Chapter 38 – Flower of the North Sea (10)

— Hello? Can you hear me? I’m Terra Ernestine. What’s your name?

— Well, it’s not a translation problem, it’s just not getting through. That’s okay. I expected this much. Don’t worry, I’ll give you a cooler name.

— It must hurt a lot right now. I followed the instructions from the ancient imperial texts, but summoning from an actual existing dimension means your body has to be reconstructed. So right now, your condition is…

— Haha, I’m glad you have a sense of humor. Yes, you’re like a hamburger patty left at room temperature for two weeks.

What surfaced were perhaps the very first memories.

— So, you know? You were chosen as a hero. You broke through infinite, unimaginably astronomical odds.

— Don’t blame me too much. I was against it until the end. Even if humanity goes extinct, grass still grows, right? But those high-up folks didn’t want to be trampled like weeds.

— Soon, the Pope and the King will come. They’ll offer their daughters’ hands in marriage or something. If you’re into early marriage, it might be tempting.

The first sight that came into view was the blue ceiling. Blood pooled on the floor.

Two people were by my side. One kept talking to keep me conscious, while the other knelt in the blood, weeping uncontrollably.

— Oh, her? She’s a saint raised by the church, but she’s a bit simple-minded. She’s been crying ever since she saw you.

— Oh, you’re moving now? The magic has just started to settle in. That’s fast. Ah, how about Louis? It means ‘king of war’ in ancient language. A perfect name for you. The outside world has gone beyond chaos and into an apocalypse.

I raised myself up and extended my hand, which lacked nails, to the crying woman.

When my hand touched her knee, she burst into even louder sobs.

Maybe because she had been told not to cry.

— Louis. Your hero’s power will come from three sources. Based on the ‘Three Originals,’ the fundamental principles of all magic and the foundation of this world. One has already been bestowed, another is on its way, and the last one you must create yourself.

Terra explained the three divine powers of the hero.

The oracle bestowed by the Lord of Light, Hela.

The divine power contained in the church’s holy sword and shield.

And—

— Think carefully and choose wisely. Once you decide on a conviction, you cannot change it.

A conviction to protect someone.

— Numquam Obliviscatur Votum. Never forget your vow, Louis.

— If you lose that resolve, your powerful flame will dissipate like smoke.

***

Rumble!!

“Oof…!!”

The sudden jolt woke me from my sleep. I was in a dark carriage heading to the North Sea.

It seemed the wheels had hit a rough patch of terrain.

“You woke up at the perfect time. The coachman said we’re almost there.”

A small girl sitting across from me giggled while covering her mouth. The cramped carriage had only the two of us.

“I’m Lily. What’s your name?”

“I’m not an old man.”

“You look like one to me. Why are you going to Adenbury?”

“To have a word with the lord.”

“Oh my! You’ll get arrested for blasphemy!”

Lily seemed to have grown tired of looking out the window alone, chattering away regardless of whether I answered or not.

“My hometown is a small village down south, but a gang of bandits raided it recently. We lost our homes and money, so I’m heading to Adenbury to find a job.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Apparently, the Rochear family is hiring servants. They’re recruiting for three days starting today, and I’m determined to get hired!”

“They probably won’t hire a country bumpkin.”

“Oh, come on! I haven’t even had the interview yet and you’re already putting me down?”

As the carriage slowed down, I stretched my legs and prepared to disembark. In the distance, I could see the North Sea’s massive waves and islands.

In the center stood a large island with a towering, sharp castle.

“Well, try applying on the last day.”

“Why?”

After paying the coachman, I gave Lily a light smile.

“Because there might be a lot of vacancies.”

***

What is the reason for Rochear’s existence?

To be a spear that protects humanity and exterminates demons.

Since the original Ice Duke founded the unique magic, Rochear’s family motto has never wavered.

Always fighting at the front lines of dawn, the people of the kingdom, especially those in the north, revered Rochear more than even Terra Ernestine.

Although their magic prowess might not compare, Rochear’s actions as nobles and rulers were always for humanity.

Countless lives were lost. More knights and brave warriors than anyone else’s bodies floated away in the cold waters of the North Sea.

Even before and after the Great War, no family in Pennheim had shed as much blood as Rochear.

There were things that could not be contained in the medals awarded by the royal family.

“We’ve arrived, my lady.”

“Bring her here.”

Esther Silvesta de Rochear. The empress of extreme ice, who turned the fear of demons into a single spear, could stand firm bearing all of Rochear’s sacrifices.

Public opinion meant nothing to her. From the day she mastered Rochear’s unique magic, Esther fought for humanity, just as every Ice Duke before her had done.

“……”

She looked at her younger sister lying in a cold coffin.

The reason for taking Adela Silvesta’s heart was not to reclaim past glory, nor to strengthen her power as the ruler of the North Sea.

Rochear simply existed to pierce the enemy’s heart, as a cold and sharp spear.

Adela, too, must become such a being. Because she, too, is Rochear.

Esther touched her sister’s ear. Adela, who had not escaped, who had stopped running, had never worn the other earring.

Pretending to be a fool to enter the academy. Making her name known in the magic duel. Getting invited to clubs. Debuting in society. Her lifelong attempts to escape the family through marriage to a count had all come to nothing.

Now, she would accept Rochear’s unique magic.

A fragile heart containing karma. Esther reached out her cold hand towards it.

At that moment—

“Hey.”

A voice came from the entrance of the grand hall, which was the innermost part of the lord’s castle, backlit by the clock tower.

“If you’re going to kidnap someone, why make such a big show of it? Even my grandmother would conduct organ trafficking more discreetly than you guys.”

“Who are you?”

“Me?”

A man in an outfit ill-suited for the North Sea, with a lighthearted tone and a sharp smile, stood there.

“I’m the store owner of Farencia Academy. I’ve come to get compensation for the mess you made in my store.”

“Do you need money?”

“No, I don’t need that. Isn’t there a thief with three prior convictions lying next to you?”

The black-haired man, who had come empty-handed, pointed to Adela lying beside Esther.

“I’ll just take her.”

***

Footsteps—couldn’t be heard.

Esther realized the outside was eerily quiet.

She descended the stairs slowly, extending her thin arm to the side.

A transparent spear materialized in midair.

“You speak arrogantly without knowing your place.”

“My place?”

“Did you say you’re a store owner? Living in Pennheim, you don’t know the weight of Rochear’s blood.”

It didn’t matter how strong he was or how he managed to get past the guards and knights outside to reach here.

From where Esther’s steps touched the ground, frost slowly climbed the walls and floor.

Her emotionless voice echoed in the frozen interior without any breath visible.

“Fifteen Blue Rose Knights died at Lake Senlir last week. I remember all their names.”

Without a tremble, she recited the names of the deceased: Beckel, Marsil, Selita—

“Twenty died two weeks ago. Three more yesterday.”

Without resentment, reflection, or sorrow.

“They all died because I withdrew from the front lines to come here.”

She spoke as if talking about ice and snow.

“Do you know? The North, Rochear, has made countless sacrifices. Since before the Great War, it has been Pennheim’s strategic point at the forefront. We have unflinchingly performed our duty.”

As she spoke, the cold ice piled up. The windows froze, the ceiling turned white, and the sound of metal straining filled the room.

“Some were melted by black magic, their bodies liquefied. Others were torn apart by beast claws, collecting their intestines and dying. Even so, we fought without retreating a single step.”

They froze their wounds and forged bridges from their frozen enemies.

“We broke through the most dangerous sulfur valleys in Heljeb, the cliffs of wailing, the trenches of the black night.”

Only to exterminate the demons.

“Do you understand, you?”

To become the spear of Pennheim.

“We have lived through hell.”

The Ice Duke pointed her spear at her frozen sister.

“If another mage masters Rochear’s unique magic in the North, sacrifices will decrease. Not only Rochear, but all who fight the demons across the Lavierre Mountains and Senlir Lake, and throughout Pennheim, will save their lives at least once.”

Conversely, if they failed, more would die.

Therefore—the Ice Duke said.

“Do you understand the weight of Rochear’s blood?”

Daring him to present a justice that could override this great cause.

The snowstorm cleared, and silence followed. Esther’s transparent eyes never left Louis.

Like a corpse, he stood there with his eyes closed.

Then, a smile spread across his face.

The fleeting smile carried no intent to mock or hold back laughter. It was just a bitter yet sorrowful smile.

“You’re naive.”

The snow on his head was brushed off, revealing a face that bore a childlike innocence along with an unfathomable darkness that even Esther found unsettling.

“Remembering the names of the dead one by one? I’ve forgotten most of them because there were too many.”

Except for a few particularly foolish ones, Louis said, looking up at her.

“You know, history books say the same thing you just did. But people misunderstand Heljeb.”

As the sun reflected off the ice began to wane, Esther noticed the snow around Louis melting.

Raising her spear urgently, she saw her hand trembling. She couldn’t understand this emotion.

“They talk about molten lands and blood-soaked forests… It fits well, but demons die when stabbed with swords just like everyone else. They can’t survive in such places. Heljeb isn’t that bad.”

He still held no weapon in his hand.

Yet the terrible chill in his words—

“Lived through hell?”

Made the Ice Duke feel her blood freeze.

“I created that hell.”