I held my breath as the footsteps entered the domed room. I fervently hoped that the footsteps belonged to a human, as any other race would pose a significant problem for me.
The existence of the seventh Roaming Tower, along with the other towers on other continents of Emerallia, was a key point in their set-up because they periodically migrated between continents, taking those inside them with them. Different races could cross the Gaian membrane and indulge in chaos and bloodshed.
Each continent on Emerallia had its own distinct characteristics influenced by the behaviour of the different races that lived there. One continent was an endless battlefield, another had different races attempting to coexist, while another continent was so vast that these intelligent races had not yet explored it fully.
The Pillion continent, however, had only one Roaming Tower at present, signalling the beginning of the anchoring process. This procedure involved halting the roaming feature of the Roaming Towers until all seven towers were present on Pillion.
Once all the Roaming Towers anchored themselves on Pillion, they would finally open their doors to the world. This would lead to the first wave of invaders appearing on Pillion: the Giants. But that was a separate issue to be dealt with later.
'I'm basically trapped here until the anchoring procedure is complete.' I bit my lip in frustration.
Unless I acquired all the necessary items, I would be unable to escape the walls of the seventh Tower before the planned time. This would ruin all my plans and prevent me from activating the World's System before Ragnarök arrived.
Furthermore...
'A mountain of schoolwork would be waiting for me when I do return.' I thought to myself.
A moment later, however, I shook my head. My priorities seemed to be crooked. If Ragnarök began, would there still be a need to go to Aethercaller and be a good student?
I could simply take advantage of the chaos and steal all of their knowledge and all of their riches.
...Right.
Although my plans had become more volatile, there was still a path forward. There was still a way for me to survive.
I was just worried for Sylfie. Her injuries were horrid. Originally, it would be Virion who would find a way to heal her, but now that he could not show his face in the light, such an event would be unlikely.
If her story did not progress as planned, I would lose a valuable ally and a dear friend. I had intended to prevent her tragic fate from occurring.
I could only sigh and put my faith in my new plans. For now, I had to confront the fact that, "Indeed... They aren't humans."
The realization made me feel like crying.
...
From where I lay, shrouded in darkness and the mundane, my eyes flashed with intrigue.
I watched as three faces appeared before me, bearing uparalled beauty. Two women and one man with ethereal butterfly wings that seemed to pulsate in and out of reality.
'Fairies,' I thought, biting my lip.
Just like the other intelligent races of Emerallia, these hungry bastards could prey on the gods themselves. The sweet nectar that was the gods' mana was something they found irresistable. Devouring the gods just for their abundant and special mana was their contribution to Ragnarök.
All they cared about was magic and beauty, after all.
Nothing more, and nothing less.
'Furthermore,' I squinted.
There was a malevolent aura attached to them. It was like a curse of misfortune, wrapping around them like the grasp of death.
'...They have taken items from the tower already.'
It was clear to me that the number of items that they had taken already numbered in the dozens. I couldn't help but observe them further.
Their butterfly wings, which were usually spread out in full display, were currently tucked close to their bodies. They weren't flaunting their beauty at all, which was clearly odd.
'These bastards are on the run,' My analysis was most likely true.
Such behaviour from the fairies meant subservience and inferiority. If they could not put their assets on display, they are basically at their wits end.
Suddenly, the male fairy in the lead stopped in place. Glistening sweat dripped down his skin as he held his arm out to stop his companions. Fairy dust scattered in the air as his intense green eyes took on a tinge of wariness.
"Faeldrin, what's wrong?" One of the female fairies asked.
"I need you to scan the area, Aeloria." Faeldrin growled as he combed his short black hair back, "I felt a presence in this room."
Aeloria nodded, her curly blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders. Mana programs appeared in the air, forming a spell. In the next second, I heard the fairy shout.
"Come out!"
Fairy dust rushed forth like a stream, headed straight for me. It splashed onto me like a wave, coating my clothes with bright particles that I could not easily rid myself of. My face twitched.
'This damn spell!' I cursed silently as I walked into the light with an awkward gait.
"Oh?" Aeloria's sharp and angular features twisted into a playful smile, "A being of similar stature."
With a graceful flick of her wrist, the fairy dust attached to me churned. The dust caused my clothes to billow as if caught in a sudden gust of wind, revealing my face for the first time in a long while to another being.
"..." As my hood fell to my shoulders, I gazed at them with a flat expression. My features, which were a mix of Caelum's softness and my cunning foxiness, were put on full display.
Nonetheless, I did not let my emotions; my fear, my nervousness, and my excitement, show. "Fairies."
I said calmly, but I was given distaste in reply.
"...Human slave." Aeloria spat. And yet she instantly placed a slender hand on her weapon. "Where is your master?"