Kays Translations

Chapter 192: Thor and Princess Sophia Make a Decision

──Thor’s point of view──

“I believe the ‘Cursed Smartphone’ has already been activated.”

A few days after I took control of the Justice Mental-Sensitivity Smartphone.

I was meeting Princess Sophia in the town of Nosa.

It was to discuss countermeasures against the Cursed Smartphone.

“I hope it hasn’t fallen into human hands, but if someone has acquired it…”

“…then the information on the dangerous magic, ‘Art of the Army,’ might also have been passed along,” Princess Sophia continued my thought.

In the room, it was just me, Princess Sophia, and the messenger-winged fairies, the Pixies.

They were relaxing either near Sophia or on the bed.

The borderlands were practically Princess Sophia’s territory.

For the winged fairies, this must be a place they could visit without reservation.

“The winged fairies are also searching the areas around the border. But…”

“My apologies. We still haven’t found any leads,” said Soleil, bowing her head apologetically.

The other winged fairies did the same.

The wind fairy, for some reason, was clinging to my chest, but I decided not to pay it any mind. Actually, I was used to it by now.

“I would like to request Your Highness’s cooperation in searching for the item.”

When I said this, Princess Sophia nodded.

“Understood. I’ll order the ‘Omawarisan Unit’ to investigate.”

“Thank you very much.”

I bowed my head to her.

“As another countermeasure, I’m considering ways to neutralize both the ‘Art of the Army’ itself and its caster.”

“In case the magic has already been passed on to someone in this world?”

“Yes. I’d like Your Highness’s counsel on this matter.”

“Very well. Let me hear it.”

We both took a brief pause to drink tea.

My throat felt dry—probably because the ‘Cursed Smartphone’ had me on edge.

“First of all, as a given, I believe the ‘Cursed Smartphone’ will speak in the language of the Hero’s World,” I said.

“That’s how the ‘Justice Smartphone’ communicated, too. Which means—”

“That only those who understand the Hero’s World language will be able to comprehend the information from the ‘Cursed Smartphone.’”

“In the Empire, that would likely mean the imperial capital’s magicians or scholars?”

“There are also a few members of the imperial family who have studied that language. Since there aren’t many, we could probably identify them. I’ll ask Liana to investigate.”

“Please do, Your Highness.”

If someone who doesn’t know the Hero’s World language obtains the ‘Cursed Smartphone,’ it will just seem like a suspicious magic item.

In that case, the owner would probably sell it or give it away.

Eventually, it would most likely end up in the hands of someone who understands the Hero’s World language.

“Next is the countermeasure in case the person has already learned the dangerous magic—the ‘Art of the Army.’”

I said this, then fixed my gaze on Princess Sophia.

“So, Your Highness, what do you think this ‘Art of the Army’ is? What kind of magic might it be?”

“It is dangerous magic from the Hero’s World, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“Then I don’t think it’s offensive magic.”

After thinking for a moment, Princess Sophia said:

“Otherworldly heroes fought without fear, even in the midst of flying magic attacks. Some would even dive into places where the explosions from the great spell ‘Meteor’ hadn’t subsided.”

“To a hero, offensive magic isn’t something to be feared.”

“Yes. Therefore, if the ‘Art of the Army’ were an offensive spell, the heroes wouldn’t deem it ‘dangerous.’”

“Which means, if heroes themselves say the ‘Art of the Army’ is dangerous…”

“…then the ‘Art of the Army’ must not be offensive magic.”

“…I see.”

Princess Sophia and I nodded to each other.

Even after being summoned to this distant world, the otherworldly heroes did not falter.

They faced monsters they had never seen before with courage.

Such heroes would never consider a mere high-powered attack spell as dangerous.

“Then let’s hear your opinion, Thor Canaan-sama.”

“Well… I don’t think the ‘Art of the Army’ is summoning magic.”

“You mean it’s not magic that summons ‘hard creatures’?”

“Exactly. From what I’ve gathered, the sender of the ‘Cursed Smartphone’ seems to want people in this world to summon magic beasts and fight using the ‘Art of the Army.’”

“I see. Then the ‘Art of the Army’ must be something separate from summoning magic.”

“…Thank you, Your Highness.”

I bowed to her again.

There’s little information about the ‘Art of the Army.’

All we can do is use the information we have and the knowledge of the Hero’s World to deduce what kind of magic it is.

But—

“Talking with you, Your Highness, helps me organize my thoughts.”

“The feeling is mutual. Speaking with Thor Canaan-sama, I find that even without knowing it, an image of the ‘Art of the Army’ gradually forms in my mind.”

Princess Sophia smiled as she said this.

“Could it be that you already know the true nature of the ‘Art of the Army,’ Thor Canaan-sama?”

“If you’re fine with a hypothesis.”

“Please, let me hear it.”

“Yes. I believe the ‘Art of the Army’ is an enhancement-type magic.”

Heroes are strong. And they know no fear.

The only things that can match a hero are another hero or a magical item from the Hero’s World.

In other words, heroes can be threats to other heroes.

Still, I couldn’t really imagine heroes fighting each other—though they might quarrel.

If that’s the case, then what heroes fear might be… heroes who have been enhanced by magic, becoming something else entirely.

That was the hypothesis I shared with Princess Sophia.

“…Only a hero can be a threat to another hero. And if that hero is magically enhanced into something different entirely…”

“That’s right. For example, a hero who can no longer converse and can’t be stopped.”

“That… would indeed be terrifying.”

“I believe the ‘Art of the Army’ is magic that creates exactly such an existence.”

I gave her my answer.

“If that were used in this world… most likely, humans and demi-humans with magical power would be enhanced and enter a mental state specialized for combat, don’t you think?”

“A mental state specialized for combat… do you mean berserk rage?”

“No, berserk rage would not be a threat to the hero.”

In history, there have been heroes who snapped and went berserk.

But those individuals were restrained by other heroes.

Berserk rage isn’t that terrifying for heroes.

“I believe there’s a mental state more specialized for combat than berserk rage. And since the magic contains the word ‘Army,’ it must mean that multiple people can enter that state together.”

“Enhance the body, and enter a combat-specialized mental state…?”

Princess Sophia trembled as if frightened.

“If such a magic could trigger that kind of state, I can understand why the heroes would see it as dangerous.”

“I agree. It was probably developed as a way to counter the ‘Hard Creature’… but…”

Still, it must have been sealed away because it was too dangerous.

And yet, there was a group that tried to get an otherworlder to use it.

…Honestly, what a nuisance.

“But what exactly is this combat-specialized mental state?”

“For example… something like a ‘Calm Berserker’?”

“A ‘Calm Berserker’… I think I get it.”

Princess Sophia nodded.

A “Berserker” fights driven by rage.

Ignoring their own pain and collateral damage around them, they single-mindedly strike down their foes.

They are terrifying, but their weakness lies in losing their composure. You can trap them, or lure them into dangerous places. That’s why they were never truly a threat to heroes.

But if there were a “Calm Berserker”… nothing could be more terrifying.

They would feel no pain, ignore their injuries and losses, and relentlessly hunt their enemies.

And because they’re calm, they would use proper tactics. They wouldn’t fall for traps.

On top of that, with hero-world magic, their bodies would be strengthened to an extreme degree.

If such beings attacked in groups… it would be a nightmare.

“In that mental state, even ‘security buzzers’ or ‘traffic cones’ wouldn’t work, would they?”

“Because they would know no fear…”

“Of course, this is just my personal speculation. There’s a chance that ‘Art of the Army’ is an entirely different kind of magic. But I think we should plan for the worst-case scenario.”

If “Art of the Army” is just attack magic, there’s no problem.

Even if it’s powerful enhancement magic, that can still be handled.

If it’s magic that causes humans to go berserk… you can just prepare traps.

But if it strengthens humans and turns them into something else entirely, countermeasures become difficult.

In fact, the caster must be captured immediately, and the ‘Cursed Smartphone’ destroyed.

We cannot allow a magic dangerous even to heroes to be used in this world.

“Compared to the heroes, we are weak. There’s also the possibility that ‘Art of the Army’ could run out of control or become uncontrollable. And if the ones who used it get it into their heads that ‘We’re invincible!’ and go summon the ‘Hard Creature,’ that would be the worst outcome.”

“I understand. Such a situation must be prevented at all costs.”

“Absolutely.”

“Please, lend me your strength, Thor Canaan-sama.”

“Understood. In that case, as a countermeasure, I’ll make a forbidden magic item.”

“As expected of Thor Canaan-sama… wait, what?”

Princess Sophia was left staring blankly.

“A forbidden magic item?”

“Yes. In the ‘Mail-Order Catalog,’ there’s a magic item with the warning, ‘Forbidden effect. Will make you unable to work. Only use it on your days off!’”

It sounded scary, so I had never touched it before.

Honestly, I had been planning to make it last.

But if dangerous magic is about to be used, that’s a different story.

I have to do everything I can.

“What kind of forbidden magic item is it?”

“The ‘Three-Item Set That Makes Life and Work Feel Meaningless.’”

“The Three-Item Set That Makes Life and Work Feel Meaningless…?”

“Once used, it makes you go all limp and useless, and you won’t feel like moving. If you use all three items in the set, you’ll be worthless for the rest of the day. Overuse it, and the next day you won’t feel like going to work.”

“T-There’s such an item!?”

“Yes. With this, I think we can strip the power from anyone under ‘Art of the Army’ and neutralize them.”

And it’s a three-item set.

— Something that affects the mind.

— Something that affects the body.

— Something that gently restrains.

That page listed three terrifying items.

With this “Three-Item Set That Makes Life and Work Feel Meaningless,” we should be able to counter “Art of the Army.”

…At least, I think so.

“However… there’s one word in the description I don’t understand.”

“Even Thor Canaan-sama has a word he doesn’t understand?”

“Yes. Without knowing it, I can’t make the full three-item set.”

“What word is that?”

“…‘Alpha Waves.’”

It’s a technology used in the “mind-affecting” item.

Apparently, that item works by hitting the target with “alpha waves” to calm them.

It should work against someone berserking or in a special mental state, but—

“I have no idea what these ‘alpha waves’ are.”

I slumped my shoulders in dejection.

I felt my lack of power.

It was like a towering wall from the hero world stood before me.

Could it be that even my “Creative Alchemy” can’t overcome magic from the hero world…?

“It’s all right, Thor Canaan-sama.”

Princess Sophia squeezed my hand tightly.

“I am here with you. I will give my whole self to help you. If it’s you, Thor Canaan-sama, I believe you can surpass the hero world!”

“Princess Sophia…”

“Yes. Sophia is right here.”

Saying that, Princess Sophia wrapped her arms around my back.

And just like that, she embraced me—

“Mugyuu~”

Just as I thought that, I heard a voice coming from around my chest.

Come to think of it, the Wind-Winged Fairy Pixie was inside my clothes, wasn’t she?

Sophia noticed this and smiled at the winged fairy.

“Forgive me, Winged Fairy-sama.”

“No, no—”

“Now then, shall we?”

“Yes—”

Gently, Princess Sophia—Sophia—wrapped her arms around me.

For some reason, the wind-winged fairy was clinging to my neck.

Warm.

Thump—through the dress, I could feel Princess Sophia’s heartbeat.

It’s kind of calming.

Listening to another person’s heartbeat really does make you feel at ease.

It’s like being wrapped up in a gentle wave—

“—Ah.”

“What’s the matter, Thor Canaan-sama?”

Princess Sophia pulled back slightly and looked at me.

“I might have just found a clue to ‘Alpha Waves.’”

I said:

“Sophia… do you know the legend of the hero who insisted on versatility when choosing a weapon in this world?”

“‘Hero’s Record, Chapter 1, Section 2. The hero enters the royal capital’s armory,’ correct? That hero asked to be shown every weapon… ah, and the word ‘Alpha’ appears there!”

“That’s right. That hero said, ‘I can use every weapon! From Alpha to Omega!’”

“That’s it. No doubt about it.”

“In that case…”

“‘Alpha to Omega’… means ‘everything,’ doesn’t it?”

“‘Everything’—in other words, it can be understood as ‘from the beginning to the end.’”

Even my Creation Alchemy skill couldn’t figure out the meaning of the word “Alpha Wave.”

But if “Alpha and Omega” means “from the beginning to the end,” then—

“‘Alpha’ can be thought of as meaning ‘the beginning.’”

“No doubt about it! And ‘Omega’ would mean ‘the end’!”

Sophia and I looked at each other and nodded.

Sophia had apparently read many legends of heroes in the imperial detached palace.

Times like this, she’s really reliable.

“In that case, the ‘wave’ in ‘Alpha Wave’…”

“…shouldn’t be taken as a physical wave, but rather as something representing sound.”

“The hero also left behind the words ‘sound wave’ and ‘ultrasound.’”

“Then ‘Alpha Wave’ would mean ‘the sound of the beginning.’”

“Here’s my question for you, Sophia.”

“Yes, Thor Canaan-sama.”

“‘The sound of the beginning’—that is, the first sound one hears in life—what would that be?”

“Heh. I understand.”

“You figured it out already?”

“It means there was a reason I embraced you just now.”

“Yes. It had a very important meaning.”

Thanks to that, I was able to calm down.

Because I heard that sound from Sophia, I was able to realize the truth of the ‘Alpha Wave.’

“The first sound a human hears in life—that would be their mother’s heartbeat, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“Or perhaps the sound of one’s own heart.”

“I understand. Hearing heartbeats in the mother’s womb—that must be a very comforting environment. After being born, to be held by one’s mother… and to hear that heartbeat again—that too would be calming.”

“So in other words, the ‘Alpha Wave’ was the sound of the heart.”

If that’s the case, it’s only natural it would calm people down.

After all, it’s the first sound humans ever hear in life.

By coming into contact with ‘Alpha Waves,’ people probably feel as if they’ve returned to the womb.

“If the ‘Art of the Army’ is something that puts people into a special mental state, then the ‘Alpha Wave’ should be able to nullify it.”

At the very least, it should work against Berserk.

That one puts you into a tense mental state by making you feel like your life is in danger.

If you hit it with the ‘Alpha Wave,’ it might be possible to bring someone back to a calm—almost fetal—state.

“Thank you, Sophia. Thanks to you, I’ve found a breakthrough.”

“No, I only… wanted to hold you, Thor Canaan-sama.”

Sophia’s face was extremely embarrassed.

It’s the first time I’ve seen that expression. It feels strangely refreshing.

“Could it be… that the reason the Wind-Winged Fairy Pixie always slips into my clothes is to listen to my heartbeat?”

“Hmm?”

When I asked, the wind-winged fairy looked at me with a puzzled face.

I mean, she was already slipping back into my clothes again.

“When you stick to my chest—”

“Mm-hm. Yes, yes—”

“It’s for the Alpha Wave…”

“Fnya—”

“So, the heartbeat…”

“Suu-suu…”

She fell asleep.

…Well, fine.

“Um, Thor Canaan-sama.”

When I noticed, Sophia was looking at me with her arms wide open.

“The Alpha Wave is definitely the heartbeat.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“Which means, to create the ‘Three-Item Set That Makes Life and Work Irrelevant,’ the heartbeat will be essential.”

“That’s right.”

“In that case… I think you should study heartbeats more, Thor Canaan-sama.”

“…Uh.”

“Please. Come here.”

“…Um.”

“Come here.”

Sophia was unwavering.

She kept her arms spread wide, quietly waiting for me.

If I left her like that, she’d probably stay that way forever.

…Can’t be helped.

I still need to investigate ‘Alpha Waves’ a bit more.

And for that, the best thing is to listen to someone’s heartbeat.

Also, I need other people to experience the ‘Alpha Wave.’

For that, I can let Sophia listen to my heartbeat…

So—

“Alright then, please do, Sophia.”

“Yes, come here.”

To counter the dangerous Art of the Army—Sophia and I (and the wind-winged pixies who barged in) confirmed each other’s ‘Heartbeat Alpha Waves.’

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