The Spirit Said, 'You're Unworthy as My Master, Cancel the Contract!' So I’ll Give It to My Sister Who Wants It - Episode 2.32

—Greenvale Plains, located in the northern region of Asteria, in the early afternoon. The vast grassland stretched endlessly with nothing in sight. Only a few delicate wildflowers bloomed here and there, while the withering grass swayed gently in the wind.

The army of Terre had crossed the forest beyond the border and was now closing in on Asteria’s throat. If they advanced through this plain, Asteria would be right before them.

Gilbert sneered as he spotted a lone group of figures standing in the distance on the plain.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. They actually showed up on the battlefield with only four people? Are they insane? Where are the Asterian soldiers!?”

Yes. The ones who appeared at the battlefield were only Mistia, her contracted spirits Skia and Solm, and Asteria’s King Orland. The eerie sight sent a chill down the spine. But then, Gilbert’s expression brightened as if he had come to a realization.

“I see. So, they intend to surrender! How admirable. It’s almost touching, as if they’re offering their own heads in exchange for their people’s lives. —Unfortunately, I have no intention of accepting their surrender.”

He smirked as if everything made perfect sense to him.

Looking down from horseback at his weary soldiers, he let out a deep sigh.

“How boring. I was looking forward to watching a bl00d-pumping battle from the best seat, but there’s no Asterian army. On top of that, we lost too many soldiers just getting through the forest. Damn it, why were there so many monsters?”

As Gilbert grumbled in frustration, Prime Minister Thomas chuckled wryly from his horse. His smile lacked any of the tension one would expect before a battle.

“Lately, monster activity has been increasing. Thanks to that, we managed to convince the people that a ‘Great Monster Stampede’ was happening. Perhaps if we had gone around the forest… No, never mind.”

The shortest route to Asteria was through the forest. But the forest was teeming with monsters. Despite this, Gilbert chose to push straight through instead of taking a detour. As a result, his troops were constantly attacked by monsters as they traversed the forest.

Most of the soldiers were mere farmers, more used to wielding farming tools than weapons. For them, monsters were terrifying creatures that threatened their very lives. But Gilbert paid no mind to their fears and recklessly led them through the monster-infested path. By the time they emerged, the soldiers were already exhausted—before the battle had even begun.

Of course, Gilbert had no intention of considering their condition.

“Useless cowards, every last one of them.”

“Oh, but it’s fine, Your Majesty. If you inspire them, their morale will naturally rise.”

“It better. —Now, forward, everyone! Take Asteria and claim victory for peace!”

Gilbert grinned widely.

—Then, to further rouse his troops, he delivered the speech he had carefully prepared.

“The so-called ‘Hero of Asteria’ is nothing more than a vile traitor who assassinated our late King Doran! His Majesty was a good king to his people…! Yet those fiends placed a curse on him, making him suffer before mercilessly taking his life…! Tell me, how can we allow such injustice!?”

His voice carried deep sorrow, stirring the emotions of the Terre soldiers. With an exaggerated movement, he pounded his fist against his chest.

“No, we cannot! My people, never forgive those villains! Avenge King Doran!”

The soldiers, who had been slumped in exhaustion, suddenly lifted their heads as if jolted awake.

Indeed, to the people of Terre, Doran had been a benevolent ruler. Shocked by the revelation, one soldier after another raised their voices.

“Ah…! His Majesty Doran has always protected Terre’s peace! How dare they take the life of such a kind king!?”

“That’s right! We will not forgive Asteria’s so-called hero!”

A resounding war cry erupted. Their exhaustion seemed to vanish, replaced by an intense fervor.

Brandishing their weapons, the soldiers charged toward Mistia and her group—fueled by seething hatred.

Gilbert could hardly contain his amusement.

(Hahaha…! These simple fools are so easy to manipulate. To think they would so easily believe such a blatant lie. For this moment alone, I must thank you, Mistia. You will bear the crime of regicide for me.)

A true king would draw his sword, leading his soldiers into battle. But Gilbert had no such intention. He merely incited his troops and then retreated to the safety of the rear.

The Terre soldiers, shouting with rage, rushed toward Mistia and her group. Their voices grew louder, soon reaching Mistia’s ears.

“You cursed traitor who killed King Doran! That witch must not be forgiven!”

“For His Majesty’s vengeance!”

Mistia gasped sharply. Her lips trembled uncontrollably in shock.

“W-What did you say…!? King Doran is dead!? And they think I… killed him…!?”

The revelation struck her like a bolt of lightning. Overwhelmed by shock, her vision darkened, and she staggered. Skia quickly caught her. Clenching his teeth, Skia spat out in frustration.

“That fool…! Gilbert must have fed the Terre soldiers this lie. I can’t believe he’s framing you again. Mistia, are you alright?”

Mistia, pale and clutching her forehead, received a concerned look from Solm.

“My lady would never do such a thing! Damn that Gilbert…! Please rest, Mistia. We will handle this.”

But as Solm prepared for battle, Mistia weakly lifted her head.

“N-No, Solm, I’m alright. Skia, thank you. I’m fine now. We must do what we can.”

Straightening her back, Mistia’s expression turned resolute. She gazed firmly at the approaching Terre soldiers and stepped forward.

“Skia, Solm, I leave it to you.”

Her voice was steady and commanding. Though worried, Skia couldn’t ignore her resolve.

“…Understood. Solm, are you ready? We will stop this battle and capture Gilbert. We must clear our master’s name.”

“Yes, let’s do it. For our lady.”

Solm nodded gravely. As the enemy soldiers neared the center of the plain—

Skia and Solm raised their hands toward them.

“Answer our call, O earth! Split apart—Terra Split!”

The spirits chanted in unison.

Their voices resonated, and the ground trembled in response. A deafening roar echoed as the earth cracked, forming countless fissures. It was as if a slumbering beast deep underground had awakened, releasing a terrifying growl.

*Crack. Crack, crack—!*

“W-What the…!?”

“The ground… it’s splitting!?”

The enemy soldiers froze in place. A massive crevice appeared between them and Mistia’s group, splitting their forces. From the depths of the fissure, an ominous wind howled, its unseen depths threatening to swallow the soldiers whole.

A soldier at the front turned and screamed.

“Aaaah!? Stop! If we move forward, we’ll fall straight into the abyss!”

“Is this the earth magic of the ‘Hero of Salvation’!? I thought earth magic was useless, but with this, we don’t stand a chance…!”

The Terre soldiers faltered, their formation collapsing in disarray. Seeing them halted in place, Mistia let out a relieved sigh.

“It seems to have worked. Thank you, Skia, Solm.”

“A massive fissure like this should keep them from attacking so easily.”

Skia replied, and Solm nodded in agreement.

“It was a brilliant strategy. Only someone with Mistia’s immense magic power could pull off such a feat.”

Hearing his praise, Mistia shyly averted her gaze.

“It’s thanks to you both. And… this magic was only possible because Solm, an earth spirit, was here. I’m glad to have you with us, Solm.”

Mistia smiled gently, and Solm’s cheeks faintly flushed.

Then, King Orland spoke.

“Do not be so modest, Lady Mistia. In this age, there is no other mage who could accomplish such a feat. …Now, while they are in chaos, we must capture the crown prince and use him as a hostage.”

Skia nodded.

“Yes. The only way to end this war is to capture Gilbert.”

At that moment, Mistia noticed something unusual.

The weapons the Terre soldiers wielded… they weren’t swords but farming tools—hoes and sickles.

(Are these soldiers… just farmers…?)

Just as she began to grasp the truth, a voice from across the crevice shouted in alarm.

“…Hey! What is that over there!?”