Chapter 46
The space between spaces.
A space filled with emptiness and illusions.
Teleportation happened so swiftly through warping that there was barely a moment to grasp the space.
However, Erica was mentally juggling an immense amount of information to the point where the vast space seemed filled to the brim.
What have you done, Schugelhartz!
Erica managed to use warp magic, barely avoiding Barugan’s fierce attack.
In truth, regardless of the class tournament or anything else, she wanted to confront him fiercely. Fiercely might not be the right term. She simply wanted to unleash a one-sided assault.
She wanted to make his arrogant face so repulsive that he wouldn’t dare show it again.
To make sure he never smirked arrogantly again.
But no matter how insulted she felt or how anger surged, she was not detached from reality.
She was strong.
Like a genius who had thought they had washed away the word “effort” as impurities were washed away in soap, she seemed to have a renewed drive.
Her magical power had grown exponentially.
The last time Erica and Barugan had met was about a year ago. When they met as families, there was an opportunity to confirm each other’s growth, and the mana she displayed at that time was embarrassingly abundant.
Surely, to control demons, she must have poured out a vast amount of mana.
Since wielding the mace, she had begun extracting mana effortlessly, as if before that, she had just been idling.
Annoying, annoying, annoying…!!
In the space of emptiness, although her body did not maintain its shape.
Erica stomped on the imaginary ground, her feet moving restlessly.
Though it was unclear where she had drawn such a vast amount of mana from, it was evident that she was quite exhausted.
If only three of the five groups nearby had come to her aid, or even. If just two had come, perhaps she could have captured him.
Surely, it was an opportunity that wouldn’t come again.
The reality confronting Erica was different.
“Erica, snap out of it. No matter how long you wait, reinforcements won’t come.”
The mocking tone naturally provoking her suppressed anger.
Barugan, as if accurately reading her thoughts, spoke during the ongoing battle.
“Are you okay with staying like this? If reinforcements aren’t coming, it means we can’t send them.”
As frustrating as it was, there was a high possibility that his words were true.
He relayed the exact location and purpose to Diphelia.
The number of soldiers in the main army was enough to be burdensome. If that were the case, it would take more time, but Erica would have contacted the main base of Class 4.
However, the fact that no one came meant that either they were in an unreachable situation or something more serious had occurred.
Because of this, Erica was heading towards the main base of Class 5, not Class 4.
With a clear line of sight, if it was a nearby place, she could move quickly using warp magic that consumed less mana.
Currently, Erica had used a considerable amount of mana in the battle with Bargan, and since she was geographically closer to Class 4 than Class 5, it was more efficient to stop by Class 5 first—under the pretext that it was more practical, she deliberately ignored her worries about Diphelia.
After calming her restless mind to some extent.
*Bzzt.*
The transfer was complete.
The disorientation of passing through the void disappeared, and the body, which had been divided into tens or hundreds of millions of small particles, was correctly reassembled.
Finally, the moment shown by Diphelia’s familiar was there.
Even though it was possible to move through space with warp magic, it was only natural that one couldn’t go to areas not perceived visually.
A sense of relief.
The feeling of air not having even made a full circle around the body.
As her senses activated, Erica strained to quickly assess the situation.
A sharp tip that seemed like it would pierce her any moment.
The gleaming eyes from all directions belonged to the owners of that tip.
A girl sitting in a chair with wheels slightly away, wearing a sad expression.
Although her eyes were closed, it seemed like the movement of her pupils could be seen.
“Diphelia. What are you doing right now?”
The group of holy maidens surrounded Erica.
Clearly with hostile intentions.
“Erica… why… why did you come here?”
“Well, the most reliable means of communication—”
“—I entrusted a familiar to Erica! Even if you warped to the main base of Class 4, there was a way to contact us, so why… why on earth!”
Diphelia kept repeating that ‘why.’
Unlike the others around her, she did not express anger towards Erica. Instead, the questioning emotion pricked at Diphelia’s heart.
“Why… did you come here… Erica.”
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It would have been better if she hadn’t come.
Erica deciphered the hidden message in her words.
The wooden furniture around Diphelia transformed. Enlarged like a sponge soaked with water, they writhed like living creatures.
A small bird perched on Diphelia’s shoulder chirped. Although there was no visual contact with Erica, her voice reached Erica’s ears.
Diphelia’s communication network was intact.
“Diphelia, as I mentioned, it seems we’ll have to abandon the defense of the second intermediate base! Class 1 has too many heads!”
The second intermediate base?
Not the first one?
Though there was interference due to the lack of connection, she heard it clearly.
Strange.
The place the allied forces were attacking was the first intermediate base held by Class 1.
The second intermediate base was where Class 5 had planted their flag, mostly consisting of Class 5 students…
‘Ah.’
Worries were forcibly resolved.
Like a lightning strike, someone’s face came to mind in an instant.
At the same time, her current situation, and.
His actions were being referenced.
Although there were empty puzzle pieces here and there, she could still grasp the general picture being formed.
Yes, she.
Through the warp, she moved.
“Shugenharz…!”
She didn’t come here by choice, but was “guided” to do so. With her arrival, Bargan’s desired picture was complete.
“Erica… 1st Defense Team, who succeeded, has rushed to the 2nd central stronghold… as if they knew the location…”
Wooden items wriggled and extended their stems.
Soon, they began to envelop Erica’s surroundings.
“Why… I wonder.”
Despite that, Diphelia’s pitiful tone expressed a desire to trust Erica to the end.
The bent tree branches fiercely covered Erica from all sides.
—
Clack, clack!
“You don’t have to shake so much, I would’ve petted you even if you didn’t act cute, little rascal.”
As Erica gently (?) strangled the neck of the crow familiar, the black creature seemed pleased, its face beaming.
Happily closing its eyes, presenting its glossy body, truly.
Too cute.
To the extent that one would want it back from Erica.
If the owner who abandoned such an adorable familiar were to be abandoned, wouldn’t that be acceptable?
Can I take it with me?
Suppressing the rising urge of plunder, we walked until we unexpectedly reached our destination.
What is the nature of a familiar… really.
“Young master. We have successfully secured the 2nd central stronghold.”
The first to greet me was Alicia. She rushed over and began reporting on the situation.
She accurately reported on the outed individuals and quantified the extent of the damage.
“…Therefore, we can estimate the current 1st team’s strength to be about 80% of what it was.”
“Quite sufficient.”
A satisfactory outcome.
Though some may be fatigued, considering those circumstances, we can confidently say they are excellent compared to the chaotic 4th and 5th teams.
We just need to take advantage of their confusion and charge in.
“….”
Alicia stared at me intently.
Seems like she’s pondering deeply, but doesn’t seem to have anything specific to say.
“Why so?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. It seemed like it’s been a while… No, I mean, I was just confirming that Nias isn’t impersonating you, young master. I apologize for any disrespectful behavior.”
“If it were that brat, he would have gone back to the sword. Since the mana supply was cut off.”
The lad can’t just have it good when he’s already done with his part.
As the distance grew, the need for more mana increased as well.
“Young Master. Although I haven’t heard about the future plans, how will things proceed? I believe that now, I can… ever so slightly… move according to your will.”
“Oh, you showing confidence is quite something.”
Did awakening to a new stage of hallucination and aura affect her evaluation of herself?
Seems like she’s starting to rate herself higher.
Well, considering how low she was before, going up is the normal progression.
“T-That… ”
Alicia’s voice was rapidly fading, almost inaudible.
“Feeling acknowledged by the Young Master… ”
Huh?
Is she talking about communicating with the twin owl familiar? They didn’t say much. What was it besides ‘good job’?
“If acknowledgment had to be given, wasn’t it there from the start? The recognition of a mad genius was the most I could offer.”
“Ah… Yes! You have always been positive towards me, Young Master. I truly appreciate that. However… this time, it feels somewhat different, I suppose…”
“Different feeling?”
“Oh, no! It’s just nonsensical talk, so feel free to forget about it!”
Alicia hastily ended her words, fidgeting.
Touching those reddened cheeks would probably feel as hot as touching a boiling kettle.
Well, anyway.
Let’s talk about the future development.
“There’s nothing like that.”
“Did I show a shameful side… huh? Oh, was it non-existent?”
“Yeah, all that had to be done has been done. Now, there’s only one thing left.”
“One thing, you say… ”
“Full-fledged battle.”
The enemy forces have been reduced to the maximum extent possible.
On the other hand, our strength is left enough for a full-on charge. Even saying that we’ve shown the audience everything through the class battles wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Might as well decorate it well until the end.
“Let’s give even the fools goosebumps.”
As they say, knowing is half the battle. The audience who will grasp the meaning behind all the actions I’ve prepared this time won’t be many.
Let’s make it grand.
To the point where it can’t all be taken in at a glance.
“Plum, prepare the visual magic.”
“Ah, y-yes! I will prepare it right away!”
Though not called out loudly, Plum, the disheveled man who managed to pull himself together, started to move quickly.
He’s the one who assists with using visual magic at the start of the class battles.
“Alicia, there’s a Theological Student Council, right?”
“Yes, it’s a research society established by you, Young Master.”
“From this moment on, the name will change.”
“If that’s your will… “
The student council was nothing more than a sign to attract attention, no more, no less.
I have no intention of reviving the council, but that doesn’t mean I’ll pretend to be close with them either. To be precise, there’s no ‘need’ to do so.
Why bother with the student council when there are other things to do?
It would be better to recruit at least one talent in that time.
The atmosphere must have turned tense.
Only the final showdown remains.
If we are to inform everyone, now is the time.
Let’s firmly plant our flag on this fertile land.
Plum swiftly completed the preparation of visual magic and projected the image in front of me.
Since we resolved the conflict through conversation with Alicia this time, there is no need for further refinement.
『Declaration of War. Erika, Diphyllia.』
All members of Class 1, who were waiting nearby, grip their respective weapons tightly.
The swordsmen hold their swords.
The magicians their accessories.
The archers their bows.
Each of them now holds a weapon they have become familiar with.
『Now, let’s put an end to this.』
They squeeze out all their strength.