Azure in bird form noticed Reece, the pink fairy, backing away that he instantly stopped chasing him and tilted his head in confusion.

Why is Reece running farther away from him?

Did he do something wrong?

Staring at Reece who was hiding in one of the branches and is peeking in his direction, bluebird Azure has a decent idea why the fairy was avoiding him.

'Perhaps...?'

Going back on his human form, the fairy halted and stopped his hiding almost immediately.

Azure, who apparently noticed that, began smiling as he greets Reece.

"Good morning."

"Yes... Good morning to you too."

Coughing, Reece replied as he began to fly down toward Azure who stayed still and waited for Reece to come down.

"I wasn't scared."

"Pft!"

"What the hell are you laughing at?"

Reece now has a scowl on his face as he declared he was not scared the moment he came near Azure and the latter couldn't help but laugh.

"I mean, yes. Yes, of course."

Azure found Reece very adorable. Perhaps it was the reason why Hugh's obsession with Reece is more potent than usual.

Reece simply rolled his eyes.

"Whatever."

Settling down, Azure asks with a small smile.

"Shall we go?"

Reece did not reply as he keeps his face straight while staring at Azure.

However, the bluebird still has an innocent-looking face despite wearing a poker expression.

Bluebird Azure felt oddly weird at that moment. Because Reece's stares are too deep. As if it was examining him and it is making him feel cold.

'Did he have such pressure before?'

No.

The pink fairy, Reece, did not possess even a tiny bit of pressure when they first met yesterday. Though it was not to the point Azure will cower or shake in fear, it still affects, considering he had a lower existence.

He was right.

Reece was indeed analyzing the bird this time to see if he was sincere or not. Yet it was true that Reece did not notice he was letting out a pressure that he himself was not aware he possesses as a higher existence.

"Is there something wrong?"

Azure disquietly asks the pink fairy who stayed quiet.

"Yes."

It was a quick answer from Reece that made Azure flinch. However, Reece could care less.

"There is indeed wrong."

Reece smiled, emphasizing his extremely beautiful face and glowing body as he threateningly said to the acting concerned bluebird.

"I would like it if you tell me your plan while it was still early. Who knows, I might destroy a promise if something I did not expect happen."

'You'll be dead if you lie.'

That is what he was trying to convey to the bluebird.

Even when Reece said that, Azure did not even flinch. Nor was he scared. His face immediately turned stoic, just like how his expression is yesterday when Reece first saw him.

"After all, worms are very easy to kill."

Indeed.

Reece was comparing the Snake Mutant Azure to a mere worm. However, Reece was shaking inside as he was scared of how will the bluebird reacts to his insults.

Still, he was supposed to be intimidating. That is why Reece is planning to act confident so that no one will look down on him for being too nonchalant and uncaring.

"... I see that you are aware of my plans of deceiving you."

Smirk.

Reece was smirking for the first time.

It was the first time the bluebird ever saw him lift the corners of his tiny lips.

"I was merely acting to test you. But you are quite brave."

And his answer was full of confidence as he crosses his arms. He was looking down. Reece was now looking down to the lower existence, Azure, as a higher existence.

'This is why he was unique.'

Azure thought and began to smile.

He was satisfied even though Reece was quite angry at him for planning to deceive him. Because the pink fairy Reece is not bound to the World Tree's views. To not kill and be tainted in red liquid.

Although there are quite a few fairies who are not even infected with demons, they still neglect their duty and ignore their views so that they are banished from the Elven World and be with their equals.

However, they would always oppose killing a large number of living beings as they will carry on the guilt.

But, the fairy in front of him could deny the World Tree and disregard his guilt.

"What was the conclusion?"

Azure likes it which is why his voice sounded happy when he asks the question.

It took Reece a minute before he answered confidently.

"I like you."

'Die, bastard.'

That is what Reece truly wanted to say. However, he has to act so the bluebird could not look down on him anymore. He is still considered a higher existence after all so might as well embrace the opportunity despite being weak.

"But I am curious. If your plan did not work, what happens next?"

Reece was talking about using the weak and fragile pink fairy like himself as bait. There is still a 50 percent chance that Hugh will hesitate.

Despite feeling slightly pressured, Hugh managed to answer calmly.

"Oh, do not worry. I have many cards in my sleeves."

For Reece, it was a chilly answer.

'So it was not everything.'

It means that whatever Reece knew right now is not the entire truth. Who knows if Azure was still deceiving him even at this moment that they are speaking.

'I really hate this type of person. No, I hate all beings that have similarities to Azure.'

Because Reece is easy to deceive and manipulate that he hates their kind.

"Heh..."

Reece started to smile.

"I approve of your plan."

'Go rot in hell, you blue rascal.'

He was feeling bitter because he has been deceived. He does not want to be used. He hates it a lot which explains his foul mood.

"Thank you very much."

At that moment, the look on Azure's face immediately turned sharp. Like your typical old and strict professor in your college days.

'So this is him.'

This was the real Azure. Far from the innocently stoic and gentle one that he showed earlier.

"Let's all be real."

He repeated what he said earlier.

Be real. To signify, they should drop the act and be their normal selves.

"Of course. I shall do what you say."

Azure easily accepted it.

Afterward, the two boys headed to Hugh Ibrahim.

As Azure made his way toward Hugh's house, Reece was inside his small bag, the same one Azure use before. Since this is the only way he can sneak Reece in.

They arrived moments later and immediately offered the goods to his family. And the latter was overjoyed.

"You never fail me, Azure."

The deep brown bird, who is also Hugh Ibrahim's grandfather, said happily while patting the bluebird.

"It is nothing."

This bluebird was smiling gently and is being respectful toward the elder bird.

It was good that Reece was not watching or he will be horrified by this scene.

"Haha! Go on, play with that mutant with your heart's content!"

"Then, if you excuse me."

Going inside, Azure put down a small token at the size of a penny as he also sat down on a corner where Hugh is.

Turn out that the token was a device from the Sciuridae Tribe that blocks off their conversation from all the device inside Hugh's room.

This device, the token, is said to be created 450 years ago by the most genius squirrels of the Sciuridae Tribe.

It was demanded by those who have important meetings such as the elders, chiefs, and kings, especially those who meet in private and share their deep secrets, request this be created immediately. Because most animals have enhanced hearing averaging 80 kilometers.

Furthermore, not all animals could detect if there is someone nearby so there is always a high chance that someone is listening.

[Though it only blocks off what you are saying but not noises such as laughs, screams, and cries.]

Daniel added but it only confuses Reece.

'Why?'

[It is to avoid murdering each other or any assassination attempts.]

Of course, there is always a chance that either of them will try to kill each other. So to let anyone aware that something not good is happening, this specific 'token' does not block off different types of noises.

Now settling down, the bluebird, the lion mutant, and the pink fairy then discussed their plans with the young mutant who was confused.

"I do understand why we must help Reece, however..."

Lion Mutant Hugh glance at Reece before continuing.

"However, why do we need to slaughter our tribe members? Um, it is a bit too much..."

That is not the only reason though. Hugh has never killed anyone before, so he was hesitating because he was also scared.

'Shit.'

Reece was cursing inside.

Although Hugh agreed to help him and kill a few, still, he was hesitating about a complete annihilation that Azure keeps on emphasizing the whole time he was talking. Like he really wanted Hugh to understand that it is what he wants and will not change his mind.

Azure on the other hand was still calm as he looks back at Hugh.

"What do you want to do? They wanted to capture Reece, our new friend."

The Snake Mutant Azure smiled gentler and his tone also becomes softer as he continued luring the poor Lion Mutant Hugh.

The silent fairy Reece then thought at that moment.

'I guess this is how he manipulates the child.'

With his sweet words and very good acting skills. It matches well.

"Reece is, to us... a new family."

Azure was emphasizing the word 'family' so Hugh Ibrahim would take the bait.

Bluebird Azure and pink fairy Reece knew well that Hugh Ibrahim as a mutant who receives hate of his own kind was longing for affection.

Therefore, by mentioning the word 'family,' he will be easily swayed without even considering if they were sincere or not with their words.

Anyways, Reece was now looking at Azure as if he was a ghost.

'What nonsense? Since when did I become part of their family?'

"Do you want him to die? You know that birds are one of the stealthiest in the forest. They could immediately capture Reece."

Now he was looking at Azure the way he looks at worms and centipede—a disgusted expression. It was the most disgusting thing he had ever heard coming from Azure.

And although the bluebird notices it, it didn't pay attention to him but is still paying close attention to Hugh's expression.

"Ah! I will help you, Reece, truly."

It was a genuine response and Hugh was looking more determined than ever.

Most importantly, he was very fond of Reece as he finds him beautiful, weak, and so fragile.