(EP-156.2) Love #1

156 – Fairy Love #1

I audibly cleared my throat to end this tumultuous situation. Only then did Professor Stella put her hand away.

“Oh dear, I’ve shown you quite an embarrassing sight, Theo-kun. This is a limited edition cake, it’s really delicious. It should satisfy your sweet tooth since you’re a Half-Fairy.”

Stella then handed me the cake that Tartar had nibbled on.

She exuded a decadent charm that could draw people’s attention as she chuckled. However, what really caught my attention wasn’t Stella’s bra top, but rather the café floor.

“Hieueu….”

My eyes turned to Tartar, who was checking her ear with a hand mirror on the floor.

“Has my ear been stretched out…. My short and beautiful Imp ear is now elongated like a kkanp’s….”

Tartar touched her red, swollen ear in tears.

Seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but feel quite sorry for her.

I didn’t know if it was pity from the close-relationship between a Half-Fairy and Imps, or if it was because Angmar’s blood cared about the Imps who are his minions.

In the end, I gave Tartar the piece of cake.

“Tartar, you eat this.”

“Ahht…! Is it really okay…?”

With that, Tartar took the cake with great delight. She seemed eager to take it before I changed my mind.

Finally, as she went to her seat and began devouring the cake, Stella let out a sigh.

“They’re purposely acting pitiful, Theo-kun. You’re being too lenient with the Imps.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Imps are skilled at manipulating people’s emotions. It’s better to handle them a bit sternly. Tweety—.”

As Stella whistled, a giant blue eagle that flew from somewhere suddenly swooped down and handed something to Stella before disappearing.

It was a pipe cigar.

“Sorry, but can I smoke for a bit? It won’t smell and it’s not harmful to the body.”

“Go ahead.”

After all, smoking was allowed in cafés in this world.

Ttak-.

With a snap of her fingers, Stella conjured a spark, lighting the cigar and blew out a puff of smoke. I found myself quietly watching her, which I soon got bored of, so I asked a question instead.

“You seem to know a lot about Imps.”

“Theo-kun, you don’t know what my major is?”

“Weren’t you majoring in animal health?”

“That was my minor. My major was fairy studies. So I know quite a bit about Imps, Nymphs, and even Elves and little fairies.”

‘I see.’

The person who had just been acting like a stubborn brat a moment ago now sounded completely different talking about her major.

Stella’s gaze was fixed on Tartar, who was hurriedly finishing the cake.

Tartar seemed to sense her gaze and quickly covered the plate with her hands.

“This, this is mine…! It’s Tartar’s lawful and legitimate possession, duly delegated by Comrade Theo…!”

Then she turned her back and continued eating, just like a stray cat protecting the food she managed to find.

Waguwagu.

“I’ve never tasted something this delicious before…! I bet that Imp Marmar has never eaten anything this tasty…!”

It was honestly pitiful…

In fact, in this world, Nymphs were treated like pet cats, while Imps got ostracized like wild feral cats.

While there was no shortage of rescue foundations and various legal institutions for Nymphs, there was none for Imps.

If someone insisted, “We need to help the homeless Imps!” They would likely get criticized with, “They are pests! If you want to ‘help’, take them to your house!”

「You have calmly judged the situation!

You have gained experience points through the talent 《Calm Thinking》.

All job experience +5」

Though it was just a metaphor, it was quite spot on.

Thinking about that, I suddenly became curious about Imps. Would a professor majoring in fairy studies know about that?

“They say that Imps originated from Nymphs. Is that true?”

“Yes. Nymphs and Imps are related.”

“Then why did Solomon create them?”

“Solomon….”

Stella’s expression suddenly darkened. It crossed my mind that she might have actually seen the Demon King Solomon in person.

Stella Bellhawk was 132 years old.

The Demon King used to reign around 50 years ago, so the timing should be right. But Stella just shook her head, tapping her cigar on the ashtray.

“I don’t know much about Solomon either. I was just fooling around at the mansion back then. Theo-kun, you’re probably well-informed, aren’t you?”