Chapter 54 - A Cold Knight Out

Despite an unknown suspicious individual appearing in the middle of the Noble Sector, the royal knights would not arrive. After all, they were only responsible for the security of the Royal Sector. Only the knights of the Seronian Knight Order, soldiers of the personal guard of nobles, and exceptional city guards overseeing this district would act in the event of an incident in the Noble Sector.

In this case, however, it was not the lives of nobles that were under direct threat―and so any knights or soldiers who belonged to a personal guard were also not responsible for tackling the mysterious invader. Of course, they would observe the situation, but until it came to be that their employer came under threat, they would not necessarily act.

Hence, only the patrolling city guards and the knights of the standard order remained. Needless to say, in any ordinary situation, even this much would be more than enough to protect the Noble Sector―because members of the nobility themselves would logically be the primary targets within this high-class district. For that reason, so long as they are warded, no one should come to harm.

With all of that in mind, why would someone make a reckless commotion like this in the middle of the central plaza? The plaza directly outside the Royal Academy?

The Otherworlders, some of whom had taken it upon themselves to protect the city in a time of peril, came rushing to the scene at the first sign of trouble.

Almost as if they thought of themselves as heroes.

“Ahhh, looks like you found me out. Haha...”

But, as they realised who this unidentified intruder truly was, they gradually began to understand.

“It’s been a while, huh? Everyone.”

Rumble...!!

As the world shook with what was called the ‘fury of the gods’.

“Let’s catch up, shall we?”

This was a personal visit.

“““.........”””

Seeing the face of a person who was once their classmate for the first time in almost a year, many conflicting, confused emotions were brewing among the Otherworlders.

Their hearts, flooded with a sense of fresh turmoil, were unsure how to respond.

Here, they were not “summoned heroes”.

They were not warriors, magicians, or any of that nonsense.

Simply put, they were just that.

Former members of the same class at school.

Whether they were a person who was close enough back then to be considered a friend, or whether they were no more than social acquaintances.

“What? Is no one going to say anything?”

Here, today, none of it mattered.

“““.........”””

Regardless of who they were, now or then, there was not a single person who did not feel an intense amount of awkward uncertainty.

Faced with an unforeseeable situation like this, thrust before a person they never expected to see, words were not something so easily conjurable. Rather, not even proper thoughts were something just anyone could process in a state like this, caught off guard.

That’s why, those whose job it was to respond in such situations moved before anyone else―even those who thought they were capable of being a hero.

“You are the infamous ‘Jae Kang’?”

As one particular knight, presumably in his thirties or forties, stepped forth, Jae raised a brow.

“I’m infamous?”

Well, I guess the price for my head is quite expensive.

“The official report had definite confirmation that you were dead, but I suppose the rumour of you somehow surviving was true after all. Did the Demons always have such proficient medics that even death was no obstacle?”

“Demons...? Oh, what, you think I only lived thanks to some Demons?”

Now that I think about it, the bounty poster did say something about me being a Demon, right? I completely forgot. Anyway, it's a ridiculous claim.

“What was it, 100 white-gold royals or something? Since I’m already here, how do you feel about paying that bounty out if I turn myself in?”

“Preposterous... Allow me to introduce myself. I am Marc Gudau, Captain of the Seronian Knight Order’s Second Division. Wanted person Jae Kang, you are currently trespassing on noble ground and are hereby under arrest. In accordance with the Royal Seronian Law and Legislation, if you do not come quietly and without resistance, I and all of the knights present, under oath of King Gaius II of Seronia, will resort to force to bring you under custody.”

Sharpening his gaze, Knight Captain Marc glared right at Jae.

“Answer. Do you, or do you not, comply?”

"......"

A few moments passed with only the rain gushing from above to fill the silence. At some point, Jae let out a small sigh.

“...And here I was just curious to see how everyone was getting along.”

Muttering so under his breath, he raised his gaze towards the captain.

“Listen. I don’t really want to get arrested for the second time in one week in two separate countries. Honestly, I have no plans on causing anyone any trouble here, so how about you let me be just this one time?”

Turn a blind eye. For both our sakes.

Of course, there was no way that a knight would ever let a wanted criminal go right in front of him, but he said it for no reason than if only to reduce his personal responsibility; almost immediately after the words left Jae’s mouth, the knight captain unsheathed his sword.

“I’m afraid I cannot do that. Either you submit willingly, or we do battle. There is no alternative here. So, I would prepare yourself, for I shall not be holding myself back.”

"......"

The bounty poster never specified a priority for dead or alive―only that Jae should be captured in either of the two states. For that reason, it made sense not to go easy. Besides, there was no information on any of Jae's abilities other than the firework he had previously shot off and the fact he survived miraculously after having his head already chopped off.

This man is not an easy opponent. He has not shown any of his skills or weapons, but just one look at him gives me an uneasy feeling. Even without anything else, I can feel that his body contains a rare level of strength...

The instinct of a man who has fought on the battlefield for over two decades was screaming. That’s why he didn’t make the same careless mistake as the earlier student, rushing forward with the haphazard assumption that the opponent was a magician without any technical physical ability.

Rather, he got into a stance and waited, Fighting Spirit shrouding his body.

Do not be distracted for even a moment.

As the division of knights in charge of the Noble Sector―the Seronian Knights' Second Division―assembled into a circular formation that surrounded the lone enemy, they too awaited further commands from the captain as they roused their auras.

Stay focused, stay coordinated, and we will win. No matter the foe, this is how it has always been, and it is how it will always be.

At this crucial time, not even the downpour of rain bashing on the outside of their skulls could take their attention away from the man in front of them.

A barricade of sturdy knights surrounding him, laden with dense, honed Fighting Spirit.

The eyes of approximately three dozen battle-hardened warriors pinned on his every movement.

In the midst of it all, Jae stood with his arms crossed and a slight frown on his face.

“Mmmnnn...”

How annoying... Should I just ignore them and head straight for the palace? Ah, but then if they follow me, there’ll be even more knights at the palace who’ll be a pain. It’s probably better to just deal with them here before going. I'm only here for Greed anyway, so it's probably easier to just get these guys out of the way immediately and then take my time with the rest of it.

Jae had peeked at the knights’ Soul States as the captain appeared and gave his earlier spiel, so he already knew they weren’t a huge threat.

Of course, if they were to come at me all at once it might be a bit troubling, but since they went through the effort of getting into such a convenient formation for me, if I can just use a wide-area attack... Oh? Wait...

Suddenly, as Jae glanced at the endless rain falling onto the knights in every direction, an idea popped into his head.

Would that work...?

Before doing anything, Jae asked out of curiosity.

“By the way. Why did you assume that I was helped by the Demons?”

Of course, there was no response from the knight captain or anyone else, who all only stood warily. “...Right. Well, if that’s how you want to play it.”

Then, there’s no point wasting any more time here.

With that thought, Jae honed his focus entirely on the environment around him.

The pouring rain.

The howling wind.

The crawling mist.

Grasping hold of the pure magic energy particles that resided in each of these natural phenomenons as if casting a vast net to catch a river of fish, Jae utilised the full extent of his max-level Mana Manipulation.

Natural magic energy was not something one could ordinarily intervene with simply by willing it, but thanks to Aphy’s training and a body that was not bound by mortal means, it was more than possible.

Seizing that raw, unfiltered, unprocessed magic energy and enforcing change upon it.

In this case, a transformation that was no more than strengthening an already present attribute.

Rain, wind, and mist.

What was one common denominator among these three natural phenomena?

The most obvious answer might be that they are all perceived as being ‘cold’.

And, it was quite simple to make what was already considered cold, colder.

After all, magic was not the same as the standard states of matter.

You did not need to heat or energise the particles of an ice cube by a significant amount in order to convert it into water, and neither did you have to slow those particles down to turn it back into ice.

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One by one, just make each particle one per cent colder. Then two per cent. Then three.

That wintry magic energy makes the rain as cold as a frozen wasteland without turning it into ice―something that any regular person would state is impossible.

Increasing the intensity of each of the tiniest, insignificant magic energy particles by a minute amount... Just by doing that, it is possible to cause a change on a wider scale.

But of course, merely making the falling rain a little colder would not be nearly enough.

So, push for more.

Make it a little chilly.

Make it freezing.

Until their hearts themselves shiver, grasped by ice.

Repeat this for all of the magic energy present in the moisture not just in the rain, but also in the mist and the air itself, those which are moved this way and that by the whim of the harsh wind, which would have itself grown frigid, and one will very quickly find themself in jeopardy.

Ordinarily, one might have been able to feel the temperature of the world around them slowly decrease, but it wasn't that simple.

Because it was not the temperature of the world that was decreasing, but the temperature of the world's magic energy.

For humans, who were untalented in magic by birth, it was simply not possible to detect such minuscule changes in the atmosphere or surrounding environment’s magic energy.

Hence, the knights, who remained completely oblivious to the slowly decreasing temperature of the already cold atmosphere, did not move.

Though whether they did not move because they were keen on being ready to go at any time, or because their muscles had grown stiffly cold, they couldn't know.

They persistently stood still in a circular formation, watching Jae’s unmoving figure with hawk-like eyes.

Though whether they watched him because they needed to keep an eye on his every action, or because they had frozen up that way, they couldn't know.

What's more, the very action of stubbornly not moving only hastened the chilling of their bodies, exacerbating the issue further.

Like a frog sitting in a pot of slowly boiling water, the temperature only gradually rising, they didn’t even think to check the state of the natural magic energy around them or the temperature of their own battle-honed bodies' infected mana.

The heavy-hitting rain that prepared them.

The impenetrable fog that swallowed them up.

And the unforgivable cold that devoured their consciousness.

Don’t tell me I didn’t try to stop you.

Soon enough.

“Fuh...”

They were out cold. Jae exhaled a single breath of white mist that appeared to glow in contrast to the dark surroundings. Watching it drift off and fade away with the wind, he glanced momentarily around at the spectators who had been left out of the silent attack and who were left starstruck after observing the entire thing.

Whether or not they realised what had happened, or if they simply thought the knights were still in a state of utmost concentration, was not clear.

...Well. Maybe it’s not necessary to have a friendly reunion again after all. It doesn't matter what they do from now on, so long as they don't get in my way or cause trouble. I don’t want any unnecessary drama, either.

Thinking so, Jae started walking towards the royal palace, but...

“W-wait! Jae...”

He halted. Turning his head to the person who hurriedly called out, he found Ashley approaching with trepidation, the white-haired boy from before standing a dozen or so steps behind her. It wasn’t that far of a distance, but it was far enough that the tumultuous rain would undoubtedly block anything the two were about to say from entering his ears.

Ashley... She always was one of the only ones who bothered to maintain a friendly relationship with everyone. Maybe taking a moment to talk won't be so bad, if it's her.

Glancing at the girl who approached him, he wondered what she wanted.

“Hm? Oh, these guys aren’t dead. They’ll be fine with a bit of warming up and healing. Do you need something?”

“Need something... Uh, no, not really, it’s just... Are you really going to leave like this?”

‘Like this’?

“Look around you. I don’t see anyone here who particularly seems to want me to stay? Anyway, I’m busy. I don't mind talking, but if you really want something to do with me that badly, then... Visit the Demon Queen’s Castle and introduce yourself as an acquaintance. Provided you don’t come as one of “Seronia’s Summoned Heroes” or whatever nonsense you guys were calling yourselves, they’ll take care of you.”

“What, Demons? Jae, you really...?”

When Ashley’s eyes turned round at the mention of Demons, Jae could already tell what kind of misunderstandings were going through her mind.

“Well, I don’t know what kind of stories you’ve heard, but they’re a hell of a lot better than the guys here. I won’t be there for quite a while though, so if you do go, you might have to wait a bit before you see me again. Anyway, it’s been nice to see that you’re doing well, but I’d recommend leaving this country as soon as you can.”

Then, just as he turned to leave, Ashley grabbed his arm.

“Wait... Before you go, can I ask something?”

Collecting her thoughts for a few seconds, she continued when Jae said nothing and looked at her.

“Ryan―Do you know anything about Ryan at all, such as his current whereabouts?”

Ryan...? What'd his name pop up for all of a sudden?

“Why would I know anything about that guy? This is the first time I've seen any of you since back then.”

Now that I think about it, he’s one of the only ones I haven’t seen around here yet...

“You don’t...? Haa. He, Kaitlyn and Nicolas all suddenly went missing a few weeks back. There’s something I really need from him, but now he’s just up and vanished.”

To Ashley, who wanted more than anything to establish some kind of connection with Earth, Ryan’s disappearance was something she couldn’t simply overlook.

“Ryan, he... He has a copy of the Summoning Ritual blueprint that brought us to this world. And he knows how to use it.”

"......"

Hearing that, even Jae couldn’t dismiss it as something unrelated.

Summoning Ritual... I don’t remember what the magic circle from back then looked like, but it was hung on the ceiling, right? According to what Aphy taught me, it shouldn’t be possible for magic powerful enough to cross the world boundary to be cast just like that with a single circle. In that case, there must’ve been at least a second circle on the ground at that time, hidden beneath the carpet. Maybe even a third, too...

Even more so than Ryan, perhaps it was Jae who knew the most about the acute distinctions between similar kinds of magic such as summoning, teleportation and the like, despite the former having done a mountain of research on the topic.

Regardless, it would take a hell of a lot of materials and an absurd amount of magic energy, but if that guy really has the blueprint, it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question to imagine that he could cast it on his own terms. Or, if he truly understood what he was looking at, it would even be possible to alter the ritual itself to become something entirely new... Like a reversal of the procedure.

It was then that Jae understood completely the reason why Ashley was so distraught over Ryan’s gang having gone missing.

“Ashley. You want to go back to Earth, don’t you?”

“Ah... Yes, that’s right. My family, the countless inconveniences, going out every day and fighting monsters with my life on the line... At first, I stayed strong and kept my mind focused, but now, even if I’m strong, and I know I can handle it... It’s all just too much. That’s why, if the opportunity arises, I will be doing anything I can to return home. Well, I'm not saying I've given up or anything. I just... Feel homesick...”

Jae’s eyes went out of focus as he listened to the girl’s passionate words that came straight from the heart. He thought back to his home, his family.

If I had the opportunity...

And he asked himself.

Would I...?

"......"

But, he never answered that question. Jae, who had always been a pretty independent person, had never truly felt an intense desire to go home like he was witnessing from Ashley in front of him.

Of course, I thought about it constantly in the past. Back when I was in the forest, there was rarely anything else I ever thought about other than how to survive and how nice it would be to wake up in my own bed and eat a normal, human meal. To see their faces. To see her.

However, that was a long time ago. Since meeting Aphy and adjusting to life in another world, another dimension, for multiple years, with things like monsters and magic by his side to take his attention away from reality, the forgotten notion of returning home gradually dissipated from his mind.

Eventually, it came to be that he almost never even consciously thought of going back.

Maybe going back was something he had subconsciously foregone when he lost his essence of humanity.

Perhaps that was represented back when he had taken a human life for the first time, those criminals who were trafficking Rena, or maybe the royal Demonic bloodline purist who destroyed Bahgwud Village.

Either way, having fully adapted to this new life, recalling those distant times felt alien to the current Jae.

And, seeing someone like this who probably felt genuine homesickness, a person who hadn’t yet lost their desire to see their loved ones or their humanity... It evoked a great sense of nostalgia.

At the same time, it brought forth a great deal of sadness.

Because it was at this moment that Jae realised he was no longer fit for the standards of Earth.

...I know a lot about magic. Probably more than anyone else that isn't a unique existence like Aphy or a high-ranking Spirit. So, I should help her.

Ordinarily, he might not have wanted to get involved. No, he definitely would have found it to be a bother when it was unrelated to him.

“If that’s what you want, I can help you out.”

Now, though, his mind was set.

“You’d do something like that for me?!”

He himself would not―and should not―return to Earth. But, if he could help a still-innocent girl like Ashley in going home, it was only right to at least do that much.

“Sure. I had a really great magic teacher, so I know a lot about it. If you come find me at the Demon Queen’s Castle in Onyxia, Asphal at a later date, I can tell you anything you want to know about magic.”

Besides, if I help her, I can use this opportunity to gain something myself.

“Thank you! But, I’m still going to have to find Ryan for that blueprint...”

“Oh, that shouldn’t be necessary.”

“Wh-- Really?”

“Like I said, I know a lot about magic. It would take some time to come up with the right formula, but I’m more than capable of doing it. I don’t need something like a construction blueprint for a magic circle.”

Even if I’m not gifted when it comes to the activity of casting magic itself, I still have almost four whole years’ worth of her teachings drilled into me. Assuming the foundation of the magic that the circle is built upon is figured out, filling in the rest will be a walk in the park.

In other words, while his practical scores left much to be desired, Jae was top of the class when it came to theory.

“Wow, that’s great! Thank you! Thank you so much!”

“It’s fine, don't get that excited when I haven't done anything yet. In return, I want you to do something for me.”

Even if it’s the right thing to do, I’m not going to do something so ridiculous like find a way to travel to another world for free.

“Oh, of course. What do you need? No matter what it is, I’ll try my best to get it done.”

Beginning to feel awkward at the overly pumped-up expression of the hardworking girl before him, Jae continued.

“Calm down, it’s not that big of a deal. Actually, you can think of it as taking a holiday. I want you to leave this kingdom and travel around the world for a bit before you visit the Demon Queen’s Castle.”

Since I’m travelling to Laquada with Nazar immediately after this, I can use that time. From the world atlas I saw over at the castle, the Southern Continent was immense, far vaster than I thought it was. Even if we can get one of those offroad vehicles Leila's been developing, it’ll probably take around two or three months just to reach Wrath, so it should be put to good use.

“I’ll be going to the Southern Continent for some time after I’m done here, so while I’m there I want you to do some investigative work for me. How does that sound?”

I could have her go around and search for any information on the other Dungeons, but that would be too wasteful. Excluding Greed and Wrath as the only two whose locations I know, there are only four of them remaining throughout the entire world, and I highly doubt Ashley by herself would be able to find any useful clues in that short of a time.

It would be far more productive to have her go somewhere where she could obtain the most worthwhile information in the most efficient manner.

“Investigative work...? You don’t want me to go snooping around in some strange place, do you?”

Ah, she’s sceptical. Well, I would be too.

“Nothing like that. It won’t be bad for you, I promise.”

“Hmm... Alright. Then, where...?”

Jae stated simply.

“Theosse Holy State. I imagine they’d even let you into the cathedral if you utilised your status as an Otherworlder, so getting in shouldn’t be an issue. It won’t be dangerous, either.”

“Theosse? I understand... But, what kind of information do you need from the church?”

That's a good question. The Seraphim... Well, it would be far too suspicious to have her target those who are probably the most admired people in all of the Holy State. Realistically, I suppose it doesn’t matter what kind of information she gets, since anything at all would be nice.

“Honestly, I don’t need anything in particular. Like I said, you can see it as a vacation or something. Just stay observational, and whenever I next see you, tell me everything and anything you learned.”

“Oh... Okay, sure. Yeah, I can do that.”

“I’m glad we have a deal. Then, take care. I'll see you next time.”

With that, Jae had said everything he needed to. Glancing a final time at all his former classmates as they continued to only look dumbfoundedly between him and the frozen knights, he didn’t know if they had also become icicle statues or were just overcome with shock.

Well, I guess the only ones who are worth much wouldn’t stick around in a place like this from the very beginning. That guy, too...

Looking at the one who stood at the forefront, a guy with crystal blue eyes and sun-blessed blond hair, Jae suddenly laughed.

"Hah... I can't believe I ever felt jealous of someone like that."

"Huh? Sorry, did you just say something? I didn't quite catch it because the rain is so loud."

Maybe someday the Hero would play a semi-important role in anything, but just by looking at him and his astonished face, Jae knew one thing for sure.

Such a day won't come for a long time. So long as he stays in this place, that is.

Flicking his gaze back towards the royal palace―

“Ah, wai--”

―Jae vanished into thin air, leaving Ashley staring at where he just stood, blinking her eyes dumbly.

A few seconds passed before a notification suddenly appeared in front of her, bringing her back to reality.

“...Oh, my Cold Resistance levelled up. Wait, that’s right, when did it get so chilly...?”

Gazing towards the same direction Jae looked before he left, she felt her solidified conviction resurface once again.

Leave the kingdom, huh... Alright. I think it’s about time the baby bird left the nest, too. After all, if I don't take even that very first step, how am I ever going to be able to achieve anything?

Nodding to herself, Ashley turned around and started running.

“W-what... Just what... The hell is going on here...?”

As for the rest of the students, they would soon be faced with a similar decision. When that time came, they all had to make a choice. Whose side would they stake their all for?

Would they fight for their pride?

Would they flee for their lives?

Or would they do something incomprehensible?

At the end of the day, everyone would know their answer... But, at this time, no one could imagine it.

What would emerge as a result of a few students' foolish decisions.

Something that would soon become a terror with tales of fear told throughout the world.

And the consequence of freedom.