CH 44

Overcoming a Burden

“The commission I’ve received is to defeat 3 Ogres.”

I show Mize the commission form I received from the Guild.

Ogres are humanoid Demonic Beasts that have red skin and a muscular physique. They are normally around 2-3 metres tall. From afar, its silhouette resembles that of a slender Orc. However, their physical strength is on the same level as an Orc, and its movements are several times more agile.

“Where are they located?”

“From here, we’ll have to head north. We could have arranged for a carriage by renting one, but we’ll go there on foot to save money. It should take us 2 hours to arrive there.”

Mize nodded without a single complaint.

“At the very least, I bought a map so we wouldn’t get lost. Just to be sure, Mize, please confirm it.”

“I understand… Huh? What is this place that is marked on the map?”

“It’s the entrance to the Labyrinth. The Ogres’ habitat seems to be near the Labyrinth.”

“Labyrinth…”

In an instant, Mize’s eyes light up.

“Sorry, but we don’t have the leeway to explore it. We’ll just be nearby.”

“I-I understand. Um… I’m sorry.”

Mize awkwardly apologizes.

Even in this situation, it seems that she still has the desire for adventure.

We quickly left the village and headed for the Ogres’ habitat.

Even though our legs have been tempered on the way here, the 2-hour trip was still physically exhausting. We had to purchase some food for a short rest, but it was still cheaper compared to the cost of renting a carriage.

“Come to think of it… Can you use ancient magic?”

Mize was slightly surprised by that question.

“… So, you know about it. That included among the memories stored in <Wisdom Road> is the way to use ancient magic.”

I’ve heard this information from Chris. I nod, “Yeah”.

“Unfortunately, I cannot use ancient magic. The burden is too difficult for the current me to bear. But instead–”

As she put her words together, Mize stopped and picked up some soil at her feet.

When she lightly gripped the soil, her palm lit up with a faint glow. Immediately after, the soil resting on her palm had become a finely detailed bird ornament.

“… <Alchemy>, huh.”

It’s a C-ranked close-quarters combat magic.

In our first Magical Studies training session, Sylphia-sensei had done something similar; she had changed a silver accessory into a bird ornament, and Mize had done the same with soil. The bird ornament on her palm was just like the one that Sylphia-sensei had previously made with <Alchemy>. In other words, Mize had become just as skilled as Sylphia-sensei with regards to using <Alchemy>.

“You seem to have a very high level of skill.”

“Do you think so? But this is the first time I’ve used it, you know?”

My eyes widen at the unexpected words.

But I quickly understood.

— The power of <Wisdom Road>, huh.

If knowledge is inherited, then experience is also inherited.

When she uses magic, both the sensations and insights that have been accumulated by generations from countless ages past are felt by Mize.

“Whenever I do something like this, it feels like my own body doesn’t belong to me. It’s not a pleasant feeling, but I can’t afford to be picky. For now, I will be using this power.”

Mize says, looking as if she’s moved on from her hesitations.

When it comes to handling magic, she may already be more proficient than Gran and Elysia, not to mention me.

However, no matter how much experience she has accumulated, her physical abilities remain unchanged. <Alchemy> is a close-quarters combat magic, and with Mize’s weak physical strength, it would be difficult for her to fight by using <Alchemy>.

“We should be able to see it soon.”

I tell Mize, after comparing the map on hand to the terrain in front of us.

“In battle, what do I have to do?”

“You don’t have to do anything.”

At my words, Mize looks dejected.

“As I thought… do I not have enough power to help you?”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

I meant what I said.

Honestly, right now, I can’t imagine a situation where I would need to rely on Mize’s strength. However, I didn’t mean that Mize was nothing but a burden this time–

“… Come to think of it, Mize, you don’t know my original way of fighting.”

I notice that there seems to be a discrepancy in our perceptions of each other.

In front of Mize, who tilts her head, I let my magic power flow into the black bracelet on my left wrist.

A jet-black [Sniper Staff] appears in my hand.

Hyah! Mize lets out a voice of surprise at the weapon that suddenly appeared before her eyes.

“Tha-that is?”

“This is my weapon.”

As soon as I give a brief explanation, I plant my right knee on the ground and point the toe of my left foot in the direction of the Ogres.

I look through the [Far-sighted Crystal] installed on top of the staff and find my targets: 3 Ogres.

“When I said that you don’t have to do anything, I didn’t mean that you were just a burden.”

I take aim at the Ogre furthest away.

If I defeat the Ogre in front first, the Ogres behind will immediately notice that something is wrong and run away. It would be more efficient to defeat them in order, starting from the back.

“It’s just that… I don’t really need help.”

After taking a breath to prepare, I pull the trigger.

I activate my greatest specialty, the long-range shooting magic <Snipe>.

As I supported BF28 with both hands, the sound of a shot rings, Tang.

The Ogre’s head, reflected in my sights, burst open in a bright-red spray.

I immediately prepare my second shot.

My palm supports the centre of the staff, and the magical formula engraved within automatically adjusts the direction of my magic power. When I closed my eyes, I could feel my magic power being guided to the front of the staff. Leaving it to flow on its own, I form the next shot.

Magical tools automatically activate magic without the user being aware of it, but this is not the case for magic tools with complex functions. BF28 requires the user to bear the burden of “forming the shots” and “the action of aiming”.

Its only difference from a normal [Magical Wand] is that “the shots fly farther” and “it is easier to aim”.

I quickly fire the second and third shots, and the remaining 2 Ogres are defeated.

Both Ogres were annihilated without even knowing that they were being attacked.

“Commission completed.”

“Eh?”

“Let’s go and recover the horns as evidence of defeating them.”

“Eh? Eh? Ehh?”

While giving an explanation on how I defeated the Ogres to Mize, who was bewildered, I move on.

Finish the fight before it even begins. This is my original way of fighting.

“So, there was such a way to fight…”

“In the Kingdom of Arcadia, was there no one who fought like me?”

“No… there were some, but they were very rare. The opinion that the magic <Snipe> wasn’t very practical was prominent… In the Kingdom of Arcadia, the general perception was that long-ranged shooting magic should have a wide area of effect.”

“Well, that’s basically what every country would think.”

As a user of <Snipe>, I understand it well, but it is difficult to handle. It takes time to perfectly master its use, and no matter how much you practice, you can only defeat one enemy at a time. If that is the case, then it would be better to learn a magic that is easy to handle and can defeat multiple enemies at once.

“If it’s Tweight-san, it seems like you could even defeat a Dragon.”

“… I wonder about that.”

Among the kinds of Demonic Beasts, Dragons are said to be particularly strong.

In contrast to the impressed Mize, I gave a troubled response.

“Honestly speaking, I don’t have much experience fighting Demonic Beasts that appear like Demonic Beasts. I’m better at dealing with humanoid enemies.”

“Humanoid, is it?”

“Yeah. As Demonic Beasts are a poor match-up for me, I’d rather fight humans… Or even Demons since they’re easier for me to fight.”

In response to what I said, Mize makes a complicated expression.

Demons are usually much stronger than Demonic Beasts. In times of war, they would lead a large horde of Demonic Beasts.

“It’s strange that rather than fighting Demonic Beasts, you’d much rather fight Demons.”

“Humanoid enemies can generally be finished off by crushing the head or the heart; it’s simple enough… <Snipe> is the perfect magic for that.”

After saying this, I suddenly stopped.

It was because I felt the presence of a Demonic Beast ahead of us. And also– what I had just said.

Mize doesn’t want to just be helpful in everyday things, but also in battle as well.

I remember the <Alchemy> she showed not long ago. She showed a very high degree of skill. Without extraordinary Magical Control, she wouldn’t have been able to accomplish such a feat.

“… Do you want to try it?”

“Eh?”

As Mize’s eyes rounded, I gave my suggestion.

“Practicing <Snipe>. Perhaps, Mize might be able to master it.”