In Search of New Jutsu

All right, this should be enough for today.

Uuuuugh...

Bedivere, you okay? You look like you're about to collapse.

How could I be okay, Sir Ethan...? We just came back from a mission, and I barely got any rest before being dragged into hard labor...

Sob...! At this rate, I'll turn into some musclebound guardian knight! Waaah!

Isn't it better for a guardian knight to be strong?

I don't want to be that kind of guardian knight! Waaah!

Bedi, calm down. It can't be helped...

Yeah, it can't be helped. With more people staying at the house, of course we're burning more firewood.

I just don't understand why we're the ones who have to prepare it...

They help with other chores, don't they?

It's a pain for me too, but Merlin said they're special guests from another world, and we should treat them well.

M-Merlin did...?

So let's do it without complaining. I don't want to get chewed out...

Let's hurry up and go back. Come on, keep at it!

You're included, you know.

I know. That's why I'm here.

For someone who's "here," you aren't doing anything...?

I am. I'm carefully monitoring you chopping wood, and Bedivere and Elizabeth carrying it.

Oh. Right...

I'm sure Merlin has reasons for making us do this.

I'm choosing to believe that.

They are guests, after all. It can't hurt to treat them well.

And they might end up helping you, Ethan...

Well, I've still got a long way to go before I can return, so no need to worry about me. Shall we head home?

What did you say?!

Why are you so surprised? Those three ran off excited after hearing they could learn magic.

Magic... is that really possible?

It should be. One of the books I found mentioned it.

It said that in any world, the sources of special power boil down to two things: mana and ki...

That's just theory. In practice, they'd be completely different, wouldn't they?

Depends on the magic. The one I told them about is supposedly stored in a scroll form...

It seems to be a kind of illusion art. If so, depending on how you interpret it, it could help quite a bit.

Don't tell me... it's a newly discovered ruin?

Yes, that's right.

You don't need that sort of thing anyway. If you learn that kind of magic wrong, it'll clash with the power of your holy Relics.

That's not the problem, Merlin.

The Church of Tiamat goes in and out of that place! That's why I was keeping an eye on it.

What? You mean you weren't skipping it because you were lazy?

So that nuisance was running that foul mouth again... As if.

It's the place I scouted. I'm sure of it...

Morgana... you...

Ah, who cares anyway?!

It makes no sense for someone as great as me to hold back just because of a bunch of pathetic zealots!

Wow... you're really something else...

What did you say?

Still... this time you went too far...

If things go wrong, those three could get captured and treated terribly.

Ugh...

Fine, fine. I'll bring them back, okay?

If they get caught in those zealots' shady sorcery, even Shinobi won't have an easy time.

Hmm... if that's all, then maybe it's fine, but...

Merlin, what's wrong?

That ruin is known as the secret laboratory of an ancient alchemist. That's why I suspected there would be illusion magic there.

Is that so...?

An alchemist... someone who synthesizes and transforms matter, right?

They sometimes use sorcery for that.

Like witches, they're persecuted, so they had to create ways to protect themselves.

...So what? It's not like it's there now.

If the Church of Tiamat is interested, it can't be ordinary magic. It must be the kind that interferes with the mind.

Interferes with the mind?

So it's not just magic with a visual effect...

They've always dabbled in human experiments and dangerous forbidden arts. They might be able to control people's minds.

Then if the Church of Tiamat got that magic first...!

Let's go, now!

Yes...!

I hope nothing has happened...

Ethan! Over there!

Asuka?! That idiot - what are they doing over there?

Intruders will be eliminated!

Asuka, you don't look well!

You're saying they're already gone. We'll have to snap them out of it by force.

Morgana's right. Show me, Morgana!

Go! Ethan Pigmon!

That isn't a real thing!

Asuka! Asuka, snap out of it!

Nngh...

You think that'll wake them up? Move.

Kyaah?!

Oh my...

No mercy...

If they're awake, that's what matters. Consider it an honor that I personally administered shock therapy.

When I barely have the energy to move as it is...

Sure... let's go with that.

W-Where are we...? What happened?

That's what we want to know. Did you come to this ruin by yourselves?

Merlin told us there was a secret to getting stronger...

But we ran into a suspicious group and fought them, so we couldn't find it. And then we ended up getting taken down...

Where are Yumi and Hikage?

Hikage only came as far as the entrance, then went off separately, so I don't know. As for Yumi... probably somewhere, like me...

We have to go! We have to save Yumi!

That's why we're here too. Let's hurry.

Go on ahead... I'll recover a bit and catch up.

They're both here!

But neither looks good.

Morgana isn't here yet, right? If those two team up, it'll be hard to handle.

Don't panic. We've fought together this whole time. If we coordinate, we can handle it.

And while we do... Asuka!

Yes?

You finish it. Knock them down yourself and save them!

Ah...

Leave it to me! I'll save them - I promise!

All right, then...

Intruder, halt.

Don't come any closer...

Let's save those idiots!

Yumi! Hikage! Are you awake?!

Asuka...?

Nngh... my head's ringing...

What happened? Those suspicious people fired some strange light... and after that, I can't remember anything.

Magic that controls the mind... what a truly wicked power...

And there's also the sorcery those cultists use. It can knock you out in an instant, or mess with your body.

Maybe that's what happened to us...!

So damn humiliating... to let my guard down like those carefree do-gooders.

When you don't have information, anyone can get caught.

Have you and your group ever been hit by it, Sensei?

Us?

If I start, it'll never end. Especially with our regular customer...

Ta-da! Here I am!

Now that the Fairy Queen is recovered, my power is overwhelming - so stop worrying from now on!

...That's the one. Just assume Morgana falls for every trap and trick out there.

Hm? You were talking about me just now!

Was I?

Grr...!

Ethan... while bringing Morgana, we found a research journal the cultists had gathered...

The magic in these ruins... it was Black Magic with a terrifying effect...!

A terrifying effect? Like what?

I-It doesn't matter what! I-I'll do something about it!

Knew it... only Bedi can do this...!

B-But before that... shouldn't we go back and regroup, Princess?

Hm? Well... we've saved the three, so maybe it's okay...

But we can't just leave those wicked cultists...

Waaah! Princess! Terrifying Black Magic... it might summon ghosts or something!

Stop babbling amongst yourselves and hand it here. What could it be that makes you want to leave the enemy behind?

Let's see. This magic harms the human mind.

The target becomes absolutely obedient to the caster's commands, and tries to return to a pure, primordial state.

And so they cast off all worldly worries, become a pure soul, and live only for the caster... what is this?!

What incredible magic. If it ever ends up in Ethan's hands, the worst Degenerate King in history will be born...!

Eek!

Hey... we've got kids from another world here. Could you stop saying things that sound so wrong?

Wrong? What do you mean, wrong? Huh? What is it?

My fist is clenched... watch it...

We can't tell from the document alone. It might be a spell that rewinds the time of someone's life...

Or maybe only the mind becomes childlike. That would be... truly horrifying!

Don't worry, you three. I'll find this wicked magic and destroy it for sure.

Pervert...?

No I'm not!

Damn it! I'll crush the Church of Tiamat cultists, find that spellbook, and burn it to ash!

S-Sensei isn't that kind of person, so it'll be okay...

R-Right? But Grandpa said to watch out for lecherous eyes...

You look like a good person.

Hmm...

Probably...?

Aaaah! Move it! We can't hesitate any longer!

I'm sorry... honestly, I'm not confident... sob! And Morgana's mana is barely hanging on too...

Sigh... Ethan, shouldn't we go back, regroup, and return?

We can't. Those zealots will obviously run.

How weak you humans are. I was going to lead the charge, but if this is the situation... we have no choice but to retreat.

You're partly to blame for how this turned out too, you know.

If it comes to this, even if I'm alone...

We'll help you.

Yeah! We'll help!

Huh? You will...?

It's a pain, but it can't be helped... we got saved in a pathetic way, so we have to pay the debt back.

If you're helping, that's reassuring... but are you sure you're okay with this?

It's scary, but... in our world, losing is basically the same as being stripped bare...

Right?

Something like that...

What kind of world is that...?

Anyway, it's decided! Let's take them all out!

It's our turn to strike back!

I won't forgive them...!

Then we'll gather the scattered documents here and call the guards to arrest the fallen cultists.

Securing our escape route matters too. I'm counting on you.

I'm sorry, Ethan... We'll regroup as soon as we can and come back right away!

Got it. I'll manage somehow.

Please don't overdo it. If it gets too much, you have to run.

I get wanting payback, but be careful.

Dungeons always have unexpected traps and monsters lying in wait.

Yes, Sensei!

We won't fall for it twice...!

What a strange place.

Sensei, you're really nosy. If it were me, I'd ignore it because it was a hassle.

It's not "nosy"... Ugh, whatever.

Anyway, we can't leave the Church of Tiamat like this. They've committed horrible atrocities.

What did they do?

Things too awful to put into words. Binding people up and tormenting them, kneading their bodies however they want and turning them into something weird...

Isn't that what Asuka goes through with those Hanzo guys all the time?

W-Well, yes... but not everyone does that.

Mostly Katsuragi...

Huh? Your own teammates do that to you?

T-That's not what I meant...

I mean...

Waaah!

Asuka short-circuited...!

That one's an idiot.

That's because of you, Hikage!

...? I don't know what you're talking about, but either way, they're enemies we can't forgive. Thanks for lending me your strength.

It's fine, Sensei. Eradicating evil is the basics for Shinobi of justice.

I just can't forgive trash that acts so arrogant.

And I like fighting too... heh!

Either way, we're fighting together now.

Because we all agree we have to take down a wicked enemy. But...

If we already figured out what that spellbook is, then there won't be any new secret Ninpo, right?

Well, about that... if what you're looking for is special power, there might be another way...

Since you're helping us out, it feels wrong to send you off empty-handed.

Another way?

Please tell us, Sensei...!

We've been gone this long... when we go back, we should bring something, or we'll feel guilty toward our comrades.

It's nothing fancy. Not magic or sorcery, but this world has something called potions.

Potions?

What's that?

They're like elixirs. There are all kinds - from ones that restore stamina, to ones that temporarily boost strength and willpower.

I can give you some. If you take them with you, won't that help?

Sounds good!

Me too. It'll definitely help.

Well, I don't care either way...

But if it helps in a fight, there's no reason to refuse.

Good. If you accept them as a gift, it'll ease my conscience too.

It's those zealots again!

Their lab got attacked - no way they'd stay quiet.

Good. Saves us the trouble of going to them.

Let's go, Yumi! We'll show them our power!

I was going to, even if you hadn't said it. Right now, my heart is colder than it's ever been...!

Someone who's always burning sure runs hot.

Be careful of the magic they got. You heard earlier - if you're careless, something terrible could happen.

Got it. I'll finish them in one go with Shinobi Transformation!

Makes sense... these ruins have basically become a dungeon. I expected obstacles like this.

So we can't just take any path, right?

One of them is definitely a trap.

Hmm... what do we do? Bedivere and Morgana - the ones good at sensing mana - aren't here...

This way.

Hikage! Since when did you learn tracking like that?!

Huh? Like I'd have something like that. I'm just going this way because it feels right.

Just like that...?

Hmm... we can trust it. Hikage's intuition is pretty good.

True... Hikage can sniff out the scent of a fight.

More like the smell of blood.

Sigh... whatever. We can't just stand here... let's go!

T-That's a disgustingly huge eye...

Even Yoma don't look that messed up.

I feel sick just looking at it.

Be careful. That's a monster the zealots created.

It'll definitely use mental attacks. If we want to take it down, we have to close in... so attack carefully.

Yes, Sensei.

Let's see what monster blood tastes like.

With ancient magic... I'll punish you...! Turn into a newborn baby!!

Crap!

Ugh...! My eyes...

W-What happened? I can't see anything!

C-Calm down. We beat them. This is... probably the zealot's last-ditch tantrum.

Why is it so hot?

Nngh... my body feels hot too...

Something... feels wrong...

You three! What's wrong? Are you okay?

It's hot... Sensei... ngh...!

Gotta strip it off and feel better...

My body's so hot... haaah...

....

No! I want to, but no...! Get a grip!

Mmm... I keep getting all drowsy...

This is strange... my body's so hot... I want to cling to you, Sensei...

I'm burning up... do something about it...

Is this what that magic was? Damn it, these cursed ruins! They were hiding some seriously perverted spell!

E-Ethan...?

Sir Ethan...?! What is this...?

Ghk!

Haaah... why'd you drag me along, what a pain...

Huh...?

Even Morgana...

There it is! The real thing is here!

What is?!

The Degenerate King!

No I'm not!!

Ethan... I truly believed you wouldn't... I'm disappointed...

Stay strong, Princess. The head maid said it too - all men are like that.

I'm disappointed too, but it can't be helped. With magic like that, a man who doesn't abuse it would be the strange one...

Bedi...

Let's rely on each other and protect the palace's dignity. If we get caught by that beast, we're finished!

Yes. Bedi!

Don't be ridiculous! Stop making up stories.

That palace education doesn't even teach the common sense that gambling is dangerous! Toss out that empty "dignity" that's all show and no substance!

Why are we talking about that now...?!

How shameless for a pervert! Don't engage with that pervert, Elizabeth.

P-Please stop, everyone...

Y-Yumi...

It was the enemy's scheme. A fallen foe activated a spell, and...

Sigh... we really got played... I got no face left.

Huh? T-Then Ethan...

Sensei was trying to calm us down.

I-I believed in you, Sir Ethan! Never doubt your comrades! That's a guardian knight's iron rule...!

....

Hmph. Since you didn't do anything perverted, I'll forgive you this once.

....

I'm sorry... I doubted you without thinking, Ethan.

B-But even so... I didn't want to see you in that kind of situation with other women!

...Phew.

Let's see... that magic scroll from earlier should be around here...

Sensei? What are you doing?

Looks like you're going to loot some cash or something.

Nah, it's nothing. I was just thinking I'd try being that "Degenerate King" that nasty kid keeps talking about.

That magic is somewhere around here...

Hngh?!

Ah, Asuka woke up.

That one lasted unusually long, Asuka.

W-What happened...?! Eek?! Why am I like this?!

Ah, I'll explain. A fallen cultist used magic, there was a flash of light, and...

S-Sensei...? Then why are you holding that magic scroll...?

Huh? This is... um... I mean...

S-So Grandpa was right after all! Take this! Shinobi Transformation!!

I told you it's not like that!!!