Chapter 946: Suppressing the Dark Frost, The Fate of Power Without Control
As Ranazera was left dumbfounded by the change to the frost on Izroth's arm, Izroth himself was also surprised. However, it was for a different reason.
〈System Alert: The cooldown for the skill «Zakra's Harmonic Spear of Causality» has been set to [3 Days].〉
To deal with the dark frost, Izroth utilized the Causality controlling effects of Zakra's Harmonic Spear of Causality.
But, Izroth did not manipulate the Causality of the dark frost to get rid of it in its entirety. Instead, he used it to suppress the dark frost and keep it at bay.
Izroth chose to take this approach for two reasons. The first reason had to do with the ferocious characteristics of the dark frost, while the second was related to his current control and mastery over Causality.
After his fight with the Lady of Everlasting Rain Tal'Nis in the crusade, Izroth realized just how difficult it was to manipulate a Causality associated with himself, let alone the Causality of someone who possessed a greater quantity of energy than him—be it mana, essence, or even ethos.
As for his mastery and control over Causality, while his understanding of it was not shallow, there was a different problem Izroth faced.
Even though he had a solid grasp on his own interpretation of Causality, Izroth found that it was impossible for him to keep up. But not in the way one would think.
Izroth's situation was similar to someone trying to fit the sun into the moon. No matter how hard they tried to make it happen, it was simply unimaginable as even if they could move the sun, it would consume the moon.
The foundation of Izroth's current understanding of Causality was the moon. If it were to be destroyed or damaged because he recklessly rushed to achieve results, it would only lead to the loss of a great opportunity.
In the end, it was because of his deep understanding of the issue that Izroth knew what must be done.
'Three days... It's a good thing I didn't attempt to erase it directly; otherwise, there is no telling how long the cooldown would have been. Thankfully, the suppressing effects of Zakra's Harmonic Spear will likely last until the three days are up. By that time, I should be able to think of a more long-term solution to rid myself of the dark frost completely.'
To be honest, after witnessing how the dark frost reacted to his Zakra's Harmonic Spear, Izroth was no longer absolutely certain that his Nullification Zone could overwhelm and nullify its effects at its current rank.
'If I am able to locate something that contains the Law of Void, it will be possible to improve the rank of my Boundless Emperor Void Perfection. At that time, even this dark frost will not pose a true threat. That being said, finding something that holds the Law of Void in the Mortal Realm is a daunting task, to say the least. Perhaps I should ask Astratis if there are any such items in the Ancient Celestial Realm.'
"Get ready to move," Izroth said as he returned the Scorched Inferno's Fang to his inventory and resumed his steps.
Ranazera snapped out of her stunned state as she walked forward with quickened steps.
She was unsure how Izroth managed to erase Glacia's Black Winter Fence, but seeing that made the sixth princess think that perhaps she was wrong in her previous assessment of him.
"This man... Just what is his true identity? Back then, maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe I should have... No, for everything that is at stake, I cannot afford to take such a gamble. In the end, everything I do is solely for the glory of my Tempest kingdom." Ranazera thought to herself with a slightly troubled expression.
...
Roughly one hour ago...
"What do you know about my second eldest brother?! How dare you utter his name out of that filthy mouth of yours!" Ranazera shouted as she glared at Izroth with a sharp and angered gaze.
"I may know than you think. After all, I was there in the moments he breathed his final breath," Izroth said as he halted his steps.
Ranazera seemed visibly shaken after Izroth spoke. However, her expression soon darkened. And, although she tried her best to hide it, the brief surge of killing intent Ranazera emitted did not escape Izroth.
"Even with the gates of death opened before him, he maintained a steady heart and unshakable will. He was a man willing to be marked and remembered as a traitor by his own kingdom and people. He did this not for the sole sake of doing what he deemed to be upright and righteous. In fact, one could even view his reasons as somewhat selfish." Izroth said calmly.
"You-!"
"But, I will say this about the second prince. Even if his reasons were selfish in a sense, it was also equally selfless. For his actions will lead to saving not just Tempest and its citizens, but all the kingdoms and people of the Mortal Realm." Izroth stated.
He then continued, "Amaharpe and Tempest may be long-time enemies with deep-rooted hatred that spans back multiple centuries; however, do not misunderstand. I may have close ties to Amaharpe, but the side I stand on is that of the Mortal Realm. Should anyone do anything that threatens the existence of that side, such as Tempest's actions of aligning themselves with the shadahi, I will not remain idle. In the depths of his heart, past his personal desires, I am sure your elder brother understood this point as well. Which is why he ultimately made the choice he did."
The more Izroth spoke, the angrier Ranazera seemed to become. However, this anger did not appear to be targeted at Izroth or even the second prince. Rather, it was more akin to self-loathing.
Ranazera's expression shifted, and despite her darkened expression, the pain contained within her eyes was as clear as day.
"Power with a lack of control is not power. It is merely an empty path that leads to inevitable ruin. The Tempest kingdom has chosen to willingly take this path by siding with the shadahi. Do they truly believe that once the shadahi destroys the other kingdoms of the Mortal Realm, they will be left unscathed? Or does the momentary illusion of control give them the impression that they are infallible? Whatever the answer, Tempest is playing with a power they cannot possibly hope to tame. The price for that ignorance will lead to its downfall." Izroth said as he resumed his steps.
Ranazera remained silent as she failed to find the right words to say. There was a conflicted look on her face as the sixth princess stood there with her gaze on the ground pondering over Izroth's words.
Ranazera tightly clenched her fists and said quietly to herself, "Dammit...! You think I don't know that...?! Dammit...!"
Ranazera silently cursed under her breath with an expression of helplessness.
Without uttering another word, the sixth princess moved to swiftly catch up to Izroth.
The sixth princess appeared to have returned to normal by the time she caught up; however, Ranazera pushed those troubles and worries to the back of her mind and—into the depths of her heart.
...
Izroth, with Ranazera trailing close behind, was currently in the middle of a long line.
This line was for those who wanted to pass through the towering walls. However, most of those passing through this place were not doing so to travel into Malentansium.
At the moment, Ranazera had her appearance concealed with the help of the Moonlit Concealing Mantle Izroth received from his time with Sacred Beasts. After all, the sixth princess was well known in Tempest, and they stick out like a sore thumb if she did not hide her identity.
Of course, Izroth made sure to let Ranazera know that if she caused any trouble, he would not hesitate to do everything in his power to cut her down, regardless of what occurred.
Having seen his speed firsthand and taking into account her powerless state, naturally, Ranazera was not willing to risk seeing if Izroth was bluffing or not. Therefore, she chose to cooperate.
"What do you intend to do? Getting past the Gates of Aegis' checkpoint without an approved Tempest identity plate is impossible." Ranazera warned in a low voice.
Ranazera feared that if Izroth ended up caught, he would keep his promise whether she caused trouble or not.