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As Ainel cut through the darkness, the night began to collapse. With the crumbling shadows, the sun, full of life, gradually rose. The gentle moonlight that once covered the world was now replaced by a glorious radiance.

With the head of a mid-level demon severed, the demon’s time came to an end. Accompanied by the dusky dawn, the death of the demon restored the lost instincts of the monsters, once nourished by the demon’s rich magic.

Survival instincts resurfaced once more. The majority of the monsters could no longer rush toward the castle walls so easily.

Ainel shook her sword with beautiful light. After capturing the demon, she would take care of the remaining monsters. Her elegant strikes sliced through the enemies effortlessly.

And as she did so, Shione gazed at Ainel with a look full of admiration.

Her eyes were fixed on her mother’s sword. An aura emanated from it that was incomparable to even the most experienced warriors.

“Master…! It seems like Mother has become a Master!”

At this rate, she was bound to forget her dignity and start bouncing around bragging.

Well, it’s not as if the family was of any mediocre standing; being a Sword Master naturally brings joy.

But right now, shouldn’t I be more concerned about my arm getting bitten off before anything else?

In close proximity, I casually sidestepped past Shione and unsheathed my sword.

The sword given to me by Eunice Kalia was far superior than I expected. Just how many enemies’ lives had this blade taken and bones crushed? I hadn’t had proper maintenance during the war, yet it still retained its elegance.

Swish!

Its sharpness was enough to easily slice through a monster that had tried to bite Shione’s arm.

This was the sword that recognized how diligently I practiced my swordsmanship with a wooden blade in her room.

“Ah!”

“For now, it’s best to concentrate on our current situation. If we let our guard down like a moment ago, it’s clear we’ll be quickly overwhelmed.”

“…I’ll be careful.”

The battle continued. However, it didn’t last long.

They were heavily influenced by the mid-level demon. With the demon gone, issues would naturally arise in their overflowing murderous intent.

Facing those whose momentum had faltered was much easier than before—

“Quickly, clear the path!”

“Secure the safety of the Young Lady and the Head of the Family!”

Including the knights.

“We need to disperse the magic!”

“All available priests, including the Battle Priests, gather here now!”

The priests hurriedly arrived to clear the dense magic from the castle walls, quickly reducing the number of monsters.

The confusion that had gnawed at the walls began to settle, and during that time, the sun rose even higher.

“Well, today is finally coming to an end. I’m completely exhausted.”

“Indeed.”

Shione and I were finally able to take a breather.

We had been pinned down here for quite some time, engaging in a struggle. Perhaps because everyone was aware of our predicament, we were able to rest here without anyone finding it strange.

In front of us, Ainel approached with a limping stride.

“Shione, Ray, good work.”

Ainel said this while faintly smiling at us.

However, Ainel’s condition looked quite serious. Her calves and arms bore wounds, with holes and dents in the armor that had protected her. She was covered in blood, indistinguishable if it was her own or that of others.

Shione worriedly glanced at Ainel’s leg. It was clear to see that she had suffered a significant injury.

“Mother’s leg…”

“It’s fine. This much is no problem.”

“I think we should call a priest. We need to treat you quickly—”

“No, I have more to do first, so I’ll finish that before receiving treatment.”

With that, Ainel lifted the head of the demon in her left hand.

A face still close to beastly, overflowing with primal ferocity. Its black horns, far more menacing than any lesser demon, had been adorned with an expression of horror as it lay slain.

“I’ll see you in a bit.”

Ainel, saying this, easily made herself noticeable to everyone as she climbed up to the high lookout tower.

She displayed the head of the demon for all to see, ensuring everyone could witness it.

“Listen!”

Ainel utilized her magic to project her voice. Her tone had a magnetism that drew the attention of everyone present.

“War is brutal. Fleeting lives extinguished, and we have continued to fight in their memories. How fiercely both the living and the dead have struggled, and how radiant their values are, is something not just I, but all of you, understand well.”

Hymns of praise for the survivors and mourning for the fallen echoed throughout the castle walls, spreading over the territory.

“However, the situation is dire. We cannot know how long this will last, and the walls built by our ancestors have deteriorated to the point of needing repairs.”

The situation truly was dire.

“Nevertheless, I promise you victory. From now on, surviving together with the head of the Count’s House, not as Ainel Shianella, but as Ainel, the Sword Master, I will fight alongside you—”

But that does not mean all hope is lost.

“If no exceptional issues arise…”

Ainel looked down from the lookout tower at the crowd below. They all had hope in her next words.

Until now, carrying the weight of their expectations had been heavy on her shoulders, but not anymore. It felt bearable enough now.

With a slightly relieved expression, Ainel continued.

“Within a few days, support from the royal family will finally arrive at the Count’s House.”

The message sent to the royal family.

The reply to that message had finally reached the Count’s House.

“According to the current king’s command, the kingdom’s finest knights and wizards are on their way here, and that’s not all. The royal family has also secured the loyalty of the kingdom’s most eminent wizards.”

Ainel smiled faintly.

“Princess Adelhaite Aisiliah has also promised to send those who have sworn loyalty to her as support.”

For the victories that await in the near future.

“Hang in there. The kingdom’s best forces are gathering here. Do your utmost to protect your homes and families.”

We must endure this long night in whatever way we can.

*

In one of the tents situated a little away from the castle walls.

Shione and I were resting in a definitely larger and better tent than the ordinary soldiers.

Shione was sitting on a makeshift bed, letting out deep sighs.

“Haa…”

A sound filled with worry.

The dark circles under her eyes conveyed her distress even more clearly.

Yet, even if she was this tired, I thought standing by she might lie down for some rest, but—

“Hmm… Hoo…”

Shione’s sighing seemed endless.

Curiously, I turned to glance at her to understand what had her sitting there like that.

“Ray…”

“What is it?”

“…I want something sweet after such a long time.”

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s nothing.”

Well, it had indeed been quite a while since I had last brought her cookies that she used to eat every day.

Yet here she was, spending sleepless nights longing for cookies. She’s truly something else.

After that, Shione and I exchanged some light chatter.

The topics were naturally settled. What would the future of the war look like? Or, did Ainel Shianella feel something from the battle with the demon that led her to become a Sword Master?

Shione naturally focused her interest on her mother, Ainel.

I, too, had one subject that piqued my interest.

Those wizards and knights under Adelhaite.

I was curious about the people who had sworn their loyalty, not to the royal family, but solely to that one woman, Adelhaite.

For I could see it.

Even though Ainel had said that support from the royal family was on the way, she could only manage a hint of relief on her face. Yet upon hearing that Adelhaite’s support was arriving, a smile was visible on her lips.

It seemed those who pledged loyalty to Adelhaite were operating under a different affiliation than the royal forces, standing apart from the royal family.

Seeing that there’s no meaning in thinking alone, I decided to ask Shione.

“Shione, do you know anything about the people who have sworn loyalty to the Princess?”

“To the Princess? Hmm…”

Shione narrowed her eyes.

After a moment of contemplation, she shrugged her shoulders.

“I don’t really know. All I know is that rather than receiving commands from the royal family, they operate as the Princess’s subordinates like a knight order.”

“I see. Do you know what their overall capabilities are?”

“Um… I’m not really sure…”

She seemed unsure about that last part, her words trailing off.

Just then, a familiar voice echoed from the entrance of the tent.

“The kingdom’s top-tier wizard and two knights, along with one Master.”

In walked Siabel into the tent.

“Monsters worthy of being called the kingdom’s main forces have sworn loyalty to the Princess. While an excess of manpower has entered the Princess’s command, the King doesn’t seem to take it too seriously, allowing the Princess to operate them independently.”

She had loosened her hair that had been tightly up and was now spilling down naturally. It seemed she had come to check on us after taking a short break.

“Sister.”

“Shione, how have you been?”

Siabel replied to my question as she greeted Shione.

Siabel patted Shione’s head. Shione’s hair, which had grown out since getting a short bob last year, swayed gently under Siabel’s touch.

Shione closed her eyes, accepting her sister’s gentle affection. When Siabel finished stroking her, Shione opened her eyes round and gazed earnestly up at her sister.

“What brings you here?”

“Why would I be here? Hearing my little sister was shooting arrows on the perilous walls made me worry, so I came to check on you. I heard you were even surrounded by monsters tonight. Thankfully, you don’t seem to be injured.”

“Yes, Ray protected me.”

“Oh?”

With Shione smiling brightly, Siabel’s eyes sparkled with interest and delight as they turned towards me.

Yeah, I have protected her several times.

When it almost seemed like her arm would get bitten, or when she almost stumbled into a monster.

In combat, I had also helped her channel her mana amidst her various inexperienced mistakes.

“Ray, I see you’re looking alright as well. That’s a relief.”

Siabel stepped closer to me.

“By the way, I wonder if our apprentice knows…”

She brushed her hand through my hair as she did to Shione.

“Word of your magic abilities is spreading across the territory just as much as the news that our Master has reached her level.”

I nodded in acknowledgment.

“I’ve noticed to some extent.”

It was impossible not to notice.

Once I shot an arrow at the lesser demon, the attention from those around me was palpable. Even without trying to notice, all the people around couldn’t help but stare.

Shione, perhaps out of jealousy, shot cold glares around her until the gazes finally subsided.

Siabel then continued to gently stroke my hair as she probed.

“It wouldn’t be surprising if you were aware. I heard from Mother. With the Count’s protection around you, you might still face scrutiny in your position. Are you okay with that?”

“As it stands, the Count is protecting me. With Shianella on my side, I have nothing to fear.”

“Oh?”

Siabel seemed pleased with my answer, a small smile gracing her lips.

After a brief exchange, Siabel finally withdrew her hand from my head.

As Siabel stepped back, her keen interest grew deeper instead. Her gaze flicked to my sword set up in the tent.

“My apprentice is capable of imbuing magic into arrows. Then, could you also imbue magic into your sword?”

“While I haven’t delved deeply yet, it’s still quite challenging…”

That is the nature of Spirit Magic.

There’s a reason why those pesky spirit-users take great pride in their abilities. Their arrogance has justification.

From overwhelming destructive force through magic to imbuing objects with magic, the versatility is such that it can naturally be used effectively with swords as well.

“In terms of imbuing, I can surely do it plenty.”

“Hmm, is that so.”

Siabel’s eyes sparkled with satisfaction at my words.

“I think it’ll be gratifying to teach you.”

With a relaxed smile, Siabel slowly made her way to the entrance of the tent to bid farewell.

It seemed she had to attend a meeting with the commanders. As she was about to leave, Shione waved at her, and Siabel cheerfully returned her sister’s farewell.

Before departing, she advised that if things turned dangerous, we should quickly make our way down below the walls and promised that we would play together once this whole thing was over.

When Siabel had gone far enough away that her voice faded,

Bam!

Shione, who had jumped up from her spot, rushed over to me.

…What’s up with her suddenly?

As I looked up at Shione with a puzzled expression, she reached out her hand.

Tap!

Shione placed her hand upon my head and began to ruffle my hair vigorously.

“What are you doing?”

“Marking my territory.”

Following this, my hair became a complete mess.

*

“Is everyone ready to sacrifice their lives for the grand cause?”

The coarse voice of a woman clad in dark garments resonated throughout the gathering.

Those dressed similarly to her bowed their heads in unison, showing their submission.

They were fully prepared to lay down their lives like mere dust.

“So tonight we will correct the plans that have gone awry through our martyrdom.”

A powerful aura began to emanate from the woman, incomparable to that of demons.

The magic surrounding her exceeded the concentration of any magic that a human could contain and was filled with chaos and madness, even more than that possessed by demons.

“We shall break through the walls and gates of that accursed Count’s House.”

 

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