Faust froze for a moment, then lit up with excitement. "What? You can grant me a blessing now?"
An unexpected bonus?
The prince of Aurum collected himself and asked, "I thought the Fae couldn't interfere with reality whenever they wanted?"
Faust had asked Mephisto about this before, practically begging them to give him some real advantages, ideally adding points directly to his stats. With a Fae's power, it shouldn't be difficult.
But Mephisto had said it was beyond their ability and revealed the truth about the Fae to Faust.
As executors of fate, they had no physical form and could only drift in spirit outside the boundaries of the world.
The Fae had no authority to interfere with reality at will, unless the Wheel of Fate permitted it.
[Anyone who walks a Path has the right to receive fate's gifts. That's the essence of our work as Fae. Beyond that, we have other duties, but they're beyond mortal understanding, so I won't get into it.]
[In any case, because you completed the Witch's Feast, I have the authority to grant you a blessing of a certain degree.]
"So walking a Path has this benefit? Is that what these trials are really about?"
Faust smiled and said, "In that case, Mephisto, how exactly do you plan to bless me?"
A Fae's blessing wouldn't suddenly pour power into you, making your mystical cultivation skyrocket, surge, or explode. Nor would they conjure up treasures out of thin air to hand you.
As mentioned before, unless they "fell to a dragon," the Fae had no power to directly interfere with reality. Prophecies and revelations were one thing, but if it was actual treasure or power, it had to already exist in reality for the Fae to channel it over.
Even if there really was a case of "an immortal stroked my head and granted me eternal life," it would have to start with such a hermit actually existing.
Then, guided by a Fae, they would seek you out on their own, say you were destined to meet, and shower you with riches without a second thought.
Faust said hopefully, "I'm not asking for much. How about a Lady of the Lake? I'd like to become a Grail Knight."
He'd read the legends.
The "Ladies of the Lake" were practically the Fae's go-to agents.
Whenever information or treasures needed delivering, a Lady of the Lake would appear. Their "elixirs" could mass-produce legendary warriors.
And if you received the ultimate reward and drank from the pure golden Grail, you would become a Grail Knight worshipped by millions.
A body forged through countless trials could withstand a meteor to the face. A wave of the hand could unleash a beam of light piercing through the night.
A single breath could extend life by a hundred years. Flying through the sky and burrowing through the earth, nothing was impossible.
Legends of Grail Knights were endless. Even Faust's expensive adoptive father was a devoted follower of Grail Knights, demanding his own statue be sculpted to their standards.
[...I do have the authority to command the Ladies of the Lake, but the Path you've walked isn't enough to warrant such a gift. Besides, I don't think the way of the Grail Knight suits you.]
Mephisto let out a couple of hums, as if mocking him.
[Grail Knights who swear an oath of dedication lose what makes mortals so interesting. They have no potential left at all. I wouldn't want you to become like that, Faust.]
[Your willingness to do anything to satisfy your desires, that's what's so appealing, what captivates me. That's what mortals should be like.]
"...Can you not say 'appealing'? It's kind of creepy."
Faust clicked his tongue. "I don't even know what you look like."
[We have no physical form, only spiritual projections, similar to mortals. Would you like to see my appearance?]
"Yes, very much so."
Honestly, after talking with Mephisto for so long, even joking around together, he still had no concrete image of Mephisto in his mind.
As for their voice... he could only describe it as ethereal and clear, but it was impossible to tell if they were male, female, young, or old.
[Since Faust wants to see, then I'll...]
Wait, hold on, they're actually going to show me? No hesitation at all?
Just as Faust's anticipation peaked, the Fae suddenly changed course.
[Refused! I'm feeling shy now, so no.]
Mephisto sensed Faust's emotional whiplash and laughed cheerfully. They seemed to really enjoy this kind of teasing between friends and never tired of it.
After laughing enough, the Fae returned to the main topic and offered Faust a suggestion.
[Well... I think you need a teacher.]
"A teacher?"
[Your progress on the Path of the Lustful Sovereign is actually quite good, but you're still too inexperienced. You won't be able to venture out and train smoothly like this. An excellent teacher can pass on their experience of the Path to you. This is rather obscure knowledge, so don't tell anyone else. Keep it to yourself.]
Faust nodded. He'd never heard of such a thing. Sharing Path experience seemed like pure fantasy, like some hidden mechanic only the Fae knew about.
"Who are you planning to make my teacher?"
[Shh... I'm going to make it a surprise, so don't ask for now.]
"So mysterious. Well, I'll leave it to you then."
Faust was smart enough to leave it entirely to Mephisto. He wasn't arrogant enough to think he could advise a Fae on this matter.
Ancient Fae were truly seasoned veterans who had seen more heroes than he'd eaten grains of rice.
After that, Mephisto suddenly fell silent. Faust called out a few times but got no response.
Looks like they really went to handle things.
It would be a lie to say Faust wasn't curious at all. This was his first blessing, and the prince of Aurum was very curious about how the Fae would guide fate to bring him...
While thinking, Faust walked toward the other side of the palace.
That was Eleanor's bedchamber. Faust still had to inform his royal sister of this news, though he wasn't sure if she'd accept.
It seemed unlikely, because after handling three months of government affairs, the silver-haired princess's impatience had been written all over her face.
If Eleanor refused, Faust would just have to build his own cabinet.
Inside the princess's chambers, it was quite sparse.
Eleanor was a sorceress who fit the stereotype perfectly, embracing mysticism and always keeping to herself. Even the court mage corps under her command rarely saw her.
However, as a fellow member of the royal family, Faust could still reach Eleanor's room without obstruction. Just as he was about to knock, the door slowly opened.
A face of pristine clarity that brought to mind crisp winter snow appeared before him.
The princess in a long dress had her hands crossed in front of her abdomen, her posture dignified and elegant, yet without any sense of pretense.
Her dress accentuated her indecent figure to the point where Faust didn't know where to look. Just as he was about to peer into the room, Eleanor took a step forward.
This movement brought the silver-haired princess's obstructive chest, which ruined her refined air, almost flush against the prince.
But Eleanor paid it no mind, as if preventing Faust from investigating the room was more important.
It was Faust who stepped back first, ending this incredibly awkward position.
"Faust... why have you come? Don't tell me it was just to act improper on purpose. That would be beyond hopeless."
The princess's sacred blue eyes gazed calmly at Faust, with a touch of distaste in her expression.