Moto Sekai Ichi – 068a | Sousaku – 創作

68　A Way To Fight With Magic

It’s a little long.

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“Master, here’s this morning’s issue of the Vinz newspaper.”

“Hmm, thanks.”

　While having my cheeks stuffed with breakfast in the morning, Yukari handed me the morning newspaper in a curious manner.

　In any case, why the newspaper?　Or so, I wondered. After all, I don’t really have the habit of reading newspapers. Well, I’m not really in the mood to think too deeply about it since I just woke up, so for the time being, I decided to open it and read it.

“Ngh-ptffffff――! ! “

　With the soup entering the wrong conduct, I spout it out of my mouth almost like a geyser.

　I coughed since I almost choked. “Whoa, what a mess! ” said Silvia while doing nothing in particular except for being surprised. Eko just happily laughed for some reason on the side. Yukari contemplated for a moment if she should wipe all the fish soup mess as she held a towel, but after a moment of hesitation, she only wiped my crotch area intensively. I kind of expected this, but she sure is a lewd little elf.

“Second-dono. What’s written in it? “

“Ahh, please let me, explain.”

　Before I noticed it, Windfield was already summoned to the living room.

　Spreading the newspaper in the center of the table, she began to explain its contents.

“This is the heading, you see? 『A Violation of the Knights’ Agreement?　Doubts Over the Suppression of the Chivalrous Bandits』.”

“Umu. I somehow know what that means, but……”

“If, by reading this newspaper, you can understand that the knights are hiding something related to the suppression of the bandits, then it’s all good.”

“Does this concern the First, Second and Third Knight Orders? “

“Yeah. First of all, it generates doubt against the Knight Orders, and consequently, that doubt will spread towards the First Prince’s faction. In tomorrow’s newspaper, or maybe the one the day after, the details of what happened, will be explained. If the information is small, and delivered in iterations, the effect will be by all means, more impressive. This is basic strategy.”

　If you put out a catchy headline about suspicion, the ‘curiosity’ of the people will make them want to know more. Giving information like this is similar to feeding a starving crowd. After all, many people were skeptical about the seemingly thorough suppression of the righteous bandits carried out by the First Knight Order, so opinions collided left and right; therefore, the more information that was given out, the more it fanned the flames of conflict and the more distrust would spread.

　Moreover, after the alleged violation of the agreement, with the testimony of a survivor of R6 and the request to disclose official documents, the allegations of evidence tampering and withholding will gain momentum. Seriously, a perfect plot.

“……Hey, did you get this information moving?”

“Correct, it was my doing. Second-san, it’s fine if you praise me, you know? “

“Very, very nice, Windfield. Simply excellent! “

“Ehh, that’s somehow…… well, at least it’s something.”

　Windfield looked dissatisfied for a moment, but then she compromised with just that after feeling Yukari’s and Silvia’s murderous intent.

“Ahh, Silvia-san. I think, you might be called today, by the Third Knight Order. If that occurs, then tell them this. ‘If it’s that man, then he might know something’.”

“You mean that I should say that Second-dono has a suspicious air around him? “

“Yeah, that’s right. Like, ‘he was talking to a suspicious person behind the inn’. If they ask you, it’s fine to tell them something like that.”

“Umu, okay.”

“Second-san, please be prepared, to be able to move at any moment, in the court. Also, please don’t get kicked out, okay?” warned Windfield.

“If it’s about the former, leave it to me. As for the latter, I’ll try doing my best.”

　To be able to make those useless Court Mages into something decent, a challenge reaching the absurd was surely waiting for me.

　Well, after giving it some thought overnight, I managed to come up with an answer. I don’t know how well it’ll work though.

“――I’m very sorry to be interrupting your talk.”

　And at that moment. The one who appeared was not the usual Cubero, but a maid. Looking at her, Yukari said “That sure was fast”. What is it? I’m curious.

“We have secured the R6 member, Besaid-sama, at the servants’ residence. How should we proceed?”

“Oh, so that’s why you asked of them? That really was fast. Very nice! “

“……Y-Your kind words are wasted on me.”

　The maid answered while looking down shyly. Or rather, was she the one who caught him? Yukari said she was a ‘pro investigator’, but……yeah, no matter where I look at her, she doesn’t look the part. She looks like your ordinary everyday girl. You sure can’t judge a book by its cover.

“We’ll go see him this moment, Cubero and I. Please get everything ready.”

“Understood.”

　Giving out those instructions, I gulped down my morning meal. Windfield appeared to be having a good time, with a face of “It’s finally starting”.

　And then, after a few minutes.

　We met with the living witness in the basement of the servants’ residence.

“Young leaaaaaaaaader!　I’m so- I’m so happy to see you safe and well! “

　Noisy…… This was my first impression. The second thing I noticed was his scary face.

　Just like one would expect from the Yakuza, the righteous bandits seemingly really bet their lives in this kind of job. Even if the Knights had broken their fangs and scattered the herd, his eyes remained as keen as a sharp knife. His angular face and his swept-back black hair really packed a punch visually.

“Besaid. You’ve done great surviving that hell. I’m really proud of you for that.”

“Those words are too much for me!　It doesn’t really matter whether I’m alive or dead!　Leader!　The fact that you’re alive is huge for the R6!　The rebirth of the R6 is not just a pipe dream anymore! “

“That’s not it. I’m only here because you guys risked your lives for me. And, the fact that you survived that hell, that will become a great force for us the R6, and for my Master.”

“Huh……?　Master……is it? “

“Second Firstest-sama. You, just like me, should by no means make light of this name.”

“…………I see, then, that assassin too.”

　After hearing my name from Cubero, Besaid stood up while muttering something. His eyes rested on me.

“Besaid!　Refrain from doing anything strange――”

“No, it’s fine. He wants to see if I’m prepared. Isn’t it okay? He’s your underling (little brother) after all. There’s a bit of mischievousness in him, similar to you.”

“……I feel ashamed to admit so.”

　Besaid and I stared at each other. After stopping Cubero, he looked down with a slightly embarrassed face.

“I know this is a bit rude…… but please let me test you.”

　Besaid approached me while cracking his neck. I can’t see him taking anything like a fighting pose. This guy, he’s quite used to fighting. If I were to bump into him in any place other than Mobius, there’s no way I could’ve won.

“I’m sorry, but this isn’t going to be a fight.”

　But this is Mobius. No matter how much you struggle, this is an online game. If you fight against another person, it’s not a fight, it’s PvP. The difference in status isn’t easily overcome, and the number of acquired skills and the difference in their ranks is large. And above all else, the difference in the PS (Player Skills) is enormous.

“――Haa! “

　Besaid’s right hand came straight at me. First of all, I tried to identify it, but it was just 《Soldier Martial Arts》. Just looking at it, I had plenty of room to avoid it.

　Hey hey, is this because of the level difference……?

“Ohh, this guy evaded it! “

“…………”

　Besaid appeared pumped up, getting carried away. Looking at that development, Cubero just held his head on one hand.

　Yeah, it appears that only that wasn’t enough. “I want to test how strong the beloved master of the young leader is”, yeah, that was pretty much plastered on his face. However, no matter how much he wants to test his power, the difference between him and me who’ll become the top in the world…… It’ll only make me look like a villain.

　This is making me a bit annoyed.

　Thus, trying to become a bit serious, I silently used《Spirit Summoning》.

“（Angolmois, possession.）“

“（As you wish.）“

　With a single word, I immediately commanded for 《Spirit Possession》.

　At that moment, Angolmois became a rainbow of light and fused with me.

“Ah……! ? “

“……W-wh-what is that……!? ! “

　Not only Besaid, but Cubero was also surprised. I see this is the first time he’s seen it, right?

“This is called Spirit Possession. All stats are multiplied by 4.5 at Grade Nine.”

“G-Grade nine……! ? “

“4.5……times……”

　Even if you put it in the simplest terms, it means that your opponent suddenly became 4.5 times stronger than before. It’s a hopeless difference.

　Since Cubero has been beaten by me before, he should have a rough estimate of what my total status should be. Going from there, if they increased by a factor of 4.5, then he must know this is a level where the gap has opened considerably. I can tell as much by his pale face.

“Tch……you’ve done it!　Like this, I go without pulling my punches! “

　But I forgot. This was Cubero’s underling, a hardcore chivalrous bandit. No matter how big the difference has become, he’s the type of person to just face it head on.

　GAAN―― My jaw was hit directly by 《Silver Martial Arts》.

“O-OOOOOoooouchhh! ? “

　It was Besaid who uttered that sound while holding his right hand and turning from side to side on the ground.

　I mean, this is not surprising at all. Because the difference between Besaid’s STR and my VIT was just too large, Besaid’s attack didn’t go through and all the damage was instead returned to his fist.

“Ahhh, what an idiot.”

　I couldn’t help but to go to Besaid’s side and apply 【Healing Magic】《Small Recovery》. If it’s just a bruise, this should do the trick.

“……S-Sorry. I’m greatly obliged.”

　As Besaid stood up, he thanked me deeply, feeling quite ashamed too. Seems like he has completely lost his will to fight.

　And for some reason, next to me, Cubero was also bowing his head. Knowing how serious Cubero is, I think he might feel the blunder made by his underling as his own.

“Don’t look down on me, small fry.”

　While sending back Angolmois with 《Unsummon》, for the time being, I scolded this guy. The two of them bowed their heads even lower.

“I’ll never look down on you for the rest of my life. If I can be given your forgiveness, I’ll never forget this debt.”

“No, this responsibility lies on me, as his leader. I’ll carry it. I’ll start by teaching Besaid how to be responsible for his acts.”

　The story moved in an unexpected direction for a moment.

“Hey wait, the talk has deviated. It’s fine if you just don’t look down on me.”

“That won’t be enough!　Second-sama is the last hope of us in the R6. You’re the great benefactor who picked me up and saved me. Even if Second-sama allows this to end with just this, I can’t permit it.”

“That……That’s right. What should I do? ……Coming this far, I’m ready to give you my life at any moment.”

“Like I said, wait!　Why do people never, ever listen to what……Eh? “

　Incidentally, I noticed it. Cubero, so that’s what you meant?

　When I looked at Cubero’s expression, he was just looking straight at me. Ahh, I knew it, so that’s the case.

“……Alright, Besaid. If you want to take responsibility for your acts, there’s one thing I’d like to ask you.”

“Something you want to ask me……? “

“Yeah.”

　Guided by Cubero, this is going smoothly. All thanks to him, I won’t have to be late for the temporary lecturer job. While having that in mind, and thanking Cubero in silence, I opened my mouth.

“I want you to testify in front of the people.”