Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Encounter with the Fairy Knight
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"F-Fairies...?"
Nissen couldn't hide his baffled expression at Woojin's words.
"That's strange. I was born and raised in Torn Bach my whole life, but I've never heard anything about fairies in this forest."
"They might not have been here originally."
"Pardon? Then..."
"Nissen, have you noticed anything else different in the forest besides this?"
"...I'm not sure."
But Nissen shook his head at Woojin's question.
It was then.
Setsuna slipped out from Woojin and settled in front of the spring.
"Think you can do it?"
She plunged her hand into the pool.
'...What? A-rank?'
Woojin couldn't help but be startled by the notification.
Swoooosh---!!!
The light particles in the pool erupted in brilliant light, seeping into Setsuna's body in an instant.
Having absorbed the spring's memories, she stammered in a trembling, flustered voice.
"What's wrong?"
"What do you mean? Not just any fairy?"
"Fairy Queen?"
A golden-glowing book appeared in Setsuna's hand.
She hurriedly flipped through the pages, searching for something.
The inner page featured an illustration of the queen's face, surrounded by densely packed, unreadable script.
"What's it say?"
"The Forbidden Essence War... That's referring to the time when the Dark Forest was elven territory, right?"
Luen looked at Woojin in surprise at his murmur.
"How did you know that? It's so ancient that even most elves don't remember it."
"Huh? Oh... just from a book."
Woojin hesitated before answering her question.
In truth, he'd heard about the Forbidden Essence War from her in this world.
"To be precise, they weren't moved—they were forced to move."
Luen waved her hands in surprise at her own slip.
"S-Sorry!!"
"No, that's the truth."
"It wasn't your doing, Master."
"I know you weren't blaming me for it."
"...Thank you."
The reason the elves were forcibly relocated to the central continent after their defeat was simple.
Captives and slaves.
Luen's fall into mercenary work stemmed from that very cause—though she might have been one of the lucky ones.
There were elves in far worse straits.
"Someday, you'll be able to save them."
"You think so?"
"Of course."
He'd seen her future self, after all.
Woojin figured he'd cure her illness before the world ended and gather the scattered elves.
"You'll become a stronger elf than anyone."
Setsuna wedged herself between them, pointing at both with her finger.
"Nothing. Don't talk nonsense. So, can you find the fairies now?"
"Ah, right. That exists."
Woojin, who had been looking sheepish, quickly changed the subject at Setsuna's response.
Setsuna had learned new skills upon reaching level 15 after conquering the Bolton family's territory.
> Golem Skill: Eye of Focus
> Elf Skill: Stroll Path
> Spirit Skill: Silver Flame
These second skills she'd acquired were all support-oriented.
[Stroll Path activated.]
> Searching for remaining traces nearby.
A refreshing breeze like pine needles rose as Setsuna cast the skill.
"Oh..."
The particles dissolved in the spring where her hand had touched began clumping together, floating into the air.
Swoooosh...!!
The particles shot off rapidly.
Setsuna shouted urgently at the sight and flew off with all her might.
"Let's go."
Woojin and the others followed behind her.
Swish—.
The spot Woojin had left rippled, and someone emerged from deeper in the forest.
"Good thing I brought stealth gear."
It was none other than Colson.
'When I got to the village, Eight was already there, which was awkward. Lucky the monster wave held him up.'
"But why'd he come here?"
He stowed the cloak he'd been wearing in his inventory and eyed the pool Woojin's group had been examining.
"Looked like that elf girl was feeding him this earlier... Is it good stuff?"
Colson recalled the day he'd fought Woojin.
Strength beyond common sense.
'There has to be a reason for that power.'
After a moment's thought, Colson dunked his head into the spring and gulped down the water.
[The water contains potent mana.]
"...Huh?"
A tingling sensation raced down his throat, spreading through his body in an instant.
> Those possessing mana may experience bodily changes upon consumption.
> You possess a small amount of mana.
"Gack... Ghurk...!!"
The [Fist Wind] skill he'd learned was a rare one that consumed both qi and mana.
Ironically, his mana was so scant he couldn't even control it.
[Your mana is woefully insufficient to handle the water's mana.]
"W-Wait..."
Colson clutched his chest and staggered.
[Mana chaos occurs.]
"Gaaargh!!!"
Scaly hide began sprouting across his body.
Boom—!! Crashhh---!!
He screamed in agony, but all that returned was the sound of battle from the village.
"H-Help... Guh... Gack..."
With a pitiful cry, Colson collapsed unconscious.
The flying light particles burst with a pop!!, revealing a shimmering barrier before the group.
"To think something like this was in the forest..."
Nissen murmured in astonishment at the transparent barrier, which they might never have noticed without the particles.
Hummm...
Like touching an upright lake surface, the barrier rippled when he prodded it where the particles clung.
Smooth and sticky, like slime.
[Fairy Door discovered.]
[Congratulations.]
[Registered discoveries can be submitted to the guild for addition to the continental map.]
[Discovery EXP acquired.]
"...Huh?"
It was then.
Swoooosh---!!!
The rippling barrier surged out, swallowing the group in an instant.
"Mmph...! Mmmph...!!"
As the trapped group flailed, tiny winged figures appeared before them.
Flutter... Flutter...
The sound of quivering wings echoed from all directions.
Splashhh...!!
The barrier vanished, leaving the drenched group—like they'd fallen in water—collapsed on the ground, gasping.
"Th-That was close to death!!"
Karlan released his grip on his throat and looked up.
The forest before them was unlike any they'd seen.
Vibrant vines and flowers bloomed thickly in a paradise-like vista of breathtaking beauty.
Poke.
As Karlan gawked, something thorn-like pricked his nose tip.
"Ow."
Stepping back, he saw it wasn't a thorn but a tiny sword no longer than a finger joint.
Neatly combed hair and emerald eyes.
About Setsuna's size, the male fairy's face was exquisitely handsome, like a portrait of a young noble.
"Whoa."
When Karlan curiously pointed at the fairy,
Shing—!!!
A sharp whoosh cut the air.
"Hah, huff...!!"
By a paper's width, Woojin yanked him back by the collar.
Staring at the slashed ground, Karlan felt a chill down his spine.
"I'm Khan. We've been searching for you to treat my companion."
Woojin stepped forward, leaving the seated Karlan behind.
The fairy scanned them.
"He drank water from a nearby spring and suffered mana chaos. He was lucky not to die, but scales cover his body now."
Nissen hurriedly doffed his cloak at Woojin's words, revealing his face.
"We learned the spring water is fairy elixir made from fairy dust. Could you possibly treat him?"
"Oh... R-Really?!"
Nissen clasped his hands prayerfully at the fairy's words.
"Th-Then...!!"
"...Pardon?"
Nissen glanced at Woojin in confusion at the fairy's cold response.
'This feels off.'
Sensing it wouldn't be easy, Woojin pulled Nissen back and continued.
"Saying you have no obligation is wrong. The water changed because of fairy dust. He drank that water and ended up like this. Don't you bear some responsibility?"
"What do you mean?"
Clang---!!!
At his shout, the surrounding fairies drew their weapons in unison.
"Can't do that."
"I regret the Forbidden Essence War, but that's our ancestors' doing. It can't be a reason for later generations like us to suffer."
Grip—.
Woojin quietly placed his hand on his sword hilt, facing the fairies poised to charge.
Taut tension.
"Don't push them too hard, Master."
It was then.
Blocking their path was none other than Luen.
"Fowler. You too."
The fairy's hostile expression softened slightly as Luen called his name.
"I haven't lived through the Forbidden Essence War myself, but I've long heard the name of the fairy who resisted to the very end."
She placed a hand on her chest and bowed.
"It's an honor to meet you. Fairy Knight, Fowler."
Fowler's lips quivered as he met Luen's eyes.
Woojin watched Luen calmly persuade him with wonder.
'As expected... It's innate.'
Unlike her usual bubbly demeanor, Luen now exuded grace and dignity.
Setsuna seemed smitten too, clasping her hands with sparkling eyes.
"By Ulldin's authority, I request an audience with the Fairy Queen."
Luen's resolute voice echoed through the fairy forest.