Chapter 775 – With Nets and Walls

000

When an arrow falls from the sky, the spirit-shaped familiar that was targeting Amelia from behind pierces its core and disappears on the spot.

If it weren’t for Sasha’s sniping, Amelia could have been in danger.

When Amelia suddenly came to her senses and turned her head, she saw that Sasha, who was wandering around the sky riding Gonzales, also looked exhausted.

I felt like I wanted to say thank you properly, but the situation wasn’t that relaxed.

Instead, what Amelia said was that she sounded somewhat tired.

＂It’s never ending…”

At the same time as the presence of Cleon and Laila disappeared, the source of the greatest magical power felt from above the Magic Tower also disappeared.

Amelia and the others thought that it was the culprit who was using the magic tower to control the familiars, but contrary to expectations, the familiars did not stop and continued to approach the mansion, targeting the mansion.

Moreover, if it is destroyed, it also regenerates near the square, so even the hope of when this unknown number of waves of defense will end is slowly fading.

＂Grandmothers, don’t you know something!?＂

When Kuon, who had maintained her barrier, was slowly reaching her limits, she raised her voice without realizing it and asked the elderly people who were leisurely enjoying tea, and they looked back at her Kuon and spoke.

“Perhaps the familiars have fallen into a state of endlessly repeating the ‘play’ and ‘attack’ commands.”

“When the entity controlling them disappears, familiars repeat the last command they received infinitely.”

“The magic power for him is provided by the magic power spewing out from the magic tower.”

＂As a result, even though the person who gave the order has disappeared, the situation continues.

Kuon looked grim as he listened to the four people answering an answer that could have been answered by one person, but in the end, what they were talking about was that since there was no one to control it, the runaway continued.

“Then the villagers can take back control!”

When Kuon says that again, the old people look at each other’s faces for a moment, then shrug their shoulders and shake their heads.

“I’m sorry, but that’s impossible.”

“Families are a technique to control beings with weaker magical power than the caster, but due to the strengthening of the magic tower, the magical power of the familiars has become increasingly greater, so we cannot regain control.”

＂But is it okay for you to stay that relaxed!?＂

It felt like Kuon’s patience was reaching its limit, wondering if it was okay to be angry now.

But at Kuon’s words, the old people smiled and put down the teacups they were holding.

＂No way, I just want to take it easy.＂

And, when the oldest-looking woman among them raised her right hand, she could see that her long, thin threads of magic were stretching out from her hand, like her spider web. Br〉

It’s the same for other elderly people.

The thread of magic seemed to extend beyond the walls of the Flamewatch Mansion and extend throughout the village.

＂That…?＂

＂Helix is ​​a village where various industries run thanks to familiars. Therefore, when he loses control of his familiar, he is naturally prepared for it.”

“This thread of magic is connected to other friends throughout the village, forming a huge net that can gather all the familiars in the village in one place.”

“The only problem is that it takes too long to activate.”

Old people who lament the callousness of time, saying, “I wish I could have done it sooner when I was younger.”

“… Well, wouldn’t it be okay if you told me that first…?”

And the women looked at each other while looking at Kuon, who was saying that if there had been a way like that, it would have helped them hold on a little longer since there was some hope that they could hold on until then.

＂I knew someone would say it.＂

＂Me too.＂

“They say it can’t be like this when you get older. Just pass the blame on to someone.”

＂Did you say that?＂

Seeing the old people starting to get into a war of nerves as they looked at each other, Kuon put her hand to her forehead and sighed heavily as if she had a headache.

“Now, wait a minute. So, when can it be activated?”

And, the moment Kuon asked that question. Elderly people adopt a strange posture where they place both of their hands in each other’s hands and draw a circle with their arms.

＂Now.＂

When you think that a tiny spark of magical power has flowed between their arms, it begins to flow through the ground, following the threads of magical energy that they have stretched out.

Sasha, floating in the sky, suddenly saw that blue magic lights that started from the mansion and all over the village flowed into the entire village, and that there were hundreds, thousands – no, tens of thousands of threads of magic spread out tightly on the ground. I was so startled for a moment by the overwhelming phenomenon that I couldn’t close my mouth.

As the old people had said, it became a huge net that surrounded the entire village, rose from the ground, and slowly began to lift the familiars standing on it one by one.

“You can win without having to fight.”

＂Able to respond even without speaking.＂

“It comes on its own even if you don’t call.”

＂He is able to plan even if he stays still＂

And as the four old men continue to chant, as if in a chorus, the ends of the unfolded net come together, forming a sphere to prevent the familiars from escaping.

“The net of the sky is wide and thin, yet nothing is missed. This is Uranus’ net.”

Once the spell was completed with those last words, the blue net floating in the sky succeeded in gathering all the familiars in one place and tying them up tightly so that they could not escape.

At that overwhelming sight, neither Amelia nor Dacapo could close their mouths, and the same was true for Kuon.

“I’m sorry, everyone…! I never thought you would really have a solution…!”

Seeing Kuon bowing his head and apologizing to the elderly, the eldest among them smiled and answered Kuon.

“If you hadn’t given me time, I wouldn’t have been able to complete the spell, so it’s all thanks to you. Rather, we should be thankful to you for letting us into this mansion.”

＂Oh my gosh, my body aches after using magic for the first time in a while…”

＂So, I should have at least exercised my magic power on a regular basis. I do it every morning.＂

As soon as she saw them telling stories that only old people can tell, Ku was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

“… Is this the end?”

When Amelia, who had confirmed that the familiars had risen into the sky and were tied up, returned to the inside of the garden with the others, Kuon nodded at her.

“Huh. If we wait like this until the runaway of familiars stops…”

“Oh. That’s not possible.”

The old man’s words as if interrupting Kuon’s words.

＂Yes?＂

“You said it before, right? The familiars repeat the last command.”

“We just tied up those familiars, and the familiars won’t disappear and will repeat that state until their magical power is depleted.”

Kuon and Amelia blinked their eyes after hearing the old men’s words, and then looked at the net floating in the sky once again.

Certainly, the eyes of the familiars trapped inside seemed to still be directed towards where the mansion was.

“So, are you really saying they just tied it up and made it impossible to move?”

“And… If the net breaks before then…”

“Then… What should I do next?”

The old people also spoke as if they hadn’t even thought about what happened next, and Kuon and Amelia could only sigh and ponder once more.

“If you destroy it, it will regenerate from the ground, so it will escape from the net.”

“But that said, if we leave it like this, the magic power of the villagers will deplete first. Above all, depletion of magical energy in elderly people is so dangerous that it can even affect their lives…”

Everyone knows that waiting like this is the worst possible move.

“There is a way.”

At that time, her dacapo’s voice came from behind her and all of her companions there turned to look at her.

Da Capo said that although he got his words out, he felt a little pressured to see so many eyes focused on him at once, and he flinched and trembled.

Soon, he calmly talked about his plans.

“All you have to do is recreate the net that you used to tie the familiars’ feet in a way that doesn’t consume magical energy. If that’s the case, it won’t disappear even with time.”

After hearing Da Capo’s words, Sasha nodded, saying, ‘I see!’, But the next question that came to mind was, of course, ‘But how?’

“Let’s build a wall… It can be stone, wood, or metal. The goal is to create a huge barrier surrounding the square to prevent anyone from escaping from inside. And if you pour a potion into it that can weaken the magic power of your familiars, you will be able to regain control.”

＂Is it a wall…? But building a physical wall is much more difficult than building a wall made of magic. What makes something like that possible is the magic of the earth, but…”

When Amelia spoke while looking at Kuon, Kuon shook her head.

Her magic was exactly the magic of the earth, and her magic was not enough to build a wall of that size.

＂There is no one in this village who can use that level of earth magic. Probably, Mr. Fromme won’t be able to do it either.”

And if even the old man says that, the party thinks that although the method itself is not bad, there is no way to make it happen.

However, Da Capo spoke while placing his hand on his chest.

＂I will do it.＂

＂Mr. Da Capo…?＂

“I am an alchemist. If there is enough material, it is possible to change the shape. To build a wall large enough to surround all the familiars in that net, you would need a significant amount of stone materials.”

Kuon, who heard Da Capo’s words, thinks that if that’s the case, then one of the old men speaks to Da Capo.

“Do you know? Alchemy is also one of the techniques that uses magic power. The greater the amount of conversion, the more magic attribute required and the more difficult it is to control. Constructing a huge structure by yourself can burn out your body’s magical nerves.”

＂… I know.＂

Da Capo knows about that too.

When learning about alchemy, it is one of the first important basics you learn.

But that doesn’t mean he can’t keep his mouth shut when there’s something else he can do.

They couldn’t just sit still when the people who saved them were in danger.

So, she answers without hesitation.

“But I think this is the only way now.”

＂…＂

A strong determination was felt in Da Capo’s eyes.

That must have been what everyone there felt.

“… ─Let’s try it. No matter what happens, we just have to assist Mr. Da Capo.”

When Amelia said that, Ku Onon Sasha also nodded her head.

“… Good. If you, her colleagues, say so. We’ll try that method too. What you need is not only stone materials, but anything that can make a wall is good, right?”

＂Yes!＂

When Dacapo nodded her head confidently, the old men stood up and flew up into the sky through flight magic.

＂I will gather all the usable materials in the village! Make sure you are ready for training!”

“I think it’s time to meet and talk with my friends in person after a long time…!”

And, the four people, one horse, and one flag, who were watching the old people flying in different directions, ran straight to the square.

001

After a while, a scene was created in the square that was overwhelming to even just look at.

In the various mansions where Helix residents live, there are statues that appear to be decorations, wooden boxes that are no longer in use, and cooking utensils made of iron.

As I watched the materials being unloaded to surround the square, with the thought that anything would be fine as long as it could be used to build a wall, I wondered where on earth there was so much junk in this small town.

In particular, the Earthseeker family’s workshop produced large quantities of high-quality stone materials, so it seemed like this alone would be enough to cover half of the materials needed to build the wall.

Dacapo, who was watching the materials being gathered in front of the plaza, looked a little nervous, but he had already prepared the method for transformation in front of him and was composing himself while sitting on the ground.

＂… Suuuuu… Phew…＂

To tell the truth, the time was a little tight.

The potion that allowed him to move his body was almost running out of effect, and he could already feel that the tips of his toes were not moving.

Since there were no more potions left, he thought he had to complete this training somehow, and took as much strength out of his body as possible.

“Mr. Da Capo, are you okay?”

“Ah… Yes. It’s okay.”

Amelia spoke as if she had noticed that Da Capo was not in a good condition, but Da Capo nodded and answered that he was fine so as not to make her worry.

“If you think it’s dangerous, just stop. What is more important than anything else is Mr. Da Capo’s life.”

“… Yes. But now that I am a member of this village, I want to do what I can to protect the village.”

In response to Da Capo’s response, Amelia nodded her head slightly and stepped back so as not to disturb her.

＂Ingredients are ready!＂

And when Sasha, who was watching the situation from the sky, raised her voice like that, Da Capo took a deep breath.

He pulls out his dagger that was hanging on his waist and slightly cuts the tip of his index finger, causing his blood to leak out.

And, with that blood, you slowly begin to draw the circle drawn inside the magic book.

Accordingly, as a large amount of magical power escapes from her body, it flows through the flexible circuit prepared on the ground and begins to transform the shape of the materials.

＂Ugh… Ugh…!＂

From the beginning, a moan escaped her mouth as she felt more magic draining out of her than she could have imagined.

However, I can still endure this much, the important thing is after this.

Thinking that he had to somehow complete the circle on the magic book with his blood, he was slowly moving his fingers while enduring the consumption of magical power.

At that time, the limit she had feared finally came.

The paralysis that was limited to her toes quickly spread up her legs, to her stomach, chest, shoulders, and arms.

When her fingers completed halfway through her circle, she felt her arm go still, and then Da Capo felt a dizzy spell that made her feel dizzy.

After confirming that her material had stopped converting, Amelia realized that Da Capo’s condition was strange and tried to approach her, but-

“No, Amelia! If you enter the jinn during transformation, beings other than the caster will be caught up in the transformation!”

He suddenly came to his senses upon hearing Kuon’s voice saying that, and confirmed that a magic circle for transformation was also spread out at Dacapo’s feet.

＂Tsk…! Mr. Da Capo! Are you okay! Please stop Yeonsung!”

If things continue like this, Da Capo’s life may be in danger.

Amelia, who thought so, shouted that, but Da Capo thought she could never do that.

I was able to somehow move my body, which had stiffened to the point of making a popping sound, and move my fingers at least 1 mm.

How convenient would it be if I just gave up right now?

But- I couldn’t do that.

＇There was someone who wanted to save us, who we thought had been abandoned by the world… For those who showed us a place to stay and warmth…!’

She said she couldn’t do anything more than betray them, and she burned her will and soul.

Her arms, hands, and fingers slowly moved while feeling the pain cutting through her bones.

But then.

Her magic sword, which she used to draw out her own blood and kept by her side.

It was starting to emit a soft glow.

[If you’re always doing such reckless things… I can’t help but feel anxious.]

＂Who…?!＂

When Da Capo unconsciously asks of a woman’s voice he is hearing for the first time, a magic sword in the shape of a dagger comes to mind and spins right in front of Da Capo’s eyes.

[You know best who I am, right? Now, call my name and accept my presence. Then- I will give you the power to solve any difficult problem.]

Her voice was like her seducing seductress, yet like her older sister reassuring her.

And for Da Capo, it seemed like he could finally know her name.

＂─Help─＂

That’s why I say her name that comes to mind.

＂Antigone…!＂

The moment the four letters were pronounced clearly, her dagger gave off an intense light, and just like that—

It pierced the area where Da Capo’s heart was.

＂Mr. Da Capo!?＂

At that moment of intense visuals, those around him could not hide their astonishment, but Da Capo, who was actually in charge, felt no pain, but rather felt his body momentarily losing sensation.

Moreover, due to the length of the blade of the dacapo embedded in it, it was normal for the blade to protrude out of her back, but it remained in a strange shape, as if the handle of the dacapo was attached to her body.

At that time.

The bottom of the dacapo’s handle extends straight out, making a clanking sound.

Just like when you use a syringe to extract medicine from a bottle.

As she felt her body becoming lighter, she could feel her motionless arms moving.

[I ‘extracted’ the side effects of the medicine from your body.]

＂Well, then…＂

As she said, as soon as she felt her whole body regain her senses, her magic sword, Antigone, which had been lodged in her heart, was pulled out.

Da Capo hesitates for a moment at her own situation, but she soon moves her fingers without stopping, drawing her circles until all her magical power is depleted-

It was a success in completing the wall that confined the familiars within the square.

A huge wall built in the square.

When the villagers, who were watching the scene from her own mansion or her square, clapped their hands with a sigh of relief, Da Capo seemed to relax, and she fell to the ground. It was falling down.

＂Mr. Da Capo!＂

As her companions approached her and looked at her, her dagger, her Antigone, also came down gently to her land, as if she was falling asleep.

Kuon looked at Da Capo’s condition and nodded.

＂It’s simply exhaustion due to depletion of mana. After resting a little, you’ll be fine.”

＂… I’m glad… ＂

As both Amelia and Sasha nodded their heads as they spoke, Arnia spoke while looking at the erected wall.

“She was successful in protecting the place where she had to live.”

In response to Arnia’s words, Amelia looked at her for a moment and then nodded her head in response.

＂… Yes!＂

002

Since Ignis, who was causing problems in the Magic Tower, has completely disappeared, Cleon and Laila thought that by the time they returned to Helix, the runaway familiars and the sky that had turned red would have returned to their original state.

The strange sensation they felt when they entered the gap in another dimension was not felt again, and without feeling any threat, they passed through the passage back to Helix and appeared on the disk of the Magic Tower, which was the location from which they had started.

＂Phew… As expected, the air in that place seems to be stale.＂

As Lila stretched out and looked up at the sky as she spoke, the sky, which had been red when she passed by, had completely changed to blue.

If you think about the time at that time, it was daytime, so it must have been some time ago when we returned.

＂Lila?＂

At that time, when Cleon, who was coming out of her passage and looking around the top of the disk, called Lila’s name, she looked back at her and answered simply, ‘Why?’

＂Look at the village.＂

Hearing his words, Lila walks to his side and looks around the village, where she sees all the old people living in the village repairing collapsed buildings and terrain.

What was most noticeable was the huge wall surrounding the town square.

＂What is that wall…? And it seems like all the old people in Helix are old people… Well, there are only old people. … Isn’t the restorative work too fast? I thought it would take at least a day.”

As Lila spoke, she looked around with magic that strengthened her eyesight and allowed her to see far away.

＂Aaaaah!＂

A familiar voice came from above her head.

A moment later, something large landed on the disc with a ‘thud!’ Along with the sound of cutting through the wind.

She was Gonzales, a baby griffon who could still be called a cub, and Sasha, who was sitting on top of her and looking at her.

“Sasha!? How long have you come out to meet me?”

When Lila spoke in surprise, Sasha immediately jumped down from Gonzalez and was hugged by both of them at the same time.

“Well, I was worried! I was really worried!”

“Calm down, Sasha. Look, we’re both fine.”

Cleon spoke to Sasha as if to calm him down, and Laila kept her mouth shut for a moment, then seemed to realize something and asked Sasha a question.

“… Sasha? How long has it been since we disappeared together with Ignis?”

“It’s 3 days! Since you didn’t come back for three days, we…!”

＂Oooh…＂

When Sasha’s arms were bent tightly around Layla’s waist, Layla’s screams increased knowingly, and she made a touch of surrender, as if asking Sasha to release her arms. 〉

Then, when Cleon takes her Sasha away from Layla, Layla sighs heavily and puts her hand to her forehead.

“It seems like we also experienced a similar phenomenon to Ignis.”

“Ah. As expected, the gap in this dimension doesn’t seem to be a place where people can come and go.”

When Lila nods her head as if she agrees with Cleon’s words, Sasha raises her head towards the two people.

＂Mr. Kuon and Amelia are both worried. In particular, Mr. Kuon said that the Five Elements Festival has become tomorrow…”

＂…!? That’s right! That’s how it happens!? Let’s go back to the mansion! If you don’t hurry up and prepare to return to Asteris…!”

Lila raised her voice like a scream and jumped slightly into the sky to use flight magic.

He flops and lands on the ground again.

When Sasha tilts her head while looking at Lila’s strange behavior, Cleon makes her laugh without realizing it and then covers her mouth with his hand.

＂Damn, mana is depleted…＂

When Lila muttered that and her face turned red, Cleon patted her shoulder knowingly, and then she used her flight magic to rise into the sky.

“Then Laila, come to Gonzales with me…”

＂Eh, um…＂

When Lila was a little worried about Sasha’s words, her Cleon lifted her arm and hugged her, as if there was nothing she could do.

＂Wahahah…!＂

Aside from Lila, whose face was red earlier, when Sasha looked at her and let out a strange scream and her face seemed to get hot, Cleon was talking to Lila.

＂She is a princess who requires more work than Amelia.＂

＂Who, who is the princess? Rather than that, we should go quickly to reassure Kuon and Amelia!”

When Lila patted Cleon’s back like that, Sasha quickly jumped on Gonzalez’s back and flew into the sky.

And then, visible in the distance, I flew towards the Flamewatch Mansion, which was undergoing renovations just like the village.

“For a moment!? Construction in a mansion!? “

＂Ahaha…＂

Layla was unable to calmly accept the situation and ended up raising her voice again, and Sasha scratched her cheek embarrassedly.