Isekai Mahou wa Okureteru! (LN) - Volume 3 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Goddess Is Super Strict With Her 

The imperial capital of Filas Philia. As the largest city within the Nelferian Empire, it was home to all kinds of wonders. There was the crystal statue of the Goddess in front of the famous Filas Philia Cathedral and the Imperial University Library, which prided itself on having the largest book collection between the three allied countries. There was also the Magic Institute, which was built in collaboration with the Kingdom of Astel and the Saadias Alliance, which was a think tank for all kinds of magic research. The city itself existed on a grand scale, and was in contention for the title of second largest in the entire world. 

The outer edges of the city were predominantly wooden and ashen brick dwellings, but the vast majority of the city streets were lined with residences using a gentle shade of red bricks. And when it came to the upper class district where the nobles lived, the buildings uniformly used high quality, vivid red bricks. 

Red was apparently the color of choice in building materials and many other things because the emperor from five generations ago extolled it. It was likely just a matter of personal preference, but in Suimei’s world, red—chiefly in Europe—was used to signify the flowing blood of saints, and had been treasured since ancient times. It was also commonly used for the tabards of knights and soldiers as something of an ode to battle. So for this world, especially a militaristic country like Nelferia, to be using the color so prominently was quite the amusing coincidence. 

While thinking of such things, Suimei tossed a glance heavenward. The imperial city had not only a large, expansive street system, but many exceptionally tall buildings to line it. The outer wall guarding the circumference of the city was quite high, which seemed to increase the safe building limit for structures inside the city. They were far taller than anything he’d seen so far. 

Even to an outsider like Suimei, Filas Philia gave off a discernably different impression than the royal capital of Metel in the Kingdom of Astel. There were plenty of people in Metel, but this place had a more modern feel to it. Both cities had parks, shops, and the like, but the maintenance of those places and basic needs like water and sewage management was impressive here. So in terms of development, Filas Philia did seem to be the more advanced of the two. 

However, even taking in the beautiful townscape—complete with remarkable buildings and children playing happily in fountains—a persistent hazy feeling lingered gloomily over Suimei’s heard. But there was a reason for his tired grumbling. 

“I never thought Reiji and the others would be wiping my ass for me...” 

Just how many times had he muttered that to himself already? From what he heard from the travelers at the checkpoint, Reiji and the others returned to Astel from the Empire, led an army from the kingdom, and defeated the demon general named Rajas along with his ten thousand subordinates. 

Hearing this, of course, was a bolt out of the blue for Suimei. It was astonishing to say the least. And after hearing the “news” came a natural wave of bitterness. It manifested on his face now in the form of a grim expression. Seeing it, a slightly concerned Lefille called out to him. 

“Suimei-kun, you’re still talking about the rumor we heard from those travelers, right? We still don’t know for certain whether they really defeated him or not.” 

“You’re right. But it’s not like I saw to it that Rajas was dead. And now people are throwing his name around with Reiji’s, so based on that, I’m guessing there’s an eight or nine out of ten chance that my attack isn’t what finished him off...” 

Suimei explained the main reason for his anguish with a sigh. He felt badly about troubling Reiji and the others, but it was the thought that his attack hadn’t properly finished the job that left his pride as a magician in tatters. He’d stood at the ready and fired his anti-evil spirit, anti-demon magicka. He was near exhausted at the time, but he was still unhappy with the results. Even if it had only been a matter of time for the residual holy lightning to bring the demon down, the whole situation left a bad taste in his mouth after all. 

“I’m seriously worthless. After running off at the mouth like that, for me to be unable to finish him in a single strike is just...” 

“Don’t be stupid. Even if it didn’t finish him, it was enough, wasn’t it? If anything, it’s likely your friend came across Rajas in a compromised state. Just think of what would have happened if they’d run into him and you hadn’t fought him first...” 

Just as she was implying, they would likely be dead right now. However... 

“You’re probably right, but that’s not the real problem here, you know? Hahh...” 

“That the fact that you weren’t able to finish him off is... Is what you want to say? I understand the feeling, but it’s not good to just keep sighing like that. If all you do is wallow in self-pity, then people will distance themselves from you.” 

“Yeah, well, you’re certainly right there.” 

Lefille’s words made Suimei reflect on himself and how he’d been acting. “If you keep sighing, people will distance themselves from you” was probably her own way of saying, “If you keep sighing, happiness will run away from you.” After all, people brought happiness, so if they avoided you, then happiness would too. And she was right. Nothing could be done if all he did was grumble all the time. 

“Alright, let’s just drop that, and lift our spirits instead.” 

“I agree. That’ll do you good.” 

“Yeah, you’re right.” 

Revealing her usually calm smile, Lefille enthusiastically thrust her fist into the air. At times like this, she brightened things up for the both of them. 

“So, Lefille, you said you had somewhere you wanted to go, but where are we headed from here?” 

“The Church of Salvation.” 

“...Seriously?” 

Suimei followed Lefille, and they arrived at an area near the gate to the outer wall. There stood one of several Churches of Salvation set up in various places throughout the imperial capital. 

This would be the first time Suimei approached an institution of the largest religion in this world, but as he walked towards it, he couldn’t help noticing it gave off a different impression from the rest of the city. The walkway leading to it went from laid brickwork to scattered cobblestones. There was a well cared for flower bed, and also a small pond. There were even trees crowded next to each other, making this area the only place nearby where there was any greenery. Listening carefully, he could hear the songs of small birds. It was truly like a fresh and green holy ground. And in the midst of all of it stood a white building. 

As if inviting them further in, a path spread out before them. Walking down it, Suimei could feel his face gradually grow more and more stern as they drew nearer to their ultimate destination. 

“A church... A church, huh?” 

“You’ve been muttering with that weird expression on your face for a while now, but is something up?” 

“No, it’s nothing like that. I just can’t get used to the atmosphere in this kinda place, you see...” 

“You can’t get used to... a natural oasis that puts your soul at ease?” 

“Yeah, certainly the negative ions are just flowing out, and mana is also thick here, but...” 

“C-Certainly, but neither of those are bad things, so what is it that troubles you?” 

“It might just be my nature as a magician, I guess. All I can think when I see or hear anything about a church is that it’s a den for some of my worst enemies.” 

Indeed, in Suimei’s world, magicians had many natural enemies. The church was the prime example. Typically, any religion that had a church fit the bill, but there was one monotheistic religion in particular that came to mind. That one that believed their god was incarnated as a savior, and treated its teachings as supreme. Generally, said religion believed that only people recognized by this or that were able to enact miracles. And those “miracles” were really the mysteries known as magicka that magicians used. Yet even though magicka existed even within their own teachings in that regard, a sect of said religion treated all mystical powers that were not handed down by their god as impure. 

And so they made magicka out to be some unholy, ill-begotten power. They claimed that the miracles they recognized were the only legitimate power, meaning that magicians—the wielders of the power they decried—were the enemy and had to be eradicated. To say they were overzealous was probably the right way to put it. 

And it was such zealousness that inspired most of history’s famous witch hunts, and was connected to Helen Duncan’s famous prohibition of the use of magic. It was all so the power of their faith could not be made light of. Naturally, other religions made similar claims. It was something of a vicious, extreme cycle. All religions placed a great deal of stock in what they believed to be miracles, while they condemned or denied the miracles of other faiths. 

There were people who treated any and all involvement with magicka as evil, but there were also people who would manipulate spiritual information to swindle others. So needless to say, not everyone had fallen victim to blind faith that had run amok, although that was certainly the case for a certain group of people who claimed that magicka was heresy—the agents of the Holy Inquisition. 

Of course, no normal church had such a group of extremists. However, even knowing that, Suimei had it firmly imprinted in him not to let his guard down and never to lose his focus. 

“Are you referencing the circumstances of your world?” 

“Yeah.” 

“But if you lump them together like that, aren’t you just being utterly dismissive of our traditions?” 

“Yeah, sorry, that wasn’t what I meant to do. My bad.” 

Suimei timidly scratched his head and apologized. Lefille had her cheeks slightly puffed out, and she was staring down at the ground looking at nothing in particular. Seeing her like that struck a chord in Suimei, and he couldn’t help but feel compelled to apologize. 

“...Well, setting that aside, is this place really okay?” 

“What do you mean by that?” 

“I thought there was a much bigger church in the Empire, right? You know, that one that tourists from other countries come here to see all the time.” 

“The Filas Philia Cathedral, you mean. It’s a place we talked about before, but... Honestly, I don’t really want to go to that kind of grand place.” 

Lefille knit her brow as she said that. She appeared convinced that going to such a place would be trouble in a most taxing manner. Suimei was curious. 

“Why’s that?” 

“In a place like that, there will certainly be a virtuous priest present. In other words, someone in whom the Goddess’s blessed power is particularly strong. I think you’re better informed of such blessings and what their power means than I am, Suimei-kun, but... If someone like that saw through to my true identity, what do you think would happen?” 

“Hmm? I didn’t really think anyone finding out you were a spirit would be a big deal... Was I wrong?” 

Suimei asked because of something Lefille had once told him about this world previously. Here, the things known as spirits were something very close to people. And perhaps because Lefille was there, Suimei had even sensed the presence of a minor spirit approach them too. Based on all that, he didn’t think it was anything strange, but apparently he was mistaken. Lefille then grimaced as if a lump had formed above her eyes. 

“Even as I am now, I have the spirit of the scarlet tempest—one who inherited the blood of Ishaktney. In Alshuna’s spirit legend, Ishaktney was Goddess Alshuna’s right hand who fought against the Evil God Zekaraia. In short, a direct subordinate of the Goddess herself. In other words...” 

“If people found out, they would be suuuper excited. Definitely. Without a doubt.” 

“That’s right. It was fine back in Noshias. Even if I am a half-spirit, everyone there still knew me as a person. Human. But in other regions, especially where the Church of Salvation has a strong presence... If my identity is discovered, it’ll probably turn into something preposterous.” 

Looking as though she was recalling the horrible firsthand experience of witnessing such a spectacle play out, Lefille’s face went pale and she began trembling. She’d said it would be “something preposterous.” It wasn’t like the church was some fanatic cult, but it wasn’t hard to imagine them treating her like a living god. Rather, it was really easy to imagine Lefille’s troubled face as people flocked to her. 

“Hahaha, wouldn’t that be fine in its own way?” 

“This is no laughing matter! Just try having them pray to you day after day after day, weep as they give thanks, follow you around everywhere, and ask nonsensical questions like what the fate of the world is! It would depress you far beyond what you can imagine!” 

“Yeah, that sounds... beyond unpleasant, hahaha...” 

In response to Lefille’s angry complaints, Suimei let out a strange laugh. Not moments later, they both heard the sound of hinges squeaking as they rubbed together from the direction of the church. Suimei turned to look, and was met with the sight of someone emerging from the building. 

It was a man with swept-back hair, black but dotted with gray strands. He wasn’t overly muscular, but certainly wasn’t slight either. He was remarkably average-looking, but for some reason, Suimei felt like there was something unusual about him. Suimei couldn’t really get a good read on the man, but he certainly didn’t look to be the church type. He had a severe look on his face. His eyes were closed, yet he walked forward with confident steps. He was wearing what appeared to be dress clothes, the hems of which were swinging in the air. 

The path to the church was narrow enough it would only allow for two people to walk abreast, so Suimei and Lefille quietly stepped aside to make way for the man. He lightly nodded to them as a gesture of acknowledgment, and continued along on his way. 

Lefille craned her neck a bit to look behind her, and she stared at the man’s back as if scrutinizing him. The sharp, discerning gaze she directed at him certainly wasn’t something anyone would have expected from such a childish face. 

“Suimei-kun, that man...” 

“Did you notice something about him?” 

“No, I just thought that he was quite the master...” 

Quite the master? Suimei hadn’t sensed any excess mana agitation as they crossed paths. He hadn’t sensed anything mystical or any mysterious wrenching of phenomena around him either. In that case, Lefille had to mean... 

“You mean... as a swordsman?” 

“That’s right, but... What’s wrong? Don’t you also have knowledge of swords?” 

“No, I mean, I do in fact use a sword too, but... I’m not so skilled that I can see through the subtleties of another swordsman. There’re a lot of strong guys who keep their skills hidden inside rather than letting them show, after all. I’m still a long ways away from being able to read those delicate signs.” 

“Huh... I see.” 

But that meant this man had to have considerable prowess. Even ignoring the fact that she was a spirit, Lefille possessed superior ability with a sword. So if she had seen something in someone that Suimei hadn’t, that was a testament to their power. It was something of the reverse, but a similar situation had occurred back at the checkpoint... 

“You know, that girl from before... Liliana, was it? She gave off a strong vibe too, huh?” 

Suimei was referring to the young mage called Liliana Zandyke. The mana she emanated wasn’t something Suimei could ignore. Just from what he’d seen then, he could see that she had considerable capabilities with magic. Even though she likely didn’t have a mana furnace, she really had some nerve to have that much mana in her. 

“Liliana Zandyke, huh? There isn’t much known about her, but she participated in skirmishes with a country to the south several times, and she seems to have made a name for herself that way. They even call her the Empire’s human weapon.” 

“That’s a hell of a nickname...” 

“She apparently earned it because she indifferently carries out missions given to her, but the fact that she doesn’t show much emotion in the first place probably has something to do with it.” 

That much was certainly true. Just from their brief interaction at the checkpoint, Suimei had gotten the impression Liliana wasn’t particularly expressive. They’d only exchanged a few words, however, so he didn’t know what she was really like. 

“Oops, this isn’t the time for that. I need to go do my prayers quickly.” 

With that, Lefille rushed ahead, tottered up the stairs, and opened the pure white doors. The instant she entered the church, she locked eyes on the Goddess’s statue and dashed over to it without a second thought or glance anywhere else. A devotee... No, since the Goddess Alshuna was something that truly existed in this world, it was a little different. Suimei followed her into the church, and gazed upward as if to inspect the ceiling. 

A sanctuary of the Church of Salvation. Unlike the popular churches in his own world, there were no stained glass windows and no pipe organ. However, with its tranquil atmosphere and ornate statue, it largely gave off the same feeling. 

The building itself had windows near the ceiling, and the sunbeams coming in through them scattered as they fell to the ground. Anywhere the sunlight didn’t reach was warmly illuminated with magic. The sanctuary was dotted with people. There were small children dressed in clothing that didn’t seem particularly lavish, calm elderly women, and well-kept elderly men. They all sat facing the statue and silently offering up prayers. It was a full-fledged, respectable church. 

“Hello.” 

While Suimei was sizing up this church from another world, a woman’s voice called to him from the side. Suimei turned around to greet whoever it was. 

“Aah, hello... AAH!” 

He managed something of a greeting, but was unable to restrain the surprise that escaped his throat as a half-shout, half-gasp. His eyes then darted around the room. Seeing him in such a fluster, the young woman dressed like a nun called out to him again, her head titled to the side. 

“Is something the matter?” 

“E-Ears are attached!” 

Suimei was unable to dispel his surprise in the end, such was the extent of his astonishment. And all he could do was incoherently declare what exactly it was that had caught his eye. 

“Is that not obvious? You also appear to have ears, do you not?” 

“Not that... I mean, um, that...” 

“Ah, could it be that this is your first time seeing a therianthrope?” 

“Uh...” 

Hearing that word, Suimei recalled learning that the Empire was home to a wide variety of races. One of said races were something known as therianthropes. Born with characteristics of animals, they were a race native to this world that had power beyond that of normal humans. 

And realizing that this woman was one of them, Suimei was finally able to make sense of her appearance. If she was a therianthrope, it wasn’t all that strange for her to have animal ears. She was wearing what was likely the religious habit of the Church of Salvation, blue robes with frills. Under the veil that was attached to her outfit, Suimei could see slightly wavy pink hair. But most notably of all, there were feline ears popping out that were somewhat drooping over. 

As Suimei nonchalantly looked at her face, she had a meek and gentle expression... but he felt a great wisdom in her that didn’t betray an ounce of meekness. Finally responding to her, Suimei politely apologized for his agitated behavior just moments ago. 

“I was just so surprised to see those ears... My apologies for being shaken like that.” 

“Is that so? Then it’s no wonder you were so surprised. People who have not seen therianthropes before often react that way.” 

The nun gave a moderate giggle. She carried herself like an older woman, which made Suimei feel a bit shy, but... Setting that aside, the cat-eared sister put her finger to her cheek and cocked her head to the side. 

“Are you not going to pray?” 

“No, I’m just that girl’s escort.” 

Suimei nodded towards Lefille, who was kneeling down to offer her prayers. The sister once more gave a cheerful smile. 

“Oh my, that is quite the small lover you have.” 

“Wha? What are you saying all of a—” 

“But you mustn’t do that. It is not smiled upon in the Empire for a man your age to accompany a small girl in that way, after all.” 

“Hahh... No, you’ve got it all wrong! I’m telling you, that’s not what I meant when I said escort!” 

“Heehee, I know. It was but a joke.” 

And with that, the sister confessed that she had intentionally gotten a rise out of him. But there was no malice in it. With her pleasant smile and her blooming figure, it looked like she was laughing at the man who was getting flustered for no reason. He had been completely outwitted. Suimei’s shoulders drooped heavily. Then, in stark contrast to her previous lighthearted giggling, the sister looked over to Lefille and spoke quietly. 

“What an ardent child.” 

“Yeah... When I asked her where she wanted to go when we made it to the capital, the first thing she said was the church. And here we are. She wants to pray at a church as much as she can while we’re in town... Or so she said as she tugged on my sleeve all the way here.” 

“It seems she holds the teachings of our Goddess quite dear. At such an age, she certainly has her act together.” 

“Ahaha... Well, regarding her age, please don’t say anything about it in front of her...” 

“...?” 

Unsure what Suimei was alluding to, the sister’s ears pricked up and she looked at him curiously. Things certainly would be a lot easier if Lefille could return to her normal form, and not just for her. 

And while Suimei was idly scratching the back of his head over such thoughts, he caught sight of the line that was forming next to Lefille. Now that the sermon was over, people were gathering before the priest with expectant, hopeful looks on their faces. Just what were they waiting for? Suimei then decided to ask the sister about it. 

“What is that line they’re forming after the service?” 

“It is for Alshuna-sama’s oracle. After praying, His Excellency the Bishop will pass down oracles from our dear Goddess... though most people will not be so fortunate as to receive one themselves.” 

“Hmm...” 

So this was the oracle that had made Lefille go out on a limb and introduce herself to Suimei in the first place. He could see the priest standing next to the statue, holding a book to his chest as he muttered something quietly. Looking closely, Suimei could see certain localized signs of power. He couldn’t feel a spell or the movement of mana, but locally, just where the priest was, there was theurgy at work and the aetheric was markedly pronounced. 

It was likely that the priest was using his own body as an intermediary to allow for the intervention of the Goddess. He was a genuine oracle. As Suimei saw through his power and muttered a word or two of admiration, the sister gave him a puzzled look. 

“I have to say it’s unexpected that you are unaware of such oracles. You should find such scenes in any church...” 

“There is no Church of Salvation where I’m from, you see.” 

“Oh my, how unusual. However, the village that I came from also did not have faith in the Goddess, so I understand.” 

She clapped her hands together as if this realization was an unexpected coincidence, and a sweet smile bloomed on her face. It was a serene expression. Somehow between that and her animalistic presence, she gave off a very tranquil atmosphere that tugged at Suimei’s heart. 

“Which reminds me though...” 

“What is it?” 

“Could it be that you arrived in Filas Philia today?” 

“You can tell?” 

“It seems this is your first time seeing a therianthrope, and... I just had something of a feeling.” 

“Oof... My ignorance has been exposed, huh?” 

Since he had been looking around at everything with interest and asking things that were generally considered common sense, the sister probably saw him as if he was a country bumpkin or something. As Suimei belittled himself in a joking tone, the sister became a little flustered as though she thought she’d said something rude. 

“Oh, no, I didn’t mean it in that way...” 

Seeing her react that way, Suimei flashed a refreshing smile as he continued with a slightly impish air about him. 

“So, would you mind enlightening an ignorant fool like me with some welcoming information?” 

“Y-Yes, of course, but... It’s not all that welcoming as far as information goes, I’m afraid.” 

“Did something happen?” 

“Two or three things. Between the good story and the not so pleasant one, which would you rather hear first?” 

“Please start with the worse one. Hearing the good story afterwards will help mitigate whatever the bad news is.” 

“Alright then...” 

With that, the sister’s gentle expression took a turn for the grim, and she began speaking as if presenting him with advice. 

“You said that you have only just arrived in the imperial capital, but if that is the case, please do be careful about going out at night. Recently, there have been troubling incidents happening in the city.” 

“Troubling incidents, you say?” 

“Yes. It started about a month ago, I believe. When morning comes around, people have been frequently discovered in a comatose state, and it has been fanning the anxiety of the people who live in the imperial capital.” 

“That is quite a story, isn’t it? Is it something like a hoodlum attacking people and leaving them in a coma?” 

“It seems that way, yes. It’s clearly the aftereffects of being struck by magic, so there’s no mistaking that someone is attacking people.” 

“But you said a month, didn’t you? It’s been going on that long and it hasn’t been resolved?” 

“Regarding that, the military police have been trying everything they can, but nothing has come of it as of yet. There aren’t many clues that would lead to the culprit’s trail, and because the effects and destructive force of the magic being used is quite unusual, it seems they’ve been unable to even determine what attribute was used. And so I’m afraid there haven’t been any leads on the case.” 

She cast her eyes downward, disappointed. It seemed she was truly a kindhearted person. She looked pained, as if she was thinking about the victims and what they and their loved ones had been through. 

“Sister, you sure are well informed, huh?” 

“Yes, many people come and visit the church, so I hear of many matters.” 

As if indicating her acute sense of hearing, her ears twitched a few times. Suimei’s heart jumped. He really wanted to touch them, but knew he had to resist the urge. Surely that would be considered rude. Suddenly looking up, the sister clapped her hands together heartily as if she’d remembered something. 

“However, the hero has been added to the investigation of this incident. It will likely be resolved in short order.” 

“The hero?” 

“Yes. The esteemed hero who was summoned in the Holy State of El Meide is currently staying here in Filas Philia.” 

“Really?” 

“Yes. It has not yet been announced to the general public, but it will likely soon be unveiled by the imperial government and the Church of Salvation. Is that not good news?” 

Was it? Either way, it piqued Suimei’s interest. The Holy State of El Meide was the neutral religious state to the south of the Empire, and there was no way Suimei wouldn’t be curious about what kind of hero had been summoned there. He was extremely interested in finding out what the heroes other than Reiji were like, hoping it might help him grasp the trend behind the summonings. 

“Moreover, it seems that the esteemed summoned hero of the Saadias Alliance also went on the move the other day.” 

“Now that you mention it, there are a total of four summoned heroes, right?” 

“The esteemed hero who was summoned in the Saadias Alliance is apparently a beautiful woman. Her skill with the sword is apparently quite something. Her mastery with the blade is said to be so brilliant that she could easily handle the Alliance’s swordsmen and the suzerain’s first prince, who is known as the Sword King.” 

So the third hero was a woman. Thinking about their demographics so far, Suimei began wondering what exactly the requirements for being summoned were. At the very least, he now knew that being a man was off the table. But be that as it may... 

“Girls are seriously strong, huh? What’s with that...?” 

“...Did you say something?” 

It seemed the sister heard Suimei’s grumbling, but he brushed it off by saying it was nothing. It was likely that the answer to the mystery he was pondering would not come to him for all eternity. And as he turned the matter over in his head, the sister clasped both her hands together in front of her large chest again. 

“With this, we have reason to hope the subjugation of the Demon Lord and demon armies will go well.” 

“That is good news, yeah.” 

As Suimei nodded, he cast a glance around the room. At the front of the line before the priest was a young girl. And before Suimei even realized it was Lefille who was receiving her oracle, she raised a desperate voice. 

“Wh-What did you say?! Ah, n-no, i-is that really true?!” 

Indeed, Lefille approached the priest in a panicked fluster. He looked troubled for a moment as Lefille clung to him, but as he was the one who managed the oracles, he must have been used to such interactions. His expression tightened back up into a solemn one, and he nodded firmly. 

“No way!” 

Apparently not getting the answer she wanted, Lefille’s shouted out in what was near a scream. She then immediately turned towards Suimei for advice. 

“S-Suimei-kun! Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-What do I do?! It’s serious!” 

“You’re panicking too much, Lefille. What’s up with you?” 

“There’s nothing up or down! Wh-What should I do?!” 

“Okay, for starters... You need to calm down and tell me what happened. We can go from there.” 

But Lefille had already lost her composure, and she cried out to Suimei in response. 

“An oracle! I got another oracle!” 

“Again...? So?” 

It wasn’t normal for her to be so flustered. Just what kind of absurd instruction had the Goddess passed on to her this time? 

“Here, huh...?” 

“Looks like it.” 

A few days after Suimei and Lefille arrived in the imperial capital of the Nelferian Empire, they took an excursion into the back of the residential area of northwest of Filas Philia. 

Naturally, the buildings were closely packed together like they would be in any city, and characteristic of the imperial capital in particular, a great many of them were tall. Perhaps because of that, despite being daytime, it was quite gloomy. In the modern world, there would undoubtedly be lawsuits about people’s rights to sunshine. Casually looking up and down the nooks of alleyways, there were sad little weeds growing here and there, but other than that, all was shadow. It was like whatever sunshine there was was promptly absorbed by the gloom. To compare it to something from his own world, this was a slum. A back alley slum described it perfectly. At a glance, most of the surrounding structures were cheap-looking. 

But that’s exactly why they’d come. Yes, their first real order of business after arriving in the Empire was securing a place to live. Suimei was planning on gathering information and goods in Nelferia, and Lefille wanted to study at the Magic Institute. After leaving the church on their first day in town, they’d gone to look for traders who mediated in the sale of residences. Because the majority of the imperial capital was under management of the imperial government, they’d ended up making their way to a government office. From there, they were referred to the supervisor of a district containing a residence that matched their specifications. And today, they had arranged to meet this supervisor and see the property. 

They’d come to a stop along the street and weren’t proceeding any further. It wasn’t like they’d been overcome by the gloom, though Lefille looked up at Suimei anxiously. 

“Suimei-kun, is this place really alright?” 

“Hmm? It’ll probably be fine. I’m sure this is where we were supposed to meet.” 

“I’m not talking about that; I’m talking about where we’re going to live. It’s close to a main street, so the location isn’t bad, but somehow... The atmosphere, you know?” 

The more Lefille looked around, the more her doubts grew. Certainly it was just as her anxious gaze indicated, the place didn’t give off a great impression. There wasn’t much light, and there was also some kind of stench coming from who knows where. It was close to the main street, but it wouldn’t qualify as good real estate by most people’s standards. 

“Well, this was the only property that matched our requests. We’ll just have to put up with a few things.” 

“You’re right. I guess not everything can be perfect...” 

“It’s no big deal, we can’t do much about the sunlight, but the smell and other things can be improved, so there’s nothing to really worry about...” 

Even as Suimei tried to tell her that it would work out, Lefille kept her gaze fixed on the somewhat dirty, spread out bricks in the road below her feet. Was she that worried about the pros and cons of a place to live? The usual Lefille would have laughed something like this off as she bravely stepped up to the plate in the face of a challenge, but not now. Suimei had an idea as to what might be weighing her down. 

“What, are you still worried about that oracle?” 

“O-Of course I am! I got that kind of oracle, you know?!” 

By that kind of oracle, she meant that the Goddess’s word she had received at the local Church of Salvation was well beyond the realm of what she could have possibly imagined. Indeed, the instructions passed down to Lefille were: “Act together with the hero staying in the Empire, and fight the demons.” 

The Goddess apparently wanted her to follow someone she had never even met—the hero summoned in El Meide. For Lefille, who had just reached the imperial capital in pursuit of her own goals, this seemed all too sudden. In fact, it seemed that Lefille was outright opposed to the oracle she’d received. She’d thrown a fit in the church when she first heard it, and after finally calming down, she’d fallen into her current slump. Suimei, however, thought the solution was pretty clear. 

“If you don’t want to listen to Alshuna or whoever, then I think it’s probably fine if you don’t. You can just pretend to forget.” 

“I-I can’t exactly do that. After receiving a message from the Goddess Alshuna, it would be dishonorable not to heed it.” 

“Dishonorable...? You’re talking about your power, aren’t you? Listen, it’s not like you guys talked this over. It’s all one-sided, isn’t it? You didn’t even ask for your power, you know? So using that as a premise to ask you to do something else is a bit much, yeah?” 

“Th-That may be the case, but...” 

Lefille’s voice gradually tapered off until it was inaudible. She found herself so lost in the maze of faith exactly because she was devout. From time to time, the strong of faith tried to deny themselves and their desires. In their place, they would impose obligation on themselves. They believed they walked the straight and narrow that way, and clung to it as if it were the only way. And so their faith hung over them like the sword of Damocles. 

Of course, there were those who lived pure and beautiful lives with their strong sense of faith and values, but obstinacy in those things could have detrimental effects. Forcing yourself to live one way when you want to live another can tear someone apart. And if things kept going like this... 

“So are you gonna meet up with this hero from El Something or what?” 

“D-Do I even have to say it?! It’s obvious that I don’t want to!” 

“It’s obvious, huh? Well, if that’s the case, then that’s all the more reason you shouldn’t just drop everything and do what they want you to, right...?” 

In the end, Suimei cared about what Lefille wanted to do for herself. And even though she stubbornly, dejectedly declared that she didn’t want to go through with it... 

“That in and of itself would be making slight of the Goddess’s words, and if something were to happen because of it, I...” 

She didn’t want that to happen either. Swallowed by waves of self-condemnation, she was unable to act according to her own will. Suimei didn’t think that was right. He thought she should be able to do what she wanted, rather than be bound by what some goddess said. 

“Got it. I’ll do something about it.” 

“What? What do you mean you’ll do something about it?” 

“Just what I said. If you don’t want to go along, then just don’t go along. And if you’re told to, then I’ll pull you back. And if anybody says anything, I’ll do something about it. You should be allowed to follow your heart, right?” 

Even if she couldn’t bring herself to willfully act against the order, that didn’t mean she had to follow it. And Suimei was willing to do his part as her partner. Even if it wasn’t what Lefille had intended, if he was the one who held her back, then it was no reflection on her faith if she couldn’t complete the divine quest she’d unwillingly been assigned. And now that she understood what he meant, an entirely different anxiety filled her. 

“Y-You can’t! That would be defying the Goddess, Suimei-kun! If you do such a thing, you’ll...” 

“Like I care. It’s not like I worship this goddess of yours anyways. Come heaven, hell, Eden, or Hades, you think I give a crap? Besides, magicians are just the type to pick a fight against everything in the world, even higher powers, in the quest to become omnipotent. We’re practically all people who just spit at the heavens.” 

“But even so, if you provoke the wrath of the Goddess...” 

“Yeah, I don’t really mind. There’re tons of guys all over the globe who disobey their gods. And yet the world still goes round. Thinking that you can’t live if you oppose the goddess is putting a little too much faith in the system, I’m telling ya.” 

“Even so, even so... If something were to happen...” 

Lefille looked up at Suimei with desperate eyes. In response, he closed one eye and scoffed as if to say, “So what if it did?” 

“Even so. If they were to stand in my way, then it just means I have to brush them aside, and I’ll proceed onward like I always do. Be it Goddess or Evil God, it doesn’t matter to me... Hmph. If a being that can only intervene from the astral plane wants to try playing their hand, then they should just fucking try it. Like I’m going to lose to some idiot who couldn’t finish off the Evil God on their own and can only pass down orders from on high.” 

“Y-You’re talking about an almighty being here, you know? No matter how strong you are, it would never...” 

“Even so, that’s what I’m aiming for. And if I back down from that, I can’t call myself a magician.” 

The people that Suimei wanted to protect, he wanted to protect from anything and everything. That was the drive he had within him. And to answer to that, he’d become a magician. He wouldn’t stand for denying it. He would stake his eye on it. And having caught a glimpse of Suimei’s resolve... 

“Ah... Mm, thanks...” 

“Wha...? Y-Yeah.” 

Averting her eyes, Lefille thanked him while fidgeting. Suimei turned bashful at the sight of her... but only for an instant. 

“Ooh, so you made it!” 

A lively voice interrupted the sweet atmosphere that had developed between Suimei and Lefille. Looking to its source, they saw a girl with bright blue hair dressed in clothes that were easy to move in. She had large, round eyes and a somewhat cute face. She had what appeared to be a tattoo running down from her cheek to the back of her neck. At a glance, she seemed quite lively. 

However, she was small. She was short in stature, had a small chest... Everything about her was small. At a glance, she was approximately the same as Lefille. 

Another little girl, huh? I mean, Lefille isn’t really a little girl, but still... 

After what had happened at the checkpoint, Suimei was starting to feel like he was meeting nothing but little girls. That sentiment manifested in Suimei’s tense gaze as he assessed the new arrival, and the girl blatantly strained her face as if she saw something disgusting in return. 

“What’s your problem? I’m not sure I like the way you’re looking at me.” 

“No, sorry. I’ve been seeing nothing but children lately, so it was something of a reflex.” 

“Ch-Children?! Are ya talking about me?” 

“I am... What about it?” 

When he declared that, the girl’s eyes suddenly narrowed menacingly. Then, with a threatening tone no one would have imagined coming from her cute face, she got aggressive. 

“From the looks of it, boy, you’re plenty younger than me. You got some nerve to say that kinda crap, doncha?” 

“Huh? Boy?” 

“Yeah, boy. You look just like a wee thing that just got outta Salvation School.” 

What was this girl talking about? From the sound of it, she was upset because Suimei was treating her like she was much younger than she actually was. But she certainly did look young. Was she altering her appearance to look young again like one of those senile magicians? As Suimei pondered all this, Lefille seemed to arrive at some sort of understanding. She clapped her hands together and spoke in an excited tone. 

“Could it be that you’re a dwarf?!” 

“Yeah, that’s right. I’m the genuine article, both my old man and my ma are dwarves. Purebred right here.” 

“Wha...” 

“You sounded like you came to see us when you got here, which means...” 

“Indeed, indeed! It’s just as you guessed, missy. I’m the one who supervises this place, Jillbert Griga.” 

“Ummm... I’m completely outta the loop here.” 

“What’s that?” 

Having been left behind as the conversation progressed, Suimei looked troubled. The girl—Jillbert Griga—was still glaring at him like she was ready to square up, however. It completely spoiled her cute face. 

“Hahh... What’s with you? This kid’s sharp as a tack, but you’re a slow one, aincha?” 

“Slow? Listen here, you...” 

Suimei was offended, of course, but still taken aback enough that all he could really do was convey his dissatisfaction with an exasperated expression. Why’d she have to go that far? Lefille had called her a dwarf, so he could pretty much guess why she was offended, but... 

“That’s not it. He’s just never seen a dwarf before.” 

“Hmh? Aah, s’that so? Well, in that case, guess there’s no helping a misunderstanding, huh?” 

“...This is a super rude question, but how old are you?” 

“Me? I’ll be twenty-one this year.” 

“You’re really older than me, huh...? I mean, of course you are.” 

“That’s right. To immediately fix your tone like that, boy, you look kinda stupid, but you do got your act together, doncha? Seems you know your manners after all. Good, good.” 

Jillbert, both hands on her hips, took a cocky tone with Suimei. Lefille patted her on the shoulder and told her she was fine just the way she was. 

Dwarves. According to Norse mythology, they were categorized as a type of fairy who lived in the underground world. They were essentially the opposite of the beautiful fairies of the same origin, the alfar or elves, and were a subhuman existence with blackish, hideous bodies referred to as dvergar or dark elves. According to the tales, they excelled in smithing and craftsmanship, and created tools that could rival the power of the gods. At times they would quarrel with the gods, and at others, cooperate with them. They were creatures depicted in all manner of ways and in all sorts of stories. From the folklore that stemmed from there, they were modeled after gentle or mischievous little people. 

Something like a beard... Well, the tattoo kinda looks like one, and she’s pretty petite. But why is it that age and beauty have completely no connection...? 

Not much would come from trying to decipher it. This was a different world, which likely meant that all bets were off. But Suimei aside, it seemed that Jillbert had taken a liking to Lefille, and the two of them were getting engrossed in chatting about clothes and other such topics. He was sorry to interrupt while they were having fun, but Suimei wanted to get things moving. 

“Excuse me, but would you mind introducing us to the house now?” 

“Hmm? Aah, now that you mention it, you’re right. You came to see the place, dincha? Plum slipped my mind.” 

“H-Hey, that’s the whole reason we’re here.” 

“Don’t worry ’bout it. It’s lame for a man to worry ’bout such minor details, ya know? So impatient... You a virgin?” 

“Ugh...” 

The lips on her cute face were curled up into a broad, biting grin. Truly a dvergar. Just as insolent as the legends stated. She sure could let her mouth run. 

Jillbert walked off with a bounding stride, and when they followed, Suimei and Lefille were guided to a somewhat large, detached house interposed between several housing complexes. 

“Just as requested, it’s quite spacious, innit?” 

“Hmm...” 

Suimei began inspecting the place, peering in the entrance and raising his eyes to the ceiling. The inside was made of wood, and it appeared to have been a while since the place was last occupied. The pillars and joists used seemed to be rather large, and the construction of the building itself was quite solid. Perhaps that was to be expected from the Empire where water and sewage services were all in order, and Suimei certainly had no objections to a readily available water supply. 

The three of them briefly looked around the rooms, and as they returned to the corridor back at the entrance, Jillbert spoke up in a somewhat expectant voice. 

“Watcha think?” 

“It isn’t bad. It meets all our requirements, and it’s actually much better than I was expecting.” 

“Of course it is. It’s one of my properties, ya know? Ain’t a single thing wrong with it.” 

Saying that, Jillbert thrust out her petite chest and once more took on her cocky attitude. Lefille, however, dropped her gaze to the floor and spoke in a somewhat distant voice. 

“Suimei-kun, I’m glad you chose such a nice place...” 

“Hmm?” 

She was giving her blessing, but something wasn’t right. It was like she was talking about somebody else’s affairs entirely. As Suimei puzzled over the subtleties of her heart that made her talk like that, she continued to speak in the same unnatural way. 

“N-Next is where I’ll be living...” 

“Huh...? Where you’ll be living?” 

“That’s right. You’ve found a place, so I need to do the same.” 

“Why? What about here? Since it’s so spacious, can’t we just live together?” 

“Eh—That’s, um... Won’t I be a nuisance?” 

She answered with a perplexed tone and what looked like a completely bewildered expression. Her eyes were open wide. Suimei hadn’t realized that what was weighing on her mind was that she was worried about bothering him. It was rather innocent, but it was just like her. 

“You think you’ll be a nuisance, huh? Even if you are, this is what I was planning from the start, you hear?” 

“Really?!” 

Lefille eagerly asked for confirmation like this was a most unexpected but pleasant surprise. It was like she wanted to make sure she hadn’t misheard him. Walking up to her, Suimei leaned over and spoke in a quiet voice. 

“Well, you know... In that form, you won’t have an easy time finding a place on your own. And that’s not to mention the curse.” 

“But... that’s not your responsibility. Besides, you have your own goals to accomplish, right?” 

“It’s fine. This is the ship I boarded. And on that note, I’m sticking with you until it’s dispelled.” 

“—?!” 

When Suimei said those last few words, a surprised look crossed Lefille’s face for a moment before she suddenly embraced him with all of her might. 

“Thank you, Suimei-kun!” 

“O-Oh...” 

She was even rubbing her soft and squishy cheeks against his. Was she that overcome with emotion? She’d been all alone with no one to help her or stay by her side. So thinking about it, her reaction to Suimei saying he’d stick with her was quite understandable, but that didn’t abate his embarrassment over it. He also realized a cold stare was being directed at him from the side. 

“Jillbert-san, is something the matter?” 

“Hey, are you, ya know, that pedophile that we’ve been hearing about on the streets lately?” 

“No, you’re wrong, I’m not really...” 

Trying to explain himself, Suimei pushed Lefille away for the moment. And as if she was looking at something filthy, Jillbert took a step back like she was ready to run away. 

“Stay back. And get away from Lefille. And keep more than five meters away from me. And don’t get a damn bit closer, ya hear?” 

“Please listen to people when they talk. It’s a misunderstanding...” 

“Guys who say stuff like that are often secretly evil, ya know.” 

“That’s enough of that... Anyways, I had one more request.” 

“Hmm... Aah, yeah, it’s over there. This here place has one. Follow me.” 

As Suimei changed the subject, Jillbert made a somewhat curt reply and showed the two of them to a room further into the house. 

“Suimei-kun, what is Jillbert talking about?” 

“Oh, that? A bathroom.” 

“A bathroom?! Does this house have a place to take baths?!” 

Lefille questioned him in an excited voice, but it was Jillbert that turned around and answered her in Suimei’s stead. 

“Of course it does. This is the imperial capital, ya know. Of course houses here have baths. That should go without saying.” 

Again, she was essentially bragging. But the moment she got the confirmation she wanted, Lefille ran over towards Jillbert as if she was flying. Suimei followed after them, and they arrived at a bathroom constructed out of cleanly polished stones and gypsum. Inside the room, what appeared to be a brand new wooden bathtub had been set up. Slapping it heartily, Jillbert went back to bragging. 

“Innit a fine specimen?” 

“Waaah...” 

By the time Suimei caught up, Lefille was already looking at the bathtub with sparkling eyes. The Kingdom of Astel had virtually no bathing culture, so until recently, they’d had to make do using stiff, steamed cloth to give themselves sponge baths. As a native of Noshias, which had the same bathing customs as the Empire, Lefille had been particularly affected during her stay in Astel. This was actually one of the reasons Lefille badgered Suimei to get to the capital so quickly, and in that regard, Suimei agreed. He was also quite fed up with the lack of bathing after being summoned to another world, and he absolutely wanted a bathroom with a bathtub in the house that would serve as his base no matter what. 

So as a girl who knew the importance of bathing, of course Lefille was delighted. Losing sight of herself in the excitement, however... 

“Suimei-kun! It’s somewhere to take a bath! Somewhere to take a bath—can you believe it?! Let’s get in right away!” 

She was in such high spirits that her usual serious demeanor was nowhere to be seen. She was acting nothing like her ordinarily refined self. 

“We need to clean the rooms and get all sorts of things ready first, so it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.” 

“Ah... Yes, you’re right.” 

Hearing that she wouldn’t be able to get in today, Lefille lost all her steam and her shoulders drooped dejectedly. And once more, Suimei felt a cold stare fall upon him. As expected, it was coming from Jillbert. 

“...What is it? Why are you looking at me like I’m the plague?” 

“It’s just like I thought, punk. You’re really that pedophile, aincha?” 

“I don’t recall saying anything perverted in that conversation, and certainly nothing that would give you that impression.” 

“Missy’s talking about getting in the bath, and it sounds like she means together, don’t she?” 

“Y-Y-You’re wrong! P-Perhaps my wording may have been misleading, but that was absolutely not my intent.” 

“See? That’s how it is. I’m not entering the bath together with Lefille.” 

Suimei stated his case flatly, but for some reason, Lefille turned towards him with an anxious expression. 

“Suimei-kun, d-do you hate the idea... of taking a bath with me?” 

“Wha? Lefille, what the hell are—” 

“Well, do you...?” 

“Huh? No, that’s, um...” 

“Hey, the hell are ya stuttering about there, you pedophile? You damn enemy of female dwarves...” 

“L-L-Like I’ve been saying, y-you’ve got it wrong...” 

Suimei seemed unable to articulate himself well, and it seemed more and more like this wasn’t going to go in his favor. Now that Jillbert thought he was a pedophile, he felt trapped. No matter what he did, she wasn’t going to let it go. 

“Hahh...” 

Under Jillbert’s harsh gaze, Suimei let out a heavy sigh. 

However, now that Suimei was about to get his hands on a house to use as a base, he would finally be able to get started on properly researching the hero summoning magicka circle. A base was the first real step to any serious magicka study. Without a dedicated space for research, nothing would get done. He would still have to make his magicka items by hand from scratch, but if he made a room where he could perform various rituals, his research should proceed relatively swiftly. 

“Hey, pedophile, didn’t I tell ya not to get any closer? You got ears attached to that head of yours or what?” 

“Give it a fucking rest already, you legal delinquent loli! I’ve been saying I’m not a goddamn pedophile this whole time, haven’t I?!” 

And in the end, somehow or other, Suimei ended up on good terms with Jillbert in the sense that they certainly didn’t hold back with each other. 

Kurant City. Blessed with underground water from the mountain range to the north, it was one of the easier places to live within the Kingdom of Astel, even in regards to climate. If it had a drawback, it was that its proximity to the national border was a risk. Even in the war a hundred years ago, it was a highly contested battleground. 

But at the same time, the city had developed exactly because it lay directly on the main highway between the Empire and the Alliance, so it had benefited significantly from trade in the area. The royal capital of Metel was esteemed for its refined sense of old customs, but Kurant City was so beautifully well maintained that it was easy to mistake as more developed than Metel. The citizens lived quite well there. 

The city itself was well defended, and the new discovery of magic-resistant materials was being used to improve those defenses even more. The city’s ramparts and military installations were being reinforced to help keep the Empire in check. In an emergency, Kurant City served as the secondary defense line for the Kingdom of Astel right after the border fortress. 

And Kurant City, being both commercial and fortified, was where Reiji and his cohorts presently were. After defeating Rajas, they were invited there by Hadorious, and immediately participated in a parade for their triumphant return upon arrival. The people of the city extolled Reiji’s achievement in exterminating a demon army, falsified though it was. 

After several hectic days passed, they were now staying at an inn within Kurant City. For exceptional guests like the princess and the hero, it was common for them to stay at the duke’s mansion, but they had instead accepted accommodations at a local inn at Titania’s request. Even if Hadorious was an ally, his company and his kindness weren’t things to be accepted at face value. Titania personally still felt uncomfortable around him. 

Relaxing in the inn, Reiji, Mizuki, and Titania were sitting on sofas as they faced each other in a circle. After gulping down a few sips of the rose water that had been prepared for them, Mizuki let out a rose-scented sigh at finally being able to take a breather. 

“The parade... was amazing, huh?” 

“You’re right. It was probably even more expensive than the one we had in Metel.” 

Reiji agreed with Mizuki there. The parade to celebrate Reiji’s triumphant return lasted three whole days. Even though the parade they’d had in Metel to commemorate their departure had been quite grand, this one had lasted three days. It was grander than grand. Mizuki nonchalantly reflected on what that meant as she looked out the window with a pensive gaze. 

“I was thinking about it during the parade, but Kurant City is pretty affluent, huh? But this is all land that man governs...” 

“Duke Hadorious is a grand noble who governs over a large amount of territory, including Kurant City. Considering his authority, assets, and military power, there is likely no noble within Astel who could be considered superior to him short of the royal family.” 

It was Titania that responded to Mizuki, explaining Hadorious’s situation in more detail. He governed over a city that prided itself on being second to the royal capital in terms of size. The power to contend with a demon general, the assets to hold a lavishly grand parade, and the authority to carry it out... From what they’d learned of Hadorious in the past few days, they’d come to learn what he was truly capable of. His severe personality seemed to make a bit more sense in light of it all. 

“But still, even if we all did well, it wasn’t like I was the one who really did it...” 

Rajas had been defeated at the hands of everyone’s power. Reiji knew taking credit for it all was unmerited. 

“Regarding that matter... My apologies. However, for our country, making it out to be the hero’s achievement is advantageous.” 

“Yeah, I get it.” 

The reason Hadorious had suggested it in the first place was naturally to inspire the people and give them reason to think the demons were weakening. Titania understood that well, which is why she approved of such a grand parade to celebrate the achievement. Reiji knew all that, but felt what he’d accomplished himself in reality was insignificant. Snatching the benefits up like a hyena didn’t sit well with him. Reflecting on all this, Mizuki spoke up in a sullen tone. 

“It’s quite a common story, isn’t it? For someone to use the achievements of another, or to make use of anything for their own benefit... It just sounds like something a noble would do. But, like I thought, this involves politics with the other countries too, doesn’t it?” 

“That is precisely the case. And it is exactly for this reason that Duke Hadorious is someone that you cannot be careless around. After using Suimei as a decoy, and without even apologizing to his good friend Reiji-sama, he’d then make use of you as political tools against the Empire... He even possessed the cunning to hatch a quick plan to keep Princess Graziella in check.” 

Titania paused for a moment and sighed, but then reiterated her warning. 

“I will be repeating myself again and again, but do make sure never to be negligent around him.” 

She was supremely wary of the duke. She said it was a combination of the impressions she’d gotten from her interactions with him, as well as her intuition. Reiji thought it was because she hated him, and certainly that played a part in it, but her reasons likely outweighed that. Pondering such things, Reiji posed the princess a question. 

“Hey, Tia, what do you think of using Suimei and the others as a decoy? Leaving out the fact that you are Suimei’s friend as well as ours. In the end, as a princess of the Kingdom of Astel...” 

“Certainly, my thoughts on the matter are complicated. When considering the harm a demon army could wreak on the populace, if such an act was necessary, then it was necessary.” 

As though that was the prelude to something greater, Titania suddenly bowed her head down deeply. The gesture came as a surprise, and both Reiji and Mizuki raised their voices in bewilderment. What left Titania’s mouth next was an apology. 

“My apologies, Reiji-sama, Mizuki. After hearing of it, I thought that, objectively speaking, it was the right hand to play.” 

“No, it’s fine. In your position, thinking that way is understandable. Right? Mizuki?” 

“Yeah...” 

Reiji looked to Mizuki for agreement, but the sad way she averted her eyes conveyed her uncertainty. Suimei was the first good friend she’d ever had. It wasn’t like they were lovers, but she thought of him frequently and cared a great deal for him. Once more looking out the window, her thoughts turned to him. 

“Suimei-kun... In the end, we never found him.” 

“It’s alright. It’s Suimei we’re talking about. I’m sure he’s safe.” 

“’Cause he’s shrewd?” 

“Yeah. Sensei said so too, remember?” 

Reiji recalled Felmenia’s words. 

“Regarding Suimei-dono, he is surely safe.” 

She’d given them that sign of hope before she parted ways with the group. It seemed that she truly understood their worries. 

“I did not believe White Flame-dono’s words to be a mere consolation. It’s likely she has somehow or other gained insight into the situation in her own way. It’s not impossible that she caught hold of his tracks herself.” 

“Caught hold of his tracks how?” 

“That is to say, as one would expect, with magic. White Flame-dono is known throughout the land as a genius mage who is capable of creating unprecedented original magic, after all.” 

“Ah...” 

Hearing Titania say that, Mizuki recalled Felmenia’s reputation as a court mage. And following after her, Reiji clapped his hands together, encouraged. Not moments later, a reserved knock and a reserved voice came from the other side of the door. It was Roffrey. 

“Excuse me, Reiji-sama, is now a good time?” 

“Roffrey? Yeah, come on in.” 

“Pardon my intr... Your Highness! M-My sincerest apologies!” 

After opening the door and looking in the room, Roffrey looked flustered as though he’d entered a place he shouldn’t have. He bowed his head in a panic. It seemed that he thought that Reiji and Titania were alone together, and had gotten the wrong idea. Guessing at the misunderstanding, Titania let out a small sigh and reassured him. 

“It’s quite fine. Besides, Mizuki is also here.” 

“Huh? Ah, so she is...” 

Roffery’s expression went blank. He looked absentminded, or what one would call vulnerable on the battlefield. Considering the previous tension in the room, it was unexpectedly refreshing. Mizuki turned to him with a smirk. 

“Heeey, Roffrey-san, just what kinda stuff were you thinking about, I wonder?” 

“What?! N-No! I was not particularly thinking of anything strange!” 

“I never said a word about anything strange, though...” 

“I... wuh, I, uh, uh, uh...” 

Realizing he was tripping all over himself, Roffrey could only panic as he moved about in a fluster. Taking pity on him, Reiji called out to Mizuki. She then smiled as if to say she’d only been kidding, and relented. It didn’t need to be said that she looked rather impishly pleased with herself. Assuming that Roffrey had come by for a reason, Reiji then moved to get down to business. 

“So, Roffrey, what’s going on?” 

“I came to inform you that a messenger has arrived from Duke Hadorious.” 

Having suddenly received an invitation from Hadorious, Reiji followed the messenger who was waiting in front of the inn, and was escorted to the duke’s estate. And now, with quite a stiff expression on his face, he stood in front of Hadorious’s private room. 

Reiji could hear the sound of a musical instrument. It was likely a performer playing music somewhere in the mansion. It resounded through the walls and the air, and the softly muffled melody calmed his heart with its gentleness. Listening to it, Reiji once more readied himself for his audience with the owner of the room in front of him. 

Before leaving the inn, Titania had warned him to be careful, and Mizuki had expressed her concern. The other party was Hadorious, after all. They had also said that Reiji didn’t have to respond to the duke’s invitation, but Reiji had his own thoughts on the matter. 

Indeed, he knew that there was some ulterior motive behind this meeting. Just as Titania said, he was a man that couldn’t be fully trusted. He had no real evidence to think that the duke was up to something, yet he had an unshakable premonition of it. From now on, it was very likely that he would confront Hadorious many times over. Thus, Reiji couldn’t just say that he didn’t want to meet him. After all, it would be better for him to probe the disposition of the man named Lucas de Hadorious at an earlier stage than a later one. 

And to that end, Reiji once more steeled his resolve and knocked on the door. Following Hadorious’s voice asking who was knocking, Reiji identified himself. The duke curtly told him to enter. 

Reiji politely announced himself as he opened the door, and a space like a luxuriously laid out parlor spread out before his eyes. Taking a step forward into the room, he offered a brief greeting, and then began a businesslike exchange with Hadorious, who was seated elegantly upon the couch. 

“Hero-dono, are you not going to sit?” 

“In my country, it’s customary for a guest to take a seat only after it is encouraged by the owner of the room, so I am somewhat hesitant to do so of my own accord, you see.” 

Reiji replied with a slightly sharp tone, and he couldn’t really tell whether Hadorious minded or not. The duke then offered a bit of admiration for his manners. 

“My... The country that Hero-dono is from honors etiquette quite considerably, I see. Then, must I also encourage you in this regard?” 

Following Hadorious’s gaze, Reiji spied a glass on top of the table with liquid in it a similar tint to his own reddish hair. 

“Is this wine?” 

“Yes, a sweetened one. The taste isn’t bad.” 

Even so... 

“I appreciate the consideration, but...” 

“Does Hero-dono not drink wine?” 

“In the country I am from, it’s forbidden for people my age who haven’t reached adulthood yet to partake of alcohol... Anything with spirits or wine in it, so I will have to refrain here.” 

Reiji gave a taciturn reply, but Hadorious took a sip from the glass and questioned him further. 

“Hmph, so why is there that sort of law?” 

“Until humans exceed roughly twenty years in age, their capability of digesting wine and spirits is rather low. Such drinks have a negative effect on the body itself, especially in regards to those who have yet to reach adulthood, so it is prohibited by the country.” 

As he explained it, Hadorious shifted his gaze over to the contents of the glass. 

“Even this drink we call the blood of the Goddess, hmm? Moreover, for it to be prohibited by law... That is quite the strict decision, but... No, is it to strive to nurture talented people?” 

Hadorious admiringly muttered to no one in particular, and it looked as though he had completely forgotten that Reiji was even there. Was he that deep in thought? Seeing that Hadorious wasn’t moving in the least, Reiji asked him a frank question. 

“So, why did you call me here today?” 

“It is nothing major. I just wanted to talk with the hero a little is all.” 

“This isn’t quite the atmosphere of an enjoyable conversation, however.” 

“Hmph, excuse me for that.” 

Just what was there to excuse? He was shameless. Ever since Reiji entered the room, the interior was filled to the brim with a tingling atmospheric static. And when Reiji coldly pointed that out, as if saying he was testing Reiji, Hadorious gave him a condescending smile and a brief apology that didn’t feel the slightest bit sincere. 

Reiji could sense a surplus of composure in the odds and ends of all Hadorious’s actions. He was a force to be reckoned with. It was as if he was saying he personally believed there was no reason to treat Reiji, the hero, in any special manner. His plain gaze was concealing a glare, and after scrutinizing every action Reiji made, he squinted as if taking pity on the contents of his glass and posed Reiji a question. 

“Hero-dono, why did you take on the subjugation of the Demon Lord?” 

“To save the people of this world, but what of it?” 

The reply Reiji gave was the same as what he’d said in the audience chamber to Almadious. That hadn’t changed. However, as for Hadorious... 

“The ones that you are trying to save are people with no relation to you whatsoever, are they not? People you would reap no benefit from saving. But even so, you’re saying you intend to do exactly that?” 

“What exactly are you getting at, Your Grace?” 

“Nothing major. I was just wondering what the source of Hero-dono’s lofty way of thinking is.” 

“...?” 

Just what was this man looking for within Reiji by asking him that? His question was incomprehensible, and Reiji was unable to surmise the meaning behind the almost pitying gaze pointed at him. If it had been the sharp, ambitious gaze of a falcon, then it would have been evident he was looking for a weakness in Reiji. But no, Hadorious was speaking of ideals and goals. What was the meaning of him prying into Reiji’s way of thinking? 

As Reiji looked at him with a perplexed gaze, Hadorious suddenly let out a dry laugh as though he thought his own question had been uninteresting. 

“Well, fine. Let me ask you once more: what kind of place is the world the hero hails from?” 

“By ‘what kind,’ you mean...?” 

“Let me see... Compare it to this world, for example. That’s what I’d like to hear.” 

Was it alright to just compare the two worlds like that? Reiji remembered having a similar conversation in the royal castle with Almadious and the others, but... 

“Compared to this world, technology in our world has advanced much further. This world may have magic, but in our world, you might say that technology has developed beyond the point that such a thing is unnecessary.” 

“Advancement, development... Is that it? What you said before about wine... is it also to those ends?” 

“Yes.” 

Reiji replied honestly, and when he did, Hadorious suddenly stood up and looked towards the window. He paused for a moment, and then spoke again as he gazed outside. 

“Hero-dono, what do you think of this world?” 

“If I were to compare it to our world, there would be no end to it, but I do believe this is a good world.” 

“A good world, is it...?” 

What came out of Hadorious’s mouth was a somehow discouraged murmur. Reiji was uncertain what reason he had to ask such a question and what he was thinking, but Hadorious only continued in his line of questioning. 

“Hero-dono, what is outside this window?” 

Was this to urge him over to take a look? Reiji drew a little closer and looked at the view from the third floor. He could see the streets and the city going about its everyday business. The scene engulfed by twilight, he could see the lamps sparsely laid out in Kurant City begin to flicker, along with the houses and people they illuminated. In the distance, he could also see the shining blue and green lamps characteristic of the recreational district. 

“What about it?” 

“This world you see has not changed at all in the last several hundred years. Everyone sleeps and wakes up at a determined time, they do their jobs, find love, bear children, and then die. Such a cycle continues when there is no desire for development, and even as countries rise and fall from conflict and diplomacy, the root consciousness of the people remains the same. They’re stopped, never to advance.” 

But that was all a preamble. Hadorious then made a cold declaration. 

“This has always been the Goddess’s miniature garden.” 

Was it a statement of sadness? Grief? It was certainly true a world’s development of civilization and culture was the onus of the people who lived there. It may be something that any and all desire, but forcing its development was also wrong. At least, that’s what Reiji thought. 

“For you who come from a developed world, do you still think that it’s something good?” 

“If the people can walk in peace, is that not its own way of life? Unreasonable change also brings about conflict, and even over in our world, the conflict between fellow humans is inextinguishable.” 

“...” 

Hadorious kept silent. Reiji himself fell into thought, and Hadorious finally spoke once more. 

“Though it is sudden, I would like to have you go to the Empire from here.” 

“What...?” 

“The Empire—mainly Her Imperial Highness Graziella—has been making bold movements. I would like you to keep that in check, and have you reside in the Empire for a brief period.” 

Hadorious made his desire known in no uncertain terms. The way he spoke left no room for consent or refusal. It was a definite statement with no regard for how Reiji felt. 

“Is that demand something that I have to listen to no matter what, I wonder?” 

“Of course.” 

“However, I have no obligation to do so. The foremost thing I’m to be handling is the subjugation of the Demon Lord Nakshatra.” 

“Certainly so. However, Hero-dono, let me ask you something... Did you by chance come rushing over because Gregory talked?” 

The moment he finished firing off those words, the intensity of the atmosphere filling the room changed with an audible snap. Of course, that was because Reiji’s own emotions went through the roof. 

“Is that... a threat?” 

“Hmph. If you want to think of it that way, I do not mind. However, it is not like Gregory violated any military regulations or anything. Naturally, there is no way to judge him accordingly. Thus, your suspicions are nothing other than just that.” 

“Tch! Are you really gonna say something like that after using my friend as a decoy?!” 

“That was nothing but casting aside the very few to save the many. It is nothing major. You can just wait regarding news of your good friend. Our investigations are progressing, after all. Whether or not he is alive, we will eventually track him down. However, there are no reports as of yet.” 

With that, Hadorious scoffed as if to say the affair was but a worthless trifle. 

“Though I doubt he is alive.” 

“How dare you say that so shamelessly...” 

Reiji’s anger had surpassed its boiling point, and even with the full extent of that directed at him, Hadorious replied bluntly. 

“What? All I did was speak of the possibility.” 

“Don’t you at least feel any guilt towards Suimei?” 

“If I said I did, would you feel gratified?” 

“Tch!” 

He couldn’t forgive that sarcastic question. Clenching his jaw so hard his teeth creaked, Reiji glared at Hadorious as he let loose his wrath. He hadn’t forgotten his place and was well aware he was being rude. It was just that his anger won out over that. But even then, Hadorious spoke with an air about him like he didn’t care at all. 

“Suimei Yakagi, was it? He was simply unlucky. It’s just embarrassing for you to get so angry with me over it.” 

“You fu—!” 

Reiji couldn’t stop at only throwing his anger out through his gaze, and channeled it into his fist. He closed in from where he was being kept in check and let a blow fly. He thought briefly just what kind of worries he’d have if he struck Hadorious, but it wasn’t anything that would stop him now. Reiji’s strike, however, was stopped by Hadorious with a single hand. 

“Wha...?” 

“Hmph...” 

As if this was boring, Hadorious turned his gaze on Reiji. 

This man... 

Reiji wasn’t using his full strength. But even so, in this state where his power was explosively elevated by the divine protection of the hero summoning, for his lightning fast blow to be completely blocked without the opponent even batting an eye was unexpected. Reiji shook his captured fist violently to the side and jumped back. And with an expression like he’d reached some sort of conclusion, Hadorious once more faced the window. 

“You still require diligence, I see. At this rate, the Demon Lord is far out of your reach. There is likely a need for you to accumulate all kinds of experience and become stronger. By the way, about the matter in the Empire...” 

Reiji had no choice in the matter. If he didn’t go, Hadorious was implying that something would happen to Gregory. 

“...I’ll go. So don’t lay a hand on Gregory or his family. Also, about Suimei...” 

“I promise you that we will put our effort into the search. From the looks of it, your friend might actually be worth something after all.” 

“You’re...” 

Still saying crap like that? 

Though that was what Reiji wanted to say, he knew his arm was being twisted and there was nothing he could do about it. It was frustrating, but turning on his heels and silently leaving the room was the most he could do to oppose Hadorious. And just as he grabbed the knob of the door... 

“Hero-dono, there is one thing that I must tell you.” 

“...What is it?” 

“From now on, you will likely face off against many enemies, be they humans or other races.” 

Just why was he saying that? It couldn’t be... 

“Are you trying to say that what I asked Rajas was foolish?” 

“No, that was honestly a relief.” 

“What...?” 

Hadorious’s reply was completely out of the range of Reiji’s expectations. He thought he was about to be presented with candid advice in the form of a scolding about asking a demon why he fought. 

“Hero-dono, this is a different place from the world you came from. It is good to think for yourself about what is here, and have that reflect in your actions. However, when it comes to fighting demons, there is no right and wrong.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“It means they are simply that kind of being. They do not assault humans and the other races for anything resembling a reason. Their very existence itself is to fulfill the purpose of a grander existence, to bring all humanity to ruin.” 

“The purpose of a grander existence? Just what...” 

“There is no need for you to know that as you are now. Thus, there is no meaning to that question you asked.” 

And with that, Hadorious brought what he said to a close. Was that a warning, or was he remonstrating Reiji? Reiji couldn’t tell in the end. 

“...Are you done yet?” 

“Let us see, then just one more thing.” 

Just what intention did he have to pile on more words here? While gazing out the window, he fired out one more question while his expression could not be seen. 

“Hero-dono, at the end of this fighting, after everything is brought to an end, what do you wish for?” 

“Nothing really. I don’t need anything.” 

“Status, honor, riches, women... You could have all your desires fulfilled to your heart’s content, you know?” 

“Cut the crap. I don’t know what kind of intentions you have in asking me that, but I’m not fighting for any reason like that.” 

“I see. Then that is the end of my questions. Until you depart for the Empire, though it will be but for a short while, do get some rest.” 

Without showing any courtesy to Hadorious, who was still facing the window, Reiji left the room and headed back to the inn. 

“The summoned hero, is it...?” 

Hadorious watched Reiji walk along the street from the window with a somewhat sorrowful gaze, and then looked up at the sky. Gazing up at the melancholic expanse blackened by twilight, Hadorious posed a question to the hero who was no longer present. 

“Hero Reiji, what do you really think of this world? Can you truly say that it’s good? This world where, because of the Goddess, all progress has stopped? This rotten world without a future...” 

The library... just wasn’t there. 

In the imperial capital of Filas Philia, there was a scrupulously controlled standing army that only moved under the command of the emperor. It was considered the height of military art, both in and outside of the Empire. Ordinarily, hearing a metropolis had a large standing army made the place sound rather boorish, but that was not the case with Filas Philia. It was a refined, scholarly city also known for its academics. It even boasted of a grand library superior to the other nations’. It was said to have a collection of books dating back to the founding of the nation, making it the ideal place to do a little research. 

Suimei asked about it before leaving his house... But no matter how much he searched the city, he was absolutely unable to find any building like it. At this rate, it might as well have been said that he never would. 

“Huh...?” 

It wasn’t like Suimei had no sense of direction. It was true that he’d gotten lost in Royal Castle Camellia back in Astel once, but this was different. The layout of the city known as Filas Philia was difficult to figure out. The main roads weren’t a problem, but once he came to the branching side streets, no matter how far or where he walked, there were nothing but residential houses. And thanks to the labyrinthine arrangement of the streets, he would always end up somewhere strange where there was no option but to turn back. It was a difficult maze to escape. 

Suddenly coming to a stop, Suimei looked around. To his side was a recreational district that seemed to go on forever. And ahead of him was a residential one mostly built of vivid red bricks. What was he to do? At this rate, he’d never be able to gather information on the hero summoning. 

He’d finally gotten his place set up and ready to analyze the summoning circle, but now he had this predicament to contend with. Just as he was about to cast aside his strange sense of pride and use magicka to do something about it... 

“You’re... in the way. Kindly... step aside already.” 

That familiar, charming voice. Those signature, quirky pauses. The flat tone unable to conceal the thorns of irritation in her words. Hearing it, Suimei immediately turned around. Behind him stood a girl with reddish violet twintails and an eyepatch with an elaborate ornament on it. She was wearing eccentric gothic Lolita getup despite this being a different world. Just as he thought, she was someone he remembered. Or rather, someone there was no way he could forget. 

Indeed, this was no doubt the girl from the checkpoint, Liliana Zandyke. However, it seemed she was not on her own this time. In front of her stood two men in reddish brown robes with hoods. From what Suimei could see and hear, they didn’t appear to be having a friendly conversation. The two men in robes spoke to Liliana as if they were admonishing an unreasonable child. 

“All you have to do is relay to that father of yours what we just told you.” 

“You’re... getting annoying. I am not... in a position to interject... in regards to the colonel’s affairs.” 

“Surely you can manage it somehow. I’m just trying to express my desire for him to be obedient.” 

“Please. Don’t make me... repeat myself.” 

The robed man was politely making some kind of request. Liliana was treating the whole thing like it was absurd, but the man showed no signs of backing down. That was when the second robed man stepped in. 

“Even though we’re asking so earnestly, you’re saying you won’t listen?” 

“That’s right. That’s why—” 

“Looks like we don’t have a choice then. We’ll just hafta change your mind... by force.” 

The two men in robes manifested mana around them, rattled off cliché threats, and took out staffs about the length of their arms. In response, without a hint of fear or surprise, Liliana simply narrowed her single eye at them. 

“Knowing that I am... one of the Elite Twelve... you’d still dare... try something like this?” 

“Ha! The Empire’s human weapon? Those are all just exaggerated rumors! In the end, you’re just some damn brat!” 

“If you will not listen to our request, then there’s no other way. At best, you’ll be clinging to your father in tears.” 

Suimei didn’t know the circumstances, but it seemed trouble was about to break out right in front of him. Frankly speaking, it looked like good-for-nothing adults picking on a young girl. Though considering Liliana’s position in the army, that wasn’t quite a fair assessment. 

But she is just a kid... 

After seeing this much, it would leave a bad taste in Suimei’s mouth if he just walked away. He didn’t have any obligation to lend her a hand, but he also had no reason to look the other way. Walking up to them conspicuously, Suimei called out to the group in a listless voice. 

“Aaah, sorry to butt in while you’re in the middle of things here.” 

“The hell’s with you?” 

“You are...” 

The three of them turned towards Suimei all at once. Each wore a different expression. There was the twisted sneer of a hoodlum, a blank stare of puzzlement, and a surprised look of recognition. 

“Picking on a little girl in this kinda place... You guys sure have a nice hobby there.” 

“The hell? You got nothing to do with this! Butt out!” 

“I can’t exactly do that. I just happen to be present in this scene of your little play, you see.” 

“And what ‘scene’ is that?” 

“Looks like adults picking on a child to me.” 

“Take it how you will, but will you still dare to interfere even after seeing these robes?” 

“What? Is there something special about your ugly robes?” 

The more polite of the two men had said that like Suimei should be intimidated by the way they were dressed, but whatever meaning it had was lost on Suimei. As he replied to the man’s boastful question with ridicule, his courteous tone changed to irritation in an instant. 

“Y-You country bumpkin who knows naught of the special robe granted only to high-ranking members of the guild...” 

As he fumed, Liliana called out to Suimei in a wary voice. 

“What... are you planning?” 

“Hmm? I was just passing by and caught wind of something weird going on, that’s all.” 

“So you... stuck your neck in? This has... absolutely nothing... to do with you.” 

And like that, Liliana spurned him. She treated him like a meddlesome nuisance, but it seemed clear that she simply didn’t want him involved. This caught the attention of the rude robed man. 

“What? He someone you know?” 

“No, not re—” 

“Yeah, we met not too long ago and have gotten pretty close.” 

“What are you—?!” 

Liliana grew angry at Suimei’s shameless, barefaced lie. Without letting her see, he playfully stuck out his tongue. She’d probably meant to extricate him from the situation as an uninvolved bystander, but Suimei had already made up his mind. He was completely intent on butting in. 

“I see, so you aren’t unrelated at all...” 

“Then I guess we’ll hafta use a little force on you too.” 

With that, the two men began building up their mana again. The polite one stuck out his staff in what Suimei assumed was a battle stance. While dejectedly grumbling to himself that the streets of the imperial capital may have been more dangerous than he thought they would be, Suimei looked away from his two opponents. He could see Liliana focus her attention on him in exasperation. 

“Are you... stupid? If you had just... pretended not to know me... they would have treated you like you were uninvolved. Actually, you are uninvolved... Truly stupid.” 

“Stupid? That’s mean, you know? If I just abandoned a little girl and went my way, my dreams would haunt me, and I’m not interested in that. But I have to ask... Just what is going on here?” 

“It doesn’t have... anything to do with you... in the least. Stand aside. These are high-ranking masters... of the Empire’s Mage’s Guild.” 

“Yeah, I’ll pass, thanks.” 

And as Suimei rejected Liliana’s order... 

“You think you got the leisure to just chit-chat?” 

With a scornful smile, the rude robed man wove together a spell. His welling mana vanished as if called somewhere, and the parts of the spell rapidly came together. With the invocation of the Elements quickly completed, what followed was the chant. 

“Oh Fire! Red Blaze!” 

The chant was so short that it was essentially just the keywords. A moment later, pillars of fire took form, and as the rude man swung his arms down, the flames matched his movements. With that, it seemed the molding of the flames had been completed, and the flames—which had taken on the shape of swords—swung down towards Liliana. He was attacking from her right side. For Liliana, who wore an eyepatch, that was her blind spot. 

However, Liliana dodged the first sword by a small margin. It stuck into the ground instead, flinging fragments of flame off in several directions. This sequence of attacking and dodging repeated itself several times, and the area filled with embers and the smell of burning. Perhaps having been grazed by a sword of flame, part of Liliana’s outfit was singed. 

“Heh, you don’t live up to your name at all, human weapon. Looks like I’ve got you on the run. Haha, just like I thought, all your fucking achievements are just lies, aren’t they?” 

“Tales of valor on the battlefield are just tales in the end. That a child like you played an active role on the battlefield is likely nothing more than such a tale fabricated by Colonel Rogue to elevate his own standing.” 

Apparently taking the fact that she didn’t strike back as a sign of weakness, the men threw disdainful words and accusations at Liliana. Hearing it, Liliana’s presence wavered for a single instant and then turned dark and dangerous. But the men didn’t seem to notice. She then called out to them in an irked tone. 

“To get so conceited... over aiming for my blind spot... and only... being able to graze me...” 

With those words, the men finally felt the pressure coming from Liliana. Was that what she’d intended? Suimei had been on the receiving end of that pressure before, but this wasn’t as serious as it had been at the checkpoint. Was she planning on taking the upper hand here by packing the area with her mana? In a fight between magicians, the range at which one could control their mana was a big deal. If one could control their mana far enough, it was possible to obstruct the opponent’s activation of magicka, after all. 

“From this kind of shit...” 

The rude man finally managed to utter a single curse. Wincing, the polite man beside him began chanting a spell. 

“Urgh... Do not underestimate me! Oh wind, thou art...” 

Wind magic. It was likely that he was completely ignoring Suimei the passerby and aiming for Liliana. With that prediction, Suimei gathered mana in his index finger and manipulated the phenomena in their surroundings. 

“That fire over there... I’m just gonna borrow it for a little.” 

Speaking in a casual manner like he was borrowing an eraser from a fellow classmate, Suimei gathered the surplus flames that had scattered about the area at the center of the magicka circle he summoned in front of his finger. Even though the flames weren’t Suimei’s doing, they quickly gathered before him as if he were their master and converged into a pronounced red ball of fire. 

“Wha... Ah! M-My flame!” 

The rude man’s heart sank at this sudden shocking development. Glaring at Suimei, he demanded an explanation in a surprised tone. 

“Th-The hell did you do?!” 

“Don’t worry. Like I said, I’m just borrowing them.” 

“There’s no way you can...” 

Do that kinda crap? 

While guessing what the man with the crude tone was about to say, Suimei rolled his eyes. 

“You people... No matter what, you deny the mysteries right before your fucking eyes. Shouldn’t you at least take half a second to think about it first?” 

“The hell are you babbling about?! Tell me what the hell you did!” 

“For the last time, damn it, I told you I’m borrowing them. Either thin out the spell or put in a little more minute control, though. If you don’t, there’ll be too much waste and it’ll have a shitty effect.” 

As Suimei spat out those words, the polite man once more began weaving together his interrupted spell. 

“Oh Wind, thou art—” 

“Fly.” 

Before he could finish, Suimei shot out the gathered flames to keep him in check. It was no surprise that the polite man’s wind was like a gentle breeze before Suimei’s roaring fire. The air was sucked into the magickally charged flames, consuming the wind spell altogether. 

When it did, Suimei took action without a moment’s pause. Putting his middle finger and thumb together, he used them as a substitute for the iron sights of a firearm, and looked right through them at the arm of the polite man. With a snap, an exciting boom rang out. The man’s staff was splintered to pieces by the explosion. And with his arm sent reeling back, he was wide open. 

“He vani—” 

The moment Suimei disappeared, the man shouted out in surprise. Suimei—who had only transformed into vapor—moved over to him in the blink of an eye, and manifested in a stance ready to deliver a strike to his solar plexus. 

The hand he thrust out had already donned the gloves of discord. And as he poured mana into it, the magickal item’s effect activated. His opponent felt it. The signals from the bundle of nerves located deep within the body, the nerve plexus, was scrambled, sending pain screaming through each and every one of his nerves. 

But the man himself made no noise. He had no time. He collapsed almost instantaneously from the shock and fell to the ground, eyes open and everything. Suimei then looked over to see the rude man, seemingly crushed by overpowering mana, collapsed in front of Liliana and frothing at the mouth. Verifying that everything was in order, Liliana had a single thing to say. 

“Let’s... change locations.” 

Leaving the men where they were, Suimei and Liliana walked off like they hadn’t had anything to do with what just happened. Reaching a place slightly removed from the upper class district, the two of them came to a stop where the bricks of the road had turned gray. Dusting off her skirt, Liliana spoke in a thorny voice like she was reluctant to even do that much. 

“Seriously... This is the very definition... of unwanted meddling.” 

Ignoring her irritated words, Suimei began questioning her. 

“So, who were those guys?” 

“It has... nothing to do... with you.” 

“True.” 

After being flatly denied an answer, Suimei was willing to drop it there. 

“And... what were you doing there... exactly?” 

“I told you I just happened to be passing by. If I remember right... Liliana, was it?” 

“I do not recall... naming myself. Why do you... know my name?” 

“Hmm? That’s ’cause...” 

“I see... You’re one of those people... that the military police... have been rounding up a lot lately... A despicable stalker... Then you must have been here today to...” 

“No, damn it. I heard it from that clerk at the checkpoint. Why am I a stalker all of a sudden?” 

“I know. It was just... a little joke. There’s no way... you could stalk me.” 

“You little...” 

Speaking in a flat, confident tone, she closed her eye. Seeing Liliana naturally act so cool with an aloof expression on her face, Suimei’s shoulders drooped like he was tired. It was hard to tell when she was joking. 

As Suimei let out a troubled sigh over Liliana’s attitude, a sudden change came over the area. The mana in their surroundings welled up, and something like a tingling poison or acid filled the air. It was different from the pressure she’d unleashed earlier, and more like what she’d used at the checkpoint. 

“It’s about time... that you answer me. What have you... come here to do?” 

Liliana questioned Suimei as she narrowed her sleepy eye. The backdrop of the townscape suddenly looked like it was in a heat haze to Suimei. It was as if they were standing atop burning hot asphalt. And when he didn’t respond, Liliana’s mana swelled even more, completely blurring their surroundings. 

It was an interrogation using intimidation to force him to talk. But Suimei flashed a fearless smile as if that only riled him up. He shrugged his shoulders and replied to her in a frivolous tone. 

“What’s that? Are foreigners not allowed to go for walks? I went through all the proper channels to live in this country, you know?” 

“We’re very close... to the upper class district. If you loiter around... without any business here... of course you look suspicious... Now answer me.” 

“Those guys just now looked way more suspicious than I do, though.” 

Liliana no longer cared about what Suimei did or didn’t want to tell her. If he remembered right, she was a second lieutenant. As a soldier, this type of questioning was likely part of her regular duties. Suimei was largely unconvinced by all this, but he decided to capitulate for now. He didn’t really have a need to be obstinate about it, so in a complete change from his previously frivolous attitude, he answered her honestly. 

“I’m looking for the library. That big one this place is so famous for.” 

“The... Imperial University Library?” 

“There’s a little something I want to look into. Look, it should be here...” 

Suimei showed Liliana the hand-drawn map he’d gotten from Jillbert. 

“Why are you acting... like you’re going to have me explain it? Don’t act... so familiar.” 

“It’s not a big deal, right? Just tell me. I’ll buy you some sweets if you do.” 

“No thank you. Please don’t treat me... like a child. Also... your map is wrong.” 

“Huh...” 

Despite sounding like she had no intention to help him, she pointed that much out to him. It seemed she was at least a little nice underneath it all. But what was wrong about it? Suimei frowned, and Liliana looked over the map once more. 

“Yes... It’s quite wrong.” 

“...That damn legal delinquent loli. Fucking lying to me...” 

The head of the ward for the district Suimei lived in was Jillbert Griga. She seemed to get along with Lefille. Whenever she had time, she would come to their house to play with her, though she was always quite rude to Suimei. But when he’d mentioned he was going to the library earlier today, she offered to draw him a map and eagerly got to work. It appeared this little trick was what she’d really been up to. Jillbert came off as quite frank and upfront, but after opening the lid and looking inside, it seemed she was a bit twisted. 

“Four of the streets... are wrong.” 

“Seriously?” 

After Liliana informed him of such, Suimei could only sigh and curse Jillbert in his head. 

“Umm, sooo, how do I get there from here?” 

“As I said... don’t just—” 

“Okay, okay. I’ll throw in three more sweets. That should do it, right?” 

“Why are you... trying to tempt me... with sweets?” 

“Do you not like sweets? Would toys or something be better?” 

“Y-You’re seriously...” 

Realizing that Suimei wasn’t listening to her at all, Liliana began trembling slightly. Perhaps sensing her anger was useless, however, she let out a deliberately loud sigh as if announcing Suimei’s victory in twisting her arm. 

“Fine... I’ll guide you... so please follow me.” 

“Sorry ’bout that. I’ll buy you some sweets though, so take that as an apology.” 

“I don’t want any. And when we’re done here... get away from me... immediately.” 

From there, Suimei followed Liliana down the road. She looked behind her every now and then, and made small talk with him as they walked along. She was a girl with a curt attitude and a dangerous air about her, but... 

“One way or another, she’s kind, huh?” 

“Did you say something?” 

“Nope, nothing... So, Liliana, what were you doing in that kinda place? It wasn’t like you went there to pick a fight, right?” 

“Patrol.” 

As she guided him to the library—though he couldn’t tell if she was happy about doing so or not—Suimei took the opportunity to interrogate her. She gave a terse answer, which Suimei immediately called into question. 

“You’re quite passionate about work, huh? But isn’t that kinda thing the job of the military police?” 

“I’m surprised... you know that. That is... certainly the case. However... lately there has been an incident... kicking up a fuss in the imperial capital... so they are shorthanded.” 

“Ah, if I recall, something about people ending up in a coma, right?” 

“That’s right. If you don’t want to get involved too... make sure not to walk around on your own... in that kind of place.” 

When she said that, Suimei tried tossing out a theory he’d concocted on the spot. 

“Which means... the incidents have been happening around the upper class district, huh?” 

“...” 

“What? Not gonna answer me?” 

She didn’t. She kept silent and kept walking. Did she have a reason to be apprehensive about this subject? Even though she’d been turning to look back at him frequently up until now, she stopped doing so and just looked forward. Surely his random guesswork hadn’t hit the nail on the head... had it? As Suimei was wondering how bad it was to stab a bullseye in the dark like that in front of someone who knew about the investigation and trying to think of ways to smooth it over, Liliana threw him a bit of a curveball. 

“...I have something I want to ask.” 

“What is it?” 

“Are you not... scared of me?” 

She had her head turned ever so slightly towards him now, and was looking at him with her trademark stare. 

“Huh? Ah... Not really? But why are you asking about that all of a sudden?” 

“You... keep starting conversations with me... even though I threatened you. Other people... would just freeze in fear... or, like the people from before, fight back. So... why is that?” 

“Like I’d get the jitters from just a little pressure like that. Besides, you’re younger than me, right? Like hell I’d embarrass myself like that.” 

If someone was endowed with great mana, their ability to dominate an area was equally powerful. And when a mage dominates an area, all within it becomes a target. Being under the effects of such domination can have an effect on the psyche. So when a mage wants to overwhelm an opponent, filling the area with their mana was the most efficient method of doing so. But if Suimei cowered every time someone tried that on him, he’d never get anything done. Liliana’s mana was certainly quite powerful, but Suimei was no ordinary mage. 

“...Is that so? You are... unusual.” 

Liliana faced forward again in a huff. It was certainly true that there were those who found her appearance foreboding. Her title as a soldier was also something that invited the nervousness in the general populace. Considering how she presented herself, it was no wonder people shied away from her. 

“So you’re aware that you give off a prickly aura, huh?” 

“Well, to an extent. However... I was taught by my direct superior... that such a thing... is necessary for a soldier. Since I possess techniques for combat... I have to be a symbol of fear... he said.” 

Suimei let out a sigh. Averting his gaze from her, he looked up at the sky and gave an exasperated reply. 

“Liar.” 

“...” 

“Isn’t that right? The reason you pressure your surroundings isn’t to overwhelm your enemies, it’s to protect yourself. It’s a way of keeping vigilant. Am I wrong?” 

“Why... do you think that?” 

“You keep your distance with no reason, and react to even the most trivial change in your surroundings. In both what you say and do. Just like at the checkpoint, you jump to trying to dominate other people... Other than that, call it a hunch.” 

“...” 

“You’re trying not to let others close to you, but in the end, it’s like a dog barking at people. So why do you unleash that murderous intent on people? I mean, I get those guys from earlier, but it’s not like you’ve only got enemies around you, right?” 

As he asked Liliana that, they turned a corner and came across an overblown store that had a signboard out front with a slogan on it meant to stimulate the appetite of passersby. There were children nearby playing around with a ball. They stopped, however, and turned towards Suimei and Liliana like herbivores sensing a predator. They then scattered and ran in all directions. Liliana tossed a glance at Suimei. 

“I don’t need... to say it, do I? If there’s anything else to say... it’s that I’m a soldier... and that you’re a citizen. There is nothing more... and nothing less than that.” 

“I thought it’d be easier if you just acted normally, but... It’s none of my business, huh? Sorry.” 

Suimei apologized for butting in too much into her personal matters. Liliana then quietly muttered a single word. 

“...Name.” 

“Hmm?” 

“Your name. I don’t know... what your name is. It’s unfair for only you to know my name... so inform me promptly.” 

Suimei thought back on it and realized she was right. He’d never told her. 

“It’s Suimei Yakagi.” 

“Shiumay Hakagee.” 

“...” 

“...What is it, Shiumay?” 

“No, no. Suimei Yakagi.” 

“Shu... S... Suimei Yakagi. Like that?” 

Suimei nodded. She at least got the pronunciation right. As Suimei expected, she then offered a comment about how unusual his name was, and he could only smile wryly in response. After Suimei finally introduced himself, a man wearing a military uniform appeared from around the street corner. With black, swept-back hair dotted with gray strands, he looked to be in the true prime of his manhood. He had a sword at his waist, and his sharp uniform had not a single wrinkle on it. 

Suimei recognized this man. He’d passed by him on his way out of the church, and Lefille had judged him to be quite strong. When Liliana’s eye fell on him, as if her body was bound by strings of tension, she stiffened up with a snap. Was he someone she knew? When the man’s gaze fell on Liliana, his stern brow wrinkled slightly, and he walked right up to her. 

“Liliana. What are you doing here?” 

“Colonel...” 

Suimei’s prediction was right on the mark. When Liliana responded, she sounded somewhat surprised. She was so tense, in fact, that she couldn’t even get out the rest of her reply. 

“Answer me, Liliana.” 

“I-I have been investigating... the matter from before... in this area.” 

“The matter from before? You needn’t bother. That’s something other people can handle.” 

“But still...” 

“All you have to do is listen to what I have to say. Refrain from anything unnecessary aside from your military duties, and just be obedient.” 

“...Yes.” 

A sharp gaze pierced through Liliana, and the man she’d called “Colonel” doled out strict words. In response to his high-handed manner of speaking like he was rebuking her, Liliana’s shoulders strikingly drooped. Her crestfallen expression conveyed the pain she felt at having incurred this man’s displeasure. However, the man’s words and tone were certainly— 

“And you are? Why are you together with Liliana?” 

“Huh? Oh, I was having her guide me to the Imperial University Library. I can’t seem to get my bearings around here, so I got a bit lost and asked her for help.” 

“I...” 

“Are you not from the imperial capital?” 

“I only recently arrived here.” 

After Suimei’s brief reply, the man scrutinized him from head to toe and then closed his eyes. Was he trying to identify something suspicious or threatening in him? Perhaps having realized there was nothing of the sort, he let out a breath as if laughing at himself. He then spoke again in his ever-calm voice. 

“I see. In the current state of affairs, I cannot say that public order in the imperial capital is good right now. This also applies when going to places you’re unfamiliar with, but do be sure not to walk around too much at night on your own.” 

“Thank you kindly for the advice. I appreciate it.” 

“Also, to reach the Imperial University Library, go straight down this path, turn left when you come to the end of the street, and you should see it from there.” 

He was telling Suimei to go on his own from here. In response to the calm, authoritative man, Suimei bowed his head and thanked him once more like he was a teacher. The man then turned to Liliana and uttered a simple, two-word command. 

“Let’s go.” 

“Yes.” 

She obediently followed behind the man. As if emulating him, she turned her back to Suimei at the same time he did. They took a narrow road, and their two figures vanished within the shadows. Their presence eventually also vanished like dissipating smoke. 

“Crap, I missed my chance to get the sweets...” 

Suimei realized that after standing there for a while. However, since they both lived in the imperial capital now, there was a good chance they’d run into each other again sometime. Though she wasn’t there to hear it, he promised he’d repay the debt when he got a chance. 

Liliana used the word “investigation” when she was talking to the colonel. It seemed she wasn’t actually on patrol after all. He had other question about their exchange, but in the end, it had nothing to do with him. 

“Well, whatever. I suppose I’ll be about my business as well...” 

“That ate up a good bit of time, huh?” 

After finishing his preliminary research at the Imperial University Library and walking back outside, Suimei rotated his stiff shoulders and cracked his neck to the sides. The interior of the library was quite vast, worthy of the title of largest in the Empire, and even the surrounding nations. It also had quite an expansive collection. After getting there so late in the day, all Suimei had really been able to do was find the shelves where the relevant material was located. While thinking that he’d have to prepare magickal items and such for the next time he came, Suimei looked up. 

The sky was already dark. The infinite blackness that seemed like it could suck you in held a waxing moon shining brightly on the horizon, implicitly telling him that it was well past the time to go home. Suimei then heard the sound of the front door to the library opening behind him. 

“Excuse me—Oh, is that you, Yakagi-kun?” 

“Ah, Mr. Librarian.” 

The man who emerged from the library was the one who’d shown Suimei around the library that day, an elf named Romeon. He was dressed in the library staff uniform, and did indeed have long ears. 

“Thank you very much for your help today.” 

“Don’t mention it. It hasn’t been that long since I started working here myself, so it was a nice refresher to show someone around.” 

Romeon spoke humbly, and Suimei replied in a cheerful manner. 

“Despite that, you sure managed to do it quite smoothly.” 

“I am an elf, after all. I have some confidence in my memory.” 

Romeon tapped his forehead with his index finger as he spoke. Was he implying elves were known for their memory in this world? Certainly, as a long-lived species—especially compared to humans—the ability to store and retrieve memories was quite important. 

After chatting for a bit with Suimei, Romeon excused himself and went on his way. As for Suimei, he was planning on returning home. Though that was his intention, he still didn’t know the area very well. All he could do was retrace the path he’d followed to get there. But as he arrived at the upper class district, he noticed it. 

“Hmm?” 

He realized it while he was walking along that there wasn’t any light in the space directly in front of him. It was as if there was a boundary separating the city blocks. The beautiful townscape of the district that should only be a few steps in front of him was plunged into a gloomy darkness. It was unnatural. When he left the library, he’d observed a waxing moon in the sky. This wasn’t like the modern world where skyscrapers could cover the sky, and no clouds had rolled in. Yet despite there being nothing to obstruct the light, it was impossibly pitch black. Moreover, he could sense the slight presence of mana. Which meant... 

A barrier? No, this world shouldn’t have the concept of barriers, so... Hmm. Did they weaken all the light in that space to create a pseudo-darkness, or did they create a primary factor that could absorb light...? 

While vigilantly surveying his surroundings, Suimei searched for the existence of a spell, the alteration of events, and the presence or absence of the mystical. And as expected, the unnatural darkness was something created by magic. The upper class district was magically cloaked in darkness before dawn—No, it was darker than that. Just what was going on? It reeked of trouble. 

“H-Help! Help me...” 

“Huh?” 

Suimei realized that, from within the darkness in front of him, someone was begging for help while running. The short gasps between their words made it clear they’d been running for quite some time and were nearing their limit, but... What was going on? 

“You there! Please! Help me!” 

“U-Uh, I don’t mind, but what’s going on?” 

As Suimei responded, perhaps because the man’s feet had become tangled, he violently pitched forward and tumbled over. 

“Are you alright?” 

Suimei held his hand out to man, but as if to say there was something more important than getting up, he immediately turned and pointed behind him. 

“That! That over there...” 

“That?” 

When Suimei asked for more clarification, he sensed an omen of dense mana. Because it was drawing nearer, the portions of it that could not be concealed in the depths of the darkness were gradually revealing themselves. And then instantly, as if a portion of the darkness were cut open, a short figure wearing an inky, pitch black robe stepped out of it. 

“Eek! Eeeeeek!” 

“...” 

The shadow wearing a black robe with a hood hanging low over their eyes didn’t say a word. All they did was stare fixedly at the man who was trembling and screaming pathetically. Suimei didn’t have a clue as to what was really going on, but while supporting the man who was cowering on the brick street, Suimei sharply narrowed his suspicious gaze and scrutinized the shadow. 

Could this be the guy? 

The idea suddenly crossed Suimei’s mind. Perhaps this was the culprit behind the coma incidents that were sending the imperial capital into panic. Considering the circumstances, it seemed a very real possibility. As he considered stepping in, the tension of battle filled Suimei’s body. However, the shadow seemed to have lost interest, and vanished into the darkness. 

“I-I’m saved...” 

“Just what was that...?” 

Exhausted of all his strength, the man who was on all fours in front of Suimei rejoiced in the shadow’s departure. If this man was its goal, had it fallen back because someone else had coincidentally entered the picture? With the evidence he had, Suimei came to a conclusion about the events that had just occurred. 

“...Hmm?” 

And while he was surmising the current state of affairs, he spotted a familiar figure running towards him with terrifying vigor. They were running without even keeping an eye on their surroundings—they were only looking straight ahead at him. Their expression was just like that of a lost child who, after great pains, had finally found their parent. And as for the identity of said parent... 

“SUIMEI-DONOOOOOOOOOOO!” 

“M-Menia?” 

The genius mage of Astel, Felmenia Stingray. The girl who bore the title of White Flame. She was charging right for Suimei while spewing tears and other less sightly fluids from her face. She made a mad leap for him. 

“Your... Your Menia has at long last arrived, Suimei-donooooooooooo!” 

“Hey, idiot! Wipe your face first! Mainly the snot! Aaaaaaaaah, it’s getting on my clothes!” 

“SUIMEI-DONOOOOO!” 

The darkness vanished, and as the moonlight once more began shining down on the imperial capital at night, Suimei was reunited with Astel’s genius mage, Felmenia Stingray. 

After wiping off her face, Felmenia and Suimei were now headed towards Suimei’s home base in the Empire. The man who’d been begging for his life seemed to be a noble, and when Suimei tried to ask about what happened, he was told it “wasn’t anything of his plebeian concern.” He’d then left, still cursing and complaining about the shadow. As for the other one... 

“Hmhmmmhmhm!” 

On the streets of the imperial capital bathed in faint moonlight, starlight, and the sporadic lamplight of houses, Felmenia was walking next to Suimei with a tremendous smile on her face. Just what was she so happy about? Her broad, dopey smile was a testament to her unusually high spirits. Suimei tried asking her a question. 

“So, Menia, what were you doing in that kinda place?” 

“You see, after arriving in the Empire, I used wind magic to search for you, Suimei-dono. But along the way, I ended up going astray in that strange place...” 

So she’d ended up entering the darkness that obscured a person’s vision and other senses. Suimei figured it would be easy enough to do if she was concentrating on trying to find him. But he couldn’t figure out how that led to the waterworks. Of course, he had the completely wrong idea about why she was crying. 

“So, that’s one thing, but... Why did you come to me?” 

“Why, you ask...? Did I not say I would before you departed from Astel?!” 

When she said it, it did ring a bell for Suimei. If he remembered right, back when they parted at the castle, she’d said something about following after him without fail, but... 

“Yeah, well, I didn’t think you would really come. I completely thought you were joking.” 

When Suimei informed her that he hadn’t taken her seriously, Felmenia mistakenly took his words the worst possible way. Her expression turned grave. 

“W-Was it wrong of me to follow you?” 

“No, it’s not like it’s wrong or anything. But Menia, you have your own life don’t you? Your job and stuff.” 

“What are you saying? Suimei-dono, I know you were informed that I was relieved of my post as a court mage.” 

“Wait, that was serious? I totally thought that was just to corner that old fart of a court mage, but... That king really knows how to pull a stunt, huh? But... so that means...” 

“Yes! His Majesty told me to come and assist you, Suimei-dono!” 

“I bet he did...” 

Almadious’s face popped up in Suimei’s mind as he looked at the night sky. He let out a complex, weighty sigh. Next to him, Felmenia was nodding her head repeatedly in a delighted manner, which confirmed his suspicions—she hadn’t followed after him unwillingly. 

Now then, King Almadious had let loose the mage said to be the best in all Astel, and sent her after Suimei, who was acting for nobody’s sake in particular. Just what did he gain from doing so? Even if he assigned Felmenia to the boy who wouldn’t participate in the Demon Lord’s subjugation and was only trying to find a way to return to his own world, there was really nothing the king stood to gain from it. 

No, the king knew that Suimei was a magician. If he also knew full well that, though only for a brief time, Felmenia had been learning the basics of magicka while Suimei was at the royal castle, then it wasn’t unreasonable to think he’d sent Felmenia to learn more of Suimei’s magic for the benefit of their country. 

“Is something the matter, Suimei-dono? Could it be that there is something stuck to my face?” 

The person in question, however, didn’t know that Suimei was thinking of such things, and innocently cocked her head to the side. It was an expression that made him think that she couldn’t possibly be scheming to assist him just to exploit his power. 

Well, it’s not something to distrust her over, really. She’s probably not up to anything like that anyway. 

Coming to that conclusion, Suimei pushed his doubts out of his mind. It was second nature for magicians to wonder what was going on behind the scenes, and even further beyond that. But it could also lead to unpleasantries. Especially in situations like this. This girl had genuinely come to aid him, and Suimei’s first response was to regard her with skepticism. 

I’m pretty terrible, aren’t I...? 

Felmenia was serious about helping him. Looking at her expression, he could tell. And the more he became sure of it, the more guilty he began to feel. This girl was one of his few acquaintances who knew that he was a magician. He should have been grateful for her company and welcomed it. 

“...Okay. I guess that means we’ll be working together again.” 

“Yes!” 

When Suimei finally acknowledged what she’d said, Felmenia responded with an enthusiastic burst of energy. Seeing her act like that, a single thought came to mind. 

“Menia, I know the answer already, but... You’re not hiding dog ears and a tail somewhere, are you?” 

“Ears and tail? Why, no... I am not a therianthrope, after all.” 

“Yeah, I thought so. I just... had to ask.” 

“Is something the matter?” 

“No, it’s nothing. Just forget about it.” 

“H-Huh...?” 

Brushing off Felmenia and her puzzled expression, Suimei hurried just a little ahead of her. She hustled right behind him, taking what seemed like her rightful place next to him with a broad smile on her face as she walked along once more. 

“...So puppy-like...” 

He couldn’t help thinking it. 

After reuniting in the upper class district, Suimei and Felmenia made their way to the back alley where Suimei’s base was located in Filas Philia. 

“So this is the house you’re living in, Suimei-dono?” 

“Yeah. I just bought it quite recently. By all means, come in.” 

Opening the door to the house, Suimei invited her in. He casually scanned for presences within the house. Lefille was the only one that registered. It seemed Jillbert had already gone home. It looked like he’d have to wait until next time before he could give her a piece of his mind. When he remembered the little matter of her map, his expression turned stormy. And just then, his housemate showed up at the entrance. 

“Welcome home, Suimei-kun.” 

“Ah, yeah, good to be back.” 

With a little wave, Lefille welcomed him home. Realizing it had been a long time since anyone greeted him like that, Suimei felt touched. Had it been since his father passed away? Suimei closed his eyes, and when he opened them after a short while, he realized the two unfamiliar girls were staring at each other in puzzlement. 

“Um, Suimei-dono, who is this child...?” 

“Suimei-kun, is that girl an acquaintance? Could you introduce me to her?” 

“Ah, that’s right. So, first up, this is the mage who summoned me to this world, former court mage of the Kingdom of Astel, Felmenia Stingray. She went out of her way to come all the way here from Metel to lend me a hand.” 

As Suimei first introduced Felmenia to Lefille, something about it seemed to ring a bell with Lefille. Her eyes opened wide in amazement. 

“Oooh, so you are the one celebrated in Astel as the White Flame, Felmenia Stingray-dono?!” 

Felmenia nodded. Suimei then briefly introduced Lefille to Felmenia. 

“This is Lefille Grakis. On the way to Nelferia, fate brought us together, and she’s been my traveling companion since.” 

“A companion... you say?” 

Felmenia was slightly perplexed. Having a small child as a traveling companion didn’t make sense to her. 

“Well, all sorts of things happened...” 

With that, Suimei decided to leave the full introduction for when Lefille returned to her original form. 

“I’m Lefille Grakis. A pleasure to meet you. Please just call me Lefille.” 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too.” 

And with that, the two girls shared a friendly handshake. Felmenia then turned to Suimei. 

“Suimei-dono, Lefille is quite... How do I put it? She seems to be quite refined. Is she perhaps...” 

“Ah, so you can tell? It’s true that Lefille is a little mistress from a well-off place.” 

“As I thought. I gathered as much from the odds and ends of her conduct. I can tell she’s one with a noble lineage.” 

As Felmenia smiled at Lefille, perhaps taking into account that she was now tiny, Lefille replied with a nervous face in a somewhat reserved manner. 

“Yes, but if I’m not mistaken, you’re also a noble. There’s no need for you to speak in such a modest way...” 

“No, I am guessing that you are someone of high standing from another nation. So even as the daughter of a noble, I’m pleased to be in such good company and treat you as you deserve. You have nothing to worry about.” 

Now that he thought about it, other than to the servants, palace guards, and her enemies, Suimei realized that Felmenia had always been particularly courteous. Her way of speaking just now was kind of like an extension of that. She was being obligingly polite with a small child. And while Suimei was contemplating such subtleties in her tone, Felmenia looked at him with a passionate gaze. 

“Then, from tomorrow on, I will be in your care here, so please do treat me well.” 

“Wh-Wh-What?!” 

But it wasn’t Suimei who shouted. Felmenia was referencing the conversation she’d had with Suimei on their way to the house, which apparently came as a great shock to Lefille. 

“Something up?” 

“Lady Felmenia just said that she will be living together with us... Is that true, Suimei-kun?!” 

“Well, yeah. That’s kinda what a base is for, right? Besides, there are still plenty of free rooms.” 

Lefille dejectedly slumped her shoulders as if this was terrible news. 

“...And here I thought I was finally going to be able to be alone with Suimei-kun...” 

“...?” 

Suimei couldn’t hear Lefille’s quiet mumbling, and he couldn’t understand what she was upset about. Shrugging it off, he moved on to the next topic at hand: Felmenia’s room. 

“And so, Menia’s room will be...” 

“Wha—?!” 

Lefille once more raised her voice in abject surprise as she pointed a trembling finger at Suimei. Had she seen a ghost? Her shocked expression would have made it easy to believe. Just what was going on with her? Suimei gave her a puzzled look. 

“What’s up?” 

“What did you just say, Suimei-kun?!” 

“...What’s up?” 

“Before that!” 

“Before that? I was talking about Menia’s room.” 

He couldn’t imagine what in that had shocked her. She looked like she was on the verge of crisis. However, she managed to calm herself, clear her throat out in a way that didn’t suit her small body, and start over with her inquiry. 

“Suimei-kun. Do you, um... often refer to her in that way?” 

“Yeah?” 

Still perplexed, Suimei answered her honestly, and Lefille’s countenance turned bitter. 

“Really...? Tch.” 

“Is something wrong with that?” 

“S-Something? No, everything! All of it!” 

A yell came back in response to Suimei’s question. Even though it wasn’t like she was doing intense exercise, she was gasping like she was out of breath. Lefille looked like she was at her wit’s end. But once again, she calmed herself, and then seemed to contemplate something for a spell. She paced like a detective or sleuth from a crime drama working out a mystery. Eventually seeming to arrive at an answer, she raised her face with a snap. 

“Alright, Suimei-kun, from today on, please call me Lefi.” 

“Huh, what? Why?” 

“It doesn’t matter! Starting today, you will also call me by my pet name! Got it? Starting this very moment, effective immediately, you’ll call me Lefi!” 

She thrust out her index finger emphatically towards Suimei. Overpowered by her intense presence like a fierce god’s, despite faltering, Suimei consented. 

“O-Okay... That’s fine and all, but...” 

“Then, um... Come on, Suimei-kun.” 

She looked at him with expectant eyes as if commanding him to say it. 

“U-Uh... Lefi?” 

“...” 

“Hey, what’s wrong?” 

“Mm... Alright, not bad. Actually, it’s pretty good.” 

With her eyes cast down as she said that, Lefille nodded repeatedly. And when she raised her head, what Suimei could see was a completely satisfied and unabashed look of joy. Meanwhile, having watched that exchange from beginning to end, Felmenia looked like she was staring a hole through the floor, and then looked up at the ceiling next. Just what was she thinking about? The up and down process repeated for a bit, and then she seemed to reach a conclusion on something. 

“It couldn’t be...” 

“This time it’s Menia...? What’s up?” 

However, Felmenia didn’t reply to Suimei. Instead, she kneeled down to Lefille’s eye level and put her hands on her shoulders. 

“This sort of thing is no good. It is still too early for you.” 

“I-It’s not too early! No, actually... Isn’t this a late start?!” 

Though Suimei was lost as to what Felmenia was talking about, Lefille seemed to understand. She began bawling as if Felmenia’s words were devastating. 

“I don’t really get what’s going on here, but... about the room assignments...” 

Watching the two girls sink deeper into their bog, Suimei tried to cut in. Perhaps having remembered something, Felmenia vehemently turned towards him. 

“Come to think of it, there is something that I would like to ask you about, Suimei-dono!” 

“Hahh, like I thought, I didn’t finish him off. How pathetic...” 

What Felmenia ended up asking him about was about the battle with Rajas. She told the story of what happened, and they’d just finished going over the details. Suimei twirled around his finger as he pushed it into his temple. 

“So Rajas is no more?” 

“Yes. He took a strike from Reiji-dono, and after that, a pale lightning burst out of his body. He was completely burned away by it and left not a trace...” 

“Yeah, that’s how that spell works.” 

“No less from Suimei-dono, I’m sure.” 

Felmenia reveled in admiration, but Suimei apologized for causing them trouble. It was just as he’d suspected. However, for Rajas to also hold on for nearly a week, he really was terrifyingly sturdy. Even if Suimei had faced off against him without first taking on an army of ten thousand, he probably wouldn’t have gotten by with ordinary means. While Suimei was pondering that, Lefille was making a stern face in the seat next to him. She then began muttering in a slightly angry voice. 

“Lucas de Hadorious...” 

Lefille repeated the name of the noble that Felmenia had spoken of. She scoffed in irritation at the man in question who’d ensnared Suimei and the trade corps just to buy time. 

“So the reason those demons appeared in the first place is because of that man...” 

“Yes, I’m afraid. As a citizen of Astel, I offer my sincere apologies for his actions.” 

“No, it wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t Suimei’s, either.” 

Lefille tried to encourage the two of them, who were both making bitter expressions. Suimei then resolutely thrust out his fist. 

“I’ll have to properly thank that son of a bitch later.” 

“Indeed. I believe I will as well.” 

Though still in her childlike body, Lefille had a terrifying presence about her. The anger she felt towards Hadorious likely exceeded even Suimei’s. She lost the first good friends she’d gotten close with since losing everyone. That searing pain couldn’t be expressed in just words. And as she and Suimei let the flames of retribution burn in their eyes, Felmenia took out her baggage in a fluster. Just what was she up to? 

“Also, I have something that I must show you, Suimei-dono.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Yes. Here, take this.” 

With that, Felmenia presented an old tome to him. On its spine, “A Study of the Hero Summoning Ritual and the History of the Summoned Heroes” was scribed in stunning calligraphy. 

“Where... did you get this?” 

“While organizing documents before I left, I found it in the castle library and brought it with me.” 

“I see. I meant to look through there from top to bottom, but to think I overlooked this...” 

“I have not yet confirmed the contents myself, but how about it?” 

“It’s a detailed report on the hero summoning ritual, and looks like someone’s personal research on it.” 

“Do you think it will be of use?” 

“Yeah, looks like it’ll be a good reference. Thanks.” 

“No, it’s hardly something you need thank me for...” 

Though she said that, Felmenia looked both moved and extremely happy that Suimei had thanked her personally. Looking at them from the side with a somewhat envious expression, Lefille was sourly grumbling. She seemed to think Felmenia had stolen a march on her. Since Suimei was engrossed in the book, he didn’t see or hear any of this, which could only be said to be karma. 

As he continued to read, Lefille seemed to realize something and changed her tone completely. She went from fuming to pouting, and asked Suimei a question in a diffident manner as she hung her head low. 

“Um... Suimei-kun... Like I thought, do you want to go back?” 

“Well, yeah.” 

While skimming the book without looking up, Suimei gave a half-aware reply. He was almost completely absorbed in what he was reading. 

“!” 

“?!” 

Both Felmenia and Lefille’s shoulders jumped up with a twitch. They then both cast their eyes solemnly downward. 

“As expected, I suppose...” 

“Yes, that’s just how it is...” 

“Huh? Uh... What’s with you two?” 

Just what had come over the two girls? In the section of the room that should have been bright thanks to the light from a magickal lamp, it looked like someone had put up blackout curtains for a moment. But there was nothing wrong with the lamp. When Suimei finally looked over, there was a looming atmosphere of grief swirling in the room. It was as if an awfully heavy weight was pushing down on the two girls so hard that he could almost hear a dramatic sound effect to go with it. 

“Nothing, it’s nothing...” 

“Waaah... Z-Zuiemi-dono ith going awaaay...” 

“H-Hey... Hey, you two!” 

Suimei wouldn’t make it all the way through the book, because he now had his hands full soothing his two housemates.