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“GRUUUAAAAAAAHHH!!!”

Using the last of my mana, I increased gravity a hundredfold. It sounds simple enough, but if Igoronak weighs around seventy kilogura, that would mean a force of seven thousand kilogura—equivalent to seven tores—is pressing down on him.

Any large beast would be crushed like a cracker under this pressure. Even though Igoronak is within a gravity field of over five mertes in radius, trapped at the bottom of a hardened, concave pit with both hands and knees planted on the ground, he’s still managing to scream. Such is the power of the No-Life King. But he’s clearly struggling to hold his posture, barely maintaining it.

Seeing this fierce, handsome figure crawling and groaning… I can’t help feeling a strange mix of guilt and a tantalizing, forbidden thrill. It stirs something deep within, a voice in my mind whispering in a euphoric tone, “Come on, you wretched swine, lick my boots!” I push away this bizarre impulse with great effort, refocusing all my attention on maintaining the spell’s control.

“Damn you! Damn you!” Igoronak growls through bloodshot eyes, desperately trying to resist.

“It’s working… but this isn’t enough,” I admit, frustrated. I had hoped this would end things, but it’s clear the spell isn’t as effective as I’d thought. If we keep playing this waiting game, my magic will definitely run out before his strength does. I expected a power gap, but realizing that my trump card can’t guarantee victory—well, it’s pretty demoralizing.

This Moonfall spell, while of my own design, is potent enough to rival strategic-class magic, meant to counter armies or even besiege fortresses. But apparently, it’s still no match for an opponent of this caliber.

Feeling the weight of disappointment, I bit down hard on my lip.

The power of a single being surpassing that of entire armies or fortresses—it sounds absurd, but the reality of this world is that such monstrous beings exist. It’s irrational, but I have to accept it.

In fact, the last time I used this spell on Headmistress Mei, even though I wasn’t using it at full force, I increased the gravity tenfold. All she said was, “Oh, now that’s impressive!” as she effortlessly counterattacked. At the time, I honestly wondered, ‘Is she even human?! Is she part of some warrior race that works for intergalactic property developers?!’

That encounter really opened my eyes, making me realize how naive I was. It made me think: if I ever had to fight someone of her level at full strength, what would I do? Considering that possibility, I developed Moonfall, a hundredfold gravity spell, as a potential countermeasure.

It’s certainly better than charging empty-handed and unprepared. Yet, the result speaks for itself—my outlook was still far too optimistic.

“…Grrr… I didn’t expect you could wield Sky magic… but you’re overextending yourself, aren’t you?”

Sweat poured from my brow in thick beads, and I felt the blood draining from my face. Igoronak smirked, his eyes mocking me. He knows exactly where this tug-of-war is headed.

I don’t respond. Not because I don’t want to—but because I don’t have the strength.

Sky magic is notoriously difficult to control, and if it goes awry, the damage can far exceed that of the four elemental magics—earth, water, fire, and wind. That’s why the Mage Guild and magic academies officially list it as a Forbidden Art, forbidding research and development of offensive Sky magic.

Even Moonfall, which I originally designed as a weight-reduction Art, has clearly shown its capability as a destructive spell. Its potential for danger speaks for itself.

By the way, the only place you can actually study Sky magic is the Artisan Guild, but even there, it’s exclusively used to create Spatial Storage Bags; they don’t teach any offensive applications.

Honestly, it’s far more practical to develop and research attack magic based on the four elements, as those magics have a much larger user base and a wider range of variations. Plus, if you produce and sell Spatial Storage Bags, even though the materials are rare and you need a substantial amount of magic crystals, a single bag that holds around fifty kilogura is worth as much as a house with a garden in the upper districts of the capital. It makes sense to pursue a stable source of income like that.

As for my spatial magic, after learning only the absolute basics from Regina, I had no one to guide me. Everything I know was developed through my own trial and error, meaning there’s probably quite a bit of inefficiency and recklessness involved. It’s clear as day that any minor slip-up would immediately lead to a loss of control, so I can’t afford to let my guard down here.

And, though this is unrelated, I can make a Spatial Storage Bag myself by mimicking what I observed. However, as an independent mage, making and selling them outside of the Artisan Guild is a mess due to issues like encroaching on established rights and disturbing the market. So instead of selling them, I’ve only given them as gifts to close friends—like the elves who need to transport large amounts of wine and maple syrup, or Bruno and Lynn, who use them to carry gear and spoils as adventurers.

In any case, having at least managed to fulfill my primary goal of “stalling Igoronak,” I called out desperately to Coppelia, who stood behind me, without even having the luxury of looking back.

“Coppelia! How much longer do I need to hold him off?!”

Once I release the spell, I need to get at least five hundred mertes away as fast as possible, or else I’ll be caught in the range of Coppelia’s Ultimate Arcane Armament. I’m planning to have Vier carry me since I doubt I can make it on foot in time, but just then, I hear Coppelia’s flat voice respond.

“—System error detected. Access denied… due to administrator privileges.”
“…”

Barely managing to stay upright as I struggle to accept reality, I reluctantly turn my head and spot Coppelia, eyes spiraling, still reeling from the shockwave of magic that just hit her.

“—Y-, you… useless pile of scrap!!”

My somewhat unrefined shout is surely justified rage, something anyone would agree with in this situation.

“I knew I shouldn’t have trusted her, I knew it! …This is why they say a fool is more dangerous than a fire next door!”

No amount of crying or cursing will turn back the clock now.

And just then—

Maybe due to my mental strain or from using magic for so long, my mana is finally starting to run out, and I can see the gravitational field weakening right before my eyes.

“……”

Igoronak, who was previously groaning in pain, has fallen silent. I can’t be sure, but it looks like he’s slowly starting to raise himself up, bit by bit.

I’m running on empty. I’ve used every card I have. And my last resort is nothing but a pile of junk.

“…It’s over.” With the final piece of bad luck completing my hand, I genuinely felt the darkness close in before my eyes.

I was about to give up and lay down my wand, maybe even recite a few parting words when—

“Sixty degrees, left overhead—CHOP!”

Suddenly, a small figure came bursting out from the forest—Eren, wearing the same casual outfit she had on when we split up. She charged in and, without missing a beat, delivered a karate chop to Coppelia’s head.

With a loud crack, Coppelia’s neck twisted at an odd angle, but she blinked, looking startled, and with a quick “—Huh?” grabbed her head with both hands to wrench it back into place.

“Where… am I?”
“Talk later! Just get back to work! You dumb maid—no, let’s shorten that to Dummaid!”

Eren’s blunt encouragement seemed to bring her back to her senses, and Coppelia suddenly remembered her task.

“Ohhhhh, that’s right!”

She quickly turned to face Igoronak, who was still struggling to break free from Moonfall.

Fortunately, the gravitational field was barely holding Igoronak down, but who knew how much longer it would last?

“Eren, why are you here?!”
“Of course, to save you, Lady Jill!”

Her prompt reply was reassuring, but I couldn’t help but wonder just how she managed to escape from her cocoon state or why Luke didn’t try to stop her.

Just then, Luke arrived, breathing heavily, a little behind Eren.

“Haah, haah… I’m so sorry, Jill. She cut herself free from the rope with a hidden knife, and when I tried to stop her, she declared, ‘If you try to stop me, I’ll slit my throat and die right here!’ so I couldn’t do anything.”

Luke mumbled his explanation, genuinely apologetic, while Eren stood proudly, showing no sign of remorse.

“—That’s Jill?”
“What? You’re not Lady Clara, but Jill?!”
“So it is true. I thought I sensed a similar smell.”

Following that, Cestlavie, Lieselotte, and Viola emerged, chiming in with their thoughts.

“Wh-, why…??”

Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, I flapped my mouth like a suffocating goldfish before finally managing to squeeze out a response. Lieselotte shrugged lightly, glancing between Luke and Eren as she answered.

“Even if you ask why, it’s simple. The maid, who was supposed to be with you, and young Lord Lucas both rushed into the forest looking pale, so I thought I’d follow them…”

She paused, genuinely surprised.

“…I’m astonished.”

Lieselotte seemed genuinely amazed, while Viola wore an oddly pleased expression (the look of a pickup artist in front of an exceptionally beautiful girl). Meanwhile, Cestlavie regarded me with an oddly cold and calculating gaze.

I quickly recited my prepared excuse.

“Wh-, what are you talking about? As you can see, I’m just an ordinary exorcist who happens to pass by.”

I averted my gaze, trying not to meet their eyes, pretending to whistle a tune that I couldn’t actually produce (I could do it in my past life, but for some reason, I couldn’t in this one).

“…”

The three of them fell silent in response to my perfect rebuttal, exchanging looks before shrugging simultaneously.

“That’s Jill alright.”
“She has to be Jill.”
“To suggest that this is Lady Clara is blasphemy.”

How did they see it through that fast?!

When I glanced over, Luke and Eren—along with, it seemed, even Vier—wore troubled expressions, their shoulders sagging.

And yet, Coppelia was counting down right beside me, and we really didn’t have time to argue near this explosive center!

In a moment of panic and confusion, I finally lost my focus, and the spell was broken.

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“To expose this hideous, vile form before you, Saintess…” Igoronak muttered, clearly dissatisfied with his current appearance, his teeth grinding together.

“I think you’re actually pretty handsome.”
“Spare me your flattery. Surely, you’re disgusted by this twisted, repulsive form. Or perhaps you’d rather laugh? Very well, I’ll admit it—there’s no chance I could ever rise to stand beside you now. But precisely because of that, I shall drag you down into the same abyss as me!”

“… (Sigh)” I couldn’t help but sigh.

Why are people who reach their own conclusions so exhausting?

“Oh, come off it! If that is what you call ugly, then most of the world’s men are plainly hideous!” Coppelia grumbled, her teeth grinding in frustration.

I couldn’t agree more. When someone can’t accept themselves, they can’t accept others as well. No matter how high their looks score might be, I can’t tolerate people this small-minded (…though I admit there are some parts of this that hit a little too close to home, which makes me both self-critical and annoyed). It’s just too off-putting.

“For crying out loud, you’re actually quite small (minded).”

“—” The second I let that slip, Igoronak froze, as if stunned.

“Awooooo! (Master, can I bite him?)” Vier’s mournful howl echoed through the night as she looked to me for instructions in the sudden silence.

“Yeah… I mean, getting called ‘small’ by a woman… even I would feel a little sorry for him,” Coppelia muttered, giving Igoronak a sympathetic glance.

With bloodshot eyes, Igoronak erupted in fury and bellowed, “You shall taste my wrath! Witness, my Enmity and Malice¹ — Wailing Dark Hole!”

A dark orb began to form in front of him, swirling with ominous energy.

“What, you are snapping back? This is why spoiled elites who have never faced failure are so unbearable…!” Coppelia’s relentless taunts carried on even at this critical moment, but I could feel a growing sense of dread within me.

(This… this might be bad…)

With the sudden shift in tension and the sheer amount of energy he was releasing—far beyond any of his previous attacks—I wasn’t sure even this shield (Bartholomew) would be able to withstand it.

“Fine, so be it! A woman needs courage, and a man needs whimsy! —Haaaaaa!”
“Hmph!”

As I let out a battle cry, Igoronak’s Wailing Dark Hole clashed head-on with Bartholomew whom I had launched using non-elemental magic. For an instant, Bartholomew’s once-dazed eyes seemed to spark back to life, and his massive obsidian halberd swung forth, seeming to cleave through the approaching darkness. Then, in that same breath, an overwhelming blast of magical energy surged, lacking sound, light, or shockwaves but nonetheless powerful enough to send me reeling. I instinctively clamped my eyes shut, covered my ears, and threw myself to the ground.

“Kyaaaaaaa!”
“Nyo-ga-ga-ga… unable to measure…! Error! Error!”
“Guh…”

It felt like an eternity, but it was likely only an instant.

As I cautiously raised my head, I found… nothing. The Wailing Dark Hole and Bartholomew were both gone, as if they had evaporated into thin air.

No way—could it be…?!

In that instant, as all the blood drained from my face, I heard a faint splash, followed by:

“Gaaaah! My feet… my feet cannot touch the bottom!!”

That aggravating voice carried by the wind spirit from the direction of Lake Quartz brought a sense of relief, and my shoulders relaxed all at once.

“Hmph… You seem to have managed to avoid that, but you’re out of defenses now, aren’t you? The next move will finish this.”

It appeared Igoronak had also regained his composure, as his left hand was now wrapped in that familiar black flame.

Perhaps he decided there was no need for another Wailing Dark Hole, or maybe he simply lacked the strength for it. I could only hope it was the latter, but it was hard to tell.

“Yes, that’s right. The next move will decide it.”
“Oh? Resigned yourself, have you? You give up rather easily, don’t you?”

In response, I opened my hand and showed him what I held. A small, black crystal, about the size of a coin, sat in my palm. It was a magic stone, refined from a B-rank monster’s magic stone and further purified. With a dozen of these, one could power a magic-powered ship for an entire journey.

“And what of it…?” Igoronak’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Indeed, while this was rare and valuable, it wasn’t one-of-a-kind, nor could it be consumed directly by humans to wield its power. Normally, it wouldn’t warrant any concern—under normal circumstances, that is.

“You can’t tell? This magic stone has been specially processed, with talisman art etched onto its surface.”

In this dim light, it was unclear whether he could make out the intricate symbols carved onto the stone’s surface, but I traced them with my fingertip, deliberately showing them to him.

“Talisman, you say? Ah, now that you mention it, one of those pesky insects who dared to oppose me used something like that… And? What of it?” Igoronak said arrogantly, raising his shoulders as if to suggest he had already seen through my trick.

“Oh, is that so? Well, this is actually based on a set of predetermined formulas inscribed onto a talisman. By flowing the specified activation incantation and magic power into it, it automatically reacts with the surrounding mana to produce the phenomenon known as ‘magic.’ Its potency, however, is limited to the brief moment before the talisman burns out and is proportional to the ambient mana.”

“I have assumed so, yes… So, you’re giving me a lecture on magic? Do you realize that you are basically preaching a sermon to a Saint? Wait, no, I guess you’re the Saintess here.”

“But you see, I fiddled around and instead used a higher-purity magic stone for the material.”

In truth, I had learned this technique from Cestlavie, who taught me to mix magic stone powder into ink to write spells on paper. My own magic power was often too intense, burning the talisman out before it could activate. So, I developed a way to reinforce the base material.

“It’s meaningless,” Igoronak replied, his tone dripping with disdain. “Even if you change the base material, it still relies on ambient mana. Altering the spark plug doesn’t change the fuel; the result remains the same.”

As expected of the so-called No-Life King, he quickly pinpointed the flaw.

“Exactly. It couldn’t increase the spell’s power. But instead, it greatly extended its duration.”

“Hm…” A faint flicker of interest and caution crossed Igoronak’s face.

“Talisman Art on its own only produces a uniform effect. However, by extending the activation time, I can combine multiple magic stones into one spell, allowing me to imitate a ritual spell typically performed by multiple people.”

“Huh…” This time, Igoronak’s expression turned visibly wary as he shifted his stance, but it was already too late.

“As a result, large-scale magic, which usually requires thorough preparation and a great deal of time, now can be performed all by myself… Perhaps you noticed how I’ve been moving in a circular path around you? And I’ve been embedding activated magic stones, like this one, into the ground at key points.”

“What!?” In a sudden realization, Igoronak’s eyes darted to the ground around him. I poured magic into the final shard in my hand and struck it into the ground at my feet.

If there had been a mage viewing from above, they would have seen the embedded crystals forming a six-pointed star with Igoronak at its center.

Raising my wand , I channeled all my remaining magic and released it.

“The stage is set! This is my trump card, a forbidden spatial spell—「I call upon you, Gods of Earth and Gods of Sky, let your Yoke be his Commandment!」 —「Lunatic Compression (Moonfall)」”

In that instant, an intense gravitational force, a hundred times the normal, crashed down on Igoronak.

“GRUAAAAAAAAGH!!!”

Unable to move, he roared in helpless fury.