Chapter 308: Sylphia
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 308: Sylphia
I wasn’t entirely familiar with the path through the vast forest where the Covenant of Life resided.
Even in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, the forest was so sprawling and intricate that I could never fully memorize the map. Naturally, it was even more daunting in reality.
Relying on Kaya to guide me would be far more efficient than scouring every corner with [Clairvoyance].
Besides, Sylphia would only warm up to me if Kaya was there.
But most importantly...
She’s simply adorable.
Her presence alone was a comfort.
“Lead the way. I don’t know the path well.”
“I don’t mind, but… why do you want to see Sylphia…? Ah!”
Did she remember something?
“During our first-year class placement evaluation… didn’t you say you already knew Sylphia?”
Ah, that.
─ Were you acquainted with Sylphia?!
─ …Your true potential has yet to be revealed. When you become someone worth my time, I will face you.
“No, I didn’t actually say we were met back then.”
“What…?”
“I met Sylphia for the first time yesterday.”
Kaya stared blankly for a moment, her thoughts clearly jumbled.
Back then, I had pretended to have a deep history with Sylphia to maintain my mystique. Only now could I reveal the truth: I hadn’t known her at all.
“Well, I knew of her, even if we weren't close.”
Kaya processed this for a moment, then suddenly nodded in wide-eyed admiration.
“Then… doesn’t that make you even more amazing?”
Huh?
“If you didn’t even know Sylphia but still knew everything about her, that’s surely the mark of omniscience…!”
“Stop making a fuss.”
“Ouch.”
I reached out and gave Kaya’s cheek a light pinch. When she winced, I let go immediately.
“…Isaac, by the way, were you serious about what you said back then?”
“What do you mean?”
“That if I reached my true potential, you’d fight me….”
“You really want to take me on?”
When I turned to look at her, Kaya gave a cautious nod. She quickly added, realizing how it might sound:
“Not that I think I stand a chance…! Obviously, I know I’d lose in an instant, but…!”
Did you really think I wouldn’t understand?
You’ve got quite the fighting spirit.
You want to face me to see just how far you've come. You want to test yourself against the wall I represent.
Right now, Kaya wasn’t anywhere near my level. I would defeat her effortlessly.
“Kaya, I believe you have yet to reach your true potential.”
“What?”
“You still have room to grow explosively.”
Kaya’s eyes widened. The potential for growth in her power was truly frightening. Even if her magic didn’t work on me, there was no denying how extraordinary she was.
“I told you before—you’re someone I acknowledge. I don’t say that lightly.”
“…Right.”
It was something I had told her during our end-of-semester evaluation in our first year. Kaya hadn’t forgotten a single word. Her body trembled slightly, overwhelmed by the pride swelling in her chest.
“Hehe… I’m really happy.”
The mere fact that she had my acknowledgment seemed to bring her immense joy. I was grateful she took it that way.
Our conversation drifted into a comfortable silence. I took in the scenery and assessed our current situation.
The 「Fairy War」 had been resolved, and since Thanatos had been defeated, we could skip Act 13 entirely. The only official scenario left this semester in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ was 「Act 12: The Treacherous Celestial」.
The final boss of Act 12 was Vuel, the Winged Celestial.
I successfully gave the Iron Core to Noah, and I’ve locked Methel up in Düpendorf…
Last night, I had handed the Iron Core to Noah.
─ What’s this?
─ It’s Rachnil’s core. Swallow it, and the iron mana will be yours.
Noah had been shocked, but he followed my instructions and consumed the Iron Core. Then, he thanked me.
─ Thank you, Ice Sovereign. I truly appreciate this…
There was no need for thanks. Noah was the type to never ignore a debt, and I fully intended to have him join the Evil God Slayers.
As for Methel Valencia, the heavenly being who attempted to assassinate me, I had her sent to Düpendorf, trapped within a nightmare. I planned to keep her in solitary confinement until the Vuel incident was over.
Now the only ones left are Vuel, Mephisto, and Nephid…
Except for Mephisto, I had already faced the bosses from Acts 14 through 16 during the Alice incident. The final bosses remaining in the official scenario were Vuel the Treacherous Celestial, Mephisto the Contractor, and Nephid the Evil God.
Once I defeat them, this long, arduous journey will finally reach its conclusion.
[Master, it appears we have arrived.]
Hilde’s noble voice rang out. Before we knew it, we were soaring above the dense canopy of the Astrea Duchy.
“Isaac, over there.”
“Hilde.”
Hilde descended in the direction Kaya pointed. With [Clairvoyance], I confirmed it was indeed the Covenant of Life. We found it quickly, as expected.
Hilde pushed through the trees and landed by a lakeside with a small island floating in the center. This was the Covenant of Life, the dwelling place of Sylphia, the Emerald Fairy.
Kaya and I dismounted and made our way to the water's edge.
“Call her.”
“Okay.”
Kaya used wind magic to float across the lake, gently landing on the small island before placing her hand on the Covenant of Life.
“…Sylphia. I’m here.”
Swoosh.
The verdant leaves of the Covenant of Life began to glow with vibrant intensity. They released a mystical mana that coalesced into a flower, which then transformed into the form of a fairy.
Sylphia, the Emerald Fairy.
She descended toward Kaya with a radiant smile.
[My dear!]
“Sylphia!”
[I wasn’t expecting you to be back so soon!]
Kaya and Sylphia hugged like family members reunited after a long separation. After the chaos of yesterday, this felt like their true reunion. Before long, they were chatting and laughing together.
She’s probably the only one who can talk so freely with a fairy.
Kaya had gotten lost in this forest as a child. That was when she stumbled upon the Covenant of Life and encountered Sylphia. Sylphia had sensed Kaya’s affinity for the plant element and took an interest in her. Kaya had called Sylphia “beautiful,” which pleased the fairy, and they had been close friends ever since.
[So, what brings you here? And with a male, no less. Are you here to show him off?]
“S-show him off? That’s not it at all!”
[Oh? Then what are you here for?]
“Ugh…”
Sylphia gave a sly smile and then turned her gaze toward me.
[Ice Sovereign.]
Sylphia strode toward me, leaving a trail of petals in her wake. She moved effortlessly across the land and water alike. Kaya deliberately stayed behind, wanting to give Sylphia and me a chance to talk privately.
As soon as Sylphia drew near, her expression shifted into something far more threatening.
[You’re the one who had her call me, right? What do you want?]
Her voice was sharp.
I figured this would happen.
This was exactly why I had Kaya call her. We weren't allies, and to her, I was a total stranger. Given that I was anything but ordinary, it was only natural for a fairy like Sylphia to be on guard.
“Nothing major. I just want to take something you no longer need.”
[Something I don’t need?]
“The 8-star familiar contract circle. Hand it over.”
Sylphia narrowed her eyes, letting out a surprised, “Oh?”
The 8-star familiar contract circle was an item the player usually acquired much later in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱. After completing the second semester of the second year, if the player visited during winter break, Sylphia would welcome them. She would talk at length about Rachnil and eventually gift the contract circle, claiming she had no use for it.
But I didn't need to wait for winter break.
I’m not bound by the scenario.
I could just take it now.
[You seem to have quite the knowledge of a fairy’s treasures, don’t you?]
“I need it, so I made it my business to find it. It’s not exactly the kind of thing one just stumbles upon.”
[You sly wizard.]
The corners of Sylphia’s mouth curled up. She had likely watched from the shadows as I defeated Thanatos the Ruination. She probably assumed I had discovered the contract circle through some unknown, transcendent power.
[…You’re right. I have the 8-star familiar contract circle. I can give it to you, however…]
However?
[I have one condition.]
So she’s laying down terms.
“What is it?”
[You seem to have many women you’re fond of, correct? So…]
Sylphia leaned in close to my ear, shielding her mouth with her hand.
[Cherish Kaya. Love her truly, have children with her, and make her happy. That is my condition. If you ever make her sad, prepare yourself for the wrath of every plant in this world.]
This fairy truly loved Kaya. After all, what more could a fairy expect from a human?
“You call that a condition?”
[Huh?]
“Nothing in this world can halt my love for Kaya. Even if you opposed it, I would still love her all the same.”
I can’t imagine my harem kingdom without Kaya.
I calmly met Sylphia’s mysterious gaze.
[Hehe… I like that answer. Now, give me your hand.]
I offered her the hand that wasn’t already marked by Hilde’s contract circle. Sylphia placed her fingers on my wrist.
Ssss.
A small, intricate contract circle began to etch itself into my skin. As she worked, Sylphia spoke again.
[What are you planning to do next?]
“Why would a fairy be interested in human affairs?”
Fairies were neither allies nor enemies; they were neutral. Whether humanity fell to the Evil God or not was of no concern to them. They weren't meant to meddle in the world’s fate.
[You’re the man Kaya chose, after all.]
Why does it feel like I’ve just been handed a mother-in-law…?
“Nothing much. Just resolve everything and live happily ever after. That’s all.”
[Hmm… I guess even someone as powerful as you has burdens to bear?]
“Everyone has at least one worry in life, right? Isn’t it the same for fairies?”
[Who knows? I just go with the flow.]
Sylphia answered nonchalantly, yet her eyes held a deep, lingering sadness. She had likely seen many of her kind pass over the years. Unlike fairies, humans lived short lives; the pain of the countless farewells she had endured must be beyond words.
“I see,” I answered quietly.
I didn't ask anything else. Soon after, a notification appeared in my vision.
[Congratulations! You have acquired the [8-star Familiar Contract Circle]!]
After receiving Sylphia’s “See you again,” Kaya and I left the Covenant of Life. Hilde took us on her back and soared into the sky.
It felt a little strange to be flying so freely through the imperial airspace, but I justified it to myself—after yesterday’s achievements, this much should be allowed.
It doesn’t seem like Emperor Carlos treats me as a complete stranger anymore.
He seemed supportive, likely under the impression that White and I shared a close relationship.
“Sir Isaac.”
“Yes?”
“Could I ask… what you talked about with Sylphia?”
There was nothing to hide, but I didn't want to tell her everything. I showed her the 8-star familiar contract circle I had received.
“A high-level familiar contract circle. It was a gift Sylphia was holding onto.”
Kaya’s eyes grew wide with admiration.
“Are you planning to make another 8-star magic beast your familiar?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Hehe, that’s amazing!” Kaya beamed. “As expected of Isaac!”
Soon after, she asked cautiously, “But… didn’t you have a secret conversation earlier?”
“Oh, that.”
I don’t really need to keep this from her, but…
– Cherish Kaya, love her truly, have children, and make her happy.
No, I definitely shouldn't tell her that.
“Sir Isaac?”
The truth was far too provocative for Kaya. She was the type of girl who blushed and got flustered over the smallest things—sometimes she even fainted.
“She was curious about our relationship. I just told her we’re pretty close.”
“Ah… I see.”
Kaya looked slightly disappointed. She’d probably get the full story from Sylphia during the next vacation. I didn't want to be the one to drop that bombshell right now.
– You call that a condition? Nothing in this world can halt my love for Kaya. Even if you opposed it, I would still love her all the same.
After all, what I said was essentially a proposal.
“Let’s go, Hilde.”
Kaya and I settled onto Hilde’s back and headed back toward Märchen Academy.