Chapter 73

It's a bit long.

"Master, here is the morning edition of the Vins newspaper."

"Hmm, thanks."

I was munching on my breakfast when I absentmindedly accepted the morning paper from Yuki.

Still, I wondered why a newspaper. I don't have the habit of reading newspapers. Well, there's no point in thinking with my sleepy morning brain, so I opened the front page and started reading.

"Choke--!!"

The soup went straight down my windpipe and spurted out of my mouth like a geyser.

I choked and coughed, while Sylvia just exclaimed, "Oh, what a mess!" without doing anything. Eko laughed happily beside her. I thought Yuki would wipe up the scattered fish soup with a towel, but she focused on wiping my crotch. I knew she was a bit perverted, but she's a real lewd elf.

"Second, what did it say?"

"I'll explain, okay."

I don't know when she was summoned, but Winfield casually appeared in the living room. She spread the newspaper on the table and started explaining its contents.

"The headline reads, 'Is the Knights' Agreement Violated? Suspicions Surround the Suppression of the Righteous Thieves.'"

"Hmm, I can sort of understand it, but..."

"For this issue, it's enough to know that the Knights are hiding something about the suppression of the righteous thieves."

"Does this apply to the First, Second, and Third Knights equally?"

"Yes, first, we want to create doubt about the Knights, and by extension, the First Prince's faction. Tomorrow or the day after, we'll reveal more details. We'll release information gradually and repeatedly to make a stronger impression, changing the approach each time. It's the basic strategy."

If we raise a catchy suspicion, the curious public will crave more information. We'll feed them information like bait to a hungry crowd. There are already many people who doubt the First Knights' thorough suppression of the righteous thieves. Opinions will inevitably clash between the right and the left, and the more information we release, the more it will spread and escalate.

Moreover, after the suspicion of violating the agreement, we have the testimony of the R6 survivors, a request for the disclosure of official documents, and even evidence of tampering. It's a perfect script, really.

"...Hey, who leaked this information?"

"It was me, Second. You can praise me, you know?"

"Very, very nice, Winfield. Great job!"

"Eh, well... I guess it's fine."

Winfield looked a bit dissatisfied for a moment but compromised when she sensed the murderous aura from Sylvia and Yuki.

"Ah, Sylvia, you'll probably be summoned to the Third Knights today. When that happens, say something like, 'That man might know something.'"

"Do you mean to suggest that you, Second, might know something?"

"Exactly. Say something like, 'I saw him talking to a suspicious man behind the inn.' If they ask for a reason, that's fine."

"Understood."

"Second, be ready to move at any time in the palace. And try not to get kicked out."

"I can handle the first part. For the second, I'll do my best."

I have the difficult task of making the useless court mages useful. I managed to come up with a solution after thinking about it all night, but I don't know if it will work.

"---Excuse me for interrupting your conversation."

At that moment, a maid appeared instead of the butler, Kyubero. Yuki muttered, "You're early," upon seeing her. What's going on?

"The R6 member, Bisai, has been secured at the servants' residence. What should we do?"

"Oh, is it the one I asked for? You were really quick. Bernaise!"

"Ah, thank you, sir."

The maid blushed and looked down. So, she was the one who caught him. Yuki called her a "professional investigator"... Hmm, she doesn't look like one. She looks like an ordinary girl. You can't judge a book by its cover.

"I'll go see him with Kyubero. Prepare everything."

"Understood."

I gave the order and finished my breakfast. Winfield looked excited, saying, "It feels like it's really happening."

---

A few minutes later.

We met the living witness in the basement of the servants' residence.

"Boss! I'm so glad you're safe!"

My first impression was, "Loud..." My second impression was, "Scary face."

He's a true survivor, having risked his life as a righteous thief. Even after being suppressed by the Knights and his group scattered, his eyes are as sharp as a honed knife. His gaunt face and slicked-back black hair are intimidating.

"Bisai, you did well to survive that hell. I'm proud of you."

"Your words are too kind! I don't matter whether I'm alive or dead! Boss! Your survival is what matters to R6! The revival of R6 is not a dream!"

"No, it's because you risked your lives to help me escape that I'm here. And the fact that you, who know about that hell, are alive, is a great strength for us R6 and for my master."

"Master...?"

"Second Fastest. You must never take this name lightly, just as I do."

"......The assassin."

When Bisai heard my name from Kyubero, he muttered something and stood up, his gaze fixed on me.

"Bisai! Don't get any funny ideas--"

"No, it's fine. It's a test of your resolve. You're true to your nature, like a good underling. You have a bit of a wild side, just like me."

"......I'm deeply ashamed."

Bisai and I glared at each other. Kyubero, who tried to intervene, blushed slightly and stepped back at my words.

"Allow me to test you, if you don't mind."

Bisai cracked his neck and approached. He didn't even assume a fighting stance. This guy is well-versed in fighting. If we met in a place other than Mevion, I'd probably lose. He's a real "brawler."

"I'm sorry, but this won't be a fight."

But this is Mevion. No matter how hard you try, it's just a net game. One-on-one, it's not a fight but a PvP. The stat difference is not easily overcome, and the number and rank of learned skills are also significant. Most importantly, the PS difference is overwhelming.

"---Shh!"

Bisai's right straight punch. It's a basic infantry technique, just a test.

You're kidding, right...?

"Whoa, you dodged that!"

"......"

Bisai is getting excited. Kyubero is holding his head in frustration.

Of course, that was a mistake. I can understand if he wanted to test how strong his respected underboss is, but to underestimate the world's number one... That's a big mistake.

I was a bit angry.

So, I decided to scare him by summoning Angolmois without a word.

"(Angolmois, possess me.)"

"(As you wish.)"

Instantly, Angolmois merged with me in a rainbow of light.

"What...!?"

"......What the hell is that...!?"

Bisai and Kyubero are both shocked. I see, this is the first time they've seen it.

"This is called Spirit Possession. All my stats are multiplied by 4.5 at level 9."

"Level 9...!?"

"4.5... times..."

Even if you think about it simply, if an evenly matched opponent suddenly becomes 4.5 times stronger, it's a hopeless difference. Kyubero should have a good idea of my base stats from the time I punched him before. At 4.5 times that, the difference is unimaginable. I can understand why he looks pale.

"Damn... I won't back down from this!"

But I forgot. This guy is Kyubero's underling, a hardened brawler. No matter the odds, he'll face them head-on.

*Crack*—My jaw is hit by a *Ginsho Technique*.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!?"

The one who cried out was Bisai. He's holding his right hand and lying on the ground.

I, on the other hand, am completely unshaken. The difference in STR and VIT was too great, and Bisai's attack didn't even register. The damage that had nowhere to go was all reflected back into his fist.

"Ah, you idiot."

I reluctantly cast a *Minor Healing* spell on Bisai's right hand. It should be enough for a bruise.

"......I'm sorry. It hurts."

Bisai stood up and bowed deeply, looking ashamed. He seems to have completely lost his fighting spirit.

And for some reason, Kyubero is bowing next to him. The serious Kyubero must think his underling's mistake is his own.

"Don't underestimate me, punk."

I dismissed Angolmois and scolded them. They bowed even deeper.

"I'll never underestimate you again. Please forgive me, I'll do anything to make it up to you."

"No, this is my responsibility as the leader and senior. I will take the blame. Bisai will learn what it means to take responsibility here."

The conversation is taking an unexpected turn.

"Hey, wait, don't make it a big deal. It's fine if you don't underestimate me anymore."

"That's not the way it works! Second is our hope for the revival of R6. You saved me, and I can't forgive myself for challenging you, even unknowingly."

"That's... I didn't mean to... Now, I'll have to... I'll give my life..."

"Wait! Neither of you is listening... Huh?"

I suddenly realize. Could it be, Kyubero, you're doing this on purpose?

I glance at his expression, and he's just looking at me. Ah, I see, that's what you're doing.

"Alright, Bisai. If you want to take responsibility, I have a request."

"A request...?"

"Yes."

It went smoothly thanks to Kyubero's guidance. Thanks to him, I won't be late for my temporary teaching job. I silently thanked Kyubero in my heart and opened my mouth.

"I want you to testify in front of the people."

---

"Magic Curtain, you say?"

"Yes. That's the only way for you to shine."

In a meeting room near the training ground in the palace.

Currently, we are holding a squad leader meeting. We've gathered the squad leaders of the First Court Mages to decide on future strategies.

There, I shared the idea I came up with last night.

I wanted to say "bullet curtain," but I wasn't sure if it would be understood in a world without artillery, so I created a new term, "Magic Curtain," to explain it.

Magic Curtain—basically, a bullet curtain. Everyone uses low-cooldown spells, specifically Rank 1 spells, to create a curtain of magic that overwhelms the enemy. It can be used for both offense and defense, a well-known tactic.

The key is to keep casting continuously. Even a poor shot can hit if you fire enough, and you can compete with quality through quantity to a certain extent. On the defensive side, it can eliminate or deter even kamikaze attacks, like a divine wind. This is true on land, at least.

"Hold it, boy. Won't that reduce the power and make it impossible to eliminate the enemy? It's questionable for guerrilla warfare, support, and assistance."

"That's true. Most of you haven't even learned Rank 4 spells. In that case, you have no choice but to give up. Besides, elimination isn't necessary, and it's not the job of mages."

"What do you mean?"

"You're a war veteran, right? 'Increase the number of wounded rather than dead' is a war principle."

"Ah... I see."

It took Zephyr a while to realize. It's been 22 years since the last war, and he's probably quite rusty.

By the way, I'm talking about team battle knowledge. I'm a modern Japanese person, a shut-in and a net game addict, so I'm not a war veteran.

"More wounded than dead? What do you mean?"

"Cheri, that's a bit too difficult for you, isn't it?"

"I'm not asking you."

"Me? It means that if you kill an enemy soldier, that's it. But if you leave them wounded, you can impose a burden on the enemy. Movement, recovery, and care all require personnel and money."

"I see. I understand. Thank you, Captain. But what do you mean by saying it's not the job of mages?"

"......I'm sorry. I don't understand."

Captain Zephyr gave up, and Cheri turned to me with a look of deep disgust.

"Hmm?"

"Ugh..."

"What is it?"

"......Can you explain it to me?"

"Fine, I will."

Cheri, who asked with a look of regret, is a lot of fun to tease. I think she's a great find, like Sylvia.

"Mages are originally 'high-damage, long-range, mid-range attackers.' With a single high-rank Rank 4 or 5 spell, you can create a huge hole in the enemy's formation. They have great potential."

"That's contradictory. If that's the case, I think the Magic Curtain you mentioned is not the job of mages."

"If you were the mages I described, that would be true. How many of you can use high-rank Rank 4 or 5 spells?"

"......About 20 can use them. But there are few high-rank users... I can use Water Rank 4 at level 7."

"Really?"

I was surprised. Level 7 is quite high.

"Yes. How about that? Impressed, aren't you?"

"What about the others?"

"For Water, I have all ranks from 1 to 3 at level 9."

"Good. What about the others?"

"For Wind, I have up to Rank 3 at a decent level. For the rest, not particularly."

"In our group, no one surpasses Cheri in Water."

Cheri, with a smug look, and Captain Zephyr, with a proud expression. No, no, no...

"Can't the others even reach Rank 1?"

"Of course. It's better to focus on attributes with more potential for growth."

"Do you remember them?"

"Of course. But raising only Rank 1..."

"That's not right. Why are you so one-sided in your training as a mage aspirant?"

"......What? What are you talking about?"

"No, I think it's common sense for mages to raise all attributes evenly."

By raising all attributes from the low-experience Rank 1, you can efficiently increase your INT. The difference in INT between raising all attributes to level 9 and raising one attribute to level 9 is four times as much.

Therefore, if you want to output firepower as a mage from the beginning, it's better to raise all attributes evenly. Especially for Rank 4 and 5 spells, which require a lot of experience, you want to raise Ranks 1, 2, and 3 to high levels by the time you start raising them.

"Are you an idiot? It's the opposite. Everyone has their own strong attribute, so it's better to focus on that. Spending time on weak attributes is a waste. Well, there are a few people who are good at all attributes, but they are one in a million."

"---!"

Strong attribute... I never thought of that.

I see. I'm a special case, being able to learn spells just by glancing at spellbooks. Most people learn magic through proper training at a magic school or something, and the time it takes varies greatly from person to person. Some might take over ten years to learn a Rank 2 spell in a weak attribute. If it's that bad, it's understandable why they would focus on their strong attributes.

However, why is there such a big difference in individual ability? There must be a reason I'm overlooking.

The execution of magic depends on the depth of understanding—suddenly, I remembered the content of the first class I took at the magic school. It seems to be quite relevant... No, I can't figure it out. I'll ask Winfield next time.

More importantly, this is bad. I need to shatter their illusions somehow.

"Alright, let's start by getting rid of the common sense Cheri mentioned."

I stood up from my chair and asked Airy to bring the "Duel Crown." Airy replied, "Yes!" and ran off.

Then, we moved to the training ground.

The purpose is to compare the damage of a single Rank 1 spell between Cheri and me. This will probably shatter their common sense and pride.

Therefore, we will use the "Duel Crown." The setting is "DPS display function ON" only. This is the setting I use most often.

DPS stands for Damage Per Second, which means the amount of damage per second. It is usually used to measure the approximate firepower by calculating the damage per second in a continuous attack over a certain period of time, but this time we will use it to measure the damage of a single spell.

If you only attack once per second, the DPS displayed will be the damage of that single attack. You might think that "Damage display function ON" would be better, but the attack effect can obscure the display, so we chose the slightly delayed DPS display.

"Isn't the Duel Crown a harmful thing?"

"In this case, it's actually welcome."

"Ah, what do you mean?"

I gave one