Bailung looked disappointed at the results of the research, but maybe it was amazing just to know that if I gave Riyan's mana to someone else, they could see me a little bit.
"But if I use Riyan's mana, Bailung can always see and talk to me, so it's fine." ()
Maybe it was fine if he didn't have to do any tedious research.
It was the same thing when it came to using Riyan's mana. The only difference was whether you use it for me or Bailung.
"Yes, but without Riyan, I can't see or speak to Rhone." (Bailung)
"But I have to go home someday, and I won't be here either way, so I don't think that will change." (Rhone)
The two of them looked sad at my words.
If I was gone, they wouldn't be able to see or speak either way. This research itself was a waste. If we were going to talk for a little while, all I had to do was use Riyan's mana to make myself visible.
But humans seemed to be different.
"It's never wasted. People investigate various things, do research, and grow." ()
He told me that this large building was also constructed with strong construction to prevent it from collapsing, and that it was made using strong materials and wood. Also, he told me that the same goes for the weapons that humans have.
Which material was harder and sharper? How much weight could it handle? The two of them started talking about where the center of gravity should be.
"So, there's nothing wasted in research. Besides, we're more than happy to be able to learn even a little bit about Rhone and the other fairies." ()
"Oh, it's been my dream since I was a child to meet and talk to fairies." ()
"But the more I researched about fairies, the more I despaired. Very few people had ever seen fairies, and they were all just legends. So, when I heard about Rhone from this guy, I couldn't believe it." ()
Bailung looked at Riyan.
"So you said it wasn't a lie." ()
They both talked happily.
I didn't know, but if Riyan was happy, I would be happy too.
So, I decided to help them with their research a little more.
I was a little worried that I came out without telling my sister, but since she was my sister, she might not even notice that I was gone.
Fairies had a different sense of time than humans.
Since they usually had work to do, they did research in the evenings when they had free time. Each time, they both said that they wanted to go back to being students and did only research.
Then, as they continued their research, they discovered many things.
When I channeled my mana into Riyan, and when Riyan used magic, the power became stronger.
Riyan said that his power had increased by about 20% to 30%.
"There is such power in fairy's mana…" ()
I tried the same thing with Bailung, but it didn't work.
In other words, it seemed like only for people who could see me and who were on the same wavelength.
"Rhone is my only partner in the world." ()
Those words made me happy.
"But the world is big, so you might not be alone." ()
There were people who are on the same wavelength. If you looked for it, there might be at least one in this town.
"It's sad to hear that." ()
"But right now, Riyan is the only one." ()
Riyan looked happy at my words.
As Riyan and I were chatting happily, I felt strong eyes on me from somewhere. When I searched for the destination, I saw Bailung staring at us. But when I noticed his gaze, his expression immediately changed.
"I'm jealous. I too would like to have a cute fairy partner like Rhone." ()
He said that with a smile.
Was that face a mistake?
However, it turned out that it was not a mistake.
After that, whenever Riyan and I were together, I would often felt someone's eyes on me, and I would see Bailung glaring at Riyan.
The way he looked at Riyan was scary.
Even when I told Riyan about this, he didn't believe me.
Riyan didn't seem to notice Bailung's gaze.
Since then, Bailung had started talking to me more than necessary.
"Is there anything you want?" "Are you dissatisfied with your life?" "Do you enjoy living in the city?"
He cared about a lot of things and was kind to me when we were together, but when I talked to him alone, he sometimes looked at me with scary eyes.
I tried to keep my distance from Bailung except to help with research.
Then, as the day neared for me to return home, Riyan disappeared.
I hadn't looked anywhere.
I was scared, but I went to see Bailung.
"Oh, Riyan is sleeping in the basement of this house." (Bailung)
Bailung answered with a smile.
He was smiling, but his eyes were scary.
But I was worried about Riyan, so I headed to the location I was guided to.
I proceeded through the hallway on the first floor and opened the tightly closed door to find a staircase.
It was dark and scary.
However, when Bailung touched the magic stone on the wall, a light suddenly came out.
The light turned on and I felt a little relieved.
When I went down the stairs, I came to a large hall.
A bed was placed in the center of the hall, and Riyan was sleeping.
I flied and headed to Riyan.
"Riyan!" (Rhone)
I called out to him, but he didn't wake up.
Even if I hit him or lashed out at his face, he didn't respond.
"What did you do to Riyan!" (Rhone)
"You're just helping me out. For good." ()
Bailung answered with a smile.
"What do you mean?" (Rhone)
"That's so I can keep looking at you." (Bailung)
I cut off the mana between me and Riyan.
"I can see you just fine." (Bailung)
"Lie" (Rhone)
Even if I moved, Bailung's eyes followed me.
"You and I are connected. Now you are mine." (Bailung)
Bailung laughed.
It was scary.
I wanted to run away right now.
I turned my attention to the stairs behind Bailung.
"Are you planning on abandoning him and running away?" (Bailung)
As if he noticed that I was trying to run away, he said so.
I looked at Riyan.
He was sleeping in his bed like he was dead, but he was alive and well.
I couldn't run away alone, leaving Riyan behind.
"If you run away like this, he might die." (Bailung)
"What did you do to Riyan?" (Rhone)
"His mana is flowing to me all the time." (Bailung)
"No way..." (Rhone)
"I see you understand. I am receiving his mana in order to see you." (Bailung)
There were a lot of things around Riyan's bed that didn't make sense. The only thing I understood was magic stones. Both of them were doing some research from time to time, was this it?
"Even if you don’t do that, if I use Riyan’s magic, anyone can see me." (Rhone)
"But earlier, you cut off the magic power between you and Riyan so that I can’t see you." (Bailung)
Indeed, I tried to hide from view.
That was the case even now. Normally, he shouldn't be able to see me or hear my voice. But Bailung could hear my voice and see me.
Really, Bailung had taken in Riyan's mana and was looking at me and talking to me.
So, maybe it was true.
"If I continue to absorb your mana like this, Riyan might die. I'm putting in mana from outside, but if you run away, I'll just stop it." (Bailung)
In other words, he showed me that if the mana flow was stopped, Riyan would die.
"And even if you run away, you and I are connected. I will chase you wherever you go. I don't understand that it's done through Riyan though." (Bailung)
Did that mean he knew where I was?
If that were true, even if I ran away to the fairy forest, I would have called this man to the fairy's forest where my friends were.
Even if I had to die, that would be no good.
"Riyan and you weren’t friends?" (Rhone)
"We're friends. That's why we share each other's things like this." (Bailung)
"I'm not a thing. And Riyan hasn't received anything from you." (Rhone)
"I don't think Rhone understands, but research costs money. I paid for all the research he did. When I heard that Riyan had seen a fairy, I was jealous and hated Riyan." (Bailung)
When we first met, I felt like I understood the reason for those eyes that were looking at me and Riyan.
Even after that, he sometimes looked at Riyan with a hateful expression.
"So, what's your response?" (Bailung)
I looked at the sleeping Riyan again.
Someone who could see me.
I couldn't abandon Riyan.
Besides, even if I abandoned Riyan and ran away, I wouldn't be able to return to the fairy's forest.
"What should I do?" (Rhone)
"It's simple. Please stay by my side forever." (Bailung)
Apparently he wants to keep me for himself.
I didn't belong to anyone.
And I didn't belong to this man.
But I couldn't run away from this man.
"I understand. I'll stay here. But you'll let me do my thing." (Rhone)
"It doesn't matter. However, if you think you've run away..." (Bailung)
"I know." (Rhone)
Until Riyan died, he would follow me wherever I went.
If Riyan died, I might be able to run away, but I couldn't abandon Riyan.
I wanted to see that smile again.
As long as his freedom was not taken away, I would definitely have a chance to rescue Riyan.
Author's Note
I apologize.
I said it would end with the first part and the second part, but it didn't.
I thought it would go as far as reuniting with Prim, but...
* This Friday, June 17th, is the release date of comicalized volume 8. Thank you for your support.
* Thank you to everyone who reports typos.
Please note that some kanji have been revised to match the book, so some may not have been revised.