The Academy’s Weakest Became A Demon-Limited Hunter

Chapter 260: Coronation Ceremony (2)

The white, luxurious carriage was durable enough to traverse the harsh, frozen lands, and the horses pulling it were all white magic beasts marked with ice crystals all over their bodies.

Düpfendorf’s soldiers served as the escort. The clanging sound of armor was heard regularly outside the carriage. It was the sound of Ice Knights moving. The constant high-level treatment still felt very unfamiliar.

I had told Luce, Kaya, Dorothy, and White that I was going to the coronation ceremony.

The only person I had planned to bring to Düpfendorf was Alice. Since she was my minion and effectively a part of Düpfendorf’s forces, I thought it made sense to bring her along.

As we were leaving the academy and crossing the landing bridge, Dorothy suddenly flew and landed on top of the carriage.

Eventually, Dorothy was brought into the carriage, leading to the current situation.

This is so uncomfortable…

Dorothy and Alice did not get along. The atmosphere was tense.

As we traveled for some time, early snowflakes began to fall, dancing in the air.

“We must be almost there.”

The northern part of the Zelver Empire, where it snowed year-round, was indeed far. This was clearly the influence of Düpfendorf’s territory.

Düpfendorf was a land of severe cold, not far from the academy.

In the distance, the walls built by the Empire with significant manpower and resources using rock magic were visible. The vast wall, stretching beyond the field of view, served as a breakwater against Düpfendorf’s cold.

To cross the border, we had to reach the only section where the rock wall was not built. This area was guarded by the Border Patrol of the Empire and Düpfendorf. The security was tight, but since Düpfendorf maintained friendly relations with the Empire, as long as certain requirements were met, crossing was relatively easy. This was the entry procedure.

Well, the friendly relationship was only for now. Who knew what the future held?

***“Should we stay here for the night?”

“I think we should, it’s cold and I’m sleepy.”

It was late at night. As they approached Düpfendorf’s territory, the cold became as severe as midwinter.

Isaac and his party stopped at a lodging facility in a nearby village.

There weren’t enough rooms to accommodate everyone, so Isaac, Alice, and Dorothy used the facilities first. The coachman went to find another lodging, and the escort troops set up a temporary camp and decided to sleep outdoors.

And then.

“...”

Dorothy and Alice ended up sharing a room.

A two-person room. In the dark room, Dorothy and Alice lay side by side on a double bed.

Dorothy was lying on the edge of the bed, facing away from Alice. Meanwhile, Alice was lying neatly, staring at the ceiling.

“How did this happen…?”

“Did you want to sleep with Isaac?”

“That’s not what I mean. Why do I have to share a bed with you?”

“This is not the first time. We’ve slept together before. If you really don’t like it, why not sleep on the floor?”

“I’m not giving up the bed.”

Dorothy yawned.

She didn’t like it, but she was too sleepy to argue.

“I’m just going to sleep. Don’t talk to me anymore.”

“Dorothy, you know…”

“I said don’t talk to me…”

“Did you come after us because you’re so nervous I’m going to take Isaac away from you?”

“...Are you out of your mind?”

“I’m just kidding.”

Alice laughed playfully and then cautiously asked.

“You followed us because you’re worried about Isaac, right?”

“…”

Dorothy narrowed her eyes.

“You can read people’s emotions. I can’t do that, but lately, Baby seems to be in a rush.”

“...It’s true that Isaac is not fine right now.”

Dorothy’s voice subsided.

“Isaac carries a heavy sense of responsibility, saying he has to defeat the Evil God. He’s living without even realizing how much it’s tearing up his own heart. Lately, he’s been really sad.”

“Sad?”

“Yeah, even though he’s always been tough, something’s made him really sad recently… I can’t help but worry.”

No matter how strong-willed Isaac was, she couldn’t just stand by and watch him wither alone.

Dorothy wanted to be a comfort to Isaac. She wanted to naturally ease away any unspeakable sorrows he had.

Alice looked at the back of Dorothy’s head with a gentle smile.

“I see. You’re so thoughtful, Dorothy.”

“...I don’t feel good when you say things like that, seriously.”

Dorothy grumbled and closed her eyes.

***After spending a night at the lodging, we set off on the open road towards the border checkpoint.

It was a point along the rock wall lined up to block the cold winds of Düpfendorf. There, the flag symbolizing the Empire was fluttering.

Alice, Hilde, and I changed into the thick clothes we had prepared. Hilde didn’t need thick clothes, but she said she didn’t want to feel left out, so she wore them anyway. It was the same for me.

Dorothy wore the white fur coat we brought from Düpfendorf.

“Velon, over there.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

The coachman, Velon, responded to my call. He was a middle-aged man. I had learned his name last night when we arrived in the village.

Velon was dressed in what was essentially spring clothing.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“I’m fine. I’m from the Frost Tribe, so I’m resistant to the cold. This much is nothing.”

“Is that so?”

The Frost Tribe, huh?

He looked like a human, but maybe they had evolved to withstand the cold.

“Let me know if you get cold.”

“Thank you very much for your concern.”

Before long, we arrived at the border checkpoint.

The checkpoint was a complex of several buildings, almost like a small village.

“Greetings, Ice Sovereign! I am Martin, Commander of the Border Patrol, the 3rd Order of Knights.”

Having received notice of the Düpfendorf’s forces’ reason for entry, the Border Patrol lined up to greet me formally.

I disembarked from the carriage, wanting to show my respect.

I approached the Commander of the Border Patrol. Behind me stood the Düpfendorf forces, along with Dorothy, Alice, and Hilde.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Isaac.

“We’d like to pass though. Could you open the gate?”

Having completed the inspection procedures when entering the checkpoint, there was nothing more to do.

Now, we just needed to pass through the giant gate that the Patrol was guarding.

“Understood, please wait a moment.”

The Border Patrol lined up at both ends and opened a path. Their meticulousness was impressive.

Though it was an unnecessary formality, I appreciated the hospitality.

Goooong.

Creeeeak.

The giant gate slowly opened. As the two doors parted, a snowstorm crept in as if it had been waiting.

Finally, the gate was fully open, and the blizzard rushed in, ruffling my hair and clothes.  The sound of the wind whistling filled my ears.

It wasn’t particularly cold. It was just a chilly breeze.

“Nihihi, it’s so cold.”

Dorothy laughed cheerfully.

Alice silently crossed her arms and hunched her body.

“Well then, please proceed with caution.”

Commander Martin of the Border Patrol stepped aside and bowed his head.

[My Lord, perhaps you should return to the carriage…]

“It’s fine. My body feels stiff, so I’ll walk for a bit.”

I answered Captain Morcan, who spoke from behind. Being cooped up in the carriage was suffocating.

We passed through the wide-open gate. The Border Patrol lined up in front of the gate once again to watch us from behind.

And so, we set foot on Düpfendorf’s territory.

“Amazing…!”

I heard Dorothy’s voice full of admiration.

It was like a land of pure white.

White sky. White plants reflecting a blue hue.

Although there was a visible path, the surroundings were covered in snow. It was nothing short of a field of snow.

There were blue mana stones intermittently placed on the open path, seemingly to prevent snow from accumulating.

“Nyahaha! It’s beautiful but it’s so cold!”

Dorothy shouted excitedly and giggled as she left her footprints in the white snowfield.

This place was also called the land of death. Trying to traverse it deliberately was an act of suicide because of the intense cold that was unbearable for anyone other than the citizens of Düpfendorf.

The cause of this was the pervasive fierce blizzard. It was not just an ordinary blizzard. It was mild and beautiful because it was made of mana.

In any case, Alice and Dorothy must have been very cold

Due to these blizzards, Düpfendorf had difficulty trading and inevitably became an isolated nation. The chilling air that governed this land could not be controlled by anyone until a new ruler emerged.

But now, I was here.

“Everyone, hold on a moment.”

“Baby?”

Alice called out to me in a doubtful voice as I moved forward. The Border Patrol also watched me.

I could feel it. This blizzard belonged to me. It was mana I could control.

I had contracted with Düpfendorf through the Blade of Frost Flowers and became the new Ice Sovereign.

I extended my right arm forward. As I tried to control the blizzard, pale blue mana flowed around me.

I whispered softly.

“Stop.”

Hwaaaaa!!

My will was conveyed to the blizzard.

Amid the sound of the raging storm, the blizzard rapidly subsided beyond the horizon.

The visibility brightened. I could see the sunlight pouring through the white sky. Düpfendorf’s white land turned even whiter.

I turned around and saw people looking greatly surprised.

“Senior Dorothy, how is it now?”

“It’s perfect!”

“Good to hear.”

I smiled brightly.

“What is this…?”

Commander Martin of the Border Patrol trembled as he marveled.

The Border Patrol was in awe. They seemed to think I could lightly control even natural disasters.

I didn’t need to worry about their misunderstanding.

“Let’s go.”

I led the astonished Düpfendorf escort soldiers forward.

Our destination was the capital of Düpfendorf, where the coronation ceremony would be held.