Well, whatever. It is just as you said, boya. Do you get it, Arnold?” (Rarashik)
“Um, the skill which has a shallow history, can’t win against magic?” (Arnold)
“That’s a given. The Evila will be able to use magic that users will not be able to use. Compared to them our magic is inferior. (Rarashik)
“But shishou’s level of is different, right?” (Arnold)
“Well, I’m the one who thought of it after all. After me would probably be…just the king.” (Rarashik)
“Wait a minute! What about the “Three Beast Saints”?” (Arnold)
(Nn? The three beast-saints?)
Hearing an interesting word appear, Hiiro raised his eyebrows.
“Isn’t it obvious? They’re all just snotty nosed brats if you ask me.” (Rarashik)
“Snot nosed…you know that they’re very influential people of this kingdom…”
Hou~ Hiiro felt something click as he gained an understanding due to Arnold’s words.
(Even among the Gabranth, there are people who are classified as being in the top class…huh? The Three Beast Saints? If presumably there is only 3 of them, that’s not a very notable amount)
It seemed that, according to Arnold, the three-beast saints were ranked next to king in terms of combat ability and influence. In Rarashik’s eyes, however, she seemed to have deemed them as ‘snot nosed brats’.
“Well, leaving out the whole snotty brats thing, the number of people that can bring out the true power of the skill besides me is only 1. Incidentally, they’re one of the people that are heading off to war. Do you really think those amateurs who take the lead in this war will stand a chance against the Evila?” (Rarashik)
Arnold was left unable to reject those words. From first hand experience, he can attest to the skill’s strength. However, he also knew that he wasn’t able to realize the skill’s full potential. If you apply Arnold’s situation to Rarashik’s explanation, the obvious conclusion drawn is that all the beastmen are unable to fully utilise the skill.
Those handicapped Gabranth are going to fight the Evila, who have studied and compiled their knowledge of magic, to the point of being able to use their magic like their own limbs. What Rarashik is try to convey is that it is correct to assume that the Gabranth will not be able to stand a chance against the Evila.
“It’s too soon. It’s way too soon to be stirring up trouble with them.” (Arnold)
Putting her hands in her white lab coat’s pockets, Rarashik let exasperated.
“So, you tried to stop them, Shishou?” (Arnold)
“If I was talking to people that listened then maybe I could have convinced them…It’s just that everyone was so enthusiastic about being able to use magic with the skill for the first time. There will always be someone stronger no matter how strong you get.” (Rarashik)
“To think that shishou’s words couldn’t stop them…” (Arnold)
“Well, to them, I’m just a former martial arts teacher. I don’t have that much authority in the first place. If I had some achievements under my belt like my damn father, perhaps they may have heeded my warnings.”
“Is that so…? No, I think what shishou has achieved so far is definitely something worth respecting.” (Arnold)
The ability to bring out the Gabranth hidden potential by using the skill is already a great feat. However, in Rarashik’s eyes, something of that level was probably not what she would consider an accomplishment.
“In any case, this is a war. It’d be nice if we are able to return from it without experiencing something tragic…” (Rarashik)
True, this was not a measly quarrel. This is for the Gabranth to measure the power of the Evlia, to find their own weaknesses and learn something from it. There is a high probability that they will experience something painful before retreating to safety.
“Sadly, the Gabranth are simple and naive. There is a possibility that they may get wiped out.” (Rarashik)
“N-no way…” (Muir)
Muir voiced her dismay as her face grew pale. If the Gabranth army was annihilated, there is a high chance that the end of the Gabranth would draw closer. Even if Evila retreated, there is a chance that the Humas would take the opportunity to invade.
In the event that they do invade, the Gabranth would be enslaved by the Humas. Realizing this, both Muir and Arnold felt a shiver run down their spine.
Arnold and Muir knew all too well that the true horror of the Humas wasn’t their strength or their magic prowess, but their desire for domination, control, and greed. It is because of this that a future enslavement to them had to be prevented at all cost.
“I-is there nothing we can do?” (Muir)
“Didn’t I say it before? All we can do is let things run their course.” (Rarashik)
“Y-yes, but…” (Muir)
“Or what? Do you plan on joining the war effort in order to prevent enslavement? With those puny arms?” (Rarashik)
Even though Rarashik’s words were harsh, they were indisputably correct. No matter what he would do, the situation would remain unchanged. Involvement in the war effort would only bring about several more corpses of Evila soldiers. Worst case, it would only increase the number of Gabranth bodies.
Seeing Arnold clenching his teeth, Rarashik could only spit out sigh.
“Well, we won’t be able to completely stop the flames of war, but in theory, we can delay the opening spark.” (Rarashik)
“R-really!?” (Arnold)
Arnold tried to think of a method to delay the war, but he was unable to come up with anything. He had given up and thought that there might be no way to do something like that.
“Kind of. If it works, both sides will stay put.” (Rarashik)
“What method is it?” (Muir)
“Didn’t I say? This is only a theory?” (Rarashik)
“Eh?” (Muir)
“It seems that neither side is likely to benefit from it. And even then, we need to find someone capable of doing it…” (Rarashik)
Arnold brought his hand to his chin, tilting his neck as he stared at Rarashik.
“E-exactly what kind of method is this?” (Arnold)
“…hmm? I think that boya over there already knows, right?” (Rarashik)
Saying this, Rarashik’s casually gaze laid upon Hiiro’s reflection. He held his arms crossed over his chest in an uninterested manner, however, after being spoken to, Hiiro turned his gaze towards Rarashik. Facing her, he spoke.
“Aa.” (Hiiro)
Hearing Hiiro’s expression of affirmation, Muir and Arnold’s jaws dropped in disbelief.
“Hou~” (Rarashik)
Rarashik grinned in admiration.
‘Oi Hiiro? Are you serious?” (Arnold)
“Yeah, although I’m beginning to wonder how much of that you understood. Were you asleep the whole time, old man?” (Hiiro)
“Nahahahaha! To be treated like that by someone younger than you, you should be ashamed, Arnold!” (Rarashik)
“Gununununu….Argh, whatever!I don’t care anymore! Tell me already!” (Arnold)
As Hiiro noticed Muir’s curious, glittering eyes staring at him as if pleading him to teach her what he had realized, ‘ha~’ Hiiro could only sigh.
“Why don’t you say it bo-ya? I want to see if you’ve actually got the right idea.” (Rarashik)
Seeing Rarashik’s playful smile that felt like she was testing him, Hiiro felt pissed. However, even if he remained silent, the other two’s stares started to become a nuisance. Therefore, Hiiro reluctantly began his explanation.
“…ha~Listen carefully, got it. That method is….” (Hiiro)