Chapter 176

Dorosian glanced out the window briefly before casually picking up a bottle of liquor lying on the floor, as if it had nothing to do with her. Wait a second, seeing the illicit brew mark engraved with an “X” suggests… she might have stolen a bottle of Bellen’s finest? As suspected, it was true. And not just any grade, but the triple-X premium batch, intended to be savored sparingly. Even though it was a liquor painstakingly crafted by Bellen, I decided to hold back from pointing it out. “Hmm, it’s quite refined,” she muttered. She took a sip, tasting it thoughtfully, then used telekinesis to lift a droplet of the liquor, as if evaluating its color. I silently observed her as she made her unsolicited judgment. “It’s strong but balanced. The flavor is perfectly uniform. Is this really illicit liquor? Even among renowned spirits, this one’s top-tier.” “Finish the bottle and dispose of it properly. If you get caught, Bellen will go berserk,” I warned her for her own sake. But Dorosian clearly had other plans. She aimed to make me her accomplice. “Want a sip?” she offered, holding the bottle toward me. My eyes lingered briefly on the faint lipstick stain left on the mouth of the bottle. Just for a moment. The intoxicating aroma wafted from the cheap-looking bottle, teasing my senses and sending a tingle through my nerves. Gulp. Though I had been abstinent for over a year, my body still craved the liquor. But I knew better. The desire was fleeting, like a breeze that would pass in just ten minutes if I endured. “Once you give in to such a temptation, it quickly turns into a second, then a third time,” I said with a faint smile, loosening my grip and refusing her offer. Dorosian blinked slowly, as though surprised. It seemed she hadn’t known about my abstinence. I had expected a barrage of incredulous remarks—You? Really?—but to my surprise, she said nothing of the sort. Just as I was about to get to the main point, something occurred to me. “So, what’s your business with me?” I asked. Although I had something to discuss, it was she who had intruded while I was in the middle of a shower, opening a book and waiting for me. Establishing a position of advantage in the negotiation to come would be in my best interest. It might even serve as a card to play later, I thought, as I pulled out my pocket watch. “It’s already this late. I should be heading back.” I subtly hinted at the ongoing war, and the pace at which Dorosian sipped her drink quickened slightly. “If you’re saying that, then it seems you still don’t know. I left you a clue,” she said. A clue? Ah, now that she mentioned it, there was something. I had heard about it through Limberton. —Right, Hersel. She left a message for you. Asked if you’ve felt anything from the demonic energy. By “demonic energy,” Dorosian must have meant the essence of Ecok’s ritual. There wasn’t much else it could signify. The completion of Dordone’s body had required a vast accumulation of demonic energy from the dungeon. At the time, I had brushed off the matter as insignificant, but now it resurfaced in my mind. “I appreciate the warning, but it’s too late. The demonic energy has already gathered and formed into a behemoth.” “You’re aware, then. So, you must also know that everyone here is going to die, right?” Of course, I knew. The demonic energy was so thick in the air that it stung the tongue, even to the untrained senses of the attendants nearby. If this were a game, Dordone’s resurrection would mark the game-over point. The protagonists of Frostheart would fall, leading to a scenario where the player would have to join forces with the current Spirit King to defeat the rampaging Dordone. In Asares, the scenario didn’t end unless the player died. But there was one exception—a single individual from Frostheart who could survive and join the battlefield later. “But not you, right?” I asked. Dorosian’s eyelids trembled faintly. My words had clearly struck a nerve. This was exactly the situation she had been waiting for. It made sense—this was her golden opportunity to break the restraints that bound her neck, wrists, and ankles. Recalling why she had been passive and observant until now, a hint of mockery escaped my lips. “Must be nice to possess the qualities of an archmage.” To the world, Dorosian wasn’t just an individual but an asset evaluated from the perspective of all humankind. Letting someone like her die was akin to discarding a genius who had elevated civilization. No matter how much of a troublemaker she was, her value was such that even the Duke, the Mage Tower, and the Empire itself would rise in protest if her life were at stake. And yet, knowing she was exploiting this reality left me with a bitter taste. “The key to the demonic restraints. Wasn’t it under the supervision of Arkandric and Rockefeller? Shouldn’t you be heading there now? They must’ve realized by now that there’s no other solution.” True to her moniker as the “Monstrous Villainess,” she cared only about her freedom, even if it meant letting everyone here die. Given these circumstances, negotiating with her was almost laughable—she held all the cards. I averted my gaze from her and looked down at my own right hand resting on my thigh. “How about joining hands?” Dorosian’s expression turned cold. “Think carefully. There won’t be a second chance.” Despite her sharp insistence, I kept my right hand still. Now it was my turn to offer a handshake—or to dangle the bait she wanted. But I chose not to. This wasn’t a negotiation table, after all. She had asked nothing of me and had extended the offer to save me out of her own goodwill. In that case, it was only fair to respond with humanity, not calculation. “I have a favor to ask, Dorosian.” Hearing her name, she gave me a languid look, as if telling me to get on with it. “Handle the seawater. I’ll take care of the rest.” Without waiting for her response, I turned my back on her. I decided to leave her with words that would weigh on her mind. “Once you run away, it’s easy to run a second time. And then a third. That’s how worlds like this meet their end.” It was my way of saying there was someone else here who knew that destruction was the default. Sure, I knew she would leave once she gained her freedom. But still, I wanted her to see how I handled things—to show her there was someone who could share her burden, even a little. If that wasn’t enough? Well, so be it. *** Ecok continued spewing water from the holes on its back. The seawater cascaded down from the highlands, forming waterfalls that raised the sea level dramatically. The plague doctor, standing atop the massive whale’s back, asked a question. “What’s the point of all this?” “This body came to me unexpectedly. Even though I retain memories, moving it at will isn’t easy.” “Hmm. You’re trying to get a feel for it—or maybe tame it,” the doctor mused. Dordone, the orca spirit. Nothing would acclimate him to his body better than swimming. For that reason, the doctor didn’t rush Ecok. But it seemed Ecok was learning to control not just his body but also his other senses. “Hmm. Is this how I handle water?” Ecok said, and the surface of the sea began to tremble. The currents, which had previously flowed unchecked, now slowed and shifted. This was undoubtedly the wave manipulation technique favored by the tyrant Dordone. The Plague Doctor involuntarily shuddered. “Ah, it reminds me of the tidal wave that once swept through half the land.” With this power alone, conquering the mortal realm would be no challenge. Although the Spirit King Lirques, who had slain Dordone, was still alive, her companion Adrigal was long dead. Even if there were archmages in this era, the Plague Doctor was certain that Ecok would never lose. “Among all the archmages in history, Adrigal was a truly exceptional figure. The odds of someone like that appearing again in this age are practically nonexistent.” Centuries had passed. The chance of fighting yet another great figure of such magnitude in the same era was infinitesimally small. Still, caution wouldn’t hurt. The Plague Doctor turned to Ecok and asked, “Ecok, even in this age, there must be mages revered as heroes among the humans. What is their caliber?” Swordsmen were irrelevant. Dordone’s only weakness was magic. No swordsman could even get close to Dordone, as the currents generated by the whale spirit could shatter stone towers, let alone allow a mere swordsman to approach. Additionally, Dordone’s raw strength—unparalleled among even the strongest whale spirits—rendered physical attacks insignificant. Ecok closed his eyes, as if deep in thought. “If we’re talking about heroes, there is an archmage in the Mage Tower. But compared to Adrigal, even placing them on the same scale feels like an insult.” After a moment, Ecok’s lips curled slightly. “Still… in terms of reputation, there is someone comparable to Adrigal.” The Plague Doctor, surprised, asked, “Where is this person?” “In the northeast. He is the head of the Tenest family.” The Plague Doctor could not hide his astonishment. “…The head of a family?” “Yes, the Tenest family are imperial heroes who built the empire with their swords.” The Plague Doctor chuckled, unable to help himself. He had been startled, assuming the person was a great mage. But if they were merely a swordsman, they were no more than another blade that would shatter against Dordone’s overwhelming might. “Ha, nothing to worry about, then. Such people would be too afraid of Dordone’s power to even participate in the war. They’ll likely remain hidden as usual.” “Don’t be so quick to judge, Kaml,” Ecok interjected. “This isn’t the era you remember. Swordsmanship has advanced considerably. And when you asked about mages worthy of admiration, I compared him to Adrigal because his blade might actually touch my body.” The Plague Doctor, Kaml, fell silent, deep in thought. Judging by Ecok’s demeanor, it was clear that Dordone’s spirit was influencing his judgment. This wasn’t merely fear; it was a calculated, rational evaluation. “Hmph. In that case, I suppose caution is warranted,” Kaml said. Ecok chuckled. “Caution, you say… Did you know that within that barrier, there are three sons of that man?” Kaml’s expression faltered. “…Three of them?” “Yes. And even if we wanted to avoid conflict for now, it’s only a matter of time before we clash.” “That sounds… inconvenient.” “Indeed. We need to take this situation more seriously. Occupying Frostheart might not be as easy as we thought.” Kaml was dumbfounded, unable to respond. Of course, he had witnessed their remarkable abilities through his crystal ball, including how they had dealt with the spirit army. But that was the extent of it. In the end, they were no more than leaves to be blown away by Dordone’s overwhelming power. “It’s hard to believe. With Dordone’s memories, you wouldn’t make such bold claims lightly.” By nature, as long as they relied on swordsmanship, there was no way Ecok could lose. Especially if none of them had earned Ecok’s recognition. Yet, Ecok’s next words carried weight. “The golden-haired man who killed Hornbl… He’s the eldest son of Aol Ben Tenest.” “…Then this Aol must be even stronger.” “Perhaps. But in Frostheart, there are some who consider themselves his equal, so it’s not easy to gauge.” Kaml’s unease lingered only briefly. “Still, I can’t imagine us losing. Injuries, perhaps, but defeat? No. If anything, they will serve as a valuable benchmark for whether I can truly conquer the mortal realm.” The surrounding seawater began to churn, forming whirlpools and spouts. Ecok had fully mastered Dordone’s power. *** Searᴄh the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Frostheart, apart from its citadel, had an outer barrier along its walls. Since the spirit army had been swept away by the violent waves, the barrier had not been activated. But now, to their astonishment, a new barrier was forming. In his office, Arkandric looked out the window. “This is getting more astonishing by the moment,” he murmured. The whale’s blowholes continued to spew water. Normally, the seawater would have flowed down the mountain range, but the barrier Ecok had created in the form of a giant bubble trapped the water, causing the sea level to rise steadily. At this rate, we’re trapped in a fishbowl within another fishbowl. The only difference is that Frostheart’s barrier contains oxygen, while the outer barrier created by the whale is filled entirely with seawater. “Is there no way to deal with that using magic?” Arkandric asked, his tone tense. Rockefeller’s expression grew heavy. “…I’m ashamed to admit it, but no.” If the barrier was broken, seawater would come rushing in. But the sheer mass of water was far too great for magic to effectively manage, leaving them with no clear solution. A prison under water, perched on high ground. First, the strike team was isolated in the belly of a snail, and now the entire group faced a similar predicament. To make matters worse, their current forces were woefully insufficient. Too many injured. Some won’t make it much longer. And Dame Bellen…? The Tenest sword techniques were far too taxing for the elderly knight. Having used a skill he had kept hidden for emergencies, Bellen’s condition had deteriorated. Her ligaments were strained, her cartilage worn down, and she could barely remain standing. No solutions came to mind until— Knock, knock, knock. A knock echoed, followed by the door swinging open without permission. The one who entered was Dorosian, her long black hair cascading down her back. Chains clinked softly as she moved. “Sir Arkandric? Don’t you think it’s about time you released me?” she asked. Rockefeller sighed deeply. There had been an agreement with the Duke—if Dorosian’s life was ever in danger, she was to be released without delay. Given the current situation, letting her go seemed the right course of action. Without the demonic restraints, she could likely escape on her own. “And I’d like to borrow a staff. Something usable, preferably,” Dorosian added casually. Rockefeller was stunned. Even as a prodigious student, he had expected at least a semblance of propriety. Yet Dorosian had done nothing to help and had merely enjoyed the privileges afforded her. “‘Borrow,’ you say? If there’s no way to return it, isn’t that the same as taking it for good?” His voice dripped with irritation. But Dorosian’s next words took everyone by surprise. “Well, we’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we?” “…What?” “Let’s put it simply: I thought I might help with one task. If you’re not interested, that’s fine too,” she said nonchalantly. Dorosian’s nature made it hard to believe she saw anyone here in a positive light. To her, she was a prisoner, and the rest of them mere wardens. For someone like her, who had remained passive and uninvolved, to suddenly offer assistance was unprecedented. Rockefeller struggled to make sense of the situation. To read Chapters ahead ???? CH 176-180 (Alon Vs Ecok) $3 CH 181-185 (Academy’s downfall) $3 CH 186-190 (Rockefeller) $3 CH 191-195 (Student council president) $3 CH 196-200 (The King) $3 CH 201-205 (Field Trip) $3 CH 206-210 (Troublemaker Vs Troublemaker) $3 Prev I TOC I Next