Sousetsuka

109 Emergency

Two days before the arrival of the black clad young man at the empire. In a room in the corner of a certain castle.
Someone spoke calmly yet resolutely.

"Are you absolutely sure of it?"

Thus spoke a beautiful woman with waist-length hair. 18 of age. She's the daughter of the one and only emperor of this empire.
Low on the right of succession at sixth. The woman had a combined expression of shock, perplexity, and a hint of relief.

"Yes. Damo has been felled, I believe we won't have to worry about forces coming from commercial city anymore."

The man had been riding a Grudos tirelessly from the moment he found out about the demise of Damo's syndicate. On the highway that connects the commercial city and the empire.
Normally one would have taken another safer route, but the situation was such that he couldn't afford to be lax.

"This information will eventually reach onii-sama's ears. However, time is on our side until then. We must erect a plan. And yet, the forces we gather alone would be hard pressed to hold up."

The fact that there are only three people in this room is proof that this conversation is a top secret.

The princess wearing a simple dress, Reikana. Her fair skin would charm any and all men.

Next to her is a rigid looking woman wearing glasses. Hanna. The princess's attendant that has served her since infancy.

And the last one.

"Oh yes, I've heard of your diner's reputation for its good food. I would love to have a taste someday."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
The man laughed as he replied.

"Our Daily Special Diner only serves limited time menu. We cook dishes we come up on the moment using the ingredients we find that day. However, we have full confidence in the taste. Feel free to forgo paying if it's not to your liking. But those who are satisfied with the taste may pay two silver coins. By all means, have a taste and judge for yourself if they're worth the price, we await your patronage."

The princess giggled at the monologue.
The sharp eyed man is called Gain. The man whom all intelligence personnel at the commercial city reports to.
All crews of Daily Special Diner are members of this operative. Their hideout having the cover of a 'Diner', most members have inclinations to cooking. They even dream of running their own stores in the future.

Their target of operation is mostly Damo's crime syndicate. Gathering intelligence in order to 'Wipe it out' before it gets too big and endanger the empire. All done under the princess's directives.
Espionage isn't exactly her specialty, but her 'Intuitions' made her set up the 'Daily Special Diner' with her private funds.
The princess's intuitions have always been on point, as evidenced by this matter.

"Only us three are aware of onii-sama's connection to the underside. It would be best to approach this carefully, however onii-sama will surely make his move during the ceremony this time. Our hands are tied."

The princess stood up and sighed deeply as she gazed outside the window.

"Let us ask for cooperation from this person who annihilated that crime syndicate. When will he be arriving here?"

Gain replied.

"If he were among a group of seven I came across along the way here, they should arrive within four days from now. I failed to ascertain. I deeply apologize."

Gain replied under the assumption that 'he' was moving at 'ordinary' speed. An assumption that would be overturned.

"Nobody is at fault here. I won't condemn you. You did your hardest to bring the report to me as soon as you could. Take a good and long rest today. We will take care of your steed beast."

"Ma'am! If you'd pardon me."

Once Gain left, Hanna poured tea while lifting her glasses.

"Reikana-sama, would it be wise to get in contact with that person directly? I believe we still have time to ascertain his character first."

Reikana's reply to Hanna's warning was unbelievable.

"I will go see that person myself once he is here. Please make the preparations Hanna. Inform the 'Watch' on that person's features so they could report back the moment he arrived."

That reply was due to her 'Intuitions' telling her that they have no more time left.
Hanna realized. The situation is such that the princess made a 'request', not an 'order'.
Reikana sighed at their lack of forces no matter how much they gathered.
All while still being none the wiser on the sheer amount of 'Violence' the man possesses.

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108 Entry Inspection and the Power of [Second Class]

I observed the people in charge of inspection while feeling overwhelmed by the giant gate.
Four guards, and two inspectors. They're dealing with inspections of people trying to enter smoothly as the long line flows.
I also saw people going out every once in a while, but there weren't a lot of them and the guards only stopped them for a bit before letting them pass.
We're the last in line. I thought we got here pretty early but apparently not, it was quite late. The proof is in the fact that nobody else would turn up behind us.

"I wonder if they would find out about us?"

Serena sounded a bit anxious. These elves were on the receiving end of a human prejudice and thus believed that they risk getting caught marching into a human filled place like this.

"You're hiding your ears in your hair, then there's the bandana to top it off, I don't think they'll know. It'll be fine."

I tried to relax her but it didn't seem to work, she still acted stiff.

"Let's just deal with it when it comes down to it. If you can't relax, then might as well act boldly. We're not doing anything wrong after all."

I took it easy, in fact, I was getting a bit excited as I waited for our turn.
After about 20 minutes. It was ours finally.

The guards who had been staying back thus far walked up to us.

"Halt. Take off your hoods and show your faces."

We all have our hoods on, we must look suspicious. Two of the guards have their hands ready on their spears, like they'd stab us anytime.
We had no reason to refuse so we all obliged.
The guards and the inspectors all stared at the elves' beauty in amazement.
It doesn't seem like their identity will be exposed. I sighed in relief.

"U-umu. Well then, present your ID."

The dangerous atmosphere dispersed as the guards stepped back.

"Here it is."

I handed over the [Second Class] plate I had prepared beforehand.
Eltros arranged this plate, and I still have no clue what the Class part is all about.
The guard who took it stared hard at it you'd think he'd drill a hole before he went with it into the guard station.
In less than one minute, he got back and respectfully submitted back the plate with two hands.
I was inwardly flustered as he even bowed and said, 'We have it confirmed, sir.'

"For the entry fee, it will be one silver coin per person."

Their 180 degree change in attitude made me afraid of 'Second Class' power instead.

(Oy Eltros... What the heck is this...)
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
We can't even check on them what they think of us as. Heck, I'm afraid too.
As I was getting unnerved, Serena handed them the asked amount of silver coins.

"Yes, these are enough. Welcome to the empire. May you have a good day."

They're even going to see us off, which makes me more uneasy.
But rather than missing this chance due to that, I opted to ask them some things.

"Could you tell me what to be careful of in the empire? Like things you shouldn't do, dangerous stuff, anything trivial is fine."

"There is nothing in particular. As long as you do not violate common norm."

"We'd like to find an inn, what's the nearest one from here?"

"If you follow the left wall from this gate, you would come across a closed gate and an inn called 'Earth and Sky' next to road to the right. The inn is well known for its reasonable fee and good food. I believe that will be a good choice."

They act like some concierge service, but this excessiveness is making me wary of another 'flag' getting raised ahead.

"Thank you. If you'd excuse us."

I bowed back at them out of habit from my former businessman day, 'Ah crap', I groaned.
Getting treated politely made my past life habit resurfaced for once.

(This isn't going away even after living for 15 years in this world. No I guess it's not something that will...)

The first thought I had as I entered the empire was, 'We gotta go back to that closed gate again, really'. I wanted to get an inn right away, so this is our only choice, still I couldn't help but grumble, 'Should have let us in there and then.'

The conversation I could hear behind me added to the annoyance.

"What's up with that group. So many beauties."
"Must be some rich guy... probably a noble."
"Nah, they're probably underside people ya know?"
"Hmm, doesn't seem like it though."

I couldn't hear them anymore as we walked further, but that topic is probably gonna stay around in taverns. We put on our hoods to block the noise.

(Wonder if the rumor's gonna spread and get us in a mess... Guess it's gonna be fine since we're not gonna stay long? Let's just forget about it.)

Nobody pointed out my 'Blackness' thus far, so even I had forgotten about that fact at this point.

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107 Arrival

A gentle breeze swayed my clothes as we walked. The empire wall looked more and more gigantic the closer we got to it.
Its excessive length reminds me of the Great Wall of China. Our road ends on a gate that's closed.
Instead there's three men seemingly the gatekeepers chatting around while sitting on the ground.
We can't get in the empire with the gate closed. Having no other choice, I walked up and spoke to them.

"Excuse me, is there a reason why this gate is closed? May I ask to get it open and let us pass?"

"Oy, you guys, don't tell me you got here through the forest path?"

The guard asked back with a look of surprise instead. I nodded to that unwillingly so this conversation could progress.

"Well I'll be. That road's open and all, but with so many magic beasts prowling around, most folk never used it. Things can get dicey without a Grudos ya know?"

I got interested hearing Grudos. Saw two of them in the forest.

"Did some travelers riding them come here?"

One passed by us quickly and the other was Tagdes we saved along the way.

"Ou, yeah think there was a carriage yesterday. And oh yeah, another flustered man before that one."

I knew that Tagdes would be fine since we didn't spot a wreckage along the way, and it seemed he really did arrive safely. Would have nagged on my mind had he got attacked by magic beasts afterward. Thankfully not.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"So uh, getting back to my question."

"Oh, my bad. Ya can't get through this gate. Sorry. There's another open gate at the other side of this wall. Ya gotta walk quite a bit tho'. Go over there."

He pointed at the horizon and I couldn't even see this open gate. I threw a question seeing as walking there would be daunting.

"Why isn't this open? ...Ah, because of magic beasts?"

"Ou, there's quite a distance from the forest but ya can never be too careful, so this gate's permanently closed. Just ya know, us demoted folk gotta do this boring lookout job every single day."

Makes sense that it's to do with magic beasts. And since he started blabbing about private matters I never asked, I cut our conversation short.

"Is that so. Then we'll be going. Thank you for your hard work."

"Ou, careful now. Whoa, almost forgot. Welcome to the empire."

Apparently that's akin to a custom for gatekeepers to incoming people, they lost interest on us and started chatting after he said that.

After walking for quite a bit, we finally saw the open gate. A long line of people is queuing for inspections in front of it. Decreasing gradually.

"Alright, let's line up. Still, man how is this thing so big."

I could see the townscape now that I'm standing near the gate, and far beyond is the outline of a castle.
The structure looks overwhelming even from this distance. I can't even imagine its scale. No, it'd be weirder if I could.
I waited our turn while thinking the great memories we'd make if we could tour that.

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106 Impatience

Another morning of no note. Breakfast, dressing up, preparing for departure.
A refreshing morning like yesterday never happened.
Finding myself in good mood, I asked the elves.

"What would you like to do? Should we tour the empire? Or should we go straight to the elven forest?"

Serena's face clouded momentarily before replying, 'We will comply with milord's wishes'. Not just her, all the elves said that in unison.

(How'd they even synchronize the timing anyway?)

"Well, since we'll be there and all, might as well stay two days to look around."

That was the end of it, and sure enough it was another flag thing which I had no way of predicting. It became the impetus for us to stay at the empire, being none the wiser that it would drag me into another mess.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

Less than two hours after departure, the scenery before us opened up. The path we had been taking sandwiched between two thick forests suddenly turned into a leveled highway.
All around is now a sprawling plain. And the sight of a white plaster wall occupying the entire horizon far out. I can't see the edges.
I spaced out for a while before I realized that it was a giant man-made structure.
The empire now lies before us. I was so surprised by the size I slowed down to a walk.

"Man it's far bigger than I thought it'd be. Or more like, aren't we here super early? Forget a week, we got here in just three days... Huh?"

"Forgive us, milord. All of us were so impatient we deployed spirit magic to drastically raise our speed. That applies to me as well. Seeing milord keeping up with us without any issue or fatigue whatsoever, we got ahead of ourselves and..."

(Ah, so this was why they looked down when I asked this morning...)

I'm a man who can't read room. Too full of myself with no room to spare in my head.
My question this morning was an impulsive one, without realizing that was boorish of me.

"No no, I should apologize for asking that this morning. I don't mind a change of plan straight to elven forest now."

"No, as servants of milord, we should have never put our feelings above milord's. It's our failing."

(I never asked for that though. Rather, please be tougher on me...)

I blurted out an idea akin to a puerile trick here.

"Then how about this. Let's buy some souvenirs at the empire for your homecoming. Unusual food, expensive weapons, all kinds of sundries, useful tools and maybe even some recipes? We'll buy up lotsa of stuff and bring them back. I'm sure the elves back home will be delighted with your presents, so it's worth taking a detour."

(Yup, I feel sorry at my own simple mindset.）

"It'd make it worth your impatience, right?"

The elves all had their mouths opened wide and stopped moving.
Apparently, my suggestion was so mind boggling to them, they kept at it for a while.
I had to wait to see if it would be a rejection or otherwise.

(Huuh? It wasn't anything dramatic... What's up with this long pause...)

And then the six elves started weeping one after another.

(Eh!? Eh!? Wait!? What did I say to warrant that!? Should I comfort them here? Heck, what should I even say here? I got no clue... someone, anybody help...)

"Not only milord think so much about us, you would even put our country's advancement into consideration. Milord, you're so kind to us despite being a human. We swear loyalty forevermore to you hereafter."

I was taken aback by how she spun those words even while weeping really hard.

(Frankly... it's heavy. But I mustn't say it out loud. Why does everything I say gets interpreted so leaps and bounds out there every single time anyway?)

"Err, let's keep going for now."

I walked off with lumbering heavy steps thanks to the conversation we just had.

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105 Explanation

This world is full of fantasy in daily lives.
Language, food, creatures, the skies. There's more but the night sky is the most incredible to me.
Day sky has something called 'Celestial Flame' illuminating the world in place of the sun. This is no different than earth. There's clouds, rains, dark clouds and thunders. The world's physicality and logic aren't that different from earth, or more like an exact copy.
But the most striking is during the night. The number of stars is so obviously far more than seen in earth. It's incredibly dense. Not due to the lack of smog or light pollution, it's really a true manifestation of the phrase 'full of stars'. And then there's the moon. People in this world call it the 'Serene Eye' and it's about ten times as big as a full moon on earth. Supermoon isn't even in the running for competition.
The first time I saw it, it was so emotionally overwhelming, I cried. Adding the night sky that was simply a marvel to behold. Truly made me felt how tiny I am.
Human being is akin to a speck of nothingness before the presence of great nature.

Afterward, I was introduced to magic by mother, overwhelmed by magic bags, and even bore witness to elven spirits.
The more I know about this world, the more I wish to close the book of my life without influencing it.
That's how much I am unable to accept living here. I had already made my resolve, and the more I experience things, the sterner that resolve became.
I'm still living haphazardly right now but I'm beginning to worry about my future, constantly getting into mess.
I've got to find somewhere peaceful to settle down before it comes to that. But I know that there's just no rushing that, so I've gotta reluctantly accept going with the flow for now.

I don't believe any living thing in this world could accept my ideal.
Serena gave an explanation about spirits as we were having meals.

"'Spirits' are 'Creatures that govern over nature of the world', in short they are god's envoys. We elves make contracts with these spirits. We provide our own mana in order to manifest phenomena unto the world."

"Hoo, that's amazing. But what makes it different from ordinary magic?"

"With magic, one use own mana to interfere with the world and manifest phenomena. Human's mana have limits which are trifling. The more powerful a phenomenon one wishes to manifest, the more mana they need to consume."

"If humans have trifling mana, how much does an elf have?"

"Let me see. I believe it would be three to five times a human's at the very least?"

"Is that in comparison to ordinary folk?"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"No, I'm comparing to what humans call mages, Royal Court Mages I believe."

As someone who had no clue how amazing or not that standard is, I could only reply 'Hmph.'

"Spirit magic is powerful. It's far more flexible than the technique known as magic. Manifesting the same phenomenon requires only very little mana. Not to mention the large gap in power."

"The more I listen, the more it sounds like elves are omnipotent for being able to use that."

"I am honored to hear your praise, milord. However, it does have one flaw."

"There's one? Wait, are you fine telling me that?"

"Yes, there is no problem. First of all, an elf can only be contracted to one spirit in most cases. And that is often case be wind spirit."

"Ah! I see. Your group must center around wind being hunters and all, Serena. Like making sounds louder or erasing them altogether? Making upwind and downwind, also to help with mobility."

So this was the reason behind their speed. Also, Serena's hovering must have been done with wind spirit magic.

"As expected of milord. You saw through our field of expertise instantly. I am in awe."

I didn't think they would find that shocking as I felt the elves' loyalty gauge rising.

(Err... I mean that's just how it usually goes in most fantasy settings, I just blurted a rough outline... and yet it got interpreted like that...)

"Hm? Then what about that flame just now? That was spirit magic too right?"

"Indeed it is. I am contracted to three kinds of spirits."

"Ah, that's amazing right? Which means..."

"Yes. I am able to control water, fire, and wind. I deployed 'Rain of Arrows' to cleanse Purple Eater's toxic pools, 'Salamander Breath' for the flame and 'Wall of Breeze' to stop the arrow."

"Ah, I see. I got it. You collect water vapor in the air. You ignite stuff by rapidly raising surrounding temperature, and for the wind you compress the air and turn it into a solid wall."

The elves all looked at me with popping eyes. That was careless of me. I just blurted out some random analysis and their loyalty gauge rose once again.

"To be so knowledgeable of spirits... milord, just what... no I mean.... By sending wind to the flame, we can also raise its firepower."

"Ah, I see, you can do more stuff by combining them huh."

It kinda tickled my chuuni heart, but I forced myself to forget about this.
These elves' 'something' may rise again if I don't stop adding more fuel.

"Speaking of which, milord. You mentioned how we have enough funds, then why would you take their money? I am to believe that there must be another reason besides it being a waste. As you would have not minded turning them all into ashes otherwise."

"Err, money is something that circulates you see. Using money makes it circulate around the world. No need to enrich criminals. Hence I'm taking them all. Spending this money will hopefully better the world. Well, I'm nowhere near rich enough to make a difference though. But society works thanks to these circulations."

"I see. I understand milord's intention. Milord is well versed in natural order of things."

"Let's stay in a good inn at the empire. And eat some good food."

My mind wandered to the yet unseen empire as I sounded the bag with an unexpected amount of money inside.
I'm planning to take it easy and tour the place, at the same time I'm also bracing for one or two mess seeing as I have these problems, elves, on my side.

"Think that's about enough for the magic lesson, time to go to bed."

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104 Spirits

"So? Wanna continue? Or run?"

I immediately talked to the remaining two. I'll give them a chance, just so there's less mess around.

"We won't give chase if you run. That will be your fates if you wanna go though."

'Hieeeee', the two ran away at full speed while screaming out pitifully.

"Well aren't they quick. Really like feeling hares."

The rabbit-substitute creatures in this world are incredibly ugly and also incredibly fast. When I was still hunting in the village, letting them escape once would be the end of it, no way to find them.
They look pitiful when running away too, just like these small time villains, pointless thought ran through my mind.

Another attempt to escape reality. I just witnessed a real life guillotine show after all.

(Ze*ogi... or maybe more like fist of n* star... way too grotesque...)

I shuddered a bit after unexpectedly bearing witness to the scene while watching them.

Serena noticed and quickly got to it.

"This smell of blood is an unpleasant company for dinner. Allow me to dispose of these."

I stopped Serena who pointed her palms at the bodies.

"Ah, wait a bit. I'm taking their money and weapons."

I rummaged through the two. My instinct broke the willies from touching the death but I endured.

"Okay I'm done. So how do you plan to dispose of them? Just leave them... guess not. I'd hate having a meal next to dead bodies."

"Milord, would it have been acceptable to carve the magic beasts if it was acceptable with these?"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
I told her my reason. It's nothing big, not at all different from what I told them before.

"We were in a hurry then, carving was a low priority. Not like we're short on money with Eltros funds. I guess in a way, 'time' was a more important resource than  'materials' to me. But the situation's changed now. We've arrived at a camping spot and can take it easy. Thus the 'waste' simply came from having more leeway."

'I see, it does make sense', Serena said that before, 'Well then', she hovered her fingers over the two bodies and then suddenly a flame blazed up. The darkening night world was dyed in orange.

"Uwooo? This is magic right? It sure is showy, just like that time with toxic pools."

"Milord, this is what is known as spirit magic."

"...Spirit huh... What's the difference?"

I'm half excited and half dejected at this deepening of fantasy-ness.

"Allow me to explain as we have meal."

That was when the flame vanished into thin air. Nothing left where it was.
No bodies or even the bones and ashes.
The surroundings are wrapped in darkness once the flame is gone.

"Hm, right. Let's take it easy. I'm hungry."

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103 Ability

Two of the bandits looked restless when suddenly.

"E-eff this shit! I'm... outta here!"

"Me too! I only dabbled in this dirty work cuz we got a backing! Now that it's gone... I'm leaving!"

This backing would have assuredly cut them out and looked the other way if it ever came to it, but knowing that telling them here would do nothing, I stayed silent.
The two bandits ran back to the road they took here without looking back at full speed. And they were just sprawled out of stamina just earlier.

"Tch! Useless cowards..."

Among the remaining four, only the boss and another bandit seemed motivated still. This bandit is readying his bow and arrow. The other two seem undecided. They're not even drawing the swords on their waist.

"Oy, let's do this. Shoot."

He sounded used to it. Anticipating I wouldn't be able to dodge.

(They may be scoundrels, but I wouldn't have bothered with them if they weren't so persistent...)

Hyu! A sharp wind cutting sound followed by an arrow stopping mid air right in between me and the archer.
Then it unceremoniously fell down the ground as we all looked in silence.

"Wha? W-what the hell was that!"

Serena replied to that.

"I shan't let you so much as graze our lord."

Yep, I didn't do that. Serena did, it seemed.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
(Well, I could have easily dodged that with 'Acceleration' though.)

I have no idea how she did that but since it wasn't the right mood to ask, I kept my mouth shut.

"Eff it! Who cares! Damage 'em if I gotta! I'll keep you barely alive at least!"

The bandit leader swung his sword down overhead at Serena. However, Serena avoided that slash simply by stepping back with her left leg.
The sword was swung down as if the man avoided her on purpose.
The sword ricocheted on the ground, producing a loud clashing sound.
The bandit leader made a horizontal slash with full power. That would have killed Serena.
But the slash only passed by next to Serena as if it was prevented by something. This 'something' must come from Serena, but I have no idea what.

The bandit leader must have full confidence in that slash. He uttered 'How the hell...' in agape.
Nothing but a cold word answered that. A voice so clear and sonorous, resounding in the evening forest.

"Your neck is wide open."

The bandit leader had its neck lowered with his swing. Serena drew her sword in an instance and slashed at it.

A bewitching quick draw.
And how should I describe it I wonder?
The sound of a neck getting cleanly cut.

The man's head tumbled down the ground. Followed by the body afterward.
A pool of blood gradually spread out as it seeped into the ground.

Serena isn't stopping yet. She got close to the archer in a single movement.
I was astonished by that. Serena's body glided on the ground like a hovercraft.
It was like a special effect in Tokusatsu films, yet it flowed so natural without any sense of discord.

(Sliding around like that looks really fun.)

As I had that silly thought running, Serena cut down the archer with a return slash.

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