Lazeria Luandor Observes
Habermesia puffs out her cheeks and glares at Vanitas.
Well, I can pretty much guess why.
It's probably because something else has displeased her again. The result of overthinking has led to her dissatisfaction showing on the surface. When Vanitas sees her puffed-up cheeks, he can't help but grin slyly.
Sigh... Even though I know I'll feel embarrassed like this again, why does she insist on picking fights?
Habermesia shudders as she imagines what Vanitas is thinking.
It's almost enviable how close their relationship is.
Thinking back, the relationship between Vanitas and Habermesia is quite strange.
Vanitas had forced her into slavery after a mock battle. Of course, given that she had pushed him to his limits using her privileges as a court magician, she had to accept it. However, their relationship doesn't seem to be hostile at the moment.
I haven't known her for long, but I was still shocked to see her actually wearing a slave collar.
Habermesia Saritribe.
A woman who keeps everyone at a distance and trusts no one.
Whether it's due to her upbringing or her way of life, as far as I know, Habermesia has never shown any sign of trusting anyone. Not the palace servants, other court magicians, or even Emperor Father.
I was surprised when I heard she took on a disciple. However, she still hasn’t changed significantly.
She has always been alone, isolated.
Now, despite her dissatisfaction, she is accepting of being a slave to a single man.
The same Habermesia who used to repel people with her arrogance even in the palace.
According to the agreement with Vanitas, Habermesia will be freed from slavery in about a month.
I wonder what actions she will take then. It's both exciting and a little worrisome.
Heh, but well, with Vanitas, there’s probably no need to worry.
I will just watch the outcome unfold.
"Well? Razelia, where are we heading?"
As Vanitas asks this question while fending off attacking monsters and walking through the forest, I realize I haven't mentioned our destination.
"We're going to a settlement of High Lizardmen."
"...High Lizardmen, you say?"
Cristina, who is probably Vanitas's favorite, tilts her head slightly at my answer.
Cristina, huh... She seems to be a fallen noble lady. Vanitas discreetly told me that her nervousness around me is due to that background.
There's no need for her to be tense around me, but if she becomes stiff in my presence, I hesitate to interact with her too much.
Well, it's a pity because I wanted to ask Vanitas various things.
It doesn't particularly affect our coordination in battle, though. Perhaps she’s the type who gets nervous when she’s aware of it.
"Hmm, not familiar with it? High Lizardmen are a higher species of Lizardmen. They're bipedal, lizard-like creatures ranging from 1.5 to 2 meters tall. They have muscular bodies covered in tough, flexible scales, excellent night vision, and surprisingly dexterous hands. They create their own weapons, such as spears, and primarily live in swampy areas, building their settlements."
"Swampy areas? I heard the Forest of Seals is vast, but does it really have such environments?"
"No, there are no swamps in the Forest of Seals. The settlement of High Lizardmen we’re heading to is near a lake to the east of the forest. They tend to establish their bases near water. It’s rare to see High Lizardmen within the Forest of Seals. They likely came to the lake after being driven out by some powerful monster."
"And the number?"
"Ah, there's a fortress near the Forest of Seals, and according to the knights stationed there, they’ve confirmed... roughly forty or more."
"Forty!? Isn’t that a bit too many?!"
Mayurerica looks startled and surprised.
Hmm, was that a bit too intense for her, considering her concerns about combat?
"Don’t worry too much, Mayurerica. High Lizardmen are indeed strong, community-oriented monsters, but we should be able to handle them without issue."
Lizardmen tend to act in groups and each settlement has a leader. This is also true for the higher species, and within their ranks, various roles are assigned.
From the warrior class of Lizardmen who engage in physical combat to the ritualistic Druids who perform essential ceremonies, their society values both individual strength and coordination.
However, the actual strength of High Lizardmen isn’t overwhelmingly great. While forty is a bit numerous, it’s possible to annihilate them with a well-prepared strategy by several C-rank adventurer parties.
To alleviate Mayurerica’ concerns, I carefully explain without further alarming her.
Thanks to my efforts, she reluctantly agrees.
"Y-Yes, I understand. If Her Highness Princess Razelia insists so strongly, I will prepare myself and accompany you! B-But, Your Highness, the materials for the rejuvenation elixir…"
"Heh, don’t rush. If we don’t build up our strength first, this training journey will be meaningless. Also, the Moon Mirror Grass, which is a material for the rejuvenation elixir, grows deep in the forest. We can only reach it by advancing step by step."
"Oh no, my chance for a fortune…"
Mayurerica looks openly disappointed.
Sorry about that.
I want to let you gather the Moon Mirror Grass, which is part of the reason for this journey, but its natural habitat is still deep in the forest.
We can’t get there in one leap.
As I pat Mayurerica on the shoulder to encourage her, I notice Habermesia looking down with a troubled expression.
Hmm?
"High... Lizardmen? ...Got it! I'll take them down! I’ll defeat every single one of them! I won’t let anyone call me useless!!"
No one has called her useless... What’s with the sudden outburst?
After walking through the forest for several minutes, we reached the lake where the High Lizardmen settlement was located.
The settlement was much larger than initially reported by the knights.
From the treetop where we were scouting, we estimated there were over a hundred High Lizardmen. The settlement resembled a fortress, with a huge gate and patrolling High Lizardmen maintaining a rotating watch.
We were hiding in the foliage downwind, observing the situation, but...
Habermesia...
"I’ll handle this! Stay out of it! I didn’t use it during the mock battle, but I can do it! I can—!! ...――――Infinite Magical Furnace, Core"
Despite the futile attempt to remain calm, Habermesia emerged from the foliage and activated the magic that was a major reason for her being recruited as a court magician.
Her unique "Furnace" magic.
A spell that grants infinite magical power, embodying the concept of "endlessness."
Habermesia clasped her hands in front of her chest as if praying.
Her fairy-like appearance added a mystical allure, making it almost mesmerizing as if time had stopped.
In her hands appeared a miniature floating sphere of the furnace.
At its center, a white light flickered. As soon as it materialized, or rather, as soon as Habermesia infused it with her magical power, it pulsed rhythmically.
Even without any action taken, there was a sense of pressure that felt almost painful.
...Hah, it’s been a while since I last experienced that.
That is Habermesia’s trump card.
And now, an onslaught of merciless attacks would be unleashed upon the enemies.
"―――Wind Pillar"
A column of wind appeared in the air in front of Habermesia.
It was merely the signal for what was to come.
"――――Fire Pillar, Water Pillar, Earth Pillar,"
The four elemental spells—wind, fire, water, and earth.
A series of four-element magic.
Even with the Empire's abundant resources, recreating this would be possible, but—
The scale is different.
The magic increases exponentially, filling the space with spell after spell.
The magic spreads rapidly, painting the sky with its brilliance.
"…………"
The High Lizardmen's fortress.
We witnessed it being crushed by an overwhelming, seemingly infinite barrage of magic.
The massive gate, the wooden barriers, the watchtowers, even the large residence of the chieftain, the armed warrior-class High Lizardmen, the High Lizardmen druids carrying ornate staves, the adults, the children—everything—collapsed and vanished without a trace.
What remained were the massive crater created by the unleashed magic, a few scattered debris, and the lingering echoes of destruction.
No one spoke.
A suffocating silence.
However, Habermesia, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, turned to us with a beaming smile.
A triumphant grin that seemed to say, "See? I can do it too!"
But upon seeing our speechless reactions, she instantly froze and became still.
Fear.
She was afraid.
Afraid of us, or rather, afraid of Vanitas.
To such a Habermesia, Vanitas—
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