A month has passed since the aid from the Second World arrived.
In this time, the magic artificers and technicians found themselves with the most work on their hands. From making improvements to the ten large ships provided by the various nations to learning the First World’s machinery and applying it to the Second World’s magical technology, all their efforts bore fruit in the form of a fleet of ships that can now withstand long-distance voyages.
Additionally, thanks to all the information that had been accumulated in the First World regarding the Calamities and Offspring, as well as the results of Eluria Caldwin’s initial investigation and subsequent assessment, Carille Blanche succeeded in inventing a new magical barrier capable of dispersing the polluted mana that comprises the Calamities. With this, the journey to the western archipelago is expected to go much smoother.
It mustn’t go without saying that such exceptional progress was achieved in such a short time thanks to the efforts of one Wisel Blanche. Because he conducted a preliminary study of machinery and its applicability to magical technology, the artificers and technicians were able to dive right into work the moment they arrived in the First World.
In the meantime, the combatants have also been working hard at their training. They visit the central continent’s eastern outpost in limited groups in order to acclimate themselves to the First World’s polluted conditions, which is vital in combat and mana manipulation. They also regularly go out to observe the behavior of the Offspring and accumulate practical combat experience against them.
Progress on this front has been increasingly smooth because the magicians deployed for the operation are already highly skilled and experienced. Every single one is as experienced in manabeast subjugation, practical combat, and team coordination as a first-class magician.
All in all, progress has been good. The operation to recover Celios is seeing a high chance of success at the—
“Fareg, it’s almost time.”
Hearing his name, Fareg set down his magic recording device and looked up. “Apologies, Lord Ryatt. I was too engrossed in proofreading my records.”
“Your dedication to your work is commendable. However, I also taught you that it is important to be punctual...and to heed your superior’s commands, yes?”
Fareg cleared his throat. “Of course...Sir Ryatt.”
Ryatt nodded, satisfied with the less formal term of address. Fareg had been placed under his tutelage and employ ever since his arrival in the First World. Since Ryatt had been Raid’s assistant a millennium ago, Raid saw it fit to assign Fareg to him so the boy could best learn the ropes of his new job.
“Simple honorifics are standard procedure in our squad,” Ryatt explained. “The reason for this is that most members are of humble birth and unaccustomed to aristocratic speech and etiquette. But for you, Fareg, I simply believe you should act more your age and be more at ease.”
Fareg nodded. “All right. I suppose that’s why the other members always talk so comfortably with one another. Even when speaking with Freeden, they just—”
“That’s ‘His Excellency’ to you, rookie,” Ryatt hissed with a sharp glare. “Address him casually again and I’ll wring your neck.”
Fareg instantly straightened his back. “I apologize! I will be more careful!!!”
Beside Ryatt, Tiana wore a strained smile and said, “Come now, Ryatt. Fareg has been classmates with Lord Freeden all this time, and it’s not as if Fareg knew him back in our time. He must feel awkward to address him so respectfully.”
Ryatt frowned. “His Excellency has always been our general...but I suppose it’s different for Fareg,” he conceded. “Perhaps it’s a similar case to Blofeld, who knew His Excellency in his youth.”
“Precisely. Lord Freeden himself doesn’t seem to mind. There’s no harm in showing the same leniency.”
“Then, Tiana, what would you do if Fareg spoke disrespectfully to Lady Eluria?”
Tiana hummed. “One, perhaps?”
Fareg shot his hand up. “A question, Lady Tiana! What does that number mean?!”
A dark smile crept over Tiana’s face. “Well, humans have two arms, two legs, two eyes, and also two of some organs, no? So I can crush one of them and you’d still have a spare.”
Fareg trembled before the fanatical duo. Memories of his less-than-commendable past played in his mind, and he swore in his heart never to reveal it to them at all cost.
“All right, you two, stop picking on the newbie,” called Alma as she kept her gaze up ahead. “We should be seeing the western archipelago soon. Get ready to move once we receive His Excellency’s signal.”
Fareg furrowed his brow. “Instructor Kanos... Will this plan really work?”
“Hmm? Getting the jitters now that the archipelago’s right there? Don’t worry—you’ll be safe here with us on the flagship, at least compared to everyone else.”
“I’m not worried about myself... It’s Freeden and Caldwin. I know they’re both incredibly strong and have faced a Calamity before, but isn’t this just too reckless?” The so-called strategy the two had devised was just so absurd that Fareg couldn’t help but voice his concerns. “Supreme Commander Raid Freeden will charge into the southern Celiosian island by himself and eradicate the Calamities while heading northward, while Eluria Caldwin will single-handedly hold off all the Calamities attempting to cross over from the central continent... Just what kind of ‘strategy’ is this?”
Currently, nine ships—including the flagship they were on—were headed for the southern island of Celios. Raid led their fleet from the skies with Felius and her dragon, while Eluria took their last ship to the strait between the central continent and the western archipelago. The placement of troops was so simplistic, Fareg wouldn’t have blamed anyone for thinking they’d appointed a civilian as their strategist.
However, it seemed nobody around him shared his concerns.
“Aha ha! It does look really silly, doesn’t it?” Alma grinned. “Man, I remember everyone’s faces when we first announced the strat... His Excellency and Eluria are the only ones in the world who could propose this with such straight faces.”
“Indeed,” Tiana agreed. “Hearsay can only convey so much. It makes sense for the plan to appear reckless when you haven’t yet seen either of them in action.”
“I do not blame them,” said Ryatt. “Any sensible person would doubt this strategy. Only we, their longtime subordinates, would accept it without a doubt.”
Their smiles were fond and relaxed, as if they held complete faith in Raid and Eluria’s victory.
“Fareg,” Ryatt called. “Do you think His Excellency and Lady Eluria are strong?”
“Well...” Fareg frowned. “Of course they are.”
“Then explain to me in what way they are strong.”
“Er... Their combat ability? Caldwin has her magic, and Freeden has his inhumanly sturdy body...”
“That is only a portion of their strength. Tiana and I, however, would answer this way.” Ryatt smiled and declared, “Everything. The answer is that simple.”
Fareg squinted. “You’re not messing with me, are you?”
“Of course not,” Ryatt replied. “His Excellency and Lady Eluria are strong in every way. On top of what you mentioned earlier, their spirit, character, will, and conviction are all unbelievably strong. Our bodies may have rotted, centuries may have passed, but we still burn with the desire to serve them—and this is the reason.”
Just then, a broadcast sounded from a machine on deck: “Sixth ship, Vance speaking. The southern island of Celios has been spotted up ahead.”
“Roger. Any enemy presence detected?” Ryatt replied.
“Negative. No enemies... Wait, stand by.”
While listening to Vance’s report, Fareg kept his eyes on the silhouette of the island up ahead.
Suddenly, the island swelled. The ground rose, higher and higher, as a thick black pillar stretched out toward the sky.
Nobody could identify what it was. Was it a burst of polluted mana? A Calamity? Or another type of monster? But the moment they spotted two large eyes on the “pillar,” everything made sense—it was a large three-headed dragon. The surface of its dark purple body was filled with rugged bumps and hollows, all covered in the dust it had kicked up as it rose from the ground.