Published: August 10, 2026
The reception table had been smashed to bits and turned to charcoal, and the chairs had been hurled apart in two. This room, Gibe's office, was already in ruins. Through the window on the balcony side, Laurenz could be seen trying to chase after Grauozam and break in, but he was being blocked by an invisible wall.
With no help able to enter, Matthias was facing Grauozam alone. If he was struck by the Black Prosthetic Arm, mana would be drained from him; if he was hit by the blue flame in the right hand, he would be burned. Matthias also had to watch out for the blue flames flying toward him, and while he desperately fought back by sealing off Grauozam's right hand with his black sword, he was being pushed back one-sidedly.
"Heh, this magic tool was created with a battle against Lord Bonifatius in mind. Don't think a knight like you can possibly stand against it."
When Ehrenfest's territory was being ravaged, it seemed Georgine and Grauozam believed that the knights order commander would protect the Noble District and the castle, while grandfather would take a mobile strike force of spare knights and go out to intercept the enemy.
"Lord Bonifatius's thinking, combat power, and ability to act are not to be underestimated. Ever since that winter, when he interfered with us obtaining that commoner..."
Unlike Foster Father and Father, grandfather was likely to make unexpected moves that would ruin their plans, so pinning him down in territory far from the Noble District was apparently the most important thing Georgine needed in order to seize the foundation.
...So it was a magic tool made to counter grandfather.
I don't know what sort of magic tool he was using, but the current Grauozam was incredibly strong. I'll admit that. However, it would be a mistake to think he could win so easily. What Grauozam said about knights training their bodies themselves and officials going into battle with high-level magic tools wasn't wrong, but in his eyes, my existence wasn't counted as part of their combat strength.
...Now then, question time. How have I been going into battle until now?
I glanced at the water gun hidden as my trump card, blessed by the god of darkness. I have almost never defeated enemies by myself. The water gun's accuracy is low, and if I poured in enough mana to make it attack over a wide enough area to guarantee a hit, Matthias would absolutely be caught in the blast. My battles have basically always been about leaving the attacking to the people around me.
...There is a technique that anyone could use if they wanted to, but right now I'm the only one who uses it.
I poured mana into my ring. If the enemy was going to use magic tools without holding back, then I would respond with a lavish display of blessings. I left my restraint somewhere far back in the distant past. I had no intention of being modest here.
"May the goddess of wind Shutzelia, her divine retainers, goddess of the swift wind Steifeleise and goddess of endurance Dultzetsen, grant their blessing to Matthias."
A soft yellow light showered down over Matthias. He narrowly avoided Grauozam's swift kick landing cleanly. Once he got used to the blessing, he should be able to move more easily.
"Hmph. A little increase in speed means nothing."
At Grauozam's words, I frowned. Too much blessing could make it difficult to control as well. If it wasn't only a little, then it would become like the cursed state I had experienced in the noble academy, where I couldn't move as I wanted. Besides, speed wasn't the only thing I could bestow. I just had to grant many blessings little by little.
...I'll show you my full power.
"May the god of flame Raiden Shaft, his divine retainers, god of valor angrief and god of hunting Shuragetsuul, grant their blessing to Matthias."
A soft blue light showered down over Matthias. This should increase the power of his attacks and improve his accuracy. After watching for a while, Matthias's movements with the black sword improved dramatically. You could tell from the way Grauozam dodged Matthias's attacks. However, perhaps because he was already injured from all the attacks he had taken, Matthias's movements lacked their usual force. He needed healing.