Chapter 240: King of the Dead Subjugation (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 240: King of the Dead Subjugation (4)
Eve Ropenheim hung suspended, her arms pulled taut by her restraints.
She had only recently regained consciousness after being struck by a surge of dark mana. Even now, she could feel the lingering traces of that foul energy wriggling like grave worms beneath her skin.
She hadn’t been able to wash for days, and the layer of grime coating her body made everything feel even more wretched.
She couldn’t wrap her head around the situation.
Is Baron Ropenheim a demon? Or is he just their ally? He didn’t look like a demon, but...
Eve scanned her surroundings.
She was trapped in a damp underground cellar, a place usually reserved for the mansion’s criminals. A powerful barrier, pulsing with dark mana, had been erected at the entrance, sealing the room tight. It was the reason Eve couldn't summon her white tiger familiar, Devon, to attempt an escape.
Across from her was another room with a heavy, bolted door. Dozens of children were imprisoned there.
A few days ago, she had watched as strange men shoved the children into that dark space. Those men had looked at Eve with predatory interest, but Baron Ropenheim had intervened. He clearly had a specific purpose for her—and she knew it wasn't a kind one.
Why was the Baron colluding with demons? Why was he gathering children?
Human experimentation... or sacrifices for some dark ritual. It has to be.
Eve’s mind spiraled into the worst-case scenarios. Her head dropped, her spirit breaking.
“Isaac…”
The only person she could think of was her beloved younger brother.
The image of young Isaac desperately trying to stop her from leaving haunted her every night. She wandered through the labyrinth of her own regrets.
She had told herself she would only be gone for a few years. She had convinced herself that securing a place in the Ropenheim Barony was the only way to ensure a better future for him. She had endured the abuse, the cold stares, and the isolation—all for Isaac’s sake.
But now, she would never return. Whatever dark fate awaited her here, it would ensure she never saw him again.
The realization brought a crushing wave of sorrow. Tears welled in her eyes, but Eve bit her lip, forcing back the sobs.
“I miss you…”
If she had one last wish, it was simply to see Isaac one more time.
*
A tremor shook the earth.
Eve heard the children in the adjacent room scrambling in a panic.
A moment later, the barrier at the entrance shattered like glass.
A woman stepped into the cellar. Eve’s eyes widened in disbelief. It was the last person she expected to see here.
“Student Council President…?”
Alice Carroll, the Student Council President of Märchen Academy, strode down the corridor. Following closely behind her were knights clad in shimmering platinum armor—powerful warriors Eve recognized instantly.
They were the elite forces of the Ice Kingdom, Düpfendorf.
They were the subordinates of the Ice Sovereign, Isaac.
Then, a familiar figure entered the cellar. With a casual flick of his wrist, he cast [Frost Explosion], obliterating the cell door. He walked through the debris and stopped directly in front of Eve.
The cold air swirling around him and the dim light of the corridor lamps created a shimmering halo behind him. The chaotic noise of the dungeon seemed to fade into a dull hum. Eve stared, unable to process the reality of the man standing before her.
“It’s been a while, Sister.”
“Isaac…?”
Eve felt as if she were trapped in a beautiful dream.
Eve Ropenheim.
Isaac and Eve shared the same mother but had different fathers.
In the original story of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, she was an insignificant NPC—a broken woman who stared at the protagonist, Ian, with lifeless eyes and spoke nothing but unpleasant lies.
However, the Eve I had seen throughout the first semester of the second year was perfectly sane.
Why hadn't she succumbed to madness like in the game? The most significant divergence was likely Isaac’s survival. In the original timeline, Isaac had taken his own life. As a student of Märchen Academy, Eve would have inevitably heard the news.
Baron Ropenheim had likely used psychological manipulation to force Eve to leave Isaac’s side. I wasn't entirely sure of the specifics, but one thing was clear: Eve’s affection for Isaac was immense.
The loss of her brother must have been the catalyst for her descent into insanity in the game. Knowing how much she cared for him, it was impossible to believe she had moved to the Ropenheim Barony just for wealth or status.
CRACK!
I shattered Eve’s restraints. Her legs gave out immediately after being bound for so long, but I caught her by the shoulders before she could hit the floor.
Eve couldn't hold back any longer. She clung to my clothes, her body shaking with violent sobs.
“Isaac, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry… I missed you so much…”
She poured out the words she had kept locked away in her heart. I gave a small nod, unsure of how to respond to such raw emotion.
“Let’s go.”
I pulled a coat from my magic pouch and draped it over her trembling shoulders, then lifted her onto my back and began the walk toward the garden.
“Why did you come here, Isaac?” Eve asked, her voice low and fragile.
“I had some business to settle.”
“…I was so scared.”
“I know.”
“I missed you so much.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry… for not being there when you needed me. I’m sorry for being so useless…”
“…”
Eve buried her face in my shoulder, her apologies never-ending.
The person who truly deserved those apologies wasn't me. It was the previous Isaac—the one who had succumbed to despair and ended his own life. Because of that, I remained silent, unable to accept an apology that wasn't meant for the soul currently inhabiting this body.
Meanwhile, Alice and the knights of Düpfendorf had successfully evacuated the children.
There were sixty-five of them, exactly as reported. I swept the area with [Clairvoyance] to ensure no one was left behind in the dark corners of the estate.
Alice had handled the Ropenheim knights and wizards with terrifying efficiency. As for Adrian Ropenheim, he was currently unconscious and encased in a block of ice, having lost his right eye and his connection to dark mana.
He would be handed over to the Imperial Court to answer for his atrocities.
The reason the Empire hadn't responded to this situation sooner was likely due to the machinations of Calgart the Necromancer, who had been pulling strings from the shadows. Unless a catastrophe occurred, the Empire rarely paid attention to the internal affairs of a remote Barony.
If I hadn't investigated this based on my knowledge of the game, these crimes would have likely gone unnoticed until it was too late.
I suppose the Empire owes me another favor.
I sat Eve down on a garden chair. She stared at the frozen, miserable form of Baron Ropenheim with a complex mixture of satisfaction, relief, and lingering trauma.
I didn't know the full history of their relationship, and I didn't feel a deep familial bond with her, but she was the only surviving relative of this body—and she had been trampled by the same man who ruined Isaac’s life. I felt a sense of responsibility to see this through.
“Stay here, Sister.”
“Isaac? What about you…?”
“I have things to finish. The authorities will be here soon. Until then, my subordinates will protect you. You can rest now.”
As I spoke, Alice approached us.
Even though they were technically classmates, Alice was a figure of immense status and talent—someone Eve had only ever admired from a distance. Eve looked awkward and self-conscious as the President drew near.
Alice offered a polite, graceful greeting.
“It’s the first time we’ve properly met. Are you alright, Sister?”
“Sister…?” Eve stammered.
What is she talking about?
Eve looked completely bewildered. It was a natural reaction to having the most famous girl in the Academy suddenly address her as family.
“Oh…!”
Realization dawned on Eve’s face. She blushed furiously, covering her mouth to stifle a gasp.
I quickly grabbed Alice’s wrist and pulled her away before she could cause any more confusion.
“Oh my, Darling.”
“Stop calling me that… we’re done here.”
Alice was my subordinate and my vanguard; she needed to stay focused. We had to move to the location Adrian had revealed.
Using [Clairvoyance], I located the underground kingdom and the massing undead legion. Calgart seemed to realize I had spotted him; instead of fleeing, he was digging in, preparing for a final stand.
If he wanted a fight, I was more than happy to give him one. We just had to be mindful of traps.
The moonlight bathed the central garden of the Ropenheim estate. Alice and I stood side by side. I could feel the eyes of the survivors on us, but I ignored them.
“Baby.”
Alice spoke softly. Her usual gentle smile remained, but her eyes held a flicker of something deeper. Having spent so much time with her, I could read the subtle shifts in her mood.
Her slender fingers slid into mine, interlocking our hands.
“I heard about it for the first time today.”
She was referring to Isaac’s family history.
“It’s not a story I enjoy sharing. To be honest, I didn't know much of it myself until recently. I’m in a similar boat as you.”
“…”
“Well, don’t dwell on it.”
I muttered the words, preparing to summon Hilde. Since I knew Calgart’s coordinates, I intended to fly there and end this quickly.
Suddenly, Alice pulled my head down onto her shoulder. The summoning circle flickered and died as my concentration broke.
“Alice?”
“Baby… actually, my heart hurt a little earlier.”
Alice whispered into my ear, her hand gently stroking my hair. She was still smiling, but her eyes were misty, her brow furrowed with a rare tenderness.
“I hope you know how much you mean to me.”
I remembered her reaction when we confronted Baron Ropenheim. Her expression had turned murderous, a cold fury radiating from her. Yet, she had stayed her hand. She hadn't impulsively interfered in my family matters; she had stayed by my side and followed my lead.
“Let me spoil you sometimes. I’m yours, you know?”
Alice knew exactly what I needed in that moment. I realized once again just how much I had come to rely on her.
I pulled back from her embrace. She met my gaze with a warm, supportive smile. Telling her I was "fine" or "not sad" felt like a lie, and it was unnecessary. I only needed to say one thing.
“…Thanks.”
“You’re very welcome, Daaarling~.”
Alice chirped, her playful tone returning to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
Together, we summoned our familiars.
WHOMP!
The air groaned under the weight of the gathering mana.
Hilde appeared first, scattering a pale blue frost as she unfurled her majestic white wings. Beside her, the Nightmare Dragon Jabberwock loomed, its black scales wreathed in flickering crimson flames.
Both creatures lowered their heads in submission. I mounted Hilde, and Alice leaped onto the back of the Nightmare Dragon.
“Hilde, we’re hunting demons. Prepare for a slaughter.”
[Yes, Master! I shall crush every last one of them!]
Hilde’s mana flared with predatory excitement.
“Jabberwock, I’m counting on you too.”
The Nightmare Dragon flinched at the sound of my voice, the memory of its defeat clearly still fresh.
With a powerful beat of their wings, Hilde and Jabberwock took to the sky. The resulting downdraft whipped through the garden, bowing the trees.
The knights of Düpfendorf snapped to attention, saluting our departure, while the rescued survivors watched in stunned silence.
Alice and I soared into the night, heading straight for the heart of the Necromancer’s lair.