Chapter 98

With this update, it's been a year of Cheat Magic!

I've been able to get this far thanks to all of you who have supported me! Thank you so much!

I've uploaded a special one-year anniversary SS in the activity report!

I am exploring the inside of Elsie, aiming for the training ground of the Koune Guard, which I learned about from Ku, Koune's mother.

Sure enough, this place is abnormal. Magic is used for everything.

When plowing the rice fields, the fire foxes use earth magic to pile up the soil, and the elves scatter seeds by riding the wind.

Even watering is done by using water magic to make it rain, finishing in an instant.

It's easy to say, but it requires precise control. Only top-notch mages can do it. In Elsie, being a top-notch mage seems to be the norm.

When I arrived at the training ground I had heard about, men were already gathered there. Elves and fire foxes were present. They were the members of the Koune Guard who had surprised us with magic on the first day.

The men were divided into two groups.

The first group consisted of dozens of men swinging swords, their expressions fierce, their sword auras terrifying.

"What's this? With such a wimpy stance, you think you can protect Lady Koune with that sword?!"

An elf man slapped the back of a fire fox man who was swinging a sword.

"Yes, sir!"

The man who was slapped didn't say a word of complaint and swung his sword even harder.

Even though it was just a practice swing, there was a tension greater than in actual combat. You could tell that each swing was infused with his soul. This continued endlessly.

I've never seen an army with such high morale, even I haven't.

I turned my attention to the other group.

The elves were creating tornadoes centered on themselves, and the fire foxes were generating pillars of fire.

Everyone was sweating and releasing their magic power with all their might.

"Roaaaaaar!!!"

The men's shouts and magic power pierced the sky.

I understood what they were trying to do: by releasing magic power beyond their limits, they were increasing their absolute magic power. Furthermore, by forcibly controlling magic power beyond their limits, they were improving their magic control skills.

Usually, when squeezing out magic power to the limit, there's an unconscious stop somewhere. They were overpowering it with strong willpower, squeezing out everything they had.

Controlling magic at such output should be impossible. They were making the impossible possible with their willpower.

Occasionally, some lost control, and their spells went berserk, but the people nearby would work together to stabilize them.

I see, this training is possible because they have the personnel to handle it.

Still, it's a tightrope walk with their lives on the line. It's not something that can be done easily.

"If this is the case, I can understand the control of that magic."

I muttered in a stunned voice.

The perfectly controlled magic that attacked me—I thought it was due to the talent of the elves and fire foxes, but it was wrong. It was purely the result of accumulated training.

Of course, if you do this much, you will naturally become stronger.

I shivered with excitement. I also wanted to do such life-risking training.

◇

After a while, the men's training ended.

The men, who should have exhausted their physical strength, magic power, and even their willpower, gathered in one place.

It was a beautiful formation. Complete order had been established. So, these guys have strong hearts.

The leader-like man turned around and looked at the other group.

He was an elf with long brown hair tied back, a man who fit the word "handsome." I had seen his face on the way here; he was the man Ku called Rorek. Come to think of it, he was also there during the attack at the gate.

"Dear members of the Koune Guard!"

He said the slightly embarrassing line with a serious face.

"We have trained day and night to protect Lady Koune. And more than anything, to be a man worthy of Lady Koune."

His words carried weight.

The weight of a man who had kept his word for many years.

"I have a question for you all."

His face twisted in pain.

"Lady Koune has left Elsie. Chasing her has been forbidden by Sir Cyril, and those who disobey the order will be 'educated' by Captain Ilax, Lady Koune's brother, Rina. Despite the severe punishment, we did not give up. We suppressed our feelings, believing Sir Cyril's words that leaving Elsie was for Lady Koune's sake and that she would eventually return stronger. That's why we vowed to train ourselves even more, so that when we were allowed to chase Lady Koune and when she returned, we would be ready."

The men nodded in unison.

"And finally, Lady Koune has returned, more beautiful and stronger. Sir Cyril was right. ...But she brought a man named Soji. It seems they are engaged."

Several members of the guard fell to their knees.

Then, one man shouted.

"Is Lady Koune being held hostage? I've heard that the man is a despicable lowlife with no morals."

"Indeed, that's true. I saw him with my own eyes; he was a sex maniac, a walking sex organ."

I wanted to shout, "Hey!"

"For Lady Koune's sake, we must purge Soji."

"Purge him!"

"Purge him!"

"Purge him!"

The call for purging echoed around.

It was genuinely scary.

After all, they could do it if they wanted to.

However, Rorek stomped the ground hard, and silence fell.

"I understand your feelings. I understand the desire to think that Lady Koune is in an unwanted engagement. But I saw it, and some of you saw it too. Lady Koune had the face of a woman. She was completely infatuated with that man. The unusual atmosphere, she has definitely crossed the line."

"Roaaaaaar!!!"

The men completely collapsed, tears streaming down their faces. Some pounded the ground with their fists, and others writhed, clutching their heads.

...The face of a woman. A rather harsh expression.

"We, the Koune Guard, gathered to protect Lady Koune and to become men worthy of her. Now that Lady Koune belongs to another man, I will not blame those who want to leave. Furthermore, Rina has asked us to train that man. He said it would be better for us to train him than for him to do it himself."

"Is Rina a demon?!"

"Is he asking us to lend our strength to our enemy...?"

"Not only has Lady Koune been taken from us, but the strength we trained for her is to be used for that man?!"

The faces of the guard twisted in anger and pain.

Well, it's natural. Rina is being cruel.

Actually, I feel my life is in danger too.

"Those who wish to leave the Koune Guard, express your will now."

The men were flustered.

An elf hesitantly raised his hand.

"What will the captain do?"

The captain of the guard smiled faintly.

"Me? I won't leave. A man has appeared. Just that alone is not enough to make me dislike Lady Koune. This feeling is not so cheap... Besides, she looked beautiful. Lady Koune looking at Soji. More beautiful than any other Lady Koune I've seen. I want to keep seeing such a Lady Koune. I will continue to protect her. To begin with, I never expected this feeling to be reciprocated. Even if my feelings don't reach her, it's fine. No, it's enough that I know my feelings. I will live for Lady Koune's happiness."

His words were not just surface-level. They were the cries of a man's soul.

What a man. I always thought any man who approached Koune was a pest, but there are guys like this.

"That's right, we love Lady Koune."

"We are here to protect Lady Koune's smile."

The captain's passion spread to the surroundings, and the men stood up. There were no more tears in their eyes. Only resolve.

"We won't leave. We will continue to be the Koune Guard. For Lady Koune's smile."

They shouted in unison.

Not a single person said they would leave.

"Thank you, everyone. ...Let's drink at today's festival. Let's deepen our bonds and talk about Lady Koune's charm."

Thus, the men gathered, hugged each other, and deepened their friendship.

After witnessing this, I left.

Truly, what men.

I will take Koune from these men and be trained by them.

This thought ignited a hot fire deep in my heart.