There was an overwhelming difference in our strength.
He could have easily killed me back then.
So why did he...
Sorry.
Have you decided what you want to do?
Yes, I've decided.
Episode 4 Crimson Pact
Taichi, stop.
What's wrong?
Look over there.
Signs of a camp, huh?
Damn! This is where those shits have been hiding out?!
It's still warm.
Rin?
They're here.
Is it them?!
They're not that far.
They're likely in the field up ahead.
There are three.
Human this time.
Hey, you bastards!
We're not letting you off this time!
Looks like their mage bodyguard isn't with them.
Which means...
Hey, why don't you all stop right there?
Huh? Who are you, brat?
Go back home, kid!
We're adventurers.
We've been hired to bring you all in.
It'll be best for you if you don't resist.
If you do, I won't show mercy.
Damn it!
Today, of all days, was the one damn time that female mage wasn't with us!
She always popped in and out from nowhere, that traitor!
If she were here, these adventurer brats would be nothing!
What was that?
Stealing is a serious crime.
We'll be turning you three in to the watch.
I'd rather beat them myself.
Come on, stand up!
Shit!
Well, that was splendid work.
Impressive.
You have my thanks, too.
They're awfully soft.
Huh?
Your hands.
Cultivating melilas is heavy labor.
Both McGill and Leithe had rough, calloused hands from their daily farm work.
Yet your hands...
don't have a single scratch on them.
They're too clean.
Well, I'm the overseer.
There's more.
You knew about the Ogre and Orcs, didn't you?
Huh?
Ogres and Orcs are monsters that normally live in the prairies far north of here.
It's unnatural for a farmer who's never been an adventurer to immediately recognize them.
Cassim, who are you?
You barely pass.
As you've surmised, I am the one who sent the Orcs and the Ogre here.
The one who convinced those men to steal the melila fruit
and got the farmers to put in a request with the guild
was also me.
Why would you do that?
In order to draw the three of you out here.
Oh, it was just a little test.
I needed to discern your true capabilities.
You proved admirable.
Especially Taichi. You were wonderful.
Well, thanks.
But you're naïve.
You talk too much, Cassim.
Wha?!
Convenient, isn't it?
Run some magic power through this thing,
and it completely conceals both your presence and your magic power.
Apparently, it blocks perception.
Whoa.
Don't be in such a hurry.
I, Grammy, will give you two plenty of pleasure.
Right?
Yes. I leave them to you.
I have to take care of this young boy, after all.
Shooting a hot one at me without warning?
I like that.
Nice!
If you could hide your presence, then why didn't you attack us then?
Huh? Are you stupid?
I'm not interested in petty assassination.
What I want is the coming together of two lives. Ah, that tingle!
That's the battle I want!
You need to thrust even deeper if you want to bring one to their knees!
Right?
She's strong.
This woman also has an abnormal obsession with battle.
But...
Rin!
I know!
This time...
I'm not alone!
Fire Arrow!
Weak!
Wind magic?!
In that case, I'll...
Dust Whirlwind!
It's just a little longer before Myura can reapply her physical enhancement.
If I can buy us just a little more time...
You know how to make a girl happy!
Wha?!
Activating two attributes at once?!
So that woman just now was their bodyguard?
Yes.
However, you'll be facing me.
You're unarmed.
You fight barehanded?
Surely you jest.
I'll have you...
fight my adorable Frost Elemental.
A pet?
You're taking me quite lightly, aren't you?
Well?
As the name implies, a Frost Elemental is a monster of the frost attribute.
Since it's elemental, it has no physical body, and physical attacks won't work on it.
However...
For some reason, its attacks will work on me, huh?
Attacking it with your sword won't work, either.
Though you can at least use it to defend yourself.
Even though you defeated an Ogre with a single blow,
you have no way to fight a Frost Elemental.
So, what will you do now?
None of these attacks will prove decisive.
But if I can buy us time and distance...
Thanks, Rin!
This is fun!
That look on your face is great!
You're making me hot!
At this rate, Myura will just exhaust herself.
I need to do something fast.
Wait, she was planning for that?!
What?
That's boring.
Myura!
More!
I told you to give me more...
Aero Armor!
...of that thrill!
No effect at all, huh?
I told you that physical attacks wouldn't work, didn't I?
I also said attacking with your sword was futile, too.
Figured it was worth trying.
You say that, but you're planning on buying time.
Get him.
Damn it!
Wishing those two were here?
They can both use fire magic, after all.
They'd have the means to fight this Frost Elemental.
But it appears that you can't use magic.
Your physical abilities are all that distinguish you.
That's quite intriguing on its own, however.
What are you after?
Why did you put on such an elaborate performance just to go after us?
Not to mention preparing this monster...
Well, I've gauged your ability now,
so it's time to move on to the next stage.
Frost Elemental, eat this.
Looks like the experiment was a success.
This is a Red Elemental.
That's what I'll call it for now.
Go forth, Red Elemental.
Settle this.
Well? It's on a whole different level now, isn't it?
Seems that way.
Oh?
Looks like your enhancement couldn't keep up with the Red Elemental's speed.
Oh, I won't kill you.
You're an important pawn, after all.
Pawn?
What are you planning to make me do?
Who knows?
However, I do plan on holding those two young ladies fighting Grammy as hostages.
Do you understand why I went to the effort of drawing you three out here now?
What I desire is your power.
But to claim it, I need shackles that will force your obedience.
That's the role those two will play.
What are you planning to do to Rin and Myura?
That depends entirely on you.
However, if you won't obey me, then I'll have to penalize them.
For example, by letting other men have their way with them.
You scumbag!
Tsk. I finally get fired up, and now it's all over?
You really are strong.
Oh?
Seriously.
You remind us of someone else, overwhelming both of us at once.
Enhancement Level 40, I'd say.
Yeah.
Well, then let's get round two started!
Though the same tactics won't work on me this time.
You're right. I don't think this is working.
Yeah, let's go back.
Huh?
I'm saying that we'll revert to our standard battle tactics now.
Then what was all that before?
A bit of a test to expand our repertoire, I suppose.
Huh?
Have you been taking me lightly?
No, we haven't.
Bring it!
Gladly!
Huh?
This is your new plan?
It's the exact same as before...
A spellsword?!
Myura!
When did she enter my escape route?!
Get the hell out of my way!
Sword of the Lightning God!
Damn it, I can't make it in time!
This is fun! This is fun, you two!
I can't get enough of this!
Hurry up and give me more!
You have more, don't you, right?
Rin...
Yeah, let's settle it with this.
Hurry up, come on!
Let me see you push yourselves to the brink!
You don't have to ask.
Dust Cascade!
Quit screwing with me!
The same trick won't—
It's not the same.
When tiny particles are dispersed in an area...
That's...
...just bring something flammable close to it, and it causes a dust explosion!
I'm glad I paid attention in class at school!
Now...
That was titillating!
It's not over yet!
This is how we fight!
Red Lotus!
Looks like you've woken up.
I'll admit it, I lost today!
But only today!
Isn't it obvious?
Once this wound has...
healed and I've gotten stronger, we're having a rematch!
I'd obviously want to go hard with girls like you again!
You were incredible.
I'll let you handle her next time, Rin.
Why me?
Oh, Grammy, you lost?
You should stop right there
if you care about his safety.
Taichi!
My goodness, I can't believe he fought the Red Elemental barehanded for that long.
His abilities really are on a whole different level.
Wh-Why, you...
Oh? You're still conscious?
Stop it!
That's enough!
Then will you accept defeat and quietly do as I say?
I won't let him!
I won't let them be taken hostage because of me!
Damn it, I can't...
Why?!
I thought I was supposed to have the power to defeat entire nations.
Like a cheat, right?
I promised I would protect Rin!
I promised that we would return to our world together!
So...
...want power?
Do you want power?
Yeah, I want it.
I want power.
I want the power to protect Rin and Myura.
Then I'll lend it to you.
Huh?
But remember, this time is an exception.
I'm breaking the rules to do this, so I imagine it'll be as painful as death.
Will you take it, knowing that?
Yeah, I'll take it.
I'll endure anything if it means pulverizing that guy.
Please lend me your power.
All right, I'll lend it to you.
My name is Aerial.
I'm the Wind Spirit, Aerial.
Aerial...
Taichi!
Impossible!
He can still stand?!
Hey, what's going on with him?
Red Elemental!
Taichi?
Yeah, this is practically cheating.
After taking that hit, I'm completely unscathed.
To be honest, it only felt like a kitten playing with me.
Red Elemental!
You said you would defile Rin and Myura, didn't you?
I'm going to kick your ass for sure!
F-Fire!
Seriously?
He used wind to wipe out the Red Elemental along with its attack?!
Don't run.
I told you.
I'm going to kick your ass for sure!
This time is an exception.
I'm breaking the rules to do this, so I imagine it'll be as painful as death.
Taichi!
What? Don't mess with me!
I... I...
That...
Damn it!
He got me there.
Pretty pathetic, getting beaten back like that.
So did you achieve your goal?
Yes.
That young man is more than we anticipated.
He's a monster.
His power was clearly beyond human.
This is exciting.
It looks like things are about to get chaotic.
Right, Cassim?
Is that really true?
I'm not as soft as some adventurers.
We made a lot.
Yeah.
They ate a lot and gave birth to a lot.
It's almost time
for the festival to begin.
I can't wait.
I can't wait!
A Hint of Schemes
Next episode: "A Hint of Schemes."