Chapter 45
"Apparently, among the Pixies living in the western forest, there is someone who can use Light-attribute magic."
Agnis said.
Mabel, Agnis, and I were sitting around the table.
For now, we put away the UV-Cut Parasol and the alchemy materials and settled in for tea.
We listened to the information Agnis had found for us while drinking tea.
"After hearing what Thor Kanan-sama said yesterday, Agnis asked everyone at the mansion about it... but no one knew anything, so this morning... I went into town."
"I'm sorry for making you go to so much trouble, Agnis-san."
"No. This is something Agnis wanted to do."
Agnis pinched the hem of her dress and smiled.
"Besides, walking around town wearing clothes instead of armor has always been a dream of mine."
Apparently, the townspeople were surprised to see Agnis walking around in a dress with her face uncovered.
Some had watched her with curiosity, while others had looked at her worriedly.
But apparently, some people had approached her and told her she was beautiful.
Agnis had asked those people about a Light-attribute magic user.
While doing so, one of the soldiers in town had told her about a Pixie who could use Light magic.
"Pixies are demi-humans who are only a few dozen centimeters tall and have wings growing from their backs, right?"
"Yes. That is exactly right."
Agnis nodded at my words.
Pixies were almost legendary beings in the Empire.
What was known about them was that their population was small and, for some reason, they were all female.
They were sensitive to magic power and the presence of people, so they were difficult even to see, let alone speak with.
That was how Pixies were described in the Empire.
"So Pixies live normally in the Demon Lord's Territory...?"
"Yes. They are sensitive to magic power, so they help investigate the magic power within the Demon Lord's Territory..."
Agnis said this while drinking her tea.
"They can also understand the flow of magic power through the land, so they help us choose fields and pastures. We were able to find the mines because of the Pixies, too. But..."
"But?"
"They are extremely shy and rarely appear in front of people."
"So asking them for a favor might be difficult."
"...Yes, it might."
Agnis looked troubled.
If Pixies were that shy, it would probably be difficult for me to ask them for a favor.
"Thor-sama. Why don't we ask Her Majesty to make a request to the Pixies? We could ask them to help with the UV-Cut Parasol experiment."
Mabel suddenly spoke up.
But I shook my head.
"We don't need to go that far... I think."
I had made the UV-Cut Parasol for experiments against Light magic.
It was not something Lukie had asked for, nor had I made it for anyone in particular.
To be perfectly honest, I had made it entirely as a hobby.
It was not important enough to make Lukie go out of her way to issue an order.
"We've already learned that it can dispel Light-attribute magic, so I think we can just wait for an opportunity to conduct the next experiment."
I really did want to meet the Pixies, though.
They were legendary beings in the Empire, after all. I definitely wanted to meet them and hear what they had to say.
I was very curious about how they lived and how they viewed the world.
Besides, the Pixies had not been involved in the war between the otherworldly Heroes and the Demon Lord.
Because they were small and weak, they had avoided the fighting and lived in hiding the entire time.
As someone with no combat ability, I thought their way of surviving was excellent.
I wanted to hear about it and learn from their way of life, but...
"I only just arrived in the Demon Lord's Territory, so I probably shouldn't make unreasonable demands."
I looked at Agnis as I said this.
"So, even though you went to all the trouble of finding them, I'm sorry, but I think we should leave the Pixies alone for now──"
"Actually, the Pixies themselves... have said they would like to meet Thor Kanan-sama..."
Agnis said.
Mabel and I stared at her in astonishment.
"Did you already contact them?"
"Yes. Though it was about something unrelated to this matter."
"Something unrelated?"
"The area near the western forest where the Pixies live... is one of the candidates for Thor Kanan-sama's workshop and residence, so we had contacted them about that..."
Ah... I had forgotten.
Come to think of it, I had come to the general's territory to sightsee and inspect the land for my workshop, hadn't I?
Had he already begun arranging the workshop?
As expected of General Raizenga. He was quick.
"My father chose land near the mines and the town, with a water source and abundant magic power, as a candidate site for your workshop. It is near the western forest."
Agnis said.
"But the western forest nearby is the Pixies' autonomous district..."
"So you contacted them to tell them that we wanted to build an alchemist's workshop in their neighborhood."
"Yes. They replied, 'If that is the case, we would very much like to meet the alchemist-sama.'"
...I see.
I had thought that if the Pixies were shy, there was no need to force a meeting.
But if they were going to become my neighbors, it would be best to greet them now.
The Demon Lord's Territory was a nation of demons and demi-humans, while I was human.
I wanted to properly introduce myself so they would not become wary of me.
"Understood. In that case, I'll meet the Pixies."
I said.
"I feel bad making them come all the way here, so I'd like to visit them instead. I'd also like to inspect the workshop site while I'm there. Would that be all right?"
"I think that would be fine. The Pixies will probably feel more at ease that way, too."
"Then should we visit the Pixies' forest first and stop by the workshop site afterward?"
"Yes. In that case, I will send a letter to the Pixies."
"By the way, how do you contact the Pixies?"
"There is a stump near the forest that is used for communication."
Agnis thought for a moment before answering.
"When we leave a letter there, they take it away without us noticing. Then, before we know it, their reply has been left in its place. That is how it usually works."
"They really are shy, aren't they?"
More than shy, they seemed like mystical beings.
People in the Empire had said that Pixies almost never showed themselves in public, too.
A mysterious race that avoided people's gaze and flew along the currents of magic power. That was what Pixies were.
I never imagined that I would come to the Demon Lord's Territory and meet a legendary race.
"Mabel, do you know anything about Pixies?"
"I saw one once when I was in the Elven village."
Mabel poked one of her ears as though trying to recall something, then spoke.
"She had wrapped leaves around her body instead of wearing clothes and was flying between the trees. She seemed to be weaving between them as she flew. She was speaking with the elven elder. I do not know what they discussed. Even in the Demon Lord's Territory, they are a mysterious race."
"They do various kinds of work for the Demon Lord's Territory, right?"
"Yes. Just as Agnis-sama said, they observe magic power and investigate narrow or difficult-to-reach places."
"Those exchanges are handled almost entirely through the 'Stump Correspondence' as well. We leave a letter on the stump describing what we want them to do, and then a reply arrives telling us whether they will accept the request."
Agnis picked up where Mabel left off.
"So the person making the request does not know which Pixie will do the work..."
"Once the work is finished, the Pixie leaves a piece of parchment with the results of the investigation on the stump, and we leave the payment there."
"The payment consists of milk, nuts, magic stones... and so on."
"They really are a shy race."
"It is extremely unusual for them to ask to meet someone themselves. Thor Kanan-sama must truly be a special alchemist..."
Agnis and Mabel were speaking quickly, perhaps because they were both surprised.
Apparently, it was extraordinarily rare for a Pixie to want to meet someone of their own accord.
"Should I bring some sort of gift so I don't offend them?"
But what would make the Pixies happy?
"Mabel, what do you think I should bring?"
"Milk, nuts, and magic stones, of course."
Mabel answered without hesitation.
"Those are the rewards we give Pixies for their work. I believe they would be a safe choice."
"Then Agnis will prepare everything!"
With a quick motion, Agnis raised her hand.
"I will escort you to the forest this time. I will also prepare everything we need to take with us!"
"I will help with the preparations as well, Agnis-sama."
"Yes. We'll do it together, Mabel."
"Please rest, Thor-sama."
"We will come get you when everything is ready."
With that, Mabel and Agnis left the room.
It seemed safe to leave the gift for the Pixies in their hands.
It seemed safe... but I felt a little unsatisfied.
They wanted to meet an alchemist, after all.
Perhaps they had something they wanted to ask me to do.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for such a shy race to summon me.
In that case, I should prepare something the Pixies might use.
If I was aiming to become an alchemist who could surpass the world of the Heroes, I needed to be capable of at least that much.
The greatness of the Heroes' world could be seen in the Mail-Order Catalog.
The Mail-Order Catalog was filled with items capable of solving every conceivable problem.
In other words, anticipating problems that might arise and preparing items in advance was the custom of the otherworldly Heroes.
A first-rate alchemist made items after receiving a request.
A truly exceptional alchemist in the Heroes' world anticipated requests and prepared items in advance—that must be how it worked.
I decided to follow their example. Yes.
Thinking this, I began my preparations.
The next day.
We were traveling by carriage to the western forest where the Pixies lived.
"But... it makes a certain amount of sense that there would be a Light magic user among the Pixies."
Mabel suddenly spoke.
"I have heard that Pixies are a race sensitive to magic power and are born with various attributes. Most of them are Water Pixies or Wind Pixies, but apparently Fire Pixies and Earth Pixies appear from time to time as well."
"So there are Dark Pixies and Light Pixies, too?"
"That is correct."
I see.
If each person possessed one attribute, then there would be Pixies with the Light attribute as well.
So there were Pixies who could use Light-attribute magic. It made perfect sense.
"Pixies are shy, but they properly accept requests. So if you make a formal request, Thor-sama, I think they will help with the UV-Cut Parasol experiment as well."
"That would be helpful, but... wouldn't it be a little too extravagant?"
In truth, I would be satisfied just to meet and speak with a Pixie.
They were legendary beings, after all. Pixies, I mean.
If I went so far as to make a request and have them assist with an experiment on a magic item...
"...As an alchemist, I wouldn't know how to repay them."
"No, there would be no problem, Thor-sama. You are Her Majesty's personal alchemist and have contributed greatly to the Demon Lord's Territory."
"But I've already received more than enough, haven't I?"
As far as I was concerned, Lukie had appointed me her personal alchemist and given me a workshop.
I could make whatever I wanted there.
That was enough for me right now.
If I received even more things, I would not know how to repay them.
For now, I intended to make the Demon Lord's Territory a more comfortable place to live than the Heroes' world, but... I had no idea how to accomplish that yet.
That was why I thought I could repay them by making a sword that surpassed the lost magic sword, but I had not made any progress toward that goal, either.
"...I think you should allow yourself to be more selfish, Thor-sama."
"Do you think so?"
"Then may I make it my goal during this trip to make you more selfish, Thor-sama?"
"What kind of goal is that?"
"It is a maiden's goal!"
For some reason, Mabel looked away and smiled.
She seemed to be plotting something.
...Being selfish, huh.
The only thing I could think of was asking Mabel and Agnis to help me experiment with Magic-Woven Fabric.
Thanks to making the UV-Cut Parasol, I had become capable of creating new things.
But still, I had no idea what effect it would have.
I should conduct a few more experiments first──
"Thor Kanan-sama. We will arrive at the western forest shortly!"
──I was thinking about that when Agnis called out from the driver's seat.
I looked out the window and saw a large forest at the end of the road.
A vast forest covered in tall trees, stretching to the foot of the mountains.
That was the western forest, the Pixies' autonomous district.
After a while, the carriage stopped, and Mabel and I got out.
The road ended here.
A large stump stood at the dead end.
Its cut surface had been leveled horizontally, making it easy to place things on it.
There was a large stone beside the stump. It was probably used to keep letters from blowing away—a sort of paperweight.
"Is this where the 'Stump Correspondence' takes place?"
"Yes, Thor Kanan-sama."
Agnis nodded.
She gazed at the top of the stump and said curiously,
"I instructed the soldiers who went ahead of us to leave a letter here this morning. It said, 'The alchemist Thor Kanan-sama will be visiting the Pixies.'"
"...The letter is gone."
"...It is."
Agnis, Mabel, and I tilted our heads in confusion as we stood before the stump.
According to what we had heard, the Pixies were supposed to leave a reply after taking the letter.
But there was nothing on top of the stump.
The stone used as a paperweight was beside it.
So it did not seem that the letter had simply been blown away by the wind.
As I was thinking about this──
"...We have been waiting for you."
A small figure suddenly peeked out from behind the stump.
White skin. Straight black hair. Instead of clothes, she had wrapped a large leaf around her body.
And on her back were beautiful, translucent wings.
A tiny Pixie watched us while hiding behind the stump.
"N-nice to meet you. My name is Rune, and I am a Pixie... Um..."
"Nice to meet you. I am Thor Kanan, the alchemist directly appointed by the Demon Lord."
I reflexively sat down on the ground.
It was so I could bring my eyes level with the Pixie's.
I had learned all too well in the Empire that being looked down upon by someone large was intimidating.
My father and the noble warriors were all big, imposing people with loud voices, too.
"Thanks to the gracious favor of Demon Lord Lukie Evergarden, I have been given a workshop and residence in General Raizenga's territory. Since they will be located near the Pixies, I have come to introduce myself."
"I am Thor-sama's maid, Mabel Refrain."
"I am Thor Kanan-sama's escort, Agnis Freizad..."
Mabel sat down beside me. Agnis did the same.
The three of us sat side by side, lowering our gazes as we faced the tiny Pixie.
"I am happy to meet a legendary Pixie, Rune-san."
"Th-thank you for your courtesy. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Rune, a Dark Pixie..."
Before long, the Pixie slowly emerged from behind the stump.
As though steeling herself, she stepped out in front of us and bowed her head.
"This is my first time speaking with a human, but... I am surprised that humans are so calm and gentle."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. According to legend, humans possess even greater power than demons and love nothing more than wielding grand magic to change the world..."
That was probably a description of the otherworldly Heroes.
I wondered if the Pixies had lived farther south during that era.
For the tiny Pixies, the existence of Heroes who freely unleashed grand magic must have been extremely intimidating.
"...If an alchemist-sama is as kind as you, then... I feel safe speaking with you."
Rune, the Pixie, nodded as the wind stirred her black hair.
She slowly approached my knee.
"May I sit on your hand?"
"My hand?"
"I think it would be easier to speak that way. If you do not mind."
"Of course. Go ahead."
I held out my hand.
Rune, the Pixie, flapped her translucent wings, took flight, and landed in my palm.
She was small. And light.
I felt as though I might break her if I touched her carelessly.
"I cannot believe it... A Pixie is sitting on someone's hand..."
"I have never heard of anything like this either..."
"When one of us Pixies sits on the hand of a human, demi-human, or demon... it is a sign of trust."
Rune, the Dark Pixie, was trembling slightly.
I understood how she felt.
The tiny Pixie's body could be crushed just by me closing my hand.
That was how small and delicate Pixies were.
So I understood that sitting in my palm meant she trusted me. I understood, but...
"But I haven't done anything to deserve that much trust..."
"A Pixie places this kind of trust in someone... when one wishes to ask a favor."
Rune closed her outspread wings.
Now she could not take flight immediately.
Having completely entrusted her life to me, the Pixie Rune raised her face and looked at me.
"This is our way of saying, 'I trust you. Therefore, please help us,' alchemist-sama."
"You really don't need to go that far..."
I carried my palm over to the stump.
Then I moved my fingers and transferred Rune onto the top of the stump.
"I am the Demon Lord's personal alchemist. If you have a request, I will hear it."
"That would not be acceptable."
But Rune shook her head.
"We Pixies came to the Demon Lord's Territory and were granted an autonomous district like this. However, we have still not achieved enough to justify it. It would be unforgivable for Pixies like us to ask a favor without giving anything in return."
She was serious.
"In the first place, Pixies can only wear crude clothing made from leaves like this. Appearing before people dressed that way is itself discourteous. Since we are asking you for a favor despite that, it is only natural that we place our lives and deaths in your hands."
She was disturbingly grave.
"I was chosen to receive you because, like the Demon Lord, I possess the Dark attribute and can manipulate Dark magic. Since someone like that is offering her life, I thought it would be acceptable to ask you to grant our request."
This was far too heavy.
"Um, Mabel, Agnis-san..."
I asked the two of them,
"Are Pixies really such a serious and intense race?"
"No. I am learning this for the first time as well."
"I knew they carried out requests very earnestly, but... I did not know about their personalities."
Mabel and Agnis were both astonished.
Apparently, neither of them had known that Pixies were like this.
Come to think of it, Rune had just casually revealed why Pixies never appeared in public.
──Pixies could only wear clothes made from leaves.
──Appearing in public dressed that way was discourteous.
So that was why Pixies almost never showed themselves before people.
I was astonished.
"Please use me as an alchemy material. In exchange, I would like to ask you to──"
"Wait."
I raised my hand and stopped Rune.
"Forget about using you as an alchemy material or offering up your body. I have no intention of doing anything like that."
"B-but we cannot ask a favor without giving something in return──"
"Then could you introduce me to a Pixie who can use Light magic?"
I said.
"I am looking for someone who can use Light magic for an experiment with a magic item. I heard that there is a Light magic user among the Pixies, so I would appreciate it if you could introduce us."
I had not intended to force them to cooperate.
But perhaps the Pixies would be more willing if I made a request of them as well.
"...You wished to meet that child?"
Rune's eyes widened at my words.
"Actually, I wanted to ask you for a favor concerning that child as well."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I wanted to ask the alchemist-sama to help that child, who possesses the Light attribute..."
Rune the Pixie embraced my index finger with both hands and said,
"She possesses powerful Light magic, and because of it, her body is weak and she quickly takes to her bed. Please, would you help that child—the Light Pixie Soleil...? Alchemist Thor Kanan-sama."