Kays Translations

Chapter 93: “Beginning the Magical Beast Investigation (1)”

──Princess Liana’s point of view──

“Shall we head out for the investigation, Princess Liana?”

With those words, Archduke Kharon boarded the carriage.

Liana followed him and gave the signal to depart.

The soldiers surrounding the carriage had removed the insignia of House Kharon.

This was to avoid alarming those they were about to visit.

“The culprits behind the magical beast summonings may try to hide evidence or documents once they notice us approaching. Let us pretend to be ordinary border-patrol soldiers.”

Inside the carriage, Archduke Kharon said this with a smile.

Liana answered with a serious expression.

“Our destination is the fortress to the east, as per the scout’s report, correct?”

“Yes. We’ve narrowed down the suspicious fortresses to two. They’re about half a day apart by horseback. Even if one is a dead end, we’ll have time to move on to the other.”

Just yesterday, the reconnaissance team had returned with a new report.

They had been stationed in the Imperial Capital, investigating how frequently messenger horses were dispatched to the fortresses.

Their findings showed that two eastern fortresses were receiving an unusually large number of messenger horses from the capital.

However, on the fortress side, there had been no incidents requiring such contact with the capital.

There were no reports of magical beasts appearing either.

Yet messenger horses frequently arrived from the capital, accompanied by large flows of money.

What’s more, these places were quite close to the border.

Suspicious of all this, Archduke Kharon and Liana decided to investigate the fortresses.

“Your Grace.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“What if information about our visit to the fortresses has already been leaked? Won’t the other side just hide all the evidence?”

“I’ve already sent a reconnaissance team ahead. If the enemy acts to cover up the evidence, that action itself becomes evidence.”

“Then, if they attack us with magical beasts…”

Liana hesitated as she spoke.

“No… I don’t think it’s likely. To set magical beasts on Your Grace would be tantamount to treason against the Empire. Still, in the worst-case scenario, I’ll—”

“You’re right. If it comes to that, it’ll be up to the Princess and me to handle it somehow.”

Archduke Kharon shrugged as though it were nothing.

“Well, no use in dwelling on worst-case scenarios, Your Highness.”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

(If the worst happens, I’ll act as a shield and make sure Archduke Kharon’s unit escapes.)

Liana made that vow silently in her heart.

Her sister, Sophia, was also interested in this magical beast investigation.

It was possible that Sophia’s unit had already begun its own investigation.

Liana couldn’t afford to look incompetent in front of her sister.

Besides… it was Archduke Kharon who arranged for her to meet her sister again. She wanted to repay that kindness.

As she thought this, Liana clenched her fists.

“What concerns me more is the Demon Lord’s Domain,” Archduke Kharon said suddenly.

“I doubt they’ll discover the magical beast summoners before we do… but if they do find them, things could get troublesome. It would be a disgrace for the Empire if another nation uncovered such shame.”

“I understand.”

“I live on the Empire’s stipend as well. I owe the country a duty, so I’ll keep its dirty laundry hidden.”

“Your Grace.”

“Yes?”

“If… if the Empire is involved in this magical beast summoning and those in the Demon Lord’s Domain find out… what will you do?”

“I’ll talk to them. Ask them to keep it to themselves.”

Archduke Kharon chuckled as if amused.

“I’ll offer them something in return. Perhaps the Grand Duchy could support Noza Town near the border. If trade develops, it’ll benefit the Demon Lord’s Domain as well.”

“You mean the Grand Duchy would support Noza Town and promote trade with the Demon Lord’s Domain?”

The Grand Duchy used a different political system and tax structure than the Empire.

If the Grand Duchy offered support, Noza Town might be able to officially engage with the Demon Lord’s Domain.

That would benefit her sister Sophia as well.

“This is all just precaution. I don’t intend to lose to the Demon Lord’s Domain in the first place.”

Archduke Kharon gently tapped the sword lying beside his seat.

It was his beloved silver, single-edged sword. It was said that each swing produced a silver whirlwind capable of slicing through magical beasts.

It was a living legend, and a part of Archduke Kharon himself.

“I don’t underestimate the Demon Lord’s Domain, but our victory is assured. Still, I would like to speak with them. I’d very much like to know the source of their strength.”

“…Y-Yes, Your Grace.”

Liana fell into thought.

(If we capture the culprits, it benefits the Empire. If the Demon Lord’s Domain catches them first, it benefits Sister.)

Her kind sister, Sophia.

She governed Noza Town with skill far beyond anything Liana had imagined.

At the same time, Sophia was also a strict mentor to Liana.

Thinking of her sister’s face, Liana—

(I can’t afford to hold back. If I win through half-measures, she won’t approve. I’ve had enough of being scolded.)

(I’ll compete with everything I have.)

Even if… even if I can’t surpass that person from the Demon Lord’s Domain.

As the carriage rocked gently, Liana quietly made her vow.

──At that time, in the forest southeast of Noza Town──

“We’ll now begin the joint investigation with the Demon Lord’s Domain.”

In the forest southeast of Noza Town,

There, imperial soldiers and a corps dispatched from the Demon Lord’s Domain had gathered.

The Imperial soldiers were led by Commander Isaac “Omawarisan” Muira.

Leading the soldiers from the Demon Lord’s Domain was the general, Raisenga Freizad.

There were twenty Imperial soldiers and ten Minotaurs from the Demon Lord’s Domain.

The smaller number on the Demon Lord’s side was to avoid frightening the imperial soldiers. Since the Minotaurs were at least twice as strong as imperial soldiers, this arrangement was decided upon after discussions between the two sides.

“The purpose of this investigation is to locate the one who summoned the magical beast. We came in a small elite unit for that reason. Everyone, don’t betray the expectations of Princess Sophia!”

“For Princess Sophia!”
“For the pride of the lawkeepers—the Omawarisan!”

“Well said!”

After confirming the soldiers’ morale, Isaac looked toward Raisenga.

“Now then, General. I’ve heard that the Demon Lord’s Domain has prepared a trump card for tracking the magical beast’s trail.”

“Indeed. Allow me to introduce it.”

At Raisenga’s signal, the soldiers brought forth some boxes.

They were wooden boxes, each several tens of centimeters per side. Three in total.

“These were prepared by someone I deeply respect. They’re magical items designed to track magical beasts: Robot Vacuum Cleaners.”

“‘Robot Vacuum Cleaners,’ you say!?”

Isaac raised his voice, and the imperial soldiers murmured among themselves.

They too had heard the legends of the Heroes.

And how some of the Heroes had seen golems and exclaimed, “So cool! Like robots!”

“In other words, are these golems? But, why ‘vacuum cleaners’?”

“An item from the Heroes’ world, said to relentlessly track down trash and pests.”

“Trash and pests!?”

“In the past, Heroes referred to magical beasts as ‘trash’ or ‘small fry.’ The alchemist reasoned that an item made to exterminate such things should be able to track magical beasts anywhere.”

The boxes opened.

From inside, three golems appeared.

They seemed to have already been activated. They slowly began to crawl out.

“These are the Cleaning Robots created by the alchemist of the Demon Lord’s Domain: Spider-Type, Snake-Type, and Spherical-Type!”

Cleaning Robot
(Attributes: Light, Darkness, Earth, Water, Fire, Wind)
(Rarity: ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆)

Thanks to magic stones of all attributes, they possess ‘Magic Power Detection Ability’ on par with magic detectors.

A golem modeled after the ‘cleaning robots’ from the Heroes’ world.

They possess the ability to detect traces of magical beasts and pursue them without end.

They suck in things like fur or skin fragments left behind by magical beasts, using them as clues to advance.

The more material they suck in, the better their tracking capabilities become.

There were three models: Spider-Type, Snake-Type, and Spherical-Type.

Spider-Type
A metal, multi-jointed golem.
Uses powerful suction to vacuum ground trash and fragments of magical beasts.
Has the strongest defense among the three types. Equipped with linking functionality.

Snake-Type
A golem made of metal and ‘Magical Weave Fabric.’
Moves with the slithering motion of a real snake.
Can slip through any crevice and catch hidden trash.
Can equip various options on its tail. Equipped with linking functionality.

Spherical-Type
A completely spherical golem.
Made of metal and ‘Magical Weave Fabric of wind,’ it absorbs trash with its entire body.
It has the highest movement speed. Also highly shock-resistant and durable.
Equipped with linking functionality.

Physical Destruction Resistance: ★★★ (Can only be destroyed by weapons enhanced with magic)
Durability: 1 year (but will last longer with regular maintenance)
Comes with 2 years of user support.

“Are these… really golems?”

The imperial soldiers were at a loss for words.

To them, golems were giants made of rock or metal, or humanoid in shape.

Yet what appeared before them were a spider, a snake, and a mysterious ball.

And for some reason, they were called “vacuum cleaners.”

Each was about a meter in size. The spider skittered, the snake slithered, and the ball made a boing-boing sound as they emerged from their boxes.

“Raisenga-sama.”

“Yes, Commander Isaac?”

“I’m not doubting the Demon Lord’s technology, but… will these really find the magical beasts?”

“Indeed. Because they’re copies of items from the Heroes’ world.”

“F-From the Heroes’ world!?”

At that unexpected response, Isaac widened his eyes.

Raisenga looked toward the north, where Thor’s workshop was located, and said,

“According to someone I know, Robot Vacuum Cleaners are used to maintain rooms in the Heroes’ world. They even eliminate intruding threats. Perhaps they were used to exterminate magical beasts, which Heroes regarded as trash threatening their lives.”

“I-I’ve read records that say the Heroes shouted things like ‘Trash!’ or ‘Return to dust!’ at magical beasts, but still…”

“This is just my opinion, but perhaps ‘cleaning’ in the Heroes’ world was a kind of slang—meaning to defeat enemies thoroughly and cleanly.”

“That’s… but still, something like that—”

Isaac tilted his head in puzzlement.

In all the Hero legends he knew, there was no mention of “cleaning robots.”

Even if he was told they cleaned up magical beasts and the surroundings, he couldn’t easily accept it.

“I’ve been studying the legends of the Heroes since I was a child. But I’ve never heard of anything like this. Is this really an item from the Heroes’ world…?”

“Hmm. You’ve studied the Hero legends, then?”

“Yes. I’ve read through everything in my estate.”

“Then… you must also know that among the summoned Heroes, there were those who adored maids.”

“…Maids?”

Of course he knew. It was a famous story.

Indeed, after being summoned, there were Heroes who were deeply moved upon seeing the maids in the palace.

And not just one—several of them.

“‘I want a maid to take care of me. I want her to keep my room clean’… There was indeed a Hero who said such a thing.”

“You’re right, but… wasn’t that due to cultural differences?”

“Then what do you make of Heroes bringing maids along when fighting magical beasts and the Demon Lord’s army?”

“T-That too must be a matter of personal preference, right? There were Heroes who said, ‘I like maids who clean.’ I figured it was just a custom from their world…”

“Is that really so? A Hero with extraordinary power, who came to save the world, cared about it that much. Isn’t it more natural to think there was a reason beyond mere hobby?”

“…D-Don’t tell me—?”

Isaac’s voice began to tremble.

Raisenga, satisfied with that reaction, nodded and said:

“Indeed. The ‘cleaning’ Heroes desired from maids was actually the extermination of low-level magical beasts. The maids were expected to replace the Robot Vacuum Cleaners of the Heroes’ world. That’s why some Heroes were so particular about employing them. Does that not make sense?”

At Raisenga’s words, Isaac and the imperial soldiers murmured in astonishment.

“This is the opinion of someone who created golems in the Demon Lord’s Domain. What do you think, Captain?”

“A new theory… This is truly a new theory!”

Isaac shouted in excitement.

“This could overturn the academic understanding of Heroes in the Empire, General!”

“But it’s a convincing story, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, there were maids who became stronger under the guidance of the Hero… For a Hero to focus so much on maids and even enhance them, the reason must be… No way…”

“He probably wanted maids to possess the same strength as Robot Vacuum Cleaners, clearing away lesser threats so the Heroes could focus on powerful magical beasts—or even our ancestors in the Demon Lord’s army.”

“That’s why the Hero left behind the term ‘battle maids’…”

The term Isaac uttered was one of the still-undeciphered words in Hero legends.

There are no maids in this world who specialize in combat.

That’s why the phrase “battle maid,” left behind by a Hero, had long been a mystery.

However, if a Robot Vacuum Cleaner in the Heroes’ world was a golem that both cleaned rooms and exterminated magical beasts, then…

“In the Heroes’ world, the ones in charge of cleaning and the ones in charge of fighting were the same… In that case, perhaps their world had humanoid golems that looked like maids.”

“It’s possible.”

“And these golems, like the ‘Robot Vacuum Cleaners’ of the Heroes’ world and the ‘battle maids’ the Hero desired, would track down magical beasts and clean the world… Is that what you’re saying?”

Isaac muttered blankly.

“I, Isaac Omawarisan Muira… have realized my own ignorance. To be taught a new theory about the Heroes by someone from the Demon Lord’s Domain…”

“It’s nothing. We, too, are constantly learning… from that person.”

Raisenga picked up one of the golems.

“Now, let us test the power of the Cleaning Robots that person created. Captain Isaac, where are the traces of the giant magical beast?”

“Just beyond that large tree.”

“This… Ah. Indeed, the trees have been knocked over.”

Still holding the spider-shaped golem, Raisenga moved in the direction Isaac pointed.

Ahead, there were clear signs that a large creature had passed through.

Trees in the forest had fallen to either side, the ground was gouged out, and grass was scattered.

It looked as though a giant magical beast had dragged its heavy body through the forest.

“This was discovered by our unit a few days ago.”

Captain Isaac said.

“It wasn’t here the last time we visited. A nearby villager heard a loud noise in the forest. I believe these are the traces of a giant magical beast, but…”

“Then let’s confirm it.”

Raisenga set the spider-shaped golem on the ground.

Shuru-shuru. Korokoro.

The other two golems—the Snake-Type and Spherical-Type—moved over to the Spider-Type.

Their movements were awkward, like newborn creatures.

“—They’re moving slowly.”

“Even if they can track magical beasts, won’t it take them a very long time at that speed?”

“—It must be hard to fully recreate an item from the Heroes’ world. It can’t be helped.”

The imperial soldiers muttered.

Those golems may have been recreations of the “Robot Vacuum Cleaners” from the Heroes’ world.

But it likely wasn’t perfect.

Thinking that, they sighed.

“By the way, General.”

“What is it, Captain Isaac?”

“Why are these golems moving in such perfect coordination? It’s almost eerie.”

The golems on the ground moved around the fallen trees.

The Spider-Type crawled along the tree trunks, the Snake-Type coiled around exposed roots, and the Spherical-Type rotated over the disturbed ground, kicking up soil as it searched.

Each moved with different tasks, yet without getting in each other’s way.

It was the first time they’d seen golems working in such coordinated harmony without a spellcaster.

“According to that person, Robot Vacuum Cleaners in the Heroes’ world connect to various things through something called Wi-Fi.”

“‘Wi-Fi’… link, you say?”

“It seems to be a kind of magical power. These golems have similar functionality. Apparently, by ‘matching their magical wavelengths, they’re able to move as one.’ Or so I was told…”

Then, all at once,

Three “cleaning robots” stopped moving.

Rustle. Swish. Roll roll.

As if controlled by invisible strings, they all turned at once toward the east.

And then──

Rustle rustle rustle rustle rustle!

Swish swish swish swish swish!

Roll roll roll roll roll!

At an incredible speed, they began running toward the forest exit.

“──Wha, that’s fast!? What’s that!?”

“──Did they find a clue to the magical beast!?”

“──Wh-what speed is that! Who was it that said they were slow!!”

The Spider-Type climbed over obstacles with rustling sounds—

The Snake-Type slipped between grass and trees—

The Spherical-Type rolled at tremendous speed, bouncing over every obstacle without hesitation—

──All three together dashed toward the east.

“That’s fast! Is the Spider-Type the fastest?”

“Yeah, with so many legs, it’s faster! And it’s stable too. Moving through the rough terrain of the forest at that speed!”

“No, the Snake-Type is faster!”

“It ignores roots and loose stones. The Snake-Type slips past every obstacle! Look at that smooth movement—it’s already rounding the bend and nearing the forest exit!”

“No, the Spherical-Type is fastest!”

“No, the Spherical-Type is fastest! It spins at high speed and bounces off obstacles to avoid them. Is it using the other golems’ vision? It’s taking the inside line and overtaking the Spider-Type…”

The soldiers desperately chased after the golems.

“General Raisenga. May I ask something?”

“What is it, Captain Isaac?”

“In the Demon Lord’s Domain, you’re not thinking of using those in battle against the Empire, right?”

“Of course not. Neither Her Majesty nor that person desires such a thing.”

Raisenga nodded with a serious expression.

“We consider Princess Sophia and Captain Isaac to be good neighbors.”

“…It’s really a relief that the Demon Lord’s Domain isn’t our enemy.”

Cold sweat ran down Isaac’s forehead.

If those golems were for combat──he didn’t know how they could possibly fight against them.

The Spider-Type could climb castle walls as though it were perfectly natural.

The Snake-Type could slip through even the smallest gaps.

The Spherical-Type—

“That’s the most terrifying one. No one pays attention to a rolling ball. If it were thrown into enemy ranks and deployed weapons from inside, it would be like an attack by spinning blades.”

“Thinking about it like that, it really is terrifying…”

“Whoever designed the Spherical-Type golem must have been extraordinarily creative.”

While saying things like that, Isaac and the others continued chasing the golems.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter