After several hours of travel, the convoy passed through all manner of strangely shaped vegetation and terrain. The white mist around them gradually thinned, revealing a towering hall built in the style of an ancient Roman colonnade.
"Look! That's the [Great Cathedral] up ahead. We'll be home soon!"
The lively Habetrot pulled back the carriage curtain and pointed excitedly at the landmark in the distance, introducing Samael and the others to the customs of the Nameless Forest.
The [Great Cathedral] was the stronghold of the Wind Clan. Its members were said to be the most elegant, courteous, gentle, and approachable of all fairies. They possessed the ability to transmit information rapidly and set the latest trends throughout the Nameless Forest.
Aside from features such as pointed ears and wings, their size and appearance were quite similar to those of humans. They adored human culture, so every plant, tree, brick, and tile within the Great Cathedral bore traces of imitation human architecture.
Since the fairies of the Six Great Clans almost universally revered beauty and adored anything fashionable, the [Great Cathedral] had naturally become the fashion capital of the entire Nameless Forest.
Gentle and approachable? What a joke!
Having witnessed the true nature of a certain Wind Clan fairy during the War of the Holy Covenant, Samael scoffed inwardly.
As they drew closer and the magnificent Great Cathedral came into view, the cross-shaped star patterns in Samael's eyes flickered. He quietly studied the building for a moment, then shook his head.
Unfortunately, no matter how dazzling or magnificent these structures appeared, they were merely piles of fashionable architectural elements, many of which clashed with one another. They possessed impressive forms but lacked any true spiritual core. They could hardly be called works of art, only exquisite imitations.
"If you head left from the Great Cathedral, you'll reach the district shared by the Wing Clan, Rain Clan, and Mirror Clan. Most of us from the Wing Clan live in Gloucester."
Habetrot raised her hand and pointed toward the woodland buildings nestled beneath the lush foliage ahead, continuing her explanation.
Samael nodded repeatedly. He had developed quite a favorable impression of this cheerful, carefree Fairy Knight who always spoke her mind.
While host and guests chatted pleasantly, Samael felt a slight tug on his sleeve. He looked down at the small hand clutching the edge of his clothing.
The Ancient Serpent smiled and turned toward the butterfly-winged girl beside him, his gaze full of encouragement.
"Freya, what's wrong? Is there something you want to tell me?"
"P-please don't go to the right..."
The little fairy timidly gathered her courage and raised her head. Her voice was soft and frightened. After meeting Samael's gentle expression and steadying herself, she continued.
"To the right of the Great Cathedral are the Fang Clan's hunting grounds, also known as the [Great Dining Hall]. The Fang Clan are really vicious. If they catch you, they'll eat you, so please don't wander in there!"
"Mm. Thank you..."
The Ancient Serpent smiled gently and placed his pale hand atop the girl's head, softly smoothing her slightly messy blue-gray hair.
Freya's tiny body trembled, her muscles initially as stiff as wood.
But as the warm hand stroked her hair and sent a pleasant, ticklish sensation through her, the girl's tense body gradually relaxed amid a muffled whimper.
Her blue-gray wings quivered and slowly spread open. The tiny fairy looked like a butterfly resting upon a human fingertip, peacefully unfurling its wings as it enjoyed the gentle touch.
"Freya is so sneaky! She already got herself a human!"
Habetrot, who was sitting on a stool and sipping tea, watched with open envy. She waved her little fist and protested indignantly.
"You've helped us quite a bit as well. Whatever reward you desire, I will do my best to grant it."
Morgan lifted her cup of afternoon tea, took a small sip, and asked casually.
"Mm-hmm! Talking this much is tiring, so please take care of Habie-Meow too! Reward me! Pet my head! Show me some affection! Hug me! Anything is fine!"
The little fairy's eyes lit up. She planted both hands on the table and leaned most of her body forward, her small face full of excitement and anticipation.
"Like this?"
Morgan extended both hands, took Habetrot by the arms, and lifted her over from the opposite side of the table.
"Yes, yes! Like that, meow! Now pet my head!"
Having gotten what she wanted, the little fairy grinned from ear to ear. She narrowed her eyes and nestled into Morgan's arms like a kitten being petted by its owner.
The sensation reminded the witch of the pets she used to keep when she was bored.
"Hmm-hmm-hmm♪ I'm so happy! This wonderful feeling of bliss. Humans really are amazing!"
Habetrot sat cross-legged on Morgan's lap, thoroughly enjoying the head pats and praising them again and again.
Uh, fine. I'll take that as a compliment...
Samael's expression stiffened for a moment before he rolled his eyes, too lazy to correct the little fairy's careless choice of words.
After enjoying the human's attention for a while, Habetrot's excitement faded slightly. She propped her little face in her hands and studied Morgan from head to toe, then shook her head and muttered.
"You're clearly a good woman, so why do you feel a little frightening? The purity of a fairy, the magnificence of a goddess, and the Mystery of a witch all suit you, but somehow none of them do. How did you end up like this? It's so contradictory..."
The little fairy examined her repeatedly, mumbling to herself for some time before finally shaking her head in resignation.
"Habetrot is every girl's best friend. Turning them into happy brides is the value of my life and the meaning of my existence. Tsk. I was planning to make you a custom wedding dress once we reached my workshop, but unfortunately, you have no bride power... None at all..."
Habetrot was also known as the Weaving Fairy. Legends said she could spin cotton and flax fibers into thread, then weave garments for brides preparing to marry.
The thread she spun could bring good fortune. Anyone who wore clothing woven by the little fairy would immediately recover their health, be protected from sickness and disaster, and receive a blessing.
Fairies of this kind were also remarkably proactive. Once Habetrot found a suitable girl, meaning someone she believed had the right to become a happy bride, she would stop at nothing to care for and support her.
In a sense, she was a guardian of brides.
"Hmph! I have no need to wear something like that to get married! The person I choose should put on the wedding dress himself and come please me!"
Morgan pursed her lips and snorted, proudly lifting her unyielding chin.
"You intend to make a boy marry you? That's so bold! Uh, is that why you have no bride power?"
Habetrot blurted out in astonishment, feeling as though her entire worldview had been overturned.
But a fairy's interest came quickly and vanished just as fast.
"Meow, we can talk about that later. Why did you stop? You can keep petting me."
The Weaving Fairy blinked, immediately setting aside the craft that had stirred her curiosity and returning to the pursuit of more tangible pleasure.
"Meow, meow. Right there, right there. A little harder..."
Morgan sat there in a daze and continued stroking Habetrot's head. Beneath her veil, a faint light drifted almost unconsciously toward the corner of the carriage, and she seemed somewhat distracted.
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