Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Spring, Come Forth (7)
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The sky was clear. A chill in the air, unbefitting the season, hung over the docks. Ronan took a deep drag from his pipe and surveyed his surroundings.
'What a rare sight.'
The frozen sea was thawing. Chunks of ice like breadcrumbs floated on the water. Ku-gu-guung... Massive ice spikes that had torn through the sea surface were crumbling down.
Unlike the cold air, the sunlight was warm. A little more time, and the air itself would warm enough to bloom flowers. Ronan chuckled softly, exhaling smoke as he muttered.
"It's spring."
It had been about an hour since the unprecedented prison break had been resolved. The witch's ice began melting the moment Asel's consciousness faded.
Ronan knocked the ash from his pipe and turned. The Rodolan Fortress came into view, its upper levels utterly demolished, reduced to a crater-like ruin. It was the combined handiwork of Asel and Itargand.
Fixing that would probably require dozens of skilled earth mages. Stonecutters and carpenters too. Countless people bustled about the docks, carved from the reefs.
"Hey, move this over here!"
"Yes. Report: All prisoners on the third floor have been subdued. No escapees so far."
"Heh, looks like I won't have to wear that stupid fur outfit anymore."
Even after all that chaos, the people's demeanor was lively overall. It really drove home just how horrific the year-long winter the witch had summoned had been.
But if asked whether everything had gone perfectly, the answer was no. The biggest problem remained unsolved. Ronan was stroking his chin, lost in thought, when Erzsebet approached, wrapped in a blanket.
"Ronan."
"There you are."
Her complexion had improved noticeably; she'd clearly taken time to recover. Her hair, once soaked and limp like seaweed, was now fully dry. She held out another blanket like the one she wore.
"Thanks to you, I survived. I keep owing you."
"No big deal."
"It is. What the hell have you been through these past two years...?"
Erzsebet's voice trembled. She still couldn't believe she'd escaped that hell. The deepest part of Rodolan. Beneath the witch's ice.
The barrier had kept them from drowning, but that was just the start of the problems. When the witch froze the seawater, they were trapped in ice without light or air.
The cold she'd felt then was indescribable. Without the eternal snowflake pearl, they surely wouldn't have lasted even a few minutes before freezing to death.
Escaping that hell was entirely thanks to Ronan. Recalling the moment of escape, Erzsebet shuddered.
- Get out of the way.
Ronan had said only that before swinging his sword. The image of his blade aura shattering the ice like a splash of seawater was one she'd never forget, even on her deathbed.
After that, they'd ridden the recovered Itargand to safety. She'd thought herself stronger after two years, but it was on another level entirely.
What happened, anyway? Recalling his time in the mental world, Ronan spoke up.
"Just wandered around here and there."
"Gonna brush it off like that again?"
"Too long a story for here. We're alive, that's what matters."
"...Fair enough. What about Asel?"
Ronan's brow furrowed briefly. He turned wordlessly and nodded toward his feet.
"Same as ever."
Asel lay there unconscious. Ronan had sneaked him away before anyone noticed he'd been possessed by the witch. Seeing his still-snow-white hair, Erzsebet grimaced.
"Hair color... hasn't returned."
"Nope. How the hell do we pry that old hag out...?"
Ronan swept back his bangs and sighed. Knocking him out had worked fine, but the real issue was next.
He had no clue how to separate the witch's soul. Even consulting Erzsebet, Itargand, and any skilled-looking mages yielded no solid answers.
'Ideally, solve it before things blow up.'
Of course, once word of Rodolan spread, people who knew might come forward. But Asel's life would be tossed into turmoil for years.
Better to wrap it up quickly, all things considered. Just then, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Ah, there you are."
"Karaka?"
Ronan turned. Karaka approached with hands behind his back, a guard in a beak mask walking beside him.
They stopped before Ronan. He'd gone to assess the damage and seemed to have a tally. Speak of the devil. Ronan took a deep breath and asked.
"How many dead?"
"Seven. All tried to escape and got beaten to death by the interrogators. Sorry to the dead, but pathetic ways to go."
"...Huh? That's it?"
"Yes. Surprised me too."
Karaka nodded. Ronan let out a relieved sigh. No fatalities from Asel's telekinetic punch ripping through Rodolan top to bottom was a miracle.
"Your warning helped a lot, but so few deaths? Heaven's grace. We got lucky."
"Damn, that's a relief."
"In exchange, nearly a thousand injured, and material damage beyond counting. Worst day in the fortress's history, no doubt. Heh heh heh."
"Shit."
Kataka stroked his beard and chuckled. He added that most of the underground levels were flooded with seawater. Gazing at Asel with mixed eyes, Ronan spoke.
"Hold this guy accountable too?"
"Probably. If we can't separate the witch."
"Damn it..."
Ronan grimaced. That was the biggest reason to extract the Winter Witch from Asel somehow. Controlled against his will, yet facing full punishment? Unfair.
Body stolen, then back to Rodolan as a criminal? Too tragic. As Ronan stroked his chin and groaned, Karaka said.
"Still, not entirely hopeless."
"What do you mean?"
Instead of answering, Karaka nodded to the guard. The guard removed his mask, revealing a girl's face.
"I... know how."
"Hm?"
She looked familiar. Gentle features reminiscent of a doe, healthy brown hair. Erzsebet's eyes widened.
"...Evelin?"
"Hello, Senior Erzsebet. I've caused you so much trouble."
The girl bowed awkwardly. Ronan's eyes widened too. It was Evelin Droza, the witch's former vessel. Her improved complexion from when she'd been pulled from the ice had thrown him off momentarily.
"She woke up a bit ago. Had her disguise to avoid a fuss. Says she knows how to extract the Winter Witch from your friend."
Karaka explained. Ronan drew a sharp breath. He grabbed Evelin's shoulders.
"For real? You can do it?"
"Yes. It'll take time, but I can. ...Your shoulders."
Evelin winced in pain. Only then did Ronan realize his grip was too tight and released her.
"Sorry."
"It's fine. You're the one who pulled me from the ice."
"Yeah, pretty much."
"I'll never forget the favor. Thank you."
Evelin bowed deeply. Ronan waved it off. Her proper manners made her seem like a good kid.
Her vibe was inherently pure. Hard to believe such a girl had become that criminal via possession.
'No wonder the witch chose her as a vessel. Strong.'
Her skill as a mage seemed impressive too. Sorry to Erzsebet, but maybe she hadn't lost the entrance duel just because of the witch.
Questions bubbled up—when she'd been possessed, who sealed her—but now wasn't the time. Ronan asked.
"So, what's the method?"
"Simple. I become the vessel again and take her in. I've done it once, so it'll be easier."
Evelin claimed proficiency in soul-manipulating magic, thanks to her once-black mage father. Shady, but it opened possibilities—a boon for now. A sudden doubt struck Ronan.
"Wait. Won't that hag rampage again? What if she takes over you?"
"Yes. So seal me immediately after. With a seal strong enough to hold forever. Problem solved."
Evelin smiled. Both their faces hardened. Stunned, Ronan shook his head firmly.
"No."
"Huh? Why not?"
"Damn it, no means no. What the hell is this nonsense?"
Her expression and tone sounded like she was suggesting a recipe. She was basically volunteering to take Asel's crimes—couldn't let that slide.
"No other way?"
"Hm... probably not. Finding a vessel to handle the witch isn't easy..."
"Not a person—an object?"
"Theoretically yes. But an artifact strong enough to seal her? Doubtful."
Evelin hummed thoughtfully. She explained the method was similar, but the witch's power was the issue.
A weak vessel might shatter or let her escape immediately. Just more victims. Vessel, vessel. A flash of inspiration hit Ronan.
"Got one."
"Pardon?"
Evelin tilted her head. Ronan crouched before Asel and rummaged through his robe pockets. Erzsebet asked, flustered.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
"Hold on. He carried it even to the bathroom..."
He'd seen Asel with it after returning from Haeyu. Soon, Ronan's face lit up. He pulled his hand from deep in the robe.
"Found it."
In Ronan's hand was a pitch-black book. The two women's eyes widened. The forbidden tome, Vajra of Destruction. Ronan handed it to Evelin.
"This enough?"
A book once housing the evil soul that toppled countless nations. Rumored to seal mages' souls in every page—to not serve as a vessel would be weirder. Evelin examined it and gasped in admiration.
"This... could work...!"