Chapter 48
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 48. Beyond the Ice Wall
It has been a week since I started monitoring Eris.
To state the conclusion first.
Nothing happened.
Eris processed administrative documents as usual, wasted snacks as usual, played queen to squirrels and cried counterattacked as usual, and snored covered in blanket at night as usual.
Eris who recovered memory, and Eri who lost memory.
If asking difference between these two, just one.
Became more cheeky.
Cheeky is somewhat insufficient. Nuance is weak.
To speak precisely, became 'Chihuahua running wild without knowing its place' state.
"Black Knight! Where did my pudding go! My custard pudding I put in refrigerator! Even wrote name on it!"
Noisy from morning.
Empty pudding container was placed on table.
Of course not me who ate. Culprit is someone else.
Squeak!
Snow Squirrel was holding front paw mocking Eris. Without even wiping yellow cream on mouth.
That squirrel has very nasty personality perhaps resembling owner.
"Was it you! You rat bastard!"
Eris swung finger. Pink magic power sparked pababat.
Squirrel leaped lightly and took refuge on chandelier. And wagged tail. Teasing Eris.
"Grrrr! Rodents thinking it’s right if this favor continues……! Just wait! Someday will show Eris-nim's scariness!"
Eris huffed and looked back at me.
"Hey, Black Knight! You too! Don't just watch help a bit! Does it make sense that I, nominal Thorn Witch, am ignored by squirrel? This is organization face problem! You are ignored together too!"
Well, understand Eris's excited mood.
Anyone gets angry if lose pudding from morning.
Should calm down with soft word.
'Don't make noise from morning. Head rings.'
"Be quiet. Before I pull out your tongue."
"Hiiiiek!"
Eris shrank. Neck goes in pop like turtle.
But if there is difference from before.
"H, Hmph! Think I get scared? I, I am Eris-nim! Even if not… equal to you, at least not level to be treated as subordinate!"
Eris put hands on waist and stuck out chest. Of course cliff so doesn't show even if stick out though.
"We are business partners! Equal relationship! Got it? So from now on speak politely to me…"
Then, office door opened.
"Eri?"
It was Lucia.
Against background of hallway where morning sunlight enters obliquely, golden hair is shining like halo.
Beautiful. Indeed existence called heroine changes air quality just by appearance.
"Were here. Searched for a long time."
"Uh? Ah, yes. Sister Lucia? What matter? Eris-nim is busy organizing hierarchy with Black Knight guy right now……"
"Eri."
Lucia put hand on Eris's head.
Strokes. Softly. Very softly.
Like soothing disobedient Chihuahua.
"Good girl?"
"Uh? Uh…?"
Eris's twintails swayed.
Seems trying to attempt resistance, but touch is too soft so brain's rebellion circuit seems not working.
Eris is weak to praise.
Rather than praise, weak to affection itself.
Don't know how life in Thorn Society was, but probably no one stroked head.
No one giving warm word either.
No comrade condemning snack thief squirrel's crime together either.
So collapses easily like this.
"S, Stop it! Don't treat like kid! Eris-nim is terrifying witch so better fix attitude from now on!"
"Yeah, got it Eri."
"Listening?! Don't just answer!"
Eris shouted, but Lucia's touch didn't stop.
"Uwu…"
Eventually Eris made cute sound and became quiet.
Easy. So easy worrying level.
"Now, then Eri. Hierarchy organization later, have place to go with me."
"Where? Restaurant? Dessert cafe?"
"Similar."
Lucia held Eris's hand and dragged to office.
I followed behind.
Documents were piled up on office desk.
Damage recovery report after Monster Wave. Supply reorganization document. Population resurvey form of each village. Merchant Guild contract renewal etc.
Amount making head ache just by smelling paper.
"Here, here."
Lucia sat Eris on chair.
"What is all this?"
"Document list for Eri to process."
"What?!"
Eris bolted up.
"Hate it! Won't do! Why me! Eris is witch not administrator! Do things like this among yourselves! Eris-nim is existence born to execute evil!"
"Eri."
Lucia smiled again.
Didn't stroke this time.
Instead, opened ink bottle lid on desk.
Pop.
Sound of lid opening heard exceptionally loud.
"Will do right?"
"……."
Eris swallowed dry saliva. Detected North's chill hidden behind Lucia's smile.
Silent pressure 'If not do no dinner today'.
"B, Black Knight! Help! Sister bullying me!"
Eris requested salvation towards me.
I turned head. Snowscape outside window is very beautiful.
"Kyaaaaaaack!"
Eris's scream echoed beyond wall to snowfield.
Afternoon.
Lucia summoned major warriors.
Me, Leona, Freya, Brynjolf.
Frostgard's core power gathered in one place.
"Reviewed monster distribution map of Monster Wave again."
Map of entire North was spread on office central table.
Military map drawing mountain ranges and glaciers, villages and fortresses in detail.
Lucia's notes dense here and there.
"Monsters' movement route is strange. Usually if invasion standard is detouring aiming for weak point, or besieging from multiple directions. But this wave was different."
She drew red line on map.
Straight line leading from beyond Ice Wall to Frostgard.
"Was escape. Chased by something, ran away without looking back."
Not invasion but escape.
Then means there is cause driving them out beyond Ice Wall.
Something making even Frost Bear or Saber Tiger run away in fear.
"And past records overlap. Time maternal uncle… Grand Duke Valter went missing and time monsters started showing abnormal behavior."
Lucia clenched fist tight.
"Must organize expedition beyond Ice Wall."
Beyond Ice Wall. Realm of Abyss.
To Northerners that place is forbidden land.
Land of death no one returns.
Brynjolf stroked beard and opened mouth.
"Guarded this wall for 40 years, but counted on hand times crossed beyond. Grand Duke-nim's search party annihilated too. Dangerous gamble."
"But…… must check. What is happening beyond Ice Wall. Whether maternal uncle is alive. And whether that 'Something' has possibility of driving monsters again."
Lucia's gaze scanned red line on map.
"If next wave comes, cannot guarantee can block like this time."
Right judgment.
Defending only without knowing enemy identity is low strategy. Must know what comes to prepare.
Lucia already understands that.
Indeed smart person. Pretends to be coward but head rotation is fast.
"Since I cannot go directly, ask trustworthy people."
Expedition list announced.
Main force Black Knight. Guerilla and Divine Power detection Leona. Reconnaissance and terrain expert Freya. And few elite warriors.
Then, door opened abruptly.
Pink intruded.
"Eris go too! Eris-nim is witch liking outdoor activity! Wither if locked up! Need sunlight and wind! Definitely Eris-nim's magic will be needed! Huh? Huh?"
Of course true feeling must be 'Want to escape document hell'.
I looked at her.
Eris. Your type cannot lie. That is similar to Lucia.
'Don't worry, wait here quietly. Because dangerous place.'
Softly, but firmly.
Point is speaking like reassuring a child.
"Keep house quietly. Useless luggage not needed."
"Wh, What?! Luggage?! Luggage to this Eris-nim! Eris can fight too!"
Moment Eris about to go crazy.
Slide.
Lucia grabs Eris's shoulders with both hands.
"Eri."
"H, Hate! Won't do! I go too! Take me! Please! Black Knight! Knight-nim! Master-nim!"
Title upgrading in real time.
But Lucia was firm.
"No. Without Eri's genius brain administration paralyzed."
"That isn't compliment right?! Shackle pretending to be compliment! Forced labor packaged with sweet words!"
Drag drag.
Eris was dragged back to desk led by Lucia's hand.
"Noooooooo!"
Her scream is familiar like background sound now.
Next day dawn. In front of castle gate.
Sky was still dark. Cold scattering breath white.
"Hurry hurry! Must reach Ice Wall before sunrise!"
Freya got on dog sled and waved whip. Impatient personality still same.
Leona approached Lucia and spoke quietly.
"Don't worry. Will return with clue definitely."
"Yeah. Believe, Leon."
Two people held hands. Beautiful scene like lily scent rising.
But not jealous. Because I am generous Black Knight.
Good thing heroines trust each other and build bond.
…Although envious.
Next Lucia came in front of me.
She lowered gaze as if hesitating for a moment, looked up at me again.
Emerald eyes shake minutely.
"Please safely… return."
Voice is small.
Small enough to fly away if wind blows.
But heard clearly. Without missing a single letter.
Ah.
This is it.
This is exactly essence of RoFan.
Female lead seeing off knight leaving for battlefield.
'Must return alive. Will wait for you forever.'
Line numerous heroines say to numerous knights in numerous novels.
But didn't know heart would pound like this when experiencing directly.
Armor is ringing. Thumping seems to burst out of armor.
This isn't heard outside perhaps.
I must repay with cool line too.
One word like crystal of chivalry befitting this moment.
'Do not worry. If for you will return even from hell.'
Perfect.
"Don't think useless thoughts. Wait quietly."
Lucia nodded.
"…Yes. Knight-nim."
I turned back satisfied.
Cloak flutters in dawn wind. Black cloak fluttering like wing flap in darkness must be cool.
Got on dog sled. Huskies wag tails.
Man with few words, but showing sincerity with action.
Good. Perfect. Was like cold Northern man.
Ice Wall of Lamentation.
Height 30 meters. Width immeasurable. Wall of ice continuing like horizon.
North's forefront.
Saw during reconnaissance before too, but much more overwhelming seeing close.
Wall nature created. Crystal of time frozen for thousands of years.
Atmosphere would have been good if walked with Lucia in place like this.
If Lucia says 'Beautiful' under Ice Wall's blue light, I answer 'You are more beautiful than that' and that moment Lucia's bright smile──
No. Wait.
Came to work now.
Appreciation later. Can come date as much as want after reaching happy ending.
Bark bark-!
Huskies sniffed sniff sniff as if regrettable.
Regrettable but huskies up to here.
Stroked husky's head once, entrusted sled to two warriors.
From now on move on foot through passage Brynjolf drilled in Ice Wall.
Ice Wall thickness alone dozens of meters. Inside passage blue light hovered softly.
Feeling walking inside giant jewel.
Footstep sound caused echo in ice blowing up twice, three times.
And.
Moment coming out beyond Ice Wall.
"……."
No sound.
Not absence of sound, but suffocation of sound.
Air is heavy. Not cold but heavy.
Above all snowfield color was different.
Snow outside Ice Wall is white.
Natural. Since snow is white.
But snow here was not white.
Ash gray.
Black particles mixed between snow crystals, taking on unpleasant color like moldy bread.
"…Bleh. Disgusting."
Freya retched.
Magic power of Abyss is dissolved in atmosphere here.
Concentration is different dimension from Frostgard side.
Of course familiar energy to me. Since Black Knight's body consists of Aura of Abyss.
But probably not for others.
Wooooong-
Leona's Holy Sword pushed away evil magic power.
Only then Freya breathed comfortably.
"Look at footprints. Frost Bear seems like… has one more toe."
Footprint stamped on ground.
Clearly similar to bear's, but form twisted bizarrely.
Six toes. And claw marks too deep.
Zing-
Holy Sword cried on Leona's waist.
"Abyss energy thick in entire surrounding."
Agree.
Abyss concentration beyond Ice Wall is incomparable to Frostgard side.
Here is already Demon Realm.
It was then.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
"Coming."
In fog ahead, giant shadow shimmered.
Thump. Thump.
Sound not heard, but ground tremor transmitted.
Appeared was our friendly neighbor, Frost Bear.
But to call Frost Bear, that form is too blasphemous.
Bones soared from back plate.
Ribs tore skin and protruded out, covering entire back plate like white thorn armor. Red muscles pulsed between bones.
And eyes.
Besides two eyes originally should be, one on forehead, one under chin, one on side of neck.
Total five eyeballs rolling in respective directions.
Left front paw was torn in three, black fog rising from that gap.
Next to it were Snowfield Wolves.
Wolves with six legs.
Added two legs stretched out deformedly from flank, crawling like spider.
Mouth… Ah, damn. Jaw splits vertically opening like flower petal, teeth stuck like saw inside.
And Combat Horned Rabbit──
Don't want to describe. Save words on what rabbit became. My romantic sensibility doesn't allow. Just record fact that numerous individuals merged into one.
That is living thing?
Design as if god made while drunk then 'Eh whatever' and lumped clay and threw.
Mutants contaminated by Abyss.
Monsters introduced since original author fell madly into specific game.
"……Wow."
Freya laughed in vain as if fed up.
"Really ugly. Our bears look handsome."
"Not time to joke!"
Leona pulled Holy Sword. Brilliant light illuminated ash gray world.
"Coming!"
Kuaaaaaaa!
Monsters rushed roaring.
Combat start.
Frost Bear mutant swung front paw.
Black fog flew drawing trajectory.
Wooooooong-!
Pitch-black greatsword materialized in my right hand.
Sizzle-!
Black sword's aura and mutant's fog collided sparking.
Curse and corrosion power loaded on contaminated Frost Bear's body.
If ordinary knight inside would have shaken upon touch.
But I am Black Knight.
Poison with poison. Abyss with Abyss.
Slice-
I swung sword cutting bear's front paw.
Crack.
Cut front paw fell on ash gray snow rolling roll roll. Black fog soared from cross-section not black blood.
Frost Bear staggered. Front collapsed by shock losing one front paw, head comes down.
I leaped.
Guy's back plate looked down from mid-air was thorn field.
"Back looks itchy."
"Scratch for you."
Kuuung!
Greatsword struck Frost Bear's back plate hard.
Protruding ribs broke making crunch sound.
Feeling coming up palm was unusual.
Not feeling breaking bone, empty resistance like striking down rotten wood.
With sword tip stuck deep in back plate, I pushed aura in.
Wooooong──
Pitch-black pulsation went down riding greatsword, exploded inside Frost Bear's body.
Black wave burst outward from inside guy's body. Ribs soaring like armor scattered to pieces, giant body collapsed from inside. Wave didn't stop there. Sweeping snowfield overturned three wolves in front with ground.
This time too Frost Bear became handful of black dust blown in north wind.
One Hit Kill.
Thump.
I landed sticking sword in ground.
"Even so. Frost Bear is Frost Bear."
Might have become stronger, couldn't become smarter.
Meanwhile.
Clang!
Beam of light flashed.
It was Leona.
Mutant's flesh burned where Holy Sword's light touched.
In front of Leona was 'It'.
Meat lump merged into one from things that were rabbits.
Dozens, hundreds of eyeballs embedded on surface rolling respectively, horns stretched in all directions like sea urchin. Parts trying to maintain rabbit form still writhed here and there on body.
Very disgusting sculpture.
Leona raised Holy Sword.
Kwaaaaang!
Meat lump twisted body firing dozens of horns like shotgun.
Leona's sword struck horns drawing afterimage of light.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Moment Holy Sword's light touches flying horns become ash and break.
To contaminated Abyss magic power, Holy Sword's power is worst nemesis.
"Haaaaaap─!"
Light condensed on Holy Sword.
White slash bisected rabbit meat lump vertically.
Crack!
Black blood and flesh poured from cross-section. Horn fragments splashed everywhere, eyeball lumps rolled on snowfield roll roll.
Bisected meat lump stretched tentacles as if trying to fuse again.
But cross-section Holy Sword's light touched burned refusing regeneration.
Leona didn't rest.
Three times, four times, five times.
Slash of light exploded continuously. Meat lump pulverized from two pieces to four pieces, to eight pieces. Holy power flame rose on every cross-section leaving no room for regeneration.
When last piece became black ash and scattered.
Leona was catching breath lowering sword.
Blood splashed a lot. On silver hair, on armor, on face too.
Leona's brow furrowed minutely.
Moment expression of disgust passing.
Met eyes with me.
"……."
Leona's expression stiffened immediately.
As if nothing wrong, shook off blood on sword resolutely thud. Swept back flesh stuck on hair nonchalantly.
Gesture as if 'This much is merely morning exercise'.
……Bluffing.
Okay. Bluff supported by skill is not bluff but spirit.
Leona's growth trend recently not bad.
Holy Sword's holy power is nemesis to Abyss monster, but that alone doesn't produce that level of performance.
Based on original time point Leona shouldn't have drawn half of Holy Sword's power yet normal.
But now?
Light density different. Slash trajectory different. That skill purifying Abyss contaminant alone.
Was awakening in Black Mammoth battle trigger. Or accumulation of combat experience made draw growth curve different from original.
Maybe training with me helped. Of course Leona attacked trying to kill me though. That wouldn't be important.
Anyway situation is good.
As Leona becomes stronger probability of happy ending increases.
Following Freya handled wolves.
Seemed struggling with six legs' bizarre movement, but Freya doesn't lose in speed either.
"What good many legs! Just get tangled!"
Slash! Slash!
Freya's twin swords aimed for wolf's joints.
Cut one leg, slit throat in gap losing balance.
Clean. No superfluity.
Battle ended in 5 minutes.
Warriors' damage minor.
I looked down at fallen mutant corpse.
Corpse became black liquid and melted.
Corpse doesn't return to nature but reduced to part of Abyss.
'Abyss Erosion.'
Someone, or something is managing power of Abyss in this entire domain.
Malice twisting entire ecosystem is felt.
Lucia's judgment deciding to explore beyond Ice Wall was correct.