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5-1

At the town centre——

Exactly one hour after Alcain and Helmbekt talked, an alarm rung through Ordoba’s mansion.

Helmbekt, who had increased security beforehand, didn’t feel a sense of unease when he heard this.

This was the human-sensing magic tool that was installed everywhere in the mansion “Airmuse’s Alarm” —— it was a magic tool that one of his subordinate was proficient with. It was able to tell the installer the precise position and situation of the visitor.

“Alcain is here——!”

Helmbekt smiled joyfully, and asked his subordinate that was controlling the alarm.

“Where did he appear? The back door?”

A middle-aged knight revealed a wry smile. He was older than Helmbekt, but did not “Magic-fy”. If this mission was completed successfully, he will be able to receive the “baptism”.

“No, from the front door. It is like Helmbekt had said.”

Alcain would boldly walk in through the front door —— This was what Helmbekt predicted.

Perhaps happy due to guessing it right, Helmbekt walked out of the room.

The suppression of Ordoba’s mansion had finished. The master Ordoba was treated as a hostage, the other servants were shut in rooms, right now he only left Selo at his side, to act as a shield against Alcain. A rope was tied on Selo’s mouth, so he was unable to speak.

Lieutenant Elsie lightly said as she carried Selo.

“This is good, Selo. Alcain arrived within the agreed hour. This meant that no innocent people need to die.”

Ignoring Elsie’s soft words, Selo looked up and gazed at Helmbekt angrily.

From his expression —— He has already planned to kill everyone in the mansion, after defeating Alcain.

Helmbekt became even more happy, after seeing Selo’s hateful gaze.

Elsie had said, she wanted to present Selo to her master Lunastia.

She didn’t seem to do this to flatter. Elsie didn’t care about fame and glory. She seemed to only obey the orders of her master that loved youths, and only thought of handing Selo over to complete her mission.

(So weird…)

Helmbekt thought this. Although he swore loyalty to his superior Lunastia, but that wasn’t from his heart. One day he would climb to an equal position as Lunastia, even above her —— That was his ambition.

Lunastia should have vaguely sensed his ambition, that was why she allowed Elsie the role of “monitoring” him.

(… She needn’t worry, the current I will honestly obey. Only when I can use more powerful magic tools, will I continue climbing ——)

Helmbekt had a clear understanding of his powers. Although large ambitions and desires were weapons, but realistically speaking the powers he possessed were far below that of the Magic Race leaders that were led by Lunastia.

The origination of his middle name “Souleater” —— was the “Soul Eating Ring”, a magic item that Helmbekt treated as his main weapon.

This allowed him to steal his opponent’s life force or mana, turning it into his food —— In other words, it was a weapon that could consume sorcerers. Helmbekt’s power also increased the effects of the magic tool by a lot.

Originally it was a magic tool used to temporarily absorb a small amount of the target’s mana, but in the hands of the Magic Race, it became a powerful magic tool that could instantly take lives.

However, with just that weapon, they were no match for the Alcain back then.

Now he possessed the “Protector of the Earthen Veins”, a magic tool stolen from the royal family.

After getting used to using “Misthound” that was taken from Ordoba, it will also become a very useful weapon.

Clearly feeling his own powers growing, Helmbekt’s body started to tremble.

Before getting rid of the cat, he couldn’t afford to be careless. But, he would be able to fulfill this wish tonight.

Helmbekt walked to the courtyard, the black cat was already standing there unmovingly.

The subordinate knights surrounded him from afar.

Before ensuring that the “Ring of Backflow” was safe, they couldn’t make a move yet.

The black cloaked cat gazed over at Helmbekt solemnly from underneath its hat.

“Hello, Helmbekt —— Like we promised, I arrived within an hour.”

Although Alcain’s voice was bright, animosity could be heard from it.

“You have my admiration. I was originally worried if a cat would get here on time.”

Helmbekt said casually, but he started feeling anxious.

To deal with this cat, Alcain, he definitely couldn’t afford to be careless.

Alcain once used powerful magic and brought Helmbekt and his companions to the brink of annihilation. That memory was like a nightmare, causing Helmbekt to feel disgusted even when he sees a normal cat.

But, Alcain had already lost the magic tool that gave him such an immense power.

When a certain member of the Magic Race was fighting against him, that magic tool was successfully stolen —— That was the report Helmbekt received.

Although Alcain escaped, but no matter how excellent the sorcerer is, if there isn’t a “suitable” magic tool to use the power, they were equivalent to trash. Of course, this applied to the Magic Race as well.

Alcain may have gotten hold of a new powerful magic tool, but if this was real, then the troublesome exchange an hour ago wouldn’t have happened.

Alcain was clearly “buying time” then. He should have be weakened to the point that he could not fight against Helmbekt, and could only wait for his companions.

Recognizing the situation, Helmbekt solemnly spoke.

“Okay, hand over the “Ring of Backflow”.”

“I hope you can release Selo first. Or, did you already take everyone in the mansion, or everyone in town, hostage?”

Alcain took the silver bracelet in his hands and fluttered his cloak.

A small black bird appeared from within the cloak, and it stopped on Helmbekt’s arm.

Following that, Alcain placed the bracelet on the bird’s neck.

“If you do anything weird, I’ll let this little bird run away——“

Hearing Alcain’s threat, Helmbekt signaled to Elsie to put Selo down onto the floor with his eyes.

Elsie complied. She knew that letting Selo go was only temporary.

“Selo, are you alright?”

Alcain asked softly, and Selo, who was on the floor, struggled to raise his chin.

He seemed to be saying “run away”, but was unable to due to the foreign object in his mouth.

Alcain walked over, and used the pastry knife to cut through the ropes binding Selo’s limbs.

Helmbekt watched the exchange silently.

His subordinates had already surrounded the area, Helmbekt also held the “Protector of the Earthen Veins” in his hands.

Now, he just need to get hold of the “Ring of Backflow” from Alcain, before attacking them.

Having the ropes released, Selo used his hands to take out the foreign object in his mouth and lowered his head towards Alcain.

“Alcain, I’m sorry…! I dragged you into this ——“

“It’s okay. I have to settle the score with Helmbekt sooner or later. Furthermore —— this wasn’t your mistakes, the sorcerers of the Fandal faction including your grandfather may have been too careless.

Even in this situation, Alcain’s voice was still very calm.

Helmbekt, who was watching from the sides, felt a sense of unease.

“I’ve already returned Selo to you. Hand over the “Ring of Backflow” quickly ——“

“This? Of course I’ll give it to you —— After Selo escapes.”

Alcain lightly said. After that, a young girl jumped out from the small backpack on his back.

The sudden development caused Helmbekt to be speechless. There shouldn’t have been any space to hide someone within the bag the little cat was carrying.

(Is the bag a spatial increasing type magic tool!)

The girl had already grabbed Selo’s arm when he had noticed.

“Fino!?”

Selo exclaimed surprisedly.

“Selo, this is good! Hold on to me!”

Fino revealed a sweet smile that she would never show in front of Helmbekt, and hugged Selo tightly.

“W-Why did Fino appear from that kind of place…!”

Without letting go of the surprised Selo, Fino placed down the “Celestial Wooden Horse” in her hands.

“Awaken!”

The wooden horse reacted to Fino’s voice, and released a pale light, gradually increasing in size.

After pretty much pulling Selo onto the wooden horse, Fino reached out towards Alcain.

“Alcain! Quickly!”

The black cat used Fino’s hands and jumped onto the head of the Celestial Wooden Horse. At this moment, Helmbekt revealed a smile.

As if having lost his initiative, Helmbekt ordered.

“Don’t let them leave! Surround them!”

Alcain smiled.

“I won’t run. But, I have to ensure their safety first.”

Alcain swung the pastry knife like a sword, and he pointed towards the opposite direction towards Helmbekt.

The “Celestial Wooden Horse” under Fino’s control glided with full momentum. Its wind-like movements were faster than a real horse. Furthermore, it could do so without moving its joints while floating, this allowed it to glide without slowing down at all.

As if playing around with the knights that wanted to capture them, the wooden horse glided towards the areas with less knights.

However, despite all this, they were still unable to breakthrough the solid encirclement.

There were three knights blocking the wooden horse. Their steps were as powerful as a horse, and was comparable to the Celestial Wooden Horse. At the same time, there were also five knights that were approaching with the same speed.

The “Military Boots of the Steed” that they wore were very expensive, it wasn’t given out to everyone. The utilization of this type of magic tool was very difficult, and those who were unproficient would trip, but the knights had already been trained and overcame this weakness.

The knight standing in front was wielding a sword cladded with flames, while the other two raised short bows from his flanks.

Even with the hidden support of Fino and the Celestial Wooden Horse, the enemy’s formation still made escaping difficult.

“Everyone surround them!”

Helmbekt’s fierce order resounded in the garden of the mansion in the dead of the night.

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1. N/a

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4-1

When it was nearly dusk, Fino finally opened her eyes.

After she got up, the nightmare had provoked a sense of disgust.

(… Such a scary dream.)

Fino pouted and let out a long sigh.

In her dreams, Selo was attacked by wild beasts, fell down a cliff, then swallowed by the darkness.

Fino reached out her hand, but wasn’t in time to catch him. She could only helplessly watch Selo fall.

The temperature wasn’t hot, but she was covered in sweat.

“… Did Selo return?”

Using a tired voice to mutter to herself, Fino quickly got dressed and left the room.

Kardena was waiting in the corridor.

“Ojou-sama, you have awakened?”

“En… Selo?”

Seeing the expression on Kardena’s face, Fino could immediately predict her answer. But, she still asked.

The young maid had a sullen expression and shook her head.

“Still haven’t returned. The knights haven’t contacted us either.”

“Is that so…”

Fino helplessly murmured, and wobbly paced around in the corridor.

“Ojou-sama, where are you going——?“

“I’ve rested enough, so I’m going to find him.”

Fino said like it was a matter of fact, but Kardena still hurriedly grabbed her arm.

“Please don’t go out. The sun is already setting.”

“… What are you saying, Kardena?”

Fino replied with a sweet —— an incomparable sweet smile.

Kardena’s expression stiffened. Seeing the lack of smile in Fino’s eyes, she couldn’t help but feel terror.

Fino uncaringly used her rotten expression to stare at Kardena.

“You really want to let my Selo stay in the mountain alone tonight again? If you want to stop me, even you——“

“P-please calm down a bit! I’m in the same boat as ojou-sama!”

Noticing the terrified Kardena, Fino finally awoke.

“S-sorry! I was still sleepy ——“

—— She accidentally revealed her true self.

Fino tried to hide it using a guilty and naughty smile, and grabbed Kardena’s hand.

“Isn’t this great? Since this is an emergency situation, only tonight…”

“I won’t let you go out.”

Perhaps he heard their conversation, Ordoba walked out from the library.

He glared down at Fino, his solemn expression slightly twisted.

“Fino, leave Selo to the knights. Today at noon, Helmbekt-san and I talked over it, Selo might have left you by choice——”

Hearing this, Fino’s eyes opened wide.

In the morning, her adoptive father had also stated this possibility, now she finally understand the “basis” he made this judgement on.

Fino seemed to forget to blink, and used doll-like eyes to stare at her adoptive father.

“… Father, did you say something to Selo?”

Standing at the side, Kardena’s shoulders trembled.

Ordoba had not yet noticed Fino’s change.

Since they were not blood related father and daughter, the two rarely conversed. It was precisely because of this, he had never noticed Fino’s true demeanours.

Ordoba sighed, and once against said words that stimulated Fino.

“I advised him —— to maintain a distance from you. Although I didn’t tell him to leave, but Selo is a smart child. He definitely…”

“—— Unforgivable.”

A black substance within her body started to surface.

Fino gave into that magic creature, and stared at her adoptive father.

“Why did you say that to my Selo? Father ——“

Ordoba knitted his eyebrows.

He finally noticed his daughter’s aura —— No, it’s more accurate to say craziness.

Ordoba raised his hands in confusion, his vision started to shake.

“… Calm down, Fino.”

Fino silently nodded.

“En, I’m very calm. Because I have properly controlled the impulse of immediately chopping father to death. I am already so calm, but why does father have to say such things?”

Fino revealed a smile without her “killing intent” hidden.

Seeing that terrifying smile, Ordoba couldn’t help but feel a shiver creep through his heart.

He moved his sight towards the equally scared Kardena, seeing the maid’s knees tremble as she looked towards the floor, he took several steps back.

“Wait… Wait a moment. This isn’t certain yet. It is only my prediction, he might just be lost.”

Ordoba who tried to explain himself in a flurry clearly contrasted what he said previously, Fino replied with only a calm and quiet voice.

“If it was because father had something, causing my Selo to get into an accident —— I won’t forgive father. Where is Selo?”

Cold sweat begun to surface on Ordoba’s forehead. Fino’s eyes stared at him without blinking, as if seeing through his lies.

Her eyes —— The eyes containing the “Seed of Ortaff” that Fandal had brought, caused Fino’s aura of craziness to become even more wild.

Ordoba reached his hands into the pouch that contains a protective magic tool and took several steps back, putting more distance between him and Fino.

“I, I really don’t know —— Really, how would I know! I only said ‘it might be so’, and it was never proven. I also want to know why Selo had disappeared.”

Seeing the fazed Ordoba —— Fino returned a soft yet wicked smile.

“… Father is so weird. There was no need to be so nervous —— It’ll be fine, I’ll find Selo. Then, see you later.”

“Ah… Ahhhh.”

Fino politely curtsied, then turned her back towards Ordoba.

The maid Kardena stood at the side with a pale expression.

Fino smiled towards her, but her body violently shook, and her teeth clattered.

“Kardena, what is it? Are you actually worried about Selo too?”

“Ah, no… no no! Yes, yes ——“

Hearing her weird reply, Fino smiled sweetly.

“Calm down, Kardena. I don’t get your position if you speak like that. Then I’m off.”

There was no one left to stop Fino.

She took several absentminded steps out of the door and took out the Celestial Wooden Horse.

Fino injected mana into the black wooden horse.

The wooden horse named Liquorice was gifted to her at a young age by Selo’s grandfather Zerdonato. She used to ride it often with Selo, despite how it was originally a magic tool for a single person to ride, lately the chances for it got less and less.

Fino prayed that the wooden horse could take her to Selo’s side, and let out a painful sigh.

The wooden horse glided across the courtyard.

The sun gradually settled, and the dark night started to descend.

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4-2

The adoptive father Ordoba that was left behind by Fino wiped the sweats, and gazed to the figure of his leaving daughter.

The maid Kardena didn’t say anything, and only stood stiffly in place.

(That kind of Ojou-sama… It was my first time seeing it…)

Kardena’s shoulders shivered unstoppingly.

Seeing the normally naïve Fino, no one could have imagined her showing such an attitude just now.

Kardena treated Fino kind of like a younger sister. Compared to other servants, Fino was also closer to Kardena, who was of a similar age.

Despite so, she turned into a completely different person when it concerned Selo. Kardena also knew that Fino and Selo’s relationship was great, but the current problem didn’t merely stop at that level —— Fino clearly held excessive feelings for Selo.

Ordoba was also very troubled.

He took a deep breath and relaxed his shoulders.

“… Kardena, can I ask you something?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Did —— Did I make a fatal mistake?”

Kardena couldn’t understand the meaning behind this question.

“I am very sorry. I don’t understand what you mean ——“

“… No, it’s fine. I should have separated Fino and Selo earlier. Did the kindness I showed to Selo due to Zerdonato get wasted?”

Ordoba tiredly pressed the corners of his eyes and prepared to return to the library.

At this moment, the Knight squadron leader Helmbekt that went searching for Selo appeared.

Despite having gone out for so long, he didn’t look tired at all. He walked to Ordoba’s side.

Fino showed complete disgust for this youth commander cladded in military uniform.

To Kardena, she didn’t understand the reason for Fino’s disgust for him. Helmbekt’s attitude didn’t seem weird at all.

“Ordoba-sama, did something happen?”

“Ahh, Helmbekt-san. Aii, Firiano went to search for Selo again. That child was completely ignorant of her status as nobility. Perhaps it’s because she grew up in the countryside, I don’t know how to handle her.

Helmbekt nodded in pity.

“Is that so —— Firiano-sama is the proactive type. I had planned to have a chat with her after tonight’s dinner. What a shame. But, Ordoba-sama had raised her by yourself, it must have been tiresome right?”

Helmbekt said with a hint of regret, and comforted Ordoba.

Ordoba smiled towards the youth commander cladded in military uniform embarrassedly.

“No, it wasn’t too bad —— Compared to this, Helmbekt-san, thank you for your hard work. About Selo ——“

Hearing Ordoba’s question, Helmbekt returned to his calm expression.

“Yes. We didn’t find him. There were some weird blood traces underneath the cliff, but that might have been left behind by wild beasts, and we didn’t find any of his belongings either —— So, I will continue searching with my subordinates tomorrow.”

Kardena felt something indescribable from his words.

She had thought that he was worried about Selo, but his voice sounded hesitant, it didn’t feel blunt enough.

“Did you find something? No matter how trivial, is there anything you can tell ojou-sama?”

Kardena couldn’t help but ask, thus Helmbekt turned towards her.

“It is regrettable, but there is nothing right now. You are Kardena-san right? How is Firiano-sama?”

Kardna silently shook her head.

Helmbekt seemed to have guessed the current situation from her actions, his expression showing immense pain as he pressed the area between his brows. The fluent actions of this youth seemed like a painting.

Ordoba spoke to the youth seriously.

“Ah yes, Helmbekt-san —— the matter regarding ‘letting Fino become a royalty’s mistress’ from a few days back ——“

“En, I can suggest it to my boss, but it will take a little time…”

“No, about that, I hope you can give me some time to think it over. That child, how to put it —— is very dangerous.”

Kardena let out a sigh in her heart as she heard their conversation.

Fino probably doesn’t know that she will become the mistress of the royal family, but the news had already spread between the servants. This wasn’t impossible with Fino’s looks, and Ordoba also had his ambitions.

Compared to being the mayor of a rural town, he preferred to work in research agencies, and research magic tools in a comfortable environment.

That’s why, he wanted to use Fino to take the first step —— But, seeing Fino’s attitude just now, it was only natural for Ordoba to give up this idea.

Becoming the mistress of the royal family, this should be an honor for Fino, any normal noble maiden would jump at this ‘rare opportunity’ —— But, judging from Fino’s attitude just now, Ordoba could only relinquish his well-thought-out plan.

If she did something like ‘kill’ a member of the royal family, then as her adoptive father, Ordoba could not escape punishment.

Ordoba seemed to be scared from the depths of his heart, his face turned pale.

Helmbekt watched his expressions from the side.

“… Is that so. Although this is slightly rude, but you are currently unsure of how to handle your daughter right. Then how about this, Ordoba-sama? May I have a chat with Firiano-sama?”

“With Helmbekt-san…? No, but ——“

Kardena, who couldn’t watch any longer, interrupted.

“Ehh, I’m very sorry —— Ojou-sama is very confused right now, please do not disturb her, it would be better to allow herself to calm down——“

Hearing Kardena’s advice, Ordoba also nodded.

Originally when their master were conversing, servants should not interrupt, but the current him would not scold her. After all, Kardena also tasted Fino’s dark side.

“Yes. Helmbekt-san, I’m very sorry. I’ll leave Fino to Kardena for now. She has served Fino for a long time, so she understands Fino’s thoughts quite well…”

She had thought Helmbekt would give up after hearing Ordoba’s words, but he unexpectedly continued.

“Then let Elsie chat with her. That girl is around Fino-sama’s age, and is a thoughtful knight. She can also serve as Fino-sama’s guard.”

Kardena had seen lieutenant knight Elsie. When they arrived the previous day, Kardena had took her around the mansion under Fino’s orders.

Although she was a bit cold, the girl was very frank, she should have a lot of talent as a member of the military. Furthermore, her age was younger than Kardena no matter how you looked at it.

(The lieutenant of the Magic Knight Squadron is such a young girl…)

Kardena couldn’t help but have these thoughts.

Ordoba murmured hesitantly.

“Yes —— But, Fino has already left. This can wait until after dinner.”

“Okay. Then I’ll see you in a moment.”

Helmbekt casually left.

Towards her master deep in thought, she timidly asked.

“That, director-sama —— Did those knights of the Magic Knight Squadron come to aid you in your research?”

Ordoba nodded.

“En. Also about Selo, but there has been no progress about that —— Why?”

“Actually, there has been rumours between us servants about what kind of research it is.

Kardena thought she would be scolded harshly by Ordoba, she didn’t expect him to just sigh.

“I don’t have anything to hide. They seem to be very interested in my thesis which was published in the royal capital last year. I summarized the successful progress to restore ancient magic tools, but the restoration process was all Zerdonato’s doing. They probably wanted to see the now deceased Zerdonato.”

Selo’s grandfather —— Magic tool craftsman Zerdonato had passed away three years ago.

Kardena also attended his funeral. Although they served the same master, they had nearly no communications.

That old man Zerdonato always stayed in his workshop, aside from the young Selo and Fino, as well as his master Ordoba, not many people had the chance to talk with him.

Ordoba seems to hold his techniques in high regards.

Although there were a lot of differences with Fino, who is in her prime, Ordoba was very honest for a noble, and did not have many unreasonable requests for his servants, he is a very reliable master.

The old Zerdonato also seemed thankful for Ordoba’s shelter, aside from being in a master and servant relationship, they could also be said as research partners.

Ordoba hugged his thick arms and squinted his eyes.

“… But, I’m not certain if the knights’ goal is actually the results of that thesis —— They seemed to have other things to take care of. It seems like there is a need to have a good talk with them these two days.”

Ordoba said to himself, and walked back into the library.

Kardena, who was left alone in the spot, fell into deep thoughts.

However, there was nothing she could do as a servant. She only knew that it would be unsettling to leave Fino alone.

Although she couldn’t catch up to Fino who was riding on the flying Celestial Wooden Horse, the next time she comes back, Kardena ought to be more concerned about her thoughts.”

“…Where did Selo go… It would be great if ojou-sama finds him.”

Just as Kardena finished muttering to herself, her body shook violently.

If Selo is already dead, and Fino found him——

Then, Fino would likely break.

Kardena prayed for the two’s safety as a servant, and returned to finish her work in the mansion.

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4-3

After sunset, Selo wasted some time before he finally began to move towards the town from the forest.

There was not a person in sight in the town at dusk.

The town of Misthound was on the border, and as soon as night falls, there wouldn’t even be a shadow. There was even less worry of bumping into someone in an alleyway.

Selo prayed that he wouldn’t be seen as he quickly ran towards the location of the secret passage.

There is a church near the mansion courtyard —— The tunnel hidden underneath the floorboards was a shortcut that led to the Doriarudo house.

There was no one living in the church, only during wedding ceremonies or funerals would the inhabitants come.

There was barely anyone who knew of this passage’s existence now. Although people knew that there was an underground space underneath the church, they seemed to assume that it was just a normal underground storeroom.

Without important incidents, no one would deliberately come to this dark and filthy place.

Selo tried to quieten his footsteps, and walked into the ancient church.

After passing through the large door inside the church, there was a staircase that led to the second floor.

Underneath the staircase was a storeroom, and it also served as the exit for the secret passage of the mansion.

Originally it was an exit for the Lord to run away when riots happened.

Selo lifted the floorboards, and opened the pitch dark exit, the air that was moist underground touched his cheek.

(This probably had never been used as an escape passage…)

He wasn’t too familiar with the history of Misthound, but he at least knew that since this mansion was built, there has never been any large scale riots.

And Ordoba only lived in the mansion after receiving the orders to move here, he shouldn’t have noticed the existence of this passage.

Although its original purpose was completely neglected, to Selo, this passage was filled with memories.

There was no time to carry a lantern.

The inside was only a straight narrow path, there was no worry of getting lost, so Selo started moving forwards as he used his hands to probe around.

When he was younger, he often used this passage with Fino to go out of the town.

The security of the mansion had always been tight, so they could not easily escape through the main gate. Thus under the influence of the adventurous nature of children, the two used this passage.

Sometimes he held her hand in the darkness, sometimes his hand was held by her. Selo still remembered that intense heartbeat he had at that time.

The last time this was used, when was it ——

Within the pitch dark tunnel where he couldn’t even see his own fingers.

Selo used one hand to support himself on the stone wall as he continued walking while reminiscing about the past.

(… Ah, it was after grandfather passed away.)

Several days after Zerdonato’s funeral. Fino used this passage, and took Selo out to the church.

It wasn’t because she had something to say.

Fino only stood by him, and tightly embraced the depressed Selo to comfort him.

After losing his grandfather, his only family, Selo only overcame that intense loneliness due to Fino.

After that, three years had already passed.

Both of them grew taller, and Fino’s status as a noble lady also became more apparent.

Ordoba had scolded him, and Fino also knew, one day the distance between them will be pulled apart. Thinking to this point, his determination to see her started to waver.

(… But, Fino really liked to worry.)

He didn’t want her to show a miserable expression, and so, hid without doing anything. He could also imagine Fino’s current state of not even wanting to eat.

After walking in the dark passage for a while, he finally neared the exit.

This hidden passage was connected to the underground storage in the mansion.

After opening the door, Selo’s cheek could feel the fresh air that was different from the sullen underground.

There were naturally no lights in the storage. Selo used his hands to trace the wall as he walked towards the exit.

Passing through the organized ingredients, wine barrels, etc, Selo climbed up the stairs. The moonlight leaked in through the gap in the door at the end of the staircase.

Selo poked his head out to check if anyone was outside.

It was the time where everyone should be sleeping, Fino should be in her bedroom.

Her room is on the second floor.

Selo tried to eliminate the sound of his footsteps as much as possible and walked up the stairs, arriving in front of Fino’s room. The mattress on the floor absorbed the sound of his footsteps.

He had thought the knights would be on guard everywhere, but there was no sign of them here.

“—— Fino, are you there?”

Selo used an almost inaudible voice to ask, as he turned the doorknob.

It wasn’t locked.

The mansion was completely silent, and it made the creaking sound that came with the opening of the door a little scary.

As the door opened, Selo smelled Fino’s scent.

There was a clear scent of sweetness, with a hint of sourness. The smell in this room shocked Selo. He hadn’t entered Fino’s room often even when they were younger.

“… Fino.”

Selo called quietly and approached the side of the bed.

There were no problems thus far. No one discovered him in the mansion. As long as he took her away, that would guarantee her safety temporarily. Although Selo was also worried about Ordoba and the others, he was the most worried about Fino.

Since the window was closed, the room was almost pitch dark. On the dark bed, the blanket had been wrapped into the shape of a human.

Just when Selo reached out his hand, and was about to shake her shoulders——

He realized something was off.

—— There was a scent mixed in that did not belong to Fino.

When he retraced his hand in surprise, a gust of wind blew past his eyes.

The figure lying on the bed sat up, and pierced the edge of the “scythe” towards Selo.

At the same moment, the closed door was suddenly opened and Selo froze in shock as he turned around to look.

“… That scared me. I didn’t think you were really still alive.”

Standing outside the door was Helmbekt of the “Magic Race”, who smiled as he observed Selo.

Then, the female knight Elsie got up from the bed and pressed the ice-cold blade on Selo’s neck.

She wasn’t wearing a military uniform, instead she was wearing the same black costume that she wore the previous night when she attacked Selo. Her appearance reminded him of a beautiful devil or shinigami.

As if being stared at by a carnivorous beast, Selo didn’t even flinch.

“Why… Fino, where is Fino——?”

Selo asked in a confused manner, causing Helmbekt to snicker.

“It’s truly awful to have missed her by just a hair length. She left to find you. She probably won’t return until morning. I had Elsie wait here to talk with her —— But, this was only one of the reasons. It was because I was thinking that you might return.”

Selo bit his lips. He had thought Fino would definitely be in her room at night, it seems like he predicted Fino’s actions wrongly.

“… How did you know… That I was still alive?’

Helmbekt smiled wryly. His smile was very rational, without a hint of honesty.

“I had no solid proof. This morning, we searched underneath the cliff, and although we saw blood, the most important thing which is a corpse, was missing. There wasn’t even any pieces of personal belongings or clothes. The blood was also faked right?”

It must have been his savior, Alcain’s doing.

“I thought your corpse must have been taken away by wild beasts, but there was also the possibility of you hiding some sort of magic tool —— Most importantly, you are that Zerdonato-san’s grandson, falling down that easily, this made me vigilant.”

Helmbekt’s evaluation of Selo was clearly too high. If Alcain hadn’t saved him, Selo would have definitely turned into a corpse lying underneath the cliff.

“But, your luck seems to be bad. If you escaped, then you wouldn’t need to die. What a shame.”

Helmbekt sighed deliberately, and the tip of the scythe also trembled.

“—— Should we take care of him here?”

With waving black hair, Elsie asked coldly.

(I will definitely be killed this time ——)

In front of the frightened Selo, Helmbekt slowly shook his head.

“Wait a moment. From the perspective of cleaning up afterwards, it would not be wise to leave any blood traces in the room. Also Selo, can you tell me how you were saved?”

Helmbekt’s reply clearly contained a mocking tone, at the same time it also contained some authority behind it.

Being terrified was only natural in this kind of situation, but Selo angrily stared at Helmbekt.

He had almost never disliked anyone before, but concerning the young knight in front of him, Selo felt the same sort of disgust as Fino had.

Helmbekt didn’t mind his stare.

“Are you so scared that you can’t speak? Falling from that height, how were you saved? In other words, you must be hiding some sort of magic tool —— It really piques my interest.

(… Oh yeah, Alcain gave me a charm ——)

Recalling that item, Selo didn’t reply, and took out the blue stone from his pocket.

Helmbekt squinted his eyes.

“… What’s this? Isn’t this a “Resonating Stone”? This sort of thing, how did you…”

“This isn’t mine —— A cat I met in the forest gave it to me.”

After Selo finished ——

Helmbekt’s expression twisted unnaturally.

“… You said… a ‘cat’?”

There was a little tremor in his voice. This unexpected intense reaction made Selo very surprised.

“Did you say a cat? Did you meet a monster cat with black fur with a hint of azure —— as well as a pair of golden eyes?”

Helmbekt snatched the blue rock from Selo as he walked over. Selo had no means of resisting since there was a scythe on his neck.

Helmbekt placed the rock on the palm of his hands and injected a bit of mana into it.

Under Selo’s gaze, the rock begun to let out a blurry light.

It looked like shimmering stars, causing Selo to widen his eyes.

Finally, a fist-sized ball of light appeared above the rock, and a smiling “cat” face appeared within.

He was the one who saved Selo, a miraculous cat with black fur ——

Alcain.

“Hello, Helmbekt. It’s been a while.”

He raised his paws and smiled.

Alcain’s friendly voice made Selo feel a sense of desynchronisation, and Helmbekt returned a hateful gaze to him.

“You are Alcain ——! The one who saved this brat must have been you!”

Helmbekt roared with anger, and didn’t care about his voice resounding in the residence.

Elsie knitted her eyebrows in annoyance, but didn’t stop him.

“Why did you come to this rural place!? Is it to mock me!”

Alcain stuck his tongue out.

“En. This is not a bad way of having fun, but compared to this, my friend is there right? Are you okay?”

Getting called, Selo pressed his face close to the rock.

“Alcain, this is…”

“Ahhh, it’s good that you’re alright. This is a magic tool to communicate from afar. Did you see Fino?”

Selo bit his lips.

“She seemed to have gone to find me, so I missed her… Alcain, please protect Fino. She should be inside the forest ——“

“That’s the end of it. Alcain, what do you want?”

Selo didn’t finish, and Helmbekt placed the rock closer to his own face.

From the light the blue rock was emitting, the black cat with golden eyes stared at Helmbekt.

Just like that, Helmbekt’s body became stiff.

Although Selo heard that Alcain and him had some disagreements, but from the looks of it, It seemed that Alcain probably left him with some terrifying memories.

“Why are you helping this brat? This should have nothing to do with you right?”

Hearing his question, Alcain smiled.

“I’m different from you, I don’t have any interest in murdering children, and also, I’m not interested in leaving a child on the brink of death. Despite my appearance, I’m a gentleman.”

Helmbekt retorted unhappily.

“You really know how to ********. If a distasteful fellow like you counts as a gentleman, then those wild cats must be royalty and nobility.”

“You’re not wrong. Wild cats are unexpectedly noble. Their manner of survival in comparison to the thug that turned to the Magic Race, and does bad things depending on his boss’s mood, is far closer to nobles.”

As Helmbekt listened to Alcain’s mockery, his eyes were filled with blood.

Alcain smiled like he enjoyed this bickering.

“You are still so narrow minded. Ever since you lost that magic tool, you could no longer fight against us as normal, yet you are still trying to obstruct me —— Do you want to waste those nine cat lives?”

“You’re so boring, you’re still so childlike even when conversing with a cat. Cats only have one life.”

Seeing the snickering Alcain, Helmbekt became even more agitated.

“Just a cat had caused us to suffer so much——! Since you are here, then I’ll say it now. Appear immediately and see how I chop you up and feed you to the birds!”

Although the words were very lame, the feelings behind it were real. From another perspective, this also revealed his fear of Alcain.

Alcain casually raised a paw.

“Never mind, the current me cannot fight against you guys. But, since that child is caught, I cannot not do anything. Then, shall we make a deal? Helmbekt·Souleater——” (Note: The middle name is written in English in the raws)

Selo noticed Helmbekt’s middle name was different to what he had heard. It seems like him as a member of the Magic Race and him as a Magic Knight, had different names.

“Deal? A despicable cat like you, would ——“

Alcain’s figure that was reflected in the rays of light smiled slightly.

“The ‘Ring of Backflow’ —— Ahh, this is a very interesting magic tool right?”

Hearing Alcain making fun of him, Helmbekt’s body stiffened.

Within the light, Alcain’s gaze moved away. His gaze moved to “something that should not exist”, attracting Helmbekt’s attention.

“Alcain… Where did you get that?”

Seeing the fazed Helmbekt, the black cat sorcerer showed a mischievous expression.

“Didn’t you remember that the now deceased Zerdonato-san and I are both people of the Fandal faction? There are many hiding methods that only we would know. It didn’t take too long to find. Although I did doubt its existence —— But, it seems like it succeeded, even I’m shocked.”

Saying this, Alcain showed off the thin silver bracelet in his hands.

(It really… exists.)

Selo was also very surprised. Alcain had clearly said to him, that it is “a delusion that cannot exist”.

Helmbekt scowled.

Yet Alcain revealed a soft smile towards him.

“I know you really want this, but it is not the type of magic tool I like. If you want it, then I’ll give it to you. Of course, I won’t easily give it over directly.”

Alcain raised his paw and waved the bracelet around, then winked.

“—— Then, Helmbekt. Let’s make a deal? You have three choices.

One, forcefully take it from me.

Two, give up on getting this magic tool.

Three, obtain it through a deal with me.

—— You know I would suggest you choose the third option right? But, from my perspective, it’s better for you to run away.”

“… Tell me the contents of the deal.”

The long silence implied that Helmbekt had in internal conflict.

Seeing Helmbekt’s serious expression, the black cat’s smile became even more carefree.

“My condition is for you to retreat from here. Don’t harm Selo, Fino, the people in the mansion or the people in town. Just leave like that. In return, I will hand this ‘Ring of Backflow’ to you. Although it is a rare magic tool, but you know what my affinity is.”

Helmbekt wailed like a wild beast.

“The method of exchange?”

“Ah yes. I want to prevent any commotion in the town as much as possible, so move to the southern plains first. Then, I will hide the Ring of Backflow somewhere outside town, then use that rock to tell you the location of it. After you retrieve it, then it is all over. It’s a pretty sweet deal right?”

Helmbekt laughed coldly.

“No way. After we leave town, you will just run away with it.”

Although sweat had appeared on his forehead, his thoughts were still calm.

Alcain squinted his eyes into a single line.

“No, you guys possess combat power. If I don’t hand the magic tool over, you will attack the town right? I don’t want that to happen. But, as long as you achieve your purpose, you don’t need to stay here anymore. In simpler terms, I don’t want you to cause any trouble here. So, I think it is fine to hand the Ring of Backflow over. If you need time to consider, then contact me later.”

Helmbekt didn’t reply and only silently pondered.

He solemnly looked at Elsie, then allowed Selo to stand.

Just at this moment, perhaps hearing Helmbekt’s loud voice from earlier, the footsteps of servants could be heard from the corridor.

“What happened! Are there intruders again…”

That was the servant with a great relationship with Fino —— Kardena’s voice.

Selo couldn’t help but yell.

“Kardena-san, don’t come over!”

“…Alcain, that is my reply.”

Selo’s low yell overlapped with Helmbekt’s speech.

As the door opened, the youth knight gave Elsie a cue.

The girl that came out from the bed wielded her large scythe.

In front of Selo, whose head had turned around, Kardena was standing in shock at the door.

Selo immediately leaped towards her side.

After thinking about it, his body moved on its own.

To protect Kardena from the giant scythe Elsie was wielding ——

A thought flashed across his mind, and so he pushed her onto the other side of the corridor.

A gust of wind blew past his head.

The maid saw Selo who was lying on top of her body, and widened her eyes.

“Se-Selo!? You’re alright…!”

“Kardena-san, run! Quickly…!”

The cold blade’s edge was on his neck.

Kardena, who was underneath Selo, held her breath.

Selo also realized his position and froze.

Elsie’s giant scythe didn’t move.

She used one hand to organize her messy hair and said.

“… I’m very sorry, Helmbekt-sama. Should I kill him this time?”

Helmbekt let out another sigh.

“I didn’t think he was this fast —— Just leave it at that, Elsie. We have to prove our goodwill —— right, Alcain?”

　　

Helmbekt looked towards the rock with a faint smile.

From where Selo was, he was unable to see Alcain’s expression, but his silence seemed to be worrisome.

Helmbekt seemed to be very happy.

“I have seen through you. Telling us to move, wasn’t to ensure their safety, but to buy time right? Who’s going to let you have “time to call your companions”. We must resolve this before tomorrow morning ——”

Hearing Alcain’s thoughts getting seen through, Selo clenched his teeth.

That sorcerer with a cat’s form said, “fighting alone would be difficult”. If he could delay the trade for several days, his companions should be able to make it in time. Because he moved on his own whim, Alcain’s plans were ruined.

Helmbekt smiled sickly, he walked over one step at a time and grabbed Selo’s hair from above.

Then, he pushed Selo who had knitted his eyebrows in pain beside the rock.

“Listen up, there are plenty of hostages to kill in the city. Alcain, come over immediately! After one hour, I will start killing the people in the mansion one by one. If you bring the “Ring of Backflow”, I will not raise a hand against the people in town, and I will even let you go. Bring that magic tool over —— Now!”

Helmbekt no longer tried to dampen his echoing voice in the mansion, and laughed loudly.

The rock let out a faint glow, Alcain squinted his golden eyes.

“——Then, I will be there in an hour. Don’t regret this, Helmbekt.”

Alcain’s voice contained no emotions, causing even Selo that was listening on the side to shudder.

The Magic tool —— Resonating Rock lost its glow, and the figure of the black cat also disappeared.

Ending the conversation, Helmbekt pushed Selo to the side and loomed over Kardena.

The maid Kardena seemed to tremble in fear at this sudden incident, and could not let out any sound normally.

Even so, she still forced herself to sit up straight, and lightly asked.

“You, you guys —— What are you doing, why…”

Helmbekt and co. who was supposed to be with the Royal Knights nearly killed her —— Kardena seemed to be in chaos due to this irregular incident.

Selo was also tricked by them last night, and nearly died, so he could understand Kardena’s feelings.

Elsie’s scythe lightly waved for a moment, and Selo once again stood in front of Kardena.

“…Alcain will be here in an hour. Then, please don’t raise a hand against her.”

Helmbekt smiled.

“Is that so. Although young, he’s quite brave. Alcain must have seen this in you. Or is it after nearing dying once, you made some sort of weird resolution?”

Helmbekt joyfully said, and reached his hand into his pocket.

He took out Selo’s grandfather’s remnant that was originally placed in his home ——the “Black Rock”.

The first time Selo met Helmbekt, he was very focused on this magic tool. It seems like after Selo left, he stole it.

Although he didn’t know what magic tool it was, it might be a very precious item.

Noticing Selo’s expression full of hatred, Helmbekt showed a satisfied expression.

“Although I hate that distasteful cat —— But, I don’t hate an honest kid like you. Because there is no worry of being tricked. I will let you live on, as long as Alcain fulfills his promise —— But, I don’t think that cat will fulfill our promise.”

“… This is because the Magic Race are evil people?”

Selo deliberately said so. This is because he felt a sense of danger, if he didn’t attract Helmbekt and co.’s attention from Kardena to himself, they might kill her while chatting.

Helmbekt didn’t value anyone else’s lives. They would be allowed to live if they had any use, those that obstruct him will be killed —— That was his way of survival.

Helmbekt didn’t scowl at these words, instead, he became more happy.

“It is exactly so. But, those that would make deals with these evil people, are also extremely evil people. It’s only that, that fellow was unable to become a completely evil person, so we took his place.”

Helmbekt tied up Selo and Kardena’s arm and ordered his lieutenant.

“Elsie, call the knight squadron over. Alcain will be here in an hour. He is different from those guys from before, you cannot afford to let down your guard against this cat. This time —— This time, I must kill him.”

Selo quietly asked Helmbekt that revealed his bloodlust.

“What is the conflict between you and Alcain?”

“… I have no reason to tell you.”

Helmbekt answered coldly, and Selo wasn’t sure of what to say after that.

It seems like to this man, Helmbekt, talking about that memory was forbidden.

“Elsie, this fellow is the best hostage to use against Alcain. Move this servant in another room like the others.

Lieutenant Elsie nodded, and retracted her giant scythe temporarily. She hung the magic tool-turned jewel in front of her chest, and used her ice cold hands to caress Selo’s face.

She whispered beside the ears of the trembling Selo.

“Such a pretty boy —— Helmbekt-sama, can you leave this kid to me? I want to gift him to Lunastia-sama as a local product.”

“… Ah? Lo-local product as in ——“

Selo stood up frantically, and Helmbekt turned his body back in interest.

“After using him as a hostage for Alcain, do whatever you want. Especially since this guy doesn’t have any use.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Elsie lightly placed Selo on her shoulder. Her strength in no way reminded you of a frail young girl.

Because his limbs were tied causing him to unable to resist, Selo clenched his teeth.

After that, Elsie used another shoulder to carry Kardena.

“Se-Selo… This…”

Selo looked over at the terrified Kardena.

“Please honestly obey their orders for now, Kardena-san. If chaos arose… It would be dangerous.”

Kardena held her breath and nodded.

Elsie carried the two people, and followed behind Helmbekt.

They passed through the long corridor under the moonlight, towards the staircase.

“Hembekt-sama. What should we do about Ordoba? He is also a sorcerer. To prevent him from fighting together with Alcain, we should take this chance and seal his actions ——“

“Yes —— But, he seemed to have taken the initiative to come over.

Hearing Helmbekt’s words, Selo and Kardena were shocked.

“… Ordoba-sama!”

Just as Helmbekt had said, Ordoba alone was standing in the living room at the bottom of the staircase.

He wasn’t wearing pajamas, his tall stature was cladded with a purple robe befitting that of a noble sorcerer.

“Isn’t this Helmbekt-san—— It’s the middle of the night, why are you so loud?”

His voice was sullen.

Ordoba seemed to have noticed Selo and Kardena’s existence, his tone clearly indicated that he had already treated Helmbekt and co. as the “enemy”.

“Ordoba-sama! Please run away! These people aren’t normal sorcerers…”

Hearing Selo’s scream, Ordoba’s gaze sharpened.

“I heard your conversation upstairs. Originally it was for Fino’s safety, I didn’t think an incident would occur.”

Perhaps surprised about the foolish behaviour of the knights, Ordoba let out a long sigh.

Helmbekt and co. only stood on the staircase looking at Ordoba.

He had no intention of finding an excuse and an expression belittling Ordodo was shown on his face.

Helmbekt used a sullen gaze to cast an angry at them.

“… Helmbekt-san, I had wanted to persuade you to leave —— However, it seems like I don’t have the ability to discern people. But ——!”

Ordoba clenched two sticks whose ends were like dog heads in his hands.

This was the magic tool that he was most proficient at, and was also the “Mist Hounds” that Zerdona had specially made for his employer —— Ordoba held the most famous weapon in the town and put on the posture of a warrior.

“In this mansion, illegal actions are not permitted. Helmbekt-san, if you don’t want to get hurt, then please give up.”

Due to Ordoba’s tall stature, he showed a lot of authority.

“Since it has come to this, then it can’t be helped —— Elsie, be his opponent.”

Helmbekt ordered.

Selo predicted the reason he told the lieutenant to fight.

This was within the mansion, where there was no “soil”. He guessed that Helmbekt’s magic tool that created soil dolls could only be used where there was soil.

The black haired girl placed Selo and Kardena onto the floor, and jumped down from the stairs quickly.

The jewel in her hands released a glow, and instantly transformed into a giant scythe.

The sharp edge of the “Scythe of the Thunder Beasts” was aimed carefully at Ordoba.

Ordoba squinted his eyes, and knocked the sticks in his hands together.

“It’s hunting time, ⌈Mist Hounds⌋!”

After the command to activate its effect resounded, white mist blew out with an unbelievable speed from the dog heads on the ends of the sticks.

The mist became two wild beasts, and attacked the girl that jumped down from the stairs.

Elsie waved her scythe, but because her opponent was mist without a solid form, the blade cleanly passed through.

At the same time, the sharp claws of the mist beasts tore her clothes.

Selo, who was lying on the floor, was very surprised.

Able to nullify their opponent’s attack, and could still hit the opponent with their own —— Possessing such a good magic tool, it wasn’t surprising for Ordoba to show such confidence. Although it was the magic tool made by his own grandfather, in this peaceful town of Misthound, it was the first time he saw the “Mist Hounds” used in combat.

It seemed like it was also Kardena’s first time seeing her master’s weapon, her eyes opened wide.

The body was the hounds were just white mist, but the mouth, teeth, and limbs were very real, from the first glance it looked like it existed for combat.

Seeing this unexpected ambush, Helmbekt cursed under his breath.

This way, Elsie could only fight as she retreated. The two beasts chased after the fleeing girl.

Ordoba once again knocked the sticks together.

As if stimulated, the wild beasts became even more ferocious.

“Did you look down on nobility that was sent to the countryside? What a shame, the thing I have most is time. I never slacked off from research and practice of the magic tools.”

“So that’s why —— It really was a pity to leave such talent and magic tool in the countryside.”

Helmbekt murmured as if understanding something.

During the battle, he politely lowered his head to Ordoba from the staircase.

“… Then how about this, Ordoba-sama. If you become our companion, then we’ll help you get into the research institute in the royal capital.”

“What nonsense are you spouting, you are only fakes using the name of the Magic Knight Squadron. Didn’t you say things like ‘Magic Race’ before ——“

Helmbekt smiled.

Selo also noticed Ordoba’s misunderstanding.

It seems like Ordoba only heard the conversation just now, and did not know about the Nelfowl royal family being replaced by the Magic Race.

If he found out that Helmbekt and the rest were the real “Royal Magic Knight Squadron” ——

“We are the real Magic Knight Squadron. The Nelfowl royal family is now in alliance with the Magic Race.”

Hearing this, the actions of the Mist Hounds slowed.

After that, Helmbekt used his silver tongue to sway Ordoba’s confused heart.

“There is no advantage to us fighting. Opposing us right now, is equivalent to opposing the royal family’s decisions. If you want to keep your position as a noble, then you should ally yourself with us.”

“Royal family and the Magic Race…? How am I supposed to believe that ——“

Saying this, the Mist Hounds stopped their movements in conjunction with Ordoba.

Then, Helmbekt immediately said.

“This is the truth. If you want to remain loyal to the royal family, then the action you should take is obvious —— Don’t continue to fight against us, and become one of us.”

Selo already noticed, Helmbekt’s act of showing honestly is only a trick. But, looking at it from Ordoba’s perspective, it was understandable that his heart started to waver.

If the royal family and the Magic Race were truly allies, then resisting Helmbekt and co. would lead to danger for Ordoba’s positon as a ‘Noble’.

Selo, who served the nobles, could understand his feelings.

—— He didn’t plan to blame Ordoba from stopping his attacks. Their most important things were different depending on the people.

Ordoba knitted his eyebrows, and suddenly laughed.

“… Is that so —— If it is true, then the action I should take is obvious.”

—— As long as Ordoba retracted his weapons, his life could be spared. Thinking that this was the best course of action, Selo closed his eyes.

But, Selo was wrong.

Clang, clang… A loud sound was heard form the magic tool “Mist Hounds” in Ordoba’s hands.

The two wild beasts that stopped moving growled.

Helmbekt was really angry, Ordoba looked up at him solemnly said.

“—— You seem to have a misunderstanding about nobles and the royal family. When the king loses his rights to be king —— The nobles had the responsibility to uphold what is right, and not just blindly follow orders. Although we are in the same boat, us nobles are not the subordinates of the royal family. It doesn’t matter how our strengths waver, it doesn’t matter as time moves forward, those that forgot about this pride, has no right to be nobles. Remember this, brat ——!”

His unexpected actions shocked Selo. Kardena also held her breath and watched her master’s movements.

Helmbekt let out another exaggerated sigh.

“… Such foolishness. If you wanted to live a good life, then you should choose a long lasting method.”

“I won’t refute this. If my personality could be a little more smooth, then I wouldn’t have been transferred to this kind of rural area to become the mayor.”

Ordoba lightly smiled, and continued to hit the sticks together. As the sound vibrated through the air, the Mist Hounds also became full of energy.

“Right now, I’m only going to do what I can do, and that is to capture you who tried to harm my retainers, then hand you over to the jurisdiction. If they let you go without punishment, then I have no reason to continue being loyal to these corrupt royals. Whether what you say is true or false, let us use this method to find out —— Okay, the hunting starts once more.”

Having receiving Ordoba’s orders, the two Mist Hounds once against started running.

Elsie dodged the hounds’ attack and continued to agilely retreat.

Her back was stuck against the wall.

“Pincer attack!”

Ordoba shouted. After that, Elsie who had reorganised her condition waved her scythe.

“O brave Thunder God Nemuare, please aid your humble servant——“

She chanted in a priestess-like voice, and wild beasts Selo had saw at the flower field rushed onto the surface of the scythe.

The thunder shaped wild beasts and the Mist Hounds were entangled together.

Neither had a solid shape, and couldn’t attack each other, so it looked like they were entangled together. He had thought that they would pass through each other, but electricity and water seemed to be affecting each other.

The moment the Mist hounds were entangled, several more wild beasts appeared from the giant scythe.

These beasts were different from the hounds and could fly in the air.

“This isn’t good! Come back!”

Ordoba knocked the sticks together. As the loud sound rang out, the hounds turned around, but it was already too late.

The thunder beasts had already arrived in fornt of Ordoba like arrows.

The wild beasts bit onto Ordoba’s thick arm.

Feeling the impact of the sudden shock, Ordoba widened his eyes. The sound of static electricity could be heard in the air, and Ordoba shouted afterwards.

“Ugh!?”

With a scream of pain, his giant body jolted up, and the sticks in his hand fell onto the floor.

After that, Ordoba fell onto the floor with a puff of dust and stopped moving.

“Director-sama!”

Kardena let out a sad wail beside Selo.

Losing their master, the “Mist Hounds” dissipated like mist.

Selo stared at his employer, and clenched his teeth.

The place bitten by the thunder beasts didn’t bleed, nor did his clothes tear. But, the moment he was bit by the beasts, a surge of electricity coursed through Ordoba’s large body.

Elsie took away his magic tool from the fallen Ordoba’s side.

Grandfather’s work “Mist Hounds” was also in Helmbekt’s hands now.

Beside Selo who was trembling due to the unwillingness of resigning, the young knight faintly smiled.

“… It is a pretty good magic tool. Local products increased again. The two hounds that this man controlled was probably the limit —— But, if it was used by us, probably ten could come out. These type of magic tools that requires skill to use, we must spend some time practicing with it, so we can’t use it immediately.”

Helmbekt said happily, and looked down at Selo.

“—— It’s not bad being a member of the Magic Race, boy. You seemed to be bad at using magic tools, if you turned into a member of the Magic Race, then you might be able to use it.”

Selo glared at him angrily. Becoming Helmbekt’s companion? What a joke.

He didn’t want to become whatever a Magic Race was, but Helmbekt’s words caught his attention.

“Turning into a member of the Magic Race… What do you need to do, to become that?”

A smile surfaced on Helmbekt’s face.

“—— Accept the Baptism. That’s all.”

Selo who gazed up at him trembled even more due to his expression.

To obtain a strong power, one must give up something important —— He had a seemingly crazy smile like this.

Helmbekt was smiling.

As if there was nothing more ridiculous than this; looking down on everyone else, but it was a ridiculous smile that seemed pitiful in other people’s eyes.

Carrying Selo and Kardena, Lieutenant Elsie looked over at Helmbekt coldly, then started walking uncaringly.

He couldn’t understand this female lieutenant either.

Although she wasn’t so hateful like Helmbekt, she gave people a feeling of emptiness, and this made her very weird.

“You… Are you also a member of the Magic Race?”

Hearing Selo, who was being carried on her shoulders, ask this, the girl didn’t agree nor deny, she only showed an ambiguous smile——

Then she caressed Selo’s cheek once more.

---

4-4

In the pitch dark forest, Fino’s Celestial Wooden Horse was gliding along like it was sprinting.

(Selo… Selo…)

She called out the youth’s name in her heart, and frantically looked around.

From when she had left home to find Selo, a long time had passed —— But she didn’t know exactly how long ago.

Perhaps it was a long time, but she also felt that it was really short, she even thought that no time had passed.

She often had hallucinations about Selo standing safely in the darkness, the place would be empty when she got closer, and then she when she looked into the darkness once more, a hallucination of him would be there —— The repeated cycle cause her mind to tire.

“Selo! If you can hear me, then answer!”

In the forest at night, Fino’s hoarse voice rang out. Her voice was almost a wail, and it echoed endlessly in the forest.

Then, replying to Fino’s scream, wasn’t Selo, but another existence.

“—— Ojou, excuse me.”

The bright voice above her head scared Fino, she hurriedly stopped the wooden horse.

When she turned around, she saw a black figure jump down.

Underneath the lighting of the light magic tool in Fino’s hands —— the “Light of the Night”, stood a black cat.

It was a prideful cat, with beautiful fur, his golden pupils contained a mysterious light.

He was wearing a feathered hat, a short sword was adorned on his waist, and he wore military boots as well as a black coat, which made his figure seemed like human.

Meeting with the resolute gaze of his golden eyes, Fino shook in surprise.

“… Were you the one who just talked?”

The cat standing on its hind legs slowly nodded.

“En, it was me. You are Fino right?”

“… En. Yes I am… But, this is bad. It is my first time meeting a hallucination and hearing it speak, what should I do?”

Fino asked confusedly as she got down from the wooden horse.

She had read from books that there were wild beasts that could understand human speech, and there really seemed to be this kind of wild beasts far away. But, a talking cat seemed to only exist in fairy tales.

Fino thought she had fallen asleep and was in the land of dreams.

The cat smiled.

“Since you are in the land of hallucinations, then are you willing to trust an unknown cat? Although I say that, but this isn’t your hallucination. Selo is in danger, he needs your help.”

Hearing this name, Fino leaped towards the black cat.

“You know Selo!? Where is he——!”

She grabbed the cat’s paws and raised him from the ground.

The black cat’s soft body was stretched out, and he squinted his eyes.

The black cat revealed a confused expression and used her paws to lightly tap on Fino’s arms.

“Ahh~ Calm down a bit, calm down a bit. Also, this is very uncomfortable, you should be more careful. Suddenly raising an unknown cat up is also against common etiquette…”

“This type of things doesn’t matter! Where is Selo!? Is he alright!?”

Fino shook the black cat’s body and continued to ask.

The unique cat cried out in pain.

“Uwhh, very… very painful…!”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Fino quickly stopped and let him back down. She finally got information on Selo, she was just scared of missing this opportunity.

The black cat awkwardly shook its head and let out a long sigh.

“…. What an impatient child. Never mind that, we really don’t have much time… Selo is fine. At least for now.”

“Really!?”

Fino, who had already imagined the worst scenario calm down temporarily. But, the black cat had said “at least for now”, triggered her unease.

The cat pointed towards the wooden horse.

“I won’t run, I hope you can let me ride on the wooden horse, and take me to town. I will tell you the details on the way.”

“But, Selo he…”

Towards the emotional Fino, the cat squinted an eye.

“Selo was caught by bad guys when he was trying to find you. He is in the Doriarudo mansion right now. Now, I must go and save him ——“

Hearing this, Fino widened her eyes.

“How! Then we missed each other…”

As if trying to calm her down, the black cat lightly chuckled.

“Isn’t the relationship between humans just like that. Precisely because of this, the joy of seeing each other would increase. Okay, now, let’s get going. That fellow Helmbekt is already mad. You’re also a sorcerer right? I hope you will also help.”

The cat that was placed back onto the floor fluttered its cloak and jumped up onto the back of the wooden horse.

“Helmbekt, is it that guy from the Magic Knight Squadron…?”

The black cat nodded on the back of the wooden horse.

“His real identity is one of the “Magic Race”. He has targeted Zerdonato-san’s magic tools, and wants to kill Selo. It was I who saved Selo. After you left, Selo and the people at the mansion were captured as hostages, they want to lure me out ——“

Hearing this unexpected turn of events, Fino was shocked.

She was already vigilant of Helmbekt, but what the black cat had said far surpassed her imagination.

“I’ll save the details when we’re on our way. If we don’t get there in thirty minutes, he will kill a person. Especially because that man —— has deteriorated.”

Fino hesitated for a moment, but still chose to believe his words.

The black cat’s golden eyes held a rational sage-like aura. At least she didn’t feel the same disgust that she felt towards Helmbekt.

Holding the soft black cat, Fino rode behind his back.

She immediately allowed the Celestial Wooden Horse to fly, then accelerate towards the city.

The breeze fluttered her hair, and Fino asked by the black cat’s ear.

“You know Selo?”

“En, I just met him yesterday —— I am Alcain·Darkferido·Lomnalius. I became like this under special circumstances, I am also a sorcerer. Please take care of me.”

His turned face was very friendly, yet also possessed a noble aura that made him seem hard to approach.

Fino returned a greeting to the cat named Alcain, and also said her name.

I am Firiano·Misthound·Doriarudo. Since my name is too long, please call me Fino. You said you saved Selo… Is that true?”

“En. I saved him when he was pushed down a cliff. But, despite how hard it was to save his life, he still wanted to go to somewhere dangerous. It seems like you are very important to him.”

Hearing Alcain’s teasing words, Fino forgot about the situation, and her cheeks turned a peach red colour.

“Did Selo say anything about me?”

“I didn’t hear about anything special. But when I advised him to run away, he said ‘I can’t leave Fino behind’ and ran back, that’s why he got caught by those fellows. Originally I thought he could succeed, but I was too naïve. Helmbekt may not be as foolish as I imagined.”

Alcain murmured like he was reflecting, and turned his back towards Fino.

“I also have some responsibility. Fino, I leave protecting Selo to you. I will get those people’s attention, then take him and run. But, it would be good if you can release the people in the mansion as well.”

Towards his determined words, Fino was very surprised.

“Wait. You can’t be planning to fight those people of the Magic Knights alone? Although it is just a squadron, they are real magic knights right?”

Alcain showed a slight smile.

“I don’t plan to fight with them till the end. When you and Selo escape, I will also retreat. Only ——“

A small light flashed across the black cat’s eye.

“… No matter what, I will get rid of Helmbekt. As long as I defeat the commander, they will be unable to return to Lonbordo.”

Boldness could be felt from his voice, and a sense of inexplicable unease jolted through Fino’s body.

She was worried that if Selo and herself had brought the black cat they just met a whole lot of trouble.

As if seeing past her thoughts, Alcain showed her a warm smile.

“I have to bear the responsibility for letting Helmbekt go. Also, Selo is Zerdonato-san’s grandson. I visited here under such conditions, might be due to the deceased Zerdonato-san’s guidance.”

“You know Selo’s grandfather?”

Although Fino didn’t know the black cat’s age, Selo’s grandfather passed away three years ago, and he had lived a secluded life before. If they knew each other, then that means this cat was far older than his appearance showed.

Alcain squinted his pondering eyes, and shook his head.

“We never met. He seemed to be my master’s old friend. I didn’t know that Zerdonato-san had passed away, and wanted him to tell me something, that’s why I came here…”

“Who is your master?”

“En.”

Alcain lightly smiled.

“‘Majin’ Fandal —— One of the Six Sages.”

Hearing the name he said, Fino was shocked.

Just last night, she had heard this name from Helmbekt.

When they were eating dinner, Helmbekt had mentioned the disappearance of the ‘Majin’ leisurely with laughter.

Fino quickly asked.

“Ne, is the disappearance of Fandal-sama true? When I was a young kid, Fandal-sama helped me…”

“Oh, you met master? That is rare. Master usually wouldn’t get involved with people from the outside world.”

Hearing his thoughts, Alcain took a deep sigh.

“… As opposed to disappearing, it should be said that his location is unknown. Did Helmbekt tell you this?”

“En, but he said that it is only a rumour…”

“We are already setting off to find master’s location. Helmbekt and them should be in the same boat as us, and are searching for Fandal-sama. Ah, a lot of things happened after all.”

Speaking to this point, Alcain’s eyes revealed signs of loneliness. Fino didn’t continue this topic.

---

---

　

1. N/a

---

---

3-1

He heard voices.

Voices that were unknown to him.

He only heard voices——

“—— You said a living magic tool?”

The foreign man murmured surprising.

The other man replied enthusiastically

“Yes, you could also say that the magic tool fused with a person…”

He heard a deep sigh.

“… That is a forbidden method which has been confirmed to end up in failure. Give up. I’ve never heard of a successful case, doing so is only a waste of time.”

“No, it won’t be a waste of time. The creation of magic tool should not cause it to become impossible.”

“There is a line between things you can and can’t do. Which pregnant woman are you choosing to be your guinea pig?”

“Don’t use words like “guinea pig” to describe it. The person that really wishes for it is actually my wife.”

There was a long pause.

Both men thought about what they were going to say next.

The first to speak was the older man.

“That foolish girl. I’m not sure who she takes after, but her obsession with new magic tools is surprising —— However, listen up Luffis. Both you and my daughter are excellent sorcerers, and because of this, I cannot forgive you. Your father Zerdonato should also be opposed to this.”

The man’s voice sounded very solemn.

“Do not fuse life and magic tools. Magic tools are just tools, and lives are lives. Fusing these two things together is forbidden —— and will lead to a tragedy.”

The younger man heard the retort, and became even more worked up.

“But, Fandal-sama, using this method can allow the unstable ‘Ring of Backflow’ to enter a realistically stable state…”

“Stop it. Even if you want to do so, I will stop you. Even if —— I have to kill you.”

A serious silence descended.

Some sort of noise rang beside his ears, covering up the following conversation.

Then, he couldn’t hear anything.

Trapped inside darkness, he began to ponder.

(—— When was this memory from——)

He couldn’t think of anything, and deduced it as only a dream.

In the meantime, he could not help but think that it was an image of something that occurred.

(… After that, what happened…?)

In this helpless situation——

His consciousness fall into the depths of darkness once more.

---

3-2

—— The sound of moving water could be heard beside him.

Selo slowly opened his eyes, his vision was covered with a layer of blue mist.

Dawn had just arrived, so the surrounding was still rather cold.

His shoulders couldn’t help but shiver, and his face touched the soft mattress.

“… En?”

Selo awakened from his slumber and rubbed his eyes.

He felt a sense of warmth from the burning fire that was not far away. It was letting out sparks of fire.

Two sweetfish were hung up beside the fire. It appeared to have only been placed on it recently, and was still raw.

Selo slowly recalled what happened the previous night as he sat up.

In the flower field of Night Weeping Grass, he was attacked by a strange girl ——

Then, he was tricked by Helmbekt and fell down from a cliff.

“Ahhh….!”

Thinking about last night made Selo open his eyes wide open.

He was sleeping at a river bank that he has never seen before.

This was not beside the cliff.

He couldn’t have walked here on his own two legs, so he thought that someone must have moved him here.

If not —— Then this would probably be “that world”.

Selo stood up unsteadily, and surveyed his surroundings.

The mist was thick, and the Sun had not risen yet, because of this the area around the fire was pitch black.

In the dark, Selo saw a small figure.

He had originally thought that it was a child —— But, that figure was even shorter than a child.

The figure that sat by the river wore a very wide hat, adorned with a feather.

He seemed to be fishing, as the fishing rod was slowly vibrating.

Selo worriedly asked.

“Excuse me…”

“Ah, you’re awake. Good morning, boy. How are you feeling?”

It was a clear and proud voice.

The figure let go of the fishing road and stood up.

Clearly seeing the figure that has turned around —— Selo couldn’t help but doubt his own eyes.

Selo saw a pair of long and beautiful golden irises.

The calm and subtle smile on the corner of the mouth was very elegant one could feel a strong willpower from it.

An air of authority could be sensed from his speech and actions. The sword he was carrying, as well as the hat, the military boots, and so on made his figure seem very majestic.

The only problem was——

“… Cat, the cat talked…?”

In front of Selo was a cat.

The dark blue fur that was closer to black was the color of the night sky, and it looked very smooth and soft. Although he was standing up on two feets, his height was not up to Selo’s waist, and the sword being carried was about the length of a short sword.

The cat that was fishing just now retained his posture of standing on two feets, and gleamed with his smiling eyes.

“Ohya, did you not know? The cats in the city know how to speak. It’s only because the cats in the countryside have too heavy of an accent that they don’t speak the human language.”

“Ahh!? … R-really?”

The cat said calmly. Selo couldn’t help but give this kind of reply.

The black cat’s shoulders trembled and laughed.

“Is that so. You thought ‘really’? This makes me very happy.”

“Ah, no, I didn’t mean it like that…”

The black cat calmed down and picked up the black cloak.

At that moment, a smile surfaced on the black cat’s face, as logical as a sage, and as pure as a pranking child.

The cloak suddenly flew up gracefully and fluttered like a wave as it covered his body.

“First of all, as a talking cat, I should make a self introduction ——“

Just like an actor, the black cat stood up with his chest up high.

“My name is Alcain·Darkferido·Lomnalius —— The disciple of Majin Fandal and also the sorcerer titled ‘Dark Words’.”

—— At this moment, wind started blowing.

Matching his movements with the wind, he took off his hat and placed it in front of his chest, the black cat then respectfully bowed towards Selo.

Majin Fandal —— The name Selo had heard last night.

That person was the leader of the Six Sages, the Sorcerer Supreme who protects the staff of Magic God Orlaido ——

He possesses a name that overshadows any king, and with the combined forces of his disciples, they could easily wipe out an entire country.

The black cat, who lifted his black cloak, that appeared in front of Selo seemed to also be one of Fandal’s disciples.

Selo couldn’t help but be speechless, at the corner of his vision, the fishing rod suddenly shook.

“… Ah, got one.”

The black cat calling himself Alcain went towards the fishing rod, and using the pad and claws, he nimbly picked up the fishing rod.

Looking in detail, there was a trout about the size of a carp hanging on the fishing hook.

“Hey ~ yo!”

The moment after he raised the fishing rod, the large trout flew towards Selo.

Selo hurriedly caught the fish with both hands, he desperately tried to restrain the large trout, and thus fell onto the floor.

Seeing such a large fish was a rare sight in town.

Turning his head, he saw Alcain laughing out loud while raising the fishing rod with one hand.

“That’s a nice reaction. Now, we have enough for a breakfast for two.”

Hearing his cheerful tone, Selo also returned a smile.

A talking cat was surprising, but he didn’t look like a bad cat. Apparently there are other wild beasts that can understand human speech, furthermore he is also Selo’s savior.

Placing the large trout on a boulder, Alcain unsheathed his sword.

Selo couldn’t help but blink several times.

What he assumed to be a normal short sword had a wave-shaped edge, and the blade itself was unnaturally thin.

Selo pointed to the seemingly familiar blade and asked.

“Ah? That sword…?”

“This isn’t a sword. As you can see, it is a pastry knife. The sharpness makes it very useful.”

The pastry knife held by the pads danced in the wind.

The trout on the boulder was quickly dissected into eight chunks. The pastry knife originally wasn’t a blade for cutting fish, but with Alcain’s techniques, it could be described as an art.

Selo opened his eyes widely, while Alcain already used this time to place the trout on the metal net and started barbecuing it.

The sweetfish beside the fireplace was nearly ready.

The black cat took one and handed it to Selo.

“One for you.”

“… Thank you.”

Receiving the roasted barbecued fish, Selo stared at Alcain blankly.

“… Excuse me.”

“What is it?”

“You saved me?”

Hearing his question, Alcain lightly closed his golden eyes.

It seemed like he was smiling, while it also seemed like he was thinking.

He reached out a paw and raised three fingers.

“I helped you for three reasons.

First, I dislike the methods of the ‘Magic Race’.

Second, you are the grandson of Zerdonato-san.

Thirdly —— You needed help. If I say it like that, you can understand right?”

At that moment, Selo’s body became stiff.

The words ‘Magic Race’ and his grandfather’s name came out of the black cat’s mouth, he couldn’t help but become vigilant.

But, Alcain smiled in a way that made it seem like he had seen through Selo’s vigilance.

“Don’t worry, don’t be so stiff. I have no intention of harming you. I saved you yesterday partly due to a coincidence. Ever since Helmbekt and his men disappeared from the mansion, I followed the smell —— Then I saw you fall down the cliff. En, I was pretty surprised then.”

Alcain said like it wasn’t a big deal, but Selo didn’t give up asking.

“Yes, I fell down the cliff. Although you easily said that you saved me, but how did you do it… I fell down from such a high place.”

“That is a secret. I can’t reveal too much about magic tools.”

Alcain replied as he took the cooked sweetfish away from the fire.

Understanding that he couldn’t get any information about the magic tools, Selo changed the topic.

“… Are you not eating that sweetfish?”

“No, I am. But with a cat’s tongue, I’ll have to wait a bit till it is cooler.”

Hearing an answer that he didn’t expect, Selo stared at him blankly.

Judging from the fur, he definitely seemed like a genuine “cat”. Although his fur was slightly too long, and he looked a bit short and stout from the outside, but this created a rather unique style.

He wore a leather belt with the pastry knife’s sheath hanging on it, on its feet were military boots made from soft cloths. This combination allowed movement when all four feet were on the ground, and made him seem rather unrestricted.

Alcain sat by the fire, and casually barbecued the trout pieces.

“… Can’t you eat it raw like normal cats?”

“I’m scared of parasites that the fish from the river may have.”

Although he was a cat, his reply was one full of a human’s common sense.

Selo stared at this unique black cat and tilted his head.

“…Come to think of it, I haven’t told you my name. I’m Selo.”

“En, I know. I heard from Marill.”

That was the name of the girl living in town.

Selo couldn’t help but be surprised. Alcain revealed a happy expression.

He was like a real cat, using a paw to comb the hair on his face.

“Yesterday, I met with her in the forest. Didn’t I send her off to where you guys were beside the fountain?”

The things that happened yesterday, Selo couldn’t forget it.

,Marill, who appeared from the forest at that time did not mention the name of her savior, so Selo had assumed it was someone in the town ——

“Then, the one that told Marill not to say anything —— !”

“If that girl said ‘there’s a talking cat in the forest’ out loud, she will definitely be treated as a liar. On the other hand, if someone believed her and started a commotion, I’ll be in a difficult position.”

Alcain chuckled and pointed at the sweetfish in Selo’s hands.

“Not eating? It will get cold.”

Hearing his words, Selo started to chew on the barbecued sweetfish.

Yesterday’s dinner was also the sweetfish that he had received from the reclusive old man from the bird house. But, perhaps due to a psychological effect, the sweetfish this morning seemed to taste different.

Selo began to recall what happened last night as he ate.

Until now, he hasn’t thought through everything that happened, whether or not Helmbekt was speaking the truth, he still couldn’t make a judgement.

He, who has only been an apprentice pharmacist and has been living a normal life until now —— was nearly killed for no reason.

Looking at Selo’s serious expression from the side, Alcain lightly smiled.

“Did you get scared recalling the events from last night? Was it your first time experiencing what it was like to have your life targeted by someone?”

Selo nodded.

Alcain used his golden eyes to softly look at Selo.

“You are already used to a life of happiness, this is inevitable. Happiness is the lack of concern for what is guaranteed, only in the balance of danger would it seem important. In this world, there are a lot more tragedies. It is because of this that you must value every little ounce of happiness.”

Alcain lectured him like a philosopher, and used the metal net to barbecue the trout while taking the cooled sweetfish into his hand.

Seeing his movements, Selo hurriedly took the metal net from Alcain.

“Ahh, thank you. Don’t get too close to the fire.”

Alcain used the pads on both hands to press the fish skewer from both side, and chewed on the stomach of the sweetfish.

He munched on the delicious skin and soft meat, then said honestly.

“Take an example, human happiness is like fishing.”

Selo tilted his head.

Alcain smiled and closed one eye.

“Firstly, the fish you catch is the most delicious.

Secondly, the fish you failed to catch will appear much larger.

Thirdly, even by catching a lot of small fish, you will feel happy.

It can’t be helped that you can’t catch a lot of big fish, people can’t be too greedy.”

Selo nodded, using one hand to hold the skewer and chewed on the sweetfish in his mouth.

Alcain smiled kindly towards Selo and asked.

“Delicious?”

“—— En, very delicious.”

“That’s good.”

A man and a cat sat on the misty river bank, and leisurely ate the roasted fish.

Finally, the trout had been roasted, and Alcain gave half to Selo.

Sprinkling a pinch of salt on it, the faint saltiness made the roasted fish all the more tasty.

Selo ate, and stared at the unbelievable black cat.

The cat who called himself Alcain, he had a lot that he wanted to ask. Including himself, Helmbekt and his companion, the Magic Race, the magic tools that the Magic Race was looking for, and so on ——

But, staying by his side like this, seeing his leisure attitude, Selo also felt a remote sense of relaxation.

Although he shouldn’t have been in such a calm situation, he still naturally wanted to treasure this time.

The weird sorcerer who appeared as a cat, Alcain.

Apprentice pharmacist teenager, Selo ——

It was like this, that the two people met here and now.

---

3-3

This morning, Fino, who couldn’t sleep for the entire night, welcomed the dawn.

—— Selo still hasn’t returned.

When Fino had gone to the flower field of Night Weeping Grass to get Selo, the scene that she saw was unsightly.

Unnaturally dug up soil were everywhere, and there were a lot of burnt flowers.

She couldn’t comprehend the situation, but without a doubt “something happened”.

Fino searched through the flower field in confusion, and found a basket that belonged to Selo next to a soil mound.

There were still Night Weeping Grass leaves inside, so she concluded that Selo faced an incident during the harvesting process.

After that, Selo rode her Celestial Wooden Horse, and searched within the mountains. She occasionally went back to the mansion, to check if Selo had returned, before going back into the mountains.

The result ——

Until this morning, Selo had still not returned.

Having the situation develop to this stage, even Fino’s servant Kardena begun to worry. She didn’t scold Fino, and only stayed by her side.

The intruder the previous night hadn’t been caught either.

Fino gazed at the front gate without uttering a single word, and Kardena cautiously said to her.

“Ah, ojou-sama —— You haven’t rested yet right? When Selo returns, I’ll wake you up, so please take a rest ——“

Fino didn’t reply.

In her current state, Kardena’s voice was unable to reach her.

Selo knew the mountains very well, he couldn’t have gotten lost. Moreover, giant wild beasts wouldn’t appear at the place where the Night Weeping Grass grows either.

Where exactly is he ——

Thinking to that point, Fino’s thoughts came to a halt.

She couldn’t imagine what was next.

“… I’m going out.”

Fino murmured, then took out the Celestial Wooden Horse once again.

Kardena grabbed her hand from the side.

“Please, you should take a rest. We will look for Selo instead ——“

“… I’m sorry, Kardena. Let me look for him. If something happened to Selo, then I…”

Fino slipped, and Kardena immediately caught her.

Since she had gone all over the place controlling the Celestial Wooden horse the previous night, she had used up her stamina and mana. Although she was still young, the usage of magic tools required concentration, and couldn’t be used continuously.

Just at this moment, the adoptive father Ordoba appeared in the mansion.

Last night, he also waited till very late for the report of the intruder. Perhaps due to the lack of sleep, his expressions looked very tired.

He casted a strict glance towards Fino and Kardena.

“What, Fino? Did Selo not return…?”

Fino nodded her head. Ordoba placed his hand on his chin and asked lightly.

“… Fino, tell me the truth. The intruder you saw last night, was he similar to Selo——“

Fino almost lost all her strength to reply, and only sighed.

“… Although Selo is still a child, it’s impossible for him to be that small. Perhaps it was about the size of a dog, cat or maybe even a rabbit. However, it looked like it carried a weapon…”

Ordoba snorted.

“Is that so. The amount of food stolen last night has been counted already, only a few pieces of bread and cheese were missing, those were just food meant to be used for breakfast.”

Hearing this, Fino finally understood her adoptive father’s thought process. Selo had been scolded due to his relationship with Fino, and couldn’t bear it anymore, thus stole some food and left the mansion —— It seemed like the adoptive father was considering this possibility.

But, Fino clearly knew that Selo wasn’t that type of person.

“Please don’t say things like that carelessly. That is impossible. The flower field of Night Weeping Grass was all messed up. Selo’s basket also fell there. Selo must have encountered something —— “

Ordoba snorted once more.

“Then what do you think Selo encountered? What other reason could there be for his disappearance ——“

“—— No, I think he was in some kind of incident. For example —— hurting his foot somewhere.”

That voice suddenly rang out from Fino’s back.

Fino didn’t notice the person approaching, so she got scared and grabbed Kardena’s arm.

The one who entered the conversation was the Captain of the Magic Knight Squadron Helmbekt.

He was wearing a neat military uniform early in the morning and worriedly looked at Fino.

Following behind Helmbekt was lieutenant Elsie. She silently nodded. Those red pupils were very empty this morning.

The handsome youth knight suddenly grabbed Fino’s hand.

“Firiano-sama, I can understand your feelings. You must be worried about that youth ——“

“… En.”

Hearing his words, Fino nodded, but still did not let down her guard.

The youthful military commander with a terrifying expression continued.

“Even if I say that, I don’t agree with letting someone with a status such as yours go and search by yourself. No matter what happened last night, if something happened to Fino-sama, that pharmacist boy would also feel grief.”

Hearing this, Ordoba also nodded.

“Helmbekt-san is right, Fino. The flower field of Night Weeping Grass is deep in the mountains right? Also, it is barely within the effective range of the ‘Belfry of Beast Avoidance’, so it is not a place where a young girl like you should be wandering around at in the middle of the night.”

Although her adoptive father wasn’t wrong, Fino still bit her lips.

“Didn’t Selo, who just turned fourteen, also go alone there? If I knew things were going to turn out like this, then I should have followed from the start…”

While Fino was feeling repentance, Helmbekt placed his hands on her shoulders.

—— Fino’s body shuddered in disgust.

Helmbekt didn’t seem to have noticed Fino’s reaction, as he just revealed a worried expression, and said with an admiring tone.

“Fino-sama is very caring —— How about this? About the search for him, why not leave it to us? Encountering this incident while we’re staying here could also be said as fate. It’s better to have more people for the search.”

Calmly thinking, this was a thankful suggestion.

But, Fino was still hesitant on whether she should nod her head or not.

(This person’s eyes —— feels weird…)

It was hard for her to describe how Helmbekt was “actually different” to others, she just felt that his figure bore an ill omen.

Fino lightly massaged her eyes.

Fino’s “eyes” aren’t normal eyes, but magic tools that Majin Fandal installed for her to save the blind Fino, which resulted in directly influencing her sight.

Fandal called the magic tool the “Seed of Ortaff”. It was said that Spirit Ortaff who ruled over light was a very pure existence, as soon as it felt the human’s malice or bad intention, it would immediately change color.

Fino poured power into her eyes.

Since this pair of eyes were a magic tool, they would react to everyone’s mana.

She used this pair of eyes to look into Helmbekt’s eyes ——

 

Deteriorated.

Fino replied with an uncertain smile.

“No —— Although I appreciate your goodwill, it is unneeded. I will find Selo.”

As if her rejection was very surprising, Helmbekt revealed a confused expression.

“But, with more people ——“

“The knights also have a mission to accomplish here, right? Please complete the mission first. There is no need to trouble you over this matter.”

After Fino rejected politely, she suddenly realized.

Fino was unclear about what their “mission” entails. She heard that it was “Collaborative Research with Ordoba”, but if it was only that, then there wasn’t a need to bring the other knights.

(Selo’s disappearance may be related to these people…)

Thinking to this point, her body trembled.

She couldn’t think of a reason for Selo to be targeted. But, Selo might have found out their “secret” coincidentally, and to silence him ——

As her thoughts without evidence reached this point, Fino stopped thinking.

—— Just thinking in a pessimistic way was no help to the matter. She could only believe in Selo’s safety and prioritise searching for him.

“Fino, don’t say that, how about letting Helmbekt-san and co. help? It is an act of goodwill ——“

Her adoptive father Ordoba’s voice entered the conversation, it seems like he still thought that his daughter was only being polite.

Fino was hesitating on how to answer, when the lieutenant girl standing beside Helmbekt said in a quiet voice.

“Firiano-sama, since it is like that, if permitted, how about travelling with us? We are worried about Firiano-sama’s safety as well. It is the same for Ordoba-sama. Compared to searching alone, it is safer with us——“

Helmbekt revealed a smile.

“Haha, this is good as well. Apparently the intruder last night wasn’t caught yet? If you stay with us, then nobody will raise a hand against you”.

Fino quickly shook her head.

“Can’t take action with him ——“

She didn’t know why, but she had this intuition.

“No, there is no need to do this for me——“

Fino mumbled, and intentionally pretended to be standing unstably.

Kardena, who was standing by Fino’s side immediately grabbed hold of her.

“Ex-Excuse me, Kardena——“

Kardena lightly caressed Fino’s hair.

“Ojou-sama, you really shouldn’t continue to act by yourself. Using the magic tool throughout the night has caused you to reach your limit. Even if it’s a few hours, please rest in your room. During this time, why don’t you leave the search to the knights?”

Although she didn’t notice Fino’s intentions, Kardena still created a perfect ending, this allowed Fino to not need to act with them.

Fino showed a thankful expression and lightly nodded.

“… I’m very sorry. Then, please allow me to rest for a moment. During this time…”

Helmbekt naturally nodded and said.

“Yes, please leave it to us. The sun has already risen, we will leave immediately.”

Helmbekt turned and ran towards his subordinates, lieutenant Elsie also followed behind.

Respect could been seen in Ordoba’s eyes, as he watched Helmbekt’s back.

“He is a pleasant youth. And also very sympathetic.”

Fino didn’t have any strength left to reply, and only ambiguously nodded. She knew that her adoptive father lacked the “eyes to see through human nature”.

“Father, could you tell me about something…”

“What is it?”

“What is Helmbekt-sama’s ‘real goal’?”

Weird things had started happening since the previous night, but now this was what she was most concerned about.

Ordoba was shocked.

“It doesn’t matter even if you don’t know. It is something to do with research.”

Although he said so, Fino still did not back down.

“Please tell me, I think —— It can’t be something to do with Selo right?”

“Selo…? Hey hey, how is there any connection, he can’t even be considered a sorcerer.”

Ordoba revealed an astonished expression with a tint of anger, and tilted his head.

Seeing this, Fino couldn’t help but reflect.

—— I might be overthinking this.

Thinking to this point, she frankly lowered her head.

“I said something impolite. Please forget about it.”

“No, it’s fine. After he disappeared, you are the one who has been the most worried. Rest for a while.”

Ordoba lightly patted Fino’s shoulders and pointed in the direction of the mansion.

Fino nodded, and returned to the mansion with Kardena’s support.

Seeing her back, the adoptive father Ordoba let out a long sigh alone.

---

3-4

The cat and youth, that finished their breakfast at the riverbank, were staying in the inconspicuous forest.

(Fino must be worried about me——)

Thinking to this point, Selo couldn’t help but wish to return to the mansion sooner. But, the one who tried to murder Selo —— Helmbekt and co. were also there.

“Okay, let’s organize the situation.”

Alcain said that and took out a set of tea cups and tea pot from the small black backpack that was even larger than the backpack itself.

Selo was shocked.

“Alcain, I was wondering just now… What is that?”

Alcain’s backpack was very special. Just now at the river bank, Alcain had placed the metal net for roasting fish, the fishing road, the blanket for Selo, all of it into the backpack.

Naturally those weren’t small enough to fit into one backpack.

Alcain continued to take out other items from the backpack. It was bread and cheese that had already been cut.

“This one? This is a space enlarging magic tool called “Marian’s Equipment Storage”. The things that are placed inside will become very small. To be more precise, within the backpack is a special space about the size of a room —— Essentially, a lot of stuff can be put inside.”

Alcain explained uncaringly, but Selo still widened his eyes. He never heard of this kind of magic tool from his grandfather.

(Alcain… Might be an excellent sorcerer.)

Sorcerers that own unique magic tools often succumb to the danger of getting robbed by other sorcerers. Due to this, “owning” unique magic tools was also an important factor in proving the ability of a sorcerer.

There were a lot of sorcerers like Ordoba that focused on collecting magic tools, in the end it originated from “the qualities and quantities of the magic tools owned were proofs of strength” this kind of thinking.

Alcain placed the table cloth on the grass, and then placed the teapot and teacups, bread and cheese on top.

The teapot also seemed to be a type of magic tool, there was no need to brew the tea, and red tea could be poured out.

Alcain’s mood seemed pretty good.

“There must be time to drink tea after eating. Would you like some sugar?”

“No. This is good.”

“Is that so, then I’ll have two pieces.”

The black cat used his paws to chuck down the sugar, the golden eyes seemed to soften.

Although it is said that cats cannot taste sweetness, it seemed like that did not affect Alcain.

“Cheese and bread… That is made in Misthound right? It is the same type as what I usually eat.”

“Ahhh, I took this from a mansion last night. There isn’t any way of buying as a cat. As a substitute for money, I left behind several fish, I don’t know if they noticed yet.”

Selo blinked several times.

“Was it… the Doriarudo mansion?”

“En. Actually I went in to scout the Magic Knight squadron’s movements, but no one was there —— After that, I followed their scent and found you who was nearly killed.”

Alcain said in a matter of fact attitude and lightly took a bite of cheese.

“Then, I’ll dispel your questions. What do you want to ask?”

Getting control of the topic, Selo couldn’t help but become anxious.

There were lots of things he wanted to ask. Although it was so, the first to surface on his mind was still Alcain’s purpose.

“Err, then… Why is Alcain here?”

“I came to see your grandfather.”

Hearing this sudden reply, Selo became very confused.

Grandfather died three years ago.

Before he pointed this fact out, Alcain squinted his golden eyes.

“You should know that your grandfather was Majin Fandal’s friend right?”

To Selo, he had heard this fact from Helmbekt last night.

“Last night, Helmbekt also said this —— This is the truth?”

“Of course. Before Fandal-sama inherited the position of ‘Majin’, Fandal-sama and Zerdonato-san were already friends. We only recently found out about Zerdonato-san… Because of a certain reason, I came to see Zerdonato-san, it is a shame that he has passed away. Although I had such a hint of suspicion about this before.  After that, as I was arriving, I noticed the Magic Knight Squadron —— I was worried about what would happen, so I remained vigilant, it seemed like I was right.”

Alcain used elegant motions and tilted the teacup, sipping the red tea with a pleasant aroma.

Selo also drank the warm red tea. Although he didn’t understand the types of tea leaves, the taste was slightly different from the tea in this area. The texture was very fresh and a pleasant aftertaste would be left after drinking.

“Then, what did you want to find grandfather for?”

“En. It’s about the restoration of a unique magic tool, and Zerdonato-san seemed to be a very knowledgeable person, so I thought I might find out the ‘method to return to original’ —— Eh? What is it?”

Selo fixed his gaze at Alcain.

——He had completely treated Alcain as a sorcerer who was originally a “cat”.

“… So in other words, Alcain is actually human?”

“Of course. How can normal cats talk?”

Alcain smiled as he lightly tapped Selo’s shoulders with his paws.

“Never mind, I can understand your surprise. This kind of curse doesn’t have many examples since the age of myths. So, I don’t know the way to dispel it. It really causes a headache.”

Like he was talking about other people’s affairs, Alcain combed the hair around his face using his paws. Looking at his actions, it really would make people think that he was a cat from the start.

“Then did you embark on the journey to return to normal?”

“My purpose is not only this. Let us talk about other things when we get to know each other better.”

Alcain smiled mischievously, and pushed the brim of his hat while squinting his other eye.

“I, with those that attacked you —— have some conflict. But, the current me will find it difficult to face them by myself. Yesterday, I contacted my companions, they are on their way here.”

Selo blinked.

There were about thirty-odd people in the Magic Knight Squadron, and they were all supposed to be talented sorcerers. You definitely could not look down upon those who can fight on par with them.

“Companions as in Fandal-sama’s other disciples? How many people are there?”

“I don’t know when they’ll arrive, but only two people.”

Alcain replied casually, and Selo also nodded. It seemed like they didn’t plan to confront them frontally.

The disciples of Majin should all be excellent sorcerers, but with only these people, it should still be quite difficult to face off against the elite Magic Knights.

(I suppose it can’t be helped. The opponent is the Royal Magic Knight Squadron ——)

Thinking up to this point, Selo was reminded of Helmbekt’s words.

He seemed to have mentioned something about the “Magic Race”.

At the start, Helmbekt had explained to Selo that the scythe girl was one of the Magic Race, and the knights were Selo’s comrades —— But in reality, the girl and Helmbekt had worked together to deceive Selo.

“Alcain, do you know about the ‘Magic Race’?”

Alcain squinted his eyes.

“Did they proclaimed to be called that?”

“No, they said the ‘Magic Race’ had targeted me —— Then are they members of it?”

Alcain let out a “heh” and drank another mouthful of the sweet red tea.

“About them, there are still many things that are currently unclear. In these last two years, some sorcerers had some kind of change —— And ‘Magic Race’ is used to refer to the sorcerers that have changed. Helmbekt is also one of them. Apparently, they had already taken the powers of the Nelfowl Royal Family. I had originally planned to ascertain the truth of that after ending my business here.”

Alcain’s voice was very cool, but Selo’s heart was unable to calm down.

It wasn’t out of loyalty to the royal family, but rather the Doriarudo family that Fino was a part of, was a very important existence for him.

Before Selo had fell —— Helmbekt had also said.

“It’ll be alright, everything will go smoothly  —— Just like when ‘obtaining the authority of royalty’…”

Alcain nodded.

“To us, we cannot leave this be. However the opponent is the royal family, and we don’t have enough manpower, thus we cannot confront them. This is on the borders, as such ——“

Speaking until here, Alcain closed his mouth.

He fell silent for a moment, finished the red tea, and raised three fingers.

“Let’s not talk about it for now, back to the topic about the Magic Race. Normally, their appearances has no difference with that of normal sorcerers. From what I know, the Magic Race has three characteristics.”

Alcain seemed to have paused for a moment to grab Selo’s attention.

“Firstly, the Magic Race were originally normal sorcerers.

Secondly, their ability to ‘use’ magic tools skyrocketed.

And finally, they lost the ability to ‘craft’ magic tools——“

Alcain said emotionlessly.

To Selo who was not a sorcerer, what did this change mean, he didn’t understand. A lot of sorcerers were not good at crafting magic tools, and Selo couldn’t even use any.

Alcain looked at Selo for a moment, before continuing.

“In other words, The Magic Race lost the ability to ‘craft’ magic tools, and got the ability to ‘surpass limits when using’ magic tools in exchange. For example —— the Lighting Branch that could only start a small fire originally, could become an explosive weapon in the hands of the Magic Race.”

“I don’t really understand… But, can you say that they are uninterested in the crafting of magic tools?”

Hearing Selo’s straightforward thoughts, Alcain revealed a slight smile.

“It can’t be said like that. Although there are differences between each individuals, it was very likely for the majority of the Magic Race to enter an unstable mindset. Their desires would also increase, and could cause them to lose their conscience, or it could be said that they seemed to have sold their souls to the Devil —— And these actions would cause them to become troublesome people. We’ve known about their existences for less than a year, but have already discovered that their actions seemed to be organized. They are likely to develop into troublesome opponents from now on.”

“Was Alcain cursed by them?”

Facing this sudden question, Alcain helplessly nodded.

“It is so. It really is vexing.”

Although he said so, there was no sense of distress in his voice.

Selo fell into deep thoughts.

“Hearing you say that, I can finally understand. They seemed to have targeted grandfather’s magic tools. If they cannot craft any, then they would want to take the magic tools from others —— It was because I said I didn’t know about that kind of stuff, that I was pushed down the cliff by them.”

Alcain revealed a wry smile.

“Sorcerers will all think about robbing magic tools from others. It isn’t uncommon to take magic tools through murder. However, these fellows’ desire for powerful magic tools may be outrageously strong.”

Alcain casually said, and hugged his arms.

“Speaking of which, about the magic tool that the Magic Race wants. Isn’t it part of that noble Ordoba’s collection?”

Alcain asked curiously, and Selo thought back to what Helmbekt had said.

“En, he seemed to have said ‘Ring of Backflow’ or something like that…?”

“… What did you say?”

Alcain’s golden eyes suddenly squinted.

Feeling the danger of being attacked, Selo’s shoulders begun to tremble. Alcain’s atmosphere completely changed at that moment.

Selo timidly repeated once more.

“It seemed like… Ring of Backflow, I might have misheard.”

“That kind of thing would appear here?”

Alcain’s voice showed a terrifying tone that it had never contained before.

Selo was very confused, but he still explained what he had heard from Helmbekt again.

“I have no idea, grandfather didn’t tell me anything about it.”

He honestly answered, and Alcain’s glare finally softened.

“Did that person receive false information? The Ring of Backflow should be a magic tool that only exists in legends.”

Towards Selo, who was tilting his head, Alcain closed an eye.

“The Ring of Backflow, it has only appeared in ancient text, and is a magic tool that was never realized. It is a production of an “it would be great to have a magic tool like that” delusion. I’m not sure of the details either, but even Fandal-sama couldn’t craft it. Most likely it is an impossible existence.”

Following that, Alcain used his paws to cover the corner of his mouth and lightly laughed.

“They are looking for a non-existent magic tool. That is truly unbelievable. Although I don’t know why they are deliberately looking for that, but it sounds foolish. What do they want with it?”

“This isn’t funny. I nearly died because of it. Moreover, the Doriarudo family…”

Selo said as he felt terrified from his own association.

Those knights are at Fino’s side right now.

He didn’t know what kind of action they would take next, but if they thought that “the magic tool that they are searching for is hidden by Ordoba”, then the Doriarudo family might be attacked.

In order to make them aware of the dangers involved, Selo wanted to get into contact with Fino as fast as possible.

Perhaps guessing Selo’s thoughts, Alcain murmured thoughtfully.

“I have planned to continue staying here, waiting for my companions —— The problem is what you are going to do. They think that they have killed you already, and even without finding your corpse, they would think that you were eaten by wild beasts. The area you fell down is the habitat of the black wolves. If you leave like this, you can still be saved.”

“Stop joking around.”

Selo immediately answered.

“I don’t plan to waste this life you saved —— But, I cannot leave Fino alone. She is my friend. Furthermore, she must be worrying about me…”

If he didn’t let Fino know that he was fine, she will definitely show a terrifying expression in the future. An angry Fino was extremely terrifying from any perspective.

“Also, Ordoba-sama had hired me all this time, and he has been my savior. I don’t want to let the other people at the mansion get into danger, so I cannot escape alone.”

Selo replied strongly, and the black cat lowered his eyelids.

“Is Fino the girl that was with you at the fountain yesterday? —— Then, let me sort out the situation, you can choose these three options. No —— there are the only three options.

First, escape. Escape from the claws of the Magic Race, and live a stable life. But you rejected this choice.

Second, wait with me for reinforcements. Before my companions arrive, although we cannot guarantee the safety of the Doriarudo family, this is the safest option.

Then finally the third option, is that even after knowing the dangers, you still head towards the mansion, and contact the girl named Fino about the danger closing in. If you are really worried about her, then taking her with you is fine. —— However, this would provoke Helmbekt and co., and it may cause the opposite effect. What are you going to do?”

Hearing Alcain’s explanations, Selo fell into a deep ponder.

Since he couldn’t leave it be, he could only choose the third option. But, if doing so causes Fino and the rest to face danger, then it would lose its meaning.

Those knights were stationed at the mansion right now.

“If I could see Fino without being noticed —— Ah, could I ask people in the town to help pass on a message?”

“Passing on a message is too dangerous. Helmbekt is very crafty. If the people in town were dragged into this, they might even attack the entire town to prevent word from leaking out. Because they would suspect the one “who” saved you.”

Alcain, who pointed out the problem, stood up.

He placed the tablecloth and the tea set into the small backpack, while he raised his head to look at Selo.

“If they don’t recognize me, I can still go in for you as a cat —— But, unfortunately, my identity has already been exposed. About three months ago, Helmbekt and I met in another country. That idiot seems to be taking the responsibility of that incident and was transferred to here.”

“Ah? Isn’t that person a knight of the Nelfowl royal family?”

Alcain scratched his fluffy chin.

“Even I don’t know his real background, and only heard that the Magic Race had taken control of the Nelfowl royal family, so he must have changed his background to the adopted son of nobility. At least, he wasn’t a knight before, and was just a normal sorcerer. But whether his subordinates had all been turned into the Magic Race, or are just ignorantly obeying his orders—— This can’t be confirmed, but if we treat it as the worst situation, it would be the former.”

Selo knitted his eyebrows.

Helmbekt’s appearance was a handsome youth that suited the military uniform very well, Selo had thought that he must be a knight with an impressive background. If he never had the pride of nobles and loyalty towards the royal family, then Fino who was a noble would make people worry even more.

Alcain used his short hands to push his hat, and casually glanced towards Selo.

“I apologise, I cannot help you. The current me will find too much trouble dealing with that number of people. If you have to go, then you must have the resolve to go alone.”

Selo frankly nodded. Since the very beginning, he didn’t plan to drag Alcain, who had nothing to do with this.

“Then it is decided. Thank you for saving me, Alcain. It would be good if we could meet again.

Selo stood up simply, and Alcain’s golden eyes blinked multiple times.

“Eh? You are really going?”

“Because I cannot leave Fino alone. If she thought ‘I died’…”

Selo’s shoulders trembled.

He didn’t know what that girl who had deep faith in him would do.

Alcain tiled his head. He didn’t think Selo would be that resolute.

“No, but, this is really dangerous——“

“Underneath the Doriarudo home is a secret tunnel, even the people at the mansion forgot about it. Using this at the middle of the night, I think I can avoid the knights. It’ll be fine, I will be careful.”

Leaving behind Alcain, who had more to say, Selo walked towards the forest.

It was an area where the Belfry of Beast Avoidance didn’t have any effect. The sorcerer Alcain shouldn’t have any problems, but Selo must take this opportunity to go back near the town while there was still daylight.

Then, he will wait till the middle of the night, and sneak into the mansion.

Just when he took a step, Alcain’s paws suddenly made contact with his leg.

“Wait a moment, Selo. Take this.”

In front of Selo’s turned head, Alcain took out a transparent blue rock.

The size of it was similar to that of a biscuit, if it was turquoise then it would be worth a lot.

But, it felt a bit lighter than a rock in his hands, causing people to feel like it was hollow inside.

The surface of the stone had a layer of skin-deep pattern, it was an engraving of a double ring. (Note: it is ◎ shape)

“This is… Magic tool?”

Selo asked. Alcain lightly nodded.

“That’s right. If anything happens, it will definitely come into use.”

“—— Thank you. But, I cannot use magic tools.”

Selo smiled in return for Alcain’s thoughtfulness, and returned it to Alcain.

Looking at Selo from below, Alcain showed an expression of surprise.

“Cannot use magic tools…? Really? Aren’t you Zerdonato-san’s grandson?”

From a young age, the people surrounding him had asked him this question countless times.

He had hated other people’s scorn and pity at the start, but he didn’t mind it so much now.

“En, I can’t use nor craft magic tools. Grandfather said, I may just have such a constitution —— As long as they were used by me, any magic tool would break. Even beginner magic tools, such as the Lighting Branch, I can’t use it.”

Alcain squinted like he was pondering about something. Although his expression became very cat-like, there was still some sort of charm.”

“… Oh? That is uncommon.”

“It can’t be helped, I gave up already. So, I decided to become a pharmacist.”

Just when Selo was about to turn around, Alcain placed the blue stone into Selo’s hand again.

“But, you should still carry it. Even if you don’t use it like a magic tool. If you were caught by Helmbekt, then take this out, say that ‘a cat you met in the forest gave it to you’ ——“

“What is it…”

“A rock blessed by the God of Belfry Ledisma. It is a charm that can protect your life.”

Although he didn’t know what was going on, Selo still received the blue rock.

Under the sunlight, the pattern of the double ring seemed extremely clear.

“This is really pretty. Is it worth a lot?”

“No it isn’t. It is just very convenient. Be careful.”

Selo nodded towards Alcain, who was waving and smiling at him, and walked towards the town alone.

Obviously, he didn’t want to be discovered by the knights. Although he didn’t know if he could return to Alcain, he had to let Fino know first that he is safe —— Then after receiving her permission, he has to take her and escape out of the mansion.

Selo was impatient  and travelled through the forest quickly, he rushed towards the town of Misthound.

---

3-5

Watching the figure of the youth leaving, the black cat sorcerer smiled.

Selo’s appearance as he disregarded danger was a bit unreliable, but he still admired Selo’s qualities. He also hoped that this child wouldn’t die.

“…So young.”

Alcain couldn’t help but mutter to himself, and then squinted his eyes and put on his cloak.

This cloak that was the same colour as the dark night fluttered with the wind, and “darkness” would be created inside.

From that endless darkness, a small black bird flew out.

“I’m going to nap till the evening, if anything happens, wake me up.”

Alcain stretched lazily and said, then he used his claws to climb up a tree.

The bird let out a clear chirp and stopped on a nearby tree.

Although it didn’t look that different from a real bird, this bird was not an organism, but a magic tool that was used as a sentry.

Alcain treated it as an alarm.

Alcain lied on the tree as he thought back to Selo’s words.

“… A child that cannot use magic tools——“

From the depths of his squinted eyes, a dark light could be seen.

From what Alcain knows —— In this world, there doesn’t exist anyone that “cannot use magic tools”.

—— Because it was an impossible existence.

Mana was directly linked to one’s life force. As long as one is alive, the person can use their life force as “mana”.

Due to the difference of understanding its usage, the ability to use magic tools differed greatly between people. But, not being able to even use beginner magic tools, this was too abnormal.

In a sense, the usage of mana was similar to the usage of the brain.

All humans had a brain.

Due to this, as long as there is no special reason, no matter who it is, they will all think and feel. What they think about will differ between people, there are academics in the world, and there are those with excellent athletic senses, but there is no one without a brain.

The ability of a sorcerer, was like thinking, not everyone would become a first class sorcerer, and just hard work in one area can also be futile.

Zerdonato’s grandson should have the qualities to become an excellent sorcerer.

However, he couldn’t even use normal —— using the brain as an analogy, even magic tools that were as simple as single-digit calculation were “unable to be used”, something was clearly not right here.

“… If it was just a low mana pool then that would be normal. If it’s another reason ——“

Alcain stopped thinking and closed his eyes.

He could only sleep now, and prepare for the night. Selo would also take action in the night.

Alcain prayed that he can return unharmed, and fell into a slumber.

---

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1. N/a