The Academy's Weakest Became A Demon-Limited Hunter

Chapter 318: Winged Heavenly Being Subjugation (6)

“Hilde.”

Whoooosh!

The familiar contract seal glowed, and ice mana gathered in the air, transforming into the shape of a white dragon.

The Frost Dragon, Hilde, appeared before me. It cried out in a worried voice.

[Master, are you alright?!]

“Somehow.”

[Hicc, thank goodness... Oh, wait, your arms and legs are fine again! Were you a monster all along, Master?!]

“Of course not.”

It was understandable that she would be surprised.

A human who had lost all their limbs suddenly gaining new ones would be shocking.

“I’ll explain on the way. Let’s go for now.”

I climbed onto Hilde.

Hilde began to fly toward the massive gate.

“You know, there was that secret method that could instantly heal any condition just once.”

[Oh, that one? The Blood of the Evanescant?]

“Yeah, I used it.”

[Thank goodness... I felt like I lost ten years of my life earlier.]

Hilde let out a sigh of relief.

Losing ten years, huh? I doubt that would even put a dent in her lifespan.

[I was beginning to think that these days, humans could easily regenerate their limbs.]

“Do you think humanity could have evolved that much while you were asleep...?”

For a moment, it turned into a generational difference. Impressive.

[But Master, how on earth did you manage to get on the elevator?]

“Unexpectedly... I received some help from someone I know.”

[...I see. That could happen too, I suppose.]

This place was the Nether.

Just as Om the Eternal helped me, it was entirely possible that someone who had already died could help me. Hilde seemed to accept that explanation.

She must be sensing my emotions too.

Hilde guessed the fate of that “someone I know” and lowered her voice.

Just then, something tinged with pale blue coldness came flying toward me with a swoosh. I could instantly tell who had thrown it.

[The unique trait [Apex Predator] has activated!]

I used that damn Ozma’s power.

The unique trait was also a result of the covenant with Ozma.

In other words, no matter what Ozma’s will was, she had to fulfill the terms of the covenant.

I quickly extended my arm, deploying a wall of ice and rock mana [Fossilized Ice], deflecting the incoming object.

Kaang!!

Is it [Ice Spear]?

The density of the mana was quite high.

[Master, there is an enemy.]

“Yeah.”

From the Icy Lake, monsters with bodies partially made of ice rose up.

From large humanoid monsters to giants boasting overwhelming size, each one had a unique sense of beauty.

If they weren’t after my life, it would have been an incredibly beautiful sight.

It seemed that all the monsters here had judged me as a threat.

They charged at me and Hilde, or unleashed ice magic at us.

[ ※ Unable to read information. ]

Out of habit, I tried to read the Status Window, but the information about the monsters didn’t appear.

Unregistered information.

Of course.

The enemy’s information would be identified within the scope of Ozma’s knowledge.

If they didn’t appear in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ or if she hadn’t seen them herself, it was natural that she wouldn’t know.

Since she had never been to the Icy Lake.

It was the same with the monster I saw during the Trial of Sandstone.

When the Evil God resurrected and the destruction of all worlds began, the dark blue monster appeared on the land of South Korea.

At that time, the noise in my vision made it difficult to discern properly, but I could never forget the chill I felt.

Aside from myself, the strongest ice wizard in human history.

The Primordial Ice Sovereign, also known as the Scythe-Wielding Witch.

She was Veronica Aslius.

[Veronica...!]

“This is an order. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you.”

I sternly urged.

Because Hilde’s overwhelming emotions were transmitted to me, her master.

“You must understand your previous master’s will, right?”

[...]

Hilde couldn’t give a response.

It was none other than her who conveyed Veronica’s message to me.

The creature must have understood Veronica’s will well.

“Hilde.”

I stroked the Hilde’s scales. I knew she was conflicted. I didn’t want to sound cold either.

But it was clear that Veronica would stand in my way. I had no choice but to be firm.

“Sorry, but I don’t have much mana right now, so I have to reverse-summon you.”

It’s been rumored that “The current Ice Sovereign has surpassed the Primordial Ice Sovereign.”

But that was compared to the Veronica Aslius from a thousand years ago.

There was no way Veronica had been stagnant while serving as the gatekeeper all this time.

The heavy mana pressed down on my skin.

Even if she wasn’t as powerful as the Nether King, the sensation was enough to make me realize how strong Veronica was.

[Master, I would like it if you didn’t reverse-summon me. Please, I want to watch the fight between you two.]

“...Alright.”

I allowed it. That was probably the least I could do for Hilde

The unique trait [Apex Predator] activated, and my mana circuits surged.

I spread out the three pairs of [Ice Sovereign] wings and flew up, exuding a gentle chill.

Hilde transformed into a smaller dragon form to conserve my mana

She gazed at Veronica from the sky with a sad expression.

I don’t have enough mana to summon Daikan.

I had used up too much mana when I confronted the Nether King.

But now that my mana had recovered somewhat, I could fight Veronica.

With a swift motion, I raised my arm and began to chant.

An immense number of magic circles unfolded behind me, and one gigantic magic circle traced its path, encompassing all the others.

Cold energy swirled and condensed above my outstretched hand. Thus, I constructed the 9-star ice spell [Cocytus], perfectly mirroring the spell of the gatekeeper, Veronica.

Due to the two radiant ice suns, the cold energy from each clashed like a raging blizzard.

─ I will follow the star. To cast aside falsehood.

These were the last words Veronica left behind, as conveyed by Richard, the Grand Regent of Düpendorf.

Did she come here following that star?

What was that star, and what was the falsehood she sought to cast aside?

Perhaps the truth lies beyond that enormous door.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Veronica Aslius.”

I used magic to convey my voice into Veronica Aslius’s mind and greeted her politely.

No response came back.

─ Please, with peace in your heart, destroy me.

I recalled the message from Hilde.

Veronica had already anticipated that she would face me here in a thousand years.

Under the pale blue ice sun, I examined her face.

Deep shadows under her eyes. A gaunt and emotionless face. She seemed to have lost all human reason long ago.

Like a doll, only the decayed remnants of her given mission seemed to remain in her, like ashes.

I spoke in a calm voice, “Now... please rest in peace.”

Here, I’ll bring peace to Veronica.

And pass through the door she guards to go meet Dorothy.

I swung my arm, and Veronica swung her scythe.

We launched our ice suns at each other.