Chapter 260: Coronation Ceremony (2)

Chapter 260: Coronation Ceremony (2)The carriage had been prepared in Düpfendorf.

The white, luxurious carriage was durable enough to traverse the harsh, frozen lands, and the horses pulling it were all white magic beasts marked with ice crystals all over their bodies.

Düpfendorf’s soldiers served as the escort. The clanging sound of armor was heard regularly outside the carriage. It was the sound of Ice Knights moving. The constant high-level treatment still felt very unfamiliar.

I had told Luce, Kaya, Dorothy, and White that I was going to the coronation ceremony.

The only person I had planned to bring to Düpfendorf was Alice. Since she was my minion and effectively a part of Düpfendorf’s forces, I thought it made sense to bring her along.

As we were leaving the academy and crossing the landing bridge, Dorothy suddenly flew and landed on top of the carriage.

Eventually, Dorothy was brought into the carriage, leading to the current situation.

This is so uncomfortable...

Dorothy and Alice did not get along. The atmosphere was tense.

As we traveled for some time, early snowflakes began to fall, dancing in the air.

[Master, it’s snowing.]

“We must be almost there.”

The northern part of the Zelver Empire, where it snowed year-round, was indeed far. This was clearly the influence of Düpfendorf’s territory.

Düpfendorf was a land of severe cold, not far from the academy.

In the distance, the walls built by the Empire with significant manpower and resources using rock magic were visible. The vast wall, stretching beyond the field of view, served as a breakwater against Düpfendorf’s cold.

To cross the border, we had to reach the only section where the rock wall was not built. This area was guarded by the Border Patrol of the Empire and Düpfendorf. The security was tight, but since Düpfendorf maintained friendly relations with the Empire, as long as certain requirements were met, crossing was relatively easy. This was the entry procedure.

Well, the friendly relationship was only for now. Who knew what the future held?

***“Should we stay here for the night?”

“I think we should, it’s cold and I’m sleepy.”

It was late at night. As they approached Düpfendorf’s territory, the cold became as severe as midwinter.

Isaac and his party stopped at a lodging facility in a nearby village.

There weren’t enough rooms to accommodate everyone, so Isaac, Alice, and Dorothy used the facilities first. The coachman went to find another lodging, and the escort troops set up a temporary camp and decided to sleep outdoors.

And then.

“...”

Dorothy and Alice ended up sharing a room.

A two-person room. In the dark room, Dorothy and Alice lay side by side on a double bed.

Dorothy was lying on the edge of the bed, facing away from Alice. Meanwhile, Alice was lying neatly, staring at the ceiling.

“How did this happen...?”

“Did you want to sleep with Isaac?”

“That’s not what I mean. Why do I have to share a bed with you?”

“This is not the first time. We’ve slept together before. If you really don’t like it, why not sleep on the floor?”

“I’m not giving up the bed.”

Dorothy yawned.

She didn’t like it, but she was too sleepy to argue.

“I’m just going to sleep. Don’t talk to me anymore.”

“Dorothy, you know...”

“I said don’t talk to me...”

“Did you come after us because you’re so nervous I’m going to take Isaac away from you?”

“...Are you out of your mind?”

“I’m just kidding.”

Alice laughed playfully and then cautiously asked.

“You followed us because you’re worried about Isaac, right?”

“...”

Dorothy narrowed her eyes.

“You can read people’s emotions. I can’t do that, but lately, Baby seems to be in a rush.”

“...It’s true that Isaac is not fine right now.”

Alice silently crossed her arms and hunched her body.

“Well then, please proceed with caution.”

Commander Martin of the Border Patrol stepped aside and bowed his head.

[My Lord, perhaps you should return to the carriage...]

“It’s fine. My body feels stiff, so I’ll walk for a bit.”

I answered Captain Morcan, who spoke from behind. Being cooped up in the carriage was suffocating.

We passed through the wide-open gate. The Border Patrol lined up in front of the gate once again to watch us from behind.

And so, we set foot on Düpfendorf’s territory.

“Amazing...!”

I heard Dorothy’s voice full of admiration.

It was like a land of pure white.

White sky. White plants reflecting a blue hue.

Although there was a visible path, the surroundings were covered in snow. It was nothing short of a field of snow.

There were blue mana stones intermittently placed on the open path, seemingly to prevent snow from accumulating.

“Nyahaha! It’s beautiful but it’s so cold!”

Dorothy shouted excitedly and giggled as she left her footprints in the white snowfield.

This place was also called the land of death. Trying to traverse it deliberately was an act of suicide because of the intense cold that was unbearable for anyone other than the citizens of Düpfendorf.

The cause of this was the pervasive fierce blizzard. It was not just an ordinary blizzard. It was mild and beautiful because it was made of mana.

In any case, Alice and Dorothy must have been very cold

Due to these blizzards, Düpfendorf had difficulty trading and inevitably became an isolated nation. The chilling air that governed this land could not be controlled by anyone until a new ruler emerged.

But now, I was here.

“Everyone, hold on a moment.”

“Baby?”

Alice called out to me in a doubtful voice as I moved forward. The Border Patrol also watched me.

I could feel it. This blizzard belonged to me. It was mana I could control.

I had contracted with Düpfendorf through the Blade of Frost Flowers and became the new Ice Sovereign.

I extended my right arm forward. As I tried to control the blizzard, pale blue mana flowed around me.

I whispered softly.

“Stop.”

Hwaaaaa!!

My will was conveyed to the blizzard.

Amid the sound of the raging storm, the blizzard rapidly subsided beyond the horizon.

The visibility brightened. I could see the sunlight pouring through the white sky. Düpfendorf’s white land turned even whiter.

I turned around and saw people looking greatly surprised.

“Senior Dorothy, how is it now?”

“It’s perfect!”

“Good to hear.”

I smiled brightly.

“What is this...?”

Commander Martin of the Border Patrol trembled as he marveled.

The Border Patrol was in awe. They seemed to think I could lightly control even natural disasters.

I didn’t need to worry about their misunderstanding.

“Let’s go.”

I led the astonished Düpfendorf escort soldiers forward.

Our destination was the capital of Düpfendorf, where the coronation ceremony would be held.