Since When Did You Have The Illusion That You Don’t Have Magical Powers?!

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Austin Belisario, Margrave of Vanderwall, Percival’s father

Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall, Percival’s mother

Theodore Belisario, 1st son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Curtis Belisario, 2nd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Anna, servant in the Belisario household

Clarabelle, servant in the Belisario household

 

“It was just around the time Percival’s letter arrived that a great change occurred. Many magical beasts began to haunt the area around the Oriens, day and night, and attacked the territory’s citizens and merchants.”

It’s the same situation as in the royal capital. I don’t think this is just a coincidence anymore. Either some powerful natural force is at work, or something man-made.

Initially, Kingsleigh’s troops were dealing with the magical beasts at the entrance to the forest, but at last, the beasts overflowed from the forest and even rushed into Oriens. The big castle gate was closed immediately, so there was no major damage to the town, but we were unable to prevent the magical beasts from entering from places where the gate was not closed in time, causing damage. Currently, Curtis’ troops are fighting and defending against the magical beast that has entered the castle walls, while Austin and Theodore are fighting outside the walls. However, the castle gates cannot be opened to prevent the magical beasts from entering, causing a situation where it is not possible to supply Austin and his troops with supplies or assist in the healing of injured soldiers. A magician who can transfer connects the outside and the castle, but transferring uses a lot of magical power, so we can’t keep in touch so often. Regarding supplies, I entrusted them to the magician when I contacted them, but only the few supplies that were really needed. Luckily, they are based on a ranch, so they seem to be able to secure some food.”

That iss a blessing in disguise. Nevertheless, the situation remains severe. If the outbreak of magical beasts doesn’t stop, we’ve only got a few days.

“What about support from uncle and the surrounding territories?”

“The magical beasts must be dealt with here. Considering the situation in the royal capital, there is a possibility that the outbreak could happen elsewhere. If magical beasts appear while they are dispatching troops here, the damage will spread to the territories that have provided support. First of all, they must protect their own territory.”

That is certainly true.

Despite this abnormal situation, it is scary that Vanderwall is even thinking about other territories. That’s probably why they are trusted by the surrounding lords.

“Madam Adeline, do you know where the Margrave and the Kingsleigh-san’s troops are?”

“They are on a ranch near these hills.”

Madam Adeline pointed to a ranch on the map. There seems to be a settlement a short distance from there, but what on earth is going on? If they were able to escape to the ranch, the Margrave would be protecting them, but in any case, there are magical beasts wandering everywhere.

“As for Kingsleigh, we can only assume that he is at the entrance to a forest of magical beasts. But……we haven’t had any contact with Kingsleigh’s troops since the day before yesterday.”

The area where Margrave is located is around the area where Percival and I took a long ride. I remember seeing cattle grazing there. I’m glad it’s a place I know. It’s only a moment away via transfer.

I’m sure Kingsleigh-san’s troop is safe. Because they are the strongest troops in Vanderwall, they shouldn’t be defeated so easily. They must still be fighting in the magical beast forest.

If that’s the case, then hurry up and crush the evil!

“I understand the situation. We will settle this today. Everyone will be back tonight, so please cook plenty of meat and wait for us. Let’s go, Percival.”

“Ah.”

“Eh, wait a minute! By the end of today?”

“Mother, please prepare the food as Sapphiras said, and also prepare medical treatment for the many wounded who will be returning.”

As expected, it is Percival who knows me well. I’m a magician who does what he says. As I said, I will subdue the overflowing magical beasts by the end of the day. Actually, I would like to say a few hours, but I have to see how many magical beasts there are.

“……Yes, I understand. If you say so, then it will be done by the end of the day. But wait a minute, you’re both still in uniform. At least change your clothes before you go.”

Madam Adeline smiled in her usual tone of voice, a change from the stiff tone she had used earlier.

We took off our uniforms and were dressed in the uniforms of the Vanderwall Army.

Percival has no problem with the size of his clothes as they are his own to begin with. The problem was me. I borrowed the smallest magician’s clothes, but they were still too big. Anna-san and Clarabelle-san had to rush to stuff my sleeves and belt up my trousers. I didn’t have time to fix the hems of my trousers, so I shoved them into my long boots, and I managed to become a magician of the Vanderwall Army.

“It suits you well, Sapphiras-san.”

Madam Adeline squints at me. She thinks it suits me quite well, even though it’s stuffed here and there. The short cloak is cool though. And it’s easy to pull out the wand.

“Thank you very much. I’ll be off then.”

“Both of you…….we’ll be depending on you.”

Madam Adeline, who knew the scene well, swallowed the words ‘be careful’. In a situation like this, being careful doesn’t mean anything.

“Leave it to us!”

When I tried to get on behind Percival, who straddled Matteo earlier, I was pulled by the arm and put on the front in a flash.

“……Isn’t it harder to swing a sword when I’m in front?”

“ I will protect Saphiras’s back, and you will be my sword.”

Indeed. As long as I’m riding in front, I don’t have to worry about being shaken off like last time, so I’m relieved. Besides, it’s not so bad that I’m Percival’s sword. Originally, the magician was the rear guard, but Percival wanted to reverse that role. My attacks that don’t require chanting are sometimes faster and more powerful than swords. The great thing about Percival is that he can think flexibly according to the situation.

I nodded in response to Percival and transferred to where Margrave is.

“Percival?!”

A startled Theodore-san looks up at Matteo, almost turning over.

After all, the place we transferred to was right in the middle of the camp. In a tense situation, anyone would be surprised if a huge Matteo suddenly appeared. On the other side of the surprised, Matteo was looking down at Theodore-san quietly. Matteo is completely used to transferring.

Since I only saw the ranch from a distance, I couldn’t make a very accurate transfer because I didn’t know what was going on inside. I’m sorry to have startled you.

“Brother, where is Father?”

“……Ah, aah, I’ll call him right away.”

Theodore-san, who quickly regained his composure, tells the soldiers nearby to call the Margrave.

The camp had managed to hold on with barrier magic, but it was still on the edge. There were many injured people, and some soldiers could not move. Even if there are white magicians, if they use magic without rest, their magic power will be depleted. They won’t last long without a good rest and a shift change. In the first place, even now, I can’t help but think how they have managed to hold out this long. It is probably because the Vanderwall army is said to be the shield and sword that protects the kingdom that they have made it this far.

“Percival, Sapphiras-dono, thank you for coming this far.”

He must have rushed over when he heard that Percival came. The Margrave flung his cloak embroidered with the dragon crest and came quickly. Unlike the quiet demeanour when I met him at the castle, he has the face of a warrior of a hundred battles with a sharp look in his eyes.

“Father. I have heard the general situation from Mother. Do you know the status of Kingsleigh’s troops?”

“We have no way of contacting them, and since the day before yesterday, we have been unable to find out what the situation is. We have no idea what is going on at the moment.”

I still think we should think about the magic of getting in touch with someone who is far away. At a time like this, if we could keep in touch with each other, even if only through voice, the situation would be completely different. But for now, it’s Kingsleigh-san and the others rather than new magic.

“Margrave. Could you leave this to Percival and I?”

“……Sapphiras-dono?”

“I’ll unleash a wide-area extreme magic to wipe out the magical beasts. However, wide-area extreme magic is difficult to fine-tune, and it is not possible to avoid only people and attack. So, first of all, I will deploy barrier magic here and at Kingsleigh-san’s place.”

If it’s the outskirts of Oriens, it will be quite extensive. I’ve never cast extreme magic in such a wide area, but there’s no problem at all. In fact, it’s refreshing to be able to release magic for the first time in a long time.

“That can’t do. I can’t let Sapphiras-dono risk his life. Besides, it’s the role of us at Vanderwall to defeat the magical beasts.”

Magicians who can use extreme magic are rare indeed. A normal magician can’t even use it. Even Margrave, who knows from practice that I am a non-standard magician, would find it a bit hard to believe. Moreover, it is an extremely large magic after deploying defensive barrier magic in two places. The amount of magical power used is unimaginable. If you use magic like that, it wouldn’t be strange if your heart stopped due to sudden depletion of magical power.

But for me, this method of fighting is something I’m used to because I used it a lot in my previous life when magical beasts were overflowing. I used this method to defeat the herd of magical beasts that were attacking Perfectio.

“……I already consider myself a Vanderwall man.”

I raise my left hand to show my ‘sworn friend’ ring.

At the ring shining on my middle finger, the margrave and Theodore-san had the same expression as Madam Adeline, and for some reason the soldiers around us rustled.

……Eh? Is it really that much of a buzz? Is it because I, the sworn friend, is a child?

“I’ve been treated very well by the Belisario family and the people of Vanderwall. I have no home and I consider this place my home. I can’t just stand by and watch while my home is in danger. I’m not going to be reluctant to die for the people here, but I’m not going to die easily either. Margrave, please believe in my magic.”

I looked straight into the eyes of the margrave.

The Earl of Aldridge does not have his own territory. Even if he had, I would not have been involved, as I am recognised as outside the family.

Everyone here has been kind to me. Madam Adeline made me a beautiful wand and provided me with personal things for my inadequacies. At the castle, they treated me to delicious food and took good care of me. In the town of Oriens, I was able to sell materials, and I was able to obtain a valuable magical tool.

In any case, I owe Vanderwall a lot. If I don’t repay them now, when will I repay them? Besides, I’m going to enjoy Vanderwall’s festivities on my next long holiday.

Margrave, who had been making eye contact with me, turned his gaze to Percival. In response, Percival nodded emphatically.

“……Certainly, we are already at a dead end. I will entrust this to Sapphiras-dono. I know I’m entrusting you with a dangerous role, but take care of this land and Kingsleigh.”

Margrave bowed to me. Then Theodore-san and the other soldiers followed suit.

“Please prepare to withdraw and wait for us. I will defeat the magical beasts and bring back Kingsleigh-san and the others without fail.”

I’m a magician who can live up to expectations!