Chapter 42

At the command of what seemed to be a nobleman representing the delegation, Julius and the others leaped up simultaneously, pushing off the ground.

Laila was the only one who was not a mage, so she was carried by Julius as they crossed the canal—crossing the border with Oruve.

(I-It's okay! Everyone said we have a chance of winning...!)

The other side was in a terrible state. Until just a moment ago, it had only been the boy Laila had been hugging who had caused a misfire, but it seemed that the shock had destroyed the building, and now chaotic magic was exploding everywhere, with whirlwinds of flames and dust swirling up from all directions.

(The children inside the building are also causing misfires...!)

"Laila, how many children are there!?"

"Five! Four are inside the building, and one is over here!"

"Everyone, form groups of four and subdue the children! Then entrust them to Miss Laila!"

Orders were given, and the mages scattered swiftly. On the ground, a group in black robes was countering the children's magic, but they were clearly being overwhelmed.

Originally, Oruve was not as advanced in the cultivation of mages as Rendia. Using those who could be used and discarding those who could not or who failed might create temporary forces, but it was not suitable for nurturing elite mages.

Therefore, Oruve adopted the method of using "weapons." They would send children who would become "weapons" into neighboring countries to cause misfires. If the children died, there would be no evidence that Oruve had sent them—

But there was a living witness who knew about the existence of these "weapons."

And in his arms was a woman with a constitution that could neutralize magic and calm excessive magic.

Suddenly, a swirling crimson flame rose up.

Laila was about to scream, but the wind cast by a mage flying next to Julius scattered the flames, turning them into red scraps that scattered across the desolate night landscape.

(R-Right. The mages of the Magic Corps protected His Highness Julius fifteen years ago...)

Rendia, which had managed to protect Julius, who was a "weapon," had properly inherited the lessons.

Parting the flames, calming the wind, and approaching the sobbing boy who had collapsed on the sand—

With a single wave of Julius's right hand, the child staggered as if struck by a shock. Another mage immediately dived to the ground, picked up the child, and returned to the air, handing the child to Laila's outstretched arms.

Suddenly, the child shuddered and looked up at Laila with tear-streaked eyes.

"M-Mom...?"

"Yes, it's Mom. Just now... you helped me, didn't you? Thank you so much."

Earlier, this child had caused a misfire of magic—but at that moment, he had only blown Laila away, pushing her towards the river.

He had judged that if she crossed the river, Laila would be saved, and that decision had led to this moment.

Hugging the child tightly, Julius cast a sleep spell. Handing the limp boy to the mage, he flew towards the collapsed building.

On the way, he saw the stunned figures of the black-robed group looking up at the sky, and heard the laughter of the apparent representative.

"Look, mages of Oruve! It seems that His Excellency Julius Bartsek has come to your aid, to help you in your sudden accident!"

Indeed, this was Julius's plan.

A delegation that happened to be passing by had come to the aid of the Oruve mages, who appeared to be in trouble. Neither country had needlessly invaded the other's territory; rather, Rendia had given a favor to the enemy country, Oruve.

One by one, the children's magic was dispelled, and they calmed down in Laila's arms.

"His Highness Julius, this is the last one!"

"Ah!"

The body of the girl who had curled up in the corner of the half-destroyed room floated gently and landed in Laila's arms.

"It's okay now. Look, Mom is here."

When Laila spoke in a gentle voice, the girl looked at her, then at Julius, who was hugging Laila, and blinked.

"Mom... Dad...?"

The girl, who had muttered in astonishment, soon fell asleep under Julius's spell.

"...No, I don't think so."

Julius muttered softly.

---

The conflict that erupted around the great river in the Miasis region had gouged a bit of Oruve's land, but it ended with almost no damage to Rendia.

The delegation, which had been sent to investigate the Miasis area by order of the Rendia king, happened to witness a magical misfire on the opposite bank. Thanks to the goodwill of Julius Bartsek and others who happened to be part of the delegation, they went to rescue the children, and Oruve managed to minimize the damage and resolve the situation.

The cause of the magical misfire was declared unknown, and the delegation representative reported that it was probably due to a failed magic experiment. In response, the Oruve king apologized to the Rendia king for the inconvenience caused by the reckless actions of his country's mages and proposed to pay compensation as a gesture of gratitude for the quick thinking of the delegation.

However, the Rendia king declined this offer. Instead, he announced that he would end the matter on the condition that Oruve would work to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The Oruve king agreed to this and declared that he would punish those who had been conducting unclear experiments along the border.

It was also reported that during the rescue, Julius Bartsek had accidentally blown away and injured several mages, but the Oruve king did not hold him accountable for this.

This was the extent of what the general public knew.

In reality, there had been considerable tension between the two kings, and this was essentially a declaration of defeat for Oruve. Moreover, few knew that five children from Oruve had quietly crossed the border and were taken to the capital's magic research institute.