Chapter 2: A Song for Me
A talisman floated in the air, spinning rapidly and emitting a blinding light. As the brilliance subsided and I opened my eyes, there she was—
“Sena…”
She stood protectively in front of Mika and the others, but something about her presence felt off.
“What’s happening?! A ghost?! No, something even more—”
Saintess Mika shouted in response to the sudden threat. Just as she had mentioned “ghost,” Sena’s form was translucent enough to see through.
“Son-in-law, this is a talisman crafted by Sena. It activates when something happens to the Master.”
“Talisman—”
“Yes. The Sena before us is, in a sense, a shikigami sent by her—a sort of clone of Sena.”
As Sensei explained, Mika and the others took their stances.
“I can feel a power that far surpasses any ghost. It’s likely a spirit or something similar.”
“How could something like that be here?!”
“I don’t know. However, it’s clear that she is an ally of Yamada the Holy Knight and a foe to the Hero-sama and us.”
“Ah, so she’s been hanging out with spirits after running away? That’s not a funny joke.”
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I was indeed “hanging out” with her. I wouldn’t deny that.
“Silence is affirmation. You’re not denying it, are you?”
Yes, that’s correct.
“To think you’re involved with a spirit… That’s just too abnormal.”
What are you blushing for, you idiot? There’s no way I’m involved with a spirit! I have the real, cuter Sena right here! Seriously, your imagination is too wild, you idiot! And don’t make me say she’s cute, you idiot, idiot, idiot!
Ignoring my inner turmoil, the talisman, 《式符セナ》, began to move. She demonstrated powerful yet fluid techniques—thrusts, kicks, slashes, and parries—as if performing a dance. Her clothing sliced through the air, creating a series of sharp sounds, “whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.” Finally, she bounced twice on the spot and provocatively beckoned the three in front of her.
Her movements were unmistakably those of a master.
“So, you intend to stand in our way? Very well, Angelica, Eris, let’s do this.”
In response to Saintess Mika, the two spread out and assumed combat stances.
“《疑似上級火魔法（イミテイションエレメンタルマジック）》!”
Angelica was the one to initiate.
“《フレイムストライク》!”
In response to her surprisingly brief incantation, a massive fireball, towering over me, appeared and hurtled toward 《式符セナ》 at high speed.
Without a hint of panic, 《式符セナ》 lightly waved her arm. In response, part of her clothing transformed, wrapping around her arm and hardening. With that arm, she sent the enormous fireball crashing back with a resounding “boom!”
“Unbelievable!!!”
What a showstopper!
Angelica shouted in shock at the astonishing turn of events. The massive fireball, now redirected, roared toward her with a thunderous “whoosh!”
“Ahhhhhh!!!”
Angelica screamed as she scrambled to escape—just as it seemed she would be hit, I rushed in and caught her, pulling her away from danger.
As I laid the unconscious Angelica down on the floor, the battle had already shifted. Eris was poised with her sword, cautiously measuring the distance. She had one sword strapped to each hip, like a twin swordsman. One was the Holy Sword, the incredibly sturdy blade I had once wielded, still sheathed. The other sword she held was undoubtedly 《是々の剣（アファマティブ）》.
Eris was sweating profusely. I understood; it’s not easy to move against a powerful opponent. Just then, Saintess Mika’s strong voice rang out.
“《還るべき処へ（ターン）───”
Holy light gathered in her hands, condensing.
“───お還りなさい（スピリット）》”
The dazzling light transformed into a beam aimed at 《式符セナ》.
“This is the end.”
Ah (I see). People refer to this as a flag being raised. After the light cleared, there stood 《式符セナ》, completely unharmed, tilting her head as if to say, “Did I do something?”
Yay! So cute!
“What… is this…?!”
Saintess Mika, steadily accumulating flags, was suddenly confronted as 《式符セナ》 leaped forward, closing the distance in the blink of an eye.
“That’s futile!!”
She had the strongest barrier, the Multi-layer Barrier. 《式符セナ》 struck the space—likely Mika’s barrier—with her fist like a hammer.
“I told you it’s futile!!”
As Mika spoke, 《式符セナ》 continued to pound the barrier with a second and third strike, “bang, bang!”
“It’s futile—”
Then, on the fourth strike, a high-pitched sound like breaking glass echoed as the first barrier shattered.
“—No way?!”
With the fifth, sixth, and seventh strikes, 《式符セナ》 relentlessly broke through all the barriers with nothing but her fists.
“No way…”
《式符セナ》 showed no signs of hesitation. She drew back her hand and struck Saintess Mika’s cheek, sending her spinning through the air with a force that was anything but a mere slap.
Seizing the opportunity, Eris lunged forward. However, 《式符セナ》 deftly dodged and, with her smaller frame, delivered an uppercut that struck Eris squarely on the jaw. Dazed, Eris was then grabbed by the face and slammed into the ground.
The three of them lay motionless. Sensei reassured, “Don’t worry. They’re not in any life-threatening danger,” but things were looking dire. It was a serious situation (my vocabulary is failing me).
《式符セナ》 floated closer to me, arms outstretched. This is—
“Thank you. You saved me.”
I expressed my gratitude and embraced her tightly, handling her as if she were a fragile object. She reached out and placed her hands on my back.
After a moment, as she nestled comfortably against my chest, she looked up at me. Standing on her tiptoes, she patted my head a few times, then smiled contentedly before vanishing, leaving only the talisman behind.
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