Fuka-san sheathed her curved single-edged sword into the scabbard in her left hand. A high-pitched metallic ring echoed through the silent space.
"You're from "Copper Twilight", correct?"
Philly-san asked the sudden intruder—Fuka-san.
She seems to know almost nothing about Fuka-san.
Philly-san arrived in this city about a month after the joint subjugation.
"Copper Twilight" is an S-rank party, yet they rarely appear in newspapers. There's a disconnect between their reached floors and public recognition.
It's understandable she wouldn't know.
"…Surprising. I thought you had grasped everything about us."
"Unfortunately I'm busy. I don't have time to waste on every little insect. Sorry about that."
So for now, I'm safe?
No—I can't let my guard down yet.
While the two talk, I need to recover enough stamina to move.
But why did Fuka-san come here?
Titania said something about intentionally bringing her.
As I wondered,
'I'm baaack~'
Sylph—who had vanished earlier—suddenly reappeared.
'Sylph, thank you for your hard work.'
'…Did Sylph bring Fuka-san here?'
Sylph disappeared suddenly and reappeared right after Fuka-san arrived.
The only explanation is that Sylph went to fetch her.
'Yup~ I can speak to humans one-sidedly, after all~'
I've heard sound is vibration in the air.
If so, Sylph—who excels at manipulating wind and air—can easily create sound.
"—That insect is poisonous to you. You should have exterminated it sooner."
Their conversation continued.
"What are you even saying? It's still just an insect. Exterminating it after realizing it's venomous isn't too late."
"That insect carries deadly poison. So—here you die."
"Fufu, such bravado. Don't think your bluff works on me."
"Bluff? No—fact. —Then let me introduce myself while I mentally attack you."
"Yes, please do. Who are you, bearer of poison strong enough to kill me?"
"Shinonome Fuka, head of the old eastern family, the Shinonome clan of the Far East. Pleasure to meet you—for the short time we have."
"—!"
When Fuka-san introduced herself, Philly-san's eyes widened.
I know Kyokutou is the name of an island nation in the eastern continent, but what does "old family" mean?
"…Impossible. The Shinonome family—"
"Yes. They all died in the civil war. But my guards were excellent, so I alone survived. —So with my personal grudge included, I'll cut you down, Philly Carpenter."
Fuka-san radiated an intimidating pressure that made the air vibrate.
"…I see. A survivor. —Then exterminating you here solves everything!"
Philly-san tapped the ground with her staff. A massive barrage of spears of various attributes fired toward us.
Since some were aimed at me too, I whipped my exhausted body to move away and avoid getting in Fuka-san's way—when
"It's okay. Stay there."
Fuka-san told me.
She pushed the guard of her sword upward with her left thumb, revealing a few centimeters of blade.
She placed her right hand on the hilt. Countless thin silver trails raced around her.
Any spear that touched those trails scattered into mist before reaching Fuka-san.
(Too fast…!?)
I understood what she did.
She swung her sword and cut down each spear.
But she was so fast that all I saw were the silver afterimages left behind.
Having sliced everything, Fuka-san sheathed her sword again.
While I stared in awe at her movements, Fuka-san's body suddenly blurred—then vanished.
"Guh!"
Philly-san let out a pained grunt. When I looked, Fuka-san stood back-to-back with her.
Two crossing slashes marred Philly-san's body. She collapsed.
Fuka-san looked down expressionlessly, flicked the blood from her blade, and sheathed it.
(Even with Titania's help, I couldn't reach Philly-san… and Fuka-san defeated her in an instant…)
As I stared in shock, I sensed mana gathering around Fuka-san.
(This is magic!?)
"Fuka-san! Watch out!"
By the time I shouted it was too late. Countless magic circles appeared around Fuka-san, engulfing her in explosions.
"No way…"
"Fufu. You knew who I was but not my ability, it seems."
Philly-san—who should have been down from the slashes—stood some distance away, unharmed.
Not only her wounds—her clothes were restored too.
(That attack definitely hit Fuka-san…)
"Now you're next, Luna Flockheart. —!?"
As Philly-san's hostility turned toward me again, she suddenly looked upward.
Following her gaze, I saw a figure descending rapidly.
As it drew closer, I recognized him.
Hart-san from "Copper Twilight".
He closed in and drove a heel drop toward Philly-san with tremendous force.
Philly-san dodged, leaping back to create distance.
Even though the heel never touched the ground, the impact cratered the area around it.
"Tch, figured she'd dodge. —Huey!"
"[Cyclone]!"
A tornado formed around the retreating Philly-san, trapping her inside.
"Wind high-grade, huh. No mercy."
Despite the raging tornado right in front of him, Hart-san sounded completely relaxed—totally out of place.
"Didn't Leader say treat her like a deep-layer floor boss!?"
"More importantly—Fuka-san—"
"What about me?"
I tried to tell them Fuka-san had been taken down—only to hear her voice from behind.
"Fuka-san!? How…? That explosion just now…"
No visible wounds, but that was a direct hit.
"Hm? I dodged that explosion."
She answered as if it were obvious.
There was no escape—how?
Oh—right. Her ability is [Future Sight].
"So what now? If Leader's right, even [Cyclone] won't take her down?"
Kati's words brought tension back to the loosened air.
"Yeah. —Before that woman comes out, confirm this, Luna."
"Yes?"
"Can you still fight?"
Hart-san asked seriously.
"I've recovered enough to move somewhat. I can cast magic, but not enough to join your battle. I'm sorry."
"Figured. Don't worry. Surviving her attacks alone is already impressive."
"Then next—Fuka. How much time left?"
"About three minutes."
…What are they talking about?
I'm curious, but this isn't the time to interrupt.
"Three minutes… long, but no choice. —Fuka and I will keep her busy. Kati and Huey, support with attack magic. Luna—if you can join in, hit her with magic too."
"Understood."
As their plan solidified, the tornado dissipated—revealing an unharmed Philly-san.
"Not even scratched…"
"Don't be surprised by that. If you lose focus now, you won't last."
Hart-san said, then advanced on Philly-san head-on.
Such boldness…
He swung his right fist straight at her face.
It moved at incredible speed—yet Philly-san dodged—seemingly.
Even without contact, she was blown backward as if punched in the face.
""[Thunder Javelin]!!""
Kati and Huey—having anticipated this—fired lightning spears in pursuit.
But Philly-san's wind spears intercepted and canceled them.
In that opening, Fuka-san—who had closed in at high speed—swung her sword.
Philly-san blocked with her staff.
As expected of an S-rank party.
Their coordination was flawless and advanced.
Yet Philly-san handled all four of them alone.
She wasn't just a mage. Her close combat was top-class too.
◇
Fuka-san and Hart-san attacked in perfect sync, but Philly-san exploited the tiniest flaw in their coordination. A powerful gust pushed them back.
"Tch… knew it'd be tough, but actually getting repelled like this stings…"
Hart-san grumbled.
"Guh… ugh…"
A groan sounded. I looked—the Marquis had regained consciousness.
"Luna, can you look after the Marquis?"
"Understood."
Following Hart-san's instruction, I went to him.
"Lord Forgas, are you all right?"
"Y-Yes… I'm fine."
No external injuries, consciousness clear. He should be okay. I'll cast [Heal] just in case.
"By the way—…who are you…?"
...Excuse me?
It took time to process what the Marquis just said.
We were together just moments ago.
"No way… Hey! Marquis! Look around—you can see it's an emergency! Forgive the tone! Answer me! —What year, month, and day is it today?"
Hart-san bombarded him with questions after hearing that.
"What's with the sudden—"
"Just answer!"
"Hm… It's the 4th day of the 2nd month, 619th year of the Four Saints Calendar, isn't it?"
"!"
I was stunned by the Marquis's answer.
His expression didn't look like he was lying.
"As expected…"
"What of it?"
"Lord Forgas—that date is about ten years ago… Today is June 5th, 629th year of the Four Saints Calendar."
"What did you say!?"
The Marquis cried out in genuine shock.
It didn't seem like an act.
Memory loss…?
"—Don't fuck with me! You shitty woman! How many lives do you have to ruin before you're satisfied!!"
Hart-san roared from the depths of his heart.
Not just his voice—both he and Fuka-san directed overwhelming killing intent toward Philly-san.
"Fufu, why so angry? All humans in this world are my puppets, aren't they? How I handle my possessions is my business."
Even under that killing intent, Philly-san remained completely unfazed.
No—her words… what is she saying…!
"Shut up already. I'll crush you—"
『This is Selma Claudel of "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky"—』
As Hart-san moved to attack in rage, a woman's voice echoed in our minds.
But this felt different from speaking with fairies.
This must be Selma-san's ability…
Everyone present—including me—froze in confusion as Selma-san relayed the current situation.
We knew Orun-san and Oliver-san were fighting overhead, but monster overflow too?
The situation keeps worsening…
"…Selma Claudel had an ability like this? The overflow information spread too fast…"
Philly-san muttered, frowning.
"Haha, damn… she instantly informed every explorer in the city…"
In contrast, Hart-san laughed.
"Leader, calm now?"
"Yeah. So sheathe that sword already?"
Fuka-san had her blade pointed at Hart-san.
Probably to stop him from charging in blind rage—though it seemed a bit extreme…
"! Aneli and Derrick—controlled by Philly—are heading to the guild! If this continues…"
The two puppets might attack the explorers heading to the guild.
But we can't split our forces here…
"What? —No, it's fine. Haha! The title 'Continent's Greatest Enchanter' isn't for show. How much of the battlefield does she see?"
Hart-san laughed off my concern.
Does he see something else?
'He's right. Don't worry about those two.'
Titania said the same.
If both say so, I have to believe it's okay.
There's nothing more I can do anyway.
◇◇◇
In an alley near the guild, Aneli and Derrick walked.
"Stop right there!"
A voice called from somewhere, ordering them to halt—but of course they didn't.
The ground beneath them bulged. Countless thorns shot upward.
Even they couldn't ignore that. They leaped back to avoid the spikes.
"Aneli and Derrick of the hero party. As key persons of interest in this incident, you're coming with us."
On the opposite side of the thorns stood Rain from "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky".
The pair immediately turned to take another path—but
"Where do you think you're going? That's not your destination."
Willkus from "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" blocked their way.
"…"
'Hey, were they always like this?'
Will asked Rain via telepathy.
'Something's off about their vibe. But our job stays the same.'
'Yeah.'
Conversation over, Will readied his dual blades.
"Willkus of "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky". Think you can beat me—current me—without buffs?"
Derrick—who hadn't spoken until now—finally did.
"Huh…? Oh, that's what you mean."
Will paused a moment at the sudden question, then understood.
"Let me tell you one thing. Don't underestimate our leader."
As he spoke, Will felt [Vanguard Up] cast on himself.
To cast magic from farther away requires considerable skill.
Casting support magic on allies outside your line of sight should be impossible.
But Selma can do it using her ability.
Even Orun—whom she acknowledges as her goal—can't do that.
A skill truly worthy of standing at the pinnacle of enchanters.
'Rain, I'll leave Aneli to you.'
'Got it.'
Rain—also buffed with [Rearguard Up] by Selma—entered combat stance.
"Then let's decide who's the weakest S-rank vanguard, Derrick!"
In a deserted alley, "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" clashed with the hero party.
◇◇◇
"Hart, you guys head to the monsters. I can handle this alone now."
"…Finally. Then we leave that woman to you."
"Copper Twilight" is an S-rank party.
In an emergency like monster overflow, they're valuable assets.
Especially since the hero party is already non-functional.
But we can't ignore Philly-san.
I don't fully understand her goal, but she's clearly acting with malice.
Letting her run free won't end well.
Even four from "Copper Twilight" only managed to stalemate her.
Yet Fuka-san alone…
"Then let's hurry to the guild."
"No need. Our assigned spot is the north gate. After east, north gets the second-most monsters. Makes sense."
Kati suggested heading to the guild, but Hart-san already knew his assignment.
Like with Aneli and Derrick earlier, he might have some ability to grasp the situation.
"Don't underestimate me. Four of you couldn't touch me—think one can?"
Philly-san sneered after overhearing.
I agree with that part.
Fuka-san is strong. But Philly-san is even…
"No. You can't beat me."
Fuka-san countered Philly-san's words.
Her tone carried absolute certainty—not bravado.
"…Fine. The head of the Shinonome clan staying behind alone is convenient for me. I'll erase you quickly."
"That's my line—"
Fuka-san muttered, then stored her scabbard and readied her sword.
The blade gradually took on a red hue from hilt to tip—finally turning copper-red.
"—From here on, I go full power."