The next morning. As I went toward the castle gate as specified, the members of the Magic Knights were already gathered. Even though we were going to do an important job concerning the nation’s survival, the number of people was small, and the atmosphere was stagnant. While feeling anxious that everything would be alright, a sense of awkwardness also washed over me.
Regretting that I should have come a little earlier, I found a knight with flaxen-colored hair, who seemed to be a sorcerer in a robe, talking to someone. Although we had just met yesterday and hadn’t had a proper conversation, finding a familiar face brought a sigh of relief.
「Oh, god morning, Alize-san」
「Ah! Good Morning, Soma-kun. Let’s work hard today」
Hesitantly approaching so as not to interrupt the conversation, I called out to her, and Alize-san, who had a stern expression, suddenly turned into a gentle smile as if a flower had bloomed and returned the greeting.
「Likewise, let’s work hard today」
The combination of her lovely smile and the clear morning sunlight was exceptionally wonderful, and I couldn’t help but stare, quickly looking away so as not to be discovered.
「Soma-kun?」
Alize-san tilts her head and peeked into my face. It’s annoying that every gesture of this knight is so cute that it throws off my composure, please stop. To prevent myself from getting more flustered, I cleared my throat and resumed the conversation.
「Hmm! It’s nothing. THat aside, what about you, you’re not from the Knights, right?」
「Right. Let me introduce you. This is Nielb-san, a magician who came fromt he capital to repair the barier」
「Nielb, Pleased to meet you, adventurer」
Nielb, the magician, wore a gentle smile. The slender young man with glasses looked delicate on the shoulders. He’s much more suited to stay in a room and study magic books than to go to such dangerous locations. As if reading my anxiety, Alize-san provided a bit more information.
「Don’t worry. Nielb-san may be unassuming, but he’s a great man who belongs in the kingdom’s magic knight order」
「Ahahaha, isn’t that a bit too buch, Alize-san?」
Nielb-san smiled wryly as he speaks. People are not what they seem, I guess. One of the kingdom’s two primary military forces—standing as a counterpart to the Magic Knight Order to which Alize and her companions belong—it is the object of aspiration for those who study magic and aspire to become mages. That’s the Kingdom’s magic division. For me, it’s a workplace with little connection to the knights.
「Is that so? Then, that’s reassuring」
「But don’t expect me in a fight, that’s completely out of my area」
「I see」
I held back my urge to sigh. The morale of the knights, ho were already few in number, is low, and there are magicians who don’t seem reliable in battle. Can they reach the barrier keystone with this much strength? My head hurts.
「Don’t worry. I’ll protect you Nielb-san. Soma-kun’s also going to help us here, so it should be fine, right?」
「Well, that’s the request. I’ll just do my best」
As long as I don’t die from it…I continued in my thoughts Without life, there’s nothing. If there’s honor in dying, I’ll let the monsters eat it to survive. That’s the way of adventurers Mina-san taught me.
「Alize-san, we’re ready to depart」
Mocking myself, realizing that it’s only been half a year since stepping into this world, the thin knight, Theodore comes with a horse and spoke to Alize-san
「Thanks, Theodore. You’re quick with prep work. Let’s go then. Soma-kun, Nielb-san. Come with me」
「Please wait, Alize-sama. It’s not too late now.」 Let’s not bring this adventurer with us」
Saying that, Theodore’s glaring at me, not hiding his hostility. As if agreeing with him, the other knights gathered around. Alize-san sighed at her subordinates.
「Still not over that? You know that we need the adventurer’s assistance to reach the center of the barrier safely, don’t you? You also experienced Soma-kun’s strength, didn’t you?」
「How can you make such judgment from a sneak attack? Besides, we were supposed to take a high-rank party for our request! And it’s definitely not an incompetent kid who can’t use magic!」
Nielb-san looks at me, as if to ask if it’s true. It’s not surprising to see them react that way. The kingdom of Arclumina is a magic supremacy country. The knights, as well as adventurers who live freely, are usually aware of basic magic. Rather, the fact that I tried to become an adventurer without being able to use magic is much more abnormal. Mina-san did try her best to stop me at first, and Gold-san did also scold me to not look down on the profession.
「I don’t mean to say your point is unclear. But, even if you were careless, Soma-kun still got behind you, didn’t he? Isn’t that enough skill?」
「It’s exactly because I had my guard down! That’s why I’m fighting him now to confirm it!」
Theodore drew his sword from the sheath at his waist with a heavy breath and pointed the tip at me.
As expected from the Kingdom’s magic knight order. The item in his hand looks so much better than mine. Compared to my beloved sword, which Fiona-nee gave me—practical and simple—the one over there is adorned with elaborate decorations that must have been made by a master craftsman of the first class.
「Are you sane?」
This bizarre action makes me wince. This isn’t the time for squabbling among comrades when a big task awaits.
「Of course I am! I don’t know how you got the guild master’s approval, but I’ll strip you like a monster here!」
He’s full of fighting spirit. No, wrong. This man named Theodore is proud of himself belonging in the mage knight order. For him, it’s unbearable that I, who can’t even use magic, became an adventurer, got the Guild Master’s favor, and because of that, even my superior trusts me so much.
「Wait, Theodore! Fighting before the missionー」
「ーOkay then. I’ll fight you, duel or whatever」
「Soma-kun?」
As I hold back Alize, who attempts to step in between, I also place my hand on the hilt of my weapon to signal my intent. At that moment, Theodore showed an obvious smile on his face.
「Calm down Soma-kun. There’s no need for a duel. I trust you enouー」
「I am calm. What I cannot forgive is that someone is actively trying to sabotage Alize—who is doing everything in her power to ensure the success of this mission—by doing their absolute best to hold her back」
「Soma-kun」
THere’s no denying what Theodore says. He probably doesn’t want to take an incompetent adventurer on a life-threatening mission. But that’s something else.
「You’ll be satisfied as long as I win, right?」
「Hahaha, fine! If you can beat me, you can accompany me. Well, that is, if you can win」
Theodore wears a vulgar smirk—the kind a knight sworn to protect the realm has no business displaying. It’s a mystery why this man can become a knight.
「Please don’t make an issue of it, Alize-san」
「The moment you draw your sword, it is a problem, but oh wel… I’ll pretend I didn’t see it」
Alize-san lets out a deep sigh and shrugs her shoulders. Gaining the word of his superior, Theodore got even more excited. He probably doesn’t think that he’s going to lose.
「How about the method of the duel? You’re not going to say that we should fight to death, are you?」
Having someone’s neck on the ground would be a way to get to the resolution. At least, Theodore will come with that intent in mind. If that’s the case, I’ll have to be serious against my opponent.
「Then, I’ll cooperate. I can’t let you get hurt before an important mission after all」
Nielb, the magician, answered my question while snapping his fingers. Theodore and my body got enveloped in a faint, bluish light membrane.
「I applied defensive magic to nullify a certain amount of attacks to both of you. How about the one who gets to take out the other wins?」
Nielb-san smiled and said. This skill, activating magic in an instant. He says that combat is his weakness, should I take that at face value? Suspicious.
「As expected of the magician dispatched by the capital. Your skill is wonderful. With this, I can fight without worry of accidents」
Theodore’s face twist with malice when he said that.
「It’s as if you want an accident to happen」
「Adventurers without any schooling are troublesome. As a royal magic knight, there’s no way I’d kill a brat who I don’t like under the pretense of duel, would I?」
What a shameless man. He’s implying that it’s a shame he can’t kill me., Alice-san also sensed it and threw a gaze filled with killing intent toward Theodore, telling him not turn against his allies.
「Very well. I’ll believe that」
「Hmph, you seem to understand. Time is limited. I’ll beat you up then head to restore the barrier of the Susto great forest」
Showing a fierce smile, Theodore slowly walked away from me. Likewise, I also moved away.
「Wait, don’t just decide things on your own!」
Alize-san still doesn’t seem convinced, but as Theodore’s superior and my client, she stood between us to fulfil her duty.
「I’m the one to observe the duel. Are you both ready?」
「「Ready」」
Asked in a solemn voice, both Theodore and my voice overlapped.
Drawing our swords with a clear sound, we lowered our waist and assumed a combat stance. Seeing my cheap sword, Theodore laughed mockingly.
But, I didn’t care. I sharpened the nerves runing through my body, focused my senses to the enemy in front of me.
Monsters are one thing, but a fight with a human had already begun the moment you face each other with weapons drawn. Breathing, their gaze, their limbs and sword locations. Reading the subtle cues, predicting the sword techniques the opponent is about to unleash.
『Listen, Soma. Whether it’s monsters or human, fighting is just about accumulating information. Words, posture, demeanor. Since you can’t use magic, if you want to win using your sword, then don’t stop thinking even for a single moment』
THose were the words Albert-niisan told me on the day I gave up the path of magic and took up the sword. This was the first and last lesson, but I engraved those words deeply in my heart.
Theodore’s stance is a high guard with both hands. The first strike launched from there will either be a downward slash to close the distance, or a counter without moving. Either way, he’s aiming for a killing blow. If so, the move I’m taking isー
「ThenーBegin!」
Alize-san gave the signal and I kicked the ground and run forward. Digging into the earth, I cut through the clear morning air and a roar rises.
Then, a little later, Theodre reacts and starts movig. He wasn’t expecting me to come charging in. I see agitation in his expression. I took the initiative.
The distance has closed in. The flow of my vision stops and I can tell what he’s trying to do by just watching his movement.
Theodore’s first strike is a vertical slash from above, just as expected. However, since it’s a blow enhanced by physical ability with magic, if I were to properly block it, the defensive magic wouldn’t be penetrated, but the impact would travel to the arm and become useless.
He brings out a greatsword swing. Of course, only a member of the Knights who guard the kingdom, combined with physical enhancement, has a sword speed that is remarkable. Of course, the power is also impeccable, and it can achieve a killing blow. Convinced of victory, Teodore’s face twists in pleasure and ecstasy.
If this were Marius-niisan, I would have been cut down without a fight. But the one I am facing now is not the deputy commander of the Kingdom mage Knights. The enhanced magic, the first reaction, and the sword speed. They’re all slow compared to him.
Turning my body sideways, I narrowly dodged—the blade’s tip grazing my nose by a hair’s breadth—and as we cross paths, I uses the momentum to swing the sword upward.
A cracking sound echoes, the thin film shatters, and it scatters like glass shards into the air. The spectators of this absurd duel are stunned and fall silent at the end of the battle.
「Th-that’s impossible… a single blow?」
Teodore muttered, sinking back onto both knees in astonishment. He probably couldn’t follow the understanding that the conclusion was reached by an ordinary iron sword and a flash released from his body. Making him shudder with his shoulders, I deliberately made a loud noise so he could hear it, sheathed the sword, and asked in a low voice.
「Are you satisfied?」
In response to this question, instead of speaking, Teodore trembled his body and dug his claws into the ground, tearing it apart.
「If you’re Alize-san’s subordinate, then don’t do anything to trample on her resolve as a knight anymore」
I told Theodore, implying to not show his ugly side.
「It’s over, Theodore. Don’t disgrace yourself any further
「Understood, Alize-sama」
Having received the merciless final word, Theodore resigned, stood up, sheathed his sword and bowed to me.
「I surrender. It was my loss」
Gritting his teeth, he mutters in a strained voice. Then Theodore walked to his allies with unsteady steps., It was clear that he wasn’t convinced by the outcome, but pointing that out is meaningless and a waste of time. Alize sighed to switch her feelings, then clapped his hands firmly as if to tighten the relaxed air.
「Now that we know Soma’s ability, it’s time to leave!」
Following that dignified instruction, the knights all started moving at once. Feeling a killing intent down my spine from that controlled circle, a shiver ran through me. Without needing to know who the subject of that gaze was, when I turned around, there was a man whose face was twisted in hatred.
「Give me a break」
Without saying anything to anyone, I just shrugged my shoulders in exasperation. Is this pace alright? While I was filled with anxiety, someone pats my shoulder. Turning around, Alize-san was there.
「Thanks, Soma-kun」
She smiled, whispered in a sweet voice in my ear, and left as if to hide her shyness. Aware that my heartbeat quickened from the surprise attack, I slowly followed her.
＊＊＊＊＊
Once you step foot into the susto great forest, you won’t know when or where monsters will attack from. So, to ensure we face them in perfect condition while leaving some physical and mental energy, we decided to travel to the entrance of the great forest by carriage.
「Soma-san! The duel just now was amazing!」
On the way. While reading a book and feeling pain in my butt from the irregular shaking, Nielb-san, who seemed excited, spoke to me with heavy breathing.
「Oh man… I never thought my defensive magic would be destroyed in a single blow! This is the first time! Can you really not use magic?」
As he said that, I gave a wry smile to Nielb-san, who was crowding in the already narrow carriage, and snapped the book I was reading shut.
「I can’t. I can’t even use it on the most basic things like enhancement magic」
「I see, by ‘most’ you mean that you can use some?」
“Well, yes” I laughed and glossed it over. Even though the Lindebauum family put all their strength into making me able to use magic, they gained no results, and it turns out it was solved by an antique book I received from Fiona-nee-san on the day I left the house. It was just ironic.
「By the way, can you tell me what kind of magic is it?」
The sorcerers from the capital must be curious. Thinking that there won’t be much he can do even if I reveal it, I answered the question.
「The only magic I can use is bestow magic. SInce I haven’t succeeded in using it often, it’s the same as being unable to use it」
「I-I see… Bestow magic? That’s quite the hardship, or rather, it’s a rare one…my condolences 」
Nielb-san squeezed out the words with a face as if he just took some punishment. This reaction was inevitable. Even if we had figured it out while I was in Lindebauum, the result wouldn’t have changed.
The reason is because bestow magic is an abandoned magic with no users. The mana required for a single activation is large, but the effect gained is low and the duration is short. In short, it is extremely inefficient.
There is no magician who likes to use such magic, and once they knows that they can only use this, they should completely give up the path of magic or knighthood and become an adventurer instead.
「Don’t worry too much about it. I know well that my magic is useless」
Others would feel sorry, but to me, it’s hope itself. Not only I can avoid wasting my time with the immense mana I was born with, but if I train hard, there might be a day where I can also become a magician. However, in that case, I might be considered useless.
「You’re strong, Soma-san. You’re completely different from me」
Nielb-san frowns and murmurs with a solemn face. The way he looks down and lets his shoulders drop with a lack of confidence doesn’t seem like the same person who skillfully applied magic to me and Theodore before the duel began.
「Spare me the pity. Don’t compare me, a dropout, to magicians who belong to the Kingdom magic division. You make it sound sarcastic」
「Hey, Soma-san. Can you tell me how did you become strong when you’re looked down on as a failure?」
Like someone drowning clinging to straw. Like a lost child seeking light within the darkness. Nielb-san earnestly asks. Why are you asking that? This person must surely be a human loved by the same gods as my siblings and blessed with talent.
「It’s not that I’m strong. It’s just that I’ve been beaten, beaten, and beaten to pieces every single day… and that’s what’s made me strange」
Just as a sword repeatedly hammers and refines the steel. Compared to the disdain of the outside world, it is like a gentle breeze in Lindbauum. Just the fact I think that way makes me broken.
「Nielb-san, you’re not a dropout are you? To me, being a magician is already enough excellence」
「If only that were true」
Nielb-san mutters bitterly to himself. But this kind of dejection is strange. You could call it abnormal. It’s as if he’s become a completely different person since getting on the carriage. Although he probably intends to hide it, a feeling of regret leaks from his expression. What is the reason for that?
「—A monster appears ahead!」
Just as we were about to dive into the sea of thought. With a thud… thud… the earth trembled, and the carriage suddenly stopped. At the same time, I felt a pressure as if my lungs were being crushed. Even though we haven’t arrived in the vast forest yet, this pressure.
I hear the sound of swords being pulled out one after another. We have to fight?
「Nielb-san, please stay here」
「O-Okay. What about Soma-san?」
Neilb-san asks with a trembling voice. If it were a normal monster, I wouldn’t think that Alize-san and the knight order would fall behind, but I was hired by them. I’m not someone they should protect.
「I’ll go check outside. Please stay put」
“Okay?” I reinded him then I jumped down the coach. After the cry that announced the attack, it’s quiet now, so they must have repelled it already.
「—Soma-kun, don’t come out!」
「Huh?」
『GOOOOOOOO! OOAARRRRR!!』
A roar echoed, as if to drown out Alize-san’s tense voice. At that moment, the air around them froze, making them feel as if they had touched pure terror.
「That’s an orc?」
Someone from the knights murmured fearfully. The sound made the brain resist the understanding that the monster in front of them was of the same species as the monsters they knew.
A body as massive as three times that of a human, with limbs as thick as logs. A glowing seal engraved on it’s right chest. The skin color should be a dirty green, but it is a black iron color that seems as hard as steel. Red eyes filled with madness gleam brightly. Just by being there, the killing aura seemed to oppress the hands of the veteran knights, making them tremble.
「An enhanced orc. Did it escape the Susto Great Forest?」
Among them, Alize remained calm. Holding a sword, she calmly observed the orc and analyzed the situation. I also drew my sword from it’s sheath and stood alongside her.
「No, I don’t think that’s likely. If a monster with that high concentration of Mana can escape from the forest, Tormenas has already been trampled.
「Then, why is there an orc like that here?」
Alize’s question was perfectly natural.
When I was with Lindbauum, we weren’t allowed to leave the grounds, and since I came to this town and became an adventurer and started fighting monsters, I can’t say for sure, but I can make an inference.
It is probably an individual that has been artificially enhanced. Moreover, it might be under the control of someone.
「What do you mean?」
「The mark on the right chest. That is probably… a mark of servitude」
Alize-san’s eyes widened greatly at my words.
There was a section on subordination maigc in the book I received from Fiona-neesan. Its effect is literally to seize the will of the target who has the mark and make them. Simply put, it is enslavement, and in the Arclumina Kingdom, not only the use of this magic but even learning about it is forbidden.
「…Someone is behind this. That’s a reasonable thought.」
We don’t know who is doing this and for what reason. It’s also unclear whether this encounter is accidental. But this is just a hunch, and the target feels like the Knights—or rather, like Alize.
「Let’s think about it after we get through this. Everyone, let’s go!」
「「「Y-Yes!」」」
Alize issued a command that cut through the tense air, and her subordinates responded in trembling voices. They must understand that those orcs are not ordinary either. But because they are knights, they can’t just run away.
「I will fight with you.」
「I’ll be fine. Soma-kun, guard the carriage. Keep Nielb-san safe」
Alize-san smiled, but despite her gentle expression, there was an undeniable pressure.
「If we defeat him and lose Nielb, the barrier won’t be able to be repaired. Soma-kun, please」
The mission assigned to Alize-san and the group was to repair the barrier of the Susto Great Forest. And I am an adventurer hired to help Alize-san with her mission. I must follow these instructions.
「Very well. Please be careful」
「Don’t worry. I’ll take them down right away, so wait with Nielb-san」
『GWOOOOOOOO───!!』
As if waiting for our conversation to end, the orc lets out a roar that tears the air apart as it closes the distance quickly.
A speed that doesn’t suit its massive body. Every time it treads on the ground, emitting a sound like an explosion, is a countdown to death.
「—They’re coming!」
The orc is right in front of us, and tension runs through me and Alize-san as we prepare our swords.
We can’t allow even a graze from these steel-like arms. Even if I try to block it with my sword, the light armor will get pulverized. It holds such ferocity.
「《Earth Wall》!」
Someone among the knights casts magic. The ground roars and rises to become a wall to obstruct the orc’s invasion. As expected of the Kingdom’s Magic Knights. Even if shaken by the unknown monster, they react instinctively when the battle begins.
The orc crashes into this wall and stops moving, allowing them to strike all at once in that gap. As if to say that their aim was shallow, the orc raised it’s massive arms.
DOGAANNN───!!
A sound that pierces the ears. The solid earthen wall is instantly destroyed by the punch of the struck orc. It doesn’t stop, and it raises its fist again, but that spot is within Alize-san and the others’ expectations and range.
「Haaa!!!」
Theodore leads the group and the knights attack while letting out a war cry. There is no need to wait around against the abnormal orc. Each one brings their physical abilities to the maximum and unleashes their killing blow.
Pitching black blood scatters. The sword flashes carve into the orc’s body one after another. Wind and fire magic also strike and the orc screams.
The mutilated bodies and the oppressive were perhaps too much for them to bear. As Alize-san and the group thought they could finish it off like that…
『GUMOOOOAAAAーー!!』
The orc, irritated by the resistance of the bothersome flying insects, roars and releases a pure black gale from its entire body. That moment, the battlefield changed.
「Wha?!」
Suddenly, a torrent of miasma filled with madness and curses roars through, becoming a wind blade that pierces even the armor. Theodore quickly jumped backward to evade, but the other knights who were swinging their sword at the front line with him was cut to shreds and blown away like a piece of paper.
The knights, speechless at seeing their comrades die without a trace. Stopping in this battlefield that has become a death site is the height of stupidity.
「N-No way…」
「Take distanceー!」
I hurriedly shouted, but before I could finish, the orc closes the distance and swings its giant arms down. Alize-san jumps to evade, but the knight nearby couldn’t react and got smashed to the ground making a red paste from the blow so powerful it distorts space.
「Kuh!!」
The battlefield, which were at our advantage before, instantly turned around, and half of the squad is gone. Alize-san bites her lip, but, not to waste her comrade’s deaths, she tightens the grip of her sword.
「Don’t falter! I’ll go first! Recover until then!」
Alize sends an order, but nobody responded to her. The knights who were there just a while ago tossed their weapons and fleed in various directions. Among them was Theodore.
「No way….」
Alize-san’s voice, filled in disbelief, melts into the void. If they were adventurers, that might be understandable, but for knights whose job is to protect people, fleecing in the face of an enemy is unprecedented. She understands why they fleed, but abandoning their captain is simply too much.
『Goooooooh!!』
Three more orcs kick off the ground with speed that defies their massive bodies, and they all rush towards Alize-san. But being the one in charge of the unit, she switched her thoughts and dodged the giant arm that swung at her, striking a slash across his side with a counterattack.
「Haaaaaa!!」
Slash, I hear the sound of flesh being cut. But, that was all. Not only the wound inflicted by her sword, but also the wounds Theodore and others had given in their first strike were healed.
「No way…」
Alize-san was stunned and her movements stopped. This monster wouldn’t let such a slight opening pass by. The orc’s fist caught her torso.
「Gah…Ha…」
「Alize-san!!」
Exhaling all the air trapped in her lungs, Alize-san’s body soared into the air and fell to the ground from behind. She must’ve avoided the direct hit by jumping back, it wasn’t a fatal injury.
「Haa..Haa…」
Breathing heavily, Alize-san stood up slowly. Her tied up hair got loose, and her armor’s shattered. Wiping the blood flowing from the corner of her mouth, she spat out a red saliva.
「I can’t possibly lose here!」
The fighting spirit in Alize-san’s eyes still hasn’t disappeared as she stood up. She raised her sword with trembling hands, but her appearance was so precarious it looked like it would collapse at any moment.
As the orc roared in mockery of her desperate state, a massive black iron body wrapped in a torrent of killing intent lunged forward. Cornered at the edge of death, yet a slight smile appeared on Alize-san’s lips.
「Flame ArmorーAldrea!」
Feeling as if the Mana of crimson fire was applied to Alize-san’s body, then I heard a sound as if the blood flow throughout her body was swirling. The fire mana flowed into the muscles, the nerves, and the skeleton, enveloping Alize-san with explosive heat, and soon transformed into flame armor.
「Fire attribute magic enhancement?」
It is not the same as physical enhancement by Mana; by granting one’s magic attribute, one can transform the body and explosively improve combat ability—it is an enhancement magic. On the other hand, the difficulty of mastering it is extremely high, and if control fails, one destroys oneself; it is a double-edged sword. To be mastered by someone whose age the same as me. Is this the captain of the magic knights?
「Haaaaaaaaaa!!」
Alize-san’s sword flashed with a roaring cry. A strike wrapped in the trajectory of flame easily cut through the orc’s right arm that was approaching. In an instant, blood mist danced with a loud explosion. The orc’s huge arm soared into the air, burned by the flames, and fell to the ground.
『G……GOOOOAAA!!』
A scream.
The orc burned, writhing in anger and pain. This is our chance. Alize-san atacks in a single, swift motion She closes in on the sluggish monster and unleashes a barrage of flames, as if not to allow it to scream.
「This is the end!!」
She thrusts the sword into the right chest marked with a brand and releases the flames wrapped around the blade all at once. The black iron skin is scorched, the muscles crackle, and its own fat becomes fuel, causing its entire body to ignite. The smell of the burning makes her nose twist.
The flames disappear, and the orc collapses forward with a thud.
「…It’s over.」
Alize-san mutters in a voice mixed with regret. The devastation wrapped in flames was spectacular, so why? My lack of experience instinct whispers that it won’t end here.
「— Wonderful. as expected of the kingdom’s mage knight order」
The sound of clapping comes from behind. When I turned around, it was none other than the one Alize-san ordered me to protect and strictly forbade me from getting out of the carriage—
「Nielb-san, is this your doing?」
「Were you behind the orc attacks?」
「Yes. As you can see. I’m the one who provoked that pig, that mad orc」
Alize-san and I asked Nielb-san and he didn’t deny it, shrugging and answering playfully. He wore a smile, but there’s a kind of madness seeping from his expression.
「Man, I didn’t expect it to be defeated. I thought you were a little easier to kill. But your alias of Raging Flame is no exaggeration」
「Shut up. Why would you do this? What’s your goal?」
Alize asked, suppressing the anger and the urge to attack him, as Nielb-san spoke with a cheerful and carefree attitude. Nielb-san continued speaking without breaking his wicket smile in front of her.
「Goal? Kufufu. It is none other than you, Alize Heart-san.」
「What do you mean?」
「I am researching forbidden magic, and that has caught the attention of the Kingdom’s Mages’ Knights. When I was agonizing over what to do, a noble called out to me」
Nielb-san’s expression deepend, becoming more wicked and leecherous. I quietly put my hand on the hilt so as not to be noticed.
「If you kill Alize Heart, you will be guaranteed safety and funding for your research, and even a status. Such a wonderful offer, you can’t refuse, can you?」
「That?…all for that…! You killed my comrades for that!?」
「A difference in perspective. No, it’s a difference in thought or philosophy. To me, this might be the most important reason, but for you, it’s nothing」
Nielb-san shrugs his shoulders as he speaks. Hearing the story, the answer to what I had already questioned came to mind.
「Could it be that the mission to repair the waning barrier was a setup to kill Alize-san?」
「Hahaha, you got it right. Soma-kun, you’re not just strong, but you have good instincts too., You’re right, this is orchestrated byt he nobles who wanted to kill Alize-san」
Nielb-san laughs, saying that the powerful people are crazy, but to me, it’s nothing to laugh at. To fabricate a m ission to kill a single knight, it’s nothing but tyrannical
「If there’s one correction I have to add, it’s that it was set up from the point where Alize was transferred to Tormenas under the guise of a transfer… but well, it doesn’t matter.」
「Th-that… that means the Knights also tacitly accepted that I would be killed…?」
The strength left Alize’s body, and the sword she was holding fell to the ground with a sound. She’s betrayed by those she believed in. The light left her amber eyes, and her expression was stained with despair.
「…What have I been fighting for…?」
As if her soul had drained away, collapsing slightly, the words whispered without strength told that the knightly pride and loyalty to the country she had carried all along had all returned to nothingness.
「That’s how it is. It’s a good thing to have a strong sense of justice as a knight, but moderation in everything is important. It’s good that you learned that before you died」
Betrayed by those you believe in. It’s no wonder she’s in despair.
「That’s the end of it. Thanks for your hard work, Alize-san. You must be tired, go take a rest」
「ーーAs if!」
My instincts rang the bell. I draw the sword from my scabbard and slashed at Nielb-san. But he must’ve expected that, a thin, light-green wall appeared and my strike got blocked. This is the sorcery that protected Theodore and me during the duel. So this is how you use it?
「ーーー?!」
「You’re merciless against someone unarmed, Soma-san. But, it’s too late」
An empty right hand. Behind it is a scorched chunk of orc flesh. When I think that it is enveloped in a black mist, it heals rapidly. Abnormal regeneration. It is evidence of Nielb-san’s Sorcery’s interference.
「Healing magic?」
「It’s a special one. This isn’t just healing. I layered on more enhancement and madness out of respect」
This is the end. As soon as Nielb-san finished speaking the regenerating orc roared. THe giant body, which was not just back to normal, but even larger, attacked again.
「ーーAlize-san!!」
That killing intent turned back, and I caught the raised arm with my sword. The ground caved in. The sharp impact ran through my body, and my bones groaned.
(What kind of power is this, monster…!)
「Soma… kun…」
Alize-san’s voice, devoid of strength, reached from behind. I whipped his body in a scream and pushed back the orc’s fist.
「Alize-san, step back. I’ll face this」
You can’t make her fight when she has lost her morale. But dealing with this monster and Nielb-san by myself would be extremely difficult. But there’s no other choice. He took a deep breath and exhaled his weakness.
「Keep resisting. FineーKill both of them, Mad Orc」
『Goooooooh!』
The orc roared in a low, muffled voice. Foam dripped from the corner of his mouth, and his red eyes, devoid of any shred of reason, held a definite will in that roar. It wasn’t bestial instinct. It was as if he was declaring that he would swing everything to surely slaughter the enemy with fighting spirit and killing intent, having understood the command.
The orc stepped forward, and the ground trembled. A storm of giant fists scattering death. While desperately dodging and slashing, he can’t even inflict a scratch.
(Isn’t this stronger than when it was fighting Alize and the others?)
Although he couldn’t defeat him, Teodor’s slash certainly cut through the Oak. But the sensation transmitted through the sword felt less like flesh and more like hitting thick iron armor.
「How about it, Soma? This is the madness caused by subordination magic. Well, it’s useless to tell you since you can’t use magic」
「I see. I get why this is appointed as forbidden magic」
「Do you get it now? Now please die」
「ーー!!?」
Tearing the air, Mad Orc rushes towards me. The mighty arm swung down from the upper rank roared as it approached my eyes. I instantly twisted my body and prepared my sword as if to deflect it, but it was too late.
Dogaaaan!!!
「Gah!!!」
Impact. I was blown backward, rolled around while being hit by the ground like pebbles several times, and finally stopped. Excruciating pain shot through every bone, and I couldn’t breathe properly.
(This is… dangerous. Some of my bones are broken)
The pain that I had experienced enough during training with Marius brother. Feeling the taste of iron slowly in my mouth, I stood up, using the sword as a staff.
「Soma-kun!」
A voice drained of blood. Alize, who rushed over, supported my trembling body.
「Don’t push yourself, you’ve done enough」
A weak yet straight gaze. That gaze pierced my chest, and the desire to break and the will to fight that were about to disappear were rekindled, and I stood up, swaying. I’m still awake. I can hold the sword. If so, I’m still a warrior
「Stop it! I’m the one they want. You can run, Soma-kun」
「I can’t. If I run here, Alize-san, no, a lot more people will die to that man」
Regulate my breathing. If the pain is just enough to make my bones creak and my heart break, then I already died in Lindebauum a long time ago.
「That’s surprising. Do you think I look like a murderer who kills indiscriminately?」
Nielb smiles wryly, as if telling me to give it a rest.
Subordinating monsters and driving them mad. There must be someone who studies such sorcery and gladly wields it for assassination. Especially if there is a noble behind it.
「I don’t know. If you’re a knight, that’s one thing, but an adventurer? Why would you risk your life here? Or have you given up?」
「You’re right, I’m an adventurer. But, unfortunately, I haven’t fallen so low where I can ust abandon someone to save myself」
「Is that so? Then, I’ll kill you along with Alize Heart as well. I’ll leave no bones behind」
The pure black Mana mud envelops the orc again.
Nielb quietly chants a spell.
「— Anger, frenzy, devour everything」
『“GUGOOOOOOOOOAAARRRRR!!!』
Enraged, indignant, and screaming, the orc’s body swells up by more than one size as if responding to it. The skin becomes even black and hardened, and ominous, vein-like structures crawl across his body, centered around the marking on his right chest. There is no original form of the orc from when he was first an orc. This is a monster, and the only thing remaining is the instinctive urge to kill the prey in front of it.
「Soma-kun, get back. I’ll deal with it」
Poof, red flames light up Alize’s body and sword. However, compared to when she overwhelmed the orc at first, her momentum is lacking. She is like a candle that will disappear if blown out. What hapens if she fights in this state is as clear as seeing fire.
There’s a reason why she started being targeted for her life, and there’s no time to ask. She isn’t interested in such trivial things.
「You can’t. Alize, please stay back」
「But…! Soma can’t use magic, so no matter what, you can’t do that..!」
Alize cries out in a mournful voice. A faint tear is seeping in her eyes. It’s not unreasonable; she was betrayed by what she believed in and thrown into the abyss of despair.
The injuries to her body can be endured. But the wounds to her heart are not something that can be ignored. That’s why I want to protect this noble knight, Alize Heart. If I let her die and I survive, I’ll never forgive myself.
「I don’t want to let you die here for such an unreasonable reason.」
While answering, I also make up my mind. The resolve to use the only magic I can use.
An ancient book received from Fiona-neesan. An enchantment that involves carving an exceptionally unorthodox seal—one that, for some reason, I intuitively felt I could use among the vast array of magic described there. But this forcibly twists a person’s will and tramples their dignity. In other words, it’s the same kind of subjugation magic that Nielb inflicted on the Orcs. But—–
「ーーAlize-san. Could you entrust your life to me?」
「Huh?」
I quietly speak to Alize’s weak back as she hesitantly turns around. Confused, she looks back in fear.
Let me use my magic on you, Alize.
「Soma-kun’s magic?」
Alize-san’s confused. That’s obvious. I’ve already said that I can’t use magic, and I just overwhelmed Theodor with swordsmanship. And now, in this critical moment, I’ve told her to ‘let me use magic’.
But time won’t wait. The pig monster has transformed beyond its original form, and its killing intent pierces the skin. And Nielb wears a twisted smile as if he is certain of our deaths.
「Yes. The only magic I can use. There’s no other way to turn this situation around」
I placed my hand on Alize-san’s trembling shoulder. The emotion conveyed by her, who is enhanced by magic, is hesitation and confusion.
「If Soma-kun uses his magic on me, can we beat that orc?」
She stares intently at my face with a look of anxiety. I nod and then explain briefly.
「My magic is bestowal that maximizes the talent of the target who has a mark inscribed on them.」
「A magic that grants such extraordinary power? I’ve never heard of it…!」
「However. The target who has a mark inscribed on them becomes my retainer. Until they die, forever. Would you accept that?」
To call it retainer might sound nice. Although it’s not something that binds one’s will, it’s no different from the devilish magic Nielb performed on the orc. Alize looks down, hesitating.
「……The knight order and the country to whom I pledged myself, they betrayed me. Do you believe in a me like this? You tell me to live… to fight?」
「Yes. Even so, I want you to live.」
Without hesitation, I stare intently into her wavering eyes and answer. I know it’s cruel to say this to her, who is wounded both mentally and physically.
「I will support you. I’ll take responsibility for the rest of our lives. So… please fight with me, Alize-san」
That is the best form of atonement I can offer for having warped her life.
「Okay. I believe in Soma-kun. Carve that seal in me」
Alize-san looked up and voiced her answer. Her voice did not waver. In those eyes dwelt a clear light, discovered from the very depths of despair.
「Are you sure?」
「Yes. You can have my life, Soma-kun
As she spoke forcefully, as if kicking me in the back, a fierce fire flared up deep within Alize’s eyes.
Having been entrusted with this resolve, I took a deep breath, then moved my hand—which had been resting on Alize’s shoulder—down across her collarbone, past her heart and abdomen, until it reached the lower part of her belly, well below her navel.
Every time those fingertips touch her skin, a faint heat and heartbeat are transmitted to me. Hesitation and the desire to save Alize fiercely wrestle within my chest.
This might be an act that wounds her dignity. But in this situation, the only way to save her is this. While picturing the heretical and taboo mark written in the old book, I engrave it onto Alize with all the Mana I possess.
「Hii!…? Ah, ahhh…!」
Alize-san’s body twitches as if struck by an electric current, and a moan that doesn’t suit a battlefield escapes. Another person’s Mana is invading the depths of her own flesh.
That is like pouring in a foreign substance, and it is intense pain that burns her entire body, mixed with pleasure. Her eyes become moist, and their focus blurs. The waves of pain and irresistible pleasure, which she is tossed about, are transmitted to me with painful intensity through the mark.
「Nngh… haa… aah…!」
She bit her lips to endure, but a sweet breath mixed with pain and pleasure escaped her mouth, and Alize’s cheeks flushed red. Her hips naturally writhed lustfully, and she started to twitch. Her body seemed to be reacting instinctively, as if it were accepting new power.
Soon, my Mana spread throughout her body, and demonic, lustful patterns of wing shapes and sword marks appeared in her lower abdomen. At that moment, Alize’s body arched backward like a bow, as if lightning had struck. The same pattern appeared on the back of my left hand in response, and Alize’s hot Mana flowed back to me. It was a sense of omnipotence, a rapture that bound their souls deeply.
「—Ah, nngh, aah, aaaaaah!!」
Closing her eyes tightly, her face twisted in pain and ecstasy, a sweet, melted scream burst from the depths of her throat. At the same time, Alize’s hot, burning Mana flowed back into my body.
The sensation of her flame-like power permeating her entire body through her blood vessels was like a blessing of rain falling on a withered land. My Mana and Alize’s Mana mixed together, and a sense of fulfillment that had never been felt before rushed through my entire body.
A stabbing pain ran through my left hand, and an imprint appeared on my palm. And the brain was intoxicated by the ecstatic sense of omnipotence gained from connecting with Alize-san in terms of sensation, consciousness, power, and mind and body.
「…Nngh, haah, haanh…」
All the strength left my body in an instant, and I hurriedly hugged Alize-san, who was about to collapse from her knees. The pattern just etched onto her back felt a pulsating heat in the arm that wrapped around her. Her face was wet with tears and sweat, but it seemed to be immersed in some sweet afterglow.
「Soma-kun… what is this…?」
Alize-san’s voice held surprise and confusion. While leaning on my chest, she touched her lower abdomen with trembling hands.
「Yes. The bestow magic succeeded」
I, too, couldn’t hide my surprise at the unknown power surging within my body. The power overflowed, enveloping me in a confidence and omnipotence that made me feel like I wouldn’t lose against anyone. Connecting through Alize-san’s Mana flowing within me and the mark, I felt a sense of deep understanding between us.
「Wait for me, Soma-kun. I’ll finish it up」
As I moved my body away, Alize-san took a graceful action, raising her sword to face the monster, an orc. Her figure, clad in crimson phosphorescence, was truly a goddess of war governing fire.
I was barely able to stand from the backlash of unleashing Sorcery with all my might, and could only watch her back.
「Oh dear… pretending a lover’s quarrel in the middle of a battle I didn’t know that bestow could be such a lewd magic」
「Prepare yourself, Nielb. I will defeat that ugly creature and capture you.」
Hearing Alize-san’s announcement, Nielb-san didn’t shrink and laughed in delight.
「Hahahaha, geez. Whatver was granted to you is another thing, but you’re quite bold. Do you really think you can beat my mad orc?」
「I will」
The moment he answered with a voice full of confidence and certainty, a bright red aura erupted from Alize’s body. It was not a weak aura, but a fierce flame like the sun that scorched all things. Even the beautiful flaxen hair turned crimson, and the surrounding air wavered under the overwhelming heat.
「Well now… how is that possible? It’s just an exaggeration. Then I will shatter that confidence right in front of you!」
「You won’t!」
Nielbu smiled enjoyably and raised his hand, trying to pour Mana into the Orc again, but Alize kicked the ground to prevent it. Her movements, clad in crimson, were incomparably stronger and faster than before. She closed the distance to Nielb in an instant.
「—! Come here, Mad Orc!」
Surprised by the sudden and rapid approach of the enemy, Nielb interrupted his transformation and summoned the subjugated, deformed pig. While roaring, a threat approached from behind, but Alize dealt with it with terrifying calmness.
「ーーFlame Armor (Flame Activate)」
After muttering this, the flames she was wearing were released with a ‘poof,’ and a large pillar of fire rose around Alize-san. The Orc, sensing that touching her would burn him, stopped advancing and leaped back widely.
While the Orc growled and guarded, the pillar of fire gradually subsided, revealing Alize’s figure. Instead of the flashy flames, the body that appeared from Alize-san was enveloped in a red phosphorescence. There was a faint glow, but the heat was higher than before.
「W-what is that power?」
「ーーHere I go」
The look of composure vanished from Nielb’s face, replaced by agitation. While Alize dashed forward, making a sound that seemed to erase that question.
Through the imprint, the ability of《Flame Activation》 entered her mind. This is an advanced form of physical magic enhancement, and that crimson glow is Alize-san’s condensed Mana. Her combat ability in melee combat improved dramatically, and the power of her magic also increased significantly.
「GWOOOO—!!」
The orc swung its massive arms with incredible speed. But Alize chose not to dodge, but instead to meet the attack.
DOGAAN!!
A dull impact sound echoed. In the past, a single blow like this—even a mere grazing hit—would have pulverized both the light armor and the human form within it. Yet, Alize managed to withstand it with just her left hand.
「That can’t be!」
Although it couldn’t utter words, even the monster was wide-eyed. Nielb also let out a cry of astonishment at the unbelievable sight.
Alize-san accelerated. While making the trajectory of scorching light sparkle, she inflicted wounds on the Orc’s body with black steel one after another. It was a prison of slashes. It was a cage of death that would never let go until the captured sinner was turned to ash.
「GWOOOROOOOOAAARRRR!!」
The Orc lets out a roar of anger and agony. Even its hardened body, crazed and strengthened, is like a piece of paper before the blade wrapped in compressed flames. The smell of rotten flesh burning filled the air.
「Aaah, t-that’s impossible! A mad orc is struggling because of bestow magic?!」
While scratching its head, Nielb stomped his feet. The talent that the engraving brought out in Alize—that was just a glimpse of it. Despite this, she overwhelms the crazed Orc monster until its original form disappears. Her form, wrapped in flames and overwhelming the monster, is exactly the fire goddess depicted in heroic tales.
「Your will, I will set you free.」
With words of compassion, Alize thrust the flame sword into the Orc’s heart. And she uttered incantations that seemed to beg for life.
「——Blazing Blossom Detonation (Flare Arga)」
The radiance of the flames deepened further, emitting a pure crimson glow.
It is a lethal, decisive magic—one that obliterates enemies possessing impenetrable defenses or high regenerative capabilities, leaving no trace behind by compressing the flames sheathed around her blade to their absolute limit and then detonating them.
Along with a roar that silenced the Orc’s screams, a giant pillar of fire ascended into the sky. The way that flame exploded and spread was as if a scorching flower was blooming.
『G……GAAAAAAARRRRR!!!』
As the screams of the Orc vanished into the air, the Orc’s massive body collapsed into charred flesh by the petals of the blooming true flame.
「Haa, haa, it’s over, right?」
Alize gasped for breath while staggering, and the red phosphorescence gently vanished. She used the power drawn by the mark to its full extent. Not only her body but also her mind had long exceeded its limits.
I quickly ran over and supported her body, which was about to collapse. Fatigue was deeply reflected on her face, but in her eyes, there shone a certain light of victory.
「Yes, it’s over. It’s our winーー」
「Damn it… damn it… damn it!!」
A scream stained with curses and hatred overlapped my words as I tried to say it.
「…Nielb! You were still alive…!」
「Of course! How could something this ridiculous happen…」
Nielb’s right half was blackened as if carbonized, and the stench of burnt flesh spread around. He must have been exposed to the heat wave that spread with the pillar of fire. If the defensive Sorcery hadn’t been in time, his whole body would have been burned to a crisp.
「You, bastard! You!!! Soma!!! What kind of magic did you use?!」
A monster created with forbidden magic was never expected to be defeated by a single female knight. Nielb, screaming while scattering saliva, glared at me. He is a talking creature despite being near death. I gently lay Alize on the ground and confronted the magician who had fallen to evil.
「Just bestow magic. I just applied a mark to bring out Alize’s talent.」
“Don’t mess with me!! ‘bestow magic’ that draws out a target’s latent talent, you say!? I’ve never heard of such a convenient and powerful form of magic! What on earth is that… what exactly is it!? Come to think of it, you mentioned turning Alize into your ‘servant’—isn’t that the exact same thing as my own ‘subordination magic’!?”
「Wrong. My magic is different from yours」
「Then give that power—give that mark—to me! I shall analyze it all and ascend to the pinnacle of the kingdom!」
「That’s an impossible request」
I’m probably the only one who can attach that Furthermore, it’s completely unknown, nobody knows about it. A magician would want to know about it no matter what. Especially for Nielb, who plays with taboos. But that won’t happen.
「You’re also done, Nielb. Surrender」
「Don’t mess with me! There’s no way I can die here—gaah!?」
Nielb spits out a large amount of blood. A snake-like pattern rises from his unharmed left half, and his face quickly contorts in pain. Unable to understand what is happening, red tears flow from his wide eyes filled with terror.
「Curse magic」
Alize-san, who had managed to stand up, came next to me. In her face resided a cold anger different from the killing intent she had directed at the Orc.
Curse magic This form of magic was once used by the nobility to eliminate those who stood in their way, but the number of its practitioners plummeted following the spread of counter-magic. On the other hand, learning and using this implies that one is a capable person.
「In short, you are the same as me… an obstacle」
「Th-that’s not right…! Why…!」
Alize-san made a ruthless declaration to Nielb, who was writhing in pain. Realizing that he had been betrayed and despairing, he still reached out into the void seeking salvation, but the god of mercy did not smile at him.
When the cursed snake finished crawling over Nielb’s entire body, an ominous miasma rose from his body, and the surrounding plants quickly withered.
「N-no…! I don’t want to die here…!」
He tried to beg for his life with his last strength, but Nielb’s body collapsed into black mud and was soon turned into dust blown away by the wind. The fate of the man who stained his hands with forbidden magic, made monsters subservient, and disregarded lives, was too pitiful and gruesome to be called a human death.
「Nielb!」
It’s not that I feel sorry for him. I cannot forgive the nobles who egg him on, only to cast him aside without a second thought once he has served his purpose. And it felt like being confronted once more that our lives are also insignificant.
「Damn it… dammit!」
He clenched his fist so tightly that his nails dug into his palm. The same anger and helplessness that he felt when he was exiled by his father smoldered in his chest.
「It’s alright, Soma-kun」
Alize-san gently touched my shoulder. She wore a gentle smile that enveloped my heart, though fatigue from the fight still showed on her face.
What am I doing? Alize-san was killed by the country that betrayed the comrades she trusted. To make such a person feel considerate is the worst.
「Sorry, Alize-san. I did something you shouldn’t have… I imprinted the seal of the retainer..」
「Soma-kun’s kind. You don’t have to worry about it」 Becoming Soma’s retainer was what I wished for」
As she said that, Alize hugged me tightly. The soft warmth of a person he had long forgotten.
「If we didn’t have this power, we would have been killed by now. I owe Soma-kun my life」
「Still, because of that…」
I argued with Nielb that we’re simlilar yet different. But it’s just the difference between whether or not the will is bound; the essence is the same as servitude—
「ーーI’m connected to Soma-kun….I’m glad to be your retainer」
「Huh?」
Startled by the unexpected words, I looked up and met Alize’s eyes, which were filled with a love as tender as a saint’s. While stroking my head, she continued speaking.
「I can feel Soma-kun’s thoughts through this seal. Suffering, regret, remorse—so much of it. But at the same time, I’m enveloped in Soma-kun’s warm and gentle feelings, and it makes me very happy.」
「H-Happy? From my magic? Really?」
「\Soma-kun’s Mana is so warm. It envelops me, as if protecting me」
「Alize-san, I…」
I thought I hurt her. Even though it was to escape a difficult situation, carving a seal on her body and making her my retainer felt like the lowest of things to me—
「I was on the verge of despair after being betrayed by something I had believed in, but thanks to the seal I received from Soma-kun, I realized I’m not alone. No matter what happens, we will be togeter. That’s why I was able to stand up」
Alize-san’s words deeply soaked into my dry heart.
The inferiority complex I had carried. The dissatisfaction of being exiled from my family. The guilt of having carved a seal on Alize-san. And above all, the loneliness that I had felt for a long time seemed to melt away little by little with those warm words.
Before I knew it, I was hugging Alize-san back. They were so slender and delicate—hardly the sort of person you’d imagine, having once been wreathed in flames and wielding a sword with such might to annihilate those ferocious orcs. And the warmth that radiated from him filled my heart with relief.
「Thank you, Alize-san. It’s good that we are connected」
I don’t want to let go of this gentle warmth. I don’t want to betray her trust. For the sake of protecting Alize-san, I will face any difficulty. Thinking that, I hugged her even tighter.
「Please take care of me from now on, Soma-kun.’」
When Alize-san smiled softly, like an angel from a picture book she read as a child, I couldn’t help but be mesmerized.
How long did we hold each other? I wished time would just stop like this, but reality is unforgiving. Alize-san gently pulled away from my arms.
「Well then. Shall we go back to the city? I need to report everything to Gold-san.」
「Right…」
Answering while tightly suppressing the lingering feelings. Alize-san, who stretched her back with a ‘Nn,’ already had the look of a knight on her face. I need to switch things up too.
「Let’s go, Soma-kun」
As if that pathetic feeling of mine was conveyed, Alize-san reached out her hand. Feeling a slight shyness, I took her hand and returned to the city of Tormenas.
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