Chapter 312: To The Nether (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 312: To The Nether (2)
“Hello, Darling.”
I met Alice Carroll in her labyrinth, specifically within the Heart Queen’s audience chamber.
“What’s with the ‘Darling’ again…?”
“It’s just you and me here. No one to interrupt.”
I shot Alice a sharp look, though her expression remained as innocent as ever.
“So, what is it? It’s been a while since you asked to see me alone.”
“I have a favor to ask.”
Alice was my minion. She could not resist my will, harm me, or disobey my commands. It made perfect sense to entrust this task to her.
“I have somewhere I need to go.”
“Where? Is it far?”
“The Nether. I’m not sure exactly how far it is.”
Alice’s face instantly froze. She moved closer to me, her voice dropping.
“Baby, what do you mean…?”
“Don’t get any weird ideas. It doesn’t mean I’m dying. I’ve found a way to travel there.”
“Is that even possible?”
I nodded and settled into one of the chairs scattered around the room.
“…Why would you go to such a place?”
“I have a vital reason.”
I gave Alice a brief explanation. I told her I needed to retrieve something from the Nether to defeat the Evil God.
“I see. So, when are you leaving…?”
Staring at the empty throne of the Heart Queen, I answered.
“Soon. I might even be gone while Vuel stirs up chaos over the Black Stone.”
Vuel—the final boss of 「Act 9, Treacherous Heavenly Being Subjugation」 in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
While he wreaked havoc, I would be in the Nether. I could only cross over when the Netherstorm blew around the rift, and unfortunately, that coincided exactly with the day the Heavenly Clock was set to activate.
“You’d leave during something so crucial…”
“I’ll come back as soon as I can. I want to deal with Vuel myself. But while I’m gone, I’ll have to leave everything to you guys.”
“Have you told the others yet?”
I shook my head. “I’m not going to.”
Kaya practically worshipped me, so she might respect my decision. But Luce and Dorothy would either try to stop me or insist on tagging along. Luce, especially, would be the most persistent.
Even though I felt guilty, I had to minimize variables. That place was far too dangerous. No matter who I took with me, they’d be walking into certain death. It would be difficult enough to keep myself alive, let alone someone else.
Once I left for the Nether, I’d have Alice pass on my message to the others.
“The others will be devastated.”
“I need to minimize the risks. Honestly, I don’t have the emotional luxury to deal with their reactions right now.”
“Surely, you’ll take me with you at least…?”
“No.”
Alice’s gaze fell to the floor. “Then what am I supposed to do?”
“Prepare for the possibility that I might not return, and be ready to fight Vuel with everything you’ve got. And…”
I gave her several more instructions, but Alice remained silent.
“…I’m counting on you.”
With that, I rose from my seat and walked away.
*
It was a remarkably clear day.
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the moonlight shone with brilliant intensity. I was grateful the weather wasn’t dreary; a gloomy sky would have only dampened my resolve.
“All set?”
When I reached the top floor of the Hegel Tower, Aria was there to greet me at the entrance.
The night was deep. The duel evaluations were over, and it was time to prepare for the final exams. Today was also the day the Netherstorm would hit. Tracking the storm wasn’t difficult, so gauging when it would sweep over the rift became easier as the moment drew near.
“Yes.”
The lab door opened, revealing Aria’s dimly lit study. The room was bathed in blue moonlight filtering through the glass ceiling. We entered the lab together.
“…Hmm?”
We both stopped in our tracks.
A girl with rose-gold hair stood quietly in the center of the pouring moonlight. The morpho butterfly ornament in her hair glistened, catching the light. Her lifeless eyes stared coldly at me—eyes as empty as a doll’s.
“You’re here?”
It was Luce Eltania.
[Luce Eltania]
Lv: 175
Race: Human
Element: Water, Lightning
Danger: ?■?
“Professor, what is Luce doing here…?”
I had already seen her through [Clairvoyance], but I feigned ignorance.
“It couldn’t be helped,” Aria sighed. “It’s obvious that ungrateful girl is more powerful than I am. The best I could do was prevent her from causing more damage. Isaac, you need to deal with your own mess.”
Luce was a genius among geniuses from the Empire’s finest academy. Even Aria stood little chance against her in a direct confrontation.
I looked around. This was a spacious circular library that Aria usually kept impeccably organized. Now, it was in total disarray—clear evidence of a power struggle between Luce and Aria. The Magic Tower had not intervened, likely on Aria’s orders. She knew I was coming and wanted to prevent the situation from escalating.
That’s a relief.
It was a wise decision. Today was the day I departed for the Nether; I had to avoid any unnecessary commotion at all costs.
I left Aria behind and walked toward Luce, stopping a short distance away.
“What’s going on?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know.”
Luce’s voice seeped into the moonlight, creating a hauntingly beautiful resonance.
“Where do you intend to go?”
Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper, yet perfectly clear.
The danger level ‘?■?’ was unique to Luce in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱. It was the sign of the bad ending, 「Bird Cage」—a result of overwhelming affection, possessiveness, and an intense, twisted protective instinct to keep her loved one by her side forever.
I could read Luce’s mind. She didn’t want me to be in danger and was determined to protect me, even at the cost of her own life. That firm resolve was etched into her eyes.
I lowered my head and took off my glasses.
This is exactly why I didn’t want to say anything.
I tucked my glasses into my pocket and looked at Luce again. I forced a natural smile.
“I’m going to the Nether.”
Luce’s eyes trembled. “How could a living person even get there?”
“I’ve already found a way, silly. Soon, the opportunity to enter will arrive.”
“That’s… fine. I know you’re an Archwizard, so maybe you’ve figured it out. But it’s still a death trap. Why would you want to go there?”
“I have my reasons. I told you before, didn’t I? The Evil God will revive soon. To defeat her, I need to retrieve something from the Nether.”
“You never mentioned going to the Nether.”
“Because I knew you’d react like this.”
Luce’s expression gradually crumbled into sadness. “Isaac…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely come back.”
“That’s not what I want to hear! Why… why do you always try to walk away from me? I don’t care if you’re an Archwizard, the Ice Sovereign, or the pinnacle of humanity… I just want you to stay by my side. That’s all I’ve ever wanted… Isaac, take me with you…”
“It’s too dangerous. That’s why I need you to handle things here.”
“No! If anything happens to you, I won’t be able to live with it!”
This was the first time Luce had displayed such raw, intense emotion since I’d met her in this world.
“I like—no—I love you, Isaac! I really do! So if you’re going to fight the Evil God, find another way, or at least take me with you… I can help! I’d rather die than see you in danger…!”
Since losing her brother Hansel and the Candy House Witch, Luce had locked her heart away. I was the only one she had opened it to. Knowing she couldn’t bear the pain of loss again, she clung to me with an almost obsessive desperation.
I understood. And I was grateful.
“Luce.”
But…
“Step aside.”
This was non-negotiable.
Luce flinched at my cold tone. I had nothing more to say. If there were anyone worth taking, I would have gladly brought them along. But there wasn't a single soul on earth who could assist me in the Nether. Dealing with wandering spirits was one thing, but I had to get past the Nether King.
Honestly, I wasn’t even sure I could survive against the Nether King myself. I had to focus entirely on my own survival.
Luce’s voice faltered. A torrent of emotions swirled through her blue eyes, sparking with violet energy.
“I don’t care what you say. Even if I have to use force, I’m coming with you. I won’t let you face that danger alone…”
“Are you going to fight me?”
“…!”
In an instant, I was at Luce’s side, my hand on her shoulder.
It was Gerald Astrea’s footwork technique, Shadow Step. Luce hadn't even been able to track my movement.
“You can’t beat me. You know that.”
I recalled our duel evaluation from not long ago. Märchen Academy had prepared a massive outdoor arena, knowing our clash would be on a scale beyond imagination. The rumors had spread so far that students from every department had come to watch.
— Isaac from Class A vs. Luce Eltania from Class A! Ready, begin!
The moment the duel started, Luce had summoned the Thunderbird, Galia, while I called forth the Frost Dragon, Hilde. The two familiars soared into the sky, unleashing torrents of mana as ice clashed with lightning.
Since I had agreed to match Luce’s level, I focused on testing my combat senses. After an intense struggle, I had claimed victory.
I, who had grown strong by mastering the ways of the weak, and Luce, who had been born a genius. There was a gap in our combat instincts that was difficult to bridge.
“Even so, if you try to release your mana, I won’t hold back—even against you.”
I let a faint stream of ice mana flow into my hand as a soft warning. Luce wasn’t reckless enough to ignore the gap in our strength. She realized how stark the difference in our mana density truly was.
“Isaac, please.” Tears welled up in Luce’s eyes. “Please, stop going to dangerous places alone…”
I withdrew my mana and pulled Luce into a firm embrace. Her eyes widened in surprise.
“I’ll be back. Trust me, alright? You know what I’m capable of. I’m counting on you to hold the line here.”
I chuckled softly, running a hand through her silky hair. She really was a lovely girl.
Rustle.
From my other hand, hidden behind her back, crimson mana flowed out and transformed into a blade. It was the Vorpal Sword. A strange, hazy energy wafted from the steel.
“Isaac…?”
Luce’s eyelids fluttered shut, and her body went limp. Within seconds, she was fast asleep. I carefully lowered her to the floor.
“That…?” Aria looked visibly stunned.
Since I wasn’t the true owner of the Vorpal Sword, I couldn’t draw out its full power. However, I could still utilize its ability to induce sleep. I had tested it beforehand.
“It’s just like you said. I didn’t expect her to show up.”
“…And you?”
Another female student walked into the lab. Aria glared at her cautiously.
It was the owner of the Vorpal Sword—my familiar who had been watching the situation unfold: Alice Carroll.
“Hello, Tower Master. I’m Alice Carroll, a third-year in the Magic Department at Märchen Academy.” Alice greeted Aria with her trademark gentle smile.
“Alice.”
With a flick of my wrist, I tossed the Vorpal Sword to her. The blade dissolved into crimson mana in midair and was absorbed back into her body.
“Thanks for the loan. It came in handy.”
“No need for thanks. After all, it was for my darling.”
Alice responded playfully, then approached me. She crouched down, knees together, and gazed intently at the sleeping Luce.
“Sweet dreams.”
Alice poked Luce’s soft cheek. Luce only let out a gentle, rhythmic breath.
“Isaac… did you know this would happen?” Aria asked, her eyes sharp and piercing.
The question was inevitable. I met Aria’s gaze and nodded.
“Yes. And I’m sorry for bringing Alice here without permission. But she’s my familiar; you can trust her.”
“I know that, but still…” Aria trailed off, clearly surprised that I had gone as far as borrowing the Vorpal Sword.
“Let’s go.”
Once Luce was safely laid on the bed in the office, we unlocked the secret passage and ventured into the hidden lab. Alice looked at the rift in awe.
“So this is the rift to the Nether…”
“Alice, I’m leaving everything in your hands while I’m away. That includes Luce.”
“…As you wish. Leave your concubines to me.”
She really just called them concubines, didn't she…?
Before I could correct her, Aria checked the observation tools and spoke up.
“Isaac, the Netherstorm is about to hit. I’m lifting the barrier. Get ready.”
The reality of the situation finally sank in. The time had come. I stood before the barrier surrounding the rift.
“The first challenge is withstanding the Netherstorm itself. Reinforce your entire body with protective magic, or you’ll be shredded to pieces.”
“Understood.”
I would have to endure a powerful storm infused with raw natural mana to reach the Netherworld safely. It was doable. I pulled the Cloak of the Radiant Wolf from my magic pouch, draped it over my shoulders, and fastened the clasp. It was the armor I’d obtained back in Düpendorf.
“So you’re wearing the Cloak of the Radiant Wolf. But Darling, are you really going in your school uniform?”
“Yeah. I’m most comfortable in these clothes.”
The Märchen Academy uniform. I liked it. Besides, if I was wearing this, maybe Round 1 Dorothy would recognize me.
“I see…”
Suddenly, Alice stepped forward and hugged me tightly.
“…Alice?”
As if wanting to memorize my warmth, she held me for a long moment. Finally, she pulled away and gave me a soft smile.
“Come back safely.”
I couldn't read Alice’s mind. However, it was clear she was genuinely worried. I nodded.
“Releasing the barrier in three, two, one…”
Swoosh!
As the barrier surrounding the rift unraveled, a warm yet violent breeze surged through the room. The ripples of the Netherstorm had arrived.
Aria and I reached toward the rift, pouring out our mana. Gradually, the tear began to widen. The Netherstorm made the process easier, loosening the fabric of reality.
I can feel it.
Even if I transformed my body into an elemental state, I couldn't normally force my way through. But now, I could sense it—the mysterious gap beyond the rift was opening. I was certain I could cross over.
“As I’ve said before, we still don’t know how you’ll return. You’ll have to figure that out on your own.”
“Understood.”
Round 1 Dorothy had said that only at the Icy Lake would the conditions be right to face the Evil God. If I couldn’t return, everything would be for nothing, so there had to be a way back.
“Hoo.”
A powerful wave of fear surged within me like a tide. I took a deep breath, forcing it down. There was no turning back now.
Standing at the edge of the rift, the Cloak of the Radiant Wolf billowed in the winds of the Nether. I turned back one last time to look at Aria and Alice. Aria watched me with an expressionless face, while Alice maintained her gentle smile.
I gave them the brightest smile I could muster.
“I’ll be back.”
With that, I let myself fall backward. My body was swallowed by the rift.
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 180
Gender: Male
Year: 2nd
Title: Ice Sovereign
Mana: 699,300 / 701,300