IsekaiMahouwaOkureteru!(LN)

TheDifferentWorldMagicIsTooBehind!

Volume1

Author:"GameiHitsuji"Illustrator:"Himesuz"

Translation:"HikokiTranslations"Epubby:"GM_Rusaku"

TableofContentsIllustrationPrologue-Magician:YakagiSuimeiChapter1-I'mnotsomethingyoujustsummon!Chapter2-ThePlaceIMustReturntoissoFarAwayChapter3-TheOneWhoSeeksMysteriesChapter4-FortheSakeoftheOneIAspiretoBeEpilogueIEpilogueII

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Prologue-Magician:YakagiSuimei

FelmeniaStingraywasoneoftheCourtMagesoftheAstelKingdom.BornastheseconddaughterofEarlStingray,shewasagirlofnoblelineagewhowasbroughtupwithoutanyinconveniencessincechildhood.Afterdiscoveringherhighmanacapacityasachild,shestudiedunderanoldmagewhowascalledtheSage.Shewasconsideredageniuswhopeeredintotheabyssofmagic.ShestudiedthemysteriesofmagicundertheSagefortenyears.Underhistutelage,Felmeniahadreachedthedepthsofmagicthatwassaidtonormallytake30yearsataminimum.“Fromthispointon,thereisnothingmoreIcanteachyou.Usingyourownwits,discoveryourownmagic.”Beingtoldthisbyherteacher,Felmenia'slifeofstudyingundertheSagehadchangedandbecomeverybusy. Withhermagicresearchasabasis,shewasappointedastheyoungestinitiateoftheCourtMages.Withthisboththenumberofjobsentrustedtoherandthenumberofinvitationstoeveningpartieshadincreasedexponentially.Withoutgettingmuchofachancetosleepshewasexperiencingeverythingfromunfamiliarjobs,toteapartieswithnoblesladies,toescapesfrommagiclabyrinths.Itwasafulfillinglifethatmadeherforgetallthehardshipsshehadtoendure.Fromallthis,shealreadyhadagreatsenseofaccomplishment.Itmadeherfeelalive.Shewasn'tanobleprincesstrappedinabirdcage.Shefeltthatshewasnowavitalcogofhercountry. Severalyearsafterseparatingfromherteacher,Felmeniacameacrossagranddiscovery.Inthemiddleofthesubjugationofmonstersanddemonsaspartofherjobasacourtmage,shehaddiscoveredthetruthoftheflamethatnobodyhadcomeacrossbefore.AtthetenderageoffifteenFelmeniahadfinallyattainedthetruth.Thetruthoftheflame.Shehaddiscoveredthewhiteflamewhichburnedanythingandeverything.Tremblingwithjoy,FelmeniaquicklyreportedherdiscoverytoherteacherandtheKing.Thetwohadshoweredherinwordsofpraiseforthisgrandachievement.Thiswasthemomentwhereshefoundtruevalueinherownlife.Thisiswhatshewishedfor,whatshehadbeenchasingallthistime.Thegratitudeofthepeople,thejealousyofhercolleaguesandthegrandexpectationplacedonherbyher

parentswereallunprecedentedhonourstoher.Felmeniahadbecomeregardedasoneofthegreatestmageswithinthewholekingdom...however,Felmenia–whosoughtthetitleoftheabsolutestrongestmageinallthekingdom–couldnotliftasinglefingerbeforetheboywhostoodinfrontofher.

Thefullmoonloomedoveradark,starryskyofthecourtyardofCamelliaCastle,theseatoftheKingofAstel.Theboybeforeheropenedhismouthasiftopassdownjudgment.

“...Mygoodness...Itisn'tingoodtastetostalksomeoneyouknow?Theonlyoneswhoareallowedtodothatarethepitifulandfoolishstraysheepwhounderstandnothingoftheworld.”

ThisboystandingbeforeherspeakinginunfamiliartermswasoneofthefriendssummonedtogetherwiththeheroReiji.UnlikethegirlwhohaddecidedtojointheheroindefeatingtheDemonLord,thisboyhadrefusedtoparticipatebeforetheKingandhiscourtandrequestedtobesentbacktohisownworld.Anextremelynormalyoungboy.Hidinghiswisdomwithaplainface,hehadclaimedtojustbeanormalhuman.Heemphasizedthefactthatheheldnopower.Thereforetherewasnowayhecouldfacemonsters,demonsordevils.LetalonefacingtheDemonLord.“Iwillnotfight.Sendmeback.Don'tgetmeinvolved.”Thishadhappenedonlyafewdaysago.Sincethenhehadshuthimselfupintheroomgrantedtohim.“Evenamongalltheconfusionandfearofbeingsuddenlysummoned,thegirlsummonedalongsidetheherowouldfight,yethestubbornlydemandstobesentback.”“Suchdisgracefulbehaviour.”“Canheevencallhimselfaman?”“Suchselfishness.”“He'stheworst.”Suchwordswerebeingthrownaroundbehindhisbackbytheprimeminister,generalandsoldiersofthecastle.

Buthowwasitinreality?ThewhiteflamewasFelmenia'sgreatestpride.Theabsoluteperfectionoffiremagic.Howevertheboybeforeherhadcompletelyerasedherflameasifitwasworthlesswithasinglesnapofhisfingers.Hewasstandingstillinastormofmagicandpressurethatcouldchillone'sbones.

“...Wellthen,littlemissmage,isitmyturnyet?”

FelmeniaStingrayhaddiscoveredjusthowshallowherunderstandingofthisboywasatthispoint.Itisverylikelythatthisboywasbothterriblysmart

andstrong.Hisblandappearancehadallbeenabigfacade.Allthosewhohadcalledhimapitiablefoolwhohadjustbeendraggedintoeverythingwereinfactthefoolsthemselves.Thisboywasacunningfoxwhoplayedthefoolonpurpose.Hispowerwassuchthatonewouldbedazzledbysimplyspeakingofit.ThismonsterhadreachedmuchfurtherintothedepthsofmagicthansheeverhadevenafterstudyingundertheSage.Heheldmagicthatshecouldnotpossiblycompetewith.Thesummonedherohadreceiveddivineprotection,butevensoshefeltthatthismonstercoulddefeattheheroeasily.Withoutadoubt,hewasamagewhohadreachedthehighestpeaksofmagic.

“...Justwhatkindofpersonareyou?”Felmeniaaskedwithashakyvoice.

Theboystartedplayingwithsomethinginhishandwithaboredexpressionandreplied.

“Iamamagician,YakagiSuimei.”

Forthefirsttime,hehadnamedhimselfwithpride.

Chapter1-I'mnotsomethingyoujustsummon!

“Ow....”

Ithadhappenedsosuddenlythattherewasnochancetoprepare.Thepricefornotbeingreadywasthepaininhisbutt.Suimeicouldonlyleakouthisanguishwithapainfulcomplaint.Hehadbeencaughtcompletelyoffguard.Eventhoughhehadapremonitionthatsomethingwouldhappenbeforehand,itwasalltoosuddenforhimtotakeaproperlandingposture.Thefloorwashard.Itwasmostlikelyastonepavementortiling.Hehadjustfallenrightonhisbuttandhistailbonewasscreaminginpain.Whathadjusthappened?Therewasnoneedtothinkbackonit,thiswasclearlyanincident.Onthewaybackfromschoolalongsidehistwofriends,amagiccircleforteleportationhadsuddenlyappearedontheroadsideandsuckedtheminforcefully.

Afterbeingteleportedhewasdroppedonhisbutt.Thiswasdefinitelyabonustobeingsuddenlyteleportedhecoulddowithout.Suimeithoughttohimself.

(...Thisisdefinitelyaterribleblunder...)

Withintheconcretejungleofthemodernworld,Suimeihasbeenwalkingdownthepathofmagicconfidently.Hehadbeenwalkingdownthispathforamere12years,buthestillheldpridethathewasprettyskilled.Yetsuchaskilledmodernmagicianhadbeencaughtinsomeoneelse'smagicsoeasily.Hewasabletosenseit,toseeitrightinfrontofhisowneyes,butwasunabletorespondtoitappropriatelyandwasjuststandingidlybyforthatonesecondittooktocapturehim.Suchamistakecouldonlybeseenasaterribleblunder.Suimeicouldonlyadmithisdisappointmentwithhimself.Tearswereformingatthecornerofhiseyesfromthedamagetobothhisprideandbutt.Suimeibegantolookaroundtoseewhathadhappenedtohisfriendswhohadbeenwalkingbesidehim.

“Ow...”

RightnexttoSuimeiwashisfriendShanaReiji,whowaspattinghisbuttaftersufferingthesamedamagethatSuimeihadreceivedfromthefall.Reijihaddyedbrownhairkeptneatlyontopofhisfacewhichdidn'thaveasinglewrinkleorcrease.Itwasafacethatcouldonlybedescribedashandsome,thetypethatwouldmakewomenweakattheknees.

“Oi,Reiji,areyoualright?”“Aah...Somehow.HowaboutSuimei?”“Mybutthurts.Alot.Ithinkit'ssplitintwo...”“Hahaha,youtooSuimei?Byanychanceisitonlyyouhere?”

Reijilaughedcheerfully,butonlyforamomentasheturnedthetopicontoamoreseriousnote.Therewasanotherfriendwalkingalongsidethematthetimetheywerecaughtupinthisincident.HehadnoticedthatAnouMizukiwasnotwiththemcurrentlyandinquiredaboutherinahurry.Suimeitookabrieflookaroundandwasalsounabletospother.Thegirlwhohadjustbeenwalkingalongsidethemwasnowheretobefound.Theywereinacylindricalroomenclosedbystonewallsilluminatedbyold-fashionedcandlesticks.Whattheycouldspotintheroomwasalarge,sturdydoorandacrestdrawnonthegroundbelowtheirfeet–amagicteleportationcircle.

“A...Ah...Mizukiisn'there...”Towardshisanxiousfriend,Suimeirespondedinasmallmurmur.Reijicouldonlyreactwithaconfusedandbitterlookonhisfaceasheinquiredfurther.

“Whathappened?Andwhereisthis?”“Aah.Ialsodon'tknowwherethisis.However,itseemsthatbysomebody'swillwehavebeenbroughttothisweirdplace...ThatmuchIdounderstand.”“...Isthisbyanychance...?”

MatchingReiji'sgaze,Suimeialsolookeddownatthefloorwherethelargemagiccirclewasdrawn.Withinthelargecircleanothercircleaboutaquarterofitssizewasdrawnatitsedge.Manygeometricpatternsandshapesformedapentagramwithinthecircles.AlongtherimswasmagicwritteninalanguagethatSuimeihadneverseenbefore.Hecouldrecognizethatthecirclesharedprincipleswithnecromancyandsummoningmagic,buthewastheonlyonewhocouldbetweenthetwo.Ofcoursetherewasnowaythatthecompletelynormal

Reijiwouldknowsuchthings.SuimeiandReijikneweachothersincemiddleschool.HoweverthefactwasthatthemysteryknownasmagicexistedintheirworldandthefactthathehimselfwasamagicianwerebothsecretsSuimeikeptfromReiji.Thereforetheonlywaytoestablishwhatwashappeningandwhatwasbelowtheirfeetwastouseinformationthatwasknowntothesubcultureofanimeandmanga.

“That'sprobablyit.”“Uwa...”

ToSuimei'scalmacknowledgementofthesituation,Reijimadeatiredface.

“...Hey,Suimei.Doesn'tthissuddensituationseemawfullyfamiliar?”“Yeah.ThelightnovelMizukilentustheotherdaywasdefinitelythesame.”“That'sright.SuddenlycalledtoanotherworldandaskedtodefeattheDemonLord.Thissituationseemsidenticaltothatstory.”“Ican'tlaughatthat.Iseriouslycan'tlaughatthatjoke”

SuimeirespondedwhilemakingafacelikehisstomachwasinpainandReijicouldonlyreactwithadrylaughandacomplicatedexpression.

“Ha,haha...But,eventhoughIthinkitisimpossible...forsomereasonIfeellikeit'srightonthemark.”“Reiji...areyouseriouslysayingthat?”“Yeah.”“Oioi,whatdoyoumeanyeah...”

AmazedatReiji'ssimplenodanddeduction,SuimeilookedawayandbeganhisplantodiscreetlyanalyzetheareawithmagicwithoutlettingReijicatchon.Thissituationwhichmirroredthenovelwasfartoofantasticalandhewasn'tfullyconvinceditwasthecase.IfthistrulywasnotEarththensomethingintheirsurroundingshouldpointtothatfact.Suimeibegantogatherhismagictoanalyzetheirsurroundings.Gravitywasnormalandtherewasnomajordifferencetothecompositionoftheair.ThedifferencesweresmallenoughthattheycouldsimplybesomewhereelseonEarth.However...

(There'sadeepconcentrationofmanahere...Isitaneffectoftheroom?)

Mana,sometimesreferredtoasEther,wasthemysterioussourceofpower

thatcouldbefoundintheatmosphere.Inthisplaceitwasparticularlyrich.Thissortofrichnesswassomethingthatcouldbefoundrightaboveasoulvein,atthecoreoftheplanetorontopofamagicritualsiteataholytemple.Thisalonewasnotenoughtodeemthisasadifferentworld,itwasstilltoofaroutthere.Itcouldsimplybethattheyrequiredalocationrichinmanatoactivatethismagiccircle.Thiswasaverylikelyconclusion.Reijihadnowayofsensingmana,sothere'snowayhecouldpossiblynoticethisslightirregularity.Hissensethatthismaybeanotherworldmusthavecomefromsomethingelse.

“Reiji,whydoyouthinkthat'sthecase?”“Justsomehow,IfeellikeI'vebecomereallystrong.”“Wha...?Is,isitthat?Didyourbrainmelt,Reiji-san?”“No,it'snotlikeI'mgoingcrazy.Here...”

Whilesayingthat,ataspotoutsideofthemagiccircle,Reijilightlystruckthefloor.Thestonefloorbrokeandcrumbledtodustwithaviolentsound.

“Tha-thatkindofidiotic...”

Suimeilookedonwithastonishedeyes.NomatterhowmuchReijiwasagood-at-all-sport-idol-like-hunk,thisjustwasn'tright.Itwasimpossible.Ittookatremendousamountofforcetocausestonetoshatterthewayitjustdid.Itwasabsolutelyimpossibletodowithalighttapofthefist.EvenifReijiwasendowedwithhisultrahunkpowers,thiswasdefinitelyoutofthequestion.However,thefriendbeforehiseyeshadjustdonesowithacalmexpression.

“See?”“See?Myass!Don'tmovetheplotforwardinsuchanominousdirection...”

Itwascertainlyominous.Ifthisreallywasasummoningtoanotherworld...ThiswascertainlyoutsideSuimei'srealmofunderstanding.Hecouldnothelpbutadmirethetechniquewhichcouldinstantlytransportpeoplefromacrossworldsandgrantpermanentphysicalreinforcement...Itwasonlynaturaltohimasamagiciantoadmiresuchamagicafterall.

“AndhowaboutSuimei?”“...No,nothingseemsdifferentforme.”

Suimeitriedclenchinghisfistandgatheringmagicpower,buthedidn't

senseanyincreaseinhisabilities.Inshort,ReijiwastheonlyonewhowassummonedasaherotodefeattheDemonLord.TherewasnopointinsummoningSuimeihere.WhileSuimeidroppedhisshoulders,suddenlythemagiccirclebeneaththeirfeetbegantoshine.Reiji'sexpressionsuddenlyshiftedtooneofuneasiness.

“Thisis...”“...It'sactivating...!Arewebeingtransferredagainor...?”“Somethingisbeingsummoned!?”

Reijiunderstoodquickly.Hehadhitthemarkwiththatanswerandputhimselfonguard.Asmallermagiccirclethantheformationonthegroundsuddenlyappearedintheair.

“It'scoming!”“Ah...!”

AvoicecamefromthecircleandReijisuddenlymovedasashadowemerged.Heseemedtohaverecognizedwhatwascomingout.Reijishowedalevelofagilityfarbeyondwhathewaspreviouslycapableof.Wasthisbecauseofthephysicalreinforcement?ReijihadmanagedtocatchAnouMizukiwhohadfallenfromaboveinaninstant.

“Mizuki!”“Fueh....?Reiji-kun,why...?”“GoodforyouMizuki.ThankstoReijiyourbuttwassaved.”

Thus,thethreefriendswerereunitedagaininthisunknownplace.

★“Really?Areyouserious...?”“Yeah,itdoesseemlikeit.”

AftercatchingMizuki,Reijibegantoexplainhisdeductionatwhattheircurrentpredicamentwas.Mizukiwasquiteconfusedabouttheentiresituationbutshewasatleastgladthatshewasnotalone.Thankstotheencouragementofhertwofriends,shegraduallycametoacceptthecurrentsituation.Itcouldatleastbesaidthatshehadenoughnervestonotescapefromreality.

“....Un,Igotit.”“Youaccepteditprettyfast,huh?”“Wellthetwoofyouareawfullycalmaboutit.IfI'mtheonlyonewhogetsflusteredaboutitthenitwouldembarrassing.Anywayssinceithasactuallyhappened,theonlychoiceistoacceptit.”

Mizukirespondedbluntlywhilefiddlingwiththeunseasonableredmuffleraroundherneck.Shereturnedagentlegazefromherpitchblackeyesbehindherlongblackhair.Shehadthelookofaveryephemeralandfragileyoungwoman.Althoughshelookedrathermeek,shehadasurprisinglyunperturbed,stoutheartontheinside.SimilartoReiji,sheonlyknewanormaleverydaylife,sotothispointthiswasn'tsomethingthattheyhadwitnessedbefore.ReijireturnedasmiletowardsthebraveMizuki.

“You'restrong,Mizuki.”“Eh?Is...isthatso?”

MizukismiledatReiji'scomplementandfellsilent,turningbrightredintheface.Thiskindofexchangebetweenthetwowasthesameasusual.AlsoasusualitseemedReijiwascompletelyoblivioustoanyofit.Andjustlikethat,thetensionintheairfromthecompletelyincomprehensiblesituationwasblownaway.Atthispoint,SuimeiturnedtoMizuki.

“So,Mizuki.Iwanttoaskyousomething.”“What'sthematter?”“Ummm,isitthat?“Thesituationthatwe'vefoundourselvesinisprettyidenticaltothatlightnovelright?Soafterthis...”“Ye-yeah.Someoneimportantfromthisworld'scountrywillappear.Orpossibly...”

Whatcoulditbe?Thefirstpartofherreplywasdefinitelythesameasthecontentsofthenovel.Sowhatotherpossibilitywasshethinkingof?Wastheresomeotherdevelopmentthatthissituationcouldprogresstowards?ReijipushedMizukiforanexplanation.

“Isthereanotherpossibility?”“Inanothernovel,thelocationtheyweresummonedtowas...Inotherwordstheplaceweareinrightnow...WouldbetheDemonLord'scastle.”

“Startingrightattheclimax?”“Right,thelastdungeon.”“Uwa...Nomatterhowyoulookatitthatdifficultysettingistoohigh.”

Suimeigaveoutadisheartenedreply.Normallyinthiskindofthestory,afterbeingsummoned,theprotagonistsgoonagrandadventureandaftermanytwistsandturnsfinallyarrivebeforetheDemonLordforafinalconfrontation.HoweverfromwhatMizukijustsaid,thiscurrentsituationcouldbethatfinalclimaxitself.Thiswasaveryunpleasantpossibility.Itwasfartoodangerous.ReijiaskedMizukiforfurtherclarificationinacalmtone.

“IfIrememberrightthat'sthekindofstorywhererightafterbeingsummoned,theydefeattheDemonLordrightaway,returntriumphantlytothecountryfromanotherworldandarecelebratedasheroes?”“Yeah,andthentheychallengethenextevenmorepowerfulenemy.Ortheygetinvolvedinacivilwarwithinthecountry.”“That'sright.Butthissituationthatwe'reinrightnow...”“LikeReiji-kunsaid,anythingthathappensfromnowonwouldn'tbeparticularlystrange.”“Uee...”

Thisworethemoutquiteabit.Itwasthetypeoffeelingthatjustmadethemwanttogroan.Nomatterhowthingsturnedout,itwasacertaintytheywereabouttogetinvolvedinsomethingtroublesome.Mizukisuddenlyspokeuptoclearthemood.

“Well,whateverhappenshappens.”

Suimeihadusedmagictoenhancehishearing.Hehadstartedhearingsoundsfrombeyondthedoor.Killingoffhispresence,negligenceandanyextranoisehecouldmake,Suimeicalledouttotheothers.

“Hey.”“Eh?”“Ah.Iknow”“Oh?Isthatalsoaresultofyourstrengthening?”“Ithinkso.IfsohowisSuimeiabletohearit?”“Myearshavealwaysbeengood...butthisisn'tthetimeforthatconversation.”

Suimeibrushedoffthequestionwithalightjoke.SuimeihadcometoanunderstandingofthecurrentsituationwithReiji,howeverMizukiwhowascompletelynormalhadnoideawhatwasgoingon.

“Eh?Eh?”“Mizuki.Rightnow,therearepeopledrawingnearertous.Quiteafewofthemtoo.”

Reijicouldrecognizethedistinctsoundofmanyfootstepsapproaching.Itseemedthatthestrengtheningeffectwasn'tjustforshow.HavinggivenMizukiasimpleexplanation,ReijipositionedhimselfinfrontofMizukiwiththeintentionofprotectingherwhilefocusingonthepassagethatliedbeyondthedoors.MizukihuddledintoaworriedposebehindReiji.SuimeialsoreadiedhimselfatReiji'sside.

“Nowthen,justwhatisgoingtopopout...?”“Itwouldbeniceifitwastheimportantpeoplefromanotherworldinsteadofsomedangerousgroup.”“StupidReiji.Thebestscenariowouldbeourclassmatespoppingoutsayingtheytrickedus.”“...”

ReijididnotrespondtoSuimei'sfrivolousjokethatdidn'ttaketheseriousnessofthesituationintoaccount.Thefootstepsweregraduallyapproachingthedoortotheroom.Theyhadnoideawhattheirintentionswere,butthefootstepsweredefinitelyapproachingwiththeintentofenteringthisroom.Hopefullyitwastheimportantpeoplefromtheotherworld.Reijiloweredhisstancesothathecouldspringintoactionatanytime.Mizukisteppedbackastonotgetinhisway.Suimeihadalsopreparedhimself,howeverhisheartwasexcitedatjustwhatmysterywasgoingtocomethroughthosedoors.Thiswasdefinitelyhiscuriosityasamagician.Whilethinkingofsuchthings,Suimeiinspectedhisbelongings.Hehadbeensummonedwithoutbeingabletomakeanysortofpreparations.Heonlyhadwhathenormallycarriedaround.

(AsformybelongingsIhavemyhandbagwithachainaccessory,avialofmercury,cards,asuit,glovesofdiscordandalittleofYakagi'ssecretmedicine...FranklyspeakingI'mquiteanxioustobringanyofitout.However...)

Ifanythinghappened,Suimeiwouldhavetotakeaction.BothReijiandMizukihadlivednormalJapaneselivesuptothispoint.Suimeiwhowaspartoftheunderworldsocietywasprobablytheonlyonewithanylivecombatexperience.Hewouldprefertokeepthebothoftheminthedarkabouthisidentityasamagician,buthewouldnotdosoattheexpenseoftheirlives.Hewouldbesomewhatremorseful,butintheworstcasehehadtheoptionoferasingtheirmemories.

Thethreeofthemhadgottenstiffwithtension.Thefootstepshadarrivedatthedoor.Thisbriefmomentofsilenceseemedtostretchoutforever.Finally,thedoorstartedtocreakopenslowlymakingaloudnoiseasitseemedtodragalongthefloor.Reijiputhimselfonguardatthesuddenmovement.

“―!”“Firmus...”(MyRobustness)

Inthistenseatmosphere,Suimeidiscreetlyletoutaquietchantandprepareddefensivemagic.Itwasn'timpossiblethattheywouldjustbesuddenlyattackedasthedooropened.Itwasdefinitelybettertobepreparedfortheworst.

Asthedoorfinallyopened,whatappearedwasagroupofsoldierscladinarmourwhogaveoffacalmandprofessionalimpression.Fromwhattheycouldsee,theyseemedtobehumans.Itwasdefinitelyareliefthatwhatshowedupwasnotdemons,monstersordevils.Thesoldiersswiftlytookaformationalongthewallsandfocusedtheirattentiononthethreestudents.Justwhatwasgoingtohappen?

Suimeistillhadhisdefensivemagicattheready.Thewallofsoldiersopenedatthecentrerevealingagirlwithredhairdonningapinkdressandagirlwithsilverhaircladinapurewhiterobewhichgaveofftheimpressionofapolishedpearl.Andthen...

“Eh...?”“Wha...?”

Thetwoofthemhadmadeanexpressionthatsuggestedtheyjustcameacrossasituationthattheywerenotexpectingatall.Thetwohuddledcloselytogether,likelywiththeintentionofprivatelydiscussingthematterathand.Theredhairedgirlwhisperedtothesilverhairedgirl.

“WhiteFlame-dono.Wasn'titsupposedtobeasingleherowhowassummoned...?”“Ye...Yes,itisjustasyousaid.”“However,therearethreepeoplehere...”“Ye...Yes...Aboutthat,thisismerelymyconjecture,howeveronlyoneamongthemshouldbethehero.Itislikelythatamongthesethree,twoofthemwerecaughtupintheherosummoningritual.”“Howcouldthatbe...?Thiskindofsituationwasneverdocumented,norhaveIeverheardofit.”“NeitherhaveI,yourHighness.Howeverthereareinfactthreepeopleherewhoappearedtohavebeensummoned.”“Soyou'resayingthatitishighlyprobablethattwoofthemarebystanders.”

TheyweretalkinginsecretbuttoSuimei'smagicallyenhancedhearinghehadheardeverything.ItseemedthatReijididaswell.ItwasunexpectedtoSuimeithathewasabletounderstandthelanguagetheywerespeaking.HecouldunderstanditallasifitwasJapanese.HoweveritwasamysteriousrhythmicallanguagethatdidnotmatchanylanguagesthatSuimeiknewoffromEarth.Whathewashearingwasn'tJapanese,buthecoulddefinitelyunderstanditlikeitwas.Itwasasifhewaslisteningtoonelanguage,butthinkingaboutwhathehearsinanother.Itwasdifficulttoputthesensationintowordsasitseemedtohavebecomeaninstinct.Thiswasprobablyaneffectofamagicenchantmentplaceduponthemaspartofthesummoning.Itseemedtobeasimpleexplanation,butitseemedtobetrue.Attheleastitwasveryconvenient.Thetwowerediscussingsummoningandheroes,soitseemedthatSuimeihadnomorereasontobeonguard.Hediscreetlycancelledthedefensivemagicthathehadprepared.Reijialsoreleasedthetensioninhisbodyandrelaxedhisstance.SuimeiturnedtohistwofriendsandspoketoMizuki.

“...Itseemsthisisanunexpectedsituationforthemaswell...DoesthiskindofdevelopmentalsoexistMizuki?”“...Yeah.Therearestorieswherethesummonedhero'sfriendsgetcaughtupinthesummoning,but...”

Mizukisuddenlymadeanexpressionlikeitwashardtoexplainfurther.Suimeitiltedhisheadtotheside.Justwhatwassodifficulttoexplain?

“...?”

“Mizuki.Areyouworriedaboutsomething?”“Um,inthiskindofscenario,amongthefriendsofthesummonedhero–inourcasethatwouldbemyselfandSuimei–oneofuswillmakeacontractwithanevilgodandcomeintoconflictwiththehero.”“Wha?Whatthehellisthat?Whydoessomethingasextremeasanevilgodsuddenlycomeup?”“I'mnotreallysureeither...”

Mizukibegantoshiftarounduneasily.Suimeiwastheonewhowantstogetanxiousandshiftaround.Actuallyhewouldratherjustrunaway.Tosuddenlyhaveanevilgodappearandmakeacontract,itwasjusttoounreasonable.Itwouldnotbeimpossibleiftheevilgodwassealedawayasafaintexistencehereandthesummoningritualinvolvedsacrificingthousandsofpeople.Thusresultinginbringingforththerealformofanevilgod.Suimeicouldonlyconjectureabouttheinsanepossibilityashefeltacoldchillalongthebackofhisneck.ReijiquestionedMizukifurther.

“Butcomeintoconflict...Whywouldoneofyousuddenlycomeintoconflictwithme?”“InthisscenarioeithermyselforSuimeiwouldcometohateyouaspartoftheinfluenceoftheevilgodwhoisinnaturaloppositiontothehero.”“Eh?”

TothisexplanationReijimadeapaleandastonishedface.Mizukithenstartedtostutteroutaflustereddenial.

“...O-Ofcoursethere'snowayIcouldhateReiji-kun.MorelikeIactuallyl-l-l-l-l-lo...”

Shemusthavebeentooembarrassedtosayitdirectlytohisface.Hervoicesteadilytrailedoffuntilitwascompletelyinaudible.ReijiawkwardlyturnedhisheadtowardsSuimei.

“Th-Then...Suimei?”“Fuu...TobehonestI'vealwayssecretlythoughtyouwereareal-fagwhoshouldjustexplode.”“―!!”

Suimeisuddenlyhadastrangeexpressioninhiseyesashespoutedthesedark

emotionsandleftReijiatalossforwords.

“It'sajoke,ofcourse...”“S-Suimei...”“IfIhatedyouIwouldn'thavekeptyoucompanyforthelast6years.Justthinkaboutit.”“T-That'sright.Thankgod...”

HavingheardboththeiranswersReijiheavedasighofrelief.Whilethethreefriendswerehavingthisinteraction,theredhairedgirlwiththeairofaprincessgracefullyapproachedthemandspokeup.

“Um,itseemsyou'reinthemiddleofsomething,howeverisitalrightforustospeak?”“Y-Yes.”

Reijirespondedtothegirlwithredhairwhoseforeheadwasfeaturedquiteprominently.Inresponseshegaveagracefulbowandaddressedthem.

“Imustapologizeforsuddenlycallingyouforth.MynameisTitaniaRootAstel.IamthesecondchildofAlmadiousRootAstel,KingoftheKingdomofAstel.Ihavecalledyouforthtorequestyourassistancewithacertainmatter.”

Thelargeforeheadedgirlintroducedherselfinaformalmatter.PrincessTitaniaturnedslightlytohersideandthewhiterobedgirlbesidehertookasinglestepforwards.

“IamoneoftheCourtMage'sofAstel,FelmeniaStingray.Itisapleasuretomakeyouracquaintance.”

ItwasthegirlthattheprincesshadpreviouslyreferredtoasWhiteFlame.Shehadbeautiful,longsilverhairthatextendeddowntoherwaist.Herhairwasbraidedgracefullydownbothofherears.Herslightlyangledeyesrevealedahintofthegirl'spride.Shegaveoffasevereimpression,howevershestillhadcharmingfeaturesthatonecouldnotcometohate.Asexpectedofonewhocallsherselfamage,manawasdenselyconcentratedaroundherbody.Thisalsoappliedtotheprincess,butataglancethisgirlgaveoftheimpressionthatshewouldburnherfoeswithhermagic.

(...Rather,isthiswomantheonewhosummonedushere?Dammit...)

Suimeigrumbledtohimselfashebuiltupagrudgeagainstherinhismind.Afterthegirlshadfinishedintroducingthemselves,Reijisteppedforwardpolitelyandbegantointroducehimself.

“Iamverythankfulforthecourteousgreeting.MynameisShanaReiji.Ifit'smorefamiliarheretoputthefamilynameonlast,thenpleasecallmeReijiShana.Thesetwowithmearemyfriends.OnmyrightisMizukiAnou.OnmyleftisSuimeiYakagi.”

Justwherehadhelearnedtospeaksopolitely?AsReijifinishedoffhisintroductionstheprincessTitaniaandthemageFelmeniagaveasimplelookofadmiration.Next,Mizukirushedforwardstointroduceherself.

“Allowmetointroducemyself.MynameisMizukiAnou...”

Andthen,SuimeialsotookastepforwardsandtookafterMizuki.

“I'm...SuimeiYakagi.”

Hehadintroducedhimselfquitesimplyandquickly.Hedidn'treallyhaveanythingtoaddonandwantedtheconversationtomoveontothemoreimportantpoints.Itwasn'ttheappropriatesituationtospeakfrivolously.Astheyfinishedintroducingthemselves,Titaniagaveatlookatthethreebeforeherandthenclosedhereyesasifshewasdeeplyregrettingsomething.Andthenshespokeup.

“Reiji-sama,Mizuki-samaandSuimei-samaright?Thereasonwehavesummonedyouforthtodayis...Onewayoranother,withyouraid,thereissomethingthatwemustaccomplishnomatterwhat.”“Thatis?”“Yes.RightnowthepeaceofthisworldisbeingthreatenedbythedemonsleadbytheDemonLordNakshatra.WewouldlikeyoutodefeatthisDemonLord.”

InresponsetothesewordsthatcamefromPrincessTitania'smouth...Suimei,ReijiandMizukimadethesameexpressionastheygottheexactexplanationtheywereexpecting.OnlySuimeiputahandtohisforeheadandstaredatthe

ceilinghopingtheywouldjustlethimgo.

★

HavingjustreceivedtheexplanationforbeingsummonedfromanotherworldbytheprincessandCourtMage,foramomentthethreefriends,atleastonthesurface,seemedtotakeeverythingquitewellasthiswasthetemplateanswertheywereexpecting.Howeverontheinsideitwastruethattheyjustwantedtogiveup.

“Ha...”“Uuu...”“Uwa...”

Nolongerabletokeepupacalmappearance,thethreeofthembrokeoutinasighsimultaneously.Atthisstrangereactiontoherpartialexplanation,Titaniacontinuedinasomewhatbewilderedvoice.

“Andso,Imustapologizeforhurryingalong,butamongthethreeofyouwhichoneisthehero?”“Um...”“That's...”

Atthisquestion,bothReijiandMizukigaveoffatroubledexpression.There'snowayanyonewouldknowiftheythemselveswereahero.Tothetwoofthem,uptothispoint,theywerebothjustnormalcitizens.Ifoneweretoaskwhetherornottheywereheroes,itwasobvioustoreplythattherewasnowaytheycouldbeahero.Thusthereshouldbenopointinaskingthissortofquestion...howeveritseemsitwouldbeaproblemifthissituationwentonwithoutaclearanswer.Theconversationwasjustnotmovingforwards.Topushthingsalong,Suimeiaskedaquestion.

“CanIasksomething?”“Yes,pleaseaskawayatyourdiscretion.”“Istheresomethingtorecognizewhothetargetoftheherosummoningmagicis...?Forexample,istheresomesortofprooflikeasymbolorsomethingthatwouldidentifyoneasahero?”“Proofofbeingahero...orasymbol?”

Tothisquestion,TitaniaturnedtowardsFelmenia.Felmeniaclosedhereyesandlookeddownwardsbriefly,thenturnedtowardsSuimeiandanswered.

“Yesthereshouldbeanindication.Whentheheroissummonedbytheritual,astheycrossbetweenworlds,theyreceivedivineprotectionfromtheelements.Inotherwordstheyaregrantedgreatpower.Therefore,amongyouthree,oneofyoushouldbefeelinganoverwhelmingsensationwithinthemselvesthatcouldnotbecomparedtoanythingthey'veeverexperienced...Isthereoneamongyouwhofitthiscriteria?”“Ifthat'sthecase,Ithinkthatappliestome.Aftercominghere,I'vefeltmyselfoverwhelmedbyasenseofpowerthatI'veneverfeltbefore.”Reijianswered.

“Oooh”Thesoldierssurroundingthemstartedtoraiseafussinexcitement.

(Theelements...huh...)

Suimeimurmuredtohimselfwithsuspicion.Elements,astralbodies,spirits.Amongthesethreewords,elementswasusuallyusedwhendiscussingthefourorfiveelementsortheworld.Earth,water,fireandwindmadeupthefourelements.Ifyouincludetheconceptualvoiditmadefive.Elementswereakeyconceptualcornerstoneofmagic.ButfromFelmenia'stoneitseemedtoimplythattheyinterpretedtheelementsaslivingbeings.Evenwhenconsideringfoundationssuchasspiritualmagicormagicwhichinvokedthespiritsofthedead,thenuanceofherwordswasstrange.Butthiswasanotherworld.Itwasn'tguaranteedthatphenomenahereworkedliketheydidbackhome.Thoughitseemstherewasn'tagreatdifferencebetweentheirworlds,thewaythesephenomenadifferedmayinfactbewhatmakesthisworlduniquefromhisown...“Soyouarethehero...?”“Eh...Ah,yes.”

WhileSuimeiwasdeepinthoughtanalyzingtheelementsofthisworld,TitaniagazedatReijiwithpassionateeyes.Itcouldbethatsheheldalongingforthatfigureknownasthehero.AddonthefactthatReijiwasquitehandsomeanditseemednatural.Reijiseemedsomewhatbewilderedtothis.Suddenly,TitaniatookReiji'shandsintoherown.

“Hero-sama,itisextremelypresumptuousofme,butplease,pleaselendusyour

assistance.”“Eh-Ehhhhh!?”“Y-YourHighness!?”

Atthesuddendevelopment,therobedmageFelmeniawasalsoquitestartledandcalledouttoTitaniainaflusteredvoice.Hearingthis,TitaniasuddenlyrealizedwhatshewasdoingandletgoofReiji'shandswhileblushing.

“Ah,ImustapologizeHero-sama.Iofallpeopleshouldnotlosemycomposurelikethat...FromhereweshouldheadtotheaudienceroomwherehisMajestytheKingwillexplainthingsinfurtherdetail.Wewillwaitforyouranswerthen.”“I-Iunderstand.”

Stillbewilderedbythesuddenescalation,Reijisomehowmanagedtogivehisacknowledgement.Tothis,Felmeniasteppedforwardsoncemore.

“H-Hero-sama.Allowmetointroducemyselfoncemore.IamFelmeniaStingray.”“Ah-it'sapleasuretomakeyouracquaintance.”“Fromhereon,Ibelievewearelikelytoworktogether.Atthattime,Ilookforwardstoworkingwithyou.”“Eh?Ah...yes.”

Felmeniamixedinagreetingthatseemedlikesomesortofnonchalantappeal.Reijididn'tquiteunderstandherintent,butmanagedtogivesomesortofreplyanyways.Titaniafollowedupbyclearingoutherthroatquiteintentionallytograbtheirattention.

“WhiteFlame-dono?”“M-Myapologies.I'mgettingaheadofmyself.”“...Wellthen,pleasecomethisway.IwillintroduceyoubeforehisMajestytheKing.”

AtTitania'swords,thesoldiersonceagainformedrankandopenedapathtoSuimeiandhisfriends.

★

Suimeiandcompanyfollowedthesoldiersdowntheunfamiliar,gloomystonecorridorwhichwasilluminatedbycandlesticksmountedonthewalls.Theysoonemergedfromthestonecorridorintoamuchbrightermarblecorridor.Itwasastarkcontrasttothepaththeyhadbeentakingearlier.Elaborateornamentsdecoratedthewallsandeverythingwaskeptveryclean.Therewereworksofart,standsofarmourandpaintingshereandthere,allofwhichdepictedthingstheywereunfamiliarwith.Itseemsthistrulywasanotherworld.Itreallydidseemtobeafantasyworldofswordsandmagic.Whilethethreefriendswereobservingtheirsurroundings,itseemedtheyalsoattractedtheeyesofquiteafewonlookersastheywalkedalong.

Titania,maybeinabidtoreceiveagoodreplyfromReijiconcerningherearlierrequest,waswalkingnexttohimandtalkingtohimcontinuouslyfortheentireduration.Shestartedbyaskingwhatkindofworldtheherohadcomefrombutsoontransitionedtoaskingabouthisageandhobbies.Itsoonjustlookedlikeagirlinlovewalkingalongsideaboyherage.Tosoquicklygainthefavourofacutegirl,Suimeiwasinfactjustalittlejealous.However,MizukiwhowaswalkingonReiji'sotherside,wasdefinitelynotcalmabouttheentiresituation.Shewasn'tReiji'sgirlfriend,butamongallthegirlstheywereacquaintedwith,shewastheclosesttoit.Shewasdefinitelyaimingforthispositionforsometimenow.Nowimaginewhatshewouldfeelwhenabeautiful,noblegirlwasnowintimatelytalkingandkeepingclosetoherloveinterest.Itdidnotshowonherface,butshewasdefinitelypoutingaboutit.Asfortheothergirl,theCourtMageFelmenia...

“...Istheresomethingwrong?”“...No,nothinginparticular.”

Forquitesometimenow,shehasbeenrepeatedlyturningbackandandsneakingpeeksatSuimeiwithasharpgaze.Havingnoticedthisandbeingsomewhatbotheredbyhercuriosity,Suimeihadquestionedher.HoweverFelmenialookedforwardsandcontinuedwalkingasifnothinghadhappened.Suimeigrumbledinwardly.

(...Wasitamistaketobeonguardwithmagic?FromherexpressionitseemslikelythatshesawthroughthefactthatIcanusemagic.)

Oneblunderjustfollowedanother.Suimeihasbeenmakingenough

mistakestodaythathejustwantedtodisappearinshame,howeverhecouldn'taffordtohavehismindinsuchpoormentalshapeatthistime.Theexistenceofmagicandmagicianswassomethingthatmustbekeptsecret.Inhisworld,thiswasanabsolutenecessity.Intheworlddominatedbyscience,magiccouldonlybeseenasheresy.Iftheyevertookcentrestage,therewasnodoubtapurgeofmagicianswouldbegin.Howeveritseemedquitedifferentinthisworld.AnexistencesuchasaCourtMagewasnowwalkingalongsidetheprincess,anddidnotseemtobelowerinsocialstandingtoher.Evensoitwouldbefoolishtorevealthathehimselfwasapractitionerofmagic.Firstandforemostitwasimperativethatthetwonormalcitizensofhisworld,ReijiandMizuki,donotfindout.Inthatcase,justwhatcourseshouldhetaketosealFelmenia'smouth.Itseemeditwasnecessarytomakepreparationsagainsther.

“We'vearrived.ThisistheentrancetotheaudiencechamberofhisMajestytheKing.Nowthen,letusproceed.”

Theycametoastopinfrontofanenormousandluxuriousdoorthatseemedmoreappropriatetouseforgiants.Oneoftheirescortshailedtheguardstandingbeforethedoor.Theguardthenstartedtomurmursomething.Beforelong,thedoorbegantoslowlyopenonitsown.“Wha!?”“Ehhh!?”

ReijiandMizukibothsuddenlyraisedasurprisedvoice.Itseemstheywerebothshockedthatthedoorwasopeningonitsownwithoutanyonetakinganysortofaction.Theguardatthedoordidn'tsomuchastouchthedoor,andtheydidnotseeanyautomatedmechanismsintheirsurroundings.Theybothhadnoideajusthowthishadhappened.Reflexively,ReijiaskedTitaniaforanexplanation.

“H-Howdiditopen?”“...Bymagic.Wasittoyourliking?”“Ah...isthatso?Thisworldhasmagicafterall.”“Thisworld?”“Inourworldthereisnosuchthingasthepowerknownasmagic.”“Isthattrue!?”“Yes.”“...Isee,sothiswouldbethefirsttimeyou'veeverseenmagic.”

Titaniamadeanecstaticsmile,seeminglypleasedatthedeepadmirationtheHeroseemedtoholdinhisvoice.Felmeniahowever,turnedtoReijiabruptlyandassertedherselfinaflusteredvoice.

“I-Icanalsoeasilyaccomplishthingsofthislevel.”“Isthatso?”“EventhoughImaynotappearassuch,IamstillasplendidCourtMageoftheAstelKingdom.”“Heeh...Felmenia-sanisalsoamazinghuh?”“Y-Yeah...eheheh.”

FelmeniasuddenlybecamebashfulatReiji'sstraightforwardsflattery.Wasshejustweaktowordsofpraise?OrwasitbecauseshewasbeingpraisedbytheHero?Hercarefreesmilecreatedquiteagapwithherusuallyharshexpressionandwasactuallyquitecharming.Totheside,Mizukiwasstaringatthelargedooropeningwithasparkleinhereyes.

“Amazing.Magicexistshereafterall.”

Mizukiseemedtohavequitetheinterestinmagic.Shewasagirlwholovedstorieswhichinvolvedmagic.Itispredictablethen,thatshehadadarkpastshewouldratherkeepsecretbecauseofherobsessionwithfantasy.Incomparison,Suimeihadofcoursenoticedtheactivationofmagic.Hecouldnotheartheincantationthattheguardhadused.However,thecompositionofthemagic,theexpansionoftheformula,thebestowalofintent,theeffectandinvocationwereallobservedbyhim.

“Wind,right?”

Themagicusedtoopenthedoorwasquitesimple.Thespellusedinvokedthreeverses.Usingwindasanattribute,itwasamagicwhichphysicallypushedthedooropen.Theinvocationwasfluentlyexecutedinanexemplarywayhowever...

(Hmmm...Butwhywind?Iftheyonlyneedtoopenthedoorwhygothroughthetroubleofusinganattributeasanintermediary?Nomatterhowyoulookatit,foramagicofthislevel,achantusingthreeversesisignoringpracticalityalittletoomuch...)

Suimeiwastheonlyoneastonishedattheinefficiencyofthemagicusedwhichseemedlikecompleteoverkill.Theabilityoftheguardwasactuallyquitegood.Howeverpracticallyspeakingallhehadtodowasinvokemagictoopenthedoor.Tooptimizetheamountofmanaused,itwassufficienttoconstructandinvokemovementmagictocreatethesameeffect.Itwassuchasimplething,butSuimeicouldnotunderstandwhytheguardhadtounnaturallyapplywindasanattributetothespell.Thisadditionalenchantmentnotonlyaddstothelengthofthechant,butitalsoincreasestherequiredamountofmana.Inotherwords,itonlyincreasedtheamountoftimeandmanarequired,therewasonlydemerits.Speakingfrankly,forthiskindofmagic,itwasnotevennecessarytouseanincantationatall.IfitwasSuimei,orratherifitwasanymagicianfromhisworld,itwaspossibletocreatethesameeffectofopeningthedoorwithjustasnapofthefingers.Incomparison,justhowmuchtimeandmanadidtheywasteonopeningthedoor?Suimeiwassimplyunabletounderstandanyofit.

(Well,maybeitisjusttheguard'shobby?)

Afterconcludingsuch,Suimeifinallycalmeddownandorganizedhisthoughts.Itseemsthatapplyingwindasanattributetothemagicusedforopeningandshuttingthedoorwassimplybecausetheguardwantedto.Suimeicametothisconclusion.Inthefirstplacetherewasnoreasonforhimtonitpickabouttheguard'suseofmagic.Hesimplyhadahabitofanalyzingtheefficiencyofmagicwheneverhewitnessedit.WhileSuimeiwasthinkingaboutallthis,Titaniasuddenlybegantoaddresshim.

“Suimei-samadidn'tseemtobesurprisedbymagichuh?”(...Crap.)

Suimeigrumbledtohimselfbrieflybeforereplying.

“Eh?A-Ah.Iwasjustfartoosurprisedtoreact...Hahaha.”“Ara,isthatso?Ifyou'rethissurprisedfromjustthislevelofmagic,thenyoumaynotevenbeabletostandifyouwitnesstheCourtMagespractising.”“Aretheyreallythatamazing?Aha,I'matalosshuh~”“Ufufu...”

Titaniabegantolaughcheerfullyinalady-likemanner.Suimeicouldnotpossiblysaythatthiswasastonishinginawholedifferentway.Felmeniathen

calledouttoTitania.

“YouHighness,itisabouttime.”“Yes.WellthenHero-sama,Mizuki-sama,Suimei-sama,pleasefollowme.”

Pressedonbythosewords,everyonefollowedafterTitaniathroughthedoor.Pastthedoorswasanenormousaudienceroom.Theenormous,rectangularroomwasspottedbyseveralmassivestonepillarwhichwentupallthewaytotheceiling.Thequalityoftheconstructionoftheroomcouldnotevenbecomparedtothepassagestheyhavebeenwalkingthroughuptothispoint.

“Uwa...”“Amazing...”“Oooh...”

Atthesightoftheaudiencechamber,thethreefriendsletoutanastonishedvoiceatthesametime.Theyallunderstoodjusthowamazingtheconstructionofthisaudiencehallwas.EvenSuimeiwhodidnotreacttotheearliermagiccouldnothelpbutbecaptivatedbythescene.Inthedepthsoftheaudiencechamber,placedrightatthecentrewasadazzlingthrone.Sittingatopthethronewasanintensemanwhogaveoffagreatauraofauthority.ThiswasmostlikelytheKing,AlmadiousRootAstel.

Hehadneatlyarranged,short,blondehairandasplendidlongbeard.Tohissidewasanelderlymanwhoseemstobehiscloseconfidant.Seeminglyformingalineuptothethronewerealargenumberofimportantlookingindividuals.Titaniapaidnoattentiontothepeoplesurroundingthemandpushedforwardswithastronggazefacingforwards.Assheapproachedthestepsleadinguptothethrone,shekneltbeforetheKing.Nexttoher,Felmeniaalsokneltdown.Atalosstothissceneplayingbeforethem,Suimeiandcompanyhurriedlyimitatedthetwogirls.AsallmemberspresentkneltbeforetheKing,Titaniaraisedhervoice.

“I,TitaniaRootAstel,havecomeforthwiththeherofromanotherworldbroughttousbytheherosummoningritual.”“Excellent,youhavebeenofgreatassistanceTitania.However,whyaretherethreeheroespresent?”

TheKinghadaskedthisinapuzzledtone.InTitania'splace,Felmeniagavearesponse.

“Yes.ThetwootherpeoplepresentareHero-dono'sfriends.Itseemsthattheyhadmistakenlygottencaughtupinthesummoning.”“Howcanthatbe!?Mistakenlycaughtupinyousaid!?”“Yes.Itisverylikelythecase.”

Atthesewords,theintenseexpressionoftheKinghadtransformedintoanexpressionofshock.Fromallaroundtheaudiencechambersphrasessuchas“Whathappened”or“I'veneverheardofthiskindofthing?”werebeingwhisperedaroundbetweenindividuals.TheKingturnedhisgazetowardsFelmenia.

“Issuchathingreallypossible?Theherosummoningritualhasbeenperformedbyothercountriesaswell,I'veneverheardofthiskindofsituationbefore.”“That's...I'mstillafledglingwhodoesnotpossessmuchinformationinthisregard,howeverinrealitytherearepeoplewhohavebeencaughtupintheritualpresentbeforeus.So...”“Thatpeoplehavebeencaughtupinthesummoningisthetruth...Isthatwhatyouwanttosay?”“Yes,itisverylikelythecase.”

Astheirconversationapproacheditsend,theKing'sexpressionchangedoncemoretoaverygrimexpression.Mizukiwhisperedtotheothers.

“Hesaidthesummoninghasbeenperformedmultipletimes.Doesthatmeanthereareothersinthisworldwhohavebeensummonedover?”“Fromhismannerofspeechitseemslikely.Orrather,justhowevilistheDemonLordofthisworld...?”

SuimeiwhisperedasimplereplytoMizukiwithoutflinching.Hefeltsomewhatsorryforalltheserefugeesfromotherworlds,butwasmoresurprisedthattheexistencewhichthreatenedtheworldseemedtobesodangerousthatithadrequiredmultipleheroestobesummoned.

“Ontopofthat,itseemsourcaseisthefirstofitskind.”“Ahaha...Oursituationistrulypitifulhuh...”

Whilethethreeofthemwerewhisperingamongthemselves,theKing'sconversationwithFelmeniahadcometoanend.Lettinggoofhisgrimexpression,heturnedhisgazetowardsthethreeofthem.

“Hero-dono,Imustapologizeforsummoningyousoabruptlytothisplace.IamthethethirteenthKingoftheAstelKingdom,AlmadiousRootAstel.Andthisismycastle,CamelliaCastle.Havingbeenbroughttomyaudiencewithnopriornotification,itisinevitablethatyoumustbenervous.Please,Iwishforyoutobeatease.”

AstheKingintroducedhimselfandmixedinhisappreciationfortheircooperation,TitaniawhisperedsomethingintoReiji'sears.ItwaslikelythatshewasinforminghimwhattheformalresponsewouldbetotheKing'srequest.However,Reijisuddenlystoodupagainstallexpectations.

“Wha...?”

Suimeiandthesurroundingcrowdraisedtheirvoiceinbewilderment.Toputitbluntlythiswasaridiculousdevelopment.Thereasonforthiswasthatunlikethemodernworld,inthiscountrywhichresembledtheMiddleAges,theKingstoodatopofallauthorityinthecountry.Itwouldn'tbeanexaggerationtosaythattheywereanexistencetreatedasclosetoGod.Tostandupfacetofaceinfrontofsuchapersonwasjustsomethingthatdidnothappen.

“It'salright.Hero-samaisthemanwhowascalledforthtosavetheworld.Hispositionisnotinanywayinferiortoours.Thereforethereinnoproblematallforhimtospeakonequaltermswithmyfather.”“I-Isthatright...?”

HavingnoticedSuimei'sapprehensions,Titaniaexplainedthesituationinalowvoice.Itseemstherewouldbenoproblems.Suimeiwasworriedatjustwhatwasgoingtohappenbecauseofthis,butfornowhewasrelieved.ReijithenbowedbeforetheKingandbegantospeak.

“YourHighness,IamcalledReijiShana.Itisanhonourtobeallowedanaudiencewithyouonthisoccasion.”“Areyoutheherofromanotherworld?”“Yes.”

ThesurroundingcrowdbegantostirasReijigavehisconfirmationoftheKing'squestion.Whisperssuchas“SothatistheHero?”or“Hecertainlyhasadivinepresence.”begantospreadthroughoutthehall.ItseemstheyhadallbeenenchantedbyReiji.Asthevoicesofthecrowdbegantodiedown,theKingoncemorespoketoReiji.

“Thenthetwopeoplebehindyouareyourfriends?”“Yes,IamhisfriendMizukiAnou.”“I'mSuimeiYakagi.”

MizukiandReijiraisedtheirheadsandrespondedtotheKingwhilestillkneeling.TheywhowerenotheroeslikeReijiwoulddefinitelycauseproblemsiftheyimitatedhimandstoodup.

“Umu.Imustdeeplyapologizetothebothofyouforsummoningyouaswell.Itwascausedbyourdeficiencies,itmayseemthatthisisjusttoourselfsatisfaction,butpleaseacceptmydeepestapologies.”“Yes.”“Ha...”

TheygaveabriefreplytotheKingwhilesteelkneelingbeforehim.TheKinghad,inhisownway,giventhehumblestapologythathecouldgivenhisstature.Inasenseitalmostdidn'tevensoundlikeanapology,buthetrulyseemedtobedeeplyregretfulofthesituation.Whispersstartedtobecomeaudiblefromthesurroundingsagain,“Itisawasteofsuchgracefulwords”or“Suchcompassion”.TherewasastarkcontrasttowhentheywereclamouringaboutReiji.TheKinggaveaforcefulcoughandcontinuedtospeak.

“ThereissomethingImustspeakofwithyou,Hero-dono.Howeverletuscalltoday'saudiencetoanend.Itwassuchasuddensummoning.Youmuststillbebewilderedbyeverythingthatishappening.”“Eh...”“Hero-dono,andalsotoyourdearfriends.Afterthis,weshallholdaneveningpartyalongsideabanquetinCamellia'sreceptionhall.Afterthepartyandhavingachancetosettledown,wewillenterourdiscussionsofthemainissuetomorrow.”

Itseemedthemajorpointoftheirrequestwasbeingpushedoffbyaday.Initssteadtheywerebeingofferedhospitalitytorelaxfortheevening.Thismust

havebeenaspecialconsiderationfromtheKing.Itseemedthatthesuddensummoningalsoweighedheavilyonhismind.Atthementionoftheeveningparty,theatmosphereofthegatheredcrowdalsolightenedup.However,therewasonepersonwhodidnotgoalongwiththechangeinmood.

“YourHighness.Ifpossible,Iwouldlikeustomoveontothemainissueatthehandrightnowinthisplace.”“Hero-dono,istheacceptable?Youhavejustarrivedhere,youhaven'tyethadthechancetosettledownyourmindhaveyounot?”“Thatistrue...However,thisissomethingwemustfaceeventuallyanyways.Iwouldratherhearitsoonerthanlater.”“...Understood.IfHero-donowishesforthattobeso,letustalk.”

Afterbrieflyconsideringitdeeply,theKingagreedtoReiji'srequest.Suimeihowever,wasincompleteoppositiontothisdevelopment.

(Ah...Thisdamnjusticefilledidiot!)

Whilemakingagrimface,Suimeicomplainedinwardlyabouthisfriend.Thissortofflowwasbad.Thingswereprogressingtooquickly.Reijiwasbeingfartooimpatient.Itshouldbeobvious,hehadn'tconsultedtheothertwoaboutthissituationatall.Whileremaininginakneelingposition,SuimeituggedonReiji'spantsandwhisperedtohim.

“O-Oi!Reiji!Whatthehelldoyouintendtodo!?Ifyouaskthatnowyou'llhavetogiveananswerrightawayyouknow!?Orratheritshouldbeobviousthat...”“Suimei,it'salright.Leaveittome.”“No,forgetleavingittoyou,rather...Reijiiiiiii!”

BeforeSuimeicouldfinishspeaking,ReijitookastepforwardsandshookSuimei'shandoffofhistrousers.SuimeicouldonlycryoutReiji'snameincomplaintinalowvoice.ThiswasaconversationthatSuimeiabsolutelydidnotwanttoberesponsiblefor.TodefeataDemonLordfromanotherworld,justwhatkindofridiculousfantasystorywasthissupposedtobe?Itwasinsanetopickafightwithsomeonewhosewarpotentialandcombatpotentialwerecompletelyunknown.Moreovertherewasnoreasonforthemtohearofthatkindofinformationinthefirstplace.Ontopofthat,Suimeihimselfhadareasontoreturnhomeimmediately.Hestillhadyettoaccomplishthewillofhis

departedfather.Untilhehasaccomplishedthis,heabsolutelycouldnotdie.

Itcanbesaidthattothemagicianswholivedinanunderworldsociety,bettingtheirlivesonmatterscouldbetheirduty.Howeverthatdidnotmeanthattheywouldputtheirlivesonthelineforjustanythingthatcametheirway.Itshouldbeobvious.Whileworryingaboutsuchthings,SuimeiturnedhisgazetoReiji'sback.Ifonethoughtaboutitreasonably,therewasnowayanyonewouldagreetothiskindofproposition.Butheretheyweretalkingaboutthissoftheartedfool.Suimeicouldnotdiscountthefactthathewouldjustnodandagree.AsReijisteppedforward,theKingcontinuedtheconversation.

“Howmuchhaveyouheardsofar?”“Justbeforethis,herHighnessthePrincesshadrequestedthatIdefeattheDemonLord.OtherthanthatIhaveheardnofurtherdetails.”“Isee.Then...Gless.”

TheKinggaveanod,thenbrieflyturnedtowardsthemiddle-agedmanwhohadbeenstandingbesidehim,urginghimforwardswithhiseyes.Itmusthavebeenasignal,themanhehadcalledGlesssteppedforwards.

“IamGlessDillez,theprimeministeroftheKingdomofAstel.Iwillexplainthecurrentsituationtoyou.”“Thankyouverymuch.”“FurthertothenorthofourAstelKingdom,separatedbytwoothercountries,therewasacountryknownasthecountryofsnow.TheNoshiasKingdom.Theirkingdomservedasthebulwarkwhichseparatedthelandsofdemonsandhumans.Theyhaveheldbacktheadvancesofthedemonsintohumanterritoryforalongtime...Abouthalfayearago,thedemonarmyhadstrucklikelightningandtoppledthecapitolcity.Noshiaswasnotabletoreformasacountryatthisloss,andwasbroughttoruin.”

TheprimeministerGlesscontinuedhisexplanationwithagrimcountenance.

“ThepeopleofNoshiaswereabletoliveeveninthemostextremeofclimates.Theyheldprideintheirstrengththatcouldn'tbecomparedtothepeoplewholivedinmorenormalclimates.Theirarmieswerealsovastandstrong.Howeverbeforeaforceofdemonsoveramillionstrong,itwasasifthearmywasnotthereatall.Beforethisnever-endingassault,theentirecountrycollapsedinunderamonth.”

Mizukilookedterrifiedandunabletospeak,butpushedonaninquirynonetheless.

“Umm,yousaycollapsed,whathappenedtothepeopleofNoshias...?”“Thedemonshavenoneedforhumanprisoners.DuringtheinvasionthevastmajorityofNoshias'citizenswerekilled.Theoneswhomanagedtoescapetheinitialonslaughtwerehunteddown.Thereareverylikelynexttonosurvivorsunlesstheywereextremelylucky.ThenumberofsurvivingNoshiascitizenscouldprobablybecountedononehand.”“Hunteddown,that'shorrible...”“Thatisjustthekindofexistencethedemonsare.Theydespisehumanityandtreatuslikeinsects.Theyareevilbeingswhoonlyacknowledgetheirownstrength.Whilewewouldbewillingtocometoacompromiseatatableofdiscussion,theywouldbemorelikelytousethatchancetosimplystrikeatus.”

Mizuki'sfacebecameextremelypalefromGless'explanation.Genocide.Humanhunting.Thesewordslikelyengravedfearonthegirl'sheart.ItwasdifficulttoswallowallthewordscomingfromGless'mouth.Butupuntilthegenocidethistalkofdemonswasstillidenticaltothestoriestheyhadfoundintheirlightheartednovels.

“...AfterNoshias'fall,anOraclefromtheSalvationChurchrevealedtheexistenceofaDemonLordwhohademergedandtakencontrolofalldemons.Thisdemon'snameisNakshatra.Itwasjudgedthatsuchanexistencewhichcouldorganizetheunrulymobofdemonswouldeventuallydestroyhumanity.”

Glesstookabriefpausebeforecontinuingon.

“Thus,inresponsetotheOracleproclaimingthepotentialdestructionofhumanity,aconferencewasheldbetweenallnationstodecideoncountermeasurestothedemoninvasion.Manyhypotheticalplansforbreakingthedemoninvasionwerebroughtupandputdown.Butbeforethestrengthofthedemonarmywhichfarsurpassedanythingthathumanitycouldmuster,noplancouldbeputinplacetoescapethesituation.”

GlessthensuddenlyturnedhisgazetowardsReiji.

“Andso,allthenationscameuponanagreementtothrowalloftheirhopesinto

theherosummoningritualwhichhasbeenusedsincetimeimmemorial.OnlywiththepermissionoftheMage'sGuildandtheSalvationChurchwastheritualallowedtobeperformed.Onlywhenhumanityhadfallenintothepitsofdespairwouldtheysummonaherofromanotherworld.Ifnationswhoonlyeverheldtheirownnationalinterestsinmindhadbeguntosummonheroeswhenevertheywanted,theentireworldwouldbethrownintochaosafterall.”“Aretherethatmanyglobaldisastersinthisworld....?”

Reijiraisedaneyebrowandaskedthisquestion.Insidehisownmindhemusthavebeenscreaming“Humanityinthisworldfacesfartoomanycrisis!”.

“Yes.Frommemory,Giantswhowouldeatalllivingbeingshadappearedtwice.Tyrantswhohadtriedtoconquertheentireworldhadappearedthreetimes.Similarlytothistime,aDemonLordleadinghostsofdemonshadappearedsixtimes.Thusonthisoccasion,toevadethecomingcrisis,fourcountries,includingourAstelKingdom,weretaskedwithcarryingouttheherosummoningritual.”“Fourcountries...”

Atthisunexpectedrevelation,Suimeiletoutasmallmurmur.WhowouldhavethoughtthattherewereotherpitifulfoolsouttherehavingtheunreasonablerequestofdefeatingtheDemonLordpusheduponthem?Ifthiswasaninsurancepolicyincasesomepartiesdonotaccepttherequest,thentherewasnoneedforthemtogooutoftheirwayandacceptit.

“Andoneoftheoneswhoweresummonedwouldbeus?”

ToReiji'squestionGlesshadclosedhiseyesandnodded.

“Thatispreciselyit.”

Gless'countenancethensomehowhadmanagedtobecomeevenmoregrim.

“Thoughthedemoninvasionhassloweddownfornow,inthenearfuturetheywillproceedwithtramplingthenationsofhumanity.OurlandaswellwillhavenochoicebuttofallpreytotheoncomingonslaughtjustlikeNoshiashad.”

AllcolourhadvanishedfromGless'faceatthispoint.Hisvoicehadalsogottenheavy.HewasgivingReijieyesthatwerebeggingforcompassion.It's

possiblethatsomepartsofthiswasjustanact.Itwassomewhatrepulsive,butseeinghowaninternationalcommitteehaddecidedonthecountrieswhichwouldenactthesummoningritual,itwasalsopossiblethatAstelKingdom'shonourandreliabilityintheeyesoftheinternationalcommunityweretieddirectlytotheirsuccessatusingtheHero.Theprimeministermustconsiderthefateofhiscountryregardlessoftheoncomingdemons,soputtingoutthissortofactwouldbeasimplepricetopaytokeephiscountryingoodstanding.EvensoSuimeiwasunabletosuppresshisirritationatthewholesituation.AsGlesshadfinishedhisexplanation,theKingoncemorespokeup.

“Hero-dono.Wouldyousomehowbewillingtoundertakethetaskofsavingallofhumanity'scitizensinthisworld?”“...”“Howwillitbe?”

Reijihadhunghisheaddeepinthough.TheKingproddedforanansweronemoretime.

(TheanswershouldbeobviousReiji.I'mbeggingyou...)

Suimeiwhohadabsolutelynointentionofgettinginvolvedwithanyofthis,prayedsecretlythatReijiwouldturndowntherequest.SinceSuimeiwasamagician,inordertoprotecthimselfandhisresearch,hehadsomeleveloflivecombatexperience.Butevensohehadnointentionofparticipatinginanyunreasonablebattles.Obviously,healsodidnotwanttodie.Whilecarryingtheseanxietiesinhisheart,SuimeiearnestlyprayedtothelivingGodShanaReijiforaswiftrejection.ItseemedthattimehadstoppedandeveryonehadheldtheirbreathwaitingforaresponsefromReiji.Afterawhile,hefinallyopenedhismouthtogivehisresponse.

“Thisrequest,Iwillwholeheartedlyundertakeit.”

(That'sright.Hewon'tdoit.There'snowayhewouldaccept...wha?)

Suimeinoddedtohimselfandsuddenlystoppedtoconfirmwhathehadjustheard.Justwhatdidthatidiotsay...?“Iwillwholeheartedlyundertakeit.”

(O...oi.Oioioioioiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!)

Heagreed.Hereallydidit.Suimeihadthoughtthathehadmisheardatfirst,butReijidefinitelyagreedtoundertaketherequest.

“Isee!Thatis-”“Justwaitaminuuuuuuute!!”

Thiscouldabsolutelynotbeforgiven.Suimei'sscreamechoedthroughouttheaudiencechamberashedrownedouttheKing'sdelightedvoice.EvenSuimeiwassurprisedatjusthowloudavoicehehadjustletout.Theentireaudiencechamberwasrenderedspeechlessbyhisactions.OntopofallthathehadjustrudelyyelledovertheKingwhowasinthemiddleoftalking.Butcouldhereallybeblamedfromsnappingafteralloftheseunreasonablesituationshappeningtohim?Ontheotherhand,thesoftheartedidiotwhohadjustagreedtotheKing'srequestwasmakingafacethathehadnoideawhatwasgoingon.

“S-Suimei,whatisitallofasudden?Don'tsuddenlyyelllikethat.”“Itwasn'tsuddenandofcourseI'llyellyoustupidsimpleton!Whythehelldidyouaccept!?Hasyourbrainrotted!?Theyjusttoldyoutokillsomeonesodangerousthattheycoulddestroytheworldyouknow!?They'retellingyoutofighthissubordinatesthatnumberinthemillions,doyoureallyunderstand!?Youdidn'tevenconsultmyselforMizukiandyoujustagree?Thatisfarstrangerthanyellinginthissituation!”

SuimeihadyelledallthisatReijiinasinglebreath.HisbreathinghadgottenraggedandhewasgivingReijiquitetheintensestare.Reijididn'tseembotheredbyanyofthis,andrepliedwithastraightforwardgaze.

“ButbecauseofthatDemonLordtherearemanypeoplegoingthroughhorribleexperiences.Iftheyhaven'tyettheymightsoon.ThepeopleofthisworldhavepinnedtheirlasthopesonaHero,andcalledme.Therefore,IthinkImustdoeverythingthatIcantohelp.”“No,justwhydoesithavetobelikethat!?Wedon'thaveanysortofobligationtothesepeople!”“Yeah.It'struethatthisisthefirsttimewe'vecometothisworld.It'sjustasSuimeisays,wehavenoobligationtothem.Butwearenowconnectedtothembyfate.Theyarelivingpeoplethatwe'vebecomeconnectedtoyouknow?Wedon'thaveanyobligationtothemnow,butthatissomethingwe'llbebuildingupfromnowonisn'tit?”

Reijistartedtospoutoutsomecoolphilosophicalphrases.Justhowwasahighschoolkidspoutingthissortoflineinthiskindofserioussituation?Suimeihadexperienceditmanytimesinthelastsixyearsbutstillwonderedaboutit.

“Thatmaybeso...butnowisn'tthetimeforthat!Moreimportantlythere'snowayyoucandoanythingaboutthesituationonyourown!”

ThoughhehadagreedwithReiji'spoint,Suimeistillstayedhiscourseandbroughtupthemostobviousissueathand.Reijiwasjustastudent.UnlikeSuimei,Reijihadonlyeverfoughtoffdelinquentsatmost.It'snotlikeReijihadnoideahowtofight,buttherewasnowayhecouldwinafighttothedeath.Evenso,ReijishookhisheadtoSuimei.

“Wedon'tknowthat.RightnowIcanfeelatremendouspowerwithinme.Withthispower,itmightjustbepossibletodefeattheDemonLord.”“Whaaaaattremendouspoweryoudumb-ass!?ScrewdefeatingtheDemonLord!Don'tyouunderstandthegreatwords'AfightisdeterminedbythenumbersAniki!'?Nomatterhowstrongyou'vegotten,ifyouthinkaboutitnormallythere'snowayyoucanwinbeforeanarmynumberinginthemillions!”“No,ifwedon'ttrywewon'tknowthat.It'sthetruththatpreviouslysummonedheroeshaveinfactsavedthisworld.”

Certainlywhathehadjustsaidwastrue.Butthat'sonlywordofmouththatcanbesaidbythepeoplewhohadwon.Therefore.

“Thoseareonlytheresults.”“Thoseresultsaretheunshakabletruth.Alsotobehonest,there'snowayIcouldabandonpeopleinneed.Itmaybestupid,butIwanttocooperatewiththepeoplefromthisworld.”“Reiji,onceagainyou're...”

SuimeiwasslightlydisheartenedatReiji'swords.Itmayhavebeenasenseofpity.ThiswasReiji'sillness.Anytimehesawsomeoneintroublehewouldimmediatelythrowhimselfintothefray.ItwasjustthekindofhumanReijiwas.Ithadalwaysbeenlikethis.FromthedaySuimeihadmetReiji,thishadneverchanged.Hewouldrunaroundforthesakeofothers,gethisfriendsinvolvedandintheendhewouldsaveeveryone.Hewasastronghumanwhoseweaknesswasthehecouldnotignoretheweak.ThiswasShanaReiji.Suimei

knewthisverywell.

“...Suimei.Ifyoudon'twanttoIwon'tforcefullyaskyoutocomealong.Tobehonestitwouldbereassuringtohaveyouatmyside,buttheherowhoreceivedpowerismealone.Itisfineifyoudon'tcomealong.”“You...CertainlyIamcompletelyagainstgoingbut,withjustthat....!”“Yeah.Iknow.You'reworriedaboutme.WheneverIhaven'tthoughtaboutitenough,itisalwaysSuimeiwhofollowsupforme.”

Itwasslyofhimtospeakofsuchthingsinagentletone.It'sbecausehewaslikethisthatSuimeicouldneverleavehimalone,andwasalwaysdraggedalongwithhisactions.However,inthiscasespecifically...

“...Iamabsolutelynotgoing.Idon'twanttogetinvolvedinanyofthis.Ialsodon'twanttodie.”

Itwasuseless.GoingalongwasjustnotachoicetoSuimei.Nomatterhowheanalyzedthesituationitwasalltooreckless.

“Gotit.Sorry.Suimei.”“Ifyou'regoingtoapologizedon'tdoitinthefirstplacedammit.”

ToReiji'sheartfeltapology,Suimeicouldonlygivearesponsethathehadgivenupconvincinghim.Then,ReijiturnedtoMizuki.

“IamgoingtogotodefeattheDemonLord.Therefore,Mizuki,IwantyoutowaittogetherwithSuimei.”

StandingbeforeReiji'sdetermination,Mizukihadhungherheadandstartedshaking.Justwhatwasthisgirlthinking?Aftersometimehadpassedinsilence,MizukishookoffherfearsandresolutelyfacedReiji.

“....Uun,I'mgoingtogowithReiji-kun.”“Wha!?”“Mizuki...”“Oi,youtoo,Mizuki...?”

Suimeicouldonlyraiseabaffledvoice.Tothinkanotheroneofhisfriendswouldsaysuchathingwithnosenseofreality.ItseemsthistimeReijishared

Suimei'sopinion.

“Ican'tallowitMizuki.WhatIamabouttotakeonhereisamatteroflifeanddeath.SoIcannottakeyoualong.Idon'twanttoseeyouinadangeroussituation.”

AtReiji'srejectiontoherrequest,Mizukivigorouslybeganshakingherhead.

“Ifyoudon'tdefeattheDemonLordthenitwon'tbepeacefulanywhereintheworld.Eventuallyitwon'tmatterwhereweare,it'llallbethesame.That'swhyIwanttobeofusetoReiji-kun,evenifitisonlyalittle.Idon'tknowwhatexactlyIcando.Idon'tknowifIwanttosavethepeopleofthisworldthesamewaythatReiji-kundoes.Butregardlessofallthat,IwanttoaccompanyReiji-kun.”“...It'sdangerous.ImightnotbeabletoprotectyouMizuki.”“Un.Ifitevercomestoit,Idon'tmindifyouevenabandonme.That'swhy...”

Thatwasdefinitelyalie.HoweverMizukiwantedtoaccompanythemanshehadfalleninlovewithnomatterwhat.Afterputtingsomethoughtintoit,Reijireplied.

“Igotit.IfMizukiiswillingtotakeitsofar,thenletusdothistogether.However,IwillneverabandonMizukinomatterwhat.”“Un...”

Reijiconsentedtoherparticipation.ShewashappythatshehadbeenacknowledgedbyReiji,howeverafterhavingmusteredallofhercourage,tearshadstartedtoformonhereyes.

“YourMajesty.IacceptthetaskofsubjugatingtheDemonLord.TheonesparticipatinginthesubjugationwillbemyselfandMizuki,justustwo.”“Understood.Mizuki-dono,isthistrulyalright?”“Yes!”

Mizukigaveacheerfulreplywithabrilliantsmileonherface.TheKingthenturnedtowardsSuimei.

“AsIexpect,Suimei-dono...”“Iwillnotfightagainstsuchanabsurdnumberofenemies.Therefore,Iwillnot

beaccompanyingthesetwo.”“Isee...”

TheKinggaveadisappointed,oractuallyaveryapologeticlooktowardsSuimei.Itseemedhewasgenuinelyworriedabouthavingsummonedanunrelatedparty.Instarkcontrast,thesurroundingaudiencewereallturningcoldgazesatSuimeiastheywhisperedamongthemselves.“Thatyounggirldecidedtoparticipate,butwhenitcomestotheboy....”or“It'slikehehasnobackbone.”Thesesortsofdisgustedandirritatedwordswerebouncedaroundthehall.

(They'realljustsayingwhatevertheywantfromtheirsafeplacewithoutdoinganythingthemselves.ThoughIguesssinceIdecidednottoalongI'mnotonetospeak...Moreimportantly,thereissomethingelsethatneedsdiscussing.)

Suimeiwasgettingfedupwiththewholesituationandbrieflysighedhiscomplaintsinwardly.TherewassomethingfarmoreimportantthathemustaskoftheKing.

“YourMajesty.IhaveonerequestIwouldaskofyou,isthatalright?”

Thesurroundingstartingyellingphraseslike“Howshameless!”and“YouareinnopositiontomakearequestofhisMajestytheKingyoubastard!”ThesecrieswerefillingtheaudiencehallhoweverSuimeisimplyignoredthem.TheKingrespondedwithoutchanginghistonefrombefore.

“Speakyourrequest.”“Yes.Iwon'tparticipateinthesubjugationoftheDemonLord,soIwouldliketobereturnedtomyownworld.”

Thatwasright,Suimeiwouldnotbetakingpartinanyfighting.Therefore,hehadnoreasontotakeastopinthisworld.Hedesiredtousetheherosummoningritualmagictoreturnbackhomeasquicklyaspossible.However,forsomereasontheKingwasnotgivinghimanyreply.

“...”

Instead,adeathlysilencesweptthroughtheentireaudiencehall.Suimeitookalookaround.Reijiwasgivingoffaconfusedlookashehadnoideawhatwasgoingon.Mizukimadeafacelikeshejustfiguredoutwhatwasgoingon.

TitaniaandFelmeniaweregivingoffasourexpressionasthecolourhaddrainedfromtheirfaces.Thispoorcomplexioncouldonlybeattributedtosomethingbad.Suimeihadjustrequestedtoreturnhome.Inreactiontothis,thetwoofthemhadstartedmakingfaceslikethat.Judgingfromthis,Suimeicouldonlycomeupwithasinglehypothesis.

“Oi,waitasecond.Itcan'tbe...”

AtthispointSuimeihadcompletelyforgottentouseanysortofpolitespeechbeforetheKing.Itwasinevitable.Ifhishypothesiswascorrect,itsimplywasn'tthetimetobeactingpolite.Afterawhile,theKingseemedtogatherhisdeterminationandbeganspeaking.

“Itisinexcusable,butIcannotreturnyoubacktoyourworld.ItisnotthatIwouldnotliketoreturnyou.Amethodtoreturnyoutoyourworlddoesnotexisthere.”

Atthesewords,Suimei'sbrowsbegantotwitch.Entirelyawarethathewasbeingdisrespectful,Suimeiaskedforconfirmationoncemore.

“...I'msorry.Ididn'thearyoucorrectly.Couldyourepeatthat?”“Amethodtoreturnyouhomedoesnotexist.ThereforeIamunabletoreturnyouhome.”

Thiswasthedecisiveblow.Suimeithenunintentionallyletoutacrywithallhisstrength.

“Y-You'refuckingkiddingmeeeeeeeeeee!!”

Forthesecondtimethatday,Suimei'svoiceechoedthroughouttheentireaudiencehall.

★

WhathadhappenedintheaudiencechambercreatedagreatuproarthatcouldnotbecomparedtoanyincidentsincethefoundingoftheKingdomofAstel.TheKinghadinformedSuimeithathecouldnotreturnhimtohisworld.Suimeihadrespondedbyyellinginafitofangeratthetopofhislungs.

“Youcan'tsendusbackbutyoucallusanyways!?Aren'tyoujustanidiot!?”“Nomatterhowyoulookatityou'rejustbeingselfish,youdamnfool!”“Youblockhead!”

HehadyelledallofthisattheKing.HavingheardthewordsheabsolutelydidnotwanttohearfromtheKing,Suimeisimplylostallofhissenseofreason.Heletoutallofhisangerinonego,ignoringwherehewasorwhohewasspeakingto.Hehadlonglosthisabilitytocarefullyanalyzethesituation...Thismayactuallyhavebeenthemostnormalreactiontotheridiculousstateofaffairsafterbeingsummonedbyanotherworld.

Anyways,thishadbecomeaserioussituationwheretheKingmightbeattacked.TheleadersofthenationandsoldiershadrushedintorestrainSuimei.Thesituationhadtrulyescalatedintoaseriousproblem.Havingjudgedjusthowdangerousthishadbecome,ReijiandMizukiactedasmediatorswiththeKingandsomehowmanagedtopulleverythingthroughpeacefully.Suimeihadbeendraggedoffstillinastateofextremeangerandpushedoffintoaroomallocatedtohim.Suimeistartedtocalmhimselfdownbycurlingupandhugginghisownstomachinhisnewtemporaryroom.

“Fuck.Seriously?Isthisseriouslyhappening...?”

Suimeiwasathiswitsend.Hehadtrieddoubtingmultipletimesthatthiswasinfactreality.Nomatterhowhardhepinchedandpulledathischeeks,hewouldstillfindhimselfinthistemporaryroomgiventohimlookingoutatthesameunfamiliarsceneryofaforeignkingdomoutthewindow.Thrustintothisunreasonablereality,Suimei'sanguishonlygotworst.Suimeibeganscreamingatthepeopleresponsiblewhowerenotpresentbeforehim.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!Ijustwanttoreturn!!Idon'tknowanyspellstocreateabridgebetweenworldsdammit!!”

ThesummoningmagicusedtobringthemtothisworldwasdifferentfromthesummoningmagicthatSuimeiwasfamiliarwith.Theaspectofbeingabletocallforthatargetwasthesame.ButtheaspectofbeingabletocreateabridgebetweendimensionsmadeitfundamentallyimpossibletoSuimei.Ifthesummoningwasfromanothernearbyplanetitmayhavebeenpossible.Buttosummonsomethingfromadifferentplanet,fromaparalleldimensionwhoseexistencecouldnotevenbeprovenwasnotsomethingthathadeverbeen

accomplishedwithmagicinSuimei'sworld.Sincehehadcrossedoverfromhisworldtothisone,somesortofconnectionhadtoexist.Butevenifthepathexistedthetransportationmagictouseitwasonlydevelopedtouseitinonedirection.Ifusedincorrectlyitwaspossibletoderaillikeatrainpartwayandendupsomewherewherethesituationwouldbecometrulyirreversible.Atthatpoint,Suimeiwouldloseabsolutelyeverything.

“Tch...”

Suimeiletoutagroanfilledwithanguish.Itmayhavebeenanaccident,buthavingbeenatargetofthesummoning,apaththatconnectsbothworldsdefinitelyexisted.Itmayjustbeuselessresistance,butSuimeihadnochoicebuttorelyonthisfact.

“Pleaseconnect,Mary...”

Telepathiccommunicationmagic...Thankstothespreadofcellphones,itisamagicthathadsimplybecomeafossilofthepast.Suimeiattemptedtouseittocontactanacquaintance.HydemaryAlzbayne.Inhisworld,thiswasthegirlwithwhomhehadworkedwiththemostwhenitcametojobsfortheSociety.Ifhewasabletocontactheritwouldbepossibletostrengthenthepath.Evenifhecouldnotreturn,itwouldbepossibletopreventgettingcompletelystuckwithnopathbackatall.

“Fuck!!”

Itwasimpossibleafterall.Itseemsthedistancebetweenworldscouldnotbeovercomeforanysortofcommunication.

“Ifit'scometothis,I'llhavetofigureoutawaybackonmyown....”

Tothisimpossiblechallengethathehadtoovercome,Suimeiletoutahugesigh.Notreturningwasnotanoption.Itwasacompletelynon-existentoptionforhim.Hehadsomethingthatheabsolutelyhadtoaccomplish.Forthisreasonhemustreturntohisownworld.

“Suuuu....”

Suimeisuddenlytookinadeepbreath.And...

“I'mdefinitelyreturninghomeyouhearmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!?”

Havingmadehisresolution,Suimeigaveoutathunderouscry.

★

AfewdaysafterSuimeiandcompanyweresummonedtothisotherworld,ReijiandMizukistoodbeforeCourtMagesandknightsintheoutdoortraininggroundsofCamelliaCastle.

“It'sfinallytimehuh,Reiji-kun?”“Yeah.”

ReijinoddedtoMizukiwhoseemedunabletocontainherexcitementstandingbesidehim.Thiswasbecauseatthattime,theywereabouttobetrainedinmagicbyTitania,theCourtMagesandknights.Mizuki'sexcitementwasobvious,butReijiwasalsounabletohidethefactthathisbloodhadstartedtoboilinexcitement.

“Magichuh.Ineverthoughtthedaywouldcouldwherewewouldbeabletouseit.”

Itwassomethingunthinkablebackintheirownworld.Intheirworlditwassimplyadreamthatanybodywouldsee.Itwasanunattainablepowerwhichonlyexistedinfictitiousfantasy.Yetthatwasnolongerthecase.

“NowthatIthinkaboutit,thisisanotherworldafterallhuh...?”

Beinggrippedbyasuddenpangofloneliness,Mizukihungherheaddown.Thefeelingsthatshehelddeepinherheartwerebeginningtospillout.Thiswasinevitable.ItwasnotjustSuimeiwhohadreceivedastrongshockfrombeingtoldtheywereunabletoreturnhome.ThisgirlwhodecidedtocomealongtodefeattheDemonLordwasthesame.Reijialsounderstoodthelonelinessofneveragainmeetingtheirlovedones.

“Mizuki...”“Ah!S-sorry!Igotallgloomy.”“No,it'salright.Iunderstandthefeeling.”

“Un...”“It'salrightMizuki,Iwilldefinitelyprotectyou.”

ItwasultimatelyReijiwhohadspurredherontodiveintodanger.Henceitwasonlynaturalthathewouldshouldertheburdenofkeepinghersafe.Forsomereason,eventhoughtheirdiscussionwasquiteserious,Mizukihadsuddenlystartedtoblush.

“R-Reiji-kun!C-couldthatpossiblymean...?”“Huh?What'swrong?”“That's...”“...?”“Ah...that'sright.It'sReiji-kunafterallhuh...”

Reijicouldnotunderstandwhatwasgoingon.AftersuddenlyrealizingsomethingMizukigaveoutanastonishedanddisappointedvoiceandstartedgrumbling.Reijitrulycouldnotunderstandwhathadaffectedhersostronglyfromtheirconversation,butMizukisuddenlystartedworryingaboutanotheranxietythathadbeenbotheringher.

“IwonderifSuimei-kunisalright...”

Mizukiwasworryingaboutherotherfriend,herclassmateYakagiSuimei.Eversincetheuproarintheaudiencechamber,hehadcompletelyshuthimselfintheroomgiventohim.Theshockofbeingtoldhecouldn'tgohomeaffectedhimgreatly.ReijiandMizukihadcalledouttohiminworrythroughthedoormultipletimes,buttheyonlyevergothalfheartedreplies.Theystilldidn'thaveafullunderstandingofhiscurrentcondition.TowashawayMizuki'sanxiety,Reijiturnedtoherwithasmile.

“There'snoneedtoworry.It'sSuimeiafterall,afterseveraldayshe'lljustcomeoutofthatroomwithanonchalantfaceasifnothinghadhappened.”“Un...it'dbeniceifitworkedoutlikethat.”

Howeverevenathisreassurance,Mizukiwasstillgrippedinanxiety.Shewasalsoquiteuneasyaboutbeingsummonedtoanotherworld.ShecouldseeherfeelingsreflectedinSuimeilikeamirror.ReijiwasfeelingthathemayhaveinfactbeenwrongtonotconsultthetwoofthemandmakeadecisiononhisownjustlikeSuimeihadsaid...

“Itlookslikeeveryoneisherenow,letusbegin.Reiji-sama,areyouready?”

WhileReijiwasdeepinthoughtaboutthechoicehehadmade,TitaniahadaskedhimiftheycouldstartafterconfirmingtheCourtMageswereallpresent.

“Yeah,I'mreadywhenever.”“Iapologizeformakingyouwaitsolongbecauseofourcircumstances.”“Itwasnoproblem.”“IfReiji-samasaysso.”

TitaniarepliedtoReijiwithasmile.Reijididn'tfeellikehehadbeenwaitingallthatlong,buttheotherpartywasbeingquitepoliteaboutit.Itmayjustbeapartofherpersonality.Eventhoughshewasroyalty,hedidnotsenseanounceofarrogancefromher.AsReijiwasthinkingofthis,Titaniaturnedaroundwithgrace.

“Verywell,Reiji-sama,IshallintroduceyoutotheCourtMageswhowillbeteachingyoumagic.”“First,WhiteFlame-dono...Myapologies,LordStingray.”

MaybebecauseshewassoaccustomedtocallingFelmeniabyhersecondname,shehadtocorrectherself.FelmeniatookastepforwardsfromthelineofCourtMagesandtookarespectfulbowtowardsReiji.

“Wehavebeenpreviouslyintroducedtoeachotherbefore,butonceagainIamcalledFelmeniaStingray.ImaybetheyoungestamongtheCourtMagesofAstel,butIlookforwardtoworkingwithyou.”“LikewiseIlookforwardtoworkingwithyou.”

Reijireturnedhercourtesyinkind.ThefirsttobeintroducedbyTitaniawasthemagewhohadsummonedthemtothisworldinthefirstplace,FelmeniaStingray.Shehadbeautiful,long,silverhairandnamedherselfastheyoungestamongtheCourtMages.Despitethisshegaveoffanairofcomposurewhichgaveaslightglimpseofherwisdom.Titaniawasextremelybeautiful,howeverFelmeniawasinnowayinferiorinthisregard.Shealsohadquiteawellpronouncedchest.Reijimadeanoticeableswallowingsound.

“...TotheleftisLordMalfous,LordKran,and...”

“Eh?”

ReijihadbeenentrancedbyFelmenia'sfigureanddidnotnoticethattheintroductionswerecontinuing.TitaniahadnoticedthatReijisuddenlymadeastrangesound.

“Umm,Reiji-Sama,issomethingthematter.”“N-no,it's...”“Itcouldn'tbethatyouaren'tfeeling..?”“I-I'malright.There'snothingwrongatall,hahaha...”

Reijigaveoffaforcedlaughtotryandchangethetopic.There'snowayhecouldadmitthathewasstaringatFelmenia.

“Isthatright?Wellwehavefinishedwiththeintroductions...NowthatIremembertherewasacertainmatterthatImustinquireaboutReiji-sama.”

TitaniaseemedtohavesuddenlyrememberedsomethingassheturnedtowardsReijiandbeganspeakingassheopenedthepalmofherhand.

“Ummm,ifIremembercorrectlymagicdoesnotexistintheworldReiji-samaandMizuki-samacamefrom...”“Yeah,it'sthetruth.Insteadourworldhaddevelopedthepowerofscience.”

Magicdidnotexist.Intheirworldthiswasamatterofcourse.Asexpectedthiswasasurprisingmattertothisworld.HoweverwhatReijihadsaidwasalsosurprisingasthecrowdbegantomurmur.

“Whatisscience?”“I'veneverheardthatwordbefore.”

FelmeniamadeadubiousexpressionandpressedReijiontoexplainfurther.

“...Excusemeforcuttingin,howeverHero-dono,isthatreallytrue?”“...?Eeeh,it'safact...Istheresomethingwrong?”“No...Iwasjustalittleinterested...Ishallaskonemoretime,isthattrulynotalie?”

AsFelmeniawasaskingforconfirmationoncemore,oneoftheCourtMages

presentclearedhisthroatoutaudibly.Hethenspokewithavoicefilledwithdisdain.

“LordStingray.Aren'tyoubeingquiterudetothemanwhoistaskedwithsavingthisworld?”“...Myapologies.”

Felmeniabowedandapologizedtohercolleague'sreprimand,butshestillhadascowlonherface.Wassomethingbotheringher?Reijihadnoideawhatwasonhermind.Instead,MizukiturnedtoFelmeniaandprovidedfurtherexplanation.

“Theconceptofmagicexistsinourworld,butonlyaspartofliteraryfiction.Unfortunatelyitisnotsomethingthatexistsinreality.”

Yes,itdidn'texist.Itwassomethingconfinedtotherealmoffiction.Itwassomethingcreatedbyauthorstomaketheirstoriesmoreinteresting.TitaniawasalsopuzzledbyFelmenia'sinsistenceandturnedtoher.

“WhiteFlame-dono,issomethingthematter?”“No...itwasnothing.Iapologizeforbringingthisconversationofftrack.”“Isthatso?IfyousayitisalrightthenIdon'tmind...”

AsTitaniatiltedherheadtotheside,anattendantstandingbyhersidewhisperedsomethinginherears.Thiswasprobablytourgehertomoveontothemaintopic.Titaniaonceagainbegantospeak.

“Wellitisabouttimethatwebegin.ThiswillessentiallybethefirsttimethatReiji-samawillwitnessmagic.Iwasthinkingthatwecouldbeginbyhavingsomeonemakeasimpleexplanationwhiledemonstratingtheirmagic.Isthisalright?So...”

BeforeTitaniacouldfinishspeakingthehaughtymagewhohadreprimandedFelmeniaearliertookastepforwardwithanairofarrogance.ItwasthemanthatTitaniahadearlierreferredtoasLordKran.Hehadaslimfigureandlonghair.Hehadameanlookinhiseyesandaverygloomycountenance.HewalkedforwardswhileplayingwithhisbangsuntilhehadcomebeforeReijiandcompany.Itseemedthathewasvolunteeringhimselftothetaskathand.

“Wellthen,itissomewhatpresumptuousofmebutIwouldliketoteachthebasicsofmagictoHero-dono.”“...Youwill?”“ItispreciselyasIsay,yourHighness.”

ToTitania'sconfusion,theCourtMagegavehisreplywithashamelesslook.Hiswordswerecourteous,buthisselfsatisfiedlooksomehowmadeReijifeelsomewhatanxious.Howeveratthispoint,TitaniaturnedtowardsFelmenia.

“IpersonallyfeelthatWhiteFlame-donowouldbethemostsuitableteacher...Whatdoyouthink?”

Titania'sstatementshockedboththehaughtyCourtMageandFelmenia.

“Ha!?”“...Isitalrightformetodoit?”“Yes.Ifeelitisonlyappropriateforyouasthestrongestmageinallthekingdomtodoso.”“S-strongestinthekingdom...”

Titaniagaveherrecommendationwithconfidence.Felmeniawasdeeplytouchedwiththegrandevaluationthatshehadjustreceived,howevertheCourtMagewhohadsteppedforwardsbegantovoicehisobjection.

“E-excusemeforhumblystatingmyopinion,butIbelieveIammorewellsuitedtoteachmagictoHero-donothanWhiteFlame-dono.”

ItseemshewasunabletoacceptTitania'sopinion.Itwassomewhatunderstandable.Hisrolewasbeingtakenbyagirlyoungenoughtobehisdaughterafterall.Felmeniarebukedhim.

“AreyousayingthatIamlackingasamagecomparedtoyou?”“WhiteFlame-dono.ThoughImaynotappearassuch,IamstillateacherattheMage'sGuild.Whenitcomestotheinstructionofmagic,Ihaveconfidenceinmyownabilities.SinceyouaresoyoungIdobelieveIamfarmoreexperiencedinthisfield.”

Atthosewords,Felmeniamadeadispleasedface,butquicklyturneditaround

intoaboldsmile.

“Hoo...Thenwouldyouliketoputthattothetest?”“Ifthatisyourwish.”

Theatmosphereintheairhadtakenaveryseriousturn.OnecouldalmostimagineinvisiblesparksshootingoutbetweenFelmeniaandtheCourtMage.

“Eh?Eh?Isitafight?Aretheygoingtofight?”“Ican'tsayforsureifitisgoingtobeafight,butitdoesseemlikesomethingisabouttobegin.”

Atthesuddenturnofeventsatatimethattheyweresupposedtobetakinglessons,ReijitriedtocalmdownMizukiwhohadstartedtopanic.Titaniaseemedtohavenointentionofstoppingtheconflict.Sheseemedintentonjustlettingthingsplayout.Reijihadthoughtthatshewasakindgirl,butitseemsshehadquitethestubbornstreakaswell.

“Isitalrightthen?Weshalldecidethiswinnerbasedonthequalityofyourinstructionsinmagic.”

AsTitaniaexplainedtherulesofthebout,thetwomagestooktheirpositions.And...

“―OhEarth!Gatherandtransformintoagreatpowerandcrushmyopponent!RockRidge!”

ThehaughtyCourtMagewasthefirsttoopenhismouth.Hebeganchantingaspellthatseemedstraightoutofagame.Mizukibegancryingout“He'schanting!It'saspell!”inanexcitedvoice.Rockshadbeguntogatherintheairaroundthemageandformedintosharppeaks.

“Amaaaazing!!”“―!!”

Mizukihadjumpedandraisedherhandsinexcitement.Reijiwasalsosurprisedathersuddenshoutofjoy.AstheCourtMagefinishedhismagicwithasatisfiedlook,hebeganhisexplanation.

“...Hero-dono.Thisiswhatwecallmagic.Itisagreatmanifestationofpowerthatusesmanatoappealtotheelementswhichcomposetheworld.Ifyoupicturetheearthinyourmind,surelyyouwouldalso...”“Howabstract.”“What?”

Felmeniainterruptedhisproudexplanationwithascoff.TothistheCourtMagegaveherameanscowl.

“Isaidyourexplanationistooabstract.Itmaypassoffasanexplanationforpeoplefromthisworld,howeverHero-donohascomefromaworldwheremagicdoesnotevenexistyouknow?Howdoyouexpecttoteachthemwhenyoudonotevenexplaintheconceptsofmanaandtheelements?”“T-thatis...”“It'sfineforyoutosimplyobserve.”

Felmeniamadethisstatementinacoldvoiceandbeganherownchant.

“―OhFlame.Thouartendowedwiththeflameofjustice,butdisconnectedfromtheflameoflogic.Burneverythingtoashes,thewhitecalamityoftruth!TruthFlare!”

Felmeniahadstartedweavingtogetherherspell.AsReijiwitnessedthis,hefeltanintenseheatwellingupinsideofhimasifhehadjustrecalledsomething.

(Ah...)

Itwasaheatcomingfromrightbelowhisnavel.Itwasasifhewasresonatingwithherchant.Energyhadstartedtowellupinsideofhim.

“...Hero-dono.Thepoweroftheelements,isthepowerofallcreation.Itisthesourceofallworldlyphenomena.Theheatonefeelsfromflame.Thekindandcoldsensationonefeelsfromwater.Ifoneisabletorecallthesesensations,thentheywouldbeabletoborrowthepoweroftheseelements.Asformana,itisanoverflowing,almightysensationfromwithinyourself.Ifyoucanrecallthatsensation,thatshouldbeallyouneed.”“Wha...”

Mizukigazedoninastonishment.Itwasonlynatural,asFelmeniahadfinishedherspell,abrightwhitefirethesamecolourasherrobeshadsurroundedher.ThesebrilliantwhiteflamesthenmovedtosurroundtherockssummonedbytheCourtMageandreducedthemtocindersinaninstant.ItwasasifFelmeniawasbrushingoffaminornuisancelikeitwasnothing.

“Fuu.Itseemsyourmagicisalltalk...”“Wha,wha,wha,wha!?”“A-AmazingReiji-kun!Thewhiteflamewentlikebuuuandthenexplodedlikebo-bo-bo-bo-booom!”“Aah,Isaw.”

Mizukiwassoexcitedshestartedtoyelllikeachild.Reijididagreewithherexcitementashewatchedtheembersofthewhiteflamestillpresentontheground.AfterawhileMizukihadfinallymanagedtocalmdown,andthensuddenlyexpressedheradmirationinasimpletone.

“Sothat'srealmagic...”

Itwasrealmagic.Itwasexactlyhowtheyimagineditwouldbe.AndthentheCourtMagebegantomakehismove.Evenafterhavinghismagiccompletelyoverwhelmedheseemedtohaveanyintentofgivingup.ButFelmeniahadalsopredictedthiswouldhappen.

“―OhWhiteFlame!Gatherintoawhirlpool!TornadoFlare!”

AsFelmeniafinishedherspell,thewhiteflamesthatwerestillpresentonthegroundsuddenlyburstintomuchlargerflamesandbegantosurroundtheCourtMagelikeatornado.Hehadnotimetoprepareanysortofcountermeasure.Inaninstanthisentiresurroundingwasdrownedinabrilliant

whiteflame.

“Andthat'stheend.”

TheCourtMageletoutagroanatFelmenia'sproclamationofvictory.

“Tch...Evenifyouhavedefeatedmewhenitcomestothestrengthofmagic...”

Hehadbeencompletelyoverwhelmedbyhermagic.Butjustashehadclaimed,thepointofthecontestwastheirabilitytoteach,whichwasnotdirectlyrelatedtotheirstrengthinmagic.AtthesewordsallfacesturnedtowardsTitania.

“AsexpectedofWhiteFlame-dono.Ontopofhermagicpower,shehasnoshortcomingswhenitcomestotheinstructionofReiji-samawhohascomefromanotherworld.”“But,yourHighness...”

Atthesewordsofjudgment,FelmeniagaveaseveregazetotheCourtMage.

“Youdon'tknowwhentogiveupdoyou?IfyouarealsooneoftheproudCourtMages,youshouldgracefullyacceptyourdefeathere.”“Wha-whatareyou...”“Standdown.Orareyousayingthatyouareunsatisfiedwithmyjudgment?”

Titaniafranklydisplayedherdispleasurewithhisconduct.Atherstrictorders,theCourtMagecouldonlystutteroutacoupleofgroansbeforehisfacehadcompletelyturnedintoadeepredcolour.Finallyhemumbledout“Allisasyouwill.”andstooddown.Itseemsthatcourtingthedispleasureofroyaltywasdefinitelysomethinghecouldnotdo.FelmeniaturnedtoReijiwithafacefilledwithconfidence.“Wellthen,Hero-dono.Iwhoexcelsattheuseofmagicthemostwithinthiskingdomshallinstructyouinthewaysofmagic.”“Yes,Felmenia-sensei.”“S-sensei?“Aah,fromhereonFelmenia-sanwillbemyteacher.Ifeltitwasonlyappropriatetorefertouseassuch.”“HoweverHero-dono,youarethemanwhowillshoulderthefateoftheworld.Alsomyageisnotallthedifferentfromyourown.Wouldn'tcallingmeSensei

bestrange?”“No,thisissimplymyownideology.ImaybeaherobutIwouldneverusethattoputmyselfonapedestalaboveothers.Asyouaretheonewhowillbeinstructingmeinmagicfromthispointon,itisonlynaturalthatItreatyouwiththeutmostrespect.Ionlyaskthatyouallowmetorefertoyouinsuchaway.OfcourseifitisnottoyourlikingthenIwillstop.”“...Isee.IfHero-donosayssothenIhavenoreasontoobject.Ifitmakesyoufeelbetter,thenpleasegoahead.”“Thankyouverymuch,Sensei.”

Ashehadreceivedherconsent,Reijigavehisthankswithabrilliantsmile.Felmeniawasstillsomewhatuncomfortablewiththephrasing,butafterseeinghisreactionshenoddedwithasatisfiedexpression.

“U-un.ThenareyoureadyHero-dono?”“Fromhereon,Ilookforwardtoyourinstruction.”

FelmeniaturnedaroundasReijisaidthisandstartedmumblingtoherselfwithgreatjoywithoutallowinganyonetoseeherexpressionorhearhervoice.

(Sensei...Iamateacher.TheteacherfortheHero...Fufufu)

AsFelmeniamanagedtocomebacktohersenses,Titaniaurgedthemtobegin.

“WhiteFlame-dono.Ileavethistoyou.”“Yes.Thenfirstoff.Hero-dono.I'dlikeyoutoimaginethefeelingyouhadwhenyouhadwitnessedmymagicandconcentrateonit.Itshouldbeappropriatetodosoonthepalmofyourhand.Ifyoudothis,evenwithoutanyspellsyoushouldbeabletomanifestsomethingsimple.”“Isthatreallyallittakes?”“No,itisn'tlikeitwillworkrightaway.It'sprobablethatyouwillhavetoreworktheimageinyourmindafewtimes.Ittakesawhileforanyonetodosoatfirst.”

ReijiobedientlynoddedatFelmenia'sinstructions.Atanyrate,hehadtojusttryit.HebegantorecallthestrangeenergybuildingupwithinhimashewitnessedFelmenia'smagic.

“Reiji-kun,doyourbest!”

MizukicheeredReijionashetookastepforwards.

(Icandoit.It'salright.)

Reijislowlyclosedhiseyes.Heassumedthatthesensationhehadfeltinhisnavelwasmanaandbegantoconcentratingasheopenedthepalmofhishand.

“That'stheway.Nowfindthesourceofapulsewhichiscomingfromsomewhereotherthanyourheart..”

(Apulsewhichoriginatesfromsomewhereotherthantheheart...here?)

AsReijifollowedFelmenia'sinstructions,hehadbeenfullyconcentratedonhisownbodyandhadfoundwhatshewasdescribing.Itfeltlikearhythmicbeatcomingfromsomewhereotherthanhisheart.Asexpecteditwasthepointbelowhisnavelwherehehadfeltenergygatheringearlier.ItwasthesameplaceoftenreferredtoasthecentreofKiinorientalmedicine.

“Onceyou'vefoundittherestshouldbesimple.Focusonthehotflowcomingfromthesourceofthepulseanddirectittowardsyourpalm...itiseasiersaidthandoneatleast.”

ItseemsshewasassumingthatReijicouldnotdoit.Itwasproofofjusthowhardtheyhadallworkedtounderstandmagic.ThiswasthetruedividingpointwhereReijiwouldfindoutwhetherornothecouldbecomeamage.

(No,Icandefinitelydoit...)

Reijiwasconfidentofthisfact.Hecouldalreadydistinctlyidentifythesourceofpower.Thatsensationwhichmovedhimsomuchearlierwastheimageofflames.UnlikeFelmenia's,itwasafirewhichburnedabrightred...Inthatinstant,wordspoppedupintoReiji'sheadlikesomesortofdivinerevelation.

“―OhFlame,manifestbeforeme!Flare!”

Asifhewascommandinghisrage,hehailedforththeelements.WithinthepalmofReiji'shand,abrilliantredflamewasflickeringinthewind.Itwasa

magicflamebornofhismana.AtReiji'swill,theflamesuddenlydisappeared.

“Ididit...”

PassionatewordsbegantofillthetraininggroundsastheywitnessedReijiaccomplishtheimpossiblefeatofinvokingmagicinasingleattempt.

“T-thatwashisfirsttime!?”“Asexpectedofthehero!”

Felmeniaspokeinasimpletone.

“Magnificent...Hero-donoisagenius.”

Titaniafollowedupafterher.

“CongratulationsHero-sama.Withthis,youhavebecomeamage.”“Iam,amage...”

ReijiwasfeelingafloodofemotionsatTitania'swords.ShethenturnedtoFelmenia.

“AsexpectedofWhiteFlame-dono.Yourinstructionsmustalsohavebeenexcellent.”“No,mycontributionwasinsignificant.ThisisaresultofHero-dono'stremendouspower.”“That'snottrue.Hero-samawhohadcomefromaworldwithoutmagicwasimmediatelyabletousemagic.Histalentwasdefinitelytherefromthebeginning,butitwasyourinstructionsthatwereabletobringthemout.Yourexplanationfromtheearliermagicbattlewasalsowonderful.”“Thankyouverymuch.”

Felmeniagavearespectfulbowatthosewords.Shewastremblinginjoyatthesewordsofpraise.MizukithenapproachedFelmeniaandbeganspeakingtoherinatimidvoice.

“U-Ummm...”“Issomethingthematter?Mizuki-dono.”

MizukitookinadeepbreathasiftodispelallofhernervousnessandspokethewordsthatshehadbeenholdingbackallthistimetoFelmenia.

“W-willyoualsoteachmemagic!?Ialsowanttolearnmagic!”“Isthatalrightwithyou?Then...”

Andthus,anothermagewasborntotheworld.

Chapter2-ThePlaceIMustReturntoissoFarAway

TwoweekshadpassedsinceSuimeiandcompanyweresummonedtothisworldtodefeattheDemonLord.ThedaythatReijiwoulddeparttotakepartinthesubjugationwassoonapproaching.Thesetwoweekshadbeenusedentirelyforpreparation.Usingpreviousherosummoningsasanexample,twoweekswasjudgedassufficienttimefortheherotobecomeaccustomedtohisnewfoundpowers.DuringthistimeReijihadbeenreceivingtraininginbothmagicandcombat.ItseemsthatbothhimselfandMizukiwerebeingstrictlytrainedbytheCaptainofAstel'sImperialKnightsaswellastheCourtMageFelmeniatopreparethemfortheforthcomingbattles.Itwasahardschedulewhichcrammedanunreasonableamountoftrainingintosuchasmallamountoftime.Astheyhadn'traisedanycomplaintsaboutittoSuimei,hecouldonlyassumethatitwasprogressingsmoothly.

(Haa...)

AsSuimeirecalledthesceneofthetwoofthemtrainingfromhiswindowandthereportshehadbeenreceivingfromReijiandMizukitwiceaday,heletoutasigh.Hecouldonlygiveoutasighingrief.Reijiwasjustanormalpersonbackintheirownworld.Ofcoursewhenitcametocombattraininghewaseasilyknockeddown.Hehadneveroncestudiedanysortofmartialarts,itcouldn'tbehelped...Howeverthatonlyappliedtothefirstday.Hehadbecomeaccustomedtofightingataterrifyingrate.AfterthreedayshewasalreadyabletobringoutaseriousfightfromtheKnightCaptain.Hewasalsoalreadyabletowinquiteeasilyagainstmultipleopponentsatthesametime.

Suimeicouldonlydescribethisascruel.Normallyonewoulddescribeitasamazing,buttoSuimeithisaccumulationofpowerwasjustcruel.Hedidnotknowwhetheritwasaresultofthedivineprotectionfromtheherosummoningorsimplythathewasfavouredbymagic.ButtheratethatReijiwasabsorbingknowledgeandexperiencewassimplyterrifying.Toputitmetaphorically,aspongecouldabsorbwater,butReijiwasactingmorelikeapump.Hewasn'tjustabsorbingthewaterknownastalent,hewassuckingitupwithoutmercy.Afterseeingthatscene,itwaslikeallthehardworkSuimeihaddedicatedallhislifetoimprovinghimselfwasbeingdenied.

(That'sdefinitelycheating...)

Thisterrifyinggrowthalsoappliedtomagic.Intheotherworld,fromthemomentSuimeibegantouchinguponthemysteriesofmagic,itwasawholetwoyearsbeforeitstartedtotakeanysortofconcreteshape.Reijihadaccomplishedthesameinasingleday.Onthatveryfirstday,Reijihadmanifestedfireintheairbeforehim.Suimeicouldonlyloseheartafterwitnessingsuchafeat.Theworldwastrulyanunfairplace.

AsReijiwassteadilyreceivinghistrainingasahero,Suimeiwasshutintohisroomatalltimes.Eventhoughheneverleft,itwasn'tlikehewasn'tdoinganythingatall.Whilesealinghimselfintheroom,hehadbeenaccumulatingknowledgeabouttheworldfrombooks.SuimeirecalledthatdayinKingAlmadious'audiencechamberwherehewastoldhewouldnotbeabletogohome.Atthetimehehadcompletelysnappedandstartedtorantandrave,thismemorywasstillfreshinhishead.Becauseofthisridiculousturnofevents,Suimeiwasforcedtobecomearesidentofthisworld.Tothatend,Suimeihadspentthelasttwoweeksacquiringthenecessaryknowledgetoliveinthisworldfromthebookshefoundinthecastlearchives.

Fromnowonhehadtoliveinthisworld.It'sjusthowitwas.Evenifhemeaninglesslystruggledagainstadaptingtothisnewworld,itwouldjustcause

moretroublesfromhereonout.Luckily,perhapsasaneffectoftheherosummoning,Suimeiwasnotonlyabletounderstandthespeechofthisworld,butalsothewriting.Becauseofthis,hedidnotneedtorelyonanyonetoreadthebookshehadfound.Suimeiwasmemorizingwhatheneededtoabouttheworld,anythingimportanthewouldstoreinhisbag.Hearrangeditallwithinhismagicallyboundnotebook.Aftertwoweeks,hehadaccumulatedquiteaconsiderableamountofknowledge.

However,itwasstillnotenough.Itistruethathehadgatheredquitealotofknowledge.Howeverthiswasallknowledgethatwaswritteninbooks.Therewasfartoolittlewrittenaboutdailylife.Andthentherewasmagic...ToSuimeigrimoiresweresomethingthatwerenotmeanttobeseen.

“Wellthen,settingthataside...”

Rightnow,whathehadtodowasrightbeforehim...Suimeiwascurrentlystandinginsideagloomystoneroom.Thiswasnotjustanyroom.Itwasaroomwithoutasinglepieceoffurniture.Itdidnothouseasingleitemthatwouldsupporthumanlifeinanyway.Onthegroundwasamassivemagiccircle.Needlesstosay,thiswasthesummoningcircle.Inotherwords,thiswastheplacetheyhadsuddenlyfoundthemselvesuponarrivingtothisworld.Theroomusedfortheherosummoningritual.Asforthereasonwhyashut-inwasstandinginsuchaplace.

“...”

Suimeiwassilentlyanalyzingthemagiccirclebeneathhisfeet.Thiswastheconnectionbetweenhisworldandthisone.Itwasalsotheprimaryculpritformixingthemallupinthisinthefirstplace.Thesourceofthesummoningmagic.AccordingtowhatKingAlmadioushadsaidintheaudiencechamber,

thepeopleherewereunabletosendthetargetsoftheirsummoning–inthiscaseSuimeiandhisfriends–backtotheirpointoforigin.Thiswasbecausetothem,thismagiccircleandthesummoningmagicitselfwerebasicallyoutofplaceartifacts.Theydidnotfundamentallyunderstandthemechanismsbehindit.Thiscouldonlybeseenasgreatnuisancetoanyonesummonedinsuchaway...Wellthispartwasinevitable,butiftherewasn'tanyoneinthisworldwhoknowsatechniquetoreturnandSuimeiwantedtoreturn,hehadnochoicebuttodiscoverthetechniquehimself.Hewoulddosonomatterwhat.Thereasonhewasstandingthere,wastoquicklyanalyzeasmuchashecouldaboutthesummoningcircle.

“Nowthen...Theanalysisofthisritualshouldonlytakealittlelonger.”

Suimeihadcometoinspecttheritualsitemultipletimesalready.Forthosetwoweeks,hehadbeensneakingoutatanychancehecouldfindtocometothisroomsecretly.Theanalysiswasturningouttobequitetroublesome.Normally,analysisofmagicwouldbeginbyinvestigatingtherootofthemagic.Itwouldbeginwiththetheoreticalanalysis.Howevertherewastoolittleinformationaboutthissummoningmagic.Allinformationaboutthemagicwasunderstrictcontroltopreventitspracticalapplication.Itseemeddifficulttoevenbeabletograsptherootsofthemagicitself.Suimeithusconcludeditwouldbefastertoanalyzetheritualsiteitself.

“Well,let'sstart...”

Suimeihadmumbledtohimself,andbeganinvokinghisanalysismagic.

“...Correspondence.”(CorrespondenceofAllCreation)

AsSuimeifinishedhisspell,anothermagiccirclebegantoriseoutofthesummoningcircle.Thecirclewasglowingwithafaintceruleanglowofmana.Suimeibeganhisanalysis.Thetechniquehewasusingwascompletelyunknowntothisworld.Astheywouldnotbeableunderstandhismagicoritssource,therewasnowaytoprotectthemselvesfromit.Theinvertedtriangleinthecentreandthegeometricfiguresarounditweremeanttocontrolandthenliberatethetarget...Thesmallercirclesservedasrelays...

★

Afterfinishinghisbusinessattheritualsite,Suimeiquietlybeganreturningtohisroom.Hewasn'tbeingsneaky,justquiet.Ashereturnedonthepaththathecamefrom,Suimeimumbledtohimself.

“...Butreally,tothinkIwouldn'tbediscoveredbyasinglepersonalongtheway.Iwonderifitisjustaresultofhowsafethisplaceis...”

Justashehadsaid,fromhisroomtotheritualsiteandback,Suimeihadnotbeendiscoveredbyanyone.HehadbeenconcealinghispresenceusingAstrologyMagic.Thepeoplealongthewayandtheguardscouldnotnoticehimatall.EvenafellowwholookedlikeaCourtMagehehadpassedbydidnotreactatallwhenSuimeitriedgivinghimagreeting.

“Hmmm.”

Suimeifoldedhisarmswhilewalkingandletoutagroan.Itseemedthattheyhadnodetectionmagichere.ToSuimeiitonlyseemedliketheywereill-prepared.Itwaspossiblethatthiscastlesimplydidnothouseanymagesof

notableability.NoneofthisreallymatteredtoSuimeianyways.Ashefinisheduphisthoughts,hecontinuedwalkingtohisdestination.However,hestumbleduponanunexpectedobstacle.

“Oh?”

Suimeihadletoutacompletelyunintelligiblesoundfromhismouth.Perhapsbecausehehadbeendeepinthoughtwhilewalking,hehadfoundhimselfinacompletelyunfamiliarpassageway.Justwhichwaydidhehavetogotoreturntohisroom?Suimeimemorizedtheroutetothesummoningritualsite,butdidnothavetheentirelayoutofthecastlememorized.

(Uwaaa...I'manidiot.)

Suimeibroughthishandtohisforeheadandturnedhisheadtotheceiling.Thiswasjustsuchasimplemistaketomake,Suimeicouldonlydemeanhimself.Thoughsinceithashappeneditcouldn'tbehelped.

“...Ohwell.IguessI'llhavetofindsomeoneandasktheway.”

Suimeidispelledhismagicandbeganlookingpeople.Ifhejustexplainedhewaslost,hewassuresomeonewouldpointtheway.Afterwalkingdownthehallforabriefmoment,Suimeichanceduponsomeoneimmediatelyinastrokeofgoodluck.Heapproachedthewhiterobedfigurefrombehindandaddressedthem.

“Um,excuseme.”

Thefigurecametoastopandgracefullyturnedaround.

“What'swr...thisis...Suimei-dono.”

“Hm?Aaah,ifIrecallyouwere...”

“IamcalledFelmeniaStingray.”

“Aaah.”

Itwasavoiceandfigurethatherecognized.Thegirlstandingbeforehimintroducingherselfinanelegantmannerwasthemageresponsibleforsummoninghimtothisworld.Thesilver-hairedCourtMageFelmeniaStingray.FelmeniaknitherbrowsinascowlandinquiredintoSuimei'sactions.

“WhyisSuimei-donohere?”

Thiswasanobviousquestion.HewasnothangingaroundReijisowhywashejustwanderingaround?Itwasanaturalsuspiciontohold.

“Ehh...Iwasjusttakingabriefstrollforachangeofpace.”

“Isee.Ithinkitisagoodideatohaveachangeofpace,butyouarestillunfamiliarwiththecastle.Ifyouaregoingtowalkarounditwouldbewisetofindsomeonetoshowyoutheway.”

“Thankyouforthewarning.”

Eventhoughtheywereaboutthesameage,perhapsbecauseofherpositionasaCourtMage,thegirl'smannerofspeechwassomewhatformal.Inasenseitwasquitecool.Suimeifollowedupinasimilarmanner.

“Well,ontopofreceivingthewarning,itissomewhatinexcusablebutcouldyouintroducemetosomeonewhoknowsthewaybacktomyroom?”

“...Haveyouforgottenthewayback?”

“Yes,thoughitisquitedisgraceful.”

“...Iunderstand.Iknowwhereyourroomsarelocated.IhaveotherbusinesstoattendtobutIcouldguideyoupartwaythere.Ifthatisalrightwithyouthenpleasefollowme.”

“Sorryfortroublingyou.”

AsSuimeigaveapolitebow,hefollowedafterFelmenia.Ifshewashangingaroundhereatthistime,itmeansthatReijiandMizuki'smagicinstructionhadended.ShewasprobablygoingtomakeareporttotheKing.AsSuimeiwasponderingaboutsuchthings,shesuddenlycametoastop.ShethenturnedaroundandaskedSuimeiinaquietvoice.

“Suimei-dono,isitalrightifIaskyousomething?

“Whatisit?”

Suimeiwaswonderingjustwhatwasbotheringthisgirlallofasudden.Perhapsshewasgoingtointerrogatehimaboutthemagichehadpreparedduringthesummoningritual?Aslongassheheldhersuspicions,thiswasa

definitepossibility.WhileSuimeiwasthinkingaboutthisdangerousdevelopment,Felmeniaaskedhiminasternvoice.

“Suimei-dono.WhyisitthatyourefusedtotakepartinthesubjugationoftheDemonLord?”

“Evenifyouaskmewhy...”

“Hero-donoisyourfriendishenot?Thenwhydidyounotmakeanoffertocooperatewithhim?InyourpositionIfeelitwassomethingthatyououghttodo.”

Eventhoughtheyweresummonedattheconvenienceofthepeopleofthisworld,itwasacondescendingwayofimposingwhathisdutyoughttobe.Tothosewholecalledthemoveritmaybeasplendididealtouphold,buttothosewhoweresummoneditwasonlysomethingtopissthemoff.Iftheyweretodiscussthisatlengthitwouldjustneverend,soSuimeidecidedtotrycuttingtheentireconversionbluntly.

“...Inthatregard,itisjustasIhadexplainedbeforehisMajestytheKingintheaudiencechamber.Irefusetohaveanythingtodowithsomethingsodangerous.ThereforeIdecidednottogoalong.”

Atsuchabluntstatement,Felmenia'sexpressionbecameevermorestern.

“EventhoughMizuki-donoisawoman,shedecidedtogoalong.”

“Ihavenointentionofjustgettingcarriedawayinthemoodofthings.”

“...You'resayingthatMizuki-donowascarriedawaybythemood?”

“Didn'tshe?Atthattime,therewasnothingelseshecouldsay.”

Suimeihadcompletelydroppedhisformalspeechatthispoint.Atthattime,similartoReiji,Mizukihadtheproblemsofthisworlddumpedontoherwithoutachancetothoroughlygrasptheentiresituation.Shewasforcedtogiveananswerwithouthavingachanceforthethreeofthemtodiscussthematterprivately.AtSuimei'ssuddenchangeinspeechwithoutevenanounceofanapology,Felmenia,whohadbeenactingquitecourteouslytothispointsuddenlychangedhermood.Shefollowedupinacoldvoice.

“....Fu...Whatadespicableman.”

“Ah?”

Inresponsetothis,Suimeiletoutasoundlikehewaspickingafight.AtFelmenia'ssuddenscornfulwords,hehadstartedtobecomeirritated.Ignoringthis,FelmeniacontinuedtodemeanSuimeiinavoicefullofcontempt.

“Isaidthatyou'readespicableman,youdamnedcoward.Doyouthinkyou'recleverforjudgingthebraveryofyourfriendsaftertheyhadmusteredupalltheircourage?Abastardlikeyouhasnoqualificationstonamehimselfasthefriendofthehero.”

“...Puttingasidequalifications,Ibelieverefusingisthemuchmorenaturalresponseisitnot?Weweresuddenlycalledintoanunfamiliarplaceandtoldtofightyouknow?Normallyanyonewouldmakethesamereaction.”

Thereweren'tmanypeoplewhowouldjustnodandacceptitiftheyweresuddenlytoldtofight.Thenumberofpeoplewhowouldrefusewouldfaroutnumberthem,itshouldbenodifferentinthisworld.Felmeniaseemedtonot

careaboutthisfactatall.

“Eventhoughyouweresummonedaspartofaherosummoning?”

“Sowhat?Ididn'tcomeheretodoanythingforyoulot.Youjustdecidedtoarbitrarilycallusover.Ontopofthatyouwrappedusupinanaccident.Aren'tIthevictimhere?Idon'tknowwhatkindofloftyidealsyouholdtowardsyourherosummoning,butIhavenodutyordebttowardsyoulot.”

AsSuimeithrustthistruthbeforeFelmenia,shemadeadifficultexpressionassheseemedtorecognizesomeofhispointsasvalid.

“...Iunderstandwhatyouaresaying.”

“Thisisn'tthatfine?”

“However,SuimeiYakagi.AreyounotbeingdishonourabletowardsHero-donoandMizuki-dono?”

“Mu...”

SuimeicouldnotraiseanobjectiontoFelmenia'spoint.Hewasnottheonlyvictim.Hehadnoreasontoshowanysinceritytothosewhocalledhimhere,howeverjustasshesaid,hisownchoicewasungratefultowardstheothertwo.Theywereboundtobethrownintocriticalsituationsfromthispointon,butSuimeihadstillchosenhispathwhichwasstillacompletesecrettothem.Hehadnoreasontolieormakeexcusesaboutthispoint.

“...That'sright.Certainlyitisjustasyousay.Ihaveformyownconvenience,decidednottowalkalongsidethem.Iamcompletelylackinginvirtue.”

“Eventhoughyouunderstandthisyoustillrefusetojointhemyoubastard?You'reathoroughlyhelplessmanafterall.”

AtSuimei'sacknowledgementofhisownshortcoming,Felmeniaonlygotangrier.Whenitcametomattersofmorality,itseemedthatthisgirlwasquitethepuresoul.However...

(Mu...thisgirl.)

ToSuimei,Felmenia'sangerwassomewhatsurprising.Surelyitmadehimangrytobecalledthoroughlyhelpless,butshewassayingthisonlybecauseshehadbeenthinkingofReijiandMizuki.ShewasprobablyangeredafterseeingjusthowhardReijiandMizukiwereworkingtotakeonthetasktheyhadaccepted.Whilethinkingofsuchthings,eventhoughhegenerallyhadapoorimpressionofherupuntilnow,Suimeicametotheconclusionthatshewasaprettygoodpersonafterall...ButSuimeihadnointentionofspeakingaboutthis.SuimeishruggedhisshouldersandrespondedtoFelmeniafrivolously.

“Yeah,yeah.Sorry'boutthat.”

“Youbastard!”

Suimei'sinsolentbehaviouronlyangeredFelmeniafurtherandshewasscowlingatSuimei.Notonlythatbutshebegantoaccumulatequiteabitofmanawithinher.

“....Oioi,whatthehellareyoutryingtostartinthiskindofplace?”

Thepassagewaytheyhadbeenoccupyinghadsuddenlyturnedintoawhirlpoolofdanger.SuimeigaveanastonishedfaceasheraisedhishandsabovehisheadwithouttakinghiseyesofftheenragedFelmenia.Suimeiwasbeingsurenottobenegligent.Felmeniabegantofluentlyweavetogetherherspell.

“Shutup.I,theWhiteFlameFelmeniawillbeatyourfoolishnatureoutofyou,youbastard!”

“No,whydiditcometothis?”

“Whydon'tyoutryaskingyourownheart!?”

“Evenifyousaysomethinglikethat...”

SuimeiletoutabaffledgroanatFelmenia'srecklessanger.Shewasgettingfartoofireduponherown.Hehimselfhadabsolutelynointentinpickingafighthere.Suimei'snonchalantattitudewhichdidn'tevenseemtopayanyattentiontoherwasjustgettingmoreandmoreonFelmenia'snervesasshecontinuedtospeak.

“Youbastard...Areyouevenlisteningtome!?”

“Icanhearyouevenifyoudon'tyell.Ifyoucontinuetoyelllikethatyou'llstartbotheringpeopleyouknow?”

“M-myapologies...Ornot!Youbastard!listenseriouslywhenpeopletalktoyou...”

“Mymy...shouldn'tyoucalmdownabit...Hm?”

SuimeiscratchedhisheadashesaidthistotheenragedFelmeniainanexasperatedvoice.Ifthingsweretoprogressatthispace,afightscenewasprettymuchinevitable.Suimeihadsuddenlynoticedsomething.WithinhislineofsighthecouldseetheflatofFelmenia'sfeetthathadsomehowgottencaughtinthehemofherrobes.

“O,oiwaitasecond.Ifyoukeepgoingyou'll...”

Fall.Quitedramatically.Shewouldmagnificentlyfaceplantwhiletrippingonherrobe.Suimeisawabriefglimpseofthisfutureevent.

“What!?Whatwillhappentome!?”

“No,ifyoukeepgoingit'llbedangerous,yourfeet...”

“Youbastard!DoyouthinkthatIwillfallforsuchapettytrick!?Don'tmockme!”

“I'mnotmockingyou,orrathercalmdownalready,seriously.Ah...”

Andafterallthat,itwasactuallyquitesad.Engulfedinheranger,FelmeniahadcompletelyignoredSuimei'swarning.Andjustasexpected,shebegantofallover.

“Hm!?Kya!?”

Withherbootsandthehemofherrobescompletelyentangledshehadtriedtotakeastepforward.Felmeniahadbeguntofallovermagnificentlyfacefirsttowardstheground.Notonlywasshefallingoverdramatically,whilefalling

shesomehowmanagedtoflipmostofherrobeoverinfrontofherface.Itwasasifsomeonewasbehindhertryingtoflipupherskirtforaview,butusingherentirerobe.Therewasnosuchpersonthereobviously.

“Wha!?Whatdidyoudobastard!?Therobe,therobeis...”

Asshegotupslightly,therobehadwrappedcompletelyaroundher.Felmeniawasnolongerabletoseeanything.

“Haaa...I'vejustbeenstandinghere.Ihaven'tdoneanything.”

“What!?...Huh?Eh?”

Themoreshemovedaround,themoreentangledaroundhertherobebecame.Tothinkitwaspossibletoaccomplishsuchafeatalone,inasensethisgirlwasquiteskillful.Suimeihadbeenwaitingforhertogetupherself,butcontrarytohisexpectationhestartedtohearatearfulvoice.

“Itwon'tcomeoff,whywon'titcomeoff...?”

“God...Iguessitcan'tbehelped...”

Withaslightblushonhisface,Suimeiextendedahelpinghand.Felmenia'sunderwearandvoluminousbuttwereonfulldisplay.HecouldonlyfeelpitytowardsherasFelmeniawriggledaroundhelplessly.Asonewouldexpectthere'snowayhecouldjustleaveagirlinthiskindofstate.Shewasn'texactlyabadpersonsoSuimeihadmovedtofixherrobe.SuimeitriednottostareatFelmenia'sunderwearashefixedherrobearoundherandpulledherupgently.

“Fuhyaaa!?Wha-wha-wha-whatareyoudoing!?”

“That'senoughofthat,justcalmdownalready...Huuup”

Suimeididn'tpayanymindtoherprotests.Afterhestoodherup,hestartedtostraightenoutherdishevelledrobes.

“Heeh...”

“So,areyouokay?”

FelmeniawasmakingastupefiedfaceandstaringoffintothedistanceanddidnotrespondtoSuimei'squestion.Notonlythatshehaddirtonherfacefromwhenshefellover,itwasaveryunladylikeface.Shehadbeenquitehostiletowardshim,butSuimeididfeelsomewhatsorryforher.HetookouthishandkerchieffromhispocketandbegantowipeoffthedirtfromFelmenia'scheeks.

(Mygod,howtroublesome...)

Andfinally,Felmeniareacted.

“A...U....?”

Felmeniadidn'tseemtoknowwhatwasgoingonandbeganshiftinghereyes

around,andthen.

“A,AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!”

Sheletoutascream.

“Uwaa,whatisitnow...?”

SuimeijumpedbackatFelmenia'ssuddenscream.FelmeniabegantoglareatSuimeiwithabrightredface.

“Wha-wha-wha-whatthehellareyoudoingyoubastard!?”

“WhatamIdoing?Youknowwithoutaskingdon'tyou?”

“Notthat!Notthat,um,ah....whywereyoudoingsuchathing?”

“Hm?BecauseIthoughtIshouldgiveyouahandobviously.”

“I-Ididn'tnecessarilyneedanyhelp!Actually,Iwasjustabouttoharmyouyouknow!?Evenmyface...”

“Thisandthataredifferentmatters.Itwasawasteofyourcuteface.I'llatleastwipethedirtoff.”

“...!?”

Suimeihadmadethisstatementquitecasually.Felmeniahadsuddenlystraightenedherbacklikearodinaninstantandstiffenedconsiderably.

“Hm?What'swrong?”

“C-cute...”

“...?”

“Verycute...”

“Oooooi,what'swrong?”

FelmeniahaddepartedintoherownlittleworldandSuimeihadbegunwavinghishandinfrontofherface.Whenshefinallycamebacktohersenses...

“Eh?A-Aaaaaaah!?Th-th-th-th-that'senough!Ihavebusinesstotakecareofsoyou'llhavetoexcusemehere!”

Felmenia'sfacewasmanyshadesofredbrighterthanitwasbefore.Herfacecouldbecomparedtoanappleortomatoatthatpoint.Shebegantorunawayquitequicklyandcametoasuddenstopafterrunningforsomedistance.Shethenturnedaroundvigorously.

“W-whatIsaidearlier,I-I-I-I'lltakeitback!”

“Ha?”

“Aboutyourdamnedfoolishness!A-a-a-a-also!Yourdamnroomisattheendofthishallwayafterthebend...I-ifyoustillcan'tfinditjustgrabsomeoneasaskthem!Rather,rememberthisSuimeiYakagi!I'llrepaythishumiliationamilliontimesover!Neverforget!Absolutelyneverforget...Fugiiii!?”

Felmeniahadcometoastop,butwhileyellingshehadbeenflailingherarmsaround.Thankstoallthesemovements,shesuddenlylungedforwardslikeafishcaughtbyahook...andfelloverrightonherfaceoncemore.Itseemsthiswashersignaturemove.

“Justwhatthehell...?”

SuimeimutteredtohimselfashewatchedFelmeniaunsteadilygetbackuptoherfeetanddashoffatfullspeed.BetweentheFelmeniawhowasstutteringandscreamingasshefelloverandthegirlwhohadjustbeencoollyreprimandinghimabouthismoralitytherewasquitealargegap.TheimageinSuimei'sheadofFelmeniaStingrayhadcrumbledspectacularly.Withinhismind,Suimeire-categorizedFelmeniaundertheclumsycharactercolumn.

“...Whatever,it'sabouttimeIgo.”

Suimeireturnedtosearchingforhisroom.

★

Hehadstumbledintounexpectedtrouble,butSuimeihadfinallysafelyreachedhisroom.Howeverhedidnotyethavetimetotakeabreak.

“Mu...”

Suimeinoticedfootstepsandthepresenceofmanaapproachinghisroom.Eventhoughhehadjustbeeninvolvedinsometrouble,toeveryoneelseSuimeihadjustbeenholedupinhisroomthiswholetime.Suimeiturnedhisattentiontothedoor.Itwasverylikelythathewasabouttoreceiveavisitor.Thefootstepswereapproachinghisroomwithoutanyhesitation,what'smorethismagicsignaturewasfamiliar.OneofthevisitorswasdefinitelyReiji,whohadbeengrowingstrongatanexponentialrate,asforthetwoothers...OnewouldbetheonewhohadoriginallyaskedReijitosavetheworld,Titania,whostucktoReijiaroundtheclock.StickingevenclosertoReijiallthetimeinreactiontothisnewcompanion,theotheronewasMizuki.

Havingidentifiedhissoontobevisitors,Suimeigatheredallhisbooksandmagictoolsonhisdeskandwithoutleavinganyevidence,hidthemallusingmagic.Eversincethatdayintheaudiencechamber,Suimeihadlockedhimselfinhisroomandneverleft.Thiswasatleasttheimpressionhewantedotherstohave.JustearlierFelmeniawasalsounderthisimpression,needlesstosayReijiandcompanywerealsoconvincedthiswasthecase.Thelessheinteractedwithother,thelesslikelyitwasthathisidentitywouldbeexposed.Withthisinmind,Suimeihadcutoffhisinteractionswithpeopleentirelyexceptforthefewpeoplewherehecouldnot.Thiswayhisidentityasamagicianwouldbeeasiertohide.

Ofcourse,allhismealswerebroughttoheroom.TheonlytimeshehadlefttheroomwastocheckuponReiji,tovisitthecastlearchives,toanalyzethesummoningritualsiteandtogotothebathroom.Thiswasanobviouschoicetohidehisidentityasamagician.Ifhewasdiscovered,hewouldbesurroundedbypeoplewhowouldwanttousehispowers.SuimeiwasalsostillagainstrevealingthisfacttoReijiandMizuki.Thiswayhealsohadwaymorefreetime,andcouldgatherintelligenceasmuchheneededto.

Ontheotherhand,theimpressionthepeopleofthecastlehadofhimhadonlydropped.AfterrefusingtocooperatewiththeheroReijitogoanddefeattheDemonLordandthrowingafitintheaudiencechamber,asidefromtheKing

andTitania,everyoneinthecastlehadstartedtowhisperfoulrumoursabouthim.ToSuimeithiswasactuallyabeneficialcoverforhisactionssohedidn'treallymindatall,infactitwouldbemoreappropriatetosaythathewouldwelcomemoreofit.ThinkingthisSuimeicrawledunderthesheetsofhisbed.Justashehadgotteninposition,aknockresoundedthroughouttheroomasReijihadarrivedatthedoorandbeganspeaking.

“MorningSuimei.Areyouawake?”

“...Ahh,comeonin.”

“I'mcominginthen.”

“Excuseme.”

AsReijiandcompanysteppedintohisroom,Suimeisatupfromhisbed.Asusual,aftergrabbingseveralchairsandsittingdown,SuimeiaskedReijithesamequestionhealwaysdid.

“So?Whathappenedtoday?”

“Eh?S-somehowthisismoresuddenthanusual,Suimei.”

“Youusuallyhavethisangryexpressiononyourface,didsomethinghappentocalmyoudown?”

“Ahaha,youcantell?”

“Ofcourse.”

SuimeinoddedtoReijiwhowaslaughingtohidehisembarrassment.Fromthemomenthehadsteppedintotheroom,SuimeihadrecognizedthatReijiwasinadifferentstateofmind.Hissmilenotwithstanding,hejusthadamuch

calmerairabouthim.Itwaslikesomethinggoodandsomethingweirdbothhadhappenedtohimandmixedtogetherasasinglesensation.Reijiputonabravesmileandstartedexplaining.

“TodayIlearnedphysicalenhancementmagic.Wannasee?”

“Oh?Let'sseeit.”

ThiswasthesourceofReiji'sgoodmood.Hewassimplyhappythathemanagedtolearnanewmagicspell.InthisrespectheandSuimeiwerequitesimilar.Thatfirsttimeanewmagictookformandcametogetherwasdefinitelyanintoxicatingfeelingforhim.Reijistartedtostretchhislimbsandwarmuphisbody.Forphysicalenhancementmagic,itwasimportanttodothistopreventone'sbodyfrombreakingapartfromtheadditionalstress.

“HereIgo.”

Ashesaidthis,Reijibegantospreadhismanaacrosshisentirebody.Hehadconstructedthespellintheblinkofaneyeandactivatedthemagicwithoutanychanting.

“BurnBoost!”

AsReijispokethesekeywords,flamesburstforthfromhisbodyandbeganwrappingaroundhim.Asaresultofthemagic,Reiji'sphysicalabilitieswereboosted.Rightnowhisbodywhichwasalreadyenhancedasaresultoftheherosummoningwasevenfurtherenhanced.

“Ooooh!!”

AtthesightofthedegreeofcompletionofReiji'smagic,themagicianYakagiSuimeiunintentionallyletoutavoiceofadmiration.Theactivationofhismagicwasquitesplendid.Fromtheamountofmanaused,totheconstructionofthemagicandfinallytheinvocationusingasinglephrase,itcouldonlybesummedupassplendid.Certainlyitwasstillpossibletosimplifythemagicandcreatethesameeffectwithlesseffort,butforsomeonewhohadonlybeguntouchinguponmagictwoweeksagohewasaperfectexampleofastrongfoundation.Praisinghimwasonlynaturalinthatcase.

Thismagicseemedtousefireasanattribute,ontopofphysicallyenhancingthebodySuimeiwascertainitalsograntedexplosiveincreaseinstrength.Inthecasewindwasuseditwouldincreasethebody'sspeed.Waterwouldincreasethefluidityofmotion.Earthwouldhardenthebody...SuimeihadsimplyanalyzedtheeffectofphysicalenhancementtechniquesusingallthedifferentelementalattributesfromseeingReiji'sexampleonce.TitaniahadbeenstaringatReijiasifenrapturedanddrewnearertohim.

“Asexpected,you'remagnificentReiji-sama...”

“Ahaha,thankyouTia.”

ReijireturnedTitania'scheerfulsmilewithwordsofgratitude.Itseemedhewasalsoreferringtoherbyhernickname.Suimeiwonderedjustwhenthetwoofthemhadgottensoclose.MizukistartedtopoutabitasshelookedatTitania.

“HeyTia,aren'tyoualittletooclose?”

“It'salrightisn'titMizuki?Mizukiisusuallytheonewhoisclose,youshouldyieldsomeofittome.”

“Eh,no,I'mnotalwaysthatclose!”

“Thatisn'tthecase.MizukiisalwaysunnecessarilyclosetoReiji-sama.It'sunfair.”

TheyhadoriginallybeentalkingaboutReiji'sphysicalenhancementmagicbuthadmanagedtosuddenlyturnitintoaheatedargumentbetweenthetwoonatotallydifferenttopic.Suimeiwasgettingsickofthisscenery.

“Real-fagsshouldexplode...Imean,thatmagicisquitecoolReiji.”

“Eh?Yeah!Isn'tit!?Thismagiciseasytouseto,Iquitelikeit.”

“Ahh,itlooksgood.Itmayalsobeunexpectedlyintimidating...”

Suimeigavehishonestopinion.Firstandforemostthemagicdefinitelylookedgood.Tobewrappedinfirelikeadragon,itwasquitecool.Justbyhavingacooleffectitwasalsoenoughtodeliversomeimpactonhisopponents'mentalstate.Itwasanunexpectedlyimportantmatter.MizukithenturnedtowardsReiji,insteadofSuimeiforsomereason,andspokeup.

“I-I'malsoabletodoitnow!”

“That'sright.Mizukiisalsotryingherbesthuh.”

“Eh?Well,yeah...”

AsSuimeipraisedher,Mizukisurprisinglyrepliedwithaflushedface.

ThankstoherlittlequarrelwithTitania,MizukihadonlybeenlookingatReiji.ShewascertainlyplanningtohaveReijipraiseherinoppositiontoTitania.SuimeiwhowasabletoobserveallthisfromthesidelookedatReijihalfwiththeintenttojustkillhimandhalfwithapleasantsmile.

“Kukuku...”

“W-whatisitSuimei-kun?”

“Nothingreally,goodluck.”

“Yeah!Iwon'tlose!”

Ifoneweretolistentoherproclamation,onemightguessthatshewasreferringtotheDemonLord.Thishowever,wasdefinitelynotwhatshemeant.AsSuimeiwasthinkingofsuchthings,hechangedthetopic.

“And,anythingelse?”

“Eh?Wellvariousthingshappened...”

Reijigaveavaguereply.Suimeicouldtellthatsomethinghadhappened.Itmusthavebeensomethingstrange.

“What'sthematterReiji-sama?”

“Eh?No,um....”

“DidsomethingstrangehappenPrincess?”

“No?Ratherthanstrange,IwouldsaythatReiji-sama'sgreatnesshasfurther

increased.”

ThebigforeheadedgirlTitaniareportedthiswithasmileonherface.FromherexpressionSuimeididnotfeellikeshewaslying.SowhywasReijitryingtobrushoffwhathadhappened?

“So,whatexactlyhappened?”

“T-that's...Umm...”

ReijiwastryingtoavoidthistopicofconversationbutitseemedTitaniawasmorethanhappytotalkaboutit.Shebegantospeakasifshewasboastingaboutherselfwithgreatpride.

“Yes.Today,allthespecialistsofeachfieldfromtheMage'sGuildwithintheKingdomofAstelgatheredtohavemagiccontestswithReiji-sama.”

“Hmmm~theMage'sGuildhuh?

Suimeihadyettoinvestigatethemmuch.Howeverfromwhathecouldrecalltheyweretheorganizationthatmostmage'sinthecountryjoined.

“Yes.Atourrequestfortheircooperation,everyonehadgatheredtodayforthispurpose.”

“Isitrareforallofthemtogather?”

“Itis.Everyoneofthemarebusydignitaries.Normallytheywouldbeactivelyworkingeverywherewithinourterritory.”

Itmusthavebeenquitetroublesomegatheringthemallatonce.HoweversayingallthespecialistsfromeachfieldwasastrangeturnofphrasetoSuimei,soheaskedTitaniaforclarification.

“Bythewaywhatdoyoumeanbyspecialistsofeachfield?”

“Fire,Water,Wind,Earth,Lightning,Wood,Light,Darkness.Theyarethemostoutstandingmagesfromtheseeightattributes.AmongthemtherearesomewhosurpassevenourCourtMagesinability,everyoneofthemhadbeengiventhenameofEmperorwithintheirfield.ForexampletheutmostspecialistoftheFireattributewouldbereferredtoastheFlameEmperor.”

“...”

Suimeihadwonderedwhetherthiswasreallyokay.Thewordemperorwassupposedtohaveamuchgrandersignificance.InJapanitwasonlyusedforasinglepersonstandingatoptheentirecountry.MaybeitwasaresultofthetranslationfromthislanguagetoJapanese.Nomatterhowyouputit,itstillleftSuimeiwithasenseofdiscomfort.

“Suimei-sama,issomethingthematter?”

“Ah,noit'snothing.Sowhatwastheresultofthecontest?”

“Ofcourse,Reiji-samawon.”

Titaniapuffedoutherchestinprideasifitwasheraccomplishment.ShethensaidsomethingthatSuimeicoulddefinitelynotletgo.

“Onthatoccasion,Reiji-samawasgivenasecondnamebythemasteroftheMage'sGuild.”

“Asecondname?”

Asecondname.Thiswassomethinggiventoacknowledgeone'sstrengthandaccomplishments.Itwasagreathonourwhichidentifiedtheirgreatestfeature.Itwasdefinitelyafantasysetting.Reijiseemedsomewhatstiffasthetopiccameup,andtriedtochangethetopic.

“I-isn'titfinenottosayit?”

MizukihadbarelymanagedtostifleherlaughteratReiji'samusingbehavior.

“Fufu...”

“What'swrongMizuki?”

“Uun.It'snothing.Pleasecontinue.”

“Hmm?SoPrincess.What'sthesecondnamethatReijireceivedfromtheGuildMaster?”

“Suimeithat's...”

“ThesecondnamethatReiji-samreceivedfromtheguildmasteris,themiracleuserofallattributes...TheSupremeRulerofAllAttributes!!”

Titaniahadmadethisvigorousproclamationasshethrustherfistintotheair.Foraninstant,everybodyintheroomwasfrozensolid.Andnaturally,Suimeiwasnolongertoholdanyofitinandburstintolaughter.

“Fufuhaha!!”

“Eh...?Suimei-sama!?”

“A-allattributes,it's...ha,SupremeRulershesaid...Haha.Crap,Nope,Ican't,ha,ah,AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!”

TitaniawassurprisedbySuimei'ssuddenfitoflaughter.Shestartedtoglancearoundtheroom.Reiji,whohadbeensittingbesideher,hadhiddenhisfaceinhishandsandwasshakinghishead.Mizukiwasmakinganenviousexpressionasthiskindoftalkwasbasicallygourmetfoodforher.ShewaslookingatReijiwhileblushing.AfterSuimeihadbeenlaughingcontinuouslyforsometime,Reijibeganspeakingasifhewaspouting.

“...See?That'swhyIdidn'twantyoutosayit.”

“...?Whyisit?Toamagetheappointmentofasecondnameisthegreatesthonour,sowhyisSuimei-sama...?”

TitaniawascompletelybefuddledbySuimei'sreaction.Itseemsthestandardfor'cool'differedbetweentheirworlds.Mizukiwassimplyanexceptiontothenorm.Reijihadunderstoodthis,whichiswhyhehadwantedtoavoidthistopicofconversation.

“Butit'stheSupremeRulerofAllAttributes!TheSupremeRulerofAllAttributesshesaid!?Fufuuu!What'swrongwiththeGuildMastertogiveoutasecondnamelikethat!?Crap,itjusthasnosense!Notevenanounceofit!Ah,mystomach!Fuha...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!”

“...SuimeiI'mbeggingyou,justdropit.”

Reijiwaspleadingwithadisheartenedvoice.Onthisday,thistopickeptthemgoingrighttotheend.

★

Oneday,theCourtMageFelmeniaStingraywasheadedtowardstheheroReijiandhisfriendMizukiAnoutoteachthemmagic.

“TothinkIwouldbecomethehero'steacher...”

Felmeniawastalkingtoherselfasshewalkeddownthehallway.Herheartwasajumbledmess,shewasjustfilledwithjoy.ThiswasbecauseamongthedozenorsoCourtMages,Felmenia–theyoungestamongallofthem–hadbeenappointedtoteachmagictothemanwhowasmeanttosavetheworld.Inotherwords,shewastheteacherofthehero.Foramageofthisworld,therewasindeednohigherhonour.Atthisthought,Felmeniawasnolongerabletostifleherlaughter.

“Fu,fufufu...”

Shenormallycarriedherselfgracefullyandbeautifully.Butjustatthatmomentshewasputtingonquitetheslovenlysmile.Evenaftershehadnoticedthatshewasleakingoutacreepylaugh,shewasunabletostop.Shewastrulygladthatpeopledidnotoftencometothishallway.Amagewasmeanttoalwaysbedignified,buthercurrentbehaviourwasindirectoppositiontothis.Therewouldbenothingmoreembarrassingforherthantobefoundlikethis.

Felmeniahadneverexpectedthatshewouldbeteachingmagictothehero.Shehadalwaysthoughtthattheherowouldbetaughtbythestrongestswordsmenandmagesbroughtoverfromacrosstheworld.Itmeantthatshewasjudgedtobeonthesameplaneasthesegrandmasters.

InReiji'sworld,magicdidnotexist.Itwasanaddedcomplicationtoinstructingtheheroinmagic.Onthedayofthesummoningritual,thedaytheyhadfirstarrivedtoCamelliaCastle,theyhadallshownastonishedexpressionswhentheyhadwitnessedthelargedoortotheaudiencechamberopenbymagic.Felmeniarememberedthiswell.Justlikethedayshehadfirstwitnessedmagic,theyhadsparklesintheireyesastheygazeduponit.Whensheinquiredhowcivilizationhadadvancedwithoutanymagicintheirworld,Reijiexplainedthatinsteadofmagic,theyharnessedthepowerofscience.Anartwhichcraftedmechanismsofsteelandlightningtodeveloptheworld.Itwasaninterestingstorynomatterhowmuchsheheardofit.Asshewasreminiscingofsuchconversations,Felmeniachanceduponsomethingunexpected...

“...That's,SuimeiYakagi?”

AsFelmeniawashurriedlyheadedtowardshergranddutyofteachingthehero,shehadspottedthefigureoftheheroReiji'sfriend,SuimeiYakagi,inthehallway...SuimeiYakagi.DespitebeingheheroReiji'sfriend,hewasaremarkablymediocreman.Hehadneatlyarrangedblackhairandagentlegaze.Asidefromthishehadnodistinguishingfeatures.Hewasthesortofexistencethatcouldbefoundabsolutelyanywhere.StandingbesideReijiwhocouldonlybedescribedasanamazingprodigy,itwaseasytocompletelyforgetSuimei'sexistence.Felmeniahadgottenintoaquarrelwithhimearlier,soshehadrecognizedhimassomeonesheshouldnotletherguarddownaround.

(Butthat's...)

Thatwaswrong.Despitehavingthrownatantruminanger,havinglostallcontrolofheremotionsandhavingmadeaterriblyembarrassingblunder,hewasakindperson.Hewasn'taterriblepersonlikealltherumoursabouthisrefusaltoparticipateintheDemonLord'ssubjugationwouldsuggest.Also...

“Cute,right...?”

FelmeniawasrememberingthewordsSuimeihadspokenatthattime.Justhowlonghasitbeensincesomeonehadcalledhersuch?Nomatterhowmuchshetriedtorecall,theonlyinstancethatcametomindwaswhenshewasasmallchild.Assherecalledsuchthings,herfacehadstartedtoflushwithheat.

“N-n-n-n-no,whatamIthinkingabout!?JustfromthatI'mnotparticularlyha...hap...”

Howevershewasunabletofinishhersentence.Itwastruethatthegentleboy'swordsandactionshadmovedher.Itwaspreciselybecausehewasinfactthissortofpersonthatshecametoanewconclusion.

“Ishouldatleastgoandapologize...”

Whenlasttheymethesaidhehadbeenouttotakeastroll.Perhapsthiswastogoandmeethisfriends.Theydidnotgetmanychancestomeetsincearrivingtothisworldafterall.Itwasonlyproperthatsheadmittohimthatshehadsaidtoomuchandtoofferawordofapology.Eveniftheyarenotabletogetalongwellafterthis,sheatleastwantedtoremoveanyillfeelingsbetween

them.Havingmadeherdecision,FelmeniaheadedtowardsSuimeiasstraightasanarrow.Asshecamearoundthebendattheendofthehallway...

“Eh...?”

Hewasnowheretobefound.Tothiscompletelyunexpectedbetrayalofherexpectations,shecouldsensethatsomethingwaswrong.ThiswasthenorthwingofCamelliacastle.Thekitchen,bathroomandtheheroReijiwouldnotbeinthissectionofthecastle.Theonlythingthatcouldbefoundbygoinginthisdirectionoftheritualchamber.It'snotaplacethatonewouldnormallyheadtowards,justwhywashewalkingtowardsit?

(...Butwaitamoment.IfIremembercorrectly,eversincetheincidentintheaudiencechamber,IheardthatSuimei-donohadalwaysshuthimselfupintheroomappointedtohim...)

Felmeniahadclosedhereyesandwasdeepinthoughtmakingasevereexpression.Shehadnotinteractedwithhimatallaftertheincident,soshewasnotverywellinformedabouthim.ButitwascertainthatthepeopleofthecastlehadsaidthateversinceSuimeirefusedtoaccompanythehero,hehadsealedhimselfinhisroom.Ifheevercameout,itwaswasonlytousethebathroomortocheckuponhisfriends.Therewasalsothatonetimehewasouttotakeastrolltoo.Thereasonforthiswaslikelythathehadbecomefrighteneduponcomingtoanunfamiliarland.Andlikeachildhehadbeguntosulkwhilelockedinhisownroom.Fromthepeoplewhoinformedherofhissituation,thiswaswhattheyhadallconjectured.Thewordcowardwasalsothrowninhereandthere.

“Ifthat'sthecase,justwhy...?”

Whywasheinasuchaplace?Thenorthwingofthecastlerarelyhadanyvisitors.Felmeniaraisedherheadatthismysterywhichhadpeakedherinterest.Andaftersomeconsideration...

“There'sstillsometimeuntilHero-dono'slessonsaremeanttobegin.Idon'thaveanyotherbusinessinthemeantime.SoIhavesomefreetimerightnow.Let'sfollowhim...”

FelmeniaheadeddownthepaththatSuimeidisappearedintoassheconvincedherself.Ofcoursethiswasn'tasimplematterofcuriosity.Norwasitsimplyherwantingtogivehimanapology.Thiswasbecauseshewasalsoanemployeeofthiscastle.OntopofthatshehadherresponsibilitiesasaCourtMage.IfSuimeiwasholdingagrudgeforthesummoningandschemingtotakesomesortofrevenge,shehadtostophim.Felmeniawashopingthatthiswasnotthecase.

(But...)

Thatwasn'teverything.Thisboy,SuimeiYakagi,wastryingtodosomethingwhilekeepingitasecretfromeveryoneelse.ItwasherdutyasaCourtMagetofindoutwhat.

(...That'sright.Onthedaywehadgreetedthem.Suimei-donowascertainly...)

Atthattime,hehadpreparedsomesortofmagic.Inthemiddleofthesummoningcircleinthisnorthwing,hehadbeenconcealinghisrighthand.As

thedoorstotheritualroomusedonlyforthepurposeofsummoningheroes,amongthethreepeoplethereonlyhewascontrollinghismana.Hehadreadiedsomesortofmagictodeploy.TheonlyonetonoticewasFelmenia.Eventhoughshewasroyalty,Titaniahadgreattalentasamage.Andevenshehadnotnoticedatall.Howeverthemagichehadpreparedwasdispersedquickly.FromthatpointonSuimeihadactedthesameashistwofriends.ButthisdidnotmeanthatFelmeniawaswrong.Thatwasdefinitelytheactofamage.Therewasnowaythatthiswasjustherimaginationoramisunderstanding.

ReijiandMizukihadconfirmedthatmagicdidnotexistintheirworld.Initssteadwasanexistenceknownasscience.Itwasaworlddominatedbygrandtechnologicaladvancements.Thenightscouldbemadeasbrightasdaytime.TheyhadmanybuildingfartallerthaneventhisCamelliaCastlealllinedupinrows.Theyhadevenmanagedtoplacehumanityonthemoon.ItwasaworldwheretheylivedfarmoreaffluentlivesthanFelmenia'sworldcouldeverimagine.

ItdidnotseemthatReijihadbeenlying.Therewasnotanounceofdishonestyinhisstraightforwardgaze.Therewasabsolutelynodoubtinhiswords.ThenjustwhywasitthatonlySuimeiwasabletousemagic?Whywasitthathisfriendswerealsounawareofthisfact?WhileFelmeniawaswalkingandponderingaboutthisinformation,shemanagedtocatchanotherglimpseofSuimei'sback.Shehadfinallycaughtuptohim.ItseemedthatSuimeihadnotnoticedheryet.Hewassimplywalkingforwardswithoutpayinganyattentiontohissurroundings.Ashecamearoundanotherbend,Felmeniahurriedlychasedafterhimandfollowedthebend,but...

“...Hm!?”

“Kya!?”

Felmeniahadcollidedintosomebodyandascreamcouldbeheard.After

sheregainedherpostureandstraightenedherselfout,standingtherewasoneofthecastle'sservants,amaid.Thesourceofthescreamwasthisgirl.

“Myapologies.Areyouhurt?”

“N-No!Imustalsoapologize!Moreimportantly,haveyouhurtyourfaceStingray-sama...?”

“Eh?N-no,myfaceisfine?”

“T-thenareyouhurtsomewhereelse!?Aah!WhatdoIdo!?”

“No,Iamnotinjuredanywhere.Whilewe'reatitIdonothaveevenaspeckofdustordirtonme.”

Felmeniawasconfused.Fromjustalightbumpthemaidwasraisinganawfullylargefuss.Therewasn'tanybodyinthecastlewhowouldpunishsomeoneforsuchathing.Felmeniagavethemaidagentlesmile.Seeingthis,themaidtookadeepbreathandgaveanexpressionofrelief.

“Isthatso...Thankgoodness...”

“Myapologies.”

“Y-Yes...!”

“Umu.”

Felmeniagavethemaidadignifiednod.Shewasnotactinglikealadyfromthecourt,butimitatingthebehaviourofthewisesagewhohadtaughthermagic.Itwasanattitudethat,eventhoughshewasquiteyoung,didnotgiveanimpressionthatsheshouldbeunderestimated.Themaidseemedtobeenrapturedbythissight.Whenshenoticedthatshewasjuststandingthere

staringatFelmenia,sheboweddownwithallhermight.

“I-I'mverysorry!”

“Itisfine,Idon'tmind.”

Atthosewords,themaidgaveanotherbowandstartedtowalkoff.HoweverFelmeniahadrememberedsomethingandcalledbackouttoher.

“...Sorry,doyoumindifIaskyousomething?”

“Eh?Ah,yes.Whatisthematter?”

“JustbeforebumpingintomeIbelieveyoupassedbyanotherperson.Doyouknowwhereheheadedoffto?”

“...Huh?BeforemeetingStingray-samaIhadnotmetasingleperson...”

“Whatdidyousay!?”

Felmeniahadsuddenlyraisedhervoiceinawaythatshewouldnotnormallydo.Shecouldnotoverlookthewordsthatthemaidhadjustspoken.

“U-Um.DidIsaysomethingwrong...?”

“Iwillaskyouoncemore.Didyoureallynotmeetasingleperson?”

“Y-yes.”

“You'renotlying?”

“Yes.IsweartotheGoddessAlshunathateverythingIhavespokenoftoStingray-samaisthetruth.”

FacedwithFelmenia'sthreateningattitude,themaidhadclaimedthatshewastellingthetruth.ShewentasfarastoswearuponthegoddessworshippedbytheSalvationChurch,theonetrueGodAlshuna.Butthiswasstrange.Therewasabsolutelynowaythattheyhadnotpassedeachother.Whileponderingoverjustwhatcouldhavehappened,Felmeniaonceagainspoketothemaid.

“...There'snowaythatyoudidnotmeetanybody.RightbeforeIcamearoundthiscorner,Suimei-dono...Hero-dono'sfriendhadshouldhavealsojustcamearoundthiscorner.”

“Hero-sama'sfriend?ButIdidn't...”

Themaidwasrestlesslylookingaroundaroundasshehadnoideawhatwasgoingon.Shewasn'taloneinthisregard.

“Justwhatcouldhave...?”

“U-umStingray-sama.Ineedtobeinthesouthwingso...Um...”

“A-Ah.Myapologies.Sorryforstoppingyouforsuchastrangething.”

“It'salright,thenpleaseexcuseme.”

Themaidgaveonemorereservedbowandwalkedoff.

“...”

AsFelmeniasawthemaidoff,shemadeafrownasshecouldnotfigureoutwhatwasgoingon.Justwhathadhappened?ShewasdefinitethatSuimeihadbeenjustaheadofher,buthehadcompletelydisappearedafterturningthecorner.

(...Istillhavetime.I'lljusthavetodiveindeeper.)

Felmeniadecidedtoheadfurtherintothenorthwing.Itwasjustasthemaidhadsaid,therewasnobodyhere.Felmeniahadarrivedatthedeepestpartofthenorthwing,thesummoningritualroom.Asshearrived,Felmeniacameacrosssomethingthatcoulddefinitelynotbeoverlooked.

(Wha...!?)

Itwasimpossible.Felmeniacouldnotbelievejustwhatwasbeforehereyes.Thisroomwasaspecialroomwhoseentrywasonlypermittedinextremeemergencies.ShewastoldthisbytheotherCourtMages.Howeverrightbeforeher,thedoortothesacredritualroomwasajar.Thehigherauthoritieshadbannedallentryintothisroom.Aspecialmagicwasusedtotightlysealthedoor.Withoutthemagicusedtodissolvetheseal,itwasadoorthatcouldabsolutelyneverbeopened.Howeverrightbeforeher,Felmeniawaslookingatevidencethatthedoorhadbeenopened.

Theonlyoneswhoknewhowtodissolvethedoor'ssealwashisMajestytheKingandtheCourtMages.Felmeniatookalargegulpassheerasedherpresenceandapproachedthedoor.Shewasalmostboundinplacebythetension.Justwhatcouldbeinside?Fromthecurrentflowofeventsshouldcouldtakeaguess,butshestillcouldnothelpbuttotenseupasshecameupto

thedoor.

Asshepeekedthroughthesmallcrackintheopendoorwas...ApurewhitenotebookthatcouldnotbefoundinallofAstel,athincylindricalglasstubeandthemanholdingontotheseitemswhilestaringatthesummoningcircle,SuimeiYakagi.Hewasmumblingsomethingtohimselfwhilecompletelyfocusedonhisnotebookandcylindricaltube.

(AsIthought...)

ItseemsthatSuimeihadusedsomemagictricktoopenthedoor.Felmeniafoundthissurprising,butthiswastherealitythatshewascurrentlyfacing.Thiswasfull-fledgedevidencethathewasinfactamage.

(However...WhatshouldIdo?Isitalrighttojustthrowhimout?)

Felmeniawaswrackingherbrainasshehadsuddenlyfoundherselfbetweenarockandahardplace.Thiswasarestrictedarea.Normallyitwasexpectedtoimmediatelycallouttohimandeitherhandhimovertosecurityordealwithhimherself.Howeverthiswasthehero'sfriend,ontopofthatamage.Eventhoughhewasamage,Felmeniahadabsoluteconfidencethatshecouldsubduehim.Thebiggerproblemwasthefactthathewasthehero'sfriend.Ifthisturnedintoabiguproar,itcouldchangethemoodoftheheroandhemaydecidenottoparticipateintheDemonLord'ssubjugationafterall.ThiswouldbeaseriousaffairtobothAstelandthewholeworld.Thiswasnotsomethingthatshecoulddecideonherown.

(Butjustwhatisthatmandoing?No...It'slikelyheisinvestigatingthe

summoningcircle...)

Lookingathimfromtheperspectiveofamage,hisactionsweremysterious.Itlookedlikehewasinvestigatingthesummoningcircle,buthewasjustwalkingaroundrandomlyoverthesummoningcirclewhilestaringathisnotebookandtube.Toanalyzeamagiccircle,itwasnormaltodosobystandingoutsideofthecircleandobservinghowthecirclewasdrawn.Onlythencouldoneexposethetechnique.WhatSuimeiwasdoinghadnoresemblancetowhatnormallyanalyzingamagiccircleshouldlooklike.ToFelmenia,itlookedlikeacommonerwhodidn'tknowmagicwhosomehowstumbledintolearningmagicjusttryingthingsatrandomandhopingsomethingwouldstick.Atanyrate,thismagiccirclewassomethingwhoseconstructionandusewerepasseddownfromgenerationtogeneration.Therewasn'tasinglepersonintheworlduptothispointwhocouldanalyzehowitworked...

FelmeniacouldonlystareinsilenceatSuimei'smysteriousactionsonthesummoningcirclejustupuntilthetimeforherlessonswiththehero.

★

Thesamenight,FelmeniahadavisitortoherroominCamelliaCastle.

“...Wha?Isthatstorythetruth?”

Tothisquestion,theCourtMageFelmeniagaveheraffirmationwithoutadoubtinhermind.

“Yes.ItisjustasIdescribed.”

“...”

TheydidnotsenseanliesamongFelmenia'swordsandbegantoruminateonherwordswithclosedeyes.Justawhileago,shehadcomeforwardwithsomethingthatmustbeheardandtheymetinFelmenia'soffice,whichalsoservedasherroom.HervisitorwasanotherCourtMage.Accordingtoherstory,FelmeniahadwitnessedthefriendoftheheroReiji,SuimeiYakagi,walkingaroundallsortsofplaceswithinCamelliaCastlefreely.Shehadbeenstruckwiththeanxietyofdealingwiththismanwhomaybeschemingsomething,butalsohavingtodealwiththefactthathewasthehero'sfriend.Atalossatwhattodo,shedecidedtoconsultherfellowCourtMageabouttheissueathand.

“Doyounotbelieveme?”

“Thatisnotthecase.TobehonestIhavealsowitnessedthatmanwanderingaroundeveryonceinawhile.”

“Ooh?Isthatindeedtrue?”

“Aah,andtodayaswell.”

“Thenitissettled.IfSuimei-donowasschemingsomething...”

HercolleaguemadeafacethatseemedtoimplySuimeiwasdefinitelyschemingsomething,howeverFelmeniashookherhead.

“No,wedonotknowforsureyet.Withouthavinginvestigatedfurtheritistoohastytodecidethatheisschemingsomething.”

CertainlySuimei'sbehaviourwasstrange.Itwasstrange,butFelmeniahadonlyseenhimcomingtoandfromtheritualroom.Justthisactdidwarrantacertainlevelofsuspicion,butitalsowasn'tenoughtocondemnhim.TheCourtMagethensuddenlycametoanagreementwithFelmenia.

“Youarecorrect.Suchwisdom,asonewouldexpectoftheonecalledWhiteFlame.”

“Ah,yes...”

Itwasgoodthattheycametoanagreement,butFelmeniawasembarrassedbytheflattery.

“Iunderstandthesituation.Iwillalsobegininvestigatingthematter.”

“Thankyouverymuch.”

“Wellthen,ifyouwillexcuseme.”

TheCourtMageleftandshutthedoortoFelmenia'sroom.Asshethoughtaboutthecurrentchainofevents,Felmeniamumbledtoherself.

“Suimei-dono,justwhatareyoudoing...?”

Therewasnobodypresenttogiveherananswer.

★

“...SomethingconcerningtheheroReiji'sfriend...?”

AfewdaysafterFelmeniadiscoveredSuimei'smysteriousactions,shewasnowstandinginCamelliaCastle'saudiencechamberbeforehisMajestytheKing.ThereasonforthiswasobviouslybecauseofSuimei.Sincethatday,FelmeniahadbeensnoopingaroundeverysingledetailofSuimei'smovements.ShehadnowcomebeforehisMajestytheKingtoreportherfindings.AttheKing'spuzzledexpression,Felmeniagaveanodwhilestillkneelingdown.

“Ha.Thatisexactlythecase.”

“IsthisaboutMizukiAnou?”

“No,theoneIwouldliketomakeareportaboutishisotherfriend,SuimeiYakagi.”

TheKingfrownedandsquintedhiseyesatFelmenia'sdeclaration.

“...Isee.AsfarasIknowthatonehasrarelylefthisroomafterthematterinthischamber.Ihaven'theardanybodysayingthathehasevenleftthatroom.”

“No,intruthSuimei-donohasbeenwalkingaroundthecastleoncountlessoccasions.

ThiswastheconclusionthatFelmeniahadarrivedatafterinvestigatingthematter.Whenevershehadfreetime,FelmeniawouldsnooparoundSuimei'smovements.Shehadthoroughlyinvestigatedjustwhathewasdoingin

CamelliaCastle.Whatshediscoveredwasthatshuttinghimselfinwasacompletedeception.Itturnedoutthathewasquiteactivelymovingaround.AsshereportedthistotheKingandappealedtohimwithhereeyes,herepliedinagraveavoice.

“Ihaven'theardthiskindofreportfromanybodyelse.”

“Hehasbeenmovingaroundinsecretusingthefactthathehadshuthimselfinasacover.”

“Withoutbeingspottedbyasingleperson?”

“Ha.Itisverylikelythatincludingmyself,onlyafewpeopleareawareofthisfact.”

TheKinggaveadeepfrownatFelmenia'swords.

“...HoweverIdonotunderstand.Whyisitthatonlyafewpeopleareawareofthisfact?”

“Ihadalsobeenwalkingaroundandfoundhimcompletelybychance.Iconjecturethatheisusingsomesortofmagictohidehimselffromtheeyesofothers.”

“Yousaidmagic?Didyouteachittohim?”

“No,Ididn'tteachhimanything.”

“...?Whatdoesthatmean?DidanotherCourtMageteachhim?”

“No,thatisalsonotthecase.IbelieveSuimei-donowassomehowalreadyableabletousemagicbeforecominghere.”

Asexpected,theKingmadeaconfusedlookatthesewords.

“However,Felmenia,IheardthatmagicdoesnotexistinHero-dono'sworld?Initssteadthatworldhaddevelopedusingothertechniques.Hero-donohadsaidthatmagicwassimplyaproductoffiction.”

“That'scorrect.Ihadalsoaskedhimaboutthis.HoweveritistruethatSuimei-donohadusedmagic.”

“SoHero-donowaslying?”

“No,Ididnotgettheimpressionatall.”

Ididnotexist.Reijihadgreataptitudeformagic,howeverhedidn'thaveanounceofknowledgeregardingmagicbeforehand.TheKingalsoheldfaithinthefactthatReijiwasnotlying.

“...That'sright.Ialsobelieveso.But...“

“ButwhyistheresuchadiscrepancywithReiji-dono'swords,right?

“Umu.Perhapsheishidingthefactthathecouldpersonallyusemagic.ButitisstillstrangethatHero-donowouldbecompletelyunawareoftheexistenceofmagicinhisownworld.”

SimilartoFelmenia,theKingwasalsostuckonthispointashetiltedhishead.Magicwasatechnology.Inthisworld,itwassomethingdeeplyintertwinedwiththelivesofthepeople.Itwasnotsomethingthattheycouldcutloose,anintegralpartoftheirlives.Itwassomethingthatgrewalongsidethepeoplesincetimeimmemorial.Thenjusthowcouldanybodyinthisotherworldnotbeconsciousofitsexistence?Nomatterhowmuchthepeoplereliedonthecompletelydifferenttechnologyknownasscience,technologywastechnology.

Asitfollowedcompletelydifferentprinciplesfromscience,thetwowouldcomplementeachotherandpushthedevelopmentofmankindevenfurther.ThenjusthowcouldtheheroReijimakesuchastraightforwarddeclaration?

“...YourMajesty.IbelieveHero-dono'sworldmusthavesomesortofcomplicatedcircumstances.Howevertheimportantthingrightnowis...”

“Justwhatisthatyoungmandoinginsecretinthiscastle,right?”

“Yes.”

“Ihavenotimposedanyrestrictionsontheirmovementseversincetheyarrivedtothisworld.Theywerepermittedtowalkaroundthecastlealltheylike.Thereshouldn'tbeanyreasontomoveinsecret...”

Suimeiwasalsoaguestofthecastle,thesameastheheroReiji.TheKinghadorderedthatthethreeofthem,Reiji,MizukiandSuimeiwereallallowedtolookaroundthecastleastheypleased.Thepeopleofthecastleweretoldtocooperatewiththemifneedbe.Theyhadabsolutefreedomwithinthecastle.ThiswasaspecialconsiderationfromtheKinghimself.Aftergivingitsomeconsideration,theKingspokehisverdictonSuimei'sactions.

“...Evenso,Idon'tbelievethereareanyproblems?”

“No,theproblemistheplacesthatSuimei-donohasbeenwanderinginto.”

“Theplaces?Justwherehashebeen?”

“Firstoffthearchives.Hehastakenseveralbooksfromtheretohisroomeveryday.”

“Hoo?Ithoughthehadbeenshuttinghimselfin,buttothinkhehadbeenvisitingthearchives,Iamquiteimpressed.Sincehecannotreturn,surelyheisaccumulatingknowledgeaboutourworld.”

AsheheardthatSuimeiwasenteringthearchives,theKingmadeasurprisedface,yetletoutavoiceofadmiration.HenoddedhisheadashehadcometotheunderstandingthatSuimeihadnointentionoflosingtotheabsurdityofbeingsummonedtohisworldbystudying.Hewasn'twrong,buttherewasmoretoFelmenia'sreport.

“No,thereisalsoevidencethathehasgoneintotheforbiddenarchives.”

“Wh-Whatdidyousay!?No,butthatisn'tthekindofplacethatcansimplyentered...”

TheKingwasverysurprised.Theforbiddenarchiveswasnotaplacethatcouldjustbeenteredatwhim.Thearchivesstoredmanyhistoricalandimportantdocuments.Magicwasusedtopreventpeoplefromaccessingthem.

“Andhedidsoeasily.”

“Mygoodness...And,isthattheonlyplacethatyoungmanhaswanderedaround?”

Felmeniapausedbrieflybeforeshakingherhead.Shebitherlipsatthegravityofthesituationandcontinued.

“Suimei-donohasalsoenteredtheritualsite.”

“Impossible...TheonlyoneswhoknowhowtodissolvethatmagicsealshouldonlybemyselfandtheCourtMages.”

“That'scorrect.However,IbelieveSuimei-donohadusedsomekindoftrickto

openthatdoor.”

Atthesewords,silencedrownedouttheaudiencechamber.Theritualsitewassealedinsuchawaythatuninvolvedpartieswouldabsolutelybeunabletoenter.ThemagicsealingthedoorusedEarthasanattribute.Withoutathoroughunderstandingofthisattribute,onecouldnotevendrawclosetothedoor.ThisonlysolidifiedSuimei'sabilitiesasamage.

“Justwhatishedoing...isafoolishquestion.Thatyoungmanwasinvestigatingthesummoningcirclewashenot?”

“Ididnotlooklikethattome,butconsideringthecircumstancesthatshouldbethecase.”

“...Doeshewanttoreturnthatmuch...?”

TheKingmumbledwithahintofanguishinhisvoice.CallingthethreeofthemovertothisworldhungheavilyontheKing'sheart.HewasakindKingwhothoughtcarefullyaboutSuimei'sstateofmind.Attheinternationalconference,theKinghadbeenopposedtothesummoningofheroes.Hedidnotwanttopushsuchanoutrageousresponsibilityontounrelatedparties.Regardlessofhowmuchtheywouldbeshoweredinpraisefortheirachievements,oncecalledtheycouldneverbereturned.Ontopofthat,astheyheldsuchpower,theywouldsurelybeinvolvedincriticalsituationsonaglobalscalefromthemomenttheyarrived,tothemomenttheydiedontheselands.NomatterhowmuchtheKingspokeofsuchmatters,thefeartheleadersofthealltheworld'snationsheldtowardstheDemonLordwerefartooextremetohearhimproperly.Itwasdecidedbymajoritythattheywouldproceedwiththeherosummoning.ThesematterstrampledontheKing'snobleheart.

“...So,Felmenia.Whyhaveyounotsaidanythingupuntilnow?”

“Ihadbeeninvestigatingundermyowndiscretion.Ibelieveditwouldnotbewisetocreateabigordealoftheentiresituation.IfanuproarweretocomeaboutbecauseofthisandReiji-donoheardofit...”

“Certainly,itispossiblethatdiscordbetweenuscouldbebornfromsuchanevent.”

“Yes.AsfornotinformingyouyourMajesty,Ihadnotyetgatheredenoughinformationtomakeaproperreport.”

Felmeniahaddeterminedthatinsufficientinformationwasdangerousinitsownway.Itcouldonlyleadtomisunderstandings.ThiswastheprimaryreasontheFelmeniahadbeenwithholdingherreports.

“Naturally,Iassumeyouhadplannedtotakeactionifanythingweretohappen?”

“Yes,naturallyIwasready.”

Thiswasamatterofcourse,itwasbecauseofthisthatFelmeniacouldfollowaroundSuimeiwithconfidence.

“Haveyouspokenofthistoanyoneelse?”

“Ihavesharedmysuspicionswithafewothers.WhatIhavesharedwithyourMajestyIhaveonlysharedwithafewcolleagues.HoweverIhavekeptthisasecretfromReiji-donoandMizuki-dono.”

“Iunderstand.Ifthatisthecasethanbesurenottospeakofthismattertoanybodyelse.IwillinformtheotherCourtMagesmyself.AlsobecertainnottoinformHero-donoofthis.Understood?”

“Ha.”

FelmeniagaveabriefacknowledgementtotheKing'sgraveinstructions.ShedidnotquiteunderstandtheKing'sintentbehindkeepingallofthisasecret,butsherespectedhiswishesnonetheless.

“YourMajesty.Whatwouldyouhavemedoaboutthismatter?”

FelmeniawasreadytotakeactionagainstSuimeiandaskedtheKingfordirections.ToFelmenia,therewasnowaythathecouldbelefttohisowndevices.EvenifSuimeiwasthehero'sfriend.HowevertheKingreturnedherwordswithanunexpectedfrown.

“Hm?Wewilldonothing.Isn'titfinetoleaveitasitis?Fromyourtestimonyitseemsheisn'tscheminganysortoftrouble.Thereisnoneedtointerfere.Theyoungmanismovingaroundbehindclosedoorshopingnobodywillinterferewithhimafterall.”

“However,whataboutthecaseoftheforbiddenarchives...?”

“Sincehe'salreadybeeninsideitcannotbehelped.Theonlythingsstoredintherearehistoricalbooksandmaps.Evenifhesawallitscontents,thereisnothingintherethatwouldcauseanyproblems.”

ItwascertainlyastheKinghadsaid.Ifhecarriedawayitallawaytoanothernationitwouldbeanentirelydifferentmatter.Buttherewastoomuchofitforonepersontosteal.Felmeniaunderstoodthis.Howevershestillbelievedthatthisjudgmentwasfartonaive...

(Butstill,whywouldhisMajestynotwanttospreadwordofthis?)

Tonaivelyletsomeonegowhohadbeenignoringthelawscouldonlybeseenasaunjust.Howeverifhekeptthefactcompletelyhiddennobodywouldknowaboutit.WasthisthereasontheKingwantedtokeepitasecret?Ifhekepteveryonewhoknewcloseby,thenwordofthiswouldnotbeabletospread.TheKinghadarighteouspersonality,hehadlivedthatwaysincebirth.Felmeniaknewthismuch.ThiswaswhyshecouldnotunderstandtheKing'sdecision.

“...Then,willhisMajestynotbetakingupmeasuresregardingthis?”

“Doyoudisagree?”

“Suimei-donoisamage.Ibelieveweshouldtakemeasuresagainsthim.ItistruewemustactinsuchawaythatReiji-donowouldnottakeoffence,howeverifwecontinuetoallowhimtodowhateverhewantsinCamelliaitwillaffecthisMajesty'sgoodname.Alsointheunlikelyeventthatsomethingweretohappen...”

“...Personally,suchathingdoesnotbothermeintheleast.”

TheKingdidnotseemtoshowanyinterestinFelmenia'sproposal.TheKingseemedintenttobringthisconversationtoanend.HoweverasaCourtMageshecouldnotpossiblystepdownatthispoint.

“YourMajesty.Ibelieveaslightpunishment...Yes,somethingakintoapunishmentwouldbeappropriate.Iwillnotcauseanyharmtohisbody.IfSuimei-donospeaksofittoReiji-dono,thenIwillpersuadeReiji-donopersonally.”

“Hoo?You'llpersuadehim?Youseemawfullyconfident.”

“Iamstillhisteacherafterall.Assuchheshouldnotdisrespectmywords.”

FelmeniawasconvincedthatshecouldconvinceReijiincaseofanemergency.ShewastheCourtMageinchargeofteachinghimmagicafterall.ReijicalledherSenseioutofrespect.Ifhisfriendwasschemingsomethingbad,thenifsheexplainedittohimshewassurethathewouldunderstand.Thereshouldn'tbeanproblems.Thereforetherewasonlyonecourseofactiontheshouldbetaking.

“AllthatisleftisforhisMajesty'sapproval.Please,grantmeyourpermission.”

TheKingshuthiseyesandaftercarefulconsiderations,spokehisopinionsinagraveandloudvoice.

“...Itcannotbeallowed.”

“But!Yourhighness!”

“Felmenia.Isaidthatitcannotbeallowed.LikeHero-dono,Suimei-donoisanimportantguestofourcastle.Iwillnotallowanyharmtobefallhim.”

“I'mnotsayingweshouldharmhim!I'monlysayingthatweshouldtaketheappropriatemeasuresagainsthimfordoingwhateverhelikes.IalsodonotbelieveSuimei-donoisscheminganythingwrongbut...Howeverweshouldstophimbeforethisbecomesmoreseriousthanitalreadyis...Ibelievethistobemyduty...”

TheKingmadeanastonishedfacetoFelmenia'sdeterminationeventhoughhehadalreadymadehisdecision.

“Youseemawfullyfixatedonthis.”

“Eh!?Ah,no...that's...tha...”

“IsSuimei-donoonyourmindthatmuch?Felmenia.”

“N-no!Ijust,becauseofhimhecouldcauseproblemstoReiji-dono,that'swhy...”

Asheroddbehaviourhadbeenpointedout,Felmeniahadbecomequiteflusteredbutsomehowmanagedtosmoothitover.ItwastruethatshewasfixatedonSuimei.TheKingreaffirmedhisdecisiontoFelmenia.

“Whatcannotbeallowedcannotbeallowed.Doyouunderstand,Felmenia?”

“...”

“Yourresponse?”

“Everythingisasyouwill...”

FelmeniahadnochoicebuttoaccepttheKing'sdecision.Shecouldonlybowdowndeeplywhilebitingherlipswithregret.Justhowlonghasitbeensincethingsdidnotgoherway.ImmediatelyfollowingherappointmentasCourtMage,ithadhappenedonafewoccasions.Butsincethenithasbeenalongtime.Thefocusofherattentionwasamage...No,itwaspreciselybecauseofthisfactthatthesituationwasallthemorevexingforFelmenia.TherefusalfromhisMajestytheKinghadaffectedhergreatly,butthefocusofherangerwasallpointedatSuimei.

Justwhydidshehavetocarrythisburden?IfSuimeijuststayedinplace

andkeptquietitwouldallbefine,buthejustkeptsneakingaround.Hewasjustpilingontroublesoneaftertheother.Itwasasifhewassneeringather.Itistruethathewasnotabadperson.Felmeniaunderstoodthis,butthiswasallthemorereasonthatherangercouldnotsubside.

(No,notyet...)

EventhoughtheKinghadforbiddenit,shecouldnotpossiblyjustsitidlybyandacceptit.Thiswasthecourt.TheKing'scourt.Settingasideherpersonalfeelings,asasingleCourtMageshecouldnotpossiblyignoretheactionsofanothermagewhowasdoingwhateverhewantedinthatcourt.Thetimetoactwasnow.Atthecurrenttimetherewasstillonlyasmallnumberofpeoplewhoknewofthesituation.Suimeistilldidnotknowthathisactionshadbeenwitnessedbyothers.Whilethesituationwasstillnotknowntoothers,beforeanyonecouldfindout,therewasapossibilityforhertocloseofftheentirecase.

(That'sright.I'masplendidCourtMageofAstel...)

Felmeniaremindedherselfofherpositioninherheart.TheKing'sdignityandCamellia'sorder,thesewerethingstheonescalledCourtMagesweremeanttoprotect.It'sforthisreasonthatFelmeniabecameaCourtMage.Thereforeitwasherresponsibilitytoshowthatyoungmanjustwhatsortofplacehehascometo.Shehadnoideawhatmagicandmagesfromtheotherworldwerelikebutshewassuretoshowhimhisplaceinsociety.Afterwitnessinghergrandmagic,surelyhewouldalsobecomeobedient.That'swhy...

(JustyouwaitSuimeiYakagi!IwhohavebeenbestowedthenameofWhiteFlameshallbringanendtoyourdamnfoolishness.)

Therewasnoproblem.FelmeniawasaCourtMage,theoneknownasWhiteFlameandthehero'steacher.Asamagewhoheldallthreeofthesehonoursshewasamagewithoutparallel.Shecouldstopthislevelofmagewithease.TherewasnotanounceofthedefectknownasnegligenceinFelmenia'sdecision.

★

“Mymy...Felmeniaisstillyoung...”

AsFelmenia'sfiguredisappearedbehindthecloseddoorsoftheaudiencechamber,KingAlmadiousletoutadeepsigh.Hecouldpredictthatshewasdefinitelyabouttorecklesslystartsomethingduetothisabundanceofyouth.Hereyeshadshownclearlythatshehadnointentionofbackingdownatall.Itwasverylikelythatshewasabouttostartsomethingsomewherenobodywouldnotice.Itwasinevitable.TheKingfeltsorryfortheyoungmanwhowasabouttobecaughtupinthisstorm,butitwasalsotruethathewasreapingwhathesowed.TowhatFelmeniawasabouttodo,theKingbeganpreparinganappropriatepunishment.

“Beingtootalentedisalsodifficult...”

Lately,Felmenia'sself-conceithadbeengrowingstronger.Didthisconceitaffecthersenseofresponsibility?Itseemsshewastoostrongforherowngood.Oncemore,KingAlmadiousletoutadeepsigh.

★

“Northwing,allclear...huh.”

Thesoundofasoldier'sbootsteadilytappingagainstthestonefloorresoundedthroughoutthenorthwingofCamelliaCastle.Acastleguarddonningtheequipmentprovidedbythekingdomtoallguardswaswalkingoutofaroomwherenotevenasinglepersonwaspresent,litonlybyasinglecandleinhishand.Heshutthedoor.Thiswasthelastroominthenorthwing.Therewasnothingoutoftheordinaryinthewholewing,whichmarkedtheendoftheguard'spatrol.

Makingroundsofthecastleeverydaywasthedutycurrentlyappointedtothisguard.Obviouslyhisdutywasnottopatrolitduringtheday,butinthedeadofthenightwhilethewholecastlewasasleep.CamelliaduringthedaydifferedgreatlyfromCamelliaatnight.Thelightfromthesunnolongerlitthepassagewaysthroughthewindows.Eventhoughitwassodark,tosavecostsallthecandleswereputoutduringthenight.Theguardonlyhadtheonecandletolighthissurroundingsandthelightfromthemoon.Astheselightsourcesonlycastafaintglowtohissurroundings,itwasdefinitelyanervewrackingexperience.

Itwasforthesereasonsthatthejobofpatrollingthecastleofnightwasonethatnobodywantedtodo.Theabsolutelackoflightdefinitelyleftthecastlewithanominousfeeling.Sincethiswassuchahatedjob,theseniorguardsoftenpushedthisresponsibilityontotheyoungerones.Theyoftenusedtheexcusethatitwasagoodopportunitytomemorizethelayoutofthecastle.

“Haa...Ijustwantthistoendquickly...”

Thisguardwaspreciselyoneoftheyoungerguardswhohadtheresponsibilitypushedontohim.Hewasmadetopatrolthecastleatnightbyhighhigh-handedseniorsafterbeinggivenabunchofabsurdreasons...Hecouldonlycomplainthatnothingcouldpossiblyhappen.Justwhatkindofanidiotwouldattackthecastlewhichcurrentlyhousedthehero?Eversincetheherowassummoned,securityalloverthecastlehadbeenstrengthened.Howeveranybodywhowitnessedthehero'strainingwouldcallsuchordersasbeingoverprotective.

Thisyoungguardhadchanceduponthehero'strainingonce.Itwastrulyterrifying.TheheroReijiwassomethingalltheguardsbothidolizedandfeared.HehadfoughtthegreatestknightintheAstelKingdomonanevenfield.Atthispointhecouldevenaddintenotherknightsandfightinacoolandcomposedmanner.Insteadofprotectinghim,itwashewhoshouldbeprotectingthem.Theguardwasjusthopingforanexcusetoshirkhisdutiesashecomplainedabouthissuperiors,then...

“...Hm?”

Theguardhadclearlyheardthesoundofmetalclashingresonatingthroughthehallwaybehindhim.Heimmediatelyturnedaroundandraisedhiscandle.

“Issomebodythere?”

Heraisedhisvoice,buttherewasnoreply.Hiscandledidnotilluminateasinglefigure.Downthehallway,justaroundthecorner,therewasonlyasingleroom.ItwastherumouredroomthattheCourtMagesonlyusedwhentheyperformedaspecialritual.Theguardhadalreadyinspectedthearea.Atthat

timehedidnotfindanything...However,unlikethepreviousdays,therewasalargesuitofarmourinfrontofthedoor.

“Harris,isthatyou?Thisisn'taverygoodjokeyouknow?”

Theguardcalledouttohiscolleaguewhoalsopatrolledthecastleatnighttotryandlightenhisheartup.Thisspecifichallwaywasknowntobeparticularlycreepyamongalltheguards.Itwaspossibleanotherguardwasusingthisfacttoplayaprankandscarehim.Oratleasttheguardwashopingthatwasthecase.Theguardwantedtorunawayandcurlupintoaballandpretendthathehadheardnothing...Andoncemore,evenlouderthanbefore,alargemetalclangrungoutthroughoutthehallway...

Coldsweatwasnowrunningdowntheguard'sback.Wasitanintruder?Surelyevenhiscolleagueswouldn'ttakethejokethisfar.Hehadnochoicebuttoproceedforwardsandfindoutwhatwashappening.Itwaspossiblethatthiswasaploybythedemonswhowereaimingaftertheheroafterall.Theguardquestionedjusthowanythingcouldgetpastthemagictoolpreparedbythekingdom'sgreatestmage,theWhiteFlame.Nonetheless,herdrewhisswordandapproachedthesourceofthesoundsteadily.Incaseofemergencyhealsohadhiswhistletocallforhelp.Eveniftheworsthappenedtohimhecouldnotifytheothers.Andthen...

“...Huh.Whatthe?There'snothingwronghere.ThankgodIwasoverreacting.”

Theguard'sfearsandanxietieswerebroughttoanend.Theonlythinghefoundashearrivedwasthelargearmourstandingbeforethedoor.Therewasnointruder,andasexpectedtherewasnowayademonwouldbehere.Itwasobvious.Inthefirstplace,theonlyonewhowouldloiteraroundCamellia

Castleatthishourwastheyoungmanstandingrightbeforehiseyes.Judgingthathenolongerneededhissword,theguardreturnedittoitssheath.Itwashisownfaultforlettinghisguarddown.Hewastiredfrompatrollingthecastleeverynightanddecidedtojusthurrybackandgotosleep.Theguardgaveoutayawnatthesuddenonsetofdrowsiness.Theyoungmanstandingbeforehimbidhimgoodnightwithasmilewhilewavingtohim.Atthisevent,heturnedaroundandcalleditanight.

★

“Iyaaarisky,risky.Thatwasclose...”

Suimeiwasstandingtherewavingbye-byetothesleepyguard.Astheguardvanishedfromhissight,heletoutallofthebreathhehadbeenholdingin.Hedidnotexpectthataguardwouldstillbepatrollingthecastle.Suimeihadassumedthatnobodywasleftawakeandhadbeennegligent.Thischancemeetingwastrulybornofhisownnegligence.However,theonehechanceduponwasneitheramageorapersonofskill.Hewasjustacommoner.HehadimmediatelyfallenunderSuimei'sspell,andreturnedquietly.Suimeihadnothingmoretoworryabout.Afterhavinganicelongrest,theguardwillhaveforgottenabouteverythingthathappened.Itwasanunexpectedevent,howeverthecauseofitallwasthearmournexttoSuimei...

“Mygoodness,tothinkshewouldbringoutanautomaton.Eventhoughtherewasnothinghereupuntilnow,justhowmuchhasthatwomancometohateme...?”

Suimeigaveacoldglanceattheornamentalarmourstandingbesidehim.WasSuimeidirectingthiscoldgazetothearmour,orthewomanbehinditsplacement...?Automaton.Generallyclassifiedunderalchemy.Itwasa

techniquetomanufacturegolems.Theyweredollsmadeofwoodorearth.Thisonewasasetofarmourimbuedwithmagicmadetoimitatelivingbeings.Itwassetsothatwhencertainconditionsweremetitwouldtakeactionanddefenditself.Intermsofthemodernworld,itwassomethingsimilartoanandroid.

InSuimei'sworld,thisoriginatedfromoneofHebrew'sKabbalah.Itwasahiddentechniquethatwaswellprotected.Sincetheywereinanotherworld,themagicusedherehadnorelationtothat.Suimeitappedthearmourlightly,anditfelltothegroundasifitwascompletelydisassembled.Itbecameasimpleheapofsteellayingontheground.Eventhoughitmadequitealotofnoise,therewasnobodyaroundanymoretohearit.Suimeiletoutanothersigh.ThefirstnoiseproducedearlierwaswhenthearmourhadsuddenlyattackedSuimei.ThesecondnoisewasfromwhenSuimeibrokethearmour.

(Still,thiswasverywellmade.Itdoesn'tseemitwasmaderecently,atleastitwasn'tmadebysomeonewhoisstillaroundhere...)

Butjustwherehadtheybeenkeepingthisrelic?Suimeihadsensedthedangerbeforeheevenarrived,sohewasfullypreparedforthesituationanddealtwithitswiftly...Butstill,itwasaverywellmadedoll.Ashehadjustexperienced,thisautomatonwasthetypetoreacttothemanaofanysurroundingintruders,andthenbegindrainingthatverymana.Itwasbuiltwithbothphysicalandmagicaldefenceinmind.Notonlythatitwieldedaswordwithadeadlyamountofaggression...itwasamazing,andthuscruel.

“...Seriouslywhatthehellisthatwomanthinking?NomatterhowmuchI'mloiteringaroundthecastleasmuchasIwant,forsomeonewhoisn'tanenemymurderisgoingtoofarisn'tit?Aren'tyousupposedtobeabundleofaresponsibilityandpride?”

SuimeiwascurrentlycomplainingabouttheCourtMageFelmeniawhilemakingasourface.Hewaspissed.Eventhoughtheywerebothmageswalkingthesamepath,tocalmlysetupatrapthatcouldhaveeasilyleadtohisdeathwastakingittoofar.Justhowmuchdidsheputintoherprideinservingthecourt?Itseemedlikeshewastellinghimthataslongashewastrespassinginhergarden,shewouldshowhimnomercy.

“Ah...Well.Igetit.Formagiciansthismuchisnatural...Right...?Yeah.”

Suimeiwaswonderingjustwhatsortofmisunderstandinghewasmaking.Eventhoughthiswasanotherworld,magiciansweremagicians.Ifsomeonewasaimingfortheirresearch,andsteppedintotheirden,itwasonlynaturaltorespondwiththeintenttokill.Eventhoughthiswasanotherworldthesameprobablystillapplied.ThoughSuimeiwasnotabsolutelysureaboutthisfact.

(Still,isn'tthisfartooviolent?Isthiswhatitmeanstorepaymeamilliontimesover?)

Suimeiknithisbrowstogetherasherememberedtheirlastencounter.Hehadn'tbeenexpectinghisgentlemanlybehaviourtobepaidbackinsuchaway.Shewasdefinitelygoingforthekillhere.

“...Wellwhatever.Ifshe'sgoingtocomeatmewiththatintent,itmeansIjustneedtorespondinkind.”

Asonewouldexpecthecouldnotjuststandidlybyafterithascomethisfar.Suimeiutteredthosedangerouswordswhilemakingadarkexpression.Thiswasnottheexpressionofayoungman,itwastheexpressionofamagician

preparingforbattle.Suimeithenshiftedhisattentiontothescrapsofarmourlayingathisfeet.Itwouldbeaproblemtoleaveitlikethis.Suimeididn'tparticularlycareifFelmeniadiscoveredit,butifsomeoneelsechanceduponthesceneitcouldcreatequitetheuproar.Suimeididn'twantmoreguardspatrollingaroundafterall.

“Well,let'sdoit...”

Suimeibeganconstructinghismagicwiththeminimumrequiredamountofmana.Asmall,redmagiccircleformedandbegantoexpand.Manynumeralsandcharacterswerewrittenonthemagiccircle.Thecirclerevolvedasitexpandedandthencametoastopasitstabilized.

“RenovatioRedivivus”(RestorationandReconstitution)

Itwasthemostbasicoffundamentalrestorationmagic.Themagicdidnotrepairanything,itsimplyreturnedobjectstotheirpreviousstate.Twomagiccirclesappearedundertheautomaton.Theywerebothrevolvingasoneofthembeganmovingupwards.Asiffollowingthecirclemovingupwards,thearmourwasrebuildingitself.Whenthecirclereacheditspeak,theautomatonhadcompletelyreturnedtoitspreviousstate.

“...Therewego.Neithergoodnorbad.Justthesameasusual.”

AsSuimeiwaspraisinghimselfforthesmoothexecutionofmagicthatdidexactlywhatitwasmeanttodo,theautomatonwasoncemorestandingupperfectlystraight.Itwouldnotmoveanymore.ThemagicthatwasinscribedintothearmourhadbeencompletelydestroyedbySuimei.Thishadjustbecome

awreckintheshapeofanautomaton.

★

Leavingthewreckedautomatonbehind,Suimeienteredtheroomitwasguarding.Hewasalreadyquiteusedtocominghere.ThiswastheoneplaceotherthanthearchivesthatSuimeifrequented,thesummoningritualsite.Hisgoalwasobvious,hewasanalyzinganddecipheringthesummoningcirclepresentinthisroomsothathecouldderiveamethodtoreturnbacktohisownworld.WheneverSuimeiwasnotreadingbooksorsleeping,hewasalwaysherestudyingthesummoningcircleregardlessofwhetheritwasdayornight.

Suimeiwantedtoreturntohisownworld.Nomatterthecost.Suimeistillhadtofinishthemagicalthesisthathisfatherhadentrustedtohim.Thequickestwaytoaccomplishthiswastogatherresearchmaterial,magicitemsandresearchresultsinhisownworld.Certainlygivenenoughtimeitwasn'tsomethingthathecouldnotaccomplishinthisworld.Howeveritwassomethinghewasnotsurehecouldevenaccomplishbeforehediedinhisownworld.Timewasprecious,itcouldnotbewasted.That'swhyhishighestpriorityatthetimewasreturningtohisownworld.Thatwasdefinitelyamajorfactorbut...

“Ibetthosetwoalsowanttogoback...”

Suimeithoughtthisasthelightfromhismagicgentlybouncedoffthestonewalls.Suimeiknew.Reijiwouldstareintotheemptinessoftheskyeverynowandthen.Beyondthatvastemptinesshemusthavebeengazingatavisionofhislosthome.Hesurelyhadlingeringfeelingtohislovedonesthathecouldnotevenbidfarewellto.Suimeiknew.Mizukiwouldstartcryingwhenshewasaloneinherroom.Atthepriceoffollowingbehindthemansheloved,shewas

grippedwiththefearoflonelinessassheleftbehindeveryonesheknew.

WheneverSuimeithoughaboutthis,somethingwouldboilwithinhisheart.Hewasn'tsurewhatitwas,butcouldonlydescribeitashot.Hedidnotwantthelasttimetheywouldbeabletoseetheirfamiliestobethedaybeforetheroyalaudience.Hedidn'twantthemtosufferfortherestoftheirlivesthinkingofthepeopletheycouldnevermeetagain.Aslongashopeexisted,Suimeiwouldnotgiveup.Itwasforthiskindofreason,thatSuimeiacceptedhisfather'swishesforhimtobecomeamagician.Sothathehadthepowertofightagainstanyunreasonableodds...Hewantedtoprovetotheworld,thathecouldsavethosewhocouldnotbesaved.Justthisonethoughtdrovehimforwards.

“...Ican'tgowiththem,butI'llalsohavetotrymybest.”

Suimeispokethesewordssothathewouldnotforgetthem.Hehadturnedhisdeterminationintowords.Hewouldnotaccompanythemontheirjourney,that'swhywithoutfail,whenthetimecamehewouldpresentthemwithachoice.Thushesworetohimself.Asiftopourcoldwateronhisnobledetermination,Suimeisensedthepresenceofmananearby.Itwastryingtoskillfullyhideitself,butitwaswithoutthedoubtthepresenceofahuman.No,itwasn'tanythingsovaguetoSuimei.ItwastheoneknownasWhiteFlame,theCourtMageFelmeniaStingray.

Felmeniaapproachedtheroomatherownpaceandcametoastopbeforetheautomaton.AfterawhileshebegantopeakintotheroomusingthesmallcrackSuimeihadleftopen.Justhowmanytimeshadshebeentailinghimuptothispoint?Suimeipretendednottonoticeandjustlefthertoherowndevices.Shetrulydidn'tgettiredofrepeatingthisaction.Afterobservinghisactionsforawhile,shesilentlyleftonherown.

“JustabitmoreuntilIreapthesowedseeds,iswhattheysay?It'sabouttimeIbeginthinkingofthestageandtiming...”

Suimeihadhadenough.Hehadtopunishtheonewhowasattentivelysniffingaroundthestinkofhisass.Theothersidewasexpectingtobetheonetopunishhimafterall.Toturnitallaroundandseehersurprisedface,thiswouldalsobequiteamusing.

★

AshortwhileafterSuimeihadenteredthedeepestroomofthenorthwingofKingAlmadious'CamelliaCastle,Felmeniawasstandingbeforethedoorcompletelydumbfounded.

(Thisis...Justwhat...?)

Felmeniacouldonlymuttertheseconfusedwordstoherselfinherhead.Itshouldbenatural.Foranyonewhounderstoodjustwhattheornamentalarmourbeforeherwas,itwasobvious.ThearmourstandingbeforeherhadtheformalnameSlamasArmour.ItwascreatedbyamagewhowasknownforhisheroismthroughoutthelonghistoryofthekingdomofAstel.Itwasamobilegolemcreatedbywhatisstillcalledoneofgreatestspellsthroughouttheentirenation.ItwascreatedusingearthmagicbyagreatsagewhoalsolargelycontributedtotheconstructionofCamelliaCastle.Thisgreatsagehadspenthisentirelifecreatingonlyoneofthesegolems.

Asforwhythisgolemwascurrentlystandinginthisplace,itwasobviouslybecauseFelmeniasetitupthere.Shehadbroughtitwiththeintentofstopping

theunknownmageSuimeiYakagi.AfterconsultingwithanotherCourtMage,usinghimasanintermediary,shehaditbroughtherefromthecornerofthereliquary.ShehadpredictedthatSuimeiwouldcomehereagainandplaceditinhispath.Shewaitedfortheguard'spatroltobeoverbeforecomingoverherself,howeverthegolemwasstillstandingthereasifnothinghadhappened.

InthiscaseonewouldnormallyassumethatSuimeihadgivenupandleft,butthedoortotheroomhadbeenleftslightlyajar.Felmeniadecidedtotestthefunctionofthegolemtobesure.Howeverthegreatestgoleminthenationwasalreadyjustawreckintheshapeofagolem.

(Thisisjusttoocruelforthegolem'screator...)

Felmenialetoutadumbfoundedmutter.Shehadpreviouslyverifiedthatthegolemwasinfactactivatedandcapableofmovingonitsown.Itwasimpossiblethatitdidnottakeactionhere.Butifitdidtakeaction,thegolemmusthavegottenintoafightwithSuimei.Howevertherewasn'tasingletraceofafighthavingoccurredinthesurroundings.Butthatshouldbeimpossible.Thisgolemwascreatedfirstandforemostfordefensiveuse.DuringtheactivationtestFelmeniahadservedasitsopponent,itwasn'tafoethatcouldbestoppedsoeasily.

Sojusthowhadthegolembeendestroyedsocompletely?Themagicinscribedwithinthegolemhadbeenutterlyannihilated.Howevertheexteriorwascompletelyunharmedanditwasstandingexactlywhereshehadleftit.Justwhatkindofmiraclecouldrenderthegolemintosuchacruelstate?Evenifoneforcefullyoverpoweredit,theexteriorwouldatleastbedamaged.Howevertherewasn'tevenatracethatmagichadbeenusedinthearea.Felmeniacouldnotunderstandatalljusthowthegolemhadbeendefeated.Theculpritinquestionwasinsidetheroomwithalight,glaringatthesummoningcircleasusual.It'sasifhewascompletelyignoringFelmenia'sactionsliketheymeantnothingtohim.

(Fuck...)

Felmeniabecameenragedatherownimagination.Shespatoutavulgarwordthatshehadneverutteredsincethedayshewasborn.Felmeniawasenragedthatshe,whowascalledagenius,whobecameaCourtMagefasterthananybodyelse,thegreatFelmeniaStingraywhoclimbedtothetopwasbeingcompletelytreatedlikeaspeckofdustonthewall.Shetookgreatoffencetothis.Sheknewthathedidnotnoticeshewascurrentlyrightthere,howeveritstillangeredher.ShecouldnotforgiveamagictrickstertounderestimateaCourtMage.Shecouldn'tforgivehimforcompletelyignoringherconsiderationsanddoingwhateverhewanted.Thegolemwasdestroyedbecauseshehadgoneaboutitinanindirectmanner.Shehadintendedittobringhimtoacheckmateandmakehimstophisactionsonhisown,butstillhepersisted.

“Suimei-dono...Tch.”

Howevershecouldn'tdoanythingtohimhere.Feelingdejected,Felmeniaonceagainreturnedtoherownroom.

★

Felmeniawasreturningtoherroomlateatnightfromthenorthwingonceagain.Shewenttoreachherdoorknob.

“Eh...?”

Forsomereason,shesensedalightpresenceofmana.Felmeniadidnotrecallusinganymagicwhensheleft.Whensheexaminedherroommoreclosely,itseemedthatitwasjustherimagination.Therewerenotracesofanymagicbeingusedinthearea.Itwasprobablytheremnantsofmanathatsheunintentionallyletout.Toreacttothatsortofthing,shemusthavebeengettingtired.AllofthiswasSuimeiYakagi'sfault.

“Tch,nowthatIthinkaboutit...”

Someday,she'llteachhimalesson.Asshewasthinkingsuchdangerousthoughts,Felmeniamadepreparationstoretireforthenight.Howeveratthattime.

“...Iapologizeforintrudingsolateatnight.LordStingray,wouldyouhappentobepresent?”

Acourteousvoiceandknockcamefromtheothersideofthedoor.Felmeniarecognizedthevoice.ItwastheCourtMagewhohadreportedonSuimei'smovementtoherjusttheotherday.Shewaspreparingtoretireforthenight,butshecouldn'tjustignorehim.Felmeniastraightenedbackoutherwhiterobe,andinvitedthevisitorin.TheCourtMageopenedthedoorandenteredreservedly.

“Goodness,pleaseexcuseme.”

“Whatisyourbusinesswithmetoday?”

Consideringthetime,Felmeniahadnointentionofjustchatting.TheCourtMagedidnotseemoffendedbyFelmenia'sfranknessandresponded.

“Yes.IhadsomethingthatImusttellyourLordshipwithallhaste...”

“Whichis?”

“Naturally,aboutSuimeiYakagi'scase.”

ItshouldhavebeenobviousthattheonlyreasonhercolleaguewouldcometoherlikethiswouldbeinformationregardingSuimei.Itmusthavebeensomethingquiteimportantforhimtocomewithallhastehowever.Therewasalsothecaseofthegolem,soFelmeniabracedherselfandspoke.

“So,whathasthatmandone?”

“That's,it'shardtosaybut...”

“Whyisthat?”

“Ihadonlygraspedthisinformationmyselfrecently,butitseemsthatmanisn'tonlywanderingaroundthecastle.IbelieveheisplottingtobringharmtohisMajestytheKing.”

“Whatdidyousay!?”

FelmenialetoutaloudyellofshocktowardstheCourtMagewhoholdjustinformedherofthisnewsinagravevoice.Shewasshakenattheutterlyoutrageousnewsthatshehadjustreceived,afterthinkingaboutitabitshereplied.

“...Ah,no.Nomatterhowyoulookatitaren'tyouleapingtoconclusionsalittletoomuch?FirstoffSuimei-donoshouldhavenoreasontoaimfortheKing.”

“Regardingthatmatter,Ialsoshareyouropinion.HoweveritseemsSuimei-donoholdsquitethegrudgetowardshisMajestytheKing.OneofthecastlemaidsIhadeavesdroponhimhadheardhimsayingthingslike'Justyouwait'andothercursesdirectedtowardstheKingwhilehewasinhisroom.”

“Wha...”

“He'salsobeenseenstrikingthefurnitureoutoffrustration.Itseemsheisquitetroubled.”

FelmeniawasunabletospeakuponhearingtheCourtMage'swords.Certainly,whathewassayingwasn'tcompletelyoutofthequestion.Eveniftheherosummoningwasadecisionmadeataninternationallevel,theresponsibilitystillfelluponhisMajestytheKingwhomadethefinaldecisionfortheirownnation.SuimeihadplentyofcausetoholdagrudgetowardshisMajestyforthisreason.

“There'smore.Wehadplacedseveralmagictoolsaroundthecastleasacountermeasuretointruders.Howeverafewofthemhavebeenbroken.OntopofthatthebrokenoneswerelargelyfocusedaroundhisMajestytheKing'schambers.”

Aftercomingsofar,thesewordswerepredictable.Still,Felmeniacouldnothidehernervousness.

“That's...Asexpected...”

“Yes.ThetrapshadbeenplacedduringthedayandSuimeiwasseenloiteringin

theirvicinitybyanumberofwitnesses.Isthisnotdefinitiveevidence?”

“Suimei-dono,youwouldgothatfar...?”

Felmeniahungherheaddownasshemumbledthis.Shewasshocked.Settingasidethefactthathewaswanderingaround,tothinkhewouldgoasfarastoplotsuchacrime.Therewasnoneedtothinkaboutit.Orthereshouldn'thavebeen.ButassherecalledSuimeifromthatday,theimageofSuimeiwithinFelmeniaonlygrewhazier.

“U...”

Felmenia'sfieldofvisionhadstartedtonarrow.Shewasdizzy.Theworriedfaceofhercolleaguelookedlikeitwasripplingonthesurfaceofwater.Hisfacewasgrowingmoreandmoredistorted.

“Issomethingthematter?”

“No,I'mjustalittledizzy.”

“Youmustbetired.WhiteFlame-donoisbusyafterall.”

“Haa...Myapologies.”

Atthelightheartedinterchangebetweenthetwo,Felmenia'sdizzinessbegantosubside.Washeworriedabouther?ButFelmeniafoundthisstrange.Itwasonlyashortwhileagothattheyhadbeeninafight.Theywereunabletocometotermsatallatthetime,abadrelationship.Wasitsomethingthattimejustfixed?Nowtheyweretalkingasifnothinghadhappenedbetweenthem.Itseemstheywerenotonasbadtermsasshethought.Moreimportantly,the

matterathandwasSuimeiYakagi.Shecoulddefinitelynotforgivethatman.Afterall,hewasplanningtoharmhisMajestytheKing.Asherdizzinessvanished,sheclearlyrecalledthisfact.Asshemadeherdetermination,shespokeup.

“...Haveyouinformedanybodyelseofthisinformation?”

“No,IhaveonlyinformedyourLordship.”

“Understood.ThenpleasekeepthisasecretfromtheotherCourtMages.We'llfinishthisbeforereportingtohisMajestytheKing.”

ToFelmenia'request,theCourtMagegaveapuzzledexpression.

“LordStingray?”

“...Iwillsettlethiscase.Leaveeverythingregardingthatmantome.”

JustaswasthecaseafterspeakingwiththeKing,Felmeniawasintentonsettlingeverythingherself.Itwaspreciselybecausefewpeopleknewofthisinformationthatshecouldsettleitonherown.

“Allisasyouwill.Then,Ishallexcusemyselfhere.”

“Thankyouverymuchforcomingoutofyourway.”

“Itwasnothing,wellthen.”

TheCourtMageexcusedhimselfandlefttheroomjustashedidfivedaysago.

Ashercolleagueleft,Felmeniawasnolongerabletoholditin.

“Tothinkhewasthatkindofman...”

Asshespokeherthoughts,sheonceagainbegantoboilwithrage.Tonotonlyturnhisbackonhisfriends,hewasalsomovingonhisowntosatisfyhisownvengeance,tothinkhewasamanofsuchvulgarnature.Notonlythat,hisillintentionswereaimedatthatcompassionateking.Wasthekindnessheshowedthatdayasimplefabrication?Washeamagewhocoulddosomethinglikethatsoeasily?ThemoreFelmeniathoughtaboutitthemoreitenragedher.Sheheldnothingbutdisdaintowardsthatvulgarmage.

“Tch...”

Shewasgettingdizzyagain.Asherdizzinesscleared,Felmenia'sthinkinghadchangedgearsentirely.

“...Tosneakilyplotsuchthings,amagewithoutasinglefragmentofdignity...”

Itwasasifsheheldsuchthoughtsfromthebeginning.Thatwasfine.Shewouldpunishhim.

(Ifyouwon'treflectonyourdamnedselfandsimplyrepeatyourfoolishnessthenjustwatch.Iwilldefinitelyshowyoutheabyssofmagicthatyoudonotunderstand.)

WithintheheartoftheyounggirlknownastheWhiteFlame,adarkflamehadbeguntostir.Shehadbecomeobsessedwithherfameandfortune.Itwasaflamebroughtoutbythosewholosttheirwayandgrewoverconfidentintheirownabilities...Atthistime,withinFelmenia,thesenseofdutyandresponsibilitythatsheheldashercreedwasdefeatedbyherimmenseprideandconceit.Shehadlostallsightofwhatsheshouldbedoing.Shewasonlyconcernedwiththevisionoftheyoungmanfromanotherworldburnedintothebackofhereyelids.Asshecouldnolongerholdbackherangertowardsthismemoryshespokeouttoherselfoncemore.

“...SuimeiYakagi.Besuretosayyourfinalprayersandwaitforme.IshallthoroughlydemonstratetoyourdamnedselfthepoweroftheoneknownasWhiteFlame.”

TherewasnowayforFelmeniatoknowthatherresolvewouldsoonturnintopureandutterdespair.

★

...AsFelmeniawassteelingherdarkdetermination,avoicefullofcontemptwasletoutinfrontofherroom.

“Tooeasy...”

HeletoutasneertowardsthesoundofFelmenia'svoicefilledwithself-conceitfromtheothersideofthedoor.TheCourtMagewhohadjustreportedtoFelmeniawasstandinginfrontofthedoorasifmockingit.

“Andso,theseedshavebeenplanted.”

Ashesaidthesewords,hepulledhishoodupoverhishead.ThemanthatFelmeniahadcalledaCourtMagedisappearedintothedarkness.

Chapter3-TheOneWhoSeeksMysteries

Ithasbeenafewdayssincethegolemwasdestroyed.FelmeniawastailingasingleyoungmaninthedeadofthenightthroughCamelliaCastle.Thiswasthenightshedecidedtosecretlyconfronthim.ShewasintentonpunishingthismanwhowasloiteringaroundCamelliaignoringtheKing'sauthority.Shewastailingbehindhimatareasonabledistance.Ofcourse,justlikealways,Suimeihadnotnoticedher.Therewasnowayhecould.WheneverFelmeniashadowedhim,sheusedwindmagictoconcealnotonlyherfootsteps,buteventhesoundofherbreathing.Itdidn'tmatterwhotriedit,therewasnowaytodetectherpresencewhensheusedsuchamagic.

Despitetherenotbeingasinglelight,theyoungmanhadbeenwalkingthroughthecompletedarknesswithoutasingleounceofhesitation.Itseemedthathewasheadedtoadifferentlocationthistime.Asalways,todayhewasalsowearingtheclothingfromanotherworldknownasa'blazer'.Felmeniastillhadnoideawherehewasheaded.Regardlessofthedestination,shewaspreparedtorevealherselftodayandtaketheappropriateaction.

“...!?”

Felmeniahadnoticedsomeonesshadowbeingcastatherfeet.Atthesuddenevent,Felmeniamadeaquietvoiceandturnedaround.Shedidn'tthinkitwaspossibleforanyoneelsetobeupandaboutatthishour.Felmeniaspentsometimesearchingfortheshadow,butdidnotfindanyone.Itseemedthatshewasjustimaginingthings.Inthedeadofthenightwhereeventheplantswereasleep,therewasnowayanybodyotherthantheguardswerewalkingaround.

And,asFelmeniaturnedaroundtocontinueherpursuit...

“...Hevanished?”

Suimeiwasnolongerthere.Shehadonlytakenhereyesoffofhimbriefly,buthehadsuddenlydisappeared.ThiswasanabsolutemysterytoFelmenia.Atthepacethathewaswalkingatheshouldshouldnothavereachedtheendofthecorridor.Howevershecouldnotseehimatall.HoweveritdidnotmattertoFelmeniathatshecouldnotseehim.Ifshecouldnotseehim,shejusthadtofindhim.Thinkingthis,Felmeniabegantogatherhermanaandweaveherwindmagic.

“―OhWind.Thouartmyservant.FindthatwhichIdesire.WindSearch.”

Whatshehadjustinvokedwasprobingmagicwhichusedwind.Withthisshewasabletoincreaseherperceptionofthesurroundingsusingwind.Shortly,FelmeniaheardthesoundofSuimei'sfootstepscarriedtoherbythewind.Fromthesoundofhisrhythmicfootsteps,shecouldtellthathewasnotveryfaraway.Felmeniaheadedtowardsthesourceofthefootstepsquicklybutcalmly.

“Overhere...mu?”

Felmeniahadbeenchasingafterthesoundwhilejoggingandhadsuddenlyrealizedsomething.

(Hangon,thispath...)

AsshediscoveredjustwhereSuimeiwasheadedtowards,herrageoncemorebegantoboilover.ThepathSuimeiwascurrentlytakingledstraighttotheWhiteWallGarden.ItwasoneofthegardenswithinCamelliaCastle.Nexttotheaudiencechamber,itwasthelocationofhighestsocialimportanceinallofCamellia.Entrytothegardenwasheavilyrestricted.ItwasthesacredgroundwheretheKingwouldspendhispreciousprivatetime.Toenterwithoutpermissionwasjustdisrespectful.Itwasunforgivable.Felmeniabeganstompingforwardsasshewasnolongerabletocontainherrage.

Shepressedforwardsthroughthestonehallwayandpassedbyasmallcourtyard.Completelyintentonunleashingallofherangeratthatman,shepassedthroughthefinalpassageway.Shearrivedatherdestinationcloakingherentirebodywithmanaandshecameoutunderthestarry,moonlitsky...Andstandingtherewasthejetblackfigureofasinglemage.

TheWhiteWallGarden.Atitscentrewasasoaringwhiteobelisk.Standingstillattheobelisk,staringatthestarsasiftheyweregemsandpretendingnottoseeherwasSuimeiYakagi.Thedarkblueglowofthegroundstretchedtotheheavens,andfromtheheavenstotheground.Stretchingfromoneendtotheother,themagnificentzenithmadeforquitethebackdrop.Ahugemoonhungoverheadasifitwerehiscompanionforthenight.Atsomepointhehadchangedclothes.Justrecentlyhehadbeenwearingthe'blazer',butwasnowwearingwelladjustedblackdressclothes.Lookingatthatfigure,itgaveofftheimpressionofaflawlessuniform.

“...Mygoodness...Itisn'tingoodtastetostalksomeoneyouknow?Theonlyoneswhoareallowedtodothatarethepitifulandfoolishstraysheepwhounderstandnothingoftheworld.”

Suimeisaidthisinanexasperatedvoiceashebenthismouthintoafearless

andbroadsmile.HeturnedtofaceFelmeniawithalookthatsuggestedhehadknownallalongthatshewasfollowinghim.Itwasasifhewassneeringatachildwhohadgottenlost.

“...Impossible,younoticed?”

“Ofcourse.Youweredartingaroundsomuchbehindme,itisstrangernottonotice.”

“...!!”

SuimeigaveacoolreplytoFelmenia'squestionasifitwasamatterofcourse.Hehadnoticedhertailinghim.Shewassurprisedthatheheldsometechniquethatwasabletoseethroughherperfectconcealmentmagic.Thistime,theonewhohadtasteddefeatwasFelmenia.Itmeantthatherpursuithadactuallybeenaninvitationandshewasjustdancinginthepalmofhishand.Felmeniabegantogrindherteethinfrustration.Itwasthefirsttimethatsheevertastedsuchhumiliation.Shewasbrimmingwithanger.Shewasinvitedhere.Atthisrealitybroughtforthbyhernegligence,shequestionedSuimei.

“...Inthatcase,justwhatthehellareyouplanning?”

“WhatdoyoumeanwhatamIplanning?Iwassimplygoingforawalk.Therearenorulesherepreventingmefromleavingmyroomatnight,right?Andsothistime,IfiguredIwouldgosomewhereIhadn'tbeenbefore.”

“DoyoutrulybelieveIwouldbefooledbysuchanexplanation?Ifyounoticedme,thenyoucamehereonpurposeright?”

Suimeiletoutalaughlikeanaughtychildwhoseprankhadjustbeendiscovered.

“Iguessthatwon'tfly,huh?”

“Iwillaskyouoncemore.Whyhaveyoucometothisplace?”

“Whyhuh.That's...”

Suimeiwasgivingoffarefreshingsmile.Itwasasifhepredictedthisflowofeventsandwasenjoyingitasitplayedout.AndthenmakingeyesasifhehadseenthroughallofFelmenia'sintentions...

“That's,thesamereasonasyou.Isn'tthatright?”

“...”

“Oops,silence?Iwasconvincedthatwasthecase,wasIwrong?”

Suimeibeganputtingonblackglovesusingwell-practisedmovements.Ashewassayingthesewords,italmostseemedlikehewasdisappointed.

“Ididn'tthinkyouwouldgetsofixatedonthis.HonestlyspeakingIwashopingtosettlethingsmorepeacefully.”

“Howdareyoustatethatsobrazenly.Eventhoughyouneverheldafragmentofsuchintentions.”

Thatwasright,SuimeiwasaimingafterhisMajestytheKing.Therewasnowayhewasgoingtosettleanythingpeacefully.SuimeithenadmittedFelmenia'sobjectionwithasomewhatself-deprecatingsmile.

“Certainly.SinceI'vegonethroughthetroubleofpreparingthisstageIcan'tsaythathuh.Thereweremanyotherwaystosettlethispeacefullyafterall.”

“Fuu...”

FelmeniathoughtthatSuimeihadjustobedientlyadmittedhisillintent.HoweverasSuimeihadsaidthistoFelmeniahehadbeenstaringattheheavensasifhewasrememberingsomething.

“IsthisthesecondtimeI'vespokentoyou?”

“That'sright.”

FelmeniagrimacedassheansweredSuimei'squestion.

“Hmm,somehowyourquiteunapproachablehuh...”

“What'syourpoint?”

“Aah,that'sright.Wellit'sjustidlechatter,thereisn'treallyapoint...Mygoodness,Isureamhatedaren'tI?Isitthat?Areyoustillholdingagrudgeaboutwhathappenedatthattime?”

“...”

“Silencehuh.”

Suimeigaveanotherdisappointedsigh.Felmenia'sangerwasnotonlyrootedinthatoneevent...ShehadthoughtthatSuimeiwasavery

straightforwardmanofgoodnature.HehadrefusedtherequestabouttheDemonLordsubjugation,yethestillfeltregrettowardsthehero,hewaskind.ReijiandMizukibothneversaidasinglebadthingabouthim.Felmeniastillhaddoubtsinthecornerofherheart,but...

“...IfIweretoalsospeakhonestly,Ididn'twantittocometothis.”

“Didyouwanttosettleitsooner?Certainlythatthingshouldhaveendeditmuchquicker,right?”

“...?”

Felmeniadidnotunderstand.JustwhathadSuimeiunderstoodashegavehisreplywithanod.Felmeniadidn'tgetit,butshedecidedtoasksomethingthatwasonhermindanyways.

“Neverthelessyoubastard.Justwheredidyoubringthoseclothesoutfrom?”

FelmeniahadneverseentheclothesSuimeiwaswearingbefore.Hewaswearingablackcoatwithlongcoattailsandaredroseembroideredonhislapel.Ablackpieceofclothshapedlikeaninvertedswordwashangingfromhisneck.Hewaswearingapurewhitetightlywovenshirt.Belowhewaswearingimpeccableblackpantswithoutasinglecreasethesamecolourashiscoat.

“Eh?Aah,thissuit?Ialwayscarryitaround.Itismybattleuniform.”

“Alwayscarryitaround?Asidefromtheclothesyouwerewearingduringthesummoning,youwerenotcarryinganyotherclothes.”

“Ihaditinmybag.Youhadheldontoandlookedatitdidyounot?”

Ashemadethisremark,Suimeimadethegestureasifhewasliftingsomethingup.ThiswasmeanttojogFelmenia'smemories.Certainlyatthattime,thethreeofthemhadbeenholdingontobagswhichheldtheirpersonalbelongings.However...

“Therenowayyoucouldfitbulkyclotheslikethatintosuchasmallcontainer.”

“...Youknow,thatwayofsayingthingsmakesyouseemhard-headedyouknow”

Suimeiletoutanexasperatedvoiceasheshruggedhisshoulders.Felmeniawasalittleoffendedbythewayheputitbutshewasmoreinterestedinthemysterybeforeher.Suimeiwasamage,ifshethoughtaboutitcarefullyitshouldhavebeenobvious.

“...Isee,amagictool.”

“Amagictool.It'sanawfullyvagueanswer,butyou'recorrect.Contrarytoitsappearanceithasacarryingcapacitymanytimesitsactualsize,it'soneofmyfavourites.”

Suimeibegantoboastabit.Magictoolswerenormalobjectswhichwereimbuedwithsomepower.Theygrantedtheseobjectseffectsthatwerenormallyimpossiblefortheobjectalone.HoweverFelmeniahadneverheardofanenchantmentthatincreasedthecarryingcapacityofacontainer.Shecouldn'tthinkofanyoftheeightattributesthatcouldcreatethissortofeffect.Ifhewasholdingontosuchanexcellentmagictoolthatshecouldnotunderstand,itseemednaturaltoboastofit.WhileFelmeniawasponderingaboutthebag,Suimeitightenedhisgloves,fixedthecollarofhiscoatandfearlesslybegantotalk.

“...Wellthen,thenightisstillyoung.Isn'tabouttimewebegin?”

Felmeniarepliedinanarrogantmanner.

“Don'tsaysuchfoolishthings.Wheredoyouthinkthisis?ThisishisMajestytheKing'sfavouritegarden,theWhiteWallGarden.Doyouthinkhavingafightherewouldpossiblybepermitted?”

ThiswastheWhiteWallGarden.TheKing'sgarden.Itwouldbeabsolutelydisrespectfultobeginafighthere.FelmeniaglaredatSuimeiwhoseemedintentongoingwildinthisplace.HoweverSuimeimadeafaceasifhehadjustseensomethingfunny.HereturnedFelmeniadeclarationwithafearlesssmileandavoicefilledwithscorn.

“Hmmm?TheWhiteWallGardenhuh.Surelyitisquitethegorgeousgardenwithquitetheexaggeratednametomatchitbut...IsthistrulytheWhiteWallGardenthatyouspeakof?”

“Justwhatkindofnonsenseareyouspouting?ThewhiteobeliskinthecentreofthegardenthatyouarestandingrightnexttoisproofenoughthatthisistheWhiteWallGarden.BeitthespectacularflowersfromalloverthekingdomwhichpaintthegardenabeautifularrayofcoloursorhisMajestytheKing'sfavouriteplace,thetowerontheleftsideofthe...Eh...?”

Itwasn'tthere.Felmeniahadraisedherhandvigorouslypointingtothetowerthatwassupposedtobeontheleft,howeverthetowerwhichhousedtheKing'schamberswasnotthere.Therewasnotevenashadowofitsexistencethere.Felmenia'smindcouldnotkeepupwithwhatwashappening.Asifhe

wasmakingfunofher,Suimeispoke.

“What'swrong?Yourlefthandisn'tpointingatanythingyouknow?ThetowerwhichhouseshisMajestytheKing'schambersoverlookingtheWhiteWallGardenisonyourright,isn'tit?”

FelmeniacouldonlysenseanominousfeelingfromSuimei'swordsasshestaredattheground,buttemptedbythedevilbeforehersheslowlyraisedherheadandturnedtoherright.Suimeiwasinthecentregivingoffasinistersmileshowinghiscanines.Andjustashesaid,ontheoppositesidefromwhereitshouldhavebeen,thetowerwasdefinitelythere.

“...Ridiculous.HisMajesty'schambersshouldbeontheleft.Why,whyisitontherightside...?”

Beforethisbafflingphenomena,Felmeniawasunabletospeak.Shecouldn'tfigureitout.Itwassimplyimpossible.Thetowershepointedtoontheleftwastoherright.Justwhathadhappened?ShewassuretheKing'stowerwasontheleft.Shehadnothadmanyopportunitiestocometothisplace,butwhenshedidshehadlookedcarefully.Shewasnotmistaken.Howeverrightnowthetowerwasonherright.Suimeiclosedhiseyesslightlyandexplainedthemystery.

“That'sright.Ifyouthinkaboutitthereareonlytwoanswers.It'ssimple.Thefirstisthatyoudonotcorrectlyrememberthepositionofthetower.ThesecondisthatthisisnottheWhiteWallGardenthatyouarefamiliarwith.”

“Ridiculous,that'sjustimpossible...”

“Isthatso?Sowhyisthetowerthatwassupposedtobeonyourlefttoyour

right?Whyisthemoonrisingfromtheright?Whyhavetheseflowerswhichpaintthegardenabeautifularrayofcoloursplantedbackwardsfromtheirusualarrangement?Comeon,tryanswering.”

“T-That's...”

ItwasjustasSuimeisaid.TheWhiteWallGardentheywereinrightnowwasreversedasifreflectedinamirror.Eventhemoonandconstellationswerereversed.Felmeniahadjustnoticedthisimpossiblefact.Itwasasifshehaddivedintoanentirelydifferentworld.

“PhantomRoad...”(SpiritWorldInversion)

“Phantom...road?”

ThewordsSuimeihadspokenwerenottranslated.ItmustmeanthattheywerewordsthatwerenotusedineverydaylanguageinSuimei'sworldorhadnoequivalentinFelmenia'sworld.Felmeniacouldonlyrepeatthemasshecouldnotunderstandthem.

“That'sright.We'recurrentlyinsideabarrierImade.Itisanillusoryworldconfinedtoasingleareawhereeverythingfromtherealworldisreversedasifreflectedinamirror.Byweavingtogethernumeralswhichdon'texistintherealworld,Icreatedaplacethatdoesnotexist.Inotherwordsitisacomplexspacemeldedbyimaginarynumbers.”

“Wh-whatisthat?Numbersthatdon'texist?C-Complexspace?Whatisthat?Justwhatthehellareyoutalkingabout?Whatdidyoudo?”

EventhoughSuimeihadexplainedhismagic,itonlymadeFelmeniamore

irritated.Ontopofusingabunchofwordsshehadneverheardof,themagicitselfwassomethingthatshehadneverheardof.ACourtMagesuchasherselfcouldnotunderstandasinglethingaboutthismagic.Magicwasamysterywhichborrowedthepoweroftheelements.Theyborrowedpowerfromtheelementsoffire,water,wind,earth,lightning,wood,lightanddarkness.Withoutexceptionmagicalwaysborrowedfromoneoftheseelementsasanattribute.Becauseoftheelements'powers,miracleswereborn.Usingmanaasadrivingforce,chantscalledouttotheelements,spellscreatedapathfortheelementsandthenthedesiredeffecttookplace.Howevertherewasnoneofthatinthismagic.Thatessentialpoweroftheelementswasnowheretobefound.

“Mygoodness,fromtherehuh...?Well,Ialreadyknewthismuch.Butthemagichereistoocrude.It'sapproximatelytheequivalentofwhatwewouldcalltheMiddleAgesintermsofdevelopment.IfIweretoputitintonumbersitsafewcenturiesbehind...Isn'tthatwhysomeofthelanguageandconceptsarecompletelyunknowntoyou?”

“Thisis,thisismagicyousay...?Asifthere'ssuchamagicthatcouldchangetheworld.Nomatterwhatattributeyouapply,youcan'tjusttransformthelookoftheworld...”

“Whathaschangedisn'tjustthelooksyouknow...Isitsomethingtogetsoconfusedover?Thisisonlyslightlyintricatebarriermagicyouknow?”

ThisiswhatFelmeniadidn'tunderstand.InsteadofattributesSuimeihadusedanentirelydifferentwordtodescribehismagic...

“Barrier...magic?”

“Oi!?Don'ttellmeit'sallthewayfrombackthere!?Don'ttellmethisworlddoesn'tevenhavetheconceptofbarriers!?”

“LikeIsaid,justwhatyoutalkingabout...?”

“Barriers!Barriermagic!Youreallyhaven'theardofthisbefore!?”

“I-Ihaven't!Ihavenoideawhatyouaretalkingabout,butthatkindofsuspiciousmagicdoesn'texistinthisworld!”

“O...Oiseriously?I'mstartingtofeelpeerlessinthisworld.”

AfterSuimeihadyelledinsurprise,heheldhisheadinonehandasifitwereextremelyheavy.Justhowdisappointedwasheinthisworld'smagic?Seeminglyhavinggivenuponexplainingfurther,hethenletoutanenormoussigh.

“...Whatever.Forgetthecomplicatedmatters.InshortthisplaceisnottheWhiteWallGardenthatyouknowof.ItisanimitationoftheWhiteWallGardenthatIcreatedwithmagic.That'swhy,evenifwefighthereandfireoffmagiceverywhere,everyonewillstillbesleepingsoundlywithoutnoticing.Okay?”

“Uu...”

Felmeniastilldidn'tunderstandhalfthethingsthatSuimeiwassaying.Themagichehadusedwasacompletemystery.Howevershedidunderstandthesituation.Thiswasaplacethathehadpreparedjustforthisoccasion.SuimeitookFelmenia'ssilenceasherconsentandcontinued.

“...Despitenotunderstandingyouseemtohaveacceptedthesituation.Well,itisimportanttocalmlyreacttoanysituation.Wellthen,itisabouttime...thatwebegin.”

“Shutit.You'vegottenconceitedafterluringmeintoanincomprehensibleplacebutdoyoureallythinkthatwithyourpatheticlevelofmanathatyou'dbeabletodefeatme?I'mAstelKingdom'sCourtMage,theWhiteFlameFelmenia.Iwill

neverlosetothekindofamanwhowouldusesuchacoward'strickwithoutfacinghisopponentheadon!”

Felmeniabarkedthistowardstheyoungmanwhohadbeentalkingfromahighplaceallthistime.That'sright.Ifshehadjustthoughtitthroughpropertyeverythingwouldbefine.ShewastheWhiteFlame.Themagewhohadarrivedatthetruthbehindtheflame.Thentherewasnoreasontoshrinkback.Inafightshewasabsolute.Allthemonstersanddemonsshehadfoughttothisdayhadbeenburnedtoash.Tothisyoungmanwholackedmanatherewasnowayshewouldlose.Evenifshewasdraggedintothisunknownplace,itplayednofactorinafight.Thiswasamagewhocouldn'tfightandcouldonlydothissortofunderhandedtrick...Felmeniahadnoreasontoshowanyfear.

“...Fuu.You'vebeenprattlingonaboutabunchofnonsense,buttheresultsareclear.”

“Araa,that'squitesomeconfidenceyougotthere.However,canyoureallydefeatmewithyourstrength?”

“Admirablyput.ThenIshallshowyou.TheveryreasonthatIamcalledWhiteFlamewithinthisAstelKingdom.ThetruththatIarrivedatattheverypeakofmagic.Myflame!”

“Hmm...truthhuh?”

AsFelmeniamadehergranddeclarationinaloudvoiceasiftosingherownpraises,shehadheardasternreplywithoutasinglehintofajokebehindit.Afterhearingherwords,Suimeiwhohadbeenmakingarefreshingexpressionuptothispointhadsuddenlychangedcomplexions.Itwasanextremelynoticeablechange.Thiswasinevitable.Hewasdealingwiththetruthoftheflame.Afterhearingit,afterseeingit,anormalmagewouldnotbeabletostaycalm.Felmeniabeganherchantwithconfidence.Shebegantomanifestthemagicthatshehadspentherlifetoattain.

“―OhFlame.Thouartendowedwiththeflameofjustice,butdisconnectedfromtheflameoflogic.Burneverythingtoashes,thewhitecalamityoftruth!TruthFlare!”

Atthesametimeasshefinishedherchantwithherkeyword,whiteflamesbegantogatheraroundher.Theflameabsorbedallthewindaroundit,itwasmanytimeshotterthanaredflame.Itwascapableofburninganymaterialtoashes,thetrueflame.

“Wha...eh?

Suimeiletoutastrangenoiseasthewhiteflamesbegantoengulfhim.Surelythatwasanexpressionofbewilderment.Therewasnowayhecoulddoanythingbutstandtheredumbfounded.Itwasobvious.Thewhiteflamethateveryonebeheldwithreverence,thateveryoneaspiredtoholdwascurrentlysurroundinghim.Asanothermage,Felmeniaunderstoodthatitwasonlynaturalhecouldonlysurrenderwithoutresisting.Itwasnatural.Itwasnatural,butforsomereasonwhilestillmakingthesamebewilderedfacewhilesurroundedbythewhiteflames,hetimidlysnappedhisfingers.Ithappenedimmediatelyatthesnap.Thewhiteflamehadimmediatelychangedcoloursintoaredflame.

“Wh-whatthe!?”

ShortlyafterFelmeniaraisedhervoiceinsurpriseatthephenomenonoccurringbeforehereyes,thefiresthathadbeensurroundingSuimeigraduallylostitsferocity,asaresult,ithadvanishedasifnothinghadhappened.Suimeiwasgivingasurprisedlooktotheside.Afterstaringattheplacewherethewhiteflameshadbeenburningupuntilnow,SuimeifinallyturnedtoFelmenia.

“...Um,isthatit?”

Hewasmakinganexpressionlikeallofhisexpectationswerebetrayedastheresulthadbeensoinsignificant.Itwasaphraseutteredonlyatthegreatestofanti-climaxes.Athiswords,Felmeniacouldonlyallowherconfusiontoburstoutlikeadam.

“Wh-wh-wh-why!?Whydidthathappen!?Whydidmywhiteflamedisappear!?Thatwasthepeakoftheflamethatonlythosewhoattainedthetruthcouldwield.Whydidit,withonlyasimplesnapofthefingers...?”

“Uwaa....why?Areyouseriouslysayingthat?YousaidthetruthsoIwaswonderingwhatkindofdangerousmagicyouwereabouttocast.Allyoudidwasmixinoxygentospeeduptherateofcombustion...”

“W-what'swiththatattitude!?M-Myflameis!”

FelmeniawasnotabletoputherwordstogetheratSuimei'sremarkabledisappointmentinher.Justwhydidthewhiteflamedisappear?Justwhywashesodisappointed?SuimeiseemedtobeatthepeakofhisexasperationandgaveFelmeniasomecandidadvice.

“...Therewasnocurse.Therewasnomeaningengravedintheflame.Itdidn'tuseanysortoflegendasanorigin.Itdidn'tevenhavethepowerofmagic.IfIwasyourteacher,Iwouldbeyellingatyoutostartoverfromthebasics.”

“W-what!?Justwhereismymagiclacking!?”

“Everywhere,justeverywhere!IthasnothingofwhatIjustmentioned.You'rejustaregularflamethrower!Actuallyyou'reworstthanthat!”

“Whaaat!?”

“Haa,that'senoughalready...”

Suimeiwastiredofexplainingeverylittledetail.HewaslookingatFelmeniawithbothexasperationandpity,whichonlyfannedtheflamesofheranger.Shecouldn'tfigureouthowherspellhadbeenbroken.Justwhathadhappened?Justwhathadhedone?Suimeiletoutanothergrandsigh,andsuddenlybelowhehisfeet...amagiccircleappearedoutofnowhere.

“Whatthe!?

“...Whatisitnow?”

Suimei'sharshtoneofexasperationfilledwithcriticismwasonething,butFelmeniawasfarmorefocusedontheimpossiblephenomenonthathadjustoccurredbeforehereyes.

“Amagiccirclejustdrewitselfontheground...Impossible...”

“...Heh?

“Heh,myass!Why...whydidamagiccirclesuddenlyappearatyourfeet!?That'sjustimpossibleisn'tit!?S-SuimeiYakagi!?Whatthehelldidyoudo!?”

Felmeniabegantoyellintenselyattheeventthathadoccurredbeforeher.Suimeithenknithisbrowsmakingafarmoreevilexpressionthanbefore.Magiccirclesweren'tonlyrestrictedtotheearth.Theycouldbeplacedon

floorsandwalls,rocksandpaper.Ifitwasamediumwithasurfaceyoucouldwriteon,thenitcouldbeusedbyinscribingapartof,oranentirespell.Itwasusedasanaidtosimplifytheuseofmagic.Normallyonewouldinscribetheirspellbydrawingnumerals,charactersandgeometricshapes.Notonlydidittaketimetodrawthecircle,itwasadelicateprocess.Obviouslyinthemiddleofcombatitwasnotsomethingonecouldjustprepare.Tohavedrawnacirclewithoutmakingasinglemovementwasjust...

“No,thismuchisnormalisn'tit?”

“Howisthatnormal!?Justhowcanyoujustmanipulatemanainawaythatamagiccircleisarbitrarilydrawnonitown!?”

“Isn'titobviousyouprepareitbeforehand...?”

Suimeisuddenlycametosomerealization,andonceagainspokeasifatwits'end.

“...Thisto?Thisworldisreallythatfarbehind?Areweseriouslynotfinishedtreadingbackwardswiththisworld'smagic?”

SuimeiwasignoringFelmeniaatthispointandjustspeakingtohimselfinanguish.Afterrackinghisbrainforabit,heplacedhisfingerinfrontofhisfaceandstartedtodrawoutacirclewithit.Hethenspokeupinacompletelydifferenttone.

“...Ummm,hey.Thisissomethingputinplacebeforehand.Apartofthemagicspellisusedtoconstructthecircle.Theautomaticmagiccircleisthendrawnintheworldbeforeyouasifitwerereadytobeinvokedatonce.Itisthenbecomesthefoundationofthemagicspellandissetaside.Aftersettingit

aside,whenyouusemagicthemagiccirclewillautomaticallyreformsothatthemagiccanbeexecutedquickly.Understand?”

“Eh,Ah...?”

“Don'tchirpoutstupidwordslikethere'snowaythat'spossible.It'shappeningrightbeforeyoureyesafterall.Beforeyoubreakoutintoanotherrantallowmetosayonething.I'mnotonlyreferringtothemagicjustnow,butifyoudenythemysteriesthatareoccurringbeforeyoureyes,Iwillnotacknowledgeyouasafellowscholarofmysteries.Gotit?”

“...”

FelmeniawasunabletospeakbeforeSuimeiwhohadbegunstrictlylecturingher.Shewasbotheredbyhismannerofspeaking,butmoreimportantlyshehadneverheardoftheexistenceofatechniquetoautomaticallyformmagiccircles.Uptothispointshehadneverwitnessedanyoneusingmagiccirclesinthatway.Thesagehadalsoneverspokenofsuchthings.

“...Tosimplifytheconstructionofmagicspells,itisanabsolutenecessityinbattle.Isthistrulyafantasyworldofswordsandmagic?Ifit'slikethistheworldwecamefromismuchforfantasylike...”

“T-thetechniquetosimplifytheconstructionofmagicatleastexists!Themostextremeversionofthisisthenochanttechnique!”

“Eh?What'swiththat?Isomittingthechantsuchahighleveltechnique?”

“O-ofcourse.”

“Ifwe'retalkingaboutlargescalemagicit'sadifferentstory,butwhat?Howaboutthis?Isthisanamazingtechniquetoyou?”

AsSuimeistatedthisinanexasperatedvoice,hesnappedhisfingers.

Immediately,atthesoundofthesnapproducedbyhisfingers,theairinfrontofFelmeniaburstviolently.Shedidn'tevenhavetimetotakeabreath.Justlikethat,theairbeforeherburstandspreadoutinalldirections.Itwasaviolentshockwavewhichsurpassedthepowerofwindthatwouldcrushanythinginthevicinity.

“Ku,ah...What...the?Nochant,noteventakeyword...?”

“AmaazingSuimei-kuun!Youjustusedmagicwithoutachant,withthisyou'lljointheranksofthegreatestmages~!...Haaa...Juststupid.”

Suimeibeganpuffinghischestoutinpride,andthenimmediatelybecamedowncast.Asifsuddenlydousedincoldwater,Suimeiwasjustnotinthemoodtocontinuelikethis.

“I'mtiredofexplainingthings.Iwon'tbeansweringanymoreofyourquestions.Therefore...”

Suimeibeganhisspell.

“ArchiatiusOverload!”(ManaFurnace,LoadActivation)

Wasthatamagicchant?Archiatius,overload.Itwasfartooshorttodistinguishbetweenthechantandkeyword.Hedidnotcallouttoanything.Hewasjusttalkingtohimself.Howeverthemagiccircleathisfeetbegantogiveoutabrilliantlight.Andthen,themagiccirclegivingoffthebrillianceofarainbowreleasedsomethingwithintheyoungman.

“...!?”

Anoverwhelmingamountofmanahadbeenpouringoutofhim.Intheinstantheclosedhiseyes,thevastpowerwhichwaslikeviolenttorrentcalmeddown.Asheopenedhiseyesagainthevastamountofmanawaspeacefullycontainedwithinhim.Suimei'smerefiguregaveoffanoverwhelmingsenseofpressure.

“Y-yourmanaincreased!?Justwhat...”

“What?IsaidIwastiredofitalreadyyouknow?Sodon'tspeakanymore.Ahh,Igotit.You'resurprisedbytheamplificationofmanaright?Igotit.Butyou'requestionsarenotworthansweringanymore.”

Suimeiwasirritated.HehadnointentionatalltohearmoreofFelmenia'squestions.Andthen,afterheoncemorecalmedhimselfdown...

“...Fuu.EventhoughIsaidweshouldbegin,we'vewastedquitealotoftime...Wellthen,littlemissmage,isitmyturnyet?”

Suimeigaveouthisfinalquestion.Ashebreathedoutitseemedthathewasnolongerevenamused...Felmeniastillcouldnotunderstandjustwhatwashappeningbeforehereyes.Shehadthoughtsomultipletimessincearrivingherealready.Justlikethismanhadsaid,hehadactivatedthemagiccircletoamplifyhismana.ToFelmeniaitseemedlikeitwasacontradictiontoconstructamagiccircletosimplifytheconstructionofamagicspell.Ittooktimetodrawmagiccircles.Itwouldonlyincreasethetimeittooktocastthemagic.Howeverthemanbeforehereyeshaddonejustso.Notonlythatheinvoked

themiracleknownasmagicignoringeventhebareminimumtimerequirement.

Therewasnofalsehoodinthisfact.Therewasnoaffectationtothisfact.Felmeniawasnolongabletotreatthisyoungmanasinferior.Thingsthatshecouldnotdo,letaloneunderstand,hecoulddowithease.Thisyoungmanwasdefinitelysuperiortoher.Inaworldthatshedidnotknow,hehadbeenwalkingapathofmagicthatshecouldnotrecognize.Hepossessedanabsoluteknowledgeofmagicfarbeyondherself.Therefore...

...Surely,thisyoungmanwasstrongerthanherself.

...Surely,thisyoungmanwasstrongerthantheSagewhohadtaughther.

...Surely,thisyoungmanwasevenstrongerthantheheroReiji.

...Surely,thisyoungman,beforeeventheDemonLordwhothreatenstobringtheworldtoruin...

“...Justwhatkindofpersonareyou?”

“...That'sright.EversincecominghereIhadnevernamedmyselfproperlyonce.Fine.Asaspecialtreatjustforyou,Iwillnamemyself...Iamamagician,YakagiSuimei.AscholarofthemysteriesfrommodernJapanwhoseeksthemysteriestoattainallthetruthoftheworld.”

Magician,YakagiSuimei.

ThiswasthenameofthemagethatbroughtthegreatestmageofAsteldowntotheground.ThenameofthemanthatFelmeniawouldneverbeabletocatchupto.

★

“Fuu...”

Suimeigaveoutaboldandquietsnort.Justashehadplanned,FelmeniaStingrayhadbeensuccessfullyluredintohisbarrier.Hehadactivatedhismanafurnace.Asamagicianhepreparedtodemonstratehismaximumpower.Infrontofhim,Felmeniahadbeenboundinplacebyfearasshewitnessedtheoverwhelmingdifferenceinpowerbetweenthem.Ifanyoneelseweretowitnessthisscene,theycouldeasilytellthatusinghimmaximumpowerwassimplygoingtoofar.

FelmeniaStingray,no,thisentireworld'smagicianswerejustthatfarbehindthemagiciansfromhisownworld.Inthatcase,itwouldmakesensetoholdbackhispower.Therewasnoneedtowastemana.Hecouldoverwhelmhersmartlyandefficientlybyusingonlytherequiredamountofpowerinagentlemanlyway.However,thiswasnotSuimei'sintention.Evenifthemagiciansfromthisworlddidnotunderstandthemanysystemsofmagic.Eveniftheydidnotknowhowtoeffectivelyuseamagiccircle.Eveniftheybelievedchantingwasessentialtomagic.Eveniftheydidnotknowhowtobuildtheveryfoundationofamagicianwithinthemselves,themanafurnace.ToSuimei,magicianswerestillmagicians.

Hehadpreparedthestageforbattle.Aslongashewasthehostwhoinvitedtheotherpartytoabattle,nomatterhowlowaleveltheywere,itwasonlytheproperetiquettetodemonstrateallofhispowerasamagicianoftheSociety.Amagicianshouldpourhisentiresoulintohismagictofascinatehisopponenttothepointthattheycouldonlysurrender.ThiswasYakagiSuimei'sprideasamagician.Thetwomagiciansstaredeachotherdownforamoment.Ofcoursetherewasnosignalforthebattletobegin.Thebattlehadalreadybegun.Itwasonlyamatterofwhowouldmaketheirmovefirst.Felmeniamadethefirstmoveasitseemedshewasnolongerabletostandthetensionin

theair.

“...Tch!―OhFlame!Thouartendowedwiththeflameofjustice,butdisconnectedfromtheflameoflogic!Burneverythingtoashes,thewhitecalamityoftruth!TruthFlare!”

Itwasthesamemagicthatshehadpreviouslydemonstrated,thewhiteflameoftruth.Howeveritwassimplymagicthatcreatedflameswithahighertemperaturethannormal,therewasnotruthtoit.Suimeiwastrulydisappointedthatthatwasalltherewastoitwhenithadsuchagranddescriptionandname.Theamountofmanapouredintothemagicwasanumberoftimeslargerthantheprevioustime.Themagicflamebegantoswirllikeawhirlpool.AfterformingintoapointtheflamesdovetowardsSuimeiasiftopiercehim...Suimeiswitchedgearsimmediately.Theflamesfloodedtowardshimcompletelywiththeintenttoburnhimtodeath.Heheldnoadmirationfortheflamescomingtowardshim,buthealsocouldn'tjuststandthereandletthemkillhim.Suimeitookinaquickbreathandfocuseshisgaze.Hegatheredhismana,anddeployedhismagic.

“SecandumexQuartumExcipio”(Number2,Number3,Number4Rampart,LocalDeployment)

ThiswasSuimei'sdefensivemagic.Itwasthemagichewaspreparedtousewhentheyfirstarrivedtothisworldatthesummoningritualsite,arampartofabrilliantgoldenfortress.TherampartsdeployedasifpushedoutonebehindtheotherbySuimei'spalmashethrusthisarmforwards.Threegoldenmagiccirclesformedashieldinfrontofhim.Therewasnowayasimplehotflamecouldhaveanyeffectonit.Thefortress'wallsweresturdy.Itwouldnotfallfromonlyaflame.Theflamesweredestinedtovanishastheyencroachedonthethreemagiccirclespiledoneontoptheother.

Thewhiteflamescrashedagainstthegoldenmagiccirclewithathunderousroar.Thewhiteflameswerenolongerabletoprogressfurtherforwardsandletoffpurewhitesparksinallotherdirections.Theflameswerepouringintothemagiccirclewiththeintentofshavingitdownwithsustainedpressure.Asthunderousroarsfilledtheatmospheretheirentiresurroundingswerebeingbeingengulfedinthewhiteflamescollidingoffofthegoldenshield.

Onesecond,twoseconds,threeseconds,foursecondshadpassed.Howeverthewhiteflamesdidnotpiercethrough.Suimei'snumber2ramparthadstoppedtheflamesfromprogressingcompletely.Behinditthenumber3ramparthadbeenrotatinganddeployinganotherspell.Thepurewhiteflamesbegantoloseitscolourandbegantoturnred.Andfinally,thenumber4rampartreflectedallthepowerwhichassailedtheshieldformation,andletoutanexplosioninalldirections.

“It's,It'snotoveryet!”

Felmeniamadeaflusteredproclamationsignallingherattempttofollowupwithanotherspell.ThewhiteflamesthathadbeenrepelledbySuimei'sshieldthatwerestillhangingaroundcametoastopintheair.

“―OhFlames!”

Felmeniacalledouttotheflamesinhersurrounding.InsteadoffiringinastraightlinetowardsSuimei,shedirectedtheflamestoattackhimfrombothsides.ThewhiteflamesdancedintheairastheycurvedtoattackSuimeiinapincerattack.ItseemedhertitleasaCourtMagewasproperlyearnedafterall.Thedeploymentofhermana,hercontroloftheflamesandthespeedatwhichshecouldaccomplishthiswereareimpeccable.Shetrulydiddeservepraisefortheskillwithwhichshemanipulatedmagic.

Howeverintheend,itdidn'tmatterhowskillfulshewasifthequalityofthemagicitselfwaspoor.HermagicdidnotcontainenoughdestructiveforcetoharmletalonepierceSuimei'sgoldenfortressrampartsorevenSuimei'snaturalmagicaldefences.Eventhoughtheflameshadengulfedtheentirearea,therewasnotasingleburnmarkonSuimei'scoat.ThewhiteflameswereapproachingSuimeifromthesides,butthepathinfrontofhimwaswideopen.Therewasquitethedistancetocover,andthusSuimeibegantochanthisspellforaccelerationmagic.

“MassGravitasReductio.”(GravityReduction,DecreaseMass)

Ashespokethesewords,Suimeihadbeenreleasedfromtheshacklesofgravityandhisbodyhadbecomeextraordinarilylight.Itwasasifheweighednothingatall.Heleapedforwards.No,itwasclosertoflightatthatpoint.Suimei'sblackcoatflutteredbehindhimasheavoidedtheencroachingwhiteflames.HetorethroughtheskystraightatFelmenialikeaswallowinflight.

“That'swaytoofa...!?”

Felmenialetoutacomplaint.Hehadapproachedhersoquicklyshecouldeasilymistakeitforteleportation.Beforesheevenrealizedhehadmovedhewasalreadythreemetresawayfromher.Beforeshecouldevenfinishhercomplaint,Suimeisnappedhisfingers.Forasinglemoment,hedirectedacoldgazetowardsFelmenia.ThiswasoneofSuimei'sattackmagicsasamagician.Itcompressedthenreleasedtheairinanexplosiveburstandrequiredneitherchantsnorwordstoactivate.Simplybysnappinghisfingersthemagicwouldbeinvoked.It'ssimple,thusitwasfast.Theeffectiveness,impactandphysicalitywereallplaintosee.Asifatransparentbombhadjustletoutatransparentexplosion,ashockwavespreadforthfromrightunderFelmenia'sfeet.Theexplosionwasextremelyneartoher,butFelmeniahadmanagedto

dodgeoutofthewaybyahair'sbreadth.

“Ugu,ah...!”

Asiftosealoffherescaperoute,SuimeisnappedhisfingersoncemorecausingFelmeniatosharplychangehercourse.Felmeniawaspracticallydancingattheconsecutiveexplosionsassheranawayfordearlifewhilescreamingatherassailant.

“T-Thisisunreasonable!Justwhycanyoufireoffmagiconeaftertheothersoeasily!?”

“Ha...Ifyoucan'tdoitthenyouarejustathirdrateuser.Wereyouhopingforaturnbasedbattlewhereweshootateachotheroneaftertheother?Wearen'tplayinganRPGhereyouknow?”

Yes,thiswasn'tagame.Itwasatrialoflifeanddeath.Itwasaworldwherewastingevenasinglesecondcouldmeanmeetinganuntimelydemise.ItwascompletelydifferentfromFelmenia'swayofmagic.SuimeipulledavialoutofhispocketwhileFelmeniawasstillrunningawayandquicklypoppeditopen.Insidethevialwasmercury.Itwastheonlymetalintheworldwhichretainedaliquidstateatroomtemperature.Alchemistsnicknamedittheandrogynousmonster.Suimeibegancastinghisspellashebeganpouringouttheliquidfromthevial.Heswunghisarmfromonesidetotheother,drawingalinewiththevialintheair.ThemercuryhungintheairasifitwaitingforSuimei'scommand.

“PermutatioCoagulatiovisLamina!”(Transform,Solidify,AchievePower)

Suimeigrabbedthemercurywhileitwasstillinaliquidstateandswungitdownbehindhimasifflickingbloodoffofasword.WhatSuimeiwasnowholdingbehindhimwasnowinfactasword.Amercurykatana.Usingmagichecouldfreelycontroltheshapeofthemercury.Ashapelessweapon.Atransformingmercuryarmament.

“―OhEarth!Hardenthybodyandbecomeastonetosmashmyenemy!StoneRaid!”

Rightbeforethemercuryweapontookshape,Felmeniahadcompletedhermagic.Shegatheredtheearthbeforeherintosmallstonesandbeganfiringinastraightline.Asitflewnearertoitstarget,therocktaperedofftoapointandhadbecomethesizeofafist.

“Eatthis...!”

“Toonaive!”

Theflyingstonehadbeeninterceptedbythefabricatedsword.Beforeamagician'seyesitwasn'timpossibletoseizearifleroundinflight.Thus,aflyingstonecouldnotpossiblyposeathreat.Thetipofthemercurybladewasrefinedbymanaandsmashedthestonetopieces.MorestonesflewinafterthefirstbutwereallsmashedbySuimei'selegantflowingswordsmanship.

“You'remageyetyoucanuseasword!?”

“SowhatifIcanuseasword?Toamagicianofmyworldclosecombattechniquesareindispensableyouknow?Well,tometherearen'tanyobstaclestousingmagicwhetheritbenearorfaranyways...”

“Fuck...fuckfuckfuckfaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAH!”

Felmeniabeganblindlyfiringoffstonesasfastasshecouldindesperation.However,thestoneswouldneverreachhim.Theydidnotevenleaveasinglespeckofdustonhisclothes.Lumpsofearthcamecrashingdownallovertheplace.

“―OhFlames!Thoushallbecomeonethatonlypierces,striketheenemywhosta―”

“PermutatioCoagulationvisFlagellum!”(Transform,Flow,Sharpen)

Theyhadbothbegunchantingatthesametime,howeverSuimei'schantwasfarshorter.Itwassimplyoldfashionedtothinkthatlongchantswereanygood.ToSuimeioptimizationwasimportant.Thekeyfactorwastheabilitytobringoutthemostofone'spowertocreatethedesiredeffect.Hewouldremovetheunnecessaryportions.Thenhewouldinvestigatethevocabularywordforword.Hewouldaimtobringthechantdowntoasinglewordorsentence.Whenthiswasaccomplishedthespeedofthemagicwasguaranteed.

AsSuimeireminisced,amagiccirclehadconstructeditselfatthetipofhismercurykatanaasifhewaspiercingitdownthecentre.Suimeithenswungthesworddownwithhiswristasfastashecould.Ashedidthis,thehardandsharpswordmadeofmercurytransformedintoametalwhipandflowedasifitwasmadeofleather.ThewhipstruckrightnexttoFelmenia,interruptingherincompletechant.

“―ands!?”

Thetipofthewhipsurpassedthespeedofsound.Aviolentexplosivesoundroaredthroughtheair.Thewhiphadgougedtheearthquitedeeply.Themetalwhipheldadestructivepowerthatcouldnotevenbecomparedtothatofaregularleatherwhip.Suimeicouldcontrolitsweight,hardness,sharpnessandlengthatwill.Evenifone'sbodywasmadeentirelyofthicksteel,hecouldcutthroughallofitasifitwasathinsheetofpaper.

“Uu,guu...That's,impossible...”

Hecouldreapherlifeawaywithasingle,swiftswingofhisarm.Felmeniawasnolongerabletomoveevenasinglestepasshecameuponthisrealization.Hermouthwhichalwaysfluentlychantedspellshadalsobeenpetrified.Shecouldn'tevenchantasingleverseofaspell.Herfacehadtwistedindespair.Allcolourhaddrainedfromherface.Wasthistheendofthefight?No,shehadstillnotgivenin.Aslongasshedidnotwillinglybendakneedowntohim,shewouldnotbedefeated.Hewouldengraveuponthedeepestcornersofherheartthateventhemerethoughtofrisingupagainsthimagainwasimpossible.

Withtheseintentionsinmind,manaviolentlyexplodedoutofSuimeiasheactivatedhismanafurnace.Notonlytheground,theentirecastleseemedtoshakebeforehispower.Theviolenttorrentofmanabeganclashingagainstitself,withnowheretogo,bluelightningbegantoburstforthwithadragonlikeroar.Infrontofhim,Felmeniawasshakingandhadcompletelylostallcolourtoherface.Beforeapowerthatshecouldnotpossiblyoppose,shefelltoherkneesandcontinuedtostareatSuimeiinfear.Suimeibeganhischant.

“VelamNox.LacrimaPotestas.”(WithintheCurtains.TheMajestyoftheTearsFlowingintheNight.)

AnenormousmagiccirclelargeenoughtowraptheentiregardenbegantoexpandfromSuimei'sfeet.Thecirclepouredoutanultramarineglowofmanaandshinedfarbrighterthanthestarsinthesky.Itsbrightnesswassodazzlingthatitseemedevenmoreunrealthantheillusoryworld.

“OlympusQuodTerraMisceoMisucuiMixtim”(DecorateHeavenandEarthwithitsSymbol)

Aseachchantwasspoken,morephenomenaspreadout.Thespellwasnotmadeupofasinglechant.Aseachchantbroughtanewphenomenonintotheworld,theywouldformtogetherasasinglegrandphenomenon.Unlikethemagicofthisworld,thechantingitselfwastheembodimentofpower.Thechantscontinued,theworldchanged.Likefirefliesdecoratingthenightsky,goldenparticlesrosefromthegroundandbegantowhirlupintothesky.Thegoldenlightsracedtowardstheheavensasiftochasethestars.

“InfestantMalitia”(InfestTowardsthePresentIrrationality)

Andthen,highaboveatthezenith,amassivemagiccircleappeared.Itfilledtheentireskyandblottedoutthestars.Withinthecircle,countlesssmallermagiccircleswerebeingformed.

“DezzmororPluvIaincesSanter”(DazzleandRainIncessantly)

Thegiantmagiccircleabovethemwasacomplexwideareaspellintertwiningmultipletypesofmagic.Themainattributeswereetherandthevoid.It'soriginswerefromKabbalahnumerologyandastrology.Itwasamodernmagicwhichfusedtogethermagicfrommultiplesystems.Therewas

onlyoneverseleft.Beforecontinuing,SuimeigaveaboldsmileashepronouncedFelmenia'ssentence.

“NowthenlittlemissCourtMage,makesuretopoureverythingintodefendingokay?”

Felmeniahadnothingtosayatthesewords.Shecouldonlydeployherdefensivemagicassheclungontodearlife.Andthen...

“Enth,Astarte―”(OhStars,FallDown)

ThiswasSuimei'skeyword.Withthesewords,fromthemanymagiccirclesdottingthestarrysky,pillarsoflightraineddown.Thestarlightmixedwithmanaandfelltoearthasiftearswerefallingfromtheheavens,creatingasceneakintoameteorshower.Allsoundwasdrownedoutbythethunderousroarsletoutasthepillarscrashedintotheground.Nospotofgroundunderneathhismagichadbeenleftunscathed,itwasamagnificentspectacle.Evenagiantmonsterwouldbestruckdeadinasinglehitfromonerayoflight,yetfromthecountlessmagiccirclescameanever-endingtorrentialdownpouroflight.ItwasobviousthatFelmeniahadnomeanstoopposethesheerdestructionhappeningaroundherandcouldonlyletoutanearthshatteringscreamasshewasdrownedbythecompassion-lesslight.

Thiswasstarmagic,starfall.Itborrowedthepoweroftheconstellationsandthelegendsengravedinthembyhumans.ThemagicwouldmanifestitselfatthewordsleftbehindbyPericles–EnthAstarte.ThiswasoneofYakagiSuimei'sgreatestspells.

Andfinally,therainingstarshadcalmeddown.Allthatwasleftbehind,asifthesceneofdestructionhadjustbeenadream,wasthepeacefulsceneryoftheoriginalWhiteWallGarden,thefigureofYakagiSuimeiinhisimpeccableblacksuitandthethefigureofFelmenia,herpurewhiterobeincompletetatters.

“Itcannotbe...”

Felmeniacouldonlyutterthosewordsasshesatonthefloorunabletomoveatall.Suimeiheldamercurykatanatoherthroat.

“It'smywin.Anyobjections?”

FelmenialetoutatremblingvoiceinresponsetoSuimei'sdeclarationofvictory.

“A-areyouadamnmonster...?Withthiskindofskillyoudaredtoprattleonaboutbeingunabletofight...?WhydoyourefusetofighttheDemonLord?Ifyouweretogo,eventheDemonLordwould...”

“Bedefeated?That'stheverydefinitionofsayingsomethingstupid.Ihadsaidthisintheaudiencechamberaswell,butthere'sasayingthatafightisinthenumbers.Historyhasproventhistimeandagain.Nomatterhowmuchpoweronepossesses,theycannotwinbeforeoverwhelmingnumbers.There'snoprecedentofiteverhappening.Nomatterhowgoodoneisatfighting,asinglehumanisnothingbutatinyexistencebeforetheviolenceandfloodofemotionsbornfromnumbers.”

Suimeihadsaidhispiece,buthehadmuchmoretosaytothedefeatedFelmenia.

“TheoneyouarerequestingustofightisnotonlytheDemonLordNakshatraright?There'salsotheDemonLord'ssubordinates,anentirearmyofdemonsandotherworldlycreatures.Thebar-codebaldyhadsaidthatthearmywhichdestroyedthenationofNoshiasnumberedonemillion.Ifyouthinkaboutit,therewouldbefarmorethanthatinreserve,there'snowayanentireforcewouldspendalltheirresourcesatonceafterall.Soisthetotalnumberdoublethat?Triplethat?Evenatjustamilliondoyouplanformetofoolishlyfacethosenumbers?Evenifyougatheredtogetherafewelitewarriorswithaplantopiercetheirheart,thereisnoguaranteethatyourstrikecouldevenreachthemthroughthoseunusualnumbersyouknow?Nomatterhowyoulookatityousimplycannotdefeatthemlikethat.”

“Justwhatthehellareyousaying?There'sasayingherethatafightisdeterminedbyanindividual'svalour.Withthatkindofpowervictorywouldbecertain,defeatwouldbeimpossible.”

“Areyouanidiot?Whenitcomestowarpotentialqualityandquantityareentirelydifferentcategories.Itisnotnecessarythatqualityequalsquantityunderstand?”

“Amage...Amageofyourstandingwoulddaretosaysuchathing?”

“Haaa?Me?Stopit,I'mnotyetafirstclassmagician.WellIhavebeentoldthatIhaveatalentforit,butinmyworldI'mamagiciansomewhereinthelower-midranks...WellIguessyouarerightinasense.Certainlyifitweretheoneswhostandontheabsolutesummitofthatworld..Theguyattheverytopmayverywellbeabletodoitwhilelaughing.Howeverthatdiscussioniscompletelyunrelatedtothis.”

“...”

Felmeniawasatalossforwords.SuimeididnotknowwhetherthiswasbecauseoftheshockofhearingabouttheterrifyingexistencesfromSuimei's

worldorwhetheritwasSuimei'sboastfullaughashetalkedaboutit.Howeveritwasclearthatshehadnothingmoretosayabouttheoverwhelmingdifferenceinnumbers.

“Well,Iknewthisbeforewebegan,butthemagicinthisworldisconsiderablyfarbehind.Toputitfranklythiswasnotallthatenjoyable.Thoughthatmaybealittlehardonyou.”

Suimeiwasspeakingofhishonestfeelings.Hehadbeenexcitedtofaceunknownmagicsandtowitnessmysteriesthathehadneverseenbefore.Suimeidesiredthisfightsothathecouldbearwitnesstoandunravelthoseunknownmagics.Howeverinthisfight,therewasabsolutelynoneofthat.Itwasunexpected,surprisingandsimplyaone-sidedslaughter.Hisvictorywassimplyamatterofcourse.Therewasnorejoicingthisfact.Nowthathehadarrivedathisinevitablevictory,itwastimetothrusttheresultsbeforeFelmenia.

“Nowthen.It'sabouttimetoclosethecurtainsonthislittleplay,mage.”

Itwasacoldandinhumanvoicethatwouldsendshiversdownthebacksofanywhoheardit.HedirectedacoldgazetoFelmeniaanddeclaredhisintentiontobringeverythingtoandend.Felmeniawasstillsittingontheground,unabletostandup.Herfacehadgonecompletelypaleasifshewasfacingtheendoftheworld.

“A-areyougoingtokillme...?”

“Iwonder?JusthowdoyouthinkIshouldsettlethis?”

“I-IamaCourtMage...”

“AsaCourtMage,areyousayingitisalrightnomatterwhatyoudo?

Felmeniawasgraspingonhertitleasiftoencourageherself,atragicstruggle.HoweverthistinystrugglewasbroughttoandendasSuimeithrusthismercurykatanaatherthroat.

“Ah,uu...”

SuimeipouredonmoreharshwordsatFelmenia,whowascompletedgrippedbyfear.

“Afterallthisdon'tjustseizeupinfear,youdamngoodfornothing.Iwassimplyrespondinginkindtoyouradvances.”

“S-shutyourmouth!EventohisMajestyhisKingyouwould...”

“WhatabouttheKing?”

Pushedcompletelyintothecorner,FelmeniahadbroughtuptheKing.Suimeicouldnotunderstandwhyhadshementionedhimnowofalltimes.KingAlmadioushadnothingtodowiththecurrentquarrel.

“You're,aimingfor...HisMajestytheKing...”

“Ha?Justwhatkindofexcuseareyoumakingafterallthis?SincewhenhaveIbeenaimingatthatkindheartedman?Idon'thaveaslightestreasontoaimfortheKingyouknow?”

“Eh...?Butyou're...”

“Fuu....That'senoughofyourpatheticexcuses.”

“―!!”

FelmeniahadgottengoosebumpsfromSuimei'scolddeclarationashecontinuedtospeakdowntoher.

“Amagicianshouldalwaysbereadytocompensatefortheiractionswithanequalreaction.Isn'tthisright?Courtmage.”

Oneshouldalwaysbepreparedtopayfortheiractions.TothemagiciansofSuimei'sworld,thiswasobvious.Howevertheyoungmagefromanotherworld,Felmenia,hadnotyetmadethatkindofresolve.

“P-Please!Anythingbutthat!”

FelmeniahadcompletelydiscardedherprideandprostratedherselfbeforeSuimei.Shewasbeggingtobespared,tobeoverlooked,thatshewewouldnevergoagainsthimagain.HoweverSuimeiwasnotamusedbyheractionsandspokeinaneviltone.

“Oioi,youwerebrimmingwiththeintenttokillmejustamomentago,andnowyou'rebeggingforyourlife?”

“Th-that'snottrue!IneverhadtheintenttokillSuimei-dono!Iwasjustthinkingofpunishingyoualittle...”

FelmeniahadbegunshakingherheadviolentlyandwasstaringatSuimeiwithaconfusedgaze.ThoughSuimeialsodidnotwishforthistobealifeordeathsituation,herresolvewasstilltooweak.Shehadbeenpreparedtobeatdownheropponentbutneverconsideredthattheoppositecouldhappen,hercurrentpatheticstatewasthepriceshepaid.Suimeihadheardthatshewasanoblefamily'sprincess,inpartherarrogancemusthavebeenbornfromthisfact.

“Isittrueyouhadnosuchintent?”

“It'strue!IswearupontheGoddessAlshuna,itisn'talie!”

“Idon'tknowhowmuchweightthatholywoman'snameholds,butasaJapanesecitizenfromanotherworldithasnothingtodowithme.”

Withaclick,thekatanawhichhadnoguardmadeasoundasifithadone.AsshewasnotJapanese,shehadnoideawhatexactlythatsoundsignified.Howevershecouldtellbyinstinctthatshewasdrawingcloserandclosertolosingherlife.

“I-I'mbeggingyou!Idon'twanttodieyet!Idon'twanttodie...please,forgiveme.”

ItseemedthatSuimeihadtakenhisbullyingalittlefar.Nowthathehadstrucksodeeplyintoherheart,itwastimetomoveontothemainpointofthisentireendeavour.Suimeiputonanactwithanill-manneredattitude.

“...Well,let'ssee.Inexchangeforsparingyou,I'llhaveyouacceptafewmyconditions.”

“...C-conditions?”

“That'sright.First,youwillneverspeakofwhathadhappenedheretodaytoanybody.Second,youwillnottellasinglesoulthatI'mamagician.EspeciallynotReijiandMizuki.Gotit?”

AsSuimeihadpushedherforherconsent,Felmeniatrembledinfearassheshookherheadvigorously.

“W-waitamoment.Reiji-donoandMizuki-donowouldbefine,butI'vealreadytoldjusthisMajestytheKingofthefactthatSuimei-donoisamage.InthatcasewhatdoIdo...?”

“Heeeh.Howunexpected.I'msurprisedsomeoneasoverconfidentasyouwouldtalktoanyoneofthis.Youcametopickafightwithsomeoneyouthoughtwascompletelybelowyouwithoutevenpreparinganykindofinsuranceincaseyoulostafterall...Well,Idon'tmindifitisonlythatmuch.AtanyratefromhereonIwillhaveyoukeepanyfurtherdetailstoyourself.”

FelmeniagaveoutasighofreliefassheevadedthedangerofhavingalreadybreachedSuimei'sconditions.Suimeithenbroughtupthefinal,andmostimportantcondition.

“Andfinallythethirdcondition.Iwillhaveyousignthisdocumentabouttheaforementionedconditions.”

Suimeipulledhishanddownintheairandpulledoutasinglepieceofpaperandapenfromthinair.Thepenwasthesameonehealwaysused.Thepaperhadenumeratedpointswrittenonitinsomeforeignlanguage.Obviously,Felmeniacouldnotunderstandanyofthewords.

“Whatisthis?”

“It'sjustasimpledocument.ItsimplystatesthatyouwilldefinitelyfollowtheconditionsIhadjustlaidoutbeforeyou.Aformalcontractualdocument.Allyouneedtodoissignit.”

“...Iunderstand.Iwillsignit.”

Felmeniastillhadsomedoubts,buthadstilldecidedtohesitantlysignthedocument.Eventhoughshehelddoubtsshecouldnotimaginejustwhatcouldhappenfromsimplysigningit.Atanyrateshedidn'thaveanychoice.Shesignedthedocumentandstampedherthumbprintonitinasealofblood.Suimeisawthisthroughtotheveryend,andcontinuedspeakingtothepale-facedFelmenia.

“...Also,Iforgottomentionthis.Nowthatyou'vesignedthis,inthecasecasethatyoubreakourpromise...you'lldie.”

“W-Whatdidyousay?”

“Fuu,youwereplanningtospeakaboutallthathadhappenedtotheKingrightafterthisregardlessofagreeingright?Butthat'snotgoingtohappenyouknow?Ialsodonotwishtocomplicatemattersanyfurtherthanitalreadyhasafterall.”

“Wait,nomatterhowyoulookatitjustfromsomethinglikethisthere'snowayyoucould...”

“Beforeamagicianwhomanipulatesthemysteriesoftheworldthewordimpossibledoesnotexist.Ithasnovalue.”

Suimeididnotholdherincontempt,buttoFelmenia'sdubiousinquirytherewasastraightforwardwayofdemonstratinghispoint.Suimeiletgoofhismercurykatana,andpokedthecontractwiththetipofhisfingercoveredinmana.Ashedidthis,Felmeniagrippedherheartinpain.

“Ridiculous...UuuuaaAAAAAh!?”

“Bythewaytheeffectisexactlylikethis.Yourheartwillfeelasifitwerebeingcrushed.Itisquitedifficulttowithstandright?”

Suimeiwithdrewhisfinger.Felmeniagaspedforairasshewasreleasedfromthecrushingpain,butstillletoutacomplaintwithnoenergybehindit.

“Shi,Wha...You,neversaidanythingaboutthis...”

“WhetherIsaidanythingornot,youdon'thaveanychoice.Whatever,itisn'tasuchadifficultmatter.Allyouneedtodoisshutyourmouth.Ifyoujustforgeteverythingandpretendnothinghappened,noharmwillcometoyou.Isn'titamuchfairerrequestthantryingtosellsomeoneonpickingafightwiththeDemonLord?”

Felmeniacouldnotrebukehiswords.However...

“Ah...U...Uu...socruel.You'resocruel...Uuuu,uuueeeeeeeh.”

Thelastshredofpridesheheldontohadvanishedassheburstintotearsandbeganwailing.

(Ah...DidImaybegoalittletoofar?)

Itseemedthatshewasquitemagnificentlybrokendown.EvenSuimeiwhosawitasanecessitytofaceanothermagicianwithhostilityandseverity,wasunabletohidehisperplexityatthesituation.Therewasawidegapbetweenthesetwomagicians,notonlyintermsoflevelbutalsointermsofmentalfortitude.SuimeihadnointentofbeingsocruelandcalledouttoFelmeniainaflusteredvoice.

“W-wellthat'showitis.You'llproperlykeepyourpromiseright?Ialsodon'twanttoneedlesslykillanybody,itwouldbebadformyheart.”

Feelingabitofsympathy,Suimei'stonehadsoftenedupcomparedtobefore.Hedidnotexpecthertostartcrying.HehadnoideawhetherornotFelmeniawasevenlisteningtohimassheshowednosignsofstopping.Havingnoideawhattodo,Suimeiscratchedhisheadandactedoutinslightcontradictiontohisactionsupuntilnow.

“RenovatioRedivivus...there.”(RestorationandReconstitution)

Suimeicastrestorationmagictoatleastfixupherclothes.AmagiccircleappearedbeneaththeseatedFelmeniaandbeganrisingupwards.Thetearsinherrobes,theburnmarksandeventhedirthadallbeenspotlesslyremovedandrepaired.SuimeithenleftFelmeniabehindandexitedthegarden.

Afightbetweenfellowmagicianswasbynomeansalwaysafighttothedeath.Rather,amagiciantakingthelifeofanothermagicianwasaveryrareevent.Ifoneweretoinvadetheirworkshopitwouldbeanentirelydifferentmatter,butinallothercasesmagiciansheldrespectforoneanother.Theywereallcomradeswhohadtojoinhandstogether.Nowadays,magichadgivenwaytoscienceandwasindecline.Itsdevelopmenthadalmostgroundtoahalt.Thosewhocouldusemagicwereapreciousexistence.

Thisiswhyeveniftheschoolsofmagictheystudiedweredifferent,therewasanimplicitrulebetweenmagiciansthatamagicianshouldnevertakethelifeofanotherwithoutreasontoavoidtheabsoluteextinctionofmagicfromtheworld.Forthatpurpose,thecontracthehadjustusedearlierwasoftenusedtosettledisputes.Inexchangefornotkillingtheiropponents,thecontractwasusedtopreventanyfurtherharmfrombeingbroughttothevictor.Thiswayitwasfinetoleavetheiropponentalive.Thenumberofmagicianswouldnotdecrease.Theratioofthosewhostudiedthemysteriesofthemodernworldwouldremainunchanged.

Exceptforafewrarecases,aduelbetweenmagicianswasnotafighttothedeath.Theywouldcompetewithmagicanddemonstratejusthowfartheyhaddoveintothethemysteriesoftheworld.Inshorttheprecision,strength,complexity,theoryandspecialcharacteristicsoftheirmagicwereputonfulldisplayuntiltheymutuallyagreedonaresult.NowthatSuimeithoughtbackonhisfightwithFelmenia,therewasn'tasinglemagicshowntohimwhichmadehimunintentionallyraisehisvoice.Therewasnopointincelebratinghisvictory.That'swhyasinglethoughtcamebacktohismind.

“Really,they'resofarbehind...”

HisexchangewithFelmeniahadstartedtoworryhim.Hereafter,itwasabsolutelynecessaryforhimtoliveinthisworld.Hewasworryingwhetherornottherewereanymysteriesinthisworldthatwouldmakehisheartdance.Iftherewasnothingtosparktheirimagination,amagicianwouldbecomeafossil.ThiswasalsoanobstacletothepursuitofSuimei'sthesis.Howeversettingallthataside...

(Shehadnointentiontokill,right...)

SuimeirecalledthewordsFelmeniahadyelledinthepitsofdespair.Howcouldshespoutsuchwordsaftersettingupthatdangerousgolem?However,Suimeicertainlydidnotsenseanyhintoflyingwithinthegirlatthattime.

“...IguessI'llinvestigateitalittle.”

FelmeniahadalsosaidthathewasaimingfortheKing,nowthatSuimeithoughaboutitcarefully,itdidnotseemlikeanexcuse.Ifhethoughtofthisassomesortofmisunderstanding,thenjustwhatliedbeyondit?Suimeifeltthatthecurtainhadyettocloseonthismatter.Felmeniawouldnolongermakeanymoves.Thingshadgottenalittleoutofhand,butSuimeihadaccomplishedhisprimarygoal.Therewasverylittleriskleftinthisregard.Inthatcase,itshouldbefinetotryandmakeamove.Suimeicalmlyflunghisblackcoataroundhimandvanishedintothedarknessofthenight.

★

AfewdayshadpassedsincethematterintheWhiteWallGarden.Astel'skingAlmadiousRootAstelhadsummonedFelmeniaStingraytohisaudiencechamber.ThepurposeofthesummonswasofcoursetohearaboutthestateoftheheroReiji'stutelageinmagicdirectlyfromthemouthofhisteacher.TheKinghadaskedseveralothersthesamething,howeverallhehadheardwereabstractwordsofpraiselike'amassoftalent,'geniusofmagic'and'pinnacleoftheworld'.FromtheconcreteportionsofthereportshecouldonlytellthatReijiwasquitetalentedatmagic.TheKingfeltresponsibleforsendingtheherooutintodanger,andhadwantedtoknowmoredetails.

FelmeniakneltbeforethekingasherpurewhiterobegentlyflutteredbehindherandgaveherassessmentonboththeheroReijiandMizukiAnouatlength.Accordingtoher,theheroReijiheldanextraordinarytalentformagic.HiscapacityformanawasovertentimesgreaterthantheCourtMagesofthecastle.Hisfinecontrolwithregardstotechniqueandmanastillhadshortcomings,howeverhisabilitytoquicklyunderstandmagicwasabnormal.ThoughitwasnottoReiji'slevel,itseemedthatMizukiAnoualsopossessedafairamountofpower.Herabilitytounderstandandconceptualizemagicwassimplyinhuman.Felmeniadidnotunderstandjusthowshehadmangedtobecomelikethat,butshefounditwasashamethatMizukididnotreceivedivineprotectionduringtheherosummoning.

“―Thatisall.Reiji-donoaswellasMizuki-dono'sabilitytolearnmagicsoquicklyissimplyastonishing.Onedaytheywillsurelybecomemagescomparabletothegreatmagesaroundtheworld.”

Felmeniaendedherreportwithanaddedcomplement.SuddenlytheKingquestionedherinajokingmatter.

“Willtheysurpassevenyou?”

“IfitisReiji-dono'spower,itispossible.”

“Isee.ThenIamrelieved.IfReiji-donoholdssuchatalentformagic,myworriesseemedtobeneedless.”

“Ha.Iwasalsosurprised.Inspiteofhavingtoucheduponmagiconlytwoweeksago,he'sbecomeamatchforanintermediatelevelmageintermsofability.Itisn'tjustforshowthathewaschosenbytheworldtobecomeahero.Ifyou'llallowmetohumblyspeakofmyfeelingsasasinglemage,I'mquiteenvious.”

Felmeniaspokequietly.TheKingcouldnotclearlyseeherfaceasshewaskneltdownbeforehim,howeverhecouldguessthatherjealousywasshowingonherface.Itwasonlynatural.Asfarashehadheard,theheroReijihadlearnedmagicfromheratanabsolutelyalarmingrateasiftodenyhereffortsovertheselongyears.

“Thatiscertainlyso.However,ifhedidn'tholdatleastthatmuchpower...”

“ItisasyourMajestysays,hewouldn'tbeabletodefeattheDemonLord.”

“Umu.”

TheKinggaveanodatheropinionwhichmatchedhis.HehadheardeverythingthathewantedtoconcerningtheheroandspokeofhisdecisiontoFelmenia.

“CourtmageFelmeniaStingray.Ihaveheardyourreport.TherearethreemoredaysuntilReiji-donodeparts.Untilthen,workhardandlendhimyourpower.”

“Asyouwill.Wellthen,withthisIwill...”

FelmeniarespectfullyacceptedtheKing'scommandsandwaspreparingtoleave.HowevertheKingdidnotyetgiveherhisconsenttoleave.Hisbusinesswithherwasn'tfinishedyet.

“―Felmenia.IhaveotherthingsthatIwouldliketoaskyou.Isitalright?”

“Eh...?Yes,pleaseaskmeanythingyouwill.”

“Aboutthatyoungman,Reiji-dono'sfriendSuimei-dono.”

TheKingspokethenameoftheheroReiji'sfriend,SuimeiYakagi.HewasworriedaboutSuimeijustashehadbeenworriedabouttheheroReiji.Therewasalsothecaseofhisabilitytousemagicandsnoopingaroundthecastle,butthethingthattheKingwasmostworriedaboutwastheimpendingcollisionbetweenSuimeiandFelmenia.IthadbeenafewdayssincehehadtalkedtoFelmeniaaboutSuimei.Hewantedtoknowiftherewasanychangeinthesituation,however....

“A-about,Suimei-dono...?”

Felmeniamadeabewilderedexpressionatthetopicwellbeyondherexpectations.HervoicesomewhatbetrayedherbutitseemstheKingdidnotnotice.

“That'sright.Eversincethen,whatsortofmovementhasthatyoungmanmade?Youhavebeencontinuingtomonitorhimhaveyounot?”

“A-aboutthat...Um.”

“Felmenia?”

Felmeniaavertedhergazeforsomereasonwhilestumblingoverherwords.Itwascompletelydifferentfromwhenshewastalkingabouttheherojustamomentago.TheKingfelttherewasdefinitelysomethingwrongwithher.Ifitwasthesamegirlasusual,shewouldactwithopendignity.Eventhoughshewasyoung,nomatterthesituationorfoe,shewouldneverlethercomposurecrumble.Howevercurrentlytherewasnosenseofthisatall.

“Ah,uh...”

“What'swrong?Don'ttellmesomethinghappened?”

“No,that's,umm...”

TheKinghadaskedherasecondtime,butFelmeniawasstillunabletospeakasshestirredaroundrestlesslywhileevadingthequestion.Afterpayingattention,henoticedtheshehadbegunsweating.Hethenrepeatedthequestiononcemore,howeverthistimeinastricttone.

“AnswermeFelmenia.Ifyouremainsilentthenthisdiscussionwillnotproceedyouknow?Thethingsthathavehappenedsincethen,thatyouhaveseensincethen,youwillspeakofthemwithoutconcealinganything.”

HoweverFelmeniastilldidnotreply.Insteadsheboweddownfurtherwithherbrowpushedtothefloor.

“Y-YourMajesty!Justforthismatterplease,pleaseforgiveme!”

“Areyousayingyouwillnotspeak?”

“...Yes.Asfoolishasitis,itisexactlyasyousay.”

“Why?”

“Regardingthat,formylackofvirtue,IalsohavenothingthatIcanoffer...”

“Mu...”

Atherconstantrefusal,theKingunintentionallyletoutagroan.FelmeniawasgivingherfirmrefusaltotheKing'srequestwhilecompletelyprostrated.Shewasbeingunusuallyobstinate.Justwhywasshegoingsofartoavoidthistopic?No,itshouldbeobvious.TheKinghadpreviouslydeclaredwhatcouldnotbedone,andnowthatshehaddoneitshedidnotwanttospeakofit.TheKingwasabletoseethroughheronthismatter.Shewassurelythinkingofthepunishmentthatwouldobviouslybefallherforignoringhisorders.Inthatcasehersilencewasaformofself-defencetoavoidthatpunishment.Bethatisitmay,theKing'snextactionsweredefinitive.

“...IbelieveIhadsaidthatitcouldnotbedone,Felmenia.However,fromthelooksofityouhavetakenactionagainstSuimei-donohaveyounot?AmIwrong?”

TheKinghadraisedhisvoiceconsiderably.Asifshewasasmallanimaldiscoveredbyhernaturalenemy,Felmeniagaveastartledjumpwhilestillprostrate.ItseemedthatshewasfearingthepunishmenttheKingwoulddeliverhere.Shehadgreatwisdom,buttothinkshewouldnotbeabletoforeseethisturnofeventswasbothunexpectedanddisappointing.Howevernomatterhowmuchsheshookinfear,theKinghadhisduty.Havinggraspedthesituation,hepasseddownhisjudgment.

“Speak.BeforeIpassdownyourpunishment,Iwillproperlyheareverythingthathastranspired.Wecannotbeginuntilyoudoso.”

“...P-PleaseyourMajesty.Ibegofyou...Ibegofyouformercy.”

“Thereisnoneedtobecomesoobstinate.Ihadalreadyexpectedyoutoopposemyorders.Resignyourselfandholdnothingback.”

“Y-YourMajesty...”

“Iwillhearnomoreexcuses,Felmenia...?”

Payingcloseattention,theKingnoticedthatthenormallydignifiedgirlhadtearsinhereyes.Justhowlonghaditbeensincehehadseenhercry.Itmusthavebeenallthewaybacktowhenshewasstillalittlegirlandattendedherfirsteveningball.ShebecameseparatedfromherfatherEarlStingrayandhermothertheCountessandwanderedaroundlostinconfusion.Herbehaviourwasstrange.

“...Whydoyounotspeak?”

“...”

Felmeniadidnotanswer.Sheonlyhungherheaddownandgazedatthefloor.AtthissilenceKingAlmadiouscameacrossacertainthought.Justwhywouldthegirlnotspeak?Whywasshebeingsoobstinateinherrefusal?Hedidnotknowforsure,howeverhehadcomeupwithaplanandchangedhisapproach.

“...Felmenia.Iwillaskyouquestionsfromhereon.”

“ButyourMajesty...”

“ListentomeFelmenia.Ready?Toaffirmmyquestions,remainsilentjustasyouhavetoanswer.Todenythemshakeyourhead.Understood?”

AttheKing'scommand,Felmeniamadenorefusalandremainedsilent.AndsotheKingbeganhisinterrogationonequestionatatime.

“Withinthelastfewdays,didyoutakesomesortofactionagainstSuimei-dono?”

“...”

Silence.Itwasahit.HoweverthiswaswithintheKing'sexpectations.

“Wellthen,wasitaverbalwarning?”

ThistimeFelmeniashookherhead.Then...

“Wasitbyforce?”

“...”

Anotherhit.Itwasbyforce,surelyitonlywentasfarasscaringhimasalightpunishment.TheKingbelievedheunderstoodFelmeniaquitewell,hedidn'tthinkitwaspossiblebut...

“Atthattime,didyouinjureSuimei-dono?”

Toinjure,theKingrealizedhehadchosenthewrongwordsandwasabouttocorrecthimself,butFelmeniashookherhead.

“...Wait.Didyouintendtoinjurehim?”

“...”

TheKingwasataslightlossforwordsatFelmenia'ssilence.Thiswasdefinitelysurprising.HissurprisewasnotrootedinthefacttheFelmeniahadusedforce.Itwasbecauseeventhoughsheheldtheintenttoharmhim,evenasthetop-rankedmageinthecountryholdingthepowerofaCourtMage,shewasunabletoharmSuimei.Thismeantthatasinglemanwhohadnotreceiveddivineprotectionfromtheherosummoning,amagewhohadnotreceivedanypowerfromtheGoddessortheelements,hadcomeoutcompletelyunharmedafterconfrontingtheonenamedtheWhiteFlame.AstheKingheardthesoundofhisownswallowing,hecontinuedhisinterrogation.

“...InthatcaseIwillask.Felmenia,wereyoudefeated?

“...”

Silence,thereforeanaffirmation.Therewasnomoredoubt.FelmeniahadstruckagainstSuimeionherown.Theresultwasthetasteoftragicdefeat.

“...Andatthattime,Suimei-donohadtakengraspofaweaknessofyours.

Becauseofthat,youareunabletospeakofanythingtome.Isthatright?”

“...”

Hewasright.AstheKinghadguessedFelmenia'smouthhadbeensealedbecauseofaweakness.Eventhoughthepersoninquestioncouldneitherhearnorseeanythinghappeninginthisplace,shestillheldfasttoheragreementwithSuimei.ThismustbebecauseFelmeniaandSuimeiwerebothfollowersofthepathofmagic.TheKinghimselfhadonlytouchedlightlyuponmagic,soitwashardforhimtoimaginejustwhatsortofagreementthetwocameupon.

“...Uuu,uu.Guuu...YourMajesty.Mydeepestapologies...Ontopofignoringyourorders,I'mbeingdisloyalonlytopreservemyself.ThisFelmeniawillacceptanypunishmentthatyou,thatyouwill...”

“It'sfine.YouhavealreadyreceivedyourpunishmentfromSuimei-dono.FromhereIwouldjustbewhippingacorpse.Ihavenopunishmenttobestowonyou.”

“YourMajesty...”

Felmeniawasextremelydispiritedattheregrettowardsherindiscretionassheletoutmoretears.ToherthefightwithSuimeimusthavebeentrulydevastatingforittobringherdowntothisstate.Thiswaspunishmentenough.Anymorewouldsimplewipeoutanypridethatwasleftinher.OneoftheKing'sworrieshadvanished.Howeveritwastoosoontobeoptimistic.Insteadofhisoldworries,anewanxietyhadnowgrippedhim.

“...Felmenia.Icannotleavethiscaseasitis.Afterthis,IamthinkingofsummoningSuimei-donototheaudiencechamber.”

“YourMajesty,tosummonSuimei-dono...Justwhatdoyou...?”

“Isn'titobvious?AslongasIcannotaskyou,IwillhavetoaskSuimei-dono.There'salsothecaseofyourweakness.Ioughttoremoveanydiscordbetweenusandthatman.”

“It-itcannotbeyourMajesty!Suimei-donoisn'tthatkindofhalfhearted―Ah,gu,AAAAAAAAAAAH!?”

TheirregularityhadoccurredjustasFelmeniavoicedherobjection.Shehadsuddenlybegunscreamingwhilegrippingherheartinpain.

“Felmenia!?What'swrong!?Felmenia!”

TheKingstoodfromhisthroneonreflexatthesuddenevent.Felmenia'ssufferingwasjustthatirregular.Howeverherwrithingpaindidnotseemtolastlongasitsoonsubsided.Soonafterherscreaminghadalsocalmeddown.FelmeniaoncemoreboweddowntotheKing.

“Haa,haa...Tohaveshownyouthiskindofdisgrace,pleaseforgive...Ku.”

“Justwhatiswrong?Coulditbesomesortofdisease?”

“No...”

Shehadsaiditwasn'tadiseasebutfromthatlevelofsufferingthere'snowayitwasnothingatall.Herbeautifulfacehadbeencoveredincoldsweatandallcolourhadbeendrainedawayfromit.Itwasthedeathlypalelookofacorpse.Theobviousanswerwouldbeadisease,buttheKinghadneverheardofhercatchinganysortofillness.Herecalledtheorderofeventsoncemore.Justamomentago,Felmeniagrippedherheartinpain.Surelyherheartwasthesourceofthepain.Ithadhappenedwhileshewastalking,inthemiddleof

voicingherobjection.ShehadbeguntalkingaboutSuimei,whoshehadrefusedtotalkaboutuptothatpoint.Felmeniahadsaidearlierthatshewasactingtopreserveherself.Ifoneweretoguessfromthatflow...

“Perhaps,wasthesufferingjustnowyourweakness...?

“...”

“Isitmagic?”

“...”

Felmeniadidnotgiveananswer.No,shecouldnotanswerbecauseofherweakness.TheKingcouldbarelyseetheexpressiononherface,butfromwhathecouldseeitwasifshewasfullofregretatherownfoolishself.TherewasnomorefortheKingtoaskher.

“Iunderstand.Felmenia.Youmayleaveeverythingtome.”

“YourMajesty?”

“JustasIsaidbefore,IwillsummonSuimei-donohere.”

“B-But!”

“It'sfine.Iwilltakeallresponsibility.Youwill―”

Fromhere,KingAlmadiousgavehisorderstothemagewhohadfallenunderthecurseofthemagician.

★

TheKinghadfinishedhisbusinesswithFelmeniaanditwasnowlateintheeveninginCamellia'saudiencechamber.Heheardthesoundofthedooropening.TheonewhowasrevealedasthedooropenedwasSuimeiYakagi.HewasthefriendoftheheroReiji,theoneFelmeniahadsaidwasamagefromanotherworld.Ataglancetheyoungmanseemedcompletelyordinary.HetookabowbeforeenteringandwalkedintowardstheKing.Theatmosphereabouthimhadnotchangedatallcomparedtothefirsttimehehadbeencalledtotheaudiencechamber,howeverhewaswearingdifferentclothingthistime.Itwasarefinedoutfitthatlookedtobequiteagem.Suimeikneltdowninaslightlyawkwardmanner,perhapsthiswasduetohisunfamiliaritywiththissortofoccasion.

“Ihavecomeforthatthedirectionsofyourmessenger.”

“Iapologizeforthesummonsatsuchatimeintheevening.Itmightseeminappropriateasyouhavealreadygreetedmesopolitely,buttodaytherearejustthetwoofuspresent.Iwouldlikeyoutobeateasewithouthumblingyourselfso.”

“...”

“Suimei-dono.Isthatalright?”

“...Yes.”

Suimeipausedabitbeforeacceptingandraisedhisface.Hisexpressionwasstillalittlestiff.BeforemovingontothemaintopictheKingbeganinquiringabouthisclothing.

“Iamnotfamiliarwiththatoutfit.Whatisit?”

“ItisclothingfromtheotherworldthatIhadbroughtwithme.Itwasinthebag

thatIhadwithme,oneofthefewpersonalpossessionsIwasabletobringtothisworld.”

“ItgivesoffasenseofrefinementfarabovetheclothesthatHero-donoandyourselfusuallywear.”

“Inthatworldthiswouldbeconsideredformalattire.Theyareclothesmostsuitableforthiskindofoccasion.”

Hisblackpantsdidnothaveasinglecrease,thecontrastbetweentheblack,sword-likeclothhangingfromhisneckandthepurewhiteshirtbehinditgaveoffanindescribablesenseofrefinement.

“Umu.Itsuitsyouwell.”

“Thankyouverymuch.”

Suimeiexpressedhisthanksashestraightenedouthisclothingwhilestillkneelingdownandreadjustedhisposture.Forasinglemoment,itseemedasifhishisawkwardnessupuntilnowhadcompletelyvanished.Suimeisuddenlybowedhisheaddown.

“Thoughitisalittlelate,ImustapologizefortheunsightlybehaviourIshowedtheotherday.”

Suimeigaveahumbleapologyforhisactionstheotherdayintheaudiencechamber.Onthatday,whenhehadheardthathecouldnotreturnhomefromtheKing'smouth,hehadcompletelylosthiscomposure.Itwasaverynaturalreaction.Themomentheheardthisinformation,hestoodandyelledabusivewords.Don'tfuckwithme.Unbelievable.Ifyoucan'treturnusthendon'tcall

us.Asifaswitchhadsuddenlyturnedon,hespokeeverythingthatwasonhismind.Thesurroundingcrowdbecameenragedatthedisrespectfulbehaviour,butsuchwasthesituation.TheKinghadmanagedtocalmeveryonedown,butdidnotexpectthatSuimeiwouldapologizeforthewholeaffairhere.

“...Aah,no,umu.Itisfine.Yourfeelingswereonlynatural.Wehadarbitrarysummonedyouherewithouttheabilitytosendyoubackafterall.Youdonothaveasinglereasontoapologize.Pleaseraiseyourhead.”

“Inthatcase...”

SuimeiraisedhisheadastheKinghonestlyspokeofhisindiscretion.Fromhisexpression,regardlessofwhowasatfaultduringtheracketintheaudiencechamberatthetime,SuimeicouldtellthattheKingwassimplyworried.Suimeithenpushedtheconversationonward.

“Youhadsaidthatyouhadwantedtospeakwithmeprivately...”

“Umu.TherewassomethingthatIhadtoaskSuimei-dononomatterwhat.”

“...Haa.”

Suimeihadslightlyknithisbrowsasifhewastroubled,wasthishistrueexpression?

“IwouldliketoaskSuimeiaboutthematterregardingFelmenia.”

“AboutFelmenia...san?IfIremembercorrectlythatisthenameoftheoneteachingmagictoReijiandMizuki.Whatabouther?”

“Shehadpreviouslymentionedthatshewitnessedyouwanderingaroundthe

castle.”

TheKingbroughtupthematterhehadheardfromFelmeniaearlierinresponsetoSuimeitransparentlyavoidingthetopicathand.Suimeireturnedabittersmilejustasifanembarrassingsideofhimhadbeenexposed.

“Ah,ahaha...IheardthatIwasfreetolookaroundthecastleallIwanted.IwaswanderingaroundasadiversionbutdidIcausesomesortofinconvenience?”

“Umu.Therearenoproblemsregardingthatmatter.Thoseweremyordersafterall.Naturally,therewillbenopunishment.”

“Then,justwhat?”

“No,thatis.”

“...?”

Suimeiwasputtingonabewilderedexpression.Howeverthiswasnothistrueappearance.UponhearingFelmenia'sname,itseemedhehadrealizedtheKing'sintentandplannedonplayingdumb.Nowthathethoughtofit,thiswasalsothecasewhenhefirstcalledouttoSuimei.Eversincehewascalledout,Suimeihadbeenplayinghishandcautiously.IfhewasSuimei,hewouldalsodothesame.Inotherwords,thiswasasortofthreatduetohispower.HewasthemagewhohaddefeatedFelmenia,therewasnothingtheycoulddotooverpowerhim.Itwasquitesimple.Seeingashewasnottakinganyaction,hewasplanningtoendthematterbysimplypretendingnoneofithadhappened.Thiswastheimplicationbehindhiswordsandactions.'IfyoushutupandkeepsilentIwilldonothing.Soleaveitbe.'TheoneindangerwastheKing.Despitethathedecidedtotakeastepforwardsintothatdangerousterritory.

“...WhatexactlyhaveyoudonetoFelmenia?”

“Idon'tunderstandwhatyouareimplying.”

“Suimei-dono.Thereisnowaythatyoudonotunderstand.Speakhone―“

Beforehecouldfinish,theKing'smuscleshadquiveredashisskinbecamecoveredingoosebumps.Suimeihadletoutacoldgazethatcouldraisethehairsacrosshiswholebody.Hisgazewaspartiallyconcealedbehindhisbangs,butitstillstruckfearintoKing'sheart.

“...WithallduerespectyourMajesty.Isittrulyalrightforyoutogobeyondthispoint?”

Itcouldn'tbehelpedthattheKinghadbecomeatalossforwords.Suimeihadspokeninasharptonecompletelydifferentlyfromhowhehadbeencarryinghimselfupuntilthispoint.Thiswasawarningtoseeifhetrulyhadtheresolutiontocontinue.

“...Suimei-dono.Iwanttohearit.”

Atthesewords,Suimeiabruptlystoodupstraightandflunghisarmbehindhim.Outofnowhere,ablackcoathadappearedonSuimeiandflutteredbehindhimwithaclearsound.TheKingdidnotunderstandjustwhatSuimeihaddone,butcouldguessthatthiswasprobablySuimei'smagic.Suimei'sexpressionhadalsocompletelychangedanddidnotleaveanyhintofthefacethathehadhelduptothispoint.Hisgentlegazehadtransformedintoasharpone.Adeepgazethatcouldswallowoneintodarkness.AproudlookthattheKinghadwitnessedmanytimescharacteristicofmages.Normallyhisbehaviourwouldcauseanuproarintheaudiencechamber,howevertherewasnobodypresenttodoso.TheKinghadbeencaptivatedatthefirstglimpseofSuimei'smage-likeattitude.Suimeispokeasiflettingoutasigh.

“...Mygoodness.Therearenotracesofthatwomanhavingkickedthebucket,yetyouseemtoknowthatmuchhuh.”

“AsIthoughtyou...”

“Ah,that'sexactlyright.FromthemomentIarrivedinthisworldIwasexposedasamagicianbythatwoman...Thatwomanshouldbecompletelyunabletospeakofthematter,sowhydoeshisMajestytheKingknowthatIhavedonesomething?”

“Ihadaskedherofit.Ifshecouldnotspeakofit,Ihadtoldhertoremainsilenttoconfirmmysuspicions.”

Atthesimpleexplanation,Suimeihadcometoanunderstandingandspoke.

“Isee.Ididnottakethatintoconsideration.Certainlythecovenantbindingthatwomanonlypreventedherfromspeakingofthematter.Ifshedidnotspeaknothingwouldhappen.”

Suimeispokeinagentlevoiceasheponderedaboutthematter,yetsuddenlyreturnedasharpgazetotheKing.

“Nevertheless,whyhaveyoucalledmehere?Iholdthatwoman'slifewithinmyhand.Ifyouunderstandthis,thensurelyyouunderstandjusthowdangerousitistocallmeherewithoutasingleguard.”

AlmadiouscertainlyunderstoodjusthowdangerousitwastocallSuimeihere.Heunderstoodyetdidnotprepareanysortofcountermeasures.Therewasa

reasonhedidnotdoso.

“...CertainlyIhadmyconcerns.HoweverwithregardstoSuimei-donoandHero-dono,youarebothgueststhatIhavecalledtothisland.Nomatterwhathashappened,thisfactremainstrue.Itwasmyfault.Ihadtakenthisworld'sproblemsandunreasonablypushedthemontothosefromacompletelydifferentworldwhoknewnothingofoursafterall.”

ThiswasthereasontheKingcouldnotbearhisfangstowardsthem.Howeverthiswastrulyjustforhisownconvenience.SuimeicouldnotspeakashescrutinizedtheKing'swords.

“...”

“Suimei-dono.EventhoughIcalledyououttothiscompletelyunknownworld,thoughIshutmyeyestothebehaviourofmypeopletowardsyou,andontopofthattoimpertinentlyaskmoreofyou...Iwouldstillleaktohearyouspeak.”

“Whydoyouwanttohearofitsobadly?EvenifyouheardnothingofitthereshouldbenoburdenonyourMajestyright?”

“Thatcertainlymaybetrue.However,ifIpretendedIhadsawnothingandsheendsuplosingherlife,itwouldonlyfillmewithregret.”

“...Eventowardsthatself-conceitedwoman?”

“That'sright.Sheismyretainer.ThusImustprotecther.”

Suimeiletoutasighbeforereplying.

“Solongasshedoesn'tspeakthereisnothreattoherlife.Thisisabsolute.

EvenIdonotwishtoneedlesslytrampleonthelivesofothers.Withthistheconversationisover.”

“No,notyet.”

“Idonotbelievethereisanythingfurthertospeakof?”

Eveniftheimportantmatterathandhadbeendiscussed.TheKingstillhadthingsthathemusthearfromSuimei.

“Suimei-dono.Iknownothingaboutyou.Astheoneresponsibleforsummoningyou,Iwouldliketohearaboutyou.Justwhatkindofpersonyouare,whatareyouplansfromhereon?Iwanttohavethissortoffrankconversationwithyou.Ifpossible,Iwouldlikeyoutospeakwithoutanyreservations.”

Thesewerehistruefeelings.ItwastruethatifbothheandFelmeniasealedtheirmouths,thepreviousmatterwouldcometoanend.TheonlyoneswhowouldknowofSuimeiwouldbejustthosetwo.Inthatcasetheireverydaylifefrombeforewouldjustreturntonormal.TheywouldjustneedtosendouttheherotodefeattheDemonLord.Howeverthatwouldbelikediscardinghisresponsibilityforsummoningthemtothisland.Hecouldnotignoretheonesthathehadsummonedforthafterthrowingtheirlivesintodisarray.Itwassimplyhismoralcompasswhichdrovehimtodoeverythinghecouldtowardsthesepeoplethathehadwronged.

“...Ofcourse,Idon'tintendtoaskthisofyouunreasonably.IfSuimei-donodoesnotwishtospeakofitthenIwillnotforcethematter,thisisallformyownconvenience.Evenknowingallthis,please...”

Stillsittingatophisthrone,theKingbowedhishead.ThiswasunbecomingofhimastheKingofanation.Thiswashiswayofmakingitapparentthathewasnotsimplybeingpridefulaboutthematter.Afterashortwhile,heraisedhishead.Whatcameintohisvisionwasafaceofcompleteshock.Justwhywouldhedosuchathing?Whywouldhegosofar?Asurprisedfacethatexpressedthesefeelings.Asifcompletelygivingoff,Suimeiletoutasighandreplied.

“CanItakethisasyourtrueintentionswithoutashadowofdoubt?”

“Aah,theseareunmistakablymytruefeelings.”

Suimeisuddenlycorrectedhispostureatthesewords,andthen...

“Imustapologizefortheimpolitenessofmyarrogantmannerjustnow.Pleaseaskallthatyouwillofme.IshallanswerallthatIcanwithintheextentofmyknowledge.”

ItcouldstillbesaidthatSuimeiwasbeingimpolitebynotkneelingdown.However,thepridefulattitudehehadbeendemonstratingtothispointhadcompletelyvanished,histonehadalsocompletelychanged.Itwasmostlikelythatthiswashistrueself.NothisusualselfwheneverhewaswiththeheroReijiandMizuki.Notthepridefulselfwhichheusedwhenconfrontinghisenemiesashejusthad.Itwashisselfasasinglemage,SuimeiYakagi.Thus,revealinghimselflikethiswasthegreatestrespecthecouldshow.

“Justwhatkindofpersonareyou?”

“IntheotherworldIamcalledamagician.Somethinglikeascholarinsearchofthemysteriesoftheworld.Ibelieveitisn'tallthatdifferentfromthosethat

youcallmages.”

“Amagician...”

TheKingrepeatedtheword.ToSuimeiwhohadnothearditspokenevenonceeversincehehadbeensummonedtothisworld,itwassomehowrefreshingtohear.Hewasanexistencedifferentfrommages,andforthefirsttimethatfacthadfinallyreachedhisears.

“Whydoyouhidethisfact?Settingusaside,youhideitevenfromHero-donoandMizuki-dono.”

“Intheotherworld,unlikethisone,apowerknownassciencewasusedtodeveloptheworld.ThisfactyoumayhavealreadyheardfromReiji.Overthere,magicwassomethingthatwasdrivenintotheunderworld.Magiciansbecameatargetforeliminationbythoseinpower.Therefore,amagicianwhorevealshimselfpubliclydoesnotexist.Iftheyrevealedthemselves,theywouldsimplybeseenasgoingagainsttheflowoftheworldandcrushed.ThereasonIconcealthefactthatI'mamagicianisalsobecauseofthis.”

“SothatiswhyHero-donoandMizuki-donoareunaware.AssowhenFelmeniahaddiscoveredyouridentity...”

“Yes.Ididnothavecompleteconvictionthatshehadsensedmymagicatthetime.Iwasworriedwhethershehadknownornot.Afterinvestigatingthematter,Ihadpreparedaplantolureherout.Ihadsowedtheseedsmyself,buttothinkshewouldstartbybringingoutsuchadangerousautomaton...well,Itookitasherintenttocarrythisoutwithoutanyfurtherdiscussions.”

TherewasonethingthatSuimeihadmentionedthatbotheredtheKing.

“Anautomaton?”

“Yes.Itwasintheshapeofanarmouredcavalryman.Itwasquitewellmade.Ihadbeenattackedbyitanddestroyedthespellwhichcontrolledit.”

“MageSlamas'golemhuh...”

TheKingguessedattheidentityofthegolemthatattackedSuimei.Withintheentirecastle,theonlygolemwastheoneSlamashadmade.Ifitwasadollthatcouldmoveonitsownthentherewasnoothercreationthatfitthedescription.Slamas'golemwaswellmade,andpowerful.TothinkthatFelmeniahadbroughtitout.TheKinghadcaughtaglimpseofFelmenia'sstubbornbehaviourbeforeshewasbroughtdownbySuimei.

“However,IhadalsosaidthistoFelmenia,butwereyounottooquickinresolvingthismatterwithforce?”

Thedisputehadescalatedintoafightinasomewhatirrationalmatter.Thereshouldstillhavebeenroomfordiscussion.ThisappliedtoFelmeniawhoplayedherhandfirst,butitalsoappliedtoSuimei.Suimeirepliedwithanhonestexpression.

“IcannotdenythatIhadgottenalittlecarriedaway.HoweverIamalsoonewhowalksthepathofmagic.Magicianshaveamagician'sstyleofdealingwithmatters.Toonewhobearstheirfangstowardsthem,revengecanonlybecarriedoutwithviolence.Also,IwilladmitImayhavebeenventingmyangeraboutbeingforcefullysummonedhere.”

Suimeigaveoutasighashelaughedassomeonebefittinghisagewiththoselastwords.

“...Whatabrat.”

“Magiciansarejustthatsortofexistence.Theyareselfishbeingswhoareonlyinterestedinchasingaftertheirowngoals.It'snormalnottothinkaboutothers.Besides,Idon'tthinkyourMajestyisinapositiontosaysuchathingafteryouhadshutyoureyesasitwasallhappening?”

“That'strue.”

TheKingwasalsopartiallyresponsibleashehadbeentoolenientwithFelmenia.Hewasn'tinapositiontocriticizeSuimeiaboutactingrashlyashehadalsoleftFelmeniatoherowndevicesdespiteknowingwhatshewoulddo.IfSuimeihadnoselfcontrol,hecouldusehismagictocommitallsortsofcrimesbehindtheirbacks.Hewouldbeabletosatisfyhisgreedwithcompletefreedom.Despitethishehadshuthimselfinsidehisroomandquietlyavoidedcausinganysortofinconveniencetoothers.Duringhisinvestigations,therepository,throneroomandtreasurywherecountlessimportantitemswerestoredhadallbeenleftuntouched.EventhewayhehaddealtwithFelmenia,themethodusedstillhadahintofmercy.Hedidn'tknowhowitworkedintheotherworld,butaftersettingupthatkindofgolemtoattackhim,theywouldn'tbeabletocomplainevenifhehadkilledFelmeniaoutright.Suimeithensuddenlyturnedhisattentiontooneofthepillarsathisside.Hecouldn'tpossibly...

“...That'showitis.Iwasjustventingoutmyangeratwhateverwasinfrontofme.Youcanberelieved.Ihavenointentionoforderingyoutodoanythingelse.”

ThesewordswerenotdirectedtowardstheKing.TheyweredefinitelymeantforFelmenia'sears.Itwasinfacttruethatshewasstandingbehindthepillar.

“...”

Withafacefilledwithsurprise,Felmeniasteppedoutfrombehindthepillar.AsifSuimeiwasnotinterestedatall,hesimplyglancedatherandreturnedhisfocusontheKingwhospoketohim.

“Sincewhendidyounotice?”

“Letmeaskyouinresponse.WhywouldyouthinkthatIwouldnotnotice?”

“...”

Thiswascertainlytrue.SuimeiwasamastercapableofsurpassingFelmenia.Itwasonlynaturaltoexpecthimtonoticeimmediatelyinsteadofthinkingtheycouldfoolhim.

“Suimei-dono.Thisis...”

“Evenifyoudon'tsayitIunderstand.Iwassuspiciouswhenyouhadsaiditwouldwasjustthetwoofus.WhenIthinkabouthowyoutreatherasyourpreciousretainer,abouthowmuchyoucareforher,Icanunderstandyouractions.”

“I'msorry.”

TheKinggaveanhonestapology.Felmeniawasnotpresentasaguard,theKinghadaskedhertostaythereforherownsake.IfheknewFelmeniawaspresent,therewerethingsthatSuimeiwouldnottalkabout.TheKingwouldremainoblivioustothemattersconcerningher.Thushehadherhide.Despiteseeingthroughitcompletely,Suimeistillspokeofeverything.FelmeniacalledouttoSuimeiwithapaleface.

“S-Suimei-dono...”

“IsaidIwouldn'tdoanything,don'tjustsuddenlyturnpale.Youtrulyarepathetic.Ifyouarealsoamagicianthenyoushouldstandtallupuntilthepointthatyoudie.AreyounotaCourtMageofthiscountry?”

“Auu...”

Suimeithrewoutthesebitterwordswithouteventurningtowardsher.Felmeniacouldonlystandtheredumbfoundedwithatearforminginhereyes.Shehadnothingshecouldsayinreturntohim.Atthissilence,theKingcontinuedwithhisquestions.

“ThereasonwhyyouareinvestigatingthesummoningcircleisasIthought...”

“IbelieveIsaidthatIwantedtogoback.TherearethingsthatImustdointhatworld.Also...”

“Also?”

“...IfthetimeevercomesthatReijiandMizukiwishtoreturn,thenImustbepreparedtoshowthemtheroadback.I'mnotaccompanyingmyfriendseventhoughtheyareindanger.Asamagician,thisisallIcandofortheminstead.”

Suimeihadleakedouthissurprisingintentions.Naturallyhisgoalwassomethingthathewasdoingforhimself.Hehadsaidthathewantedtoreturnafterall.Howeverhewasalsothinkingabouthisfriends.Howeverthemoresurprisingfactherewas...

“Areyouabletoanalyzeit,thatcircle?”

“GivenenoughtimeIcantoacertainextent.Itisn'timpossible.”

“I-Isthattrue...!?”

Hehadjustdeclaredthathecouldunravelthesecretsofthesummoningcirclewhichnobodyhadbeenabletodonomatterhowmuchtheystudiedit.Thesummoningcirclehadbeenpasseddownforgenerationssincetimeimmemorial.Theexactprocessfordrawingitandchantingthespellwaspasseddowntothefinestdetail,butthespellwasfortoocomplicatedforanybodytounderstand.Theysimplyrepeatedtherecordedprocess.Notasinglepersonhadbeenabletograspthestructureofthespellitself.

“Itwasworthstudyingspiritualmagicandnecromancy.Ineverexpectedittocomeupinthissortofplace.”

Ifhewassoconfidentofthisfact,thentherewassomethingelseontheKing'smind.

“However,ifyouarethinkingsomuchaboutReiji-dono,whydonotspeakofanyofthistothem?Eveniftheyknew,ifitwasHero-dono...”

“YourMajesty.Inthecasethattheydiscovermylineageandreturntoourworld,thereisthepossibilityofthemcomingtoharm.”

Suimeirepliedinstantly.Hewasworriedabouttheirwellbeing.

“Iftheykeepittothemselvesthenitisfineisitnot?'

“YourMajesty.Idon'tknowhowitisinthisworld,butthatworldisadenof

vipers.”

“Adenofvipers?”

“Yes.Inthatworld,evenifoneweretosealtheirmouths,thesimplefactthattheyholdtheknowledgewouldputthemindanger.Notonlyaretherespellstoreadorstealonesthoughts,therearespellstomakeonespeaktheirmindagainsttheirwill.Whenitcomestomagicthereareanuncountablenumberofwaysofgettingthatinformation.BecauseofthisIcannotcarelesslyrevealmyidentity.Therearemadmentherethatwouldpointtheirbladesatthosewhosimplyknowoftheexistenceofmagicians.”

“Themagicofyourworldistrulythatsinful?”

“Yes.”

TheKinghadthoughtthatifSuimeitrulyheldReijiasafriendclosetohisheart,thenhewouldhonestlyspeakofit.Howeveritseemedthatwouldnotbepossible.Thatjustshowedhowmuchthepathofmagicintheirworldandhisdifferedastheotherworld'magicwastrulyshroudedinanunspeakabledarkness.Theyhadmanyenemies.Dangerfollowedthemateverycornerandtheyhadtohideawayfromtheeyesofotherstocontinuetheirpath.Suimei'sprudenceseemedveryunderstandablenowthattheKingknewofthis.

“Whenitcomestimethattheywanttoreturn,Iwilleventuallyhavetospeakofthisfacttothem...Itisadifficulttopicafterhavinghiddenitfromthemforsolonghowever.”

“Icanimagine.”

Whenthattimecame,hewouldhavenochoicebuttoexplaintheteleportationcircle.Therewasalsothematterofteachingthemthelawsofmagicbackintheirworld.Howeveritwasstilladifficulttopictobringup.

“...Sothatmeansyouwilltrulynotgowiththem.”

“IhadsaidthisbeforeandIwillsayitagain,Idonotwanttodiveintoanythingreckless.”

“ToyouwhohaddefeatedFelmenia,Idonotthinkitissucharecklessthing,don'tyouthink?AlsoifitisSuimei-dono,won'tyoubeofgreathelptoHero-dono?”

“Thatmaybeso,atanyrateitwillbeunnecessary.”

“Whywouldyousaythat?'

“Wehadquarrelledwhenithadcomeaboutatthetime,butReijiisdefinitelynotsuchasuperficialman.Heoftendoescrazythings,buthestillalwayshassoundjudgment,neverforgetstobecarefulandontopofthathenowholdstheterrifyingpowerofahero.ThereforeIhavenothingtoworryabout.Iwon'tsaythathe'lldefinitelysucceedinsubjugatingtheDemonLord,butI'msurehewon'teasilybekilled.”

“Isee.”

Suimeihadspokenofthiswithasmileonhisface.ItshowedjusthowmuchhetrustedReiji.Eventhoughhequietlyaddedon,“It'llalsobegoodforhimtoexperiencesomethingpainfulonceinawhile,”hadbeenbecausehewastrulythinkingofthem.Itwasnotbecausehetrulywantedsomethingbadtohappentothem.TheKingthenbroughtthetopicbacktotheoriginaltopicathand.

“Iwillberepeatingmyselfoncemore,butaboutFelmenia.”

“JustasIhadsaidearlier,aslongasshedoesn'ttalknothingwillhappen...NowthatIthinkaboutit,ithasgonefarenough.”

Suimeipulledoutapurewhitepieceofpaperfromtheair.TheKingcouldonlyseeitasacompletelynormalpieceofpaperwhoseonlyoutstandingqualitywasitspurewhitecolourlikethatoffreshsnow.Howeveruponcloserinspection,therewereletterswrittenuponitalongsideasealofblood.Suimeitookthepaperintobothhandsasiftotearitintwo.

“S-Suimei-dono!?W-Wait―“

FelmeniahadgonepaleandletoutashouttotryandrestrainSuimei,buthewouldhearnoneofit.Withoutanymercy,thesoundofpapertearingfilledtheair.Felmeniafelltoherkneesasshewasswallowedinemotionasthesoundofpapertearingrepeateduntilthepaperhadbeenreducedtoscrapsandfallentotheaudiencechamberfloor.Withasnapofhisfingers,thepaperscrapswereengulfedincrimsonflamesandvanishedcompletely.

“Ah...”

“Courtmage.WiththistheconstraintsIhaveplacedonyouhavedisappeared.MakesuretoshowgratitudetohisMajestyforputtinghislifeonthelineforyoutoday.”

Felmeniawasonlystaringintospacecompletelydumbfounded.TheKingturnedtowardsSuimei.

“Isthatalright?”

“YourMajestywishedforustohavenoillfeelingsbetweenusdidyounot?Thiswasallthatwasstandingbetweenus.Itisnolongersomethingthatis

neededbetweenyourMajestyandmyself.However,concerningReijiandMizuki,Iwillhaveyounottalktothemaboutthis,notallowittobetalkedtothemaboutthis,andtonottakeanactionwheretheymayperceivethismatter.ThatistheonlypromisethatIwishyoutokeep.SurelyIdon'tevenneedtoaskifthisisalrightornotbut...”

“Understood.Iwilldoasyouseefit.”

TheKingagreedtoSuimei'srequest.Suimeihadyieldedsomuchtohimalready,therewasnowayhewouldrefuse.Andso,theKingaskedaboutonemorethingthatwasonhismind.

“Whatwillyoudoafterthis?Idon'tmindifyouwanttostayinthecastleuntilyoufigureawaybackbut...”

SuimeiwasaguestthattheKinghadforcefullysummonedfromanotherworld.HisobligationtoSuimeiwassomethingthatwouldneverdisappear.UntilSuimeicompletedtheteleportationcircletoreturnitstoodtoreasonthattheKingwouldlookafterhimandallowhimtoliveinthecastle.HoweverthisonlyappliedifSuimeihimselfwantedtostay.Ifthiswasnotthecase,theKinghadsomethingthathemustaskSuimei.Suimeishookhishead.

“No,afterReijiandMizukidepartfromthecastle,Iwillalsoleave.”

“Whatdoyouintendtodobyleavingthecastle?”

“I'mthinkingofgoingtotheNelferiaEmpire.Theempireisadjacenttothreeothercountriesmakingitakeypointintheland.Itisthebestplaceformetogatherinformationandmaterials.”

TheKingletoutagroanatSuimei'swords.ItwastruethattheNelferiaEmpirewasadjacenttothreeothercountriesincludingAstel.Itwasaveryimportanttraderoute.ComparedtoAstelthecirculationofgoodwasfarmoredeveloped.DuetotheastablealliancewithAstel,crossingtheborderwouldbeasimplematter.IfSuimeirequiredgoodsorinformationthatcouldnotbeacquiredinAstelthenittrulywasasuitablechoice.FranklytheKingdidnotwantsuchatalentedmanasSuimeitoleavethecountry.HoweveritwasalsoimpossibleforhimtorestrictSuimei'sactions.

“...Isee.Inthatcaseifyouhaveanythingyouneedspeakfreely.IfitiswithinmypowerIwillgrantyouwhateveryouwish,thoughthismayseemjustameagreofferingforyouafterallthathashappened.”

TheKingexpressedhiswishtosupportSuimeievenifheleft.HoweverSuimeididnotagreewithhim.

“Iappreciateyourconsideration.Howeverpleasedonotconcernyourselfwithme.”

“Whyisthat?Fromhereyouwillbeheadedofftolandscompletelyunknowntoyou.Doyounotneedanyformofassistance?”

Suimeiwasfromanotherworld.Heshouldbeunfamiliarwiththecultureandcustomshere.Healsohadnobodytodependon.Inthatcaseheshouldrequiresomeformofaid.But...

“Itisfine.Afterbeingunabletoendurelifeinthecastle,Iwillsimplyleaveatmyownconvenience.Youcannottreatsomeonelikethatwithsuchleniency.HisMajestyshouldworryabouthisownreputationinsteadofofmine.”

“However...”

“Thankstothebigfusswehadherelasttimeandshuttingmyselfinmyroom,rumoursaboutmehadgottenconsiderablybad.Ifyouweretogiveyoursupporttosomeonelikethat,certainlytherewouldbesomewhowouldpraiseyouforshowingsuchleniency,buttheoneswhocomplainwouldbeinthevastmajority.SuchathingwouldbequiteinconvenientforyourMajesty.”

ItwasexactlyasSuimeisaid.Ifheleftthecastle,takingintotheaccounthisoutwardappearanceuptothispoint,nomatterwhattheKingdidrumourswouldspreadaboutSuimeiarbitrarilyfleeingfromthepressure.IftheKinggaveoutanyformofassistance,itwasinevitablethatdissatisfactionwithhisactionswouldspread.JustwhywouldtheKinggosofarforsomeonewhodoesnothing?He'scaringtoomuchforsuchauselessexistence.Thesesortsoffoulrumourswereinevitable.

“Evenso,ifIsaidIdidn'tmindsuchrumours?”

“Iappreciateyourconcern.However,Iwon'thearmoreofthis.”

“Mu...”

TheKingwasatalossforwordsatSuimei'ssuddenharshobjection.Suimeiwasbeingobstinate.HewantedtheKingtojustleavehimbe.Itseemedlikebaselessself-confidencebuthecertainlyseemedtohavethevigourtobackitup.ExactlywhatwasSuimeigazingatwiththoseeyes?ItwasnottheKing,hewasstaringmuchfurtheroffintothedistance.Itwasthegazeofamanwhowaspreparedtochallengethedifficultiesthatwouldcrosshispathinthefuture.Hewasgivingoffastrongpressurethatwasuncharacteristicofayoungmanhisage.

“...WhileIliveinthisworld,withoutexceptionIwillmeetobstaclesthatwill

standbeforemelikeawall.Nomatterhowlarge,howtallthesewallsare,Iwillovercomethemwithease.Thatiswhatitmeanstocalloneselfamagician.Iamamagician,YakagiSuimei.Iamtheonewhowillfightagainstthedifficultiesknownasthemysteriesofthisworld.Thus,yourMajesty,Iwillsayitonelasttime.Yourthoughtsconcerningmysafetywillbeentirelysufficient.Iwillgratefullyacceptthem.”

Theyoungmanwhodeclaredthiswithseveritydidnotshowanyopeningorweaknesses.HehadbrokenthedeadlockwiththeKingbysimplystatingitwasimpossible.Hestoodlikearocktothewavesthatwouldlooktodisplacehisideals.AstheKingthought,thisyoungmanwasonanentirelydifferentlevel.Hewasgeniuswhodefinitelyshouldnothavebeendraggedintotheherosummoning.Afterashortsilence,Suimeibrokehissevereexpressionandspokeinaself-deprecatingvoice.

“...ThoughIactedcool,itisn'tsomethingIshouldbesayingassomeonewhorefusedtofaceafightbecausetheydidnotwanttodie.”

“Ifyouputitlikethat,thosewordsapplytoallofus.WewhohadcoweredinfearatthethreatoftheDemonLordandpushedeverythingonpeoplewhowerecompletelyunrelatedtothematterarenobetter.Thatofcourse,includesmyself...”

TheonlyonesqualifiedtocomplainaboutnottakingpartintheDemonLord'ssubjugation,weretheonestakingpartinthesubjugationthemselves.Itisn'tsomethingthatanyonewhowashidinginasafeplaceshouldspeakof.Suimeiwasdepartingthecastletofaceanentirelydifferentchallenge.Nobodywasqualifiedtocondemnhimforit.Asexpected,tothisyoungmanwhowouldpushforwardstowardsanimpossiblegoal,justhowmuchhadtheyhinderedhimbycallinghimhere.TheKingknewitmusthavebeenaseriousblowtoSuimei.ThewordsSuimeispokeinthischamberatthattimetrulyhurttheKing'sheart.ThisjustshowedhowmuchsympathyheheldforSuimei.Eventhoughtheywereseparatedinageenoughtobeparentandchild,hestillunderstoodSuimei'sfeelings.

“Didyoustillhaveanythingyouwouldliketoaskme?

“Then...”

TheKingtookSuimeiuponhisofferandcontinuedtoaskhimmanyquestionsabouthimselfandaboutReijiandMizuki.Theydidnottalkonlyaboutthingsrelatedtomagicians,butalsoaboutthefrivolouslifehehadwithhisfriends.

★

SometimehadpassedsincetheKing'sconversationwithSuimeihadbegun.

“...Isitalrightformetoasksomethingthistime?”

“Whatisit?”

SuimeishiftedhisgazetothesidetotheKing'sresponse.

“No,nottohisMajesty.”

“...?Tome?”

“Yeah.Toyou.IfIremembercorrectly,yousaidthatyouhadnointentiontokillmeright?”

TheKingdidnotknowwhenthetwohadtalkedofsuchmatters,butitseemedthatFelmeniaknewwell.

“Y-yeah.That'strue.IswearupontheGoddessAlshuna.”

SuimeinoddedhisheadasFelmeniasworeuponthegoddesswithoutaskingforfurtherconfirmation.

“Thosewordspiquedmycuriosityyousee.Ididsomeinvestigatingafterwardsandfoundoutsomethingquiteinteresting.”

“Something,interesting?”

“Yeah.It'ssomethingthatconcernsyourselfaswell...Orratherit'smoreappropriatetosaythatyouareavictim,sohowaboutit?Wouldyouliketolookintoitwithme?”

Suimeiputonanevilsmileasifhehadjustthoughtofsomeamusingplanandspokeofthethingshehaddiscoveredduringhisinvestigation.

Chapter4-FortheSakeoftheOneIAspiretoBeOnthisday,withinagrandcorridorinCamelliaCastle,someonewasinahurry.Hewasamage-likemanwearingafinerobe.ThiswastheCourtMagewhohadpreviouslyreportedonSuimei’sactivitiestoFelmenia.HewasheadedtowardshisownroomafteraconveningofCourtMagesintheaudiencechamber.Theleanfigureofthemanwaswalkingatacalmgait.Itwasasifhewasanticipatingsomethingorthathecouldnotholdbackhisjoyashewasurgedonforwards.

“Mu….?

Inthemiddleofhisjoyousreturn,themanspottedsomethinginhisfieldofvisionrightinthemiddleofthelargecorridorrightatitsend.Andashemovedhisgazeuponit…

“…Reiji-sama,Mizuki.Withoutdelay.Quickly.”

Ayounggirl’svoiceenteredtheman’sears.Hesawtheedgeofthetrainingground.TherehesawthefigureoftheprincessTitaniabeckoningtheheroandhisfemalefriendwithoutpayingattentiontohersurroundingsstandingattheedgeofthewall.Itwasquitestrangethattheyweretherewhentheywerenotdoinganytraining.Asthemanwaswonderingwhatwasgoingon,ReijiarrivedwhereTitaniawaswaitingatsuchalatehour.

“I-isitreallyalright,Tia?Todosomethinglikesneakingoutofthecastlearbitrarily,isn’titwrong…”

ReijiwasunabletokeephiscomposureashequestionedTitania.FromhisfigurethatwassneakingaroundnotasinglefragmentofhisusualheroicfigurewhenhefacedoffagainsttheKnightCaptainandCourtMagescouldbeseen.

“It’salrightReiji-sama.Itisn’tthefirsttimethatI’vesnuckoutofthecastlewithouttellinganybodyafterall.”

“That’snotwhatImean.”

“It’salright.Justleaveeverythingfromme.Weshouldbeabletomakesomefunmemoriesbeforeourdeparture.IdoregretthatSuimei-samawillnotbecomingthough…”

Titaniacasthergazedownwardsindisappointment.Itseemstheywereplanningontravellingsomewhereincognito.Eversincetheyhadbeencalledfromanotherworld,theyhadnotleftthecastleevenonce.Thinkingthatthismightbetooconstrainingfortheheroandhisfriends,theprincesswasmovingtolightentheirhearsduetoherkindness.Asthemanwasmakingthisconjecture,Mizukihadspottedhimandbegantomakeaflusteredexpression.

“T-Tia,hey…”

“What’swrongMizuki?Panickinglikethat.”

“T-That.That…”

TitaniadidnotimmediatelyrealizewhatMizukiwascallingheroutfor,butafterMizukipointedherfingertowardsthemanshefinallynoticed.Reijistaredstraightuptowardstheheavensmakingafacethinking‘OhCrap’.NexttohimTitanialethergazeswimaround.

“Thisis,um…”

Afterbeingdiscoveredbysomeonefromthecastle,shewasshakenandnotquitesurewhattodo.

“Wellthen,IthinkIheardsomething,butisitjustmyimagination?”

Themanturnedhisgazeawayfromthethreeofthemandspokeoutthisthoughtsoutloud.Heintendedtooverlookthem.Thethreeofthemdidnotimmediatelyunderstandjustwhatwasmeantbythevoicethatwasfeigningignorance.Titaniawasthefirsttorealizeandsteppedontothefarceofastage.

“T-that’sright.It’sjustyourimagination.Thereisnobodyhereatthetraininggrounds.”

“That’sright.There’snowayIcouldbehearingherHighnessthePrincessand

Hero-dono’svoicesatthistraininggroundwherenobodyisdoinganytraining.Itmustbemyimagination.”

Titanialetoutasighofrelieveandlethergazefalltotheground.Reijimimickedheractions.Theyseemedtohavebeenquiteshaken,buthavenowcalmeddown.

“Wellthen,letusdepartwhilewestillcan.”

“U-un.You’reright.Let’sgo.Reiji-kun.”

“Thankyouverymuch.”

Reijigaveapolitebow.Thethreeofthemclearedthewallusingstrengtheningmagic.Themanmadeanamusedfaceashesawthefiguresoftheprincessandherovanishingoverthewall.

“Ku,kuku…Oh.Iofallpeople…”

TheCourtMageletoutasnickerthinkingbackonTitania’sflusteredreaction.Hewasn’tenabletoholdbackhisfeelingsaftersomethingnicehadhappened.

“Fufufu.”

Themanoncemorebeganwalkinginahurrywhilehewasstillingoodhumour.AsasplendidCourtMage,hecouldnotbecaughtbyanyonelettingouthisjoylikethat.Attheleastheshoulddosofromwithinhisownroom.Beforelongthemanreachedhisdestination,enteredtheroomandshutthedoorbehindhim.ThiswastheofficethathadalwaysbeenappointedtohiminCamelliaCastle.Itwaskeptinanorderlyandneatmannerjustasalways.

“Hmm…”

Forsomereason,unlikealways,hecouldsmellafragrancefillinguptheentireroomthathadneverbeenpresentbefore.Amaidhadprobablyburnedsomenewaromaticincenseaftercleaningtheroom.Notonlythatitseemedtobequitethehighqualityincense.

“Shecertainlyhasquitethenicehobby…”

Thankstotheworkofsomeonehedidnonecessarilyknow,theman’shighspiritsonlysoaredtonewerheights.Heplannedtoreturnthefavouroncehehadthetimeto…Nevertheless,thisscentwascertainlystimulatinghismood.Witheachsniffhisspiritwouldbecomestimulated,itwastothepointwherehefeltquitepleasant.Itwasasifhisjoywasbeingmultipliedseveraltimesover.

“Ku,kuku…”

Thankstothedevilisharoma,themanwaslongerabletosuppresshisemotions.Ashestoodbythewindow,thewallknownaspatiencehadburstandhisjoyhadtransformedintoaloudlaughter.

“Fu,fu,fuHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!ThatstupidlittlegirlStingray,didyoulearnyourlesson!?ScrewtheWhiteFlame!Justfrombeingabletousemagicalittleskillfullyyousuregotquitecockydidn’tyouyoustupidlittlegirl!?ThisiswhatyougetformakingafoolofmeinfrontofherHighnessthePrincessandthehero!HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

Thereasonfortheman’sgreatjoywasbecauseatthemeetingheldbetweenCourtMagesintheKing’saudiencechamber,theverdictofFelmenia’sdismissalhadbeenpasseddown.Previously,theroleofteachingtheheromagicwasstolenfromhimbyFelmenia.Ontopofthatshehumiliatedhimpublicly…Itwasjustaonesidedgrudgefromhisend,butsincehisselfishwishhadbeengranted,hewasunabletostoplaughing.Afterhavinglaughedoutalltheairinhislungs,hetookadeepbreathandonceagainbegantalkingtohimself.

“…Fu.Still,thatstupidlittlegirlsuregotdeceivedquiteeasilyhuh.Bynomeanswouldthathero’sfriendwithoutasinglefragmentofabackboneeverholdathoughtofharminghisMajestytheKing.Buttothinkwithjustsomesimplemagicandcajoleryshewouldmeetmyexpectationsandharmthatkid…Forsomeonewhowasnotabletoproperlyassessthesituationlikethat,thatstupidlittlegirl’sappointmentasaCourtMagewasfartoohastyafterall.”

Lookingattheresultsitwasjustashesaid,theappointmentwastoohasty.Felmeniawasjustthatmuchofsimpleton.That’swhyshehadjudgmentpasseddownonherintheaudiencechamber…TheKinghadsaidthatFelmeniahadgoneofftomotivateSuimei,whohadrefusedtotakepartintheupcomingfightwiththeDemonLord,withsomeroughwords.Howevershehadgonetoofarandendedupinjuringhim.ThehiddentruthbehinditwasthatFelmeniawasn’t

goingtomotivatehim,shehadgonetousethatmagicshehadcreated,thatpowerfilledwithliesanddeceit,tokillthatboywhoheldnopoweratall.

Themanwasbeingquitetalkative.Itwasasifhewasbeingcompelledtospeakofthetruthbehindeverythingthathadhappened.Hehimselfcouldalsonotunderstandwhyhehadbecomesopassionateabouttalkingtohimselfaboutit.

“Fu,fu.HowevertothinkthatshewasnotjustjustgivenapunishmentbutafulldismissalasaCourtMage.Iwouldhavebeengladifshehadjustbeentaughtalesson,buthisMajestyhadbeenquitestrictinhisjudgment.IguesshewasjustthatmuchmoreangeredafterhehadshownsuchfavourtothatstupidlittlegirlStingray.”

Themanstillcontinuedtotalktohimself.Hehadaslightproblemwiththisfact,buthisextremesenseofjoycompletelytrumpedthatsmallthought.Itjustdidn’tmatteranymore.Andso…

“Neverthelessthefaceshewasmakingintheaudiencechamberwasjust…!WhenhisMajestytheKingdeclaredherdismissalinfrontofalltheCourtMagesherfaceasshesunkintodespairwasjust…”

“Wasjustwhat?”

“Itwasjustsuchathrillingthingtosee!”

“Hahaha.Certainlyshewasgettingalittletoocockyafterall.”

“That’sright!Shewasjuststaringdownfromherhighhorse.Butnowshe’s…Ku,HAHAHAHAHA!”

“Yousuredoseemtobeenjoyingyourself.”

“OfcourseIam!Icanonlyenjoymyselfinthissituationright!?Iknockedoffthatimpudent,stupidlittlegirlStingraywhodidn’tknowherplaceintheworldfromherseatasaCourtMageafterall!Doyouunderstand?Mypurejoy…Ah?”

Hewasoverjoyedathisownvictory.That’swhyhehadjustcontinuedtalkinginafriendlymannerwiththevoicethatslippedinoutofnowhere.Finallyhenoticedthestrangenessofthesituationandturnedaroundcompletely

dumbfounded…Ashelookedbehindhim,sittingdownonthecouchinhisoffice,wasasinglemandressedinunfamiliarblackclothescoveredindarkness.Themancrossedhislegs,andbeganspeakingwithanexpressionashewasscornfullylaughingathim.

“Eh?Aren’tyougoingtocontinue?Youstillhavethingsthatyouwanttosay?Right?”

Hespokeinafamiliartone.Likeachildlookingforwardtothenextchapterofthestorybutthenswitchedtoamuchmoreevilexpression.Thiswashistrueintention,likeadevilherevealedthemtothemanbeforehim.Soon,thesunlightbrokethroughthewindowandrevealedthemanwhohadbeencoveredindarkness.

“Y-You’re…?”

“Nowthen,don’tholdanythingbackonmemage.No…CourtMage,SebastianKran.”

Thismanwas…

“S-Suimei,Yakagi…?”

Hemanagedtomutterthosewordsoutwhilepointinghisshakyfingeratthemanwhohadnamedhim.InfrontofSebastianKran,Suimeistoodupandgaveagrandbowlikeanactorbeforespeaking.

“Aah.Itisapleasuretomeetyou.Thiswouldbethefirsttimethatwespeakfacetofaceright?”

“Wha…Whatareyou?Sincewhenwereyouthere…?No,howdidyougetinhere?”

“Howyousay?Ijustnormallyopenedthedoorandentered.Sincewhen?JustalittlebeforeyouenteredtheroomyourselfIthink?Aah,that’sprobablyright.”

Inthemiddleofthiscasualresponse,Sebastianrecalledbacktothetimethatheenteredtheroom.Atthattime,hehadbeenwalkingwithalightstepandopenedthedoor.Hehadonlybeenlookingstraightforwardsandhadn’tcheckedtheentireroom,butthatcouchhaddefinitelybeenwithinhisfieldofview.Now

matterhowmuchhethoughtaboutit,Sebastiancouldnotrecallthesceneofanyonesittingonthatcouchatthetime.

“Ridiculous,whenIenteredtheroomtherewasn’tanybody…”

“Therewasn’tanybodythere?I’msureyouthoughtso.Ihadcastaspellthatpreventedyoufromseeingorsensingmeupontheentireroomafterall.There’snowayyoucouldnotice.”

“What…Aspellyousaid?Don’ttellmeyoucanusemagic…”

“AahIcanuseit.ThoughitmaynotappearsoI’mstillamagicianafterall.So―”

―Herbalmagic,diditfeelgood?

Suimeiwassmilingatthecomedyplayingbeforehiseyesthathehimselfhadproduced.HeputintowordsthereasonwhySebastianhadsuddenlybecomesotalkative.

―HerbalMagic.Inancienttimesitwasusedbyshamans.FromtheMiddleAgestothepresentitwasusedbywitches.Itwasatechniquewhichusedthemysterieswithinherbs,amagiccategorizedasawitch’sspell.

Itwaspossibletousemagictousethescentoftheherbs,ortousetheherbsthemselvesasatalisman,todrawoutthemysterieswithin.InthiscaseSuimeihadusedtheformertechnique.ItwasasimpletrapwiththegoalofbringingdownSebastian.Aftergivingoffhistheatricalgreeting,Suimeiwalkedtowardsthewall.Seeingsomeoneelsestruttingaroundhisownroomliketheyownedtheplace,Sebastianrecalledsomethingthathehadheardearlier.

“A-Amage!?N-nothereisnomagicinHero-dono’sworld.”

“That’sright,theworldtheyknowofuscertainlylikethat.”

“Theworldtheyknowof?”

“Right.Well,regardingthat,itisn’tsomethingthatyouneedtoknow.”

ThesewordsasSuimeislowlycameoutofthedarknesssentshiversdownSebastian’sspine.Hecouldn’tunderstand.Theherodidnotknowoftheexistenceofmagicbeforehand.Itdidnotseemlikeheknewandpretendednottoeither.HoweverhewasthemanchosenbytheGoddessandtheworld.Themangiventhedestinyofahero.Inthatcase,therewassimplynowaythatthewiseherowouldnotbeabletouseanymagic,butthiscompletelycommonyoungmanthattheycouldfindanywherewouldbeableto…

(WasthisperhapswhyFelmeniabelievedthatSuimeimeanttocauseharmtohisMajestysoeasily?BecausesheknewthatSuimeiwasamage…)

ColdsweatbegantofalldownSebastian’scheeks.Hewaswonderingifsuchathingwaspossible.Thisunexpectedeventwashappeningafterall.AfterenjoyingthesightofSebastiantremblingforawhile,Suimeileanedontothewallabeganspeakinginacoldtone.

“Anyways,thankyou.IhadunderstoodmostofthesituationrightasIhadbeguninvestigating,howeverthankstoyouInowhaveafullgraspontheentiresituation.Ihadcompletelybeenusedasanexcusetoaccomplishyourgoals…Ah,bythewayyouwon’tbeabletogetawaywithjustsayingyouknownothingaboutit.HisMajestytheKinghasalreadygraspedthatthereisamastermindbehindallthisafterall.”

“Th-that’s.”

AsSebastianbeganmumbling,Suimeirelentlesslycontinued.

“That’sright,theonewhoplayedapettytrickontheautomatonStingraysetupwasyouwasn’tit?”

“Wh-whatareyou…”

“IthoughtIalreadysaidyouwouldn’tbeabletogetawaybysayingyouknownothing?Theonewhomadethatthingwasyourteacher.Golemmanipulationisyourspecialtyisn’tit?It’sasimpletrickisn’tit?”

“U…”

SebastianwasunabletoformanysortofobjectionandSuimeifluentlyexposingeverythingbeforehim.Suimeishruggedhisshouldersandspokeupagain.

“Whenshehadsuddenlytriedtokillme,Ihadsimplythoughtshewasacompletelysimpletonthatwasharassingmeaftergettingpissed.Butyouweretheonewhohadactuallygottenpissedandusedyourselfishunjustifiedresentmenttoframeherbycreatingavictimright?Doyouhaveanythingtosay?”

“…Whatdoyouintendtodotome?”

“Iwilldonothing.Theonewhoshoulddosomethingistheonewhocametothemostharmbecauseofthis.Isn’tthatright?Whatdoyouthink?”

AfterSuimeiaskedthecautiousSebastianonce,forsomereasonheturnedtothesideandaskedanotherquestion.

“Justwhoareyou…”

Beforehefinishedspeaking,hefollowedSuimei’slineofsight.Thedoortohisofficeopened.Andbeyondthedoorafigureappeared.

“F-FelmeniaStingray!?”

TheonebeyondthedoorwasinfacttheyoungCourtMagewhoSebastianhadbeenholdinganunsightlygrudgeagainstthathehadcausedtofallfrompower,FelmeniaStingray.Anymanwhoseteyesonherwouldbecaptivatedbyherbeauty.Howeverthisbeautywasnowstaringatthemanbeforeherwithacoldgazefilledwithrighteousindignation.Fromhermouthavoicefilledwithangerspilledforth.

“…Tothinkthiswasyourschemeallalong,bastard.”

ThewordsFelmeniaspatoutinaloathsomemannerwerevulgar.Sebastian

turnedbrieflytowardsSuimei.Hehadbeenstandingofftothesidewithasneeronhisface.

“She’sourspecialguest.It’squitethecleverdevelopmentright?”

“Youbastard…!”

SebastianwasglaringaholethroughSuimeiasiftokillhim,butFelmeniasooninterruptedthismoment.

“It’dbebestforyoutobequiet!ThetitleofCourtMagedoesnotsuitabastardlikeyouwhowouldcauseanothertofallsimplyforyourwretchedenvy!IshalldragyouinfrontofhisMajestytheKingandtellhimeverythingofyourdamnedscheming!”

“Ku!”

FelmeniaspokethesebravewordsandadvancedtowardsSebastiantograbhim,howeverhejumpedoverthetableandranfortheexit.“Outoftheway!”

“Kya!?”

FelmeniahadbeeninthedoorwayanddidnotexpectSebastiantoresist,ittookherallshehadjusttododgeoutofthewayofhisrammingattack.Bythetimesherealizedjustwhathadhappened,hewasalreadyrunningdownthecorridor.

“Eh?Ah?”

FelmeniawasstilllookingaroundconfusedasSuimeiclearedupherthoughtswithatroubledexpression.

“…Oioi.Whatthehellareyoudoing?Heranawayyouknow?”

“I-I’msorrythatwasinexcusable.ItwasjustsosuddenthatI…”

“Sudden…You’reamagearen’tyou?Where’syourmagic?”

“Ah…”

“Comeon…”

SuimeiletoutasighatFelmenia’sidioticvoice.Hewasexasperatedathersuddendisplayofherclumsygirlstylebehaviourandcouldn’tevenbuthiscomplaintsintowords.Howeverhestillputhisthoughtsintoorderandtookaction.

“Whatever,we’rechasingafterhim.”

“Yes.”

ThetwoofthemtookchaseafterSebastian.Hewasalreadyoutofsight,howeverhewasunabletohidehispresence.Whilestillinchase,Felmeniasuddenlybeganspeakinginanunusuallymeekvoice.

“Um…”

“What’swrong?”

“ImustapologizeSuimei-dono.EventhoughIhadbeentricked,Ihadcausequitealotoftroubleforyou…IwanttoapologizeforalltheimpolitenessIhaveshownyou.”

“Hm?Aah,Ididn’tparticularlypayitanymind.Wehadsettledallofthatwiththefight.ItallstartedbecauseIwassneakingaroundtoo.Idon’tthinkyoumadeanymistakesinfindingfaultwiththat…Well,it’sthatisn’tit?Ifwe’retalkingaboutbeingtrickedthatappliestometoo.Imagnificentlywentalongwiththeplotlaidoutbythatmanafterall.”

“But…”

Eventhoughhesaiditwasfineshestillseemedtowanttoapologize,itwasasignofherpurehonesty.Suimeiputonaveryseriousfaceandrespondedtoher.

“I’msorry.Itrulywentoverboardwithyouinmanyways.”

“N-no!ItisnotsomethingforSuimei-donotoapologizeabout!Notonlydidyoupermitmyselfishrampage,youevenpreparedawayofclosingthecurtainwithouttakingmylife.Ifyouapologizeontopofthat,Iwon’thaveanythingtostandonanymore.”

“…”

SuimeigavealooklikehewaslookingatsomethingunexpectedtowardsFelmenia’sexcessivelyhumblebehaviour.

“…Istheresomethingwrong?”

“No,Imayhavemisunderstoodyouquiteabit.”

“Misunderstood…isit?”

“No,I’msorry.Seriously.”

“…?”

FelmeniawascuriouswhathemeantasSuimeiapologizedonemoretimeandlookedather.Hedidnotexpecthertobethatsortofperson.Hedidnotthinkshewasabadpersontobeginwith,howeverhehadtreatedherquitebadlyforsuchayounggirlevenifitwasforthepurposeofsealinghermouth.Nowthathethoughtbackonthishehadfelthemayhavegonetoofarforjustventinghisanger.Asheapologizedoncemore,SuimeiturnedtowardsandcontinuedchasingSebastian’spresence.

“…Anyways,justwhereisthatguyheaded?”

“Ifhekeepsfollowingthispath,thenitwouldbethenorthwing.”

“Isn’tthatadeadend?”

Suimeirecalledthelayoutofthenorthwingtoconfirm,Felmeniareturnedhimanod.

“Yes,therearenoexits.Iftherewassomethingthere.”

“Itwouldbetheroomweweresummonedto…”

ForsomereasonSuimeihadabadfeelingaboutthis.

★

Beforelong,thetwoofthemarrivedatthesummoningritualsitemakingsurethattheydidnotlethimslipbythemonthewayandburstintotheroom.TheirpreywascrouchedinthecentreofthesummoningcircleasFelmeniayelledout

tohim.

“There’snowherelefttorun!!Giveitup!!”

“…”

HoweverSebastianremainedsilent.HedidnotevenreacttoFelmenia’swords.ThistimeSuimeispoketograbhisattention.

“Oi,you,whydidyourunawaytothisplace?”

“Fu,fufufu…”

“What’ssofunny!?”

FelmeniayelledatSebastianwhohadgivenoutasardoniclaugh.Howeverhestilldidnoseemtobebotheredbyheratall,ratheritseemedthathefoundherangerhumorous.Finallyhespoke.

“Naive…FartoonaiveStingray.DidyoutrulybelievethatIwouldruntothisroomwithoutplanninganythingatall?”

“What?”

“Kukuku,IamalsoaCourtMage!Ihaveaplanpreparedtobreakthroughthisexactsituation!Behold!”

Ashesaidthis,Sebastianactivatedthesummoningcircle.Atafewmumbledwords,thesummoningcirclebeneathhisfeetbegantogiveoffadarklight.Theboundlessdarkpurplelightfloodedthestoneenclosedroom.Felmeniawasshockedbythesuddendevelopment.

“Wh-whatareyoudoing!?Thisisthesummoningcircletocallheroesfromotherworldsyouknow!?”

“Preciselyso!Howeversinceitisabletosummonsomethingfromanotherworld,withaslightrevisionitispossibletosummonsomethingotherthanheroes!”

“Wha…Thenjustwhatareyou…?”

…planningonsummoning?WerethewordsFelmeniawasabouttoask.Thoughaftercomingthisfartherewasreallyneedtoask.

“Isn’titobviousthatitwillbesomethingtogetridofyoubastards!?”

“Sothat’syourintent!?You’verevealedyourtruecharacter!”

“Ceaseyourprattlinglittlegirl!You’vegottencockyjustbecauseyou’realittleskillfulatmagic.Notonlythatyoustolethehonourofsummoningtheherofromme!Andtotopitalloffyoumadeafoolofmeinfrontofsomanypeople!You’llpayforthishumiliationwithyourlife!”

“Shutup!Don’tstareatmewithyourvulgareyesthatarecompletelypossessedwithyourownfame…”

FelmenialashedbackatSebastian’svulgardisplayofhisinnermostthoughts.Suimeiraisedhisvoicetoherasshegrimacedindisdain.

“…Huh.Soyou’renottheonlyonewhocanusethatthing?”

“Eh?Y-yes.Incasesomethinghappenedtothemageleftinchargewiththesummoningthehero,allCourtMagesweregatheredtobetaughtbyamessengerfromtheSalvationChurchandMage’sGuild.No,moreimportantlyweneedtostophissummoning…”

AsFelmeniastartingpreparinghermagic,Suimeigrabbedhershoulder.

“Wait.”

“Wh-!?WhyareyoustoppingmeSuimei-dono!?”

FelmeniacouldnotunderstandatallwhySuimeihadstoppedher.Suimeiraisedhisvoiceasifitwerecompletelyobvious.

“OfcourseI’llstopyou.Inthissituationitshouldbeobvious.”

“What’sobviousaboutit!?He’smadesomesortofmodificationtothemagiccircle!Wedon’tknowwhatwillhappen!”

ThesummoningcircleSebastianwascurrentlyusingwassomethingthathehad

revisedsomewhat.Sincehewasnotusingthespellthewayitwasmeanttobeused,theycouldonlyassumeitwasnotsafe,nottomentionhewasinthemiddleofthesummoningitself.Thelightfromhismanaandhisaccumulationofpowerwereonlygrowingstronger,theydidnothavethetimetohesitate.Felmeniawasinarushtogetananswerassheunderstoodthesefacts,howeverSuimeisimplyfolderhisarmsandmadeagrimace.

“No,don’tstophim.It’sbeenmakingallsortsofnoise,butthatsummoningcircle,itincludesafairlygooddefensivespellmixedinwithit.There’snothingtoprotectwhatwillbesummonedfromtheotherside,howevertheprotectionontheonedoingthesummoningisquiteperfect.”

Suimeihadalsobeenthinkingofwaysofstoppingthesummoning,howeverhedidnotcomeatagoodconclusion.

“Wha….EvenforSuimei-dono!?”

“Well,I’dliketosayevenforme,but…Anyways,evenifwestophimthere’sthat.Ifweforcefullystopthespellsomethinghorribleiscertaintohappenright?”

“Eh…?”

AfterhearingSuimei’swarning,Felmeniahadaterriblepremonition.Justthewordssomethinghorriblewouldnotnormallyaffecthersomuch.ButtohearthosewordsfromSuimeiwasanentirelydifferentmatter.Thedifferencebetween‘somethinghorrible’betweenthetwoofthemwasjustthatvast.Suimeiwascompletelyfocusedonthepillaroflightshootingoutofthesummoningcirclewhichhadbegunisolatingsomethingfromanotherworldasheexplainedhisthoughts.

“He’susingthesummoningcirclewhichsummonspeoplefromanotherworld,itcouldbecalledaberserksummoning.Ifwethinkaboutitlikethat,ithasbecomeasummoningcallingforthsomethingfromanotherworldoranentirelydifferentdimension.Thesummoningisproducingsomethingcalledarepellentforcetowretchopenaholetothatotherworld.Ifweforcefullystopitwhiletheactualtargetofthesummoninghasnotsettled,thatdestinationwillvanishandalltherepellentforcewillreturn.”

“…Whathappenswhenitreturns?”

“That’sright….Wellattheworstevenatthisscaletheentireregionsurroundingthecastlemaybeblownaway.”

“S-suchathing.”

FelmeniawasatalossforwordstowardsSuimei’sconjecture.Ifshehadstoppedhimjustnow,justwhatwouldhavehappened?Notonlyherselfandthecastle,itwasn’tdifficulttoimaginejusthowlargeacatastropheitcouldhavebecome.

“Well,that’swhatitmeanstoopenholesbetweendimensions.Ifyouaskme,thatmagiccircleisfarmoredangerousthananysingleentityitcouldpossiblebringforth.”

“I,Isee..”

Suimeihadnointentionofshowingsympathy.HeheardFelmeniaacknowledgehiminabewilderedvoiceandthencontinuedspeaking.

“Well.Don’tworryaboutthesummoning.Themediumbeingusedtodothesummoningisthatoldman’smanaafterall.Whatcomesoutwillbesomethingwhichconformstothescaleofthemedium.It’sjustatrickthatsomethingterriblewillcomeoutofit.Howeverifthesummoningsucceeds,I’mprettysureasectionofthecastlewillbreak.”

“Th-that’saproblem!There’sstillalotofpeopleinsidethecastle…”

BeforeFelmeniacouldfinishhersentenceabouttheimpendingcrisis,thedarkpurplepillaroflightshootingoutofthesummoningcirclesuddenlybecamestrongerandSuimeicalledtoherinastrongtone.

“―It’scoming!”

“Ah,Aah!?”

Felmeniashuthereyesbeforetheviolenttorrentoflight.Shewasonlyabletoletoutasurprisedvoicefromhermouth…Felmenialosttrackofthesourceoftheimmensepoweremittingthelightforaninstant.Whensheregainedhersense,beforesheknewitshewasbeingembracedinSuimei’sarms.

“Ah…”

WhenshelookedupallshecouldseewasSuimei’sfacingshootingoffacoldgazeawayfromherandhisindifferentandcoolfigure.Andwhenshelookedbelow…

“Thepowerescapedtowardsthesky.Withthisthedamageshouldonlyberestrictedtothisroomanditssurrounding.Also…”

“Ah!?AAAH!?”

Felmeniasuddenlybeganmakingafusswithinhisarmsasifshewassuddenlyconfusedbysomething,Suimeinaturallyturnedhisgazedowntowardsherwitharaisedeyebrow.

“What’swrong?”

“F-Flying!We’reflying!?”

Inthemiddleofthebluesky,Felmenialetoutasurprisedscream.Thetwoofthemwerecurrentlyinthemiddleoftheemptysky.SuimeihaddeployedflightmagicandwascarryingFelmeniainhisarms.GlitteringmanawasscatteringfromthebottomofSuimei’sfeet.Thiswasthepowerthatwaspreventingthetwoofthemfromfallingfromthesky.Suimeiwassimplystandinginthemiddleoftheaircalmly.ButFelmeniawasstillinuttershockatthefactthattheywereflyingatall.

“Wh-what!?Whatisthis!?”

SuimeifinallymanagedtoguessjustwhatwasbotheringFelmeniasomuch.

“AaahIgetitnow.Thereisnoflightmagichere.Ihadthoughtthatflightwasoneofthefirstthingsyourememberedwhenlearningmagicthough…”

“M-moreimportantly,Suimei-dono!?”

“It’sfine.Wewon’tfall.Ifyou’reworriedjustholdontightly.”

“T-!?Holdontoagentlemantightly!?Suchathing…n,nothat’snotwhatI―”

“#############################!!”

AsFelmenia,whowasafraidofheights,wasinthemiddleofbeggingtobeletdowntotheground,arepulsivevoicethattrulyseemedlikeitcouldnotpossiblyexistinthisworldresoundedthroughtheair.Thiswasn’tasoundloudenoughtoshattertheeardrums,butitwasasoundthatdrovefearintoone’sheart.Matchingthesound,thelightpouringoutofthesummoningcircledispersedlikeaveil,revealingthesourceofthescreambehindit.

“U,ah…”

Itwasaformcoveredindarkblackandbloodredcolours,anenormousbeastwithfoureerielegs.Theentireroomitwasinwascoveredintheshadowitcast.It’sheightreachedpasthalfwaytheheightofthetoweritself.It’sshapewassimilartoadogorwolf.

“…Ooh?Eventhoughhe’ssecondclasssomethingquitelargehascomeout.”

“W-what,i-isthat…?”

SuimeireturnedFelmenia’squestionwithabrieflook,acruellaugh,andasingleword.

“Amonster.”

“…DoesSuimei-donoknowwhatthatis?”

“Aah.It’ssomethingthatexistsinourworldafterall.”

SomethingfromSuimei’sworld.Felmeniafoundthosewordstobeterrifying,howeversherecalledsomethingthatgaveheraslightdoubt.

“FromSuimei-dono’sworld?ButHero-donoandMizuki-donohadsaidthattherewerenomonstersinthatworld.”

“Itjustshowshownarrowtheirviewofthatworldis.Theydon’tknowsimplybecausetheyareblindedbythegrowthofscience.Monstersproperlyexisteveninthatworld.”

“…”

“Andthat’soneofthem.Justlikethisworldhasdevilswhicharehumanity’s

enemy,ourworldhascertainsystemswhicharehumanity’senemy.”

“Sys,tems…?”

“That’sright.Thosearethemonstersoftheend.Intheotherworldthepopularnameforthemwouldbeapparitions.Theymimictheformofbeingsfromtheworldanddemonstratethatthereisnosuchthingaseternity.Theyarelikealawoftheworldwhichacceleratestheendoftheworld.”

“L-law,isthatnotacreature?”

“That’sright.Thatisnotalivingbeing,justsimplephenomenonthesameaslightningortornadoes.Aslongastherequirementsaremetitwilldefinitelyoccur,aruleoftheworld.Thereasonithastheshapeofacreatureisbecausetakingaphysicalformmakesiteasierforittostrikefearintheheartsofhumans…iswhatLeaderhadsaid.Well,justlookatit.Itgripsyouinfearprettyeasilydoesn’tit?”

FollowingSuimei’sgaze,Felmeniaalsoturnedtowardsthemonster,theoneknownasanapparition.Justashedescribed,simplylookingatitsformwasenoughforgoosebumpstoappearalongherskin.Itwasthesimpleinstinctualfearthatwelledupforthemaslivingbeings,likeanalarmbellincessantlyringingwithinherbody.

“…Itisaneventoftheend.Inourworlditisnotsomethingthatattackspeopleindiscriminately.Justlikethat,ittakestheworldandtransformsitintoaworldthathasendedasifitwasanestablishedfact.Whentheentireworldisfilledwithitspower,allcivilizationwillbecomesimplelegendandgoofftomeettheirtwilight.”

Suimeiwasspeakinginaflattone,butSuimeiwasdefinitelyfeelingsomewhatdisturbedatthethingbeforehiseyesanditreflectedinhisvoice.Felmeniawasunabletosuppresshertremblingfromthisvoice.Tothisworldwheretheysummonedaherotobringthemsalvation,theyhadnowletloosethiskindofthing.Justfromalookshecouldtellthatthemenaceitrepresentedcouldnotbecomparedtothemonstersoftheirownworld.Ifthatthingwastrulythevanguardfortheendoftheworld,itwaspossiblethattheworldSuimeicamefromwasinamuchmorecriticalsituationthanherown.

“Gu…”

AfterhearingSuimei’sexplanationandseriouslylookingatit,Felmeniaswallowedhersaliva.

“FUHAHAHAHAHA!!Doyouseethat!?Ifyouknowhowtouseit,summoningissosimple!!ItisbynomeanssomethingonlyyoucanfuckingdoStingray!!”

Avulgarlaughterfilledtheair.Sebastianhadbeencompletelycaptivatedbythesuccessofthesummoning.Inthethrallsofjoyheseemedunabletomakeanysortofsoundjudgmentabouttheapparitionitself.Evenifhesucceededinsummoning,hewastrulyworthless.Atthesightofthemancompletelydrunkwithhisownlaughter,Suimeiletoutaflabbergastedvoiceinspiteoftheapparitionbeforehim.

“Uwaaaa.Hejustspoutedoutwordslikeeverythingisdecided.”

“Sayallyouwantboy!FromhereonyouwillallfuckingdieatthehandsofthemonsterIsummoned!!”

Sebastianwasbarkingouttheirdeathsentence,butSuimeionlyhadcoldwordstoreturntohim.

“…That’simpossibleI’mafraid.”

“Whatkindofexcusesareyouspouting!?Gomymonsterfromanotherworld!Devourmyenemiesbeforeme!”

Sebastianhadgivenhisorders,buttheapparitionstayedexactlywhereitwasanddidnotevenreacttohim.

“Wha…?”

“See?”

“Wh-why!?Whywon’tyoulistentowhatIsay!?Whywon’tyoudoasIsay!?”

Sebastianwasyellingattheapparition,anditreturnedaglarebackathimasifitwasstaringatsomethingdetestable.Likealivingcreatureitfocuseditseyesrightonthemanbeforehimasifitwasreadytokillhim.

“Heeeee….”

Andfinallyherecognizedjusthowfoolishathingitwasthathehaddone.Withoutbreakingeyecontactwiththeapparitionbeforehimhefelltotheground.Then…

“U-UAAAAAAAAH!!”

Sebastian’sscreamwasbroughttoandendastheapparitioncrushedhim.

“Fool…”

Whilestillfloatingintheair,FelmenialetouttheseshortwordstowardsSebastian.Hewastheworstcolleaguepossible,butshestillheldpityforhimtomeethisendlikethis.Howeverthisdidnotmeanthatsheforgavehim.OncemoresheturnedtoSuimei.

“Suimei-dono.Whydidthatthingnotlistentowhathesaid?”

“Eh?Aah,it’sthatsummoningcircle…It’soriginisabigdifferent,butpartsofitaresimilartosomethingfromourworld.Fundamentally,summoningcirclesandspellsuseacontractasaconditionsothattheonesummonedoverwillnaturallybecompelledintoobediencebythatpower.Itdoesnotmatterwhetheritisaphenomenonoralivingcreature,itwillnormallyobeywithoutquestion…Itisalsolikethatinthisworldcorrect?”

“Yes.I’mdon’tknowaboutthecaseofaphenomenonbutthatcertainlydoesdescribethesummoningspellsofthisworld.”

ThethingsSuimeihadsaidwereverysimilartowhatFelmeniaalsounderstoodonthistopic.Shecouldn’tsaytheywereidentical,butthefoundationswereprettymuchthesame.Otherthantheherosummoning,themajorityofsummoningdoneinthisworldwasusedtobindasummonedcreaturetotheirwillusingacontractasaprerequisite.ThislinedupperfectlywithwhatSuimeihadsaid.

“Summoning,awakening,petitioning,possession.Thesearethefourcategoriesofsummoningspells.Theonewejustwitnessedwouldfallunderawakening…However,thesummoningcircletherewascreatedwiththegoalofsummoningheroes.That’swhytheportiontobindthewillofthesummonedbeinghadbeen

excluded.”

“Itwasexcluded?”

“Isn’titbecausetheimageofaheromadeintoaslavejustisn’tverypicturesque?Besides,tryremembering.Thatcircle’strianglehadbeendrawnonbackwardshadn’tit?”

“Nowthatyoumentionit,that’strue.”

“Likemosteverythingelse,inmagic,whenakeycomponentisreversedthentheeffectcreatedbythatcomponentwillalsoendupflippingover.Thetriangleinthesummoningcirclewaslargelyasymbolusedforbindingthatwhichappeared.Iftheregularpositionisbinding,thanitsinverseisliberation.Inotherwords.”

“Thathasbeenreleasedintothisworld.”

“That’showitis.Well,Ican’timaginethatkindofthingobeyinghumansanyways.”

“Th-then,aspelltocontrolthatthing…”

“Nope.”

FelmeniawasunabletoobjecttoSuimei’ssimpleconclusion.Seeinghowhehaddovedownmuchfurtherintothedepthsofmagicthanshehad,hispersuasivenesswasstrongerthananything.Inthatcase,ifitcannotbecontrolled…

“―OhFlame.Thouartendowedwiththeflameofjustice,butdisconnectedfromtheflameoflogic.Burneverythingtoashes,thewhitecalamityoftruth!TruthFlare!”

FelmeniathrustoutherarmswhilestillbeingheldbySuimeiandweavedherspelltogether.Themagicalwhiteflamesshotforth.Shehadpouredasmuchofhermanaintoitasshecould.Itwasablowinnowayinferiortothetimeshehadtakendownamonsterinthedesert.Theapparitionletoutanexcitedroarasthegiantpillarofflamethrustitselfintoit.However.

“It,itdidn’twork…”

“Lookslikeit.”

ThemomentFelmenia’smagichadtouchedtheapparition,hermagichaddispersedintosimplewhiteparticlesoflight.Theapparitionwasinperfecthealth.Itwaslikenothinghadhappenedatall.TheattackthatcontainedFelmenia’sentiresoulhadcompletelybeendenied.Shecouldnotdefeatit.Felmenia’shearthadbeengrippedbyfear.

“T-thatthing…Justwhatshouldwe…”

“Isn’tthatobvious?Webeatitup.”

Asimple,manlyandfearlessdeclaration.

“M-magicdidn’tworkyouknow!?Justhow…”

“Yourmagic.Butmagicfromthatworldisn’tsodamnlimited!”

SuimeimadethisdeclarationandbeganchantingaspellinalanguagethatFelmeniahadneverheardbefore.

“Theshineofendresolve.”(Thepowertotransformtheperfectlyclearbluelightintotheheavenlysky)

ItbeganrightawayasSuimeibeganchanting.Belowhisfeet,eventhoughtherewasnothingtodrawon,alargebluemagiccirclehadbegunforming.Atthesametimetheworldhadbeguntoquake.Aterriblesoundlikethatofmetalbeingtwistedbysheerforcewasringingthroughtheair.Objectsonthegroundwerebeingliftedintotheairbyhispower,andthebrittleonesshatterintopiecesbecomingtrashintheemptysky.Theclamouringtorrentofmanaformedacountlessnumberofdeepbluelightningboltswhichswallowedallthecameclose…Theshakingearth,thescreamoftheground,andasiftogivepraisetoallofthatthethunderouslightningresoundedthroughoutthesky.Andthen,thechantcontinued.

“Aquahorizontalinhand.”(Theindistinguishablehorizonovertheocean.Forthissingleinstantthatboundarylieswithinmyhand.)

Beforelong,Suimei’srighthandhaddrawnoutthesymbolofaswordintheairandwascoveredinabluespectrum.Manymagiccirclesweretakingshapeandconvergingonthatonepoint.Itwasasifhishandwassuckingupallthebluelightintheair.Forasingleinstanttheskyhadturneddarkasitwasthedeadoftheevening,andthen…

“Severtheblueofblue!!”(Cutthroughtheazuresky.It’snameisthedazzlingblueamongblue!!)

Ashethreadtogethertheselastwords,Suimeiswunghisarmdownsplendidly.

“蒼銘斬!!”(BlueInscribingSlash‘AoMeiZan’–t.n.SuimeiswitchedfromEnglishtoJapanese.)

Thelastwordswerelikeadeclarationofwhatwastocome,aslashingbluesword,BlueInscribingSlash.Themagicwasamixofstarandvoidattributes.Thevoidattributetookeverythingthatexistedinthevoidoftheairandmadeithispower.Thestarattributeborrowedpowerfromthestarrysky.BlueInscribingSlashwasblueskymagic.Themagiccirclesdeployedoveralargeareaandincountlessnumbers.It’soriginswerefromKabbalahnumerologyandmeteorology,acompositespellfromtwosystems…

WiththefinalwordsSuimeibrandishedhisbluerighthand.Theperfectlyclearbluelightthesamecolourastheskyformedamassiveblade.Thetracesleftbehindbythebladeleftablueaurorainitswakeasheslasheddownintothegiantapparitioninaninstant.Thebrilliantblueauroradeniedthetwilightandthemonstertwistedintormentbeneathit.Shortly,ahairraisingdeathcryfilledtheairasitcollapsedtothegroundandbeganconvulsing.

“That’sthat.”

Ashismagicended,SuimeislowlylandedinfrontofthefallenapparitionandletdownFelmeniafromhisarms.

“See?It’salrightnow.”

“Ah…”

Suimeistoodherupandstraightenedoutherclothingnaturally.Felmeniagreatlyadmiredhiscompletelynonchalantmovementsandkindbehaviour.Thesewere

thesamemovementsthatshehadpreviouslywitnessed,thekindnessheshowedwhenhewasconcernedforothers.Latelyshehadonlybeenshownhisselfishactions,howeverhistruenaturewasthatofakindyoungman.Evenwhenhewasheadedoffintoacompletelydifferentdirectionfortheheroandhisfriendwhohecaredfor,hedidthissothathecouldcreateapathbacktotheirworldnotjustforhimself,butforallofthem.Justlikehewasdoingnow,hetrulycaredforothers.

Felmeniaraisedhereyes.TheapparitionthatSuimeistruckwithmagichadcompletelycollapsedandstoppedmoving.Itwasamenacewhichcompletelydeniedherownmagic,butitwasstruckdownbySuimei’smagicwhichdefiedallcommonsenseinthisworld.StartingfromthefightintheWhiteWallGarden,toflyinginthesky,toexplainingthismysteriousphenomenon,totechniqueswhichwovetogethermultiplemagicsatonce.EverythingthathadhappenedbeforeFelmenia’seyeswerelikesomethingoutofadreamworld.

“Sothisis…Sothisiswhatamagecando…”

Beforeshenoticedit,whilestaringatSuimei’sbackwhilehewalkedtowardsthefallenapparition,shemutteredoutthesewords.‘Sothisismagic?’Itwasn’trestrictedtojustspells.Itdidnotdependonthepoweroftheelements.Itusedpowerfromhisownselfandhissurroundings.Itexposedthetruthofallexistenceanduseditasmagic.ThiswasthemagicfromthemagicianYakagiSuimei’sworld.Ifthiswasthelevelofmysteriesthatasinglepersoncouldhold,thentheplacethatshehadbeen,thosethatshecompetedwith,thosethatshehaddefeatedwereallconfinedinaterriblysmallworld.Upuntilnowhasn’tshejustbeenfixatedonextremelytinymatters?Suimeiturnedaroundandfacedher.Hisfacewasneitherexasperatednorfearless.Ifsheweretoputitinwords,itwassimplythefaceofonethatdidnotneedtobechallenged.

“…Didn’tIsayitbefore?Iamascholarofmysteries.Inthisworldmagesrecitechantssothattheycanusestrongmagic,thisistheirsimplegoal.Howeverforusitisdifferent.Themagiciansofthatworldexisttounravelthetruthbehindallexistence.Theirgoalistobecomeomnipotentthemselves.Yes,forthesakeofsurpassingtheworlditself.Thoseknownasmagessimplythinkinafundamentallydifferentmanner.”

“DoesthatalsoapplytoSuimei-dono?”

“That’sright.Iwillarriveatthetruthbehindmagicwithoutfailandaccomplishthewishthatmyfatherwasunabletofulfillhimself.That’swhy…”

Theapparitioncrumbledawayandvanished.Felmeniawatchedinadmirationatthethoughtthatthereexistedsomeonewhowouldstandbeforesuchagiantapparitionwhichgaveoffanairofabsolutedespair.Notonlythathehadstruckitdownsoeasily.

“…Iwilldefinitelyreturntothatotherworld.Andthen,IwillshowthatIhaveseizedalltheworld’spotential.”

Withthatresolutionmade,themagician’svoicewhosworetosomethingthatcouldnotbeseenclosedthecurtainonthefight.

★

Suimei,whohadjustdefeatedtheapparitionsummonbySebastianwithasinglespell,waslookingaroundtheroom.

“Aaaah.AsIthoughteverythingisbroken.”

Theshockofthesummoningitselfaswellastheoverwhelmingpressureoftheapparition’smassivebodyhaddestroyedtheritualsitewithoutleavingasingletrace.ThethingSuimeiwaslookingforwasnotthereasexpected.

Suimeiwaslookingforthesummoningcirclewhichbroughtthemtothisworld.Theonlyreasonhewasn’tcompletelydisappointedatthisfactwasthathewasalreadyabletomakeacopyofthemagiccircleitself.Hehadmemorizedallthefinedetailsbehindit,soitwasn’tthatmuchofaproblem.Itwouldnotmatchuptotheoriginalwhichhadalreadycreatedapathwiththeotherworld,butevensohebelieveditwouldn’tstophimfromfindingawaybackhome.Afterlookingaroundsomemore,Suimeihadfoundsomethingelseentirely.Itwasthemanhehadthoughtgottencrushedbytheapparitionjustnow.

“…Hereallysurvived.ThestrengthofevilluckIguess.Goddammit.”

ItwastheCourtMageSebastianKran.Heshouldhavebeencrushedbytheapparitionbutitseemedhehadmanagedtocrawlintoagapintherubble.Hedidn’thaveanyobviouswounds,hehadjustpassedoutatsomepoint.SuimeirolledovertheunconsciousCourtMagesothathefacedtheskyandshrugged

hisshoulders.Therewasnoproblemswithjustleavinghimherelikethat.Bythetimehewakesup,hewouldprobablyfindhimselfinaprison.Afterthinkingtherewasnothinglefttofind,SuimeiturnedbacktowardsFelmenia.

“S-Suimei-dono…”

Felmeniawasstandingtherewithaslightblushonherface.“…?”

Shethensteppedforwardsandgrippedbothofherhandstightlyasifpullingsomethingintoherchest.Suimeiwasn’tentirelysurewhatwasgoingon.“U,umm…CourtMage-san…?”

“Thereisnoneedtobesohumble,pleasecallmeMenia.Suimei-dono.”

“Eh?Eh?”

SuimeishookhisheadtowardsFelmeniawhohadjustaskedhimtocallherbehernicknamewithaflushedface.Suimeiwasunabletohidehisbewildermentandembarrassmentatthegirl’ssuddenchangeinattitude.HoweverFelmeniapushedonwithpassion.

“Thatmagnificentspellthatdefeatedtheapparition.Itwastrulyamazing.”

“Y-yeah.Thanks.”

“Rightupuntiltheend,youtookcareofthefailuresofmyworthlessself.Idon’t

haveenoughwordstoexpressmygratitude.”

“Aah,no,there’snoneedtobesopolite.Rather,um…Whathappenedtoyou?”

Atthecompletelyunexpectedturnofevents,thevoicethatSuimeiletouthadcracked.Hehadnoideawhatwasgoingon,itwasevencreepyjusthowshehadsuddenlytakenonsuchaformalattitude.Ontheotherhand,hehadnoideaifFelmeniawasawareofhisbewildermentornot.

“No,that’s.Puttingthatintowordswouldbesomewhatembarrassingbut…”

“???”

Felmenia’scheekshadturnedtoanentirelynewshadeofred,justwhatwassheabouttosay.

“Issomebodythere!?”

Aloudvoicewascallingouttothemfromthemainbuilding.Suimeididnotrecognizeit.Whenheturnedtowardsthevoice,therewereseveralcastleguardsrunningtowardsthem.Itseemstheynoticedtheabnormality…ratheritwasmorelikelytheynoticedtheabnormalityhadcalmeddownandnowwasagoodtimetocomeinvestigate.Lookingattheguards,SuimeiraisedhisvoicetoFelmeniainatroubledtone.

“Aah,I’msorrybut…”

“Yes.Ifullyunderstand.It’salrightifImakeitsothatSuimei-dono’sinvolvementremainscompletelyunknownright?”

“Yeah.”

FelmeniahadcorrectlygraspedeverythingthatSuimeihadwantedwithonlyafewwords.Hegaveheranodassheimmediatelytookaction.

“Byyourcommand.ItwillbedonejustasSuimei-donowillsit.”

AsFelmeniasaidthis,herfacethatseemeditwasabouttomeltatanytimetransformedintoacommandingoneinaninstantandsheturnedtodealwiththeguards.

“Goodwork.”

“WhiteFlame-sama!Umm,whatexactlyisthisdisastrousscene?”“Umu,justnowSebastian-donowentmadandcausedadisturbance.Iwaspresentintheareaandbroughtittoaclose.”

Felmeniagaveashortexplanationwithoutanyunnecessaryinformation.ItseemsthatshewasdealingwiththemexactlyasSuimeiintended.OneoftheguardthenturnedtowardsSuimei.

“Theoneoverthereis,ifIremembercorrectlyitisHero-sama’sfriend…”

“Aah,Suimei-donowasalsoaroundtheareabycoincidence.Regardingthatmatterthatisallthereis.”

“Isthatright?”

“Sebastian-donoiscurrentlylyingonthegroundoverthere.IfwewakesupI’mnotsurewhetherhewillstartsomethingagain,itwouldbebesttoseizehimwhilewehavethechance.

“Byyourcommand.”

SuimeiwasgenuinelyimpressedwithFelmenia.Shehadimmediatelybroughtaclosetotheconversationthathehadwantedtoavoid.Shehadanabilitywhichstoodinstarkcontrasttohowhewasseeingheruntilnow.Hedidnotseeasingleshadowoftheclumsyandincompetentgirl.Hewasn’tsurewhythegapinhercharacterwassolarge,butanybodywhosawhercurrentfigurewouldsingpraisesofhertalent.Afterfinishingthetalkwiththeguards,FelmeniaoncemoreturnedtowardsSuimei.Howeverherfacewasjustasheexpectedasiftodenyhissilentpraise.Thegallantexpressionthathadjustdealtwiththeguardshadcompletelyvanished,andtheexpressionofagirlwithflushedredcheekshadreturned.

“Withthis,iseverythingalright?”

“A-aah.”

Felmeniasteppedforwardsinlittlestepswithabrilliantsmileonherface.HerbehaviourremindedSuimeiofanemotionallyattachedpuppy.Justwhywasshe

makingafaceasifshewashappilywagginghertailwhilemakingacutebarkaskingforhermastertopraiseher?Felmeniawasstillstandingtherewaitingforsomethingwithgreatexpectations.Suimeispokeupinaslightlyhesitantvoice.

“…Thankyou.U-um…Menia?”

“Y-you’rewelcome!”

Forsomereasonhiswordsofgratitudehadpleasedhergreatly.Felmeniastartingjumpingandtwirlingaboutinexcitement.HeractionsjustdroveSuimei’sbewildermentfurtherandfurtherintothedepths…Afterwards,theCourtMage’sarrestprogressedwithoutanyinterference.However,Felmenia’stransformationhadremainedcompletelyunchanged.

“J-justwhat’swiththat?”

ItseemsthisyoungmancouldnotspeakdowntoReijiaboutthistopicanymore.

★

TheplacewasAstelKingdom,atthelargegatesbeforetheroyalcastleCamellia.There,thekingdom’ssoldiers,abandandthefirst-classknightsofthekingdomwereflankingagrandchariotcarryingReiji,MizukiandTitania.Whentheypassedthroughthegates,theywouldbegreetedbythecitizensoftheroyalcapitalMetelforthefirsttime.ThiswasthefirststepontheroadthatledtowardstheDemonLord’ssubjugation,agrandparadetounveiltheherotothecastletown.Suimeispokeupinanunsatisfiedvoice.

“Thetimehasfinallycomehuh.”

Thiswasthedaytheywouldleaveontheirjourney.Whentheparadeended,ReijiandcompanyalongwithafewknightswouldimmediatelybegintheirjourneytodefeattheDemonLord.Itwasn’tsurprisingthatSuimeiwouldlethisregretshowonhisface.HoweverReijistillworeabrightexpression.SuimeididnotknowifthiswasbecauseReijiwasexcitedfortheupcomingjourneyorwhetherhewasputtingonthatkindoffacetohidehisnervousness.RegardlessthiswasthefaceReijiusuallyputon,hethenturnedtoSuimei.

“We’reoff.”

“Yousaythatawfullylightly.”

SuimeireturnedReiji’swordswithadisappointedface,inresponseReijiputonaveryserious,businesslikeattitudeandrebukedhim.

“That’snottrue.EventhoughI’mlikethisI’vethoughtaboutitquiteabityouknow?Istillbelievemyansweratthattimewasnotamistakeafterall.”

“No,itwasamistake.Nomatterhowyouthinkaboutitthatwasamistake.HowmanytimesdoIhavetosayitbeforeyougetit?”

SuimeiwasactingasusualalwaysthrowinginhismatteroffactopiniontowardsReiji.Titaniaheldbothherhandsnearherheartaandspokelightlyinaworriedvoice.

“Suimei-sama…”

ThisgirlwasAstelKingdom’sprincess.OfcourseshewantedtodenySuimei’swords,butshestillhadcomplexfeelingsabouttheentirematter.Shewasoftheopinionthatthesubjugationmustcontinue,howeverjustliketheKingshehadgreatfeelingsofguiltaboutit.Shewasshakingindistressabouttheentiresituation.ReijilightlytappedhershouldertodispelheranxietyandoncemorespoketoSuimei.

“That’swrongSuimei.WhetherIgoornot,thedemonarmywillcontinuetheirattackonhumanity.Sincewecannotgohome,therewilleventuallybenowhereforustorunawayto.Inthatcase,onedaywewillenduphavingtofighttheDemonLordanyways.Iwon’tsayitisanabsolutecertainty.ButIstillbelieveweshouldstrikesoonerorlater.IfIspendthetimenowtofightmanyenemiesandgrowstronger,thedayshouldcomewhereIwillbeabletofaceoffagainsttheDemonLord.OfcoursethisiswhyIvolunteeredtodefeattheDemonLord.”

Reijihadletoutallofhisthoughtsonthematter.Settingasidetheabsurdityofgoingoffonthesubjugation,hereallydidatleastworkoutsomeformofplan.Suimeicouldn’tdeterminewhetheritwasagoodorbadplan.ButgoinginwiththeassumptionthatafightwiththeDemonLordwascompletelyunavoidable,itwasnotabadcopingmechanismattheleast.Thisdidn’tstopSuimeifrombeingabitill-manneredaboutitthough.

“Reiji,didyoueverconsiderthatafterrunningaway,onedaysomeoneelse

wouldgoanddefeattheDemonLord?”

“Ican’tpossiblythinkofsuchoptimisticoutcomes,it’ssimplyagainstmyprinciples.Ibelievethatifweweretodisconnectourselvesfromthismatterwewilldefinitelybekilled.”

Itwasonlypropertonotbeoptimistic,however…

“Youwerealwaysonetojustchargeforwardsandslamintoyourproblems.”

“Shouldn’tI?”

“Idon’thateit,butjustinthiscaseIthinkitisthewrongapproach.Thisisonacompletelydifferentlevelfromthedelinquentsandbikergangsintheneighbourhood.”

Suimeiwasreferringtoincidentsfromthepast.EveninhiseverydaynormallifeReijiwasfilledtothebrimwithasenseofjustice.Hehadcomeintodisputeswiththesesortsofamusingfellowsonmultipleoccasions.EveninthoseoccasionsReijipulledthroughwithbrutestrengthandhisvirtuouscharacter.Howeverinthiscasehewasfacingoffagainstactualdemons.Theprobabilityofhimcomingoutofeveryencounterunharmedwasmuchlower.HoweverReijispokewithconfidence.

“Thatbeingthecaseyouwouldstillsaythetome?”

“…Really,wheneverIsaythisyousaythat,huh.”

“Hahaha.”

SeeingSuimei’sregularexasperatedface,Reijiletoutahappylaugh.Thiswastheusualexchangebetweenthetwobestfriends.Itcertainlywasn’tbadtoSuimeieither.Reijispokeofhisthoughtsonelasttime.

“…Iunderstandwhatyouaresaying.AllI’msayingisthatI’mnotrunningtomydeath,I’mrunningforwardssothatIcanliveinthisplace.Just,it’llbealittlereckless.”

Reijiunderstoodthathewastalkingincircles.Beingrecklesswasonething,howeverthiswasn’tjustpurerecklessness.Hewastakingactionsothathecould

stayalive,eventhoseactionsthemselveswereconnectedtohislife.Asaresulthisactionswouldbringhimclosertobothlifeanddeathallthesame.Evenso,Reijichosetotakeaction.ReijithenletaseriousvoicetostrikeatSuimei.

“It’salright.RightafterthiswewilldivestraighttowardstheDemonLord―”

“Oi.”

“Hahaha.I’mkidding.Aboveall,Ineedtogetstronger.”

Suimeiwonderedjustwhywouldhemakeajokeinthiskindofserioussetting.Uponthinkingonit,Reijitrulywasanxiousabouttheentiresituation.Ifhewasalwaystenseitwouldbebadforhisheart.Surelyhejustwantedtoletoutsomestressonceinawhile.That’swhyeverynowandthenhewouldletoutalaughtertodispelhisanxiety.Itwasn’timpudence.TherewasnowaySuimeicouldbeangrytowardsthis.Asahero,hopewasbeingpouredintohimfromeverydirection.ThiswasReiji’swayofresistingthestrongpressurebroughtonbythisimmenseduty.That’swhySuimeimadeaseriousface,andspokeinawaythatonlyReijicouldhear.

“…IfitgetstoodangeroustakeMizukiandrunawayandhide.Justbecauseyou’vebecomeahero,there’snoguaranteeitwillgojustlikeamangaornovelwhereyoucandefeatallofyourenemiesafterall.”

“…Iunderstand.HoweverIstillplanonpushingmyselftothelimit.”

“Sostubborn.”

SuimeigaveanexasperatedsighseeingasReijiwouldnotbackdown.ThistimeReijispokeinavoicesothattheotherscouldhearhim.

“Still,I’msurprisedyou’reokaySuimei.”

“Eh?”

“Thethingthatjusthappenedrecently,that.”

SuimeiwasstillwonderingjustwhatexactlyReijiwastalkingaboutwhenMizukiseemedtounderstandwhathemeantearlierandclarifieditforSuimei.

“Ah,isitaboutwhenthatCourtMagewentmadattheritualsite?”

“Yeah.IfIremembercorrectly,Suimeiwasnearbyright?”

ReijiwasturningthetopicontothetimethatSuimeigothisrevengeontheCourtMageSebastianKran.AtthattimeReijiandcompanyhadleftthecastleandsnuckintotown.Theymusthaveheardofitinpassingaftertheyhadgottenbacktothecastle.

“Ah,wellyeah.Iwasn’tactuallycloseenoughthatIwouldgethurtthough.”

“Butyoustillgotwrappedupinitright?”

“Well,moreorless.”

SuimeiwasjustgivingReijivagueanswers,Mizukidecidedtochimeinaswell.

“WhenIcamebackwithReiji-kunandTiaanentiresectionofthecastlehadbrokenoff.WeheardaCourtMagehadgoneberserktoo.Notonlythattherewererumoursofagiantmonsterappearing.Itwasjustsosurprising…”

Thethreeofthemhadonlyheardthespecificsfromtalkingtoothers,theydidnotknowthetruth.Asamatteroffact,beforethethreeofthemhadsnuckout,Suimeihadplannedeverythingtoworkoutexactlysotheywouldonlyknowthedetailsbywordofmouth.Whentheyhadinvitedhimtosneakoutofthecastletheotherday,SuimeiimmediatelyconsultedwiththeKingandFelmeniatobringmatterstoandendpreciselywhenthethreeofthemwouldnotbepresent.ThesummoningoftheapparitionwasslightlyoutofSuimei’srealmofexpectationsthough.

“Truly,itisgoodthateverythingcametoanendpeacefully.”

Reijimadearelievedfaceashemadethisstatement.Suimeigavehimafrankreply.

“Theritualsitewasspectacularlycompletelydestroyedthough.”

“AslongasSuimeiissafethatkindofthingdoesn’tmatter.”

“…Howcanyousaythatkindofembarrassinglinewithastraightface?”

Reiji’sdelightedfacedirectedtowardsSuimei’ssafetywasobviouslynotafacade.Thiswasasmilecomingfromhistruefeelings.Inthiscaseitwasmoreembarrassingfortheonelisteningtohim.WhileSuimeiwasthinkingofsuchthings,Titaniaraisedhervoicewithanapologetictone.

“I’msorrySuimei-sama.Thepeopleofthecastlehadcausedyousuchtrouble.”

“No,afterallMeni…ImeanStingray-sanendedupcomingtomyrescue.ThereisnoneedforthePrincesstobowherheadtome.”

Titaniabreathedoutasighofrelief.Asexpected,shewasjustliketheKingwhofeltasenseofresponsibilitytowardsallsortsofthings.Reijisuddenlyspokeupinadelightedvoice.

“AsexpectedofSensei.She’samazingafterall.”

Reijigaveanod.Hehadanamazingamountoftrustinthatpridefulgirl.Shealsohappenedtobehisteacher.Aboveallelseheseemedtoholdastronglongingforheraswell.Toputitbluntly,itwasprobablylove.

“Doesn’tSuimeialsothinkso?Right?”

“Uh?”

“AboutSensei.Don’tyoualsothinkshe’sanamazingpersonSuimei?”

“Aaah,yeah,well,sure.”

“Iknowright?”

Reijiwasunusuallyseekingoutacknowledgementforhisopinion.JusthowmuchdidhewantotherstoshareinhisassessmentofFelmenia?

(Aaaah…)

Suimeijustrememberedsomethingthatmayhavebeentheanswertothatquestion.NowthatherecalledhefeltthatReijiwasespeciallyweaktowomenwithlargebreasts.Hewasdenseasarockwhenitcametothesensibilitiesofwomen,howeverwhenitcametowomenhewasusuallyquitefixatedonthispoint.Hisslightlyreddenedfacewassurelybecauseheheldfeelingsoflovefor

thatgirl.CertainlyFelmeniawasquitewellendoweddespiteherheight,therewasalsomorethanjustthatbut…ToSuimei’simageofReiji,ithadtobethebreasts.Quitenaturally,therewereotherswhohadcometotheexactsameconclusionasSuimei.

“Au,isFelmenia-sanalsoarival…?”

“WhiteFlame-donoisapowerfulenemyMizuki.Thatlovelysilverhairandcoldbeautifulface.Felmeniapossessesmanyweapons.”

MizukihadturnedherbacktoReijiwithtearsinhereyes.NexttoherTitaniawassecretlyburningwithacombativespiritattheadditionofanotherrival.

“Uuuu,it’stheboingboing…”

“Kuu,ifIhadthatmuchevenReiji-samawouldimmediately…”

Thegirlshadbeentossedintothedepthsofgriefastheyheldtheirbreastsintheirhands.Givingabriefglancebehindhim,Reijidecidedtochangethetopic.

“Whatdoyouplanondoingafterthis,Suimei?”

“Hm?Notmuch.I’mthinkingofleavingthecastle.”

“Eh…?”

ItwasthefirsttimeReijiheardofthis.SuimeihadnotspokenofhisplanstoReijievenonce.OfcoursethisalsoappliedtobothMizukiandTitaniawhoseemedtobefrozeninplaceinconfusion.Mizukiwasthefirsttogatherherwitsandasarepresentativeforallthreeofthem,questionedSuimeiinavoicewhichmixedbothsurpriseandworrytogether.

“Suimei-kun.Whatareyouplanningbyleavingthecastle?”

“No,Idon’thaveanyparticularplan.Ijustwanttoliveoutside.”

Suimeiletoutacompleteliewithaseriousface.NextitwasReiji’sturntoquestionSuimeiwithasomewhattenseexpression.

“Whataboutyourlivelihood?”

“I’llfindajobandfigureitout.”

Afteranswering,ithadnowcometoTitaniawhogavehimaproposition.

“Suimei-sama.Ifyoustayinthecastlemyfatherwillguaranteeyourlivelihood.Thereshouldbenoneedtoforciblyleaveno?”

“Thatmaybeso,butI’mleavingnonetheless.”

“Whyisthat?Evenifpublicorderwithintheroyalcapitalisbetterthananywhereelseinthecountry,foryouwhohascomefromanotherworldwithoutknowingourcustomsorhavingthedivineprotectionoftheherosummoningitisdifficultformetosaythatthelandoutsidethecastlewillbesafeforyou,Suimei-sama.Idon’tthinkthereisanyadvantagetoleavingthecastle…”

ItwascertainlyexactlyasTitaniahadstated.ThethreeofthemhadnoideawhatSuimei’sactualgoalorpowerwas,soitwasnaturalforthemtobelievethis.

“Yeah…Thoughitmaybefairlyimpoliteformetosaythis,Ifeelquiteuncomfortableinthecastle.”

“Ah…”Anawkwardfacefilledwithsympathy.TitaniahadcertainlyheardalltherumoursthatsurroundedSuimei.ShehadgonesilentpreciselybecausesheunderstoodthemeaningbehindSuimei’swords.Reijiletouthisangerwithouttryingtohideit.

“ShouldIgosaysomethingaboutit?”

SuimeiwaswonderingjustwhatReijiwasimplyingwiththesewords.Therewasnowayhewouldbegoingtoeverysinglepersonwhohadspreadtherumoursindividuallyandtellthemoffaboutit.Nomatterwhathethoughtofthemannerthatwouldjustbeabsurd.

“No,it’sfine.Areyoutryingtomesseverythingupjustasyou’reabouttoleave?Itwouldabsolutelycomplicatemattersfurther.”

“U…but.”

“It’sfineIsaid.I’veproperlyworkedoutaplanfromnowon.”

MizukiwassuspiciousofSuimei’splanandquestionedhim.

“Aplanyousay,whatareyougoingtodoaboutmoney?”

“IwasplanningonsellingmyschoolbooksandsomeotherthingsIwon’tbeneeding.”

“Canyouevensellthose?EverythingiswritteninJapaneseright?”

“Someonecuriouswillbuyit.Ijustneedtoexaggeratethevalueandpriceabit.”

“Isthatreallyokay?”

“Wellyeah.”

“Really?”

“It’sreallytrue.I’vemoreorlesslaidoutmyplansfromhereonafterall.”

Mizukididnotseemconvincedatall.IfSuimeihadtakenpartinthestudiesofmagic,militaryartsandgeneralknowledgealongsidethemshewouldsurelynotbemakingthatkindofface.Suimeihadacquiredtherequiredknowledgeallonhisown,notthatsheknewanyofthis,soitwasonlynaturalthatshewasworried.SuimeiplannedonjustcloudingoverthematterandturnedthewholeconversationaroundonMizuki.

“Actually,it’sfinetobeworriedaboutmeandall,butMizuki,shouldn’tyoubemoreworriedaboutyourself?”

“It-it’llbealright!I’vealsobecomeabletousemagicafterall!”

MizukihadbeenlearningmagicalongsideReiji.AccordingtoTitaniaherabilityputheronparwithReiji’sfromatechnicalstandpoint.Therewasprobablynoneedtoworryabouthersafety,howeverSuimei’sfocuswasnotonhersafety.

“WhatIwanttosayisthat,magic.Justbecauseyou’vebecomeabletousemagic,don’trepeatwhatyouhadbeforeinthepast.Right,Reiji?”

SuimeirevealedhistrueintentionsandturnedtoReijiforapproval.Reijicould

onlyletoutaweaklaughterasheknewexactlywhatSuimeiwastalkingabout.

“A,ahaha…”

“Suu-S-S-S-Suimei-kun!Youpromisednottotalkaboutthat!”

Mizuki’sfacehadsuddenlybecomebrightredandshehadbegunpanicking.SheofcourserememberedwhatSuimeiwastalkingabout,morelikeshecouldneverforget.Itwasherdarkhistorywhenthethreeofthemhadjustmetwhereinasense,shewasnotabletobesaved.

“You’refatherisworried.You’realwayswearingthatminibelt,redmufflerandthosefinger-lessgloves,uuu….”

“WhendidSuimei-kunbecomemyfather!?Orrathertheheroitemshavingnothingtodowithit!Don’tpretendtocry~!”

Mizukibegantosquawkandshoutandwasraisingquiteabitofafuss.OntheotherhandTitania,whohadnoideawhattheyweretalkingabout,waslooktowardsSuimeiwithherheadcockedtothesideinconfusion.

“Isitsomethingfromthepast?”

“Yeah.”

“Suimei-kun!Youabsolutelycannotsayit!Absolutelynot!AbsolutelyIsaid!I’mserious!”

ThiswasthemostseriousanddesperateMizukihadbeeneversincearrivinginthisworld.Toheritmayjusthavebeenthathidingherdarkhistorywasmoreimportantthanbeingsummonedtoanotherworld.ReijithrewMizukialifelineandturnedtowardsTitania,actinglikehewastellingasmallchildnottoaskaboutadangeroustopic.

“AlothadhappenedtoMizuki,Tia.”

“I’mcurious.”

“Don’tbe!Thisisanimportantsecretjustbetweenus!It’soursecretgarden!It’sadangerousfactthatnobodycouldeverknow!”

“WhenyouputitlikethatIjustwanttoknowaboutitevenmore…”

Titaniawasmakingastiffexpressionasshefeltlikeshewasalittlesadatbeingleftout.SuimeidecidedtocutMizukisomeslackandmovedontoamoreimportanttopic.

“Settingthataside,isitalrightforyoutotakepartintheDemonLordSubjugationPrincess?”

“Ara,I’dratheryounotseemeinsuchapoorlightSuimei-sama.Ihavealsocompletedmystudiesmagicintheroyalpalace.IamsureIwillbeofusetoReiji-sama.”

TheprincessTitaniathrustoutherchest,whichwasaboutthesamesizeasMizuki’s,withprideassheclaimedthis.Suimeiwasn’tsurejusthowgoodshewasatmagic,butthiswasn’thispoint.

“I’msurewithregardstomagictherewouldbenoproblemsPrincess,butwhataboutyourposition?”

“Thereisnoneedtoworryaboutthat.Fatherwilltakecareofthecountry.Thereisalsothecounsellorsandmyolderbrother,soifIaloneleaveAsteltheywillbeabletomanagejustfine.”

“No,that’snotwhatI’mtalkingabout…”

WhatSuimeireallymeantwasthatTitaniawaslovedandadmiredbythepeopleasaprincess.InthatcasewhywouldshediveintosomethingasdangerousastheDemonLord’ssubjugation?NotonlythatwhywouldtheKingallowit?Anyparentwouldfindtheirchildprecious.Nomatterhowmuchhewasentrustinghiswishestohischild,sendingthemoffintoavortexofdangerwasalittlequestionable.Itwasputtingitalittlebluntly,butthepositionofPrincessservedaspecialusewithinacountry,sotheentirematterwasmysterioustoSuimei.Hewaswonderingwhatthereasonwasandwhethertherewassomethinggoingonbehindthescenes.Beforehecouldputthesethoughtsintowords,itwasTitaniawhobeganspeaking.

“Suimei-sama.ThisisthemissionthatIhavebeenchargedwith.”

Itwasadeclarationfilledwithdignity.

“Yourmission?”

“…Yes.NomatterhowstrongReiji-samais,wecannotsimplythrusttheentiresituationintohishands.ItisnecessarythatsomebodyfromAstelshareinhisburden.Theonechosenforthisrolewasme.I’velongmademyresolution.”

“…”

Suimeiwasn’tdoubtingherresolve.Thewordsshespokeweredefinitelyfilledwithsincerityanddetermination.Shewashereduetoherstrongsenseofresponsibility.Hefelttoher,andtothekingdom,thereasoningbehindsuchadecisionwasstillalittleweak.Howeverthematterdidn’treallyconcernhim.Titaniawasapersonthatwasworthputtinghistrustinto.IfshewasgoingtolendherpowerstoReijiandMizuki,thenhecouldnotaskformore.

“Suimei-sama”

“No,Iapologizeforthediscourtesy.PleasetakecareofReijiandMizuki.”

“Yes.Leaveittome.IwillshowyouthatIwillbringeverybodybacksafelywithoutfail.”

Suimeifeltitmayhavebeenwrongtoaskthisofaprincess,butstillshemadethisstrongdeclarationofacceptinghisrequest.Then,TitaniasuddenlycalledouttoSuimei.

“Also,Suimei-sama.”“Whatisit?”

“Tome,Reiji-samaandMizukihavebecomemyirreplaceablefriends.Inthatcase,asReiji-sama’sfriend,youarealsomyfriend.Wouldyoustopspeakingtomeinsuchaformalmanner?”

Itwasamodestrequest.ItwasthesortarequestagirlofherstandingshouldnotbeaskingofapersonofSuimei’sstanding.

“Isitalright?”

“Please.”

Afterpullinghimselftogether,Suimeidecidedtoacceptherrequest.

“…Gotit.Iwilldothat,Prin…”

“It’sTia.Suimei.”

Titaniasaidthiswithagreatsmile.Itwassuchabrightsmilethatifonedidnothavearesistancetowardswomen,theywouldfallforherimmediately.ThissmileinsomewaysresembledReiji’s.HoweverthisdidnotapplytoSuimeiandhereturnedhersmileandanswered.

“Aah.Bestregards,Tia.”

“Yes.Withthisthefourofusareallfriends.”

Surelythefriendsthatthisgirlhadinthisworldwereallfriendswhowouldtakeherpositionintoconsiderationatalltimes.Thiswasprobablythefirsttimethatshehadmadetruefriends.Nowthatthatmatterhadconcluded,SuimeicalledouttoReiji.

“Hey.”“Hm?”

“No,wh…”

HoweveruponseeingReiji’scarefreeface,Suimeidecidedtoholdbackhiswords.WhatSuimeihadwantedtoaskwas‘whatiftherewasameanstogobackhome,wouldyou?Ifyou’llwait,I’llmakeone’.Howeverhestopped.There’snowayReijiwouldchangehisdecisionifhesaidit.Itwouldonlycausehimtowaverunnecessarily.Inthatcaseitwasbetternottosayit.Untilthetimecomes,Suimeiwouldsealthesewordswithinhim.Soinstead,SuimeigavehisencouragementtoReiji.

“Just,doyourbest.”

“Yeah.I’lldomybest.ThanksSuimei.”

“Aah.”

SuimeiputouthisfistandReijimetitwithhisown.Itseemedthathe’llhaveto

putoffthiskindofamicableconversationwithhisfriendforsometime.Reijiwasstillgivingoffhisbrilliantsmile.Thiswashisfirststepontotheroadofhardships.Yethissmilesimplysaidthattherewasnoneedtoworryaboutanything,trulyabraveface.Beforelong,thepreparationsfortheparadehadcompleted,andTitaniaurgedReijionward.

“Thenletusdepart,Reiji-sama.”

“Yeah.Mizuki,makesureyoustickclosetome.”

“…”Reijijustheldouthisarmcasually.Mizukiwasatacompletelossforwordsduetoembarrassmentbutnoddedherheadandtookhimuponhisoffer.ItwascertainthatReijisimplythoughtthatitwassaferforhertobenearby,buttherewasnowayMizukiandTitaniainterpreteditthatway.ThoughcompletelyembarrassedMizukilookedextremelyhappyclingingontoReiji.Titaniahoweverwasstaringattheminenvy…

“R-Reiji-sama!Metoo!”

“Eeh?Tia!?”

TitaniasuddenlydovetowardsReiji’sotherarm.Reijiwasgrippedinconfusionforonlyamoment.Afterrealizingherintent…noinrealityhedidn’tactuallyunderstand.TitaniawrappedherselfaroundReiji’sarm.

“Yeah.Tiadon’tgetseparatedfromme.”

“―!!Yes!!”

TitaniareturnedReiji’swordswithanenormoussmileandaloudyell…Hewassurroundedbytwobeauties.Notonlythattheywerebothholdingtightlyontobothhisarms.Itwasthefigureofamagnificentherostandingatopthechariotjustlikethat.Lookingaround,themeninthearea,theknightsandsoldierswereallstaringwithenvyandkillingintent.GoingalongwiththemSuimeiletoutamumble.

“…Ishouldjustleavethemallbehindafterall.”

Hewasjealous.Absolutelyjealous.Hewasn’tabletostophisuglythoughts.

Thisfrustrationwassomethinghesharedwithallmeninthearea.HoweverwhenSuimeithoughtofitcarefully,hisplanwouldleadtoReijilivingalifehappilysurroundedbygirls.WhileSuimeiwasthinkingofsuchrudethings,Reijispokeup.

“DidyousaysomethingSuimei?”

“No,nothing.”

“…?Really?Ifnotthenit’sfine.”

Reijididn’tquiteunderstand.Seeinghowhewastakingpartinsuchascenethere’snowayhewouldnoticeanyofthesubtletiesaroundhim.Thisappliedtoboththewomenandmenaroundhim.Andwhilestillmakingaconfusedfaceandwiththetwogirlsnowhavingsettleddownhappilyontothechariot,theydepartedfromSuimei.

Thesoundofthegiantgatesfilledtheairalongwiththeband’smusicfollowedshortlybythethunderousapplausefromtheotherside.Justbeforethegatesclosedagain,Suimeiwasnowtheonlyonethere.Hehadbeentheonlyoneleftbehind…No,hewasstandingtherealonepreciselysothathewouldbeleftbehind.Thismelancholiclonelinesswastheresultofhimrefusingtoaccepteverythingthatwashappening.

“Ireallydidithuh…”

Suimeimutteredtheselonelywordsashegazedintothehorizon.Simplybecausehewantedtoreturn,thathemustreturn,wasitperhapsamistaketurnhisbackonthedangersfacinghisfriends?ThisthoughtcrossedSuimei’smindashewatchedthebackofhisfriendsheadedofftowardsdanger…Standingonhisown,hewouldheadoffonanentirelydifferentpath,wasitnotsomethingthattheywouldconsiderunforgivable?WasthisbehaviournotunfittingofamagicianoftheSociety?Still,nomatterhowmuchhethoughtofthesethings,headingdownthepathtowardstheDemonLordwasthewrongpath.Hestillhadhisthesistoaccomplish,therewasnopointifhecouldn’treturnhome.Hehadapromisehesworetoaccomplish.Hehadsomeonehehadtosave.Thusitwasfineforhimnottoshouldertheburdensofanentirelydifferentworld.Howeverbeforetheothers,thismaysimplybeachildishexcuse.

“…”

Whilethinkingofallthesethings,Suimeilookeduptotheheavens.Ashestaredintothevastblueemptinessofthesky,herecalledthefiguresofthosehehadgotteninvolvedwithuptothispoint.

Hisfatherwhoraisedhim,taughthimmagicandwastakenawayfromhiminthemiddleofhisjourney.

TheleaderoftheSocietywhoalwayspushedunreasonabledemandsontohim.

ThegirlwithabluesilhouettewhowascursedbyLudwig.

TheextremelystubbornvanguardoftheChivalricOrderoftheRoseCross.

Hischildhoodfriendwhowasthesuccessortothenearbykenjutsudojo.

Hischoicewasaselfishone.Suimeiwasverywellawareofthisfact.Howeverwhenherecalledthesefacesasheclosedhiseyes,hetrulybelievedthatthiswastheonlychoicelefttohim.

EpilogueI

SeveraldaysheadpassedsinceReijiandcompanydepartedfromthecastle.Afterfinishinguphisplansonwhattodofromthatpointonward,SuimeilefttheroyalcastleCamelliaonhisown.ItshouldbeobviousbuttherewasnograndparadetoseehimoffasithadbeenwithReiji.Thebeginningofhisjourneywasalonelyaffair,howeverthisdidnotparticularlybotherSuimei.HeskillfullyinformedAstel'sKingAlmadiousandFelmenia–whoseemedextremelyreluctanttopartfromhim–ofhisdeparture.ToSuimeithequietwhichaccompaniedhimsuitedhimperfectlyasheheadedtowardstheroyalcapitolMetel.Hisfirstdestinationwouldbewhatiscalledanadventurer'sguildwithinMetel.Hehadsomethinghemustacquirefromthere...butbeforethathefiguredheshoulddosomethingabouthisclothing.

(Ireallydidn'tthinkhewouldhandovermoney...)

Suimeimumbledtohimselfinhismindashebroughtaheavypouchuptohisfaceandshookit.Thesoundofmetalrubbingtogetherrungoutclearly.JustasSuimeiwasabouttoleavethecastle,theprimeministerGlesshadhandedhimapouchfilledwithtwentyorsogoldcoins.TheprimeministerstaredaholethroughhimwithhateandpassedonpatronizingwordsthatSuimeishouldthanktheKing.SurelyhehadheardmanyoftherumoursfromwhenSuimeihadshuthimselfinhisroom.AsaresulthepushedwhatheassumedwaspitymoneyontoSuimeiandactedlikehewastryingtodrivehimoutofthecastle.ItseemedthiswasarrangedbyKingAlmadious.Suimeislightlyrememberedtheprimeministerhintingtowardsthat.Suimeiscratchedhisheadweaklyattheunexpectedevent.

(IsaidIdidn'tneedanyassistance.DidtheKingjustwantmetoowehima

favour...?)

SuimeihadpreviouslyrefusedtheKing'sassistanceintheaudiencechamber.Suimeiwassuspiciousthattherewassomethinglyingbehindthisgiftevenafterhavingrefused.Thoughofcourse,hewastalkingaboutthatKing.Hewasn'tonetocraftilyplotanythingsoitprobablywasasimpleshowofgoodwill.EvenconsideringthisSuimeididnotlikefeelingobligatedtoanybody,sohewasn'tparticularlyhappyaboutit.

Forexample,“Ihelpedyousoifdangereverfallsuponuscomehelp,”or“I'llmakepublicofyourconnectiontoAstel,”theKingcouldusehisgifttobindSuimeidowninthiskindofway.Suimeiknewtherewasnowayitwouldworkoutlikethat,howeverthefactthatitputhiminthatkindofpotentialsituationwasalsotrue.IntheendtheKingdefinitelydidthisbecauseofhisownconscienceandkindness.Therewasthesayingthatthegoodyoudoforothersisgoodyoudoyourself.ThissurelyappliedtothatgentleKing.

“Haaaa...Iguessitcan'tbehelped.Well,ifhewasn'tlikethathewouldn'tbetheKing...”

TheKinghadtakenintoaccountthatSuimeiwouldhaverejectedthegoldifhehadgivenittohiminperson.IfheleftituptotheprimeministerhewassureSuimeiwouldnotbeabletorefuse.Ifhehadthensurelythatbarcodebaldywouldraiseallsortsofhell.ToSuimeiwhoonlywantedtoleavepeacefully,hehadnochoicebuttoaccept.Itwouldbeadifferentstoryiftherewasacleardemerittoaccepting,butsincetherewasn'titjustmadeithardtoreturnit.

ThegiftSuimeireceivedwasmoney.Hedidrequireafairamountofitfromhereonout.Ifheaddedthenecessitiesthatrequiredmoneyliketravelling

expenses,abaseofoperation,creatingmagictoolsandalsofoodtherewouldsimplybenoendtoit.Thiswaswhytherewasnosuchthingasanexcessiveamountofmoney.Suimeicurrentlydidn'thaveany,soafterweighinginwhetherheshouldacceptornot,heendedupacceptingafterall.Alsoeveniftheydidplantobindhimdown,itdidn'tmeanSuimeihadtorespondinkind,itwascompletelydependentonhisconscience.Nomatterwhathappened,nomatterwhattheyrequested,allSuimeihadtodowasignoreit.Thoughthatdiddependonwhetherhecouldactuallyjustdothat...

Suimeiturnedhisattentiontotheletterwhichwasdeliveredwiththemoney.WrittenonthefinepaperwerewordsexpressingtheKing'swishforSuimeitoaccepthisgiftandanapology.Suimei'sheartshookslightlyashereadthis,andletoutasight.HesuddenlyfeltthathehadtoshowhisgratitudetotheKing.Afterhavinggonesomedistancefromthegate,heturnedaroundandboweddownformally.

“Youdamnslyoldfox.”

Asexpected,Suimeididnotforgethisvulgarlanguage.

EpilogueII

TheCourtMage,nowformerCourtMageFelmeniaStingraywasinthearchivesworkingthroughahugenumberofdocuments.ItwasafewdaysafterSuimei'sdeparture.Onthisdayshewasoncemorepreparingandorganizingthedocumentsforhertransfer.Shewasputtingoffthefruitsofhermagicresearchtemporarilyjustforthis.Naturally,thiswasallsothatshecouldchaseafterSuimeiwhohaddepartedtofindaspelltoreturntohisownworld.Shewantedtobeevenalittlehelpfultohimandfollowafterhim,thoughshewasalsodoingthisforherownfeelings...

“Suimei-dono.Waitforme.OnceI'vefinishedwiththesedocumentstotransfer,thisFelmeniawillracetoyoursideasfastaspossible.“

Suimeiwasnotactuallythere.RightnowhewouldprobablybeinMetelnearthecastletakingsomesortofactiontopushtowardshisgoals.AssherecalledSuimei'sfigure,Felmeniaspokethefeelingssheheldinherheartoutloud.ShetrulywantedtobeofusetoSuimei.Itwasalsotruethatshehadstrongfeelingsforhim.

ItstartedfromtheincidentinthehallwayandendedwithhimsavingherduringthecaseofSebastian'scapture.Forashortwhilehewasherenemy,hehaddefeatedhercompletely,howeveronecouldsaythatthiswasanecessarysteptothepaththeyhadgonedown.Felmeniadidnotexpectatallthatthiswouldallturnintoherharbouringsuchfeelings.Tofallinlovewastogivebirthtofeelingsofwantingtohonestlyspendtimewithanother.ForaCourtMagethissortofthingseemedlikeitwaspartofanentirelydifferentworld.Felmeniahadgivenuponloveasitseemedtohavenorelationtoherlifeatall.But...

“Aah,Suimei-dono...”

FelmeniahadsuddenlybeenremindedofSuimeiwhileworkingandtookinalanguishingbreath.Sherecalledthetimebeforehehadleftthecastlejustafewdaysago.Thatdaytheillfeelingsbetweenthemhadbeencompletelyclearedup.Theyhadtalkedquiteabit.Hewasabitcruel,butalsokindandtheytalkedaboutallkindsofthings.Itwasonlyforashortwhilebuthealsotalkedtoheraboutthefoundationsofmagicfromtheotherworld.Felmeniahadasmallproblemwithhisslightlythickheadedattitudeandhisconfusedexpression,butthatwasonlyatrivialcomplaint.AsFelmeniastretchedoutherlimbswhilesittingonherstool,hereyescaughtthespineofabook.

“Hm?”

Thetitleofthebookhadcaughtherinterestandshestoodupandwalkedtothebookshelftograbit.

“AnInquirywithRegardstotheHeroSummoningRitualandaHistoryoftheSummonedHeroes...”

Thesewordsgreetedherwhensheopenedthebook,thecontentsandthetitleseemedtohavenothingtodowitheachother.

“Thisis...”

Felmeniawassurprisedatthecompletecoincidencethatshehadgraspedbychance.Thewordswroteabouttheherosummoning.ItwasprobablethatthiswouldbeofusetoSuimei.ShewassurethatsheshouldbringitwithherwhenshewenttochaseafterSuimei.

“But,ifthisgetsSuimei-donoclosertohisgoal...”

AthoughtcrossedFelmenia'smindthathadbeenworryingherforawhile.Ifsheweretobringthistohim,hewouldbecomeonestepclosertohisgoalandfindawaytoreturntohisworldjustthatmuchfaster.Inthatcasehewouldfindthespelltoreturnthetimethatshewouldneverbeabletoseehimagainwouldcome...Asaresult,justwherewouldthefeelingsshewascurrentlyembracinggo?

“...Tch.No,don'tthinkaboutitFelmenia!Suimei-dono'sgoalisthefirstpriority!I'lljustthinkaboutthisafterwards!”

Felmeniaknewshewaschoosingtojustnotthinkaboutitatall.Evenso,shecouldonlyliveoutherlifeherway.Shecouldnotbetrayherproudandhonourablewayoflife.