CHAPTER 8 - CONCERTO OF FROSTMELT WITH THE FORTUNE TELLERS

[sweet_nightmare]

 

After a failed attempt at killing Mithra, the dragon’s eyes reflected strong murderous intents.

Twisting its white body once again, it used a quick sweep of his tail, breaking a huge icicle from the ceiling, and blew it towards us with great force.

Rutile & Mitile: Woah!

Mithra: !? Rutile, Mitile...!

Figaro: « Possideo »

Figaro sheltered Mitile and the others behind his back, using his magic to form a shield from the mass of ice heading towards them. The ice shattered into pieces with a sound close to glass breaking.

Mitile: … Dr. Figaro!

Rutile: Are you okay? You shielded us…

 

Figaro: Don’t worry, I’m completely fine. The kind Dr. Figaro will protect you both, okay?

Mithra: Figaro…

Figaro: It’s alright. In exchange, I’ll leave you in charge of the dragon.

With the wizards of the South staying back and holding the defense, the wizards of the North stepped forward.

Mithra: I’ll finish you off in an instant. « Arth— »

Snow: Mithra, wait!

White: If you attack with too much brute force, the whole castle could collapse!

Mithra: What else can we do? This dragon is clearly after us and could kill us all.

Bradley: You gotta use your head a lil’ more, man.

Mithra: What are you saying? Don’t order me around, I’ll kill you.

Bradley: Don’t be a jackass now would ya? All you have to do is to stop it.

Mithra: …….I see.

« Arthim »

As Mithra chanted his spell, a chain made of ice wrapped around the dragon rapidly enough to hear a sound cutting through the air. The huge body got immobilized tightly.

Bradley: All right! « Adnopotensum »!

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Bradley’s long rifle opened fire. With a precise shot between its two eyes, the dragon groaned.

Bradley: Gotcha! I’ll take care of the rest!

Laughing triumphantly, Bradley held up his rifle again, ready to deal the final blow.

Mithra: ……….

At this very moment, I couldn’t help but notice Mithra’s eyes screaming “you’re pissing me off”.

Mithra: « Arthim »

Figaro: Ah?

Owen: Idiot.

By the time I realized what was going on, it was too late. Mithra’s crystal skull opened its mouth and spat fire, immediately turning the whole area, including the dragon, into a sea of flames.

Lennox: Everyone, run!

Mitile: The fire…!

Figaro: Mitile, quick this way!

Fleeing from the hands of the fire, the wizards scattered and flew away.

Rutile: We need to go higher! Master Sage, hold on to me!

Melting snow and ice alike, the flames completely engulfed the floor and the walls. Even the ceiling came down like a rain of fire with the melted ice.

Akira: (…It’s not good!)

Owen: « Quare Morito »

As soon as I heard the incantation from behind me, the flames that almost poured on us disappeared on a whim.

I turned around to see Owen sitting atop his broom, playing with pieces of melted ice between his fingers.

Rutile: Owen…!

Owen: All better now?

Akira: You saved us…! Thank you very much, Owen!

Owen: Then you owe me one. I really liked that candy store we saw last time.

Akira: Y-yes of course! Let’s go again sometime.

White: Well done, Owen!

Snow: Everyone, gather around! We need to set a barrier!

Snow & White: « Noscomunia »!

Snow and White chanted their spell as a dome-shaped wall covered the area above our heads.

 

Snow: Mithra, this is why you should listen to what we tell you.

White: Has none been set ablaze?

Akira: Yes, we’re all fine.

Lennox: The pillar sealing the witch, however…

Mithra’s magic, which had now fragilized every inch of the ice castle, enveloped even the ice pillar in which resided Gerda in flames.

The large and enormous pillar melted before our eyes in a flash.

Bradley: Come on now! What the hell were you thinking, it’s my prey…

Mithra: It’s mine actually. I’m just not good at holding back.

The dragon staggered a bit as if Bradley and Mithra’s attacks were too much for it. It also made a pained cry.

Rutile: It seems way weaker now…?

Figaro: The dragon is, but…

Owen: Aah. Now we’re in trouble.

Neither Owen nor Figaro was still looking at the dragon now.

They were looking at the beautiful, ice-cold witch, Gerda.

Akira: (…No way, Gerda woke up….!?)

The air was sharp and heavy, in direct contrast with the melting ice all around. Figaro stood in front of us as a protection, and Bradley quickly pointed his muzzle at Gerda.

With a cold face, Owen also placed his hand on his trunk, and Mithra’s crystal skull, mouth open, was too ready to open fire at any moment.

With the pillar of ice all melted, nothing could keep Gerda under control. The beautiful witch drew a thin smile on her lips.

Snow: The younger wizards as well as the Sage, close your eyes!

White: You cannot risk ending up frozen!

Instantly, Lennox covered the eyes of the southern brothers, standing still nearby.

Rutile & Mitile: E-eh!?

Akira: (…!)

Suddenly my vision went all black. It seemed that a hand, surely Snow’s one, covered my eyes.

I shut them very tightly, driven by fear.

Snow: It’s been a long time, Gerda. I hope you are well.

In my own darkness, I heard Snow’s voice. Followed by it was the voice of a dignified woman as if my whole being would freeze just by listening.

Gerda: Once again you’re not sincere even when greeting me. Snow, White. As expected, you both still look the loveliest to me.

This time, I will freeze and keep you two with me for eternity.

Gerda’s ice-cold voice echoed, and at the same time, the temperature in the room dropped drastically.

She was a dreadful witch capable of turning anyone looking into her eyes into ice forever. Perhaps at this very moment, a little of her magical power overflowed.

 

Owen: I’m sure everyone would be very happy to know the twins changed in icicles. People holding grudges against them will come barging in just to see it.

Bradley: Sounds good, we can even throw a lively party. As long as the Ice Queen’s “favorites” are only old men though.

Resentment and murderous urge resonated behind the frivolous exchange. The atmosphere was cold and tense, as if there were needles taking turns to stab at each other.

My heart raced in this situation near implosion. My own body temperature seemed to be dropping as well.

Snow: Gerda, tell me. How have the last five hundred years been?

Gerda: I wish I could say time just passed by… It was a long, long five hundred years, as I was left conscious, but unable to move.

In my own solitude, I kept thinking. Thinking about how I would kill the twins I oh so dearly loathed.

All of you. I'll make you regret touching my castle. 

 

 

Index ✦ Next