An hour later.
　Odette was in the reception room of the 'Magic Guild', facing old Zamel, an A-class magician.

(...............As expected, I'm nervous.

　Odette straightens her back and looks at old Zamel in front of her.
　The white-haired old Zamel wears a pure white robe that identifies him as a Grade A magician.
　His round glasses, which he occasionally repositions with his fingertips, are a magic item he has created. It has the ability to adjust the focus of the lenses according to the distance of the object. They are just ordinary reading glasses, but their value is immeasurable. It was even presented to His Majesty the King.

He possesses the highest level of skill in the Magic Guild and has strong connections with the royal family - that was the highest-ranking A-class magician in the Magic Guild, Carthas-Zamel.

　The old Zamel, touching his reading glasses, is reading the letter from Yuki intently.
　After reading it aloud many times and nodding it over and over again...

'I have seen the letter from the C-class magician Yuki-Grossaria. She is the daughter of the Duke of Surrey.

　Eventually, old Zamel looked up from his parchment.
　He nodded to a young man who was standing behind him.
　The man was transcribing the contents of the parchment while old Zamel was reading it. He would keep it as a copy in the 'Magic Guild'.

''Thank you for bringing this information to me,''
I thank you for this opportunity to meet with you. Mr. Zamel.

　Odette bowed to old Zamel.

'The information I received from my friend was so important that I asked to see you without any regard for my position. Please forgive me.
No, I'm the one who should be grateful. This is all about the safety of my grandson, Flora.
A huge demon has appeared on the border. After defeating it, a mysterious knight attacked Mr. Rosso-Burns' troops, right?

　In Yuki's letter, she wrote about what happened in the border area.

　Immediately after Iris and her group arrived at the border village, the soldiers of the fort came to call for help.
　Rosso-Burns' troops rushed in and defeated the giant orcs.
　The golden knight who appeared afterwards and attacked Rosso-Burns' troops.
　The black 'King's Horseman' who rushed in defeated the knight who was moving unusually fast.

　All the information - except the part where Yuki was involved - was written down.

(Yuki, you're writing this letter on the premise of showing it to the 'Magic Guild'...)

　So it doesn't say how Yuki was involved in this incident.
　At best, he released an errand boy and gathered information.

　But I'm sure Odette can understand.
　I'm sure Yuki fought the Black King (Lord of=s) Noir on his own.
　Then he defeated the golden knight and neutralized him.
　Probably Yuki was not injured at all. Iris and the accompanying Flora-Zamel would be the same.

(.........I can understand without writing it down. But.........that doesn't mean I don't worry about it, you know?

　They should just send me a personal letter by separate mail.
　Odette takes a deep breath while thinking about this, because that person is completely inconsiderate.
　Then again, he faced old Zamel.

I'm going to say that this letter was sent to me by Yuki Glossalia. It was written to convey this to the 'Magic Guild'. I wasn't sure who to tell, but...
No, thank you for choosing me. The Lady of the House of Surrey.
I was hoping that Master Zamel would be able to share this information with the royal family.
''Of course. Of course, I couldn't keep such important information in the Magic Guild. Besides.........if the information that Yuki-Grossaria delivered to me, there won't be a single mistake in the world.
Zamel-sama trusts Yuki, doesn't he?
He's also my grandson, Flora, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude.

　Old Zamel laughed, stroking his white beard.

''At the risk of sounding rude, I would like to ask you a question. How do you intend to handle this incident in the guild?
''The Royal Family will probably increase the number of soldiers on the border guards. The Royal Family will probably increase their border guards, and the 'Magic Guild' will also cooperate with them. Specifically, they'll have a sorcerer to accompany the troops being sent out.
Yuki seems to think it's possible that a separate force has entered the country.
That's what I was thinking. They will search for any sign of intruders.
I'm so relieved to hear that.
It's just that right now we don't have many sorcerers we can move.

　Suddenly, the old Zamel murmured in a low voice.
　The scribe man behind him widened his eyes, and

'Lord Zamel. That information shouldn't be out in the open yet...
That's fine. The daughter of Yuki Grossaria and the daughter of the Srei family is a close friend of mine. Then I should at least thank you for the valuable information you gave me.
Yes.
In fact, His Highness Prince Cain's group, which was on its way to inspect the border with Prince Iris, was also attacked by a demon.
And His Highness Cain's entourage?

　Odette couldn't help but exclaim.

　This time, the border inspection Iris is conducting is part of the royal family's business.
　A few days before she left, His Highness Cain also went out to another border with Demeter, a C-class magician.
　If that group were to be attacked by a demon, that would be a national crisis.

''........Is Your Highness Cain safe?''
The young man is a B-grade magician and has a C-grade Demeter with him. I'll be able to keep up with the demons. But the Cain faction has dispatched many sorcerers to guard His Highness Cain.
'So ... is it only the 'Zamelites' who are left?
And a few 'Cainites'. There's no denying the lack of strength. Not all sorcerers are good at fighting...

　Old Zamel sighed.
　Even Odette could clearly see that the situation was serious.

　If His Highness Cain's troops had been attacked by demons, it was only natural that the 'Cain faction' would come to the rescue.
　Even the royal family can't help but send out additional troops.
　But because of that, their forces were dispersed.

(Yuki said that the enemy on the border was a decoy and that the real enemy could have entered the kingdom. If it was as powerful as the golden knight who attacked Rosso-Burns-sama──)

　It would be impossible to fight unless you were a person who could control a considerably powerful 'Ancient Magic' and 'Ancient Artifact'.
　The strongest person in the guild is old Zamel, an A-class sorcerer, but he's literally old.
　Cain, the second most capable B-class sorcerer, is absent.
　Odette doesn't know how strong the other B-class sorcerers are.
　But they shouldn't have a fighting ability as strong as Yuki's.

(.........I hope Yuki's prediction is an undoing....

　Odette mumbles without saying it - and realizes that she doesn't believe it at all.
　Yuki's predictions are trustworthy.

　He has been the village's guardian god in his previous life.
　He has been managing the crisis to protect the villagers and countermeasures against foreign enemies for 150 years. His prediction based on his experience is a good one.
　Probably, the enemy has crossed the borders and entered the country.
　If their goal is 'the capital of ancient magical civilization (Elysian)', then they should come to the royal capital.

(.........Is there anything I can do?

　There is a 'magic guild' in the royal capital. There are many acquaintances of Odette. There is also the Royal Palace to protect.
　There are also recently made important friends - Giselle, Martha and Remy.
　.........in order to protect them, what can Odette do....

You are the daughter of the Suley family?
'Oh....'

　I noticed that old Zamel was looking at Odette with concern.

''I'm sorry, too. Master Zamel.
'No, don't worry about it. You're worried about your friend, aren't you?
Okay, yes.
Don't worry. Yuki-Grossaria is a powerful sorcerer. His Highness Iris and my grandson will return safely. We, the Zamelites, intend to do everything in our power to protect our country. I forgot.

　Old Zamel extended his hand toward the man who was standing behind him.
　As if he knew what he was doing, he handed over two sheets of parchment.

You (you) gave me a research application for the Armed Ogre's Shield. You said it could help us to break through the barrier at the fifth level. Hmm. Very interesting.
Thank you, sir. Mr. Zamel.
But I'm sorry. I don't want to take your application now.
Yes, sir. It's an emergency.
'Not so. That shield has already been put back where it belongs.
Where it should be?
"On the shoulders of one of the 'Lord's Horsemen', the 'Lord of Phantoms'.

　Old Zamel indicated the parchment that was at the bottom of the application form.
　There was a diagram of the 'Spirit King Rider' with the 'Armed Ogre Shield' on his shoulder.

''It seems that was originally one of the parts that made up the 'Spirit King's Horseman'. And I'm planning to use the 'Spiritual King's Horseman' to protect the city this time.

　On the left and right side of the figure, there are words scrawled in blows.
'Spiritual King (Lord of) Horsemen (Phantom)' - Currently awaiting activation trials.
　Proposed by A-class magician Carthas Zamel.
　With the absence of a large number of sorcerers due to the escort of His Highness Prince Cain, we should hurry up with the activation test.
　According to the information from the border, the enemy may have entered the country.

　Furthermore, the knight who appeared at the border is believed to be a 'Replica Lord'.
　If a comparable enemy had entered the country, a countermeasure would be needed.
The "King's Horseman (Lord)" should be able to counter them.

　The captured Phantom of the Lord should be available for use in case the enemy comes close to the royal capital.

　At the time of the first activation experiment, the attrition of the C-class magician Demeter was too severe, and that 'Lord of the Phantoms' was judged to be unsuitable for practical use.
　However, through the creation of the Replica Lord, I'm beginning to understand how to use the O-Ki.
　Based on that, they will conduct the "Second Activation Experiment" to put it to practical use.

That's what I'm trying to say. I can't let you study that shield now.
May I ask you something?

　The words came out of my mouth naturally.
　I could tell I was about to say something outrageous.
　It's not possible to get this kind of wish to come true if you think it's normal.

　But Odette continues.

''Has the magician who wears the 'Spiritual King's Horseman' already been selected?
It's not a good idea. It's not a good idea to use that, as it drains a lot of magic, and there is no one who wants to use it. I've been thinking of having the leaders of the Zamelites recommend someone with strong magic power.
May I ask for your permission, sir?

　When the enemy arrives in King's Landing.
　And when the enemy is a replica lord or the very same kingpin...

　If Odette can wear the Spiritual King's Horseman, she might be able to defeat the enemy.

''Is it possible for me to wear that 'King's Rider (Lord)' to use it?

　What came into Odette's mind was her own image, fighting next to Yuki's "Black King's Horse".
　Of course, I know it's reckless.

　A voice in my head.


　─ There's no way I have the ability to do that.
　It's not even worth it. I'm not going to be the only one who has participated in the activation experiment, but it's not going to be exclusive to Odette.
　It's a good idea to be quiet and wait for Yuki to come back.


　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it.

(I just want to help her.)

　I don't want to be protected, but I want to fight alongside that person.
　Yuki's - I want to protect that dangerous friend of mine from revealing the secrets of his previous life.
　Because that's what I want to do now...

　While thinking about this, Odette waits patiently for old Zamel's answer.

　Both the old Zamel and the scribe men are looking at Odette in silence.
　Were they dismayed, or had they been offended?

　When Odette began to think about this, she said.

'A most gratifying proposition indeed. 'That's very kind of you, the daughter of the Surrey family,'

　Old Zamel nodded.

Your proposal is a wishful thinking. Good. I will allow Odette Suley to participate in the second activation experiment of the Phantom of the Spirit King.
Please wait!　That was supposed to be done by the 'Zamelites' alone in the absence of the 'Cainites'!

　The scribe man spoke up.
　Old Zamel won him over with a wave of his hand.

This is no longer the time to be obsessed with factions. A huge demon and a mysterious knight-errant - an enemy beyond our imagination has appeared, so we must obtain the power to fight it. The experiment should be conducted jointly by the 'Zamelites' and 'Cainites'.
Mr. Zamel.
In addition, if the person who wears the 'Spiritual Warrior' is the daughter of the Duke of Srei's family, who does not belong to any of the factions, the 'Cain faction' will not complain. It would be a good experiment for both factions to work together.
I'm sorry I didn't know you thought that far ahead, Master Zamel.

　The man in the scribe draws back.
　Old Zamel looks at Odette.

I admire your courage. I invite you to participate in this experiment.
Thank you. Lady Carthas-Zamel.
'I accept Odette-Slay's proposal in the name of the Class A sorcerer Curtus-Zamel. Gather all the available sorcerers at once!　The second activation experiment of the 'Spiritual King's Rider' will be conducted during the first two days!
Ha!

　With a bow, the scribe man runs out.
　Soon, the sorcerers of the "Zamelites" begin to gather.
　Old Zamel begins to explain to them that the kingdom may be in danger.
　He says that the kingdom may be in danger.
　That the kingdom may be in danger, and that they must have the strength to fight back.
　Odette-Suray is not a 'Zamelite', but she is Yuki-Grossaria's best friend and one of the people who saved Flora-Zamel, whom she trusts.
　Then you should accept her proposal and the 'Zamelites' should back her up with all their might.

　The old Zamel's words - the sorcerers accepted them.
　They began to praise Odette-Suray's courage in their mouths.

　During the first activation experiment of the "Spiritual King's Horseman", the C-class magician Demeter had been sucked out of the magic power and had become exhausted. That 'Royal Horseman' consumes too much magic power.
　That's why I was so careful and cautious about the second activation experiment.
　More than that, there was no one who wanted to wear that thing.

　And yet, Odette Sly decided to challenge the "Spiritual King's Rider" on her own.

　What courage!
　I'd like you to join the Zamelites.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm going to be able to recommend you to a C-class magician in the name of old Zamel.

　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

(Prepare yourself, Yuki. I won't just sit around and watch you fight with my fingers in the air forever.

(I will wear the Spirit King's Horseman and fight beside you. I'll also check the abilities of the shield of the Spiritual King's Horseman and break through the barrier at the fifth level.

(.........If you're fighting the 'King's Horseman' alone, one day they might find out about your previous life, right?

　Odette has an image of Yuki fighting in her mind.
　Formerly the guardian god of the village, mistaken for the demon king...
　After his reincarnation, he became Odette's best friend, a sweet boy who became Odette's best friend.

　I don't want to see that person's identity exposed and hurt by others.
　That's why I want to fight next to him.
　Clad in the same kind of power as his Black King (Noir), the Spirit King (Phantom), I want to fight next to him.

(It's bad enough that Yuki is a person who can't leave you alone. (Totally........already)

　As I listened to old Zamel and his friends explain their experiments...
　Odette had been thinking about that.