Volume 2 Chapter 21 Earth-shattering Magician Girl
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Klock let out a slow breath.
Bored. That was the only word for it.
Leaning back against the cargo bed of the carriage, he gazed up at the sky as it swayed softly above him. The scenery hadn’t changed in what felt like hours. One tree after another, the occasional patch of brush, and a horizon that refused to shift. Conversation had long since dried up, leaving only the faint creaking of wood and the distant clop of hooves.
At first, he’d talked a lot with Tiet. Anything and everything—how the local flora changed near cursed lands, how Basselow was known for seafood and rare fabrics, even pointless gossip about trade routes and weather patterns. It didn’t matter what the subject was; they just needed something to pass the time.
But idle chatter had its limits.
Eventually, their stream of words ran dry. Now, Tiet rested her chin on her hand with a dull expression, eyes half-lidded.
There were six people in total aboard the carriage, including Dorothea, who held the reins. Yet only he and Tiet had spoken at all. That silence felt unnatural. Ahead, the two maids seated near the front of the cargo bed hadn’t said a word this entire time. Perhaps it was how they’d been trained. Their stiff posture and perfectly restrained expressions only added to the heavy, awkward mood.
These people really don’t talk…
Klock might have responded if spoken to, but they rarely made the effort. Suzette was the only one who ever replied when addressed—and even then, her answers were clipped and impersonal. As if this journey were just another job to her.
It was strange to be surrounded by people and still feel so alone.
He sat up slightly and cleared his throat. “By the way… may I ask something?”
Suzette glanced over her shoulder. “…Yes. Are you speaking to me?”
He hadn’t had a real question in mind—he simply wanted something to talk about. A way to fill the silence, if only briefly.
”Before we left the villa, there were visitors, right? Who were they? Did they bring something from the Viscount?”
The memory had lingered since their departure. He’d assumed, at the time, that the visitors were there for him. But they’d asked for Suzette. Receiving guests at a Viscount’s villa, especially on behalf of a head maid, wasn’t common. Still, it wasn’t like he was especially curious—it was just another thread to pull in this dragging silence.
”No. It was a personal matter,” Suzette replied quietly.
”I see.”
The short answer left no room to continue. The moment faded like a puff of breath in the cold.
He gave up.
With no more questions, no more subjects, and nothing else to do, Klock let his body relax. He yawned, stretching his legs across the long bench of the cargo bed. Boredom wrapped around him like a blanket, and sleepiness crept in. He was just beginning to doze off when Tiet’s voice snapped him back.
”Klock. Don’t sleep.”
”Huh? But it’s boring. What else am I supposed to do?”
”That’s not the point. We’ve been spotted.”
That got his attention.
He blinked and turned to face her. “…That magic user?”
Tiet’s expression had grown serious. She stared straight ahead, focused.
”Yeah,” she said. “They’re up ahead somewhere, hiding their presence. Feels like they’re waiting for us.”
Waiting.
Not ambushing. Not attacking. Inviting.
A strange chill ran through him.
If it had been an ambush, they would’ve been attacked already. But this was different. They were being drawn forward on purpose.
A trap, then?
The possibility of negotiation existed—but only barely. The situation reeked of danger.
Klock frowned, tension building in his chest.
From what he’d heard, the hero party’s magic user—Princess Hermine of the Empire—was their leader. She was known for strategy and command. If she was the one in charge instead of the hero, then that alone marked her as an opponent to be wary of.
Far more dangerous than a reckless attacker.
”Tiet,” he said quickly. “Let’s stop. We should change our route.”
”Eh? Why? We’re supposed to meet Hermine and talk, aren’t we?”
”No. Not anymore. This is a trap.”
Tiet gave a small shrug, smiling faintly. “It’s fine. I’m here with you.”
That didn’t reassure him at all.
He bit back the urge to shout. She’d said she was stronger than Hermine—but what if that was exactly why Hermine had shown up? To deal with someone that powerful, they’d have to prepare accordingly.
Of course. How had he not thought of that?
Tiet wasn’t just strong—she was overwhelming. The hero party wouldn’t challenge her without countermeasures. They wouldn’t come lightly.
”Hey! Turn right! Head south!” Klock shouted suddenly.
Dorothea flinched, surprised. “Klock…?”
He realized too late that he’d barked at her, using “hey woman” instead of her name. Dorothea frowned, exchanging a glance with Suzette, but didn’t question him. After a moment’s pause, she began adjusting the reins. The horses responded, though sluggishly, starting to veer in the new direction.
But they were already too late.
Tiet glanced back. Klock followed her gaze—and saw it.
A red flash.
”Whoa—?!”
A rush of sparks burst up behind them. Flames shot forward from the distance, scattering embers that licked at the carriage’s frame. Tiet raised her left hand, deflecting the fire with practiced ease, but the cargo bed still caught some of the heat.
”I knew it! They went for a head-on attack!” Klock shouted.
”That’s why I said not to worry,” Tiet replied calmly. “If we can talk, we can handle it.”
She was too calm.
Klock clenched his fists. There was no way they’d show mercy. That gut feeling was only getting stronger.
This was the same hero party that had tried to kill him once, claiming mistaken identity. Tiet had chased them afterward, and now Hermine had come to settle things in person.
Hermine—both a magic user and the leader. She had to be the one who approved the previous attack.
”Kyaa!!”
Michelle screamed as the carriage suddenly jolted. Something had slammed against them. The entire frame tilted, the wheels grinding, and the curtain covering the back burst into flames.
Their cover was gone.
”This is bad! We’re wide open!” Klock shouted.
Tiet narrowed her eyes. “Yes. If they don’t reveal themselves, I can’t make a move.”
The flames had come from above. A classic tactic for magic users with flight capabilities. It made facing them directly almost impossible. Tiet might be able to act, but if she left the carriage, the rest of them would be defenseless.
”Sir, what is happening?!” Michelle asked, panicked.
Klock forced out an answer. “Don’t worry! It’s just—just a raid! Probably bandits!”
That was clearly a lie.
But he couldn’t tell them the truth now. He didn’t have the time. He needed to keep everyone calm—especially the ones who couldn’t fight.
”What should we do?” he asked urgently.
”I’ll try sending a telepathic message,” Tiet said, placing two fingers to her temple. “If it’s them, Elna and the others should still respond.”
Elna…?
That name wasn’t familiar. Wasn’t the one they were fighting supposed to be Hermine?
He didn’t have time to ask.
A second blast came from ahead.
”Whaaat?!” Dorothea cried out.
A pillar of fire surged up in front of the carriage, a towering wall nearly five meters high. The horses shrieked and turned sharply, veering east in panic.
The way forward was cut off.
”What the… Are we being guided?”
Klock narrowed his eyes as the earth exploded again in front of them. A moment ago, the path ahead had been clear. Now, it was blocked by fire and debris. It could’ve been coincidence—a poor aim. But no… it felt too intentional.
They were being steered.
”Oi, Tiet! What’s the situation?! How many enemies!?”
”Shut up. Three. I’m talking right now—so be quiet.”
Her tone cut through the noise like a blade. Klock clenched his teeth.
Three enemies. She could’ve said that sooner.
His gaze darted upward. Two magic users were clearly airborne. And if the one ahead waiting for them was Hermine… then everything made sense. They were being herded—forced onto a path of her choosing.
Eastward, the road seemed untouched. But there were no visible traps. No shadows. Not even movement in the clouds.
This was bad.
He cast a glance across the carriage. Michelle clung to the edge with fear etched across her face. Dorothea had gone pale, her grip on the reins stiff. Suzette alone remained composed—though her sharp eyes followed everything closely, watching even him with cold awareness.
”Oi, Tiet! This is bad! How long are you planning to keep talking!? What are they saying?!”
”Wait a moment. It’ll be over soon.”
Something about her tone felt off. Too calm. As though she was buying time. Or stalling.
Klock swallowed.
Was he overthinking? Tiet had always been calm, unshakable. Should he trust her judgment? She knew the enemy well. Yet… instinct screamed the opposite. That they couldn’t afford to sit still.
Tiet was a source of rare information—and that information now paralyzed them. Unless she shared it, they could do nothing but freeze in place.
”Hey! Cut the telepathic link! We’re breaking through to the south!”
”No,” Tiet said quietly. “I just got in touch with Hermine. It seems she wants to talk too.”
Her voice landed like a stone in water, quiet but heavy.
The moment she spoke, silence fell.
The flames from above had stopped. No more attacks came. The clatter of carriage wheels returned to the forefront—rhythmic and strangely loud.
Klock looked around. Tiet met his eyes. So did Suzette. The atmosphere shifted.
Maybe… maybe the threat had passed.
Then the earth burst open ahead.
”—Wha?!”
A thunderous roar filled the plain as a wave of soil surged skyward. Dust swallowed the road. Sunlight vanished. From within the dark cloud, a form took shape—massive, towering, unmistakably humanoid.
”What the hell is that?!”
Not just a shape—it was a person. A figure. A giant, towering mass of stone and dirt. No ornamentation. No face. But at its center, a burning red glow pulsed like a heart. As it loomed above the carriage, the very air trembled. Magic overflowed in a suffocating wave, so thick and dense it clawed at the instincts of everyone present.
Even a non-magician could feel it.
A presence so immense it triggered primal fear. A titan made of earth, silent and immovable—a fortress golem.
Klock couldn’t breathe.
A heavy thump echoed.
He turned—and saw Michelle collapsed on the floor of the carriage. She must’ve fainted.
Nobody moved to help her.
Dorothea had fallen backward, trembling, unable to speak. Suzette stared upward, stunned, her eyes wide. Tiet remained still, gaze fixed on the sky. Only Adelina showed no change—her blank stare as calm as ever.
”Hey… what is that thing?” Klock whispered.
The voice that left his mouth sounded distant. Thin. Not his own.
”That’s a fortress golem,” Tiet said, still calm. “Hermine specializes in inorganic familiars. Most of hers are golems. This is the strongest one she has.”
Klock swallowed hard.
That’s not the problem, he thought. Why did she bring something like that here?
”Hermine,” Tiet called out, raising her voice toward the giant. “As I said before, I want to talk. I believe this man and Anna need to have a proper discussion. I ask for your cooperation.”
She addressed the golem directly. As if she had been expecting it from the start.
If she knew it was coming… then why didn’t she say anything?
He wasn’t like her. None of them were. Even Suzette, who rarely showed emotion, was visibly frozen. They couldn’t just handle this level of madness without warning.
Tiet needed to start warning people.
’Oh? Cooperation, huh?’
A female voice echoed from within the golem—sharp, high-pitched, and commanding. Arrogant.
Klock recognized it immediately.
The princess. Hermine.
’Then, Tiet. Come here with the girl sitting over there.’
The golem moved. One massive stone hand reached toward Tiet. The other pointed at Adelina.
”Huh? Adelina too? Why?”
Klock stared at the girl in question. She hadn’t moved. Hadn’t blinked. But Hermine had singled her out.
’I don’t trust that evil man over there. I need a hostage so he doesn’t run away or try anything stupid. If you agree, I’ll believe you’re serious about talking.’
Evil man?
Me? Klock thought. His jaw clenched.
And she wanted Adelina—Adelina—as the hostage?
He glanced at the maids. Wouldn’t it make more sense to take one of them?
Someone expendable, if it came to that.
But he bit back the thought. Now wasn’t the time.
”Tiet. Listen.”
”…Yes.”
His reply came quiet, reluctant.
They had no choice. A show of goodwill might be the only way forward. Besides, the hero party wouldn’t kill a noncombatant. Surely.
Hermine didn’t know Adelina. That helped. She wouldn’t resort to violence right away. Probably.
Tiet walked over. Adelina stood without a word, as if reading the situation. When the golem lowered its hand, Tiet lifted her and leapt up.
”Is this alright? As you can see, I’m not running or hiding. I have no hostile intent. Sorry about the earlier escape… if that upset you.”
Tiet scratched her cheek, offering an awkward smile as she stood on the golem’s massive palm.
It was an odd way to begin a negotiation. An apology first? What was she playing at?
’Hmm… Klock Livorno?’
”…What?” he said, startled.
Hermine ignored Tiet entirely and fixed her attention on the carriage.
Was she planning to talk from this distance? What was her angle?
’You gave in quickly. Did you think showing your belly would fool me? Don’t be naïve. I know you’re using Tiet for your own ends.’
The moment she spoke, a ring of blue light surrounded the golem’s base.
Strange symbols formed in the dust, glowing in rhythm with the golem’s fiery heart. The magic surged inward, pulling Tiet and Adelina into a luminous core.
”Wait! Hold on, Hermine—!”
’I’ll talk with Tiet and the girl as promised. Elna, Lona. I leave the rest to you.’
And with that, the two vanished—drawn away into light and stone.
’Understood, master.’
’Got it, master.’
Notes:
• Tiet – A companion and friend of Anna. A holy knight from the royal capital. She wears light armor and carries a shield adorned with a dragon holding a sword, indicating her affiliation with the National Military Police. She is concerned about Anna’s well-being and tries to support her emotionally.
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Hermine – A companion and friend of Anna. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
• Michelle – The younger maid from Viscount Fennec. She tries hard to prove herself but often makes mistakes, leading to awkward situations. Her relationship with Klock is strained due to her clumsiness, though he initially tries to be patient with her.
• Elna – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with white hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
• Adelina – The slave girl.
• Anna – The legendary Hero, chosen to defeat the Demon Lord. Her past life is Sylvia Croce. She is described as a heavenly being with overwhelming skill and a merciless attitude.
• Lona – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with black hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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