"Bloody Rhapsody."
There was once a battle known by that name.
There were skirmishes on the border between the Gargen Empire
and the Holy Scatolith Empire two hundred years ago.
That's where it all started.
While they believed that battle would end quickly,
in short time, it sent tremors through both nations.
They suddenly lost all control of their soldiers,
who started slaying both their enemies and each other,
and moved on to slaughter noncombatants.
They became berserk warriors and began their rampage.
It was the worst battle in history.
By the time that wave of slaughter finally ended,
there were over 700,000 dead on both sides.
What caused those soldiers to go berserk was unknown at the time,
but it would seem it was caused by mind control.
Mind control?!
But that's...
Yes. Mind control doesn't fall under any element of magic.
Which means...
This is caused by black magic, the power wielded by some dark being.
Then...
Unless we crush the source of this spell, it can't be undone.
Until we manage that, these men will continue to feel no emotion and no pain,
only the thirst for blood and the urge to slaughter.
If we don't stop them here,
then they'll march on the royal capital, Wennifix, and even further onward,
until hundreds of thousands of lives are lost.
Now I'm looking forward to this.
Episode 12 Isekai Cheat Magician
They don't know when to quit!
How are you holding up?!
Do you even need to ask?
They just keep coming, no matter how many I defeat!
You're being soft and refusing to kill them, aren't you?
I'm...
I know it's naïve.
But I want to use this power
to save people!
Heh. You're soft.
Susora...
You said you were hired, right?
Yeah.
Care to change employers and work for me, then?
What?
The job is fighting alongside me.
It'll be over once we both survive this.
Well?
Not a bad deal, right?
I like you. I'll take it.
I'll settle for my survival as the reward.
We have a deal, then!
Yeah, so now what do we do?
Right. First off...
Let's regroup with our allies.
I took a look, Taichi.
How are they?
Not good. They're being driven back.
The soldiers under that spell are too strong.
Figures.
They don't even care if they get injured.
That puts us at a big disadvantage.
Yeah.
Why do you hesitate?!
We must prevent a recurrence of that tragedy at all costs!
It might be cruel, but it's unavoidable.
That spell Inimicus used...
It's not something a human can typically handle.
I have but one master alone!
None other than that woman!
The supreme being who watches over this entire world!
You're saying "that woman" is lending him power?
I can't think of any other possibility.
Taichi, she caused this war in order to drive you into a corner
by putting you in this predicament.
All this for that?!
Taichi...
It's ironic.
I can tell exactly what my brother, Gilmar, is thinking right now.
My brother... no, our king will have ordered thus:
"Stop them, even if it costs our full army."
"Even if it means sacrificing every citizen in Elistain."
I've destroyed our nation in trying to protect it.
I'll surely be remembered as a villain.
In that case, we just need to stop them here.
Taichi?
If some cheat granted me this power,
then I want to use it to protect.
To protect the people precious to me.
To protect my friends.
Charge!
If I have the power to destroy a nation,
then I want to transform it into the power to save one.
"There are times when those with power must achieve something,
even if means great sacrifice."
You...
You said that, right?
I'll do it.
Taichi?
Hey, Aery.
I finally understand what it means to accept power too great for one man.
I'm sorry, Rin.
But if it's to protect you, then...
No!
Please move, Aery.
I'm the reason all of this has happened.
So I have to...
No, I won't move.
You're not at fault, Taichi. I am.
I'm truly sorry.
Why are you apologizing?
I'm sorry, Taichi.
I've been lying to you.
Lying?
This form of mine is only a temporary one.
It's not the real me.
Your power is incredible.
It's so incredible I was scared.
I didn't know what you would become if I lent you the power of my true self.
If you failed to control it, it could prove disastrous.
It might even kill you.
Aery...
Then what are you saying?
So now it's goodbye, Taichi.
It's time to bid goodbye to me as Aery.
Goodbye?
Don't give me that look.
I always knew, after all.
Your desire to protect what's precious to you...
Your resolve and those strong feelings are genuine.
You accepted me completely.
So now it's my turn.
Don't worry.
I'm just becoming my true self.
That's the most joyous thing of all for spirits like us.
Thank you, Taichi.
Thank you.
Aery?!
Call for me, my master.
My true name is...
Taichi!
Rin?!
Taichi, thank goodness you're safe!
Hold on! What?!
I'm sorry.
I let you get hurt by taking so long.
Does your leg hurt?
Huh? Oh, this?
It's fine. It's no big deal.
Even so...
I'm going to end this battle, no matter what it takes.
I'm going to end this,
and I'm going to protect everyone and everything we hold dear.
It's time to say goodbye to being human.
Honor our pact and answer my call.
Summon Elemental: Sylphid!
Ngh... What?
Huh?
What was I...
I'm shocked.
I've lived many years, but this is the first time I've seen something like this.
What in the world...
Watch closely, Muller. This...
is the moment a true Summoner is born.
Well, this is a surprise.
It's my first time meeting you in this form, Taichi.
Oh, uh...
Aery...
Oh, no, you're Sylphid now, right?
Please call me "Sylphie" from now on, my master.
Aery became Sylphid?
Hey, wait! Sylphid is the Queen of Spirits,
one of the Four Grand Spirits!
Did Aery...
Did she vanish?
No.
My memories and feelings from when I was Aery are still right here.
Then...
That's right, Taichi!
Aery and I are still the same person!
I see.
Rin...
I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but I'll explain later.
Yeah.
I'm glad.
Looks like I was able to break the spell with that.
With Ae—
With Sylphid's power?
Yeah.
But this isn't over yet.
This battle isn't finished until I've smacked around the man responsible
for casting that spell.
Yes, I feel it!
That woman's grand love!
You're granting to it me, Inimicus!
Your supreme love!
Hey, Rin.
You'll be on my side no matter what happens, right?
Of course I will.
I'm on your side,
whenever and wherever.
Thanks.
Hey, if you're going to flirt,
could you save it for after you've beaten that monster?
Once that's done, I don't care if you kiss her
or push her down to take her right here.
W-Well, then...
Y-Yeah, leave it to me.
Sylphie!
Yeah.
Let's go.
Of course.
Wow! You've done it, Inimicus.
So you've said goodbye to being human too, huh?
Splendid!
Now you can live up to her expectations.
Wonderful! Wonderful, boy!
What is your goal?
Who on earth is this woman?
She is one of great mercy, who reigns over this world!
Listen, I'm asking you...
What exactly does all that mean?!
You fool.
You have yet to realize who you are.
You've heard the spirits since birth, young boy.
Why do you think you were summoned to this world?
Because...
Because you were chosen by that woman!
Everything that has led you up to this moment
was orchestrated by that woman.
Even the princess who summoned you was no more than a pawn to that end.
In due time, the great battle will begin, and this world will be turned inside out.
When it does, light and dark will invert,
and that woman shall appear as our savior!
That is why you were chosen.
This world, Altia, needs the ultimate weapon for it to continue to exist as Altia.
So you have been chosen by this world to become
that woman's shield and sword!
So ultimately, who is this person you keep referring to?
It is not yet the time for you to know her name.
What's this about being the ultimate weapon?
Cut the crap.
What the hell do you think I am?
What are you saying?
It's the greatest honor.
I won't accept that!
Taichi...
What's this savior nonsense?!
Oh...
It is just as we hoped!
Quit spewing out whatever damn nonsense you please!
Do you not give a damn about other lives?!
When you heartlessly take the lives of others,
you can't be the savior of anything!
Like I care about all this talk about the world!
I just want to protect those precious to me!
The friends I chat and share my days with...
The people longing for tiny, commonplace happiness...
I want to protect...
people like them!
Indeed, you truly are...
I'm grateful.
Now I can fulfill my duty.
Just a little more...
Come, boy. Deliver the final blow.
I knew it.
You cannot kill another person.
That is your final weakness.
You think so?
Power comes at a price.
That is the principle behind magic in this world, isn't it?
The dragon already told me to grow stronger if I want to protect what's precious to me.
So I made my decision.
I'm going to get stronger, and not for anyone but myself.
Sorry, I just...
said goodbye to being human.
Yes, Lady Shade...
I've finally done it.
I, Inimicus, have successfully fulfilled...
Taichi?
You're awake?
Huh?
Uh...
The battle's over.
Thanks to you, Taichi.
Was I asleep again?
That reminds me. What about your hurt leg, Rin?
Don't worry, Lemia used her healing magic on me.
It won't even leave a scar.
I see.
Thank you, Lemia.
Hmph. I couldn't go and let my dear apprentice become scarred.
Taichi!
Your Highness, it's bad manners to enter without permission.
Oh, I'm so glad you're finally awake.
Oh, sure.
I told them it was just magic power depletion, and that they didn't need to worry.
Though they still came to visit you every day.
That day you came back from the battlefield unconscious, she was especially...
Lemia, please, no more!
Rin and Muller were just as bad.
You were going to recover in time, but they did all kinds of things for you.
I'm jealous, Sir Hero.
My!
While there were many losses on both sides,
the battle that took place on Marwalt Plains resulted in King Gilmar's victory.
The town regained its former life,
and the royal capital, Wennifix, was returning to its normal state.
Also,
as per our agreement,
we were provided with ample rewards and even the title of Advisor to the Royal Army,
placing us within the ranks of the royal army as special forces to be summoned
only when the kingdom was in danger.
Peace had once again returned to Elistain Magic Kingdom.
But...
Do you have any last words, my brother?
I did what needed to be done.
I have no regrets.
I see.
Now, for your final prayer...
There's no need.
Long live our motherland!
What's the matter?
Oh, nothing.
You're not thinking you should have been able to handle that better, are you?
Well...
Stop acting like a baby.
Humans aren't perfect.
But those who possess power beyond that of the average person
will occasionally be forced to make hard choices.
What you've chosen and what you choose in those moments...
You're going to make mistakes,
but that's the pain you must accept.
Pain?
Yeah.
As long as you still feel that,
you'll remain human no matter how much power you wield.
Be true to your heart.
Doubt, worry, and face your dilemmas, Taichi.
That's the privilege of youth.
Now quit dawdling. We're heading home to Azpire.
Taichi...
Let's go.
Yeah!
Please have a pleasant journey.
Yeah. Thank you for seeing us off.
Taichi, Rin...
I promise you.
Someday, I will return you two to your world.
Yeah, we're counting on it.
But please don't push yourself too hard.
Uh-huh.
I rather like my life here, too.
We have precious friends here as well!
Yes, thank you very much.
A hero from another world that will save the country...
I never imagined that legend would come true.
Yes.
What I've done can never be forgiven...
But...
For now, I should just be grateful we met.
Wow!
You can get smaller even as Sylphie.
Yeah. If you ask me, this form is more convenient.
I like it, too.
I still can't believe you suddenly controlled one of the Four Grand Spirits.
Seriously. Taichi's cheating too much.
By the way, Rin...
I've wondered this for a while...
What does "cheat" mean when you use it that way?
The civil war crisis was over.
Oh, you don't use the word that way in this world, do you?
Yet, frankly, my anxieties remained.
Who on earth is "that woman"?
Originally, we used it the way you do, to indicate trickery, fraud, or sly cunning...
What did he mean by "great battle" and the world turning inside out?
Yeah?
For now, I still don't know.
But the way we use it now it slightly different.
But there's one thing that is clear.
Hmm, it's hard to explain, actually...
I'm going to use this power to protect those precious to me.
And I don't care if it is cheating.
Rin and I will do what we must in order to survive in this world.
That's all.