Chapter 112: Subjugation of the Floating Island Interlude (1)

༺ Subjugation of the Floating Island Interlude (1) ༻

An Archwizard was recognized as an existence that had surpassed the mere label of a Wizard.

Common sense was meaningless before them and they effortlessly performed feats and miracles that were incomprehensible to the human mind.

Among them, those who had reached the pinnacle of their respective element were called Elemental Kings.

Currently, there were only four individuals who could claim to have risen to the title of Elemental King.

Elemental King of Fire, Fire Sovereign.

Elemental King of Water, Water Sovereign.

Elemental King of Wind, Wind Sovereign.

Elemental King of Lightning, Lightning Sovereign.

In the nation of lightning protected by purple storms, Zabrok. Throne Room.

Sitting on a throne, a man with half of his purple hair slicked back slowly opened his eyes.

Dressed in a black robe adorned with a combination of violet and gold. The appearance of a young man with sharp features akin to a hawk.

His eyes, crackling purple lightning mana, were unusually bright even in the darkness of the night.

Thunder Emperor, Jaul Dragoniac. Just previously, he had instinctively felt a threatening mana.

It was a mana composed of a profoundly cold and intense chill.

“‘Jormungandr.”

Jaul’s summon.

The purple lightning magic condensed on his shoulders, forming a small black figure surrounded by electric currents.

Jormungandr, a lightning snake magic beast with two pairs of eyes. Although its actual size was massive, Jaul summoned it in a miniature form that was no different from an ordinary snake.

At one point, the magic beast had battled for supremacy with Jaul before it eventually ended in its defeat, thus becoming his familiar.

[I felt it as well. This transcendental mana... It is the Primordial Beast of Ice.]

Jormungandr recognized Jaul’s intention and responded before he said anything. As a familiar, it shared not only its Master’s thoughts, but emotions as well.

After gaining certainty with Jormungandr’s response, Jaul stroked his chin, lost in thought.

The Primordial Beast of Ice.

Its mana was on a level that even Jaul, the Elemental King of Lightning, could not surpass. Even if it had emerged from the opposite side of this world, Jaul would have still felt mana prickling at his skin.

This world was too inadequate to contain such a magic beast. Just the appearance of it would instantly envelop its surroundings in an absolute chill.

Although the magic beast’s mana from a moment ago was merely a faint breeze against the skin...

In reality, it had actually crossed to another world and even weathered its air.

[However, it’s under someone’s control. It seems to already serve another master.]

The Primordial Beast of Ice served another master, you say... Is that even a plausible proposition?

Is it an existence that could even be controlled in the first place?

Although it was unbelievable, if it was true, the master must have already surpassed the level of the original Ice Sovereign.

As such, this world was about to face a turning point.

The mana released by the Primordial Beast would surely have been felt by the magic beast of ice capable of manipulating both Heaven and Earth.

Icebound Crocodile Tugaros.

Frost Spirit Merphil.

Glacial Bear Barbatoma.

Upon the fact that a master worthy of the Primordial Beast of Ice had appeared, they too would try to serve this same being as their new master.

And it was not very difficult to deduce who that person would be.

“Isaac...”

Isaac, a silver-blue-haired boy who was currently enrolled at Märchen Academy.

A prominent candidate for the next Ice Sovereign. No, someone certain of becoming the Ice Sovereign. There was no one else besides him.

The Ice Kingdom, where a bitter cold stormed about, was preparing to welcome a new King.

Isaac was an existence that even the Frost Dragon Hilde bowed to. As such, he would undoubtedly rise as the new King of the Ice Kingdom.

As a man who was served by the Primordial Beast of Ice, it was unimaginable how powerful of a Sovereign he would become.

Suddenly, the mysterious presence hidden within Isaac’s essence came to mind.

The monstrous being covered in countless eyeballs boasted a majesty that could potentially devour the entire world.

Within Isaac, the Primordial Beast of Ice had probably recognized the aura of the Ice Sovereign and that enigmatic monster. Perhaps with that, it felt that Isaac was worthy to serve as its master.

“He seemed to have destroyed the Floating Island. Did he perhaps summon the Primordial Beast in that process?”

News of the Floating Island reappearing above the Arkins Sea was already known.

Initially, he thought that the Zelver Empire would handle it, as it had appeared in their nation. However...

In the end, it seemed that the next Ice Sovereign had gotten rid of the Floating Island instead.

[The other Elemental Kings must have felt that mana as well. What are you going to do, Jaul? I’m afraid that an Emergency Council will be convened soon.]

The other Elemental Kings. Each of them had reached the highest level of their respective elements and could not be controlled by any law. As such, their next actions were unknown territory to Jaul.

However, the mana of the Primordial Beast had spread by transcending space itself.

Even if the other Elemental Kings had recognized the emergence of the next Ice Sovereign,

they would not know that it was Isaac.

We sat side by side, leaning against the outer wall of the hideout, as we quietly spent time listening to the sound of crickets.

My magically disguised outfit, which was now completely ragged, had been taken off by Dorothy and placed in my magic pocket.

While asking, “It’s cold, right?”, she brought out the uniform shawl and put it on me.

Shortly after, Dorothy used her remaining mana to cast healing magic on me, but it was only at the level of basic first aid. I couldn’t move my body no matter how hard I tried...

As such, I decided to wait here until I could somewhat move my body, and until the situation outside had calmed down.

And so, I raised my head, gazing in the direction of the sky.

“...”

...This was the first time that such an awkward silence permeated the air despite being with Dorothy.

Is she in a daze because she expected to die, but was actually saved?

Or is it because I, who had only been a weakling to her, had destroyed the Floating Island, thus showing a different side than usual?

‘Either way, it’s understandable.’

A weakling like Isaac saving her, who faced imminent death, and even annihilating that vast demon landmass with prowess at the level of an Archwizard?

If I was Dorothy, I would need quite a bit of time to collect my thoughts because such a scenario was utterly absurd.

“President.”

Finally, Dorothy broke the silence.

“How did you know I was going to die?”

That’s...

...Certainly a question she would be curious about.

I had already openly revealed the fact that I was the Black Monster. I could hardly say, ‘Because I know the scenario of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱’, so I decided to respond evasively.

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice the curse that was hanging over you, Senior?”

“...So that’s how it was. You’re much stronger than me, so I guess it was obvious to you.”

No matter how I looked at it, Dorothy was overwhelmingly stronger than me, but I decided to just ignore it and move on.

“President.”

Following her first words, Dorothy immediately bombarded me with a series of questions.

“Why were you worried about me?”

“Huh?”

“I actually have the ability to read emotions. President has always been worried about me. Why was that?”

“Well, you know... I’m Senior’s fan. If I knew there was a curse, how could I not worry?”

“Then why did you always dote on me? Was that also because you’re my fan?”

“Of course.”

I smiled, intentionally making it as bright as possible.

The side effect of using [Ice Sovereign] beyond its limits was coupled with the reaction that came with the complete depletion of my mana.

As such, since a while ago, I had been experiencing intense pain; it was as if my entire body was being pricked by thorns and I was so dizzy that my head felt like it was about to split open. Such a smile was a facade to conceal the abysmal condition of my body.

Well, the pain was gradually subsiding. It was probably also because I was gradually losing the ability to feel my body.

Since returning from the Nether, I couldn’t see in front of me and even the sensation of the hard outer wall against my back was fading away.

It felt like I was sinking into the deep, dark sea.

However, knowing that Dorothy by my side, still alive, filled me with a sense of accomplishment. As such, I couldn’t help but continue my conversation with her.

The symptoms had appeared because I had pushed myself too hard anyway. Surely, they would gradually improve.

“...Why is the President a fan of mine?”

“Because Senior is cool. To me, you were a person that shined incredibly bright.”

I loved how Dorothy’s eyes became cresent moons when she smiled.

I loved it when she smiled, revealing her white teeth.

When her earring swayed as she turned her head or when she giggled over trivial matters.

When she praised herself and acted so confidently.

When she laughed and played pranks.

I even loved the way her brain seemed to shut down upon the slightest hint of thinking.

Every side of her looked incredibly radiant to me.

“I see...”

Gradually, something covered my head. With my faint hearing, I could tell that it was fabric brushing against me.

Even though the sensation in my head had completely disappeared, it wasn’t difficult to guess what it was. It was definitely Dorothy’s hat.

I did not know why she put her hat on my head.

“...Isaac.”

And right in front of me, I could hear Dorothy’s gentle voice.

Considering her usual tone, it seemed oddly tinged with embarrassment.

Judging by the sound, Dorothy seemed to be holding the brim of the hat on both sides and pulling it down.

“Close your eyes.”

Soon, something pressed against my lips.

And with that, our time flowed serenely for a while.