Esper Harem in the Apocalypse
chapter-801

"Do you think the Lord would kill me if he finds out I said something like that?" Rudy asked.

[No. Because you are the only person the Lord can trust and talk to.]

"What do you mean?"

[You are chosen as the Lord's assistant. That means the Lord trusts you with everything. If you say something terrible about the Lord, the Lord would feel… sad.]

"Wow. So you are worried about the Lord, but not me, who is suffering?"

[I… I don't know what to say. Sorry. I can't help you.]

"There is no need to apologize. I am just venting… just like every living being."

[But I feel sorry for you. I want to help you, but I don't know how. It's so sad. You are going through all this. I wish I could do something. Only the Lord can help you. However, you can't even talk to the Lord about your problem.

It's… so sad. I now understand your pain. It must be very difficult. But don't give up! I am sure the Lord is aware of your problem. He will take care of everything. Don't lose hope, and keep patience!]

Rudy couldn't help but smile after hearing Zia's words.

'Fairies are considered to be the purest form of beings. They are naive and innocent. They can be easily controlled and manipulated. They can never commit a sin or do a bad deed. They are made that way. And that's their… weakness.'

"Thank you for your kind words. I feel a little better now."

[It's my pleasure to be able to help you.]

"..."

[Also, you said you are bored and frustrated. I can take care of your boredom. Feel free to talk to me whenever you feel bored. You can also take out your frustration on me. I don't mind. I will be happy if I can somehow lessen your problems.]

"...say… Zia. You are a fairy, and fairies are told to have powers to fulfill one's wishes. So why is it that they can't fulfill their own wishes?"

[We can't.]

"Yes, I know. But why is that? Any specific reason?"

[The elders have told us that the Lord's order was not to misuse their powers. If they use it for themselves, then that's out of selfishness. And that's a sin. And we can't commit a sin.]

"Is that just an interpretation? But I do think it's good that you don't use you don't use your powers for yourself. That would avoid internal conflicts."

[Indeed. The Lord knows it all.]

'I had no idea about it, to be honest.'

"I have one more question."

[Do ask. I will be happy to answer you.]

"It is known that fairies are the most innocent and naive creatures there are. But that can't be 100% truth, right?"

[Why would you assume so?]

"It is just unreal for any living being to be perfect."

[True. But we were created that way.]

"So are you saying that there has never been any crime in the Fairyland? And no one has ever opposed anyone. What about the kings and commoners? Has anyone not challenged them to become the new king or to change the heir to the throne?

Have the royal family members not tried to take the throne for themselves by removing the main bloodline? These are the things that are common and absolutely unavoidable. History can testify to that. So I am having a hard time believing that fairies are perfect."

[If that happens, then they are no longer fairies. They become dark fairies.]

"So it's similar to corruption?"

[In a way, yes. They lose their fairy abilities and form and become hideous monsters. The humans call them ghouls and skinwalkers.]

"They change the race entirely?"

[It's a curse. The Lord has an order, and we follow it. Anyone failing to comply with that gets punished by the curse.]

"Hmm. And what if they regret their actions? Will they become a fairy again?" Rudy asked curiously.

[Yes. It is possible, but only under a certain timeframe. And their regret must be true, and repentance must be sincere.]

'Isn't that the same thing?'

"Is it okay for you to tell me all that? You don't even know me. But then again, I am sure your naive nature couldn't stop you from telling me that."

[...yes…]

"I believe… that is the real curse…"

[It's not a curse. The Fairy race is the closest and most beloved race to the Lord. He has given the power to grant wishes. The power doesn't even belong to us. By the grace of the Lord, we are given such a noble task to fulfill one's wishes. We are truly blessed by the Lord.]

"Or you are given that task because the Lord is too lazy to do it himself," Rudy commented with a wry scoff.

[How can you say that?!] Zia yelled angrily. [We think of it as an honor, not a burden! We are not like you!]

"Ouch, that hurts."

[I… I am sorry. I didn't mean to say that. I got angry when you disrespected the Lord. You shouldn't do it.]

"Oh, so you 'can' get angry?" Rudy raised a brow. "I thought fairies never yell or get angry."

[We are not emotionless. It's completely natural for us to feel happy, sad, and angry.]

"Yes, it is."

[Mmm.]

"Still, I find it ironic to have such a level of trust and devotion to a being you don't even know. The Lord can make you all extinct with a snap, you know? Why so much faith?"

[That can happen to anyone.]

"That's a nice way to answer."

[What about you? Do you not fear that you can be replaced by the Lord one day?]

"Oh, I would want that. I can finally be normal again."

[But then you would be no different than anyone else. You will not be special. Just an ordinary man, struggling to live and survive.]

'Again, that's the thing…' Rudy uttered inwardly.

"To all to their struggles… running towards their goals and dreams… surviving the journey… not knowing if they will ever reach their destination…"

[...]

"Every living being is pitiable."

[Indeed. But that's our most beautiful aspect. We live to die.]