Grimoire x Reverse ~Reincarnated Demon Romance Tale~

Plains of Vitality II [Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon]

Crane Fafnir is the Kamiko of Light

A boy who had lived in the Southern countryside as the son of a farmer, he had inherited the position of the Child of the G.o.d of Light . Up until a couple of years ago, he had been trained to become the trump card of the country .

Originally, the country would have preferred to keep him in the country as he trained his power, but Crane ended up leaving on a journey despite his immaturity . That is because of the revival of the Demon King . Crane had been sent alone on a journey, as that was the result of what was announced during the ceremony performed at the shrine in Merrick beforehand . And so, Crane, who had traveled to the Kingdom, the Princ.i.p.ality, and the Empire, had returned to the Professor country while chasing the girl named Justa . And once he was home, he heard that the Demon King’s Army was invading .

Crane and his friends have grown a lot after their many encounters . He is still developing, and is too weak to face the Demon King right now, but he is still in the process of reaching his peak strength . Yet now a great obstacle now stood before him .

In this colorful nation with four seasons, it was the time when leaves turn from green to tecolored . The moon was especially large and beautiful these days as it gradually became colder . Even on a sunny day, there is a bite to the wind only offset by the warmth of the sun .

If you are standing high up, then that sensation will be even greater .

“…There are so many . ” (Crane)

On the path along the great wall circling around the city, Crane leaned against the bal.u.s.trade . If one looked closely at the wall Crane was leaning on, you could see it has been strengthened by Law Magic . This was a result of combining the natural power of the location and combining it with the techniques the Professor Contry practices . It was clear that a powerful barrier existed here .

Looking forward, Crane listened to the noisiness surrounding him .

“Has anyone set up the siege weapons!?”

“There aren’t enough arrows! Bring some more over here!”

“Unit 103, home position! Follow instructions!”

Cross Legion Crusaders were rushing around behind Crane . The unit of Law Magicians was particularly busy, and were sprinting back and forth . It’s almost time for the battle to start . Perhaps because there hadn’t been a battle on the mainland for a long time, the appearance of the officer giving orders seemed sorrowful .

No one wants their homeland to fall to ruin .  

“Crane…”

The voice that spoke in his ear was familiar, but surely he couldn’t be here, causing Crane to swing his head around . Sure enough, there was a person there that was not supposed to be there .

“Kaizelhan!” (Crane)

“Mhm…the four Cardinals are the strongest of the Law Magicians after all . When needed, we will appear on the front line . ” (Kaizelhan)

“But then…!!” (Crane)

“Josette and Lambda are already on the front line . ” (Kaizelhan)

“…” (Crane)

Kaizelhan . A Cardinal of the Professor Country, who used his power two years ago to struggle against the Demon King’s Army . As one of the Four Cardinals, he is at the top of those who currently watch over the country . As usual, with only a gentle smile, he would do his best to make his ideals reality . Looking across the Plains of Vitality, they saw the hostile demons .

“Soon…they will be in range . ” (Kaizelhan)

“Yeah, then the battle will start . ”

It’s a war . A b.l.o.o.d.y battle between demons and humans will begin . This has become reality once more . These plain words held a subtlety that could only be understood when face-to-face . Although confronted by this reality, determination swelling in Crane’s heart .

“The attack by the Demon King’s Army will be beyond the imagination . Some of its members use Ancient Curses . Keeping them in consideration, we’ll probably only be able to keep the wall secure for a day or so . How many of the enemies can be reduced during that time will determine if this city will survive or fall . ” (Kaizelhan)

“Ancient Curse Spells are used by… Braument of “Reason,” and “Imperator”… a person named Veloce . But, I had fainted at the time . ” (Crane)

“Braument…Veloce…The situation has changed a lot since two years ago . Speaking of ‘Imperator,’ I believe Renoir Vie Atmosphere was the name of the warrior who I fought to the death against previously . ” (Kaizelhan)

“…No, I can’t remember such a name . But, Kaizelhan, a fight to the death…?” (Crane)

“If the current holder has the same power as the previous Imperator…then, I would say it would be best if I could hold them off for half a day . Even putting forth all my efforts, we still will need to rely on the walls . It’s not an ideal situation . ” Kaizelhan sighed .

When people age are they no longer able to hide their fatigue? No, it’s only been half a year since Crane went on a journey, so he hadn’t aged that much . The cause of the sigh was something he could understand without thinking too much . In wartime, no one knew when they would die . The closer to the top, the heavier the responsibility for those deaths .

The battle is heavy for everyone . Those lives are heavy .

“Child of the G.o.d of Light, you are a hero for the people . Even if the fortress falls, we four Cardinals will not allow you to fall . ” (Kaizelhan)

“…huh?” (Crane)

“…Well, that’s right . You could say I am getting soft in my old age, but…you are like a grandson to me…Don’t die, Crane . ” (Kaizelhan)

“…Wha! Right!!” (Crane)

Once Crane nodded strongly, Kaizelhan left satisfied . His position is on top of the gate, the most important point . That too must be a heavy burden .

Crane glared forward, the violent winds disturbing his hair . “… Soon . ”

Breathing deeply, he gradually became calm .

Looking around, there were many Law Magicians who held a bow behind the wall to the left and right of Crane .

Picking up his staff from where it was leaning, Crane went back down into the inside of the city by the stairs along the wall . A handrail infused with Law Magic had been added to each of the stone steps, clearly designating its workmanship .

Crane’s job is to stop the incoming enemy in front of the gate . He will stand with the armed men who are prepared for battle, and this time he will stand with his gathered friends who have become stronger .  

Once he stepped of the stairs, which was nearly two hundred steps, he is just beside the supply station for the wall defenses . He walked along the narrow street towards the gate . Cheers rose from the soldiers before him . They all know of the existence of the Kamiko of Light, and are inspired by his presence .

Because of what is behind him, he will definitely put his all into protecting it . He will always protect his home . Crane had made that decision before, which had brought him here now . He must win . He must keep it safe .

With determination in his mind, he turned to join the group of soldiers filling the highway before the gate . Walking along the road, he soon reached his circle of party members near the innermost end .

“Hey guys, you’re here early . ” (Crane)

“It’s Crane who’s late!” (Haruna)

“…We cannot afford to be late in battling with the demons . ” (Justa)

When Crane raised his right hand in greeting and joined the group, Haruna puffed out her cheeks and Justa wore a hardened expression . Even though he wants to help Justa find a solution to her situation, he hadn’t yet come up with an answer . He thought it would be a good idea to listen to her story again after the battle .

“How does it look outside the battlements?” (Rudius)

“Oh, yeah . There’s a lot . I’ve never seen so many in one place before . ” (Crane)

“Hmm, it’s going to be a tough fight . Plain power won’t cut it . ” (Rudius)

In this situation, it was Rudius who spoke the most professionally . With his folded arms, and red hair being swept by the wind, he gives off a determined air . In this area where many spears were held steady, it seems that even though the fight hasn’t started yet and his hair is tied up, there is a tense energy is expressed in his hair’s movement .

“Oh, are you really going without your usual sword?” (Crane)[1]

“Of course . I will absolutely not relent . ” (Rudius)

“I see . ” (Crane)

Rudius was excited . On his waist, there was no sign of the usual sword band and sheath that would normally be there .

When Crane opened his mouth to say something more about it .

A terrific vibration shook the world .

“What…??”

“What’s happening!?” Haruna screamed . As Justa crouched silently on the ground, Rudius stepped back and looked at the sky .

Someone shouted . “Look over there!!”

It was impossible to tell if someone had pointed at the sky, because there were so many people crowded together . Yet, they understood immediately, and everyone looked up .

High above the castle gate, on the other side of the wall . Although it was small in the sky, there was a person sitting in the air . Haruna and Rudius did not know who it was . But Crane was different . He could not forget that unusual dark magic he had once been intensely surrounded by .

“How annoying . ” (Veloce)

It was not a loud voice at all, but somehow her voice echoed far . It resounded throughout the city as if through multiple loudspeakers . A frilly umbrella was in her hands, which she swung to point towards the castle gate without any hesitation, and jet black magic poured out of it . What followed was a quake .

“Gah……!!”

“Uwaah…!!”

The great tremor was the same as the one before . This was the second time she had used such a strong magic . The fear that was felt was especially strong in those who also practiced magic, as this was a magic that could not be activated unless there are ten Law Magicians gathered .

“Imperator…!!” Crane bit his lip .

On the wall, many Law Magicians started to cast spells . Perhaps, the Demon King’s Army are already marching towards the walls . If they do not hold them back, the siege will begin soon .

“Open the gate early! Let us out there!” Someone shouted .

Along with that shout, a few other voices called out who wished to join the battle early .

Crane also understood that feeling . At this rate, they might actually be let out of the gate earlier than planned .

However, Kaizelhan should be on top of the castle gate . So long as he is there, things will not go so easily for the “Imperator . ” Somehow, he should be able to fight back . An honored member of the 38th unit, and one of the Law Masters who has subdued former Demon Lords several times . And even as a young priest, he was a hero who has protected their country from invasion three times . A stalwart veteran . And as one of the four Cardinals, he was no fool .  

Crane did not think he would stay silent in this situation .

Suddenly a messenger arrive . The man had run down the stairs along the wall, breathless . He ran into Crane, and bowed in apology . “Sir Crane! Listen!”

“What happened?” Crane listened attentively to the man’s words .

The man managed an excuse me, and then whispered in Crane’s ear . “I can’t tell the other soldiers, but Cardinal Kaizelhan took the first two attacks from the ancient spell and collapsed . ”

“What?!?…that means this is the fourth casting!” (Crane)

“Yes . Cardinal Kaizelhan identified the spell and determined that it would be limited to being released five times . He managed to block the first two attacks, and parry the third so it was much weaker . If it is only one more time, the walls should be able to handle it…Since the Cardinal is no longer here, the remainder will be up to the other Cardinals and the thousands of soldiers in here . Sir Schult is protecting the walls . ”

“I understand . I will do my best to crush our enemies’ bones to powder for Cardinal Kailzelan!” (Crane)

“Thank you very much!!” The man told Crane before heading back . Despite the enchantment put on the stairs, the man had still ran down and up two hundred steps . Crane silently thanked him for his loyalty .

“What will you do, Crane?” (Haruna)

“I will not do anything yet, it depends on how much the Law Magicians on the wall can decrease the Demon King’s Army…!!” Crane said to Haruna, who doesn’t understand the situation, as

He watched the gates intently .

It was an attack that Kaizelhan could not stand against . It seems that the current Imperator was superior to the previous one . But even so, he prevented that violent and destructive attack made of huge magical power three times . With that alone, the time the walls can be maintained should have increased dramatically .

“I wonder how much of their numbers have been sc.r.a.ped off by now . ” (Rudius)

“Since we haven’t received any reports from the armed units, nothing big should have occurred yet . As such, even if the gate is opened now we should be able to beat them up . That’s it . Even in a magic battle, that’s the basics . ” (Crane) [2] 

In a battle that uses magic, how would you move soldiers who cannot use magic?

It would be foolish to rush out on the plains to fight head to head with the Demon King’s Army while the Demon Lords still stood . As such, it generally boiled down to remove the source of the opponent’s magic from a distance first, and then hit them as hard as possible with regular troops . That way, when you counterattack the battered enemy your own army will have an abundance of energy . So for now, he needed to be patient .

When the gates are opened, it would be nothing less than an all out slaughter of the Demon King’s Army . [3]

But “that time” came earlier than he thought .

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

“No way…that’s the fifth activation!” (Crane)

“Fifth…!?” Rudius responded in bewilderment to the words Crane leaked out .

But he had no time to explain it .

A strong earthquake roared, the same power as before . It does not seem to be an attack where the magic power can be adjusted, though it does cause great damage to the walls . However, a single spell will not be able to destroy the castle gate .

With the fifth spell cast, his sense of crisis when he saw Imperator had faded .  

But when Crane tried to release a sigh of relief, somehow it happened once more .

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

Another severe earthquake began .

“Sixth!?”

“Hey, explain what you are saying Crane!” (Rudius)

“No, if you think about the power of that magic, you shouldn’t be able to activate it that many times…!” (Crane)

Once Rudius understood, he looked at the girl in the sky . However, when he looked up, all he could see was the jet black magic escaping from the umbrella once more .

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

There was another earthquake .

The soldiers were struggling to hold their stance as the ground beneath them made a horrible, unending noise . Wasn’t Kaizelhan at the gate? Do we all have to stay here? Such anxiety spread among the soldiers .  

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

Indeed, it was the eighth time .

Looking around, some of the Law Magicians had begun attacking the girl . However, she seems as unphased as if being bitten by a mosquito, as she expressionlessly and indifferently cast magic at the wall .

“[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]”

“Someone stop that kiiiiiddddddd!!” One of the officers shouted .  

Since the voice reached so far, the person must have used an enchantment that increases the voice’s volume . As such, at least half of the Law Magicians on the wall begin to release law magic at the girl .

That is bad .  Crane thought as he tried to stop them, but he had no such authority .

What they needed to focus on now was cutting down the Demon Lords first . However, if they concentrate on the girl, then it will give an opportunity to the Demon King’s Army to approach and the wall .  

He wanted to believe his worries were groundless . However, things did not fall in the direction that Crane wanted .

“Hmm~, it’s tough . ” (Veloce)

Her voice echoed – 

“[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]”

The earth trembled .

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

The earthquake became more severe .

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

Again, and again, and again, and again .

An enormous quake shook the ground beneath his feet, causing his entire body to shake . He also understood that it was not a regular quake, but rather something that was about to shatter the solid foundation of the walls of the city he called home .

And once more .

[Ancient Spell – Chaotic Moon Xablefar]

With an explosive sound, the gate crumbled and collapsed . The once solid wall began to crumble even more, and the inner metal frame had warped as the cracked walls slumped and fell to the ground . White smoke is already rising from the walls as if it were a flag of surrender .  

“Haah~, it’s been a long time since I’ve broken a wall . I don’t want to do it again . ” (Veloce)

He was not able to see any hint of fatigue even in the sigh from her, leaving him with an immense discomfort .

Then, the Demon King’s forces rushed in .

Translation Notes