Sousetsuka

3





"O Master, Master. Yesterday you bestowed me knowledge on how soil, grass and people are one and the same in what they are made of, yet at the same time human body is also composed of simple substances when observed in detail, illustrating how complex a human body is. However, O master. This ignorant me cannot comprehend what makes man a man, and what makes life a life."

"That question doesn't sound academical. Nor is it analytical. Besides, I'm sure I taught you how life can assume small and simple forms as well as big and complex forms."

"Indeed you did Master. Then where should my journey for knowledge start from?"

"Right. Let's limit to bodily functions and the effects of external objects on it today."

"External objects, what would that be?"

"Anything from water, food, spoiled food, seeds of diseases sent by God of Pestilence. But let's not talk about medicine and poison today. By doing so, you should have a better outlook of what medicine in reverse."

The record keepers frantically tried to keep up their writing.

The conversation was mostly acted out by Shira and Skalabel, but Norma would sometimes threw hers after getting permission, so did Amamir and Kotojia with brief questions.

Lecan, and Cawin were completely silent. To be honest, Lecan doesn't even get a tenth of what they're talking about. Cawin was listening intently to it with eyes gleaming with sagacity.

Funnily enough, the questions Eda occasional came up and threw in ended up giving some good stimulations in the Q&A.

From Lecan's point of view, it's like a beginner wedging herself in a fight between masters of their crafts, but that dauntlessness of hers could be said to be her virtue in a way.

At lunchtime they moved to the dining hall.

During the idle chatter there, Norma talked about Lecan's techniques. Stuff like how he used <Move> to accurately tamper the insides of patient's body, cutting things off without even touching, wounding or giving burdens to the body.

Kotojia pressed on Lecan, asking to explain what kind of technique is that. Shira explained that Lecan knows to cast an awfully precise detection magic which affords his <Move> the precision of <Operation>. Kotojia kept incessantly asked for more. As an apothecary and a medical practitioner, Amamir also listened carefully without missing a word.

Lecan unusually opened his mouth and told them that it was Norma who taught him how to examine the insides of a body by cladding it with mana, narrating just how marvelous Norma's examination ability is.

The apothecaries plead Norma to show them her techniques. Norma took her wand, examined Marlia's body and pointed out what parts of her body had issues.

Norma's mana control and its extraordinary precision was made clear to the people present there, those with outstanding mana control, which is to say all the priests there and some of the apothecaries. One after another, those priests began inviting Norma to enroll into their temples.

While she appreciated their offers, Norma declined them all saying that she's in charge of a huge project currently.

After lunch, they left the apothecaries and priests and went back to the lounge to continue their conversation.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Ooh Master. The difference between food and medicine is truly ambiguous, is it not?"

"More like, personally I believe food is one form of medicine."

"Hoo! It is not the other way around then."

"There's medicine that just can't be classified as food, yet there's no food that bears no relation to the well being of your body. If there is one, that can't be said to be food."

"I see, I see. That does indeed the case."

Skalabel was in a very good condition today, the talk turned heated, as they missed the dinner time.

"Think that's about it for today."

"Just a bit more. Please grant this ignorant me more revelations."

"What'd you learn from our talk today. People are made of their food. Those who don't eat are those who aren't of the living. The secret to healing lies there too. Eat. And rest well today. Eda."

"Yes."

"Take Skalabel to bed once he's done with his meals. Then cast <Purification> once he's in the bed."

"Un! I gotcha."

"Got it, Amamir?"

"It shall be done. Hear that, Cawin."

"Yes."

"Eda. Here's a Mana Restorative. Take it before casting <Purification>."

"Un. And the necklace?"

"You don't need that. Just do it."

"Yes~."

Everyone ended up having meals together since Skalabel said he couldn't possibly eat by himself.

Amamir instructed the maids to prepare meals for the two record keepers as well.

The record keepers took turn eating while looking grateful. They had quite the appetite. Even then, one of them won't let go of their pen. They plan to record every single word Skalabel and Shira have got without missing a beat.

"Actually this morning, I, these two record keepers and Kotojia were caught by priestess Marlia, other priests and apothecaries. They were quite desperate for answers. What happened yesterday. What did we talk about. Once I told them a brief sum of some of our talks, they went and fervently pressed for answers from our record keepers instead."

"So that's why those two and you looked quite drained this morning."

"Hoho. Letting these two out of my sight will not do, thus I've instructed them to never leave my side. They shall accompany us during meals as well from now on."

"Oh right, some people have been constantly trying to listen to this room with <Farhear> these past three days. Two of them."

"Eeeh."

"<Farhear>? Is there an apothecary who would learn that magic?"

"Uun. They're likely not apothecaries. After all those apothecaries were all with us during meal yesterday, weren't they. Those two were using <Farhear> from outside the room even then."

"Shira-sama, does that mean everything we talked about today has leaked out?"

"Nah. This room's got some kind of barrier put over it. This barrier expunges <Farhear>'s coordinates, so you can't listen to the conversation in this room."

"Fumu. But then, who are those people?"

"If I may, perhaps."

"Hm? Priest Amamir, you've got an idea?"

"Prime Minister Office has dispatched three additional people besides the two administrative officials and one apprentice official to accompany this entourage. They have lower standings as they take order from the officials and in charge of miscellaneous chores, yet they possess incredible skills. I have heard they even do covert work at times."

"Well, <Farhear> isn't an offensive magic anyway. All's fine so long they don't go past that."

The record keepers' pens hitting paper resounded in the room. They even recorded that huh, thought Lecan half amazed half impressed.

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 2





Someone knocked on the door.

"Shira-sama has made her arrival."

Cawin opened the door, Shira and Eda entered the room.

Lecan and Skalabel greeted Shira, Skalabel asked Cawin to let everyone else in. Besides the two record keepers and two maids, first class priest Amamir, priestess Kotojia and Norma also got in.

"O Master. How would you like your breakfast?"

"Right, well. Think I'll have a half-full garnish-less soup. And a cup of white wine."

Skalabel signaled the maid who then prepared Shira's order.

"Slept well last night?"

"I did, O Master. It has been so very long since I had such a good sleep."

"Glad to hear."

"Eda-dono. I must offer you my gratitude once again. You as well, Norma-dono."

"Eh. Oh, please don't mention it, I'm just."

"I'm sure my father would be delighted to hear his research could be of use to Guide Skalabel."

"Your father has my deepest gratitude. And I hold his research in reverence. The research your father did has granted me a new life."

"It's an honor. Guide Skalabel."

"You had some fascinating talk with Amamir. Something about allowing transcribers to transcribe books if he directs one to you, I believe?"

"Yes. They're very welcome to."

"This old bone would like to add another proposition, would you be willing to hear?"

"With pleasures."

"I would like for Norma-dono to put forth preface and commentary chapters in your father's books that Norma-dono has agreed to publish. 『Research on Entrails Functions』 and 『Introductory to Herb Study』 books will be the first two books for this project."

"W-wha?"

"Those books, including the preface and commentary, will be transcribed into one volume each. Several transcribers will have to stay in this town for a few years to complete tens of those books."

"Several transcribers?"

"Those transcribers shall be in charge of making 100 copies of each books which will then be delivered to the capital under Amamir's supervision. Under the name <Sasfrey Norma Library>."

"100 copies!"

"What a huge undertaking."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"My, that's quite grand."

"And we will distribute those books to apothecaries who can truly make good use of them for free."

"That, that's."

"And of course, this old bone shall take care of the required capital."

"Guide!"

Amamir sounded surprised.

"Amamir. There is too much restriction in using Elex Temple's monetary offerings. I shall sponsor it myself. You take charge of arranging the transcribers. This is precisely the project the fortune bestowed upon me by his majesty should be put into use."

"Guide..."

Norma replied back after thinking it over a bit.

"Skalabel-sama."

"Yes, what will it be."

"A preface is indeed necessary. Properly illustrating what a particular book is covering is a good idea. And as those books weren't originally intended to be widely published, we should also rearrange the table contents. However, commentary is impossible."

"Is that correct. Then how about postponing writing commentaries on books you believe need them, and write what you can as you go on."

"Right, well. I suppose there are some research subjects that will be better with commentaries."

"What this old bone proposed is nothing more than an outline for his wish. In practice, the transcribing process won't be without a hitch. It might be a good idea to send one transcriber first to have a grasp on the undertaking before sending more. It might be better to combine several short theses into one volume as well."

"Yes, right. But could you wait distributing them until after we have a finished book. I'd like to have an overview on the complete set with a set order, volume numbers and also with indexes."

"Hahaha. I see your mind is on it already. Very well, very well. However, the transcribing process will press on. The bookbinding and cover making processes can be done later. By doing so, you can insert the prefaces as well as fill in volume numbers at a later date."

"And would be it all right to call it <Sasfrey's Medical Herb Study Set>."

"Ooh wonderful! However, your name appears to be absent."

"The author of those books is ultimately my father. Those added by me will be written in the preface. And I will also put my sign on the prefaces I make. I don't want people to confuse them with my father-made prefaces after all."

"I see, I see. Sounds good indeed."

"Hee. You're up to something wonderful there."

"O Master. These talents you have brought with you are truly outstanding individuals."

"Hohoho. Truly so. Lecan-dono is a master of medicine making essence. Eda-dono possesses such a rare talent, and Norma-dono has taken up her father's mantle in the field of medical study. I do not believe there is any other town with an assortment of such talents anywhere else."

"It's so true. Fufu. I can't wait to turn the table on those people accompanying us."

"Hou? Did something happen?"

"My. What are you the perpetrator saying now, Lecan-dono. Everyone of them was completely taken aback when they witnessed your medicine making craft and examined the finished product yesterday. Their impression on Lecan-dono has taken a complete u-turn afterward."

"Does that mean they had a really low valuation on Lecan before?"

"Yes. That was only inevitable. All of those who come along with us in this occasion are prideful of their crafts. At the same time, they are also those who understand how Lecan-dono's craft is something that surpasses any known medicine making arts just by seeing it once."

"Hohoho. Not to forget, Norma-dono."

"Yes. This happened just this morning, they all had congregated at the town lord's mansion from their noble mansions' lodging awfully early today. They couldn't contain their curiosity on the matter talked about yesterday. Even the initially indifferent priests dispatched by each temples were brimming with curiosity this morning."

"Hohoho. They really do."

"That was when priest Amamir told them how Norma-dono is a daughter of Safrey-dono, and how she is in the possession of a mountain of Sasfrey-dono's posthumous works and has even made improvements on them."

"Eh? How are those people aware of my father's books?"

"I had two extra copies of 『Research on  Entrails Functions』 and 『Introductory to Herb Study』 transcribed each when I had mine done before returning them to Ceres Temple. Guide Skalabel's pupils took turn reading those copies. More and more people got to talk about those books, read them, and soon enough every temple had copies of those books. I believe every main temples at the capital has copies of those books by now. Those in the entourage should be people who have read those books from start to finish."

"I see. So my father's books are in every main temples."

"And Eda-dono as well, although we didn't go into detail, I and priest Amamir have been praising your wonderful power, so everyone is quite curious about you too."

"Uwaa. Lecan! They're putting some heavy expectations on me."

"Bear it."

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 1





The following morning, Lecan was going to enter the guest house through the back door when he noticed the same knight as last evening standing there. A hint of fatigue was evident on his face.

The interrogations of their allied mages last night, the all night watch duty over the guest house and the two mages and mage squires, as well as the evidence gathering were supposedly done by all members of the knights in the entourage. Of course they'd get tired.

"<Recovery>."

"Ah."

A green light soaked up the knight.

"Ah, it's so comforting. Fatigue just slipped away. Thank you very much."

"Good work out there."

"Sir."

Two knight squires and one temple knight stood in front of the lounge.  It's the other temple knight besides Derston. The man's got quite the mana pool as well. Lecan couldn't recall his name.

The two knight squires looked tired as well.

"<Recovery><Recovery>"

"Ahh."

"Ah."

When Lecan got in the lounge, Skalabel and Cawin stood up from their sofas and greeted him.

"Good morning. Lecan-dono."

"Good morning. Lecan-sama."

Cawin took a glance at <Necklace of Intuador> but he didn't ask why Lecan had it on him. Cawin knows the necklace acts as a mana storage, but he's likely clueless on its other functions.

"Yea, morning. Guide, please don't stand up whenever I come in. It pains me to see you do that."

"No no. My conditions have gotten so much better now. And even if I weren't, I would have stood up nonetheless. I find the act of standing up quite fun in itself."

The two young apothecaries standing in the corners of the room greeted Lecan as well.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

The two of them seemed weirdly tired out.

"<Recovery><Recovery>."

For now, Lecan cast <Recovery> instead of greeting them back.

The two hurriedly said their thanks.

Lecan waved his hand to say 'don't mention it'.

The table has an assortment of warm thin-sliced smoked beef, fruit, bread and soup. on it Skalabel and Cawin must have had their breakfast.

Two maids are on stand by.

"Get my breakfast here. With lots of meat and fruit."

"Certainly sir."

Cawin stayed in Skalabel's room last night as his attendant.

Apparently that's always been the case even at the capital.

Once Lecan's breakfast arrived, Skalabel spoke to Cawin.

"Mind if you could leave us two alone."

"Yes."

Cawin stood up at once, made the two record keepers and the two maids leave the room before doing so himself.

Lecan continued working on his breakfast without minding them.

"I have been wondering, have I done something unwanted. Lecan-dono."

Lecan replied back after swallowing meat.

"Well Shira looks happy."

"I am fully aware that the act of me coming here has caused no end of headache to Master."

Lecan stuffed in more meat in his mouth, bit on bread and then chewed on them.

"Be it as may, I wanted to cast <Purification> for her."

He bit another mouthful of bread before chewing them.

"I wanted to be of use to Master, as trivial as it is. I wanted to repay my debt to her."

He brought a soup cup near his mouth and gulped down the content.

"No, that's probably not it. At the end of the day, I just wanted to see Master."

He put a whole peeled Zospa fruit in his mouth.

"But Master needs not <Purification>."

Then he swallowed it down after a few chews.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Far from it even--"

"When I managed to learn how to make Mana Restorative as well as <Barrier> the day before you arrived here, Shira said this to me."

"Wha?"

"'Lecan. Congrats. You've made it to completion. Both in medicine making and in magic. In all of my long life, I've never had a pupil who managed to master these two simultaneously let alone to completion. I'm really proud of you as a pupil.'"

"Oho."

"That made me happy."

"I could imagine."

"Just between you and me, I almost cried even."

"Haha."

"I'm sure Shira is proud of you as her pupil too."

"I would love for that to be true."

"Remember what Shira said when you showed him your Stamina Restorative. 'Splendid. You've really studied well, haven't you.'"

"That she did indeed."

"Shira does not flatter."

"She never does indeed."

"You too are her pride."

"Lecan-dono."

"Aren't you glad when pupils you're proud of succeeded on the path they choose themselves?

"Indeed."

"Then you've performed your due duty to Master."

"Haha. That must apply to you as well then Lecan-dono."

"Of course it does."

"Hahahaha."

"But from Shira's point of view, both you and me are mere fledglings."

"I believe that is indeed true."

"All the more reason to hone the stuff she teach us and make her say this one of these days. 'Oh, you have surpassed me'."

"Hahahahaha."

"But who knows where Shira would be by then."

"So it would truly come to that."

"I believe so yeah."

"Lecan-dono."

"Hnn?"

"The two hidden techniques Master bequeathed you."

"Yea."

"I am afraid to say that, despite my understanding of them, I am incapable of recreating them."

"Really."

"However, I do not wish to see those techniques die out."

"Really?"

"If a pupil I deem worthy managed to reach the proper stage, would it be acceptable for Lecan-dono to show those two techniques once again before them."

"If we run into each other sure."

"Thank you. Let's decide on a password."

"Hou."

"How about the password <In the name of Casa Seula>."

"<In the name of Casa Seula> huh. Got it memorized."

"Please pass on the hidden techniques to the one who came up to you with that password."

"Got it. But I'm not gonna stay in one place just to wait for your errand man. I go wherever I like. Whether you could find me or not is not my problem."

"Yes. I am sure the God of Fate shall lead the ways."

A petition to gods can sometimes demonstrate an unbelievable power.

And Skalabel is probably the kind of humans loved by many gods.

That person could end up finding Lecan for real.

Though Lecan himself doesn't really mind showing some medicine making for Skalabel's sake.

"By the way, what's up with this Casa Seula name?"

"It is what Master called herself when she was teaching me at one time."

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 16





Herb Saint Entourage is a group formed in a bid to visit Guide Skalabel's Master, Apothecary Shira, it's comprised of Guide Skalabel, his followers, bodyguard, officials and odd-job men.

The one charged to form them, Amamir Tarance, has been studying under Skalabel in medicine making and medical treatment since his childhood. He's a user of <Recovery> magic as well as all kinds of magic, the leading pupil of Skalabel.

Amamir came to Vouka himself for the preliminary arrangement, but he originally planned to let another first class priest go with the entourage. But since the Vice Head of Ceres Main Temple, Marlia Fotos forced her way into the entourage, the plan was changed to include himself.

Marlia is not one of Skalabel's pupils. However, she truly holds Skalabel in high esteem from heart.

Born into the house of the Marquis of Smark, Marlia manifested <Recovery> as a child, and chose to enter the Main Ceres Temple at the capital. She's known Skalabel for a long time, but she was never admitted as his pupil.

Ceres Temple has posed itself as the headquarters of Medical Practitioners. It also boasts itself as being better at medicine making than Raikos Temple which worships the Medical God Raikos. Priests affiliated to Ceres Main Temple are not permitted to study under street apothecaries. Hence, among the nine great temple, Ceres Temple was the very last one that accepted the teachings of Skalabel.

Marlia would keep saying that is not right. He's a great man who has invented wonderful methods of medicine making, accomplished splendid apothecary and medical work, and also a user of <Purification> who has earned the trust of three generations of kings. He is exactly the person Ceres Temple should learn from. Thus Marlia plead.

After piling up achievements and gaining higher standing in the temple, Marlia managed to garner many sympathizers for her plea.

And then eventually, Ceres Main Temple as well as affiliated priests relented to opening up to the teachings of Skalabel.

Her delight was short-lived however, as Marlia's superior passed away and Marlia herself got appointed as the Vice Head Temple.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"The Vice Head of Ceres Main Temple can't possibly study under an apothecary who doesn't belong to the temple, no, that would be too much."

Unable to go against those voices, Marlia tearfully abandoned the idea of ever becoming Skalabel's pupil.

Priest Amamir has known Marlia for a long time. Since Marlia would often visit him. It was mostly her complaining. Whenever she heard how Guide Skalabel fell ill, she would ask how he was doing, how he was being treated. 'Aren't you not working hard enough to spread Skalabel's contributions'. 'Do Skalabel's pupils even really understand his teachings'. Along with all kinds of complaints, she would borrow notes about Skalabel's teachings written by Amamir and zealously read them.

As the Head of Ceres Main Temple holds the same position as third class priests of Elex Temple, the third class priestess of Elex Temple Kotojia actually sits higher than Marlia in the hierarchy. The first class priest who was originally supposed to be coming here had an even higher standing.

However, Marlia is a member of a marquis family. She might be the youngest fourth daughter of the previous marquis, but her relationship with her family runs deep, even the current head of the marquis can't go against Marlia.

Marlia cannot be contained by anyone but Amamir. Skalabel would be at his wit's end if she kept coiling around him, which she would. As such Amamir ended up joining the entourage.

Amamir is the leading pupil of Skalabel, with scientific attainments as well as track records to match as well as holding a high position in the temple, however, the fact that he's the eldest son of the Count of Tarance plays the biggest role. Had he not turned over his right of succession to his little brother and walked the path of priesthood, he would have been the present head of Count of Tarance today. At first he was planning to give his seat in the entourage to his successor, but that plan had to be abandoned.

The nine priests dispatched by every temple are either apothecaries or mages, but not all of them are Skalabel's pupils. These priests were dispatched by the temples with the objective of having their representatives present during this event of <Herb Saint> Skalabel visiting his master, people with politically charged motives.

As for the Royal Knights in the entourage, they are someone hand picked by the Knight Commander ordained by the prime minister, those who will give their everything to accomplish the king's decree protecting Guide Skalabel in this journey.

However, the Vice Commander Neisan Aspell being here was due to him hearing how his peer in position and swordsmanship, Zaifad Kacchini, utterly lost to an adventurer in a match, he wanted to see a guy who could do that.

The Royal Mages were also supposed to be people who follow the King's decree, but maybe not since their leader this time is Roland Batt. On top of desperation to snatch glory for Royal Mages, he's blessed with talent in magic, so the guy has a habit of looking down on others. But lots of stuff like such were overlooked so they could depart. They did think he would probably make some mess this time around too, and sure enough he did.

Thus Lecan learned many things in his chat with Vice Commander Neisan they had every night.




[Episode 26 Herb Saint Visitation] End/Next [Episode 27 Medical God Dialogue]

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 15





"Don't get it wrong now, not all Royal Mages are as high-handed as that. That Roland brat is a special case."

It's the living room of the annex.

Lecan had told Vice Commander Neisan to stop by for a drink once he's free.

"Mwu. As fellow bodyguard, some coordination is in order indeed."

Thus Neisan spoke, he then dropped by the annex after reporting to Priest Amamir and giving instructions to his subordinates. A maid brought his meal there.

After two cups of high-class booze and perhaps a little help from a sense of intimacy between two adept swordsmen, he's opened up greatly now.

There were high-class bean pastry, jerky and dried fruits in the shelves. Good snacks to have.

"Are Royal Knights on bad terms with Royal Mages?"

"Nah, it's not really like that."

Zaka Kingdom was originally a magic-focused great power. The mages had a huge role in helping stave off an invasion perpetrated by Dresta Kingdom to the west during early days of Zaka Kingdom's founding. Then they played another huge role in the subjugation of the northern region afterward.

Of course, the mages weren't the only group dispatched to the front lines, they were always accompanied by knights whenever they went.

Afterward, the mages also helped in subjugating what became five baronies today, and building the kingdom.

However, no more large scale battle broke out for 60 years after that. There would be occasional skirmishes along the borders, and also suppressions of magic beasts and bands of thieves but those did not have a set interval. Some local nobles would also sometime revolt.

"About 30 years ago, Count Daina raised a rebellion. Those Royal Mages were thrilled to participate in a large-scale combat after so long. Got too much into it even. They blew away the enemy's headquarters with a large scale magic, leaving no trace behind. Since the masterminds all perished together then and there, there was no interrogation nor execution, the truth of the rebellion was forever lost in the darkness. It was a huge blunder. The Commander and Vice Commanders of Royal Mages got dismissed as a result, and taking some responsibility, the Royal Knights' commander also resigned. From then on, the relationship between Royal Knights and Royal Mages sits on a delicate balance."

Presently, Royal Knights have more people than Royal Mages.

The Royal Knights have one Commander, two Adjutants, two Vice Commanders, with each commanding five divisions. As each division consists of ten members, the Royal Knights have 105 members in total.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
Then with each member having one subordinate knight under them, the true total numbers in 210 members.

This includes cavalries, spearsmen and archers.

Originally, the numbers were much larger at ten times that, but as the age of wars came to a close, the order of knights got split into Royal Knights, Palatial Knights and Capital Guard, and while the Royal Knights gradually shrunk down, the Palatial Knights and the Capital Guard gradually expanded.

Presently, Royal Mages are staffed by one Commander, one Adjutant, one Vice Commander, with commander and vice commander each holding command on 25 members. 53 members in total.

The Royal Mages were bigger at one time. As when wars break out, every territories will send their soldiers to support royal knights and royal mages. If the war involves countries in earnest, all court-ranking nobles will have to send their knights, cavalries, spearsmen and archers. But those lords tend to loathe dispatching their magic forces, and even if they did, the huge discrepancies in abilities would make it hard for them to work in groups. The temples also dispatch <Recovery> users, but they can't be counted as war forces. Hence, Royal Mages had to be bigger than Royal Knights.

But with the absence of wars, the Royal Mages have been shrinking in numbers.

The final blow was dealt by the advance in Magic Tools development.

The very first strike let out by ordinary archers and spearsmen can be as destructive as magic soldiers if they have <Yacklubend Longbow>, <Yacklubend Explosive Arrow> and <Yacklubend Piercing Spear> respectively on them. And those soldiers could charge on as ordinary archers and spearsmen afterward.

"Hence why. Royal Mages just keep on bleeding personnel slowly. Nevertheless, whenever the knights mobilize in a division or more within the kingdom, the mages will always dispatch one or more of their members to go along, that custom holds true even now. But those folks just don't got the will to cooperate with us knights."

The organization only accepts those who can use magic. And on top of high salary, those who get accepted are given positions equaling nobles. There are many applicants and anyone who can use magic can get selected, but Royal Mages heavily favor those who can cast offensive magic.

"And well. Offensive magic is important and all, yeah. But y'know. I think even those who don't exclusively use offensive magic's got their merits too."

"Do the Royal Mages not have <Recovery> users?"

"Think they've got three mages who can use <Recovery>. But since the temples would dispatch their <Recovery> users if wars break out, Royal Mages don't select those with <Recovery> magic."

"Those temples will only dispatch <Recovery> users in large scale wars. I'm sure It'd come in handy if you got even one <Recovery> users among three mages accompanying one Knights division like now."

"Makes sense. Though since us Knights are always diving in Dungeon Finkel,  our guys got some red potions with 'em."

"I see. By the way, what's this Roland guy like."

"Exactly as he looks, a brat, though guy's also the third son of a count family."

"He's higher ranking than you then."

"Standing-wise, he's much higher. However as Royal Knights' commander is situated higher than the Royal Mages' commander in the pecking order, naturally the Vice Commander, me, also sits higher than the mages' vice commander."

"What'd that guy come here for?"

"That brat didn't believe any of the reports submitted, not by Undersecretary-dono, Zaifad, nor Priest Amamir. The magic used by Shira-dono, and you Lecan, all of them must be fabricated, he said."

"Will those three men stand by getting accused like that?"

"Oh he's not gonna say it in their faces. Instead, he went around behind the scenes to put himself in the entourage. Probably thinking he's gonna get achievements if he finds out the trick behind the lies or something. Now then, think it's about time they're done with the written evidence. Thanks for the treat. Sorry for taking your time. Can I come here again?"

"Yea."

"You look the part with that necklace on you, just like a real mage."

"Yea."

Lecan has <Necklace of Intuador> on him.

He's gotta be ready to tackle any situation seeing there's some dangerous individuals like Roland Batt around. He'd really rather not show the necklace too much in public, but beggars can't be choosers.

There's still something else brewing.

His hunch told him.

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 18-13. The Adventure of Pochi (3)

"Bunny Jumping Upper~!
"Ro~lling Round Kick~"

Usasa's vertical sword slash finisher, and Rabibi's horizontal sword finisher cut down the bad men.
Apparently it's neither a punch or a kick because that's the specs.

Pochi and the gang were looking for a ship at the port of Red Smoke Island Vice City Cybe to transport the captives back home when they were found by the baddies, resulting in a huge scuffle.

"They just keep coming kuma."
"There's no end to them gau."

Kubear who have been dealing with these villains using his great shield and Gaugaru who's brandishing his great sword on the front line look fed up.
Letting the beastkin group handle the frontline, Ninin keeps watch on Hitona who supports with magic and the captive representative, safely eliminating all the villains that got close with his sword.

"Iai Slash! Barrage~ nanodesu!"

Pochi unleashed a barrage of Iai-style slashes at speed impossible to be seen with bare eyes while saying 'Shubaba' out loud, neutralizing the baddies.
Battling with her sword unsheated would have been faster, but Pochi has steadfastly put trust in Arisa's teaching, "Iai Slash is the fastest ever."

"Usasa!"
"Sorry, Rabibi."

As exhaustion setting in from the chain battle, Usasa got hit by an enemy's attack during an intense clash.
She managed to narrowly escape injury thanks to Rabibi's intervention, but the two of them have run out of stamina, staggering.

--pi~po~pa~po.

The two got splashed in some sort of liquid along with that faint sound.

"--Eh?"
"The pain is going away. Did someone throw a magic potion here?"

Usasa and Rabibi quickly looked around but no one could afford to do that for them. Even Pochi had a tired look on her face.

Then suddenly dull thumping sounds accompanied by tremors could be felt, drawing closer from the direction of the city.

Beyond houses, a pillar of flame blazed upward, scorching the sky.

"He's here!"
"Boss!"

The baddies looked gleeful.

"It's a hydra."
"Oh no kuma."
"I-it'll be all right gau. We've got Nee-san with us here woof."

On the opposite end, Usasa and the rest looked awfully tense.

"T-that's the Calamity..."
"The Second Coming of Demon Lord, Baphomet the 『Calamity』."

Hearing the captive rep, Ninin recalled what he heard at the village.

Baphomet riding on the Hydra's back joined the battlefield.
Followed by a huge amount of monsters, swamping even the horizon.

"...It's, all over."

The rep fell down on his knee while muttering in despair.

Ninin and Hitona turned toward their only hope, but even Pochi was trembling, her sword dropped.

"T-this is just impossible nanodesu."



◇



"Oy oy what the hell, I came outta here cuz you guys just ain't going down, it's just a bunch of brats."

Baphomet shouted angrily.

"And they're already tremblin' in fear at the sight of this great me's hydra."

He smugly looked at the staggering Pochi.

"Impossible for Pochi-san..."
"S-say it's a lie!"

Ninin grieved, Rabibi shouted out loud.

"I-Impossible nanodesu. How do you eat that much meat nodesuyo?"
"""--Eat?"""

Pendora gang looked like they were taken by surprise by that revelation.

"Pochi's magic bag don't have the freezer function, the meat will go bad if you don't eat it quick nodesu."

Pochi spoke seriously.

"Quit yer' bluffing!"

Baphomet yelled from atop the hydra.

"How'd ya plan to fight this great me and my Doran quivering like that huuh?"

Looks like Doran is the Hydra's name.

"Pochi's just a lil' bit dizzy, it's all ok nanodesu."

Her legs are shaky despite saying that.

--Pochi.

A milk bottle-sized magic potion came flying out of nowhere.
Pochi caught that.

"T-this is! Beef Jerky-flavored energy drink nanodesu."

Pochi who saw the cow label on the bottle's side gulped it down without hesitation.

Pochi's tremble stopped at once, her small body was filled with strength.

"Shakiiin nanodesu! Pochi is full of stamina nanowdesuyo!"

Pochi struck out the shupin pose.

"W-where'd that come from?"
"You mind, you lose~?"

Ninin and Usasa who heard that invisible voice had, "I knew it" looks on their faces.

"First let's start from the small fries nanodesu!"

Pochi quickly blew away all the monsters flooding in.
No one could catch Pochi's shadow as she kept using Flickering Steps all over the place.

"W-what's up with this brat?!"

Baphomet sounded panicked.

Neither the hydra's flame nor mobile monsters could hit Pochi.
Even the last ray of hope, Hydra lost all of its heads in an instant.

"Don't think that's all this great me can do!"

Baphomet who was covered in a soggy mess of Hydra's blood ran toward the shore like he was tumbling.

"Come! Sea Calamity!"

Baphomet shouted at the sea.

Tentacles stretched out of the sea and made an attempt to entwine Pochi.

"Eeeew, yucky, nanodesu."

Pochi kicked walls, and ran out on roofs to evade the downpour of tentacles.

"T-that's!"
"What's that thing Ninin!"
"That's Kraken's tentacles! The worst monster that would sink any ship be it pirates or merchants. If you meet one at the sea, only death awaits you. It's an invincible monster."

Ninin replied to Usasa's question.

From the sea an octopus-shaped monster <<Octopus Kraken>> emerged out of the sea surface.

Even Pochi who had been taking it easy couldn't hide her surprise when she saw that.

"Ow yeah, this is the end for ya! Get eaten by Kraken you!"

Baphomet looked triumphant when he saw her.

"That's takoyaki-san nanodesu!"

Pochi's eyes are sparkling.

"...Takoyaki?"
"You start from legs when you dismember octopus-san nodesuyo!"

Pochi spoke as if she was replying to Baphomet before cutting down the Kraken's tentacles one after another with a Magic Edge elongated over the tip of her sword.

"The trick is to cut them down to the base right away nanodesuyo!"

Pochi also ran up the Kraken's body and then cut its main body cleanly in two.

"Too bad for the entrails, but you can't eat them without Master nanodesu."

Pochi murmured as she longingly watched the kraken's intestines fell down.

Baphomet who was trying to sneakily run away got squashed by the falling intestines, unable to move a finger.

"L-like hell I'd let this be the end!"

There was an explosion and then the Kraken's intestines blew up everywhere.
Baphomet himself had suffered serious wounds, but he healed it with his magic potion.

"Now's my chance--what? My legs won't move?"

Baphomet tried to sneak away amidst the blood spray cloud caused by the explosion earlier, but his legs got sunk in the shadow below.

"Found you, nanodesu! You can't get away from Pochi nanodesuyo!"

Pochi showed up splitting apart the blood spray.

"Aku soku zazan nanodesu!"

Pochi who shaped her Magic Edge into a blunt instrument reaped Baphomet's consciousness in one hit.

"Yay~!"
"That's Nee-san for you kuma!"
"Nee-san the strongest gau!"
"...I'll get as strong as Pochi-san someday."

As the Pendora gang cheered, Usasa quietly took a vow.
Rabibi slowly put her hand on Usasa's first. They nodded together.


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
◇



"Those villains are getting away kuma!"
"The pirate ships are sailing off woof!"

Once they saw their invincible boss beaten, the villains at Vice City Cybe scuttled away in all directions.
The pirates too began pulling up their anchors, putting up sails on their ships.

"They're gonna get away at this rate kuma!"

Kubear was panicking, while the other kids surveyed the surroundings looking for a way to stop them.

"Ah, nanodesu."

The very first pirate ship that had embarked off the port suddenly went up in flames before sinking.

At the end of Pochi and the gang's line of sights, volleys of cannonballs fired from the open sea sunk the pirate ships one after another.

"It's warships! A fleet of warships is coming from the open sea!"

Pochi and the gang were unaware that navies from neighboring countries including Sherifad Principality have come.
Once the one-sided massacre ended, one of the warships that eliminated the pirates sailed to the port.

"It's a military person nanodesu."

An admiral with many medals on his uniform disembarked with many sailors and knights overlooking him.

"You must be the hero who defeated Second Coming of Demon Lord Baphomet the [Calamity], are you not?"
"Pochi wasn't the only one who beat the baddies nodesu! She won because Usasa, Rabibi, Gaukun, Kubear, Nin, and Hitona helped her nodesuyo!"

The admiral praised Pochi for defeating Baphomet, and took charge of transporting the captives back to their families.
Even though Ninin and Hitona were the ones doing negotiation instead of Pochi who was bad with explanations, things just went oddly smooth.

To begin with, the fact that the allied forces timely came into the picture right after Baphomet was defeated should raise an alarm, but no one questioned that.

The wiser ones, Ninin and Hitona knew about Pochi's protector's support, and those with wild instincts had also perceived it somewhat.

"Dad!"
"Welcome home!"
"Nee-chan, welcome back."

The villagers had gathered to welcome the captives.

"We're throwing a festival today! Bring out the best booze and food we have!"
"Oh then Pochi will bring some meat too nodesuyo!"
"We can't let our benefactor to--"

From a large magic bag on her game carriage, Pochi fetched all the monsters she beat, piling up heaps after heaps.
The village chief who was going to decline changed his mind once he saw the monster bodies filling up the land.

"Whoa, this is something else."
"Gotta get good cook for these."
"You men! Stop standing around and start dismantling now!"

None can go against mothers. As the men left, the women rolled up their sleeves before the ingredients Pochi brought.

"O-ou, leave it to us!"
"I'll help kuma."
"We're good at dismantling woof."
"Pochi's gonna help too nodesu! Pochi is a pro dismantler nanodesuyo!"

The sailors also helped as ordered by the admiral, along with Pochi and the villagers.

The food was ready before sunset, Pochi and the gang, the villagers, and the sailors began the meat festival.

"We got so so much here, eat all you want nodesuyo!"
"Count on me kuma!"
"Eating is my specialty woof."
"Ow, yies~?"
"Ta-Tama-san? W-when did you..."

Pochi and the gang relished on the meat dishes.

At the opposite end of the bonfire roasting meat, admiral and a black-haired boy--Satou were having a talk.

"You have my thanks for your cooperation, Admiral."
"Please, that should be my line. Thanks to Your Excellency Earl's help, we managed to eliminate Baphomet family that controlled even Kraken without any intervention from Red Dragon inhabiting the Red Smoke Island."

Admiral and Satou toasted and drank their celebratory wine.

"Defeating Baphomet the [Calamity] on her own, she's truly one formidable young lady. But I suppose it should come as no surprise from the retainer of the famed Earl Pendragon."
"Oh that girl is more like family than a retainer."

Satou watches Pochi with gentle eyes.

Pochi was full of smiles as she cheerfully bit into meat.

"Meat really is the strongest nanodesu!"

※Next update is planned for around October

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 14





"It's you guys who are acting suspicious."

Someone spoke out from behind the mages.

Royal Knights' Vice Commander, Neisan Aspell.

Lecan got the mages attention because he went out of his way to go around near them and initiated the talk, but Neisan closed in on them while minimizing his footsteps, so he heard the conversation.

Surprised by Neisan's voice, the mages turned around toward him. Since all five of them turned to the same direction all together, they really are not accustomed to battle as Lecan suspected.

And even though Neisan was tiptoeing, his footsteps weren't completely erased. They're way too inept if they couldn't even notice that, no matter if they're mages.

In other word, these men may have a lot of mana, with high-level equipment and can probably cast high-powered magic, yet they're not accustomed to fighting.

Meaning, there's so many ways to deal with them.

That said, now that Neisan's here, might as well let him chastise Roland.

Lecan decided to entrust the matter to Neisan, and only intervene if something went wrong.

However, there's another individual hiding in this place. Lecan intends to keep a close watch on that individual, waiting to see how they intend to turn up.

"Neisan-dono. Calling us suspicious is uncalled for."

"Roland-dono. You guys are uncalled for. What have you done to Kisshul."

Kisshul is probably the subordinate knight lying on the base of a tree.

"Oh we just put him to sleep. We shall wake him up once we're done with our errands. There's nothing to worry about."

"How could that be nothing. I'll have to hear your explanation."

"Neisan-dono, you do not hold the authority over us. We're not obliged to answer that."

"Oh yeah? Then I will have it my way."

Neisan put his hand on his sword's grip.

"My my. It's five on two, you know."

Other knights and subordinate knights would have rushed in right away had Neisan called for them, Roland must be confident in their ability to end it before they arrived.

That said, his wording makes it sound like he's picking a fight with their supposed ally, the Royal Knights.

"Pipe down will ya. People are trying to sleep here."

Everyone there was taken by surprise and looked at the owner of the voice.

There Shira stood.

Lecan was surprised as well. Once again, this unusual mage showed up out of nowhere without Lecan sensing anything.

You can't tell whether a human possesses mana or not, even if you're a mage. You need a specialized tool for that. Extraordinary mages might have ways to sense whether someone has mana or not, but they can't measure the exact amount of that mana.

You can only tell when the person is discharging their mana or when they're casting magic.

Shira is wrapped in mana in entirety right now. Since she could easily hide it if she wanted, this must be some sort of greeting or perhaps a warning.

"Finally, we can talk face to face, Shira-dono. But really, what enormous mana you possess. To think a mage of your caliber still exists on this continent. Casting <Origin Water> and <Recovery> 20 steps away, and showing illusions to dozens of people must be a trifling matter to you."

"<Exchange>."

Right after Shira recited the spell, the mage Roland vanished, a barrel emerged in his place.

<Exchange> is a spell that exchange an object or a living being with another object of similar size and mass. Shira must have <Exchange>d Roland with a barrel in her house.

The two mages and two subordinate mages began panicking now that their leader disappeared.

The knight who was guarding the backdoor came over.

"Vice Commander. What is the matter?"

"The Royal Mages were behaving suspiciously. Take these mages to the town lord's mansion and keep watch on them. Confiscate all of their belongings. Interrogate them separately and write down the evidence of their misbehavior tonight. I'll inform you the gists of interrogation later."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Sir."

The knight took a flute-like thing and blew it.

It sounded a bit shrill, probably a way to inform other knights and subordinate knights.

"Derston was it, come on out now."

Temple Knight Derston Barmoa came out from behind a tree. This man arrived almost at the same time as Lecan, but he hid himself and watched the situation.

"That was a unusual spectacle you showed me once again."

"Oh really. Good for you. Guess I'm charging you spectator fee then."

"Spectator fee is it?"

"You came over my house the other day, didn'tcha."

"Yes."

More knights and subordinate knights came and dragged away the mages.

"The mage brat that just vanished is in that house right now."

"Ah, so you replaced Roland-dono with that barrel. I have heard of this method of usage with <Exchange>, but that was the first time I saw it done firsthand."

"Wontcha go get him back here now."

"I understand. I shall go fetch him."

"And tell him this."

"Yes."

"The next time you dare talk to me, or get anywhere within ten steps near me, I will banish you to another continent."

"Another continent. Does such a thing truly exist."

"Wanna take a look for 'yerself? You'd hafta find your way back home yourself though."

"No. I have to decline your generous offer. Then I will be off."

"Wait up."

"Yes?"

"Bring this barrel back with you. Jericho will take care of the rest once you're there."

"Oh you mean that ape. Understood."

Temple Knight Derston easily shouldered the barrel and was about to leave when.

"Could you wait a moment."

Royal Knights Vice Commander Neisan called out to him.

"If you could please take as much time as possible bringing Roland-dono back here, we would be grateful."

"Hahaan. Guess you don't want him getting in the way of you guys writing that evidence."

"Your consideration is much appreciated."

"Derston. I take back what I said. You don't have to fetch him here. Just give him my message whenever he's back."

"That'd be a great help."

"Well then, I shall take my leave."

Neisan left.

Derston put down the barrel.

"Wonder what to do with this barrel."

"Oh Jericho's gonna take it back soon enough."

"Wonder what's going to happen to Roland-dono."

"Who knows? He'd find his way back if he's coming back. I don't mind if he doesn't tho'."

"Wonder if that guy's gonna get violent with Jericho."

"Oh my, Lecan. Are you worried about Jericho? Well, it'll be fine. Jericho's not an ape who's just gonna take it lying down. Ufufu. I can't imagine what Jericho would do to someone attempting to cast magic in my house. Kind of looking forward to it actually."

"Hou. I'd like to hear the result as well. By the way Shira."

"Yeah?"

"Did you know about the magic tool <Magic Barrier of Yacklubend> Roland was trying to set up?"

"I sure do."

"How effective is the mind magic type of that thing."

"Depends on the magic stones used and the mages using it. But well, even if that Roland guy cast <Sleep> like earlier, with Grace Items and magic stones from dungeon depth to power the magic barrier boosting him, it's prolly not gonna work on you or Eda."

"Eeh."

The surprised voice was Derston's.

Lecan couldn't get what Shira said.

(I don't have <Necklace of Intuador> on me right now.)

(Yet Shira said mind magic won't work on me.)

(Only this Silver Ring.)

(Can that really block Roland's magic?）

"Or rather, that barrier won't work somewhere I'm at anyway."

"Eeh."

Derston and his surprised voice once again.

"Hou. How come."

"When that Yacklubend consulted me on the making of that thing, I taught them a method with certain conditions imposed upon."

"I see."

"Eeh."

Which means even that magic barrier thing originates from Shira if you trace back to the root. That magic tool engineer Yacklubend is quite a troublesome individual, but when you think about it, Shira too is someone who can easily cause rifts amongst men.

Lecan went back to the detached building, leaving Derston who was staring at Shira in blank amazement.

Shira's presence also vanished.

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