Chapter 260: Coronation Ceremony (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 260: Coronation Ceremony (2)
The carriage had been prepared in Düpfendorf.
The luxurious white carriage was sturdy enough to traverse the harshest frozen wastes, pulled by white magic beasts whose bodies were etched with shimmering ice crystals.
Soldiers from Düpfendorf served as our escort. Outside, the rhythmic clanking of armor signaled the steady march of the Ice Knights. Even now, this level of royal treatment felt entirely alien to me.
I had informed Luce, Kaya, Dorothy, and White that I would be attending the coronation. Originally, I only intended to bring Alice, as she was my minion and effectively a member of Düpfendorf’s forces. It only made sense for her to come along.
However, as we were leaving the academy and crossing the landing bridge, Dorothy suddenly swooped down and landed right on top of the carriage. Eventually, she was ushered inside, leading to the current situation.
This is incredibly awkward…
Dorothy and Alice did not get along. The atmosphere inside the carriage was thick with tension.
As we traveled, the first few snowflakes began to fall, dancing through the air.
[Master, it’s snowing.]
“We must be almost there.”
The northern reaches of the Zelver Empire, where snow fell year-round, were a long journey from the academy. This was clearly the influence of Düpfendorf’s territory. Düpfendorf was a land of eternal, biting cold, yet it wasn't far from the academy's borders.
In the distance, the massive walls the Empire had erected using rock magic came into view. Stretching beyond the horizon, the vast wall served as a breakwater against the encroaching chill of Düpfendorf.
To cross the border, we had to reach the only section where the rock wall had not been built. This area was heavily guarded by the Border Patrol of both the Empire and Düpfendorf. Security was tight, but since Düpfendorf maintained friendly relations with the Empire, crossing was relatively easy as long as the proper requirements were met.
Well, the relationship was friendly for now. Who knew what the future held?
*
“Should we stop here for the night?”
“I think so. It’s freezing, and I’m exhausted.”
It was late at night. As they approached Düpfendorf’s territory, the cold had become as severe as the dead of winter.
Isaac and his party stopped at a lodging facility in a nearby village. Since there weren't enough rooms to accommodate everyone, Isaac, Alice, and Dorothy took the available rooms first. The coachman went to find other lodgings, while the escort troops set up a temporary camp to sleep outdoors.
And then…
“…”
Dorothy and Alice ended up sharing a room.
It was a double. In the dark room, the two lay side by side on a single bed. Dorothy lay on the very edge, facing away from Alice. Meanwhile, Alice lay perfectly still, staring up at the ceiling.
“How did it come to this…?”
“Did you want to sleep with Isaac instead?”
“That’s not what I mean. Why do I have to share a bed with you?”
“This isn't the first time. We’ve slept together before. If you really hate it that much, why don't you sleep on the floor?”
“I’m not giving up the bed.”
Dorothy yawned. She hated the situation, but she was too tired to keep arguing.
“I’m going to sleep. Don’t talk to me anymore.”
“Dorothy, you know…”
“I said don’t talk to me…”
“Did you follow us because you’re nervous I’m going to steal Isaac away?”
“…Are you out of your mind?”
“I’m just kidding.” Alice laughed playfully before her voice turned cautious. “You followed us because you’re worried about Isaac, right?”
“…”
Dorothy’s eyes narrowed.
“You can read people’s emotions. I can’t do that, but lately, Isaac seems to be in a desperate rush.”
“…It’s true that he isn't okay right now.” Dorothy’s voice grew quiet. “Isaac carries this crushing sense of responsibility, insisting he has to defeat the Evil God. He’s living his life without realizing how much it’s tearing him apart. Lately… he’s seemed so sad.”
“Sad?”
“Yeah. Even though he’s always been tough, something has made him deeply sad recently… I can’t help but worry.”
No matter how strong-willed Isaac was, she couldn't just stand by and watch him wither away alone. Dorothy wanted to be a source of comfort for him. She wanted to naturally ease the unspeakable sorrows he carried.
Alice looked at the back of Dorothy’s head with a gentle smile.
“I see. You’re very thoughtful, Dorothy.”
“…I really don’t like it when you say things like that.”
Dorothy grumbled and closed her eyes.
*
After spending the night at the inn, we set off toward the border checkpoint.
It was a gap in the rock wall designed to block the freezing winds of Düpfendorf. There, the flag of the Empire fluttered in the wind.
Alice, Hilde, and I changed into the thick winter clothes we had prepared. Hilde didn’t actually need them, but she said she didn’t want to feel left out, so she bundled up anyway. I felt the same.
Dorothy wore a white fur coat we had brought from Düpfendorf.
“Velon.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
The coachman, Velon, responded immediately. He was a middle-aged man whose name I had learned only the night before. Despite the plummeting temperature, Velon was dressed in what was essentially spring clothing.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“I’m fine. I am of the Frost Tribe; we are resistant to the cold. This is nothing to me.”
“Is that so?”
The Frost Tribe, huh? He looked human, but perhaps his people had evolved to withstand the extreme environment.
“Let me know if you get cold.”
“Thank you for your concern, my Lord.”
Before long, we arrived at the border checkpoint. The facility was a complex of several buildings, almost like a small village.
“Greetings, Ice Sovereign! I am Martin, Commander of the Border Patrol, 3rd Knight Order.”
Having been notified of the Düpfendorf party's arrival, the Border Patrol had lined up to greet me formally. I disembarked from the carriage to show my respect.
I approached the Commander. Behind me stood the Düpfendorf escort, along with Dorothy, Alice, and Hilde.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Isaac. We’d like to pass through. Could you open the gate?”
Since the inspection procedures had been completed upon entering the checkpoint, there was nothing left to do. We simply needed to pass through the giant gate the patrol was guarding.
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
The Border Patrol lined up on either side, clearing a path. Their discipline was impressive. Though the formality was unnecessary, I appreciated the hospitality.
Goooong—
Creeeeak—
The massive gate slowly groaned open. As the two doors parted, a snowstorm surged in as if it had been waiting for this very moment. Once the gate was fully open, the blizzard rushed inside, ruffling my hair and clothes. The whistling wind filled my ears.
It wasn't particularly cold to me. It felt like a light, chilly breeze.
“Nihihi, it’s so cold!” Dorothy laughed cheerfully.
Alice silently crossed her arms and hunched her shoulders against the wind.
“Well then, please proceed with caution,” Commander Martin said, stepping aside and bowing his head.
[My Lord, perhaps you should return to the carriage…]
“It’s fine. My body feels stiff, so I’ll walk for a bit.”
I answered Captain Morcan, who spoke from behind me. Being cooped up in the carriage was starting to feel suffocating.
We passed through the wide-open gate. The Border Patrol lined up again to watch us depart. And just like that, we set foot on the territory of Düpfendorf.
“Amazing…!” Dorothy’s voice was full of wonder.
It was a world of pure white. A white sky. White plants that shimmered with a blue hue. Although a path was visible, the entire landscape was buried under snow. It was an endless, pristine field of white. Blue mana stones were placed at intervals along the path, seemingly to prevent the snow from piling up too high.
“Nyahaha! It’s beautiful, but it’s freezing!” Dorothy shouted excitedly, giggling as she left footprints in the deep snow.
This place was often called the Land of Death. Attempting to traverse it was considered suicide because of the intense cold, which was unbearable for anyone not born of Düpfendorf.
The cause was the pervasive, fierce blizzard. It wasn't a natural storm; it was a beautiful, lethal phenomenon made of pure mana. Because of these constant storms, Düpfendorf struggled with trade and had become an isolated nation. The chilling air that governed this land could not be controlled by anyone—until a new ruler emerged.
But now, I was here.
“Everyone, hold on a moment.”
“Baby?” Alice called out, her voice laced with confusion as I stepped forward. The Border Patrol watched me curiously from the gate.
I could feel it. This blizzard belonged to me. This mana was mine to command. I had formed a contract with Düpfendorf through the Blade of Frost Flowers. I was the new Ice Sovereign.
I extended my right arm. As I reached out to command the storm, pale blue mana began to swirl around me.
I whispered softly.
“Stop.”
Hwaaaaa!!
My will rippled through the air. Amidst the sound of the raging gale, the blizzard rapidly subsided, vanishing beyond the horizon.
Visibility cleared instantly. Sunlight poured through the white sky, making the snowy landscape of Düpfendorf shine even brighter.
I turned around to see the others staring at me in shock.
“Senior Dorothy, how is it now?”
“It’s… it’s perfect!”
“Good to hear.” I smiled brightly.
“What in the world…?” Commander Martin stammered, trembling in awe.
The Border Patrol looked on with reverence. They seemed to believe I could suppress natural disasters with a mere word. I didn't bother correcting their misunderstanding.
“Let’s go.”
I led the stunned Düpfendorf soldiers forward. Our destination was the capital, where my coronation awaited.