CH 51

True Intention

One of my favourite magics is called <Bomb Trap>.

This fixed-point installation magic, as its name suggests, is used as a trap.

If this magic is used at a specific location, there will be an explosive trap set up at that location. There are two ways to set off the explosion: manually, by the caster thinking about it, or automatically, by receiving an external impact.

Unfortunately, these two conditions can’t be freely selected, and the timing of detonation can’t be perfectly controlled. But nevertheless, this magic is still sufficiently powerful since it can act as a bomb as long as it has magic power. The external impact can also be triggered by combining the use of string or pressure-sensitive plates.

When I was still an agent of the Organization, an instructor taught me this magic.

At first, I was taught how to use it generally, but… sometime in the middle, the instructor had noticed my high level of Magical Speed and Magical Control, so he suggested a special use of the magic.

I am probably the only person who could use this technique in the Kingdom.

Even the instructor who devised the technique was intimidated by its danger and had given up on learning it.

— <Instant Bomb>

It was an unimaginably destructive weapon.

“Gu, ugh…!?”

What should have been an ordinary stone instantly exploded, sending Oz flying backwards with great momentum.

In the midst of the dust cloud, Oz got up and opened her eyes with a grunt.

“That, just now, was…”

“It was <Bomb Trap>. A magic that you know well.”

I say, while pulling out another stone from my pocket.

“Although– I’ve figured out another way to use it.”

Once more, I throw the stone at Oz.

It draws a parabola in the air, before violently exploding again.

Oz instantly activates <Rage> and quickly retreats to avoid a direct hit.

“No way… you’re activating <Bomb Trap> at the same time as you throw the stone?”

She’s not a former agent of the Organization just for show. It only took an instant for her to figure out the trick.

Oz took my silence as affirmation– and was astonished.

“T-that’s ridiculous! If your timing was off by even an instant, you’d blow yourself up!”

“I guess that’s so… In fact, until I was able to learn this, I blew off my arm countless times.”

To turn whatever I touch into a bomb. That is what the magic called <Instant Bomb> does.

This is a unique modification of the magic <Bomb Trap>.

Originally, <Bomb Trap> was a fixed-point installation magic that exploded upon receiving an external impact. I place this magic on a stone and complete it at the same time I throw it.

If the timing in completing the magic is even slightly late, you would be throwing an ordinary stone. But if the timing is too early, it would explode immediately from the impact of being thrown. The key to mastering <Instant Bomb> is to complete the magic the moment the item leaves your hand, without even the slightest deviation.

Naturally, in the beginning, I failed countless times. My arm has been blown off nearly a hundred times. And each time, I had to have it healed by a talented healing magician of the Organization.

However, I can say that being able to acquire this magic was worth it.

— <Bullet>

As long as it hits a vital point, this magic can kill most enemies in a single shot.

The <Bullet> that was shot at Oz’s forehead was dodged by a paper-thin margin, as if she had read its trajectory.

— <Flash Blade>

Similarly, this magic can kill an enemy with a single strike, as long as its conditions were met.

There are only a few people who can master this magic, which is a modification of the close-quarters combat magic <Fixation>. As expected, since Oz isn’t accustomed to seeing this magic, she had some trouble dealing with it.

Even so, this wasn’t enough to kill her yet, so–

— <Instant Bomb>

I turn whatever’s at hand nearby into a bomb and throw it.

The blast raises a dust cloud that fills her vision. In the meantime, I regain my stance.

And then, I start over again.

Basically, I can defeat the enemy in this loop.

“AaAAAAaAAaAAAAAGH– !!”

But Oz doesn’t fall into the category of a basic enemy.

Oz received an explosion at close range and unleashed several barrages.

“Don’t think you can defeat me with this!”

“… I don’t think I can.”

Each of her shots is a barrage with the ability to overturn this situation.

There’s nothing I can do about it.

— I already knew that.

No matter how much one struggles, there will always be some things that they are unsuited for.

I had continued to hone my techniques in assassination and ambushing, whereas Oz had continued to hone her techniques in assault. It would be difficult to overturn that difference in the last minute.

The truth is, I don’t stand a chance in a one-on-one fight like this.

What I am doing now is nothing more than putting up a futile resistance.

As I was avoiding the barrage from the front, there was suddenly a barrage that came from overhead as well. It seems that when <Instant Bomb> raised a dust cloud, she had fired a barrage into the sky beforehand.

“Tch.”

With a click of my tongue, my <Flash Blade> flickers at the sky above.

The mass of magic power that rains down on me is cut down faster than it causes an Outburst. With this, the overhead barrage– <Meteor Cannon> was countered.

The opponent has the advantage of having more cards to play. Then, I have no choice but to stake everything on a single move.

Even if my flesh is cut and my bones are severed. With that resolve, I release a <Bullet>.

“Guh!?”

The <Bullet> shot through Oz’s left leg.

Oz was also caught up in the barrage from the front and was wounded.

“My leg, is crushed– !!”

Oz pointed TD02 at the ground.

At the same time the barrage is released, Oz’s body floats in the air, approaching me– she used the force of the barrage to propel herself.

My reaction was too late; I had allowed Oz to approach.

I instantly activated <Rage> and tried to intercept, but– before I could do anything, Oz had thrust the tip of TD02 at my forehead.

“… and that’s, the match.”

Oz looked down at me, who had dropped to one knee and was breathing heavily.

“I’ll take back what I said about your skills having dulled… It’s amazing that you were able to fight this far in that condition.”

“… Thanks for that.”

I fought this battle at my utmost limits, lacking even proper sleep. It’s undeniable that I fought in my worst condition, but such an excuse is pointless in an actual battle. Managing one’s condition is also a part of battle.

“I’m not good at interrogating, so I’ll only ask this once– Where is Mize?”

Oz glared at me with cold eyes.

But– I give a thin smile.

“I don’t need to tell you that.”

“… Hah?”

“You’ll know soon enough.”

Unfortunately, I can’t move anymore. I fall face-first and hold my breath.

At that time, Oz saw the black bracelet I wore on my left wrist.

BF28.

It’s a magical tool that serves as my trump card, but–

“That’s… No way, it’s a fake–“

Oz says, feeling a sense of discomfort at the appearance of the black bracelet.

She’s seen through it. But it’s already too late.

This black bracelet isn’t BF28– it’s just an ordinary accessory that I purchased at a street stall in the village.

◆

For around 10 minutes.

Michelliaze Arcadia had been watching the fight between Tweight and Oz.

‘After I snipe once, we’ll exchange bracelets.’

10 minutes ago.

Tweight had said this, pointing to both the black bracelet he wore and the bracelet that Mize wore, which was purchased from the village.

‘If we’re going to switch them, wouldn’t it be faster to just make a bracelet from <Fixation>?’

‘No, an object made by <Fixation> can easily collapse if you lose focus. In order to fool someone, the real thing would be better.’

Mize nodded, understanding Tweight’s explanation.

‘After we exchange bracelets, Mize, you should get into position and prepare to snipe at any moment… Your target will be that small crag over there. Make sure your line of fire is aimed at it, I’ll lure Oz there.’

Tweight points to a small crag near the edge of the horizon.

‘Don’t make the mistake of aiming at Oz yourself. If you change your aim…’

‘– I understand.’

Mize nodded with a meek expression on her face.

‘I will do everything I can.’

And so, after the strategy meeting, Tweight and Oz commenced their battle.

In the meantime, Mize was covered in dirt while lying down on her stomach, single-mindedly stifling any sign of her presence.

No matter how much Tweight got hurt.

Mize calmed her mind, solely concentrating on fulfilling the role entrusted to her.

For a long time, BF28’s [Far-sighted Crystal] had only shown the small crag on the horizon.

But in the next moment, Oz’s figure was shown in the centre of the [Far-sighted Crystal].

— When aiming, open both of your eyes.

Remembering Tweight’s teachings, Mize opened both of her eyes.

— Take a deep breath.

She imagines the inhaled oxygen travelling to every end of her body.

Keeping her finger on the trigger.

— When you have exhaled around half of the oxygen in your lungs, hold your breath.

Her shaking body becomes completely still.

After a while, bdmp, bdmp, she could hear the sound of her heartbeat.

— In between heartbeats.

That instant when her body was in its most tranquil state–

“Pull, the trigger.”

Pan. A soft sound was heard.

A single bullet had shot through Oz’s body.

Translator’s Note:

The title of this chapter in Japanese, 手の内 (Te no Uchi), literally translates to In One’s Hand, referring to the ‘hand’ one is dealt in card games or the like. But it also means One’s True/Hidden Intention, which I felt better fit the chapter.