As Ditsen fled to his death, Aifa and Violette checked the torn robe and cloak and narrowed their eyes.

''Well that's some good judgment.

Your choice of magic is accurate.

　They uttered this as they walked down the road and looked at Ditsen's back as he fled through the air.

'But the depths of the art are still shallow.

For an imperial sorcerer, that's an intermediate level.

There's potential for growth.

''That's right. If you train yourself to death, if you're the youngest of the court magicians...

　The two of them floated softly in the sky as they had such a conversation.

'If you're an Imperial sorcerer, yes.

'That's a shame. On the imperial sorcerer.

　Saying that, it flew towards Ditsen at the same time. Its speed was as fast as an arrow, and it was close to twice as fast as Ditsen's.

　Ditsen, who was ahead of them, also noticed them, but it was clearly a speed difference that would catch up with them before they reached the castle.

　Some of the patrolling soldiers also noticed the three of them flying through the sky in the sunset with the wind in their face.

''Ta, help!''

　Ditsen shoots a gust of wind at the two of them while shouting.

''To ask for help so openly...''

　Aifa waved one hand carelessly and muttered as she drowned out the wind that Ditsen had released.

''You would be right if you put the outcome above your willpower as a sorcerer. It's obvious that they can't win against us. If sorcery is to be both dazzling and dazzling, though, we should have chosen fire.''

　When Violette said that, Aifa silently spread her hands out. Immediately after, a thin slab of ice appeared to protect Aifa and Violette on either side. It's a huge slab that can completely hide a person.

　Arrows are shot into that translucent wall one after another. Violette's mouth turned into a smile as she looked at the cracked and cloudy ice sheet beside her.



　Violette mumbles with a giggle, and Aifa lets out a sigh.

''Well you didn't do anything about it.

'What? Elves are so barbaric to try to treat a woman like that.

　When Violette said a word of sarcasm, Aifa wrinkled her brow and fell silent.

　In the meantime, the distance between him and Ditsen was steadily getting closer.

　And then the man's loud voice rang out.

''Master Surgeon-dono! I'm going to use a magic arrow!

'You haven't shot him yet! Hurry! Go ahead and shoot!

　As Ditsen replied while running away, the soldiers immediately re-set their bows. The soldiers lined up by the side of the road leading to the castle, all at once pointing their arrows at Aifa and the others.

''Release!''

　As if on cue, the sound of the wind slicing through the air overlapped.

　In the next moment, the space Aifa and the others were flying through was swallowed up by fire, wind, and ice, finally exploding with a roaring sound.

　The blast shattered the surrounding stone walls and covered the area with dust.

　Ditsen, who had been flying ahead, slowed down and exhaled at the sight.

''Ya, you did it...?''

　Muttering that, the soldiers readied their new surgical arrows as Ditsen looked on.

''Don't let your guard down!''

Get others to come!

　The soldiers grew even more in number as they shouted and surrounded the area.

　But before the siege could be completed, the dust was blown away from within, along with flames and debris. Amidst the wind of the aftermath of the impact and the shattered cobblestones, walls, and pieces of ice, Aifa and Violette stood on the ground with no expression.

''........Why are you interrupting us? You were complaining that you didn't do anything.

　Violette utters this, and Aifa exhales deeply.

'We are not here to fight a war,'

Wouldn't it be the same if it was eventually?

Even if we did, it's not up to us to decide.

　When Aifa replied that, Violette turned her eyes to him with anger.

　She may or may not have overheard the conversation. Ditsen had resumed his escape with flying colors.

　Looking at his back, Aifa let out a sigh.

''Well if I was alone, I would have already caught him.

That's your line, sir.

　The two men said this in a sour atmosphere, and then either of them flew through the air after Ditsen.

　The soldiers who were supposed to be holding bows are slow to react to the two who were supposed to have been attacked at once but flew away as if nothing happened.

''........What are those monsters?

　The soldier who was wearing the most luxurious armor huffed up after letting out that.

No, no! I'll be after you in a minute!

Ha!

　Saying that, the soldiers hurriedly started to run, but the color of confusion was still strong on their faces.




''Open gate!

　When Ditsen came flying in with the force of a body hit the castle gate, the soldiers who looked like the gatekeepers ran over with spears in their hands.

''Jiu-Jitsuji-dono! What was that explosion?

Open it! In the meantime, open it quickly!

　The gatekeepers moved to open the gate even as they tilted their heads at the panicked Ditsen. But before the gatekeepers could do anything, the gates began to open on their own.

　Behind the opening gate was the figure of Januar, accompanied by soldiers and sorcerers.

　Januar looks at the blue-faced Ditsen and raises one eyebrow.

''Hm. I knew it was Ditsen. What was the experiment that went wrong? I don't remember authorizing any experiments to explode that could be heard even inside this castle, do you?

'No! No, no, no! That's not me! We have an assassin from the Empire! Look at that!

　As Ditsen pointed behind him in his defense, he saw Aifa and Violette walking up to the castle gate.

''The........Empire? No way....

　Januar muttered quietly at the sight of the two men.