Given the current situation, the course of action was set.

‘I need to kill her before she fully transforms into a monster.’

Those whose monstrous metamorphosis had swiftly concluded were already stealthily approaching Rosha’s location. It was evident that once the others completed their transformations, they would attack any remaining humans.

As if envisioning this future, Froy gathered his ability’s power and asked:

“Shall I eliminate them all before they regain their senses?”

“No, let’s do it together. There are quite a few of them.”

While his suggestion seemed considerate of Rosha, that was beside the point.

If they didn’t deal with as many as possible before the transformations completed, the difficulty would only increase for their side.

‘Those turning into demonic beasts… as regrettable as it is.’

Nevertheless, Rosha had a place to return to and people to protect. Wasn’t enduring this hardship the very reason she persevered and returned after such arduous years?

Her eyes, still using [The Guiding Lantern], sharpened with clarity.

Observing her expression, Froy faintly curved his lips, as if having expected as much.

It was at that moment.

“I think I can handle this, Lady Roshanak. No, allow me.”

Retrieving an empty glass vial from her bag, Lysithea took a deep breath and fully drew upon her innate ability.

Her ability involved absorbing and bestowing life force.

While ineffective on full-fledged demons, she could absorb the life force from those undergoing monstrous transformations. And with their waning consciousness offering no resistance, it was even easier.

Wooooong!

A warm yet firm aura swiftly enveloped the audience chamber, overwhelming even the biting chill with its intensity. Simultaneously, crimson motes began rising from all directions.

“Mmm…”

The full power of Lysithea’s ability, honed through years of training, was utterly overwhelming.

The brilliant life force lights drifting within the ice palace sparkled like gems, adorning the air with their crimson radiance as they were gradually drawn into the vial she held.

The faces of those whose gemstones had been extracted became serene, as if falling asleep, their breathing soon fading away.

Without a single wound.

The people slumbered peacefully within the palace.

Apart from Lysithea, the rest had only handled those who had already fully transformed into demonic beasts and charged at them.

“…”

Standing amidst those whose lives she had claimed, Lysithea appeared utterly sorrowful.

Though nameless beings serving as components of the trial, their devotion to the Queen had been genuine. They too had lived intricate lives fraught with joy and sorrow.

All she could do was ensure their lives didn’t end in terror.

“So then… only the Queen remains.”

At Froy’s soft voice, they all turned towards the Queen, whose transformation was still in progress.

Befitting her immense power as a magician, an extremely sturdy barrier enveloped her, yet it couldn’t stem the leakage of her life force.

Rosha watched as the Queen’s breathing gradually weakened.

Though undergoing a monstrous change, her transformation was uniquely sluggish, as if she still retained enough willpower to delay the process as much as possible.

‘It would be better for her to simply rest at this point.’

If the Queen released all her remaining life force before fully transforming, allowing herself to pass peacefully, then the ice palace – its mana supply severed – would slowly sink beneath the sea.

A serene funeral. It left a bitter taste.

However, at that very moment.

Swish-

The continuously active [Guiding Lantern] abruptly pointed towards the audience chamber’s entrance, its golden radiance swirling around the doorway as if urging her to swiftly approach.

‘…What’s going on?’

Was it warning her to flee before the transformed Queen awoke? But no matter how closely she observed, there were no such signs.

Suddenly, an ominous premonition arose.

‘Don’t tell me… there’s something else here besides her?’

Could the true ‘Master of Trials’ be separate from the Queen?

It was around then that a resounding shattering noise echoed from somewhere.

Froy, who had been anxiously watching the Queen, suddenly jerked his head up before swiftly gathering his ability’s power, as if struck by a realization.

The now-familiar hollow aura thickly emanated around them – it seemed he intended to relocate them before anything went awry.

But.

Kwakwakwakwakwa!

None of them could have anticipated the floor abruptly collapsing as a massive white form burst forth.

“Ah!”

“Rosha!”

The ground tilted sharply. Though Froy hurriedly tried to grab Rosha, she was flung away with startling swiftness, her feeble body no match for the force.

‘Why am I so pathetically weak in terms of physical abilities?’

In that fleeting moment as she plummeted downwards, she caught sight of the soaring white form ascending in the opposite direction.

A thick yet sinuous body akin to an oak tree. Glistening scales coating its entirety. A horn protruding from its forehead, along with a resplendent gemstone.

A serpentine white being vaguely resembling a snake.

‘What is that thing? I’ve never heard of such a creature before.’

It rapidly turned its head towards Rosha. What had likely been a gentle countenance now bared sharp fangs in a snarl of rage.

And its eyes were the same azure hue as the Queen’s.

‘…Ah.’

Suddenly, the Queen’s earlier words flashed through her mind:

-I have a pet I’ve been raising. Her name is Vivian, a truly beautiful child.

-I hope you’ll take good care of her.

You want me to ‘take care’ of that thing?

However, there was no time to complain further.

With the creature’s massive body coiling as the last thing she saw, an immense frigid sensation accompanied by a resounding splash engulfed her entire being as she plunged into the sea.

* * *

Rosha disliked falling into water.

Ever since nearly drowning in a deep lake during her novice days before fully mastering magic, the mere prospect of ending up submerged terrified her.

Her refusal to learn how to swim stemmed from a similar context.

-Why don’t you learn how to swim? Don’t regret it later, learn while you still have time!

Koko would constantly nag her, but Rosha was a magician after all. If she could wield magic, what need was there to struggle underwater?

Yet, never could she have imagined finding herself in such a predicament!

‘Ugh…!’

Momentarily blacking out from the sheer frigid temperature, Rosha gasped for air as she regained consciousness, hurriedly casting a protective barrier.

Likely due to her startled muscles contracting, her body could barely move despite the demons’ close proximity.

Of course, while shielding her from attacks, the barrier didn’t prevent water from seeping in.

Grrrr-

Within the pitch-black depths, the demons targeting her averted their gazes, momentarily dazed by the brilliant golden barrier.

Taking that chance, Rosha hastily unleashed spells to drive them away before surveying her surroundings.

‘Which way is up?’

Unable to discern the surface direction in the night, her unfamiliarity with water made it difficult to keep her eyes open underwater.

To make matters worse, she was rapidly running out of air.

Despite so little time having passed, the edges of her vision were already growing hazy.

‘This wretched body… that brief blackout must have severely affected me.’

It felt like drifting through the utterly frigid, airless void of space itself.

As her situation grew dire, a regretful thought arose. Having belatedly activated [The Guiding Lantern], she gathered her psychic energy to release her mana as she inwardly pleaded.

‘Koko, I’m sorry, if I make it out of this, I’ll really learn how to swim properly. I’ll even exercise…!’

So please, pull me out of here. You’ve saved me before, haven’t you?

Suddenly, Froy’s face came to mind, along with his words:

-If you were to fall in, I would definitely come to your rescue.

Froy, you said you would definitely come rescue me. But at this rate, I’ll lose consciousness before making it out of the water.

If you intend to save me, now would be a good time…!

Froy!

It was as she inwardly called out his name that she felt a powerful tugging sensation, accompanied by a fierce current as if the water itself was being drained away.

Soon, fresh air enveloped her while a warm body heat embraced her own.

“Hah…!”

Feeling a steady hand rhythmically patting her back, Rosha expelled ragged breaths.

The man holding her close softly murmured:

“I did say I would come to your rescue. Though I was a bit late.”