Even If You Tear Me Apart - Chapter 51
The chapters are split like this so that the TL can update more consistently over time (✿ ＞◡❛)
The next village, Rohan, was remarkably large. Among the seven temples of the gods, it held two: the Temple of Adelia of Water and the Temple of Kwan of Fire.
“There are so many people!”
Henri, riding along on Shanka’s horse, shouted joyfully. Shanka smiled gently.
“That’s because it’s a village all adventurers from the Ragoshri Mountains make sure to pass through.”
“Why? What’s here?”
“They need to receive Kwan’s blessing.”
In the Ragoshri Mountains stood Mount Kielce, which had once spewed fire long ago. Mount Kielce was home to the Great Temple of Kwan, and adventurers believed that only by receiving the blessing of Kwan, the god of fire, could they stay safe in the Ragoshri range.
“What about Adelia of Water?”
“Well, that’s because of the Fairy Lake up there.”
In addition, the Ragoshri range extended down from the massive Mount Aspel in the far north. And at the point where the Ragoshri range split into two, there was a massive lake.
That lake was called the Fairy Lake, and it was the very boundary dividing the human kingdoms from the Great Fairy Kingdom. Of course, very few had ever crossed the lake to see that great kingdom. The fairies disliked humans.
Thus, humans who had reason to travel near the Fairy Lake usually sought the blessing of Adelia of Water—to pray that she might protect them from the fairies.
“You must be careful too, Young Master Henri. You’re just darling enough for the Fairy Queen to like!”
Fairies were known to steal newborn human babies and raise them as their own. In the northern part of the Empire, it was customary to stay awake for three days and nights in homes where a baby had just been born.
It was even said that if an especially adorable baby was born, people were warned not to make a fuss lest the fairies grow jealous.
“I’m already grown up, so it’s fine!”
Henri puffed up proudly. Shanka chuckled. Milena, smiling, chimed in.
“If you’re grown up, it’s actually not fine.”
“Why not?”
“What if you went to the Fairy Lake with your lover and got kidnapped by the Fairy Queen?”
Henri blinked, not understanding what she meant, and looked toward Ezekiel. Shanka and Milena also looked at Ezekiel with eyes full of anticipation. Ezekiel let out a low sigh.
“The Fairy Queen grants blessings to lovers who reach the Fairy Lake.”
“Blessings? But didn’t you say they kidnap human babies?”
“That’s precisely why she blesses them.”
Fairies could only preserve their species by stealing human children. As they were asexual beings, they couldn’t give birth themselves.
So, when a pair of humans in love prayed for happiness at the Fairy Lake, the Fairy Queen always gave them her blessing—so that no matter the trials they faced, the two could stay together.
In return, if those lovers later bore a child, the fairies would come to take that child. That was the price of the blessing.
“They have to get married and have a child for the fairies to take it. Graaaahh!”
At Milena’s monster impression, Henri shrieked and collapsed in laughter.
It was an ironic tale—happiness purchased at the cost of a child. But since all one had to do was guard the child for three days after birth, many lovers still went to the Fairy Lake to pray for their happiness. Most of them were couples facing strong family opposition or serious obstacles.
“However, if a man is too handsome, the Fairy Queen gets jealous of the woman and kidnaps the man instead. So you’d better think carefully about whether you’re good-looking before you go.”
Shanka added with an air of pride.
“For the record, I’ve never even been near the Fairy Lake. I’m too scared I’ll get kidnapped!”
“Boo—”
Henri and Milena jeered at Shanka. He let out a hearty laugh.
As expected, the inns in Rohan were large as well. There were more than five big enough to accommodate their party of over thirty people.
The stableboys came running out from every direction, shouting over each other, trying to draw them into their respective inns, eventually grabbing each other by the collar in scuffles.
“You bastard! I’ve hated you for a while now!”
“You’re the one who stole our guests and now you’re talking back?!”
Ezekiel sighed and pointed at the youngest stableboy, who had timidly stood back from the chaos.
“We’ll go to your inn.”
“Ah, yes!”
The stableboy ran up with a bright face and took the reins of Ezekiel’s horse. Only then did the other stableboys, still mid-fight, shout out in frustration, but it was already too late.
