Volume 1: The Fourth Holy Grail War
Chapter 4: The Child of the Forest (Part I)
The years passed quietly.
Unlike the bustling cities of modern civilization…
Time flowed slowly within Fairy Britain.
There were no clocks.
No calendars.
No towering buildings of steel and glass.
Only the rising and setting of the sun.
The blooming of flowers.
The songs of birds greeting each morning.
And the ever-changing colors of the ancient forest.
For Ren…
This had become his new normal.
“Ren!”
A cheerful voice echoed through the village.
The boy sitting beneath the roots of the Sacred Tree looked up from the wooden book resting on his lap.
He appeared no older than five years old.
Soft black hair framed his youthful face, while dark eyes reflected a calmness uncommon for someone his age.
Compared to the fairies around him, he looked remarkably ordinary.
Yet…
That very ordinariness made him stand out.
He was the only human in the entire settlement.
“…Coming.”
Closing the worn book, Ren stood and dusted the leaves from his clothes.
Although his body belonged to a child, his movements were steady and composed.
A small fairy girl fluttered down in front of him.
Her emerald wings shimmered beneath the sunlight.
“Lina?”
She crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks.
“You promised you’d play with us today.”
“I did.”
“Then why are you reading again?”
Ren smiled awkwardly.
“I was only finishing one chapter.”
“You always say that.”
Lina huffed before grabbing his hand.
“Come on!”
“The others are waiting.”
Without giving him a chance to object, she pulled him toward the center of the village.
Ren laughed helplessly.
“…Alright.”
Although several years had passed…
Ren still hadn’t fully recovered the memories of his previous life.
They existed.
He could feel them.
Like books resting upon shelves hidden behind thick fog.
Sometimes…
Fragments surfaced unexpectedly.
A familiar word.
A distant face.
A vague memory of skyscrapers beneath a night sky.
Then…
The fog would return.
Leaving only a faint sense of nostalgia.
It was strange.
But Ren didn’t resist it.
The Simulation wasn’t erasing him.
It was allowing him to truly live this life.
Only when the time was right would everything become whole again.
The village square was already lively.
Several young fairies chased glowing butterflies between flower gardens.
Others practiced simple wind magic beneath the guidance of their elders.
Some sat beneath enormous mushrooms while listening to stories from an elderly fairy.
As always…
The atmosphere felt peaceful.
Far more peaceful than Ren knew the future of this land would become.
“…”
Every time he remembered that…
His expression unconsciously dimmed.
“Ren!”
An elderly fairy waved him over.
It was the village elder.
Over the years, Ren had come to know her simply as Elder Eira.
She had been the one who decided to raise him after he was found in the Sacred Forest.
To Ren…
She was family.
“Good morning, Elder.”
She smiled warmly.
“Good morning.”
“I heard you’ve already finished the history scroll I lent you.”
Ren nodded.
“It was interesting.”
“The Age of Gods…”
“The Six Clans…”
“The old kingdoms…”
“There are still many things I don’t understand.”
Eira chuckled.
“You are still young.”
“You don’t need to understand everything yet.”
“…Maybe.”
Ren answered with a small smile.
But inwardly…
He disagreed.
Knowledge was survival.
Especially in a world like this.
One thing had become increasingly clear during the past few years.
Fairies…
Were very different from humans.
Some were kind beyond measure.
Others were selfish.
Some kept promises for centuries.
Others forgot them before sunset.
They followed their emotions more than reason.
It wasn’t because they were evil.
That was simply their nature.
Ren had learned this quickly.
Which was why he never judged them by human standards.
Instead…
He observed.
Listened.
Adapted.
Elder Eira suddenly asked,
“Tell me, Ren.”
“What do you think the forest is?”
Ren blinked.
“…The forest?”
She nodded.
“What is it to you?”
He looked toward the endless sea of ancient trees surrounding the village.
For a while…
He remained silent.
Finally…
He answered honestly.
“…Home.”
Eira smiled.
“A simple answer.”
“…But perhaps the best one.”
As the lesson ended, Ren wandered toward the edge of the village.
This had become one of his daily habits.
Watching.
Listening.
Learning.
The deeper he understood Fairy Britain…
The greater his admiration became.
Ancient rivers that glowed beneath moonlight.
Trees older than entire civilizations.
Creatures impossible to find anywhere else.
It was beautiful.
Yet…
Beneath that beauty…
He sensed something else.
Something hidden.
Something fragile.
Almost as if this paradise was quietly waiting for an inevitable collapse.
The feeling came without reason.
Perhaps…
It was simply intuition.
A rustling sound came from nearby bushes.
Ren turned.
A small white fox cautiously peeked out.
Its golden eyes met his.
“…”
The fox didn’t run.
Instead…
It slowly approached before sitting beside him.
Moments later…
A pair of blue birds landed on a nearby branch.
Then…
Several rabbits emerged from the grass.
Ren sighed helplessly.
“…Again?”
This had happened countless times.
No matter where he went…
Animals naturally gathered around him.
They showed neither fear nor hostility.
As though they instinctively trusted him.
At first, the villagers thought it was coincidence.
But after several years…
Even they could no longer call it that.
Lina appeared behind him.
“There you are!”
She stopped as she noticed the growing number of animals.
“…Seriously?”
“They’re here again?”
Ren scratched his cheek.
“I didn’t call them.”
“I know.”
“That’s what’s strange.”
The little fairy crouched beside a rabbit.
“It only happens around you.”
“…Does it?”
“It does.”
She tilted her head.
“Maybe the forest really likes you.”
Ren laughed softly.
“Maybe.”
Neither of them noticed…
Far above the forest…
The leaves of the Sacred Tree gently shimmered.
Not because of the wind.
But as though quietly responding to something only it could sense.
Deep beneath its ancient roots…
A faint pulse echoed once.
Then faded.
Silent.
Patient.
Waiting.
Volume 1: The Fourth Holy Grail War
Chapter 4: The Child of the Forest (Part II)
The days in Fairy Britain passed with a peaceful rhythm.
Morning was spent learning from the village elders.
Afternoons belonged to the children, who filled the forests with laughter as they chased glowing insects or played among the roots of ancient trees.
When evening arrived, every household gathered beneath warm lights woven from flowers that naturally emitted a gentle radiance.
For Ren…
It was a life unlike anything he had known before.
There were no deadlines.
No crowded streets.
No endless noise.
Only the quiet embrace of nature.
If he ignored the truth hidden beneath Fairy Britain’s beautiful surface…
It was almost idyllic.
“Ren.”
Elder Eira’s voice came from behind.
She carried a bundle of rolled parchment in one arm while leaning lightly upon her wooden staff.
“I have another lesson for you today.”
Ren smiled.
“I was wondering when you’d call me.”
“Oh?”
“And why is that?”
“You’ve been avoiding me for the last two days.”
The old fairy blinked before letting out a soft laugh.
“So you noticed.”
“I did.”
She nodded approvingly.
“Good.”
“A keen eye is one of the greatest strengths a person can possess.”
They walked together toward the base of the Sacred Tree.
Unlike the other children, Ren’s lessons were often held away from the village.
Not because he was being isolated.
Rather…
Elder Eira believed he asked questions that deserved quiet places.
The old fairy spread several scrolls across a smooth stone.
“Today…”
“We’ll continue learning about Fairy Britain.”
Ren immediately became attentive.
“The world you see today wasn’t always like this.”
“The forests.”
“The rivers.”
“The mountains.”
“They all existed long before our village.”
She slowly drew a simple map.
“This land is vast.”
“Far larger than you imagine.”
“Many fairy clans exist beyond these woods.”
“Some are friendly.”
“Others…”
She paused.
“…Should be avoided.”
Ren silently memorized every word.
“The world beyond the forest…”
“Is it dangerous?”
Eira looked toward the distant horizon.
“…Dangerous.”
“…Beautiful.”
“…Cruel.”
“It is all of those things.”
She smiled bitterly.
“Fairies are creatures who live according to their nature.”
“When that nature remains pure…”
“They can become wonderful companions.”
“But when it twists…”
She gently rolled the scroll closed.
“They become disasters.”
Ren lowered his gaze.
He understood.
She wasn’t exaggerating.
If anything…
Reality was even harsher.
“…Is that why humans disappeared?”
The question slipped out almost unconsciously.
Eira became unusually quiet.
After a long silence…
She finally answered.
“There were once many humans.”
“They built villages.”
“They laughed.”
“They cried.”
“They loved.”
Her expression became distant.
“But time changes everything.”
“Some vanished.”
“Others…”
“Were forgotten.”
Ren noticed something.
She hadn’t lied.
But she also hadn’t told the whole truth.
“Will I meet other humans someday?”
Eira looked at him with gentle eyes.
“I hope so.”
“No child should grow up believing they are alone.”
Those words lingered in Ren’s heart.
Even though he knew…
The chances were painfully small.
Their lesson ended shortly before sunset.
Ren wandered through the forest as he often did.
The deeper he ventured…
The quieter the surroundings became.
Only the gentle murmur of flowing water accompanied him.
He stopped beside a small stream.
Its crystal-clear surface reflected the crimson sky above.
“…Beautiful.”
He crouched beside the water.
Tiny silver fish swam fearlessly around his reflection.
Ren dipped one hand into the stream.
The water was cool.
Refreshing.
Yet…
The instant his fingertips touched the surface—
Ripples spread farther than they should have.
The current briefly flowed against gravity.
Only for a heartbeat.
Then everything returned to normal.
“…?”
Ren frowned.
“Did I imagine that?”
He stared at the water for several more moments.
Nothing happened.
Eventually…
He shook his head.
“Probably.”
He stood and continued walking.
Completely unaware that several ancient fish remained motionless beneath the water long after he had left.
Elsewhere…
Elder Eira stood atop a hill overlooking the village.
She had watched Ren leave.
A younger fairy approached her.
“You’re worried.”
“I am.”
“…About Ren?”
Eira nodded.
“He changes this forest.”
The younger fairy tilted her head.
“I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I.”
“When he was born…”
“The Sacred Tree bloomed.”
“When he laughs…”
“Animals gather.”
“When he cries…”
“The rain becomes gentle.”
“When he falls asleep…”
“Flowers bloom around his home.”
She slowly closed her eyes.
“Today…”
“Even the stream answered him.”
The younger fairy’s expression gradually stiffened.
“…Could he be blessed?”
“…Perhaps.”
“Or perhaps…”
She looked toward the endless forest.
“…The Planet simply recognizes him.”
Night slowly descended upon Fairy Britain.
Stars illuminated the ancient sky.
Unlike the modern world Ren once knew…
There were no city lights to hide their brilliance.
Every constellation shone with breathtaking clarity.
Ren sat outside his small wooden home.
Looking upward.
“…”
A strange feeling stirred within him.
He couldn’t explain it.
Sometimes…
When he looked at the stars…
His heart felt nostalgic.
As though he had once stood beneath a very different night sky.
A city.
Towering buildings.
Neon lights.
Cars.
The memories appeared only as scattered fragments before dissolving once again.
“…One day…”
He whispered softly.
“I’ll remember.”
He didn’t know why those words escaped his lips.
But deep inside…
He believed them.
Far beyond the village…
The moonlight reflected upon the waters of an ancient river hidden deep within the forest.
The river flowed quietly.
Peacefully.
Then…
Without warning…
Its current stopped.
For the briefest of moments.
A feminine voice, ancient and serene, echoed from beneath the water.
“So…”
“…you’ve finally arrived.”
The river resumed flowing as if nothing had happened.
No one heard those words.
Not even Ren.
But somewhere within the depths of his soul…
Something stirred ever so slightly.
The long-awaited encounter…
Was drawing closer.
End of Chapter 4
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