06

“Understood. I will convey it exactly as you said.”

Gaus replied with a nod.

“All right! I’ve eaten breakfast, so I guess it’s time to head out.”

Ains stood up and lightly patted his trousers, smoothing out the wrinkles.

“Where will you be heading next?”

“Hm. I haven’t decided yet. Do you know anywhere good?”

“A good… place. If you intend to combine it with the pursuit of sorcery…”

“How about the royal capital?”

Sophia, who had been standing by, answered.

“The royal capital? Is there something there?”

“Yes. The royal capital has a Sorcery Academy, a place where those confident in their magical ability and those who aspire to become sorcerers gather.”

It also housed the royal palace and was the most prosperous city in the Santia Kingdom, Sophia concluded.

“A Sorcery Academy! That sounds great. I didn’t know such an amazing place existed. I’d love to go there and study! Ah, if only I’d left the forest sooner and attended that academy…”

‘I… can hardly imagine there being anything left for Ains-sama to learn,’

Sophia thought.

If anything, she wanted to beg him to teach her.

“Thank you, Commander Gaus. For now, I’ll head toward the royal capital. The royal capital was called…?”

“Royal Capital Kirk. I will assign Sophia to guide you.”

“Huh? I’ll be fine on my own.”

Having seen Sophia’s emotional volatility, Ains was reluctant to accept her company.

“With Sophia along, arrangements in Kirk will be easier. We will also provide financial support so you won’t be troubled by travel expenses.”

“Eeh!? Is it really okay for me to take money too? You were calling me suspicious just a moment ago—this sudden change is kind of scary.”

“M-My sincere apologies for that. However, thanks to these copies, we enjoy a prosperous life. You may consider it compensation for your contributions.”

“…Well, it is true that Silica kept forcing unreasonable demands on me like, ‘I’m your older sister, show some respect,’ and had me writing spells like a workhorse. And it’s also true that I’m completely broke. I’ll gratefully accept, then.”

With lifeless eyes, Ains recalled Silica’s past treatment.

Seeing that, Gaus and Sophia both thought,

‘(Saint Silica-sama being that rough…?)’

They were utterly unable to imagine it.

“All right, let’s strike while the iron’s hot. Sophia, get ready right away. Magic evolves every second—we can’t afford to be left behind.”

“Yes! I’ll prepare immediately!”

“Good. I’ll wait outside and get some fresh air.”

Ains opened the door first and stepped outside.

After making preparations and briefly discussing future matters with Gaus, Sophia hurried to rejoin Ains.

“All right, Sophia. For me, this is my first time in a city in years! Let’s enjoy the culture and magic to the fullest!”

His prosthetic leg clacked lightly as he walked, the empty right sleeve of his jacket and his long silver hair flowing in the wind.

“Y-Yes!”

Sophia followed after him.

Thus, the enigmatic sorcerer, the Demon God known as Ains of Silver Snow, set out on a journey toward the Royal Capital Kirk.

Ains departed with Sophia in tow.

For the time being, they toured the stalls they had spotted on the way to the knight headquarters.

After fully indulging in the shops that had caught his interest, they set out on foot toward the royal capital.

“By the way, just like Commander Gaus said—does Sophia really have that much pull in the royal capital?”

Ains asked Sophia as they walked side by side.

“Strictly speaking, it’s not me, but rather the Silver Snow Knights.”

“Why is that?”

“The Silver Snow Knights possess extensive magical knowledge and countermeasures thanks to grimoires and Lord Ains of Silver Snow. Because of this, we are highly valued as a strategic force in monster subjugation and conflicts with other nations. That is why knights of the Silver Snow Knights are given considerable leeway in the royal capital.”

“I see… Wait, who’s ‘Ains of Silver Snow’?”

It was the first time Ains had heard the term.

It also shared the words “Silver Snow” with the knight order, and the honorific attached suggested someone of great importance.

“…Ah. Um, a truly great sorcerer. He was called a Demon God, a figure so famous that no one fails to know his name.”

“Huh. So there’s a sorcerer that incredible. The world really is big. I’d love to meet him and ask for guidance.”

Holding his sheathed sword, Ains cut aside branches blocking the path as he walked.

At his side, Sophia sighed, unable to tell him the truth.

Before they departed, Gaus had instructed her: Ains was currently at an impasse in his pursuit of sorcery and was traveling to clear his head. She was not to burden him with unnecessary thoughts.

“I doubt you’ll be able to meet him, Ains-sama.”

After all, he was that person.

“Haah. I guess a sorcerer of my level wouldn’t even be granted an audience…”

Unaware of the truth, Ains grew dispirited.

Seeing no good coming from continuing the topic, Sophia changed the subject.

“Ains-sama, something occurred to me.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“You are a sorcerer—so why do you carry a sword?”

Even as Sophia spoke, Ains continued swinging his blade.

And his swings were far from amateurish—polished, disciplined movements from someone well-versed in swordsmanship.

As someone who had devoted herself to the blade, Sophia could gauge his skill just from watching him cut branches.

‘Different style from mine, but equal to me… or perhaps even…’

“Oh, this? Even as a sorcerer, I understand how useful a sword is. Being good at magic doesn’t mean neglecting swordsmanship. And moving the body connects directly to sorcery as well.”

“Is that so? As a knight and swordsman, that’s not something I can easily grasp.”

The Silver Snow Knights possessed knowledge of magic and its countermeasures, but that swordsmanship could connect to sorcery was news even to Sophia.

“Looks like we’ve found a good one.”

Where Ains turned his gaze stood a massive armored bear.