Chapter 81 – The Season of Reunion

“That thicket. A wolf pack.”

Following Sheila’s instruction, a Magic Circle’s light ignited in Ashley’s hand.

“Heat Fog!”

Fifth-rank Water Magic. In the direction Ashley extended her hand—a dense mist materialized in one corner of the forest.

The fact that it consisted of high-temperature gas made it quite a dangerous spell.

For instance, inhaling it wouldn’t end well, and one likely couldn’t keep their eyes open. Blocking it with a Shield or Armor would be difficult too. Or rather, dealing with a spell like Heat Fog upon first encounter is challenging.

Even if one minimized damage by closing their eyes and holding their breath, it wouldn’t change the fact that their actions would be severely hindered temporarily. Countermeasures like dispersing it with Wind Magic would be necessary. None of which the wolves could hope to achieve.

“Right there.”

Their ambush completely thwarted, Irmhild’s arrows accurately pierced the wolves forced out from the thicket, striking from above. They didn’t seem capable of counterattacking or Dodging yet, still recovering from the damage.

Although… from Irmhild’s perspective, who was lightened by Levitation and gained high mobility through multiple Air Blasts, ground-based opponents were essentially stationary targets to begin with. As a Lamia, she couldn’t kick off a Shield to gain propulsion. So, the idea was that maintaining high mobility from the start was more advantageous.

Sheila, who had descended straight down from the air, seamlessly shifted into a trajectory that looked like she was flying sideways. Leaving behind the sound of Air Blast exhaust and the glint of Fighting Spirit, she cleanly severed the head of an Angry Mushroom in passing.

Grace… was fighting another large one. She was in combat with a Rock Bear, a bear-like Monster with rock-like skin.

She Dodged the claw swinging down with a roar by Jumping sideways. Then, with her axe-wielding hand, she punched through the air.

(…)

As it rebounded, she drove a kick into its flank with the same momentum.

The Rock Bear’s massive frame, many times Grace’s size, staggered, forcing out a cry of agony.

It was brute-force aerial control, but Grace possessed the physical prowess to make it work. Zalbash had said she could only move linearly, but being able to alter her trajectory using both hands and feet significantly expanded her options for Feints and such.

Perhaps displeased at being made to scream from a punch by the physically inferior Grace, the Rock Bear flailed its arms wildly and gave chase.

Grace maintained a certain distance without engaging directly. Normally, she’d confront that kind of attack head-on, cutting everything down, but it seemed she was adopting a different fighting style this time, presumably because that wouldn’t serve as training for the new Equipment.

She made a large Jump, raising her axe high. The Rock Bear braced for a downward strike, but the axe blade seemed to catch on something in mid-air, locking in place.

With the chain caught, Grace kicked her Shield, her body tracing an arc through the air, positioning herself behind the Rock Bear.

In that instant, Grace twisted her body, and her other axe radiated the brilliance of Fighting Spirit. Kicking off the air, she closed in with arrow-like speed and cut down the Rock Bear from behind.

So, by generating a Shield at the base of the axe blade, she could now hook onto seemingly empty space like a Hook. With that, she could shift timing, pull her body around… or enable unconventional movements reminiscent of Tarzan’s rope work.

The reason Grace doesn’t incorporate Levitation into aerial combat is likely to prevent her attack power from being diminished by using Magic to control weight and inertia. Without Levitation, she can’t use Air Blast for propulsion either… But that seems fine with her. Grace’s combat mindset remains as sharp as ever.

The Magic Stones incorporated into the Equipment aren’t self-sufficient. The user themselves supplies the Magical Power to the Magic Stones. Using them too extravagantly would consume Magical Power, but that’s that. Since Magic Potions can be used like water, that drawback is already resolved.

“Advance.”

As for me—I’m currently controlling Golems to overwhelm the Killer Plants, Angry Mushrooms, and Whisper Mushrooms through sheer numbers, both to train my control ability and to divide the battlefield and forces for piecemeal destruction.

I just modified the Golems slightly to have them hold stone Lances, formed them into a dense phalanx formation, and had them advance. The so-called phalanx.

It’s a tactic that fell out of use historically on Earth, but since the opposition lacks anything equivalent to cavalry, it functions quite well. As long as I don’t mess up the control, their coordination never falters. Being Golems, they don’t fear injury or pain. Probably stronger than having the same number of regular infantry do the same thing.

“How’s the usability of this batch?”

“Good. These are sturdily made and much easier to use.”

“The Magical Power consumption feels better too.”

Upon returning to the Temple and asking for impressions, I received generally favorable reviews.

The Equipment adjustments are progressing, but it’s probably also the fruit of daily training. Both the aerial combat and Coordination are quite impressive.

Ashley has also learned Magic Circles, and her growth as a Magician is remarkable. Being able to use Magic Circles is like proof of improved skill—such as properly understanding the meaning of incantations, being able to arrange them personally, improved Magical Power manipulation enabling the formation of Magic Arrays with Magical Power, and so on. Not taking much time to activate intermediate or higher-level Magic is a significant advantage.

“Ah, Theodore-kun. Perfect timing.”

While checking the Equipment, someone called out.

Turning around, I saw the Exploration Party led by Sir Chester.

According to Alfred’s story, Prince Albert had recruited them, but regardless, they should have continued their Exploration around the Great Corruption Lake area as usual.

“Hello, Sir Chester. What brings you here?”

“We just returned from the Labyrinth. We need to purify ourselves and report to the Royal Castle and the Temple, but…”

If it’s a report from Chester, then…

“We finally found the Sealed Door in the Great Corruption Lake. It was in the center of the lake, in the Deepest Part.”

“That is… congratulations.”

I offered words of congratulation to Chester, who seemed less ‘happy’ and more like he was speaking with a distant look in his eyes.

So, beyond the branching path, further into the Great Corruption Lake, huh.

Similar to the outer edges of the Dusk Forest, where you have to push through thickets for a while… Seems the door is placed in locations people don’t frequent much.

“It’s been truly long. I want to thank you.”

“Me?”

“Didn’t you offer advice about the Great Corruption Lake through His Highness Albert? I thought I’d thank you if we found the door. Ideas like using Magic Tools with a good understanding of the Labyrinth’s characteristics… that was you, wasn’t it?”

“…Perhaps.”

“Well, that’s what I think. Now then.”

Scratching his head with a small laugh, Chester bowed along with his Exploration Party and left.

Hmm. If you think about who knows about the Labyrinth’s conquest and Chester’s circumstances, it probably leads back to me, I suppose. Certainly, the measures Prince Albert implemented were a bit too precise.

—The season was autumn.

We’ve repeatedly adjusted and upgraded the Aerial Combat Gear, fine-tuning the Magical Power consumption balance for each individual.

Thinking of delivering the monitor feedback to Alfred, I headed to the workshop after exchanging spoils at the Guild… but unfortunately, Alfred was absent.

He’d been vehement about adjusting the Party’s full set of Equipment without disrupting the schedule. Seems he pulled another all-nighter. According to Viola, she saw him in the early morning.

She said he’d come again… but probably after returning to the Royal Castle for a nap. Well, I can just come back another time. He did mention he’d bring Marian around today, though.

Arriving in front of the house, I saw a carriage parked.

Huh. That…? Somehow… it’s a family crest I recognize all too well.

…Autumn. I see. Autumn.

The harvest is over, and the territory has settled down for a while. Having delegated miscellaneous tasks to his retainers, and before winter makes travel difficult… if he has business in Termwills, he might come out now.

Glancing at Grace, she gave a small nod, as if she understood too.

Approaching the carriage, a very familiar face peered out from inside.

I thought maybe the steward or someone would come as a messenger. Seems that’s not the case.

…Is it because I mentioned before that the servants wouldn’t take my side? Similarly, it seems he didn’t even bring those guys along.

I’m not even sure if they are accompanying him to Termwills. But judging by the fact he came himself… I suppose he’s being considerate, in a way.

For me too… I probably need to settle various matters, and this might be just the right time.

The one who descended from the carriage was—Count Henry Gartner. My Father.

“Long time no see, Theodore.”

“It’s been a while, Father.”