Chapter 249: Hilde (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 249: Hilde (3)
I handed Hilde the clothes I’d prepared in advance.
The shop owner looked puzzled, and Dorothy seemed to have a giant question mark floating over her head. Hilde stepped into the fitting room.
[I shall change and return shortly.]
For a brief moment, a faint glow spilled out from beneath the fitting room door.
When the silver-haired woman finally emerged dressed in my clothes, the shop owner gasped in astonishment.
“What? What is this? Hilde…? Is that really you, Hilde?”
Dorothy was equally stunned.
[Indeed. Am I not radiant?]
Hilde spun gracefully, showing off her new form. Since she was wearing clothes far too large for her frame, her voluptuous figure was mostly hidden, but her beauty was undeniable. With her horns and tail tucked away, she looked exactly like a human girl.
Dorothy’s trembling eyes turned toward me.
“Hilde, you can turn into a human…? I thought the dress was supposed to fit her little dragon form!”
“Yeah, well…”
You thought so too, huh? I was the same at first.
“I only found out yesterday that she could transform.”
“Amazing!” Dorothy exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
She immediately rushed over to Hilde, inspecting her from every angle. Hilde stood slightly taller than Dorothy.
[What is it, Dorothy?]
“You’ve really become human. This is some incredibly advanced transformation magic, isn't it?”
[For one such as I, this level of magic is as easy as breathing. Hmph. Do children these days not even know how to use transformation magic?]
“These days, people just use disguise tools or illusion magic,” Dorothy countered. “There’s no real need to physically alter your body.”
[…!]
The arrogant Hilde flinched at Dorothy’s blunt response.
“I mean, if your body is weak, you can just layer on more protection magic,” Dorothy added.
Hilde tried to find a rebuttal, but Dorothy’s follow-up left her speechless. Hilde’s high-level transformation magic took a lifetime for a normal human to master, and in the modern era, there was simply no need for it. It was far more efficient to master an additional elemental affinity instead.
[Am I… truly that far behind the times…?] Hilde muttered, a shadow of doubt crossing her face.
“First, let’s get your measurements.”
The shop owner approached Hilde, skillfully taking her dimensions. Perhaps because Hilde was already accepted as my familiar, the owner adjusted quickly to the spectacle of her human form. After all, Hilde was a White Dragon—an extraordinary magic beast from the start.
“How about blue for the fabric? I think it would suit you best.”
[Blue, you say? The color of sovereigns…! I like it!]
Hilde glanced at my hair as she answered. I wasn't sure if she associated the color with royalty because of the bluish tint in my own hair.
There was no need for a custom-made piece. Dorothy and Ella picked out a ready-made dress and disappeared into the fitting room to help Hilde change.
Each time they emerged, Hilde proudly showed off the outfit to me and the Phantom Cat, Cheshire.
Holding a magic tool in one hand while practicing my mana circulation, I gave Hilde’s appearance my serious attention. From elegant party gowns to casual everyday dresses, Hilde pulled them all off splendidly.
Everything looked great to me, but Dorothy and Ella kept feeling like something was "missing," leading to an endless cycle of outfit changes.
I’m starting to flag…
“Everything looks good on her,” I offered.
[Meow… Isaac, I’m getting bored,] Cheshire grumbled.
I was slumped in a chair provided by the shop owner with Cheshire curled up on my lap. Even the cat had reached its limit.
“I think this one is the winner after all!”
Dorothy brought back the blue dress Hilde had tried on first. It was more of a sophisticated everyday dress than a formal gown. In the end, Hilde changed back into it. Cheshire and I just stared in weary awe. Then what was the point of the last hour…?
[How do I look, Master?]
“It suits you best.”
[Your answer lacks spirit…]
She really was beautiful. But regardless of how stunning her human form was, I just wanted the fashion show to end. I was utterly exhausted.
[Fine. I shall go with this one. I like it the most as well!]
“Right? Oh, and let’s do something simple with your hair!”
Dorothy braided sections of Hilde’s hair on both sides and pinned them back. Satisfied with her handiwork, Dorothy nodded, and Hilde preened in front of the mirror.
Finally, it’s over.
[Dorothy, how about this? As a reward for your assistance, I shall help you choose some clothes as well!]
“My clothes? Hmm… Isaac, is that okay?”
…!
My nerves instantly stood on end. But I answered as calmly as I could.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Nihihi, great!”
Hilde and Dorothy went off to browse. Every time Dorothy changed into a new outfit, she came out to show me.
“How about this one?”
“Hmm, try that one too.”
“This one?”
“Next, try the one over there.”
“How is it? Does Big Sis look good?”
“Umm…”
Well, damn…
This is Dorothy, after all.
It was a struggle to keep my lips from curling into a massive grin. Just watching her made me incredibly happy. My body practically trembled with a thrilling current of excitement and overwhelming gratitude.
Everything about her was lovely. How could a person be this beautiful? Whatever she wore looked so perfect that it was impossible to pick a favorite.
[Master, why is your reaction so different for Dorothy?] Hilde protested.
What are you talking about?
“What? It’s the same.”
[It is completely different! You barely glanced at me, but your eyes are practically sparkling at Dorothy!]
Hilde stomped her foot in frustration. I guess I wasn't as subtle as I thought.
Sorry, I can't help it.
Dorothy covered her mouth and let out a sly giggle.
“Hehehe. Mr. President, you can’t even keep your head straight because Big Sis is so pretty, can you?”
“What are you talking about… It’s not like that. Anyway, try this one on next. Oh, and that one too…”
Ah, this feeling. It’s been a while.
This is the pure joy of being a fan.
*
After we finished shopping, Dorothy did Hilde’s makeup beautifully. She then left with Ella, mentioning she had some errands to run.
Since the 「Alice Subjugation」, Dorothy had been intensifying her training to ensure she wouldn't be overwhelmed by her Starlight Mana. She spent her time meditating in secluded spots or forcefully circulating her magic. The power bestowed by fairies didn't require the complex calculations of standard magic; its strength depended entirely on the user's synchronization and mana capacity. Her training methods were worlds apart from conventional elemental magic.
Meanwhile, Hilde, clearly enjoying her new blue dress, hummed a quiet tune.
We went to find the Stone Turtle, Gormos, to introduce him to Cheshire.
[Look, Gormos. Am I not breathtaking? Every human we passed praised my beauty!]
[Hmm… is that so?]
Gormos, the massive magic beast with a mountain for a shell, gave an indifferent response. In reality, the only person who had actually praised Hilde was the shop owner. She was clearly exaggerating to boost her own ego.
After walking around and training with Hilde, night soon fell. Cheshire returned to Alice, and I prepared to take Hilde back to the dorms. However, Hilde suggested we visit the top of a nearby tower first.
Today, I wanted to indulge her. It was a special day, after all. Hilde seemed to want to enjoy the feeling of being out in her dress a little longer.
We climbed the high tower and looked down at the academy grounds. Above us, the tranquil night sky stretched into infinity. I could sense that Hilde had something on her mind. As her master, I could feel her shifting emotions.
As I stood there silently, magic tool in hand, Hilde finally spoke.
[Master, may I speak of something serious?]
“Go ahead. What is it?”
[It is about my previous master…]
The Primordial Ice Sovereign?
I was relieved she didn't bring up the reincarnation theory again. There was no need to dig into my "past life." Beyond the fragments in the setting book, I didn't know much about the Primordial Ice Sovereign. She was a figure from the distant past, someone I didn't think I needed to know.
[She was a somber woman for a human. Her emaciated frame looked as though it might collapse at any moment, and she spoke so little it seemed she was lost in a world of her own.]
Hilde leaned against the railing, gazing up at the stars.
[She claimed many lives. Traitors, marauders, demons, and ferocious beasts were her enemies. The more blood she shed, the more silent she became… Oh, forgive me. I have brought up unpleasant things.]
Hilde paused for a moment.
[There was an ice valley where any creature that approached would perish from the cold. My previous master was the only human who ever came to me in my solitude. She reached out her hand and asked me to roam the world with her.]
“That sounds like a precious memory.”
[It is. She always wore a cold expression, but hehe… I was lonely then, and I truly adored her. It is a day I will never forget.]
“…”
[She never showed affection to anyone. My feelings for her were entirely one-sided. I longed for the voice that called my name, the battles we fought together, her touch. And then, a thousand years passed, and I met you.]
Hilde looked deep into my eyes.
“…You’re not going to tell me I’m her reincarnation again, are you?”
[My beliefs have not changed, Master. I still believe you are her. But… if you truly are someone with no connection to her…]
Hilde’s expression darkened, as if she were recalling something painful. She hesitated, then finally spoke the words she had been holding back.
[Would you listen to a message my previous master left behind?]
“A message?”
She left a message?
[My previous master and the Primordial Elemental Kings left a prophecy. ‘In the future, an Evil God of destruction shall be resurrected to bring about the end of days, but a Brave Hero shall arise to stop it.’ This message is related to that prophecy.]
My eyes narrowed instinctively. That was the central prophecy of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱. I had overlooked it, assuming it was just flavor text, but hearing Hilde bring it up sent an indescribable chill through me.
Questions began to swirl.
The prophecy of the Primordial Kings was based on fragmented visions of the future.
But this world…
This is the world I am currently living in…
In the game, the player character was Ian. Since Ian was the one who stopped the Evil God, it was natural to assume the "Brave Hero" was him. After all, only the "Child of Light" was supposed to be able to defeat the Evil God.
But…
If that were the case, why was the term "Brave Hero" used instead of "Child of Light"?
Furthermore, unless I died, I was the one who would be stopping the Evil God. How could Ian, who lacked the System and my current combat prowess, possibly stand against it? There was no way to win unless I took the lead and Ian delivered the final blow.
It raised a chilling question: Was the "Brave Hero" in the prophecy actually Ian?
“…Go on.”
[Master. If you are not the reincarnation of my previous master, then you might be the ‘Brave Hero’ the Primordial Elemental Kings foresaw.]
“…”
Could the Primordial Kings have actually seen this exact situation?
…No, let’s not jump to conclusions. This is all just conjecture.
Still, I couldn't suppress the suspicion boiling in my gut.
[If that hero appeared, my master asked that I deliver this message.]
I listened intently. This was a message from the Primordial Ice Sovereign herself, kept secret by Hilde for a millennium.
Hilde finally spoke the words uttered a thousand years ago.
[‘Please, with peace in your heart, destroy me.’]
A cold dread trickled down my spine.
“What…?”
What could that possibly mean?
For a long time, we simply stood there, staring into each other’s eyes as the cool night breeze swept past us.