Chapter 258: Secret Research (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 258: Secret Research (4)
I must have blacked out.
Aria Lilias filled me in on what happened while I was hallucinating.
Apparently, when that something surged from the rift and pierced my forehead, I had collapsed instantly. It didn’t take long; although it felt like over ten minutes to me, Aria said I was out for less than thirty seconds. I regained consciousness just as she was cycling through various means to wake me up.
“I’m glad you’re safe. But that message from the Nether… it’s unbelievable.”
We were in the spacious, library-like laboratory, sitting against a bookshelf. The secret passage had already been hidden from view once more.
I briefly recounted my experience, though I omitted the fact that the person who left the message was Dorothy.
“To think a Transcendent Being is aware of my research and orchestrated a way for you to find me…”
“She wanted to warn me that I’m currently no match for the Evil God.”
“Because of the Authority of Godslaying… In the end, the gods are gambling on you?”
“Probably.”
I, once a mere player, had become a pawn in a divine game. This struggle against the Evil God was so vast in scale that time itself and countless fateful crossroads were nothing more than cards to be played.
I was just a small, insignificant human. I couldn't fully grasp the game board the gods had set.
Even now, I still don’t.
There were many mysteries that would remain unsolved unless I could speak directly with the developers, Higgs. One thing, however, was clear: my choices were limited.
“…I’m going to the Nether.”
Aria’s eyes trembled slightly. Naturally, I had decided to choose the second method Dorothy mentioned.
“I’m going to find a way to defeat the Evil God. There’s someone I need to meet there.”
“I have a lot to say… but first, there’s something you need to know.” Aria turned toward me. “How do you plan to get there? You aren’t thinking of dying to cross over, are you?”
“The person who sent the message told me how.”
Dorothy had explained the path to the Nether while discussing the second method.
“I’m going to widen the rift and pass through it.”
“What…?” Aria’s eyes widened in shock.
“I need to find a guaranteed way to expand the rift. I’ll assist in your research, if that’s alright with you?”
I recalled the contents of the mysterious book. It had said Aria was on my side. If a god was encouraging her rather than condemning her, this arrogant mage would surely follow her instincts without restraint.
Our interests aligned, and she could satisfy her intellectual curiosity in the process. Aria would become my most loyal ally.
Did Dorothy see through this?
If it comes to this, am I dabbling in black magic now, too?
Well, since I was in the same boat as Aria, I decided to adopt her mindset—boldly believing that what we were doing wasn't black magic. After all, we had a noble cause. This was all to defeat the Evil God and protect the world.
“Hee, hehehe….”
An uncontrollable laughter bubbled out of Aria, her shoulders trembling. It was a peculiar, haunting sound.
“That sounds truly wonderful… Seriously perfect….”
Aria’s voice was so thick with ecstasy it sounded as if she might sob with joy. It was the most lively and joyous expression I had ever seen on her face.
*
“Isaac!”
As I left the Tower Master’s laboratory and prepared to exit Hegel Tower, I ran into Luce in the hallway. She was dressed in her Hegel Tower apprentice robes.
We headed to the rooftop. Thanks to the Tower Master’s permission, we had access to it at any time. We stood side by side at the railing, looking out over the night view of Märchen Academy.
The night breeze was cool and refreshing.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? You know I’m doing my apprenticeship here.”
“It was late. I thought it might be rude to disturb you.”
“Isaac… I hate you,” Luce murmured softly, her voice barely a whisper.
“How did you know I was here?”
“Your familiar came to see the Tower Master before, didn’t she?”
…How did she know that?
“When I heard the Tower Master was returning today, I figured you’d show up.”
“Really…? Sharp as always, I see.”
Luce gave me a meaningful look. “Is something going on?”
“Huh? Nothing.”
“If you came to see the Tower Master the moment she returned, it must be something urgent.”
Luce’s specialty—interrogation—had begun.
“What is it?”
“I just had a few things to ask Teacher.”
Luce looked at me skeptically. I couldn't tell her the truth—that I was planning to go to the Nether and had decided to work with Aria. If I told her that, she’d think I was throwing my life away.
Suddenly, I fully understood why the Dorothy from the first cycle had written that Aria would be my ally. Someone like Luce, who held deep affection for me, would never let me walk such a dangerous path. Neither would the others.
In the end, no one was as perfectly aligned with my interests or as optimized to help me as Aria.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s really nothing.”
“…Alright. I won’t ask again.”
She backed down surprisingly easily. As I turned back to the night view, Luce suddenly pulled my head toward her. She pulled my face against her chest, the soft sensation enveloping my chin and cheeks.
What’s this, all of a sudden…?
“Why are you doing this so suddenly…?”
“You like my chest, don’t you?”
“Isn’t this an inappropriate time to say that? Seriously, why?”
“…Isaac,” Luce whispered, stroking the back of my head. “Why have you been looking so sad?”
Despite my efforts to keep a straight face, my emotions must have leaked through. I had been careless. If Luce noticed, there was no hiding it.
“Well… things happen. Not everything in life is always good, you know.”
“…”
The more I pondered Dorothy Gale’s words, the deeper my regret grew. She was the Dorothy I first met. The person I liked. Everyone’s time had been turned back, but Dorothy alone had been sacrificed as a pawn. It was a truly messed-up situation.
“But it’s okay. Really. It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
I smiled nonchalantly, having no intention of burdening Luce with these worries. Luce continued to stroke my head as she turned her gaze toward the horizon.
“The forest path looks very dark,” she noted.
“It does.”
“Do you want to stay over? It’s dangerous out there at night.”
“I’m… not exactly someone who needs to be warned about the dangers of the night, am I?”
“Then let’s stay like this a little longer. I promised to do this when you’re having a hard time.” Luce leaned her cheek against the top of my head, her warmth enveloping me. “We’re going to live together anyway, so you’d better get used to my comfort.”
Such a considerate person…
It really was comforting.
“Thank you, Luce.”
“Even when we have our eldest daughter, Adriana, and our son, Hamel… if you want, I’ll always hold you before the kids.”
“…Huh?”
I was lost. What on earth is she talking about?
*
[Is that really true…?]
I arrived back at the dorm. As I entered the room, I was greeted by the Frost Dragon, Hilde, who was cleaning in her human form. Usually, the academy maids handled the cleaning, making this unnecessary, but Hilde said she wanted to try mimicking human life.
The only light in the dark room was the soft glow of a lamp. I sat Hilde down on the bed and told her everything that had happened at Hegel Tower—except for one thing. I left out the part about the Primordial Ice Sovereign guarding the icy lake.
I had already given Hilde a lot to process. If I mentioned the Sovereign now, I didn't know how it would affect her emotionally, given she had longed for her former master for a thousand years. It was a conversation for another time.
“Yeah.”
[We need to find Dorothy immediately, Master!]
Hilde was restless, clearly prioritizing Dorothy’s rescue over the dangers of the Nether. My feelings were the same, but there was nothing I could do yet.
“I still need to improve my skills. It will take time. I have to prepare thoroughly.”
I knew exactly what I had to do. I needed to master my emotions and avoid impatience. If I didn't prepare perfectly, it would just be a meaningless death.
The reason was the Bad Ending: 「Wanderer of the Nether」.
In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, there were certain entities that always led to a Game Over. One of them was the Nether King.
In the game, if a player used the ‘Key to Mysteries’ to reach the edge of the Nether and stayed there until the key’s effect wore off, they triggered the conditions for that ending. While wandering the void, a giant pair of eyes would eventually appear in the sky. The owner of those eyes would introduce himself as the Nether King.
That overwhelming presence brought death to Ian, who had defied the truth. In the end, Ian became a wandering soul. That was the 「Wanderer of the Nether」 ending.
Dorothy from the first cycle said I had to defeat the Nether King. If I entered the Nether with my physical body, I would inevitably draw his attention. A confrontation was unavoidable.
Thinking about facing a Bad Ending boss I thought I’d never have to encounter made my heart pound with a secret, cold fear.
[Master… will you really be alright? Can you handle it?]
She was asking if I could endure the weight of it all.
I pulled out the silver dagger, the Blade of Frost Flowers. As I drew it from the sheath, the three pale blue magic circles activated. I needed to look far ahead. I had to do my best. I had to reap the maximum benefit. That was the only path forward.
“…Honestly, I’m not alright.”
I wasn't okay. Especially regarding Dorothy’s situation, my heart felt like it could burst with sheer rage. I sheathed the Blade of Frost Flowers and looked at Hilde. She was watching me with a complicated expression.
“As I said, I’m going to prepare thoroughly and go to the Nether.”
It was no different from before. Just like when I worked tirelessly to bring down the Floating Island to save Dorothy. I would clear the scenarios and relentlessly grow stronger.
I will prepare to traverse the Nether.
“There, I’ll meet someone who will impart the ultimate ice magic to me. And then…”
—Are you two in love with each other?
The distant icy lake. At the bottom of everything, alone in that small, shabby house.
“I’m going to see Dorothy.”
I steeled my resolve.