187. Mother of Fire (3)
#187
“Oh shit.”
Ronan’s eyes widened when he saw the inside of the box. Inside the silk-covered interior black and translucent cutlery were placed here and there. It was a fragment of La Mancha that was broken during the fight with Darman.
“I managed to find this.”
Ronan muttered in a voice filled with admiration. She honestly thought the scale of the collapse was so great that she would never find it again. She felt good even without seeing the Farzan officials who were still working like mules.
He carefully wrapped the fragment in silk found on the floor. I was sad on the inside but it was a good thing. Sita’s eggshell is a precious material that can never be obtained again. There was definitely room for recycling.
‘It wouldn’t be a bad idea to go to a blacksmith other than Doron this time. however….’
Ronan shrugged his eyebrows. The box was ridiculously heavy compared to its contents. The cause was quickly discovered. When the compartment containing La Mancha was lifted another space appeared underneath it.
“Why did you get so much?”
There was a pile of white metal fragments. The fact that each piece was quite heavy gave an impression that was in many ways the opposite of La Mancha. It was also the remains of Ymir which was destroyed while fighting Darman.
‘I can’t use this.’
Ronan who was examining the fragments smiled bitterly. He sent it to him and received it but as he had no professional knowledge the condition was not very good in his opinion. Unlike La Mancha which could be restored as a weapon he seemed to have to melt it all down and make other items.
The good news was that the hilt of the sword was still intact. Ronan unwrapped the bandage that was wrapped there.
Material made by cutting out the banned book Vajra. The power that resonated with his second core probably came from here. Ronan who was thinking about the word resonance snapped his fingers.
‘It might be quite useful.’
It seemed like quite a bit of recycling would be possible if things went as he thought. The power that Ymir possessed was ultimately a type of shared sense.
Ronan immediately wrote a production request to be sent to Gran Cappadocia. It was for innocent and good people like Iril and Lucy. Since I didn’t know when I would leave Phileon again it was best to make it quickly.
When the compartment containing Ymir’s fragments was lifted the floor appeared. A piece of parchment with something written on it was spread out like a carpet. What is this again? Ronan picked up the parchment.
– Owner of the Holy Sword. To participant number 44.
Alogin’s letter was plain. The line which did not even fill half a page included gratitude for saving him and Farzan and his current situation. It was easy to read as it consisted only of the main text without any rhetoric.
As Ronan expected the elders took this attack very seriously. Information about Nebula Clage and their special organization Lycopos was transmitted to all continents.
It was said that the sword used by Darman and the bodies of the members have been collected and are being analyzed. Ronan nodded in satisfaction.
‘I hope something comes out of the analysis.’
The letter ended with the statement that he would go see the Holy Sword once the situation was resolved. Although it was written in bad writing and short it was filled with sincerity. Suddenly a postscript added caught Ronan’s attention.
– I will introduce you to a blacksmith shop that can forge a holy sword. Please send along the directions.
He continued to say that he and other elders had put in letters of recommendation behind it. Enclosed at the bottom of the letter was a map indicating the location of the blacksmith shop. Looking at the coastline to the north it seemed to be built in Heiran the northernmost part of the continent as mentioned above.
“North.”
Ronan stroked his chin with interest. It seems that the swordsmen who once dominated the era were quite great blacksmiths who were able to bend like this.
In my previous life I served as a punitive soldier and stayed in the north for a while but I never went up to Heiran. Adeshan’s hometown. And the land once occupied by the Beast Union led by Jaipa. Somehow I had a feeling that my next destination had already been decided.
‘I guess I’ll have to get a pair of leather clothes.’
When I took out the map the box was empty. Ronan quickly wrote a reply to Alogin and then prepared to go out. There was some time left but he had to leave quickly to get a good spot.
“Then should we go?”
After completing his preparations Ronan took his steps. The moment he left the dormitory a golden light poured over his face. The day was warm but the wind was cool. Just like the day he entered school.
****
The entrance ceremony for the 780th Phileon class was held in the main plaza as always. The stands and podium that Kratir created with magic had already been installed.
Members of the Special Adventure Club were already filling the front row of the stands. Asher spotting Ronan shook his hand.
“Ro Ronan! “It’s here!”
“You came quickly.”
Ronan sat next to Asher. Originally except for freshmen it was customary for only second-year students the ones immediately above them to attend but if there were no classes he could freely watch the entrance ceremony.
Marja was biting her thumbnail her nervous expression evident. Schlieffen who was not present at the time of the sparring with Ronan sat quietly with his arms crossed as if he had received the information.
She seemed to miss Navarre as Ophelia who would normally have been sleeping was sitting there dozing off. Marya said looking back at Ronan.
“Ronan. Is it really true that the dragon is coming? “I didn’t hear anything.”
“Me too. “It seemed strange that the graduating class was attending the entrance ceremony.”
Braum also nodded his head in agreement. Indeed it seemed like they were the only ones who knew that Navarroje was coming.
Although the start time was slowly approaching the students were still entering the stands with a relaxed attitude. Ronan seeing the overall deserted scenery whistled.
“You used your brain quite a bit. “Kratir.”
There was a significant difference from the assumption that there would be no room to step. I never thought they would control information even to students. Well I thought this was right because if it was announced for no reason and it caused an uproar it would cause a lot of trouble. Ronan who was looking around the audience tilted his head.
“hmm?”
The front seat. At most five seats away from him a gentleman wearing a dark coat was sitting and reading a newspaper. Although a stylish fedora covered his eyes Ronan recognized him right away.
“Ha fuck.”
Ronan couldn’t help but laugh. Is there any intention to hide that or not? He quietly stood up and walked towards the shrine. Schlieffen said glancing back at Ronan.
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll be back for a moment. “After a while I won’t worry about you anymore so just focus.”
Ronan casually sat down next to the old gentleman. In an instant harsh threats of death were conveyed from all directions regardless of where they were coming from.
As I looked around I saw people with different expressions glaring at Ronan. Kind-looking parents cleaning maids and even some students. The old gentleman spoke first.
“Is the weather nice?”
“I see.”
“Your expression is subtle. Is something going on?”
Ronan snorted after hearing the question. What does this guy really want to do? Now that things were like this I felt like I had to hang out with him until he was satisfied.
“I just remembered three years ago. “At that time my older sister sat here and watched me enter school.”
“Hehe that must be a new feeling. “You look quite old. How did you come here?”
“I came to see my friend because he was entering the school. “Her mother is a wealthy person but she said she would attend parent visits so she had a lot of concerns.”
“I see…you’re similar to me.”
The gentleman let out a low laugh. Ronan also found this situation funny and laughed. He brushed his bangs and spoke without turning his head.
“It’s refreshing to see it like this. your majesty.”
“I just couldn’t not come.”
The emperor disguised as an old gentleman turned over a page of newspaper. At that moment the viciousness that was stabbing Ronan subsided. The people who were glaring at him were each acting out their roles as if they had never done so before.
“What does that look…what does that look like?”
“It suits you doesn’t it? “I really wanted to try something like this.”
“What about the Empire?”
“What would it be like to see the Mother of Fire if it weren’t for the country? “Jim…no I think it’s a very important issue.”
“That’s right.”
Ronan nodded his head. It was an opinion that could not be refuted.
Balon 44 said he participated in the entrance ceremony in disguise. The reason was that he needed to see Navarre but he didn’t want to make a fuss. Around him fifteen gold soldiers were disguised and performing guard duties.
“I’m glad you feel better. “I was worried.”
“I think I just overdid it a bit. “I’m so sorry… Is this really how you do it?”
“Normally you don’t do it with your legs crossed. “You have to take your hands out of your pockets.”
“aha.”
“Of course it doesn’t matter since I am now Sir Dnipen Roaster belonging to the Merchant Guild.”
The emperor laughed. He seemed quite absorbed in the role play. There were only a few bodyguards seated right behind them glaring at Ronan as if he were going to kill him.
“I read the report well. “He has done a great job since his first mission.”
“you’re welcome.”
“I should commend you for your hard work. “Tell me whatever you need.”
“I don’t really need anything…I’ll think about it slowly.”
Ronan shook his head. It seems like there are a lot of people who want to give something these days including the Navarre Islands. After about thirty minutes the stands were full.
Second-year students lined up on one side of the plaza to give a surprise welcome to the freshmen. Soon after Kratir covered them with a transparent curtain green freshmen entered the main square.
“Oh there you are.”
Some of them were seen when the island was still engulfed in winter. Itargand was walking normally blending in with the crowd.
‘There must be something special.’
It was much more interesting than receiving a rookie in a punishment unit who might die tomorrow. Kratir who stood on the podium spoke to the freshmen.
“Nice to meet you all. “I am Krava Kratir the current principal of Phileon Academy.”
Cheers erupted. Seeing that his expression had improved it seemed like he had somehow solved the problem. Navardose was not yet visible. He was so nervous that he wanted to vomit after hearing the news and all the staff were lined up behind him.
“First of all before the entrance ceremony begins there is someone I would like to introduce to you. “He has come from a very far away place so please welcome him with a big round of applause.”
“customer?”
“What and who is it?”
The audience began to become bustling due to a procedure that had never occurred before. Kratir let out a meaningful laugh. It seemed like there was some kind of planning going on.
He suddenly turned around and stretched out his hand towards the empty space next to him. The space that was clearly the background crumbled like thin ice and a magnificent chair reminiscent of her throne appeared. Kratyr took ten breaths and opened his mouth.
“I’ll take you there. Navarre the flame of the beginning and the wing of God…Hmm?”
“what?”
Ronan frowned at her. Kratir’s face hardened as he continued his words. The chair appeared but Navardose who was supposed to be sitting was nowhere to be seen. He muttered unable to hide his embarrassment.
“Where are you suddenly going…”
The faculty and staff also started to get upset. Something was going wrong. He was about to say something to the confused freshmen. Paaaa-! Suddenly a huge magic circle was created in the sky of the plaza. At the same time a storm of mana swept through the great plaza.
“Aaaahhh!”
“What is happening all of a sudden?!”
Screams erupted from everywhere. The transparent barrier that Kratir had set up for the surprise welcome also collapsed to pieces. The second graders whose identity was revealed were thrown into confusion.
“Now the tent?!”
“My club’s promotional banner is flying!”
It was truly a mess. The freshmen were surprised by the sudden appearance of their seniors but unfortunately there were too many places to focus their feelings of surprise.
The magic circle was so large that it covered the entire field of vision and each line was glowing like lava. Soon the center of the magic circle opened up and a huge dragon’s head appeared. Even Kratir ended up screaming due to its overwhelming size surpassing that of most buildings with just its head.
“Huh oh oh!”
“…mom.”
Itargand looked at the sky and muttered in despair. Now people were even fainting one after another.
At that time an intense flash of light erupted from the body of the dragon which was rolling its eyes here and there. It was only for a moment but everyone in the plaza closed their eyes.
Soon people who opened their eyes could see a woman sitting in an empty chair. Her red dress and her hair flowing gracefully down her shoulders were shining the same color as the scales of the dragon she had seen a moment ago. She looked down at Kratir haughtily and opened her mouth.
【I’m sorry. Something came up for a moment so I took care of it urgently.】
Silence fell. Kratir’s face turned pale. It seemed like the production was quite different from what was agreed upon.
“Ah…ah….”
It seemed like everything was already ruined but since he was an adult he had a duty to take responsibility for the situation. Kratir looked back at the new students with an awkward smile.
“…Please welcome everyone. “This is Navardose.”
