Reincarnated as a Fairy: My Magic Wings Will Soar Above This Fantasy World!

Lyra, Ella, and Yuki stood at the counter of the Adventurer’s Guild, their bags of rewards freshly collected and stored in their magic rings. The excitement of their previous success was still buzzing through the air as the representative, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a professional demeanor, approached them. She held a piece of parchment in her hands, her expression unreadable but steady.

“You three have done well with the Magic Boars,” she said with a nod, her gaze flicking briefly toward the gold and silver coins they had earned. “I trust you’re ready for something a bit more demanding.”

Lyra’s ears perked up. “What do you have in mind?”

The representative slid the parchment across the counter, and Lyra reached for it, glancing down at the words written in neat, careful handwriting. “Escort mission?” she asked, reading the title aloud. Her eyes narrowed as she read further, noting the details. “To the capital… a merchant… 3 gold coins reward?”

The representative gave a small smile. “Yes, that’s right. You’ll be escorting a merchant to the capital. It’s a simple task, but it’s still dangerous. There are bandits and other hazards along the way. But I trust you all. You’ve proven yourselves capable.”

Ella and Yuki exchanged glances. The reward was good—3 gold coins, which would go a long way in covering their expenses. And the task itself didn’t seem too difficult. Escorting a merchant wasn’t as dangerous as slaying monsters, but the potential for trouble was ever-present on the roads leading to the capital.

“We’ll take it,” Ella said, nodding in agreement.

“Excellent,” the representative replied, handing them a small bundle of documents and a sealed letter. “You’ll find the merchant waiting for you at the Merchant’s Guild. Take the letter with you; it’s a formal introduction. Good luck. Don’t disappoint me.”

The trio nodded and left the Guild, the cool breeze of the early afternoon sweeping through the streets of the town. As they made their way toward the Merchant’s Guild, Lyra felt a surge of anticipation. The journey to the capital would take several days, and although she wasn’t sure what to expect, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something important was about to unfold.The Merchant’s Guild was a large, imposing structure near the heart of the town, its stone walls adorned with colorful banners displaying the Guild’s insignia. Inside, the atmosphere was bustling, filled with merchants negotiating, traders hawking their goods, and adventurers waiting for their next task. Lyra, Ella, and Yuki approached the front desk, where a well-dressed clerk stood.

“We’re here for the escort mission,” Lyra said, handing over the letter from the Adventurer’s Guild.

The clerk nodded and took the letter, reading it quickly before nodding in approval. “You must be the ones. The merchant is ready and waiting. He’s in the loading yard with his cart.” She pointed toward the back of the building, where the noise of wagons and crates being moved could be heard.

The trio made their way through the bustling interior and out into the loading yard. The sun was high, casting long shadows on the ground, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh hay and leather. There, they found a well-dressed man standing next to a large, sturdy carriage. His clothes were fine but practical, and he was speaking to a couple of his hired hands, giving them instructions as they loaded crates onto the carriage.

The merchant turned when he noticed the three approaching. “Ah! You must be the adventurers,” he said with a broad smile, his voice warm and inviting. “I’m Darian, a merchant of fine goods. I trust you’ve come to escort me to the capital?”

Lyra nodded and stepped forward. “That’s correct. We’re here to make sure you get to the capital safely.”

Darian looked them over, his eyes assessing but not in a critical way. “Good, good. I’ve heard good things about the Adventurer’s Guild, and I’m sure you three are more than capable. You’ll find my goods valuable, and I’m sure we’ll get along just fine. The road is long, and I’ll need protection from any… unsavory types.” His smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. “Bandits, beasts, the usual.”

Ella, standing to Lyra’s side, nodded. “Don’t worry, we’ll keep you safe.”

“Splendid!” Darian clapped his hands together. “Now, let’s get everything loaded. We’ll be leaving shortly.”

The trio helped the merchant’s men finish loading the crates onto the cart. There were all sorts of goods: fabrics, spices, medicinal herbs, and more. The crates were tightly secured, and Darian made sure everything was packed with care.

Once everything was in order, Darian turned to the adventurers. “We’re ready to go. I’ve paid my dues to the Guild, so let’s not waste any more time.”

With that, they set off from the Merchant’s Guild. The roads were well-traveled, and though the town was soon left behind, the landscape remained picturesque, with gently rolling hills and dense forests. The sounds of the bustling town faded as they walked further into the countryside.

The journey began slowly, and Darian seemed to settle into a more relaxed demeanor. However, Lyra couldn’t help but stay alert. There was something about the way he glanced over his shoulder, the tension in his movements, that gave her pause. He wasn’t just nervous about the journey—there was something more at play.

After about an hour on the road, Lyra turned to Ella and Yuki. “Something feels off. Do you two get the same feeling?”

Yuki nodded, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the surrounding forest. “I’ve been sensing something too. It’s quiet... too quiet.”

Ella, her expression focused, glanced at the cart. “Maybe Darian’s just nervous. It’s a long trip, after all. But we should be on our guard.”

Lyra agreed. It was possible that Darian was just anxious, but her instincts told her that something was amiss. She wasn’t sure if it was the merchant or something else entirely, but she knew they had to stay alert. They were far from the safety of the town, and the wilds of the road could be unpredictable.As the afternoon wore on, the terrain began to change. The well-maintained road gave way to more rugged paths, with large rocks and uneven ground making the journey slower. The forest around them grew denser, casting deeper shadows across the road. Lyra could feel the presence of something lurking nearby, but she couldn’t pinpoint it.

“We should stop for the night soon,” Ella suggested as the sun began to dip lower in the sky. “We’ve been traveling for hours, and we don’t want to get caught out here when it gets dark.”

Darian, who had been walking beside the cart, looked up and nodded. “I agree. There’s a good clearing just up ahead. We can make camp there.”

The group continued for another half-hour before reaching the clearing. The area was surrounded by trees, with a small stream running through the middle. It was a peaceful spot, but Lyra remained cautious. There were too many signs that the road wasn’t as safe as it seemed.

As the camp was set up, Darian began to unpack some of his goods, setting up a small fire to cook a meal. The fire crackled as the group settled in, but Lyra kept her senses sharp, listening to the distant sounds of the forest.

Yuki, ever the vigilant one, stood near the edge of the camp, her twin blades drawn, eyes scanning the darkening woods. Ella sat near the fire, preparing some light food for the group, but her eyes were equally focused on their surroundings.

“Do you think it’s the bandits?” Lyra asked quietly, leaning closer to Ella.

Ella didn’t look up but nodded. “It’s either that, or something worse. But I think we’re in for a long night.”

Lyra’s wings fluttered slightly, the only sign of the growing tension in her body. They were ready, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that this mission was about to take a dangerous turn. She wasn’t sure what would happen next, but she was certain that they wouldn’t make it to the capital without facing some real challenges.