Chapter 90

"Ugh!"

"Guh"

"Dodge it!"

Two out of the five were hit directly and flew back, two were injured, and one completely dodged and approached me. The axe that was swung down was a sharp blow—however, my [Earth Magic] activated, and the axe embedded itself into the earthen wall that emerged from the ground.

"The deployment of magic is too fast...!?"

"Apparently, those without innate abilities can deploy magic faster."

"Gurk"

A clump of mud that extended from the earthen wall embedded itself into the man's stomach, and he flew back, bent in a "ku" shape.

"Hmm"

The sound of arrows slicing through the air approached at an incredible speed.

(Three. I can dodge them all—)

But I intended to thoroughly show them. I deployed [Wind Magic]. The arrows were sucked into a dome-shaped layer of wind surrounding me, and like satellites orbiting the Earth, they circled around me once—then flew back to the person who fired them.

"What!?"

"Whoa!"

"Ugh!"

The arrows didn't pierce anyone, but they were sufficiently shocked and put on guard.

"W-What is that magic!?"

Polina was clearly surprised.

"I told you. Those without innate abilities can deploy magic faster."

"Impossible!? Deploying [Wind Magic], [Fire Magic], and [Earth Magic] without innate abilities!?"

"..."

To be precise, I learned from [All Things] and made it usable even without [All Things], and then absorbed many innate abilities, which led to this.

"Then, we'll use large-scale magic... Everyone! It's fine if the forest is damaged a bit!"

I could feel the magical power of Polina and the Secret Service members swelling.

Elves have a long lifespan, so their magical power is also high. Being able to engage in close combat and use magic, they would likely all get good grades as adventurers.

"...But that won't work."

Against monsters, their actions might be unpredictable.

Or when protecting someone, it might be enough to just drive the enemy away.

These people lack the strategy to actively go after the enemy.

"If you take so much time"

"!"

I closed the distance with Polina just before their magic activated. My "Instant Step" had become quite practical.

"W-Wha—cough"

My punch embedded itself into Polina's stomach, and she crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

I don't like hitting women, but they were trying to kill us. There was no hesitation now.

"Fire! Fire!"

The other elves shouted, and a storm of [Earth Magic] and [Wind Magic] rained down on me.

"Completely useless."

I created a strong wind that blew everything away. The [Wind Magic] was canceled out, and the stones lost their power, falling to the ground in front of me.

Combining magic doesn't really have a synergistic effect with wind and earth. If they used a sandstorm, it might be different, but it lacks killing power.

"Are you still going to fight? If you do, I'll have to attack everyone directly, even though it's a hassle."

"..."

The Secret Service members fell silent. They wouldn't stay silent forever, but I didn't like it. Their ideology is that "High Elves are supreme," and they don't mind getting hurt. They would surely attack.

If they did, I would have to—fight.

(Futile and barren...)

I felt the loneliness in my chest growing stronger.

This country is barren. It has abundant fruits, but they are superficial. The elves worship High Elves, and the High Elves live bound by the past.

"Let's go!!"

One of the Secret Service members shouted—when the sound of an engine, "Vroom vroom vroom," was heard. The place where we were standing, bathed in dappled sunlight, was now covered by a massive shadow.

"!"

Everyone looked up and realized the large presence in the sky.

"The 'Owl's Wing Flap'!? Why are you here!?"

The massive magic airship slowly descended and stopped just above the trees. The strong wind from the propellers blew down.

"—Secret Service, return to the king immediately. This is an imperial decree."

A voice, amplified by a magical device, came from the airship—the word "imperial decree" froze the elves.

I immediately recognized the owner of the voice.

"Rage. Asha. I'm sorry for being late... I'll lower a rope, can you grab it?"

Matvey said that.

The "Owl's Wing Flap," though built by the Lev Magic Empire, seemed to have been extensively modified for the elves.

The metal, which elves dislike, was reduced to a minimum, and the finish was beautifully simple with a wooden grain.

I met Matvey in the lounge inside the airship.

"Matvey! Why are you here...?"

"Well, the Secret Service wouldn't let you go, right?"

"That's... true, I guess."

As I nodded in agreement,

"Brother Matvey. Moving the magic airship must have been quite a strain..."

Asha was worried. Apparently, this ship, the only one in the Sylvius Kingdom, is handled with great caution.

"I had to push myself. It's the day my cute little sister sets off, after all?"

"Brother..."

"...But, I ended up moving it because Yuri kicked my ass."

Matvey rubbed his butt with his right hand as he said that... did he really get kicked?

"Haha... I can't match Yuri at all. I didn't understand what the king was thinking, or Asha, at all..."