Jax still wasn't entirely sure how things had escalated this far.
Agreeing to let Pixelle join the raid had felt reasonable at the time. Under supervision. Under strict rules. Under the clear understanding that she would follow orders inside the raid.
But as he watched the tiny fairy queen enthusiastically prepare for the expedition like a child about to attend her first festival, he couldn't help wondering if he had just made a terrible decision.
Apparently, he wasn't the only one thinking that.
When Pixelle returned to the fairy encampment to announce the news, the reaction from her followers had been… less enthusiastic.
Her closest confidant was the first to respond.
A tiny fairy with deep purple hair crossed her arms in disbelief.
Lexi.
She hovered in the air in front of Pixelle, wings fluttering quickly.
"You're going where?"
Pixelle puffed her chest proudly.
"I'm going with him on the raid."
Lexi blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…Why?"
Pixelle waved her hand dismissively.
"Because Jax will protect me."
Lexi stared at her.
"And then I will protect him," Pixelle continued confidently.
"And then he will see me. Truly see me. And want me as his wife."
Lexi slowly rubbed her face.
"He already has two wives."
Pixelle nodded.
"And two more fiancées."
Pixelle nodded again.
Lexi sighed.
"If marriage to Jax was your goal, you probably could have negotiated that during the trade agreement."
Pixelle froze.
Her wings stopped mid-flutter.
Her eyes widened.
"…I could have done that?"
Lexi stared at her.
"Yes."
Pixelle blinked slowly.
What had she just done?
She could have secured everything she wanted without putting herself into danger.
But then her mind drifted again.
The fantasy returned.
She imagined herself charging heroically into battle.
Saving Jax.
Standing over a defeated enemy as he looked at her with admiration.
He would finally see how brave she was.
How strong she was.
How amazing she was.
Pixelle smiled dreamily.
"It will be fine."
Lexi's expression didn't change.
"He will see what I can do."
She pumped her chest proudly.
"He will see that I am not just a queen."
"I am the most capable fairy in the kingdom."
"And when he sees that… he will love me for me."
Lexi pinched the bridge of her nose.
Pixelle continued confidently.
"And then he will choose me first."
"He can keep the others, of course."
"But I will be his favorite."
Lexi slowly lowered her hand.
She had known Pixelle for over sixty years.
Most people didn't realize the fairy queen was actually seventy-one years old. Like elves, fairies could live for centuries.
But Pixelle still behaved like a young woman discovering romance for the first time.
And when Pixelle got an idea in her head…
There was no stopping her.
Lexi sighed.
"This is going to be a disaster."
Once preparations were finished, the group departed for the raid.
The World Tree stood only about a mile away from the fairy village, but the caravan still provided the most comfortable way to travel.
Grim and Steed were once again harnessed to the carriage, their enormous shadow forms patiently waiting as the group boarded.
Inside the main cabin, the Vixens sat around Jax as usual.
Pixelle and Lexi hovered nearby along with roughly two dozen fairy guards.
The small cabin was surprisingly crowded with tiny wings fluttering everywhere.
They had chosen not to use the dimensional storage space this time.
Pixelle insisted they experience the approach to the World Tree properly.
As they traveled, Jax leaned back slightly and stared out the window.
"So this is really happening."
Nyxian smirked.
"You sound nervous."
"I'm not nervous," Jax replied.
"I'm thinking."
"Which usually means something crazy is about to happen," Bunny added cheerfully.
Pixelle zipped through the air excitedly.
"The raid will be incredible!"
"Hundreds of adventurers have attempted it over the past few months!"
"But only a few reach the deepest floors!"
"Most fail!"
"Many die!"
Jax looked at her.
"…You are not helping."
Pixelle giggled.
Soon the massive silhouette of the World Tree appeared ahead.
Even from a distance it was enormous.
The trunk alone was wider than a fortress wall.
Glowing veins of magic ran through the bark like flowing rivers of light.
The caravan slowed as they approached.
And then the group saw the crowd.
Dozens of adventurers were already gathered at the base of the tree.
Tents had been erected nearby.
Campfires burned.
Some adventurers were drinking.
Others were sharpening weapons.
A few were smoking something Jax suspected was either tobacco or a local equivalent to something more high inducing.
"Looks like we're not the only ones eager for this raid," Llandra observed.
They stepped out of the caravan.
Immediately whispers began spreading through the crowd.
"The Vixens…"
"That's them."
"That's Jax."
"No way…"
At the base of the tree stood a strange platform grown directly from the bark.
Embedded within it was a glowing surface that looked eerily familiar.
Jax squinted.
"…Is that a computer?"
He walked closer.
Sure enough, a glowing interface floated across the surface.
Jax scratched his head.
"The tree grew a touchscreen."
He shrugged.
"I live in an isekai world."
"Whatever."
He placed his hand on the surface.
The system activated immediately.
RAID REGISTRATION
ENTER PARTY NAME
Jax typed.
THE VIXENS
The system processed for a moment.
Then new text appeared.
ENTRY POSITION: Eighth
Bunny groaned loudly.
"Eighth in line?!"
"That means we have to wait almost two days!"
Several nearby adventurers chuckled.
Others studied the group more seriously.
Three different parties were clearly waiting ahead of them.
Each looked powerful in their own way.
Llandra's eyes slowly moved across the crowd.
Then she suddenly stiffened.
"Jax…"
He looked over.
"What?"
Her gaze shifted toward a particular group standing off to one side.
"They're here."
Jax followed her eyes.
A large, disciplined team stood together near the front of the camp.
Fourteen members.
Fully armored.
Organized.
Professional.
Even from a distance they radiated strength.
"The Crimson Vanguard," Llandra said quietly.
"They used to be the strongest raid group on the continent."
Nyxian smirked.
"Until we broke their records."
Jax studied them.
Interesting.
Pixelle suddenly zipped upward.
"I'm going to talk to the tree!"
Jax blinked.
"…What?"
"I'll ask it to move us up the line!"
She grabbed Lexi and flew toward the registration platform.
Jax sighed.
"This is going to end badly."
He turned back toward the others.
But before he could speak, three figures approached them.
The first wore shining knight armor with a crimson cape.
The second was a towering nine-foot giant made entirely of stone.
The third was a pale gothic girl in a dark school uniform carrying an enormous scythe.
They stopped a few feet away.
The armored knight removed his helmet.
His expression was calm and respectful.
"Good evening."
"I'm Sir Aldric Valen of the Crimson Vanguard."
His eyes moved across the group.
Then he smiled slightly.
"Are you by chance… the Vixens?"