As I waited in front of the waiting room, the door opened and Ray came out.
'Yo,'
Ray looked alternately at me and Misa, then smiled in annoyance.
'I thought Anos would pretend not to see it.
I was going to. But you have decided not to rely on me for anything, no matter what the circumstances. It's tactless to ask for help, but it seems that my men are not so tactful.
Mass stepped in front of me and said to Ray.
''Mr. Ray. What did the Imperialists say to you?'
''Yes. Maybe they offered me money to play and live for the rest of my life, or maybe they said they'd recommend me to the Demon Emperor.
"...I don't think you're the kind of person who would be moved by such a thing.
Giggling, Ray laughs.
'It's a buying spree. You should be careful. There are a lot of people out there who say things that sound good, but do things that are just plain junk.
At Rei's words, which seemed to roll in smoke, Misa made a face like she was unconvinced.
''.....I know. But you......I don't think you....Rey-san is like that...
You don't trust people that much when you just met them.
Carrying a gentle smile, Ray says.
I guess that means he's not going to say what he really thinks.
Misa bit her lip in frustration, not having any words to pursue further.
''The Log North Magical Clinic was built by Elio Ludwell at private expense. In other words, it's an imperialist institution.
Yes.
Without cracking a smile, Ray replied.
'Is your mother doing well?'
'Yeah, like I said before, it's not a big deal. I'm feeling much better.
I'm going to have to meet him.
You'll be out of the hospital soon. When I do, I'll introduce you.
Hmm. I see.
'Speaking of which, looking at the pairings, it looks like we'll meet in the final?
It's a shame you can't fight without a care in the world.
Ray looks at my sword.
You can't see any magic in it. This is a sword forged by a true master craftsman. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it. Go ahead and challenge it to your heart's content.
Huh, Ray laughed.
'Is that enough?'
Yeah.
Ray walks over to me, trying to head towards the audience.
''Mr. Ray, um...''
I'm sorry. I'm a royalist now. I don't think I'll ever get along with you again.
I'm not going to be able to get to know you as well as I do.
As I thought, I stopped in mid-sentence.
''Oh, I forgot to mention one thing, Anos.
What?
Over his back he said.
''Well I'm going to kill you.''
Grinning, I laughed and spoke back.
'If you want to kill me, you're going to have to be willing to die for it.
That's not a threat. I'm a life-threatening person to begin with.
Okay. Well, I guess I'll have to try one of those.
By the time I finished, I was gone, and then Ray was close behind me.
'I see you, Anos,'
Spinning around like a panel, Ray wields the magic sword Initio.
He deploys an anti-magic and magic barrier on his left arm, but he is slashed through the technique with ease and the magic power that bursts out of it dissipates.
The pure white blade bit into my left arm and blood flowed.
''Hm. I'm sure you're not the only one. Great stuff.
"...I was going to take his head off with his arm...
Ray vomits blood. My right arm was lodged in his chest.
'I was going to grab his heart too, but you seem to be pretty sturdy too.
Misa, who had been watching the attack and defense in a daze, shouted in a hurry.
''Ah, Anos-sama, Rei-san.....! Nothing, you don't have to do it here...!
She has a worried look on her face.
She's trying to tell you that even if you don't like it, you're going to be fighting in the final.
'What? I'm just confirming my resolve. I don't care who you are, I won't tolerate anyone who challenges me. If you expect mercy from your friends, I'll end it right here.
I'm the one who's relieved. If you're serious, I won't hesitate to cut you down.
I dismiss him lightly, and Ray smiles briskly.
'So long,'
Yeah, in the final.
Ray left for the audience.
''Master Anos.....''
'It looks like you're wearing a collar.
Missa rolled her eyes and looked back at me.
'I've made direct contact with it and it looks like it has some kind of magic tool embedded in its body.
That's what it was all about.
The magic tools embedded in the body are hard to detect in tune with the person's own magic power. With my magic eye, I can tell up to a certain extent just by looking at it, but what was inside Rei's body was a considerable substitute.
''.....But when did you realize that a magic tool was embedded in it....?
Ray would have sent me a hint. Originally, I thought it meant my life was at stake. I took it to mean that your life was at stake before you tried to kill me. Conceivably, he's got some kind of magical device that restricts his movements. If you act like you're asking for my help, they'll probably kill you.
Nine times out of ten, Rey is being watched by a magical tool or magic.
If you try to call for help, it's best to assume that the watcher will activate the magic tool embedded in his body and kill Ray.
''You did say that your life was at stake, but that's all...?
"But first you said you couldn't fight without a care in the world. He even went out of his way to say he was going to kill me. But he's the type of person who cuts down his enemies with a cool face. I'm sure there's something more to it than that. When I caught his sword, he was politely leaving his chest open. It means pretend to penetrate and search there.
As a result, it was discovered that there was a magic tool embedded in Ray's body.
It must have been a last-minute bargain for Ray.
I had to make sure that whoever was watching me didn't notice me.
If I failed, there would have been no life.
.....
What? These things just happen all the time.
2,000 years ago, it was a lot more complicated than that.
''Is it....the work of the Imperialists....?
It's a reasonable assumption.
Or was it Avos Dilhevia?
''Aren't you quite the wielder, implanting a magic tool in Ray-san's body?
That's not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
But--
I'm sure Ray's mother is involved.
Didn't you say you were in a witch doctor's office just now?
'Yeah. I asked if it was relevant, and that's the answer. Probably a message to me to do something about it.
It makes sense if you think your mother was taken hostage and a magical tool was implanted in your body.
It's a good thing that you're not the only one. You can't afford not to comply with this.
What do you want to do?
When I asked him that, with anger in his words, Mass said.
''I don't ever want to allow you to try to make people's hearts do what you want in this way. I want to show them that being a member of the royal family doesn't mean they can do anything.''
Then you're coming with me. I don't know who these people are, but they put their hands on my friends. I'm not gonna get away with this.
Yes, sir.
I was about to head to the magic clinic, but then I suddenly remembered and stopped.
'Speaking of which, the second round is about to begin?'
As I recall, everything but the finals would be played today.
Hmm. Hm, wait a bit. Let's take care of the rest of the small fry for now.