The Frost Witch had barely managed to escape the Great Mage and return to her hideout.

She had predicted that her opponent would be formidable, but he had far surpassed even those expectations.

Moreover, she had suffered a critical injury, leaving her bound by pain.

"Augh... How could a mere human... Krrhaa!"

The Frost Witch, leaning against an ice wall, stared at her half-severed left arm.

The Great Mage had unleashed powerful magic, but she had managed to avoid most of it.

However, since that was mere misdirection, she had ultimately allowed herself to be struck.

As a result, her left arm had been seared away in an instant, and a ferocious mark had been branded upon her.

"He's torturing me with this... hrrg... and trying to track my location... ugh..."

The Frost Witch tried to numb the pain by stuffing ice into her lost limb.

But the branded magic would not vanish, and only an unquenchable ember continued to burn.

Knowing her nature, the Great Mage had surely left behind a semi-permanent flame on purpose.

"He must have come to remove the curse... to kill the very source that made mine act... haaah..."

Trembling all over, the Frost Witch recalled Uriel's dying words.

No matter what you do, you will never win my heart.

My death will not bring closure, and you will meet your downfall because of this curse.

"No... you're wrong... I won't be annihilated by mere pain like this... ngh..."

Defiant, the Frost Witch conjured a sharp ice blade.

She then cut off the rest of her left arm and flung it aside.

Having replaced numerous body parts with ice over the years, her left arm would endure the same process.

"Hehe... hihihi... Destroying my heart would remove the curse, yes. But... ugh... that alone won't be the end."

With a wicked smile, the Frost Witch began regenerating her left arm.

The flow of blood quickly stopped, and thin ice sprouted from the severed flesh.

Given enough time, the ice would perfectly reproduce her left arm and take over its function.

"Curses are persistent. Until my desire is fulfilled... they won't disappear."

Only then, freed from pain, did the Frost Witch slowly close her eyes.

She had once been human, but even the memories of those days had become unclear.

Always an object of hatred, she had broken taboos and willingly become a monster.

She had realized her precious feelings too late, but even then, her beloved had rejected her.

"I wished never to be forgotten... I never thought I'd end up like this..."

She had longed for her existence to be etched into Uriel's memories.

Whether as a connection or a misfortune, as long as she could remain, she would have been satisfied.

That was why she had tried to use the curse to return Uriel to her original self; but even that hope had ended in emptiness.

"Not even in your dying moments did you look at me. Your head must be filled with him."

That child had snatched away even the curse meant for Uriel.

Barely surviving at the cost of Uriel's life, why was he still so greedy?

And yet, even now, that child monopolized Uriel's attention and continued to torment her.

"He took everything I should have had... I can't let him live."

For the Frost Witch, even the battle with the Great Mage was meaningless.

Whether she won or lost, the outcome would not change.

She only wanted to make the Great Mage realize the mistake he had made.

"Try your best. In the end, I will win. Huhu... Kihihi..."

* * *

Alter found himself face-to-face with an unexpected guest in the drawing room.

He hadn't set any prior appointment, and the visitor had come to the duke's mansion unannounced.

However, since his fame and prowess had been acknowledged by the Emperor, he could only be treated as an honored guest.

"So you are Alter Radiant? Hm..."

Megarexor stood before Alter, inspecting him slowly.

His strikingly handsome appearance naturally drew attention.

Such looks could easily tempt most women in an instant.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Alter Radiant, the youngest son of House Radiant, Grand Duchy."

"I heard you were here, so I stopped by to see you. If you had been out, it might have been a bit troublesome."

"... Who told you?"

"The Great Mage told me. He asked for my help, and I said I'd decide after meeting you."

"..."

Alter fell silent, recalling what Alraune had said.

"I intend to hunt down the Frost Witch, joined by the Sword Saint and the Holy Apostle."

The Sword Saint must have grown curious about him after hearing about him from Alraune.

"I hear you're under a curse... is that true?"

"Yes. It's not contagious, but I had to bear it alone. Lately, thanks to the removal ritual, it's improved."

"They say the Frost Witch cursed you?"

"Yes, that's what I've been told."

"... Did you know? There was once a time when I pointed my blade at your mother. She was so audacious I was almost speechless."

"...?"

Though puzzled, Alter listened closely.

It meant the Sword Saint had tried to attack his mother.

But since he hadn't said he struck her, perhaps he simply threatened her briefly before retreating.

"It was a situation where I had to either capture or kill her. Even I wasn't keen on it, but I couldn't avoid it. Since capture was impossible, I moved to cut her down quickly. But... your mother insisted on persuading that man."

"..."

"I warned your mother, then sheathed my sword. Not long after, that man surrendered. Thanks to that, others were spared as well."

"..."

"I was a bit surprised. Resolving what should be solved by the sword with words... isn't that remarkable?"

Megarexor continued to study Alter, finally noticing a trace of Uriel within him.

That incident had been their first and last meeting.

So he hadn't immediately recognized it, but the mood and impression were unmistakable.

"I don't particularly owe your mother anything. I bear no grudge either... in fact, she only interfered with my work. Heh, life really is strange, isn't it?"

"Are you saying this because of me?"

"Yes. Isn't it truly curious that you're Uriel's son? And the fact that the Great Mage is helping you as well. People usually call this fate."

Megarexor found interest in being caught up in such a situation.

He had been moved by Uriel's actions once, and recently, he'd been asked to cooperate for the sake of Uriel's son.

Uriel's influence, the web of relationships she had built, now reached her offspring and shook those around him.

"To be honest, I had no reason to help you until now, but I've just found one. The way things are unfolding stirs my emotions—I can't just sit back."

"Does that mean... you'll help the Great Mage deal with the Frost Witch?"

"That's right. For Uriel, and to preserve the Great Mage's dignity as well."

Megarexor stood up and promptly left the drawing room.

He had likely made up his mind before ever coming here.

He simply wanted to recall what he'd felt back then because Alter was Uriel's son.

'Perfect, I was bored anyway. It's been a while since I got to really cut something up.'

* * *

Alraune arrived at the Grand Cathedral of Ergante and met with the Second Apostle.

Among the four Holy Apostles, the first and second possessed overwhelming martial prowess.

The third specialized in healing holy arts, while the fourth was a scholar researching doctrine and the origin of sacred laws.

Therefore, to get cooperation in subjugating the Frost Witch, one had to approach either the first or second Holy Apostle.

"Uriel Astille... It's been some time since I've heard that name. I've already reviewed the details regarding the grand duke's heir."

The second Apostle of the Semerune Order, Ronit Renaze, recited calmly, gazing at Alraune.

Officially, it was a request for cooperation from the Great Mage, but in reality, it was interference in a personal matter.

Of course, since the Frost Witch was a real monster, it could be presented as a legitimate excuse.

"I understand you have a connection to Uriel Astille."

"That is true, but I consider it a misfortune. My honor was tarnished because of her."

Ronit coldly answered and recalled the events of that day.

His judgment had not been wrong, and had he pressed on, the enemies would have been wiped out.

But Uriel had blocked the advance of the order and, in the end, saved many of the people she wished to protect.

Because of this, he had been reprimanded and stripped of his command, despite preventing greater casualties.

"Your honor simply could not have been salvaged otherwise. At least Uriel's intervention kept it as mere dishonor, did it not?"

"That is why I dislike her. She always gets in the way, so it's only natural anyone would find her irritating."

At first, Ronit had tried to keep his distance, resenting Uriel.

Even if she had been right, it had only cost him.

But in retrospect, it was his own stubborn jealousy and pride that made him try to ignore the truth.

"You said you disliked her, not that you hated her."

"... I can't bring myself to hate her. She made me realize my arrogance. I owe her that much, though I can't say I like her personality."

"The child is blameless. What if Uriel really died in place of her child?"

"That is just like her, so I have nothing else to say."

Upon hearing that Uriel's child was sickly, Ronit had gathered outstanding clergy to send help.

Nevertheless, the cause had not been found, and the order's rules made it impossible for an Apostle to leave the cathedral.

Therefore, he could only send a letter asking for a personal visit.

"I attempted to personally slay the Frost Witch not long ago but failed. This time, I am determined to finish the job, and I ask for your cooperation, apostle."

"If the Frost Witch is killed, will the curse be lifted?"

"It will. That has already been verified."

"As an Apostle, I cannot easily leave the cathedral. Would a cardinal or archbishop not suffice?"

"I wish to conclude this decisively. I have also requested the Sword Saint's participation; the Frost Witch will not be able to resist."

Upon hearing the word 'Sword Saint', Ronit realized the Great Mage's determination.

Sword Saint, great mage, apostle.

Each was a master, standing at the pinnacle of swordsmanship, magic, and sacred law.

Gathering all of them meant, in essence, the total destruction of the enemy.

"... Then I'll act not as an Apostle, but as one bearing a grudge against her. A misfortune is still a kind of connection, isn't it?"

"Will you obtain the Holy King's permission?"

"I'll secure his permission directly. If I mention the eradication of a dire monster and Alter Radiant's curse, his Eminence cannot refuse to consider it."

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=Hmm, their odds look promising...At least Alraune isn't planning on tanking the Frost Witch alone...But I think there's some story on the Frost Witch that's connected to the Emperor...【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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