The Fairy Forest
"Ugh, why does everything have to get tangled up like this?"
I muttered, navigating the dense, overgrown forest situated on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. I had returned to this place for one specific purpose: to completely drain the Spring of Life.
True to its nature as an untamed wilderness, the deeper I walked, the more the vines snagged at me. Thorny branches tore at my trousers, leaving ragged rips. No wonder nobody in their right mind ever thought of coming here. Well, it wasn't like some magical pathfinder was going to clear the way for me. If there was no one else to tidy up this mess, I'd just have to do it myself.
Screeech. I drew my sword and began to swing.
Calling this a path would be a massive overstatement; it was a grueling trek. I forged ahead, hacking away at the thick vines and branches with Aeterna. Before long, I located the entrance, where the space itself warped and shimmered suspiciously. I had expected to struggle a bit since the layout had changed significantly since my last visit, but by tracking the flow of mana visible through my Eye of Clairvoyance, finding it proved to be a breeze.
Stepping through the shimmering distortion, I crossed into the Fairy Forest—a dreamlike realm where vibrant green leaves whispered and sang with every breath of wind.
I should probably sneak past. I suppressed my presence as much as possible. Surely, even a fairy wouldn't be able to detect me when I, a Sword Saint, was actively hiding my presence.
"Oh, you're back again?"
Wait, what the hell? How did it know? I whipped around in surprise, only to see the very same fairy I had encountered last time.
"It's been a while," I said.
"We're hardly on friendly terms. What brings you back this time?"
"...I just missed you, so I came to visit."
The fairy remained silent, staring at me with eyes full of deep suspicion. I had taken so much of the spring water last time, so it was only natural for it to find my sudden return highly suspicious.
"You... missed me? Hmmm..." The fairy furrowed its brow. It squinted so hard that its eyes became mere slits, instantly reminding me of those classic anime characters who never open their eyes. A cold sweat began to bead on my forehead.
Fairies weren't inherently hostile to humans. However, they harbored an extreme loathing for any unworthy human who coveted their treasures. To them, I was exactly that—an unworthy human who had come to steal their sacred spring water. Yes, I was the prime candidate for fairy hatred. I had to hide my true intentions at all costs.
"Haha, staring at me like that won't yield anything. By the way, does the great fairy always guard this spot?"
"Of course, I am the sentry of this sector. Since this space is reserved for the chosen child, it's only fitting that someone as powerful as me stands guard."
"As expected of a great fairy! If you don't mind, may I ask your name?"
The fairy puffed out its chest and held its head high.
"I am Winder! Winder of the Gentle Breeze. Quite a splendid name, isn't it?"
"It is indeed a magnificent name, perfectly suited for a great fairy. May I have the honor of calling you Lord Winder?"
"Naturally!"
With its hands planted firmly on its hips, Winder's face beamed with triumphant pride. I had no idea why sharing a name made it so incredibly proud... Regardless, I bowed and scraped just like last time, preparing to make my request.
"Actually, I find myself in need of a little spring water. Would it be possible for me to take just a small amount?"
"Are you cursed again, just like last time?"
"Exactly. I went to purify the contamination recently, and a giant magical beast—an Ogre—cursed me before it died. That is why I had to seek out the Fairy Forest once more."
"An Ogre cast a curse? I've never heard of such a thing..." Winder stroked its chin, falling into deep thought.
I couldn't give it time to think. Seizing the moment, I whispered.
"Come forth, Hundred Ghosts."
The shadow beneath my feet writhed and churned. A single Kim Geundae began to drag himself out of the darkness, using only one arm and one leg. Even to my eyes, the sight was beyond bizarre—it was downright repulsive. Summoning him like this was all part of my plan, a visual aid to sell the lie about the "Ogre's curse."
"Clack, clack, clack..."
"Aaaah! What on earth is that?! I've never seen anything so hideous in my life! Get it away from me right now!"
Well, I already knew this, but people in this romance fantasy world really had zero tolerance for rugged, unattractive faces. When even the average villager looked like a top-tier model, a face like Kim Geundae's must have been an absolute psychological horror.
"...This is my curse," I said solemnly.
"That... that is a curse?"
"As you can see, these terrifying specters—so hideous that it is painful to even look at them—have attached themselves to me. I am a victim of terrible misfortune!"
Thud! I threw myself onto the ground, wailing in mock despair.
"I risked my life to purify the contamination and slay that troublesome beast, only to be afflicted with such a dreadful curse! Even the High Priests said they couldn't lift it. I came here clinging to the absolute last shred of hope. Please, would you kindly allow me to visit the Spring of Life?"
"Mmm..." Winder hesitated, clearly torn. But it didn't take long for it to speak.
"I guided you to the Spring of Life last time because I thought we shared a special connection. And your condition back then was truly dire. But this time..."
I immediately put on a tearful performance, my voice trembling. "So it is impossible after all... I suppose I am destined to live the rest of my days haunted by these hideous phantoms. I understand... I truly believed that the great Lord Winder would be able to help me, but my disappointment is immeasurable."
Hanging my head low, I turned around and began to trudge away with heavy, lifeless steps. Right on cue—
"Wait! Just wait a moment. Let me think about this."
Winder stroked its chin. It tapped its forehead. It scratched the back of its head vigorously. After staring at the ground for a brief moment, it finally looked up, having made its decision.
"Fine. This is the absolute last time. I mean it."
"Is that true? You truly are magnificent, Lord Winder!"
"Hmph! A minor matter like this is nothing to me!"
What a gullible fairy. It had no idea I was here to completely drain the Spring of Life, yet it still wore such a smug, self-important expression.
...Actually, I decided to stop thinking like that. It made me feel like a cartoon villain swindling an innocent child.
Without another word, Winder began leading the way to the Spring of Life. Honestly, with my Eye of Clairvoyance, I didn't need a guide at all... but pointing that out would only make me look more suspicious. So, I quietly followed behind.
As we walked, Winder muttered softly to itself.
"I was waiting because the Child of Destiny is supposed to arrive around this time, but instead, I get this guy dragging a grotesque curse along with him..."
It seemed this was around the time Seri Verdia was originally supposed to visit. Unfortunately for her, I had already twisted the Child of Destiny's future beyond recognition.
Lutera Edelian no longer spared her a second glance. Adan Elois wasn't obsessed with Seri Verdia like he was in the original novel. Winston Arcadia's feelings seemed to linger, but they were nowhere near the intensity of the original plot. Seri Verdia herself had changed drastically. It was all my fault. Sorry, little pest.
Following Winder, we soon arrived at the spring, which radiated an enchanting, brilliant light teeming with pure vitality.
"Alright, take a quick sip and get out!"
A single sip? Not a chance. I had come here with the sole intention of plundering this spring. The only problem was figuring out how to distract Winder...
Ah, yes. That would do perfectly.
"Come forth, Hundred Ghosts."
Once again, my shadow writhed. But this time was different. Kim Geundae 1, 2, 3... I summoned them with the intent of completely filling the Fairy Forest with Kim Geundaes. The sudden, massive drain on my mana made my chest tighten, but it was a small price to pay.
"Kyaaaah! What is this?! Get them away! I can't look! They're too hideous!" Winder shrieked at the top of its lungs.
Hey, is my original face really that offensive?
Fortunately, my heart didn't break. I was already well-accustomed to the emotional damage.
Taking advantage of Winder's sheer panic, I pulled a massive water barrel from my subspace pocket. *Glug, glug, glug.* I submerged the entire barrel, and the sacred spring water rushed inside, filling it to the brim.
Great, next!
Without a moment's pause, I plunged another barrel into the spring. Three more to go. This amount would be more than enough. I could even distribute some as gifts.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't need this much. The Spring Water of Life only retained its potency for about a year. Even so, the reason I was taking so much was to save as many people as possible—even if saving the entire knight order was out of the question, I could at least protect those closest to me.
Just then, Winder screamed at me.
"Wait! Just how much spring water are you—!"
"Oh no! The phantoms keep multiplying!" I yelled back.
"Aaaaargh!"
I gulped down some of the spring water to replenish my mana and summoned even more Kim Geundaes. By the time the sheer volume of shadow soldiers completely surrounded the poor fairy, Winder's screams abruptly cut off.
Did it faint?
I stowed the filled water barrels back into my subspace pocket and recalled the Hundred Ghosts. Sure enough, Winder was lying on the ground, foaming at the mouth.
"Uh, are you alright, Lord Winder?"
"..."
Winder didn't respond. Was being surrounded by Kim Geundaes really that traumatic? Honestly, I felt a little hurt.
Well, I had gotten everything I came for, so all that was left was to leave. With my Eye of Clairvoyance, navigating my way out without a guide wouldn't be an issue. Leaving the foaming, unconscious Winder behind, I made my exit from the Fairy Forest.
Upon returning to the Imperial Capital, I could immediately sense a heavy, tense atmosphere hanging over the city. The populace was clearly terrified that the Mad Dragon might march upon them. Looking at the map, Garhirst—the city completely consumed by contamination—connected directly to the Imperial Capital in a straight line. Perhaps because of this, the patrols of the knight order felt significantly tighter than before, and the number of guards stationed at every corner had multiplied.
I scanned my surroundings as I approached the Marquis's carriage, where Sojeon was waiting for me.
"Ah, you have returned, Master."
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's head back immediately."
"It did not take very long."
Sojeon scanned me from head to toe before asking, "Did something happen? Your trousers are in poor condition."
Ah, right. My pants had been shredded by the tangled vines and thorny branches.
"It's nothing major. I just had to trek through a dense forest."
"I see. I brought a spare pair of trousers for the journey. Would you like to change here?"
"Yes, that would be best."
Sojeon opened her bag and handed me the pants. But then...
"Sojeon? I need to change."
"I shall assist you in changing, Master."
Just like last time, I had absolutely no idea why she was acting like this. What kind of bizarre maid training did they put her through at the Marquis's estate?
"It's fine, so please step outside for a moment. I can change quickly inside the carriage."
"But..."
"Sojeon," I said in a firm, calm voice.
"...Understood."
She wore a slightly pouty, dissatisfied expression as she stepped out. After that brief, absurd comedy, we arrived back at the estate. The next morning...
I spoke to Micaris over breakfast.
"Mica. Will you give me your permission to join the expeditionary force?"
"...Must you really go?"
"Yes."
Her hair was disheveled, and her eyes were hollow. She looked as though she hadn't slept a wink all night, consumed by worry.
"As I told you before, nothing you need to worry about will happen. Principal Apel Cloud and Commander Jeral Schartz are going with us. There is even a Paladin joining the ranks."
"I know. But still..." Micaris bit her lip.
"It will be fine. You trust me, don't you? I'll slay the Mad Dragon, secure my achievements, and return with a title even higher than a Viscount."
"You certainly have a way with words."
Micaris fell silent. Before she knew it, she was lost in deep thought. She rested her chin on her hand, looking down. It seemed she needed to organize the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind.
After a long silence, she spoke.
"Very well. I won't stop you anymore. Since it is what you truly desire."
Micaris's final approval had been granted.
"Thank you, Mica."
"..."
With that, our quiet, heavy breakfast came to an end. Having secured her permission, my preparations to join the expeditionary force were complete. All that remained was to return to Estrada Academy—not as a mere student, but as a Sword Saint.