Chapter 343: Evil God Subjugation — End (2) |
Not long ago, I helped the eight-star magic beasts remaining near the First Campus reclaim their freedom.
They were the ones I sought cooperation from before the 「Evil God Subjugation」.
They were bound to follow the final messages left by the Primordial Elemental Kings, stating that they could only obey someone who wielded an ultimate weapon and could defeat them.
Afterward, they discovered that the Evil God had been annihilated, and the messages left by the Primordial Elemental Kings had lost their power.
There was no longer any reason for them to stay there.
They departed, carrying their ultimate weapons, each in search of a new home.
***
Märchen Academy entered its winter vacation.
However, for some reason, the students did not return to their hometowns but stayed on the academy’s second campus.
Everywhere turned into a party venue, and due to the many visitors, the vast campus was bustling with crowds.
The Kingdom of Zelver held a grand festival centered around Märchen Academy to commemorate the victory of the Evil God Subjugation Force.
The festival wasn’t held immediately after the Evil God Subjugation but was delayed until now because they had been waiting for my return.
If I hadn’t returned or if my death had been confirmed, it might not have been a festival but a grand funeral instead.
In any case, it all worked out well.
Even Horan and the kingdoms of the Elemental kings did not hold back their support.
Using [Clairvoyance] to look around the world, I saw that everywhere was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Even in Düpfendorf, a festival was held, and I had just returned from there yesterday.
Today, as a prospective graduate of Märchen Academy, I wanted to enjoy the festival with the people I often saw.
“Cheers!”
“Drink! Drink!”
Under the tranquil night sky, I wandered among the students holding their glasses and partying.
Hardly anyone approached me just to stay in my good graces.
Because it was common knowledge that no matter how much they sweet-talked me, they couldn’t hide what they really thought.
Thanks to that, I could freely sweep through all the food without a care.
Moreover, for the first time since my transmigration, I took a sip of alcohol.
A subtle sweetness and astringency.
It was close to the taste of wine.
It wasn’t the tastiest drink compared to the others, but I really liked its rich aroma and how smoothly it went down my throat.
“President, how’s the taste of alcohol for the first time?”
“I like it,” I smiled and answered Dorothy, who was walking beside me.
“Say ‘Ah’, Baby.”
Alice, walking on the opposite side of Dorothy, offered me a skewer full of meat, dripping with juice.
I ate it in one bite. The burst of savory flavor was incredibly satisfying.
Dorothy glared daggers at Alice, locking eyes in a fierce staring contest. As always, Alice responded with an unruffled smile.
At first, I was enjoying a date alone with Dorothy. Then Alice, who had been spending time with the student council for a while, joined us, leading to the current situation.
Meanwhile, Kaya was spending the festival with her parents, Luce was with the top-ranked Tower Masters discussing career matters, and White was with Emperor Carlos.
They also mentioned that they planned to join me later.
I’m not getting drunk at all.
What I was expecting was a pleasant buzz.
No matter how much I drank, I didn’t feel any intoxication.
I wondered if I had mistaken a drink for alcohol, but that wasn’t the case either.
It was simply an issue with my body. Apparently, I had become strong enough that no ordinary alcohol could get me drunk.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, a certain event venue caught my eye.
Amidst the gathering of students and guests, a second-year female student was shouting energetically, “Now! Who is the best drinker? The Märchen Academy’s ‘Drinking Contest’ is about to begin! We look forward to many participants!”
I joined immediately.
***
“Kyaa!”
I grabbed the keg and chugged down several gulps of the cool, refreshing liquor.
I finally felt a slight buzz. At last, some satisfaction.
All the other participants had long since passed out.
Because I participated in the contest, a large crowd of spectators had gathered at the venue.
“What an overwhelming drinking capacity! The contest is over! First place goes to our hero, Senior Isaac! Let’s give a big round of applause!”
Since I was in my uniform, the junior host addressed me as a senior.
I was grateful that they picked up on my desire to have fun as a fellow academy student.
Amid the cheers of the spectators, the awards ceremony proceeded, and the winner was awarded a voucher for a pub established at the academy.
It was a place operated by a renowned chef from the Zelver Kingdom during the festival, offering a great opportunity to taste their dishes.
I immediately went there and devoured a hearty meat dish.
Dorothy, Alice, and I chatted for a long time. It was nothing serious or constructive, just funny stories we exchanged.
We wandered around the festival amusement grounds, enjoying many games together. We laughed so much that our cheeks began to hurt.
“President,” while walking through the festival streets, Dorothy spoke.
“Ah.”
I immediately looked at the clock tower. It was the time Dorothy had mentioned.
“You mentioned earlier that you had something important to do, right?”
“That’s right, it’s something very important,” Dorothy answered solemnly.
She had mentioned earlier that she had somewhere to go.
She said she couldn’t reveal the reason, but it didn’t seem like anything serious.
“See you later, Baby.”
Alice was the same.
The two of them walked off together.
I finished the drink in my hand and waved at them.
I still couldn’t read Dorothy and Alice’s intentions. What could possibly compel these two, who didn’t get along very well, to walk together? I had no idea.
I was to meet the two of them again in about three hours. The meeting place was the Iris Accommodation, a luxury lodging established in the academy’s shopping district.
Dorothy had warned me not to use [Clairvoyance] to peek, or I’d be disappointed. I couldn’t tell if they were preparing an event for me or if it was for some other reason.
***
Well, I plan to stay up all night anyway.
Spending about three hours leisurely wandering alone wouldn’t be bad. It had its own charm.
I roamed the academy, savoring the pleasant buzz.
Using [Clairvoyance], I observed the rooftops of several buildings. I saw a pair of lovers creating a romantic atmosphere and a couple in the midst of an affectionate display.
I went up to an empty rooftop and leaned on the railing. Despite the late hour, the campus was still brightly illuminated with the lively atmosphere of the festival.
While it was a bit disappointing that the barrier deployed around the campus blocked out the cold winter wind, I found the serene atmosphere rather pleasant in its own way.
“…”
My journey had come to an end.
I had uncovered the secrets of the world and successfully defeated the Evil God.
Having laid down the heavy burden, I found joy in everything I did.
After returning to this world through Alice’s gate, it hadn’t immediately turned out like this.
At first, not knowing what to do, I only exercised.
Perhaps because I had been constantly training all this time, forcing myself to rest made me anxious without realizing it.
Fortunately, I was now able to enjoy leisure.
The freedom that came after completing all tasks brought immense satisfaction.
“Isaac.”
Suddenly, a male student’s voice came from the direction of the rooftop entrance.
I had already noticed that he had spotted me and was following me.
“Why did you follow me?”
“Ah, you caught me?”
As I turned my head back, I noticed Ian Fairytale, who had styled his bangs up and was fully dressed up.
Holding a glass of alcohol, he approached me with an awkward smile.
“Why are you alone? Where are your women?”
“They’re all busy.”
“Being alone on such a fine day, how did you end up like this?”
“I know, right?”
Ian stopped beside me, smiling playfully.
Earlier, I had seen Ian out with Amy Halloway. After all, they were an official couple.
Ian, as the Child of Light, was acknowledged for his contributions in finishing off the Evil God’s minions and the Evil God herself.
Thanks to that, I heard he was soon to be granted a high-ranking noble title.
His path as a magic knight would surely be smooth and prosperous.
The portrayal of Magic Knight Ian I had seen in the ending of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ was all but certain to become reality unless something extraordinary happened.
We gazed at the academy’s scenery, vibrant with the festive atmosphere.
“…When we crossed over to the other side of the dimension and you saved me,” Ian spoke again.
“Even after returning, I couldn’t feel happy. Even though we won that war, I felt… defeated somehow.”
“Were you blaming yourself?”
“I can’t deny that.”
Ian smiled faintly.
“Isaac, thank you for coming back. And truly, thank you for all your hard work.”
“You too. You worked hard.”
Ian extended his fist, and we softly bumped fists.
“By the way, can I ask you something?”
“Yeah?”
“Was fainting always your specialty?”
Since the Evil God issue was resolved, I thought I might as well ask.
“Haha, the way you put it makes me feel a bit embarrassed…”
Ian scratched his cheekbone and let out an awkward laugh.
Well, it wasn’t like he had been fainting intentionally.
“Since I aspire to be a magic knight, I’ve been training in both swordsmanship and magic. Because of that, I think I’ve been stuck being neither one nor the other. But I’ll get better over time.”
“I see.”
It was one of the answers I had expected, so I let it slide.
“…But are you really going to marry the five of them?”
“The five?”
“Kaya, Luce, Senior Dorothy, Senior Alice, and Princess Snow White.”
The first four were confirmed.
I was determined to marry them and build the harem kingdom I had always dreamt of.
No… since I hold the position of emperor, let’s call it a harem empire.
However, there was still some uncertainty when it came to White.
I know she likes me.
White had feelings for me as a member of the opposite sex.
Unlike the other strong-willed ones, she simply hadn’t expressed her feelings openly.
With my [Psychological Insight], it was impossible to hide the truth from me.
The most important thing was my own feelings.
Do I have feelings for White?
…I can’t deny it.
She’s too adorable.
The White I had come to know during my time as her mentor was unbearably adorable.
It would be a lie to say I wasn’t smitten.
I’m certain, I like White too.
In the end, my answer became clear.
“Absolutely. I can’t give up on a single one.”
“Haha! You’re resolute.”
“Are you going to marry Amy?”
“Actually…I already proposed.”
“Oh, really? When? How?”
Now that’s interesting.
“Well, you see…”
Ian began to tell me proudly.
And so, I spent time talking with the protagonist of the game I had played for years.
At some point, Amy joined in, and we laughed and chatted for quite a while.
***
Bang!
“Attention! The legal wife battle will now begin!!” Dorothy Heartnova slammed the table, shouting in a confident voice.
Around the table sat Kaya Astrea, Luce Eltania, Alice Carroll, and even Snow White.