Chapter 292: Iron Fairy Subjugation (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 292: Iron Fairy Subjugation (2)
“Have you still not found White?!”
Inside a makeshift shelter reinforced by barriers, Emperor Carlos’s urgent roar made the Imperial Knight bow his head in shame.
“My deepest apologies, Your Majesty! The situation is chaotic, and we haven’t been able to locate her yet…!”
The Academy Clash was a massive event that drew an enormous crowd, and Princess White had been right in the thick of it.
“Kugh…!”
Emperor Carlos’s face darkened with worry for his daughter’s safety.
*
Having played through Magic Knight of Märchen multiple times, I knew something was off.
The timing of when the other fairies appeared in 「Act 11, Fairy Way」 seemed to shift with every playthrough. Curious if it was just me, I had checked the community forums back then, only to find that many others had experienced the same thing.
It didn’t take long after the game’s release for this anomaly to be recognized as a hidden mechanic.
White…
The key variable was Princess Snow White—or more accurately, her latent abilities.
Nix, the Night Fairy, had bestowed a blessing upon the Elfieto Royal Family. Among them, White was the one most deeply influenced by that power. Nix was a high-ranking fairy, a leader among her kind.
In the game, after Rachnil made his appearance, White would instinctively realize how to summon the other fairies. The time it took for her to awaken varied wildly depending on her current strength.
The other fairies need to arrive quickly if we’re going to stand a chance against Rachnil.
Ian and I could land a few hits on him, but we couldn't actually defeat him. We needed the intervention of the other fairies. In short, White—the one who could call them here—was the ultimate key player in 「Act 11, Fairy War」.
But now, Rachnil had appeared far earlier than expected. It was impossible to predict how the situation would unfold.
Damn, [Clairvoyance] isn’t working…
As expected of veteran wizards, their powerful barriers were successfully jamming my [Clairvoyance]. I needed to check on White’s condition immediately.
“I can’t summon my familiar!”
“What? What’s happening?”
“I can’t even call my minions…!”
Panic spread among the students as they realized their summoning magic was failing.
“Don’t bother trying to summon them now if they weren’t already out,” I called out.
“What?”
“Ever since that giant Greatsword appeared in the sky, all summoning pathways have been blocked.”
It was Rachnil’s doing. Technically, fairies were the supreme species among magic beasts. Since familiars and minions fell under that category, Rachnil could suppress their summoning at will.
That was why I couldn't call upon Düpfendorf’s forces. I had tried, but the connection was severed.
But… fortunately, this one still works.
It was incredibly mana-inefficient and taxing, but I needed every ounce of power available to protect the students. I thrust my arm out to the side.
“Come forth, Alice.”
A massive surge of mana erupted, as if a dam had burst. A pale blue magic circle manifested on the ground, radiating a brilliant light that coalesced into the form of a girl.
The students stood frozen in shock. It was the first time any of them had seen a human-type minion being summoned.
The girl had wavy, light-gold hair and was clad in ornate magic armor, gripping the Vorpal Sword tightly. She turned to me with a gentle, knowing smile.
“Master, this is the first time you’ve summoned me, isn’t it?”
Alice Carroll.
As a human-type minion, it seemed Rachnil’s suppression didn't affect her.
“Is that her? The one from Märchen Academy who’s said to rival Dorothy Heartnova…”
“Alice Carroll?”
“She looks exactly like the rumors described…”
“How did he summon a person? And one that powerful…?”
The students stared at us, eyes wide with disbelief.
We looked up at the ceiling. A sharp crack echoed as the [Fossilized Ice] began to fracture. Maintaining the ice was pointless now; Rachnil would break through the defensive magic momentarily. Continuing to fuel it would only waste mana.
“Is the enemy in the sky?” Alice asked.
“Yeah. He’ll be descending any second.”
“Do you know why the others haven't been able to summon their soldiers?”
“Because we’re dealing with a fairy. It’s an innate ability they all possess.”
“A fairy… now this is getting interesting. So, what are your orders, Master?”
“Protect the students here. Save as many as you can.”
Alice bowed gracefully. “As you command.”
“Ice Sovereign! We’ve brought them!”
“Senior Isaac!”
Several students rushed toward me. Fortunately, one of the students capable of flight magic had managed to bring Abel Carnedas and Ian Fairytale. I breathed a sigh of relief; they had arrived sooner than I’d hoped.
“Senior Isaac, what on earth is going on?!”
“What happened to Ian?”
Ian was unconscious, slumped over Abel’s back.
“He fainted a moment ago!”
I didn’t waste time asking for details. I was just glad they were safe.
At that moment, my senses spiked. The hair on my arms stood on end.
“…!”
The air grew heavy, thick with tension. Even those with the weakest mana perception couldn't miss the monstrous presence descending upon us.
Rumble!!
CRASH!!!
Shattering the [Fossilized Ice] into a million shards, a silver-haired boy slammed into the ground. Dozens of blades floated in a halo around him. He looked like an eerie, beautiful puppet crafted entirely from iron.
As the ice crumbled and the remnants of the defensive magic scattered like glittering dust, a terrifying pressure was unleashed. It was a gale of mana powerful enough to swallow the entire arena.
Noah’s voice trembled. “Rachnil…”
[Iron Fairy Rachnil]
Lv: 200
Race: Fairy
Element: Iron
Danger Level: Extreme
The Iron Fairy, Rachnil. His crimson eyes locked onto Noah.
[It has been a long time. I am glad to see you are safe. But… who are you?]
Rachnil’s fierce gaze shifted toward me.
Swish!
The rain of swords suddenly changed trajectory, piling up in layers between the stage and the audience. The blades melted, liquefying and merging into a thick, towering wall of iron.
[You. Come here.]
Rachnil reached out toward Noah.
“Ugh…!”
Iron mana surged around Noah, encasing him in a sphere in the blink of an eye. The sphere immediately began flying toward Rachnil.
K-BOOM!!
“Kyaa!”
“What’s happening?!”
“T-the ground is giving way!!”
“Everyone, run!!”
A violent earthquake tore through the stadium, causing the stands to collapse. As the ground buckled, iron walls rose sharply from the earth. The students panicked, fleeing in every direction.
So it’s begun.
There was no time for hesitation. Mana roared through my circuits.
Flash!
I launched myself off the ground, chasing the iron sphere.
In the original story of Magic Knight of Märchen, Ian was the one who rescued Noah from Rachnil. Seeing Ian’s strength was what piqued Rachnil’s interest. To keep the 「Fairy Way」 on track, I had to save Noah right now.
I extended both hands, condensing rock mana until the Obsidian Blade materialized. The defensive ring of [Eclipse] trailed behind me. With the Obsidian Blade’s passive defense, I could tank a counterattack from Rachnil without taking fatal damage.
[Fairy detected as enemy.]
[Unique Trait: [Nightfalls’ Edge] is activated!]
The system window flashed, and the Obsidian Blade was bathed in a chilling, nocturnal glow. This trait was the only reason a mere elemental wizard like me could deal meaningful damage to a fairy.
Rock mana pulsed.
[Stone Breathing - First Form]
The prelude to the Yellow Wave Slash. I swung the Obsidian Blade at the sphere hurtling toward Rachnil.
CRASH!!
The powerful slash shattered the iron shell, sending metallic debris flying. I lunged forward, grabbing Noah’s arm and pulling him free.
“Huff, huff…!”
Noah rolled onto the ground, gasping for air. The sphere had already begun to drain his iron mana. I didn't have time to check if he was okay. I took my stance and leaped toward Rachnil.
[How…?]
Surprise flickered across Rachnil’s face. Even if he wasn't at full power, I had just destroyed a fairy’s magic. To him, the idea of a mere human breaking his spell was inconceivable.
That’s right. Stay shocked.
I raised the Obsidian Blade high. The chilling light of [Nightfalls’ Edge], the golden glow of rock mana, and the frost of ice mana all converged on the blade, radiating an ominous, crushing power.
I brought it down with everything I had.
BOOM!!
A surge of frozen rock mana tore through the earth, racing toward Rachnil.
[Stone Breathing - Second Form: Stone Wave]
It was the Obsidian Blade’s signature long-range strike.
[…Such a toy cannot reach me.]
Rachnil frowned and swept his arm. Iron mana condensed instantly, forming five massive greatswords in the air.
[Is it something like this?]
The five greatswords, wreathed in silver mana, mimicked my gesture and slammed into the ground.
K-BOOM!!
The razor-sharp iron mana shredded the earth, colliding head-on with my Stone Wave. As the explosion sent shrapnel flying, I quickly cast a rock shield to protect the nearby students.
He’s mimicking my technique…
Just like in the game. They were a race at the absolute pinnacle of creation for a reason.
[Amazing… You are almost at the level of a fairy!]
Rachnil let out a delighted, melodic laugh.
[This is fun… Very well. Let us have a delightful game!]
It was playing out exactly like the cutscene. After Noah was saved, Rachnil would postpone the absorption and propose a "game" out of pure, arrogant boredom. It was the leisure of the strong.
Rumble!!
The earthquake intensified. Iron walls rose in every direction, partitioning the stadium. I aimed my finger at Rachnil to fire a 7-star [Icebolt], but a wall of iron shot up instantly, severing my line of sight.
Clang!!
I reflexively slashed through the iron wall, but it repaired itself instantly, becoming even thicker. The very terrain was shifting.
Finally, the tremors stopped. The surroundings had been transformed into a closed labyrinth, illuminated by the haunting glow of raw mana.
So it came to this after all…
I looked around. I had been separated from the main group. The only silver lining was that Ian and Noah were nearby. Just as I prepared to break through the wall to reach them—
[Welcome to the Iron Sanctuary.]
Rachnil’s voice boomed from the shadows, echoing through the halls.
[You are the honored guests chosen to entertain me until my plans reach fruition.]
Magic Knight of Märchen 「Act 11, Chapter 2: Fairy Way (1)」
[Let us begin an Academy Clash just for us!]
The Rachnil Subjugation had officially begun.