Volume 8 Chapter 1 Glimpse Of The Wall
A biting wind howled through the air.
The cold was enough to freeze an ordinary person to death. Even for a skilled warrior, the extreme cold would have made it difficult to move.
Standing in rows were the Ice Soldiers. They had mastered the martial arts their master had studied and could overwhelm any Gold-Rank Lower-Class on their own.
But that was not the case.
In the face of a true powerhouse, their strength was meaningless.
"I'm afraid, Ice, you can't beat any of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Fist of the Dragon, except Roman."
A shadow that remained unfazed even in the raging blizzard approached Ice Soldier, amidst the icy storm.
Ice gritted her teeth and swung her arm.
The Ice Soldiers all leaped at the shadow simultaneously. They wielded their swords, channeling their magic and tracing the runes etched on their blades, and struck swiftly.
But the shadow was... Sieg's punch from the Fist of the Dragon scattered them effortlessly.
"Everyone will agree. You have become the strongest through our training. You have mastered 3 new magics, and the Ice Soldiers you can create infinitely are each a match for a Gold-Rank soldier."
That's why, Sieg said.
"That's why it's so unfortunate. All the other members have managed to wound me. But you, by your very nature, can't reach that level. You could even reach Platinum, with your ability to create countless Gold-Rank soldiers."
Sieg stood before Ice's eyes. Ice, as a last resort, unleashed her Absolute Zero magic at Sieg, aiming for absolute 0.
But it didn't hit Sieg.
"We're just too incompatible."
Sieg easily dodged and struck Ice from behind. Even with considerable restraint, the blow was enough for Ice, whose physical strength was no different from an ordinary person's.
She was blown away and rolled across the ground. The impact caused her consciousness to flicker.
In the midst of it all, Ice looked at the magic seal etched on her right hand. She remembered 2 things.
'Your next enemy will be Queen Hell, the Demon King of the Norse mythology sphere,'
Alex had said, first of all, about their next enemy. That alone would have been no problem.
But the second thing that came to mind had a huge meaning for Ice.
'―――Ice, the god that dwells within you seems to be a god with the name of Hell. So, your magic attribute is ice.'
When Teres, the magic evangelist of Karditsa, had granted Ice magic, she had said that. That is why these 2 memories are confusing Ice.
The Demon King, Queen Hell, who is her enemy. The ice god, Hel, who is the target of Ice's Transformation Magic.
Why do their names match? Aren't gods and Demon Kings enemies? Is the opponent she is about to face really the Demon King?
Ice is lost in confusion, sinking into the darkness of her consciousness over and over again.
* * *
A period of swaying in the carriage continued for a while.
Two weeks had passed since they left Birk territory. I yawn with a "kuuaah" while basking in the bright spring sunshine.
Then, I stroked the heads of the 2 people who were using my lap as a pillow.
Moruru was using my left knee as a pillow. She was muttering in her sleep, "Papa..." while moving her mouth.
On the other hand, Ridge was using my right knee as a pillow. Perhaps because of her good upbringing, she was sleeping soundly without a single snore.
The others were mostly the same. Roman and Gold were closing their eyes and resting. Sylvia and Terin were having a quiet conversation about runes. Windy, the coachman, was driving the carriage from the coach's seat.
I think this group has really gotten along well. At first, the carriages that were separated were now combined into one because Ridge said, "It's easier this way."
It's only natural since we've been together so much and overcome difficulties together, I thought with a relaxed expression. Ridge, in particular, is now one of my wives. ...Moruru has been against it all along, though.
"Everyone, it's almost time."
At Windy's voice, the people who were still sleepy opened their eyes slightly. I said, "Oh, finally," and carefully peeked out of the carriage, making sure that Moruru and Ridge's heads didn't slip.
From where I stood, I could see a towering wall. It was a massive structure that exuded an overwhelming presence, making me wonder how to even approach it, even with my experience.
A grin spread across my face as I muttered,
"So this is the Alexander Empire, the nation Alex founded...!"
The Alexander Empire. The country I would serve from now on. The country where I would belong as a noble. The country where Alex would reign as emperor.
It all seemed so surreal. Me, a noble with my own territory.
Lost in these indescribable thoughts, I watched as Roman got up and said, "We can see it now. The first wall."
"The Commander-in-chief's and Wade-kun's parties are training nearby. I heard that the king is also on his way here from the imperial capital to meet us. He should be here by now."
"Oh, did we keep him waiting? My bad."
"No, it's just the king being impatient. In fact, he'll probably scold us for arriving before him."
"Alex is such a strange guy."
We chuckled together. As we did, the wall grew closer.
"Hey, you 2, wake up. We're almost there, Alexander."
"Mmm...? ."
"Good morning, Wade-sama."
Ridge said, opening one eye and smiling at me as Moruru was still groggy. They're both so cute. What are they? Angels?
"Five more minutes..."
And then Moruru started whining.
"Windy, how much longer until we arrive?"
"It won't be long now, Wade-sama. We'll be at the gate in a few minutes."
"Then no can do. Moruru, wake up."
"Nooo~...!"
Hopeless, she was completely out of it.
"You spoiled brat!" I said, ruffling her fluffy head. But Moruru was unaffected. Grrr. A sleepy Moruru might be a tough opponent.
Just then, Ridge, still looking sleepy, said, "Wade-sama, I have an idea on how to wake Moruru up... ?"
"Oh, really? Then I'm counting on you."
"Yes...! Well then, excuse me."
"Huh?"
Ridge held my face in both hands and lightly kissed me with a mwah. Everyone who was watching the exchange widened their eyes at such boldness. Of course, I did too.
While we were doing that, Moruru jumped up.
"Wha―――――t?! R-Ridge! What are you doing?!"
"Oh? Good morning, Moruru. What do you mean, a light 'good morning kiss' between husband and wife?"
"N-No! That's not allowed! Stay away from papa!"
"Why is that? I proposed, and Wade-sama approved, so I am practically Wade-sama's 4th wife. It's only natural for me to be by his side like this."
"Don't cling to papa's arm! Stay awaaaay!"
As the 2 of them made a fuss, everyone, including me, chuckled. In the midst of it all, Ridge glanced at me and winked.
I shrugged my shoulders and let out a wry smile, thinking, "I wonder how many people will have me wrapped around me in the future?"
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