09

“…I see. A sorcerer, huh. Are they calling themselves that?”

“Yes. I’m studying magic myself, so I have a decent understanding of it, but even so, it was magic I’d never seen before. We had no way to deal with it, and our allies kept getting taken down.”

This journey had already begun to stagnate in its pursuit of magical research. Meeting a different mage along the way and encountering unfamiliar magic might lead to some kind of breakthrough.

‘And besides, it’s rare enough to meet another sorcerer at all.’

“…So, what do you think? The strength to defeat an Armor Bear, and the skill to create an item box—whether that’s true or not. Would you be willing to help us?”

The girl lowered her head, letting her red hair fall forward as she bowed.

“Well… I don’t really have any obligation to help, but our goals and destination line up. I suppose I can lend a hand this time. Sophia, sorry to drag you into another fight, but is that all right?”

“I don’t mind at all. This sword has already been dedicated to you, Ains-sama. Whether the opponent is a sorcerer or not, my duty to protect you does not change.”

Sophia placed a hand over her chest and swore her loyalty.

“Then it’s settled!!”

“Yeah. Let’s head out right away. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of magic this sorcerer will show us.”

Led by the red-haired girl, Ains and Sophia walked behind her.

“Oh, we still haven’t introduced ourselves. I’m Laika Brandy, of the Brandy Marquess family. Thank you so much for lending your strength!”

“The Brandy Marquess? A noble, then. That explains the refined elegance of a true lady—and you’re beautiful to boot. Worlds apart from a country bumpkin like me.”

“L-Lady… and beautiful, too? You’re suspicious, but you’re good with flattery.”

“I grew up in an environment where I’d get a solid punch if I messed up complimenting a woman… I’m Ains. I work as a mage.”

Ains spoke with a distant look in his eyes, recalling how Silica often scolded him: “A younger brother has a duty to praise his sister! Study how to compliment women instead of wasting time on magic!”—followed by a firm knock on the head.

“My name is Sophia. I serve as a knight of the Silver Snow Knights.”

“T-The Silver Snow Knights!? No wonder—I thought you weren’t an ordinary person.”

“Are they that famous?”

“Famous doesn’t even begin to cover it! The knights of the land where the great sorcerer Ains was raised! Anyone who aspires to magic is taught that they must pray before the Sacred Mark at least once in their life. I’ve heard the knights who guard that place are people of truly outstanding character!”

“Huh. Outstanding character, you say.”

“W-What is it, Ains-sama?”

“I was just wondering if people of outstanding character draw their swords and try to cut someone down out of nowhere.”

Sophia bristled, clearly offended by Ains’s remark.

“I-It’s your fault, Ains-sama. You appeared looking extremely suspicious.”

Her words stabbed straight into Ains’s heart.

“I-Is my appearance really that suspicious…?”

“You’re a mage, yet you didn’t even know about the Silver Snow Knights, did you? Combined with how you look, of course you seem suspicious.”

“You’re pretty blunt too, Laika…”

“You can just call me Laika, you know?”

“But you’re the daughter of a marquess, right? I don’t know much about noble society, but if I’m rude, won’t I get beheaded?”

“That’s a terrible prejudice… No one’s chopping heads off that easily. At least, my father wouldn’t. And you’re helping us, after all. I should be the one showing you proper courtesy.”

“No, it’s fine. Just call me Ains. Sophia insists on adding ‘-sama,’ but don’t worry about it.”

“But if a knight of the Silver Snow Knights uses an honorific…”

Laika looked unconvinced.

Ains gently smoothed things over, and in the end, they settled on calling each other simply “Ains” and “Laika.”

As they moved through the bushes, the distant clamor that hadn’t been audible during the fight with the Armor Bear gradually reached their ears.

They were getting close to the battlefield.

“By the way, what kind of effects does that sorcerer’s ‘magic’ have?”

Ains asked Laika as they walked.

They were about to face a sorcerer—not just an ordinary spellcaster—so he figured it was best to gather information in advance.

“…‘Magic’? Um, they can use the usual attack spells like fireballs, water orbs, lightning—pretty much the standard stuff.”

That much was common knowledge.

Even Sophia, walking beside Ains, showed no particular sense of danger at that information.

“Anything else? The magic you said you’d never seen before?”

Ains reasoned that the unseen magic Laika mentioned must be what truly defined that mage.

Laika claimed to have some knowledge of magic, yet she didn’t seem to distinguish between “magic” and “sorcery.” Ains suspected she might be calling anyone who could use a wide variety of spells—beyond the level of a normal spellcaster—a sorcerer.

“I can tell they’re chanting something, but I can’t make out the words. Once the chant finishes, our movements get restricted.”

“…Restricted how?”

“We can’t run, can’t cast spells, can’t swing our swords—it’s completely ridiculous!”

At the mention of not being able to swing a sword, Sophia’s presence sharpened.

Sophia was a knight. If she couldn’t swing her sword, she couldn’t attack—or even defend herself. That was nothing short of a serious threat.

“…I see.”

“When you can’t attack, can’t defend, and can’t even move, even bandits become deadly. That’s why the damage ended up being so severe.”

Ains himself had never encountered magic or sorcery like that. He had never considered developing magic specifically to restrict movement, so the idea had never occurred to him.

“Ains, you can use healing magic too, right?”

“It’s not my specialty, but healing at a spellcaster’s level would be easy enough.”

“That’s a relief. With things the way they are, our potions have almost run out…”

It was right as she was saying that—