*****

A long, long time ago, there was a little fairy named Olwen.

She was small, cute, and kind like any other fairy. With her limited ice magic, she wasn't exactly suited for anything combat-related. So she befriended humans in search of a purpose for her life.

She played with them, trained with them, lived with them, watched them die, then befriended the next generation, repeat.

When she realized it, she was hailed as the greatest fairy to ever live. Her cute snowflakes that used to be children's fleeting entertainment had turned into blistering cold snowstorms that could devour cities. Her title was now 'The Queen Fairy of Blizzard' instead of 'Ice Fairy Olwen', and people worshiped her instead of befriending her.

Olwen didn't know what to do. All she wanted was someone to play with, someone she could talk with normally, and somewhat she could relax around. She just wanted to be a little fairy.

Although deep inside, Olwen herself had also realized—she had taken a step into godhood, which meant she couldn't return to her previous life no matter what.

'With great power comes great responsibility.'

This was a quote Olwen had heard countless times when she interacted with humans. After contemplating for years, Olwen decided to step up.

She began listening to the people's requests and cultivating divine energy to further improve as a deity. Everything was going well, albeit she was a bit lonely—until disaster struck.

A war of never-before-seen magnitude broke out between humans and an unknown species invading the planet. Olwen, being the pillar of humanity, desperately fought back, but the scale of the battle was too large for a new sprout of a deity to handle.

In the end, everything was destroyed.

No matter how strong Olwen's snowstorms were, and no matter the might of the humans' weapons, they ultimately lost.

As Olwen was dying, she stared at the grey sky blankly.

'What did I even fight for?'

A question suddenly popped up in her mind.

She could have easily run away to another realm to take refuge, she could have hidden completely until the war was over, she could have...

'Right. Humans.'

Those funky creatures. She remembered the scene of an innocent little girl who picked her up from a snowy mountain. A scene of a grumpy old man who she used to bicker with. A scene of a young, aspiring adventurer who she used to travel with. A scene of a rather emotional golem who she used to play with. A scene of...

From simply being Olwen's temporary companies, she had unknowingly considered them her soulmates.

Olwen laughed bitterly.

She had never even considered the option of running away or hiding. She wanted to protect humans.

But now was too late. Olwen deeply regretted not realizing her feelings toward humans sooner, and she regretted not training harder during those peaceful years.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

For the first time in her long life, a drop of tears escaped her eyes.

Olwen perished.

When fairies die, their bodies disappear but their essences remain. Olwen's essence, containing her will and the legacy of her power was picked up by a human.

The human inherited the will of Olwen and decided to hide the legacy of the fairy queen away from the world in the hope that someone more suitable for this power would use it better than them.

Time passed.

The former continent was now submerged in water, and the place where the legacy was concealed lay at the bottom of the vast ocean. It would remain unnoticed, doomed in obscurity—if not for a curious orca to discover it.

*****

THUD—!

''Wake the hell up, fat orca.''

Chloe kicks the unconscious orca and cusses.

''Isn't this animal cruelty?'' I ask.

''We're all your followers, so I won't be able to deal damage to it anyway.''

''...True.''

So Chloe resumes her kicking session for a while before the orca finally shows signs of moving.

''...?''

It lifts its head slightly and lets out a small, confused... Sound.

''You woke up.'' I walk over to its head. ''How's your body?''

''!!''

The orca immediately shoots itself up into the air and begins to back away while casting attacking magic. The atmosphere suddenly feels colder.

''Orcinus Nova. Sit.''

''?!''

Well, isn't this the first time I have to use forced command?

After getting it to the ground safely, I open my mouth again.

''Speak. I know you can.''

'''' ... ''''

''Speak.''

In response to my command, it opens its jaw filled with sharp teeth and makes some weird noises, then—

You stupid human owl! How dare you command me like this...!

A slightly high-pitched female voice sounds inside my head. So this one was a female.

''You lost to me and became my subordinate. That's all.'' I reply.

Dirty tricks! You stupid...!

''Aren't you the stupid one? You fell for my trap after all.''

I'm way smarter than you!

''Hm, did you know that the brain of an orca is only 2 percent of its entire body weight?'' I raise my index finger. ''So if we compare it by ratio, I have a bigger brain than you, thus making me the smarter one.''

R-Really...?

''No. I made all that up.'' I shrug.

Well, this one is not quite sharp, I suppose.

You...!

''Regardless of that.'' I let out a slight sigh. ''I will inform you of your work from now on.''

I'm not doing i-

''Keep quiet.''

'''' ... ''''

''Firstly, I will give back your right to command your subordinates.'' I begin. ''You all will still be under me... Well, just imagine as me giving you the position of a commander in my rule.''

There is actually no such feature integrated into [Monarch], but I think just establishing some general commands should be enough. Besides, I think Orcinus Nova is still linked with her subordinates through the blizzard skill in one form or another.

''As for your responsibilities, you will still rule the North Zircon as you did until now. The only thing that I ask from you is to help me fight demons or anything like that in the future. Got it?''

Nope. I'd rather die than succumb to you!

The cheeky orca turns her head away, fuming.

''Hah... I thought you wanted to live when you agreed to my request...'' I mutter, pulling out the Blackstar. ''Fine, killing you should give me a decent chunk of experience.''

...!!

Immediately, the orca's sparkling eyes tremble.

W-Wait! I'll do it, so don't kill me...!

That's more like it.

''Let's get along from now on, Nova.''

So with the newly added commander orca in tow, we exit the cave. Once outside, I ride on Nova to gather all the remaining bunch in my territory and North Zircon. Wait, I'm the owner of both now.

Nevertheless, I give them some basic commands and then shoo them back to North Zircon, successfully completing this whole expedition.

Coming back to the cave a bit after that, we decide to throw a small party celebrating the victory. It's quite fun, really.

''Chloe.'' I call.

''Hm?''

''When will the next event begin?''

''In like, a week or two, if I recall correctly.''

''Hm. Who will we fight?''

''We don't. Well, at least you don't. It's a practical test.''

''I see. I can probably relax, then.''

''Err... Not so sure about that. It's a duel thingy, and students can challenge supervisors like you, too.''

'''' ... ''''

''...Should I just quit my job...''