From Yuki's point of view...



　You were just in time.
　Truly──I'm glad I was able to make it in time.

　It was a few days ago that I contacted Odette via "King's Horseman" communication.
　I'm going to have to take a nap just in time to maintain my physical strength, and then head to the royal capital.
　I've been in frequent contact with Odette during this time.

　So he knew that Odette and her friends were in the Black Forest.
　Odette had asked old Zamel for permission to conduct additional experiments on the Spirit King's (Lord of)Horsemen (Phantom) and had come to this forest with the sorcerers and the knights who were guarding them.

　This place was where Dorothea-Zamuelus was hiding, and it was just right for us to experiment with magic without being seen. There was also the excuse of filling in the gaps in the soldiers' security net.
While experimenting with the 'Spirit King's Horseman', the knights of the guards were kept away from them.
　However, some of the sorcerers were outside the forest to keep an eye out for the enemy.
　So, they noticed the enemy knights attacking.
It was decided that Odette would intercept the crowd of "Replica Lords" and the "Holy King (Lord of=) Horsemen (Paladin) Type A" or something like that.

　But as expected, fighting a series of battles was tough.
　It's a good thing that you're able to use your magic, but then the platinum "King's Horseman" - the "Lord of Paladins" - arrived.
　The fast-footed 'Holy King Horseman' couldn't be stopped by the 'Spirit King Horseman'.
　When the limit was reached, I wanted him to abandon his Spiritual King's Horseman and run away, but...

"I'm sorry I'm so late. But I wish you hadn't run off with Odette.
'I told you.　I just wanted to get this over with before you came along.

Through 'The King's Horseman', Odette's words came back to her.

'I didn't want old Zamel and the other sorcerers to see your 'Black King (Lord-of-)Horsemen' (Noir). If they find out that it is you who is clad in it, they will pursue the source of the 'Black King's Rider'. Then........your identity might be exposed.......''
Odette.
''But........I'm sorry. ''The Spirit King's Rider is at its limit. The Demoralizing Ray can't even shoot. I'm sorry, I wasn't strong enough....... Yuki.

　Odette, you didn't have to do that.
I donned the Spirit King's Rider and fought the enemy's King's Rider...

Thank you. Thank you, Odette. "But I don't want you to take any more chances with me.
Yuki?
I have my own priorities, you know.

　I found myself running my mouth.

It's not a good idea to hide your identity, but to protect your relatives first and foremost. No matter how successful you are in hiding your identity, if your family members are injured or dead, it won't do you any good.
"...but...
"But no. Don't be rash. If you don't think you can, call me. I'll help you as much as I can. But I'm just a sorcerer who lived a long time in a past life, so I can't do much.
'Are you a "magician who only lived long enough"? You're the kind of person who would protect your family and friends at all costs... and it's because you're that kind of person... in a past life, you died to protect the villagers, right?

　Odette said.

'But don't forget. There are some of your people who want to protect you just as much as you want to protect your people!　Please don't make those people - I don't want to make them cry...
'I know. I don't want to be reincarnated again or have my family do anything crazy.

　I cut the comm off.
　Right now, I'm also in the middle of capturing it.

　Right in front of me, underneath the Black King's Horseman I'm wearing, the Holy King's Horseman is struggling.
　I just want you to stop functioning for good...

'Gah!　Let go of me!　What is this? Let go...!
Let go. Idiot.

There are cracks on the body of the Holy King's Horseman.
　It's the mark that was gouged out by the claws of the Black King's Horseman.
　Of course, my Myster Blood is embedded in that spot.
　It's currently hacking away at the site.

"The first defense wall... has been breached. I have breached the second defense wall.
Ugh!

　Boom!

　With an explosive sound, the body of the 'Holy King's Rider' exploded.
　The impact causes the Black King's Rider's hand to leave his body. I spread my wings and take the distance.

''........How dare you.......scar this 'Holy King Rider', the legacy of an ancient magical civilization?''

　Wavering, a platinum-colored knight stood up.
　There was a hole in its torso, and behind it was another armor.
　I see. I'm not sure if the "Lord of the Rings" has multiple armor. Even if the outer armor is destroyed or eroded, the damage can be stopped by separating that part of the armor.
　This is indeed the legacy of an ancient magical civilization. It's well thought out.

"If they have that kind of technology, why don't they just make armor for work that works with magic, not for combat?
What the hell are you?

　A woman wearing the "Holy King's Rider" shouted while kicking the ground with her armored horse.

It's a good idea to at least tell me the name of the 'Lord's Horse' if you're going to challenge me!　I have recognized you as a strong man. Then let the mighty contend with each other head on!
What?

　What is he talking about?
　You took the liberty of stepping into the territory of the kingdom and beating up Rosso-Burns-san's emissary.
　And on top of that, he's taking out a gryphon as well.

　To put it another way, it's like raiding someone's house with a rabid dog and saying, "Let's fight.
　There is no reason to associate with such a person.

Shut up. I don't wanna talk to you.
"If you wear the King's Horseman, you must be a powerful warrior or magician!　Then let's compete with each other to see who is the stronger...?
I said shut up!

　I'll be flying in the Black King's Rider. I approached the Black King's Horseman with my Black King's Horseman.
　Immediately afterwards, the Holy King's Horseman kicks the ground. I jumped. He avoided the claws of the "Black King's Rider".

"─ ─ This is a boring world. Don't you think so!

　While shouting, the 'Holy King's Rider' started to run.

''It has been more than 200 years since the discovery of the 'Capital of Ancient Magical Civilization (Elysian)'. The civilization still hasn't progressed. Why is that!
"It's because the 'sanctuary church' has run amok, isn't it?
'No!　The 'Sanctuary Church' is not right, but it's not wrong either. This is because the 'Ancient Magic' and 'Ancient Artifacts' that have been discovered are all for fighting. In other words, this means that those who created the ancient civilization are encouraging people to fight.

The Holy King's Horseman turns his back on me.
　I start running at full speed. The destination is the forest?

In other words, it's right that the one who fights and wins the battle gets everything. "He who wears the King's Trophy represents the powerful. Therefore, in this world, fighting is everything.
I don't give a shit about the world. I don't give a shit about the world, but I want my kid to feel safe.
I don't want to associate with you.
That much I agree with.

The Holy King's Horseman escapes.
　I'm going to increase the Black King's Rider's flying speed. This one is faster.
　But the forest is close. The Holy King's Horse is desperately trying to make its armored horse run, and then it dives into the trees in the forest.

"It's... troublesome.

　The forest is overgrown with trees.
　There are many obstacles, so the Black King's Horseman can't fly at his best.
　But it should be the same for the 'Holy King's Rider'. The horsemen can't run as fast as they can in the forest.
　Or - is there an advantage to going into the forest for him........

Odette. I'll go after him. I'll call you when I'm done.

　I send a communication to Odette.
　As soon as I heard the reply, I jumped into the Black Forest.




　From Odette's point of view.



''.......what was that? That black 'King's Horse'.

　Old Zamel was stunned as he stared at the Black Forest.
After conquering the enemy with the Spiritual King's Horseman, the platinum "King's Horseman" suddenly appeared.
　It had overwhelmed the Spiritual King's Horseman with its terrifying mobility. Once the Spiritual King's Horseman was defeated, old Zamel and the other sorcerers had no way to stop the Platinum King's Horseman - the Holy King's Horseman. Old Zamel and the others were prepared to be annihilated.
　But soon after, the Black King's Horseman appeared and slammed the Holy King's Horseman into the ground.

　Of course, old Zamel also knew about that Black King's Horseman.
　He was the one who had appeared in the Torrius territory before and defeated the Beast King's Horseman.
　There's no doubt that he's an ally.
　But who is inside that armor?
　Why did he appear at this time?
　What is the purpose of the Black King's Horse? Who is this 'my son' he's talking about?
　The mystery only deepened.

''─I'm sure he's on our side........''
Yeah. If it weren't for that Black King's Horseman, we'd all be wiped out.
But if we don't know what it is, we can't rely on it.
I'm looking for clues. Do you have any clue as to what...?

　The sorcerers were muttering in dismay as they restrained the fallen enemy knights.

''Your daughter of the Suray family!

　Suddenly, old Zamel stepped forward in front of the 'Spirit King Rider'.

''Are you hurt!　I hope you're feeling okay!
But it's okay!

From within the 'Spirit King Rider', Odette replied.
　There's not much magic left in it. You can only move the "Spiritual King's Horseman" for a few minutes.
　I'm not going to take off my armor because I'm waiting for Yuki to send me a message.

''I don't have much magic power left, but my physical condition is fine.''
Oh, yes. So, young lady of House Surrey. Do you have any idea who that black kingpin is?

　It was an expected question.
　Odette was also present at the scene when the 'Lord of Beasts' appeared in the Torrias territory.
　And on top of that, this incident.
　It was no wonder that old Zamel thought that Odette was involved with the Black King's Horseman.

　''It's okay.
　The communication with Yuki was done without saying anything aloud.
　That was a secret communication only between Yuki and Odette. After confirming that, Odette took a deep breath and

I don't know. That is indeed the mysterious royal rider.
'Well but I'd like to hear your opinion of the Lord who is watching up close. Who do you think is in control of that thing?
I don't know about that either.

　Odette shook her head for the entire 'Spirit King Rider'.
　In front of him, old Zamel looks unconvinced. I know.
　I don't know, if you just don't know, old Zamel will be suspicious. Whatever it is, I have to answer it. I don't want him to think I'm Yuki. The opposite of Yuki.

''I have a hunch that he's a person of high status, he doesn't pay much attention to his family, he devotes all of his time to studying magic, and he's not blunt - he's soft-spoken and used to using people.

Yes. That's just my hunch, having seen the king's horse up close and personal.
'You have a point. Certainly, one would have to be of high standing to get something like that. It takes a lot of manpower to keep it. If you're the kind of person who pays no attention to your family and devotes all of his time to the study of magic and is soft-spoken and all of those things, you're in the right place.

　It was like something had been turned on.
　Old Zamel closed his eyes, hmmm, and nodded.

'Speaking of someone who fits those criteria... no way!　His Highness Cain!
Yeah.
''I see. If it's His Highness Prince Cain, the second prince and a B-class magician, he could secretly find something like that and hide it!　No wonder he stopped experimenting with the 'Spiritual King Horseman' halfway through. He had already obtained that Black King Rider and used it so well!　There's no need for any experiments!
Oh, um. Mr. Zamel?　This is just my impression of what I'm about to tell you...
'A sorcerer is sometimes able to see beyond reason and see the truth.

　Oh, there's no point in saying anything about this.
　Odette sighs at the glittering old Zamel's eyes.

I'm not going to be able to do anything about it. We can talk about this later. The battle is not over yet. Please give the magic signal immediately. I'll call my knights on the guard and be ready for the worst case scenario.
Mm-hmm.

　What if - that is when the 'Black King Rider' is defeated by the 'Holy King Rider'.
　At that time, Odette intends to use all the remaining magic power to stop the 'Holy King Horseman'.

''........I believe in you. Yuki.

　I don't skip the communication.
　It's because I don't want to distract Yuki, who is fighting in the forest.

"Please protect Yuki. Lyle and Remilia, who gave that man the black armor and everyone in the "Feela Village" Dick and Neil who gave him the black armor...

　For now, Odette could only stare at the Black Forest and pray.




　─ Yuki's point of view...



In a forest with so many obstacles, a knightly 'king rider' is not a good idea... is it?

　The 'Holy King (Lord of) Horsemen (Paladin)' said while running away from the trees.

''Then you are naive. You have been lured in!''

　At the same time as he shouted, the horse of the "Holy King's Horseman" kicked the ground.
　Immediately afterwards──.

It's gone?
Where are you looking?

　The tree to my right swayed.
　At the same time, the "Holy King's Horseman" who kicked the tree trunk jumped at me, spear in hand.

I'm going to have to say it.
No, no, no. No, not that way you fool!

The Holy King's Rider's spear grazed the armor of the Black King's Rider.
　He's going to pass by me - behind me?


　Gulp.


　The trees swayed behind me again.
　He kicked the tree trunk again and jumped somewhere else. Where this time...

Upstairs?
"You are late, you are late. As soon as you go into the forest, you've lost!

The Holy King's Horseman falls from above.
　I purse my wings to avoid it. I let my arm fly towards him.
　But...

　The moment the claws of the Black King's Horseman caught it, the Holy King's Horseman disappeared.
　The claw just grabbed the empty space.
　It's troublesome. Is this some kind of illusionary magic?

"Did you notice. You are dealing with an afterimage created by magic.

　I heard voices from all directions.
　There were eight 'Spirit King Horsemen' around my - 'Black King Horsemen'.

"" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" I told you. You have been lured in.
'Create your own alter ego. Is that what the Holy King's Rider is capable of?

The Lord's Horseman has various abilities.
The Phantom has an auxiliary arm and shield, and a ray of magic-eating power. The Phantom has an auxiliary arm and shield, and a beam of light that feeds on magic.
The Beast has the ability to manipulate demons. The Beast has the mobility of a beast.

The Lord of the Rings has multiple layers of armor and three-dimensional mobility. The ability to accelerate to the point where it can be called an instantaneous movement. And the ability to create your own alter ego.
　It's really troublesome. It's really troublesome.

I'm not going to be able to get out of it.　Wrong!


　Gulp! Gulp!


　The eight 'Holy King Horsemen' are flying around in the air, kicking the tree trunks.
　In addition, they were sending rays of light from the tips of their spears.
　They were so fast that you couldn't tell which one was attacking you. It's barely possible to flick it with the 'Black King Rider' hand.

''Activate the 'Flame God's Serial Bullet (Efreet Blows)'!

　I remove my arm and fire a fireball.
The "Flame Divine Bullet" strikes the "Holy King's Rider" - but it only erases the alter ego. It didn't hit the main body.

"You seem to be confused. You've forgotten that the King's Horseman can't understand Ancient Magic!

The Lord of the "Holy King's Horseman" laughs.

"You don't even know the meaning of strength. You have no need of that 'royal rider'.
No, I need it.

The Black King's Horseman is a memento of Lyle and his team.
　I'd like to study it and make armor that would normally improve people's mobility.
　We want to make it easier for people to work in the fields as they age. I know it's a surrealistic sight to see everyone dressed in replica lords working together in the field, but you'll get used to it. That's what progress in civilization is all about.

That's why people like you are such a pain in the ass. Please go away.
Mouth, not less!　Let's peel off that 'Royal Horseman' and see the dumb side!
'I refuse. Besides, you're not the only one who got an advantage going into the woods.

　I just checked.
The alter ego of the Holy King's Horseman will disappear if you hit him with Ancient Magic.
　That's all I need to know.

　I take a deep breath.
　I take a deep breath, and raise my voice so that the whole forest can hear it.

"Activate the magic!　My men!
"'Yes, sir!　5.5 million!

　Dick and the others, who had been hiding outside the battle area, took off in unison.

''The first one!　I pretend it's a blur!
''Baanigu moo!''

　Do do do do do do!
　Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

The ancient magic - the flaming bullets of the 'Efreet Bullets' and the huge fireball of the 'Burning Meteor' fell on the 'Black Forest'.
　The alter egos of the Holy King's Horsemen who were hit by the flaming bullets disappeared.
　The huge fireball scorches and rips down the trees.
　It takes away his foothold and blocks his path.

　Okay. All the alter egos have disappeared.
　The main body of the Holy King's Horseman is the only one left.

The Black Forest will be our perfect getaway.
　That's why I've hidden the bat army in advance.
　If they were in the forest, the guild's sorcerers wouldn't be able to see them. I could let the bat army use their magic as much as I wanted.
Even if the "King's Horseman" can't understand the "Ancient Magic", we can still block his vision by burning the trees.

　I had the bat army rest on the back of the Black King's Horseman until I arrived here.
　As the forest approached, I drew crests on the wings of all the bats with my 'Magic Blood' while flying, and the moment I saw Odette and the others, I separated from the bats. I had everyone hide in the forest.

　The purpose was to blind the pursuers when Odette and the others escaped into the forest and stop them in their tracks.
　Well, it's a good thing it was useful.

"Wha... what? Where did the magic come from?

The Holy King's Horseman is looking left and right at the person who unleashed the magic and looking for a foothold to escape - looking to the left and right.
　The movement has stopped. Now....

　I spread out the wings of the Black King's Horseman. I infuse my magic power to the limit and fly.
　And then....


　Gageeeeeeeee!


What the hell?
I got him.

The 'Black King Rider''s left hand grabbed the 'Holy King Rider''s torso.
　I know that the armor will explode. That's why I'm not going to "hack" it.
　It's a waste of time, but I'll destroy it.
　It's a waste of time, but let's dismantle the "Holy King's Horseman" in pieces.

"Alright.

The claws of the Black King's Horseman pierce the armor of the Holy King's Horseman.
　It's like peeling an onion, peeling off the platinum armor.

"Guguugu!　Yah, stop it. Do you understand the value of this 'King Rider'!
I know.
'This is an ancient heritage!　One castle ... no, an entire country's worth!
It's nothing compared to my people and my family.
"Do you not know the value of things?　You, for example, have no qualifications to handle the King's Horse...!
I don't know.

The claws of the 'Black King Rider' easily split the armor of the 'Holy King Rider'.
　When I peeled off the armor of the armored horse, I found only the crystal of magic power inside. I see, the horse itself is a golem and the magic power crystals are the power source? I suppose it's also meant to reduce the user's magic power consumption. It's well made. This is indeed the legacy of an ancient civilization.

I'm not going to let you get away with it. I've lost. So please don't destroy the 'Holy King (Lord-of-Us) Horseman (Paladin) Type A (Alpha)'........
"No.

　Besides, I didn't put a single scratch on the person wearing the "Holy King's Rider".
　I'll have to ask this guy to tell me every bit of information about the 'Holy Area Church' and the Empire.

".........Holy King (Paladin) Rider A-type (Alpha). Disarm all armor.

　Suddenly, a woman clad in the 'Holy King's Rider' murmured.
　At the same time, the back of the armor opens up to reveal a blonde woman. She wore clothes that seemed to cling tightly to her body. Sobbing, she emerges from the half-destroyed 'Holy King's Rider'. She rolls away.

"I admit defeat. I surrender. I don't care if I'm killed. So don't destroy the 'Holy King's Rider' any more...

　The woman rubs her head on the ground and sobs.
　But, well, it's too late to do that now.
The only thing that retains its original form in the 'Holy King's Rider' is its upper body. The rest of it has fallen apart.

"I am Naira Gaiul, fourth princess of the Gaiul Empire I have fought and lost my battle and I don't demand any rights. I will not complain if I am executed. And I am also prepared to provide you with information that will enable you to make informed decisions.
Information?
Elysian, and how to enter the fifth level below ground.

The owner of the Holy King's Rider said.

''And there is a system on the fifth level that is designed to enhance living things. This should also serve to strengthen the armed forces of the kingdom. In any case, the people in the Sanctuary Church won't talk even if they are killed. I think it would be a good source for a deal........

　As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter.
　It doesn't matter.
　Let's get all the information we can out of him and then we'll decide what to do with this guy.

　I opened the communication line and began to have a meeting with Odette.
　In addition, I decided to secretly keep the central part of the "Holy King's Rider" for later.