8 – Come Here

The Steel Lion Knights.

The most elite knight order affiliated with the Yustina Royal Family.

A collective of individuals, strong in both mind and body, who move for the sake of the royal family, and can die for the royal family.

Knights are generally treated as human weapons.

The difference between those who can wield Aura and those who cannot is clear.

Wizards sometimes research magic and mana for war and fighting.

But because there are also wizards who have the goal of creating a better world and life, there are occasionally wizards who show weakness in battle, despite being given the value of legends.

However, knights are different from wizards.

They train solely to protect and to kill.

Using murderous mana as fuel, the knight’s appearance as they crushed their enemies was like that of a demon.

The existence of a knight was proof of strength, and an excellent weapon.

The value of the Steel Lion Knights was all above that of a hero.

Being treated as a hero solely for the skill of killing and saving was extremely rare.

The commander of the Steel Lion Knights, Oscar Leonhardt, stared at the barrier with a troubled expression.

The Steel Lion Knights were currently in the Lion’s Mire.

Along with the wizards dispatched from the Red Magic Tower.

He asked the wizards.

“Has the interpretation of the magic formula finished yet?”

The mages bowed their heads low, deeply.

As if utterly shamed, they barely managed to speak.

“Yes…”

“We are… deeply sorry. The equation is of a difficulty that is simply beyond our capabilities to unravel…”

Dark circles were stark beneath the mages’ eyes.

For a fortnight, they had toiled without cease.

Perhaps even more than the knights who battled the undead resurrected by the ancient Necronomicon.

“I see.”

Oscar did not berate them, but rather clapped them on the shoulders in encouragement.

“Those who have given their all deserve praise, not blame. You’ve suffered much. Now, cease your efforts and go and rest.”

The mages bit their lips, heads still bowed.

Only after the mages had departed did Oscar release a sigh that seemed to drain the very earth beneath him.

‘Should we retreat?’

Supplies were beginning to dwindle.

Nearly two months had been spent traversing the Mire of the Dead, guarded by the demonic hordes.

If the knightly order were to abandon their post…

The demons would once more entrench themselves in this place.

In the worst case, the Necronomicon itself could fall into their clutches.

‘Had I known it would come to this… I should have prepared more thoroughly before setting out.’

Regret was a useless burden now.

Now was the time for choice.

Retreat, or wait a little longer.

“Captain.”

Craig Raymond, a member of the order, approached with a squire in tow.

“What is it?”

“Ravens have arrived from both the Azure Tower and the Crimson Tower.”

“Is that truly so!?”

A light returned to Oscar’s face.

He had, in desperation, sent messages to mages with whom he was on good terms within the towers.

The contents were a description of the troublesome magical equation, and a plea to unravel it.

Hopefully, this missive contains the answer to unraveling the barrier.

“…”

Oscar read the letter from Craig and simply burned it.

There was a reason the mages currently with him were struggling.

It seemed that finding the right answer was not easy even for the experts.

Under the gloomy sky, the knight made a decision.

“We retreat.”

“Sir?”

“Supplies are almost depleted. Any further resistance is meaningless.”

“B-but…”

Craig soon conceded to the commander’s assessment that planning for the future would be better.

“Understood. I will inform the company.”

“I ask it of you.”

Oscar glared at the Necronomicon floating above the dilapidated altar, located beyond the barrier.

He hoped his choice would not harm the kingdom.

He was lost in thought when–

“Commander!”

Craig approached urgently.

“Hm?”

“A messenger has arrived!”

Not a magic raven, but a messenger?

The Swamps of the Dead were rife with potent poison.

It was a dangerous place where, like the mages who had come here, one would need to wear special artifacts, or, like the knight, be exceptionally well-trained, otherwise any ordinary human would fall ill and die.

“Who is it?”

“It’s… a maidservant attending Esther Tristi.”

Esther Tristi.

The young prodigy who had caused a stir in the magical world by resolving the Millennium Problems.

Oscar had sent her a letter as well.

However, Oscar and Esther had no personal connection.

Most geniuses were eccentric types, and there was no obligation for a young master with no responsibilities to respond to a letter, so, frankly, he hadn’t expected anything.

“Go, now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Oscar hastened his pace, keeping up with Craig.

Before an old tree, Dalphy gave them a courteous bow.

“Greetings. I am Dalphy, a maid in service to Master Aster. I have come to deliver his letter.”

An insignia, proof that she belonged to the Tristy estate, was affixed to her apron.

*A common maid, coming to the Lion’s Mire without any protection?*

Oscar clicked his tongue.

He had questions for the maid, but the letter took priority.

“I am Oscar Leonhardt, commander of the Steel Lion Knights.”

“Acknowledged.”

Dalphy produced the letter from within her garments.

Oscar tore open the envelope at once and unfolded the contents.

*This is the solution!*

The contents were a string of formulas beyond Oscar’s comprehension.

Unlike most knights, Oscar possessed magical knowledge as well, but the paper held the answer of a genius far exceeding his level.

Even annotated with explanations to make it easier for the common intellect to understand.

“Wait here a moment.”

Oscar hurried towards the mages.

The mages’ eyes widened as soon as they received the letter.

“How in the world, this… to approach it in *this* way?”

“To distort the form of the barrier with traces of mana, and gradually expand the cracks, destroying it from within…”

They could scarcely believe what they saw.

If magical devils existed, such a solution would be the one they conceived.

The mages had completely forgotten that they were in the Lion’s Mire.

“What’s truly astonishing about this formula is the optimization. It’s a way to achieve maximum efficiency with minimal expenditure!”

“How did they even apply optimization in such a short time?”

“The skill of a genius who has solved a millennium prize problem is truly remarkable.”

The mages’ admiring reaction—it was undoubtedly auspicious.

A bright smile spread across Oscar’s face.

Thus, a meaningful fissure began to form in the near-impregnable magical barrier.

“Captain, it’s worth the attempt!”

“Grant us just one more day!”

“Understood.”

Oscar turned towards his knights.

He ordered them to stand by, halting their preparations for retreat, and returned to Dalphy.

“Did… did your Lord’s missive prove of assistance?”

Oscar asked, bowing respectfully to Dalphy.

“Thanks to it, we finally have a path forward. ‘Assistance’ hardly describes it. You’ve delivered us a monumental hope. My sincerest gratitude.”

“Your thanks are due to the Lord.”

“Once the Necronomicon is retrieved, would you convey my desire to seek him out personally?”

Dalphy nodded.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

“One moment.”

Oscar called out to Dalphy.

“There is a matter that piques my curiosity….”

“Yes?”

“This swamp is not a place even knights enter with ease. How did you arrive here alone?”

The Swamp of the Dead was fearsome in itself, but the path leading here was arguably even more treacherous. Countless monsters and unsolved magical traps would have lain in wait. It was no region for an ordinary maid.

Dalphy scratched her cheek.

“If one serves as a handmaiden to Lord Ester Tristy, such feats are merely fundamental.”

Oscar blinked.

A mere handmaiden, entrusted with dispatch, so capable?

*How many capable individuals reside beneath his command?*

He had only considered him a singular genius. But he also possessed an eye for talent and the charisma to command loyalty. A truly formidable man.

“I must prepare Lord’s evening meal.”

“…….”

“I must be heading back now, quickly. Farewell.”

She gazed at the sky.

The sunset was fading.

Today, Esther was planning to make her favorite grilled steak, so preparations were needed.

“I understand it takes at least three days to reach the Tristy mansion from here…”

Dalphy vanished like the wind at that moment.

It wasn’t magic. It was speed born from explosive physicality.

Oscar blinked, unable to keep up with Dalphy’s movements, faster than a squire, even faster than most knights.

“Ha.”

Even Esther Tristy’s servant was extraordinary.

*

“Ha.”

The steaks Dalphy cooked could only be described as mind-blowing.

Each bite of meat simply melted in your mouth.

“Yahiheho hheuheheho. (You’re eating so deliciously, it’s infuriating.)”

“Swukg mureura. (Swallow before speaking.)”

“Jeune peumeuneureuse geureuge meureunide. (I’m just a commoner, so I wouldn’t know.)”

Dalphy seemed genuinely happy as well.

He loved eating as much as I did, cheeks stuffed with meat as he chewed contentedly.

Until now, I had been considered a failure, receiving far less allowance from Porto than my other siblings.

Now, however, my treatment was completely different.

Glug.

“It seems I will be able to bring it out more often, as Young Master’s food expenses have increased.”

Even with such lavish meals multiple times, it wouldn’t be an issue?

Indeed, whether modern or fantasy, money is undeniably king.

Until now, such a bountiful meal was rare, usually reserved for my birthday.

“Dalphy.”

“Yes?”

“Let us eat lobster from now on as well.”

That instant, Dalpi’s eyes gleamed.

“I shall execute it with utmost haste tomorrow.”

“Let’s just…let’s just devour all the delicacies of land and sea from now on and become utter pigs.”

“Young Master may get away with it due to lack of exercise, but it is impossible for me.”

Dalpi shrugged her shoulders.

Hm, Dalpi’s figure is certainly… pleasing.

Even draped in her shapeless maid’s uniform, her chest protruded markedly.

Every time I see her sleek, unmarred physique, I get the sensation of being bewitched by a fox.

“Where do you think you’re looking, with such lechery in your eyes?”

I subtly averted my gaze.

“It *is* your prime time for such things, I suppose.”

Dalpi opened her eyes languidly, staring at me.

“If you desire, you are welcome to touch.”

“Tsk…”

I seriously pondered it for about five seconds.

However, she was clearly toying with a man’s heart.

The aftershocks that would follow touching her were too terrifying to endure.

“Hmph, unexpected.”

“Don’t act like that with other men. You might get yourself hurt?”

Dalpi smiled playfully.

“You need not worry, Young Master. I only behave this way in your presence.”

Krrraaahh, that wretched minx!

“Come here, yiiieeee!!!”

“W-Wait a moment! Where are you touching…? H-Hng, Kyaaa!! N-Not there…!!”

Thereafter, I thoroughly tickled Dalpi’s sides.