Name: Yuzuki Tōri
Age: 12
Status: [Wanted – Missing] [Clear Conscience]
Form/Status: The wanted / girl / caster
——————
Attack: ???
Speed: ??
Magic: ∞
Strength: ?
Growth Potential: ∞
Accuracy: A-
Willpower: S
Absent-mindedness: D- / Intelligence: A+
——————
Switches: [Judgment] [Injury Escape] [Scholar’s Brain] [Fury of the Elements] [Accelerated Growth·Random] [Boiling Blood] [Chronospatial Ability·Mode]
New Switch — [Sage’s Protection] — When HP drops to zero, forcefully recover to ten percent HP and enter an invincible state lasting 5 seconds. Cooldown: Leave a battle or trigger a full stomach state. (The logic of being so full you’re invincible.)
Innate Traits: [Locked·Boundless Energy] [Time·Forced Retrospection] [KRYY’s Blood] [Recovery Healing·Super] [Tea Farmer Eater]
Weaknesses: [Cold Sensitive] LV. MAX [Heat Sensitive] LV.4 [Mental Resistance] LV.2
——————
Skill Update:
[Seven Spirits’ Majesty·Green·Mercy]——
“Enchantment”: Infuse any object within line of sight with the [Mercy] enchantment at no distance cost. After enchantment, the target object’s inherent hardness and quality cannot be altered. This enchantment will disappear when the object suffers critical damage or when the user actively dispels it;
[Seven Spirits’ Majesty·Red·Determination]——
“Resolve”: Locked Skill — When you use [Red·Determination], your stamina is locked to its maximum value, your willpower is locked to its maximum value, your magic is locked to its maximum value; they cannot be depleted;
“Determination”: Hold steady, you will not lose;
“Crimson Longsword”: At any moment, as long as you reach out your hand, a longsword that is lethal at will but whose final say rests with you will instantly appear in your hand; you can naturally unleash sword aura, as long as your resolve remains unshaken;
——————
Companions:
Elven Ranger—Elf·Esters—[Contract·Soul Mark·Control]——Returned
Elven Alchemist—An·Alak—[Missing·Mental Etching]——Returned
Mysterious Flame Burst Mage—Hui Hui—[Mana·Flow Restriction], [Fury of the Elements]——Returned
——————
Goals:
Find An·Alak, Elf·Esters, and Hui Hui, who were transported to [Feltro]——Completed
Find the [Elven Forest] and send An·Alak and Elf·Esters back to their homeland——In Progress (This seems destined to be a one-way road)
…
I stood there dazedly, quietly watching Elf and the others arguing with Alak, laughing softly to myself. Then I took the magic stone out of my pocket and showed it to them, because at this rate, we’d probably just be wasting time.
A few days ago, at the alchemy shop, I’d already shown this magic stone to Alak. I believed that as an alchemist, he’d definitely be able to recognize whether it was usable or not.
Drawn by my actions, Alak took the magic stone and examined it back and forth. Seeming to grasp a certain point, he parted his lips slightly, then covered them with his hand… He wore a bittersweet smile, his eyes already glistening with tears. Droplets fell onto his surprisingly long goatee. Even when his staff slipped from his hand, he didn’t bother to tend to it, focusing solely on me.
“It was you…” Alak stretched a trembling hand toward me, as if wanting to do something, but then stopped abruptly. He just tried hard to control his emotions, then placed his hand on top of my head, gently stroking.
Alak sniffled, reluctantly withdrew his hand, and went to pick up his staff from the ground. He supported his lower back, his movements appearing very strenuous. So I went to help… I knew deep down, he was already old. Being able to return to his homeland for a visit during his remaining years was probably his greatest wish.
Thinking this, I couldn’t help asking myself—am I really up to it?
“Alak, are you okay?” I asked casually. Alak just nodded, replying that he was fine, as if this were all routine. This made me realize that things were no longer what they used to be… Alak’s body had become very weak. Lacking his strength, the road ahead would only be more perilous.
As long as we find the [Elven Forest], everything will be over.
Before that, there were still some things I needed to do—like tending to the “secret garden,” so to speak. I needed to go see Clytie and her group. I’d have to keep this secret from Alak and the others, because Clytie and them might know the location of the [Elven Forest]. Although Elf could also sense it, if we could get an exact location, it would solve everything once and for all…
Am I up to it? I asked myself again. I’d probably only make the situation worse.
“Miss Tōri, are you alright? You look pale…”
Probably because I couldn’t help showing a pained expression, Elf asked me this, reaching out her hand. I shook my head, forced a smile, and pushed her caring hand away… This was meaningless. Overthinking like this would only waste time, but…
What should I do? It seems like, almost, there’s no way at all—
Clytie and the others won’t concern themselves with me anymore. To them, an outsider like me is just a potential threat. Don’t I understand this? Only now do I clearly see the divide between us…
I’m human. The brilliant guilt of history projects onto me. I, brimming with power, stand opposite those who were once victims. How could they not feel frightened?
Swallowing hard, I waved my hand and said I had things to do, that I couldn’t continue accompanying them right now. Alak and Elf fell silent. Where are you going? they asked. Why can’t we all discuss it together? they asked.
“…Sorry, I guess I’m being too arrogant. This team isn’t centered around me personally… but regarding this important matter, for certain reasons, I can’t tell you.”
Words are truly too feeble; actions always speak more honestly than them… In Elf’s eyes, I seemed to see a self-righteous version of myself; in Alak’s eyes, I found a version unable to face reality.
“I…” So childish. I’m not at that cringey, angsty age anymore.
Suddenly, someone kicked me hard from behind. Alak and Elf seemed to have anticipated it, having moved aside early on.
What happened? Lying on the ground, I couldn’t forget it for a long time. It wasn’t an enemy ambush at all. When I twisted my head around to look as best I could, it was just Hui Hui, full of pent-up anger.
I stared at her for a while, but she had an expression like she expected me to speak…
“Although I was born in the shadows, although I’m just an outsider, but, Yuzuki Tōri! Don’t be so self-righteous! You’re not alone! You have us! Don’t take all the burdens onto yourself! Do you even understand! We…”
Hui Hui paused momentarily, unconsciously wringing her hands tightly, her lips slightly pursed. And through soul vision, I saw cracks appearing in her soul…
“We, these past few days, have been worried sick about you! And I gave up chanting the Dark Dirge to help you! Just because you looked so haggard you couldn’t go on.”
Again tears, again grief mixed with pain, but what I saw in Hui Hui’s eyes was merely anger towards me, a feeling I couldn’t comprehend—
“I understand.”
“What do you understand?”
“Not to be self-righteous.”
“And what else?”
“To trust my companions.”
When I finished, Hui Hui still shook her head. She stepped forward and raised her hand. Thinking she was going to hit me, I lifted my arm to block… Shortly after, with no sound of wind, I lowered my hand and saw her outstretched arm.
“Get up. You can lean on my shoulder for a while. Next time you speak, be a bit louder, a bit more confident, understand?” I was stunned for a moment, then foolishly nodded. My mind was blank, not really knowing what I’d just heard.
I pressed my hand to my heart, but unlike the previous times, there was no surge of warmth… What’s wrong with me? Ignoring Hui Hui’s offered hand, I climbed up by myself. Dazedly, I touched my face, then gazed at the mirrored wall, at my reflection staring back. The answers I got were just the words “hypocrisy” and “absurdity.”
With a thud, I collapsed sitting on the ground, the back of my head repeatedly knocking against the wall behind me. The question “What kind of person am I?” kept appearing before my retinas, words as sharp as blades slicing across my eyes—
“Waaahhhh!!!! Nooo!!!”
I shouted, I screamed. In this unfamiliar room, before these unfamiliar companions, I didn’t care at all if my high-decibel voice affected others. I just let my emotions vent.
Who grabbed my hand? Who hugged my waist? And who could explain to me the reason they mocked me?! They just stood by and watched a madman struggle under the bullying!
(—Haha, look at him…)
(—Like an idiot…)
(—A “freak” with no mom or dad…)
(—Get lost, you’re not welcome here…)
No, no, I’m not crazy, my mom and dad are still here, I, I, I, I!
(—What use is crying?)
(—Think crying a bit will get someone to comfort you?)
(—Can’t you just kneel in front of this grave?)
(—Then go home by yourself?)
“No!!”
My eyes instantly snapped wide open. Rapid breathing forced my chest to rise and fall continuously. My vision went from blurry to clear. As my sight sharpened, what I saw was Elf and Alak’s terrified faces, and beneath me, pinned down, was Hui Hui, her eyes rolled back, showing the whites. And in my hand, a blade of azure blue protruded from the back of my hand, nearly piercing Hui Hui’s forehead…
If it had been just a little more—
“I… I… this…..”
Quickly freeing Hui Hui, I stared trembling at the blade on my hand, my throat so shocked I couldn’t even speak normally. What had I done? It’s pretty obvious…
I attacked my companion.
“Tōri, miss? You… don’t…..” Elf was also trembling. Fear had colored her words, and the occasional hint of sympathy felt more like bitter mockery to me.
“I, I… it’s my fault…”
This mistake couldn’t be solved with a simple apology.
“Tōri, don’t act impulsively.”
Don’t act impulsively? If you’re telling me not to act impulsively, doesn’t that mean…
“You’re… afraid of me?”
I withdrew the blade, stared at them, and asked so casually. Although it was just muttering to myself, they seemed to take it seriously.
“I, I… haha… hahaha…”
“Tōri, we’re not—”
“Miss Tōri, please calm down—”
“I’m not feeling wronged at all! Yes! That’s right! Because I struck first and almost killed Hui Hui. Haha, it’s only right that you’re afraid of me.”
After this whole exchange, not only did I fail to listen to a single word from Alak and Elf, but I’d convinced myself instead.
“See… If this continues, I’ll just end up killing you all one by one… This isn’t arrogant, right? This isn’t self-righteous, right? You all saw it, didn’t you?”
Stating the facts with excessive calm, Alak and Elf didn’t know whether to nod or shake their heads. They could only keep pleading. However, I absolutely couldn’t listen right now. I had to make up my mind to leave…
I’ll leave the magic stone to you. And, Alak… no, Grandpa An, please take good care of them, and try your best to fulfill your wishes—I couldn’t bring myself to say these words. We’ve come this far, how could I stop now?
But that’s just how it is. How could someone who “loses their temper” like this help them?
Am I up to it?
Not yet.
“Elf, what happened to the elf and the大叔 who collapsed last night?”
“…”
“I’m asking you a question, please answer me.”
“…They had woken up by then, so they quickly went back to the shop.”
I nodded, then started walking toward the door.
“I’m leaving.”
Then, like a scene from a soap opera, Elf grabbed my hand. She was trembling. I understood that. Although I wasn’t sure exactly how brutally I had pounced on Hui Hui just now, it must have been shocking.
“Miss Tōri, please—”
“Elf, I don’t want to spout pretty words like ‘this is for your own good.’ I just don’t want you all to be in danger.”
Pulling my hand away, I continued toward the entrance. The decor style of this corridor was exactly like the alchemy shop; I wondered if Grandpa An had arranged it himself—It didn’t matter anymore.
A knocking sound came from the door. Unconcerned, I yanked it open swiftly, bumping into someone outside.
“Whoa! You could warn someone when opening the door! Hiss—Alak, the materials you requested, I brought them…”
The demi-human outside saw me come out, first stunned mid-shout, then moved aside to let me pass. Soon enough, losing interest in me, he continued loudly calling Alak’s name.
Walking, walking, I couldn’t help but twist my lips in a bitter smirk.
…..
Tch, what should I do now?
…
…..
“Hmm? Another group of people up ahead.”
“Probably another team the Mayor hired. If they don’t have the Mayor’s personal letter, stop them.”
“Understood.”
‘(Horse neighs)’
“Yu~”
‘(Armor clanks)’
“From [Malettes], eldest son of the Charlemagne family, Don·Gale·Charlemagne; Royal Magic Knight, Lyle·Ying·Harut, have arrived!”
“Lord Lyle and Lord Don, we brothers have long admired your reputations.”
“Hmm, then, Guard Captain, could you let us enter the city?”
“Eh~ Lord Lyle, although you, your attendant, and Lord Don may enter, your guard unit cannot. Please don’t make this subordinate write you up; it’s for the city’s safety.”
“…(whisper) Lyle, what now? We’ve heard recently that [Feltro] is up to something. Who would have thought that just a few days ago the guard unit could enter freely, but today they’re prohibited.”
“(whisper) It’s fine. Having just you, me, and Benjamin is probably enough. Once inside, I have my ways of contacting my old friend; then we can settle things once and for all.”
“Then, Your Highnesses, please…”
“You all, stand do—”
“Eh, no no no, this subordinate misspoke. Your guard unit may enter the city, but they need to disarm first. What do you think?”
“…(whisper) Lyle, isn’t this restricting our movements? Don’t listen to him.”
“(whisper) It’s okay, I know what I’m doing. Then it’s really been hard on you, everyone, remove your weapons and armor! “Once inside the city, enjoy yourselves!” (‘Report immediately if anything happens’)”
All: “Yes, sir!”
…
