Chapter 112: Subjugation of the Floating Island — Interlude (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 112: Subjugation of the Floating Island — Interlude (1)
An Archwizard was recognized as an existence that had surpassed the mere label of a Wizard.
Common sense held no sway before them; they effortlessly performed feats and miracles that were incomprehensible to the human mind.
Among them, those who had reached the pinnacle of their respective elements were known as Elemental Kings.
Currently, only four individuals could claim to have risen to such a title.
The Elemental King of Fire, the Fire Sovereign.
The Elemental King of Water, the Water Sovereign.
The Elemental King of Wind, the Wind Sovereign.
The Elemental King of Lightning, the Lightning Sovereign.
In Zabrok, the nation of lightning protected by eternal purple storms, the throne room sat in heavy silence.
Seated upon his throne, a man with half of his violet hair slicked back slowly opened his eyes.
He was dressed in a black robe adorned with intricate violet and gold embroidery. He possessed the appearance of a young man with sharp, hawk-like features.
His eyes, crackling with purple lightning mana, shone with an unusual brilliance even in the darkness of the night.
This was the Thunder Emperor, Jaul Dragoniac. Just moments ago, he had instinctively felt a threatening surge of mana.
It was a mana composed of a profoundly deep and intense chill.
“Jormungandr.”
At Jaul’s summons, the purple lightning mana condensed on his shoulders, forming a small black figure wreathed in electric currents.
Jormungandr—a lightning snake magic beast with two pairs of eyes. Although its true form was massive, Jaul had summoned it in a miniature state no different from an ordinary serpent.
Long ago, the magic beast had battled Jaul for supremacy, only to be defeated and bound as his familiar.
[I felt it as well. This transcendental mana… It is the Primordial Beast of Ice.]
Jormungandr recognized Jaul’s intent and responded before he could even speak. As a familiar, it shared not only its master’s thoughts but his emotions as well.
Gaining certainty from Jormungandr’s response, Jaul stroked his chin, lost in thought.
The Primordial Beast of Ice.
Its mana was on a level that even Jaul, the Elemental King of Lightning, could not surpass. Even if it had emerged from the opposite side of the world, Jaul would have still felt that mana prickling against his skin.
This world was too small to contain such a magic beast. Its mere appearance should have instantly plunged its surroundings into an absolute, eternal frost.
Although the mana he felt a moment ago was merely a faint breeze against his skin… in reality, it had crossed over from another world and tainted the very atmosphere.
[However, it is under someone’s control. It seems it already serves a master.]
The Primordial Beast of Ice serves a master, you say… Is such a thing even possible?
Is that an existence that can even be controlled in the first place?
It was unbelievable, but if it were true, that master must have already surpassed the level of the original Ice Sovereign.
As such, the world was about to face a massive turning point.
The mana released by the Primordial Beast would surely have been felt by the other ice-attribute magic beasts capable of manipulating heaven and earth.
The Icebound Crocodile, Tugaros.
The Frost Spirit, Merphil.
The Glacial Bear, Barbatoma.
Knowing that a master worthy of the Primordial Beast of Ice had appeared, they too would seek to serve this being as their new liege.
And it was not difficult to deduce who that person was.
“Isaac…”
Isaac, the silver-blue-haired boy currently enrolled at Märchen Academy.
A prominent candidate for the next Ice Sovereign. No—he was the one destined to become the Ice Sovereign. There was no one else.
The Ice Kingdom, where bitter colds raged, was preparing to welcome a new King.
Isaac was an existence that even the Frost Dragon Hilde bowed to. He would undoubtedly rise as the new King of the Ice Kingdom.
As a man served by the Primordial Beast of Ice, it was unimaginable how powerful of a Sovereign he would become.
Suddenly, the mysterious presence hidden within Isaac’s essence came to mind.
That monstrous being covered in countless eyeballs… it boasted a majesty that could potentially devour the entire world.
Within Isaac, the Primordial Beast of Ice had likely recognized the aura of the Ice Sovereign and that enigmatic monster. Perhaps it felt that Isaac was the only one worthy to serve as its master.
“He seems to have destroyed the Floating Island. Did he perhaps summon the Primordial Beast during that process?”
News of the Floating Island reappearing above the Arkins Sea had already spread.
Initially, Jaul thought the Zelver Empire would handle it, as it had appeared within their borders. However…
In the end, it seemed the next Ice Sovereign had personally eradicated the Floating Island instead.
[The other Elemental Kings must have felt that mana as well. What will you do, Jaul? I fear an Emergency Council will be convened soon.]
The other Elemental Kings. Each had reached the pinnacle of their respective elements and answered to no law. Their next actions were unknown territory even to Jaul.
However, the mana of the Primordial Beast had spread by transcending space itself.
Even if the other Elemental Kings recognized the emergence of the next Ice Sovereign, they would not know it was Isaac.
After all, even Elemental Kings were not omniscient.
“…In my personal opinion, I do not dislike the next Ice Sovereign.”
Of course, as the Emperor of the Lightning Nation, it was natural to be wary of Isaac.
But the Isaac he had seen at Märchen Academy was a man of both integrity and immense strength. That had left a favorable impression on Jaul.
The true nature of an individual could not be hidden from Jaul’s eyes, regardless of their race.
Therefore, he harbored feelings close to goodwill toward Isaac, the next Ice Sovereign.
“And he seems to have a reason to hide his identity. I have no intention of interfering with his will.”
[Are you planning to be evasive?]
“At least for now. In the first place, trying to hide that power forever is like trying to cover the sky with a single palm.”
Isaac likely had a reason to infiltrate the academy and conceal his identity.
Wasn't he dealing with unidentified demons under the guise of the ‘Black Monster’?
However, no matter how much he tried to suppress his mana, within the confined space of the academy, he wouldn’t be able to conceal such tremendous power indefinitely.
When the time finally came for Isaac to reveal himself at Märchen Academy…
…Only then would Jaul reveal the truth of the Ice Sovereign to the other Elemental Kings.
That was the proper way to respect and protect the intentions of the next Ice Sovereign.
“Perhaps soon, we will welcome a new Elemental King.”
It wouldn’t be long before Isaac joined the Council of Kings as the Ice Sovereign.
*
Meanwhile…
The staff, students, and Imperial Knights at Märchen Academy were all struck with astonishment.
After the Floating Island disappeared, the minions that had been swarming the academy melted away, turning into ash before vanishing entirely.
Shortly after, pillars of starlight mana shot down from beneath the clouds and plunged into the sea.
In succession, various colors of starlight mana dispelled the thick fog, exploding in the sky to create numerous clusters of stars. It looked like a grand festival—a scene reminiscent of the world's most beautiful fireworks.
The spectacle was so beautiful it roused a roar of admiration. It was undoubtedly the mana of Dorothy Heartnova.
Although people found it difficult to comprehend the situation, one thing was perfectly clear.
“The Floating Island…?”
“W-we won… We won! We actually won!!”
Someone had defeated the Floating Island.
This starlight parade was Dorothy’s way of announcing to the Empire that humanity had triumphed!
Cheers resounded throughout Märchen Academy.
Even the citizens of the Zelver Empire, which spanned the Arkins Sea, erupted in joy upon learning that the Floating Island had been vanquished.
“…”
On a cliff facing the Arkins Sea, Luce Eltania silently observed the starlight festival erupting over the water.
After the Floating Island had transformed, it had emitted a mana that made even Luce tremble. Even Dorothy, considered Märchen Academy’s greatest powerhouse, would not have been a match for it.
Therefore, the one who defeated the Floating Island narrowed down to one person.
The Black Monster. He had to be there.
The reason Dorothy was pouring out starlight mana to create those shining pillars wasn't just to announce victory.
Rather, it was likely a distraction to blind everyone from the truth.
It made perfect sense if her goal was to obscure the identity of the Black Monster.
“…Huh?”
However, Luce was taken aback by a sight that differed from her expectations.
As the starlight parade ended, nothing was visible.
She had been certain that Dorothy and the Black Monster would be inside the starlight pillars. However, her predictions were completely off.
The clusters of stars dimmed, and the sea returned to darkness. Luce could no longer distinguish anything in the distance.
Luce furrowed her brows.
Did Dorothy distract everyone with that dazzling festival and sneak away above the clouds with the Black Monster?
Or perhaps…
“…I probably won’t be able to confirm anything.”
Luce sighed and turned her gaze away.
In the first place, her hypothesis that Dorothy had created the starlight pillars to hide the Black Monster had little evidence.
“Isaac…”
Now that there was no need to repel the Floating Island’s attack, she had to find Isaac. She had been searching for him for hours.
Just imagining him injured caused a sharp, piercing pain in her chest.
Praying that Isaac was unharmed, Luce turned around and began to move once more.
Deep into the night.
From the scent of the grass, I sensed that we had arrived somewhere in Josena Forest, near the main gate of Märchen Academy.
Dorothy had reached the hideout where we used to hang out. I could tell by the texture of the outer wall.
We sat side by side, leaning against the wall of the hideout, quietly listening to the sound of the crickets.
My magically disguised outfit, now completely ragged, had been removed by Dorothy and placed in my magic pocket.
Asking, “It’s cold, right?”, she pulled out her uniform shawl and wrapped it around me.
Shortly after, Dorothy used her remaining mana to cast healing magic on me, but it was only basic first aid. I couldn't move my body no matter how hard I tried…
I decided to wait here until I regained some mobility and the situation outside calmed down.
I raised my head, gazing toward the sky.
“…”
This was the first time such an awkward silence had permeated the air between Dorothy and me.
Is she in a daze because she expected to die, but was saved?
Or is it because I, who had always been a weakling in her eyes, destroyed the Floating Island and showed a side of myself she never knew?
‘Either way, it’s understandable.’
A weakling like Isaac saving her from imminent death, and then annihilating a massive demonic landmass with the prowess of an Archwizard?
If I were Dorothy, I would need quite a bit of time to collect my thoughts. The scenario was utterly absurd.
“President.”
Finally, Dorothy broke the silence.
“How did you know I was going to die?”
That’s…
…Certainly a question she would be curious about.
I had already openly revealed that I was the Black Monster. I could hardly say, ‘Because I know the plot of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱’, so I decided to be vague.
“Did you think I wouldn’t notice the curse hanging over you, Senior?”
“…So that’s how it was. You’re much stronger than me, so I guess it was obvious to you.”
No matter how I looked at it, Dorothy was still overwhelmingly stronger than me, but I decided to just ignore that and move on.
“President.”
Following her first question, Dorothy immediately bombarded me with more.
“Why were you worried about me?”
“Huh?”
“I actually have the ability to read emotions. You’ve always been worried about me, President. Why?”
“Well, you know… I’m your fan, Senior. If I knew there was a curse, how could I not worry?”
“Then why did you always dote on me? Was that also because you’re my fan?”
“Of course.”
I smiled, making it as bright as possible.
The side effect of pushing [Ice Sovereign] beyond its limits, coupled with the complete depletion of my mana, was hitting me hard.
I had been in intense pain for a while now; it felt as if my entire body was being pricked by a thousand thorns, and my head felt like it was about to split open from the dizziness. This smile was a facade to conceal my abysmal condition.
Well, the pain was gradually subsiding. Probably because I was losing the ability to feel my body at all.
Since returning from the Nether, I couldn't see anything, and even the sensation of the hard wall against my back was fading.
It felt like I was sinking into a deep, dark sea.
However, knowing that Dorothy was by my side and still alive filled me with a sense of accomplishment. I wanted to keep talking to her.
The symptoms were just because I had pushed myself too hard. They would improve eventually.
“…Why are you a fan of mine, President?”
“Because you’re cool, Senior. To me, you were someone who shone incredibly bright.”
I loved how Dorothy’s eyes turned into crescent moons when she smiled.
I loved it when she laughed, revealing her white teeth.
The way her earring swayed when she turned her head, or how she giggled over the smallest things.
The way she praised herself with such confidence.
The way she laughed and played pranks.
I even loved the way her brain seemed to shut down the moment she had to think too hard.
Every side of her looked radiant to me.
“I see…”
Gradually, something covered my head. With my fading hearing, I could tell it was the brush of fabric.
Even though the sensation in my head had vanished, it wasn't hard to guess what it was. It was Dorothy’s hat.
I didn't know why she was putting her hat on me.
“…Isaac.”
Right in front of me, I heard Dorothy’s gentle voice.
Compared to her usual tone, it sounded oddly shy.
Judging by the sound, Dorothy seemed to be holding the brim of the hat on both sides, pulling it down over my eyes.
“Close your eyes.”
Soon, a soft pressure pressed against my lips.
And with that, our time flowed serenely for a while.
