From Yuki's point of view...



　In the end, I made Flora-Zamel my squire.
　I can't say no if the introducer is Mr. Rosso-Burns. I owe a lot to my father, General Barnes, because he's done a lot for me.
　In this kind of situation, I'm going to be human and pay him back what I owe him.

　Flora-Zamel has given me another carriage to ride in.
　I decided to go back to Iris to get permission to bring her along.



'I understand. I will obey My Lord's will.

　Inside the carriage, Iris nodded.

'I'm a bit unwilling to have more girls around My Lord, though.
I don't plan on increasing it either.

　Only, Flora-Zamel was willing to give up her entire position and play my squire.
　She was shaking. She looked so blue.
　I felt like I would collapse and die if I refused.

'Well she reminded me of Lyle's grandmother.
You must be Grandma Rosalba.

　Iris clapped her hands with a plop.
　She remembered Alice's great-grandmother (Sosobo) in her previous life.

"Grandma Rosalba came to defeat My Lord at the behest of the king at the time, right?
Yeah. I was getting pennies and soaring to the brave call.

　Rosalba came to 'Fira Village' and challenged me fairly and squarely.
　At the time, I was in the middle of using slime to combat pests and diseases, and I told her to wait until later because I was busy.
　She obediently waited until the evening.
　Then she collapsed with jalapenos.

　I fed her a full meal for now and told her that I was harmless.
　Then the guys in the village told me that the king at the time was the one who was going to take down the demon king in a flurry.
　Rosalba was surprised, but he understood.
　And so she stayed in the village and married Lyle's grandfather.

　Incidentally, the king who made Rosalba a brave man died of illness afterwards.
　The order to defeat him was vague.

The order to defeat him was abandoned," he said. "Flora-Zamel's face was the same as Rosalba's when he realized that his mission was meaningless and fell. Anyway, I had to get her to calm down.
'....It's not fair. My Lord.

　Iris averted her gaze.

'You can't be mad at me if you say something about Grandma Rosalba, can you?
I'm sorry. But there's another reason.
Let's hear it.
That's because I'm thinking of experimenting with ancient magic on my journey.
An experiment in ancient magic?
I promised Odette I'd take care of the Sanctuary Church before she left. "I'll take care of the 'Sanctuary Church' before I'm gone.
"Hmm.
What the f*ck?
I thought, "That's very My Lord,

　Iris looks at me, holding her cheeks and looking at me.

'Two hundred years later, he's still caring, kind, and my favorite My Lord,'

But in this life, we can't just die on our own, can we?　You can't leave me, no matter how much it's for us. You know that, don't you?
I won't die. There's a scary one coming after you.
Mmm. Your words are not very romantic.
...let's get back to the point.
Yes, sir.
''Even if I can deal with the 'Sanctuary Church', I can't do it alone. I have a weird trait that makes it easier for me to use 'Ancient Magic', but I can't take on the organization by myself.
I don't want My Lord to be reckless, either.
So I thought it would be a good idea to develop 'a good use of ancient magic that anyone can do on this journey'. I asked Flora-Zamel to come with me because...
"To have them evaluate whether they can be used, in the eyes of the 'Zamelites'?
That's what I mean. I have a few ideas on how to do it.

　That way, it could be used by a sorcerer other than me.
　So I actually asked Flora-Zamel to look at it and get her opinion.

'What method?'
''You know me and my bat army use 'Ancient Magic' doubled, right?
'Yes. My Lord can use it up to two and a half times, right?
Yeah. Any more than that and it would be too much for my body. So I've decided to add more to my body.
I understand!

　Iris's eyes lit up.
　'You're so quick to understand.

'It's amazing. My Lord. Then maybe with practice, other sorcerers could do the same thing.'
'We'll have to experiment first. We're waiting for the report from the bat army that went on patrol.




　Then me and Iris continued to exchange ideas about the 'Ancient Magic' experiment.
　What magic to use first, and what formation to use.
　While we were discussing this, time passed and the territory patrol team and I were nearing the forest along the road.

　By now, Dick and the others should be patrolling the forest area.
　Hopefully, they will find a demon that will be a test case of witchcraft.
　That way, the soldiers can rest and experiment with magic while they're at it.



　Konkon.



　As I was thinking about this, I heard a knock on the carriage window.

''Goshujin. I found a demon!''
Thanks. Dick. What kind of monster?
'There are two minotaurs! They're huge!
The Minotaur?

　They are supposed to be demons that live in dungeons and caves.
　And yet, they are so close to the streets?

Stop the carriage!

　Iris shouted to His Highness.
　After making sure the carriage stops, me and Iris go outside.

''My 'guard knight' Yuki-Grossaria-sama's messenger has found a dangerous demon - a minotaur!　There are two of them. I don't think there are any others, but I will warn the nearby villages and the travelers moving around, just in case. Cavalry, please head in pairs of three each!

　Iris commanded the soldiers with a princess' expression.

''Yes, sir!''

　The soldiers on horseback ride off to the north and south of the city road.
　Continuing, Iris tells them that I'm going to go and defeat the demon, while the other soldiers are to wait.
　The soldiers say, "A demon is in this place? I'm skeptical that I'm going to be able to do it, but I begin to prepare as I'm ordered.
　Great.
　Even though she has Alice's memories, Iris is still playing the princess properly.

Then, Your Highness. Then I'm going to go to defeat the demons.
"I'm going." "I'll do it." "I'm off!" "Yay!

　Three bats are gathering around me.
　It's just as I told you beforehand.
　This time, the 'Good Use of Ancient Magic' that I've thought of requires a total of three bat armies.

''Your Highness Iris!　Yuki-Grossaria-sama!

　I heard Flora-Zamel's voice.
　She dismounted from the carriage as she rolled, and rushed towards us.

'Please. Please take me with you. Yuki-Grossaria-sama!''
Okay.
''I know you don't believe me, who has ... disturbed Yuki-Grossaria-sama so far ... so many times. If you feel that you are in my way, you can shoot me with your magic. But I........I want to help you!
Thank you. Now, follow me.
It may not be permissible for me to ask such a favor of a newcomer.
Yes, attention.

　I clapped my hands in front of Flora-Zamel's eyes with a bang.
　She looks startled, as if she hadn't expected it.

'Your first task as a squire is to calmly listen to me, isn't it?
Well yes.
''Please follow me. You should have more knowledge of 'Ancient Magic' than I do, so I'd like your opinion on magic during the battle.
Okay, okay!
Would it be all right if I came along for the ride?

　Mr. Rosso-Burns comes in from behind the street.

It's not that I doubt Yuki-Dono, but it's a matter of when, just in case. I'll take myself and my men to back up Yukidono.
I understand. I look forward to working with you.

　We're going to be using a new technique, so there's a chance it might not work.
　But I'm not worried about it, with Mr. Lozzo's help.

Well, I'll be leaving now. Iris, Your Highness.
Have a good night. My 'knight escort', Yuki-Grossaria-sama.

　Iris saw us off and we headed toward the woods.





'Dick and the others were right. There really is a minotaur.

　A few dozen minutes' walk from the street, near the forest.
　A bull-headed demon (minotaur) with an axe in each hand was walking in the meadow.

Is there a record of a minotaur appearing in a place like this?　Mr. Lozzo.
No. They're for dungeons and caves. There's no record of them coming out this close to the middle of nowhere.
Yeah.

　I looked at Flora-Zamel.

'Is there any 'ancient magic' that makes the minotaur a messenger or manipulator? Flora-Zamel.
Wow, I'm a squire I don't need an honorific. Yuki-Grossaria-sama.
Is it possible to use magic to turn a minotaur into a sorcerer?

　I rephrased.
　Flora-Zamel thought for a moment, then

'That kind of 'ancient magic' has yet to be discovered. At least that's what my grandfather said. However, that minotaur seems to be a bit large. Maybe it's a modified, special race.
That's certainly a lot more than a regular one and a half.

　Mr. Lozzo nodded.
　I agree with you. A normal minotaur is about twice as tall as an adult, but the one we're looking at is one size larger than that.

'That could be something similar to The Great-Ogre,'
I agree with you. I'll send this guy's information to King's Landing myself.
All right. Then I'll see if I can't beat these guys.

Just like the Great Ogre, the Minotaur is a powerful monster.
　As I recall, they were at a level where they could be surrounded by a large number of soldiers or multiple sorcerers could finally defeat them by firing a series of 'ancient magic' shots. If it's being controlled, it's quicker to search for a sorcerer, but it won't be caught in the bat army's search.
　In other words, it was working on its own.

Bat Legion, assemble!
"Yes, sir! I'm going to do it... and I'm going to use that trick.

　Dick and his friends come to me.
　One on each shoulder. One in the head. A total of three bats.

"As I recall, you were the one who unleashed the magic through the messenger.
''I've heard that too. Yuki-Grossaria-sama can use bats to unleash 'ancient magic' from all directions.

　Mr. Lozzo and Flora-Zamel are down in the grass.
　The soldiers who followed me as backup are with them.

'I'll be off then,'

　I activate my 'Flying' skill.
　I move directly above the minotaur that wanders around the meadow.

"Guhuo?
"Guaaaaaaaah!

　The minotaur noticed me.
　He raises his axe and throws a projectile at me without hesitation. It's fast.

Evasive maneuvers.
"Yes." "Goshujinjian." "My protection.

　Me and the bat army separate and rise as we go.
　A minotaur's axe passes over where we were.

　They're not only big, but they're also skilled enough to aim accurately at us. They also have the skill to aim accurately at us?
　It seems to be a special kind of demon, after all.

"Let's take them down quickly and have the guild of magicians examine the remains.
"Yes." "I'll do it." "I'll do it." "I'll do it.

　Again, Dick the bat is on my head.
　The other two stop on both shoulders.

'Magic connection confirmed.'

　I reaffirm my connection to the bats through "Myster Blood".
　No problem. Let's move on to the next phase.

Battalion. "Battalion of Bats, open your wings.
"'Yes, yes, yes!'

　With a bang, the bats open their wings.
　Dick opens both wings, the bat on his right shoulder opens his right wing and the bat on his left shoulder opens his left wing.

　Each bat has the emblems of Ancient Magic and Efreet Bullets drawn on its wings, one for each bat.



''Well, I didn't think it was going to be through a messenger.......a complex 'ancient magic'?
What do you mean?　Flora-Zamel.
''It's a magic that is activated by multiple messengers and sorcerers working together. But even if it's normal magic, it's difficult to match the movement and magic power operation in 'Ancient Magic', so no one should have succeeded so far...



　We have our backs to Flora-Zamel and Mr. Rosso.
　The two of you can't see the wings of the bats and the crest I've drawn on my hand.

　This is an experiment.
　I can use "body strengthening" up to 2.6. Any more than that and my body will take a toll.
　One person can't use 'Ancient Magic' above 2.6.

　That's why I decided to try increasing my body.
　Me and three bat armies.
　In total, there are four emblems of the 'Efreet Bullets'.
　Each one of them has one emblem per body.
　It should be a small burden.


''Guh-oh-oh?''
"Gugaaaaaaah!


　The minotaur grabbed the handy stone and shook it.
　However, the activation of our (.........) 'Ancient Magic' was faster.

''Activate 'Efreet Blows' quadruple!
I'm going to..." "I'm going to..." "I'm going to...



　Gosh.



　A large number of flame bombs were born in front of me.
　Each one was huge.
　Their diameter was about the height of a human being. They were smaller than the same flame-type Burning Meteor, but the number was different. That one was one. This one has tens of them.


　And then──they all fell on the minotaur on the ground at once.


''Guhgaaaaahhhh!
"Guaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!


　The minotaur tries to catch the fireball with both hands. Instantly, its arms are engulfed in flames and scorched.
　The next flaming bullet blows his leg off.
　The next bullet is to the head, to the torso. One after another, they rain down on the fallen minotaur's head.


"Ggaaaa........
"Gobaa.....


　Thud thud thud thud!


　The barrage of flaming bullets never stops.
　It's as if me and my bat army of bats keep hitting the ground with our flaming hammers.

Dick. Are the other bats experiencing any physical problems?
I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm at peace.
Then we will stop the magic.

　We unlocked the "Flame God's Bullet (Efreet Blows)" quadruple.
　If this is the case, the entire Minotaur's body will be reduced to ashes. That's not going to leave any documents.
　We'll have to have their bodies examined by the Magic Guild.

Well that's too powerful. That's like four times the "Fiery Cannonball".

　The diameter of a normal fireball was four times the diameter of a normal fireball.......it was about sixteen times larger.
　The Minotaur's body is burnt and disintegrated.
　Oh, there's even a hole in the ground.
　The grass is burning up, too. It's a good thing this area isn't inhabited, though.

　The emblem I drew on the bat army and myself has already disappeared.
　Is the amount of magic it consumes to be strong enough? You can't use it randomly.
　I think this technique still has a lot of room for research.

It's done.

　I landed in front of Mr. Lozo and Flora-Zamel.

'Excuse me. Roszo-san. Could you arrange for the demon's body to be transported to the 'Magic Guild' in the royal capital?
.......oh.

　Mr. Lozzo stands up in a hurry.
　He heads towards the minotaur with the soldiers who are rolling their eyes, though.

''Oh, it's still hot, so you'll have to wait until it's a bit cooler. You'll get burned.
Yeah, I get it. No, I get it.
Yes, sir. Mage, you have my word.

　Mr. Lozzo looks nervous.
　The soldiers stand upright and immobile, bowing their heads towards me.
　........................I knew I had surprised them too much. I should have explained to them beforehand what effect it would have. I failed.

''So, Flora-Zamel. Can you tell me what you think about the 'Ancient Magic' now?
.... uh, yeah, yeah.

　Flora-Zamel was flattened on her buttocks.

''The current technique isn't that great, old Zamel, a Grade A magician, should be able to use even more amazing 'ancient magic'.
..........
''So I think other sorcerers can do the same thing as the current one. I'm not going to be able to get it right. As long as you can clear that part of the process...
I can't!

　Flora-Zamel exclaimed.

'Aside from the movement, the synchronization of magic between sorcerers is too advanced a technique!　Even if you use a messenger demon, it's impossible. That kind of........
'Oh yeah...'

　I'm disappointed.
　I thought that even if we couldn't do it with 4 people at the same time, we could do it with at least 2 people.
　If we used that, we could 'strengthen our bodies' as a group and remove the rubble (patent).
　Synchronization is important, so there would be no faction fighting, and I thought it would be suitable for the current 'magic guild'.

''........Grandfather......even old Zamel can't do something like that. As for the connection of magic power........if you have some kind of medium, you may be able to do it, but....
A medium.

　In other words, just like me and the 'Bat Army' are connected by 'Magic Blood (Myster Blood)', I just need something to connect the magicians to each other.
　That's another thing that needs to be researched.
　I'll look into it during my trip.

"Dick. I'm sorry, but can you take care of the rounds again?
"This is the home office. Are you looking for a monster?
Yeah. Next time, let's get someone who can be an errand boy, not an enemy.
What's it like?
"Slime.

　I replied shortly.

　When I was in the 'Fira Village' in my previous life, I also used slime as an errand boy.
　They're good for killing vermin in fields and rice fields because of their indeterminate shape. They're also good for eating weeds.

Try to find one that's as tame as possible. You don't have to do anything, just let me know when you find one.
"This is the place.

　Dick flew away.
　We've done our business. Let's leave this place to Mr. Rosso and the others and get back to Iris.