Chapter 4 : Devil

Posted by : Unknown Monday, 21 May 2018

Chapter 4: Devil

Late at night in the Imperial Capital, Suimei, Felmenia and Liliana were walking outside. Felmenia, who was sticking close to Suimei, was observing their surroundings and raised her concern of the unnaturalness of the area in a cautious voice.

“It’s quiet, isn’t it?”

“They probably anticipated that a battle would occur and evacuated the area beforehand.”

Looking at the state of the streets, Suimei let her know of his speculation. Just as Felmenia had said, the streets had sunken completely into silence. Not a single soul was in sight. Since needlessly walking around late at night was currently prohibited, it seemed obvious, but he could also not sense the presence of a single person in the houses around them. The sound of the cold and crisp evening wind, and of their own voices and footsteps seemed far louder than usual. Suddenly, Liliana pulled on Suimei’s hand.

“Suimei. That.”

“How quick. They’re already showing themselves huh…”

Many shadows were coming from the direction Liliana pointed towards. From the direction that lead straight towards the southern plaza, along with the sound of running footsteps, the figures of many soldiers appeared.

“… Suimei-dono. Will it really be alright with just you and Liliana?”

“No problem. The losses to my astral body have recovered a satisfactory amount after all. All that’s left is to catch the target.”

As the two were talking, the soldiers left some distance between them and came to a stop. From what he could see, the soldiers came in quite the numbers and were all heavily armed. In their rear ranks, a unit of mages was also standing at the ready. Before long, the soldiers opened their formation, and Graziella, Elliot and Christa emerged before them.

“I see everyone came together.”

As Suimei greeted them frivolously, Graziella answered him.

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Suimei Yakagi. How is your health since then?”
“Thanks to you, my recovery was delayed, it was quite troublesome. Rather, you really brought quite the number of people with you today huh?”

“The opponent is who it is after all. I only made suitable preparations.”

“That is quite the grand assessment.”

“Quit it.”

Graziella spat out her words like she was disappointed after seeing Suimei’s false humility. Next it was Elliot who began speaking.

“… To think that you were the one sheltering that girl.”

“Is it surprising?”

“Of course. No matter how you put it, there’s no way I would think that the person who was competing with me to find the culprit would shelter one of the suspects right?”

“Well, that’s certainly true.”

As Suimei flauntingly shrugged his shoulders, Elliot sharpened the gaze of his blue eyes towards him.

“Why, are you sheltering the culprit?”

“It would take a long time to talk about it. However, I don’t have the time to slowly explain it to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means from here, I’m going to go catch the mastermind behind the coma incidents.”

Without hiding a thing, Suimei easily relayed his goal to them. He could hear a snort. It seemed Graziella’s displeasure leaked out. She immediately fired out her denunciation of such actions.

“How shameless. You too are complicit are you not?”

“Even if I said I wasn’t, you aren’t going to listen at all right?”

“If you already know that much, it should be obvious.”

As Graziella declared this, her black lined gauntlet made a clang as she stood at the ready. She was implying that it was about time they start. Her body was overflowing with fighting spirit.

“Tonight I will have you thoroughly show me your damn power. Last time you only gave me a glimpse after all.”

“It is regrettable, but that won’t happen.”

“What?”

Seeing that Suimei had no intent of complying, Graziella made a puzzled expression and glared at him. As that happened, the figure of a person appeared at its own discretion from the alleyway on the side. And that person―

“―Aah. Well well it has been a long time. Your Imperial Highness Graziella.”

The one who came out of the alleyway was Astel’s hero, Shana Reiji. Elliot showed a shocked expression at the arrival of an unexpected figure.

“You are…”

“… Fuu, the hero Reiji huh? I heard that you came to the Imperial Capital, but why are you walking around in the streets this late at night?”

“Lately during the day there are just people absolutely everywhere, it was quite cramped so I thought I would cool myself down in the quiet city streets at night. Besides, I’m not the only one here you know?”

As Reiji said this, Mizuki, Titania and their knight escorts came out from behind him.

“―Your Highness Titania, what is the meaning of this?”

“Even if you ask me what the meaning of this is, I simply followed along after being told that Reiji-sama wanted to go and cool off.”

Titania was feigning ignorance in sync with Reiji. Graziella sharpened her gaze like a blade as she looked at her. Seeing this far too convenient development, Graziella could sense it was all an act and questioned them in an oppressive tone.

“What are you intending to do here?”

“What intentions? We are simply passing by. Leaving that aside, just what are you all doing out here in the middle of the night?”

“We’ve come to capture that man, White Flame-dono and that little girl.”

“How dangerous. What did they do?”

“Surely you’ve heard of the damn incidents happening in the Imperial Capital? That little girl is suspected of being the criminal behind those incidents, and that man is sheltering her.”

Reiji then let out a deliberately load voice.

“Is that so? I didn’t hear anything about that. How about it, Suimei?”

“Who knows? I also have no idea with regards to that. We don’t have a single clue as to who the criminal behind the incidents is after all.―Aah! Could it be that? You lot couldn’t produce any results, and to deceive everyone, you’re making us out to be the criminals right?”

“Aah, that’s not good. Aah, I truly think that is not good at all.”

Matching Suimei and playing dumb in an obvious tone, Reiji sympathized with him. Looking at that well coordinated duet between the two of them, Graziella discerned that they were both good friends and that they arranged this all beforehand. She pointed an extremely annoyed gaze towards them.

“You bastards…”

On the other hand, Elliot seemed to find something quite funny and was holding back his laughter. It seemed he found it entertaining to see Graziella get teased. Incidentally from behind them, after seeing this exchange, Mizuki and Titania were looking at Suimei and Reiji in exasperation with their eyes half closed.

“… How do I say it, right? I really think this only looks like two best friends acting perfectly in sync.”

“Yes, the two of you are completely shameless…”

It wasn’t just the two of them who were exasperated. Felmenia and the knights also all turned suspicious looks towards them. After their little act came to an end, Reiji made a declaration with his handsome and gallant face.

“I’ll say it loud and clear. Your Imperial Highness Graziella. As a hero, I cannot overlook such tyranny.”

“What do you mean by cannot overlook? You couldn’t possibly be thinking of fighting us?”

“Of course. That is exactly what I was thinking of.”

Hearing Reiji’s declaration, Graziella looked at him like she was asking just what his intentions were. However even so, her composed expression remained unfazed. Her gaze was implying that she had no intention of getting along. Reiji drew his orihalcum sword from its sheathe. The lustre going along the point of the sword flashed like the afterglow of burning metal. A metal clang that was almost like a buzzing in one’s ears rang through the air.

“―My deepest apologies, but until they capture the mastermind, it will be impossible to pass through here. If you insist on passing through no matter what…”

“Fuu, then force our way through huh. Then, will you be the one keeping me company, bastard?”

“No, your Imperial Highness Graziella’s opponent will be me.”

Felmenia stepped forwards and replied to the question directed towards Reiji.

“White Flame-dono will? Fuu, that in itself also seems interesting. The other day you made me eat quite my fill after all.”

Graziella put on a fearless smile towards Felmenia’s challenge. Without letting others notice, Felmenia faltered slightly.

“Uu…”

(It’s alright… Menia will be able to do it well.)

“Y-Yes!”

Encouraged by Suimei’s words, Felmenia regained her confidence. A fire lit in her amber eyes as she thrust her chest out in pride. Titania, Mizuki and the knight then dispersed. Falling behind them, Suimei and Liliana headed towards their destination by cutting through the back alley.

★

After separating from Felmenia and the others by running down the back alley, Suimei and Liliana were now running down another street using magic to sprint far beyond the capabilities of any ordinary human and were headed towards their target.

“Suimei. Is it really that person?”

“Yeah, there’s probably no mistaking it.”

There was no mistaking it. Suimei had confidence in his answer. Or rather it would be more correct to say that he could think of no other possibility. From everything that had happened so far, based on the circumstances that were far too convenient, and put together with the information gathered by Felmenia, his answer was―

―Located in the Imperial University’s library where they were headed…

While running through the stillness of the night, before long, a structure taller than all the buildings in the area came into sight.

“It’s, weird.”

“It’s a type of spell that clears away unwanted people by making them drowsy. It’s set up so that the people who wander into this area will get sleepy and go back the way they came.”

“…It is like a shallowly spread darkness of stupor, right?”

While listening to Liliana’s conjecture, Suimei reached the entrance and opened the doors to the library. Greeted by the darkness within that felt like it would suck him in, Suimei threw himself in by his own will and could slightly feel that the end was in sight.

The only light that he could rely on to clear up his view was the moonlight shining down through the skylight. Inside the building, everything was far too quiet, it made him think of the most silent point in time right before the appearance of a haunted spirit walking around at night.

As he gently stroked Liliana’s head who cuddled up to him from anxiety and caution, Suimei took a look around the area. The staff members were not present. This was only natural at this time in the evening―No, there was a single person.

Sensing someone’s arrival, a light turned on deep within the darkness of the library. With fair skin and long ears, the figure of a man wearing glasses appeared.

“Are you looking to use our facilities? The library is already closed you know?”

What appeared was a male elf, one of the librarians working in this Imperial University’s library, Romeon. Realizing it was Suimei, he made a surprised-like face.

“Oh? Yakagi-kun and… If it isn’t Lord Zandyke’s daughter. Coming to the library at this kind of time, just what is the matter?”

Suimei made no attempts of concealing anything as he stated his intentions before Romeon who was questioning the reason why they arrived outside of opening hours.

“I just thought I’d go and arrest the culprit behind the coma incidents.”

“…? The culprit behind the coma incidents… is it? However, if that is the case, that girl who you brought along beside you is rumoured to be the criminal herself you know?”

“Publicly at least. However, the truth is that there is a mastermind who used magic on Liliana and manipulated her.”

“My goodness… But this is the library you know?”

Romeon said this as he pretended to look around the area. To the man who was implying there was no way that kind of person was here, Suimei nonetheless began talking without losing any confidence.

“Yeah, they’re right here. That mastermind.”

“… Right here as in, just where is there that kind of person?”

“There’s nobody else here aside from us and yourself, there’s only one answer right?”

Hearing those words, Romeon let out an astonished-like expression for an instant and then burst into laughter like he heard a bad joke.

“You couldn’t possibly be saying that the criminal is me right?”

“Unfortunately, that’s exactly what I’m’ saying.”

“No way, Yakagi-kun. What are you saying? There’s no way I would do something so outrageous is there?”

“When the culprit says that kind of thing there’s no persuasive power you know?”

A troubled-like smile floated on Romeon’s face as he heard Suimei’s provocative words as he tightened his loosened mouth with astonishment. Romeon pushed his glasses back up and adjusted their position. His disposition was as calm as ever, but the friendly atmosphere that enveloped him up until now had vanished.

“Fumu… You have quite the confidence in your words. What basis do you have to believe that I am the criminal?”

“Basis? I have plenty.”

“If you do, may I ask what they are?”

Suimei began speaking of the details that he arrived at.

“What first tipped me off, was that time I came here with Menia.”

“―It couldn’t be from the time I talked with you about dark magic? Treating me like a criminal just from that is what we call imprudence.”

Before Suimei could finish explaining, Romeon took a guess as to what Suimei wanted to say and covered it up with his own words as he let out a tedious sigh.

“Is it not a reckless to decide that I am the criminal just because I know about dark magic? There are people all over the world who know of the existence of dark magic you know?”

“Nope. As one would expect, I won’t treat you like a criminal just because you know such a thing. It is certainly as you say, in this world, there are people who know of dark magic no matter where you go.”

“Then…”

“However, at that time, you talked about something else with us right?”

“Something else?”

Romeon made a puzzled face like he had new idea what Suimei was talking about.

“Those words used to strengthen dark magic.”

“… Now that I think about, I remember saying something like that. The words the criminal appended to the end of their spell were savage names, right? But, what of it? It couldn’t be, just because I know of savage names, you think I’m suspicious?”

“That’s right. After asking Liliana, it seems that the mastermind was the one who taught her those words.”

“Therefore, since I know of savage names then I am the criminal? Is that not the same thing as what we were just talking about with regards to dark magic itself?”

Romeon let out a grand sigh as he said this.

“Yakagi-kun, will you stop already? If you do, I will forget everything you’ve been saying here.”

Romeon’s voice returned to its usual amicable tone. He once more put on a troubled smile. That figure proposing to ignore everything as nonsense certainly did appear to be harmless.

“Hey, librarian-san. There’s just a teensy thing that I’d like to confirm. How did you explain it to us at that time? Just that okay? Could you not tell me one more time?”

Astonished at Suimei’s question, Romeon let out his breath in an irritated fashion and answered ambiguously.

“… Savage names are words used in this world since ancient times to strengthen dark magic. They have been long lost, but they amplify the power of darkness. Thus one who is struck by the strengthened dark magic would suffer serious harm. What―”

“It’s that. That is where it is strange.”

“…”

As Suimei suddenly identified what was bothering him, Romeon became quiet. However he quickly pointed Suimei a sharp gaze and began questioning the source of his doubt.

“I don’t understand what Yakagi-kun is trying to say. Why do you declare that what I said is strange? I couldn’t be because of my phrasing where I said it was long lost― ”

“I’ll say it before I go any further, but I’m not a person from this world. I was a bonus that came with the hero who was summoned in Astel.”

Hearing Suimei’s declaration, Romeon let just a little surprise show on his face. However he quickly changed to an expression like he already had a clue.

“… Now that you mention it, at the time that the hero was summoned in Astel, there were rumours of an accident. However, I believe that fact has no connection to what we are talking about?”

“That’s not quite true. It has a surprising connection to what we’re talking about.”

“Connection…”

“That’s right. In the first place, those words are one of the mysterious figures of speech from our world.”

Hearing Suimei’s explanation, Romeon’s composure vanished and his expression turned grim.

“I don’t know what you are basing that conclusion on, but that is not necessarily something that only exists in your world is it? Just as different worlds have the same technologies, those savage names could be born in different worlds.”

“That’s true. It’s just as you say. It isn’t an unlikely story that the same concept was born in this world. However, unfortunately that does not seem to be the case.”

“Why can you say such a thing? You couldn’t possibly be saying that you found the origin of savage names in this world?”

“Nope, I know without having to do something like that.”

Romeon’s irritation was piling up just as Suimei’s observations were piling up. He was starting to get restless. While dusting a nearby chair with his finger, he fired off a sharp voice.

“Why is that?”

Suimei let out a laugh like he knew Romeon already knew the answer despite asking. And then…

“―I mean for a while now, you’ve been saying nomina barbara (savage names), nomina barbara repeatedly using the language from our world.”

“―”

Hearing those words, Romeon’s expression grew even more grim. He began to open his mouth like he had an objection, but Suimei ignored him and continued cutting forward with his words.

“Normally, the people who are summoned from another world by the magic circle used for hero summoning hear the language of this world in their own native language. However, it isn’t like you people who live in this world are speaking ‘using our words.’ The movements of your mouth still conform to the words of this world. However, if it was just as you said and the concept of savage names was born in this world, the words I hear should have been Japanese and the movement of your mouth should have been something I had never seen before. It would be a word born in this world after all. But at the time, I remember that the movement of your mouth was quite odd. That being the case, there is only one answer.”

“Ah― That’s why at that time, you asked me if I heard nomina barbara, right?”

Liliana raised her voice as she came to an understanding. That’s why when he questioned Liliana about the mastermind, he had asked her that question. All this time he had been referring to it as savage names in Japanese, but he wanted to confirm if it also got through to her when he said it in Latin.

“That’s right, that word does not exist in this world. Because it is a word from my world, the movements of the mouth when saying them are familiar to me. In that case, for someone like you who is a resident of this world to know of it would be quite strange wouldn’t it?”

Having this pointed out to him, Romeon replied by pointing out that there were holes in Suimei’s logic.

“However, with just that you can’t narrow down the criminal to just myself right? Since ancient times, heroes were summoned many times to this world. It isn’t far fetched to think that a hero came from your world long ago and passed on the knowledge of savage names leading to it spreading around the world right?”

Suimei listlessly scratched the back of his head as he heard this.

“Yeah. About that, I have something I’d like to ask you. Exactly how long ago was the last time a hero was summoned to this world?”

“…”

“I don’t know whether or not you actually know, but if you don’t want to say it, I’ll tell you myself. From Menia and my investigations, the last time a hero was summoned seemed to be over one hundred years ago. Of course, anything related to hero summoning is strictly controlled by the Salvation Church and Mage’s Guild, there is no such thing as a summoning outside the record books.”

As Romeon remained silent without saying anything, Suimei fired off his words that would bring this to an end.

“The first time the concept of savage names came to be in our society was during an age called the Crowley era. That was approximately one hundred years ago. However the first time it took a shape that could actually be used was when Kenneth Grant fully established the concept fifty years or so ago. See? That being the case, the words you’ve been saying become complete lies.”

Suimei then shrugged his should like a completely new mystery just emerged.

“Well, in that case there’s the question as to why savage names are even in this world but… Well whatever. The important thing right now, is that the guy aside from myself and Liliana who knows of a concept that should not exist in this world is present in the Imperial Capital.”

“…”

Romeon cast his eyes downward. Just what emotions was he hiding behind those glasses? Suimei had no idea what he was thinking about without being able to see his face. However, deciding it was too soon to back off, Suimei continued chasing Romeon into a corner.

“It’s about time you stop playing dumb librarian-san. From what I’ve heard, you came to the Imperial Capital just as the coma incidents began didn’t you? Isn’t that a bit of an excessive coincidence?”

Romeon still did not comply with Suimei’s questions.

“Do you have any proof?”

“Not at all. Before I could obtain the decisive blow, I was forced to make my move after all.”

Suimei confessed that he was one move away from perfection. However, even without such a thing, he was not at a disadvantage. After all…

“Well, I’m not a detective. I don’t have any proof that strongly points to Romeon. All I have is just speculation. Even you say there are holes in my logic, then all of this becomes meaningless. However, even though I’m not a detective, I’m a magician. In our world, there are techniques to forcefully extract another person’s memories you know? So.”

In an instant, Suimei donned his black suit which was his battle uniform. Thrusting forward the point that he was not an ordinary person, his crimson eyes lit like a blaze.

“―No matter what you say, it’s faster to resort to that method.”

With so many coincidences piled atop each other, even without definitive proof, there was no mistake that this elf man was the criminal. In that case, seeing that he was also the one who played around with Liliana’s memories, there was no need to hold back.

After a while, Suimei could hear clapping. With his gaze still cast downward, just like he was praising Suimei for finding the criminal, he was generously clapping his hands. Having grasped the meaning of that action, Liliana showed Romeon a bewildered expression.

“Librarian… san. You’re.”

“―My goodness, to think that Yakagi-kun was someone summoned from another world, it was completely outside my expectations.”

“That time you told us about savage names in this library, and that time you came to warn us in the alley, you did that for the sake of keeping us away from the incident right?”

“Yes, that’s right. You’re the person who endured Liliana’s strengthened dark magic and despite still bearing those severe wounds, you fought her Highness the Imperial Princess Graziella on even grounds. If possible I did not want to take care of it myself. Well, I never expected it to backfire on me in such a way.”

“Then the one, who gave my location to those guild mages, and also leaked it to the army.”

“Yes. It is just as you guessed. It was me.”

Liliana directed her eyes mixed with fear towards Romeon as she questioned him further.

“…. Why, did you, use me?”

“No particular reason, it was just that I also found those nobles that you wanted to do something about to be hindrances. Moreover, above all else, you hold the power of darkness.”

At the same time as Romeon spoke, the power of darkness, the pent up resentment pulled out of the outside world, swelled up rapidly. It seemed this man was also able to use dark magic. Before long, the poorly lit area behind him was dyed black. The power hovering in the background began to stiffen and take form.

“Even though things may appear this way, I have researched the power of darkness for quite some time. Just recently I was curious what would happen to a being who the the rich power of darkness sympathized with and was just in the middle of investigating it.”

Sensing what Romeon was hinting at, Suimei clicked his tongue with an unpleasant face.

“―And because of that, savage names came up huh?”

“Exactly. Using savage names, the power of darkness is amplified. There is far more influence from the power of darkness than regular dark magic. Especially for Liliana whom the darkness sympathized strongly with already, it could be said that she was the ideal body to accomplish both my tests and my goal behind the incidents.”

“No, way…”

Hearing Romeon’s inhuman confession, Liliana received more of a shock than she imagined she would. Her shaking hands were firmly clinging on to Suimei. Suimei looked at Romeon with scorn.

“My goodness, I already thought you were quite the low-life, but to think it was to this extent…”

“For a mage, the pursuit of knowledge is a simple matter of course. You are also a mage are you not? You should be able to understand my feelings.”

“Fuu― Don’t put me together with scum like you. I would never go so far as pursuing the truth by straying off the path.”

“There’s no need to hide it. You must have also wanted to know what kind of monster someone who the power of darkness sympathized with would become, did you not? You wanted to know right? Just from thinking about it, don’t you just tremble in excitement? HAHAHAHAHA!”

Romeon laughing voice became jarring to the ears after being taken in by the power of darkness. Behind him, the power that was brought into existence by Romeon was sluggishly swaying as it appeared and disappeared… This man was already assembling the plane required to invite over a sinful figure. Suimei did not know whether that was his actual intention or not though. As if it was his last question, Suimei spoke to Romeon.

“… In the end, what did you hope to accomplish by studying the power of darkness?”

“It’s obvious! If I’m able to further clarify just what dark magic is, I can save those who even now are struggling from the power of darkness! That’s why, I want to know the depths of the power of darkness! I want to pursue it! I will take hold of that power!”

“Eh…”

A bewildered expression floated onto Liliana’s face as she listened to Romeon’s completely inconsistent explanation. He wanted to save the people who were suffering. Within the twisted laughter warped by the power of darkness, that desire certainly existed. There was no mistake that he pursued the mystery for that reason, but the things he was doing were in direct opposition to his original desire, he was completely buried under the wrong course of action.

Using his own mana as bait, Romeon was expanding the power of darkness. His sense or reason had weakened. This was a man at the end of the road after living only to fulfill one purpose and breaking down in the process. Suimei suddenly looked at him with eyes full of pity.

“… I see. You, are one the guys who lost huh…”

Magicians pursued the truth, they are those who desired the truth following their own ideals. However, there are those who spend too long chasing after their own ideals. Following such a path, they touch upon many mysteries, and as they touch upon them, they are affected by them, Gradually their sense of self becomes weaker and weaker. This must especially have been the case for an elf who naturally had a long lifespan. The man who was currently enthralled by malice may very well have held onto such thoughts before.

“Now come! The two of you will be covered in sin and die right here!”

Romeon sentenced them to death in a voice mixed with joy. The sound of mana pouring out of him had taken on a wicked roar as it blew violently. Suddenly, one of the bookshelves on the second floor took flight like it was next to an explosion, and drawing an arc through the air, it slammed right into Romeon on the floor below it. However, obstructed by the darkness coiling around him, the large shock did not injure Romeon at all. The bookshelves and the books within it were broken to pieces and sent flying as Romeon shouted towards the place they flew in from.

“Who’s there!?”

And then, from the second floor, a shadow appeared―

“… I would have never thought, it would be something like this.”

Kicking down the railing on the second floor, the one who quietly muttered, was Rogue Zandyke. Suimei had no idea just how long he had been there. Even as a magician, he was unable to sense his presence in this place. Overflowing with fighting spirit, he swept open his military coat and turned his reddish brown gaze down at Romeon like a blade.

“Col…onel…?”

Liliana looked at him in surprise, and on the other hand Romeon was as expected, still brimming with excitement.

“Well well if it isn’t Lord Zandyke. Just what are you doing at this kind of hour?”

“I was chasing the two of them, and arrived in this place… I heard everything you talked about.”

“I see I see is that so? You have my condolences. The number of people that must die right here has increased by one after all.”

Romeon increased those he sentenced to death by one. He had no intention of allowing anyone to leave this place alive. Glancing down at the source of the ominous laughter, Rogue drew his sword. Looking at up Rogue, Liliana rushed towards his side.

“… Liliana, fall back.”

“Colonel!”

Liliana yelled back, but Rogue was not listening to her at all. He jumped down from the second floor and called out to Suimei.

“Suimei Yakagi, I will support you.”

“… I look forward to working with you.”

As Suimei replied to Rogue, Romeon wielded the power of darkness preparing to mow them down.

“So what if the number of people increase by one or two!?”

The tables and chairs in the area were sent flying as they shattered in pieces along with a wave of darkness. Romeon hid himself behind a nearby bookshelf as Suimei, Liliana and their new companion Rogue took cover in separate directions.

“What’s wrong!? Weren’t you going to capture me!?”

Bolstered by his belief in the strength of the power of darkness, Romeon’s movements were sluggish. Peeking his head out of cover, walking at a relaxed pace, he looked like he was trying to decide what prey he was going to start with first. A voice then called out to Suimei out of nowhere.

“… Suimei Yakagi, can you hear me?”

Suimei could hear Rogue’s voice being carried by the wind. It was magic to talk at a distance. Matching up with that, Suimei used magic to reply.

“I can hear you. What’s wrong?”

“I have a question. What is the power that elf is using? It is far too powerful for just the attribute of darkness.”

“No, it is just that kind of power. But because the power is far too strong, from another plane of existence, he’ll end up summoning a so called evil existence. Because of that influence, the power which is the source of the power behind the darkness attribute is flowing out in its pure form.”

“In that case, is it bad to come in contact with it?”

“As long as it isn’t prolonged contact there is no problem. In the end it is a lump of malice and resentment born of people. I can’t endorse fighting while standing around in it.”

“Then, it will have to come down to striking once, creating some distance and repeating…”

“I’ll be going first.”

As Suimei said this, Liliana who was listening from the side called out to him.

“Suimei… It’s a dreadful amount, of power.”

“Liliana. It is still easy for that thing to suck you in. Be careful.”

Leaving those words behind for Liliana, Suimei leaped out of cover. Catching this with his eyes, Romeon immediately swung his arm firing off the power of darkness towards him. However, his aim was poor, it only broke things in the area. On the other hand, Suimei put his attack magic to use. A delightful sound rang in the air repeatedly as the area around Romeon exploded.

“A smoke screen huh―”

Suimei’s intentions were exactly as Romeon said. As if matching up perfectly with that, Rogue fired off wind magic which swallowed up the books in the area. Romeon defended against the incoming wind, but Rogue soared in concealing himself behind the many books in the air. After closing the distance between them in an instant. Rogue let out a backwards slash, however Romeon did not make a single effort to avoid it and used the power of darkness wrapped around his arm to mow down the attack.

“Ku―”

Being struck by the power of darkness directly would be bad. As Rogue perceived this, he jumped backwards in a panic.

“―Et Factus est Invisibilis Instar Venti.” (My blade is invisible, however, it is as sharp as steel, drown my enemy in a pool of blood.)

Covering Rogue’s retreat, Suimei fired off magic. A countless number of invisible slashes flew towards Romeon. The power of darkness chasing after Rogue was cut to pieces by Suimei’s magic. Seeing the power of that magic, Romeon took a step back.

“… As expected, with one of the Seven Swords and Yakagi-kun as opponents, I’m at a disadvantage… However.”

Romeon began chanting a spell. Matching his timing, Suimei also began chanting.

“―Oh darkness. Thou art the one who swallows all existence, drape thyself in jet black gruesomeness. With that indefinite appearance, grant death, an avoidable death before me! Olgo, Lucuila, Ragua, Secunto, Labielalu, Baybaron!”

“―Flamma est Lego vis Wizard Hex Agon Aestua Sursum! Eva, Zurdick, Rozeia, Deivikusd, Reianima!” (Assemble flames. Like the cry of the magician’s resentment. Give form to the agony of death and burst into flames! Eva, Zurdick, Rozeia, Deivikusd, Reianima!)

Suimei and Romeon’s chants completely overlapped. On one hand was dark magic, and on the other was fire magic. What they had in common were the strange unknown words they both appended to the end of the chant.

“Dark Embrace!”

“Fiamma! O Ashurbanipal!” (Shine! Oh Ashurbanipal’s revolving stone!)

Suimei and Romeo let out their keywords at the same time. The darkness born behind Romeon rushed forwards and swallowed everything in its path, spreading out like a large wave. On the other hand, Suimei crushed the shining flame in the palm of his hand as explosive flames crowded around Romeon. Within the library that was shaking with a thunderous roar, the dazzling flames burned the power of darkness to nothing as the flames continued to fly towards Romeon unimpeded.

Romeon took a defensive stance to defend his body against the flames as the excessive, vigorous flames burst through the walls of the library. Fearing another attack from Suimei, Romeon leaped outside through one of these holes.

“Guu… Impossible! Why can you who does not hold the power of darkness use savage names!?”

Suimei came out of the hole in pursuit of Romeon and snapped his finger at Romeon, forcing him to retreat further back into a vacant plot of land. And then, as Suimei strode forward with composure, he appeared from the darkness underneath the moonlight.

“―The thing known as a god’s name is something that is in of itself a strong power. Since ancient times, many magicians had attempted to make use of that power for magic. However, those gods from another plane of existence did not have names that a human could possibly pronounce. Even if one were able to speak it, it was far too powerful for a human to use. Savage names. This rhetoric, in of itself, are words that hold tremendous power by bringing down the name of gods. It is something that is able to enhance the effect of any magic. Uncivilized names.”

“Wha―?”

“Savage names do more than just strengthening dark magic. I have no idea what conclusion you made while studying them, but it seems you learned it incorrectly―”

Nomina barbara was absolutely not something that only increased the effectiveness of dark magic. By bringing down the name of gods to the level of human speech, their significance were akin to ‘the howl of beasts,’ and became words which held power. They could be applied to any magic.

“So what if it can be used for other magic!? If you are also able to use savage names, then I only need to apply savage names to an even more powerful magic!”

After screaming, Romeon once more began chanting a spell. Seeing this, Suimei let out an exasperated declaration.

“… If one makes use of savage names, the effectiveness of the magic will certainly be elevated. On the other hand, magic which makes use of these become bland and and the ability to fully control it is lost. It has that kind of disadvantage. That’s why…”

“―Oh darkness. Thou art more powerful than any of the eight attributes. The destruction that thou dost bring about will give birth to absolute despair! Olgo, Lucuila, Ragua, Secunto, Labielalu, Baybaron! Ruin of Blackness!”

“Mysterium vis Distortion.” (Oh mysteries. Quickly distort that principle.)

Matching the timing with Romeon’s keyword, Suimei let out a chant in no time at all. With it, Romeon’s dark magic took a sudden change. The enormous sphere of darkness taking shape in front of him suddenly lost its form and popped right where it was.

“Guu!―Impossible! What the hell, happened…”

Having his dark magic backfire on him, Romeon was struck directly by its power and faltered. Since it was his own power, the damage was not that great, but the shock to his spirit from continuously using savage names was considerable. On the other hand, Liliana, who was watching this from behind Suimei, noticed what was happening and spoke with a surprised expression still glued to her face.

“That was, when I…”

“―Event agitation. At the point in time where a physical phenomenon is decided to occur, it contains all the events that can possibly occur along with their processes and results. All such things will naturally flow towards the most probable outcome, and that result will be brought forth. But if we mix in ‘the components which establish mystical laws,’ then at that point in time, the result becomes unstable. When applied correctly, it is possible to use it against mystical laws like the one just now―especially against bland magics which can no longer be fully controlled.”

Using magic theory, he used the confrontation between components to destabilize the result. The magic Suimei used against Liliana’s magic back during their fight used this law. It was a technique which used ‘the components which established mystical laws’ to confront magic which held the same type of components. It destabilized the magic, and then brought about a convenient result for the caster.

“Give it up, librarian-san. For you who cannot use any powerful magic without using savage names, there’s no chance of winning right?”

Suimei declared that his victory was inevitable. As he did, Romeon dropped his shoulders like he was giving up. However, he still did not have any intention of surrendering.

“… It can’t be helped. I didn’t want to have to play this hand though.”

As he muttered, Romeon once more began expanding the power of darkness. It was far more powerful than before. Also, unlike before, Romeon no longer took his own self into consideration. His figure was swallowed by malice, and his body transformed into a monster with a black silhouette with an eye and mouth attached to it. It was just like the sinful figure―no, it was just like the sinister being which was its original form.

“It was the same when I cam here, but somehow this is always the general pattern…”

Watching the mass breathing before him, Suimei could only look on with a bit of astonishment at Romeon’s withered spirit. Certainly when one’s position weakens, then it seems obvious to call forth a tremendous power. It’s simple and certain after all. Seeing the figure of Romeon turning into something that was no longer a person, Liliana worriedly called out to Suimei.

“Suimei!”

“That is the fate of those who are swallowed by the darkness. Look closely and burn that image into your mind.”

Suimei talked to Liliana like he was teaching her.

“Suimei Yakagi. You seem awfully calm, but do you have a spell to defeat that thing?”

“Wha!… Where did you pop out from?”

“What? I just came through that hole like everyone else.”

Hearing that statement which felt like Rogue thought his actions were completely trivial, Suimei felt just how frightening this man standing next to him looking at Romeon was. He had no idea when he managed to come up right beside him. Suimei could guess he came up to him while he was talking to Liliana, but he had no confidence in this. It was entirely possible that Rogue was standing right next to him ever since he emerged from the building. But that didn’t really matter right now. Pulling himself together, Suimei stared at Romeon.

“… It’ll take a bit of time, but I have a magic that can defeat it.”

“I see, understood. Then I will buy you time.”

Leaving the rest to Suimei, the Imperial swordsman turned his back to him and began running towards Romeon. Suimei could only praise his fighting style. While avoiding the power of darkness that Romeon was scattering around, he fought him while getting in his way.

“Scurrying around like a bug!”

After an irritated voice which grated their ears filled the air, Rogue’s figure suddenly disappeared from sight. He was certainly still fighting, but for some reason only a haze could be seen. Once in a while he would appear along with an enormous fighting spirit. It was like a hallucination where he appeared to be emerging from his very own shadow. It was the technique of one of the Seven Swords, the one known as the sword master of the lonely figure. It was an exquisite skill which made his existence difficult for others to be cognizant of. Using those hallucinations, he would boldly carry out assassinations. The fight was still completely safe for Rogue. In that case, Suimei would be free to chant. For an instant, he looked towards the stars.

“Velam nox Lacrima Potestas. Olympus Quod Terra Misceo Misucui Mixtim. Infestant Militia. Dezzmoror Pluviain Cessanter. Vitia Evellere. Bonitate Fateor. Lux de Caelo Stella Nocte.” (Within the curtains. The majesty of the tears flowing in the night. Decorate heaven and earth with its symbol. Infest towards the present irrationality. Dazzle and rain incessantly. The lamented one is evil. The extolled one is virtuous. That which disturbs all comes from the radiance beyond the distance, from the twinkling stars.”

While in the middle of chanting his spell, Suimei could hear Romeon’s laughing voice. That broken, loud laughter was proof of Romeon’s consciousness weakening. Go mad, go mad, anything and everything. While laughing like that, he believed in his own victory, he did not have a single shadow of doubt in that fact… However, even that foolish man would soon come to know. An enormous magic circle covered the sky, with its dazzling glint falling down on them, it took form from the starlight colliding against each other. He would soon come to know of the radiance of hope.

Soon, everyone aside from Romeon became dead silent as the moonlight vanished. Sensing the great power in the heavens, Rogue retreated from the front line. Liliana who was standing behind Suimei was completely ignoring Romeon and staring into the starry sky completely dumbfounded. The starry sky then washed away as a countless number of comets took form.

“Enth Astrarle―” (Oh starry sky, fall―)

Along with Suimei’s keyword, the Imperial Capital was swallowed by the light of the incessantly raining stars. Due to the astral light, all evil that was present along with the spells that created them were reduced to nothing. Before long, the radiance calmed down, and in the vacant plot that was once more dark, the withered figure of Romeon laid there. Suimei drew nearer to the being that was once Romeon and grabbed its head with his hand. Rogue then sheathed his sword as he walked up.

“Did he die?’

“He’s alive. But not…”

Romeon was alive. But after being swallowed by malice and being struck by the brilliance of astral light, he was pretty much the same as dead. His heart was still beating, but he could not move let alone process any thoughts. The moment he took in that malice, he was no longer able to escape this fate. Liliana seemed to be puzzled as Suimei began to use magic, and questioned him.

“What, are you doing?”

“Hmm, there’s just a little something I want to examine.”

After finishing his examination, Suimei let go of Romeon. Liliana then turned towards Rogue.

“Colonel…”

Liliana’s left eye was filled with sorrow and anxiety, however she still called out to Rogue like she still had lingering affection for him. Rogue turned his back on her. And then, as expected, he spoke in a cold tone.

“Liliana, you should go along with that man.”

“Colonel, that’s, what do you…”

Following up on Liliana’s bewilderment over Rogue’s intentions, Suimei also questioned him.

“Is the case of taking responsibility fine already?”

“Liliana was being manipulated by that guy right? Then, there is no such responsibility for her to take.”

Rogue’s tone was severe as usual. But the words he spoke were completely unexpected to Suimei. Deep down, Rogue also must have never wanted to kill Liliana.

“Then, what do you intend by telling her to go with me?”

“Nothing more than what I said. It just means I will leave Liliana in your care.”

“But, Liliana is your…”

Before Suimei could finish, Rogue shook his head as if to tell Suimei not to say it.

“No. I have no right to stay by that child’s side after trying to kill her with my own hands.”

Hearing those words, Liliana yelled in a flustered voice.

“C-Colonel! I don’t, really…”

“Liliana, that is my responsibility. Without being able to believe you, I abandoned the fact that I was a parent. I don’t have any right to receive you once more.”

“―”

Liliana was at a loss for words as she heard Rogue severely condemning himself.

“It is not something that I should be saying, but I feel it would be fine to entrust that child to you who protected her right until the end.”

And then, Rogue turned his back on them and started walking away. Suimei could sense loneliness in that back wearing a military uniform. He then called out to Rogue once more.

“Where are you going?”

“I must go to accomplish what I should be doing.”

Before Rogue’s tragic determination, Suimei sank into silence. Rogue, with his back still turned, spoke to Suimei.

“Suimei Yakagi… right? I may not be in a position to say such a thing anymore, but― Please, take care of that child.”

Suimei was no longer able to stop him. Even if he forcefully raised his voice, it would only make light of Rogue’s determination. Suimei replied with a brief ‘Understood,’ and could see just the faintest smile on Rogue’s stiff face as he looked back over his shoulder. And then he walked off into the distance.

“Colonel!”

A young voice chased after his figure. However, he did not stop walking. Contrary to the young girl’s desires, that figure did not turn around once, it simply pushed forwards to face its own responsibilities. But even so, Liliana did not stop calling out to him.

“Colonel! Wait, please wait…”

Liliana fell to the ground as she watched Rogue walk ever forwards. Exactly because she understood Rogue’s thoughts, she was unable to cling to him, however, she was also unable to pin down her overflowing attachment to him. However, even so, she raised her head, and mustering all of her courage―

“D…da… Dad!”

That must have been the first time she ever called him her father. As the voice connected the father who was never called in such a way and his daughter, Rogue stopped moving his feet. Liliana’s voice pulled on the back of his head. However, without looking back even once, Rogue left. It was as if he was saying that this was his own punishment.

★

The conflict between Felmenia’s party and Graziella’s which started in the streets had moved all the way to the Imperial Capital’s northern plaza and fallen into a deadlock. Currently the battlefield was split into north and south and became an exchange of shots using magic. Felmenia was the one who started it by firing off magic, but after Mizuki and Titania also followed up with magic, the situation became what it was. Everyone aside from Reiji and Elliot stayed away from that invisible line in the middle of the plaza as they fought.

The plaza was filled with the sound of chanting and destructive explosions. The bricks on the ground shattered to pieces and flew in the air. The darkness of the night was illuminated by the embers scattered around here and there by fire magic. As the soldiers and mages were firing magic around, Titania hurled orders at the knights.

“Everyone fire off magic without any pause! Luka, take care of defensive magic! Roffrey, fire your magic and oppress the front line!”

Evading and defending against the incoming magic repeatedly while inching forwards ever so steadily, Titania fired off magic at the soldiers to push against the front line. After firing her fire magic, Mizuki drew nearer to Titania.

“Tia! Is it really okay for me to not defend as well!?”

“Please leave that to us! Mizuki, keep doing as you have and fire your magic of the fire attribute to disturb their formation!”

“Un!”

Following Titania’s command, Mizuki nodded strongly and once more began firing fire magic in the surroundings of the soldiers. Though as one would expect, she could not help but restrain herself so that she would not hit any of them directly. On the other hand, the soldiers and mages they were facing off against would not fire large magics due to Titania’s presence. Also, because they knew of Titania’s abilities as one of the Seven Swords, they did not advance to engage into close combat either. Not only that, the knights gathered around her hardened themselves and their defences were firm.

Water magic then came flying towards Mizuki who was still firing off fire magic.

“Whoa!?”

Mizuki dodged the aqua bullet and immediately looked in the direction in flew in from. Elliot’s attendant Christa had separated herself from him and put Mizuki into her firing line. And then, in no time at all, Christa began chanting another spell.

“―Oh water! Thou art a savage mass of liquid which shall fire forth. Aqua Bullet!”

“―Oh wind! Thou shall become a firm shield to protect me! Repel everything before that severe vortex! Vortex Obstacle!”

To defend herself from the many water bullets flying towards her, Mizuki chanted a spell for defence. Air from all directions poured in front of her forming a vortex. As the water bullets met the vortex, they were dispersed and flung away. However, Christa paid this no mind and once more began chanting, and fired more water bullets.

“W-wait, how dare you fire so many at me!?”

“Of course I will! I am one of El Meide’s high ranking magic priests― Wha!?”

After Mizuki let out a complaint about the water bullets flying being sent flying her way, while Christa was in the middle of responding, Mizuki shot out fire magic without any chant, and evaporated all of the water bullets at once. The flames splendidly exploded as they slammed against the ground.

“Sorry! Cause I can’t really go easy against strong people!”

“As one would expect of the one who was summoned together with the hero of salvation, you’re quite capable.”

“Un. Thanks for the compliment.”

The two of them exchanged praise on the battlefield like friendly enemies. Looking at them, Titania let out an exasperated voice during a spare moment between her magics.

“Why did they just get all harmonious…”

Though it was mostly Mizuki who was getting harmonious.

And at the same time, Felmenia and Graziella’s fight was also not reaching a conclusion as they continued the ebb and flow of offence and defence. Graziella’s earth magic fired forth from the south end of the plaza. However, Felmenia met it with defensive magic. As she chanted her spell, a magic circle rose from her feet and that light from the mana constructed a wall around her. In an instant, the tsunami of earth and sand from Graziella assaulted her, and after it settled down, as expected, Felmenia was standing there completely unharmed.

“―As expected of the White Flame Felmenia-dono. This level of magic is absolutely nothing to you is it?”

“Of course. I am still the mage representing the Kingdom after all.”

Felmenia boasted fearlessly in a bid to cheer herself on. At present, her battle with Graziella consisted mainly of Felmenia defending against the magic Graziella was firing off like she was restraining Felmenia from advancing at all. Even though Graziella specialized in hand to hand combat, she was not forcing herself to to draw nearer. If she entered close combat carelessly, she would end up showing her back to one of the Seven Swords after all. Though Titania herself had no intention of using a sword, nobody had any way of knowing this.

Moreover, without turning to look at any of the magic flying around in their vicinity, Reiji and Elliot were moving around the entire centre of the battlefield as they fought. If one were to imprudently get caught up in their fight, they may end up creating a major opening for their opponent. Thus they hesitated to close in to close range combat.

Felmenia fired off magic with a short chant.

“―Oh flame! Soar.”

“It’s been nothing but magic without any motivation all this time―”

Watching Felmenia firing off magic to restrain her, Graziella let out a disappointed voice. Felmenia had only been attacking halfheartedly all this time. Graziella must have felt like she wasn’t even in a fight at all. Graziella’s body was in a state where it was filled to the brim with mana as she received the flame head on. The flame struck her directly, but despite the fact that she did not even use defensive magic, not even her clothes had so much as a burn on them.

(As expected with this level of magic, there is no effect at all on her Highness the Imperial Princess Graziella huh…)

Felmenia was weighing the situation. She was trying to figure out what level of power was required to make Graziella serious. Just as she expected, only trying to simply restrain her could not make Graziella serious at all.

(Then, it is about time.)

In preparation to unleash her hidden hand, Felmenia turned her attention Reiji and Elliot. What she was concentrating on was not how the battle was unfolding, it was Elliot’s magic―

★

What rang through the air was not the sound of metal clashing violently against metal, but was something more akin to the clear reverberations of a clanging metallophone. Even though swords were supposed to be exchanging blows against each other, all one could hear was more like a high pitched buzzing in one’s ears. In the plaza filled with sounds of rampant destruction, this high pitched sound was the one that lingered the longest in the air. Naturally, the only ones who were jumping around the battlefield using swords were Reiji and Elliot.

Only the two of them were fighting in the middle of the magic flying about without being caught by the boundary dividing the plaza into north and south. Reiji was in his uniform with his sleeves rolled up, while Elliot had already donned his armour and was perfectly prepared for battle.

Suddenly, Elliot threw away his shield, and wielding his sword in both hands, he stopped Reiji’s blade. Reiji wasn’t sure what was on his mind, but after locking up the guards of both swords, a muffled voice resounded from deep within his barrel helm.

“I did not think think that I would end up fighting against another person chosen as a hero like I was.”

“I also didn’t anticipate this at all.”

Due to putting all in strength into his sword, Reiji’s voice was somewhat awkward. And then for some reason, the strength Elliot put into his sword weakened. Elliot then spoke like he was smiling beneath his armour.

“It seems that you’re at the level of an amateur swordsman who only started learning, but as expected you are quite strong. You have quite the sense for it.”

Reiji questioned Elliot in a puzzled voice after hearing him calmly speak to him.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing, it’s just that I haven’t spoken much with you. I just thought I’d like to talk a little.”

“I really don’t think this is the kind of situation where we can do something like having a little talk.”

“Is that so? If you don’t talk while you’re able to, you may just be left with regrets. It is my belief that I should properly speak with those that I seem to be able to speak with.”

Reiji wasn’t sure if the added ‘Though it requires patience to talk with a man,’ was a lie or not.

“Elliot. I heard you were the hero summoned from the Holy City, but why are you doing what her Imperial Highness Graziella tells you to? As a hero, there is no need to follow the orders of an imperial princess.”

“This is just a one time thing. I took her on in a match, and lost after all. I have to keep my promise.”

“―That may be the case but I feel like you’re not very motivated.”

Hearing this, Elliot replied with a dumbfounded yet somewhat amused voice.

“Am I? I don’t have such intentions though?”

“That’s a lie.”

Elliot laughed and quit playing dumb.

“If you believe so, it may be just as you say. In truth, even I do not enjoy bullying a little girl. I may just be holding back unconsciously.”

By little girl he must have been referring to Liliana. While Elliot had eased up on his attack, Reiji looked to the side. Elliot’s attendant mage Christa seemed to be fighting against Mizuki one on one as well. That is to say…

“Could it be, that you know the truth behind this case?”

“―No, I don’t know the truth. However, there is no way that man who holds that kind of passionate rage would take part in evil without a reason. Any man who gets worn down to tatters to protect a woman couldn’t be a bad guy after all… Not that I’m particularly acknowledging the value of that guy though.”

“But, nevertheless you don’t have any intention to just lose do you?”

“Naturally. On the contrary, if I held back that much it would just make me angry.”

As Reiji and Elliot’s conversation came to an end, they pulled the guards of their swords apart and distanced themselves from each other. Elliot’s movements had gotten a little dull and the lightning clad around his sword began to weaken. The effect of his body reinforcement magic and weapon enchantment magic seem to have run out of time. Seeing that, Reiji suddenly yelled out.

“Sensei!”

“Are you hoping for support? However, her opponent is that Imperial Princess Graziella you know?”

As Reiji signalled Felmenia, Elliot informed him that it would be impossible for her to do anything. On the other hand, Felmenia heard his voice loud and clear. Moreover it was just as she said herself that it was about time. She started constructing her offensive magic against Graziella who was still keeping her distance.

The magic circle at her feet invoked another plane. With her hand formed like a blade she drew a reverse pentagram as she chanted her spell.

“―That which I desire, stands before the fury of the storm. Oh wind, blow fiercely. Raise the cry of despair. For the sake of exterminating anything and everything before my eyes as much as you please…”

After the chant which left an intoxicating reverberation in the air finished, the magic circle showed a brilliant radiance, and with the drawn reversed pentagram at its centre, a sudden gust blew in from the surroundings. The perfectly still scene around Felmenia suddenly transformed. While withstanding being blown away by the extraordinarily powerful wind pressure, Felmenia fired out her keyword.

“Glauneck Air!” (Oh Devil’s Wind!)

The compressed air was released as an intense shockwave assaulted to area. The trees bent backwards from the pressure. Fire magic, water magic, the soldier’s magic and all the bricks on the ground were blown away. Graziella received the shockwave of Glauneck Air with her entire body, however, she endured through it. It seemed she took damage, but Graziella acted like she still had composure.

“―My my, it seems I made light of you. White Flame-dono. To think you were holding on to this kind of hidden hand.”

“As expected, you withstood it…”

“Of course.”

Graziella gazed at Felmenia with disdain.

“White Flame-dono. Is it not about time that you run out of steam?”

“Says you. However, it seems your Imperial Highness is also incapable of capturing me. Even if you spent all eternity firing such small magic at me you will never be able to defeat me you know?”

A smile floated on Graziella’s face as she heard these provocative words, but she did not seem amused at all.

“―So you say. You do understand that if not for the damn Twilight Beheading Princess’ presence, I would have knocked you down long ago right? Besides, you saw it right? That fight in the southern plaza.”

“I’m saying that if you do not put in at least that much effort, then you’ll never defeat me.”

“Then so be it. If you are willing to go that far, I’ll allow you to thoroughly taste my magic.”

Graziella was no longer able to endure Felmenia’s provocation and began chanting the the spell for the teleportation magic she had been refraining from using all this time.

“―Heed my desires. Fly in beyond the distance, to the one who won’t hold an audience with me. My hail detaches you from the world’s entangled and inseparable laws, become a power which surpasses any kind of reason― Open! Devil Connect!”

Along with her keyword, the night sky warped as it was being twisted and became vague. Sensing the teleportation of a massive object, Felmenia began by yelling.

“It’s coming! Every take evasive manoeuvres until you reach the safe zone! After evading please begin using magic at full power!”

Following her words, Titania, the knights around her, Mizuki who was trading fire with Christa, and Reiji who was fighting Elliot all increased their distance from the combat line. Immediately following that, a massive rock appeared in the sky. It wasn’t quite as large as the one used at the southern plaza, but it was more than enough of a threat. Felmenia then began using her magic at full power.

“―Just as the wind from far and wide conveys! Bring the flame that shines as it sways! Hear my voice! Thou art the shimmer dyed in white! Hear my voice! Thou art the shimmer which shakes off all calamity! White Flame Toss!”

Felmenia’s white flames flew towards the massive rock. Using the reconstructed burning magic she learned from Suimei, regardless of the flame’s temperature, the massive rock burned up.

“The magic from the other day huh!? However, something that I staved off once won’t protect you from this!”

Along with her violent words, Graziella once more began to chant her teleportation magic and called another massive rock in the sky. And then, without stopping her words at all, she began to use the spell continuously. And then, Reiji and the others…

“Reiji. It seems the Imperial Princess is planning to bring this to a decisive end. It’s decided over there.”

“We don’t know that yet.”

“Fuu―? I don’t know where you get the confidence to say that, but do you have some kind of plan? Well, fine. If you do then then it has nothing to do with me. I will simply do what I must over here.”

After saying this, Elliot began applying physical reinforcement on his body which was already reinforced by the divine protection of the hero summoning, and then began chanting his spell.

“Here I come, Reiji. I present my wish in celebration before the extolled spirit of wisdom. Oh lightning, demonstrate your sharpness before me. Blade Discharge!”

As soon as his keyword finished echoing in the air, Elliot’s orichalcos blade clad itself and lighting, and sent off electrical discharge from its tip. Or it should have…

“What―!?”

“What the hell!?”

Those bewildered declarations of surprise came from people of the same camp. The voices owners were Elliot and Graziella. Though Elliot finished the chant for his spell, his magic did not activate. Graziella who should also have been firing magic at Felmenia, for some reason also did not actually invoke magic as she darted around her eyes in surprise. Their magic failed with perfect timing.

The one to suffer from those two spells failing was Elliot. As he was using magic while crossing swords with Reiji, Reiji immediately closed the distance between them, however…

“―Tch. Too naive!”

Elliot let out a cry. The distance between them was still enough for him to act. In this state where he was unable to use magic, he immediately switched to his sword and let out a thrust towards Reiji. But as he did, Reiji kicked the ground with force towards Elliot. The bricks sent flying by his kick collided with Elliot’s sword and averted the trajectory of his thrust. And then, as Reiji ran into him…

“Sei!”

“Gah―!?”

Reiji drove the hilt of his orihalcum sword right into Elliot’s skull. Struck by this impact, Elliot’s body rolled across the ground two or three times.

“Elliot-sama!”

Christa’s scream reached Reiji’s ears. However, paying no attention to her, he headed in a straight line right towards Graziella. Thanks to Felmenia’s scheme, she was still unable to use magic. She prepared her fist in a fluster, but was too slow to counter the brandished sword coming right at her.

“I will apologize in advance for my impoliteness―”

While letting out an apology, Reiji drove the hilt of his sword with all his might past Graziella’s fists and right into her abdomen and defeated her as he sent her to the ground. As she fell on her butt, Reiji thrust his sword at her neck.

“It’s our win.”

“Ridiculous… This kind of…”

Graziella’s surprise was pointed more towards the fact that she was not able to use magic rather than Reiji’s victory declaration. Her face was still gripped in bewilderment. And then, as if demanding an answer, she turned her head towards Felmenia.

“What… Why can I no longer use magic!? Just what kind of magic did you bastards use!?”

Felmenia replied to her.

“It isn’t like I used magic that could render you unable to use magic. The reason you could no longer use magic, is simply because your Imperial Highness had used too much magic.”

“Used too much, you say… Ridiculous, I’m nowhere near running out of mana!”

“Seems so. However, the magic your Imperial Highness is using is based on the magic behind the hero summoning technique. It is not magic which carries an element. Because of that, the elements are not supporting your Imperial Highness’ magic. Due to the massive increase of the mystical entropy in this place, as a result, the phenomenon of magic melt occurred.”

“M-mystical… Mag-ic mel… What is that?”

“Mystical entropy is produced when ‘the components which establish mystical laws’ and ‘the components which establish physical laws’ end up in a cluttered state. If this increases too much, the throughput of a magic spell will be insufficient, and the phenomenon of magic melt will occur, this will prevent magic from activating.”

“But―”

“But ‘this has never happened before,’ right? That’s because, on top of the magic used to teleport a massive rock, you never used magic which heavily increased entropy before―”

As Felmenia began talking to Graziella, she recalled what Suimei had taught her about this phenomenon.

★

“―What about the magic melt phenomenon that occurs when mystical entropy reaches its limit?”

Felmenia inclined her head to the side as she asked. Suimei then once more began his explanation from the beginning.

“Yes, when entropy in one location increases, we just discussed that physically things will become unstable and become easier to manipulate, but if within a single space and within a certain amount of time entropy is increased too much, magic will no longer be able to be used.”

“Such a thing happens?”

“It does. The magic of this world has the portion of magic which is invoked from another plane taken care of by the elements. Because of this, the outbreak of ‘the components which establish mystical law’ is suppressed, and entropy does not increase much. Thanks to this, it never happens here so I’m not surprised you don’t know about it.”

After the brief tangent, Suimei returned to his explanation.

“When entropy increases radically within a single space, the fight between the tiny people becomes fierce. Not just ‘the components which establish physical laws,’ but because of the increase of ‘the components which establish mystical laws,’ they also receive quite the burden.”

“But, did you not say that when you use magic to instigate a mystical action, those ‘components which establish mystical laws’ end up increasing, so entropy ends up increasing and magic become easier to use? Is that wrong?”

“Before the components can scatter in the area, if one gives birth to too many of them in an instant, they will in up crowding together right there. Even components of the same type will begin to interfere with each other. In other words, the tiny people will find it difficult to move around and magic will end up being unusable.”

To add on to his explanation, Suimei began drawing on a piece of paper.

“Think of magic as something which is activated due to the power of these invisible tiny people. It will be a slightly microscopic way of thinking about it, but the tiny people require ‘the time to perform their work to activate magic’ before it can be invoked. When the entropy increases in one location, the tiny people will find it harder and harder to move around which affects the time to perform their work. Eventually, it will end up affecting the use of magic itself.”

“In short, you’re talking about creating a time delay before one can activate magic?”

“That’s right.”

“But why does that lead to being unable to use magic? If it is only a time delay, then once the magic is constructed, shouldn’t it activate after enough time has passed?”

“If you’re doubtful, try remembering the foundation of why magic is activated.”

As Suimei urged her to ruminate on it, based on what she had said before, Felmenia began talking as she thought about it.

“The foundation, is it…? In the first place, I think that what we’re talking about is based on the premise that magic comes into existences, it shouldn’t particularly mean that it will no longer be able to― Ah!”

“Do you get it?”

“It’s the time… right?”

“Yes, exactly. Magic is something that is invoked only when the predetermined mystical actions are combined, the predetermined processes are followed and the predetermined time has not elapsed. Normally, because magic is invoked right as the actions are complete, one does not generally take notice of it. But in truth, this ‘time until invocation’ is something to consider. If a large amount of time passes from the construction to the invocation, naturally this would violate the predetermined time and the constructed spell will begin to dissolve.”

After explaining, Suimei began speaking with a very serious expression on his face.

“To sum it up, that is the phenomenon known as magic fusion.”

If the conditions for activation are not met, then naturally the constructed magic would become useless. Of course there would be no problems with magic whose effects were already active, but magics which have yet to be activated would be severely restricted. If one were to predict the oppressive condition of entropy, it was possible to hold the magic’s activation on standby and adjust the predetermined time to easily solve the problem, but there were many people who never considered things to that extent.

“Just as I said before, modern magic theory especially produces a large quantity of entropy within a single space. In accordance with the grand unified theory, the magic used mixes together many magic systems and can be used both faster than normal and with great effect. Thus the production of components is accelerated.”

“In other words, magic with greater effects would be restricted in proportion to the scale of those effects right?”

“That’s right. And so, the important things here is the fact that the magic that dangerous woman uses also increases entropy greatly, it is one of those magics with a great effect.”

“If I’m not mistaken… It was what was called teleportation magic in Suimei-dono’s world right?”

“That’s right. You got a good look at it right?”

“Yes. That also did not have many processes and activated quite quickly. I does not make use of modern magic theory but, even so is it the same?”

“Yes. It didn’t take much time to activate, but practically speaking that’s only because the magic circle was prepared beforehand in the lining of her coat. It does not change the fact that teleportation magic is something difficult to physically manifest. That’s why…”

“Those ‘components which establish mystical laws’ will suddenly be produced, and entropy will greatly increase right?”

As Felmenia arrived at the right answer, Suimei showed her a mischievous smile.

“That’s right. With that, you get what the goal of our lesson is this time right―”

…What Felmenia had been using up until now was the magic she learned from Suimei based on modern magic theory. Due to the fact that she learned it hastily, there wasn’t much to expect from its destructive power, but when it came to increasing mystical entropy, it was quite easy to bring about the phenomenon known as magic melt.

Also, Graziella wasn’t the only one increasing entropy in the area. Though the amount produced was quite small, Reiji, Mizuki, the knights and even Christa and Graziella’s mages were all doing so. Elliot, who used magic from another world, also contributed greatly to this. As his magic did not have the elements taking over a portion of the spell, it increased entropy reasonably well. This was exactly why there was the potential for the magic melt phenomenon to occur and why Suimei adopted this plan. It simply meant he took into consideration dealing with Elliot as well.

―I’m sure you saw it before, but do you remember how Elliot linked together his sword skills and magic? If he suddenly was no longer able to use one of them, an opening would appear, that’s what we’ll aim for.

Precisely as Suimei had said, so that Elliot could maintain the multiple enhancement effects he used at once, he would invoke them over and over multiple times. If Reiji called out when that time came around, an opening would show in Elliot’s defences.

Graziella then spoke to Felmenia in an annoyed tone.

“I see. Your ridiculous magic and the fact that magic could no longer be used, was all that guy’s…”

“―With all due respect, I have no need to answer your questions.”

Felmenia resolutely cut off Graziella as she was talking. Since Reiji and the others were also present, carelessly answering too many questions would only bother Suimei. With his sword still pointed at her, Reiji then requested she follow her obligation as the loser.

“With this it’s decided. Please remove your soldiers and withdraw.”

However, Graziella snorted in displeasure.

“I refuse.”

“Eh―?”

“Do you really think that you’ve won with this? You’ve only thrust your damn sword in front of me right? Or are you saying that you are able to thrust that sword through my heart?”

As Graziella pointed this out, Reiji spoke as if to hide the panic rising up within him.

“If you insist on fighting more then…”

“Cease that. There’s no way that you could kill the imperial princess of a nation with your own hands.”

Reiji was certainly bluffing. After seeing through this, Graziella looked disappointed. As Reiji was not used to threatening others, he was unable to draw out a defeated attitude from her. Soon, from beyond the street, they could hear many footsteps approaching quickly. It wasn’t enough to shake the ground, but they could still guess that there was quite the number of them.

“It seems like reinforcements have arrived.”

As Graziella gave them a provocative smile, Titania let out a cry.

“It couldn’t be, you prepared a rear-guard!?”

“Of course. With an opponent of that much ability, is it not natural to prepare at least this much? It seems you’re planning was far too naive.”

Despite the sweat forming on her brow, Graziella let out a fearless laugh. Reiji then repeated himself once more before her.

“But, I still have my sword thrust before you?”

“As long as I give the order, the soldiers of the Empire will not hesitate. Besides, it doesn’t seem that White Flame-dono has any more schemes.”

“Ku…”

Felmenia ground her teeth. As Graziella sneered at her oversight, she commanded all of her subordinates.

“Everyone, do not hold back! Restrain all these people before you!”

The reinforcements replied vigorously and the soldiers they were just fighting began to move. Mizuki and the knights were cornered until they arrived where Felmenia was. And just as they were surrounded…

“―Graziella Filas Rieseld, you are the same as always. Have you already forgotten how I’ve rebuked you before for that habit of only fighting those in a weaker position than you?”

Along with a red wind, that cool voice swept through the streets. Immediately following it, the front line of the reinforcements that were on the way were blown away like they were caught in an explosion.

“Wha!?”

“Just what in the…”

Both Reiji and Graziella were at a loss for words. The reinforcements that were coming in from the side alley were sent flying by a wind filled with a red brilliance. The mix of soldiers and mages at the front were all sent flying away and because of that, the ones behind them could only stumble forwards. The soldiers hit by the red wind were not moving. Scattered in every direction, they were all unconscious. As if lurking over them, the red wind which knocked them out was now hanging at the alley’s entrance and above the nearby buildings.

The dust in the air was scattered by the red wind as it dissipated. And standing there, having regained her former figure, was Lefille Grakis. With her large sword taller than her own body resting on her shoulder, she gazed sharply at the soldiers before her. Before the overpowering pressure from this young girl who was not yet even twenty years old, the soldiers were completely bound in place. On the other hand, as Graziella saw the figure of Lefille before her, she opened her eyes wide in surprise.

“It can’t be… Shrine Maiden-dono from Noshias!? You were alive…?”

As Lefille turned back towards that voice, she stopped her eyes where Reiji and the others were, and let out a voice of relief.

“It seems that I made it in time.”

Suddenly, the soldiers freed from Lefille’s gaze regained control of their bodies and began to move as they came to their senses. Perhaps due to their excellent training, they immediately deployed. The soldiers took the front and readied their swords while the mages fell to the back and prepared to fire magic aimed at Lefille all at once.

“Look out!”

Seeing this, Reiji cried out to Lefille, however, with calm and composed movements, Lefille turned back towards the soldiers. Immediately following this, the many magics fired at Lefille came rushing in, but as if she was struck by nothing but a gentle breeze, she stood there perfectly calm.

“Ridiculous… Magic, did nothing…?”

One of the soldiers trembled in fear as they groaned like they were speaking the inner feelings of every single soldier in that place. Seeing that, with her heart gripped by surprise, Graziella spoke.

“The Shrine Maiden’s… spirit power. To think it could even render magic useless…”

The mages turned towards Graziella as they heard her muttering. As if thrusting that ruthless truth before them, Lefille roared out at them.

“Do you think that magic blessed by the Goddess would work on me who has accepted a spirit within my body!?”

Lefille’s thunderous voice drowned out all sound in the bustling battlefield. Her voice was like electricity in the atmosphere as it pierced the skins of those before her. Lefille then raised her sword overhead once more. As if hailed by that action, the red wind formed a maelstrom with her sword at its centre. And then as she swung it down, not only a whole half of the soldiers deployed before her, but even the walls of the buildings and the pavement on the street were blown away by the explosion brought forth by the wind around her sword.

―It was a single intense swing. Every single person present was at a loss for words and doubted their eyes. That girl accompanied by the red wind was just that overwhelming.

The wind once more began blowing in out of nowhere. As if it had no other choice but to gather in this place, it blew in from all directions of the city and gathered around Lefille as she once more clad herself in a red brilliance. As bewilderment spread out in the area, one of the soldiers raised their voice as if they just noticed something.

“By the power of spirits, you can’t mean, this is, Ishtakney’s…”

After saying this, it seems they were fully convinced. The next voice to come out was one trembling in fear.

“Th-the red wind that comes up in Saint Alshalia’s legend, the Red Storm… They say everything swallowed by that red tempest is returned to nothingness without exception…”

“T-that’s impossible!”

“But that girl just said, she was a spirit or something…”

“O-oi! I’m sure Graziella-sama also just said something like that woman was a shrine maiden!”

As Lefille struck the tip of her sword into the ground, the panicking soldiers all cowered in fear at the sound alone. A few of them fell to their butts. Looking down at them, Lefille once more began speaking.

“If you do not wish to become rust upon my sword created by the spirits, open a path!!”

As Lefille’s thunderous voice rang through the air once more, the soldiers opened a path in a complete daze. They were clinging to dear life. As if they cared for nothing else, they were scrambling away. Among them, there were those with their heads to the ground praying to the Goddess. Those who did not run away in time, were sent flying ruthlessly by the sudden gust created by Lefille. Lefille glared over those before her. When she turned to the left, all the soldiers on her left cringed with fear. When she turned to the right, all the soldiers on her right began to tremble.

“Oh Goddess… Oh Goddess…”

“S-spare us! Please, please have mercy…”

“We were ordered to… We had no choice…”

The soldiers were already routed. All that was left were those with their heads to the ground begging the Goddess and Lefille for mercy. Looking at the state of her soldiers, Graziella spoke up.

“Ridiculous… To think, even the shrine maiden from Noshias would cooperate… Did I misread him?”

“Of course. There’s no way that Suimei-kun would make that kind of mistake in his plan right?”

Graziella ground her teeth at the completely unexpected outcome. Before her, Lefille proudly boasted like she was talking about her own family. Her behaviour towards Graziella was quite disrespectful, but naturally she was in a position where that was allowed.

“It has been a long time, Princess Graziella. It has been two years since we last saw each other, but it seems you haven’t changed at all.”

“To just shamelessly give your greetings after all that… Surely you did not come to renew the old friendship between Noshias and Nelferia.”

“If you understand that, then there’s no reason to put on airs. The reason I am here today― is so that I can knock you down with this hand of mine.”

“What…!?”

“Oh Red Storm of mine…”

Along with her words which rang out like a request, Lefille’s right arm became clad in a red wind. And then, with a voice filled with anger―

“This is for putting Suimei-kun through so much trouble when he was already injured. Resign yourself and accept it!!”

Lefille’s fist flew forwards like a heavenly wind and struck Graziella right in the abdomen.

“Gohaa!?”

As if she was thrown like a rubber ball, Graziella was sent flying splendidly. As she settled down and started to get up, she was still not able to move around adequately. After throwing her a single glance, Lefille turned towards Reiji and the others. And then after looking at each of their faces, she let out a slight smile.

“Everyone, it seems you’re all safe.”

Lefille was in fact one of their acquaintances, but naturally Reiji and the others had no idea who she was. Representing everyone’s bewilderment, Reiji spoke up.

“I’m sorry, you speak like we have met somewhere before, but you are?”

“…How upsetting. Were we not living together all this time?”

From those words, the characteristics of her appearance and her tone, Reiji finally figured it out. With a surprised expression plastered on his face, he put his guess into words.

“C-could you be Lefille-chan!?”

“I’m a little self-conscious of having ‘chan’ applied to my name with this appearance, Reiji-kun.”

Following up for Reiji, Mizuki raised a surprised voice.

“B-b-b-but Lefille-chan is a tiny and cute little girl!?”

“Up until recently anyways. But right now is different. It’s just due to certain reasons I ended up in that kind of form, this is my original form.”

“You say reasons… Just how and what could happen to make a person tiny…?”

“I could explain, but it would take a while. To say it like Suimei-kun, it’s because it is fantasy.”

Hearing that, Titania also let out a breath in astonishment.

“There was also Suimei’s case but, there’s really nothing but surprising things happening…”

Of course Felmenia was also surprised about Lefille.

“A-are you really Lefille…?”

“Didn’t I tell you about this before, Felmenia-jou? About how that small figure was not my true form? Suimei-kun said so as well right?”

“Th-th-th-there’s no way I would believe that kind of thing!! A person’s body can’t just become smaller! I thought Lefille and Suimei-dono were just telling a joke together!”

“So you thought Suimei-kun and I were lying right? How cruel.”

As Lefille shrugged her shoulders in astonishment, Reiji spoke up to her.

“But, why are you suddenly in your original form?”

“A few days ago I prepared a magic circle for the sake of returning. I just returned to this figure moments ago.”

“I see…”

When Reiji finished with his questions, Graziella began to move.

“… What are all of you doing!? Can you bastards even call yourselves soldiers of the Empire like this!? Take up your swords!”

Without losing any of her hostility, she barked commands at the soldiers who were still trembling in fear. As she did, Titania turned towards her with a composed expression.

“You don’t know when to give up, your Imperial Highness. Is it not unbecoming of you to get lost in anger and fight on?”

“Silence. Even if Shrine Maiden-dono and a hero are here, if I use the power of the Empire…”

Graziella threw away her pride and refused to accept defeat. Hearing this, Lefille looked up at the heavens and spoke to Graziella while stifling her laughter.

“―Hou, then even after seeing that, can you say such a thing?”

“What do you mean by that…?”

Following those words, everyone present looked towards the heavens. In the night sky of the Empire, an enormous magic circle drawn with the ultramarine light of mana drowned out the light from the stars. Seeing this, Mizuki cried out while shaking.

“Th-th-th-th-th-that! What is that!? There’s a giant magic circle floating in the sky!”

“It’s huge… Why is such a large magic circle… Not only that, it’s in the sky…”

Reiji had his eyes wide open in shock as he spoke completely dumbfounded. However Graziella did not let out a surprised voice herself. Meanwhile, Christa drew nearer to Elliot who had been knocked out by Reiji to wake him up.

“Gu… It seems that while I was unconscious, something outrageous has happened.”

“Elliot-dono huh?”

“My goodness, an extremely familiar looking girl has become quite a bit bigger.”

“Save the talk for later. It’s coming.”

Just as she finished speaking, a wave of mana surged forth from the centre of the magic circle. It passed through everything in the distance in an instant, and like fireflies dancing in the air, golden particles began rising from the ground and were sucked up by the magic circle floating in the starry sky.

Within that fantastical scenery, many small magic circles began to appear within the larger ones. Even though they were small, that was only in comparison to the larger circle. Before long, after the ground swayed briefly, the Imperial Capital was engulfed with the light falling from the heavens. Felmenia was he only one who knew just what this spectacle was. Back in the Royal Castle Camellia, it was the magic Suimei used during their battle, star fall.

… Eventually the light calmed down. Everyone who was standing there were obviously unharmed. Reiji turned to Lefille who seemed to behave like someone who knew much of the world.

“Lefille…san. That was?”

“That? That was something Felmenia-jou prepared.”

“Eh!? Is that right, Sensei!?”

“Eh? Ah… Yes, well. The magic was prepared in advance… That’s… ehem”

Felmenia somehow managed to keep up her appearance as Reiji questioned her, and then in a somewhat forced manner, she cleared her throat and turned towards Graziella.

“Your Imperial Highness. You just witnessed the power of that magic right? Even after seeing that massive power, do you intend to keep on fighting? Your Highness’ soldiers are in that kind of state you know?”

Felmenia pointed towards the soldiers. The soldiers had already lost their fighting spirit to Lefille and must have thought that the light from the falling stars was the wrath of god. They were currently all prostrate on the ground praying to the Goddess. It couldn’t be helped. There was no way they would think that kind of power could be drawn out by any single person.

“Shit… Even so…”

Graziella still did not give up. Letting out a curse, she showed her intent to resist further. However, what brought in the decisive blow to make her give up came from a completely unexpected place. From beyond where the soldiers were still prostrate on the ground, several soldiers on horseback showed up. After a while, they formed ranks in an orderly fashion and came to a stop, and from within their ranks the one who came out was…

“―Lyla, that’s enough.”

“E-elder brother…”

Graziella was at a loss at that person’s arrival. Appearing from within the soldiers on horseback on a horse of his own, was the Nelferian Empire’s first prince, Reanat Filas Rieseld. He had the same long blonde hair as Graziella, wore glasses and wrapped his body in luxurious clothing. He first turned towards Reiji and the others instead of speaking to Graziella.

“I apologize for speaking while still on horseback. Elliot-dono, Shrine Maiden-dono from Noshias, Princess Titania, and you must be the hero summoned by Astel, Reiji-dono right?”

“Yes.”

Reiji gave a brief reply. He did not know just who Reanat was and had put himself on guard. However Titania whispered his identity into Reiji’s ear from behind. While that was going on, Graziella yelled out towards Reanat.

“Elder brother! What do you mean that’s enough!?”

“… Exactly as it sounds. Restrain yourself.”

“But!”

“Lyla. You created too much of an uproar. Besides, it would become quite serious if word of a hero fighting another hero would reach the ears of the Holy City right?”

“… That’s, certainly true, but.”

It seemed that even Graziella was unable to put up much resistance against the man who was next in line to be the Emperor of the Empire. She gripped her fist tightly like she was completely vexed.

“It has been a long time. Your Imperial Highness Reanat.”

“Yes, it’s been a while. Princess Titania. As ever you are quite awe-inspiring. You are a flower who blooms on the battlefield after all.”

“Saying on the battlefield does not count as flattery, your Imperial Highness. Setting that aside, what you had said before…”

“Aah, we shall withdraw. However, about the criminal…”

As Reanat was in the middle of speaking…

“Oh my, it seems something amazing is happening here.”

From an alleyway leading to the street, Suimei appeared along with Liliana while dragging along the ruined body that was once Romeon. Seeing this, Reiji and Mizuki let out cries of joy.

“Suimei!”

“Suimei-kun! Liliana-chan!”

“Fuu… It seems things have finished on your end right?”

As Titania asked in confirmation, Suimei replied with an attitude like he just finished a difficult task.

“Yeah, somehow or other.”

After separating with Rogue, Suimei took Liliana and immediately traced back his steps. Reiji and the others rushed over to Suimei’s side. After noticing that Liliana was not very energetic, Mizuki crouched down and talked to her.

“Liliana-chan?”

“… Yes.”

“Mizuki. Sorry but take care of Liliana for a bit.”

Leaving Liliana to Mizuki and the others, Suimei began walking towards Reanat and Graziella.

“You’re sure wearing some nice clothes, but are you related to that dangerous woman?”

As Suimei gripped his chin with arrogance, the soldiers on horseback began to stir. They were intending to rush out in front right away, but Reanat stopped them with his hand.

“I am Reanat Filas Rieseld. You are?”

“Suimei Yakagi. I’m a person who was summoned as a bonus to that hero over there.”

“Mu… A guest from another world huh.”

As expected, after hearing of a person summoned together with a hero, he couldn’t put up a strong front. Seeing this, Suimei handed over Romeon who he was still dragging along.

“Here, this guy is the true culprit behind the incidents this time. Take him… Though I say that, he’s not in a state where he can hear what you’re saying anymore.”

Having turned completely black, Romeon was not even recognizable as an elf anymore. Seeing this, Reanat knit his brows dubiously.

“You say this is the criminal?”

“Yeah, he intended to use dark magic, but instead got engulfed in it and met his fate. These incidents were all devised by this guy.”

“Fumu… Are you telling me to believe this?”

“Well, there aren’t any other who can give you a testimony. But, if you just believe me things would be settled quite peacefully right? If you guys accept this guy as your true criminal, at the very least things won’t get any more serious than they have right?”

Reanat began contemplating on Suimei’s words. He was surely thinking about what option before him was best to take.

“Also, I’ll have you leave Liliana in my care.”

“Bastard, do you really think we’ll let that pass?”

Hearing Suimei, Graziella opposed him filled with anger, however Reanat simply nodded his head.

“… So be it. If you hand over that true culprit over to us, we will let you do as you wish.”

“Elder brother!?”

“Lyla, there are both Shrine Maiden-dono and Hero-dono here. Besides, there was also that magic which engulfed the Imperial Capital in light.”

“―Well, that’s how it is.”

He wasn’t even sure if Reiji and the others heard this. Having heard exactly what he wanted to, Suimei brought the conversation to an end.

“Bastard…”

At the consecutive events that she could simply not accept, Graziella pointed an annoyed gaze towards Suimei. Seeing this, Suimei shrugged his shoulders.

“Fuu? It seems in that state, you won’t be able to bring forth the devil.”

“… What was that?”

“It’s nothing. If you were able to verify the existence of devils in this world, you could decrease the entropy in the area is all. You would not lose your ability to use magic.”

She did not seem to understand Suimei’s fragmented explanation, but after hearing this, she seemed to realize just who had planned everything that happened here.

“… I will definitely pay you back for this.”

“Of course you will. Next time I will properly beat you to a pulp, so come at me with that in mind.”

Leaving her those words, Suimei walked away from them. Felmenia then ran up to him to meet him ahead of the others. In a quiet voice, she reported her victory happily with all her might.

(Suimei-dono! I did it! I was able to do it just as you explained it!)

(So it went well. As expected of you.)

(Ehehe…)

Felmenia made a slovenly smile as Suimei put his hand on her shoulder. To be that happy from just having her victory acknowledged by Suimei, it was certainly just like her. As Suimei looked at Reiji and the others who were taking care of Liliana, they were making a fuss around Lefille. Seeing that she returned to her original form, they were probably bombarding her with questions. After seeing that figure, Liliana had completely lost her cool and was screaming things like ‘What does this mean!?’ and ‘You’re a fraud!’

On the other hand, Lefille was just going along with all of them. Seeing that Lefille returned to approximately the same height as him, Suimei smiled pleasantly.

“It seems you’ve safely returned to your original form.”

“Yeah, thanks to you.”

As Lefille showed her gratitude, she suddenly embraced Suimei. And then…

“Suimei-kun. Thank you.”

“Heh, eh? Eeeh!?”

“It is all thanks to you that I was able to return to my original body. Including the case in Astel, I cannot thank you enough.”

As Suimei was shaken with surprise, Lefille piled on her gratitude. It was certainly as she said, but Suimei’s mind was in chaos after being embraced like that. Moreover, there was another person who was quite flustered at the turn of events. After a slight delay, Felmenia cried out.

“Wh-what are you doing Lefille!?”

“Ah, no, that’s… I was just gripped by emotion, and, umm…”

Lefille began to fidget as she turned red. She was boiling up in embarrassment to the extent where one had to wonder where her normal gallant self had gone. Eventually, Elliot and Christa came up to Suimei and the others.

“To think that you were someone who was summoned…”

“Oops, you heard what we were talking about? Well, it was just as a bonus, a bonus.”

“Are you in any position to say that? Also, didn’t you say before that Lefille-chan was tiny and couldn’t fight so I couldn’t bring her along? Just how is she not able to fight?”

Hearing Elliot’s words mixed with anger, Suimei played dumb as he replied.

“But you know~, at that time she certainly couldn’t fight right~?”

“Gu…”

“I didn’t really lie right?”

As Suimei showed a devious smile, Elliot put on an annoyed expression as he bluntly spoke back.

“I really do hate you after all.”

“I don’t care if you hate me. But―”

“Yeah, I get it. I will resign myself graciously from this case… At any rate, it seems I’ve only lost repeatedly from this case.”

“Hm? What, didn’t you lose on purpose?”

“When you say something like that I feel that my sense of defeat just piles up.”

“Is that so? I’ll show you my gratitude this time. Thanks.”

As Suimei honestly gave Elliot his thanks, Elliot pouted like he was dissatisfied, but perhaps because he was self-conscious, he had become a bit red. Lefille then turned towards him.

“Elliot-dono. You may not be satisfied with how things turned out. However, the reason Suimei-kun and myself were introduced to each other was also because of the Goddess’ oracle.”

“Is that right? My goodness, just what is going on?”

As one would expect, Elliot didn’t continue and complain about the Goddess. He stopped speaking and only shook his head.

“Elliot-sama.”

“Aah, that’s right. Well then, shall we also return?”

Being urged by Christa’s voice, Elliot turned around and the two of them headed back towards their lodgings at the Salvation Church. It seemed that Graziella, Reanat and their soldiers were also in the middle of returning. Suimei then spoke to Reiji who was drawing nearer with Mizuki and the others.

“I’m in your debt this time around.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

Suimei and Reiji traded a fist bump. And thus, the coma incidents that had been kicking up a fuss in the Imperial Capital and the evening’s battle came to an end.

★

Late at night, in a church in the Imperial Capital, a single skinny elf man was waiting for someone with unmanageable boredom. The reason he came here was for the sake of giving a regular report. He would hand over the information he gathered to the person he was meeting with. That’s all there was.

However, no mater how much time passed, the person he was waiting for did not show up. The skinny elf was quite high strung, so he would always show up early when they met up. Taking into consideration the time he waited until the regular meeting and the time after that, it was quite considerable. Naturally, due to his nervousness he got irritated quite easily. The tapping of his foot had reached its peak, and he was about to kick a nearby bench when―

“Is somebody there?”

“―!?”

As he was suddenly called, the elf stopped his kick. A soft voice reverberated from deep within the chapel where a statue modelled after the Goddess stood. When he turned around to look, standing there under the skylight and illuminated by the moon, was a therianthrope nun. She walked out from the clean atmosphere of the church towards the man while holding her body like she was protecting her stole. The elf did not expect at all that someone from the church would still be around at this time and stiffened his body. The therianthrope sister called out to him in a sweet voice like that of a cat.

“To come to the church at such a time, do you have some business here?”

“No… I was just using it a little as a place to meet up with someone…”

“Oh my, is that so?”

As he spoke without really making any sort of excuse, the sister let out a gentle smile towards him. Seeing how he entered the church arbitrary, he thought it wouldn’t be strange if she was slightly aggravated at him, but it seemed that was not the case. However, this was the first he had heard of someone having a shift at this time at the Salvation Church…

“Umm, Sister, why are you at the church at this kind of time?”

“To speak the truth, just like yourself I am waiting for somebody here.”

Her words should have been kind and gentle. He could hear the characteristic voice that came from a feline therianthrope’s throat. However, he felt her cheerful smile had abruptly fallen into a dark shadow. Seeing that slight change, without knowing why, the elf could feel goosebumps on his skin.

“… What a coincidence, huh?”

“Yes, it truly is.”

The sister’s charming laugh resounded through the room. Hearing her voice, the elf was led to believe that the premonition he just had was a complete misunderstanding. As if talking to a partner in crime, he spoke to her with a vulgar smile on his face.

“Hey, Sister.”

“Yes?”

“By the way, do you mind telling about the one you are waiting for? It’s just that my interest is a little piqued from wondering just what kind of person a Sister would have to meet so late in the night.”

“That is, somewhat hard for me to say though.”

“Could it be your lover?”

The elf man stepped forward with confidence as he closed in on the nun. He did not usually take part in these kinds of conversations, but he had gotten tired of the boredom of waiting for someone. It didn’t matter what it was, he just wanted to amuse himself and kill some time. He was sure the only reason the sister could be meeting someone in secret so late in the night would be for a tryst.

“That’s… Though it is embarrassing…”

Just as he guessed, the sister’s cheeks began to redden.

“―I, have been waiting here for you.”

“Eh―?”

At the same time the skinny elf let out a bewildered voice, the nun’s right hand pierced through his chest. As she pulled her hand out, all the strength left his body. His heart had struck the ground cleanly. His body had become like a rusted puppet as it no longer moved as he willed it and a thick red fluid poured out of it. All he could do was collapse.

All that he could see as he felt himself being pulled into the abyss, was the figure of the sister with her stole hanging over one hand and her other arm completely dyed red. His consciousness faded as she began licking the blood off her arm.

“Fuu―The elves always extol just how high class their blood is, but its taste is unexpectedly bad huh.”

The therianthrope sister, Clarissa’s disappointed voice reverberated through the interior of the church. Looking at the empty husk of the elf with disdain and she thought from the bottom of her heart that his blood was disgusting, she then turned around as if she had completely lost interest. Behind her, a small shadow appeared.

“…As usual you have quite the nasty way of killing people.”

“Oh my, Jill. You were there?”

“Even though you already noticed… Good grief, you really are shameless. Yeah, I got here just a moment ago.”

The identity of the small shadow was the dwarf woman, Jillbert Griga. She had a body that was about the size of a child from the church’s school, but she was over twenty years in age. Within that small body lied an unimaginable and terrifying amount of physical strength. As if to prove this, she was twirling around a large poleaxe on the tip of her finger like it was a quill pen. The poleaxe was three times as large as her and did not match her appearance at all. However she was carrying it calmly as if it did not weigh anything at all. Before long, Jillbert leaned on her poleaxe and took a seat. Clarissa then raised a question to her.

“What’s the matter?”

“It was terrible… Or rather it couldn’t turn out as anything but terrible. After being sent to the east to fetch drinks, and then on top of that having to take care of that kind of job, that person really does treat their subordinates roughly.”

Jillbert struck her shoulder as she let out a tired sigh. She let out an idle complaint to somebody who was not present. However, keeping her thoughts on the matter brief, she looked at the corpse of the elf.

“At any rate, is this alright? That guy was supposed to be Romeon’s servant.”

“Not long ago an order was passed down to eliminate both him and Romeon.”

“Hmmm… Is that so?”

A ferocious light dwelt in Jillbert’s eyes. She was like a beast who had found its prey.

“Yes. He had gone too far, and he was too rebellious… That’s why.”

“Hm? I understand the rebellious part, but what do you mean he had gone too far?”

“Jill. At first, you are aware that that person had intended to usher in darkness correct?”

“Yeah. If it was that girl, then she would become quite the asset right? It was for that reason that they first came into contact with Romeon right?”

“Yes. According to the plan we would grant her wish and then usher her in. But using his own judgment he began to use darkness for his own purpose.”

Hearing this, Jillbert let out a grand sigh.

“Haaaa, I see… In the end it turned out like that huh. That’s why I was against it from the beginning you know? I said not to pull in Romeon because he had a vulgar stench to him.”

“Certainly, your nose is quite exceptional.”

“So are we going now? To go bump that guy off.”

“―No, it seems there won’t be a need for that.”

While Clarissa and Jillbert were discussing how the punishment would be dealt out, a man’s voice cut in between them. As the familiar voice arrived, the two of them turned to face him. Standing there was a man with silver horns above his ears, a dragonnewt wearing traditional Japanese-like clothing.

“Oi, you’re late. I’ve never heard of a dragonnewt being so easygoing you know?”

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen the Imperial Capital’s streets, I had gotten a little dizzy.”

The dragonnewt replied frivolously to Jillbert’s criticism. On the other hand, Clarissa greeted him in a cheerful voice like she was greeting a good friend.

“Eanru, it has been a long time. However, what did you mean by there won’t be a need for that?”

“Just a moment ago, Romeon’s overflowing presence weakened. Also, there was an omen of something big coming.”

“…Where from?”

“From the direction of the Imperial University’s library―It’s coming.”

The moment after Eanru finished speaking, they felt the presence of a massive amount of mana and the world began to shake. Pillars of light then began pouring down incessantly from the sky. This abnormal event continued for a while, and eventually the quiet night returned.

“So he kicked the bucket―No, he’s at death door huh… He was completely blown away without a trace without any chance at all.”

“…Oi, dragon, just who did that kind of thing?”

“How should I know? I’m the one who wants to know just what kind of person holds so much power… Fu… To think that in one night, not just one but two people other than the heroes would surpass the power of the Geomancy Emperor.”

“Ah? Two people? What do you mean?”

“It’s just as I said. Right now there is the presence of five different strong presences within the Imperial Capital. One was the one we just saw. Another is around the north gate… It’s probably around where the Geomancy Emperor and the heroes are.”

“Hou…”

After Jillbert’s halfhearted reply, the interior of the church was filled with Eanru’s pleasant laughter.

“You seem to be having fun.”

“Yeah, it’s been a long time since someone appeared who made my blood boil. It makes me excited.”

“Damn battle maniac…”

Jillbert spat out an insult at Eanru’s comment. Though Eanru could only hear such words as a compliment and once more began speaking while still overflowing with joy.

“―Oops. By the way Clarissa, where is Red Pain? Was that man not supposed to come today?”

“Red Pain-dono is still rather busy so he excused himself from today’s gathering.”

“Even though that person is coming? For that man who adores that person just like the two of you to not come, the sky must be falling―Or rather, right now the stars are falling huh? Hahahahaha.”

Eanru’s suddenly laughing on his own was just business as usual. Clarissa did not mind at all as she just stood there as she was. As for Jillbert, she began to speak of that Red Pain’s situation.

“There’s still a few complications left within the area. Those demons are closing in real flashily after all. Because of that he was detained for a while.”

“Demons huh. But didn’t the hero subjugate them?”

“Seems that wasn’t true.”

“Hohou”

“Well setting that aside… It’s the cleanup which is taking up more time. That country is precious to Red Pain after all.”

“I see. Those who have many obligations are quite troubled. Well― that’s why he’s strong despite being a human.”

“That’s really all you’re on about today…”

As Eanru began laughing again, Jillbert could only sigh once more. As opposed to being astonished it was more that she was just getting tired. However, in a complete change, Jillbert pointed a sharp gaze towards Clarissa.

“So, Clara. What will we do about Romeon’s successor? If we don’t fill in the hole he made it will become a hindrance to our progress.”

“That has already been taken care of.”

“Who is it?”

“I also had someone in mind that I suggested, but on top of apologizing for this case, it seems that they invited someone they had their eyes on much more than that before.”

“Their eyes on…? Like I thought, is it someone who uses darkness?”

“No. Darkness is being put on hold. They will come in contact with us another day.”

Eanru then joined in on the conversation.

“So? Is that guy someone who holds enough power to match us in a fight?”

“It seems their capabilities will not be a problem. After their business finishes, it seems they will meet with us on their own.”

“What are our plans from here?”

“Apparently we are to head towards the Saadias Alliance.”

“… Really. If they were just going to send us back there was no need to call us here in the first place…”

As Eanru let out his astonishment from wasting his effort, Jillbert stared at him like he was out of line.

“Didn’t you just say you were all excited?”

“Yeah, now that you mention it. You’ve got me there.”

Eanru once more burst into laughter as Jillbert shook her head. Looking away from him like she had completely given up on him, she turned to Clarissa.

“Why are we going back to the Alliance?”

“It seems that the demons who slipped into Astel made the schedule slip.”

“Slip, huh…”

Jillbert couldn’t figure it out from just those words. She was trying to consider just what kind of effect a slip had from here on out. Clarissa who was told this directly, Eanru and also Red Pain who wasn’t currently present surely also did not know. Everything was within that person’s head. Even so, having nothing more to talk about, Jillbert took her weapon and began to walk back home. Eanru was all of a sudden at the exit of the church. The corpse that was at their feet had also suddenly vanished.

“Well then everyone, once you have completed your preparations, head to the Alliance.”

As Clarissa’s voice stopped ringing in the air, the church was once more completely silent.

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