Ch.57Chapter 57: Subjugation Festival (1)

#

The process for Director Belpheus to cast the spatial transfer spell was simple.

Really simple.

First, he gathered all participants in front of his desk.

“I pray for your safe journey through the Subjugation Festival.”

He delivered this warm blessing.

*Snap*

Then he lightly flicked his fingers by touching his right thumb and middle finger together.

That’s the entire process required for the Director to cast a spatial transfer spell.

He didn’t carve large-scale magic circles with geometric significance into the floor.

Nor did he use anything like the dragon language, which dragons supposedly use to channel magical power.

He accomplished everything with just a finger snap.

‘That’s incredible.’

Though it appeared to be a simple finger snap to the casual observer.

The person using it was a thousand-year-old superhuman whom even dragons—who pride themselves as the originators of space-time magic—acknowledge as superior.

I’m certain that when he snapped his fingers, he had already calculated the exact physical coordinates where the Subjugation Festival participants needed to gather and then executed the transfer.

The difference is that this calculation process happens in the blink of an eye compared to what ordinary space-time spell casters would require.

Likely everything would be over before the clear sound of his finger snap had even faded from this quiet space.

And my prediction came true without the slightest deviation.

My vision suddenly brightened.

It reminded me of the flash that filled my sight when I drew the dragon sword from its sheath a few days ago—the one that had deliberately resonated its blade song in front of me.

The light was so intense I worried it might damage my eyesight if I stared at it.

Fortunately, this flash receded quickly the moment we participants of the Subjugation Festival perceived it.

It happened so instantaneously that we didn’t even have time to furrow our brows.

Anyway, as the flash disappeared and my eyes adjusted to the momentary flashback, the first thing I saw was a blue sky.

Not the somewhat dark wallpapered ceiling of the Director’s office where we had been moments ago, but a clear, cloudless sky so pristine it was almost chilling. I was about to feel a sense of liberation when—

*Whoooosh*

The sound of cold wind striking my ears helped me tighten the loosening thread of tension.

“…Have we arrived?”

I tightened the collar of the winter coat I had already put on as a precaution, then began to survey the surrounding geography.

This was a place we had reached through a spatial transfer spell personally demonstrated by none other than the Director himself.

There couldn’t possibly be any mistakes, but human affairs are unpredictable.

I turned my head this way and that to check the surroundings in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

The first thing that caught my eye was a vast plain of desolate land that gave the impression of being quite detached from civilization.

Just from this, I could easily tell.

This was the only place in the Central Continent—which is larger than the other three minor continents combined and occupies the center of the world, typically boasting a mild climate—that doesn’t receive nature’s blessings and displays barrenness.

“This is indeed the Northern Territory.”

Yes.

This place exuded the typical climate of the Central Continent’s Northern Territory.

Just from this, I could easily recognize that we had arrived at the correct destination, but situations are unpredictable.

So as I turned my head to look in the opposite direction—

“…Oh.”

An involuntary short exclamation escaped my lips.

Despite having seen this sight several times before, including in memories from my previous timeline.

Where the clear, cloudless sky had been moments ago, a vast area covered in thick, grayish-white fog now spread before my eyes.

And even wrapped in that fog, the silhouette of a majestic mountain range that seemed to pierce the sky revealed its overwhelming presence that couldn’t possibly be hidden.

Judging by the clear visibility of the mountain range despite the considerable distance when viewed with the naked eye—

I could finally be certain.

“We’ve arrived.”

There was no room for doubt.

[…Ah. The homeland.]

Fafnir’s voice, tinged with melancholy, also clearly indicated where we were.

Beyond that fog lay the massive mountain range that divides the Northern Territory of the Central Continent from the realm known as the Hall of Evil.

The Dragon Claw Mountains.

#

The effect of the spatial transfer spell was remarkable.

It would take about a month on horseback.

Even using the magitech trains that run throughout the Central Continent, it would take two to three days to reach the Northern Territory—yet we covered that distance with just a snap of a finger.

Of course, even though we had arrived in the Northern Territory, this didn’t appear to be our gathering point.

No matter how much I scanned the area with my significantly improved eyesight, I couldn’t see anything that resembled a gathering place.

I suppose we’ll have to walk a bit further on our sturdy legs.

“Hmm. It should take about two hours on foot to arrive.”

As if confirming my thoughts.

From behind me came the voice of Noona, who had already finished surveying the local geography.

It seemed she had already calculated the distance between our current location and the gathering point after our spatial transfer.

Once calculations are done, it’s time for action.

*Clap*

Noona lightly clapped her hands to draw everyone’s attention.

At that sound, everyone except me—who had already felt the biting wind right after the spatial transfer—finally realized the cold and began hastily gathering their winter gear.

Excel and Siz, along with the other two, turned their gazes toward Noona.

Compared to Dan and Rufus, who calmly turned their attention to Noona—

Excel’s expression was quite impressive as he reflexively turned his head toward the sound of Noona’s clap.

He seemed to be reproaching himself for his dullness in not keeping his eyes fixed on Noona while gathering his winter gear.

‘He’s got it bad. Really bad.’

I almost let out a chuckle, but the emotional intensity in his expression was so palpable that instead of laughing, I gently closed my eyes and nodded in acknowledgment.

That guy really does like Noona.

That was my impression.

Before my regression, I had only vaguely known about this, but after changing my choices post-regression, I frequently witnessed this side of my friend, and what I felt was a kind of envy.

Some might criticize him for showing his emotions so unreservedly despite being from a prestigious family.

But I envied his purity—the ability to openly express his feelings toward the person he likes.

Though he might not receive a proper response right now and will likely face some bumps and bruises along the way.

But by bumping and breaking, the sharpness of his feelings will soften, and someday they will reach their target.

That was far better than the disgraceful behavior of a certain foolish person who gave up everything due to momentary inferiority and became less than stardust.

‘That’s why I’m trying hard this time.’

Regrets should be brief, and determination should last forever.

Having organized my thoughts, I moved toward the person I needed to cherish.

Siz was taking out her winter coat slightly later than the others and hadn’t yet properly turned her attention to Noona, so I felt the need to help her.

Despite her energetic and bubbly exterior, her personality of being a heavy sleeper and disliking the cold meant that while she had thoroughly prepared winter gear, she had perhaps been too thorough.

“Ugh…”

In her hands was a winter coat.

It was noticeably thicker than what I and the other Subjugation Festival participants were wearing, promising superior insulation.

A fine luxury item with a base of Proxian’s symbolic gold color appropriately mixed with the blue she favors, but—

“Nnngh…”

Unfortunately, the luxury item was so thick it seemed slightly cumbersome for one person to wear, making it very inconvenient for Siz with her relatively short arms to put on by herself.

While it would provide better insulation than any other winter coat once worn, judging by her struggle, it seemed to be the result of inadequate work by the Proxian tailors.

“Heeng… It won’t go on.”

Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t properly put on the coat, and a sound of frustration escaped her lips.

It was quite a contradictory scene.

The more intense Siz’s frustration became—

The more adorable she appeared, to the point where anyone without the immunity that comes from seeing her often would find themselves smiling from ear to ear at her cuteness.

…Of course, even with my good control over my expressions, I still found her struggling appearance incredibly cute.

So much so that I would have loved to keep watching if time allowed, but—

“…”

“…”

When I saw Dan and Rufus’s gazes turn toward Siz (except for Excel, whose eyes remained fixed on Noona), I realized I needed to help her put on the coat quickly.

The contentment in their expressions as they watched Siz was obvious at a glance, and it was clear they would continue looking at her with those expressions as long as she struggled with her coat.

“Let me help.”

I quickly moved behind her and lifted both shoulders of the coat to make it easier for her to put on.

“…Thank you.”

With a slightly timid voice, Siz expressed her gratitude and was finally able to put on her winter coat.

And just as she put it on—

“…How cute.”

My enhanced hearing allowed me to catch Noona’s words, spoken even more softly than Siz’s.

When I briefly turned to check Noona’s expression, it was quite a sight.

Her brown eyes sparkled as she repeatedly nodded slightly, unable to make any larger gestures.

Even to Noona, who needed to fulfill her role as our guide, Siz’s current appearance was cute enough to make her momentarily forget her duties.

In fact, I felt the same way.

I mean… how should I put it?

The way she slightly waddled in that extremely thick winter coat was like…

A chick?

Anyway, my fiancée was currently in an extremely cute state.

To exaggerate a bit—

Even the monsters planning to come down the Dragon Claw Mountains might forget about fighting and focus on watching her if they saw her like this.

[Kekeke. Ah, I agree.]

If even the evil dragon who dominated the world a thousand years ago says something like this, Siz’s cuteness must be world-cla—

‘Fafnir.’

[Why are you calling me?]

‘Did you hear everything?’

[…]

‘Why aren’t you answering?’

[Ah… I’m sleepy. I’m going to sleep.]

With these words, Fafnir stopped responding to my calls.

A furnace.

A big, beautiful furnace is what I need.

That was the only thought that came to mind as I contemplated the invisible Fafnir who no longer responded to my calls.

#

“…Hehe.”

She’s been like this the whole time.

Siz, wearing her thick winter coat and finally free from the cutting wind, leaned her head against my right arm and made happy laughing sounds.

Just listening to her laugh, one might mistake this for a winter picnic rather than a Subjugation Festival, as her laughter was filled with such innocence.

Hearing that laugh reminds me of old times.

When we were young, the three of us—you, Excel, and I—played snowball fights at our secret hideout during the first snow of winter, and you laughed so innocently.

Of course, the snow wasn’t as heavy as in this frigid land, so it barely accumulated enough for a proper snowball fight.

But the difference between then and now is—

Unlike Ranos Territory, where we weren’t that cold even in hastily thrown-on clothes, this place has an impressive climate where knife-like winds occasionally penetrate even through decent winter coats.

Every time Siz laughed lightly, her breath didn’t just turn white—it almost frosted over, showing just how extreme the cold was here.

“Ahem.”

Ah, I got distracted and only paid attention to Siz, not Noona.

To prevent Noona from feeling more awkward after her throat-clearing, I lightly tapped the back of my head with my left palm to regain my focus.

Then I reached out my left hand to pat Siz’s head, which was leaning against my right arm, to bring her back to attention.

“We’re not here for fun, so let’s focus.”

“Ah…”

Hearing my words, Siz finally opened her eyes wide and hurriedly moved away from my arm, touching her head with an embarrassed expression.

“Huh…”

This sigh of disappointment came from Rufus.

“Th…thief…ahem. I’m envious.”

This voice, momentarily slipping up, came from Dan.

Apparently, the sight of Siz comfortably resting her head against my arm had quite an impact on those two.

Are they envious? They could just say so directly.

“…Ahem.”

…I should quickly turn my attention elsewhere to prevent Noona from feeling more awkward.

Only after Noona cleared her throat again did everyone’s attention, including mine, finally fix on her.

For reference, Excel had kept his gaze fixed on Noona since earlier and hadn’t deviated from it at all.

“Welcome to the Subjugation Festival, juniors.”

The voice that came from Noona’s mouth, after she barely managed to remove her embarrassed expression, finally carried the dignity befitting her position as the guide for the Subjugation Festival participants and the Vice-Captain of the Imperial Knights.

“Now that preparations seem complete, we will move to the gathering point.”

After finishing her words, Noona drew her sword from her waist without unsheathing it and pointed northeast from our current position.

“That is the gathering point and the Imperial Knights’ station.”

I focused my enhanced vision in the direction Noona’s sword pointed.

Though I couldn’t see anything, I could feel something.

Though not clearly perceptible due to the distance, there was a distinct presence—

The flow of fighting spirit emanating from warriors who had undergone all sorts of training.

‘How many are there?’

If even I, with my still underdeveloped ki sense, could feel this much, it was hard to gauge just how many powerful individuals might be gathered there.

“Let’s depart.”

With these words, Noona took the lead and silently began walking toward our destination.

Beginning with Excel—who would jump into hellfire if Noona asked—following right behind her, our first activity in the Subjugation Festival, the march, began.