a bit off balance.
"Everyone! I want you all to meet some of the leaders of the Hourai Commonwealth. First is..."
"Scarlet~! Where's the treats you promised me~!"
"Wah?! Aurae! You reek of booze!"
All of the sudden just as I was starting my speech, one of the fairy elders showed up, her face red as a cherry. She unsteadily held in her arms a flower blossom with a liquid reeking of alcohol dripping from one corner.
"Umm, anyways, Aurae here as you've all met, is one of the fairy elders. As for the others..."
I scanned around, only to be overcome with the strong desire to drop my face into the palm of my hands. Further down there was a group of fairies fighting each other over a large cake.
Literally.
There was balls of fire and speeding icicles flying around while a ring of drunk fairies jeered them on.
The rest of the fairy elders were mixed in those two groups.
"Well, I guess I can introduce them later. Over here are most of the rest of the important people of this country..."
"I hope you are merely being facetious dear Scarlet."
"I wonder what you might be talking about?"
My eyes immediately darted away at Elli's jibe, but there were things I had to do first.
"This here is the dokkalfar elder, Elli."
"A pleasure."
"And next is the demon elder, Frigg."
"Greetings."
"And over here is the titan elder, Alvaldi."
"Heya."
"And the one beside him is the imp chieftain, Geirskogul."
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