Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Spring, Come Forth (4)
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Ice shards scattered in all directions. The witch's body, trapped within, tilted forward. Ronan gritted his teeth as he caught her in his arms.
"Tch, fucking cold."
It felt like hugging a block of ice naked. Even his thick coat couldn't block the chill seeping from her body. Ronan raised an eyebrow as he looked at the witch's face.
'She looks pretty ordinary.'
Evelin wore a pitch-black robe just like Asel's. A yellow badge on the sleeve symbolized her status as a freshman in Phileon's Magic Department.
Whether it was because she hadn't fully grown yet or not, she felt completely different from the witch he'd seen in his previous life. She was just a cute girl. If not for the damn cold and her bleached-white hair, she would've turned plenty of boys' heads at Phileon.
"Hey, snap out of it."
Ronan shook the witch's shoulders. No response came. Her small head lolled limply, like an accessory attached to her body. A sudden ominous premonition flashed through his mind.
'...She's not dead, is she?'
Ronan hurriedly pressed his index finger under her nose. Fortunately, he felt faint breaths. Her body was pale without a drop of color, but there were no visible wounds.
"Damn it, I have so many questions."
But with her still unconscious, her condition couldn't be good. Ronan muttered a curse and draped his coat over her.
"Ugh... fuck."
Thank goodness Itargand had warmed things up. Otherwise, his ribs would've frozen solid. As he buttoned up one by one, Erzsebet's voice came from behind.
"Lord Ronan...?"
Come to think of it, things were awfully quiet. Ronan turned his head. She and the others were all frozen in place, rooted to the spot.
Itargand was staring blankly at the scattered ice shards on the floor. The silence lasted about thirty seconds more. The interrogator who'd guided him jumped up and shouted.
"Th-the ice broke!"
His frantic voice echoed through the empty space. Only then did people find their voices. The growing murmurs erupted into exclamations of awe.
"The witch's shell broke!"
"No way, did he cut it with that sword?!"
"I-I didn't see it either...!"
They made a huge fuss, debating the miracle they'd witnessed. Perhaps still scared of the witch, no one approached right away. Erzsebet slowly stepped forward and stopped in front of her.
"...Evelin."
Erzsebet touched the scar on her neck. She kept biting her lips, her emotions clearly complicated. After several deep breaths, she spoke.
"I didn't see a thing. How did you do it?"
"Just sliced it with my sword."
"That's it?"
"Yeah."
"...You're still the same even after two years."
Erzsebet shook her head as if exasperated. It had been the same back at the Dawn Mage Tower. Suddenly, noisy footsteps echoed from down the hall.
He turned to see five or six people rushing over, wearing bird masks flipped up. From their attire, they looked like interrogators like Karaka.
"...My god. The report was true."
The interrogators scattered, each starting their tasks. Some picked up ice shards and put them in boxes, others scribbled furiously in notebooks.
The man who surveyed the scene longest approached Ronan. His owl-shaped mask was striking. He alternated glances between Ronan and the witch before speaking.
"Special Interrogator Ahza. Are you the one who broke the shell?"
"Yes."
Ronan nodded nonchalantly. The man showed brief surprise before asking again.
"May I have your name and affiliation?"
"Ronan from Phileon Academy."
"I see. Lord Ronan, you've done a great deed. We just got word from the capital."
"What's up?"
"The snow has stopped."
Ronan's eyes widened. He relayed the message that the year-long blizzard had ended, revealing a blue sky. He hadn't expected it to resolve so quickly.
Interrogator Ahza briefly explained the next procedures and rewards. As he spoke, Ronan's hollow laughs increased. The incident was massive, and the rewards were beyond imagination. Ahza thanked him again and continued.
"You'll probably hear from the palace soon. Just wait comfortably."
"No shit, I'm meeting the emperor?"
"You're the hero who brought spring back to the capital. It's only natural. At the very least, you'll share a banquet."
Ronan chuckled in disbelief. He'd never met the emperor in either of his lives. After conveying everything, Ahza drew a black rope from his belt.
"Then, please step back for a moment. We need to restrain the Winter Witch."
"Ah, hold on."
"Yes?"
"I have some personal questions for her. I need to wake her up first. Can you wait a bit?"
Ahza's face hardened. After stiffening for about five seconds, he spoke.
"...That's not possible. Evelin Droza is a proper prisoner. We can't leave a dangerous criminal who might do anything free."
"No way around it?"
"I'm sorry."
Ahza shook his head. His stern tone conveyed absolute refusal. It wasn't wrong, so Ronan hesitated to push. As he racked his brain for persuasion, Karaka approached with hands behind his back and intervened.
"Haha, don't be so rigid. Let her get some air."
"Interrogator Karaka."
"He's the hero who saved the capital. What could go wrong?"
"Umm... still..."
"I'll take responsibility if anything happens. As a fellow interrogator, I ask you."
Ahza let out a groan. The interrogators, busy collecting data, turned their attention. Karaka seemed fairly high-ranking among them. After much deliberation, Ahza nodded.
"...Very well. I trust you, Interrogator."
"Haha, no worries."
"Please don't take too long. I'll wait ahead."
Ahza nodded and turned away. The interrogators finished and removed their hoods. Watching their backs, Karaka winked at Ronan.
'Old man.'
Ronan chuckled involuntarily. It was probably the best Karaka could do. Ronan winked back and picked up the witch.
"Better lay her down first, right?"
"Sounds good. There's an office just up ahead. Head there."
"Got it. Let's go."
With her unconscious, he had no choice but to carry her. She felt much warmer now with the coat on. Suddenly sensing a change, Ronan raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm?"
Swoosh... The witch's hair color was changing. Her pure white locks were turning a healthy brown from the roots. Ronan's brow furrowed slightly.
"What the hell? What's this now?"
It was like snow melting to reveal buried earth. Had some curse lifted? Then Erzsebet's voice came from nearby.
"Lord Asel, what's wrong?"
"Hmm?"
Ronan turned. He saw Asel standing motionless and Erzsebet clapping in front of him. Come to think of it, Asel hadn't been visible amid the earlier chaos.
"Are you okay? Lord Asel!"
No matter what Erzsebet did, Asel didn't react. His vacant eyes stared unfocused into space. Ronan frowned.
"Asel?"
****
"...Ha!"
Asel opened his eyes. It was an inexplicable sensation. It felt like he'd had them open already. His blurry vision cleared, revealing Erzsebet's face right up close.
"Gyaah?!"
Asel recoiled in shock. Erzsebet didn't move. Despite her precarious stance, her balance held steady.
"Wh-where are we?"
Sensing something wrong, Asel hurriedly looked around. She wasn't the only one frozen.
Ronan approaching while holding the witch, people conversing with wide eyes, even Itargand still standing dumbfounded. Everyone was paused.
"Wh-what the hell...?"
Time had stopped. He couldn't recall how this happened. He'd clearly seen Ronan shatter the ice, but everything after was blank.
Then a voice came from behind.
"Hic...!"
It was a woman's voice. Asel gasped. It was true what they said—no scream comes when you're too shocked.
His heart felt like it had dropped to his navel. After dozens of deep breaths, Asel slowly turned. A woman in a white dress stood right behind him. She raised her hand and smiled sweetly.
"Gaaaaah!!"
Asel unleashed his pent-up scream. Crash! He tumbled backward, landing hard on his butt.
The woman giggled as if amused. Asel barely held back tears and opened his mouth.
"Wh-who are you...?!"
The woman smiled with her eyes. She was stunningly beautiful. Her waist-length white hair gleamed like silk spun from snow. Everything but her dull blue eyes and crimson lips was white.
She looked about Naviroje's age superficially, but her eerie aura made it hard to tell. After a moment's thought, she spoke.
"I have many names. Call me whichever you like. The cruelest season, White Land, or..."
⟨ Winter Witch ⟩
"W-Winter Witch...?"
Asel's face drained of color. He knew the Winter Witch's face, so what was this? He pointed at Evelin in Ronan's arms.
"I-isn't that girl the Winter Witch?"
The woman gazed pityingly at the unconscious Evelin. She gently stroked Evelin's hair, now turning brown, and continued.
"Sh-shining star...? M-more importantly, what do you want with me...?"
She stopped stroking and approached Asel. Squatting down, she gently cupped his cheeks.
It was cold enough to scream, but he couldn't move. Her breasts were fully exposed through the hanging dress. Pressing her face close as if to kiss, she whispered softly.
"Huh?"
Asel's eyes widened. Only then did he notice her growing hair wrapping around his limbs. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't budge. He tried to chant a spell in panic, but hair instantly sealed his mouth.
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
She whispered sweetly and pulled him into a gentle embrace. His consciousness began to fade. Desperately biting the hair, he shouted with all his might.
"Ro-Ronan!!"
****
"...Ah."
Focus returned to Asel's eyes. Regaining his senses, he looked around. Erzsebet's face, who had been clapping, brightened.
"What, you're back?"
Asel didn't answer. He wiggled his hands and feet, then muttered in admiration.
"Incredible... Even old Rorhon couldn't do this..."
"Huh? Lord Asel, are you okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"...You sure you're fine?"
Asel nodded belatedly. His changed demeanor made Erzsebet tilt her head. His speech and gaze felt subtly different.
"Hey, you okay?"
Ronan strode over. He'd handed Evelin to Karaka. He pinched Asel's cheek and said.
"Why so quiet earlier? Something happen?"
"You..."
Asel looked up. Staring at Ronan, he grinned broadly. Suddenly hugging Ronan, he murmured softly.
"My prince..."
"Wh-what the fuck, man?"
Ronan's face twisted like stone. Erzsebet covered her mouth with both hands. He shoved Asel's shoulders away in disgust.
"You lost it? Huh?"
"Harsh. Can't I do this much?"
Asel puffed his cheek like a girl. Brushing his hair behind his ear, he muttered.
"I think this face is pretty enough. Your standards are still so high."
"...You're definitely crazy."
Chills ran up Ronan's neck. Erzsebet glared at them alternately with contempt.
"Y-you beast... How could you do this to Lady Adeshan... And Lord Asel too...!"
"Erzsebet. Shut it."
Ronan shook his head. Asel maintained his feminine demeanor.
He must have frozen part of his brain from the cold. He needed physical treatment urgently. As Ronan rolled up his sleeves, a voice came from behind.
"You there. Stop."
"Huh?"
Ronan turned. Red hatchling Itargand glared at him, wings still out.
"How did you do it?"
"Do what?"
"You broke ice even I couldn't melt. What trick did you use?"
"Trick my ass. If you failed, go home, wash your feet, and sleep."
Ronan waved dismissively. Itargand clenched his fists.
"...No. I can't accept it."
"So what?"
"I challenge you to a duel. Right here, now."
Itargand's voice lowered menacingly. Before Ronan could respond, his body began to swell.
A tail like a great tree trunk sprouted. Rumble! His mouth elongated into a crocodile-like snout. Seeing his wings redden further, Ronan cursed.
"This crazy bastard!"
"Prove you're stronger than me."
Even for a reckless red dragon, this was too much. The chamber shook. People screamed and fled. Interrogators rushed over, desperately trying to stop him.
"L-Lord Itargand! No!!"
"Shut up!"
Itargand roared. Some interrogators collapsed under the pressure. He was already half-dragon.
'This is insane.'
They were deep underwater. If this immature dragon fully transformed, the walls could collapse, flooding everything.
No avoiding blood now. He'd have to half-kill Itargand to stop him. Ronan sighed and reached for his hilt.
Thud! Something shot over Ronan's head and pierced Itargand's chest.
"...Huh?"
Too fast to see properly. Everyone's faces stiffened. Itargand looked down at his chest and coughed blood.
"Cough...!"
A tree-trunk-thick ice spear had buried deep in his chest. Chilling aura spread through his body, rippling outward.
Familiar ice. Ronan slowly turned. Asel stood with hand extended, aiming.
"Asel...?"
Asel murmured in admiration. A cracked smile formed on his lips. His red hair began turning white from the roots.