The trick was quite simple.

Ater knew his [Illusion] Skill would be useless here, due to the area of influence not extending beyond the barrier before him. He also knew that mere conversation would be most likely to waste his time rather than make progress.

Hence, he sought the most efficient method to achieve his goals.

That method was to use Esme.

By making her the scapegoat, allowing her to near the barrier, he was able to spark some measure of interest in the Fairy-especially since she already had a certain regard for Esme, being touched by The Oracle.

Esme naturally fell unconscious once she reached a certain proximity to the barrier, but Ater controlled her using the [Marionette] Skill he learned from Justin, so he made it seem like she was still walking forward.

This, of course, made the Fairy react impulsively.

'From how she acted, it's likely the case that no one has ever breached the barrier. She must have feared that Esme would be able to breach the barrier if she continued walking.'

Hence... she came outside.

'I I suppose all that boring talk wasn't useless. It was necessary to build Esme up as a more special specimen than she actually is.'

Still, since he was able to achieve his goal thanks to her assistance, Ater couldn't completely call her useless. She was a vital piece in his plan, and for that... he had to give her the well deserved accolades.

'Now then...' He focused his eyes on the puny creature that now glared deeply at him. '... What should I do with you?'

"You actually tricked me? Haaa... you're going to regret that, kid!"

"... Kid?"

Ater cocked his head to the side as soon as he heard those words.

He wasn't particularly insulted by the term, though he found it a little derogatory. It just felt a little off-putting to be called such a thing by someone who looked and acted far younger than he did.

Plus... he knew for a fact that he was older than this Fairy.

"I don't know who you are or where you came from, but this isn't the way to treat your Elders!" The Fairy kept up her ramblings, and Ater felt himself slowly losing his patience.

He could engage in banter all day if he wanted, but it wasn't like he had all the time in the world.

There were other things to attend to.

"Take me to your ruler. I would like to have a few words with him. It is of the utmost pertinence, and I promise that you will not regret it."

"Forget it!" The Fairy turned from Ater and tried to return into the Barrier, but quickly found that she couldn't.

Why?

"Ahh... you used an illusion just now, didn't you?"

"Indeed." Ater nodded slowly. "Forgive me, but I can't let you retreat just yet."

He had used [Illusion] as soon as the Fairy emerged from the barrier-or rather, the illusion had been active since he and Esme approached the wall of trees.

So, as soon as the Fairy came out of the barrier, she was under its influence.

'I'm the one closest to the Barrier, and she's the one furthest away from me.' Ater glanced at Esme, who was fast asleep right beside him.

He had to protect her, so he quickly cast a protection Spell around her.

'Need to also ensure they don't mess with her memories. Master wouldn't be very pleased with that.'

"An Illusion Skill, huh? How annoying!"

All of a sudden, a cracking sound echoed around Ater, forcing him to twitch his eyes a little. 'My illusion...!'

Within a second, the cracks turned into loud shattering sounds-like glass being torn asunder by a powerful quake.

In no time at all, the noise ceased... and so did the illusions that he kept in place. "Haha! I see. So you swapped our positions, huh? Very clever! But what of it? Your illusion is undone, and I don't think you're going to be able to stop me from leaving this place."

"I understand your choice to retreat. After all, that is what one does when they are not confident in their ability to be victorious in a fight."

"What?!"

'As expected... it worked.' Ater smiled, happy his crude taunting had such an effect on the simple-minded Fairy before him.

Using more complex means of manipulation would have been useless due to the simplistic approach that his opponent took to everything, so simple tactics like these seemed to be the best way to control them.

'I noticed her glare deepen when I first mentioned retreating. It seems she's the confrontational type.' He thought as his observant eyes remained steady on her.

"I'm the strongest among the other Fairies, you know?!"

'That makes sense...'

Ater already knew she wasn't one to be underestimated. The mere fact that she could break his S-Tier Illusion Skill meant she was far stronger than he currently was.

That didn't mean he would lose, though.

"I guess the Fairies are weaklings, then. If their strongest champion is willing to just run at the sight of an intruder-especially one that tricked her."

"You..."

"I mean... is this what the Fairies amount to? I was wrong to think of you all strong."

"... You..."

"Even the Elves showed more backbone when I first visited them. The Oracle might be soft, but I guess your King is even softer."

"... That's it." At this point, the tone of the Fairy changed completely.

Her eyes flashed with serious determination, and a certain aura began to dance around her body. No longer did she seem to be goofy or playful, and her smile was nowhere to be seen.

Everything about her was immersed in resolve.

'Good. With this, I've ensured she won't flee... even if things get a little dicey.'

Just as he suspected, she held a deep regard for her leader-though she tried her hardest to

hide that face.

'Right now, there's only one thing she can do to remedy what I've said.'

"My name is Fae, Strongest Fairy of the Fairy Kingdom... and I swear on this day to kill you!"

*

*

Thanks for reading!

Fight scene incoming. Also... forgive me for breaking my vow on the second day.

Woke up late today, so no Mass Release...