Reece tilted his head as he asks the question himself.

[Do you want me to tell you?]

"No. I think I am fine."

Reece was naturally curious but not to the extent that he will pry into the bear's business. In addition, Reece felt it—the goosebumps, especially with how Daniel asks him if he really wanted to know.

Daniel is not the type to ask him first so it was suspicious of him.

Moreover, Reece believes he is going to be involved in something more troublesome in the future if he pries into other people's businesses.

"I'd rather stay ignorant."

[I agree.]

"I am glad we are on the same page this time."

If Daniel really wanted to tell him, he could have already spilled it out without asking him first.

Even if Reece covers his ears, he will still be able to hear what Daniel was going to tell anyway, which is why Reece was relieved. He really has no plans of getting involved further.

After he took care of Hugh Ibrahim, he will immediately leave to proceed to the others on the list.

[Notice. The birds are coming back after washing up in the nearest swamp. You should head back inside the bag to avoid being discovered.]

Nodding, Reece did not argue and promptly dive into the bag as he closes the top.

Minutes later, the bag was lifted and was lightly patted by Azure. Reece made a scowl as he thought 'what the hell is this bastard doing?'

Traveling back after an hour has passed, Reece was watching their way by slightly opening the bag.

They were traveling at a steady pace even though Azure was the only one dragging the Stone Bear by its feet. Its current size was closely similar to the Earth's elephants.

Though Azure was making it look like he was having a difficult time with the bear to avoid any suspicions and to have a chance to speak to the pink fairy, Reece.

But the bluebird, Azure, was surprisingly a good actor.

Noticing that the gap between Azure and the other three birds was further away, it was now fine to converse.

"I am curious, why are you the only one doing most of the works?"

"Ah, you are not aware."

Azure showed a small yet awkward smile.

He forgot that although the fairy is overseeing the entire forest, it does not mean it knew most of the stories of the beings that live within it from rumors.

"I mean, compared to the other bluebirds, I am considered as an idiot. That was why I am deemed as someone useless to our tribe and is placed to work the most dangerous job instead, a food hunter."

[Report. Individual 'Azure' was the most intelligent in the entirety of the bird tribes within the forest and is only pretending to not be the focus of the attention as he was afraid that his mutant blood being discovered.]

In other words, Azure was lying to Reece.

Reece just shrugged it off nonetheless.

It is not like, he cares if they lied about their tragic stories or whatnot. As long as they are trustworthy, it is enough.

Besides, if it was Reece in Azure's shoes, he will never tell the truth as well. He is not stupid enough to trust strangers with obvious hidden motives.

Nevertheless, Reece was thankful that Daniel was with him or he would have already fallen into Azure's scheme without even noticing. That is how an idiot he can be if he was left alone.

'Maybe that fool of a god notice that too?'

Is that was why he granted him, Daniel?

"Is that so? It must have been difficult."

Pretending to be stupid and hiding his real strength while enduring the pain and humiliation, Reece thought it was too exhausting. Especially since Azure was only 19, barely a real adult on Earth.

Moreover, even if they are animals, they hold emotions that all creatures of the universe have solely shared. That is why Reece believes that comparing Azure to humans is not wrong.

"Huh... Ah, yeah. But I endured."

Azure has a sad expression alas Reece did not pay attention to it.

"Anyway, I can at least understand your situation."

Reece's voice was indifferent hence he fails to notice that Azure was slightly disappointed at his response. He was expecting comfort but why would a fairy do that to a pathetic existence like himself? He should not have high hopes.

"Don't worry, I don't pity you. Enduring all these years must have been painful, I guess. And meticulously planning your betrayal and escape the moment you discovered you have mutant blood of the snakes deserves praise. If it was me, I could never do that. I will just give up as I am a coward."

Unknowingly, Reece has said that referring to his old self, but it was not his intention to comfort Azure. He was only stating the fact. However, the latter misunderstood his words and started to smile as Azure feels more vigorous than ever.

After all, this fairy is the second person to ever say he was not pitiful nor treat him as someone pathetic. It even admits that it was weak although Azure only believes half of it.

'I mean, I am very weak and a coward.'

Reece thought and could only chuckle at his patheticness. But he was not ashamed. Does being a coward really that bad? It was alright to be afraid and have fears, is that not right?

"Thank you, sir Reece."

Azure's voice was low and gentle.

'Hm? Why is he thanking me?'

With a scowl visible on his beautiful face, Reece looks up to Azure who was not looking at him with a bright expression on its face.

"I told you to call my name."

"Yes, of course."

Azure chuckles and looks at Reece in the eye.

"Reece."

However, Reece was frozen as soon as Azure called his name without using any honorifics.

He rubs his hands as he avoided Azure's strange gaze.

'... What was that? Why did I have goosebumps listening to this bird gentle calling me my name?'

It was not because he does not like being called his name as he was the one insisting, it was just that Azure has become somewhat strange.

He was not like this just yesterday when they first meet and converse. Azure has an indifferent voice and poker face but now...

Noticing Reece's discomfort, Azure worriedly asks.

"Is something that matters?"

"Nothing. Don't mind me."

Reece shook his head before coughing.

"Ahem. Let us proceed to our business, shall we? How will you sneak me in?"

"But I am still worried that the elders might notice your presence."

If a sudden appearance of a fairy is to be revealed, it will cause pandemonium in the entire race living inside the forest.

Furthermore, because of the chaos, most of the bird tribes who are nearest to each other will flock into the Long Fangs Tribe. It will probably stay that way for a few weeks, making it harder to escape.

Even if Hugh Ibrahim was a Lion Mutant, it is still impossible to be able to defeat the entirety of the birds. Let alone escaping.

Thankfully, Reece has Daniel to assist him.

Though it is actually possible to get them out of the tribe without involving themselves in the killing.

However, Azure is the kind of person who does not let go of a grudge. Hugh as well, revenge will always linger in his head and will only make it his only goal before dying. Each of Reece's efforts will be in vain once Hugh still chooses revenge as Azure will always follow him.

"Don't worry, I am quite good at hiding and concealing my presence."

Of course, with the help of Daniel. But Reece does not have any reason to reveal Daniel's existence.

Hearing that, Azure recollects his encounter with Reece.

"Oh, I think it is indeed possible."

It was obvious that Reece has only let out a tiny bit of his presence enough for Azure to notice him. If he did not, Azure would have not noticed him at all.

In addition, Reece is a fairy that oversees the forest, which means he must have been a hundred or a thousand years of age hence he must have already mastered hiding. Therefore, it is not impossible that Reece could not completely conceal his presence.

"Right. You do not have to worry too much. Worry about you and the boy, Hugh, instead as I am not someone who could still lend help and continue the promise of cooperation when things get very ugly. You have to prepare for the worst."

Very ugly.

He was saying he will not be able to further provide them aid if most of the tribes in the forest notice Azure and Hugh's betrayal and it could threaten Reece, an accomplice who was helping them.

No.

To be precise, most races will question the fairies' position and beliefs. They will be insulting the World Tree, and if they did question them, it could immediately turn into a war between the bird tribes and the elves. After all, elves are very sensitive when the topic is the World Tree.

Furthermore, if Hugh Ibrahim and Azure both died or turn into war prisoners, the snake tribe—although only half possibilities as they are not aware of Azure being a snake mutant—and the feline tribe will also declare war against the birds.

Birds. Elves. Snakes. Lions—War.

Too complicated.

The fourth world is going to be destroyed. Moreover, this will only make Reece's job far from being successful.

'Certainly not.'

However, the worst-case scenario will be, Reece's existence and involvement in the betrayal are confirmed. And the elves in the Elvin World will naturally investigate Reece and will find out he did not come from the Elvin World, which means more troubles.

'I could not let that happen so I have to be very careful.'

"... I know the extent of your help. Please rest assured I will not step in the boundaries."

Azure was not illogical so he understood from the beginning that he could not risk the life of a precious existence like the pink fairy, Reece, just so he could settle his grudges against their tribe.

Besides, the fairy was only helping them without really having any benefit to his side. Reece merely desired to cease Hugh Ibrahim's suffering by helping him escape.

Reece sigh as he speaks.

"I am glad. But I know I will succeed still, I am worried about you. Will you really be able to sneak me into Hugh Ibrahim's room? I found his grandparents quite troublesome."