Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 109: Preparing to Hear Archduke Kharon’s Story
──Thor’s Perspective──
The “IC Recorder” is complete.
I worked pretty hard on it.
I conducted experiments together with Chancellor Kelve and confirmed its performance.
It didn’t yet match the version from the Heroes’ world, but this was the best I could do for now.
IC Recorder (Voice Recorder)
(Attribute: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Light, Dark)
(Rarity: ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★)
Activates magic using magic stones of all attributes.
The added water attribute allows recorded audio to be stored as vibrations.
The added wind attribute allows the recorded audio to circulate within the water magic stone.
The “IC Recorder” can record a target’s voice and reproduce it freely.
On the outside, it looks like a metal box, and inside is a miniature “Improved Body Pillow.”
By pouring the caster’s magical energy into the “Improved Body Pillow,” it creates a pseudo-state in which the caster is “present.”
When audio is played in that state, the magic is activated.
The owner only needs to touch the “IC Recorder” and think “play.”
It doesn’t matter if they’re talking to someone or even asleep.
The miniature body pillow inside the “IC Recorder” and the voice recorded in the magic stone activate the magic in place of the owner.
In other words, it’s as if there’s a substitute caster inside.
Only the person who recorded the chant can activate magic.
However, simply recording and playing back voice is possible for anyone.
It has playback abilities at double speed, 4x speed, and 8x speed.
Physical-destruction resistance: ★★★
(If the internal “Miniature Improved Body Pillow” is destroyed, it loses the ability to activate magic.)
Durability: Equivalent to the “Improved Body Pillow.”
Recording Time: 10 minutes
“So this is the completed ‘IC Recorder’…”
“The completed version has such impact…”
Mabel and Agnis stared at the “IC Recorder” with tense expressions.
Understandably so. Both of them already know the power of this item.
They were both present when Chancellor Kelve used the “IC Recorder” to fire off spells in rapid succession.
That was truly incredible.
Back then, because it hadn’t yet been miniaturized, Kelve used it while embracing the “Improved Body Pillow.”
At that time, the playback speed was only up to 4x, so it didn’t result in super high-speed chanting.
During the experiment, Kelve had a grim look on his face.
It was supposed to be an “IC Recorder capable of high-speed chanting,” but it only reached 4x speed.
Can’t blame him for being disappointed.
But thanks to that, the “IC Recorder” was completed.
Two units were completed. The one here is one of them.
The other was presented to Rukie.
They said they would gather high-ranking officials later for testing.
I’m looking forward to hearing their impressions.
The “IC Recorder” is about the length of an outstretched hand.
I also made a “Voice Recorder” that only records sound.
That one is about half the size of the “IC Recorder.”
“…It’s gotten so much smaller.”
Mabel let out an admiring sigh.
“The prototype was big enough to hug, but you managed to shrink it this much… That’s amazing, Thor-sama.”
“Not just the size, but the functions are amazing too!”
Agnis had an excited expression.
“To be able to record ten minutes of chanting—this could change the nature of magic warfare!”
“Yeah. For use in this world, ten minutes is more than enough…”
I opened the ‘Mail-Order Catalog.’
The recording time for the “IC Recorder” listed there was—
“But in the Heroes’ world, IC Recorders can record and play back as much as fifty hours.”
“Fifty hours!?”
Mabel and Agnis widened their eyes.
“B-but, Thor-sama,”
“There aren’t any spells in this world that take fifty hours to chant!”
I agree with that.
Yet IC Recorders capable of storing fifty hours of sound existed in the Heroes’ world.
Which implies—
“Perhaps the Heroes’ world had enormous spells requiring several hours of chanting.”
““──!?””
Yeah. That’s shocking.
I was also pretty surprised when I realized that.
The “IC Recorder” is an item capable of knocking out the Hero’s superior—the Great Hero.
And based on the example of the “Instant Caster,” it’s highly likely that this is an item meant for magical chanting.
From that, we could infer that intense battles between Heroes took place in their original world.
After all, even in this world, the Heroes from another world relentlessly sought strength.
So it wouldn’t be strange if they did the same in their homeland.
“Heroes were incredibly strong—so much that they overwhelmed the people of this world.”
I spoke.
“In battles between such heroes, I think the winner would be determined by who can unleash powerful techniques faster.”
“So that’s what the ‘IC Recorder’ is for.”
“…If it’s the Heroes’ world, it wouldn’t be strange for there to be enormous spells usable only there.”
Mabel and Agnis nodded.
I continued my explanation.
“In other words, the sixteen-times-speed playback function of an IC Recorder probably exists to activate such magic rapidly. Or perhaps such long incantations existed first, creating a need for the recorder.”
““I see!””
──Of course, this is just a hypothesis.
It was only a deduction based on accounts of the otherworldly Heroes who once lived here and the descriptions in the ‘Mail-Order Catalog.’
But if we assume the existence of such ultra-massive offensive spells, then the reasons for the “IC Recorder” having a 50-hour recording function and a 16x speed playback function become clear.
“However… Thor-sama. There’s something I don’t understand.”
Mabel murmured in a trembling voice.
“If it’s an extraordinarily powerful, enormous spell that takes several hours to chant, it must be terrifyingly destructive… probably enough to blow away an entire mountain. If spells like that were exchanged, would the Heroes’ world not be destroyed…?”
“That’s exactly why I think it’s the ‘IC Recorder.’”
“What do you mean, Thor-sama?”
“With this ‘IC Recorder,’ you can deploy ultra-powerful defensive magic at high speed.”
“──!?”
Mabel gasped.
“Y-You’re right. If there’s an ultra-powerful offensive magic that takes an hour to chant, there must be an ultra-powerful defensive magic that takes about the same amount of time to chant!”
“Perhaps the Heroes suppressed one another’s extraordinarily powerful magic by possessing the ‘IC Recorder.’”
Even ultra-powerful offensive magic that takes hours to chant becomes meaningless if the opponent activates ultra-powerful defensive magic.
It would only cause damage to the surroundings.
In reality, the ‘IC Recorder’ would only be used when one is prepared to accept such consequences.
Therefore──
“By possessing the deterrent of the ‘IC Recorder,’ the Heroes might have avoided large-scale conflicts. If a lower-ranked Hero used the ‘IC Recorder’ with the resolve to self-destruct, that Hero’s superiors would literally be knocked out.”
“…So that’s how it was.”
“…Higher-ranked heroes have more to lose…”
“The ‘IC Recorder’ might also have the effect of avoiding battles.”
What a terrifying item.
The Heroes’ world was even more overwhelming than I had imagined.
For a person like me, who has no combat ability, it’s definitely a place I can’t live in.
That’s why I can’t understand those who go as far as to perform ‘Hero Summoning.’
Sure, if you could hear about heroes from another world, the technological level of this world might rise—but the danger is too great.
What if right after summoning, the opponent suddenly does something like, “16x speed playback! Activating an IC Recorder packed with three hours’ worth of chanting!!”
The entire continent could be blown away. Really.
“Well, I think it’s fine to use the ‘IC Recorder’ in this world. There’s no ultra-powerful extreme magic that takes several hours to chant.”
“Y-Yes. Besides, there are no more heroes from other worlds.”
“That’s reassuring!”
We all let out a sigh of relief.
For now, I’ll tell Rukie about my thoughts.
Perhaps it could be included in Kelve’s “Oral Traditions of the Heroes, as Told by the Demon Lord’s Chancellor.”
While thinking about that, we were leisurely drinking tea──
“Alchemist! A message from Princess Sophia!”
“I hurried here. Please let me snuggle!”
The light-element winged pixie Soleil and the recently named wind-element winged pixie Sylph flew through the workshop window.
Soleil gently landed on the desk.
Sylph clung to my chest, rubbing her cheek against me.
“Sorry to keep you waiting! Soleil will deliver the message!”
“Calm down~ I love being this close~”
“This is a message from Princess Sophia.”
“After work, there’s nothing better than this. Snuggle~”
“…The message, please.”
“Fuwa~ It feels good~”
“…Message…”
Sylph looked relaxed while clinging to my chest.
Soleil watched her with a somewhat lonely expression.
Oh well.
“Okay. Soleil, you too.”
When I said that, Soleil gently settled on my shoulder.
She sat down shyly and cleared her throat.
“Th-Then, I’ll report.”
“Yes—”
“Princess Sophia said: ‘Regarding the matter we previously promised to discuss with Archduke Kharon, how about the afternoon after tomorrow?’”
“If it’s too late, you’ll have to stay overnight. The night road is also worrisome.”
“Alchemist, you may bring a guard.”
“But only the alchemist can listen to the story.”
“The guard will wait outside during that time.”
“They want both sides to refrain from bringing weapons to the meeting.”
“The safety of the alchemist will be guaranteed by Archduke Kharon, Princess Sophia, and Princess Liana.”
“If anyone tries to harm you, the three of them will beat the perpetrator up together.”
“Princess Sophia ended by saying, ‘I apologize for speaking so presumptuously, but please forgive me.’”
“She bowed deeply.”
“This message is from Imperial Princess Sophia Dorgalia.”
“Imperial Princess Liana Dorgalia shares her opinion.”
“That’s all.”
Saying so, Soleil and Sylph bowed.
Mabel, Agnis, and I all applauded.
“Thank you. Then the meeting will be the afternoon after tomorrow in Noza Town.”
It was finally happening.
I would finally learn why the Empire had become what it was and what it must never lose—the matters Archduke Kharon had promised to explain.
This was a rare opportunity. I wanted to hear the full story of what had happened in the old Empire.
“Please ask Princess Sophia to arrive in town around noon. The round trip is difficult for Soleil and the others, so perhaps another winged pixie could carry the reply.”
““Understood!””
“Soleil and Sylph, please take your time to rest. You’ve worked hard.”
“Yes, yes, yes. May I make a request?”
“I want to take a Fizzing Bath—”
“Got it. I’ll prepare it right away. I also have fruit water. It’s just water mixed with fruit juice. Do you want it warm or cold?”
““Cold!””
“I see. Mabel, could you please handle that?”
I handed the ‘IC Recorder’ to Mabel.
“Yes. Please wait a moment.”
Mabel brought a jug filled with fruit water from the kitchen.
She poured it into a wooden cup, then raised the “IC Recorder.”
And then—
“—Start refrigeration now!”
A voice came from the ‘IC Recorder’, and a wind mixed with ice was born.
The fruit water chilled.
“Amazing… Mabel.”
“It’s even faster than a winged pixie’s magic. I’m amazed…”
“A quick whoosh and fizzy coldness—”
Agnis, Soleil, and Sylph were all surprised.
What Mabel used was the water-element magic that produces cold air, called ‘Cold Breath’.
Normally, when chanting it—
“O great water spirit, please manifest here the refreshing breath of cold air! Cold Breath!!”
The incantation normally took about forty seconds.
Mabel played the recording at eight times normal speed.
It took 5 seconds. Still, the magic was cast.
Since the proper magical procedure had been followed, the result made sense.
The chant in the recording was clear and properly pronounced.
If Mabel pours her magical power into it, it’s impossible for it not to activate.
It’s just that she played the chant at eight times speed.
“…I’m surprised.”
“Yeah. Casting magic instantly is surprising.”
“No, I’m surprised that I accepted it normally thinking, ‘Because it’s Thor-sama’s item’…”
Mabel smiled with a troubled look.
I nodded at her, then looked over at Agnis.
“Agnis, could you please escort me when I go to Noza Town?”
“Y-yes. Gladly!”
“Good. Here, then.”
I handed the ‘IC Recorder’ to Agnis.
“I’ll entrust this to you, Agnis. I don’t think anything will happen, but… if you feel it’s dangerous, could you use it?”
“…Huh?”
Agnis tilted her head curiously.
“Agnis, you… ‘IC Recorder’?”
“That’s right. I realized while making it that this item might also help you.”
“Eh? Really?”
“Thor-sama? What do you mean?”
“Soleil doesn’t understand either.”
“Okay, okay! Sylph gets it! But I can’t put it into words!”
Agnis, Mabel, and Soleil looked puzzled.
Sylph raised her hand confidently. She claimed to understand, but couldn’t explain it. Really?
Anyway, I explained.
Why the ‘IC Recorder’ would be useful for Agnis.
How it would allow Agnis to switch between her two abilities—
And then, after a few minutes—
“By combining the ‘IC Recorder’ and the ‘Health-Boosting Pendant,’ I think you’ll be able to choose how to use your abilities.”
I finished explaining.
I had tried to make it as easy to understand as possible, but had I succeeded?
Mabel nodded with complete conviction.
Soleil waved her arms excitedly. She seemed thrilled.
Sylph seemed to have grown bored and curled against my chest to sleep. How carefree.
And Agnis—
“…Thor Canaan-sama.”
Suddenly, she approached and wrapped my hand with both of hers.
“Thor Canaan-sama, you’ve thought so much about me…?”
“Of course I have. Because you’re important.”
There was a brief pause.
Agnis nodded as if making up her mind, then closed her eyes and—
“…Thank you, Thor Canaan-sama…”
She slowly brought her face close and whispered in my ear.
“Ah, um. Agnis?”
“Thor Canaan-sama understands me… and has given me choices… I’m really happy…”
“…Yeah. I’m also glad to have you, Agnis.”
I’m grateful to Agnis too.
She always escorts me when going to the human world and helps with experiments.
Because of that, when I was making the ‘IC Recorder,’ I thought ‘This might help Agnis.’
“Agnis will protect Thor Canaan-sama no matter what.”
Agnis said softly.
“Even if villains from the Empire attack or Heroes come, I won’t let a single scratch touch Thor Canaan-sama. I’ll protect you. To Agnis, Thor Canaan-sama is the person she serves—‘In the name of the primal flame.’”
“Hey, Agnis.”
“Y-yes?”
“Could you tell me what those words mean soon?”
“…Please wait a little longer.”
Agnis whispered in my ear.
‘In the name of the primal flame.’
For Agnis, who carries the blood of the fire giant Ifrit, it must have an important meaning.
I hope she tells me someday.
I had asked General Raisenga once, but he only said, “Sorry. Agnis silenced me,” and refused to explain.
“Th-thank you very much, Thor Canaan-sama.”
She said that and took a half step back.
Though her body moved away, she still held my hand with both of hers.
Agnis stayed like that for a while, then looked around.
Following her, I did the same—and yeah, Mabel and Soleil were looking away. Sylph looked like she was being forced to turn away by Mabel and Soleil.
“…”
Agnis and I looked at each other again.
What’s this feeling? I’m so embarrassed.
I couldn’t find the right words. Our gazes quickly broke away; it felt like we didn’t know what to do.
…Come to think of it, I once tried to hug Agnis tightly.
That was immediately after I created the ‘Health-Boosting Pendant.’
In the end, General Raisenga came and things got muddled.
But… my heart is beating faster now than back then.
I didn’t hug Agnis this time, but… it’s strange.
“Then, I’ll go practice using the ‘IC Recorder’ now!”
Agnis spoke, still looking down.
“Without causing trouble to anyone, I’ll do it somewhere where no one is around. To meet Thor Canaan-sama’s expectations, I’ll show how to properly use the two items…!”
“Y-yeah. Do your best, Agnis.”
“I’ll do my best!”
Agnis clenched her fist tightly.
Honestly, I wanted to remain beside her and support her practice, but that was probably impossible. Knowing Agnis, she would train in a way that didn’t burn her clothes.
Of course, her clothes were made from “Earth-Element Magical Weave Fabric” and wouldn’t burn from a minor flare-up. But these were the first ordinary clothes Agnis had finally been able to wear; she treasured them and wouldn’t want to scorch or damage them.
That means it’s hard for me to watch over and cheer for Agnis during her practice—
“But… call me if anything happens, okay?”
“Y-yes. I understand. I’ll be back by evening!”
Agnis dashed out of the workshop. Strengthened by the ‘Health-Boosting Pendant,’ she moved at an astonishing speed and had already reached the forest.
“All right, all right! Soleil will assist Agnis-sama!”
Soleil suddenly raised her hand.
“There’s a rocky area deep in the forest where no one comes. Soleil will guide Agnis-sama there so she can practice without worry.”
“Thanks, Soleil.”
“Got it! Soleil!”
“Sylph is coming too! How long will you keep waiting for the alchemist to hold your hand!?”
“I want someone to hold my hand—and then take a Fizzing Bath. Together with the alchemist.”
“That will be after sending Agnis-sama off!”
“Understood~”
Sylph waved her hands energetically while still dangling from Soleil’s grip on her collar. Winged pixies truly were free-spirited.
“Well then!”
“We’re off! Fluffy~!”
With that, the light-element winged pixie Soleil and wind-element winged pixie Sylph flew out the window, leaving Mabel and me behind.
“For now, let’s drink some fruit water too.”
“Yes. I’ll cool it down.”
Mabel chanted normally and activated the magic “Cold Breath.” She handed me the chilled fruit water.
“By the way, we need to prepare for the meeting from now on.”
After finishing the fruit water, Mabel said.
“I’ll handle arranging the luggage. Thor-sama, please rest.”
“I’ll do it too. This time I didn’t stay up all night, so I have some energy left.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“How many times did you suddenly wake up at night and jot down ideas that came to you while sleeping?”
“About ten times.”
“And how many times did you, unable to resist, immediately test them…?”
“Only four times.”
“Indeed, you didn’t stay up all night.”
“That’s because I promised Mabel.”
I nodded. For a while after that, we drank the fruit water.
“But as Mabel said, I plan to take it easy today.”
“Yes, we don’t have any particular plans.”
“I want to get my condition in shape before meeting the Imperial Archduke.”
The meeting had Demon Lord Rukie’s permission, and Archduke Kharon had sent a letter saying, “I would like to speak with Alchemist Thor Canaan.”
Therefore, both the Demon Lord’s Domain and the Archduke’s side had approved it, making the meeting official.
“Then, later, please try on the clothes. Her Majesty the Demon Lord has sent attire for the meeting.”
“Understood. Also, the clothes for Agnis have arrived, right?”
“They’re made from ‘Earth-Element Magical Weave Fabric.’ We would like Agnis to try them on, but—”
Agnis had rushed out for an experiment with the “IC Recorder” and hadn’t yet returned.
I thought she would return by evening… but she would probably come back tired.
Agnis was earnest about everything, after all.
“Hey, Mabel.”
“Yes, Thor-sama.”
“You and Agnis have almost the same clothing size, right? Agnis wore Mabel’s maid outfit before.”
“Yes… except for some parts, our sizes are quite close.”
“If Agnis comes back tired, would you try it on instead? We need to check things like the skirt length and other details, right?”
“Yes, if Agnis-sama is okay with that.”
“Also, I want to see Mabel wearing some cute clothes.”
“Y-Yes.”
“For now, let’s wait until Agnis returns. First, could you help me with fitting my outfit?”
“Leave it to me!”
And so, we went to the next room.
I put on my clothes and had Mabel check whether they fit.
After that, Soleil and Sylph came back, so I bathed the two of them, gave them chilled fruit water to drink, and let them bask in the sun—
By the time we were doing that, evening came and Agnis returned.
“—The experiment was a success!”
Agnis said.
“I mastered the item. It’s now… safe… even if Thor Canaan-sama watches me…”
Excited, Agnis immediately tried to show the results of the experiment, but I stopped her.
She was soaked in sweat and looked quite tired.
For the time being, I had Agnis take a ‘Fizzing Bath’ and rest.
After that, I told her about the outfit fitting, but—
“Agnis also wants to see Mabel’s cute appearance! Thor Canaan-sama should join too!”
—That’s how it ended up.
So, I helped Mabel try on the clothes, and with Agnis, Soleil, and Sylph, we checked the sizes.
The dress Rukie had prepared was made from “Earth-Element Magical Weave Fabric.”
It was mainly yellow, with a shorter skirt and sleeves. It was made focusing on ease of movement.
We had Mabel spin around and pose as if walking—
—In this way, we checked if there were any problems with the outfit.
As a result, the fitting was fine.
Agnis also wore the dress, and the size was okay.
In fact, Mabel and Agnis looked good in whatever they wore.
The next day, we reviewed the etiquette for meeting high-ranking people from the Empire, went over what to talk about, and checked the items to bring.
That afternoon, Rukie came to visit, and we confirmed the schedule for the following day.
With preparations passing slowly like that—
On the promised day to meet Archduke Kharon, we headed toward the border forest.
Mabel and General Raisenga accompanied us as far as the edge of the forest.
At the exit, we did a final check of our luggage.
We had the “Voice Recorder” and the “IC Recorder.”
The clothes for the meeting were inside the “Miniature Simple Storage.” We planned to change after entering Noza Town so that they wouldn’t become dirty.
The rest of our luggage was in order. We had everything we needed.
We had snacks and souvenirs. It looked as though we were all set.
After finishing all the checks, Agnis and I—
“Well then, we’re off!”
“Thor Canaan-sama will be protected by Agnis!!”
Waving to Mabel and General Raisenga, the two of us headed toward Noza Town.