Published: September 6, 2025
"Ehrenfest, fall back to the shield for now! Bring the injured with you!"
We have no idea what the enemy is thinking or how prepared they are. And the knight apprentices of Ehrenfest are battered from the battle with Dunkelfelger. Some have even collapsed within the arena. Healing is essential no matter what we do.
Those who are able to move on their own despite minor injuries gather the wounded and retreat back to Shutzelia's Shield.
Judith, who had been tightly bound with light bands by Dunkelfelger's knight apprentices, was also retrieved. Only someone with higher mana than the user of the light bands can cut through them. I cut the light bands binding Judith with my messer.
"Rosemine, may I also protect Lady Hannelore here? She was left alone in the enemy camp."
"Please come in immediately, Lady Hannelore. What are the Guard Knights doing? There are priorities beyond eliminating intruders!"
I glared upward at the hail of offensive magic raining down and spoke firmly. Wilfried and Hannelore opened a space so they could enter.
"I will cast healing."
I chanted "Straight Corben" and transformed my staff into Flutlene's Staff. Then, I healed everyone gathered there at once. A pillar of green light rose, causing a murmur overhead. For those participating in this Ditter—both Dunkelfelger and Ehrenfest—such pillars were becoming familiar, but those gathered in the sky apparently hadn’t seen them before.
As I calmly considered these things, I scanned the knight apprentices inside the shield. Brynhildr, who had been unconscious, seemed to have regained consciousness. She got up and, slightly frowning at the dirt and grass in her hair, began washing herself with Waschen.
... Nobles don’t just brush dirt off with their hands; they wash with Waschen.
The difference in feminine skills was clear. I felt relieved seeing Brynhildr quickly clean up and return to her usual appearance, when suddenly my vision flickered.
"Huh...?"
It was only for a moment, but my body surely began to signal distress. I realized I didn’t have much time left.
Thinking I must end this chaotic battle quickly, I looked over the knight apprentices nearby. Their injuries should have healed by Lungshmeil’s healing, but their mana recovery was probably still incomplete.
"Please use your own healing potions to restore mana. Also, check how many potions and magic tools remain..."
As I issued these orders, loud screams erupted from the stands—“Danger!” and “Kyaa!”—in unison. I hurriedly looked around and saw a Dunkelfelger knight apprentice who had lost his mount plummeting.
With a dull thud, the apprentice hit the ground and did not move.
"Ah!?"
"I will heal immediately! Protect him!"
Judith drew her shield at the sight of me reaching for the mana stone on the mount, and Leonore summoned her mount. Leonore jumped onto the mount and looked around inside the shield.
"Matthias, Laurenz! Snap out of it!"
I mounted my own mount and headed toward the Dunkelfelger knight apprentice. It would be best if they could bring him into the shield, but even though he was protected by full-body armor made of shock-resistant mana stones, falling from such a height likely caused a head injury. Moving him carelessly would be dangerous.
"Lady Rosemine, are you risking yourself to save a Dunkelfelger knight apprentice!?"
"There is an injured person before me, and I have the power to heal. Acting is only natural."
I dismounted and, shielded by the Guard Knights’ shield, used my ring to administer Lungshmeil’s healing. As I gently applied a small green light, Laurenz suddenly muttered, "Someone please tell me this is a lie."
Looking up at Laurenz, I saw the Guard Knights all staring at the sky. Squinting to see what was there, I noticed knight apprentices moving from Dunkelfelger’s spectator stands, joining the chaotic battle overhead.
"Even if Dunkelfelger has strength, what happens if they join from the spectator stands..."
Before Matthias could finish speaking with fear, the offensive magic raining down from the sky toward the arena began targeting the spectator stands as well.