Chapter 240: The Winter is Coming...
Chapter 240: Chapter 240: The Winter is Coming...
The Alvarez Empire
In the garden pavilion, Irene sat gracefully at a stone table, holding a cup of coffee. One by one, she dropped sugar cubes into it.
Looking at Nate's message, she couldn't help but smile.
'A mount?'
This god seemed much more personable than Ankhseram, the God of Life and Death, who only delivered curses to those who violated the taboo of life and death.
"What an interesting god... I'd like to meet him in person someday."
Irene took a sip of the hot coffee but still couldn't taste anything; her human sense of taste was long gone.
She canceled the matchmaking queue in the [Magic Arena] and replied to Nate's message.
...
Scarlet Empress: "Does the Kami-sama want to experience what it feels like to ride a dragon? ☺️"
That smiling emoji had an air of subtlety.
Nate, walking through Magnolia, continued chatting with her.
Sigma Man: "If you reveal your dragon form in the real world, it'll just attract a certain annoying black dragon."
Scarlet Empress: "Acnologia... yes, he is incredibly annoying."
Scarlet Empress: "Kami-sama, how can you turn me back into a human?"
Sigma Man: "It's simple. I'll travel back 400 years to the time before you created Dragon Slayer Magic."
'Simple?'
Irene understood immediately—this involved time travel, going back to the past.
'He really is a god, isn't he? To possess such unimaginable power!'
Scarlet Empress: "As expected of the Kami-sama... casually saying things that leave me in awe. 🙏"
'You're really good at using these emojis, huh?'
Nate took a screenshot of their conversation—it might come in handy as blackmail material against Irene someday.
Sigma Man: "I can take you back as well, but it might cause unforeseen consequences."
If the current Irene met her past self from 400 years ago, who knew what might happen?
It could even result in the spontaneous creation of a parallel universe.
Scarlet Empress: "I would be honored to entrust this to you!"
Sigma Man: "It seems like you don't actually want to go back."
Scarlet Empress: "I'm just afraid that even a small glimmer of hope might shatter... Kami-sama, you couldn't possibly understand how I feel right now."
Nate paused. She was probably right. After all, he hadn't lived for over 400 years.
Sigma Man: "I'll need time to set up the temporal coordinates to send us back. Be patient."
Scarlet Empress: "Understood!"
Scarlet Empress: "Kami-sama, I look forward to your good news and am willing to give everything to you!"
Sigma Man: "Send me a photo first. I don't want to go back in time and fail to recognize you."
After a moment, Irene sent a selfie.
She had picked up on these Magic Net functions remarkably quickly.
Scarlet Empress: "[Pavilion_Selfie.jpg]"
Scarlet Empress: "You'll probably see a much younger version of me... sigh, I'm old now. 😮💨"
Nate opened the photo. In it, Irene looked to be around 26 or 27 years old.
She resembled Erza strongly—an older version of Erza, to be precise.
However, unlike Erza's typically stern and serious demeanor, Irene's face was softer, and she wore a gentle smile in the picture.
As Nate saved the photo, he began contemplating what needed to be done when he traveled back 400 years.
First, Dragon Slayer Magic would have to be created. Without it, the timeline might branch into a "world without Dragon Slayer Magic," rendering all his efforts pointless.
Second, any plans for political alliances or marriages would need to be scrapped.
Finally, Erza still had to be born.
The biggest challenge was the last part—how would Erza come into existence?
'Should I...?'
Nate took a sharp breath, immediately extinguishing the dangerous thought before it went any further.
"Anyway, let's focus on sending the coordinates first."
Nate raised his hand and activated a Flying Thunder God magic circle.
In the next moment, the magic circle rapidly shrank into a single point before disappearing entirely.
It had begun its journey through time and space.
...
A week later.
Magnolia welcomed its first snowfall of the year X784.
Delicate, pure-white snowflakes floated down from the sky like beautiful silver butterflies dancing gracefully in the air.
When Nate woke up, it felt as though the entire town was blanketed in a thick layer of snow.
The streets, rooftops, and stone bridges—all were covered in a soft, white coat.
Looking out the window, the entire town appeared transformed by the snow.
A steady knock came at the door.
With his Six Eyes, Nate immediately recognized the magic aura of the visitor outside.
He walked over and opened the door. It was Erza.
Despite the winter chill, her outfit wasn't at all suitable for the cold.
She wore her signature crimson hair tied back in a ponytail. Her upper body was covered by a black fitted knit sweater, while her lower half sported a brown plaid skirt, paired with black thermal tights. Over-the-knee black boots, dusted with snow, completed her look.
Ever since becoming his girlfriend, Erza had grown noticeably more feminine.
Even her fashion choices had begun to resemble those of an ordinary young woman.
"You're not cold, dressed like that?"
Nate pulled her inside. Touching her hands, he found them icy cold.
He activated Fairy Law, summoning a warm, holy light to warm her up.
"That's a bit over the top—using super magic just to warm my hands..."
Erza laughed softly, then pulled out a matching black sweater from behind her back.
"It's getting cold, and the boutique I frequent just stocked their winter fashion line. I got you one too."
"From that 'Heart Cross' store again?"
Nate accepted the black sweater, a men's version. It was well-made and looked expensive.
The last gift Erza gave him—a magic suit of armor called 'Black Knight'—was also from this boutique.
"Yep! And they gave me a discount."
"A discount? During the busiest time of the winter fashion season?"
"I asked them very sincerely."
Erza mimicked the scene, putting on a serious expression and saying, "Please give me a discount, I'm begging you!"
Nate was speechless. That face? The shopkeeper probably gave the discount to avoid having their store torn apart.
"That wasn't sincerity; that was intimidation—or at least that's how they must've seen it."
"Anyway, have a seat."
Nate went to the kitchen and brewed a cup of hot tea. Unfortunately, he had run out of chamomile. Maybe he'd need to ask the former chairman for more.
The couple sat together at a low table, each holding a cup of hot tea, savoring the leisurely winter morning.
Erza suddenly grabbed Nate's hand and placed it on her thigh.
"What are you doing?"
"Didn't you say you love black tights?" Erza said seriously. "I studied fashion magazines for a long time. These winter tights are the warmest ones available."
'You really went through a lot of trouble!'
Nate couldn't help but laugh. "If you're cold, you don't have to wear tights."
These winter tights were a bit thick, but their texture had a certain charm.
Erza rested her chin on her hands, smiling at Nate.
"Honestly, I've always wondered—why do you like black tights so much?"
"I like white ones too!"
Erza's lips curved into a sly smile. "I bought white ones as well."
Nate's heart skipped a beat.
Seeing his expression, Erza teased, "Want me to change into them?"
"Hold on. Let me appreciate the black ones first."
'Having a girlfriend who can use outfit-changing magic and enjoys playing along with you is truly a blessing!'
Suddenly, Nate remembered something and asked, "Erza, if you had the chance to meet your mother, would you want to?"
"My mother?" Erza asked, puzzled. "Do I have one?"
"You wouldn't want to meet her?"
"Hmm... I don't know. I've never met her, and I don't even know who she is. The guild has always been my family. Guild Master Makarov is like a father to me."
At that, Erza beamed brightly and said, "And you're my boyfriend. I'm already happy!"
~~~
Bleam: Author I'm begging you please write Irene reasonably or else, I'm getting canceled...
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