Chapter 762: Starlight and Soil ( 762 )

"It hurts!!"

The fairy whined, puffing her cheeks as she held her tiny hands to her forehead.

Javier cracked one eye open, unimpressed. "Hmm? I didn’t even use any force on that."

"Still hurt! You rude human!" she huffed, her wings flaring as she glared at him.

Javier smirked lazily, still leaning against the tree as if nothing in the world could bother him.

"Hmm? I’m not the rude one here. You’re the one being rude."

The fairy gasped, pointing at him with a tiny finger. "Wha—! You flicked me without even looking!"

Javier only closed his eyes again, the smirk still tugging at his lips. "And yet, you still lost to it."

"Uuu...!!! This is my first time seeing such a rude human like you!" the fairy huffed, puckering her lips before sticking her tongue out at him, still rubbing her forehead with her tiny hand.

Javier cracked a small grin, his voice low and lazy.

"And this is my first time meeting such a weird fairy."

The fairy gasped, wings fluttering rapidly in protest.

"Weird!? I’m not weird!"

Javier leaned his head back against the tree, swirling the wine glass idly in his hand.

"Then stop acting weird."

Her cheeks puffed up again, glowing faintly in the moonlight, as she stomped her little feet mid-air in frustration.

"Get off, human!! This is my place!!" the fairy shouted, planting both tiny hands against Javier’s chest and pull with all her strength.

"Mmm..." Javier let out a low hum, eyes closing again as he leaned further into the tree.

"This is a good place. Comfy."

"Ughhh!!!" The fairy’s face scrunched up as she pushed harder, wings buzzing furiously. But no matter how much she tried, Javier didn’t even move an inch.

"This is my place, human!!" she shout again, her voice squeaking with frustration.

"Yes, yes..." Javier replied lazily, smirking as he tilted his head back. "But this is also my father and mother’s land."

The fairy froze for a second, blinking at him, her tiny fists still pressed against his chest.

"Th-That’s not fair! You can’t just say that!"

"Hmm? But it’s true, right?" Javier replied calmly, his tone steady but relaxed. "And I’m not even trying to conquer this area. It’s just for a few hours... maybe less. I’ll stop leaning on this tree if trouble comes."

"Trouble?" The fairy fluttered up, hovering right in front of his face, head tilted to the side.

"Ah..." Javier glanced sideways, swirling the glass lazily.

"Not really trouble. It’s just... there’s a huge party going on. Kings, queens, nobles... the whole lot. I kinda..." He paused, scratching his cheek. "...you know, I’m not really comfy with huge parties like that."

The fairy’s wings slowed, her red eyes softening into curiosity instead of hostility. "So you’re... hiding?"

"Call it... taking a break," Javier muttered, his smirk returning.

"You are a weird human," the fairy said, folding her tiny arms.

"You’re Garius and Francesca’s child, which means you’re a noble, right? Nobles never miss a party like that. From what I know, nobles always look forward to those kinds of parties."

Javier let out a small chuckle.

"Hmm? Yeah, you can say that. But most human noble kids don’t really care about the food prepared for the party, or the banquet itself. They barely touch the dishes, maybe sample a little. The only thing they care about is connections. Who to flatter, who to suck up to."

He shook his head, amused. "That’s what most noble parties are like."

The fairy tilted her head again, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

"So the current party is like that?"

"Ah, no..." Javier leaned back comfortably, stretching his legs.

"The current party isn’t like a human noble gathering at all. I’m sure it’s loud by now. Eating, drinking, laughter, everyone enjoying themselves. And it’s not just the kings, queens, and their children. Even their escorts and entourages join in. So I’m sure the food isn’t going to waste."

The fairy’s eyes widened slightly, wings fluttering with a softer rhythm.

"That... sounds different."

Javier smirked lazily. "Exactly why I’m here instead of there."

"Why?" the fairy asked again, wings flickering as she leaned closer.

"Eh? Stop asking questions," Javier muttered, keeping his eyes half-shut.

"But I really want to know! You said the current party isn’t wasting food, right? So that means... the food wouldn’t be enough if you were there?"

Javier cracked one eye open, fixing her with a calm stare.

"Do you think Armand, the region that flourishes in food, farms, and everything else, would ever have that problem?"

The fairy blinked.

He smirked faintly, continuing in his unhurried tone.

"We’ve got everything. Rice, wheat, sugarcane, spices, herbs, vegetables. Even dairy from beasts and livestock we raise, like horn bulls and others you wouldn’t even recognize. You’re a fairy, you can sense whether the soil is good or bad, right?"

"Yes... that’s true," she admitted softly, nodding.

Javier leaned his head back against the tree, swirling his glass. "And while some soil isn’t good for certain types of food, fruits, or livestock... that doesn’t mean it’s useless. There’s always another purpose. And you already know that."

The fairy’s eyes widened slightly at his words, her fluttering wings slowing as she absorbed them.

"And we both know," Javier went on, his tone steady, "there’s no such thing as truly bad soil, or a bad area."

The fairy tilted her head, listening closely as he continued.

"If the soil is bad, you purify it. Add manure. Bring fertile soil from elsewhere if you must. Make sure water access is set up, like the waterways that run through the whole of Armand."

"That’s why we can grow anything here. That’s why no one ever worries about food running out."

The fairy hovered in silence, her pout gone, her gaze shifting between Javier’s calm face and the land around them.

"...You speak like someone who has lived a hundred years," she said softly, wings trembling faintly.

Javier smirked. "Or maybe I’m just telling you the obvious."

"Mou!!! You’re trying to change the topic!" the fairy puffed her cheeks and glared at him.

"I asked if the food is not enough if you’re there, and instead you lecture me, a fairy, about soil!?"

Javier let out a soft laugh, eyes still half-closed. "Heh. At least you’re entertained and not annoyed, right?"

The fairy huffed, crossing her arms. "Hmph! That’s not the answer!"

"So?" she pressed, leaning close again. "Why are you here and not in the party?"

Javier paused, then scratched his cheek with a lazy hum. "Hmm... how do I say this... mmm..." He tilted his head back, looking at the stars. "More like... tonight I’m in the mood for a bit of peace. No loud noise."

His smirk tugged faintly as he exhaled. "...But then you start becoming loud too. Can you just let me enjoy the stargazing and the breeze?"

( End Of Chapter )