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IsekaiMahouwaOkureteru!(LN)
TheDifferentWorldMagicIsTooBehind!
Volume1
Author:"GameiHitsuji"Illustrator:"Himesuz"
Translation:"HikokiTranslations"Epubby:"GM_Rusaku"
TableofContentsIllustrationPrologue-Magician:YakagiSuimeiChapter1-I'mnotsomethingyoujustsummon!Chapter2-ThePlaceIMustReturntoissoFarAwayChapter3-TheOneWhoSeeksMysteriesChapter4-FortheSakeoftheOneIAspiretoBeEpilogueIEpilogueII
Illustration
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.