Isekai Mahou wa Okureteru! (LN) - Volume 5 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: To the Saadias Alliance 

There was a clue regarding the hero summoning ritual in the Saadias Alliance. 

Suimei had discovered this information in the book Felmenia had brought to him from Astel. And so, together with Felmenia, Lefille, and Liliana in tow, he departed the capital city of the Nelferian Empire, Filas Philia, and was now on a journey to the northwest of the continent where the Saadias Alliance was situated. Right now, they were jostling about in what wasn’t technically a horse-drawn carriage headed towards the Alliance from the Empire. The beast that pulled it was a creature with large horns and long fur. That was nearly the size of an elephant. It was known as a cowhorn. 

Modern magician Yakagi Suimei was sitting in the corner of the cowhorn-pulled vehicle lecturing Felmenia and Liliana about magicka. He spread out papers he had prepared across the wooden floor of the carriage while Felmenia and Liliana quietly listened to him talk. Such talks were completely over Lefille’s head as she was a complete amateur on the subject matter. As such, she was sitting behind Suimei, humming a song while polishing her sword. 

“...And that’s about it for that topic. Shall we move on to the next?” 

“Yes.” 

“Very... well.” 

Receiving assent from both Felmenia and Liliana, Suimei moved on to the next topic. 

“Then, what I’ll be talking about from here is liturgical reduction of magicka and its practical use. Liturgy is a technique that takes the complex processes required to use magicka and simplifies them into simple actions and short chants. Moreover, it optimizes these processes and shortens the time it takes to use magicka. It shortens long chants into abbreviated ones, takes chants which are hard to pronounce and changes them into gestures, replaces the need for complex gestures with a chant, and so on.” 

After pausing briefly to take a breather, Suimei continued. 

“The magicka that I use with most frequency is an easy-to-understand one that uses liturgy: strike magicka. I can manifest its effects by only snapping my fingers.” 

“You mean this, right?” 

In demonstration, Felmenia snapped her fingers. Following along, Suimei lightly snapped his fingers and sent the paper in his hand flying with a light shock. 

“Whenever I’ve used it in this world, people are excessively surprised.” 

“In our world, magic is fundamentally something that is invoked by chanting a spell or keyword and requires the aid of the Elements, after all.” 

“Without that... using magic so simply and freely... is completely counter to the logic of magic in this world... Anyone would be surprised.” 

Having only touched upon magicka that defied conventional wisdom, Liliana was still unused to Suimei’s new theories. She knit her brow and cocked her head to the side. She’d lived believing that chants were absolutely necessary. Being taught that that was immutable common knowledge, of course these people had never come up with something like liturgy. 

“Strike magicka. Originally, the effect was manifested after chanting the spell, but reciting the chant was replaced with the action of snapping my fingers. So when I snap my fingers now, it produces the same effect as the version with the chant. It’s the same spell.” 

The two girls were hurriedly scribbling down what Suimei was saying. After seeing that they finished writing, Suimei continued his explanation on liturgy. 

“By trimming the fat, reducing the information involved, and simplifying the necessary actions, magicka becomes easier to use. Even in a situation where one is unable to speak or their movements are restricted, you can still use magicka. And this part is quite important, but magicka with many processes can also have its activation time reduced.” 

“How do you do that, Suimei?” 

“For example, say you have a five verse chant to invoke a spell. The time it takes to chant those five verses is the time required to invoke the spell. But say we replace two of those verses with a gesture. That way, when we recite the spell...” 

“I see. The time to cast it is reduced by two verses, right?” 

“That’s right. That’s the kind of advantage liturgy gives you.” 

Hearing this, Felmenia and Liliana both oohed and aahed. 

“But Suimei-dono, even if you shorten the time with liturgy, it doesn’t change the entropy, right?” 

“Yeah, exactly.” 

“What do you mean, Felmenia?” 

“Shortening the time it takes to cast a spell using liturgy is different from modern magicka theory where the casting time is shortened by mixing together different magicka systems. The act of chanting is just substituted with something else, which means that, in essence, nothing has really changed about the spell.” 

“I see...” 

Suimei had previously explained this to Felmenia, and it seemed she’d properly understood it. It wasn’t all that long ago that he’d begun instructing her in the ways of magicka. Her ability to grasp things so quickly made him understand why she was known as a genius mage. 

“Well, those are the basics of it, but let’s go back over two thousand years ago in my world. At that time, in the West, it was popular to perform speeches to fascinate the audience and persuade others. This was basically how politics were handled. It became an indispensable technique for those giving the speeches to skillfully control their intonation and so on to convince others they were speaking the truth during their speeches. There was another technique that was also important—do you know what it is?” 

“If this concerns speaking, then it would be the ability to memorize the contents of the speech?” 

“Yes, you’re on the mark. To be specific, it’s the ability to correctly pull out the memorized contents from one’s head, or mnemonics.” 

Magicka and memorization. The two girls were unable to see the connection and were making faces like they didn’t really get it. Observing this, Suimei continued his explanation. 

“For example, when you’re trying to memorize something, performing some other movement while doing so can make it easier to remember. When you then perform a similar action later, you remember whatever it was by association. You’re familiar with this, right?” 

“Yes. I have heard of this.” 

“Not being able to memorize something is usually attributed to having a poor memory, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the brain doesn’t remember it. People are able to learn things even when they are in an unconscious state, right? Simply put, not being able to remember something only means one was unable to pull from their head at the right time. In short, the actions I was talking about before are meant to support the brain and make accessing such information easier.” 

After pausing once more, Suimei returned to the original topic. 

“And so, mnemonics end up developing as a technique to recall memories and information in a form where they can even be incorporated into magicka. Well, to put it simply, the action helps you remember.” 

Felmenia continued from where Suimei left off. 

“If we hypothesize that the information stored in one’s head is like magicka, then not just with chanting, but with motion or gestures, one would be able to draw out the information from their head, no?” 

“Yeah, that’s the way to think about it.” 

Suimei gave a very satisfied nod to Felmenia’s comparison. And the same applied to magicka, too. By performing the same gesture practiced when memorizing a spell, one would be able to invoke it directly later on. But hearing all this, Liliana made a face like she was in pain. 

“This all sounds... rather farfetched to me.” 

“I’m sure it does. However, in my explanation just now, I rushed from the theory straight to its established result. There was quite a lot of research in between to connect the dots.” 

“Hnnngh...” 

As Suimei explained further, Liliana groaned like she still wasn’t fully convinced. Certainly what he was telling them, taken to the extreme, meant that magicka could be used just by memorizing it. Liliana was stuck on that. She knew there was no chance of manifesting something just by recalling it. 

“It seems that you’re still clinging to the physical part. That materializes due to phenomena using unperceivable mystical energy, mystical vectors, and mystical laws. These are the ‘mysteries’ that we aim to dispel... Don’t worry about it. Once you start touching on it, you’ll begin to understand gradually.” 

Persuading Liliana with those words, Suimei brought his lecture to an end. 

“So that’s how it is. This arrangement and replacement of mystical actions, the materialization of a magicka circle, Notarikon, Temurah, and Gematria among others, are techniques to produce the ritual oneself and then analogize it. This is called liturgical reduction, or in short, liturgy.” 

With that, he asked if the two of them still needed more details. 

“Any questions?” 

Liliana raised her hand. 

“Magicka circles... The ones you use... Where the circle is suddenly drawn... I want to hear about that.” 

“Sorry, I’ll save that for another time. It’s better to have a firm understanding of liturgy before moving on to the materialization of a magicka circle.” 

“That’s... regrettable.” 

Suimei’s response made her sulk. Liliana seemed to be quite interested in the subject. 

“Next, I’ve prepared a fill in the blanks test. It has questions on the main points of everything I talked about today except for liturgy.” 

As Suimei handed them sheets paper, Felmenia looked at hers with a doubtful face. 

“Suimei-dono, I think it is better to learn by practical use, but... In this case, it would mean actually implementing liturgy...” 

“That may be so, but we can’t put a whole lot into practical use within this carriage, right? To do that kind of thing, we need a properly prepared location. I prepared this instead because it’s convenient to do here.” 

“Well, that is certainly true...” 

Felmenia agreed, but she didn’t seem completely satisfied. Just as she said, this test wouldn’t really give them any proper sense for what they were learning. 

“I thought you would understand faster if you thoroughly remembered the details of the theory, but... Teaching isn’t easy, huh?” 

As if something heavy was sitting atop his head, Suimei hung his head low in a troubled fashion. Because he had never officially taken on students before, he was unused to tutoring. There was more or less a single exception to this, but that person was able to use magicka considerably well beforehand and was more of an assistant who used peculiar magicka. This was the first time he’d taught anyone anything starting from the bare basics. As expected, he couldn’t avoid running into difficulties here and there. Because of this, he was constantly getting feedback from his students along the way. 

“All right, I’ll think about something more in the line of practical use, so you guys have a go at this for now.” 

“Understood.” 

“I feel like using this pure white paper... is a waste though...” 

For quite a while now, Suimei had been using white sheets of paper quite liberally. Liliana lifted one up and frowned. In this world, such paper was quite valuable. Unlike his world, this one had yet to have an industrial revolution or two. The machinery to create paper hadn’t been invented yet, and no mass-production lines existed. 

Is that also because of magic throwing its weight around...? 

In his world, when it came to materials to scribe magic circles on, rather than generic white paper, specially manufactured parchment was judged to be better and more valuable. But in this world dominated by magic culture, it was something of the other way around. 

Felmenia and Liliana started their tests in short order. Suimei then spun around on his butt and faced Lefille. 

“Taking a short break?” 

“We got to a checkpoint. How much longer do you think we’ll be travelling by carriage?” 

“The fortress on the national border should be coming into sight soon, so it shouldn’t be much longer.” 

“It’s been too long. My ass hurts after sitting on a wooden floor for three days.” 

“Suimei-kun, that’s crass.” 

As Suimei made a sour face, Lefille put on a smile and flicked him lightly on the forehead. 

“Ow, that smarts... Anyways, even though we’re close to the border, why haven’t we seen anything resembling a mountain?” 

While rubbing his forehead, Suimei stuck his head out of the carriage and looked towards their destination. Just as he had said, there was no mountain range in the direction they were going. Not even a small hill. In general, most national borders used mountain ranges or other natural markers as boundaries. It was typical to place border fortresses in the valleys that broke up the range. It was a necessity to make it difficult for neighboring countries to invade, but strangely enough, Suimei spied nothing of the sort around. While he basked in the wind and looked about the landscape skeptically, Lefille flashed a refreshing smile as if to tell him he had nothing to worry about. 

“Beyond here, there is a large fissure in the earth called ‘The Valley Which Peeks Into Evil.’ It serves as the border between the Empire, the Alliance, and the self-governed state.” 

“A fissure?” 

“In short, it’s a deep valley carved in the earth. It’s said that it was created when the spirit who formed the counterpart of the Goddess’s servant Ishaktney lost its temper and tore open the earth.” 

“I see...” 

Suimei’s ears perked up. These kinds of stories tended to spike his inquisitiveness. The image of something the scale of the large belt carved across Africa came to mind. 

“At its deepest sections, one is unable to see the bottom at all, so a bridge fortress was built at the shallowest section, serving as the fortress at the national border.” 

“...Hmm? Does that mean there’s only a single fortress?” 

“The bridge fortress belongs to the Alliance. The Empire’s fortress is basically enclosed within it. That’s what we’ll be seeing.” 

Lefille gestured for a paper and pen from Suimei and then began drawing a picture to demonstrate. Across a black line which represented the fissure in the earth, she drew three bridges that connected to a single fortress. And as if to seal the path leading out, the fortress was shaped like a semi-circle around them. After the two of them talked about it briefly, Lefille remembered something and changed the topic. 

“Come to think of it, before we departed, we heard a rumor that the victims of the coma incident regained consciousness, right?” 

“Oh, that? It would’ve been fine if they were put to sleep a little longer, honestly...” 

Suimei made a bitter face since this outcome didn’t please him. He would have preferred they stay unconscious until memories of the incident had faded around town and people put it out of their minds. It would have been fine for the victims to stay out of people’s eyes for a while. 

Although, thanks to the people in the city changing their minds about Liliana, this ended up not being an absolute necessity. But still, Suimei thought it would be better if they were still unconscious—just so they couldn’t try anything funny. Meanwhile, Lefille was looking at Suimei like he was a shady character for talking about the victims in a rather reprehensible manner. 

“I’m reminded from time to time, but... you’re quite merciless, or rather cruel, aren’t you?” 

“Hmm? I’m a magician, you know. I’m not a respectable human being.” 

“Nevertheless, I don’t think that’s something you should be saying.” 

“Well, that may be so. But it’s not like I’m not selfish, especially after all this. You can tell from when I got Liliana pardoned, right? At the end of the day, I’m the type of person who doesn’t care how some unrelated guy ends up groaning over my actions.” 

“Though wouldn’t it just make people angry if you unreasonably hurt them?” 

“I know that I’m being inconsistent. And I was more or less reconciled with that before coming to this world. I believe that I’m well aware of what is born from that inconsistency.” 

“I see.” 

Suimei was gazing at Lefille like he was resigned. Perhaps having grasped his sentiment, Lefille questioned him no further. 

“It’s about that time I faced a major setback. That thing I touched on lightly after we defeated Rajas...” 

“Indeed, I’m quite interested in it. I’d like you to tell me about it next time without fail.” 

“I’ll have to decline. I don’t even wanna think about it myself.” 

“Heehee.” 

Suimei was quite puzzled to see Lefille let out a light laugh with a smile. He then moved the conversation back to the original topic and away from talk of his weaknesses that he couldn’t possibly continue for his own dignity’s sake. 

“Well, the people of the imperial capital woke up to the truth, so Liliana should be fine anyways.” 

“Speaking of being fine, I wonder if Reiji-kun and the others are alright...” 

Lefille casually shifted the conversation towards their absent friends. They were currently planning to stay in the Empire and had parted ways with Suimei when he left, but... 

“Is there something wrong?” 

“No, it’s just that they did end up raising a commotion in the imperial capital. I just have misgivings that they might be put at a disadvantage because of it.” 

Lefille’s concerns were natural. Suimei had Reiji and the others take a role in resolving the coma incidents—specifically the unreasonable role of stalling Graziella and company. Things had turned out well in the end, but taking into account that they got in the way of a military police investigation and ended up having a scuffle with a princess, it was natural to worry that they might now find themselves in a precarious situation in the Empire. However, Suimei, who was responsible for it in the first place, looked surprisingly unconcerned. 

“Suimei-kun?” 

“Yeah, that’ll all somehow work out. Before we left, I played my hand after all.” 

“Did you do something?” 

“Well, yeah. An eentsy-teensy simple something.” 

Suimei was pressing and separating his thumb and index finger on one hand while flashing a small, crafty smile like a brat playing a prank. 

“I see. If you’ve done something, then there isn’t a problem.” 

Hearing that Suimei had dealt with it, Lefille’s concerns were cleared away and she returned a relieved nod to his impish smile. Like that, the two of them amused themselves as they continued chatting for a while before Felmenia raised her hand with great urgency. 

“Suimei-dono! I have finished writing my answers!” 

“Oh, you’re already done?” 

Looking at Felmenia’s eager smile, Suimei drew nearer and collected her test. 

“Hmm, hmm... Well, it’s filled in nicely. Liliana, how are you doing?” 

“Just... a little more.” 

As one would expect, this was still quite difficult for Liliana who only just started studying magicka. While wrinkling her brow and groaning, she was laboriously scribbling away. The sight of her trying so hard was rather charming. Meanwhile, after receiving well over a passing mark from Suimei, Felmenia flashed a grand smile as she started to appeal to him for something. 

“Suimei-dono! Suimei-dono!” 

“What is it?” 

“If you think I have done well, then please praise me!” 

“Huh? Wha?” 

Suimei was completely bewildered, but Felmenia looked rather expectant. If she had dog ears and a tail, her ears would surely be pointed straight up and her tail would surely be wagging furiously. As he sidled up to her like he was about to tease her, something suddenly yanked on the back of Suimei’s collar vigorously. 

“—Gueh!” 

An unflattering shriek escaped from Suimei’s mouth. Before he knew what was happening, Lefille had grabbed the back of his collar and was gripping it tightly. Even though he hadn’t actually done anything yet... As Suimei looked at Lefille to imply exactly that, she focused her gaze in Felmenia’s direction. 

“Wh-What are you doing, Lefille?! Are you trying to get in my way?!” 

“Yes, that’s right. Lady Felmenia, you’re clinging to Suimei-kun a little too much.” 

“Th-That’s not particularly...” 

Felmenia was at a loss for words. Lefille then continued as if pushing in for an answer. 

“You can’t say that you haven’t been. You’ve been sticking to Suimei-kun at every single opportunity, haven’t you?” 

“I-It is not like I particularly have an ulterior motive!” 

“Even so, it’s not allowed. I can’t overlook it.” 

As they talked, their gazes clashed. Suimei winced as he watched all this. Felmenia suddenly began waving her hand around in a panic. 

“Just what is wrong with it?! When you were small, did you not also spend a lot of time with Suimei-dono?! Besides, you were having fun with him all to yourself just now!” 

“I-I was just casually talking to Suimei-kun about our plans from here on out! It was nothing more or less than that!” 

“Same for me!” 

“I still object! Right now, your wicked thoughts are completely transparent! Just get away already!” 

“I will NOT!” 

In the middle of throwing her tantrum, Felmenia made a leap forward. Naturally, she was diving for Suimei rather than Lefille. 

“Menia, what’re you—?!” 

“What on earth?!” 

Suimei was completely flustered as Felmenia clung to him like an unrelenting vise. 

“Suimei-dono! Please praise me!” 

“Lady Felmenia! You can receive praise without having to do this kind of thing, right?! Stop this disgraceful behavior at once!” 

Lefille pulled on the collar she was still holding and tried to tear Suimei away. On the other hand, Suimei, who was now being yanked on and climbed on, tried to mediate between the two of them, but... 

“C-Calm down! Both of you, just step ba... Bwuh?!” 

With Felmenia clinging to him, her bountiful chest was pressing against him. It was unexpectedly soft and pleasant, and utterly disarming. Once he became conscious of it, Suimei was completely flustered. 

“Wait, this is bad! Hey, Menia! This is really bad! Really, extremely bad, so get away quickly!” 

This situation was bad for Suimei as a teenage boy. However, being completely ignorant of this, Felmenia looked at him with teary eyes and sniffled. 

“Suimei-donooo! Even you want me to get away?” 

“Don’t grumble about it! What’s with you?! L-Lefi, help me out here...” 

“If Lady Felmenia is going to resort to this, then I can too...” 

“Wha?! Lefille-san?! How did it end up like this?!” 

Lefille pressed herself up against Suimei’s back with her hands on his shoulders. She was completely glued to him. Being assaulted from both the front and back, the three of them were now all bunched together. 

“Wai— Both of you?! This is painful! Painful, I tell you!” 

Suimei was no longer able to endure it and yelled out, but the two of them weren’t listening to him at all as they held on to his body like their lives depended on it. Discerning that it was useless to try to talk the two of them down, he quickly resorted to turning to a third party to escape this crisis. 

“Liliana! Save me!” 

Suimei earnestly appealed to her, but... 

“Suimei, this is what people mean... when they say... ‘If you cut somebody, you will wet your own body with blood.’” 

“What’s with that?!” 

“It’s a proverb... from this world.” 

Suimei guessed it meant roughly the same thing as getting one’s just deserts. But that was all Liliana had to say as she otherwise ignored his plea. She was still focused on her test and didn’t even look at him. 

“Hey, wait, you’re not gonna save me?!” 

“I’m still... busy.” 

“No way! Helping me just a little won’t put you out, right?!” 

As Suimei kept hounding her, Liliana let out a deliberately loud exasperated sigh. And then... 

“Suimei... The moment Lefille returned to her original form... this was inevitable. It... should’ve been obvious. Not being able to deal with it despite that... is squarely your fault.” 

“In what way was this obvious?!” 

“That part of you... is just like the Colonel...” 

In the end, Liliana criticized Suimei as she looked at him with a half-closed eye. Meanwhile, Felmenia and Lefille’s battle was still continuing. 

“Suimei-dono!” 

“Suimei-kun!” 

“I got it! I got it, so both of you calm down a little! If you keep causing a ruckus, it’ll bother the other passengers!” 

In the end, Felmenia and Lefille kept at it until they arrived at the fortress on the national border. 

In the northwest region of the continent, though the temperature was cold enough for it to be winter, there wasn’t the dampness or dryness one would expect of the season. The climate was at a relative equilibrium and the weather was quite calm. However, it was said that dragons lived in the craggy mountains and forests filled with black trees. A great deal of the terrain here was too harsh for people to live in, so compared to other countries, the amount of land untouched by human hands was considerably larger. 

After disembarking from the cowhorn-drawn vehicle at the national border, Suimei and his party crossed the bridge, and without any problems, were let through the fortress on the Alliance side. They were now visiting their first town in the first country they came to of the Saadias Alliance. Clouds were scattered about overhead. It wasn’t quite a perfectly clear sky, but it was just as pleasing to the eye and just as pleasant to travel under. The blowing wind was chilly, despite it being the season of this world’s calendar where it should be quite hot, so it was rather relaxing. 

The town they found themselves in was quite unlike the imperial capital and the other towns of the Empire where houses were colored based on their district. So without any sort of system to their coloring, the buildings here were vibrant. Even their shapes varied with their triangular, flat, and even gabled roofs. Overall, it gave the town a fun and gentle atmosphere. The space between houses was also quite wide, and there was a generous amount of vegetation planted between them. The flat shaved stone that made up the sidewalks was visible once in a while, but there seemed to be more greenery than stone anywhere you went. It was perhaps because they were only in a remote town far away from the country’s city center, but Suimei’s impression of the Alliance so far was that it gave off more of a pastoral feeling than a fantasy one. 

“So this is an Alliance town...” 

Looking at the ornaments decorating the buildings all about the town as well as at the people going about their daily lives, Suimei was somewhat enchanted. The Alliance appeared to be different from both Astel and Nelferia in several ways. As if to confirm his impression, Liliana chimed in. 

“To be precise... this town is in the Alliance nation of Grafille. The Alliance is unlike Astel, Nelferia, and the self-governed state... in that it’s made up of a collective of five different countries.” 

“So this is just part of the Alliance, huh?” 

While talking about such things with Liliana, Suimei casually glanced to his side and spotted Felmenia looking around excitedly at their surroundings just like he was. Suimei couldn’t help but call out to his fellow comrade who was entranced by the appearance of the houses and the mana lamps hanging along the roads. 

“Feels different to you too, huh, Menia?” 

“Ah, yes. This is my first time in the Alliance, so I was just a little curious... At any rate, the Alliance is quite different from Astel and Nelferia, don’t you think?” 

Felmenia became somewhat bashful upon realizing her childlike excitement had been exposed. Liliana then stepped in to explain the nature of the nation. 

“Since long ago... the Alliance people have strived to live in harmony with nature and the local flora and fauna. So unlike the Empire... they don’t specialize in construction or manufacturing. But the Alliance feels somewhat relaxing... I like it.” 

Certainly, it seemed like a place where the people had an appreciation for nature. The same went for Liliana, who stretched her arms out wide to either side and took a deep breath. In fact, everyone here—even the locals—seemed like they were taking it all in and relaxing. Suimei then looked at Lefille. She had a composed appearance that wasn’t all that different from her usual self. 

“But it doesn’t seem like it’s your first time here, huh, Lefi?” 

“No, it’s not. I recall visiting the Alliance as a child.” 

“So it hasn’t really changed since then?” 

“Not really. I believe that time flows as it pleases in places like the Alliance, so I don’t think much at all has changed.” 

Lefille slightly raised the brim of her wide hat as she spoke. Perhaps she was feeling nostalgic about her first visit to the Alliance. Now that she was back in her adult form, Suimei could once again appreciate the elegance in her bearing and all her gestures. Lefille then lowered her gaze and looked at Liliana. 

“But that aside, it seems Lily is quite knowledgeable about the Alliance.” 

“To be informed of the state of affairs in neighboring countries... is the duty of the intelligence division. Moreover... I infiltrated it before with the colonel.” 

“That is to say... you performed some kind of reconnaissance?” 

Liliana gave a nod at Felmenia’s question. It seemed that, thanks to her time in the army, she had quite a lot of worldly knowledge and experience. With Liliana’s magic abilities, there was very little she wasn’t capable of. Despite being rather young, she’d even survived the carnage of battle. 

Suimei and the others continued to talk about the Alliance as they walked down the street. Coming around a corner, they could hear some kind of speech being delivered in a loud voice down the stone pavement a ways. When they looked, they could see two men in white religious garments complaining to an audience about the Goddess. 

“Oh children of man born in this world! Now is the time to cast aside your faith in Alshuna!” 

“Yes! Now that the demons are approaching, not only must we unite in front of the menace closing in before our eyes, but we must also release ourselves from the fetters that bind us!” 

The two men in white were both speaking to their audience, artfully alternating between the two of them. They were making grand gestures and had quite a presence. But it seemed there weren’t many people stopping to listen; the crowd gathered at the side of the street was rather sparse. Presumably the lack of enthusiasm was because of the content of their speech. They were selling contempt for the Goddess Alshuna, the deity with the largest following in this world. Most passersby likely thought the whole affair was shady, and wouldn’t give more than a passing glance as they went about their business. 

“...What’s with that?” 

Suimei stopped and made an odd face as he tilted his head to the side. Following up on that, Felmenia and Lefille also looked at them with a puzzled expression. 

“I wonder... It’s the first time I have ever seen such a thing.” 

“Same for me. Good grief, to think that they would criticize the Goddess in this kind of public place... Saying such things on the land blessed by the Goddess is simply outrageous.” 

Lefille was seething. As a particularly religious person, she seemed to take great offense at what was happening, though that was probably true for most of the people witnessing it. Faith in the Goddess Alshuna and the teachings of the Church of Salvation served as a spiritual and moral foundation for the people of this world, after all. But thinking of it like that, Suimei thought it was strange that people would come to give a speech like this in the first place. 

Liliana then narrowed her sleepy left eye even further as she gazed at them. 

“That’s... the Anti-Goddess Cult.” 

“Anti-Goddess Cult?” 

“It’s a religious group that has been gaining followers in the five nations of the Alliance as well as the self-governed state... Their fundamental teachings largely emulate those of the Church of Salvation... but they’ve adopted the belief that freeing themselves from the divine protection of the Goddess will allow the seed known as humanity to flourish... And so they urge the people to abandon their faith in Alshuna... They also largely criticize the widespread use of magic and the oracles.” 

“For this world where magic is so mainstream, you’d think that kind of thing would get weeded out right away...” 

“It seems... it does not go unchallenged. I hear that every once in a while... they end up in skirmishes with the followers of the Church of Salvation... but the church is still unable to sever the enrollment of new members.” 

“Hmm...” 

It seemed that just by opposing the system, the cult had a certain appeal to it. Would-be iconoclasts that derived a sense of purpose out of banding together to stand against the status-quo seemed to crop up just about everywhere. There were also states that created such organizations to harass enemy nations, so it wasn’t completely baffling to Suimei on that level. But taking into consideration the status-quo of this world revolved around the Goddess, one wrong move might turn the whole world against them. An organization like this had probably come into the limelight in the chaos of the demon invasion. 

“The Goddess is not protecting us! For her own benefit, to guarantee her own interests, she is only pretending to protect the world!” 

“The words of the Goddess are a poison that corrodes humanity! If you listen to her words blindly as you are now, mankind will never flourish! We will remain the slaves of the Goddess for all of eternity! Therefore, now is the time to act! We must flee from our dance atop the Goddess’s palm!” 

Suimei was still watching the two men give their impassioned speech as he closely scrutinized them. 

“They’re not denying the Goddess’s existence, just saying people shouldn’t follow her. Since the existence of magic proves the existence of the Goddess in this world, I suppose that explains their stance...” 

However, this kind of tactic was occasionally used to prop up the existence of another god by promoting whatever teachings sounded good. To tear followers away from one religion, it was fastest and easiest just to make up another for the people to cling to. But from what Suimei could hear, these men weren’t actually encouraging the people to change their beliefs, so he couldn’t tell what kind of benefit they were trying to get out of this. All he really knew was that those words—“we cannot believe in the Goddess” and “we must run away”—felt very weighty to him. 

“Suimei-dono? Is something the matter?” 

“No, it’s nothing. So, what should we do from... Well, there’s one thing to take care of before that. Shall we do something about lunch first?” 

Liliana, Felmenia, and Lefille agreed with Suimei’s proposition. 

“I’m also... hungry.” 

“Then where shall we go?” 

“It’s right in the middle of lunchtime, so everywhere is likely to be crowded. Shall we just look around and pick a place at random?” 

The three others nodded in agreement with Lefille’s suggestion. After splitting up to go check out the local restaurants, they fortunately chanced on a place with vacant seating. The others followed Lefille inside. Just as they’d seen from the window, there was a place available for them, and they were guided to a table that was a little large for the four of them. 

At a glance, the restaurant with a largely wooden interior appeared to be the kind of place you could find anywhere. But looking closely, there were empty barrels and things everywhere you looked. The tables and chairs were made out of repurposed barrels, and even the mana lamps were made out of empty bottles. There was quite an elaborate, thoughtful design to the place that rivaled what Suimei would expect of the modern world. They asked for whatever the waiter recommended when he came to take their order, and the food came out in short order. 

Not long after, Suimei and the others were relishing their food and taking a short break from eating as they enjoyed some water while casually looking around the place. Since it was the middle of the lunch rush, the restaurant was dreadfully packed with plenty of commotion as people continued to file in. And Suimei noticed that the energetic customers all seemed to have something in common. 

“As expected of a place called the country of swords, there aren’t many mages, huh?” 

From what he could see, even those who didn’t appear to be warriors also carried swords at their waists. In comparison, the ratio of mages to swordsmen in the Empire was much higher. Over there, mages accounted for somewhere in the neighborhood of five or six out of every ten people, whereas here, it was only maybe two or three out of ten. After Suimei commented on this, Lefille and Felmenia both had something to say. 

“Compared to other countries, the Alliance has a culture that greatly respects the blade. Though they weren’t summoned heroes, there is a history of heroic swordsmen who liberated the lands in this area from the demons for the sake of the people.” 

“To add on to that, the Alliance and the self-governed state treat social status a little differently than Astel and the Empire do. Rather than town officials and what have you, it’s swordsmen who are revered and respected.” 

“Ah, so as long as you carry a sword, you receive favorable treatment?” 

“No, that’s not quite the case. To declare yourself a swordsman in the Alliance, you need proper authorization to do so, which requires receiving permission from the government of one of the five Alliance nations or from the Twilight Pavilion.” 

“So in short, Lefille couldn’t call herself a swordswoman here?” 

“That’s how it is. If I did so, it would be unofficially.” 

Suimei didn’t see what it would matter to be official or unofficial if you carried a sword, but Lefille gave him a somewhat self-deprecating smile when she mentioned it. After that, Liliana took a bite out of a sweet pastry larger than her own face, pushed it into her cheeks, and began explaining while slowly chewing it down. 

“Even so... in the Alliance... just by carrying a sword... you are given preferential treatment.” 

“How so specifically?” 

“Hom... You get priority... Because there are quite a number of services... available in this country, when there’s a hurry... the public agencies see you favorably... without asking questions.” 

“Well, that’s pretty nice, huh?” 

“Hom... That doesn’t mean it applies... to absolutely everyone, though... Hom, nom...” 

Even so, it was really something to be given priority just for carrying a sword. Once Liliana finished her explanation and began attacking her pastry with great care again, Lefille cut in to the conversation. 

“So taking that into account for how we proceed, shall we go to the Alliance’s sovereign state of Miazen first?” 

“The sovereign state?” 

“The guild master of the Twilight Pavilion in the capital city there is an acquaintance of my father’s. If we rely on them as an intermediary, we should be able to arrange all sorts of things, including obtaining the authorization to be called swordsmen.” 

“Hom... That... sounds good...” 

“I have heard that if you do not have a swordsman as a companion while in the Alliance, you should hire one. So I also think Lefille’s idea sounds good.” 

“Well then, the investigation will have to wait until after that...” Suimei replied as he went back to eating his lunch. 

It was certainly true that he was anxious to return to his world, but he wasn’t in such a rush that he would be negligent of other matters for that sake. If he really wanted to make progress, it was better to have an assuredly firm foothold in this world. As the group continued to talk and enjoy their food, a waitress approached their table with a troubled expression on her face. She was a fair bit older than the other waitresses and had an exceptional physique. If she were wearing an apron, she would have looked exactly like an old lady Suimei would have expected to see running a local eatery back home. She was probably the proprietress of the establishment. 

“Could I bother you for a minute?” 

“What’s the matter?” 

When Suimei inquired about what she needed, the woman let out a weak laugh and pointed towards the entrance. 

“I’m sorry, but would you mind sharing your table with that gentleman over there?” 

The person standing where the proprietress was pointing was a tall, dark-skinned man. He was wearing an overcoat to protect himself from blowing sand, which hid the details of his figure, but his arms that came out from under the overcoat were sinewy and thick. Suimei could only guess how well-trained and strong he was. He had long, black hair and a peculiar embroidered bandana around his forehead. He had a scar running across his face, but rather than looking dangerous, he had a slender, masculine face that gave off a somehow sociable impression. He looked a bit embarrassed, but gave Suimei a pleasant smile. To prevent things from getting awkward, Lefille replied as the group’s representative. 

“Certainly. We don’t mind.” 

“Sorry about that...” 

The proprietress apologized meekly and then, in a complete one-eighty, roared to the kitchen to let them know that there was another customer. A younger waitresses then quickly brought an additional seat and some water. Suimei scooted over to make room for the man, who quickly settled in. 

“Aaah, sorry about butting in right when you all were enjoying your lunch. But I tell you what, after coming to this town, I knew I had to get some of the chef’s special here no matter what!” 

Slapping the back of his own head, the man let out a hearty laugh. He gave off a friendly impression despite his imposing physique, and as Suimei had estimated, was apparently quite a character. He didn’t seem timid in the least, and his cheerful smile was quite pleasant. But then, unexpectedly, he let out something of an embarrassed laugh. 

“Perhaps I offended you most of all, lad.” 

“...Hmm? Me?” 

Suimei didn’t understand what he was talking about and cocked his head to the side accordingly. The man then suddenly put his thick arm around the back of Suimei’s neck and leaned in like he intended to talk in secret. 

“Well, you see, another man just intruded on your meal with these beauties, you know? Well, one of them is just a wee thing, but talk about a fifth wheel here, am I right?” 

“Huh? N-No, that’s not what I was thinking at all. Besides, these girls are just my companions...” 

The man sat back up and stared in astonishment at Suimei, who was peddling excuses in a fluster. Unsure why he was being looked at that way, Suimei raised a puzzled voice. 

“What is it?” 

“...Nothing. I get it. You’re a virgin, ain’t you?” 

“WHAT?!” 

“I said you’re a virgin, ain’t you?” 

“Wh-What the hell are you asking someone you just met?!” 

Suimei bolted up out of his seat as he shouted, and the man was slightly taken aback by his reaction. 

“Aah, sorry, sorry. My honesty is my redeeming feature, you see. I have a habit of saying exactly what I’m thinking.” 

“That kinda honesty is more an annoyance than a virtue— Oh...” 

Suimei then realized that he’d indirectly confirmed that he was, in fact, a virgin. 

“Aah, I see. Thought so.” 

“That’s bullshit...” 

Suimei writhed in agony at the man’s stupidly sympathetic voice. After expending all his energy yelling, he let out a long sigh and looked around nervously. Liliana was the one sitting beside him, but he didn’t know if Liliana was even listening since she seemed to be completely preoccupied with her pastry. On the other hand, when he looked at Lefille, she avoided making eye contact. As for Felmenia, she was fixedly staring at Suimei. 

“...Suimei-dono is a virgin?” 

“I-Is that a bad thing?!” 

“Ah, no, not particularly! Not at all! No, certainly... heeheehee...” 

Suimei thought she was trying to be nice since she couldn’t stop herself from giggling. Turning red in the face, he quickly shifted his gaze elsewhere, but met eyes with Lefille’s when he did. 

“Uh...” 

“Um...” 

All either one of them could manage was a single sound. They both stiffened up as the atmosphere at the table grew even stranger. Eventually, as if to put an end to it, Lefille—still pink in the cheeks—cleared her throat. 

“No, um, I think it’s a good thing that Suimei-kun is a virgin.” 

“What’s so good about it, damn it?” 

Still standing up, Suimei hung his head in abject defeat and shock. His secret (?) had been revealed to everyone, and he was filled with despair from the embarrassment. Sensing the swift decline in Suimei’s mood, Felmenia, intending to throw him a lifeline but ultimately just adding oil to the fire, called on Liliana. 

“H-Hey, Lily, you say something to Suimei-dono too.” 

It was obvious prolonging this conversation any further would only drive Suimei deeper into desperation. He should have stopped things then and there. Liliana then looked towards Suimei and tugged lightly on his sleeve. 

“Suimei... Even if you’re a virgin... it isn’t that embarrassing, you know?” 

“Hrk...” 

At her words, Suimei crumbled to his knees. Hearing such an innocent girl encourage him in such an innocent way had a devastating effect on him. The one who dealt the final blow to Suimei, however, simply returned to the conquest of her enormous pastry. All Suimei was left with was the air of pity swirling over his head. 

“...So I’m a virgin, damn it. I don’t have any experience with girls, damn it. None at all, damn it. What do you want from me, damn it? What’s wrong with that, damn it? Everyone just goes ‘ooh, ahh, it’s a virgin’ like virgins are some kind of weird species, damn it. I mean, there aren’t that many guys my age with experience anyways, so what’s wrong with that?! I’m living my life the best I can, so don’t screw with meeeeeeeeeee!” 

Suimei had tumbled into the abyss of his mind as he began mumbling darkly to himself. Unable to just watch the pitiful sight unfold, the instigator of all this—the dark-skinned man—shamelessly tried to cheer Suimei up. 

“Well, um... Cheer up, lad. You’re still young. Things are just getting started for you.” 

“Shut up, you damn ringleader...” 

The man faltered a bit when he heard Suimei voice out his resentment. But then, like he’d suddenly realized something, he clapped his hands together. 

“Oops, I haven’t introduced myself yet, huh? The name’s Gaius Forvan. I’m a martial arts instructor in Larsheem.” 

After Gaius introduced himself, Suimei and the others followed suit. Felmenia and Liliana gave fake names, while Lefille and Suimei used their real identities. Though there was one among them who showed no enthusiasm in doing so, it didn’t really need to be said who that was. To make up for the awkwardness, Felmenia kept the conversation going. 

“Larsheem is a country in the northern part of the Alliance, is it not? What brings you to this town?” 

“I had a job in the area. Right now, I’m in the middle of returning to Miazen.” 

“To Miazen?” 

“That’s where I’m currently working out of.” 

“Is that so? Our current destination is also Miazen.” 

“Me oh my! That’s quite the coincidence.” 

Gaius let out a hearty laugh, but quickly stopped smiling and made a troubled expression as he gripped his jaw. 

“But you guys sure are an unusual group, eh?” 

“We’re not... foreign spies... or anything.” 

Taking a short break from her pastry, Liliana pouted and self-consciously defended herself. Gaius laughed it off like that hadn’t even crossed his mind. 

“I can tell that much from looking at you. I mean, we’ve got a virgin lad accompanied by a bunch of ladies, right?” 

“You’re still on about that...” 

Hearing Gaius circle back around to the subject of his virginity, Suimei let out a low grumble like he was cursing him. Fortunately, however, it seemed that Gaius was completely unaware that one among them was indeed actually a former spy. 

“Then, if I might ask, what makes you say we’re unusual?” Lefille asked. 

“Well, that’s ’cause your garments are all over the place. There’s two of you wearing clothes from Astel, and a little girl wearing the frilly clothing that’s popular right now in the Empire. And... it’s Lefille right? You’re from Noshias, ain’t you? It’s a curious combo. Well, it might just be that you’re all friends, but it’s also curious that you all came all the way out here to the Alliance like this.” 

It seemed that this man named Gaius was not just a simple, sociable man. Suimei didn’t fail to miss the keen look in his narrowed eyes as he explained his curiosity. Once he finished making his point, Lefille asked him another question. 

“Why do you think it’s strange for us to come to the Alliance?” 

“Well, that’s ’cause the northern part of the Alliance has become the site of a bloody battle with the demons. It’s not the kinda place you come for sightseeing these days, you see.” 

He certainly had a point. There weren’t many people who would choose somewhere crippled with the looming threat of demons marching on the capital for their vacation. Lefille answered Gaius’s doubts with a somewhat meek expression. 

“I... have an acquaintance in the Alliance. We’re headed to go meet them.” 

“Ah, that so? If that’s the case, then I guess it makes sense.” 

Suimei finally seemed to recover as he got back up. He reclined in his chair and folded his arms as he mused out loud. 

“But still... a battleground, huh?” 

“I believe I heard the demon army was forced back, was it not?” Felmenia asked. 

“Damn right it was! By the hero of the Alliance, you hear?! She chopped a demon general right up! It was quite a magnificent sight, mark my words!” 

Gaius slapped his chest as he answered Felmenia with great gusto. It was as if he was bragging about his own accomplishment. Seeing him act like that, Suimei raised an eyebrow and a pointed question. 

“A magnificent sight...? Did you see it yourself?” 

“Heh heh heh, what is there to hide? My glorious self was just recently fighting demons alongside the hero, you hear?” 

As Gaius proudly revealed himself, Suimei looked at him rather dubiously. 

“That it, geezer? You a daydreamer? That’s quite disappointing.” 

“I’m not! It’s the truth, I say!” 

“Oh yeah?” 

Suimei shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly like he was poking fun at Gaius, who looked quite serious despite laughing. 

“Heh heh heh... What? You saying you think I’m some kinda small fry?” 

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding! It was just a joke. I can tell from the muscles on you that you could kill me if you just touched me the wrong way.” 

“Damn straight! They’re a real beaut, ain’t they? Muscles are the best!” 

Setting aside the matter of exactly how great they were, Suimei could tell that the martial artist in front of him was quite skilled. Though the details of his strength escaped Suimei, it was quite obvious he was strong. But the strong man suddenly went from his high-spirited tales of heroics to sighing. 

“Well, thanks to that, most of the army moved northwards.” 

“Is something wrong with that?” 

“Well, yeah. All our forces are up there facing the demons, you know?” 

Suimei tilted his head to the side, still not understanding what was wrong. Liliana then casually began explaining. 

“The defense against the Empire... is thin. His apprehensions... likely concern that.” 

“It’s just like the little lady says. You’re a good girl, ain’t you? Want a nice pat on the head?” 

“Please don’t... I’ll sue.” 

Liliana didn’t seem fond of being treated like a child by Gaius. She closed her eye and stuck out her tongue, then turned away from him. 

“Is the relationship between the Alliance and the Empire stormy?” 

“You didn’t know that? You sure are ignorant of the world, ain’t you? The Empire openly cooperates with Astel and the self-governed state, but when it comes to the Alliance proper, we’re just neighbors, you see. From what I’ve heard, the recent Empire has even been lunging at allied nations.” 

“Huh...” 

Gaius spoke with an air of astonishment on the matter, but it didn’t really click with Suimei. In truth, he was fairly disinterested in the matters of this world. He had no reason to get seriously invested in them. Liliana, however, leaned in close to whisper into Suimei’s ear. 

“It’s... deceptive maneuvering. Lately... the Empire has been sowing rumors of non-existent military expansion... to keep neighboring countries in check.” 

“I see...” 

That was probably something she learned during her time in the imperial army’s intelligence division. But Suimei wasn’t really sure why they were spreading misleading information. Intentionally making themselves seem even more militaristic than they were would only bring on more tension internationally, which had the potential to isolate the Empire and cause a depression. And that would only leave the people unhappy with the government. Furthermore, it wouldn’t just make their adversaries worry—it would give their neighbors and allies cause for concern. And all this at a time where demons were invading as well... 

Suddenly, Gaius regained his cheerfulness. 

“Well, there’s a bunch of serious business, but my people’ve got both me and the hero. We don’t have anything to worry about.” 

He was probably making such a declaration to ease some of the dark tension he’d created by bringing up politics and war. 

“The hero, huh...?” 

“And yours truly.” 

“So what kinda guy is this hero?” 

“Don’t just ignore me, damn it... And the hero summoned by the Alliance is, believe it or not, an exceptionally beautiful sword master,” Gaius boasted. 

“That is to say the Alliance’s hero is a woman, right?” Lefille asked. 

“Yeah. You’re also quite the beauty, but she’s a woman whose beauty can be compared to yours... She’s still a little immature though, so she falls outta my strike zone, I gotta say.” 

“No one asked about your type.” 

As Suimei quipped at him, Gaius looked back at him in surprise. 

“If you keep shying away from this kinda conversation, you’ll be a virgin for life, you know?” 

“You’re still going on about that, damn it?!” 

Suimei let out a cry of frustration as he once more stood up straight out of his seat. He managed to learn a lot, but it ended up being a rather unbelievable lunch. 

A few days after parting ways with Suimei and the other girls, Reiji, Mizuki, and Titania had an audience with the emperor of the Nelferian Empire in Castle Groschler, enshrined at the south end of the imperial capital of Filas Philia. They’d just gotten out of their meeting. 

“Ah, I’m sooo tired!” 

As they settled down in the nobles’ guest room, Mizuki was the first to speak up. Indulging in her escape from the stuffy formality of their meeting, she threw herself onto the leather sofa and let out the long groan she’d been holding back. She was draped over the couch just like laundry casually tossed aside for later. She found it difficult to endure the atmosphere in the audience chamber, and was still sweating from the lingering sensation of the Emperor’s intense aura. Only now that they were far from it was she able to loosen up a bit and relax. Reiji was also quite tired, and he sat down on a red antique chair in the room as he gave Mizuki an awkward smile. 

“Mizuki, good job today.” 

“Uhuh...” 

The exhausted Mizuki replied like she was there in body but not in spirit. Reiji wasn’t sure if she’d actually heard what he’d said. She was still just lounging on the sofa without moving at all. Even Titania who was a veteran at this sort of thing let out a sigh of relief. 

“Seems even you’re exhausted, huh, Tia?” 

“Yes. Though I am somewhat accustomed to it, I also have some trouble dealing with His Imperial Majesty.” 

“I guess his status... is just that amazing.” 

“Compared to other royals, His Imperial Majesty is certainly unique. He’s like a predator.” 

“Hahaha...” 

Reiji let out a dry laugh at Titania’s assessment as he recalled the emperor. Standing before him on his throne, Reiji had honestly felt the same sense of danger he might standing before a carnivorous beast. The pressure was such that he felt if he let his guard down even just a little, he would be immediately devoured. It must have been the true aura of a leader who’d captained a military nation for so long. However... 

“In the end, they didn’t say anything about what happened last time, huh?” 

Reiji was talking about their conflict with Graziella over catching the real culprit behind the coma incidents. Lefille also had been nervous about what would come of it, but contrary to their expectation, the Empire didn’t make a fuss about it. In fact, it hadn’t even come up during their audience with the emperor. 

As if this turn of events was slightly different from Titania’s expectations, she stroked her chin as she spoke. 

“Since it involved the hero, they probably do not wish to make an issue of it publicly. I believed our summons was likely either to restrain us or to strike a deal with us, but I suppose His Imperial Majesty also wants to avoid coming into conflict with the church.” 

“Is that so...? It’s only my intuition, but I got the impression he was the type to swoop down on somebody the moment they revealed a weakness and rip them apart.” 

“Your intuition probably isn’t wrong, Reiji-sama. Indeed, when I asked my father about him, he said something in the same vein.” 

While Reiji and Titania were expressing their reservations on the matter, Mizuki cut into their conversation from her lounging position on the sofa. 

“About that... Suimei-kun said he sent a letter to Elliot-kun.” 

“Suimei did?” 

“Something about how at a time like this where every nation is depending on the existence of heroes or something, you probably don’t want to cause any issues between the Empire and the Church of Salvation, he said. Or something like that. That’s why Elliot-kun, who didn’t want to cause problems with heroes from other nations, something or other...” 

She trailed off and broke down into rambling towards the end, but Reiji understood what she was trying to say. If rumor spread that two heroes ended up fighting each other due to a blunder by the Empire, then the world would turn against them. And considering the current state of world affairs, that would be a major landmine for them to step on. However, Reiji cocked his head to the side. He still found it rather unusual. 

“It seemed like Suimei and Elliot didn’t get along at all, though...” 

“‘Even if he hates meee, he seemed quite fond of Reiji-kuuun. So if I ask, he won’t flat out refuse,’ he said. ‘Won’t it work out one way or another?’ He said something like that too...” 

“That is to say... everything went exactly as Suimei intended it to, right?” 

“Of course... That’s Suimei for you. He really is cunning, the jerk.” 

“Honestly, I cannot see him as anything but flippant.” 

Titania let out a sigh and a bit of biting criticism like she couldn’t really accept what Reiji had said. Hearing these words which sounded like she was somehow annoyed, Reiji questioned her as if it was something rather unusual. 

“Somehow, Tia, it seems like you suddenly took a turn for the cold with Suimei recently.” 

“What? No, certainly not. Ohoho...” 

Titania’s unnatural laugh filled the room. To anyone who knew the actual situation, it was a blatant attempt to throw off her friends, but Reiji and Mizuki didn’t know anything about that. 

“Well, it’s true that Suimei-kun can be pretty flippant here and there.” 

“There’s no denying that. But when it comes to it, he’s the type who gets things done.” 

“I agree there... though reluctantly.” 

Reiji let out a bitter smile as Titania tersely agreed with him. Then, in the interest of discussing something more pressing, she changed the subject. 

“And so, Reiji-sama, what shall we do from here?” 

“Our original plan was to go to the self-governed state, right?” 

“Yes. The plan was to give solace to the citizens and inspire the soldiers as usual. Is something the matter with that?” 

Reiji’s expression clouded over like there was a worry weighing on him. 

“...Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it. That I’m actually rather weak.” 

“Pardon?” 

“Reiji-kun, what are you saying...?” 

Titania was taken aback by his words, while Mizuki looked at him with narrowed eyes. However, Reiji shook his head suggesting it wasn’t really that off the mark. 

“I mean, back in Astel, I was overpowered by Rajas. Elliot even held back on me. Moreover, I felt like Princess Graziella’s magic was a real threat.” 

“So all of this has made you question your strength?” 

As Titania predicted what he had to say, Reiji nodded seriously. Mizuki, however, spoke up in exasperation. 

“You know what, Reiji-kun? Someone like me still can’t fight properly you know? I somehow got by in our fight with the princess that night, but compared to that, haven’t you always been fighting? I mean, for real?” 

“Mizuki... I received the divine blessing from the hero summoning, right? Even with that, I got overwhelmed by an enemy I was meant to fight, and someone who received the same blessing was easily able to put me in my place. Do you think that’s really okay?” 

“Reiji-kun...” 

Mizuki called his name in a worried voice as Reiji expressed why he thought he was unreliable. But after quietly listening to his inner thoughts, Titania’s attitude completely changed and she questioned Reiji with an increasingly firm expression. 

“I will be repeating a question I have already asked, but, Reiji-sama, you said that you were a stranger to swordplay, magic, and combat when you came to this world, did you not?” 

“...That’s right, but Elliot had a lot of composure over me you know?” 

“I have heard that the hero of El Meide was a heroic warrior in his own world. There was a gap between the two of you from the very beginning. I believe it’s more remarkable that you’ve already managed to close the distance on him.” 

“...” 

Reiji knew that Titania had a point, but it all just felt like an excuse to him. Stuck in a whirlpool of anxiety, he couldn’t find any consolation in what she was saying. Understanding just how he felt, however, Titania continued to criticize his way of thinking. 

“I know your heart, Reiji-sama. But the thing we call strength is not something that can be mastered in a single day. Strength, and the dignity attached to it, can only be obtained after experiencing and surviving all manner of things that would cut you down. That is why, if you truly desire strength, the only way to get it is to fight. And is that not what you will be doing from now on?” 

After speaking her mind rather adamantly, Titania switched to a somewhat calmer tone as she continued. 

“It is something that happens quite often... to march forward impatiently only to go down the wrong path. That is why I believe—for your own good— that we must proceed carefully as we look ahead of us.” 

Even once she was finished speaking, Titania continued to stare at Reiji. Reiji closed his eyes for a brief moment, and then looked up at the ceiling. 

“...That’s right, isn’t it? Yeah, I got it.” 

Perhaps because she was so frankly addressing the heart of his concerns, Titania’s words struck a chord deep within Reiji. His expression brightened ever so slightly, and the two companions nodded to each other. Mizuki, however, addressed her two companions as she bit her lip. 

“But... I know this is weird coming from me, but I think it’s undeniable that we are out of our depth, right? I think that if we’re not at least as strong as Felmenia-san and Lefille-cha... I mean Lefille-san... we’re gonna end up at the end of the line pretty soon.” 

“That is...” 

Titania was also concerned on that point. If Suimei hadn’t weakened Rajas as much as he did, Reiji and Mizuki would have been forced into a much harder fight. And from here, there would be other demons equally as strong, not to mention the Demon Lord who likely surpassed all of them. Against such enemies, there would probably be nothing they could do. The wrinkle between his eyebrows grew more pronounced as he racked his brain, Reiji turned to the two girls. 

“What do you think we should do?” 

“Dunno. Training or something?” 

“That’s kind of trite, isn’t it?” 

“But isn’t it about the only method we have?” 

While Mizuki was struggling with the difficult problem presented to them, Titania spoke with a quiet resolution like she had some sort of brilliant plan. 

“There is one suggestion I would like to make.” 

“What’s that?” 

“It will not make you physically stronger, Reiji-sama, but if we go to the self-governed state of the Saadias Alliance, the equipment used by a hero previously summoned is still there.” 

Hearing those words, Mizuki, who was still lounging on the couch, suddenly sat up. 

“Th-Then it’s some kind of legendary weapon, right?! Right?!” 

“If you had to describe it in such tacky terms, then yes, it is.” 

“That kind of thing exists?” 

“Yes. A long time ago, a king who possessed tremendous power in the self-governed state plotted to conquer its neighboring countries. Sensing the impending crisis, the Church of Salvation performed the hero summoning ritual to defeat the tyrant. It is said that the esteemed hero summoned at that time possessed a substantial amount of power and wielded a very powerful weapon. Not just that weapon, but altars used to revere the tyrant as a god, books kept by the tyrant, and all manner of other things have been kept by the church as relics.” 

“And so you’re saying we should go get that weapon?” 

“If we do, I expect it will raise our combat potential.” 

“Yeah, yeah! Good idea! Let’s go with that! This is a legendary weapon we’re talking about! How much better can you get?!” 

Aside from the suddenly high-spirited Mizuki, Reiji also thought that retrieving the weapon would be a good plan. Improving himself was important, but in a fight, his weapon would also be essential. 

And just as their conversation was coming to a head, an unexpected knock came at the guest room door. Reiji and the others turned towards the door, and a familiar voice came from the other side. 

“Excuse me. I was informed that the hero Reiji was here, but... May I?” 

“Yeah. That’s you, isn’t it, Elliot? By all means, come in.” 

With Reiji’s permission, Elliot and Christa entered the room. 

“Hello, Elliot. What’s the matter today?” 

“Nothing really. I was told to come to the castle, so I did. And since I’m here, I decided to come and greet you as well.” 

“Sorry for the trouble, but thanks for coming.” 

“I must admit I did have something I wanted to talk about, however.” 

Before moving on to what Elliot wanted to talk about, Reiji cut in with something he had to say first. 

“By the way, it seems that you made all sorts of arrangements for us with regards to what happened.” 

“Aah, that...? Hmph, I resent things going exactly the way that man planned, but I couldn’t refuse him when it was all for the hero’s sake, after all.” 

“Thank you. You saved us.” 

“No, no, you needn’t worry about it. Indeed, you can just think of me as being meddlesome. Ah, but if you see that guy again, do tell him he owes me. It’s only proper to repay one’s debts.” 

“Hahaha... Got it.” 

It seemed that he’d make it a point to show no mercy to Suimei. Reiji acknowledged his request with a smile. Mizuki then cocked her head to the side. 

“I know it’s rather sudden to ask, but what do you plan to do from here, Elliot-kun?” 

“Hmm? Ah, well, we spent quite a bit of time discussing it, but we are planning to stop our sympathy calls and start meeting up with the other summoned heroes.” 

“I see... That’s also quite important, isn’t it?” 

Reiji was a bit stunned. Nobody had ever suggested that to him, so the thought had never crossed his mind. 

“This is my business with you today. I want us to be able to keep in touch before moving into the decisive battle. It is also important that we can mobilize the armies of all the other nations. In this kind of situation, frankly, it is best to act in harmony, no? Though I do not know whether or not we will be able to rely completely on the power of the church for that.” 

Cooperation was at a disturbing low between the nations, likely due to the cynicism of the majority of world leaders currently in power. It seemed Elliot had put quite a lot of thought into the subjugation of the demons. 

“That is why, when it comes down to it, we will have to be able to gather our forces. Frankly speaking, I do not think an order from the church would be sufficient. So I thought that I would first start with the Alliance, which is closest to us right now...” 

A bitter expression swept over Elliot’s face as he trailed off. 

“Ah, but I also heard they were headed towards the Alliance. I would like the chance to see Lefille-chan and Felmenia-chan again, but that man will be with them, won’t he?” 

“Do you really dislike Suimei-kun that much, Elliot-kun?” 

“The mere sight of his face somehow causes me great offence. I heard the hero summoned by the Alliance was quite the beauty, so it’s regrettable, but... Ow!” 

“Elliot-sama!” 

“Yes, yes. It was just a joke. A joke, all right?” 

Elliot tried to calm Christa down in a fluster. From Reiji and Mizuki’s perspective, it looked like a Nioh was standing behind Elliot. After trying to soothe her anger for a while, he unnaturally cleared his throat to try and clear the air. 

“Ehem! So, in short, we will be going through Astel to meet the hero in Thoria. So, about you three...” 

“We’re heading to the self-governed state,” Mizuki declared as she excitedly threw her arms up in the air. 

“The self-governed state, you say?” Christa asked. 

“We’re also putting our sympathy calls on hold and going to get a legendary weapon left behind by a past hero.” 

“Legendary weapon...? Ah, that thing.” 

“Oh? Do you know about it, Elliot-kun?” 

It seemed he had some idea what they were talking about. But when asked about it, his expression quickly shifted from one of understanding to one of puzzlement. 

“Sacra... something or other, was it? It had a name like that.” 

“Huh? Sakura? What about sakura?” 

“Elliot-sama, it is Sacrament.” 

“Yes, that. I also heard it was a great weapon, but when I went to see it, it was just a decoration with a blue gem in it.” 

“Could it be... you took it?” 

“Well, I intended to.” 

Elliot paused there. Reiji wasn’t sure what that meant, and he also didn’t know what Elliot meant by the weapon being “just a decoration.” As Reiji and his companions all raised a collective eyebrow, Christa gave them the answer to their unasked question. 

“Based on written records, it is certain that it was passed down as a weapon. According to legend, however, it will not transform into a weapon until it is wielded by... someone deemed appropriate.” 

Christa hesitated to say it. Titania then looked at Elliot. 

“But Elliot-sama, you don’t seem to be carrying it.” 

“That’s correct. When I tried it out, nothing happened at all.” 

“That’s why you left it?” 

“Indeed.” 

Elliot gave a weak smile, and then turned towards Reiji. 

“But that does not mean that you shouldn’t go. It did not acknowledge me, but it very well may acknowledge you, after all.” 

“There’s no need to be so humble, Elliot-sama...” 

“You cannot deny the possibility. I imagine there’s some special condition set for its activation.” 

Elliot spoke with a rather encouraging tone and look about him. Reiji was compelled to nod reflexively, such was the persuasive power of his attitude. He then looked at Elliot with a bit of envy. 

“Oh? What is the matter, Reiji? Looking at me like that...” 

“No, I was just thinking that you’re really something.” 

“I may just be squirming frantically behind it all.” 

Reiji was unable to tell if Elliot was being serious or not. 

“But... you’re strong, right?” 

“Hmm?” 

“When you fought against me, you were holding back. And from what Suimei told me, that time you fought Princess Graziella, you didn’t go all out either.” 

After a long moment of silence, a cold expression flashed across Elliot’s face as he snorted. 

“To be seen through by that man... It gets on my nerves.” 

“Then, Elliot-sama, at that time...?!” Christa gasped. 

“That’s right. I did not go all out. It wasn’t the time or place. But a loss is a loss.” 

As Elliot gallantly accepted his loss, Christa closed in on him one forceful step at a time. She looked like she was somewhere between disbelief and anger. 

“Elliot-sama! Why didn’t you give your all?! It would have been fine to just beat Her Imperial Highness into a pulp!” 

She didn’t seem to be able to bear the fact that Elliot had lost in such a manner, and began stamping her foot in defiance. Mizuki looked at this in surprise before speaking up. 

“Wait a sec, we’re in the imperial castle, you know...? Christa-san, you’re saying some pretty wild stuff, all things considered...” 

“Urk!” 

Finally realizing what she had been doing, Christa looked around her surroundings abruptly. No matter the reason, it would obviously be bad if someone heard her showing such contempt for the princess, much less on imperial property. Seeing Christa suddenly fall silent over her blunder, everyone else giggled a little. But soon after that, Titania regained a serious expression as she turned to Reiji. 

“And so, Reiji-sama, what do you think of going to the self-governed state?” 

“Yeah, let’s try and go. I think it’s better to be greedy about strength right now. So let’s go and test whether I can use this Sacrament or not.” 

“All riiight! Self-governed state of the Saadias Alliance, here we come!” 

Reiji revealed a somewhat meek, troubled expression as Mizuki pumped her fist energetically into the air. 

“But... it’s not like we’ll be going right away...” 

“What do you mean we’re not— Ah !!” 

Mizuki let out a loud, dramatic gasp. She seemed to have finally remembered exactly why they were in the Empire to begin with. 

“Oh? Is there something going on?” Elliot asked, intrigued. 

“There are some circumstances, you see, Elliot-sama, but it is nothing you need to trouble yourself with,” Titania replied in a composed fashion. 

“Well, that’s all fine and good. If you are going, however, it would be better to do so sooner rather than later. The demons will not exactly wait for you.” 

After giving them that warning, Elliot suddenly appeared as though he remembered something and turned a cynical smile on Reiji. 

“At any rate, you also really have it quite rough, I see.” 

“What... do you mean by that?” 

It was Reiji who’d asked for clarification, but Titania and Mizuki also stood there with their heads cocked to the side. They had no idea why Elliot was shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head. He hadn’t given them enough of a clue to grasp his meaning. But without helping them any further, he turned away. 

“It is nothing. You will understand soon enough. Now, it is about time we left, Christa.” 

“Yes. As you will.” 

“Well then, farewell.” 

With that, Elliot left the room accompanied by Christa. 

“What was that all about?” 

“No idea...” 

Reiji and Mizuki looked at each other, completely bewildered. But just a few seconds later, they could hear footsteps outside the door. Perhaps Elliot had come back, or maybe it was someone else? As they all started to wonder who it was... 

“Excuse me.” 

A woman’s voice called to them from the other side of the door. Without waiting for a response, she rudely opened the door and let herself in. It was none other than their opponent from the other night, Graziella Filas Rieseld. 

Today, she wasn’t wearing her over-the-top military uniform, but normal clothes. Dressed in such a fashion, however, she hardly looked the part of an imperial princess. Perhaps this was what she wore casually. Her cleavage was exposed, but her style was so casual that it did nothing to accentuate her voluptuousness. Her willful and proud face, however, conveyed a certain amount of irritation and dissatisfaction. If anything, she looked sullen. It seemed she appeared because something was bothering her. Meanwhile, seeing her natural enemy appear, Titania went from her usual gentle expression to a cold one in an instant. 

“Your Imperial Highness Princess Graziella, do you have some sort of business with us?” 

Seeing the state Graziella was in, Titania made no attempts at hiding the hostility in her tone. 

“Don’t glare like that.” 

“I don’t believe I am.” 

“My goodness, it seems that I am quite hated.” 

Graziella was a little tired of the aggression directed at her, but Titania faced her with a swordsman’s composure as she continued to question her. 

“And so, what is your business with us today?” 

She more or less already had an idea as to why Graziella was there. Giving voice to her concerns, Mizuki cut in with an anxious expression. 

“C-Could it be about what happened last time...?” 

“Hmm? No, that has already been resolved. I have no intention of bringing it up again after all that. Besides, it would only be contrary to the Emperor’s decree to continue hounding you about it after my father has already deemed it irrelevant.” 

“I-I see...” 

Hearing that her anxieties were unfounded, Mizuki let out a sigh of relief. It seemed Graziella actually had a surprisingly refreshing personality. Though she said she’d put the past behind her, she was still holding a slight grudge over it, though she had no intention of mentioning it. Perhaps it just hadn’t come to that yet... But moving on, she finally gave the answer to Titania’s previous question. 

“And so, in regards to why I’m here, it seems I’ll be troubling you bastards from today onward.” 

“What?” 

“Huh?” 

“Wh-What does that mean, Your Imperial Highness?!” 

Titania yelled with such vigor that she bolted up out of her seat. Without even asking for consent on the matter, Graziella had made a bold declaration about their future together. Titania was deeply shaken, and Graziella answered her with a bitter expression. 

“I meant exactly what I said, Your Royal Highness Titania.” 

“No, but that...!” 

“In short, I’ll be accompanying you bastards on your journey.” 

Titania fell back into her chair with great force. It was all she could do. Reiji and Mizuki also looked rather surprised and doubtful. Graziella then offered them some candid advice. 

“There’s no need for all of you to make such faces. Loosen up. Though I’ll admit I am also rather reluctant about this matter.” 

“Then why...?” 

“If I was told to do so by an oracle, then I have no choice in the matter.” 

“Wha... Alshuna’s oracle...!” 

“So this is what Elliot was talking about...” 

Reiji finally understood what he’d meant. Elliot had known this would happen beforehand, which is why he’d said what he did. He likely predicted their current bewilderment and was laughing like a little imp right now. Reiji was unable to stop rubbing his brow, and the girls were unable to collect themselves as they stared at Graziella. 

“There are no objections, I assume?” she asked. 

“...Even if there were, we can do naught but obey Alshuna’s oracle.” 

Titania’s mental state must have been very complex as she admitted that. Her face showed she only did so begrudgingly. After giving her a brief glance, Graziella turned her attention to Reiji and Mizuki. 

“And you two?” 

“I’m... As long as you don’t squabble, then it’s fine, but...” 

Still overwhelmed, Mizuki’s trailed off at the end. Relenting, Reiji sighed and pulled himself together as he addressed Graziella. 

“I have one condition.” 

“What’s that? Are you saying that I should spend one night with you or something? You certainly move fast, don’t you?” 

“Th-That’s not it! What made you even think that?! This conversation is the only thing moving fast!” 

Reiji rose to his feet in a fluster and let out a grand shout of protest at Graziella’s bombshell. Observing his panic without paying it any mind, she indifferently fanned the flames. 

“What? I don’t particularly mind, you know.” 

“I mind!” 

“Me too!” 

Unable to let that slide, Titania and Mizuki both objected instantly. After making a bored expression, Graziella once more returned her gaze on Reiji. 

“So, what’s your damn condition?” 

With a quick, tired sigh, Reiji looked at her seriously as he made himself clear. 

“I’d like you to stop calling us bastards.” 

“Hmph. Certainly, even if it is only temporary, calling my companions bastards is quite disrespectful, huh? Fine then.” 

She readily accepted his condition without any objection. Reiji was under the impression she was a haughty woman, but she was unexpectedly understanding. Much like when she said she’d put the other night behind her, Reiji was still surprised to discover she had a much more refreshing personality than he’d thought. 

“Well then, Astel’s hero Reiji, Your Royal Highness Titania, and Mizuki, our guest from another world, I look forward to working with you.” 

“L-Likewise...” 

They were all taken aback by Graziella’s suddenly humble attitude. Titania in particular looked especially dumbfounded. Mizuki, on the other hand, leaked out a completely bewildered question at this most unexpected development. 

“Just what’s going to happen to us...?” 

It seemed that their little group had suddenly become quite the tempestuous combination of people. 

Suimei’s party arrived in the Alliance’s sovereign state of Miazen with the intent of visiting Lefille’s acquaintance. On the way there, they’d passed through two or three other major towns, but being the sovereign state, Miazen was simply on a different scale in terms of size. The walls surrounding the city were not particularly high, but its total circumference was larger than even Filas Philia. Such spaciousness was reflected inside the city, too. Much like the other towns they’d seen of the Alliance, the houses were nicely spread out, and nothing felt crammed together or cramped. 

Apart from the standard slew of swordsmen, the city also had a thriving population of demi-humans. As one would expect of a city known as the Capital of Swords, the dwarves who crafted such tools gathered here in force. As was typical of the country, there was also a variety of therianthropes around. Despite the fact that it was still just the middle of the day, the dwarves were gulping down alcohol at restaurants on every street. Therianthropes and humans alike were cheerfully basking out in the afternoon sun. Just looking around the town, it was clear the mix of races here was more pronounced than it was in the Empire. 

Upon entering the city, Suimei and the others headed straight for the local branch of the Twilight Pavilion. When they informed the receptionist that they were acquaintances of the guild master, she immediately escorted them to the guild master’s office on the second floor. 

Inside was a woman, presumably the guild master, relaxing on a leather sofa. She appeared to be relatively youthful, and was leaned back comfortably as she puffed on a pipe. She was wearing an outfit that reminded Suimei somewhat of traditional Japanese clothing. But above all else, her most prominent features were her golden hair and the fox ears sprouting out of it. Moreover, from her backside, there were one, two, three... All of seven fox tails coming out. 

She appeared to be quite a showy fox-type therianthrope, but had a calm and composed air about her. Lefille, who was the one who’d requested an audience with the guild master as an acquaintance, was smiling pleasantly. Felmenia seemed to be quite nervous, and Liliana was mumbling about the number of the woman’s tails as she fixedly stared at the golden, fluffy things like she was entranced. 

After everyone took a seat across from the therianthrope guild master, her lips cracked a smile as a delighted, stifled laugh came over her. Once she managed to choke it back and collect herself, she looked at Lefille. 

“To think that you were actually alive, Lefi... Huhuhu! How should I put it? You’ve had quite a stroke of good fortune against all odds, haven’t you?” 

The representative of the Twilight Pavilion’s Miazen branch, Rumeya, joyously acknowledged this happy turn of events. 

“It has been a long time, Rumeya-dono. I cannot thank you enough for your receiving us so graciously on such a sudden visit.” 

As Lefille expressed her gratitude in an overly formal manner, the therianthrope woman—Rumeya—went agape like she could hardly believe what she was hearing. 

“Goodness me, what’s this? It’s not like it’s the first time we’ve met, yet you still insist on the formalities? Even though we’re in my office, that’s not particularly my style, you know.” 

“It’s been so long, isn’t it only appropriate for me to at least greet you properly?” 

“How stiff. What are you even saying to a therianthrope?” 

Lefille was making a difficult expression, and Rumeya was just shrugging her shoulders. Suimei had heard that therianthropes in general were, to put it politely, rough around the edges. They seemed to dislike the decorum that humans used in formal situations. This woman apparently felt that way too. As if to say she was over with the formalities herself, Lefille loosened her expression. 

“By the way, what’s that?” 

Lefille pointed her gaze at the earthenware container in Rumeya’s hand. Rumeya offered a rather indifferent reply. 

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s booze. Alcohol. The good stuff.” 

“A-Aren’t you in the middle of your official duties...?” 

“Who cares? Consider it a toast to your survival.” 

With that, Rumeya lifted her cup up and gulped down its contents. However, in contrast to her merriment, Lefille was making a somewhat gloomy expression. Grasping the meaning behind it, Rumeya’s attitude seemed to completely change as she quietly closed her eyes. 

“As I suspected... Aldephize didn’t make it?” 

“No. In order to let me get away, His Majesty and the leader rallied the remaining men to stall for time. He probably didn’t survive...” 

“We lost a good man...” 

“As his daughter, I’m honored to hear you speak so highly of him, Rumeya-dono.” 

Lefille bowed her head respectfully. Both she and Rumeya remained silent for a profound moment as they offered a prayer for dead. Rumeya then lifted her pipe to her lips and let out a puff of smoke. 

“Hahh... Now then, such solemn moments aren’t meant to drag on forever. It’s about time you introduced me to your friends.” 

Rumeya tapped the ashes out of her pipe and took her time in passing her gaze over Lefille’s companions. Obliging her request, Lefille gave a brief introduction of their group. Suimei and the others then introduced themselves one by one. 

“Like Lefille said, I’m Suimei Yakagi.” 

“And I am Felmenia Stingray.” 

“I’m... Liliana Zandyke.” 

Rumeya raised an intrigued eyebrow; some of those names were familiar to her. And then, despite reprimanding Lefille for her prim behavior earlier, she set aside her pipe, corrected her posture, and introduced herself in turn. 

“I am Rumeya. Rumeya of the golden fox clan. I am sure you are already aware, but I serve as the guild master here.” 

Suimei noticed Felmenia’s expression stiffen up upon hearing that introduction. It seemed Rumeya’s name alone was enough to give a normal person of this world some pause. However, since Suimei was an outsider in every sense of the word, he was unfazed. Knowing he was lacking context, Felmenia leaned over and whispered into his ear. Rumeya was indeed quite famous; she was one of the Seven Swords, the swordswoman known as Camellia Sasanqua. 

“I take it she’s strong?” 

“Camellia Sasanqua, also known as the Empress of the Sword Dance, is considered strong even among the Seven Swords. If that’s difficult to grasp, then just think of her skill as being equal to or greater than that of Her Royal Highness Titania.” 

“You don’t say? How scary...” 

Suimei’s shoulders drooped in a disheartened fashion. To suddenly be dealing with someone so powerful out of the blue was bad for his heart. Titania was quite a menace, and Rogue’s abilities were also considerable. If the woman before him now was on par with or surpassed the two of them, then she must be outright terrifying with a sword. Rumeya then suddenly focused her gaze on Suimei. But without saying a single word to him, she turned back to Lefille. 

“I haven’t heard of this young man before, but the other two you brought along have made quite the names for themselves, haven’t they? Astel’s genius mage, and...” For a brief moment, Rumeya pointed a sharp gaze at Liliana. “One of the Empire’s Elite Twelve, the daughter of the Sword Master of Lonely Shadow.” 

“I’m not... one of the Elite Twelve anymore. Nor am I... a soldier of the Empire.” 

“If I recall correctly, I heard you were made out to be the culprit of some incident. Did you resign after being reprimanded?” 

“There were some circumstances... but if you were to put it simply... yes, it was something like that.” 

“‘Circumstances’? Well, as long as you weren’t picking a fight with children from the guild, I don’t really care.” 

Suimei and the others couldn’t really tell if that was true or if it was just a convenient way to put the matter aside. Sensing the nuance, Lefille spoke up to put a definitive end to the issue. 

“It’s alright, Rumeya-dono. Lily is my companion.” 

“Hmph, is that so?” 

Trusting both Lefille and her word, Rumeya smiled in a way that exposed her canines. She was either pleased to hear such a stout defense of Liliana’s character, or amused to see the young girl cling so tightly to Lefille’s arm. Either way, Rumeya’s expression softened as she watched the two of them. 

“Pity I’ve never actually had a match with the Lonely Shadow.” 

“The colonel... also said the same. That he would like... to have a match with you.” 

“That reminds me, Lefille... Surely you’ve finally become stronger than me, haven’t you?” 

“No, certainly not. My swords skills still have a long way to go.” 

“Hmmm... Do you really think so?” 

Hearing Lefille speak so humbly, Rumeya gave her a mischievous smirk. She’d probably seen right through Lefille and could tell exactly how strong she really was. The keen insight of such a skilled swordsman was truly terrifying. Suimei didn’t doubt that Lefille’s strength was comparable to one of the Seven Swords, but... 

“Now that I think of it, why isn’t Lefi one of those Seven Swords? You’re about that strong, right?” 

Suimei had wondered about it before, but this conversation renewed the question in his mind. Lefille was the one to answer him. 

“Once a year in the north, there’s a competition to decide the swordsmen who are granted the title of the Seven Swords. If you don’t participate and win, you can’t receive the title.” 

“So you haven’t participated? Why not?” 

“Because I have the power of the spirits. That... makes the match a little unfair, don’t you think?” 

“I don’t really think that kinda thing matters, honestly,” said Rumeya as she exhaled smoke. “Both you and Aldephize used the same excuse not to participate in the tournaments. How stubborn.” 

Rumeya meant to say that since the power of the spirits was Lefille’s to wield, there was nothing unfair in her using it. But everything is relative, and Lefille felt differently. Even if she won using her powers, it would be a hollow victory as long as she felt it was ill-gotten. Having seen Lefille’s power with her own eyes back in the Empire, Felmenia gave a serious nod as she spoke up on the matter. 

“With your power, I believe you could take a rather prestigious position in the Seven Swords... I dare say you might even be able to take the crown.” 

“Indeed, I also believe I could win.” 

“I bet you could...” agreed Suimei. 

He had zero argument to her confidence. He’d thought she was exceptional even when they first met at the Twilight Pavilion in Metel, and she only went on to prove his suspicions after that. Back when they fought with Rajas, it was her power that ultimately brought him down. Though she’d felt quite helpless in her diminished, petite state for quite some time, even that was just a side effect of her tremendous power. Suimei didn’t know all of the Seven Swords, but he was quite sure that Lefille could hold her ground against each of them—possibly even all of them at once. And while Suimei was contemplating this, Lefille turned to him. 

“But Suimei-kun, if you used your magicka freely, you too would able to compete with your sword skills, wouldn’t you?” 

“Me? Nah, that’d be nuts. Throwing a half-baked swordsman like me in an arena with people who actually know what they’re doing would be the end of me.” 

“Half-baked? Didn’t you study swordsmanship?” 

“Only for a bit. Partway through my training, I kinda plateaued. I mostly just know the fundamentals. Well, I mean, I did have an instructor if that’s what you’re asking...” 

Kuchiba Kiyoshiro, the man who taught swordsmanship at the dojo Suimei had attended, was one of Japan’s foremost sword masters. He was an old acquaintance of Suimei’s father, and accordingly, Suimei had studied the way of the sword under his tutelage from a young age. 

Eventually, however, Suimei ended up giving magicka his undivided attention and consequently neglecting his sword practice, which he’d always found somewhat regrettable. His instructor was aware of his circumstances, so Suimei was sure he’d be warmly welcomed if he went back after all this time to pick up the Kuchiba sword style again... though he was equally sure an unreasonable condition like “you’ll be putting all of your energy into this until the day you die” would be tacked on. 

“Hmm... From what I saw when you exchanged blows with Rajas, I don’t think you would fall behind though...” 

“What’s this? The little fellow here... Your name is Suimei, right? Are you really that strong? From the look of it, you’re quite stringy and squishy. I’d have guessed you were a mage.” 

“Ha... ha... Well, I can’t really deny that...” 

Suimei let out a bitter laugh as he agreed with her. It was true that he wasn’t particularly muscular and might even outright look like he was weak... But even then, hearing someone describe him like they would a vegetable—to his face, no less—was a bit much. 

“Indeed, he’s quite strong,” Lefille said with a bold laugh. 

“Truly? From what I’ve seen and heard, he simply appears to be a mage...” 

“If I may...” politely interjected Felmenia. “Suimei-dono is one of the people I summoned alongside the hero in the hero summoning ritual. He is a mage from another world—a magician.” 

“You don’t say... So this is a mage from the same world as Astel’s famous hero, huh? I see. So that’s what makes you so strong... I guess you really are powerful then, aren’t you, little fellow?” With a grin, Rumeya took another gulp from her cup. “Good grief, this is getting ridiculous... Are other worlds filled with nothing but strong men and women?” 

“No... It isn’t quite like that.” 

“Hmm? Is that so? I heard that the heroes summoned this time around were all more or less exceptionally strong.” 

This was the first Suimei had heard of it, and he began counting out the heroes he knew on his fingers. 

“Let’s say Reiji’s a bust and that playboy hero from El Meide is passable. That means the others would be...” 

“I don’t know much about the hero summoned by Thoria, but the hero summoned by the Alliance is an incredibly skilled swordswoman. She took her place on the battlefield and had no trouble driving back the demon army. Though I must say I haven’t actually met her yet.” 

“Now that you mention it... Didn’t we also hear something about that in the first town we visited?” asked Felmenia. 

“As I thought... those summoned by the hero summoning ritual are simply on a different level,” Lefille sighed. 

As those discouraged words escaped her lips, Lefille’s face clouded over. She was likely feeling powerless, thinking about how she’d been unable to save her own country. 

“I heard the demon army that attacked the Alliance was only a third of the size of the one that attacked Noshias, you know. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be sitting here smoking tobacco like I hadn’t a care in the world.” 

Rumeya was trying to cheer Lefille up in her own way by telling her she had nothing to feel bad about. And hearing that, Lefille’s expression began to clear up. Rumeya gave her a grand smile as she puffed a cloud of smoke out of her pipe. She then leaned in over the table. 

“So, Suimei, tell me truly. Just how strong are you?” 

“Well, enough that I’m not embarrassed about it.” 

Lefille and Liliana both looked quite astonished at Suimei’s modest appraisal. 

“That’s rich, Suimei-kun. Don’t lie to the lady.” 

“Seriously... That’s... outright deception.” 

“Hey now, what’s with you two?” 

Lefille and Liliana both looked at him critically, but he could only look back at them in confusion. He’d given the humble answer he thought anyone would... How had they taken it? Next, even Felmenia let out an astonished sigh. 

“Did you not defeat Her Royal Highness back in the imperial capital, Suimei-dono?” 

“Oh? White Flame-dono, when you say ‘Her Royal Highness,’ that would be the Twilight Beheading Princess, no? That’s quite something, I must say.” 

Rumeya let out a grand laugh. She was probably aware of Titania’s true power. Felmenia then once more turned her reproachful gaze on Suimei. 

“I’ve suggested this before... but would everything not end peacefully if you just went to defeat the Demon Lord yourself, Suimei-dono?” 

“No way, no how. I don’t care what you say or how you put it, that’s unreasonable. I told you before and I’ll say it again: I’d be too outnumbered for power to matter.” 

“Couldn’t we solve that by gathering sufficient troops?” 

“We could in theory, but then the soldiers who came to support me would also have to be prepared to get caught up in my magicka.” 

“Maybe so... But with your talents, Suimei-dono...” 

Felmenia was still stubbornly clinging to the idea. Suimei made a serious face in reply, and answered her as a magician. 

“Menia, you’re thinking about using magicka by this world’s standards, aren’t you? I taught you about mystical entropy the other day, right? Thanks to the small amount of entropy produced by the mages here, you don’t have any problems using magic on the battlefield. But I can’t recklessly fire off magicka repeatedly in the same place. Moreover, all the troops trying to support me would get stuck in the big magicka explosions. It wouldn’t go well, see?” 

“Oh...” 

“But Suimei-kun,” Lefille chimed in. “You could fight without using large-scale magicka, right?” 

“You mean like that one time? It’s true I defeated about ten thousand of them back then, but I took quite a beating for it. There was also the fact that I was pretty pissed then and wasn’t really paying attention to myself or my surroundings... But the fight dragged on long enough that entropy didn’t really come into play.” 

As he finished, Rumeya smirked like she couldn’t wait to jump into the conversation. 

“Huhu... In that case, you could just go around and defeat the enemy commanders, right? That would drastically reduce the fighting, I’d think.” 

That much was certainly true. It was a sound strategy to cut off the head first. But that may not work in a war against demons, and Suimei knew better. 

“It’s still unreasonable. Striking down the generals will surely give us the upper hand on the battlefield, but in the long term, it won’t make much difference. If we slay all the demon generals, another batch will just replace them and receive divine protection from the Evil God.” 

“...What do you mean by that?” 

“They’re individually strong, sure, but the demons are also given a fragment of the Evil God’s power. So even if we slay the stronger demons, the Evil God will just shift the power it had invested in them to someone else. In effect, their collective strength won’t decrease all that much. If they had some genius tactician that we could take out, however, that might work...” 

“Then, Suimei-dono, what can we even do to do take out the threat the demon army poses?” 

“It’s just conjecture on my part, but I don’t think there’s anything we can do short of thinning their numbers.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“In short, the problem is the Evil God’s capacity to intervene in this world. The beings we refer to as deities inhabit a different plane of existence, and are fundamentally unable to interfere with this one. That’s why they have to appeal to beings of this realm and have them act as agents. Well, there’s the exception of doing something like the hero summoning, but generally speaking, interfering in other worlds requires an indirect approach. For example, in the case where a deity wants to take over the world for themselves, they’d have to take the roundabout path of getting their hands on a large population of beings who sympathize with them. Followers, if you will. Like what the demons are to the Evil God.” 

After taking a short pause, Suimei continued his explanation in his own way. 

“They can either whisper to people in their dreams to brainwash them, or conceive fallen children. Either way, a deity is able to increase the number of pawns under their control. And when the number of people seeking a deity’s power increases, their grip around this world tightens. It increases their ability to interfere here. When that happens, the deity can share its power with even more people... and bring more people under their control. And once they gain even more followers...” 

“Hmph... A cycle begins, right?” 

Hearing Rumeya groan, Suimei returned a nod. 

“That’s right. That’s why, as long as so many demons exist in this world, their god’s power will remain unchanged. So, effectually, the only way to bring about a resolution would be to do something about the Evil God itself. That, or decimate its followers until its ability to interfere in this world is no longer a threat. Basically, we’d need to kill a whole lot of demons. That said, going up against the Evil God directly would be, without a doubt, madness.” 

The proverbial saying was: “Before going after the general, one should first go after their horse.” The situation was something like that. 

“Well, this is all assuming the origin of the demons’ power and evil gods work the same as they do in my world...” 

“So to summarize what Suimei-dono is saying, to do something about the demons, something must be done about the Evil God. And to do something about the Evil God, something must be done about the demons...” 

“How... bothersome,” said Liliana with an exhausted sigh. 

“No kidding,” agreed Suimei with a similar sigh. 

Thinking about it like that, this just feels like it’s going to play out like some tower defense game where both sides are constantly trying to drive the other back. Too bad we can’t just release this world and its people from their dependence on divine beings... Wait... 

When that thought crossed his mind, Suimei realized he’d heard something similar back in the first town they’d come to in the Alliance. The Anti-Goddess Cult there was advocating for the people to take hold of their faith and free themselves from the fetters of the Goddess. If the cult had really managed to grasp the truth of the situation and was acting on that... 

Nah, there’s no way. 

Suimei hated overthinking things, so he quickly shook his head and put such speculation out of his mind. He was giving them too much credit. The people of this world hardly had any real knowledge of divine beings, meaning they lacked the framework to come to that kind of conclusion. And there was no way they’d figured it out by chance. As Suimei was clearing away his doubts, a light gleamed in Rumeya’s eyes as she seemed to remember something. 

“It seems we’ve gone a fair bit off topic, haven’t we? What were we talking about to begin with again?” she asked. 

“Whether or not... Suimei is a liar... right?” 

“Hey, Liliana, don’t lie so nonchalantly.” 

“My apologies. I meant... whether or not... he’s a big liar.” 

“Hey...” 

Suimei hung his head in defeat as he watched Liliana continue her little joke with a charming smile. But then both Lefille and Felmenia took her side. 

“Lily isn’t wrong.” 

“Certainly not.” 

“How mean...” 

Suimei no longer had any allies. 

“Anyway, I still haven’t asked, but what brings you all to the Alliance?” said Rumeya. 

“We talked about how I was summoned from another world earlier, right? We came here looking for clues as to how I might get back. I read in an old book from Astel that the first hero summoning ritual was performed somewhere in the Alliance.” 

“So you came to poke around? I must say you’re in luck. In fact, the place where the first ritual was performed is indeed in the Alliance,” Rumeya replied with a nod as though she knew exactly what he was talking about. 

“Really?” 

“Yes. But about that... Right now, it’s in the demon’s sphere of influence. I’m sure you heard that the demons invaded the Alliance because it was in the way geographically speaking. I doubt you looked into the matter any more than that, but when they first attacked, they took over quite a lot of territory, you see. That included the ancient ruins where the first ritual took place.” 

“Great... If that’s the case...” 

“Yes, if you want to go there, you’ll have to do something about the demons who are still hanging around.” 

Rumeya spoke with a serious expression as if she was trying to warn them. She meant to say it would be a dangerous undertaking. Reading between the lines, Suimei let out a grand sigh. 

“Hahh... Of course it turned out to be something like this...” 

Suimei slouched back into the sofa and looked up at the ceiling. He felt drained of his strength just knowing that a large scale battle with the demons was now unavoidable. Lefille then turned a knowing look on him. 

“Suimei-kun, it seems fate will not allow you to flee from battle.” 

“Cut it out, Lefi. Throwing around clichés like that... Honestly.” 

“So? Will you dive into the fight by your own will, Suimei-dono?” 

“Yes... I’d like to know that... myself.” 

“Ugh...” 

Suimei had no words for Felmenia and Liliana, only a groan. The five of them talked of trivial matters for a while after that, but Suimei had one more matter to address with Rumeya. 

“By the way, forgive me for asking if it’s rude, but could you introduce us to some lodgings we could stay at for a while?” 

“Ah, yes. That much is no problem. Let’s see... I know of a good inn, but I should take your financial situation into consideration. There are rooms available in the Twilight Pavilion’s boarding house. How about there? It’s free, you know.” 

“If you’re letting us use it, then by all means. We’ll take it.” 

Suimei bowed his head a little to show Rumeya his gratitude. He’d only intended to have her introduce them somewhere, but to have the entire matter resolved then and there was more than welcome. 

“Speaking of, how long are all of you planning on staying in Miazen?” 

“We don’t intend to inconvenience you for too long. Once our business is done, I think we’ll return right away, but...” 

“Ah, sorry. My bad. I’m not trying to say you should get out. I was actually thinking it would be better if you could stay here on extended terms.” 

“Why’s that?” 

“You see, the thing is... Lately in the Alliance—no, not only here, but in Astel and the self-governed state as well—feelings towards the Empire seem to be deteriorating. There’s unrest everywhere. Well, it’s not like things are about to erupt into a fight. At least, not yet. But I was just thinking it might be better if you stayed here rather than the Empire.” 

They’d heard something similar from Gaius back in the restaurant at the first Alliance town they visited. In short, opinion of the Empire had taken a turn for the worse in the Alliance. There was no real sign of war on the horizon, but Rumeya was still trying to be considerate out of concern for their safety. She then began puffing at her pipe like she was quite annoyed. 

“And then there are those anti-Goddess fanatics, you know? Ugh, they should all just leave. They just had to start moving right around the time of the demon invasion. How annoying...” 

This time, she was speaking from her position as a leader of the Twilight Pavilion. It seemed she had a lot on her plate. As she was complaining, Felmenia, Lefille, and Liliana turned to Suimei. He would be the one to decide how they proceeded from here, and they waited patiently to hear his thoughts on the matter. 

“So, Suimei, what will you do?” Rumeya eventually asked. 

“I’ll decide after observing the situation for myself. At any rate, I left a bunch of tools behind, so I’d at least have to go back to get those.” 

“Gotcha. Well, with the skills you all possess, I’m sure there’s nothing to really worry about.” 

Judging that saying any more would just be considered meddlesome, Rumeya brought that conversation to an end. After that, she had them tell her all about their journey to her heart’s content. 

Taking Rumeya up on her offer, Suimei and the others decided to stay in the available rooms at the Twilight Pavilion’s boarding house. After dropping off their luggage, they relaxed in their own rooms to relieve some of the fatigue of their long journey from the Empire. 

The sun fell after dinner, and Suimei was now alone in his room preparing his materials. The room was illuminated by the light from his mana, bright enough that it was comparable to electric lighting. The light itself was colored like a flame, so everything within it was awash in a pale orange glow. While he was working away, Liliana came into the room. 

“Suimei... I’m here.” 

“Ah, hey. Take a seat on that chair.” 

After she entered the room and announced herself, Suimei invited Liliana over to a spare chair in front of the desk. They were now sitting facing each other, much like a doctor and patient in an examination room. 

“Now, please take off your eyepatch and gloves.” 

Liliana nodded once at Suimei’s doctorly order and quickly complied. What was revealed beneath her gloves was thin, reddish-brown skin covered in bubbles like festering boils. Beneath her eyepatch were closely packed together reddish-brown scales around her right eye. The eye itself was golden, with the pupil transformed into a long, thin slit. 

While Suimei casually examined her arms, Liliana forlornly cast her eyes downward. He had treated her multiple times already since she’d moved in with him and became his travelling companion, but she still had mixed feelings about it. Whenever Suimei looked at her altered features, the same sadness came over her. Just seeing it for herself was painful. Showing it to someone else was even harder. 

Suimei gently took Liliana’s arm and began applying magicka to treat her. Placing his finger on her bumpy, afflicted skin, he began moving it from side to side as if gently brushing the affected region as he recited his chant. 

“Buzz, bajia, trout, mashia, impose, kashiya, sharurai, arumarai...” 

It was Kabbalah magic meant to heal carbuncles—in other words, things like tumors. After continuing this treatment for a time, the demonized portion of her arm seemed to shrink ever so slightly. Suimei then moved on to treating her right eye and the skin around it. Liliana looked up at him anxiously. 

“How... is it?” 

“The skin on your arms and hands is healing little by little. If we continue treatment at fixed intervals like we have been, it’ll eventually heal completely. The skin around your right eye is the same, so that shouldn’t be an issue either. It’s just...” 

“It’s just... what?” 

“Your eye itself has been completely done in. After being drowned in too much malice, it’s no longer a human eye at all. It’s transformed into something else altogether.” 

With a bitter sigh, Suimei told her the truth of the matter. The changes to the outer layer of her body were the result of a form of corruption from using dark magic. She knew that. But being told that her eye was beyond salvation—that it was no longer human—reminded her of each and every horrible time she’d been called a monster. Hearing Suimei’s diagnosis, Liliana hung her head low. 

“Then... this won’t heal... right?” 

“’Fraid so.” 

“I see...” 

Liliana’s voice had gotten quite despondent. It made Suimei realize he’d chosen his words poorly. He had been so absorbed in concentrating on his magicka that he’d replied mechanically without really thinking about it. Realizing how insensitive that was, he immediately corrected himself in a fluster. 

“Sorry, that’s not really what I meant to say. It’s not that it can’t be healed—I just can’t do it. Back in my world, there are specialists in spiritual healing and engineers who can manufacture artificial magickal body parts. As soon as we can get back there, you’ll be fine.” 

“Truly?! Then... I can be healed?!” Liliana cried out when she heard the good news, a mix of surprise and happiness in her voice. 

It wasn’t like Suimei was a specialist in healing techniques, so his knowledge in the field wasn’t particularly advanced. Back in his world, however, there were magicians who could heal this level of affliction like it was nothing. If he asked one of them to help Liliana, she could be a normal girl again. But it was that thought that put a sour expression on Suimei’s face—not the idea of Liliana getting better, but the idea of having to ask someone for help. 

“Yeah, but... The only magician I know who’s skilled enough to do it... is that monster of a professor.” 

An image crept up in the back of Suimei’s mind: that mysterious, plump figure sporting a white lab coat, an ominous, faint smile, and mushroom-esque haircut. He was the man that lived in the basement of the old castle that served as the Society’s headquarters, and used incomprehensible magicka to produce incomprehensible creations. 

Naturally, it wasn’t the treatment Suimei was worried about. As far as skill was concerned, the professor was in a league with the best of the best. He was even arguably the best there was period; he certainly wouldn’t allow anyone to claim preeminence over him when it came to spiritual healing. So Suimei wasn’t concerned in the slightest that the treatment would fail. If anything, he was concerned about it going too well. The probability that the monster professor would throw in something “extra” was frighteningly high. Liliana, however, knew nothing of what might lie ahead of her, and was still happily smiling over the good news. 

“What a relief...” 

“Y-Yeah... Like I said, you’ll be fine. We just have to find a way to return... a way to get back to my world. Until then, I’ll focus on healing your skin.” 

Suimei once more began hypnotically reciting his chant as he applied his healing magicka. Liliana’s expression as he finished up the treatment was far, far brighter than when he first started. 

“Alright, we’re done.” 

“Thank you... very much.” 

“Whoa there...” 

Liliana clung to Suimei, practically beaming. Now that she was used to Suimei and the others, she seemed to have developed a penchant for snuggling. It was the same as when she’d clung to Lefille’s arm while they were talking to Rumeya. Whenever she was happy or sad now, she would cling to Suimei, Felmenia, or Lefille to show her emotions. 

Suimei had heard it through the grapevine that Liliana had always been ostracized by the people around her and that Rogue had never doted on her as a daughter. Since she was never really shown affection, it seemed that when she got emotional, her longing for companionship only increased. Perhaps that was why she held on to people like this. Suimei gently patted her head as she clung on him, and she closed her eyes in a happy smile. 

The Saadias Alliance was located in the northwestern part of the continent. It was a federation of five member nations, allegedly named by the swordsmen who drove the demons to the north and liberated the territory for the people. At the center of it was the sovereign state of Miazen, the home of several members of the Seven Swords. Many of the swordsmen from the allied armies also called it their home, so among the five member nations of the Alliance, it was considered the most powerful. 

Thanks to that, aspiring heroes gathered here to devote themselves to the study of the sword. On the western side of the river that split the city in two, there was training yard after training yard for both citizens and soldiers alike. The neighborhoods were also dotted with blacksmiths’ shops. Someone had to supply all of the swordsmen with their weapons, after all. In short, it seemed the entire city lived and breathed the way of the sword. 

And the day after arriving in Miazen, Suimei’s party of four was headed to the west side of town. Walking over the bridge that connected the two parts of the city, Suimei made an observation out loud to the rest of his group. 

“How do I put it...? Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves here.” 

The city was indeed overflowing with excitement and energy. Joyful voices could be heard near and far, as if the whole town were reveling. 

“I learned of it this morning, Suimei-dono, but it seems the hero’s parade is today.” 

“Ah, yeah, now that you mention it...” 

As they were leaving, Rumeya had mentioned something about it. They were apparently holding the sudden event in honor of the Alliance’s hero, who had recently dealt a serious blow to the demon army and defeated a demon general. It was indeed cause for celebration. The locals were hardly able to contain themselves. 

“It seems the parade will be held in the afternoon. What shall we do, Suimei-dono? Would you like to go and see it?” 

“Sounds like a good idea. That kinda thing is nice once in a while.” 

Suimei nodded at Felmenia’s suggestion. This would actually be the first time he’d really seen a hero’s parade. Back during Reiji’s, he’d only stayed long enough to see his friends off. And during Elliot’s parade in the Empire, he’d been so busy with the coma incidents that he hadn’t been able to attend at all. 

“But that means we’ve still got time until it starts, right?” asked Suimei. 

“Then let us proceed as planned and have a look around until then,” suggested Lefille. 

Everyone agreed, and they all moved forward into the western part of the city as a group. While walking around looking for a place to kill time, they came across a shop with a somewhat gaudy exterior. As soon as it came into view, one of the group excitedly raised their voice. 

“Ooh, this store is...!” exclaimed Lefille. 

The shop in question was a clothing store that also seemed to carry various other goods and novelties. Since everything on display in the shop window was adorable, it seemed the store was largely trying to appeal to women. There were similar shops in the imperial capital, and this one was in no way inferior in selection and scale. They had a wealth of goods in store, and even boasted complete sets of similarly themed items. When he took a careful look at the display window, the lightbulb came on for Suimei. 

“Ah, it’s that kind of place, huh? Like that clothing store from before...” 

The store closely resembled the clothier he and Lefille had visited in Kurant City. Back when they were shopping for her in her smaller form, they’d had to buy dresses for little girls in order to get anything that would fit properly. The shop they’d visited in Astel was stocked with the latest fashions from the Saadias Alliance, so it seemed like this must be the flagship store. To be able to set up a foreign branch like that in such an undeveloped world was a strong indication of their profitability. And the shop here, just like the one in Kurant City, had frilly dresses of all sizes and colors on display. Taking it all in, Suimei turned to Lefille. 

“Do you... want to go in?” 

“What?! No, I don’t particularly... but...” 

Or so she said, but her eyes kept darting back to the shop window. Seeing her like this, an impish grin crept over Suimei’s lips. 

“You can’t wear kid’s clothes anymore, you know?” 

“Nobody said anything about wearing children’s clothing!” 

“No? You never know... You might end up small again sometime. It could come in handy then.” 

“Shut up! I can’t hear you!” 

While the two were having this exchange, Felmenia suddenly ran up behind the two of them and excitedly called out to Suimei. 

“Suimei-dono! Let us go to that store!” 

“What? You like that kind of stuff too, Menia?” 

“I do!” 

Felmenia was practically bursting at the seams with enthusiasm. As Suimei thought, it seemed this kind of cutesy store had a certain appeal for most girls. Lefille was likely only protesting because she really did want to go in too. 

“Well, shall we go and take a look around?” 

“I-I suppose I don’t have a choice. If everyone is going, I’ll come along.” 

Lefille’s voice faltered a little as she feigned resignation about going. She and Suimei then began walking towards the store together, but a questioning voice came from behind them. 

“...Suimei-dono? Lefille? Where are the two of you going? It is over here, right? This one.” 

“Huh?” 

“Oh...?” 

Suimei and Lefille turned around at Felmenia’s behest. She had been facing the same direction they were, so they’d just assumed she meant that she wanted to go to the clothing store too. They were very, very wrong. She was currently pointing towards a dubious storefront that practically radiated sketchiness. 

“Come, both of you! Let us hurry!” 

But in stark contrast to the creepy aura the store gave off, Felmenia was beaming. There seemed to be a complete disconnect between them. There was zero indication there was anything about the store that should make a lady smile like that. 

“Th-There? That one? Really? Seriously?” 

“Indeed! Behold the gloomy atmosphere, the likes of which cannot be found in all Astel or even the Empire! Take a deep breath and inhale the suspicious odors of unknown medicinal herbs! Just look at the plethora of goods with magic words engraved on them in the window! How could you not be excited?!” 

Felmenia passionately implored Suimei, who was staring at her like he hardly understood what she was saying. After listening to her and taking a closer look at the store, he did indeed see that they were selling a wealth of magicka items—or magic tools, as they were called here. But unlike Felmenia, he wasn’t taken with excitement. 

“Suimei-dono? Why are you making such an odd face? Is something the matter?” 

“It’s...” 

“It’s what? Do you find it strange?” 

“I-I mean...” 

Sensing Suimei’s hesitation, Felmenia turned her question to Liliana instead. 

“Lily, what do you think about it?” 

“L-Liliana? It’s weird, isn’t it? Right?” 

Suimei was looking for someone to agree with him, but... 

“Is it?” 

“Huh...?” 

“Just as Felmenia said... it seems... quite interesting.” 

Suimei then realized that, just like Felmenia, Liliana’s eye was sparkling. 

“You see?! It is just as I thought! There isn’t a mage in the world who wouldn’t tremble with excitement at such a grand sight!” 

“Is Suimei... different?” 

“No, well, I am little interested in it, but...” 

As a magician, Suimei also had a natural curiosity in mystical goods. But regardless of the circumstances, he’d never guessed the girls would get so excited about something like this. As Suimei stood there completely baffled by it all, a solid, reassuring pat fell on his shoulder. 

“It’s alright. Your reaction is perfectly normal, Suimei-kun.” 

“R-Right?” 

Lefille too was making a complicated expression like she was beholding something beyond her comprehension. It seemed she and Suimei were on the same page, and he was relieved common sense was on his side here. 

“Anyway, Suimei-dono, let us go inside!” 

“Yes... I would like... to go in as well.” 

“...Alright, in we go then.” 

With Felmenia tugging on one arm and Liliana tugging on the other, the three of them entered the shop together and Lefille followed close behind. Suimei had gone shopping for magickal goods in the Empire, so it wasn’t the first time he’d been in a shop like this, but this one in particular smelled of incense. Back in his own world, this type of store would often use incense with a pleasant smell to entice customers. But that wasn’t the case here; the scent reminded him more of the incense used during funerals. 

The shop’s clerk, who was blankly standing behind the counter, seemed to have no interest in actually helping customers. But it was just as well. Before Suimei knew it, Felmenia and Liliana were already browsing the shelves of goods and books, and picking out medicinal herbs and magic staffs. 

Much like the stores Suimei had visited in the Empire, the magic tools sold here came in all different manner of styles, and seemed to prize form over function. In this world, they were items meant to be shown off, after all. Whereas Suimei was used to regular accessories being made into magickal items, this world made magickal items into accessories. As Suimei was contemplating this, Felmenia called out to him. 

“Look, Suimei-dono! I’ve found something quite interesting!” 

He looked over and saw that she was holding something as she bounced up and down and waved to get his attention. Seeing what was in her hand, however, the blood drained from Suimei’s face. 

“A-A stuffed doll...” 

“Is something the matter?” 

“No...” 

Suimei unconsciously groaned as he looked at the old-fashioned doll in her grasp. Felmenia simply cocked her head to the side in puzzlement at this reaction. Back in his own world, Suimei had a partner who’d made a doll of him once... It was a terrible memory for him. Ever since then, whenever he saw small, cutesy stuffed dolls, he shuddered to recall it. It was a struggle he’d rather not remember. 

After managing something of a reply to Felmenia, Suimei looked around to see what Lefille and Liliana were up to. Lefille, who was not familiar with magickal items, was looking around the store with an unmistakable grimace on her face. Meanwhile, Liliana was flipping through a grimoire. When he turned back, Felmenia had shifted her attention to a glass display case filled with accessories. She was probably looking at amulets and talismans. She wasn’t the type of mage who used a staff, so she was particularly interested in other kinds of magic accessories like jewelry. Looking at her closely, Suimei could see her eyes sparkling as she admired the contents of the case. She’d had no interest whatsoever in the clothing store next door, but it at least seemed that there were certain girly things that did tickle her fancy. 

“Menia, if there’s something that catches your eye, shall I buy it for you?” 

“!” 

“W-Would you, Suimei-dono?!” 

Felmenia gasped in excitement and happily accepted his offer. Suimei could have sworn Lefille shot a surprised look his way, but he must have been imagining it. She was looking the other way when he looked up at her. 

“Then, um, how about this one?” 

“Yeah, sure.” 

Felmenia reservedly pointed at a brooch with a blue gem in it, and Suimei nodded. After calling the clerk to retrieve it from the case, he paid for it and handed it over to Felmenia. Grinning from ear to ear, Felmenia held it lovingly in both hands. 

“A gift from Suimei-dono... Teehee.” 

“Do you like it?” 

“Heeheehee...” 

“Yoohoo, earth to Menia!” 

Even when he waved his hand in front of her face, she didn’t reply. It seemed she’d gone on an extended trip into her own head. 

“Hmm... What about you, Liliana? Is there something you want?” 

“There isn’t... anything in particular... I’m dying to have.” 

With that, Liliana continued to leisurely browse the store. As she walked off, Suimei heard something strange behind him. It sounded like shuffling. 

“...?” 

Looking for the source of the noise, Suimei spied Lefille as she approached. She slowly shuffled closer inch by inch. Suimei watched her with a puzzled expression, wondering if she’d gotten tired or something. 

“S-Suimei-kun?” 

“What’s up?” 

Lefille cleared her throat and summoned a stern voice as if she meant to reprimand him. 

“A-Ahem... I don’t think that it’s fair for you to only buy something for Lady Felmenia.” 

“Is that so?” 

“Indeed!” 

“Do you want something, Lefi? I did buy you those clothes back in Kurant City, didn’t I?” 

“Th-That’s true, but...” 

“I have my wallet to think of, you know. If you want something, I’m sorry, but this time you’ll have to manage on your own...” 

Suimei scratched his head as he apologized, but Lefille still stuck to her guns. 

“B-But before we left the Empire, didn’t you buy Lily a parasol?!” 

“Yeah. She can’t use dark magic now, so that was to try and make up for the difference, even if only a little bit.” 

Before leaving for the Alliance, Suimei had purchased Liliana a parasol that suited her rather well. While she was receiving treatment, it would play the role of a magic staff and allow her to use simple magicka. With her decreased ability to defend herself without her dark magic, Suimei considered it a necessity for their journey. But despite that, Lefille still looked at him with envious eyes. He didn’t understand why. 

“What’s wrong all of a sudden? It’s not like there’s anything you’d really want here, is there?” 

“Th-That’s not true, I’ll have you know. After looking around, I got interested in some things. Really, really interested.” 

“What...?” 

“Th-That’s right! Like... How about this?!” 

In a fluster, Lefille grabbed the closest thing that caught her eye. It was a dried object of some sort... 

“Hey, wait, isn’t that an animal’s cock? Just what are you going to use that for?” 

“It’s a what...? UWAAAAAAAAH!” 

Upon realizing exactly what she was holding in her hand, Lefille fell into a panic. After flailing about the store for a good minute, she hurried back over to Suimei. Refusing to give up, however, she picked up something else. 

“Th-Then... this!” 

What she had in her hand now looked like a container for cosmetics. Suimei took it and gave it a sniff. 

“This... is probably an aphrodisiac salve.”‘ 

“...Never mind.” 

Lefille hung her head low in defeat. It seemed she couldn’t pick out something good to save her life. 

“Yeah, as I thought, you should give it a rest. This store just isn’t your pace, Lefi.” 

“Hmph... You’re just a bully, Suimei-kun...” 

“How did this come back on me?” 

Looking up at him with resentment, Lefille was fussing at him like she would when she was smaller. Suimei couldn’t grasp why she wanted something so badly that she’d take it this far. With a much better grasp on what Lefille was going through, however, Liliana tapped on Lefille’s shoulder. 

“Lefille, next time... let’s go to a different store. You can ask Suimei... to buy you something there. Right, Felmenia?” 

“That’s right! Heehee...” 

Felmenia replied without even really hearing the question. She still hadn’t come back to reality yet. Ultimately, it was somewhat strange that the youngest among them, Liliana, was the most levelheaded. 

“Alright! Then the next store will surely be...” 

Tightly clenching her fist, it seemed Lefille was suddenly filled with determination. Oblivious as ever, the out-of-touch Suimei still had no idea what was going on. His attention was pulled away from the matter, however, when he realized that the hustle and bustle had increased substantially outside. 

“It’s gotten pretty lively out there.” 

Lefille drew closer to the store’s window to take a look for herself. 

“The parade is probably about to start. People are moving towards the main street.” 

“Well then, shall we go too?” 

The girls agreed, so the four of them took their leave from the store and made their way toward one of the streets the Alliance’s hero would be passing down. The parade was just about to get started. The roads were perfectly clear for the procession, and the sidewalks were packed to the gills with people, people, and more people. 

“Wow, there’s one hell of a crowd. I guess it was like that in the Empire too...” remarked Suimei as he looked on in astonishment. 

“There certainly is an impressive number of people in attendance. It is in no way inferior to Reiji-dono’s parade,” replied Felmenia. 

“Now that you mention it,” said Lefille. “It was quite the crowd there, wasn’t it?” 

It sounded like she was remembering the parade like she’d been there herself. Suimei was holed up in the castle for most of it, but Lefille had likely seen it before they met up. She spoke of it admiringly, but also sounded a bit distant. 

“Everyone. It seems... the event is starting,” said Liliana. 

“Yeah?” asked Suimei. 

“Yes. They’re coming... from over there. The leading party is a group of four... the hero and her companions.” 

Liliana pointed down the street. She had extremely sharp hearing, and had heard the approaching parade before anyone else. Lefille now sensed the strong presences of the hero and her party, and squinted her eyes to make them out in the brilliant afternoon sunshine. 

“They’re approaching. They should be here soon.” 

“Oh! I can see the leading carriage!” 

Just as Felmenia let out a squeal of excitement, a portion of the gathered masses also began shouting for joy. And soon enough, a well-guarded escort carriage came into view. Following shortly behind it was a festival float being pulled by a cowhorn. It had no roof to make it easier for the crowd to see its passenger... which was a large man waving at the people. 

“Huh?! That geezer?!” 

Seeing an unexpectedly familiar face, Suimei couldn’t help shouting out in surprise. Atop the float was the tall, dark-skinned man they’d met at their first stop in the Alliance: Gaius Forvan. 

“That’s... Forvan, right?” 

“Wha...? That geezer was seriously one of the hero’s companions?” 

Suimei stood there blankly, mouth agape and eyes wide open. Felmenia observed this curiously. She wasn’t sure what Suimei was so surprised about. 

“Suimei-dono, did you not believe Forvan’s story?” 

“Only about half of it.” 

He didn’t think Gaius was lying about fighting against the demons, but he didn’t really think he was one of the hero’s companions. Suimei figured that it was more likely that he was just a soldier who’d been in the hero’s company, but... 

“But seriously, that geezer is really in high spirits.” 

“Indeed he is. He seems to be having a lot of fun... Um, like, really a lot.” 

Felmenia forced an awkward smile. Gaius was enthusiastically smiling and eagerly waving at everybody. He was an especially gregarious man, so it wasn’t exactly out of character for him, but it was quite a sight to see a man his age behaving that way. There was just something about an older gentleman overcome with excitement on a festival float that was embarrassing to watch. Suimei had thought something similar back when they met at the restaurant, but he really seemed like the type of guy to ride his own hype. 

The festival float behind Gaius’s came into sight shortly after. On top of it was a person wearing a green robe with a hood. Their face was completely concealed by the hood, but judging from their figure, it was probably a woman. She was holding a staff made of black wood with a large gem at the end in one hand and waving in a mild-mannered fashion with the other. 

“A mage?” 

“Probably. Her robe and that type of staff are fairly standard gear for mages in the self-governed state. Though this is the first time I’ve seen such a large jewel embedded in one...” 

Felmenia confirmed Suimei’s suspicions as she curiously observed the staff. So far, the parade was exactly what one would expect of a hero’s party—a martial artist bulging with muscles and a stoic mage. 

And the next float didn’t disappoint either. It carried a young swordsman who appeared to be somewhere in his teens. He seemed rather accustomed to this sort of event, and held a perfect smile on his charming face as he engaged the people. Based on the fancy clothing he was wearing, Suimei guessed he must be someone of high social standing. Observing him with her lone, sleepy-looking eye, Liliana announced his identity to the rest of the group. 

“The first prince of Miazen... Weitzer Ryerzen.” 

“My, one of the Seven Swords? To think he would also fight as one of the hero’s companions...” 

It seemed Lefille recognized the name. 

“A looker, huh? A prince who’s strong, famous, and good-looking is just winning at life too much... Like, seriously, that’s cheating. What a scam.” 

Suimei looked on at him enviously, but everyone’s attention quickly turned to the next approaching float. The fourth and final float should be carrying the summoned hero of the Alliance. 

“So what’s our hero going to be like?” 

“Gaius-dono said that she was a beautiful woman, no?” 

“Indeed he did.” 

“Suimei... there. The last float.” 

“Ooh, you’re right... Huh?” 

Suimei turned to look as soon as Liliana said something, but let out a puzzled voice when he saw the float. 

He doubted his eyes. 

For atop the last float was someone very, very familiar to him. It was indeed a woman, just like they’d heard, but she was wearing the uniform from a high school in Suimei’s neighborhood. She was clad in a short skirt with white garters, and donned a scarlet, plated armguard with the mask of an oni fashioned on top of it. She had long, blonde hair that flowed down her back, which was parted to one side and kept up with a ribbon. Her jade green eyes and long eyelashes gave her a youthful look, but based on the way she carried herself, there was no mistaking her strength. 

Suimei could hear a wave of sighs from the crowd, all likely in admiration of her beauty. She waved to the crowd with one hand, and in the other, she held a long, curved sword known to Suimei as an uchigatana. It was all so familiar, but no matter how much he stared, all he could think was... 

There’s no way she could be here... 

Indeed, Suimei knew this girl from his own world. It was unthinkable that she’d somehow ended up in this one. Trying to deny what he was seeing with his own eyes, Suimei shook his head violently. He couldn’t believe this was happening, both as her friend and as someone who’d been forcibly summoned to this world himself. 

“What are the odds...?” 

To think that not just Reiji and Mizuki, but yet another of his acquaintances had been summoned here... It wasn’t like it was absolutely impossible, but the probability was astronomically low. It wasn’t something that could have just happened by coincidence. 

“Suimei-dono?” 

Seeing the consternation that had crept over Suimei’s face, Felmenia called out to him. But Suimei had no time to explain. Paying no mind to his surroundings, he shouted at the top of his lungs towards the festival float. 

“Hey, Hatsumi! It’s me! Hatsumiiiii! Can she not hear me over this ruckus...? Fuck!” 

His voice was drowned out by the crowd, and didn’t reach the girl on the float—Kuchiba Hatsumi. Suimei cursed out of irritation at things not going his way, but there was no way he’d just give up there. He once more tried calling out to her, and then, finally, her eyes fell on him in the crowd of people. 

“Hatsumi...” 

But even though she looked right at him, she didn’t seem to notice him. She just continued looking through the crowd and waving. 

“Huh...?” 

Suimei was sure she’d be stunned to see him. Surely she should have called out to him the moment she saw a familiar face. But no... His expectations completely betrayed, Suimei stood there stock-still, dumbfounded in the face of the cruel reality he was forced to confront. Seeing him acting strangely, both Felmenia and Lefille called out to him. 

“Suimei-dono? Just what is the matter?” 

“That’s quite the expression you have...” 

But their anxious voices fell on deaf ears. Suimei couldn’t hear them right now. His head was somewhere else. 

What was going on? How did this happen? Those questions spun in Suimei’s mind like a dark whirlpool that consumed all his other thoughts for a while. When he finally came back to his senses, he lifted his head and looked over at his companions. 

“Uh... Let’s go back to the Twilight Pavilion for now. I’ll explain there.”