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“You have a keen eye. As expected from the brave soul who defeated the Prisma, Inglis Eux,” Über remarked.

Über wasn’t supposed to know about that. This meant he had known from the beginning. And considering the existence of an Artifact that controls the undead, Inglis began to suspect his true identity. Before departing for Illuminas, she had heard something from Rochefort and Arles.

“Your real name isn’t Über Æthelstan, is it?” Inglis asked.

Rafinha gasped in surprise.

“What!? It’s not? Then who is he…?”
“Rani, remember? Before we came here, we talked to Instructor Rochefort and Professor Arles. They mentioned a general in Venefique who possesses an Artifact that creates undead… General Maxwell, wasn’t it?”
“Oh! I think they did say that! But Professor Rochefort said he had the worst personality, and you could tell just by looking at his face…”
“That was a pretty vague description, in hindsight…”

We probably should’ve asked for more details, Inglis mused.

Über—or rather, General Maxwell—chuckled.

“It’s a matter of perspective, isn’t it? Which is worse, a general who betrays his country to join Charalia, or me, who remains loyal to his fatherland?”
“Considering Leone and Liselotte were attacked by your undead, I’d say it’s a close match.”
“Haha, harsh words.”
“So, there’s no Über. You’re General Maxwell!” Rafinha exclaimed. At her words, Über—no, General Maxwell—raised his hand as if in surrender.

“No, I am indeed Maxwell Rockwell, one of the generals serving the Venefique Emperor. But to clarify, Über Æthelstan is a real person, and the Æthelstan Trading Company does exist. For the operation with these two ladies, we requisitioned the Æthelstan Trading Company. Since they didn’t comply willingly, we had to use some… rough methods, you see?”

“…! You mean you killed him to take over?” Rafinha frowned.

“Hahaha, not at all. He’s very much alive—even now. Just right there.” Maxwell pointed to the rampaging faceless giant.

“What…!? So, he was captured and placed on the company’s ship!” Leone exclaimed.

Maxwell nodded. “Precisely. It would’ve been barbaric to execute everyone who went against the imperial decree. Now they serve as shields, protecting Venefique in the future. They share the same love for the fatherland now… Isn’t it beautiful, coming together in unity?”

“Beautiful…? Turning people into that and controlling them like puppets is far worse than simply killing them… How can you do something so terrible!?”
“It’s those Highlanders who turn him and his kind into mana essence. If you wish to call me evil, shouldn’t you first direct your anger at them?”
“That’s true, but…! You’re just as guilty! You knew everything, so why do something like this!?”

“Precisely because I knew. That’s why I sought to eradicate the root of this evil. I’m fully aware that our methods are just as abhorrent. But we, the powerless in the Midland, don’t have the luxury of choosing clean means. We must fight poison with poison… They will be the last to be turned into mana essence. With that resolve, I created that giant. As I mentioned earlier, destroying Illuminas will save our fellow Midlanders from becoming mana essence. We can erase this vile technology from existence. Do you really see that as a terrible thing?”

“That’s not it…! That’s not what I mean…!”

“Enough!” Maxwell shouted, causing Rafinha to flinch.

“Ignoring the actions of those who take responsibility and criticizing their methods is the behavior of a child! You are candidates to become High Grade Knights who will shape the future of Charalia… If you have complaints against me, then take action yourselves! If you can’t stop the atrocities of Illuminas with your own brilliant strategy, then leave this place at once! After all, you won’t care once it’s out of your sight! I will decide the outcome for you!”

“Ugh…! But…!” Rafinha couldn’t find any more words and bowed her head.

In a different way than Tiffany, Über—now revealed as General Maxwell—seemed to be a particularly bad match for Rafinha. His actions and words directly struck at her sense of justice and her somewhat naive view of the world, wounding her pure, innocent heart.

His behavior may be grounded in reality, but—

“Very well then. I will take action.”

With a smile on her face, Inglis raised her palm toward the faceless giant.

――ETHER STRIKE

A glowing bullet of ether energy shot toward the faceless giant at high speed!

“What…!? M-Move awayyy!”

Maxwell touched his monocle and shouted, but the giant couldn’t react in time. Caught completely off guard, the giant was struck in the side by the ether strike and tumbled sideways, crashing into the ground and bouncing several times before being blown away.

If it keeps flying like this, will it dissolve in seawater or sink and disappear? It’s a bit of a waste either way.

“Kuh…!? Open up!”

Whether the intent was conveyed or not, a large hole was gouged into the giant’s chest—precisely where the ether strike had hit. The attack pierced clean through, and the energy vanished into the sea beyond.

“Ohh…? How meticulous…! To think it originated as a liquid, meaning its form is completely malleable…”
“What are you doing…!? Do you even understand what you’ve done!?”

Maxwell’s face paled as he confronted Inglis.

“You asked me to take action, so I did, didn’t I?” Inglis returned a graceful smile, calm and composed.