Chapter 76: The Final Battle Begins! Save the Water City!

—Night, inside the cathedral.

“What—what did you just say!?”

“No way, that can’t be true!?”

“……”

We asked the idol to take off her mask, and underneath it was a familiar nun.

Unbelievable… The wildly popular idol Ryu-chan was actually Ilyu all along.

“…You really didn’t notice, did you?”

“I mean, her outfit was a nun’s robe from the neck down! The voice and the clothes should’ve tipped you off.”

“My, my, Ilyu, sounds like you’ve had a rough time. Maybe I should’ve gone looking for you last night~”

I see. That makes sense. Come to think of it, she was strangely talented back in Ressal too.

The identity of the comet-like diva who took the world by storm—it all adds up now that it’s been pointed out.

“More importantly, everyone, listen up. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“I met with Aldebaran.”

Sure, Ilyu’s reveal was a surprise. But right now, that wasn’t the most urgent thing on our plate.

There was something far more important that we all needed to be aware of.

“…That face tells me it’s not good news, huh?”

“Yeah. The capital’s about to be attacked.”

“…Oh dear.”

Karl proceeded to explain the conversation he’d had with Aldebaran.

The capital would be attacked in a matter of weeks. Aldebaran didn’t know anything about Anat. And Yuri was on her way here.

“That’s why, after we protect Anat, we’ll need to head back to the capital.”

“…Got it. One way or another, looks like we’ll be teaming up with that girl again.”

“Neither of us is thrilled about it, but there’s no helping it.”

From the look of things, Karl seemed to have a bit of a complex when it came to Aldebaran. Maybe it was because of the goddess he worshipped.

Still, from a tactical standpoint, there’s no way the strongest support, Aldebaran, and the strongest frontliner, Karl, would have bad synergy.

Come on, this is a crisis—we don’t need divine infighting right now.

“…So first, we head to Anat.”

“Yeah. Tomorrow, once we get our weapons, we set out.”

And so finally, tomorrow—we set off for a new town.

“I was planning to part ways before reaching Anat, but if the capital’s under threat, maybe Ilyu should come with us?”

“That sounds best. I’ll accompany you.”

“Yeah, probably safer if you stay out of the capital.”

Looks like Ilyu’s still sticking with us.

“Well, if it comes down to it, I’ll fight too! With my Nun Punch!”

“Don’t push yourself.”

Ilyu was all bravado, but she was still a frail girl at heart.

If we end up facing demons, we’ll need to protect her.

“Alright, everyone—pack up before bed.”

“…Okaaay.”

That night, we greeted the cathedral bishop, packed our bags, and went to sleep.

Our time in the capital city, Pedia, may have been short, but it was a surprisingly good one.

---

"—So. What’s the deal with you casually going on a date with him, Irine?"

"Why, because he invited me, of course. If someone asks you out to hang out as a friend, there’s no reason to turn them down, is there?"

"…So unfair."

"Well, if you two hadn’t been hungover, I’m pretty sure he would’ve invited all of us, you know?"

For the record, that night, I took some flak over going on a date with Karl.

"While I was suffering, sold into slavery…"

"…You brought that on yourself, Ilyu."

"I—I did help you, didn’t I?"

"Oh yes, yes you did."

That foolish girl who helped me even gave me a grateful kiss.

…Hmm. I might’ve earned myself a little hate there. Better be careful going forward.

---

The next day.

After receiving our new equipment, we set off toward Anat.

“Ooh, looking good!”

“...That armor's cool. Like a real Hero.”

“I am a real Hero!”

Compared to before, Karl now looked much more like a proper hero, with rugged pauldrons and a more battle-ready outfit.

“Irine-san, um... is that... mage gear?”

“Yes. Look, I’m carrying a staff, aren’t I?”

As for me, I kept the same style—wearing a bikini armor hidden under my clothes—but this time, I also got a pair of steel gauntlets and knee guards.

Until now, I’d looked like a noble lady playing adventurer, but this got me a bit closer to looking like a proper fighter.

By the way, the full plate armor I had dreamed of was rejected by Master Rey. Said it was incompatible with unarmed combat. Damn it.

“Fundamentally, mages wear robes. They conduct magic more efficiently, and you can hide magical tools inside them.”

Apparently, full plate is only useful for heavy warriors swinging massive weapons. For unarmed fighters, it’s just dead weight.

And to be fair, Rey is crazy strong despite his light gear.

“...Also, mages should avoid the front lines whenever possible. Only use the techniques I taught you when the enemy’s so close that punching is faster than chanting.”

“Ehh... very well, then.”

“Martial arts were created for people without magic. If you can use magic, supporting your allies from afar is far more useful.”

Well... he wasn’t wrong. I had no choice but to accept it quietly.

...Maybe wanting to slug it out with warriors was just me being overconfident.

“But in the past, there were people known as magic warriors—fighters who used both martial arts and magic.”

“Ooh! That’s exactly what I want to be!”

“...Then start by mastering the basics of martial arts. Right now, your technique is barely above amateur level.”

According to Maika, there used to be quite a few close-combat fighters who wielded magic. Sounds like I finally have a path forward.

“...But magic warriors were usually just fighters who happened to also have a talent for magic. There were more mages back then, too.”

“Oh, I’ve heard that before.”

Papa told me the same thing.

These days, fewer people are born with the potential for magic. Only a handful of nobles can use it properly. Most commoners don’t even have magical energy.

But in the past, three to four out of ten people supposedly had magic aptitude.

“At this rate, in a few hundred years, magic users might vanish completely. That’s why maintaining noble bloodlines is considered important—or so I was taught.”

“Huh. So the people from the past might’ve been even better at magic than we are now.”

“Mages back then were on a whole different scale. I’ve heard top-tier casters could split continents with a single blast.”

That sounds a bit far-fetched, though.

“...Some people argue that storytellers exaggerated ancient hero legends, and that our current level is actually higher.”

“Yeah, there’s probably some embellishment in there.”

I mean, if people like that really existed, they would've wiped out the Demon King in an instant.

---

"Your footwork’s sloppy. Legs too far apart. You're off balance, Irine."

"…Yes, understood!"

"Your strength is more than enough. Now engrave the movements into your body."

Even on the road, I was receiving intense instruction from Rey.

After all, my magical skills are already maxed out. If there’s anywhere left for me to grow, it’s by becoming a magic warrior.

What I need to hone now isn’t magic, but martial arts.

"…Still, to think you’ve already mastered sorcery at your age."

"Magic isn’t something you master through technique. It comes down to how well you get along with the spirits. I don’t like saying it this way, but… I was just lucky. With magic, talent is everything."

"…Well, that’s true. You can improve your control, but your magic capacity and quality are entirely innate."

Fortunately, I’m among the most magically gifted humans alive—on top of that, the spirits adore me.

I don’t truly grasp how lucky that makes me, but for someone without those blessings, it must be maddeningly envy-inducing.

"Irine. You may have talent for magic, but when it comes to martial arts, you’re completely average."

"…Ugh. I had a feeling, but hearing it out loud still stings."

"Your reaction speed is generally slow. That’s why you’re forced to block instead of dodge my attacks."

"Ughh…"

According to Rey, my reflexes aren’t exactly stellar.

Because I’m always half a beat too slow, I end up relying on last-second guards.

In a real battle against someone where even one hit could be fatal, that’s a deadly weakness.

"Strike first, Irine. If you ever let an enemy get close, the only option is to silence them with a preemptive blow. If you go on the defensive, you’ll be overwhelmed in an instant."

"…"

"The four forms I taught you—if you land them, each is a guaranteed knockout. Eventually, we’ll start training you to land them on real opponents coming at you."

So I’ve got slow reflexes, huh. Now that I think about it, that’s also why I failed to react when Rey sliced me down that time.

Even with physical enhancement magic, reflexes don’t really improve. Your movement speed gets faster, so you can still manage to guard in time—but if you're late, you're late.

"Now then, for the rest of the time, we’re drilling forms. Practice each one a hundred times."

"Yes, sir!"

"Like I told you earlier—don’t spread your stance too wide. If your balance is off, you’re starting over from the top."

By the way, Rey’s training is wonderfully spartan.

These past few days, I really feel like I’ve been forged hard. I’m glad I asked him to teach me.

"…Nii (brother), can we please take a break…?"

"Don’t be ridiculous. You’re doing sparring with me next. You’ve been slacking on the basics, haven’t you? Your core strength isn’t nearly where it should be."

"Uueeeehhh…"

It’s so hardcore that even his real little sister’s eyes have gone lifeless.

But they say that’s the mark of a good sibling relationship—one built on deep love, but no coddling.

"Ei! Yah! Haa!! Take that!!"

"…Nii is a demon…"

---

“Penetrating Palm: Muscle Bomber!!”

“Irine, you really like calling it that, don’t you. …Did it grow on you?”

“I love it, absolutely!”

“…I see.”

We had departed from the capital and arrived in Anat with time to spare—three days ahead, just as the Goddess had instructed.

Though I hadn’t fully mastered all four forms Rey had been teaching me, I was starting to get a good handle on one of them—Penetrating Palm.

The move was eerily similar to a certain technique from Chinese martial arts in my previous life. You press your palm against the opponent slowly, then in a split second, pour all your strength into it and unleash a shockwave through their body.

When used on the ground, it could leave a crater nearly a meter deep. It could pierce armor with ease. Against most foes, one hit is more than enough.

“Well, I’ll admit that technique might suit you. It’s a move that shines when you fail to dodge and get locked in close combat.”

“Ooh!”

“…Having a signature technique isn’t a bad thing. If it feels right for you, then master it thoroughly. But don’t slack off on the other forms either.”

Even Rey gave this technique a passing mark.

Apparently, we’ll be incorporating it into real combat training from now on.

“…However.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t go giving it weird names. That’s a secret technique passed down in my clan. It’s called Penetrating Palm.”

……

But… Muscle Bomber sounds so cool.

---

"Whoa! The whole city’s crisscrossed with canals!"

"Wow, now this is what you’d call the City of Water."

The port city of Anat.

Facing the turbulent, crashing tides, this coastal town has long served as the nation’s core hub for trade, salt production, and fishing.

What sets it apart are the canals running through the city.

"...There are boats moving back and forth."

"Oh, look! Fish!"

This is precisely why Anat is known as the City of Water. It’s said that a group of ancient water mages altered the land’s shape to create the city’s current form.

Because of that, the city is also considered sacred ground for water magic users.

"Boat rental shop...? So you can rent boats here?"

"Yes. Boats are quite handy for transporting goods around the city."

In Anat, most goods are transported by boat.

The reason is simple—the city’s roads are narrow and winding, with steep elevation changes.

Apparently, it’s a side effect of having turned what was once a coastal area into an urban center by force.

"Traveling by canal is a lot smoother than moving across land."

"It’s got such a classy feel to it."

The sunlight shimmered off the water. Lively merchants lined the canals. The whole city had a charming atmosphere.

It’s easy to see why this place is a top travel destination—one of those places you’d want to visit at least once in your life.

"We’ve got three days until the date Lady Sefa specified. Until then, we’ll find lodging and start gathering intel."

"Seems peaceful enough for now."

"...Hmm. I need to get a handle on the city’s layout. The streets are a maze—if a fight breaks out, it could get dangerous."

Despite taking a few detours along the way, they arrived with time to spare.

The only remaining issue was whether they could detect any demonic presence ahead of time.

"Once we’ve secured a place to stay, split up and start gathering information."

"...Understood."

"Leave it to me!"

"But Irine, seal that. You know exactly what I mean, right?"

"…Ehh, really?"

"It just complicates things when you use that thing! Just agree to it!"

"Y-yes, fine!"

She had been looking forward to donning her monkey mask and playing around for the first time in ages, but Karl shut that down instantly.

...Aw. It’s so fun, though.

"Alright then, let’s hurry up and find a place to—"

"Big trouble!! Everyone, listen up!"

Just as they were about to search for an inn...

A deep, booming voice echoed from the entrance of Anat they had just passed through moments earlier.

"Huh?"

"That’s Byonki, the salt seller!"

"What happened—he’s seriously wounded!"

Suddenly, a blood-covered man appeared in the peaceful streets of Anat.

Clutching his shoulder, he collapsed in the center of the crowd, tears in his eyes as he screamed out.

"Demons! Just like the central folks warned us—the Demon King really has shown up!!"

"...What?"

"The whole salt district’s been wiped out! I’m the only one left—everyone else, they’re all dead!!"

Coughing up blood, the man shouted with all he had to get the message across.

The ever-compassionate Sakura was the first to run over to him.

"...Calm down. Tell us slowly what happened."

"Y-yeah. I was just heading to make salt like always, and then—they attacked us..."

"‘They’? You’re sure it was demons?"

"Yeah. No doubt about it. They had these grotesque faces, like some twisted mix of beast and dragon. Massive, too. And they slaughtered the guards like they were nothing."

His face was etched with pure terror as he kept recounting the horror he had just witnessed.

...Looks like we won’t be needing to gather intel around the city after all.

"What... what the hell is that monster?"

"It called itself the Demon King! Said it was going to wipe out humanity from this day forward!!"

His sheer panic was enough to send ripples of unrest through the crowd.

But within our party, no one flinched. If anything, Karl’s fighting spirit was rising—like he’d just been waiting for this moment.

It seemed this was the task the goddess Sefa had entrusted to us.

"...Huh?"

Only one of us wasn’t ready.

Ilyu alone stood there, wide-eyed, letting out a stunned, bewildered squeak.