The one who strikes down (medjed) wearing the sacred artifact (catmimi)

　It is the next day and we leave Arnak.
　From the Golden Palace, four empty ships will fly in the sky.
　The airspace over Gypseal is restricted to empty ships for defense purposes. However, with the permission of Sekhmetra, the queen, they can do so.
　The goal is the stolen pyramid. We will now cross the golden desert and head in a southeasterly direction.
　This fleet of empty ships is nominally commanded by Halseth, but in effect it is Isdes, the god of war.
　Originally, Harses was not going to sail out, but was going to wait in Arnak.
　However, it seems that he asked Sekmetra for permission to sortie on the condition that he retreats in case of danger.
　Halseth and the Sphinx's concubines boarded the huge empty ship, decorated with magnificent gold work, and were advancing with great enthusiasm.
　The empty ship that Halseth rides on is huge, even bigger than the empty ship of Alfos that I have seen before.
　Four airships are flying around Halseth's ship, with falcon-headed birdmen, Halseth's men, flying around them as if they are on alert.
　Behind those empty ships, myself and Totona are flying on a chimera.
　The sky is blue and the sun is strong.
　The sky is blue and the sunshine is strong, but it's not a problem because it's protected by magic.

That Totona. If you're that close to me ......

　I say to Totoona, who is clinging behind me.
　Tona is back in her usual thick robe.
　However, when she is squeezed closely, she can feel the bulge hidden underneath the clothing on her back.
　If she keeps this up, she's going to have a lot of trouble between her legs.
　I need you to move away from it for a bit.
　I say as I turn around and look at Tona.

'What's up, Kroki? We're like a couple. It's only natural for us to stick together.

　Tona's face is as expressionless as usual when she says that.
　However, she seems to be enjoying her reaction somehow.

'That Totona. It's Medjed now. ......'

　Now he is in the form of Medjed.
　Of course, he is wearing a waistcoat underneath the white cloth.
　This way, even if the cloth is torn off, you won't be misunderstood as a pervert who enjoys the liberation of becoming one with the world by being directly exposed to the air.
　Since I am not a pervert, I naturally wear a waistcoat. I shouldn't be turned off.
　I tell myself that strongly.

It's okay. The brave men are in the lead, so they're away from here. They won't hear you say your real name.

　Surely Totoona was right, he was far away from Rage and the others.
　Normally, they wouldn't be able to hear us at this distance.
　However, we should not be caught off guard as our own physical abilities are higher in this world.

"But, Tona. It's better not to be caught off guard. ...... If your identity is exposed, you'll be in trouble.''

I know. But just let me do this now.

　After those words, he felt Tona stick her forehead to his back.
　I feel something warm.
　It seems like it would be good to fly like this.

'Guru-ruh.'

　But suddenly the chimera squeaks.

'I'm sorry. I flew a little too long.'

　The chimera looks a bit painful.
　As expected, she has been flying for too long.
　It's time to get back to the empty boat.
　The one we were on is the smallest empty ship at the end of the line.
　This is an empty ship owned by Nell, and all the sailors are also fairy cats (Ketsey).
　I couldn't help but feel at ease as the bow of the ship was made into a cute cat.

'Welcome home. Totonan.

　When they return to the empty ship, Nell greets them themselves.
　Her steward, Valon, is also with them.
　Originally, Nell had to remain in Arnak as well as Halseth.
　However, Sekmetra allowed her to go on condition that she would return as soon as she was in danger without doing anything dangerous.

'You seem to be busy, what's going on? Nell?

　Tona was right.
　The fairy cats (Ketsey) in their sailors' jackets were in some kind of a hurry.

'That's the hard part! There's a big sandstorm on the way!

　Nell makes a panicked sound.

'A sandstorm? Is this ship safe?

It's ....... I don't know. Valon said this ship wouldn't stand up to its size.

　Apparently, it's a bad situation.

'Lady Tona! I'm glad to see you're back! Master Harses sent me a messenger just now! This ship is to be housed on Master Halseth's ship!

　Valon the Black Cat, the steward, comes over here.
　Nell's empty ship is very small. It is small enough to be housed in Harses' huge empty ship.
　The back of Harses' ship opens wide to accommodate Nell's empty ship.

'Oh! Well done, Tona! You're welcome!

　When I go to Halseth, he welcomes me with open arms.
　He seems very happy that Tona is here.
　Harses looks like he has a thing for Totoona, no matter how he looks at it.
　Totona denies that this can't be true, but for all intents and purposes, it's not.
　He's been to Gipsyll a few times before and never once did he give any indication of that.
　But still, what does Nell think?
　They're supposed to be engaged, but when Halseth hits on another woman, he doesn't say anything.
　Or do the females not fight each other like lions do?
　A lion is a pack of several females for each male.
　Then again, lion females nurse and cooperate to feed other cubs besides those they themselves have borne.
　Is it the same for sphinxes?
　Come to think of it, I've heard in the past that Sphinx women are best friends with each other and want to be the wife of the same man.
　Nell snuggles up beside herself.
　She is very skinny, sometimes cuddling with him.
　But I don't feel bad because I feel like I've been taken care of by a cute cat. In fact, I'm happy to see it.

So. Thank you, Prince.

　Totoona's reaction to being told she's welcome is subtle.
　She wears her hat deep in her eyes, trying to escape Halseth's gaze.

'In time, you will come with Raina to this Harseth's side forever.

　Halseth huffs.
　He has brown skin and light hair. Lion's features all over, with large falcon wings on his back.
　However, Halseth is more like a human, and only the son of Ishtia, he is a beautiful man.
　He's probably third in line compared to Rage and Alfos, though.

''Prince Halseth. I hope that's enough of a joke. Right now, I want to hear what you have to do about the sandstorm.

　Tona returns it curtly.

'Then it's no problem. I'm sure that naughty, brave man will take care of it.

The Brave in the Light?

Yeah, that's right. He's got some new powers, don't you think? He said I would handle it.

　Halseth says regretfully.

'So ....... A brave man has new powers.'

Yes. But first, what do you say, Tona? In the meantime, why don't you stay here with Harses and have a cup of tea?

Prince. I appreciate the invitation. But I'm curious about this new power that the brave men of Lena have acquired. He should be at the front of the ship. I'm coming to see him.

　Without waiting for Halseth's reply, Totoona moves on.
　The distance between the empty ships is far enough away from each other, but with the magic of flight, it would be easy to move.

''Wait nyah! Totonan!

　Myself and Nell both follow Totona.

'Wait, Tona! You're going to see him? You can't do that! If you're going! This Halseth will go with you!

　Finally, Halseth followed Totona.
　This is how they all ended up going.



◆Chiyuki, the black-haired wise man

　I watch the sandstorm from the empty ship with the magic of my farsightedness.
　Ochre smoke rises and swirls up into the sky.
　It's far away now, but if we keep going, the empty ship will be swallowed up by the sandstorm.

'This is amazing. 'This is amazing, Mr. Rage. Of course it's going to be okay, right? You've made a great show of it to Prince Halseth.

　I call out to Rage, who stands at the bow of the ship and looks in the direction of the sandstorm.

'Of course. Chiyuki. I won't tell you what I can't do.

　Rage says without looking back at me.
　But he must be smiling fearlessly.

''Well, Rage will be fine. You're going to use the power of a higher spirit, aren't you? Rage?

Yes, that's right. Istia. A spirit that can help me will at least counteract the sandstorm.

　When Rage says that, Ishtia laughs.
　It seems that he went to the golden pyramid while I was asleep and got the power of a higher level spirit.
　I feel like the two of us are very close.
　As I'm thinking about that, someone comes over here.
　It's Totoona, Nell, Harses, and my natural enemy (Medjed).

Hi, Totoona. You came? Yeah?!

　Rage is about to laugh at Tona's face when he notices Halseth and gets a subtle look on his face.
　Halseth is in a bad mood with Halseth.
　Maybe he didn't really want to come.
　I hope this doesn't turn into a fight.

''Oh? It's so rare to see you here, Hal. Hmm, you've got something on your mind about Raige. Good. Very good. It's so nice to see men fighting each other.

　Ishtia seems to enjoy it.
　Even his own children are relentless.
　Halseth looks complicated when he sees that.

''Hmph! For that matter, how's the sandstorm going!

　Halseth says in a great way.

'Prince. Calmly, I will now project it with magical images.

　Tona said that and Halseth gulped! I let out a moan and shut up.
　Tona casts a spell and creates a magical image.
　Ochre smoke is blowing in the image.
　It's still quite large.

'Huh? Do you see something in the sandstorm now?

　He pointed to the image.
　I saw what looked like a long, thin shadow in the sandstorm.
　What is it?

It's probably the Great Sand Worm. I think the sandstorm was caused by the Great Sand Worm.

The Great Sand Worm? By that, you mean that giant caterpillar thing that is said to cause quicksand? I've never seen that before.

"Yes, dark-haired wise man. I've never seen a great sand worm grow that big before.

　I've read about the great sand bug (the great sand worm) in a book.
　A great sand bug is a giant bug that moves underground in the desert.
　The ecology is not well understood, but it is said that the smallest one is over 10 meters long, and the largest one can swallow a city.
　When this huge bug eats, it sucks in the living things around it along with the sand around it.
　At that time, quicksand occurs.
　If you don't get away from the spot if the sand suddenly starts flowing, you'll be sucked into the great sand worm.
　Another feature of the great sand worm is that it swallows a certain amount of sand and then spits it out all at once.
　That's when a sandstorm occurs.

A great sand worm that big can spit out sand for three days. Can you do something about it, Rage of Light?

　I'm surprised by that statement.
　Spitting up sand for three days means the sandstorm won't go away for three days.
　Totoona is staring at Rage.
　Totoona is always so expressionless that it's hard to read her emotions.

'Oh. 'Of course. Totoona. I'll take care of it.

　Rage smiles inappropriately.

'You're not going to fall for that word, are you! Brave Men of Light: ！！！！ If you can't do anything! I'll take that life!

Hey, Prince Halseth!

　I yell out.

'It's okay Chiyuki! The Prince! If you fail, I'll give you this life!

　As he says this, Rage looks in the direction the ship is going.
　After a while, you can see a huge cloud of dust rising without using magic.
　The dust cloud gradually gets bigger and closer.
　At this rate, it will be swallowed up.
　Everyone present looks at Rage.

''Soaring! O bright one! Answer my call! Benne, Lord of the Lightwing!

　Rage shouts, and a huge, shining bird appears in the sky above the empty ship.

　Bennu, the High Spirit of Light.

　Its name is the holy bird, meaning the one who soars and shines brightly.
　According to legend, he was born by embracing the sun on the hill where it began.
　When the holy bird, Bennu, with its sun-like brilliance, flaps its wings, a film of light covers the three ships in the sky.
　In no time at all, a sandstorm hits the ships.
　But the film of light protects the ships from the sandstorm.
　The sky ship turns ochre and you can't see your surroundings.

"Bennu!

　Bennu flapped his wings in response to Rage's call.
　A wave of light dispels the sandstorm.
　After the sandstorm disappeared, what was left was a giant caterpillar that seemed to be rising to the heavens.
　This huge caterpillar is the Great Sandworm.
　Sand was blowing out of a small hole in the body of the great sand worm.
　But each time it does, the flap of Benne's wings blows the sand away.
　Numerous tentacles are moving slickly in the hole at the head of the Great Sandworm (Great Sand Worm).

'Whoa! That's disgusting!

　I couldn't help but scream.
　That's how unpleasant the sight of the Great Sand Worm was.

'Let go! Light Wings of Bright Fire!

　Bennu flaps his wings in response to Rage's call again.
　Bennu's wings shine even brighter.
　It was so bright, I could barely see the Great Sand Worm.
　The Great Sand Worm is swallowed by the wings of light, and then it disappears.
　Eventually, when the light disappeared, the Great Sand Mushroom (Great Sand Worm) was nowhere to be found.

'Thank you! Benne!

　Rage says this and Benne disappears.

'That's what you do! Rage! I can't believe you've mastered the use of a high-level spirit of light! He's just the man I expected!

　Ishtia looks happy.

'It's not your power! Bennu's power was just awesome! Don't forget that!

　In response, Halseth seemed to be regretful.
　Well, it was natural for him to be frustrated because Rage could use a higher level spirit that he couldn't call out, so it was natural for him to be frustrated.

''What do you think, Totona? What's my power?

　Rage ignores Halseth and looks at Totoona.
　He looks like he's expecting something.

'I see. ....... We've certainly been shown that power. A brave man of Raina.'

　I wonder at Tona's expression as she says this.
　She is usually expressionless and her emotions are unintelligible.
　However, she looked vaguely uneasy.