--Mindful Magic [Knights of the Invincible (Knights of Unrivaled)].

　The Knights of the Unrivaled are able to defeat any enemy and protect their loved ones.
　Such is the magic that takes the form of a strong admiration for the Cathedral Knights of the Unrivaled.
　As soon as it is activated, with Leo in the center, a storm-like magical power is blown around the room.

......!

　Marx's breathing stops as he is consumed by the clean, caustic spirit of Leo standing in the center of the storm.
　The raging magic gradually subsides and all of it converges on Leo.

'...... is,'

　As soon as the magic power subsided, Marcus laughed as if to take his breath away.
　Because no changes had happened to Leo who had used mind-image magic.

　The number of confirmed users of psychic magic in the world was less than ten.
　Currently, there is only one user of psychic magic that exists in the Church State, Leo William Disfrender.
　Naturally, Marx is aware of the effects of Leo's mind-image magic.

'Disflender. You can be brave, but do you think I don't know the effects of it?
----

　[Invincible Knights]. Its abilities are a transfer of power between friends.
　Magic power, muscle power, and agility.
　Such abilities (powers) in battle are transferred to fellow combatants, or received by you.

　If Leo identifies himself as a fellow combatant, he can receive power from non-combatants.
　Its application in combat is very high.
　In other words, the more comrades you have, the more true value this psychic magic has.

''It's certainly a wonderful ability, that's for sure. But hey, you don't have any friends in this house. It's useless to use mental magic in a place like this.

　Declining to do so, Marcus makes the worm's mouth, which grew from his entire body, open wide.
　Even though it's mind-image magic, it's only magic.
　If you use the power of the worm, you can easily eat it.

''Truly, you are a foolish man.

　Marx swung the ten worms down like a whip at Leo.
　At the same time, he communicated the exercise of magic to the worms that opened their mouths.

''Magic technique (spell) ----''

　There was a zang.
　Without any warning, the heads of the ten worms that had been released had been cut in half.
　Immediately after that, the mutilated worms burst as if an explosion had occurred.

''What--''

　Quicker than Marcus, who couldn't keep up with his understanding, could say the words, Leo's figure had disappeared from his vision.
　At the same time as he realized that Leo had used some kind of magic from the residue of magic power that blew around like the wind.

''--Haah!
''Oh, oh--?!

　A blade covered in thick magic power was swung down towards Marcus.
　I'm not sure if it's because of the fact that I'm not a fan.
　I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about.

''Nah, gosh!''

　Marx's huge body had been blown away.
　It shattered the walls of the private room and rolled inexorably into the long corridor.
　Marcus immediately stood up passively, but the blade of the sword he was holding was shattered to pieces from the root.

It's not worthy of a cathedral knight for your conduct. As a human being, it is unforgivable.

　From the hole in the wall, Leo emerged.
　It's a heavy magical power on his body, as if he were wearing armor.
　That effect, that amount of magic power, far surpasses normal strengthening magic.

''Nonsense!　How could you have that kind of power?

　As soon as he shouted that, Marcus understood.
　I'm not sure I'm going to be the only one.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on.

I'm not going to be able to get rid of it. I set my eyes on you and now ......!

　Even as Marx muttered in a flurry of hatred, Leo was getting closer.
　Staring sharply at Marcus, Leo declared.

''-- Above all, I hurt Kirie. I will never, ever forgive you.
"......!　I told you that a greenhorn like you didn't need to ask for permission!

　Marx bellowed and grew worms from his entire body.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not going to be able to help you.

I won't let you.

　--The blade rushes.
　Even the sound of the wind chatter was left behind, and the indigo blade blinked away.
　The worm that opened its mouth to suck in the magic power was cut off one by one.

''......!　You, you, you!

　Pulling out his spare sword, Marx manipulates it in parallel with the worm.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　However, they cannot reach Leo.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with this one.

　No hit, no hit, no hit.

''d*mn, d*mn, d*mn, d*mn!

　Instead, it dives through the attack, and Leo's attack gouges Marx's body.
　Cheeks, shoulder-mouths, flanks, hips, and various other parts of his body were slashed, and in the blink of an eye, Marx's feet were stained with his own blood.

　His eyes bleed, he clenches his teeth to the point of shattering, and his desperate attacks can't reach Leo.
　There is no time to take away the magic and no time to heal the wounds.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about it.

"This,

　Marx realized.

　With the power he got from just one woman.
　To protect only one woman.
　He said that the man he is fighting is exactly the kind of man who has become an invincible knight (・・・・・).

''U, aaaaahhhh!''

　Countless slashes glittered indigo in his vision.
　Marx is being hunted down, helplessly.

　All the worms have been slashed off.
　Barely realizing the side slash, Marx takes a defensive stance.
　And the result was the same as the first.
　The last sword in his possession shattered and he himself was blown off the wall unceremoniously.

''Ugu...... ah!''

　Crawling on the ground, Marcus struggles to escape through a hole in the wall to his private room.
　Zari, and Leo's footsteps approach from behind.
　Eventually, he is cornered against the wall and turns around to see Leo just a few steps ahead of him.

'Ma...... wait for me......!　You're gonna kill me!　You're not thinking straight!　I'm about to be assigned to the first squad!　That's a captaincy!　I can get into the heart of the Order!　Mr. Disfrender!　It's your dream to be a captain, isn't it?　If I had my way, it would be easy to make you a captain!　No, I can give you the title of captain of the first squad!

　Leo's eyes were cold as he struggled to line up the words to Marcus.
　Leaning against the wall, Kirie watched the scene in silence.

'My dreams won't come true if I become a captain that way. I will grab the position of captain with my own hands.''
'This connection you've made with me here is one of your strengths!　Don't you think we should make the most of it!
I don't think so. You're not a knight anymore. You're a nobody. ......

　I don't understand. I'm too blue. It's stupid.
　He had a chance to make his dream come true, and Leo cut it off.
　Only out of some worthless willpower, such as pride.

...... I'm not going to kill you. I will make you pay for your sins.

　Same thing, Marx spits inwardly.
　If he's caught here, everything he's done will come to light.
　If that happened, no matter how much he tried to do, he would not escape the death penalty.
　In the end, Marx will die.

"Wait for ....... That's right. You remember the former captain!
......!
"Former captain, Luna, it's about you!

　Former Captain of the Second Squadron.
　Prior to Marx's appointment, a woman named Luna had served in this role.
　She was the one who saw Leo's abilities and recommended him as the second-in-command of the second squadron.
　She was lost in the middle of a mission and is already presumed dead.

Wouldn't you like to see her?
'Do you know where Captain Luna is: ......!?

　Marcus nodded at Leo, whose eyes widened.

'Or, she's in my custody.
----
'I'm the only one who knows where she is!　Yes, I'm going to let her meet you now!

　Marcus told him as he gulped at Leo's fury.
　When he made Marx stand up, Leo put his sword to his neck.　
　Now Leo would be able to instantly cut both of them off, even if Marx were to grow worms from all over his body.

'Don't make any strange moves. ...... Where is Captain Luna?
Nah, it's in the basement, in the hidden room. The key is in the desk downstairs.
Get .......

　With his sword held up, Marx reached for the desk shelf.
　Opening the bottom sealed shelf, Marx pulled out an object.

'Let me see: ----'

　When Leo saw it, he was immensely disappointed.
　For it was a single wrist that fit in Marx's hand.

'What ...... is that?'

　A preservation spell had been cast on it, and it was as white as if it were still alive.
　A small, hard palm that showed how much training he had put into it.
　Long fingers and five well-shaped nails.
　And a single, deep scar on the back of his hand.

----.

　Leo knows that wound.
　The wound was inflicted on the former captain by mistake during training in the use of psychic magic.
　She said to Leo, who rushed over to her as she quickly healed it with healing magic.

　--Barker. You who was hepish, you were beyond my defenses here, you know?
　--It's a sign of growth for you.
　--I won't let you erase the proof of my lovely subordinate's growth.

　The former captain laughed as he said that.
　He looked really happy, happy for Leo's growth.

'Luna, captain.

　His wrist is thrown down to the ground with a pop.
　The moment Leo tries to catch it, he tries to move.

"Ha, you're blue, you are!

　With a sneer, Marx's blow was unleashed.
　A blow by a huge worm that would have been several times larger than that.

'-- Shut up.

　The surprise strike was easily stopped.
　Leo prevented the blow with the sword he held in one hand.
　With the other hand, he grabbed the former captain's wrist.

'....... Huh, that's good!　To see even a small part of our former commander!
'Shut up!'

　Marx's ensuing chase, naturally, did not get through to Leo.
　"I didn't even give him time to use the magic technique usurpation and cut him down in an instant.

　But.

''--The aim isn't that way.
Huh.

　I heard Killier's gasp.
　Turning around, he saw the worm that Leo had slashed off first, advancing towards Killier.

'I didn't say anything about the worm stopping its activity just by slashing it off, but hey.

　The bodies of countless worms bobbed and swelled up.

'With the magic they ate running out of control, those worms will create a small-scale explosion.

　Kirie, who has handed over all the power to Leo in the [Invincible Knights], has no way to prevent the explosion.

''--Kirie!''

　Leo turns around and heads to Kirie.
　Immediately after that, the worms that were lying on the floor exploded all at once.


◆

　The explosive flames clear.
　Chunks of worm flesh splattered across the private room, stained with green blood.
　Leo stands there, his whole body charred.

'...... way. You made it in time.

　Behind Leo, Kirie was leaning against the wall, stunned.
　Using the magic power he was wearing, Leo must have protected Kirie.
　Because of that, his own defense was neglected and he had been eaten by that explosion.
　Due to the damage he received, the [Knights of Invincibility (Knights of Unrivaled)] had been cancelled.

''Fuhahaha!　If you can't make it happen on your own merit, then you can use another move. Did you think you could beat me at the age of a greenhorn?

　The damage from the explosion had left Leo with a near-fatal wound.
　Even now, he was barely able to stand.

'Oh, yes. The former captain, Luna, you can rest assured that she's long dead. She was worried about you, she didn't want you to mess with Leo until the end. Well, you've got a good boss, Mr. Disflender!
......
And hey, Mr. Disfrender.

　Marx sneered.
　Then he spat out a word coated with malice.

'-- you know what?　I'm getting nice and tight when I f*ck you while you tighten your neck!
----
What's the matter, are you speechless?

　Leo didn't say anything.
　Just a step.
　He took a step towards Marx.

'Oh well. What can you do with a body like that?　Die, Disfrender!

　Markus releases a huge worm.
　A full-bodied Leo doesn't have enough energy left to duck it.
　Scoffing, Marx's worm opens its mouth wide to swallow Leo whole.

"--"God's Thunderbolt Here (Anthem Lightning)!

　It was a white spear of lightning.
　The rushing spear of lightning pierced the worm and scorched it.
　It didn't stop there, the lightning blew off Marx's side.

''Gu, ahhh!

　Pressing down on the lightning-burned side, Marx rolls around.

''Ki, sama......a.''

　In front of Leo, who was standing there.
　Killier, who had been leaning against the wall until then, was standing there, breathing heavily.

''Leo-kun, I won't let you get your hands on ......!


　--You've always been very protective of me, Leo.

　The same thing happened in the forest.
　When you came to the Holy City, you were almost assassinated because of Kirie's power.
　When I was having interpersonal problems, Leo was there for me.

　When I was afraid. A time of loneliness. When I was sad. Hard times. Painful times.
　All the time, Leo, you were there for me.
　He got hurt, but he was happy to see that you were okay.

　--All my life, I've been a pain in the ass to you, Leo.

　You've annoyed me, relied on me, helped me.
　I've always been so protective of myself.
　That's why I agreed to be engaged to Marcus, to at least not ruin his dreams.

　I ended up getting him into trouble again.
　I thought that if I just put up with it, I would be able to do it.
　It was my own idea of what I should have done.

　I'm sorry, Leo.

　I should've talked to you more often.
　I'm so happy that you were there for me.
　You might say again that you never wanted this ...... to happen.

　Kirie took a step forward.

　--I want you to live.

It's my turn to protect you.

　He starts shooting white lightning at Marx.
　Then, he releases a white flame.
　He unleashes all the holy chanting magic he has, and then--

Baaaaaaaaahhhhka.

　Marx couldn't get through.
　No matter what kind of attack he unleashed, it would not get through to Marx.
　In the face of the magic-eating worms, Kirie's magic is nothing more than bait.

"Little b*tc*, little b*tc*, little b*tc*. Hey, how much do you have to mock me to make me feel better?　Huh?　Shut up and embrace people like you, you lump of meat!
......

　A blow from the worm closed in on Killier.
　Fresh blood was scattered.
　The worm is slashed off and green blood seeps into the carpet.

'----'

　A flash of Leo, who was supposed to be full of wounds, had severed the worm.

''At the ...... minute of death, ......!''

　Changing his target to Leo, Marx unleashes the worm.
　Leo shows no interest in the oncoming attack.
　He just looks at Marx and walks forward.

''God's torch here (Anthem Incinerate)--!

　The flames of Killian's flame burned out that blow.

'd*mn it ......'

　Marx directs the remaining worms that were lying on the ground to attack Killier.
　Killier, who is already nearing the end of his magic power, doesn't have the time to deal with the worm.

'----'

　The indigo sword gleamed.
　All the worms that were about to pounce on Kyrie disappeared without a trace.

'Dis...... Frendaa......!'

　Leo doesn't say anything.
　He just paces forward.

"'Usurpation of Magic Technique'."

　It takes away Killier's magic and interrupts his support for Leo.
　In between, a worm strike bites through Leo's flesh.
　Blood spurts out, spilling a horrendous amount of blood onto Leo's feet.

'----'

　Nearly slipping into his own blood, Leo takes a step forward with an unconscious gait.
　His eyes are already unfocused.
　But it's Marcus that he's looking at.

　No matter what he throws at you, Leo will catch it with his own body.
　But the attack on Kirie is not a single omission, it's the sword that tears it apart.

　Mental magic is no longer available, and Leo has wounds all over his body.
　He held a mere knight's sword with no power.
　You can't beat Marcus, no matter how hard you try.

----

　And yet.
　His eyes did not dull and his spirit did not fade.
　With his burnt body, dripping with overflowing blood, he comes closer to Marx with every step.

'----'

　There are no words.
　Just step forward.
　Kirie to protect Leo and Leo to protect Kirie.

"Gu......

　An injured Leo would not be able to react to attacks from all sides.
　First of all, he would kill Kirie, who was trying to support Leo.
　Then, killing Leo would be easy.
　Easy, supposedly.

　Leo has wounds all over his body.
　He can't even use enhanced magic.
　He should be able to win.
　It had to be that way.

　He told himself that, and when Marcus looked forward.

"----

　The next thing I know, Leo is standing a step in front of me.
　Scary, unfocused twin eyes shoot through Marcus.
　His arms, which hang limp, are slowly lifted.

　The blade held by the ghostly Leo emitted a dull light.

''--Hi.''

　As he rolled over, Marx had escaped.
　With the worm, no, with Marx's ability, he should be able to kill Leo with his physical skills.
　But I had a hunch.

　One more step, if Leo stepped forward.
　If he could bring that sword down.
　I would have been killed.

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

　I'm going to be killed, I'm going to be killed, I'm going to be killed.
　Screaming, he started running down the corridor.

◆

Haha ...... haha ......

　Marcus ran down the long corridor, holding his side gutted by Kirier.
　He fled in a haphazard fashion, without addressing it, and finally noticed that Leo wasn't following him from behind.

'Why am I running ...... away ......?'

　It's crazy to be scared to death like that.
　Let's just go back to our room and kill those two men right now.

...... No.

　Rejecting the idea, Marx started running again.
　If he had come this far, he should bring that one with him.
　That way, we can make sure we kill them both.

　The staircase leading to the basement was what they were headed for.
　At the far end of the trap room where the two intruders were dropped, there is a worm that Marx took the time to spawn.
　It's a powerful weapon that Marx is proud of, modeled after a nine-headed dragon (Hydra).
　If you bring that thing along, it will be able to kill Leo and the others for sure.
　By now, they'll have eaten up the two intruders and are looking for food.

'd*mn ...... attrition is too much. If we don't eat them, we'll be .......

　The power of the Amatsu embedded in his body is beginning to run out of control as he seeks magic power.
　I have to eat even the sub-humans I'm capturing and recover.
　Murmuring that, the moment Marcus was about to turn down the corridor.

　--a limb fell to the ground with a thud.

Ha...... eh?

　Shortly after letting out a stunned voice.

Ah, bah?　Gaaaaaaaahhhh!

　Fresh blood sprayed out of the wound.
　Rolling on the ground like a caterpillar, Marcus looked up.



''-- I've been looking for you, Marx.



　There stood Amagatsuki Iori with a big smile on her face.
　Wet with blood, while holding a jade-colored sword.