The next night, you encounter an enemy soldier.
　Your eyes are focused on the depths of the forest.
　A will-o-wisp wavers from deep in the dark forest.
　And it's not just one or two.
　Dozens, no, hundreds of demon fires were approaching us.

　Of course, they are not actual demon fires, but torches held by human soldiers, but they were beautiful and fantastic as they flickered out of the dark forest.

　While I was enjoying the scene for a while, one of the elven warriors asked me.

''Lord Ike, are you all right?''

　The words were uttered by the daughter of the elf who invited me to join the Queen yesterday.
　I am aware of her concerns, so to reassure her, I uttered these words.

'There is no need to worry. It's true that there are not many elven warriors left to devote to the southern front, but I can handle it.

..........

　There was no response from her.
　Apparently, she is overwhelmed by the number of enemies.

　So that's it.
　The number of enemies is more than 600 at a rough estimate, the largest in the East-West and North-South fronts.
　And they seem to be the main force of the enemy army.
　There are many soldiers who seem to be knights, and on top of that, they have many sorcerers as well.
　Perhaps the high-ranking sorcerer who attacked the elven village the other day may be among them.

　I have to intercept that number with just a few dozen people.
　If I had been in her position, I might have been shaking my leg in the same way.
　We have the fewest number of elves assigned to this southern front, while we have the largest number of enemies to deal with.

　It would be an unreasonable order to tell them not to fear the enemy army.　
　With that thought in mind, I decided to stand on the front line in order to inspire their morale.

''Oh dear, I can't scold Lilith for this, can I?

　I thought so, but this was all I could do.

　While letting out a breath, he released the magic of 《Flying (Fly)》 and approached the enemy army as he flew around among the trees.
　At the same time, I used 《Silence (Silent)》 magic to completely silence the sound.

　My immortal robes fluttering in the darkness will look like a creature that looks like an owl and a bat combined.

　But that's if any enemy soldiers have noticed my presence.

　With a perfect motion, I walked behind the enemy soldiers and unleashed the magic of the Pillar of Fire (Fire Storm) from behind the enemy soldiers.

　Many soldiers were consumed by the Pillar of Fire and became a fireball.
　It's not a pleasant sight, but this is just the way it is on the battlefield.
　This is the way it should be on the battlefield.

　When the pillar of fire rises into the forest, it is the signal for the elves to begin their surprise attack.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your skills, as well as the other battlefields.

　When I saw that scene, I unleashed the Teleportation spell.
　It's a transfer to the center of the enemy's army.
　Because I thought that the magician in question was there.
　The other day, I stepped that the sorcerer who released the white beast into this forest was there, and my calculation was spot on.

　You can't help but stand out when there's someone in the knight's group wearing a sorcerer's robe.
　Besides, the elaborate robes proved that the person was a high-ranking sorcerer.
　He bowed to the sorcerer who wore a pure white robe with a gold-rimmed design.

'How do I know you are Lord Varick, the court sorcerer of Rosalia?

　The sorcerer reacts to those words with a twitch.

　That motion shows that my instincts are correct, but it seems that this man has no intention of hiding his identity in the first place.

　He comes forward proudly.

''How true, I am Varick, court wizard of Rosalia.

　And he gives a bow just like me.
　As expected of a court magician. I'm sure he's very polite in that area.
　Then Varick asked me this question.

''Your immortal robes, your deformed figure and the circular snake staff. You're renowned in the Demon King's army, Ike-dono, is that correct?

I don't know if it's a household name, but Ike, that's what it is.

　Varick smiles wryly as he says this.

'I see, I see.'

What do you mean by that?

I'm convinced, after all this time, that you're the reason why the summoned beast I unleashed with my full strength the other day was defeated.

It was you who summoned it, after all, and you seem to have a terrible magic.

''That sounds ironic coming from a demon tribe that has successfully defeated it.

　Varick said and then continued.

''The devil king's army's pocketbook, huh? You're right. It's true that not many demons are able to defeat this beast. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

Thank you for the compliment.

　And when he returned with sarcasm, the sorcerer was not offended, but on the contrary continued to praise him.

''But what a pity. If only a sorcerer like you had been born on the human side, I wouldn't have had to come to a battlefield like this.

What do you mean?

I'm a court magician by nature. I wanted to spend the rest of my life immersed in my research.

　Valric said and began to put magic into his staff.

If only you had been born on the human side, life would have been easier.

''It's the same here. If you had been born on the side of the demon race, I would have been drinking tea in Ivalice by now.

　As I say this, I also put magic power into the staff of the circular snake (Ouroboros).
　The color of my staff's magic power is blue, while Varick's staff glows purple.

　The moment their wands are replenished with magic, the duel begins.
　It's a way of fighting that emphasizes chivalry despite the fact that we are both mages, but I didn't dislike this way of fighting.

　First, Varick's first strike is swung off the back of my head.


　Buon!


　The unique sound of a weapon that has been given magical power resounds in my ears.
　Apparently, Varick seems to specialize in slashing properties.
　When I avoid it, a purple shockwave is transmitted backwards.
　If I look, I see that a huge tree has been cut in half.

'I see, it's quite interesting.'

　It is true that he is a court magician, and his magic power is not to be underestimated.
　I should still defeat this person here.
　With that in mind, I wave my wand.

　The same sound as Varick's rang out, but my wand was given a special spell to stun (stun). I'm confident that even a single blow can stun a giant elephant.

　You'll be able to swing your circular snake staff, but it won't hit you easily.
　It seems that he's not a bad type of person, and he's not too athletic.
　While there are many sorcerers who confine themselves to the court and devote themselves to research and networking, it was brilliant.
　In terms of physical ability alone, he might be better than me.

　-- only, unfortunately, everything else was better than me in terms of power.

　Besides, that physical ability is not even close to being able to match my body, which was strengthened by the "Robe of Immortality" that my grandfather left me.

　Taking a light step, I jumped into my opponent's bosom.
　Varick exclaims in amazement.
　To him, it might have looked as if I had used some kind of 《transfer》 magic.

　In the blink of an eye, he closes the distance and swings his staff down.
　Varick tried to catch it with his own staff, but he was a step too slow and his magic power was not enough to replenish it.
　I'm not going to be the only one who can do that.

　You can also have a look at the following information
　It is a very good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends.
　A few of the bones felt a broken hand.

　This would have settled the matter, he thought, but the man named Varick was no ordinary man in terms of his mental strength.
　He didn't faint, and shouted loudly.

'Pull out temporarily!　There is no point in diffusing our forces. We must assemble once and attack again.

　With those instructions, I can guess that this man Varick is not incompetent.
　Although after all this time, he seems to have realized the folly of dispersing his forces.
　Apparently, the secret to the strength of the Twin Eagle Knights was in this man.
　It seems that he has established countless military achievements through his role as a military strategist.
　I couldn't help but be impressed, but that was why I couldn't let this man go.

　I cast the spell of 'Breaking the Spell (Dispel)' on Varick, who was about to cast the magic of 《Transfer》.

　If Varick hadn't shouted the command to 'Retreat' and cast the Transference spell from the beginning, he wouldn't have been able to get there in time.

　In a way, his feelings for his companions had led to his own destruction.
　He seems to be quite a remarkable person after all.

　I tied him up with the magic of Binding and ordered the elves to treat him politely as a prisoner of war.

　The elves knew that this man was the one who released the white beast, but they still didn't seem willing to abuse their captive. They will obey my orders obediently.　

　It seems that elves are a peace-loving race, after all.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that, once again, I sent orders to my subordinates who were scattered in all directions to return to the Elf's royal capital.