We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Fool’s Dance
When it comes to his youngest sister, Amira, Alf gets heated.
Alf confronts Guildia and Magrud in Amira’s stead, her voice sealed away.
However, things might escalate to a point of no return if this continues.
Committing an outrageous act in front of the Imperial Honored Mansion could put his older brother Alex and the entire village in danger.
Therefore, I cannot afford to let Alf’s anger go unchecked.
Amira contorts her face in disgust, struggling to escape Guildia’s arms that cling to her unpleasantly.
Besides, if Alf’s intense anger spreads throughout the village, there’s a chance the villagers might lash out before Alf does.
But how can I quell this dispute and rescue Amira?
I too cannot act rashly.
I, a human, am more conspicuous to the Imperial Honored Mansion than Alf and the others.
I must avoid being noticed by the Imperial Honored Mansion within the Empire due to my reckless actions, and consequently, putting Dragon Peak and the human race’s countries in danger.
But, if it’s like this…!
I’m in the shed, hidden behind some storage, racking my brain.
Just then, someone bravely extended a helping hand.
“Wouldn’t you say it’s time to stop?”
So spoke Madrine, who had been observing silently until then, as she pulled Guildia’s arm away from Amira’s body.
“You!” Guildia glares at Madrine, but hesitates before raising his clenched fist.
I see. Guildia stopped because he saw Madrine’s Miko’s Attire.
Clergy are protected even in the Divine Race’s Country.
If they strike a Miko or priest from the Temple Religion, the human slaves might rebel.
Thus, unless there’s a grave reason, clergy are not treated harshly even in the Divine Race’s Country.
And Guildia is, after all, a noble. It seems he possessed at least that basic common sense.
Madrine, despite Guildia’s glare, shields Amira behind her back.
“Don’t butt in, you mere human!”
But then, Magrud mercilessly lunges at Madrine.
Madrine is struck by Magrud and falls.
I instinctively wanted to leap out from behind the shed.
“No. If you go out now, Madrine’s efforts will be in vain!”
Had Rinrin not stopped me, I might have punched Magrud back.
I somehow control my breath, raging with anger, and observe the situation again.
Even after being knocked down, Madrine immediately stands up. And she continues to shield Amira.
“As a Miko, I cannot overlook someone in distress. If that displeases you, then by all means, strike me.”
Madrine faces Magrud, who raises his fist as if needing no prompting, without the slightest hint of fear, and declares.
“However, is that acceptable? If your subordinate, who is your master’s retainer, strikes me when my master did not, then I believe you are acting against your master’s wishes? Did you not just say that acting against the lord’s wishes is tantamount to harboring rebellious intent against the Emperor’s might? I believe that fist of yours is not aimed at me, but at the Emperor’s authority?”
“Y-You!”
Magrud’s expression contorts. His raised fist trembles.
Well played!
This is the perfect counter, using Magrud’s position as an Imperial Honored Mansion member against him.
Guildia, the lord, hesitated to strike Madrine. Yet, his subordinate, Magrud, struck her.
At that point, Magrud broke his own words about the Emperor’s might. Furthermore, if he were to strike Madrine again, it would be a clear act of defiance against the Emperor.
As an Imperial Honored Mansion member, Magrud, who worships the Emperor above all else, could never commit an act that even slightly damages the Emperor’s authority.
In Magrud’s stead, who is immobilized by Madrine’s words, Guildia steps forward again.
“Insolent human Miko. However, striking you is one thing, and Amira is another. That woman is decided to be my concubine. So, hand Amira over quickly.”
“Don’t mess with me!! Brother hasn’t agreed, and Amira doesn’t want this. Don’t force things yourself!”
Madrine shields Amira with her back. And in front of her, Alf intervenes. Then, he directs his simmering anger at Guildia and Magrud. Madrine also remains unmoved, stating, “As a Miko, I cannot overlook someone in distress.”
Faced with their resolute defiance, the surrounding Divine Soldiers brace themselves.
The situation is tense. But ironically, Magrud smiles wryly.
“Very well. Let’s see how far that defiance will take you.”
Magrud clenches his fist more tightly this time.
“I will not lay a hand on the Miko. But you are different. I cannot overlook someone who casts a shadow upon the Emperor’s authority.”
He doesn’t draw his sword. Magrud intended to toy with Alf from the start.
With a predatory smile, Magrud raises his fist towards Alf ostentatiously. Knowing his opponent cannot resist, he deliberately and slowly closes the distance.
Then, Magrud stands before Alf, who is shielding Madrine and Amira, and mercilessly brings down his raised fist!
Alf grits his teeth. Nevertheless, he does not evade the approaching, unreasonable fist.
“!!”
…
However, Magrud’s fist never reaches Alf’s face.
On the contrary, Magrud, who had been raising his fist only a moment before, ended up rolling on the ground.
The unexpected turn of events leaves everyone’s eyes wide. Magrud himself, unable to comprehend what happened, remains frozen on the ground.
“…Huh?”
The first to regain his composure is Alf, who had been braced for impact. He looks down at the suddenly fallen Magrud and snorts derisively.
Next, Magrud, who had been laughed at, returns to his senses.
“Y-You!”
Then, for some reason, he stands up in a fit of rage and grabs Alf by the collar… No, he tries to grab him, but falls again. Of his own accord.
Magrud, bewildered as to why he fell, shows a confused expression. In contrast, Alf laughs at the sight of Magrud falling on his own. Magrud, having been laughed at by someone he thought incapable of resistance, turns bright red with anger.
“It was you, wasn’t it? You used Spirit Arts to…”
“What are you talking about?”
Magrud seems to believe his fall was due to Alf’s Spirit Arts. But Alf scoffs at him.
“What you were about to say is this. If I were to use Spirit Arts… that is, are you trying to confess that you are such a weakling guardian that you can’t even detect my Spirit Arts?”
Magrud falls silent at Alf’s words. It is precisely as he said. He was about to admit that he couldn’t detect Alf’s Spirit Arts. But that would make him unfit to be Guildia’s guard.
Realizing his own blunder and flushing even deeper, Magrud attempts to stand up, his breath ragged with anger. But he falls again. “Why!” Magrud finally cries out. No matter what he tries to do, he falls, even though no one is doing anything. As Magrud repeatedly falls on his own, Alf laughs with evident amusement.
“Hey, Magrud! What are you doing!”
Guildia, his master, finally loses patience with the situation.
“Get up already. That’s enough, you’re ruining the mood. Let’s go!”
He spits out the words at his incompetent guard and starts walking without waiting for Magrud to get up.
“B-But…”
Magrud can’t back down while being ridiculed. However, he cannot disobey his master’s orders. Magrud glares resentfully at Alf and Madrine.
“Listen up, you two. Don’t get overconfident. Next time you dare to defy me, I won’t show any mercy!”
With that parting shot, Magrud, who clenches his trembling fists, gets up and chases after the departing Guildia. And falls again. Alf continues to laugh with amusement until the very end.
“…Well then. Elnea-kun?”
After Guildia and his group disappear from sight, Madrine calls out, looking around as if searching for something. I, who had been hiding behind some storage, finally show myself.
“Huh? Madrine-sama, when did you notice?”
I thought I had concealed my presence? In fact, Alf and Amira didn’t notice me until I appeared? Madrine smiles wryly at my question.
“No, I didn’t notice Elnea-kun’s presence either? However, I knew you must be watching us from somewhere.”
“Because,” Madrine says, and looks around the empty space once more. Then, Rinrin manifests.
“Oh, I thought I had concealed my presence too?”
“Yes. I didn’t sense your presence. However, I understood from the situation.”
“I see.”
As expected of Madrine. She has lived with us for a long time for a reason.
“…So, the reason Magrud kept falling on his own earlier was?”
“It’s because I made him fall, of course,” Rinrin says proudly, puffing out her nose. Amira offers a wry smile.
“I couldn’t watch any longer. You should be grateful, you know?”
“Yeah, thanks!”
Well, that’s how it is. Rinrin, who had concealed her form and presence, was the one who triumphed in a situation where Alf and I couldn’t intervene. Rinrin, who had quietly approached Magrud leaving my side, used Spirit Arts to make him fall. Guildia and Magrud couldn’t sense Rinrin’s presence, let alone the spiritual energy of her technique. That’s why Magrud couldn’t understand what happened to him, and Guildia and the Divine Soldiers were perplexed.
“It was satisfying to see him flustered. Right, Amira?”
Asked by Alf, Amira nods, albeit with a wry smile. Amira seems a little relieved too.
“However, we can’t use this kind of trick many times, you know?”
“Yeah, I know. If it were Guen, even if he couldn’t detect Rin’s presence, he’d notice immediately if something happened.”
This time, I nod.
“I understand that Magrud and the Divine Soldiers aren’t that skilled. But still, the other guard, Guen, is the tricky one, isn’t he?”
“He’s someone who’s visited this village a few times with Lord Wender back when he was the God of War, so I know his abilities. Damn it! Why is he an enemy instead of an ally!”
Guen seems to be a truly formidable opponent. To attach himself to Guildia’s side, an enemy, while being aware of Alex and the villagers… I’m sure Guen’s presence makes it even harder for Alex and the others to act.
“Either way, Amira and I were saved. I’m grateful.”
“It was nothing. But please be very careful, okay?”
With that, Rinrin disappears. It’s dangerous to manifest for too long and be seen by someone. Especially, I don’t want those lurking in the forest to know Rinrin’s true identity yet. Besides, I shouldn’t linger here either. If Guildia’s subordinates were to find me, it would only make things more suspicious.
“Well then, I’ll be going somewhere too. Madrine-sama, please take care of Amira-san.”
“Yes, leave it to me. I will protect her even at the cost of my own life.”
“No, no, Madrine-sama, please take care of yourself too? I was about to pounce on Magrud just now.”
“If I hadn’t stopped you, you definitely would have jumped out, wouldn’t you?”
Fortunately, Madrine isn’t seriously injured. Although I want to express my gratitude to Madrine, who shielded Amira with her own body, I cannot stay long.
“Alright, to express my gratitude to Madrine-sama and to soothe Amira’s worries, I’ll go hunt in the forest. Let’s have a great time tonight!”
“That’s a good idea. Then we’ll prepare, anticipating Elnea’s harvest.”
“Elnea-kun, we’ll be waiting for your return.”
“Yes. Please wait with anticipation.”
I’ll avoid the area where the infiltrators have set up illusions and enter the forest again. Then, while confirming if any other suspicious individuals are lurking, I’ll hunt for prey. I activate Spatial Jump and head towards the forest.
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