Pfeil was struggling against Ernesta Kaif, who was being manipulated.
“It’s really hard to fight her.”
Not wanting to kill her, he abandoned his bow and arrows and resorted to hand-to-hand combat, but he was at a significant disadvantage. He fought with his bare fists, while Ernesta wielded wind magic with practiced ease, far more skillfully than Pfeil had ever known.
“Killing her would be easy. But why? I don’t want to kill Ernesta.”
He was bewildered by his own confidence to entertain such unnecessary thoughts while fighting. No matter how many times he asked himself why he was thinking only of her, he could not find an answer.
“Hahaha, hey, Pfeil! You’re the successor to an assassination organization, and you can’t even kill me?”
Ernesta’s loud laughter confirmed she was far from sane. She had already dismissed her subordinates and the knights assigned by the Alway Ducal Family. The knights, in particular, had been told to return to the ducal family upon realizing this was not Olivier’s confinement location. Of course, the knights pleaded to stay, but at Pfeil’s command to prioritize Olivier, they had left with apologies.
“… It was the right decision to be alone. I can’t show such a pathetic state.”
He felt relieved that he could still joke around. Pfeil was already covered in wounds. His light blue hair had been cut by blades of wind and was now stained with blood. He was bleeding so much that he needed a coagulant. His combat uniform was torn, exposing his bloodied skin. He hadn’t bled this much since his fight with Jared.
“Hey, Pfeil, do you remember? I wanted to quit being a magician.”
“… Yes, I remember. You didn’t want to join the Royal Mage Corps and wanted to live a different life. That’s right.”
A blade of wind shot out as he spoke, approaching him. He erected a barrier to block it, but the unnaturally reinforced magic made the wall groan and crack. He dodged to the side while maintaining the barrier. As he rolled on the ground, the spot where he had been standing moments before was sliced apart soundlessly.
“Putting aside the aptitude for curse techniques, you were skilled at manipulating others and drawing out their power.”
A single misstep would have easily cut him in two. Though it sounded harsh, he had to admit she was indeed the sister of Barnabas Kaif, a candidate for Court Mage.
“But I couldn’t go against my parents. They kept telling me to do it in place of my missing older brother. Looking back, when my brother died—I almost felt relieved.”
Whether it was due to the curse technique or Ernesta’s own will, she confessed the feelings hidden in her heart.
“I was sad that my brother was gone. Truly. But more than that, I thought, ‘Serves him right.’ You see, while I was disappointed I couldn’t become a Court Mage, I also didn’t want to forgive the nobles who slandered my brother. But to my brother, who died only pursuing his own desires without considering his family—I realized I held a grudge.”
“Is that true? Or are you saying things you don’t mean because you’re being manipulated?”
“Of course, it’s true. I wanted to tell you, Pfeil, my true feelings that I could tell no one.”
Pfeil, who had no family, could not fully grasp Ernesta’s feelings. Being manipulated, he couldn’t be sure how much of it was her true feelings. However, he believed it was a fact that she had feelings towards her brother. Despite her talent, she had not been properly evaluated and had been disgraced by nobles. Pfeil understood her frustration.
Barnabas Kaif, to avenge this injustice, trained himself relentlessly and attained power surpassing that of a Court Mage. However, that was not enough for him. Instead of pursuing the path of a Court Mage again, he sought revenge against his enemies. To torment Count Brauer, who had obstructed his path to becoming a Court Mage, he targeted his supposed best friend, the Court Mage Tres Brauer. His violent acts did not end there. He began killing those who had been appointed as candidates for Court Mage with the help and influence of nobles. It was as if he were venting all his pent-up frustrations. Barnabas, who was originally a victim, had become an perpetrator in his quest for revenge. However, that was Barnabas’s sole reason. If he had given even a moment’s thought to his family, who were connected to a criminal, he would not have hurt innocent people in his revenge. Ultimately—Barnabas Kaif’s life as an avenger came to an end at the hands of Jared Murphy.
“I thought it was all over when my brother died. It was difficult to be called the family of a criminal, but I endured it. I was even grateful to Jared.”
“… I won’t say I understand how you feel, but a family member who caused you pain is difficult to fault. However, they are family. You could never truly hate your own family.”
“Why! Why can you tell that, Pfeil?”
“Because I can tell. Anyone who interacts with you even a little can tell. Ernesta Kaif—your heart is pure. You are like a clear stream that brings peace to someone as blood-stained as I am.”
“… What is that supposed to mean?”
“Resentment doesn’t suit you.”
“What are you talking about, what are you talking about?!”
Blades of wind were unleashed with a frantic intensity, driven by emotion. Like Ernesta’s wail, the blades aimed for Pfeil, closing in and wounding him. Pfeil made no attempt to dodge. He didn’t even try to defend himself. He simply accepted all the blades, as if embracing her feelings.
“… Are you looking down on me? Are you intending to die?”
“No, I cannot let you die. If I die, who will save you?”
Blood spurted with every movement, but he ignored it, picked up his bow and arrows from the ground, and nocked an arrow, ignoring the pain.
“I wanted to save you without hurting you, but I considered that an insult. Ernesta Kaif, even if you are being manipulated, you have shown me wonderful potential. You are a worthy opponent.”
He nocked an arrow and imbued it with magic. Pfeil did not hesitate to use magic, something forbidden by Waalthe. “With all my might, I will defeat you and restore your sanity.”
In an instant, a single arrow shot from Pfeil’s bow—and multiplied into a hundred, attacking Ernesta.
I have posted an important announcement regarding the book publication in the activity report.
I would be grateful if you could read it.
