Chapter 247: Hilde (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 247: Hilde (1)
“Princess White, why are you packing so suddenly?”
“I can’t stay here any longer…”
While stuffing her belongings into bags, White looked at her escort knight, Merlin, with teary eyes.
Recently, Emperor Carlos’s behavior had become… unusual.
The Emperor was known for treating his children with a cold, calculated equality. His favor usually only shifted for a few days when one of them made a significant contribution to the empire’s interests.
However, despite White not having accomplished much lately, she had been receiving an overwhelming amount of attention from her father.
The Emperor would carve time out of his grueling schedule just to visit her, offering advice on every little thing she did and providing her with rare delicacies meant to bolster a woman’s health.
His devotion to his daughter had become noticeably intense.
It was far too extreme to be dismissed as mere doting after her half-year absence at the academy. The weight of his affection was fundamentally different now. Even three years ago, when the Crown Prince had joined the subjugation force and defeated a high-ranking monster threat, he hadn’t been coddled this much.
Naturally, the other princes and princesses—all of whom were vying for the throne—had begun to keep a wary eye on White.
“I feel so self-conscious… and scared…”
When rumors began circulating within the palace that Emperor Carlos might be planning to name White as his successor, she decided she needed to make a break for it.
White had zero interest in the throne and knew her own limitations. She firmly believed that her colder, wiser older siblings were far better suited for the role of Emperor than she was.
Besides, she couldn't understand why the Emperor was suddenly treating her like the center of his universe. Even when she asked him directly, he would only offer a cryptic smile, leaving White in a cold sweat.
“We have to run, Merlin! We have to run now…! I’m scared…”
Her father’s extreme devotion was, ironically, driving his daughter into a corner.
Merlin was conflicted, unsure whether to view this development as a blessing or a curse.
“Don’t worry, Princess White. Everything will be fine. But before you finish packing, shouldn’t you at least seek permission for an early return to the academy? If His Majesty finds out what you’re doing, he might be displeased.”
“But still…”
Merlin was secretly confident that the Emperor would grant permission immediately.
According to Merlin’s deductions, the Emperor’s recent interest likely stemmed from the close relationship between White and the Ice Sovereign, Isaac. Otherwise, his sudden favoritism was impossible to explain.
In fact, it would be stranger if he hadn't noticed.
If White mentioned returning early to Märchen Academy—where Isaac currently resided—the Emperor would likely not only grant permission but also personally help her prepare. He’d probably practically push her out the door, telling her to have a wonderful time with Isaac.
“What I’m really afraid of are my brothers and sisters. Every time I run into them, they just glare at me… Sigh, I miss Senior Isaac…”
“Then let’s go see him. Isaac should be at the academy by now.”
“…Okay, hehehe.”
As soon as Merlin supported her wish, White’s expression brightened instantly.
Having suffered through various assassination attempts and slander since childhood, White tended to be wary of anyone who showed her sudden kindness. It was a deep-seated trauma; whenever someone treated her well, her mind immediately jumped to the conclusion that they were plotting her death.
Even when it was clearly not the case, such psychological scars were not easily erased.
White had once admitted she felt more comfortable with the fake Saintess—who had treated her harshly—than with the students who flattered her to get on her good side. That was how deep her scars ran.
On the other hand, Isaac had effortlessly established the kind of genuine relationship White had always craved. Because of this, she relied on him heavily. Without even realizing it, she talked about him every day, as if she had gained a reliable, loving older brother.
Is the ability to pierce through someone’s heart also a skill of an archwizard? Merlin wondered.
Even now, White was beaming at the mere thought of seeing Isaac.
The most beautiful woman in the world was currently pining for a man her age. If that man were anyone other than Isaac, he wouldn't have let such an opportunity slip by.
Merlin didn’t particularly approve of Isaac’s "womanizing" tendencies, but she appreciated the way he treated White. Besides, Isaac’s personal life wasn't Merlin's concern. Public and private matters had to be kept separate.
“I should bring a gift. What would Senior Isaac like?”
White hummed happily, already pondering what to give him.
*
Back on the day of the closing ceremony, I had sent a letter to the Imperial Tower.
My goal was to find out when Aria Lilias would be returning.
Although I had mentioned the names of Düpfendorf and the Ice Sovereign, the Imperial Tower was such a reclusive organization that I doubted they would even allow an exchange of letters. They were likely even more cautious since I wasn't a citizen of their empire. I had to consider the possibility that the letter would be intercepted before it even reached the tower.
I still didn't know the true identity of "Dorothy Gale," the one who had written that book for me. At the very least, I needed to find out why she had sent me to Aria.
Recently, I received a reply. The sender wasn't Aria, but the Imperial Family of the Zelver Empire. The luxurious envelope and the imperial seal were a stark display of the Emperor’s authority.
The letter contained details regarding the investigation into the collusion between the demons and Baron Ropenheim.
Apparently, Adrian Ropenheim had made a deal with a Necromancer named Calgart, who had approached him one day. Calgart promised to help him seize power in the empire if he secretly gathered and offered sacrifices.
Recognizing Calgart’s strength, Adrian accepted and received dark mana as an advance payment. That dark mana gave Adrian a delusional sense of omnipotence, which was honestly pathetic.
The Imperial Family stated they would severely punish Baron Ropenheim and expressed their desire to bestow a grand reward upon me for my role in resolving the incident.
For some reason, the reward list "naturally" included a betrothal to White, but I ignored that part.
KABOOM!!
BOOM!!
[Success, Master!]
“Oh! I hit it!”
[Woohoo!]
“Ooooo!”
In a secluded corner of the Butterfly Garden, I had successfully struck a rock target 100 meters away with the 7-star ice spell, [Icebolt].
I grabbed the forepaws of the Frost Dragon Hilde—who was currently summoned in the form of a small white dragon—and we cheered together in excitement.
One might think 100 meters wasn't much, but when [Icebolt] was activated, the mana fluctuated violently, often causing the spell to veer off in unintended directions. To put it simply, it was a nightmare to control.
Hitting a target I couldn't hit before was a massive achievement.
The next goal was 150 meters. As my body grew stronger, the power exerted by [Vs. Race Combat Power] would only increase.
Let’s keep at it.
Come to think of it…
A sudden doubt flickered in my mind. It was a question I’d had for a long time.
What is the source of this power?
What exactly is this 'System' that allows me to use 9-star magic so easily and makes me stronger as if I’m in a game?
It felt unsettling, like I was recklessly spending a fortune I’d accidentally received from a bank error.
The dissonance was hard to explain. A plausible hypothesis was that something was mimicking the format of a game system to make things easier for me.
The System was incredibly "intuitive."
Rather than painstakingly detailing exactly how I became stronger or how much more impressive I was compared to the past, it was much simpler to just see "Mana increased by 1,000" in a status window.
According to the records left by Dorothy Gale, there was someone who helped me "intuitively." I suspected—no, I was convinced—it was the System.
She referred to it as "Her."
The System was described as "Her," as if it were a living being.
There were still so many questions regarding the game developer Higgs, the System, and Dorothy Gale’s identity. I just hoped to find the answers before this journey reached its end.
[I am so happy these days, Master.]
“What?”
Hilde’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. She was staring at the shattered remains of the rock target.
[I can roam freely in this body now. I can watch my Master grow from right by his side, and it feels like we’re traveling together just like in the old days. I am incredibly happy.]
“Is that so?”
Hilde beamed.
When she spoke of the "old days," she was referring to her travels with the Primordial Ice Sovereign.
Since my identity had been revealed, Hilde could roam outside with me without hesitation. When I trained at the grounds, I sometimes ran into students who stayed at the academy during the holidays. They would occasionally approach me just to see Hilde up close.
At those times, Hilde would puff out her chest and show off her jade-white scales with pride.
[So, about that.]
Hilde flew up, flapping her wings in the air, and stretched her forepaws out to her sides.
[Will you finally fulfill your promise?]
“Promise?”
A promise with Hilde…
I adjusted my glasses, searching my memory.
Did I make a promise to her?
“Oh, the dress?”
That’s right. I remember now.
Last year, when I could only summon Hilde as a small orb, I had promised to get her a dress once she could take a physical form.
Hilde nodded with immense satisfaction.
[Indeed! I want to wear a beautiful dress too! I want to flaunt my beauty at the next social gathering!]
“You can’t attend a social gathering.”
[What? Why not?!]
Hilde looked absolutely devastated.
I mean, it’s obvious.
“Because you’re a dragon.”
[How can this be…! Are modern humans discriminating against dragons now…?]
Hilde slumped, dejected.
[I was once a beast of myth and legend. I should not be subjected to such blatant discrimination…]
Hilde clicked her tongue, muttering about the lack of respect for elder dragons.
“No, it’s because only students are allowed to attend.”
[If that isn't discrimination, then what is!]
“…Let’s just drop it.”
I recalled reading Hilde’s thoughts last year. She had been eagerly anticipating the day she could wear a dress. This was clearly an important promise to her.
Perhaps because she identified as female, she had a strong desire to pursue beautiful things.
I never thought I’d be commissioning a dress for a dragon.
Hilde had done so much for me that I was more than willing to repay her. Breaking a promise would weigh on my conscience, and getting a dress made wasn't exactly an impossible task.
Since there wouldn't be a dress for her original size, I’d have to commission one tailored to her current, smaller form. It wouldn't require much fabric, so it shouldn't be too expensive.
“The social gathering is out, but you can show it off to the other kids.”
Hilde’s expression brightened instantly.
[Not bad. Ah, when my dress is ready, I must show it off to Gormos as well!]
“Sounds like a plan. As for the dress… let’s go in about a week.”
[Understood, Master!]
There was still time before the coronation, and it was uncertain when Aria Lilias or my sister, Eve Ropenheim, would arrive. A week was a good window to monitor the situation.
Besides, I planned to visit the Stone Turtle, Gormos, for training anyway. If Hilde wearing a pretty dress provided a bit of conversation, that was fine by me.
In the second semester, there was an event where I could obtain an 8-star familiar contract circle. Once I had that, I planned to have a serious showdown with the Stone Turtle. My goal was to win that battle and make Gormos my third familiar, so I wanted to build as much rapport as possible beforehand.
*
After finishing my daily tasks, I would either bathe with Hilde while chatting or we’d fall asleep together.
Hilde was practically vibrating with excitement for the dress, spending every day deeply contemplating which color and design would suit her best.
Before I knew it, the day before our trip to the tailor arrived. After training, we returned to Elma Hall. I headed into the shower to wash up while Hilde sprawled out on the desk.
Lately, I kept Hilde summoned at all times to build our Synchronization.
Hilde’s current level was 188. The total mana required to summon her in her complete form was 36,000. Because she was such a high-tier familiar, increasing Synchronization was a slow grind. Just like in games, enhancing high-grade items was always more difficult and costly than lower ones.
Therefore, maintaining her summoned state was a crucial task.
Should we hit the clothing store after lunch tomorrow?
I was actually looking forward to seeing a small white dragon in a dress. It sounded amusing.
Whoosh.
“…Huh?”
What was that?
For a split second, it felt like more mana than usual was being drained to maintain the summoning.
Is it just my imagination?
After rinsing off, I stepped out of the shower naked. When I was with Alice Carroll, I was careful to cover up with a robe, but with only Hilde around, I didn't see the point in being modest.
Hilde was like a pet to me, so this had become the norm.
However, the moment I stepped into the room, I froze.
[Oh, Master! Are you finished?]
“…?”
Who is that?
A woman was standing in front of the full-length mirror, wearing nothing but one of my shirts.
Her silver bobbed hair reached her shoulders, sparkling like a fresh field of snow. What stood out most were the familiar-looking horns protruding from the sides of her head and a thick tail emerging from her tailbone, slightly lifting the hem of the shirt.
She looked to be in her early twenties. She was currently examining her reflection, arms stretched out to her sides.
Her mysterious, light-blue eyes turned toward me. She was smiling broadly.
She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
[Ah. Tomorrow is finally the day for the fitting, so I tried changing my appearance in advance. For now, I just threw on Master’s clothes, but how do I look? Am I not beautiful?]
The appearance was entirely new, but the voice was unmistakable.
I couldn't suppress the confusion surging through me. I walked up to the silver-haired woman and tentatively touched her horns. She closed her eyes, leaning into the touch.
[That feels good. Keep stroking them…]
The woman gently brushed her hand against mine as I petted her. There was only one being this could be.
“Hilde…?”
[Yes, Master. You called?]
No, wait. What is this? Why is she like this?
The silver-haired woman—the Frost Dragon Hilde—opened her eyes and looked at me. Up close, those eyes were definitely hers.
“You could transform into a human…?” I asked, dazed.
[Huh? Did I not tell you? I can take a form that allows me to go unnoticed by humans.]
Hilde seemed genuinely confused as to why I was so shocked.
How was I supposed to know "unnoticed by humans" meant becoming a human? I remembered her saying some cryptic things last year about being able to take other forms, but I hadn't expected this.
[Hmm, while you’re at it, could you pet me elsewhere too?]
As I stroked her head, she practically melted with joy. There was no doubt; it felt like real human hair.
Since our first meeting, Hilde had always loved being petted like a dog. Even in human form, her preferences hadn't changed.
Seeing her blush and close her eyes while enjoying my touch gave me a very strange feeling. Hilde, whom I had always viewed as a puppy, now looked nothing like one. It was incredibly awkward and unfamiliar.
[Meow! Is Isaac here?]
At that moment, the Phantom Cat Cheshire hopped in through the window.
[Alice said she’d be busy with chores starting tomorrow, so I came to see if you wanted to— Meow?!]
The Phantom Cat looked back and forth between me—who was standing there completely naked—and Hilde, who was wearing nothing but my shirt. It went dead silent.
[Oh, Cheshire! Good to see you!]
Hilde, completely failing to read the room, simply waved her hand and greeted the cat like an old friend.