Part 2 Chapter 47
by ItsAmiPart 2 — Episode 47
Baroness Fyora stared at the growing crowd and murmured as if to herself, “He’s quite an unusual person. Someone of the Flame King’s stature doesn’t usually travel on passenger ships like this.”
“If he doesn’t travel by passenger ship, does he swim across or something?”
Perhaps it was because my identity had been made official? Even to such a naïve question, Baroness Fyora answered kindly without a hint of condescension.
“Ahaha, no, Lord Andert. The Flame King’s reputation is so immense that wherever he goes or whatever he does, sponsors line up to support him. He could easily come and go on a private passenger ship. I suppose it’s precisely because of that humble demeanor that he enjoys such high popularity…”
“Flame King! Flame King! Flame King!”
The cheers grew steadily louder. Even amid the swarming crowd, the man known as the Flame King stood out unmistakably.
Naturally, with that strikingly vivid pink hair, he could be identified from a hundred meters away.
‘Is it dyed?’
Rue’s blue hair was also exceptionally eye-catching, but it looked completely natural on him… I tuned in to the chatter around me.
“What’s up with that Flame King guy? Why is his hair that color?”
“That color has a story, you know? It’s to draw attention to himself and away from his party members. By attracting eyes to himself, he protects them from enemies. It’s a symbol of his selfless spirit and sacrifice—the pink represents his humanity!”
I see.
If that explanation is true, then the color serves its purpose well. Just look at the mountain of spectators already gathered.
The Flame King, trailed by an eager crowd, made his way to the table farthest from ours. As guards, likely his security detail, formed a barrier at a set distance, an interviewer who had been waiting rose from their chair.
Baroness Fyora also excused herself, promising to catch up later.
“Hello. This is my first time meeting you in person, so I’m quite nervous. It’s an honor to meet you, Flame King. Is it alright to conduct the interview amid so many fans?”
“Haha! Of course. It’s not like I’m anyone that special. I just feel sorry for causing a disturbance to the other guests on this terrace.”
Shh, shh! Quiet! We can’t hear—shut up!
The noisy commotion from the onlookers swept through the area before gradually settling. In the now relatively quiet café, the interviewer’s voice rang clear.
“When it comes to the Flame King, we can’t help but mention that eye-catching hair color. Wow…what a brilliant pink, it’s even more vibrant in person, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right. The more vibrant it is, the more it stands out. That’s exactly what I want.”
“If I were a member of your party, Flame King, I think my heart would ache every time I saw that pink. How did your party members react when you first dyed it and showed up?”
“At first, everyone was surprised. Some even teased me about it. Haha, but now they all respect my choice and are grateful for it.”
I slowly chewed on the piece of Gugelhupf cake Rue fed me, studying the Flame King’s appearance from across the distance.
“He looks trained, but not like a swordsman… Is he a mage?”
“A very famous fire mage. Though I’ve heard he’s striving to become a magic swordsman.”
The owner of the suddenly heard voice was the Swordmaster. Unlike me, whose hands were full of flyers, he stood empty-handed despite having circled the garden plaza already.
“Now that I’m seeing him again after nearly a year, his build has gotten bulkier. Seems he’s been enjoying a comfortable life. For a mage, he ought to prioritize agility, but he’s becoming increasingly solid rather than light.”
Though the Sword Saint’s gaze toward the Flame King was obscured and blurred by his golden butterfly mask, it somehow felt coldly analytical. Perhaps it was because of the remark he added.
“You’re being uncharacteristically harsh.”
“I heard he wants to become you.”
“Who does?”
“The Flame King.”
Wants to become me, huh. What an interesting statement. The Swordmaster continued in a tone that suggested it was no big deal.
“He meant he wants me to take him on as a disciple. He recited the names of all the exceptionally outstanding teachers he’s trained under and demanded to become one of them.”
“He came all the way across the sea for that?”
“It’s because there’s money in it.”
“Did you refuse him?”
“He is neither you nor Gavroche.”
A server brought the Swordmaster his coffee. He took a sip of the warm brew and added,
“But it’s undeniable that many citizens of the republic find solace in the Flame King’s presence. Truthfully, he is a remarkably skilled and perceptive mage. He certainly has the talent to expand his wealth through his own influence.”
A talented individual, both in ability and in understanding gains and losses.
‘I wonder if this Sword Demon is similar to that.’
The epithet “Flame King” likely stemmed from his identity as a fire mage, which suggested the Sword Demon probably embodied the traits of a swordsman.
If so, what kind of swordsman was the Sword Demon? The name itself didn’t sound very flattering.
“Surprisingly, both the Sword Demon Party and the Flame King Party have been selected to enter the Wall of Fire this time. Is the Legion perhaps looking to determine which party truly holds the top position?”
“Haha! That can’t be. This is purely a mission to save lives. If anything, the fact that both parties are entering simultaneously suggests just how dangerous this mission might be.”
“Could you give us a little hint about what kind of mission it might be?”
“I’m sorry, but we haven’t received the full details of the mission yet. It’s a shame.”
So it’s not just a simple supply delivery mission? Then it must be something related to Rein.
“In that case, is your ultimate goal, Flame King, to continue leading your party as you do now, uprooting the seeds of calamity?”
The Flame King, who had been smiling amiably, wiped the tip of his nose with an uncharacteristically helpless expression. If it wasn’t an illusion, his gaze seemed to linger in our direction for a moment.
“As both a mage and a challenger striving to achieve unity of mind and body… it would be an obvious lie if I said I wasn’t aiming for Deus’s Crucible. But over the past four years, through countless crises and growth, I’ve come to one profound realization.”
“Ah, may I cautiously ask what you realized?”
I’m curious, too. What does this “Deus’s Crucible” have to do with unity of mind and body?
Come to think of it, Rein also spoke of unity of mind and body to gather followers.
So, in the end, do both Lian and Deus’s Crucible… hold the key to transcending the Fourth Wall?
If so, does that mean that that method isn’t unique?
My heart.
“What I realized is…”
Weeeeee—
I snapped out of my thoughts and raised my head.
A warning siren, sharp and jarring, meant to stir intense vigilance and fear.
In that moment, everyone—including the Flame King and the interviewer—held their breath, senses heightened.
[Hostile ship detected. All passengers, please follow the crew’s instructions and evacuate promptly.]
[Hostile ship sighted ahead. All passengers, please follow the crew’s instructions and evacuate promptly.]
Simultaneously, a terrified cry erupted from near the window.
“R-Rein! It’s Rein’s flag!”
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The female MC is also cool-headed, uses ice magic, and the banter between them is funny too like Daisy and Rue ( ⸝⸝´ ᵕ `⸝⸝) A very different MC from Daisy but she’s pretty snarky too. It’s a good story
Also gonna recommend Scents of Silence: https://starlightnovels.club/novel/the-scent-of-silence/. It’s another calm female lead, and there’s a lot of political intrigue and mystery.
Ty for reading!
