Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 195

Chapter 195   Pure Desire

Marie borrowed a horse and headed alone towards the Fairy Forest.

In her bag, she carried only basic supplies like food, water, and a towel.

She spoke with the guard at the forest entrance, entrusted her horse to him, and quickly stepped into the forest.

Occasionally, she passed by patrol guards, who saluted her after giving her a glance.

It seemed that the royal orders had already reached them.

Or perhaps they had been informed beforehand.

It appeared true that she had permission to freely enter Alsphere.

After walking for a while, she arrived at the designated location.

It was exactly the same as the day before.

Abyss, now a pile of rubble.

The cave was no longer visible.

The debris was a mixture of trees, plants, and rocks.

Though the Abyss had suddenly appeared, it resembled a small mountain.

Did that mean the Abyss had emerged from the ground?

But such thoughts didn’t matter.

Marie shook off her distractions and looked around.

No one was there.

Though Shion was still inside, not a single person was engaged in rescue work.

There were no tools or facilities for the task.

It was as if they had no intention of helping, a realization that struck Marie painfully.

She clenched her fist, trying to suppress her emotions.

Anger dulls the mind.

To think as calmly as Shion, Marie believed she needed to control her emotions.

She had watched Shion closely since they were young.

Little by little, she had learned how to control her feelings.

She believed it was the right thing to do, and she had done so.

Otherwise, she thought she wouldn’t be able to stay by Shion’s side.

Marie took a deep breath, regaining her composure.

Being furious wouldn’t help anything.

“…It’s better to view it from above.”

Murmuring to herself, Marie began to climb the rubble.

Her physical abilities were enhanced by a boost, allowing her to leap to a certain height.

But having just recovered from injuries, she couldn’t move as usual.

Cautiously, she climbed the debris and finally reached the top.

What had once been the vast Abyss had turned into nothing but a pile of rubble, large and small.

The Abyss, which had dominated the center of Alsphere, had been quite massive.

Its interior was so large that one could walk for days.

Of course, it had likely been slow going in the darkness.

Using her magic senses, Marie tried to locate where Shion had been, but she felt nothing.

Her magic sense could only recognize a range of about ten meters.

Compared to Shion, it was pathetic.

There were a few places where she couldn’t sense any magic, likely due to fairy stones, she surmised.

The number of such spots suggested they were different from the markers Shion had left.

“What should I do, Shion…?”

Marie called out Shion’s name without thinking, unsure of what to do. As soon as she did, feelings of loneliness and sadness overwhelmed her. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to collapse on the spot. She was terrified.

What if Shion was dead?

The thought crept into her mind. No. She couldn’t let such thoughts paralyze her. She couldn’t stop. She had to keep moving.

Whenever Marie was burdened with doubts, confusion, frustration, or anxiety, she always moved her body. That’s why she walked. If she kept moving, perhaps she could detect Shion’s magical power.

Marie began walking alone atop the rubble of the Abyss. The uneven terrain made it difficult, and since she hadn’t fully regained her strength, even maintaining her balance was a challenge. But she continued. Moving her body allowed her to clear her mind. Even taking a small step forward provided some comfort.

After walking for a while, Marie suddenly stopped.

“This magic… could it be?”

Feeling a slight discomfort, Marie closed her eyes. Below, further beneath her feet, she sensed magic. Concentrating, she sharpened her magical awareness and confirmed it. It was the magic of the fairy village.

“I-I found it! Shion! Are you there!? Shioooon!!”

With a surge of joy, Marie pressed her ear to the ground. It was an unconscious act, driven by the need to gather any information she could. There was no sound, no presence, and the magic remained unchanged. The fairies had already evacuated from the village. If there was a magical presence, it was highly likely to be Shion.

Though her magical perception was far less precise than Shion’s, and the likelihood of accuracy was uncertain, she remembered Shion’s magic. She could never forget it. However, no matter how desperately she searched, she couldn’t sense Shion’s magic. Maybe he had escaped from the hall? Or perhaps he was at the edge of the hall.

Shion was definitely alive.

Now that her task was clear, her mind felt a little clearer. Marie set down her bag, her resolve firm.

“I will save you, no matter what.”

Marie, all alone, began clearing the rubble.

• • 〇●〇

The rubble wasn’t just made of rocks, but also included trees and other natural debris. Even though the rocks alone were an obstacle, adding trees made the clearing process even harder. The removal work progressed slowly.

Even with her boosted abilities, Marie couldn’t easily carry large rocks or trees. Though her strength was impressive, it had its limits. She could only manage to lift objects about her own size; anything larger wouldn’t budge. Plus, she was still recovering from injuries.

“Haa, haa, haa…!”

Three hours had passed since she began clearing the rubble. Her entire body was drenched in sweat, and her clothes were starting to cling to her skin. Despite the healthy appeal this might give her, Marie didn’t notice or care. She wiped away the sweat and gulped down water.

In those three hours, she had only managed to clear a few dozen centimeters. At this rate, she wouldn’t reach the hall’s location anytime soon. But there was no other way. All she could do was continue the tedious process of clearing the debris.

If it were Shion, he’d surely come up with a brilliant solution. He’d quickly suggest a plan and give directions.

Shion was incredible. He had always been an extraordinary little brother. Marie loved everything about him. She had watched him closely since they were children. Even though he was wise and mature, his love for magic made him innocent and childlike. She adored that part of him too. His kindness, brightness, and the joy she felt just by being with him were unmatched. She was proud of the incredible techniques he had developed through magic and of the countless lives he had saved with it.

Marie had witnessed her brother’s remarkable feats firsthand. Shion was her pride and joy, but he was also a source of jealousy. As a child, she believed it was her duty as his older sister to protect him. That’s why she trained and sought to become stronger. But in the end, it was Shion who always ended up protecting her. It frustrated and saddened her, so she trained relentlessly. That determination had, at times, even caused Shion to worry and be saddened.

Marie realized that wasn’t the way. Strengthening her body was meaningless if she didn’t also strengthen her heart.

And then, she had fallen ill with the Lazy Syndrome.

Even during her sleep, her consciousness remained dimly aware. She remembered that someone was always by her side, treating her with kindness. Her father, her mother, and especially Shion. Shion was constantly doing something for her, tirelessly and selflessly. Through his gentle touch, Marie could feel the deep love and care he had for her.

Though her memories of that time were fragmented, she knew they were real.

When she finally woke up, Marie learned everything. She was shocked, saddened, frightened, and yet overjoyed. She was overwhelmed by the love of her family and friends. Then she learned that her brother had developed a cure just to save her. It made her love Shion even more.

Knowing such profound love, it was no wonder that her mind became consumed with thoughts of Shion. To cure an illness with no known treatment, Shion had dedicated himself to finding a cure. Marie had heard that he faced harsh criticism from those around him. Of course, their parents had also been devoted to her care, but after so many years without a breakthrough, there were times when they almost gave up hope.

But Shion never gave up. He had firmly stated that no matter how long it took, he would save her.

That’s why Marie wouldn’t give up either. No matter how long it took, she would save Shion.

“I will… I will definitely save you…!”

Marie desperately continued moving the rubble. Something began to fall onto her hands, but it wasn’t rain. She realized it was her own tears.

She was scared. Terrified beyond measure. What if Shion was gone? What if she could never see his smile again? How would she bear it?

“Shion… no… no, I don’t want you to die…! Don’t leave me alone…! Sniff… sob… Aaaahhh! Uwaaaahhh!”

Her tears gushed forth as though a dam had burst. Shion was gone. Just that thought alone made Marie’s heart unstable. The fear and sense of loss overwhelmed her, making her feel nauseous. The tears flowed relentlessly, drenching her cheeks. She had never cried this much in her entire life. Her heart was in turmoil.

The thought that the person she loved most might be dead was unbearable. It felt like her chest was about to tear apart just thinking about it. There were so many things she still wanted to tell Shion. So many things she wanted to do with him.

But it wasn’t just that. Shion surely wanted to continue developing magic. He wanted to advance magic even further and use it to its full potential. The thought that he wouldn’t be able to do that anymore was intolerable. Ever since he was a child, Shion had loved magic.

Marie’s feelings and Shion’s desires—her reality and her imagination—swirled together in her chest in a confusing mix. She couldn’t even understand her own emotions and thoughts, but she kept moving her hands.

“Ugh… uuuugh… sniff, ugh!”

Without suppressing her sobs, Marie moved the rubble. Even as she wept uncontrollably, she continued her task. No matter how much she cried, her tears didn’t stop. Her hands were in tatters by the time she noticed, but she didn’t care. She kept working without pause.

In fact, the pain was a relief. It helped distract her from the overwhelming anguish tearing at her heart. The pain allowed her to feel even a fraction of Shion’s suffering. She didn’t care if her useless arms broke. A body that couldn’t save Shion was one she didn’t need.

“L-Lady Marie! P-please, stop!”

Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm. Marie, startled, turned around. There stood Winona, Count Goltba, Dominic, Carla, and the knights. The sky had turned red, signaling the arrival of dusk. It seemed she had been lost in her efforts for quite some time.

Her nails were torn off, her body covered in dirt, and wounds littered her skin. As her mind returned to the present, a wave of exhaustion hit her all at once. Her body was reaching its limits. Yet, Marie ignored it and resumed her work.

“I have to save Shion… I have to save him.”

“It’s reckless to do this alone!”

“Then who’s going to save Shion!?”

Marie’s voice rang out in anger, making Winona flinch in fear.

“The king doesn’t care about saving Shion, right? None of you care about rescuing him either! When I came here, no one was around. No one came!! Shion helped so many people! He spent so much time with everyone!! And yet, you’re all going to abandon him!?”

“T-That’s not true!”

“Then why isn’t anyone here!?”

Marie’s desperate cry left everyone speechless. Tears flowed down her face, her voice trembling. Winona, Count Goltba, Dominic, Carla, the knights, even King Ralfgang—none of them had tried to save Shion.

Maybe it couldn’t be helped that they hadn’t saved him yet, but not even attempting to rescue him was unforgivable. Was it because they assessed the situation and thought he couldn’t possibly have survived? So, there was no need to save him? How could they say such a thing about someone who had fought so hard, risking his life for them?

How could they? How could they!!

“Why is no one trying to save Shion?! Why… why won’t anyone… save my brother!?”

Marie hung her head low. Her tears fell, wetting the rubble below. Shion didn’t deserve this. He had fought so hard for everyone, yet this was how he was treated? He had stayed behind, fought alone to protect them all, risking his life, sacrificing himself.

Why? Why?

Don’t insult my brother! Don’t insult someone so important to me!

Marie felt her hands tremble with anger. But she didn’t let her rage spill over into words. Because she knew that’s not what Shion would have wanted.

Marie began clearing the rubble once again, her determination intense. Her appearance was both fearsome and pure—an elder sister desperately devoted to her brother, or perhaps a woman driven by love to save a man. It was hard to say which, or perhaps it was both.

No one else moved. The sight was so shocking that they were frozen in place. Then, something changed. Light particles began falling from above Marie, the magical energy of fairies. Marie stopped and looked up. Fairies, led by Melfi, were flying around her. It was a beautiful sight, but Marie’s heart remained conflicted.

Melfi descended and stopped in front of Marie. She was saying something, but Marie didn’t understand fairy language. Despite Melfi’s desperate gestures, Marie couldn’t grasp her meaning.

“…It seems she’s apologizing,” a voice explained. “Apparently, after escaping the Abyss, they lost a great deal of magical energy and had been asleep. They’ve just woken up and are saying they’ll help rescue Shion sensie right away.”

Melfi looked like she was about to cry, speaking urgently. The magical energy emanating from her was filled with strong emotion and intent. Her feelings were so pure and direct that it hurt. The power of oral magic was overwhelming, conveying emotions so clearly that it left Marie speechless.

The other fairies were also expressing something to Marie.

“They’re apologizing for their earlier behavior. They’re thanking you, Shion Sensei, Lady Marie, and the knights for saving them. And now they’re offering to help.”

Though her tears had stopped, they began to well up again. This time, a different emotion surged within her.

“I apologize as well, Lady Marie… We share the same feelings as Melfi and the others. It’s only natural to want to save Shion sensie. Of course, we want to help. No, we must help. Shion sensei is our teacher, friend, rival, and someone we greatly admire. We have not abandoned him.

Winona has been unable to rest since Shion’s sensei departure out of concern. When we received the report, she accompanied us to Alsphere and began rescue efforts on her own. But I stopped her. I believed we would not be able to save him alone and have been working to prepare for a proper rescue.”

Upon closer inspection, Marie noticed workers behind Count Goltba and the others. There were quite a few of them—strong men already setting up temporary structures needed for the rescue and preparing tools.

“The King may have spoken that way, but he does want to save Shion sensei. He can’t act openly, but he’s personally funding support. Carla, Dominic, and the knights have also reached out to different places to gather rescue funds. We left you alone while preparing, and for that, I apologize… I should have explained sooner.”

“You couldn’t help it. Given the situation, I wouldn’t have been able to stay calm either,” Carla added sympathetically.

Marie felt the kindness of Count Goltba and Carla deeply. She had come to Alsphere without listening to anyone, assuming that they had abandoned Shion. She misunderstood the attitudes of the Count, Dominic, and Winona, thinking they didn’t care. But the reality was that Winona and the others had been working hard to save Shion.

She had been blinded by her emotions, unable to see the truth. She should have known better—these people weren’t like that.

Marie collapsed to the ground.

“Lady Marie!?”
“Are you alright!?”
“Hey, hang in there!”
“We need to get her treated right away! Call for a doctor!”

Winona, Count Goltba, Carla, and Dominic rushed to her side.

“I-I’m sorry… I misunderstood… and acted so horribly…” Marie said weakly.

“N-No! Considering your feelings, it’s completely understandable. I-I want to help Lord Shion as quickly as possible too…” Winona responded.

“There’s no need to apologize. We’re at fault as well. It must’ve been quite a battle… I’m sorry we couldn’t do more,” Count Goltba added.

“We couldn’t do anything in the Abyss, so we’re determined to help with the rescue. We will definitely save him, Lady Marie,” Dominic declared.

The knights nodded firmly, and the fairies shimmered as they released magical energy. Everyone present shared one goal: to save Shion.

“I need to apologize to the King too… I said some terrible things,” Marie muttered.

“Ralf is already fully aware,” Count Goltba reassured her. “After all, it was under his orders that everything unfolded. He likely feels personally responsible for Shion’s sensei situation. And considering the apparent tension between you and Ralf, no one would suspect that he’s secretly supporting the rescue. There are even some who don’t properly recognize Shion’s worth, which works in our favor. It allows us to act more freely. So, there’s no need for you to worry.”

“Thank you, Count,” Marie said, her heart touched by Goltba’s kindness.

But it wasn’t just him. The compassion of everyone around her resonated deeply. Marie couldn’t help but bow her head, feeling the weight of her gratitude.

“Please, everyone… help me save Shion… help me save my brother,” she pleaded, her voice and shoulders trembling.

Seeing her sincerity, everyone’s expressions hardened with resolve.

“Of course!!”

“We’ll absolutely help!!”

“That’s obvious!!”

“We’ll save Lord Shion!!”

Everyone shouted in unison, their determination clear. They had all gathered to save Shion. Marie felt ashamed of her earlier doubts, but above all, she was deeply thankful to them all.

Shion was loved—seeing that firsthand, Marie smiled for the first time since she had woken up.