Chapter 327: Winged Heavenly Being Subjugation — Interlude (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 327: Winged Heavenly Being Subjugation — Interlude (1)
The natural mana of Black Stone flowed back to its source.
In its wake, violent earthquakes shook the land and volcanoes threatened to erupt, but the highest-ranking Heavenly Beings and their subordinates used their Divine Power to stabilize the turbulent flow, averting a total disaster.
Afterward, the Heavenly Beings departed, taking the surviving rebels with them.
In a final act of atonement, the highest-ranking Heavenly Beings bestowed a blessing of abundance upon the world and promised that their kind would no longer interfere in the human realm before vanishing into the light.
And so, the war drew to a hollow, futile close.
In the aftermath, a debate arose regarding where to send Isaac.
Should it be Düpfendorf, the empire’s premier medical facility, or the Märchen Academy Hospital?
After a brief discussion, the decision was made: he would go to Märchen Academy.
This was because Isaac had left specific instructions with the Legion commanders of Düpfendorf and the Imperial Court.
He had requested that if he were to collapse and require treatment, he be taken to the Märchen Academy Hospital to be attended by a priest skilled in healing or a capable healer.
He had anticipated, at the very least, the state he would be in if he returned from the Nether and things went according to plan.
Thus, Isaac was transported to the Märchen Academy Hospital, escorted by Düpfendorf’s knight commander, the Ice Knight Morcan.
At the hospital, Isaac was treated with a combination of the empire’s finest healing magic and Kaya’s plant magic.
His body was so ravaged that it was a miracle he hadn't died on the spot. His own powerful mana, rebelling like an unruly teenager, resisted and hindered the healing process, prolonging the grueling treatment for three days.
Even so, he did not regain consciousness. He simply lay there, breathing softly like a patient in a deep coma.
“Sir Isaac… It’s already the fourth day, and he still hasn’t woken up,” Kaya Astrea murmured. Seated in the guardian’s chair, she gazed quietly at Isaac.
Dorothy Heartnova, who sat on the other side of the bed holding Isaac’s hand, gave a silent nod.
The witch’s hat she usually wore had been set aside in a corner of the room.
During those three days, Kaya had snatched only brief moments of sleep while devoting herself to Isaac’s treatment, while Dorothy had remained steadfast in the hallway. Because the treatment had been so intensive, they had only been permitted to enter his room today.
“You only told Senior Alice before you left… Just how hard did you push yourself?”
Even Kaya, who had been on the verge of tears every time she thought of him, had finally regained some semblance of composure.
Beside her, the persona of Kaya the Ravenous stood with a concerned gaze fixed on Isaac.
Dorothy glanced at Kaya.
She hadn't yet spoken of the memories of "another Dorothy Gale" that had surfaced in her mind.
She didn't know the origin of those memories, but she felt it was necessary to discuss them with Isaac first.
If these memories are true…
It finally made sense why Isaac’s emotions had felt so subdued since the last summer break.
The scene of Isaac appearing before the other Dorothy Gale in the Nether played vividly in her mind. Isaac’s bloodied face, smiling sadly, left a heavy knot in her heart.
And then, she realized something.
The monster is gone.
The unknown monster within Isaac’s essence—the presence that had even terrified Dorothy—was gone.
Isaac, what exactly did you go through…?
Dorothy gently ran her fingers through Isaac’s hair, her eyes full of worry.
[How boring. How long do you plan on sleeping? Our Dorothy hasn’t slept for over four nights, you know?]
Ella, the white cat familiar, climbed onto Isaac’s stomach and let out a series of deep sighs. Though she grumbled, Ella was clearly worried that Isaac might never wake up.
Clunk.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and the quiet room was instantly filled with noise.
[News of Isaac’s fainting received! Bello has arrived on the scene!]
[Isaac, are you alright?!]
“Isaac…!”
Bello, the small killer whale familiar with a bandaged torso, and Galia, the raven-like thunderbird, flew into the room.
Following them was Luce Eltania, covered in bandages and leaning on crutches.
“Luce Eltania? Have you only just regained consciousness?”
Kaya looked surprised. Luce had been unconscious until very recently herself.
[This is Bello! This is Bello! Isaac, respond! I repeat, this is Bello! Isaac, respond!]
Bello circled above Isaac, chattering in a high-pitched, boyish voice.
[Isaac…]
Galia perched on the cabinet beside the bed, her eyes filled with concern.
Luce approached Kaya, tossed her crutches aside, and gripped the edge of the bed. Her eyes were wide with shock as she stared at Isaac.
“Isaac. I heard it’s been four days… I’m naturally frail, so I understand why I was out, but he isn’t the type to recover this slowly. Did you treat him properly?”
Luce looked at Kaya with desperate, accusing eyes.
“I—of course I did…”
“Then why is he like this? Isn’t plant magic supposed to be the pinnacle of healing? It’s the power of the fairies. Do it again. Properly this time. Do it until Isaac wakes up. Hurry!”
Luce’s voice rose, driven by her frantic worry.
“…”
Kaya’s eyes began to redden. Dark Kaya, unable to stay silent, stepped forward. She tilted her head, furrowing her brow with a sharp snort.
“You were collapsed and helpless until a moment ago, yet now you’re here barking orders? Luce Eltania, do you think you’re someone special?”
“What…?”
Luce’s gaze turned icy, as cold as a frozen lake.
Dark Kaya leaned in, glaring at Luce from inches away. Her blood-red pupils clashed with Luce’s aquamarine eyes.
“Do you think I didn’t do my best? Do you have any idea how I feel right now? If you haven’t contributed a single thing to Sir Isaac’s recovery, keep your mouth shut.”
“…”
For three days, Kaya had struggled to save Isaac, barely sleeping. The fact that he still hadn't woken up was already tearing her apart. With her emotions at a breaking point, Luce’s words had struck a raw nerve, and the Ravenous persona wasn't about to let it slide.
“What do you two think you’re doing in a hospital room?”
[You two, stop fighting. Do I need to get angry?]
Dorothy and Ella both shot disapproving looks at Luce and Kaya.
A heavy, menacing atmosphere descended on the room. Even the Ice Knight Morcan, who had been standing silently by the wall, shifted his stance.
At that moment, a nonchalant voice drifted through the open door.
“Oh my, what’s with the tension?”
[Meow!]
Dorothy, Kaya, Ella, and Morcan all turned toward the door. Luce cast a cold glance in that direction as well.
“What a heavy atmosphere.”
Alice Carroll entered with a sly smile, accompanied by her chubby purple familiar, the Phantom Cat Cheshire.
Alice had bandages around her forehead and arm, but she looked to be in better shape than Luce. She walked up to Luce and Kaya, placed a hand on each of their shoulders, and leaned her head between them.
Her bright, cherry-blossom eyes flickered between the two.
“You mustn’t fight, okay? This is a hospital, after all. And Baby is sleeping.”
“I wasn’t planning to fight. I just had to say something because someone was spouting nonsense without knowing the facts.”
Dark Kaya leaned back and sighed, though her red eyes remained fixed on Luce.
“Dear?”
Alice’s characteristic smile turned toward Luce.
“…”
Luce stared at Kaya with lifeless eyes, then let out a long sigh and closed them. She knew she shouldn't let her emotions take over. Creating a scene here would only hinder Isaac’s recovery.
Eventually, Luce turned back to Isaac in silence, and the tension dissipated.
“Good.”
Alice praised Luce for backing down.
Dorothy shot Alice a sharp glare. She was glad the fighting had stopped, but she hated that Alice was the one who had mediated.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Dorothy?”
“Just… I feel annoyed for some reason.”
“You really dislike me, don’t you? How adorable.”
Alice gave Dorothy a gentle, mocking smile.
The women around Isaac were all incredibly strong-willed. In other words, someone was needed to keep the peace. Alice had decided to take that role for herself.
[Meow. Isn’t Isaac sleeping a little too peacefully? I’ve been working myself to the bone…]
Cheshire curled up next to Isaac’s head and grumbled softly. The Phantom Cat turned a whining expression toward Ella, speaking in a theatrical tone.
[Ella, do you have any idea?]
[I don’t, and I don’t want to.]
[I, the Loyal Cheshire, have been faithfully following Isaac’s orders, spying on the Heavenly Beings every day, getting beaten to a pulp, and even brushing with death! It was so incredibly hard…! To heal the wounds in my heart, I need your comfort. Could I ask for just one kind word?]
[Oh dear. Why didn’t you just die then?]
Ella’s response was ice-cold.
[Meow! As expected of Ella, you even make a death wish sound so stylish and elegant! That’s why I like you!]
[As I thought, you’re frustrating and ugly. That’s why I dislike you.]
Ella calmly rebuked the Phantom Cat, whose face had melted into a dreamy, idiotic grin. A sharp dagger of words struck Cheshire deep in the chest, and the cat coughed up imaginary blood in agony.
He looked at Ella, who was curled up on Isaac’s stomach, with a sorrowful expression.
[Ella…]
[Your breath stinks.]
[Do you really hate me that much?]
[Yup.]
[I can’t accept that…!]
The Phantom Cat sprang to its feet with a solemn expression.
[A cat as charming as me being disliked? Impossible! If you want me to accept it, give me 1,000 logical reasons why you hate me!]
[I dislike you because you’re fat, ugly, annoying, and purple. I dislike you because you wear a mismatched bowler hat, because you look clumsy and slow-witted, and because your thoughts are immature. I dislike your sly, pretentious tone and your overly playful attitude. I dislike your weird teeth, your ugly stripes, and the way your breath smells like rotting food. I dislike your creepy smile, your uneven claws, and how frustratingly clingy and oblivious you are…]
As Ella confidently began listing the 1,000 reasons, Cheshire’s tears began to fall like heavy raindrops.
While everyone listened in silence—none of them actually disagreeing with Ella’s assessment—the door creaked open cautiously.
Ella stopped talking. Everyone’s gaze, except for the sobbing Phantom Cat’s, turned toward the door.
To pass the Escort Soldiers stationed outside, the visitor had to be someone recognized as being close to Isaac.
“Um…”
A first-year student timidly peeked through the gap. It was the princess, Snow White. She was trembling like a small fish in a tank full of sharks.
“I came to see Senior Isaac…”
“…”
“I’m sorry for intruding. Please take care…”
Creaaak, click.
Overcome with fear, White quickly closed the door.
Silence fell over the room. Then, the door swung open again, much more forcefully this time.
“Excuse me.”
“M-Merlin…! You can’t just go in…!”
Merlin Astrea, the Imperial knight with dark green hair in a ponytail, stepped boldly inside. Behind her, a wide-eyed White tried in vain to stop her.
Kaya’s eyes widened. “Merlin? Sis?”
“Greetings. I am Merlin Astrea, serving as Princess White’s escort knight. Princess White was worried about Sir Isaac, so we brought a gift for his recovery. May we join you?”
Holding a beautiful potted plant, Merlin gave a polite knightly bow. Meanwhile, White fidgeted nervously, glancing between the formidable girls in the room and Merlin.
“Uh-hehh…”
White, who had won first place in the beauty contest, was unintentionally perceived as a romantic rival, making her a person of interest to the other girls. Given that every woman in the room was a renowned powerhouse with a strong personality, White could only tremble, tears welling in her eyes from sheer intimidation.
[Rival alert! Rival alert! A rival officially certified to be prettier than the master has appeared! Master, prepare for war!]
Smack!
[Ah! Bello is shocked! No violence! No violence!]
Luce, her expression cold, flicked Bello on the head. Bello flailed his arms in protest while Galia scolded him.
[Calm down, Bello.]
“There’s no problem. Come on in.”
The first to welcome White with a kind smile was Alice. That angelic smile made White feel as if she had found a savior in the middle of a shark feeding frenzy.
One by one, the other girls stepped forward.
“Hehe, what are you so scared of? Come in. Do you think we’d chase away someone who’s worried about the president?”
“Welcome, Princess White. This way, please.”
Dorothy welcomed her with a smile, and Kaya stood up to greet her politely. Luce simply stared at White with an expression as emotionless as a doll’s before turning back to Isaac.
Merlin bowed again, and a relieved White finally managed a small smile.
“Then… thank you!”
White followed Merlin to stand beside Dorothy and gazed quietly at Isaac.
“Senior Isaac…”
For a long time, she simply stared at his unconscious form. Gradually, she began to sniffle, her eyes filling with tears.
“I was so worried…”
White sobbed openly, making no effort to hide her deep concern.
While everyone was focused on Isaac, a commotion broke out in the hallway.
“Sir Tristan! You shouldn’t be moving yet!”
“Sir Tristan, you need to rest…!”
It was the voices of other students.
“Ha!”
The door burst open, and a blond boy on crutches appeared. Most of his body was wrapped in bandages, but he let out a self-assured chuckle.
“Still unconscious, Isaac? What a pity! I woke up first! The battle of wills is my victory!”
The boy, laughing heartily at his perceived win, was Isaac’s classmate, Tristan Humphrey. The students accompanying him trembled in fear as they saw the overwhelming powerhouses filling the room.
Everyone in the room was taken aback.
[What is wrong with that lunatic?]
Even Bello was stunned.
“Over there!”
“Huh…? Ack!”
The hallway quickly descended into chaos as a crowd of students pushed past Tristan to get to the room. The Escort Soldiers immediately blocked their path.
“Isaac! I’m here! It’s Ian!”
“Isaac, are you in there?!”
“My friend, don’t die! Whaaaa!”
“I-it’s not like I’m worried, but…!”
“My connections—no, wait, Isaac, is he okay?!”
“There’s no sign of bloodshed.”
Ian Fairytale, Mateo Jordana, Amy Holloway, Lisetta Lionheart, Keridna Whiteclark, Ciel Carnedas, and many others who had built connections with Isaac were all there.
“Senior Isaac…!”
Even visiting students like the Priestess Miya and Taryn Bartin had arrived. Since visiting was finally allowed today, everyone had rushed to the hospital the moment they could.
The hallway was pure pandemonium.
“This is total chaos…” Dorothy muttered in amazement.
“Everyone, please maintain order! You cannot cause a disturbance in front of the room—ack!”
The Escort Soldiers tried to control the crowd, but they suddenly stopped and bowed deeply as a pink-haired woman appeared, accompanied by her own escort priest. The students flinched and moved aside.
“Greetings, Saintess!”
“Is the Ice Sovereign doing well?”
“Yes, the treatment was successful. However, he remains unconscious for now.”
Saintess Bianca Anturaze stood behind the students, peering into the room.
“Our Holy Kingdom of Bardio will spare no effort in supporting the Ice Sovereign… Ahem. By the way, it seems there are quite a few visitors.”
Bianca cleared her throat, signaling the students to move, but they didn't quite catch her drift.
[All of you are too noisy! For Isaac’s recovery, this valiant killer whale demands silence!]
“You’re the loudest one here,” Lisetta remarked dryly.
[Le gasp.]
Bello, who had been about to scold the students, shrank back in dejection.
Despite the commotion, Isaac remained motionless, lost in the depths of unconsciousness.
Many people continued to visit him, and Kaya, Luce, Dorothy, Alice, and White stayed by his bedside, sharing countless conversations as the days turned into weeks.
A month later, as the first white snow began to pile gently outside the window.
Isaac’s finger twitched.