To the rest of the Fang Clan fairies, all they saw was a sudden burst of light across the battlefield—then both Shiomi and their chieftain, Wryneck, vanished from sight.
With their leader gone, the clan immediately fell into chaos. The other Fang fairies, strong but far weaker than a Sub-Bell, began to stir restlessly.
One particularly ambitious fairy rallied a few others and advanced toward the hillside, intent on attacking Aesc and her companions. By killing the outsiders, he hoped to prove his strength and claim the right to succeed Wryneck as chieftain.
Naturally, such recklessness earned him a swift lesson under Aesc's Magecraft, and the display quickly silenced the other fairies who had been watching from a distance.
"What a bunch of battle maniacs," Totorot huffed, cheeks puffed in irritation as she readied herself for combat.
Behind Aesc, Baobhan Sith called out anxiously toward the battlefield. "Witch-sama? The Sage-sama is gone… is he really alright?"
"There's no need to worry," Aesc replied with a calm smile. "This is all part of his Magecraft."
She then stepped forward, her expression hardening as she raised her wand toward the sky.
Dark clouds gathered in an instant, rumbling overhead.
"Hear me, fairies of the Fang Clan!" she declared, her voice echoing across the plains. "Your chieftain now battles the Sage in a sacred duel! Any who act rashly and defile the meaning of that battle—I will show no mercy!"
Her words were followed by a flash of lightning and a roll of thunder.
Aesc knew she didn't have the heart to kill a fairy, but the Fang Clan didn't know that. To them, the threat felt real enough. Intimidated by her display of power, they chose to remain still and observe.
The clouds pressed low, and the wind howled over the frozen plains.
The tense standoff didn't last long. A brilliant light washed over the battlefield once more, and when it faded, Shiomi and Wryneck reappeared.
Shiomi stood tall.
Wryneck lay prostrate on the ground, an icy arrow piercing his chest clean through his back.
The Fang Clan fairies could tell their chieftain was still alive—but what shocked them most was not his survival, but the sight of him utterly defeated. The warrior they had always believed invincible now lay beaten and broken.
"...As expected of the Sage. I've lost."
Wryneck's words of surrender fell into a heavy silence. Even if some among the fairies wanted to protest the outcome, none dared step forward.
"Then, as agreed," Shiomi said calmly, raising his arm, "from this moment on, the entire Fang Clan will heed my command."
The only sign of damage from the battle—the tear in his sleeve—fluttered in the cold wind.
"Those who reject this result, those who question the outcome—step forward, and overturn it with your strength."
He swung his arm forward sharply, the motion slicing through the air like a blade.
The fairies standing in his direction instinctively scattered to the sides, unwilling to meet his gaze. As his hand swept across the gathered crowd, the rest lowered their heads, silent and subdued.
The Fang Clan lived by one truth: strength is justice.
And now, before them stood Shiomi—stronger even than their Sub-Bell. In this moment, he was the embodiment of justice itself.
"Good," Shiomi said coolly. "Whether or not you believe it in your hearts, your actions are enough."
The icy arrow melted away. Wryneck, clutching his chest, forced himself upright and dropped to one knee.
"Wryneck, Chieftain of the Fang Clan, will lead the entire clan in obedience to the Sage's command."
His voice trembled with both respect and regret—because his defeat had been absolute.
The Sage knew perfectly how to fight a Sub-Bell, while he himself had never learned how to face a human so powerful.
"We already have results? I thought it would take much longer."
As Aesc spoke, she and the others descended from the hillside.
"It wasn't exactly easy," Shiomi replied with a faint smile.
Reaching his side, Aesc glanced at Wryneck, still kneeling before them. "So this means the Fang Clan will be joining the fight against the northern fairies?"
"That's the plan." Shiomi turned toward him. "Wryneck, correct? Gather all warriors of the Fang Clan immediately. Divide them into two groups—a main force and a flanking unit in a two-to-eight ratio. You'll lead the main force west to the Northern Plains and rendezvous with the armies of the other clans. The flanking unit will move through the wilderness west of the Great Hollow and enter the mountains from there."
Wryneck's wounds were mending, and his voice finally regained strength. "Sage-sama, why this arrangement? If the northern fairies are going to war, shouldn't the entire Fang Clan deploy together—"
"It's to prevent the northern fairies from splitting their forces and ambushing us through the mountain passes," Shiomi explained. "Don't assume a flanking attack can only happen on open plains. The rougher the terrain, the more unexpected the strike."
"Yes, understood." Wryneck did not question further.
"Then, at dawn tomorrow—"
Shiomi paused to calculate the time. There was no room for delay. The Fang Clan had already mobilized nearly their entire force to "greet" them today—proof that they were long prepared for war.
Just as he was about to give the departure order, a raven's cry rang out above them.
The Fang fairies looked up. A raven with sleek, jet-black feathers beat its wings and descended, landing neatly on Shiomi's outstretched arm.
Muninn.
Grímr's familiar.
Once one of Odin's own ravens, now serving under the Great God's proxy, Grímr had the authority to command them as well.
"What's the matter?" Aesc asked, noticing a flicker of runes shimmer across the raven's feathers.
The condensed magical message had already reached Shiomi.
"...That was fast. The northern fairy army has already entered the Northern Plains."
Shiomi quickly inscribed a reply in Runes and released the raven back into the sky. "Wryneck, take the Fang Fairies and move out immediately. There's no need to split your forces. I expect the northern fairies have already clashed with the Wind and Wing Clans of Manchester by now."
At his command, Wryneck rose to his feet and began shouting orders. Thousands of Fang Fairies thundered across the wilderness, racing along the main road toward the northwestern plains.
Dust and grass scattered in their wake. Shiomi lifted his sleeve to shield Aesc, Baobhan Sith, and Totorot from the gale stirred by their charge, keeping them from being knocked off balance or trampled.
Amid the roaring current of passing fairies, Shiomi and Aesc stood unmoving—like islands in a rushing sea.
When the last of the Fang Fairies had gone, silence returned.
"Shouldn't we be heading to the battlefield?" Aesc asked.
"With Grímr there, the front lines won't collapse anytime soon," Shiomi replied, listening to the wind. "As for the Earth Clan… Ector has followed us for nearly five or six centuries. Even without direct orders, he knows what must be done. He's likely already on the move with the troops and supplies. We'll go join him."
"If it's the Black Knight, then there's nothing to worry about," Aesc said, before suddenly realizing something. "Wait—are you concerned the northern fairies might send a force to ambush and seize the Earth Clan's supplies en route to the front?"
Shiomi's eyes softened, a faint smile forming.
"Your guess is exactly right."
...
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