🐎 🐎 🐎
IT was still faint, but the sounds of battle began to reach us.
The main forces appeared to be getting closer, but it seemed that something wasn’t quite right.
“Oh no, this is bad! Really bad!”
“A strange person lost control of their magic!”
The wind spirits spoke over each other, frantically attempting to convey something to me. I didn’t know who this “strange person” was, but apparently, they had lost control of their magic, and now it was rampaging unchecked.
“Has anyone on our side been injured?”
“A person who’s friends with the beloved child collapsed!”
“The horse is saying, ‘Please save him!’”
Someone who’s friends with Lady Nefertima and has a horse emotionally involved in his well-being? It must be Les!
“I sensed a very powerful earth magic spell. I think it was… yup, it was quicksand.”
I’ve heard of an advanced-level earth magic spell capable of turning a large area into quicksand and dragging everything in the vicinity deep underground. Could that be it?
“We’ve received a message from the Beast Knights Legion! Commander Lestin was dragged into the enemy’s magical overload, and it’s unknown whether he’s dead or alive!”
It seemed the beast knights had used a bird to deliver the message to us. However…
“Everyone focus! We’re going to wipe this encampment out.”
“But, Director…!”
The agents who’d trained to work with animals under Les also saw him as a beloved mentor. I understood very well their feelings of wanting to run to his rescue.
“That guy isn’t going to die so easily, trust me. If you want to do right by him, then focus on the task in front of you!”
I, just as much as anyone, wanted to drop everything and rush to help Les. But I knew he wouldn’t want that. We may be in charge of different legions, but leaders’ feelings with subordinates who counted on them were the same.
“Right now, our enemies are disorganized and confused. Tell the fortress commander to press forward.”
If we had time to argue amongst ourselves, then it would be better spent taking out our enemies so we could rescue Les faster.
With this goal of rescuing a respected and beloved comrade in mind, my subordinates’ usual fighting spirit seemed to swell to epic proportions.
The main force also seemed to be assessing the situation and proceeding as I’d hoped because my subordinates reported they’d taken a detour and were making their way here. It was also reported that the area where Les was believed to have collapsed was still impossible to get close to due to the magic’s effects.
If I gave the order, Serafi could return the ground to normal easily. However, if I did that, I would exhaust my last bit of power and lose the ability to see and hear Serafi.
Do I choose my partner Serafi or my dear friend Les?
…Sorry, Les.
As the Director of the Intelligence Department and His Majesty’s loyal servant, I needed to retain my ability to see and speak with elemental spirits.