"Who might you be?" I asked.
"I am a maid tasked with looking after all of you," she replied.
The quiet moonlight cascading from above revealed a maid with lustrous black hair. Despite the properly paved venue nearby, she stepped out from the shadows of the trees with total composure.
Being hidden in a place like that was suspicious enough on its own, but there was more to it than that.
"I don't believe I've seen you around here before," I noted.
"This is a vast estate. Wouldn't such a thing be expected?"
"That may be true, but you aren't actually a maid, are you?"
Setting aside the young girls hired for temporary labor, I’d heard that any maid permitted to appear before guests had received a rigorous education. Indeed, Head Maid Arone, Lulunese, and Libiola all carried themselves with a certain dignity.
But this woman? She called herself a maid, yet she hadn’t offered a name or even a bow. It wasn't that I specifically wanted her to bow, but when I’d mentioned not seeing her before, her tone had turned provocative. It certainly wasn't the attitude of a professional. She was playing dumb, but I didn't get the feeling she was truly trying to hide the truth.
"If I am not a maid, what do you take me for?" she asked.
"A House Fairy."
The woman didn't deny it. Instead, a smirk played across her lips—confirming that I wasn't wrong.
"And since when did you notice?"
"I've felt your presence for a long time."
Ever since I’d heard about the House Fairies, I had tried not to let it bother me, assuming that was just the way things were in this mansion. However, I’d felt her presence many times from the day I arrived, so there was no mistaking it. Still, I never expected one to actually show themselves to me.
"Also, the situation tonight and the behavior of those four felt a little off."
The conversation itself had been natural, but no one had told me in advance that we’d be having a meal out here. Yet, the four guards had brought out food and alcohol as if everything had been staged. Even if we were going to eat together, why outside? There was no sign of them trying to guide me back indoors.
Even as darkness fell, no one from the main house had come to check on me, despite the fact that I hadn't returned once. Given how meticulously everyone here usually looked after me, the incongruity was glaring.
"Did you really just calmly eat food brought by someone you suspected?"
"I confirmed it didn't contain any poison or drugs. I checked when I brought out the slimes during the preparations."
At the time, I had summoned a large number of Scavengers for waste disposal, but I’d also brought out my Poison and Medicine Slimes.
"Poison Slimes and Medicine Slimes are attracted to toxins and medication, respectively. Since they didn't react to the food, I figured it was safe. It was just an idea I had."
In truth, I hadn't felt any malice from the guards then, nor did I feel any danger from her now. My precautions were just that—precautions. She seemed to accept the explanation.
"I noticed you weren't using Appraisal, so that explains it."
"Well, it was just a spur-of-the-moment thought, but I think it was a good one. Using slimes for drug detection... it might even be worth researching."
"It certainly seems like something the nobility would find useful," she said. "But if we start talking about you and slimes, we’ll be here all night, so let us move on."
I felt like I had more to say on the subject, but I swallowed the urge.
"So, what is your true identity?"
"You are about half right. I am indeed called a House Fairy by the people of this estate, but strictly speaking, I am a 'fairy residing in this house,' not a House Fairy by species."
She wasn't particularly interested in hiding it. She admitted to being a fairy quite easily, but that raised a new question.
"Are Fairies and House Fairies different species?"
"They are born in similar ways, but House Fairies—and the fairies said to dwell in tools—are beings closer to Undead-type monsters. It is merely a coincidence that they happen to be beneficial to humans."
She kindly elaborated.
According to her, fairies are beings born from the natural mana filling this world and possess physical forms. They are generally innocent and free-spirited, living where they were born. On rare occasions, curiosity might drive them to travel or wander into human towns. They look like cute, tiny people, but they possess strong mana and excel in elemental magic.
In contrast, a House Fairy—or an object-dwelling fairy—is an existence born when mana leaking from an owner seeps into an item along with their thoughts, accumulating over time. They generally lack physical bodies and cannot move far from the object imbued with that mana. Because their nature is shaped by the owner's psyche, some are supportive, while others can be harmful. In the terms of my old world, they are essentially Tsukumogami.
Furthermore, humans emit mana and thoughts most strongly at the moment of death, which is why these energies also give birth to Undead-type monsters like zombies and skeletons. Judging from her tone, natural fairies don't particularly appreciate being grouped with them.
"I shall say it again: I am a fairy born from natural mana. I originated in a forest somewhere."
"I see... I'd heard they existed, but I never thought I'd actually meet one."
However, what she’d described was the general case for fairies. The woman in front of me didn't look like a tiny person; she looked like an ordinary human woman. And speaking with her gave me the impression of someone quite thoughtful rather than innocent. Most importantly, this fairy was almost certainly responsible for the current situation. Since she said she merely "resided" here, she probably wasn't contracted. That meant she likely possessed some form of hypnotic ability to manipulate people's actions. Given the lore of fairies bewitching humans, it fit.
Between her perfect human disguise and her clear intelligence, I guessed she was a high-tier species.
"By the way, what business does a fairy like you have with me?"
"I didn't actually intend to show myself, but... there is something I want to ask you."
I waited for her to continue. Suddenly, she asked if I had any worries.
"Worries?"
"Or anything you're troubled by. Is there nothing?"
"Nothing in particular..."
If anything, I was troubled by the suddenness of the question.
"There must be something. Perhaps you are confused by the differences in life compared to Earth?"
"Life is—wait, what did you just say?"
"Earth."
She definitely said it. I didn't feel immediate danger, but I went on guard reflexively.
"Oh? So sudden... Ah..." Seeing my reaction, she looked puzzled for a second, then nodded as if realizing something. "Come to think of it, I hadn't mentioned it. I hadn't intended to meet you, so I forgot. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Yui. It is written with the kanji for 'connection.' I am a fairy who formerly served as the familiar of Shiho, a Japanese person who came to this world from Earth, just like you."
I was stunned. Shiho Jamil... the Otherworlder ancestor of the Ducal House and the founder of taming magic. This woman was her familiar? Now that she mentioned it, while she didn't look out of place here, her black hair and eyes did have a somewhat Japanese feel.
I was shocked, but she had no reason to lie.
"Before her life ended, Shiho left me with two requests. One was to watch over her descendants. The other was that if I ever found another Otherworlder, I should help them in some small way. Shiho was a kind girl, but she struggled and suffered during her life in this world. She wanted to make things easier for those who followed her. Unless killed, a fairy doesn't die in a mere century or two. I knew you were from Earth the moment I saw you."
"And that's why you're asking about my worries."
"Though I hadn't planned on a face-to-face conversation."
She explained that she did indeed possess hypnotic powers. Her original plan had been to slip into my bedroom, use her power to make me confess my troubles, offer solutions from her centuries of experience, and then make me forget everything as if it were a dream. However...
"Despite being human, my power did not work on you at all, so I was forced to come out. I heard that Otherworlders receive powers from the gods. Was my failure due to a gift you were granted?"
"It didn't work? Ah, no, sorry, that's self-taught. I just have a constitution that's incredibly resistant to things like mental attacks."
"...I see."
She sounded deeply shocked. Was her pride that wounded?
Apparently, she had orchestrated the dinner with Hughes and the others thinking I’d let my guard down while drinking. She had even influenced Hughes to vent his own frustrations, but it backfired—the conversation had centered entirely on him, and she hadn’t learned anything about me.
"Why did you even bother with Hughes's worries?"
"Eh? Oh, that’s just a hobby. Having watched this house for so long, I often notice couples with feelings for each other. I give them a little support from the shadows—creating the right atmosphere or opportunities. I never force anything, mind you; I only give their existing feelings a push. Then I watch over them until they marry. It’s my pastime."
"Are you some kind of matchmaking-obsessed old lady?!"
"I’d rather you didn't call me that. I’ve seen 1,032 couples make it to the altar. If you count those who merely started dating, I’ve established five times that number. My name, Yui, means 'to tie.' You may call me Yui the Matchmaker if you like."
She was actually giving herself titles now. "You've been doing this for hundreds of years in secret?"
"Could you endure living for centuries without doing anything? Food is easy to get here, but that alone is too boring. To be honest, I don't much like humans other than Shiho. I was caught and sold in the past."
She explained that because fairies are magical and possess high-purity mana stones where their hearts should be, they have always been targeted by humans as combat familiars, pets, or literal mineral sources.
"At first, I thought all humans were enemies, but I was lucky that Shiho was the one who bought me. Those who captured me are long dead, so I don't hold a grudge, but I still prefer to avoid the public. And since I couldn't face Shiho if I harmed people, I decided to observe and help with matchmaking. Depending on your perspective, you could say I’m playing with humans like puppets."
"Well, I suppose that’s one way to put it."
"By the way, the first couple I ever established was Shiho herself. I protected her from greedy nobles and supported her romance with a fellow researcher who was an investor in her work. I pulled every string imaginable to make that marriage happen—even getting her adopted by a noble family. It was a victory won by everyone working together."
It sounded like a precious memory, but it was getting awkward as she launched into a monologue.
"Oh? It seems I was the only one talking."
"I think you started that last bit on your own."
"Ahem... setting that aside, tell me your worries."
"We’re back to that? Like I said, I don't really have any. I’ve been happy since I got here, and I'm not so stuck that I need help."
Could we do this some other time? When I asked, she frowned.
"I don't like appearing before people, so I’d rather make this a one-time affair."
"I see. So that’s why—hey, wait! You’re the one who came to find me!"
"Fairies are fundamentally selfish. We categorize things into what is fun, what is important, and everything else. I only want to fulfill Shiho's request. I can't be bothered to help with every little thing that pops up, and I don't personally feel anything toward you."
"You’re really blunt about it..."
"It's the truth."
It was almost refreshing. We had only just met, and she clearly didn't want to be tied down. I’d been a shut-in in the forest myself, so I wouldn't force her. Honestly, I liked that she spoke her mind.
But that meant the only thing I was currently bothered by was the passed-out guards... wait!
"I completely forgot!"
"Oh? Did you find something?"
"I haven't prepared a wedding gift for Hughes and the others! I meant to think of something, but it slipped my mind."
"For a gift, wouldn't those suffice?" She gestured toward the chapel and the three god statues.
"That's different. The chapel was a group effort, and the statues were commissioned work. I want something personal."
"I don't think anyone would complain given the scale of what you've done... but if that’s how you feel, so be it. Gift-giving is fairly standard at these things. I've seen a fair few ceremonies."
"Then, from your experience, is there something appropriate that isn't too common, but would actually be appreciated?"
"Let me see... Wait. Is that really what you want? I told you this is a one-time offer."
"It's fine! This is what I’m most worried about right now!"
It was already night. If I had to buy something, I’d have to wait until dawn. I needed something I could prepare right now.
"...Very well. It’s an unexpected request, but I accept. On my pride as a professional matchmaker who has overseen a thousand unions, I shall tell you a gift you can prepare tonight that will surely be loved."
"Really?"
"Yes. Lend me your ear... You should make [blank]."
I blinked as she whispered her suggestion.
"Wouldn't that be a bit unusual for a wedding gift?"
"Normally, yes. But use 'that' material. The one you brought in yourself. I saw that some was left over."
"By 'that,' you mean... that?"
"Good omens and bad omens are just wordplay. It all depends on how the recipient takes it. If they are happy, that is all that matters. If you are worried, simply say this when you hand it over..."
And so, I received a secret strategy from the fairy who had been the familiar of a fellow Otherworlder. I was a bit bewildered by the whole encounter, but she’d reminded me of something crucial. I had to get to work. Even if it was something simple, I wanted it to be something I could be proud of, and I had no time to lose.
As for the four drunks, I flagged down a passing servant to help carry them back to their rooms.