Chapter 39 – Flower of the North Sea (11)

How much time had passed since they faced each other?

The candle made of whale oil from the North Sea had long since extinguished. Ice crystals clung to the stained glass, crackling as they fell. In the middle of the tall clock tower, the only sound was the faint breath of the unconscious Adela, filling the void.

Tap!

Esther moved first. She thrust her spear at Louis as if throwing it and then retreated. The moment he grabbed the spear flying precisely at his heart, an immense cold exploded, covering the entire building in white frost.

<Esther Silvesta de Rochear Unique Magic: Ice Snow Orchid> <Patrolling Cold Wave ⌜Cold Wave⌟>

Boom——!!

A powerful gust swirled around the spot where Louis stood. Esther summoned a second spear to defend herself as she saw him charging at her bare-handed in an instant.

<Unique Magic: Ice Shield ⌜Ice Shield⌟>

A massive frosty shield appeared ten steps ahead of him. Without hesitation, Louis punched it.

Crack-! Esther expected the magic to shatter even before she heard the sound. However, a high-level mage’s combat isn’t merely an exchange of a single spell.

<Multiple Incantations>, <Spell Transformation: Miniaturization>, <Spell Interference: Remote Control> <Unique Magic: Ice Shield ⌜Ice Shield⌟>

Before his hand could reach, the shield shattered, and the fragments formed another shield, splitting them apart.

<White Magic: Mirror Side ⌜Mirror Side⌟> <Unique Magic: Frost Flower ⌜Frost Flower⌟>

The ice crystals floating from the first shock wave of the cold wave reflected the sunlight. The sharp and transparent surfaces of the crystals mirrored the magic circles projected from Esther’s spear tip like mirrors.

One, two, the blue-tinted magic circles multiplied rapidly, reflecting off the scattered ice fragments from all directions.

As Louis’s fist reached forward—

<Parallel Spell Construction: Large Unit> <Unique Magic: Ice Shield ⌜Ice Shield•Magna Unitas⌟>

Crash——!!

A massive ice wall that divided the building in half appeared. The impact of the collapsing wall shook the entire lord’s castle of Adenbury.

Boom, boom! Massive chunks of ice, larger than a person, fell to the ground.

“……”

A single exchange of blows. Esther couldn’t hide her astonishment. That man had nearly shattered her defensive magic, which had been repeatedly reinforced for physical strength, with pure brute force. And in a single blow.

“……Tch.”

However, Louis also seemed to have sustained significant injuries. His hand, which had pounded the ice shield, was stripped to the bone.

From his wrist to his shoulder, the skin that had absorbed all the impact had burst, with blood vessels exposed, and the torn joints and ligaments bent unnaturally.

Crack!

But Louis clenched his damaged hand into a fist again and approached. Esther scattered magic circles into the air and raised her spear once more.

***

Rochear’s unique magic is rooted in ice magic but is not merely about ice and snow.

Magic is about interpreting the unfathomable world of large numbers through a skewed perspective.

The world in Esther’s eyes existed to be frozen.

Rochear’s ice is not mere substance. Rochear’s magic is not simply about creating ice.

It just freezes everything.

When looked upon, it freezes the gaze. When touched, it freezes the hand. When used, it even freezes magic.

Before it, nothing can move.

Neither humans, demons, their ideologies, grudges, intentions, beliefs, nor aspirations.

Not even concepts, single-mindedness, respect, persistence, or devotion.

All ideas and the magic born from their minds—— Nothing among the myriad forms can move before Rochear.

Therefore—— this man is no exception.

<Esther Silvesta de Rochear Unique Magic: Ice Snow Orchid> <Little Ice Age ⌜Ice Age⌟>

Cold descended.

Bitter cold descended.

As time passed, Louis’s movements slowed. Frostbite might dull the sense of touch, but the wounds on his body were deep enough to be felt unless his nerves were entirely severed.

The air froze, the ground froze, and amid everything freezing, his body couldn’t remain intact.

Yet he did not stop.

Clang!

The fifteenth spear broke in his hand. One hundred and twenty spells within unique magic shattered before his fists.

Esther anticipated that if even one of Louis’s attacks reached her, it would be the end.

But——

Boom!!

The force striking the newly formed <Ice Shield> grew weaker. Louis’s body was nearing its limit.

He was endlessly advancing, only a few steps away from reaching Esther, but he couldn’t completely break through the Ice Duke’s magic.

“……”

From behind the shield, which had cracked like a spider’s web, Esther’s calm eyes gazed at the nearly frozen Louis.

On the white snow and transparent ice lay dark red blood.

His fallen bangs revealed his eyes, which met hers.

Crack——

Just when it seemed like he had exhausted his strength, he began to hammer his head against the ice barrier, trying to break through with sheer force. Esther hurriedly struck the spear into the ground.

<Unique Magic: Ice Prison ⌜Ice Prison⌟>

Thud!!!

A transparent ice prison emerged from the ground, completely encasing Louis.

This wasn’t enough. Esther squeezed out the remaining mana and cast another spell.

<Unique Magic: Supercooling ⌜Supercooling⌟>

Ssss!!

He froze solid with his hand outstretched. Only then did Esther release her held breath. She looked at the roof of the building, now half-destroyed.

The entire hall where they had fought had retreated throughout the battle. Louis had relentlessly pushed her, almost reaching her at the end.

It’s over.

Just as Esther sighed in relief——

Crack.

Rochear’s all-freezing ice began to fracture.

***

Days after Louis left, Farencia had recovered from the damage without significant issues.

The city’s lockdown was lifted, merchants started coming and going, and classes at the academy resumed.

Even so, one student hadn’t returned to school, so Lehel visited the estate personally, carrying the 80,000 gold she had previously covered.

“I’m sorry. It seems the lord is not feeling well.”

“How did someone unwell handle the recent affairs? Is something going on?”

When Lehel asked the butler who wouldn’t let her in, he reluctantly answered.

“She seems worried about Mr. Louis.”

“Oh~.”

Lehel twirled her fingers. It seemed Darling was quite worried about Louis, who had left for the North Sea as soon as he arrived in Farencia.

Apparently, Darling knew Louis was strong but didn’t grasp the extent of his strength.

“Well, there’s nothing I can do then.”

“Shall I schedule an appointment?”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll see her now.”

“What?”

Lehel smiled brightly and activated <Teleportation Gate>. Before the butler could stop her, she slipped inside.

“Let’s see… Wow.”

She had arrived in Darling’s sleeping quarters. Noticing the room’s dark and stark appearance, Lehel was surprised. Considering that the viscountess was one of the wealthiest in Pennheim, the room lacked any opulence.

No lavish curtains, luxurious carpets, or jaw-dropping furniture, only various trinkets scattered around.

Small teddy bears, worn hair ties, clothes seemingly not hers.

Inside, Lehel found something curled under the blanket.

“Viscountess? Are you still weary from the journey?”

She lifted the blanket, revealing Darling clutching the plum wine Louis had bought on the train.

“What’s your business?”

“I’m here to return the money. The butler blocked me, so I barely got in.”

“Leave it at the door.”

“Are you worried about the store owner?”

“……You should have followed with your amazing magic.”

Surprising, considering her usual demeanor. As the lord of Farencia, Darling had work to do, just like Lehel, who was the headmaster of the academy.

Come to think of it, she mentioned losing both parents before becoming an adult. Louis might be more significant to Darling than just an important person.

Lehel covered her with the blanket again and quietly placed the bag of gold down.

“Viscountess, do you remember what I told you about Terra Ernestine?”

Like the White Knight Wiblet and the Saint Eris, Grand Mage Terra was a terrifying person. Her accomplishments and prestige, which all mages of the continent marveled at, were too clear-cut.

The fact that Terra Ernestine’s unique magic wasn’t singular.

Like White Magic and Black Magic, one unique magic contained dozens, hundreds of spells.

No one knew how many spells she could wield.

“She’s extremely powerful. More than you imagine.”

“……Didn’t you say you could defeat her?”

“Not just me. Every grand duke would say the same. Because we all have absolute confidence in the worlds we create.”

Indeed. It wasn’t about numbers.

Magic is about interpreting the unfathomable world of large numbers through a skewed perspective.

It’s about cutting away all other thoughts to obtain supreme magic.

Lehel, though fearing the talent of a young mage who hadn’t even extended her lifespan like herself, didn’t think her unique magic would be surpassed.

“But Viscountess, I still can’t be sure I could beat the store owner.”

Lehel recalled what she had seen and heard of Louis.

“Because he’s truly strong. I feel he would never give up and ultimately win in any extreme situation.”

If Terra Ernestine was so perfect, why did she personally give her unique magic to Louis?

“So don’t worry too much.”

Magic isn’t strong. Humans aren’t strong. This had been proven countless times through long wars.

“But the store owner will surely return.”

But the Hero is strong because they are a Hero.

That fact had never been broken.

***

Crack, crack——!!

The ice started to fracture. The pale face of the Ice Duke appeared before my eyes.

At the first clash, I judged it would be challenging to break her defense.

The ice magic, which combined offense and defense, not only had high attack power but also excelled at defense, such as stealing balance or slowing movements.

Hence, I chose the strategy to approach Esther as closely as possible. Among the twelve unique magics Terra implanted in my body, only two could be used without overburdening my body.

The first magic was activated.

Crack, crack——!!

<Terra Ernestine Unique Magic: Heavenly Evil> <A Blaze Offered to the Black Sun ⌜Eclipse•Solitaire⌟>

The sun tilted, and darkness descended. The vanished light and heat gathered at my fingertips, radiating immense heat.

Tearing through the ice, I extracted myself. Esther swung the sixteenth ice spear. With the distance now fully closed, there was no escape.

Sssss——!!

The molten heat from my body and the cold she exuded produced a tremendous amount of steam.

One chance. Grabbing the spear aiming at my heart and breaking it, dodging the falling ice fragments, I reached out to Esther.

At that moment,

Squelch!

The seventeenth spear stabbed into my lower abdomen. The wound froze, preventing any bleeding.

My fingertips barely brushed Esther’s sharp nose.

“Barely grazed.”

“……Cough.”

“It didn’t hurt or itch. Is this all?”

My arm slowly dropped. I smiled at her.

“What’s funny?”

“It’s over, you fool.”

“What?”

<Unique Magic: The End of Magic ⌜Magic•End⌟>

Bzzz!!!

The spear in my stomach shattered. The ice covering the floor melted away. The warm spring breeze replaced the cold winter from the open sky.

The end of magic. The end of the mage, the ultimate move in anti-mage warfare.

“Ugh, cough……!!”

Esther suddenly clutched her heart and collapsed. Her body trembled sporadically, and she coughed up blood.

So, she had created a heart with magic instead.

I walked unhesitatingly toward Adela. Whether Esther managed to recover enough mana to create another heart or die first was uncertain.

If she died, there would be a significant void in Pennheim, as she had stated.

While I could call out and ask for a potion, this was the extent of my judgment and kindness.

Stumbling toward the coffin, I found Adela, still lying quietly. Once a fish in an icebox, now a fish in a tank as the ice had melted.

The problem was, unlike fish, Adela couldn’t breathe underwater.

I hurriedly lifted her. Though I feared having to compress her heart again, she soon regained consciousness, fortunately.

“Cough, cough……!”

She wakes up right after I finish fighting the Ice Duke. I suspected one of two things.

Either she was biding her time to side with the winning party or she trusted me all along.

“Teacher…….”

“Yeah. Trouble maker.”

Seeing her smile at me, she looked like an imprinted duckling. It seemed to be the latter.

Adela, in her beautiful dress, spoke while still in my arms.

“It hurts here. I feel like I’m going to die.”

“I checked; it’s not arrhythmia. Probably because you used too much mana before coming here.”

“It was fine until a while ago, but suddenly it hurts.”

“Probably hit by an ice fragment while we were fighting.”

“I don’t think it’s that.”

Adela shook her head quietly. She wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear.

“I didn’t realize it before.”

The Northern Flower, in my arms.

“Maybe it’s because I love you, teacher.”