The next day, we returned to the ground for the first time in a while and overslept until noon.
I thought it wouldn’t be so bad to sleep the whole day away like this. However, upon checking my HP and MP on the ‘Display’, I saw they had both recovered to their maximum values, so I spurred my lazy body and got out of bed.
Rainer and Titty were already awake before me, practicing wind magic in a corner of the room we had rented. Rainer had gone down early yesterday, so his condition seemed to have fully recovered. Titty, perhaps due to her race, appeared to be the most energetic.
After the three of us had a solid lunch at the inn, we decided to head for Fuziaze as planned for yesterday. As far as I could gather from a quick preliminary investigation using ‘Dimension’, it was certain that Rustiara was at the Cathedral, so all that was left was to meet her directly. Just in case anything happened at the Cathedral, I made sure not to deplete all my magic using ‘Dimension’.
Crossing from one country to another is faster the closer you are to a labyrinth. In less than an hour of walking, we entered Fuziaze and caught sight of the impossibly prosperous city’s scenery.
Rainer and I stood with our mouths agape in surprise, while Titty excitedly looked around like a country girl.
“–Oh, it’s amazing! This country is more opulent than that Valt person from before!”
As she said, it could only be described as opulent.
The ‘Magic Stone Line,’ a unique culture of this other world, glistened and emitted light as it bathed in the sun. Their numbers had more than doubled since my last visit. The ‘Magic Stone Lines’ were not only laid out along the edges of the city streets but were also strung up in large quantities on many newly built houses.
Fuziaze was a country with many wealthy residents.
It had always been a place of grandeur. And now, that eye-piercing brilliance had doubled.
“No… Isn’t this too strange…?”
“–Yes, it’s strange. Something is going on. Be careful, Master.”
Rainer, who had lived in this city before, agreed with my doubts. He then darted his eyes around, selecting one of the strange things and glaring at it.
Wheels were turning on the ‘Magic Stone Line’ with a light rattling sound.
A locomotive was running through the city. While it wasn’t large enough to carry people, it was transporting goods at considerable speed.
“There wasn’t anything like this when I lived here… In the year we were gone, maybe… that person—”
We had an idea of who might have caused this situation.
To confirm it, I decided to hurry.
“Rustiara first. Let’s hurry to the Cathedral now.”
If we stopped at every new thing, we would never get anywhere. I led Rainer and Titty along the transformed streets of Fuziaze.
After several tens of minutes heading towards the center, we arrived.
At Fuziaze’s symbol, the Cathedral.
While the surrounding landscape had changed completely, this place alone looked exactly the same as before.
It was a fortress surrounded by trees, a fence, and a river, with a single large bridge. It was exactly as I remembered the Cathedral.
Last time, I had forcefully broken in through the front to abduct Rustiara.
However, this time I was considering infiltrating from the back. Since Rainer, who was familiar with the interior, was with me, I wouldn’t get lost. But when I asked Rainer for guidance, he looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“No, Christ. You should enter from the front. Your offenses from that day have been cleared. You can honestly explain the situation and request a proper audience. Besides, Christ, you are the founder of Revannism, so act with more confidence.”
“No, even if you call me a founder, I don’t really feel it… I only have memories of committing crimes here…”
When I took the two away, I had cut down many knights. Entering directly would take courage.
“Then, please wait a moment. As your knight, I will smooth things over. Leave this to me.”
With that, Rainer headed alone towards the Cathedral’s bridge, leaving me and Titty behind. We quietly watched him from the shadows of the city.
First, Rainer casually approached the heavily armored knights guarding the bridge. Initially, they looked at him as if he were an intruder, but as they spoke, their complexions turned pale.
From what I overheard using ‘Dimension’, it was clear that Rainer was threatening them by using his status as a former ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’ and his belonging to the Four Great Noble Families, the Helvirshine family. Even without proof, any knight with a decent understanding of magic would believe him just by sensing his magic.
It wasn’t a particularly praiseworthy action, but it was good that the matter was being resolved quickly. A few minutes later, one of the guard knights retreated inside and quickly returned with someone who seemed to be their superior.
I recognized the figure. A girl with short brown hair – Ragune Kaikuola. Although not blessed with stature, her talent was prodigious, and she was a prodigy who became a ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’ at the youngest age. I remembered her well, having fought her twice, once in the labyrinth and once at the ‘Martial Arts Tournament.’ She was a girl whose fighting style was so unique that even Rustiara acknowledged it as specializing in ‘unquantifiable numbers.’
Ragune-chan’s face brightened when she saw Rainer. After a few words exchanged, she looked in our direction. Seeing me, her face lit up even more, and she beckoned us over.
“Yo. Long time no see, Ragune-chan…”
“Umu. Ragune-chan, first time meeting. This child is Titty, nice to meet you.”
We also moved to the bridge, exchanged greetings, and introduced ourselves.
“Wow, it really has been a long time! Nice to meet you too, Titty-san. Well, since this isn’t the best place, please come inside the Cathedral. I’ll guide you to the guest room on my own authority!”
We shook hands simultaneously. And thanks to Ragune-chan, we were able to enter the Cathedral with ease.
“Eh, on your own authority? Is that okay…?”
“Fufufu. Actually, I recently became the General of the ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’! So, I’m in charge of all the security here now!”
Passing by the knights who paid respects with their swords on their chests, we crossed the bridge while talking. Beyond the bridge was a path lined with conifers. The path we had once rushed through, today we walked slowly.
“Eh, you became General? Well, congratulations. That’s quite a promotion.”
“Even so, it’s only because General Perciona and the vice-general were called to war, so I was promoted. It just happened to be a coincidence, not due to my own abilities. To be perfectly honest, I was left behind because I’m not useful in war.”
It seemed pointless to congratulate her too much on being General. I quickly stopped my light applause. However, since it was a chance for casual conversation with a local, I decided to keep the conversation going to gather information. Knowing that this Ragune-chan wouldn’t lie unnecessarily, I saw this as an opportunity.
“Still, Fuziaze has changed. It’s in such a state after only a year away.”
“Speaking of which, Kanami, wherever did your older brother go for a whole year?”
From her reaction, I could tell that I hadn’t been officially declared dead in the battle with Palinkron. Combining this with what the tavern patrons said yesterday, I guessed I was considered a missing hero.
“Ah, um, the three of us here went to play somewhere far away. Farther away than the mainland.”
“Went to play far away… Overseas trip! That’s nice, I’m jealous!”
“Because of that, I’m not up-to-date with the current situation of the Allied Nations. If you don’t mind, could you briefly explain it to me?”
“If it’s from my brother, I understand.”
Tapping her modest chest, Ragune-chan readily agreed. The conversation continued as we walked along the Cathedral path, admiring the flowers in the magnificent garden.
“First, Fuziaze. Isn’t this country just a bit too amazing?”
“Well, Fuziaze is now the most prosperous country in the world. They’ve managed to unify the southern disputes over the past year and have become the head of the Allied Nations. The mainland is similar; the world is now revolving around Fuziaze.”
“T-T-T-that’s amazing for just one year… But why the sudden…?”
“It’s all thanks to someone named Aid. In the year Kanami wasn’t here, this person was incredibly active. I think they might even be in the textbooks.”
—Aid.
My hunch was correct.
Titty and Rainer, who knew the man of that name, changed their expressions.
“Aid… what did he do in Fuziaze…?”
“He provided a massive amount of technology and information. Let’s see… The improvement of the ‘Magic Stone Line’, the establishment of new transportation methods, and the subsequent improvement of trade conditions. He also intervened in agriculture and industry in various countries, and unified the system for treating slaves. However, not everything was successfully integrated into the countries. There was quite a lot that I, a knight, couldn’t understand, so I imagine ordinary people understood even less.”
Just listing them made my face twitch. Even though he was a man from a thousand years ago, Aid had influenced the world without any hesitation.
“Among them, the greatest achievement is undoubtedly the advancement of magic technology. That’s easy to understand, so anyone can see it’s amazing.”
“Advancement of magic technology? What did he do…?”
“He advanced the clarification of the very principles of magic, proving that anyone can manipulate the magic power of this world. The magic textbooks at Eltralyu Academy, for instance, were completely rewritten. Thanks to that, the standard of mages has risen considerably. The number of mages has also increased.”
However, based on what I’d heard so far, all of Aid’s achievements seemed beneficial to people. While the extent of his interference in the world was surprising, he might simply be doing what he could for this world.
“Also, the amount of ‘Incantation’ significantly increased. Among those, the most dangerous phenomenon is the ‘Price’ that occurs with ‘Incantation’ tailored to one’s ‘Innate Skill’.”
—I would soon retract those thoughts.
“‘Price’ is a technique to draw out magic power beyond one’s limits, and it greatly increased the value of those who wield magic. Speaking of magic, he also exposed various magic technologies that countries had kept secret. A prime example is the ‘Magic Stone Human’. Due to Aid’s exposure, there was even a commotion where the research institutes for ‘Magic Stone Humans’ were shut down all at once. It was about half a year ago, I think? It’s a bit nostalgic.”
He was doing whatever he wanted.
At that moment, stopping Aid rose in priority for me.
“Ragune-chan, do you know where this Aid person is now?”
I had a slight suspicion, but I confirmed it just in case. Where was Aid now, and what was he doing—
“That’s the thing! It’s terrible, this Aid person! He drained all the money and connections from these Allied Nations and defected to the north, to our enemy country! …No, it was a big deal. And, as if reenacting a thousand-year-old legend, he installed a person called the ‘Ruling King’ as king and started working as the ‘Chancellor’ in the north. That new country is incredibly strong. Thanks to them, the ‘Border War’ on the mainland, which I thought would have a temporary ceasefire after the ‘Great Disaster’ a year ago, has intensified again, which is troublesome. Well, it’s thanks to that that I became the Chief Commander.”
The ‘Great Disaster’ a year ago must have been the battle between me and Palinkron. Even after so many people were swallowed by the ‘Shaka Hōkan Jin’ in that ‘Great Disaster’, Aid had managed to rebuild the world in just one year.
And, if my prediction was correct—it was to resume the battle between ‘North’ and ‘South’ from a thousand years ago. He deliberately operated in the South, with Fuziaze at its center, to recreate the Fuziaze of the past—no, to create an enemy country befitting a ‘Ruling King’.
We understood that all of Aid’s actions over the past year were for the ‘Ruling King’.
“He’s serious, that Aid…”
Glancing behind me, Titty’s face was obscured by darkness. Rainer and I, who knew the situation, had similar expressions.
“Huh…? What’s wrong? As long as we’re in these Allied Nations, it’s about someone who doesn’t really concern us, right? Did I say something bad…?”
Sensing the somber atmosphere among the three of us, Ragune-chan started to panic. She seemed to think she had inadvertently been rude. I immediately regained a cheerful expression and told her not to worry about it.
“No, Ragune-chan, it’s not your fault. Thank you for telling me everything. I appreciate it.”
“Ah, yes. You’re welcome.”
The conversation paused. I surveyed my surroundings, looking for a new topic. In the meantime, we had climbed the long stairs all the way to the Cathedral. We opened a door protected by multiple Divine Magic barriers and entered. Along the way, I noticed Ragune-chan’s gaze directed at a certain spot several times. It was the sword I wore at my waist.
“Ah, um… Ragune-chan. Are you perhaps curious about ‘this sword’?”
“Ah, you noticed?”
“It’s fine to look… Would you like to try holding it?”
I offered to hand over the treasure sword, still in its sheath. There was something I was curious about. Once, Ragune-chan had held this sword in her hand just once. The sense of an unknown premonition I felt at that time—I wanted to ascertain its true nature on this occasion.
“No, it’s fine.”
However, Ragune-chan refused. She shook her head expressionlessly. Then, she smiled calmly.
“Of course, as a knight, I desire a famous sword. I admire swordsmen like Rowen, and I’m confident in my ability to wield it well. However, I don’t think that’s the sword I want.”
By bringing up Rowen, I felt the same chill from her that I had at the end of that ‘Dance Tournament’. For a moment, I couldn’t tell who I was talking to.
“In the end, a sword is just a sword. More importantly, what I want now is—Ah.”
Mid-sentence, Ragune-chan stopped.
“We’ve arrived. Well then, that’s enough idle chatter. Please wait here. I’ll bring your lady right away… but she’s busy right now, so it might take a little while.”
She guided us to a beautiful room that looked like a reception room and told us to wait inside. Afterward, Ragune-chan dashed off to summon Rustiara. Did it seem like she was running away from the topic of Rowen…
As I watched her small back, Rainer, as if he had a right to be there, sat down on a chair inside the room.
“This is a room for distinguished guests, if I recall. I’ll wait here at my leisure.”
As Rainer and I also moved to sit, the door to the room that had just closed opened. Arriving almost simultaneously with Ragune-chan were a priest, whose high status was evident at a glance, and two girls in attendant uniforms. The priest had noticeably clouded eyes and distinctively twisted black curly hair. The two behind him were also distinctive, wearing something resembling a mask that covered only their eyes. The masks, with their chic patterns that matched their silver hair, were too suspicious for mere attendants.
“—Welcome. Fuziaze Cathedral welcomes you. It has been a while, Kanami-sama.”
The priest with clouded eyes, who had suddenly appeared, expressed his joy at our reunion. However, I was at a loss, unable to recall his name. Caught off guard, I couldn’t immediately connect his face with his name.
“Ah, um…”
Lately, with a mix of acquaintances from a thousand years ago, it was a struggle to sift through the memories in my head. As I fumbled for words to buy time, the priest, a vein bulging slightly in his temple, revealed his name.
“Until Rustiara-sama arrives, I—Fedelt—will entertain you all. I am Fedelt, the one who presided over Tiara-sama’s rebirth ceremony—Fedelt!”
“Ah, it has been a while…”
Finally, faintly, I began to recall. I remembered someone like that from when I had spirited Rustiara away from the Cathedral before.
During the ceremony, this was the person who repeatedly shouted to have me eliminated.
However, since I fought with Arti and Palinkron that day, my impression of anyone else is understandably faint. Please, forgive me.
Unlike me, who returned a simple greeting, Rainer’s reaction was grand.
“Fedelt…? And why someone of your standing…”
Fedelt’s appearance here seems to surprise him, as he was part of the “Seven Knights of Heaven” a year ago.
“He is a hero worthy of my reception. Moreover, I believe I am deeply connected to you all… Now then—”
Fedelt snapped his fingers with a cool expression.
Immediately, two girls who had been waiting behind him moved. They took food and drinks from a service cart, which they had likely brought all the way here, and began to carefully arrange them on the room’s table.
In just a few dozen seconds, a scene unfolded before my eyes as if I had arrived at a high-class restaurant.
Four glasses were placed before each person, and three types of fruit wine were poured into clear, fine water. Right in front, exotic fruits, clearly brought from afar, were cut into bite-sized pieces, and in the back, easy-to-eat snacks were prepared.
I was bewildered by this unexpected hospitality but bowed my head in thanks.
“Um, thank you. I thought you hated me.”
After all, I had ruined a ceremony that likely took them years to prepare. I wouldn’t complain even if I were attacked while sleeping.
“Hahaha. No, not at all. I recognize that day’s incident as a tragedy born from misunderstanding after misunderstanding. I have no reason to resent you. To clear up another misunderstanding… it was also me who rescinded your capture order by Fuziaze afterwards. Now, there is no one who would be happier to see you than me.”
“Hahaha…”
Fedelt narrowed his cloudy eyes and laughed.
I could only laugh back.
Having fought with my share of troublesome enemies, I’ve learned a thing or two.
—This person probably hates my guts…
My skills, “Deception” and “Sensation,” saw through the depths of his true feelings, which I didn’t want to see, and I was at a loss for words.
I couldn’t bring myself to touch the feast laid out before me, unsure of what it contained.
Fedelt, leaving me to my awkward laughter, began to address his companions.
“Rainer Helvirshine. You’ve done well too. You magnificently fulfilled our orders. And you returned safely to this Cathedral. It is most joyous. We can make arrangements for your immediate return to the ‘Seven Knights of Heaven,’ but what do you say?”
“…Thank you. However, I haven’t even spoken to my real home yet. Please wait just a little for that.”
“Hmm. As always, you are.”
After the two exchanged meaningful words, Titty and Fedelt exchanged greetings.
“A pleasure to meet you, beautiful young lady. I am Fedelt Rioas, serving here as a priest. I look forward to your continued acquaintance.”
“Mm. I am the child, Titty.”
Upon hearing the name and seeing her beautiful emerald-green hair, Fedelt’s body tensed for a moment. Thanks to the “Dimension” that was always faintly cast, I didn’t miss the softly spoken words.
“Titty…? No, could it be…”
It seemed the true name of the “Ruling King” had remained until this era.
However, the vulgar girl stuffing her face with the prepared snacks before him didn’t match the legendary image of the “Ruling King” at all, and Fedelt dismissed it as his imagination.
My awkward laughter continued unabated.
“Kanamin, what’s wrong?! If you’re not eating it, I will!”
“Hahaha…”
While nodding, I sorted through the information obtained from “Dimension.”
Knights were steadily gathering in the adjacent rooms. I could feel in real-time that we were gradually being surrounded.
Upon closer inspection, the status of the girls serving us now was also strange. Their levels were in the double digits, and they were undoubtedly more suited to being assassins than maids—no, explorers.
“However, Kanami-sama. For what reason have you come here today?”
Fedelt took the opportunity to probe.
This was likely the main subject. His response would greatly change depending on my answer.
I didn’t feel the need to lie to get through this situation. I told him my true feelings.
“I want to meet Rustiara and talk.”
“Talk? What do you intend to do by talking?”
“Uh, well, that’s…”
However, I couldn’t help but hesitate.
If I were honest, knights would be pouring in from the adjacent rooms.
Fedelt smiled faintly. He might have sensed that I had come to whisk Rustiara away again.
“Honestly, I don’t have good memories of your “talks.” ”
“Ha, I’m sorry…”
“No, there’s no need to apologize. That day’s ceremony was the result of our complacent perception. We learned a valuable lesson. You truly taught me many things, Kanami-sama. And now, I shall show you the results of that learning.”
I had wanted to end this peacefully, but it seemed this was a battle I couldn’t avoid from the start.
Having finished his confirmation with me, Fedelt smiled challengingly and declared,
“If your purpose is with Lady Rustiara, then so be it. It’s a little regrettable, but we will proceed as originally planned—”
Then, he snapped his fingers for the second time.
Simultaneously, as expected, the two serving girls drew daggers from their belongings and split into two groups, attacking me.
With my abilities, a surprise attack is meaningless. I had anticipated it and was confident in my ability to counter.
But I deliberately stood still.
My magic, “Dimension,” had detected the movements of a third person.
—Knight Rainer Helvirshine, matching the enemy’s movements, dashed through the narrow room like a gale.
“—Ikus Wind!”
Before entering this Cathedral, Rainer told me to leave it to him.
It was my role to trust him.
Without moving an inch, I watched Rainer accelerate with magic.
A gust of wind blew through, and the sound of metal clashing twice echoed.
Then, the light sound of blades piercing wooden boards twice followed.
Rainer, standing on the table, had deflected the enemy’s daggers without toppling a single glass. The two girls, their momentum broken by the overwhelming speed difference, stopped in their tracks. Amazed, they opened their mouths wide, seeing the daggers they held now embedded in the ceiling.
I immediately asked Fedelt to explain the situation.
“Thank you, Rainer. …But what is the meaning of this? Mr. Fedelt.”
“It means exactly what it appears to be. From that day, it was decided that this would happen if you visited the Cathedral. And regret the year of preparation we were given.”
Even though the surprise attack failed, Fedelt remained calm.
Then, the room’s door was roughly thrown open. Several knights who had been waiting outside entered and took positions next to Fedelt.
Things were escalating bit by bit.
“Hmm. How nostalgic. This is what you call negotiations between people.”
However, Titty was still leisurely putting food into her mouth.
As their guardian, the sweets and wine before her were clearly more important than being surrounded by human enemies.
With no other choice, Rainer and I proceeded with the serious discussion.
“Mr. Fedelt, let’s stop. It’s not a bluff; we are strong…”
“I know. That’s precisely why we will generously show you the power obtained from a deal with the guardian of that labyrinth, Aid. It is a great Resonance magic achieved by artificially implanting innate talent, specializing in one skill, and having ‘Magic Stone Humans’ inherently pay a ‘Price’ through ‘Incantation’—all ‘Affinity’ synchronized. Can you withstand it, Kanami-sama?”
“Magic Stone Human.”
As the words were spoken, two more girls in maid outfits, unfitting for a battlefield, emerged from among the knights who had entered.
They looked exactly like the two girls who had attacked us earlier. No, not exactly alike—the materials used were likely the same.
The four girls in maid outfits had the skill “Raw Body” in their Status. The fact that their faces under the visors were identical, confirmed by checking their Dimensions, solidified this belief.
The four girls in maid outfits chanted a spell in unison.
They winced, as if squeezing the words out.
“—Resonance Magic, Invincible Ice Room!”
Like spreading smoke, a pale blue magic filled the room.
Naturally, it was magic of the same attribute from all four—and a perfectly synchronized, impressive Resonance Magic was activated.
“Kuh! Christ!”
“Ah, I’m fine over here!”
“Ah, my sweets fell!”
The surrounding space was compressed by magic, and the movements of Rainer, Titty, and I came to a halt.
Resonance Magic, Invincible Ice Room.
It was immediately clear that it was a combination of Ice Magic and Divine Magic. It was likely a simple barrier that stopped movement within the space.
However, the density and strength of the barrier were abnormal.
The Level of these four Magic Stone Humans was around 10. Even specializing in magic, their stats were all lower than Rainer’s.
Yet, Rainer and I, who were approaching Level 30, were unable to move. Even Titty, our Guardian, had stopped eating.
This power was absolutely impossible according to the display.
“Magic of this level… how—!!”
Screaming was possible, perhaps for interrogation, but their faces couldn’t move even a twitch. According to their Status, their Strength stat was nearly 15. They couldn’t move even with that full effort.
I thought that Resonance Magic alone couldn’t prove this.
But I soon discovered the reason.
I focused on just one of the girls and continued to observe her Status.
My attention was drawn to the girl’s MP.
—HP 19/19 MP 112/112—
—HP 19/19 MP 112/112—
—HP 19/19 MP 112/112—
Despite releasing so much magic, her MP had not changed at all.
To investigate the cause, I strengthened my Dimension ability and sought to analyze everything about the girl.
From head to toe, completely.
First, I grasped her height and weight—every inch of her body. Then, I counted the number of strands of her hair and accurately measured her body temperature. Next, I checked for any abnormalities in her heart’s movement from her lung movements, and continued to observe her breathing and perspiration.
As a result of a zero-point-one-second examination, I discovered that the blood flowing through the girl was not normal.
Magic was overflowing from her blood, not from deep within her body. This was contrary to the principles of magic users in this world. Blood is an organ where magic formulas are written. It is, in a sense, the engine of a car, not a place where gasoline comes out.
But why was magic coming from her blood instead of her body…?
It was during combat, so I was able to delve into my memories with a concentration on a different level than when I tried to recall Fedelt’s name earlier.
And fortunately, I found information in my memories to deduce it.
First, there is a way to cast magic without using MP. I had only recently learned the basics of that Curse Technique.
Second, the blood in this world is special and can also inscribe magic formulas. The former Saint Tiara had even tried to inscribe her very personality there.
And third, Fedelt’s words earlier, “born to pay a Price with Incantations”—I found the answer.
At the same time, Fedelt began to laugh, convinced of victory.
“Fu, fufufu, fufufu, fufufufufufu—!!”
It seemed this priest with the clouded eyes had done something he shouldn’t have.
—Perhaps, the blood of these girls contains the words of the Curse Technique, Incantation.
And it wouldn’t be an ordinary Incantation. What Fedelt learned from Aid was on the level of Incantations that paid a Price, like the Incantations that shave away Maria’s memories or Titty’s ego.
When these girls tried to use magic and worked on their blood, the magic formulas were set up so that those dangerous Incantations would surely activate.
That’s why they could form great magic so smoothly without consuming MP.
That’s why the girls seem to use magic with such difficulty.
As if they were shaving away their own souls—!
“Hahaha! We Fuziaze bought all sorts of techniques from Aid, the Sage from a thousand years ago, the Thief of the Laws of Wood! These Magic Stone Humans here are the crystallization of that! This inexhaustible, high-concentration magic surpasses even that of Rustiara! And all of them have had the same adjustments, specialized in just one magic, and perfected into a flawless Resonance Magic! Whether it’s Shiso, an Apostle, or anyone—they shouldn’t be able to move!!”
I understood why Fedelt had shown such confidence.
With such an extremely evil magic, it was no wonder he was convinced of victory.
I had also overcome differences in power through Incantation, so I could somewhat understand that feeling. It was only natural that the girls were now suppressing us, ignoring the level difference.
However, we weren’t the kind of people to just give up.
First, Rainer shouted.
“—Don’t lump me in with common knights! I am a knight of Helvishein! We have our own trump cards!”
He gritted his teeth and put all his strength into his body, trying to forcibly break through the barrier.
Of course, this alone did not make the barrier waver.
“—! Haa, haa, haa!”
However, the pressure from Rainer was undeniably directed at the magic users.
The more Rainer tried to move, the more ragged the girls’ breaths became.
Their expressions contorted, and they visibly suffered. The Incantations were not audible, only circulating through their blood, so I didn’t know what kind of Price they were paying, but I knew something precious was being chipped away.
If they were normal mages, they would stop the magic midway, reacting to the crisis in their bodies. But the girls here were Magic Stone Humans. They were of the same kind as the old Rustiara, and it was highly possible that their crisis management abilities were weak.
At worst, they might maintain the magic even if it meant death.
“W-Wait, Rainer! Titty, leave this to me!”
So I hurriedly stopped Rainer.
And also stopped Titty, who had become a little displeased.
“…Understood, Master.”
“Hmph. I was a little annoyed, but if Kanamin says so, I’ll watch. The child is an outsider.”
After confirming that they had left it to me, I unleashed my full power.
“—Distance Mute! Cover my whole body!!”
I had been conserving my magic for this very situation.
I permeated my entire body with dimension-attribute magic. Then, with the magic, Distance Mute, my body’s dimension shifted by one. Strictly speaking, it was different, but my body gained an effect similar to ‘transparency.’
And that simple yet vicious effect was fully demonstrated. Like a ghost passing through a wall, I began to move within the barrier.
“—What!?”
Fedelt exclaimed in confusion as he saw me moving within the barrier, emitting a purplish glow.
He must have had immense confidence. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
The four girls casting the magic were in the same state.
From their reactions, I realized for the first time that the Resonance Magic, Invincible Ice Room, had been broken through.
It was a gaping opening.
Immediately, I approached the closest girl and reached out my arm to her chest.
I was getting used to how to use this magic. And I was realizing it would be a magic I would continue to rely on.
So, I thought this was a good opportunity, and using the high-speed thinking unique to combat, I decided to name it.
This technique—this magic that connects heart to heart.
If I were to name it—
“—Distance Mute, Heart Connect!”
The magic, named according to my heart, pulsed vibrantly like a fish in water.
The girl wearing the visor groaned as an arm was thrust into her chest. Her entire body was likely reacting to achieving her first “Connection.”
Still, I didn’t hold back, continuing to strike with my magic—my will. I used magic to “talk” with the girl, aiming to break her will to fight. I poured all my experience up to today into it—
“Calm down… There’s no need for us to fight… You can live your own life, without being ordered by anyone. Because you are you…”
I reproduced Nosfy’s light magic with dimensional magic. As expected of the magic of a “Thief of the Principles of Light,” its effects manifested quickly.
Gradually, strength left the girl before me, and the construction of her magic began to unravel.
However, the other three girls had not lost their fighting spirit yet. Immediately, I amplified the power of my 《Distance Mute—Connecting Hearts》. I intended to initiate “talks” with the other three girls as well.
Adding a little of the 《Connection》 spell to the current state would make it possible. Since we had already succeeded in resonance magic, the hearts of these four girls were already connected. By tracing that connection backward, it would be possible to overcome all four simultaneously.
“Everyone too… calm down…!”
Along with those words, I also poured in my emotions. It was to show that I genuinely did not desire battle.
Unlike light magic, it had no effect on the spirit, so there was no calming effect. Nevertheless, I continued to pray, believing my heartfelt plea would reach them.
And that plea—happily, it reached them without misunderstanding.
“Ugh, ugh…”
“This is…”
“Ah, ah…”
All four girls collapsed to their knees, completely losing their will to fight. Naturally, the resonance magic 《Invincible Ice Room》 that had bound us also vanished.
“Phew… That was good… Thank you, everyone…”
As I expressed my gratitude, I gently stroked the head of one of the girls before me. The girl, in a daze, nodded and accepted it.
I was truly saved. I managed to end the battle peacefully. I knew the reason for this success.
First, there was a fundamental difference in power—and more than anything, it was thanks to the girls being too pure. I discovered when we connected that they, being “Magic Stone Humans,” were much younger than they appeared. Their untainted hearts made this peace possible.
However, there was one man who couldn’t accept it.
Fedelt.
“N-No way! How did you break it!? Was that the ‘counter magic’ they were talking about!? And for you to use magic from the blood ritual to prevent it—it was supposed to be resonance magic! Why!?”
He was making wildly inaccurate guesses.
Certainly, it might seem inexplicable to someone seeing it for the first time.
“As expected of Kanamin. You’re the best at using underhanded tactics! Truly the worst way to fight!”
And then, for some reason, I was slandered by my companion, Titty.
“It’s not underhanded. I fought head-on with all my might.”
“No, no, that was underhanded. I thought so when you were a child too, this doesn’t count as fighting.”
While I intended to fight seriously, the ones I was facing didn’t seem to think so. It seemed my other companion, Rainer, agreed.
“Ch-Christ… The way they’re looking at you is weird…? What did you do…?”
Rainer asked with a serious tone. To confirm, I glanced at the girls. Then, I saw the four dazed girls staring at me with intense gazes.
A bad feeling began to creep in.
“Um… I reproduced Nosfy’s ‘talks’ magic in my own way…?”
Since I couldn’t use light magic, instead of infusing light, I chose to physically overlap them, but the effect should have been nearly the same. However, the result before me seemed slightly different.
“Hmm, it was probably because of that. It was because Kanamin’s intense emotions and thoughts were forced upon them. If these girls are truly ‘Magic Stone Humans,’ they should be younger than they appear. Perhaps, it was like a baby seeing its mother for the first time, their shells cracked. Also, some of the mental magic likely dissolved.”
Titty explained to Rainer in an easy-to-understand manner.
“Tch. Just as I thought, soldiers educated with mental magic. And if you dissolved that, it means…”
Upon hearing that, Rainer clicked his tongue with annoyance, and Titty raised her hands with a smile.
“—Meaning, all these girls have fallen in love with Kanamin for the first time!”
“Eh?”
“This is all due to Kanamin’s pure heart. By connecting our hearts, it’s as if we’ve gone on a hundred dates! I know from experience, even as a child!”
“Dates? No, that’s… uh? Really?”
“Kanamin, you should understand a little more that you are an abnormal existence. To be directly connected by the strongest ‘Thief of Principles’ and to have ‘talks’ with all your might—an ordinary person would be instantly defeated. Well, I was alright though! I only cried a little!”
Titty finished her explanation, barely holding back laughter.
The word “tension” had already disappeared from the room.
However, Titty…
Why did she add “a little” and try to save face? She probably cried a lot.
Still, I had made a mistake thinking Reaper and Titty seemed fine; creating a “Connection” seems quite dangerous. It’s probably best to seal it away when dealing with ordinary people.
I promised Titty I wouldn’t use it again, but she denied it, saying, “No, use it a lot! That’s more interesting!” Then, a furious shout tore through the now considerably lighter atmosphere.
“—Don’t you mess with meeeeeeeee! These guys possess power equivalent to the former Rustiara and have been specially processed! And you broke them in an instant like this—Why!?”
The serious atmosphere had already passed, but he was being persistent…
Originally, they were no match for us three.
Still, understanding Fedelt’s earnest attempt to have a serious conversation, I reluctantly answered seriously.
“Well, compared to back then, I’ve gotten considerably stronger…”
“You think you could be broken just from getting ‘considerably stronger’!? This is a barrier designed to withstand an Apostle!”
“I can ignore intensity and such, so that doesn’t mean much.”
“Ig-Ignore intensity!?”
“Yes.”
Towards this man, Fedelt, I spoke coldly, as I was somewhat angry. And I was about to reveal the reality that they could never defeat us.
However, Fedelt refused to accept it.
“St-Still! I still have moves left! Ah, I anticipated this much. It’s a shame I couldn’t capture them, but if that’s the case, I’ll force it—!!”
“—Fedelt.”
A clear voice cut through the air, and Fedelt’s body stiffened.
Then, the owner of the voice that called his name appeared.
From beyond the room’s door, a girl with mixed gold and silver hair walked in, making the knights kneel.
The moment I saw her, I had the same thought as before.
Terrifyingly beautiful, unrealistically gorgeous—that’s what I thought.
Her golden eyes, which seemed to pull you in if you looked at them.
Her skin, which resembled an inviolable divine realm, was godlike.
The artistic lack of waste in her facial structure made my body tremble.
At a glance at her pale pink lips, I couldn’t look away.
I was mesmerized by the allure of her collarbones below, and her body was the ultimate feminine form.
Her limbs, neither too thin nor too thick, stretched out gracefully, and the balance of her chest and abdomen, neither too small nor too large, was perfect.
Her attire, adorning it, was white and simple… but not shabby. It was clearly a ceremonial outfit tailored solely to highlight her.
Ah, even as a year passed, there was no mistaking her—
—Rustiara Fuziaze had appeared.
