Chapter 46

Lumina swung down the blade of light. Without hesitation, it pierced the sprite's head and embedded itself halfway into its chest.

Normally, it would be impossible to split a helmet with just Lumina's strength, but the sprite had a different body structure from a human. Moreover, what Lumina used was not a blade but a light magic.

The blade of light, when struck, did not have the effect of slicing the opponent but rather burned the areas it passed through, causing damage.

It was different from ordinary magic and would not cause significant damage. Thinking this, she prepared to strike again. But—immediately after, the sprite's figure dissipated and vanished.

"Your level has increased. Please allocate your status points."

"The skill level of 'Sword' has increased."

"The skill level of 'Demon-Slaying Sword' has increased."

"The skill level of 'Tame' has increased."

It seemed the battle had ended. Sighing softly, she lowered her blade—only to have the sprite reappear in front of her.

Lumina, along with the sprite, immediately readied her blade, but then she noticed something odd. Despite the sprite's unchanged appearance, she could not sense the same fighting spirit as before.

It seemed there was no more will to fight. Given the information that had just appeared, it was likely that the trial had ended.

This doubt was dispelled by a man's voice that echoed.

"—I have seen your wish clearly. I will show you the path, new spirit."

The voice of the Spirit King, which had been heard before, rang out again. At the same time, a bluish-white sphere of light descended from the sky, illuminating the black space.

The light, floating gently, stopped moving when it reached in front of Lumina.

Its true nature was unclear, but it seemed to be the result of the trial.

Lumina cautiously extended her hand toward the sphere of light—and the moment she touched it, the light was absorbed into her hand and disappeared.

Immediately after, Lumina's figure was enveloped in a bluish-white light, as if the absorbed light was overflowing.

"Hmm... Is this evolution?"

Lumina, enveloped in light, gradually grew in size.

Her size expanded to about half my height before stopping and then slowly diminished.

When the light subsided, a girl of about five years old with golden hair appeared.

Her golden hair and blue eyes remained unchanged, but her attire had changed from a dress-like outfit to the same white dress as the sprite.

Her limbs were still semi-transparent, shimmering as if melting into the air. It seemed that Lumina had evolved into a sprite.

"Quest 'Race Evolution: Invitation to the Fairyland' completed."

With the completion of the evolution, the quest was also marked as completed, as indicated by the quest completion message.

At the same time, the evolved Lumina began to move, as if time had started again.

The same innocent smile as before. Lumina, with her familiar smile, flew around me as she used to—

"Father!"

"…Huh?"

The young voice that matched her appearance made me widen my eyes in surprise.

Well, it's not strange that she can speak now that she has evolved and is no longer a fairy.

Even among fairies, higher beings like Titania could speak, and it's not unusual for spirits to speak. I can understand that.

But—

"…Why 'Father'?"

"…?"

Lumina tilted her head, as if she didn't understand my question.

Well, it's true that I had been raising Lumina, but more as a teacher than a father.

I'm not the type to be called 'Father.'

"Ah… Lumina, I'm not really your father, right?"

"…? Father is Father!"

"Teacher or something like that?"

"Father!"

"…Well, how about 'Master'?"

"…No, right?"

"Ugh…"

Lumina looked at me with a sad expression, tilting her head up.

Seeing her like this, I felt as if I were bullying a young child.

Honestly, I'd rather not be called 'Father'—but, well, it can't be helped.

"Ah… Fine, that's okay."

"! Yes, Father!"

Lumina nodded happily—and immediately after, the entire black space was enveloped in a blinding light.

Instinctively pulling Lumina close and shielding my eyes, I noticed the surroundings changing.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the throne room of the Fairy Queen where we had been before.

It seemed we had been returned here upon completing the quest.

Titania, still seated on her lotus throne, smiled happily upon seeing us.

"Congratulations. It seems you have successfully overcome the trial."

"Thank you. It was a bit anticlimactic, but it went more smoothly than I thought."

"That's because Lumina had a clear sense of her own path. Please continue to support her wishes in the future."

Lumina's desired path, huh. Given how clearly it was shown, I can imagine what she wants.

She had been swinging a stick around before, so she probably wants to wield a sword like me.

That's why Lumina gave up being a fairy and started on the path of a spirit.

If that's the case, I should fulfill her wish.

"Right, I'll keep that in mind. When I do something, I do it seriously."

"Hehe, thank you. And, Lumina."

"! Yes!"

Titania shifted her gaze from me to Lumina.

Her eyes held a serene calmness like a clear lake and the same loving affection as before.

With a gentle smile, Titania spoke to Lumina in a soft voice.

"Child of the spirit, who has begun a new path alongside humans. You no longer have the protection of this Fairy Queen."

"…Yes."

"However… your homeland remains the Fairyland."

Lumina, who had been looking down, opened her eyes and looked up at Titania.

The queen of the fairies, with her translucent rainbow wings spread, bathed in the light of the stained glass, blessed her child with a motherly expression.

"Go now, Lumina. Noble child of the spirit. If you proceed without hesitation on the path you believe in—your desired future will surely be there."

With that, the surroundings began to slowly turn white.

Understanding that this was a sign of farewell, Lumina called out strongly.

"Goodbye, Lady Titania!"

Titania smiled happily one last time—and our vision was filled with white light.

Unable to withstand the brightness, I closed my eyes, and in just a moment, the scent of the sea began to waft around.

When I opened my eyes, a white shrine stood before me. The door, still closed, left me and Lumina standing there in a daze.

"We're back, huh."

It seems the race evolution quest is now completely over.

At least, I can resume raising Lumina now.

Lumina stared blankly at the white shrine for a while, then nodded as if she had made up her mind.

Then she floated up and started flying at eye level with me.

"We've achieved our immediate goal, but what now?"

"Father? Aren't we going back?"

"…Hmm. Yes, we've accomplished our mission, so let's head back to the capital next."

It's about time, anyway.

We came from the capital, through the forest, past Oaks' hut, and then the race evolution event.

It was quite a packed day.

For now, let's head back into the port town and log out.

* * * * *

The next day, I logged in while casually dealing with Asuka's incessant questions and the instructors' suspicions about my good mood.

Felaria was as crowded as usual, but today felt a bit different from yesterday.

It seemed even busier than before. Well, time in the game progresses three times faster, so it's probably been about two days in-game.

In the town, soldiers were rushing around, and many residents were moving as if being urged on by them.

This atmosphere—

"…Evacuation, huh?"

"Father? What's wrong?"

"No… Let's go to the entrance of the town."

"Huh? Okay!"

Lumina floated up and clung to my back, riding piggyback.

Well, she's floating, so she's not actually heavy.

Honestly, it looks ridiculous, but I can't stop her now after letting her do as she pleased when she was a fairy.

Walking to the town entrance, I could see countless carriages lined up outside the walls.

It seems the situation is as I imagined.

"Father, what's that?"

"Those are civilians trying to evacuate from this town to the capital. Remember the demon attack?"

"Uh-huh! Father will take care of everything, right?"

"I wish, but we don't know how many there are. Anyway, to them, demons are a threat. That's why they're evacuating to a safe place."

"Is the capital safe?"

"We'll protect it, so it's safe, of course."

"Oh, right!"

I chuckled at Lumina's nod and walked toward the people lined up.

Just then, one of the soldiers organizing the evacuees noticed us.

He gave Lumina a startled look but then seemed to regain his composure and ran over to me.

It felt like trouble, but running from a soldier would be bad. I sighed and waited for him to approach.

"Hey, you! You're a foreigner, right!?"

"Ah, yes, that's right. Is there something you need?"

"I have a request! Escort duty for the convoy!"

Hearing the soldier's words, I looked at the lined-up carriages.

They were a mix of different types, clearly gathered in a hurry.

It seems they are in a desperate rush.

Well, there probably isn't much time before the demon attack, so their judgment isn't wrong.

But it seems they are short-handed.

"Hmm… What's the reward?"

"Eh?"

"I mean, the reward. If it's a proper request, I need that, right?"

Since we're heading back to the capital anyway, I'm not against helping.

But if we're escorting so many, we need bait to attract more players.

If it's a good deal, players will gather, and the escort will proceed more efficiently.

After explaining this, the soldier was speechless for a moment, then ran off to consult with his comrades.

After a while, a man in impressive armor, likely a superior officer, approached.

He seemed to have the authority to make decisions.

"I'm Cainz. I heard about the earlier conversation."

"I'm Quon, and this is—"

"Lumina! A spirit!"

"…Anyway, what's the deal?"

"Ah, right… We'll offer a success-based reward. Depending on the escort situation, we'll pay up to 100,000. Also, you can collect all the materials from monsters encountered along the way."

I narrowed my eyes slightly at his words.

The price itself is fair. But the deduction system is tricky.

However, it's a clever move. If you want the reward, you have to work hard, and the soldiers can save some of the reward money.

"Hmm… Fine, I'll take the job under those conditions."

"Great, thanks. Also, if possible—"

"You want me to call other foreigners, right? That's fine."

"Thanks. It's a race against time."

It seems they are in a tight spot.

There isn't much time before the demon attack.

To prevent their plans from succeeding, we need to complete this request properly.

"Alright, let's work out the details. Count on me."

"Quest 'Convoy Escort' started."

I nodded at Cainz's words and joined the soldiers.

This was a bit unexpected, but let's head back to the capital while completing this quest.

* * * * *

■Avatar Name: Quon

■Gender: Male

■Race: Human

■Level: 16

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 19

VIT: 14

INT: 19

MND: 14

AGI: 12

DEX: 12

■Skills

Weapon Skills: Sword: Lv.16

Magic Skills: Enhancement Magic: Lv.12

Set Skills: Dead Point Strike: Lv.13

MP Auto Recovery: Lv.7

Plundering Sword: Lv.9

Identification: Lv.12

Life Sword: Lv.10

Demon-Slaying Sword: Lv.5

Tame: Lv.5

HP Auto Recovery: Lv.6

Sub Skills: Mining: Lv.1

Title Skills: Fairy's Blessing

■Current SP: 14

■Monster Name: Lumina

■Gender: Female

■Race: Sprite

■Level: 1

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 10

VIT: 10

INT: 26

MND: 19

AGI: 14

DEX: 12

■Skills

Weapon Skills: None

Magic Skills: Light Magic

Skills: Light Attribute Enhancement

Flight

High Magic Resistance

Low Physical Resistance

MP Auto Major Recovery

Wind Magic

Title Skills: Spirit King's Servant