Mana Overflow?

"Tch... I really still wasn't used to a spear."

Sovell lost.

Badly.

Just as Artoria had said in her "duel announcement" that afternoon, Rhongomyniad really had been knocked out of Sovell's hands.

Seven years of sword and shield against one day-actually, less than a day-with a spear.

Even if a spear was easy to pick up, hoping to win... forget that. Even hoping to lose with dignity was a pipe dream.

Unless Sovell drove his dragon blood to its fullest, Artoria's strength, bolstered by Mana Burst, was not actually all that far below his.

"Merlin, do you know how to use a spear?"

Sovell decided to turn to his "sideline coach."

"Well, a little."

That was how our "sideline coach" replied.

"Huh? Then why didn't you teach me before?"

"Bite off too much, and you won't be able to chew it. You had to study both swordsmanship and magecraft during those eight years.

If we'd added spearmanship as well, you might have learned all three without mastering any of them."

"Then do we still have enough time?"

"There should be another five to eight years before Lia officially becomes king.

Over the next few years, I'll give you and Lia extra training in using lances and spears. There's enough time.

Also, there's something I need to tell you. Aside from the spearmanship I teach you, don't learn how to use a spear from anyone else, or take inspiration from anyone else's techniques.

At least not for the next few decades."

"Hmm? Why?"

"Many mortal spear techniques are a waste of talent for nonhuman beings like us.

Even if nonhuman spear techniques have been passed down among mortals, they will have deteriorated because of their weak bloodlines.

As for why I said 'the next few decades,' you'll find out later."

Merlin explained his reasons, but left that last part a mystery.

Sovell, however, had already grown impatient:

"Fine, got it. Speaking of which, Merlin, shouldn't you let me out now?

You sent Lia away as soon as she won. I don't want to sit around in this prison either.

I spent all day standing around with Lia. You can eat a few dreams and bounce right back, but I can't. I'm tired too."

"All right, all right, don't rush me. I'll send you out now."

With that, Merlin snapped his fingers.

Snap~

"Good night, Merlin... Yeah, there shouldn't be any more surprises this time."

Early the next morning, Merlin brought Sovell and Artoria to see Ector:

"Ector, while Kay and Lia are away, we'll be counting on you to defend the manor and the surrounding area. Thanks for the effort."

"Of course. No problem.

Artoria, Kay, I'll leave Joanie in your care. Look after her."

Joanie, a mare belonging to Sir Ector's household, was the finest horse in Saynor Manor after Aite, a stallion. She was Kay's mount-and Artoria's usual playmate?

The mention of defense reminded Sovell of the Saxon soldiers he had discovered two days earlier, so he warned Ector:

"Sir Ector, I found a group of barbarian soldiers on the banks of the River Severn two days ago. They seemed to have gone there to gather intelligence or something. Please keep an eye out."

At those words, the Old Knight's expression shifted slightly. He pondered for a moment, then replied to Sovell:

"Intelligence? All right, I understand. Did you get any other information out of them?"

"No. Just that one vague bit about them 'gathering some sort of intelligence.'"

"Are barbarian soldiers really that tight-lipped...? That doesn't sound right."

Sovell replied, looking a little uncomfortable:

"Well, I did leave one alive so I could ask him a few more things, but an accident ended up killing him too."

"Hmm, is that so... Never mind. No great harm done.

All right, I understand the general situation. Thank you, Sovell."

"All right, that's enough farewells. Ector, we'll be off now."

Sensing that something was wrong with the atmosphere, Merlin promptly put an end to the subject. He and the other three said goodbye to Ector and headed south.

Once the four were out of Ector's sight, his expression grew exceptionally grave:

"Someone, attend me."

A figure suddenly appeared from somewhere and answered:

"Here, my lord. What are your orders?"

"Go into town and find out as much as you can about what happened across the River Severn two days ago.

Also, take a few men and head across the River Severn immediately. If you find anything unusual, come back and tell me at once.

If you encounter enemy troops, withdraw as quickly as possible. Staying alive comes first.

Report their numbers, organization, and equipment to me. If possible, I'll take the others and wipe them out.

Understood?"

"Yes, my lord. Understood."

Before long, seven or eight people left Saynor Manor and headed north.

Meanwhile, as the other group continued walking, Artoria suddenly asked Merlin with a hint of unease:

"Merlin, is it really all right for me to wear this...?"

The mage beside her answered without hesitation:

"Of course. It hides your identity and makes up for the regret of having spent ten years in men's clothes, Lia. Two birds with one stone."

And why had Artoria asked that question?

Roll the footage:

Artoria had now changed out of the men's clothes she had worn for ten years and into a pure white formal dress that left her shoulders partly bare.

Rather than being pinned up behind her head as usual, her long golden hair was gathered into a ponytail and tied with a black bow.

Silver armor covered the sides of her thighs, her lower legs and feet, the front and back of her torso, and her forearms. Beneath the armor on her thighs was a black lining.

She stood there, graceful and poised, like a holy lily princess who had stepped straight out of a fairy tale.

And ever since they left, our Sovell had not taken his eyes off Artoria.

Kay could no longer stand it:

"Hey, hey, hey. That's enough out of you. Sure, Artoria's a pretty girl, but you can't just keep staring at her like that."

"Brother Kay..."

Sovell immediately retorted:

"Everyone appreciates beauty. Besides, I'm looking at my Li-ah, no, what's wrong with gazing up in reverence at the king I've sworn to serve?

Right, Lia?"

"Sovell..."

Wheee-

"I swear, you... Huh? Whose kettle is boiling?"

Kay had been about to say more when he heard the shrill whistle of a kettle coming from somewhere.

"Lia! Lia, are you all right?"

Sovell glanced at the girl beside him, only to find that she had already collapsed to the ground, her cheeks bright red and faint wisps of steam rising from her head.

Merlin approached, took a look, and touched her forehead before saying:

"It's nothing serious. An unusual fluctuation in her emotions just caused the magical energy accumulated inside her to overflow temporarily.

Put simply, she's embarrassed."

"Merlin!"

The girl snapped at the mage, her face still flushed.

"I think I saw this last night too... No, no, no, I didn't. I didn't see anything."

Although Sovell caught himself and corrected his words in time, Kay still noticed something amiss:

"What did you do last night, you brat?!"

Ah, another round of arguments was about to begin. What a peaceful, relaxing day.