All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 114

◈ Chapter 114

57. Goddess of War – 2

Marzanna, finally composed, gazed at him with warm eyes.

Ian, noticing her gaze, shrugged.

“In any case, it’s not good for you to stay here. So, prepare to leave.”

“Will Father be coming with us?”

Marzanna abandoned her queenly tone.

She knew the boy before her was her teacher and father.

There was no need to be a queen in front of him.

Having cast off all duties and burdens, she asked as a daughter, but Ian shook his head.

“I have no reason to go there.”

“But!”

“Because there’s nothing more to gain there.”

At Ian’s firm words, she lowered her head with a gloomy expression.

“Then, I want to be with you even if it’s here. The rulers of the Tower can travel between floors. And…”

If she gave it her all, she might be able to leave the Tower.

Ian smiled at her words.

“That wouldn’t be bad either.”

And he turned towards the window.

The world of ice.

The country she built to protect humans.

Looking around, he spoke calmly.

“If you can abandon them.”

At those words, Marzanna bit her lip tightly.

She wanted to follow him.

But could she ignore those pitiful beings who only looked to her, knowing they might be in danger?

At first, she cherished and loved humans merely for her teacher.

But she had cared for them for a long time.

Therefore, she couldn’t say she could immediately abandon her role as queen.

At Kirke’s words, Ian chuckled.

It was as she said.

Her kindness made it difficult for her to easily abandon others.

“You were also exiled from Slavd, right? For being unnecessary in that world.”

“…Yes.”

“And. Unnecessary things will continue to be exiled here from there.”

“…That’s right.”

It had been over a thousand years since they settled here.

And during that time, much had been discarded here from Slavd.

“Ice monsters, violent spirits and fairies. And dragons. Or perhaps giants.”

“…”

“Everything that hinders the ruler of Slavd will be exiled here.”

Nod.

As Marzanna agreed, Ian grinned.

The world being connected meant that worldviews were shared.

The giants didn’t know how dangerous that was.

That’s why they were happily dumping their waste into another world.

Not knowing that it might bring about their own destruction soon.

“Anyway, the dimensional gate will close soon. You know what will happen if they return without your protection. Do as you please.”

“Wouldn’t it be alright if they went to Father’s world too?”

“Can they go?”

When Ian asked, she bit her lip.

Even she, with her immense power, had to endure a great trial of souls to escape this Tower.

Could these weaklings withstand it?

And would she ask Ian for that?

She didn’t want to burden him with her own desires.

So, Marzanna said with a sullen face.

“Then, will Father close the dimensional gate?”

“Yes.”

Ian looked out the window.

The blizzard had stopped.

Was it because the path to the ice fortress had opened?

Many explorers were approaching.

“Then, I’ll make a path.”

“Father is…”

“I’m thinking of going to the top for now. But once that’s done, there will be time to talk again.”

At Ian’s words, she spoke cautiously.

“I’ve heard stories from those who come down from the 4th floor from time to time. Freya, the ruler of Valhalla, which the outsiders call the 4th floor, is one who loves warriors.”

So, someone with Ian’s power would surely try to take him for herself.

But if it was the father she knew, he would never become a warrior for Freya.

“There are many there. According to the Valkyries, her messengers, it is a battlefield.”

“So?”

“Freya is cunning and will use any means to make Father her warrior.”

At her worried advice, Ian shrugged.

“I’ll take care of that myself.”

As Ian spoke lightly, Marzanna smiled brightly.

As before, her teacher hadn’t changed at all.

His audacity only brought laughter.

“Then, I wish you all the best in achieving your goals.”

Marzanna raised her staff.

While ice stairs were being created, a stream of light descended.

From that stream of light came women with wings of light.

The silver-haired female warriors, holding spears, glared at Marzanna.

“The day commanded by the great Freya has passed.”

“Queen of this world. Become Freya’s minion.”

Ian looked at them and asked Marzanna.

“What’s this?”

Marzanna was at a loss, then sighed softly.

“Valkyries.”

“Freya’s subordinates?”

“Yes. Freya, the ruler above, is trying to take over all the worlds in the Tower and find a way out.”

To that end, she was sending Valkyries and foreign warriors to threaten them.

To give up this world.

To offer everything to Freya.

Marzanna had been fending off their attacks for over a hundred years.

“Those who stole my treasures were also followers of Freya. Those with the qualifications of Einherjar [warriors chosen to fight for Odin in Valhalla].”

The warriors who followed Freya.

The villains who stole the treasures had their tattoos.

“They were in league with demons. Then, is Freya also in league with demons?”

“I believe so.”

After listening to Marzanna’s explanation, Ian swung his sword at the arrogant Valkyries.

The Valkyries’ heads fell at that attack.

Marzanna bitterly watched their bodies turn into light and disappear.

“You don’t have to step in, Teacher. I am the queen who protects this place. I can protect it.”

“If she’s in league with demons, she’s also an obstacle to me.”

Ian said simply and climbed the stairs.

Watching him walk away, Marzanna sighed and walked.

Arriving at the place where the treasures were gathered, she approached the ice in the center.

As she reached out to the box inside, the ice opened.

Caressing the box as if it were precious, she opened it and looked at the mirror inside.

Even the giant blacksmiths of Slavd couldn’t create something so precious.

Neither spirits, nor fairies, nor humans.

No one could create such a beautiful mirror.

Looking at the mirror, said to be made with technology from another dimension, she smiled.

* * *

The place he arrived at after passing through the gate of light was an endlessly wide plain.

Battle cries could be heard here and there on the plain.

“So it is.”

Standing in a place overflowing with the scent of steel and blood, Ian walked towards the mountain in the distance.

The summit of the mountain, emitting a faint rainbow light, must be Freya’s temple.

It was then.

-Krrrrrrrr…!!

A monster resembling a giant wolf appeared on the plain.

Myae bristled as the monster, which hadn’t existed until just now, revealed itself.

“Shyaaaak!!”

Was it annoyed by that?

The giant wolf opened its large mouth and began to threaten.

And.

“Capture Skoll [a giant wolf in Norse mythology] and show the spirit of a warrior!!”

A Valkyrie in the sky shouted.

When the other Valkyries next to her roared.

A shout came from behind Ian.

“Saint! Please take cover!!”

“O Sun! Protect your descendants here!!”

The energy of the sun was strongly felt along with holy power.

Ian looked that way.

He could see those wearing the armor of the Knights of the Sun Order, though shabby.

The priests with them attacked the giant wolf, Skoll, using holy power.

“Quickly!! We must catch it before the Einherjar come!!”

The knights, who had encouraged the priests, rushed in with iron maces.

Watching that, Ian drew his sword.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art, Chapter of the Sun.

Solar Wind.

The energies contained in his sword became bundles of sword energy and pierced Skoll’s body.

The giant wolf Skoll split apart at once from that attack, and the Valkyrie in the sky raised her spear.

-The foreigner has executed Skoll!!

Just as her declaration ended, a group of warriors could be seen on the hill.

They, with Freya’s tattoos, glared at Ian and the clergy with terrifying eyes.

“…I’ll be watching.”

As they retreated after saying those words, the knight approached Ian with relief.

“You’re really amazing… Huh?! Could you be Saint Ian?”

Taking off his helmet, the blond knight smiled brightly.

He remembered after hearing Kirke’s words.

“It’s been a while. We met on Kiledi Mountain, didn’t we?”

“Haha. Yes. I never thought I’d meet you here, Saint. When did you come up?”

“I just arrived.”

“I see. But why did you come here, Saint?”

“I wanted to investigate the Tower.”

“Then you’ll have to get the qualifications of a warrior first. Is this your first time? We stay here and support the explorers and injured who come for the first time.”

“You’re doing such a great job.”

“This much is nothing. Come on. Let’s go together for now. I’ll guide you to where we stay.”

The other priests were also sparkling their eyes.

Ian nodded at them, who wanted him to come.

“Where is it?”

“It’s not far from here.”

As he said, the Temple of the Sun Order was not far away.

A small village had formed, as explorers were staying around it.

“This village is a place we created called the Sun Shelter. It’s a place where anyone who is tired and struggling can come at any time.”

“I see. It’s good to see.”

As he entered the village, he saw explorers.

Some were sharing food, and others were treating injuries.

Passing through them, who were helping each other, he arrived at the center of the temple, where a middle-aged nun was baking bread with the explorers.

“Sister Agnes!”

“Oh my? Sir Karchet! You’re safe!”

She was happy that those who had gone out to pass the Valkyrie’s test had returned quickly and safely.

Karchet nodded to her.

“I received help from Saint Ian!”

At those words, the nun tilted her head.

And was surprised.

“Are you talking about that Saint Ian?!”

The one who defeated the demon of Kiledi Mountain and saved Knight Flat and Priest Euri.

To see Ian, who was famous even in the main Sun Order, here.

Agnes was embarrassed by her flour-covered appearance and greeted him politely.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Saint Ian.”

“You’re welcome. But what is this place?”

“Ah. This place is.”

She smiled brightly.

“It’s the Sun Shelter. It’s a place to help those who are not warriors.”

“It’s a test set by Freya, the ruler here. She said that only those who compete in hunting matches with her warriors and win are recognized as warriors.”

“And she tries to eliminate those who are not warriors.”

“Huh? Then, is it rather a hindrance that I caught Skoll?”

“That’s not the case. The test continues anyway.”

Agnes said in a bitter tone and looked around.

Those who failed the test or were injured were being treated here and challenging the test again.

“You’re going through a lot.”

“But it’s not all bad. There are many cases where they receive gifts from the ruler through that test.”

“Yes. Anyway, there was a test just now, so it will be quiet for a few days. During that time, the injured…”

When Agnes was about to speak.

The Valkyries’ shouts were heard in the sky.

“Foreigners! Take up your weapons and go to the battlefield!!”

“If you don’t, we will attack the shelter for those who are not warriors given to you!!”