< 139. Come, Spring (4) >
#139
Ice fragments flew. The body of the trapped witch leaned forward. Ronan gritted his teeth as he held her in his arms.
“Wow it’s so cold.”
It felt like she was hugging a block of ice with her naked body. Even her thick coat couldn’t stop the cold seeping from her body. Ronan looked at her witch’s face and shrugged his eyebrows.
‘Her appearance is just ordinary.’
Evelyn was wearing the same black robe that Asher wore. On her sleeve was a yellow badge symbolizing that she was a new student in the Phileon Magic Department.
I don’t know if it was because she hadn’t grown up yet but she felt quite different from the witch she had seen in her previous life. She was just a cute girl. It was a face that would have enchanted any of her male students at Phileon if not for her damned coldness and bleached white hair.
“Hey calm down.”
Ronan shook the witch’s shoulder. No reply came from her. Her small head swayed helplessly like an accessory to her body. Suddenly an ominous premonition passed through her mind.
‘…isn’t he dead?’
Ronan hastily placed her index finger under the witch’s nose. Fortunately I could feel her breathing out albeit slightly. Her body was also pale and bloodless but there were no visible wounds.
“Damn I have a lot to ask.”
However seeing as she was still unconscious it was difficult to say that her condition was good. After muttering a curse at her Ronan took off her cloak and placed it on the witch.
“Ugh…fuck.”
It was a disaster because Itargand raised the temperature. Otherwise her ribs would have frozen. While she was fastening her buttons one by one Erzébet’s voice came from behind her.
“Ronan…?”
Now that I think about it the world around her was quiet. Ronan turned her head. Everyone including her stood still as if rooted to her floor.
Itargand was also staring dumbfounded at the ice shards scattered on the floor. The silence continued for about thirty more seconds. The interrogator who guided him jumped up and shouted.
“Uh uh the ice broke!”
A loud voice echoed in the empty space. Only then did people become speechless. The growing murmur exploded into exclamation.
“The witch’s shell has been broken!”
“Oh my god did you cut it with that sword?!”
“I didn’t see it either…!”
They started discussing the miracles they had seen with all sorts of fuss. Perhaps because she was afraid of witches she couldn’t approach her easily. Erzsebet walked slowly and stopped in front of the witch.
“…Eveline.”
Hergé Bett smoothed the wound on his neck. Judging by the fact that he was constantly chewing his lips his emotions seemed to be complex. After taking several deep breaths she opened her mouth.
“I didn’t see it at all. “What did you do?”
“I just cut it with a knife.”
“That’s it?”
“ok.”
“…Even after two years you still look the same.”
Ergé Bett shook his head as if he was fed up. It was like this at the Dawn Magic Tower. Suddenly loud footsteps echoed from the other side of the hallway.
When I turned my gaze five or six people wearing bird-beak masks were running towards me. Judging from his attire he seemed to be an interrogator like Karaka.
“…oh my god. “The report was true.”
After looking around the interrogators dispersed and began their own tasks. Someone started picking up ice shards and putting them in a box while someone else started scribbling down something in a notebook.
The man who had been observing the scene for the longest approached Ronan. Her mask depicting an owl was impressive. He looked back and forth between Ronan and the witch before she opened her mouth.
“This is Special Interrogator Ahja. Are you the one who broke the shell?”
“yes.”
Ronan calmly nodded her head. The man looked surprised for a moment and asked the question again.
“What is your name and affiliation?”
“This is Ronan from Phileon Academy.”
“okay. Ronan you have done a great job. “I just received a call from the system.”
“What’s going on?”
“They say the snow has stopped.”
Ronan’s eyes widened. He relayed a message that the snow that had been pouring down for a year had stopped and blue skies were revealed. I didn’t expect things to be resolved this quickly.
Inquisitor Ahja briefly explained the process ahead and the rewards he would receive. As the story progressed the frequency of Ronan laughing increased. Perhaps because it was such a large event the scale of the compensation was beyond imagination. Ahja expressed his gratitude once again and continued.
“You will probably hear from the imperial palace soon. “I think you can wait with peace of mind.”
“Meeting Emperor Nimi?”
“He is a hero who brought spring back to the islands so it is natural. “No matter what we will have at least dinner together.”
Ronan laughed as if he was shocked. In both his lives he had never seen the Emperor in person. After conveying all the information Ahja took out a black rope from her waist.
“Then could you please step aside for a moment? “I will arrest the Witch of Winter.”
“Oh wait a minute.”
“Why are you doing that?”
“I have something to ask him personally. “I think I need to come to my senses first. Can you wait for me?”
Ahja’s face hardened. After being stiff for about five seconds he opened his mouth.
“…That’s troublesome. Evelyn Droza’s status is that of a full-fledged prisoner. “He can’t leave a felon free to do something.”
“How can there be no way?”
“sorry.”
Ahja shook his head. The stern tone conveyed a firm tone that no matter what happened it was impossible.
He wasn’t exactly wrong but his explanation was vague. It was a moment when his mind was spinning as to how to convince him of this. Karaka came up behind her and got between them.
“Hehe don’t be too hard just give it some air.”
“Interrogator Karaka.”
“You’re a hero who saved the system right? Is there anything really wrong?”
“Umm…still….”
“If anything happens I will take responsibility. “I ask you as a fellow interrogator.”
Ahja sighed. The attention of the interrogators who were in the midst of gathering information was focused.
Karaka seemed to be a fairly high-ranking interrogator. After thinking for a while Ahja nodded his head.
“…All right. “I will trust you Interrogator.”
“Haha don’t worry.”
“Please don’t take too long. “I will go first and wait for you.”
Ahja shook his head and turned his back. After completing data collection the interrogators left Juteka. Karaka who was looking behind them closed one eye to Ronan.
‘Old man.’
Ronan chuckled without realizing it. Perhaps this was the best Karaka could do for him. Ronan gave the same wink and picked up the witch.
“We should lay it down first right?”
“That sounds good. “There is an office just up the road so go there.”
“great. Let’s go there.”
Since she was unconscious she had no choice but to pick her up and move her. Perhaps because I put her coat on her body seemed much warmer than before. Ronan suddenly caught sight of the strange situation and shrugged his eyebrows.
“Hmm?”
Sigh… Her witch’s hair was changing color. Her once completely white hair was turning a healthy brown from the roots. Ronan’s brow narrowed slightly.
“Why are you like this all of a sudden?”
It felt like her eyes were melting and revealing the dirt buried beneath them. Has a curse or something been lifted? At that time Erzsebet’s voice was heard from not far away.
“What’s wrong with you Asher?”
“Hmm?”
Ronan turned her head. The image of Asher standing still and Erzhebet clapping his hands in front of him caught her eye. Now that I think about it Asher was nowhere to be seen in the chaos from earlier.
“Are you okay? Asher!”
No matter what Erzsebet did Asher did not react. There was no focus in his eyes which were staring into space mesmerized. Ronan frowned at her.
“Aser?”
****
“…Hot!”
Asher opened her eyes. It was a mysterious feeling. I think I had my eyes open originally. His blurry vision became clear and Erzsebet appeared her face pressed close to him.
“Hyaaa?!”
Asher was scared and stepped back. Erzsebet did not move. Even though she was in a shaky position as if she might fall at any moment there was no change in the balance of her body.
“Where are you?”
Asher noticed something was wrong with her and hurriedly looked around her. She wasn’t the only one stopped.
Ronan who was coming this way holding her witch in his arms her eyes wide open the people she was talking to and even Itar Gand who was still standing dumbfounded. Everyone stood still.
“What happened…?”
It seemed like time had stopped. Even when I tried to remember how something like this happened I couldn’t remember. I definitely saw Ronan breaking the ice on her but the next scene was cut off.
Then a voice came from behind her.
【Nice to meet you kid.】
“Huh…!”
It was a woman’s voice. Asher took a deep breath. It was true that when she was so startled she couldn’t even scream.
Her heart seemed to sink to her navel. After taking her deep breath dozens of times Asher slowly turned her head. A woman in a white dress was standing right behind him. She raised her hand and grinned.
【You’re a very pretty child.】
“Kwaaaaaa!!”
Asher let out the scream she had been building up. Craddangtang! He almost fell backwards hitting his butt.
The woman giggled as if she found that sight amusing. Asher opened her mouth barely holding back the tears that were threatening to spill out.
“Who are you…?!”
【Who are you? That’s an interesting question.】
The woman smiled her eyes. She was a very beautiful person. Her pure white hair which reached down to her waist was like silk woven from her eyes. Everything except her cloudy blue eyes and her bright red lips were white.
Just by looking at her appearance she seemed to be similar in age to Butterfly Rose but her aura was so strange that it was hard to guess for sure. The woman thought for a moment before opening her mouth.
【I have many names so I will call you whatever you like. The cruelest season if not the white land…】
For a moment her lady trailed off. She walked with her graceful gestures and stood next to Ibelin.
【You can call me the Winter Witch like everyone else.】
“Witch of Winter…?”
Asher’s face turned pale. What on earth does she mean when she knows the face of the Witch of Winter? She said pointing to Ibelin as he was being held by Ronan.
“Wasn’t she the Witch of Winter?”
【Ibelin is just my vessel. Poor kid. I was captured by some strange men and spent a year in the cold ice…】
The woman looked pitifully at the fainted Evelyn. She continued her words while affectionately stroking Ibelin’s head which was turning brown.
【Still it wasn’t a waste of time. This sparkling star has come into my arms. It can’t even be compared to Evelyn…】
“Bar twinkling star…? “More than that I don’t know what happened to me…”
【Ah it’s nothing special.】
The woman stopped stroking her and approached Asher. She squatted down and gently grabbed both of Asher’s cheeks.
【It’s really no big deal…】
It was so cold that she wanted to scream but her body didn’t move. Her breasts were clearly visible through her flowing dress. The woman pressing her face close to her as if to kiss her whispered softly.
【Give your body…to me.】
“yes?”
Asher’s eyes widened. Only then did Asher notice that the grown woman’s hair was wrapping around her own limbs. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t move. She hurriedly tried to chant her spell but the hair that grew in an instant blocked her mouth.
“Ugh! “Ugh!”
【It’s okay kid. are you okay….】
The woman whispered sweetly and gently hugged Asher. I could feel her consciousness gradually slipping away. She cried out with all her might as he desperately bit her hair.
“Ro Ronan!!”
****
“…ah.”
Asher’s eyes returned to focus. He came to his senses and looked around. Erzsebet’s face who was clapping her hands in front of her brightened.
“What are you doing?”
Asher did not answer. He moved his hands and feet here and there and muttered in a voice filled with admiration.
“It’s surprising… I don’t think even that old Lorhorn was like this…”
“yes? Asher are you okay?”
“huh. “It’s okay.”
“…It’s okay right?”
Asher belatedly nodded his head. Ergé Bett tilted his head at the somehow changed atmosphere. It seemed like his tone of voice and his eyes had changed subtly.
“Hey are you okay?”
At that time Ronan came striding towards me. Evelyn had been handed over to Karaka. He said pinching one of Asher’s cheeks.
“Why are you so quiet earlier? “What’s going on?”
“You…”
Asher lifted her head. Asher who was quietly staring at Ronan laughed bitterly. He suddenly hugged Ronan and muttered softly.
“My prince….”
“Why is this guy acting like this all of a sudden?”
Ronan’s face distorted like a rock. Ergé Bet covered her mouth with both her hands. He was disgusted by the world and grabbed Asher’s shoulders to shake him off.
“Did you turn? ok?”
“You’re being rude. “Isn’t this something we can do?”
Asher said puffing out one of his cheeks. She behaved just like a girl. Asher brushed his hair behind his ear and muttered softly.
“I think this is good enough beauty. “Your eyes are still very high.”
“…I’m sure it’s turned around.”
Goosebumps like chicken crawled up the back of Ronan’s neck. Erzhebet who looked at the two people alternately with contemptuous eyes opened his mouth.
“This beast…How can you do this to Adeshan…even Master Asher…!”
“Erzebet. shut up.”
Ronan shook her head. Asher still maintained a feminine attitude.
It seemed like part of her brain had frozen because of the cold. She appeared to be in urgent need of physical treatment. Just as Ronan was about to roll up her sleeves her voice came from behind her.
“there. “Stop.”
“ok?”
Ronan turned her head. Red Hatching Itargand was glaring at him. Her outstretched wings were still not retracted.
“How did you do it?”
“what?”
“You broke the ice that even I couldn’t melt. “What kind of trick did you use?”
“What kind of trick is this? “If you fail go back quietly wipe your feet and go to sleep.”
Ronan waved her hand away as if he was annoyed. Itar Gand clenched his fists.
“…no. “I can’t understand it.”
“Then what are you going to do?”
“I will challenge you to a duel. “Right here right now.”
Itargand’s voice was low. Before he could say anything his body began to swell.
A tail reminiscent of his giant tree was growing. Coo coo coo coo! His mouth began to protrude and transform into a crocodile-like snout. Ronan cursed as he watched the wings becoming more red.
“Isn’t this a crazy bastard!”
“Prove that you are stronger than me.”
Even though there were a lot of red dragons who just left this was a bit harsh. The zooteca was vibrating. People started screaming and running away. Interrogators rushed in and desperately tried to stop him.
“Hey Itargand! “No!!”
“Shut up!”
Itargand roared. Several interrogators overwhelmed by the peerage sat down in their seats. He had already turned into half a dragon.
‘It’s going to spin really.’
Their current location was deep under the sea. If that immature dragon were to return to its perfect form there was a high possibility that the outer wall would collapse and everyone would be buried.
At this point it was impossible not to see blood. Itargand had to be stopped even if it meant half-killing him. Ronan sighed and tried to pull the hilt of his sword.
Sigh! Something was fired over Ronan’s head and lodged in Itargand’s chest.
“…uh?”
It was so fast that I didn’t even see it properly. Everyone’s faces became stiff. Itar Gand looked down at his own chest and coughed up his blood.
“Whoops…!”
An ice pick the size of a street tree was dug deep into his chest. The pulsating chill was spreading throughout Itargand’s body.
It was ice that I had seen many times before. Ronan slowly turned his head. Asher stretching out his hand as if aiming caught his eye.
“Aser…?”
【Ah as expected it’s amazing.】
Asher muttered in a voice full of admiration. A crack-like smile appeared on his lips. His bright red hair was turning white from the roots.
