The ritual that Faye had told me about wasn't difficult. I just need to pour some liquid in the middle of that empty ground. After that, I only have to wait.
Only a handful of elves know this. Even then, they rarely do that. Things like this are reserved for very important matters.
I mixed five liquids of various colors into the ground, then white smoke appeared, which smelled like grass.
"Please." I backed away with another sigh. If this doesn't work, I'll have to find an alternative. It will be very difficult and time-consuming.
The smoke from the liquid mixture vanished, though the smell of the grass was still there. However, there was no sign of the fairy's arrival.
I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down. It's not over yet. I can still try again.
Just about to take a step forward, I saw the light in the corner of my eye.
My chin dropped when I found a figure with four sharp transparent wings flying from a distance. Her form resembled an elf's, but every inch of her body emitted white light. She wore a short, off-the-shoulder green dress, similar to the one I saw in the depiction of fairies in my original world.
I took out the silver potion from my bag, drank it, then threw the bottle away until it broke. As usual, my mouth filled with a disgustingly sour taste, and the pain in my body disappeared.
I'm ready.
That fairy with long silver hair floated a few inches off the ground. She tilted her head, studied me, then smiled.
I approached her and whispered. "Sorry."
And I strangled that being's neck.
She didn't grunt, but I could tell she was in pain from her expression. That being tried to escape using her hands, but I tightened my grip, making it even more difficult for her to breathe.
She then moved her hands the other way.
My ears caught a quick squeak, and it was too late when I looked sideways. Big and long roots were rushing towards me.
Those roots entangled my body, and the fairy immediately flew away.
It didn't take long for me to destroy the roots, then fly after her. However, that being doesn't seem to regard me as her opponent. She sped up her flight when she saw me.
Looks like she really wanted to avoid fighting me.
Since I don't feel pain anymore, I can easily accelerate too. Slowly, I caught up with her. My hand was outstretched to catch her leg.
Suddenly, roots attacked me again, this time from below. I have to avoid them, make the fairy away from me again.
One thing I realized. Those root attacks are nothing lethal, but only to entangle me. It's a sign that she doesn't want to finish me off.
This is actually a tough challenge for me. I became more and more hesitant to attack her.
Unfortunately, I can't go back anymore.
I punched one of the roots that came my way, took some of it, then threw it at my opponent.
The fairy stumbled, so that thing hit her. I did not waste the opportunity to catch her body from behind.
Then, I ripped one of her wings. Her mouth opened wide like someone screaming in pain but again made no sound.
I still have to dodge the root attacks coming at me, so I can't keep holding on to her body. She tried to fly away again, but her flight became unstable because she only had three wings left. Gradually she came down.
Realizing the root attacks coming at me became unstable, I dived into the fairy, then kicked her body like I would kick a ball. She plunged hard, hitting several large tree branches, before finally landing on the marble road.
When I landed near her, she was coughing like crazy, and this time she let out her voices. And then, her mouth spat out red blood, which instantly soaked the streets.
I, who was walking towards her, choked and stopped. Even though she has great power by being able to prosper a country, it turns out that her body is very fragile.
Will this be easy for me?
Several elves looked out of their windows or came outside to check what was happening. Most of them gasped, probably realizing who this fairy figure was.
"Stop!" Four guards came up to me. Two were carrying swords and shields, one aimed at me with a bow, and one was ready with his magic staff.
The fairy raised her index and middle fingers, causing those officers to exchange glances.
"S-she used the stop signal." One of the sword and shield users gasped.
The magic wand holder replied. "How did she know about military signals?"
"Because the fairy is always watching us." The archer hissed. His hand, which was still aiming at me, began to tremble.
Ah, you really love your citizens and don't want them involved, huh? You don't even give those root attacks to me anymore. It could be that you don't want any elves to get hit by your attacks?
I will respect your wishes then.
"Sorry." I grabbed her hair, then flew at high speed.
She tried to escape for the umpteenth time but to no avail. After searching around for a while, I found a corn farm.
And I threw the fairy in there. Once again, that being landed hard and caused a thunderous thump.
When I approached her, that fairy seemed difficult to stand. More and more blood is also coming out of her mouth.
She raised her trembling hand, triggering the corn trees around me to twitch.
However, that's all that happened. It seems my opponent has lost the ability to control plants.
The fairy's expression turned sharper. She finally stood up, and her fingernails grew long.
Great, now she's willing to fight me. At the very least, I wouldn't kill someone who didn't fight back.
"Believe me, I don't hate you, let alone want to destroy this country," I said with trembling lips. "If this country existed in my era, I would make it my ally. However, I need you."
That being did the ready-to-attack stance with his long nails while I raised my fists like a boxer.
A few seconds passed in silence, and we watched each other. Then, I stepped forward, along with her running towards me.