[Silver Ash] - Become The Strongest In Another World
CHAPTER 303: Queen of the Heart, Queen of the Bengal

...****************...

After staying overnight in the settlement of the Artof tribe, Noelle rushed to drag Tania back to Alten to begin the investigation.

The two had already agreed to help the Artof tribe, but they needed time to find a way to 'liberate' the Bengis Queen.

The Bengis queen was most likely 'sleeping' behind that gate. And to wake him up, the gate might have to be opened.

But, the problem is, the Artof tribe has absolutely no information on how to open the gate of the Queen of Bengal to sleep. That's why Noelle asked for time so she could investigate this.

There are some clues that can be used. First, Noelle still clearly remembered how the shape of the scrambled magic circle that was on the surface of the gate. If only he could compile it into an intact magic circle, something might happen.

The second, Noelle noticed there were several small niches at a certain point on the gate. And after investigation, all those niches were right at the core point of the channeler mana on the magic circle. That's why, if he were to put something into that niche, it's possible that the magic circle would be arranged by itself.

However, how could he find something that suited that niche? There's absolutely no leads.

Thinking of all that, Noelle immediately stormed Dolum with many requests in order to get all the information related to the Queen of Bengal.

And here she was, was busy controlling the flying carpet, while Tania behind her was busy reading one after another the books and manuscripts of ancient literature that Dolum had given her.

At first she was constrained by language differences, but Noelle later separated all books written in foreign languages, and books written in languages that Tania could understand.

Fortunately, Tania was not stupid. He was able to understand quite a lot of languages, his memory was strong, and his comprehension speed was also quite good despite being somewhat disappointing at any given moment.

Relying on the barrier Noelle created to fend off the wind, Tania focused on reading her book.

They agreed to split the task. Tania would browse through the information on the way, whereas Noelle would complete the rest later. For now Noelle will focus on learning the foreign language used in some of those books. Automated translation is somehow incapable of working, and it's a bit of a hassle. But fortunately, Dolum gave him a clue about the similarities between the Hermes language and the language used by the Artof tribe.

" … I still don't understand."

Even if while flying the carpet at high speed, Noelle could still hear Tania very clearly.

"About what? "

The reply was short, but it contained quite a high curiosity.

Tania closed her book, fixed her sitting position, and looked at Noelle in confusion.

"Everything. But ... I don't understand more why you're accepting this assignment."

For Tania, the burden of being 'Destined' was something to be avoided. He did not want to get involved in the matter that this blue goblin tribe had.

From the beginning, the one who received the request was not Tania, but Noelle alone.

"What will you gain from saving the Queen of Bengal? From what I see, they can't give you any advantage."

That's absolutely true. As far as Tania had observed, the Artof tribe already had no benefits that Noelle could get. There was indeed information regarding the Crystal Plague, but Noelle had already obtained it, and the Artof tribe themselves did not know much about it.

As Tania pondered over it, she heard Noelle sigh, then looked up.

"It may come as a surprise because I said it, but .. help doesn't have to think about the benefits you're receiving."

Tania instantly widened her eyes. "That's .. surprising."

Tania has not known Noelle for a long time, but she already knows how Noelle's personality and way of thinking. That's why, she thought Noelle was someone who really had to think about her own business, without caring about anyone else.

The one who counts, in short that's how Tania sees Noelle.

But, hearing the answer coming out of Noelle's mouth, she was forced to correct the description of Noelle's figure in her head.

Not a calculating person, but rather awkward and difficult to express yourself in front of others. On second thought, that might be the funny side. Tania laughed a little while thinking about it.

"Are you thinking something? " asked Noelle while glancing at her sharply.

Although her opinion of Noelle had changed, Noelle was still the same as usual; sharp and responsive when anyone thought about her.

"No. There's no."

Tania shook her head with a faint smile, then went back to reading the book in her hand for information.

...****************...

The journey from the Cold Forest to Alten takes about a day and a half. It was faster than usual, as Noelle cut the break in order to shorten the trip.

In one of Alten's middle-class residential blocks, a house with a simple architectural style, but with a perfect elegant impression stands upright on the land that was only purchased a few hours earlier.

Unconcerned by the attention everyone was directing to her and her home, Noelle went straight into the house she had finished building a few days ago.

The wooden house, has two floors with balconies where to relax on the upper floor. His sudden appearance in the middle of the rather dense settlement was of course shocking, but Noelle did not care about them at all and focused on her matters.

Now in the afternoon, he was sitting in a lounge chair placed right on the balcony. Noelle sat down with her back to the setting sun, and focused on her book.

Next to it, there was a small table with a pile of other books just finished reading.

He actually spent his time just reading all those books, and scraping information from them. The book in his hand was almost finished reading, only a quarter of the total pages were left. And it will probably be completed in a matter of minutes, given Noelle is able to process all the new information in no time.

In the middle of her focus, the main door below opened, and someone who had entered it directly climbed the stairs to get to Noelle's place.

"Noah, I'm back" Tania said as she placed a bag full of warm bread on the room table, then walked towards Noelle with another bag full of books.

Since Tania had already finished reading all the books and literature submitted to her, she had no assignments. It was because of this that Noelle gave him additional work to collect other books from the store or library. And of course, only the book contained information about the Bengis Queen.

From the very beginning, the information about the Bengis Queen was not very circulating, which was why Tania did not bring many books when she returned. But, just maybe that was enough, considering they had additional information from the Artof tribe.

The other books will only be a source of reference, which Noelle may not use in forming conclusions at all.

As Tania looked at the pile of books Noelle had read on her desk, she inevitably widened her eyes.

"You've learned the language? "

Tania picked up one of the books, and found a row of letters she was unfamiliar with. There were a few pencil lines and folds that he did not remember were ever there. Which means, Noelle herself added that.

All of the books were handwritten in the language that the Artofs used for their rituals. And while Dolum provides guidance to Noelle and Tania, it is still difficult to learn the new language.

But now, Tania inevitably returned to thinking that learning talent was indeed true.

"Hmm? Well, it's hard enough, but ... the way it's pronounced is similar, and the meaning also matches the meaning of the word I want when I string it together in a similar order."

Noelle turned her gaze on the piece of paper filled with scribbles. There, there is a list of letters used in the Artof language, and next to it is a list of letters used in the Hermes language. The numbers are not the same, but from the order Noelle made, Tania concluded that the letters of the Artof tribe were arranged according to the order of letters in the Hermes language; from A to Z.

What distinguishes, there are some additional letters and vocabulary in the language of the tribe of Artof. And Noelle was barely able to break it, because it was composed of a new symbol that has its own meaning.

"A troublesome language to learn. But once I understand the order of the letters, it's all easy. Hehe, this is similar to Latin or ancient English."

This is easier than learning Japanese kanji.

"Latin ... Ancient Britain? "

Names Tania never heard of, but she didn't care. He simply smiled at Noelle's achievement, then helped her clean up all the papers scattered on the floor.

The book in Noelle's hand was finished. Now, there are some additional books that Tania got from various sources in the city.

Just as Noelle was about to pick up one of the books that Tania gave her, she suddenly looked up for a moment to stare at Tania.

"By the way, you came home late. Is there anything? "

Tania was silent for a moment, confused as to what to answer. Actually, it was a simple thing, but it was hard to tell because Tania had predicted the end.

"That's .. our new neighbor, Mrs Marlet invites us to a tea party next week, after her husband returns. But ... We can't come, can we? "

Tania knew that she and Noelle would not stay here for long. Maybe just one week, or even less. Afterwards, they will go on a journey to find a way to free the Queen of Bengal.

For this reason, forming deep relationships with those around you is something to avoid. Noelle might not mind, but Tania who secretly has a strong emotional state might not be able to stand it.

Noelle understood that, and therefore she agreed with Tania.

"Tell him we'll just stop for a minute."

...****************...

In the living room of her own house, Noelle sat on the floor leaning against the sofa, while there was Tania lying on the sofa right behind her.

The room only relies on four candles as a source of illumination, which is why this dimly lit atmosphere of silence can be formed.

Even so, as if ignoring the invincible darkness of candlelight, Noelle calmly checked her notebook.

From behind, Tania tried to look at the notebook, which contained a list of information that the two had collected during these five days.

The first of the list is confirmation of the presence of the Queen of Bengal itself.

The name of the Queen of Bengis first appeared about six hundred years ago. It comes out as a myth of the embodiment of nature, which brought down eternal winter, and which became the mastermind behind the name of the Cold Forest today.

It began its emergence shortly after the destruction of a small country in the northern part of the Republic, named the Kingdom of Fortenia.

The Kingdom of Fortenia was a small former republican colony in the distant past, but the Republic relinquished it and granted the country independence rights. And although they have been separated from the Republic, their culture has been very deep-rooted, so the name of the connection of the nobility was still used.

From the additional information that Noelle and Tania found, the characteristics of the Queen of Bengal somewhat correspond to the figure of the queen of the Kingdom, named Queen Clament sil Fortenia. She was a queen, as well as an amazing witch.

The reason why Noelle and Tania were connecting the Bengis Queen with the Clament Queen was because of their matching attributes. The Bengis Queen is synonymous with 'dropping eternal winter on the Cold Forest', while the Clament Queen is known for being the possessor of extraordinarily powerful ice magic.

He was able to take down all his enemies by himself with ice magic, as well as protect the Fortenia Kingdom from all threats.

The Kingdom of Fortenia was also in a location somewhat adjacent to the Cold Forest. Noelle put herself in the position of a leader there, and thought what action to take if there was an attack that could not be resisted.

As a result, Noelle found a solution to escape to the area now known as the Cold Forest.

That must be the solution that Queen Clament found when she saw the danger that fell on her Kingdom.

Based on the information Noelle had found from history, the Kingdom of Fortenia was reportedly destroyed due to the civil war. But what really happened was not that simple.

Queen Clament was not so weak as to be unable to prevent civil war in her country.

Historically, almost all of the Kingdom's population was wiped out by civil war. Nobles and the royal family, there was nothing left of them.

But it is a report from history. Unbelievable, and cannot be used as a foundation for its conclusion.

Therefore, Noelle tried to find other information, until finally—

"The Artof Tribe …." Tania muttered, and Noelle nodded.

"really. The current Artof tribe .. was the descendant of all the inhabitants of the Fortenia Kingdom who had survived."

It's a crazy theory, but for Noelle it makes more sense.

Queen Clament is known as a good queen, loving her country as well as her people. That's why Noelle was convinced that the queen would not be silent after seeing her Kingdom destroyed.

He must have brought the survivors to evacuate, and provided them with protection by dropping the eternal winter on the Cold Forest.

The physical features on the body of the Artof tribe were probably due to the evolution that their queen forced upon them, so that they were able to adapt to her strength, as well as to the dangers she brought.

"The danger he brought was …."

Noelle nodded, already knowing what Tania wanted to say. That's why he interrupted, "Crystal Plague."

...****************...

In the past, the Kingdom of Fortenia was known as the Kingdom of Peace. Although small, all of its inhabitants live quietly.

The number of vagrants can be calculated easily, and the various comforts are entirely aimed at the inhabitants.

All of that was thanks to the leadership of their queen, Queen Clament sil Fortenia.

It really is a picture of a fairy tale.

That peace continued, along with the long reign of Queen Clament. Until finally, it happened.

At first it was only one person, but then it spread into one village.

Within 48 hours, they all turned into crystals.

The spread did not stop at all, until finally there was the first person in the capital of the Kingdom who was infected.

Of course Queen Clament knew about it, and the first thing she did was try to save those who were already infected.

But I don't know why he couldn't do it.

The Crystal Plague spread very quickly, and infected almost all of the Kingdom's inhabitants. It only took half a year, almost the entire Fortenia Kingdom had been filled with crystals.

Chaos is everywhere. Rebellion, and crime spreads.

Due to the outbreak, the connection of the Kingdom of Fortenia with other countries, especially the Republic was immediately cut off. Therefore, no help came.

Several independent groups began to form on their own, trying to find ways to be free from the outbreak. However, the actions they do are getting more distorted every day.

The culmination is when one infected human commits an act of murder and cannibalism against those who are still healthy. They do that assuming eating the meat of healthy people will restore their condition. But actually not.

What happened was just the opposite. The human flesh they swallowed began to assimilate, and the speed of the crystal spreading in their bodies actually increased.

The peak of chaos in the Kingdom was called the Sea of Fire, the Fortenia Crystal Field. The name was obtained from the scenery of Fortenia Kingdom that had turned terrible.

Crystal pillars were everywhere, and fires were raging all over the place.

And of all that, there was someone who had interacted with the 'infected', and was still as healthy as if nothing had happened. She was the Queen of Clament herself.

Although the crystal plague spread very quickly, it was somehow that Queen Clament was not infected at all. Instead, the people around him, including his family members turned into crystals.

Having lost most of her people, husband, children, and extended family, Queen Clament was unable to endure the deep grief. Even so, he still tried to provide safety to those who were still alive.

The solution was to escape the Kingdom, then form a new settlement there.

The refuge that Queen Clament chose was the place now known as the Cold Forest.

With her powers, Queen Clament drops eternal winter. All for the sake of saving the remaining population, and keeping no more plague capable of pursuing them.

At that time, Queen Clament forced evolution on her people. In order for them to survive the crystal plague, and the painful cold temperatures in the Cold Forest. But, that forced evolution left the Queen close to losing her life. All the remaining people asked him to stop. However, the Queen continued to move, as if not satisfied with sacrificing her own strength.

All that she did, because Queen Clament knew it more than anyone, and she also hid something from all the residents.

The disaster is not over. And now, the disaster is following him.

The result was exactly what Queen Clament feared. The disaster is not over yet.

One crystal figure, whom he referred to as the Crystal Colonizer, came attacking the new settlement he made for his people.

It was a decisive fight. Queen Clament couldn't allow herself to lose more family. That was why, he was willing to sacrifice anything as long as all the people he had considered as a family were saved.

Queen Clament himself realized that she was not strong enough to fight the Crystal Invaders. The creature was so powerful, that even the ice power that Queen Clament possessed did not twitch before him.

And so, with the thought and determination to protect, Queen Clament made a decision.

With all his remaining strength, he managed to trick the figure of the Crystal Colonizer, then locked him inside an ice chest that served as a seal.

That action had drained a lot of his strength, but he had not come to the deadly dying stage. However, right before the sealed Crystal Invaders, 'it' had spread its own power to one of the areas in the mountains near the refugee settlement, he said, creating a crystal pillar with a mud pond that contained a great deal of impurities and was able to take out an army of Crystal Invaders smaller than him.

The fight is not over. Queen Clament once again thought so as she stared at the crystal pillar that stood majestic amidst the disgusting mud pond.

Whatever happens, the people must survive. Let him alone endure it all. As long as the people, and the innocent people out there don't have to suffer from this crystal curse.

With that in mind, Queen Clament created a giant gate that became a barrier between the mud pool and the outside world. However, in the process he also had to confine himself inside to withstand the waves of pressure the Crystal Invaders were forcing out.

Such is the story of how a wise queen, Queen Clament sil Fortenia, changed her name and became known to the world as the Queen of the Bengal, a mythical figure who brought down eternal winter in the Cold Forest.

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