Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 180

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 180    Crimson Day Countermeasure Knight Squad

Mediph Royal Castle, the training ground for the knight squad in the vicinity.

Next to the enormous dormitory that can accommodate several hundred people is a square set up for various activities.

It’s a simple structure with a few wooden dummies and wooden swords lined up.

In front of a dozen knights standing in perfect order, Dominic stands calmly, unlike his usual self, exuding a certain dignity.

Strangely different from his usual demeanor, there was a kind of aura about him.

Marie and I, Count, Winona, and Ms. Carla were observing Dominic’s movements from a slightly distant location.

“I am Dominic Jorg of the Royal Guard. As you may already know, a Crimson Day incident occurred in the Fairy Forest Alsphere just now.

I will omit the explanation about the incident, as it should have been notified in advance. This is a situation that could pose a national crisis.

Regarding the handling of the incident, I have been granted full authority by His Majesty.

From now on, follow my instructions.

This operation involves rescuing the fairies who have been trapped in a cave that suddenly appeared.

However, it is not certain that we won’t encounter monsters or demons appearing during the incident.

And we must not forget that investigating them is also our mission.

The name of the assembled unit will be the ‘Crimson Day Countermeasure Knight Squad.'”

There was a slight confusion among the knights, but the reaction was less than expected.

It’s unclear where Dominic stands, but he doesn’t give off a complete outsider vibe.

The gathered knights must know Dominic. There seems to be some resentment or confusion, but most knights seem to be accepting.

Is it a well-known fact that Dominic is of royal blood? Or maybe they just don’t know, and Dominic has gained some level of respect among the knights.

Either way, it’s a relief that there is little resentment. When it comes to knights, the image of the Royal Guard is strong, but knights are essentially a higher version of the ordinary soldiers who are subordinate to the nation.

Called the knight’s title, there are so-called promoted soldiers, and sometimes, the eldest son of a noble becomes a knight.

If you have a title, you may be given territory, but if the emphasis is on serving the country, you may not have land and engage in official duties.

Since knights generally prioritize official duties, they cannot manage territories, and they mostly serve in administrative roles. However, in places where central city management does not reach, such as border or remote areas, knights may be deliberately given land and dispatched to manage it.

By the way, the Royal Guards and Knights are precisely different professions. The former exists to protect the king and dignitaries, focusing on guarding and escorting, while the latter, Knights, specialize in battles, subjugating thieves, and defeating monsters. It might be easier to understand if we describe them as protectors and attackers. However, their tasks are not strictly limited. Depending on the mission, Royal Guards may engage in subjugation, and regular Knights may provide protection. It’s a gathering of skilled individuals, ranging from teenagers to those in their forties. Honestly, they seem like a group with quite distinctive characteristics. Even if they are acknowledged to some extent, can Dominic handle them?

“Silence! Each of you may have some points of disagreement, but time is of the essence. Finish the basic training by morning, and we plan to deploy in the afternoon. There is no time for idle chatter. This is an order from His Majesty!”

With the words “an order from His Majesty,” the slight unease among the Knights disappeared. I’m impressed, I thought to myself. In the midst of this, Dominic nodded satisfactorily and then looked in our direction.

Why is he looking at us?

“I will introduce those who will cooperate in this operation. Lord Shion Ornstein and Lady Mariann Ornstein, please come forward.”

Well, some introduction is necessary. After all, we need to inform the Knights. I moved with Marie to Dominic’s side, nodding in agreement. Even though I say I’ve grown, I’m still a fourteen-year-old child. I’m not particularly tall, and I must look unreliable. At least, I tried to put on a friendly smile. First impressions are important.

“Lord Shion is the foremost expert in magic and magical power, and Lady Mariann possesses exceptional combat skills. The demonic beings and monsters that appear during the Crimson Day cannot be defeated without magic, and only a very few can use it. Here are Lady Marei and Lord Shion, both skilled wizards! Therefore, in this operation, we, the Crimson Day Countermeasure Knight Squad, will assist these two!”

The knights’ faces became even more stern. A terrifying gaze pierced through me. It’s frightening—too frightening. My smile became strained. Well, Dominic’s statement is certainly correct, but did he have to say it so directly? It feels like he’s saying, “All you knights can do is help.” They must have their pride too. I could understand that from Dominic’s and the others’ attitudes when we first met, especially more than that time. It’s like the frustration of, “Is this newcomer trying to meddle?”

“It’s natural to have complaints. We are honorable knights. However, Lord Shion is a Marquis, and Lady Mariann is the eldest daughter of a noble family. Moreover, the power of both of them cannot be estimated based on age alone. But words alone won’t satisfy you. Therefore, let’s demonstrate their abilities. Lord Shion, may I ask for your cooperation?”

Dominic bowed smoothly. Hey, hey, Dominic-kun? Aren’t you skipping too much explanation? Dominic glanced at me with a sly look. I sighed in response. Yes, the Crimson Day has already arrived. There’s no need to hide anymore. Let’s show them—magic! I conjured Flare in each hand. Flames rose a few meters, and the knights were collectively awed. Dominic, who was next to me, also flinched. Well, it’s understandable; the power is higher than the magic I showed before. After a while, Dominic and the knights, who had recoiled, regained their composure. Dominic coughed as if trying to cover up his surprise.

“This, this is magic.”

Dominic wore a face that seemed to suggest he knew all along, but beads of sweat were forming on his forehead. Whether he hadn’t imagined it or it had exceeded his expectations, it wasn’t a particularly positive trend. The problem lay in the fact that, despite knowing that magic is essential to defeat magical beings like demons and monsters, he was surprised by the magic I displayed earlier. It could be interpreted as underestimating the demons.

This situation feels precarious. However, it’s challenging to act with just Mariann and me. It might be fine in an open space, but if we are dealing with caves, it’s a different story. With only two of us, there are limitations, and rescuing the fairies becomes difficult without enough hands. If we are to advance through the darkness, a light source is essential. The depth of the cave is unclear, making it hard to believe the operation can be completed in a day. For a long operation, a certain number of people are necessary.

Despite their confusion, the knights seemed to trust my abilities after witnessing the magic. If they thought what they just saw was some kind of trick, I had planned to use even more potent magic, but it doesn’t seem necessary. Most knights are nobles, so they are knowledgeable and possess high intelligence. While it’s not intended to demean commoners, the fact remains that there is a correlation between wealth, status, and education. However, this is a generalization, and it doesn’t apply to everyone.

“You might not fully comprehend the need to defeat enemies using magic. Still, you should have witnessed the tremendous power of magic. Furthermore, Lady Mariann here is proficient in both magic and swordsmanship. Mariann-sensei, sorry to bother you, but could you demonstrate your skills?”

“Well, I suppose it can’t be helped. Who should I spar with?”

Marie confidently responded, but there was no arrogance in her demeanor. She simply acknowledged her strength as a matter of fact. Marie’s words and attitude lacked any hint of sarcasm or disdain; she stood there composed and untroubled, with no openings in her posture.

“Then, I will.”

One of the knights raised his hand, revealing a meticulously trained physique even visible through his armor. His stern expression and sharp gaze hinted at strength derived from his well-endowed physique. It was evident that he was a formidable opponent.

“…Captain Bruno of the Blue Hundred-Man Squad, huh. Alright, let’s head to the arena.”

A somewhat spacious area nearby had been prepared, with ropes buried in a circular pattern on the surrounding ground, resembling a makeshift sumo ring. In the center, Marie and the towering man named Captain Bruno faced each other. There was about a head’s height difference between Marie and Captain Bruno, and it seemed there was no conceivable advantage for her.

“Captain Bruno is a warrior capable of taking on a hundred opponents. There’s no way a girl like her could win.”

“Look at those arms. They might snap with a single strike.”

Though spoken in hushed tones, the knights were undoubtedly convinced of Marie’s impending defeat. A girl against a giant man. There seemed to be no elements for her victory. But we knew. We knew just how formidable Marie truly was.

“I won’t hold back.”

“I’ll go easy on you.”

Bruno’s stern expression became even more severe. Countless wrinkles formed, transforming his face into a demonic visage. Facing each other with a sword at their waists, the air naturally became tense, and the ambient noise faded away. The atmosphere was eerily charged, resembling the moments just before a deadly confrontation. Someone might involuntarily swallow a gulp of saliva. Dominic stood near Marie and Bruno, raising his right hand.

“Now, let the match begin!”

As Dominic swung his right hand down, Bruno drew his sword from its scabbard. Marie, however, remained still, keeping her sword sheathed.

“Too slow!”

With Bruno’s fierce shout, a streak of swordlight shot forth, creating a thunderous noise as it tore through the ground. It was Bruno’s attack. However, Marie was no longer there. Bruno’s expression changed instantly. In the blink of an eye, without allowing even a moment for a blink, I captured Marie’s movement with magical perception. A shadow dancing in the air. After completing a leap, she landed behind Bruno, who was still in mid-charge. It was an incredibly agile move. Presumably, she utilized Bruno’s charge to leap over him. Her landing was almost silent. Marie had a relaxed expression.

“You’re too slow.”

With that single remark, veins popped on Bruno’s forehead.

“Gaaah!”

Accompanied by roars, several slashing attacks were released, all of which were absorbed into Marie’s shadow. Like an elusive phantom, the sword didn’t even graze Marie. The power difference was overwhelming. Bruno was strong; there was no denying that. However, Marie surpassed him easily. I understood how much she had honed her skills. We were like frogs in a well. But the well we were in was filled with beings much stronger than the outside world. Marie’s strength likely came from Dad’s influence. Unfortunately, Bruno’s strength couldn’t match up to Dad’s. Despite receiving Dad’s guidance since childhood and overcoming numerous life-threatening situations, Dad acknowledged Marie’s strength.

I shuddered. Bruno was strong, probably the strongest among the knights present here. Yet, Marie could handle him like this. It was a terrifying strength from my own sister. Moreover, Marie hadn’t even used her boost yet. Without magic, I would probably lose to Marie in an instant.

“Kuh! Haa, haa!”

Bruno began to pant. There were more unnecessary movements, and his attacks were becoming sluggish due to a combination of impatience, anxiety, and dwindling stamina.

“You sneaky little… Fight me fair and square!”

“What a strange code of chivalry not to allow dodging. If I take your attack head-on, my arm might break. If you want to show off your strength, how about an arm wrestling match?”

“Y-You! Stop with the insolent remarks!”

Marie deftly avoided a large swing.

“Well, I suppose there’s no helping it.”

With a sigh, Marie finally unsheathed her sword. The knights held their breath. Apparently, just drawing the sword revealed the person’s skill. In a frightening manner, there was no sound or presence when Marie drew her sword. It showed how efficient and precise she was.

“Uooooo!”

Bruno was losing his composure. Linear movements were evidently easy to dodge, but Marie made no effort to move. As Bruno’s sword descended, Marie still didn’t budge. It was going to hit! At that moment, a beautiful metallic sound, like a tuning fork, reverberated. Amidst the clear high tones, there was one discordant sound. Looking in the direction of the sound, it was the broken blade. A cleanly sliced sword, and it belonged to Bruno. I had heard about this from Dad. A master could break the opponent’s weapon. I replayed the earlier event in my mind. First, Marie aimed for the descending sword and then, with a slight delay, executed a horizontal slash. She aligned the base of the blade and swiftly pulled it away upon contact. It required overwhelming strength, speed, agility, visual acuity, cutting ability of the weapon, and the courage to accomplish everything. Performing all of this in the blink of an eye is impossible for an ordinary person. But Marie made it possible. Terrifying skill. This was a performance. If Marie wanted an easy victory, she could have shown such a vast difference easily. However, if the goal was to demonstrate strength, that was a different story. Breaking a weapon is a feat limited to a few individuals. Marie sheathed her sword, and Bruno looked down in astonishment.

“I recommend getting a better sword next time.”

Dominic, who was taken aback, hurriedly raised his hand.

“M-Mariann-sensei’s victory!”

No one said anything. We had just witnessed an incredible display of strength. It would be difficult for everyone to accept it immediately. However, a single round of applause broke the silence. Clap, clap, clap—a rhythmic and pleasant sound echoed. Marie, wearing a displeased expression, looked towards the direction of the applause. Our eyes met, and I praised Marie with a smile.

“As expected, sis. You’re strong.”

There was surprise, but more than that, there was pride. I knew how hard Marie had worked and that her strength had been cultivated for my sake. So, I wanted to wholeheartedly commend my sister. I was genuinely happy, even if her initial motivation to become strong wasn’t solely for me.

How about that! My sister is this strong! That’s what I wanted to boast about. I continued applauding with a beaming smile. Marie’s initially displeased expression softened, and she tightly pursed her lips. She glanced away, focusing on the ground, and then looked back at me. I couldn’t discern exactly what Marie was thinking, but her face displayed not just confusion but also a hint of joy. For now, that was enough. Just for now.

“The girl is amazing.”

“She defeated Captain Bruno.”

“I can’t believe it.”

Words of acknowledgment for Marie were heard everywhere.

Yeah, that’s right. Marie is strong. She’s my big sister, after all. I felt proud and snorted with a smirk.

“Lord Shion is knowledgeable about demons, monsters, magic, and even fairies. There might be enemies that those without magical power can’t see, and fighting demons could be challenging. Therefore, in the morning, Lord Shion will instruct you, and you all will undergo training to develop magical abilities. Additionally, you should already be aware of Mariann-sensei’s strength. Anyone who has objections to acting with Lord Shion and Mariann sensei as the central figures in this operation!?”

The knights exchanged glances. They might have seen the strength, but their knightly pride might not allow them to accept it. In the midst of this, one person raised their hand. It was Bruno.

“…I have no objections. We knights are not shameless enough to deny such a difference and not acknowledge it.”

Looking at his face, it was evident that he was frustrated. He gritted his teeth and seemed to be enduring it desperately. It was understandable. No matter how much the difference in strength, he also had a history of accumulating experiences that wouldn’t be easily overturned. Just acknowledging the strength was impressive. Bruno’s words might have moved the hearts of some knights. It seemed that the knights had no objections, as no one else raised their hand. Dominic nodded in satisfaction.

“We will appoint Lord Shion as the vice-captain, and Mariann sensei, you are entrusted with the front line!”

Huh? Vice-captain? What does that mean!?

“W-We’re not from Mediph, you know?”

“No problem. Full authority over the unit has been entrusted to me, and we may also seek cooperation from specialists from other countries. If the situation calls for assigning positions, it doesn’t matter if you’re from another country. So, I’ll be counting on both of you.”

Dominic showed a calculated smile. I displayed clear dissatisfaction on my face, and Marie gave Dominic a stern look. While it might be a reasonable command considering our abilities, it felt one-sided.

“We don’t have time, so let’s get started right away.”

Is this forcefulness the secret to being popular? If so, it’s something I can’t manage. With such thoughts, I trudged along.