Malleus huffed, "I only have a few questions about the stories you've shared. One of them being the hunter of the beautiful queen. How did that originally came about?"
"I guess I'll answer that question for now." Peony yawned as she stretched, "The hunter was said to be nameless mainly for the fact that he was taken in by wolves and raised by wolves only to be saddened by the irresponsible hunting by other humans. He lost his family due to the hunting of his family and became a hunter later on in life. During that time, his entranced period over the queen's beauty led him to be caught in her trap and she utilized him for numerous ugly jobs whilst threatening him to complete each and every one of them to perfection. However, that record stopped after he saw the princess release a lost juvenile bird from being caught, which had prompted him to tell her the truth of leading her astray from the capital and the queen's plan. When the princess was shocked, he urged her to run and never look back. This began her encounter with the dwarves later on."
"Interesting. And, to think this is the same hunter that did not leave the queen's side after her descent." Malleus pondered in surprise.
"Is it?" Peony shrugged, "Even after inheriting his fate, his successor was not any different."
"Oh? So his successor is in Night Raven College as well?"
"Of course. The beautiful queen's fate was received by Vil Schoenheit. Her poison Apple's fate was reappeared in Epel Felmier who is being trained by Schoenheit into a being just as the queen did with her apple. Then, we have the princess's successor who is Niege Le Blanche. In our generation, he is the model rival of Vil. So that leaves the hunter…"
"I see. That vice dormleader of Pomefiore. Hmph!" He smirked, "So even in this life, he chose to glue himself to the one who has tied to the queen. But the question is… Will the same fate play out in the end Did that human changed their fate already?"
"He did, but you had saved him as well." Peony replied, "The poison apple incident was replayed during the VDC event. The hunter's betrayal was replayed during the voting phase of the finals as well as saving Niege from Vil prior to the competition. Rather than tricking Vil. The one he fooled was Niege and confronted was Vil who performed an ugly act from jealousy. Vil's change into an elder form was done not from his jealousy but a result of a selfless act to save Idia Shroud. This effect was later reverted by you. Another person who did not existed during the Beautiful Queen's era."
"I see. So even I was involved…" Malleus muttered in bewilderment.
"Those who were not a part of that incident would be considered an outsider. Just as Vil was when they were taken to STYX headquarters. His role as an outsider did not give him the role to give breath to the so called constellations of the great seven, but it did give them the chance to take on the so called main character role. Likewise, their actions is what will decide on the other's end. In the past, Hades made a terrible mistake and broke a promise that resulted from the death of the other party's beloved. That party was a demigod hero on a journey to return to his god state. When Hades took his beloved's mortal life as part for the rule, the hero dove into the river of Styx that sucks the vitality of mortals to save her in exchange for his. At the last minute, he became a hero and, thus, he couldn't be sent to walk amongst those who died as a mortal nor was there a place for dead gods as gods don't usually die. But, to save Idia, Vil unintentionally used that act to save a classmate instead. His vitality was restored by someone who has a longer life and powerful magic. As for whether their roles are over now, it is unknown. One thing we know for certain, Diasomnia is the last dorm, representing the thorn fairy, who have not had an overblot yet."
"Chances that I overblot…" Malleus muttered nervously, "If it is fated that I overblot, it scares me to think what may happen to those around me when it happens."
Peony sighed as she shook her head, "I've told you before. If you worry about it now, you will overblot for something else that is not predestined and it will be more difficult on yourself. Do not think too much about it and focus on what is in front of you. After all, you are still a kid. Don't think too much about it and live your life according to how you feel."
Malleus pouted, "I'm not really a kid."
"That's not what granny said." Peony snickered.
"Only two people have been allowed to call me as such." Malleus grumbled, "That is Lilia and the Queen of Briar Valley."
"Sure, sure." Peony rolled her eyes and huffed, "Whats next? Questions about the lotus lantern?"
"That's…" Malleus hesitated nervously despite Peony able to see his red ears.
"Then, take a seat and we shall talk." She got to her feet and stretched with a yawn, "I have something important to do for a bit. Chieftain Fern, you can fall back for today. With the work his lord had done in the caves, the threat has been eradicated. There are no sign of blot or energy of death lurking in the caves. The fairies have also settled back down into their homes."
"Understood, your highness." Fern saluted before retreating back into the forest with the prince's orchid in hand.
"Should I help?" Malleus noted curiously.
"There's no need." Peony waved it off and explained, "I'll be done in a few minutes. Just sit tight."
"I see." Malleus nodded and sat back down on the ground, "Don't try to do anything reckless in your current state."
"I'd tell you not to do anything stupid." Peony huffed before turning away and disappearing into the forest.
Malleus sat back down into his spot amongst the field of orchids much to his hesitation to avoid ruining the scenery. It was then that he looked up and saw the round moon up in the starry skies. He looked up in a daze before huffing a grumble, "Whoever the fool is, he just had to step into her trap… Knowing her, he's done for."
…..
In the shadows of the forest, there was only the sound of light gasp for air before a dark tall shadow darted into the darkness of a nearby bush. However, the moment that he did, he froze as something clamped over his wrists and ankles!
Oh no!
He was caught!
He tried to pry himself free as calmly as possible to avoid triggering the trap when some grabbed him by the neck and lifted him into the air! When he opened his eyes again, he found himself dangling from the hand under the light of the moon and the rustling of leaves and trees below his feet. Knowing he was in a place atop the trees, he was startled, but that was quickly overcame by a pair of dazzling purple eyes pierced down upon him like a black panther with hungry purple eyes! As the chilling wind blew, the sight sent a shiver down his spine! It was…
"Magnificent." He choked out breathlessly forgetting to struggle.
"Seriously?" Peony sighed, "And here I had thought that you would be smart enough to leave when you saw a Fairy noble enter a conversation. Then, you slipped up here... Or perhaps not."
Her voice brought his senses back to him as he finally started to struggle with a hand on his powerful wrist, "Lotus! Stop this!"
Peony huffed, "Again with the act. You should stop trying to reach for your knife too. Besides, you brought yourself into this."
"Your trap. Since when-?!"
"You're smart, Rook-senpai. From the literature to the knowledge of life, you are another rare prodigy in your own right. However, when there are many prodigies in one place, is it still of any surprise anymore?" Peony shrugged, "My eyes are everywhere in this forest since the attack from other outsiders. My eyes have been working non-stop, tirelessly. You have become just another prodigy here and the thorn in my side since you started poking around my territory. Naturally I had to start putting up traps far thinner than spider webs… Something invisible to the eye but a powerful force. You get what I'm saying?"
Upon hearing this, Rook grimaced in astonishment, "You… You somehow utilized the wind element to such a degree of control and manipulation! But how-?!"
"In the age of the gods, Athena, the god of wisdom, took the clouds and weaves them into a beautiful cape depicting all of the god's tales. She is a god of great wisdom, but she also is a warrior as well. If she can use her strength and knowledge to weave a cape out of something that could not be touched, why can't a cultivator do the same?" Peony sneered.
"A cultivator… What… What are they?" Rook grimaced in pain as he tried to breath yet still glared back at her, "What are you?"
Peony huffed a laugh as her eyes began to glisten in her shadows, "What do you think I am, senpai? Perhaps, the word monster comes to mind? Hehe. Well, you won't remember any of this anyway and it's only a matter of time before I catch the other guy too."
She giggled before whispering softly, "Good night, senpai."
A few secs ticked by before the struggle finally ended. With a sigh, Peony called out Little Jun and placed Rook over his back.
"Is he…" Little Jun hesitated.
"As if." Peony shook her head, "I knocked him out."
"Big sis. You're no monster." Little Jun muttered in denial.
"That's very sweet, Little Jun. However, once I graduate and leave this realm. My final destination can only be that of a monster…" Peony patted his head quietly as she whispered softly, "So, it is better to be forgotten as such a person that they used to know. You, too, must leave my side when the time comes. There are many who are waiting for your return back home too. You, Crystal, and everyone. I will make sure that you all survive till then."
"Big sis…." Little Jun muttered in protest but the dim light in her eyes hushed him quiet. In the end, he was forced to remain quiet for the entire time he assisted her that night.
It wasn't fair. It just wasn't right! Why must she go down such a path? He looked to her once before and saw the misty eyes before quietly returning to the ring.