"Brilliant!　It was truly magnificent!"



　Yukinojo-san woke up after that and said that to me as soon as he saw my face.



"Lex. I am impressed by your great martial arts skills, Yukinojo!　Well, it is no wonder that Mina adores him. He is truly worthy of being called a sword saint!



"No, it's not that big of a deal."



　No, a title like "sword saint" is not appropriate for me.

　After all, the sword saint I knew in my previous life was a crazy person who could cut down mountains with a sword without using magic power.

　And he didn't use a special magic sword, but an ordinary iron sword with a few strikes.



"Don't be modest. Your power is exceptional. Haruomi said so. You repelled the demon who attacked us, didn't you?"



"Yes, well..."



　However, I think Mina-san could have handled that demon.

　At that time, she was at a disadvantage because she had to protect Yukinojo and the others.



"I heard that you kicked out the legendary demon as if you were treating a child. I have seen many masters in my training, but none can compare to you. You are truly magnificent!　Yukinojo here, thank you!"



"Ha, ha ......"



　Well, it's a little embarrassing to be praised so highly.



"Hey, isn't Yukinojo acting a little strange?　It's like he's being strangely honest."



"Well, you see, young man tends to judge things on the basis of whether they are strong or weak. ...... So, well, he recognized Lex-dono, who is stronger than him, as a superior."



　Mina and Haruomi are whispering behind me.



"Is it really okay for an aristocrat to have such a brainy way of thinking?"



"I'm sorry Makoto, ......"



　◆



"I had no idea that the Majin was involved in the storm in question. ......"



　After Yukinojo-san calmed down, I decided to give him the information that Mina and I had worked out.



"Yes. The demon who attacked Yukinojo-san and the others was equipped with magic items all over his body. And the previous job we had received caused a big commotion because of a huge magic item created by the demon. So I think that the demon is using the magic item to create a storm this time as well."



　Yukinojo and Haruomi show surprise when they are told that the storm that had spread throughout the country was man-made.



"It is true that there was a legendary demon. If that's the case, it would be more convincing to think that the storm was a calamity caused by the demons rather than a natural phenomenon that just happened to coincide with the ship's departure.



"Mm, so ......."



　They still didn't seem to believe me, but they still thought it was more believable than being told that the storm was just a coincidence, and they believed me.　



"But I don't think the demons would cause a storm for no reason or take advantage of a human family disturbance to kill Yukinojo," he said.



　Mina-san joined them and urged Yukinojo-san and the others to explain the situation.



"In other words, you suspect that my situation is related to the purpose of the demons, don't you?



"Rude!　You commoners are meddling in the affairs of a warrior family!"



　Haruomi-san, realizing that we wanted to know about Yukinojo-san's situation, shouted angrily.

　Well, as a nobleman, I understand that you don't want to be touched by your own affairs.

　But we can't say that under the circumstances.

　Yukinojo seemed to understand this and stopped Haruomi.



"Be quiet, Haruomi. Mina and the others are right to be concerned. Since the demons we thought to be legendary are real, it is important to find out what they are up to. After all, demons have been the irreconcilable enemies of mankind in all the old tales we have heard.



"That's certainly true, but ......"



　Haruomi is frightened when he is admonished that this is a problem for the world as a whole rather than his personal situation.



"In any case, we can't win against the powerful demon and the top patriarch without the cooperation of Mina and the others. I need allies.



"...... if the young man so decides."



　Knowing that Yukinojo-san's intention was firm, Haruomi-san stepped back, seemingly unwilling to accept the situation.



"Well, let me tell you what I have been hiding from Mina and the others.



　After a pause, Yukinojo begins to speak.



"My father's name is Youren Xiaosong. He is a general of this country.



　So Yukinojo-san's father was a general in this country.

　Huh?　But I'm pretty sure a general in this country is ......



"General?　Could it be?



　Mina probably came to the same answer.

　She looked at Yukinojo in surprise.



"Well, as you may have heard, in this country, the policy is that the king, called the emperor, and the priests administer the divine affairs, and our military family, the vassals, govern the government. In other words, my father is the real supreme power in this country.



　After getting an answer from Yukinojo-san, we dimly understand the purpose of the demons. Or perhaps it is better to say that we are convinced.



"I see, that's why ......"



"If the succession of the real leader of this country is involved, that's more than enough reason for the mages to get involved."



　I don't know what exactly they're going to do, but as far as I'm concerned, it's not a good idea.






"I see. If he is a demon who once caused a commotion in the world of mankind, it is no wonder that he has joined forces with the first patriarch to wreak havoc in this country."



　Yukinojo probably feels the same way.

　He looked at us with a serious gaze.



"That is why I need your help. I will assume the title of Shogun and defeat the top retainer. Then the country will regain its calm and the demons will not be so easy to deal with.



　Yes, stabilize the country. That's the most solid measure.



"Yes!　We cannot stand by and watch innocent people suffer!　We must stop the ambitions of the demons at all costs!"



　That's right. We don't know what the demons are up to, but we have to do one thing.

　We have only one thing to do... to stop what the demons are up to.



"Yes!　Well said!　Together, we will defeat the ambitions of the demon and the first patriarch!"



　Yukinojo-san looks at Mina-san.



"......"



　Mina receives a look of anticipation in her eyes and says with a small sigh that it can't be helped.



"Yes, yes, I will help you.



　Yukinojo-san's face turns joyful at these words.



"Oh!　I knew it. ......"



"But only for the reward."



"...... Mm."



　However, Yukinojo-san's shoulders slumped in disappointment when he was told that he had easily gotten the point across.



"Well, so what's our course of action?"



　After hearing about Yukinojo-san's situation and having established a cooperative framework, we decided on our future course of action.



"Well, my first priority is to assume the title of Shogun.



"We have to have a ceremony somewhere, don't we?"



　After receiving Mina's confirmation, Yukinojo pointed to a huge mountain rising in the distance.



"That's right. Our destination is the ancient ruins of the sacred mountain Amatsukami, the symbol of our country. To get there, we must first go to the village of priests at the foot of the sacred mountain.



　However, Yukinojo-san said that he would not go directly to the ruins but would go to the village.



"The village of the priest?



"Why don't you go directly to the ruins?"



　At Mina's question, Yukinojo shook his head.



"No, I need to be accompanied by a priest for the ceremony to name my successor as general. Even if I perform the ceremony, I need someone to certify it.



　Yes, you're right.

　If there is no one to prove it, people may not believe us even if we say we performed the ritual.



"I see. So that's why they are priests.



　Then Mina-san, after listening to Yukinojo-san's words, voiced her understanding.



"What do you mean?"



Priests are the followers of the emperor who administer the divine affairs of this country. Because of their role, they are kept at a distance from us, the warrior class.



"In other words, one of the priests' jobs is to witness the ceremonial succession as a third party, without being involved in any particular power."



"I see. So that's how it is."



　Then Yukinojo-san took out a letter from his pocket.



"And this is the letter your uncle prepared for the feudal lord who controls the land around the priests' village. If you give it to him, he will help me with the ceremony to name my successor as shogun.



　But Mr. Yukinojo, Mina-san, is waiting for him.



"Hey, can you trust this feudal lord?　Other feudal lords have been in cahoots with the first retainer in the past. If that's the case, isn't it possible that the clan leader could also become our enemy?"



　Mina's concerns are valid.

　We don't know how much we can trust the lord of that clan.



"Of course there is. That's why I hired you.



"Oh, you've thought about that, haven't you?"



　Mina shrugs at Yukinojo-san's smile that tells her to work hard.

　Haha, you just got back at me, didn't you?



"However, the clan heads who own a village of priests have a strong bloodline of priests in their family. Therefore, even if the Shogun and the top retainer were to openly fight, they would give priority to the emperor and the priests.



　So there is no need to worry about that, Yukinojo assured us.

　I see, if the feudal lord is on the emperor's side, he doesn't care about our situation.



"However, the problem is before that.



　Just when I thought my worries were over, Haruomi tells me that there is still another problem.



"Before?"



Yes. The chief retainer must know what we are trying to do. Then he will be waiting for us with a large force to prevent us from entering his territory. Not just from the barrier, but from any part of the territory.



　I see, they will not only be chasing us but they will also have troops at our destination.






"So are we going to fly again to get inside the clan?　This time, Lex is with us, so we can carry them all at once."



"No, I don't think the same approach will work. If they find out we are flying, they will turn us into hedgehogs with arrows and magic. Furthermore, the enemy may have snuck into the clan in secret."



"But you can't go head-on above ground, either."



"Hmm."



　Everyone begins to wonder what to do.

　Can't we just go inside the clan with a large force on the ground?

　Then we can go to ......



"Oh, yeah."



　I remember that I have something.



"Well, since we're on the subject, why don't we adopt Mina's idea?"



"My idea?"



Yes, I'm thinking of flying. But not to cross the barrier, but to the village of the priests at once.



"But if we fly all the way up in the sky, we run a great risk of being discovered. If we are attacked there, we will be in serious trouble.



　Yukinojo and the others look worried when they hear that we are going to adopt the idea of flying.



"Don't worry. We will go on a boat.



""Ship?""



　Yukinojo and Haruomi both tilted their heads.



　I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do this.



"The boat is this way."



　I lead everyone to the harbor.

　Yes, we are heading there to take advantage of that pirate ship that has been converted to fly.

　It's already broken down, and even if it's attacked from the ground it'll be enough to hold us until we reach the priest's village.

　We can add some defensive magic to the ship just in case.



"Really, a ship can fly ...... in the sky?"



　Yukinojo-san mutters in confusion when he hears that a converted pirate ship will fly to the destination.



"Well, I know you don't believe me, but it's Lex's doing, so there's no harm in believing him."



"Mmm, if Mina says so."



　Yukinojo-san nodded his head grudgingly in agreement with Mina-san, whom he knew very well.



"Well, I was hesitant to use it at first, but if Yukinojo-san is the next Shogun, we don't have to worry about him breaking the barrier, and it's easier to detect an attack in the sky than from the shadows on the ground. As long as we can prevent an attack directed at us, we should have no problem.



"You're assuming we're going to be attacked?



　Yukinojo-san doesn't seem to be used to such a way of fighting, but from my experience in my previous life, it's easier to intercept an attacker by going at him openly and making it easier to read his attack than by hiding in plain sight.



"Also, if the flying ship becomes a landmark, it will increase the chances of meeting up with not only the enemy, but also with Gyro-kun ...... my friends, so we can aim to increase our strength."



"Isn't the danger of being attacked by the enemy greater than the hope of increasing our strength?



　We entered the harbor while talking like this, but I suddenly felt something strange about the scene.



"......"



"What's wrong?"



　Yukinojo-san didn't seem to notice, but Mina-san and Haruomi-san saw me and started to warn me about my surroundings.

　Just as if their intuition was right, men with a swarthy atmosphere appeared to surround us.



"Heh heh heh, it's a dead end up ahead."



But it's a dead end back there, too.



　I knew it. The men are obviously after us.



It looks like they're after us.



　The men have already drawn their weapons and are trying to kill us without concealment.



"Let's have it easy, boys."



"Are you ronin?"



　Haruomi looked at the men and muttered something like that.



"Ronin?"



"In your language, they are the fallen ones who were forced to leave their noble ranks."



"Former nobility?　It doesn't seem very classy for that."



　Indeed. They're more like lowlifes.



"Our nobles are also warriors. Many of them are not very good at anything because they prioritize strength over manners.



"I'm sorry I'm so classless!　The point is, it's okay to win!"



　As soon as they said that, the men attacked us all at once.

　I parried the attack of the ronin who attacked me head-on, and quickly counterattacked.



"Phew!　One, two, three, four, five..."



"GWAAHHHHH!"



　However, the Ronin easily connects with my attack, leaving me in a quandary.






"Huh?　Not too strong?"



　I thought your pursuers were good at what they did!

　Oh, come to think of it, Haruomi-san said he was from a fallen samurai family, so he probably didn't take his martial arts very seriously.



"Compared to demons, ordinary people are just like that. Storm burst!



Mina attacks each Ronin individually with a barrage of wind magic so as not to damage the surrounding cargo.



""""Gwaaaaah!?""""



　It seems that the other Ronin had not been training seriously after all, and they were falling down in a heap after being hit by Mina's magic.

　However, there were a few Ronin who moved differently.



"Keh!



　The Ronin evade Mina's magic, slash away with their swords, and some even run into the magic themselves, taking almost no damage.



"d*mn!



　It seems that among these amateurish Ronin, there is a skilled fighter hiding his abilities.



"d*mn!"



　Mina immediately avoids the attack of the ronin by using her body strengthening magic, and then she drops far back and releases a checking magic.



"Aaagh!"



　Yukinojo-san collided with a skilled ronin and was kicked by the enemy and slammed into a load behind him.



"Young man!



Yukinojo!



I got it!



　Seeing his chance, Ronin jumps on Yukinojo-san.



"I won't let you!"



　But I immediately get between Yukinojo and the ronin, catch the attack and intercept it.



"What?　When did that happen?



"Huh?"



　Suddenly, I feel something strange about the lightness of the Ronin's attack.

　It's funny, from the way he blew away Yukinojo-san, I expected a heavier attack.



"No, now is not the time. "Yes!"



　I slash at the ronin's sword, and then slam the hilt of my sword into his dove-tail, disabling him.

　I should leave some of them as witnesses to the crime.



"Gboaah!"



　I look around and see that Mina and Haruomi have also subdued the other good guys.



"If I had won this, I could have served my country. ......



　The last one falls with such words.



"It looks like they were using you as bait to get you to serve them."



"Stupid. If you challenge the Shogun's house, it won't matter if you get an official position.



　Haruomi voiced his dismay at the ronin who had apparently attacked him without thinking ahead.



"But what were they?　There was something strange and strong in the mix."



"If you put it that way, it's true. Even if you didn't question the quality of the work, it was unusually different.



"If you had such a strong crew, you should have used them earlier."



　Mina and Haruomi also seemed to be concerned about the tinny strength of the Ronin.

　And I realized what seemed to be the reason.



"This seems to be the reason.



　I retrieve the weapons and strange tools the Ronin were carrying.



"Is that ...... a magic item?



　Mina-san, you seemed to have recognized what it was right away.



"Yes, it seems that all the ronin who thought they were skilled were equipped with magic items.



　It was not a mix of the best and the brightest, but rather a mix of the best and the brightest who were boosting their abilities with magic items.



"Huh. Ronin must be very rich to have magic items.



"Nonsense!　A ronin with a magical tool?　That's impossible!



　In contrast to Mina's interest, Haruomi's voice was filled with surprise at the impossibility.



"What?　Really?　But if it was a family heirloom that had been passed down from generation to generation, wouldn't it be natural for them to have it?　You're a former noble, albeit a fallen one, aren't you?"



"No, not all Ronin are former nobles. Not all ronin are former nobles. The battlefield is the best place for us samurai to show our strength. If they had magical tools of such power they would have distinguished themselves long ago. It is even more so if it has been handed down from generation to generation.



"I see, so that's the way it is in this country."






　It seems that in this country, bravery has more influence on one's career than on our continent.

　Over there, not only martial arts are important, but also jobs that use wisdom, such as civilian jobs.



"Well, it's not a very good magic item. The quality is not good, so it is not likely to be a family heirloom.



　At best, it's a mass-produced product...... no, it's a lesser product.



"Apparently, there was too much difference in quality, and the performance of items with the same functionality varied greatly."



　Maybe they are all equipped with this magic item.

　But since many of them had only weak magic power, it was hard for us to notice that they were enhanced with magic items.

　Well, I wonder if this was their intention?



"Among them, only the ronin who were using relatively well-made items may have appeared to be skilled."



"Does that mean there was a broken magic item in the mix?"



"Hmm, come to think of it, grimoires were originally excavated from ruins. If that's the case, there's certainly a possibility of getting a broken item.



"No, this magic item is not an ordinary magic item.



"Out of the ordinary?　What does that mean?"



Look inside. This is not the magic formula used for ordinary magic items.



"If they say it's not ......, is it ...... so?"



"I have no idea."



　You two are not experts in magic items, so it's no wonder you don't know what you're talking about.



"It is not uncommon for the magic formula used for magic items to have its own standard and security to prevent its structure from being analyzed by the workshop.



"Yes, that's right. ......"



But this magic formula is fundamentally different.



　Yes, this is a problem before standards and security.



"Well, may I ask you a conclusion?"



This is not a human technique.



Not a human technique?



"Yes, and we've seen a magic formula similar to this one before."



"This is not a human technique. That's ...... a lie!



　My words reminded Mina of what she had seen on the island, or rather on the creature.



"Yes, it's a magic formula used by demons.



　Yes, this was a structure often seen in magic items used by the demons.



"Are you saying that these guys were given magic items by demons?



Yes. I think they gave them to the Ronin to dispose of their inferior magic items. Maybe they cheated the ronin by claiming this magic item as part of the reward.



　There have been many scams in the past two lifetimes to make people think that shoddy goods are the real thing and get them to take the job.

　In such scams, they don't make all of the products look like inferior goods, but they mix some of them with the real ones.

　Probably, only the well behaved Ronin were given good magic items, and those who were fooled by them were given inferior ones.



"Ummm, a bad magic item ......, but if it is a magic item, can we call it a scam ......?"



"Well, well, from a magical point of view, it means that he was able to deceive people and use them successfully. You can't be bothered with what they and Lex think."



Is that what you call it?



That's the way it is.



　Mina-san is consoling Haruomi-san, who is troubled by the difference in thinking between demons and witches, but why is my name in there too?



"Anyway, now that we've defeated our pursuers, let's go to the ship."



"Yes, I think so."



"Mm."



"......"



"Huh?　Yukinojo?"



　Then we noticed that Yukinojo-san had not joined our conversation since a while ago and looked at him.

　There was Yukinojo-san lying on the ground looking very limp.



"......Goh!"



"Yukinojo!"



"Wakaaah!"



"Yukinojo!"



　It was only then that we finally realized that Yukinojo had lost consciousness.