The Ultimate Sage Who Faked Incompetence and Was Disinherited Just Wants to Enjoy His New Life! - Episode 71: Requiem

Episode 71: Requiem 

A voice calling for help was definitely heard. It seemed that Lilia could hear that voice too. The Fire Spirit is asking for help. What in the world is going on?

“Ardan, Jill, the Fire Spirit is asking for help!” 

“Asking for help? I didn’t hear anything!” 

“Me neither! What about you, Elise?” 

“I didn’t hear anything either!” 

Apparently, only Lilia and I could hear the voice. If it were just me, I might think I misheard, but Lilia clearly pointed out that it was the Fire Spirit. If that’s the case, then there’s no mistake. 

“Fel, should we stop the attack!?” 

Ardan shouted while dodging the attacks. Jill had pulled back for a moment to observe the situation. During that time, Elise was using healing magic to recover stamina. Even if they weren’t injured, it seemed their stamina was gradually being drained. 

“I need a little more time!” 

“Got it. Leave it to us.” 

Ardan and Jill resumed their attacks. It felt like the Fire Spirit’s movements were gradually getting better. If this turned into a prolonged battle, it would be bad. 

How can we help the Fire Spirit? What in the world is the cause? I tried to observe the Fire Spirit with Analyze, but I couldn’t find any clues at all. 

“Fel, that magic stone arrow stuck in its knee! That seems to be the cause.” 

It seemed that Lilia could see a different scene than I could. Maybe she has the special sensory organs unique to Fairies. 

Would it be good to destroy that arrow? But earlier, when Jill attacked, it was deflected. If Jill’s strength can’t break it, then destroying it physically must be impossible. 

“I’ll try attacking the magic stone with magic! Ardan, Jill, please take some distance!” 

At the moment Jill had slashed off both arms and the attacks stopped, Ardan slammed his shield into the body. The Fire Spirit stepped back. 

“Freeze Lance!” 

The ice spear struck precisely into the magic stone arrow. The Fire Spirit’s left leg was blown off. However, it immediately returned to its original position. The magic stone arrow didn’t have a single scratch. 

“Hey, that one just now, the way it regenerated is different from the others!” 

“Yeah. In other spots, a new one grows out from there, but only this one came back. There’s something here.” 

It seemed Jill and Ardan also noticed something. From then on, they focused their attacks around the arrow in the knee. But there was no change in the magic stone arrow at all. 

“Damn it, it’s so hard, nothing works!” 

“Come to think of it, I heard that magic stones won’t break unless their magic power runs out!” 

The air felt heavier after Elise’s words. Thinking back, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a broken magic stone before. Seems like that wasn’t just a coincidence. 

To sweep away the heavy atmosphere, I took the next action. 

“Then I’ll try pulling out that magic stone arrow. If hitting it doesn’t work, try pulling it.” 

As I got closer to the Fire Spirit, the two made an opening for me. I used Freeze Armor on myself and jumped at the Fire Spirit’s left knee. Gripping the magic stone arrow, I tried to pull it out all at once. But it didn’t move even a little. 

I tried several times, but it was no good. While I was doing that, I got kicked away by the Fire Spirit. 

“*Cough, cough*” 

“Fel!” 

“I’ll heal you now!” 

Lilia and Elise rushed over. Healing magic was cast immediately. Thanks to Freeze Armor, it didn’t seem too serious. Maybe some ribs were broken though. 

“What should I do…” 

“Fel… that’s right! We should pour magic power into the magic stone. If we pour in more magic power than its capacity, it won’t be able to contain it and should collapse.” 

“That might work, but I thought you couldn’t pour magic power into a magic stone?” 

Magic power can only be poured into a magic stone from another magic stone. And even then, only to refill an emptied magic stone. So it’s unclear if it can be overloaded. Plus, special equipment is needed. 

There’s no way to make the Fire Spirit stay calm and carry that out. 

“Normally that’s true, but you can do it, Fel. After all, you send me magic power every day.”

“Sure, I give Lilia magic power every day, but isn’t that just because you’re the one absorbing it from me?” 

“That’s true, but once we made a contract, it became possible for you to send magic power to me directly.” 

First time hearing that. When did I gain such a special skill? I’ll try it out with Lilia after this battle ends. 

“Alright, then let’s go with that plan.” 

“Freeze Armor! Leave the rest to me. Fel, just focus on sending magic power.” 

“I’m counting on you, Lilia.” 

I gave Lilia a quick pat, then ran back to Ardan. Ardan and Jill were desperately defending against attacks. But it looked like their stamina and focus were nearing the limit. 

“I’ll grab that arrow again.” 

“If this doesn’t work, we’ll pull back.” 

“Got it.” 

We can’t push beyond this. We have to find some hope here. Taking advantage of the opening they made, I jumped at the left knee again. I grabbed the magic stone arrow and focused magic power into that hand. 

I felt magic power getting sucked in rapidly. Could this, on the contrary, be powering up the Fire Spirit? 

[Hang in there, Fel! I believe you can do it!] 

The Fire Spirit’s voice was heard. Looks like this is the right thing to do. In that case, no need to hold back. I poured all the magic power I had into the magic stone arrow. 

I had never thought about how much magic power I had. I had never once run out before. 

Gradually, my body lost strength, and my head grew heavy. Even so, I kept forcing magic power in. A cracking sound was heard. A crack appeared in the magic stone arrow. The cracks kept growing. And finally, with a shatter like glass, it broke apart completely. 

“Fel!” 

From far away, I heard Lilia shouting. 

—

When I came to, I saw a familiar ceiling above me. This must be the inn I use in the royal capital. 

I tried putting strength into my body. It hurt with a creaking sensation. But it seemed like I could move without issue. 

Looks like I survived. What happened to the Fire Spirit after that? Is everyone safe? Or… was it all just a long dream? 

“Fel! You’re awake!” 

Lilia leaned over my face. Seems like Lilia was safe too. But one thing I can say for sure — Lilia’s chest has gotten even bigger. The small hill that appeared on the great plains had clearly grown into a mountain. 

The overwhelmingly soft object I felt on my face. No doubt about it. 

“Lilia, what happened after that?” 

“You collapsed from magic exhaustion. You slept for two whole days. I thought you’d never wake up again.” 

Lilia began shedding small tears. I forced my aching arm to move and gently hugged Lilia. She clung tightly to me. And behind her— a lump of fire was floating as if watching over us. What is that…? 

“Lilia, that, that thing…” 

I pointed with a trembling hand. Lilia turned around, noticing it. She had a face like “Oh, that.” What is that thing? No way… it’s not the Fire Spirit, right? 

“That’s the Fire Spirit. After Fel shattered the magic stone, the Fire Spirit couldn’t maintain its form anymore. It scattered into small flames.” 

“I see.” 

“And this one stayed and followed us.” 

“Why!?” 

I don’t really get it, but is this one the Fire Spirit’s true body? 

Something like that followed us, and no one thought anything of it? 

“I’m surprised everyone accepted that.” 

“Actually, until we brought you to this room, no one noticed it. I was shocked too at first. There was nothing there, and then it suddenly appeared.” 

Hmm……..… the mystery only deepens. But from what I’ve heard, it seems everyone’s safe. I’m sure Lilia will let the others know I’ve woken up soon. 

“So, why is the Fire Spirit here?” 

[With you.] 

“With me?” 

[I want to merge with you.] 

“…Huh?” 

What the heck happened to the Fire Spirit. Something’s seriously off here.