Nihon 14

A scream echoes from every part of my body.

That was close... If I hadn't started healing sooner, I would have died.

I continue the healing process. Will my body move somehow? I feel my magical energy draining away.

"Hmm, is this the end? I'd heard many rumors and had high expectations, but it seems I was mistaken. I sense no murderous intent from you—almost as if you're deliberately holding back, avoiding taking lives."

"Guh... what the hell does that even mean?"

Saying that, he strained his limbs with force.

"Pathetic! This is a blasphemy against battle. How can you wield such power without the resolve to take a life? What was the point of forging this weapon in the first place!"

I couldn't respond. Not because I was injured.

I'd never even thought about it. I'm not a soldier. Yet I use the same tools as a soldier.

I made this for self-defense—but it can still kill a person.

Even though it was something I’d already known, for some reason, it cut deep into my heart.

Panting heavily, I slowly steadied my stance. At the same time, an indescribable emotion shook me to the core.

Wiping away the sweat pouring down, I shifted my focus and analyzed the incoming attack and the results of my magical essence detection.

"Well, you still intend to continue? Very well. I’ll grant you credit for your resolve."

"Your attack is ultrasonic—unusually intense vibrations in your strikes. And that source... your hand..."

"Hoh, truly an intriguing one you are. I never expected you to figure it out this far. As you pointed out, precisely speaking, the gemstone is embedded right into this arm."

"What kind of reckless thing is that! You don't even know what kind of situation this could cause!"

"Does it matter? Is there anything more important than completing my duty, in your eyes?"

"Are you going to be used as mere tools for a great purpose? I've seen people whose bodies were corrupted by magic stones. Putting a magic stone inside someone's body is an unpredictable and dangerous thing!"

"Haha, there are great causes worth living for... But well done, you've seen through me. You may go."

"What?"

What are you talking about?

"Didn't I say? If you can see through my power, I'll let you go."

Is this really true? It's hard to believe, yet my fist isn't clenched.

I didn't feel that overwhelming nausea I had sensed before. Honestly, if he doesn't do anything, I'd want to run away right now. My legs were already trembling.

With half-belief in the man before me, I gathered spiritual energy into the wind crystals attached to my waist and legs.

Though my feet were on the ground, I felt no weight at all.

I activated my scouting magic, confirming there was nothing around. The chance of a trap was low.

More... more wind, gather it all... to break free in one instant...

"What's the matter? Not running away?"

With those words, I released the built-up air. Instantly, my body was pulled forward with intense acceleration.

My entire frame creaked slightly.

Thanks to that, I quickly put distance between myself and the minister.

No sign of pursuit.

I can do it!

At the very moment I thought that, the scouting magic reacted.

A crimson-armored figure appeared before me.

!? I can't stop now. I wrapped myself in wind and activated the healing gem.

The Japanese sword was already rushing toward me. I couldn't dodge it!

We clashed fiercely, then slid past each other and separated.

"How was that, then? Did you do it?"

The minister grinned.

The armored man gave him a look as if he shouldn't have said that line.

"No, he's probably not dead. I think he's severely injured... I did cut him, but the resistance was weak. I can't explain it logically, but it felt like slicing through layers of overlapping cloth."

"Hmph. So even you have something you can't cut?"

"Of course. In fact, if you had properly finished him off, there would've been no problem at all."

"Little things don't matter. I knew you were coming, and it's still a worthy achievement—no need to be so tense, my lord."

"Really, you're quite free with your words. And please don't use that称呼 outside of here."

The two walked side by side, or rather, the minister stepped slightly behind.

"Now, how should we explain this to the princess?"

A crimson-hued mass of wind relentlessly chased after a speeding carriage.

The mass of wind plummeted toward the empty cargo bed.

"Kyaa!? What now?"

The spreading crimson mass—it seemed to be alive, after all.

"Wait, isn't that Taro!? What happened to you, your injuries—"

Taro had pushed his magic essence to the very limit of his endurance.

His magic essence was nearly depleted. Healing was slow and progress was hard to come by.

Lilka immediately began treatment with a spare healing crystal.

Her abilities couldn't achieve instant, large-scale recovery.

It took quite some time before recovery was finally complete.

She barely survived, but her consciousness remained absent.

Coil, piloting the magic tri-wheel, worried silently.

She'll be fine, right? This isn't going to drag on forever?

A day after Tarou fell onto the cargo platform.

"Let's rest here for now."

At Coil's words, they began setting up camp.

At that moment, Tarou finally stirred awake.

"Did we manage to get away?"

He glanced around cautiously, assessing the situation.

"We're okay. I think we made it out just fine."

Rilka replied, peering over at him.

His body felt heavy. It seemed he hadn't fully recovered. Though there were no visible wounds, his stamina was low, and his magic energy was regenerating slowly.

Sorry, I don't seem to be able to move my body properly. I doubt I'll be of any use in battle for a while.

No problem. From here on, it's called the Beginning Forest—a relatively stable area. You should rest up slowly. Was the opponent really that strong?

Yeah, incredibly so. Especially that one we briefly faced at the end. That thing was dangerous. Even for just a moment, it felt completely unbeatable.

"Did we really face something that dangerous? We barely made it. Anyway, take it easy for a while."

Coil seemed to relax, as if relieved that I had noticed it.

Back to normal again.

Rilka still looked worried, but she began setting up camp.

A few days later, I was still struggling to recover.

For some reason, my strength just wouldn't come back.

Standing on my own feet was painful—barely able to stand at all.

Mana was recovering slowly but steadily. Yet this was different from usual. Normally, a single night's rest would have fully restored me...

This had never happened before. I was confused.

I couldn't seem to control my limbs properly. It wasn't like having a cold. I didn't feel unwell.

The weapon the guy I last fought with had used was a sword.

Just a quick glance was enough—I knew it wasn't an ordinary blade. It glowed a pale blue.

Perhaps it's a type of weapon known as a "Mato."

The current state might be due to its attack.

"It's not healing easily."

Lilka, sitting beside me, swayed gently with the movement of the mystical tricycle.

We were traveling along the road known as the Beginning Forest.

We were getting quite close to the kingdom.

Either way, we must quickly figure out the cause. Even if it's a safe area, that doesn't mean there's no danger.

That's right, when I first arrived in this world, I was here at that time too.