211: We’re practically guaranteed victory, right?

“Craft… that Raidock fellow— isn’t he a bit too strong?”

Jabir, the instructor, muttered in disbelief, checking the situation through a spirit-resonance communication device made of orichalcum.

I nodded in agreement.

“Completely agree, sir. Ever since he got the Saint’s Mark, he feels like he’s stepped beyond the limits of humanity.”

“You’re not exactly a model of restraint yourself…”

“Huh?”

“Hmph! Nothing! Focus on your magic, you fool!”

I’ve grown enough not to point out that *he* was the one who started the conversation. Grown up, I tell you. Grown up!

I’m at home.

Right now, I’m here with Jabir, sharing intel with our comrades who hold communication devices.

Sent more alchemical potions than I expected, and now communications next!

No matter how much mana you’ve got, it never seems enough!

Around me and Professor Jabir, empty mana potion bottles are scattered everywhere. Seriously, my stomach’s killing me…

“Up until now, it was me and the professor taking turns on communications. But saying we can do it together? That’s basically saying we’re done for sure.”

“Mm. I’ve had enough of making potions already. Finally free.”

“Still, those communication magic devices are even more useful in war than I imagined.”

“Hmph. Anyone with half a brain would’ve figured that out from the start.”

Centered on the commander-in-chief, Alphard, we’re sending visuals and audio to Kyle and King Van as needed—stopping the enemy’s every move with astonishing efficiency.

Van muttered something that stuck with me: “I thought it might be useful in war, but this is straight-up divine perspective. We can see the enemy’s movements almost in real time, and send effective orders instantly. If other nations found out, they’d go mad.”

I’d known it was useful, sure—but I hadn’t imagined it’d be this drastic.

But Kyle and Alphard had clearly figured it out from the start. They’d built their entire strategy around the assumption that we’d have that communication device. All I could do was stare in awe at their minds.

The downside? The person with the communication device has to be on-site. I’d never thought I’d be able to use it like this—until Mizuho’s sharp-eyed scout made the enemy’s every move visible to us.

Now I really feel it—Kyle’s something else. Of course, the lady knight standing beside me is even more moved, nearly in tears, and it’s seriously annoying.

"Reading the Empire’s moves this clearly—truly, Lord Kyle!"

"Kind to our own people, merciless to enemies. A true model of rulership!"

"Despite overwhelming odds, almost no casualties—truly divine strategy!"

"Still, Alphard’s done well too."

"But it’s only because of Lord Kyle’s decisions!"

I get the sentiment, but Persia. Stop sobbing behind Maina, chanting 'Sasu Kyle!' like a spell!

Persia doesn’t seem to notice, but even Maina’s occasionally glancing back, frowning hard.

She’s not complaining—because she’s praising her twin brother. Pay attention already.

…Yeah, I get why Persia’s all happy about her little brother’s growth, but damn, could she at least shut up for a sec!?

Still, that massive burn-and-destroy operation out in front of the city gate—kinda brutal, really. I was about to cut the feed to Maina, thinking she’d be shaken by it. But no. She’s breathing hard, all fired up, cheering on her allies.

Guess she’s tougher than she looks, Maina.

Combined burning powder with wind magic—faked a firestorm. Most of the common soldiers turned to ash in an instant.

…At least they didn’t suffer long. That’s something, I guess.

But honestly, the fact that someone survived that kind of heat—enough to melt bone—without flinching? That’s a shock.

That heat’s on par with a dragon’s fire breath!

So yeah. There really are a few people out there who don’t even fit in the human mold anymore. I just learned that the hard way.

But what stunned me even more was, of course, Raidock.

Even with Evia and Solar covering him, he’d just casually played the imperial supermen like puppets. That’s not even funny.

Everyone who survived had those colored sigils on them!?

Seriously, the strength of Raidock, the Sword Saint, is beyond reason.

From above the wall, Kyle and Van and the others watched as Camille efficiently tied up the last of the imperial survivors, through Alphard’s view.

“Is it over now?”

I muttered without thinking.

Jabir, standing straight ahead, let his shoulders drop.

“Still a bit of skirmishing at the fortress, but the outcome’s settled.”

“Thanks to the Mizoho Shrine Nation warriors who held the frontline fortress.”

Persia nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. Their fighting style is worthy of respect. Not just brute force—those spirit-summoning techniques were impressive too, and the way those ninja-like intelligence units operated was downright astonishing."

"Yeah."

Especially Chiyome, the one with the kunoichi crest. The intel she relayed through her magic communication device made the enemy's movements completely transparent.

In that sense, Jitarou’s reports from aboard the ship were helpful too—but saying that would just go straight to his head, so I’ll keep that to myself. Yeah, that’s best.

Just as the tension began to ease, Kyle’s voice came through the communication device.

"What is it, Kyle?"

I asked, hearing only his voice through the magical link.

‘All forces that directly assaulted Golden Dune have been completely silenced. I’m stepping outside to speak with the survivors and those who surrendered.’

"Wait—aren’t you going to get yourself killed?!"

Alphard’s with the Holy Knights, and Raidock and the others are outside. We’re fine.

True, the enemies outside are all wiped out. The few survivors are tied up tight… but still.

I link to Alphard through voice.

“Hey, Alphard! Why aren’t you stopping it!?”

“Of course I stopped it. But the survivors from the Empire—they won’t lay down their arms unless they speak directly with their lord.”

“Just take ‘em prisoner. No need for talk.”

“That idea was rejected. We decide whether to take them prisoner after the talk.”

“I get it, but…”

Kyle probably sees soldiers as just following national policy. He’s gotta want to confirm that himself, directly.

The enemy’s already destroyed. No problem.

“How about bringing them into the castle chambers?”

"Doesn’t want them brought into the castle chambers. Says he’ll decide their treatment after hearing more."

Makes sense. If we’re taking prisoners, straight to the cells. Depending on how they act, maybe a room with a little more room to breathe.

"Got it, Kyle’s point. For safety, I’m going too."

"...Yeah. Already overkill, but still, come along."

"Got it. Leave it to me."

Doubt the Empire’ll pull anything in this situation, but better safe than sorry—extra force never hurts.

"Professor Javir. As you heard, I’m heading to Kyle’s. I’ll leave the rest to you."

"Handling multiple minds in one go is tough on magic, even for me..."

"Then just cut me loose. I’ll handle my part myself."

"Then we’ll manage somehow. In a pinch, I’ll just chug a mana potion straight down. …It’ll make my belly swell up like a balloon, though."

The master glared at several empty potion bottles already lying at his feet.

Using mental resonance for communication magic requires a massive drain on magic, so even though the two of us had been sharing the load, we still had no choice but to refill regularly.

The potions were high-grade—no poisoning, no side effects—but they just made you bloated. Once you got full, you couldn’t drink any more.

Even though the master was smaller than me, he’d already downed twice my amount. No wonder he was glaring at the empty bottles.

“Persia. I’m entrusting Maina to you.”

“Yeah, leave it to me.”

I silently breathed a sigh of relief that she hadn’t suddenly piped up with something like, “I’d love to watch Kyle-sama in action too.”

I’d love to see you standing proud beside Kyle-sama, but that’d mean Maina-sama would have to step outside the city walls too.”

“Don’t you dare go out there!?!”

Don’t say something like that! You useless knight!

Still, with a flicker of unease, I headed from the castle to meet up with Kyle and the others, then toward the city wall where Raidock and the rest were waiting.

Of course.

There was no way there’d be no problem at all.