Author: Yume Neiji

While Zirconia’s fort is in turmoil, we sailed up a tributary and arrived on our own shore without difficulty. Raquel-san lifts the anchor that holds the ship in place by herself. She will hurl it into the shallow water a little further away from the shore –if the ship gets too close to the shore, it will run aground and we will have to fix it in that case.

“Oh Apsaras, guide the chains that hold our ship to the bottom of the water…!”

At the command of Noin, Apsaras dances in the air above the surface of the water –then a vortex is formed on the water’s surface. It will guide the anchor to the bottom of the water.

“―Seyaaa!”

When Raquel-san throws the anchor, far from slowing down due to the water resistance, it goes underwater while rotating at a tremendous speed instead. After throwing a number of anchors needed to fix the ship in place, Dite-san wiped Raquel-san’s sweat.

“Thank you for your hard work, Knight Captain. Against your strength and magic combined, enemies are nothing right.”

 “Indeed, the power of magic is great. However, I can only exert my full strength thanks to Grass-dono…”

“Grass-sensei, did you also treat Raquel-ane? And personally…?”

Presha-san has a curious look on her face. For sure she’s wondering when did we do such a thing. After I applied the spirit mark on Astina-denka, in the room next to it ―If I explain it like that, Raquel-san may feel embarrassed. In fact, she is now holding her mouth as if she just made a mistake.

“N-No. That… It’s because I’m also a doctor you see. Just by looking at it, I can tell where the strain on your body is. I will notice it even if you hide it.”

“Uhmm… I’m energetic and not hurt anywhere so I didn’t receive any treatment. But if you have time, I’d like you to check up on me too. You know, just in case.”

“That’s what everyone thinks. I also got helped to cure my insomnia… If you take some time to ask for a medical check up, you are likely to become less energetic.”

There is also the word preventive medicine, like checking their nutrition and the daily burden on their body, then I can adjust and maintain it with my own hand on a daily basis.

But, I wonder why –was it because everyone is relieved that our mission was completed safely? I feel that the way they look at me is closer to those coming from a woman than from a knight.

“…Milord is really being yearned for. From how I see it, I think it’s close to being worship.”

Noin says with a smile while her light blue hair flutters in the river breeze. It seems that she is still grateful to me, but since she is from the same school and is close to my age, the term “Milord” feels a little bit off after all.

“The one to be worshiped should be Astina-denka as she is the shrine maiden of the sacred tree, I am just a spirit user.”

 “The one who can bring out the power of the sacred tree through me is you. And that is…”

“N-No, please don’t speak anymore than that. I’m one of the subjects who follow Your Highness, and I’m in the same position as everyone else.”

I knew it from the time I signed contract with the sacred tree. Her Highness, who is connected to the sacred tree, is changing her attitude towards me.

A maiden from the Royal family shows an attitude of being equal to me, or perhaps she will even obey me. Even now, if I didn’t stop her, she could have said that I, who also contracted with the sacred tree should be the one worshipped than her who is only a shrine maiden –well, this maybe me exaggerating things.

―But if Her Highness wouldn’t say anything just because I interrupted her, that would be a different story.

“Grass who made a contract with the sacred tree became an existence on the same level of the sacred tree. I believe that it is my mission to worship the sacred tree, respect its power, and convey its benefits to the people. I view Grass who can use the “miracles” of the sacred tree as his magic as the most important person on the Knights Order.”

The river’s breeze calms down and passes between us. Even though I knew that Astina-denka gave me the best compliment, I don’t know how to react. The first person to respond was Raquel-san. When she looked at me, her gaze had a lot of trust that I couldn’t even imagine from the time I first met her.

“From now on, our knights’ order will reach a major turning point. With the presence of Grass-dono and the others, by having three magicians, we were able to change the situation where we could only be cornered. For Astina-denka and for the people, I can continue to wield my sword and move forward without bending my belief. I am really grateful for that.”

“At first, I thought you’d soon be scared of the battlefield and run away, but it was totally different. I don’t know how to apologize to Grass-sensei for that misunderstanding…”

“It was the same for me too. We defended against Zirconia without relying on men and I thought we had to continue to do that. That is, Grass-sensei… it was because I just didn’t know any gentleman who can be an unwavering pillar like you.”

Why do the three of them says it to this extent?

It’s like if they don’t say it now, they won’t be able to say it anymore.

―It is because we don’t know if we can survive in the upcoming battle with General Alejandro.

“…Well for me, since I met everyone, since I came to Isle Rose Fortress, I started to think that I am not a “flop”, that even I can help others too.”

I had to work hard even just to acknowledge my own self. When I was at the academy, I think I was often down while trying not to become useless. Since I met the elders and started talking to them, I’ve been looking up a lot. It became natural for me to look up at the branches of a big tree.

Leslie wasn’t depressed when she pulled the “air” spirit and goes off the path of the elites. When she spent more time with me, she talked about things that I don’t know if she was serious or not –Sven taught me how to live without worrying as things will happen if it’s bound to take place.

There was nothing wrong with my journey so far. So that it will stay that way from now on, I need to earnestly think on what I can do to keep everyone alive even if I know they are already prepared for it.

“I don’t want anyone to die. I don’t want to convince myself anymore that I’ve done what I can just by healing those who are injured while seeing someone die without being able to do anything.”

This is not something that should be said especially since everyone here is a knight. Even so, I don’t want to send them to the battlefield without conveying it.

“…So please let us think about it together. Like a strategy where we could avoid any damage when confronting the enemy army.”

Me, Leslie, and Noin are combat magicians. With the addition of this new forces and the acquisition of a warship, it should be possible to defeat the enemy base where Alejandro is located. We could make it fall in a way that was not possible before.

We were able to neutralize the base where the warship was being built with only a small number. We have Laune and Rei, the familiars of the sacred tree –there is Earia and Apsaras too. With all these spirits, if the enemy doesn’t have a magician, we can create the situation overwhelmingly favourable to us.

“…Not having any casualty is the ideal. However, any commander takes casualties into account when planning a strategy.”

I know it’s exactly as what Astina-denka has said. My thoughts are childish and I’m not really facing the reality. But she did not negate me.

“However… The power of the spirits will surely make the impossible possible, I want to believe that too. I have witnessed the miraculous events that you have caused many times you see.”

“…Your Highness…”

“Grass, Leslie, Noin. The three of you, please help us. Noin, when I said I can’t forgive your sins, thinking of what I said I…”

“No. I only have the desire to work with all my heart to make Milord’s ideal a reality. I am already satisfied if I can be forgiven for that.”

Noin would easily sacrifice herself for me. That’s why I have to be careful. That’s the case for Leslie too. She’s always protecting me in a moment notice –it was fine until now, but if that continues, she could be seriously injured someday.

“…If I’ll be with Grass-nii, I’ll also… I will try to be as useful as possible with my magic.”

“Thank you, Leslie. You really hold Grass dearly right.”

“……I’m……”

Leslie’s answer couldn’t be heard because of the wind. Astina-denka seemed to know what Leslie was trying to say. Before I can ask her, Her Highness approaches the edge of the ship. Looking down on the shore, there are scouts from Isle Rose Fortress who came to patrol. They are Dite-san’s subordinates.

“Y-Your Highness… this ship is…”

Because it is hidden by the magic of fog, you can’t see it unless you get very close to the warship. As a result, the scouts are quite stunned. When Dite-san also appeared from the top of the ship, the soldiers salute in a hurry.

“This is Zirconia’s warship. It’s magically concealed so it will take some time before the enemy detects it.”

“We’ll use this to proceed to the next operation. You should scout the eastern part of the fortress. If there is an enemy movement on the opposite bank, let us know immediately.”

“Y-Yes… We understand!”

As Her Highness commanded, the scouts run on horseback. After seeing them off, we got off the boat using the rope ladder and stood on the ground. Passing through the reed beds, we headed to Isle Rose Fortress. Seeing the fortress with the sunrise on its back makes me feel proud rather than nostalgic.

“…We managed to come back without losing anyone.”

The knights opened their eyes wide to Astina-denka’s words. Her Royal Highness was also worried about this operation of sneaking into the enemy’s territory –Although she said that she’s not afraid, she still voiced her relief.

 “Of course, neither I nor everyone is doing half-baked training.”

“Haa～… I was nervous though. I thought I had to fight everyone in that fort.”

“Before that happens, I was going to do something about it. But I was able to save that too.”

It was the gunpowder weapon prepared by Dite-san, the “Fire Lance”. Using that newly developed weapon carries great risks. The fact that it was not used can be said as a good fortune.

Even if I know that the knights are always fighting with their lives, I still can’t help but think.

I won’t let anyone die. I’ll use all the means I can use to achieve that –I’ll protect everyone who said I was their “support” with my own hands.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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When I boarded the warship, Noin taught me how to set sail. After Presha-san and Raquel-san removed the chains that hold the ship together, Noin stands on the pontoon bridge.

It’s still far from morning but the moon is starting to tilt. The sound of the movement of Zirconia’s cavalry that we heard from the east is already approaching right outside the fort.

“If they find out that Baile became our prisoner, the enemy’s response will be quicker. If possible, I’d like to distract them even a little…”

“When the enemy enters the fort, you will use the “trap” that you have prepared. Since we can also involve the soldiers coming from outside of this fort, the function of this fort will completely stop. That’s what you meant to do right?”

Even though I proposed doing that, Her Royal Highness did not agree immediately. She bites her lips and she exudes some kind of remorse.

“Fighting is not your job. Despite that… and even though we know that you don’t want to use spirits to hurt other people, we rely solely on you.”

I will now specifically use my magic to attack the enemy soldiers. If the mandrake was pulled out, some soldiers will die as their life force will be sucked up.

“…I’m saying this based on our own selfish ideal thought but… Grass, I don’t want you to kill people like we do.”

“Yes… that’s right. Grass-sensei… you’re different from me. One day, you can live in a peaceful and lively place… you need to live and forget everything about this war.”

“Truthfully, it’s just a naive thought but… We know how kind you are so we can’t help but hope that you won’t change.”

Then I… ―I want to go back to the time before the war broke out and before everyone killed the enemy soldiers with their own hands.

But no matter how much we wish for it, it’s inevitable. Our relationship with the neighbouring kingdom’s had already deteriorated even before we were born and we couldn’t maintain the shape of this kingdom without fighting. I became a military doctor hoping to help others. There is really nothing different from these girls who became knights to protect the people.

“…Summoner-sama will not change. I will never let him change. Rei thinks so too.”

In response to Arlaune’s words, the root of the mandrake in my pocket glowed –Rei, who materialized, looked up at me and said,

“…Once I suck up the enemy’s life force, if you don’t want them to be sucked more and die, tell them to throw away their weapons and run away. I don’t know what will happen after that… But that’s not a matter Summoner-sama has to worry about. Besides, the enemy killed dozens of Summoner-sama’s companions. Honestly, I myself can’t help from dying after that.”

Rei’s principles ​​would represent the spirits’ perception on the human world. Originally, as a resident of the spirit world, they sometimes contract with humans to help them but they rarely interfere with them.

But still, Rei understood my feelings. It may kill people so she thinks that I won’t want that.

“It’s possible to kill all the enemy soldiers in this fort. But, Rei won’t do that… she knows that even if she does, nothing will change.”

“…Summoner-sama”

Rei who is only half as tall as me got a little teary-eyed. I bent over and stroked her head.

Instead of hair, she has this characteristically large leaves that grow like hair ornaments. The mandrake’s leaves itself may have the power to heal people. I can’t just expect Rei to serve as a tool for battle.

“It’s fine even if you can only make the soldiers here to become a “burden”. If General Alejandro sends troops to give Noin a new command, they will also get drag to it and will stop moving.”

“During that time, we will attack Alejandro’s main corps. As quickly as possible… right?”

The knights nod to Astina-denka’s words. Our strategy has been decided –we will escape while this fort is in turmoil.

“…Noin, can we use Baile to mislead Alejandro?”

“That’s… I’ve came here to make sure if Baile is really loyal to Alejandro. And Baile is essentially a man who is faithful to his desires. But he got angry at Alejandro for using me to buy his loyalty. If he sneaked out of the fort alone to remonstrate Alejandro, maybe we can make it possible.”

Noin doesn’t seem to notice it herself, but she’s trying to hold her body involuntarily.

What was she told to do for Baile? Why did she choose to resist the command even at the stake of her life?

When I think about it, inconsolable feeling wells up in me.

He made Noin fight her home kingdom, but not only that, he also tried to use her for something else. Alejandro… I don’t know what he looks like but…

“We can’t expect to defeat Alejandro using Baile, and even if we take Baile as a POW to negotiate, he will only be discarded for sure. If he turned himself in for not being able to control the turmoil in the fort, there certainly is a possibility that he can meet Alejandro face to face.”

Her Royal Highness looks at Raquel-san and listens to her opinions.

“If Baile can make contact with Alejandro while he’s under Arlaune’s hypnosis, we may be able to extract information from him. It may be possible to shake him up directly.”

 “I have the same opinion as Raquel-ane but… if Baile is refused an audience then it can’t be helped in that case.”

 “We won’t know anything even if we killed him so it’s better to try to find out something… I think it’s time to get away from here. Grass-sensei…”

I nod to Dite-san. I already resolve myself –I’m going to fight with everyone in the truest sense.

“Rei… No, it’s Mandrake. Don’t hesitate to attract the enemy until they enter the fort and approach the barracks. Command your other part to『Scream loud』.”

“Yes, Summoner-sama”

Rei, who doesn’t always show her expression, smiles slightly. It seemed to represent her pure joy in being asked to become my strength.

“―『My other-half who share my soul. Move further away from the Pangaea garden, think of a distant land and scream out loud. 』”

Rei’s body is covered with a magenta glow –a magical color that is poisonous to humans. Her other self is probably covered with the same light. Alejandro’s troops entered the fort. Realizing that, Leslie spread out a wall of air that blocks sound and wrap around the entire ship.

Noin too. While interfering with the flow of water and moving the warship, she orders Apsaras to use a large amount of water to create fog.

“―『Oh celestial maiden born from the sea of ​​clouds, Apsaras. Together with the fog of illusions, give a dance. 』”

As soon as the ship leaves the shore and slides into the river, it is surrounded by the fog rising from the surface of the water. The illusion of fog wraps around the wall of air that blocks the screams of the unleashing Mandrake without interfering with Leslie’s magic or cancelling each other out.

I borrowed the view of Rei’s other self to see what was happening inside the fort. Looks like it became a situation where it is no longer necessary to hide within an illusion. The few soldiers who escaped the direct hit of Mandrake’s cry are extremely confused in front of the fallen soldier.

―What is that horrifying cry I just heard…? All the ones who heard that collapsed…!

―What happened to Baile and Commander!? What the hell is this…? What the hell is going on!?

―Find that magician! She did it!

―No, she’s a water magician. I can’t find any traces of “water” here…!

Noin could even use the water they drink as a medium but the enemy soldiers do not seem to know that. Fortunately the Zirconia army had little knowledge about the spirit’s magic.

“…It seems that the enemy is unlikely to go after us. Well done Rei.”

“I thought Summoner-sama… didn’t want to use me because I have a poison that kills people. But I was mistaken… I’m glad I can be of help to Summoner-sama.”

Just because it’s a poisonous plant doesn’t mean that it’s not useful in medicine –to me, the natural power of a plant including its poison or its ability to protect itself is irresistible.

“…The flow of water is reversed only in the direction this ship is going. Like it’s carrying us… So this is the power of a water spirit…”

 “But it can’t match with Grass-dono. No, I’m sure Grass-dono would say that every spirit has its strengths and can’t be compared…”

Raquel-san sees thru my thoughts brilliantly. Plants, air, water –all of them can be different. And they can even work together as we do now.

Noin also seemed relieved that it all went well. But I can’t relax just yet and she’s still blaming herself –then,

“Noin, when this ship goes out into the canal, please dock a little west of Isle Rose Fortress.”

“Yes. Your Highness… Before that, there is something I need to tell you.”

She must be planning to tell Astina-denka that our enemy is Cassandra, the Second Queen.

And after that, when we have confirmed who should we fight, we will be forced to make a decision.

Further ahead the battle against Alejandro, it’s about the Second Queen Cassandra and the Court Magician Jorg –how should we face them from now on.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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Someone screamed. It’s not just Leslie, everyone else’s voice too. However, only Astina-denka watched without saying a word. She knows that she doesn’t have to worry about anything.

With its bared black fangs, the snake that is headed towards me came into a halt. I then hold my hand over the snake –I felt like the sacred tree, Yuserish was telling me to do so.

「―Mistilteinn that lives in my branches, out of this tainted water, bring out the drops that are the source of all life. 」

“…Aaahhhhh…!”

Noin produced a voice laced with suffering –it was also the agony of death of the dark spirit that dwells inside her as it was pulled out from her. It’s the type of pain that afflicts both mind and body which occurs when a spirit is purified.

However, the one that healed her is also one of the sacred tree’s familiars, the mistletoe. As it entwined on Noin’s legs, it sucks up the vitality that was taken by the dark spirit. And as we look on, it withers as it returns the tainted power to its original vitality and gives it back to Noin and Apsaras.

Apsaras, who was on the verge of death after being incapacitated, regained her energy –her whole body is tinged with faint light, her figure with a light silk was exactly as the one referred as a celestial maiden.

Then, the dark spirit disappears completely –no, it returned to the realm of the dead.

Noin, who was just freed, looked at me. It was the first time that our gaze met and it was done purely by her own will.

“…This…this is really…”

Noin covers her face. Truthfully, I think that she has tormented herself too much. Dragged by the word “death”, Noin’s appearance could only be described as tragic but brave. But there is no need for her to despair anymore. The dark spirit that was bound to her was already purified by the power of the sacred tree.

When the mistletoe leaves Noin, it undoes its materialization at once. Then it materialized again as if it was entwined in my arm. Yuserish tells me not to be afraid.

The will that dwells in the mistletoe is directly calling me.

「―Through the Great Mother, Yuserish-sama’s order, we will recognize you as our master and serve you. From here on, we’re pleased to make your acquaintance. 」

“Yeah, please treat me well.”

「―Please do not hesitate to order me in case of danger. Other than the one I showed you this time, I have an “original role”.」

That’s right. This is why I’m always attracted to plants as they have more than just one feature. And the more I research about them, the more different aspects I can see.

Mistilteinn will also be useful in other situations as well. Arlaune too, as well as Mandrake, the plants I met in the garden of the sacred tree, the floating prickly water lily –I really want to study the healing power of plants. I’m grateful to them for helping me fight in this way.

“Noin, you are now free from the dark spirit. You no longer need to listen to their orders unwillingly…”

Before I finished speaking, Noin knelt on the magic circle and bowed deeply to me.

“Y-You don’t have to do that since we are about to fight together. Raise your head.”

However, she only looked up slightly. Does that mean she’s thanking me separately?

The battle isn’t over yet, but rather, this is just a stepping stone. After defeating Alejandro and we have a truce with Zirconia, we must take countermeasure against our opponents. I know it’s not within the military doctor’s scope to think about the Knights’ future. I did not forget that but, I just want to do what I can.

“I thought that I’m living just to die. When I killed lots of knights from Isle Rose, I know that there’s no place I can return to and I will just end up being exhausted by Zirconia… But, you changed it.”

“…I just wanted to get Noin’s help because I needed it for the Knights’ sake. That’s all of it for me. There’s nothing for you to be thankful towards me.”

“But still, I can’t help but say that I’m living this way now because of your power that freed me.”

There is no hesitation in Noin’s eyes. It wasn’t a one-time thing, those words showed her intention to join in a long-lasting battle.

“Grass Weed… No, Grass-sama. I pledge allegiance to you and the Knights of Isle Rose. Please use this life that you saved for that.”

“…Astina-denka was the one who told me to. I think everyone knows that Noin was forced to obey the enemy’s orders.”

Those who have died will not be resurrected. But Noin is not the one to be blamed here. There is another person we need to pursue. With the current Noin, she can say that without being restricted.

“Noin… Who is our enemy who sent you to Zirconia?”

“…Second Queen Cassandra. There is a court magician who is close to her. Jorg Frost, he’s the man who led the magicians unit on the Northern front. He was the one who put the dark spirit inside me and sold me to Zirconia. Shortly after that, he went up to the Royal Capital to serve the second prince, Cassandra’s son.”

Corruption is deeper than I have imagined and it’s endless –no, it appeared to be so only because from the start, we didn’t know the actual situation. As expected, the Second Queen was working behind the scenes to dismiss Astina-denka. However, there is a limit to what Cassandra can do alone, and apparently, there are people who have helped her.

Jorg Frost. The achievements of a court magician belonging to the military may or may not be publicized so I don’t know much about him. I only know his rank as a court magician.

14th Ranked –Three ranks higher than Millenia Weed, “The Jade Witch”.

“…At the time when he was studying the spirits, as a magician, he committed the taboo in this Kingdom. We have to do something about that man named Jorg or we can’t do well in the future.”

“I will do anything to beat that man…”

“You may be praised for winning even if there are sacrifices but it doesn’t suit my nature. I don’t think alone as I don’t stand alone.”

“…Yes. I will follow Grass-sama’s instructions.”

Somehow, some parts of her answers are too obedient and baffling, but when it comes to showing her sincerity, it seems unwise to correct her each time.

“Well then, this is my first command. Noin, move the warship right away.”

“Understood, Master-sama.”

Is she making fun of me? Or…

―It is natural that my contracted spirit’s calls me as “Summoner-sama” but I never imagined that a day will come when a human will call me as such…

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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If Noin use her magic to support us, the dark spirit will immediately take her life. It means that she can’t use magic until she undoes her bond with the dark spirit.

Noin’s fog can cover the entire fort. If only she could work with me… No, that idea is not good from the start.

In addition, there’s an issue on whether I can really succeed in the treatment of that dark spirit. If it fails, though Astina-denka has some power to go against the dark spirit, the three knights (Raquel-san and the others) are at risk.

A dark spirit is not a boon to living creatures, it is a curse itself. In accordance with that contract, it was bonded to Noin while having some constraints. It would indiscriminately attack anything that hinders it –there is a record that one village has been destroyed just because that person made a mistake in dealing with the dark spirit. As a result, it became forbidden. It was said that there was a book sealed in the back of the school’s library that describes the dark spirits but it is not something that ordinary students can see.

However, Noin actually contains a dark spirit inside her. It only suggests that some of the books in the Academy could be read and exploit.

Even in the Academy… not all of them are on our side. It is unlikely that my stepsister knows about this and overlooks it –I want to think that she, the headmaster of the Academy, doesn’t even know the entire Academy’s staff and the court magicians, what more of their personal connections.

“…Grass, are you worried about Millenia?”

“Uh…S-Sorry. Right now… this case is…”

“Headmaster Millenia Weed has nothing to do with me. I’m merely the tip of it so I can’t say for sure… But, I haven’t heard of any conspiracy where she’s been involved in since she was in the military though. On the contrary, she has been asking for a proper report about the status of the student’s who became a court magician.”

Did my stepsister know that some of the court magicians were making some suspicious move? Or did she ask for it to show the success of the students that the Academy produced to encourage the juniors?

―Considering the character of Millenia Weed that I know of, I think it’s both.

“If the Headmaster is really an “ally of the Kingdom”, there’s nothing wrong with it… If possible, I don’t want her to be an enemy.”

In case the Academy is under a pressure and they were forced to turn against Astina-denka… I will eventually have to fight the magicians who learned in the same school as me, and of course those court magicians who are much more capable than Noin.

“If our attack on Zirconia is relayed to the capital, those from the opposition in the Royal family may move because we violated the decree. No… they will surely try to capture me. Their aim is for my loss and maybe, to imprison me.”

If Her Highness suffers a major defeat in the battle, she will be blamed for it while using that as a weakness. Those in the Capital, whom should have been our ally, will try their best to drive her out.

But even with such situation, I think it was still a good fight. So far, though she was walking on a thin ice, she has led the Knights up to this point so she cannot be punished for her actions to protect her subordinates and the people.

“Your Highness…I have something I want to talk to you right now. It’s about Your Highness’ mother the first Queen… her son, the first prince and your sister, the second princess.”

“Noin, if you say that, your life will be at risk. For now, give priority to yourself first.”

In reality, she really wants to know about it right away. However, Her Highness refused to do so without showing any regret.

We escaped from the path we used to invade and went outside the commander’s lodging. Baile, who’s still unconscious, was lifted by the plant’s vines and brought out of the window –using the same vines, we went out and join the three people (Raquel-san and the others) who were hiding in the material shed.

“Is this man…Your Highness, is he a prisoner?”

Upon seeing the commander’s badge on Baile’s shoulder, Raquel-san immediately perceived things out. Her Highness nodded then I summoned Arlaune and made Baile inhale her pollen.

“Uh…”

“You’ll have to accompany us from here on. I will not allow you to go against us.”

“……I understand……”

His eyes are out of focus but the hypnosis worked well. This will prevent Baile from interfering in our moves.

“You will lead us to the warship’s location. Is there a hidden doorway?”

“……This way……”

Baile initially wobbled but he gradually became steady and guided us to a pier next to the river by a route that was out of sight of the lookouts.

There are two access gates from the fort to the dock, but only one of them is guarded by the guards, and one seems to be watched from the turret. But with the use of hypnotic air balls, they could be easily incapacitated.

There are also lookouts in the pier ―but since we came this far, it wouldn’t be that hard to get rid of enemy troops that weren’t even that skilled. Hiding in the blind spots of those lookouts, we hold their breath and let them fall one by one.

The last one was guarding the area on the pier for boarding the warship, but Baile showed up to attract his attention then Presha-san, who went around behind him, hit him with the spear handle and knocked him down.

“I’m afraid it’s going too well…”

“Yes… but, the direction of the wind isn’t very good after all. If this goes on, we can’t get out of the canal as we will be washed away to the Zirconia’s side.”

“If we can use the water spirit’s magic, we can move the ship at will…. But in this headwind, we can only expect the direction of the wind to change.”

Dite-san says so while holding down her fluttering hair while Noin could only give out a bitter smile. I didn’t think she would have that kind of look, that was unexpected.

“We have to deal not only with the wind, but also with the flow of the river. The only way to get this warship to the canal in the current weather is with the “water’s cooperation”.”

“…Spirit’s magic is terrifying after all. But at the same time, it’s reliable.”

Dite-san looks at me as she says that. It’s like she’s saying, “I’m counting on you, but trusting Noin is risky.”

The reason I decided to pull Noin into our side was because I witnessed it –my responsibility would be heavy but my experience as a doctor tells me that Noin is not lying.

“…Wait! What is that sound…? This…. Is it a horn…?”

As Raquel said that, we too heard the sounds coming from the west –a group of enemy soldiers are approaching this fort while treading on the grass.

“Don’t tell me… No, it’s not you. You’re eyes are already determined.”

“…Alejandro should have sensed my betrayal. So if he sent troops after me… they would step inside this fort and try to find me.”

“We don’t have time to waver… Everyone, please board the warship. I’ll “purify” Noin’s dark spirit here.”

“Grass-nii, I can also attend the ritual. I can draw magic circles for the spirit too.”

“All right… Leslie, I’ll leave it to you. Noin, I’ll hypnotize you a little.”

If the dark spirit responds to her “will to resist her restraint”, it would be dangerous just to have it watch the progress of the ritual.

“Ugh… Summoner-sama, this person can resist my children.”

“…I’ll try to weaken the resistance. I’m sorry, I’m a magician you see… ugh…”

Combat magicians appear to be training to respond and defend against enemy’s magic that affects the mind. Noin weakened her defense with her own will.

When the hypnosis begin, Noin’s eyes appeared to be intoxicated and her body weakens. At her feet, Leslie drew up a magic circle using a paint that allows magic to pass through.

“Grass-nii, this is…?”

“What we are trying to purify is the “dark spirit”… we need to use the “spirit wedge method”. If we are to purify a normal spirit, we don’t need to use a “wedge”.”

The current Noin was forced to contract with the dark spirit. In order to revoke that contract, another spirit, a third Spirit, must intervene between the water spirit that Noin originally contracted and the dark spirit then play the role of a “wedge” as it is necessary to let the “third spirit” take over the contract temporarily.

What happens if we do this? ―Since Yuserish will temporarily take over the dark spirit’s contract, that would mean that she can have a power over Noin.

However, there would be no problem in that because Yuserish would not threaten Noin’s life. The question is, to transfer the contract, can my power seal the dark spirit that will soon be revealed?

“…All right. Leslie, together with Laune, please stay further away.”

“Grass-nii… Be careful. Don’t overdo it.”

There is no time to waver. Leslie understands that, so as I instructed her to hold Arlaune, they approached the rope ladder for boarding the warship.

With me left on the pier, I drink the extract of a “cluster pine” to control my tension. I had Raquel-san drink it before but I know its effect best because I was the one who made it –my idle thoughts before disappeared and my vision becomes clear.

“Noin, tell me the name of the water spirit you originally contracted.”

“…Water and sky… Apsaras…”

Even in the book about elemental spirits, it’s a high-ranking spirit belonging to water element –as expected, Noin’s ability is considerable. The names often mentioned are “Undine” and “Nereid”, although these spirits are elemental spirits, they do not have the power to cause natural disasters.

Apsaras has the appearance of a beautiful woman. Now that a dark spirit is also contained inside her, what kind of state is it in?

I must get rid of this disease as quickly as possible. I made up my mind and began to chant with the help of the sacred tree’s power.

“You, the spirit from the realm of the dead who dwells inside Noin Flores, transfer that contract to my spirit and return to where you should be!”

I chanted out and pressed my hands on the ground. At that moment, a sinister presence coiled around the spirit mark engraved on Noin’s chest appeared as if it was torn off from her body.

“…Grass-nii…!”

“Don’t come here Leslie!”

Black Snake ―an enemy of water spirits, it’s a water spirit from the realm of the dead. It absorbed Noin’s magical power and forcibly manifested itself, it wrapped around Apsaras’ whole body and tightened its grip.

Her contracted spirit was weakened, the fact that it’s on the verge of dying means that the magician’s life force was undermined. The black snake that bites on Apsaras neck sucked up the pure magical power of the water spirit and fattened its sluggish body.

Is this the disease…? Can it be sealed by my power? No, I’ll seal it…!

The moment I swore that, grass sprouted rapidly on the borderline of the magic circle, it became a vine, it then stretched on the ground and spread out, forming a huge cage that enclosed me and Noin.

This is the barrier-weaved by the sacred trees’ familiar. It was created by Yuserish to contain the dark spirit and prevent it from getting away.

Now I don’t need to fear on getting everyone involved. However, Noin’s life force is still being sucked up by the black snake ―all of that power must be returned to the owner!

“…I want you to disappear from here. It’s not your place…!”

The black snake separates its fangs from Apsaras’ neck. The next moment, the snake’s jaw opened wide and attacked at a speed that I can’t even follow with my eyes ―but,

“Summoner-sama, it doesn’t matter even if it’s a tainted water! If it’s the sacred tree…!”

“Uh…!”

Yes ―the result was already decided. The sacred tree’s familiar rooted at Noin’s feet immediately entwined her body with vines.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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