Chapter 133: Snow Globe (2)
“The Knight of Freyhem, Veron. He was an exemplary warrior who devoted his whole life to chivalry while living alone.”
…At the cemetery, Veron’s procession continued, and his coffin was placed in the ground. Julie’s gaze bore holes into his chest, staring at the scars caused by pieces of wood steel. At the same time, she recalled what Deculein had said.
— He was a cheeky bastard who deserved death in the first place. He dared to covet something that wasn’t his without knowing his place. It wasn’t worth letting him live.
The world shook as dizzy feet carried her forward. Josephine supported her shoulder, steering her to safety.
— And so what if the truth were revealed now? Do you think you can punish me? Her Majesty’s favorite?
They continued to ring in her ears as everything she didn’t want to accept. They were all painful and cruel words and his look. His cold expression.
—Anyway. Even that is now useless.
Did he kill Veron?
— A knight who stumbles out of a curse or something.
Was it all her fault? Was it because she was weak and hadn’t yet overcome this curse?
—In the meantime, I’ve had to wear a mask that didn’t fit, but now I’m sick of it.
Julie bowed her head, shaking. Sadness, hatred, disappointment, denial, doubt… they pierced her skin like nails and reached her heart. It hurt so much.
—I am not benevolent enough to love a dying woman, and two bereavements are not worthy of Yukline’s name.
However, his abusive words eventually led to a single thought. After all, this wound was because of him. She gave her whole body to protect him, and this scar was the price. Thanks to him, who she misunderstood to have changed, she thought of it as a wound of glory. Even that was…
— I have nothing to say to you guys who delivered a defective product. I will assume that there was no engagement with Freyden; tell Zeit I said as much.
“Why?”
Julie muttered with tears in her eyes.
‘What did I do to you? Why did you want me so, why did you torment me so much, and why do you still…’
“…Why.”
Julie felt a pain tightening around her heart, stealing her breath. Blood dripped from her punctured lip.
‘Why, why, why.’
However, her questions failed to reach anyone. They wandered through the air for a moment and scattered. She wanted to know why and ask Deculein the reason. The reason why he was so obsessed with her that he would even kill the innocent knight named Veron.
“Why!”
Julie wanted to know.
* * *
I walked through the frigid cold. The darkness was still there, but I saw the whole area as if it were submerged in a brilliant light. The coldness of my breath had not changed, but I endured as an Iron Man. It was a resistance that transcended humanity, possessed by a body with a mental power that was decidedly inhuman.
“…”
I first explored the purpose of this Snow Globe, this ancient treasure made in ancient times. If the intention were to preserve ancient humanity like Noah’s Ark, this wouldn’t be happening.
“…”
Therefore, the most likely hypothesis was a prison. A box made to trap someone. Of course, since it was an ancient item, there was very little chance that anyone imprisoned would still be alive.
“…?”
As I walked, immersed in my thoughts, I found darkness before me that my sight could not pierce. I concentrated mana in my eyes. It was now possible to instantaneously amplify Iron Man and grant it Authority. In other words, at some point, the function of my retina could be augmented, and a part of Iron Man could be granted to external objects, such as the wood steel.
“What is this…?”
However, the darkness wouldn’t clear no matter how much mana I put into my eyes. I lifted my head, my frozen neck creaking. At first, I thought it was a wall, some gigantic object blocking the way.
…But it wasn’t.
“…”
I was speechless for a moment, then laughed at how absurd it was. A headache threatened to break my frozen brain. It opened its eyes.
“…Giant.”
In the distant ancient times, they were the race that ruled the entire continent. They were the race closest to God in this world and the wisest beings.
Its body was over 15m tall even though it was sitting, and its arms were as thick as the World Tree. Each strand of the necklace adorning it was the size of an adult male. Indeed, the Snow Globe was meant to trap someone. If the target was a giant, it was natural to make it so huge.
─…
The giant opened his eyes, and a dazzling light illuminated the basement. He looked down upon me with pupils as deep and unfathomable as the sea, and everything in the world was sparkling.
[Independent Quest: Giant Q&A]
◆ Mana +300
◆ Rare Attribute Catalog
◆ Store Currency +3
It was an amazing reward. I looked at the giant, not faltering despite his overbearing size. Rather, I faced him with an aristocratic attitude.
—You are a strange human…
Go-oh-oh-oh-
The giant’s voice echoed, sending ice raining down and shaking my ribcage. It was a pressure that would disintegrate an ordinary human.
“…”
I did not avoid the giant’s eyes. Even if the target I encountered was a giant, Deculein’s ego was still there, strong. And, above all, I wanted that reward.
“I am Deculein of Yukline.”
The giant’s eyes narrowed, the air quivering with just that slight movement.
─…
A character whose race itself was Named. He stared at me for a long time with nothing but silence between us. The giant’s majesty weighed on my shoulders, but I did not bend in the slightest.
—Deculein of Yukline.
Eventually, he spoke.
—Is that your real name?
He had already figured out all of me. I stared at the giant and shook my head. There was no reason to deceive this ancient legend.
“My name is Kim Woojin. I came here from another world and became Deculein.”
─…
Only then did the giant nod with a smile at my honest answer.
* * *
…The thesis of Deculein/Luna caused huge controversy on the Floating Island. Thousands of addicts rushed to review just this one thesis, and dozens of academic discussions were held about it every day. Thanks to that, all business on the Floating Island stopped. Government offices, magic bookstores, potion stores, rank assignments, test administrations… more than 70% of the wizards living on the Floating Island did nothing but cling to Deculein’s thesis.
—Judging the feasibility of the Deculein thesis is nothing more than a pretty display. What do we do with something special in theory? There isn’t a single wizard that can apply it in practice.
—Even so, it cannot be said to be pointless. How can you describe it like that, given it’s such an original theory? Professor Deculein is an intellectual who will lead this era.
The 7th floor of Megiseon, on the discussion floor. All 33 forums had the same topic.
—The concept of the Deculein thesis is, of course, very, very ingenious.
Even critical addicts recognized the value of the thesis.
-But it’s so ingenious that it’s practically extraterrestrial. Who could apply this magic practically?
However, the application of the magic, its feasibility, was a problem. No magician possessed the talent for all the attributes of the four elements, could use at least four or more types of magic and had the experience required for this thesis, or at least none that were known of. Even to Adrienne, who became an Archmage, it was impossible since she specialized in destruction.
—If a thesis is worthless because it can’t be applied, what about Ruckel’s proof before that? What about the auxiliary series of laws and rites of Dukhan, which has now become the faith of the auxiliary series?
Thanks to that, the Floating Island was abuzz with activity. Wizards from all over the world immediately headed to the Floating Island, almost doubling the population.
“…I just borrowed the thesis. How much have you read?”
These days, whenever you walked along the road of the Floating Island, you would always hear someone passing by discussing it.
“Page 3. I couldn’t go any further than that. They didn’t make it public for no reason. ”
Deculein published the entire thesis. He did not set a price but made it possible to read it only by paying the printing fees. Papers that couldn’t be applied in practice usually didn’t sell well in the first place.
“Hey. I successfully read to page 11 yesterday. You?”
“…I started on page 12.”
However, Deculein’s careless actions created a small trend of competition on the Floating Island.
“Pffft, don’t lie. Would you like to cross-check with me at home?”
“Damn… alright, I’m on page 7. Are you happy?”
Based on to what extent they understood the theory presented and how many pages they advanced. It had gotten to the point an unofficial society had been created based around it.
…Meanwhile, at the famous restaurant Magic Pasta on the Floating Island.
“What I want to say is this: who is going to put this theory into practice? There are only a handful of wizards who understand more than 20 pages.”
Intent on fully enjoying her visit to the Floating Island, Epherene was eating pasta, but she wasn’t paying much attention to her food.
“So? How many pages did you read to say that? How much did you understand of Deculein’s thesis?”
All conversations were now focused on the thesis of Deculein/Luna.
“Gosh. What does it matter now? It’s a thesis that isn’t practical anyway.”
“I don’t care. What page? Answer. I’ll listen to you if it’s right for you.”
“…Page 9, but anyway! It’s been a while since Agora was opened. Let’s discuss it properly then.”
“That’s ridiculous. You can’t even attend Agora with only 9 pages, okay?”
Agora was the largest academic forum on Floating Island. It was a conference where anyone above the Monarch rank could participate, and it was scheduled to be held soon.
“Really?”
“Yeah. The minimum qualification is 13 pages.”
They had one topic: Deculein’s thesis.
“…No, with that put aside. More importantly, who the hell is Luna? Why is that name stuck next to Deculein’s?”
“He was Deculein’s assistant. They said he had the idea first, so the stake is even.”
“…”
Now, they even talked about her father. Epherene was about to go outside but noticed someone nearby and sat back down, startled. Gindalf approached her.
“Epherene. Long time no see?”
“Yes, sir Gindalf. What a coincidence!”
This was the etheric-ranked magician who said, ‘Deculein values you.’ Gindalf chuckled and placed a hand on Epherene’s shoulder.
“Coincidence? I came looking for you. I heard about you from Ganesha.”
“Yes? About what…”
Gindalf’s smile hardened for a moment, and he leaned in close to whisper into Epherene’s ear.
—Decalane.
Epherene flinched. Gindalf smiled kindly again and stepped back.
“I hate that man very much, too. I have come to you to prepare for you some preventive measures.”
“Oh, I see!”
Even while smiling brightly and nodding, the rumors of Gindalf floating around immediately came to mind.
“But… if it’s okay with you, may I ask how much it’ll cost…?”
The money-eating turtle- that was Gindalf’s nickname, famous even on the Floating Island, and he didn’t deny it.
“Haha. The money, well, I’ll get it later. Will you follow me?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Okay. Hahaha.”
Gindalf, taking the lead with a laugh, stopped abruptly and looked back at Epherene.
“Oh.”
“…?”
His tone grew low and laden with curiosity.
“How many pages did you understand?”
“Yes?”
“Deculein’s thesis. These days, that’s the trend on the Floating Island, isn’t it?”
“Oh… I’m about at page 130?”
“What?!
In an instant, Gindalf’s expression turned to one of absolute shock, and his voice picked up speed.
“You can’t lie to an old man.”
“I-It’s the truth.”
“…Hmm. Okay. I’ll find out after checking. Come on, let’s go.”
Gindalf glanced Epherene up and down with a suspicious eye before moving on.
* * *
Tick, Tock – Tick, Tock –
Time in the Snow Globe marched on while Sophien calculated the time difference using the watch she created with mana and her possession magic. Two weeks had passed inside, but only three days outside.
“…”
Sophien created a foothold of mana above the fissure in the earth. She ate ice cream above it while waiting for Deculein, who had fallen. For two weeks.
“…Your Majesty.”
At that moment, Keiron, the statue, woke up. Sophien sneered at him.
“You woke up very early, huh. Two weeks have already passed.”
Keiron looked around. The space swept away by the blizzard was a mess.
“I’m sorry.”
He immediately fell to his knees.
“Please give me punishment.”
Keiron made no excuses. Knights were originally such a type.
“Forget it. Aren’t knights stupid in the first place? Rather, what did you find out?”
He answered prostrated, his head pushed down in the snow.
“I came back after reaching the end of this Snow Globe. Its area is almost equal to that of the continent.”
“…Is that so? Get up.”
This savvy knight wandered to the edge of the Snow Globe with only his two feet. Sophien grinned and lifted Keiron.
“Your Majesty, did Professor Deculein not arrive yet?”
“He came.”
“But-”
“He saved me and fell.”
“…”
Sophien glanced down the bottomless crevasses under them. Keiron squinted as he glanced down. Nothing was visible, and not even a single point of light penetrated the gloom. If Deculein fell there…
“…Huhu.”
Seeing Keiron’s confusion, Sophien chuckled.
“Thinking about it now, I’m the luckiest of the hapless emperors.”
Keiron looked back at her, but Sophien continued while keeping her eyes on Deculein’s ice cream.
“I have a knight who crossed the continent for my sake.”
“…”
“I have a professor who has been with me for hundreds of years.”
“…Your Majesty.”
Keiron felt Sophien’s unusual reaction. Every word she spoke was cold, and the atmosphere turned gloomy.
“What are you going to do?”
Keiron asked cautiously. He looked at the Emperor burning a noble red in an otherwise pure white world.
“Why are you asking that? That Nescĭus no longer exists, and I don’t know how to get out.”
She answered indifferently.
“If he doesn’t come back up….”
Then, she looked at the sword that was around Keiron’s waist.
“I can only commit suicide.”