The Master of the Lake
Anger has a nature similar to fire. Just as half-hearted fanning doesn't extinguish the flames but makes them burn even hotter, telling someone who's raging and rampaging to calm down only provokes greater fury and breeds resentment.
They say that among all methods of firefighting, the truly dangerous blazes are put out with dynamite. In that case, wouldn't the solution to stopping an enraged person be to go even crazier right beside them?
It was the same principle as when someone gets into a fight with the table next to them at a bar. If the people around try to hold them back and tell them to endure it, the person will scream and thrash about. But if their friend actually pulls out a knife and starts yelling about killing those bastards, the same person will suddenly switch sides and beg them to calm down.
The imperial princess, who had been radiating a terrifying killing intent just moments ago, now wore a much softer expression. More precisely, it was one of utter dismay as she asked the strange intruder who had suddenly barged in.
The intruder—Chrome Midas—answered casually.
Lyla almost shot back with, How is that even possible in this situation? But she closed her mouth. For some reason, she had the distinct feeling that the boy in front of her really would just mind his own business and focus on whatever he was doing.
She turned her gaze back to the fog spirit. The fairies, who had taken damage from their earlier battle with Lyla and then suffered additional blows from Chrome, looked critically injured at first glance. Their house-sized bodies had shrunk to the size of large dogs, and they no longer seemed capable of competing with Lyla for control over the surrounding space. They couldn't even change form or launch counterattacks. All they could do was lie there, breathing weakly.
Lyla created a massive sphere of flame above her palm and aimed it at her targets. If she fired it now, that would be the end.
But before she could, her eyes drifted to the side. The boy, who had been quietly restraining the struggling fairies by slamming them against the ground, had apparently grown tired of that approach. Now he was spinning the leather pouch around in the air by the string tied around its opening. Lyla let out a quiet sigh. Feeling like the whole situation had become utterly ridiculous, she dispelled the sphere of flame she had created.
When Chrome asked so nonchalantly, Lyla replied.
Chrome stared at the leather pouch with an expression that suggested he was calculating exactly where it would be most profitable to use it, while Lyla gazed at him as if looking at something utterly bizarre.
That was when it happened.
[What utter nonsense. There is no way I would permit you to take it.]
A massive goldfish had approached without any presence or warning. Lyla immediately tensed into a combat stance, but Chrome answered without the slightest concern.
[That and this are completely different matters! Goodness, is this all modern humans are capable of these days?]
Chrome spoke as if organizing the situation.
The place where Chrome and Lyla had been invited was a pure white castle located at the center of the lake. In the grand hall inside the castle, Valkius—who appeared to have been invited first—was waiting. When he saw the two of them, or more precisely when he saw Lyla, he made no effort to hide his obvious relief.
It might seem strange for the person being guarded to worry about the guard's safety, but given that he had been unable to confirm the survival of the imperial family member traveling with him, his anxiety was perfectly understandable.
He had waited to see what would happen next, but nothing changed. He couldn't leave the castle either, so he had been feeling quite troubled when the two of them arrived.
[I apologize for that. I was so preoccupied dealing with the aftermath of those rascals' bizarre antics that I ended up neglecting the proper treatment for those who passed the trial legitimately.]
A dignified voice echoed throughout the high hall. However, the expressions of the three listeners were rather subtle. That was only natural, since the one speaking was still a goldfish.
As they watched a single red goldfish arrogantly plop itself down on the throne, Chrome muttered.
[I can hear you, you damn brat. Do you think I want to maintain this appearance? This is all because you lot smashed the fog spirits to pieces. Without their mist to conceal my true form, this is what happens.]
[I am the 'Master of the Lake.' And it's not staging—it's necessary, you fool.]
The self-proclaimed Master of the Lake grumbled and continued.
[My true appearance, especially my voice, possesses the power to bewitch those who hear it. Normally I use the fog spirits to weaken its effect, so it's not a big issue. But if I did the same thing now, when the fog spirits that act as a filter have been weakened, all of you would lose your minds and become incapable of conversation. That is why I speak through a familiar instead.]
It was quite ironic that a being who claimed to be the master of a land deeply connected to the Star of Clear Mirror would possess the power of bewitchment.
Whether every word was true or not, Valkius judged from the abilities shown so far that this was no ordinary opponent. He asked,
[I do not reveal myself in the depths of this otherworld under normal circumstances. Furthermore, visitors cannot reach my location unless I guide them. It is only natural that I am not well known.]
[It is both true and untrue. The hallucinations and auditory illusions shown by the fog spirits originate from the visitors' own memories. Overcoming them would allow one to gain new enlightenment or materialize their subconscious—this is the first reason. Second, there were cases where people obtained the legacy of those who wandered here and died. Third, to those who fulfilled certain conditions, I personally intervened and bestowed gifts. There is one final reason besides these, but even I find its structure difficult to understand, and it has no relevance to any of you now, so there is no need to speak of it.]
At those words, the 'Master of the Lake' turned its gaze toward Lyla.
[It refers to the occasion when a descendant of my dear friend Morian visits. For the past several hundred years I sensed no presence at all and thought the bloodline had grown too thin or had been severed entirely. I am relieved to see that is not the case.]
Whether his scholarly curiosity had been stimulated or not, Valkius looked ready to bombard the being with dozens of questions at once. But the Master of the Lake cut him off.
[Enough. Up until now I have spoken rather freely as an apology, but originally, the answers I give in exchange for passing the trial are limited to one per person. If you desire more questions, exercise that right. Naturally, those who were eliminated midway have no such opportunity.]
Valkius looked extremely disappointed, but he had not forgotten the purpose of his visit. He took out a monster's heart wrapped in bandages from his bosom and presented it.
The Master of the Lake stared intently at the object Valkius offered—though the sight of a goldfish doing so was rather comical—before answering in a serious tone.
[This is an object crafted from a special Star Fragment that fell from the heavens. Its structure is still immature, so with further refinement it could contain even greater power.]
[I said only one question is permitted… but very well. I do not know who created it, but the technology used to process it is relatively recent. As long as the original Star Fragment remains, it appears entirely possible to create more.]
Just as Valkius was about to continue speaking—
The Master of the Lake turned to the two who remained.
[Now then, what is your next question? I advise you to act wisely so that you do not end up like him.]