Kays Translations

Chapter 85: “Creating Special Magic Items for Dealing with Magical Beasts”

The day after I received the letter from Demon lord Rukie.

Having finished delivering the “UV Cut Parasol,” I decided to go collect new materials.

“So, Agnis. Will you come with me?”

“Of course.”

This is my workshop, located in the Raisenga territory.

Agnis nodded, sitting in the chair across from me.

“Thor Canaan-sama, what kind of material are you looking for?”

“If possible, something the people of the Empire don’t know about.”

I said,

“General Raisenga and the others will soon be conducting a joint border survey with the Empire. If a summoning magic user summons another new kind of magical beast at that time, it could be dangerous. So, as a countermeasure, I want to create a powerful item.”

“But we already have the ‘Laser Pointer’ and ‘Security Buzzer’…”

“The enemy might already know about those items.”

The enemy is a spellcaster capable of summoning magical beasts with a magic circle.

There’s a possibility they witnessed the battle between the Demon King’s army and the new magical beasts somewhere.

In this case, to catch them off guard, it would be better to create a new item.

“I understand. If that’s the case…”

Agnis thought for a moment and then said,

“In that case, I think meteoric iron would be good.”

“Meteoric iron. A stone that fell from the sky… a fragment of a meteorite, huh? Come to think of it, you gave me some before.”

I took out a small stone from the “Ultra-Compact Portable Storage.”

It was the “Meteoric Iron” I had previously received from Agnis.

──────────────────

Meteoric Iron

A fragment of a stone that fell from the dark sky.

It possesses attributes and composition different from substances found on Earth.

Attributes: Sky ・ Sky ・ Sky ・ Darkness ・ Darkness ・ Earth

──────────────────

Using this, I could grant the mysterious attribute “Sky” to an item.

However, the meteoric iron I have here is too small, so even if I used it for synthesis, the effect would be minimal.

If there were a bigger piece, I’d want it.

With that, I might even be able to conduct magical experiments.

“There’s a place where it’s said a large rock once fell from the sky. I found the meteoric iron there.”

“Sounds interesting. Is that place far from here?”

“It’s nearby. It’s a rocky area at the foot of a mountain range.”

“Let’s go check it out. Will you guide me?”

“Yes!”

And so, I decided to go gather materials with Agnis.

“This is the place.”

Agnis guided me to a rocky area at the foot of the mountain.

It was further down from the mines, and in the ground was a mortar-shaped depression.

Apparently, it was the site where a meteorite had fallen long ago.

“When I was little, I often came here,” Agnis said.

“Really?”

“This place is rarely visited by people. So even if fire came out of my body, I wouldn’t be a bother to anyone.”

Agnis murmured softly.

Come to think of it, because of her tendency to ignite, she couldn’t freely interact with others.

Back then, unless she was somewhere deserted, she couldn’t take off her armor.

Maybe this was the one place where Agnis could relax without worrying about being seen.

“Of course, now I can wear clothes like this normally.”

Agnis pinched the hem of her skirt and smiled.

“But still, when I come here, I remember my younger self. I couldn’t control the flames and caused trouble for so many people…”

“I see. So this is a secret place only you know.”

“That’s right.”

“Thank you, Agnis.”

I bowed my head to Agnis.

“For bringing me to your secret place. Thanks to you, I might be able to get some rare materials.”

“Th-That’s too much! You don’t have to thank me… I didn’t really do anything.”

Agnis covered her face with both hands in embarrassment.

“…But if I can be of help to you, Thor Canaan-sama, I think the younger Agnis would be happy too…”

“You’ve helped more than enough. Just wait here—I’ll find the material right away.”

I took out my newly made personal “Magic Detector” from the “Ultra-Compact Portable Storage.”

I opened the lid, placed the small piece of meteoric iron inside, closed the lid, and activated the detector—

Beep!

The wings on its back pointed toward a section of the rocky area.

“Found it. The meteoric iron is near that big rock.”

“A-Amazing!”

“…But it looks like it’s wedged between the rocks. It might be hard to retrieve.”

“It’s okay. P-Please wait just a moment.”

Suddenly, Agnis took my hand.

Then, as if waiting for something, she closed her eyes.

“Agnis…?”

“Because I want to be useful. I’ll power up and show you I can move the rock!”

The “Health-Enhancing Pendant” on Agnis’s chest began to glow.

“Thor Canaan-sama, please make it so the pendant can speak.”

“Speak?”

“I want it to be known… that you’re the one giving Agnis power.”

Saying this, Agnis guided my hand to her chest.

I activated Creation Alchemy: Over Alchemy.

I modified the Health-Enhancing Pendant so that it could emit sound—and adjusted it so Agnis could toggle the voice on and off with her magic.

And then—the pendant raised its voice loudly.

---

“Received: +100% Vitality from fire-attribute magic.”

“Converting surplus fire magic into other elemental attributes.”

“Fire magic converted into earth magic. Received: +100% Stability from earth-attribute effect.”

“Earth magic converted into metal magic. Received: +100% Fortification from metal-attribute effect.”

“Metal magic converted into water magic. Received: +100% Flexibility from water-attribute effect.”

“Water magic converted into wood magic. Received: +100% Vitality from wood-attribute effect.”

---

Agnis was trying to activate the Health-Enhancing Pendant by amplifying her fire magic.

She was trying to move the rock with that power.

“You can do it, Agnis.”

“Yes!”

Agnis wrapped her hands around mine.

She pressed those hands to her forehead, as if in prayer.

---

“Received: +600% Vitality from fire-attribute magic.”

“Converting surplus fire magic into other elemental attributes.”

“Fire magic converted into earth magic. Received: +600% Stability from earth-attribute effect!”

“Earth magic converted into metal magic. Received: +600% Fortification from metal-attribute effect!”

“Metal magic converted into water magic. Received: +600% Flexibility from water-attribute effect!”

“Water magic converted into wood magic. Received: +600% Vitality from wood-attribute effect!”

---

The Health-Enhancing Pendant emitted a tremendous light.

Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water magic circulated, and Agnis’s body radiated heat.

It wasn’t the heat of flames—it was the warmth of vitality.

“…As I thought, Thor Canaan-sama always gives Agnis strength.”

Agnis released my hand and turned to face the massive rock.

Then, placing her hand on the rock—

“Heyah!”

Rumble.

A massive boulder, about the height of a grown adult, rumbled and rolled away.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

“…Amazing.”

“Th-this is all thanks to the power Thor Canaan-sama gave me.”

“No, but still, it’s incredible. If Agnis wielded a weapon, she’d be seriously strong…”

“Agnis… relies on brute strength in close combat.”

“Really?”

“So I want to train more so I can protect Thor Canaan-sama and everyone better. But… Father doesn’t train me much…”

“The General… probably can’t bring himself to raise a weapon against you.”

“Someday, I want to train under a truly great swordsman.”

Agnis is also General Reisenga’s successor.

One day, she might inherit his position and protect this territory.

I should prepare some magic items just for her, for that day.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I think I can collect the materials.”

“I’ve never seen such a large meteor iron before…”

“With this much, I can definitely use it as alchemy material.”

In front of me was a black stone about the size of a human fist.

This was a fragment of a meteor that once fell in this area. Meteor iron.

Since meteor iron came from the sky, its composition, hardness, and weight differ from other metals.

I’ll use those traits to create a magic item.

“For now, let’s head back to the workshop and try fusing this with a weapon.”

“To the workshop?”

“When making a powerful magic item, I’m supposed to report it to the civil officer, Erte.”

“You’re so diligent, Thor Canaan-sama.”

“Since Erte seemed busy preparing for the border survey, I asked Mabel to deliver a letter while delivering the ‘UV-Cut Parasol.’ It should’ve arrived a while ago—”

“Alchemist-samaaaaa!!”

Huh? I hear Erte’s voice.

When I look, I see Erte running up the rocky terrain.

Mabel is behind her.

“What’s the matter, Erte?”

“Well, the alchemist said he was going to make a new item, so I came to… well, to see it…”

“Please don’t push yourself! First, catch your breath.”

When I say that, Erte sits down on the rocks.

It seems like she pushed herself quite a bit.

“Don’t worry, I won’t just silently conduct an experiment.”

“That’s not it… sigh“

Erte takes a deep breath, and finally, it seems like she’s calmed down.

“I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble for the alchemist.”

“Unnecessary trouble?”

“You were planning to conduct the experiment when you returned to the workshop, right?”

“Yeah, but…”

“I can’t let you go through that trouble just for me!”

Still sitting on the ground, Erte raises her voice.

Maybe she overdid it, she coughs and coughs.

Mabel, who caught up, offers a water pouch. As expected of Mabel.

“Glug glug… sigh. I didn’t come here to disturb the alchemist. That’s not my intention, so—”

“If Erte is with me, I can conduct the experiment right here. That way, we can avoid the trouble of going back to the workshop, right?”

“Y-yes…”

“Are you being too serious, Erte?”

“Because it’s in my bloodline.”

Her bloodline, huh.

Well, I guess that can’t be helped.

“Alright. I’ll take you up on your offer and conduct the experiment here.”

“I heard it’s an experiment for a weapon…”

“Here it is.”

I take out an arrow from the ‘Ultra-Compact Simple Storage.’

It’s a very normal arrow, with a steel tip, a wooden shaft, and feather fletchings.

“I’m going to try adding the properties of meteorite iron to this and see if I can turn it into a magical weapon.”

“A magical weapon… Do you mean an enchanted weapon?”

“Something like that. Mabel, come over here. I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

“Y-yes. Thor-sama.”

Mabel, in her maid outfit, walks over to my side.

Agnis takes the opposite side.

Sitting on the rocks, I begin explaining the magic item I’m about to make.

“First, take a look at this.”

I spread a piece of parchment with a magic circle drawn on it on the rock.

“This is a summoning magic circle. It’s the one used by those who summoned magic beasts. If you look closely at this magic circle, you’ll see symbols resembling doors, gates, and bridges.”

“…Indeed, that’s true.”

“…Now that you mention it, I can see it.”

“…I didn’t realize it before. But this line does indeed look like a door, gate, or bridge.”

“Since it’s a summoning magic circle, I think there’s some meaning behind it.”

Doors, gates, and bridges have the role of connecting one place to another.

A door connects rooms, a gate connects the inside to the outside, and a bridge connects lands.

Summoning magic connects the place where the hero or magic beast is to the place of the magic circle and calls the target.

“As a basic principle of magic, fire magic creates flames, and water magic creates water, right? So, I thought this summoning magic circle, by depicting doors, gates, and bridges, might create ‘connections.'”

“I understand. Thor-sama.”

Mabel nods.

“By creating the image of ‘connections’ with the magic circle, and activating it with a spell, summoning magic would be realized… The empire was using this kind of technique, wasn’t it?”

“…Thor Canaan-sama is really impressive.”

“Analysis and appraisal are basic skills for alchemists.”

When I was in the empire, I spent all my time reading books at work.

There weren’t many books, so I developed a habit of reading deeply into them.

“However, alchemist-sama, how does this relate to weapons?”

Erte tilts her head.

“Well, I thought I could apply this to create a weapon for magic.”

“A weapon for magic?”

“I’ll try it out. Please watch.”

I place the meteorite iron, which I had just obtained, next to the arrow.

“Activate—’Creation Alchemy: Over-Alchemy'”

I activate the skill.

First, I combine the meteorite iron, the fragment of a meteor, with the arrow tip.

This can be done using ‘Material Transmutation.’

I’ll use the fragment of the meteor as the material and add its properties to the arrow tip.

Since this is my first time handling this material… it’s difficult.

It’s not even from this world, after all.

Just by combining it with the arrow tip, the meteorite iron starts to shrink.

I can probably make about four arrows at most.

“Executing ‘Creation Alchemy!'”

The arrow combined with the meteorite iron emits a faint light.

This is the new magic item.

──────────────────

“Meteorite Arrow” (Attributes: Earth, Earth, Earth, Sky, Sky)

(Rarity: ★★★★★★☆)

A combination of a meteorite fragment that fell from the sky and an arrow.

By merging with the meteorite, the hardness and penetration power have been enhanced.

Thanks to the Earth and Sky attributes (special), it has the effect of summoning Earth elements from the sky.

The arrow moves through the air, falls, and pierces the target.

The meteorite also moves through the air, falls, and pierces the target.

By combining similar elements, it has become a medium for ritual magic.

By channeling magical power into it, a specific spell can be activated.

──────────────────

“That being said, Mabel, could you try shooting this arrow? Aim for a diagonal upward direction, with it falling towards the target.”

“Yes, Thor-sama.”

“When you do, I’d like you to add this incantation. It’s famous, so I’m sure you know it, but—”

I whispered into Mabel’s ear.

Mabel, looking surprised, said,

“Thor-sama!? That’s a spell only heroes could use! Someone like me can’t—”

“It’s fine. It’s an experiment. Even if it fails, it just won’t activate.”

“…Right, of course. No one has been able to reproduce that spell so far. Ah, so that’s why this arrow was made? Just like how magic circles support summoning magic, this arrow can support the activation of magic from the hero’s era…?”

“Exactly. The power has been toned down, so I think it’ll be fine.”

“…That was the great spell that destroyed the Demon King’s fortress, right…?”

Mabel nodded repeatedly.

She seemed convinced.

Mabel took out her personal ‘Ultra Compact Storage’ and retrieved a bow.

With her bow and arrow in hand, she moved to the designated position.

“Agnis, make sure there’s no one around. I don’t think there should be, but just to be safe.”

“I understand!”

“Erte, please observe the results and report to His Majesty, Chancellor Kelve, and General Reisenga.”

“Understood. But what exactly is about to happen?”

“This is an experiment with a magic item. It’s also a test for making a magical sword.”

“Ah.”

“You know the Holy Sword of Light, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“That one reacts to magical power and emits an intense light, right? There were also Fire and Wind magical swords in the hero’s era, right? They produced fire and wind by using magical power.”

“Yes, there were. But what about it?”

“I thought I’d try making something similar to that.”

As we were discussing this, Agnis returned.

It seemed there was no one around.

Originally, this was a place no one ever came to. There were no wild animals, and even if there were magical beasts, it wouldn’t be a problem—they weren’t here. No issues.

Mabel also finished preparing her bow. She had nocked the arrow and was ready to shoot at any moment.

“I think the Fire and Wind magical swords were also magic items for ritual magic. By swinging them with the fury of fire or with the motion of wind, they’d create fire or wind, respectively.”

“That might be the case. So does that mean this arrow is the same?”

“Yes. It’s a combination of an arrow that moves through the air, eventually falling and piercing the target, and a meteorite that moves through the air, falls, and pierces the target. The only difference is whether it flies downwards or sideways.”

“I see…”

Erte nodded.

“I understand now. You combined an arrow that moves through the air and falls to pierce the target, with a meteorite that does the same? If swinging a sword like wind calls the wind, then by shooting this arrow, it could—wait, does that mean this is the magic the hero used?!”

“Yes. It’s the grand spell that fell from the sky and destroyed the Demon King’s fortress.”

I said.

“That incantation is famous. The hero boldly shouted it in front of the army. Even though the incantation was known, no one was able to recreate that spell.”

“I-I understand. Whether it’s skills, magical power, or rituals—there’s something the hero had that we lack…”

“But if a magic circle, envisioned as a gate, supports summoning magic, then the arrow, combined with meteorite, might become the ritual that realizes the magic of ‘falling from the sky, moving through the air, and piercing the target.’ If that’s possible, it could create a new type of magical ritual…”

“U-Um, excuse me!? Alchemist-sama!!”

“Mabel Refrain…I’m shooting the ‘Meteorite Arrow’!”

Whoosh!

Mabel released the arrow.

It was such a beautiful form that I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

For Mabel, an elf, archery must have been something she was very accustomed to.

The arrow flew through the air, reached its maximum range, and began to fall…

“It’s impossible! There’s no way you can make an arrow that summons the hero’s great magic, ‘Meteor’—!”

The moment Erte said that, the arrow glowed.

The light became a line, stretching straight up.

Whoooosh.

After a moment, a small shadow appeared in the sky.

It was a black rock.

It wasn’t very large—about the size of a human head, at most.

“…A failure, huh.”

The legendary great magic ‘Meteor,’ used by the hero, is said to have created a massive rock that shattered the Demon Lord’s fortress.

But the ‘meteor-like’ thing before us now is nowhere near that impressive.

At best, it could shatter the walls of a fortress.

Well, for safety’s sake, I made sure to add less of the ‘sky attribute.’

“Everyone, hide!”

“Y-yes!” “Understood!” “What are you—!”

We quickly hid behind the large rock that Agnis had moved earlier.

The next moment—

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!

The ground trembled.

There was a tremendous roar, and rock fragments flew everywhere.

At the same time, the smell of something burning from the rocks filled the air.

The ‘Meteor-like’ object created by the ‘Meteorite Arrow’ pierced the ground, creating a huge crater.

To be honest, that’s all it did.

Its power is considerably weaker than the hero’s great magic ‘Meteor.’

As a ceremonial magic, it might need a bit more refinement.

Since it was created through magic, the meteor completely vanished.

And the ‘Meteorite Arrow’ disappeared too.

It’s a shame it can’t be reused… It’s a tricky thing to make use of…

“But with this, you could defeat a new type of magical beast in one shot.”

“That’s an overkill, if you ask me!”

Erte raised her voice.

“In the end, you’ve analyzed the magic circle, haven’t you! And on top of that, you’re using an item to recreate the hero’s ‘Meteor’… you’re just—!”

“It’s still a fake, so I call it ‘Meteor-like.'”

I shrugged.

“The power isn’t on par with the hero’s. It’s just a replica.”

“To defeat a new type of demonic beast… with something like that…”

“Well, that’s one use, but I thought this magic could also be used for civil engineering, you know?”

“Civil engineering?”

“Well, you know how there are rivers beneath mountainous areas, right? Landslides can block those rivers and cause flooding or water shortages downstream, right? In cases like that, if you use this ‘Meteor-like’ spell, you can easily remove the debris… Wait, Erte, why are you holding your forehead?”

“…I’m desperately trying to hold myself back.”

“So, yeah, this is for dealing with magical beasts and landslides.”

“…Sigh.”

Erte was trembling and holding her head with both hands.

I wonder if a rock fragment hit her. I’m worried.

“Umm… Thor-sama.”

“Hmm? What is it, Mabel?”

“I have a question.”

“A question?”

“What would happen if that arrow hit a magical beast?”

“Of course, the ‘Meteor-like’ thing would fall towards the arrow, right?”

“What if the magical beast ran away?”

“I think it would chase after it.”

“Auto-homing tracking?”

“Yep, auto-homing tracking.”

“‘…………’”

“See? It’s much more practical than the hero’s ‘Meteor’! A ‘Meteor’ that always hits is impossible! Why, why are you like this—!”

For some reason, Erte was shaking her head vigorously back and forth.

Agnis was holding her shoulder as she tried to start walking. Why?

“That power… please use it to search for the summoner.”

Eventually, as if exhausted, Erte spoke.

“I understand that the ‘Meteorite Arrow’ is powerful.”

“I understand.”

“Please, I ask you.”

“But before that… I’m going to take a quick trip to ‘Noza Town.’”

Before coming here, I had asked the fairy sprites to deliver a letter to Princess Sophia. I had told her that I wanted to discuss the matter of the Duke and Princess Liana in person.

After all, I couldn’t keep talking in the bathhouse of the trading post every time.

“Agnes. Will you come with me to Nosa Town again?”

“Of course, I’ll accompany you!”

“Mabel, please take care of the workshop while we’re gone. If His Majesty or the Chancellor contacts us, could you quickly send the pixies?”

“Understood! Leave the watching and communication to me!”

“Then, Erte…”

I looked at Erte and said.

“I think I can make three more ‘Meteorite Arrows.’ I’ll leave everything I make with you.”

“Y-Yes.”

“Please report on these items to His Majesty and the Chancellor. Also, it would be helpful if you could teach General Reisenga how to use them.”

“…Understood.”

Erte nodded.

“I’m shocked to be shown something like this so suddenly… but I understand that this is a trump card against the new type of magical beasts. I also understand that you are seriously considering measures against the magical beasts.”

“That’s right…”

“You seem a little happy about that?”

“No, it’s not just about the magical beasts… I’m happy because it feels like I’ve discovered one of the mysteries of magic.”

“Mystery?”

“Alchemy is about discovering new techniques and mysteries that no one knew about. I’m really happy that I was able to find a new way to use ritual magic.”

Using magic circles as a hint, I realized that ritual magic could be used with magical items.

Well, it might be an exception because I used meteorite iron, but…

But it’s still an advancement in the Demon King’s territory.

“Honestly… you, of all people…”

Erte sighed, looking troubled.

“You create something incredible and then casually hand it over. Really… honestly…”

“I’m sorry. I’m causing you trouble.”

“I understand. As a civil servant, I will support you with the procedures and other matters. So, alchemist-sama, please do as you wish—Oh, I’m sorry, that was an inappropriate remark! Forget that! Also, why are you smiling like that!? Alchemist-sama!?”

Listening to Erte’s flustered voice…

Mabel, Agnis, and I decided to return to the workshop.

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