Chapter 223
Chapter 223
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 223
Chapter Title: The Reaper of the Silver Mirror Lake (2)
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What is the most beautiful sight in the Alliance Territories?
If you posed that question, opinions would surely be divided. Delutana's central square, the streets of Vesta with the towering Magic Tower, the autumn foliage at Galentana Academy, the vast Great Forest, and so on... However, if you narrowed it down to the top five, one name would almost certainly make the list every time.
The Clear Mirror reflecting the heavens on earth—the Silver Mirror Lake.
The lake sparkled as clear as a blue gem. Its surface was so still it could withstand a century of storms, and its waters so abundant they could endure a millennium of drought. Along its edges, towering trees stood like sacred candelabras, their branches leaning over the water to chase the sunlight.
It was a breathtaking sight in any season, but the lake's true splendor shone brightest in winter.
When frost settled along the shore, the surface would freeze over—perfectly flawless, clear and serene as a silver mirror. By day, fluffy clouds would nestle within it; by night, the shimmering Milky Way. Snow-laden trees would sway in the wind, igniting silver fireworks, crafting a scene so otherworldly it defied belief.
A masterpiece capable of stirring profound emotion even in the driest of hearts. For gossip-loving noble ladies, it went without saying.
"Oh my, oh my! Can you believe a hidden paradise like this exists in the Alliance Territories?!"
"Remillion, my dear! I've never seen anything so beautiful in my life! It's like stepping into a jewel box hidden by the gods of heaven..."
Finally reaching the lakeside, the noble ladies vied to outdo one another in admiration. Their eyes darted across the vista, pouring forth endless flattery until their throats grew dry.
After a bout of sightseeing, they indulged in fine tea, snacks, and chatter beneath tents lavishly pitched by their slaves. The conversation's focal point was, unsurprisingly, a certain shabby lady who had gone her own way.
"Seriously, what if we'd followed Lady Wheeled straight to Untana back then? We'd have missed this stunning view and been cooped up in that stuffy castle..."
"Exactly. It's right next door—popping in for a quick look wouldn't hurt anyone. But her background is her background; she's so stifling, or should I say vulgar..."
Out of sight, even the king gets slandered. The ladies unleashed all the gossip they'd held back to her face. What started as critiques of her rigid demeanor and unkempt attire soon devolved into baseless, filthy rumors: her fortune made in the red-light district, her scandalous ties to General Goltaran, and more.
Then, one lady abruptly shifted the topic.
"But maybe... Lady Wheeled didn't come because she thought this lake was dangerous."
"Pardon? Why...?"
"There's a famous legend about Silver Mirror Lake. When winter comes and it freezes over, the 'Reaper' appears..."
True enough, the lake harbored a grim legend at odds with its beauty.
A 'Reaper' dwelled within Silver Mirror Lake. It fed on drowned souls and hid in the depths during other seasons, since drowning victims came often enough without effort.
But in winter, when no one ventured into the water, it would gaze upward endlessly from beneath the ice, black voids for eyes. The moment someone passed overhead, it would hook their ankle like a claw and drag them down to the pitch-black depths until they suffocated...
"...and devour them whole. That's the legend."
""...""
Rationally, it was probably born from careless souls who, entranced by the beauty, wandered onto the ice and fell through.
Yet the tale's eeriness sent chills down their spines. The ladies unanimously shoved their chairs farther from the water's edge.
"Speaking of... where did Lady Volgaruis go? I haven't seen her since earlier."
"Yeah, right? We owe her thanks for this wonderful outing. We should at least tell her..."
At that moment, a short distance away along the shore.
Lady Volgaruis wandered alone, without attendants. Her trembling hands and wandering eyes betrayed no leisurely enjoyment of the scenery.
"Ar-are you... there? Where are you...? Just as you said, I've brought the whole group to Silver Mirror Lake..."
No response came to her desperate pleas. They had agreed to meet here by the lakeside when she was alone... Clutching at straws, she murmured the phrase he often used.
"He watches over the world from the heavens... All is for the light..."
In that instant, a flash of light gleamed from the lake.
Lady Volgaruis flinched, shoulders shuddering. Drawn like a moth to flame, she approached the water. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss—just her stunned reflection on the pristine icy mirror, scales of water shimmering around it.
But an odd feeling nagged at her, and she stared piercingly at the image.
Suddenly, the reflection shattered the ice and thrust out a hand.
Crack—!
"...Huh?!"
Rough fingers seized her collar. With a loud splash, the lady's figure vanished cleanly beneath the surface.
Moments later, Lady Volgaruis burst back out of the water.
Oddly pristine—not a drop on her hair tips or dress hems. As she strolled about, another noble lady approached.
"Oh, Lady Volgaruis! There you are! Were you off somewhere?"
"Ah, just taking a moment alone to enjoy the breeze. But... where are Lady Wheeled and her group? I have urgent matters to discuss with them..."
"Pardon? What do you mean...? Lady Wheeled went to Untana, not here."
"...?"
Lady Volgaruis's face twisted into something grotesquely unbefitting a cultured lady.
*
Upon arriving at their destination, Yulia, little Duncan, their retainers, and the warriors of the Indomitable Legion quickly understood.
Why Lady Volgaruis had warned they'd 'regret' going to Untana.
"...?"
"...?"
The open fields were scarred like a bombing site—churned up or trampled by army boots. Arrow-pierced corpses littered the ground amid rising plumes of acrid smoke. The gates lay shattered as if sliced by a giant blade, and atop the walls fluttered the ten-pointed star banner of the Elga Church.
Untana had already fallen to the Empire's army and holy knights.
It was utterly unforeseen. The Empire targeting Untana over Delutana? Marching to this frigid north couldn't have been easy. Unfortunately, Untana's defenders had thought the same, leaving them exposed and the city surrendered.
They'd sought to avoid war, only to plunge into its heart. Lady Volgaruis must truly have been colluding with the Empire. How else could she have known Untana was in peril?
The warriors turned to Yulia, her face grim with dismay.
"...What are your orders, my lady? Just say the word. We can assault Untana or head to Silver Mirror Lake, seize that insolent woman, and interrogate her."
"...?"
Assaulting Untana was impossible. Even elite Atala warriors numbered only thirty. Sieging an unknown enemy force was folly.
Returning to Silver Mirror Lake was equally unwise. Lady Volgaruis, their confirmed traitor, might already have linked up with the Empire. Risking capture as hostages served no purpose.
In the end, Yulia's decision was this.
"Let's head back to Delutana."
"...Delutana?"
"Yes. It seems the best choice right now."
"...?"
No other options remained, however deflating. Fleeing blindly elsewhere was poor strategy, and they had to report the Volgaruis betrayal and Untana's fall to Delutana. The warriors obeyed their chieftain without demur, swiftly preparing to withdraw.
But then, little Duncan pointed toward Untana.
"Mom...? Why are people swimming...?"
"...Huh? What do you mean, Duncan?"
"Over there, people swimming in the moat under the walls? Isn't it cold...?"
Yulia hastily covered her son's eyes, assuming he'd seen corpses in the moat. But no.
"...What?"
Faint from afar, but visible: shadows darting busily beneath the thick ice of the broad moat. Too lively for corpses, too large for fish...
Human-like swimming. The Atala warriors confirmed it too.
"...People, indeed. Not Imperials—likely Untana survivors. We'll check and report back, my lady."
"N-no! Wait!"
"No worries. We'll approach stealthily to avoid the enemy..."
"N-no, not that—look there...!"
Yulia pointed shakily at the eastern plains. The warriors whipped around, eyes widening in shock.
A group of about fifty horsemen charged toward them—soldiers from the delegation that had departed for Silver Mirror Lake. Their raised weapons and assault were startling enough, but the real shock was their vanguard.
Lady Volgaruis herself.
Cumbersome dress, longsword, massive warhorse, flawless horsemanship—an utterly absurd sight. The warriors' shock lasted but a moment; their eyes darkened briefly, then they nodded in grim understanding.
"Grk, grrrk, grk... Insolent woman she may be, she leads soldiers like a true veteran."
"Grk, grk, grr... Fall back, my lady. We sense hostility. We'll handle them."
"...? Oh."
Yulia, sensing something off, soon pieced it together. After all, Lady Volgaruis was the only noble lady among them with a background as an Imperial army officer.
Collision loomed. As Yulia clutched her son and retreated, the Legion warriors activated their tattoos, hefting axes and short spears.
"The Father of the Wilds stands with us!!"
"Atalaaaaa—!!"
"...?"
Shing—!
To dispatch the onrushing heretics like mayflies, the 'something' masquerading as a noble lady raised its gleaming longsword high.
*
Three days since leaving Delutana alone, after leaving just a single note for Kadim.
Duncan had finally reached his destination: Untana.
"Wheeeeew..."
What a grueling journey. Crossing half the continent in six days was bad enough; three more days and nights pushing to the Alliance's northernmost edge... Even a sturdy mount would have collapsed from exhaustion.
Thanks to the harsh training en route to Delutana, though, he managed. Good and bad fortune punctuated the trip.
The good: finding a fat wad of cash.
Not pocket change like 10 or 100 luden—a whopping 1,000-luden gold coin. Ten of those could buy three ponies. Satisfying a merchant's core desires—greed, reputation, family—it was pure joy.
The bad: Untana had fallen.
"...?"
The Elga Church banner fluttered atop the towering walls. Duncan stared in dismay.
Wasn't Delutana the Empire's prime target? Why hit the city where his family fled? It made no sense. Normally, he'd panic and flail, but...
That would render meaningless the note vowing greater growth.
Slapping his cheeks to focus, he recalled his tasks.
'Yulia and Duncan's survival isn't confirmed yet. Sneak into Untana, scout inside. If I find them, rescue them...'
Duncan waited for nightfall, then donned his Shadow Mantle.
Scouting the walls revealed no secret passages. Only option: the gates. Imperial guards stood vigilant before the drawbridge. The torches were the problem.
Shadow Mantle worked only in darkness. Bright light nullified it.
So... Duncan went straight through the front.
"Uh... guh, wh-what?!"
His stealth bought him meters; sentries noticed only at point-blank. They thrust spears and shouted belatedly.
"H-halt! Halt!"
"Halt! Who goes—"
"Ah, I-I'm here to guide you safely to the dreamlands..."
He saw their frozen hesitation. Duncan moved first, lunging without pause to stab one's nape with his World Tree dagger, then pivoted.
Whoom—!
"...Wha."
"Wh-what are you—"
Whoosh—!
As expected, another spear came. He dodged effortlessly, having shifted early. Compared to Gospel Body's reflexes, it was slow and predictable.
Whoom—!
Diving in, he felled another, using the body as shield to dispatch the last two. Surveying the peacefully sleeping sentries, he finished.
"...The finest guide, Duncan, at your service."
The sentries passed him through without complaint.
Crossing the drawbridge, Duncan spotted what his family had seen below: lively shadows under the black ice. Too animated for corpses, too huge for fish...
Duncan's eyes bulged.
'No way...'
Then his jaw dropped in disbelief.
'...Enormous fish.'
Amazed by the trophy haul, he calculated their sale value as he entered Untana.