The Power of the Saint is All Around Volume 2 Chapter 5

Act 05: Subjugation

Nine months have passed since I've been summoned.

After my lectures these past few days, I've been working hard on creating potions after so long.

I worked until it was very late.

This was because it wasn't just the 3rd Knight Order, our regular customers, who were ordering the potions; but the 2rd Knight Order as well.

To put it simply, I needed to make twice the usual amount but it wasn't a problem at all.

I made everything together. As long as I had the ingredients, this amount was nothing special.

I could make more potions per day than a potion maker could.

I also thought that it was because my basic level was high and I had a lot of MP. If so, then I could make understanding of this unexplainable amount of potions.

The cause of this is probably stated in my status under occupation, but I've never told anyone about this.

I will keep this to myself until the day somebody notices it.

In addition, it was decided that I would train my magic manipulation.

So, the time needed to make potions has been shortened.

I heard that if you mastered magic manipulation, then magic activation time would shorten; but I didn't think that it would influence potion making as well.

Does it affect everything related to magic power?

The influence of magic manipulation was vast and I thought that the Head Magician, who regarded this highly, was great.

The Director appeared while I was working diligently.

It was already late at night.

It was rare for the Director to be at the research institute this late.

Did something happen?

"You're working very hard."

"Thank you. It's because the order is large this time."

"Is it because the 2nd Knight Order also placed an order?"

"Yes. Would they be placing more orders from now on?"

"They might! They were surprised at our potion's efficiency when they subjugated demons in the West Forest."

"Really?"

"Yes. They were especially surprised by the potions you made."

My accursed 50% increase reared its head.

YES, I muttered in my mind.

But the 2nd Knight Order would be ordering from us now, huh?

The income of the research institute was increasing.

Let's try to ask for more materials for experimentation later.

There was a medicinal herb that I wanted.

It was a bit expensive so I restrained myself but now I felt that the budget would be acceptable.

Well, let's leave that aside.

We started with a harmless and inoffensive topic but he probably wanted to talk about something different.

That's what his nervous aura is telling me.

I can guess what he wanted to talk about.

It's probably that.

"A message came from the Royal Palace today. They want you to participate in the next subjugation as a healer."

"You will? Director?"

"Don't be ridiculous. You will."

I thought so.

Just like I'd predicted.

My guess was so on point that I accidently made fun of it.

"I see. I understand."

"…… You accepted that quickly."

"We've talked about this before."

"I thought that you'd be more reluctant."

I also smiled wryly at the Director, who was smiling wryly.

I thought that a demand would come someday for me to act as support.

The Director wasn't the only one that had mentioned this, the Head Magician also told me the same.

A few days ago, the Head Magician said, "It'll probably be good for you to go to the West Forest soon."

I felt troubled when I was asked whether I liked or disliked going on subjugations.

It's a subjugation, so of course I'll probably encounter demons.

Although I've been to a forest before, I've never encountered any demons so I didn't know what a demon was.

However, there was no doubt in my mind that they were dangerous since I saw the devastation of the knights who came back from the West Forest subjugation.

We're going to the place.

There's no way I wasn't scared.

But the people are coming along with me this time are probably the people from the 3rd Knight Order.

They always protected us when we went to the East and South Forest together.

I've never encountered demons before but the other researchers have.

At that time, the researchers helped the Knight Order defeat the demons, but I heard later that no one suffered any unnecessary injuries because the knights moved well.

The knights will probably do the same this time around too.

I interacted with them a lot and they were all good people.

I, who could only use holy attribute magic, was a non-combatant, so I didn't think that I would suddenly be forced to face demons.

That's why although I was scared of demons, I wasn't that pessimistic about it.

And I didn't hate being supported by such knights.

I was rather happy about it.

Besides, I was looking forward to going to the West Forest with the Head Magician.

He wanted to see what kind of effect my magic power would have on the miasma inside of the forest.

His sparkling eyes told me this when he told me that I could go to the West Forest.

How do I say this, he was a "man of principle".

The Head Magician wasn't the only one looking forward to this.

Even if this was a subjugation, I was looking forward to going to the West Forest.

The reason for this was the medicinal herbs.

Medicinal herbs that weren't found in the herb garden grew inside of the forest.

I saw various herbs growing in the East and South Forest as well.

Different plants grew in each forest, there were plants found in the South Forest that weren't in the East Forest.

That's why I expect that plants that don't grow in the East and South Forest, might be growing in the West Forest.

However, the demons in the West Forest were stronger than the demons in the other forests, so I don't know if I can afford to look at herbs during the subjugation.

I was the only researcher taking part in this subjugation. All the researchers who knew a lot about medicinal herbs were staying behind.

The researchers only went last time on an exception.

That's why I probably wouldn't notice it even if new plants were growing there.

I would notice if it was a herb that I saw often……

Let's learn about herbs that grow in the West Forest before I leave!

"I don't dislike it, I'm rather excited."

"Huh? Really?"

It showed on my face that I was thinking about medicinal herbs.

The Director's smile changed from a wry one to a shocked one.

"You're probably thinking that you can find new medicinal herbs there, aren't you?"

"Ah, you found out?"

"It's good that you're so enthusiastic about herbs, but you should also make potions for yourself."

"Potions for myself?"

"You need them, don't you? MP Potions."

"Now that you've mentioned it, I do."

It wasn't on my mind at all until the Director mentioned it, but I had to make potions for myself if I was going on the subjugation.

HP Potions were fine but MP Potions were essential.

Although HP and MP recovered naturally, it recovered much slower than when one drank potions.

I couldn't wait around for it to recover during emergencies.

Alright, I've finished my quota for today so why don't I make some potions for myself?

Even though it was late at night, it was still too early to finish if I compared it to the time when I was working in Japan.

I was still making potions when the Director returned.

Autumn came and the sun rose considerably later.

I got used to waking up at this time even without an alarm clock. I've grown quite accustomed with this world.

However, that wasn't the only reason why I woke up this early.

I couldn't sleep well because I was so excited.

I was just like a child on the day before an excursion.

But unlike a child, I wasn't just filled with anticipation, but anxiety as well.

Today was the departure date for the West Forest subjugation.

I got off the bed and brushed my teeth.

I recalled today's schedule as I was brushing my teeth.

By doing so, my sleepiness gradually faded.

I washed my face and applied my makeup. This was my normal routine but I don't think I can be this easy-going during the subjugation.

I have small bottles of cosmetics in my carry on just in case.

I need to change after I finish.

I won't be able to wear my normal clothes for a while from today.

I was wearing the same robes as the one that the mages in the Court Mage Division wore when they went on subjugation missions.

Unlike a dress, I could wear robes by myself.

It's easy to move in and doesn't feel restricting because we have to fight.

Of course it would be!

I was given this robe a few days ago and I was glad that it wasn't a flashy robe like the one I wore at my audience with the King.

I would stand out too much in such beautiful clothes and I would be afraid to get it dirty so I don't think that it would be convenient to wear on a subjugation.

I didn't forget to do my hair.

I usually kept it down but today I clipped my hair back because I didn't want it to get in the way.

I took the bag I had prepared and went downstairs after I finished changing.

It was still too early to start work but there were people downstairs.

They probably arrived early to deliver the potions to the 3rd Knight Order.

The entrance of the research institute was wrapped in a busy atmosphere.

All the potions ordered by the Knight Order was completed yesterday.

However, since I was also participating in the subjugation, it was decided that I would be bringing the potions with me.

Of course, that's what the 3rd Knight Order told us.

Even if I was told to suddenly take it with me, I couldn't carry the potions because there were simply too many.

And it was decided that I would be riding in the wagon that was transporting the potions.

"Good morning, Sei."

"Good morning. Are you helping out too, Jude?"

"Ah, yeah."

Jude was at the entrance when I went there.

He was told to help carry the potions for the Knight Order, wasn't he?

I've never seen Jude wake up this early before, so it was probably hard for him to get up, right?

It was common for assistants to load potions ordered by the Knight Order.

Once in a while, researchers would help too when they felt like it.

I would often deliver potions to the Knight Order during my breaks but since I was busy with lectures recently, other people had to deliver it instead.

We were leaving pretty early in the morning so I thought that the assistants would be the ones moving the potions.

But Jude was here, so he was the one who was loading them, right?

"Don't tell me you loaded the potions, Jude?"

"I did."

"You must have had trouble waking up. It's pretty early so I thought that it would be the assistants who would load the potions."

"Hey…… I just felt like it."

I received a subtle reply when I told him what I thought.

I tilted my head in curiosity but he wouldn't tell me the real reason.

Well, it's fine.

I didn't pursue any further and helped him load the potions.

It would be departure time when we finished.

"Sei."

"Director?"

The Director called out to me when I was about to board the wagon and depart.

After Jude, it was rare for me to see the Director.

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?! You…… I've come to see you off."

"Huh?!"

Seeing me off?…… He came to work that early just for that?

I was so surprised.

It wasn't just the Director but Jude as well.

Eh? What? Is it my fault?

"Well, whatever. The subjugation will be hard but take care on your way."

"Thank you."

"Run away when you think things are getting dangerous. Okay?"

"Y-yes."

He said it so seriously that I nodded on reflex.

Moreover, he also stroked my head as a bonus.

I wonder what's wrong.

I was pressed on time while I was wondering what was wrong so I didn't pursue the matter and got onto the wagon.

"Well then, I'll be off."

I said my farewells, got on the wagon and left the research institute.

I saw the Director and the assistants wave when I turned around and waved when the wagon started moving.

"He was over exaggerating."

I spoke what I thought after a while and Jude, who was sitting next to me, smiled wryly.

Come to think of it, Jude looked surprised too.

"Of course he would."

"Huh?"

"It's a subjugation, you know? I've been on one when I was at the Academy but that was to the East Forest. This time you're going to the West Forest, aren't you? That place is really dangerous."

I heard that it was dangerous compared to the East and South Forest, but was it really that dangerous?

If I recalled well, it was a dangerous place that had Salamander and a large quantity of demons.

I didn't feel a sense of reality because I didn't encounter any demons in the forests I went to so far, or my brain just refuses to believe it.

I can understand why the Director acted like he did if the West Forest was that dangerous.

"Be careful, alright?"

"Yes."

"I'm being serious. Don't totter off by yourself just because you found some medicinal herbs."

"I know."

Even Jude told me this anxiously.

There were things that I regretted up until now so I could only meekly agree with his advice.

I braced myself not to move on my own even if I find new medicinal herbs.

We reached the Knight Order barracks after a short while and I braced myself again.

The atmosphere around the knights, who were doing last minute preparations, was tense.

That tension spread even to me.

I got off the wagon with Jude.

Jude talked to the assistants at the Knight Order and the assistants began unloading the wagon and loading it onto the Knight Order's wagon.

Jude came back while I was staring at that scene.

When I looked up, he had the same serious look on his face as the Director did.

Jude was probably worried too, he quickly took my right hand and gripped my fingers.

"Come back safely."

"Thank you."

I only said a few words of farewell because he talked to me about various things on our way here.

Jude looked at the ground for a bit after I said my thanks, he smiled like usual and returned to the research institute.

I saw him off and turned back.

I was looking for a certain person.

While I was wandering around, that person found me instead and I saw him walking towards me.

"Sei."

"Good morning."

"Morning."

I gave my greetings to the Captain when he was close enough.

I heard from the Civil Official beforehand that I would be going to the West Forest with the 3rd Knight Order this time.

I was relieved because I knew a lot of the knights from my magic practices.

It would be tiring to be surrounded by people I'm not familiar with.

I didn't want to be tired while travelling, when I thought about what would happen afterwards.

Later, I heard from the knights that the 2nd Knight Order and the 3rd Knight Order had a little fight over who would go with me.

It was only natural that the 2nd Knight Order wanted to go with me seeing how fascinated with me they were.

To be honest, I was a little uncomfortable with the way they were fascinated with me so I'm relieved that they decided that the 3rd Knight Order would be accompanying me.

This was thanks to the Head Magician's backing.

Intelligent Glasses-sama was the Captain's older brother so I wonder if that was related to it?

"I was shocked, Captain."

"Will you be sitting in the carriage until the West Forest, Sei?"

"I heard that I would be."

"I see……"

The Civil Official told me that I would be travelling by carriage because the West Forest was a little far from the Royal Capital.

There were a lot of knights who could ride horses so I would be the only one riding the carriage.

It might be boring to stay in the carriage the whole time by myself but if I sleep then I won't be bored.

However, for some reason the Captain's expression was grim.

Was he worried about me being in the carriage by myself?

That problem was resolved as soon as we got close to the carriage.

"Good morning, Sei-sama."

"Huh? Head Magician?"

The Head Magician was standing next to the carriage that looked like the one I would ride.

According to what I've heard, the Court Mage Division should be leaving from over there……

"Good morning. Is something wrong?"

"I thought that we should go together."

"Together…… You mean we should ride the carriage together?"

"Yes."

The Head Magician smiled and nodded.

His expression was contracted the Captain's wry expression.

"It takes some time to get there so I thought that we could talk about magic inside of the carriage."

"Is it a lecture?"

"Yes. I heard that you'd be riding alone and so I thought you'd be bored."

"Yes……"

I thought that I would sleep but I was thankful that he'd give me a magic lecture instead.

I wouldn't be taking any lectures during the subjugation so I was a little worried that I would forget things.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Well then, isn't it time to depart soon?"

"You're right."

The Head Magician smile widened when I said thank you.

I looked around when the Head Magician said that and saw that the preparations were nearly done. There were also people on standby on their horses.

The Captain and Head Magician urged me to go to the entrance of the carriage so I did.

It was 'ladies first', so I got onto the carriage first.

The entrance of the carriage was high up so I grabbed the sides to get on but then a hand reached out to me from the side.

I looked at the hand's owner and it was the Captain.

It was somewhat embarrassing but I thank him while taking his hand.

I was used to this kind of escort.

Was it thanks to my manner lectures?

I got onto the carriage while escaping reality and saw that it was bigger than I thought it would be.

There were blankets and cushions on the seats. I could tell that they put a lot of thought towards me travelling comfortably.

I appreciate it.

I sat down at the back and the Head Magician came into the carriage.

He sat next to me but this carriage was bigger than the one I used when I went to the Royal Capital so I didn't mind that much.

Yes, I don't want to sit close to an ikemen.

The carriage doors closed and the carriage started moving.

It took a day to reach the West Forest.

I also asked the Head Magician about the West Forest during the magic lecture.

We travelled for a day and reached the West Forest.

I heard that it took a day to get here but we rested half way through so it actually took a day and a half.

It's probably my fault.

I didn't mind going to the Royal Capital by carriage but riding on a long journey took a toll on your body.

If the Head Magician didn't suggest that I use『HEAL』on the way here then it would have probably took more time, right?

It was physically draining but not mentally.

No, of course, sometimes physically draining showed up mentally as well.

However, it was fine because I casted 『HEAL』.

I thought the Head Magician's presence was quite big.

The magic lecture we had on the way to the West Forest was related to subjugation.

Rather than saying that it was a lecture about magic, it was probably more accurate to say that it was a lecture about combat.

He mostly taught me about my role in the group battle and how I should conduct myself.

I grew up in peaceful Japan and I didn't have any battle experience at all so I thought that the lecture was very helpful.

That lecture ended after a few hours.

This was because of what I told the nonchalant Head Magician at the 2nd break.

I told him about strengthened medicinal herbs.

I could produce that medicinal herbs because of the Head Magician's advice so I thanked him.

Then, of course, we talked about how to reproduce it.

We inevitably talked about that mysterious magic……

The Head Magician's eye colour changed when I casually told him, "I activated some kind of magic".

It was already too late by the time I thought, damn it!

If the Captain hadn't stopped him during the break, we probably wouldn't have moved for a while.

We shouldn't stay here long, continue inside the carriage, I was really relieved when he said that.

So we talked about that mysterious magic the whole way.

It was probably better to say that he interrogated me rather than we talked.

The Head Magician didn't know about that magic either and he persistently asked various questions about it.

He also said that he wanted me to show him it, but I haven't been able to cast it since that time and I could see that he was downhearted.

Yup, I won't be shaken.

He forgave me when I told him that I was practicing so that I could reproduce the effects and that I would show him when I succeed.

Then, we arrived at the campsite.

The 2nd Knight Order and the Court Mage Division joined up for the first time here.

There were quite a lot of people when everyone gathered, but I heard that the same amount of people also participated in the previous subjugations.

I heard that the demons in the West Forest were strong, but there were way more people here than when I went to the South Forest.

That shows how dangerous the West Forest is, right?

It might also be because there were people here to set up the campsite.

The South Forest was a day trip.

There was a large number of people, it wasn't just the knights but the people who took care of the knights also tagged along.

I didn't have to do anything thanks to that, so I waited in the carriage until they had finished.

Ah, but I helped prepare the meals.

The people at the 3rd Knight Order asked me to.

The 3rd Knight Order was fascinated by the food at the research institute dining hall.

I, myself, also wanted to eat delicious food so I accepted without hesitation.

I was thankful that I had medicinal herbs for cooking in my container.

Did Jude or the Director put it in there?

At any rate, I was grateful and used it in my cooking.

If someone ate my cooking then they could feel an improvement in their psychic abilities but everyone would sleep after eating dinner, so I hope it wouldn't be a problem.

I thought and made dinner without restrain. The dishes were very popular with the knights from the 3rd Knight Order.

The Director forbad me to cook in public but I thought it would be alright since only the people from the 3rd Knight Order were here.

Then the next day, we began moving towards the West Forest again.

We arrived a little after noon.

We took a break since we hadn't had lunch yet and ate our food.

The 2nd Knight Order and the Court Mage Division heard about the food I made yesterday and asked me to cook again.

It was impossible for me to cook for everyone by myself, so I instructed other people on how to make the food. It was probably better for me for me to cook because we were going to be subjugating after this.

I'm glad the Director forbad me from cooking.

I tasted the food and it was also popular with the 2nd Knight Order and the Court Mage Division.

After lunch, it was decided that we would check out the West Forest while it was still light out.

However, I would be staying here.

The knights will scout out the area first.

I was an amateur so I followed my instructions obediently.

However, I had free time so I got permission to search for herbs growing near the edge of the forest.

It was a shame if I couldn't find any herbs related to my research after coming this far.

The awesome Captain was guarding me.

The Head Magician?

He happily followed the scouts.

He said something like he was going to warm up.

Then, I could finally enter the West Forest on the third day.

The trees grew thickly in the West Forest so it was gloomy even though it was daytime.

The East and South Forests were probably well maintained because the students from the Academy go there.

The West Forest might have felt extra gloomy because it was bright there.

We broke into multiple groups to move within this forest.

The knights from the 3rd Knight Order were in my group as well as the Captain and Head Magician.

And the number of mages assigned to my group was half the amount of the other groups.

The cause: The Head Magician.

The Head Magician wasn't supposed to be in my group, but he used his power of authority.

I can't let anything happen to you, he said.

Well, the Captain was here too. If the Head Magician also joined my group then we'll have too much power here. But the Head Magician was stubborn.

He wanted to be in the same group as me because he wanted to study me.

There's no mistake about it.

The Captain was the one who was surprised.

The Captain also refused to move into a different group.

I would normally make decisions calmly and was able to move groups myself.

But we decided on the group members after some shuffling around.

Yup, we've got too much power here.

I saw a demon for the first time in here, but the Head Magician defeated it before I'd even had the chance to get scared.

He did it while humming.

The Captain also smiled wryly at that.

I thought that the Captain, who was smiling wryly while slashing down the demon that had come flying out, was also excessive.

The Head Magician said that it's been a long time since he's been on a subjugation and his eyes were twinkling but I didn't felt like he was rusty.

The magic he was evoking was also stronger than the ones I saw him using at the training grounds, probably because they were used for subjugation.

I heard he was strong but I didn't think he would be this strong!

If you want to be the top of a unit then it won't do if you're not this strong?

Which meant that the Captain was also this strong?

There were two such people.

As I thought, this group is too overpowered.

"Woah."

"Are you alright?"

"Th-thank you."

I was being careful while walking but I still tripped over a tree root on the ground.

I would have fell if the Captain, who was walking next to me, didn't immediately catch my arm to support me.

There were fallen leaves piling on top of each other, making the roads slippery, in addition to it being dim and difficult to see.

There weren't many small trees and they probably maintained this before, but it was hard to walk through.

Having said that, I couldn't walk while looking down so it was difficult to walk through here.

I corrected my posture and looked at the Head Magician. He placed his hands onto his chin and pondered.

I wonder what's wrong.

"Is something wrong, Head Magician?"

"Oh, no. I was just thinking that the demons have decreased compared to before.

The demons have decreased?

This was my first time coming here so it didn't feel real to me yet but when I looked at the Captain, he was nodding so the amount of demons had really decreased.

"Is this the result of your previous subjugation?"

"That could be it, but I feel like it's decreased more than that."

I asked the Captain and he said that the demons had decreased more than when they had subjugated.

The Captain and the Head Magician looked pensive.

The Head Magician asked the Captain various questions, probably because he couldn't come up with an answer alone.

"I felt like there were a lot more when I came here before."

"That's right. There's less here now than there was when I was on my previous subjugation mission."

"Come to think of it, I haven't seen many weak demons. I feel like the ones we've defeated have all been middle class demons."

"Now that you mentioned it, that's true."

They talked until that point and the Head Magician stared at me.

The Captained also looked at me when he noticed the Head Magician's gaze.

Huh? What?

I flustered, wondering what was up and the Head Magician nodded his head as if he came to an understanding.

"Shall we keep going?"

"Okay."

Don't just move on when you two are the only ones who understood.

I thought about asking for an explanation but a demon with bad timing appeared and I missed my chance to ask.

The interval between demon encounters shortened as we continued walking.

The people walking at the front stopped when we reached deep inside of the forest.

The Captain told me what had happened when I thought it was odd.

"Strong demons appear around here so we always take time to prepare around here."

"I see."

The Head Magician, who could also cast holy magic, began casting magic that increased attack and defensive power.

I should help out too.

We moved to a good place. I chanted area magic and prepared.

Magic was released onto my surroundings and I chanted,『AREA PROTECTION』.

『AREA PROTECTION』 was a magic that raised defence against physically and magical attacks.

When casting on one person, it became 『PROTECTION』.

People generally casted these two for protection: 『PHYSICAL PROTECTION』which raised physical defence, and 『MAGIC PROTECTION』which raised magic defence.

But the Head Magician taught me 『PROTECTION』which raised both at once.

He said this was easier to use.

MP actually decreased less if I just casted 『PROTECTION』.

The problem was that it was harder to cast 『PROTECTION』.

Me?

I was able to use it straight away.

The main reason why I could was probably because my holy magic level was ∞.

The Head Magician covered his stomach and laughed the first time I activated 『PROTECTION』.

He said I activated it too easily.

It was a horrible thing to do considering he was the one who taught me it.

The mages were looking at me with stunned faces probably because the Head Magician had laughed about it and I casted a difficult to use magic in a ranged area.

It's faster to cast area magic than cast it one by one, you know?

We finished defensive preparations, now onto offensive.

If they were going to that extent then I've done all I could.

I took out some Intermediate MP Potions out of my bag and drank them, since my MP decreased considerably because I used a series of area magic.

The other mages did the same.

Even though my MP would recover automatically if I waited, we were moving straight away.

The group moved on when the mages and I finished drinking the MP Potions.

Looking around, I could see that everyone's expressions were different from before. I could tell that their tension was high.

We were headed towards the deepest part of the West Forest.

The other groups took different routes but our destination was the same.

The closer we got to the deepest part, the stronger the demons became.

I heard this at the preliminary meeting.

The information was correct.

But that wasn't all.

We encountered more demons as we progressed deeper into the forest.

The battles which were quickly finished until now were getting longer.

We encountered demons one by one before but now we were encountering them in groups. Furthermore, new demons appeared as soon as we finished defeating one group.

The injured people increased and the occasions where I, who was bored, had to cast『HEAL』continuously on my first subjugation, probably because of the Head Magician's special training.

The knights and Captain were protecting me so I could support from behind without receiving damage. I was able to act calmly without panicking thanks to them.

It was a little scary though.

"They suddenly increased. Was it like this in the last subjugation as well?"

The Head Magician said during battle, he was different from usual, no, he looked as if he had found something interesting.

The Captain, who had finished the next battle, answered this question.

"Yeah. It gets worse the further we go."

"Oh."

The Head Magician narrowed his eyes, licked his lips and smiled amusingly.

I felt like we switched a switched that shouldn't have been switched.

Magic flew at me continuously and hit the demon that was coming my way as soon as I thought that.

The offender was the Head Magician.

I've never seen him activate magic continuously at such a speed before.

Was this how fast magic could be casted once one mastered magic manipulation?

I was surprised.

"It looks like something's happening at the back."

"Yeah." The knights concluded, "so we decided that we'd go to the deepest part this time."

"Is that so? I wonder what's happening there."

The mages looked like they had already given up when they saw the Head Magician laugh amusingly.

Ah, we switched the switch that wasn't supposed to be switched on.

That was the same look he had when we were talking about my magic power.

According to the mages, he couldn't be stopped when he got like this.

I understood this and followed silently after the knights.

"『REFLECTION』."

We continued on as we defeated demons.

We got into several battles and then I casted 『REFLECTION』, a barrier with a reflection effect, to avoid the attack of the demons that were approaching the knights.

The demon's attack was blocked by the barrier and the damage was reflected back at them.

Then the knights finished the demons off when they were flinching.

I activated it at a good time.

The Head Magician called out to me while I was happy with myself.

"That was a really good timing."

"Thank you."

I was a little pleased with being praised.

I could only be pleased for a second because we started moving again.

Demons would attack us again if we stayed in the same place.

The intervals between starting and ending a battle grew considerably short because we were getting closer to the deepest part of the forest.

The air around us grew stagnated. I could feel unpleasant sweat on my back and my clothes was sticking to my skin.

According to the Captain, this disgusting air was caused by thickened miasma.

So this was miasma.

The miasma got thicker the further we went in.

I heard the vanguard knight mutter, "What the?" when we reached the deepest part of the forest.

Other people also heard this mutter. The Captain and the Head Magician headed to the front.

I followed them from behind.

The place called the deepest part of the forest was a basin, and we stood above it and looked down.

There was a black swamp in the deepest part of the forest.

The problem was that demons were gushing out from the swamp, one by one.

"What is that?"

"Well then, what is it?"

The Captain and the Head Magician looked at the swamp with grim expressions on their faces.

The demons gushing out from the swamp still hadn't noticed us yet because we were far away.

But they would notice us if we talked in loud voices so the two whispered.

I also hid my breath and looked at the swamp from behind them.

The demons that gushed from the swamp didn't move straight away, they stood around the swamp for a while.

A lot of demons crowded around the swamp in great density.

If a single one noticed us, then they would all rush at us and attack, wouldn't they?

I want to stop for a bit

No matter how strong the Captain and the Head Magician were, it would be hard to take on these many.

My body instinctively trembled when I imagined that scenario.

Yup, we'd definitely die.

But the more I looked, the ghastly it got.

I felt gloomy and uncomfortable when I looked at the black muddy swamp.

The colour and the demons gushing out from within, no matter how I looked at it, it wasn't a normal swamp.

It was the first time the Captain and the Head Magician had seen a swamp like this so they didn't know what it was.

Well.

The miasma got thicker the deeper we went, so don't tell me that swamp was made from the miasma!

The two people in front of me turned back while I was thinking about the swamp.

The Captain and the Head Magician, who were looking at the swamp while talking, had finished talking.

They instructed everyone to step back by using gestures.

They gave the instructions in silence because some of the demons around the swamp were headed this way.

I also quietly moved back, trying to make as little noise as possible.

It happened right after I heard a scream coming from the direction we were moving in.

I looked in front and saw a faint orange light.

What the heck is that?

The moment I thought this, I saw a flame swallow the knights in front of me.

Hey, isn't that dangerous?!

"It's coming!!!"

I was flustered, not knowing what to do and then I heard the Captain scream from behind.

When I turned around I saw the demons around the swamp coming this way.

Were we noticed because of the uproar in the front?

Chills ran down my spine.

"Looks like there's a Salamander there."

"What?"

The Head Magician, who had come next to me unnoticed, muttered.

A Salamander had appeared at the front.

The fire from before was blown by this Salamander.

A white light shone from the front and I saw the mages casting recovery magic.

The Head Magician, who was next to me, attacked the demons coming from behind with magic.

That's right, this isn't the time for me to space out.

I looked at the front and saw that a mage had approached the knights, who were coiled in fire before, and started casting recovery magic on them.

The knights immediately put up their shields. They were injured but still alive.

I also casted 『HEAL』when there was a lack of healing.

I could tell he was healed when I heard a shout of joy.

I continued to cast 『HEAL』on the other knights, one after the other.

I didn't forget to give support to the back.

We walked towards the deepest part and encountered a Salamander while looking around, so the mages gathered around at the front.

Therefore, there were only a few mages at the back and less people who could heal.

The Head Magician was casting recovery magic between his offensive magic but it was probably more effective for me to be in charge of healing.

The stalemate continued for a while.

They were still having trouble with the Salamander in front.

Demons were being defeated one after another because people with high attack power like the Captain and Head Magician were at the back.

But the demons gushed out endlessly from the swamp.

I didn't have to worry about my MP running out as long as I had potions in my hand, but if things continued like this, then the situation would only get worse.

It wasn't just me who felt this way, everyone else did as well.

I sometimes heard the always polite Head Magician say, "Shit". This was proof that he was getting impatient.

It started to hurt around my stomach.

At that time, I heard a voice from behind, "Watch out!!"

When I turned around, I saw a fireball released from the Salamander heading straight at me.

Wait a minute!

There was no time to cast magic and the Head Magician, who was next to me, had his hands full with the demons from behind so he couldn't help me.

I heard the Captain shout from afar, "Sei!"

Everything was in slow motion for a moment and I felt as if my life flashed before my eyes.

A gentle cold wave drifted in the air in an instant and a wall of ice taller than my back stood right before my eyes.

I instantly raised my hands and covered my face but the fire was stopped by the ice wall.

Water vapourised into the air.

I lost my tension and collapsed. The Head Magician grabbed onto my arm.

"We're not done yet. Stand up."

"Y-yes."

"It seems like the magic on your hair ornament activated."

"Hair ornament?"

"The hair ornament you're using now is bestowed with magic, isn't it?"

I remembered when he told me.

The hair ornament that I was wearing now was something I received from the Captain.

And like he said, it was bestowed with magic.

It had such an effect……!

I was saved thanks to the Captain, wasn't I?

My chest got warm and I gently placed my hand on top of it.

I managed to stand up somehow and straighten my posture. The Head Magician released my arm.

He decided that I would be fine even without his support.

The Head Magician immediately returned to battle.

The situation was still unpredictable.

Even so, there was no end to it.

The demons were still continuously gushing out from the swamp.

The situation won't change unless they did something about the swamp.

On the contrary, someone might just die!!!

If this was at the beginning then a knight would have blocked the fire from just now and it wouldn't have reached me.

The body could be healed with recovery magic but mental fatigue couldn't.

Everyone's concentration gradually fell and they were getting injured more often.

What should I do?

Is casting recovery magic the only thing I could do?

Such thoughts passed through my mind as I provided support.

I want to do something about that swamp.

If I don't……

"Captain!"

The knight's voice startled me.

I looked towards the voice and saw the Captain shake and sway when he was attacked by a demon that looked like a black wolf.

The Captain immediately held his ground but then another black wolf attacked him.

No, stop!

Something flowed from within me.

What flowed from within me was the golden magic I saw at the research institute.

That magic power quickly reached to where the Captain was.

The black wolf that had sprung on the Captain turned to smoke when it touched my magic power; then it was swallowed by a golden torrent and disappeared.

The Captain, who was dumbfounded, looked over here.

It wasn't just the Captain, but everyone else as well.

I was also surprised.

What is that?

Isn't that just going overboard?

The magic power from within me didn't stop even though I was stunned.

The golden magic power spread around the area without slowing down.

It happened abruptly again, but in this condition, maybe……

I put my hands together in front of my chest like I did at the research institute, and prayed.

Please get rid of the swamp and demons somehow.

The speed at which the magic power spread increased further.

The golden haze spread on the ground and got larger; it swallowed up the Salamander, the demons around the swamp and even the swamp.

The technique activated when it covered the whole swamp and the light burst.

All the demons in the area and the swamp had disappeared by the time the sparkling gold particles fell from the sky, and what was left was only a forest.

"Is it finished……?"

"It looks like it."

The Head Magician replied to the Captain's mutter and the knights, who were frozen, were still comprehending the situation.

"Wooow", the shouts of joy resounded through the place.

Translator: Blushy
Editor: Jassi

Chapter end