When Fuuka-san slid her curved, single-edged blade into the scabbard in her left hand, a sharp ring echoed through the stillness.
"You were an explorer from Copper Afterglow, were you not?"
Philly-san directed the question toward Fuuka-san, the sudden intruder. It appeared Philly-san knew almost nothing about her.
That was hardly surprising. Philly-san had only arrived in this city a month after the joint subjugation. Despite being an S-Rank Party, Copper Afterglow was rarely featured in the newspapers; there was a significant gap between their reached floors and their public recognition. It made sense that she was unaware of them.
"……Surprising. I thought you had a grasp on our group as well."
"Unfortunately, I am a busy woman. I have no time to spare for every little worm. My apologies."
Had I been saved, then?
No, I couldn't lower my guard yet. While the two were talking, I needed to recover enough strength to at least move.
Even so, why had Fuuka-san come here? Titania had made a comment suggesting she had intentionally brought her to this spot.
As I pondered this—
『I'm back~』
Sylph, who had been missing until a moment ago, suddenly manifested.
『Sylph, thank you for your hard work.』
『……Could it be that Sylph brought Fuuka-san here?』
The spirit had vanished only to reappear immediately after Fuuka-san arrived. The only logical conclusion was that Sylph had led her to us.
『That's right~. I can talk to humans, even if it's only one-way~.』
I had heard that sound was simply the vibration of air. If so, it would be a simple task for Sylph—a spirit who excelled at manipulating wind—to produce sounds.
"—That worm is a pest to you. You should have exterminated it sooner."
The confrontation between the two continued.
"I wondered what you were going to say, but it doesn't change the fact that it's just a worm. Even if I wait until I’m certain it’s a pest before I crush it, it won’t be too late."
"That worm is venomous, you know? That is why—you are going to die here."
"Fufu, you talk big. Don't think for a moment that your bluffs will work on me."
"A bluff? No, it’s a fact. —Well then, I'll introduce myself. Consider it a bit of psychological warfare."
"Yes, I would very much like to hear it. Who are you, this venomous creature that claims it will kill me?"
"Fuuka Shinonome, head of the Shinonome house, an old family of the Kyokutou. It will only be for a short time, but I hope we get to know each other."
"—!"
When Fuuka-san introduced herself, Philly-san's eyes widened.
I knew that Kyokutou was the name of an island nation in the eastern part of the continent, but what did "old family" signify in this context?
"……Impossible. The people of the Shinonome house are—"
"Dead. Everyone lost their lives in the civil war. However, because my guards were excellent, I alone managed to survive. —And so, carrying my personal grudge as well, I will cut you down, Philly Carpenter."
As Fuuka-san spoke, she emitted a pressure so intense it made the very air vibrate.
"……I see. So there was a survivor. —Fine! In that case, there will be no problem if I simply exterminate you here!"
Philly-san tapped the ground with her staff, and a massive barrage of spears made of various elements went flying. Since I was directly in their path, I tried to force my exhausted body to move so I wouldn't hinder Fuuka-san—
"It's okay. Stay there."
Fuuka-san’s voice was calm. With her left thumb, she nudged the guard of her sword up, revealing a few centimeters of the blade. As she placed her right hand on the hilt, countless thin silver traces raced through the air around her.
The spears that came into contact with those traces dissipated instantly, never reaching her.
Too fast……!
I understood what she had done in theory. She must have swung her sword to strike down each individual projectile. However, she was so quick that all I could see were the lingering streaks of light left in the wake of her blade.
Having cut everything down, Fuuka-san returned her sword to its scabbard. As I stared, mesmerized by her movements, her body suddenly blurred. In the next heartbeat, she had vanished.
"Guh!"
I heard a cry of anguish. When I looked, Fuuka-san was standing behind Philly-san, their backs to one another. Two intersecting slash wounds opened across Philly-san's body, and she collapsed.
Fuuka-san looked down at her expressionlessly, flicking the blood from her blade before sheathing it once more.
To think she defeated Philly-san in an instant—someone I couldn't reach even with Titania's cooperation……
As I watched in shock, I realized mana was condensing around Fuuka-san.
Is this magic!?
"Fuuka-san! Look out!"
By the time I cried out, it was already too late. A multitude of magic circles manifested around Fuuka-san, and she was swallowed by an explosion.
"No way……"
"Fufu. It seems that even if you knew of me, you were ignorant of my Ability."
Philly-san, who should have been incapacitated, was standing a short distance away. Not only were her wounds gone, but even her clothes had been restored to their original state.
Surely, against an attack like that, Fuuka-san must be……
"Now then, you're next, Luna Flockhart. —!?"
Just as Philly-san's hostility shifted back to me, she suddenly snapped her gaze upward. Drawn by her reaction, I looked up as well and saw a silhouette. The figure was plummeting toward the ground at high speed.
As the distance closed, I recognized him: it was Haruto-san from Copper Afterglow. He timed his descent perfectly, swinging his right leg down with immense force to deliver a heel drop toward Philly-san.
Philly-san dodged and leapt backward to create distance. Haruto-san's heel drop missed, yet despite not making contact with the ground, the sheer pressure of the strike caused the surrounding earth to cave in.
"Tch, I figured she’d dodge that. —Huey!"
"【Thousand-Blade Cyclone】!"
A massive tornado erupted, surrounding Philly-san and trapping her within its center.
"Special-grade wind magic, huh? How merciless."
Despite the raging vortex before him, Haruto-san's relaxed demeanor felt utterly out of place.
"Didn't the leader tell us to treat the opponent like a Deep Floor Boss!?" Huey shouted back.
"! More importantly, Fuuka-san—"
"What about me?"
Just as I was about to tell the members of Copper Afterglow that Fuuka-san had been caught in the explosion, her voice sounded from behind me.
"Fuuka-san!? But how…… the explosion just now……"
I couldn't see a single injury on her, even though the attack should have been a direct hit.
"Hmm? I dodged it."
She replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. There shouldn't have been any room to escape, but…… ah, that was right. Her Ability was 【Future Sight】.
"So, what's the plan? If the leader is right, even the 【Thousand-Blade Cyclone】 won't kill her, right?"
At Katina-san's remark, the brief levity vanished, replaced by tension.
"Yeah. —Before that woman comes back out, I need to confirm something. Luna."
"Y-Yes."
"Can you still fight?" Haruto-san asked, his expression serious.
"I've recovered enough to move, and I can activate magic. But I'm not well enough to truly participate in a battle of your caliber. I am sorry."
"I figured. Don't sweat it. Surviving a one-on-one with that woman is an achievement in itself." He turned to his companion. "Next, Fuuka. How many more minutes?"
"About three minutes."
What are they talking about? I was curious, but I knew this wasn't the time to interrupt.
"Three minutes, huh…… Feels like an eternity, but we’ll make it work. —Fuuka and I will keep her busy. Kati and Huey, support us with attack magic. Luna, if you see an opening, lend us your magic as well."
"Understood."
Once the plan was set, the tornado dissipated. Philly-san emerged from within, completely unscathed.
"To think it didn't work at all……"
"If you're going to be surprised by that, you'll never keep up. Stay sharp."
With those words, Haruto-san closed the distance with Philly-san. To charge her head-on like that—it was incredibly bold. He threw a right hook toward her face. It was impressively fast, and Philly-san seemed to dodge it effortlessly—or so I thought.
Even though his fist hadn't touched her, Philly-san was sent flying backward as if she had been struck by a physical blow.
""【Thunder Spear】!!""
Katina-san and Huey-san must have anticipated this. They immediately followed up with spears of lightning. However, Philly-san reacted instantly, neutralizing them with her own wind spears.
In that split second, Fuuka-san closed in at high speed and swung her blade, but Philly-san blocked the strike with her staff.
As expected of an S-Rank Party, their coordination was flawless. Yet, Philly-san was holding her own against them all by herself. She wasn't just a mage; her close-quarters combat skills were top-tier as well.
◇
Fuuka-san and Haruto-san continued their assault with perfect synchronization, but Philly-san seized upon the tiniest opening in their teamwork, conjuring a powerful blast of wind to force them back.
"Dammit, I knew she was tough, but being handled like this is a pain……" Haruto-san grumbled.
"Guh…… ugh……"
A groan pulled my attention away. Marquis Forgas was regaining consciousness.
"Luna, can you check on the Marquis?"
"Understood."
Following Haruto-san's lead, I rushed to the Marquis’s side.
"Lord Forgas, are you alright?"
"Y-Yes. I am fine."
I checked for injuries, but there were none, and his mind seemed clear. I cast 【Heal】 on him just to be safe.
"By the way—who are you?"
…………Pardon?
It took me several seconds to process his words. It didn't make sense—we had been together until only a few minutes ago.
"No way…… Hey! Marquis!" Haruto-san shouted, abandoning all formalities. "I think you can tell by looking around that this is an emergency! Forgive my tone, but answer me! What is the date today? Give me the year, month, and day!"
"What is this sudden—"
"Just answer!"
"Hmm…… Today is February 4th, Year 619 of the Holy Era, is it not?"
"!"
I was struck dumb by the Marquis's answer. Looking at his face, he didn't seem to be lying.
"Just as I thought……" Haruto muttered.
"What is the matter?"
"Lord Forgas," I said, my voice trembling, "that date is from ten years ago. Today is June 5th, Year 629 of the Holy Era."
"What did you say!?"
The Marquis sounded genuinely horrified. It wasn't an act. Was this amnesia?
"—Don't screw with me! You damn woman! How many people's lives are you going to ruin before you're satisfied!?"
Haruto-san's voice burned with a rage that seemed to come from his very soul. Both he and Fuuka-san began radiating a murderous intent so thick it felt like a physical weight.
"Fufu, why are you so angry? Everyone in this world is just a doll for me to play with. It is my right to do as I wish with my own property."
Even faced with such intense bloodlust, Philly-san remained unfazed. In fact, her arrogance was chilling.
"Don't speak another word. I'm going to crush you—"
『I am Selma Claudel of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky—』
Just as Haruto-san was about to charge, a woman's voice echoed directly into our minds. It was different from the way the fairies spoke. This was Selma-san's Ability.
While we all stood there in bewilderment, Selma-san explained the current situation. I knew Orun-san and Oliver-san were fighting in the sky, but I hadn't realized a Stampede had broken out as well. Things were spiraling out of control.
"……To think Selma Claudel possessed such an Ability. The news of the Stampede is spreading far too quickly……" Philly-san muttered, her brow furrowed.
"Hahaha! Amazing. She told every explorer in the city the situation in a heartbeat……" Haruto-san, by contrast, let out a dry laugh.
"Haruto, have you calmed down?"
"Yeah. So, you can put that sword away now."
Fuuka-san had been pointing her blade toward Haruto-san. I assumed it was to prevent him from acting recklessly out of anger, but it seemed a bit extreme.
"! Philly-san’s puppets, Anneri-san and Derrick-san, are moving toward the Guild! At this rate……"
The two controlled explorers might change their objective and start slaughtering the people heading to the Guild for instructions. However, we couldn't afford to split our strength here.
"What? ————No, it's fine. Hahaha! The title of Continent's Greatest Enchanter isn't just for show. She can see the entire battlefield."
Haruto-san laughed off my concern. Did he have a way of seeing what was happening elsewhere?
『The man is correct. You need not worry about those two,』 Titania added.
If both of them were so certain, I had to believe them. There was nothing more I could do personally, anyway.
◇ ◇ ◇
Anneri and Derrick were navigating an alley near the Guild.
"Stop right there!"
A voice commanded them to halt, but they ignored it. Suddenly, the ground beneath them erupted as countless thorns of earth shot upward. They were forced to leap backward to avoid being impaled.
"Anneri and Derrick of the Hero Party. I’ll need you to come with me as persons of interest in this incident."
Rain, of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky, appeared on the far side of the thorns. The two puppets immediately turned to find another route, only to find their path blocked.
"Where do you think you're going? This isn't the way."
Wilkes stood there, twin-bladed sword ready.
"…………"
『Hey, were they always this creepy?』 Wil asked Rain via telepathy.
『They feel different. But our orders haven't changed.』
『Fair enough.』
Wil readied his stance.
"Wilkes of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky. Do you truly believe you can defeat me while I am empowered and you have no buffs?" Derrick spoke for the first time.
"Huh? ……Ah, I get it." Wil was briefly confused before he smirked. "Let me tell you something. Don't go underestimating our leader."
At that moment, Wil felt the effects of 【Vanguard Up】 wash over him.
Activating magic from a great distance was a feat of immense skill. Casting Support Magic on allies who were completely out of one's line of sight was supposed to be impossible. Yet, by utilizing her unique Ability, Selma could buff her comrades anywhere in the city.
This was a feat that even Orun Doura—the man she aimed to surpass—could not replicate. She truly earned her place at the summit of Enchanters.
『Rain, take Anneri.』
『Understood. Leave it to me.』
Rain, now empowered by Selma’s 【Rearguard Up】, entered her own combat stance.
"Alright, Derrick. Let’s settle once and for all who the weakest vanguard in the S-Ranks is!"
In that deserted alleyway, the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky clashed with the Hero Party.
◇ ◇ ◇
"Haruto, go help with the magic beasts. I can handle this alone now."
"……Finally. Alright, I’m leaving that woman to you."
"Understood."
Copper Afterglow was an S-Rank Party. In a crisis like a Stampede, they were an invaluable asset, especially since the Hero Party was no longer functional. However, we couldn't just leave Philly-san be. I didn't know her ultimate goal, but her malice was undeniable.
Still, Copper Afterglow had been fighting her four-on-one just to keep it a stalemate. To think Fuuka-san would face her alone……
"Well then, let’s get to the Guild," Katina-san suggested.
"No, our post is the North Gate," Haruto-san corrected. "The North Gate will likely see the second-highest concentration of beasts after the East Gate. It's the right call."
He seemed to know exactly where they were needed. Like with the situation involving Anneri and Derrick, Haruto-san appeared to have some method of grasping the broader situation.
"How pathetic," Philly-san sneered. "Even with four of you, you couldn't land a decisive blow. What makes you think one of you can stand against me?"
It was the one thing I agreed with her on. Fuuka-san was incredibly strong, but Philly-san was……
"You have it backward," Fuuka-san replied. "You are no match for me."
Her voice wasn't filled with bravado; it was a statement of absolute fact.
"……I see. If the head of the Shinonome house wishes to be the last one left, I am happy to oblige. I’ll erase you from this world immediately."
"I was going to say the same to you—"
Fuuka-san muttered as she stowed her scabbard into her storage and took a formal stance. Her sword began to transform. Starting from the hilt and racing toward the tip, the blade began to glow with a deep, reddish hue, until the entire steel was dyed the color of burnished copper.
"—From here on out, I’m not holding back."