V7 Appendix 2

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Translator: Soafp

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We were tasked with infiltrating the Elf Kingdom based on Report No. 89.

Since joining Shadow Garden, No. 89 had earned extremely high evaluations, but that very reputation led to her being selected for the replacement battle against No. 559. She fought valiantly, but the difference in talent was clear.

Ever since, No. 89 had lost confidence, so by giving her discretion in operations within the Elf Kingdom, we aimed both to restore her self-assurance and to foster her growth.

She played a crucial role by uncovering King Anorion's death and the Diabolos Cult's involvement in the royal succession battle, which made our infiltration necessary.

As the Mitsugoshi Company, we would infiltrate the royal succession battle to support Sakura Tokiseiryuno. This required impeccable disguises.

After all, the Diabolos Cult already viewed the Mitsugoshi Company as a threat. Under no circumstances could our connection with Shadow Garden be suspected.

For this reason, presenting a male disguise was both reasonable and logical—but… for me to pose as a flat-chested, frail boy? That was another matter.

Thanks to my exceptional mental strength and rare endurance, I executed the mission without complaint.

Still, even I—Epsilon, precise in magical control—felt significant pressure on my thighs, hips, and especially my chest.

It's worth noting that this may have contributed, however slightly, to the mistakes I would make in the upcoming battles.

“That it isn't a lie… you should already understand that.”

“—That's… that's…!”

All of his past words, all of his actions—they finally connected into one clear line.

And his symptoms matched mana fusion disorder perfectly.

Lalanoa already understood.

“This is the price I pay for continuing reckless battles.”

Nazono gave a self-mocking smile.

“When I met you, I was actually searching for a place to die. I wanted my bones to rest in my homeland in the end.”

“No…!”

“But you gave meaning to a life that would have ended as nothing but ashes.”

Nazono stood up and raised his sword.

“I still have something left to do.”

Blood, dark red and black, dripped from his mouth as he spoke.

From ahead, a single arrow was flying toward him.

“Master, I'll—!”

Lalanoa hurriedly stood and tried to ready her sword.

“—Thank you, Lalanoa.”

Nazono gently pushed her aside.

Anyone could tell that the glowing arrow carried tremendous power.

And yet—he did not flinch.

With his usual faint smile.

But within his eyes, there was resolve.

He struck once.

It was beautiful.

No one could believe this was the sword of a man standing at death's door.

This was the sword he had devoted his entire life to.

And the very pinnacle of the sword he had passed on to Lalanoa.

He split the arrow cleanly in two—and sheathed his blade.

Two explosions rang out behind him, and the announcement of the end of the preliminaries echoed.

Lalanoa kept her eyes on him the entire time.

She said nothing, only watched as tears streamed down her face.

Nazono turned back to her.

“My life still has a little time left. So… let me dream just a little longer… of a grand act of defiance imagined by a small, insignificant elf. Of the story that begins from there…”

He held out his hand as he said it.

Lalanoa… could not bring herself to place her hand in his.

That man, Nazono Senen, I first encountered while traveling by carriage to the royal capital.

At first glance, he was just an ordinary, handsome young man—that was my initial impression.

Why he became the knight of Lalanoa Hinoizumino remained a mystery. What was he scheming? Who was pulling the strings behind the scenes? Those were questions that demanded vigilance.

Yet I judged that he himself posed no real threat.

In the end—he was so perfectly disguised that he made us think exactly that.

When the royal succession battle began, we carried out our plan, hunting participants from the very start.

During this, a battle broke out between Nazono Senen and Lalanoa Hinoizumino.

It was there that I was defeated.

And not just by him alone—I lost while fighting alongside Beta.

Of course, there was some carelessness. There was also arrogance. And the strong compression on my chest may have slightly reduced my combat ability—it's possible, however slight.

Even accounting for all that, I was defeated by his skill.

After the battle, the more I calmed down, the more an unbearable sense of defeat washed over me.

In judgment, technique, and magical control, he surpassed me.

What stung the most was that he bested me in magical control—the very thing I was recognized for as “Meticulous” by Shadow-sama.

In this mission, I had been expected to serve as a primary operative.

In the royal succession battle, where magical power is limited, efficient control of one's magic is crucial.

And in terms of magical control, I had always prided myself on being second to none, even compared to Alpha-sama.

And yet, I was defeated by an unknown magic swordsman and had to be saved by Beta.

If Nazono Senen's old wound hadn't ached, I wouldn't even be alive right now.

That single strike carried enough power to take my life.

I had made an irreparable mistake, one that would have brought shame upon Shadow-sama.

But I am still alive.

Next time, I will never let my guard down.

I will consider poison or ambush.

And I will target his old wounds relentlessly.

I will no longer choose my methods. Even if called cowardly, I swore to Shadow-sama that I would secure victory.

Yet my resolve would soon waver.

It was watching Nazono Senen's maneuvers in the final wave.

That man was targeted by a barrage so overwhelming that it would exhaust any shooter's magic, and yet he dodged every single attack without even a scratch.

Sure, with an immense amount of magic, that might be possible.

But this is the royal succession battle—a stage where magic is limited.

No matter how skilled a magic swordsman is, being targeted by that many attacks would eventually drain their magic.

Even someone like me, known as “Meticulous,” would find it difficult… no, I shouldn't stubbornly cling to pride here.

It's impossible.

Such a feat is absolutely impossible.

Even I, and even Alpha-sama, could not perform it.

If anyone could, it would be only one person in the world—Shadow-sama.

Die.

How disrespectful.

This is blasphemy against Shadow-sama, and such thoughts must never be allowed.

The mere fact that I even considered it for a moment made me nauseous.

I am Epsilon the Meticulous.

My magic control has been recognized by Shadow-sama.

If I were defeated, I would bring shame to Shadow-sama.

I can do this.

I can kill Nazono Senen.