image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
96）ELIZABETH APPEARED
Alex, honoring Sophia’s wishes, led the group toward the hovercraft. He adjusted his smart watch, aligning the coordinates with the direction Sophia had shown him—roughly at the eleven o’clock position. The fog was dense, but without the constant tremors of the earthquakes, the journey took only a short while. In less than a minute, they reached the hovercraft.
One by one, they climbed aboard. Relief washed over them as they embraced each other, realizing they were finally going home.
“We did it,” someone whispered, the weight of their success sinking in.
“When we get back, we’ll have so much to tell,” Nyra said, his eyes shining with pride.
Ophelia chimed in, “I can’t wait to start writing my paper. There’s so much data.”
Bohn smiled, his mind already buzzing with ideas. “I’m going to continue studying the ancient structures. There’s still so much we don’t understand.”
Just as they began to settle into their seats, Elizabeth appeared before them, her presence filling the space with an eerie calm.
“Greetings, everyone,” she said softly, her voice echoing in the stillness. “I am the Witch of the Mist.”
The group froze, their eyes wide in disbelief.
Elizabeth continued, her tone gentle but firm. “I have stopped time for now, which is why your bodies feel no strain. Once Sophia returns, I will restart time and allow you to leave. But there is something you must know.”
“What?” Alex asked, his heart suddenly pounding.
“When time resumes,” Elizabeth said, “I will erase your memories of this place.”
Gasps filled the hovercraft. Shock and confusion spread through the group like wildfire.
“Why?” Ophelia asked, her voice trembling.
Elizabeth’s gaze was steady. “If your memories remain, word will spread. Researchers will come—those who might exploit the knowledge of this place. They could break the seal, as Ardy almost did. The mist is fragile, and any disruption could be catastrophic. This forest must be erased from the memory of mankind.”
Alex clenched his fists, his thoughts racing. “But… what about our experiences here? Our bonds?”
Elizabeth smiled sadly. “Those memories tied to this place will vanish. Everything that occurred within the mist must be forgotten.”
Luna’s voice wavered. “Does that mean… our love will be forgotten too?”
Elizabeth nodded gently. “Yes, Luna. Love born here will fade with the mist.”
Nyra, struggling to comprehend, asked, “And what about our friendships?”
“Your friendships, your courage, those belong to you,” Elizabeth assured them. “You will not lose the strength or the trust you gained. But the events within this mist, those must disappear.”
With that, Elizabeth’s form slowly dissipated, leaving them with a sense of unease.
Alex stared after her, his thoughts in turmoil. She looked so much like Sophia. His chest tightened at the thought of losing everything that had happened here—including the feelings he had finally come to terms with. The deep affection he felt for Sophia, his realization of love—it would all be erased.
He closed his eyes for a moment, weighing his decision. Then, with a deep breath, he spoke.
“I’m going after her.”
The others stared at him in surprise.
“Alex, what are you doing?” Bohn asked.
“Start the hovercraft,” Alex instructed, his tone resolute. “But I’m going to find Sophia. I can’t leave her behind.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and rushed back into the mist, determined to bring Sophia home.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
97）GUIDING THROUGH THE MIST
Alex stood still, his mind racing. How could he reach Sophia? There was no direct way to communicate with her. The hovercraft had navigated well so far because they had relied on the watch and the known positions of the parking area and the chess arena. But once they started moving, the fog would only grow thicker, making it even harder to find Sophia.
The thought of igniting the engine without a clear path to her was dangerous. Worse yet, Elizabeth had warned that time was running out.
Then, a memory surfaced—Sophia’s voice from the chess championship.
"The mist of the witch is clouding the opponent’s mind," she had said. "I can sense their thoughts, just one or two seconds ahead. But in chess, that’s all I need."
That was it. Alex realized they needed to use the mist, just as Sophia had done.
But how could he connect with Sophia from such a distance? Could Nyra, Ronald, or Ophelia sense her presence across the fog?
Before Alex could come up with a plan, Elena suddenly called out, “Sophia!”
Alex whipped around to face her. “How do you know?”
Elena hesitated, the deep, complicated bond between her and Sophia difficult to explain. But there was no time for long explanations.
“I just do,” she said simply.
Then something remarkable happened—Alex heard it too.
“Alex!”
It was Sophia’s voice, clear as day.
“Sophia! Is that really you?” he called into the fog.
“Alex, start the hovercraft engine,” came Sophia’s response, her voice calm and sure, cutting through the mist.
Luna, who had been quiet until now, nodded. “I hear her too. She’s telling us not to worry.”
Ronald looked up in surprise. “She’s guiding us.”
The connection was undeniable, and Sophia’s voice was becoming more and more distinct.
“Alex,” her voice rang out again, “set the hovercraft to hover just one meter above the ground, and head south.”
“South,” Alex echoed.
Nyra, looking at his smart watch, added, “She says to move two hundred milliliters forward. That’s her instruction.”
Alex didn’t hesitate anymore. “I hear her too,” he confirmed.
A wave of relief spread through the group. They were connected to Sophia, and she was guiding them out.
“Everyone, get ready. Let’s follow her lead,” Alex said.
At that moment, Sophia’s voice echoed once more, filled with warmth and relief.
“Thank you. You’ve all come for me.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
With that, Alex activated the hovercraft, set the height, and began to guide the group southward, following Sophia’s voice through the mist, their path now certain.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
98）THE RETURN
As the hovercraft hummed steadily, Sophia sat quietly, with her loyal dog, Linehart, by her side. Alex glanced at her, concern etched across his face.
“Did you find Ardy?” Alex asked.
Sophia shook her head gently, a small sigh escaping her lips.
The team looked disappointed, their spirits sinking.
“It’s time to leave,” Sophia said, her voice soft but resolute.
Alex, his brows furrowed, leaned closer. “Are you sure? Is that really the right call?”
Sophia shook her head again, more emphatically this time. “No, it’s not. But we have no choice. Elizabeth warned me—she’s reaching her limit.”
Just then, Sophia’s expression changed as if she was recalling something important. “Oh, my grandfather… I see it now,” she murmured, her eyes widening.
“Professor Weiss? Where is he?” Alex asked, confused but hopeful.
Sophia, without fully explaining, whispered, “I’m going to try something.”
“How?” Alex asked, unsure of what she meant.
Without answering, Sophia turned to face the mist, still seated in the hovercraft. Slowly, she extended her hands and leaned her face into the dense fog that surrounded them.
In that moment, something extraordinary happened—Sophia’s spirit merged with the mist. She soared through the air like a bird, her presence spreading out across the entire forest, as though she had become one with the fog itself.
As she flew, she scanned the landscape below. And then, in a far corner of the western forest, she spotted him.
There he was—Ardy, sitting beneath a tree, peacefully eating some berries, oblivious to the commotion. His faithful Doberman, Gustav, was beside him, alert as always.
Sophia’s heart surged. “Ardy!” she called out, her voice echoing through the mist.
Ardy looked up, recognizing Sophia immediately. His face softened with relief, and Gustav wagged his tail, ready to leap into action.
Sophia returned from the mist, her face appearing once more in the hovercraft.
“Alex, go west! Ardy’s there!” she instructed firmly.
Alex didn’t question her. He trusted Sophia’s strange and powerful abilities completely.
The hovercraft roared to life, speeding west through the misty forest. The team held their breath as they approached the valley that bordered the forest.
“Down there!” Sophia pointed towards the valley.
Alex steered the craft lower, and as they descended, everyone gasped in unison. There, at the bottom of the valley, was Ardy, just as Sophia had said.
“Thank you,” Ardy called out, a smile playing on his lips.
Gustav was the first to leap onto the hovercraft, his excitement evident as he jumped up and licked Linehart’s face, tail wagging furiously.
Ardy climbed aboard next, and as he did, Alex extended his hand.
The two men shared a firm handshake, their eyes locking in mutual respect.
Ardy then turned to Sophia, his expression softening. He held out his hand toward her.
Sophia took it, and their hands clasped tightly in a firm handshake.
Just then, the air around them shifted, and the powerful magic of the witch, Elizabeth, activated.
A blinding light surrounded them, momentarily overwhelming their senses.
When the light faded and they blinked their eyes open, Sophia and Ardy found themselves standing—no longer in the misty forest, but on a chessboard. The grand chessboard of the final showdown between South College and North College.
It was as if the entire adventure had been swept away in an instant, leaving only the memory of that firm handshake and the realization that the game was not just a game, but something far deeper.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
99）ARDELBERT'S PERSPECTIVE
The moment Ardelbert clasped Sophia's hand, the world around him seemed to shift. The cold, damp air of the Misty Forest vanished, replaced by the blinding lights of the chess tournament hall. He blinked, momentarily disoriented by the sudden change. The noise of the audience, slowly growing louder, pulled him back to reality, grounding him in the present.
"Where…?" Ardelbert glanced around, his confusion evident. The recent battle in the Misty Forest felt like a fading dream, its memory slipping away, leaving only fragments.
"So, this is what it feels like… to forget the Mist," he thought to himself, the words of the Mist Witch echoing faintly in his mind.
Ardelbert took a deep breath and reflected on his journey. His life, up until this very moment, unfolded vividly in his mind, as if to remind him of his purpose.
From a young age, Ardelbert's father had given him a unique education. Ancient rune deciphering was at the center of his studies. To help his son master the runes, his father created a set of rune-based playing cards, turning learning into a game. Ardelbert, still a child, quickly grasped the basics of the mysterious symbols etched in ancient stones and texts.
One day, as a boy, Ardelbert stood before a stone monument that had stumped scholars for years. He recalled every lesson his father had taught him, using every ounce of his knowledge to unlock the secrets of the runes. The moment he succeeded, the adults around him were astonished. The young boy who had deciphered the ancient mystery quickly became a sensation, his name whispered in admiration.
But fame was fleeting. While the world marveled at his talents, Ardelbert grew increasingly isolated. He felt the weight of his abilities separating him from those around him. No one thought like him, no one understood the world as he did. His genius had become a barrier, leaving him feeling more alone than ever.
In that solitude, his only true companion was his Doberman, Gustav. Gustav was always by his side, a silent and loyal friend, a comforting presence when the weight of his thoughts became too much. The bond between them was one of the few things that grounded Ardelbert during his loneliest moments.
Among the ancient stones Ardelbert had studied, one inscription stood out: a guide to sealing the earthquakes in the Misty Forest. This discovery would eventually lead him to the events that unfolded in the forest, where his knowledge of ancient runes played a crucial role. His studies had elevated him to the top of his field, making him the foremost expert in rune deciphering.
By the time he was 22, Ardelbert had achieved academic success beyond his years, becoming a professor at such a young age. Yet, despite his accolades, he craved something deeper—a sense of personal growth that knowledge alone couldn't provide. He turned to activities like rowing, polo, and chess, seeking balance between mind and body, and hoping to forge meaningful connections with others.
Through these activities, he found fleeting moments of camaraderie. His peers accepted him, offering a sense of belonging he had long yearned for. But beneath it all, Ardelbert knew his true purpose lay elsewhere, beyond the superficial joys of sports and academic achievements.
Now, standing on the chessboard, Ardelbert realized what that purpose was. It wasn't just about knowledge or success—it was about fulfilling the ancient destiny tied to the Misty Forest, and sealing the earthquakes that threatened the world.
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After completing the seal in the Misty Forest, Ardelbert found himself in a quiet valley. The serenity of the landscape, the calm breeze, and Gustav's presence beside him gave him a sense of peace. He caught a fish from a nearby stream and grilled it over a small fire, contemplating his future.
"Maybe… this is enough," he mused, as the smell of cooking fish filled the air. Living a simple life, cut off from the outside world, didn't seem like a bad option. The quietude of the forest was tempting, a life of solitude with Gustav at his side.
But even as he entertained the thought, something felt off—a quiet discomfort tugged at his mind.
"Ardy!"
The voice pierced the silence, clear and familiar. Ardelbert looked up to see her—Sophia—approaching him through the trees, her eyes filled with determination.
"Sophia…" Ardelbert stood up, watching as she drew closer. With each step she took, something within him stirred, a realization that he had been waiting for this moment.
"I found you," Sophia said, breathless but smiling. "I've been searching for you all this time."
Her words struck him deeply. She wasn't just a companion from the forest; she was someone who would guide him back to where he truly belonged.
"I was thinking… maybe I could stay here," Ardelbert admitted. "Live a quiet life in this valley, just me and Gustav."
Sophia nodded gently, understanding. "That could be a beautiful life, if that's what you want. But… we’re all here for you, waiting."
At that moment, the fog in Ardelbert's mind lifted. He realized his place wasn’t here in the valley, but with his companions. His journey wasn't over; he had a purpose beyond the quiet life he had imagined. There was still a future waiting for him, alongside the people he had fought with.
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As they approached the hovercraft, Ardelbert saw his companions waiting for him, their faces lighting up with relief when they spotted him.
"Alright! Operation 'Rescue Ardy' was a success!" Ronald called out with a grin, reaching out to pull Ardelbert aboard.
Ardelbert chuckled, feeling a little embarrassed. "A rescue operation, huh? Sounds a bit dramatic."
One by one, his companions greeted him with smiles and handshakes—Luna, Ophelia, Nyra, and Elena all welcoming him back as if no time had passed.
Even Alex stepped forward, offering a silent handshake, his eyes filled with an emotion that didn’t need words. Ardelbert grasped his hand, acknowledging the unspoken understanding between them.
Finally, it was Sophia's turn. She stepped forward, holding a white knight chess piece in her hand. She smiled warmly as she handed it to him.
"This… connects everything," she said, her voice full of meaning.
As Ardelbert took the knight from her, their hands met in a firm handshake, and in that moment—
They were no longer in the Misty Forest.
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The instant their hands met, they were transported to the chess tournament hall. The cold, damp mist of the forest vanished, replaced by the bright lights and roaring applause of the spectators.
Sophia stood frozen, her face a mixture of surprise and confusion. What had just happened? One moment, they had been in the mist, and now they were surrounded by cheering crowds. She glanced down at her hand, still holding Ardelbert’s, and felt the reality of the situation sink in.
Before she could fully process what was happening, the audience surged forward, surrounding her in a sea of praise and excitement. Her body was swept away by the throng, lost in the chaos of celebration.
Ardelbert stood back, watching her disappear into the crowd. As he observed her being engulfed by the adoring masses, his thoughts drifted back to everything they had experienced together. Memories of the Misty Forest flickered through his mind—faint and distant, but still there.
For the first time, Ardelbert felt something beyond just knowledge and duty. He felt the bonds he had forged with his companions, a sense of belonging he hadn’t realized he craved.
As he stood there, still holding the white knight piece Sophia had handed him, Ardelbert smiled.