CH 1

4-1 Riding on the Celebration of the Wind

With a dull thud, the gates of the castle were thrown open. The sky was filled with a thick layer of clouds, and I could only hope that it would not turn stormy.

There was no concern about the physical condition of the residents. For the past few days, they had been gently exercising their sluggish bodies in the castle and the effects of Chris’s treatment over the past few days seemed to have come to fruition and they were feeling better than ever. I was worried that Chris might overexert herself and collapse like she did at the birthday party, but my fears were unfounded. For now, though.

“Chris, how are you feeling……?”

“Don’t worry. I’m just a little …… tired, but it won’t interfere with the mission.”

“…… If you push yourself too hard again, I’ll attend the triumphal return ceremony after the mission is over with you on my back.”

It was a reminder that I didn’t understand, but Chris was the only one who could practically do both combat and medical treatment at the same time and I didn’t want her to overdo it. When I thought about it.

“When you’ve experienced failure as much as Sage has, your persuasive power changes.”

Marie poked at me as if she was defending Chris. I can’t stand it when she talks about my physical condition management. When I had no more arguments, I went through the castle gate, confirmed that there was no danger and signaled to Paula.

I looked up at the sky again. Although it was stagnant, it was still pleasant compared to the underground where the air didn’t move. I can only hope that things will go as planned with a clear mind.

“Well, hopefully……”

“As long as you don’t let your guard down, you’ll be fine.”

Marie’s voice was hard to tell whether she was inspiring me or nailing me. It’s hard to tell the difference, but Marie’s tone is always the same. When I’m in a really tough situation, she’s gentle and caring, but at the same time, she shortens the distance between me and her, so in a way, it’s strange that the harsher she is, the less out of sorts I feel.

“I know. The usual.”

“Yes, I’ll be in the palace.”

After a brief bow, Marie went behind the castle gate again. As I watched her back, she stopped Chris, who had appeared in her place and they seemed to be exchanging some words. When Chris came running up to me, she was smiling, so she must have said something unnecessary again.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.”

“No, I’d rather give you a break. ……”

Chris’s treatment started on the first day we arrived, but she ended up staying in the clinic until late last night. We had warned her not to get sick on the way, but we hoped she would learn to cut corners a little more.

“I’m fine, really…….”

She must have foreseen that she would be reminded. She flew up into the sky as if to escape, giving me insurance. As far as I can see, her stagnation-free flight accelerated slowly and it seems unlikely that she’d fall down immediately, so I stroked my chest for the time being.

“Hold on! I’ll change my plan. Chris, maintain a low altitude and lead the main camp from the front.”

“Low altitude? Then where will you go, Sage-sama? ……”

As she said this, she flew back to the ground. I pay close attention to the magical power of sudden stops and descents. As usual, the magic is stunningly beautiful.

“I’m going to increase my altitude, pull in closer to the perimeter and keep a wide view.”

“Okay. Is that how it is….”

When it comes to facing the same creatures as Lute, there’s no way we can compromise. It’s best to start the battle as far away from the main camp as possible to avoid collateral damage.

“Speaking of which, how is Hitenryu?”

It was Chris who suggested that I quit using honorifics, to make the appearance that I was giving orders to her more convincing. I forced myself to think that the awkward language I’d been using for a week was a sign of my loyalty as a vassal, which had been ingrained in me even though it was short. I think it’s fine to be overly cautious when you’re fighting alongside the princess, but I can’t say anything if she strongly denies it.

“It’s perfect. I haven’t tried it out yet, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.”

“You’ll get your chance soon, but don’t get too excited.”

“……That’s right.”

Chris laughed annoyingly while muttering words that couldn’t be taken as denial or affirmation like a soliloquy.

“Do you ever worry about the skill of the person in front of you, Sage-sama?”

“Yes, I do. I know it sounds bad, but it happens a lot.”

Instead of ending the sentence, I threw the magic tool for detection. I can’t afford to release too many of them, so I take advantage of the opportunity to collect them and make them last until the border. I may not be able to detect the dragon, but I’ll be able to know when other things are approaching.

“I couldn’t see any way to contend with an opponent on par with that Lute guy. It’s like he was pointing at the …… ground and telling me to beat it.” (Chris)

“Oh, I understand that very well.”

“That’s right!…… So, for once, I decided not to be reckless and to pull my weight.”

Chris’s fingertips, which looked deflated, stroked the hilt of her sword regretfully.

“Thanks for the help. I’ll be able to fight with peace of mind if you can get rid of the dew on my back.”

It wasn’t the prettiest of foes to describe as a dew clean up, but it was a lot better than the dragon. Hopefully, there won’t be any problems.

“Sage! Chris! Go!”

It wasn’t my imagination that Paula’s voice was uplifted, as if she was taking a break from the interruptions. It’s the true nature of a knight to scramble to meet these expectations.

“Shall we begin?”

“Yes. I’ll accompany you.”

If you want to keep the monsters at bay, you can do it in secret without using magic. But once you get into an engagement and the magic power clashes, the monsters that have avoided you until then will rush in and you’ll be forced to fight for a long time. On the other hand, if you let the presence of magic drip out, you will attract more monsters than necessary. The best thing to do is to find a middle ground between the two, depending on the situation, but I don’t have time to be too careful.

That’s why I’m going to adopt a slightly violent strategy this time.

“Sage, everyone is waiting for you.”

Paula came even though I hadn’t called her.

“Don’t rush me. I have preparations to make.”

“Paula and everyone is looking forward to the start of this journey and to seeing Sage’s magic.” (Chris)

During my stay, I overheard a few voices saying “Even though he’s a knight, we can’t entrust our lives to someone whose skills are uncertain.”

To be honest, even if they say that, I can’t display my magic in front of those that are adversely affected by it. After much deliberation, I came up with the idea of using magic in the distance to lure the monsters away before their departure, so that they could safely watch the event.

“Paula, stay back a little longer.”

“Ehh… I’d like to get a closer look.”

“Be patient. Wait until you can use magic power as cleanly as Chris.”

“Ei ei…….”

She spat out a complaint and meekly withdrew. I was curious to see how happy Chris looked next to her, but now, she turned her heels back.

“Let’s get started.”

I didn’t know what they were confirming, but I said so. with the consent of the restless ladies, I grabbed the magic tool in my hand.

The target is the border between Lurain and the sky near the border. I cut off my magic power and used only my raw strength to help me get going, then swung my right arm as hard as I could and threw the magic tool.

“Eat, dragon of the wind!”

I lifted my downed arm and pointed at the magic tool that flew away from me. From the lighted fingertips, the wind swirled around the arrow-like outline and shot out with dazzling force. The two arrows crossed paths in the sky and transformed into a single dragon, spiraling as if it had a will of its own.

“……did I get it right?”

Immediately after Sage’s sigh, the magic tool that was eaten by the dragon of the wind shook its body in response to magic power. The next moment, with a tremendous explosion, a flash of light that blurred the sunlight painted the blue sky white. The wind dragon, having completed its task, also created a huge whirlwind on the spot and then dispersed in a radial pattern.

Just before I turned around to see the reaction of the audience, I heard a loud groan and a cheer from the other side of the barrier that was built to protect the audience.

“Hmm… I’d love to charge a viewing fee. I could do business over there.”

“No, I’m sorry. I was just trying to look cool because I was being watched.”

“You’re reluctant to be seen but you do that even though you know you’ll get swarmed every time.”

“Shut up…..”

It’s rather refreshing to hear a straightforward argument without hesitation when it’s as honest as Paula’s, but it’s not good for education when it’s accompanied by bitterness like Marie’s.

However, because the opportunity to show off magic in public is rare, I would be happy if my magic was complimented obediently. If I’d wanted to, I would’ve just sent the wind running in a straight line, but I improvised and made it look good.

“So, we’re going out just as the monsters start gathering?”

“No, wait. You don’t have to go.”

She must have thought it was Hitenryu’s turn. The look on Chris’s face when she pulled out her sword and looked back at me was enough to make me feel guilty.

“What? But …….”

“It’s impossible to get every last one of them. If you fight them over there, you’ll still have a hint of magic when you come back.”

I turned my palms towards the sky and put my strength into it. The pale light on the fingertips, which had released the wind, regained its vivid color and enveloped the entire palm in a dazzling light.

“So, I’ve made my move.”

I twisted my wrist and closed my fist, concentrating more on the tone of my voice to keep up appearances. A whirlwind erupted above the straight line of my fist as seen from the residents, swallowing up the monsters that had gathered there like fallen leaves snatched by the wind.

At the time, when the monsters which looked like black dots in the distance, lay inside of the tornado. Sage lifted the palm of his other hand to the tornado by stacking it on his right fist.

The moment Sage took a deep breath and let it out, Paula and Chris stepped back at once, bracing themselves. The gaze that was fixed on Sage and their eyes that had changed their appearance were not lit with the color that one would expect from an acquaintance.

“O Dragon of the wind, the end worthy of a poor living bait.”

The tornado’s zenith glowed pale white at the same time as Sage’s fist. From the gap in the column, a huge cloud of thunderous lightning fell straight to the ground with a roar.

A slight silence enveloped the area and after a pause for breath, a storm of white smoke blew over the ground. The magic that had occurred at a distance where the monsters, which were twice the size of an adult, could be seen, created an aftermath that made Paula and the others squint from a distance. The end of the monsters that were hit directly in the center would no longer be controversial.

“I’m wondering if he should leave it to you, or if he should just do it all by himself, but what do you think?”

“Yeah, you’re probably right….”

Paula, holding back her bangs, which were agitated by the blowing wind, put on a sullen face. Chris, who was standing next to her, didn’t seem to care about her hair flying up in the wind, but rather laughed and agreed with Paula.

“But when such a person needs me. I want to do my best to reward his expectations.”

“….Hey, Sage, can I have a word?”

Shortly after being overwhelmed by Chris’s words, Paula came up to me quickly, grabbed my waist and hurried me to leave. After getting more than enough distance from Chris and the others, she came at me, shaking off my reference to her.

“What’s the matter?”

“Hey, which one of them is your favorite?”

“…… What are you talking about?”

“Of course I’m talking about Chris and Marie.”

She smiled a half-hearted smile that was not that of a child’s, but a picture of vulgarity and came closer and closer. On the other side of Paula, I could see the curious faces of Chris and Marie and I looked away.

“I think Marie is the homey one. She’ll be a better woman when she’s a little older. Chris is also like that, hiding behind her reserved personality and family background, you can see her passion.”

“I really envy you” she said, tapping me on the waist. The reason it’s not my shoulder is because she’s not tall enough.

“Please stop. It’s not like that with them and I’m not interested either.”

It was a topic that suddenly made me uncomfortable, but I didn’t really have that in mind.

I haven’t accomplished anything as a knight yet. As a person who has decided to live by the sword, it’s too early to envision a future where I can live in peace and quiet. Therefore, I can’t even imagine my future image of building a very general happy family.

…..When I think about it in the first place, I can’t even come up with a story of being with the princess. In order to fulfill Paula’s indulgences, there are too many obstacles that must be overcome.

And what’s more, I’d rather stay at home and experiment with new magic if I’m going to devote my time and abilities to such barren thinking!

“What a lonely thing for a young man to say. I don’t want to force you to fall in love, but I think it would be a great experience.”

A child who hasn’t even finished her basic education is talking like an old man who’s ready for retirement. In addition to the fact that I didn’t really understand the point of asking and answering seriously, the hint of a distant gaze was becoming disturbing, so I turned my back on Paula, who nodded sincerely and decided to end the conversation.

“I don’t have time to talk about this when I’m about to put my life on the line. Let’s go.”

“I’m not saying it because we’re going to die, but yeah… I heard that.”

The latter half of her words, which sounded like she was talking to herself, never reached Sage’s ears.