Suddenly, my heart was pierced by a voice from the depths of the forest.


　It was a woman's voice, a beautiful voice with the freshness of a young woman.
　Ceylan and I turned in the direction of the voice, and as we gazed into the darkness that coiled behind the trees, a white haze began to vaguely appear.
　Eventually, it became fixed in a pure white color like white porcelain, and took on the shape of a human face.


　Is this an illusion created by the haze, or is it just a human face in a ghost photo?
　As soon as the outline of the white mask emerges clearly, the uncovered mouth and the indigo vestments wrapping the woman's body appear.
　It is as if a translucent ghost has taken on color and form.


　The white-masked figure emerges from the darkness and stops through the bushes, bowing to Ceylan.


"It is my pleasure to address you for the first time, His Royal Highness Ceylan Crosselrode, Crown Prince of Rynor. My name is Aryus. Please call me Aluas the Immortal.


　This is the first time I've had the pleasure of meeting you.


"How dare you! You seem to be ignorant of the etiquette of using such an insolent name. It's not enough to just say your name.

"That's rude. I'm not of noble birth, so please forgive me if I misbehave.


　Aryus dismissed the accusation with a cool tone. I'm not sure if he's toying with this situation, but he seems to have a very aloof personality.


　Ceylan, on the other hand, sniffs in frustration and increases the pressure on the situation.
　The invisible force seems to be crushing his internal organs, but Aryus is unfazed by it. Even under this pressure, his mouth, not hidden by his mask, twists in a fearless smile.


Are you a member of the Empire?

"Yes. Yes. It would be obvious for you to show yourself in this situation.


　"Yes, it is obvious that you would show up in this situation. I'm not sure what to make of that.


You said, "Mr. Arx?

Why did you even say my name?

I've been watching you since a moment ago.


　So he must have heard me say my name earlier.
　And based on that, you've been standing on the sidelines without helping your allies.
　Just as she was convinced that it was another group, she heard footsteps behind her.
　Were they hiding their soldiers? One after another, imperial soldiers emerged from the forest and spread out to surround her and Ceylan.
　They don't look like the black panther horsemen from earlier, but they don't look like ordinary Imperial soldiers either.
　If they were Imperial soldiers, they would have seized this opportunity and attacked Ceylan first.
　However, I couldn't understand why ...... didn't move while surrounded by them.


　As he prepared himself, Aluas bowed to him.
　He put his arms around his chest and bowed deeply in a kingdom-style salute.
　There was a reverence to it that made him feel that his bow to Ceylan had been neglected.


"Arx Raytheft. I have just seen all of the magic you performed in your battle with Dusseyr-dono. I thought I had immersed myself in magic for a long time, but the magic you used was beyond my knowledge. I am truly embarrassed.

Thank you for that.

You're not answering me, are you?

".......

"Hmm, that's healthy. I'm sure it's hard to give such a curt reply now.


　Aluas smiles, as if he is feeling a smile on his face.
　She ended her flattery quickly and got down to business.


I'm sure you'll be able to tell me about it. Can you tell me what it is?


　...... Perhaps the [Wall Alter] is a defensive magic used by the imperial mages. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life.
　I'm not sure if there's any point in playing dumb with this certainty.


"No. Isn't that obvious?

"Of course not. But I'm not going home empty-handed either.

What are you going to do?

Well... Well, how about instead of telling us about it here, we could go to ...... and miss His Highness Prince Ceylan?

......?


　Is that what you're going to do in this situation?
　It is true that if you are offered such a condition, your heart will sway.
　This is a critical situation for the kingdom, as they may lose Seyran.
　I can't help but think it sounds like a good idea.


　Just when I was about to give in to that temptation...


"You can't do that.

"Your Highness ......

I'm the only one who can get away with it on the terms you've mentioned. It doesn't include the Kingsguard, and most importantly, it doesn't mention the Arks.

"Of course. I won't have any excuse if I miss the Kingsguard, and more importantly, Arx-kun will have to travel to teach me magic.

That's all the more reason. I can't accept those conditions.


　When Ceylan declares that, Aluas smiles with a hint of a smile on his face.


I'm sure it has something to do with the magic measuring device.

"Well, what do you mean?



"You don't have to pretend you don't know, Your Royal Highness.　We're already aware of its existence. We haven't been able to retrieve the actual item yet.

"...... you.


　Ceylan's pressure was met with clear hostility. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. Rather, his tone is buoyant, and he makes a point that is laced with euphoria.


He's the one who made the tool. I was convinced after seeing the fight earlier. Mage Arx Raytheft. The magic you used certainly had a different kind of mechanism than the magic theory we know. So ...... it is. It's not as if you were the only one in the distant future, there was something unnatural about it.

............

It's really great. I can't let your talent and knowledge be buried as a mage of a single country. I would like to invite you to be one of the stars that will take our silver star.


　You knew you couldn't negotiate, so now you're soliciting.
　But there was only one answer I could give.


I'm not going to do that. I've only just decided which path I'm going to take.

"...... I see. I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't want to do it by force if I could help it.

...... Coming?

"I want to thank you for showing me your magic earlier. First, let me show you my magic.


　The white masked Aluas said, and began to chant.


I will show you my magic. The footprints that have been buried and forgotten by the flow of time. Here is the dream of rebirth. Spun by the wisdom of ■■. Now, O dreamscape, become the unstoppable ■■ and raise your roar.


　--[■■■■■]



　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it. The space in the center of the magic circle began to show signs of anticipation of some kind of appearance, distorting the image vaguely and unsteadily as if it were a seared photograph.
　Eventually, a huge bird of flame emerged from the ambiguous boundary.
　It flew out with a stiff breeze and rushed backward in a straight line with a shock wave leading the way, drawing a line of fire.
　As I lay down to endure the wind pressure that threatened to blow me away, the forest blew away with the flames.
　Looking back, I saw a smoldering path of embers.
　The forest was being torn apart by the flames.


　The spell could be heard ............. Almost all of it. This was because Aluas hadn't done everything he could to prevent the spell from being heard.
　But--


(The spell is now at ......)


　I can't find the source of the spell by comparing the readings with the spell I heard.
　There are many parts of the book that I have not yet deciphered, but the contents are recorded in my mind like formatted data. But I couldn't even find a similar tradition in the current spell.
　Perhaps it was because there were words and phrases I had never heard before.
　But this intensity that could blow up the forest. I suppose the control of the word "flame" is one reason for this, but it seems to have a power that cannot be demonstrated in a creative work.
　So you're talking about the part that I haven't deciphered--


　Ceylan sits down and whispers in my ear.


(......Arcs, do you have any magic left?)

(...... sorry . Almost there.

(......No, you're welcome.)


　Then we have one option.


"Your Highness. You'd better get out of here.

Don't be a fool. I am Seyran Crosselord. I will not turn my back on a common soldier.

But that mage is something else. If you don't do something, he'll take you with him. ......

I know it's an unknown quantity. But I can't be the only one to retreat here.

I can't move my left hand. I'm a liability.

So be it. What is a new dynasty if it cannot protect its subjects?

But...

...... I am well aware that this is a foolish choice. But I still ......


　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.


I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

"......

No way. Don't think you'll get what you want.


　Ceylan braces himself and lightning begins to form around his body.
　Is this what you call a full-on stance? The magic swirls around you, making you feel as if you are right under the storm.


　On the other hand, the Kingsguard also began to move to shield themselves this time.
　Even if they couldn't stop him, they probably thought that if they could get in the way of the enemy, Ceylan would have enough time to defeat the Imperial Guard. As long as he could keep his chanting time, Ceylan would not be defeated.
　He himself gathered all the remaining witchcraft power in his body in his right hand and waited for an opportunity to rebel.


　Just as Seyran began to mutter, Aluas raised his hand.
　When he raised his hand, he had a feeling that if he swung it down, the enemy would move.


　A powerful shock wave came rushing through from the side, towards the street.


"What?

This is ......


　What the hell had just happened? It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with your time.


"Run! Run! Run!


　It was as if he had exploded, and I wondered what kind of disaster he had witnessed.
　Immediately after, the surrounding trees went up in flames. The flames spread through the trees with the speed of a wilderness fire, and the surrounding landscape was engulfed in raging flames.
　The area turned red in an instant.
　From somewhere, an offensive magic of flame was shot into the air.
　No sooner had I thought that, than a fluid flowed along the street, sludgy like molten magma. Its movement was like the white waves eroding the beach at the edge of the waves. The surface that has been exposed to the air is blackened and oxidized, and is peeling apart.


"Ah, ah, ah, ...... Akatsu, Nami.


　The imperial soldiers saw this, and this time, they cried out in despair.
　It was probably because they had witnessed a disaster that no man could resist. The sight of magma surging at a frightening speed, even when watching an unrealistic movie, is enough to make one's heart wrench with despair. If it's real, I don't have to tell you.
　Yes, the magma-like substance is molten iron.
　Red-hot, red-contoured, eye-burning heat and light, super-hot molten material. I don't know if it's 1,200 degrees or 1,500 degrees, but I can certainly feel the heat burning my skin.
　The molten metal that flowed from the street surged like a wave, engulfing the Imperial soldiers, who quickly turned black and hardened. Shiro smoke rose from the cast-iron statues, and warped magic letters, the residue of magic, flew up into the air and shattered.


"This is .......

You're here.


　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.


It is said to be in ...... as far as the creation of the heavens and the earth is concerned. I'm not sure what to say. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing and how you're going to do it.


　Yes, the first book, the Records of the Creation of the Heavens and Earth, describes the great events that led to the creation of the heavens and the earth.

　Light from the heavens.

　Cold fire.

　The vortex of Vaha.

　Legaia, the bituminous giant.


　There are more, for they are called the Ten Words, but Akatsunami is said to be one of them, the one that formed the Cross Mountains that crisscross the continent.
　And it was also the main domain of the national mage, who is said to be equivalent to the top three seats in the kingdom.


"No, thank you for your help. You took the trouble to tell me where you were.


　You took the trouble to tell me where you were." From across the street, I hear a familiar voice.
　The voice caught my attention and I turned around.
　In the center of the flowing red river, on the cold blackened black iron, stood a familiar figure.


A ......


　I'm not sure if the breath that suddenly escaped was one of joy and relief.
　The mage carelessly thrusts out a cigar.
　The molten iron lifted and burned the tip.
　Inhaling the smoke, he then exhaled loudly toward the sky.


　When Ceylan saw this, he spat out his name as if relieved.


"Mage of Molten Iron: ......


　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.
　He is a muscular man with a body full of magic power.
　He is currently wearing a military coat over his shoulders, arms crossed, and has a large lit cigar in his mouth, despite the fact that he is on military duty.
　Suddenly, one of the men who had escaped the molten metal launched a suicide attack across the steel floor. But Crabbe is in no hurry. He took the cigar out of his mouth and flicked it at the Imperial soldier.


"Agh!

"Sweet.


　Crabbe said in a dumbfounded manner and struck the flinching Imperial soldier with his back fist. I'm not sure if that's the right word. The Imperial soldier was literally shattered before the iron fist.
　The bodies of the doomed Imperial soldiers were soon swept away by the waves of molten metal that rushed in from the side.


"Uncle, .......


　When I called out to him, Crabbe turned to me, nodded once, and immediately fell to his knees at Ceylan's side.


"Crabbe Arbent, Mage of Molten Iron. I am here at your command.

"Molten iron, you have come to me.

"Your Highness. I'll take care of everything else.

Yeah. I'm counting on you.


　As I listened to this exchange, I suddenly felt my body float in the air.
　I felt as if someone was picking me up. When I looked up, I saw a familiar face.


"Mr. Arx.

Noah. ......




　It was Noah who supported me.
　He probably led Crabbe, who had come to reinforce him, to the street.
　After him, his subordinate mages appeared from behind Crabbe.
　After casting a spell to lower the temperature, they deployed around him, relying on the black iron pavement.
　They are divided into two groups: those who move to surround Aluas, and those who come to the aid of the guards.


　Meanwhile, Crabbe glared at the area. Eventually, he realized what was going on here and gave a grim smile.


"Arx!　You did well!　You showed some guts!

"Heh, ......


　While Noah held him, he raised his fist in response.
　Crabbe's words were the most flattering compliment I've ever heard.


I'm sure you'll agree that His Majesty Shinru Kroselord was better than General .......

"Of course. Don't think that the King is so far behind the Empire, do you?


　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　I'm not sure what to do.


"It's no use. Let's retreat.

"You won't make me.

"No, I'll do it.


　With that, Aryus leapt away from the wave of molten iron and onto a still-safe tree.
　A wave of molten metal dredged up the spot where she was, and Crabbe immediately extended the molten metal into the air.
　Crabbe's【Iron Floor Rehearsal】is a transformative magic. Once you use it, you can freely manipulate the molten iron until the magic power runs out or the user, Crave, cuts off the supply of magic.
　It can be cooled and solidified into iron, returned to the boiling molten water, or stretched hollow like this.


　As the molten water was approaching, Aluas chanted something, and a magical defense appeared in front of her.
　The tentacles of molten metal that extended out in multiples were repelled by the translucent barrier.


I'm not sure what to make of that.

It's an honor to be praised by someone who controls a part of the creation of this world.

And you're saying you're even more impressive for preventing it?

No way, that's reading too much into it. It's not enough to have prevented it, is it?

".......


　Crabbe snickers, closes one eye, and immediately raises his right hand. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.
　It was a sight that even our allies could not help but feel fear and despair.
　Just before the extreme mass struck.


　Suddenly, Aryus's figure changed into a blur.
　Wavering, wavering.
　Immediately after, a rush of molten metal contacted Aryus. But the molten metal passed right through her.


"What--?


　Crabbe uttered a questioning voice. That's because Aluas, who was supposedly hit by the molten metal, was still floating there without a care in the world. It was true that he had taken a direct hit.
　However, the image remained in place, as if it had been hit by a 3D image. I don't know how this works. He didn't seem to have used any magic, but...
　The statue of Aluas, now that safety has been established, opens his mouth in a calm manner.


...... I didn't expect to be beaten so badly by the strike force. A decoy named Poluk Nadar. General Barg Gulba. Dusseyr Lubanka's surprise attack. And last but not least, me. We had all the forces and the plans in place. And yet, all of them were suppressed. ......

That's because you underestimated the kingdom.

No, he did not. Otherwise, they would not have planned so carefully.


　Then why?
　I don't need to ask anyone.
　Because the answer is quite simple.


　So.


"That's obvious, isn't it?


　I say.


"May I ask why ......?

It's because you're all looking in different directions. You can't get the best out of a group of people no matter how talented they are if they don't work together. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

"............

It's true that you've all been working for the win. Poluk Nadar, the imperial general who came to surprise you, and you, who I don't know what you are. But it's obvious that the moment we despise each other, we will collapse. How can a group of people who only care about themselves defeat a group of people who are united in one thing?

"I do this and that. You're right.


　I'm sure you're right." Aluas said, and his tone changed to a mysterious one.


I'm sure you're not the only one. The way you said it, you must have had a good idea of what this battle was about. In other words.




　--If the Empire was to win here, it had to deal with you first, didn't it?


　As he said this, Aryus' figure faded even further.


"Mage, Arx Raytheft. Please remember what I just said. We're waiting for you to change your mind.

"Pull it out.


　Aryus smiled back at the sarcastic reply, and then disappeared like smoke.
　There was no sign of him again.
　So, it's finally over.


　Immediately, with a sense of relief, darkness fell over me from above.
　My body ached all over, and I was at my limit.


"Master Arx!　Be careful!


　Noah shook his body.


"Arx!　Hey!　Arx!　Stay with me!


　Clive's voice comes closer.


"Arx!　Arxuuuuuuuuuu!


　The last thing I heard before I lost consciousness was Ceylan's urgent scream.