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January 24, Shoro Imperial.

"Mokushi, is it?"

"Yes. It's made from the bark of a tree.

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That's interesting. Thinner and lighter than hishi?

That's what it says.

In the Shoro Kingdom, the emperor and the prime minister were reading the news from the first dispatch. The information was sent by pigeon.

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"Jin-kun is right, this is a country that looks like it has a lot to offer.

Yes, I'm looking forward to it.

The Prime Minister and the Empress looked at each other and laughed.

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"There was also a report from Commander Fritz Randall. He has managed to arrive in the Kingdom of Egelea.

"That's right. I heard that you had a hard time at the site of the former Leonard's Kingdom.

He also reported a battle with an eerie monster.

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"It's scary that they once created a monster that could melt Goliath.

"I agree. ......Finally, the Kingdom of Selroa is once again showing some disturbing developments."

"......The old Kingdom of Leonard is not to be left to its own devices!　I guess you could say that.

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Let's give the border guards a special attention.

* * *

Upon arrival in the Kingdom of Egelea, Lieutenant Colonel Fritz Randle, Commander of the Shoro Expatriate Army, requested that the necessary reports be sent to him by manaphone.

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"Well, that gives me two days of rest for the time being."

Even for a man in training, the dozen days in the former Leonard's Kingdom had been difficult.

The same was true for the people from the Kingdom of Klein who accompanied him.

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They were all staying at the guest house in the outer palace.

"...... Ah, Mr. Fritz."

On their way back, they meet a female knight, Cynthia. The look on her face reminded Fritz of something.

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Cynthia. Do you know how ...... Gloria is doing?

Cynthia answered with her usual sad look on her face.

"......Yes. She's in the healing center here."

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"I see. Can I visit her?

I'm sure that's fine.

I'm sorry, but would you mind going with me?　I don't think it would be right for me to visit a woman in her hospital room.

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After a few moments of hesitation, Cynthia nodded.

"......Yes, that would be fine."

"Thank you. ...... can you wait here for a moment?　I'll get the sword to give back to her."

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Fritz had picked up the sword that Gloria had lost when she was doused with the solution and was holding it in his hand.

Cynthia looked at Fritz's back as he walked quickly to his room without answering and let out a small sigh.

"Sorry I kept you waiting.

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"No problem."

After a brief exchange of words, the two headed for the healing ward.

This is a facility for guests who have sudden illnesses or injuries, and is located on the outskirts of the outer palace.

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Gloria's room was a private room.

"Gloria, this is Cynthia.

I knock and call out. <

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Actually, this was a serious breach of etiquette.

Normally, Cynthia should have informed Gloria of Fritz's visit and asked for permission before inviting him in.

"Mister Fritz!　If he's coming, he's coming. ......"

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Gloria, startled by Fritz's entrance after Cynthia, jumped up in surprise and hurriedly pulled the blanket over her head.

In that short time, Fritz had seen it.

Gloria was left with scars...... burned by the corrosive liquid, ugly marks from the right side of her face to her neck and from her right shoulder to her right arm.

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"...... sorry. I was just going to give you the sword back and see how you were doing."

"......"

Gloria does not reply, keeping the blanket over her.

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"Don't worry about the scars."

After saying these words, even Fritz realized that he had misspoken, but it was too late. Men and women are different.

"I'm sorry. Did you see a ...... healer?"

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It was Cynthia who answered the question.

"Yes, Mr. Fritz. Our healer told me that the scars have already settled and that healing will not help.

Healing magic basically increases the healing power of a living creature many, many times over. In other words, it cannot heal scars that have become old wounds.

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Leaving aside the question of how long a wound is considered old, Gloria received healing magic as a first aid when her skin was burned this time.

Therefore, she recovered in a damaged state, which left her with a scar.

No matter how dull Fritz may be, one can imagine the shock for the woman when she found out that the scars could not be healed.

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"I'm sorry. I didn't think enough of it. I hope you don't mind. ...... I'll be leaving soon."

And as he was about to leave.

"...... Mister Fritz."

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I heard a little voice.

I turned around and saw Gloria, up to her eyes out of the blanket, staring at Fritz.

"I'm sorry you had to come all the way out here to see me. I'm sorry you had to come all the way out here to visit me," she said. ......　When I'm a little more settled."

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Fritz stopped at the door and turned around,

"...... I'll be back."

With these words, he left the room.

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* * * *

The Kingdom of Egelea had dispatched an army on January 18 to recover over 500 golems found at the Soldrake Ruins.

The force consisted of 20 members of the 3rd Knights, 2 battle golems, 20 all-purpose golems, and Philip, the head of the Blue Lands branch of the Guild of Magecraftsmen. Philip Tifo, head of the Blueland branch of the Guild of Magecraftsmen, and his automata, Dona.

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They arrived at the ruins on the 25th of the same month.

An unbelievable scene unfolded before their eyes.

Over 500 golems were lined up outside the ruins.

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"Hey ......!

"Oh, who are you?"

The ones who greeted the surprised captain, Paule Raid, mockingly were the frontier soldiers of the Kingdom of Celuloa. They numbered about 50 men. They even have a golem.

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They were probably the troops stationed at Fort Sonoma near the border, Pohl thought.

"You guys!　What are you doing here?

Pohl approached the unit on horseback and shouted loudly.

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In response, a man on horseback came forward. Judging from the armor he was wearing, he appeared to be the leader of the troop.

"Oh, are they bandits?　If so, you'd better go away. We are not so naive, are we?

The man who seems to be the leader of the frontier corps says flatly, brushing aside Pohl's angry voice as if it were a breeze.

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"Who's a bandit!　Don't you see the flag?　We are the 3rd Knights of the Kingdom of Egelea!

"Oh, I beg your pardon. I am the 2nd Frontier Guards of the Kingdom of Celuloa. I'm the commander, Trist Clarotho.

What's the Frontier Corps doing here?

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Paule's voice grows louder and louder as he becomes increasingly irritated by the condescending tone.

"We are excavating abandoned ruins and recovering the golem and magi crystals inside.

"Abandoned?　Those are ruins discovered and excavated by our survey team!

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Do you have any proof?

The only thing that can be called evidence is the shield with the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Egelea that was left at the entrance to the ruins.

However, such a thing has been destroyed, and the commander of the Frontier Corps claims to be unaware of it.

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At this point, it was obvious that an argument was about to break out.

Then came the follow-up.

"Besides, these golems were rebooted by our magecraftsmen with a lot of effort, you know?

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"Ugh. ......"

The fact that they were able to analyze and reactivate a golem that Jade Nephroy, who was accompanying them at the time, could not find out, can only be attributed to the superior technology of the Kingdom of Selroa.

The awkward movements of the golem indicate that it was only temporarily activated, but it is still an amazing feat of technology.

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If it can walk on its own, albeit with simple movements, there is no need to transport it at all.

However, Paule Raid could not back down just because of that.

"There are people who can attest that we found this place first."

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"Oh?　Where is he?

"He is not here, but he is the recognized Magecraft Meister, Sir Jin Nidor."