Chapter 186: Mother of Fire (2)

Chapter 186: Mother of Fire (2)

"...Hello. Lady Navardose."

"R-Ronan?! What are you doing here?"

Itargand exclaimed almost in a scream. When Ronan opened his eyes slightly, he saw Navardose's face, still stiff. In her glowing pupils, it seemed like flames could burst out at any moment.

[You.]

"Um, well... I mean... just finish what you were doing. It's nice to see."

Cold sweat dripped down his temples. Among the worst things one could experience in life, this situation fell within the top five.

"Well, you see... since I don't have parents, so... I've always longed for a relationship like the one between the two of you... uh, I do have a sister, but haha... having a mother is better, right?"

Ronan stammered, desperately avoiding her gaze. As expected, there was no response. Navardose frowned, scrutinizing him up and down.

[You. How are you moving?]

"Um... I have a somewhat unusual constitution."

[Constitution?]

Ronan forced an awkward smile. He couldn't decide whether to tell the truth or not. If he rashly said that he knew how to cut magic, he would be classified as a dangerous element and turned into ashes, as tragic as it could get. Suddenly, Navardose's eyes glimmered faintly.

[Do you not know who I am?]

"Keuk!"

An invisible force strangled Ronan's throat. His body slowly floated in the air. It was strong enough to make Aselle's telekinesis power seem like child's play.

"Navar... dose...!"

[I did not ask you to play around with words.]

This was really not fun. The energy emanating from Navardose's shoulders distorted the surrounding space. The entire central square seemed to be covered in a haze.

'Damn it...!'

Ronan gritted his teeth. It was a perplexing situation. Even now, he could reach for his sword with his right hand. If he decided, he could break free from the telekinesis with a single strike. However, it was as clear as daylight that doing so would lead to certain death.

[I'll ask again. How did you escape my magic?]

Navardose spoke. The constriction grew stronger. He had to make a decision before the blood supply to his brain was cut off. Ronan was about to say something when Itargand, who had been shocked and silent, exclaimed.

"L-let him go, Mother! This is the human I mentioned!"

[This human? Could it be...]

"Yes. He's the one who saved me and advised me to attend Philleon. This is Ronan!"

[Kugh...!]

Navardose's eyes widened. The pressure strangling Ronan disappeared. Falling to the ground, he coughed dryly.

"Gah...! Kuek! Dammit...!"

"I-I'm sorry. Are you okay? To think I would do this to the one who saved my son...!"

Navardose paced anxiously. The aura that had covered the central square vanished in an instant. Ronan, rubbing his throat, stood up.

"Phew... yeah, I'm fine."

"Th-Thank goodness.... Truly, thank goodness."

The intimidating voice that seemed to crush the soul had returned to its warm tone. She tapped her son's forearm lightly.

"You should have told me earlier. It could've been really bad."

"Ugh, you acted too suddenly, Mother... I'm sorry."

"...Phew, no. I did act rashly. I'm sorry for blaming you, Ir."

Navardose admitted her mistake, lowering her head. The nickname 'Ir' that had been bothering Ronan since earlier seemed like a term of endearment for her son. Having regained her composure, Navardose turned to Ronan and spoke.

"...There's no need for introductions. Call me by whatever name you prefer. I apologize once again."

"I'm Ronan. It's really okay, so you don't have to worry."

"Alright, nice to meet you, Ronan."

Navardose smiled. Seeing her like this, she seemed like just a pretty noblewoman. Suddenly, Ronan wondered how many mortals in the world had witnessed her in such a manner.

'I really almost bit the dust.'

Despite being resolved, it was truly a dangerous situation. Ronan breathed a silent sigh of relief.

He had a gut feeling that he shouldn't act recklessly. Ronan knew well that with just a little effort, Navardose could separate his bones and flesh. He looked around at the students who were frozen and decided to speak up.

"Um, what happened to these people?"

"Don't worry. I simply slowed down time within a certain range. Once the magic wears off, they'll continue as if nothing happened."

Navardose explained that there would be no harm to their health, and added that Ronan was the only one currently moving in Philleon. Once again, a chill ran down his spine. This meant that even the 8th Circle Mage, Katir, was affected by this absurd magic. Navardose spoke up.

"I should thank you first. Ir is my last child. When I heard that he was almost taken by the corrupt frost spirit, I thought my world was coming to an end. I don't know how to thank you."

"It was nothing."

"Don't be modest. Without you, many would have lost their lives. It's fortunate that the kingdom of Glacia did not have to be destroyed."

Ronan swallowed hard. Navardose's tone was sincere and devoid of exaggeration. Glacia was the name of the Frost Spirit King. Throughout history, only a handful of individuals could be counted who had made contracts with him, and there were a considerable number of worshippers who considered them a deity.

Navardose treated dealing with Glacia as casually as pressing a button. He understood why the Savior felt compelled to apologize to her.

"Ir talked a lot about you. He said he learned a lot about the world. I want to show my gratitude as much as possible for saving my son's life. It took me a long time to shed my arrogance as a dragon."

"You're welcome."

"Haha, you're humble. That too is a virtue we haven't quite mastered."

Navardose chuckled. She was truly happy about the change in her son's values.

In many ways, she was a completely different person from what Rona had expected. Frankly, he had anticipated that when Itargand retired after losing to the Winter Witch, he would be humiliated and hung over the fireplace. Isn't something like that more common? "An incompetent bastard like you is not a part of our tribe!" Such a development.

Navardose was in the middle of praising Ronan. Suddenly, a red light seeped out from inside her hood. Startled, she furrowed her brows.

"Oh... it's about time to go back, it seems. The attacks are getting stronger as time goes by."

"The attacks?"

"Yeah. They're a nuisance. Because of them, I can't even manage Adren properly..."

Navardose, making an incomprehensible sentence, took off her hood. Along with her red hair, a pair of horns were revealed.

They hadn't been visible when she was wearing her robe, it seemed like some kind of illusion magic. The horns, gracefully curved towards the sky, were flickering slowly with a sinister red reminiscent of poisonous mushrooms. Sighing as if annoyed, she looked at Ronan and spoke.

"So, tell me what you want."

"All of a sudden?"

"Yeah. You should be rewarded for saving my son. Did you think I would just let it go?"

Ronan's eyes widened. This, too, was unexpected, much like her personality. He thought simply sparing his life would be the reward, but to receive something extra was unexpected. After a moment of contemplation, Ronan spoke up.

"Then... could you spare me some of your time later? For a day."

"My time? There's nothing I can't do... but will that be enough?"

"Yes."

Ronan nodded. He had not intended to ask for anything in the first place. Just earning Navardose's favor was already an immense reward.

"...Interesting choice. Most mortals usually want something tangible. You are indeed different."

"I have something I need to tell you."

"Alright. I'll make time for it soon. Hmm, by the way..."

Suddenly, Navardose's eyes narrowed. She pierced Ronan's face with her gaze and released a sigh. Perplexed, Ronan raised his eyebrows.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You... have seen me somewhere before?"

"...Me seeing Lady Navardose?"

Both of them simultaneously tilted their heads. This was truly an incomprehensible statement. Ronan searched his memories for any instance where he might have coincidentally come across her while she was polymorphed, but the chances were extremely slim. Navardose's aura was not something that could be mistaken. She waved her hand first.

"No. Let's talk about it next time. Please keep today's incident a secret."

"Don't worry, I won't speak even if my tongue is pulled out."

"Thank you. Ir, see you tomorrow."

Navardose lifted up to her tiptoes. With a light sound as her skin touched his, Itargand's face turned red.

"M-Mother...!"

"Enjoy the immaturity of youth, my son."

With a kiss on her reluctant son's cheek, Navardose turned away. Contrary to the expectation that she would return to her original form and leave, she disappeared using spatial magic.

Swooosh... The space around Navardose blurred, and then her figure vanished. Before long, the mana that had been swelling in the air disappeared, and time, which had been suspended, began to flow at its original speed.

"Aha, let's go together!"

"Hmm? Hasn't the moon's position changed a bit?"

A chilly night breeze brushed past their cheeks. The students who had been frozen resumed their activities without any sign of awareness of being affected by magic. As Navardose had said, no one even noticed they were under a spell. At that moment, a shadow flew through the darkness and landed on Ronan's shoulder. It was Cita.

"Bwaaaah!"

Cita spread her four wings and started fluttering around. Suddenly, Navardose's presence disappeared, and Cita seemed puzzled. Seeing her behave like a new recruit on her first guard duty made Ronan laugh.

"It's okay. It's all over now."

"Bwaah...?"

Ronan gently stroked Cita. Cita opened her eyes, which had been closed thinly, and nuzzled her face against Ronan's palm. He looked back at Itargand and said.

"Shall we start heading back, Ir?"

"...Don't call me that."

"Come on. Ir, to be honest, you're too imposing."

"I told you not to call me that. And if you ever reveal what you saw today to anyone else... I'll roast you alive."

"You're scary, Ir. You can breathe fire, but please don't just kiss me."

"You rascal!!"

Unable to bear it any longer, Itargand exploded in a roar. Even if the outcry came out through human vocal cords, a dragon was still a dragon. The students' attention was drawn to the scream of a magnitude that made windows shake.

"Araaghh!"

"What, what was that?!"

His ears seemed to turn red with embarrassment. Ronan, who had just been chuckling, left the central square with Itargand, exchanging playful banter. The glow of moonlight cascading down covered the courtyard warmly.

****

The morning of the entrance ceremony dawned bright. Sunlight filtered through the curtains. Ronan had overslept more than usual, perhaps due to the events of the previous night.

"Ugh... it still doesn't feel real..."

Ronan muttered as he stretched his face. The sight of the Mother of Fire apologizing in embarrassment or smiling warmly seemed like nothing more than a dream. A very unrealistic dream at that.

'I wonder what I should wear today.'

By now, an announcement would have been made that Navardose was visiting Philleon. In many ways, it was going to be the greatest entrance ceremony ever. Ronan muttered to himself as he got up.

Knock! Knock!

The sound of knocking echoed through the room.

"Ronan, it's me."

"Ah, Lucy... come in."

"Could you please open the door? I can't use my hands... Ugh, it's quite heavy."

"Hmm?"

Ronan opened the door. Lucy, dressed in maid attire, held a luxurious-looking box in her hands. He raised an eyebrow as he received the box from her.

"This is quite hefty. What is it?"

"Haa... I survived. I'm not sure either. It came from a place called Parzan?"

"Parzan?"

"Yes. I have to clean the courtyard, so I'll come back later. Have a good day."

Lucy bowed politely and left. The label on the box prominently displayed the name Allogin. He had supposedly been in much worse condition than Zaifa, but it seemed like he had somehow survived.

"The old man's tough as nails."

Ronan chuckled. He had been worried, but it was a relief. Nonetheless, he couldn't quite figure out what was inside the box.

"Why would they wrap it up so tightly?"

The surface of the box was enchanted with a sealing spell similar to what was on the Emperor's decree. Perplexed, Ronan opened the box. His eyes widened as he saw its contents.

"Ah, fuck."