23 The second meeting (1/2)

A few days have passed since Moccus reported his findings about the Conqueror of Demons to Isaac.

Currently, the two of them were continuing with their daily activities.

Isaac was figuring out how to properly utilize his power. Though, because he already has great control over the Cryo Element, this is something he just does for passing the time.

Another thing he does is experiment with various ways to get out. For example, expanding the area of where cryo energy is abundant.

He would stand on the edge of the mountain and expand the cryo energy, turning the nearby lands into snow-covered lands.

One of the things that came into his mind as the reason he is trapped in the mountain is that he can only live on the land where cryo energy is available.

This theory of his took inspiration from Daleth's situation. She was trapped by the Ley Lines, but since she changed her form to overcome a "Loophole" Isaac theorized, she was able to escape her previous restrained state.

But alas, the experiment was a failure. Even when he scattered the cryo energy around the land, he still cannot go out.

Just as always, he got teleported back to the mountain.

And finally, the other thing he had been doing: Honing his other skills.

More specifically, his sculpting, drawing, and writing.

He would oftentimes carve some sculptures because he was starting to get interested in arts.

As for drawing, truth to be told, he never really knew how to draw. That's why in this new world where he is stuck in an icy mountain, he started picking up hobbies he never got to do before.

Finally, the writing. The novel he was writing is actually Soul Land.

Yes, that popular Chinese novel that made Isaac fall into the deep rabbit hole known as 'novels'.

It was the first novel he had ever read. Yes, he first read the comic version, but he soon went to the novel for a more detailed story.

As for why he was able to write it into a novel... Well... It's because he had re-read the Soul Land 1 novel for more than five times.

But can you really blame him? Although he did find other interesting novels and finished them with great satisfaction, a new problem emerged.

That is... Lack of new interesting books.

He had searched various platforms for novels that would pique his interest, but all he found were either horny fanfictions full of harem, Virtual Reality novels that act like they're different from the previous one, the same generic overpowered main character but has a thousand setbacks trope, and so on...

Especially the harem. He couldn't get past three chapters of those novels. Something about it just makes his tongue feel sour...

Combining all of these together, he got bored fast and decided to just re-read his favorite novels.

And thus, the story of Soul Land 1 is practically printed in his mind.

Although his writing style is vastly different from the original, it still kept its charm. Same main character, background story, and cast.

* * *

In the ice palace.

Isaac was sitting on a comfy seat he asked Daleth to buy some.

It looked exactly just like a normal chair but has cushions.

Naturally, Isaac placed them on the first floor where the guest room is. Well, despite having it called a "Guest Room" there were no actual guests. It was just a place where Isaac and Moccus would hang out and discuss some matters.

"Daleth is coming today, isn't she?" Moccus asked as he ate a bowl full of berries.

"Yeah, we've already established that she'll visit every 2 months or when I summon her." Isaac replied as he continued sculpting... something.

Yet again, it was an unrecognizable sculpture. But from its figure, it looks like it's going to be a sculpture of an owl.

While Isaac was sculpting, he eyed Moccus for a bit. 'Looks like he changed... In the past, he gave off a majestic feeling of a ruler and spoke using archaic words.'

'Now, he just looks like a brute old man that beats up some troublemakers and is only speaking formally. The archaics are completely gone...' Isaac thought as he shrugged. 'Welp, I guess he adapted...?'

But of course, Isaac wouldn't know that the true reason Moccus changed is because of him. Moccus observed Isaac in the past and it somehow affected how he talked and behaved.

Well, he still cared for the Snow Boars under him that lived at another location connected to the ice palace. It's just his behavior and speaking that were affected by a teenager.

Just then, with a loud thud, the gigantic ice door opened.

Isaac and Moccus, who was in the guest room, heard the echo and got notified.

"That must be Daleth." Isaac put down his tools. "I'll go get her."

"Okay." Moccus replied as he finished eating.

Leaving the guest room, Isaac walked down the long ice hallway to the front door.

After a few moments, Isaac arrived at the main hall. The main hall was a large open space supported by ice pillars. And at the back, a spiral staircase was present leading to the second floor.

Standing beside the giant gate, Isaac saw Daleth who was wearing new clothing. "How have you been, Daleth?"

Daleth who clearly saw Isaac instantly got lively but hid it very well under her controlled expression. "Yes. I have done as you told me and slept for at least seven hours and eat meals three times a day." She replied with a respectable tone.

Hearing her answer, Isaac smiled. "That's good."

He then turned around and gestured at her. "Come, Moccus is waiting for us."

"Ah, before that..." Just as Isaac was about to walk, Daleth interrupted her. "I actually came here bringing some local specialties from Mondstadt and some other... Items."

"Oh?" Isaac turned around again and got interested. "If I remember correctly, you said that Mondstadt's specialties are wines..."

Isaac isn't gonna hide the fact that he had drunk wines in his past life. Yes, he was underage, but it just tasted too good for him. But of course, he had some restraints and limited his drinks.

"Yes." Daleth nodded. "The items are currently outside. I brought them here myself."

"Wait, all by yourself?" Isaac raised an eyebrow.

"It was rather easy." Daleth replied with a gentle but beautiful smile. "I already prepared them beforehand and hid them away on the route I use to send letters. So, I just picked them up on the way."

"Very clever..." Isaac praised her. "Well then, let's pack them out later after our meeting."

"As you wish." Daleth nodded.

After their conversation, Daleth followed Isaac to the guest room. On the way, she familiarized herself with the ice palace that she had never been in since months ago.

On the way, she saw some rather peculiar sculptures that looked... odd. Needless to say, they were Isaac's failed sculptured that were placed on pedestals.

They were placed that way to constantly remind Isaac of his failures.

After all, you can't improve if you don't know your failures. At least, that's Isaac's belief.

After a few moments of walking, they arrived in front of a double door leading to the guest room.

Isaac opened it and the wide space that had three wide windows to oversee the western side of the mountain appeared. Though, a snow storm is currently blocking the view.

On the right side of the room, Moccus was still eating the berries on one of the three bowls placed on the ice table in front of him.

"You really like those berries, huh?" Isaac chuckled as he approached Moccus

"Long time no see, Snow Boar King Moccus." Daleth greeted Moccus who she considered as a friend.

"You can just call me Moccus, you know?" Moccus eyed her as he stopped eating.

"Alright." Daleth nodded in agreement.

"Okay, let us start!" Isaac clapped his hands and interrupted them as he summoned the round table that they will use to start the meeting.

Isaac conjured two seats for him and Daleth and a large seat for Moccus.

The three of them sat down and Isaac was the first to speak. "Now then, Daleth. Do you have any significant reports?"

"There is... Actually." Daleth answered immediately.

"Speak away." Moccus said.

Daleth gave a small nod and stood up as started speaking. "A large group of humans will attempt to trespass this mountain in a week."

"The powerful secret organization that I joined has specially requested me to interrupt them."

"As well as... Sending a message to the rest of the aristocrats in Mondstadt."

* * *

(Notes)