There you are, Rin.
Lemia's calling for us.
She wants us to attend the meeting with the royal army.
They haven't been able to care for the garden, huh?
There's no way they could.
Not when war could break out at any moment.
At this point we should strike first.
We should assail Wennifix at once.
Now, just wait, Marquis Nilgan.
Imprudence will cost your life.
You've got it backwards, Marchese.
While we're sitting here, the king's faction is preparing for war.
We no longer have a single moment to waste.
Apparently, they have a mysterious young man and woman from a foreign land on their side.
I hear the young man can control spirits, too.
It would be safer to first assess their ability
and eliminate them if need be.
Coward.
I see you value your own life more than the future of our nation.
I believe you're the one
hastily pursuing glory to boost your own status and renown, Marquis Nilgan.
What did you say?
Marquis Nilgan, please calm yourself!
You too, Marquis Marchese!
What are your thoughts, Duke Dortesheim?
Marquis Nilgan, do you have a plan?
Of course, Duke Dortesheim.
I have already fully prepared everything.
I shall overwhelm the royal capital at once.
I see. Then I'll leave it you.
Thank you very much.
What worries me are the young man and woman from another land.
I just hope they don't prove to be a threat to my army.
Episode 9 Commencement of Battle
We've received a report from our scouts.
It looks like the rebel army has mobilized their troops.
The time has come, then.
So, Sumella, how many are there?
Roughly 1,000.
In contrast, our army has 3,000 knights ready for battle,
and another 6,000 standing by.
Bella, how about our royal magicians?
We have 300 ready for battle right now, and another 500 in reserve.
Good. Then prepare to deploy them.
Yes, sir.
U-Um, what about Taichi and Rin?
They'll be included in our ranks, of course.
Don't worry. Our army will surely win.
So the rebel army led by Marquis Nilgan
will begin their assault on Wennifix tomorrow morning.
One thousand soldiers?
That's awfully few.
What are the chances this is a diversion?
Or that they're planning to attack multiple spots at once?
Our scouts took great care on those fronts,
but they could not find any additional enemy squads surrounding the royal capital.
Hmm...
It seems opinions were divided within the brother's faction,
so we think that's limiting their forces.
Then why don't we increase the number of royal magicians a little, just in case?
I see.
That'll be effective during an exchange of fire.
Can we do it, Bella?
Yes, that should not be a problem.
All right.
Our forward troops will depart tomorrow morning and engage them south of Wennifix.
Even if the enemy detects our move and changes their route...
I don't understand any of this.
We can easily adapt from that position.
Me neither.
Makes sense, though.
We know nothing about war.
You're fine that way.
Just follow the directions Lemia and General Sumella give you
and fight like you usually do.
Like we usually do, huh?
But we're not fighting monsters this time.
They're people.
If we fight the way we usually do, then we'll...
Rin...
That's what war is.
The naïve belief that you can win without casualties
will be your greatest enemy on the battlefield.
It's kill or be killed.
Yeah.
Taichi, just fight like you did when you faced me in earnest during our spar.
Once this war is over, we can have a grand wedding.
Huh?
All right, now let's get into the tactical details.
Yeah.
Yes.
Hey! You just said something crazy to me, didn't you?!
Yes?
I've got a message from Lemia.
She said to get as much rest as you can, since we have an early start tomorrow.
Yeah, I know.
Did you come here just to say that, though?
Yeah. Also...
No, never mind.
Later.
Wait...
Would you stay here tonight?
L-Look, my room is big, anyway!
Besides, to be honest, I can't quite get to sleep.
It really is big.
Nice, isn't it?
Oh, I-I'll sleep on the sofa nearby.
This takes me back.
I'd get so anxious I couldn't sleep on the nights before a tennis match.
Wow, I'm surprised.
At times like those, I'd always think about my opponent.
I'd imagine they were just as anxious.
A match is ultimately a battle of emotions, too.
So I'd tell myself I'll never lose, that I don't want to lose.
And I guess it's the same with war.
I keep thinking about the people we're going to fight.
I know it's naïve, but...
I don't think it's okay for any life to be lost, even in war.
And it's not like being in our old world makes it wrong,
or being in this other world makes it right.
Rin...
Rin, you don't have to join the battle tomorrow.
Huh?
You heard what Princess Charlotte said, right?
You only came to this world because her magic went out of control.
So it's entirely my fault that you've gotten caught up in this.
So you don't—
It's not your fault, Taichi.
Huh?
Taichi!
I chose to leap into that circle.
So I'm here because of my own choice.
That's why I'll go.
I'm going to fight together with you.
All right.
Then I'll protect you, Rin.
No matter what may happen.
So you won't have to worry.
Well, that's that.
Do you mind if I do this for a bit?
Thank you, Taichi.
I'm relying on you.
Let's protect them together.
This country, and all the friends we've made here.
Of course. That's what our cheats are for.
Well, I guess it's time for bed.
Yeah.
Will she be all right?
Hmm?
Rin's expression seemed awfully tense earlier.
Rin never lets her worries show,
but at heart, she must be afraid of battle.
Yeah, but that's fine.
I said what I did to light a fire under them,
but there's no need for reckless slaughter.
Besides, knowing Taichi and Rin, they'll be able to hold back and subdue the enemy.
True.
If anything, I'm more worried about Rin's chastity tonight.
Huh? Lemia, what do you mean?
I imagine Taichi's visiting her to cheer her up right about now.
M-Maybe I should visit her, too.
You're interested, too?
What's the matter?
Nothing.
I think I've gotten a little concerned, too.
Kill them tonight.
I won't allow Nilgan to claim all the glory.
Unfortunately for you, we noticed you were there.
Once I closed the curtain and blocked your sight, I had Rin evacuate.
I'll praise you for sneaking this far into the castle without being discovered.
You should just come along quietly.
Rin!
Why, you!
I won't let you!
What I'm most afraid of isn't hurting others or dying.
It's losing those I've sworn to protect!
Never again!
That's enough, now.
Who sent you?
What a prelude to tomorrow.
Enemy unit discovered!
Distance: 3,000!
It's finally time.
Okay, Taichi, proceed as planned.
Roger.
Hup!
That it?
Summon Aerial.
Morning, Taichi.
Let's go.
Yeah. Let's get started!
There!
What?!
I thought I held back, but I guess we went a bit too far.
Really?
Now the rebel army won't be able to approach without going around that.
Yeah. It'll make them a sitting duck for our troops.
They'll be forced to make a temporary retreat.
There's one thing bothering me, though.
They're too lightly equipped for an assault on the royal capital.
So this is the doing of that young man who controls spirits?
Impudent brat.
Is he trying to drive my army off with this bluff?
Don't falter!
Magic is the foundation of our nation!
We know what will happen
when they sell our magic to other nations and allow anyone to use it!
Now, it's time to show them!
They're not moving.
Strange.
Huh?
What's that?!
What's this?!
No way!
All of their troops are launching long-range attacks?!
Impossible!
They would need 1,000 royal magicians to do that!
Rings.
What?
All of them are wearing rings.
The Fireballs and Shattering Water Bullets are coming from those!
Magic stones, huh?
Magic stones?
An item that activates spells.
When wearing a magic stone,
even an amateur can use that specific spell.
I can't believe they prepared 1,000 of such an expensive magic item.
I wonder where they got the capital for it from.
But that's not the only terrifying aspect of them.
Huh?
When you use a magic item beyond your magic capacity and your magic strength,
it's extremely draining.
That's it! Give them more!
You could even say that the magic stone uses its wielder's life force as fuel.
So once it runs out of fuel...
Then in a little while, we'll see a vast number of deaths.
The soldiers most likely don't even know enough about magic
to realize they'll die.
No way! We have to stop them!
There's no need.
This a good opportunity for our army.
They'll destroy themselves without us doing a thing!
It's possible for us to keep defending against attacks like these.
Brace yourselves!
General Sumella...
It's one thing for someone to lose their life on the field of battle,
but I don't want to do nothing when I know what fate awaits them.
Even if we're on opposing sides, they're still citizens of our nation.
His Majesty wouldn't want fruitless deaths, either.
In that case, I have a plan.
But I'll need you for it, Rin.
Will you do it?
Yes.
What are you doing?!
Stand up!
Focus your attacks on those three!
No matter how much magic power they may have, they can't withstand this attack.
It's a shame they'll fall here, so far away from their homeland.
There's no end to them.
Shall I put up a barrier?
You can do things like that?
Well, it's more like I'm blocking them with wind pressure than creating a real barrier.
That's still plenty.
Be careful, though.
Plenty will get whipped over, too.
Red Lotus!
Thanks.
Thank you, Muller.
Rin, you focus on the spell.
Yeah.
I can do this.
I can fight to save not just my allies, but my enemies' lives as well.
If I can use my power to save someone instead of killing them, then...
Go!
Here it comes.
Taichi...
Leave it to me.
Three, two, one... fire!
Liberate Spell!
Rain?
Wh-What's happening?
Electrocution, Your Lordship Marquis Nilgan.
Inimicus?!
Why are you here?!
She created muddy water with heavy rain,
and then ran electricity through it to electrocute them.
It's a splendid tactic for halting our actions without killing us.
G-Get everyone back on their feet!
That won't happen until the paralysis wears off.
It's impossible to run.
Looks like this is it.
You irresponsible...
You're the one who provided those magic stones and told me they'd bring me glory!
Did I, now?
So do something about...
Your role is over now.
You traitor!
Go to hell!
Well done.
That was splendid, Rin.
Only because I had faith Taichi and Muller would keep me safe.
All right! Tonight, we drink!
Wha? I-I'm still a minor!
Come on, Taichi!
Hey, General Sumella...
Huh?
I ate too much.
Oh, you ran away from there, too?
Look, Taichi.
I'm glad.
Yeah.
Man, that guy was amazing!
Taichi, wasn't it?
Did you see that move?!
Hmph...
You're pissed off, Cassim.
Well, I understand how you feel.
Looks like that brat's in the spotlight now.
Completely different from you.
Man! I sympathize.
There's still one option left.
Huh?
What's that piece of junk?
Oh, just a little gadget.
Next time, that boy will be the one crawling through the mud
in the pits of despair.
Turning Point
Next episode: "Turning Point."