Kays Translations

Chapter 158: “Checking the Contents of the ‘Fireproof Safe'”

“…Is this… paper from another world? Folded sheets and a bundled stack. A letter and… what could this be? Some sort of document?”

Inside the fireproof safe was something like a letter, and a bundle of paper.

There was also a broken metal rod, but that had been locking the door.

Inside the safe, there was a groove meant to secure the rod in place.

That rod had apparently been severed and dropped by a light-element attack spell.

In other words, the only things inside the fireproof safe were the letter and the bundle of papers.

Both the letter and the bundle were made of the same kind of paper.

Unlike the mail-order catalog, this paper was rough. It seemed this other world had various kinds of paper.

…How interesting.

“It seems this is all there was inside. Alchemist-sama.”

Dorothy-san let out a sigh.

“I had hoped it would contain some kind of magic item from another world… What a disappointment. Aren’t you disappointed too, Alchemist-sama?”

“No, this is more than enough.”

In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

What I really wanted was information.

This fireproof safe appeared immediately after the giant scorpion beast showed up.

In other words, it was likely placed near the beast, or was somehow related to it.

The same goes for the letter and the paper bundle.

There might be information written here about the new type of magical beast.

To me, that’s more than valuable enough.

“Could you give me a little time? I’d like to check the contents of the letter.”

“Understood. Then… you may do so until we’re ready to escort the men.”

Dorothy-san thought for a moment, then nodded.

We contacted Agnis and the others.

We needed help to escort the men back to town.

We had the winged pixie Lune carry the message, but it would still take a while for her to return.

In the meantime, I’ll examine the letter’s contents.

“Well then, I’ll read the letter aloud.”

I spoke to Mabel and Sophia.

“Please listen as I read. We’ll be sharing this information.”

“Yes, Thor-sama.”

“I’ll be listening, Canaan-sama.”

I huddled close with Mabel and Sophia and began to read the letter.

At the top of the letter, it said: “To the one reading this letter.”

There was no sender’s name.

No recipient, either.

It was as though the letter had been addressed to an unknown stranger.

I wonder… who could have written this?

---

To the one reading this letter.

By the time you read this, this facility will likely have become a ruin.

This facility was dedicated to the study of “Hardened Aberrant Creatures – Hard Creatures.”

Hard Creatures are giant monsters that suddenly began appearing over a decade ago.

They look like insects and possess terrifyingly hard skin.

Spider-types and centipede-types are the most well-known.

They build nests wherever they please and attack anything nearby.

They’re extremely dangerous in combat. Their bodies are so tough that small arms cannot bring them down.

You must already know how many towns have been lost because of them.

To fight the Hard Creatures, we’ve relied on Returnees from Other Worlds—heroes and their descendants—as well as modern weaponry.

Some towns have even been reclaimed.

It could be said that we’ve made progress.

However, there are just too many Hard Creatures.

They sometimes emerge from underground without warning. We need ways to fight back.

That’s why this laboratory was developing new weapons.

But… sadly, this place is to be abandoned.

A new type of Hard Creature has appeared nearby.

If only we’d had more funding, we might’ve created powerful weapons that anyone could use.

I proposed all sorts of weapons to drive innovation.

And yet, not a single one was accepted.

Why are the higher-ups so stubborn?

They have no sense of romance…! Honestly!

There’s no time.

Before the Hard Creatures attack here, I must take the documents and escape.

I have the digital data, but it could be lost during the escape.

That’s why I’m leaving printed copies here.

This is an old safe, but it should be enough for physical protection. As for the combination… if you’re reading this, you must’ve noticed the passcode on the first page of the manual.

To you who are reading this—

I entrust you with my research.

Please, complete a weapon that can destroy the Hard Creatures.

I pray that you are someone who understands romance.

—From a nameless researcher

---

“…Hard Creatures… such things exist in another world?”

“…Returnees from Other Worlds, huh. So the heroes wielded power even in their own world.”

Mabel and Sophia stared wide-eyed in astonishment.

I understood how they felt.

I was just as surprised by the letter’s contents.

These Hardened Aberrant Creatures – Hard Creatures described in the letter… are probably like the magical beasts Gargarossa or Nozelius.

They had terrifyingly hard skin.

So tough that even Rukie’s dark magic or Princess Liana’s holy sword could barely deal a fatal blow.

In another world, those fighting the “Hard Creatures” are the “returnees from another world” — most likely, the heroes once summoned to that world, and their descendants.

…But it should’ve been over 200 years since the hero was summoned.

Is the hero from back then still alive?

Or maybe, time flows differently between this world and the hero’s world?

Or perhaps… this vault and the letter are from 100 years ago or so?

In any case, in that other world, the hero and their descendants were fighting the “Hard Creatures.”

They were gaining the upper hand in battle, but the letter’s author was trying to create an even stronger weapon.

However, it seems they couldn’t get permission from their superior, so they weren’t able to build it.

After that, a “Hard Creature” arrived at the research facility, and the facility had to be abandoned.

So, before escaping, the letter’s author left the research data in a “fireproof vault.”

Hoping that one day, someone would come and continue the research.

Apparently, there was a code written to open the vault… but unfortunately, it’s been burnt to a crisp. Maybe a monster caused a fire or something.

So that facility and this world were connected by summoning magic.

That’s probably how the scorpion-like “Magic Beast Nozelius” came to this world… and along with it, the nearby “fireproof vault” got dragged along too.

Which is why we now have research documents from another world in front of us.

Honestly, I’m extremely interested.

I am interested, but—

“…Please let Sophia-sama hold on to these documents.”

I held out the papers toward Sophia.

“…We don’t have time right now, so we have to prioritize repairing the ‘fireproof vault.’ I can’t allow myself to read these. Because I know I’d get completely absorbed in them.”

“Is… is that really okay, Canaan-sama?”

“Thor-sama!?”

…They both seem more surprised than when they read the letter.

That’s fine, but please take it quickly.

Before I lose my self-control.

“If I give it to Mabel, I feel like I’d later say, ‘Actually, let me have that back.’ But with Sophia-sama… I know you can refuse me if I ask again. Until we return to town… please keep this for me… I’m counting on you.”

“I-I understand. I’ll take care of it. So… um…”

“Yes?”

“Could you… loosen your grip so I can receive it?”

“…Yes.”

I took a deep breath.

I relaxed my fingers that were gripping the research papers.

“I will take custody of these documents.”

Sophia nodded.

“I’ll return them to you as soon as we reach a safe place.”

“I’m counting on you, Sophia-sama.”

…Alright then.

We still have a bit of time.

Let’s see if the “fireproof vault” can be repaired.

Upon inspecting the condition… yeah. Sophia’s Vivid Light Strike had neatly shaved off just the metal rod that locked the door.

The cut is clean too. This should be repairable.

The metal rod that had locked the door—half of it remains in the locking mechanism.

The other half is lying on the floor of the vault.

Let’s try using my skill to join the two pieces.

I picked up the piece lying on the floor of the vault and aligned it with the cut end of the remaining piece.

I touched the connecting point with my fingers.

Now, I’ll pour in mana and repair it. The method is the same as when I fixed Mabel’s “Water Spirit Stone Pendant.”

With the Material Transmutation skill that creates material using mana, I can patch the missing part.

If I connect the rod with the created material, it should return to its original form.

Let’s proceed carefully.

As solidly and securely as possible.

So it won’t break from shock or flames. So that not even the seam is visible—

“…Activate: Material Transmutation.”

I poured in mana and began producing the metal.

Even if this ends up going to the Empire, I won’t cut corners.

It should be as good as new.

I closed my eyes and activated the skill—then—

Clink.

“…Done.”

The metal rod that locked the “fireproof vault” door was seamlessly joined.

Even to the touch, you can’t tell where the seam is.

Pushing or pulling doesn’t make it wobble. The repair was a success.

“…No matter how many times I see it, it’s amazing, Thor-sama.”

“…You really did repair it, Canaan-sama.”

“We can’t just leave something from another world broken like that. So, Sophia-sama, I have a suggestion for you.”

I activated Noise-Cancelling Coat and joined hoods with Sophia. Perhaps sensing my intent, she did the same.

“We’re going to use the ‘fireproof vault’ in negotiations with the Empire, right?”

“Yes. That’s the plan.”

“Then, how about adding this element as part of the negotiation…”

I shared my idea with Sophia.

Sophia’s goal is to ensure that the territory near the border remains part of the Grand Duchy forever.

To secure a verbal commitment toward that end.

In that case, I’ll cooperate.

Sophia is someone I can trust.

If she remains nearby as a “good neighbor,” even the Demon Lord’s territory can rest easy.

So, I made a proposal to Sophia.

And then—

“That is a wonderful suggestion. Let’s definitely do that!”

Sophia gave me a truly radiant smile.

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