The bishop Tristan told Marlefiss that she was expelled because the party she belonged to only caused failures and violence, and its leader was wanted for justice. Marlefiss replied that she had nothing to do with the matter—it wasn’t her fault. She admitted that she might have gone too far when she cast a lightning spell in a restaurant in the royal capital, but claimed it was punishment for being served food that looked like pig slop.
Tristan told her to stop talking and explained that her actions had stained the reputation of the Church of Bolan. Marlefiss thought to herself that she had done more than anyone to raise the Church’s status by joining common adventurers and performing miracles. Tristan then said they truly valued her magical abilities and asked her to carry out a simple task. If she agreed, they would overlook her minor sins and promote her to priestess.
He then offered her wine from the Guromako Empire—an enemy of Bolan—but praised its taste. After drinking it, Marlefiss told him, “Ask what you want.” Tristan then revealed they wanted her to help assassinate the third princess, Liselotte—something that shocked her deeply.
Afterward, a curse manifested in Marlefiss’s body. Tristan coldly informed her that the wine was cursed: she could no longer consume anything except water and would die of starvation within a month unless she completed her mission. If she succeeded, she would be cured and promoted. Marlefiss solemnly declared she would offer her life to him. Tristan replied, “That’s good, future priestess,” and moved on to their hideout in the new city.
Meanwhile, Yulishia thought to herself that there had been no new changes in Liselotte’s condition since Crow had removed the curse. She wondered if the enemies hadn’t found Liselotte’s location yet—or if there was another reason they hadn’t struck.
Liselotte complimented Crow’s food, calling it as delicious as ever. Crow said there was more if she wanted, and she eagerly accepted. Yulishia silently questioned whether Crow’s cooking was actually nullifying curses without them realizing it, then dismissed the idea.
Elsewhere, Mimiko arrived in the city and activated her surveillance network to detect enemy movement. When Yulishia tasted Crow’s food, she was stunned by its flavor. Liselotte then commented that the cake’s texture was different than usual. Crow revealed he had tried making it with rice flour that day. She praised his rice flour dishes and reminisced about the rice porridge he had made her before. She asked him to make it again if she were ever cursed.
Crow smiled and said he was glad she liked it, but not to worry about being cursed again. This surprised both Yulishia and Liselotte. Yulishia asked, “How can you say that with certainty? I thought you told us it was difficult to create a curse barrier.” Crow explained that he couldn’t create a barrier—but the entire palace was already one. He said he’d made a modification: if anyone attempted to cast a curse, the barrier would repel them and make them turn away. If they still forced the attack, they would be cursed instead.
Yulishia asked, “Accidentally cursed?” and thought she should inform Mimiko and the others. She told them she would be going out for a bit. Later, Crow asked Liselotte if she wanted to go shopping, noting that she hadn’t stepped out of the workshop since she arrived. She said, “Of course,” but soon apologized, saying she couldn’t go out that day.
At the castle, Generic remarked to Eric that the fog was getting thicker. Eric replied, “Generic, isn’t it?” and said he had a bad feeling. Generic asked if he meant a monster attack. Eric said the wall repairs were supposed to be finished—he had supervised the work himself. Alreid noted that, considering the city’s importance, they had no choice. They were worried about enemy spies posing as workers. Generic assured him there was no such threat, as the walls were properly reinforced.
We then see a villain trying to curse Liselotte, but he’s struck down by Crow’s barrier. Mimiko commented that this was the state they were in when found. Ophelia said she believed they had failed to cast the curse and were marked by the light as soon as they tried. The enemy’s allies killed him immediately afterward. Yulishia noted that the corpses still glowed, even after death.
Ophelia said that Crow had created a powerful curse reflector, and wondered aloud: if he cooperated with them permanently, couldn’t they solve the whole problem in a single day? Yulishia replied, “Please don’t do this. I know it’s a bit late to say this after involving him this much already, but I don’t want to throw this boy into such great danger.”
Mimiko said she would handle the rest of the investigation herself and asked Yulishia to tell Liselotte not to leave the workshop. She also promised to have Phantom guard the place. Just then, they heard the war alarm.
We moved to Eric, who was informed by a guard that a large number of monsters had appeared. Alreid ordered the area lit up and discovered a horde of skeletons attacking. Meanwhile, Mimiko reported the attack to the others. Yulishia exclaimed, “This is unbelievable,” and asked, “Are they tracking Liselotte?”
We then moved to Alreid and Janeric. Alreid gathered the soldiers and declared he would defend the country to the death. He told Janeric to evacuate the citizens. Janeric replied that he would also fight, saying they could rush the enemy directly and concentrate their forces to eliminate the threat. Alreid asked, “What will you do if there’s another enemy waiting to strike? Go protect the people.”
Back with Yulishia, she said she was going to protect the workshop. But one of Mimiko’s assistants arrived with a message that a large horde of skeletons was approaching the western wall and then vanishing. The skeletons then passed through the wall effortlessly, shocking Eric.
Yulishia muttered, “The back wall…” and recalled a worker mentioning that Crow had repaired that section. The info reached Generic, and Eric asked, “What’s happening to this wall?” Then he wondered if the cause could be Crow.
We moved to Leida, who was being held captive with a devil. The devil told her that although the first wave of skeletons was lost, the second and third waves would use her magic power to be summoned. He said she didn’t have as much magic as the “Golden Barrel” had claimed, but using her soul as fuel would make up the difference—causing Leida to cry.
Back at the workshop, Crow asked about the current state of the city. Yulishia told him it was surrounded by monsters on all sides and that requesting reinforcements would prompt interference from flying monsters. Liselotte said she was worried about everyone from Sakura, who were still missing after leaving to hunt trolls.
Yulishia thought to herself: according to Phantom’s information, the monsters were emerging from the ruins of Lapuda in the west. Although the knights were preparing strategies, they couldn’t move. “John, be very careful,” she said.
Liselotte recalled the skeleton attack from the previous day. Yulishia explained that the moment the skeletons touched the wall, they instantly vanished, surprising even the knights. Crow commented, “That’s very common.” Liselotte asked, “Then can we make a weapon that defeats all the undead at once?”
Yulishia silently noted that although Crow made these walls, if the enemy attacked the other walls he hadn’t reinforced, they wouldn’t hold. She then told Crow and Liselotte that she was leaving and asked them not to leave the workshop. Liselotte asked where she was going, and Yulishia answered, “I’m going to clean up the ruins in the west.”
Crow said, “Then let me come with you.” She refused, warning that it was too dangerous with so many monsters outside. He agreed, saying, “You’re right,” and added that he wasn’t meant for combat. As she prepared to leave, Yulishia whispered to Crow, “We still have that plan—let’s keep it in mind.” She asked him to stay with Liselotte. He agreed, which made Liselotte happy.
Yulishia then headed to the crystals and said, “This is the solution.”
Meanwhile, the knights were preparing for battle. Yulishia joined them and asked, “Are you still holding up?” Eric noted that she had moved to the new workshop and asked about the two people with her. Yulishia introduced them as Mimiko and Ophelia.
Generic asked, “Is this the woman who recommended the new artisan?” Alreid followed up, “So this is the workshop that the new princess went to?”
Yulishia confirmed, “Of course. Princess Liselotte is in this city.” Everyone was shocked. They declared, “Then assign the soldiers to protect the princess.”
Mimiko assured Alreid, “Don’t worry about the princess. My squad is protecting her.”
Finally, Yulishia revealed her plan: she asked Alreid to use his soldiers as bait to lure the monsters’ attention. While they were distracted, she would head to the western ruins and cut off the source of the monsters.
Alaric said to Yulishia, “Are you going alone? I think that’s too reckless.”
Yulishia replied, “Don’t worry. We have a magic weapon.”
Alaric asked, “Just a magic crystal?”
Ophelia assured him, “Its effectiveness is guaranteed.”
Alaric agreed, but with one condition — he would go with her to storm the ruins.
Yulishia said, “You, the general, are coming? I guess that does make me safer,” and explained that Janeric would lead the army and act as a distraction while she and Alaric struck at the enemy headquarters.
Janeric objected, “This mission is too dangerous. We should be the ones going instead.”
Alaric insisted, “You’ll act as bait. This is a critical mission. If you don’t lead the troops, who will?”
He also requested support from Mimiko and Ophelia.
Mimiko replied, “We’ll help protect the city too.”
Alaric then commanded, “All units, to your positions.”
Turning to Janeric, he said, “Are you upset? My strategy won’t change.”
Janeric replied, “You’re always like this,” and poured drinks for both of them.
Alaric sipped his drink. “This has a taste to it.”
Janeric told him, “It’s just water. This is our pre-battle ritual. We’ve always done this. But this isn’t our farewell cup — we’ll both survive and return home. Then, we’ll pour your favorite brandy.”
Alaric smiled. “Of course.” He poured his cup.
Back at the workshop, Crow was doing housework and reflected:
“The old man from my hometown always said: ‘Pouring your heart into the ways of iron lets you reflect on yourself.’
Danzo’s blade had such an edge… I wonder if I’ll ever forge something like that.”
He sighed.
“What can I even do? I got the first group kicked out… and I wasn’t helpful in the battle either.”
Meanwhile, monsters were trying to invade the city from the side opposite the defenders.
Yulishia held up a crystal and warned, “When I throw this crystal—close your eyes.”
As she threw it, a blinding light burst out and vaporized a group of skeletons on impact, astonishing everyone.
On the surface, Mimiko observed,
“That magic crystal can purify monsters, demons, and undead instantly.”
Ophelia added,
“I can’t believe it’s this powerful…”
Yulishia urged,
“Let’s move—this is our chance.”
Then Janeric led his squad out of the city to draw the monsters’ attention.
Back with Crow, he was crafting a small sword.
“I thought my blacksmith rank was B… but this is more like C or D.”
Then Liselotte entered and said,
“Dinner’s ready.”
Noticing the sword, she asked,
“Did you make this?”
Crow replied,
“Yeah… I was absent-minded and ended up imbuing it with magic.”
Liselotte asked,
“Can I see it?”
He handed it over.
“Sure. Just don’t raise it above your head—it’ll activate its spell. But if you like it, you can keep it.”
She smiled,
“Thank you, Crow.”
Crow thought to himself,
“She’s forcing that smile… Is it really okay for me to keep pretending I don’t notice how she feels?”
He turned to her,
“Liselotte, I want to ask you something.”
She responded,
“Of course, anything.”
He asked,
“Is someone after you?”
She grew quiet, then admitted,
“So you realized… I feel guilty. You and Yulishia are in danger because of me.”
Crow said gently,
“I don’t consider it a problem—not at all. And I doubt Yulishia does either.”
Liselotte replied,
“But even now, she’s risking her life to reach the ruins…”
Crow asked,
“Is the one targeting you there?”
She nodded,
“Yes.”
He remembered something from his past—Glennov writing on the walls, and how he tried to stop him.
“Don’t stop me! I’m writing ‘Glennov the Great’ here!”
Until Marlvis knocked him down and stopped it.
He returned to the present, saying,
“That ruins site… It’s always drawn schemers and people who like to leave marks. I think the one after you is one of them—and I think Yulishia went to deal with them.”
Sitting on the ground, Crow murmured,
“If I could fight… I would’ve protected you… But I can’t protect someone dear to me…”
Liselotte, shocked, asked,
“Am I… dear to you?”
Crow answered,
“Of course. You, and everyone in Sakura.”
She smiled.
“So that’s what you meant.”
He clenched his fists.
“I can’t believe all I can do is sit and wait.”
Liselotte said,
“I feel the same way… If it were up to me, I’d catch the culprit myself.”
Crow looked at her.
“Then you’re like me. But we can’t just sit here anymore.”
He stood up.
“Let’s go.”
Liselotte hesitated,
“But… the city is surrounded by monsters…”
Crow grinned,
“If the eight directions don’t work—we’ll take the ninth. Let’s go clean up those ruins in the west.”
Meanwhile, in the western ruins, Yulishia and her group were under heavy assault—surrounded by monsters from every direction
Lisa grabbed the blade that Crow made and remembered his words: if she pulled it out and raised it upwards, it would cast a spell. Lisa did exactly that, but nothing happened. She moved it around several times, still with no result. As she was about to go outside, someone came up behind her, startling her.
Meanwhile, we shift to Yulishia and Eric in the western ruins, fighting off skeletons. Yulishia asked about the location of the artifacts, and Eric told her they were close. Yulishia thought to herself, “There are a lot of them,” but thankfully, Janeric diverted the monsters’ attention. She added, “I saw a strong light several times—I think their crystals are starting to run out.” She also mentioned that her own crystals were depleting and they needed to find the monster source quickly.
Alreid was injured, and Yulishia tried to help him, but monsters blocked her path. Fortunately, Kans and his team arrived to defend them, making Yulishia feel relieved. Alreid asked, “Who are you?” and was told, “We are followers of the new craftsman trainer in the workshop.” Everyone was glad to hear that.
Sina reported that she had found the monster source: a building ahead, partially destroyed, with the monsters likely inside or underground. Yulishia acknowledged and asked everyone to close their eyes while she used the crystal. They then advanced toward the building. Kans told Sina, “You were able to spot it from afar, that’s good.” She replied, “I know I said I wouldn’t be surprised anymore, but this is impossible.”
Yulishia threw a potion to Eric and told him to drink it. Alreid asked, “Is this a refreshing drink?” to which Yulishia replied, “It’s just a normal herbal drink.” But as Alreid’s wounds started healing, he was shocked. “My wounds are healing, and you’re saying this is just normal soup?”
Monsters suddenly poured out of the building. As Yulishia prepared to face them, Kans stopped her, saying his team would handle it. Danzou also declared they would repel the enemy and led the charge. Sina warned Yulishia to be careful. Yulishia thanked her, saying, “You too, and thank you.” Alreid told Yulishia he believed they could be relied upon. She answered, “Of course,” and asked him to join the fight. They entered the building and eliminated a group of monsters.
Elsewhere, a large monster was draining Malivus’ power to spawn more monsters. Upon noticing the soldiers using magic crystals, it said, “Then I must go and welcome them myself.”
Back with Yulishia and Alreid, they reached the monster source. Yulishia used a crystal and declared they had likely eliminated the source. But then the Demon Lord appeared. Alreid asked, “Is this who was summoning the monsters?” Yulishia confirmed and attacked, throwing the crystal—but it had no effect. The Demon Lord scoffed, “This could’ve been a powerful blow if I didn’t have eternal life.”
They attacked and wounded him, but his injuries healed instantly, shocking them. Malivus, whose power fueled him, muttered, “If only I could erase this circle…”
The Demon Lord taunted Yulishia and Eric, showing their allies surrounded by monsters. He said the soldiers were ready to die for the city and believed in their cause. Eric retorted that none of them would kneel before a demon. The Demon Lord replied, “Okay, maybe I didn’t send enough monsters,” and decided to spawn more.
Yulishia and Alreid attacked him again, cutting off his head—but he simply reattached it. He vowed to kill all the knights and tear Malivus from the town. Alreid told Yulishia to focus, that killing the demon was the only way. But Yulishia wondered, “We cut off his head and heart, but he wasn’t even hurt. Crystals don’t affect him…”
The Demon Lord taunted her: “That look… give up and despair.”
Meanwhile, Malivus lamented, “It’s over. I can’t erase the circle, and my hunger has reached its limit. I’d eat anything… even Crow’s food.” She hallucinated hearing Crow’s voice—and then he appeared, along with Princess Lisa. Shocked, Malivus asked if he remembered her. Crow said she had once helped him and called her a former sister expelled from the Church of Bulan.
He asked, “Is this why you were chasing Lisa?” She accused him of pretending to be ignorant, blaming everything on Bishop Tristan. Crow realized she had defaced walls, left disturbing books among artifacts, and wrote in Lisa’s room out of frustration. He couldn’t believe she was behind everything. “What happened to the Malivus who helped me stop Golnova?”
Lisa said, “I can’t believe you’re angry at me,” and Crow replied, “Of course I’m angry—I exposed you to such a terrifying Grant.” He then asked about Yulishia, learning she was upstairs. Lisa offered to find her, reminding Crow she had the blade. He reluctantly agreed.
Malivus found it odd that Crow let Lisa go alone. Crow then erased the summoning circle, shocking Malivus.
Back to the battle: Yulishia and Alreid landed another double strike. Alreid said, “He avoided it!” The Demon Lord cursed, and Yulishia noticed his wound wasn’t healing. But he knocked away her crystal and mocked her.
Suddenly, Lisa appeared, surprising everyone. The Demon Lord struck her unconscious and gloated that the pact was complete. But Lisa transformed into butterflies and reappeared. He asked, “Is this an illusion?” She explained that the blade Crow made protected her—it was no ordinary sword. Yulishia wondered if Crow had truly made it.
Lisa was struck again but transformed once more and shattered a crystal, making the Demon Lord scream. Crow, hearing the cry, wondered what it was. Malivus asked if they had really defeated him. She observed that monsters across all areas disappeared.
Yulishia asked Lisa why she came—she had told her to stay. Lisa replied that she couldn’t hide forever. Yulishia thought she had died. Lisa apologized, but Yulishia told her not to—she had saved everyone. Eric agreed, saying without Lisa, they’d be dead and that he owed her forever. Lisa humbly said she should thank them instead and promised a reward. Alreid requested wine to share with his friends. Lisa agreed.
Elsewhere, Malivus wondered why her curse hadn’t lifted. But Crow offered her food, and when she ate it, the curse lifted. She realized Crow had been protecting them all along and wept in regret for taking his kindness for granted. Crow said, “I’m glad you learned,” and noted that all the scribbles were now gone.
Yulishia and Lisa arrived. Two twins appeared to arrest Malivus, calling her the schemer. Crow promised to bring her grape bread in prison and hoped she’d repent. Lisa asked if he had finished cleaning, and he said yes. She asked if he was hurt, and he said no, giving Yulishia medicine as well. Yulishia thought to herself, “I can’t believe these two saved my life—what a princess and artisan teacher.”
Yulishia grabbed Crow and said, “Let’s go home.” He walked with them, happy to now have friends to return to and protect.
Later, a feast was held. Crow was surprised at how everyone ate. Alreid explained, “They’re focused on the food and wine,” making Crow smile.
Lisa introduced Crow to Alreid, revealing he was the knight leader and city administrator. Crow was surprised and complimented the city’s good food and people. Generic joked that Alreid was bad at management, earning a playful hit from Eric, who said Margrave Taicone helped cover for his shortcomings.
Fireworks exploded in celebration. Generic and Eric said their wounds were healed. Crow replied, “That’s good—nutritious food heals all.”
Finally, we cut to Margrave Taicone, seen holding a girl captive.
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