“I still have plenty of Golems you know.”


    The [Marionette] laughs as more Golems swarm out of the ground.


    Igni: “[Equip Flame] Ignite]”


    Around Igni, he created [Fireball]s that looked like small dots. Once they all whitened with increased heat….


    Igni: “[Launch] {Fire}!”


    ZUDODODODO!!! (sfx rapid impact)


    Tiny explosions of air erupted around Igni, and Igni’s tiny [Fireball]s struck the Golems and went right through! They rained down and drilled holes into each Golem!!


    “Wait……...really? What are you…….? These Golems should be able to withstand Spells up to [S] Compatibility but…….”


    The [Marionette]’s face looks strained as he places a new cigarette in his mouth.


    “......ah well. We have plenty more where that came from.”


    The [Marionette] spreads his hands.


    More hordes of Golems bubble out of the ground.


    Igni: “Alicia! What’s with his spell……?”


    Golems are an [Earth] type Spell.


    If he’s an [Unique Original] Spellcaster, then he should be using those kinds of spells but….!


    Alicia: “He uses a limited Area Control Spell! Within that Area, he can rob the people within a certain part of their senses!”


    Igni: “Understood!”


    Igni: (So that’s why we couldn’t detect the manipulation of Magic before…..!!)


    Igni casts [Equip Flame] {Ignite}. With all the [Fireball]s he created, he strikes the Golems again and sends it flying towards the [Marionette].


    In that split second, he goes and takes off Rose’s restraints.


    Igni: “Can you stand, Rose?”


    Rose: “IーI, can’t….”


    Igni: “Here, hold on to me tight.”


    Rose: “SーSure.......”


    Igni carries Rose in his arms. He felt a stabbing glare from Alicia, but he concludes that it must have been his imagination.


    Igni: “Sorry, but I can’t let you have the [Saint].”


    The [Marionette] spits out his cigarette and raises his palm towards Igni.


    Igni instinctively jumps away.


    The next moment, the ground beneath Igni’s feet melted.


    “What～? You can dodge that??”


    Igni: “Is that your Spell……?!”


    Again, he felt no manipulation of magic before the Spell!


    “You think I would tell you?”


    Igni: “I’ll make you talk! [Equip Flame] {Ignite} : [Armor Piercing] {Fire}!”


    Before Igni, a giant [Fireball] was created and began to rotate and spin!!


    The friction caused between the air and the [Fireball] began to screech!!


    “Let me take away your sight.”


    <VUN> (sfx)


    Igni’s sight is swallowed in darkness.


    Igni: “Alicia!”


    Alicia: “Leave it to me!!”


    Igni: “[Launch] {Fire}!!”


    Alicia: “[Come My Wind] {Ventos} : [Guide Them] {Duux}!”


    DONNNNNNNNNN!!!! (sfx explosion)


    The [Fireball] fires off with a massive explosive sound and with Alicia’s guidance, it heads straight towards the [Marionette]........but the Golems intervene!


    Igni: “Pierce right through them!!”


    <DOU!!> (sfx dull impact)


    With Igni’s shout, the Golem’s body crumples and is blown backwards taking the [Marionette] with it!!


    “Owwww……”


    When the [Marionette] was blown away, Igni’s sight returned.


    Igni: “I heard from Alicia, [Marionette].”


    Igni holds Rose as he glares at the [Marionette].


    Igni: “I heard that you’re quite weak.”


    “Wow, that’s rude～ Hasn’t someone taught you to respect your elders?”


    The [Marionette] pushed the Golem aside and stood up.


    But from a glance, he’s been beaten up pretty badly.


    “Well…...yeah, that is true. It’s just as you say. I’m not that strong. If I had to fight head on with anyone, I would probably even lose to students.”


    Igni: “Then withdraw.”


    “You’re letting me go? How kind of you.”


    The edges of the [Marionette]’s lips curve upward as he laughs.


    “But that kindness during a battle is a [mistake].”


    Below the [Marionette]’s feet, the broken Golem is reconstructed.


    “Igni, I haven’t seen you use any other Spells except [Fireball].”


    Igni: “Yeah, that’s the only Spell I can use.”


    “I had a feeling that that was the case.”


    The [Marionette]’s face instantly twists into a wicked smirk.


    “So just for you, I created a Golem that can’t be destroyed by heat.”


    [Heat Resistant] Golems surround Igni.


    Igni: “[Equip Flame] {Ignite}”


    “It’s no use! I put a lot of work into this! It can’t be destroyed by [Fireball]!!”


    Igni: “[Change] {Heavy Equip}”


    “..............what?”


    You could almost hear Igni’s [Fireball] fattens up with a <ZUN> (sfx heavy weight) as it increases not in temperature but in Magic Power!


    Igni: “[Artillery] {Fire}”


    DODODON!!! (sfx multiple impacts)


    The heavy sound almost rips everyone’s eardrums!!


    The air rips to pieces and howls!!


    The [Fireball] Igni created


    the Golems as they are blown away!


    Igni: “A [Fireball]..........is not just about temperature.”


    “Are you kidding me?”


    The [Marionette]’s jaws dropped as he envisioned a completely different outcome. And Igni stood before his eyes and pointed a [Fireball] at him from point blank range..


    Igni: “So what will you do now? Will you surrender? Or will you fight?”


    The [Marionette] raised both his arms in a sign of surrender.


    “Of course I’ll surrender. I’m not paid enough to bet my life on this. I feel bad for my employer, but……….I’m giving up on this job.”


    Alicia: “Your employer? ……..aren’t you a mercenary of the Southern Union?”


    Alicia restrains the [Marionette] with techniques she learned from the classes at the Academy.


    “The Southern Union? My contract with them ended last year.”


    Alicia: “What? Then who are you working for?” “You really think I would divulge information about my employer?”


    Alicia: “.........”


    This was his dignity as a mercenary.


    And drawing out this information is not Igni and his group’s job.


    Alicia: “Alright, let’s get out of this Workshop. C’mon. Guide us to the exit.”


    Alicia smacks the [Marionette] in the head.


    “Hey! I’m still an older man so treat me with more respect…..” Alicia: “You’re a CRIMINAL who tried to abduct the [Saint]!”


    The [Marionette] tries to defend his position that he’s an [attempted] abductor, but Alicia hurries him forward.


    Rose: “ThーThank you, Igni.”


    With dreamy eyes, Rose thanks Igni while still being held in his arms.


    Igni: “Don’t worry about it. You’re a girl I wanted to catch.”


    And Igni smiles warmly at Rose.


    Igni: “Can you stand?” Rose: “YーYes.”


    They exit the underground [Spell Workshop].


    Yoori was waiting for them outside.


    Yoori: “WーWelcome back!”


    “........you still had one more person standing by….”


    The [Marionette]’s shoulders sag and drop.


    Rose: “Hey, Igni.” Igni: “Hm?” Rose, who was walking behind Igni takes his hand.


    Igni: (Oh, her hands are soft….)


    Rose: “I have a wish I want you to fulfill for me.”


    Igni: “A wish?”


    Igni tilts his head at Rose’s request.


    Rose: “Um, well. Igni, I really like you!”


    Igni: “ThーThanks…..?”


    Igni’s brain crashes at the sudden confession.


    Rose: “And so…..I want you to go with me.”


    Igni: “.....go with you….?”


    Rose: “I’m going to be going to a lot of different countries for the next 40 years. Igni, I want you to come with me and do this together.”


    Igni: “...together…”


    Rose: “Yes. But...you don’t have to answer me right now! I know our destinies are tied together!! And I understand how you feel about me after you rescued me today!!”


    Igni: “.......my feelings…”


    Igni could only parrot Rose’s words.


    Rose: “I’ll be here in this country for 3 days. So I want to hear your answer before I leave.”


    Saying everything she wanted to say, Rose smiled brightly.