I must have looked utterly lost because Yuri let out a frustrated sigh and said, “Of course the magical contract is black magic. What’s so confusing about that? The Border Defense Army is the army. Food is edible. Life is hard for those of us who struggle. How is this any different?”
Yuri took Altair’s statement as an obvious truth, something not worth even debating.
‘Wait... what?’
As I puzzled over the difference in how Yuri and I were processing Altair’s words, a realization hit me.
“Wait... does that mean all magic in this world is black magic?”
Yuri tilted her head, giving me a look like I’d just asked if the sky was blue. “What other kind of magic is there?”
...Ah, so that’s how it is.
This world doesn’t have the type of magic I’d considered “normal”—like teleportation or the manipulation of the four elements. The only mystical power that exists here is black magic.
‘That explains why Yuri didn’t even know what a mage tower was when I mentioned it before.’
It wasn’t just mage towers. Magic itself didn’t exist in this world as I knew it. Damn it, so there’s no chance of encountering a genius, eccentric male lead who’s secretly a grand mage.
Realizing that the magical contract was also black magic only deepened the negative impression I’d had ever since hearing about how black magicians exploited young Arkons.
While I was lost in thought, Altair placed a calming hand on Yuri’s shoulder and said, “Yeah, of course the magical contract is black magic. Sure, it’s funny that the nation banned black magic and then went on to use it, but at the end of the day, the empire did use it. Which means we can deduce one thing...”
“And what’s that?” Yuri asked.
“The cost of casting such large-scale black magic must be continually paid somewhere.”
That was something I already knew.
‘Every black magic spell comes with a price or side effect.’
Take me, for example—I had to give up my name from my original world just to recall memories of the novel.
“So, what do you think the price or side effect might be?” Altair asked us.
“I have no idea...”
“How would we know that?”
We both answered with variations of "I don’t know," waiting for Altair to reveal the answer. Instead, he grinned mischievously and said, “Obviously, I don’t know either!”
“...Are you kidding me?”
“Come on, if even the higher-ups don’t know, how would I?”
Yuri squinted at him irritably, but Altair just laughed in his usual carefree way.
“So, the conclusion is this: if April really is planning to commit the thing that must not be named, then figuring out the cost or side effect of this magical contract is critical. Something must already be happening, and we’re just not aware of it.”
“Hm...”
This was something that had never been mentioned in the original novel.
Then again, Dalin, the original protagonist, never cared whether the world was a military dystopia or an apocalyptic wasteland. She would thrive no matter where she was dropped.
‘So that’s why April joined the Black Magic Special Forces.’
The Special Forces would undoubtedly have the most extensive knowledge about black magic. After all, to eradicate something, you first have to understand it. Just like we memorize information about monsters, the Black Magic Special Forces must have studied black magic extensively.
April must’ve joined them to uncover information about the magical contract.
‘When did she even have the time to come up with a plan like that in this survivalist hellhole of a military?’
While I was deep in thought, Yuri didn’t seem interested in the discussion about the magical contract and began chatting with Altair about their post-discharge plans. Sensing an opportunity, I decided it was time to make my escape.
Isina, who had been standing there with a blanket for far too long, seemed to share my sentiment. When I gave him a subtle glance, he naturally followed me as we slipped away from Altair and Yuri.
As we walked side by side, Isina glanced at me and asked, “Salvia, you seem to be taking a big interest in black magic lately. Is it just me?”
“Uh... that won’t be happening anymore. I was just curious for a bit.”
After all, I wouldn’t be using any more black magic artifacts.
‘Yeah... whatever happens in this world isn’t my problem.’
For now, I just need to focus on getting discharged from this godforsaken place.
And if April somehow manages to commit the thing that must not be named and breaks the magical contract, I’ll gladly bow to her 108 times.
***
The seventh hour of the fairy swarm attack.
The sky, previously obscured by the endless fluttering of wings, was finally starting to show through.
I had been hoping to relax in the barracks during the chaos, maybe sneak in some downtime. But of course, the military had no intention of letting me have such a luxury.
The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.
“Hey! Isn’t there a gap over there?”
“Block it before anything gets in!”
Our job was to inspect every potential entry point to make sure the fairies didn’t get inside. Even after we thought we’d sealed everything, those little pests would find their way through the tiniest gaps, and we’d have to scramble to patch things up again.
“Looks like it’s almost over...”
I was standing in the hallway, gazing wistfully at the patch of sky visible beyond the windows, when I noticed Milphy sprinting toward me, looking panicked.
“What’s going on?”
When I called out, Milphy froze, startled, and quickly bowed before answering.
“Uh, Dory accidentally opened the supply room window, and now it’s full of fairies. The recruits are trying to clean it up, but...”
“Ah...”
If they didn’t manage to clean it up, the whole unit would face collective punishment. Knowing this, I followed Milphy to the supply room.
When we arrived, Benny and Jason were already standing by the door, looking miserable. Isina was also there, observing the situation.
“Salvia?”
“Ah, Isina. I just came to see if they’ll be able to handle this properly.”
I glanced at Jason, who was standing in front of the supply room door, taking deep breaths to steel himself.
“Is Jason handling it alone?”
“Dory nearly passed out but managed to escape. The window is still open, and the fairies need to be cleared out, but no one else wants to go in...”
In other words, Jason, as the lowest-ranking recruit, was the unlucky victim. It probably hadn’t even occurred to the others to volunteer—they’d likely just push all responsibility onto him.
“What about Sanchez? I thought bugs didn’t scare him.”
Benny answered for him.
“He doesn’t seem interested in helping.”
Ah, so even Benny had adopted the “not my problem” attitude. Those with even a sliver of seniority always seemed to push the grunt work onto the rookies. Typical military hierarchy nonsense.
I couldn’t help but feel pity for Jason, who looked like he was marching to his doom. How could someone’s luck be this abysmal?
‘That kid should see a shaman with Taro for a cleansing ritual.’
“So... all I have to do is kill and clear out the fairies inside, right?” Jason asked, his voice trembling.
Isina responded kindly, though her words offered no comfort.
“No. First, you’ll need to count how many fairies are in there. Normally, it’s too dangerous to use, but if there are over fifty, you’re allowed to use the flamethrower.”
“...So I have to count the bugs one by one?”
“Yep, that’s right.”
...Only Isina could deliver such bad news in such a polite tone.
Seriously, what kind of absurd bureaucracy is this? Counting bugs before using a flamethrower? Absolutely peak Border Defense Army inefficiency.
As Jason sank further into despair, inspiration struck me.
‘That’s it!’
Just like in the original novel, I needed Jason to get closer to Patty and Matty. This was the perfect opportunity to make that happen.
“Milphy, go get Patty and Matty!”
“...Are you serious?”
“Are you questioning me right now?”
“N-No, I’ll be right back!”
Ever the obedient errand runner, Milphy disappeared in a flash. Moments later, he returned with Patty and Matty in tow.
“Salvia!”
“What’s the matter?”
Wow, they were already finishing each other’s sentences. No, focus, now wasn’t the time to be impressed.
“Patty, Matty, listen up.”
I put on a solemn expression as I addressed them.
“The supply room is full of fairies. We need to handle this.”
“Ah! We’ll take care of it!”
“We’ll go right now!”
“...Don’t interrupt me, you little brats.”
As expected, they were hard to manage.
“Here’s what you need to do. First, count how many fairies are inside and report back. Second, if there are more than fifty, use the flamethrower. If there are fewer than fifty, take care of them manually.”
Most people assumed Patty and Matty would just cause more trouble, but I knew better. This task was perfect for them, just like in the original story. It was no wonder Jason would eventually grow to appreciate them.
“Patty, you’ll count the fairies. Matty, you’ll deal with them. Got it?”
“Yes, understood!”
“We’ll get it done!”
As Patty and Matty enthusiastically reached for the supply room door, Jason finally snapped out of his stupor and shouted.
“Salvia! Are you serious? Are you really sending them in there?”
Jason gripped the doorknob tightly, his eyes wide with panic.
“Didn’t you hear me? The room is full of fairies! What if they mess up and let them all out? Get them out of here!”
Considering Patty and Matty’s track record, his concerns weren’t unwarranted. If they messed up, the fairies could spill out into the entire hallway.
But everyone has their talents, and Patty and Matty were no exception.
“Jason, trust me on this.”
“But—”
“...Do you need a little violence and fear to help you trust me?”
“...No, ma’am. I’ll trust you.”
Jason reluctantly stepped aside, releasing his grip on the door. Violence and fear really were the Border Defense Army’s ultimate problem-solvers.
“We’ll handle these bugs!”
“Wait for us, Jason!”
With cheerful voices, Patty and Matty entered the supply room. Fortunately, they didn’t fling the door open and let the fairies escape into the hallway.
“Ah... no...”
Jason slumped to the floor, staring blankly at the closed door, too terrified to even open it again.
But then, something incredible happened.