Chapter 128: Monologue — Interlude (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 128: Monologue — Interlude (2)
If one were to point out the most popular ballads wandering bards had been singing lately, the subject would undoubtedly be the ‘Nameless Hero’ who subjugated the Floating Island.
After all, the ‘Black Monster’—who had suddenly appeared at Märchen Academy to strike down demons—was now praised throughout the world by that very alias.
Moreover, reports were flooding in that the Devil Pillar appearing in the Astrea Duchy had also been defeated by this same Nameless Hero.
The freezing silver wind that had blown during the battle between the Black Monster and the Floating Island was witnessed again at the site where the Devil Pillar emerged.
Despite the many hostages captured by the demon, there were zero deaths. It was an unbelievable feat that mirrored the battle with the Floating Island, which similarly resulted in no casualties.
Naturally, this news reached the ears of Gerald Astrea, the Sword Saint, and Historia, the genius wizard.
“Is that so?”
In the middle of the night…
Inside a carriage hastily returning to the Astrea Duchy, a middle-aged man with slicked-back, verdant green hair spoke in a low voice.
His reaction was remarkably subdued, considering the report he had just received from his escort knight: the one who defeated the black tower demon was confirmed to be none other than the Nameless Hero.
It was a stark contrast to the chilling wrath he had displayed when first notified of the Devil Pillar’s emergence.
Gerald gazed out the window with eyes as fiery as the sun and as sharp as an eagle’s. A waning moon hung in the corner of the night sky.
An Archwizard who had vanquished the Floating Island alone, without a single sacrifice or loss of life.
Although there was no way to know how such an existence had hidden their identity only to pop up out of nowhere…
Regardless, it was an undeniable fact that such a figure had protected the Astrea Duchy.
“It seems I’ve incurred a debt to that wizard…”
Gerald wore a meaningful expression.
At the adventurers’ accommodations, a glowing lamp on the desk was the only source of light, faintly illuminating the darkness of the night.
Amy Holloway, a girl with short white hair dressed in pajamas, sat at the desk with her chin resting on her hand, lost in thought. The black rabbit-ear ribbon she usually wore was nowhere to be seen.
On the desk, the elemental magic textbooks she had brought to review lay sprawled open, but Amy couldn’t find the focus to read them.
“…”
The black tower demon. And an unidentifiable figure wearing a wizard’s robe.
The robe that individual wore seemed to possess a function that hindered recognition. When she had caught a glimpse, their figure was blurry and difficult to distinguish.
However, she was the daughter of the Holloway County. Her bloodline ability, [Heart Color Discernment], was always active.
[Heart Color Discernment] was a magic that reflected the color of one’s heart and emotions. It was one of the greatest contributors to the Holloway County’s survival in a noble society rife with schemes and deception.
According to the knights under Astrea’s command, the one who defeated the black tower demon was the Nameless Hero—the Black Monster.
And the color of their heart was clearly…
“Blue and… orange.”
A beautiful blue tinged with orange. It was a color that proved a kind-hearted nature, possessing a sweet hue that only appeared when someone cherished Amy.
Since she had only caught a fleeting glimpse, it might not be entirely accurate. Perhaps she had even seen it wrong.
After all, not only did they hide behind an ice wall and a chilly aura…
But Amy herself had been incredibly distracted after being blown away by Kaya’s wind magic.
However, if that heart color was real…
—‘I’m sorry, but I’m trying to kidnap you. Will you cooperate?’
Assuming they were an ice elemental user, there was only one person at Märchen Academy who displayed those exact colors.
A silver-blue-haired boy whose prowess had grown explosively after once being mocked as the Academy’s Weakest.
As Amy recalled his face, her eyes widened in astonishment.
“Isaac…?”
Although she reflexively shook her head at the absurd idea…
Suspicious coincidences began to pile up the moment she assumed Isaac was actually the Nameless Hero.
As the night deepened, Amy’s suspicions continued to accumulate, layer by layer.
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 105
Gender: Male
Year: (2nd)
Title: Prospective Second Year
Mana: 25500/25500 – Mana Recovery Speed (A-)
Inside the continuously rattling carriage, I gripped my magic tool, training my Mana Mastery as I checked my status window. I was currently on my way back to Märchen Academy.
The demon incident in the Astrea Duchy had been wrapped up cleanly.
After casting [Frostwind], I had quickly escaped the area swallowed by Babel the Corrupted and retreated into a nearby forest.
Fortunately, it was a forest where the snow-covered winter trees still had some thawed patches. I even found a small cave suitable for hiding.
Shortly after, I surveyed the surroundings with [Clairvoyance]. It seemed the Knight Order under Astrea’s command was gradually converging on the location where Babel had first appeared.
I waited for things to simmer down in the cave, then cautiously approached the carriage station, resting in another cave along the way.
Early this morning, I stuffed my robe into my magic pouch and left the forest to catch a carriage.
If I rode Hilde, it would be a blatant signal that the Black Monster had arrived at Märchen Academy, so I judged it better to return safely by carriage instead.
As far as I could recall, regarding carriages bound for Märchen Academy, gels could be used as currency even on the mainland. Currency exchange was possible at the academy’s main gate.
It was regrettable that I had to leave without talking to Kaya to my heart’s content, but it wouldn’t matter much if we postponed it until after the break.
The location where the Devil Pillar appeared and the bridge connecting Märchen Academy to the mainland were relatively close. I expected to arrive at the academy by early evening.
‘Let’s do a midway evaluation.’
Since it was currently difficult to train properly, it was a good time to organize my thoughts.
Checking the definitive changes first…
‘First, [Mana Recovery Speed].’
[Mana Recovery Speed] had increased from B+ to A-. I didn’t know if it happened right after obtaining the Obsidian Blade or after eliminating Babel the Corrupted, but that wasn’t important right now.
I could vividly feel that my mana recovered significantly faster compared to my days as a Grade E.
Back then, it felt like my mana recovered like a trickling stream; now, it felt more like a flood.
‘Next, the Obsidian Blade.’
Thanks to Gormos’ Obsidian Blade, I had gained several 7-star skills.
Personally, the skill I desired most was the passive, [Eclipse].
Now, even if a powerful enemy capable of dealing life-threatening damage attacked, I could stand tall…
And with my arms crossed, I could drop meteors on their faces while uttering cool lines like, “This is order.”
Moving on, when I dealt that blow to Babel the Corrupted’s second phase, [Stone Breathing - First Form] didn’t fully activate. It was likely because I didn’t know how to properly swing a sword yet. It felt like only half of the skill had triggered.
It seemed that if I wielded the sword with only brute force, skills like [Stone Breathing] and [Heavenly Rock Strike] couldn't be used to their full potential.
It worked perfectly fine in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, but that was probably because Ian was skilled in swordsmanship.
‘I should at least learn the necessary postures for these skills.’
At the very least, I needed to practice the correct movements to utilize the Obsidian Blade’s skills.
Well, I could probably just find someone skilled with a greatsword and ask for advice. I didn’t need to become a master swordsman.
‘I have to give him the [Corrupted Dust] as well.’
I took the cube out of my pocket. It had a solid texture, scattering an alien, ash-gray light.
It would be better to give this cube to Ian. If he unfolded the light elemental domain, he could affect enemies with Divine Power without even having to fight.
Looking back at the actions of the SSS-Class Master Fainter, Ian Faintingtale, so far…
There was no way he wouldn't faint against the enemies emerging in the second semester of Year 2, like Calgart the Necromancer or Thanatos the Ruination.
If he couldn’t pour out Divine Power against those bastards, a Bad Ending was practically guaranteed.
‘And Potential.’
[Potential]
Stat Points: 0
◈ Growth Rate
– Physical Training Efficiency (S): 100/100 [MAX]
– Magic Training Efficiency (S): 100/100 [MAX]
– Learning Efficiency (S): 98/100 [UP]
Owned Skills ❰❰Details❱❱
Now, if I invested just two more stat points, I could max out my Growth Rate Potential.
Considering that players could only reach MAX Growth Rate by the middle of Year 2, Semester 1 in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, my current pace was incredibly fast.
‘Taking down the Floating Island really was huge.’
The Floating Island.
In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, it was an anomaly—a demon that could never be defeated without Dorothy’s sacrifice.
Thinking about that bastard made the fragmented memories I recalled during the Trial of Sandstone pass through my mind like a sudden rain shower.
The carriage wheels rattled.
As if time had stopped, I held my breath for a moment.
The 1st Round.
The Trial of Sandstone had revealed the memories I had lost, like turning on a spotlight in the darkness.
I didn’t remember everything; I only caught brief glimpses.
In the 1st Round, I couldn't prevent the scenario where Dorothy died alongside the Floating Island.
I had despaired and regretted it. But despite that, I had steadfastly continued my journey to vanquish the Evil God…
And in the final moments, I had lost pathetically.
In the end, Ian died, and the world perished.
“…”
I looked out the window. White snow fluttered down, coloring the world in its hue.
Suddenly, I recalled the first time I transmigrated into this world.
At first, I was in denial, calling the situation a ‘common cliché.’
However, as I became keenly aware that this world was my reality, I set a goal to defeat the Evil God just to survive.
I knew now; there was something more to the backstory of my possession of Isaac.
‘It was obvious, though.’
It would be strange if some transcendent force wasn't involved in such a supernatural phenomenon.
However, it was best to postpone such thoughts. For now, no clear answer would come from pondering with a troubled mind.
‘Still, one thing is certain.’
This 2nd Round had distinctly different outcomes compared to the 1st.
I had saved Dorothy…
And I had leveled up explosively after defeating the Floating Island.
This irreversible fact ignited a flame of determination within me.
On the gravel road leading to the bridge, under somber ash-gray clouds releasing white snowflakes, the Arkins Sea came into view, its waves gently swelling.
As I felt the peaceful atmosphere—so different from the apocalyptic landscape in my memories—I couldn’t help but stare blankly at the scenery for a long time.
*
When I arrived at Märchen Academy, the sky was already an inky black.
Before anything else, I wanted to talk to Dorothy, who had intervened in the Trial of Sandstone.
‘Where is Dorothy?’
I wondered if she might be at the Josena Forest hideout, so I made my way down the dark forest path.
The lamps in the hideout were lit. My guess was right on the money.
[You came.]
As I opened the door and entered, Dorothy’s white cat familiar, Ella, greeted me.
Her voice was coy yet haughty, as usual.
“Why are you here?”
[We all have our reasons. But more importantly, look over there.]
Ella gestured toward the bed with her chin.
A goddess with light purple hair was peacefully sleeping in casual attire, looking as comfortable as if she were in her own home.
“Doro— Senior Dorothy?”
Since Ella was right there, I hurriedly added her title.
[She’s been like that for two days. Sleeping, I mean.]
“Two days?”
Next to the bed, the faint light of a partially-opened lamp flickered in the darkness.
I sat down on a chair next to the bed where Dorothy slept. Ella, as if waiting for this moment, began to narrate the situation in the tone of a haughty lady.
Her story went in one ear and out the other; eighty percent of it was just complaints about how bored and aggrieved she was because she had to stay by Dorothy’s side 24/7 for the past two days.
To put it simply…
Due to the strain of intervening in another worldline, Dorothy had been sleeping continuously for two days.
It was the first time Ella had ever seen Dorothy this exhausted.
‘That sounds about right.’
Even though I had only heard a brief explanation, it seemed to be an ability that transcended human comprehension.
It was so impressive it raised doubts about whether this was really within the realm of mere talent, especially since she hadn't even reached the level of an Archwizard yet.
Either way, she was Dorothy.
Thanks to her, I had resolved my most bothersome issue, so I was filled with nothing but gratitude.
The memory of the monument erected in her honor suddenly flashed through my mind, making my heart throb with pain, as if pricked by thorns.
It was a memory of the 1st Round.
However, Dorothy was here before me, alive and well.
She was innocently snoring in a deep, peaceful slumber.
As I ruminated on that fact, a faint smile formed on my lips. She looked incredibly lovely.
Feeling Ella’s subtle gaze, I tried desperately to suppress my laughter by covering my mouth, but my joy was unavoidable.
“Is Senior’s condition okay?”
[As far as I can tell. She might wake up tomorrow, I expect.]
After jumping onto the bed, Ella answered while gently poking Dorothy’s cheeks with her paws.
Dorothy’s head swayed without resistance.
[She is sleeping quite deeply, you know? I tried playing a prank out of boredom, but she didn’t wake up at all. Basically, this is a perfect chance to mess with Dorothy to your heart’s content.]
“Is that so?”
[And since I’m a cat who does a lot of other things, I often have to take my eyes off her. Whenever that happens, no matter what you do, I wouldn’t notice.]
“Ah, okay…”
[Uh-huh, I would absolutely never know. Definitely. Oops, it’s time for me to go do other things. From now on, no matter what you do to Dorothy, I will have no idea.]
“…?”
Suddenly, Ella stepped down from the bed and walked away with a coy expression.
‘What is she going on about? Why is she acting like this?’
I used [Psychological Insight].
[Ella]
Psychology: [Hopes that the love between you and Dorothy Heartnova bears fruit.]
“…”
Ella was as scandalous as Galia.
Are all familiars usually like this…?