Spiral of Madness: Ascension of the Villainous Dragon Prince-Chapter 58: The Royal Magician School [2]

-----

"Wow!" Mirai exclaimed in surprise. She watched a large green blob slowly slide along the ceiling, cleaning dust. Skeletons carried books and papers. A golem hauled a crate of materials. A giant bat transported scrolls. "There are so many friendly monsters..."

"They’re technically referred to as Anomalies here," Louis said. "But Anomaly is too broad a term. There are intelligent species and also monsters. Calling both Anomalies has always felt wrong to me."

"I agree, but that’s how it is," Tereza shrugged. "Lady Pekorine must be within this corridor."

"Dungeons are truly useful," Louis remarked, touching the walls and sensing the fluctuations of Mana. It was indeed a living creature. "I believe the Sinners Academy will employ them for similar tests."

"Oh, I can’t wait!" Mirai said excitedly.

"That sounds really interesting..." Melisa nodded.

"Wow, you sure know a lot. Has your father told you everything? I thought Gustaf was better at keeping secrets," Helena sighed. "You’re going around divulging top-secret information, Louis. I would recommend you not speak any more about it."

"Or what? It’s not like I will get punished," Louis shrugged. "My father already seems indifferent whenever I talk about it openly. Regardless, I think this is the place, right?"

Louis stopped walking. He noticed the Mana fluctuations shifting, forming a dimensional gate that felt both very far and very close.

"Yes! Incredible. You found the Dungeon Gate already, Master Louis?" Tereza asked in surprise.

"Yes. Dungeon Gates are special doors that lead to random areas within the Dungeon, correct? But they can be configured to reach specific locations once a Dungeon is domesticated," Louis confirmed.

"Indeed. You’re very knowledgeable. I see why it would be pointless to bring you here. You already know everything a graduated magician would know," Tereza smiled. "Now... Tap, tap."

She knocked on the wall. It glowed, revealing a large gate. Everyone stepped through. Flashing lights guided them in a split second, depositing them inside a vast, messy studio filled with crates of materials, scattered books, papers, ink bottles, and bubbling alchemy cauldrons.

At the center stood a figure mixing various ingredients in a cauldron while groaning and drinking from a wine bottle. She looked like a complete wreck.

"Um, Headmaster? There are visitors," Tereza said.

"Ahhh... T-Terezaaaaa... Go away... I told you to go away!" Pekorine groaned. She was completely drunk and threw the wine bottle onto the floor. "Ugh..."

"I am very sorry, but it is urgent. These are no ordinary guests..." Tereza insisted. "It’s Prince Louis and his companions."

"...? Wha?" Pekorine groaned. Her eyes focused on the figures behind Tereza. The radiant young man—grandson of the Dragon King—stepped forward: Louis Drakeheart himself. "O-Oh... Prince Louis... ahh... you’re really as handsome as your grandfather. Ugh... Hic..."

"You’re drunk!" Louis said furiously. "Is this how the famous headmaster of the magician school should behave?"

"I-I’m sorry... It’s just that... Uuhhh..." Pekorine collapsed to the floor and began crying again. "Now that she’s gone... it just feels like... like life doesn’t have any meaning anymore..."

While Louis watched Pekorine weep, Melisa and Selene began wandering the room. Catrise and Juliette panicked as the girls’ climbed tables and grabbed tubes filled with strange liquids.

"G-Girls! Stop that!"

"Hey!"

Louis glanced back and shook his head, sighing. He decided to ignore the chaos for now. Perhaps bringing the children had not been the best idea.

"Pekorine, I need your help," Louis said.

"H-Help?" Pekorine asked through tears.

"I am very sorry for your loss," Louis told her. "You know I am... but I wanted to tell you something regarding Niflheim."

"...Tisha’s sword?" Pekorine asked.

Louis explained what Niflheim had endured and what she wanted for Anastasia—Tisha’s final wish.

"Niflheim... placed a fragment of her soul inside of you just to do this?" Pekorine asked, tears streaming down her face. "I had no idea she... she was like this..." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"She might be cold, but she remains an intelligent weapon with a soul," Louis explained. "And she truly misses Tisha very dearly, just as you do. Tisha’s last wish was for her daughter to one day inherit her legacy and wield Niflheim. I am not even saying this so Anastasia will use Niflheim to protect the country... She is free to do whatever she pleases. I simply want to fulfill Tisha’s last wish. It’s... the least I can do after everything."

Pekorine gazed into Louis’ eyes and saw the deep guilt he carried over Tisha’s death. Realizing this was her wife’s final desire, she felt motivated to honor it.

"My daughter has been much the same as me. She’s in her room back home... probably doing nothing," Pekorine sighed. "She has lost all motivation. She really doesn’t want to do anything anymore... And I don’t know how to help her. Because... because I am just as devastated as she is."

"Hm..." Louis nodded. "I want to help you and your daughter. I know overcoming the loss of someone as dear as Tisha will never be easy. I don’t want to force you to hurry or do anything against your will. I simply want you to... please let me help you."

Pekorine looked at the prince for a long moment. His golden eyes reminded her of Lady Benladra. His horns and face recalled his grandfather, the Dragon King she had once served. Both had been extraordinary people who would do anything for those they loved.

Though Louis differed greatly from them, he had inherited that same stubborn determination that defined the Dragon King’s family.

Pekorine offered a faint smile and accepted Louis’ hand as he helped her stand.

"Okay... I doubt I’ll overcome this easily. It might take many years," she said. "But... I don’t want to reject your help either. And if my baby girl can learn her mother’s technique, inherit her legacy, and perhaps even wield Niflheim one day... that would make me and Tisha very proud."

"Thank you," Louis nodded. "Shall we go?"

"Yes... let’s go..." Pekorine sighed. "I need to sober up. Well... it’s not that hard."

She gathered spiritual energy into her body and expelled all toxins in an instant, purifying herself and sobering immediately.

"Alright, enough being drunk... I am sure Tisha wouldn’t like seeing me this way," she said, shaking her head. "And..."

CRASH!

Before she could finish, the sound of dozens of objects crashing to the floor echoed, followed by a cauldron spilling over.

Pekorine, Louis, Mirai, and Helena turned to see the two maids desperately trying to stop the playful little girls who had just caused chaos out of sheer boredom.

"Ahhh... I’m sorry about this. I shouldn’t have brought them here. It was my mistake," Louis sighed.

Melisa and Selene looked sad as Catrise finally caught them with her large hands, no longer allowing them to run freely.

Louis prepared to apologize to Pekorine but instead noticed she was smiling.

"Hahah..." Pekorine laughed softly. "Thank you... maybe this is what I needed. A good chuckle. Tisha always told me to smile and laugh."

"Oh... well, perhaps bringing them here wasn’t for naught," Louis said.

"Ummm, I don’t want to interrupt this moment, but is that bubbling liquid on the floor safe?" Mirai asked.

"No, I think that might be pretty harmful. Let’s run away," Pekorine replied.

"Eh?!" Mirai cried as everyone hurried toward the Dungeon Gate.

♢♢♢♢

Once outside the Magician School, Pekorine guided Prince Louis and his companions to her home, a large mansion not far from the castle, located in a noble district where the most prestigious families resided.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Pekorine said with a sigh. "Without her... it really feels too big. Too empty. The more I stay here, the lonelier it becomes."

"I’m sorry..." Helena said. "I came hoping I could cheer you up, Pekorine, but I just cannot find the right words... I’m terrible at these things, and I’m still processing Tisha’s passing myself."

"Ah, it’s fine, Helena," Pekorine replied. "I don’t blame you for anything. Your presence alone means a lot to me... So, would you like something to eat, perhaps some tea? I will go speak with my daughter and tell her what you told me, Prince Louis. I will try to persuade her on my own first."

"Okay. There’s no need for anything. We will wait here patiently," Louis nodded.

Pekorine walked upstairs, leaving Louis with his group. Selene and Melisa had finally calmed after running around, making a mess, and being reprimanded. Now they sat enjoying cookies and milk, behaving like innocent little angels who could do no wrong.

"Louis, about Anastasia... would you let me talk to her once we’re allowed?" Mirai asked.

"Hm, I suppose I can," Louis nodded. "Is there something you want to tell her?"

"I... I just want to tell her I miss her..." Mirai sighed. "I’m not really good with complicated speeches like you tend to be. I just... I want to tell her she can be as lazy as she wants... I just want her back in the castle... It’s not just me. I’m sure a lot of people miss her."

"I do, yes," Catrise nodded. "Many of the maids miss her too. They often ask me how she’s doing or if she’ll ever return. Even though some complained about her lazy work... everyone appreciated her presence. Her laid-back and talkative personality always lifted the mood in the castle."

"I see...!" Mirai smiled. "Anastasia was indeed needed, even if she was a little lazy..."

As they spoke, Pekorine returned downstairs.

"She wants to talk with you," she said. "Well, she only called for Louis... She wants to speak with Niflheim herself. Do you think it’s possible?"

"We can try," Louis nodded. "Mirai, come with me."

"Eh? But..." Mirai muttered. "Didn’t she only want to talk with you?"

"I told you to come with me," Louis said, gently pulling her along as they climbed the stairs.

When Pekorine opened the door to her daughter’s room, they found Anastasia sitting on the floor. The room was dark and barely visible. It looked like a complete mess. She wore no maid dress—only pajamas. Her hair was tangled and unkempt.

"Prince Louis...? You didn’t come alone..."

"I had to bring her. I am sure you won’t mind her."

Mirai stepped forward, startling Anastasia slightly. The former maid quickly looked down in shame.

"Ah, it’s you... Mirai."

"Anastasia..."

Mirai tried to approach, but Louis stopped her.

"You wanted to speak with her, right? Here. I will let you have a talk."

"Eh?"

In an instant, Louis manifested a sword of glowing azure and silver light. He swung it toward Anastasia, slicing cleanly through her body.

SLASH!

-----